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Turkey: Nigerian Community Opens Helpline For Stranded Citizens

Published

1 year ago

February 8, 2023

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Emre Magboh, President, Nigerian Community in Turkey

The Nigerian Community in Turkey has opened a response line for all Nigerians living in cities affected by the earthquake to make their cases known.

The group in a statement signed by its President, Emre Magboh, and made available to The PUNCH, noted that since the tragic incident of the earthquakes occurred, the Nigerian Embassy had made several contacts with them to enquire about the status of its citizens living in Turkey.

On Monday, two major earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.5, hit the city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey.

The quakes affected a massive area including large cities where many people live and so far, have killed over 11,000 people, with several thousand others injured with many people still missing in south eastern Turkey.

According to the Red Cross, the earthquakes have hit at least ten provinces in Turkey and in Syria including; Diyarbakir, Hama, Aleppo, Latakia, and Tartous, among others.

The statement from the Nigerian Community in Turkey added that although no Nigerian had been reported to have been affected by the quakes, it had doled out relief materials to victims in the affected areas.

He said, “As of press time, no Nigerian casualty had been reported or recorded as more survivors are being rescued from the rubbles. The Nigerian Embassy has made several contacts with the Nigerian Community in Turkey to enquire about the status of her citizens living in Turkey.

“However, we have made public announcements and opened a response line for all Nigerians living in the affected cities to make their case known.

“This is to ensure that proper assistance is given to victims of the earthquakes who are Nigerians.”

A screenshot of the text message received by our correspondent reads, “Nigerian community Turkey wishes to reach out to all members following the quake disaster that claimed lives.

“We hope you are all safe. Let’s try to reach out to our fellow brothers and sisters, especially in the southern part of Türkiye. Any report of Nigerian casualties should be reported through the community line: +90 535 2058 834. Everyone should please stay safe.”

Magboh also extended their condolences to victims on Tuesday evening at his office in Perpa, Istanbul-Turkey where he unveiled relief materials donated by the community for survivors of the disaster.

Earlier, the Turkish President, Recep Erdogan, had declared a state of emergency across 10 provinces in areas worst hit by the tremor.

Magboh expressed grief over the loss of lives and properties in the affected cities.

He said, “We pray for the repose of the ones who lost their lives and wish survivors with injuries a quick recovery.

“The president of the community applauded the tireless efforts of the Turkish government in rescuing many trapped under the rubble.”

He added, “Many lives have been saved and we hope that many more lives would be saved with their continued doggedness to save lives.

“We also applaud the foreign support to Turkiye as reported in the media and we are calling for more assistance and interventions to relieve the pains many are experiencing at the moment.”

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$2.5bn Fraud: EFCC To Collaborate With UK Prosecutors In Diezani’s Case

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

There were signs over the weekend that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission plans to join forces with the United Kingdom prosecutors as an interested party in the trial of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in a UK court.

A team from the anti-graft commission is expected in London to initiate this process by filing relevant documents, the Nation reports.

According to a source privy to the information, the EFCC intends to share its findings and the Abuja high court’s forfeiture order concerning Diezani’s $2.5 million properties and vehicles with the UK court.

“This country may not be able to retrieve questionable assets from Diezani if the EFCC does not file an application as an interested party. We have received an advisory on this important bend to Diezani’s trial and we will be part of the case in the UK. A team will leave for London any moment from now to explore legal opportunities and file necessary papers as an interested party.

“The overall aim is for Nigeria to benefit from Diezani’s trial, especially the recovery of all assets linked to funds looted in this country. The EFCC has sufficient evidence against Diezani, including a court order on the former minister’s $2.5 million homes and cars.

“In another case, a former chairman of EFCC confirmed that the commission recovered $153 million and secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about $ 80 million. The allegations against Diezani by the EFCC border on the alleged stealing of about $2.5 billion from Nigeria’s coffers as a minister.” the source said.

The source continued, “It is necessary for this nation to rise to the occasion because, in March 2023, the NCA also provided evidence to the US Department of Justice that enabled them to recover assets totalling $53.1 million linked to Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.

“Like the P&ID case, the EFCC has sufficient evidence to pull through a case against Diezani. We want all stolen, diverted and questionable assets back in the custody of Nigeria for the good use of our citizens.I think the EFCC is collaborating with the NCA in the UK on this.

“It is also unclear if the UK court will ask Diezani to return to Nigeria to serve prison terms if convicted. This is why we also need to be an interested party in the case in the UK.”

Last year, the Head of the NCA’s international corruption unit, Andy Kelly, said the “charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation”.

“Bribery is a pervasive form of corruption, which enables serious criminality and can have devastating consequences for developing countries.

“We will continue to work with partners here and overseas to tackle the threat.”

Diezani is currently facing trial at the Southwark Crown Court in the UK over an alleged £100,000 bribe.

The National Crime Agency alleged that Diezani could have received benefits worth at least £100,000, including cash, chauffeured cars, private jet flights, luxury family vacations, and multiple London properties.

On October 2, 2023, a Magistrate Court granted bail to the former Minister for £70,000, considering her a potential flight risk.

The trial proceedings for Diezani’s case are scheduled to commence in November 2025.

In October 2023, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, submitted a warrant of arrest and request to the Crown Prosecution Services of the United Kingdom for the urgent extradition of a former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke.

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Five-year-old Boy Shot Dead By Hijackers In South Africa

Published

18 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

A 5-year-old boy, Ditebogo Junior, was shot dead after his father’s Toyota Hilux was hijacked outside their home in Soshanguve, in the north of Gauteng, South Africa.

Police spokesperson, Lt-Col Mavela Masondo said that the child had gone out to welcome his father, Ditebogo Phalane, when he arrived home around 10:30pm on Friday, May 10, 2024.

“An unconfirmed number of armed suspects allegedly hijacked the father’s White Toyota bakkie and shot the five-year-old boy who later died in hospital,” Masondo said.

Phalane’s cousin, Gift Makoti took to X to share the heartbreaking news about the boy’s passing.

“My cousin was Hijacked hours ago in Soshanguve block Uu, they took his Bakkie. He was with his son, they shot the 5yr old boy!! He didn’t make it!! What has this country come to now!!!!!???! That’s a CHILD man!!!!!!” he wrote

He posted photos of the young boy, Ditebogo Phalane Jnr, with his father smiling and looking happy. He said that the boy’s father was inconsolable.

“He and his son had a strong bond. His son was always out and about with him, keeping him company. I don’t know how he is going to live without his son,” he said

The tragic incident has left social media users shocked and angry.

Many have made contributions to help erect a tombstone for the boy.

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American Comedian, James Gregory Is Dead

Published

19 hours ago

May 12, 2024

Editor

American comedian, James Gregory, known for calling himself “The Funniest Man in America” has passed on at the age of 78.

Gregory’s family said he died on Thursday, May 9, from cardiac complications.

James took up comedy in the early ’80s when he was 36 after years of working as a salesman, and, he became the first comedian to take the stage at the legendary Punchline club in Atlanta.

While he was known as a Southern comedian, he traveled all across the country performing shows for the next four decades.

His biggest claim to fame came when he dubbed himself “The Funniest Man in America” in the ’80s, and, later he took the URL domain “funniestman.com”, cementing himself in his fans’ minds as the funniest man.

He is survived by his three nieces and other extended family.