The Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie has declared that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, deserves the

award of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) Conferred on him by former President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).

Eze(Dr.) Anozie, who is also the chairman of the state chapter of the Association of Non-Indigenes Heads, made this decalration on recently in Ibadan, Nigeria

''I and my people, Ohanezenidgbo, and all non-indigenes in Ibadan and Oyo state appreciate the honor done to the Olubadan. He merits it because he is a peace-loving Olubadan, who loves all ethnic groups, all Nigerians residing in Ibadan. The Olubadan deserves it. I am therefore congratulating him and all Ibadan indigenes, because if the Olubadan gets something good, he has gotten it for himself and the whole Ibadan and vice versa. So, I am congratulating him. He is a very kind, humble and God-fearing person, who believes in truth, justice and fairness,'' Eze(Dr.) Anozie stated.

In another development, he admonished new political office holders at all levels of government to administer and oversee the affairs of those that elected them with the fear of God.

''Let them have the fear of God in everything they do. My good will message to all political office holders from top to bottom is for them to work for a truly united Nigeria where truth, justice, equity, fairness and peace reign supreme. Nigerians should love one another, not minding their ethnic and religious differences. This is the foundation. If we work hard, the sky is our limit,''Eze(Dr) Anozie noted.

John Chen and Lin Feng Allegedly Furthered the PRC Government’s Transnational Repression Campaign Against the Falun Gong by Bribing a Purported IRS Official

A federal court in the Southern District of New York today unsealed a complaint charging two individuals with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as unregistered agents of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), conspiring to bribe and bribing a public official, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

According to the complaint, John Chen, aka Chen Jun, 70, a Los Angeles resident and former citizen of the PRC, and Lin Feng, a Los Angeles resident and PRC citizen, allegedly participated in a PRC Government-directed scheme targeting U.S.-based practitioners of Falun Gong — a spiritual practice banned in the PRC. Chen and Feng were arrested today in the Central District of California.

“The Chinese government has yet again attempted, and failed, to target critics of the PRC here in the United States,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege the defendants in this case attempted to bribe someone they thought was an IRS agent in order to further the Chinese government’s campaign of transnational repression in the United States. But the individual they attempted to bribe was in fact an undercover law enforcement agent, and both defendants were arrested this morning. The Justice Department will continue to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute efforts by the PRC government to silence its critics and extend the reaches of its regime onto U.S. soil. We will never stop working to defend the rights to which every person in the United States is entitled.”

“The Department of Justice continues to expose the Chinese government’s brazen attempts to perpetrate transnational repression, this time through attempted bribery,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “As highlighted by today’s arrests and charges of conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering, we will not tolerate efforts by the PRC or any foreign government to intimidate, harass, or undermine the rights and freedoms enjoyed by all who live in the United States.”

“China’s government has once again shown its disregard for the rule of law and international norms,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI will not tolerate CCP repression — its efforts to threaten, harass, and intimidate people — here in the United States. We will continue to confront the Chinese government’s efforts to violate our laws and repress the rights and freedoms of people in our country.”“No other nation poses as severe a threat to the democratic values of the United States as the government of the People’s Republic of China,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “The FBI will not stand by as the PRC attempts to weaponize our institutions and programs and attack the rights of those on U.S. soil. Any attempt to repress or harass individuals runs directly counter to the ideals our nation was founded upon, and it simply will not be tolerated. The FBI and our partners remain committed to confronting the illegal conduct of the PRC government that threatens our national security and freedom.”

“John Chen and Lin Feng allegedly waged a campaign at the behest of the Government of the People’s Republic of China to influence a U.S. Government official in order to further the PRC Government’s repression of practitioners of Falun Gong,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “Efforts to manipulate and use the arms of the U.S. Government to carry out the PRC Government’s autocratic aims are as shocking as they are insidious. My office will work vigorously to protect against malign foreign influences.”

The complaint alleges that from at least approximately January 2023 to May 2023, Chen and Feng worked inside the United States at the direction of the PRC government, including an identified PRC government official (PRC Official-1), to further the PRC government’s campaign to repress and harass Falun Gong practitioners. The PRC Government has designated the Falun Gong as one of the “five poisons,” or one of the top five threats to its rule. In China, Falun Gong adherents face a range of repressive and punitive measures from the PRC government, including imprisonment and torture.                 

As part of the PRC government’s campaign against the Falun Gong, Chen and Feng allegedly engaged in a PRC government-directed scheme to manipulate the IRS’s Whistleblower Program in an effort to strip the tax-exempt status of an entity run and maintained by Falun Gong practitioners (Entity-1). After Chen filed a defective whistleblower complaint with the IRS (the Chen Whistleblower Complaint), Chen and Feng paid $5,000 in cash bribes, and promised to pay substantially more, to a purported IRS agent who was in fact an undercover officer (Agent-1), in exchange for Agent-1’s assistance in advancing the complaint. Neither Chen nor Feng notified the Attorney General that they were acting as agents of the PRC government in the United States.

In the course of the scheme, Chen, on a recorded call, explicitly noted that the purpose of paying these bribes, which were directed and funded by the PRC government, was to carry out the PRC government’s aim of “toppl[ing] . . . the Falun Gong.” During a call intercepted pursuant to a judicially authorized wiretap, Chen and Feng discussed receiving “direction” on the bribery scheme from PRC Official-1, deleting instructions received from PRC Official-1 in order to evade detection, and “alert[ing]” and “sound[ing] the alarm” to PRC Official-1 if Chen and Feng’s meetings to bribe Agent-1 did not go as planned. Chen and Feng also discussed that PRC Official-1 was the PRC Government official “in charge” of the bribery scheme targeting the Falun Gong.

As part of this scheme, Chen and Feng allegedly met with Agent-1 in Newburgh, New York, on May 14.  During the meeting, Chen gave Agent-1 a $1,000 cash bribe as an initial, partial bribe payment. Chen further offered to pay Agent-1 a total of $50,000 for opening an audit of Entity-1, as well as 60% of any whistleblower award from the IRS if the Chen Whistleblower Complaint were successful. On May 18, Feng paid Agent-1 a $4,000 cash bribe at John F. Kennedy International Airport as an additional partial bribe payment in furtherance of the scheme. Chen allegedly obtained funding from the PRC government to make bribe payments during his trips to the PRC in the course of the scheme.

Chen and Feng are each charged with (1) one count of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General and to bribe a public official, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; (2) one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; (3) one count of bribing a public official, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison; and (4) one count of conspiring to commit international money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The FBI New York and Los Angeles Field Offices and Counterintelligence Division are investigating the case with valuable assistance provided by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shiva H. Logarajah, Qais Ghafary, Michael D. Lockard, and Kathryn Wheelock for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Christina A. Clark of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source-FBI

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shiva H. Logarajah, Qais Ghafary, Michael D. Lockard, and Kathryn Wheelock for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorney Christina A. Clark of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven

The omission and commission of the leadership in all spheres of life in Nigeria, has brought the country to its present worrisome state.
In his views, the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, who is also the Head of the Association of Non-Indiggenes in Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie maintains that the emergence of a good and God-fearing leadership in Nigeria will change the narrative.
Excerpts:

God created this world very beautifully so that man should live peacefully and happily.
But due to selfish, wicked, conscienceless leaders, the world is on fire.
 There are crises everywhere. Human lives are wasted on a daily basis. I am saying it loud and clear,that anywhere there are crises, most of such are caused by bad leadership. Ordinary people are very ready to live peacefully with each other, if well led, and well governed, no matter their ethnic and religious differences, they can live peacefully together. Politicians should come to help in this situation.
If there is good and God-fearing leadership anywhere, there would be peace in that country or society. Good leadership means leadership where justice, equity, fairness and the fear of God reigns. A leadership where citizens condemn injustice, deceit and fraud, lawlessness, no matter whose ox is gored.
A leadership that does things the right way, because no matter whatever anyone is doing, if you do the right thing the wrong way, you are wrong. If you do the wrong thing the right way, you are still wrong, but when things are done the right way, everything will move on right and there will be peace everywhere.
Bad leadership is the problem the world is always having.
I am of the firm belief that with good leaders, most wars all over the world will be minimized. It is either the leaders are corrupt, or they are selfish, leaving the right thing that promotes justice and sanity and doing the wrong things that promote injustice, hardship and hatred among the citizens.

In Nigeria now, those who think that they are  enjoying the music as they look on, ethnic groups abusing and insulting themselves, should have a rethink. Let us all Nigerians join hands and voices together in condemning that which is evil, and encourage that which is good, for the good and unity and peace of our dear country.
I am saying this because a stitch in time saves nine. Let us forget our ethnic and religious differences and call a spade a spade. Only the truth can set us free in this country.

Mona Faiz Montrage Received Over $2 Million in Fraud Proceeds and Pretended to Marry One Victim to Further the Fraud Scheme

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a six-count Indictment charging MONA FAIZ MONTRAGE for her role in a series of romance schemes and for laundering the proceeds of those schemes.  MONTRAGE was arrested in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2022, and was extradited from the United Kingdom on May 12, 2023.  MONTRAGE will be presented before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty, to whom the case is assigned, later today.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Mona Faiz Montrage was a member of a criminal conspiracy that specifically targeted older Americans through romance scams.  These scams can be both financially and emotionally devastating for vulnerable victims.  Thanks to the efforts of our law enforcement partners, Montrage was arrested abroad and has been brought to the United States to face justice.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “We alleged today that Ms. Montrage participated in multiple romance scams – often targeting elderly victims – resulting in more than $2 million in fraudulent funds under her control.  Romance scams – especially those that target older individuals – are of major concern.  The FBI will be tireless in our efforts to hold fraudsters accountable in the criminal justice system.”

As alleged in the Indictment and other publicly filed materials. From at least in or about 2013 through in or about 2019, MONTRAGE was a member of a criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in West Africa that committed a series of frauds against individuals and businesses in the United States, including romance scams. 

Many of the Enterprise’s romance scam victims were vulnerable, older men and women who lived alone.  The Enterprise frequently conducted the romance scams by sending the victims emails, text messages, and social media messages that deceived the victims into believing that they were in romantic relationships with a person who had, in fact, a fake identity assumed by members of the Enterprise.  Once members of the Enterprise had successfully convinced victims that they were in a romantic relationship and had gained their trust, they convinced the victims, under false pretenses, to transfer money to bank accounts the victims believed were controlled by their romantic interests, when, in fact, the bank accounts were controlled by members of the Enterprise.

MONTRAGE is a Ghanaian public figure who rose to fame as an influencer through her Instagram profile, under the username “Hajia4Reall,” which at one point had approximately 3.4 million Instagram followers and was among the top 10 profiles with the most followers in Ghana.

MONTRAGE received money from several victims of romance frauds whom members of the Enterprise tricked into sending money.  Among the false pretenses used to induce victims to send money to MONTRAGE were (i) payments to transport gold to the United States from overseas; (ii) payments to resolve a fake FBI unemployment investigation; and (iii) payments to assist a fake United States army officer in receiving funds from Afghanistan.

As to one victim, MONTRAGE used her real name and spoke to the victim several times by phone.  MONTRAGE sent the victim a tribal marriage certificate purporting to show that MONTRAGE and the victim had been married in Ghana.  The victim sent MONTRAGE approximately 82 wire transfers totaling approximately $89,000 to purportedly help with costs associated with MONTRAGE’s father’s farm in Ghana.

In total, MONTRAGE controlled bank accounts that received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from the Enterprise.

*                *                *

MONTRAGE, 30, of Accra, Ghana, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and one count of money laundering, each of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  MONTRAGE is also charged with one count of receipt of stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to receive stolen money, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of MONTRAGE will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI.  Mr. Williams also thanked the United States Marshals Services, the National Extradition Unit, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the FBI Legal Attaché in London for their assistance in the investigation.  The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from the United Kingdom.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mitzi Steiner and Kevin Mead are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

In Nigeria, millions of citizens, most especially the poor and vulnerable, remain without internet access.
For a long time, internet users have had to  put up with very sub-standard services.
This is as a result of inefficiency and inadequate infrastructure.
Sadly, most of those who are fortunate to have internet access use it negatively.
Indeed, digital literacy is a major challenge across the country and this has translated to limited internet use in most  sectors of the economy.
Youths have taken to crime due to the attitude of the leadership at all levels of government, while pornographic content has exposed minors to immoral acts.
Of worry, is the lack of funding for research and infrastructure for Information and Communication Technology(ICT) by today's leadership.
The Backbone
The Nigerian youth involved in crime is not acting alone, some of those in positions of authority are his or her backbone. This becomes glaring when an individual takes a keen interest in unfolding events.

Banks in Nigeria have now opted for electricity/DSTV bills, community security payment receipts and building plans as means of identification of their customers rather than the National Identification Number(NIN).
Customers argue that this has defeated the Federal Government's original purpose of introducing the NIN, while the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) seems to have lost a firm grip on the banks.

This action of the banks coupled with a number of unwholesome practices have made it impossible for Nigerians to salvage their money from the affected banks.
Just last week, a customer with Access bank account No.-9993577288 was shocked when he was told by the customer service officers in the three branches of the bank he visited-Agodi/UCH 1 AND 2, Challenge, Ibadan, Nigeria, that he would need to present  the latest electricity or DSTV bill or community security payment receipt for documentation for him to withdraw money from his account.
As a result of this development and the issue of non-reversal of several online transactions, money belonging to customers is still trapped in these banks.
In his reaction, a former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), Comrade Andrew Emelieze lamented that the banks have for long played on the intelligence of NIGERIANS.
''Huge amounts of money are in these banks belonging to customers, the hard-earned money of Nigerians is hanging in these banks, most of the remittances  have not been made by these banks and virtually nothing has been done by the Central Bank of Nigeria to rescue customers. Besides, banks have been very exploitative and have continually cheated Nigerians. They no longer give interest in savings and any transaction made attracts a number of hidden charges. The banks, just like vampires, are sucking Nigerians dry,'' Comrade Emelieze noted.

 

Nigerians have reacted divergently over the just concluded registration exercise of unemployed Nigerians by the National Directorate of Employment(NDE) across the nation, days to the expiration of the life span of the present administration.
Indeed, the exercise was characterized by allegations of corruption, favoritism, influence peddling and political patronage.
A cross section of unemployed Nigerians alleged that some unscrupulous staff of the directorate took advantage of the exercise to enrich themselves.
They also alleged that those who were fortunate to be registered were supporters of politically exposed people, while stressing that the registration was not for full-time paid employment, but rather were registered for training programs for the unskilled.
Sadly, the beneficiaries are insignificant compared to the millions of jobless Nigerians.
Nigerians express disappointment over the negotiations by some staff members of the government agency with politicians, while lamenting that the exercise was limited to those who benefitted from such negotiations.
Indeed, the exercise may not have successfully captured genuine unemployed Nigerians.

Over the years, politicians have consistently influenced the recruitment process for the civil and public services.
This has resulted in the sacrificing of merit for other considerations.
In her reaction, the Oyo state Coordinator of the NDE, Mrs. Olayemi described the allegations as malicious and unfounded, adding,''it has nothing to do with my staff members except you have documentary evidence. No kobo was taken from anybody. The exercise was absolutely free. It has nothing to do with my office. Let them mention the name of one of my members of staff. I can vouch for my staff members, nobody will risk that. As far as I know, nobody has come to complain to me. We registered 8,000 people from the 33 local governments in Oyo state.
In his view, a cleric, Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi lamented that the low quality of workforce in most sectors of the economy has almost brought Nigeria to its knees.
''When you sacrifice merit for ethnic, religious and other factors in the employment process, what you will get is unqualified employees. Look at the civil and public services. It is in a state of rot and this has affected the economy negatively. Redundancy  is the order of the day in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
For the chairman, Non-Acamdic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU) University College Hospital(UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Abiona, the major challenge is not redundancy, but shortage of staff.
''When we are talking about understaff, you are talking about redundancy. Workers should be diligent in their duties. This is why it is only a diligent worker that is relevant,'' Comrade Abiona stated.
However, a former chairman of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC) Comrade Andrew Emelieze believes that the exercise has only succeeded in ridiculing frustrated and impoverished Nigerians.
''The exercise coming less than 25 days to the end of this administration, serves to only ridicule frustrated and hungry Nigerians, most of whom are housewives, okada riders, petty traders and artisans. Look at them on the queue. This is unfortunate.'' Comrade Emelieze concluded.

The education sector is weighed down by multiferous challenges in Nigeria.

Sadly, the education policy of a number of states may not be responsive to the needs and problems of primary and secondary schools.

The focus on hotels, eateries, night clubs, beer parlors and event centers by some state governments has psychologically defeated the interest of pupils and students in education.

The existing schools in the affected states are yet to be satisfactorily catered for and this has resulted in the unimpressive academic performance of pupils and students.

Of worry, is the conversion of so many schools to a base and launch pad for criminals of all sorts, while school authorities are benefiting commercially from the rentage of classrooms and premises to members of the public.

The attitude of government and other stakeholders in the education sector is suggestive of a mounting opposition to learning.

The Resort to Hard Drugs

Illicit and outlawed substances are now in regular use and abuse among the young and old in several communities in Nigeria. How did these hard drugs get into the country? Only those in charge of law enforcement are in a position to provide an answer. Perhaps.

Workers in several states in Nigeria have expressed worries over the unresolved issues surrounding the national minimum wage, contributory pension scheme and other related challenges.
Their worries are further heigthened by the prolonged slience of labor leaders in the face of increasing challenges confronting workers in the affected states as a result of the unresolved issues.
Sadly, some labor unions benefited  financially from state governments and politically exposed people in the just concluded general elections in exchange for electoral support.
In a related development, the chairman of the Non-Academic Staff Union and Associated Institutions(NASU), University College Hospital(UCH) branch, Ibadan, Nigeria, Comrade Kehinde Abiona has called on the members of the union to remain calm as the union awaits a new date for elections from its national headquarters.
''Presently, the branch is waiting for the directive of the national headquarters of the union on the new date for elections. I implore our members to be law abiding and continue to give us their individual loyalty and we promise to continue to stand in the gap between members and management anytime and any day. The union has waxed stronger since the procedure to elect new branch leaders was disrupted. The sitting executives are yet to be dissolved. The Abiona-led executive is still in charge of the branch.''

Meanwhile, the UCH branch of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP) has insisted that the Oladayo Olabampe-led executives believe in the sacredness of transparency and accountability.
This position was made known on behalf of the union by its Public Relation Officer, Dr. Daniel Adejobi.
''This administration runs an open administration.''
The union's insistence is coming on the heels of allegations levelled against the branch executives by some members(names not mentioned to avoid victimization).
The allegations are hinged on corruption, high-handedness, lack of accountability and insensitivity.
However, Dr. Adejobi maintained that his response to the allegations would only come when the identities of the members are verified.
''I have to verify that the allegations are coming from the right quarters. I will need to have proof that the allegations are coming from my members  before I respond. It may be concocted. On a general note, none of the allegations are true, except if you have proof of the members that made the allegations,'' he stated.

Nigerians have been advised to shun evil practices as the nation approaches a new dawn.
This advice was given by a Christian cleric, Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi.
''I wish to call the attention of Nigerians to the rising cases of the propagation of evil and diabolism. We should shun all these satanic acts as we approach the light at the end of the tunnel, Pastor Ajayi counseled.
In recent times, pedophilia, sodomy, homosexulity and other evil acts have been on the increase in different parts of the country.

Political dissatisfaction and social discontent are major characteristics of living in Nigeria today.
The problems of nationhood revolving around power sharing have brought about perpetual anger in the land.
Interestingly, the economic reforms of the outgoing administration have violated the country's constitution-Section 15(3) of the 1999 constitution, which states that the government must promote a balanced economy and that the government must not allow the resources of the country to be in a few hands of individuals or groups.
Sadly, all the institutions that ought to sustain democracy-the Judiciary, the Legislature, the Police and the political class are already vigorously  undermining it.
The silence and inertia of a number of state governors, occasioned by self-interest, have not helped matters in the face of bizarre acts and conduct that have left Nigerians amazed, helpless and dumbfounded.

An Unambiguous Description
The scenario in Adamawa state, before, during and after the supplementary election in the state have become concise summaries of the February 25th and March 18th polls in Nigeria. A written script that now tastes sour.

Leaders of ethnic groups in Nigeria have been called upon to warn their members to desist from making unguarded statements.
This call was made by the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, who is also the chairman of the A\ssociation of Non-Indigienes Traditional Heads in the state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie in a Facebook post on his timeline.

twitter handle-@EzeAlexAno95807

                ''All ethnic groups in Nigeria should talk to and caution their careless talkers in the interest of our country, Nigeria.''

Advice to Town Unions and Associations
My advice to members of town unions in Oyo state and other places is that they should shine their eyes and make sure they attend meetings regularly and be carried along with what is going on in their meetings. They should not just leave everything to the leadership alone, because there are situations, wherein, in some town union meetings/association meetings, some, not all, of them, their leadership has been bought over by some people who may not be willing to do the right thing in society, because of their selfish interests and their leadership, on the fact that they have been bought over would now keep on misleading the union or association into doing the wrong things, instead of the right things.

The leadership now overshadow them, and in the process, follows the union derails and follows the wrong track which may even be unlawful, which eventually becomes a risk to the peace of society. For instance, an association or town union can critically  look into any matter and agree on the way they want to go, the majority, and they commence on that journey.
Now along the way, some of their leaders are bought over either with contracts, patronage or whatever.These forces that bought them over, are forces  who want to  destroy their agreement on the way they are going.
Now the leadership decides to derail their agreed movement, thereby causing trouble within the group and society at large.
So, if any town union or association wants to choose their leaders, they should be leaders with integrity, selflessness and the fear of God, not long-throated leaders.
So, they should try to make sure that they know what is going on in their town union or association meetings.

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Justice Department Recovers Over $53M in Profits Obtained from Corruption in the Nigerian Oil Industry

The Justice Department announced today the final resolution of two civil cases seeking the forfeiture of various luxury assets that were the proceeds of foreign corruption offenses and were laundered in and through the United States.

With the conclusion of the cases, the department has recovered roughly $53.1 million in cash – constituting the net liquidated value of the defendant’s assets – plus a promissory note with a principal value of $16 million.

According to court documents, from 2011 to 2015, Nigerian businessmen Kolawole Akanni Aluko and Olajide Omokore conspired with others to pay bribes to Nigeria’s former Minister for Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who oversaw Nigeria’s state-owned oil company. In return, Alison-Madueke used her influence to steer lucrative oil contracts to companies owned by Aluko and Omokore. The proceeds of those illicitly awarded contracts totaling more than $100 million were then laundered in and through the United States and used to purchase various assets through shell companies, including luxury real estate in California and New York as well as the Galactica Star, a 65-meter superyacht. The real estate was also used as collateral for loans to Aluko and shell companies he controlled. As part of the forfeiture process, those lien holders were paid.  

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Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office, and Chief Jim Lee of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

The FBI’s International Corruption Squad in the Washington Field Office and the IRS-CI investigated the cases, with assistance from the FBI Los Angeles Field Office.

Trial Attorneys Michael W. Khoo and Joshua L. Sohn of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section prosecuted the cases. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas provided substantial assistance. 

These cases were brought under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. This initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, and often with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption and, where appropriate, to use those recovered assets to benefit the people harmed by these acts of corruption and abuse of office.

In 2015, the FBI formed International Corruption Squads across the country to address national and international implications of foreign corruption. Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement at tips.fbi.gov/ or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov.

Source-FBI

On Monday, 20 July 2001, at a remembrance lecture and book lunch in honor of the late Lt. Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi in Ibadan, Nigeria, Major General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo(RTD) of blessed memory has summarized the situation in Nigeria in the following words:

''In our country, the system has produced despots that foist totalitarianism regimes on us and allows mediocrity to triumph over merit, hence our continued backwardness as a nation.''

Those who possess the political power today must have started taking stock of the legacies they are about to leave behind, particularly the huge debt burden at the center and the states.

Another legacy to be left behind are thousands of lives that have been lost for economic and security reasons, in addition to those who remain unaccounted for under this administration.

The leaders in their second and final lap are anxious to throw in the towel, while the ones still having a term to go are working vigorously to cover their tracks a bit longer.

The desperation to conduct the National Population Census, the huge amount set aside for the Kano/Marahadi rail project, the rush to commence the Nigeria Air flight operations and the imminent airport concession among others in the twilight of this administration speaks volumes.

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Wielding the Big Stick

Several grievous and heinous crimes have been traced t commercial motorcyclists a.k.a Okada riders, who are mostly foot soldiers, supporters, admirers and well wishers of the ruling political parties in a number of states.

For peace to reign and for the safety of innocent Nigerians to be guaranteed, leaders must wield the big stick on their followers with criminal tendencies.

However, sadly, lawlessness, crime and all forms of criminality are now a lingering culture and tradition in several communities, including Molusi, Onafuwa Solanke, Oeygbami, Oshodi, Kehinde Aderibigbe, Olorunsogo, Molete, Aluko, Felele and Scout Camp communities.

Indeed, the overbearing indicators are that the government at all levels are complicit.

Non-Indigenes in Ibadan and Oyo state have appealed to the  re-elected Governor of the state to vigorously sustain the prevailing peace and tranquility in the state in his second term in office.

This appeal was made on behalf of the Non-indigenes by the Eze ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie, who doubles as the chairman of the Association of Non-indigenes Traditional Heads in the state in their congratulatory message.

Eze(Dr.) Anozie also called on the state Governor to ensure the speedy rehabilitation of several bad roads in the state capital and across the state.

''I am saying a very big congratulation to our young, amiable and dynamic Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde. I am saying this on behalf of myself, all Ndibgo and Non-Indigenes Traditional Heads in Oyo state, of which I am the chairman . We are happy because God has answered our prayers and blessed him, the Governor, with the opportunity to serve a second term. We wish him all the best and we pray to God almighty to continue to bless him with good health, wisdom and guidance from above, for him to even do better during his second term.''

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''He will now become the second person to run for a second term in Oyo state. I want to give him a challenge as partners in progress to continue to ensure that there is peace and unity which is already in place in Oyo state and to continue to be in place. Let him continue to show love to all and sundry in the state and God will continue to bless him. And let him try as much as possible, to fulfill promises he made during his campaign for a second term. More importantly, we are still noticing roads that are bad in Oyo state, particularly in Ibadan. The governor should strive to revamp those roads and make sure they are in a good state, particularly the inland roads.''

''Most of the major roads are in good condition, but the inland roads are terribly bad. Let him use his second term to give Ibadan city very good roads. I am assuring him that we, in our positions as leaders of the people, of our maximum cooperation towards the maintenance of peace and orderliness in the state. I believe that anywhere there is good leadership, the followers always listen and they all keep peace wherever they reside. So, we wish the governor good luck and God's favor in all ramifications,'' Eze(Dr.) Anozie stated.

Eze(Dr.) Anozie also blamed the unpleasant happenings on political leaders who fail to caution their followers, saying, ''Let me use this opportunity to congratulate and appreciate all the political parties ' gubernatorial candidates, those who could not make it and those who made it. The greatest achievement they have to their credit is the prevailing peace in Oyo state. Oyo state is more peaceful than so many other states. That has portrayed various parties' gubernatorial candidates as gentlemen and good politicians. I am saying kudos to all of them.
I have always said that the best should be doing politics without bitterness. Then I am appealing to the authorities and to all the mercenaries concerned in midwifing our elections to find a solution to the rigging of elections and violence during elections.
This is in addition to all other vices bringing about tension in our elections.
And I believe that thuggery in whatever form in our elections will be a thing of the past if the needful is done.
I want to put the blame on the doorstep of political groups, because if the leaders caution their supporters on the need not to cause violence, the snatching of ballot boxes and the  breach of peace, their followers will listen.
So one is tempted to take the blame on most political parties. Followers always like to listen to their leaders. So maybe the leaders are not cautioning their followers enough. Maybe that is why we are having violence everywhere.

The Sacredness of Human Lives
The apex bank has decided to force business owners in Nigeria to close shop with its suicidal 18 per cent lending rate. This is worrisome, even when it is a known fact that a lot of innocent blood has been shed. Those responsible will account for their evil deeds. Human lives ought to be sacred.  

The leaders have woefully failed to ensure participatory governance, which is facilitates the protection of the interests of Nigerians.

From the center to the states, self-centered interests are the preference, since a sizable number of these leaders attained political offices through under-the-table means. Stagnation is the order of the day for most Nigerians, while suppression, manipulation and enforcement have become indispensable tools in the hands of Those-in-Authority.

Without doubt, nearly all the democratic institutions have been deformed and rendered prostate, even as a criminal conspiracy against Nigerians has eventually been legitimized.

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King Herod as a Role Model

Insensitivity, heartlessness, lack of accountability and deceit are now the hallmarks of those who claim to have been democratically elected. Nigerians now look up to God for deliverance from the dark powers that have constituted themselves into the Biblical King Herod. Their role model. Perhaps.

God has always been with Nigerians, regardless of the pains, anguish, sorrows and hardships.

This assertion was made by Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi.

''Nigerians should not despair or lose hope. We are not alone. God has always been with us in our times of sorrow, pain, anguish and hardships. God remains our protector and fortress. There is light at the end of the tunnel,'' Pastor Ajayi stated.

In another development, a university Don has described the attitude of Nigerians towards change as unencouraging.

According to Prof. Benjamin Ehige of the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, this is despite the fact that the concept of change is attractive.

Prof. Ehige made this known on Thursday at a business summit organized by the Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria(PROSAN), Ibadan, Nigeria.

''The concept of change looks attractive, but our attitude to change is not encouraging. People find it difficult to a change in behavior. We must think of a change of attitude, place and perceived need for change. There are attempts to dig deep into where an individual comes from during elections.

Self-Indictment

Shutting down secondary schools for unruly, wayward, unbecoming and criminally-friendly behavior exposes lapses in the education sector. In other words, the government of the day has indicted itself. This is leadership by example

Events have since proven that the votes of Nigerians did not count in the just concluded Presidential and national assembly elections.

Interestingly, Those-in-Authority have continued to vigorously rationalize the failed elections.

The present reality is that Nigerians no longer have the freedom to choose their leaders and the right to identify alternatives of choice.

Since the electoral umpire is comfortable taking directives from its paymasters, rather than asserting its independence, Nigerians insist that the elections were a good reflection of organized fraud.

Indeed, as the days go by, towards May 29th, the definition of governance for Those-in-Authority, which is access to sudden wealth and equitable rewards system for all who are involved, gradually fades into oblivion.

Ominous Times Ahead

The uncomfortable silence of Those-in-Authority, days after the apex court delivered a people-friendly judgment on the Naira Re-design policy, has exposed the ominous times ahead.

Develop the habit of watching out for good things.

Always be on the look out for good attributes, and you are already on the way to cultivating a positive mindset.

This frame of mind will not only enhance your happiness and efficiency but that of several others.

Concerned members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions(NASU), University College Hospital(UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria on Thursday organized the maiden edition of the Manifesto for contestants for the 2023 NASU UCH elections.
In her opening remarks, the chairperson of the organizing committee, Miss Winifred Agogo stressed that the elections were very important to NASU members, adding''we must elect executives with integrity, who are reliable, transparent and with foresight, who will enable all staff to reach the peak of their careers regardless of ethnicity, tribe and religion.''
Miss Agogo also noted that the mianfesto was the first of its kind in the history of the branch and UCH in general.
In his remarks, the branch chairman of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals(NUAHP), who doubles as the chairman of the union in the state, Mr. Oladayo Alabampe admonished the contestants to be fully prepared for the task ahead, saying '' the elections should be seen as a game and not a war. If it goes your way, that means they want you, if it does not go your way, they don't want you.''
For the chairman of NASU in the state, Mr. Adepeju, '' the pillar of unity should not be broken after the elections.''
Contestants present at the program include Mrs. Omolara Ajenifuja, Mr. Oluwaseun Asogobon and Mr. Kehinde Abiona, incumbent treasurer, secretary, and chairman respectively, while other contestants stayed away.
A major source of concern for the NASU and other unions revolves around the contributory pension scheme.