Business

EXPOSED! Extract of the Title Deed of Bukola Saraki’s N4 billion Mansion in London! + How he allegedly Squandered funds from defunct Societe General Bank (Nigeria) PLC

Published

9 years ago

September 1, 2015

Interestingly, more facts have emerged on the alleged corrupt practices of SEnator Bukola Saraki. An exclusive report by Dr. Idris Ahmed who is the president of Citizens United for Peace and Stability has revealed that he owned a six bedroom mansion in United Kingdom worth a whooping N4.06 billion.

“The CUPS organisation started publishing damning reports about the financial crimes of the so-called Senate President, Mr. Bukola Saraki, on 6/8/2015. Our reports covered his criminality since his days as a director at Societe Generale Bank (Nigeria) PLC between 1990 and 2000. Our research shows that by the time that Mr. Saraki resigned his position at the bank, it was saddled with a debt worth N37 billion. Meanwhile a whopping N17 billion was withdrawn from the bank’s accounts and could not be accounted for.

The sudden collapse of Societe General Bank (Nigeria) PLC brought misery and destitution to hundreds of thousands of customers, most of whom lost their business capital, entire life savings, or both. Meanwhile due to manifest corruption by the previous regimes, Bukola Saraki was never tried for the financial crimes he committed at Societe General Bank (Nigeria) PLC.

Our research shows that Bukola Saraki owns dozens of properties in the UK and in Nigeria, worth billions. During our investigation, we focused on a 6 bedroom mansion he bought just shortly after he resigned his position at Societe General Bank (Nigeria) PLC. On 29/11/2001 he bought the mansion at 70 Bourne Street, London SW1W 8JW, for £4,250,000. This property is now worth £13,565,000 (N4,069,500,000), according to UK Estate Agents, Zoopla.

CUPS managed to obtain an extract of the title deed of this property from the UK Land Registry, Croydon Office. For the first time ever, the extract is being released to public domain. It proves the following important points, and can be downloaded here: Bukola Saraki London Mansion

1. There is indeed a 6 bedroom mansion based at 70 Bourne Street, London SW1W 8JW.

2. The Title number for the mansion is NGL805616.

3. This mansion was purchased on 29/11/2001.

4. The purchasing price for the mansion was £4,250,000.

5. No debt, mortgage, or any form of loan is associated with the current ownership of the mansion.

6. Mr. Bukol Saraki is the SOLE owner of the mansion.

Put aside his financial crimes as two times governor of Kwara state, the financial scandal at Societe Generale Bank (Nigeria) PLC in association with the purchase of this mansion alone is enough to disqualify Mr. Bukola Saraki from being a Senate President, let alone being the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is an open secret that this Mafia kingpin harbours a dangerous ambition of being Nigeria’s next head of state, by whatever means necessary. He should be serving his time in jail instead.

Another pertinent question that only Mr. Bukola Saraki himself can adequately answer; has he declared these multi-billion Naira assets that he owns in the UK with the Code of Conduct Bureau? We very much doubt that. This again is a criminal offence, and it automatically disqualifies him as being a Senator or Senate President.

Nigerians need patriotic leaders with clear vision and mission, who have the capacity to rebuild the country and make her attain her full potential as one of the greatest countries on the planet. For all intent and purpose, we don’t need manifestly corrupt and greedy criminal gangsters like Mr. Bukola Saraki and their ilk, in our polity. This man is morally bankrupt and spiritually dilapidated.

The continued presence of Bukola Saraki at the Senate is a security risk to the Nigerian state. This man became the Senate President under the most dubious of circumstances. He and his supporters used Mafia style tactics to pervert due process at the Senate before he became its President. This case is still pending in Court.

We at CUPS believe that this clinically corrupt man will continue to abuse his position as Senate President to undermine the ongoing national crusade against corruption. The onus is therefore on all well meaning Nigerians to put hands on deck and see to it that he is removed from our Senate without delay.

May God save Nigeria and Nigerians. Amen”.

Dr. Idris Ahmed.
CUPS (Citizens United for Peace and Stability)
31/8/2015.

Business

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

NNPC Debunks Shutdown Rumors, Confirms Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports circulating in certain media outlets claiming that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.

In a statement released by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company clarified that the refinery is fully operational. The statement noted that the facility’s operational status was recently verified by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC during a site inspection.

“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” the statement confirmed, emphasizing that allegations of the refinery’s shutdown are baseless and intended to create panic or artificial scarcity in the fuel market.

NNPC Ltd urged members of the public to disregard such misleading reports, labeling them as the work of those seeking to exploit Nigerians.

The Old Port Harcourt Refinery has been in operation since its re-streaming, and the company remains committed to ensuring stability in the supply of petroleum products across the country.

Business

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

In a show of solidarity, the Committee of Banks in Nigeria has extended a helping hand to victims of the September 2024 floods in Jigawa State. On Thursday, a high-profile delegation led by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Committee and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), visited Dutse, the state capital, to present relief materials to the state government.

The donated items, worth several million Naira, included essential food supplies such as rice and cooking oil, along with mattresses and beverages. Dr. Alawuba highlighted that the gesture aimed to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims and support critical institutions, especially public hospitals, in their efforts to assist those affected.

“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Jigawa State during this difficult time. This donation is our way of expressing empathy and supporting those who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods,” Dr. Alawuba stated.

The delegation included notable banking leaders such as Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank Plc, and Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Plc, among others. Their collective presence underscored the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and national development.

Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing the visit as a rare and commendable act of compassion. He assured the delegation that the relief materials would be judiciously distributed to the intended beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding lives and communities.

The Committee of Banks also reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigerians during emergencies, drawing attention to previous interventions, including relief efforts during the 2011 and 2013 floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and security initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

This humanitarian gesture reflects the collective resolve of Nigeria’s financial institutions to foster social and economic growth, making a meaningful impact in times of need.

Bank

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Polaris Bank has once again cemented its position as a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by winning the prestigious Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility Awards (SERAS), Africa’s foremost recognition for impactful community and sustainability initiatives.

The bank was honored at the 18th edition of the SERAS Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, for its unwavering dedication to sustainable development and critical community interventions across Nigeria. The organizers commended Polaris Bank for its consistent efforts to improve lives and foster growth in underserved areas.

The SERAS Awards, often regarded as the gold standard in sustainability and CSR, celebrate organizations that drive innovation and create lasting societal and environmental benefits. Polaris Bank stood out this year for its extensive portfolio of impactful projects, earning the “Best in Rural Population Integration” award.

Some of the bank’s notable initiatives include:

Sponsoring the planting of 2,000 economic trees in communities like Ajingi, Kano State.
Renovating the Ibeju-Lekki Skill Acquisition Centre and donating essential equipment.
Installing boreholes in underserved rural areas to provide clean water access.
Supporting over 15,000 indigent students in public schools with educational resources, including uniforms, sandals, and books.
Providing free breast cancer screenings to 20,000 women over a decade and supporting survivors through retreats.
Establishing hospitals and rehabilitation centers for victims of sexual violence and vocational centers for women.
Donating ICT labs to skill acquisition centers and promoting financial literacy among students.
Organizing medical outreach programs and aiding Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
These initiatives have not only improved living conditions but also reduced rural-to-urban migration by making communities more self-reliant and livable.

Rebuilding Community Resilience
Polaris Bank recently demonstrated its commitment to resilience by rebuilding its Sagamu branch, which was destroyed during the cash crunch riots following the Naira redesign policy. The bank fully reconstructed and re-equipped the branch, restoring critical banking services and supporting economic recovery in the community.

Commitment to Sustainability
Speaking on the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director, Kayode Lawal, emphasized the institution’s dedication to sustainability. “This recognition underscores our deliberate efforts to drive impactful socio-economic interventions and address the effects of climate change on our environment, economy, and people,” he said.

Lawal reiterated that for Polaris Bank, sustainability is not just a destination but a continuous journey of creating positive change.

Celebrating Africa’s Sustainability Leaders
The SERAS Awards brought together policymakers, business leaders, and global sustainability experts to celebrate organizations shaping Africa’s future through innovative solutions. Attendees used the event to connect with like-minded professionals and reaffirm a shared vision of lasting positive change across the continent.

As a trailblazer in sustainability and CSR, Polaris Bank remains steadfast in its mission to uplift communities, foster economic growth, and champion solutions to pressing societal challenges.