Connect with us


BIG STORY

Lanre Sanusi Under EFCC Radar Over Alleged Multi-Million Naira Fraud

Published

on

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating Mr. Lanre Sanusi, APC’s House of Representatives candidate in the Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Lagos, over alleged fraud.

According to The Witness, (an online news platform) Sanusi was arrested following a petition against him by a logistics company, 4runner Limited.

He was also said to have allegedly diverted COVID-19 materials, hand sanitisers, and face masks worth millions of dollars from Dallas City Government Hospital in the United States with the aid of two of his friends who were truck drivers and in charge of the materials.

Report has it that Sanusi in 2019 was disqualified from being a commissioner by the Lagos State House of Assembly for presenting a fake academic certificate allegedly issued by a university in the United States.

A petition to the anti-graft agency by 4runner Limited had read, “Lanre Sanusi engaged 4runner Limited through Mr. Femi Dada to source for Four(4) shipping containers of 40 feet to load Covid-19 materials such as face masks, hand sanitisers, to ship it from the United States of America to Nigeria. To also, among other things, provide drivers and haulage companies with such container specifications. To load the material from its location in Dallas down to the port where it will be finally shipped to Nigeria and Lanre on the other hand would take charge of the clearing and administrating the offloading in Nigeria.

“All this discussion and service agreement was made electronically through WhatsApp chats and calls (copy of the printout of the WhatsApp chats between Mr, Lanre Sanusi, and Femi Dada is hereby attached as Appendix A). While all this process was ongoing, the bill of charge accrued to $33,000.00 (Thirty Thousand American Dollars) as the agreed sum that Mr. Lanre Sanusi would pay 4runner Limited through Mr. Femi Dada. The breakdown of which was agreed to by both parties is on WhatsApp chat. All appeared to be well, containers were at the loading location, and drivers too were available. We started loading the materials with Mr. Lanre Sanusi also assisting as every step being taken was carried out in his presence.

“He was physically involved all along till after two containers were fully loaded and moved to the port. Things begin to heat up when after the loaded container left the United States of America for Lagos- Nigeria and Lanre was nowhere to be found. We made frantic efforts to reach him through all means available but it was to no avail. For days, our calls were not returned, and chats sent to him were read and not replied to. We became impatient and frustrated as the company’s reputation was being dragged into the mud. Our capital was also tied down as we have expended funds on this project, only for Lanre to abandon the project and disappeared into thin air after we had rendered the service, he engaged us for.

“Monetary commitment paid to us was even by his friend, Adebayo Godson ($1700.00 USD). At a time, we went confrontational with him but yielded no positive outcome. Subsequently, a request for payment was sent to Mr. Lanre Sanusi as well as an invoice to properly demand payment of the service rendered. (The copy of both herein is attached as AppendixC). All this was done to ensure we recoup the capital and to know if he wished to continue with the project or otherwise.

“Consequently, Mr. Lanre Sanusi’s fraudulent, deceitful activity, unprofessional attitude and misrepresentation of fact on the whole project led to us carry out a background check of him amid investigate reasons why he abandoned the project midway, breached his agreement with us and unfortunately put our reputation and relationship with foreign contacts in jeopardy. Alas, our findings and discovery were very disturbing and alarming. We got to know that Mr. Lanre Sanusi fraudulently misrepresented facts about the project to us which is a criminal offense in Nigeria where our company is situated.

“The Covid-19 materials, hand sanitisers, and face masks worth millions of dollars were actually diverted from Dallas City Government Hospital in the United States with the aid of two of his friends who are truck drivers and in charge of the materials.

“It should interest you to know that not only did Lanre abandon the materials shipped and the ones due to be shipped to Nigeria as he was campaigning to be a House of Representatives Member, representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency because he intended to use it as campaign souvenirs, he intentionally set fire on the other materials; that is, those he has no capacity to ship to Nigeria. (Picture of the burnt materials is hereby attached as Appendix D). The reason for this act was because he got information that Covid-19 protocols in Nigeria have been relaxed and the use of such materials as election souvenirs will not be much appreciated. This made him discontinue the project without proper notice and a bill of settlement.

“Our initial agreed invoice was $33,000.00 USD (Thirty-Three Thousand American Dollars) but the huge demurrage and other service charges on the 3rd and 4th containers, coupled with the high exchange rate in Nigeria, the bill of charges are at present $51, 870.00 USD (Fifty-One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy American Dollar).”

Mr. Sanusi didn’t respond to inquiries as at press time.

BIG STORY

COALITION: Peter Obi Will Be Expelled From Labour Party — Arabambi

Published

on

The Labour Party has announced its intention to expel former presidential candidate Peter Obi over his participation in an opposition coalition seeking to remove President Bola Tinubu.

During a live appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, a party chieftain, Abayomi Arabambi, said Obi’s involvement with the coalition while remaining a Labour Party member was “unconstitutional” and “unacceptable.”

“Let me make it very clear: we are convening a NEC [National Executive Council] meeting where he [Obi] will be expelled. It is unconstitutional for you to belong to two political parties at a time. They have deceived him to their side, and there he shall remain,” Arabambi said.

He explained that the NEC would recommend Obi’s expulsion, which would then be formally approved at the party’s convention in line with its constitution.

“Obi will be expelled from our party. He is no longer a member. It is not within his right to claim, ‘I am still a member of the Labour Party,’ and at the same time be hobnobbing with what we call the ‘yahoo yahoo’ coalition. We are not going to accept that,” he said.

In a critical statement, Arabambi rejected claims that Obi was responsible for the Labour Party’s rise, saying, “I want to correct a very wrong notion—Obi did not make the Labour Party; the Labour Party made Peter Obi. It was just a chance of circumstance because of the #EndSARS protests and the failings of past administrations. Nigerians were simply tired.”

He insisted that it was the party’s credibility that gave Obi the platform that elevated his political image in 2023.

“It’s because of our own integrity. That was what gave Obi what he is today. He should be banking on our goodwill, not the other way around. He started the crisis in the Labour Party,” he said.

Arabambi also accused Obi of having an authoritarian approach, saying, “If he can fight party members to do his will, then he is not fit to run the party.”

He emphasized that the Labour Party had only one recognized leadership, stating, “Let me also make it clear: we do not have groups in the Labour Party. We have only one leadership under Julius Abure, our national chairman.”

Arabambi’s comments came after the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party gave Obi a 48-hour deadline to formally resign from the party over his alleged “bromance” with the coalition.

In a statement dated 3 July, LP’s Obiora Ifoh said, “Labour Party is not part of the coalition. Therefore, any of our members who are part of the coalition are given within 48 hours to formally resign his membership of the party.

Labour Party is not available for people with dual agendas or deceptive personas. We will not allow individuals to have one leg in our party and the other elsewhere.”

Ifoh accused coalition members of being opportunistic politicians “interested in relaunching themselves into the circle of power.”

This situation arose after the opposition coalition met on Wednesday, 2 July, in Abuja, where the ADC was adopted as its platform for the 2027 elections.

The coalition appointed former Senate President David Mark as interim national chairman and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola as secretary.

The meeting was attended by many prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Dino Melaye, Dele Momodu, Gabriel Suswam, Ireti Kingibe, Emeka Ihedioha, and Sadique Abubakar—along with Obi.

 

Credit: Channels TV

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

JUST IN: JAMB Sets 150 As Cut-Off Mark For Universities

Published

on

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has approved 150 as the cut-off score for university admissions in the country.

The decision was reached on Tuesday during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

It also announced that the cut-off score for colleges of nursing is 140, while both colleges of agriculture and colleges of education have a cut-off score of 100.

“The minimum admissible scores for admissions for the next academic session have been fixed at 150 for universities, 100 for polytechnics, 100 for colleges of education, and 140 for colleges of nursing sciences by the stakeholders (Heads of Tertiary Institutions),” JAMB wrote on its X handle.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Over 100 Killed In Texas Flood, Bodies Recovered As Search And Rescue Operations Continue

Published

on

The number of deaths from severe flooding in Texas climbed to more than 100 on Monday, as rescue teams continued their difficult search for individuals swept away by the rushing waters.

Among those who died were at least 27 girls and counsellors who were at a youth summer camp located by a river when the disaster struck during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Weather experts have cautioned about further flooding risks as rain continues to fall on already saturated ground, making recovery operations harder for the roughly 1,750 personnel involved, using helicopters, boats, and dogs.

“There is still a threat of heavy rain with the potential to cause flooding,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated on Monday, warning that the death toll could still increase.

President Donald Trump confirmed plans to visit Texas on Friday, as the White House pushed back against accusations that his administration’s cuts to weather agencies weakened the flood warnings.

“Blaming President Trump for these floods is a depraved lie, and it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning,” said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday.

She noted that the National Weather Service, which The New York Times reported had several vacancies in Texas prior to the floods, issued “timely and precise forecasts and warnings.”

Trump described the floods that hit early Friday as a “100-year catastrophe” that “nobody expected.”

Although the president has previously argued that disaster relief should be handled by state governments, he signed a major disaster declaration to release federal funds and provide additional resources.

At least 104 deaths linked to the flooding have been reported throughout central Texas.

Kerr County, where the Guadalupe River flows, suffered the greatest losses, with at least 84 deaths reported, including 28 children, according to the local sheriff’s office.

Among the dead were 27 people who had been staying at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp hosting around 750 individuals when the floodwaters struck.

Camps are a cherished part of summer in the United States, with children often spending time in rural areas such as parks and woods.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz described the camps as opportunities to make “lifetime friends — and then suddenly it turns to tragedy.”

However, some locals have raised concerns about the lack of stronger flood-warning systems in this region of south and central Texas, often referred to as “Flash Flood Alley” due to its frequent and severe flooding.

Experts have emphasized that the NWS provided timely forecasts, while climate scientist Daniel Swain pointed to failures in “warning dissemination.”

San Antonio resident Nicole Wilson, who almost sent her daughters to Camp Mystic, launched a petition on Change.org urging Governor Greg Abbott to approve a modern warning system.

“Five minutes of that siren going off could have saved every single one of those children,” she told AFP.

During a candlelight vigil in San Antonio on Monday night, people gathered to pray for the victims and express ongoing concerns.

“I was pretty shocked on the gravity of the situation and how big it was, and I wouldn’t necessarily expect that our rivers would rise so quickly,” said Rebeca Gutierrez, 29.

“Hopefully there’s preventative efforts happening in similar areas to make sure nothing to this degree happens.”

In a devastating demonstration of nature’s force, the swollen Guadalupe River rose to the level of treetops and cabin roofs while girls were sleeping inside the camp.

Blankets, teddy bears, and other personal items were left coated in mud.

Cabin windows were smashed, likely from the powerful water currents.

Volunteers assisted in sifting through debris along the river, with some being driven by personal connections to the victims.

“We’re helping the parents of two of the missing children.

The last message they got was ‘We’re being washed away,’ and the phone went dead,” said Louis Deppe, 62, to AFP.

Several months’ worth of rainfall poured down in just a few hours from Thursday night into Friday, with additional rainfall since then.

The Guadalupe River surged by about 26 feet, roughly equivalent to a two-story building, within just 45 minutes.

Flash floods happen when the ground cannot absorb sudden heavy rainfall.

Human-induced climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves in recent years.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular