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Exposed: Patrick Ukah, Former Commissioner Of Information In Delta, In Millions Of Naira Scandal

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Patrick Ukah,  the immediate past Commissioner of Information in Delta state , is currently enmeshed in a  case of financial malfeasance running into several millions of naira.  Ukah was said to have  gone on a  bogus spending spree  claiming to have purchased  cameras and repaired transmitters for  the Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba and Warri.
SaharaReporters reliably learned that Ukah, claimed to have purchased eight cameras for the two state- owned broadcasting outfits at  the sum of N18,721,738.00.
  However, finding  loopholes in Ukah’s claim, the state’s transition committee  decided  to launch  a probe into his supposed financial transactions,  confided a member of the committee  in our correspondent.
“We received some documents from the commissioner for information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, where huge sums of millions of naira were used to purchased cameras and repairs of transmitters at the Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba and Warri. The documents shows huge fraud, corrupt and sharp practices to cover up the looting in the two broadcasting houses in Asaba and Warri.
“How can you purchase eight camera for N18.7 million.? As part of our duty, we as a committee had to carry out a market survey on the cameras. The camera make and model is Sony Digital HXR-NX 100 and with our findings, we discovered that one of the cameras is often sold for less than a N500,000 and the commissioner for information claimed to have purchased one each at the sum of N2.3 million by his calculation.
“Ukah also claimed to have bought four tripods and four wireless microphones at the sum of N9,654,750.00 for DBS, Asaba and Warri. This is nothing but outright fraud. In all the documents presented by Ukah to the transition committee shows that, he only succeeded in using the state owned media houses to corruptly and fraudulently amassed wealth to himself without recourse to improving the deteriorating current status of the broadcasting houses.” a member of the committee  stated.

One of the Cameras Bought By Ukah
 In some of the documents presented by the state commissioner for information, Patrick Ukah to the committee and obtained by SaharaReporters, he claimed to have purchased eight cameras for DBS, Asaba and Warri at the cost of N18,721,738.00, repaired the FM coaxial feeder line at DBS, Warri at the cost of N16,620,000.00, repaired the back-up transmitters at DBS, Asaba, Ubulu-Uku and Warri at the cost of N43,000,000.00, as well as mast tensioning, painting and repairing at the cost of N11,150,000.00.
Continuing with the breaking down of the expenses incurred, the commissioner claimed that he purchased some equipment for DBS, Asaba and Warri, which he failed to name, at the cost of N12,553,750.00, provision and installation of antenna and repairs of another transmitters at the cost of N57,240,000.00, briefed governor Ifeanyi Okowa on the 2017 flood disaster in DBS, Asaba and restoration of the station back to air at the cost of N17,000,000.00, repair of faulty back up transmitters at DBS, Asaba, Ubulu-Uku and Warri at the cost of N68,380,000.00.
Meanwhile as mixed reactions have  continued to trail the monumental fraud and corrupt practices linked to the former informer commissioner, some of the addresses of contractors which Ukah claimed to have awarded the millions of naira contracts to, could not be located by our correspondent.
As at the time of filing this report, calls and messages put to the commissioner for information, Patrick Ukah were not responded to, but his Special Assistant on media, Samuel Ijeh, confirmed that the documents obtained by our correspondent were true copies of the documents submitted by his boss to the transition committee, adding that “But we later discovered that there some typographical errors” and when asked why his boss failed to carefully read through all the documents he submitted, Ijeh could not answer. 
“We received some documents from the commissioner for information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, where huge sums of millions of naira were used to purchased cameras and repairs of transmitters at the Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba and Warri. The documents shows huge fraud, corrupt and sharp practices to cover up the looting in the two broadcasting houses in Asaba and Warri.
“How can you purchase eight camera for N18.7 million.? As part of our duty, we as a committee had to carry out a market survey on the cameras. The camera make and model is Sony Digital HXR-NX 100 and with our findings, we discovered that one of the cameras is sold for less than a N500,000 and the commissioner for information claimed to have purchased one each at the sum of N2.3 million by his calculation.
“Ukah also claimed to have bought four tripods and four wireless microphones at the sum of N9,654,750.00 for DBS, Asaba and Warri. This is nothing but outright fraud. In all the documents presented by Ukah to the transition committee shows that, he only succeeded in using the state owned media houses to corruptly and fraudulently amassed wealth to himself without recourse to improving the deteriorating current status of the broadcasting houses.” a member of the committee  stated.In some of the documents presented by Ukah to the committee and obtained by SaharaReporters, he claimed to have purchased eight cameras for DBS, Asaba and Warri at the cost of N18,721,738.00, repaired the FM coaxial feeder line at DBS, Warri at the cost of N16,620,000.00, repaired the back-up transmitters at DBS, Asaba, Ubulu-Uku and Warri at the cost of N43,000,000.00, as well as mast tensioning, painting and repairing at the cost of N11,150,000.00.
Continuing, the commissioner claimed that he purchased some equipment for DBS, Asaba and Warri, which he did not name, at the cost of N12,553,750.00, provision and installation of antenna and repairs of another transmitters at the cost of N57,240,000.00, briefed governor Ifeanyi Okowa on the 2017 flood disaster in DBS, Asaba and restoration of the station back to air at the cost of N17,000,000.00, repaired of faulty back up transmitters at DBS, Asaba, Ubulu-Uku and Warri at the cost of N68,380,000.00.
Meanwhile as mixed reactions  have continued to trail the monumental fraud and corrupt practices linked to the former information commissioner, some of the addresses of contractors which Ukah claimed to have awarded the millions of naira contracts to, could not be located by our correspondent.
As at the time of filing this report, calls and messages put to the commissioner for information,  were not responded to, but Samuel Ijeh, his Special Assistant on media, , confirmed that the documents obtained by our correspondent were true copies of the documents submitted by his boss to the transition committee, adding that “But we later discovered that there are some typographical errors” and when asked why his boss failed to carefully read through all the documents he submitted, Ijeh could not answer.

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Lagos Celebrates Africa’s First AI Radio and Robotic Brilliance

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In a dazzling display of digital innovation, Tingo AI Radio—Africa’s first AI radio—hosted a meet and greet that brought together indigenous communities and tech enthusiasts in Lagos. The event showcased an array of mind-blowing robotic automations and AI-driven innovations designed to transform local industries. Live demonstrations featured robots assisting in tasks such as precision agriculture and digital storytelling that captured the cultural heritage of the community. “This event has opened our eyes to a new era of possibilities,” exclaimed community elder Mr. Babatunde. Engaging panel discussions provided insights into how AI can revolutionize education, commerce, and traditional crafts. Interactive booths allowed participants to experiment with digital technologies, while experts emphasized the importance of ethical innovation. Tingo AI Radio’s status as the first AI radio in Africa lent a visionary edge to the proceedings, underlining its role as a trailblazer in merging advanced media with indigenous traditions. The day concluded with a shared sense of optimism and determination to embrace future opportunities that will bridge the gap between heritage and technology. This landmark event has set the stage for ongoing initiatives aimed at empowering local communities through digital transformation.

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Police kill abductors of former AIG Hakeem Odumosu’s wife, recover ransom

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Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have killed the abductors of Folashade Odumosu, the wife of former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this to Channels TV on Thursday morning, said the victim also regained her freedom on Wednesday.

The retired AIG’s wife was kidnapped last Thursday at the entrance of her residence in Arepo, Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Society Reporters learned that the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, led the operation that rescued the retired AIG’s wife.

The kidnappers whisked the victim through a swampy area to an unknown destination after dragging her out of her SUV.

Giving an update on the matter, Adejobi said the operatives also recovered the ransom paid to the kidnappers as bait.

However, he refused to disclose the amount paid to the kidnappers or where exactly the victim was rescued.

 

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ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY: THE HALO TRUST AND US GOVERNMENT PARTNER TO PROVIDE AMMUNITION HANDLING AND ACCOUNTING TRAINING AT IKEJA LAGOS.

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The Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (NPF EOD-CBRN) has successfully completed the first batch of training for 19 personnel on Ammunition Handling and Accounting Course. The training, held in Ikeja, Lagos, from December 3-20, 2024, was organized by The HALO Trust and sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

According to The HALO Trust’s Country Director for Nigeria, Prince Ganiyu Otunba, this training is part of aholistic NPF-HALO developed project aimed at supporting personnel capacity building, addressing equipment needs, and enhancing the operational readiness of the NPF EOD-CBRN Command to mitigate explosive ordnance threats in Nigeria. A second batch of 22 personnel is scheduled to undergo the same training in January.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun PhD, NPM, through the CP EOD–CBRN CP Patrick Atayeroexpressed gratitude to the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs andThe Trust HALO for their support.

The training aimed to equip NPF EOD-CBRN personnel with the knowledge, skills, and best practices necessary to handle and account for ammunition and explosives safely and securely. The course also focused on ensuring proper accounting and record-keeping, preventing theft and diversion, reducing the risk of unplanned explosions at munitions sites, and promoting international best practices.

The NPF appreciates the support provided by the United States government, which will have a profoundly positive impact on the society.

CP Patrick Atayero emphasized the importance of responsible ammunition management in preventing the proliferation of illicit weapons and reducing the risk of unplanned explosions at munitions sites. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate with the Police in efforts to prevent the diversion, misuse, and unauthorized handling of explosive and other hazardous materials.

About HALO

The HALO Trust is the world’s largest humanitarian organization engaged in the field of Mine Action and weapons and ammunition management. With over 35 years’ experience, The HALO Trust is the most experienced organization in the field of Weapons and Ammunition Management, rehabilitating and constructing armouries and ammunition stores to international standards, disposing of unsafe and unserviceable weapons and ammunition, and building national capacity to allow for the safe, accountable and secure management and control of weapons and ammunition.

The HALO Trust presently implements Mine Action and weapons and ammunition management projects in 30 countries and territories. In 2024, HALO trained a total of 106 Nigeria security forces personnel in weapons and ammunition management.

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