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More Allegations Against Akpabio As Joy Nunieh Explodes, Speaks On Why She Refused To Give Minister $1m, Girlfriend Who Supplied Diesel, Other Issues

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Former Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Joy Nunieh on Monday raised a fresh allegation against Godswill Akapbio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

Nunieh alleged that Akpabio attempted to inflate the NDDC budget during her reign as Managing Director.

She made the disclosure while appearing on Arise Tv, on Monday.

Nunieh disclosed that Akpabio ordered her to include some projects from the refugee commission in the budget of the NDDC.

She said: “Akpabio wrote to me to put a list of projects from the refugee commission in the budget of NDDC. Refugee commission is another federal government commission for IDPs.

“How do you tell me to put some of their projects in the NDDC budget when we have so many things to do in the Niger Delta? How do you explain that?”

Nunieh had accused Akpabio of removing her from office because she refused to do his alleged fraudulent bidding.

“When I was the acting MD, I stopped having meetings with Akpabio outside my office and his office because of sexual advances. He knows I am telling the truth. Why was he talking about my four husbands? Does he want to be my fifth husband? I don’t have four former husbands. He spoke on my dignity. That is why I am talking now. I didn’t say anything then because I handled him effectively”.

She also accused the former Akwa Ibom Governor of using his girlfriend as a front “to take money out of NDDC”.

“Akpabio’s girlfriend is the one supplying diesel to NDDC. Because of that, they refused to fix our light. He also directed her to go to the National Assembly to insert a few things into NDDC Budget.

She told me that Akpabio sent her to do that and I shouted at her to leave the place immediately”.
Nunieh, who revealed that she had instructed her lawyer to sue Akpabio for defamation of character, said the minister directed his Chief of Staff and some directors to write her memos requesting for financial assistance. “Of course, I did not reply to them”.

Nunieh said it was not true that she spent N44 billion while in office. “We only spent N8 billion”.
Displaying some documents, she declared that there was no forensic audit going on at the commission.

“It is not true. There is nothing like forensic audit going on. There is only a verification exercise, unlike what Akpabio said. I have no intention of going back to the NDDC but the interest of Niger Deltans must be protected.

“Immediately I assumed office, Akpabio told me to give him $1 million and I said ‘where will I get that from’? He also promised some people in Abuja that he would give them hundreds of millions of naira just for him to be in total control of NDDC.

“What people should ask him is: As Niger Delta Affairs Minister, what has he achieved since he was appointed?

“He also told me to include refugee projects in NDDC budgets. I refused because we have Federal Government agencies doing that. He stinks of corruption. He got 30 contracts just for himself”.

She advised President Muhammadu Buhari to stop appointing people with political interests to NDDC or as Niger Delta Affairs Minister. “Once they get there, the only interest they have is how to amass wealth to prosecute their political ambition.

On oath taking, Nunieh said: “It was at a meeting in Abuja. He told those present that I refused to swear to an oath. I know the implication of that. That was why I didn’t listen to him.”

BIG STORY

Alleged N110bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello, Other’s Bail Ruling To December 10

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to December 10 for a ruling on the bail application by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others.

Bello had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The former governor, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as the 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh N110bn 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.

Bello, the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryanne Anenih as they were read out to them.

After taking their plea, the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved an application for bail.

However, the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, arguing that it had expired in October.

Clarifying the issue, the Defendant’s Counsel stated that the only relevant application before the Court was the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant, which was filed on November 22.

Relying on all the paragraphs of the affidavit, he added that the bail application was also supported with a written address.

Justice Anenih ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

The EFCC had filed an N110bn alleged fraud suit against the former governor.

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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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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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