How Sanusi, Saraki, Lai Alabi Allegedly Fraudulently Acquired Intercontinental Bank Plc

SAN FRANCISCO, February 21, (THEWILL) – THEWILL has exclusively obtained a letter addressed to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan detailing how Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Senator Bukola Saraki and Mahmoud Lai Alabi took over the now defunct Intercontinental Bank from its founder and deposed Group Managing Director, Mr. Erastus Akingbola.

The 7-page letter dated February 09, 2014, which was written by Mr. Akingbola revealed the intrigues and private conversations between himself, billionaire Aliko Dangote, Senator Saraki and Mallam Sanusi before Sanusi eased him out of the bank.

I’ll perform ground breaking of 2nd Niger Bridge in March -Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured Nigerians that he would perform the ground breaking of the 2nd Niger Bridge “before Governor Peter Obi leaves office on March 17″.

Jonathan said this on Saturday when he paid a visit to Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, in his palace.
The 2nd Niger Bridge was part of President Jonathan’s campaign promises to the people of the South East and South South zones.
The project was conceived in order to decongest the existing bridge across the River Niger in Onitsha.
Jonathan said: “By the time I am doing the ground breaking, I want pile drivers and other equipment to be on ground.
“Immediately the ground breaking is done, work will start up and our people here will start seeing reality on ground.
“The 1st Niger Bridge was built by Azikiwe (Nnamdi) and the 2nd Niger Bridge will be done by another Azikiwe (Goodluck Jonathan) before he leaves office.”
The President thanked Anambra State people for their overwhelming support, assuring them that the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance would “continue to work together for the progress of our people”.
On security, Jonathan said that the security challenges were getting sophisticated daily, noting that the Federal Government was also equal to the task.
“We are trying to get more equipped; we know the challenge and we are working hard to overcome it,” he said.
Jonathan thanked Igwe Achebe for keeping peace in his domain as well as helping the Federal and Anambra State governments to conduct peaceful elections.
He thanked Obi for his development strides, stressing that Anambra State remained one of the few states “not owing anybody or financial institution.
“Your governor, Peter Obi, had been a prudent manager of both human and financial resources and has lifted the state to an enviable height”.
Jonathan said Obi would continue to work with him, having been a member of his Economic Management Team.
Earlier, the Obi of Onitsha reminded the President of the 2nd Niger Bridge promise.
He said: “You promised this during your campaign here and also assured that the bridge will be completed within your tenure in office.
“We beg you to start it now.
“And it will be a great legacy for you.”
Achebe thanked Jonathan for the ongoing Zik’s mausoleum project, adding that Jonathan had finally turned the age-long dream into reality.
The monarch lauded Jonathan for the courage in organising a national conference where the issues of the country would be freely discussed.
He urged Jonathan to find solution to insecurity, especially the issue of Boko Haram, as well as empowerment of Nigerians.
“I would urge you to remain focused in your transformation agenda and I assure you that we are backing you as well as praying for your success always,” Achebe added.
Obi thanked the President for coming home again to Anambra State, adding: “You don’t need to campaign here any longer.
“All people from various walks of life are already backing you in this state.”
Traders’’ executives, the academia, traditional rulers and titled-men as well as present and past top government functionaries came to the palace to welcome President Jonathan.
Jonathan was accompanied by PDP chieftains, including Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, The National Chairman; Chief Tony Aninih, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Senator Ben Obi, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters.
Others were Chief Arthur Eze, an industrialist; and Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State.

Jonathan to defected PDP members: Time to join us is now

For members of the Peoples Democratic Party who have defected to the All Progressives Congress, President Goodluck Jonathan has advised them to retrace their steps now before it is too late.
“The message today is very clear: the time to join us is now so that there will be nothing like discrimination. This is the best time to join us,” President Jonathan said.
Addressing a mammoth crowd in Owerri, the Imo state capital, on Saturday, the President said party members who have defected and still have political ambition should return to the party now, promising that they would not be discriminated against.
The rally, christened ‘Unity Rally”, was organized to welcome top politicians in the state, including a former Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, back to the party.
Present at the well-attended rally were Vice President Namadi Sambo; The Senate President, David Mark; the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih; the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu; the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha; and a former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikhedi Ohakim.
Speaking further, President Jonathan regretted the internal crisis that led to the defection of key party chieftains in 2011.
He, however, assured them that they would be treated equally without discrimination.
His words: “We are here for a unity rally.
“We are here because some of us stepped aside and they have stepped back into the party.
“The PDP has come back strong in Imo State.
“I welcome all of you back to the party.
“PDP promotes the rule of law, inclusiveness and stability.
“PDP is the only stabilizing factor in Nigeria’s political journey.”
Jonathan said the non-adherence to democratic tenets in 2011 has become a thing of the past, adding: “Now we must follow the rule of law and completely follow the concept of democracy.
“This is the only party that can lead the country to where we want to go.
“The Imo people have spoken PDP: has regained this state.
“We formally welcome our brothers and sisters.
“Without them there will be no politics in Imo State.”
Addressing the rally earlier, Udenwa said they left the party because of the internal wrangling that led to the loss of the 2011 governorship election to the then All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Udenwa promised the party leadership that they would work for President Jonathan and ensure that the party regains the governorship seat in 2015.

Related posts:

1. Ex-deputy governor, others join ACN in Ekiti
2. APC now controls House of Reps as 37 PDP members join its rank
3. Ajimobi receives 2,000 PDP, AP members to ACN
4. Akpabio urges Muazu to ensure return of defected governors
5. 2015: PDP will compensate loyal members – Mu’azu
6. PDP crisis: Jonathan meets inner caucus members
7. PDP, only party with respect for rule of law – Jonathan
8. Over 200 DPP members defect to PDP in Delta
9. Those who defected from PDP made foolish mistake – Yero
10. 27 PDP Sokoto lawmakers defect to APC

Copyright, The Eagle Online:

All rights reserved. No material on this website may be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior permission from The Eagle Online.

Contact: info@theeagleonline.com.ng.

Share:

Pastor Fireman had been granted bail, Teenage boy still in detention for murder

More than 40 days after 18-year-old Ikechukwu Friday was arrested and detained for murder at the State Criminal Investigations Department, Homicide Section ‘D4’, the teenager is yet to be charged to court.
Ironically, the legendary Pastor Ofuche Ukoha, popularly known as Dr. Sign Fireman, who was fingered as an accomplice in the murder of the 12-year-old victim identified as Bose, had been granted bail.
Fireman had since returned home to continue with his church ministry.
The Lagos State Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said Ikechukwu was still in detention because of procedural issues in the Force.
Braide added: “Ikechukwu committed murder by killing the victim.
“Pastor Fireman was only alleged by the suspect.
“Since there is no evidence yet against Fireman, he was granted bail.”
It would be recalled that the SCID on January, 6, 2014 paraded Ikechukwu for strangling 12-year-old Bose to death in an uncompleted building after calling her out from her mother’s cafeteria, where she was serving food to customers.
When the suspect beckoned on Bose and took her to the uncompleted building, the girl had innocently followed because she knew him.
An eyewitness had seen Ikechukwu snuffing life out of the girl and screamed, alerting people around, leading to his arrest.
The suspect later fingered Pastor Fireman as the person who dangled a reward of N100,000 if he could succeed in bringing the faeces of a virgin to him.
According to Ikechukwu, his pastor allegedly said he wanted to use the deceased girl’s faeces to resurrect dead people.
Fireman is the General Overseer of Perfect Christianity Mission, located around Aguda area of Lagos State.
Ikechukwu denied that he wanted to use the slain girl for ritual purpose, insisting that he needed money and had approached the pastor, who asked him to strangle a teenage girl to death and come back with her excreta in order to get money.
Braide added: “The case file had already been sent to Directorate of Public Prosecution.
“It’s not all cases that are sent to DPP.
“Only special cases.
“Right now, police cannot do anything about the case, pending DPP’s advice.
“It’s DPP’s advice that will determine who will be charged to court.
“Fireman was granted bail with reliable sureties.
“If the time for court comes, depending on DPP’s advice, he would be re-arrested and taken to court.”

PRESIDENT JONATHAN SUSPENDS LAMIDO SANUSI AS CBN GOVERNOR, APPOINTS ACTING GOVERNOR

Having taken special notice of reports of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and other investigating bodies, which indicate clearly that Mallam Sanusi Lamido  Sanusi’s tenure has been characterized by various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct which are inconsistent with the administration’s vision of a Central Bank propelled by the core values of focused economic management, prudence, transparency and financial discipline;

Being also deeply concerned about far-reaching irregularities  under Mallam Sanusi’s watch which have distracted the Central Bank away from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate; and  

Being determined to urgently re-position the Central Bank of Nigeria for greater efficiency, respect for due process and accountability, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has ordered the immediate suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from the Office of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.  

President Jonathan has further ordered that Mallam Sanusi should hand over to the most senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, Dr Sarah Alade who will serve as Acting Governor until the conclusion of on-going investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of  the CBN.

The President expects that as Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Alade will focus on the core mandate of the Bank and conduct its affairs with greater professionalism, prudence and propriety to restore domestic and international confidence in the country’s apex bank.

The Federal Government of Nigeria reassures all stakeholders in Nigeria’s financial and monetary system that this decision has been taken in absolute good faith, in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy and in accordance with our laws and due process.  

 

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 20, 2014

APC chieftain killed as Valentine party turns bloody in Kwara

Tragedy struck on Friday night in Oro, Kwara State as a stray police bullet killed a 35-year-old politician during a party to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day.

The party was held at the Topmost Hotel, Oro in Irepodun Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the deceased, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Femi Oladipo, died instantly from the bullet wound.

Oladipo was a former chairmanship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November, 2013 local government election in the state before defecting to the APC.

The death of Oladipo has triggered a protest in the town, with some anti-riot policemen and soldiers drafted to the scene on Saturday.

A witness told NAN on condition of anonymity that a stray bullet from one of two policemen providing security at the hotel hit Oladipo’s chest at 11:45pm.

He said that Oladipo was mediating in a minor disagreement among some youths when the incident occurred.

The source told NAN that the policeman hit the butt of his gun against a wall, then it discharged a bullet and hit Oladipo.

“Oladipo was calming down the youth who were engaged in a minor disagreement when the policeman hit the gun,” the source said.

NAN gathered that two policemen were detailed to the hotel to provide security for some members of a church holding a crusade.

The members had earlier obtained a police permit.

It was in the same hotel that some youths, including the deceased, were having a Valentine party.

NAN learnt that the deceased recently returned from the United States of America.

The Spokesman for the Kwara State Police Command, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident, saying that the affected policeman was already undergoing an interrogation at the command’s headquarters in Ilorin.

Okasanmi said: “It was true a police officer’s gun was accidentally discharged and killed a man at the hotel where he was to provide security.

“The officer affected has been arrested and currently undergoing police orderly room interrogation at the Kwara State Police headquarters, Ilorin.”

The chairman of the local government council, Luqman Owolewa, described the incident as “very unfortunate”.

Owolewa said that the council was doing everything possible to calm the aggrieved youth.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the mortuary.

Governor weeps as Boko Haram kills 39 in Borno

Gunmen suspected to be members of the outlawed Boko Haram sect, Tuesday night, attacked Konduga, a village 35km from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

At least 39 persons were killed in the attack while several others were injured, residents and government officials said.
They said hundreds of houses were also burnt.
The attackers, who invaded the quiet agrarian town at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday, did not leave until four hours later, after they had burnt down hundreds of homes, schools, clinics and the central mosque using bombs and sophisticated arms.
A grocery seller in the village, Mustapha Umar, who spoke to journalists, said the insurgents that attacked them were over 400.
“They are very plenty, at least 400 of them because anywhere you turn to, you see them in tens moving and shooting”, he said. “We had to flee for our dear lives; even the few soldiers in town could not stand them because their guns were mounted on vehicles while some threw explosives that brought down the Central mosque, the maternity clinic, the district head’s palace and several other places.”
The petty trader said, “More than 50 people were injured and taken to the hospital, while we are now preparing to bury 39 of our people that died. We don’t know how much would be found in the bushes later”.
Governor condoles residents Walking amidst debris of burnt houses and buildings, the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, wept all through as he commiserated with villagers, mostly women and children whose homes and houses were razed.
“We will never give in to the antics of the Boko Haram. This is our land we will stay here and salvage it together,” Mr. Shettima said.
“We will never be frustrated; we will never give in to Boko Haram. Look at what these lunatics did; they burnt down mosques; churches, they burnt hapless people’s homes and so on; I don’t know whether to call them criminals or lunatics; the issue of people linking them with the religion of Islam should not arise, because as I always said Islam does not sanction what these lots are doing.”
The villagers cried for shelter, food, and clothing as the governor consoled them.
He directed the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs “to immediately effect the release of N100million for the immediate renovation and rebuilding of the burnt homes, schools, clinics, and other worship places”.
“I sympathise deeply with the people of Konduga over this unfortunate incident. It was more shocking given the intensity of the attack. I have told the people that come rain come shine we all have to stay in Borno and salvage the situation together. We have immediately ordered for the release of N100 million to start the rehabilitation work and the purchase of items like food, clothing, beddings and so on, for the hapless victims of this madness.
“I have gone round the town and have seen that up to 70 per cent of the town have been razed to the ground. Most facilities have been burnt down; schools, hospital, dispensaries, government office and even the district palace have been burnt. We are willing to expend whatever resources it will take to restore back those facilities. Even if it cost us a billion naira to fix back the damages; so be it,” the governor said. soldiers have failed Residents who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES said they were not happy because the soldiers did not protect them during the attack.
“Even the soldiers that we trusted to defend us had to flee; if the soldiers say they could not stand their superior weapons, who are we to feel safe any longer; we need more soldiers, this is the second time in the last three week in this local government”, said Abba Bashir, a trader.
But the state governor believes the soldiers tried their best, given the poor equipment they have and their low morale.
He said, “Frankly speaking the officers and men of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police force are doing their best given the circumstance they face; but all of us know that the Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated.
“We seriously believe there is the need for additional troops, and additional support from the military. But I am an eternal optimist; and I hope and pray that the federal government will very soon rise against the challenges of the day. We hope with the impending appointment of a very celebrated retired army general as the minister of Defence, we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel, Insha Allah”.
“We really need more troops here in Borno State. As we are talking now, I learnt that an attack by Boko Haram is ongoing right in Izge Town of Gwoza Local Government Area. As we are talking at the moment, the boys are burning down the town of Izge; and this is unfortunate,” the governor said at about 2:00 p.m.
“I am not holding brief for the military, but I am working closely with them and the Nigeria police force. I know they are handicapped. I know they are highly committed to fighting this war. I mean this counter-insurgency operation. But they have their own problems. The Boko Haram insurgency seems to be beyond them.
“But without additional troops on ground, and more modern equipment, there is no way we can win this war. You know the Boko Haram are more sophisticated; and they came in with more sophisticated arms, anti-air craft rifles and bombs, which our military do not have. They have no option than to flee for dear lives just like the common civilians.”
Mr. Shettima, who spent about five hours in the attacked town, had to participate in the mass funeral for the 39 deceased person at the premises of the Konduga central mosque which was also bombed to rubbles during the attack.
The governor said he would not leave Konduga until some of the relief items he ordered for the people began to arrive.
“I am not going to Maiduguri until 5pm when the relief items I ordered to be brought arrived. I have warned that no one should bother me with security risk of being in Konduga town for long. Anybody that is in my government and is willing to work with me must be prepared to share in the plight of the people by remaining here with them.
Premium Times.