Connect with us

Politics

Trial Of Ex-President Jonathan’s Aide, In Alleged N3bn Fraud Stalled By Acute Diabetes Ailment

Published

on

The trial of former Director of Finance in the defunct President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Organization, Dr Ngozi Olejeme, in an alleged N3bn fraud was on Monday in Abuja stalled due to an acute diabetes ailment suffered by the defendant.

Justice Maryam Hassan Aliyu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) shifted the trial to December 6 following a passionate plea by her counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro SAN to that effect.

When the trial was to commence, Erokoro told the Judge that doctors to Mrs Olejeme have called her to report immediately to the hospital as she has fainting spells.

Advertisement

The senior lawyer recalled that the defendant has been diabetic and hypertensive for 30 years and has had four major surgeries in the United States of America and South Africa.

He further hinted to the court that she recently suffered heart failure and COVID-19 and is still in the recovery process.

Moved by the plight of the defendant and due to no objection to request for adjournment, Justice Aliyu fixed December 6 for resumption of the trial.

Advertisement

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had on October 21 arraigned Mrs Olejeme on a nine-count charge, in which she was accused of abusing her office, receiving a bribe, awarding contracts without due process, among others.

READ ALSO: 2023: Group Advises Politicians Above 60 Not To Contest Election

Mrs Olejeme who was a former Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) was on October 22 admitted bailing by the Judge after spending 24 hours in the custody of the EFCC on the order of the court.

Advertisement

Justice Aliyu adopted the conditions attached to the administrative bail earlier granted Olejeme by the prosecuting agency, EFCC in 2017 to admit her to bail.

The conditions are that the defendant produces two Deputy Directors in government employment to stand as her sureties.

In one of the counts, Mrs Olejeme was alleged to have “dishonestly received the sum of N22,200,000.00” from a contractor with NSITF into her personal account No. 32327505058110 at GT Bank.

Advertisement

Mrs Olejeme was also accused of receiving $48,485,127.00, which was dollars equivalent to some funds received from contractors as kickback

Advertisement
Comments

Politics

APC Queries Minister For Insubordination As Fresh Crisis Rocks Party In Kano

Published

on

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, for making “unguided” comments capable of provoking misunderstandings and disunity within the party.

In a query letter signed by the Kano State APC Chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, the party threatened disciplinary action against the Minister if he failed to respond to what it considers acts of insubordination.

The letter was copied to the party’s national leadership, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and zonal leaders.

Advertisement

The letter reads: “The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has observed with concern recent comments you made in the media regarding internal party matters and aspirants.

READ ALSO:APC Explains Suspension Of Senator Gbenga Daniel

“These statements have the tendency to provoke misunderstandings and disunity among members. Issues relating to party affairs fall strictly within the purview of the APC leadership and its designated spokespersons.”

Advertisement

Abbas added: “You are not assigned any public relations role within the party, and such public comments may be wrongly interpreted as official party positions.

“Although you have the right to support and promote any aspirant of your choice, by virtue of your position as a Minister and member of the Federal Executive Council, you are expected to engage on issues that facilitate the unity of all party members.

“The party has observed that you habitually make uncomplimentary and derogatory public pronouncements. You are hereby warned to restrain from such behavior; failure to do so may compel the party to take further disciplinary action.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Mass Defections: Ndume Predicts Implosion In APC

In response, Minister Ata described the query as baseless, lacking specific accusations, and said he had not received an official copy of the letter, learning of it instead through social media.

He insisted that he possesses the constitutional right to express his opinions freely and would not relinquish that right.

Advertisement

Ata stated: “I am not aware of any offense or breach of party rules. I believe it is inappropriate for a Minister of the Federal Republic or any party member to first see a letter intended for them on the internet before it is officially delivered.

“The letter does not cite any specific statement, action, or conduct that amounts to wrongdoing. As a Nigerian citizen, I fully reserve the constitutional right to express my personal opinions.

READ ALSO:APC Chieftain Killed In Suspected Zamfara Bandit Attack

Advertisement

“At no point have I claimed to speak on behalf of the party. Every comment I made was strictly in my personal capacity. I remain firmly committed to the constructive policies and renewed hope agenda of Mr. President.”

The exchange between the party leadership and the Minister has further exposed internal crises within APC in Kano, as various factions jockey for influence ahead of the 2027 general elections. Members of the party are reportedly divided among major power blocs, with some supporting the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, while others back former National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The crisis deepened when some party stakeholders endorsed Ganduje as the state party leader, bypassing Barau, who is the highest-ranking political officer in Kano APC. Although the endorsement was claimed to be unanimous, Barau denied any involvement.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:VIDEO: It’s Pure Genocide, APC’s Adamu Garba Backs Trump On Killings In Nigeria

Recently, party stalwart Hon. Alwan Hassan accused Barau of obstructing the confirmation of Ramat Garba at the National Assembly for the presidential nomination as head of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Hassan also alleged that Barau orchestrated the removal of former Minister of Housing, Alh. Abdullahi Gwarzo, replacing him with Ata.

Advertisement

In a counter statement, Muhammad Abubakar, leader of the Coalition Tinubu Support Organization, dismissed Hassan’s claims, accusing him of advancing the interests of certain leaders to tarnish the reputation of the Deputy Senate President.
(GUARDIAN)

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

APC Explains Suspension Of Senator Gbenga Daniel

Published

on

APC Ward 4 in Sagamu says it suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel because he refused to appear and defend himself over allegations of anti-party activities.

Speaking to journalists at the ward office in Sabo, Sagamu, the Ward Secretary, Hon. Oluwole Aduroja, said he spoke for the 19-member executive committee.

He explained that their clarification was necessary after a statement issued by MJS Partners on behalf of Senator Daniel, reacting to a November 17 letter from the APC National Secretariat.

Advertisement

Aduroja, who stood with the Ward Chairman, Hon. Adebayo Ismail, said the Ward Executive Committee agreed to suspend Senator Daniel because he failed to appear before a panel set up to review petitions against him.

READ ALSO:Why Kwankwaso-Atiku Alliance Can’t Work — APC Chief

The petitions accused him of working against the party.

Advertisement

He said the problem started during the last general elections, when Senator Daniel “acted in open defiance of the party and engaged in actions inimical to the interest of the APC and its candidates in Ogun State.”

Aduroja added that after the elections, the senator, “attempted to obstruct and frustrate the course of justice during the Election Petition Tribunal sittings through actions and interventions that were directly hostile to the interest of the APC and its candidates.”

‘Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
He said these actions remain unchallenged.

Advertisement

Reacting to the position of the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Bashiru, in the November 17 letter, Aduroja insisted that the APC Constitution allows Executive Committees at all levelsward, local government, state, zonal or national to discipline any member.

READ ALSO:APC Chieftain Killed In Suspected Zamfara Bandit Attack

He said Article 21(5)(vii) gives the National Working Committee the power to suspend members, but does not override the powers of Executive Committees at other levels, and does not require them to seek approval from the NWC.

Advertisement

He explained that “any disciplinary action taken by an Executive Council, including suspension, is subject only to appeal as outlined in Article 21(4).”

He added that nothing in the constitution makes their decision dependent on NWC review.

Aduroja said Ward 4 is committed to discipline, fairness and due process, and stressed that the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Politics

Irresponsible Of You To Blame Trump Over Rising Insecurity – ADC Blasts Tinubu’s Govt

Published

on

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised the Federal Government of Nigeria for blaming the wave of attacks, especially in Kebbi and Kwara States on remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Recall that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume on Wednesday, said recent statements by Trump concerning the security situation in Nigeria have emboldened violent groups across the country.

Responding to the SGF, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement said Akume’s comment was an attempt to deflect responsibility.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Alleged Christian Genocide: APC Requests To Testify At US Congress

According to him, it is appalling that the APC-led government suggested that insecurity in Nigeria was triggered by a statement made by a foreign president.

The ADC mouthpiece further stated that the claim amounted to a shameful abdication of responsibility and a confirmation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is overwhelmed by the security crisis.

Advertisement

He added that Nigerians had endured massacres, mass abductions and attacks on schools and places of worship for years under the APC-led government.

READ ALSO:Trump To Receive Full Menu Of Options To Stop Nigeria Genocide – US Rep, Moore

Abdullahi said the situation has worsened under the current administration because of the government’s failure to respond decisively.

Advertisement

Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
“It is therefore disingenuous to blame one tweet for the state of insecurity in Nigeria,”

“Those killing Nigerians did not need to be instigated by Trump; they were already actively encouraged by a government that consistently fails to act decisively to stop the carnage, a government that is, even after nearly three years in office, still celebrating its electoral victory while the country is turned into a killing field,” he said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending