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Alleged N33.8bn Fraud: I received more than N22bn from Federal Ministry of Power -BDC Operator

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The trial of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman continued on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC presenting its 8th witness, PW8.

The witness, PW8 Abdullahi Suleman, a bureau de change operator, narrated how more than N22 billion was allegedly siphoned from the Federal Ministry of Power while Mamman was Minister. He said the naira equivalent of the money was exchanged for United States dollars through his business accounts.

Mamman is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-three Kobo).

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Suleiman, while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN narrated that about 12 of his business accounts received money from the Federal Ministry of Power without carrying out any service, contact or project. His companies; Prymint Investment Limited, Strong Field International Projects Limited, Mintedge Nigeria Limited, First Class Construction and Project, Silverline Ocean Ventures, Golden Bond Nigeria Limited, Sipikin Global Enterprise, Spinhiills Biz International limited, Fullest Utility Concepts Limited, Platinum Touch Enterprises, Breathable Investment Limited and a company owned by his brother named Gurupche Business Enterprises were used for the transactions.

“I know Alhaji Maina Goje, we are in the same business, sometimes in 2019, Maina Goje met me that he has transaction that I should give him some of my account numbers, the first account I gave him was Fullest, he will send money and I will give him dollars, he started asking for more accounts, he will tell me what to do with the transactions, I will get the dollar and give him and sometimes I will do a transfer to other accounts. We have been working together since then till 2024. From my rough calculations, the amount I have received through the transactions will be more than 22 billion naira. Also Maina used to send someone called Musbhu anytime he was not available, he would send him and give me instructions on what to do with him, we do call him Yaro Minister because he is from Saleh Mamman”, he said.

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Continuing, “ I also know Mr Mustapha Muhammed, Goje told me that he is his oga, I didn’t know him before until Maina Goje introduced him to me, then I learnt he works with Federal Ministry of Housing and instructed that anytime they can’t reach him, I should give him the amount of dollars he requested”

When shown Exhibit X series, which contained bank statements generated from his companies showing evidence of money inflows into his bank accounts with Strong Field international Projects Limited, Mintedge Nigeria Limited, Prymint Investment Limited, the witness admitted that they were the accounts he gave Maina Goje.

Among some of the notable transactions shown to him on the accounts were; N285,983,285 received on 24th May 2021, N278, 248.611 on 26th May 2021, , N320m on 1st January, 2021, 184m on 18 June, 2021, N178,300,285 on 14th July 2021, , N75,420, 000 on 5th August 2021, N75,120,000 on 1st December 2021, N68,150,620 and N70,650 on 15th December 2021, N90,247,395 on 12th Jan 2022, N64, 747,627 on 16 February 2022, among others and he agreed receiving them.

Earlier, a Compliance Officer from FCMB presented and tendered bank statements and attachments in a reply letter to the EFCC dated August 16, 2024 in respect of Prymint Investments Limited, Platinum Touch Enterprises, Royal Perimeter Ventures, Golden Bond Nigeria Limited, Flex Utility Concepts Limited, Bentech Nigeria Limited admitted and marked Exhibit XTUB.

The judge adjourned the matter to 23 January, 2024 for continuation of hearing.

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Zaura Foundation unveils Digital Entrepreneurship Initiative to Empower 90 youths in Kano

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No fewer than 90 youths across the three senatorial districts of Kano state scaled through the first batch of Digital Entrepreneurship initiative designed to empower younger generation.

The practical capacity training around various value chain of agribusiness, marketing, agro-production and other digital entrepreneur is anchored towards reducing unemployment among teeming youths.

Championed by AA Zaura Foundation, being founded by Kano Central Senatorial Candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abulkarim Abdulsalam Zaura, to promote self reliance among the youths.

Addressing journalists on Friday at the end of the screening, founder of AA Zaura Foundation, Abdulkarim Zaura explained that the digital empowerment was initiated to inspire modern agribusiness and connect Kano youths to innovative method of farming.

Zaura explained that, since the world is moving towards Artificial intelligence AI, Kano as an Agrarian and commercial state deserve to leverage on the emerging technology to develop the youths in order to be self reliant.

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He noted that, the foundation targets over 750 participants who began obtaining training on the digital Entrepreneurship on agriculture, out of which first batch of 90 beneficiaries will undergo two weeks practical training.

Zaura said the initiative being organized in partnership with London Academy Business School and the University of Sunderland brought experts to groom the young hearts in various aspects of agro-digital economy.

“This project is aimed at teaching the student or the beneficiaries the digital entrepreneurship in agriculture. Aimed at teaching them how to be productive, teaching them how to learn to conduct agriculture in a digital way.”

“As they come out from university, some of them are still undergraduate, some are already graduates, some are in higher institutions of learning like Polytechnic. At the moment, the start of this project is very amazing and astonishing, as it is embraced by the teeming youth of Kano State. The project, we intended to empower 50 youth, but we ended up having over 750 people.”

The Chief Executive Officer CEO who is also the lead consultant London Academy Business School Dr. Larry Jones said, Nigeria has the potentials to transform Agriculture in the continent, encouraging the youths to puts more efforts in the digital Entrepreneurship training.

“What we are bringing as the London Academy Business School is many, many years of experience in agricultural projects. In this case, we have come with a message to bring the digital environment of agriculture to your students, and already found them somewhat way down the road already in this space.

Also, the Project Manager and Chief Economist of the Project Mr. Anton Scheepers expressed satisfaction with the zeal and determination of the participants with optimism to succeed.

He said, “what we are bringing as the London Academy Business School is many, many years of experience in agricultural projects. In this case, we have come with a message to bring the digital environment of agriculture to your students, and already found them somewhat way down the road already in this space.

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Workers Day: HoR Minority Caucus commends workers sacrifices, urges FG to address economic challenges, pay living wage

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As workers celebrate globally on May 1st, the House of Representatives Minority Caucus has commended Nigerian workers sacrifices, contributions to development urging the Federal Government to address growing economic challenges and pay living wage.

This was contained in a solidarity message in commemoration of May Day by the Minority Caucus leaders, Rep Kingsley Chinda, Leader, Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C
(Minority Whip) Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki (Deputy Minority Leader)
Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi
(Deputy Minority Whip) saying:

“The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, felicitates with Nigerian workers for its critical roles as a major contributor to national growth and development.

“Today, gives us another opportunity to have sincere reflections, and objective introspection about the state of the nation; and acknowledge that the Nigerian workforce, being the engine room have collectively given its best in the circumstances.

“The Caucus notes with serious concerns the disturbing social, economic, and political situations which are not only fearful, but also stifling the personal development of our people, particularly the workers. From galloping inflation to debilitating hunger, overarching hardship, and corrosive poverty, the Nigerian worker has been the main victims of these and more negative indices.

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“Deeply concerned about the decline of the economy, renewed insecurity, accentuating job losses, and numerous other indices of under-development which is affecting the performances of workers in maximally carrying out their functions as the backbone of government activities.

“The Caucus urges Federal Government to take deliberate actions towards instilling confidence in workers.

Also, there must be pro-active, and intentional decisions by the Federal Government in not just addressing these negative issues but seeking ingenious ways towards improving the remuneration, welfare packages, and other incentives of Nigerian workers who are entitled to living wage and not minimum wage.

“Conscious of the fact that true nationhood is a collective, and continuous task, the Caucus enjoins the Federal Government to relate with the Nigerian Labour Congress, (NLC), Trade Union Congress, (TUC), and other relevant workers associations as major stakeholders in every efforts towards re-building, and re-positioning the country.

“Also, these labour bodies and others; that are umbrella institutions for all Nigerian workers should show commitment, and considerations by collaborating effectively with the Federal Government where and when necessary.

“As a responsive and responsible group, the Caucus is confident that when all stakeholders harness our strengths, Nigeria will progress from being a nation with enormous potential to one that will assume her rightful position among the comity of nations.

“We wish members of the Nigerian Labour a very fruitful celebrations.

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Despite Sacking of Palace Guards, Emir Bayero Attends Qur’anic Graduation in Style

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The 15th Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has attended the Qur’anic Graduation of an Islamic School at Kwalli Quarters of Kano Municipal with a mammoth crowd.

This is the 3rd Qur’anic Graduation of the school which was founded by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi, a kingmaker and Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano Emirate.

Bayero who was accompanied by District Heads and well wishers urged the 72 graduands to imbibe and put the teachings of the Qur’an into practice.

He commended the teachers for their tireless effort in institutionalising learning and good character on the Students.

“Education is the most important thing you can give to your children, Islamic education and knowledge of the Qur’an should be given utmost priority by parents at a time moral decadence in our society is becoming rampant”. He said

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This is coming a day after the sacking of some palace officials on the orders of the state government.

Despite the sacking, politics Digest reports that a large number of youth were seen in a new place guard uniform.

Zakari Uba, told this paper that he volunteered to serve the Emir on his own, out of love and patriotism.

This is the first time Bayero will make an official outing to the Kano city since his dethronement by the Kano State Government.

A source told this paper that the Emir decided to attend the graduation following an order of the court on the maintainance of status quo.

As it stands today, Aminu Bayero is the legitimate Emir of Kano says Sarkin Dawaki Babba Aminu Babba Dan’agundi in an interview with Arise Television.

“The Emir came out and return back home peacefully, nothing like he was booed or stoned. If it is the other one, the story could have been different. Did you see a single thug in Bayero’s entourage? He asked

One of the letters of the sacking was all over the social media where a Senior Clerical Officer of the Kano Emirate Muhammad Gidado Muhammad was fired for no reason.

The letter which was dated 25th March 2025 and signed by Alhaji Abba Yusuf, the Secretary of the Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II led Kano Emirate.

Politics Digest exclusively gathered that it was backdated because the victim received it 2 days ago.

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