Lagos scholars hail Abbey Wilson's book This Is LAGOS Our Legacy

Emeka Ibemere

The enlightening book, This Is LAGOS Our Legacy, authored by Princess Architect Abbey Wilson has received accolades from many people.

The book, according to Wilson, was written to equip pupils, students, Lagosians and non Lagosians with vital information about the Centre of Excellence, Lagos State.

This was corroborated by many people who witnessed the public presentation of the book held recently in Lagos. They attested that the 172-page book contains historical information about Lagos.

In her speech, Former First Lady of Lagos State, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of the book, Dame Abimbola Fashola, eulogised Princess Wilson for writing the book.

According to the reviewer of 'This Is LAGOS Our Legacy, Mr. Lanre Oyeleye, a research consultant, the book which has great historical values traces the origin of Lagos from positive progenitor, Ogunfunmire, Olofin and Idejos periods, the British influence, the slave trade era with the Saros and Amaros settling in Lagos, to the Colonial era and finally, the present period.

"The book not only gives detailed information about the evolution of the new settlement, but also discusses the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos today. It looks at the political and socio-economic setups of the State and the achievement of the immediate past Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). The book also talks about the Lagos of the future, with a particular reference to Eko Atlantic City. It lists some of the historical places in the State that would provide amazing insight into the historical and cultural evolution of native Lagosians," he explained.

In a nutshell, Oyeleye described the book as 'truly contemporary work of art'.

In the same vein, a retired Director, Lagos State, Mrs. C. I. Shogbamu, while praising the book said Wilson has eyes for details. "She will make sure whatever she is doing is properly done."

Shogbamu advised guests to emulate Wilson and go into fields that are different from what they studied in schools.

A renowned sculptor, Mr. Idowu Sonaya, said he was glad to have participated in the printing of the book.

A member of a charity organisation, Legacy, described the book as a  treasure and legacy too.

"The title of the book is sentimental to the group."

The author in her remarks revealed why she wrote the book by saying: "I have a sense of history and I noticed that not much is being done to take care of our historical aspect. Moreover, I wanted to know my root because my ancestors were sold out in slavery to Brazil and other parts of the world. Some came on the back of missionaries, some came back to Lagos and settled down.

"I wanted to find out what makes Lagos thick and the people that make up Lagos."

Wilson holds Master's of Art in Architecture and Planning. She is a practising architecture who has flair for creative writing. The talented writer has authored many books including: Pride of Africa - A Collection of Poems and African Proverbs; Beauty More Than Skin Deep; Nuggets of Wisdom for Success; Amazing Household Cleaning Techniques at Your Fingertips; Irresistible Quotes on Women, Love and Life; and Mind Your Manners!

Her hobbies are art promotion, photography, dressmaking and decorative pottery. She is also a social commentator.

“Stop Using My Name to Extort People”- Magu Warns

It has come to the knowledge of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that some persons have been dropping the name of its Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and claiming that they have his permission to ask for payments to secure the release of suspects under investigation by the Commission. Some unsuspecting members of the public have fallen victim of this scam and made huge payments to this syndicate.

The Commission warns the public to be wary of the activities of these fraudulent individuals who have no relationship whatsoever with Mr. Magu and the EFCC. “I have not mandated anybody to collect money on my behalf from any person or organisation. It is not in my character to do so otherwise I will not be in this office. I am contented with what I am paid at the end of the month”, Magu said.

He called on members of the public, especially relatives and friends of persons under investigation by the Commission to quickly report any person who approaches them with a proposal to collect bribe on his behalf for the release of their loved ones, to the Commission. “Anyone caught trying to tarnish my hard earned reputation and integrity must be prepared to face the music. I have accounts in three banks and, on no account should anybody make lodgement into any of my accounts without my knowledge”, the EFCC boss warned.

In recent weeks, there has been an upsurge in the activities of scammers who parade themselves as having links with leadership of the Commission and the capability to release suspects. Some of the scam calls sent to members of the public across the country, conveyed the Commission’s purported readiness to “play ball, release suspects as long as reasonable settlement is arranged”.

Mr. Magu has promised that the Commission will discharge its duties, “guided solely by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest of our fatherland, Nigeria and the rule of law and not any pecuniary motive”.

The public are advised to report calls from suspected scammers and forward the callers’ numbers to the EFCC via the following: info@efccnigeria.org, theeagle@efccnigeria.org. The Commission could also be reached on the folowing hotlines: 09-9044571, 09-9044572, 09-9044573.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

19^th May, 2016

EFCC Arraigns Man for Currency Counterfeiting

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, May 19, 2016, arraigned one Vatsama Danladi before Justice M. M. Kolo of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja on a 4-count charge bordering on theft, illegal possession and use of specimen naira currency notes.

Danladi, a security guard with Kings Guard Security attached to Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, ran into legal trouble when one of the new generation banks found 299 pieces of N1000 notes marked “specimen” amounting to N299, 000.00 during a process of cash count sometime in January this year.

 

On investigation, the bank discovered that, Danladi deposited the specimen currency notes into his account through ATM deposit machines at Karu and Mararaba branches.

 

Further investigations revealed that, the accused also deposited a yet to be ascertained trenches of the specimen notes into his account in another new generation bank via the bank’s ATM deposit machine at Mararaba branch of the bank.

One of the charges reads:

That you, Vatsama Danladi ‘M’ on or about January 2016 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Honourable court committed theft of property to wit: Specimen N1, 000.00 (One Thousand Naira) notes totaling 488 (four hundred and eighty eight) by taking it out of the possession of the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 286 of the Penal Code”.

When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against him.

 

In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Andrew Akoja urged the court to remand the accused and fix a date for trial.

However, the defence counsel, U. Erhinure, through an oral application prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail adding that, the accused had been on administrative bail and had always make himself available whenever he was called upon by the EFCC.

Justice Kolo granted the accused bail in the sum of N2million (two million naira) with one surety in like sum. The surety must have landed property within the FCT.

 

The case has been adjourned to June 20, 2016 for hearing.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

19^th May, 2016

EFCC Docks Ex-Fire ACG, Olatunji for Employment Scam

EFCC Press Release

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, on Thursday, May 19, 2016 arraigned one, Dada Olatunji, a former Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Fire Service for offences bordering on employment scam before before Justice M. M. Kolo of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

Dada’s  arrest and subsequent arraignment followed a petition from two young job seekers - Robert Mathew and Theresa Abah claiming that sometime in December 2014, one Christopher Adaje, Olatunji’s junior collegue met them and promised to get them employed in the Nigerian Fire Service.

Adaje, who works at the Nyanya Fire Service, however, allegedly predicated their employment into the service on their ability to raise a sum of N350,000 (three hundred and fifty thousand naira) each.

Mathew raised his (N350,000) through a loan while Abah managed to raise a sum of N225,000 through her friend. Altogether, a total of N575,000 (five hundred and seventy five thousand naira) was raised by Matthew and Abah which was paid into an account supplied by Adaje in one of the old generation banks.

Months after, Adaje could not deliver on his promise, a situation that prompted the applicants to visit his office where they discovered it was fraud.

The offence is in contravention of Section 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No.14 of 2006.

Particulars of count one of the charge read:

“Dada Olatunji Amos on or about the 19th of December 2014 at Abuja within the Abuja Judicial Division with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N350,000( Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) through the First  Bank Plc account No.3060366147 belonging to one Adaje Christopher from one Robert Mathew under false pretence that the money represnted payment for processing his employment at the Federal Fire Service Abuja and which pretence you knew was false.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to all the counts preffered against him.

In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Andrew Akoja asked the court for a date to commence trial .

However, the defense counsel, Uche Uwazuruike urged the court to grant his client bail adding that, that the alleged offence is bailable.

He stated that the accused had earlier been granted administartive bail by the EFCC and had not breached any of its terms.

Justice Kolo admitted to the accused to bail in the sum bail was N2million with one surety who must be resident in Wuse District of the FCT. The surety’s “Certificate of Occupancy” must be deposited with the court.

The case has been adjourned to June 20,2016  for trial.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

19^th May, 2016

Omatseye, Ex-NIMASA DG Bags Five Years Jail Term

EFCC Press Release

After five years of grueling legal battle, justice is finally served as a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today convicted a former Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Temisan Omatseye.

Justice Rita Ofili- Ajumogobia in a landmark ruling convicted the former DG on 25 of the 27-count charge bordering on alleged contract variation, bid rigging and awarding contract above his approval limit which violates the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

 Omatseye was first docked by the anti graft agency in February 2011 before Justice Binta Nyako and later re-arraigned on an amended 27-count charge before Justice Rita Ofili - Ajimogobia in January 2013 after Justice Nyako was transferred out of the Lagos division of the court.

Some of the charges against Omatseye read:

“That you Temisan Omatseye whilst carrying out your duty as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on the 16th Day of February, 2010, split tenders for, and approved, three contract awards to Wabil Nigeria Limited, to wit: Contract Nos: (a) NIMASA90127/02/2010 (b) NIMASA90137/02/2010 (c) NIMASA90139/02/2010 for supply office accessories, to enable you evade your official limit of monetary thresh hold of contract approval, and thereby contravening the provision of Section 58(4)(d) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58(5)(a)(b) of the same Act.

“That you Temisan Omatseye whilst carrying out your duty as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) on the 29th day of January, 2010, split tenders for, and approved, two contract awards to Franxeel Limited wit: Contract Nos: (a) NIMASA90084/01/2010 (b) NIMASA90085/01/2010 for supply of computer accessories, to enable you evade your official limit of monetary thresh hold of contract approval, and thereby contravening the provision of Section 58(4)(d) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58(5)(a)(b) of the same Act”.

He had pleaded not guilty, paving the way for trial to commence. In the course of trail both the prosecution and the defendant called several witnesses.

On March 14, 2016 the parties adopted their final addresses.
The defence counsel, Edoka Onyeke had urged the court to dismiss the case against the former NIMASA boss on the grounds that, the prosecution has not been able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. But prosecuting counsel, Godwin Obla, SAN expressed confidence that the 27-count charge against the defendant has been proved beyond all reasonable doubt and prayed the court to find the defendant guilty as charged.

According to Obla, 25-counts of the charges preferred against Omatseye dwelt on the approval of contract above the threshold level and the other two counts dealt with bid rigging.  He also said that, contrary to existing regulations, contract was awarded to a company that was the highest bidder and which was not even pre-qualified for the contract.
After listening to all the submissions, Ajumogobia adjourned the matter till May 9, 2016 for judgment.

However judgment was deferred on May 9, following the transfer of the trial judge to the Illorin division of the court. Consequently a new date of May 20 was fixed for judgment.

Before delivering her judgment today, Justice Ajumogobia reviewed the trial and came to the conclusion that the prosecution successfully proved 25 of the 27 counts brought against Omatseye. She therefore found him guilty as charged. Before pronouncing the sentence, the defence counsel, Onyeke urged the judge to tamper justice with mercy. Justice Ajumogobia then sentenced Omatseye to five years imprisonment on each of the counts.

She added that the sentences were to run concurrently.

The court also ordered that Omatseye should be dismissed from the Public Service.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

20^th May, 2016

Rickey Tarfa: Court Says ‘No’ to Stay of Proceeding

Justice A. A. Akintoye of Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere,today  ruled out the prospect of entertaining any application of stay of proceedings in the ongoing trial of Rickey Tarfa, SAN judgment is delivered.

At the resumed hearing on May 20, counsel to Tarfa, Abiodun J. Owonikoko (SAN) had  raised a motion for stay of proceedings based on an earlier judgment over right of jurisdiction and dismissal of  the charge against the defendant which the court over – ruled. The defence wants the court to stay proceeding pending the hearing and determination of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.

However, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to dismiss their application and allow him call his witnesses who were in court. The prayer was granted by the court.

Oyedepo then called  Oliver Enwerem, a staff of Access Bank PLC, who told the court that EFCC wrote a letter to his Bank requesting the statement of account of Rickey Tarfa and Awa Ajah Enterprises Limited. He told the court that the signatory to this account was one H. A. Nganjiwa and it was a Company Account.

He also narrated to the court how the transaction involving Ricky Tarfa occurred in that account.

"On 27th October, 2015, a cash deposit of N1.5 million was made into that account by Rickey Tarfa. On 30 November, 2015, a transfer of N980,000 in favor of one Garba Mohammed, another transfer of N200,000  to Awa and N35,000 in favor of one Mary. There was another cash deposit of N200, 000 on that day by Tarfa.

“On 15 December, 2015, there was a cash deposit of N500, 000 and a transfer of N500, 000 by Tarfa. Also, on 30th December, 2015, a cash deposit of N500,000  was made by the accused, while yet another cash deposit of N500,000 was made by him on 8th January, 2016”.

Justice A. A. Akintoye adjourned the matter till 27 May for continuation of trial and cross examination by defence.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned Rickey Tarfa (SAN) on 9^th  March, 2016  on a 27-count charge bordering on alleged willful obstruction of authorized officers of EFCC, refusal to declare assets, making false information and offering gratification to a public official

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

20^th May, 2016

I Collected N1.3 billion from Badeh for Projects, Witness Tells Court

EFCC Press Release

The trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, continued on May 23, 2016 before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, with a prosecution witness, Mustapha Yerima, telling the court that Badeh paid him N1.3billion to construct a building at Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Yerima, the Managing Director of Ryte Builders Nigeria Limited, testifying as the fourth prosecution witness, was led in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN.

He informed the court that apart from building the edifice, he also helped purchase the land from one Tony through Kassagrove Ltd with N650 million.

He told the court that Air Commodore Salisu Abdullahi Yushua asked “my company to negotiate on a land at Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, owned by one Fayose Ayodele who then sold to one Tony”.

“We met with Tony who directed us to Kassagrove Ltd and after deliberations named their price in the sum of N650m but to be paid in dollar equivalent,” he said.

According to him, “After purchasing the land, I asked Yushua in whose name the project would be executed and he responded that it should be executed in the name of our company Ryte Builders Nig Ltd, which will later be transferred to another company’s name after he had discussed with his boss.”

He explained further that: “We gave him an estimate of N1.3billion, but Yushua complained that it was on the high side and we later gave him estimate of  N1.2 billion.”

Giving details of the transactions, Yerima noted that: “We told him to prepare a milestone payment. The first stage was N480 million, which he paid the dollar equivalent, after which construction started."

He further stated that Yushua called a meeting, where he informed them that payment will come from the Nigeria Air Force, after which he was introduced to the new Camp Financial Officer, Group Captain M. L. Simi.

Testifying further, he said, “We were later paid N860m-N880m and when we were about to exhaust the money paid at that time, we realized that there were a couple of things not part of the bill, we raised the alarm and informed Yushua. 

"We then met with Badeh at Defence House and explained to him that two main lift and one service lift was omitted which amounts to N97 million for the three lifts. 

"We further gave him an additional bill for flunctuation of price and other dues in the sum of N54 million."

Justice Abang has adjourned to May 24, 2016 for continuation of trial.

 

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

23^rd May, 2016