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BREAKING: Fayemi Breaks Silence On EFCC Probe Over Alleged N4bn Fraud

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The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has refuted the claim that he is under probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N4bn fraud.

Fayemi, in a statement on Friday by the Head of the Fayemi Media Office, Abuja, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said during his visit to the EFCC, “no such allegation was raised during his conversation” with anti-graft agency officials.

The statement, however, noted that all Fayemi did during the conversation with the officials of the EFCC in Ilorin, Kwara State, was responding to a frivolous petition from a group that was trying to soil his good name and image.

The statement read, “We would like to address the concerns surrounding the invitation and subsequent visit of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, to the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“Last month, Dr. Fayemi received an invitation from the Ilorin office of the EFCC regarding a money laundering petition against him. It was during the height of the preparations for the change of government, with many activities and programs lined up as part of the event.

“A key member of the APC, Dr Fayemi was already committed to playing important roles at these events and his non-appearance would have impacted them significantly. Understanding the significance of his commitments at that time, Dr. Fayemi duly notified the EFCC of his willingness to cooperate but requested a more suitable date for his appearance.”

The statement said, Fayemi, on Thursday, accompanied by his counsel, visited the EFCC office in Ilorin, and engaged in fruitful discussions with the investigators before being allowed to depart after a few hours.

It added, “We firmly believe that Dr. Fayemi’s visit has provided answers to the agency’s inquiries regarding the petition. However, should there be a need for further clarification, Dr. Fayemi stands ready to cooperate fully.

“We wish to note, too, that contrary to the news that made the rounds about a purported N4b fraud case against Dr. Fayemi, no such allegation was raised in his conversation with the EFCC.

“All he did was respond to a frivolous petition from a faceless group, the so-called Ekiti Patriotic Coalition, which we strongly believed is a front for some anti-Fayemi politicians, who are trying to soil the former governor’s good name and image.”

The statement said throughout Fayemi’s tenure, he served the people of Ekiti State with utmost dedication and was renowned for his moral leadership.

“As governor, he consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to the welfare of the citizens, driving notable advancements in infrastructure development and attracting valuable investment opportunities to the state.

“We affirm that Dr. Fayemi will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity that he’s known for, and we trust that the truth will prevail in due course,” the statement said.

BIG STORY

BREAKING: Ibrahim Shatta Loses Son Few Days After Peju Ogunmola Lost Only Son

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Popular Yoruba actor and filmmaker, Ibrahim Chatta, has announced the death of his son.

The actor broke the news on his Instagram page on Saturday, expressing grief and submitting to the will of God.

“Inna liLlahi wa inna ileyhi rajiun. Ya Allah, You are the Knower of all things. Rest on Dear Son, Champ,” he wrote.

Chatta’s loss comes only days after fellow actress Peju Ogunmola also lost her only son with veteran actor Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as Papi Luwe.

The twin tragedies have thrown Nollywood into mourning, with condolences pouring in from colleagues and fans of both families.

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BIG STORY

Ignore Sujimoto’s Crocodile Tears, He Scammed Us N5.7bn And We’re Recovering Every Penny — Enugu Government

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  • all projects never left foundation stage

 

The Enugu State government has accused the CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, of defrauding the state of nearly N6bn, noting that Ogundele vanished into thin air after he was paid the said sum for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools in different parts of the state.

The government also accused Ogundele of premeditated fraud, explaining that while he presented a bond issued by Jaiz Bank to secure the contract, he used the company’s Zenith Bank account registered with the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to receive the said payment, making it impossible for the state to hold Jaiz Bank liable.

The statement said, “For the avoidance of doubt, on July 2, 2024, the Enugu State Government awarded a contract in the sum of N11,457,930,950.52 to Sujimoto Luxury Construction Ltd for the construction of 22 Smart Schools (buildings only) in six months starting from the date of the acceptance of the award.

“The Enugu State Government paid the sum of N5,762,565,475.25, representing 50 per cent of the contract sum, in order to fast-track the projects at all the sites.

“Rather than play to the rules of the contract to deliver quality projects for furnishing and equipping ahead of September 2025 school resumption, in line with the priority placed on the Smart Green Schools initiative by the government, Mr. Ogundele resorted to shoddy jobs and the use of inexperienced workers and quack engineers. None of his sites met the structural integrity of the projects as specified in the structural drawing.

“Worse still, he vanished into thin air with the money. All efforts made by the government to get him to a roundtable to discuss the quality and progress of work proved abortive. He equally refused to attend the periodic projects briefing organised by the state government for all contractors or take numerous calls and messages put across to him. In fact, he practically abandoned the sites, leaving the Enugu State Government with no other choice than to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover the funds paid to him.

“A joint team of officers of the Enugu State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and the EFCC visited the 22 sites to evaluate the progress of work on May 8 and 9, 2025, where it was clearly established that there had been minimal to no significant work done at the said sites one year after the contract award. In some cases, he fraudulently did not do excavation for all the blocks in site.

“It is also on record that he has not shown up at the sites or made himself available to either the state government or the law enforcement agencies even after those site visits.

“It is also pertinent to state that it was discovered in the course of investigation that whereas he presented a bond from Jaiz Bank, he used Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited’s Zenith Bank account number 1312731196 to receive the said payment and draw down the fund without deploying it to the projects. This clearly shows a premeditated intent to defraud the state ab initio.

“The government has since retaken and handed over the sites to new firms, who has no choice than to start the construction afresh. Tremendous progress has been made to keep the determination of the Mbah Administration to migrate Enugu children to Smart Green Schools by September on track.

“Nigerians should therefore disregard his theatrics and crocodile tears, as Enugu State Government is determined to and will surely recover every penny of Ndi Enugu fraudulently obtained by Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele (Sujimoto).”

The Enugu State Government’s statement was accompanied with pictures of the project sites as abandoned by Sujimoto, which were taken by the joint team of officials of the state and operatives of the EFCC during the May 8 and 9 site visits. The pictures clearly showed that the project sites were mostly at the levels of foundation and DPC, with a few at the stage of block work.

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BIG STORY

‘Miracle Money’ Gospel Undermining Nigeria’s Development — Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

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Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has cautioned Nigerian churches against promoting messages centred on miracles and prosperity without responsibility, saying such teachings undermine national development.

Osinbajo spoke in Lagos on Thursday at the 80th birthday lecture of Mike Okonkwo, presiding bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM). The 24th edition of the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture was themed “The Nigeria Of Our Dream: Today’s Reality and a Responsible Pathfinder.”

Delivering a lecture titled “Church as a Responsible Pathfinder in Attaining the Nigeria of Our Dreams,” Osinbajo said only values of integrity, productivity, and responsibility can transform the nation and curb corruption.

“If the gospel is preached correctly, it will create renewed, regenerated men and women. We cannot build a nation on the doctrines of miracle money and shortcuts. True gospel preaching instils diligence, honesty, and responsibility. That is what changes societies,” he said.

The former vice-president warned that Africa’s failure to add value to its natural resources has kept it poor despite vast endowments. He cited cocoa production as an example, noting that while Africa grows the raw material, countries without cocoa dominate global profits by processing it into chocolate.

Osinbajo also drew lessons from the Puritans in Europe, who, he said, transformed their societies by emphasising integrity, hard work, and ethical living.

In his remarks, Bishop Okonkwo urged Nigerians to reflect on the country’s progress nearly 65 years after independence, stressing that every citizen has a role in nation-building.

“The Nigeria of our dreams can be realised, but every one of us must play our part. Responsibility cannot be shifted; we all must take it,” he said.

The chairman of the occasion, retired Major-General Ike Nwachukwu, described Nigeria as “a land of immense promise” constrained by poverty amidst plenty. He called for leaders and citizens who would rise above self-interest to pursue the common good.

At the event, Davina Phillips, winner of the Mike Okonkwo Essay Competition, received a cash prize of ₦1 million.

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