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EFCC grills NAHCON chairman over N90bn Hajj subsidy

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday, interrogated the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Jalal Arabi, over alleged mismanagement of the 2024 Hajj exercise funds, among others.

Our correspondent gathered that Arabi arrived at the EFCC’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja at about 10 am and was grilled for hours by EFCC investigators.

An insider, who preferred anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, informed our correspondent that Jabi’s questioning was prompted by petitions filed against him.

The source said, “He was invited to the commission’s office to explain how his commission spent the N90bn subsidy provided for the 2024 hajj exercise.

“His invitation was a result of the petitions against the chairman and his management team to our office over the alleged mismanagement of funds in the commission, and the 2024 Hajj exercise, among others.

“The allegations he was asked to respond to date back to 2021 and not just the issue of the just concluded exercise.”

The source added that “Three directors from the commission have also been invited to explain what they know about the issue. They include the Director of Procurement, Director of Finance and the Director of the Programmes.”

When asked if Jabi would be detained or allowed to go, the source said the anti-graft agency might not detain him.

“He may not be detained but he will be asked to come back if needed at the end of the day; but presently, he is still being interrogated.

”The CEO has been invited, he has honoured the invitation, he will go back, there is no reason to keep him in custody when he is already complying.

”The new EFCC is operating in accordance with international best practices. You can see that most of the people invited are always allowed to go if they comply.”

When contacted, the spokesman for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said he would get back to newsmen on the matter.

He had, however, yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

At a post-Hajj press conference in Abuja on Monday, the NAHCON chairman had said the N90bn Hajj subsidy was transparently utilised.

“Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90bn except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme who enjoyed more.

“Hence, all registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 since the N90bn was not sufficient to make up for the balance,” Arabi said.

In June, the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, called on the National Assembly to probe the N90bn released by the Federal Government to subsidise the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The governor described NAHCON’s performance as a failure, saying, “The N90bn subsidy paid by the Federal government for the Hajj operation, with some states, including Niger, paying about billions of naira; there is need for the National Assembly to probe the N90bn the Federal Government released for the 2024 Hajj. It is ridiculous that pilgrims were given only $400 to take care of themselves for about 40 days despite the payment of N8m by each pilgrim.

“The N90bn would have made more impact if shared with states. The money is enough to run the Universal Basic Education budget for four years.”

On June 11, the House of Representatives , resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the NAHCON over the conduct of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Urgent need to investigate the National Hajj Commission and the Federal Capital Territory Administration Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, their agents and sub-agents over shoddy arrangement and treatment of Nigerian pilgrims in the 2024 Hajj exercise.”

The motion was moved by the lawmaker representing Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency of Kwara State, Mr Mohammed Bio.

Describing Hajj exercise as an important obligation important in the life of every Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam, Bio lamented that about 50, 865 Muslim pilgrims across Nigeria were under the care of NAHCON in 2024, noting that some of them were not taken care of in terms of welfare, organisation, guidance and monitoring as expected.

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‘He misled me’ — lady in Baltasar Engonga’s sex tape opens up

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Cristel Nchama, one of the women featured in Baltasar Engonga‘s viral sex tapes, has filed a formal complaint with the National Gendarmerie of Malabo; the armed forces of Equatorial Guinea.

Engonga, Equatorial Guinea’s director-general of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has been in the public eye after officials, who searched his home and office as part of an investigation into alleged fraud, uncovered about 400 explicit videos purportedly featuring him and multiple women.

Among the discoveries were tapes of Engonga seemingly having romps with his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the president of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the director general of police, and about 20 wives of ministers, among others.

The now-viral videos were filmed in his office, hotels, and toilets allegedly with the consent of the participants.

According to Real Equatorial Guinea, Cristel, in the complaint, revealed that she had a four-year relationship with Engonga and felt humiliated by the leaked videos.

She claimed that Engonga “misled” her into trusting him and that she previously resisted being filmed, believing any recordings were deleted.

Cristel also demanded that Engonga pays for the damages caused to her “reputation and honour”.

“I am humiliated, it is my reputation, my honour, I want to know where these images came from and why he kept the images,” she said.

The embattled head of ANIF was sacked on Thursday.

The government also suspended all officials said to have had sexual relations in offices of ministries.

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Akwa Ibom First Lady, Patience Umo Eno, to be laid to rest on November 29

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Akwa Ibom State is set to bid a heartfelt farewell to its beloved First Lady, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, who passed away on September 26, 2024.

Her sudden departure has left a profound void in the hearts of her family, the people of the state, and many across Nigeria and beyond who were touched by her compassion, faith, and dedication to service.

In honor of her life and legacy, the family, in consultation with the state government, has announced a series of memorial events to celebrate her memory and the impact she had on her community.

The events will begin on November 20, 2024, with the Opening of the Mourning House, providing a space for close family, friends, and well-wishers to gather in reflection and quiet tribute. For the following week, from November 20 to 26, the family will receive condolences, allowing those who were touched by Pastor Patience’s kindness and leadership to express their sympathies.

On November 22, a Night of Worship and Tributes will be held at the International Christian Worship Centre in Uyo at 6 p.m. This special event will feature powerful tributes, worship, and heartfelt stories from those who knew her best, a chance to celebrate the faith and grace that Pastor Patience shared so generously.

A more intimate Service of Songs will take place on November 27 at her country home in Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium LGA, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. This gathering will offer an opportunity for loved ones to sing and reflect on the life of a woman who found joy in serving others and whose faith was a beacon of hope.

Finally, on November 29, the state will lay the First Lady to rest with a Funeral Service at her country home, starting at 10 a.m. This moment of reflection will honor her memory and the legacy she leaves behind—a legacy rooted in service, love, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of her people.

A Call for Continued Support

The family has expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they have received from across the nation and beyond. As the funeral date approaches, they continue to request prayers and solidarity as they prepare to say their final goodbyes.

Condolences can be sent to Condolencesforfirstlady@akwaibomstate.gov.ng by November 11, 2024. For further inquiries, those wishing to assist or seek more information can contact Hon. Otobong Edemidiong at +234 806 930 3636 or Dr. Frank Ekpenyong at +234 708 679 1833.

As Akwa Ibom State prepares for the final farewell, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno’s legacy lives on. Her devotion, faith, and service to the people will continue to inspire and guide those who were blessed to know her.

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No law prohibits prosecution of minors, says AGF

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Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, says no law in Nigeria criminalises the prosecution of minors.

Fagbemi spoke at the commissioning of the Law Corridor’s new office complex and the presentation of a book on the modern legal system.

The AGF said the minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protest were rightly arraigned before the Abuja federal high court.

The nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest lasted from August 1-10. Some protesters were arrested and arraigned in different parts of the country.

A handful of the suspects arraigned in Abuja were minors — eliciting outrage from across the country.

On Monday, the president directed the AGF to withdraw the charges against the minors.

On Tuesday, a federal high court in Abuja struck out the suit against 119 persons who allegedly participated in the protest.

The minors were released and hosted by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the State House.

Addressing criticisms that trailed the arraignment, the AGF said: “No law in this country says a minor cannot be tried, and I have also heard suggestions that they should go to a family court”.

“The study of the law and the constitution leaves you no other conclusion than that the federal high court has jurisdiction in matters bordering on treason and related issues. So, whatever the situation, the president has closed the chapter by his decision to have these young men released,” Fagbemi added.

“The president was very compassionate; he is a father and a grandfather. If you look at the facts in the possession of the security agency, you would marvel.

“But the president said, despite all this, ‘I have children, grandchildren,’ and that motivated his passion to release them and also enable them in some ways.

“So the credit goes to him for showing compassionate consideration in releasing the young chaps.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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