About four hundred female pilgrims from Nigeria who arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, yesterday to participate in this year's hajj were promptly separated from their male counterparts and detained by the Saudi authorities, Daily Trust has reported.
It was gathered that the Saudis demanded to see each female pilgrim's muharram, that is, the approved male companion accompanying her on the trip, usually a husband, father or brother.
When they could not produce any, the Saudis promptly detained them and as at last night, they were threatening to deport them back to Nigeria on the next available hajj plane.
Daily Trust learnt that the pilgrims had arrived Jeddah in two separate Max Air flights Monday afternoon.
One of the planes conveyed pilgrims from Jigawa State while the second plane had pilgrims from Sokoto State.
The nearly 400 women were only allowed to be supplied water and food by the Saudis after strenuous efforts by the Nigerian Consul in Jeddah and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Nurudeen, the paper also learnt.
Contacted on telephone from Sokoto Monday night, Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad who is the Amirul Hajj condemned the Saudi action in the strongest terms and described it as "an insult to Nigeria and to this country's millions of muslims."
He said the action of the Saudi authorities came as a total surprise to Nigeria's hajj authorities because during the numerous meetings held between Nigerian and Saudi officials to prepare for this year's hajj, the issue of muharram for female pilgrims was never raised.
The Sultan said, "They never raised this issue and never demanded that the female pilgrims must have a muharram.
They did not make this a requirement for issuing visas. They issued visas to all these pilgrims, only to embarrass, detain and threaten to deport them when they arrived in the holy land. How can they do this to us? The chairman of the National Hajj Commission assured me that the Saudis never asked for this during all the meetings they held. This is very unfortunate. We have done a lot over the years to improve on our hajj operation and we do not deserve this humiliation."
The Sultan also told Daily Trust that he had ordered the Nigerian pilgrims not to walk voluntarily into planes to be deported. "Let the Saudis physically carry them into the planes and deport them," he said. "They issued them with valid visas, only to shift the goal posts at the very last minute, when they had already arrived in Jeddah."
Spokesman for Max Air, Malam Ibrahim Dahiru, when contacted Monday night, said he was not aware of the development, though he confirmed that the two Max Air planes did indeed land in Jeddah with Jigawa and Sokoto pilgrims.
He expressed surprise that the Saudis would demand for muharram, saying "that is usually asked during the Umrah, but since the hajj is collectively organised by the Federal Government, that is enough guarantee and this demand is not made."
Dahiru also said as at yesterday, Max Air alone had already delivered 9,700 pilgrims to Jeddah in 19 flights from Abuja, Kano, Katsina and Sokoto.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Muslims in Kano, Nigeria have peaceful protest over anti-Islam film
Hundreds of Muslims belonging to Shi'a sect in Kano had a peaceful protest, burning images of Barack Obama and American flag to express their anger over an anti-Islam film produced in the United States of America (USA).
Followers of Shi'a sect, comprising men, children and women, veiled in black, walked from Fagge Juma'at Mosque stretching a distance of about five kilometres up to the Central Mosque near the Palace of the Emir, Ado Bayero, condemning producers of the film that has stirred outrage across the Muslim world.
The sect followers demonstrated peacefully, shouting "death to America, death to Israel and death to the enemies of Islam".
Malam Turi Mohammad, a member of Islamic Movement that organised the protest, led the procession and said "we are out today to express our rage and disapproval over this blasphemous film." Angry protesters burnt pictures of US President Barack Obama, and the country's flag.
Mohammad, who addressed the crowd at the premises of Kano's Central Mosque, adjacent to the Emir's palace, said that "Muslims are pained by this deliberate insult against our religion under the pretext of freedom of expression", urging the protesters to express their displeasure by burning American flag.
He also urged Nigerian government to publicly denounce the film and sever all ties with America and Israel in view of their role in the blasphemous film.
"Nigerian Muslims are not happy with the video because it's aimed to discredit Islam. We are calling on the US government and the United Nation to quickly deal with the person responsible for the film, and put end to this blasphemy across the world," he told the mammoth crowds.
The protest, which was carried out amidst tight security, ended peacefully as military and police officers deployed around the city provided surveillance during the protest. One of the security personnel said "we have no problem with the protest as long as it is peaceful".
Former employees of Air Nigeria want airline probed over N36 billion fraud
Some ex-workers of Air Nigeria have petitioned the Central Bank of Nigeria to investigate the N35.5 billion aviation intervention fund given to the carrier some years back to strengthen its operations.
The CBN had, while injecting the fund to the sector, said that "airlines can now partake of the funds and those that are indebted to banks can refinance their loans and amortise them over a period of 10 to 15 years."
The funds were also supposed to help airlines meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation's certifications and address all the issues of technical standards and planes' airworthiness.
The petition dated September 12, 2012, entitled, "Closure of Air Nigeria, call for investigation of N35.5 billion Aviation Intervention Fund", chairman of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, Air Nigeria, Roland Ahmed said the body respectfully wishes to seek the intervention of the governor of the CBN in a N35.5 billion facility drawn by the carrier.
Part of the letter read: "The fund was graciously released after much pressure to enable Nigeria airlines refinance its huge debt as well as inject life into the administration of aviation.
"We understand that the fund extended to Air Nigeria was guaranteed by the airline's main banker United Bank for Africa. To this end, we feel obliged to intimate you of the recent closure of Air Nigeria for flight operation by its chairman Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim. Permit us Sir, to draw your attention to this as we believe it to be an anomaly and a defeat of the noble intention of the federal government through the CBN. We therefore implore your office to take immediate steps to safeguard the N35.5 billion public fund which now appears trapped by Air Nigeria's closure."
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Arik Air resumes flights
Passengers Sunday besieged the office of the country's biggest carrier, Arik Air, as it resumed operations after suspending domestic flights on Thursday because of picketing by labour unions in the aviation sector.
On resumption, it operated about 100 flights that ferried about 7,000 passengers to several destinations across the country.
The decision to resume operations, a few days after the crisis between the airline and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), over the debt the airline owes the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), was taken at a meeting chaired by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, on Saturday.
Some of the passengers had arrived at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Arik's operational hub for domestic flights at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, as early as 5.30am for its first flight which was scheduled to depart at 7am.
Hundreds of passengers were seen in long queues, pushing and shoving to make their way to the airline's counters while touts made brisk business by offering to secure tickets for passengers at a fee.
Following the suspension of its flights last Thursday over a N7 billion dispute between the airline and the unions, Arik had made refunds to passengers who had previously booked their flights.
However, not all the passengers got refunds, resulting in a siege on the airline Sunday by both those who had previously booked flights and new passengers wanting to buy tickets
One of the passengers, Mr. David Johnson, who felt disappointed at his inability to secure a seat on Arik's 3pm and 5pm scheduled flights to Abuja, said he needed to be in Abuja before 6pm to keep an urgent appointment.
According to him: "I was told that all the flights to Abuja for 3pm and 5pm were fully booked and the only available flight to Abuja for now is 7pm. I really need to be in Abuja before 6pm.
"The funny thing is that I even have an Aero Contractors ticket which I ought to have used to Abuja but I got to the counter 30 minutes before boarding and I was told that they had closed the counter."
Asked about Arik's services, he said the airline offers reasonable services to its passengers, noting that its on-board services were good and that the airline always departs on time.
A female passenger, who refused to give her name, remarked that she had to come to the airport yesterday (Sunday) to ensure that she prepared properly for Monday's flight to Yola at 11am.
She was concerned that the flight might be fully booked because of the backlog of passengers.
"I know that all the flights will be fully booked and I don't want to take that risk by coming tomorrow morning because I don't want to be stranded because at times like this, the airline will give preference to those passengers who were supposed to fly during the crisis period," she said.
On her assessment of the airline, she said: "I have been flying Arik Air for the past four years and I can say that their services are very good.
"I can't really compare Arik with other airlines because I have not flown them apart from Arik."
Friday, September 21, 2012
Nigerian couple in UK prison for fraud
A minicab driver, who claimed he was earning just £700 a month but was living a luxurious life in his Nigerian mansion, has been ordered to pay almost £1.2 million.
Ovo Mayomi and his wife, Juliet Ubiribo, were convicted of fraud in 2010 after using an identity and immigration scam to falsely claim £43,000 in benefits.
Mayomi, 44, claimed he was earning £700 a month and was living in Croydon, south London, while his wife, 32, claimed benefits after telling benefit bosses she was a single mother and a victim of domestic violence.
But fraud investigators found Mayomi and his wife were actually living in a large luxurious house in Lekki, Lagos worth more than £1 million complete with chandeliers and £89,000 worth of sound equipment. He also had a £25,000 watch. His wife wore a Rolex watch and drove a Mercedes Sport Coupe.
Now a British judge has ordered Mayomi to pay £1,197,743.54 in a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, or go to prison for six years.
As well as two money-transferring businesses and bank accounts, investigators also discovered Mayomi owned a fish farm in Nigeria.
The couple's benefit scam unravelled when a visa application by Mayomi showed they had married a year earlier and that Ubiribo had a job with which to support him.
Ubiribo also asked the council to re-house her because she was the victim of domestic violence. She claimed she was a single parent so as to claim housing and council tax benefits to help her pay £900 in rent each month.
However, the telephone number she gave revealed the man she named as her landlord - Ayiomike Neburagho - was, in fact, her husband, Mayomi, using a false identity.
At a police interview, Mayomi admitted that while living in Nigeria, he had bought the identity of Ayiomike Matthew Neburagho and had entered the UK as him.
Mayomi was also shown a wedding photograph of himself, using the Neburagho identity, marrying a Nigerian woman in the UK.
He admitted he was the groom in the wedding photo but he said he was ‘just standing in for someone’.
Ubiribo and Mayomi pleaded guilty to all charges.
Mayomi was jailed for 30 months two years ago and his wife was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
She was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service and be under curfew for four months from 9pm to 6am.
Court orders were signed freezing their assets in the UK and abroad in 2010, and an investigation was launched to find out how much the Nigerian-born couple had gained from their criminal lifestyle and what the extent of their assets was.
Mayomi of Ashburton, disputed the results of the assets investigation, and a subsequent four-day confiscation hearing took place at Croydon Crown Court.
Last Friday, Judge Nicholas Ainley ruled that Mayomi must pay £1,197,743.54 by 14 March next year. It is one of the largest confiscation orders carried out by a council.
Failure to do so will see him sent to prison for six years, during which time interest will accumulate on his debt, which will remain due following his release.
At a hearing in July, a confiscation order was made against Ubiribo for £9,357.42 to be paid by October 19 or face five months in prison.
Investigators had discovered she was the owner of a Rolex watch and a Mercedes Sport Coupe.
Councillor Dudley Mead, deputy leader of the council, said: 'This is a landmark case for Croydon as it is the first time the council’s in-house financial investigator has pursued a major confiscation order of this nature.
'Usually these cases are dealt with by the police rather than local authorities. It is rare for councils to have their own in-house investigator, so it is to the anti-fraud team’s immense credit that it is pioneering the way forward in reclaiming the proceeds of crime.
'As a result of our investigator’s fine work, the council expects to be able to claw back as much as £400,000 in taxpayers’ money.
'This case should serve as a clear warning that crime does not pay. Croydon Council will always prosecute in fraud cases and seek to recover money or assets wherever they are.
'This is to protect decent taxpayers from having to pay more.
Ovo Mayomi and his wife, Juliet Ubiribo, were convicted of fraud in 2010 after using an identity and immigration scam to falsely claim £43,000 in benefits.
Mayomi, 44, claimed he was earning £700 a month and was living in Croydon, south London, while his wife, 32, claimed benefits after telling benefit bosses she was a single mother and a victim of domestic violence.
But fraud investigators found Mayomi and his wife were actually living in a large luxurious house in Lekki, Lagos worth more than £1 million complete with chandeliers and £89,000 worth of sound equipment. He also had a £25,000 watch. His wife wore a Rolex watch and drove a Mercedes Sport Coupe.
Now a British judge has ordered Mayomi to pay £1,197,743.54 in a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, or go to prison for six years.
As well as two money-transferring businesses and bank accounts, investigators also discovered Mayomi owned a fish farm in Nigeria.
The couple's benefit scam unravelled when a visa application by Mayomi showed they had married a year earlier and that Ubiribo had a job with which to support him.
Ubiribo also asked the council to re-house her because she was the victim of domestic violence. She claimed she was a single parent so as to claim housing and council tax benefits to help her pay £900 in rent each month.
However, the telephone number she gave revealed the man she named as her landlord - Ayiomike Neburagho - was, in fact, her husband, Mayomi, using a false identity.
At a police interview, Mayomi admitted that while living in Nigeria, he had bought the identity of Ayiomike Matthew Neburagho and had entered the UK as him.
Mayomi was also shown a wedding photograph of himself, using the Neburagho identity, marrying a Nigerian woman in the UK.
He admitted he was the groom in the wedding photo but he said he was ‘just standing in for someone’.
Ubiribo and Mayomi pleaded guilty to all charges.
Mayomi was jailed for 30 months two years ago and his wife was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
She was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service and be under curfew for four months from 9pm to 6am.
Court orders were signed freezing their assets in the UK and abroad in 2010, and an investigation was launched to find out how much the Nigerian-born couple had gained from their criminal lifestyle and what the extent of their assets was.
Mayomi of Ashburton, disputed the results of the assets investigation, and a subsequent four-day confiscation hearing took place at Croydon Crown Court.
Last Friday, Judge Nicholas Ainley ruled that Mayomi must pay £1,197,743.54 by 14 March next year. It is one of the largest confiscation orders carried out by a council.
Failure to do so will see him sent to prison for six years, during which time interest will accumulate on his debt, which will remain due following his release.
At a hearing in July, a confiscation order was made against Ubiribo for £9,357.42 to be paid by October 19 or face five months in prison.
Investigators had discovered she was the owner of a Rolex watch and a Mercedes Sport Coupe.
Councillor Dudley Mead, deputy leader of the council, said: 'This is a landmark case for Croydon as it is the first time the council’s in-house financial investigator has pursued a major confiscation order of this nature.
'Usually these cases are dealt with by the police rather than local authorities. It is rare for councils to have their own in-house investigator, so it is to the anti-fraud team’s immense credit that it is pioneering the way forward in reclaiming the proceeds of crime.
'As a result of our investigator’s fine work, the council expects to be able to claw back as much as £400,000 in taxpayers’ money.
'This case should serve as a clear warning that crime does not pay. Croydon Council will always prosecute in fraud cases and seek to recover money or assets wherever they are.
'This is to protect decent taxpayers from having to pay more.
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