EFCC accuses Benue governor Samuel Ortom of N22bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has linked Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to an alleged fraud to the tune of N22bn. Punch reports that the allegations are contained in a report of an investigation which began in 2016 but was made available yesterday July 30th.

According to the report, between June 30th 2015 and March 2018, Governor Ortom ordered the withdrawal of N21.3bn from four government accounts in Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank of Nigeria and the United Bank for Africa. On paper, about N19bn out of the money was said to be meant for the payment of six security agencies that had been deployed in the state to address the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers. However, the EFCC stated that less than N3bn of the money was paid to the security agencies while the remainder could not be accounted for.

“We investigated four bank accounts belonging to two Benue State Government’s agencies. The first agency is the Benue State Government House which has an account in UBA with number 1017348051 and another account in GTB with number 0027952907. These accounts received N1, 916, 635, 206 from the state’s allocation between June 30, 2015 and March 2018.

“The second government agency is the Bureau of Internal Affairs and Special Services. The agency has an account with UBA with number 1007540119 and a First Bank account with number 2023788057. Between the same period, the accounts were credited with N19, 468, 951, 590 from the Benue State allocation.” the report read

One Oliver Ntom, according to the report, withdrew over N19bn from the account of the Bureau of Internal Affairs and Special Services based on the instructions of the Permanent Secretary, Boniface Nyaakor and the funds which was allegedly withdrawn under the pretext of security votes, was said to have been diverted while the memos written in respect of the withdrawal were destroyed.

“Investigations revealed that N19bn was withdrawn by one Oliver Ntom, a cashier. Sometimes, in a day, he would withdraw as high as N500m by cashing several cheques worth N10m each. The permanent secretary upon interrogation said anytime security agencies requested funds, he would approach Governor Ortom who would ask him to write a memo to that effect. The permanent secretary would write and the governor would approve the money. The permanent secretary said the funds are usually given to six security agencies. He said the highest that any security agency gets is N10m a month while the least any of the agencies gets is N5m a month. He said after the money has been released, the governor usually orders that the memo be torn to pieces. It is important to note that if a total of N60m is given to all the security agencies collectively every month as claimed by the permanent secretary, it cannot amount to half of N19bn in three years.” he said

The anti-graft agency said the funds being spent were not in the budget of the Benue State Government. It further accused the governor of failing to pay salaries despite withdrawing N1.328bn from the Joint State Local Government Account in Fidelity Bank with number 5030058730.

“Investigations revealed that one John Bako, a member of one of the security outfits in Benue, withdrew N28m while one Andooi Festus, believed to be a cashier from the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs withdrew N1.3bn. They have been invited.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC has invited 21 out of the 30 lawmakers in the Benue State House of Assembly for allegedly diverting part of the N375m meant for the procurement of vehicles in 2016. The agency said the Benue State Government had in 2016 awarded a contract worth N417m (N375m after tax) to Mia-Three Nigeria Limited to procure 30 Prado TXL vehicles for the lawmakers. However, only eight members received the vehicles while the others diverted the funds.

“About 21 of the lawmakers are under probe. However, 25 of the lawmakers have returned all the money they received which adds up to N245m. Four others have failed to return the remaining sum of N31m.” the report reads

The Benue state governor who recently defected from APC to PDP, is yet to react to this recent development.

Nigerian entrepreneur says Nigerian churches are of great economic importance to the country

Tech entrepreneur, Mark Essien says Nigerian churches are economic power houses which add value to the economy. 

Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala shares power message as she shows off the house she bought her parents

Super Falcons of Nigeria forward and Dalian Quanjian FC footballer, Asisat Oshoala, has bought her parents a house in Lagos.

The football star took to Instagram to show off the house and wrote: 'Small girl Big God ??…Alhamdulillah, parent first. '

Asisat also took to her Instagram Story to advice people to let the happiness of their parents be a priority.

She wrote: 'Don’t be a selfish child… let the happiness of your parent be your priority… Take very good care of your family before impressing the street. My little token, invest wisely cuz deez things don’t last forever.. don’t go around buying shits that are barely necessary.'

See full photos of the mansion below.

 

Check out this major throwback of veteran actors, Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs

Veteran actress, Joke Silva shared this throwback photo with her husband Olu Jacobs.

Super Eagles & Wolves Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme Announces Retirement

Carl Ikeme

Super Eagles and Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has announced his retirement from football.

Carl, according to Wolves, announced the news to his teammates before a training session at Compton on Tuesday morning.

The football club stated that Carl made the decision after a 12-month battle with leukaemia.

Carl had earlier announced that he was in complete remission from the disease.

Watch him talk about his career below:

Wolves

✔@Wolves

Carl Ikeme reflects on an incredible career. #OneCarlIkeme

11:11 AM - Jul 27, 2018

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Here’s what Wolves management had to say about him:

Wolves executive chairman Jeff Shi:

Having been at the club since the age of 14, Carl is far more than just a player in our eyes – he is our brother and an important part of our family.

When Carl came to tell us his news, yes there was sadness, but also great happiness to see him so healthy and hungry for the opportunities that lay ahead of him.

Carl is strong, a fighter, something he has proven in his playing career and also during what has been a very challenging time for him, so I have no doubt he will be a success in whatever he does next.

We wish Carl all the very best for the future, but remind him he will always remain a part of the Wolves family.

Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple:

While this news will undoubtedly leave the Wolves family feeling sadness for someone they care about deeply, it also gives us the opportunity to celebrate an exceptional career and a true servant of this football club.

A brilliant goalkeeper who deservedly earned promotions and international caps, Carl’s exemplary application on the pitch was matched off it by tireless hard work and a positive attitude that will continue to be an inspiration for young players coming through our Academy for many years to come.

I have been in touch with Carl regularly during a very difficult year for him and his family, and I have been constantly in awe of his strength, positivity and heart at a time of great adversity.

Carl will, without doubt, be a permanent member of the Wolves family, and I am certain he has a very bright future ahead of him in whatever path he chooses to take.

Wolves sporting director Kevin Thelwell:

I have had the honour and privilege to work alongside Carl for the duration of my time at Wolves, and you would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated and hard working professional.

The outpouring of support and love from our supporters this time last year, and throughout Carl’s treatment has been testament to how we all feel about Carl, and we are delighted that he is now in complete remission.

However, it is definitely his contribution on the pitch that he will be most remembered for at Wolves, and forever held as inspiration to future generations of our Academy.

I’m looking forward to seeing more of Carl this season, and seeing him back at Molineux where he belongs.

Photo Credit: James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images

'You’re a hot pile of trash I pray God blesses you with long life to see an effective Nigerian police force' - Ycee blasts Yomi Shogunle

Yomi Shogunle, an assistant commissioner of police is really not the most liked Nigerian police officer on Twitter and last night, one of his tweets got a savage response from rapper, Ycee.
Shogunle who has been against the #EndSars movement suddenly tweeted, '186 million Retweets to#EndSARS. Oya let’s go!'.

In response, Nigerian rapper Ycee tweeted, 'You’re a hot pile of trash I pray God blesses you with long life to see an effective Nigerian police force without the likes of officers like you sir'.

Barcelona announces £45.5m deal for Malcom after dramatic Roma U-turn as Brazilian signs five-year deal

Barcelona has signed Brazilian winger Malcom from Bordeaux for 45.5million pounds after the star who was supposed to head to Roma made a dramatic U-turn.

The Spanish club paid £36.5m plus £9m in add-ons for the 21-year-old, who Roma had announced his signing but failed to board a flight to the Italian capital to officially seal the deal.

Malcom reportedly cancelled his Monday night flight to Rome, leaving expectant fans disappointed at the airport before it was announced that he was going to join Barcelona instead.

 
He flew into Barcelona today and signed a five-year deal until the end of the 2022-23 season. 

The Brazilian winger player will undergo a medical on Wednesday morning before joining the Barcelona squad for their US Tour.

Congo officially declares the end of Ebola outbreak that claimed 133 lives in 10-weeks

The Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday officially declared the end of an outbreak of Ebola after a 10-week re-emergence of the disease which claimed 33 lives.  

“After an observation period of 42 days during which no new confirmed cases have been observed, and in conformity with international health regulations, I declare today, July 24 2018, that the epidemic of Ebola virus disease in  province in the Democratic Republic of Congo has come to an end,” Health Minister Oly Ilunga said in a statement.  

The recent outbreak which is the ninth in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1976 began in the remote northwestern area of Bikoro, where the first cases were recorded on May 8th 2018.  

The same strain of the highly contagious disease struck the West African states of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2013 through to 2015, killing more than 11,300 people.  “In total, after verification, the national coordinating committee recorded 54 cases (of Ebola), comprising 33 deaths and 21 survivors”

Mesut Ozil quits Playing for Germany over “racism and disrespect”

Germany and Arsenal attacker Mesut Ozil has confirmed he’ll no longer be playing for his country, due to “racism and disrespect”.

“The treatment I have received from the DFB (German football association) and many others make me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt,” he said in a lengthy 3-part statement. “I feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten.”

“It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect. I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t.

“This decision has benn extremely difficult to make because I have always given everything for my teammates, the coaching staff and the good people of Germany. But when high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda, then enough is enough.

“That is not why I play football, and I will not sit back and do nothing about it. Racism should never, ever be accepted,” he said.

Ozil and his fellow German international Ilkay Gundogan both of Turkish origin, posed for a photo with controversial president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoganwhich led to public outcry and backlash.

Gundogan had earlier stated that the photo was not politically motivated, with Ozil echoing same sentiment in the first part of his statement released on Sunday on Twitter.

Ozil said not posing for photographs with the Turkish president is tantamount to “disrespecting his ancestors’ roots”. He added that him and his family had received threatening phone calls and comments on social media as well as hate mail.

View image on Twitter

Mesut Özil

✔@MesutOzil1088

The past couple of weeks have given me time to reflect, and time to think over the events of the last few months. Consequently, I want to share my thoughts and feelings about what has happened.

11:52 AM - Jul 22, 2018

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Ozil, in the second part of the statement, took a swipe at the German media, calling them hypocrites and also slammed several of his sponsors for pulling him from promotions and events.

View image on Twitter

Mesut Özil

✔@MesutOzil1088

II / III

2:03 PM - Jul 22, 2018

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The third part of his statement was where he announced his resignation from international football.

Mesut Özil

✔@MesutOzil1088

III / III

7:04 PM - Jul 22, 2018

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Photo Credit: @m10_officia

JAMB remits N7.8bn to FG as surplus generated during 2018 exam registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to remit N7.8 billion to the Federal Government as the surplus generated from the conduct of the board’s 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Head, Media and Information of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) today July 22nd. He said of the N7.8 billion that was to be remitted, the Federal government has asked the agency to remit only N5.6 billion and use the remaining funds to restructure the board's headquarters.

“However, government in its magnanimity, graciously directed that we remit about N5.6 billion and use the balance for restructuring of the board’s headquarters to meet up with its international status. We, therefore, want to appreciate the governing board of JAMB led by Dr Emmanuel Ndukwe for the tremendous support in ensuring that the current administration’s vision of transparency and accountability as fully embraced by JAMB is sustained. The Ndukwe-led board had, within its short period of inauguration, contributed immensely in some ground breaking innovations. One of such innovations is the quick remittance of the 2018 surplus. Whatever candidates pay for JAMB’s examination is a trust and must be accounted for. The board, though not a revenue generating agency, will continue to be judicious with resources at its disposal,” he said.

Benjamin said that cumulatively and technically, the board had remitted a total of N15.6 billion in less than two years.

“The board is thinking of how to ensure that candidates benefitted from the surplus. We are currently looking at a number of ways to enhance the conduct of the examination where candidates will benefit by way of conducive environment in writing the examination. We are also looking at putting more mechanism in place that will ensure absolute equity and fairness in the selection of candidates through enhanced technology as currently being done by the Central Admission Process Selection (CAPS),” he said.

Benjamin said that the board was set to acquire cutting edge technology to give candidates the best registration procedure, examination and a more improved selection process.

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly accepts 2-year Suspended Prison Sentence

Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted a 2-year suspended prison sentence and has paid £12.1million to the Spanish tax authorities.

According to Daily Mail, the 33-year-old is trying to cut all ties with Spain after his exit from Real Madrid.

He has reportedly deposited the sum of £12.1million and will pay another £4.7 million in fines and costs.

As first offences for administrative crimes involving terms of two years or less are not custodial in Spain, the World Footballer of the Year will not have to serve his prison sentence.

Arsene Wenger regrets neglecting Loved Ones during Coaching Career

Former Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger has revealed that the biggest mistake of his career was staying in one club (Arsenal) for 22 years during his managerial career.

Describing himself as a ‘prisoner of my own challenges,’ the 68 year old Frenchman shared with RTL broadcaster that he was too passionate to leave his coaching career. He admitted that his selfishness not only affected his career but his personal life as well.

I regret having sacrificed everything I did because I realise I’ve hurt a lot of people around me. I’ve neglected a lot of people. I’ve neglected my family, I’ve neglected many close ones.

Deep down though, the obsessed man is selfish in his pursuit of what he loves. He ignores a lot of other things. But it’s a bone to chase at the same time.

Although insisting at the end of last season that him resigning from Arsenal was not a retirement from management, Arsene is yet to sign any new deal.

However, Daily Mail reports that Wenger is the number one target of Japan’s Football Association as they plan on recruiting him to fill up the position of coach for their national team.

Shunning religion makes nations richer and more tolerant for individual rights, study finds

According to a new study, shunning religion can boost a country’s prosperity.

Researchers at the universities of Bristol and Tennessee found that higher levels of secularism led to higher wealth and a greater tolerance for individual rights. The researchers arrived at this conclusion by examining output figures for 109 countries and the importance of religious faith in those countries.

A modest increase in secularisation corresponded to an average £800 increase in output per head within 10 years, a £2,000 increase in 20 years and a £4,000 increase within 30.  

But Damian Ruck, of the University of Bristol’s population health sciences institute, told The Times: "Of course, there’s no reason why you can’t be religious and also respect individual rights."

The researchers noted: "A century ago, Emile Durkheim [( French sociologist) proposed that technological and socioeconomic advances come to displace the functions of religion, whereas Max Weber (a German Philosopher) contended the opposite, that monotheistic religion, the so-called Protestant ethic, made the development of capitalism possible."

Belief and religious participation have been on the decline in recent decades in most rich nations, but have remained high in developing countries. Between 1947 and 2001, belief in the divine declined by 33.6 per cent in Sweden, 19.9 per cent in Australia and 7.2 per cent in Canada, according to research by a Harvard academic.

Countries with high rates of religiosity tend to be clustered in poor regions, with some of the largest rates recorded in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.

For the first time, more than half of the UK population say they have no religion, according to a British Social Attitudes survey last year. Only 3 per cent of adults under 24 described themselves as Anglican – fewer than the 5 per cent who identify as Catholic. Almost three out of four 18- to 24-year-olds say they have no religion, a rise of nine percentage points since 2015.