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Presidential Probe Panel Reopens Ex-IGP Tafa Balogun’s 2005 Corruption Case, Seized Houses

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The Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel, which is probing the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has re-opened the case of a former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, who was convicted in 2005 on eight charges of corruption.

The panel, it was learnt, had invited a former Assistant General Manager and Head of the Abuja branch of the defunct Fountain Trust Bank, Mr Francis Ajala, who was declared wanted by the EFCC for being Tafa’s accomplice.

The statement declaring Ajala wanted which was signed by the then spokesman for the EFCC, Osita Nwaja, read in part, “Name: Francis Olugbenga Ajala; Age: 43; State of origin: Ilesha, Osun State; Last Known Address: Fountain Trust Bank. He was until recently an Assistant General manager and Head of Abuja branch of Fountain Trust Bank, Nigeria

“He is wanted for questioning over allegations of conspiracy, stealing, official corruption and money laundering. A monetary reward awaits whoever gives any useful information that leads to his arrest.”

A top source at the panel told The PUNCH that Ajala claimed that some of the properties seized by the EFCC and labelled as belonging to Tafa actually belonged to him.

He said, “The panel invited Ajala, who was declared wanted by the EFCC in 2008 and has not yet been cleared of all allegations. Ajala said some properties in Ikoyi and Victoria Island which were seized from Tafa actually belong to him.”

It was learnt that the Salami-led panel had opened investigations into some cases handled by Magu dating back to 2004.

Magu, it was learnt, played an active role in the probe of Tafa and seizure of assets when he was in the Economic Governance Unit of the commission.

Among the houses that were seized from Tafa was a block of six (no.) three-bedroom flats located at No. 9, Olusegun Aina Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos State; five-bedroom detached house plus boys quarters at Plot J54B, Victoria Garden City, Ajah, Lagos and a six-bedroom detached house + clubhouse + guest chalet + boys quarters situated at No. 12, Ikoyi Crescent, Lagos.

Others were a five-bedroom detached house at Plot Z220, Suez Crescent, Wuse Zone 4 (Sani Abacha Estate), Abuja; eight (no.) five-bedroom flats at Plot 110, Tunis Street, Zone 6, Abuja and two (no.) five-bedroom detached house at Plot 1471, Justice Mamman Nasir Street, Asokoro, Abuja, among others.

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Court Remands Yahaya Bello In EFCC Custody Amid Alleged N110bn Fraud Case

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has remanded Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello was arraigned on a 16-count charge related to alleged money laundering on Wednesday.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

 

More to come…

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BIG STORY

First Phase Of 10,800-Bed Hostel In LASU Ready — Tokunbo Wahab

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The first phase of a 10,800-bed hostel project at the Lagos State University (LASU) is now ready for inauguration, according to Tokunbo Wahab, former special adviser to the governor on education.

Wahab, who is now commissioner for environment and water resources in Lagos, describes the project as ambitious and transformative.

“ It remains one of the most ambitious and transformative projects undertaken during my time as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education,” he wrote on X.

“It was executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement which involves seven reputable investors.”

Wahab commended Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, for his leadership and continuous support.

“Proud of the work done here and to have been a part of this special one,” he added.

“Through the grace of God and the unwavering support and the dedication of the Lagos State Office of Public-Private Partnerships, the relentless efforts of the management staff of LASU, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, and the cooperation of other key stakeholders, the first phase of this landmark project has now been completed.”

Wahab emphasized that the project showcases the state government’s commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships to address critical infrastructure needs in the education sector.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty In Alleged N110bn Fraud Case

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Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his alleged involvement in a N110 billion fraud.

Bello was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

The former Kogi governor had been declared wanted by the EFCC in April 2024.

 

More to come…

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