A US Court document has detailed conversations between Nigeria’s celebrated Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and infamous suspected fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, alias Hushpuppi regarding bribery and arrest of another suspected fraudster.

Hushpuppi, who recently pleaded guilty in the United States, had narrated how he bribed Kyari.

Officials said in court filings that Hushpuppi disclosed during interrogation that he paid bribes to Nigeria’s police chief, Kyari, to have one of his rivals arrested and jailed in Nigeria following a dispute over a $1.1 million dupe of a Qatari businessperson.

Abbas had asked Kyari to arrest and jail a fellow fraudster Kelly Chibuzor Vincent after both were locked in a dispute presumably over how to share the $1.1 million loot received from the Qatari businessperson.

Vincent subsequently contacted the victim and informed them that they were being scammed by a syndicate involving him and Abbas.

This elicited anger from Abbas (Hushpuppi), who contacted Kyari to arrest and jail his rival over the dispute. Abbas (Hushpuppi) said Kyari sent pictures of Vincent in jail and subsequently sent a bank account number to him (Hushpuppi) to which a wire transfer should be made having done a ‘good’ job as sent by Abbas (Hushpuppi).

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But, Kyari had taken to his Facebook page to react to the allegation, claiming he only assisted Hushpuppi to get native clothes and caps worth N300,000.

Although he admitted to arresting Vincent, he said it was after Hushpuppi alleged that Vincent was threatening his family here in Nigeria.

Kyari denied knowing about the relationship between Hushpuppi and Vincent at the initial stage and later discovered Vincent and Hushpuppi had a misunderstanding over the said amount of money.

He also said he never demanded any money from Abbas (Hushpuppi), adding that they (Kyari and his team) were focused on saving people who were being threatened.

But, the court document proves otherwise, showing clearly that Kyari’s claims were lies.

According to the document, after an earlier discussion with Kyari, Hushpuppi requested for Vincent’s (also known as Chibuzor) contact details, which the latter provided.

Hushpuppi forwarded the contact details to Kyari and on January 15, 2020, Hushpuppi sent an audio recording to Kyari via WhatsApp, stating that he wanted to remind Kyari about what they discussed earlier.

On January 16, 2020, Hushpuppi sent the following threats to Chibuzor: “I dey always tell people to think well before they offend me and make them make sure they fit stand the consequences when the time comes. I won’t say more than that but very soon, very, very soon, the wrath of my hands shall find you and when it does, it will damage you forever. At this point I no get discussion with you, you have committed a crime that won’t be forgiven, that is punishable and you shall receive die (sic) punishment in due time. I swear with my life, you will regret messing with me, you will even wish you died before my hands will touch you.”

Later on, Kyari confirmed the arrest and detention of Vincent Chibuzor to Abbas (Hushpuppi), who requested for an account number to which he will send the bribe meant for Kyari’s team members.

Hushpuppi also pleaded with Kyari to inform his team members to deal with Vincent like an armed robber.

The transcript of their conversation goes thus:

First, Kyari sent a message to Hushpuppi saying, “We would pick him today or tomorrow.”

Abbas (Hushpuppi) wrote, “I will take care of the team also after they pick him up.”

Kyari confirmed “Yes ooo.”

It also stated that on January 20, 2020, Kyari sent biographical, identifying information for Chibuzor to Hushpuppi.

Their conversation goes thus: Abbas (Hushpuppi) confirmed “that is him sir.”

Kyari stated, “We have arrested the guy . . . He is in my cell now. This is his picture after we arrested him today.”

After receiving the photograph of Vincent/Chibuzor, Abbas (Hushpuppi) said, “I want him to go through serious beating of his life.”

In response to Kyari’s question about what Chibuzor had done to Abbas (Hushpuppi), Abbas sent Kyari an audio message.

He said: “What he did is, I have one job. The job want to pay me 500, umm, 75,000 dollars [i.e., $575,000]. He went to message the job behind me because I told him to help me make one document for me to give the job. Then he went—he has a—I gave him the details.

“Then he went to message the job behind my back and try to divert the money and in this process he tell the job because of the documents he gave me that I gave the job, he tell the job, ‘These document they sent to you before. These people are fake (sic).

“’This money—is me who can help you to get it. Come to me le—bring this money you want to pay these people to me. I’m the only one who can help you,’ and all these things to divert the job for himself.”

After listening to the message, Kyari simply said he understood without requesting other information or evidence relating to Chibuzor’s role in the scheme, or any questions about the nature of the transaction, the document added.

Hushpuppi further said he wanted to pay money to send Chibuzor to jail for a long time, stating “Please sir I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.”

Kyari responded, “Ok bro, I understand I will discuss with my team who arrested him . . . And handling the case. We will do something about it.”

Hushpuppi responded, “Let me know how I can send money to the team sir, let them deal with him like armed robber.”

Kyari responded, “OK I will send their account details to u.”

Hushpuppi further wrote, “He betrayed me and try (sic) to take food out my mouth, this is great punishable sin,” and Kyari responded, “Yeah bro.”

Hushpuppi said, “I want him to suffer for many years.”

Kyari responded, “Hahahaha Hahahaha.”

The document stated that about some minutes later, Kyari provided the account information for a bank account at a Nigerian bank, Zenith Bank, in the name of a person other than Kyari himself.

Hushpuppi responded “Ok sir, tomorrow by noon.”

This showed that Hushpuppi planned to pay the Nigeria Police Force officers who arrested Chibuzor for that service.

A part of the document stated, ”This was not the only time that Abbas arranged payments with Kyari. On May 20, 2020, Abbas sent Kyari transaction receipts for two transactions from accounts at Nigerian banks (GTBank and Zenith Bank) of a person Abbas knew in the U.A.E.—a person also arrested with Abbas in Abbas’ apartment in the U.A.E. by Dubai Police on June 9, 2020—to the Nigerian bank accounts of another person in Nigeria.

“The amounts on the transaction receipts totalled 8 million Nigerian Naira, which was approximately $20,600 based on publicly available exchange rate information.”

Below is the full evidence.

Detailed conversation between Hushpuppi and DCP Abba Kyari

4. After Consulting with JUMA, ABBAS Arranged to Have KYARI Imprison CHIBUZO in Nigeria in Retaliation for, and to Prevent Him from, Trying to Coopt the Victim
   Businessperson
5. As discussed in paragraph 120, JUMA and ABBAS had a falling out with CHIBUZO after CHIBUZO felt that he was being underpaid (or had not been
   paid) for work on the fake Wells Fargo website, and then contacted the Victim Businessperson directly. ABBAS then arranged to have KYARI arrest and imprison CHIBUZO in Nigeria for attempting to redirect fraudulent proceeds
   intended for ABBAS and JUMA to himself, to keep CHIBUZO from interfering with the scheme. This section discusses those events and KYARI’s involvement in the conspiracy.
6. On January 13, 2020, the Victim Businessperson contacted JUMA about a person who had contacted the Victim Businessperson about the loan,
   stating “This number is calling me but I didn’t answer.” The Victim
   Businessperson also provided JUMA a screenshot of and forwarded additional conversations between the Victim Businessperson and CHIBUZO, who was using the U.S. phone number 3054405586. That phone number was the same phone number used by CHIBUZO to send ABBAS information about the fake Wells
   Fargo website described earlier. In the messages, CHIBUZO sent the Victim Businessperson’s passport, and claimed to be “trying to help” the Victim Businessperson.
7. JUMA forwarded these messages from the Victim Businessperson to ABBAS, who responded, “I will deal with him.” At approximately the same time,
   ABBAS asked CHIBUZO for a phone number on which to call him. Two minutes later, ABBAS sent the phone number on which he contacted CHIBUZO (which
   CHIBUZO had previously also sent to ABBAS) to KYARI without providing any 52 additional context. Just before forwarding the phone number to KYARI, ABBAS
   placed a nearly five-minute call to KYARI, using the phone number described in paragraph 136.
8. A short time later, ABBAS told JUMA, “setting him up already. He will learn.” JUMA replied, “He almost messed it up bro,” to which ABBAS responded “They are working on it already.”
9. Approximately an hour later, CHIBUZO responded to ABBAS’
   message requesting his phone number by providing another phone number. ABBAS also sent this number to KYARI without providing any additional context in the message.
10. On January 15, 2020, this time using WhatsApp, ABBAS sent an
    audio recording to KYARI, stating, essentially, that he wanted to remind KYARI about what they discussed earlier.
11. On January 16, 2020, ABBAS sent the following threats to
    CHIBUZO:
    *I dey always tell people to think well before they offend me and make them make sure they fit stand the consequences when the time comes. I won’t say more than that but very soon, very very soon, the wrath of my hands shall find you and when it does, it will damage you forever. At this point I no get discussion with you, u have
    committed a crime that won’t be forgiven, that is punishable and you shall receive die punishment in due
    time I swear with my life you will regret messing with me, you will even wish you died before my hands will touch you.
12. Also on January 16, 2020, ABBAS sent a message to KYARI on WhatsApp, and then placed five calls to another phone number (+2348060733588) that was listed as “ABBA KYARI.” Call records show that the last three of the calls were answered and that one of the calls lasted more than two minutes.
    Shortly after that, ABBAS received a message from KYARI, confirming “We would pick him today or tomorrow.” ABBAS wrote, “I will take care of the team also after they pick him up.” KYARI confirmed “Yes ooo.”
    a. Based on the conversation described in paragraphs 143 to 145, ABBAS planned to pay the Nigeria Police Force officers who arrested CHIBUZO for that service.
    b. This was not the only time that ABBAS arranged payments
    with KYARI. On May 20, 2020, ABBAS sent KYARI transaction receipts for two transactions from accounts at Nigerian banks (GTBank and Zenith Bank) of a
    person ABBAS knew in the U.A.E.—a person also arrested with ABBAS in ABBAS’ apartment in the U.A.E. by Dubai Police on June 9, 2020—to the Nigerian bank accounts of another person in Nigeria. The amounts on the transaction receipts totaled 8 million Nigerian Naira, which was approximately
    $20,600 based on publicly available exchange rate information.
13. Attempting to reason with ABBAS, on January 18, 2020, CHIBUZO recounted for ABBAS all the assistance he had provided in the scheme to victimize
    the Victim Businessperson, including creating the “power of attorney” document (see paragraphs 67–68), devising a story to tell the Victim Businessperson (see paragraph 117), and facilitating the creation of the “telephone banking” number
    (see paragraphs 109–116) and fake Wells Fargo website (see paragraph 117).
14. As discussed in paragraph 32.b, on January 20, 2020, KYARI sent to ABBAS biographical, identifying information for CHIBUZO, along with a
    photograph of him. In a conversation immediately following, ABBAS confirmed
    “that is him sir.” KYARI stated, “We have arrested the guy . . . He is in my Cell 54 now. This is his picture after we arrested him today.” (The below image is a cropped version of the photograph that KYARI sent to ABBAS.)
15. KYARI sent the biographical information about, and photograph of, CHIBUZO to ABBAS using two different WhatsApp numbers—the second of which KYARI said was his “private number.” From that point on, KYARI and ABBAS primarily discussed the arrest and detention of KYARI through WhatsApp on this “private number.”
16. After receiving the photograph of CHIBUZO, ABBAS stated, “I want
    him to go through serious beating of his life.” KYARI responded, “Hahahaha,” and ABBAS replied, “Seriously sir.” KYARI then asked for details about what
    CHIBUZO did “on audio,” which KYARI said was “So that we will know what to do.”
17. In response to KYARI’s question about what CHIBUZO had done to ABBAS, ABBAS sent KYARI an audio message, which is transcribed here, describing how CHIBUZO had tried to steal away a fraud victim (i.e., “the job”) from him:

What he did is, I have one job. The job want to pay me 500, umm, 75,000 dollars [i.e., $575,000]. He went to message the job behind me because I told him to help me make one document for me to give the job. Then he went—he has a—I gave him the details. Then he went to message the job behind my back and try to divert the money and in this process he tell the job because of the documents he gave me that I gave the job, he tell the job, “These document they sent to you before. These people are fake. This money—is me who can help you to get it. Come to me le—bring this money you want to pay these people to me. I’m the only one who can help you,” and all these things to divert the job for himself.

142. After listening to the message, KYARI wrote, “Ok I understand.
     But he has not succeeded.” ABBAS claimed CHIBUZO had taken some money, and provided KYARI with two screenshots, one of which contained the phone number 3054405586 (the phone number CHIBUZO used to contact the Victim Businessperson). The screenshots showed a person contacting the Victim Businessperson and stating that he was providing information to try to “help” the Victim Businessperson. KYARI responded, “Yeah I understand.” KYARI did not
     request other information or evidence relating to CHIBUZO’s role in the scheme, ask questions about the nature of the transaction, or ask about why CHIBUZO told the Victim Businessperson that ABBAS was “fake.”
143. ABBAS then told KYARI, “Now the [Victim Businessperson] was
     skeptic to pay me the money cos he keep attacking the [Victim Businessperson] from his end. Now I can handle the [VictimB usinessperson] correctly.” ABBAS
     further told KYARI that he wanted to pay money to send CHIBUZO to jail for a long time, stating “Please sir I want to spend money to send this boy to jail, let him go for a very long time.” KYARI responded, “Ok bro, I understand, I will discuss with my team who arrested him . . . And handling the case. We will do
     something about it.”
144. ABBAS responded, “Let me know how I can send money to the team sir[.] let them deal with him like armed robber.” KYARI responded, “OK I will send their account details to u.” ABBAS further wrote, “He betray me and try to take food out my mouth, this is great punishable sin,” and KYARI responded, “Yeah bro.” ABBAS then continued, “I want him to suffer for many years.”
     KYARI responded, “Hahahaha [¶] Hahahaha.”
145. Approximately six minutes later, KYARI provided the account
     information for a bank account at a Nigerian bank, Zenith Bank, in the name of a person other than KYARI himself. ABBAS responded “Ok sir, tomorrow by noon,” indicating that he would make the payment to KYARI’s team by the next day.
146. On the same day, ABBAS sent JUMA the photograph of CHIBUZO
     in custody, which KYARI had sent.
147. Approximately a month later, on February 19, 2020, KYARI sent a
     message to ABBAS, saying, “Hello hush with [sic] need to talk about the subject under detention with me.” ABBAS asked “Should I call u on this number sir?” to which KYARI replied “Yes call me.”
148. The following day, KYARI sent ABBAS multiple photographs of
     CHIBUZO to ABBAS, including close-up photographs showing a rash or skin disease on CHIBUZO’s torso and arms. ABBAS responded, “I don pity am, make them leave am from Tuesday.” KYARI wrote, “Ok bro, they just brought him from hospital. The fever and the rashes is giving him serious Wahala [¶] He got the disease from other suspects in the cell.” ABBAS responded, “I see am, I no too
     pity am [¶] That’s what people like him deserve but I go forgive am for God sake.”

In other words, based on my training and experience with Nigerian Pidgin, ABBAS was essentially stating, in part, “I don’t pity him. That’s what people like
him deserve, but I will forgive him for God’s sake.”
a. Based on the date of the messages and later discussion
described in paragraph 150, ABBAS was—on Thursday, February 20, 2020—requesting that KYARI not to release CHIBUZO until Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

149. ABBAS then told KYARI that CHIBUZO’s girlfriend messaged him, trying to raise one million Naira to secure CHIBUZO’s release, and said ABBAS promised to contribute 100,000 Naira. KYARI stated “They were thinking it’s
     normal arrest that is why they think money can remove him . . . No money can remove him here [¶] Hahahaha.” ABBAS added, “But it’s better for them to think
     that way, I like it like that,” and KYARI responded, “Yeah.”
150. ABBAS then said, “No problem sir from Tuesday he can go,”
     apparently giving KYARI his blessing to release CHIBUZO from custody.
     KYARI responded, “Ok bro [¶] We will also keep his phone and other gadgets for some weeks.” ABBAS responded, “Yes those ones they should not give him again, those ones are gone . . . Make he no see those ones again for life,” instructing KYARI not to return CHIBUZO’s electronic devices. KYARI responded, “Yes he will not see it Again,” indicating that he would accede to ABBAS’ request.

1.A certain businessperson was looking for a lender to invest $15m to build a school in Qatar.

2.JUMA, a Kenyan based in Nairobi who works with HUSH tells the businessperson that he would provide the loan.

3.Hush claims to be a Malik that works in a US based bank would facilitate the payment of the loan.

4.Hush and Juma convinced the businessperson to make certain transactions under the guise of taxes among others to expedite the loan.

5.After receiving several amounts in hundreds of USD, Hush contacted CHIBUZOR to design a decoy website to deceive the businessperson that the loan has been secured and he can transfer the funds.

6.Chibuzor at a point felt Hush wasn’t paying well enough and promptly decided to contact the businessperson that Hush and Juma were scammers that he is the one that can help him.

7.Hush found out what Chibuzor has done, contacted our super cop and igbalode tailor DCP Abba KYARI “Couture” and tells him how Chibuzor snitched him and stole his job of about $575k which he would have lost if he didn’t quickly intervene.

8.Hush calls Chibuzor and threatens to deal with him for snitching him and Juma. Hush then provides Kyari with Chibuzor’s phone numbers which was used to trace and pick him up.

9.Upon picking and locking Chibuzor up, Kyari sent pictures of Chibuzor in police custody to Hush and Hush confirms the detainee was indeed Chibuzor. Hush then tells Kyari he wants Chibuzor beaten blue black and gone for a very long time. Kyari agreed to Hush wishes.

10.Kyari then provided a Zenith bank account details to Hush where payments for the job and the boys would be made and an estimated N8m was made.

11.Chibuzor’s girlfriend runs around to gather money to secure his release and even contacted Hush to help provide funds to bail Chibuzor from custody. Hush sent her 100k and then contacted Kyari telling him what happened and reiterating… his wishes to Kyari to ensure Chibuzor is not released.

12.After a while in custody, Chibuzor got really sick and seemed to have contacted a disease in the cell was taken to a hospital for treatment, Kyari sent pictures of a sick and diseased Chibuzor to Hush. Hush said he sees Chibuzor is really sick but doesn’t pity him for what he has done. They both ended that conversation and agreed to release Chibuzor.

13.Back to the businessperson, he has noticed some irregularities in his dealings with Juma as Juma was his first contact and who brought Hush into play and realized Juma was scamming him. Hush who is still a supposed Malik a US based banker then contacts the businessperson that he could solve the issues but might have to pay another $180k.

14.The businessperson made this payments in 2 transactions of $100k and $80k. Hush didn’t tell Juma about this dealings with the businessperson.

15.The businessperson eventually realizes he is been defrauded and challenges Hush, alleging Hush and Juma are part of the same team and stopped all comms with Hush.
16.Other people involved in this case mentioned are one BOLATITO and another MORAYO. These people who provided US based bank accounts for the businessperson to transfer to, who then laundered the money to Hush via various means.

17.Among these means include the purchase and delivery of a Richard Mille watch of about $250k which Bolatito received from the seller and delivered to Morayo who then sent it to Hush in Dubai.

18.Hush also used proceeds of his deal to acquire citizenship and passport of St. Kitts. Hush used a fake Nigerian wedding certificate to a St. Kitts citizen and bribed some people to acquire this citizenship.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has been contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to arrest DCP Abba Kyari, over his connection with a serial internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas aka Hushpuppi.

A top source in the EFCC who spoke with SaharaReporters however said no arrest can be made by the agency since Kyari is a police officer and that the case was not within the capacity of the EFCC but for the police to handle. 

“FBI has contacted EFCC, asking that we arrest Abba Kyari but we told them that it is a police matter” the source in the EFCC said. 

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police has ordered an internal review of all the allegations levelled against Kyari by Hushpuppi.

The suspected internet fraudster who was arrested in Dubai in June 2020 allegedly told the FBI that he gave a bribe to Kyari to facilitate the arrest and imprisonment of a member of his online fraud gang identified as Chibuzo Vincent. Kyari has however denied this allegation. 

Popular policeman, Abba Kyari has reacted to being accused by US government of allegedly receiving bribe from Nigerian Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi to arrest and jail a member of his online fraud gang identified as Chibuzo Vincent. 

LIB had reported that the new indictment which Hushpuppi and 5 others face, involved money meant to finance construction of a school for children in Qatar. 

Abba Kyari was accused of initiating the arrest after a dispute arose from the $1.1m fraudulent scheme the Instagram celebrity and members of his gang were involved in. The affidavit described Kyari as a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest.

Kyari was also accused of allegedly sending Abbas bank account details to deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment.

The policeman who has now reacted to the allegation, disclosed that the arrest was effected two years ago. According to him, Hushpuppi had filed a complaint alleging that somebody in Nigeria seriously threatened to kill his family here in Nigeria and subsequently sent the person’s phone number and pleaded that the police takes action before his family is harmed. 

Kyari said investigations revealed there wasn’t an actual threat to anyone’s life, and was just a case centering on money. He added that Vincent was released on bail and not taken to any jail. 

The policeman also claimed that the money Hushpuppi sent was for a native cloth he saw on his page and liked. He reiterated that his hands are clean, and urged those celebrating to stop creating narratives with false evidence.

The statement read; 

Abbas who we later came to know as Hushpuppi called our office about 2years ago that somebody in Nigeria Seriously threatened to kill his Family here in Nigeria and he sent the person’s Phone number and pleaded we take action before the Person attacks his family.

We traced and arrested the Suspect and after investigations we discovered there wasn’t an actual threat to anyone’s life And they are long time friends who have money issues between them hence we released the Suspect on bail to go and he was not taken to any jail.

Nobody demanded for a kobo from Abbas Hushpuppi. Our focus was to Save people’s lives that were purported to have been threatened.

Later, he saw some of my Native Clothes and Caps on my social media page and he said he likes them and he was connected to the person selling the clothes and he sent about N300k directly to the person’s account. The Native Clothes and Caps (5 sets) were brought to our office and He sent somebody to Collect them in our office.

Nobody demanded any money from Abbas Hushpuppi and nobody collected any money from him. We responded to a distress call he made on threat to his family and released the Suspect when we discovered there was no life threat from the Suspect. This is the true story. Vincent is alive, he can be contacted.

For those who are celebrating that this is an indictment on us and mentioning some fictitious Big Money, They will be disappointed once again as our hands are clean and our record of Service for 2 decades is open for everybody to See. They will continue seeing us serving our father land and we will Continue responding to ALL distress Calls from ALL Nigerians provided they are life threatening.

For Good Nigerians who appreciate our Service please don’t worry as our hands are clean and they should please not respond to those celebrating and creating many false Narratives without any Evidence. We are used to such types of people and false newsmakers and distributors.

Thank you all and GOD bless Nigeria.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced a free $100 incentive to anyone who goes to a city-run vaccination site for their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, starting this Friday July 30.

The mayor made the announcement on Wednesday at a press conference. “It does not get better than that,” de Blasio said.

The announcement comes just days after the mayor said all city workers would have to be vaccinated or go through strict weekly testing protocols.

Beginning Friday, the cash reward will be handed out to city residents and employees who make an appointment at city-run vaccination sites. 

An official said at the press conference that first-time shot takers will either be mailed a pre-paid debit card or be issued a digital one immediately via email.

“I personally believe that the guarantee that right then and there you’re going to be rewarded, I think that’s going to make a big difference to people,” the mayor said.

When he was questioned about those who have already been vaccinated, de Blasio thanked them for doing “the right thing.”

“It was the right thing to do for yourself, for your family, for your community. You did the right thing and the reward is you were kept safe and you’re alive because of it,” he said. 

“But, we understand it’s been a huge amount of misinformation … particularly through social media getting anything but the truth. We got a lot we’ve got to overcome.”

More than 9 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in the city. 

The mayor said over 59 percent of the city’s population has received at least one Covid-19 shot, but that’s not enough.

“That misinformation, that fear has hurt,” he said. “And what’s in all of our interest is to get every single additional person vaccinated.”

Nigerians have been alerted over a more devastating floods from the end of August to early October by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), an agency of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

The agency which drew attention to its earlier prediction of Lagos, Nasarawa, Anambra, Abia, Kwara, Kaduna, Rivers, Enugu, Borno and Ondo states witnessing severe flooding as a result of heavy local rainfalls compounded by poor drainage system, said flood will get worse in some states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) within August and October

Director-General of the Agency, Engr. Nze Clement Onyeaso who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday July 28, said all areas earlier identified as flood prone this year as well as those along the Rivers Niger and Benue, might likely begin to experience more devastating flooding from the end of August.

He said; 

“Nigeria is located within the River Niger Basin which is occupied by nine countries namely Benin, Burkina- Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d’Ivore, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. Nigeria is located at the lowest position of the Basin and this means that once the upper catchment of the Basin gets flooded, Nigeria should be prepared to experience flooding. The period of flooding in these upstream countries is August and September of every year.”

Revealing that they are monitoring the development, he told newsmen that they will continue to work with Cameroonian authorities with regards to flood scenarios in the upper catchment of the sub-basin.

Lagosians were warned against the practice of dredging and sand filling the Atlantic Ocean to build what they usually call model cities like those in Lekki and Banana Island, as it could pose serious threats in the future. 

Nigerians were also advised to ensure cleaning of blocked drainage system and canals to remove refuse, weeds, water hyacinths and floats on water channels.

Twitter has announced that its New York City and San Francisco offices will be closed permanently while other office reopenings will be paused in response to the latest CDC warnings about COVID-19.

The company made the announcement on Wednesday July 28, saying it was closing its two largest offices.

‘After careful consideration of the CDC’s updated guidelines, and in light of current conditions, Twitter has made the decision to close our opened offices in New York and San Francisco as well as pause future office reopenings, effective immediately,’ the company said.

‘We continue to monitor local conditions and make necessary changes that prioritize the health and safety of our Tweeps.’ 

The decision was made just two weeks after reopening the offices in both cities. 

On Tuesday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that fully vaccinated Americans in parts of the country with ‘substantial or high transmission’ of COVID-19 should return to wearing masks indoors, citing new data on the highly contagious Delta variant.

The CDC also said masks should be required of everyone inside K-12 schools while urging classrooms to return to full-time, in-person classes ‘with proper prevention strategies’ in place. 

The agency recommended that all vaccinated people consider wearing a mask if someone in their household was unable to be protected by the vaccine, like those with compromised immune systems or children who are too young to receive a shot, regardless of transmission levels in their community.   

Jennifer Christie, Twitter’s human resources chief, said in March 2020 that the company would ‘never probably be the same’ in its work culture post-pandemic. 

‘People who were reticent to work remotely will find that they really thrive that way,’ she said. 

‘Managers who didn’t think they could manage teams that were remote will have a different perspective. I do think we won’t go back.’ 

Twitter had previously required employees to show proof of vaccination before returning, said Adrian Zamora, a Twitter spokesman, speaking to The San Francisco Chronicle. 

The company is allowing employees to continue remote work permanently if they choose, but will maintain its office space. 

The naira has slumped further to 523/$ at the black market after trading was closed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Wednesday, July 28.
 

The slump comes a day after the Central Bank of Nigeria stopped the allocation of foreign exchange to Bureau de Change operators in the country. After the Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday, the Governor, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, had accused the BDCs of abusing the privilege given to them and sabotaging efforts to ensure naira stability in the country.


He said, “The facts abound that BDCs have turned themselves into agents that facilitate graft and corrupt activities of people who seek illicit fund flow and money laundering in Nigeria and we will go after all of them.

“Throughout this meeting of the MPC, we extensively debated this matter, and independently with each member of the committee exhibited accurate and deep understanding of issue at stake.
 

“After these exhaustive and extensive deliberations, the management of the Central Bank with the support of the committee reached the following decisions which will take the following effect. Hence, the CBN will henceforth discontinue the sale of foreign exchange to BDC operators.”


As at Monday, one dollar went for 503, then it now fell to 505 on Tuesday, few hours after the CBN made the announcement. Then on Wednesday after trading, the dollar was bought at N515 and sold at N523 according to naijabdcs.com, the official website of the BDCs.

The CBN, however, maintained the official rate of N410.16/$1 on its website.

Before the new regulation, the CBN had been supplying each BDC $10,000 twice a week at the rate of N393.

The Imo state police command have arrested Benneth Okoli, of Akuma village in Oru East local government area in the state for preparing charms for members of IPOB’s Eastern Security Network ESN who recently carried out attacks on Omuma Police Station in Oru East LGA of the state.

A statement released by the spokesperson of the state police command, CSP Michael Abattam, said after the attack on the police station, the state Commissioner of Police, immediately dispatched the command’s tactical teams and Special forces led by ACP Benjamin Osuji, the second in command of the command’s Department of Operations to Omuma for a discreet investigation and arrest of the bandits involved in the attack of the Police station.

”After a diligent forensic and technical intelligence gathering, the team was able to trace the location of the native doctor’s Shrine that has been preparing charms for bandits at Akuma in Oru East LGA of Imo State.

Information from a reliable source revealed that the bandits fortified themselves against bullets and knives in the shrine before attacking the police station. The shrine was immediately cordoned off and the teams tactically went in, where the native doctor, Benneth Okoli was arrested.

On searching the shrine, one locally made Improvised Explosive Devices, various charms , and weeds suspected to be indian hemp in a bag were recovered to the station. The suspect, on interrogation made useful statements and is currently assisting the police to arrest the remnants of his gangs presently on the run.”Abattam said

Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) has concluded the recording of a brand-new season of the multiple-award-winning TV Comedy Papa Ajasco & Company Reloaded.

According to Wale Adenuga Jr., Managing Director WAP, “We have been receiving very positive feedback from viewers since we recently-rebranded the Papa Ajasco & Company programme, and we are pleased at this new season which contains a wide range of elements to appeal to audiences of different generations especially the youth. Viewers are in for a special treat this season, as all the major characters now live in the same compound; this of course leading to back-to-back hilarious encounters, all under the watchful eyes of their stern no-nonsense landlord, and his vain and sassy trophy wife.”

This upcoming Season 3 of Papa Ajasco & Company Reloaded stars Abiodun Ayoyinka (Papa Ajasco), Kayode Olasehinde (Pa James), Mojisola Oyetayo (Mama Ajasco), Victor Oyebode (Boy Alinco), Yetunde Barnabas Olayinka (Miss Pepeiye), and Bashiru Balogun aka Big Bash (Ajasco); as well as a wide range of superstars including Etinosa Idemudia, Saka, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Emeka Okoye, Chichi King, Dayo Davies, Deborah Anugwa (2017 AMVCA Best Actress), and others.

Papa Ajasco & Company Reloaded is watched by millions of viewers across Nigeria and Worldwide, through a strategic combination of Terrestrial and Satellite TV Providers: NTA Network: Tuesdays 8:00 – 8:30pm, STV Network: Saturdays 9:00 – 9:30pm, and wapTV (DStv 262, StarTimes 116, GOtv 102, FreeTV 751, Play 275, and MyTV): Tuesdays 8:30 – 9:00pm.

Watch: https://youtu.be/SH1Yguxlino

Social media giant, Facebook, has  restricted  the new Facebook page of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). 

This was disclosed by a member of the proscribed organization, Simon Ekpa, on Twitter.

“Our new Facebook page has been blocked restricted by Facebook,” Ekpa wrote.

This comes months after the group had alleged that Facebook shut down the page of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Back in January, the Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, alleged in a statement that the shutting down of Mazi Kanu’s Facebook page by Facebook Nigeria is not unconnected with the fact that it has become a rich resource for people determined to expose the alleged ”misrule in Nigeria and the evil perpetrators of the regime that allegedly enthrone a better life for the Nigerian masses.”

Nnamdi Kanu is currently facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, after he jumped bail in 2017 and left the country. He was repatriated last month from Kenya by the Nigerian government and remanded in the Department of State Services (DSS) custody.

Nigerians living abroad have been asked by the minister of information and culture Lai Mohammed, to stop sponsoring secessionist groups. 

The Minister who said this during a visit by delegation of UK chapter of Nigerian in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), urged members of the group to sweep the carpet off the feet of secessionist groups, insurgents and anarchists who are bent on pushing false narratives to portray Nigeria in a bad light.

Lai Mohammed also asked members of the group to complement Government’s effort, rather than propagate fake narratives and “untrue” allegations of religious persecution, political marginalisation, and human rights abuses.

He said; 

“It is alarming and disappointing that some Nigerians in Diaspora still rely on platforms that peddle fake news and misinformation about Nigeria. 

“I, therefore, want to use this opportunity to appeal to NIDO to seize the initiative from those who are bent on painting Nigeria bad in the comity of nations.

“As an organised and well-connected group, I implore NIDO to leverage its contacts in government circles, parliamentary groups and global think tanks in world capitals to help change the narrative.

“I also urge them to sweep the carpet off the feet of secessionist groups, insurgents and anarchists who are bent on pushing false narratives to portray Nigeria in a bad light.

“I have no doubt that you will take this call seriously and do everything in your power to change the narrative for the better.”

Insisting that the present adminstration has acknowledged the challenges facing the country, especially in the area of insecurity and is “earnestly” tackling them, Lai concluded by saying that the federal government is re-engineering and ramping up diplomatic efforts to counter and reverse the narrative, in addition to countering pervasive anti-government propaganda.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has banned the sale of foreign exchange (FX) to Bureau De Change (BDCs) operators in the country.

The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, announced this at the end of the monetary policy committee meeting in Abuja on Tuesday July 27. According to Emefiele, the apex bank receives about 5,000 applications every month for BDC registration and that these BDCs have become a conduit for illegal financial flows working with corrupt people to conduct money laundering in the country.

“They have turned themselves away from their objectives. They are now agents that facilitate graft and corruption in the country. We cannot continue with the bad practices that are happening at the BDC market.”he said

Emefiele added that there is evidence of prevailing ownership of several BDCs by the same promoters to procure multiple FX from the central bank.

“Several international organizations, embassies patronize BDC through illegal forex dealers to fund their institutions. We will deal ruthlessly with Nigerian banks that deal with illegal BDCs and we will report foreign organizations patronizing them.”he said

Emefiele announced that the CBN will henceforth channel weekly allocations of dollar sales to commercial banks to meet legitimate FX demands and that banks will now be able to sell forex to every customer.