Nollywood actor, Uche Maduagwu has taken a swipe on those criticizing Reality Tv star, Maria after she was accused of having an affair with a married man and threatening his wife.
Celebrity barman, Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest, had called out Maria Chike Benjamin for having an affair with his sister’s husband.
He also accused Maria of sending threatening messages to his sister adding that she shamelessly keeps showing off expensive gifts another woman’s husband gave her.
Following the development, Maria has been receiving lots of bashing from Nigerians on social media.
While some referred to her as a pretentious husband snatcher others opined that she had no right to slut-shame Angel knowing that she’s also guilty of the same crime.
Reacting, Maduagwu while soliciting support for Maria slammed those calling her abusive names.
He also opined that rather than drag the woman alone the man should be called out as the act was carried out by two people and not one.
“Maria is a responsible wife material. She is very hardworking and will never stoop so low to date the guy in question.
“Just because a woman is successful some ignorant persons will Be thinking she dates men for money.
“Let’s stop this habit of worshipping a man because he has money,” he wrote.
Anambra born politician and activist Ifeanyi Okonkwo has filed a suit at the Awka Federal High seeking to disqualify four politcial parties and their candidates from participating in the November 6 guber electiion in Anambra.
Those dragged to court include APGA and its candidate Chukwuma Soludo, APC and Andy Uba, YPP and Senator Ifeanyi Uba as well as PDP and Chief Valentine Ozigbo.
Ifeanyi Okonkwo
Also joined in the suit are the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
In the matter with Suit No: Fhc/Awk/Cs//71/2021 Okonkwo, a former Governoship candidate is seeking an order disqualifying the four candidates from contesting the November 6, 2021 Anambra Governoship election.
He is also seeking an order of mandatory injunction mandating INEC to delist the defendants and bar them from presentmemt and participation in the November 6 electiion.
“An order of declaration that the information contained in the affidavit presented by the four candidates to INEC Form CF 001 and other details on the nomination is false and misrepresentation of facts about their personal particulars or information of candidates.
The plaintiff is further seeking an order pursuant to Section 31(6) of the Electoral Act, 2010(as ammended) disqualifying the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th Defendants as candidates from contesting the Anambra election.
Okonkwo, a registered voter says he is aggrieved by “the flagrant violations of the Electoral Act (2010) (as ammended) and the Nigerian constitution by the defendants.
In his statement of Claim, Okonkwo faulted the extension to the tenure of the Buni led APC Caretaker Committee after the first six months as it was not done by the NWC.
Soludo
“It is on record that the appointing body, the APC National Working Committee never met again to extend the tenure of the caretaker. And acts carried out by the body has not been determined by any court.
“That the APC acting National Chairman, Mai Buni, is aware that as Executive Governor of Yobe State, he shall not during his current period in office hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity. “But he sat at the helm of affairs of the APC Anambra guber primary that purportedly took place on 26/6/2021.
“That the Governor/National Chairman of APC submitted and signed the nomination of Senator Andy Uba as APC candidate for the November 6 Anambra election.
“That INEC in its report stated that APC did not hold Governoship primary election on 26/6/2021 at the date, venues and time it notified the Commission.
‘That INEC failed to comply with the Electoral Act when it Published Senator Andy Uba and the APC among the list of candidates notwithstanding the INEC report against the APC.
“That both APC and Andy Uba are unfit legally and constitutionally to participate further in the process of the November 6 Anambra Governoship election.”
For APGA, Okonkwo noted that the party did not hold special Congress in each of the Local Government Areas as stipulated by the Electoral Act.
“The party rather gathered all the four aspirants at the Late Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka, in their illegal and unconstitutional party Governoship primary.”
He also argued that as a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Prof Chukwuma Soludo ought to have resigned his appointment.
He described the Council as a statutory tenured position recorgnized under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 151 (1).
“As a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council Prof Soludo is a public officer up till the 23/6/2021 when he contested as the winner of APGA, Anambra State Governoship candidate.”
For Ifeanyi Ubah and YPP, Okonkwo argued that a Lawmaker at the state or National Assembly seeking nomination for governor ought to resign or take leave of absence.
“That a member of the National Assembly aspiring to contest in party primary election for Governoship candidate, a statutory office tenured as the membership of State National and State Assemblies, which is constructively and constitutionally different from standing for re election in National or State Assemblies is mandatorily required to either resign, withdraw or retire from such parliamentary positions; or take leave of absence without pay at least 30 days before standing for the party Governoship primary.”
Ifeanyi Okonkwo is also challenging PDP’s nomination process which threw up Chief Valentine Ozigbo insisting that the process contravenes sections of the Electoral Law.
The matter comes up tomorrow Tuesday October 26 at the Awka Federal High Court.
About four shops were reportedly gutted by fire which engulfed a plaza inside the PEACE Mass Transit Park in Nsukka, Monday afternoon.
The park which is very close to the Ogige Market created fear and tension as traders swung to action to avoid a spill over.
Hon Ngozi Ozioko Chairperson Ogige Market Nsukka who spoke to EverydayNewsngr.net said the quick intervention of the Enugu fire service saved the market from burning.
She narrated how the traders used fire fighting equipment installed the market to fight the fire “but it was strong and we couldn’t control.
“I had to call the Chief Fire Officer in Enugu and a shortwhile three fire vehicles arrived as well as an additional water tanker.”
Our source from the Fire Service disclosed that fire stations at both Nsukka and Orba were promptly dispatched to quench the fire.
It was further confirmed that the fourth shop was burning when the fire service arrived and put out the fire.
The Anambra State Government has shifted school activities to Saturday following the sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The secessionist group had since June 2021, ordered and enforced a sit-at-home every Monday in the Southeast following the rearrest of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Despite pressure from stakeholders from across the country, urging the group to cancel the order, they have insisted, even threatening a total lockdown of the region
Economic activities in some parts of the region have suffered setbacks as shops, financial institutions, markets are shut from dust to dawn every Monday, since June.
A circular by the State Government at the weekend directed schools in the state to hold classes on Saturdays to make up for the lost time.
Private and public schools are now to conduct Saturday lessons beginning from 8am to 1pm.
The circular reads: “I am directed by the ES to inform you that the Anambra State Govt has approved Saturdays as school days in place of Mondays.
“All HMs are to notify teachers, pupils as well as parents about the new development. Quality Assurance supervision and every other supervision henceforth will hold on Saturdays.
“Every permission for absent from classes on Saturdays must be addressed to the Executive Chairman ASUBBEB through the E S following due process. Saturday classes will commence on 30/10/21 ie next week.”
Nollywood Director and former Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State Hon Afam Okereke has been kidnapped.
He was reportedly abducted Saturday on his way to Porthacourt.
Our source said the family and friends have embarked on prayers for his safety.
The family is said to have been contacted and the sum of N10 million is being demanded as ransom.
When contacted Enugu Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Daniel Ndukwe said he didn’t have the information but promised to get back to our reporter.
Afam Okereke, Nollywood front line film maker was appointed Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime in 2021.
He later contested and won the Local Government Chairmanship position for Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Popular celebrity barman, Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest, has called out reality Tv star, Maria Chike Benjamin for having an affair with his sister’s husband.
The celebrity barman made this known in a post via his Instagram account on Sunday.
He also accused Maria of sending threatening messages to his sister adding that she shamelessly keeps showing off expensive gifts another woman’s husband got for her.
“Maria Chike Benjamin, how on Earth will you threaten a married woman who has male and female offspring to leave her husband for you.
“You keep showing off the expensive gifts and cars her husband bought for you just to taunt her.
“Kelvin, am so ashamed of you. I know that all men are cheats but never make your hone miserable for your wife to the extent that your side chick calls her to threaten her,” he wrote.
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has warned the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government against declaring bandits terrorists.
Gumi warned that Nigeria would stop existing as a sovereign and united entity if the Federal Government declared bandits as terrorists.
The Islamic cleric disclosed this in a Facebook post, on Sunday night.
He, however, admitted that the devastation caused by bandits in the Northwest amounted to terrorism.
Gumi stressed that despite the devastation, proscribing bandits would lead to severe consequences that will consume the entire country.
He said: “The acts the bandits are committing now in NW have gradually over time become tantamount to terrorism because wherever innocent people are fatal victims it’s pure terrorism.
“Many teaming unemployed youths may find it palatable and attractive. Shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ plus AK47 against a ‘secular’ immoral society where impunity reigns are the magnet for extremists and downtrodden – the majority of our youth. Already these deadly terrorist groups are fighting for the soul of these bandits.
“This will give criminality a spiritual cover and remove the stigma of discrediting them with such crimes since now they are fighting a ‘Jihad’ as they will claim.
“NE is already and is still devastated by this madness for over 12 years. If we allow, terror, to set in into these raw naïve unexposed bandits, NW will be in ruins sooner than later.
“Turn bandits into religious zealots. Tell me, what then remains of Nigeria?”
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has warned the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government against declaring bandits terrorists.
Gumi warned that Nigeria would stop existing as a sovereign and united entity if the Federal Government declared bandits as terrorists.
The Islamic cleric disclosed this in a Facebook post, on Sunday night.
He, however, admitted that the devastation caused by bandits in the Northwest amounted to terrorism.
Gumi stressed that despite the devastation, proscribing bandits would lead to severe consequences that will consume the entire country.
He said: “The acts the bandits are committing now in NW have gradually over time become tantamount to terrorism because wherever innocent people are fatal victims it’s pure terrorism.
“Many teaming unemployed youths may find it palatable and attractive. Shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ plus AK47 against a ‘secular’ immoral society where impunity reigns are the magnet for extremists and downtrodden – the majority of our youth. Already these deadly terrorist groups are fighting for the soul of these bandits.
“This will give criminality a spiritual cover and remove the stigma of discrediting them with such crimes since now they are fighting a ‘Jihad’ as they will claim.
“NE is already and is still devastated by this madness for over 12 years. If we allow, terror, to set in into these raw naïve unexposed bandits, NW will be in ruins sooner than later.
“Turn bandits into religious zealots. Tell me, what then remains of Nigeria?”
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted 2,060 kilogrammes of assorted drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, tramadol and rohypnol.
The drugs were reportedly seized in Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Kano, Kaduna and Plateau states.
The agency said two consignments of heroin weighing 4.40kg and 550 grams were intercepted on October 6 and 15, respectively, at the cargo shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
A statement on Sunday by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the first was seized at the SAHCO import shed of the airport when it was discovered inside bags of granulated sugar and flour from Johannesburg, South Africa, via Addis Ababa to Lagos on an Ethiopian airline flight.
He said, “Two suspects, Chukwuemeka Ugochukwu, a freight agent that cleared the consignment, and one Kabiru Aminu, a stock keeper that was to collect the cargo for onward distribution to recipients, were arrested for further investigation.”
Babafemi said in a follow-up operation on October 9, one Adeoya Joy, who was to collect the luggage from Kabiru Aminu was arrested on Ajao Estate, while Enahoro Anointing, who was also assigned to collect the consignment was nabbed in the Abule Egba area of Lagos.
Both were said to be acting on instructions from their partners in South Africa.
The second consignment discovered at the SAHCO export shed and concealed in walls of 10 cartons laced with tailoring materials was said to be heading for Malaysia via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian cargo airline, while a freight forwarding agent, Ekpe Victor, was arrested in connection with the illegal export.
Also, the agency said attempts by another freight agent, Igwe Onwukwe, to export two consignments of cannabis to the United Kingdom were foiled by NDLEA operatives.
The first attempt was reportedly made on October 15 when Onwukwe presented a carton of 16.55kg cannabis for export to UK at the NAHCO export shed, where he was arrested.
“Curiously, another consignment of 15.85kg cannabis also heading for UK and intercepted on October 20 was traced to Onwukwe as the owner, even while still undergoing investigation in custody,” the NDLEA said.
Meanwhile, two persons, Uchenna Ali, 22, and Tochukwu Eno, 20, were arrested with 302kg of cannabis when operatives raided a warehouse in Emure Forest, Owo LGA, Ondo State, on Friday, October 22.
In Kano, a 45-year-old driver, Mohammed Haruna, was arrested with 10,161 sachets of tramadol and rohypnol tablets and capsules while conveying the illicit drugs in a bus for distribution, while in Kaduna, a suspected fake soldier, Abiodun Ademoya, from Akure South, Ondo State, was arrested in Zaria with 11.6kg of cannabis.
Babafemi said, “In a most audacious move, a nursing mother, 35-year-old Mariam Drissu, was arrested at the Edo State command headquarters of the agency on Thursday, October 21, while trying to smuggle drugs into the cell for a suspect in custody.
Officers on duty had, while searching the food brought by Mariam for her relation in custody discovered two cups of ‘loud’ cannabis weighing 13 grams buried inside the food (akpu) meant for the suspect in custody.”
Following the persistent sit-at-home orders in the South East which is affecting businesses across the Zone, major importers based in the East have started relocating to Lagos.
An importer who spoke to EverydayNewsngr.net explained that the sit-at-home is crumbling businesses and they can’t just sit and watch while things get worse.
“Now they are talking of one week sit-at-home, what do you expect people like us to do.
” Don’t forget some of these businesses are financed by banks; what will you tell them; that there is sit-at-home?”
He explained that the danger is that the economy of the South East is threatened because once these people move and settle down in Lagos, it will be hard for them to come back. “It will take a long time. Not when one has paid for warehouses for two or three years.
“At the same time traders who come to Aba, Onitsha, Nnewi all the way from the North, Cameroon and other parts of Africa will stop coming.
“They will now be going straight to Lagos you can imagine what will happen. But there is no choice in the face of this sit-at-home.”
Our source also revealed that traders in Aba now move their goods to Cross River to be able to do business on Mondays.
If this continues Cross River will gradually take over from Aba, traders in Onitsha will move to Asaba.
The World Bank has released a new report revealing a list of Nigerian companies and individuals involved in corrupt practices and fraud.
The World Bank has blacklisted 18 Nigerian individuals and firms for engaging in corrupt practices, fraud and collusive practices in its 2021 fiscal year 2021, a new report has revealed.
A list of debarred individuals and firms was presented in a new annual report titled World Bank Group Sanctions System FY21.
The debarments were made by the World Bank Sanctions Board, World Bank Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer and the African Development Bank.
The debarments made by AfDB were recognised by World Bank, making the affected firms to be barred under cross-debarment policy.
Based on the World Bank Sanctions Board’s decision, Mr. Elie Abou Ghazaleh and Mr. Fadi Abou Ghazaleh, alongside their firm, Abou Ghazaleh Contracting Nigeria Limited, were debarred for six months for collusive practices.
Based on the decision of the World Bank Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer, a Nigerian firm, Swansea Tools Resources, was debarred for fraudulent practices for two years and 10 months.
Referred to under Sanctions Case No 651, it was disclosed that the firm misrepresented its past experience in its bid for a road maintenance contract.
The report read in part, “The SDO determined that the respondent, a Nigerian firm, engaged in a fraudulent practice by misrepresenting its past experience in its bid for a road maintenance contract under a state employment and expenditure project in Nigeria. The SDO imposed on the respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of two years and 10 months. As a mitigating factor, the SDO considered the respondent’s limited cooperation with investigators, noting that the respondent produced documents and agreed to be interviewed but did not accept responsibility for the misconduct.”
Another Nigerian firm, Juckon Construction and Allied Services Nigeria Limited, was debarred for corrupt practices for three years. Referred to under Sanctions Case No 649, it was disclosed that the firm made improper payment to a public official.
The report read, “The SDO determined that the respondent, a Nigerian firm, engaged in a corrupt practice by making an improper payment to a public official in connection with the award and/or execution of two waste management and refuse collection contracts under a state employment and expenditure project in Nigeria. The SDO imposed on the respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of four years.”
A Nigerian, Ms. Okafor Glory, was debarred for fraudulent practices for four years, while the firm involved, Unique Concept Enterprises, was debarred for five years for same reason.
Another Nigerian firm, Asbeco Nigeria Limited, was debarred for five years for corrupt practices.
The matter which involved Ms. Glory and the firm, Unique Concept Enterprises, was presented under Sanctions Case No 691.
It read in part, “The SDO determined that the respondents, a Nigerian firm and a Nigerian citizen, engaged in fraudulent practices by submitting false documents in connection with two refuse collection and disposal contracts under a state employment and expenditure project in Nigeria. In particular, the SDO found that: (i) the corporate respondent submitted a falsified income tax clearance certificate in its bids for the contracts; and (ii) both respondents submitted a falsified advance payment guarantee in connection with the execution of one of the contracts.
“The SDO imposed on the corporate respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of five years. On the individual respondent, the SDO imposed a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of four years. As aggravating factors, the SDO considered that (i) the corporate respondent engaged in a repeated pattern of misconduct, and (ii) the individual respondent was the managing director of the corporate respondent.”
The matter which involved Asbeco Nigeria was presented under Sanctions Case No 675.
It read in part, “The SDO determined that the respondent, a Nigerian firm, engaged in corrupt practices in connection with an erosion control contract under an erosion and watershed management project in Nigeria. Specifically, the SDO found that the respondent (i) made a payment of N2m (approximately $12,000) to the project’s engineer to influence his actions in connection with the procurement and/or execution of the contract, and (ii) made a facilitation payment of N50,000 (approximately $160) to the project’s cashier to influence her actions in connection with the execution of the same contract.
Read Also Buhari’s govt incompetent, failed to curb corruption —The Economist Preach against corruption, Bawa urges religious leaders EFCC raises alarm over ‘deep’ corrupt practices among bankers “The SDO imposed on the respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of five years. In determining this sanction, the SDO considered as aggravating factors the respondent’s (i) engagement in a repeated pattern of corrupt activity and (ii) interference with INT’s investigation, noting in particular that the respondent engaged in acts intended to materially impede the exercise of the Bank’s contractual audit rights.”
Based on the World Bank’s Sanctions Board Decision, A.G. Vision Construction Nigeria Limited, was debarred for fraudulent practices and collusive practices for four years and six months.
Not included in the report is a recent debarment of a Nigerian consultant, Mr Salihu Tijani, who is a consultant for the National Social Safety Nets Project, a project designed to ensure cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households in Nigeria.
Tijani was barred for 38 months for engaging in corrupt practices.
Aside from the firms mentioned so far, there are some firms that were debarred by other multilateral organisations under cross-debarment, which makes them debarred by the World Bank.
Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated And Investment Co Limited, and Medniza Global Merchants Limited were debarred by the AfDB two years under cross-debarment recognised by the World Bank.
ALG Global Concept Nigeria Limited, Abuharaira Labaran Gero, Qualitrends Global Solutions Nigeria Limited, and Maxicare Company Nigeria Limited were debarred by the AfDB for three years under cross-debarment recognised by the World Bank.
In his opening message in the report, the World Bank Group’s David Malpass, stated that the bank had granted over $157bn to assist developing countries, as he emphasised the need for integrity and transparency standards in public finance.
“Since the beginning of the global pandemic, the World Bank Group has deployed more than $157bn in critical assistance to developing countries. The crisis has required us to be rapid and innovative in mobilising this historic support.
“Yet, for these resources to have the needed development impact on the hundreds of millions of people who live in extreme poverty, we must ensure that resources are used efficiently, effectively, and for their intended purposes. And that means remaining vigilant to the scourge of corruption and ensuring that we promote the highest integrity and transparency standards in public finance,” he said.
He further highlighted some of the consequences of corruption, which he said could be devastating.
Malpass said, “The negative impacts of corruption on lives and livelihoods are well known. Corruption diverts scarce development dollars from the people who need them most and corrodes the systems and services that are integral for reducing extreme poverty.
“Entrenched corruption also comes with greater economic costs for countries, as it distorts public expenditures and leads to inefficient allocations of financing away from productive investments toward rent-seeking activities. And corruption increases the costs of doing business and deters foreign investors from entering new markets.
“As the world moves toward recovering from the pandemic’s damaging impacts, these costs can also restrict the private sector, which plays an important role in revitalizing economic growth and development in our client countries,” he added.
