EFCC REARRESTS PENSION THIEF YAKUBU YUSUFU
http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/yakubu_yusufu.jpg A self-confessed police pension thief, Yakubu Yusuf, was yesterday re-arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Abubakar Talba of an Abuja High Court had, in a judgement he delivered this Monday, freed Yusuf by asking him to pay N750, 000 fine or spend two years in jail after he admitted that he had embezzled N32.8 billion.
As at the time of filing this report, the convicted former director of pension in the Police Affairs Ministry was still being held in the EFCC custody in Abuja and will be arraigned today before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a fresh charge of stealing N300million.
Yusuf was picked up by the EFCC on upon his arrival in his residence.
Sources close to the EFCC told LEADRSHIP yesterday in Abuja that the joy of the family of the convicted director was short-lived as EFCC operatives whisked him away from his home in Abuja for interrogation and later detained him.
But the EFCC legal team yesterday confirmed at the Federal High Court premises that the convict was re-arrested on Monday in connection with another case of fraud.
It was gathered that a four-count criminal charge had already been filed against him, preparatory to his arraignment before a federal high court today.
In the fresh four-count criminal charge, the convicted former federal director was accused of false declaration of assets contrary to section 27(3) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
He was also accused of keeping N250million in a private company, SY-A Global Services Ltd, floated in the name of his family members as directors and refused to disclose the asset in his asset declaration form.
The money was alleged to have been fixed in an account with Zenith Bank.
In the new charge signed by Mr. Chile Okoroma, EFCC director of legal services, the former pension director was also accused of fixing another N10million in his private company bank account at First Bank where he was the sole signatory. He was also alleged to have fixed another N29m in another bank account but failed to disclose his interest in his asset declaration form.
EFCC lead lawyer Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) confirmed that necessary steps had been taken and that the accused person will be arraigned in Abuja today.
The former pension director had, on Monday, forfeited 32 different properties to the federal government as proceeds of fraud in addition to about N400m cash in a bank account traced to him.
His conviction by Justice Talba followed his admission of guilty plea to the criminal charge brought against him under section 309 of the penal code.
NBA, Sagay, others react
But a nationwide condemnation and outrage have greeted Justice Talba's pronouncement on Monday after he asked Yusuf to forfeit 32 houses in the FCT and Gombe as well as N325m in his account.
A cross-section of Nigerians described the sentence as an indication of lack of enthusiasm to fight corruption by government and the judiciary.
The EFCC also condemned the judgement in a statement issued on Monday night, while promising that it would come out with an appropriate response.
Prominent constitutional lawyer Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) described it as outrageous because of the victims of Yusuf's theft who are all old men who had served the country meritoriously.
Ostensibly responding to criticism of Justice Talba's judgement on Monday, the president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Okechukwu Wali (SAN), however cautioned lawyers against indiscriminate condemnation of judges just as he blamed shoddy investigations for the type of judgements delivered by Nigerian judges.
Wali also cautioned branches of the NBA against making statements on national issues, stating that the NBA at the national level remains the mouthpiece of the association.
He said, 'I also want to caution the branch against speaking on national issues. You should confine yourself to what happens in your branch; it does not make for orderliness as most times you don't have all the facts.
'The nation's judiciary has come under fire most times due to shoddy investigations and the judge can only give judgements based on what is placed before him.
'Yes we have problems in the judiciary and we will tackle them. That is why we are against branch officers speaking on behalf of the NBA,' he added.
But, according to another lawyer, Mr. Alasa Ismaila, the money Yusuf stole can build 14 of a 150-bed hospital fully furnished with state-of-the-art equipment that the Chinese government on Monday handed over to Nigeria. The entire structure and furniture cost $12.5 million, about N1.9 billion.
He said, 'The hospital located in Abuja will be used by federal civil servants, some of whom have been stealing Nigeria dry. As President Goodluck Jonathan recently commented, some civil servants have more houses in Abuja than Nigeria's richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Imagine 14 well-equipped hospitals, distributed in the six geopolitical zones. Imagine the millions of lives the hospitals could save, the billions our nation could save from overseas medical tourism.'
Also, a Lagos-based lawyer and activist, Mr. Bamide Aturu, said he was extremely disappointed with the judgement, saying that it 'is horrible and shows the kind of country we live in. It shows Nigeria is now the headquarters of corruption in the universe'.
'The government is not serious about fighting corruption. The judiciary and lawyers are not serious too about fighting corruption. The people must rise up and fight corruption. I am devastated, amazed and saddened that this kind of thing is happening in 2013. It is a national embarrassment,' he added. According to Aturu, this kind of judgment would certainly encourage more people to steal as it now pays to be a criminal in Nigeria. 'There should be a protest by the people over this issue and I don't mind to join them. If something urgent is not done to fight corruption in Nigeria, there will be a serious problem.'
Also speaking on the issue, another lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, said the judgement was an aberration. He said, 'It is a travesty of justice and a complete abuse of the plea bargaining procedure. This is the reason why people oppose plea bargaining.'
A Lagos-based lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, said: 'This is bizarre. From the report, it is clear that there was a plea bargaining and, in any official plea bargaining, the agreement must be adhered to. For the EFCC to have consented to such an agreement is worrisome.'
Another lawyer, Mr Alex Uzebu, said the judiciary has missed it, stressing that 'it is not a surprise because a similar judgement had been delivered in the past.
He cited the cases of former Edo State governor Lucky Igbinedion, Cecilia Ibru and former Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. With what is playing out in our judicial system, there is no way corruption can be reduced, he said. 'For example, in the case of Madock in the United States, he was not given bail. As I speak to you, he is in jail. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for corruption. The law of punitive correction is strictly applied in democratic society. Why is it that Nigeria's case is different?'
The founder, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, Comrade Debo Adeniran, also denounced the judgement, saying that 'is the way the Nigerian government shields corrupt elements in the society. The system does not put machinery in place to punish corrupt people. The government too is guilty of the offence of corruption'.
'The judgement is a slap in the face of Nigerians. There is evidence the man knew what the outcome of the judgement would be, which was why he brought N750,000 cash to the court. He has just been given a clean bill of health to enjoy his loot. It is a bad example to the youths of Nigeria. What has happened is not justice,' he added.
The spokesman, Save Nigeria Group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said he was very angry over the judgement, saying that it is 'an induction ceremony for another criminal in Nigeria. It is only petty crooks that get punished in this country while the big crooks go scot-free'. 'The judgment is a confirmation that crime is a big problem in Nigeria. Until there is a drastic action in this country, all these anti-crime bodies being set up are useless,' he said.
PROPER ACCOUNTABILITY CAN ONLY BE ENSURED THROUGH PROPER,INVESTIGATING AND AUDITING.
The Ekiti State House of Assembly is presently enmeshed in sex scandal, involving the Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin and the House Chief Whip, Mrs Wunmi Ogunlola and another N55 million scandal.
As the story goes, N55 million was allegedly approved by the State Governor, Kayode Fayemi and released to the House for Christmas and New Year Gifts.
Multiple sources alleged that the Speaker cornered the fund, releasing a paltry sum of N50,000 to each of his colleagues in the House.
Workers in the House that ought to have been paid Xmas bonus from the N55 million were also not paid a dime.
A source said only the Chief Whip, Mrs Wunmi Ogunlola benefited immensely from the fund as she was the one who was in charge of supply of Hampers. Each of the hampers allegedly cost N40,000.
A few days ago, news went viral on social media that the Speaker was in London with the Chief Whip and the Chief Whip's husband.
Source said Tunde Ogunlola, a retired Court Registrar was once married and that he threw his first wife out of the house bcos of Wunmi, who is now the House of Assembly Chief Whip.
Wunmi was ferried out of the house on Monday by Taye, the Speaker's driver.
Worried about the whereabouts of his wife, Ogunlola, a retired Court Registrar had gone to d Jibowu Hall, Govt House, Ado-Ekiti where the ACN Women Wing was holding a meeting.
He had excused the Speaker's wife out and asked her the whereabouts of his wife because the Speaker's driver identified as Taye came to the house around Bank Road in Ado Ekiti a few days ago and took his wife away. The Speaker's wife asked the "lawmaker's husband" if he could identify the said man that came to his house, and the man answered in the affirmative. Mr Speaker's wife then called some government drivers and without wasting time, Mr. Ogunlola instantly identified Taye as the driver who came to pick his wife!
There and then, Mr Speaker's wife descended on Taye, performed some Mike Tyson style on him before stripping him naked! As if that was not enough, sources also said that Mr Speaker's daughter called in from London to tell her mum that a "strange" woman had taken over their home in London.
Though no official statement has been issued by the Speaker and the Chief Whip, some ACN supporters claimed that the duo's trip to London was official and that another member of the House, Hon. Segun Erinle was also part of the trip.
However, contrary to this claim, our investigation revealed that Hon. Erinle travelled out of the country before the end of December, 2012 and has not returned to Nigeria since then while Mr. Speaker and his Chief Whip travelled out of Nigeria to London on Monday, January 21, 2013.
CBN to reduce unbanked population by 20 per cent before 2020
The Central Bank of Nigeria has expressed
commitment in reducing the number of unbanked population drastically in
the coming years in its renewed financial inclusion policy drive.
The Director, Banking and Payments System Department, CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, said that the apex bank would reduce the country's unbanked population by 20 per cent before year 2020, adding that the country's unbanked population currently stands at 46.3 per cent.
He stated this while presenting a paper titled: 'Mobile Money in Nigeria: Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges' at the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, Ikeja District society meeting in Lagos.
He said CBN would work to ensure success of the strategy.
He recalled that a survey carried out in 2008 by an international agency, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access on access to financial services in the Nigeria revealed that banking penetration was relatively low with only 21 per cent of adult population in the country having access to banking services, while 74 per cent had never been banked.
The remaining five per cent, previously banked, in other words, had left the banking system, Fatokun added.
Reasons adduced for lack of bank accounts by many were proximity to financial service outlets, product complexity and cost of service.
'The concerns for financial inclusion are valid as no nation can progress and develop if majority of its population is under banked or has no access to financial services. A good example is Kenya where it has been proved that a half percentage increase in their national Gross Domestic Product growth is attributable to mobile money transactions,' Fatokun said
He further said, 'Indian policy makers too, have embraced the importance of mobile money as the best solution for financial inclusion and economic growth. A study on the impact of financial access on poverty in the country carried by Economists, Robin Burgess and Rohini Pande estimated that one per cent increase in the number of rural locations banked, par capital reduced rural poverty by 0.42 per cent and increased economic productivity by 0.34 per cent.'
With the above scenario in mind, and to promote financial inclusion, he said the CBN had identified mobile telephony as one of the veritable channels through which the unbanked could be provided easy access to financial services at affordable cost.
'The need to create an enabling environment for all participants saw the development of the Mobile Payments Regulatory Framework in 2009, to guide the industry players. The overriding vision was to achieve a system that is nationally utilised and internationally recognised - a Nigerian system of mobile payments,' he added
Nigeria knock out Ethiopia, advance to quarters
Striker Victor Moses secured Nigeria a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Tuesday after leading his team to a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia with goals in the 80th and 90th minutes of the match.
Moses scored in the 80th and 90th minutes, sparing his team an early exit with a scoreless draw at Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Ethiopia, appearing in its first tournament for more than 30 years, finished bottom of Group C. Defending champion Zambia was also eliminated after a 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso, which won the group with five points. Nigeria also ended with five points, but trailed on goal difference.
Moses was twice fouled inside the area to win the penalties, and then kept his cool to find the net both times for the two-time African champions. The Chelsea striker was brought down by defender Alula Girma for the first penalty and then stopped by goalkeeper Sisay Bancha in another breakaway.
Bancha was red carded for the challenge and midfielder Addis Hintsa had to replace him in goal because all three substitutions had already been made.
Just after the first Nigeria goal, Ethiopia nearly equalized with a close-range header by Saladin Seid. However, Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama made a brilliant save, diving to his right and deflecting the ball with his outstretched arms.
Seeking its first title since 1994, Nigeria was coming off two 1-1 draws in the first matches, both times after having taken the lead. The Super Eagles didn’t qualify for last year’s tournament.
Nigeria’s best chance before the penalties came in the 66th, when a header from Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was cleared off the line.
Without the penalties, Mikel and his teammates would have been eliminated because of their disciplinary record. Nigeria and Zambia were level on points, goal difference and goals scored, so the decision would have gone down to a Fair Play system based on the number of yellow and red cards. Nigeria had more than Zambia until then.
Ethiopia needed to beat Nigeria and hope that Zambia lost its match against Burkina Faso.
It was also without top players Asrat Megerssa and Adane Girma, who were injured in the first half against Burkina Faso, while goalkeeper Jemal Tassew was suspended for two matches after a reckless tackle in the opener against Zambia.
Ethiopia won the Cup of Nations in 1962 but last qualified for the final tournament in 1982.
Real Madrid-Barcelona Preview: Los Blancos look to draw first blood in pivotal cup tie
The capital club's recent revival will be put to the test when they host the runaway Liga leaders in a much-awaited Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu
By Karthick Arvinth
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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
REAL MADRID
 Adan Arbeloa, Albiol, Varane, Marcelo Khedira, AlonsoOzil, Modric, Ronaldo Benzema |
BARCELONA
 Pinto Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba Xavi, Busquets, FabregasPedro, Messi, Iniesta |
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has a number of selection problems heading into Wednesday's Clasico showdown against Barcelona.
Iker Casillas (broken hand) and Pepe (ankle) are out, meaning Antonio Adan and new signing Diego Lopez battle it out in goal, while Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria all serve suspensions.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start despite hurting his ankle in Sunday's 4-0 win over Getafe.
Gerard Pique returns from suspension for Barcelona, who have a fully-fit squad at their disposal.
Jordi Alba, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas are all likely to be recalled to the starting XI after they were rested for the weekend victory over Osasuna.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Real Madrid are on a 31-match unbeaten run at the Santiago Bernabeu in all competitions (W26, D5).
- The Castilian side have won just one of their last eight home encounters against Barcelona (W1, D2, L5).
- Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured, right) scored his 100th goal at the Bernabeu in the win over Getafe to take his overall tally for Real to 179 in 176 matches.
- Barcelona have won eight of their last nine away matches across all competitions.
- The Blaugrana ran out 4-3 aggregate winners in last season's Copa del Rey semi-final against Blancos.
- Pedro is in line to make his 200th appearance for Barca.
Real Madrid CF
Barcelona
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Real Madrid CF 1-3 Barcelona
- 19.22 %
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Real Madrid CF 3-1 Barcelona
- 14.41 %
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Real Madrid CF 2-1 Barcelona
- 12.37 %
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Oct 7, 2012 | Barcelona 2 - Real Madrid CF 2 | |
| Spain - Super Cup (ESPS) | Aug 29, 2012 | Real Madrid CF 2 - Barcelona 1 | |
| Spain - Super Cup (ESPS) | Aug 23, 2012 | Barcelona 3 - Real Madrid CF 2 | |
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Apr 21, 2012 | Barcelona 1 - Real Madrid CF 2 | |
| Spain - Copa del Rey (ESPC) | Jan 25, 2012 | Barcelona 2 - Real Madrid CF 2 |
Real Madrid CF
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| Jan 27, 2013 | Real Madrid CF 4 - Getafe 0 | LIGA |
| Jan 23, 2013 | Valencia CF 1 - Real Madrid CF 1 | ESPC |
| Jan 20, 2013 | Valencia CF 0 - Real Madrid CF 5 | LIGA |
| Jan 15, 2013 | Real Madrid CF 2 - Valencia CF 0 | ESPC |
| Jan 12, 2013 | Osasuna 0 - Real Madrid CF 0 | LIGA |
Barcelona
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| Jan 27, 2013 | Barcelona 5 - Osasuna 1 | LIGA |
| Jan 24, 2013 | Malaga 2 - Barcelona 4 | ESPC |
| Jan 19, 2013 | Real Sociedad 3 - Barcelona 2 | LIGA |
| Jan 16, 2013 | Barcelona 2 - Malaga 2 | ESPC |
| Jan 13, 2013 | Malaga 1 - Barcelona 3 | LIGA |
