Chioma

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed more evidence against Nigerian musician, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, as his trial resumed at a Lagos High Court on Tuesday. Naira Marley was arraigned by the EFCC on May 20, 2019 on 11 counts bordering on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit credit cards and fraud, to which he pleaded not guilty. The charge with suit number FHC/L/178C/19 was filed before a Lagos State High Court Some of the credit cards, according to the EFCC, bore the names- Nicole Louise Malyon, and Timea Fedorne Tatar. The alleged crime contravenes the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the Cyber Crimes Act. The second prosecution witness, Augustine Anosike, a forensic expert with the EFCC told Justice Nicholas Oweibo how several credit card numbers were extracted while analysing the contents of a total of 2,410 messages found in the defendant’s mobile phone, Politics Nigeria reports. At the sitting, Augustine, who continued his examination in chief, told the court that Exhibit F was a conclusion of his analysis of the defendant’s iPhone X version 10.6, model A 1901, with number 07427343432 and an email, naimarley@icloud.com. He also gave the IMEL number of the iPhone as: 35304509527532 as well as the SIM ICCID number as 8923420035948359826. Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, he also told the court that “Apple iPhone is a sophisticated device capable of storing a large volume of information. “It is the SIM card that basically identifies users of applications like WhatsApp. It, therefore, means that as long as a number has already been registered with a particular WhatsApp account, it matters less if such a user leaves the country. “There are cases where a WhatsApp application can still be used even though the registered SIM card is not inserted in the phone. The chatting app used in the analysed device was WhatsApp. "A total of 977 Short Message Service (SMS) and 1433 chat messages were discovered. “We also discovered seven pending status update messages. On November 26, 2018, there was an outgoing message registered about 3.32 pm, with a credit card number 5264711020433662. “This message was sent to one Yadd. On December 11, 2018, there was an incoming message to the defendant’s device which read: ‘Your One Time Passcode (OTP) to verify your mobile number is 248716; wasn’t you, please call us on 63450808500.’” According to him, another message was sent at 5.06 pm by one Hiya Bayi to a recipient with the name Raze on the same say. The content of the message, he told the court, was another credit card number 42658840359132. “The number of the sender is +447426343432, while that of the receiver is +447365280441. “The incoming message reflected at 6.18 pm showed ‘Not recognized’. “Other messages received on the same date include: ‘due to try in 20 minutes,’” he added. The prosecution witness, while giving further evidence, told the court that there was an incoming message which read: “Tried and it was unsuccessful; sure you are not rinsing it out then giving it to me to try.” This was said to have been received on December 12, 2018, at 10.16 pm. The second prosecution witness also revealed several credit card numbers sent on different dates and times as well as OTP codes sent found in the defendant’s phone. All the analysed texts were fully contained in a Compact Disc (CD), the prosecution counsel told the court. He noted that the prosecution had only printed out those portions it considered material to its case. However, he asked both the court and the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, if the prosecution could bring a projector to play the CD in the open court or not, which was granted by Justice Oweibo. The matter was adjourned to October 27, 2021, for the prosecution to play the CD on a projector, as Ojo did not raise any objection to the request by the prosecution. By SaharaReporters, New York Source:http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/26/busted-how-several-credit-card-numbers-were-found-nigerian-musician-naira-marley%E2%80%99s-phone

The United Nations has made “urgent appeals” to the Nigerian and Kenya governments to explain the “illegal arrest and extradition” of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. In the UN document, dated, August 26, obtained by SaharaReporters, the UN said the Nigerian and Kenyan governments should furnish it with details of how Kanu was arrested and illegally brought to Nigeria. In a release sent to SaharaReporters, Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Kingsley Kanu, said he, working with the lawyers, undertook the interventions to the United Nations, which required the details to be kept confidential for 60 days. The release is titled, “‘Urgent Appeals’ in the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu against Nigeria and Kenya.” Kingsley said, “Following the extraordinary rendition of my older brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I undertook a number of urgent steps within the realm of the international community, particularly in Britain and the United Nations. I worked quietly with my brother’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor and the Bindmans (my brother’s lawyers in Britain) on a host of muscular interventions aimed at presenting my brother’s case to the international community and facilitating his unconditional release and bringing the culprits of his illegal rendition to account. “These interventions were not made known to the general public because the applicable rules, especially that of the United Nations, required them to be kept confidential for sixty days. “Those 60 days just expired and the United Nations has therefore made public the details of its ‘Urgent Appeals’ to the Nigerian and Kenyan Governments, which were transmitted since 26th August, 2021. It also has made public an acknowledgment it received on 17th September, 2021 from the ‘Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Nations’. “Both documents are attached to this Press Release. In particular, the said Urgent Appeals states in part that the United Nations is 'alarmed by the alleged torture and ill-treatment Mr. Kanu has been subjected to during his illegal custody in Kenya. If confirmed, these allegations would constitute prima facie violations of fundamental human rights, including the right not to be arbitrarily deprived of liberty, and the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment under the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights (ICCPR)”. UN Issues ‘Urgent Appeals’ to Nigeria, Kenya, Seeking Explanation For Nnamdi Kanu’s Illegal Abduction, Dete... by Sahara Reporters on Scribd “Further, the Urgent Appeals states that 'The allegations in the case of Mr. Kanu raise serious violations of international human rights law and may cause irreparable damage to his life or personal integrity, which we believe warrants prompt attention. In this regard, we are considering to publicly express our concerns in this case in the near future, believing that the wider public should be informed about the implications of these allegations for the enjoyment and exercise of human rights in Kenya and Nigeria. Any public expression of concern in this regard, will indicate that we have been in contact with your Excellency’s Government to clarify the issue/s in question'. "Continuing, the United Nations stated that 'While awaiting a reply, we urge that all necessary interim measures be taken to prevent any irreparable damage to the life or personal integrity of Mr. Kanu, halt the alleged violations and prevent their re-occurrence and in the event that the investigations support or suggest the allegations to be correct, to ensure the accountability of any person responsible of the alleged violations'. “It is important to emphasize that this is just the beginning of more United Nations and other global strong actions that would be seen in the coming weeks. While we await for such actions to unfold, we wish to inform the public that we will remain resolute and relentless in bringing the full weight of the international community to bear on the unconditional release of me brother and leader without further delay.” By SaharaReporters, New York Source:http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/26/breaking-un-issues-%E2%80%98urgent-appeals%E2%80%99-nigeria-kenya-seeking-explanation-nnamdi-kanu%E2%80%99s

The Nigerian police authorities have come under immense pressure from top government officials, monarchs and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains to clear suspended commander of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari after an investigation into alleged infractions committed by the disgraced police officer. On August 26, Usman Baba, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) received the report of the panel set up to probe the bribery allegations against Kyari, over his relationship with Hushpuppi, the self-confessed international fraudster. An FBI agent, Andrew Innocenti, had in a document titled, ‘Criminal Complaint By Telephone Or Other Reliable Electronic Means’ filed before the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleged that a suspected fraudster, Abass Ramon, aka Hushpuppi, contracted Kyari to detain a co-conspirator, Chibuzo Vincent, for threatening to expose the alleged $1.1 million fraud committed against a Qatari businessman. The agency said Hushpuppi paid $20,600 into a bank account provided by Kyari. The Police Service Commission (PSC) had suspended Kyari from office as a Deputy Commissioner of Police and head of the IRT based on the recommendation of the IGP. It was gathered that the DIG Joseph Egbunike-led panel, which submitted its report in August, established that there were infractions on the part of Kyari in his communications with Hushpuppi but sources told SaharaReporters that the police authorities are being pressured to clear him of wrongdoings. “Police authorities are being pressured to clear Kyari; those campaigning for him claim he is the only one who can find a solution to the insecurity in South-East,” a police source told SaharaReporters. SaharaReporters learnt that one of the influential Nigerians working behind the scenes to ensure Kyari is off the hook is the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). "Not only some influential Nigerians, even Malami (AGF) also wants to clear Abba Kyari," another top source said. It was also learnt that a massive publicity campaign had been launched to call for his reinstatement and get him off the hook. Such campaigners have seen social media as a veritable tool to deploy to sway the mind of the police authorities and the public. For instance, a political pressure group, Concerned Advocates For Good Governance (CAGC), recently said it had consulted US-based law firms to defend Kyari. “We have diligently consulted with about three notable law firms in the United States to give us their legal opinions on what can be done to formidably defend Abba Kyari,” Olusegun Bamgbose, the President-General of CAGC had said. “One of the leading firms has replied to us and gone ahead to send us the indictment against Abba Kyari and other details which is about 26 pages. “The reputable law firm, well-grounded on extradition issues, has assured us of their readiness to represent Kyari’s interest before and after his possible extradition to the US.” Similarly, a chieftain of the ruling APC and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe recently alleged that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), its security wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN) and bandits have been capitalising on Kyari absence to wreak havoc in the country, particularly in the South-East. He posted on Facebook, "FEDERAL GOVERNMENT biko, WE WANT ABBA KYARI BACK IN THE SOUTH EAST. IT LOOKS AS IF IPOB & EASTERN SECURITY NETWORK, BANDITS ARE CELEBRATING HIS EXIT. WE NEED HIM BACK BY ALL MEANS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.” Another Facebook user wrote, “Please @⁨BisongOnonye⁩, can Abba Kyari be restored to the Nigeria Police? The mayhem and heinous crimes being committed with impunity down the South East is alarming and needs his attention. “The current Man in charge in my humble opinion is finding Abba's shoes too big to fill. The South East is currently nosediving into a 'failed region'. May God Save My Home Land.” On Instagram, Chinedum Agwaramgbo said, "Pls ABBA KYARI should be re-instated! I don't really care now about the allegations against him...which are only basically that - unproven allegations! South East is in danger of imploding! BRING ABBA KYARI BACK!" And in response to Agwaramgbo, one Bond Chris Ohuche said, "So no other police officer is capable? Alright, why not ask for the disbandment of the entire police force since it can't perform without one man?" Meanwhile, the probe panel set up to investigate Kyari has since August submitted a compromised report. SaharaReporters had reported that the panel found Kyari guilty of some infractions after its investigation but recommended that Kyari should be demoted and not dismissed. Top sources in the Nigeria Police Force had told SaharaReporters that the plot by the police authorities to hand Kyari a demotion was to frustrate his much anticipated extradition to the United States. SaharaReporters had also reported that the probe panel set up by the IGP after three weeks of dilly-dallying turned in its report on the alleged indictment of Kyari by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Competent sources however revealed that what the panel recommended to the IGP was a demotion – the report which would form the basis of what the Police Service Commission would act upon. “The police report on Abba Kyari only recommends demotion to a lower rank. They figured that he could be extradited if dismissed. Kyari’s real enemies are at the police service commission and what they want is an outright dismissal. “But they have to defer to the IGP. The IGP is no doubt Kyari’s godfather. So we are waiting to see what he would approve,” a top source had revealed. By SaharaReporters, New York Source:http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/26/hushpuppi-scandal-police-authorities-under-pressure-buhari%E2%80%99s-minister-malami-others-clear

Global rights’ group, Amnesty International, has lambasted the United Arab Emirates authorities for breaking into the homes of hundreds of migrant workers as they slept, targeting Black Africans in racially motivated arrests. The workers were also reported to be detained them for weeks in al-Wathba prison and subsequently deported without due process by the UAE government. AI in a statement on Monday said at no stage did UAE authorities afford those deported any form of due process or the opportunity to challenge their detention or deportation order. The AI statement read, “On the night of 24-25 June 2021, police in Abu Dhabi broke into the homes of hundreds of migrant workers as they slept, targeting Black Africans in racially motivated arrests, detained them for weeks in al-Wathba prison and subsequently deported them without due process. While in detention, the authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) subjected them to inhuman and degrading treatment and stripped them of nearly all their belongings. “Amnesty International spoke to 18 victims of these raids and deportations, (11 Cameroonians, five Nigerians, one Ugandan, and one Ghanaian, in total eight women and ten men) in September 2021. All 18 deportees said that the raids had targeted Black Africans in that the hundreds taken from their flats and held in al-Wathba with them were almost exclusively Black, and that the few Asian nationals arrested with them were taken because they happened to be living in the same flats as Africans. “The arrests and subsequent interrogations presented a consistent pattern of racially motivated, arbitrary arrests followed by incommunicado detention for weeks on end in inhumane, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, followed by arbitrary deportation. At no stage did Emirati authorities afford them any form of due process or the opportunity to challenge their detention or deportation order.” “Ricky” from Cameroon, deported 30 July 2021, said, “We want to make the world aware of such a barbaric act. We need justice. That is our cry.” After news was published about these deportations, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior issued a statement on 3 September reading that the arrests “involving 376 women and men were carried out as part of legal procedures to address crimes related to human trafficking” and that “Those arrested were found to be involved in these crimes, as the UAE was proactive in enacting a comprehensive law to combat human trafficking and preserve the rights of all groups of society in a way that protects victims and punishes violators of their rights while deterring those who commit such crimes.” The Ministry further called on the media “not to circulate or disseminate any information not published by the relevant authorities.” Amnesty International added, “However, the fact that these deportations were conducted en masse amounts to collective expulsion, a violation of international law. This also carries the risk of forcibly returning individuals to a country where they face the risk of serious human rights violations, in other words, there is an additional risk of serious human rights violation. “Amnesty International calls on the UAE to immediately halt racially motivated detentions and deportations and to urgently provide restitution to the hundreds of African nationals detained and deported in the operation launched on the morning of 25 June 2021. “All 18 deportees interviewed reported that police forces raided their buildings around the hours of 2-4am on the night of 24-25 June 2021. Four of those interviewed said that they were able to identify some officers as being from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is part of Abu Dhabi General Police Headquarters. “The federal Emirati Ministry of Interior “manag[es] security and police forces” for the country overall. All but one of the migrants whom Amnesty International spoke to had documents with valid legal status in the UAE when they were apprehended. The one exception, René Ngang from Cameroon, deported 22 August, said he also had valid legal status and was within days of having his renewed residency card delivered to him, but was unable to provide written proof because police had stripped him of all his documents and deported him without even his passport. “Kabirat Olokunde from Nigeria, an assistant at an international school, deported 22 August, who was living in the Lagym building, said that the police had not allowed her to dress and handcuffed her despite the fact that she was in her sleeping shorts. She said, ‘I was asking them, ‘Why am I here? I’m not a criminal. I have my papers. Why are you bringing me here?’ And they told me, ‘Emirates give, Emirates take.’ “All those interviewed described the same pattern of racial targeting in the apprehensions. Deported residents of Lagym building said that there were people of various Asian and African nationalities living there, but that security forces had targeted the African residents, and that the handful of South and Southeast Asian residents detained were picked out because they were living with Africans.” By SaharaReporters, New York Source:http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/25/amnesty-international-condemns-mass-detention-deportation-africans-uae-authorities

Prince Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said Igbo politicians are behind killings and other violent crises in the South-East region. He also said they do not want his brother to regain freedom because they are behind his travails. According to him, the IPOB leader is being portrayed as a threat to the Nigerian government. The IPOB leader's younger brother also said President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime cannot achieve peace in the South-East through the deployment of military personnel, noting that only equity, justice and fairness which his brother has been demanding can restore calmness. Emmanuel said this in an exclusive interview with Roots TV, which was monitored by SaharaReporters at the weekend. He said, "The politicians are doing whatever they can to mess Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Whatever happens to him, they are all part of it. They are working hard that Nnamdi Kanu will not be released. Some of the South-East politicians, they are not truthful to the power that be in Abuja. They have portrayed Nnamdi Kanu as a threat. Nnamdi Kanu is only asking for three things majorly justice, equity and fairness. "You can't achieve peace with guns and bullets. It's impossible. Of course, dialogue is the best way out. We are Biafrans, you can't take that away from us. Nnamdi Kanu is a face of agitation but the issues are germane. So what is playing out right now is that those who benefit from what was happening before are the ones selling wrong narratives about Nnamdi Kanu. "ESN (Eastern Security Network) is designed to remain in our bushes, to protect our farmlands and boundaries against the invading terrorists. That's why ESN was established. "I heard about what happened in Owerri where a policeman shot a DSS (Department of State Services) operative, thinking he was an unknown gunman. How do you reconcile that? "There is a way they play politics in Nigeria, it's rivalry and very dirty politics. So, you see one political party fighting with another and at the end of the day, they tag it on IPOB and ESN. That's what's happening today but we are not buying that." Emmanuel affirmed that only Biafra can deliver equity, justice and fairness, stressing that he is aligning with the ideology of the pro-Biafra separatist agitator. He urged the Nigerian government to release Kanu, arguing that he is the only person the people of the South-East listen to. "We have fanatics in this government, we have extremists as well. So, people are no longer happy. The only person they are listening to is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. So, if they say you should release him so that they can stop whatever they are doing, why can't you listen to them and hearken to the voice of the people. "Let me share this with you, if you want to hang a dog, you give it a bad name. IPOB is not a violent group. The movement is peaceful and I keep saying it every other time. Now, what is happening is this; when people choose to sit at home, then some of our people that go out to their business centres, what happens is that politicians will send their people to go and kill them or create a funny scene that they tag it on IPOB. That is what's happening. "What I want today is fairness, justice and equity. If Biafra will give me that, that is where I stand. Make no mistake, wherever my brother stands, that's where I stand," he added. By SaharaReporters, New York Source:http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/25/nnamdi-kanus-brother-identifies-people-behind-killings-other-violence-south-east

A tricycle operator in Kaduna, Ayuba Yusuf, who returned N100,000 left behind by a passenger, said on Monday that he was surprised by the reactions of some people to his kind gesture. Yusuf, a diploma certificate holder in Public Administration said although a few people commended him, a lot more scolded him for being ‘foolish’ for returning such an amount in this ‘time of hardship’. The tricycle operator narrated that on October 19, a lady with children flagged him at exactly 6.45 pm, barely 15 minutes before 7 pm, when tricyclists are expected to be off the roads for the day, NAN reports. “I told her it was late but she pleaded with me to help her, as she had some small children, and was probably returning from a trip. “Out of pity, I obliged, and at great risk, after which she paid her fare and I left hurriedly to beat the 7 pm closing time fixed by the state government. “But upon reaching home, I saw a bag left in my tricycle, apparently belonging to the woman, and upon opening same, saw some clothing materials, cosmetics, and money, which I decided not to touch,” he narrated. The 44-year-old father of four children said he and his wife listened to the radio to check if the owner of the money would sponsor an announcement. “My wife later heard an announcement on the missing bag on Liberty Radio, Kaduna, and drew my attention to it, after which I returned the items, including the money. “The woman was so elated that she gave me N10,000 out of the money, which I rejected, but she insisted that I should accept same. “Some people at the station intervened by insisting that I accept the gift, which I did reluctantly by collecting only N4,000, and giving some others at the scene, N6,000 to share,” he said. Yusuf resorted to becoming a commercial tricyclist when he could not get a white-collar job after leaving school. He further explained that the tricycle he was riding belonged to someone else and that his weekly returns to the owner, was N15,000. He said he was disappointed when he was castigated by some people for returning the money to the owner. “I am of the belief that what is not mine, cannot be mine; unfortunately, I received calls from most people castigating me for being foolish enough to return such amount of money in these hard times. “They were surprised that such honesty was displayed by a tricycle operator, of all people, whom they felt, ought to have capitalised on this opportunity to empower himself financially,” he added. The owner of the money, Mrs Maryam Umar, also expressed relief after collecting the bag containing the money and other items “I was so happy; I never knew that such people still abound in our society today; I commend him for his honesty; how I wish all people would always display such attitude,” she said. By SaharaReporters, New York Source:http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/25/many-nigerians-said-i-was-foolish-returning-n100000-left-passenger-my-tricycle%E2%80%94rider

Delta State market women, numbering over 200, in Ughelli town, Monday embarked on a peaceful protest against the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Godwin Adode. The protesting market women who took to the ever-busy East-West Road barricaded the highway with their wooden chairs and tables while hurling curses on the council chairman. SaharaReporters reliably gathered that the protest followed the proposed relocation of the market from Otovwodo to Okogbe Street in Ughelli by the council chairman. The women have resisted the move. The protest, which started around 8:00 am, caused gridlock on the highway, leaving commuters and motorists stranded. SaharaReporters gathered that policemen and soldiers who arrived at the scene of protest to prevent the breakdown of law and order were chased away by the protesting women. The protest was still going on at the time of filing this report as some youths had also joined in the protest. By SaharaReporters, New York Source:http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/25/breaking-protest-rocks-delta-market-women-block-east-west-road

The World Bank has released a new report revealing a list of Nigerian companies and individuals involved in corrupt practices and fraud, Amarachi Orjiude and Sami Olatunji report The World Bank has blacklisted 18 Nigerian individuals and firms for engaging in corrupt practices, fraud and collusive practices in its 2021 fiscal year 2021, a new report has revealed. A list of debarred individuals and firms was presented in a new annual report titled World Bank Group Sanctions System FY21. The debarments were made by the World Bank Sanctions Board, World Bank Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer and the African Development Bank. The debarments made by AfDB were recognised by World Bank, making the affected firms to be barred under cross-debarment policy. Based on the World Bank Sanctions Board’s decision, Mr. Elie Abou Ghazaleh and Mr. Fadi Abou Ghazaleh, alongside their firm, Abou Ghazaleh Contracting Nigeria Limited, were debarred for six months for collusive practices. Based on the decision of the World Bank Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer, a Nigerian firm, Swansea Tools Resources, was debarred for fraudulent practices for two years and 10 months. Referred to under Sanctions Case No 651, it was disclosed that the firm misrepresented its past experience in its bid for a road maintenance contract. The report read in part, “The SDO determined that the respondent, a Nigerian firm, engaged in a fraudulent practice by misrepresenting its past experience in its bid for a road maintenance contract under a state employment and expenditure project in Nigeria. The SDO imposed on the respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of two years and 10 months. As a mitigating factor, the SDO considered the respondent’s limited cooperation with investigators, noting that the respondent produced documents and agreed to be interviewed but did not accept responsibility for the misconduct.” Another Nigerian firm, Juckon Construction and Allied Services Nigeria Limited, was debarred for corrupt practices for three years. Referred to under Sanctions Case No 649, it was disclosed that the firm made improper payment to a public official. The report read, “The SDO determined that the respondent, a Nigerian firm, engaged in a corrupt practice by making an improper payment to a public official in connection with the award and/or execution of two waste management and refuse collection contracts under a state employment and expenditure project in Nigeria. The SDO imposed on the respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of four years.” A Nigerian, Ms. Okafor Glory, was debarred for fraudulent practices for four years, while the firm involved, Unique Concept Enterprises, was debarred for five years for same reason. Another Nigerian firm, Asbeco Nigeria Limited, was debarred for five years for corrupt practices. The matter which involved Ms. Glory and the firm, Unique Concept Enterprises, was presented under Sanctions Case No 691. It read in part, “The SDO determined that the respondents, a Nigerian firm and a Nigerian citizen, engaged in fraudulent practices by submitting false documents in connection with two refuse collection and disposal contracts under a state employment and expenditure project in Nigeria. In particular, the SDO found that: (i) the corporate respondent submitted a falsified income tax clearance certificate in its bids for the contracts; and (ii) both respondents submitted a falsified advance payment guarantee in connection with the execution of one of the contracts. “The SDO imposed on the corporate respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of five years. On the individual respondent, the SDO imposed a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of four years. As aggravating factors, the SDO considered that (i) the corporate respondent engaged in a repeated pattern of misconduct, and (ii) the individual respondent was the managing director of the corporate respondent.” The matter which involved Asbeco Nigeria was presented under Sanctions Case No 675. It read in part, “The SDO determined that the respondent, a Nigerian firm, engaged in corrupt practices in connection with an erosion control contract under an erosion and watershed management project in Nigeria. Specifically, the SDO found that the respondent (i) made a payment of N2m (approximately $12,000) to the project’s engineer to influence his actions in connection with the procurement and/or execution of the contract, and (ii) made a facilitation payment of N50,000 (approximately $160) to the project’s cashier to influence her actions in connection with the execution of the same contract. “The SDO imposed on the respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of five years. In determining this sanction, the SDO considered as aggravating factors the respondent’s (i) engagement in a repeated pattern of corrupt activity and (ii) interference with INT’s investigation, noting in particular that the respondent engaged in acts intended to materially impede the exercise of the Bank’s contractual audit rights.” Based on the World Bank’s Sanctions Board Decision, A.G. Vision Construction Nigeria Limited, was debarred for fraudulent practices and collusive practices for four years and six months. Not included in the report is a recent debarment of a Nigerian consultant, Mr Salihu Tijani, who is a consultant for the National Social Safety Nets Project, a project designed to ensure cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households in Nigeria. Tijani was barred for 38 months for engaging in corrupt practices. Aside from the firms mentioned so far, there are some firms that were debarred by other multilateral organisations under cross-debarment, which makes them debarred by the World Bank. Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated And Investment Co Limited, and Medniza Global Merchants Limited were debarred by the AfDB two years under cross-debarment recognised by the World Bank. ALG Global Concept Nigeria Limited, Abuharaira Labaran Gero, Qualitrends Global Solutions Nigeria Limited, and Maxicare Company Nigeria Limited were debarred by the AfDB for three years under cross-debarment recognised by the World Bank. In his opening message in the report, the World Bank Group’s David Malpass, stated that the bank had granted over $157bn to assist developing countries, as he emphasised the need for integrity and transparency standards in public finance. “Since the beginning of the global pandemic, the World Bank Group has deployed more than $157bn in critical assistance to developing countries. The crisis has required us to be rapid and innovative in mobilising this historic support. “Yet, for these resources to have the needed development impact on the hundreds of millions of people who live in extreme poverty, we must ensure that resources are used efficiently, effectively, and for their intended purposes. And that means remaining vigilant to the scourge of corruption and ensuring that we promote the highest integrity and transparency standards in public finance,” he said. He further highlighted some of the consequences of corruption, which he said could be devastating. Malpass said, “The negative impacts of corruption on lives and livelihoods are well known. Corruption diverts scarce development dollars from the people who need them most and corrodes the systems and services that are integral for reducing extreme poverty. “Entrenched corruption also comes with greater economic costs for countries, as it distorts public expenditures and leads to inefficient allocations of financing away from productive investments toward rent-seeking activities. And corruption increases the costs of doing business and deters foreign investors from entering new markets. “As the world moves toward recovering from the pandemic’s damaging impacts, these costs can also restrict the private sector, which plays an important role in revitalizing economic growth and development in our client countries,” he added. By Amarachi Orjiude and Sami Olatunji Source:https://punchng.com/world-bank-blacklists-18-nigerian-firms-individuals-for-corruption-report/

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has kicked against the one-week sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The members of the proscribed group had threatened that they would direct that there should a one-week sit-at-home protest in the South-East if their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was not released forthwith. But the declaration which was broadly condemned was also aimed at boycotting the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State. The Secretary-General of the Chidi Ibeh-led Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said in a statement on Sunday that Ndigbo should not obey the order this time. He said, “Any declaration that unleashes untold hardship, leads to the collapse of commercial and industrial activities, boycott of Anambra elections and interrupts the academic calendar in Southeastern states is nonsensical, absurd, and anti-Igbo agenda, for the enemy’s amusement.” He also described the directive as enslavement of Ndigbo, adding, “For the Igbo to rise to the occasion and end being trampled with orders from overseas by those without any investments in the South-East. “IPOB should discern that there was self-determination struggle in Africa before now. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in jail and never in the history of the movement against Apartheid was starvation, anguish, and catastrophe unleashed on Black South Africans by ANC. “It is impulsive and reckless to order Ndigbo to observe one-week sit-at-home when it’s obvious that Nnamdi Kanu will not be released without the approval of courts. “IPOB should revisit and nullify the one-week sit-at-home or they will likely lose the support of the Ndigbo henceforth, Ndigbo must participate in Anambra election and nothing should stop it." He cautioned that such orders if implemented would give an unnamed political party an edge in the election. By SaharaReporters, New York Source:http://saharareporters.com/2021/10/24/mandela-spent-27-years-jail-didnt-starve-his-people%E2%80%94ohanaeze-condemns-ipob%E2%80%99s-one-week-sit