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Northern Groups Hail Tinubu’s Suspension Of EFCC Chairman, Bawa

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has been placed on indefinite leave by President Bola Tinubu, which has been praised by northern organizations, the Arewa Civil Society Organization, and the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum.

They demanded his immediate arrest and prosecution while claiming the suspension was long overdue.

They claimed that the former EFCC continued to set a poor example for the nation’s youth.

President Tinubu had on Wednesday announced the suspension of the EFCC chairman in a statement by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Bawa was suspended based on “weighty allegations of abuse of office” leveled against him.

He(Bawa)was subsequently replaced by Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, who was the Director of Operations of the Commission as the Acting Chairman.

Reacting, the Arewa Civil Society Organization said the suspension of the former EFCC chairman, was timely in view of the weighty allegation leveled against him, noting that Bawa over the years, had abused his office.

According to the Chairman of the group, Adamu Musa, in a statement in Kaduna on Thursday, with the suspension of Bawa, the organization has been vindicated for calling for his sack under the former President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) but to no avail.

He said, “The suspension of Abdulrasheed Bawa is a stitch in time that will save a few more than nine because Bawa has constantly and continuously abused and misused his powers and office, engaging in various corrupt practices.

“We have been vindicated for our earlier stance on calling for the removal of Bawa, now the President has listened, this is very courageous and exemplary, and we must commend him for taking this bold and righteous decision.

“Moreso, most of our grievances that made us take that stance, are the reasons the DSS invited the suspended Chairman for questioning.

“They include various charges of abuse of office, accused of stealing and selling dozens of petrol-bearing trucks confiscated from suspected looters, auctioning them off to his proxies at ridiculous prices while he was in charge of the Port Harcourt office of the EFCC, and alleged violation of the code of conduct for public officers by owning properties beyond his legitimate income.

“The Department of State Security must continue to hold Bawa and his co-perpetrators to get all the answers needed. The EFCC has lost its credibility & bearing and has dented the fight against corruption, making Nigerians no longer believe in it.”

On their part, the leadership of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum said the suspension of the former EFCC chairman was a welcome and long overdue development.

While hailing President Tinubu over the suspension, the National President of the organization, Alhaji Yerima Shettima in a statement in Kaduna on Thursday, said the swift move by President Tinubu, was a re-assurance that his administration was committed to fighting corruption.

However, besides the suspension of Bawa, the organization called for a total overhaul of the anti-graft agency.

He said, “On behalf of the youths of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum wishes to express its deep appreciation for the swift action taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of suspending the widely believed compromised Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa indefinitely, and ordering a thorough investigation of the activities of the agency under his watch.

“The move by Mr. President is a reassurance of his government’s commitment to addressing the scepter of endemic, widespread, corruption and political avarice that characterized the eight-year tenure of the previous administration attributable to a lack of application of relevant laws against corrupt practices among officials of the regime and the apparent compromise of the EFCC under Abdulrasheed Bawa.

“While welcoming the federal government action against Bawa, we are also of the view that it needs to extend the measure to include a total overhaul of the EFCC to flush out remnants of Abdulrasheed Bawa’s accomplices entrenched in top positions of the agency.”

BIG STORY

Laffmattazz: Lagos 3rd Coming Features Star-Studded Lineup with D’Banj, Queen Salawa Abeni, Reminisce, And More

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Legendary comedian Gbenga Adeyinka is set to host the much-anticipated third edition of his comedy show, Laffmattazz: Lagos 3rd Coming, on November 17, 2024.

The event will take place at the prestigious Balmoral Convention Center, Victoria Island, Lagos, promising an unforgettable night of laughter and entertainment.

The lineup features a mix of iconic comedians and musicians, including Omobaba No.1, Gandoki, Dr. Smile, Bash, Queen Salawa Abeni, Reminisce, and a host of surprise acts, with D’Banj headlining the show.

Gbenga Adeyinka remarked, “Laffmattazz: Lagos 3rd Coming will be the biggest comedy show of the year! We’ve curated an incredible roster of iconic headliners, and I’m excited to bring this level of entertainment to Lagos.”

Laffmattazz has cemented its place as a leading comedy brand, showcasing Nigeria’s finest comedic talent. This year’s event is poised to outdo its predecessors, featuring performances from Akpororo, Forever, Seriki Dariya, Princephelar, Dee One, Taooma, Baba Alariya, Madiba of Comedy, ATM, and more.

The night will also include musical performances by Tee Famous, The Countryman, Dami Cruz, and others, with DJ Wiki spinning on the decks.

 

Event Details:

– Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024

– Time: Red Carpet (3:00 PM), Show Start (5:00 PM)

– Venue: Balmoral Convention Center, Victoria Island, Lagos

 

Ticket Information:

– Regular: ₦7,000

– VIP: ₦20,000

– Table of 8 Gold: ₦1.5 million

– Table of 8 Platinum: ₦3 million

 

Purchase Tickets at:

1. Ile Iyan by PODs, GRA Ikeja

2. Ofada Boy, Surulere

3. Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Lekki

 

Online Tickets Available at:

1. Ariiyatickets.com

2. Grandtickets.ng

3. Laffmattazz.ng

 

For ticket purchases, sponsorships, inquiries, and collaboration opportunities, please contact: (+234) 08156111111.

 

Brought to you by: Maltina, Goldberg, Ace Roots, Goldberg Black

Supported by: Parralex Bank, Enclave Green Homes, FIRS, Lagos State Government.

Media Partners: African Magic, Royal Roots Cinema, Hip TV, Views Channel, Vybz FM, Ibrand TV, Rapid Broadcasting Network, City FM, Jordan FM, Rainbow FM, Mainland FM, Boom Radio, TVC, Kennis FM, Beat FM

Outdoor Partners: Nimbus Media, FPL Media, Folham, Media Crush, Elev8 Media

 

Stay updated by following Laffmattazz on social media @laffmattazz_ga1st for the latest news and behind-the-scenes content.

Don’t miss this epic comedy event! Secure your tickets now and join the conversation online using #LaffmattazzLagos3rdComing #GbengaAdeyinka.

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BIG STORY

AfDB Approves $100m For Establishment Of Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank In Nigeria

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The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $100 million for the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank in Nigeria.

Akinwunmi Adesina, president of the AfDB, made the announcement while delivering a keynote address at the 90th birthday lecture of former head of state, Yakubu Gowon, in Abuja.

“I am delighted to announce here today that just three days ago, the African Development Bank’s board of directors approved $100m for the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria,” Adesina said.

He emphasized that the initiative reflects the AfDB’s commitment to supporting Nigerian youths, who are vital to the country’s development.

The bank will provide technical assistance, business incubation, quasi-equity, and debt to youth businesses.

It will also offer guarantee instruments to de-risk lending to these businesses by financial institutions.

Adesina added, “It will be a new day and a new dawn for Nigeria.” He also stated that this initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision and plans for the youth in Nigeria.

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BIG STORY

Court Threatens To Jail DSS DG Ajayi For Disobeying Order On Access To Nnamdi Kanu

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A federal high court in Abuja has cautioned Adeola Ajayi, the director-general (DG) of the Department of State Services (DSS), against defying the court’s order for Nnamdi Kanu’s visitation rights.

Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been held in DSS custody since his re-arrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria in 2021.

He is facing trial on a seven-count charge, including treasonable felony.

Kanu’s legal team has repeatedly accused the DSS of denying its members access to their client.

The court had directed the DSS to allow Kanu’s legal team, with a maximum of five people, to visit him on designated days.

On Friday, the registrar of the federal high court in Abuja issued “form 48 notice of consequences of disobedience to the order of court” against DSS director-general.

The notice warned the DSS boss that he would be guilty of contempt of court and would be liable to imprisonment if he disobeyed the court-ordered visitations.

“Take notice that unless you obey the directions contained in this order (see overleaf), by allowing the applicant’s counsel to conduct the court-ordered visitations with the applicant on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison,” the notice reads.

  • Kanu’s Lawyers Threaten To Sue Ajayi

In a statement on Friday, Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to the IPOB leader, said if Ajayi disobeyed the court order, the defence team would file contempt charges against him.

“This notice is necessitated by the repeated disobedience of the court-ordered visitation of Mazi Kanu by the newly appointed Director-General of the State Security Services (Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi), who has, for almost a month, not allowed Mazi Kanu’s lawyers to visit him,” the statement reads.

“To be clear, this notice is a quasi-criminal judicial process that forewarns any person disobeying a court order of the penal consequences of such misconduct.

“Therefore, if the Director-General of DSS persists on this ignoble path, he will leave us with no other option than to commence vigorous contempt proceedings against him.”

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