07/18/17

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.



A fact-sheet from the EFCC indicates that 11 senators from the north are under probe for alleged fraud. The EFCC has charged seven other senators from the south to court for alleged financial irregularities.
A source from the anti-graft agency says the 11 senators not yet on trial will be prosecuted at the appropriate time The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating 18 senators for alleged fraud amounting to the tune of N367.5b.

Among the lawmakers being investigated, seven are currently on trial while some of the cases date back to 10 years, the Nation reports. The cases against the members of the upper chamber are based a variety of alleged fraud ranging from money laundering, misappropriation, unexecuted contracts, diversion of public funds to campaigns, and others to the tune of N367.5billion.

NAIJ.com learnt that a fact-sheet from the anti-graft agency on Monday, July 17, indicates that 11 of the senators under investigation are from the north while others are from the south. According to the fact-sheet, the cases against the lawmakers include: One or two senators (outside the list) are under investigation for their alleged involvement in the N19billion and $86million London-Paris Club refund in which seven governors have been implicated.

An alleged N47billion embezzlement against a former governor now serving in the Senate, a senator is standing trial for alleged mismanagement of N1.2billion ecological funds; another allegedly diverted to other uses N1billion meant for the repair of a collapsed dam.

The cases also include laundering of N40billion by a senator from the North-East; diversion of N3billion to campaign by a North-West senator; 149-count charge of mismanagement of N15billion by a senator from the north-central and the arraignment of a north-west senator for allegedly N52billion fraud.
There are N9billion case involving a senator from the South-East; N2.1billion contract fraud by a member of the upper chamber from the south-south; N10.2billion fraud traced to a senator from the north-west and N2billion diverted funds credited to a senator from the north-central.

Two aides of a senator, who is being probed for alleged illegal deduction of N3.5billion from the London-Paris Club refund have been quizzed. Three new senators from the North-Central, South-East and South-West have been under investigation for some infractions, including alleged stamp duty collection fraud. Confirming the cases against the senators, an EFCC source who spoke on condition of anonymity said while seven of the lawmakers are on trial, 11 others will be prosecuted at the appropriate time.

“The case files of all these 18 senators are already with us. Seven of them are already on trial. “But, certainly, 11 others will be prosecuted at the appropriate time. It may interest you that some agencies in a few international jurisdictions are interested in some of the cases against some of these senators.

 “It might also interest you that some of these cases predated the appointment of the present Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu. But since continuity is a cardinal principle of the EFCC, Magu has decided to ensure that the matters in court are pursued to logical conclusion.

There is also no waiver for all cases undergoing investigation," the source said. The source however clarified that Magu had no personal problem with any senator as he inherited most of these cases. In a related development, it was learnt that the senators under probe are lobbying for the halt of either their investigation or prosecution by the EFCC as part of the conditions for supporting Magu.

Meanwhile, a former governor of Jigawa state, Saminu Turaki, has asked an FCT High Court to commit Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for contempt of court. Turaki urged the court to take the action against Magu for reportedly refusing to release him on bail.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the application was filed before Justice Yusuf Halilu, who is the vacation judge.
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.


Corpse buried in 2002 exhumed freshly in Lagos
                   The picture of the corpse 
 Information gathered was that a corpse interred sometime in 2002, was exhumed somewhere in Lagos state and it was as fresh as when it was buried about 14 years ago.

A Facebook user, Bamswaga Guru Adebambo, shared the photo of a corpse which was supposedly buried 14 years ago and when the corpse was exhumed recently.

According to Adebambo, the woman's corpse was met the exact way it was buried way back in 2002. Sharing the post on his Facebook page, he wrote that the road construction going on in the Epe area of Lagos state necessitated the exhuming of the body, but the people got a shock of their life! Instead of seeing a skeleton, they exhumed a full fledged-body, as fresh as the day it was buried.
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.


                               P - Square
Some popular Nigerian musicians like P-Square have criticised the Federal Government’s plan to stop the production of Nigerian music videos abroad, saying the policy will hinder global competitiveness of the music industry. The plan, which was made known by the Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed recently in Lagos, sparked off reactions among popular artistes, saying the policy would not be beneficial to the entertainment industry.

Veteran singer Rugged-man argued that many artistes take their productions abroad because of the sophistication of the technologies required for such productions, which might not be available locally. He said that the trend was not peculiar to Nigerian artistes as artistes from more developed climes do embark on international productions.

“Amenities we lack are a few of the reasons some entertainers go outside the country to shoot music videos and movies. “Even America where their governments give their citizens amenities they deserve, still shoot movies in other countries,” he said.

Yemi Alade, aka “Mama Africa”, expressed worries through her Instagram page, saying that the policy would hinder the growing collaboration between Nigerian singers, their international counterparts, and the global competitiveness of the Nigerian music. “So will all the money artists have spent shooting videos that are yet to be released be refunded? “You might think that a musical video is just a thing we do!, It’s a business! You don’t understand!!” “The video directors we use round the world are also Nigerians,” she said.

P-Square, the musical superstar twins, also frowned at the proposed policy, stressing that it would not serve the best interest of the music industry.

The Minister of Information and Culture had disclosed Federal Government’s plan to ensure that all music and films consumed locally were made in Nigeria. He made this known when he visited the headquarters of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) in Lagos.
He decried the current situation where Nigerian films, reality TV shows and music were made outside Nigeria. He said that the situation had hampered the empowerment of local practitioners in the industry, the development of the sector and the nation’s economy in general.
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.


Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has decried the inadequate attention the government is paying to health and the overdependence on foreign donors to fund health initiatives in the country.
Mr. Adewole, who spoke at the Maiden Edition of Health Communication Conference organised by Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, ANHEJ in Abuja on Thursday, said despite the improvement in budgetary allocation to the sector this year, it was still a far cry from global standards.
“Nigeria is still far below the Abuja Declaration, a commitment by the African Union Heads of Governments to ensure that at least 15 per cent of National Budgets are allocated to the health sector.
“In 2017, the Health Budget (Nigeria’s) is only around 4 per cent of the National Budget.
“Though this represents a slight improvement from around 3.73 per cent in the 2016 budget, the numbers are worrisome. This would mean that only about N1, 500 (One Thousand and Five Hundred Naira only) is being spent on the health of every Nigerian per year,’’ Mr. Adewole said.
He said no Nigerian should be deprived health benefits as it was a fundamental human right that must be defended.
Mr. Adewole also noted that no donor programme last forever adding that Nigeria must start funding a major part of its health programs.
“When you look at HIV, about 70 per cent of the resources for HIV comes from outside. 99 per cent of the commodities were paid for by outsiders, so we must put our money.
“When we look at family planning, the large part of the money is from outside. Immunisation, the vaccines all come from outside. This country must wake up; we must put our money in health and create a positive way for the health of this nation,” the minister said.
He said health related issues and campaigns determine the survival of governments politically in other climes.
“If you follow the U.S. and the UK elections today, elections are won or lost on the debate of Health from NHS to the Affordable Care Act.
“The media should make health matters a headline issue. Politicians tend to go with the pulse of the people. We should together galvanize the people to put healthcare on the electoral agenda in Nigeria.’’
The Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, also called for the continuous advocacy of the media, adding that it would go a long way to improve health sector in the country.
Mr. Faisal, who was represented by the Director, Advocacy and Communication NPHCDA, Eugene Ivase, said that “the Association of Health Journalists should take health advocacy as a very serious issue.’’
“It is your voices that would represent the voices of the common Nigerians who are advocating for their health rights, for the funding of health to ensure that all Nigerians get quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services in Nigeria,’’ he said.
The Niger State commissioner for health, Mustapha Jibril, urged the media to educate the people on the contents of National Health Acts as many Nigerians do not know how it works.
In his speech, the president of the ANHEJ, Marcus Fatunmole, said that the summit is aimed at urging government to implement the National Health Act, three years after passage.
He added that the National Health Act needed to be implemented for better healthcare delivery in the country.
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.


Bolaji Amusan, popularly called Mr Latin (R), and Odunlade Adekola (L)
The Ogun State Police Command on Monday said it has commenced investigation into the robbery attack on two popular Yoruba film actors, Bolaji Amusan, popularly called Mr Latin and Odunlade Adekola.
The Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, made this known to PREMIUM TIMES when he was giving updates on the incident.
The men were attacked by armed robbers on Saturday night when they were returning from a Glo music show in Ijebu-Ode. Their cars reportedly ran into the armed robbers who had laid siege along Ilishan-Sagamu road.
Mr. Oyeyemi said the quick response of police officers and some men of the local vigilante service saved the situation leading to the rescue of the victims.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has directed the Area Commander, Sagamu, Isa Grema, to work in conjunction with men of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, to bring the hoodlums to book “within a very short possible period.”
The police spokesperson added further that the commissioner has equally assured residents of the state of adequate security despite the incident.
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.



Image result for Images of Lafarge Boosts Housing Ownership
DETERMINED to address the huge shortfall in the Nigeria’s housing sector which is put at a whopping 18 million units, as it particularly affects the low income earning groups of the country, Lafarge Africa Plc, Africa’s cement giant and construction solutions company, has unveiled a housing scheme known as Easy Home.
The Easy Home initiative which is targeted mainly at low income earners who ordinarily have no hope of owning houses of theirs in life because of their low income earning capacity, is equally meant to meet affordable housing provision of the nation.
At a media roundtable on affordable housing in Lagos organised by Lafarge recently, the promoters of Easy Home noted that the scheme is Lafarge Africa Plc’s pragmatic affordable housing solution, which is expected to build a business initiative with positive social impacts.
Housing deficit The country’s Affordable Housing Development Manager, Mr. Aurélien Boyer, while speaking on the initiative, said the scheme will afford those who find it difficult to build or buy homes within a short period of time the opportunity to do so, pointing out that “It is a new dawn, as Lafarge Africa Plc, the continent’s leading housing and infrastructure solutions company, is out to make it easy for them to build and own homes with its Easy Home initiative”.
Explaining why Nigerians must build houses of their own, Boyer said the population of the country increases at 2.8 per cent yearly and is projected to be the world’s third largest by 2050, adding that there is currently a housing deficit of 17m amidst an urbanization rate of 4.7 per cent.
Describing the affordable housing initiative, he said “This is the only home construction solution for low income earners; it is the solution for this class of people who earn between N20,000 to N30,000 and are aiming to build their own houses. The solution is accessible to everybody including petty traders, civil servants, taxi drivers, barbers, etc”.
Also speaking, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lafarge Africa’s Director, Communications and Public Affairs, said “Easy Home is an ambitious housing solution which involves 25 countries globally.
In 2016 alone, over 445,000 people were impacted and it is targeting to impact 25 million people by 2030. In Nigeria, about 30,000 people have benefited from the initiative and still counting.
“Lafarge Africa is committed to facilitating affordable housing across Nigeria with its Easy Home initiative, a home construction solution which has so far benefited over 30,000 people since it began three years ago. The solution is an opportunity available for all. We will provide you with technical support as long as you have a building project because we vouch for our cement and concrete solutions”, Folashade said.
She explained that based on the long term aspiration of the affordable housing value proposition at the group level, LafargeHolcim hopes to positively impact about 25 million around the world by 2020, pointing out that Nigeria would hopefully represent a significant portion of the projected beneficiaries.
According to the director of Communications and Public Affairs who disclosed that Easy Home looks at how people who build are facing the challenges of finance, artisans, project execution and land acquisition, added that the initiative offers builders the opportunity to leverage its partnerships such as the one it has with Lapo Micro-finance Bank which provides housing finance for those that come through this initiative.
Boyer further stated that the housing scheme also provides free technical advisory services and assistance, pointing out that “We deliver a construction estimate such as the quantity of cement, blocks and their unit cost in just 10 minutes. “These technical advisory services are offered unconditionally, but the beneficiaries are expected to use Lafarge cement and blocks because those are the materials the company is confident to use.
The technical support is also available to anybody who has his own source of funds other than the one offered by LAPO Micro-finance Bank”. Boyer said that anyone, whether he is a business owner, a salary earner or civil servant can apply for this solution, maintaining however that a prospective client must show evidence of stable source of income.
He added that to access the loan, the applicant has to bring a deed of agreement or transfer showing that he is the owner of the landed property and a proof of income as the primary criteria.
According to Easy Home promoters, within the three years of its operation, the initiatve has impacted people in several states of the federation including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Ondo, Osun, Nasarawa, Niger, Calabar, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers.
They said scheme has enabled about 10 percent of its beneficiaries to build business structures such as shops, schools, clinics, bakeries, while creating opportunities for these businesses to generate billions of Naira with ample job opportunities for Nigeria’s teeming youths.
“This is the only home construction solution for low income earners; it is the solution for this class of people who earn from N20,000 to N30,000 and are aiming to build their homes. The solution is accessible to everybody including petty traders, civil servants, taxi drivers, barbers, etc”, Boyer noted.
Continue reading
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)