EFCC GRILLS LAGOS SPEAKER OVER ALLEGED FINANCIAL MISDEMEANOR

By: Omoleye

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are currently interrogating the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, over allegations of financial recklessness.

Obasa, it was learnt, arrived at the EFCC Abuja office at 10:00 am on Thursday. He arrived in company of his lawyers, who were asked to wait at the reception while he was being grilled.

It was also learnt that operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), have also extended an invitation to him for an interview.

Recently, Obasa has been under investigation by the anti-graft commission following a series of allegations bordering on misappropriation of funds from the coffers of the House, including overbloated expenses.

It was uncovered that Obasa operates over 60 bank accounts and used his office to misappropriate funds and allocate contracts to himself through third party sources, as well as other acquaintances, releasing some classified documents to back up their report.

He was also alleged to have spent N258m to print invitation cards for the inauguration of the 9th Assembly. The Speaker also allegedly approved N80m as estacode for 20 wives of some lawmakers to travel to Dubai, while his wife collects N10m monthly from the House.

Though the Speaker had consistently denied all the allegations, insisting that it was the handiwork of his detractors, the allegations have continued to resonate, while a petition was eventually sent to the EFCC by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CISNAC).

In July, the Commission invited some members of the House for questioning. Some personal aides to the Speaker were also guests at the EFCC office. Last Wednesday, a source revealed that Obasa was expected to appear before the EFCC on Thursday, but that there were suspicions that he might disregard the invitation.

“He has been summoned by the anti-graft agency to come and answer questions but there is insinuation that he may not honour the invite because he has sensed that the Commission may detain him,” the source said.

Morning Mail also learnt that some of the Speaker’s aides had been earlier invited for questioning by the EFCC, including one of his sons, who cooperated and gave useful information to the Commission

But one of his aides, named Kingsley, it was learnt, was detained for eight days for refusing to cooperate with the EFCC.

He later succumbed and gave them some useful intel before he was released, it was learnt.

Comments

ANOTHER GAS EXPLOSION HITS AJAO ESTATE

By: Agosu Omoleye Barely a day after a gas explosion killed one in Lagos, three others have been confirmed dead in a similar explosion on Tuesday at Inua Mohammmed Street, Ajao Estate, Isolo. Ibrahim Farinloye, the acting coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the explosion injured two other persons. According to Mr Farinloye, the explosion occurred at a panel beater’s workshop within the estate. “The explosion occurred while the technician was trying to up his oxycytelene flame popularly known as cabad’s cylinder. “The incident led to the death of three persons and rescue of two. One was immediately resuscitated while the other is in the hospital with severe burns. Seven shops were partially affected,” Mr Farinloye said. It was earlier reported how Usman Bello, a 30-year-old, was killed in an explosion on Monday, while three persons sustained injuries. Giving the update, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the explosion was from a ga...

ENCOURAGING THE AFRICAN START-UP ECOSYSTEM THROUGH TECH INNOVATIONS

Hon. Elvis Obi-Nwankwo, Special Adviser to Enugu state Governor on Innovation, Science and Technology. By: Agosu 'Tayo Once again, the administration of Enugu State has demonstrated the resolve to ensure that capacity building especially in the areas of Intellectual and entrepreneurial capacity building is given utmost priority while ensuring that the Nation continually remains relevant in the global scheme of things especially as it has to do with ICT, Block-chain Technology and other innovations while encouraging the sustenance of the startup ecosystem. In his Keynote address, the Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Innovation, Science and Technology Hon. Elvis Obi-Nwankwo made it known while giving his key-note address at an event in Eko hotel Lagos state made it known the current administration in Enugu do everything possible to remain the Trailblazers in the Tech space of the country while extending their frontiers from South-East Nigeria to Germany and other parts ...

DRAMA AS NDDC WALKS OUT ON LAWMAKERS

By: Agosu Omoleye T he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has walked out on lawmakers at an investigative hearing put together by the House of Representatives. The Commission on Thursday refused to make presentations before the House Committee on NDDC. According to the acting managing director of the NDDC, Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei, the Commission cannot partake an investigative hearing which is being presided over by the chairman of the committee who has been accused by the NDDC of hijacking the Commission’s projects. Professor Pondei was of the opinion that the NDDC will not get a fair hearing. Following the NDDC’s action, the committee resolved to issue a warrant of arrest compelling Professor Ponder to appear before the lawmakers and make a proper submission. Meanwhile, armed security operatives on Thursday surrounded the home of former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The se...

AD-DICTION MEDIA CONCEPTS

Search This Blog