Saraki reacts to alleged link with Hushpuppi

Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has responded to the alleged link with a suspected internet fraudster, Ramon Igbalode Abbas (a.k.a Hushpuppi), describing it as ‘irresponsible and cheap politics.’

Ramon Abbas the Internet fraudster was recently arrested in the United Arab Emirates and extradited to the United States to face criminal charges bordering on cybercrime and fraud.

In a statement, on Saturday, titled: “Cyber Criminals: APC ‘s Statement Irresponsible”, Dr Bukola Saraki denied a statement credited to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and signed on its behalf by Yekini Nabena in which it tried to link him with a cyber-crime suspect, stressing that he had no form of association with the said suspect.

The statement reads: “The statement credited to the APC, the ruling party in our country, is one of the ways by which our anti-graft agencies are weakened and why the fight against corruption in the country is often viewed with suspicion by the international community.

“This is because when these cyber-crime suspects were operating freely and openly displaying wealth, the APC saw nothing bad in their activities.

“Also, the party at that time did not deem it necessary to call on the anti-graft agencies to investigate their activities.

“Also, since the arrest of those cybercrime suspects and the subsequent damage to the image and the economy of Nigeria as well as the crisis it created for Nigerians engaged in lawful businesses across the world, the ruling party had been muted.

“The only time the APC deemed it necessary to make a statement was when it thought it should play dirty, cheap and irresponsible politics.”

The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, in a statement on Saturday, claimed that the PDP’s leadership turned Dubai into their “strategic” meeting place ahead of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria and “Hushpuppi’s” affinity with the party leadership was not mere coincidence.

Nabena said, at different times, “Hushpuppi” was being photographed in Dubai meeting with the PDP’s 2019 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Senator Dino Melaye among other PDP stalwarts.

He said: “Reports of the criminal conspiracy linking the top echelon of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with Ramon Olorunwa Abbas also known as “Ray Hushpuppi”, who was recently arrested along with associate(s) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and extradited to the United States of America to face trial over cyber-enabled fraud and Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes, should be a matter of serious interest to relevant authorities in Nigeria.

“We note that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has already declared the arraigned Instagram celebrity wanted over fraud allegations.

“However, the EFCC, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other sister agencies must investigate money laundering reports linking some PDP leaders and financiers to the Dubai-based international criminal ring.

“While relevant authorities investigate the nature of their relationship and business partnership, we also challenge the PDP leadership to do same by opening up on the nature of the relationship, particularly the kind of services the arrested “Hushpuppi” provided them.

Lagos State Government has produced solar-powered kiosks that would ensure easy and effective market access for farmers, agripreneurs and stakeholders in an eco-friendly manner

Lagos State Government has produced solar-powered kiosks that would ensure easy and effective market access for farmers, agripreneurs and stakeholders in an eco-friendly manner

Olusanya asserted that the kiosks are potential revenue earners and savers for small businesses, especially farmers with perishable food, as the kiosks would help them keep their businesses open for a longer period than they would have if there was no means of electricity

She disclosed further that the kiosks, in addition to producing renewable energy, would also dispense clean energy while excess power is distributed through the main grids, thus allowing for charging of other devices such as refrigerators and other gadgets

CORPS MARSHAL OYEYEMI APPROVES REDEPLOYMENT OF SENIOR OFFICERS FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY

According to the statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem on Sunday, those affected are; DCM Hyginus Z Fomsuk, formerly the ACM in charge of Command Admin & Strategy at the Nat'l HQ Abuja who was recently appointed to the new rank

is to assume the new position as DCM in charge of Special Duties & External Relations. In the same vein, the erstwhile Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RS10HQ Sokoto, ACM Kayode Olagunju is to take over in the same position at RS4HQ Jos...

while ACM Jonas Agu takes over as the new Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone RS7HQ Abuja.

Other Officers affected in the posting are; ACM Imoh Etuk, the erstwhile ZCO RS7HQ Abuja who has been moved to take over the affairs of Zone RS2HQ Lagos; ACM Emmanuel Abe, the former ACM in charge of Personnel in the Dept. of Admin & Human Resources at the Nat'l HQ, Abuja...

...is to take charge of Command Administration and Strategy also at the Nat'l HQ, while  ACM Mohammed Hussaini formerly ACM in charge of Special Duties & External Relations is now to take over as ACM in charge of Personnel at the HQ, Abuja.

Meanwhile, ACM Ismaila Kugu who was until now the ACM in charge of Administration at the FRSC National Headquarters will now assume duty as the new Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Zone RS10 Sokoto.

In his directives to the newly deployed senior officers, the Corps Marshal,

Dr Boboye Oyeyemi implored them to remain steadfast in their new assignments and rededicate themselves to the challenges of moving the Corps to greater heights in line with the prevailing circumstances in the country.

He urged them to continue to focus on ensuring orderliness and discipline among road users in the country, particularly in the face of the current health challenges posed by COVID-19.

Oyeyemi assured members of the public that FRSC will remain committed to supporting the Federal Government in achieving its social and economic goals through safety on the highways.

Sports facilities and recreational parks in residential estates are permitted to operate with a maximum of 20 persons - Lagos State Government

We also have some updated guidelines for certain types of businesses and parks. 

Hair salons that have been accredited by the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) are to continue strictly on appointment-only and with a maximum occupancy of 50 per cent of the total space.

Sports facilities and recreational parks in residential estates are permitted to operate with a maximum of 20 persons at any given time depending on size. 

However, places of worship, events centres, and social clubs will remain closed until further notice.

Some of these decisions are hard for us but we must prioritise for the greater good and protection of our residents. 

Using a facemask is mandatory in public places. We are asking offices, businesses and commercial premises to refuse entry to any person not wearing a mask.

This year, COVID19 has disrupted our businesses and schools. For our students in SSS3 and TEC3, we have some important news. 

In line with the updated guidelines from the Presidential Task Force on #COVID19, they will resume on August 3 to prepare for mandatory public exams.

This resumption will be strictly monitored and must follow established public health guidelines and protocols in the State. The permission to re-open only applies to day-schools. Boarding activities are excluded.

Instructions for JSS3 will come soon as we continue to consult.

Pupils in Primary Six will be graded by their already recorded Continuous Assessment (CA) to pass over to secondary schools.

Our tertiary institutions are to continue their online academic activities which are at various advanced stages.

Covid-19: 3 Prominent Nigerians die of Covid-19 in 1 day

Covid-19 took a fatality swipe at the country as three prominent Nigerians were reported to have died on Sunday, July 5, as a result of coronavirus complications.

The three victims are Professor Godwin Achinge, J. Shalanga, and Chief Jide Odekunle who is the immediate past general manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA).

Achinge, who is the vice-chairman of Benue State Action Committee on COVID-19, died on Sunday afternoon at an undisclosed hospital in Jos where he was receiving treatment.

NCDC supervisor in Zamfara state, J. Shalanga, and two other prominent Nigerians have died of Covid-19 complication on Sunday. Credit: Vanguard and Nigerian Tribune.

A deputy vice-chancellor of Benue State University, Makurdi, Achinge's Covid-19 status was confirmed by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state hours before his death.

Shalanga, on the other hands, is the state supervisor of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Zamfara, supervising the spread and control of the virus in the state.

His death was confirmed by Zamfara state commissioner of health, Alhaji Yahaya Kanoma, who said the NCDC supervisor fell sick and was rushed to Yariman Bakura Specialist hospital Gusau for treatment. He died on the way.

Meanwhile, Odekunle died on Sunday at the age of 53 at the Onikan isolation centre in Lagos state. He was until his death the Bobagunwa of Egbaland.

Thomas Macias attended the party in June, and on June 20, he wrote an impassioned message on Facebook in which he lamented ignoring social distancing.

A day after posting his regret on Facebook, Macias succumbed to the deadly disease.