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SILEC Congratulates Marwa on Election As Vice Chairman, Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa

Published

1 year ago

November 16, 2022

Eric

One of Nigeria’s most active non-governmental organization in the fight against drug abuse, SILEC Initiatives, has congratulated the chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) on his election as Vice Chairman, Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Africa.

SILEC conveyed its congratulations through its Founder and President, Amb. Sunny Irakpo, during a television interview, commending the NDLEA boss for his outstanding performance in office so far.

The pragmatic organization, SILEC Initiatives, has made tremendous impacts in the country over the years in the anti-drug war of NDLEA. The founder and president, Silec Initiatives Amb. Sunny Irakpo who recently returned from US-Nigeria Leadership EXCHANGE Program designed to build the leadership capacity of Nigerians, particularly the youths to get involved in governance at all levels based on the 5-year partnership with World Chicago, encourages all to build capacity for the enormous task ahead of the nation.

Irakpo said, “I want to sincerely thank the Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for defending the Nigerian Project, part of which is saving the destinies of young people from total destruction and for his commitment, pragmatic leadership and deep sense of patriotism in this turbulence period confronting the nation that’s on the verge of collapse due to the proliferation of hard drugs from the recent seizures.

“I want to on behalf of our noble endeavor, Silec Initiatives and many of the youths and millions of Nigerians that you inspire, congratulate you on your meritorious position as the Vice Chairman, Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa. As an anti-drug NGO, we are celebrating you for this noble feat, which you have clearly demonstrated from your position in Nigeria. For it is true that Charity they say, begins at home.

“As a leader, you have shown capacity, provided leadership and excellence since you took over the mantle of leadership of the NDLEA.

“Having followed you over the years, your act of performance at the public space is worthy of emulation. In the space of two (2) years under your administration, the NDLEA has recorded giant stride in it’s perpetual efforts to nab drug kingpins and users of drugs all over the country. It is on record that over 28 drug barons have been arrested, drugs worth over 420 billion naira cash recovered , over 5.4 million kg of drugs seized, over 21,302 drug traffickers arrested, over, 3,111 drug traffickers convicted and serving jail terms, over 12,326 counselled and rehabilitated, and over 714 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed. These to me and all Nigerians are signs and indication of good and performing leadership resulting to your new assignment in Africa in the war against narcotics.

“Knowing that Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb due to the high rate of drug abuse and addiction, the agency has also shown tactical approach in it’s fight. While our organization remain very strong and committed to sensitization and education of Nigerians on the danger of hard drugs and abuse of substances, we have redoubled efforts in our campaign to help reduce the rate of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking and consumption amongst Nigerians. The fact remains that we cannot sit down and watch the destinies of young people being sacrificed at the altar of drug abuse and addiction in our time.

“Sir, with your pedigree as a seasoned administrator, you have kept the light shining brightly and brought life to the NDLEA as an agency.

“Since your days as the military administrator of Lagos state, you have done incredibly well in every national assignments given to you.

“We join million of Nigerians, Africans and the entire globe to extend our hearty congratulations on your well deserved position. We are fully confident that this new office will herald greatness in our continuous efforts to rid our country and the entire Africa off drugs and other harmful substances.

“We wish you all the best in this new task and be rest assured that we are solidly behind you as usual in the area of public sensitization and nationwide campaign to enlighten our youths on the dangers of drug abuse.

“We pride you as our new Sheriff in Town.”

Featured

Cubana Chief Priest Arraigned, Granted N10m Bail

Published

5 hours ago

April 17, 2024

Eric

Instagram celebrity, Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty for alleged Naira abuse.

He pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The socialite was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Lagos before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on Wednesday.

The anti-graft commission filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest accused of abusing the naira at a social event, an act said to be contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

After pleading not guilty, the court granted him bail in the sum of N10million with two responsible sureties in like sum, who must be gainfully employed with the federal or state government and not less than grade level 16.

The sureties, the court emphasized, should have landed property and the document must be verified by the court.

Cubana Chief Priest is also to submit his travel passport to the custody of the court.

The bail conditions must be perfected within seven days but in the meantime he was released to his lawyer who must give an undertaken to produce him later. Failure to do so, he will be remanded in correctional facility.

The charge filed on April 4 by EFFC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alongside seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the Commission, are as follows:

Count 1: “That you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th February, 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

Count 2: “That you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

Count 3: “That you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

Meanwhile, the defendant also informed the court of his pending application to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to hear the charge.

Justice Ogundare has adjourned till May 2nd to hear the application

This is coming days after the EFCC arraigned controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye better known as Bobrisky on similar charges for which he was sentenced to a six-month jail term.

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EFCC Charges Cubana Chief Priest to Court over Naira Abuse

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a three-count charge against Instagram celebrity, Pascal Okechukwu aka Cubana Chief Priest, for allegedly spraying and tampering with the Naira at a social event, in violation of the provisions of Central Bank Act of 2007.

Cubana Chief Priest will be arraigned on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Reports say the charge against Okechukwu was filed on April 4, 2024 by EFFC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alongside seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the Commission.

In Count 1, it was alleged, “that you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

In count 2, it was alleged, “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

In Count 3, it was alleged, “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

This is coming days after the EFCC secured the conviction controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, on similar charges. He was subsequently sentenced to six months imprisonment without an option of fine.

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El-Rufai Accuses Tinubu’s Govt of Paying Trillions of Naira in Fuel Subsidy

Published

2 days ago

April 16, 2024

Eric

The immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has ignited debate on fuel subsidies, alleging that President Bola Tinubu’s government has spent trillions of Naira subsidizing petrol (PMS) since taking office in May 2023.

This revelation comes amidst ongoing discussions about fuel subsidies in Nigeria. The government previously announced a removal of fuel subsidies, leading to a rise in pump prices. However, El-Rufai suggests the effort was unsuccessful, forcing a return to subsidies at a reportedly higher cost.

The former governor spoke on Monday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital while delivering a Lead Paper at the occasion of Capacity Building Workshop on Enhancing Skills of Government Officials in Policy Implementation.

“The present administration,” El-Rufai said, “has so far spent trillions of naira for subsidy,” even exceeding pre-removal levels, ha stated.

He claimed the current price of petrol, between N600 and N750 per litre, is artificially low due to the subsidy. Without it, prices could be closer to those of diesel, which currently exceed N1,000 per litre in some areas.

“But as I also said earlier during my presentation, the removal of fuel subsidy by the present administration is another good policy by President Tinubu. I have always supported withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

“But as you can see, in the course of implementation, the government has now realized that the subsidy has to be back, because right now, we are paying a lot of money amounting to trillions of naira for subsidy even more than before, because the impact has been seen and the packages of support that will reduce the impact have not been effective in reducing the impact, and so, the federal government has to backpedal by subsidizing petrol.

“Many people don’t know this. If they want to know whether there is fuel subsidy or not, they should compare the prices of petrol and diesel per litre. This is because, under normal circumstances, petrol suppose to be more expensive than diesel. As it is, diesel is above N1000, while petrol stood at about N600 per litre. So we are still subsidizing for fuel in Nigeria,” he stated.

El-Rufai’s comments raise questions about the effectiveness and sustainability of fuel subsidies in Nigeria. The high cost highlighted by El-Rufai suggests the program may be straining government resources. It remains to be seen how the Tinubu administration will address this issue and whether they plan to revisit subsidy removal attempts.