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$1bn Govt Funds Hidden In Unity Bank: Whistle-blower Writes Buhari Over Unpaid Reward, Accuses Justice Minister Malami

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The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has been accused by a whistleblower, John Okupurhe, of refusing to pay him to reward after exposing over $1billion government money hidden in Unity Bank Plc.

Consequently, Okupurhe has reported Mr. Malami to President Muhammadu Buhari, via a letter written by his lawyer, Aliyu Lemu, dated June 22, 2020, The PUNCH reports.

According to the whistleblower, the account was secretly being operated by the Nigerian Ports Authority to illegally collect revenue from vessels.

He said upon discovery, he informed the Office of the AGF in line with the whistleblower policy of the secret account, and an agreement was signed.

The agreement stated that Okpurhe would be entitled to a reward if the information provided turned out credible.

The whistleblower said after playing his own part, the AGF’s office began to play games.

The letter read in part, “Pursuant to the whistleblower policy of the Federal Government, our client approached the Office of the AGF with confidential information in respect of hidden public funds concealed within a commercial bank in Lagos contrary to the Treasury Single Account policy which requires all public revenue or funds to be domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“Our client presented the Office of the AGF with qualifying information on a cloned account with the Nigerian Ports Authority which was being used to illegally collect revenue from vessels by the signatories who are no longer in the service of the NPA.

“Upon establishing that our client’s information qualified under the whistleblower policy, the Office of the AGF signed a whistleblower agreement with our client through his appointed counsel – Mamman, Maiyaki & CO.

“The information provided by our client eventually led to the exposure of the hidden/concealed funds in Unity Bank Plc to the tune of $1, 034, 515, 000 (One billion, thirty-four million, five hundred and fifteen thousand dollars only).”

The whistleblower said the Office of the AGF had been making flimsy excuses as to why the reward was not paid.

He said the Head of Asset Management and Recovery Unit, Mrs. Ladidi Mohammed, informed him that the matter was in court and the plans had changed.

Okuprhe said when asked who filed the suit, she (Mohammed) could not come up with the answer. Also, she could not disclose which court the matter was pending.

He added, “On the next day, one Ms. Bunmi who deputizes for Mrs. Mohammed, called our client and asked him to come alone without a lawyer. Upon arrival, she informed our client that there was no pending matter in court on the account.”

The whistleblower said he was told that because the money involved was huge, the Office of the AGF recommended a private firm with which he should enter into a contract to help him get the funds.

The whistleblower said upon the insistence of the AGF’s office, he was made to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the company to forfeit 60 percent of his reward.

He said in a dramatic twist, his lawyer was attacked by armed policemen in his office who robbed him and made away with the original copy of the agreement signed with the AGF.

Okpurhe called on the President to quickly intervene as failure to pay him could compromise the whistleblower policy and affect public trust in the government.

The AGF’s Spokesman, Umar Gwandu, did not respond to calls on Saturday.

However, a top source at the AGF’s office said the matter was being investigated by the Department of State Services.

She said, “The AGF has ordered that the case be investigated by the DSS so we cannot speak on the matter for now. The truth is that the whistleblower’s information was not accurate. He is just going about trying to intimidate us.”

BIG STORY

BREAKING: Remains Of Late President Buhari Arrives In Katsina [VIDEO]

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The body of former President Muhammadu Buhari has reached Katsina State for his official burial ceremony.

Contrary to the initially scheduled arrival time, the former president’s remains landed at exactly 1:59 pm, shortly after President Bola Tinubu arrived.

The aircraft carrying Buhari’s remains landed at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, where President Tinubu was expected to receive it before it would be transported to Daura for the burial.

Members of Buhari’s family also arrived at the airport, including the visibly emotional former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, who was seen among the crowd.

Aisha Buhari and her children, all dressed in black, were accompanied by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

Contrary to earlier reports suggesting the body would be flown in as cargo, Buhari’s remains arrived aboard the presidential jet, which also carried his family and a delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

Amaechi Wears Turban To Buhari’s Burial In Daura

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Rotimi Amaechi, who previously served as the minister of transportation, attended the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state, wearing a turban.

Buhari, the former president and head of state, passed away on July 13. His burial took place in his hometown, Daura, amidst national mourning.

Amaechi wore the cultural headgear to the ceremony held in honour of the late leader.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, Buhari’s remains were transported from London to Nigeria aboard the presidential jet.

Why Is Amaechi Wearing A Turban?

Amaechi received the title of Dan Amanar of Daura — which translates to “trusted son of Daura” — on February 5, 2022, as an acknowledgment of his contributions to the transport sector.

At that time, Silas Zwingina, a former deputy majority leader in the Senate, dismissed suggestions that the turbaning had political undertones, instead calling it a cultural show of gratitude by the Daura Emirate.

Zwingina stated that the Daura Emirate traditionally honours those who have made significant contributions to the development of the area.

He said it was unrelated to politics and urged people not to attach unnecessary meanings to the gesture, noting that Amaechi’s completed projects in Daura and across Nigeria stood on their own.

Amaechi’s turban has previously stirred controversy. In 2022, Musa Saidu, a leader of Arewa in the south, asked him to refrain from using the turban during political campaigns.

Saidu said the turban carries strong Islamic significance and should not be used as a political symbol.

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BIG STORY

What Buhari Told Me About President Tinubu After Fuel Subsidy Removal — Katsina Governor Radda

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Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State shared details of his conversations with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari following his retirement, including a discussion on President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove petrol subsidy at the start of his administration.

While addressing reporters at the late president’s burial in Daura, Radda recounted his interactions with Buhari after he left office in 2023. He described gaining insights from Buhari’s leadership and patriotic values during this period.

He said that once Buhari returned to Daura after completing his term in 2023, they were able to engage more frequently, which allowed him to benefit from the former president’s wisdom and humor.

Radda mentioned that their conversations often focused on the challenges facing Nigerians and national service.

He shared that Buhari once told him, Your Excellency, go and do your best and be honest as a leader. You cannot satisfy Nigerians; only God can do that. He added that Buhari often spoke about the burdens he faced in office but felt relieved after retirement.

According to Radda, Buhari also said, I pity Bola (President Tinubu) for what he is doing. He is a brave man for removing the fuel subsidy. When I was president, whenever I made an attempt to remove the subsidy, a lot of people would give me too many reasons not to do so. But Bola did it immediately. If he had consulted people, he could not have removed the fuel subsidy now.

Radda emphasized that this was one of the conversations with Buhari that will stay with him. He said Buhari’s passing has left a significant void in Katsina State that will be difficult to fill.

President Tinubu ended the petrol subsidy on 29 May 2023, the day he assumed office after Buhari. He said the move was necessary to support economic growth and advance national progress.

He also stated that the Nigerian economy had long been underperforming due to various structural issues that hindered its development.

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