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Exposed: How National Horticultural Research Institute Ibadan Allegedly Paid N5 Million Each to 25 Staff for Solar Lamps, Lavished N560,000 for Purchase Of Air-Conditioner

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3 years ago

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Established with a mandate to research genetic improvement, production, processing, and marketing of tropical fruits, vegetables, spices, other medicinal and aromatic plants of nutritional and economic importance, the National Horticultural Research Institute, with its headquarter in Ibadan may have deviated from its primary assignment as findings reveal that the institute allegedly engages in the pilfering of public funds. According to the 2018 Audit report of the Auditor General of the Federation as seen by us, while NIHORT got queried for paying a mobilization fee of 20% of the contract sum against the 15% required by the law in a N30.2 Million payment made in favor of three consultants for skill acquisition and empowerment on Horticultural value chain in Delta, Ebonyi and Oyo state, without following due process, the Oyo based Research Institute, already had its operations shrouded with corruption as another sum of N2,080,000 was discovered to have been paid for the supply of 10liters of diesel without a local purchase order, evidence of a functional oil dump, store receipt voucher or evidence of the diesel been issued to the appropriate quarters found.

Arguably, under no form of supervision the institute, we further learned, violated yet another Financial law as investigations reveal that it made advances in excess to its staff totaling N4,531,900 (Four Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-One Thousand Nine Hundred Naira) as against the approved threshold of 200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). With no intent on soft-pedaling in its looting spree, the National Horticultural Research Institute from the audit document also paid 8 of its staff a total of N1,831,300 (One Million, Eight Hundred, and Thirty-One Thousand, Three Hundred Naira) on 23/3/2018 for Re-completion of 12 new offices at NIHORT headquarters Ibadan. While a staff received N750,000 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) on 28/2/2018 for stashers in the institute’s farmland, another received N393,600 (Three Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand Six Hundred Naira) on 13/11/17 without any official description. Another jaw-dropping payment of N560,000 ( Five Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) to staff for the purchase of an LG Air-Conditioner was also uncovered followed by the supply of solar lamps, items which should have been in a single contract but was instead awarded to 25 staff members and the sum of N5,000,000,000 ( Five Million Naira) doled out to each, an act which reeks of fraud.

The report further showed that five other staff also received N997,000 (Nine Hundred and Ninety-Seven Thousand Naira) for the rehabilitation of the internal road network in the institute. Following these irregularities, The Executive Director of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) Ibadan, Dr. Abayomi Olaniyan after playing dumb to several calls by the Auditor General of the Federation in 2018 we learned was mandated to account for and recover both the sum of N32,375,000 (Thirty-Two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Naira) paid to the contractors and N4,531,900 (Four Million, Five Hundred and Thirty-One Thousand Nine Hundred Naira) paid to its staff or be made to face the law.

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

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12 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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