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Access Bank’s Herbert Wigwe, Two Others Charged For Stealing N2.6billion

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The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc,  Mr Herbert Wigwe is in a big mess.

The top banker and two others have been dragged to court in Ogun State for alleged stealing and fraud said to be over N2billion.

The meat of the matter is that the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force, Milverton Ikoyi-Lagos, has preferred N2.6billion fraud charged against Mr. Herbert Wigwe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, his bank and two others before an Ogun State High Court, Sagamu, on 21 counts criminal charge.

Herbert Wigwe: Access Bank, MD/CEO

The Boss gathered that Wigwe and Access Bank Plc are facing a five count charge alongside with 41 year-old Alawode Oluseye and Bayo Adesina before Justice N. I. Agbelu of Ogun state high court Sagamu.

The allegations border on conspiracy, fraudulent betrayal of trust, fraudulent conversion, stealing and false representation.

SFU in the charge marked HCS/010/19 alleged that the Access Bank boss and others, sometimes on June 2017, at the premises of Metal Africa Steel Products Limited, Kilometer 16, Ikorodu/Sagamu road, Ewe Jagun, Ogun State, conspired among themselves to have alleged to have unlawfully effected the selling of 23, 754.413 metric tonnes of Steel Billets, belonging to BMCE Bank International Plc company for N2,572, 500, billion, to Africa Steel Products Limited.

The Boss reports that Wigwe and other defendants were also alleged to have obtained the sun of N2,572,500 billion from Africa Steel Mills Limited by false representation that they were the owners of the said Steel Billets.

SFU also alleged that Wigwe and other defendants in 2017, forged Bill of Ladings number: MJINLOS150007’1A’; MJINLOS150007 ‘1B’; MJINLOS150007 ‘1C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2A’; MJINLOS150007’2B’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2D’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2E’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2F’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2G’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2H’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2I’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2J’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2k’; MJINLOS150007’2L’ andMJINLOS150007’2M’, which they claimed were issued on January 9, 2016.

The offences according to the Police prosecutor,a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) E. Jackson are contrary to and punishable under Sections 518(6), 434, 383(1)(f) and 390(9), 516 and 464 and 467 of the criminal Code of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

The offence is also said to have contravened Section 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

We gathered that during their arraignment, only one of the defendants who was present in court pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

However, lawyer to the defendants, Edoka Dox Onyeke informed the court that his clients are exploring means of settling the matter with the complainant out of court.

Consequently, Mr Onyeke pleaded with the court for a short adjournment. The matter was then adjourned for report of settlement.

STATEMENT 0F OFFENCE..1st Count
Conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose, to wit: an unlawful sale of Steel Billets property of BMCE BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC, contrary to Section 518 (6) of the Criminal Code of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

PARTICULARS 0F OFFENCE ‘That you HERBERT WIGWE ‘M’, ALAWODE OLUSEYE ‘M’, BAYO ADESINA ‘M’ AND ACCESS BANK PLC on 22 day of June, 2017, at the premises at Met Africa Steel Products Limited, Km 16, IkorodulSagamu Road, Ewe Jagun, Ogun State, Within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to effect unlawful purpose to wit: the unlawful and unauthorised sale of 754.413 metnc tonnes of Stee| Billets, property of BMCE BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC without Its permission or consent.

STATEMENT 0F OFFENCE…..2nd COUNT Fraudulent Disposal of Trust Property, contrary to Section 434 of the Criminal of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE That you Herbert Wigwe ‘M’, Alawode Oluseye ‘M’, Bayo Adesina, ‘M’ and access BANK PLC on 22nd day of June, 2017, at the muses d m African Steel Products Limited, Km 16, Ikorodu/Sagamu Road, Jagun, Ogun State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud converted 23,754.413 metric tonnes of Steel Billets property of BMCE Bank International Plc, to your own use and unlawfully sold same without the authority of BMCE International Bank Plc.

STATEMENT OF 0FFENCE…3rd Count Stealing of Money, contrary to Sections 383 (1)(f) and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2005. ‘

Particulars of offence: “that you Herbert Wigwe, ‘M’, Alawode Oluseye ‘M’, Bayo Adesina, and Access Bank Plc, sometimes in June, 2017, in Ogun State, within the jurisdictions of this honourable court, Unlawfully sold 23, 754.413 metric tonnes Steel Billets, property of BMCE Bank International Plc to African Steel Mills Nigeria Limited for N2,572,500,000.00 and fraudulently converted me money to your own use and benefit.

Statements of offence … 4th Count: Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: stealing of 23,754.413 metric tonnes of Steel Billets, property of BMCE Bank International Plc, contrary to Seam 516 the Criminal Code of Ogun State, 2006.

Particulars Of Offence: “That you Herbert Wigwe, ‘M’ Alawode Oluseye ‘M’, Bayo Adesina, and Access Bank Plc, between 2016 and 2017, at Ewe Jagun, Ogun State, Within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to sell 23,754.41 metric tonnes of Steel billets property of BMCE Bank International Plc.

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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