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GOV. OKOWA’S COMMISSIONER BOLTS AWAY WITH N3 BILLION RELEASED BY WORLD BANK TO USE FOR 2019 ELECTIONS

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6 years ago

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The rot in the Delta State Government of Mr Ifeanyi Okowa has spread its tentacles to the Ministry of Women Affairs, with the Governor turning a blind eye according to information reaching us. Documents in the possession of our newspaper detailed how the Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Mrs Omatsola Williams has turned the place into her conquered kingdom, embezzling funds at will. Multiple sources within the official complex confirmed that the sum of N3 billion released to her by State Employment and Expenditure for Results Project (SEEFOR) has allegedly been embezzled by the Commissioner.

According to our sources, the World Bank had released N3 billion to an arm of SEEFOR and it was in the control of Mrs. Omatsola Williams. The released fund was meant for the development of some Itsekiri communities. But as common with Nigerian politicians, Omatsola Williams and one of her ally, Mrs. Akowhoarehor Orubu seized the money and diverted the money to private purse. Investigations by SOCIETY REPORTERS revealed that Omatsola and Orubu have been embezzling the SEEFOR money for three years now, with no SEEFOR project in sight, in any of the three Warri Local Government Areas with about N500 Million embezzled from the project funds. Every letter written to the State Governor by staff complaining of this unholy act ended up in the dustbin, narrated a powerful source within the government. According to the source, the money allegedly embezzled by the Commissioner is being kept faraway to use for the election of 2019 in the Warri axis, which the government considers as politically problematic. Our reporters could not verify independently if Mr Okowa is aware that these lump of money has been diverted to fight his electoral battles instead of using it for its original purpose. Aside from her alleged looting spree, Omotsola also committed an act of Injustice to one Mrs Constance Aboyowa who is now late. The deceased until her death was the breadwinner of her family, since her husband lost his job in the banking sector.

For reasons best known to her, Mrs. Omatsola posted the woman to Burutu LGA, away from her family, which prompted the husband to go pleading to the Commissioner to reconsider this decision and at least post the wife to somewhere closer to home, which she adamantly refused. Compelled by this, the husband went borrowing for money to rent an apartment for his wife in Burutu so she could resume work. However, one month later, Omatsola posted Constance again; this time to Oghara in Ethiope West. And again, the husband went begging but she refused. Due to the accommodation problem in Oghara, Constance could not go to work for a week. Disturbed by these incessant postings, Constance wrote a letter to the Head of Service who is from the Ijaw tribe to use his powers and influence Omatsola’s decisions. In response, the Head of Service wrote to Omatsola, ordering that the posting be reverted since it is against civil service rules to post a civil servant to two different locations within one month. Omatsola Williams refused and stopped the salary of the deceased, which led to her being sick out of frustration. She lost blood and had no money to pay for the three pints of blood as requested by the doctor. She couldn’t get the money for treatment and died as a result. The strings of events have led the husband of the deceased to take comfort in drinking and he is now a drunkard in Asaba. When our reporter called the Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah to get the government side of this story, his phone rang endlessly but was not answered.

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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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9 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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22 hours 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

Published

23 hours 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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