Godfrey Ango, a support staff from Integrated Corporate Services attached to Access Bank has confessed to spending depositors’ money on house rent, school fees, clothes, shoes and Ukrainian Students’ Visa.
TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this is contained in confessional statement made by Ango to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Arraigned in December 2015, Ango sometime in 2011, while being a bulk teller at Access Bank, Wuse 2, Abuja, allegedly diverted over N5,224,500 of depositors’ money to personal use.
It was reported that the victims – Hillside Schools and one other company, petitioned the bank. The case was investigated internally by the bank and later referred to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
In his statement to the EFCC, Ango confessed to committing the crime and outlined how he spent part of the money to settle personal problems.
Counsel to EFCC, D. M. Nkwa, urged the court to convict the defendant so that it can serve as deterrent to him and others.
In his judgment, Justice J. Adepoju, of the FCT High Court sitting in Wuse on Friday, found Ango guilty of all the 12 counts and sentenced him to 6 months imprisonment with option of N200,000 fine on each of the counts.
The court also ordered the convict to make a restitution of the diverted sum to the victims.
“I have considered the arguments of both parties, since the purpose of punishment is to prevent further offences and the convict has shown remorse for his actions, monetary conviction and payment of fine is necessary. It will also allow decongestion of prison,” the Judge said.
Tag: Abuja
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Bank official spends depositors’ money on clothes, shoes
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Tears, uncertainty as Fayose departs Ekiti for Abuja
The outgoing Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, left the state on Sunday amid hailing and emotional farewell from his admirers.
He had earlier on Saturday embarked on a ‘Thank you walk’ around major streets of Ado Ekiti, where he received accolades from traders, artisans and other residents of the state.
Fayose, clad in a T-shirt and jean trousers, climbed through the open-roof of his Lexus jeep carrying a board with the inscription, “Ekiti-Kete, Thank You All and Goodbye.”
On Sunday, tears rolled down the cheeks of many who lined up the streets to bid him farewell en route to the Akure Airport, Ondo State, where he had to board a flight.
The second term tenure of the governor ends midnight of Monday (today) while he has a date to keep with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday by 1 pm.
Earlier at a thanksgiving held in his honour at the Government’s House Chapel, Fayose, in an emotion-laden voice, thanked the people for their support.
He told the people that he would always be with them, urging them to trust in God for a better future for him and the state.
The event was attended by traditional rulers led by their Chairman and Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe.
Also at the event were the wife of the governor, Feyi; the outgoing Deputy-Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, and his wife, Janet; the Chief of Staff, Dipo Anisulowo; Head of Service, Dr Gbenga Faseluka; the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Modupe Alade; former Speaker, Kola Oluwawole; members of the national and state assembly, and members of the cabinet, among others.
At the event, Feyi said her husband would come back to Ekiti a triumphant man.
“We are coming back; I don’t know how but I have 200 per cent assurances,” she said.
Fayose said he was leaving a contented and fulfilled man.
He said, “I’m contented, I’m happy and I say thank you. Don’t be disparaged, don’t worry about me, I will come back. I will rise to the glory of God. I have enjoyed uncommon grace; I will never complain but thank God.”
Fayose told Oluwawole, who was impeached as Speaker on Thursday by 14 members of the state’s House of Assembly, not to fight back.
“I don’t want you to trouble your mind, there won’t be testimonies without battles. Go and concede defeat in the overall interest of Ekiti. You were removed illegally but let God fight for you.”
In his sermon entitled, “Affliction shall not rise the second time,” the Chaplain of the Government House, Revd. Seyi Olusola, said a man must be ready to face affliction if he must rise.
“Don’t allow anything to trouble your mind, always come to God,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fayose on Sunday left for the Abuja office of the EFCC.
He said he was not scared of the detention of the anti-graft agency, adding that he wanted to go the EFCC deliberately in order not to give the impression that he would flee after handing over to his successor.
Speaking to newsmen at the Akure Airport, Akure, Ondo State capital, where he boarded the plane to Abuja, the governor said he was always available for questions or interrogations.
He said, “My tenure expires on the 16th of October; this is the journey to Abuja. It is safer to be in Abuja than to be in Lagos and be creating the impression that you want to escape. There is no seaport in Abuja. The EFCC doesn’t need any drama; I am a man of courage. I have told them I’m coming and I’m on my way to them.
“So, after a meritorious service, anybody who wants to call me to question, I’m available to them, just one call away and my going now is my demonstration to them that I’m a man of my words.
“I’m not scared of anything. I always say to the people that the life of a man does not consist in the abundance of what he has. Life is for the courageous, not for the weak. I have served well, I have defended the common man in this country and I will continue to defend them.
“I will never be cowed by anybody. It is important to speak truth to power; I will not allow myself or any Nigerian to be oppressed.”
Fayose also declared that he remained the leader of the people of Ekiti State and would continue to defend them.
“In or out of office, I am always their leader. Ekiti comes first above everything and anybody and we will continue to defend our people, “he stressed.
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11 burnt in Abuja restaurant gas explosion
Eleven people on Wednesday in Abuja suffered varying degrees of burns from a gas explosion that occurred at Rosy Restaurant Area 11.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims who were immediately taken to Asokoro general hospital suffered some 40 to 50 degree of burns.
A pregnant woman, who simply identified herself as Ajayi who works at the restaurant, said that they were all going about their normal businesses when the gas suddenly exploded.
Ajayi, who is three month pregnant, said that she needed to go for scanning to ascertain the condition of her baby.
NAN reports that the explosion affected her face, legs and hands.
She was, however, attended to by the hospital management to know if she would be transferred to where she would be given a better treatment.
Rachael Awu, another attendant at the restaurant and one of the victims of the explosion, said she was attending to her duty when the explosion rocked the restaurant
“I was serving customers and I went to pack meal, as I looked back I just heard the explosion.
“The fire started from the back of the restaurant where one of the cylinders was stationed. I was facing outside and when I tried to look back, I saw fire from the explosion.
”One of the gas cylinder was stationed outside the restaurant in the open space, and there is another gas inside where we used to put meat.
She said that the gas cylinder outside was the one that aided the fire which ignited the gas cylinder inside the restaurant.
Another victim, who simply identified himself as Promise, said that the explosion was sudden, adding that he was attending to customers when he heard a loud noise.
NAN reports that Promise suffered some degrees of injuries on his two hands and a partial burn on his face.
“I went to carry sachet water when the gas exploded; as I turned back the fire was already burning my hands.”
Rose Kenu, a worker at the restaurant whose face was affected by the explosion, said what happened was beyond explanation.
“I was in the restaurant when the gas exploded, we were cooking inside the restaurant because that is where the kitchen is located.”
Dr Aminu Mile, the Acting Managing Director, Health and Human Services Secretary (HHSS), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) while on a visit to the victim, said the circumstances surrounding the explosion would be unravelled.
He said that the HHSS was already doing his own part to help victims of the explosion, adding that everything would be done to help the victims.
Dr Nnabuchi Chidi, Acting managing Director, Asokoro Hospital said that the hospital would refer some of the victims to the National Hospital.
He said that 11 of them were brought to the hospital and the hospital would do everything to ensure they are stabilised.
When NAN visit Rosy restaurant the place was under locks and key and no one was willing to speak.
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Man treks to Abuja for Atiku
A young man, Kamaludden Bashir, has commenced trekking from Zaria to Abuja to show his support over the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Bashir who arrived Kaduna on Tuesday, a day after he left Zaria, told newsmen that he plans to reach Abuja within five days.
“I am really happy with the victory, that is why I am trekking to Abuja to show him that I am with him 100 per cent.
“Along the way, I will sensitizes thousands of youth to join me in the campaign to make Nigeria great under Atiku as president.
“I believe that only him can overcome the problems of unemployment, poverty, insecurity, communal and ethno-religious crisis disturbing the peace and stability of the country.
According to him, he left Kwarbai area of Zaria at about 6:30 am on Monday after his parents prayed for him.
Bashir believed that Abubakar’s structures all over the country were strong enough to push for his election in February.
“I believe in Atiku, that is why I am trekking in solidarity and praying for him to win the 2019 presidential election.
“I believe he is the best man that can fight corruption and take Nigerian youths to the promised land.”
According to him, he was robbed of his money, food and water along the way, but said the experience would not deter him from continuing with the journey.
Bashir urged Nigerian youths to support the former vice president during the general elections so as to put Nigeria on a better direction.
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Tight security as APC holds National Convention in Abuja
Security is tight in and around the Eagle Square, Abuja, as the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gets underway.
At least 7,000 delegates from all over the country are expected to gather at the venue to ratify the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s flagbearer for next year’s presidential election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all roads leading to the venue have been shut to vehicular traffic by combined teams of heavily armed security personnel.
The agencies involved include: the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army.
Safety and emergency services such as the Federal Road Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the FCT Vehicle inspection Office (VIO) and the Federal and FCT and Fire Services are also taking part in the exercise.
Traffic is being diverted at major intersections several metres away from the venue on both sides of the Ahmedu Bello and Shehu Shagari Ways, and adjoining routes leading to the Eagle Square.
As at the time of filing this report at 2:30 p.m, the event had yet to start.
But the stage is set inside the Eagle Square where organisers are putting finishing touches to decorations on canopies and chairs prepared for delegates.
Meanwhile, hawkers and other traders have taken over the Federal Secretariat car park behind the square and roadsides outside the security perimeter around the venue, displaying their wares for customers.
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Abuja, Lagos, Abia Contribute 99% to Nigeria’s $5.5b Capital Importation in Q2
Last week, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed in a report that the total value of capital importation into Nigeria stood at $5.5 billion in the second quarter of 2018.
According to the report, this was a decrease of 12.53 percent compared with Q1 2018, but a 207.62 percent increase compared with the second quarter of 2017.
It was disclosed that the decline recorded in the second quarter was as a result of a decline in Portfolio and Other Investments, which declined by 9.76 percent and 24.07 percent respectively.
The largest amount of capital importation by type was received through Portfolio investment, which accounted for 74.7 percent ($4.1 billion) of total capital importation, followed by Other Investment, which accounted for 20.5 percent ($1.1 billion) of total capital, and then Foreign Direct Investment FDI, which accounted for 4.7 percent ($261.4 million) of total capital imported in the second quarter.
However, an analysis of the report by showed that out of the $5.5 billion of the nation’s capital importation for the period under review, Abuja, Lagos and Abia States contributed 99.28 percent, while the remaining 34 states of the federation added a meagre 0.72 percent to the total value.
According to the stats office, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, at $2.6 billion, maintained its lead among recipients of capital import in the second quarter of 2018 after surpassing Lagos in the fourth quarter of 2017.
This represented 46.21 percent of the total capital importation into Nigeria in the quarter under review.
Abuja was followed by Lagos, which received the second largest amount of capital inflow of $1.7 billion or 30.08 percent of the total.
When compared with the preceding quarter, however, the capital inflow into Abuja and Lagos, declined by 28.13 percent and 37.80 percent respectively.
Furthermore, Abia State received $1.3 billion, accounting for 22.99 percent of the total capital importation in the quarter.
In all, Abuja, Lagos, and Abia together represented more than 99 percent of the total capital import in the second quarter.
The NBS said in its report that foreign capital investment in Akwa Ibom and Ogun States recorded $16.10 million and $12.74 million respectively, a decline of 63.09 percent and 48.05 percent, over the previous quarter.
Enugu State, which only had marginal foreign inflow previously, recorded $1.31 million in the second quarter and became the eighth top destination in Nigeria to attract foreign capital investment.
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2019: Kwankwaso shuns Kano, to declare presidential ambition in Abuja on Wednesday
Senator representing Kano State Central Senatorial District and presidential hopeful under the Peoples Democratic Party platform has revealed that he will formally declare his presidential ambition in Abuja and not in his state (Kano) contrary to public expectation.
Kwankwaso who currently is at loggerheads with his predecessor and longtime political associate, Abdullahi Ganduje, announced Wednesday as the day he will declare his 2019 presidential ambition.
The announcement was contained in a statement by Kwankwaso’s Presidential Campaign Committee on Sunday.
The declaration, according to the statement, would hold at the Eagle Square, Abuja, by 11 a.m.
Confirming the development on Monday, Kwankwaso’s spokesperson, Binta Sipikin, said Abuja is the nation’s capital and many of Kwankwaso’s political associates and supporters from across the country would be attending the event, hence the choice of Abuja.
She said it is not a Kano event, and it will be more convenient for people to come from any part of the country to the nation’s capital.
“He is declaring in Abuja because it is the nation’s capital, and this is a national event,” she said.
“We are considering people from various parts of the country who may want to come, but could find a meeting in Abuja easier than in Kano.”
Recall that Kwankwaso and Ganduje were political allies with the latter serving as deputy governor when Kwankwaso was the state governor.
They have since parted ways with Kwankwaso leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rejoin the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he left in 2014 as part moves to achieve his presidential ambition.
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Buhari returns to Abuja after Sallah celebration
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday returned to Abuja after celebrating Eid-el Kabir in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.
Recall that the president left Abuja on Monday ahead of the Tuesday and Wednesday public holidays declared by the Federal Government for the Sallah.
He had during his stay in Daura hosted dignitaries including state governors and other prominent politicians.
Before he left the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, for Abuja, the President addressed troops deployed to battle criminals in Zamfara State urging them to be relentless in fight against terror.
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Buhari hosts German Chancellor, Angela Merkel in Abuja August 31
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, will on Wednesday, August 29, tour three West African countries, paying visits to Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.
Merkel is to spend Wednesday through Friday in the three countries, accompanied by an economic delegation, Deputy Government Spokeswoman, Ulrike Demmer said Friday in Berlin.
Migration politics, particularly Merkel’s campaign to tackle the causes resulting in a stream of refugees to Europe, are likely to feature on the discussion agenda.
Merkel is to meet Wednesday afternoon with Senegalese President, Macky Sall to discuss economic developments in the country and regional cooperation.
In the evening she will meet with civil society representatives.
Then it’s onto the Ghanaian capital of Accra to meet President, Nana Akufo-Addo, on Thursday to discuss economic affairs and foreign policy.
The chancellor is also to take part in a German business-organised round table that will focus on private investment linked to the G20 “Compact with Africa” initiative.
Finally, Merkel is to head to Nigeria on Friday to meet with the president of the ECOWAS economic alliance of West African states, Jean-Claude Brou.
She will hold talks with Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that on Oct. 7, 2016, Merkel visited three African countries before hosting leaders from Chad and Nigeria for talks in Berlin, as she seeks ways to stem a migrant influx to Europe.
Merkel first traveled to Mali and Nigeria before heading to Ethiopia where she is to visit the headquarters of the African Union in the capital, Addis Ababa.
Her talks with leaders of all three countries are to focus on migration issues and the battle against terrorism.
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CAN condemns killings of Catholic, Baptist clerics in Abuja, Kaduna
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday condoled with the leaderships of the Roman Catholic Church and the Nigerian Baptist Convention over the demise of the two clerics.
The President, Rev Samson Ayokunle in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the CAN president, in Abuja condemned their killings.
Ayokunle said the clerics were killed by some unknown gunmen in Abuja and Kaduna State.
He added that the late Rev. Fr. Michael Akawu, was reportedly shot dead by identified gunmen in Gwagwalada, Abuja, while shopping on Aug. 18.
“Few hours later, on Sunday, August 19, at about 1.00 a.m, according to informed sources, some hoodlums suspected to be Fulani terrorists attacked Nasara Baptist Church in Guguwa near Rigasa in Kaduna.
“The suspected terrorists shot dead Rev. Hosea Akuchi and took away his wife, Mrs Talatu Akuchi.
“Her whereabouts remain unknown and the criminals have demanded for the sum of five million naira for her release,” he said.
Ayokunle said that Akawu, was ordained as priest on Feb. 4, 2017 by the Archbishop of Abuja, the Most Revd. John Cardinal Onayeikan and was the first FCT indigenous Catholic priest to be ordained.
The CAN president prayed to God to comfort and console the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria and the Nigerian Baptist Convention, the churches where they were serving with their immediate families.
He, however, called on the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to do whatever it takes to bring the culprits to book and rescue the widow of the late Rev. Akuchi as soon as practicable.
“We once again call on our security agencies to be more proactive and invest more on intelligence gathering with a view to preventing many of these crimes that are being committed before their watches undetected,” he stressed.
The cleric noted with pains and disappointment the state of insecurity across the country, adding that the Federal Government should work hard to improve security in the country.
According to him, nowhere is safe and secured, as terrorists, rampaging Fulani herdsmen, killer bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers and other hoodlums were operating unchecked.
He said that the security agencies seemed busy with elections and forgot that leaders were elected to rule over the living souls.
“Nigeria’s security situation is reprehensible, unacceptable and condemnable. We once again call on President Muhammadu Buhari to work on the security system of the country.
“Let there be a visible improvement in our security system, as the governed are not satisfied with their performances in ensuring security of lives and property.
The CAN president again called on the Police to arrest all assailants that were responsible for these evil acts.
“Enough of the senseless killings, these killings must stop in the country,’’ he warned.