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HOW JUDE EJIOGU LOOTED 1BILLION NAIRA IMO LGA PENSION FUNDS

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I told you before that as a young man one of the artists I followed his music is the late legendary Afro-beat maestro Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Fela did a lot of songs, most of which are about the misrule of our government and even the western imperialists. Fela did a song titled: ‘Beasts of no nation’ to protest the evil apartheid regime in South-Africa. And back home, Fela through his songs exposed so many evil in government dealings. ITT (International Thief, Thief) ,VIP (Vagabonds in Power), Teacher don’t teach me nonsense, Sorrow, tears and blood and Authority Stealing are a few among many work of legendary Fela. I remember his song title Army Arrangement; I heard Fela singing and saying 2.8 billion naira oil money missing.
Last time, I told you that over 3 billion naira was looted and carted away by the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu. I told you that the Imo Speaker awarded fraudulent Road Contracts to himself in Imo State using his friends as fronts and used the money he got from the road contracts scams to acquire eye popping mansions in Nigeria.I shouted because In the midst of abundant human and natural resources, the vast majority of Imo working masses live in abject poverty. The vast majority of Imolites are kept in unstable and difficult socio-economic conditions while a tiny fraction have exclusive access to things and comforts of life. I called Uwajumogu the International Thief Thief number one of Imo State.The entire money stolen by Uwajumogu alone is enough to begin to rebuild failed infrastructures in his Okigwe constituency. Yet this same man is jostling to represent Okigwe zone in the Senate.
This time i am pointing at the International Thief Thief number two that is currently in power in Imo State, another VIP (Vagabond in Power). This highly placed government official and his accomplices stole 1billion naira from the Imo State LGA Pension fund when he was the Chairman of Local Government Service Commission. Today, LGA pensioners are calling on the State Government to immediately settle the pension of Local Government retirees in Imo State.So who looted the monies issued out by Governor Okorocha to settle LGA pensioners?
Many of these LGA retirees are already living from hand to mouth, despite having committed their active lives to serving society. Many of them are already infirm and can hardly afford the exorbitant hospital bills charged thanks to commercialization of healthcare in Imo State. Many have their children in schools, and can hardly pay high fees. While many of these retirees have not been put on the payroll since their retirement, those already on the payroll are still owed several months of unpaid pension arrears and gratuity. Thus, these retirees, who have no other means of livelihood, can hardly meet their basic needs, while majority are already in debt. Retirement, which ordinarily should be embraced with joy, has become a source of sorrow, frustration, panic and agony in Imo State.
I am aware that the primary reason for this embarrassing state of absurdity as per pensioners in our LGA’s is the “profit first” capitalist Chief of Staff to the Imo Governor Sir Jude Ejiogu who allegedly looted 1 billion naira LGA pension funds in the State when he was the Chairman of Local Government Service Commission. I totally condemn in strong terms this insensitivity to the plights of pensioners in the state. I say boldly today that Jude Ejiogu is the ITT (International Thief Thief number two) in Imo State. Fortunately for this looter, he was not charged to court and he is still in power.
Senate president, David Mark once said ‘if your wealth is from people’s pensions then that is blood money. It is blood money because you cannot take away the sweat, the entitlements of an old man or an old woman who is looking up just to that little appreciation from his country and believe that you will live in peace. You cannot live in peace because the prayers of those old men at home will fight you.’ Like David Mark i share the anguish and anger of the ordinary Imolites against this kind of capitalist looting. To me even the stoning of persons that stole money belonging to pensioners would not be sufficient to compensate the affected pensioners, if on retirement they could not receive their pensions. Yet this same man is jostling to represent Owerri zone for elective position in 2015.
Jude Ejiogu is enmeshed in an orgy of corruption and mass looting of public money and natural resources. I am aware of why Commercial banks operating in Imo State shut their doors against their customers for some days. I am aware that Jude Ejiogu when he was the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Revenue Generation (IGR) collected millions of naira from commercial banks in the state as tax but diverted the monies into his own pocket. The State government later demanded the same tax that Ejiogu had already collected from the banks and the banks had to go on strike for excessive taxation .I am also aware that the same Jude Ejiogu allegedly defrauded Hall mark Bank and Progress Bank and ran to USA some years ago. Yet this same man is jostling to represent Owerri zone for elective position in 2015.
To end perpetual mass misery in the midst of an inexhaustible abundance in Imo State, i have commence a campaign against looters like Ejiogu.From week to week i will name them one after the other. As have been amply demonstrated, these capitalist elite like Ejiogu , unless removed from political power will always and would always directly loot the resources that ought to be used to better the lot of the vast majority of the Imo population.Equally worrisome is that when capitalist thieving elite like Ejiogu are not busy with direct looting of the State’s treasury, their only other pre-occupation is the implementation of socio-economic policies that can only make life harder for the overwhelming majority of Imolites . This is the primary ideological reason why Ejiogu is a chief advocate for privatization and commercialization of basic needs and social services in Imo State. Through this unjust strategy, he and other ruling capitalist thieving cabal in Imo State have virtually sold to themselves all publicly built government houses and public companies at rock bottom prices, of course, with money directly looted from the state’s treasury. Save us o God.
-Kenneth Uwadi, Mmahu-Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria

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Followers dumping Kwankwaso, APC will reclaim Kano – Ganduje

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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has expressed confidence in the party’s ability to reclaim Kano State from the New Nigeria People’s Party, claiming that the influence of its leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, is waning.

Speaking at the 8th and 9th APC Kano State House of Assembly Forum dinner on Monday, Ganduje, represented by Kano State APC Chairman Abdullahi Abbas, said that many of Kwankwaso’s supporters were abandoning him due to dissatisfaction with his leadership.

He said come 2027, the NNPP would not be able to repeat the 2023 electoral victory, which saw it capture Kano State.

“I always get surprised when Rabiu Kwankwaso claims he is the one who has the people. If not for our internal issues that caused some of us to leave, he wouldn’t have won any election in the state,” Ganduje stated.

He further alleged that those who once backed Kwankwaso now regret their decision. “Those who helped him are already disappointed and regretting it. I assure you that we are done with Kwankwasiyya. Even the governor is unaware of all that is happening within his administration,” he added.

Ganduje stressed the importance of unity among APC members, describing it as the key to reclaiming power.

“Unity is the only way out for us; it’s the only option we have to get what we want. God has already intervened in our situation. The current government is distorting the state, and we are just waiting for the right time. The next election will be like shifting a hen from its eggs,” he said.

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, also emphasised the need for unity and expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects. “What is left for us in Kano is just unity. If the elections were held today, we wouldn’t have any cause to be afraid. The one we didn’t win was God’s will. Let’s just pray and forge ahead in unity,” Ata said.

Criticising the current NNPP administration, Ata remarked, “We must work towards reclaiming Kano because the way the state is being handled now, we all know it’s not in good hands. Nobody is enjoying the leadership.”

Ata also commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising Kano State in national development initiatives, including the allocation of 500 housing units, compared to 250 for other states.

The forum chairman, Abdul’azeez Gafasa, acknowledged the contributions of past APC leaders and reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to unity.

“Our leaders are working tirelessly to bring us together, and this unity will help us achieve our goals,” he said.

Efforts to get the reaction of Kano NNPP Chairman, Alhaji Hashim Dungurawa, were unsuccessful as he did not take repeated calls placed to his mobile line.

 

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Vandals will face full wrath of law — Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has declared that vandals arrested by security agents in connection with the removal of sewage manhole covers on highways in Abuja will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Wike explained that such a measure would serve as a deterrent to others.

The minister also warned that all buyers and users of the vandalised manhole covers and other vandalised public infrastructure will be arrested and prosecuted for economic sabotage and putting the lives of Nigerians at risk.

This was contained in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, on Monday.

He commended the security agencies for their prompt and decisive actions while describing their collaborative efforts as “fantastic” and a further assurance to the residents of the capital territory that their lives and properties are protected.

He also commended Nigerians for showing patriotism in speaking out against the vandalisation, adding that “safeguarding public amenities is, first and foremost, the duty of Nigerians, who are the owners and users of the amenities.”

Wike said: “Those stealing and buying amenities meant for the use of Nigerians are Nigerians themselves. They live among us and they are known. It is therefore important that patriotic Nigerians begin to expose them even before they carry out their devilish acts.”

About 50 suspected vandals have been arrested for theft of manhole covers within the FCT.
Twenty-five vandalised manhole covers have been recovered by security agents.

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EFCC sacks 27 corrupt officers, probes $400,000 fraud complaint

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it dismissed 27 of its officers last year for misconduct and fraudulent activities.

The anti-graft agency also said it was investigating “a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head.”

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

He said the dismissals followed recommendations from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee, which were ratified by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

“In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024,” Oyewale said. “Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.”

The statement quoted the EFCC Chairman as reaffirming the commission’s zero-tolerance policy toward corruption, emphasising that no officer is immune to disciplinary action.

He also assured the public that all allegations against EFCC staff would be thoroughly investigated, including a trending claim involving $400,000 against a Sectional Head by a supposed EFCC staff member.

“The core values of the commission remain sacrosanct and will always be upheld,” Olukoyede said, reiterating the commission’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability at all levels.

In addition, the EFCC issued a warning to the public about impersonators and blackmailers exploiting the name of its chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects under investigation.

“The commission also wishes to alert the public to the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC,” the statement read.

The EFCC revealed that two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

The pair allegedly contacted a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, and demanded $1m to secure a “soft landing” in a non-existent investigation.

The commission noted that similar criminal elements are still at large and urged the public to report such individuals.

Oyewale further emphasised that EFCC Chairman is a man of integrity who cannot be influenced by monetary offers.

“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity who cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to report such disreputable elements to the commission.”

The EFCC is also aware of attempts to blackmail its officers through unscrupulous means.

“Suspects under investigation for economic and financial crimes, who have failed to compromise their investigators, often resort to blackmail. These blackmailers should not be given any attention,” Oyewale added.

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