A prosecution witness, Adewale Agunbiade, on Monday, narrated before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, how former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, allegedly received multiple transfers of N5.2 million from Jide Sotirin Abiodun, a staff member of Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd.

Agunbiade told the court that Agunloye received the funds from Abiodun via multiple transfers and ATM withdrawals.

Agunbiade, a compliance officer now with Jaiz Bank Plc who formerly worked at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), testified in the ongoing trial led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on corruption charges.

EFCC is prosecuting Agunloye on seven-count charges, bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of $ 6 billion to Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd.

While being questioned by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Agunbiade revealed that in October 2022, GTB received an inquiry from the EFCC about Agunloye and Abiodun’s accounts.

“On October 2022, GTB received an investigation activity inquiry from EFCC in respect of the accounts of two customers, Mr Olu Agunloye and Mr Jide Sotinri,” Agunbiade said.

“My team received the requests on behalf of the bank, following which I generated the statement of account via the system used by me at the time. I also prepared the Certificate of Identification, following my review of the statement against the records of the bank. I cosigned the cover letter of the responses.”

The prosecution counsel then presented documents, including letters between the EFCC and GTB (marked as Exhibit 1a and 2a), as well as GTB’s account responses (Exhibit 2a and 2b).

Agunbiade identified and confirmed these documents, saying “On page two of Exhibit 2b is the statement of Jide Sotirin Abiodun and the Certificate of Identification prepared by me on the statement of the account. On the 10th of September 2019, there were six transactions.

“The last five transactions were ATM cash withdrawals of N30,000 each. The last transaction on 10 August 2019 was a transfer of N3,600,000.00 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun to Olu Agunloy.”

The witness also revealed additional transfers from Abiodun to Agunloye, including N500,000 on October 22, 2019, and N1,121,000 on November 13, 2019.

He disclosed that “as of 22 October 2019, a record of N500,000.00 was transferred from Sotirin Jide Abiodun to Olu Agunloye. On 13 November 2019, a record of N1,121,000 from Leno in favour of Agunloye Olu from Jide Sotirin. Exhibit 1b is an account opening belonging to Agunloye Olu. On 10 August 2019 was an inward transfer of N3,600,000.00 from Sotinrin Jide Abiodun. On 22 October 2019, there was an inflow of N500,000 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun. Also on 13th November 2019 was an inflow of N1, 121,000 (One Million One Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand Naira) in favour of Agunloye Olu from Jide Sotirin.”

The case was adjourned until Monday, October 21, 2024, for cross-examination.Mambila Project Fraud: How N5.2m was wired to Agunloye; witness tells court

A prosecution witness, Adewale Agunbiade, on Monday, narrated before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, how former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, allegedly received multiple transfers of N5.2 million from Jide Sotirin Abiodun, a staff member of Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd.

Agunbiade told the court that Agunloye received the funds from Abiodun via multiple transfers and ATM withdrawals.

Agunbiade, a compliance officer now with Jaiz Bank Plc who formerly worked at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), testified in the ongoing trial led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on corruption charges.

EFCC is prosecuting Agunloye on seven-count charges, bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of the Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of $ 6 billion to Sunrise Power and Transmission Ltd.

While being questioned by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Agunbiade revealed that in October 2022, GTB received an inquiry from the EFCC about Agunloye and Abiodun’s accounts.

“On October 2022, GTB received an investigation activity inquiry from EFCC in respect of the accounts of two customers, Mr Olu Agunloye and Mr Jide Sotinri,” Agunbiade said.

“My team received the requests on behalf of the bank, following which I generated the statement of account via the system used by me at the time. I also prepared the Certificate of Identification, following my review of the statement against the records of the bank. I cosigned the cover letter of the responses.”

The prosecution counsel then presented documents, including letters between the EFCC and GTB (marked as Exhibit 1a and 2a), as well as GTB’s account responses (Exhibit 2a and 2b).

Agunbiade identified and confirmed these documents, saying “On page two of Exhibit 2b is the statement of Jide Sotirin Abiodun and the Certificate of Identification prepared by me on the statement of the account. On the 10th of September 2019, there were six transactions.

“The last five transactions were ATM cash withdrawals of N30,000 each. The last transaction on 10 August 2019 was a transfer of N3,600,000.00 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun to Olu Agunloy.”

The witness also revealed additional transfers from Abiodun to Agunloye, including N500,000 on October 22, 2019, and N1,121,000 on November 13, 2019.

He disclosed that “as of 22 October 2019, a record of N500,000.00 was transferred from Sotirin Jide Abiodun to Olu Agunloye. On 13 November 2019, a record of N1,121,000 from Leno in favour of Agunloye Olu from Jide Sotirin. Exhibit 1b is an account opening belonging to Agunloye Olu. On 10 August 2019 was an inward transfer of N3,600,000.00 from Sotinrin Jide Abiodun. On 22 October 2019, there was an inflow of N500,000 from Sotirin Jide Abiodun. Also on 13th November 2019 was an inflow of N1, 121,000 (One Million One Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand Naira) in favour of Agunloye Olu from Jide Sotirin.”

The case was adjourned until Monday, October 21, 2024, for cross-examination.

Nigeria is set to become the first West African manufacturing hub for insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Nigerian government and Vestergaard Sàrl.

The MoU, announced on Tuesday and facilitated through the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), aims to establish a facility that will produce 10 million insecticidal nets annually, creating 600 jobs in the process.

Africa accounts for 95% of global malaria cases, with Nigeria bearing one-quarter of that burden. The new facility will also be the first on the continent to produce dual active-ingredient nets, addressing insecticide resistance in the ongoing battle against malaria.

The partnership will establish a joint venture between Vestergaard and a local Nigerian manufacturing partner, with support from MedAccess, a social investor backed by British International Investment. Vestergaard is also discussing financing opportunities with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Once operational, the facility will supply both domestic and international markets.

“If successful, the joint venture will result in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that is expected to function as a flagship on ITN quality and bioefficacy performance, as well as industrial health, safety and sustainability practices,” a statement by Sarah-Jane Loveday, Vestergaard’s Director of Communication & Marketing, said on Tuesday.

“At scale, the planned facility would produce 10 million PermaNet® Dual long-lasting insecticidal nets every year, for both domestic use in Nigeria and international export. It would create around 600 jobs in Nigeria.”

We cannot afford to underestimate the power of prevention in our fight against malaria
Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, Hon. Minister of Health for Nigeria, said: “Increasing access to long-lasting insecticide-treated nets is crucial. We cannot afford to underestimate the power of prevention in our fight against malaria. Collaborative efforts, such as this, are essential to mobilising the resources and expertise needed to combat malaria effectively.”

Dr Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator of PVAC, said: “High standards in local production are non-negotiable. By investing in local bed net production, we are not only improving health outcomes but also paving the way for a self-sufficient healthcare system that can withstand global challenges. This partnership with Vestergaard is a significant step towards attaining this for Nigerians and the broader West African population. ”

Michael Anderson, CEO of MedAccess, said: “Next generation mosquito nets are powerful tools to save lives and prevent debilitating disease. Regional manufacturing is in turn a critical tool to ensure that the nets are available quickly, reliably, and sustainably. This agreement between the Government of Nigeria and Vestergaard underlines an important commitment to protecting people from malaria while strengthening supply chain resilience in the region. MedAccess is looking forward to working in partnership to explore how innovative finance can support this initiative.”

Jim Polan, Vice President, Office of Health & Agribusiness at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), said: “DFC’s investments in regional manufacturing, particularly in Africa, aim to strengthen health system resilience and diversify supply chains. We are exploring a variety of opportunities to expand access to critical health products, including bed nets, to ensure the region is better prepared to respond to malaria and other vector-borne transmission due to changing climate patterns.”

Amar Ali, CEO of Vestergaard, said: “This partnership exemplifies the leadership and commitment of the Nigerian government in the fight against malaria. We are very grateful for their engagement and support as we work together with partners to create a cutting-edge facility that will set a global benchmark in the manufacturing of dual-insecticide nets.”

 The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) visited Nigeria for the second time from 8 to 19 September 2024 to assess the treatment of individuals in detention, and whether the country had strengthened its capacity to protect the human rights of people deprived of liberty, including through the proper functioning of a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).

“The delegation regrets the lack of cooperation from Nigerian authorities, during and prior to the visit. We were confronted with a climate of hostility and faced access issues in several places of detention. Receiving the SPT’s visit and allowing it to exercise its mandate without obstruction is an international obligation under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) which Nigeria ratified in 2009,” said Shujune Muhammad, the head of the delegation.

The SPT delegation visited numerous places of deprivation of liberty, including detention facilities for men, women and children, police stations, criminal investigation departments, as well as facilities run by agencies combating drug and people trafficking, among others.

“The situation in most places of detention is abysmal. Nigeria must urgently take measures to prevent torture and ill-treatment, and to improve conditions of detention, especially in police stations and other similar facilities. Legal safeguards must be immediately implemented, and the current impunity of perpetrators for acts of torture must end,” she said.

The delegation also met with the Minister of Justice, parliamentarians, judges, prosecutors, and other relevant authorities, the Bar association, civil society organizations, and UN agencies.

“It has been 10 years since the first SPT visit, and Nigeria is yet to establish a functional national preventive mechanism. This unfortunately shows that the prevention of torture and ill-treatment is not taken seriously by the State party, and the horrific situation we have documented speaks to this. We urge authorities to urgently finalize the establishment of an independent functional preventive mechanism,” said Muhammad.

At the end of the visit, the delegation presented its confidential preliminary observations to the Government of Nigeria, highlighting its serious concern about the lack of commitment from authorities in preventing widespread torture, ill-treatment and in improving conditions of detention.

Following its visit, the Subcommittee will send Nigeria a confidential report containing its observations and recommendations and encourages the State party to make it public, to facilitate implementation.

The SPT delegation included Aisha Shujune MUHAMMAD (Maldives) Head of the delegation, Satyabhooshun Gupt DOMAH (Mauritius), Andrew Christoffel NISSEN (South Africa), and Victor ZAHARIA (Moldova), accompanied by two Human Rights Officers from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has said that the construction of the 3.5 billion dollar Bakassi Deep Seaport would soon commence.

This is contained in a statement issued by Ifeanyi Nwoko, ICRC’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity in Abuja on Monday.

Ewalefoh made this known at a High-level Stakeholders’ meeting where a statement of endorsement for the port project was signed.

The ICRC D-G who said the construction would commence under the administration of Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River State, assured that the project would be completed in record time.

He said that his assurance was premised on four things which include the fact that the government of the state had demonstrated great commitment and zeal required for the project.

Others he said were the newly streamlined ICRC Public Private Partnership(PPP) processes; the securing of a financier for the project; and the support of all other stakeholders present.

Ewalefoh said the 3.5 billion dollar project whose funding has been secured from the African Import-Export Bank(Afreximbank), is to be executed as a PPP project.

He said that the ICRC had streamlined its PPP processes to ensure they were faster than before.

According to Ewalefoh, we are not compromising standards, we are only making the process more efficient which I have commenced as the D-G of ICRC.

He assured the Governor of Cross River that the project would be completed under his tenure with the support of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Shippers Council and all the stakeholders.

“You have demonstrated that you have what it takes to do it, just like President Tinubu has given confidence to investors to bring their funds to Nigeria.

“This is not a project that you started, the baton was only handed over to you, but like the man on the last lap, you are running the fastest and you will cut the tape.

“With the team you have assembled and the activities that are going on, you will arrive at the destination of the Bakassi Deep Seaport.

“I am convinced that in your tenure, with your team, Bakassi Deep Seaport will be a reality to the people of Cross River state and Nigerians,” he said.

The D-G said that the port was very important as it would diversify the traffic from the Western Port and serve as a succour to the Eastern parts of Nigeria.

He added that the Bakassi Deep Seaport is an Agro-Value-Chain port that will explore the potential in the nation’s agricultural sector in the South-South part of Nigeria, the North as well as all of Africa.

Ewalefoh thanked Afreximbank for believing in the state and Nigeria as he reassured investors that Nigeria was a choice destination for investment opportunities.

The statement said a high point of the meeting was the signing of the statement of endorsement by all critical stakeholders to the projects including the ICRC and the Cross River State Government.

Others include the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Shippers Council, among others.

 The European Union (EU) has said that it supported Nigeria and five other Sahel countries affected by the flood with 5.4 million Euros.

In a statement issued by the bloc and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the other countries that benefitted are Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso

The bloc noted that the fund was meant to assist the more than 4.4 million people estimated to be affected by floods in the countries.

“Floods have led to the destruction of houses, public health facilities, water systems, schools and sanitation facilities as well as roads, infrastructures, and agricultural areas.

“Moreover, the lack of access to water, hygiene, and sanitation services is increasing the risk of spreading of waterborne diseases.

“This funding will help our humanitarian partners on the ground, to provide immediate aid and respond to the most urgent needs concerning food, shelter, access to clean water and sanitation and other essential services in the hardest-hit areas.

“The amount will be distributed as follows: Chad one million Euro; Niger 1.350 million Euro; Nigeria 1.1 million Euro; Mali one million Euro and Cameroon 650,000 Euro and Burkina Faso 300,000 Euro.

“The funding comes in addition to 232 million Euro in humanitarian assistance already allocated to these countries so far this year.

“The EU and its partners had already responded to the immediate consequences of floods in Liberia, Guinea, Chad, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Mali,’’ the bloc said.

In the statement, Mr Janez Lenarčič, the Commissioner for Crisis Management was quoted to have said: “Excessive rainfalls had lashed the Sahel and Lake Chad regions with unprecedented impact, displacing millions and causing widespread suffering and damage.

“We are mobilising all means at our disposal to help the most vulnerable in the flood-stricken countries, so they can receive much needed relief’’.

The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has called on the Federal Government to fully eliminate fuel subsidies, stating that doing so would reveal the true level of petrol consumption in Nigeria.

He also confirmed the ownership of two upstream oil blocks, with production expected to commence next month. The business mogul, however, said he will likely not invest heavily in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

“Well, our upstream, you know, is not big. We have two oil blocks which we have and we are starting production this October,” Dangote added.

Dangote, during a 26-minute interview with Bloomberg Television, expressed that fuel production from his $20bn refinery in Lagos, which has the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil daily, will help ease pressure on the naira.

The billionaire said, “Subsidy is a very sensitive issue. Once you are subsidising something, people will bloat the price, and the government will end up paying what they are not supposed to be paying. It is the right time to get rid of subsidies.”

He further explained that the refinery would expose Nigeria’s actual fuel consumption, which has been widely debated.

“Some say, it’s less. But right now, if you look at it by us producing, everything can be counted,” he said. “So everything can be accounted for, particularly for most of the trucks or ships that will come to load from us. We are going to put a tracker on them to be sure they are going to take the oil within Nigeria, and that, I think, can help the government save quite a lot of money. I think it is the right time, you know, to remove the subsidy.”

The businessman also noted how ending petrol imports would ease currency pressures, especially as petroleum products account for about 40% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange expenditure. Dangote noted that producing and selling fuel locally could help stabilise the naira, which has lost about 70% of its value against the dollar.

Dangote added, “The removal of subsidies is totally dependent on the government, not on us. We cannot change the price, but I think the government will have to give up something for something. So I think, at the end of the day, this subsidy will have to go.”

President Bola Tinubu initially removed the petrol subsidy in May 2023 but reinstated it after inflation spiked, sparking public protests. In September, the fuel price cap was eased, yet it remains below market levels.

On the refinery’s sales, Dangote revealed that his company started supplying gasoline to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for domestic sale on September 15, explaining that NNPCL purchased the fuel at a lower cost than its imported stock.

“There wasn’t really a disagreement, per se,” he said, regarding a pricing dispute with NNPCL. “What they are supposed to do is to sell at a basket price, or if they want to remove the subsidy, they can announce that they will remove it, and everybody will adjust.”

He also added that there is an ongoing discussion with NNPCL regarding crude oil sales starting in October, noting that crude will be priced and sold in naira to help reduce currency pressures.

“We will sell the crude in naira after we have bought in naira. So now we are currently working out with the committee that the exchange rate is going to be priced. It is going to be normal pricing, you know, if crude is at $80, we will pay that price at an agreed exchange rate.

“And then we will also sell in the domestic market. What that will do is that it’s going to remove 40 per cent pressure on the naira. So because see, the petroleum products consume about 40 per cent of foreign exchange, so you know, and then, you know, it’s like you have 40 per cent of demand being taken out so that can actually stabilise the naira and even if they subsidise, they would know what they are paying for.

“The deal is to give the government something that they want. It’s also a win-win situation for all and it would benefit the country.

“Currently, discussions are still ongoing to determine the details of the agreement. They are working out something that I think would be a win-win between us and the NNPCL.

“The agreement is very robust. Well, first of all, we would have energy security where they will give us crude. For example, in October, they’re going to give us 12 million barrels, which is on average, about 390,000 barrels a day, which will sell both gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government announced plans to allocate land for building a park for fuel tankers to prevent over 3,000 trucks from damaging newly constructed roads leading to the Dangote refinery. This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, after a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

The council also approved several major road projects, including the rehabilitation of roads in Katsina, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, and Rivers states.