FEMI PAUL, IBUKUN AWOSIKA, OTHERS INSPIRE NIGERIANS AT EIL 2.0

In spite of the current downward trajectory of the Nigerian economy, it is believed that an individual can be economically buoyant by discovering, nurturing and maximising new opportunities.
This was the submission of speakers at the Excellence In Life Series (EIL) Series 2.0 held on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at the Standard Alliance Events Hall, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
With the theme, Breaking New Grounds, the speakers such as, Dr Femi Paul, who is also the Convener, Excellence In Life; Bukky George – Founder & CEO, HealthPlus Pharmacy; Ibukun Awosika, Chairman, First Bank offered valuable insights and ideas on how to spot, seize and maximize opportunities in the current economic downturn.
“Most people don’t listen until they are in the classroom. But the best lessons are taught along the way…in the ordinary course of daily life,” said Dr Femi Paul at the event.
He charges the audience to aspire to break new grounds. He said, “Ordinary people look and admire; winners look, observe and aspire.”
He further noted that “aspiration fuels Pertinent Enquiries and Propels People; admiration only generates simplistic applause and awe.”
Another speaker at the event, Bukky George, emphasised the need for an individual to explore his or her passion, noting that it is only when the individual did that he could get to the promised land. She also mentioned that it was important for people to seek to fill the gap that exists in their areas of specialisation instead of just making up numbers.
“Your promised land is where your passion lies. It is where your heart quickens, where you feel an almost supernatural hunger to intervene and improve a situation,” said Bukky George.
“Seek out a gap in a product or service delivery that you have the qualification, skill, experience, inspiration and passion to fill. Fill the gap excellently.”

COLONEL BAGS 7YRS FOR DUPING CHURCH OF N34.5M

Col. Eugene Okpala (rtd.) was recently sentenced to seven years in prison by Justice M. N. Yunusa of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu in a case of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences having duped Dominium City Church, of N34.5m in 2010.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, that the 62-year-old convict was earlier slated for trial on Wednesday but the case took a different turn when the retired colonel decided to change his plea from “not guilty” to “guilty”.

Okpala was said to have in 2008, approached one lawyer, Vincent Obetta, of Igwurube Chambers and a member of Dominion City Church under the pretext of having large portion of land for sale at N40m.

The complainant, Dominium City Church, in need of a landed property to build their school, negotiated and eventually bought the land for N34.5m. The church also paid additional five percent of the sum, which is, N1.75m as agency fee to Igbwurube Chambers.

Consequently, in September 2010, the church started developing the land, but another lawyer came up to tell them that the land belonged to one Chief Philip C. Asiodu.

The statement read in part, “Investigation was launched into the matter and the convict was found culpable and was arraigned. During trial, counsel for the EFCC, I. I. Mbachie tendered 13 exhibits which were admitted in evidence and marked as exhibit C1-13.

“Having changed his plea, the defence counsel, E. O. Isinu, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy saying, his client was a first time offender.

“Justice Yunusa consequently sentenced Okpala to seven years imprisonment on each count preferred against him. The sentences are to run concurrently.”

Court Freezes Aluko, Omikore's $1.8bn Assets

A federal high court in Lagos has granted a Mareva injunction permitting the Nigerian government to freeze assets owned by two Nigerian businessmen Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore, and their company Atlantic Energy. The individuals are linked to former Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke in a wide range shady business dealings that illegally transferred Nigerian oil assets to them and their companies.

Federal high court in Lagos has granted a Mareva injunction permitting the Nigerian government to freeze assets owned by two Nigerian businessmen Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore, and their company Atlantic Energy. The individuals are linked to former Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke in a wide range shady business dealings that illegally transferred Nigerian oil assets to them and their companies.

The legal documents, exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, demanded a global freeze of $1.8 billion in assets stolen by Atlantic Energy executives Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore. This development follows reports that Mr. Aluko sold his lavish Bel-Air mansion in Los Angeles, USA at a $2 million loss. Mr. Omikore has also been under intense scrutiny by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which seized a 2 million pound wristwatch from him on April 27th, 2016 and raided his Nigerian homes on October 2nd, 2015.

Atlantic Energy was granted enormous contracts from the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) under the direction of the embattled former Minister for Petroleum Resources Madueke. According to reports, when Mrs. Madueke granted Atlantic Energy contracts through the Strategic Alliance Agreements (SAA) the company did not even legally exist.

According to legal documents, available below, Mr. Aluko and Mr. Omikore stole more than $1.7 billion from the Nigerian government.

Assets specifically mentioned include three mansions in Los Angeles, two high-end apartments in New York City, properties in Santa Barbara, California; numerous properties in Lagos including 43 apartments in Banana Island, 58 vehicles, the Galactica Star yacht, and three airplanes.

FIDELITY BANK MD REARRESTED!

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos has rearrested Nnamdi Okonkwo, the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank PLC, over the discovery of $153 million in new funds also laundered through the bank by former Nigerian oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke. Also under arrest is one of the bank’s Heads of

The two top management officials were reportedly arrested and detained at the Lagos offices of the EFCC after fresh revelations emerged that the former oil minister laundered the money through the bank for purposes of rigging the 2015 elections in favor of former President Goodluck Jonathan. 

Metuh Willing To Return N400m – Lawyer

The lawyer to the former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has said that his client is willing to return N400 million to the federal government

– The lawyer said Metuh has established sufficient evidence that he was not aware of the source of the money made available to him (Metuh) by the former president, Goodluck Jonathan

A counsel to the embattled former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has said his client is willing to return the N400 million he (Metuh) allegedly received illegally from the national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Speaking to journalists in court today, May 25, Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu said that since his client have shown sufficient evidence that he (Metuh) did not know the source of N400 million transferred to his company account by Dasuki, he is willing to refund the said amount.

“Chief Metuh had shown sufficient evidence that he was not aware of the source of the N400 million made available to him by the former President and he has shown his willingness, since the commencement of this matter, to refund the said sum even when there is no guilt knowledge (mens rea),” Ikpeazu said.

Ikpeazu also said that having lost an application made at the Appeal Court, his client has the right to go ahead to the Supreme Court to seek justice.

“There are issues in the Appeal Court ruling the defence team is not comfortable with, after due consultation with our client, he will instruct us on the next action. The client has the right of appeal all the way to the Supreme Court,” he added.

Metuh’s appeal on the Federal High Court’s ruling against his no case submission was today upheld by the Appeal Court.

Also speaking on the dismissal of Metuh’s application to travel abroad for a spinal cord treatment, Ikpeazu said it is pertinent to note that his client’s health is paramount.

“What is important to us for now is the health situation of the defendant whose situation has continued to deteriorate. Even the constitution recognizes the fact that an accused should be alive and fit to face trial and defend himself,” he said.

Metuh has been under admission at the National Hospital in Abuja since Monday, May 23,  following his ailing health condition.

He had earlier applied for the court to release his passport and grant him the permission to travel abroad for a spinal cord treatment.

But the trial judge in his matter, Justice Abang said his court lacked the jurisdiction to hear Metuh’s application for the release of his passport and as such cannot decide on his application to travel abroad for treatment.

Abang based his ruling on the grounds that the court having made pronouncements cannot go back on its own order.

The judge also said that Metuh failed to give evidence that no teaching hospital in Abuja can handle his health issue.

I NEVER SAID I COULD FIX POWER IN SIX MONTHS - Fashola

Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Minister of Power, Works and Housing, , has denied ever saying as the then Governor of Lagos State that if given the chance, he could fix the problem of electricity in Nigeria within six months.

He said it during a programme on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network on Tuesday urged those crediting the statement to him to stop peddling falsehood.

He said, “I have heard that I said that electricity problem will be solved in six months. I have never made the statement. Anybody who has a video of where I said this should please make it public. The point I made was when I was handing over the Lekki IPP because we had about 10 megawatts of power there.”

“Missing” N30 Trillion: Okonjo-Iweala Speaks

Former Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala  in a statement issued by
Paul C Nwabuikwu, her
Media Adviser  has reacted to recent media reports that she has been compelled by a High Court to account for the missing N30 Trillion.

The press statement :

Our attention has been drawn to media reports regarding a court judgment alleged to have been entered against the Federal Government of Nigeria and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in respect of an action by the Socio-Economic Rights Agenda (SERAP) pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.

The High Court, according to the media reports, ordered the Federal government and Dr. Okonjo Iweala to provide information relating to N30 trillion Naira allegedly unaccounted for.

Please note the following:

- Dr Okonjo-Iweala hastens to state that she was never served with any court processes in relation to the said matter. She has not read the judgment and would therefore defer any comments on the matter. 

- However from the media reports, the case was instituted in February 2015 but was not served until July 2015 after Dr Okonjo-Iweala had already ceased to be the Minister of Finance. 

- By the date the said papers were purportedly served Dr Okonjo-Iweala was no longer a public officer and could therefore not be the subject of a request for production of any documents or information under the Freedom of information Act.

- The Court processes must have been served on others because the attention of Dr Okonjo-Iweala was never drawn to the matter in which she appears to have been sued personally. She therefore did not engage any lawyer to act for her in the matter.

- The decision of SERAP to anchor its case on a baseless and unsubstantiated allegation by former CBN governor, Professor Charles Soludo that N30 trillion – about seven times the total annual budget during the Jonathan administration – is missing confirms SERAP’s dubious motives and its role as a tool for politically motivated actors.

- It is curious that the first time Dr Okonjo-Iweala is being made aware of a matter filed against her in court is in news reports reporting the delivery of judgment. She has instructed her lawyers to take steps to set aside the judgment as it affects her.

RETIRED ARMY CAPTAIN COMMITS SUICIDE IN CALABAR

Friday William, a retired army Officer has reportedly hung himself to death in Calabar, Cross Rivers state.
William, a native of Mkpat Enin, Akwa Ibom State, was said to have allegedly tied a rope on a mango tree and hung himself outside his apartment at 34, Edim Otop Street last Tuesday night while his family was asleep.

Although the reason for his act is yet to be ascertained, sources alleged that the man who fathered eight children, may have been mentally challenged.

According to a neighbour, Abasi Imoh, “The man had about three cars and got a lot of money from his retirement benefits two years ago and was living well which is the reason many people are surprised with his action.

“He was not poor because he had three cars and had built a house in his village and was generally doing well that is why we were surprised with his action.

“We woke up in the morning to behold the body dangling on the mango tree outside the compound and we do not know what was responsible for his action.

“Before hanging himself, the retired captain reportedly sent a text message to his son, who lives in Port Harcourt at about 10pm, to condole with him over his death and advised him to be strong to take care of his siblings, but the son did not see the message until he got a call the next morning that his father had committed suicide and I feel he had tied the rope ready for the act before he sent the text,” Abasi added.

Meanwhile, the remains of the retired captain of the Nigerian Army has been reportedly taken to his hometown.

PATIENCE OZOKWOR NOW BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN... Drops Mama G alias, jewelry, trousers

Award winning Nollywood actress , Patience Ozokwor , noted particularly for her 'Wicked Mother-In-Law' roles in movies is now a born again christian, who now goes about evangelizing in churches and crusades.

Starttells caught up with her at a crusade organised by St. Marks Anglican Church in Eziobodo Village of Imo State, where she shared her Salvation Experience.

Here is what she had to say;

According to her, she normally organises a personal retreat for herself in the first few days of the new year, when it was time to have her 2016 retreat, she heard the voice of the Holy Spirit telling her to fast for 21 days, she complained that she have so many projects to handle, Endorsements and movies to shoot within that period, and the Lord extended it to a 30 days fast due to her complaints.

During this fasting period, The Lord revealed to her, how she will be a voice for him all over the world, how people's attention will be channeled from her image on Nollywood to The Gospel.

She said one of the things God warned her on, was her dressing and appearance.
She said that Putting on Makeup, wearing Jewelry and putting on Trouser as a Lady is wrong, she said that she has been preaching to colleagues in Nollywood, but God told her to put off her Dreads, to stop wearing Jewelries and Trousers, that she could have gone to Hell, if she died December 31, 2015 despite the preaching she's been doing, just because of her appearance. 

She asked the Holy Spirit to prove to her, give strong reasons, why that was a Sin, and Spirit of God replied that she should browse about it, that Testimonies of personal revelations God gave to people are all over the internet, and all of them are saying virtually the same thing, that she should find those informations to help her life.

She made mention of her Social Class, how the creme de la creame of the society, will attend her funeral and how such event won't be a reflection of the position of her soul.

She subsequently got to the internet and read testimonies of God's encounter with people, she read about an Igbo Woman God encountered, and a Woman called Margaret from Edo State, who could have gone to Hell for hating her Husband.
She said that people in Church is making God cry, due to their dressing, their loose life and conduct.
After that encounter, she gave herself to spirit filled pastors for follow-up.

She further outlined what makes God weep, from Galatians 5: 16-20.
She also took time to explain how a parent-children relationship ought to be.

On this, she said that some of the terrible things children do, is a mirror of what their parents do. She went on to cite an example of a Pastor's wife, buying short dress for her daughter, but will still come to the church and condemn such dressing.
When asked about her Nollywood life, Patience Ozokwor narrated that the Holy Spirit has not specifically directed her to quit or to not.
She said that she has not shot any movie since that encounter in January, that she used to get an average of 1.5 Million Naira weekly, but that God has miraculously been providing her daily bread.
She warned that it will be harder for colleagues in the movie industry, with permanent tattoos and eyebrows when they eventually encounter Christ.
She also said that she should stop being referred to as Mama G, as that name was for when she was in the world. 

We went further to ask about her immediate family reactions to her new found faith, to which she answered that her daughter was upset with her, telling her that spirituality is a thing of the heart, and it doesn't need to affect her dress code. Patience Ozokwor replied her daughter that she should be left alone with her Jesus. The brother also thought that she was mad, on hearing the news, and had to call her to confirm that she is mentally sound.
She also said that she is happy her Son who plays football in Europe is now born again. 
Among other things she pointed was her Anglican Church and SU History, How Christian Association of Nigeria gave her a bible and many other things.
She also talked about a Muslim leader, who said they have Nigeria in their hands, Fulani Herdsmen, and their deadly strategies. She cited example with Turkey (Istanbul) a Christian turned Muslim country.
She also said that Islam is ready to take over the world, but our problem is that Christians can easily lose their faith for money.
A look at Mummy Patience will tell you that really, something has happened.

ABUJA PASTOR, JOSHUA IGINLA GIVES OUT 16 SUVS, 16 CARS TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY.... Jide Kosoko, Aluwe, Alex Usifo, Francis Duru, Others are Beneficiaries

Joshua Iginla, Senior Pastor of Champions Royal Assembly, Kubwa, Abuja, on Sunday, celebrated his birthday in a very magnanimous way as he gave out 16 saloon cars and 16 SUVS, totalling 32vehicles. 

Beneficiaries of Pastor Iginla's  large heart includes six Nollywood actors and actresses - Jide Kosoko, Francis Duru, Alex Usifo, Ngozi Osondu, Thelma Nwosu and Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as Pappy Luwe. they smiled home with Hummer jeep 3 series, Mercedes G-Wagon and Mercedes CLS 550.

Iginla had, in 2015, given 18 cars and millions of naira as birthday gifts to people to celebrate his birthday.

This year he also also gave out money running into several millions of naira to the aged, widows, orphanages and scholarships to orphans from nursery school to university.

Artisans got generators and cash gifts while the widows got deep freezers, rice and cash gifts ranging from N150,000 to N1.5 million.
Treasure Orphanage Foundation, Nyanya, Divine Wound Orphanage, Kubwa and Christ Home Foundation, Kuje, got N1.5 million each and rice while some orphans in the homes were awarded scholarships from nursery to university.
Iginla said he had 782 widows and orphans he caters for.

“It doesn’t matter to me if I trek home as I have given even the car that I personally drive.
“I can only drive one car and live in one house at a time. This understanding is what has taught me that when I die, others will inherit my assets.
“The beauty of life is not in its duration but in its donation. I have not seen some of the beneficiaries before in my life or spoken to them.

“I’m seeing many of them for the first time today. I am seeing Jide Kosoko for the first time”, he said.
Iginla also said he gave cars to the Nollywood actors because many of them were poor but people erroneously think they were rich.

According to him, the fruit of the Nollywood artistes were being reaped by pirates and challenged government to do something to arrest it.

“The Nollywood actors and actresses are our ambassadors; they have projected the image of this country positively”, he said.
Kosoko, who confirmed he was meeting Iginla for the first time, commended him for his philanthropy.

Jonathan Goes On Exile In Cote D’Ivoire

• Agip pipeline hit for second time in one week, vandals arrested 

• MEND calls for end of attacks as presidency considers Alaibe for Amnesty post 

• Report: Shell paid $5bn to FG in 2015

There are strong indications that former President Goodluck Jonathan may have gone into temporary self exile in Cote d’Ivoire, following reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may arrest him on his arrival in Nigeria from his overseas tour on allegations of corruption and misappropriation of billions of dollars in the five years during which he was Head of State, THISDAY has learnt.

Several sources close to the ex-president, who confirmed that Jonathan had sought refuge last week in the West African country, also blamed the heightened attacks on oil and gas installations by Ijaw militants in the Niger Delta, resulting in the loss of an estimated 800,000-900,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), to what they claimed was “the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to renege on his promise that his predecessor had ‘nothing to fear’ from him (Buhari) after he handed over the reins of power on May 29, 2015”.

Immediately after his electoral victory in 2015 and at his presidential inauguration, Buhari, in what was seen as a political gesture, had stated that he would not go after his successor, despite allegations that the former president had presided over widespread corruption during his five years in the saddle.

However, since Jonathan’s departure, anti-corruption agencies led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have swept in on several associates of the former president on allegations of money laundering, diversion of public funds and contract scams, mostly linked to defence sector contracts and the purchase of arms used for the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram in the North-east.

In recent weeks, the EFCC has in addition to arresting and prosecuting several public office holders who served under the Jonathan administration, arrested some of the closest allies of the former president including his cousin, Mr. Aziobola Robert, in connection to a $40 million pipeline surveillance contract, and his former principal secretary and confidant Mr. Hassan Tukur.

These arrests were said to have shaken the former president, given that they were the two persons closest to him during his presidency.

A source, who spoke to THISDAY on Jonathan’s decision to give Nigeria a wide berth, said the former president was reliably warned by security sources of the plan to arrest him once he stepped into the country, hence his decision to seek exile in Cote d’Ivoire.

Jonathan, the source disclosed, departed Nigeria for the United States almost two months ago travelling to several cities but stayed in New York for some two weeks. After departing the US, he travelled to London to be with his children for a few days, preparatory to his return to Nigeria.

But while in the UK, he was warned by sympathetic officials in different arms of government of the government’s decision to arrest him once he returned to Nigeria.

On getting wind of the plan,  Jonathan, THISDAY gathered, contacted a few West African leaders including the President of Cote d’Iviore, Mr. Alassane Outtara, who offered him a safe haven until the coast is clear for him to return to Nigeria.

Sources close to the president said since the information of the government’s resolve to arrest Jonathan swept through the Niger Delta, Ijaw militants have gone berserk and stepped up their attacks on oil and gas installations in the region. They are said to be hell bent on shutting down oil output completely.

One source said the militants are targeting all onshore and shallow water installations, from where Nigeria derives the bulk of 90 per cent of its foreign exchange earnings and may head for the deep offshore oil fields if the federal government does not back down.

“Perhaps the only installations that may not be affected in the interim by militant attacks are those in the deep offshore basin because they are more difficult to reach and would require large vessels to access,” said the source who, however, added that “during the last militant crises we went as far as shutting down the Bonga deep water oil field”.

In order to stem the renewed wave of attacks, governors in the region have scrambled and sent teams to the creeks to placate the militants, but so far their efforts appear to have fallen on deaf ears.

The governors are particularly concerned that the attacks on oil installations would hurt the Niger Delta states the most due to the attendant decline in revenue.

When contacted on the plan by the government to arrest Jonathan and his purported exile, Buhari’s media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, said he was not aware that the former president was in exile, adding that questions on his arrest could only be addressed by the security and law enforcement agencies.

Exam Malpractice: Benedicta Daudu, Corruption Committee Member Steps Down After Cheating Expose

Benedicta Daudu, a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Advisory Committee against Corruption, who is embroiled in an examination malpractice scandal, has resigned from the committee after a PREMIUM TIMES’ exclusive story.
In a text message to the platform on Saturday, the executive secretary of the committee, Bolaji Owasanoye, said the committee discussed the allegation against Mrs. Daudu, and she “voluntarily” stepped down from the committee until the matter is officially dealt with by the authorities of the University of Jos.

“The Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption has discussed the allegations against Dr Benedicta Daudu based on information in the public domain and Dr Benedicta Daudu has voluntarily stepped down from the committee until the matter is officially concluded by the university,” he wrote.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported on Saturday how Mrs. Daudu, an associate professor of law and head of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law of the Faculty of Law in University of Jos (UNIJOS), was allegedly caught cheating while writing an examination for a Master’s degree in Research and Public Policy in the Faculty of Social Sciences of the same university.

The associate professor who has a Masters in Law, was working towards another master in Research and Public Policy.

The department accused her of sneaking in prepared answers, also referred to as “chokes” by students, during the examination for the Global Context in Public Policy course.

Sources said the matter was subsequently reported to the university’s examination committee but some students and faculty claimed there were attempts at cover ups by the university authorities.

Markafi Gets Ogun State PDP Backing

Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ogun State, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, on Sunday declared the appointment of former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, as the party's new National Caretaker Chairman, a welcome development designed to reposition the PDP for victory in subsequent elections in Nigeria.

A statement by the Ogun State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Malik Ibitoye, quoted Ogundele as saying that, "The Ogun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) under the Chairmanship of Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele hereby salutes the courage of the PDP National Planning Committee headed by His Excellency, Gov. Nyesom Wike for its decision to reposition the party by dissolving the National Executive of our party and setting up of Caretaker Committee.

"While it is not a lie that our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has faced some challenges in recent times, the greatest reality is always the willingness and tenacity of members to assiduously work to ensure this political ship is steered to safety. This has been demonstrated, again, by party members and leaders at the Port Harcourt Convention.

"By our actions at the convention on Saturday, 21 May, the PDP can be likened to a phoenix capable of regenerating itself, rising from its own ashes and subduing predictions of doom. This great feat is sired by the genuine love for the party and determination of members to steady the voyage despite the turbulent political sea we have continually travelled on. The day has broken for all forces and political leanings to return to base, integrate and build formidable strengths for the future’s greater battle.

"The post-convention period is a time for rebuilding, reconstructing, and recovering the party from the morass of brinkmanship, disunity and meaningless trifles already overcome by the gathering at Port Harcourt, Rivers state. As the only pan-Nigerian party, the PDP can’t afford to put Nigerians in greater despair than they are currently in, no thanks to the ruling federal government. Every PDP member must know that the PDP is a Nigerian project, and, shares a common fate with the country’s democracy. We must not lose hope, but trudge on to achieve unity and victory.

"The Ogun State PDP hereby declares total support for all the decisions taken at the National Convention where the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s led National Executives was dissolved and a Caretaker Committee led by Ex Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi as Chaiman and Senator Ben Obi as Secretary was set up with a mandate to hold a credible National Convention where new National Working Committee members will be elected within 90 days."

''We however assure all members of our great party, PDP in the State ‎of our resolve, in the spirit and letter of the Port Harcourt Convention to work assiduously towards uniting all various interests and reposition the party for sure victory in the 2019 general elections''.  

PASTOR SUNDAY ADELAJA DENIES SLEEPING WITH 20 CHURCH MEMBERS

Popular Nigerian pastor, Sunday Adelaja, founder of one of Europe’s largest churches, Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations Church in Kiev, Ukraine, has denied allegations that he had extramarital affairs with at least 20 women in his church.

The pastor who is now under pressure to step down as the spiritual head of the church. said the rumour was generated in an attempt by some people to take over the church from him.

“That is not true at all; I have read what people are saying about me. The funny thing is that nobody asked me for any information; no interview was granted to anyone,” he told SUNDAY PUNCH in an email.

According to a letter posted on the website of the Spiritual Council Russian Union of Christians Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals), written by one Apostle Toff Ulissis, a clergyman said to be providing spiritual care to the Nigerian pastor, Adelaja was urged to “seek psychiatric help in Kiev and the United States.”

Ulissis said, “Pastor Sunday mentioned that he had a relationship with 20 or 30 women; probably, the number was more than he could remember. Also, I talked with many women (married and unmarried), as well as with their husbands, and they shared with me their pain and described how the pastor manipulates people, who work for him. All the stories were equally horrific, disgusting and depressing. People are very sorry about the current situation with the pastor and wanted him to have psychiatric help.

“I made it clear that my aim is not to destroy either the Embassy of God, because many people have found help in the church or Pastor Sunday as a person. I wanted to make sure that everything has been done to these women and the couples have received care, reconciliation and redeeming restoration.”

Also, a bishop in Adelaja’s church, Anatoly Belonozhko, has resigned from the church, saying the embattled pastor was not willing to seek help.

“We, as church elders, began to create new projects and exercises to heal and restore the church, a new structure, and of course, help our pastor. But Pastor Sunday in writing categorically rejected our help, humiliating us and saying that we have no power to tell him what to do and how to do it and that he knows how and what to do.

“For 22 years in the Church of the Embassy of God, of which 14 years in the rank of bishop, I have always been faithful and responsible before God and people for their service. Taking this opportunity, I want to refute the lie that I knew of pastor’s sin for a long time. I found out about the moral fall of Pastor Sunday in the middle of December 2015 through the pastors of the Apostolic Council. After I learned about it, I talked to Pastor Sunday, trying to help. Remaining in the church in the most difficult time for all of us to save and restore the church and souls of men. But as I understand it, the pastor does not need my help,” Belonozhko said.

Debunking all allegations against him, Adelaja stated, “It is actually an old story that was cooked up by some disgruntled members of my leadership team when they knew of my decision to hand over the church because of my plan to return to Africa.

“So, it’s a leadership tussle from those whose desires for church leadership were not granted. I’m happy with my wife. The church here in Ukraine is doing well. So I thank God that their stories though believed by some without confirmation is still false nevertheless.”