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Peter Obi knocks Tinubu administration over seized presidential jets
Peter Obi knocks Tinubu administration over seized presidential jets
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, has expressed his revulsion at the seizure of Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet.
He noted that the development further underscored the dearth of sound and quality leadership in the country.
Recall that the seizure followed the Ogun State Government’s refused to honour a $74.5 million award granted to a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited by an independent arbitral tribunal, chaired by the former President of the UK Supreme Court.
The seized jets are said to be part of Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet.
However, the Presidency on Thursday said it was aware of the ruling, it accused Zhongshan of attempting to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria using underhand tactics.
Weighing on the matter, Obi said the seizure was embarrassing and highlighted the country’s failed leadership and their disregard for the rule of law.
In a statement on Thursday, Obi, a former Anambra State governor, said the fact that the Federal Government went ahead with the jet deal despite uoroar and crippling economic hardship shows the insensitivity of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Obi also reiterated his demand for accountability among public officials and transparency in government dealings.
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Obi said: “The trending international news on the seizure of three Jets belonging to Nigeria’s Presidential fleet is yet another of many embarrassing things exposing our failed leadership and our attitude to the rule of law even in a democracy. It has also exposed multiple dimensions to our leadership failure and our insensitivity to the plight of the growing poor class in our midst.
“The fact that the federal government went ahead with the jet deal despite the cacophonous cry against the purchase of a Presidential jet at this time when the people are going through a horrifying economic hardship shows the insensitivity of this administration.
“Added to it is the embarrassing aspect of our country’s Presidential jets being held for contractual breaches arising from yet another dimension of inadequate leadership tidiness.
“I have been loud in my demand over time that the government at all levels should be accountable to the people, meaning that they must be very transparent in all their dealings. Until a court in France prohibits Nigeria from moving or selling these three jets, Nigerians have no iota of information about both the buying and selling of these aircraft.
“It has been done in secrecy. Federal Government property, which belongs to the people, is being managed as a personal family asset. Paying as much as $100m dollars for a Presidential jet for a country that is the poverty capital of the World and has more out-of-school children with over 40% food inflation is the height of concern for the people’s feelings.
“This incident has also opened up an aspect of indiscipline that is copiously embedded in our country which is the abuse and disrespect for the rule of law.
“Here are questions begging for answers:
“To what extent did the Ogun government follow its agreement with the Chinese firm?
“After the UK court ruling that prohibited some Nigeria building in Liverpool, what did both Ogun state and Federal government do before the French court action?
“I would like to, therefore, challenge the federal government to come clean and transparent on this matter and tell Nigerians how we got to this latest international”
Peter Obi knocks Tinubu administration over seized presidential jets
News
Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport
Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport
Nigerian deportees from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrived in the country, as revealed by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The deportees, numbering 400, were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday.
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Sharing information about the arrival on X, the aforementioned news platform penned: “Four hundred Nigerians, including 90 females and 310 males, have been deported from the United Arab Emirates back to Nigeria.
“They were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other stakeholders.”
Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport
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Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace
Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently visited King Charles at Buckingham Palace, aiming to reinforce diplomatic ties and partnerships between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to presidential aide Segun Dada, the discussions centered on deepening the long-standing relationship between both nations.
This visit marks the second time President Tinubu and King Charles have met, following their initial encounter in November 2023 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, UAE.
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While specific details of their discussions were not disclosed, the ongoing engagement between Nigeria and the UK underscores shared interests in addressing global challenges and fostering economic development.
This high-level interaction reflects the importance both countries place on collaboration in areas such as trade, climate action, and international diplomacy.
Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace
News
Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US
Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US
A Nigerian citizen, has been found guilty of aiding in an attempt to defraud a North Dakota law firm through false digital transfers. According to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota, between November and December of 2020, Christopher Agbaje, along with others, purported to be a business owner in a legal dispute with a Bismarck company, and entered into a fake attorney-client relationship with the firm. After a series of false statements and promises, the firm received a parcel containing a fraudulent Citibank check payable in the amount of $198,850.00, which was deposited in their bank account. At the purported business owner’s request, the firm then sent a $198,336.68 wire transfer to Agbaje’s business partner.
After the transfer, Agbaje directed his partner to initiate a fake $180,000 international transfer to conceal the money’s location, ownership, and control. Upon hearing that law enforcement officers were actively conducting a fraud investigation on the transfer, he reportedly instructed his business partner to “gain leverage”, “press on”, and “claim naivety.”
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Agbaje was originally extradited from the United Kingdom to North Dakota in February 2024, where he faced five different charges. While he was cleared of Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud in May, the suspect was also found guilty of Money Laundering, Aiding and Abetting Wire Fraud, and Aiding and Abetting Mail Fraud.On September 11, Agbaje was sentenced to 142 months in prison, and must pay the firm $188,935.74 in restitution.“This strong sentence shows that international fraudsters cannot hide from justice,” United States Attorney Mac Schneider said. “When North Dakotans are the victims of fraud, our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will work internationally to hold defendants accountable in a federal courtroom in Bismarck or Fargo.”
“Today’s sentencing demonstrates that no fraud scheme is beyond the reach of justice, no matter its complexity or scope,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Those who engage in fraudulent schemes will be met with swift and decisive action. The FBI will continue to work with partners across the globe to protect the financial security of the American people from those who seek to exploit it.”
Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US
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