$6.2m fraud: Emefiele awarded contracts without bidding processes, says witness – Newstrends
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$6.2m fraud: Emefiele awarded contracts without bidding processes, says witness

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Godwin Emefiele

$6.2m fraud: Emefiele awarded contracts without bidding processes, says witness

The 10th Prosecution Witness (PW10), Stephen Salau Gana, in the trial of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, has disclosed before Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) High Court Maitama, Abuja, that the company, April 16 Investment Limited, belonging to Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, a staff member of the apex bank, was awarded a contract for the supply of vehicles to the CBN, valued at N99.9 million by direct procurement without a competitive bidding process.

Led in his testimony by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, the witness who was head of CBN’s Procurement Office during Emefiele’s tenure, revealed that a CBN governor’s threshold of contract approval was N100 million and that direct procurement was adopted only in cases where there was only one sole manufacturer, distributor, or representative, or in cases of emergency or where the goods are available from only one source, adding, however, that none of these conditions applied to April 16 in the contract award. “April 16 was neither the sole manufacturer nor the sole distributor,” he told the court upon inquiry by the prosecuting counsel.

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Responding to a further enquiry on the possibility of April 16 having an exclusive dealership right on the vehicles supplied, he said, “No, they don’t have such rights.”

While the witness’s role as head of CBN’s procurement office was to provide leadership and oversee the procurement of goods and services, he told the court that he took no steps toward ascertaining if April 16 was the only available vehicle vendor.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Emefiele before Justice Mua’zu on amended 20-count charges bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, conferring corrupt advantages, forgery, and obtaining false pretenses to the tune of $6,230,000 (six million, two hundred and thirty thousand dollars).

The case was adjourned to November 13, 2024, for continuation of trial.

$6.2m fraud: Emefiele awarded contracts without bidding processes, says witness

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Lagos govt insists nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound

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Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab

Lagos govt insists nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound

The Lagos State Government has rolled out stricter measures to combat noise pollution, requiring nightclubs, lounges, bars, and worship centres to obtain permits for events involving amplified sound.

The measure, it said, aimed to safeguard the health and well-being of Lagosians during the festive season and beyond.

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced this via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance stance on noise pollution.

Wahab highlighted that events with amplified sound must be conducted in soundproofed, enclosed spaces to protect residents from the harmful effects of excessive noise.

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“Establishments such as worship centers, nightclubs, lounges, and bars must now obtain permits for events involving amplified sound and ensure these activities take place in soundproofed, enclosed spaces to protect neighboring residents,” the statement read in part.

To enforce these directives, the government said it had established a Special Task Force on Noise Pollution under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).

This task force, in collaboration with the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LSNSC) and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), would oversee compliance, arrest offenders, and prosecute violators of noise regulations, it stated.

The statement further noted that starting January 2025, the government would roll out a public awareness campaign to educate Lagosians on acceptable noise levels and the benefits of a quieter environment.

 

Lagos govt insists nightclubs, worship centres must obtain permit for amplified sound

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Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says

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Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Verydarkman

Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says

Singer, Dammy Krane has stated that social critic, Very Dark Man, is joking with claims that N180 million was diverted from the NGO account he created in October this year.

VDM shocked Nigerians on Friday, December 27 when he released a video claiming hackers had breached his NGO website and moved N180m leaving only N20 million.

The news shocked many Nigerians who took to social media to slam him.

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However, in a post shared on his Instagram page this evening, Dammy Krane claimed that VDM is renovating a school in Jos, and was only joking with the story of stolen funds.

Also, a Human Rights activist, Omotayo Williams, claimed the man VDM showed in his video as an officer accompanying him to Jos is a well-known member of the Kogi State Taxi Taskforce.

Alleged missing N180 million: It?s a prank. VeryDarkMan is renovating a school in Jos - Singer Dammy Krane says

Alleged missing N180m: It’s a prank, Singer Dammy Krane says

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Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

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Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi

Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has expressed support for the proposed implementation of Sharia law in the South-West, emphasizing its historical presence in Yoruba culture.

Oba Akanbi noted that Sharia principles have long been part of Yoruba land, citing examples such as Sharia banking and the existence of a Sharia college in Iwo, Osun State.

He stated, “Sharia law has been in Iwo for over 100 years… It’s the right of Muslims to choose customary law or the high court.”

Recall that the discussion around Sharia law gained traction after plans were announced for the inauguration of a Sharia council on January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Oyo. However, the event has been postponed indefinitely following widespread public criticism.

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Critics have argued that the Yoruba-dominated South-West, where Muslims and Christians coexist, is distinct from the predominantly Muslim northern region where Sharia is more widely practiced.

Addressing concerns, Oba Akanbi explained that Sharia law is already embedded in Nigeria’s constitution and should not cause alarm for non-Muslims.

“Sharia law is only for Muslims and does not concern others. If any other person likes it, they can convert to Islam, and Muslims can also convert to Christianity. Everyone is free,” he said.

The monarch also drew attention to the challenges faced by Muslims under existing laws, particularly in matters such as inheritance and divorce, where Western legal frameworks may not align with Islamic traditions. “Many Muslims feel disenfranchised… Western education doesn’t understand the ways of Muslim divorce, marriage, and inheritance,” he added.

Oba Akanbi emphasized that Sharia law represents the inalienable rights of Muslims and should not be viewed as a threat to other religions. “No government can deny Muslims their inalienable rights,” he concluded.

Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

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