TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kogi State

  • APC National Convention: All contestants are working in unity – Bello

    APC National Convention: All contestants are working in unity – Bello

    Governor of Kogi State and Chairman, Security Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention, Yahaya Bello has said all the contestants for the convention are working in unity and in the same direction.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Bello made this known on Tuesday in Abuja, saying his security committee and delegates are working assiduously toward the success of the convention, and that the party will come out stronger after the national convention slated for Saturday.

    “Every Committee just like the security committee, all the leaders, all the delegates, members and stalwarts of the APC are enthusiastic, gearing and working assiduously towards a successful National Convention of the APC.

    “So everybody is working assiduously to ensure we have a successful and hitch-free exercise come 26th of March 2022.

    “Our party will go into a convention and come off very strong. We are meeting and putting heads together to ensure that we come up very strongly so nothing is stopping us from going ahead from conducting this exercise.

    “As we speak right now, all the contestants are talking in unison, and leaders are working accordingly and all other members including delegates are moving in the same direction.

    “Nigerians are even giving us all the maximum support that we require. That is why you can see the calibre of people that are involved in this all-important exercise. It is going to be more successful than any other convention held in Nigeria,” Bello assured.

  • Atiku rejoices with the new Ata of Igala land

    Atiku rejoices with the new Ata of Igala land

    Former Vice President of Nigeria and the Wazirin Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed hearty felicitation to the government and people of Kogi State, on the installation of His Royal Majesty Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Iguche Akpa, as the new Ata of Igalaland.

    In a congratulatory message issued on Thursday in Abuja, Atiku described the investiture of the new royal father as “timely and of immense importance, going by the pride of place of Igala people in Nigeria.”

    The Wazirin Adamawa added that the new monarch has all the leadership attributes to sail the ship of his people to a fruitful destination.

    “The new Ata Igala is remarkably versatile, knowledgeable, equitable and experienced in human management and sustaining ancestral cultural heritage. He’s capable of fusing innovation with tradition and creating a conducive atmosphere for genuine peace, progress and development.”

    Meanwhile, Atiku urged Igala people and other citizens of Kogi State to warmly embrace and cooperate with the new Ata, so that his reign would be prosperous and peaceful.

    “A good leader should not yield to distraction, lest he would lose out on his vision and destination,” Atiku advised the monarch.

  • Ex-Gov Uduaghan’s cousin, Oritsejolomi set to marry Kogi princess, Natasha Apoti

    Ex-Gov Uduaghan’s cousin, Oritsejolomi set to marry Kogi princess, Natasha Apoti

    Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, cousin to former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan is set to marry Kogi Princess, Natasha Apoti.

    Chief Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom, an Engineer turned lawyer, will marry Apoti, a single mother of three in a traditional marriage ceremony that will be held on March 5, 2022.

    It was gathered that the traditional marriage ceremony will take place at Apoti’s late father’s residence in Obeiba-Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State on the scheduled date.

    Apoti was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last gubernatorial election in Kogi, who gave Gov Yahaya Bello goose pimples before the election.

    She also contested the last Kogi Central Senatorial election on the platform of SDP in 2019 and lost the election to Senator Yakubu Oseni of APC.

    Apoti, 42, subsequently contested the November 16, governorship election and also lost to incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    On the other hand, Oritsejolomi is a business mogul and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Webster Group of Companies.

    Oritsejolomi had earlier bought Apoti a Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus car worth $750,000 (equivalent to N311,745,000.00) in what seems to be a Valentine gift.

    But, as it stands, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus gift looks more of a marriage proposal gift.

    Akpoti’s marriage ceremony invitation card has been making the wave all over social media, most especially Facebook.

    The marriage ceremony may turn out to be the talk of town in the coming days.

  • SDP suspends secretary in Kogi

    SDP suspends secretary in Kogi

    The Kogi State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Friday suspended its Secretary, Mr Arome Okeme, for absconding from the state to Guinea Bissau.

    The State Party Chairman, Mr Muktar Atima, announced the suspension during a press conference in Lokoja.

    Atima expressed the party’s displeasure over the sudden disappearance of Okeme from the state and party activities for over a year now without any explanation.

    According to him; “we learned that Okeme has been in Guinea Bissau for over a year now, an absence, which has gravely affected us as a political party.

    “The absence of our secretary from the country for over a year has negatively affected the smooth running of the party and created a huge lacuna.

    “We have no option but to suspend him and replace him to enable us to move forward.

    “The party leadership has replaced the suspended secretary with Mr Musa David-Chubiyojo, after an emergency State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday, Jan. 27, in Lokoja,” he said.

    On the new national leadership of the party, the chairman said, “Today, we wish to pledge our unalloyed support to the leadership of Dr Ishaq Abdul Ahmed and Engr. Simon Adeshina as National Chairman and General Secretary respectively.

    He disclosed that the Kogi State Chapter of the SDP on Friday passed a vote of confidence on the national leadership and its plans to take the party to greater heights in the country.

    The SDP Chairman described the state chapter’s support to the new National leadership of the party as “the right decision” capable of putting the party in good stead ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    He said, “We are seriously preparing for the forthcoming general elections and very happy with the Leadership of our party at the national level.

    The chairman called on party Members and supporters to give the state leadership the maximum cooperation and support toward leading the party to victory in the 2023 general elections.

  • Yuletide: Police ban use of fireworks in Kogi

    Yuletide: Police ban use of fireworks in Kogi

    The Police Command in Kogi on Saturday ban the use of fireworks during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Idrisu Dauda-Dabban slammed the ban on the residents warned against any flaunt, which would attract the wrath of the law.

    Dauda-Dabban, in a press release by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PORO), DSP Williams Ovye-Aya, called on all parents to caution their Children and wards, particularly the Youths and Teenagers who are fond of playing banger (Knockout) to desist from such acts.

    The CP warned, “the Police is determined to deal decisively with anybody that want to cause disturbance of public peace.

    “In fact, anybody caught flaunting this order will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

    “This is because the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of the law against persons who would deliberately want to take the law into their hands.

    “Accordingly, we advise all law abiding people in the State to go about their legitimate businesses without cause to fear as the police is on top of the situation throughout the festive periods, ” he assured.

    Dauda-Dabban urged the public to promptly report any suspicious movement or activities within their neighbourhood to the nearest security agents for prompt action.

  • PHOTO: Kidnappers terrorising Okene-Lokoja expressway arrested by hunters

    PHOTO: Kidnappers terrorising Okene-Lokoja expressway arrested by hunters

    Three Suspected kidnappers have been nabbed by a group of hunters led by Hon. Joseph Salami, Chief Security Officer of Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi.

    Mr Onogwu Muhammed, the Chief Press Secretary to Kogi Gov. Yahaya Bello, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday.

    According to him, the kidnappers, who are herdsmen have been reported to be terrorising the Osara, Aku, Irepeni, Irapana, along Okene-Lokoja expressway, were neutralized on Wednesday.

    Muhammed said the effort of the Adavi CSO and the hunters was parts of the efforts supporting the Kogi government’s fight against insecurity, and safeguarding the lives and property of the people.

    “Hon. Joseph Omuya Salami , CSO of Adavi LGA led the hunters to neutralise kidnappers’ hideout terrorizing Osara, Aku, Irepeni, Irapana, along Okene-Lokoja highway.

    “The council chairman spent hours in the bush with the hunters before they could apprehend some of the kidnappers.

    “Three of the gang members were arrested, while some escaped with bullets wounds during the confrontation.

    “The incident happened around 8pm at Aku Farm Centre community in Adavi LGA when the suspected herdsmen came to the highway to carry out their mischievous act.

    “But they were intercepted by the local hunters who were still on duty at that particular period which later led to the destruction of their hideouts in the bush.

    “The suspected kidnappers apprehended were all herdsmen from Nasarawa State and they are; Abubakar Sadiq, Abdullahi Muhammed and Muhammadu Kabiru.

    “One of them has confessed on their mode of operation, the nature of sophisticated weapons they use, and the names of other gang members,” Muhammed stated.

    According to Muhammed, the local council boss has handed them over to the appropriate authority for further investigation.

    Omuya commended the local hunters for their relentless efforts and determination in discharging their duties.

    He urged every resident particularly those residing in the farm areas to be security-conscious and provide useful information to the appropriate quarters in case they suspect any suspicious moves.

    He also urged commuters to report to the relevant authorities once they see strange faces they are not be familiar with.

    He also stated that the feat recorded overnight demonstrated the formidable security architecture in the state in which Adavi LG is not left out.

    See photo of suspected kidnappers below:

  • Kogi Speaker, Kolawole loses wife

    Kogi Speaker, Kolawole loses wife

    The wife of the Speaker of Kogi House of Assembly, Mrs Esther Zainab Kolawole, is dead.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Femi Olugbemi, Chief Press Secretary to the speaker, Assemblyman Matthew Kolawole.

    He said the deceased died in the early hours of Sunday in a Lagos state hospital.

    The statement stated that Olugbemi Mrs Kolawole was 50-years and died after a brief illness.

    According to him, the burial arrangements will be announced later.

    He said she is survived by her husband, children, siblings and an aged mother.

  • Kogi govt denies ownership of N19.3 billion bailout fund returned to CBN by EFCC

    Kogi govt denies ownership of N19.3 billion bailout fund returned to CBN by EFCC

    The Kogi State Government has denied ownership of the N19.3 billion, allegedly returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The state has also threatened legal action, if the EFCC did not within 48 hours, retract the statement that the fund it allegedly returned to the CBN, belonged to Kogi.

    Recall that the EFCC on Friday, said it returned the N19. 33 billion Kogi salary bailout funds it recovered, to the CBN.

    Spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, on Friday.

    Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Sunday, Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, described the commission’s claims as “mischievous, false and politically motivated.”

    “Let it be known that the Kogi government has disbursed its bailout loans for the purpose of which it was granted as of October 2019.

    “There is therefore no hidden bailout funds/loan’ belonging to Kogi that is capable of being returned to the CBN or frozen by an order of Court.

    “The EFCC knows this, which is why it withdrew the suit it filed in Court on the bailout fund,” he said.

    The commissioner reiterated that the state does not operate a fixed deposit Sterling Bank account, which had been clarified by the bank in its letter, dated Sept. 1.

    “The Kogi government knows absolutely nothing about the ownership and control of the said N19.3 billion, allegedly returned to the CBN.

    “The Kogi government did not also open or operate a Kogi State salary bailout fixed deposit account, No. 0073572696, where the said funds were allegedly warehoused and dissipated and now allegedly returned to the CBN,” he said.

    Fanwo challenged the EFCC to provide details of the fixed deposit account, as no one or group could operate such account without a mandate, an agreement as to terms including tenure, interest rates and the rest.

    He said the whole saga was aimed at tarnishing the rising political image of Gov. Yahaya Bello, bring him to disrepute by portraying him as a corrupt governor/person.

    “The EFCC must be mindful of how this issue will affect the fortunes of the state, shake investor confidence and the possibility of setting the people of Kogi against its government.

    “Consequently, the Kogi government demands a retraction of the statement and all allegations of crimes levied against the Kogi government and its governor.

    “We further demand an apology published within 48 hours from today, in one national daily and on all EFCC official and social media platforms, addressed to the governor and the entire government and people of Kogi.”

    On EFCC’s claim that the sum of N666,666,666.64 was transferred from the N19.3 billion on the instruction of the Kogi government, the commissioner said that Sterling Bank had clarified that the account was not an operational account but was a mirror account opened for administrative purposes.

    “We challenge the EFCC to produce the account mandate, account package, and the phone number and BVN of those who allegedly opened and operated the ‘Kogi State salary bailout fixed deposit account No. 0073572696’ on behalf of the state government.”

    Fanwo said the EFCC should tell Nigerians who was drawing the interest from the said fixed deposit account and where same was being paid by Sterling Bank Plc.

  • BREAKING: Hidden N19.3 billion Kogi salary bail-out funds returned to CBN

    BREAKING: Hidden N19.3 billion Kogi salary bail-out funds returned to CBN

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said the sum of N19.3 billion salary bail-out funds allegedly hidden by the Kogi State government has been returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the EFCC as saying the CBN acknowledged the receipt of the said amount in a letter referenced DFD/DIR/CON/EXT/01/099 and dated 9th November, 2021.

    This was contained in a statement signed and released on Friday by Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media and Publicity of the antigraft agency.

    According to the statement, the return of the money to the apex bank was in compliance with the October 15, 2021 Order of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

    The court had directed the unfreezing of the Kogi State Salary Bail-out account to enable Sterling Bank to remit the balance in the account to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    TNG reports Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke gave the Order pursuant to an application filed by the EFCC.

    The statement reads: “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has acknowledged the receipt of the sum of N19,333,333,333.36 (Nineteen Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-three Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-three Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty-three Naira, Thirty-six Kobo) recovered by the EFCC from the Kogi State Salary Bail-out account domiciled in Sterling Bank Plc.

    “This effectively puts to rest the campaign of misinformation and unconscionable denials by the Kogi State Government that no fund was recovered from its bail out account.

    “The apex bank in a letter referenced, DFD/DIR/CON/EXT/01/099 and dated 9th November, 2021 informed the Executive Chairman, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa that it has received the money.

    “The letter reads in part: “We refer to your letter dated November 5, 2021 with Ref. No: CR:3000/EFCC/LS/CMU/REC-STE/VOL.4/047 on the above subject and wish to confirm the details of the receipt of the amount as stated below: Bank: Sterling Bank Plc; Amount: N19, 333, 333,333.36; Date of receipt: 04 November, 2021”.

    “The return of the money to the apex bank is in compliance with the October 15, 2021 Order of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi Lagos directing the unfreezing of the Kogi State Salary Bail-out account to enable Sterling Bank to remit the balance in the account to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke gave the Order pursuant to an application filed by the EFCC.

    “The Commission had told the court that the management of Sterling Bank Plc, where the account was domiciled had acknowledged the existence of the said account with the staggering sum of N19, 333,333,333.36 in its books.

    “The Commission further brought to the attention of the court that “The sum of N19, 333,333,333.36 is still standing in the credit of the account frozen”, adding that “the management of Sterling Bank PIc, has, pursuant to a letter dated 15 September, 2021, signed by its Managing Director, indicated intention to return the total sum of N19, 333,333,333.36 back to the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

    “The EFCC prayed the court that it “is expedient for the instant suit to be discontinued and the account unfrozen to enable the management of Sterling Bank PIc effect the transfer/ return of the sum of the sum of N19, 333, 333, 333.36 back to the coffer of the Central Bank of Nigeria , where the said bailout funds was disbursed.”

    “The transfer has put paid to any further controversy regarding source and ownership of the funds and most importantly, aborted the funds dissipation.

    “On August 31, 2021, Justice Tijani Garba Ringim, a vacation Judge, had ordered the freezing of the account, following an ex-parte application filed by the EFCC.

    “The EFCC, in a 13-paragraph affidavit in support of the ex-parte application, had stated that it received a credible and direct intelligence, which led to the tracing of the funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities in account No. 0073572696 domiciled in Sterling Bank, Plc with the name Kogi State Salary Bailout Account.

    “After listening to the EFCC application, Justice Ringim on August 31, 2021, ordered the freezing of the account and directed the publication of the order in a national newspaper by the EFCC”.

  • JUST IN: Police officers in viral video harassing travelers arrested

    JUST IN: Police officers in viral video harassing travelers arrested

    Police have arrested and detained four of its personnel in Kogi over alleged extortion of N25,000 from a traveller and physical assault on another in a trending video.

    Commissioner of Police, Idrisu Dauda Dabban, disclosed this in a statement signed by the police command’s image maker, DSP William Aya, on Sunday in Lokoja.

    Dabban said the command had also launched investigation into the viral video allegations against the police personnel attached to Adogo Division.

    According to the statement, they were alleged to have extorted N25,000 from a traveller and physically assaulted another while on patrol duty along Adogo-Okene road.

    The commissioner, who condemned the incident, said that the police officers had been identified and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department.

    According to him, they are ASP Isah Barnabas, Insp Ifediegwu Godwin, Sgt. Emmanuel Ochima and Cpl. Umameh Mathias who was alleged to have physically assaulted one of the travellers.

    He said that ASP Barnabas had been issued an official query while the three junior officers were currently undergoing Orderly Room Trial (Police internal disciplinary action).

    The police commissioner noted that the Command was doing its best to establish contact with the victims and enjoined them (victims) to reach out to the Command through telephone number: 08107899269.

    Dabban assured that any of the officers found wanting in the investigation would be dealt with accordingly.