**As President Jinping pledges more investments in Nigeria’s power generation*
In what could best be described as a major milestone for Nigeria at the ongoing Belt and Road Initiative Forum (BRI) in Beijing, China has committed to refinancing and completing the Abuja-Kano and Port- Harcourt-Maiduguri railway projects.
President of Peoples Republic of China, Xi Jinping, made the pledge today while responding to requests made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who, was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, at a bilateral meeting with the Chinese leader in Beijing.
It would be recalled that since the launch of the projects, China is yet to release funds for the two major railway projects in Nigeria largely due to cutbacks and commitments.
China had agreed to provide 85 per cent financing for the construction of the Abuja-Kano and Port-Harcourt-Maiduguri railway projects, while Nigeria which had the duty of paying the balance 15% paid its part of the funding from inception of the project through appropriations.
The crucial infrastructure also termed a legacy project has the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation as the contractors named to execute the project.
The Chinese President who was visibly elated to receive the Nigerian delegation led by Vice President Shettima at the Peoples Building in China, pledged increased investment in Nigeria’s power generation and digital economy called for the protection of Chinese nationals working in Nigeria, saying he would, in turn, ensure that the Nigeria-China bilateral relation is stronger than before.
President Jinping promised that China will enhance political support and build cooperations in all fields, just as he appreciated Nigeria’s support of one China Policy.
Pledging to further deepen practical cooperations, the Chinese leader threw his weight of support behind the Renewed Hope Manifesto of President Bola Tinubu and his 8-point economic agenda adding that China will support Nigeria’s exports, especially as it relates to peanuts and others, even as the China – Africa talent initiative remains key in its cooperation with Nigeria.
In the area of security, President Jinping promised continued crackdown on terrorists, assuring categorically that China is committed to peace in the Sahel region, more so that its long-standing military trainings and MoUs on joint exercises remain sacrosanct.
Noting that China is committed to peace, President Jinping said, “Like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated recently at the last United Nations General Assembly, Africa does not need to run away. Africa holds the key to the World. We support Nigeria to play key roles in international relations and upholding allies’ commitments.
“Mr Vice President, you spoke about upscaling and further upgrading of our strategic relationship, and I totally agree with you. Nigeria is developing with big potentials. I totally agree with you. Our foreign Ambassadors can stay and work out this upgrading”.
Speaking earlier, Vice President Shettima who delivered the well-wishes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the rail projects as very vital to the President and people of Nigeria, saying it remained a legacy project that would further open up the nation’s economy, create jobs and boost trade and investments across the country.
The vice President said President Tinubu remains committed to a stronger Nigeria – China tie, addng that it was laddened with respect, non-political interference and mutual international cooperations.
“Our relationship commenced about 50 years ago, precisely in 1971 and it has been upgraded to a comprehensive partnership but we crave your indulgence, Your Excellency, to further upgrade this relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership because of the importance we attach to our relationship with China.
“When we met in South Africa at the China Plus 1 summit I was very honest and upright with you. Beyond the infrastructural support we are getting; why we love, cherish and respect China is that you treat us with respect and dignity. You don’t dictate to us who our friends are. We don’t forget our friends. China stood by us through thick and thin from the post-colonial struggles for independence in Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, the struggle for the emancipation of our people in Southern Africa; China stood shoulder to shoulder with the African continent, we thus appreciate your friendship,” VP Kashim submitted.
President Jinping had before his audience with Vice President Kashim Shettima formally declared the Forum which had numerous heads of states and top government officials open.
Nigeria Will Leverage On Ties With China To Improve Digital Space, Says VP Shettima
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima today said Nigeria will leverage its relationship with China to adopt programmes that will improve the country’s digital space, among other benefits.
Sen. Shettima also assured member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative of Nigeria’s readiness to “collaborate with the group and other emerging markets to bring about a positive shift in the growth and development of global economies.”
The Vice President stated these in his keynote address themed, “Digital Economy As A New Source Of Growth”, delivered during the High-Level Forum at the onging 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China.
The Vice President who spoke on Nigeria’s efforts at leveraging collaborations with partners to deploy technology in addressing some of its challenges, noted: “We are keen on using the instrumentality of the existing robust Nigeria-China bilateral relations to maximally key into projects under the platform of the Digital Silk Road for the improvement of our digital space.”
Speaking about Nigeria’s efforts in leveraging the digital space to create jobs and diversify the economy, Sen. Shettima said, “Nigeria has recorded a number of achievements including a digitalized public service, developed banking and e-payment systems, electoral reforms through the introduction of the electronic registration of voters and e-transmission of votes, thus creating ripple effects of job creation and human capacity building opportunities for our teeming youth population.”
Continuing, the VP said, “We have recently unveiled the new strategic blueprint, accelerating our collective prosperity through technical, as part of the Federal Government’s initiative to accelerate the diversification of the Nigerian economy by enhancing productivity in critical sectors through technological innovation.”
He added: “Through this strategic blue print, the Federal Government aims to achieve three key objectives namely: Accelerate the growth of Nigeria as a global technical talent hub and net exporter of talent. One of the goals of this talent hub is to train three million early to mid-career technical talents throughout the next four years (2022-2027); Deepen and accelerate’its position in global research in key technology areas; and Raise the complexity and dynamics of Nigeria’s economy by significantly increasing the level of digital literacy across the country.”
The Vice President also spoke about Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate from 50 to 70 per cent by the end of 2025 and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s domestic card scheme code named “Afri Go” to rival foreign cards like Master and Visa cards, and stregthen the national payment system.
The Vice President was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu; Minister of Transportation, Mr Saidu Alkali; Ambassador of Nigeria to China, Baba Ahmad Jidda and others.
*Stanley Nkwocha*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications*
*(Office of the Vice President)*
*18th October, 2023*
ECA and Transsion Sign Agreement to Foster and Accelerate Digital Transformation in Africa
Beijing, 18 Oct 2023, (ECA) – The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Shenzhen Transsion Holdings Co., Ltd. (Transsion) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster and accelerate digital transformation in Africa.
The partnership is founded on the complementary expertise and strengths of both parties, with a primary focus on fostering collaboration in research and analytical studies. The shared goal of the two institutions is to provide valuable insights and policy recommendations in key areas of the digital ecosystem in Africa, including e-commerce, fintech, digital payments, financial inclusion, digital trade, and more. Both organizations intend to harness the power of emerging technologies, big data, innovative tools and platforms to achieve these objectives.
Acting Director of the Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Division at ECA Nassim Oulmane appreciated Transsion’s pivotal role in enhancing access to affordable and high-quality digital technology for African citizens and commended Transsion’s proactive involvement with various stakeholders, including ECA, in driving Africa’s digital transformation forward.
“This partnership can yield meaningful and impactful results in addressing digital challenges and bridging the digital divide on the African continent,” Mr. Oulmane remarked.
Africa is currently the continent with the lowest level of connectivity in the world, where 60% of its population remains offline. The ECA is dedicated to bridging digital divides by promoting infrastructure development and affordability, digital policy formulation, and fostering digital skills.
Harnessing Africa’s potential to embrace digital development and achieve the SDGs and Agenda 2063 requires that Africa’s youth, which will represent almost half of global youth by 2030, is ready for a digital future and the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Founder and Chair of Transsion, Mr. George Zhu Zhaojiang, said: “We are pleased to be ECA’s collaborator and technical partner. We will give full play to Transsion’s technical expertise, as well as Transsion Innovation Hub’s investment capabilities and strategic resources, to jointly empower the development of Africa’s digital economy, and help build new momentum for growth in the African economy.
Mr. Zhu Zhaojiang further added that through Transsion’s data platform DataSparkle, the company will also provide data analytics support for Internet access and digital development in Africa.
Senate appoints Oyelola Yisa Ashiru , Nwebonyi Onyeka as Deputy Leader and Deputy Chief Whip
The Senate on Wednesday appointed Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru of the All Progressives Congress representing Kwara South as its new Deputy Leader of the Senate.
The Senate also appointed Senator Nwebonyi Onyeka as the new Deputy Chief Whip.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the new appointments at plenary.
Ashiru, who was hitherto the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate was elevated to the position of deputy leader of the Senate which became vacant, following the appointment of Senator Dave Umahi as Minister of Works by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Senate also confirmed the nominations of Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Halima Shehu and Muhammd Hammajoda.
President Bola Tinubu had nominated Olukoyede as the chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Shehu as the national coordinator, National Social Investment Programme Agency, and Muhammd Hammajoda as the new secretary of the nation’s anti-graft agency.
The appointees were confirmed in the upper chamber on Wednesday, October 18.
The request for confirmation by Tinubu was conveyed in a letter sent to the Senate and read during Tuesday’s plenary session by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau.
Meanwhile, the former senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Elisha Abbo, has apologised over his allegation that Senate President Godswill Akpabio plotted his removal by the Court of Appeal.
Abbo tendered his apology while speaking in an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday.
He said, “I have to say with all sense of humility and responsibility that the press release we issued yesterday was premature and based on the available information at our disposal.
“As of today, we have discovered a lot of things, and yesterday night, I had a discussion with the Senate President, and I am convinced that he is not involved.
He quoted Akpabio as saying to him, “I swear by my mother’s grave that I’m not involved; I don’t even know that you’re in court.”
Abbo further stated, “For a number three citizen to come up to tell me that he has sworn on his mother’s grave, a woman that he loves so much, a woman who brought him up after he lost his father at the age of six, I don’t see a reason why he would lie.”
NDLEA detains 2 wanted drug barons, arrests two others for ingesting 175 wraps of heroin
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have taken into custody two wanted heads of transnational criminal organisations with multi-billion-naira worth of illicit drugs and assets seized from them after weeks of intelligence-led operations across the country and outside Nigeria.
The arrest of the wanted drug lords came on the heels of the interception of consignments of cocaine and heroin buried in the bellies of two traffickers heading to Paris, France and Doha, Qatar by NDLEA officers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja.
Operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on Tuesday 10th October succeeded in taking into custody, Hakeem Babatunde Salami, the arrowhead of “Tajudeen Babatunde Abioye Transnational Criminal Organization” involved in the illicit trade of several narcotics including Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Ephedrine between Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Europe. He fled Nigeria to South Africa upon the arrest of a member of his syndicate, Suleiman Babatunde Oba at the Lagos airport on August 25 over attempt to export 25.10kgs of ephedrine to South Africa.
Hakeem Babatunde Salami was however smoked out of hiding through partnership with South African authorities and other intelligence and investigative mechanisms. While some of his luxury vehicles have been seized and his home in Surulere Lagos sealed, other members of the cartel already in custody include Suleiman and Godwin Edet Mathew.
In his statement, he claimed he was into the importation of building materials from China to Nigeria and used to sell gold in South Africa before delving into the illicit drug trade about two years ago.
The head of another cartel, Okafor Ikechukwu Williams (aka Jantu) and his wife, Okafor Ifeyinwa Grace were also taken into custody on Thursday 5th October when NDLEA operatives raided their hideout at 9 Awa Street, Ago Palace, Okota area of Lagos where they recovered 27.566 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in a blue box and two sacks, ready for export to Europe and Asia. Their Lexus RX350 marked ABJ 512 AY parked in the house was also seized during the operation. Their arrest followed weeks of intelligence gathering about the activities of the criminal network.
At the Abuja airport, operatives on Friday 6th October arrested a drug trafficker, Nwofor Ejiogu Charles, 45, during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR 1432 to Doha. After body scan revealed he ingested cocaine, he was placed under observation during which he excreted 75 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.653kgs. At the point of his arrest, Nwofor who was the last passenger to board his flight offered to compromise an NDLEA officer with $3,000 to free him.
The following day, Saturday 7th October, another trafficker, Nwufo Charles Okwudili, 45, was also arrested while attempting to board Lufthansa Airlines flight LH 0595 to Paris, France via Frankfurt, Germany. After being put through body scanner, he was taken into recovery room where he excreted 96 wraps of heroin he ingested with a total weight of 1.413kgs.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene -Lokoja-Abuja expressway on Tuesday 10th October intercepted a commercial bus coming from Lagos to Kano. A search of the bus led to the seizure of Four Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand US Dollars ($4,880,000), and Fifty-Seven Million Céfa, (CFA57,000,000) suspected to be counterfeits.
In Sokoto, the Federal High Court in the state capital presided over by Justice Ahmad Mahmud has sentenced an acting district head, Alhaji Umar Mohammed (aka Dan Bala) to five and a half years in jail on four count charges of possession and dealing in 436.38kgs cannabis and 7kgs psychotropic drugs brought against him by NDLEA in October 2022. He was convicted and sentenced to two years on each of counts 1 and 2 with an option of N1million fine, and eight months on each of counts 3 and 4 without an option of fine.
Operatives in Edo state on Wednesday 11th October stormed the Orue forest, Owan West LGA where they arrested Happy Akashili, 37, and Solomon Uwesue, 40 in a hut located inside a cannabis farm measuring 2.367308 hectares which was destroyed, with 92kgs already processed skunk recovered, while 49kgs of same substance were also seized at Ogbeturu camp.
The Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture on Drug Use and Mental Health for students of 15 secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Ascension College, Iworo Imeke, Badagry Lagos; WADA sensitisation lecture at Modern Comprehensive College, Amokwe, Udi LGA, Enugu; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of National Secondary school, Awka; Students of JIBWIS Islamic Science Secondary school, Herwagana, Gombe; students of Government College, Makurdi, Benue; students of Government secondary school (Boys), Kafin Maiyaki, Kano and students of JNI Special Model primary School, Gusau, Zamfara.
While commending the efforts of the NAIA, MMIA, Kogi, Sokoto and Edo Commands of the Agency as well as the Special Operations Unit targeting the drug cartels, for jobs well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) assured that officers and men of the Agency will never let down their guards no matter the tricks and distractions orchestrated against it by criminal networks.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Sunday 15th October 2023
EFCC arraigns Sunday Simon,( a.k.a Ryan Eggold ) for defrauding an American: Garri Kalish, the sum of $800
The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on October 16, 2023, arraigned one Sunday Simon,( a.k.a Ryan Eggold ) before Justice A.A Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, for defrauding an American: Garri Kalish, the sum of $800( Eight Hundred Dollars only).
The offence is contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
Simon was arraigned on two-count charges bordering on cybercrime.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Sunday Simon(a.k.a Ryan Eggold, male, sometimes in April 2023 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of $800(Eight Hundred United States dollars)from one Garri Kalish, a citizen of the United States of America under the pretence of being into a romantic relationship, a pretence you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the two charges.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel K. Ogunlade prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendant at the Kaduna Correctional Centre.
Meanwhile, defence counsel, K.S Istifanus, made an oral application for bail which was opposed by Ogunlade.
After listening to both counsels, Justice Isiaka adjourned the matter till October 24, 2023 for hearing of bail application, and thereafter ordered the remand of the defendant at the Kaduna Correctional Centre.
Simon was arrested by operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC at Agwa, Trikania in Kaduna in a sting operation. In the course of investigations, his mobile phone was analysed which revealed different fake Instagram accounts and Facebook accounts where he presented himself as an American actor, Ryan Eggold in his chats with unsuspecting women.
Media & Publicity
October 17, 2023
EFCC ARRESTS UNVIVE TEGWOLO, IMEMESI DANIEL, OJO OSA TOHANMWEN, OLISE GODSPOWER IKENNA, KADIRI ERIC, YAKUBU ALIYU IZEGWIRE, OMOZUAFO COLLINS, ELECT OSAYUWA, DESTINY EWERE, AYODELE EUGENE, ERIC ONWUSIWEKA, OKEKE BENJAMIN, IMANAH DESTINY, KENNETH ANYENIBIE, URIEL OGWUEZI, PRINCE JOSHUA AND IBEJE DANIEL.
Operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 arrested 17 suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, Edo State.
They were arrested at their hideouts, in different locations, following actionable intelligence on their nefarious activities.
The suspects are Unvive Tegwolo, Imemesi Daniel, Ojo Osa Tohanmwen, Olise Godspower Ikenna, Kadiri Eric, Yakubu Aliyu Izegwire, Omozuafo Collins, Elect Osayuwa, Destiny Ewere, Ayodele Eugene and Eric Onwusiweka.
Others are Okeke Benjamin, Imanah Destiny, Kenneth Anyenibie, Uriel Ogwuezi, Prince Joshua and Ibeje Daniel.
Items recovered from them include different exotic cars, phones and laptops.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Media & Publicity
October 17, 2023
Gabriel Ohaohakara gets one year imprisonment for $30,000 crypto investment fraud
Justice O.O. Abike -Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Gabriel Ohaohakara to one year imprisonment for $30,000 crypto investment fraud.
The convict perpetrated the scam by creating a fake investment website, britishtradelimited.com, and a telegram channel for the same purpose.
He was jailed on Thursday, October 12, 2023 after pleading guilty to one-count charge bordering on crypto currency fraud, upon being arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The charge reads: “That you, IHEOHAKARA GABRIEL, on or about the 24th November, 2022 in Lagos, within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession document containing “Crypto Currency Fraud Activity” and other related documents for an online fraudulent activity which you knew to be false.” The offence is contrary to Sections 6, 8 (b) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud.
He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.
Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Akhanolu Ikhuoria Godsent, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordignly.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, October 12, 2023, Justice Abike-Fadipe convicted him and sentenced him to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N1,000, 000( One Million Naira only) and 1000 hours of community service.
The Judge also ordered that the iPhone 13 pro max recovered from him be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, while the sum of $30000 be restituted to the victim.
Ohaohakara’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when he created a fake investment website, britishtradelimited.com, and a telegram channel for the same purpose. Investigation revealed that a syndicate of fraudsters, sometime in August 2021, sent a message on Telegram with the pseudo name, British Trade Limited, to one Adilio Pizzolo, a Brazilian, offering an investment opportunity in British Trade Limited.
It was further revealed that Pizolo, who later became the victim, had created an account on British Trade Limited as well as an account in a Brazilian bitcoin broker called “Foxbit ” through which he was able to convert Brazilian Reals to bitcoin. Pizolo was made to deposit approximately $30,000 worth of bitcoins to an address provided by the suspect during a live chat that was integrated on the fictitious ‘British Trade Limited’ website.
Media & Publicity
October 16, 2023
