metro
US recovers over $53m in bribes to Diezani, expects $16m more
The Justice Department has announced the final resolution of two civil cases seeking the forfeiture of various luxury assets that were the proceeds of foreign corruption offences and were laundered in and through the United States.
This was made known by the US Department of Justice in a statement it issued on its website on Wednesday.
The statement said in full:
With the conclusion of the cases, the department has recovered roughly $53.1 million in cash – constituting the net liquidated value of the defendant’s assets – plus a promissory note with a principal value of $16 million.
According to court documents, from 2011 to 2015, Nigerian businessmen Kolawole Akanni Aluko and Olajide Omokore conspired with others to pay bribes to Nigeria’s former Minister for Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who oversaw Nigeria’s state-owned oil company. In return, Alison-Madueke used her influence to steer lucrative oil contracts to companies owned by Aluko and Omokore. The proceeds of those illicitly awarded contracts totaling more than $100 million were then laundered in and through the United States and used to purchase various assets through shell companies, including luxury real estate in California and New York as well as the Galactica Star, a 65-meter superyacht. The real estate was also used as collateral for loans to Aluko and shell companies he controlled. As part of the forfeiture process, those lien holders were paid.
READ ALSO:
- Covenant University CBT centre denies candidates wearing Hijab from writing mock jamb examinations
- JAMB Registrar, envoy intervene in Egba Muslim leadership crisis
- Bandits execute 5 kidnap victims after ransom deadline passes in Niger
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Chief Jim Lee of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.
The FBI’s International Corruption Squad in the Washington Field Office and the IRS-CI investigated the cases, with assistance from the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.
Trial Attorneys Michael W. Khoo and Joshua L. Sohn of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section prosecuted the cases. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas provided substantial assistance.
These cases were brought under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. This initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, and often with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption and, where appropriate, to use those recovered assets to benefit the people harmed by these acts of corruption and abuse of office.
In 2015, the FBI formed International Corruption Squads across the country to address national and international implications of foreign corruption. Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement at tips.fbi.gov/ or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov.
metro
Tragedy in Benue: Four Dead, 14 Hospitalised After Consuming Suspected Poisonous Herbal Mixture
At least four persons have died, while 14 others have been hospitalised after allegedly consuming a suspected poisonous herbal mixture in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims, residents of the Igede community, reportedly bought the herbal preparations from three men during the Ihiejwo market day in Oju township last weekend.
The incident sparked panic in the community on Monday, November 2, after several residents who had consumed the preparations reportedly began developing similar symptoms.
According to eyewitness accounts, the first victim died on Tuesday morning, while the second died in the early hours of Wednesday. Two additional victims reportedly died on November 4.
Fourteen other persons were said to have been taken to different hospitals for medical attention, with some reportedly in critical condition.
The suspected herbal mixture sellers were identified as Alhaji Sule Mai Magani, Bello Mohamed and Musa Kala.
Following the incident, members of the Igede Youth Council, working with the Oju Local Government Area Township Youth leadership, reportedly apprehended the three men and handed them over to the police.
The suspects were subsequently transferred from the Oju Divisional Police Headquarters to the Benue State Police Command in Makurdi for further investigation.
President of the Igede Youth Council, Comrade John-Frank Ozzidi, called on the Benue State Government to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident and bring anyone found responsible to justice.
READ ALSO:
- NELFUND Loan: How Parents Can Stop Children from Collecting School Fees Twice
- N52,500 Minimum Pension: PenCom Gives States Condition to Secure Benefits for Retirees
- Gombe Political Tension: Pantami Defies Burning Tyres, Roadblocks as Convoy Comes Under Attack
Ozzidi commended members of the community for resisting the temptation to take the law into their own hands, despite the anger generated by the deaths.
He said the decision to hand over the suspects to the police demonstrated the community’s confidence in the ability of security agencies and the government to ensure justice.
The youth leader also appealed to political officeholders from the area to monitor the investigation and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the suspected poisoning were fully established.
Chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident but said he was initially unable to establish the exact number of fatalities.
He disclosed that the local government had mobilised its security and health officials to manage the situation and ensure that affected residents received medical attention.
Ominyi also said the suspected sellers had been arrested and transferred to the police headquarters in Makurdi.
Meanwhile, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of unregulated herbal preparations sold in local markets and the need for stronger monitoring of products consumed by members of the public.
The authorities are expected to establish the actual substances contained in the preparations and determine whether they were responsible for the deaths and illnesses.
The police investigation is also expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the sale and consumption of the suspected poisonous mixture.
Tragedy in Benue: Four Dead, 14 Hospitalised After Consuming Suspected Poisonous Herbal Mixture
metro
CSU CERTIFICATE CONTROVERSY: How Ex-Lecturer Inadvertently Indicted Himself Over Claims Against President Tinubu
CSU CERTIFICATE CONTROVERSY: How Ex-Lecturer Inadvertently Indicted Himself Over Claims Against President Tinubu
LAGOS — A fresh controversy surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s academic credentials at Chicago State University (CSU) has taken an unexpected turn, following explosive claims made by a former lecturer at the institution, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse.
Pearse, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and governorship aspirant, publicly accused President Tinubu of never attending CSU, describing the Nigerian leader in harsh terms during a broadcast interview on News Central Television. Pearse claimed that as a former lecturer at CSU, he had direct knowledge of the institution’s records and served as the director of the program Tinubu reportedly attended.
However, Pearse’s allegations have sparked fierce backlash after key details of his timeline emerged, leading political analysts and presidential aides to conclude that the former lecturer effectively indicted himself.
READ ALSO:
- Ogbomosoland Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Teliat Ayilara II, Marks Five Years in Office
- Fresh Legal Storm for Atiku as Court Rejects ADC Resignation Letter, Nullifies 2027 Ticket
- Traffickers Target Schoolchildren With Fake Scholarships, Jobs, Private Photo Threats – NAPTIP
The Discrepancy in Timelines
During his broadcast appearance, Dr. Pearse disclosed that he served as a lecturer and program director at Chicago State University between 1985 and 1990.
Official records previously confirmed by Chicago State University establish that President Bola Tinubu attended the university between 1977 and 1979, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in June 1979.
The six-year gap between Tinubu’s graduation in 1979 and Pearse’s arrival at the university in 1985 has drawn significant scrutiny. Critics point out that Pearse was not present at CSU during the years Tinubu studied there, undermining his claim of personal first-hand knowledge of student enrollments during the late 1970s.
Presidency and Allies Respond
Reacting to the allegations, aides to President Tinubu and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) cited major flaws in Pearse’s narrative.
Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, highlighted the timeline mismatch, noting that a lecturer who joined CSU six years after a student had already graduated could not authoritatively claim personal knowledge of that student’s presence on campus.
“Facts are always scary to con-artists,” Olusegun noted, emphasizing that individual faculty members do not possess administrative ownership of an entire university’s historical database across different decades.
Furthermore, APC chieftains have demanded that Pearse retract his statement or face legal action for defamation, describing the allegations as politically motivated rhetoric aimed at heating up the polity ahead of future elections.
While certificate controversies have repeatedly resurfaced in public debate, legal investigations and past disclosures by Chicago State University have maintained that President Tinubu was indeed a registered student who completed his degree at the institution in 1979.
As public debate continues over the incident, Pearse’s attempt to present himself as the ultimate authority on the matter has instead turned the spotlight back onto his own timeline, leaving him to address the glaring inconsistencies in his claims.
For further context and analysis regarding public statements and legal responses to President Tinubu’s academic record controversies, you can watch Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse’s statement on Chicago State University records, which details the allegations and political reactions surrounding the issue.
CSU CERTIFICATE CONTROVERSY: How Ex-Lecturer Inadvertently Indicted Himself Over Claims Against President Tinubu
metro
Ogbomosoland Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Teliat Ayilara II, Marks Five Years in Office
Ogbomosoland Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Teliat Ayilara II, Marks Five Years in Office
By Newstrends Reporter
The Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Dr. Teliat Yunus Olushina Ayilara II, has celebrated five years of spiritual leadership and service, expressing profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for His guidance, wisdom and strength throughout his tenure.
The Islamic cleric marked the milestone on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, exactly five years after assuming the revered position of Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland on November 11, 2021.
In a commemorative message reflecting on his journey, Sheikh Ayilara II described his five years in office as a period of divine grace, responsibility and privilege, expressing appreciation to Allah for the opportunity to lead the Muslim community.
He said Almighty Allah had remained his source of strength and direction in the discharge of his responsibilities, particularly in guiding the affairs of the Muslim Ummah and promoting peaceful coexistence, unity and religious harmony across Ogbomosoland.
Reflecting on the achievements and challenges of the past five years, the Grand Chief Imam acknowledged the contributions of Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the Muslim community, whose cooperation and support, he said, had been instrumental to the progress recorded during his leadership.
He also expressed appreciation to well-wishers, supporters and Muslim faithful who had stood by him throughout his tenure, offering prayers, encouragement and other forms of assistance.
Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Dr. Teliat Yunus Olushina Ayilara II
Sheikh Ayilara II particularly commended the dedication of Islamic leaders and scholars, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in advancing the cause of Islam and strengthening the bonds of unity among Muslims.
READ ALSO:
- Fresh Legal Storm for Atiku as Court Rejects ADC Resignation Letter, Nullifies 2027 Ticket
- Traffickers Target Schoolchildren With Fake Scholarships, Jobs, Private Photo Threats – NAPTIP
- Tinubu Rewards Flamingos With ₦100m Each After Historic World Cup Triumph
He noted that their unwavering commitment and cooperation had provided him with the encouragement needed to navigate the demands of the exalted religious office.
The cleric also reserved special appreciation for his family members, acknowledging their sacrifices, patience, prayers and steadfast support behind the scenes.
According to him, the demands of the office have required considerable commitment, making his family’s understanding and support an invaluable source of comfort and strength.
Looking ahead, the Grand Chief Imam called for sustained commitment to peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance, knowledge and compassion, while praying for greater unity and development across Ogbomosoland.
He expressed hope that Almighty Allah would continue to grant him good health, wisdom and the strength to serve humanity, deepen community relationships and promote Islamic teachings founded on peace, tolerance and compassion.
He further prayed for Allah’s continued blessings upon Ogbomosoland and Nigeria, seeking divine guidance and the opportunity for more years of meaningful service to humanity and the cause of Islam.
Sheikh Ayilara II concluded his message with prayers for Allah’s continued favour upon everyone who had supported his leadership journey, asking that they be rewarded for their contributions over the past five years.
He also prayed for more fruitful years of service, unity and progress within the Muslim community.
Jazakumullahu Khairan.
Ogbomosoland Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Teliat Ayilara II, Marks Five Years in Office
-
metro2 days agoFayose Petitions IGP, Threatens Lawsuit Over Rape, Torture Allegations
-
News2 days agoDespite Tegbe’s 72-Hour Promise, Nigerians Still Battle Power Outages
-
Politics3 days agoADC Raises Alarm as Court Delays Release of Lifu’s Judgment Despite Payment
-
metro3 days ago‘Miracle’ Turns Sour as Visiting Pastor Vanishes with Congregants’ Phones During Crusade in Edo
-
metro2 days agoThree Broken-Down Trucks Paralyse Abuja-Kaduna Highway, Travellers Spend Eight Hours in Gridlock
-
International2 days agoTrump Makes Stunning Admission: ‘I Will Always Hate Some of My Enemies’
-
Politics3 days agoTension in Delta as Task Force Members Protest Over Colleague’s Killing at NDC Rally
-
News3 days agoINEC Flags 268 Voter Records Over AI-Generated Photos, Begins Cleanup Ahead of 2027 Elections