Court jails 33 internet fraudsters in Oyo, Ogun.

Court jails 33 internet fraudsters in Oyo, Ogun.

The Ibadan zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of 33 internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

The convicts were jailed by Justices Ladiran Akintola, Adebukola Olajide, and M.O. Ishola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan; Justice B.B. Adebowale of the Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta and Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo state.

They were arraigned on one-count separate charges bordering on cybercrimes.

They are: Amos Temitope Taiwo, Fatai Habeeb Mayowa, Lateef Aremu, Abiona Itunuoluwa Solomon, Olamijulo Abiodun Kayode, Abulele Endurance Ogbemudia, Owolade Shamsudeen Ayoola, Odesanya Micheal Adedimeji, Oyedele Isreal Sunday, John Timileyin Olasupo, Toriola Yusuf Alabi, Nafiu Wariz Ayomide, Adewale Adeyemi Fasasi Mumeen, Azeez Faruk Olanrewaju, Olamilekan Samuel Olonitola, Okeke Hycent Obinna, Quzeem Opeyemi Tajudeen, Theophilus Iroboudu Onoapor and Olanrewaju Muhammed Opeyemi.

Others are: Oladokun Abeeb Olaide, Precious Akinwale Balogun, Adebari Sodiq Wemimo, Ogunleye Ridwan Babatunde, Akinrinola Emmanuel Pelumi, Odigwe Victory Okwise, Seyitan David Ojo, Oyinwola Micheal Olakunle, Adewale Ibrahim Adegoke, Odunton Durojaiye Oluwaseyi, Opaleye Ramadan Olanrewaju, Tolulope Adedoyin Asekoni, Oyewole Gideon David and Asogbon Emmanuel Tobiloba.

The lone-count separate charge reads: “That you, Opaleye Ramadan Olanrewaju ‘M’ on or about 4th February 2020, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud one Micheal via your Instagram account Catherine falsely represented yourself as Catherine a white woman from the United States of America which representation you knew to be false, thereby committed the offence of Personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

The commission’s head of media and publicity, Dele Oyewale in a statement said all the suspects pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to them.

Consequently, prosecution counsel tendered facts of the cases and indicting documents before the courts. They also prayed the courts to convict and sentence the defendants as charged.

He added that the Justices, having listened to the prayers of both parties, convicted and sentenced the defendants accordingly.

Taiwo was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment, Olasupo and Babatunde to a one-year jail term each. Also, Aremu, Solomon, Adedimeji, Sunday, Alabi, Ayomide, Mumeen, Olanrewaju, Olonitola, Obinna, Tajudeen, Onoapor, Opeyemi, Wemimo, Pelumi, Okwise, Olakunle, Adegoke, Oluwaseyi, Olanrewaju, Asekoni, David and Tobiloba bagged six months community service each.

Furthermore, Mayowa was sentenced to eight months of community service while Kayode, Ogbemudia, Olaide, Balogun, and Ojo bagged three months of community service each and Ayoola to two months of community service.

The courts ordered that the convicts restitute their various victims, and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria including eight exotic vehicles.

All 33 convicts started their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested in various locations in Oyo and Ogun states by operatives of the EFCC.

Further investigations showed that they were involved in different cases of internet-related crimes. They were subsequently charged to court and convicted.

Tinubu will present 2024 budget to NASS in few days, says Speaker Abbas.

Tinubu will present 2024 budget to NASS in few days, says Speaker Abbas.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Monday, November 27, dropped a hint that the 2024 budget will be presented to a joint session of the National Assembly in the next few days.

Although he was not specific on when the budget will be presented, the Speaker told Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of standing committees of the House that they must consider and finalise the budget within two weeks without compromising the integrity of the process through or engaging in haphazard and superficial consideration.

Speaking at a one-day retreat for chairmen and deputy chairmen of standing committees of the House, the speaker reminded them that committees play a crucial role in the legislative process and have been called the ‘engine room’ of the parliament, adding that through committees, Members develop subject matter expertise and undertake more detailed review and scrutiny of Bills and other government policies.

He said the House will convene a budget town hall meeting to enable the Nigerian people to participate and make input into the 2024 budget, adding that it will be the first time such an engagement is planned at the national level.

He said further that the House was committed to greater and more transparent engagement with the public as a necessary step towards reducing suspicion, building trust, and generating support for the work of the National Assembly.

He reminded the Committee Chairmen and their deputies that the legislature was central to the nation’s democracy, stressing that a strong House was integral to ensuring that governance is conducted in an open, accountable, and representative manner.

He said: “As chairmen and deputy chairmen of various committees, we must ensure that the House delivers on its Legislative Agenda. All Committees should study the relevant sections of the Agenda and incorporate them into their work plans. You are encouraged to rely on the Agenda and generate Bills, Motions and other legislative interventions.

“The success of the Agenda hinges on the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of our committees. In order to encourage compliance, we established the Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation of Standing and Ad-hoc Committees for the first time in the history of the Nigerian legislature. Its mandate is to ensure that all Committees live up to their mandates and operate effectively.

“The Committee will submit regular reports to the House and Leadership on the activities of all committees. I wish to encourage Committees to operate as ‘teams, consisting of chairmen, deputies, and all their members, not just a few individuals. To be effective, Committees must hold regular meetings, develop and adhere to annual work plans, report regularly, and engage with the public. However, the general effectiveness of Committees is contingent on a clear understanding of your mandate and objectives.

He said the committees must avoid conflict as much as possible and promote synergy, adding that in the past, Committees have functioned in silos resulting in friction and general inefficiency. I call on all Chairmen and deputies to provide robust leadership and coordination.

According to him, this involves fostering teamwork, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring that all members contribute meaningfully to the committee’s work, adding that the House cannot afford individual Public Hearings on all Private Member Bills due to the increased number of committees.

He stressed the need for transparency and accountability which he said are fundamental principles that must underpin committee activities while embracing professionalism, diligence, and ethical conduct in discharging their responsibilities.

He told them that in interfacing with MDAs and conducting oversight, their actions should be guided by integrity, impartiality, and a commitment to serving the public good, by upholding these values, we can foster public confidence in the legislature.

He said further that committees have contributed in no small measure to improving accountability through its oversight function, adding that the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, has progressively exercised its powers to ensure that the executive is always answerable to the Nigerian people.

He lamented that despite the growing assertiveness of the Nigerian legislature and its centrality in promoting good governance, Committees face several challenges that impede their overall effectiveness, including the high turnover rate and its attendant effect on legislative expertise.

He said: “For instance, the 10th House of Representatives has recorded the highest attrition rate since the return to democracy in 1999. As a result, critical knowledge and expertise have been lost in the process.

“Other factors that limit the effectiveness of our Committees include insufficient resources, particularly inadequate funding, staffing, and resources, all of which limit their ability to conduct thorough analysis and research. Despite the widely held belief, the House and its Committees are grossly underfunded, making it nearly impossible for them to function optimally.

“Anyone familiar with the inner workings of the legislature knows the quantum of resources required to undertake robust oversight adequately, hire experts and consultants, undertake inspection visits, and draft quality legislations. Ironically, while Nigerians expect the best representation from the National Assembly and its Members, they do not always understand that this is only possible through adequate funding.”

Ekiti Govt Sympathises With Rainstorm Victims, Pledges Immediate Support.

Ekiti Govt Sympathises With Rainstorm Victims, Pledges Immediate Support.

The Ekiti State Government, has pledged to roll out palliatives for the victims of rainstorm that destroyed some houses at Ilokun, a farmstead under Ado-Ekiti metropolis, on Saturday.

A torrential downpour, accompanied with heavy storm, that lasted for over two hours, had destroyed over seven buildings at the community located along Ado-Iworoko road, thereby rendering the victims homeless.

Speaking during a visit to the community for on-the-spot assessment, on Monday, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said Governor Biodun Oyebanji sympathised with the victims, promising that the government will lend a hand of support to cushion the effects on the victims.

Mrs Afuye, according to a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, urged the victims to compile their lists and send to the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency(EKSEMA) for immediate action.

The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied by officials of the EKSEMA and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), appealed to residents to embrace maintenance culture on their buildings to checkmate recurrent cases of wreckage being witnessed during rainstorm.

"Let me on behalf of Governor Biodun Oyebanji sympathise with you on this unexpected occurrence. She directed me to be here for on the spot assessment of the level of wreckage on your buildings.

"We thank God that no life was lost and whatever that  had happened to your buildings can still be repaired, but any life that lost can't be replaced. This is the way I want you to view this matter.

"You know that our government is pro-masses, we are going to help you in whatever way we can to cushion whatever effect this occurrence is having on you.

"We thank God that the officials of NEMA and EKSEMA are here with me. They will  start acting immediately you submit your letters to their offices. 

"But I want our people  to always take actions that can prevent their buildings from being blown away by storm. We must try and make the right renovations on our structures before the beginning of the raining season. 

"What we lack majorly is maintenance culture and we have to change our orientation in the interest of our safety".

The Permanent Secretary, EKSEMA,  Mr. Jide Borode, promised that the agency will act appropriately as soon as it receives the letters 

Responding on behalf of the victims, Mr. Rasheed Akinrinade, applauded the government for deeming it for to assess the level of wreckage in the community, saying this further attested to the widespread notion that Governor Oyebanji is a pro-masses leader. 

Akinrinade appealed to the government to release the promised relief materials in time to help  mitigate the level of sufferings of those whose houses were destroyed by heavy wind.

Governor Obaseki Woos Chinese Investors.

Governor Obaseki Woos Chinese Investors.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, is actively pursuing foreign investment opportunities, encouraging investors to leverage the business-friendly environment and incentives provided by his administration to invest in new sectors and expand their businesses within the state.

The governor, while attending the Belt and Road Global Chambers of Commerce and Associations Conference in Fuzhou, China, conducted an economic summit aimed at attracting more investors to Edo State. This aligns with the government's vision to drive economic growth and sustainability.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Edo State government, Obaseki showcased the significant reforms and programs implemented over the past seven years to attract and retain investments.

He stated, "These initiatives encompass streamlining bureaucracy, implementing business-friendly policies, ensuring the availability of raw materials and energy, and fostering the development of the skilled workforce necessary for these enterprises.

"Edo State has a fast-growing reputation as the energy and petrochemical hub of Nigeria, which should be a big attraction to potential Chinese investors with prospects of affordable gas exploration.

"I urge investors to take advantage of the business-friendly environment and other incentives provided by our administration to invest in new frontiers and expand their businesses in the state."

The governor's proactive efforts to court international investments underscore Edo State's commitment to becoming a thriving economic hub, fostering opportunities for both local and foreign businesses.

Niger not against use of hijab – Bago.

Niger not against use of hijab – Bago.

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has said that the state is not against the wearing of Hijab by female Muslim adherents.

Bago was responding to a social media report claiming that the state’s Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Hadiza, denounced wearing Hijab by teachers, by allegedly saying she ‘sees no reason why a female teacher will wear Hijab and be comfortable with her teaching’.

The governor, in a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, maintained that his administration was not against the wearing of Hijab as it was a religious injunction with constitutional backing.

According to Ibrahim, the Commissioner of Education was quoted out of context and being a Muslim, would never speak against the Hijab.

The governor said, “The commissioner’s statement is contextual and does not reflect the position of the state government on the use of Hijab by women in any field of endeavor.

“The commissioner’s meeting with the principals, headmasters and other stakeholders was organised to sensitise them to the strategic plans of the Bago-led administration to boost education as well as the impending screening and competency test for teachers in the state.

“The state government is not, and has never been, against the wearing of a Hijab; the commissioner’s statement must have been misconstrued.

“The wearing of a Hijab is a religious obligation and the Supreme Court had, in June last year, ruled that the constitution allows Muslim students and, by implication, teachers to wear a Hijab.

“The commissioner, as a Muslim, was not unaware of the importance of the Hijab and could not have been an impediment to its use.

“Niger State is a law-abiding state. Since the Nigeria Constitution allowed Muslim students and teachers to wear the Hijab, the state government has the responsibility to ensure that the rights of the citizens are protected."

Ongoing Reforms by Fed Govt will Yield Positive Results, says AGF Fagbemi.

Ongoing Reforms by Fed Govt will Yield Positive Results, says AGF Fagbemi.

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has expressed confidence that the numerous reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will lead to economic prosperity and stability.

In a statement released yesterday in Abuja by his spokesman Kamarudeen Ogundele, the minister appealed to Nigerians for patience and encouraged support for the comprehensive reforms underway.

Fagbemi conveyed these sentiments on Friday during a prayer organized in his honor by his family in his Ijagbo country home in Oyun Local Government of Kwara State.

The minister assured Nigerians of the President’s unwavering determination to steer the country towards progress.

He stated, “The President is not looking for self-aggrandizement. He’s seeking a better future for the country.

“Immediately after his swearing-in, he has been all out to seek investors’ buy-in. As a result, positive responses have been trailing his discussions with foreign investors.

“The only thing we need is to exercise some patience. Even if you plant a tree, it won’t grow into fruition until after a while.

“Nigerians need to be patient. Things will improve greatly in the coming days. The sacrifices of today will translate to a greater future for the country.

“I know with prayers and support of Nigerians, the country will emerge stronger.”

The AGF's optimistic outlook underscores the belief in the transformative potential of the ongoing reforms, emphasizing the need for collective patience and support to pave the way for a more prosperous and stable future.

Federal Government welcomes Mexican investors, restates incentives to boost mining.

Federal Government welcomes Mexican investors, restates incentives to boost mining.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, has lauded the decision of investors from the Republic of Chile to visit Nigeria in search of investment in solid minerals.

Welcoming the investors to his office in Abuja, Alake said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had put in place incentives to ease business for investors in the mining industry.

The incentives, the minister said, include zero duty on equipment imported for solid minerals extraction, easy movement of profits to the countries of origin and tax holidays.

He said investors in the mining industry are expected to sign Community Development Agreement with the communities in the mining area to ensure the socio-economic development of the region and their people.

Alake said the current administration was sanitising the industry, citing the recent revocation of titles of companies that failed to comply with the law on annual service fee

Introducing the investors, Nigeria’s outgoing Ambassador to Mexico and former Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Adejare Bello told Alake that the embassy had screened the investors and confirmed that they were genuine and serious businessmen.

The former ambassador assured the minister that the Mexican investment would boost the economy.

He said the Nigerian Embassy had been engaging the investors in talks over two years and decided to lead them to the minister after it certified their status.

“The honourable minister is aware that ambassadors have been recalled. This visit is the reason I stayed back so that I could bring them to you. Now, that I have achieved my mission, I will go back, pack my luggage and return home,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of other investors, President of Seccion Internacional Para Africa, Dr. Heriberto Garcia Cortes, thanked Alake for the parley.

The Mexican businessman said they saw Nigeria as their African home that deserved support to expand its economy.