Ex- Bank PHB boss wants court to dismiss charges!

Francis Atuche

A former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, on Tuesday asked an Ikeja High Court to dismiss the N25.7 billion theft charge preferred against him.

Elizabeth Atuche

Mr. Atuche and his wife, Elizabeth, are standing trial before Justice Lateefat Okunnu. They are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu.

Ugo Anyanwu

Mr. Atuche’s application was premised on a judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on November 21.

The appellate court had, in the judgment, struck out a theft charge preferred against a former Managing Director of Finbank Plc, Okey Nwosu and some others.

The Court of Appeal held in Mr. Nwosu’s case that the Lagos High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the charge because it emanated from capital market transactions.

The appellate court held that such a capital market-based case should be handled by the Federal High Court.

Mr. Atuche’s Counsel, Anthony Idigbe, argued in the application dated November 27 that his client’s case was similar to Mr. Nwosu’s.

He said: “Your lordship will see clearly that the pith and substance of this charge is alleged fraudulent conversion of sums of monies into shares.”

“This court cannot reach a fair, just and whole decision at the end of trial without considering exhibits bordering on capital market issues on which it lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate.”

“In view of all the foregoing, we urge your lordship to decline jurisdiction at this stage in order not to further engage in exercise in futility.”

However, the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, in preliminary objection, urged the court to strike out the application for “being frivolous and vexatious”.

Mr. Pinheiro said that the Court of Appeal’s decision in Nwosu’s case was inapplicable to Atuche’s case.

The court has adjourned the case till December16 for further hearing.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Oshiomhole apologies to widow, offers her employment!

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has offered employment to the widow, Mrs Joy Ifije, whom he upbraided, penultimate week.

The sum of N2 million naira will also be given to Mrs Ifije whose goods were seized by men of the State War Against Indiscipline for obstructing the Mission road in the state capital .

This was contained in a statement signed Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Peter Okhiria.

The statement read: “The Governor who announced the job offer to the woman, in addition to a N2 million grant for her to get a shop and trade, said during a breakfast meeting with her at the Government House, yesterday, that her job would be to join State’s War Against Indiscipline in the campaign against street trading and to keep the state clean.”

The Governor who again apologised to the widow said “when you put your things on the road a vehicle can run into you and they have killed some people like that and that was why I said if you are a widow do you want more people to be widowed? But when I said go and die, that one was said in a fit of anger. And I am really sorry”, he said.

“I want you to join us. We would employ you and pay you salary. You would help us to campaign to other women not to trade on road sides. We should not use poverty as a yardstick. We would also talk to taxi and bus drivers not to block roads when carrying passengers”, Oshiomhole said.

“You will assist me to talk to women and traders not to litter the roads and sidewalks so that people walking and driving can have free road. If they want to park they can park properly so as not to disturb others.”

The Governor said government was trying to change Benin City from its old status adding “as you can see Benin is becoming a modern city. So you join us now and every month you begin to get salary so that you can look after your children”.

“For your child who is preparing to enter into the university, my daughters and myself have agreed to support him. If he does well as we pray he does, he would assist the family. Maybe this is the way God wants it. That is why I asked them to look for you so that I can personally offer my apology, but also to support you, so that God helping you, you can overcome the pain of widowhood”, he said.

“As a single mother I want to see how I can help you to train your children and God can use any of them to become a leader of our country. Please resist the temptation to do anything that would break the law. The law is the law; it is no respecter of persons. If Government does not enforce the law there would be confusion”, he remarked.

The Governor who gave the woman a cash gift of N2 million said “in addition to working with the War Against Indiscipline, I am also giving you the sum of two million naira so that you can hire a shop, trade inside the shop and not roadside and I pray that God will bless your decision on how you utilize the money. This money is not for you to share or distribute but to help you as a working capital”.

Responding, the widow, Mrs Joy Ifijeh thanked the Governor for the gesture and promised that she would be part of the fight to keep the City clean.

She apologized to the Governor for blocking the road with her wares, saying she recognized that what she did was wrong but she did not know that the Governor was on inspection that day.

According to her, she had been a victim of theft by a truck pusher who went away with her goods, a week before her encounter with the Governor, that was why she was on the road with her goods that day as she no longer trusted truck pushers not to do away with her goods.

Why I was arrested in Benin Republic – Asari Dokubo!

Niger Delta activist, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari said he was arrested by the Beninoise Police over an allegation that he was that he was a member of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

He also said the allegation of being a member of the terrorist group was made from Nigeria.

Dokubo-Asari, however, attributed his arrest in Benin as the handiwork of those opposed  to the 2015 re-election ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The NDPVF boss who appeared unperturbed by the arrest also said the crises “has raised my profile in that country.”

Speaking with Journalists on Friday night during his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja he also described as lies, reports that President Jonathan sent a Presidential Jet to fly him into Nigeria from the Republic of Benin.

He said, “Crisis is normal, it can also happen here in Nigeria, it can happen anywhere in the world. The people and government of Republic of Benin have no problem with me. But if people alleged that somebody is a leader of Boko Haram, the government of that country will investigate the person.

“The allegation has much to do with 2015 because when your read comments on social media, you find out that somebody who is against President Goodluck Jonathan, said they should vilify me and make sure I die before 2015. But they are not going to succeed. I am not going to die. I will be present in 2015, and I will do what I am going to do to ensure that Jonathan wins in 2015. There is nothing they can do about it. This is their last fight and it is so unfortunate that the way and manner they are going with it shows how immature they are.”

He also denied that he was flown into Abuja in a Presidential Jet saying it is not true.

Asari said, “I just arrived from Cotonu. I drove in my car from Cotonu to Lagos Airport where I boarded Aero Contractors flight to Abuja. The report is not true. No presidential jet was sent to me.

“That report is an instigated falsehood. Most of the things that have always been written against President Goodluck Jonathan is also falsehood. A section of the press in Nigeria is manipulated and instigated.”

“I do business in Cotonu, and I have been living in Cotonu since 2008. Politically, people who are in Nigeria are trying to fabricate lies, which are not verifiable, and send it to the government of Republic of Benin. So I was taken for interrogation and they found that the allegations were false, and I was promptly released with over 20 of my staff who were also taken in.”

Asari also spoke on his meeting with officials of government of Republic of Benin after his interrogation.

“I have met with the top and powerful people in Republic of Benin, since I went to that country. I have never had any reason to meet with their government officials, but this crisis has made it possible for me to meet with all the top government functionaries of the Republic of Benin. The crises has raised my profile in that country”, he boasted.

Source: Punch News Papers

Paul Walker Shares Life Lesson: "Go With the Flow"!

It's no secret that Paul Walker made the most of every moment. 

While promoting the diver flick Into the Blue in 2005, the movie star shared his life philosophy. "By nature, I go with the flow. I just kind of let things roll," said the star, who would lose his life just eight years later in a tragic car accident. "Things happen when they're supposed to."

"Sometimes I'll get down on myself and be like, 'You know what? Maybe if you were a little more aggressive and tried to make things happen, a lot more would probably come around,'" he continued. "So I chase that angle, and sure enough, nothing happens. Five years later, it falls in my lap. So I'm like, 'Man, I'm just gonna be the way I am.'"

It's sound advice from a star whose famous friends would later describe him as "sweet and simple," "really nice" and "a  beautiful light in the world."

Walker died at age 40 on Nov. 30. The Skulls star is survived by daughter Meadow, 15.

Adieu.

Now that the Whistle has been blown, what next?!

With the 'two BMW armoured cars unauthorized purchase' saga that engulfed the nation which emerged from revelations, consequent to the Aviation Minister's infamous speech where she described the crash of Associated Airline's jet, an incident in which 13 persons were killed, while seven others survived and are currently receiving treatments at various hospitals; as 'an act of god'. 





A first time visitor to Nigeria (because majority of the citizens are no longer fooled ) would think that some disciplinary measures would be employed to ensure that loosed ends were tightened in activities not only in the Aviation Ministry, but in all governmental parastatals, to help put a check on some illegal activities that occurs on daily basis therein. 

More-so, that ministries were purged of frivolities and unnecessary expenditures from the nation's purse. 



Immediately after the 'whistle was blown' prominent individuals and groups called for the head of Princess Stella Oduah, The Aviation Minister, threatening fire and brimstone if her royal majesty was not removed from office with immediate effect.  As was expected, political opponents hinged on it to bring down the current administration. 

No day passed by without a dramatic head line in the dailies and on-line blogs in connection the story. 

Some of these headlines read: 

• "EFCC Moves to Probe Oduah’s N255m Armoured Car Deal", 
• "SHOCKING: Another aviation agency, FAAN, admits buying 4 armoured cars for Stella Oduah, MD", 
• "Senate Uncovers Illegal Purchase of Another 4 Armoured Vehicles for Stella Oduah, FAAN MD", 
• SHOCKING: Aviation Ministry Declares War on Man Who Exposed Stella Oduah's N225m Armoured Cars
• "Will Oduah survive these numerous probes by Reps, Senate?"
• Okonjo-Iweala screams again: " I didn't  grant waiver for Stella Oduah's armored cars
• Oduah's N225m car scandal: We're searcging for those who leaked story -FG
•  "255m car scandal: Senate suspends probe of Stella Oduah indefinitely"....

Allegations and counter allegations threaded, to the extent that no one talked about the fate of the crash survivors abandoned to their fate in the hospital.

In all, the President maintained a state of quietness; the Aviation minister on her part maintained her peace and carried on with her normal activities, embarking on religious trips with her colleagues, like one who would say "dare me, and i will tell what you also did last summer" while she waited the much dreaded summon by the Legislators. 

As usual, a panel was set up to look into the matter;  the Aviation minister was summoned, and several other questionable financial activities was reportedly uncovered.

But In the typical Nigerian mannerism, two months on, the case is fading off, but not after stake-holders  had hijacked and politicized it. One would think that with these evidences, some punitive actions would  be meted on perpetrators, if not for anything, to prove to the watching International communities that indeed, Nigeria is serious on her war against corruption.

My concern here is not to campaign for a re-visit into the case and crucify any one, but i wondered the necessity of going the extra mile of 'whistle blowing', when nothing was intended to be achieved with that. Or are they trying to tell Nigerians that they only wanted to make it known that certain top government officials have been busy helping themselves with the nation's purse, while neglecting their primary call to duty?, they din't need to let us in on that, we already know. 
As a matter of fact, this is what has come to be the 'un-written manifesto' of most government officials, "Operation cut as much piece as you can from the national cake, while you can"..... why rob it in our face?. 

Frankly speaking, I am not bought over by these gang of whistle blowers, i simply see them as the real criminals, because going by similar events that had played in the past, one will really begin to question their intentions. Were they targeted at sincerely exposing corrupt government officials, with the aim of bringing them to justice and sanitizing the nation?.

Do i perceive a genuine interest of the masses here?

Or is my instinct right in telling me that those acts were only revealed because these opposition groups were aggrieved, and probably had some scores to settle with the accused, who by the way they are not any better than?

Otherwise, why the sudden silence? have you been settled to keep mute?. 

Have you, as usual sold your birth right and that of your un-born children for a pot of porridge?. 

Or are the accused simply very powerful that they have become some sort of sacred cows to be called to order or brought to book?, are you meaning to tell us that some group of people are larger than Nigeria?. mmmmph!


Like i stated earlier, i don't have any personal issues with any of these parties, (the accused and the accusers), 

nah here i sidon dey do my own things when them blow whistle, I follow rush come out make i see watin go happen sef, but my people....... notin happen.


Howbeit, I have not lost hope for Divine intervention, because going by what i see, it will take only Divine intervention to redeem Nigeria from the clutches of certain elements, who think that due to some reasons best known to them, they owe it as a duty to rip this land of all she has got to offer her children. People who see them selves as called and anointed to shamelessly embezzle for themselves and theirs, the resources meant to cater for all generations of this nation. 

Individuals who feel that the nation's purse is their private purse where they can go to sign and withdraw ( under any disguise possible) and launder funds meant to be judiciously utilized for the benefit of all, while 95% of the populace bears the consequences in terms of:

•  Incessant Academic strikes by aggrieved teachers and lecturers who feel they have been marginalized and cheated for a very long time by those in the corridors of power, with the console to be patient and receive their reward in heaven, thereby keeping our children out of school with no option than for our girls to be forced into early marriages they weren't quite prepared for, or our youngsters being engaged in anti- social activities. Denying the average young Nigerian the right to receive quality education so that they can favorably compete with their peers out there, and since most parents and guardians fall into the category of unimaginable low income earners, they can hardly cater for their daily bread talk-less of sending these young ones abroad for proper education. These set of kids are left to fate.

• Poor Electricity supply which has caused us pain and more deaths than a homicide situation, owing to environmental pollution from generator fumes, and fire outbreaks from candle lights in most poor homes. 
• Heartrending Medical facilities, how else am i supposed to best describe a situation where the average Nigerian who can not afford treatments outside the country is left to die in hospital wards due to the administrations of antiquated drugs, and also incessant strikes of medical practitioners who wants to be better appreciated.
• Death traps called high ways, depicted with pot holes and dangerous coveted spots caused by erosion, absence of good lights for night travelers thereby exposing them to hoodlums. Our high ways are infested with the presence of various identifiable and un-identifiable uniformed officers who resume there to collect their daily wages. Travelling by air is not the better alternative as we have lost many lives as a result of cut corners between air-line operators and licencing authorities who issues licences based on how much the operators were willing to part with for settlements, and not based on their credibility as regards to meeting up with the required criteria.
• Unemployment, a situation that leads to our human resources jetting out of the country through any means possible, out of frustration, to become illegal or second class citizens in foreign lands; engaging in menial job or some crime they otherwise would not do here in Nigeria in order to survive. The very lucky ones who can afford to,  go back to school over there, and manage to secure some employments. But my dear, going by tales from affected persons, It is never the best idea. 

The rest, you my readers can contributes from your observations and experiences.

These situations can be easily avoided if top governmental officials sincerely have the interest of our nation and that of the masses at heart, shun greed, shun covetousness and shun evil. 

If they would cease diverting the nation's resources and finance into private purses and interests. 

If the Education, Economic and Finance, Power and Steel, Aviation, Petroleum, Health Ministers etc, etc....

If Honorable members of the Senate and the House of Representatives at the federal and state levels....

If Heads of Government's Parastatals and Agencies....

If Governors and their Commissioners...

If Royal fathers.....

Would cease from engaging in collecting kick backs before they can be seen or award and approve the payments of contracts awarded to individuals and organizations who can deliver because it is in their line of expertise. For the DEVELOPMENT of OUR COUNTRY.

Not hording and dishing out contracts only to where they have stakes. 

If all the above mentioned can decide to simply do the work they were VOTED FOR to DO, if we all play our parts..... then my friends, we would have solved 95% of the challenges we face today.

God Bless Nigeria.

By Obianuju Mbanusi

 

How Jonathan pressured Benin Republic to release Dokubo-Asari!

Ex-Niger-Delta militant, Mujahid Asaro-Dokubo, who was arrested last week in Benin Republic, was released after the tiny West African country came “under pressure” from President Goodluck Jonathan, the Benin Foreign Affairs ministry have confirmed.

Spokesperson of the ministry, Benjamin Agon, told Reuters “It was under pressure from the Nigerian head of state that the authorities freed the rebel chief on Friday at around midday.”

Until the Dokubo-Asari case, Mr. Jonathan was not known to personally intervene whenever Nigerians are incarcerated abroad.

Mr. Dokubo-Asari is a staunch loyalist of the President, and has repeatedly threatened to make Nigeria ungovernable if Mr. Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015.

However, contrary to Mr. Dokubo-Asari claim that he was arrested after being suspected of being a member of the terrorist group, Boko Haram, Mr Agon suggested that Mr. Dokubo-Asari’s arrest was related to his business interest in the country.

Another diplomat told Reuters that Mr. Dokubo-Asari’ militant group, Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force is being investigated for aiding criminality in the Niger Delta.

Mr. Dokubo-Asari has various business interests in Benin which he recently adopted home.

In an interview with Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Dokubo-Asari, who was released after two days in detention, said he was arrested for being a member of Boko Haram. He also confirmed that Mr Jonathan intervened to get him released.

“Crisis is normal; it can also happen here in Nigeria, it can happen anywhere in the world. The people and government of Republic of Benin have no problem with me. But if people alleged that somebody is a leader of Boko Haram, the government of that country will investigate the person, he said.

“It is not just only President Jonathan that intervened, Nigerians generally intervened. The number of people that came into Cotonou the day I was taken in, and the following day, were over one thousand.” 

written by Nicholas Ibekwe.

Commuter Train Derails In Bronx Borough Of New York City, kills four!

A Metro-North commuter train has derailed in the Bronx borough of New York City early Sunday morning, killing four people on board and scattering railcars near the water's edge, authorities said.

The first four or five cars of the southbound diesel train derailed about 100 yards from the Spuyten Duyvil station in the Bronx at about 7:30 a.m, on curve just outside the Spuyten Duyvil station.

Helicopter images show at least five of the seven cars of the Metro-North Railroad train derailed — at least two of them appear to be on their side. The first one came within feet of plunging into the Harlem River.

It was also revealed that the transit agency tells them the train left at 5:54 a.m. from Poughkeepsie and was due in Grand Central Terminal at 7:43 a.m. ET.

Reporters and eyewitness at the scene of the derailment report that there have been many injuries. They report first responders smashing the windows of the cars and extricating passengers in stretchers. 

The actual cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained.

Some media agency reported that between 30 - 48 person were injured. 

A passenger told the station that he was able to get off the train on his own, but others were not that lucky and were being extricated by emergency workers.

A reporter on the site for the station, said he saw emergency workers smashing windows and removing passengers in stretchers.

Images taken from above the crash show 8 cars of the Metro-North train derailed. The first one came very close to hitting the water.