Yusuf Buhari’s ‘Forgotten’ Biker Friend, Bashir Gwandu, also in Coma

By Sunday Okobi

The friend of President Muhammadu Buhari’s son, Yusuf, Bashir Gwandu, is also fighting for survival at the intensive care unit of Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, Yellowstone Media can report.

Bashir Gwandu is Yusuf’s best friend with whom he collided in a horror crash on Tuesday night.

Reliable sources told journalists that the accident occurred when Yusuf revved up the engine of his motorbike to overtake Bashir Gwandu, and suddenly lost control of the bike.

According to the source, “The accident happened when Yusuf was trying to overtake Bashir. They collided and somersaulted.

“They lay unconscious there for a while before permission was sought to take them to the hospital,” said a source.

It was also gathered that a security vehicle was trailing and giving cover to the president’s son when the accident occurred along Ahmadu Bello Way (near NEXT supermarket), Abuja.

Rumours were rife on Thursday morning that Yusuf was flown to Germany for treatment but spokesman for the president, Garba Shehu, dismissed the rumours.

Sources however told this newspaper that Yusuf would still be flown abroad for treatment as soon as his condition improves.

It is however unclear if Yusuf would be flown abroad alongside his friend, Bashir Gwandu, for further medical attention.

Buhari Son, Yusuf, Flown Abroad ‘Against’ Doctors' Orders

President Muhammadu Buhari son, Yusuf, has been flown abroad (to Germany) on Thursday morning for medical treatment, but against the counsel of the doctors attending to him.

Yusuf, who was involved in a bike accident at Gwarinmpa in Abuja on Tuesday night, was treated at Cedacrest Hospital where he had surgery for a broken limb and a severe head injury.

Contrary to reports, Yusuf has been in a critical condition and was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

However, it was also gathered that the decision to fly him abroad was not fully supported by the doctors at Cedacrest who counselled that he be allowed to stabilise before the trip explaining that it is could be dangerous to move him out of the ICU.

Unsatisfied and worried about his status, the President’s family, supported by some of the family doctors, went ahead with its plans and got an air ambulance to convey Yusuf to a German hospital.

Sources confirmed that he was driven to the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport, Abuja, amidst tight security in an ambulance with oxygen support.

He was then transferred into an air ambulance under the care of a Nigerian doctor and three paramedics.

He is currently air borne.

However, Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in a text message on Thursday in Abuja, said Buhari was still being treated at a private hospital in Abuja.

Relief in Ibadan as Gastab Joins Total, Bovas, SAO, Others, To Sell Petrol At N141

Residents of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, are in ecstasy as Gastab Mega filling station continues to defy odds against the landing cost of the petrol by selling at N141 in all its stations.

Checks conducted round the city for the fourth day running on Thursday, showed that Gastab owned by a 2nd Deputy Zonal Chairman, Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) of NUPENG (Lagos zone), Saheed Omogbolahan, are selling the products at N141, a price below the Federal Government official pump price of N143. The stations are in areas like Awolowo road, Oke -Ado Ibadan and Polytechnic Eleyele expressway. Though there were long queues, but motorists are conducting themselves in orderly manner as petrol was being sold to them at N141.

Also a leading depot owner in the country, Bovas is also selling in virtually all its filling stations along Ologuneru-Eruwa road, Apata, Bodija, Oluyole and other areas in Ibadan at N143 per litre.

The situation was the same at SAO filling stations owned by the National Chairman, PTD of NUPENG, Chief Salimon Akanni Oladiti as his fuel stations dispense at N143 per litre.

Total filling station is also selling at N145/litre in most of its filling stations visited. Some recalcitrant marketers are however selling at nocturnal times from between 10pm till wee hours at prices ranging from N180 to N250/litre. A litre of fuel still goes for N350 at Black markets in Sabo, Mokola area of the city.

A National Treasurer of Independent Marketers branch of NUPENG, Comrade Baale debunked yesterday story that his filling station at Olohunda-Aba (Bailey) listed was among the sealed stations on Wednesday. Baale said the task force met 1,500litres which they described as "dead stock" but still went ahead, without restriction, to sell 1,000 litres to motorists and left 500 litres, without putting any seal on the station. He thereafter tasked reporters to always cross check their facts before rushing to file their news.

At Wednesday's raid of the filling stations by a combined team of the operatives of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and officials of the Oyo state government, seven were reportedly sealed off in addition to the three sealed off on Tuesday.

The filling stations sealed off were found guilty of hoarding and selling petrol above the approved pump price of N145.

The team also forced four filling stations that were hoarding fuel to dispense at the Federal government approved pump price to the relief of the people.

The government said it set up the special task force team to support the DPR officials to rid the state of the activities of economic saboteurs parading themselves as petroleum marketers.

The enforcement took place in Akobo, Ashi, Apata, Olorundaba, among other areas.

Some of the filling stations sealed include Kesbash Oil Nigeria Limited, Swort Oil & Gas, Oduwoye Global Services Ltd, JOSFRAD International and Venture, Roylab International Venture

Benue Government Denies Rift with Catholic Church

The Benue State Government on Thursday denied any rift between it and the Gboko Diocese of the  Catholic Church following an incident that took place during the 64th birthday of the Former Governor of Benue State Senator George Akume in Wannune Tarka Local Government.

 In a statement on the incident and made available to journalists, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Terver Akase, stated that Governor Samuel Ortom understands and respects the decision of Gboko Catholic Diocese not to allow politicians to speak during masses,  pointing out that his boss did not  feel slighted when the Priest in Charge of the Wannune Parish stopped him from speaking during the mass in accordance with the decision of the Diocese.

We urge those amplifying the incident and making inflammatory statements for political reasons to sheathe their swords.

 "Governor Ortom is a God-fearing leader who submits himself to Christian authorities and has enormous regard for the Catholic Church in particular. He won't allow the cordial relationship he has built with the church over the years to be jeopardized",Akase said.

The governor's statement is coming on the heels of an embarrassment,were he was bared by the church from making a speech in the cause of the thanks giving mass .
According to a source Reverend Father. Titus Ashwe of Saint Christopher Parish Wannune had stop the governor from speaking during the mass service even as he asked the governor to reserves his comment for the reception ground.

"When the Governor took the microphone and started with greetings, the Parish Priest quickly came from behind and announced that he was not allowed to speak.
Ortom who was as surprised as the congregation, asked the priest what he said and he repeated that the Governor was not allowed to speak in the church following the ban by the diocese for such.

 The Governor handed the microphone to the priest and went back to his seat. This was followed by an immediate uproar from the congregation most of whom obviously disapproved of the remark.

But Senator Akume condemned the ban,  pointing out that the Governor as Chief Executive of the state has the right to speak with his people even in the church as it has been the case with other governors of the state.
Another source said  that the main issue why the church refuse the governor to speak was due to cries from parishioners who lamented on the inability of the governor to pay state and local government worker eight and twelve month salaries and pensioner fifteen months .

Buhari Meets Suspended Rep Member,Jibrin, In Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, met in a closed door meeting with suspended member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Jibrin who represents Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State was the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation before he was suspended by his colleagues over claims that the 2016 budget was padded.

The lawmaker had claimed that the 2016 budget was padded to the tune of over N284 billion by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara in connivance with three other principal officers of the House.

Jibrin who has been on suspension for 16 months now had, on Wednesday, December 20, petitioned the presidency and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, calling for intervention in his continued suspension.

However, the embattled lawmaker arrived the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday to meet with President Buhari over his suspension.

He however refused to give details of the meeting while speaking with State House correspondents insisting that it was a meeting between a son and a father.

“As you are aware, I have not seen the President for a while now. It was a meeting between a son and a father,” he said.

“The most important is that I saw him and he was in a very high spirit. I greeted like a son and he spoke to me like a father.”

Nigeria Should Quickly Return to Parliamentary System, Says Ekweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu on Thursday in Enugu canvassed for Nigeria's return to parliamentary system of government, insisting that the the present presidential system had not only become expensive but cumbersome.

Speaking during a parliamentary session of the Enugu West People’s Assembly at Udi Local Government Area Headquarters of Enugu State, Ekweremadu said the present system of government had disconnected the people from governance.

He argued that the parliamentary system of government will not only make it faster and easier to pass legislation but will help institute the will of the people, which will clearly quicken legislative action.

The politician maintained that the parliamentary system of government will engender more robust debates which always brings out the best in a democracy and assured the people that all their requests will be captured in both the Federal, State and Local Government budgets.

The parliamentary session served as an opportunities for the people at the grassroots to interact and hold the leadership of the Senatorial District accountable.

Ekweremadu explained that the Enugu West Parliamentary session was an example of democracy in action which enabled everyone to air his or her opinions, ask questions and demand answers.

"You can see that all your representatives are here from the Senate to the house of Assembly, including the Chairman of Local Government Areas and Councilors, taking questions and giving answers. This is democracy in action. I can assure you that this is how democracy is practiced for the benefit of the people. Our parliament which is the Enugu West People’s Assembly is the best in the world because every body who is supposed to be here is in attendance and actively involved in process. It is face to face. The people and their representatives”.

He used the opportunity to announce the state government’s intention to establish two industrial Parks in the State; one at the 9th mile area and the other at Emene, arguing that it will help boost youth empowerment.

Ekwermadu encouraged the youths to avail themselves of the opportunities offered by the European Vocational School facilitated by him to learn skills that will help empower them in no small ways, advising other well meaning Nigerians to sponsor the youths to the school.

Most legislators and government officials in attendance took questions from the people, including Hon Toby Okechukwu, member representing Aninri/Awgu/Orji - River Federal Constituency, Hon. Dennis Amadi, Representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Traditional Rulers, Constituents among others.

Man Kills His 6-Month-Old Child in Ogun

Operatives attached to the Ogun State Police Command have apprehended a man for allegedly killing his six-month old daughter.

The incident occurred last Tuesday at Aiyedere in Obada-Oko area, an outskirt of Abeokuta metropolis.

It was gathered that trouble started that day when the mother of the child, Omowunmi Teleda, left home, leaving behind the six-month-old child, Precious, with her husband, Andrew Koku, to see her daughter that she had for her former husband somewhere in Abeokuta but only to return home and met the corpse of six-month-old Previous.

The state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abimbola Opeyemi, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged by the mother of the deceased baby, Teleda, at Adigbe Divisional Police Station, Abeokuta.

According to Opeyemi, the mother explained that the baby was hale and hearty before she left home, and within the few hours she spent away from home, the child is dead.

"This situation made her to strongly suspect her husband who happened to be the only person with the baby at home," he said.

The police spokesman said upon the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in-charge of Adigbe Division, CSP Sunday Oladipo, deployed Police Detectives to the scene where the suspect was arrested.

Following a preliminary interrogation, he said the suspect confessed to the crime but claimed to be suspecting that his wife wanted to leave him for her ex-husband and that if that should happened, he would not be able to take care of the baby and that was the reason he decided to take the life of the child.

However, Opeyemi said the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ahmed Iliyasu, had directed that the case be transferred to the operatives attached to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for a discreet investigation into the matter and subsequent prosecution of the suspect.

Saraki Orders Senate Committee On Petroleum To Halt Recess Over Fuel Scarcity

Senate President Bukola Saraki has directed the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources to cut short its recess and convene a stakeholders meeting over fuel scarcity being experienced across the country.

This was disclosed in Thursday by Kabir Marafa, Chairman of the Committee, in a statement which revealed that the meeting would hold on January 4.

The statement explained that the meeting was meant to address the lingering fuel scarcity with a view to putting a complete stop to the unsavoury development.

Marafa added that the Committee also summoned Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of state for Petroleum Resources and other stakeholders.

“The meeting which will be held in the senate hearing room 221 and its proceedings aired live on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), is meant to address the lingering fuel scarcity bedevilling the nation in the last few weeks with a view to put a complete stop to the unsavoury development,” the statement read.

“The senate which is presently on Christmas and New Year break is billed to resume committee work for budget defence on January 9, and commence plenary on January 16.”

Nigeria Govt: US Agrees Delayed $593 Million Fighter Plane Sale

The United States has formally agreed to sell 12 Super Tucano A-29 planes and weapons to Nigeria, the West African country’s air force said, confirming the resurrection of a deal frozen by the Obama administration over rights concerns.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama delayed the sale in one of his last decisions in office after the Nigerian Air Force bombed a refugee camp in January.

But his successor Donald Trump decided to press on with the transaction to support Nigeria’s efforts to fight Boko Haram militants and to boost U.S. defense jobs, sources told Reuters in April.

The U.S. ambassador to Nigeria presented letters of offer and acceptance to Nigeria’s air force earlier on Wednesday, the air force said in a statement.

It said the U.S. State Department had approved the sale and final agreements would be signed and necessary payments made before Feb. 20.

There was no immediate statement from the U.S. embassy or from authorities in Washington.

U.S. government and Nigerian Air Force officials would meet in early January to discuss the early delivery of the aircraft once payment had been made, the Nigerian air force said.

The sale of the 12 aircraft, with weapons and services, is worth $593 million, and includes thousands of bombs and rockets.

The propeller-driven plane with reconnaissance, surveillance and attack capabilities, is made by Brazil’s Embraer. A second production line is in Florida, in a partnership between Embraer and privately held Sierra Nevada Corp of Sparks, Nevada.

The Super Tucano costs more than $10 million each and the price can go much higher depending on the configuration. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT 6 engine.

Crude Oil Price Hits High at $67 Per Barrel First Time Since May 2015

Oil price on Wednesday hit $67 per barrel for the first time since May 2015, before dropping to $66.27, despite the supply disruptions in Libya and the North Sea.

The prices of both crude futures fell after hitting a near two-and-a-half year high in the previous session as analysts said the rally was gradually running out of steam.

While Brent crude futures dropped to $66.27 a barrel, after breaking through $67 for the first time since May 2015, the United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $59.53 a barrel.

WTI broke through $60 a barrel for the first time since June 2015 in the previous session.

Last Tuesday, Libya lost around 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil supplies from a blast on a pipeline feeding Es Sider port.

Repair of the pipeline could take about one week but will not have a major impact on exports, the head of Libyan state oil firm NOC told Reuters on Wednesday.

The Libyan outage added to supply disruptions of recent weeks, which also included the closure of Britain’s largest Forties pipeline.

On Wednesday, Forties was pumping at half its normal capacity and its operator was pledging to resume full flows in early January.

The Forties and Libyan outages, which together amount to around 500,000 bpd, are relatively small in a global context of both production and demand approaching 100 million bpd.

Oil markets have tightened significantly over the past year thanks to voluntary supply restraint led the Middle East-dominated Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC Russia.

Data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that following rampant oversupply in 2015, global oil markets gradually came into balance by 2016 and started to show a slight supply deficit this year.

EIA data implies a slight supply shortfall of 180,000 bpd for the first quarter of 2018.

OPEC had at their November 30, 2017 meeting agreed to extend oil output cuts until the end of 2018 as part of the global efforts to eliminate excess oil supply in the international market.
The current deal, under which OPEC and non-OPEC producers are cutting supply by about 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in an effort to boost oil prices, expires in March 2018.

But the organisation in their last meeting had agreed to extend the cuts by nine months until the end of 2018, as largely anticipated by the market.

The decision to extend the production cuts saw crude oil prices rising, with the global benchmark Brent trading briefly at a two and a half year high at $67 per barrel yesterday.

However, a major factor countering efforts by OPEC and Russia efforts to prop up prices is US oil production which has soared more than 16 per cent since mid-2016 and is fast approaching 10 million bpd.

Only OPEC king-pin Saudi Arabia and Russia produce more.

With oil prices rising above $60, Russia had expressed concern that an extension of the cuts for the whole of 2018 could prompt a spike in crude production in the United States, which is not participating in the deal.
Russia needs much lower oil prices to balance its budget than OPEC’s leader Saudi Arabia, which is preparing a stock market listing for national energy giant Aramco next year and would hence benefit from pricier crude.

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Ekiti Monarch Arraigned For Murder, Remanded In Prison Custody

The Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, was on Wednesday remanded by an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for alleged murder.

The monarch was arraigned with five others in connection with violence which erupted shortly after the he inaugurated his hotel located in Gbemisola area of the town on Friday.

Report indicates that suspected thugs vandalized the hotel over a statement made by Obasoyin which they believed was against the interest of a governorship aspirant who hails from the town.

Responding, loyalists to the Monarch allegedly launched a reprisal attack on those identified as the perpetrators on Monday and killed one Kolade Adefemi during the fracas.

According to a remand order form marked MAD/181fk/17, the accused persons were arraigned for conspiracy, attempted murder of Ayodele Osanyinbola and murder of Kolade Adefemi.

Others charged with the Olukere were – Ajewole Sunday, Adetowoju Bode, Kayode Michael, Olowolafe Tola and Aluko Taiwo.

The offences are punishable under Section (1) and 319 (1) of Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012 within Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District.

The Chief Magistrate, Adesoji Adegboye, refused the bail application by the defense and ordered the accused persons be remanded in prison pending the issuance of legal advice on the case.

Adegboye adjourned the case till January 8, 2018.

Fuel Crisis: ASUU Says Buhari, Like Others Before Him, Doesn't Believe in Nigeria

The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Deji Omole, on Wednesday described as shameful the fact that Nigeria under the President Mohammadu Buhari cannot refine enough fuel for domestic consumption despite being the Minister of Petroleum.

Apparently miffed that the situation under Buhari played out in similar regimes before him, Omole stated that evidences have shown that neither APC nor PDP has the solution to the problems facing ordinary Nigerians.

The ASUU chairman stated that Nigerians appeared to have been defrauded by the government when the President said he would want to oversee the Ministry himself to get the desired change.

Dr Omole who stated this while featuring as guest of the month at the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel stated that those leading Nigeria do not believe in Nigeria and are not committed to solving her problems.

The ASUU boss who lashed out at the APC-led Federal government said nothing would change in the Education and health sectors since the President believes his children can school and graduate abroad while he can access quality health care in the UK.

While alleging that the Buhari government is not serious about fighting corruption, the ASUU chairman challenged the EFCC to make public outcome on the petition the Union submitted to it on the corruption at the University of Ilorin.

According to Dr Omole, nearly 75 percent of Nigeria-trained qualified doctors have left the country while those at home are planning to leave owing to the poor working conditions and bad welfare schemes.

“That we cannot refine oil for local consumption let alone for export is a shame. This is still happening because those leading us do not believe in Nigeria. It is unfortunate that those leading this country run abroad for health, education and even save stolen funds abroad. They only preside over a country they do not believe in. The Government of Buhari has continued to slide down the budget allocation to education. In Nigeria now, corruption is official because the government only makes noise rather than fight the scourge.”

Wizkid, Tiwa Savage Robbed On Board While Private Jet Taxis On Lagos Airport’s Runway

A private jet carrying two top Nigerian musical artists, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun aka Wizkid and Tiwa Savage from Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, was attacked and robbed last night while taxiing on Lagos airport’s runway 18L.

The Bombardier Challenger 605 jet with registration number T7-A00 arrived in Lagos from Uyo about 8:33 p.m. and was slowly taxiing to the arrival hangar when the cargo compartment was burgled.

Tiwa Savage had her luggages stolen.

The Rock Nation star, revealed that immediately they landed while still on the runway, the pilot noted that he saw the cargo hold light come on only for them to discover that some luggages were missing after investigating.

Tiwa called out the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the lax security, noting that it would have been as easy for a terrorist to plant a bomb, as it was for the thief that stole her bag.

In her snapchat post she wrote “So our plane lands and while we are still on runway, someone opens the cargo hole and steals our luggages.

“Pilot said he saw the cargo hold light, come on, how is this possible?How is this safe?

“FAAN this means anyone including terrorists can have access to planes, if someone can just walk on runway and steal luggages from a plane.

EFCC May Cripple Multiparty Democracy in Nigeria If…, Says HURIWA

 By Sunday Okobi

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on Wednesday alleged that throughout 2015 and until the last week of December 2017, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has carried out daredevil partisan attacks on top officials of the presidential campaign team of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while “overlooking the need to  be balanced, objective and patriotic by failing to take a forensic investigation of the campaign finances of the now ruling party- the All Progressives Congress(APC) which sponsored President  Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.”

 HURIWA in a statement jointly issued by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, said: “This open and brazen act of perfidy and biasness is even against the backdrop of the fact that over five governors under the platform of the then ruling party left to join APC and were known to have heavily bankrolled the campaign of the then leading opposition leader, Buhari."

The group charged Nigerians to be vigilant and work for the sustenance of multiparty democracy in Nigeria in 2018 which is a crucial campaign year is heralding the 2019 general election “in which the incumbent is being railroaded to contest by some of the governors elected on the platform of APC.

The rights group alleged that the historical trajectories of EFCC boss,  Ibrahim Magu, portrays him to be slavishly loyal to his appointing authority-President Buhari-who has against all calculations and lawful recommendation of the National Assembly that he be dropped as acting chairman has stock to his gun in the insistence that Magu whose attempted confirmation was truncated at the Senate.

HURIWA cautioned that if the National Assembly does not rise to the occasion and exercise its lawful legislative powers by totally insisting on its original recommendations rejecting the confirmation of Magu as chairman of EFCC, “Nigeria could see a sudden spike in coordinated raids of homes and offices of opposition political figures especially those who are perceived to have the formidable wherewithal and necessary competences, networks and financial muscles to wrest political power from the current administration which is seen as poorly performing and has endangered the national economy of Nigeria.”

HURIWA which also completely condemned the EFCC for dabbling into the trade disputes as if it has become a debt collector or attack dog in the longstanding litigation between the Guarantee Trust Bank plc and one of its respected clients and a reputable industrialist, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, also lamented that undue attention EFCC has paid towards unraveling the sources of campaign funding of the immediate past PDP administration portrays it as being unrepentantly partisan.

It described EFCC as “politically biased and is now an institution whose reputation has been sullied and its integrity rubbished in the cesspool of politically corrupt anti-graft war which is just a smokescreen for waging a crusade against multiparty democracy.

"We must safeguard our multiparty system and not allow EFCC and forces of darkness to instigate the enthronement of a one party state in 2019."

HURIWA has therefore called on the judiciary and courts to maintain their constitutional independence as enshrined in section 6 by “adjudicating on all the matters filed before it by the EFCC/ICPC/POLICE/DSS without fear or favour and without pandering to the whims and caprices of anti-democratic forces masquerading about as officials of anti-graft bodies but whose only brief is to decimate, degrade,  intimidate, harass, incarcerate extra legally, naming and shaming and conducting serial media trials of opposition political figures especially those of the only remaining mainstream opposition, PDP.”

EFCC Fraud Charge Against Me Laughable, Aimed to Destroy My Business, Says Innoson Boss

The Chairman/Managing Director of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Chief Innocent Chukwuma, has dismissed as laughable and a 'no issue' the alleged fraud charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Innoson Group, Mr. Cornel Osigwe, the entrepreneur said the purported charge was a calculated attempt by the anti-graft body to justify the gestapo style of arrest used in bundling him out of his residence last week Tuesday.

In the statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, the vehicle manufacturer said the charge was an action taken in bad faith to change the narrative to portray Innoson in bad light and divert the attention of the public who have continued to condemn the illegal action taken by the commission.

According to him, "We have some reservations with the publications of the details of the suit in question on some online blogs because the charge which EFCC purports to file against him has a temporary suit number, vis - temp/3315c/2017. This number is written with red pen at the top most right side of the charge published at EFCC's page.

"By this temporary number, it means that the charge is not yet before any court in Lagos State. Also, it means that the charge cannot be acted upon by any court in the state and it cannot be served on any party as well.

"As it is, the charge has not been filed. So why the noise in the media by the commission of filling fraud charges against Innoson? We believe that it is a volte face.   Furthermore, we are alarmed at how low EFCC could descend to be used by GT Bank to destroy the Nigeria’s foremost entrepreneur. We have it now in good authority that there is a grand conspiracy by an International competitor of Innoson vehicles who have conspired with a financial institution to pull down Innoson at all cost because of the latest increase of patronage of Innoson vehicles by the federal government.

"But we are amazed that EFCC, a federal government agency who is supposed at all times to defend indigenous Nigerian companies who are working hard to make Nigeria great will allow itself to be used as a tool to kill and destroy these companies. Particularly, Nigerians need to ask EFCC if GT Bank as a bank has any licence to import motorcycle spare parts or CKD.

"A cursory look at the charges filed by EFCC at court is both laughable and constitutes a national embarrassment. The motorcycles being deemed as the property of GT Bank were ordered by Innoson from its manufacturers and suppliers with a loan from GT Bank. Under letter of credit transaction, in international trade, bills of ladings are consigned to banks not because the banks – consignees–are the owners of the goods but rather to ensure that the seller is paid and the buyer receives the goods. 

"Mere consignment or endorsement of a bill of lading does not confer title in the goods covered by the bill of lading to either the consignee or the endorsee. Where consignment or endorsement of a bill of lading is intended as a security for loan, consignment or endorsement in such circumstance does not transfer title in the goods to the consignee or the endorsee.

"All Innoson’s letter of credit transactions, through GT Bank, were confirmed LCs. In letter of credit transactions (LC), particularly but not exclusively confirmed LC, the term is cash against documents. Shipping documents are not released by the advising/correspondent bank to the issuing bank until the issuing bank pays for the goods.

"At all material times, Innoson paid 25 percent of every LC value before it was opened. The media hype of EFCC portrayed Innoson and its promoter as having stolen goods belonging to GTB. We note that attempt of EFCC to get the courts to retry a matter Innoson had already secured judgment on," he noted.

The IVM owner further reiterated his earlier statement that the commission was yet to tell him why he was arrested "except to say on pages of newspapers that he was arrested because of his fraud at SEC and forgery of documents to obtain tax waivers. 

"While we await to be served the court papers, we want to advise the EFCC that if there is any complaint by GT Bank to EFCC, Innoson should be invited by the commission to clear its name; EFCC will then conducts its investigation before taking the matter to court," he added. 

George Weah Announced President-Elect Of Liberia

Former AC Milan footballer and one time Ballon d’Or winner, George Weah, has been announced as the President-elect of Liberia.

The 51-year-old won 13 counties out of the 15 counties in Liberia while his 73-year-old opponent, Joseph Boakai, won in 2.

Weah who has been elected as the 25th President of Liberia with the population of just a little above 3million took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to thank all his supporters, saying that he plans to liberate the country.

“It is with deep emotion that I want to thank you, the Liberian people, for honouring me with your vote today. It is a great hope,” he wrote @GeorgeWeahOff.

Buhari’s Son, Yusuf, Involved In Bike Accident, Stable After Surgery

President Muhhamadu Buhari son, Yusuf Buhari, was reportedly involved in a bike accident last Tuesday, December 26.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Yusuf had the accident around Gwarimpa in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He broke a limb, had an injury to the head and had to go through surgery at a clinic in Abuja but is in a stable condition.

“Yusuf Buhari had a bike accident last night around Gwarimpa in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” the statement read.

“He broke a limb and had an injury to the head as a result. He has undergone surgery at a clinic in Abuja. He is in a stable condition.

“The President and his wife, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, are thankful to Nigerians for the good wishes and prayers for their son.

“May God reward you all.”

Melania Trump Orders Removal of Near-200-Year-Old Tree From White House

The historic Jackson Magnolia has been on the south facade of the White House since the 1800s—making it the oldest on the grounds. But Tuesday, Melania Trump reportedly made the decision to have it removed after tree specialists determined “the overall architecture and structure of the tree is greatly compromised,” reported CNN.

CNN obtained documents from specialists at the United States National Arboretum, which determined the magnolia tree must be removed. The tree is “completely dependent on artificial support,” the document read.

The document said, “Without the extensive cabling system, the tree would have fallen years ago. Presently, and very concerning, the cabling system is failing on the east trunk, as a cable has pulled through the very thin layer of wood that remains. It is difficult to predict when and how many more will fail.”

A White House official told CNN that the First Lady made the decision after reviewing and assessing professional information and historical documents. The tree is expected to be removed later this week. White House groundskeepers were prepared for the tree’s demise, however, and offshoots of the original Jackson Magnolia have been growing nearby. The offshoots are around eight to 10 feet tall and will be planted in the original tree's place, according to CNN. 

Documentation reviewed by CNN revealed the Jackson Magnolia has had apparent damage as far as five decades back. Three trunks of the tree grew from the base—tangling together in a mess of shared bark. One of those trunks was removed leaving an exposed cavity that was filled with cement. Back in the 1970s, this was the standard procedure in this circumstance. The concrete, however, permanently damaged the tree. By 1981, a large pole and cable system were installed and hold up the tree today.

The document from the United States National Arboretum also noted that “the high winds resulting from frequent helicopter landings complicates the future of the [west limb],” saying that it “may fail in an unpredictable way.”

“We understand this is a historic tree, and all measures have been used to save it to this point in time. While we cannot comment on the need to preserve the tree as long as it stands, we believe eventually, the tree will fail.”

The history of the tree stretches as far back as former President Andrew Jackson—who brought the tree from his farm, Hermitage, in Tennessee, according to CNN. Jackson’s wife, Rachel, died days after the 1828 presidential election. Following his inauguration, it is believed that Jackson wanted the magnolia tree planted in honor of his wife’s death. The exact date when it was planted is disputed, with some saying it was planted as late as 1835, according to Oak Ridger. There are two Southern magnolias, which were planted by Jackson sometime between 1829 and 1837, according to Dale Haney, the White House grounds superintendent. Presidents have long planted trees at the White House—including a cut leaf silver maple by former President George W. Bush in 2001 and a little leaf linden by former President George H. Bush in 1991. 

The tree was featured on the back of the $20 bill between 1928 and 1998. A 1994 single-engine plane crash damaged the magnolia by slicing off one of its branches. Last year, former first lady Michelle Obama brought a seedling as a gift to the people of Cuba—which wasn’t the first time replanted seedlings have been gifted. It has been the backdrop of events from state arrival ceremonies and Marine One departures and arrivals to Easter Egg Rolls. As CNN pointed out, the tree ironically stands behind where the press is located during these events.