Claim That I Received N750m Is Untrue, Says Okupe | Nairalaw

A former aide of Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe,
has said that claims making the rounds that he collected N750m from
the office of the National Security Officer (NSA) for no service
rendered, is false.

Okupe made the assertion on Friday via his Twitter page.

He said, “Efcc has started its media trial. D press release 2dy
that I rcvd N750m 4 nothing,is untrue& never stated in court
ystdy.”

Efcc has started its media trial.D press
release 2dy that I rcvd N750m 4 nothing,is untrue& never stated
in court ystdy

— Doyin (@doyinokupe) February
28, 2019^[1]

Justice Ijeoma Ojuwku of the Federal High Court, Abuja adjourned
the trial of a the former Senior Special Assistant on Public
Affairs to former president, Goodluck Jonathan, to March 6,
2019.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on
January 14, 2019 arraigned Okupe on a 59-count charge bordering on
“money laundering and criminal diversion of funds” to the tune of
N702 million.

At the resumed sitting, on February 28, 2019 Osas Azonabor, an
operative of the EFCC, testifying as the first prosecution witness,
was cross-examined by defence counsel, Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN.

Azonabor had on February 27, 2019 while being led in evidence by
counsel for the EFCC, Ibrahim Audu, narrated how sometime in 2016,
the EFCC got intelligence that some individuals were paid by the
Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), for “doing
nothing”.

He further told the court that investigations revealed that
Okupe was one of the beneficiaries.

He also added that after analysing payment vouchers, it was
realised that cash payment of N50 million was made into Okupe’s
account on April 8, 2014. Analysis of several other vouchers also
revealed several of such payments.

Under cross-examination by Gadzama, the prosecution witness told
the Court that during investigations, Okupe gave investigators, “so
many documents” that were analysed.

Specifically, when the defence counsel put it to him that
payments as shown on the voucher were for “special services”,
Azonabor replied that the findings proved otherwise.

“When we asked Okupe further about the payments, he said he did
not render any special service,” he said.

Ministers Commend Security Agencies, Congratulate
Buhari

Interior Minister Assures of of peaceful Governorship and State
Assembly elections
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt General (Rtd), Abdulrahman
Bello Dambazau has commended Nigerian Security Agencies and the
Electorate on the peaceful conduct of the February 23rd
Presidential and National Assembly elections.

General Dambazau who made the commendation today in his office
in Abuja, thanked security agencies for their professionalism and
conduct before, during and after the Presidential and National
Assembly elections. The Minister also applauded Nigerians for
coming out enmass to exercise their civic responsibility, the
outcome of which had been adjudged free, fair and credible.

Although the 23rd February 2019 Elections were overwhelmingly
peaceful, General Dambazau however, condemned reported cases of
violence in few areas and further condoles with families of those
who lost their loved ones in such circumstances. Adding that
Government has avowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He therefore, directed that security agencies should redouble
their efforts, to ensure the safety of lives and property during
the 9th March 2019 elections.

The Minister re-emphasized Government’s resolve to deal with any
person, or group of persons in possession of firearms and other
dangerous weapons, or engaging in electoral violence/thuggery and
other acts of threats to internal security, in accordance with the
laws.

SIGNED
Mohammed Manga
Director (Press & Public Relations)
For: Honourable Minister
……

Health Minister Congratulates President Buhari

The Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has
congratulated the President elect, President Muhammadu Buhari for
his victory at the Polls.

The Health Minister said that the outstanding success of Mr.
President at the polls was a testimony of the impact of the good
works he had done in the last three and a half years.

Congratulating Nigerians, Professor Adewole said it was a new
dawn as the people would begin to see a new Nigeria they voted
for.

He prayed for strength and wisdom for Mr. President to take
Nigeria to an enviable height among the committee of Nations.

Boade Akinola
Director, Media and Public Relations
…….

Communication Minister Congratulates President Buhari

It is with a warming heart that I congratulate Your Excellency,
President Muhmmadu Buhari on the well-deserved victory at the just
concluded presidential election.

This victory is a testimony to the great efforts of this
administration put in place to restore confidence in the
socio-economy and political space of the country.

This administration has brought sanity to public institutions by
total adoption of TSA and ERGP vision that sustained recovery from
recession and growth in the economy.

This present government has no doubt restored the dignity of
labour, honesty and transparency and brought out patriotic zeal of
ordinary Nigerians to be proud of this great country

The massive construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure in
the country have brought collective momentum that energizes
ordinary Nigerians to have hope in the next level agenda of Mr.
President

The diversification process embarked upon has given hope to
Nigerians especially the youths to vision a prospect in the
agriculture and ICT sectors as avenues to be engaged in the
productive sector of the economy.

The momentum in the ICT sector and the patronage of indigenous
software providers and local OEMs have promoted ICT innovation and
investment opportunities in Nigeria.

This has significantly enhanced participation across the full
spectrum of the value chain where deliberate programme built to
enhance the capacity of Nigerians to enable them to add value to
the economy.

Through the leadership of Mr. President, the Broadband
penetration of the ICT sector which stood at 18% at the inception
of President Muhammadu Buhari tenure has gracefully attained a
threshold of 31% with the promise of rising to 70% by the year
2021.

With the implementation of Nigeria content policy, this
administration has created a quantum leap in the patronage of
indigenous content providers and local OEMs

Barrister Shittu is therefore proud to be associated with this
most progressive government which remain unsurpassed in achievement
since the beginning of the 4th republic.

Once again congratulation to Mr. President

Bolaji O. Kazeem
SA (Media) to Minister of Communications