Kudrin Returns?

by Alexander Mercouris for The Duran

The announcement that former Russian Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin has been appointed deputy head of Russian President Putin’s Council of Economic Advisers has provoked a stir.

This is not surprising. Few individuals in Russian politics polarise opinion as strongly as Kudrin does.

Buhari Arrives Daura After Signing The 2016 Budget.PICS

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived Daura his home town in Katsina state for a short break after signing the 2016 national budget earlier today. The President who is expected back in Abuja by Monday, was received by the state governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari and top federal and state government functionaries at the airport before leaving for Daura, his hometown.

House On Fire This Morning In Owerri- Firemen Worked With Muftis

Residents of this neighbourhood in Owerri, Imo State woke up to the shouts of fire, which had engulfed a 2-storey building within the neighborhood. According to the eye-witness (Nnamdi Nwaigwe) who took the photos, the Imo State Fire Service Men later intervened, but that was after much damage had been done.

I Budgeted N200 Billion For Roads Unlike Jonathan’s Paltry N18 Billion – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration has prioritised the repair and construction of roads within the country, unlike his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, who earmarked very little for infrastructure.
Mr. Buhari said this in a speech Friday before signing the 2016 budget into law.
“To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200 billion to road construction as against a paltry N18 billion allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget,” President Buhari said.

"Niger-Delta Avengers" Threaten To Bomb Lagos And Abuja - Madoch Agninibo

A Niger Delta Militant Group, the “Nigeria Delta Avengers” has issued a statement threatening to “take it to” Lagos and Abuja after bombing Chevron platforms in Warri, Delta state.

In a statement signed by one Col. Madoch Agninibo, the group threatened to carry out other attacks on oil installations outside the Niger Delta in Abuja and Lagos.

EFCC Arrests Herbert Wigwe, Access Bank MD

The Economic and financial crimes commission, today raided the Headquarters of Access bank and have detained the MD, Herbert Wigwe....more details soon.

UPDATE :

Wigwe was arrested over the role he played in the huge sums of cash laundered through the bank by officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). An EFCC source who pleaded anonymity revealed that the Access Bank MD received $5 million routed through Zenith Bank. 

Budget: Saraki Assures Nigerians Of Adequate Oversight

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has commended Nigerians for their patience while awaiting presidential assent to the 2016 Appropriation Act and promised that the National Assembly will ensure its proper implementation through diligent oversight.

Saraki who today (Friday) joined Speaker Yakubu Dogara and other top government officials in witnessing the signing of the budget into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, said the responsibility is now that of both the executive and the legislature to ensure that the objectives and goals of the budget are duly realized.

Azasoo-Nkornoo, Mc Flava Pounds Is Dead (Pictured)

Popular Ghanaian actor, Lucky Azasoo-Nkornoo better known as Mc Flava Pounds, passed on in the late hours of Wednesday, May 4 after a brief illness.

Mc Flava Pounds starred in the popular Efiewura TV series and he also made a cameo appearance in Atom’s ‘Yewo Krom’ video.

Okada Rider Found Dead In Delta, His New Motorcycle Missing (Graphic Photos)

According to Ono Okeh, an Okada rider was killed in front of her office gate in Delta State on Wednesday, May 4. The victim’s body was found in the pool of his blood and is suspected to have been killed because of his brand new motorcycle.
“In as much as I hate to share such sickening news these days, this is just too close for comfort. I quite understand the location of my work place is a bit quite and bushy but for a man to be murdered and yet no one within or outside the premise witnessed the incident and probably raised alarm breaks my heart.” She wrote.

EFCC Operatives Leave Fani-kayode’s Home

Gun-wielding operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, who earlier stormed the No 5, Zuma Close, off Aso Drive, Abuja home of former spokesperson of Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign Organization and erstwhile Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, have left the place.

Car bursts into flames on Oba Okran Road (Photo)

According to Twitter User @tullar360, a car is presently on fire on Oba Akran Road, Ikeja. From the look of the picture shared, the car is totally damaged.

Ekweremadu Not EFCC’s Anti-Corruption Ambassador

The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to some reports in the print and online media, on April 20, 2016 claiming that the anti-graft agency has decorated the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, as “Anti-Corruption Ambassador”.

Anti-Graft War: NLC Pledges Support for EFCC

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba, has assured the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of the union’s unalloyed support in the fight against economic and financial crimes.


Wabba, who led some members of the union to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on April 19, 2016 stressed the importance of having a united front in confronting the “monster” called corruption.

EFCC, CBN Collaborate On Anti-Graft War

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, is to collaborate with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to review laws of the Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act, BOFIA, 2004 to effectively tackle the emerging money laundering trends and other corrupt practices in the country.

How Nwobike Paid N750,000 Into Justice Yunusa’s Account - Witness

A witness in the ongoing trial of Dr Joseph Nwobike SAN, who is standing trial for allegedly bribing a Federal High Court judge, today told a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere, how the senior lawyer paid N750,000(Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) into  Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa's bank account with Zenith bank.

Court Affirms Jurisdiction To Try Rickey Tarfa

Justice A. A. Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere on Friday, dismissed an application filed before the court by Rickey Tarfa, SAN, challenging the jurisdiction of the court and seeking an order to quash the 27-count charge bordering on alleged willful obstruction of authorized officers of EFCC, refusing to declare assets, making false information and offering gratification to a public official brought against him by the anti-graft agency.

George Uboh, EFCC Accuser Bags 3 Years Jail Term for Fraud

George Uboh, the serial fraudster who sensationally accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of diverting proceeds of recovered assets was today convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment by Justice S. E. Aladetoyinbo of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja, for his role in converting the property of the defunct Police Equipment Foundation to his own use.

EFCC Arrests Bayelsa Governor’s Ex- Aide for Offering N10m bribe to EFCC Official

 A former Senior Special Assistant on Media to Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The suspect, Abnedgo Don- Evarada, was arrested on Monday in Port- Harcourt, Rivers State for offering a bribe of N10million (Ten Million Naira) to the EFCC's Zonal Head in Port- Harcourt, Mr Ishaq Salihu. Don-Evarada ran into trouble when he approached Salihu, over a case involving the Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa's state governor on Millennium Development Goals, Apere Embelakpo and his wife, Fiene Beauty. belakpo is being investigated for alleged diversion of N800million( Eight Hundred Million Naira only), being funds meant for the Millennium Development Goals, MDG, while his wife is being investigated for alleged money laundering, forgery and suspicious transactions to the tune of N200million( Two Hundred Million Naira only). Don- Evarada offered the bribe ostensibly to compromise the EFCC investigation but his overture was turned down and was arrested. He is being kept in the custody of the EFCC and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

Ex- Kaduna Local Govt Pension Board Cashier Bags One Year Jail Term for N8.6m Fraud

Justice M.T.M. Aliyu of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, convicted and sentenced one  Bitrus A. Mallam, a former cashier with the Kaduna State Local Government Pension Board, to 12 months imprisonment on  a one-count charge bordering on theft to the tune of N8,658,359(  Eight Million Six Hundred and Fifty-Eight Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty-Nine Naira) brought against him by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

ANAN Seeks Collaboration with EFCC

President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN, Anthony Chukwuemeka Nzom, FCNA, has sought collaboration between the association and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the area of forensic study, as part of efforts to rid the country of corruption.

EFCC Docks Two for Land Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Wednesday April 27, 2016, arraigned Nnaji Steven and Nnamani Sunday on a four count charge bordering on forgery, uttering and conspiracy to obtain the sum of N330,000.00 (three hundred and thirty thousand naira ) by false pretence, under the guise that they own a piece of land at Nike in Enugu State which they claimed was up for sale and swindled a certain Ofurum Uchida of the said sum.

Court Remands Business Woman for N25.9m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Tuesday May 3, 2016, arraigned Obiageli Funmilayo Nwagu on a six count charge of Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Issuance of Dud Cheques before Justice C. O Ajah of the State High Court, Enugu.


The accused person pleaded not guilty on all counts.

In view of the accused person’s plea, the defense counsel, O.A.U Onyema prayed the court to grant the accused bail. But the prosecuting counsel, M.A Shehu opposed the bail application and immediately drew the attention of the court to two separate applications for bail by the defense. The defense counsel immediately withdrew the earlier application, which the court granted.

How Sodangi, Kaduna Pension Consultant Collected N66.5m Pension - Witness tells court

The investigation was triggered by a petition written by a group named, "movement for better future", which alleged massive fraud in the Kaduna State Pension Bureau. The petitioners alleged that the then management of the Bureau conspired with the consultant to steal pension fund through enrolment of ghost pensioners.


They identified some of the ghost pensioners to include "Mohammed Ibrahim (Keystone bank), Mohammed S. (FCMB) and Abdullahi Shehu (Access bank).

Account officer Confirms fraudulent Transfer of N67.45 m from NIMASA

As trial of a former Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick  Ziadeke Akpobolokemi and six others continued today 3rd May, 2016 before Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere, an account officer Oliver Ewerem of Access Bank Plc narrated how funds were transferred to Gama Marine Nigeria Limited and one Vincent Udoye from a NIMASA account.

EFCC Set To Arraign Ex-Police Commissioner, Mohammed Sambo, For N10m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on Thursday, May 12, 2016  arraign a retired Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Sambo, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja  on one-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and obtaining money by false pretence  to the tune of N10,000,000.00m( Ten Million Naira).

NIGERIAN ARMY HANDS OVER 5 ILLEGAL OIL BUNKERERS TO EFCC

Five illegal oil bunkerers arrested by troops of the 130 Battalion of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, Port- Harcourt Barracks, Rivers State have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The suspects comprising four men and a lady are: Sokari Iminabo; Segun Olagunju; Uche Emmanuel; Obinna Ezime and Mrs Tony Patience.

How Suswan Diverted N3.111bn State Funds - Witness Hits: 22

The trial of Gabriel Suswan, former Governor of Benue State and his finance commissioner, Okolobia Okpanachi continued on Thursday, May 5, 2016 with the prosecution presenting its fourth witness, PW4, Abubakar Umar, who told the court how monies were converted to dollars and given to the governor.

EFCC Arraigns Bank Manager for N8m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC on Thursday May 5, 2016 arraigned one Irene Okeoha before Justice S. C. Amadi of the State High Court, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State on one-count charge of stealing to the tune of eight million naira (N8, 000, 000. 00).



Okeoha, who is the customer service manager, Ecobank Plc, Hotel Presidential branch, allegedly defrauded the bank of  the sum of eight million naira.

Internet Scam: Fraudster Bags Two Years Imprisonment.

A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State has convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment, Osayemi Dumi. Dumi was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 4-count charge bordering on money laundering and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N26, 200 ,0000 (twenty six million, two hundred thousand naira).


Upon his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the 4-count charge, but later changed his plea to guilty. His latest plea changed the course of the trial.

False Alarm: EFCC Tenders Documents Against Suspect

Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Port- Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, May 5, 2016 admitted two exhibits against Stanley Emesibe, who is standing trial on a 3-count charge bordering on false information and forgery preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Catherine Austin Fitts interviews the Saker for the Solari Report: A Unipolar vs. Multipolar World

Last month I have had, once again, the real pleasure to have a one hour long conversation with Catherine Austin Fitts, the president of Solari, Inc., the publisher of The Solari Report and managing member of Solari Investment Advisory Services.  Normally, the Catherine’s interviews are for subscribers only, but she has kindly agreed to make it available for free to our community.

Here is the main page of the interview: https://solari.com/blog/the-saker-a-uni-polar-vs-multi-polar-world/

You can listen to the interview here: https://solari.com/audio/sr20160407_InterviewHQ.mp3

You can get the transcript in PDF format here:https://solari.com/00archive/web/solarireports/2016/sr20160407_1.pdf

I highly recommend that you check out the rest of the Solari Reports and the Solari Books.

Enjoy!

The Saker

STAND for Ukraine Act H.R. 5094 and its authors, by Scott

The week before the Orthodox Christian Easter, the US senate went frantic with activities, adopting one obscene legislature after another.

• On April 28, US House Armed Services Committee adopted $610 billion, one of the largest single annual budget measures considered by Congress
• $3.4 billion effort to increase the US military presence in Eastern Europe
• Tackled the question of another major arms control agreement: The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, which the US violated by using long-range cruise missile capable Mk-41 launchers for BMD systems in Europe. The US Congress agreed with itself that Russia did it
• The US has just violated the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement
• US Lawmakers to Kill Open Skies Treaty

Counter-propaganda, Russian style

This column was written for the Unz review:http://www.unz.com/tsaker/counter-propaganda-russian-style/

Listening to the western corporate media one would get the impression that the Kremlin controls all the Russian media with an iron grip and that not a word of criticism of Russia, nevermind Putin himself, is ever allowed. So bad is this situation that the AngloZionists are now funding new “information” efforts to counter-act the Russian propaganda machine and bring some much needed information to the Russian people who clearly do not realize that they are being lied to and deprived from any truthful or even alternative information.

NATO on trade, in Europe and Asia, is doomed

by Pepe Escobar for RT

The President of the United States (POTUS) is desperate. Exhibit A: His Op-Ed defending the Asian face – the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – of a wide-ranging, twin-headed NATO-on-trade “pivoting”.

The European face is of course the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).