Nelson Ugwuagbo

Barring last-minute change of plan, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign the immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on Wednesday, January 23, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over alleged money laundering to the tune of N4,008,573,350.

LeadingReporters learnt that the ex-governor will be arraigned on nine count charges.

Obino was said to have moved “N4,008, 573, 350 from security votes into different accounts. The money at various times was changed into dollars and returned to Obiano by cash,” the source stated.

EFCC lead counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN, will lead eight other lawyers in the trial of the former governor

Some of the charges include: “That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 – March 2022, sometime between 7th February, 2018 to 18th February, 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N156,800.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Pic into the Fidelity Bank Ple Account No: 6060018819 belonging to C.I. Patty Ventures Nigeria Limited (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

“That you, Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, whilst being the executive governor of Anambra State of Nigeria between March 2014 — March 2022, sometime between 9th August, 2017 to 4th March, 2020 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly transferred through Mr Willie Nwokoye, your then principal private secretary, the sum of N261,268,585.00 only from the Anambra State Government Security Vote Account No: 5030050875 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc into the Fidelity Bank Plc Account No: 5600062873 belonging to Easy Diamond Integrated Link (an entity that had no business relationship with the Anambra State Government), which funds were dissipated for purposes unrelated / unconnected with the security affairs of Anambra State, which you reasonably ought to have known that such funds formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: (Stealing and Corruption) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

Recall that the ex-governor was first arrested at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on March 17, 2022, as he was preparing to board a flight to Houston, the United States of America.

The arrest took place at about 8.30pm, hours after he left office as governor and, thus, lost his immunity from arrest and prosecution.

He had been on the EFCC’s watchlist for some time before he was eventually arrested over corruption allegations.

“Obiano was arrested for alleged misappropriation of public funds, including, N5 billion Sure-P and N37 billion security vote which was withdrawn in cash. Part of the funds was also allegedly diverted to finance political activities in the state,” EFCC had said then.

The National Identity Management Commission has finalised plans to launch a self-service application next month.

The commission said the plans will allow Nigerians in the diaspora to seamlessly enrol for their National Identity Number through a user-friendly self-service application.

The Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to share insights on the upcoming self-service application on Monday in Abuja.

According to a statement signed by the Technical Adviser to the DG on media, Ayodele Babalola, the application promises a contactless and seamless experience for Nigerians in the diaspora seeking to obtain their NINs.

He noted, “The National Identity Management Commission has announced plans to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to seamlessly enrol for their National Identity Number through a user-friendly self-service application.

“Scheduled to go live in February, the application promises a contactless and seamless experience for Nigerians in the diaspora seeking to obtain their NINs.”

He stated that NIMC would set up a Diaspora Focal Point Desk to resolve issues within 24 hours.

“As part of the process, a dedicated Diaspora Focal Point Desk will be established at the NIMC office to ensure swift resolution of issues within 24 hours. This customer-centric approach aims to provide efficient support to Nigerians abroad in line with the agency’s commitment to quality service delivery,” Babalola stated.

He emphasised that the initiative aligned with the DG’s commitment to enhancing service delivery and creating a hassle-free system for Nigerians abroad, adding that the strategic collaboration marked a significant milestone in leveraging technology to enhance the accessibility of critical identity services for Nigerians in the Diaspora.

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On her part, Dabiri-Erewa expressed gratitude to the NIMC delegation for the innovative solution while acknowledging the forward-thinking strategy adopted by Coker-Odusote.

The NiDCOM chairman highlighted the significance of the new system, emphasising its capability to easily link NIN with international passports for Nigerians residing outside the country.

In 2019, the National Identity Management Commission commenced the Diaspora enrolment exercise aimed at capturing Nigerians living outside the country into the National Identity Database.

It is aimed at ensuring they also benefit from the acquisition of their National Identification Numbers.

In its May 27, 2023, update, NIMC revealed that the number of diasporan Nigerians in its database hit 427,962, with 178,799 females and 249,163 males.

Recently, hundreds of Nigerians lamented the rigorous registration process to obtain their NIN number, revalidate or link with Subscribers’ Identity Modules.

The surge is linked to the approaching deadline for the deactivation of phone lines by the Nigerian Communications Commission late last year.

Many unsuccessful applicants were nervous and worried about their phone lines being blocked.

Three labourers are feared dead following a landslide in the village of Unguwan Ayaba, located in the Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday evening as the workers were engaged in digging and loading red soil into a waiting lorry at a site within the village.

The cliff at the location collapsed, burying four of the labourers under debris.

One worker managed to escape the situation with injuries.

Since the incident unfolded on Sunday evening, rescue workers, volunteers, and concerned villagers, including family members of the victims, have gathered at the site in a desperate attempt to recover the bodies of the three labourers.

LeadingReporters gathered that despite hours of relentless efforts, the recovery mission has yet to yield any success as of the time of this report.

Saliu Abdullahi, one of the volunteers at the site, expressed determination to persevere in the rescue efforts, stating that they would not vacate the location until the bodies of the three labourers are recovered.

Aminu Sunusi, the vice chairman of the Tipper Owners Association in Keffi LGA, revealed that an excavator has been requested to expedite the rescue work.

Sanusi stated the urgency of the situation and hinted at a decisive action on the site due to its delicate nature, aiming to prevent future occurrences of such tragic accidents.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the passage of the 2024 Rivers State appropriation bill by the five-member faction of the State House of Assembly headed by Edison Ehie and loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara

LeadingReporters gathered that Siminalayi Fubara, in December, presented an N800 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2024 fiscal year to the five-member assembly which they passed into law.

It was also learnt that the faction moved the house plenary session to the Government House, Port Harcourt amid the demolition of the assembly complex by Governor Fubara’s administration.

It was learnt that the 27 members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and immediate governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, were absent during the plenary.

The House declared the seats of 27 lawmakers vacant.

LeadingReporters learnt how the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Edison later tendered his resignation.

He also quit as a member of the State Assembly, as contained in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ehie also said he had resigned as the member representing Ahoada-East Constituency II in the 10th Assembly.

His resignation letter read: “This is to formally notify you of my voluntary resignation as Speaker and Member of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly representing Ahoada – East Constituency II with effect from the date of this letter.

“I wish to deeply appreciate my colleagues and the people of my Constituency for the rare opportunity to serve and hope to continue to give my utmost best in service to Rivers State subsequently.”

President Bola Tinubu has rolled out the drum to celebrate a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, who turns 50 today (Monday).

In a statement Sunday night, President Tinubu congratulated the author and influencer and commended him “for his dutifulness in providing constructive opinions on national issues, regardless of his political disposition”.

“Mr. Omokri, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, was the Special Assistant on Digital Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan from 2011 to 2015,” the statement by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said.

“President Tinubu wishes Mr. Omokri many more years in good health as he continues to contribute his quota to national development.”

Mr Omokri, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was one of the staunchest critics of President Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2023 elections.

But in the past months, the political posturing of the former special assistant on digital media to President Goodluck Jonathan has been intriguing.

While remaining a member of the PDP and supporter of Atiku Abubakar, one of Nigeria’s leading opposition figures, Mr Omokri appears to have warmed up to President Tinubu and his government and has become one of their most vociferous and effective defenders.

For instance, in response to the criticism of the Tinubu government over the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, where there have been horrendous cases of abductions and killings, Mr Reno posted on X (formally Twitter):

“This idea that Tinubu has failed because kidnappers have killed 87 Nigerians in the FCT, Abuja since May 29, 2023, is silly. Please fact check me. 617 people were murdered in Chicago city alone in 2023. In New York City, 386 people were killed. In the first three weeks of 2024, there have been 70 murders in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Yet, you are saying Tinubu is a failure over 86 deaths in 7 months in the FCT, which is larger in land mass and population than Chicago, New York City, and St Louis combined? Put things into proper perspective.

In a pivotal legal development, the Supreme Court has officially upheld the election victory of Ogun State’s governor, Dapo Abiodun.

The appellants, Ladi Adebutu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sought the court’s intervention to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in 99 polling units where elections were allegedly cancelled.

Following a split decision by the Appeal Court, Lagos Division, on November 24, 2023, affirming Abiodun’s re-election, the Supreme Court delivered a decisive majority judgment. Justice Joseph Ikyegh dismissed the appeal filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, as pronounced in the lead judgment by Justice Tijani Abubakar.

This judicial seal not only solidifies Abiodun’s continued leadership but also marks a resounding rejection of the PDP’s plea, emphasizing the stability and legitimacy of the electoral process in Ogun State.