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Tag: Money laundering

  • Trial of ex-Governor Fayose to resume July 14

    Trial of ex-Governor Fayose to resume July 14

    The money laundering trial of a former governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, before a Federal High Court in Lagos is to continue on July 14.

    The trial which was earlier fixed for continuation on July 13 and July 14 could not proceed, following the absence of the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs.

    In the absence of the prosecutor, the trial would consequently, continue on Friday.

    Fayose is standing trial on allegations of money laundering and he is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    On June 6, the 12th prosecution witness, a former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, presented his evidence before the court.

    Obanikoro, who began his evidence on Jan. 31, concluded same after cross- examination by the defence.

    Among other testimonies, the witness had told the court that he had no documentary evidence to show that he gave money to Fayose.

    Fayose was first arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018 before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun.

    He was charged alongside his company, Spotless Investments Ltd. on 11-count charge, bordering on money laundering offences.

    Fayose had, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018 in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum.

    The defendant, was however, re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on July 2, 2019 after the case was withdrawn from Justice Olatoregun, following EFCC’s petition.

    He had also pleaded not guilty to the charges and was allowed to continue on the earlier bail granted, while the case was adjourned for trial.

    The commission has since opened its case before Justice Aneke and was still leading witnesses in evidence.

    In December 2021, the EFCC had called its 11th witness, one Mrs Joanne Tolulope, who had narrated how Abiodun Agbele, an associate of Fayose, bought properties worth several millions.

    During the trial before Justice Olatoregun, the prosecution also called witnesses from several commercial banks as well as Obanikoro.

    According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele, were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion, for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election campaign in Ekiti.

    Fayose was alleged to have received a cash payment of the sum of five million dollars, (about N1.8 billion) from the then Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Obanikoro, without going through any financial institution.

    He was also alleged to have retained the sum of N300 million in his account and also took control of the aggregate sums of about N622 million, which sum he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Fayose was alleged to have procured De Privateer Ltd. and Still Earth Ltd, to retain the aggregate sums of N851 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    Besides, the defendant was alleged to have used the aggregate sums of about N1.6 billion to acquire properties in Lagos and Abuja, which sums he reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds.

    He was also alleged to have used the sum of N200 million, to acquire a property in Abuja, in the name of his elder sister, Moji Oladeji, which sum he ought to know also forms crime proceeds.

    The offences contravene the provisions of Sections 15(1), 15 (2), 15 (3), 16(2)(b), 16 (d), and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011.

  • EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Fayemi over alleged N4bn fraud

    EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Fayemi over alleged N4bn fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed former Governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, over alleged money laundering and misappropriation of N4 billion.

    A source close to the anti-graft agency said that  Fayemi arrived at the EFCC facility at about 10.am on Thursday and was drilled by the its operatives.

    The source said that the ex-governor was at the zonal command of the anti-graft agency located on Oko Close, Off Station Road, Ilorin in Kwara for interrogation over an alleged fraud.

    According to the source, EFCC is interrogating the former governor over allegations of misappropriation of N4 billion and money laundering.

    The probe is said to be connected to the handling of funds during his tenure as governor of Ekiti.

    Fayemi was governor of the state from 2018 to 2022 and handed over to Gov. Biodun Oyebanji in June 2022.

    The Anti-graft agency had in a letter dated May 12 invited the former governor to appear in its Kwara office on May 18 over allegations bothering on money laundering and misappropriation of public fund.

    The commission in a letter by ACE 1 Michael Nzekwe stated “the commission is investigating a case of money laundering in which there is need to seek certain clarification from you has become imperative.

    “In view of this, you are kindly requested to come for an interview with the undersigned through the head, Economic Governance Section. Thursday, May 18, 2023. No. 10 Oko close, off Station Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara. Time: 10: 00 hours.”

    The former governor had, however, written the commission seeking to delay his invitation over the allegation.

    Responding through his lawyer, Adeola Omotunde, in a letter dated May 15, Fayemi said he was one of the organisers and a reviewer of one of the books published in President Buhari’s honour.

    “Our client is in receipt of your letter of invitation dated 12th May 2023 for an appointment on Thursday, 18th of May, 2023.

    “Our client is one of the organisers of the programme and will review one of the books,” the letter read in part.

    It is believed that the anti-graft agency gave heed to the request of the former governor but immediately went into action after the presidential swearing-in.

  • EFCC re-arrests Mompha on alleged N6bn money laundering

    EFCC re-arrests Mompha on alleged N6bn money laundering

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday disclosed social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha (alias Mompha), charged with N6 billion money laundering had been re-arrested.

    The EFCC counsel, Mr Suleiman Suleiman, told an Ikeja Special Offences Court that the prosecution in collaboration with its international partners had secured the arrest of Mompha.

    “The prosecution will like to bring to the knowledge of my lord that in collaboration with our international partners, we have been able to apprehend the defendant.

    “We plan to take him into custody and to produce him before the court.

    “The counsel for the defendant reached out to me seeking for an adjournment that he will be absent today in court,” Suleiman said.

    Justice Mojisola Dada, thereafter, adjourned the case until July 3 for continuation of trial.

    The court had on Sept. 21, 2022 ordered the commencement of trial of the defendant in absentia after he failed to appear before the court.

    EFCC had on Jan. 22, 2022 arraigned Mompha alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment, on an eight-count charge of N6 billion laundering, which he pleaded not guilty to.

    The court had on June 22, 2022 issued a bench warrant for Mompha’s arrest following his absence in court.

    Dada revoked the bail she granted the defendant.

    The social media celebrity was equally absent in court on June 16, 2022.

    On June 10, 2022 EFCC accused him of flouting the court’s order by travelling to Dubai with a new international passport.

    The charges against Mompha include conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities, and laundering of money obtained through unlawful activities.

    Others are: retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, use of property derived from an unlawful act, possession of a document containing false pretense, and failure to disclose assets.

  • Court orders release of documents in money laundering trial of former ministers

    Court orders release of documents in money laundering trial of former ministers

    A Federal High Court on Tuesday ordered the release of processes and documents in the money laundering trial of a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman and others to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, made an application before Justice Daniel Osiagor, to release all documentary evidences or processes in the suit, following the decision of an appellate court.

    Usman, is charged alongside a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and Yusuf Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Also charged is a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd.

    EFCC had preferred a 17-count charge bordering on N4.6 billion money laundering against them before a former judge, Justice Mohammed Aikawa.

    The defendants had each pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

    Trial had began before Justice Aikawa and witnesses were still being led in evidence, until Aikawa was transferred out of the Lagos division.

    The charge was consequently, re-assigned to a new judge, Justice Daniel Osaigor, and they were consequently, re-arraigned on Jan. 24. 2022.

    Again, trial had since commenced in the case and witnesses were still giving evidences before the court.

    However, following an appeal filed by Usman, seeking a transfer of the case on jurisdictional grounds, the court of appeal had found in favour of the defendant.

    When the case was called on Tuesday, Oyedepo announced appearance for the prosecution, and informed the court of the appellate court’s decision, directing that the case be transfered to the Abuja division of the court.

    He, also informed the court that it is still the case of the prosecution adding that the prosecution is still leading evidence as PW 1 was still testifying.

    He, consequently, sought an application for the release of all documentary evidences and exhibits in the case to the prosecution, so as to save time and avoid delay

    In a short ruling , Justice Osiagor held that in line with the decision of the appellate court, all documentary evidences as well as exhibits tendered , be released to the prosecution.

    In the charge, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015 in Lagos.

    They were alleged to have at various times, unlawfully retained over N4.6 billion which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful acts of stealing and corruption.

    Meanwhile in counts 15 to17 Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke who is said to be at large, were alleged to have made cash payments of about N30 million, in excess of the amount allowed by law, without going through a financial institution.

    The said payments are alleged to have been made to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis St., Lagos, in excess of amounts allowed by law..

    All offences were said to have contravened the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money laundering (prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

  • Alamieyeseigha’s $954,000 loot to be returned by US govt

    Alamieyeseigha’s $954,000 loot to be returned by US govt

    The United States and the Federal Government have signed an agreement to reinstate $954,000 allegedly stolen by a former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

    The agreement was signed on Thursday in Abuja by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, and the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba.

    Recall that one of the albatrosses of the Goodluck Jonathan administration was the granting of a state pardon to the convicted late governor of Bayelsa State (Alamieyeseigha).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Jonathan was the deputy to Alamieyeseigha when he was governor of Bayelsa.

    Alamieyeseigha, who died in 2015, was convicted for money laundering related charges.

    Alamieyeseigha's $954,000 loot to be returned by US govt

    On March 12, 2013, Jonathan pardoned Alamieyeseigha. The state pardon elicited a barrage of criticism against him (Jonathan).

    But in his new book, “My Transition Hours”, Jonathan explained that the decision to pardon Alamieyeseigha was reached by his predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua, who could not announce it before he died.

    He explained that in pardoning Alamieyeseigha, he merely honoured an agreement reached by his late boss.

    “Let me say that after we came to office on May 29, 2007, two major issues that we had to grapple with were the peace process in the Niger Delta and growing menace of terrorism, driven largely by the radical Islamic terror group Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād popularly known as Boko Haram.

    “First, our oil production figures were ebbing due to militant activities in the Niger Delta. The federation distributable accrual was dwindling drastically when we took over due to the crisis in the region and president Yar’Adua in seeking urgent solution to increase the revenues of the federation offered amnesty to the militant. One of their demands was that Alamieyeseigha be released from detention and pardoned by president Yar’Adua.

    “He accepted their term mandated me to ensure that my former boss accepted a plea bargain and call the militant to order. President Yar’Adua promised to grant Alamieyeseigha state pardon if all parties were brought on board to the negotiation table to restore peace in the region.

    Alamieyeseigha's $954,000 loot to be returned by US govt

    “I immediately carried out his instruction. Unfortunately, he passed on before completely fulfilling his promise. When I became president, I granted late Alamieyeseigha a state pardon, in fulfilment of late President Yar’Adua’s earlier commitment.

    “Unfortunately, this was frowned upon by some of my strongest critics and some went berserk and haul all manners of insults at me, including accusing me of being ‘clannish’ for granting state pardon to the former governor because he was from Bayelsa State.

    “Alamieyeseigha’s pardon like every other goodwill gesture I had made, soon become a tool to be used against me by the opposition,” Jonathan wrote.

  • N805m scam: Finally, Senator Nwaoboshi lands in prison

    N805m scam: Finally, Senator Nwaoboshi lands in prison

    The Senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Peter Nwaoboshi, who has been on the run months after the Court of Appeal Lagos Division convicted and sentenced him to 7 years imprisonment for money laundering, is finally in prison custody.

    The lawmaker who was intercepted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at a Hospital in Lagos on Monday, February 6, was finally remanded in Ikoyi Custodial Centre today, February 8, 2023, to commence his prison term.

    The Court of Appeal had in a judgement it delivered on July 1, 2022, sentenced him to prison after it convicted him on a two-count charge of money laundering and also ordered the winding up of his two companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd, in line with the provision of Section 22 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2021, and their properties forfeited to the Federal Government.

    However, the lawmaker who was not present in court at the time of the ruling went underground and refused to present himself to the Nigerian Correctional Service. Instead, he proceeded to the Supreme Court, praying the apex court to not only set aside the judgment of the appeal court but grant him bail, pending the determination of his appeal.

    But in a unanimous decision on January 27, 2023, the apex court dismissed the application. In the lead judgement by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court wondered why Nwaoboshi, who refused to submit himself to the law, would seek the indulgence of the law.

    Justice Tijani Abubakar, in his contribution, upbraided the Appellant for filing the bail application while on the run, saying: “We must make it very, very clear to all Nigerians that nobody is above the law. The government and the governed are subject to the rule of law. And, we must ensure that there is respect for the rule of law”.

    The Court of Appeal judgement that convicted Nwaoboshi followed an appeal by the EFCC against the judgment of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos, which had on June 18, 2021, discharged and acquitted the lawmaker and his companies.

    Nwaoboshi and his companies illegally acquired a property named Guinea House, Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million. Part of the money paid for the property was transferred by Suiming Electrical Ltd on behalf of Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd. The funds are believed to be proceeds of illicit activities of the convict.

    One of the counts reads: ” That you, Peter Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects Limited, between May and June, 2014, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did acquire a property described as Guinea House, Marina Road, Apapa, Lagos, for the sum of N805million, when you reasonably ought to have known that the sum of N322 million out of the purchase price transferred to the vendors by order of Suinming Electricals Limited formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011(as amended) and punishable under Section (15)(3) of the same Act.”

  • Peter Obi reacts to Doyin Okupe’s prison sentence

    Peter Obi reacts to Doyin Okupe’s prison sentence

    Mr Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential candidate, has said the conviction of his Campaign Organisation’s Director-General, Dr. Doyin Okupe, over alleged money laundering would not break his resolve to be Nigeria’s President.

    Obi said this during interaction with journalists in Uyo at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council Secretariat on Monday.

    The labour party presidential candidate said he was undaunted by the conviction and would continue with his campaign and allow the due process of law to take its course.

    “I am hearing about it (the conviction) just like you. I am still studying what is coming out of the Court and everything. I believe in the rule of law. It is not going to demoralise me.

    “Today, when I arrived Akwa Ibom somebody asked me why I haven’t been using my aircraft because it has been grounded and all that, and I said to him that nothing demoralises me.

    “In my life, I have never stayed where they dropped me, otherwise, I would have been where they dropped me before. This election, if they like, let them do anything about people who are around me. I will get there,” Obi said.

    On the impression that he does not have political structure to win the presidential election, he said he was determined to dismantle the existing political structure in the country which encouraged corruption and spread poverty among Nigerians.

    “The structure they have today is the structure we want to destroy. It is the structure of criminality. It is structure that produced 133 million people living in poverty,

    “It is the structure that produced 20 million out of school children. It is the structure that has made Nigeria surpass India in infant mortality. It is the structure that will destroy Nigeria and we want to destroy that structure,” he said.

    The LP presidential candidate added that his priority would be how to secure a United Nigeria and pull people out of poverty.

    He that said if elected president of the  country come 2023, he would work towards the realisation of the Ibaka Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom.

    He said, “my problem is how to create a future and make Nigeria a productive and not a consuming nation.”

  • BREAKING: Finally, Doyin Okupe bags 2 years imprisonment

    BREAKING: Finally, Doyin Okupe bags 2 years imprisonment

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, convicted and sentenced Mr Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, to two years imprisonment.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Okupe is the Director General of the Peter Obi presidential campaign council.

    Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, in a judgment, found Okupe guilty in 26 out of the 59 counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the money laundering offence.

    Justice Ojukwu ordered that the 26 counts, which attracted two-year jail-term each, would run concurrently.

    The judge, however, gave an option of N500, 000 in each of the counts, amounting to N13 million, which must be paid before 4:30pm ,(the close of work) today.

    The wife and son of Okupe had pleaded for leniency after he was convicted.

    Besides, former Governor of old Anambra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and former National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Idi Farouk, had also urged the court to temper justice with mercy in Okupe’s sentencing.

    The court, presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, had convicted Okupe for breaching the Money Laundering Act.

    Justice Ojukwu, in a judgment, held that Okupe was found guilty of contravening Sections 16(1)&(2) of the Money Laundering Act, for accepting cash payments without going through financial institution, in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act.

    Okupe is the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Labour Party (LP).

    Okupe was said to have received N240 million in cash from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retired).

    The judge had, earlier, stood down proceedings tfor Okupe to exercise his right under Section 310 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to call witnesses to testify about his character, before the court could proceed to pronounce sentence on the convict.

  • BREAKING: DG of Peter Obi PCC, Okupe convicted for money laundering

    BREAKING: DG of Peter Obi PCC, Okupe convicted for money laundering

    The Director General (DG) of Peter Obi presidential campaign council (PCC), Doyin Okupe has been convicted for money laundering.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Okupe was convicted by a federal high court in Abuja.

    Okupe was said to have received cash from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) while Sambo Dasuki was in office.

    Okupe, DG of the Labour Party’s PCC, was a former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In a judgment on Monday, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu found Okupe guilty of contravening sections 16(1)&(2) of the Money Laundering Act.

    He was found guilty of accepting cash payments without going through financial institution, in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act.

    Okupe was said to have received hundreds of millions in cash from the office of the NSA while Dasuki was in office.

    Justice Ojukwu has stood down proceedings till 1:45pm for Okupe to exercise his right under Section 310 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to call witnesses to testify about his character, before the court could proceed to pronounce sentence on the convict.

     

    Details shortly…

  • For broadcasting, foreboding times and days of restraints – By Okoh Aihe

    For broadcasting, foreboding times and days of restraints – By Okoh Aihe

    I like this feeling of optimism that the various laws spring upon Nigerians as the political fever breaks. You know how the holy books put it: “old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new,” especially if you follow the laws of the land concerning elections or even concerning broadcasting during elections.

    What the laws presuppose is that politicians have suddenly become angels; they will no longer buy SUVs for village heads, even while working in government offices. They will no longer fly bullion vans to their homes during elections, and brag, “it is my money.” They will no longer instigate area boys to break heads or cause people to be burnt in their homes, without any investigations by the security authorities. No, in Nigeria, angels will now live on earth, no longer in heaven, in the apparition of politicians.

    There is a spending cap. You flout it and you will be given some paltry fines or you spend a little wink of time in jail; which may never happen anyway, especially, if you are the all powerful. But nothing says the politician will forfeit the rewards from ostentatious exhibition of power!

    In this season, so much is expected of broadcasters, to hold the nation together with their professionalism and be fair to all who walk in to do business. That has always been the creed, further accentuated by the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and the Electoral Act 2022. I am anxious for the day the government controlled stations – Federal and States – will allow opposition parties to enjoy generous airtime in their stations.

    With that impertinent (impediment?) aside, let me observe that I do not like the bind being put on broadcasters, like all sins hail from them, with some subtle hints that the stations are the repositories of slush monies. While the stations may be struggling to unravel the meanings of certain provisions of the law, there will be the need to be mindful of some little traps, so that we do not have the innocent heading to jail just to profit one greedy and scheming politician.

    A certain document from the broadcast regulator, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) caught the attention of this writer. Titled Countdown to 2023 General Elections: A Call for Caution. The letter pointed out some relevant sections of the law which demand cautionary dealings or business transactions from broadcast operators.

    Quoting relevant sections of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the letter signed by the Director-General of the Commission, Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah states as follows:

    Section 2(1) No person or body corporate shall, except in transactions through a financial institution, make or accept cash payment of sum exceeding – (a) N5, 000, 000 or its equivalent in the case of an individual; or (b) N10, 000, 000 or its equivalent, in the case of body corporate;

    Section (2) a person shall not conduct two or more transactions separately with one or more financial institutions or designated non-financial businesses and professions with the intent to avoid the duty to report a transaction which should be reported or breach the duty to disclose the information.

    Then this followed. “Pursuant to these provisions, the Commission enjoins all Broadcast Stations to keep a log of all advertisements, Campaign Rallies and sponsored programmes during this period showing, Name of advertiser, Frequency/volume of advert, date and time of broadcast; amount paid for Advert/programme; type of payment (cash/bank transfer) etc.”

    Then there was the platitude about their stations not being used to perpetuate Hate Speech, inciting Comments and Fake News, which they don’t monitor anyway. That is, based on what we have seen so far, where politicians use their tongues to pauperise Nigerians or lacerate other political parties from their Icarus position of wealth! Not even a caution. But threats are rolled out every day by relevant authorities when the powerful makes all such good efforts look silly.

    The Electoral Act seems to have agreed with the NBC concerning fairness in broadcasting an advert spend. But Section 95 warns that broadcast and media stations should not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.

    It states in part: “Media time shall be allocated equally among the political parties or candidates at similar hours of the day. At any public electronic media, equal airtime shall be allotted to all political parties or candidates during prime times at similar hours each day, subject to the payment of appropriate fees. At any public print media, equal coverage and visibility shall be allotted to all political parties.”

    It is all well and good to issue warnings and directives to broadcasters while the politicians search for every ingenuity to circumvent every law and regulation, to push the broadcast stations into trouble, just because the economy is so bad and they need to survive.

    I sympathise with broadcasters because there are some people so steeped in the act of governance/government that they have little time for reflections or introspections before saying certain things. So they have an idea of what it takes to run a broadcast outfit? Do they have any idea what the failing economy is doing to broadcast operations in the country? Do they know what it takes to mobilise for live broadcasting? These are questions the broadcasters and even the regulator should answer because, as a regulator, you have to know the health of the industry to protect those who operate in it.

    A little while ago I was with one of the chief executives of a major broadcast chain in Nigeria. One of the lieutenants came to discuss the cost of operations with him. A sore point of discussion was the cost of running the generators every week, and a quick summary brought the cost to several millions every month, only at one location. It was frightening. You can do a business like that and survive.

    While the law stands supreme and operators should do everything possible not to run foul of it, this now is my humble suggestion. Elections are some months away. The broadcast operators should endeavour to conduct training programmes for their staff on the various intervening laws concerning the elections, to prevent their business from being plunged into uncertainty and avoidable difficulties.

    The days ahead, if signs are anything to go by, are going to be very interesting, even tempestuous and challenging. The broadcast operators should be on their feet to report the end of a blighted era, and contribute to writing an elegy for a regime that caused the nation pain.