FRAUD: BISHOP AND HIS WIFE ALLEGEDLY DEFRAUDED HIS MEMBERS AND PUBLIC IN ENUGU

Ginika Obi, 41,Bishop and General- Overseer of City of Liberation and Comfort International Ministry, located at Kilometer 3, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu, who is alleged to have defrauded more than 200 people in different states, is now cooling his heels in the custody of the police.

His wife, Ezinne Ruth Obi,37, a pastor, has already been remanded in Enugu prison by a magistrate court after she was arraigned for issuing dud cheques to victims.

The couple’s cookie began to crumble when petitions were written to the police command about their alleged fraudulent activities. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Danmallam told Sunday Sun that the command received over 50 petitions from people in different states, whom Ginika Obi and his wife had allegedly defrauded. The couple were said to have registered a non-governmental organization (NGO) called, “Build Your Generation Organization,” and asked members of the church and the public to invest N7,000  in a scheme, with the promise of receiving a double amount in return.

Sunday Sun gathered that the bubble burst when Chinonso Nweke, a barrister and banker, who is a member of the church in Port Harcourt where it was originally located, brought a petition that Ginika had collected millions of naira from him and other people. He said that the suspect thereafter absconded and relocated with his family.

Following this development, the bank sacked Nweke and he was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and transferred to the custody of the Akwa Ibom Police Command for investigation and prosecution. He was subsequently charged to court for obtaining money under false pretence and remanded in prison custody for three weeks before he was granted bail. The case is still in court.

In the course of investigating the matter, in response to the petitions sent to it, the police in Enugu learnt about the role played by Ginika’s wife, Ruth, and eventually tracked her down to Asaba, where she had allegedly hidden to evade the law.

Danmallam explained that the Commander, Monitoring Unit of Enugu Police Command, Supol Alkali Uba, moved with his men to Asaba and arrested her on June 26, 2017 and took her back to Enugu.

Ruth was then arraigned in a magistrate court in Enugu on a four count charge for issuing dud cheques, an offence punishable under section 1(1) (b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheques Act Cap D II Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006, and subsequently remanded in prison.
Sunday Sun, further learnt from Danmallam that police detectives arrested Ginika on August 5, 2017 in a hotel along Agbani Road, Enugu, and he has been in custody for alleged advance fee fraud, a crime known in the country as ‘419’ and punishable under section 419 of the Criminal Code.

He disclosed that over 200 people from different states, namely, Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi had since Ginika’s detention at the police headquarters come to lodge more complaints about how he allegedly defrauded them. He said that Ginika never denied the allegations, claiming that he had records of his transactions and promised to pay back the money taken from them.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has demolished the church building in the state. In an interview with Sunday Sun, Ginika, who attended Aku Primary School and Boys Secondary School, both in Uli, Anambra State, also had ministerial training at Teamwork Missionary School,  Port Harcourt, Rivers State.  He worked at Pillar of Life Church and Foundation Faith, both in Port Harcourt in 2002, before establishing his own church.

He said further: “In 2016, I started a non-governmental organization, called Build Your Generation Organization, which was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. I have built houses for many people and sent some people to school and paid their school fees since I started the NGO and involved my church members.”

Ginika who has six children and hails from Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State said that the NGO collapsed in February 2017, resulting in his inability to pay the people who gave him money. He relocated with his family in April 2017. He said that he was having a meeting with members of the board of the NGO at the hotel in Agbani, Enugu, when he was arrested by the police.

“I am now working together with the police to pay back money to the victims. I have a house in Port Harcourt worth N50million and the police know about this. I have another house at Emene in Enugu, valued at N80 million. I promised to pay back soon. I am going to pay back one hundred and eighty-six million naira. I have identified the people who gave me money. I never denied their claims and I promised to pay back their money,” he stated

One of the victims and member of the church, Mrs. Mogbo Chidinma told Sunday Sun that she paid money to the NGO through the branch of a leading new generation bank located along Kenyatta Road, Enugu.

“I encouraged my friends to also invest in the NGO. Sometimes, I deposited N200,000 into the account; later Bishop Obi said we should be paying the money directly to him or his wife or the cashier in the church. In January and February 2017, I paid N1million to the bishop. I have been beaten in my office and in my house by those I collected their money and I didn’t see Bishop Obi. It was when I heard the news that the Enugu State Police Command had arrested him, I immediately I came here. He has promised to pay back.” she said.

Meanwhile, the police boss said that investigation into the case would continue.

ASSOCIATE OF MRS PATIENCE JONATHAN: EFCC FREEZES N8 BILLION IN BOLA SHAGAYA'S ACCOUNTS

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen over N8, 627,458,773.36 billion in three accounts of Hajiya Muinat Bola Shagaya, an associate and friend of a former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

But Shagaya, who did not hold any public appointment during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has dragged Unity Bank to the High Court of Lagos State for allowing the EFCC to Post No Debit (PND) on her accounts without a valid court order. She says the action taken on her accounts violates Section34 (1) of the EFCC Act, 2004.

However, Unity Bank says its hands are tied by the law in complying with the EFCC’s directives to freeze Shagaya’s accounts.Hearing of the Matter has been Slated for September 28.

The account names are:
(1) First Deep Water Discovery Limited;
(2) Bola Shagaya;
(3) FAPLiNs Nigeria Limited
(4) Lingo Nigeria Limited;
(5) Buri Barclays BDC;
(6) Links Global Synergy Ltd;
(7) OKIOIL Nig. Ltd;
(8) JEMARVIZ Nig Ltd;
(9) PJ Oil and Gas Ltd; and
(10) AFDIN Ventures Ltd.


From The Nation

WIFE ALLEGEDLY HITS HUSBAND WITH LOG OF WOOD ON HIS HEAD

According to the Facebook user, Emmanuel Onuoha, the man pictured above was allegedly hit by his wife with a log of wood. ...
Mr Emmanuel Onuoha wrote;.....“A woman did this to her husband yesterday, just because of small argument with her about food issue, more over the man lost his job and he has been trying his best to secure a job but she takes it seriously and used log of wood on his head , I pity that woman and may God forgive her If it is you now what will you do ?

Though the case has been settled by friends and family members, they asked the woman to kneel and apologize, the woman said she did it out of annoyance due to her husband keep doing promise and fail.”

BUHARI DIDN'T LIE ABOUT MY FATHER~~Chukwuemeka Ojukwu Jnr.

Emeka Ojukwu, first son of the lateSon of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu,  has confirmed that his father met President Muhammadu Buhari in 2003.

Ojukwu said this in reaction to reports which quoted him as saying Buhari’s claims of meeting his father was false.

But while dismissing those reports, Ojukwu’s son said if he wanted to comment on a matter, there would be no ambiguity in it.

“It has been brought to my attention that there is an article making the rounds on social media attributed to me refuting the remarks of Mr President concerning his relationship and discussions with my late father,” the statement read.

“Let me lend my voice to those of the rest of my fellow countrymen and welcome Mr President back home.

“Let me state the following categorically; firstly, that I made no such comments to anybody, and secondly that I am aware that his excellency’s comments were indeed factual.

“I have noticed a disturbing trend recently of fake news being attributed to me on social media. I don’t know who is behind it or what their motivation might be, but let me assure you that any time I feel the need to comment publicly on any matter, I will not do so via some anonymous email or anything of the like, rather be rest assured that there will be no ambiguity whatsoever as to whether the comments came from me.”

from Thecable

LET'S SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS RESTRUCTURING~~SULTAN

Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III said yesterday that there is the need to sit down and discuss how to make Nigeria better.

Speaking at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)- organised colloquium, the Sultan said: “When people talk about restructuring, if they mean we should disintegrate the country, I will not support it. But if it means making things and lives better and much conducive and convenient for Nigerians, then lets sit down and discuss about it.

“I know that many of these groups from the North, West, South-South and South East agitating for this or that have their positions. But despite the realities at present, no group has the right to tell anybody you must leave this place or that place if we still live in this country called Nigeria.



“And I support the President’s position 100 per cent, I believe what he said is right.

“And I say, instead of talking about devolution of power, let’s talk about devolution of economy.

“It is good to sit down and dialogue, but there must be respect. I must respect you and you must respect me. And the greatest thing we can do for this country is to always reflect on our history. We didn’t fall from the sky, but came from somewhere.

“We became Nigeria in 1914 through amalgamation. People are shouting that our coming together as a country in 1914 was a mistake, but God doesn’t make mistakes. If God doesn’t want such a thing as Nigeria to happen, nobody could ever have made it happen.

“So we claim to be very religious, but we challenge God, you don’t come out in the open and say you are challenging God, but by actions and utterances, many people are virtually challenging God. There is no wrong in you saying I want to be better than I am.

“But when you sit down and discuss issues, you find out that you are a much better person. It is important for us to use this forum to bring out issues that are really gemming, very important at this time in the history of our country.



“I expected the organised labour to have been at the forefront of some of the issues affecting this country long before now. Not through strike, even though strike would be the last option, but there are things we need to take much more seriously and make our lives much better.

“And I also know that at the 2014 National Conference, some things were discussed though some people now said that conference was politically motivated and whatever. But whatever happens or anyone may say, Nigerians came together and discussed.”

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Ayuba Wabba said since the debate on restructuring started, many people had referred to it in different ways saying “For some, it means resource control component of fiscal federalism. Yet other groups see restructuring as increased access to political and economic resources and institutions of governance.

“The discourse among the political elite in our country in the last few months has been so heated that suddenly many involved in this debate have thrown caution, decency and decorum to the winds, and threats and counter threats, all having grave consequences for our cooporate existence as a nation, have become the order of the day.


“Since the outset of this latest stage of our political discourse, both the proponents and the opponents appear to be gravitating towards ‘‘restructuring’’. For some it means resource control component of fiscal federalism. Yet other groups see restructuring as increased access to political and economic resources and institutions of governance.

“Our inability to ensure that the rich resources this nation has been blessed with is administered in a way to benefit the vast majority of Nigerians has been at the centre of our crisis. In this respect, any effort to seek to be sustainable in addressing our recurring problems must address the failure of governance.

“Many of the prominent figures in the forefront of the current agitation for restructuring of our country have had opportunities to play important roles in the governance of our country in the past, and are still part of the governing structure in various ways.

“While we welcome the debate on how best to make our union work, we will continue to underscore the need for good governance in our country as a basis for any realistic development and eventual emancipation of our people.

“If the resources available to us as a nation were well managed and not stolen by both the public and private sector operators, from all parts of the country without exception, the escalating problems of unemployment, decaying infrastructure, non-funding of education, health care and other social services, would be adequately addressed.”

OBA PATRICK FASINU'S KILLING IS A SILENT WAR ON TRADITIONAL RULERS~~ OLU OF YEWALAND

The Yewa Traditional Council in Ogun State yesterday bemoaned the killing of one of its members, the Olowo of Owo-Yewa, Oba Patrick Fasinu, by gunmen.

The council said the killing was a “silent war against the institution of traditional rulers in Yewa” and Nigeria.

Oba Patrick Fasinu, who was on his way back from a meeting of traditional rulers in the state which held at Ilaro, on Wednesday, July 26th, was reportedly ambushed by assassins, who dragged him out of his car, axed him to death and then burnt his corpse alongside his car.

Over 27 Yewa monarchs, who jointly addressed reporters in Ilaro, headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area, under the leadership of the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, noted that the action of the killers was “abhorrent to the customs and traditions of the Yoruba and humanity”.


Oba Olugbenle, who doubles as chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, spoke on behalf of other monarchs.

He said the monarchs were aware three persons had been arrested in connection with the killing, but urged the government and the police to ensure that all suspects are made to face justice.

The paramount ruler, who was represented by the Olu of Imasayi, Oba Gbadebo Adesola Oni, also called for the protection of Yewa monarchs and other traditional rulers, following what he called increased security threats on traditional institutions.

Oba Olugbenle noted that tight security should be approved for them, warning that if the security challenges were not addressed, they could impact negatively on the nation’s socio-economic and political development.

EDO TRADITIONAL RULERS ASK SPEAKER TO VACATE SEAT

The days of Hon Kabiru Adjoto as the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly may be numbered as traditional rulers in the state have insisted that a lawmaker from Edo Central senatorial district must be made Speaker for the purpose of equity and justice.

According to source,Hon Adjoto who hails from the same senatorial district with the Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, emerged Speaker last week after the impeachment of Hon Justin Okonoboh, a lawmaker from Edo Central.

The traditional rulers spoke yesterday at a summit of Edo North and Edo Central traditional rulers held at Auchi, headquarters of Estako West local government area.

Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, who addressed journalist at the end of the summit, said they supported comments of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewaure II, who described the action of the lawmakers as an act of barbarism and hooliganism.

The Otaru noted that the power balancing factor in the state has been displaced with the removal of Okonoboh as Speaker.

His words, “We are meeting the Oba. We will send delegation to the Benin Monarch to inform him that we support him on his comments as regards what happened at the Edo State House of Assembly.

“We feel that equity, justice must prevail. Edo Central must have somebody who should be the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly. We are going to see what we can do to bring justice to the state over that matter. A balancing factor has to be made which was in place. That has been displaced and it is not a good thing for us if we have to navigate justice.”

On the call for restructuring by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Otaru stated that they resolved that Nigeria does not need restructuring but justice and restructuring of the heart.


His words, “We felt that restructuring is nothing to do other than justice. Justice has no boundary. Everybody has to be treated equally. We appeal that everybody has to restructure their heart to do the good thing.



“Restructuring is not the problem of this country but the restructuring of our heart to the belief that we are all one nation. If we have good roads, water, railways, nobody will be talking about restructuring because the poor and the rich will have an environment that provides for all. The structure of wages and salaries is lopsided. We feel that the salary of the top should reduce and the bottom should rise. There should be a living wage for the low income earners.”