National News
EFCC Re-arraigns Woman for N12.7m Fraud in Maiduguri

EFCC Re-arraigns Woman for N12.7m Fraud in Maiduguri
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, re-arraigned one Dookenger Takon before Justice Umaru Fadawu’s Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on a four -count amended charge bordering on cheating, forgery, issuance of dud cheque and obtaining by false pretence the sum of N12.8 million
A statement by EFCC on Friday said Dookenger was re-arraigned alongside her company, X-traordinaire Designs Ltd.
She was first arraigned on 28th October, 2020 on a four-count charge, which she pleaded ‘not guilty’.
At the resumed hearing today, prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ahmed informed the court of the amended charge and asked that the defendant be invited to take her plea.
Justice Fadawu granted the prayer of the prosecution, and she pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Count one of the amended charge read: “That you, Dookenger Odey Takon being a Managing Director of X-traordinaire Designs Ltd and Alter ego of X-Traordinaire Designs Ltd and X-traordinaire Ltd, a company registered in Nigeria sometime in September, 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N 10, 500, 000.00 (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only from one Abatcha Anas under the false pretence that the sum represent payment for the execution of a purported contract of constructing a Mopol container and store awarded to X-traordinaire Designs Ltd by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), International Organization for Migration (I.O.M) which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under 1(3) of the same Act.”
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Count two read: “That you, Dookenger Odey Takon being a Managing Director and alter ego of X-traordinaire Designs Ltd and X-traordinaire Ltd, a company registered in Nigeria, sometime in September, 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Abatcha Anas to deliver to you Home Appliances (Electronics) worth N2,259,169.00 (Two Million Two Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira) only by issuing to him a Zenith Bank Plc cheque of X-traordinaire Designs Ltd dated 25th September, 2018 covering the value for the said electronics, which when presented was not honoured and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320(a) and Punishable under 322 of the Penal Code Cap 102 Laws of Borno State.”
Prosecution counsel, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, informed the court that the second prosecution witness was in court and ready to continue with the trial. However, defence counsel, I. H Ngada pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter to enable him study the amende
Justice Fadawu adjourned the case till October 6, 2021 for continuation of trial and ordered the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility.
EFCC Re-arraigns Woman for N12.7m Fraud in Maiduguri
National News
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA

Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), on Wednesday said that the Federal Government’s programmes and policies under President Bola Tinubu-led administration were improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Mrs Adaline Patari, the State Director of NOA, Gombe State office, stated this shortly after a road show to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary in Gombe.
Patari said that programmes and policies of Tinubu-led administration had supported many Nigerians from the student’s loan to conditional cash transfer to support to small businesses amongst others.
She stated that the initiatives by the present administration had restored hope and put the country amongst serious countries pursuing better reforms to improve their economy while revamping infrastructure.
According to her, many undergraduates benefitting from the student’s loan scheme which has removed all financial hindrances impeding access to tertiary education now feel a sense of belonging.
She said that the programmes and policies of the Federal Government have benefitted many households and improved their welfare in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
“The reforms of the Federal Government are working and many persons are proud to be Nigerians and more persons are now trying to do the right things as Nigerians.
“People are beginning to see themselves as proud Nigerians and that confidence of being a Nigerian is being restored.
“Today, many Nigerians are benefitting from the programmes of the current administration, this means that the country is now working for them,” she said.
While acknowledging that there were still challenges that needed to be addressed, Patari said, at 65, we have made tremendous progress especially working together in peace and unity.
She urged Nigerians to continue to support Tinubu administration’s programmes towards building a better country that works for all Nigerians.
The state director said that with the necessary reforms being carried out and already yielding results in the economic, agriculture, security and other sectors, more Nigerians would be prouder to be Nigerians in the future.
“Today, the country is progressing and we are united; we are now prouder to be Nigerians and I can tell you that the labour of our heroes past, indeed is never in vain,” she added.
Commending the contributions of youths to national development, Patari urged them to have a positive mind-set towards Nigeria and to always express optimism of a better Nigeria for everyone.
Patari also lauded the renewed strength with which NOA under the Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu was being driven.
She said that government’s policies and programmes were getting more supports from Nigerians because of the constant engagements of Nigerians by the NOA nationwide.
The event also featured sensitisation of residents on Federal Government’s policies, programmes and the need for the people to support the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria@65: FG’s programmes improving welfare of Nigerians- NOA
National News
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue

Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
By: Michael Mike
Senior Government officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union (EU) have today met in Abuja to assess the vibrant economic partnership between the two parties and chart a way forward.
The inaugural Nigeria-EU Senior Officials Trade and investment Dialogue (TID) was anchored by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, and Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE), Ms Dora Correia,
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot,, welcomed the launch of the Dialogue, which they said underscored the growing importance attached to trade and investment in the EU-Nigeria partnership.
This Senior Officials’ meeting marks an important step in strengthening the trade and investment partnership between the EU and Nigeria, and provided opportunity for the officials to exchange views on areas of mutual interest; address potential challenges and explore opportunities for further collaboration.
Discussions focused on a range of issues, including trade and investment policy, cooperation on market access barriers and requirements, preferential trade and investment arrangements, investment, collaboration within the World Trade Organization (WTO), regulatory measures that could impact trade and investment, and the identification of trade and investment-related development cooperation areas.
Both sides expressed their interest to continue the Dialogue, with the second TID billed to take place in Brussels, Belgium, in 2026, on a date to be jointly decided.
Nigeria, European Union hold inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogue
National News
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary

FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st of October as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
He urged Nigerians to further keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday, Oct. 1 Public Holiday to Marks 65th Independence Anniversary
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