Headlines
N2b fraud trial: Ex-Niger State govt. house accountant narrates how security vote was disbursed on Nasko’s instruction

Owolola Adebola
The trial of former Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu and two others; Tanko Beji and Umar Nasko before Justice Mikail Aliyu of the Niger State High Court, Minna continued December 1st, 2021 with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presenting two more witnesses.
The defendants are being prosecuted for alleged criminal breach of trust and diversion of 2 billion ecological funds.
The tenth prosecuting witness, PW10, Hamisu Musa Jankaro, erstwhile Chief accountant and later, Permanent Secretary, Government House between 2010-2016, told the court that he was instructed by the then Chief of Staff to the Niger State Government, Umar Nasko to disbursed N10 million per withdrawal from January 2011 to December 2011, to the Second Defendant Tanko Beji, the then Director-General of the Niger State PDP Campaign Organization, or his nominees who are in charge of Senatorial Districts A, B and C.
“The Government House has two accounts tagged; “Niger State Government House Security account in Unity Bank with account number 0000187196 and Zenith Bank 1012424374”, he said.
He identified Exhibits K series, H series, and L series as accounts documents and statements of accounts for the accounts, (Zenith and Unity Banks), and further stated that he was a core signatory to the accounts.
The witness disclosed that the monies were transferred from Niger State Ministry of Finance accounts to the Niger State Government Security Vote accounts.
The prosecuting counsel, Abdullah Faruk told the court that one of his witnesses could not make it to the court today because of the security challenges and applied for an adjournment till December 2nd.
Earlier, the PW 9, Eriba Idiakwu, a relationship manager with Ecobank, brought documents, statements of accounts and certificates of identification which were tendered and marked as exhibits in respect of a company, MJ Eco project limited.
Justice Aliyu adjourned the matter to December 2nd, 2021 for the continuation of trial.
Headlines
House of Reps gives NIMASA green light to disburse CVFF –appoints audit firm to coordinate, monitor disbursement

“Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Legor Idagbo – Chairman ii. Hon. Henry Nwawuba – Member iii. | Mrs. Kehinde Bolade Olaiya – Committee Clerk.
Headlines
President Tinubu appoints Gbajabiamila Chief of Staff

An authoritative source in the Presidency confirmed the development on Thursday.
The source said the president finally made the decision after wide consultations on the contending candidates.
Gbajabiamila has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2012 and has just been re-elected to the House in the last elections.
The choice of Gbajabiamila by the president is not a surprise to many political pundits as he has been a very close ally to the president.
They are part of the brains behind the formation of the All-Progressives Party (APC).
He will now have to forgo his seat in the House of Representatives if he accepts the appointment.
Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila CFR, is a Nigerian lawyer and foundation member of the APC.
He has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2019.
Gbajabiamila was born in Lagos in 1962 and attended Igbobi College for his secondary education and the University of Lagos as part of his education.
He is married to Salamatu Gbajabiamila.
Headlines
Maritime media, NUJ mourn as Ray Ugochukwu passes on to glory

“The death of Ray came as a big shock to the union.
“We are going to miss his courageous attributes and mentorship.
“He was also one of the pillars of the Lagos Council of NUJ and served the union meritoriously in his capacities as the Chairman of, the Seminar Committee; and as a Member, the Committee on Milestone Recognition of Media Icons In Nigeria.
“He spent most of his life in ensuring the advancement of Maritime Reporting as well as the welfare of Journalists.
“He worked in several media houses.
“Among his giant strides, he was a former President of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN); President, Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN); and a former Chairman of the Daily Times Chapel of NUJ.
“The legacies of Ray are indelible and will exist forever.
“May God grant his soul eternal rest” the Lagos NUJ said in a statement signed by Leye Ajayi, the Council Chairman and Tunde Olalere, the Council Secretary.
-
Headlines2 weeks ago
MSC overtakes Maersk as world’s largest container carrier of 5 m TEU capacity
-
Foreign4 weeks ago
UK court shuns Nigeria, ECOWAS pleas as it sentences Ekweremadu to 10 years imprisonment for organ trafficking
-
Headlines2 months ago
Obasanjo’s second daughter, Olubusola Obasanjo, among 510 promoted NIMASA staff
-
Headlines4 weeks ago
US frets as China pushes to head IMO
-
Headlines4 weeks ago
Buhari appoints Professor Umar Katsayal as Vice Chancellor, Daura University of Transportation
-
Customs1 month ago
Fate of customs officer who exposes smuggling ring at Nigerian borders unknown