Airport revenue: EFCC operatives move to arrest FAAN MD Uriesi

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli, and Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

 

EFCC Chairman Lamorde

•’It’s not true’

Some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday stormed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the row between the agency and Maevis Nigeria Limited on collection of revenue at the nation’s airports. 
But the officials of the anti-graft agency however could not effect the arrest of the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi.
His whereabouts was unknown as of press time.
According to a source, who spoke in confidence, the EFCC team went to FAAN Headquarters following the refusal of Uriesi to appear before the anti-graft agency in connection with the ongoing face-off between FAAN and Maevis. 
The source said: “We got a petition from the MD of FAAN against Maevis and two banks but since we commenced investigation, he has refused to appear before the EFCC team. 
“At a point, we sent a letter of invitation to him and he did not honour it again. Yet as the petitioner, he needs to substantiate allegations tabled before the commission. 
“We also require some documents from FAAN to enable us get to the roots of the matter. But FAAN has not been forthcoming. 
“Our team then decided to visit FAAN to conduct some search but we could not locate the MD not to talk of effecting his arrest. We hope he will turn up at our headquarters in Abuja .” 
When contacted, the acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “Our operatives were at the FAAN headquarters on Monday over some issues.” 
The Federal Government had in March terminated Maevis concession contract which it secured in 2008 
FAAN alleged it is disadvantaged in the concession thus had to wield the big stick. It also said Maevis turned down all overtures to renegotiate the agreement.
FAAN immediately announced another service provider, Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA) to take over the revenue collection at $1.40 per passenger processed through airports hitherto managed by Maevis. 
It was however learnt that it was FAAN that had actually requested the ICPC and EFCC to investigate the activities of two banks used by Maevis Limited. 
It alleged the diversion of funds belonging to FAAN into the coffers of Maevis Limited during the same period.” 
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had some weeks ago quizzed a former Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, a former Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Azuka Onyia and other management staff over the same row with MAEVIS on airport revenue. 
But FAAN has denied the planned arrest of its Managing Director. It said it was a rumour
Its spokesman Mr Akin Olukunle, said at no time did officials of the EFCC visit FAAN to arrest Mr Uriesi, describing the rumour as the handiwork of  mischief makers.
Olukunle urged those who are bent on distracting the efforts of FAAN management to engage themselves constructively, rather than spreading false information that will engender bitterness and disharmony in the system.

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French new president sworn in

  By Agency Reporter

 

France's outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) looks at newly-elected President Francois Hollande (R)shaking hands with the outgoing First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (C) on the steps of the Elysee Palace on Tuesday. Photo:Reuters

Francois Hollande became French president on Tuesday in an official handover ceremony that makes him the country's first Socialist leader since Francois Mitterrand.

Outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy greeted Hollande on the steps of the Elysee presidential palace, and took him inside to transfer nuclear codes and other secret files ahead of a short swearing-in ceremony attended by around 400 guests.

Reuters gathered that Hollande was due to fly to Berlin later in the day for his first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

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Senate confirms Bianca Ojukwu as ambassador

By The Nation: Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu

 

Mrs. Ojukwu

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu as an Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs which recommended her confirmation.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Matthew Nwagwu (Imo North) presented the report of the committee entitled: “That the Senate do consider the report of the committee on Foreign Affairs on the screening of Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu for appointment as an Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and approve the recommendation therein” at a plenary in Abuja.

Mrs. Ojukwu was not able to attend the screening of 85 ambassadorial nominees due to the death of her husband.

Although it was not stated, information available to our correspondents has it that Mrs. Ojukwu might be made special ambassador attached to the Office of the President. 

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Rashidi Yekini dies at 48

By Agency Reporter

 

 Yekini

Former African Footballer of the Year, Rashidi Yekini died Friday in Iraa, officials and family members announced.
Kwara State sports commissioner, Anthony Kayode Towoju, confirmed the passing away Friday evening of one of Africa’s most lethal strikers.
Family members said he died of a strange ailment and he is to be buried Saturday in his hometown of Offa according to Muslim rites.
MTNFootball.com reported that Yekini’s goals helped Nigeria to qualify for its first-ever World Cup in 1994 and he was rewarded with the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award in 1993.
He featured for Portuguese club Vitoria Setubal and also had a brief stint at Sporting Gijon in Spain and Greek side Olympiacos.
The 48-year-old Yekini has lived a reclusive life since he quit football around 2005, when he returned to star in the Nigerian league.
He has aggressively shunned the media limelight and has severally turned down offers to be part of the country’s football in some other capacities.
He rejected a chance to act as a Nigerian football ambassador to the 2010 World Cup and eventually his place was taken up by ex-international goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu.
Last month, former international skipper, Segun odegbemi, who played alongside Yekini at the famous Shooting Stars of Ibadan, dismissed concerns over the player’s well being.
Odegbami even promised in his weekly syndicated newspaper column that the striker will soon return to football to promote youth football after a lengthy private chat with him.
MTNFootball.com has specially gathered that his aged mother and second wife came to Ibadan two weeks ago to take Nigeria’s most prolific international striker to Offa after neighbours noticed he was “behaving funny”.
A visit to his house in Oni and Son, around Ring Road, Ibadan, showed that there is no one living there as the gate is firmly locked while the premises housing the four white flats is unkempt with overgrown grasses.
There were no cars in the compound and the tenants who lived in the other flats have since been evicted by their famous landlord.

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