Bayo Onanuga will pay for insulting Obasanjo, says Bode George

Bode George, a former deputy national chairman (south) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has warned that Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, will face repercussions for allegedly insulting former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo, during his address at the Chinua Achebe leadership forum at Yale University on November 16, criticized the 2023 general election as a “travesty.” He pointed to Nigeria’s deteriorating state, highlighting “widespread corruption, poor leadership, and immorality,” which have fueled insecurity and underdevelopment. The former president also described the situation under the “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan” reigns as chaotic, with “Emilokan” referring to a phrase popularized during President Bola Tinubu’s election campaign when he asserted it was his turn to lead the country. Obasanjo also called for new and credible leadership for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore trust and prevent corruption.

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In response to Obasanjo’s comments, Onanuga attacked the former president, accusing him of leaving unresolved problems for the country and presiding over the most fraudulent election in Nigeria’s history. Onanuga criticized Obasanjo for publicly sharing his views on leadership and governance, claiming the ex-president continued to blame those who served after him for Nigeria’s challenges despite his own flaws. Onanuga also referred to the flawed 2007 election, which was later acknowledged by beneficiary Umaru Yar’Adua and led to calls for electoral reforms. He suggested that Obasanjo’s tenure had contributed to the country’s current economic crisis due to poor economic choices.

However, George took issue with Onanuga’s remarks. Speaking in an interview on Nigeria Info FM, George stated that Onanuga would face consequences for ‘insulting’ an elder, pointing out that Yoruba culture does not permit such behavior. He expressed disapproval over Onanuga’s treatment of Obasanjo, noting that the former president was old enough to be his father.

“An old man who could be Bayo Onanuga’s father said something, and you took him on by blasting him right, left, and centre,” George said, adding that Onanuga had previously shown similar disrespect towards him.

George further emphasized the importance of respecting elders, stating, “Even if you want to react, the Yoruba culture does not allow that insult from him. Someday he would pay back, because there would be a day after, and that’s more important.” George also suggested that Onanuga should be cautious in his actions, as “it’s possible for him.”

Bayo Onanuga will pay for insulting Obasanjo, says Bode George

Boko Haram beat retreat during attack against police in Borno

The Borno State Police Command successfully thwarted an attempted Boko Haram attack and defused an explosive device in Malari village, Konduga Local Government Area, on Wednesday.

In a statement issued by the state police spokesperson, ASP Nahum Daso, it was revealed that the insurgents launched an assault on the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Malari at about 1 a.m.

The swift response from security personnel at the base repelled the attack, ensuring no loss of life or property.

Further investigations led to the discovery and safe detonation of an explosive device planted by the insurgents.

The police commended the vigilance and resilience of the security forces, reiterating their commitment to safeguarding lives and restoring peace in the region.

“On 27/11/2024, at about 0100HRS, the police crack team at FOB Malari village, Konduga LGA, foiled and repelled the attack by BH/ISWAP terrorists.

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“In the ensuing gun battle, the terrorists were forced to retreat into the bush with bullet injuries,” the statement read.

After the confrontation, police discovered a planted explosive device inside an abandoned Toyota Hilux used by local vigilantes.

“During an on-the-spot assessment of the scene, it was discovered that the BH/ISWAP terrorists planted an unexploded ordnance (hand grenade) inside the abandoned operational vehicle belonging to the vigilante group,” Daso said.

The statement noted that Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) experts were deployed to the area.

“The EOD-CBRN experts carried out a thorough scan of the entire area, evacuated, and rendered the explosive safe,” he added.

Daso commended the efforts of the crack team and the EOD-CBRN Base 13 Maiduguri for their swift response and professionalism.

He also reassured residents of the police command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of returnees to their ancestral homes.

“The communities are advised to remain calm, vigilant, and report any suspicious objects or activities in their domains to the police,” he urged.

Boko Haram beat retreat during attack against police in Borno

$65m fraud: Ex-CEO of Federal Mortgage Bank gets N100m bail

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N100 million bail to a former Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Gimba Kumo Yau, who is accused of allegedly awarding a $65,000,000 real estate contract to an allegedly incompetent firm, Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited, in 2012.

Justice James Omotosho granted N100 million bail each to Yau and co-defendants Bola Ogunsola and Mr. Tarry Rufus on Wednesday, in the matter filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission‘s (ICPC) lawyer, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, in the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/333/24.

Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited and T. Brend Fortunes Limited were also joined as defendants, having been sued for their alleged contravention of the Public Enterprises Regulatory Commission Act and Section 19 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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Facts of the case 

• In ICPC’s five-count charge, the anti-graft agency accused Yau of making payment to Good Earth Power Nigeria Limited in the sum of N3,785,000,000.00 out of the total contract sum of $65,000,000 for the development of 962 units of residential housing in Kubwa, Abuja, named “Goodluck Jonathan Legacy City,” contrary to accepted practice.
• The ICPC maintained that the former bank CEO allegedly contributed to his organization’s failure at the time by approving $65,000,000 to a firm that could not carry out and complete the real estate project.
• The allegations stated that Mr. Gimba Kumo Yau and Bola Ogunsola, in their roles as  chief executive officer and executive director of the bank in August 2012, had secured a loan of N14 billion from Ecobank Nigeria PLC on behalf of the bank.
• This loan was said to be earmarked for the development and completion of 962 residential housing units in Kubwa, Abuja, named “Goodluck Jonathan Legacy City,” within 18 months.
• ICPC further alleged that Mr. Gimba Kumo Yau, as the bank’s CEO, awarded the $65 million contract despite knowing that the company lacked the capacity to carry out the contract.
• ICPC added that the project remains incomplete as of today, thereby amounting to “economic adversity” for the bank and in violation of Section 68(1) of the Public Enterprise Regulatory Commission Act, CAP P39, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
• The other defendants were accused of giving and receiving $3,550,000.00 of the contract sum in cash in contravention of the Money Laundering Act.
• When the charges were read out to the defendants in open court, they had pleaded not guilty.
• Subsequently, their legal team applied for bail.

What transpired in court 

• The defendants had argued that bail is at the discretion of the court and that the applicants are entitled to bail, being presumed innocent under the law.
• They also assured that their clients would not jump bail when granted bail, as one of the defendant’s counsel also submitted that the charge against his client is not one punishable by death.
• On the part of the ICPC counsel, he did not oppose the applications for bail.
• Ruling on the bail applications on Wednesday, Omotosho held that bail is premised on the presumption of innocence, which an accused person enjoys until he is declared guilty by the court.
• He also said that bail is at the discretion of the court.
• Subsequently, he granted N100 million bail to each of the defendants with two sureties in like sum.
• He ruled that each of the sureties must be owners of property worth N100 million and that they must swear to an affidavit of means and show evidence of tax payment for the past three years.

“The sureties and defendants shall submit their recent passport photographs and certified bank statements. 

“The Defendants shall submit their international passports to the registrar of this court,” the judge said.  

• He also ordered that the registrar of the court shall verify these documents and issue a report while the defendants are remanded pending the perfection of the bail conditions.

$65m fraud: Ex-CEO of Federal Mortgage Bank gets N100m bail