AfDB Boss, Adesina Cleared Of Corruption Allegations

Akinwumi Adesina

An independent panel of experts, headed by former Irish President, Mary Robinson, has cleared the beleaguered leader of the African Bank of Development (AfDB) of corruption, according to a report obtained by AFP. 

Akinwumi Adesina, 60, a charismatic speaker known for his elegant suits and bow ties, became the first Nigerian to helm the AfDB in 2015 — but a 15-page report earlier this year claimed that under his watch the bank had been tarred by poor governance, impunity, personal enrichment and favouritism.

The panel of three experts, led by Robinson alongside Gambia’s Chief Justice Hassan Jallow and the World Bank’s integrity Vice President Leonard McCarthy, cleared Adesina of all charges alleged by whistleblowers.

“The Panel concurs with the Committee in its findings in respect of all the allegations against the President and finds that they were properly considered and dismissed by the Committee,” Monday’s report concluded.

The African banking institution and Adesina, who is the sole candidate for the bank’s August’s presidential elections has been battered by the rollercoaster of allegations after the whistleblowers’ complaints were leaked to the media in April.

The former Minister of Agriculture had always stated he was “innocent” of the charges.

37 Generals redeployed – Nigerian Army

                               Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has approved new postings/deployment and appointments of 37 Generals and five Colonels to different formations and units in his effort to rekindle the spirit of professionalism in the Nigerian Army (NA).

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Musa said that the posting which was approved by Buratai was a routine/normal exercise intended to reinvigorate the system for greater professional effectiveness and efficiency.

The major highlights of the postings include – the postings and appointments of Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor from Defence Headquarters Department of Training and Operations to Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Minna as Commander.

Maj.-Gen. FO Agugo was redeployed from 6 Division NA Port Harcourt to Headquarters NA Signal Corps Apapa Lagos as Corps Commander Signals, while Maj.-Gen. M Mohammed was moved from Signal Corps Apapa Lagos to Office of the COAS as Special Adviser NA University Biu.

Also, Maj.-Gen. AM Dikko was moved from Administrative Staff College of Nigerian Badagry to NA Training Centre Kontagora as Commander, while Maj.-Gen. US Yakubu moves from Corps of Artillery Kontagora to Army Headquarters Abuja (AHQ) as Chief of Administration (Army).

Maj.-Gen. BO Sawyer moves from AHQ Department of Policy and Plans to NA Armour School Bauchi as Commandant, Maj.-Gen. IO Uzamere was redeployed from NA College of Logistics Lagos to AHQ as Chief of Logistics (Army).

Russian university completes clinical trials of Covid-19 vaccine

Russia has become the first country to have completed clinical trials of a Covid-19 vaccine candidate, after Sechenov University said that it had concluded its study.

According to Sechenov University Center for Clinical Research on Medications head and chief researcher Elena Smolyarchuk, study data showed the vaccine candidate’s effectiveness, reported Russian news agency TASS.

Smolyarchuk was quoted by the news agency as saying: “The research has been completed and it proved that the vaccine is safe. The volunteers will be discharged on 15 July and 20 July.”

The trial participants will be monitored on an outpatient basis after being discharged.

Magu probed over alleged ownership of Dubai properties

The suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu’s problems heightened on Wednesday as the presidential panel investigating corruption allegations against him shifted its focus to properties he allegedly acquired in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

The suspended EFCC boss, who has been in the police custody since his arrest on Monday, was interrogated for the third time on Wednesday.

It was also gathered that fresh allegations emerged against Magu as the panel continued its sitting just as he was again detained after Wednesday’s interrogation.

Magu was accosted by security agents in plain clothes in front of the old EFCC headquarters on Fomella Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, at noon on Monday and compelled to appear before the panel.

Quick Review: Thorium

Silvery-white metal. Density: 11.72 g/cm³. The name comes from the Scandinavian god Thor. In the early applications of X-rays, which were discovered in 1895, thorium oxide was injected to improve the observation of blood flow in some organs ("Thorotrast" method). Subsequently, many patients became ill with cancer. It was also used as additive in toothpaste. Only in 1898, seventy years after the discovery of thorium by Jöns Berzelius in 1828, did Marie Curie and Gerhard Carl Schmidt show that it is radioactive.

In the days of gas lighting, the net bags surrounding the gas flames were impregnated with thorium nitrate. These net bags absorb heat from the flame, attaining 1400 °C, and emit a brilliant white light.

90 % of the heat in the liquid inside the Earth is produced by the decay of the isotopes thorium-232 and uranium-235. The mechanical interaction of plates of the Earth’s crust, floating on the matter below, causes earthquakes.

Kwara Governor’s Chief of Staff dies of COVID-19

Aminu Adisa Logun, the Chief of Staff (Kwara State Governor)

Kwara State Government has directed officials who had contact with the late Chief of Staff, Aminu Adisa Logun, in the past two weeks to proceed on self-isolation while their samples are taken for COVID-19 test.

The State Commissioner of Communications, Mrs Adenike Afolabi-Oshatimehin, said this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

In the statement titled, ‘Chief of Staff: Kwara Officials proceed on isolation’, the commissioner directed “Cabinet members, personal staff of the late Chief of Staff, and some medical personnel who have recently had varying degrees of contacts with the late technocrat have now proceeded on self-isolation”.

Place Magu on watch-list so he won’t flee – Fayose tells FG

Ayodele Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has asked security agencies in the country to place suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on watch-list.

Fayose took to his verified Twitter handle on Tuesday to call on the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, amongst others.

According to the former governor, Magu should be placed on the country’s watch list so that he won’t disappear into thin air.

He wrote, “Just as Magu directed that I be placed on “watch-list” even when I had immunity as a sitting governor, Magu too must be placed on watch-list so that he won’t run away. EFCC, DSS, Customs, Police, Immigration, Army, Navy, Air Force, others, over to you. What goes around comes around.”

Ibrahim Magu suspended as EFCC Boss

Ibrahim Magu

Ibrahim Magu has been suspended from office as the acting-chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Magu was suspended on Tuesday by the Buhari administration amidst allegations of gross misconduct.

Mr Magu was recently accused of corruption, insubordination and abuse of office by Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.

Stemming from Mr Malami’s allegations, Mr Magu was arrested on Monday morning by a police team outside his office in Abuja.

Japan’s heavy rain causes floods, mudslides; many feared death

About 34 people are either confirmed or feared dead –  including 14 at a nursing home –  after torrential rain in Japan triggered massive floods and mudslides, authorities said Sunday.

Rescuers were searching for 14 others still missing after floods hit the Kumamoto region on the southwestern island of Kyushu, destroying houses, sweeping away vehicles and causing bridges to collapse.

The regional government confirmed 18 people had died, while another 16 were declared in a state of “cardio-respiratory arrest” – a term often used in Japan before a doctor officially certifies death.

Japan almost always suffers from flooding during its rainy season but rescue and evacuation efforts this year have been further complicated by the coronavirus outbreak.

Authorities at emergency shelters made evacuees wash their hands, wear masks and maintain social distance to avoid the virus adding to the problems.

“We will do our utmost to prevent the spread of the infection and make the lives of those who had to flee their home as comfortable as possible,” Disaster Management Minister Ryota Takeda told reporters after visiting a gymnasium in Hitoyoshi city where 600 residents are sheltering.