The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) commenced the trial of Ex-Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, for an alleged N33.8 billion fraud on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, as key witness reveals damning evidence, narrating how Saleh Mamman ordered multiple cash transfers into 13 unauthorized entities.

Mamman was formally arraigned on Thursday, July 11, 2024, on 12-count charges bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73.

Prosecution witness One, Abubakar Kweido, an EFCC operative, narrated how investigation activities reviewed multiple monetary transfers from the project account meant for Mambilla hydroelectric power project into various companies.

Kweido said: “At the time investigations were carried out, the defendant was the Minister of Power between 2019 and 2021. We commenced the investigation by writing letters of investigation to different Ministries and Agencies of the Government and various commercial banks.

“When we analyzed the responses, we saw that over N33.8bn from the project account were sent to over 13 entities that are not the authorized contact, some of them are ‘Prymint Investment Ltd, Gurupche Business Enterprise, Shipikin Global Enterprises

 The matter was adjourned to October 9, 2024, for continuation of trial.

Rivers: No Litigation Stopping October 5 Council Polls, Says RSIEC

Despite claims in some quarters that ongoing court litigations could halt the upcoming October 5 Local Government Council elections, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has confirmed that preparations are in full gear for the polls.

Speaking to Channels Television, the RSIEC Commissioner for Public Affairs and Civic Education, Tobins Tamunotonye, dismissed the claims, stating that the commission is unaware of any court orders affecting the election.

Tamunotonye further revealed that 17 political parties out of 19, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), have successfully presented candidates from primaries that the commission supervised.

“The River State Independent Electoral Commission under the Chairmanship of Retired Justice Enebeli is yet to receive any court order nor judgment stopping the election. In short, as we speak we are 90 percent ready for elections with candidates already screened.

In confirmation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers State’s stance on not partaking in the L.G.A polls, he added, “The only party that is yet to present candidates for the upcoming elections is PDP.”

Addressing concerns raised in some quarters regarding RSIEC’s credibility in conducting the election, Tamunotonye reassured the public of the commission’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and fair electoral process, urging all to come out and vote.

It has been an endless drama within the political corridors of Rivers State. These political crises may have spilled to the L.G.A election as the sacked Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the APC in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, had said his party would not be participating in the elections.

However, the chairman of the party in the state, Emeka Beke, had gone ahead to conduct primaries, which produced candidates for the October 5 council polls.

The non-participation of the PDP in the election has also made some members of the party loyal to Governor Simi Fubara interested in contesting, to join the Action People’s Party (APP), a new party that seems to be gathering fast recognition.

Shettima appauds ExxonMobil’s $10bn Deep-Water investment plan in Nigeria

VP Shettima and Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil Affiliates in Nigeria, Shane Harris on the sidelines of 79th UNGA in New York

Vice President Kashim Shettima has welcomed ExxonMobil’s proposed $10 billion dollar investment in Nigeria’s deep-water oil operations, describing it as a clear testament to the administration’s economic reforms and investment-friendly policies.

This is coming just as the international maritime giant, DP World, has announced plans to develop a multibillion-dollar port project in Nigeria.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President stated this during a high-level meeting with ExxonMobil executives and officials of DP World on the sidelines of the ongoing 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

The centrepiece of ExxonMobil’s new strategy is the Owo project, a substantial subsea tie-back that could represent a $10 billion investment, as it aims to inject $1 billion annually into maintenance operations and an additional $1.5 billion to boost production by 50,000 barrels per day over the next few years.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s $5.6m for floods relief, agro reforms

The Nigerian government has secured a $600,000 relief fund and commitments from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for relief efforts for victims of floods, as well as for health and agricultural sectors’ reforms.

The foundation pledged the $600,000 for flood relief in Borno State and other health sector initiatives, with an additional $5 million grant approved for Lagos Business School and partners to develop the agricultural economics of industrial cassava.

The donation was announced when Vice President Shettima held a meeting with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation led by its head of global development programme, Dr. Christopher Elias, on the sidelines of the 79th UNGA.

Shettima reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to placing health, nutrition, and agricultural development at the forefront of nation’s national agenda.