Connect with us

News and Report

Former Banker Reveals How He Supplied Naira, Dollar To Willie Obiano From Security Vote Account

Published

2 months ago

on

A former banker, Ugochukwu Chinedu has revealed how he supplied cash in both naira and dollars to the erstwhile governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano.
Chinedu made the disclosure during the resumed trial of Obiano on Wednesday.

Speaking before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the former banker, who was the account manager of the Anambra State Government accounts, said he usually delivered raw cash in both Naira and US dollars to Obiano in line with the instructions given to him by the erstwhile governor’s principal secretary, Willie Nwokoye and accountant at the state government’s house, Theophilus Meize.

Chinedu, who is Prosecution Witness 3, added that the duo were signatories to the Security Votes account.

Society Reporters reports that Obiano is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on nine charges of embezzlement and money laundering to the tune of ₦4 billion.

In a statement on Wednesday by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the witness was quoted as saying, “I usually processed transactions with the principal secretary, either daily or weekly, mostly using the instruments of cheques. I will go to his office on Fridays to balance the account. All the transactions I carried out were usually based on the instructions given to him by the account holders.

“Sometime around July 2021, I was called by the compliance officer that they had received an invitation from the EFCC regarding an ongoing investigation into the administration of the Anambra State Government Security Votes’ account. In the course of the investigation, I was asked to provide details about some other accounts that I managed which included Udo Ventures Limited, Moment of Peace Limited, Easy Diamond Integrated Links Limited, C. I Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited, Xpressive Consult Nig. Limited, among others.”

According to Oyewale, documents relating to those accounts were marked PW3 A1 to A215, tendered, and admitted in evidence.

Oyewale also said PW4, who operates five, Bureau de Change companies, Hayatu Hassan, disclosed that he made a total sum of ₦222,371,000 available in dollars equivalent to the Government of Anambra State under Obiano.

“In the same vein, a businessman and Prosecution Witness 4, who operates five Bureau de Change companies, namely: Seltris BDC Limited, Seltris Limited, Commaught International Services Limited, Holdall Limited, and Norricelea Limited, disclosed that he made a total sum of ₦222,371,000 available in dollar equivalent to the Government of Anambra State under Obiano,” the statement added.

Oyewale said Hassan stated that, “Sometimes last year, I was invited by the EFCC Abuja Office, and I was asked if I had any business with the Anambra State Government and I said no. Then, the person interviewing me showed me that my company, Commaught International Services Limited, has done some transactions with the state government. He showed me some payments in seven transactions that were done in my Commaught account.

“Two different transactions were in February 2018, about N172,371,000 (One Hundred and Seventy-two Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-one Naira) and it was for $465,000 (Four Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand US Dollars). The other one was in March 2018 for N50 million and it was for $135,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-five US Dollars), making a total of $600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand US Dollars) and naira equivalent of N222,371,000.

“I sold the dollars to Ayuba Tanko, another BDC operator. As soon as the transaction was done, I handed over the dollars to Ayuba Tanko. I didn’t know it was from the Anambra State Government.”

The trial judge, Inyag Ekwo, subsequently adjourned the matter till October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for the continuation of trial.

 

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

News and Report

Just In: Opay Begins Charging Of N50 Electronic Transaction Fee On Every 10k And Above….

Published

11 hours ago

on

September 7, 2024

By

 

 

Opay digital banking platform is set to apply a transfer fee of N50 for transactions exceeding N10,000 and above.

 

OPay has introduced a new fee for electronic transfers into both personal and business accounts, in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

 

 

Beginning September 9, 2024, there will be a one-time charge of N50 for transfers of N10,000 or more.

 

 

” On Saturday, the digital platform communicated to its valued customers via a text stating the reason for the deductions even though people are still struggling to survive.

 

In it’s statement, is says:

 

“Dear valued customers, please be informed that starting September 9, 2024, a one-time fee of N50 will be applied for electronic transfer of N10,000 and above paid into your personal or business account in compliance with the Federal Inland Revenue Service

regulations.”

 

 

Continue Reading

News and Report

Our petrol to hit filling stations in 48hrs- Dangote

Published

4 days ago

on

September 3, 2024

By

Businessman, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that petrol produced from his 650,000 barrels per day refining facility will hit filling stations in the next 48 hours as modalities with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited are formalised.

Dangote said this on Tuesday during a press briefing announcing the formal production of petrol at the refinery.

“Our PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) can be in filling stations within the next 48 hours depending on NNPCL,” he said.

Asked to speak on the pricing of the product from his refinery, Dangote said, “It is an arrangement which is designed and approved by the Federal Executive Council led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“As soon as it is finalised, which he (Tinubu) is pushing, once we finish with NNPC, it can be today, it can be tomorrow, we are ready to roll into the market.”

Last December, Dangote, Africa’s leading industrialist, commenced operations at his $20bn facility sited in Lagos with 350,000 barrels a day.

The refinery, which was initially troubled by regulatory battles, hopes to achieve its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by the end of the year.

The refinery has begun the supply of diesel and aviation fuel to marketers in the country and now petrol.

Dangote also added that the introduction of naira for crude will reduce the demand for foreign exchange by 40 per cent.

“I want to thank President Bola Tinubu for creating this idea of Naira for crude and Naira for the product. Doing that will give a lot of stability to the Naira and remove 40 per cent of the demand for dollars. That’s not just it, there is a lot of round tripping,” he stated.

He added that it would become possible to track loaded trucks, hence making it easier to compute the national
consumption.

 

Continue Reading

News and Report

‘Eko Cares’: Grateful Beneficiaries praise Lagos Governor’s economic hardship alleviation initiatives

Published

5 days ago

on

September 3, 2024

By

Encomiums have continued to pour in on the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for the sustainable implementation of the ‘Eko Cares’ initiatives aimed at mitigating the current economic challenges experienced not only in the state, but across the country.
The ‘Eko Cares’ Initiatives, launched in April this year by Governor Sanwo-Olu, is the umbrella signature for several poverty-alleviating campaigns by the Lagos State Government, namely: ‘Alafia Eko’, ‘Ounje Eko’ Sunday Market, ‘Eko Fund Me’, ‘Alaafia Eko’, ‘Owo Isowo Eko’, and ‘Edinwo Owo Oko Eko’, all focused on lessening the burden of more than 500,000 Lagos households amid the current economic hardship in four critical sectors including transportation, education, health and agriculture.
These interventions are in line with the Lagos government’s undertaking to better the lives of its citizens in the 20 LGAS, and 37 LCDAs.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos Health District 1, Dr. Funmilayo Bankole and other health practitioners who coordinated the campaigns in different locations noted that the ‘Alafia Eko’ is aimed at ensuring the health and wellbeing of Lagosians. “What we do here is to screen Lagosians for silent killers such as hypertension, diabetes, etc., and prevent these conditions from causing complications”, she said.
At the’ Alafia Eko’ intervention held in Mushin LGA, one of the beneficiaries, Mr Tajudeen Adebowale, expressed excitement, saying, “We are very happy about this initiative. May God continue to bless the governor to do even more, especially programmes like this healthcare initiative”.
Another beneficiary at the Meiran intervention outreach, Alhaja Ajani Badru could not hold back her joy saying, “We are grateful to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration for the free healthcare brought to us. Medications these days are very expensive and today, we got sufficient treatment at no cost”. Another beneficiary, Mr. Adekojo Samuel expressed similar sentiments, thanking the Governor for the eye tests, drugs, and eye glasses received.
Another beneficiary at the Isolo outreach, Mr. Iyanu Temituro said: “The programme is excellently beautiful, organised, and the medical personnel were very approachable. I’m enjoying two medical services for stooling and blood pressure”.
Mr. Abiodun Ayodele, a beneficiary from the Surulere outreach was also full of commendations. “I appreciate what the Lagos Governor has done. See the lots of drugs they gave me; at the same time, I got brand new eye glasses”.
Other beneficiaries from Apapa LGA were also full of praise for the Governor, dedicating songs in Yoruba to Governor Sanwo-Olu, describing him as a promise keeper. Among them were Mrs. Tawa Yusuf and Mrs. Oloofa Bola who got free eye glasses.
Others were Mrs. Aremu Lateefat, Mr. Rasheed Raheem, and Mrs Saratu Ishola, who all got free drugs and medicals. They described the health initiative as a huge achievement and a big relief for them.
On the success of the programme, Dr. Saheed Tajudeen, a volunteer at the Igbogbo, Ikorodu outreach expressed excitement with the turnout for ‘Alafia Eko’ initiative. “Lots of people in the community don’t usually visit our Primary Health Centre, and Lagos State has deemed it fit to bring medical care to their doorsteps. This is laudable”, he said.
Other locations visited in this phase of the ‘Alafia Eko’ health initiative include Ikorodu North LCDA and Ikotun LCDA.
‘Eko Cares’ is supervised by the Special Dispensation Advisory Committee on Social Interventions (SPEDAC), a non-partisan body set up to advise the government on the various initiatives lined up to help the poor weather the current economic hardship in the country.

Continue Reading

Trending