Army arrests APC Deputy Chairman’s son for killing, kidnapping

A son of the Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers, Peter Odike, has been arrested by the Nigerian Army.

The younger Odike was arrested on allegations of killing and kidnapping.

Reacting to the development, the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party said the arrest is commendable and goes further to vindicate the PDP’s position that leaders of the opposition party in the State cannot deny their link and sponsorship of violence and criminality in the State.

The PDP said the arrest of Odike’s son did not come to the party as a shocker and that his reported confession to the crimes would make it easier and quicker for the process of investigation and prosecution by the Army and the relevant security authorities to be concluded.

The party commended the courage and decision of the suspect in confirming that he was actively being supported by his father, describing the action of the APC leader as unpatriotic, shameful, wicked and serious embarrassment to the State.

The PDP said it has been made to believe that the security agencies are aware of its consistent alerts on the fact that some APC chieftains are hell-bent on causing violence and creating insecure atmosphere in the State.

It said this is in addition to the charge on their supporters to take up arms against perceived opponents in the State and outright release from detention of hardened criminals who were being charged in court for killings, kidnapping, armed robbery and cult-related activities during the administration of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The party called on the Army authorities not to sweep this particular arrest of Odike’s son under the carpet but to ensure that thorough process is followed in bringing him to justice to serve as deterrent to others in the State.

The PDP also appealed to other security agencies to redouble their efforts in tackling insecurity, violence and criminality in the State.

It said it is aware of the frantic efforts the APC leaders are making, apart from the blackmail, to incite, cause violence, insecurity and declaration of state of emergency in the State.

Revealed: How Access Bank Fraudulently Took Over Intercontinental Bank – The Bukola Saraki, Lamido Sanusi Script!

Contrary to his public image as a no-nonsense Governor of the Central Bank and a reformer who always pride himself as an anti-special interest, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s complicity in the questionable acquisition of Intercontinental Bank by Access bank and the God-Father role of Dr, Bukola Saraki showed the true Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Oluwaseyi Oduyela reports, how the former Governor of Central Bank- Sanusi Lamido and Dr, Bukola Saraki masterminded the biggest bank fraud in Nigeria’s Banking Industry history.

By Seyi Oduyela/Washington, DC

In 2009 when Mr. Chukwuma Soludo’s appointment was due for renewal as the Governor of Central Bank, late President Yar’Adua was misled by the cabal that eventually hijacked his government into refusing Mr. Soludo’s a second term and instead, appointed Sanusi Lamido as Soludo’s successor. Prior to his appointment as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Soludo had  joined the government of former president Obasanjo  in 2003 and served as the Chief Economic Adviser and  Chief Executive of the National Planning Commission of Nigeria .

So in June 2009, Sanusi Lamido became Governor of Central Bank. Barely two weeks in office, in an unusual move, Lamido dispatched Central Bank of Nigeria examiners to five banks- AfriBank, FinBank, Intercontinental Bank, Oceanic Bank and Union Bank. A CBN source disclosed to Africa Inquirer that the inclusion of Intercontinental Bank was a surprise because the CBN just concluded a comprehensive examination of the bank and gave it a clean bill. In a surprise twist of event, CBN examiners changed their positive report on Intercontinental Bank to “non-performing.” Our source at the CBN disclosed that Mallam Lamido rejected the favorable report presented to him, hence the re-classification of the report from “performing to non-performing.” As at this time, Intercontinental Bank was one of the biggest and the largest bank with a balance sheet size of about N1.7 Trillion.

Our investigation reveal that, late Yar’Adua refusal to renew Soludo’s appointment was actually influenced by Dr. Bukola Saraki using is political weight as the then Chairman Governor’s forum. It was “Saraki who pressed for the replacement of Soludo with Lamido,” our source disclosed. Why would Saraki want Lamido? What is Saraki’s interest in Lamido and what connects the two men? Africa Inquirer diggings reveal that Mallam Lamido and Bukola Saraki have been childhood friends. The two went to same High School, King’s College Lagos with their mutual lawyer, Kola Awodein. While Lamido graduated in 1977, Bukola Saraki left King’s College in 1978. Besides being school mates, Saraki and Lamido are Akingbola’s mutual enemies by their own creation. Before the emergence of Sanusi Lamido as the Governor of CBN, Dr. Bukola Saraki had taken a loan from Intercontinental Bank to the tune of N11Billion.

Our investigations reveal that through Joy Petroleum, as a parent company, Saraki used four other companies namely: Skyview Properties Ltd, Limkers Ltd, Dicetrade Ltd, Carlisle Properties and Investment Ltd, while Dr. Bukola Saraki was portrayed by the bank documents as the Prime Promoter of all the companies including Joy Petroleum Ltd. Under Erastus Akingbola, Saraki secured the 11 Billion Naira loan with four houses in Ikoyi and in Abuja. The houses are on 19 Ruxton road, Ikoyi; 15A MacDonald Road, Ikoyi; 17 MacDonald Road,Ikoyi and  Plot  2481 Cadastral Zone A06 Maitama, Abuja.

As soon as Lamido became the CBN governor, and with the doctored report of ‘non-performance” of Intercontinental Bank which was never released to the public till date, Lamido fired the CEOs of the five banks, including Akingbola and appointed acting Managing Directors. Mr. Lai Mahmoud Alabi, a former staff of Bukola Saraki was appointed by Lamido as the Acting MD of Intercontinental Bank. Lai Alabi served as Bukola Saraki’s Chairman of Songa Farms and several development funds in Kwara State.

Lai Alabi’s first task as the new head of Intercontinental Bank was to summon the board of directors to write off N 8.1 Billion out of the N11 Billion owed by Saraki and which were surprisingly, well collateralize with choice assets in Ikoyi, this write-off was strongly condemned by the CBN examination report of May 2010 which complained about the massive loan forgiveness, calling it “cash gift.” The examiners also questioned the rationale behind the return of the collaterals to Saraki. Yet, Mr Lamido never acted since he was only satisfying his benefactor.

Curiously, before Lamido’s takeover of Intercontinental bank, the bank’s inter-bank takings was N73 Billion, with no record of the bank’s indebtedness to the CBN but by the time the bank was sold, it was owing the CBN N100 Billion and other banks N300 Billion. Contrary to Lamido’s claim that he injected N100 Billion to revive Intercontinental bank, the bank’s balance sheet as the time of takeover was N1.6 Trillion. The bank had 330 branches, 2 foreign subsidiaries, 12,000 employees and paid-up capital of N230 Billion.

If the takeover of Intercontinental bank and the replacement of its employees by former employees of defunct Societe Generale Bank were not surprising enough, the sale of the bank to Access was the most fraudulent in Nigeria’s banking industry history.

In 2011, Aig Imokhuede, founder of Access Bank and a debtor of Intercontinental Bank began talks with the Sanusi Lamido-led Central Bank of Nigeria to acquire Intercontinental Bank Plc. Further to the approval of the shareholders of Intercontinental bank and Access Bank, court sanction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria and approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities & Exchange Commission, Access Bank Plc (“Access”) and Intercontinental Bank Plc (“Intercontinental Bank”) announced the completion of the recapitalization of Intercontinental Bank and the acquisition of 75% majority interest in Intercontinental Bank by Access Bank Plc.

In effect, Intercontinental Bank (including all its assets, liabilities and undertakings) became a subsidiary of Access Bank Plc. Aluko & Oyebode acted as Transaction Counsel to Access Bank Plc in connection with its acquisition of Intercontinental Bank Plc. The question is how did Aig Imokhuede and Herbet Wigwe acquired Intercontinental Bank?

Africa Inquirer obtained a loan document showing how Aig Imokhuede and his partner Herbert Wigwe (current MD Access Bank) used a company called United Alliance Company of Nigeria to borrow over N16 billion from Intercontinental Bank under Akingbola. The duo tactically delayed payment of the loan. Aig wrote to Mr Lai Alabi twice rescheduling the payment of the loan which were allegedly written off by the CBN before the forced controversial acquisition of the bank by Access.

Our investigation later discovered that, the delay tactics was part of the plan of Saraki and Lamido to sell Intercontinental Bank to Aig Imokhuede who took loan from Akingbola’s bank to acquire Access Bank. Lamido’s CBN used AMCON to deplete Intercontinental bank’s assets before selling it to Access bank. Since Access bank is owing Intercontinental Bank N16 Billion, where did it get the N50 Billion to purchase Intercontinental Bank?  Africa Inquirer discovered that Aig Imokhuede, sourced for the N50 Billion from Bank of Industry.

Evelyn Oputu, Former CEO, Bank of Industry

As at this time, the Managing Director of Bank of Industry was Mrs. Evelyn Oputu, Aig Imokhuede’s mother-in-law. With impunity, under the supervision of Malam Lamido as the CBN Governor, N50 billion was paid to Intercontinental bank account in the evening, and immediately after the acquisition of Intercontinental Bank was announced, Aig Imokhuede, transferred the N50 Billion back to the Bank of Industry. By implication, Aig and his group paid nothing for Intercontinental Bank. Mrs. Oputu is being investigated by the Financial Reporting Council for alleged fraudulent practices as the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry.

To be continued………

Culled from Africa Inquirer

10 Things To Do And Places To Visit In Benin Republic

When you hear of Benin Republic, the first place that comes to mind is Cotonou or Porto Novo. Well, the capital of the Republic of Benin or République du Bénin in French isPorto Novo, but the seat of government is Cotonou. The main languages spoken in the country is French, Fon, and Yoruba.

Located in West Africa, Benin Republic is formerly known as Dahomey; and it is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. It has a population of about 10 million people, and it got its independence from France in 1960.

Things to do and places to visit in Benin Republic :

1. Cotonou Cathedral

The cathedral of Notre Dame of Misericorde is largely known as Cotonou Cathedral. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cotonou, and built in 1883 close to the Ancien Pont bridge. The burgundy and white tiled architecture of the ancient church is its mouth outstanding feature. It is a place to worship in or visit if you happen to visit the Cotonou.

2. Ancien Pont

Constructed in 1928 and renovated in 1981, the Ancien Pont bridge in Cotonou is a great water feature of the city. The long and extended bridge crosses the Lagune de Cotonou, bridging the two sides of the city by joining them together via the bridge. It is a bridge you might like to use if you ever find yourself in this side of the city.

3. Stade de L’Amitie

With a capacity for 35,000 seated people, the Stade de l’Amitie or Friendship Stadium in Cotonou is a multi-purpose stadium that must be visited for the best of spectacular football matches among other sporting activities. There are also facilities for athletics and other kinds of sports, and be sure to be at the Stade de l’Amitie if there is a match scheduled to hold at the stadium.

4. Royal Palace, Porto-Novo

Situated in Porto Novo, the Royal Palace is also known as King Toffa’s Palace. It is the former residence of the king, but now converted to a museum and named the Musee Honme. Most of the artifacts in the museum are related to the times of the former dynasties and tell a lot about the cultural past of the Beninoise.

5. Pendjari National Park

The Pendjari National Park was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in March 2009, and it is situated northwest of the country, close to the Arli National Park of adjoining Burkina Faso. The park is named after the Pendjari River, and covers about 2,755 sq km of land. It is a home to a vast number of wildlife, among which are buffaloes, antelopes, West African lions, elephants, and birds among others. You will enjoy quality time at this park if you visit via the hills and cliffs of the Atakora range, which provide a scenic and wonderful backdrop of the park.

6. Royal Palaces of Abomey

The Royal Palaces of Abomey are 12 palaces spread over 20 hectares or 99 acres of land, within Abomey town in what used to be the capital of the city when the country was still known as Dahomey. The kingdom was founded by the Fon people in 1625, and it rose to become a powerful and commercial empire. The 12 kings that lived in the palaces ruled between 1625 and 1900, and the palaces were listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

7. Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Located in Ouidah, Cotonou, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or Basilique de l’Immaculée Conception was dedicated in November 1989, and under the authority of the Archdiocese of Cotonou. This is a church you’d want to visit if you happen to find yourself in Ouidah.

8. W National Park

The W National Park or W Regional Park was created in August 1954 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The park is jointly governed by the governments of Niger, Benin Republic, and Burkina Faso because the park runs through the three countries. It is named “W” national or regional park because it works itself through River Niger in the shape of “W”.

9. Musée en Plein Air de Parakou

Situated about 1.5 kilometres south of Parakou, the Musée en Plein Air de Parakou is a museum that is made up of five round complexes constructed in the traditional fashion of the Batanou people. Although a lot still needs to be done to make this museum live up to its name, it is a place of interest that must be noted down for a visit. 

10. Alexandre Sènou Adandé Ethnographic Museum

Based out of Porto Novo, the Alexandre Sènou Adandé Ethnographic Museum was established in 1957 by the Dahomey Institute. It is a museum that tells the history of the people, and a point of tourist attraction that must be checked out by any visitors to the area.

Calling on Nigerian Christians for Prayers. URGENT!!!

From Evang. Ishaku Bupwatda:

         Good morning friends,
I am stepping out to call on Christians in Nigeria, who are on Facebook, to focus more (90%) on what's going on concerning the church in Nigeria and some of the revelations coming out. If I have not had one of these revelations may be I won't be writing this after two other revelations given to other people. The two are completely in agreement with mine which came to me two days ago. I hesitated to come forward with it until few minutes ago when I heard the last one.

Christianity in Nigeria is under siege both spiritually and physically. I can confirm by the revelation I had that "local military group has been formed and trained for forceful spread of ... in Nigeria. What I mean is that, there is an 'army' already recruited, trained, armed and in position right now in different parts of Nigeria. This plan is not being cordinated by Nigerians alone but by others outside. The plan is not just being carried on physically but so much spiritual/demonic sacrifices is involved and on-going (oh where are our prayer warriors?). The aim of the spiritual angle is to keep flooding the minds of Christians and the leaders with evil cloud of worldliness in all its forms, prayerlessness, disunity, immorality and distractions through politics. Now, you be the judge about how far they have succeeded.

I am calling on Christians on Facebook to focus less on posting things about politics, economy, selfies, tribal stupidity, and unnecessary celebrations. There is war going on and if we fail to use the power of United prayer, effective mobilization and watchfulness, sometime very very evil will soon overtake us. The Lord is calling out to His people to forget the deceit of political and economic worries so as to see what a distraction they are and how the enemy is using these two to keep many among us so blinded from the evil plan against us. How much of your riches, acquisitions and wealth can you keep in death?
Please, let us keep our prayer altar aglow, our eyes wide open, mouth wide open, pens ready to write and spirit at alert. Let there be mobilization done by each of us (don't wait for someone out there to do it). Pray, Speak up, share this post and others like it; let us use social media platform to mobilize God's people for action against the dragon!
If you are a leader in your congregation please mobilize your people; pray for confirmation from the Lord about these revelations (don't wait for instruction from your ogas before you seek the Lord on this and to also do as He bids you). Search for more information about these things and speak to the people whom God has given you responsibility over. Reach out to other leaders in your circle. Let there be quiet gatherings of leaders to think through these things and come up with strategies, going forward. However, let us beware of false brethren in our midst. They are the ones who have gone to the other side to take evil powers and are among us as leaders. Please note that they will work for the enemy to protect their identity. They are being threatened with exposure if they fail to bring information from our camp.
Please, consider that herdsmen have been killing for several years now and no one  can point to any legal process to punish the guilty. The security agencies especially the police, tell us not to resort to self help but to seek redress through proper channels. This does not apply to these herdsmen. These people kill, rape and destroy at the slightest provocation and no one ever tells them not to take laws into their hands or resort to self help. No civilian is permitted by government to carry automatic weapons but these herdsmen have enough to distribute to all their people everywhere they are and have been using these weapons against communities and yet no one is even talking about it. How they are funded is not what I will write about here. Suffice it to say that, the plan to hide under cattle rearing as a means of furthering an evil, destructive religious plan is rife in Nigeria. Let us not think that these people are naive or mediocre (we are busy chasing money, social status, politics, tribal domination, denominational empires and 'blessing'. These ones are focused on the 'ASSIGNMENT'. For them, their lives depend on it). They are working according to plan. Agatu massacre and others alike which suppose to rally peoples of Nigeria against these advance of evil did nothing but to embolden the key players in high places about how easy the main target could be. They are retired intelligence officers, security personnel in and out of service. They are playing key role in government and it's not just about this present administration but the ones before this as well.

I call on Christians who reside in different parts of Nigeria to wake up and free themselves from the hold of tribalism, political control, ethnic loyalty/allegiance and denominational selfishness to reach out to one another. Let information be passed on about the warning from the Lord God Almighty. Our children should know what is happening and let them pray and call on God. These children should not be left to continue to live their lives as though nothing is wrong. They and their future is in danger if we all fail to do the right things now.

Our villages have been mapped, marked and put under the control of very intelligent, trained and armed field men who carry on life around us as security guards, cobblers/shoe shinners, Okada riders, labourers and so on. Do not be decieved because among these set of people are very intelligent, educated, trained, armed and connected few who are in charge of operations. They have access to more money than many us will believe.

This post is part of my own responsibility before the Lord and what you do with this information and others alike is your decision as we shall all render account to Him. May His grace abound towards each of us to overcome selfishness, lukewarmness, passivity, fear and arrogance.

Christianity in Nigeria is about to be attacked through ethnic fight! The plan is to cause a 'fracas' which will pitch herdsmen in different parts of Nigeria against the locals. This is supposed to escalate for their 'army' to wipe out communities for herdsmen to occupy...

The bill which has passed second reading at the national assembly to inaugurate a federal commission who will work with State governments to acquire lands in the 36 States for herdsmen is part of the 'tripple edge' approach. Let him that read have understanding. We know that it is against the fundamental human rights of people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the government to single out a business line (cattle rearing is a personal investment of people and not a national resource) for such massive support. We see governments over the years support these cattle rearing through inaction whenever the herdsmen  (who are just taking care of the cattles for the real owners) destroy farms, rape and kill. You need to do just a litte research so as to find out the real owners of these cattle and you will be shocked. There's more to say here but let's leave that for another day and for a different forum, may be.
Sin, Distractions and Disunity among Christian leaders and the led, in Nigeria, is about to cost Heaven more than eyes can see!
Oh Father, we are in need of help! You love us though we have continually failed you. Have mercy.....

Please, more important than your response to this post is the need for you to share it. We have more than a million Christians of Nigerian birth on Facebook.  So, we need to reach more than half of whatever figure it is. None of us can tell what the Lord may impress on brethren to do in response to this. Imagine the increased massive prayer unto the Lord and so on!
The dragon we are up against is afraid of Chriatians who are spiritually alert, effectively mobilized, coherently organized, correctly informed, strategically positioned and United in purpose!