Custom boss orders Assets declaration!

This is not a bad idea, if it can be followed diligently.

Customs boss orders officers to declare assets in 14 days

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hammed Ali, has directed all officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service to declare their assets within 14 days. The order was stated in a circular signed by the comptroller-general and sent out to all deputy comptrollers-general, zonal coordinators and customs area controllers.

Hameed in the circular said the directive which must be complied with, is a way of ensuring transparency and compliance with the rule of law within the parastatal. The circular stated that the directive was in compliance with “the Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act Cap B1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

Although the act is meant for bank employees, Hameed in the circular, stated that the president is also empowered to extend its application to other workforce.

“Specifically, Section 12 (1) states that “The provision of this act shall apply to the comptroller-general, deputy comptroller-general, assistant comptroller-general, chief collector, principal collector and other officer, staff or employee of the Nigeria Customs Service as it applies to a chief executive or an employee of a bank,” said the circular.

Stephen Keshi's wife, Kate, laid to rest

Stephen Keshi's wife, Kate, laid to rest...

Behind a successful man you see his better-half, all along she has been there for him. My condolences to Stephen Keshi.

Wife of former captain and chief coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi was laid buried today, Friday Jan. 15. Late Kate Keshi (nee Abureme) died on December 9, 2015, in the U.S. after a long battle with cancer. She was ‎laid to rest at her husband’s house at Ugiokhuen Quarters, Ugbor, GRA, in Benin, after a ‎requiem mass held at St. Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road.



‎

She is survived by her husband, four children, her mother, brother, sisters and numerous relatives. The service was attended by family members and friends, including government officials, football administrators and sports journalists.‎

Photo credit: PM News

GEJ meets Dr. Martin Luther King's younger brother's wife

GEJ meets Martin Luther King's younger brother's wife

Former President Jonathan pictured above with Naomi King, the wife of Martin Luther King's younger brother, Dr A D King who was also assassinated as he was awarded by the SLSC today Jan. 14th.

Boko haram terrorists device new means to terrorizing

Terrorists now hide IEDS among vegetables- Nigerian Army

The Defense Headquarter has revealed the new tactics devised by Boko Haram terrorists to hide explosives.

In a statement released on Thursday, January 14, the acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar said this is a continuation with the sensitization of our citizens on the devilish strategy of the terrorists.

"The Nigerian Military authorities have discovered that the Boko Haram terrorists are determined to continue letting off bombs and have resorted to masquerading as fruits and vegetable vendors wheeling Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) as groceries into crowded areas,"

"The terrorists now hide IEDs under vegetable wares in carts and wheelbarrows and move to crowded places where they detonate them for maximum casualties. The recent terrorists attack in the North East is a case in point.

''Having been effectively dislodged and decimated the BH terror group has begun some systematic isolated attacks mainly on soft targets in their desperation to remain relevant''.

The statement therefore advised Nigerians to be constantly on alert.

"Defence Headquarters hereby advises the general public to constantly be alert to this latest terrorist tactics and to report promptly any suspicious persons or objects to the nearest security agency,"

"While commending the general public and the media for their continuous support so far, all citizens are once again reminded that security is everybody’s concern therefore, they should join hands with the security agencies to eliminate the remnant of the terrorists."

UN on Boko Haram

UN plans to rehabilitate escapees from Boko Haram

A team of United Nations (UN) Human Rights experts would be paying a five-day visit to Nigeria from Monday to assist in the rehabilitation of women and children that escaped from Boko Haram’s captivity.

The UN Human Rights office of the High Commissioner said this in a statement released in Geneva, Switzerland and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

The statement said that the experts had been mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to promote comprehensive strategies to prevent and protect the rights of women and children.

“ Some United Nations human rights experts will visit Nigeria to assist in the rehabilitation and reintegration of the women and children who escaped or were liberated from Boko Haram captivity.

“During their five-day visit, the experts will gather information on the various initiatives adopted by governmental, international and non-governmental actors to support these women and children,’’ it said.

The statement said that such information would assist the women and children in coping with their suffering, trauma, and stigma and possibly return them to their normal lives.

It also said that the UN Special Rapporteurs, who were invited by the Federal Government, would meet with representatives of ministries, civil society and relevant UN agencies.

The Special Rapporteurs, who would present a report of their visit to the UN Human Rights Council later in the year, would also be visiting some detention centres.

According to the rapporteuers, all measures will be taken to ensure that the right care, recovery and reintegration of these women and children are carried out in line with international human rights standards.

“In that regard, we look forward to engaging all parties and put our expertise at their disposal,” the Special Rapporteurs said

Reps want foreign firms to pay N18,000 minimum wage

Reps want foreign firms to pay N18,000 minimum wage

Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara

The House of Representatives began an amendment of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2004 on Wednesday to make it compulsory for companies with foreign interests to pay the minimum wage of N18,000 to their workers.

Under its current provisions, the Act exempts such foreign outfits from paying the wage as they are included on the list of establishments exempted from the wage policy.

But, on Wednesday, a former trade unionist, Mr. Peter Akpatason, sponsored a bill to amend the Act to reverse the trend.

Akpatason, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress from Edo State, informed the House that while some of those companies might have a fewer number of employees in some cases, they raked in more revenues than companies with a higher number of workers.

The bill was titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Minimum Wage Act Cap N6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, to Exclude the Establishments that have Foreign Participation from the List of Establishments Exempted from the Payment of the National Minimum Wage and for Other Matters Related Thereto.”

Akpatason argued that such companies, which did not have up to 50 workers as pegged in the Act, made “millions and billions” of revenue yearly, but did not pay their employees the minimum wage.

To address the issue, he added that the number of workers applicable in such instances should be amended from 50 to 20 to cover the foreign companies.

Akpatason argued that by not paying the minimum wage, the country was also losing the revenues accruable to it from the operations of the companies.

He said the Act defined foreign companies to include firms that had up to 50 per cent equity participation by foreigners.

The bill easily passed the second reading on Wednesday without much debates by members.

The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, who promptly referred the bill to the House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity.

Copyright PUNCH.

http://www.punchng.com/reps-want-foreign-firms-to-pay-n18000-minimum-wage/

PSC to policemen: stop carrying handbags, others for VIPs

Police Service Commission (PSC) has warned officers on escort duty with Very Important Personalities (VIPs) to stop carrying their handbags and umbrellas.

The commission, which described the act as an insult to the Police, noted that it would start arresting police operatives on illegal escort duty.

It stated that it would deploy its men to airports and highways to apprehend errant policemen.

The commission chairman, Chief Mike Okiro, in Abuja yesterday, said: “It is an insult to the police uniform for policemen to engage in ‘domestic duty’ or carry handbags for VIPs.

“The PSC had worked out a blueprint of the class of dignitaries that should enjoy special police protection with specific duties of the policemen spelt out.

“To stem the tide, we have worked out a blueprint of the class of VIPs that should enjoy the privilege of attaching police officers to provide VIP protection with their specific duties clearly spelt out. The matter is awaiting the consent of the relevant authorities before we can start its implementation.

“Once the operation is fully planned out, the Provost-Marshal of the Police and the staff of the PSC will operate jointly and be stationed at domestic airports and some highways to arrest and discipline officers who embark on illegal escorts or guards.”

The PSC chairman also debunked the alleged lopsidedness in the senior police officers’ promotions.


The Nation
http://thenationonlineng.net/psc-policemen-stop-carrying-handbags-others-vips/

Chibok girls, have they been forgotten?

A ray of Light on Chibok Girls - Shehu Garba

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, wrote this piece on hopes of finding the missing Chibok girls. Read below...

"At a time when the issue of accountability has emerged as the most talked about subject in public discourse, the theft of the 219 girls from a government school in Chibok has, expectedly kicked up questions about how far,so far, and whether this is going to be an endless wait for their return.
A government that says it would be respectful of the people's mandate would be willing to give a snapshot of the continuing efforts to find the girls and free them.

When the government of Muhammadu Buhari gave strict directives for the Nigerian armed forces to root out Boko Haram and bring an end to the insurgency in our country’s northeast, the kidnapped girls from the Government Secondary School in Chibok were foremost in his mind.

The issue remains one of great significance to Nigerians at home and abroad, and to the international community, and finding the missing girls is still a priority of President Buhari’s government.

Over the past months, the Nigerian military has recorded major victories against Boko Haram, reclaiming territory that had previously been occupied by the terrorists and dislodging them from their strongholds deep within the Sambisa forest. Throughout these operations, special care has been taken by the military to not harm any abducted persons in the terrorist’s captivity.Our armed forces are under instruction to withhold invasion rather than endanger the life of any Boko Haram captive. Various reports giving alleged information as to the whereabouts of the missing girls have also been received by the army, but these have all turned out to be false or misconstrued.
Unfortunately, things were left too late. The previous government wasted precious time questioning the veracity of the abduction rather than going in search of the girls when the trails left by their kidnappers must have still been fresh and easier to follow. In addition, after almost two years, there is a big questions out there among the experts ifall the over 200 missing girls are gathered in one spot, in one location, sitting and waiting to be rescued.

When he spoke honestly and truthfully on the issue in his maiden Media Chat, the President drew criticism from some members of the Bring Back Our Girls, BBOG movement when he answered in the negative, a question on if he knew specifically where the girls were being held.

The President equally faced criticism for offering unconditional talks to Boko Haram leaders to secure the release of these girls, criticism that ignoressufficient record in history in the United States, Russia and even Israel. As illustrated by security consultant and author, Brian Jenkins in a 2014 article, if a safe rescue is the objective-which truly it is in this case-a negotiated outcome is always better than an armed rescue operation. In his words: "Armed action should never be ruled out completely, but negotiations are the more practical course to bring the girls safely home."

That article strengthens the argument that, while the government must not abandon military efforts, it should carefully consider the complexity of such operation, especially given President Buhari's emphasis that delay is preferable to errors, especially where the getting the girls unharmed is the ultimate goal. Don't forgetthat after the 9-11 terrorist attack on the United States by Alqaeda, it took ten years of careful planning to bring Osama Bin-Laden to a final, Hollywood-style finish.

For President Buhari, there is no place for the overdone political posturing over the sad incident. He is not seeking applause because this problem is far more serious than most people think.

From everything the Defence Headquarters has been saying, our troops are ready, able and willing to storm anywhere at anytime to secure the girls once that needed intelligence is available.

The last battle-ground, the Sambisa forest is large and expansive. It covers about 3,000 square kilometers of Nigerian territory and it ideally harbors the remaining terrorists and their captives. But Sambisa presents a number of challenges not only to our own fighting forces but to the terrorists themselves. The place has been heavily mined. The terrorist operatives who planted the mines are believed to be mostly dead or have fled, so they too fall victim to them as they move in the forest because the remnants of their fighters don't know where the mines are planted.

With recent military procurements by the present administration, mine-sweeping equipment have been deployed to pave the way for our soldiers. The Air Force is doing its duty of providing air cover and the Navy is active in Lake Chad waters. Our neighbors, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin are collectively standing with Nigeria to deny terrorist a foothold on their soil.

In addition to these efforts, there are daily intelligence reconnaissance flights by our Air Force,the U.K, U.S and France which are partnering with the Lake Chad Basin Commission Countries.

In the light of all these, a serious advance is being made towards liberating the forest and hopefully, government will be laying its hands on whatever is left of the terrorists and their hostages.

However, the issue goes beyond the Chibok girls. The incident which took place at the Government Girls School in Chibok, as horrific as it was, merely provided a glimpse into a darker horror that had gone largely ignored by both the Nigerian media and the previous administration: Girls being kidnapped every day from their homes and schools in northeast Nigeria.

The Chibok kidnap was merely an indication of a much larger problem, in which the Nigerian government has already recorded great progress. Although military invasions of the Sambisa forest have so far not yielded the missing Chibok girls specifically, they have led to the rescue of hundreds of women and children from various other parts of northeast Nigeria, who had been in Boko Haram captivity usually for several months. Between April 2015 and today, about 2000 women and children have been rescued by the Nigerian military from deep inside the Sambisa forest. Just last month, over 200 people, mostly women and children, were rescued from Boko Haram captivity. Without the BBOG outcry that followed the Chibok kidnapping, the world may have remained unaware of the distressing plight of those hundreds of missing women and girls.
These hundreds of women and girls may not be the focus of any major advocacy or media frenzy, but they are equally important.Their rescue and welfare are just as crucial as that of the famed Chibok girls.Their safety is as much of a priority to the Nigerian government.

The President sharesempathy,solidarity and sympathy with the BBOG and other stakeholders. He may not be a man of many words. But as his actions suggest, he understands the loss by the parents, stakeholders and the nation very well. That's why he keeps saying, " you have to secure the nation to govern it well." Security is the number one priority of this administration.

In the last few months, the government has run a very energetic and a very successful campaign that has diminished greatly, the terrorists, and has engaged the neighbors and the rest of the international community. These efforts have very much translated into a concerted and coordinated action. Yet for all these to succeed, stakeholders, especially those under the BBOG movement who, to their credit have served the nation selflessly to make Nigeria a more conscientious country need to rally their support behind the armed forces and the President. That is a critical ingredient for the girls to be found and returned and for the country to be safe from terror.

By the end of 2015, the Nigerian armed forces had succeeded in containing the insurgency in the northeast.All this is part of the ongoing effort to, not just rescue missing women and girls but ensure that they stay safe afterwards, that incidents such as the kidnapping in Chibok never reoccur. When kidnapped girls are rescued and returned to their families, the communities in which they live must be secure. They should be able to sleep without fear of being kidnapped again.They should be able to resume their education, to go to school in peace of mind. No more kidnappings should be allowed to take place.
If a repeat of this horrible incident is to be prevented, there must be corrective steps incumbent upon Nigeria.President Buhari remains committed to taking these corrective steps. He remains committed to finding the missing Chibok girls.He is also committed to annihilating Boko Haram and to bringing an end to terror in the northeast and in other parts of Nigeria. We must not lose hope.

List of charges brought against Ex-militant

Read all the charges brought against Tompolo and others

Read all the charges brought against Tompolo...sent in by Festus Keyamo Chambers...

1.0 Count One: 

That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, in 2012, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N601,516.13 and $1,766,428.62, property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


2.0 COUNT TWO


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, in 2012, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N601,516.13 (Six Hundred and One Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Thirteen Kobo), and $1,766,428.62 (One Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-Eight Dollars, Sixty-Two Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


3.0 COUNT THREE


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, sometime in 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums ofN27,690,113.79 (Twenty-Seven Million, Six Hundred and Ninety Thousand, One Hundred and Thirteen Naira, Seventy-Nine Kobo), and $17,491,378.64 (Seventeen Million, Four Hundred and One Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy Eight Dollars, Sixty-Four Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

4.0 COUNT FOUR


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, sometime in 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N27,690,113.79 (Twenty-Seven Million, Six Hundred and Ninety Thousand, One Hundred and Thirteen Naira, Seventy-Nine Kobo), and $17,491,378.64 (Seventeen Million, Four Hundred and One Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy Eight Dollars, Sixty-Four Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


5.0 COUNT FIVE


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, sometime in 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums ofN71,243,880.18 (Seventy-One Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Naira, Eighteen Kobo), and $18,054,236.61 (Eighteen Million, Fifty Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Six Dollars, Sixty-One Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


6.0 COUNT SIX


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, sometime in 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N71,243,880.18 (Seventy-One Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Naira, Eighteen Kobo), and $18,054,236.61 (Eighteen Million, Fifty Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty-Six Dollars, Sixty-One Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


7.0 COUNT SEVEN


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, sometime in 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums ofN33,055,184.76 (Thirty-Three Million, Fifty-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty-Four Naira, Seventy-Six Kobo), and $5,019,505.98 (Five Million, Nineteen Thousand, Five Hundred and Five Dollars, Ninety-Eight Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


8.0 COUNT EIGHT


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, sometime in 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N33,055,184.76 (Thirty-Three Million, Fifty-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty-Four Naira, Seventy-Six Kobo), and$5,019,505.98 (Five Million, Nineteen Thousand, Five Hundred and Five Dollars, Ninety-Eight Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


9.0 COUNT NINE


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, between April 2012 and March 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N887,950,020.79 (Eight Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Twenty Naira, Seventy-Nine Kobo), and $15,087,210.06 (Fifteen Million, Eighty-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Ten Dollars, Six Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


10.0 COUNT TEN


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, between April 2012 and March 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N887,950,020.79 (Eight Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Twenty Naira, Seventy-Nine Kobo), and $15,087,210.06 (Fifteen Million, Eighty-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Ten Dollars, Six Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


11.0 COUNT ELEVEN


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, between April 2013 and March 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N1,064,670,641.67 (One Billion, Sixty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-One Naira, Sixty-Seven Kobo), and $51,290,213.44 (Fifty-One Million, Two Hundred Ninety Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirteen Dollars, Forty-Four Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


12.0 COUNT TWELVE


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, between April 2013 and March 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums ofN1,064,670,641.67 (One Billion, Sixty-Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-One Naira, Sixty-Seven Kobo), and $51,290,213.44 (Fifty-One Million, Two Hundred Ninety Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirteen Dollars, Forty-Four Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


13.0 COUNT THIRTEEN


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, between April 2014 to March, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N1,219,134,354.06 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million, One Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira, Six Kobo), and$48,375,533.10 (Forty-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Three Dollars, Ten Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.




14.0 COUNT FOURTEEN


That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, between April 2014 to March, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N1,219,134,354.06 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million, One Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira, Six Kobo), and $48,375,533.10 (Forty-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty-Three Dollars, Ten Cents), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


15.0 COUNT FIFTEEN


That you, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu, Simon John Adonmene (now at large), Odimiri Electricals Ltd and Boloboere Property Estate Ltd, at various times in 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


16.0 COUNT SIXTEEN


That you, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu, Simon John Adonmene (now at large), Odimiri Electricals Ltd. and Boloboere Property Estate Ltd, at various times in 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


17.0 COUNT SEVENTEEN


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 4th day of November, 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N3,300,000.00 (Three Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


18.0 COUNT EIGHTEEN


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 4th day of November, 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N3,300,000.00 (Three Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


19.0 COUNT NINETEEN


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 11th day of September, 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N8,000,000.00 (Eight Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


20.0 COUNT TWENTY


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 11th day of September, 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N8,000,000.00 (Eight Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


21.0 COUNT TWENTY-ONE


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 21st day of October, 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N40,000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


22.0 COUNT TWENTY-TWO


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 21st day of October, 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N40,000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


23.0 COUNT TWENTY-THREE


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 28th day of August, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N2,700,000.00 (Two Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


24.0 COUNT TWENTY-FOUR


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 26th day of August, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N2,700,000.00 (Two Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


25.0 COUNT TWENTY-FIVE


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 22nd day of September, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


26.0 COUNT TWENTY-SIX


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 22nd day of September, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N3,000,000.00 (Three Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


27.0 COUNT TWENTY-SEVEN


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 18th day of December, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


28.0 COUNT TWENTY-EIGHT


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 18th day of December, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums ofN5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


29.0 COUNT TWENTY-NINE


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 22nd day of January, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


30.0 COUNT THIRTY


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 22nd day of January, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


31.0 COUNT THIRTY-ONE


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 22nd day of June, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


32.0 COUNT THIRTY-TWO


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 22nd day of June, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums ofN10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


33.0 COUNT THIRTY-THREE


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 21st day of July, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


34.0 COUNT THIRTY-FOUR


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 21st day of July, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


35.0 COUNT THIRTY-FIVE


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 30th day of July, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N4,500,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


36.0 COUNT THIRTY-SIX


That you, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 30th day of July, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N4,500,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.




37.0 COUNT THIRTY-SEVEN


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 31st day of March, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N13,592,839.33 (Thirteen Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Nine Naira, Thirty-Three Kobo), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


38.0 COUNT THIRTY-EIGHT


That you, Rex Elem and Destre Consult Ltd, on or about the 31st day of March, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums of N13,592,839.33 (Thirteen Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Nine Naira, Thirty-Three Kobo), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


39.0 COUNT THIRTY-NINE


That you, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, on or about the 30th day of April, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums ofN5,000,000.00 (Five Million, Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.


40.0 COUNT FORTY


That you, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, on or about the 14th day of February, 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sums ofN3,000,000.00 (Three Million, Naira), property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.




Dated this 15th day of December, 2015




…………………………………………………..
FESTUS KEYAMO, ESQ.
ROTIMI OYEDEPO ISEOLUWA (SDS) EFCC
(PROSECUTING COUNSEL)


FOR: ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION


C/O FESTUS KEYAMO CHAMBERS
1, FESTUS KEYAMO LANE,
OFF ADEBAYO MOKUOLU STREET,
OFF GBAGADA EXPRESSWAY,
BEHIND HOTEL NEWCASTLE,
ANTHONY VILLAGE,
LAGOS STATE.
08033371229, 08055028515
festuskeyamochamberslag@yahoo.com

Missing Budget palaver

Senate Leader Ali Ndume responds to rumors of missing budget

Senate Leader Ali Ndume has responded to rumors of the missing 2016 budget. Speaking to National Assembly correspondents, Ndume said 'The budget cannot be missing. A copy can be laid, it is a symbolic copy, the budget will be in custody of both Chambers. It cannot be stolen, it cannot be missing. Once the budget is laid in the National Assembly, it has become the property of National Assembly,'' he said.

Speaking on why the Senate President, Bukola Saraki visited president Buhari immediately after reports that the budget was missing, Ndume said: ''Saraki's visit to Villa is for Senate to know the President's priority. We want to see how we can fast track the passage of the budget before the end of February. What is before the Senate is proposal, once the president signs it, it cannot be amended, we can turn the budget upside down, it cannot be missing” said Ndume.

President Mugabe

President Mugabe suffers heart attack

President Robert Mugabe is reported to have collapsed after suffering a heart attack while on holiday and is in critical condition. He was said to be on holiday with family and friends when he was taken ill. The reports suggest "high-level" meetings are being held in case Mugabe does not recover. But the story is unverified and rumours are circulating on social media that it may be a hoax.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean newspaper, The Herald said vice president Emmerson Mnangwagwa had been appointed acting president.

Tompolo Arrested

Court orders Tompolo's arrest

An official order from the Federal High Court in Abuja has been issued for the arrest of former Niger Delta militant, Government Epemupolo also known as Tompolo who is being investigated by the EFCC for allegedly fraudulently selling a land for N13 billion to the last administration for the construction of a Nigerian Maritime University (NMU).

Tompolo was in December last year invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning but refused to honor their invitation claiming he was in court against the anti-graft agency.

The bank accounts of his companies, Mieka Divers Ltd and Global West Vessel Specialists Nigeria Ltd, used for the payment of the N13 billion has been frozen by the EFCC.

Tompolo has insisted that the land sale was transparently done and that any question for clarification should be directed to former President Goodluck Jonathan.