Connect with us


BIG STORY

REVEALED: Real Reason Zenith Bank Branch Manager Bunmi ‘Bumshaka’ Falana knelt Down To Beg Fayose

Published

on

Bunmi Bumshaka Falana

Less than 72hours after the famous Governor Fayose/Zenith Bank ‘kneeling down’ apology drama pictures surfaced online, a new twist has now been added to what many already termed ‘pure acting’ in Ekiti Government House.

Recall that embattled governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, had disclosed on Thursday that Zenith Bank sent a management team to beg him for forgiveness after it reportedly denied report that it funded his governorship election.

Zenith officials

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday alleged that Governor Fayose collected N4.745billion from the office of the NSA which was used to finance his 2014 gubernatorial election; an allegation that Fayose vehemently denied claiming that Zenith Bank funded the largest part of his campaign.

In a statement by Lere Olayinka, his intemperate Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, the governor had insisted that the bank’s top management met with him and begged him to allow the matter to rest.

The statement was accompanied photographs showing the governor and some officials, he claimed were from the bank.

But as the drama between Fayose and Zenith Bank keeps unfolding, a Lagos based banker, Demola Obanise who claims to know details of what actually transpired, took to his Facebook page to discredit the claims by Fayose.

Below is a full text of what Demola Obanise posted on his wall:

In Text, he wrote:

Discussion continues…..

ZENITH BANK BEGS FAYOSE, END OF DISCUSSION ?

For those who don’t know or have forgotten the trajectory of the man called Fayose and his capacity for legendary deceitfulness and desperation, permit me to refresh your memory about foundation of the latest comical drama of “Zenith Bank” Apology from the stable of this side – splitting con man called Mr. Fayose.

Kneeling down in one the pictures below is Bunmi Falana, a.k.a Bumshaka, who Fayose got Zenith Bank job sometimes in 2003. He was brought in to handle all his banking transactions till 2006 when Mr. Fayose was shamefully chased out of Ekiti State Government House following his impeachment. After this regrettable rein of Mr. Fayose in 2006, Bunmi Falana was transferred by Zenith Bank to Ogun State until 2014 when he was expectedly transferred back to Ekiti at the commencement of the June 21, 2014 Governorship Election Campaigns in the State as requested by Mr. Fayose. This transfer request and the promotion of Bunmi as the Branch Manager are part of the conditions Mr. Fayose gave Zenith Bank to lodge the billions of Naira coming from NSA Office to prosecute Ekiti Governorship Election.

Now are you still wondering why Zenith Bank was chosen ahead of any others Banks available in Ekiti for the current suspicious financial activities being investigated by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ? Wonder no more !

Or is it not suspicious that it was only Mr. Fayose’s boy, Bunmi Falana(The Bank woker and Mr. Fayose’s boy) who’s kneeling down here and not any of the Bank Executives who are decisions makers of the Bank and should be the ones begging on behalf of the Bank ? Take a good look at the bewilderment look on the face of the man leaning on the pillar beside the one kneeling down, supposedly begging for only God knows why. Anikulapo Kuti of blessed memory would say “Pàdípàdí, arrangee noòni”

This is what happened as relayed by an insider, Fayose only called his boy Bunmi Falana(his right hand man in the Bank) to bring his Bank Executives to a meeting with him and as soon as the proposed meeting begins, Bunmi should start begging him with the expectation that his bosses would follow suit while the pre-informed media crew of the State House would take their pictures. But unfortunately for Mr. Fayose, the Zenith Bank Executive couldn’t prostrate to beg a Cow just to be able to have the Cow’s skin for meat. Hence, he granted a lone and unsolicited interview thereafter without the Banks’ Officials who refused to be cowed like he did to TKO in Lagos episode of media trickery .

Let’s engage in related reminiscences of similar treacherous-media-cover-up styles of Mr. Fayose as the discussion continues ;

Remember how Mr. Fayose invited some Ekiti kings and former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Femi Bamisile to Pathfinder Hotel in Ado Ekiti and unleashed the Press men on them. Only to grant Press release that Rt.Hon. Femi Bamisile who is a member of APC and a Governorship aspirant hopeful came to beg him and seek apology for any wrong doing or allegations against Mr. Fayose. Remember ?

Remember the much celebrated apology regrettably made by Dr. Tosin Aluko to Mr. Fayose at a Lagos Hotel ? Dr. Tosin Aluko(TKO) is the erstwhile accomplice of Mr. Fayose until the center couldn’t hold no more and TKO came out to give criminal accounts of how the June 21, 2014 Election was rigged in favour of Mr. Fayose via Federal Government might. The media trickery was desperately deployed by Fayose in his frantic bid to invalidate TKO’s earlier facts about Ekiti rigged Governorship Election as revealed to EFCC by TKO .

Let’s agree without conceding to Mr. Fayose that Zenith Bank has tendered an unreserved apology about their( Zenith Bank and Fayose) involvement in the N4.7billion fund from National Security Adviser’s Office and the treasonable act of taking over Ekiti through the Electoral coup of June 21, 2014, do all these latest apology and the ensuing media paparazzi suggest the end of EFCC enquiries or its imminent prosecution ?

Mr. Governor, Leopards may be known for not changing their spots, but there are hunters who are skilful at changing the Leopards’ skins for the Drummer’s delightful use ! Oga Fayose, stop running to media each time you are weighed down by your loads of incessant criminal proclivities, approach the Court sir.

Moreover, this media trickery is becoming predictably weak in the face of incontrovertible facts of your duplicitous lifestyles. Try another ploy sir. Ìwo làná, ìwo lèní bi ekún apokoje(Serious I don’t know how to translate this one for my non Yoruba speaking people. Forgive me pls)

Note :The Cars pictures are included in my frenzied bid to describe the man called Fayose and his “maradonic” tendencies.

Never EOD ( End of discussion ) but discussion continues!

Demola Obanise

 

 

Credit: The Elites/Demola Obanise

Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

BIG STORY

National Assembly Passes Life Imprisonment Bill For Nigerian Drug Traffickers

Published

on

In a bid to tackle drug-related crimes, the National Assembly has amended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, introducing life imprisonment for drug offenders and traffickers.

This comes after the Senate and House of Representatives adopted the harmonised report on the amendment.

Senator Tahir Monguno, Chairman of the Senate Conference Committee, presented the report, highlighting that the amendment introduces stricter penalties to deter drug-related crimes.

“Any person who unlawfully engages in the storage, custody, movement, carriage or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and, while doing so, is armed with an offensive weapon or disguised in any manner, commits an offence under this Act and is liable, upon conviction, to life imprisonment,” Monguno said.

The Senate approved the amendment through a voice vote during Thursday’s plenary, which was presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

In addition, the Senate passed the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission Bill, 2024, aimed at replacing the 2004 RMAFC Act. Yahaya Abdullahi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, stressed the need for the commission’s reform, citing Nigeria’s declining revenue and increasing population.

“The Act, last revised over 20 years ago, no longer reflects Nigeria’s evolving economic realities. This bill proposes additional funding and a restructured operational framework for the commission to improve its efficiency,” Abdullahi explained.

He further emphasised the need for adequate funding from the Federation Account for the RMAFC to effectively carry out its constitutional duties.

The bill, passed after deliberations and a majority vote, now awaits President Bola Tinubu’s assent to become law.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

UPDATE: We’re Ready To Provide Evidence For Trial Of Simon Ekpa — Enugu Government

Published

on

The Enugu State Government has expressed its readiness and willingness to provide evidence to assist in the prosecution of Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland on Thursday over allegations of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria.

Enugu State Government made this offer in a statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday.

In the statement, the Enugu State Government also commended the Government of the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Ekpa, whom it described as “the Finland-based leader of the criminal gang, Autopilots.”

The Enugu State Government further referred to Simon Ekpa as “a common criminal, con man, and terrorist, who has no interest of Igbo people at heart.”

It added that Ekpa “is a murderer and fraudster, who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.”

“Enugu State was ready and willing to provide evidence of Ekpa-sponsored atrocities against Ndigbo to aid his trial and conviction, whether in Finland or Nigeria.”

“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa.”

“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”

“This arrest is in line with the demand of Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster, who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region.”

“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work.”

“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra,” the government said.

Ekpa was arrested and detained alongside four other suspects by the government of Finland on charges of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria, according to local newspapers in the European country.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Much Ado About Meddlesome Minions, And Messengers Of Misinformation — By Tayo Williams

Published

on

There is a growing phalanx of pseudo-intellectuals parading the social media space with faux and fictitious knowledge of the indigenous oil and gas industry, and it is scary because of the grave danger they portend and present for the average Nigerian.

From X (formerly known as Twitter) to Facebook and even the photos and videos-sharing site, Instagram, they abound, in their inglorious number, lending their platforms to deliberately distort facts and spread misinformation especially to favour the narratives propounded by popular Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote, owner of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Since the refinery began operations earlier in the year, it has been one week, one controversy allegedly orchestrated by Dangote in a brazen attempt to arm-twist the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, into playing by his rules.

Those conversant with the modus operandi of Dangote and his refinery say the long-drawn warfare with every institution and individual in the oil and gas value chain is nothing but a self-seeking and mindless profit maximisation tactic.

Whilst nobody begrudges Dangote’s drive for profit as a businessman, perhaps he needs to be reminded that the NNPC has a mandate to ensure and provide energy security in a way that is affordable and sustainable for the generality of Nigerians. And, the NNPCL management has declared in very unambiguous terms that it would not pander to the din of the market whether orchestrated by Dangote, his rampaging minions or anyone else.

The truth, however, is that there is an increasing army of vacuous, vicious, and vile individuals strutting the social media space defending and propagating outright and outlandish falsehoods. Of particular concern is one Kelvin Emmanuel who has become the unofficial mouthpiece of the Dangote Refinery. Going from one media house to the other, he pulls figures out of the air and projects obnoxious untruths on hapless Nigerians. With the backing of his paymaster’s billions, it is no surprise that this otherwise irrelevant and fatuous character now commands appearances on major television stations.

But it is on X that he has made lying glibly and gratuitously the Holy Grail. He once premised Dangote’s inability to secure feedstock for his refinery on the government and the NNPCL. While peddling this untruth, he conveniently forgets that the refinery had a seven-year window, during its construction phase, to lock in feedstock supplies that could last a minimum of five years. Dangote did none of that. As it would later unfold, his game plan, which Emmanuel glossed over, was to monopolise equity oil and production quotas to serve his business interests.

Another deliberate misinformation from the Dangote camp was the allegation that International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other industry players were trying to sabotage his interests. Apart from being an investor in the Dangote Refinery, the NNPC still supplies gas to various Dangote companies across Nigeria. How can anyone or any institution jeopardise their investment? What further proof of faith does Dangote and his minions need to know that the NNPC is their cheerleader, and is here to make operating in the industry seamless and a win-win for all?

Echoing Dangote’s baseless stance, Emmanuel also called for the sack of Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), regulators of Nigeria’s midstream and downstream value chain. By Emmanuel’s warped reckoning, Ahmed had no locus to speak against Dangote or his enterprise because the latter questioned the quality of the product from Dangote Refinery and other local refineries in comparison with imported ones. Of course, Emmanuel’s was a lone voice in the wilderness because those who understand the invaluable role that the NMDPRA plays in the industry did not as much as dignify his tirade with a glance.

In a robust response to Emmanuel’s groundswell of egregious lies, Ibrahim Y. Kabo, a petroleum engineer based in Abuja, described him as “Someone who has not seen the inside of a refinery before Dangote built one, let alone understood the mechanism of the energy industry, …(yet) assuming the role of an authority in oil and gas matters.”

He went further to lampoon Emmanuel for stating that only Dangote Refinery’s products meet specifications while others are all sub-standard. “The obvious question is: whose specifications? For a refinery that has barely made four of seven pre-inauguration certifications, it sounds somehow laughable to suddenly assume the role of regulator in an industry you’ve barely entered,” Kabo said.

In the article, entitled, “The Hand of Aliko, the Voice of Kelvin: Inside Dangote Refinery’s Media Stunt Lab”, Kabo declared that from all Emmanuel’s interviews and pretensions to be an industry expert, one thing is obvious: “He lacks an understanding of both the mandate and the reach of NNPC as a national oil company.”

Kabo adds that, “Downstream is the least of NNPC’s business interests. The mandate, as per PIA (Petroleum Industry Act), is to facilitate both the extraction and commercialization of Nigeria’s oil and gas resources. 20 billion dollars may be a lot, but NNPC and industry regulators routinely handle projects of that magnitude. At best, Dangote and (Emmanuel’s) ranting are an irritation. I believe that’s why NNPC openly declared it was not interested in being Dangote’s off-taker.”

Like the Yoruba saying goes, derision does not stop the sweetness of the honey. The meddlesome minions and messengers of misinformation can continue dancing naked in the marketplace, but what is most important is that the NNPCL has assured that it will not cease doing everything in its capacity “to harness the possibilities of oil and gas, address energy demand and drive the national economy, and become the number one oil producer and supplier in Africa.”

 

Tayo Williams is a Lagos-based media executive

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular