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Nigerian billionaire, Gilbert Ramez Chagoury indicted for US campaign finance violations

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3 years ago

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The United States Justice Department on Tuesday, charged Nigerian billionaire, Gilbert Ramez Chagoury with one count of scheming to falsify and conceal material facts and two counts of making false and misleading statements to federal investigators during an investigation into illegal contributions he made to the re-election campaign of Nebraska Republican Congressman, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry. Under 18 USC Section 1001, the penalty for making false statements is a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. Both Fortenberry and Chagoury face up to 15 years imprisonment if convicted.

A federal grand jury also indicted Rep. Fortenberry, alleging that the Nebraska GOP congressman concealed information and made false statements to authorities. The Justice Department also said Rep. Fortenberry repeatedly lied to and misled authorities during the investigation into illegal contributions made by Chagoury to his reelection campaign. The 75-year-old Nigerian billionaire of Lebanese descent has been living in Paris, France since 2015, after he fell out of favor with the new political establishment in Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari. Chagoury is alleged to have bankrolled the election campaign of then President Goodluck Jonathan who was defeated by Buhari.

Gilbert and his brother, Ronald Chagoury, who have built a reputation as giants of global philanthropy, are among Africa’s richest men with generous donations to charitable projects around the world. Gilbert’s name is on a gallery at the Louvre in France and a medical school in Lebanon, and he has received awards for his generosity to the Catholic Church and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in the USA. He owns a seven-bedroom hilltop mansion in Beverly Hills in California, and he has a high-level network of friends from Washington to Lebanon to the Vatican, where he serves as an ambassador for the tiny island nation of St. Lucia. His website shows him shaking hands and laughing with Pope Francis.

“I never imagined what the future would hold for me,” Chagoury once said of his boyhood in Nigeria. “But I knew there was a vision for my life that was greater than I could imagine.… I consider it a duty to give back.” Since the 1990s, Chagoury has cultivated a friendship with the Clinton family, in part by writing big checks, including an estimated $5 million to the Clinton Foundation, according to its list of donors. At a 2009 Clinton Global Initiative conference, where business and charity leaders pledge to complete projects, the Chagoury Group’s Eko Atlantic development – nine square kilometers of Lagos coastal land reclaimed by a seawall – was singled out for praise. During a 2013 dedication ceremony in Lagos, just after Hillary Clinton left her post as secretary of State, Bill Clinton lauded the $1 billion Eko Atlantic as an example to the world of how to fight climate change.

By the time Hillary Clinton became secretary of State, the relationship was strong enough for Bill Clinton’s closest aide to push for Chagoury to get access to top diplomats, and the agency began exploring a deal, to build a consulate on Chagoury family land in Lagos. But even as those talks were underway, other State Department officials were examining accusations that Chagoury had unsavory affiliations, stemming from his activities and friendships in Lebanon. After a review, Chagoury was refused a visa to enter the US in 2015.

Chagoury was born in 1946 in Lagos to Lebanese parents, and as a child attended school in Lebanon. He sold shoes and cars in Nigeria, according to a biography on his website, before marrying the daughter of a prominent Nigerian businessman. In the years afterward, Chagoury’s wealth grew. He has used some of that money to build political connections. His family conglomerate now controls a host of businesses, including construction companies, manufacturing plants, flour mills and real estate. Operating under the Chagoury Group – an industrial conglomerate founded in 1971 with interests in almost every viable sector in Nigeria; the group’s net worth, according to Forbes, is about $4.2 billion. The Chagoury brothers own the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, HITECH Construction Company and ITB Construction Ltd. They are also behind the over $6 billion Eko Atlantic project, which is an entirely reclaimed coastal city built in the upmarket Victoria Island area of Lagos and reserved exclusively for the high net worth individuals and corporate entities including some embassies. Its grand cheerleaders boast that upon completion, the new Eko Atlantic would match New York’s Manhattan.

During the rule of Gen. Sani Abacha, who seized power in Nigeria in 1993, Chagoury prospered, receiving development deals and oil franchises. In the 1990s, Chagoury portrayed himself as an Abacha insider as he tried to influence American policy to be friendlier to the junta. Soon after President Clinton named Donald E. McHenry a special envoy to Nigeria in 1995, Gilbert and Ronald Chagoury visited McHenry in his office at Georgetown University in Washington. The US was pushing for the return of democratic rule in Nigeria; Abacha, meanwhile, was eager to have Nigeria taken off a US list of nations enabling drug trafficking, McHenry said. Abacha turned out to be one of the most notorious kleptocrats in history, stealing billions in public funds. After Abacha’s death in 1998, the Nigerian government hired lawyers to track down the money. The trail led to bank accounts all over the world; some under Gilbert Chagoury’s control. Chagoury, who denied knowing the funds were stolen, paid a fine of 1 million Swiss francs, (about $600,000), and gave back $65 million to Nigeria; to get his Swiss conviction expunged.

As a noncitizen, Chagoury is barred from donating to US political campaigns, but in 1996, he gave $460,000 to a voter registration group steered by Bill Clinton’s allies and was rewarded with an invitation to a White House dinner. Over the years, Chagoury attended Clinton’s 60th birthday fundraiser and helped arrange a visit to St. Lucia, where the former president was paid $100,000 for a speech. Clinton’s aide, Doug Band, even invited Chagoury to his wedding. Chagoury has also donated to Republicans: He and his brother, along with Eko Atlantic, are listed as sponsors for a 2014 art exhibit at the George W Bush Presidential Center. In spite of his network of powerful friends, Chagoury has aroused the suspicions of US security officials. In 2010, he was pulled off a private jet in Teterboro, NJ, and questioned for four hours because he was on the Department of Homeland Security’s no-fly list. Homeland Security documents show that he was subsequently removed from the list and categorized as a “selectee,” meaning he can fly but receives extra scrutiny. Another Homeland Security document shows agents citing unspecified suspicions of links to terrorism, which can include financing extremist organizations; Chagoury later told reporters that agents asked him what bank he used in Nigeria.

In July this year, Chagoury was in Paris, France to join his fellow billionaires as guests of French President, Emmanuel Macron. The billionaire was said to have made the US his initial new abode, while his younger brother, Ronald held forte in Nigeria. The billionaire was then shuttling London, Beirut and Dubai to attend to business issues until he finally settled for Paris as his new base where he was plucked to be part of Macron’s France-Nigeria Business Council headed by Nigerian billionaire, Abdulsamad Rabiu. The brothers returned briefly to the spotlight in April 2020 when they significantly boosted Nigeria’s fight against the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic with the donation of N1 billion to Lagos State government. For the last three decades, Chagoury spent at least a few months each year in Beverly Hills, where he owns an 18,000-square-foot estate, once the home of actor Danny Thomas, with commanding views of West Los Angeles and the ocean. A year ago, after his visa application was denied, Chagoury’s mansion was put on the market, with an asking price of $135 million. It’s still on sale.

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Oyo Stampede: Ooni’s ex-wife Naomi Silekunola, others arrested as police confirm 35 minors dead.

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2 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of organisers of the children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan on Wednesday which resulted in a tragic stampede claiming the lives of 35 children.

 

In a statement released on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Osifeso Adewale, disclosed that Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, the main sponsor of the event and former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has also been taken into custody.

 

 

Sequel to the Stampede incident recorded on Wednesday 18/12/2024 at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event Organized by Wings Foundation and Media partners Agidigbo Fm, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of the State that (8) Persons have since been arrested for their various involvements,” the statement said.

 

“These persons include the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola ’f’ age 31yrs, Fasasi Abdulahi, ’m’ age 56yrs (School Principal Islamic High School, Ibadan), Genesis Christopher, ’m’ age 24yrs, Tanimowo Moruf,’m’ age 52yrs, Anisolaja Olabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs, Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, ’m’ age 25yrs.

 

 

“So far (35) Thirty-Five Minors have been documented Dead while (6) Six others are critically injured and on various Medical Interventions.

 

 

In furtherance of the above, the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations.

 

 

“So also, residents around the axis are advised not to panic as they would witness high-level patrols and visible Police presence to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation.”

 

The command said it sympathised with all the families of those affected by the tragedy and assured that justice would be served accordingly.

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Tinubu presents 2025 budget to National Assembly

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December 18, 2024

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… PRESENTATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR   OF   THE 2025

BUDGET OF RESTORATION: SECURING PEACE, REBUILDING PROSPERITY   TO   A JOINT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER, 2024

 

PROTOCOLS: — The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima — Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio — Right Honourable Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas — National Chairman of our great party, Excellency, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje — State Governors here present — Distinguished Leaders and Members of the National Assembly — Senior Government Officials here present — Gentlemen of the press,   My Fellow Nigerians,

1. In fulfilment of one of my constitutional duties and with unyielding commitment to rebuilding Nigeria towards ensuring that we remain steadfast on the journey to a prosperous future, I hereby present the 2025 Budget to the Joint Session of the 10th National Assembly.

2. On this day, before this hallowed chamber, I present to you the 2025 Budget at a time when our country is at a crucial point in its development trajectory.

3. The 2025 Budget Proposal again reinforces our administration’s roadmap to secure peace, prosperity, and hope for a greater future for our beloved nation. This budget christened, “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” strikes at the very core of our Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates our commitment to stabilizing the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance.

4. The journey of economic renewal and institutional development, which we began 18 months ago as a nation, is very much underway. It is not a journey of our choosing but one we had to embark on for Nigeria to have a real chance at greatness. I thank every Nigerian for embarking on this journey of REFORMS and TRANSFORMATION with us.

5. The road of reforms is now clearly upon us, and as the President of this blessed nation, I know this less-travelled road has not been easy. That there have been difficulties and sacrifices. They will not be in vain. And we must keep faith with the process to arrive at our collectively desired destination.

6. We must build on the progress we have made in the past eighteen months in restructuring our economy and ensuring it is strong enough to withstand the headwinds of any future shocks of the global downturn.

7. The 2025 budget that I present today is one of restoration. It seeks to consolidate the key policies we have instituted to restructure our economy, boost human capital development, increase the volume of trade and investments, bolster oil and gas production, get our manufacturing sector humming again and ultimately increase the competitiveness of our economy.

8. We do not intend to depart from this critical path to strengthen the Nigerian economy. Just as I believe in the resilience of our economy to withstand the current challenges, I also strongly believe in the resilience of the Nigerian people. Again, I summon the unstoppable Nigerian spirit to lead us on as we work to rebuild the fabric of our economy and existence.

9. The improvements we witnessed in the 2024 budget have led us into the 2025 budget. The goals of advancing national security, creating economic opportunities, investing in our youthful population, infrastructure development, and national re-orientation form the core of the 2025 budget. But more than that, this will lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s future growth trajectory.

CURRENT ECONOMIC REALITIES AND PROGRESS

10. Distinguished Senate President, Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, leaders and members of both Chambers of the National Assembly, I report today that our economy is responding positively to stimulus. Our objective is to further stimulate the economy through the implementation of targeted fiscal stimulus packages through public expenditures and specific non-inflationary spending.

11. The reforms we have instituted are beginning to yield results. Nigerians will soon experience a better and more functional economy.

12. Global economic growth for the outgoing year 2024 was projected at 3.2 percent, and against predictions, our country made significant progress.   o Our economy grew by 3.46 percent in the third quarter of 2024, up from 2.54 percent in the third quarter of 2023.   o Our Foreign Reserves now stand at nearly 42 billion US dollars, providing a robust buffer against external shocks.   o Our rising exports are reflected in the current trade surplus, which now stands at 5.8 trillion naira, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.   13. These clear results of gradual recovery, among others, reflect the resilience of our economy and the impact of deliberate policy choices we made from the outset.   2024 BUDGET PERFORMANCE   14. I am happy to inform this National Assembly that our administration attained remarkable milestones in implementing the 2024 Budget. In 2024, we achieved:   o 14.55 trillion naira in revenue, meeting 75 percent of our target as of the third quarter.   o 21.60 trillion naira in expenditure, representing 85 percent of our target, also in the third quarter.   15. While challenges persist, we improved revenue collection and fulfilled key obligations. The transformational effects of this on our economy are gradually being felt.   PHILOSOPHY OF THE 2025 BUDGET   16. The 2025 Budget seeks to: o Restore macroeconomic stability.   o Enhance the business environment.   o Foster inclusive growth, employment, and poverty reduction.   o Promote equitable income distribution and human capital development.   17. Our budgetary allocations reflect the administration’s strategic priorities, especially in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda and its developmental objectives.   2025 BUDGET OVERVIEW   18. The numbers for our 2025 budget proposal tell a bold and exciting story of the direction we are taking to retool and revamp the socio-economic fabric of our society.   o In 2025, we are targeting 34.82 trillion naira in revenue to fund the budget.   o Government expenditure in the same year is projected to be 47.90 trillion naira, including 15.81 trillion naira for debt servicing.   o A total of 13.08 trillion naira, or 3.89 percent of GDP, will make up the budget deficit.   19. This is an ambitious but necessary budget to secure our future.   20. The Budget projects inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6 percent to 15 percent next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately 1,700 naira per US dollar to 1,500 naira, and a base crude oil production assumption of 2.06 million barrels per day (mbpd).   21. These projections are based on the following observations:   o Reduced importation of petroleum products alongside increased export of finished petroleum products.   o Bumper harvests, driven by enhanced security, reducing reliance on food imports.   o Increased foreign exchange inflows through Foreign Portfolio Investments.   o Higher crude oil output and exports, coupled with a substantial reduction in upstream oil and gas production costs.   KEY PRIORITIES: REBUILDING NIGERIA   22. Our budgetary allocations underscore this administration’s strategic priorities, particularly in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda and achieving its developmental objectives.   23. Highlights of the 2025 Budget Allocations: • Defence and Security: N4.91 trillion • Infrastructure: N4.06 trillion • Health: N2.48 trillion • Education: N3.52 trillion   24. As we embark on implementing the 2025 Budget, our steps are deliberate, our decisions resolute, and our priorities are clear. This budget reflects a renewed commitment to strengthening the foundation of a robust economy, while addressing critical sectors essential for the growth and development we envision.   Securing Our Nation: 25. Security is the foundation of all progress. We have significantly increased funding for the military, paramilitary, and police forces to secure the nation, protect our borders, and consolidate government control over every inch of our national territory. The government will continue to provide our security forces with the modern tools and technology they need to keep us safe. Boosting the morale of our men and women in the armed forces will remain our government’s top priority.   26. The officers, men, and women of our Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police Force are the shields and protectors of our nation. Our administration will continue to empower them to defeat insurgency, banditry, and all threats to our sovereignty. Our people should never live in fear—whether on their farmlands, highways or cities. By restoring peace, we restore productivity, revive businesses, and rebuild our communities.   Infrastructure Development: 27. When we launched the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, it was with the conviction that infrastructure remains the backbone of every thriving economy. Under this programme, we are accelerating investments in energy, transport, and public works. By leveraging private capital, we hope to complete key projects that drive growth and create jobs. We have already embarked on key legacy projects: Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will have a huge impact on the lives of our people and accelerate economic output.   Human Capital Development: 28. Our people are our greatest resource. That is why we are making record investments in education, healthcare, and social services:   o Our administration has so far disbursed 34 billion naira to over 300,000 students via the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). In the 2025 Budget, we have made provision for 826.90 billion naira for infrastructure development in the educational sector. This provision also includes those for the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the nine new higher educational institutions.   o We are convinced that Universal Health Coverage initiatives will strengthen primary healthcare systems across Nigeria. In this way, we have allocated 402 billion naira for infrastructure investments in the health sector in the 2025 Budget and another 282.65 billion naira for the Basic Health Care Fund. Our hospitals will be revitalised with medication and better resources, ensuring quality care for all Nigerians. This is consistent with the Federal Government’s planned procurement of essential drugs for distribution to public healthcare facilities nationwide, improving healthcare access and reducing medical import dependency.   Revitalizing Agriculture: 29. Increasing agricultural production is central to our food security agenda, but insecurity has crippled this vital sector. We are supporting our farmers with funding and inputs to reignite productivity. Food security is non-negotiable. In this regard, we are taking bold steps to ensure that every Nigerian can feed conveniently, and none of our citizens will have to go to bed hungry.   30. Distinguished Senate President, Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, leaders and members of both Chambers of the National Assembly and fellow Nigerians, our 2025 budget proposal is not just another statement on projected government revenue and expenditures. It is one that calls for action. 31. Our nation faces existential threats from corruption and insecurity and suffers from many past poor choices. These challenges are surmountable when we work collaboratively to overcome them. We must rewrite the narrative of this nation together, with every leader, institution, and citizen playing their part.   32. The time for lamentation is over. This is a time to act. A time to support and promote greater investment in the private sector. A time for our civil servants to faithfully execute our policies and programmes. It is a time for every Nigerian to look hopefully towards a brighter future because a new day has dawned for us as a nation.   33. As your President, I remain committed and resolute to continue to lead the charge.   34. This 2025 budget proposal lays the foundation for peace, prosperity, and much needed hope. It is the plan through which a Nigeria where every citizen can dream, work, and thrive in safety can be achieved.   35. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that I lay before this distinguished Joint Session of the National Assembly the 2025 Budget of the Federal Government of Nigeria titled “The Restoration Budget: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity.   36. May God bless our Armed Forces and keep them safe. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.   Thank you.     Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President, Commander-in-Chief of The Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria

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Nigerians Should Be Ready For Better Days As Economy Responds To Reforms — Tinubu

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3 days ago

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December 18, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, assured Nigerians of a stronger economy, stating that his reforms are beginning to yield positive results.

Tinubu made this remark while presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the 11th National Assembly in Abuja.

He said, “I report today that our economy is responding positively to stimulus. Our objective is to further stimulate the economy through the implementation of targeted fiscal stimulus packages, public expenditure, and specific non-inflationary spending. The reforms we have instituted are beginning to yield results, with no reversals.

“Nigerians will soon experience a better and more functional economy. Global economic growth for the outgoing year was 2.0 per cent.

“For 2024, it was projected at 3.2 per cent, and contrary to predictions for our country, we have made significant progress. Our economy grew by 3.46 per cent. The improvements we achieved in the 2024 budget have laid the groundwork for the 2025 budget.”

Details later…

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