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Okpebholo Refutes $45.21 Million Flyover Agreement with China, Responds to PDP Claims
Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has categorically denied entering into any agreement with the Chinese government regarding a $45.21 million deal for the construction of flyover bridges. He reassured the citizens of Edo that he would not follow in the footsteps of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, who was often criticized for signing numerous memoranda of understanding (MoUs) without tangible outcomes.
This statement comes in response to allegations from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) asserting that Okpebholo had signed a deal with the China Exim Bank. In a statement released by his media aide, Godswill Inegbe, Okpebholo expressed his commitment to staying focused and not being swayed by those still grappling with the aftermath of their defeat in the September 21 governorship election.
Okpebholo clarified that, as governor-elect, he is not authorized to secure loans on behalf of the state. He stated, “My priority is to address the numerous loans accumulated by the outgoing Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s administration, which have not resulted in beneficial development.”
**Full Statement:**
*Re: Ahead of Inauguration: Akpakomiza signs a $45.21m MoU with a Chinese Bank to build flyovers in Benin City.*
*The cycle of deception continues!*
We wish to bring to public attention the misleading publication claiming that Senator Monday Okpebholo, the victor of the November 21 governorship election in Edo State, is negotiating a $45.21 million loan with a Chinese agency for the construction of three flyovers in Benin City.
Typically, we would disregard such distractions; however, our findings indicate that this report stems from individuals still reeling from their recent electoral defeat, prompting us to clarify the facts.
The photograph circulating online, which depicts the Governor-elect at the Chinese Ambassador’s office in Abuja, was taken during a visit where he was not engaged in discussions to sign any MoU with the China Exim Bank, contrary to the claims made in the publication.
As the Governor-elect, Senator Okpebholo lacks the official capacity to secure loans for the state. His focus is instead on managing and addressing the existing debts from the past administration that have yielded no developmental progress.
A pragmatic leader, Senator Okpebholo is determined not to base his governance on MoUs and will not become another MoU governor for Edo State.
Those affiliated with the outgoing administration and members of the defeated PDP, who are spreading these unfounded rumors about the Governor-elect, should prioritize the transition process instead of engaging in disruptive tactics.
Senator Okpebholo will not heed advice from those whose leadership has financially burdened the people of Edo over the past seven years. He is committed to safeguarding public funds and will ensure that the resources belonging to the people of Edo are utilized judiciously for the state’s development.
Rather than perpetuating lies, we call on those responsible for these fabrications to apologize to the citizens of Edo State and reflect on their past misdeeds. They should seek forgiveness from the people they have financially and mentally traumatized over the last seven years.
**E-Signed:**
Godswill Inegbe,
S.A. Media to Senator Monday Okpebholo,
October 27, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared four individuals wanted over the alleged fraud perpetrated on crypto bridge exchange (CBEX), a trading platform.
The four suspects are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, and Seyi Oloyede.
More to follow…
The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.
Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.
The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.
Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.
According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.
Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.
The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.
The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.
“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.
In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.
The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.
The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.
They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The competition and consumer protection tribunal has upheld the $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Incorporated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In a statement on Friday by Ondaje Ijagwu, the agency’s director for corporate affairs, FCCPC said the tribunal also awarded $35,000 to the commission as the cost of investigation.
On July 19, 2024, FCCPC imposed a fine of $220 million on Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, for multiple data privacy violations.
However, Meta said it would appeal the fine.
The case stemmed from a 38-month joint investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the privacy practices and consumer data policies of WhatsApp and Meta.
Delivering judgment on Thursday in Abuja, the tribunal led by Thomas Okosun ruled that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory powers in investigating and sanctioning the companies for alleged anti-competitive and exploitative practices.
The tribunal dismissed the appeals filed by Meta and WhatsApp, which challenged the legal basis of the commission’s findings and orders.
Instead, it upheld the commission’s position on nearly all contested issues.
Gbolahan Elias (SAN) led WhatsApp and Meta’s legal teams, while Babatunde Irukera led the FCCPC’s legal team.
According to the statement, both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28.
‘FCCPC ADHERED TO DUE PROCESS’
The tribunal, in its ruling, found that the FCCPC adhered to due process and acted within the law.
It resolved issues one to seven primarily in favour of the commission.
“The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence,” the statement reads.
“One of the central issues (Issue 3), which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.
“The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.
“On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.
“On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour.
“The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.
“While issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the commission, the tribunal set aside Order 7 of the commission’s final order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.”
Commenting on the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman (EVC) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the FCCPC, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a landmark judgment reinforcing the commission’s mandate to protect consumers and ensure fair market practices.
He commended the commission’s legal team for their diligence.
Bello reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enforcing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.