$16bn power projects: EFCC begins probe of suspects

Following representations made by some civil society groups, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has set machinery in motion to probe the controversy surrounding the $16 billion allegedly spent on power projects during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The anti-graft agency may invite two ex-ministers, former top
officials of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), present and past officials of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and all the people recommended for investigation by a committee of the House of Representatives.

A team in EFCC was already collating facts and figures at press time yesterday.

But a top source, who spoke in confidence, said the move was not targeted at ex-President Obasanjo.
According to findings by our correspondent, the EFCC might conduct a forensic and comprehensive investigation into the alleged $16 billion power projects.

The scope of the investigation includes the total cost of the projects, how much was withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), the total number of contracts awarded, the extent of compliance with due process and the status of the execution of all the projects.

A top source, who spoke in confidence yesterday, said: “We are looking into all the allegations and issues surrounding the power projects.

“We will conduct a comprehensive and forensic probe to ascertain the true status of all the projects.
“This investigation will actually ascertain how much has been spent so far.

“We have many figures being bandied about as follows: $16 billion, $13.278 billion, $10.3 billion, $8.4 billion and $8.55 billion.

“This is not an investigation aimed at ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo or anybody. We have to step in to set the records straight.

“Already, a team is collating facts and figures on these projects as part of the preliminary level/ bend of the investigation.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We will retrieve the report of the House of Representatives Committee which investigated the power projects.

“The House actually recommended 18 top former public officers, including two ex-ministers, for investigation by anti-graft agencies, especially EFCC and ICPC.
“Many salient issues were raised for investigation by the House
Committee, which was headed by Hon. Ndudi Elumelu.”
The issues raised by the Elumelu Committee were as follows:

• All NIPP payments were made without following due process
•  
• No meaningful progress was made in the execution of power contracts
•  
• Officials rushed to pay contractors in full even before engineering design for the projects have been completed and approved
•  
• NIPP contracts were not only overpriced in comparison with PHCN contracts, they were also wide off the mark
•  
• Widespread evidence of systematic over-scoping of projects in order to inflate costs both in PHCN and NIPP
•  
• NIPP Distribution EPC contracts were awarded at costs averaging about 10 times the norm when compared to PHCN contracts.

The Ndudi Elumelu Committee was put in place by the House on January 31, 2008 to look into how much was spent on power projects.
In its report, the committee said that about $13.278 billion was spent on power projects between 1999 and 2007.

The committee recommended termination of 13 contracts and review of 10 projects.
About 15 contracting and consulting companies were asked to be investigated by the appropriate agencies.

Manchester United joined by Spurs and Roma in the chase for Justin Kluivert

Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Roma are all interested in signing Ajax forward Justin Kluivert this summer, according to reports. The 19-year-old has 12 months left on his current contract this summer and has confirmed that he will not be renewing at the Dutch club. This has led to reports that he will leave this summer, or possible on a free in a years time. It is obvious that some of the biggest clubs in Europe will be interested in signing the attacking player, who has shown his skills and abilities at the club over the years.

Kluivert spoke to Dutch news source Volkskrant last week confirming that he would not sign a new deal with the club, suggesting that it has not been the best period of his life. He stated that Ajax tried to sell him to Spurs, all without his knowledge, something which he said he heard at the last minute. It does not seem to make him sound too happy at the club, which is something that will reinforce the rumours that suggest he will leave. Kluivert said:

“I’m not renewing my contract at Ajax. Too much has happened. The decreasing morale, lack of confidence, trying to sell me to Tottenham without me knowing. I heard about that at the last minute. That says nothing about Ajax, but about the people in the club.”

France Football has claimed that Serie A club Roma are now monitoring the situation and it has been suggested that the club has been in contact with the player’s agent, Mino Raiola. Eusebio di Francesco’s team finished third in the league this season, therefore offering UEFA Champions League football next season. Both Spurs and United can offer the player the same though, so it may not be a battle that seems obvious right now. Kluivert will go to the club that offers him the best route to playing time.

The report by The Sun states that Jose Mourinho will look to sign Kluivert if Anthony Martial leaves the club this summer. It is funny how his name keeps popping up in transfer rumours. Many blame Mourinho for the fact Martial was not picked by France for the FIFA World Cup this summer, which is pathetic as when Martial has played, he does not offer much to the side. On Saturday, after coming on in the FA Cup final, the performance the Frenchman gave was pathetic and suggested all was not right.

If Martial had put in the effort when it was needed this season, it could have been a different story for him. It is said that Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Juventus are all monitoring Martial’s situation this summer, and he does have the time to sort out a transfer, after his holidays, if that is something he wants to do. It would be a shame to see him leave the club, but that will be on him, not United.

Kluivert player 30 times for Ajax this season, scoring ten goals. He is a talent and one which would be raw in places. Not a ready-made player to step into the limelight. United need experience this summer, which is something midfielder Nemanja Matic has called for, but a mixture of youth and experience is the right thing for the club. United’s experienced players, well some of them, have let the club down this season with Mourinho having players he trusts in his team, also some that he doesn’t.

This summer is going to be an important one for United, one that will need to be conducted correctly. The manager will need to be backed by the club and by the fans. Some fans want a chance of manager, which would set the club back a few years again with a whole new philosophy and a way of doing things to be learned, players to come and go and a period of transition to start again. United need stability more than ever right now, with some patience from the supporters to be added too, not discontent from far away fans who spend little or nothing to support the club.

Bobrisky Getting Married On Sunday

Nigerian transvestite Bobrisky has revealed that he will be getting married to his mysterious ‘bae’ on Sunday, May 20.
The popular transvestite, who has over 20,000 followers on SnapChat, made this known on Thursday.
He apologised to his fans before making the announcement.

Bobrisky wrote: “I am sorry guys bobrisky is getting married on Sunday this is just between i and bea wait for ur bride on Sunday.”
This is the first personal report about the cross-dresser that will be making headlines since his drama with 2018 Big Brother Naija housemate, Nina.

Bobrisky had accused the former housemate, who he has been drumming support for throughout the span of the show, of betraying him.
The pair have, however, settled their differences.

DJ Avicii Killed Himself - Report Says

DJ and producer Avicii conferred suicide by cutting himself with a shard of glass, the superstar babble site TMZ announced Tuesday. A delegate for the Swedish DJ did not answer to demands for input. In any case, his family prior intimated that Avicii had murdered himself. 

"He truly battled with considerations about Meaning, Life, Happiness," his family said in an open letter on Thursday. "He couldn't go on any more. He needed to discover peace." 

TMZ, citing anonymous sources, said that Avicii incurred serious seeping by cutting himself with glass, potentially from a jug. The 28-year-old whose genuine name was Tim Bergling was discovered dead on April 20 while on an excursion in Oman. 

Police in the Gulf sultanate said that there was no sign of treachery. Avicii had long talked about his issues with liquor addiction and his battles as a contemplative person in adjusting to the hard-celebrating DJ way of life. 

He dazed fans in 2016 by resigning from visiting at the time of only 26, in spite of the fact that he later came back to the studio. 

Avicii was one of the principal DJs to bring electronic move music into the standard, filling celebrations and winning radio airplay as he teamed up with craftsmen including Madonna and Coldplay. He had retired from touring in 2016, citing a series of health concerns that included acute pancreatitis, in part due to excessive drinking.

In a documentary titled "Avicii: True Stories," released in October last year, he also repeatedly warned that the touring lifestyle was going to kill him — but that he was being pressured to continue.

The family's previous statement, issued early last week, said: "We would like to thank you for the support and the loving words about our son and brother. We are so grateful for everyone who loved Tim's music and have precious memories of his songs."

AFP.