Why Stella Oduah is on trial again over ₦5bn fraud

Once again, Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah is brought back to court over fraud. She allegedly stole a whopping ₦5 billion in 2014, during President Goodluck Jonathan’s time.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) had dragged Oduah to the Court in 2023 over the same case she is now being tried. She seemed to have sorted the ‘powers that be’ as EFCC dropped the matter and absolved Oduah of wrongdoings.

That time it was said the money was ₦7 billion and that the minister, together with her co-defendants had returned some of the stolen money.

For some reasons the dust is yet to settle for sure. Yesterday, office of the Attorney General of the Federation dragged Stella Oduah to Federal High Court in Abuja on five counts charges. She was arraigned alongside another woman, Gloria Odita.

One of the counts read that Oduah obtained ₦2.4bn through Broad Waters Resources from the Federal Ministry of Aviation. She had claimed the money was used for technical supervision.

In other counts read that she stole N1.6bn and another N839m through false pretences.

Like all powerful politicians in Nigeria Stella Oduah and Gloria Odita hired the best lawyers in the business. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) represented Oduah while Wale Balogun (SAN) appeared for Odita. So both proudly pleaded not guilty to the charges.

• FULL LIST – Beneficiaries of Anayo Onwuegbu empowerment programme; a woman gets okada
• Constituents lead fight against Reps member Anayo Onwuegbu over “Utara” machine empowerment

Justice Hamza Muazu granted Oduah bail on the basis that she is a known figure. She lay her passport before the court, however, as was ordered.

FULL LIST: beneficiaries of Anayo Onwuegbu empowerment programme; a woman gets okada

It’s now four days after Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu gifted his loyalists with various items in an elaborate show he labelled “empowerment programme”. Yet his constituents are still talking about it with unusual interest.

But it’s a thing of interest, anyways. Particularly glaring are the names who received the gifts, and the gifts themselves.

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• Constituents lead fight against Reps member Anayo Onwuegbu over “Utara” machine empowerment

Info Wars reported that Onwuegbu, the House of Representatives of Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River constituency, shared fufu (utara egboro) pounding machines, knapsack sprayers, hand hair dryers, fertilisers, and motorcycles to his constituents.

Name of beneficiaries of Anayo Onwuegbu empowerment programme

1. Hon. Uche Ogbonna – fufu (utara egboro ) machine
2. Hon. Mark Ogbonna – maize seedlings
3. Hon. Jonathan Ivoke – sewing machine
4. ‘Elder Stateman’ – sewing machine
5. Hon. El Aja Ogbonna – Knapsack sprayer
6. Hon. Gabriel Ukpabi – Hand hair Dryer
7. Mrs. Gladys Chukwu – Motorcycle

Why we hate what Engr. Onwuegbu did – Okpanku Worldwide

Okpanku Worldwide, pressure group within the constituency, has issued warning that it would work against the lawmaker should he want to seek reelection in 2027.

In a phone chat with Info Wars by its President James Ajah, the group clarified the points it’s pained.

“I don’t have problems with giving people gifts; that’s good. But the benefactor ought to have considered the needs of those receiving those gifts beforehand.

“This man gave hair dryer to my brother, Hon Gabriel Ukpabi. What would he be doing with hair dryer? Unless he has told our Rep that he is dreaming of starting female hair salon business in coming days,” the President said.

It’s noteworthy that Gabriel Ukpabi served in the lofty position as the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG) of Aninri between 2022 and 2024. One time council Chairman and former Commissioner for Labour and Employment in Enugu State, Hon. Uche Ogbonna is not just a good man in many people’s definition but he is also a major stakeholder in Enugu West politics.

Also, Engr. Jonathan Ivoke, El Ajah, ‘Elder Stateman’, and Mark Ogbonna are well-meaning figures in several important circles.

“The worst of it is the utara egbolo machine [fufu pounding machine] given to some of our major stakeholders. Empowering a former council chairman with utara egboro machine is the height of the insult,” former aide to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Cmr. Christian Onyeabor, said.

One Mrs Gladys Chukwu who is middle-aged received commercial motorcycle (Okada). Yet another woman, from Inyi Achi was given a bag of fertiliser.

Anyone examining the gifts and the beneficiaries would find the brains of a simpleton at work. For example, what would a full-time trader from Inyi Achi be doing with fertiliser in a dry season? Even in Aninri, which boasts of most fertile farmlands in the constituency, fertiliser is not anyone’s priority at this moment because planting season is long gone and the next one isn’t anywhere in sight.

Again, if Mrs Gladys Chukwu sells her Okada then the purpose of the empowerment is defeated. Would she now convert from petty trader to Okada rider? We’ll have to find out.

Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, many times in the past, has proven that he understands nothing about representation. As next election season draws closer we’ll see whether or not he’ll respect himself by not seeking reelection.

“Godfrey Okoye University is the best,” Prince Nwanjoku says at its 13th Convocation

The Chairman of Aninri local government area Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku graced the 13th Convocation ceremony of Godfrey Okoye University.

It was the gathering of the eagles as several other dignitaries from Enugu State and across the nation came.

Alumnus of the school, Prince Nwanjoku, when speaking to cheering crowd of students, said his coming was meant to inspire them.

But Godfrey Okoye University in itself provides inspiration. Founded in 2009, it’s the first university owned by a Catholic Diocese in Africa. Since then it has produced several accomplished professionals and successful leaders in different works of life.

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“I attended this epoch-making event as an alumnus to encourage other students, especially the less privileged,” Nwanjoku began.

Although the Aninri council chairman is born into a well-to-do family of late iconic king of Ndumeze Kingdom and former Enugu State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Igwe Onyioha Nwanjoku, he has worked to make his own bones in circular politics, playing the big league. He is the first Aninri chairman to ascend the seat without the help of the so-called kingmakers.

Life sentence for Beauty Queen for killing this cute boy

This girl killed her boyfriend’s 18-month-old son. Her name is Trinity Poague – a 20-year-old former beauty Queen from Georgia in the United States.

The cute boy, Romeo Angeles, was found dead on January 14 2024 on the Georgia Southwestern State University campus, according to Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

That time, Poague was a student there, living with her boyfriend. Police had arrested her and have since conducted investigations.

When the Poague’s motive for killing the little Angeles was unravelled it was both petty and shocking. She killed the little boy because she wanted to have a baby of her own for her boyfriend.

Making his verdict on Friday, Judge W. James Sizemore Jr. of the Southwestern Circuit Court of Georgia said he didn’t believe in talking too much. Without hesitation, he handed Poague life imprisonment.

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“The bottom line is you’re going to receive a sentence of life in prison, which is the appropriate sentence for the conduct that you have been convicted of,” he said.