Ogbulafor Moves To Join APC

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Ogbulafor Moves To Join APC

 

-Explains why PDP CRUMBLES

BY CHUKS EHIRIM

The gale of defections that hit the ruling Peoples Democratic Party[PDP] since after the Presidential election won by the opposition All Progressives Congress [APC],continued Friday, with the visit of the former National Chairma of PDP and apostle of the party’s 60 years rule ,Prince Vincent  Ogbulafor, to the National Secretariat of the APC.

Ogbulafor who sneaked into the APC Secretariat at about 2.30 p m and went into closed door meeting with the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odiegie Oyegun, for less than 40 minutes.

When he emerged from the meeting, journalists cornered him and the following conversation ensued;

 

We are surprised you are here sir?

 

I just came back into town yesterday and I came to congratulate the national chairman of APC for a job well done.

 

Don’t you think some of your party members in  PDP, might read meaning to this?

 

How can they feel offended? I am still in PDP.

 

Are you considering joining APC?

Not yet. Even if I will, not yet

 

How do you feel about General Buhari’s victory at the poll?

I am very happy.

 

But sir, we recalled that you were the one who said PDP will rule for sixty years?

Well, when they dismantled governors forum what do you expect?

 

But you are coming to associate with APC?

I am a Nigerian.

 

Won’t it be treated as anti-party by your party?

I am a Nigerian. APC has produced the president of this country and I have to congratulate him for job well done.

 

Are you still in PDP?

Why not?

 

How would you described the election in Abia your home state?

When they conclude it you will get the result.

 

How soon should we be expecting you in APC?

I have been National Chairman, National Secretary and Minister. I will remain in PDP until it becomes necessary to make a change

PDP’s Plot to Impeach Obiano Hits the Rock – By Ifeanyi Afuba

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PDP’s Plot to Impeach Obiano Hits the Rock – By Ifeanyi Afuba

Arthur Eze

A grand conspiracy to abort the ongoing transformation of Anambra State’s economy and society under the Willie Obiano administration crashed on Saturday, April 11, 2015 with the crushing defeat of the PDP in the State Assembly election. The infamous plot hatched by few Abuja – based politicians would have seen the removal of Governor Willie Obiano and his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke before September this year to pave way for the installation of a pliant Governor who would carry out the biddings of these power speculators.

The well – funded plot had been necessitated by at least three factors. The first was driven by the mentality of being the largest party in Africa and the superciliousness that goes with easy access to the levers of state power. Since we control the police and other security agencies, why can’t we have our way in Anambra State? The second factor arose from the exaggerated importance the actors conferred on themselves. Their posture as the spokesmen and stakeholders of Anambra’s politics had bred feelings of inadequacy in the face of APGA’s continued control of Anambra State.  This produced an acute desire to impress Abuja that they were on ground and could turn things around for the party. A third factor was the qualification needed to continue to secure Abuja’s favours. As the Americans would say, there’s no free lunch. There are so many others angling to peddle influence at Abuja; whose activities threatened to upstage those inside. Our purported stakeholders, themselves in search of federal government contracts and appointments, would thus spare nothing to cling on to their privileges.

However, all these considerations were summed up in the Abuja actors’ mortal fear of Governor Willie Obiano’s rising political profile. Obiano had demonstrated in less than six months of assuming office the resolve and capability to launch Anambra State to economic prosperity; and APGA into national reckoning.  With huge investment inflow; expansion and upgrade of infrastructures; mass transit schemes; security of lives and property and social welfare packages for the citizenry as the pillars of hisachievements, it was easy to see the making of a great leader in Obiano. Anyone who could ignite the phenomenal changes in governance as Obiano had done in so short a time was destined to emerge a strong leader with wide following in the course of time. And these were occurring simultaneously with the vibrancy his team leadership with Victor Umeh was generating for APGA.  The party had not only been made cohesive once more, it was taking firm roots in states as far north as Zamfara and Kebbi; in the southwest of Ogun State and in the north – central state of Nassarawa.  A focused Obiano standing on these two pedestals was bound to be a formidable political force and thus, a threat to the PDP’s fascist obsession with Anambra State and the south – east. The more politically ambitious were alarmed that Obiano’s growing popularity threatened to dwarf their identities and diminish their political relevance. The man had to be stopped before it was too late.

The pull him down project took off with frenzied attempts to distract the Governor from executing the laudable programmes mapped out to enrich the State and her citizens.  It was considered that the most effective way to deflect the Governor and present him a failure in the eyes of the people was by tarnishing his image.  If the Governor was hurt severely with maligned reputation, he would at least spend some time trying to correct these impressions; doubts would be sown in the minds of the people about him and the supposedly performing State Government. Provoked further, Obiano was expected to lose his cool and in that sour mood, make costly mistakes. These would then serve as evidence of his misrule upon which his removal could be rationalized.  And so, at the snap of a conspiracy finger, a torrent of negative stories broke on Governor Obiano’s private lifestyle and on the First Lady.

When the malicious literature cut no ice with Anambra’s discerning public, the speculators bumbled down the path of Obiano’s banking career searching desperately for ammunition to feed their plot.  Dazed and disappointed by the glowing records of Obiano’s investment banking, they washed up two trivial complaints that had been investigated and found to be of no merit; to compensate for their efforts.  The offensive shifted to the operations of the Government where again nothing incriminating could be established. Hapless and helpless, the schemers settled for orchestrating beer parlour gossips and marketplace rumours to discredit the administration.

The impeachment script stumbled on a new opening with the campaign to re – elect President Goodluck Jonathan. In spite of APGA’s sacrificial decision not to present a presidential candidate and subsequent adoption of Jonathan as the party’s candidate, the impeachment plotters spent sleepless nights trying to sell the disinformation that Governor Willie Obiano was not supporting Jonathan. Their mindset was cast in iron. The more Obiano campaigned for Jonathan, the more they invented tales of how Obiano was working against Jonathan’s victory in the 2015 presidential election. It was an absurdist season in which the power speculators deployed series of newspaper advertorials and other communication channels towards sustaining this bare – faced lie. From this illusion of consciousness, the cabal moved to the plane of delusions, and began to admonish the Governor for campaigning for APGA candidates against PDP candidates in the other elective positions! Yes, you heard right, the Governor was rebuked for campaigning for APGA candidates and working for PDP’s defeat!  This contempt for constituted authority; this intolerance  for the third largest political party in Nigeria; this insolence on the dignity of Ndi Anambra who are overwhelmingly pro APGA, in retrospect, was probably intended as a warning not to test their will.  The effrontery behind the declaration could be seen in the fact that it was expressed not in hushes and whispers but right on the mass media. The consuming desire to put the Governor on collision course with Jonathan could only mean one thing. The impeachment plot was gathering moment and the conspirators were about to seek approval for their deadly game.

To deceive Abuja into thinking that they have following in Anambra; that PDP has significant presence in the State and to water the ground for approval of their impeachment plot, the club of godfathers and kingmakers moved to ambush democracy on March 28, 2015. The story of the rape of democracy in Anambra State with regard to the national assembly election is now well known by Ndi Anambra.  Although the fraudulent results procured by the cabal were used to declare the winners of the election, the other motive behind the militarization of the poll boomeranged. The reign of terror unleashed at the collation centres was intended to cow the people into submission, thus, paving way for the selection of the mercenary – legislators who will execute the impeachment proper. They were dead wrong.

Ndi Anambra was in unflinching solidarity with Governor Obiano and APGA. Obiano said enough was enough and the people roared yes in unison a thousand times. This state belongs to all of us and no group of weight – throwing, fortune seekers will be allowed to neither usurp our rights nor impede the development strides being recorded by this administration. With that steely resolve, vigilance and collective strength, the people’s democratic will prevailed in the House of Assembly poll, sending the PDP’s impeachment boat smashing to smithereens against the rock of the times.

 

Kenya to evacuate citizens from South Africa as xenophobic attacks rage

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Kenya to evacuate citizens from South Africa as xenophobic attacks rage

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Amina Mohamed, said on Friday that Kenya would evacuate its nationals from South Africa as  xenophobic violence increases.

She said on Friday in Nairobi that though there were no Kenyan casualties in the uproar in South Africa, government was planning to evacuate those it could get hold of.

Mohamed said the evacuation had become necessary because of the fear that the attacks may spread across the country.

According to her, this measure will be taken after a new spate of violence has left at least five people killed in the eastern port city of Durban.

Some foreign-owned shops in Johannesburg’s downtown area have reportedly shut this week amid the fears, with the police maintaining a heavy presence in the city.

Mohamed said some Kenyans living in the affected regions, mostly business people, had moved to temporary camps provided for victims, but not in large numbers.

She said the Kenyan Mission in South Africa was ready to offer assistance to any Kenyan national who may be adversely affected.

“Kenya’s official figures show some 450 Kenyans are in Durban, mostly in the city centre,’’ she said.

Meanwhile, organisers of protest march against xenophobic attacks in South Africa said on Friday in Lusaka, that police had cancelled the protest.

Miles Mukumbuta, Chairperson of the organisers, said they planned to march to the South African and Zimbabwean Embassies and present petitions.

She said police cancelled the protest due to short notice given by the organizers.

Zambian laws demand that police be notified five days before any public protest could be conducted.

“We demand that our leaders in Africa act decisively over what is happening in South Africa to ensure such does not repeat itself.

“This is because we live in a global village and therefore should be each other’s brother’s keeper,” she said.

The organisers of the march dubbed “Black Friday” hailed the hundreds of Zambians that had continued to express interest in joining the march.

Lusaka Police Commanding Officer, Charity Katanga said the law on public assembly required that police were notified five days before the planned date.

She said this is to enable the Service prepare adequately to police the procession.

Drama as 2 PDP members struggle for certificate of return in Enugu

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Drama as 2 PDP members struggle for certificate of return in Enugu

A drama ensued on Friday at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Enugu when two persons presented themselves to collect the certificate of return for the Nsukka/Igboeze South federal constituency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two persons, Mr Ikechukwu Ugwuegede and Dr Patrick Asadu, both members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were engulfed in a legal tussle over the party’s candidacy for the election.

Asadu, a member of the House of Representatives, secured a ruling at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja recognising him as the right candidate for the election.

Ugwuegede, however, appealed the ruling.

The two appeared at the INEC office during the presentation of certificates of return to the governor- elect and National Assembly members-elect but were denied the certificate.

Each of the candidates pleaded to the National Commissioner of INEC, Dame Gladys Nwafor, to collect the certificate but the commissioner declined.

Presenting the certificates, Nwafor, who is the INEC National Commissioner for Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi states, urged the elected officials to fulfill their campaign promises to the people.

According to her, today is a very unique day for the INEC and the government of Enugu State.

“We are here to give certificates of return to whom the electorate has given the mandate to serve the people.

“It has not been an easy task for both the commission and the contestants. I call it a divine mandate to serve the people.

“Enugu State is one of the most peaceful states and I am happy to be associated with the state,’’ she said.

In his acceptance speech, the governor-elect, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, promised to deliver selfless service to the people and take the state to the next level.

Ugwuanyi assured the people of a transparent and an all-inclusive government.

“We will not fail you. On behalf of everyone elected, I will like to say a big thank you to the God of David and Abraham for making this day possible.

“ I want to thank INEC for delivering credible and transparent elections. The people have spoken and God has sealed it,’’ he said.

Sen. Gilbert Nnaji who represents Enugu East and Mr Chukwuka Utazi elected to represent Enugu North, received their certificates.

Other National Assembly members-elect who received their certificates included Mr Chime Oji (Enugu North/South), Dr Kingsley Ebenyi (Enugu East/Isi-Uzo) and Dr Chukwuemeka Ujam (Nkanu East/Nkanu West).

Mrs Stella Ngwu (Igboetiti/Uzo Uwani), Mr Dennis Agbo (Udenu/Igboeze North) and Mr Dennis Amadi (Udi/Ezeagu) also received their certificates.

Sen.Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West Senatorial Zone) and Chief Toby Okechukwu (Oji River/Awgu/Aninri constituency) were absent during the presentation.

More Kidnapers’ Dens Demolished in Anambra

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More Kidnapers’ Dens Demolished in Anambra

Obiano

Encouraged by the massive endorsement of the programmes of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led government in the State House of Assembly elections last Saturday, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has re-enforced security measures  across the state and approved the demolition of two more kidnap dens. The two buildings were demolished Thursday in Umuikwelle village Eziowelle Idemili North and Umugbom village Azigbo, Nnewi South Local Government Areas respectively.

Azigbo kinap Den
Azigbo kinap Den
Eziowelle Kidnap Den demolished
Eziowelle Kidnap Den demolished
Eziowelle kidnap den
Eziowelle kidnap den
Azigbo den demolished
Azigbo den demolished

Speaking on the latest development, Chief Obiano said that no kidnap incident had happened successfully in Anambra in the past one year because the security operatives were equipped to nip such threats in the bud. The Governor reiterated that men of the Operation Kpochapu will deal decisively with anyone found involving in any form of crime or criminality in the state. He stated that “in the past one week, we have donated a gunboat to the Navy to enable them patrol the River Niger and stop inflow of arms into the state. We also took delivery of 15 speed boats and 6 Water Ambulances to assist the Riverine communities in quick dispensation of healthcare services. I also wish to assure potential investors that we have machinery in place to protect their interest and ensure their safety in our state.” Governor Obiano assured.

The demolished 6-Bedroom bungalow at Eziowelle was used by one Obinna Okadigbo now at large and his gang‎ as a nest for their victims which include one Mr. Vincent Nwachukwu kidnapped at Ogidi in August 2013. Mr Nwachukwu was eventually released after the payment of N3million ransom. Another victim of the gang one Lady Maureen Onukwelu was kidnapped on November 26, 2013 at a new generation bank in Nnewi and relieved of N500, 000.00 before regaining her freedom.

The second building a 4-room  bungalow at Azigbo owned by  late Mr. Simon Ikwukeme, was used as den by another gang led by one Emeka Chukwuka, Chukwuka Nkpuechina and Onuegbu Onyekachi. They kept one Justina Ezenwafor whom they kidnapped from Ekwulobia on October 10, 2014 and released three days later after extracting a ransom of N4million.

Speaking on the rationale for the demolition exercise, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Agugoesie‎, said that the buildings were pulled down in accordance with the provisions of the law against kidnapping in Anambra State and a measure to re-state the commitment of the government and the security agencies to rid the state of kidnappers. According to APC Agugoesie, “the government is with this exercise demonstrating its resolve to stop kidnappers and all criminal elements from operating in Anambra. It is also to show that the Police and other security operatives are relenting on their job to ensure a crime free Anambra.”

Reacting to the demolition at Eziowelle, a Building Contractor and a native Mr. Francis Ezenwa Okosa‎, decried the attitude of young men who do not have any visible source of livelihood but tend to live above their means. He confirmed that he knew Obinna Okadigbo, the alleged kidnap Kingpin as a young man known to ‘ live large in the community without any handwork.’‎

As Mr Okosa put it,” this demolition of his father’s house which was built in the eighties has now confirmed our suspicions about his source of income. This is not good and should be condemned by everyone.” He advised young men in the community to learn from the mistakes of Obinna and avoid engaging in any criminal activity.

Customs releases Obasanjo’s ‘My Watch’ autobiography container

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Customs releases Obasanjo’s ‘My Watch’ autobiography container

The of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday said that it had released former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s “My Watch”  autobiography container.

The NCS Comptroller-General, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, made the disclosure to newsmen when he inaugurated two new patrol boats of the service in Lagos.

Abdullahi said that the container was released following the vacation of an FCT High Court order restraining the former president from publishing, printing or offering for sale, his autobiography: “My Watch’’ on Tuesday.

“Customs got the initial order of the court to stop the container and now that the court asks us to release the container, so be it,’’  he said.

Justice Valentine Ashi had ordered the release of the books which had been in the custody of customs.

Ashi, in a ruling, upheld the argument by Obasanjo’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), that the court was misled into granting the orders on Dec. 5 and Dec.10, 2014.

The court had granted the orders on Dec. 5, 2014, restraining Obasanjo from publishing his book in the country pending the determination of suit against him by Mr Buruji Kashamu.

Despite the order of Dec. 5, Obasanjo proceeded to launch the book on Dec. 9 in Lagos, a development that prompted the court to make the orders of Dec. 10.

Ashi also restrained the comptroller-general from charging demurrage on copies of the book already confiscated.

Abdullahi described the new patrol boats acquired by the service as equipment needed to perform its exemplary functions in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda for the service to excel.

He said it took two years to build the boats, adding that the customs supervised the construction of the boats to meet it specification.

“We have two boats for now. We will watch their performance and see if there is need to have more.

“With the performance of the boats government will not hesitate to give us more money to buy more,’’ he said.

He recalled that one of the boats was named after nine customs officers killed some years ago by smugglers of petrol on the high sea while they were on official duty.

“It is a bad memory. Nine of my officers were really killed on the high sea by smugglers who were carrying petrol.

“My officers tried to intercept in between and they turned their boat against customs and they jumped into water, the two patrol boats went into flames.

“We tried to rescue them, unfortunately, we could not. These are officers who died on official duty.

“I am proud to say that today we have remembered them,’’ Abdullahi said.

Abdullahi said service had tried as much as possible to cover all revenue leakages and live up to its revenue targets.

U.S tasks Buhari on peaceful transition with Jonathan

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U.S tasks Buhari on peaceful transition with Jonathan

The U.S Vice President, Mr Joe Biden, on Thursday urged the President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to continue to foster a smooth, inclusive and peaceful transition with President Goodluck Jonathan.

A statement issued by the U.S Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria said that Biden made the appeal when he personally called Buhari to congratulate him on his victory at the poll.

“Vice President Biden spoke with Nigerian President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to congratulate him on his victory in the recent Nigerian elections.

“The Vice President commended the President-Elect for his leadership in helping to ensure the elections were conducted peacefully.

“He urged Buhari to continue to foster a smooth, inclusive and peaceful transition with President Jonathan,’’ it said.

The statement also quoted Biden to have affirmed his government’s commitment to expand collaboration with Nigeria on issues of common concern, including economic and security matters.

“The Vice President also expressed the willingness of the U.S. to partner more closely with Nigeria to strengthen its economy,” it added.

The statement also expressed the State Department’s continued support for Nigeria’s efforts to counter Boko Haram and in the recovering of those being held hostage by the group.

It also quoted Biden to have given his government’s assurances to ensure the protection of the Nigerian civilian population.

How Peter Obi Collected N27billion From Diezani And Betrayed Jonathan Instead

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How Peter Obi Collected N27billion From Diezani And Betrayed Jonathan Instead
Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra
Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra

The noisy remnants of the colossal failure of the incumbent President at the presidential polls of March 28, 2015 may have begun to make its last exit from the national political scene but the intrigues surrounding the embarrassing lose may have only begun to leak out to the public terrain. This is as information available to 247ureports.com indicates the Deputy Director General of the Goodluck Jonathan presidential campaign organization – responsible for the operation in the south south and south east geopolitical zones in the person of Mr. Peter Obi is significantly responsible for the embarrassment suffered by President Jonathan on March 28, 2015.

As a caveat, shortly after the gubernatorial elections in Anambra State – that saw the victorious ascension of Willie Obiano of the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] to the seat of governor – Mr. Peter Obi announced his decampment from the APGA to the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in a manner that saw the mighty chieftains of the PDP at his home Onitsha to receive him into the party. The decampment stole the headlines of many national news dailies and shocked many of the members of the APGA and those within PDP. Mr. Peter Obi had stated that he decided to join the PDP to help reelect President Jonathan. In return, the former governor of Anambra State under the APGA banner and now a PDP member was said to have been promised by President Jonathan a ministerial position – likely the Minister of Aviation – to replace the sacked Stella Odua. But the promise never materialized – largely owing to insistence by PDP chieftains from Anambra who threatened President Jonathan to drop the notion of appointing Mr. Peter Obi a minister from Anambra.

So as the preparations towards the presidential campaign fell into gear, and as President Jonathan set up his presidential campaign organization, Mr. Peter Obi was assigned in charge of the south east – and given the organizational title of deputy director general. Mr. Peter Obi became in charge of dissemination of resources and finances for all political activities within the said region – including on Election Day.

The beginnings of the betrayal by Peter Obi came when the Election Day plan was developed by a campaign team employed by the presidency to map out a strategy for victory at the polls. The campaign team were reported to comprise of former top officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] and of the Nigerian intelligence community. The team’s primary responsibility included coercion of voters and INEC workers at the polling units on March 28, 2015 through heavy financial inducement.

A competent source conversant with the activities within the presidency revealed to 247ureports.com the strategy employed. Varying amounts of monies were earmarked for polling units across the country. For the south south and south east geopolitical zones – which the team marked as green states – were earmarked for N300,000 per polling unit – while the polling units in the north central zone – which were marked as grey states – were earmarked N500,000 per polling unit. The team had targeted having a significantly bumped up voter turnout rate in the three geopolitical zones of south south, south east, and north central – to outbalance the expected poll figures from the north west and north east geopolitical zones.

Through this effect, the sum of N27billion was earmarked for the south east and south south – and was remitted to the deputy director general – Mr. Peter Obi – through the instrumentality of the minister of petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke. The money was remitted by Diezani Allison Madueke.

But on Election Day, the south east states did not deliver enough votes for the President. Mr. Peter Obi, according to PDP chieftains who participated in Anambra elections on March 28, 2015, failed to distribute the money as agreed in the plan. Only N30,000 was distributed instead of the N300,000. For this reason, the INEC polling officials were not as willing to bump up the poll numbers as was done in 2011. The numbers registered at the south east polling units averaged at 550,000 to 660,000 for the PDP per state against an available voter’s strength that averages a little below 2,000,000 for each of the south east states – equivalent to about 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 votes – enough to give the President the expected victory.

With the defeat of March 28, 2015, it became clear to many within the outer circles of the PDP of the betrayal that might have taken place. While the PDP stalwarts observed that the PDP senatorial and House of Representatives candidates were able to manipulate their results to an easy victory for the south east and south south states – the likes of Senator Andy Uba, Stella Odua and Uche Ekwunife – in Anambra State.

Some of the concerned PDP chieftains – the like of Arthur Eze and others – found the actions of Mr. Peter Obi as clear betrayal of the party and of their presidential candidate. He clearly pointed to Peter Obi as responsible for the failed execution of the planned strategy. He “kept the money” given to him. Other chieftains within the APGA in Anambra state who also supported President Jonathan’s reelection also found Mr. Peter Obi’s actions as betrayal. The Anambra State APGA chairman, Mike Kwento was unapologetically stern as he told 247ureports.com that Mr. Peter Obi had taken President Jonathan for a ‘419’ lesson. The national chairman of APGA was also unforgiving as he called Mr. Peter Obi as ‘gamester’ who seized on an opportunity to swindle the President.

Police arrests Bank Manager Nice Micro Finance Bank over N15 Million Fraud

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Police arrests Bank Manager Nice Micro Finance Bank over N15 Million Fraud
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Anambra state police command yesterday arrested one Nneka Oragu, the Bank Manager , Nice Micro Finance Bank Nise , Eke Awka Branch who was declared wanted in some National Dailies last year over missing N10 Million fraudulent transactions.
Police sources in Awka said Nneka surrounded herself to them about 10 am and made startling revelation on how the transactions went and why she should not be held liable but was detained before the Bank Chairman Nneka’s statement was invited and detained too.
But the Bank Chairman was later released when a member of the Board of directors and a monarch, Igwe Iloh came calling but the bank manager is still being detained.
It would be recalled that Nice Micro finance bank was known as Nise Community bank before it was upgraded to Nice Micro finance bank. It has branches across Anambra state with headquarters at Nise Ngene-Awka junction. 
The money allegedly missing according to the police source was over N15 Million but currently the bank estimates it to N10 Million rather than N8 Million initially dangled before the public.
The Awka bank manager was on the run and the Bank Chairman, Sir Chris Onoh had earlier made his statements when he was invited and questioned by the police on Tuesday over his roles  but  was allowed to go home on self recognition. Onoh is equally the President General of Nise town Union.
The magnitude of the fraud already exposed to the police and by another sacked senior staff of the bank implicated in some other sharp practices in the bank somehow will make heads roll soonest.
Police source said that the fraud perpetuated against shareholders of the bank has ran some of the bank’s branches aground.   
The former Chairman of the Bank/ traditional ruler of Nise , Igwe Romanus Iloh, or the present Chairman, Sir Chris Onoh could not be contacted as their phones were not connecting as at press time

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Uche Ezeh said he is yet to be briefed by the CID allegedly handing the case as at press time.

Passengers stranded at MMIA as NATCA begins warning strike

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Passengers stranded at MMIA as NATCA begins warning strike

As Nigeria’s Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) began a warning strike on Thursday over welfare issues, hundreds of intending passengers were stranded at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

However, the association says it may call off the strike later in the day.

Some of the passengers told 247ureports.com at Ikeja that there airlines ought to have informed them of the development when they observed it.

An Abuja-bound passenger, Mr Yusuf Kazeem, told our correspondent that he was not aware of the strike until he and his colleague arrived at the airport to board their flight.

Kazeem said the striking workers should have made their intentions public earlier so that intending passengers would have thought of alternatives.

“I called my airline and I was told to hold on that the flight will be going. So, that’s why I was still waiting.

“The airline later sent us a text message that it will resume flight by noon and pleaded for our patience,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Emmanuel Adewale, another passenger, said the association embarking on strikes was becoming too frequent.

Adewale advised the government to attend to the requests of the association’s members so as to stave off this unhealthy development.

Mrs Stella Oyewole said that government should approve to the demands of the association to curtail the frequent strike by the air traffic controllers.

She said that air traffic controllers played strategic role in the aviation sector, adding that if they were not adequately catered for, it could have negative effect on the sector.

Mr Banji Olawode, National Secretary of NATCA, who confirmed the strike in Lagos, however, declined further comments on the issue.

He said that the association had initially informed the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) the employers of NATCA members of the development.

Olawode assured intending passengers that were scheduled to travel on international routes from Lagos on Thursday that the strike would not affect international flight operations.

Mrs Jumoke Adetona, the Acting General Manager, NAMA, also confirmed the warning strike by NATCA.

Adetona said that the agency would meet with the association, adding that before the end of day the strike would be over.

She said that a statement would be issued concerning the strike.

NAN reports that activities were paralysed at the two terminals of the local airport in Lagos as most of the intending passengers were seen going back home.

It also reported that the association had earlier in the year embarked on a strike over welfare issues.

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