News

Eko United Applauds Ogunsanwo on ‘Rethinking Lagos’ Presentation

Published

4 years ago

August 14, 2020

Eric

Eko United, a Collective of concerned Lagosians has applauded Mr. Babajide Ogunsanwo, a Data Analyst and popular Channels’ Television Contributor for his incisive presentation at a public discourse programme hosted by the organization.

The discourse series titled Eko Public Square which had its theme as “Rethinking Lagos: COVID -19 and beyond” featured Mr. Ogunsanwo, Founder, The Factbox Company and Seun Onigbinde, Co-Founder/Director, BudgIT while Eko United’s Chief Scribe, Emilia Asim-Ita was the moderator.

In his presentation, Mr Ogunsanwo state that population density was to the Coronavirus what sugar is to Ants, noting that the Lagos State Government needed to be more future-focused and future-driven around urban planning and development because without this, there is every probability that Lagos would still be an epicenter in the event of another pandemic.

He stated that the only way information gets to the grassroots is to decentralize the information dissemination structure, so the government at the grassroots level should create viable channels peculiar to its people.

In his words “The Lagos State Government needs to partner with the first port of call of the masses (when it comes to health challenges) Proprietary Patent Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) aka Chemists; to conduct surveys and get feedback, and also to pass across vital information.

“As Lagosians, we need to ask ourselves what roles we play in the future and development of Lagos. How do we choose our leaders at all levels? This is a question that should be on the minds of Lagosians. Leaders need to be chosen based on competency and capacity to make good decisions in due time”

Mr. Ogunsanwo also asserted that the State Government needed to ramp up the budget for healthcare and education. Insisting that what the 10 % allocation put in the 2019 budget was abysmal.

He urged the Lagos State Government to stop incentivizing gangsterism by ceding leadership of the informal economy to gangs. Stating that the unrest in Lagos is largely as a result of a fall out of the people that can’t have their daily takings at the bus-stops, car parks and markets etc.

According to him “Lagos needs to unwind the informal structure of leadership, there is also a need to put in place formal structures to the handle informal economy channels”

He called on the government to urgently redefine its social contract with citizens with a view of ensuring transparency in the use of resources, while urging the government to create a job bond which can be used by the MSMEs to stabilize cash flow, reduce growing rate of unemployment as well as boost state IGR.

He called on the state government to kick start massive investment in the primary and secondary health care systems to bring them up to par with privately-owned facilities, while creating an all-encompassing health insurance scheme.

In his view, these tools are important in the fight against the pandemic because “without health, we have nothing”.

It was as a result of this well-thought out lecture that Eko United’s Captain, Mr Wole Olagundoye deemed it fit to present a framed certificate of appreciation to Mr Ogunsanwo on behalf of the organisation.

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

24 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.