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Minister Of Niger Delta, Pastor Uguru Usani Indicted For Fraud In Cross River

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The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Uguru Usani, was indicted for fraud and abuse of office during his tenure as a commissioner in Cross River State, WE learned on Monday.

Usani was the Commissioner for Agriculture, Water Resources, and Rural Development during the last military administration in the state, which was headed by Col. U. F Ahmed (Rtd). It was Military Administrator Ahmed who handed over to the elected governor of the state, Mr. Donald Duke, at the beginning of the Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999.

Our correspondent on Monday obtained a document published in 2000 by the Cross River State Government indicting Mr. Usani for fraud and abuse of office.
In its gazette, the state government concluded in its findings that Usani along with a firm, Gersh Henshaw & Company, defrauded the government of about N16m through a contract for the valuation of the assets of an agency under his ministry.

It recommended that the former commissioner be prosecuted and that details of the transaction be forwarded to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

On June 21, 1999 Governor Duke inaugurated the Financial Impropriety/Verification Standing Committee to, among others: ascertain the assets and liabilities of the ministries and institutions, all forms of financial impropriety (if any) in government ministries and establishments, the perpetrators of such financial improprieties; and recommend appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken against the culprits including recovery of all such sums.

The committee, which was led by Chief Orok Oyo, included Chief Andy Ikpeme, Ekpe Essien Ita, Otu Oka, Mr. Akomaye Adie and Okoi-Obono Obla (who was later replaced by Mr. Stephen Asuquo).

The recommendations of the committee and approval of the state government were published as Cross River Gazette titled, ‘Views of the Cross Rivers State Government on the Report of the Financial Impropriety/Verification Standing Committee.’

The 37th contract involving Usani and which was investigated by the committee is titled in the Gazette as ‘The Case of Gersh Henshaw & Company.’ It involved “the contract for the valuation of vehicles, workshops/equipment of the Cross River State Water Board”, awarded by Usani as the then Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development to Gersh Henshaw & Company, Estate Surveyors, and Valuers.
Usani was said to have paid about N20,750,000 to the company for the execution of the contract. The Head of Practice of the firm, Mr. Gersh Henshaw, was said to have testified before the committee, giving the impression that the firm did the state government a favour by accepting the lump sum of N20,750,000 from the then commissioner for the execution of the job.

But the committee stated that in line with the approved scale of fees for the valuation work done, Gersh Henshaw & Company ought to have been paid only N4,426,850.

The committee recommended that the sum of N16,323,150, being the excess of the payment, be recovered from Usani.

“The then Commissioner, Mr. Usani U. Usani, expressly refused to pay in accordance with the approved scales or fees although that would have meant a lot of savings on the part of government. He rather ended up paying an amount which was N16,323,150.00 higher than the approved scale or fees,” the gazette read in part.

The committee had recommended to the government that a total sum of N17,031,446 comprising N16,323,150 being excess payment on the contract sum and N708,296 as tax deduction should be recovered from Usani.

But the government stated that the N708,296 tax deduction had been waved.

The government approved the recommendation that the particulars of the transaction should be forwarded to the Code of Conduct Tribunal with a complaint of “financial impropriety and abuse of office” against Usani.
According to the document: “The committee found that Mr. Usani and Mr. Gersh Henshaw deliberately failed to apply the approved scale of fees and in order to defraud the government.

“The Government of Cross River State should recover the total sum of N17,031,446.00 made up of N16,323,150 being excess payment on the contract sum for the valuation of the assets of Cross River State Water Board and N708,296.00 being total tax deduction.”

In the comment section, it said: “Government accepts this recommendation and directs that the sum of N16,323,150 only should be recovered from Mr. Usani U. Usani, the then Commissioner for Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development being excess payment on the contract sum for the valuation of the assets of the Cross River State Water Board. He should also be prosecuted.

“Government however, waives the payment of N708,296.00 being total tax deduction in view of its comment expressed in paragraph 38 (viii) above. Government shall forward particulars of this transaction to the Code of Conduct Tribunal with a complaint against Mr. Usani Uguru Usani for financial impropriety and abuse of office.”

On the issue that the firm be allowed the sum of N4,426,850 as total Consultancy fee (gross of total), the government accepted the recommendation, saying: “The Government of Cross River State should make a formal complaint against Gersh Henshaw & Company to his professional body, the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers for unprofessional conduct.”

Noting that recommendation, the government said: “The firm of Gersh Henshaw & Company should be blacklisted from further patronage by the Government of Cross River State.”

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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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Aliu Gafar delivers stellar performance as Esusu in Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors

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By Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

The much-anticipated movie series Seven Doors by Femi Adebayo has finally premiered, currently showing on Netflix, captivating audiences with its intricate storytelling and compelling characters.

The movie begins with a haunting scene of seven women under a mysterious spell leaping to their deaths from a waterfall, setting the tone for a gripping tale that unravels in Ilara Kingdom.

The series explores various societal issues, including corruption, greed, gluttony, family values, malicious conspiracies, and the delicate balance of law and order.

Central to its plot is the calamitous fate of Oba Adedunjoye, the Onilara of Ilara, whose failure to perform traditional rites—symbolised by knocking on seven doors—unleashes devastating consequences on his kingdom.

At the heart of this chaos is Esusu, a malevolent and exiled villain whose return wreaks havoc.

Esusu, a ni ohun t’Eledumare o ni.
Eledumare o ni ika, ika ni Esusu

The character of Esusu, pivotal to the story’s depth, is masterfully brought to life by Aliu Gafar.

Gafar’s first appearance, late in Episode 2, immediately shifts the narrative, introducing a chilling force that spares no one, not even the royal family. His commanding portrayal encapsulates the essence of Esusu, a man whose wickedness defies comprehension.

The backstory reveals Esusu’s sinister pact with Ọba Adejuwọn, an ancestor of Adedunjoye.

Desperation led Adejuwon to seek Esusu’s help to evade death—a move that came at an unthinkable cost, forgetting that bi alọ ba lọ, abọ nbọ (a pendulum that swings to is still coming to swing fro).

Esusu’s return demanded not only royal treatment but the freedom to live as he pleased, challenging the very fabric of the kingdom.

Gafar embodies this complex character with remarkable precision, delivering a performance that is both chilling and unforgettable.

With almost two decades in Nollywood, Aliu Gafar has solidified his reputation as a versatile and dedicated actor.

His extensive filmography includes acclaimed productions such as Jagun Jagun, Anikulapo, Iyalode, Eefin, and Omo Ajele.

His role in Seven Doors further cements his legacy as a master of his craft, showcasing his ability to seamlessly portray multifaceted characters.

The Yoruba actor has also garnered accolades for his work, including the Best Actor award at the Dallas International Yoruba Movies Awards for his role in Peregun.

His commitment to the industry and his talent for captivating performances continue to make him a force to be reckoned with in Nollywood.

In Seven Doors, Gafar’s nuanced performance as Esusu elevates the series, demonstrating his ability to command attention and bring depth to a complex narrative.

His contribution to the Nigerian film industry remains invaluable, and his portrayal of Esusu is a testament to his enduring excellence.

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