EFCC : How I Delivered Equivalent of $15.8m Cash to Suswan at his Maitama, Abuja Home – Witness.

The head of Media and Publicity for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Dele Oyewale, disclosed on Saturday that former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam received a cash equivalent of $15.8 million at his residence. He stated that a witness recounted how Suswam, along with his then Commissioner of Finance, Omodachi Okolobia, is facing 11 amended charges of money laundering amounting to ₦3.1 billion. This sum is reportedly part of the proceeds from the sale of state government shares held by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, which were sold through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited. During the court proceedings, the witness, a bureau de change operator and CEO of Fanffash Resources, who has been providing testimony since 2018, first before Justice A.R. Mohammed and later before Justice Okon Abang, revealed that the total amount of ₦3.1 billion was transferred to him by Suswam through a proxy in multiple installments. The initial installment of ₦413 million was credited to his account on August 8, 2014, with subsequent transfers completing the total. Umar, while being examined by prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, confirmed that the individual who facilitated the naira transfers was a woman. The witness indicated that he converted the total sum of ₦3.1 billion into dollars, which he calculated to be $15.8 million at an exchange rate of ₦197 to a dollar, and subsequently delivered it to Suswam at his residence in Maitama, Abuja. "One day in 2014, while I was at my office, the former governor of Benue State requested that I meet him at his home in Maitama, Abuja. Upon arrival, I found him there with a fair-skinned woman. He instructed me to provide the woman with my account number, which I did, giving her my Zenith Bank account number. The woman assured me that she would transfer money into that account." On August 8, 2014, a sum of N413 million was deposited into my account. Following this transaction, I contacted the former governor, who advised me to convert the funds into dollars. I requested additional time to complete this conversion. Three days later, after obtaining the dollar equivalent, I informed the former governor that the funds were ready. He instructed me to deliver the money to his residence in Maitama, near Jumat Mosque. I advised him to notify the security personnel at the gate of my arrival to ensure my access. Upon taking a cab to his house, I arrived and knocked at the gate, which was opened. I provided my name, and they granted me entry through the first and second gates, where I waited in a designated area until he arrived. I then presented the money, which we both verified to be equivalent to the N413 million, with the exchange rate at that time being N197. Further testifying, he stated that on September 12, 2014, N637 million was transferred to my account. Approximately 40 minutes later, an additional N363 million was credited to my account. On October 13, 2014, a transfer of N630,008,050 (Six Hundred and Thirty Million, Eight Thousand and Fifty Naira) was made to my account. Subsequently, on October 17, 2014, a transfer of N1,068,000,000 (One Billion, Sixty-eight Million) was also credited. The transfers were executed by a woman who had been directed by the former governor. In total, the amount transferred to my account reached N3 billion. The witness clarified that he had not been arrested by the EFCC for providing testimony in favor of the defendant, nor had he been coerced by the Commission to testify against the defendant. He also noted that he did not possess receipts or a record book for these transactions, as he typically purchases dollars from fellow retailers and maintains records at his discretion. Justice Lifu has adjourned the proceedings until October 4, 2024, for the continuation of the trial.

All Major Roads in the Nation Will be Tolled by FG. — Umahi

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has announced that the Federal Government plans to implement tolls on all major roads across the nation once their construction and renovation are finalized.

He identified several key routes, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge, the Abuja-Kano Road, and the Makurdi-9th Mile Road, among others. During an inter-ministerial media briefing held in Abuja yesterday, the Minister stated, “We are nearing completion of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and it will be subject to tolling.” The former governor of Ebonyi State and current senator emphasized that the tolling of federal roads is expected to generate significant revenue for the Federal Government. He mentioned that private sector partners have been involved to secure funding, construct these roads, and collaborate with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Works to facilitate the tolling process. He indicated that the government would initiate this process with the completed Keffi-Makurdi Road, adding that his ministry is working with the Ministry of Finance to establish a paperless payment system.

Israel Was Informed by an Iranian Spy of Nasrallah's Arrival in the Southern Suburbs of Beirut: Le Parisien

The French publication Le Parisien, referencing a Lebanese security source, disclosed that an Iranian intelligence operative supplied Israel with details concerning the arrival of Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The report indicated that Nasrallah entered the southern suburbs of Beirut in the same vehicle as Abbas Nilforoushan, the Deputy Commander of Iran's Quds Force in Lebanon. Furthermore, it was reported that the meeting involving Nasrallah and Nilforoushan was attended by 12 senior officials from Hezbollah.

Following The Murder of Nasrallah, Sinwar Flees and Relocates to Gaza.

Hamas has recently altered the security measures for its leader, Yahya Sinwar, and has opted to refrain from holding meetings in Lebanon in the immediate future. In light of a series of assassinations in Lebanon, Yahya Sinwar and other senior officials of Hamas are reportedly on high alert. According to Al Arabiya, following the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, Sinwar has changed his location within Gaza. The report also indicates that Hamas has revised its security protocols for its leader in the Gaza Strip. Sources from the Saudi-owned channel, which broadcasts from Dubai, have revealed that Hamas leaders are seeking assurances in any forthcoming cease-fire to guarantee their safety. As a further precautionary measure, Hamas has decided to suspend organizational meetings in Lebanon for the foreseeable future. Additionally, the group is restricting internal communication to written correspondence only, in order to mitigate the risk of intercepted conversations or the pinpointing of their locations.

FG Authorizes a Monthly Allowance of N77,000 for NYSC Members.

The Federal Government has sanctioned an increase in the monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to N77,000.

A statement issued by Caroline Embu, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations for NYSC, on Wednesday, indicated that this approval was documented in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024, and signed by Chairman Mr. Ekpo Nta, in accordance with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. This adjustment will be implemented starting July 2024. The statement noted, "The Federal Government has sanctioned the increase of corps members’ monthly allowance to N77,000, effective from July 2024. This decision aligns with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, as detailed in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25, 2024, and signed by Chairman Mr. Ekpo Nta." Prior to this increase, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, had conducted an advocacy visit to the Chairman, during which he requested an enhanced welfare package for corps members. The NYSC leadership expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for this timely initiative, emphasizing that it will provide essential support to corps members and enhance their morale, encouraging them to further contribute to national service. Previously, corps members received a monthly allowance of N33,000, following the minimum wage increase to N30,000 in 2019. It is noteworthy that President Bola Tinubu enacted the new Minimum Wage Bill of N70,000 into law on July 29, 2024.

FG Wants to Change The Law to Tax Foreigners and Issue NINs.

The Federal Executive Council is advocating for a modification to the National Identity Management Commission Act No. 23 of 2007, which would permit the issuance of National Identification Numbers to foreign residents in the country. Additionally, on Wednesday, the FEC introduced the Economy Stabilisation Bill, aimed at facilitating the taxation of foreigners residing and working in Nigeria. These proposed legislative measures are designed to “broaden the category of registrable individuals to encompass foreign persons with a taxable presence or source of income in Nigeria, and to establish requirements for the compulsory use of National Identification Numbers in transactions pertinent to tax administration and related issues.” The government intends to add a new clause to Section 16, stating, “Any individual, regardless of Nigerian citizenship, who is considered a resident or otherwise liable for tax in Nigeria under any applicable legislation.” Should this bill be enacted, it would result in the taxation of expatriates and income-generating immigrants. Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this information during a briefing with State House Correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Wednesday. Onanuga elaborated that, “If the National Assembly approves this bill, it stipulates that all individuals residing in Nigeria, including foreigners, will be required to register and obtain a National Identification Number. “Once you are employed here and earning an income, you will be registered and assigned an NIN for taxation purposes. “Your NIN will serve as your tax identity, allowing you to be taxed and integrated into our tax framework. The original legislation establishing the NIMC excluded foreigners from registration.” Furthermore, the presidential aide announced a third bill aimed at amending the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act No. 17 of 2007, which seeks to “mandate the payment of fees and other charges in naira to enhance the ease of doing business and for related purposes.” The amendment to Section 15 introduces a new subsection (2), which states, “All fees, charges, levies, fines, and other amounts due to the Agency under this Act may be paid in Naira at the applicable official exchange rate.” Onanuga elaborated, “Previously, these agencies required payments in dollars; however, they can now accept payments in Naira. This administration aims to prioritize our national currency rather than allowing the economy to be dominated by the dollar. The government is now asserting, ‘Payments should be made in Naira. There is no necessity for everything to be in dollars.’”

APGA Says It Will Suspend Governor Soludo.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has announced its intention to suspend Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and others implicated in activities contrary to the party's interests.

During a press conference held at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, the party's National Chairman, Chief Edozie Njoku, accused Soludo of hindering the efforts of the Supreme Court-recognized NWC to restore unity within the party while persisting in his anti-party actions. Njoku also indicated that on Thursday, September 26, 2024, the NWC would disclose the names of party members, including Soludo, who are to be suspended for their involvement in such activities. Regarding the upcoming off-cycle gubernatorial election in the state, he clarified that the party has not endorsed any single candidate for the position, expressing doubts about Soludo's ability to secure the party's nomination through the primary elections. He asserted that any individual seeking to become the governor must engage in the primary process, which he guaranteed would be conducted fairly and transparently. He elaborated, “Recently, approximately one or two weeks ago, we attended the Court of Appeal, where an application was filed to prevent my recognition by INEC, despite the Supreme Court's unequivocal ruling that my removal as National Chairman of APGA was unwarranted. “If you recall, just about a week or two ago, we were at the Court of Appeal where a stay was requested to prevent my recognition by INEC, notwithstanding the Supreme Court's clear statement that the removal of Chief Edozie Njoku as National Chairman of APGA was not justifiable.” They traveled to Awka to initiate the lawsuit, but unexpectedly, the judge in Awka demonstrated considerable acumen and recused himself from the case. Subsequently, they returned to the Federal High Court and filed another suit without our knowledge, seeking an interim injunction without informing the national chairman of the party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), or adhering to the directives of the Court of Appeal, which mandated the enforcement of the judgment from the Buhari High Court. They proceeded without the consent of APGA, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acted astutely by stating that their claims were unfounded. It is important to note that local government elections are scheduled to occur in Anambra on the 28th. However, it is crucial for Charles Soludo, the governor, to recognize that he operates within a political framework and is not an autocrat. Furthermore, he has taken steps to have the House of Assembly pass legislation that would prevent the party from nominating candidates. They conducted activities in the field without the party's approval, gathering individuals engaged in actions detrimental to the party. It is evident that the entire National Working Committee (NWC) is present, and certain individuals are facing suspension from the party. I have consistently advocated for peace, as it is not in the party's best interest to begin suspending elected officials, including a governor, members of the House of Assembly, or the senator from Abia. They are pushing us to our limits, under the impression that the governor of Anambra State holds more power than the party itself. No individual is greater than the party, and perhaps they are misinterpreting my desire for peace as a sign of weakness. It is essential to remember the chairman of the Board of Trustees' statement that we, the NWC, must take decisive action to avoid being perceived as ineffective. This is a political organization, and APGA is committed to its longevity. We have reached an 80% consensus regarding the individuals who will face suspension from the party, including the governor. I pose the question: should we suspend our only governor? However, if our sole governor is engaging in deceptive behavior or theatrics, leading honest members to partake in actions detrimental to the party, we must address this issue decisively. I am uncertain about Soludo's intentions or the challenges he faces, but he must align himself with the party's principles.