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N20b Loan: Group Protests, Rolls Out State’s Indebtedness

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Group, Joint Forces for the Defence of Democracy (JOFDES) Monday, July 14, protested against alleged Edo State government plan to obtain N20b (Twenty billion naira) from the Nigeria Capital Market few weeks to the Edo State Governorship elections.

The group also alleged that the Godwin Obaseki-led government intends to obtain another $100Million and $150m loan from the World Bank respectively, just as it described the act as ” reckless, irresponsible and ignominious for the Obaseki-led state government to obtain another loan.”

Co-covener of the group, Kola Edokpayi and Felix Osemwengie Isere, Esq in a statement titled ‘we reject the attempt by Governor Godwin Obaseki to mortgage the future of Edo youths by his recent moves to obtain another N20b loan’, noted that the state’s domestic debt profile stands at N84.76 billion, hence it will amount to a calculated attempt by the Governor to mortgage Edo youths future.

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” As if these are not enough,  we have received reliable information that Godwin Obaseki also intends to obtain another $100Million loan from the World Bank.

READ ALSO: ‘We’re Committed To Relieving Obaseki Of His Office’- Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation

“This loan, known as the performance for results loan which is awaiting board approval is aimed at funding the overblown Edo Best and Edo jobs projects. We the citizens are aware that Edo Best and Edo jobs projects are a mere facade and failed projects serving as conduit for siphoning funds for the coffers of the good people of Edo State  

” The most shocking part of it is that Mr. Obaseki is considering these loans when Edo State currently services the $150Million credit obtained from the World bank in 2016 and 2017.

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” This is the highest level of political and economic betrayal for the good people of Edo State who have entrusted her collective patrimony into the hands of the governor. It is most unfair and is a demonstration of the mortgage of the future of Edo people.

Joint Forces for the Defence of Democracy (JOFDES) protesting against Obaseki’s plan to obtain N20b loan on Monday in Benin

” We find this development not only worrisome, wicked, reckless, irresponsible and ignominious but a calculated attempt to completely mortgage the future of the youth and people of Edo State. This is totally obvious because Mr. Obaseki is fully aware that Edo State is already heavily overburdened by excess debts.

” At no time in the history of our dear state have we come under the volume of indebtedness that we face today”, the statement added.

READ ALSO: Edo Poll: APC, Ize-Iyamu Will Respect INEC’s Regulations – Campaign Organisation

While disclosing that the state is with the highest domestic debt in the South-South and second throughout the nation, noted that the governor has to ” answer reason why the state is indebted so high and other financial mismanagement.”

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According to the protesters, with all the borrowing, citizens of the state have not seen any tangible project from the state government “apart from some renovations of already existing infrastructure and window dressing.”

” We have the highest external debt in the entire South-South with an external debt of $257.92 milliion as at March 2020.

” Second, we have the highest domestic debt in Nigeria, second only to Lagos State.

” We must get answers to these and other glaring cases of financial mismanagement that have become the hallmark of the Godwin Obaseki’s government 

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” Apart from the few renovation of already existing infrastructure and window dressing of already completed projects, we have not seen any landmark or gigantic legacy projects the Obaseki Government has done with funds accruing to the state”, they said.

READ ALSO: Shame On PDP Leaders Fielding Obaseki After Condemning Him As Non-achiever -Ize-Iyamu

The group called on President Muhammadu Buhari and other concerned authorities particularly Edo citizens to stop the loan from being approved, just as they added that if there’s any reason to obtain such loan, that should be considered after the election.

The group further said, ” We as a pro democracy group committed to defending the interest of Edo sons and daughters worldwide hereby call on the President of Nigeria, Secretary to the government of the federation, Hon Minister of state for budget and national planning, director general Debt Management Office (DMO) Abuja, the Chairman Senate and House of Representatives committees on local and foreign debts, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Senate President and speaker of the House of Representatives, DG of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Attorney General of the federation and all well-meaning Edo sons and daughters who have the future of our children at heart, to do everything within their powers to stop this loan from being approved for the governor of Edo State.

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” However, if there is any genuine reason whatsoever to approve such a loan for Edo State, it can be considered after the forth coming Edo governorahip election to forestall the mismanagement of the funds under the tension that accompanies elections.”

However, in his reaction, Special Adviser to Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie denied the allegation, just as he accused Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of sponsoring the protest.

Protest against Obaseki’s plan to obtain N20b loan on Monday

There is no such thing as N20 billion debt proposal by the Edo State Government, and Edo people cannot be distracted by such wild claim,” Osagie said.

Reacting to Crusoe’s allegation that the protesters were sponsored by Ize-Iyamu, Mr. John Mayaki, Chairman, Edo State APC Media Campaign Council said was insulting to the people of Edo State for the Governor’s Aide to attribute anger expressed by the citizens to Ize-Iyamu.

“It is ludicrous and insulting to the people of Edo State who are known for their agency and independence of thought, for Crusoe Osagie to suggest that the anger they expressed today on the streets of Benin over the 20 billion naira loan Obaseki is trying to obtain for his collapsing campaign was done at the behest of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

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READ ALSO: PDP Governorship Primary: Aspirants Step Down For Obaseki

“Is Crusoe suggesting that Edo youths cannot read the news, interpret it, and understand the implications of a failed government seeking loans toward the end of its tenure?” Mayaki said.

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Mother Of Five Jailed For Forging Late Abba Kyari’s Signature

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A mother of five, Ramat Mba, has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment by a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja, for her involvement in an employment scam.

Ramat who was also found guilty of forging the signature of the late Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, was arraigned before the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on a 5-count bordering on cheating, fraud and forgery, contrary to Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and Sections 320(b), 366 of the Penal Code Cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria.

She reportedly committed the offence sometime in 2020 when she collected N4.5 million from several job seekers, promising to secure jobs for them with the ICPC and National Air Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

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READ ALSO’ Three Children Rescued As Fire Guts Storey Building In Delta

Also, the documentary evidence tendered showed that the convict fraudulently forged the letterhead of the Office of the Chief of Staff to former President Buhari and his signature. The letter, addressed to the ICPC Chairman, was a request for the recruitment of three individuals by the commission.

However, the late CoS, in a written correspondence that was also tendered in court as an exhibit, distanced himself or his office from authorising the letter.

Commenting on the sentencing, spokesperson for the ICPC, Demola Bakare said;

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READ ALSO: Doctor, Nurses Detained Over Missing Placenta, Umbilical Cord

“The trial judge, Justice Muhammad, in his judgment on May 9, 2024, convicted the mother of five children on counts 1, 2, 3 and 5 that border on cheating and forgery, while she was discharged on count 4 which borders on felony.

“Justice Muhammad, during the sentencing on Thursday, pronounced a six-month jail term or N100,000 option of fine on counts 1, 2 and 3 on the convict.

“The presiding judge, who stressed the status of the convict as a first-time offender and a mother, also sentenced her to one-year imprisonment or N150,000 option on fine on count 5 which borders on forgery.”

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Police Dismiss Inspector For N29.8m Theft, Kidnapping

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The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed one of its officers identified as Adabo Mohammed for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, among others.

Mohammed, who was an Inspector, alongside five others was said to be a member of an armed robbery gang allegedly responsible for the stealing of N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory.

This was disclosed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

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The statement, titled, ‘Police speak tough on indiscipline, misconduct,’ noted that in a move to uphold professional standards within the Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, stressed the Force’s intolerance to any form of indiscipline.

READ ALSO: Three Children Rescued As Fire Guts Storey Building In Delta

The statement read partly, “In a decisive move to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has emphasised his administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of indiscipline. He stressed that the mandate of the police is to serve and protect with honour and integrity, and as such all breaches of the core values of the NPF will be met with decisive action to maintain public trust and ensure justice.

“In line with this policy, all cases reported against personnel have been creditably attended to, and justice has been done appropriately. Many of the erring officers have been sanctioned, while some cases are still at the orderly room trial level, and will soon be concluded.

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“For instance, a police inspector has been dismissed from service while three others were demoted to their previous ranks following thorough investigations which confirmed their involvement in various acts of indiscipline/crime.”

READ ALSO: Lagos Hotel Showcases ‘Most Advanced Room In West Africa’ That Costs Over N1m Per Night

Adejobi added, “One Inspector Adabo Mohammed was dismissed for the offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery/kidnapping, and corrupt practice. The dismissed officer, along with five others were members of an armed robbery gang responsible for the robbery of the sum of N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, FCT as well as the kidnap of one Ikechukwu Emmanuel Okafor in Tunga Manje, and the collection of ransom sum of N4.4m. The ex-officer has been charged to court accordingly.

“Similarly, the trio of Inspectors Osagie Efford, Semiu Agbekin, and Francis Ahuen, attached to the Special Tactical Squad (STS), have been demoted to their previous rank of Sergeant for the extortion of some motorists in Abuja. The trio intercepted an unregistered Mercedes Benz at Gwarinpa, Abuja, and forced the occupants to part with the total sum of N29.4m.

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“The matter when reported by one Harrison Gwamnishu (#HarrisonBBi18) via the social media platform ‘X’, was taken up and properly investigated. While the monies have been returned to the complainants, the officers were subjected to orderly room trial in line with extant laws, and have been demoted.”

The FPRO noted that some senior officers have “been subjected to the Force Disciplinary Committee hearings” to “scrutinise and address allegations of misconduct against higher-ranking officers of the Force.”

He assured the public that “these measures are taken with the utmost seriousness and are integral to restoring and maintaining their trust. He re-emphasised that the NPF is dedicated to fostering a culture of accountability and respect within all ranks to ensure that police officers serve with integrity.”

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Doctor, Nurses Detained Over Missing Placenta, Umbilical Cord

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The Kwara State Police Command has arrested medical staff from the Government Cottage Hospital in Iloffa town, located in the Oke-Ero local government area of the state, over the missing umbilical cord and placenta of a newborn baby.

A new mum, identified as Mrs. Williams C.B.A., raised the alarm about the missing placenta and umbilical cord following the delivery of her baby last Sunday.

Subsequently, police launched an investigation.

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About five suspected health workers are being detained by the General Investigation Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department of the police command in Ilorin.

Kwara doctor and nurses detained over missing placenta and umbilical cord.

The matter was brought to the police headquarters in Ilorin for further investigation when efforts to unravel the mystery at various levels of the local government failed.

The investigation also found that it took the concerted efforts of elders from the Odo-Owa community to calm the frayed nerves of restive youths, who suspected foul play as they were about to burn down the hospital over the incident.

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READ ALSO: Moment Man Falls 40 Feet Onto Police Van After Climbing Building For ‘Drugs Stash’ [VIDEO]

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kwara State Police Command, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the development and the arrest of the suspects, saying that investigation had already commenced.

Speaking with journalists, the nursing mother of the newborn baby, who teaches the English Language in the Orofa High School, Odo-Owa, narrated her ordeal.

She said: “I got to the Cottage hospital some minutes past 1:00 pm on Sunday and told the particular nurse I met on duty that I was having contraptions. She was the one who attended to me after confirming that I was truly in labour.

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“She took me into the labour room and asked me to wait because I still have more time. Not quite long after I came, when the doctor also came in. At about some minutes to 5pm the doctor asked the nurse to usher me into labour room again that he wanted to check how close the baby was.

“He then asked that a drip be fixed on me, and at about some minutes past 6:00 pm, the labour started and I delivered the baby around some minutes to 7pm.

“Three women were present, two of them are nurses while one is a Ward attendant.

“In the course of the delivery, it was one Nurse Alabi that took the delivery and Nurse Adeloye and the Ward Attendant identified as Mrs Toyin. I don’t know her surname Those were the three people present.

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READ ALSO: Three Children Rescued As Fire Guts Storey Building In Delta

“Lest I forget, there are two missing items inside the nylon; the Umbilical cord and the placenta.

“Also, while they were taking the delivery, a particular woman came and said that she was supposed to be on duty that day, that she took permission that she wanted to travel that she was just returning. She was also there during the delivery which makes the number of those present to be four women in all. She was also later invited by the police.

“Later the doctor joined them. He was not fully involved. He was just coming and going. The delivery was not done in his presence.

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“Nurse Alabi, who took the delivery was the one who took the Umbilical cord and the placenta and dropped them inside a nylon that has the inscription name of the hospital and then dropped the nylon inside a carton placed right beside the delivery couch.

“As soon as that was done,they cleaned the baby and myself up and Nurse Adeloye ushered me into the main ward. The baby was placed beside me and I wasn’t feeling too well.

“Not long after that,Mrs Toyin brought in my belongings from the labour room which were two bags and placed them beside the bed.

READ AS ALSO: Disregard Claim Of Me Bringing Investors To Nigeria – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

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“I didn’t ask her about the contents of the bags because I thought the nylon of the placenta and the Umbilical cord was included in one of my bags .

“Very early the following morning when I woke up I remembered the placenta, when I looked around I didn’t see any of the Nurses that attended to me , probably they have gone home.

“When I discovered that the placenta was missing, I called a particular woman, also a ward maid but not among those who took my delivery in the night shift.

“When I told her, she said ‘Haaa’ that we should go together to the labour room which we did. When we got there the nylon inside which the placenta was kept was no longer there, likewise the carton too.”

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She said she raised the alarm after the doctor and nurses who delivered the baby failed to produce the placenta and umbilical cord.

Some of their staff started telling me they’re sorry that there was a mistake. The attendant said she had thrown the placenta inside a pit but they could not find it suggesting a dog might have eaten it.

“That was When I flared up with some members of my church who were also present that it’s not possible that they just have to present the placenta.”

Mrs Williams’ father, Mr Rufus Sanya, said he suspected foul play.

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“How could an umbilical cord and a placenta of a new baby be missing when we all know the implication?

“I urge the police to do a thorough investigation and unravel the mystery behind this disappearance. That is only when justice would be said to have been served and we would be at peace with ourselves,” he said.

 

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