Who is Evelyn Joshua who is to succeed Nigeria's televangelist TB Joshua? By Michael Oduor

The wife of the late Nigerian pastor and founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Evelyn Joshua, is poised to become the head of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). The church's elders met recently and declared Everlyn as the successor to the Nigerian televangelist TB Joshua. “Someone must take charge immediately and give spiritual direction on the mode of service continuity. So much spiritual and financial efforts went into building SCOAN and it cannot just waste away,’’ a top aide said. Evelyn met the late pastor in 1990 when she had traveled Egbe to visit her sister. The two were married for 25 years and they had three children. It was further reported that she had gone to meet him for counseling and spiritual guidance. TB Joshua proposed to her on the same day they first met after a 45-minute session. Evelyn would later marry the self-proclaimed prophet to become second in command of the Synagogue, Church of All Nations. Local Nigerian media estimate TB Joshua's networth at $10million, placing him among the top richest pastors on the continent. Apart from preaching, Evelyn also offers counseling among the church followers. The two were married for 31 years and have three children until his death on June 5, 2021. Family sources say the leader will be at his church in Ikotun, Lagos state. Initial reports indicated that the pastor will be buried in his at his church in Ikotun, Lagos state. The church elders and family members later intervened and decided that the pastor will be buried in Lagos. TB Joshua's method of preaching and practice was more or less the same as other churches in Nigeria where the sick got cured, problems addressed among other issues. Although the religious leader boasted an avid following, Prophet T.B. Joshua also had his share of critics who dismissed him as a charlatan and fraudster. There are many others within Nigeria and in the international community who condemned the -- both beloved and controversial, prophet's position on the matter as a human rights issue. Some individuals cast doubts over his ‘miracle powers’ that saw him attract mammoth crowds whenever he had a mega rally. Through his touch, congregants would fall down in what he described as casting out demons from the inflicted. Non-believers have termed his work as a ‘sham’ and even called him a ‘fake’ preacher.

EFCC re-arraigns three FIRS directors, six others over alleged N4.5b fraud By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, re-arraigned Peter Hena, former Coordinating Director of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and eight other officers of the agency before Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The others are Mohammed Bello Auta (Director of Finance), Amina Sidi (Finance and Account Department), Umar Aliyu Aduka (Internal Audit), Mbura Mustapha (Deputy Manager), Obi Okeke Malachy (Services Group), Obaje Napoleon Adofu (Head of Budget), Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred (Officer II) and Benjamin Jiya (Assistant Director). The defendants however pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Their re-arraignment followed the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu. The defendants were docked on a 42-count charge bordering on corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of N4,558,160,676.9 (four billion, five hundred and fifty-eight million, one hundred and sixty thousand, six hundred and seventy-six naira, nine kobo). Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Peter Hena, Mohammed Bello Auta, Amina Sidi, Umar Aliyu Aduka, Mbura, Mustapha, Obi Okeke Malachy, Obaje Napoleon Adofu, Udo-Inyang Effiong Alfred and Benjamin Jiya, while being staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Services between January 2017 and December 2018 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired together with the other officials of FIRS to conceal funds which are proceeds of unlawful activities to wit: corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of funds and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 and punishable under Section 15(2) (a) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 ( as amended by Act No. 1 of 2021).”

Court sets July 21 hearing date for suit seeking Buhari’s sack from office By Ameh Ochojila Abuja

The federal high court in Abuja has fixed July 21 for hearing of a suit instituted against President Muhammadu Buhari by a former presidential candidate Ambrose Albert Owuru seeking court order to declare the presidential seat vacant. The date has been communicated to parties in the suit through hearing notices served on them by the court bailiff. The Chief Judge of the Federal high court, Justice John Tsoho, assigned the case to Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo for adjudication. Apart from President Buhari, other defendants in the suit with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/480/2021 are the Attorney General of the Federation and the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC as first, second and third defendants respectfully. Owuru dragged President Buhari before the court praying it for an order to declare the presidency vacant on the ground that Buhari was not the winner of the February 2019 presidential election. The suit is coming more than two years after the conduct of the presidential election,. Owuru, a British trained constitutional lawyer and called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, is asking the court to declare Buhari as illegally occupying the presidential seat. The plaintiff, who stood for the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Hope Democratic Party, wants the court to declare him as the authentic winner of the poll and another order of the court directing his immediate inauguration to take over from Buhari. In the suit he instituted on June 16. 2021, Owuru claimed that he won the February 16. 2019 Presidential election and that his suit against Buhari at the Supreme Court was inconclusive due to errors on adjourned date. He sought a declaration by the federal high court that he is entitled to serve out a tenure of 4 years after his formal inauguration. Among other reliefs , the ex presidential candidate wants Buhari removed from office with immediate effect and also be ordered to refund all salaries allowances and emoluments he collected while being unlawfully in office as President. Owuru pleaded with the court to give order that salaries, allowances and emoluments be paid to him from May 29. 2019 when he ought to have been sworn in till date. The plaintiff further applied for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Buhari, Attorney General of the Federation and Independent National Electoral Commission INEC from further organizing and conducting any Presidential election in 2023 so as to enable him complete his 4 year term when inaugurated.

NGIGE’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT By FEMI ADESINA

Did you watch the interview granted about 10 days ago by Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige, to Channels Television NewsNight program anchored by Ladi Akeredolu Ale? If you didn’t, then you missed something. But not to worry, you can still get to watch it online. I have decided to call it Sermon on the Mountain, according to Dr Ngige. It was bold, frank, forthright, and something to be highly commended. The medical doctor-turned-politician and now Conciliator General of the Federation parried no question. He answered them all. And most important was that he spoke boldly about the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) at a time most leaders of thought and people of influence in the region were still calling them ‘Unknown Gunmen,’ cowering under their beds, afraid of speaking the truth to a rebellion gone awry. The first person I recall who spoke boldly about IPOB/ESN was Gov Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, when he addressed the Press at the Presidential Villa some weeks back. He said he knew who the unknown gunmen were. And he mentioned the group, saying he didn’t agree with their tactics, but he understood why they were doing what they were doing. Another person who came boldly to sue for peace was former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzo Kalu. He urged the young men to sheathe their swords, and stop the self- immolation spree they were embarking on. Some other interest groups issued statements that were tepid, neither here nor there, while others spoke from both sides of the mouth. It was obvious that they didn’t want to condemn the secessionist group, lest they become targets themselves. The group seemed impudent and irreverent enough to confront anybody. But Ngige came out smoking, calling a spade a spade. He held nothing back, firing from the hips, asking for no quarter, and getting none. I was, therefore, not surprised when some days later, Governors of all the States in the South East came out as one body, denouncing secession, and expressing faith in a united Nigeria. Ngige and some few others before him had shone the light, and people were finding the way. Let’s plumb the depths of the interview, and see what the former Anambra State Governor, ex-Senator, and two-time Minister said. He was asked to comment on the security situation, first in the country generally, and then South East in particular. The Minister made it clear that agitation for secession had always been there since return to democratic rule in 1999, under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President. There was MASSOB led by Raph Uwazurike, which wanted the sovereign state of Biafra, and from which some people broke off to form IPOB. There was also Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the West, and Arewa Peoples Congress up North. There was also the remnant of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which repudiated the 1999 Constitution, and vowed to write a new one for the country. “As the economic situation degenerates in the country, so does security degenerate,” the Minister submitted, adding: “The situation now is not as uncontrollable as some people paint it. The current government is trying its best.” Very courageous, if you ask me. Ngige told his interviewer that he had been Governor, Senator, and now Minister since 2015, “and I can safely tell you that we need an ad-hoc, mid-term, and long term funding plan for security.” Then to the big elephant in the room. Secessionist agitation by IPOB and its military wing, the ESN. The Minister said he was sorry for them, particularly as someone who was a soldier, and saw action during the Nigeria/Biafra Civil War. “When I see those gathering Ak-47 from slain policemen to fight a separatist war, I laugh. MASSOB was non-violent. IPOB also broke off from MASSOB and was non-violent initially. There’s nothing wrong with referendum to determine where you want to be, as people would vote. But to want to use force, attack police stations, kill policemen, burn INEC facilities and correctional centers, you are only putting people in harm’s way. It is not good. “Terming everybody in South East as IPOB member is not good for investment and business. Before this government came in 2015, bomb explosions were going off everywhere, including in Abuja. Boko Haram was everywhere, before they were chased out and confined to the North East. The government has done so well.” The question was then asked whether the Igbo were truly marginalized in terms of political and economic power. The Minister paused, and said it was a tricky situation. “I’ve noted the way appointments go, especially in the security services. There are some positions you must fill based on seniority, competence, and loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief. I’ve discussed this one-on-one with Mr President a couple of times. Seniority, loyalty and competence are very cardinal. But all these things can be discussed without necessarily taking up arms.” The question turned to whether the South East had been marginalized in terms of infrastructure, and you see Dr Ngige in his elements. “Nobody can say the South East has been shortchanged,” he posits. “It’s ignorance. What this government promised, it has fulfilled. “When it got to office, several states were assisted to clear backlog of salaries. The South East was not left out. Policemen who served in Biafra, and who had been denied pensions got their entitlements. The Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, which had failed, and one lane had been turned to farmland, was rebuilt. A journey of three hours has now become 40 minutes. “The Enugu-Onitsha road, passing through Awka, not touched by many governments before now, is being done. So also Enugu-Amansea, into Oji River. Enugu-Abakaliki is completed. Owerri-Aba-Umuahia is being done. Okigwe-Awudi to Ugah is being done. So also Onitsha to Nnewi. “The Second Niger Bridge is the icing on the cake, costing N236 billion. That bridge will give economic life to the South East, South South, and part of North Central. It is about 53% done, and work is going on vigorously. Yet some people still say they are not remembered in infrastructure. “The zone has produced Senate President for eight years, produced Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Yet they say no appointments. “Enugu Airport had the worst runway before. Today, it is now international in name and standard. Night landing is possible there now, and with the installed Instrument Landing Systems, planes can land there in the worst weather. And this was done by a President they say hates them.” Dr Ngige attributes the antipathy to the President and the All Progressives Congress in the zone to the propaganda of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). “The party had thought no one else could make inroad into the zone, till I broke the jinx in 2011: winning the Senate seat on the platform of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which they called a Yoruba party. It was the greatest fight of my political life.” He laments that separatist agitation became stronger in the region when APC began to govern two states, declaring: “There must be a limit to politicking...some people don’t know when they are crossing boundaries.” Dr Ngige describes President Buhari as a democrat, who is afraid of breaching the Constitution, adding that “he’s a willing horse, and people want to ride him to death, which is not fair.” To another big one. Would the Minister subscribe to President of Igbo extraction in 2023? Why not? He canvasses a return to the Sani Abacha 1995 Constitution that prescribes rotational presidency with single term of five years. “Let’s use it for 30 years, and the six zones would all have tasted the Presidency. We would heal all wounds, and have a more stable polity.. “But I believe APC won’t be unfair to the southern block of the party, which has three zones. We will sit down and discuss.” It is said that dynamite comes in small packages. That was what the Minister proved by that interview. A human dynamo, not afraid to voice his convictions. *Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

Adamant minister stops FIIRO DG’s appointment over demoted officer by Samson Folarin

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has asked the Governing Board of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos, to stop all processes of appointing a substantive Director General. The PUNCH learnt that the directive was as a result of his quest to install Chima Igwe, a demoted official of FIIRO, as the agency’s DG. Igwe was demoted over alleged certificate fraud. The minister was said to have stopped the appointment of a substantive DG until Igwe was cleared. The PUNCH had reported happenings at FIIRO since 2019 when Igwe was appointed the acting director general under controversial circumstances. The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission had been petitioned to investigate Igwe’s doctorate, which he used to obtain several promotions until 2019 when the attestation letter he was parading as proof of the PhD became a subject of investigation. The ICPC later revealed that the degree was non-existence, which subsequently led to Igwe’s removal from the DG’s position and demotion by the board. The minister, Onu, however, instructed the board to reinstate Igwe as the acting DG, a request that was rejected by the board Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Gwarzo. Gwarzo, who was presented with the Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award in 2020 over his role in the matter, later revealed that the minister pushed for the dissolution of the board 10 times because of its refusal to reinstate Igwe. Our correspondent learnt that since the incident, Onu refused to recognise the present acting Director General, Yemisi Asagbra, until he was ordered to do so by the Presidency. Several attempts by the board to begin the process of installing a substantive director-general were allegedly rebuffed by the minister. The latest process was said to have been stalled by Onu in a letter dated May 6, 2021. The letter, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Techology, Edet Sunday Akpan, on behalf of Onu, was titled, ‘Re: Notification and Information.’ It said, “I am directed by the honourable minister to acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above subject ref. no. FGB/6.01/43 dated April 28, 2021 and inform you that the Presidency has directed that a detailed investigation be carried out by the head of civil service of the federation on the certification of Dr Chima Cartney Igwe as Director-General (FIIRO) with necessary disciplinary action, if required. “In view of the above, you are further requested to suspend all actions and processes on the appointment of a substantive director-general/CEO for FIIRO; pending the outcome of the investigation and subsequent directives of Mr President on the matter.” A source at FIIRO told The PUNCH that the investigation Onu referred to had been concluded and did not favour the minister. The source explained that after the demotion of Igwe was officially communicated to him in July 2020, he refused to resume at the Lagos office of the agency. The source said after about six months and with threats that his salary would be suspended, he resumed, but did not report to his new boss. The official said Onu was bent on making him the DG, adding that the minister was waiting for the dissolution of the board. The PUNCH learnt that the minister prior to this time had written a petition to the presidency, seeking the prosecution of the board for corruption. A highly credible source told our correspondent that the Ministry of Finance was asked to investigate the allegation. She said, “The Accountant General of the Federation received directives; a panel was set up, which came to Lagos. The panel wrote a report and the board and management were cleared of any financial wrongdoing. “Onu wrote to the Minister of Justice again, who directed an investigation and it was discovered that there was no wrongdoing. So, the last time, the Office of the Head of Service was asked to investigate the issues surrounding the certificate scandal of Igwe. Everybody was invited, including directors. The report, which we learnt cleared the board, has been handed over to the Presidency. “The board decided to go ahead with the process of appointing a new director general since it believed that the process had nothing to do with Igwe. The President had already ordered that (Dr Yemisi) Asagbra be the acting DG. The board wrote to the minister for ‘information and notification’ on this development. But within two days, he sent back a response and said the board should still wait for Igwe to be cleared.” The PUNCH gathered that the board had resolved to continue with the process of appointing a substantive DG. Efforts by our correspondent to speak to the Office of the Head of Service were abortive. Onu and Igwe did not take their phones, which rang out several times. They did not also respond to text messages seeking their reactions to the allegations. Meanwhile, an anti-corruption group, Human and Environmental Development Agenda, has called on the ICPC to prosecute Igwe. In a petition dated June 7, 2021 and addressed to the ICPC, the group’s Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, demanded that Igwe refund all earnings linked to his phantom certificate. HEDA said if the ICPC failed to prosecute the embattled official, it would head to court “to ensure that justice is served.” PUNCH.

Final NDDC forensic audit report to be ready end of July – Akpabio by Stephen Angbulu

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has said that the final report of a forensic audit of Niger Delta Development Commission will not be ready until the end of July when it will be presented to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for implementation. Akpabio disclosed on Tuesday evening in an interview with State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari. The minister also disclosed that the name of nominees for the reconstitution of the NNDC board will be forwarded to the National Assembly soonest. Recall that the Federal Executive Council had in February 2020 approved the appointment of a lead consultant for the forensic audit of Niger Delta Development Commission. “We have fast-tracked the process of constituting the board, but we insist that the most important thing is not just the development of the Niger Delta region but how to reposition NDDC to ensure optimal performance as against the practice in the past. “So, the forensic audit of NDDC is on course and it is progressing very well and I am happy with the progress made so far. “And I am very certain that by end of July which is just a month and a few weeks away from that the final result will be given to the president for implementation. “And in terms of the composition of the board of the NDDC, that of course, we have fast-tracked the process and the National Assembly will soon get the list. However, he said that this is not as crucial as the forensic audit whose presentation deadline has been slated for July. Akpabio expressed hope that the new board would implement the recommendations of the forensic audit to work and reposition the commission. He however regretted that, in the past, the NDDC headquarters was disconnected from the national grid for about 15 years. “And we have noticed the fact that even the headquarters building that was started over 20 years to 24 years ago, nobody was interested. “I think they were pursuing projects that were probably beneficial to either the staff or the management and not necessarily things that benefited the region.” He stated that the East-West Road was another major area of concentration which the NDDC itself should have focused on; adding that, as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, he worked on several federal roads. “And to the glory of God, the president has refunded the money that most of the states used in intervening in federal roads which means it was a good gesture and the president has reciprocated it by the fact that the monies were refunded to those states. “So, I think, even NDDC should have intervened in East-West Road to ensure its completion because of the economic importance of the road. “Just three days ago, we had a mishap where one of the bridges had a problem; the approach to the bridge, it caused so much traffic jam in Port Harcourt for hours and we had to move in. “To the glory of God, we have repaired the damaged section of the road and traffic is flowing and we working very hard to make sure that we complete that road come next year for the benefit of the Nigerians not just Niger Delta,” he said. The Minister also emphasised that the country cannot afford another crisis in South-South of similar magnitude with the South East because of its importance to the economic survival of Nigeria. He also claimed to have held talks with former agitators in the region to avert any disruption to economic activities in that region. He added that these meetings with stakeholders was part of his effort to calm the tensions and he recommended the same strategy to political leaders of other crisis-ridden areas. Quizzed it he was under any form of pressure by former agitators to reconstitute the NDDC board, Akpabio replied, “No. Everything is politics whether it’s development or composition. “Nobody has put me under pressure to reconstitute the board. I can sponsor any group of people to make a statement but the major thing is peace of the region. “The region is very critical to the economy of the country. So, when I made the move I made to go and talk to stakeholders, it was for the purpose of the economy of the nation, and also, we cannot afford for the South-South region, particularly the Niger Delta to go into a crisis like what we are witnessing in the South-East and all that. “And I think the example I set is what is being emulated now in the southeast that there is need for those in government to go home and interact with the grassroots and explain things to them so that we can stop the restiveness that we are witnessing in many zones in the country. “So, my going into the creeks to meet with the traditional fathers and all…I can tell you we don’t have militants any longer because of the amnesty programme but you can say ex-agitators. “It was in the interest not just for the security of the region but also the peace of the region and by implication ensure that critical infrastructure that affects the economy of the country were maintained and were not tempered with. “I think it was a step in the right direction because I can see even the South-East is also emulating that example and I want to also urge other zones in the country to do so. “We can’t all concentrate in Abuja. We should go back home and get the feelings of our people and explain things to them. That way, you will reduce the tension because sometimes ignorance can lead to insurgence and insecurity. “So, I will continue to interact with my people, you may call it ultimatum or anything. It’s not. Sometimes, it’s a way of trying to say, come home and talk to us and let us know what is going on. He assured Nigerians that the constitution of the board is in the pipeline and the same goes for the forensic audit, adding that both processes are not mutually exclusive because the outcome of the audit is what the board will use in repositioning the NDDC.

PUNCH Diaspora: Nigerian, Okuo, accomplice accused of alleged internet scam in US by Victoria Edeme

A Nigerian, Mark Okuo and his Kenyan accomplice, Florence Musau, have been accused of alleged conspiracy in internet scam, leading to over $4 million. The 41-year-old Okuo and 36-year-old Musau were accused of depositing $1.3million into various bank accounts from their fraudulent proceeds since 2018, DailyMail reported. About $195,000 was obtained through five romance scams from dating apps. The duo has been working together since 2018 to defraud people via dating and banking platforms and on Monday, Musau pleaded guilty to wire and bank fraud. According to a criminal complaint, Okuo had defrauded unsuspecting women on dating sites under the pretext of being a US Army soldier from Africa or Middle East. He had always promised them marriage, as he asked the women to wire him money to enable him to leave the military and return to the US. In one case, Okuo had professed love to a woman from Georgia, claiming that he needed $4,700 to return to the US to marry her. The unsuspecting victim had transferred the amount to an account controlled by Okuo. One of his victims had also transferred $137,000 to bank accounts that were controlled by Okuo and Musau, after falling for his tactics. His Kenyan accomplice, Musau, after pleading guilty, was on Monday sentence to 30 years imprisonment beginning on October 14.