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Petitions to EFCC, SSS accuse Chinese expatriates of colluding with bank manager to steal N17 billion from two Nigerian ceramic companies

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Zenith Bank Plc and its Lokoja Branch Manager, Salawu Nasiru, together with two Chinese citizens, Liu Yangxi and Ma Zhuang, have conspired to defraud two Nigerian ceramic companies and their directors.

Messrs Salawu, Liu and Ma were accused of fraudulently obtaining about N17 billion in credits on behalf of BN Ceramic Industry Limited and NB Ceramic Limited, and Zhang Qide, a director and shareholder in the ceramic firms.

The loans, secretly obtained without the knowledge of the Nigerian companies, were disbursed to Liu between November 4, 2021, and August 31, 2023.

Documents also indicated that Mr Salawu, the Zenith Bank branch manager in Lokoja, received over N100,000,000 as kickbacks for ‘facilitating’ the N17bn loan dubiously obtained by Mr Liu and his accomplices.

Mr Liu, like Zhang Qide, holds positions as a shareholder and director at the ceramic firm, and Messrs Ma and Liu have family ties.

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The predicament of the Nigerian ceramic company and its director, Mr Qide, began with Mr Liu, without proper consultation or approval from the management, directors, and shareholders of BN Ceramic Ltd orchestrated, with the assistance of Messrs Ma and Salawu, the acquisition of a N3 billion loan from Zenith Bank, findings showed.

“Liu, in collaboration with Ma and Salawu, falsified Zhang Qide’s signature on the loan documents, including the offer of credit facility and the approving board resolution. Additionally, Mr Liu engaged in criminal conduct by falsely presenting himself as the managing director of both BN Ceramic Industry Limited and NB Ceramic Limited.

He proceeded to pledge/charge all fixed and floating assets of the BN Ceramic Industry Limited and NB Ceramics Limited, including its machinery and equipment, as collateral for the loan, without proper authorisation from the respective boards and shareholders of both companies.

Upon the approval and disbursement of the N3 billion loan into NB Ceramic Limited’s account, Liu paid N69,900,000 as kickbacks to Mr Salawu and also cleared the bank fees. Thereafter, without obtaining necessary consent or adhering to the company’s approved procedures, Mr Liu immediately transferred the remaining N2.68 billion balance to the companies he controlled. One of the companies, Wetech Industry Ltd got N300 million. The second company, Pure Biotech Company Limited, got N701 million, while the third company, CBC Oil & Gas Services Ltd, received N1.67 billion. After the accounts of the three companies were credited, Liu quickly laundered the funds into Chinese Yuan and transferred them to his personal account in China, all without informing or gaining approval from the board,” a staff of NB Ceramic Limited, who craved anonymity, said.

The staff further noted that “Mr Liu collaborated with a member of his criminal group to establish a shell company named Wetech Industry Limited. In this arrangement, Liu and Lu Hao, represented by Bello Musa as a front, held 45% and 55% of the shell company’s shares, respectively. “Custom Clearance and Inland Transportation for the Second Lot of AKK Project” with BRENTEX CPP Ltd.

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Hon. Bichi Sponsors 200 Postgraduate Scholarships in Constituency

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The Kabir Abubakar Bichi Foundation led by Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, the member of the House of Representatives for Bichi Federal Constituency from Kano State and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, has sponsored 200 constituents for postgraduate studies in various Nigerian universities.

The secretary General of the Foundation Zahraddeen Bello stated this to newsmen in Kano

He said among the beneficiaries of the scholarship program are 37 PhD candidates and 163 students pursuing master’s degrees.

According to him ,the lawmaker has allocated over N46 million (N46,171,792.50) to fund the scholarships. His sponsorship initiative also includes providing support for students from Bichi Local Government Area studying in various Nigerian universities. Additionally, he sponsors all science and technical boarding students from Bichi and the distribution of educational and instructional materials to all SS 1 students of the constituency.

The distribution of beneficiaries spans several institutions, including:

1.Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU) – 3

2.Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – 19

3.Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil – 26

4.Al-Qalam University, Katsina – 3

5.Bayero University, Kano – 95

6.Federal University Dutse, Jigawa – 3

7.Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina – 22

8.Federal University of Technology, Minna – 5

9.Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola – 3

10National Open University of Nigeria – 1

11.Sa’adu Zungur State University, Gadau – 1

12.Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina – 2

13.University of Benin – 1

14.University of Ibadan – 1

15.University of Jos – 1

16.Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto – 1

17.Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano – 13

He pointed out that the initiative is part of Honourable Bichi’s broader commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in his constituency.

Accordingly ,the distribution of the postgraduate scholarship by Rep. Bichi through his foundation is a yearly gesture since his election as member of the House of representatives in 2019 and 2023 respectively .

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Nigerian Youth Movement Mulls Over Strategy to Capture Power from Establishment

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A Nigerian youth movement is considering strategies to wrestle political power from the nation’s establishment in a bid to reposition the country, according to human rights lawyer Barrister Abba Hikima.

Hikima, in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Tracker, revealed that the movement aims to address the challenges facing Nigeria by reorganizing the country’s political structure. “The youth movement is borne out of the present situation; there is a need to reorganize Nigeria,” Hikima said. “The youth are at the receiving end, and we want to come up with a political solution, either by contesting or by presenting good people to contest.”

He emphasized the importance of youth participation in Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that they constitute the largest demographic. “Youth are the highest in number. Repositioning Nigeria is a must, and since democracy is a game of numbers, let the youth start,” Hikima stated.

Highlighting the dissatisfaction with current leadership, Hikima urged the youth to take action if they believe those in power are not governing effectively. “If we say somebody is not doing the right thing, let’s use our numbers,” he added, suggesting that the movement could establish its own political party or align with an existing one. The goal, according to Hikima, is to “retire the present tyrannical leaders.”

Barrister Abba Hikima

Barrister Abba Hikima

The lawyer disclosed that the movement has its origins in Northern Nigeria but plans to expand across the federation in the near future. “The idea started from the North, but in the near future, the movement will spread all over the federation,” he concluded.

The group has yet to formalize its structure but has already sparked interest among Nigerian youth who are eager to see a shift in the country’s political landscape.

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KANSIEC Praises Police Efforts in Safeguarding Democracy

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Prof Sani Lawal Malumfashi KANSIEC Chairman

The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has described the Nigeria Police Force as a crucial institution in any political dispensation. Prof. Sani Lawal Manumfashi emphasized that as custodians of law and order, the police also play a key role in safeguarding democracy.

The Chairman made this statement during a visit to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 1, Ari Mahd Ali, at his office on Tuesday.

Professor Manumfashi noted that the police are key players in providing security, protecting the electoral process, and maintaining law and order in society during and after elections. He stressed that this vital role makes the police force the true guardians of democracy, as their presence is essential in every electoral process.

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He further added that with Kano being the most populous state in the country, having 44 local government areas, 484 wards, and 11,222 polling units, the need for police service in the state is paramount.

In his remarks, AIG Ali assured that his command is fully prepared to provide maximum support and cooperation to ensure the success of the upcoming local government elections in the state. He also mentioned that his phone line is available 24 hours, and the commission can reach him whenever necessary. AIG Ali commended the Commission Chairman for demonstrating his academic expertise by providing essential information about Kano during his brief speech.

In a statement signed by Director public enlightenment of the commission Bashir Habib Yahaya said the visit included the presentation of election guidelines and the 2024 election calendar to the AIG by the Chairman of the Commission.

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