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Shola Olatunde Adepoju: Former FRIN Director General Quizzed By EFCC Over Alleged Corruption, Fraud.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, interrogated the Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Ilawe Ekiti, Prof. Shola Olatunde Adepoju, over corruption allegations during his tenure as Director General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State.

 

Adepoju, who was the Director-General of FRIN from March 31, 2015 to March 31, 2023, had been accused of diverting government properties.

 

However, he was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2024 as Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Ilawe

 

Gathered that Adepoju, who was invited in August by the EFCC to answer questions regarding corruption allegations during his tenure as FRIN DG, finally honoured the invitation on Tuesday.

 

 

Document revealed that a month after Adepoju’s appointment as the Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal College of Education, Ilawe Ekiti, the EFCC asked him to appear at its Ibadan office over alleged fraud activities that took place under his watch as FRIN boss.

 

He was invited to the Commission’s office through a letter dated August 12, 2024 with Ref CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/SIT/FIR/VOL.2/069. The letter was signed by Hauwa G. Ringim, Ag. Zonal Director, Ibadan, Oyo State.

 

The invitation which was addressed to the current Director General of FRIN stated, “This Commission is investigating a case in which the name of the above mentioned Former Director General of your organization, featured.

 

 

In view of the above. you are kindly requested to inform him to attend an interview with the undersigned through SIT Team on Monday, 26th August, 2024 at No: 16A Reverend Oyebode Crescent, lyoganku GRA Ibadan. Oyo State.”

 

The EFCC had in a previous letter to Adepoju with Ref CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/SIT/FIR/VOL.1/069 dated April 22, 2024, titled: “Investigation Activities,” asked him to furnish the commission with the account details in which payments were received, citing an earlier communication.

 

In the letter signed by ACE II Hassan Saidu, FDC for then Ag. Zonal Director, Ibadan, the commission noted that the request was made pursuant to Section 38(1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment Act, 2004 and Section 24 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. 2022.

 

 

Our letter with Ref: CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/SIT/FIR/VOL1/032 dated 19th March, 2024 and your response with Ref:CG.516/1/33 dated 4th April, 2024 refers.

 

“In view of the above, you are further requested to furnish us with the account details in which the payments were received as requested in our earlier letter,” the letter partly read.

 

However, a source privy to the case told SaharaReporters that Adepoju finally showed face on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at Ibadan Zonal office, about a month after his invitation date.

 

According to the source, the President’s appointee was grilled on various allegations bordering on diverting government properties, specifically exotic vehicles meant for the institute’s operations, in collusion with the institute’s human resources director, Olufemi Michael Hastrup.

 

 

Meanwhile, the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, on Thursday, confirmed to SaharaReporters that Adepoju was interrogated at their Ibadan office. He explained that the commission has commenced full investigation into all the allegations against him.

 

“He has honoured the invitation. He came on Tuesday; he was interviewed and he was allowed to go. When we commence investigation like that, he will always interact with us.

 

“If we need anything from him, we will call him. Since he has come around and we have started investigation; as the investigation continues, when we will still need him, he will come,” Oyewale said.

Some staff members of the institute who conspired with him have also been invited and they have made useful confessional statements,” the source said.

“He’s doing everything including using his connection in the Redeemed Christian Church of God to influence and undermine the investigation process as the chairman of the commission is a member of the RCCG.”

 

When contacted for comments, Adepoju claimed he was away when the invitation was sent in August and that he later honoured the invitation.

 

 

When asked why he refused to honour the EFCC invitation in August, he said, “I am a law-abiding person, how can an authority set-up invite me and I will not honour it? The invitation was in August and I think my lawyer replied that I wasn’t around and they fixed, I think 6th or 9th September but they said that they would not be around and they fixed 23rd and 24th September.

 

“I was in their office up to Tuesday evening (September 24) and I am back in my base. I was with the EFCC throughout on Tuesday.”

 

On the issue of the exotic cars Adepoju allegedly sold to himself, he confirmed that it was part of the focus of the EFCC interrogation.

 

“That is the allegation they made to EFCC. They (EFCC) are investigating it and I can’t talk about it until they finish their investigation, let me not be prejudice to their investigation.”

 

 

As FRIN boss, Adepoju was at multiple times accused of awarding fraudulent contracts without recourse to procedure and due process.

 

A source in the agency had told SaharaReporters that he ran the agency like a personal estate.

 

“The Director-General, Professor Adepoju Olusola has been found doing the following; withholding of staff deductions (Contributions of over N50,000,000) to co-operative society for the month of October 2020. Confirmed by IPPIS,” a source squealed.

 

“Illegal removal or deduction from salaries of staff (This is done randomly) with no reason, explanation and move to refund (He does not listen to anyone) for same October, 2020.

 

 

Flouting of civil service rule in relation to promotion of staff. In the year 2020, promotion exercise was conducted, over 30%-40% of staff denied promotion even though they passed the examination, but he claimed there was no vacancy.

 

“By January 2021, this year, those who got promoted received their letters and were promoted appropriately. To our amazement, by June 2021, part of those promoted and served their letters were given another promotion. We found out that they are his partners in crime in the institute.

 

“Imagine, someone got promoted to Grade Level 11 in January 2021 and received another promotion in June 2021 to Grade Level 13, in the space of five months.

 

“All efforts to have him explain this move proved abortive as he will never give room for questioning. He’s above the law and people are afraid to challenge him.”

 

 

Gathered that in 2020, Adepoju returned N17 million, part of the over N50 million meant for cooperative societies in the institution which was diverted in the same year.

 

Documents seen by SaharaReporters showed that the N17 million was returned on January 23, 2022, by the then FIRN boss into a Stanbic IBTC Bank account numbered – 0012099396.

 

A recent report by Foundation of Investigative Journalism also revealed how Adepoju allegedly diverted government properties before leaving office in March 2024

 

According to FIJ, some exotic vehicles purchased for the smooth operations of the institute were diverted by the former FRIN DG and Olufemi Michael Hastrup, the institute’s human resources director.

 

 

Few months to the expiration of Adepoju’s second term, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing undertook an inspection and valuation of some vehicles belonging to FRIN,” the report read.

 

“According to a document exclusively obtained by FIJ, five vehicles were inspected and valued at disingenuously low rates. The mechanical division of the works ministry valued two Toyota Prado cars, a Toyota Hilux, a Volkswagen Bettle and a Kia Cerato at ridiculous amounts.

 

“While the first valuation report containing details of the two Prado and Hilux vehicles bearing the stamp of the mechanical division was dated December 12, 2022, the second report bore the stamp of the Federal Comptroller of Works of the same works ministry and was undated.

 

 

As stated in the reports, the Toyota Prado purchased in 2019 at the rate of N78 million with the chassis number JTEBU3PFJ1KK172524 was determined to be worth N7 million.

 

“The second Toyota Prado acquired in 2013 for N21 million with the chassis number JTEBU9FJ1D5002342 was determined to be worth N800,000.

 

“The institute bought the Toyota Hilux with the chassis number MROHX8CD7K1389911 in 2018 for N18 million. In the valuation report, it was said to be worth N1 million.

 

“FIJ also gathered that the Volkwagen and Kia Cerato earlier mentioned were valued at N2,000 and N20,000 respectively. At the time of the report, both vehicles had been used for six years by FRIN. All of the vehicles mentioned in the reports have been illegally taken away by the former FRIN bosses,” an FIJ source said.

 

 

In particular, Hastrup was said to have bought a Land Cruiser carrying an official number plate FRIN-01FG belonging to the office of the director-general.”

 

 

Source; Sahara Reporters

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Days After Wife’s Death, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno Names Acting First Lady…

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16 mins ago

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October 5, 2024

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Governor Umo Eno has appointed his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, as the acting First Lady of Akwa Ibom State.

 

This follows the death of his late wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.

 

On Friday Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, led a delegation of dignitaries, including Hajia Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President, and wives of state governors and presiding officers of the National Assembly, to condole with Governor Eno.

 

Senator Tinubu praised Governor Eno’s decision, noting that it reflects practices seen in the United States and is a thoughtful way to sustain the late Patience Eno’s legacy. “I want to thank God for Patience’s life, though short, she completed her race. May God comfort you, your family, and your children.”

 

Meanwhile, Governor Eno reflected on his deep bond with his late wife, describing her as his “greatest supporter and toughest critic.” He introduced his daughter as the new acting First Lady.

 

He said, “It is not an easy task ahead. But to maintain the Office of the First Lady and carry forward my late wife’s work, I present our daughter, Helen, to continue the duties of

the office.”

 

 

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Society

Tension in Rivers as Fubara insists on LG elections holding Tomorrow 

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20 hours ago

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October 4, 2024

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There is tension in Rivers State following the insistence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to hold the scheduled local government elections scheduled tomorrow, Saturday.

 

 

Also, the governor accused the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the entire Police Force of serving the interest of an Abuja-based politician to scuttle the local government election.

 

 

Governor Fubara made the allegations while addressing a world press conference at Government House in Port Harcourt today, Friday.

 

The governor said the already scheduled local government election, barely hours away, cannot be stopped or truncated because a particular person does not want it conducted.

 

He said that everything that needed to be done about the electoral process legally, security-wise and logistically, including the voters, had been finalised and voters sensitised because of their high confidence levels.

 

 

Governor Fubara said even the Police have been informed, and are expected to discharge their statutory professional security duties, particularly because the court also directed so in its judgement on the election.

 

He expressed regret that rather, the Police have become hired agents sent to attack the headquarters of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, and tried but in vain to cart away sensitive materials.

 

Night raid

 

 

Fubara said: “In the early hours of this morning (Friday), I got a security report that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, office has been invaded by the Nigerian Police.

 

 

“I was really surprised, because before that time, I got a copy of a signal withdrawing the police officers that were guarding the premises. So, I had to drive to the place myself since the facility belongs to the Rivers State Government.

 

 

Getting to the scene, and to the shock of everyone who accompanied me there, I met the presence of some fierce-looking policemen in one truck and three other empty Hilux vans trying to force their way into the premises.

 

 

And, I had to stop them. In the process, we discovered that that movement (operation), was a deliberate attempt by the Nigerian Police Force, both the Rivers State Command and the Headquarters (Abuja), to steal the electoral materials.

 

 

But by the special grace of God, that act was foiled.”

 

Governor Fubara questioned how low the Police stooped, allowing its officers to engage in such illegal acts that suggested that they have become enemies of Rivers State.

 

Otherwise, Governor Fubara wondered, why would the Police attempt to take over control of RSIEC or be used to stop an ongoing democratic process, which will lead to the emergence of elected political leadership at the local government councils.

 

 

Governor Fubara said: “Here are the questions: first, is the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, not an agency, and a process that is being controlled by the State Government?

 

“Is it not a system that is governed by the law of the State? Why is Rivers State’s case different?

 

 

The second part of it is: what is the special thing about this issue of taking over the premises by the Police? If we should go by what they claim that they had a court order, the court ruling said, don’t give RSIEC voter register, don’t give RSIEC police protection.

 

“Did the judgment say they should seal the premises? Or don’t allow them to conduct the election?”

 

 

Governor Fubara also said: “However, the Rivers State Government and RSIEC itself also had a judgment that states clearly: conduct the election with the voter’s register of 2023; and police, DSS, Nigeria Army and other sister agencies should provide security.

 

 

“I might not be a lawyer, but I understand clearly that when it comes to the issue of judgment, there is something they call first-in-time.”

 

 

Governor Fubara asked if there is any other court unknown to him that is bigger than the Supreme Court of Nigeria, whose judgment concerning a proper constitution of elected Local Government Councils is being obeyed in Rivers State.

 

 

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Minister Of Power, Bayo Adelabu Says Electricity Tariffs To Drop Soon As Power Generation Increases..

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1 day ago

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October 4, 2024

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced that ongoing enhancements in power generation and distribution may lead to a decrease in electricity tariffs across Nigeria.

 

The minister made this known during a meeting with Mr Tosin Adeyanju, the Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund.

 

In a statement on Thursday, by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media, Mr Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu noted that about 40% of consumers were receiving high amount of power, with the country generating an average of 5500MW.

 

 

Currently, customers in Band-A are charged N206.5 per kWh following the Federal Government’s subsidy removal, which was part of an agreement to provide a minimum of 20 hours of power supply daily.

 

He emphasised that “the price of electricity is still the cheapest in Nigeria, compared to other African nations such as Togo, Mali, and Niger Republic.”

 

He acknowledged that Nigeria’s low-income levels made the cost appear high to consumers.

 

 

Furthermore, he asserted, “It is still far cheaper to use electricity than to run generators, using petrol or diesel, given the current prices of those commodities.”

 

The Minister expressed optimism about the future, stating, “there is a possibility of a reduction in the current tariff as generation and distribution are ramped up.”

 

In his remarks, Adeyanju commended the minister for his performance over the past year, highlighting his competence and efforts to restore Nigerians’ confidence in the power sector.

“I would like to commend you as a minister who is actively improving the power sector. Since 1999, we have not seen the level of improvement in electricity supply that we are witnessing today.

 

 

Previously, many people were turning to solar energy due to the poor supply. However, your leadership has restored public confidence in the sector,” Adeyanju stated.

 

He informed the Minister that, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the agency is focused on empowering youths, especially in rural areas, by training them to assemble one kilowatt of solar energy.

 

 

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