Business
Three Years of Probation Has Been Imposed by a US court on Air Peace Boss Allen Onyema’s suspected Fraud Conspirator.
A United States court on Friday sentenced a self-confessed conspirator in the alleged $20 million fraud allegedly organised by Air Peace CEO, Allen Onyema, to three years’ probation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The court also awarded $4,000 as fine against Ebony Mayfiled, who, had in June, pleaded guilty to the charge of signing and submitting fake documents to facilitate the alleged fraud.
The US government accused her of signing and submitting the fabricated documents between 2016 and 2018, to help Mr Onyema, owner of Air Peace, a major Nigerian commercial airline, to move $20 million from Nigeria to the US in an alleged money laundering scheme.
She was charged in 2019, and she initially pleaded “not guilty” to all eight charges at the District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Atlanta.
But she changed her plea to plead guilty to one of the charges in June, after entering into a plea agreement that saw the US government drop the seven remaining charges against her.
The law under which she was charged provided for maximum five years jail term for the offence she pleaded guilty to.
Following her guilty plea, her lawyer filed for a variance of sentence on 13 October, begging to be sentenced to a probated sentence or what is called supervised release, instead of imprisonment.
At the sentencing on Friday, the judge, Eleanor Ross, after discussing the pre-sentence report with lawyers to the parties, and listening to Ms Mayfield briefly, imposed “a total of THREE (3) YEARS of probation” on her.
The judge also ordered “$4,000 fine (the interest is waived); $100 special assessment; and additional requirements.”
He also gave her limited appellate rights, and noted that she was already on bail.
Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, has rejected calls for him to support the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, or any other Igbo politician contesting in the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Kalu made this known on Monday while responding to questions during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.
The former Abia State governor dismissed expectations that he should support Obi or other candidates contesting outside the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that his political loyalty remains with the ruling party.
The senator maintained that he had no reason to campaign for candidates belonging to other political parties, adding that he believes the political interests of the South-East should be pursued through the APC.
He said, “I’m not in the political party where they are contesting. Why should they call my name? I mean, they shouldn’t. Why should they call? No, they are just being idiotic.
“I was in PDP, I was in PPA, and my third political party is APC. So if I’m in this practice and you want me to go and support somebody in APGA, you must be sick in your mind. You must be dreaming.
“I am a member of APC, pure and direct. Yeah, leave me there. I don’t have any interest. If Igbos have interest, [and] they don’t want to pursue [it in] APC; that is their business. There’s no other place the interest will be pursued except where I am.”
The future of Nigeria’s Naira-for-Crude policy remains in limbo as negotiations continue between the Nigerian government and Dangote Refinery. The six-month agreement between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery expired on March 31, 2025, without a renewal, leading to the suspension of the refinery’s sale of refined petroleum products in Naira. However, the refinery has continued processing approximately 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily, with 35% of the crude sourced from international markets, particularly Brazil and Equatorial Guinea.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Although the policy’s future is still under review, sources suggest that its economic implications, especially concerning fuel prices and foreign exchange rates, make it crucial to the national economy. Despite challenges in crude supply from NNPC, Dangote Refinery has expanded its global sourcing and is currently sourcing crude from Brazil’s Petrobras and Equatorial Guinea.
No official agreement has been reached yet to extend the Naira-for-Crude deal. The Nigerian government’s committee in charge of the policy is waiting for recommendations from the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission before proceeding. Meanwhile, the refinery’s management has expressed uncertainty regarding the renewal of the deal, citing concerns over the financial strain and volatility of exchange rates. The future of the policy remains unclear, with NNPC expected to supply crude oil to Dangote Refinery in April, but payment terms are yet to be finalized.
The price of cement, a vital resource for Nigeria’s construction industry, has witnessed significant changes recently, with rates fluctuating depending on brand, location, and market factors. Here is an overview of the current prices for some leading cement brands:....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
-
Dangote Cement: The cost of a 50kg bag of Dangote Cement ranges between ₦8,000 and ₦10,300. Known for its high quality, Dangote Cement remains a preferred choice in various construction projects. Prices are generally lower in areas near production plants but tend to rise in regions requiring extensive distribution.
-
BUA Cement: Priced between ₦8,000 and ₦8,500 per 50kg bag, BUA Cement is popular among builders due to its competitive pricing and stability. Prices may vary slightly depending on proximity to manufacturing sites.
-
Lafarge Water Shield Cement: Priced at ₦20,000 per 50kg bag, this cement variant is specifically formulated for durability and resistance to moisture, making it ideal for projects in damp environments.
-
Waterproof Cement JK: Available at ₦15,000 per 50kg bag, Waterproof Cement JK is engineered to offer exceptional protection against water ingress, particularly useful for wet construction sites.
Over the past year, cement prices in Nigeria have surged significantly. At the start of 2024, a 50kg bag cost around ₦4,500. By November 2024, the price rose to about ₦8,500, reflecting an increase of approximately 89%. This upward trend is attributed to factors such as rising production costs, increased demand, and logistical challenges.
Marketers predict a potential further increase in cement prices, emphasizing the need for stakeholders in the construction sector to stay informed and plan accordingly.
-
latest1 year ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest3 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment3 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest3 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics3 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest3 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics3 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest3 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp