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$2.4bn Stolen Crude Probe: Reps Invite Finance Minister, SGF, NNPC, Others

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The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Oil Theft is inviting several high-ranking officials in the Federal Government over its investigation into the alleged loss of over $2.4 billion in revenue from the illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export in 2015.

Some of the officials invited on Tuesday to answer questions are the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed; and the Secretary General of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Channels Television reports.

Also summoned are the acting Accountant General of the Federation, Sylva Okolieaboh; and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), among others.

The committee is also concerned about the disparity in figures from crude oil sales from 2011 to 2014 and is accusing the minister of finance of approving payments to whistle-blowers in variance with the whistle-blower policy.

The ad hoc House committee is investigating a whistle-blower’s allegation of illegal sale of 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s bonny light crude in China in 2015, valued at $2.4 billion.

The committee, in February, had accused the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami as well as Interpol, on what it described as interference in the committee’s investigation.

The committee questioned why a whistle-blower would be invited by Interpol on the request of the Ministry of Justice just after the commencement of the investigation of the House.

However, the Head of the National Central Bureau of Interpol Nigeria, Garba Umar, said the Bureau only acted on the request of the AGF.

The Chairman, House Ad hoc Committee on Oil Theft, Mark Gbillah said, “There is a group called Advocacy for Good Governance and Free Nigeria.

“That is the so-called Civil Society Organisation that wrote to the Attorney General claiming there was this international gang of blackmailers trying to blackmail senior officials of the government.

“How come the Attorney General responded to allegations by a faceless body? That means the Attorney General himself did not ascertain the veracity of any organisation.”

The Committee, dissatisfied with the submission of Interpol, accused the AGF of interfering with the investigation of the House.

The Committee feared the safety of the whistleblower and insisted that the Ministry of Justice should not be making direct requests to Interpol but should go through the police, as Interpol by law is only expected to respond to requests by local law enforcement agencies.

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JUST IN: Prison Officers Involved In Bobrisky Bribery Allegations Will Face Prosecution — Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo

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The Federal Government on Friday assured that all individuals implicated in the alleged bribery case involving crossdresser “Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky,” will be prosecuted.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, “Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,” during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, commemorating his first year in office.

Earlier, the minister had launched a comprehensive investigation into accusations of bribery and corruption within the “Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).”

This came after reports emerged that “Bobrisky,” who had been sentenced to prison earlier in the year, had not served his sentence within the correctional facility.

As the investigation progressed, the Nigerian Government, through the “Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board,” suspended several senior prison service officers on Thursday, “September 26, 2024.”

The officers suspended include “Michael Anugwa,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) responsible for the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; “Sikiru Adekunle,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) overseeing the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kiri-kiri, Lagos State; and “ASC II Ogbule Samuel Obinna,” stationed at the MSCC in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, who was accused of escorting a convicted inmate outside the facility.

Another officer, “Iloafonsi Kevin Ikechukwu,” Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) managing the MSCC in Kuje, Abuja, was suspended for allegedly accepting payments on behalf of an inmate.

In addressing the unfolding bribery and corruption scandal, “Dr. Tunji-Ojo” called on Nigerians to remain patient during the investigation, assuring the public that all involved would be held accountable.

“We will not spare anyone, regardless of their status. The investigation is ongoing, but rest assured that no one will be shielded or protected,” the minister asserted.

He further clarified that the investigation went beyond the allegations linked to “Bobrisky,” noting that of the four suspended officers, only two were connected to the “Bobrisky” case. “This process will continue; it doesn’t end here,” he added.

“Dr. Tunji-Ojo” expressed his trust in the integrity of the committee members leading the investigation, encouraging the public to have confidence in their work.

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UPDATE: US Company Costco Denies Selling Baby Oil To Diddy

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American wholesale corporation, Costco, has denied selling “baby oil” to disgraced rapper and music executive, Sean Combs, aka Diddy.

The federal officers seized supplies that they say were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs,” including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” during the raiding of Diddy’s Beverly Hills mansion in March.

In a new TMZ Studios documentary, ‘The Downfall of Diddy: The Indictment’, the rapper’s lawyer, Marc Agnifilo suggested he had 1,000 bottles of “baby oil” because he buys them in bulk from Costco.

Reacting to Diddy’s lawyer’s claim, Costco said they don’t sell “baby oil.”

“None of the company’s US locations carry ‘baby oil,'” Costco told TMZ.

Diddy was recently arrested by Homeland Security on suspicion of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution.

Diddy has denied all the charges, entering a not-guilty plea on Tuesday, 17 September.

However, the Bad Boy Records’ boss’ bail request was rejected twice.

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Naomi Campbell Gets 5-Yr Ban From Being Charity Trustee In UK For “Using Funds On Spa Treatment”

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Naomi Campbell, the British supermodel, has been banned from serving as a charity trustee in England and Wales for five years.

The UK Charity Commission found that her charity, Fashion for Relief, was “poorly governed and managed financially” by its trustees.

The investigation, conducted from April 2016 to July 2022, revealed that only 8.5% of the funds raised were spent on charitable grants.

Additionally, charity funds were reportedly used for Campbell’s stays in luxurious hotels, spa treatments, and cigarettes.

Campbell responded to the findings in an interview, expressing her concern and claiming she was not aware of these expenses, as she had entrusted the charity’s management to a legal employer. She said, “I was not in control of my charity.”

Veronica Chou and Bianca Hellmich, other trustees, were also sanctioned.

Hellmich was banned for nine years for receiving unauthorized funds, while Chou was banned for four years.

Tim Hopkins, part of the investigation team, stated that Campbell and the other trustees had failed in their legal duties.

Approximately £344,000 has been recovered, and an additional £98,000 of charitable funds has been protected.

The recovered funds were used to make donations to other charities and settle liabilities.

Campbell founded Fashion for Relief in 2005 with the aim of relieving poverty.

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