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EXPOSED: The N165b That Caused NPA Boss, Hadiza Usman’s Suspension

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Strong indications emerged on Friday that alleged non-remittance of 2016-2020 operating surpluses of N165.3 billion to the Federation Account by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) may have led to the suspension of the Managing Director of the agency, Hadiza Bala Usman.

Her suspension also stemmed from alleged insubordination to Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi under whose ministry is the NPA.

Hadiza, according to sources, had not been attending some vital ministerial briefings as chief executive of one of the parastatals under the Ministry of Transportation.

But some political forces opposed to her suspension have launched a move to rescue her.

The Nation on Friday sighted some documents from the Budget Office of the Federation on the finances of the NPA between 2016 and 2020, which sources said convinced President Muhammadu Buhari to approve Hadiza’s probe.

Amaechi, it was gathered, wrote a memo to the President recommending a ministerial investigation of the activities of NPA under Hadiza.

The memo entitled: “Remittance of operating surplus to the consolidated revenue fund account (CRF) by the Nigerian Ports Authority from 2016 –date,” elaborates on the revenue shortfall in NPA.

“It has been observed from the records submitted by the Budget Office of the Federation that the yearly remittance of operating surpluses by the Nigerian Ports Authority from the year 2016 to 2020 has been far short of the amount due for actual remittance (see the tables attached),” the Minister said.

“In view of the above, I wish to suggest that the financial account of the activities of Nigeria Ports Authority be investigated for the period to 2020 to ascertain the true financial position and the outstanding unremitted balance of one hundred and sixty-five billion, three hundred and twenty million, nine hundred and sixty-two thousand, six hundred and ninety seven naira only (N165,320,962,697).”

Also Read: https://www.societyreporters.com/npa-md-hadiza-bala-usman-swims-in-n20bn-contract-fraud/

He asked the President to “approve that the account and remittance of NPA in the period of 2016-2020 be audited to account for the gross shortfall of remitted public funds.”

In response to the letter, the President on the 17th of March wrote on the letter: “Your above prayer is approved.”

A separate letter on 30th March was written to the Minister of Transportation by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.“The letter, “Re-remittance of operating surplus to the consolidated revenue fund account (CRF) by the Nigerian Ports Authority from 2016-2020”, said: “Reference letter FMT/F7A/DFA/DMP/I/DI, dated 4th March 2020, I write to forward Reference A to you and to convey to you Mr. President’s approval of your prayers.

Findings however confirmed that the observations of the Budget Office of the Federation and insider’s abuse were “official justifications” to rein in Hadiza.

It was learnt that there were over 100 issues covering some of the following:

Alleged gross violation of procurement process

Administrative lapses leading to non-remittance of VAT deductions running into billions of naira and in foreign currency denomination to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Alleged excessive increase in administrative operational expenses.

Extra budgetary expenditures on hotel accommodation and under disclosure of expenditures on hotel expenses.

Alleged inflation of CSR expenses

About 573% rise in expenditure on local and foreign medical expenses, legal fees, corporate souvenirs and expenditure

Alleged increase in administrative cost by 72%

But an authoritative source said the strain in the relationship between the Minister of Transportation and the suspended MD might have fueled the action against her.

Another insider source said: “I think her suspension was the climax of the six-year cold war with her boss (Amaechi). The Minister actually recommended her for the job in 2016 and they started well.

“Along the line, the NPA MD assumed an independent status and refused to defer to Amaechi on the activities and management of the Ports Authority. It got to a stage that the minister never knew what was going on in NPA except through a third party.

“The alleged act of insubordination included refusal of the NPA MD to attend any ministerial briefing or meeting convened by Amaechi.

Also Read: https://www.societyreporters.com/exposed-how-npa-boss-hadiza-bala-usman-makes-business-unbearable-for-lagos-businessmen/

“Even when she wielded political influence to put NPA under the control of the Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, her attitude did not change.

“The ‘miraculous’ manner in which she got reappointment for second term six months before the expiration of her tenure confirmed the breakdown of her relationship with Amaechi.

“The minister, who was waiting for the expiration of her tenure to make a point, was shocked to read about the announcement of her reappointment.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “When the minister tried to use the board to check Hadiza, it was not successful because of her high net worth political connection.”

A government source said although President Buhari was yet to hear from Hadiza, he opted for investigation to get a clearer picture.

The source said: “Once issues of alleged fraud or corruption and disloyalty are brought to the attention of the President, he does not waste time in acting. Those who are good in Presidential Villa politics have used Buhari’s disdain for corruption to their advantage.

“Buhari approved immediate suspension of the MD and investigation at the same time.”

It was gathered last night that some political forces had commenced underground moves to save Hadiza.

“There is intense lobbying by some forces for either the reversal of the suspension of Hadiza or an independent probe of the activities of NPA under her watch,” a source familiar with the development told The Nation.

“Those backing Hadiza claimed that she cannot get justice from an investigative committee raised by the minister.”

But a source in the Ministry of Transportation said: “It is unfortunate that some people are turning a serious case into a dispute between the Minister and Hadiza.

“Amaechi has lived with the insubordination in the last five years without complaining. Why are they not addressing the N165.3b surpluses unremitted by NPA?”

 

Additional Information From The Nation

Society

Reactions as Korra Obidi travels to Hawaii for vacation after fans donated $50,000 for legal fee

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Nigerians across social media have begun to slam popular Nigerian-American singer and dancer, Korra Obidi, as she flew immediately to Hawaii in the United States after completing her GoFundMe $50,000 target.

Obidi created GoFundMe on Friday to seek a good lawyer, adding that she wants to overturn the right of her ex-husband, Justin Dean, over their kids.

According to her, she would need money to get a good lawyer, which is why she created the GoFundMe account to meet the target of $100,000.

The account generated over $50,000 raised from over 950 donors worldwide.

“As a mother, it’s time to fight for myself and my kids,” Obidi said. She also shared her GoFundMe account details, seeking the assistance of fans and friends.

However, on Sunday, the dancer, after raising the money, said during a live session on Facebook that she had plans for a vacation in Hawaii.

Her decision has been greeted by outrage from her fans, with many alleging that the main intent of the GoFundMe was never to file a suit against the husband but to lavish on her extravagant lifestyle.

Wanda Johnson, a Facebook user, said, “She got y’all’s money, now she’s at the airport. Some of you are so weak to believe her foolishness. She is always begging, scamming, and manipulating.”

“You are gradually becoming a professional beggar on social media,” one Chigoziri Ohochukwu on Facebook opined.

“Mad that she can’t post pictures because without posting pictures she can’t make money. She needs to post pictures of her kids to make money. But she would rather go to Hawaii than see.Her children sickening and people gave her $.Or whatever was on that go find me.People needs to report the go fund me everybody needs to report to get their money back,” a user who identifies as Jennifer Lynn Russell claimed.

Nene Peters stated, “WTF you was just on here crying about you need a lawyer now, you traveling. I’m done with you wow.”

“Two days ago she was crying for donation now she is traveling,” said Hermi Matilya

Meanwhile, Bridget O’Connell said, “Yeah I’m not gonna lie Traveling to Hawaii is crazy after receiving all that money for Lawyer girl! You shoulda did that in silence.”

Also, Mary Monique Napont said, “It’s none of your business lady. She is an influencer, performer, student, and most importantly a great mother. Leave her be. You are a part of the problem. She’s not hurting you in any way. If you don’t like her, don’t follow her. It’s that simple.”

Recall that the divorce and custody battle between Obidi and Dean has been on the public scene lately. Recent developments have granted Justin the right to restrict their two children from featuring on Obidi’s online content.

She posted a plea online, accusing Dean of abuse and “gaslighting” during their marriage, claiming he is now subjecting their daughters to similar treatment.

 

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Police declare Lagos socialite wanted for murder, cyber-stalking

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The Nigeria Police Force, on Sunday, declared a Lagos socialite and blogger, Dorcas Adeyinka, wanted for alleged cyber-stalking, abduction and murder, among others.

The police urged members of the public to “arrest and hand over the suspect to the nearest police station or the office of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja.”

The police further described Adeyinka as a married female Yoruba blogger from Ekiti State and Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

She is said to be approximately 1.64m tall with an oval face, tribal marks, pointed nose, wide mouth, full and white dentition, and light-skinned with black eyes.

The police added that she lives in the United Kingdom, and frequently visits Ikeja, Ogudu and Fagba in Lagos State, as well as Otta and Sango in Ogun State.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had earlier reported that a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, summoned two social media users for defaming Adeyinka by allegedly sharing her nude photo online.

In the court summons dated Thursday, May 9, 2024, which was obtained by our correspondent, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the two defendants – Tolulope Adeoye aka Abike Jagaban, and Tolulope Odegbami aka Olowosibi – to appear in persons before the court on June 4, 2024, to answer the charges levelled against them by the complainant.

The summons followed a criminal complaint filed by the complainant’s lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of an Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor.

The socialite accused the defendants of sharing her nude photo on social media and ridiculing her.

The application partly read, “On March 5, 2022, Abike Jagaban shared the complainant’s nude pictures on YouTube, directing her followers to different online platforms where the complainant’s pictures were/are shared and ridiculed the complainant in the process.

“The video was captioned, ‘Abike Jagaban on Dorcas Adeyinka, aka TMS Blog.’ These actions have exposed the complainant to contempt, hatred and detestation as some people can be seen making disparaging remarks against the person of the complainant in the comment section of the above-referenced post. Abike Jagaban has also bullied the complainant in another video titled, ‘How Abike Jagaban bullied Dorcas Adeyinka,” among others.”

The complainant told the court that the alleged actions of the defendants constituted criminal defamation and contravened Section 391 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, in suit number CR/93/2024 with motion number MN/140/2024, Magistrate Iyanna ordered the complainant to serve the defendants with the criminal summons and all other subsequent processes of the court via their social media handles or pages @Tolulope Omolara Ghaba (Facebook) and @Princess Tolulope Ajike Olowosibi (Facebook).

The magistrate adjourned the matter till June 4, 2024, and ordered that the two defendants be present in court on the said date.

 

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Even if arrest warrant was illegally obtained, Bello should’ve appeared in court – Judge

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By Taiye Agbaje

 

Abuja, May 10, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday granted the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear in court for his trial.

 

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the former governor ought to appeared before the court before making any application.

 

He insisted that even if the arrest warrant was illegally obtained, the defendant (Bello) should have still shown up in court.

 

It would be tracked that the judge had, on April 23, fixed today for the ruling on the former governor’s application to set aside the arrest warrant against him.

 

The EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had, on April 17, moved the ex-parte application for the arrest warrant.

 

But Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, on April 23, prayed the court to set aside the arrest warrant against their client

.

He canvassed that the arrest warrant had become unnecessary since their lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, had accepted the service of the charge on behalf of the ex-governor.

 

He argued that the arrest warrant order, having been made before the charge ought to be set aside suo motu (on its own accord, without any request by the parties involved).

 

The senior lawyer argued that contrary to the submission of the lawyer who appeared for EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, that the ex-governor must be in court first before any application could be entertained being a criminal case.

 

He said that the anti-graft agency also made an application on April 18 after the warrant arrest was issued to EFCC on April 17 and that the court granted it.

 

The lawyer submitted that the arrest warrant was issued in favour of the EFCC by the court in violation of fair hearing to their client.

 

He noted that the complainant made an application for substituted service on 18th day of April after the arrest warrant had been issued on 17th day of April and today, my noble lord granted it.

 

“The court must satisfy itself that the defendant (Bello) will not be prejudiced in fairness if the warrant of arrest continues to hang on his neck, having been made before service of the charge contrary to Section 394 of ACJA,” Adeola argued.

 

He argued that justice should be a three-way traffic; that is, justice to the prosecution, the defendant and the public.

 

He said for Bello to appear in court, he must have the notion that he would get justice.

 

Adedipe also argued that the EFCC was an unconstitutional body because its establishment was not ratified by the 36 states of the federation.

 

He said that for the EFCC to become a constitutional body, the 36 states of the federation must ratify the law establishing it as against the current position, that the EFCC Establishment Act was unilaterally ratified by the Federal Government.

 

He, therefore, asked the judge to vacate the arrest warrant against the former governor.

 

But Pinheiro vehemently opposed the application.

 

The senior lawyer argued that for the arrest warrant to be vacated, the former governor must be arraigned and take his plea in compliance with Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

 

Delivering the ruling on Friday, the judge agreed with the argument of the EFCC.

 

He said that the order of court subsisted until it is set aside, even if there is irregularity.

 

The judge said Yahaya Bello’s staying away amounted to disregard to the sanctity of the court.

 

“Therefore, the application by the counsel for the defendant cannot be moved unless the defendant is present in court.

 

“Bello should come to court in his own not through EFCC for arraignment on the next adjourn date,” the judge declared.

 

Meanwhile, shortly after the ruling, Mohammed, who appeared for the former governor, informed the court of a motion on notice filed on May 9.

 

He said the motion prayed the court to stay further hearing of the alleged money laundering suit filed against Bello until the Court of Appeal decides a pending case relating to same matter.

 

The senior lawyer said the anti-graft agency had, by a motion ex-parte, got an order of the Appeal Court stopping the contempt proceedings filed by the ex-governor against the agency at the High Court sitting in Lokoja.

 

He said the appellate court had already fixed May 20 to hear the case.

 

He said it would be important the Federal High Court, Abuja awaits the outcome before going further with the trial.

 

But the EFCC’s lawyer, Oyedepo, disagreed with Mohammed’s submission.

 

In a short ruling, Justice Nwite refused Mohammed’s application.

 

The judge said that the matter had generated controversy all over the world and was unnecessary.

 

Reacting, Mohammed responded that the former governor was not afraid to come to court but was only afraid of his life.

 

Justice Nwite, however, said that Bello should not be misguided but should be advised to come and answer to the alleged charge.

 

“It is just a charge. It has not been proven. Counsel, it is your duty to bring him and you prepare yourselves.

 

“We thank lordship. We will take your admonition to him because that is just his fear,” Mohammed said.

 

He assured that efforts would be made to contact the former govenor to appear in court in the next adjourned date.

 

Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until June 13 for arraignment.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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