NEWS
HappeningNow: Innoson sues Imo Govt over N2.5bn debt
Nigeria’s indigenous vehicle manufacturing company, Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing (IVM) has filed a lawsuit against the Imo State Government over its failure to pay or service the debt of N2,547,666,435.00 (Two Billion, Five Hundred and Forty-Seven Million, Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-Five Naira).
The N2. 5 billion was for the purchase price of the various IVM Vehicles including their parts which IVM manufactured, sold and delivered to the State Government but its government had refused and failed to pay same despite repeated demands and appeals.
In a statement issued by the company’s Corporate Communications Head, Cornel Osigwe, it stated that, “The lawsuit which was filed by Prof Joseph N Mbadugha, SAN, FCPA of McCarthy Mbadugha & Co, the counsel to Innoson Vehicles coming against repeated attempts made by the Chairman of Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, to the Governor urging him to pay the company on the vehicles sold, and delivered to the State Government.
“For the avoidance of doubt, sometimes in April 2021, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma invited the Chairman/CEO of Innoson Vehicles, Chief Dr. Innocent Chukwuma to the Imo State Government House, Owerri where they discussed and agreed that Innoson Vehicles would sell and supply various specifications of its brand of Vehicles to the State Government which includes, inter alia;
- 70 units of Innoson 5 Seater double cabin pick-up (IVM Carrier) 4WD
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10 units of Innoson 5- Seater double cabin military pick up (IVM G12)
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10 units of Innoson 5 seater single cabin military pick-up (IVM G12)
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100 units of a complete siren with public addressing system, revolving light, and street police light;
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2 Units of IVM Ambulance Vehicles
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20 Units of IVM G12 MS11
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20 sets of B. Canopy
“The above vehicles which were valued at over N2.5 billion ($6.3M) were supplied in good faith to the Imo State Government based on an understanding with the Governor which arose after a special request that Innoson Vehicles grant the State the favor of paying for the vehicles after deliveries to them and which request was granted and honored.
“The special and privilege request granted to the Governor turned into a nightmare for Innoson Vehicles and Its Chairman after Chief Chukwuma had at various times through several visits, phone calls, messages, and submission of letters requesting payment appealed to the Governor and his conscience to make total payments or set up a payment plan that will offset the debt.
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“The inability of the State Government to pay the aforesaid purchase price of the vehicles supplied has resulted in Innoson Vehicles having difficulties in fulfilling its loan repayment obligations to Keystone Bank Limited and Bank of Industry. These Banks granted their credit facilities at the rate of 10% interest and other fees therein. More so, it has led to the loss of profit arising therefrom and the accruing interest.
“It is also interesting to note that as of July 27th, 2022, the over N2.5 billion worth of vehicles supplied to Imo State Government in April 2021 which is valued at $6.3M is now worth $3.8M. Even if the money is paid today, the value of the money has depreciated by over 40 percent.
“It is therefore based on this premise that Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd has begun the process of recovering its debts against the Imo State Government by slamming a lawsuit of over N2.5 billion with an interest rate of 10% on the entirety of the sum claimed at the High Court of Anambra State, Nnewi Division.”
International News
JUST IN: Equatorial Guinea Blocks WhatsApp Multimedia Amid Engonga Sex Scandal
The government of Equatorial Guinea has imposed new restrictions on WhatsApp, limiting citizens’ ability to download and share multimedia files through mobile data.
This policy follows recent directives for telecommunications operators to control access to “inappropriate content.”
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The measure, however, has led to public frustration, with citizens now relying solely on WiFi for sharing photos, videos, and audio files.
The restrictions come in the wake of a high-profile scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF).
Engonga, 54, is currently under investigation for fraud. During an unexpected search of his home and office, ANIF officials reportedly discovered a collection of more than 400 explicit videos involving Engonga and the wives of various prominent figures.
Among those reportedly involved are relatives of senior officials, including the wife of the Director General of Police, multiple government ministers’ spouses, and even family members of the President of Equatorial Guinea.
The leaked videos have caused a media uproar, with calls for transparency from the government.
Citizens are questioning whether the restrictions on WhatsApp multimedia sharing are part of an effort to prevent the spread of sensitive content related to the scandal.
So far, officials have not commented on the duration of these restrictions or whether they are linked to the ongoing investigation.
The local news platform Ahora EG has reported widespread frustration over the restrictions, quoting anonymous sources expressing concern about the impact on essential communication.
“Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few?” one source asked. “This measure interferes with work and educational activities for thousands who rely on WhatsApp, and it feels more like a move to control than to facilitate communication.”
Critics have also questioned the transparency of the new restriction, with some speculating it may be linked to Vice President Teddy Nguema’s recent announcement of a plan to install surveillance cameras in state offices.
This initiative, he said, is part of a broader government crackdown to reinforce public service laws and combat misconduct among officials.
As frustrations mount, Equatorial Guinea’s citizens are left awaiting clarity on the government’s intentions behind these measures.
With no official statements on how long the restrictions will remain in place, many continue to speculate whether these changes will be temporary or signal a new era of state control over digital communication.
International News
U.S. Election: Historic Decision Looms As Kamala Harris, Trump Enter Dead-Heat Contest
On a high-stakes Tuesday, American voters are heading to the polls in an election that will either catapult Kamala Harris into history as the first woman president or grant Donald Trump a historic return to the White House.
After months of intense campaigning and unexpected developments, Democratic Vice President Harris, 60, and former Republican President Trump, 78, remain locked in one of the closest and most turbulent races of modern times.
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As polling stations open nationwide, both candidates are counting on a strong turnout in key swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
With early voting already at record numbers, tens of millions more are expected to cast their ballots throughout the day, adding to the over 82 million who voted early.
Campaign Finale: Fierce Push for Every Vote
Both campaigns spent Monday frantically rallying supporters. In Pennsylvania, Harris stood on the iconic “Rocky” steps in Philadelphia, energized by celebrities like Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey.
“Momentum is on our side,” she said, calling the race potentially “one of the closest in history” and urging supporters to get to the polls.
Meanwhile, Trump held his closing rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after stops in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
Emphasizing his populist message, he depicted a nation under siege from crime and economic turmoil, promising that his leadership could restore America’s greatness.
“With your vote tomorrow, we can fix every single problem our country faces and lead America — indeed, the world — to new heights of glory,” he declared.
An Election of Unprecedented Drama
This election has been marked by surprising developments that left voters and analysts reeling.
Harris took over the Democratic nomination in July following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal, a dramatic shift that reshaped the race.
Trump’s campaign faced its own challenges, including surviving two assassination attempts and pushing forward even after a criminal conviction.
Despite these extraordinary events, polls show the race remains deadlocked.
Observers are bracing for potential delays in determining a winner, with the tight race suggesting that final results could take days.
In Washington, security is heightened with barriers around the White House and storefronts boarded up, fearing possible unrest.
Trump’s ongoing claims about election integrity — similar to those he made in 2020 — have already raised concerns about the potential for dispute if he loses.
Global Impact: Allies, Rivals Watch Anxiously
The international community is closely watching the U.S. election, as the outcome could reshape key policies.
A Harris administration would likely pursue climate action, support for NATO, and continued aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Trump’s “America First” approach, however, signals a return to isolationist policies that unsettle allies while promising sweeping trade tariffs that concern trading partners.
The election’s significance extends beyond politics, as Harris would make history as the first Black woman and South Asian president in the United States, breaking another barrier after her 2020 election as vice president.
Trump, if successful, would make his own history, becoming only the second president after Grover Cleveland to win non-consecutive terms and the oldest president to assume office.
Divided Nation Faces Uncertain Path Forward
Harris’s campaign has focused on reproductive rights and healthcare, aiming to galvanize women and young voters.
Though she has condemned Trump’s “dark rhetoric,” she ended her campaign with an optimistic message, calling for unity and avoiding further mention of her rival.
Trump, meanwhile, has leaned into his populist appeal, casting himself as the country’s last line of defense against rising crime and immigration issues.
In his final speeches, he warned of election fraud — claims widely debunked by experts — and hinted that he might not concede if he loses, saying he should “never have left” the White House in 2021.
As polls close later tonight, Americans and the world wait anxiously for what could be a turning point in U.S. history. Regardless of the result, today’s vote promises to reshape the nation’s future and its role on the global stage for years to come.
NEWS
Tragic Building Collapse In R/State Leaves One Dead, Several Injured
A tragic building collapse in Rivers State has left a middle-aged contractor, identified as Udeme, feared dead after a two-storey structure under construction caved in at the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
This incident comes just one week after a three-storey building collapsed at the Iriebe axis of the same local government, though that incident fortunately recorded no casualties.
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The latest collapse occurred on Monday, November 4, 2024, around 2 p.m., with construction workers on site when the structure gave way.
According to eyewitness Mr. Jonathan Obey, the building’s second floor suddenly buckled, trapping Udeme beneath the rubble, while another worker managed to escape with serious injuries.
Obey, who attempted to rescue the trapped contractor, suspected negligence, saying, “We couldn’t reach him despite our efforts. An inspection revealed substandard materials had been used, with the foundation only three feet deep for a two-storey building, which is insufficient. The rebar was of poor quality, and essential supports, such as a center beam, were absent.”
The Rivers State Government has since sealed off the property and declared the developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted for questioning.
Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, visited the site and expressed his dismay, attributing the collapse to gross negligence.
“This tragedy was preventable,” Bipi stated. “The developer failed to obtain an approved building plan and used inferior materials. The government will ensure accountability and take severe action.”
Bipi extended his condolences to the victim’s family and the Ogbogoro Community, affirming that the government will facilitate the family’s recovery of their loved one’s remains. “We sympathize with the bereaved family and the entire community,” he added.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Samuel Anya, also condemned the developer’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed when profit is prioritized over safety. “This loss is a direct consequence of unethical practices,” he said.
The government has committed to a thorough investigation and tighter regulatory enforcement to prevent further tragedies in Rivers State.