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EFCC To Arraign Idris On Friday

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Ahmad Idris

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says Ahmed Idris, the suspended accountant-general of the federation, will be arraigned on Friday.

Idris was arrested in Kano after he allegedly failed to respond to invitations by the commission to answer questions over the allegation of N80 billion fraud.

Two days later, Idris was suspended in definitely “without pay” by Zainab Ahmed, the minister of finance, budget and national planning.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Wilson Uwujaren, spokesman of the agency, Idris is expected to be arraigned alongside “Godfrey Olusegun Akindele and Mohammed Kudu Usman”, while two firms — Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited — are also listed in the charge.

The EFCC said Idris and his co-defendants are indicted on a 14-count charge of stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109.5 billion.

According to one of the charges, the EFCC alleged that Idris received gratification from one Olusegun Akindele, worth N15.1 billion in exchange for “accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine oil-producing states in the federation”.

“That you, Ahmed Idris between February and December 2021 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being a public servant by virtue of your position as the Accountant General of the Federation, accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification in the aggregate sum of N15,136,221,921.46 (Fifteen Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-One Naira and Forty-Six Kobo), which sum was converted to the United States Dollars by the said Olusegun Akindele and which sum did not form part of your lawful remuneration but as a motive for accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine (9) oil producing states in the Federation, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 155 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same section,” the statement reads.

That you, Ahmed Idris, while being the Accountant General of the Federation, and Godfrey Olusegun Akindele while being the Technical Assistant to the Accountant General of the Federation, between February and November 2021, at Abuja, in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in such capacity, entrusted with a certain property, to wit: N84,390,000,000 (Eighty-Four Billion, Three Hundred and Ninety Million Naira) committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you dishonestly received the said sum from the Federal Government of Nigeria through Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, trading under the name and style of Olusegun Akindele & Co., and you thereby committed.”

The EFCC said Idris’ case will be heard before A.O. Adeyemi Ajayi, a justice of a federal high court in Abuja.

(The Cable)

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Mega City: Gov. Yusuf Lays Foundation of 15 Billion Naira Inter Change Bridge in Kano

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Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, State Commissioner of Works and Housing Engr. Marwan Ahmad and Project Manager, CGC Nigeria Limited Mr. Gee Wang during the foundation laying of N15 billion naira three layer inter change bridge at Kofar Dan'agundi in Kano on Dunday 5th May, 2024

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has layed a N15 billion three layer Interchange bridge at Kofar Dan’agundi in Kano metropolis as part of vision to enhance traffic flow in the ancient city.

The governor who visited the project site on Sunday in company of some cabinet members, affirmed his administration’s eyesight to transform the city centre to status of a mega city.

Recall that Governor Yusuf in December, 2023, awarded the multi-billion naira project to CCG Nigeria Limited with completion period of eighteen months. The multiple projects was awarded along side another high impact interchange bridge at Talidu roundabout also in the city centre, to ease traffic congess.

“We have created fordable alternative routes and motorists are expected to comply with rules for safety and allow the project operation to run smoothly”

Gov. Abba Kabir also layed the foundation of a similar project at Tal’udu roundabout worth 12 billion naira which was initially awarded same time with three layer overpass, underpass and surface layer roads.

In a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson Sanusi Bature, Infrastructure development is a critical area of the present administration where Gov. Yusuf allocate more resources apart from the education sector.

While responding after the foundation laying ceremony, The Project Manager CGC Nigeria Limited Mr. Gee Wang and the commissioner of works and housing Engr. Marwan Ahmad said in a saparate addresses that the project will be completed within the time frame.

 

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Dangote Cement Hosts NISS Team At Obajana

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The Plant Director of the Dangote Cement Plc Obajana, Mr. Azad Nawabuddin, has hosted members and students of the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS), Abuja.

The Executive Intelligence Management Course (EMIC) 17 was on study tour of the Cement Plant as part of overall study tour of Kogi State.

Welcoming the team, the Plant Director expressed appreciation to NISS and the study Anchor for deeming it fit to consider visiting the Plant in the spirit and letters of the theme of the study tour “Artificial Intelligence, Security and Emerging Economies in Africa: Challenges and Prospects.”

The Plant Director congratulated the visiting team on being enlisted for the course and wished them a successful exercise.

The team was led to the Plant by the Hon. Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology for Kogi State, Hon. (Dr.) Adeniyi A. Helen. Also in the team was the Programme Lead, Mr. Hyginus Ngele and the team Anchor, Dr. T. O. Fashola.

Earlier, the Programme Lead explained to the Plant Director and his team that the course is aimed at developing a core of security experts with high level of expertise in intelligence and delop their capacity to formulate and implement security policies and strategies to enhance the economic and social development of Nigeria.

He noted that the course has 92 participants with a group visiting the Plant, while others were simultaneously visiting other locations as part of the course learning process.

The students expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the reception accorded them by Management of the Plant.

Areas of discussions include: Energy security and sharing, AI utilization in the Plant operations, environment, capacity building and CSR.

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Journalist Hit by Metal Debris from Ongoing Construction – Kano Govt

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

 

The attention of Kano state government has been drawn to a one sided media report bya section of the media revealing that a journalist, with the state own Television station, attached to Government house was hit by a stray bullet.

The incident, which occurred amidst a flurry of misinformation, sparked widespread concern and speculation regarding the safety of journalists covering events at the government house.

However, the government will like to emphatically say that journalists are not under threat in Kano government house. It is however worthy of note to caution journalists to ensure credible source while reporting any development and avoid unnecessary sensational angle that can mislead the public.

For clarity purpose, Naziru Yau, the reporter of the state television station was not hit by any stray bullet.
Instead, he sustained injuries from the metal debris emanating from an ongoing construction at the Kano State Government House, an area that has been barricaded for caution.

The truth of the incident emerged when medical professionals at the government house clinic disclosed the true nature of Mr. Naziru’s injuries.

The journalist, Mr. Naziru, expressed gratitude for the prompt medical attention he received and thanked well-wishers for their concern during his recovery.

Let me emphasized the need for journalists to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties, especially in environments where construction activities pose potential hazards.

We thereby dispel any rumor that had sparked outrage and call for increased safety measures for journalists covering sensitive events.

We also need to underscores the importance of accurate reporting and thorough investigation in mitigating misinformation and maintaining public trust.

In response to the incident, Sanusi Bature the Director General Press at the Kano State Government House have assured the public of their commitment to ensuring the safety of all individuals within the premises and the state in general.

Additionally, have pledged to review and enhance existing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident, we urge the public to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims and to rely on verified information from credible sources.

 

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