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Umo Eno’s Classmates Rise In His Defence, Insist he left Schools with Honour

Published

11 months ago

May 13, 2023

Editor

Classmates of Akwa Ibom State Governor-elect, Pastor Umo Eno at Victory High School and University of Uyo have taken to various platforms to defend him, insisting that he was a sterling student.

The classmates’ reaction came following another spate of personal attacks on the entrepreneur turned politician by certain adversaries who are not only desperate for power but want to wish away his overwhelming victory at the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial poll.

His secondary school peers expressed their staunch defence through a congratulatory letter dated May 10, 2023 by Victory High School/College Old Students Association.

The old students wrote “We believe that your victory is well deserved and it will afford the great and good people of Akwa Ibom State the opportunity to benefit from your wealth of experience, competence, character and wisdom some of which were evident during your days at Victory High School/College, where you excelled and was the Senior Prefect.

The letter signed by Engr. Oluseyi Olorunyomi, Global President and Prince (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho (SAN), Chairman, Board of Trustees went further to state “ We wish to assure your Excellency and the great people of Akwa Ibom of the continued goodwill and prayers of Victory High School/College Old School Association.

In a similar vein, some students who graduated from the University of Uyo have also taken to various platforms to express their views about the governor-elect.

One of them Effiong Peter said he was in the faculty of Political Science and Public Administration and that he can remember Umo Eno vividly because he was one of the mature students in their department.

“ He was a senior student, many people who were in the faculty knew him because he was not your regular student. I am certain that he graduated with us and so this story of rustication is the figment of somebody’s imagination.

Another wrote “Idorenyin Umana and I grauduated alongside the incoming Governor, Umo Bassey Eno. Stop this smelly propaganda and smear campaign.

This person went further to state ‘ See attached, our graduation brochure and check the name ticked in red by the left”

The screenshot of the brochure he posted had the words 6th Convocation University of Uyo at the bottom and page 89 had a list of graduating students. Under Second Class (Honours) Lower Division, the 17th name on the list is ENO, Umo Bassey.

Another UniUyo graduate wondered why some politicians will go to such a length to rubbish the reputation of another person..

” And to even think that one of those making these wild allegations is a convict currently serving a jail term, makes this whole cooked up story laughable”

It will be recalled that Mr Akan Okon, a PDP aspirant had approached the Supreme Court in Appeal Number SC/CV/172/2023 having lost previously at both the Federal High Court and Appeal Court.

He had alleged that he was the validly elected PDP candidate and cast aspersions on the certificate of Pastor Umo Eno.

The Supreme Court in its judgement held that Pastor Eno was eminently qualified for the election and was duly nominated by his party on May 25, 2022.

The appeal court had also affirmed that the WAEC result presented to the Independent Natioal Electoral Commission (INEC) by Pastor Eno was authentic and not a forgery as alleged by Mr Akan Okon

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.