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Exposed: Reps Fault Process As Malami Named In $139m Bank Transfers

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Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN)

The House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee on Assessment and Status of All Recovered Loots Movable and Immovable Assets from 2002 to 2020 by Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria for Effective Efficient Management and Utilisation may soon invite the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), for ordering bank to convert revenue collected in dollars to naira before remittance.

A Deposit Money Bank, Keystone Bank, had told the committee that Malami instructed it to remit part of the $136m in its custody in naira while also determining the exchange rate, a revelation that the lawmakers criticised.

The Executive Director, North and Public Sector Directorate, Keystone Bank, Lawal Ahmed, at an investigative hearing by the committee in Abuja on Wednesday, told the lawmakers that the bank had remitted all the funds belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

In his presentation, Ahmed said, “Our position, as confirmed by the CFO of NNPC, was that we have remitted all the funds that were with us at our last meeting. You asked for clarification regarding some reversals from the statements of account, which we reviewed and confirmed that they were actually failed transactions.

“We are using NEFT. We sent the money; it reversed and it was sent again. So, it was showing in and out on the statements. It was part of the documents that we submitted.

“You asked for where we got the rates and we provided the letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation directing us to make the payment and the rate with which to transfer. We also submitted that with our letter.”

The Chairman of the committee, Adejoro Adeogun, asked how much Keystone was supposed to return to the NNPC. The representative said the total figure established by the AGF was $136,676,600.51.

Giving a breakdown of the figure, Ahmed said, “Out of this entire amount, we paid in $96m in United States dollar and we paid the equivalent of $40m in naira. That was the directive by the Attorney-General at the rate of N305 to a dollar. The schedule is also attached.”

However, Adeogun noted that the $136m was supposed to be for Brass LNG Investment Account “but when you were paying, you paid into a different account.”

Responding, Ahmed said, “We were paying into the Brass LNG’s NNPC account in the TSA and at the time the Attorney-General gave the directive, he instructed that the funds be credited to the FGN Assets Recovery Account.”

Adeogun presented a letter the committee obtained from the CBN on the transactions to the Keystone Bank representative, saying the figures did not tally.

After reading the document, Ahmed argued that there were no discrepancies in the exchange rates as recorded in the CBN and Keystone’s documents.

“The first item, which is N12,421,794,504.88 is the equivalent of $40m at N305, which was directed to the FGN Assets Recovery Account. There were two accounts: there was the Brass LNG and there was OML 40. At the time this (AGF) letter was written, I believe that we had not concluded payment yet. The final payments were made thereafter in tranches,” he said.

A member of the committee, Olanrewaju Edun, who was visibly angry, said, “Out of the $40m that you claimed that the Attorney-General gave you a letter. As far as I am concerned, I don’t know why you have to take a letter from the Attorney-General. This is Nigeria’s money owned by the three tiers of government. We can take you up on that.”

While Ahmed asked Keystone if the bank should disregard a letter from the AGF, Edun said “that is contentious” and that the committee would get to the issue.

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Aviation Minister Celebrates Festive Season Through Generous Palliative Distribution In Delta

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In the spirit of the festive season, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has undertaken a remarkable act of goodwill, distributing a substantial array of food items to the people of Delta State. This benevolent initiative is aimed at fostering camaraderie and ensuring that the joy of the season is shared with all.

The extensive distribution exercise includes over 10,000 bags of rice, hundreds of cows, and rams, benefitting a wide spectrum of recipients including traditional rulers, party leaders, religious leaders, community leaders, opinion leaders, ethnic groups, and other key stakeholders. The gesture has been widely applauded as a demonstration of the Minister’s enduring connection with his roots and his commitment to the welfare of his people.

Speaking before the distribution commenced, Keyamo expressed his heartfelt motivation for this philanthropic effort, emphasizing the importance of giving back to a community that has shown him unwavering support throughout his journey. “This initiative is my humble way of reciprocating the kindness and generosity I have received from the people of Delta State. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with my kith and kin,” he said.

Keyamo also used the occasion to call on Nigerians to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing the importance of collective effort in addressing the nation’s challenges. He underscored the need for unity, collaboration, and shared responsibility as critical factors for national development.

A proud son of Delta State, Keyamo has long been a champion of the Nigerian people’s welfare. His distinguished career as a lawyer, human rights activist, and public servant has been marked by an unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and fairness, earning him widespread admiration both at home and abroad.

The festive season distribution is yet another testament to his enduring dedication to the betterment of society and his determination to make a meaningful impact in the lives of his people.

Tunde Moshood
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

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Late Samuel Ogbemudia’s daughter Eghe impeached as Egor council chairman

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The legislative arms of Egor Local Government Area of Edo State have impeached the council chairman, Eghe Ogbemudia, and the vice chairman, Frank Osawe.

The legislators also suspended the leader of the legislative arms, Bosede Omokaro, Majority Leader, Iwinosa Enabulele, and Elliot Inneh Enni, the Chief Whip.

The council’s chairman and vice chairman were impeached for alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial misappropriation, unlawful withholding of statutory allowances of a principal member and three other council members as well as budget padding.

The principal officers of the council were allegedly suspended for inability to collaborate effectively with the local government chairmen, particularly in ensuring timely payment of salaries,

the two-month delay in councillors’ salaries, failure to provide effective oversight and neglect of responsibilities.

The motion for their impeachment was moved by Nosakhare Isiegbuwa, seconded by Stella Ogida Osagioduwa and signed by four legislators.

The suspension of the former principal officers of the legislative arms was passed by five members, with one member absent.

The House immediately swore in Kelvin Eguakun, the leader of the legislative arm, as the acting chairman of the council.

Moving the motion for the impeachment, Nosakhare Isiegbuwa, at plenary on Friday, December 27, 2024, said the report submitted by the seven-man panel appointed to probe the allegations of gross misconduct against the chairman and vice chairman found the duo guilty of all the allegations.

In a unanimous voice vote, the councillors impeached the chairman and vice chairman.

Society Reporters learnt that the impeachment proceedings were formally documented in the Edo State Government Gazette.

The gazetted document notified the affected officials of the initiation of impeachment proceedings in line with the Edo Local Government Bye-law on Pro-Action Notices, Legislative Privileges, and Impeachment Procedures For Elected Council Officials, 2024.

Society Reporters reports that the impeached council chairman, Eghe Ogbemudia, is the daughter of the late General Samuel Ogbemudia, the former military governor of the old Midwest and Bendel states.

He was also a civilian governor of old Bendel State in 1983. He ruled for three months before the government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari was overthrown by the former military government of General Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983.

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Kwara Governor, Abdulrazaq mourns late Chief of Staff, Abdulquadri Mahe

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Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has described his late Chief of Staff, Abdulquadri Mahe, as a perfect gentleman, community leader, urbane public servant and a statesman.

In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye in Ilorin on Saturday, governor Abdulrazaq said: ‘In total submission to the will of Allah, we regret to announce the passing of the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Prince AbdulKadir Mahe.

“He died this morning, December 28, 2024, as has been destined by Allah.

“The late CoS will be buried today, Saturday, at his residence on Moro Street, Adewole Estate, Ilorin, after the Asr prayer.

“His Excellency deeply mourns the death of Prince AbdulKadir Mahe, a perfect gentleman, community leader, urbane public servant, and a statesman.”

The governor commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the immediate family of Prince AbdulKadir, government establishments and cabinet members.

“We ask for the understanding of everyone at this mournful period as the government and family mourn the quintessential public servant.

“We pray that Allah accept his return, ease his accounts, admit him to al-jannah Firdaus, and uphold his family upon goodness,” the statement added.

 

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