The person in charge of law in New South Wales, named Michael Daley, let Kathleen Folbigg go free. An investigation showed that it wasn’t clear if she was really responsible for the deaths of four people.
Daley said on Monday that he talked to the governor and suggested to set a woman free from jail without any conditions. The governor agreed, and the woman will be released from Clarence Correctional Center on the same day.
“This has been a terrible ordeal for everyone concerned and I hope that our actions today can put some closure on this 20-year-old matter,” said Daley, who added that he had informed Craig Folbigg, the babies’ father, of his decision. “It will be a tough day for him,” he said.
Kathleen Folbigg was jailed in 2003 on three counts of murder and one of manslaughter following the deaths of her four babies over a decade from 1989. In each case, she was the person who found their bodies, though there was no physical evidence that she had caused their deaths.
Instead, the jury relied on the prosecution’s argument that the chances of four babies from one family dying from natural causes before the age of 2 were so infinitesimally low as to be compared to pigs flying.
They also noted the contents of her diary, which contained passages that in isolation at the time were interpreted as confessions of guilt.
As recently as 2019, an inquiry into her convictions found there was no reasonable doubt she had committed the crimes. But another inquiry began last year after new scientific evidence emerged that provided a genetic explanation for the children’s deaths.
In her closing submissions, Sophie Callan, the lead counsel assisting the inquiry, said that “on the whole of the body of evidence before this inquiry there is a reasonable doubt as to Ms Folbigg’s guilt.”
She also told the inquiry that in its closing submissions, the NSW director of public prosecutions had indicated she was also “open to the Inquiry to conclude there is reasonable doubt as to Ms Folbigg’s guilt.”
Folbigg was just 20 years old when she married Craig Folbigg,who she’d met in her hometown of Newcastle on the northern New South Wales coast.
Within a year she fell pregnant with Caleb, who was born in February, 1989 and lived only 19 days. The next year, the Folbiggs had another son, Patrick, who died at eight months. Two years later, Sarah died at 10 months. Then in 1999, the couple’s fourth and longest lived child, Laura, died at 18 months.
The police investigation into the deaths of all four children began the day Laura died, but it was more than two years before Folbigg was arrested and charged. By then, the couple’s marriage had fallen apart, and Craig was cooperating with police to build a case against her.
He handed police her diaries, which prosecutors argued contained the deepest thoughts of a mother tortured by guilt for her role in her children’s deaths.
Examination of the babies’ remains failed to find any physical evidence they’d been suffocated, but without another plausible reason to explain their deaths, suspicion focused on Kathleen, their primary carer.
In 2003, as he sentenced Folbigg to 40 years in prison, Judge Graham Barr recalled her troubled past. Folbigg’s father had killed her mother when she was just 18 months old, and she had spent many of her formative years in foster care.
According to court documents, Barr said Folbigg’s prospects of rehabilitation were “negligible.”
“She will always be a danger if given the responsibility of caring for a child,” he said. “That must never happen.”
That initial conviction ruling now stands in stark contrast to the latest inquiry, which looks set to paint a far different picture of Folbigg as a loving mother who was devastated and confused by the successive deaths of her babies.
As he ordered her release Monday, Daley distributed a memorandum of the findings by retired judge Tom Bathurst, who said after reviewing the evidence he was “unable to accept … the proposition that Ms Folbigg was anything but a caring mother for her children.”
In the case of the two girls – Sarah and Laura – Bathurst found there was a “reasonable possibility” a genetic mutation known as CALM2-G114R “occasioned their deaths,” and that Sarah may have died from myocarditis, inflammation of the heart, identified during her autopsy.
In the case of Patrick, who had an unexplained ALTE, an apparent life-threatening event, when he was 4 months old and died at 8 months, Bathurst found that it’s possible his death was caused by an underlying neurogenic disorder.
During Folbigg’s 2003 trial, the prosecution used “coincidence and tendency” evidence to allege that Folbigg had also killed Caleb. In other words, that having been allegedly responsible for the deaths of three children, it was likely she killed him, too.
However, Bathurst found that the reasonable doubt over Folbigg’s role in his siblings’ deaths meant that the prosecution’s case against her for Caleb’s murder “falls away.”
In relation to her diaries, Bathurst said the “evidence suggests they were the writings of a grieving and possibly depressed mother, blaming herself for the death of each child, as distinct from admissions that she murdered or otherwise harmed them.”
Bathurst also expressed doubts about evidence from Craig Folbigg, who had claimed his wife had been “ill-tempered” with their children and had “growled at them from time to time.”
“The balance of evidence … (was) that she was a loving and caring mother,” wrote Bathurst, whose full report will be released at a later date.
In an email to CNN, Craig Folbigg’s lawyer Danny Eid said his client’s view of his former wife’s guilt had “not changed whatsoever.”
“Ms Folbigg has not been acquitted of the crimes, and her convictions are not displaced,” Eid said.
Folbigg’s case has been compared to that of Lindy Chamberlain, who swore a dingo took her baby Azaria from the family’s campsite at Uluru in 1980.
The case polarized public opinion and Chamberlain was jailed before evidence emerged that she was telling the truth.
In 1986, Azaria’s matinee jacket was found half-buried in the dirt, prompting officials to free Chamberlain, later known as Chamberlain-Creighton. Two years later, a court overturned her conviction, and in 2012 a coroner ruled that a dingo was indeed to blame for Azaria’s death.
Like Chamberlain-Creighton, Folbigg’s release from prison could be the start of a long process to clear her name.
Daley told reporters Monday that Folbigg’s pardon only meant she did not have to serve the rest of her sentence, and that it would be up to the Court of Criminal Appeal to quash her convictions.
He said it was too early to talk about compensation, as that would require Folbigg to initiate civil proceedings against the New South Wales government, or to approach it seeking an ex-gratia payment.
Daley acknowledged that after 20 years of believing Folbigg’s guilt, some people may not accept her innocence.
“There will be some people who have strong views. There’s nothing I can do to disavow them of those views, (and) it’s not my role to do that,” he said.
But he suggested the events of the past two decades should elicit some compassion for a woman who has lost so much.
“We’ve got four little bubbas who are dead. We’ve got a husband and wife who lost each other. A woman who spent 20 years in jail, and a family that never had a chance. You’d not be human if you didn’t feel something,” he said.
Jacinda Ardern, who was the leader of New Zealand but left the job this year, has been given a very important honor and is now called a dame.
On Monday, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said that Ardern was given an award for her contributions to the country on King’s Birthday public holiday. 182 peoplealsogot awards.
Dame Jacinda Ardern was the leader of New Zealand from 2017 to 2023. Shehelped the country during tough times and is admired for her service. This was announced by Hipkins in a statement.
Jacinda Ardern chokes up while announcing impending resignation
“Leading New Zealand’s response to the 2019 terrorist attacks and to the Covid-19 pandemic represented periods of intense challenge for our 40th Prime Minister, during which time I saw first hand that her commitment to New Zealand remained absolute.”
Hipkins hails from the same party as Ardern, the Labour Party, and succeeded her as leader.
The move grants Ardern the title of Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The Order of Merit, established in 1996, is awarded to those in any field who have performed “meritorious service to the Crown and the nation” or who are known for their “eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits,” according to the government site.
In a statement to CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand (RNZ), Ardern said she was “incredibly humbled” by the accolade.
“I was in two minds about accepting this acknowledgment,” she said. “So many of the things we went through as a nation over the last five years were about all of us rather than one individual.”
“But I have heard that said by so many Kiwis who I have encouraged to accept an honour over the years. And so for me this a way to say thank you – to my family, to my colleagues, and to the people who supported me to take on the most challenging and rewarding role of my life.”
When Ardern became the country’s prime minister in 2017 at the age of 37, she was New Zealand’s third female leader and one of the youngest leaders in the world. Within a year, she had become only the second world leader to give birth in office.
Her time in power was defined by multiple crises, including the Christchurch terrorist attack, a deadly volcanic explosion, and the pandemic.
She quickly became a progressive global icon, remembered for her empathy while steering New Zealand through these crises and for taking her baby daughter to the United Nations General Assembly.
However, at home her popularity ebbed amid the rising cost of living, housing shortages and economic anxiety. And she faced violent anti-lockdown protests in the capital Wellington, with threats made against her.
Ardern announced her shock resignation in January, saying she no longer had enough fuel in the tank to contest an election – prompting a wave of praise and warm farewells from other world leaders and her many international admirers.
‘I don’t believe it.’ New Zealanders react to Jacinda Ardern’s resignation
In April, she revealed she will head to Harvard University this fall to complete two fellowships at the Harvard Kennedy School, the university’s school of public policy and government. She will be gone for a semester, missing out on the New Zealand general election, but will return at the end of the fellowships, she said.
Ghanaian actor Agya Koo has shared his sentiments about the long process he undertook to construct his highly-discussed mansion, which has garnered significant attention on various social media platforms.
According to him, the process demanded considerable time, effort, determination, and personal sacrifices.
Excerpts of Agya Koo’s newly established mansion which showcases a plush exterior, automated gate, a ‘castle-like’ architecture, and an outdoor pool, among others, have since grabbed the attention of netizens who are either stunned or shared other opinions on it.
But speaking at the launch of the project and also to climax his 54th birthday, Agya Koo said it took him a whooping sixteen years to complete the building.
The popular actor made the disclosure while highlighting that his intentions to outdoor the building isn’t just to show off.
“From my days in acting to music and then Concert Party, I have experienced a lot and listened to a lot. If I decide to launch this building today, it isn’t because I am showing off or I don’t know what to do with my money. The money is even finished. I started building this house in 2007. I always said to myself that no matter what happens, God will make a way. I knew with the help of God, I will be able to finish this house, and true to his words, he never disappointed me,” he told the audience gathered at the launch.
He, however, advised the youth to cultivate the habit of saving, so as to acquire land and also be homeowners someday.
“Try and save. It doesn’t matter how little. Rent is becoming extremely expensive and it will be disastrous if one day, you’re unable to establish a property for yourself. Do something beneficial for your life and future,” he added.
A gang of Wagner mercenary fighters in Ukraine have apparently seized a lieutenant-colonel in the Russian army.
In a video produced by the press office of the private military company (PMC) head Yevgeny Prigozhin, the high-ranking officer ‘confesses’ to being intoxicated on duty and directing his soldiers to fire on Wagner troops.
The clip comes amid escalating tensions between the Russian state army and the mercenaries that were brought in to assist with some of the most severe fighting in Ukraine.
Despite both groups ostensibly battling on the same side, relations between them have soured dramatically in recent months, to the extent that Prigozhin has been filmed criticising army chiefs in vitriolic terms.
The latest video shows a man with a nose that appears to be broken identifying himself as Roman Venevitin, commander of Russia’s 72nd Brigade.
Asked by someone behind the camera what he did, he responds: ‘Opened fire on a Wagner PMC vehicle while intoxicated from alcohol.’
When he is asked why, he answers: ‘Due to my personal animosity.’
According to the mercenary group, the shooting damaged a supply truck but no Wagner soldiers were injured
The private army has also alleged that the Russian army scattered mines on roads with the intention of killing its fighters, and released a short clip of explosives being cleared.
While the dispute between the two pro-Putin sides extends across Ukraine, the focus appears to be on the eastern city of Bakhmut.
Amid continuing confusion over the extent to which the area is under Russian control, Prigozhin furiously berated state army leaders for a supposed lack of support offered to his soldiers.
In another video, he said: ‘He said: ‘Those territories, which were taken with the blood and lives of our comrades-in-arms for many months, every day, by tens or hundreds of metres are now being thrown almost without a fight by Russian army soldiers who are supposed to hold our flanks.’
He added that the Russian defence ministry deserved the blame for ‘not giving [Wagner fighters] the ammunition they asked for so they can cover the military with firepower’.
Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to Ukraine’s ministry of internal affairs, said: ‘We are watching with our own eyes how power in Russia is beginning to fall apart.
‘It is not doing it slowly, but it loudly creaks with his massive rusty carcass as it is heading for civil war.’
At the end of last month, it was announced that Wagner troops would be withdrawing from Bakhmut after 10 months of bloody battles for a city that analysts argue has little strategic value.
Ukraine continues to maintain the site has not fallen into the hands of the enemy though, as speculation mounts that the country’s long-anticipated counteroffensive may have begun.
Agya Koo, the renowned Kumawood actor, whose real name is Alex Kofi Adu, garnered significant attention when he unveiled his splendid residence in Kumasi, causing a viral sensation.
The star actor unveiled his newly-built mansion, located at Kwadaso Denkyemuoso on Sunday, June 4, 2023 which also happened to be his birthday.
During the unveiling ceremony, a video of the gargantuan edifice emerged online showing it to be a plush home that could be likened to a chief’s palace.
Agya Koo’s house has impressed many of his admirers on social media. Many have praised him for investing his money wisely but some people also seem to find fault with the design of the mansion.
Below are some of the positive and negative comments from social media users who have seen pictures of Agya Koo’s palace house.
Some reactions from Ghanaians
Beezmak Ajak – Is good he has been able to complete the house before 2025. It pays to campaign for NPP. I’m sad about the taxpayer’s money
Evans Oppong Boakye – Was expecting people tapping in his blessing but not his hustle
Blaa Joe – He’s just sending message to kumawood leaders
A teacher in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency has been honoured with a vehicle for her sterling role in educating students in the area.
As part of the agenda to encourage teachers, the Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency and a Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, organised a Teachers’ Awards in the constituency.
According to the Member of Parliament, the aim of the program was to encourage teachers to do their best and be at the forefront in grooming leaders for the next generation.
On Saturday, June 3, 2023, the Deputy Minister, held the second edition of the Duker Teachers’ Awards, meant to celebrate, honor and motivate extraordinary teachers in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality at the UMaT Auditorium amidst a durbar of Chiefs, teachers, students and very significant dignitaries.
This year’s ceremony themed “Education, Our Future, Our Pride” was to draw attention to how education has helped propel the world with teachers at the forefront.
According to the Member of Parliament, teachers are minimally motivated irrespective of the strenuous task they go through, hence, the need to consciously recognize their efforts towards enriching education in the municipality.
Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Stephen Saforo Yirenkyi, in his speech applauded the MP and called on other ministers of state to do same.
In all, 19 teachers were recognized and awarded from six categories including non-teaching staff.
The overall best teacher went home with a 2022 model of Suzuki Swift worth $14,500.00.
The overall best teacher, Madam Edna Amihere, who teaches at Tarkwa Senior High School expressed her profound gratitude to George Mireku Duker for recognizing the efforts of teachers in the municipality.
She called on other teachers to give out their best as the next award will be theirs.
The Minister also promised to institute a similar award scheme to honor outstanding health professionals in the constituency.
500 children have been slain during Russia‘s war with Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed.
The Ukrainian president disclosed the figure hours after rescue workers uncovered the body of a two-year-old girl who perished in a Russian strike on Saturday.
Two young children were murdered during the bombardment of Kyiv on Thursday, amid a rise in attacks on Ukraine’s capital city with 17 missile strikes throughout the month of May.
Mr Zelensky said that ‘Russian weapons and hatred, which continue to take and destroy the lives of Ukrainian children every day’, had killed the hundreds who had perished since Russia’s invasion began last February.
He continued: ‘Many of them could have become famous scholars, artists, sports champions, contributing to Ukraine’s history.’
‘We must hold out and win this war!
‘All of Ukraine, all our people, all our children, must be free from the Russian terror.’
Mr Zelensky said it was impossible to establish the exact number of children killed because there are still some areas under Russian occupation.
Flowers and toys left at the scene of a destroyed apartment building where several people, including children, died (Picture: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Rescuers found the two-year-old’s body in the rubble of two residential buildings in the suburbs of the city of Dnipro.
The regional governor said five children were among 22 people injured in Saturday’s attack.
Russia launched more drones and cruise missile strikes on Sunday, targeting Kyiv as well as other parts of Ukraine.
Ukrainian air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said two missiles struck a military air base in Kropyvnytskyi, a city in central Ukraine’s Kyrovohrad province.
The Russian military said it has conducted a series of strikes in recent days on Ukrainian air defence batteries, air bases and troop depots.
Concerns about the safety of civilians have increased after officials found nearly a quarter of 4,800 air raid shelters were locked or unusable.
A 33-year-old woman in Kyiv died on Thursday while waiting outside a shuttered shelter.
Four people were arrested as part of the criminal investigation into her death and a security guard who allegedly failed to unlock the doors remained in custody.
Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said the city had received more than 1,000 complaints about locked, dilapidated or insufficient air raid shelters.
Twenty-six (26) persons have been arrested by the Operation Halt II team in a latest swoop targeted at illegal miners.
The 26 suspects were found operating at an illegal mining site, popularly known as galamsey, and also engaging in other poor environmental practices, at Patase, Wassa Dunkwa, in the Wassa Amenfi East District of the Western Region.
The suspects, including four Togolese, were found engaging in illegal mining, sand winning and lumbering in defiance of government’s ban placed on these activities that continued to wreak havoc on the environment and water bodies, including River Tano.
The Ghana Armed Forces deployed soldiers of all ranks to begin the second phase of ‘Operation Halt’ to rid the country’s water bodies of illegal miners. It is aimed at removing all logistics and persons involved in illegal mining on water bodies.
The arrest of the 26 suspects followed an order by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr George Mireku Duker, when he was accompanied by journalists and a team of “Operation HaltII” personnel aboard a Ghana Airforce aircraft to conduct an aerial assessment of ‘Operation Halt II, atWassaDunkwa.
The deputy minister also asked Kwasi Addae to produce a permit authorizing him to lumber at Patase.
“Send those suspects to the nearest Police station for prosecution. The law will be made to work to address the problem,” Mr. Duker instructed.
The operation led by General Officer Commanding, Southern Command, Brigadier General Michael Kwaku Amoah Ayisi and the Second-in-Command, Operation Halt 11, Lieutenant Colonel Harrison Dadzie, revealed an expanse area devasted by illegal mining atWassaDunkwa.
Aerial view of the site showed total destruction of the forest cover as the illegal miners had dug deep craters as big as three football fields with pools of stagnant water.
The galamseyers had also diverted the tributaries of River Tanoon, where they mounted ChanFan machines and generators to mine gold ore.
The long and labyrinthine river water, which looked dirty, bleak, brown and polluted, crisscrossed makeshift houses built along the river banks.
Additionally, trees in the rich, green and virgin forest had been felled to pave the way for illegal gold mining, posing a danger to farmers.
Soon as the team disembarked, they encountered a tipper truck at WassaDunkwa loaded with sand, and Mr Duker ordered the sand should be offloaded.
He condemned the uncontrolled sand winning at illegal mining sites, the galamsey site, where deep holes had been dug to aggravate the situation, and asked whether they would drink the very water they destroyed.
Mr. Duker told the suspects, “Drink the water; now you are afraid. You must stop this bad behaviour. You are destroying this beautiful country, the virgin environment, and the fish in the rivers. Why do you win sand and destroy the water bodies? If our forebearers had done these, we wouldn’t have come to meet these valuable national assets.”
Lt. Col. Dadzie noted that the suspects, who could not name the owner of the WassaDunkwa site, were the same people who win sand and fell lumber in the area and wondered how four Togolese found their way to Ghana.
Meanwhile, Brig. General Amoah-Ayisi has said that 11 offenders have been prosecuted and jailed so far.
Ukraine has requested a period of operational quietness concerning their counter-attack against Russian-enforced land, in an effort to regain control.
Anticipation has risen around what is supposed to be an attack in the east and south, but president Volodymyr Zelensky finally suggested in an interview released on Saturday that ‘we are ready’ for it.
As expected, there have been no formal statements, but this morning Russia claimed to have repelled a ‘major offensive’ at five frontline points in the eastern Donetsk region.
Though it is yet unclear whether this was the beginning of a counter-offensive, the defence ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said his forces had killed 250 Ukrainian soldiers.
Three infantry fighting vehicles, 16 tanks and 21 armoured combat vehicles were destroyed, the statement said.
‘The enemy’s goal was to break through our defences in the most vulnerable, in its opinion, sector of the front,’ said Mr Konashenkov.
‘The enemy did not achieve its tasks. It had no success.’
Ukrainian officials made no comment, and have emphasised the need for secrecy about their military operations.
It comes as Ukraine’s defence minister posted a tweet on Sunday quoting music band Depeche Mode, specifically their song titled Enjoy the Silence.
‘Words are very unnecessary… They can only do harm,’ Oleksii Reznikov tweeted alongside a video referring to the counter-offensive.
Posted on Official Telegram channels, and on Crimean TV, a voiceover says: ‘Plans love silence. There will be no announcement of the start.’
Authorities have repeatedly discouraged public speculation, insisting it could help the enemy.
In recent days, there has also been a crackdown on citizens sharing footage of air defence systems shooting down Russian missiles.
For months, Ukrainian officials have spoken about plans to reclaim strategically significant territory from Russians.
The attacks come as people living in Russian villages on the border with Ukraine have started to flee their homes.
Russia’s western Belgorod region has recently been under attack from a sabotage group made up of pro-Ukraine Russian partisan fighters.
The Kremlin has appeared to downplay the situation in border regions, despite intense shelling in recent days.
But the mayor of Belgorod, Valentin Demidov, on Friday told AFP that some 5,000 people who fled border villages have registered with city authorities, with several hundred in temporary housing.
An accident involving four cars including a Resurrection Power New Generation Church (RPNGC) church bus has left about 50 persons injured.
The incident happened at Menskrom Weija Junction on the Accra-Kasoa highway, on Sunday.
According to reports, the unfortunate incident was caused by a drunk police officer who was engaged in wrongful overtaking while plying the route on Sunday afternoon.
The four cars are a Tata bus, which carried the members of the Resurrection Power New Generation Church, an old Benz, KIA Rio taxi and a Toyota Vitz belonging to a police officer.
Eyewitnesses claim that the police officer, who was driving from Kasoa tollbooth to Accra, made a wrong overtaking and in the process crossed the bus; resulting in the accident.
Upon getting to the Weija junction traffic light, the police officer’s car run into the church bus, which also crashed into two other vehicles parked along the shoulders of the road.
In an interview with Adom News’ Seth Kofi Adjei, some of the eyewitnesses blamed the police officer in the Toyota Vitz for the accident.
An eyewitness said two of the church members are feared dead while many of them are seriously injured.
The bus was carrying about 50 passengers including children. A taxi driver, whose car was affected, also blamed the accident on the police officer.
Personnel of the Ghana Fire Service and the police team were at the scene to ensure the free flow of traffic.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has proffered three policies including acquisitions and mergers of banks and non-banks to mitigate the possible systematic financial instability in Ghana.
These policies captured under the Risk Assessment Matrix contained in the recent IMF country report on Ghana, aim to mitigate risks and ensure the stability of the banking and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs).
The first policy suggests strengthening financial safety nets and closely monitoring the liquidity and asset quality of banks and NBFIs.
The second policy involves designing an appropriate strategy to recapitalize banks and NBFIs. Lastly, the IMF encourages acquisitions and mergers as a means to address any necessary consolidation in the financial space.
Strengthen financial safety nets and closely monitor bank and NBFIs liquidity as well as asset quality.
Design an adequate bank and NBFIs recapitalization strategy
Encourage acquisition, mergers if needed”
According to the IMF, countries with weak banks and non-bank financial institutions are at risk of insolvencies when they experience significant fluctuations in real interest rates, risk premia, and asset prices. These fluctuations are often observed during economic slowdowns and policy changes.
The IMF emphasises that such insolvencies can have far-reaching consequences, causing disruptions in markets and unfavourable effects that extend beyond national borders.
“Sharp swings in real interest rates, risk premia, and assets repricing amid economic slowdowns and policy shifts trigger insolvencies in countries with weak banks or non-bank financial institutions, causing markets dislocations and adverse cross-border spillovers” It stressed.
Although the likelihood of this happing in tagged as MEDIUM, the Fund, however, indicated that global factors have intensified the consequences of substantial reductions in domestic debt on banks’ capital adequacy. These haircuts directly impact the banks’ holdings of sovereign claims and have adverse effects on their ability to lend. As a result, this situation hampers credit availability for the private sector and ultimately dampens economic activity – the potential impact on Ghana’s financial sector could be HIGH.
The IMF also revealed the recent Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) in Ghana which exchanged old sovereign bonds for new ones has affected the health of the country’s financial sector. Banks and other financial institutions had invested a significant amount of money in government bonds, but now the government has reduced the interest rates and extended the time they have to be paid back. As a result, the value of these bonds has decreased, causing financial institutions to face a significant financial challenge.
“Domestic bonds were widely distributed across the financial sector in Ghana, representing the most important asset class held by commercial banks, pension funds, asset management companies, and insurance companies. Banks held 30 to 50 per cent of their total assets in government securities before the DDEP—with especially high exposures in the state-owned banks—and relied significantly on income from these securities.
The coupon reductions and maturity extensions in the recently completed DDE mean that the value of these assets will decline to about 70 per cent of the par value. This revaluation represents a significant shock to the balance sheets of these financial institutions” the report indicated.
In announcing the success of the DDEP, government indicated it was putting plans in place to establish a GH¢15 billion ($1.5 billion) Ghana Financial Stability Fund (GFSF) which will be supervised by the Bank of Ghana. The GFSF is to provide liquidity to banks that participated in the DDEP. The World Bank has committed $250 million to support the racialization plan with the remaining amount expected to be funded by government.
According to the IMF report, “government solvency support will be designed to minimize costs and moral hazard, incentivise private capital injections, foster structural reforms improving operational efficiency, and allow for an orderly, early government exit.
“When acting in its capacity as shareholder, i.e., for state-owned banks, the government will frontload any necessary recapitalizations of state-owned banks, which will be underpinned by credible plans to ensure the future viability and a level playing field with private banks.”
Ghana’s financial sector has already gone through a lot of turmoil during the 2017 banking sector clean-up which saw a reduction in the number of banks operating in Ghana from 34 to 23, whilst 347 micro-finance institutions, 15 savings and loans, and eight finance houses had their licenses revoked. This exercise cost the state about GH¢25 billion and takes a pivotal position in Ghana’s sustainable debt portfolio.
The IMF country report on Ghana has disclosed that “the fiscal cost of the financial sector recapitalization (estimated to have reached 7.1 per cent of GDP over 2017-21) has led to an increase in the government deficit and debt. Additional recapitalization costs are expected in the coming years resulting from the domestic debt restructuring envisaged in 2023—some 2.6 per cent of GDP are included in the DSA’s baseline.”
Banks operating in Ghana have up to September 2023 to provide their respective recapitalisation plans to the Bank of Ghana.
The Ghana Police Service has announced the arrest of two people at Akyem Nsutam, near Bunso Junction in the Eastern Region, in connection with an alleged case of murder.
According to the police, the arrest was made by its Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Sunday, June 4, 2023.
A report by citinewsroom.com stated that the two friends were to help the police in their investigations.
On Thursday, June 1, 2023, it will be recalled that Osei Michael, popularly known as Emeka, a barber at Akyem Nsutam, reportedly stabbed his 18-year-old girlfriend, Abigail Asare, when she visited him.
The late Abigail is reported to have left school after her school management gave the students a short break from schooling activities.
The report added that the two friends of Emeka will also help the police apprehend the suspect, who has since gone into hiding.
The police at Kyebi, who are handling the case, have assured the public that they will do all that is necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
On Friday, June 2, 2023, an 18-year-old student of the New Nsutam Senior High Technical School in the Abuakwa-North District of the Eastern Region had met her untimely death after allegedly being stabbed to death by her boyfriend.
According to reports Abigail Asare, a form two student of the school and resident of Accra, on the morning of Friday, June 2, 2023, around 9 am, visited her boyfriend, Emeka, said to be a Togolese, soon after leaving school for the mid-term holidays which began on Friday.
Not long after, Emeka is said to have left the shop without his girlfriend.
Minutes later, a customer who came to the shop for a haircut saw the victim’s lifeless body on the floor, soaked in blood from knife wounds.
Alarmed by the spectacle, the eyewitness quickly informed the Akyem-Nsutem police, who also informed the Kyebi police, with men from the Kyebi Divisional Police Command responding immediately to the scene.
The police conveyed the lifeless body of the student to the Kyebi Government Hospital for preservation and autopsy as investigations into the incident continued.
The best way to lose weight is to eat a balanced, healthful diet rather than excluding specific foods. However, being aware of which foods are particularly calorie-dense can aid dietary planning.
In general, when trying to lose weight, it is best to reduce or avoid foods that are calorie dense. However, the number of calories in a food is not the only factor to consider.
For example, low-calorie foods that lack nutrients such as fiber and protein can still leave a person feeling hungry and unsatisfied, which can make it harder to resist snacking.
Though the right foods may help, physical activity is essential for losing weight and keeping the pounds off. It is important to check with a doctor before starting any physical activity program.
Eggs are a popular food, particularly for breakfasts, that may help promote weight loss.
In a small studyTrusted Source of 21 men, researchers compared the effects of eating eggs or eating a bagel for breakfast on food intake, hunger, and satisfaction.
They also looked at levels of blood sugar, insulin, and ghrelin, which is also known as the hunger hormone.
They found that men who had eaten the egg breakfast ate significantly less at their next meal, and in the following 24 hours, than those who had eaten the bagel breakfast.
Those who had eaten the eggs also reported feeling less hungry and more satisfied 3 hours after breakfast than those who had eaten the bagel.
After breakfast, the egg group also had less of a change in their blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as lower ghrelin levels than the bagel group.
Starting the day with a bowl of oatmeal could also result in a lower number on the scales.
A studyTrusted Source involving 47 adults looked at differences in appetite, fullness, and next meal intake after participants ate oatmeal, as opposed to a bowl of oat-based ready-to-eat breakfast cereal.
After eating oatmeal, participants felt significantly fuller and less hungry than after eating the cereal. Also, their calorie intake at lunch was lower after eating oatmeal than after eating breakfast cereal.
While both breakfasts contained the same amount of calories, the oatmeal provided more protein, more fiber, and less sugar than the cereal.
The authors concluded that the difference in fiber, specifically a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, was probably responsible for the results.
As a group, beans, chickpeas, lentils, and peas are known as pulses. They may influence weight loss due to their effect on fullness, as well as their protein and fiber content.
Similarly to oatmeal, pulses contain soluble fiber that may slow down digestion and absorption. Eating protein leads to the release of hormones that signal fullness.
Researchers analyzed studies that had looked at the effect of the consumption of pulses on weight loss.
Weight loss diets that included pulses resulted in significantly greater weight loss than those that did not. Weight maintenance diets that included pulses also resulted in weight loss compared with those that did not.
A studyTrusted Source involving overweight and obese women compared a weight loss diet supplemented with 50 grams (g) of almonds a day with a weight loss diet that did not include nuts. After 3 months, women in the almond group lost significantly more weight than women in the nut-free group.
Women in the almond group also had much greater reductions in their waist size, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar.
Nuts contain protein and fiber, which may help explain their influence on body weight. They also contain heart-healthy fats and other beneficial nutrients. While nuts can be included as part of a healthful diet, moderation is still essential since they are an energy-dense food.
Weight regain is often a concern for individuals after they have lost weight.
In a large study in Europe, researchers found that people who consumed the most nuts gained less weight during a 5-year period than people who did not eat nuts. They also had less risk of becoming overweight or obese.
Avocados are a fruit that provides fiber and beneficial fats, as well as many other nutrients. They may also help promote weight management.
According to a study people who consumed avocados weighed significantly less and had a lower BMI than those who did not. People who ate avocado tended to eat more fruits, vegetables, and fiber than people who did not, as well.
The people who ate avocado had an overall healthier diet and consumed significantly less added sugar than those who did not. Similarly, their risk for metabolic syndrome was lower than for those who did not consume avocado.
The Savannah Regional Police Command has granted bail to some 49 suspects who were arrested at Daboya in the Savannah Region following unrest in town.
This was after clashes between Mamprusis and Gonjas at Lukula, a farming community in the North Gonja District, led to an attack on police in the region.
The suspects reportedly smashed the Savannah Regional Police Commander’s vehicle windscreen and another brand-new pickup belonging to the district command.
Following the unrest, about 107 were arrested, and kept in police custody in Tamale in the Northern Region.
Other men in the town have since fled, hiding in bushes and distant communities. Also, all commercial and domestic activities have been brought to a standstill in Daboya and its environs.
In town, JoyNews cited only women and a few other female students returning to town on vacation.
The remaining 51 suspects, according to police sources, would be put before a Tamale High Court on Monday, June 5.
The police have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic demise of an 18-year-old female student from Nsutam Senior High Technical School. The incident took place in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region last Thursday, prompting authorities to delve deeper into the case.
Abigail Asare, a second year General Arts student was allegedly stabbed to death by Michael Osei, a barber.
Abigail’s lifeless body was found at Osei’s barber shop at Nsutam last Thursday, June 1, 2023.
Osei is said to be Abigail’s boy friend and she had reportedly visited him at the shop last Thursday.
Sources claim Abigail left school after vacation and decided to visit Osei before going home.
Police sources said the suspect is on the run and efforts are underway to apprehend him.
Osei allegedly accused Abigail of cheating on him and stabbed her multiple times leading to her death, according to preliminary information gathered by the police at Nsutam supported by officers from the Kyebi Divisional Police Command.
Abigail’s body has been deposited at the Kyebi Government Hospital morgue for autopsy.
Prophet Kumchacha, the Founder and Leader of Heaven’s Gate Ministries, Nicholas Osei, has once again made a stir on social media by delivering a series of controversial statements.
Prophet Kumchacha, who intends to contest for the presidency in 2024, has revealed that hardship in the country has forced young ladies to date, multiple men.
He told Amansan Krakye, the host, that majority of ladies nowadays keep more than one boyfriends just to be able to make ends meet.
“Most of the youth are so hungry in this country because of the hardships and difficulties from bad governance. Due to the hardship in the system, if you pick about 100 ladies in Ghana it is only 20 of them that have only one boyfriend,” he claimed.
“The rest of the 80 ladies left have multiple boyfriends with some having as many as four to five simultaneously,” he added.
Buttressing his point further, he added, “Because they should have those who buy phones for her, those who pay her rent allowance and those who pay for her hairdo due to the hardships.
More than three dozen individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in a large-scale fraud and money laundering operation that targeted individuals, corporations, and financial institutions throughout the United States. The defendants used business email compromise schemes, romance fraud scams, and retirement account scams, among other frauds, to steal more than $30 million from numerous victims.
“The Department of Justice has tirelessly worked for more than four years to obtain justice for dozens of victims impacted by this brazen criminal organization,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “The defendants’ sentences should serve as a stark warning to others that fraud and money laundering crimes are top priorities for this office and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”
“Several members of this conspiracy fraudulently obtained funds from ERISA-covered employee benefit plans. The funds, which originated from unwitting individuals’ retirement accounts, were deposited into personal and business bank accounts that were created in furtherance of this money-laundering conspiracy.
The greed of the conspirators caused workers and prospective retirees to lose significant portions of their hard-earned retirement funds. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration to protect the integrity of employee benefit plans,” said Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent-in-Charge, Southeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
“These fraud scams, although not violent, are not victimless and can be devastating to businesses and individuals who fall prey to them,” said Keri Fairly, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The sentencing of all these individuals shows the FBI’s dedication to working with our partners to hold anyone accountable who would steal from hard working and honest individuals, rather than put in the work themselves.”
“These scammers defrauded individuals and companies with the sole purpose of enriching themselves,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI and its law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the nation’s financial infrastructure and ensure that financial crimes do not go unpunished.”
“This sentencing illustrates the Secret Service’s dedication to protecting our nation’s financial systems,” said Steven R. Baisel, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Atlanta Field Office. “We are thankful for our law enforcement partners’ commitment and support as we worked together to bring this case to justice.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: The defendants engaged in multiple fraud and money laundering conspiracies that stole millions of dollars from victims located throughout the United States and abroad. The defendants were charged across several related pending cases.
U.S. District Judge William M. Ray, II, sentenced the following individuals for their respective roles in this criminal scheme:
Joshua Roberts, also known as “Onyx,” 32, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to eight years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $9,675,739.73 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on August 10, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 29, 2022.
Darius Sowah Okang, also known as “Michael J. Casey,” “Richard Resser,” “Thomas Vaden,” “Michael Lawson,” “Matthew Reddington,” and “Michael Little,” 32, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was sentenced to seven years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $6,204,119 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on March 17, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and aggravated identity theft on September 2, 2021.
George Kodjo Edem Adatsi, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $3,373,797.43 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on July 21, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on April 7, 2021.
Benjamin Ibukunoluwa Oye, 29, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to five years in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,163,127.01 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on March 21, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering on March 4, 2020.
Prince Sheriff Okai, 29, of Mableton, Georgia, was sentenced to four years and nine months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4,950,586.54 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on January 12, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 6, 2020.
Hamza Abdallah, also known as “Reggie Lewis,” 33, of McDonough, Georgia, was sentenced to four years and nine months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $5,051,473.87 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 24, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on November 18, 2020.
Dominique Raquel Golden, also known as “Desire Tamakloe,” “Mellissa Moore,” “Nicole Nolay,” “Raquel Roberts,” “Maria Henderson,” and “Raquel Golden,” 32, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to four years and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $7,830,607.05 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on March 28, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 30, 2021.
Kelvin Prince Boateng, 27, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $870,333 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on June 17, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 2, 2021.
Jonathan Kojo Agbemafle, also known as “Skinny,” 29, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,637,625.01 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on August 8, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on April 4, 2022.
Blessing Oluwatimilehin Ojo, also known as “Timmy,” 37, of Nigeria, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,711,304 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on October 26, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on July 19, 2022.
Desire Elorm Tamakloe, also known as “Chubby,” 28, of Smyrna, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,215,357.81 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on April 18, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 13, 2022.
Stephen Abbu Jenkins, also known as “Face,” “Steven Abbu Jenkins,” “Steven Jenkins,” and “Steve Jenkins,” 56, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and seven months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $726,290 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 22, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 8, 2022.
Obinna Nwosu, 29, of Douglasville, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,045,065.75 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on December 16, 2020, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 17, 2020.
Ojebe Obewu Ojebe, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $893,879.55 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on September 27, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on June 2, 2022.
Francesco Benjamin, also known as “B-More,” 33, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $987,070 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on March 1, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 19, 2022.
Chukwukadibia Ikechukwu Nnadozie, also known as “Chuka” and “Michael McCord,” 30, of Fayetteville, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $231,507.19 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on May 9, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on November 28, 2022.
Abubakar Sadik Ibrahim, 29, of Mableton, Georgia, was sentenced to three years in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,193,750.27 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 1, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 27, 2021.
John Ifeoluwa Onimole, 31, of Powder Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to three years in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,117,966.06 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on April 25, 2023, after pleading guilty to money laundering on December 7, 2022.
Chadrick Jamal Rhodes, 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and 11 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on January 31, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on October 12, 2021.
Chadwick Osbourne Stewart, 43, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and eight months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on January 26, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on October 22, 2021.
Macario Lee Nelson, a/k/a “Mac,” 27, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and eight months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 17, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on September 29, 2021.
Afeez Olaide Adeniran, a/k/a “Ola,” 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $352,830.25 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on October 6, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 18, 2022.
Kahlia Andrea Siddiqui, 31, of Chamblee, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $325,811 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on February 22, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 9, 2022.
Solomon Agyapong, also known as “Gumpe,” 34, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $496,123.92 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on April 18, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 11, 2022.
Christopher Akinwande Awonuga, 31, of Fayetteville, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and three months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $113,276.27 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on January 8, 2020, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on August 22, 2019.
Emanuela Joe Joseph, 37, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and three months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $442,557.08 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on February 21, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 26, 2022.
Seth Appiah Kubi, 63, of Dacula, Georgia, was sentenced to two years in custody, to be followed by one year of supervised release. He was sentenced on July 7, 2020, after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft on March 4, 2020.
Oluwafunmilade Onamuti, also known as “Mathew Kelvin,” 29, of Duluth, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $167,195 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on July 21, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on April 7, 2021.
Paul Chinonso Anyanwu, 31, of Hampton, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $57,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on December 19, 2019, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 18, 2019.
Casey Broderick Williams, 29, of Covington, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and one day in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on June 2, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on July 30, 2019.
Alexus Ciera Johnson, 29, of Mableton, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and one day in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $106,879 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on May 22, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 11, 2022.
Egale Veonzell Woods, Jr., 44, of East Point, Georgia, was sentenced to one year in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $165,007.19 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on April 21, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 4, 2020.
Gregory Thomas Hudson, 42, of Powder Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 months in custody, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $125,291.45 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on June 27, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on March 14, 2022.
Uchechi Chidimma Odus, also known as “Uche,” 26, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $83,345.47 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on May 17, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on December 21, 2022.
Matthan Bolaji Ibidapo, also known as “B.J.,” 30, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced to eight months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release with a portion to be served in home confinement and ordered to pay $82,490.50 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 21, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on November 1, 2022.
Tyler Keon Roussell, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to six months in custody, to be followed by six years of supervised release with a portion served in home confinement, and ordered to pay $368,400.49 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 21, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on May 16, 2019.
Monique Wheeler, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release with a portion to be served in home confinement, and ordered to pay $71,010 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on December 2, 2022, after pleading guilty to money laundering on July 13, 2022.
Chineda Obilom Nwakudu, 28, of McDonough, Georgia, was sentenced to three years of probation with a portion to be served in home confinement and ordered to pay $123,645.85 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 22, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 23, 2019.
Ahamefule Aso Odus, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, was convicted by a jury on January 30, 2023, of conspiracy to commit money laundering and multiple substantive money laundering offenses. His sentencing is pending.
Motswana Mulongo, also known as “David Mulongo” and “Henry Tipton,” 38, of Decatur, Georgia, was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 10, 2023. His sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2023.
Oumar Bouyo Mbodj of Kennesaw, Georgia, is deceased, and charges filed against him were dismissed.
This investigation was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program—the keystone drug, money laundering, and transnational organized crime enforcement program of the Department of Justice.
This case was investigated by the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
The investigating agencies received considerable support from the Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly K. Connors and Russell Phillips prosecuted the case.
Two police officers were injured when two suspected criminals attacked them and run off with handcuffs during an operation at Gomoa Nyanyano in the Central Region.
The police had dispatched a team of police officers from the intelligence unit to apprehend suspects who had reportedly robbed residents at Kasoa and sought refuge at Gomoa Nyanyano.
Upon their arrival at the area, the officers were unexpectedly attacked by the young residents, resulting in injuries to two of them.
Recognising the need for additional support, the remaining officers promptly called for reinforcement from the Central East Regional Police Command.
Despite the challenges faced, the team successfully managed to apprehend eight individuals from the ghetto, while two others managed to flee, taking the police handcuffs with them.
The injured police officers were swiftly sent to a nearby hospital for immediate medical attention.
Meanwhile, the eight apprehended suspects were handed over to the Central East Regional Police Command for further investigation.
The incident has prompted a thorough ongoing investigation by the authorities to uncover the identities and whereabouts of the escaped individuals.
The police are determined to recover the stolen handcuffs and bring those responsible to justice.
Endurance Dzigbordi Dedzo, a renowned Ghanaian dancer commonly known as Endurance or Edurance Grand, has recently responded to insinuations suggesting that she is gay.
The suggestion that she is either gay or bisexual is one that has silently been going on social media ever since she broke into the limelight as one of the most talented dancers with the DWP Academy.
The people who have been making these suggestions have been using the manner she normally dresses as a Tomboy, that is dressing as a male or exhibiting masculine traits on social media as the basics for the claim.
In a recent interview with Deloris Frimpong Manso on the Delay show, Endurance finally reacted to these claims when she was asked the big question by Delay.
According to Endurance, she is neither gay nor bisexual as some people think.
She added that her decision to dress and appear as a Tomboy is just the way she feels like behaving but it has nothing to do with being gay.
Endurance emphasized she is into men and hilariously added that she is straight like an uncooked spaghetti.
WhenDelayasked her if she has some men who chase her, Endurance disclosed that there are a lot of guys who hit on her most of the time because they more or less fancy ladies who are Tomboys.
Perez Chapel International has declared a one-week fast and prayers following the controversy between the church’s founder, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, and the chiefs and people of Nogokpo in the Volta Region.
The declaration was made on Sunday, June 4, 2023, by the Presiding Bishop of Perez Chapel International, Benjamin Ohene Aboagye.
“On the 25th of last month, during our Supernatural Empowerment Summit, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare made a statement concerning the Nogokpo issue. I think we are all aware of the issue in Ghana. It is trending on social media and other platforms. We, the Perez Council, on behalf of the Executive Council, have taken notice of all these things and this is what the Executive Council is saying. We are declaring a one-week fast from the 5th to the 11th of this month, and we expect all pastors, elders, deacons, deaconesses, and all our churches to participate in this fast for one week. We believe that God is our helper. He is our rock. He is the one we look up to. So this is the decision we have taken for now. We expect everyone [in all our branches] to take part in this fast,” he said.
The controversy surrounding Archbishop Agyinasare began on May 25, when he made a statement during a church service about the Nogokpo shrine.
In his sermon, Archbishop Agyinasare said that Nogokpo was the “demonic headquarters” of the Volta Region. He went on to make further claims against the Nogokpo deity.
The Nogokpo shrine is a popular traditional shrine in Ghana that is considered to harbour the god of justice.
The shrine’s elders were angered by Archbishop Agyinasare’s comments and summoned him to appear before them within the next 14 days or face their wrath.
Archbishop Agyinasare has since said that he did not mean to cast a slur on the people of Nogokpo.
Rachael Okonkwo, a stunning Nollywood actress, is not known for seeking attention and revealing every aspect of her life for public scrutiny. However, in a previous interview with Potpourri, the actress, well-recognized as Nkoli Nwa Nsukka, candidly expresses her thoughts on Nigerian men.
“Nigerian men are good lovers but they cheat because they have the blood of polygamy running in their veins. While some of them are very caring, others don’t, But the fact is that I love Nigerian men,” she said,
When asked if her heart had ever been broken: “ I have been heartbroken once (some years ago) and I won’t let it happen again,” she replied.
Hawwal sets Guinness World Record for longest recording with multiple artistes The actress also revealed what she would do if she catches her man in bed with another woman.
“Jesus! I can’t even imagine that but if it ever happens that will be the end of it. If I catch him with a woman I will feel bad but if he sincerely apologizes I will give him a second chance,” she stated.
Rachael Okonkwo’s alluring pictures flooded the timelines of her colleagues when she celebrated her birthday last week.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, has assured that the caterers working under the School Feeding Programme will receive the 2022 academic year third term arrears due them next week.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, she noted that the arrears for the first and second term have been settled adding that the payment process for the third term was delayed as a result of thorough validation and auditing processes to ensure the right funds are distributed to caterers.
“I want to ensure that the auditing and due diligence is done. It takes time because the numbers are voluminous so you need time for the auditors to go through and make sure that every caterer who has cooked has been captured and will be paid. They have to bear with us when their monies are not coming in good time. Certainly, we will pay them and next week we are paying,” she said.
Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu
Madam Lariba revealed that the files of about 11,052 caterers have been cleared for payment while 76 are still pending as a result of challenges with their E-Zwich card.
The Minister stated that caterers who did not cook in the third term as a result of various reasons will not be paid.
Madam Lariba added that “the caterers under the programme are paid based on the number of days they cooked within a term. So if we have 67 days and you cook 60, you are going to be paid 60 days. The reports we take form the regions show the number of days caterers cook, so we need to let them know why the payment is not the same.”
This comes after some caterers on the School Feeding Programme, earlier in the week, vowed not to cook for the school children until monies owed them are paid.
The caterers insist they will not be moved by empty promises this time. They are also demanding an increase in the amount paid per child from GH¢1 to GH¢3.50.
However, the Gender Minister says talks to increase the cost of a meal per child are still ongoing adding that the proposal before it currently has an increase from GH¢1 to GH¢1.20.
She assured that her outfit will continue to engage the Finance Ministry to reach a favourable cost for all.
During separate operations conducted by the Ghana Navy and Marine Police, a total of 108,000 litres of diesel and 73,000 litres of crude oil were impounded from smugglers operating on the high seas.
Sandra Aidoo, the Western Regional Manager of NPA, revealed this information during a media engagement held in Takoradi on June 1, 2023.
According to Aidoo, the smugglers involved in the diesel seizure have been apprehended and are currently facing trial. As for the crude oil, the smugglers managed to evade capture, but the confiscated product has been transported to Accra, with further details to be disclosed to the public.
Aidoo emphasized that the activities of these smugglers are not only undermining NPA’s operations but also impacting the quality of fuel supplied at retail stations.
“Unscrupulous filling station owners purchase these untaxed products at lower prices, posing a risk to consumers. The NPA is determined to prevent such products from entering the market, ensuring the distribution of safe and regulated fuel,” she stressed.
Ms. Aidoo continued, “We initially confiscated 108,000 litres of diesel on the high seas in January. The smugglers were arrested and are currently standing trial. The other was in April when 73,000 litres of crude oil was confiscated.
“As part of our monitoring exercises, four retail outlets that did not meet our score were closed down. They are not operating as I speak because they do not meet our requirements,” she is quoted to have said by graphic.com.gh
During the media engagement, the NPA highlighted its efforts to enforce operational requirements and maintain standards in the petroleum downstream industry.
In addition, the NPA working closely with security agencies have been able to close down and revoke the licenses of four non-compliant filling stations in the region.
Ms. Farida Ali-Musah, the Legal Manager at the Legal Directorate of NPA, mentioned that the Authority has been granted prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General to combat crimes within the oil supply chain.
Mr. Dominic Aboagye, the Head of Planning at NPA on his part provided insights into the country’s fuel consumption, revealing that 80 percent of the demand is met through imports while the remaining 20 percent is produced domestically.
In an effort to boost local production, the government and private sector are collaborating on initiatives, including the construction of a refinery by a private entity.
The NPA’s actions demonstrate its commitment to combating illegal activities within the oil sector, ensuring the supply of high-quality fuel and protecting the interests of consumers.
In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Aba Folson, a Cardiologist at the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) in Tema, has strongly advised the public to incorporate physical activities, specifically routine workout sessions, into their daily routines and transform them into long-term habits.
Physical exercises should be encouraged and practiced at least five times a week for about 30 minutes to aid the heart to perform its functions well as well as other organs in the body, she said.
Dr Folson said this at the Ghana News Agency’s weekly health platform, dubbed: “Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility!” in Tema.
It aimed at promoting health-related communication to influence personal health choices through improved literacy.
Dr Folson was speaking on the topic; “Measure blood pressure accurately, control it, and leave longer,” which was the theme for the “May Measurement Month” and the World Hypertension Day commemoration.
She said physical activities helped to keep one’s high blood pressure under control by aiding the pumping of blood into the heart and other organs from the blood vessels, adding that living a healthy life should be a choice.
“Going to the gym is a good lifestyle practice, even though others who cannot afford the cost should not be discouraged from exercising but rather engage in brisk walking for at least five minutes daily.”
“People should also use gardening, which also serves one with organic foods, washing, and physical activities that help keep the body fit and the cardiovascular system healthy.”
Dr Folson said bad lifestyle practices such as high intake of red meat, salty foods, and foods with excess fats, such as saturated and trans fats, may cause damage to the blood vessels, leading to hypertension and other chronic diseases.
Foods with low salt content and those rich in fibre such as fruits, vegetables, wheat, oats, sorghum, and beans helps in preventing hypertension.
“You have a choice to live a healthy life; make the right choice,” she emphasized.
Mr Francis Ameyibor, the GNA Tema Regional Manager, called on traditional and social media managers to devote some time on their platforms for health professionals to educate the public on healthy living.
“The education we offer today through our media platform may save a life tomorrow,” he said.
Nana Boama Ayiripe II, popularly known as Samuel Boamah Danso, the Chief of Kwahu-Nkwatia, along with three of his elders, has been convicted of contempt of court by the Koforidua High Court in the capital of the Eastern Region.
As a result, the court has ordered them to vacate the Nkwatia Palace within three days, ending at midnight on Monday, June 5, 2023. The Presiding Judge, Gifty Dekyem, awarded a cost of GHS20,000 in the ruling.
This conviction follows a previous ruling by the Judicial Committee of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs in 2021, which ordered the Registrar, Richmond Perseus, to forcibly remove Samuel Boama Danso from the Nkwatia Palace. Boama Danso had claimed to be the chief of the town, but the ruling stated that his claim was unlawful.
The Judicial Committee had also ordered the Registrar to seize all properties of the Nkwatia stool.
In response to the challenges against Boama Danso’s illegal installation, he petitioned the National House of Chiefs to block the Regional Judicial Committee’s decision.
This prevented him from being evicted from the palace. However, the applicants contesting his installation filed a motion at the Koforidua High Court, seeking to hold him and his elders in contempt for failing to comply with the eviction order.
According to a report by Dailyguidenetwork.com, Justice, Gifty Dekyem delivered the judgment, stating that it was a well-established rule that orders of a court must be obeyed, even if they were considered erroneous or irregular. She emphasized that non-compliance with a court order amounted to contempt of court and could not be justified on the grounds of the order’s alleged flaws.
The proper course of action, she stated, would have been to challenge the order in the appropriate forum through a proper application.
The judge highlighted that the defendants could not justify their disobedience and contempt by arguing that the order was erroneous, as they had filed an appeal against the interim injunction. She noted that their actions demonstrated a willful disobedience of the court order.
The prolonged chieftaincy dispute in Kwahu-Nkwatia has left the stool vacant for over five years following the death of Nana Atuobi Yiadom IV in 2016, who had reigned for 60 years.
Diana Hopeson, a board member of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO), has come forward to assert that the decision made by the Attorney General to revoke the organization’s license was solely grounded in misinformation, indicating that the rationale behind the revocation lacked accurate and reliable information.
Speaking on Rainbow radio in the UK via phone interview, the AG was misinformed, which led to the current predicament.
According to her, the decision to revoke their license is not based on law or logic.
The musician stated that they have responded to the AG’s letter regarding the revocation of their license and have also submitted it to their lawyers.
Madam Hopeson explained that GHAMRO had fulfilled and met all of the standards for which their operating license should have been renewed, but when they were ready to apply for the license, they were asked to meet some arbitrary restrictions.
The former MUSIGA President emphasized that the AG is under no legal responsibility to revoke its license.
According to her, they had met all of the conditions, therefore it appears weird that this occurred.
“We responded to the issue and are optimistic that the license will be renewed.” The license was last renewed in June 2017, and we submitted the renewal required in 2022. We were warned, however, that the renewal would be contingent on conditions such as the creation of a new constitution and the withdrawal of all court cases. However, it is not the organization that is taking people to court. Some members are the ones who have taken GHAMRO to court, thus it would be inappropriate for the AG to do so.”
She informed the host that owing to their current circumstances, they would be unable to distribute royalties to the appropriate owners in June.
She went on to say that just because the license was revoked does not mean that anyone can now use copyrighted works without paying for them.
She stated that the law requires individuals to pay before they play and that people should not use this issue to break the law and not pay for the job they have done.
When asked if there is a deadline for the concerns to be handled, she stated that the license would be addressed and that if it is not done, musicians and other individuals would have to go for their royalties themselves, which would cause havoc in the system.
She stressed “I believe the AG was misinformed, and I am hopeful that the right thing is done and our license is renewed; otherwise, there would be mayhem’, she stressed.
We want the problem resolved so that GHAMRO can continue to have us collect and deliver their royalties.”
After being attacked in Wakefield early on Friday morning, PC Woods was taken to the hospital right afterwards.
Blood was seen running down her face in a photo that West Yorkshire Police posted, illustrating the serious wound she sustained on her forehead.
The Impact Team tweeted that one of its own officers, PC Woods, suffered an injury while apprehending a suspect in Wakefield.
West Yorkshire Police shared a picture of the injury on Twitter (Picture: West Yorkshire Police)
‘Suspected drug dealer rammed her vehicle as she was getting out of it. Arrested for wounding with intent to resist arrest and PWITS Class A drugs. Get well soon PC Woods.’
According to the force, she spotted the man allegedly committing a criminal act, so moved to make the arrest. He then allegedly tried to flee the scene.
Police confirmed that Ali Jones, 24, of no fixed abode has been arrested after the incident on Back Grantley Street.
He has since been charged with assault with intent to resist arrest, two counts of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply and two counts of possession of a Class B drug.
Last week, Mr. Erdogan, 69, won a second five-year term in the presidential run-off election, potentially extending his 20 years of control in the crucial Nato member nation that sits on the border of Europe and Asia to a quarter century.
Before an inauguration ceremony that would be attended by numerous foreign dignitaries, he took the oath during a session of parliament.
The Turkish leader will announce his new cabinet later on Saturday.
Erdogan has ruled Turkey for over 20 years (Picture: Shutterstock)
The line-up should indicate whether there will be a continuation of unorthodox economic policies or a return to more conventional ones amid a cost-of-living crisis.
The country of 85 million controls Nato’s second-largest army, hosts millions of refugees and played a crucial role in brokering a deal that allowed the shipment of Ukraine grain, averting a global food crisis.
Mr Erdogan is scheduled to take the oath of office in parliament, followed by an inauguration ceremony at his sprawling palace complex.
He is also in line to reveal the members of his new Cabinet during a separate ceremony later on Saturday.
Dozens of foreign dignitaries are traveling to attend the ceremony, including Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Carl Bildt, a high-profile former Swedish prime minister.
They are expected to press Mr Erdogan to lift his country’s objections to Sweden’s membership in the military alliance – which requires unanimous approval by all allies.
Turkey accuses Sweden of being too soft on Kurdish militants and other groups that Turkey considers to be terrorists.
Nato wants to bring Sweden into the alliance by the time allied leaders meet in Lithuania on July 11-12, but Turkey and Hungary have yet to endorse the bid.
Mr Erdogan takes the oath of office amid a host of domestic challenges ahead, including a battered economy, pressure for the repatriation of millions of Syrian refugees and the need to rebuild after a devastating earthquake in February that killed 50,000 and levelled entire cities in the south of the country.
The country is grappling with a cost-of-living crisis fuelled by inflation that peaked at a staggering 85% in October before easing to 44% last month. The Turkish currency has lost more than 10% of its value against the dollar since the start of the year.
Critics blame the turmoil on Mr Erdogan’s policy of lowering interest rates to promote growth, which runs contrary to conventional economic thinking that calls for raising rates to combat inflation.
Unconfirmed media reports say Mr Erdogan plans to reappoint Mehmet Simsek, a respected former finance minister and deputy prime minister, to the helm of the economy.
The move would signify a return by the country, the world’s 19th largest economy according to the World Bank, to more orthodox economic policies.
In power as prime minister and then as president since 2003, Mr Erdogan is already Turkey’s longest-serving leader. He has solidified his rule through constitutional changes that transformed Turkey’s presidency from a largely ceremonial role to a powerful office.
Critics say his second decade in office was marred by sharp democratic backsliding including the erosion of institutions such as the media and judiciary and the jailing of opponents and critics.
Mr Erdogan defeated opposition challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu in a run-off vote held on May 28, after he narrowly failed to secure an outright victory in a first round of voting on May 14.
Mr Kilicdaroglu had promised to put Turkey on a more democratic path and improve relations with the West.
International observers deemed the elections to be free but not fair.
World Bank (WB) Country Director to Ghana, Pierre Frank Laporte, says Ghana’s energy sector debt is a major contributor to her debt woes.
In an interview monitored by GNA, the country director indicated that his outfit had identified certain factors that were driving the country’s debt situations.
According to Mr Laporte, one of the factors the bank has identified is the energy sector.
He said the deficiencies in the sector characterised by the tariff systems and management issues coupled with expensive power purchases by the state in addition to the transmission losses, were the major problems in the energy sector driving Ghana’s debts.
He said the mismatch between the production cost of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) vis-à-vis how much consumers paid led to an upsurge of debts since the Government could not make financial commitments to them (IPPs).
Mr Laporte also said the Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) the Government had signed were expensive. In addition to the exorbitant power purchases the country was paying for energy it does not use due to the ‘’take or pay contracts.’’
‘’In the case of Ghana, those contracts that have been signed as PPAs are just expensive and the kind of PPAs signed are take or pay. You pay although you do not use it. The fact is that in the past few years, Ghana entered into an agreement at the wrong rate and the wrong price, and it has impacted the debts situation.’’
He asked the Government to pursue some reforms in the areas of tariff adjustments, addressing the transmission losses through improved infrastructure and restructuring the power purchasing agreements consistent with the energy demands of the country to reduce a significant portion of the debts.
The WB Country Director acknowledged the progress made thus far via the recent increment and subsequent approval in tariff by the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC), saying much could be achieved if the intended reforms in the energy sector were implemented.
He subsequently advised the Government to take advantage of the West African Power Poll, to provide cheap electricity for its people and industry.
According to the Fitch Ranks, the energy sector is the biggest driver of the national debt as the West African Country currently owes independent power producers to the tune of $1.58 billion.
Fitch Ranks also says the country had initially reached out to the IPPs to restructure their debts in view of the External and Domestic Debt Restructuring but the companies objected to the proposal.
Dan Boyle, 31, and Ashleigh Lomas, 30, were vacationing in Lanzarote when Boyle fell over the balcony wall on the third level of the hotel.
Dan’s untreated pneumonia was found after he was brought to thehospitalon the Spanish island, and doctors believe this is what caused him to fall on April 24, just one day into their vacation.
Doctors think the chest infection caused his lungs to fill with fluid, which stopped his heart from pumping and caused him to fall over the balcony.
Dan, an engineer, was immediately given CPR by another holidaymaker. He suffered a fractured skull, fractured breast bone, torn kidney and broken ribs in the fall.
He was then flown to a hospital in Gran Canaria, where he had brain surgery, an operation on his kidney, and was placed in an induced coma for four weeks.
Ashleigh says she wants Dan to come home to their two children, eight-year-old Daisy and three-year-old Daniel, as soon as possible.
She said: ‘It’s just an absolute nightmare.
The couple had been laughing and joking in the pool only an hour before (Picture: SWNS)Dan is still in hospital in Gran Canaria (Picture: SWNS)
‘It’s something that you would never expect to happen to you.
‘Our children are just missing him, they just want him home.
‘He was perfectly fine. We was in the pool together half an hour before, laughing and joking.
‘He had a little cough but we didn’t think it was anything.
‘It wasn’t a constant cough, it was just a little one, so you obviously wouldn’t think anything of it.’
The couple only arrived at the hotel a day before the fall (Picture: SWNS)
Dan is no longer in a coma but is still unable to communicate. Doctors believe he has ‘really bad’ brain damage but the full extent won’t be known until he’s fully awake.
He will also need a specialist flight to return home to Stockport, Greater Manchester, which costs around £35,000.
While the couple’s insurance has covered Dan’s hospital bills, it won’t cover his flight home.
Ashleigh is now raising money for the flight, adding: ‘It would mean everything for him to come home, everything would be so much easier for everybody.
‘He will be able to be around people who he knows and get the care that he needs.’
Earlier this week a British bar owner in Lanzarote fell from a balcony to his death following ‘a scuffle with a drunken troublemaker’ – and a German man has been arrested on suspicion of his murder.
100 bricks of cocaine were discovered by police in the northern part of Greece among bundles of bananas.
The containers were part of a shipment from South America that was making its way through the port of Piraeus.
Officers brought the suspicious crates to Thessaloniki where they discovered 161kg of narcotics hidden within.
The estimated market value of the cocaine discovered yesterday is €3,200,000, or £2.75 million.
It is believed that the drugs would have been distributed around Greece and wider Europe if they had not been intercepted.
For several weeks, Greece has been carrying out a joint investigation with North Macedonian authorities and the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
Last month, they found around 100kg of cocaine at a warehouse in Thessaloniki, also hidden in containers of bananas.
There have been 14 arrests made relating to that discovery, including several people believed to belong to an international organised crime ring.
In that case, the fruit shipment was ordered and paid for by a company based in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje.
While the size of Saturday’s discovery was significant, it’s fairly tiny compared to a consignment found in Portugal at the beginning of May.
Yet again smuggled via a container of bananas, the cocaine seized at the port of Setubal, south of Lisbon, weighed 4.2 tonnes and was worth around €100 million.
In the past few years, the drug has also been found creatively hidden in shipments of oranges, sweet potatoes, soy flour and Covid masks.
Since obtaining the texts on Wednesday, the government has refrained from turning them over to Lady Hallett’s inquiry, claiming that much of the content has nothing to do with Covid.
Johnson friends, though, assert that the Cabinet Office‘s actual motivation for opposing publication of the unredacted WhatsApp chats is to protect the dignity of the present occupant of Number 10.
The Mail on Sunday quoted an unnamed ally as saying: ”What is Rishi hiding?
‘Is it plotting against Boris with Dominic Cummings?
‘Is it because he himself broke lockdown rules? Or does he fear that his Eat Out to Help Out scheme led to a significant number of deaths?’
The scheme, which allowed diners to claim 50% off the cost of their meal in an effort to boost a devastated UK hospitality industry after the 2020 Covid lockdown, will reportedly be examined by the inquiry amid questions over whether it contributed to a rise in coronavirus cases.
Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme, immigration minister Robert Jenrick denied the messages were being withheld to avoid embarrassment for the prime minister.
Asked directly about the Mail on Sunday story by the presenter, he said: ‘The issue here is a simple legal one – which is, should you hand over material to an inquiry which has absolutely nothing to do with Covid-19, and that’s a longstanding practice in British courts.
‘I think it’s fair and reasonable that that’s applied to the inquiry as well, and I hope that we can resolve this with Lady Justice Hallett very soon.’
He added that it would not be ‘common practice’ for the inquiry itself to decide what was relevant, rather than the government.
Mr Jenrick said: ‘I’m a former lawyer, I’ve been involved in discovery requests from courts in the past, and the normal way to do this is to set reasonable parameters, to request anything that is related to the case or, in this situation, the inquiry, but not to ask for things that are wholly unrelated.’
Mr Johnson has since bypassed Whitehall and handed some of the Whatsapp messages over himself.
However, lawyers for the Cabinet Office have warned the ex-PM that he could lose public funding for his legal advice if he ‘knowingly’ tries to ‘frustrate or undermine’ the government’s position.
Mr Jenrick said: ‘It’s entirely up to the former prime minister how he cooperates with the inquiry. If he wishes to send his documents or Whatsapp messages to them then he’s at liberty to do so.
‘I think a letter has been sent from the Cabinet Office to him, to say that as he is using taxpayers’ funds to pay for his lawyers then that funding has to be used for appropriate purposes.
‘But he can advance whatever arguments he wants to and make whatever statements he wishes in his witness statement to the inquiry.’
In its fight to expel the invader from Russia, Ukraine has established a new front in that country. Yet it is strangely reticent to acknowledge that it has sent troops, shot artillery, and flown drones into its neighbor’s land.
Officially, there is no information available about the activities of Russian nationals who attack from Ukraine while wearing Ukrainian military ID or uniforms. It is Kyiv’s contribution to “hybrid warfare” in the “grey zone” of current conflict.
At the time of Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, the two words sparked books and a wave of enraged commentary from a host of analysts.
In its fight to expel the invader from Russia, Ukraine has established a new front in that country. Yet it is strangely reticent to acknowledge that it has sent troops, shot artillery, and flown drones into its neighbor’s land.
Officially, there is no information available about the activities of Russian nationals who attack from Ukraine while wearing Ukrainian military ID or uniforms. It is Kyiv’s contribution to “hybrid warfare” in the “grey zone” of current conflict.
At the time of Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, the two words sparked books and a wave of enraged commentary from a host of analysts.
Ghana’s prominent YouTuber, Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon popularly known as Wode Maya has revealed that his thriving channel generates a monthly income ranging between $30,000 and $50,000.
The celebrated content creator, who made history as Ghana’s first YouTuber to attain one million subscribers on the video hosting platform, claimed he earns the amount on only views.
Star Ghanaian YouTuber Wode Maya, real name Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, has disclosed that he rakes up between $30,000 and $50,000 monthly from his vibrant channel.
The celebrated content creator, who made history as Ghana’s first YouTuber to attain one million subscribers on the video hosting platform, claimed he earns the amount on only views.
The YouTuber asked the audience how much money they thought he made monthly from his over one million subscribers on the channel.
Following a response that he earns “$100,000,” Wode Maya disclosed that he rakes between “$30,000 and $50,000”.
According to the internet personality, he charges when people seek his advice and also charges when they want him to come over to discuss business.
Wode May further mentioned that he wouldn’t have been able to afford his car, house, and estate if he still worked as an aviation engineer.
Fans of the renowned YouTuber applauded his uplifting remarks after the video capturing his comments surfaced. Many admitted they were inspired.
Watch the video below:
People react to the video of Wade Maya
1ghanatv stated:
I like the hobby part, tbh. In this life, I can’t kill myself.
Billi1_gh posted:
He just wants talk small lolx Ghana is funny.
Oyo_electronicshub reacted:
Ghanaians should ask @twenejonas. He is making millions of dollars with his life and YouTube videos.
Gomoregh posted:
How can you tell me this story .
Nanaboateng579 claimed:
I followed Wode Maya since 2015, and the guy has sacrificed a lot to reach where he is today. It’s not easy, but you can make it with hard work and persistence.
Akwasiosei5249 stated:
Bro, he started making videos way back in 2013 oo so took him almost ten years to see that kind of money from his videos.
Adamadee said:
Good, but show us. I want to make it like you.
Kbkelectronicsventures stated:
This guy is not selfish at all. Please, show us the way. So we can also make ways in life. Na our school system is something other than what we can write home about. Most Ghanaian youths are running out of the country b’cos there is not a job. If the internet is the way. Please at least organise some lessons for us. Thanks very much.
Renowned Nollywood actress, Chacha Eke Faani, has opened up about a harrowing “manic episode” she encountered approximately a year ago, recounting her personal experience.
The talented actress, who recently celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary with her filmmaker husband Austin Faani, opened up about her mental health struggles in an Instagram post on Friday, June 2.
She revealed that around this time last year, she had her most terrifying episode, waking up at 3 am and feeling unsafe at home.
Chacha Eke disclosed that during the manic episode, which she said lasted for months, she obtained a fake ID card in a desperate attempt to run away from home.
In her account, Chacha Eke disclosed that she ran to a motor park in Asaba at 3 am and subsequently traveled to Lagos. She wandered the streets, hotels, and beaches of Lagos for days. Eventually, she used the fake ID to travel to Ghana by boat.
Fortunately, Chacha Eke was able to regain her memory with the help of a staff member named Esther at First Bank Plc in Ghana. Esther recognized her and assisted her in remembering her true identity and home.
Read her full story below,
“Slide 1 photo was me by this time last year-1st June 2022. I was in the middle of a manic episode that lingered for months. One day, I woke at 3 am feeling unsafe and ran vigorously to a nearby motor park. I traveled to Lagos from Asaba like a fugitive.
Loitered the streets/hotels and beaches in Lagos for days. It was a rough blend of schizophrenia, depression, identity crisis, and bipolar disorders. Using this “made-up” Identity card of me from one of my imaginary companies; I headed for Ghana by boat. Clad in black jalabia, I kept moving. I passed border after border; terrified & unrecognized.
At that moment, I was a “Drifter”. It was at First Bank in Ghana through a lovely bank staff named Esther that somehow, I remembered myself. I remembered home. Esther was an Angel the universe used to open my eyes to the reality I disconnected from. I began to make my way back home. It took days but I returned, albeit sickly & in denial. One year later, I’m thankful to have survived one of my craziest episodes ever recorded.”
The late Joseph Ninkab, former District Chief Executive of Nkwanta South, was laid to rest at his residence in the Nkwanta South area of the Oti Region, on Saturday, June 3.
The burial ceremony was attended by notable figures including John Gyapong Kodjo, the Oti Regional NDC chairman, Kofi Adams, the MP for Buem, party members, former MMDCEs, sympathisers from the NPP, and others.
Joseph Ninkab had been appointed as DCE in 2009 during the regime of former President Atta Mills.
Prior to his appointment, he had served as the longest-serving NDC constituency secretary.
His dedication and contributions to the development of the area were widely recognised and unmatched.
During the burial service, several executives present described him as a selfless leader and a dedicated person who had made significant sacrifices for the development of the area.
They emphasised that the impact of his leadership could not be measured, and the people in the area would forever remember him.
Mr Ninkab passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. He was reportedly found dead in his room.
The Nkwanta South Constituency Secretary of the NDC, who confirmed the news to Ghana News Agency (GNA). He stated that the family had revealed that the former DCE had gone to bed the day before but did not wake up.
In a significant development, over three dozen individuals, among them a number of Ghanaians, have recently faced sentencing for their involvement in a substantial fraud and money laundering scheme. This operation, which encompassed a wide scope, specifically targeted individuals, corporations, and financial institutions based in the United States. The convictions mark a significant step in the pursuit of justice and the dismantling of criminal networks engaged in fraudulent activities, highlighting the commitment to combating such illicit endeavors.
The defendants used various fraudulent schemes, such as business email compromise, romance fraud, and retirement account scams, to steal over $30 million from numerous victims.
The U.S. Department of Justice, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, worked tirelessly for over four years to bring justice to the victims affected by this criminal organization.
The individuals involved in the conspiracy fraudulently obtained funds from employee benefit plans, which were then deposited into personal and business bank accounts created as part of the money-laundering scheme.
The stolen funds came from retirement accounts, causing significant financial losses for workers and prospective retirees.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration collaborated with law enforcement agencies to safeguard the integrity of employee benefit plans.
“The Department of Justice has tirelessly worked for more than four years to obtain justice for dozens of victims impacted by this brazen criminal organization,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.
“The defendants’ sentences should serve as a stark warning to others that fraud and money laundering crimes are top priorities for this office and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”
“Several members of this conspiracy fraudulently obtained funds from ERISA-covered employee benefit plans. The funds, which originated from unwitting individuals’ retirement accounts, were deposited into personal and business bank accounts that were created in furtherance of this money-laundering conspiracy,” justice.gov website detailed The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Secret Service also played crucial roles in the investigation and prosecution of these individuals.
The FBI highlighted that these fraud scams, although non-violent, are not victimless and can have devastating consequences for businesses and individuals who fall victim to them.
The defendants received various prison sentences ranging from one year and one day to eight years and one month, to be followed by supervised release. They were also ordered to pay substantial amounts in restitution to the victims. The specific sentences, restitution amounts, and guilty pleas varied for each defendant.
U.S. District Judge William M. Ray, II, sentenced the following individuals for their respective roles in this criminal scheme:
Joshua Roberts, also known as “Onyx,” 32, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to eight years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $9,675,739.73 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on August 10, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 29, 2022.
Darius Sowah Okang, also known as “Michael J. Casey,” “Richard Resser,” “Thomas Vaden,” “Michael Lawson,” “Matthew Reddington,” and “Michael Little,” 32, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was sentenced to seven years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $6,204,119 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on March 17, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and aggravated identity theft on September 2, 2021.
George Kodjo Edem Adatsi, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $3,373,797.43 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on July 21, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on April 7, 2021.
Benjamin Ibukunoluwa Oye, 29, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to five years in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,163,127.01 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on March 21, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering on March 4, 2020.
Prince Sheriff Okai, 29, of Mableton, Georgia, was sentenced to four years and nine months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4,950,586.54 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on January 12, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 6, 2020.
Hamza Abdallah, also known as “Reggie Lewis,” 33, of McDonough, Georgia, was sentenced to four years and nine months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $5,051,473.87 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 24, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on November 18, 2020.
Dominique Raquel Golden, also known as “Desire Tamakloe,” “Mellissa Moore,” “Nicole Nolay,” “Raquel Roberts,” “Maria Henderson,” and “Raquel Golden,” 32, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to four years and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $7,830,607.05 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on March 28, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 30, 2021.
Kelvin Prince Boateng, 27, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $870,333 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on June 17, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 2, 2021.
Jonathan Kojo Agbemafle, also known as “Skinny,” 29, of Kansas City, Missouri, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,637,625.01 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on August 8, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on April 4, 2022.
Blessing Oluwatimilehin Ojo, also known as “Timmy,” 37, of Nigeria, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,711,304 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on October 26, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on July 19, 2022.
Desire Elorm Tamakloe, also known as “Chubby,” 28, of Smyrna, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,215,357.81 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on April 18, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 13, 2022.
Stephen Abbu Jenkins, also known as “Face,” “Steven Abbu Jenkins,” “Steven Jenkins,” and “Steve Jenkins,” 56, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and seven months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $726,290 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 22, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 8, 2022.
Obinna Nwosu, 29, of Douglasville, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,045,065.75 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on December 16, 2020, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 17, 2020.
Ojebe Obewu Ojebe, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $893,879.55 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on September 27, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on June 2, 2022.
Francesco Benjamin, also known as “B-More,” 33, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $987,070 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on March 1, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 19, 2022.
Chukwukadibia Ikechukwu Nnadozie, also known as “Chuka” and “Michael McCord,” 30, of Fayetteville, Georgia, was sentenced to three years and one month in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $231,507.19 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on May 9, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on November 28, 2022.
Abubakar Sadik Ibrahim, 29, of Mableton, Georgia, was sentenced to three years in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,193,750.27 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 1, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 27, 2021.
John Ifeoluwa Onimole, 31, of Powder Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to three years in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,117,966.06 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on April 25, 2023, after pleading guilty to money laundering on December 7, 2022.
Chadrick Jamal Rhodes, 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and 11 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on January 31, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on October 12, 2021.
Chadwick Osbourne Stewart, 43, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and eight months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on January 26, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on October 22, 2021.
Macario Lee Nelson, a/k/a “Mac,” 27, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and eight months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 17, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on September 29, 2021.
Afeez Olaide Adeniran, a/k/a “Ola,” 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $352,830.25 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on October 6, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 18, 2022.
Kahlia Andrea Siddiqui, 31, of Chamblee, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $325,811 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on February 22, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 9, 2022.
Solomon Agyapong, also known as “Gumpe,” 34, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $496,123.92 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on April 18, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 11, 2022.
Christopher Akinwande Awonuga, 31, of Fayetteville, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and three months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $113,276.27 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on January 8, 2020, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on August 22, 2019.
Emanuela Joe Joseph, 37, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was sentenced to two years and three months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $442,557.08 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on February 21, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 26, 2022.
Seth Appiah Kubi, 63, of Dacula, Georgia, was sentenced to two years in custody, to be followed by one year of supervised release. He was sentenced on July 7, 2020, after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft on March 4, 2020.
Oluwafunmilade Onamuti, also known as “Mathew Kelvin,” 29, of Duluth, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $167,195 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on July 21, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on April 7, 2021.
Paul Chinonso Anyanwu, 31, of Hampton, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and six months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $57,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on December 19, 2019, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 18, 2019.
Casey Broderick Williams, 29, of Covington, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and one day in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on June 2, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft on July 30, 2019.
Alexus Ciera Johnson, 29, of Mableton, Georgia, was sentenced to one year and one day in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $106,879 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on May 22, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on October 11, 2022.
Egale Veonzell Woods, Jr., 44, of East Point, Georgia, was sentenced to one year in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $165,007.19 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on April 21, 2021, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 4, 2020.
Gregory Thomas Hudson, 42, of Powder Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 months in custody, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $125,291.45 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on June 27, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on March 14, 2022.
Uchechi Chidimma Odus, also known as “Uche,” 26, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $83,345.47 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on May 17, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on December 21, 2022.
Matthan Bolaji Ibidapo, also known as “B.J.,” 30, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was sentenced to eight months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release with a portion to be served in home confinement and ordered to pay $82,490.50 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 21, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on November 1, 2022.
Tyler Keon Roussell, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to six months in custody, to be followed by six years of supervised release with a portion served in home confinement, and ordered to pay $368,400.49 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 21, 2022, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud on May 16, 2019.
Monique Wheeler, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three months in custody, to be followed by three years of supervised release with a portion to be served in home confinement, and ordered to pay $71,010 in restitution to victims. She was sentenced on December 2, 2022, after pleading guilty to money laundering on July 13, 2022.
Chineda Obilom Nwakudu, 28, of McDonough, Georgia, was sentenced to three years of probation with a portion to be served in home confinement and ordered to pay $123,645.85 in restitution to victims. He was sentenced on February 22, 2023, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering on August 23, 2019.
Ahamefule Aso Odus, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, was convicted by a jury on January 30, 2023, of conspiracy to commit money laundering and multiple substantive money laundering offenses. His sentencing is pending.
Motswana Mulongo, also known as “David Mulongo” and “Henry Tipton,” 38, of Decatur, Georgia, was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering on March 10, 2023. His sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2023.
Oumar Bouyo Mbodj of Kennesaw, Georgia, is deceased, and charges filed against him were dismissed.
After a group of individuals on a fishing excursion became caught in the tide, four youngsters were discovered unresponsive on a beach in Quebec on Saturday morning and later pronounced dead, according to authorities.
Emergency responders were dispatched to Portneuf-sur-Mer, a riverside community on the northern shore, at 2 a.m. on Saturday, according to a representative for the Quebec provincial police who spoke to CNN.
According to the spokesperson, eleven persons went missing after setting out on foot for a fishing expedition and being caught in the tide. Of those 11, he stated six were saved and five were still missing the next day.
Around 6 a.m., four children, all over the age of 10, were found unresponsive and sent to the hospital, according to the spokesperson. Police later confirmed that the children were dead.
A man in his 30s is still missing, according to Quebec provincial police, and a search for him with divers, boats, and helicopters is ongoing.
Quebec provincial police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, the spokesperson said.
Ghanaian actor Alexander Kofi Adu, widely recognized as Agya Koo, joyfully marked his 54th birthday on May 25, 2023.
On the day, he shared a lot of nice-looking photos of himself online to mark the special day.
Agya Koo also got a lot of social media users to share the photos he uploaded to celebrate him for all the tremendous work he has done for the entertainment industry, especially, the movie industry over the years.
Even though it has been a little over a week after he officially celebrated his birthday, the multi-talented actor and musician is finally ready to throw a birthday party and officially open his new plush mansion.
The beautiful edifice is located in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and the grand opening plus the mega birthday party is scheduled to take place today, June 4, 2023, at Kwadaso – Denkyemuoso.
As stated byFlorida court documents, a dual citizenof Haiti and Chilewho pleaded guilty to federal crimes relating to his participation in the assassination of Haitian PresidentJovenel Moise was given a life term in prison.
Rodolphe Jaar received the punishment on Friday in Miami after a 10-minute hearing before Judge Jose E. Martinez. Each of the three crimes carries a life sentence that must be served concurrently.
According to the plea bargain, Jaar pleaded guilty to three counts in March, including conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside of the United States and giving material support that caused death.
Moise, 53, was killed in his bedroom in Haiti on July 7, 2021.
Martinez recommended that Jaar be designated to a federal facility in or near South Florida given his background and the offenses, according to the court docket.
In exchange for the guilty plea, Jaar had agreed to be sentenced by a judge, provide truthful testimony, produce documents and records, and appear before a grand jury and at other legal proceedings when called upon by federal prosecutors.
CNN has reached out to Jaar’s attorney, Frank Schwartz, for comment.
Jaar was one of several suspects who were at large in the months after Moise’s assassination. He was arrested in the Dominican Republic and extradited to the United States in January 2022.
Authorities have said that dozens of people were involved in the assassination, including 26 Colombians and two Haitian Americans. Colombian suspect Mario Palacios also was extradited to the US in 2022.
Jaar provided funds used to acquire weapons, provided food and lodging to other co-conspirators, and provided funding to bribe Haitian officials responsible for Moise’s security, according to the plea agreement.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has entreated Ghanaians to take a keen interest in the fight against corruption.
Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Mr Sulemana Braimah, called on Ghanaians to speak up on all matters of critical national interest to bring the expected change.
He said it would require the contribution of all to effect the desired change adding that it was time people chose right over wrong to help fight against corruption.
Mr Braimah made the call at a public lecture by the Centre for African Studies, University of Education, Winneba.
The event, on the theme: “Power, Corruption and Cognitive Capture; The Tragedy of a Rich But Poor Nation,” was to commemorate the African Union (AU) Day.
Mr Braimah said over the years, the quest for public sector accountability and the fight against corruption had been reduced to a competition of political sloganeering, sweet words and moral crusades by leaders, who often knew very well that they would not practice what they preached.
He said the late former President Flt. Lt Jerry John Rawlings came in with a house cleaning exercise and people were even executed for corruption but in the end, “the house got dirtier.”
Former President John Kufour also came with “zero tolerance for corruption” but in the end, he reminded the citizenry that “corruption started from Adam,” Mr Braimah cited among other examples.
“We have several anti-corruption laws in our statute books and such numerous laws have not been the panacea to the problem, because laws are made and enforced by men and women,” he stated.
Mr Braimah said chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution referred to the freedom and independence of the media with the aim of having a strong media to protect the country’s democracy.
The growth of the media landscape, which should have translated into a strong watchdog to fight corruption and abuse of power, had unfortunately left much to be desired.
“The situation appears gloomy and depressing, but I am confident that the long dark years of deprivation for the masses, will be triumphed by brighter days of progress and prosperity. So, there is hope because there are still committed, bold and patriotic men and women in the country,” Mr Braimah noted.
He indicated that coming together as one people would help make a difference in addition to revisiting the core and enduring values of truth, honesty and love for God and country.
“To bring change to the status quo, it will require that we all become bold to speak the truth at all times and to recognize that our worth will not only be defined by our wealth but also by the power of voices and values,” he stated.
Mr Braimah urged all and sundry not to be left out or constrained in the public debate but must let their lonely voice become the voice of justice because in a silent world, the lonely voice was louder.
“The independence and freedom of Ghana did not come easily, people worked for it at the peril of their lives and we must not let down our gallant heroes who fought for our freedom. We must do our part to make the future of our nation brighter….It is our time to shape the future of the country.”
“We can help overturn Ghana’s situation of being a rich but poor nation, to a rich, equitable and prosperous nation in which there is enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed”.
Ghanaian TikToker, Martina Dwamena, popularly known as Asantewaa celebrated her birthday in grand style by hosting an extravagant party on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
Prior to the day, Asantewaa was seen in many videos delivering her beautifully created invitation boxes to a lot of the respected people in Ghana.
Well, it appears the decision to give out those boxes was a good one as the party had a lot of respected people in Ghana in attendance.
The likes of Tracey Boakye, Ajaguraja, Asamoah Gyan, Osebo, Salinko, and many others were present to support the popular Tiktoker and brand influencer.
During the party, Asantewaa got money spread on her like a queen by people like Tracey Boakye, Ajaguraja, and others when she hit the stage to dance.
Apart from this special moment, Asantewaa also shed tears multiple times when the party was ongoing.
The first which was captured by the cameras was the moment she saw all the respected people who had taken time off their busy schedules to celebrate her joining hands to unveil her new product.
Another moment was when the 2023 Gospel Artiste of the Year at the VGMA, Piesie Esther took the microphone to sing her smash hit song, ‘Waye Me Yie’ for her at the party.
Hong Kongers who have emigrated are helping to keep the flame of remembering for the victims of China’s Tiananmen massacre alive while authorities in a city that formerly hosted enormous annual vigils continue to stamp down dissent.
To mark the day in 1989 when the Communist Party sent tanks into Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to violently put down nonviolent student-led democratic movements, large-scale demonstrations were only permitted in Hong Kong until recently.
But the annual candlelight vigils have been silenced the last three years in the wake of pandemic restrictions and Beijing’s ongoing political crackdown in Hong Kong, which was upended by its own huge democracy protests in 2019.
This year is set to be no different.
As a result, it is overseas where the most concerted commemorations were taking place for the 34th anniversary.
Protests, vigils and exhibitions are planned in multiple cities around the world including in Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Europe, the United States and Canada bolstered by a growing cohort of Hong Kongers who have chosen to move overseas.
“I think it’s sad to say that what Beijing and Hong Kong are doing is trying to erase history and the memory,” said Kevin Yam, a former lawyer in Hong Kong, who will be attending a ceremony in Melbourne, Australia, where he now resides.
“For those who can still remember, we have the obligation to let the world know that we have not forgotten,” he told CNN.
A new museum in New York is a vivid example of how Tiananmen commemorations are going global.
On Friday, Zhou Fengsuo and Wang Dan, two former student leaders who took part in the 1989 Tiananmen protests and now live in the United States, unveiled a June 4th Memorial Exhibit on 6th Avenue.
The display includes items collected from those who survived the massacre including newspapers chronicling the event, a blood-stained shirt from a former journalist and a decades-old printer used by protesters that was sneaked out of China.
Zhou said the idea to create a New York exhibition began five years ago but the closure of Hong Kong’s own June 4 museum by authorities in 2021 “added to the urgency”.
“Hong Kong has been carrying the torch for commemorating the Tiananmen massacre, keeping the legacy alive. When the museum was shut down, with the Hong Kong alliance’s leaders in prison, we knew it was a critical moment,” he said.
“We have to continue here in the United States.”
The 2,200-square-feet venue in New York can host up to 100 guests at a time, with schools and universities already reaching to request for a tour, Zhou said, adding they have raised enough funding to keep it running for “many years”.
Thirty four years ago, Beijing sent in People’s Liberation Army troops armed with rifles and accompanied by tanks to forcibly clear the square where students were protesting for greater democracy.
No official death toll is available, but estimates range from several hundred to thousands, with many more injured.
Authorities in mainland China have always done their best to erase all memory of the Tiananmen massacre: Censoring news reports, scrubbing all mentions from the internet, arresting and chasing into exile the organizers of the protests, and keeping the relatives of those who died under tight surveillance.
The censorship has meant generations of mainland Chinese have grown up without knowledge of the events of June 4.
But Hong Kong was different.
Somber and defiant vigils were an annual political cornerstone, first under colonial British rule and then after the city’s 1997 handover to China. Every June 4, come rain or shine, tens of thousands of people would descend on Victoria Park with speakers demanding accountability from the Chinese Communist Party for ordering the bloody military crackdown.
But Hong Kong’s political culture has changed drastically in the aftermath in 2019’s huge and sometimes violent democracy protests.
Beijing responded with a sweeping national security law that outlawed most dissent. Leading democracy activists, including key Tiananmen vigil figures, have been jailed, critical newspapers shuttered and the political system overhauled to ensure only “patriots” are allowed.
Authorities banned the vigil in 2020 and 2021 citing coronavirus health restrictions – though many Hongkongers believe that was just an excuse to clamp down on shows of public dissent.
Last year, the park remained in darkness again, barricaded off on all sides with police stopping and searching passersby to “prevent any unauthorized assemblies which affect public safety and public order, and to prevent the risk of virus transmission due to such gatherings,” according to a government statement.
The Hong Kong Alliance, the group behind the past vigils, has disbanded with three leading figures in jail facing national security charges.
This year the park is again open after three years of coronavirus pandemic closures. But it is hosting a fair put on by patriotic pro-government associations to celebrate Hong Kong’s handover to China – an anniversary that is more than three weeks away.
In the run up to this Sunday’s anniversary, authorities made clear commemorating Tiananmen this year would not be tolerated.
Security secretary Chris Tang – a former police chief – said he expected some might use “this very special day” to advocate Hong Kong independence and subvert state power, acts banned by the new national security law.
“But I want to tell these people that if you carry out these acts, we will definitely take decisive action,” he warned, adding: “You will not be lucky.”
Hong Kong police maintained a heavy police presence around the park on the anniversary’s eve, deploying multiple police coaches and even an armored vehicle at one point.
A handful of artists and activists defied warnings and turned up either at the park or surrounding streets on Saturday evening to make private commemorations with floral tributes and banners, only to be quickly intercepted and taken away by officers.
A police spokesman said four people were arrested on suspicion of disorderly behavior in public or carrying out acts with seditious intent as of Saturday. Police said some individuals had protest props bearing allegedly “seditious” wording. Four others were brought in for further investigation, police added.
Richard Tsoi, former secretary for the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance, said he planned to commemorate the event either at home or at a private location.
“Definitely there will be not be large-scale commemoration activities. Whether one can mourn in public without breaking the law is also a question,” said the ex-organizer, who used attend every vigil in the past.
Throughout Hong Kong physical reminders of the Tiananmen massacre, including a famous “Pillar of Shame” statue that used to stand in the city’s oldest university, have been dismantled in recent years.
Yet last month a replica of the “Pillar of Shame” was erected in Berlin, with the help of its original Danish artist Jens Galschiot and a prominent Hong Kong activist now living in Germany. The artist also provided more than 40 giant banners printed with an image of the pillar to 18 cities for their commemoration events, including Los Angeles and Boston.
Another pillar was unveiled in Norway last year.
“It is true that the commemorations around June 4th have expanded and become more global since it has become impossible to do anything in Hong Kong,” he told CNN.
Hong Kongers, Zhou says, are playing a key role in keeping Tiananmen remembrance alive overseas,
“Since last year, many places have seen record numbers in attendance largely because of Hong Kong immigrants,” he said.
Many Hong Kongers have left for overseas with the city’s population dropping from 7.41 million to 7.29 million last year.
In Britain – where more than 100,000 Hongkongers have since settled after London offered an easier pathway to citizenship two years ago – about a dozen marches and vigils are slated to take place throughout June 4 across the country, from Nottingham and Manchester, a popular destination for Hong Kong immigrants.
In London, marchers will gather at Trafalgar Square before marching to the Chinese embassies, where a vigil will be held.
Aggrieved supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Manso Nkwanta Constituency in the Ashanti region have threatened to defect to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) if the party fails to address disputes arising from party parliamentary primary.
The party after the primary declared Sammy Adjei as Parliamentary Candidate elect to lead the party in the constituency into election 2024.
However, some aggrieved supporters at a news conference in Pakyi number 2 describe the election of Sammy Adjei as fraudulent.
The aggrieved supporters of the party are therefore calling on the regional executives of the party to address all issues raised from the party’s Parliamentary primary or they join the governing NPP.
Undoubtedly, silverware serves as the definitive measure of success in football, both for individual teams and their achievements.
While individual accolades are always nice, it is the ability of one’s club to win trophies that ultimately separates them from the rest of the pack.
Unfortunately for Tottenham Hotspur, a brutal reality is that the club is not very highly ranked in recent years, because of their extremely poor luck in the trophy department.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on May 28, 2023 in Leeds, England. Photo by Gareth Copley. Source: Getty Images
One could argue Spurs have had a golden generation in recent years, and at some point, enjoyed a team which had the likes of Kyle Walker, Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Moussa Dembele , a prime Christian Eriksen and the evergreen Son heung Min.
Yet with all these players at their disposal and with a world class manager in the form of Mauricio Pochettino in the team, Spurs somehow failed to clinch any silverware.
Spurs’ silverware jinx
It is not for the want of trying, however, as they have come close on several occasions, but trophies always seem to elude them. Is it a curse? We will never know.
In 2016, for example, Spurs were genuine title contenders in a campaign where the underdogs Leicester City prevailed.
They ended up with a second place finish in the league, behind The Foxes, who were helped by Spurs’ city rivals Chelsea.
Three years on and Spurs were in the Champions League final at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid where they came up against fellow English side Liverpool.
But despite knowing their opponents all too well, Spurs once again fell short, losing 2-0 as the likes of Harry Kane’s long wait for silverware raged on.
The last time Tottenham clinched silverware, according to TottenhamHotspur.com, was in 2008, when a Juande Ramos-led side edged Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley.
Since then, Spurs have had stars come in and out of the club, and a majority of the players who ended up leaving have won silverware since.
The latest one in that list is Erik Lamela, whose Sevilla side beat Jose Mourinho’s Roma to win the Europa League on Wednesday, May 31.
Here are some stars who left Spurs and won trophies
1. Erik Lamela, won Europa Leagye with Sevilla
2. Bryan Gil: Won Europa League with Sevilla
3. Tanguy Ndombele, won Serie A with Napoli
4. Giovani Lo Celso: won the Finalissima against Italy at Wembley last year.
5. Toby Alderweireld: Won Qatar Cup qith Al Duhail, Belgian Cup with Royal Antwerp
6. Jan Vertonghen: Primera Liga with Benfica
7. Kieran Trippier: La Liga with Atletico Madrid
8. Joe Hart: Scottish Premiership and Scottish League cups with Celtic
9. Dimitar Berbatov: 3 Premier League titles with Man United, Club World Cup and English League Cup
10. Kevin Prince Boateng: La Liga(Barcelona) , Serie A(AC Milan), Italian Cup, German Cup
11. Adel Taarabt: Portuguese League, Portuguese Super Cup with Benfica
12. Kyle Walker: 5 PL titles, FA Cup, League Cup and 2 Community Shields with Man City
13. Luka Modric: 3 La Ligas, 5 Champions Leagues, 2 Spanish Cups, 4 Spanish Super Cups, 5 FIFA Club World Cups, 4 UEFA Super Cups with Rea Madrid
14. Gareth Bale: 5 Champions Leagues, 3 La Ligas, Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup (x2), FIFA Club World Cup (x3), UEFA Super Cup (x2), MLS Cup, Supporters Shield
15. Jermaine Defoe: Scottish Premiership with Rangers
16. Paulinho:LaLiga, Spanish Cup, Chinese League (x4), Chinese Cup, Chinese Super Cup (x2), AFC Champions League
17. Benjamin Stambouli: Ligue 1, French Cup, French League Cup, French Super Cup (x2) with PSG
18. Christian Eriksen: League Cup with Manchester United
A unusual border crossing event resulted in the deaths of three Israeli troops and an Egyptian policeman.
Details of the occurrence, which was the first of its sort in almost ten years, are still up for debate.
On Saturday, an Egyptian policeman allegedly crossed the border into Israel in search of narcotics smugglers. Egypt reports that after engaging the Israelis in a gunfight, both of them were murdered.
However, the Israel Defence Forces gave a different account of what happened. According to them, an Israeli border guard and an Egyptian policeman were killed in a firefight that started after the policeman had shot two Israeli border guards.
On Saturday, the IDF’s international spokesperson described the event as the first of its kind in at least a decade — since an Islamic State gunman crossed from Sinai into Egypt and killed a police officer and members of a family.
The first two IDF soldiers killed were discovered dead by their lieutenant when they did not answer their radio, according to the spokesman.
They had been on a 12-hour guard duty shift since 9pm on Friday night and were found dead some time after 6am on Saturday morning, he told reporters.
The gunman who was later killed by the IDF did not have a sniper rifle, so the soldiers who were killed in the guard post were probably shot at close range, the spokesman said.
Israel has named the three soldiers killed as Staff Sgt. Ohad Danan, 20, who was killed in the gun battle; and Staff Sgt. Ori Izhad Iluz and Sgt. Lia Ben nun, 19, who were killed in their guard post.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Israel was investigating the incident in conjunction with the Egyptian armed forces.
He did not directly address the Egyptian contention that the Egyptian policeman had entered Israel in pursuit of drug smugglers and that the three IDF troops were killed in a gunfight resulting from chasing the drug smugglers.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Twitter that Israeli and Egyptian defense ministers have agreed to work together to prevent attacks along their shared border following the incident.
“I spoke this evening with my Egyptian counterpart, Minister Mohamed Zaki. I emphasized the importance of our cooperation in the investigation of the severe attack in which three IDF troops were killed. We agreed to work together to prevent terrorism along our border and to further strengthen defense ties between our countries,” Gallant tweeted.
The Egyptian military said Zaki called Gallant “to discuss the circumstances” of Saturday’s accident and “to offer condolences to the victims of the accident from both sides.”
During their phone call, the ministers also discussed their intention to “jointly coordinate to take the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such events in the future,” the Egyptian military said via Twitter.
Egypt and Israel have officially been at peace since 1979, when Egypt became the first Arab country to sign a peace deal with Israel.
Over the years, tiktoker Asantewaa‘s lifestyle has attracted attention and raised eyebrows, especially considering her marital status.
As a nurse and actress, she has found herself embroiled in numerous controversies. Some of her questionable videos, often featuring her manager, fueled suspicions of an illicit affair between them.
Under the guise of “content creation,” Asantewaa frequently records provocative videos with her manager, further fueling speculations about having an affair with him and raising eyebrows in the process
However, the latest wave of curiosity arose when keen observers noticed Asantewaa wasn’t rocking her wedding ring in some of her recent Instagram photos.
In these captivating images, she adorned a stunning gold-coloured dress, yet her ring finger remained bare.
The absence of her wedding ring has ignited speculations, leading people to wonder if trouble is looming in paradise for Asantewaa.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been endorsed by a former NPP Member of Parliament for Okaikoi North, Issah Fuseini as the best candidate to lead the New Patriotic Party into victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Former NPP Member of Parliament for Okaikoi North, Issah Fuseini has appealed to the delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party to elect Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer of the party.
Contributing to Peace FM’s ‘kokrokoo’ show, Issah Fuseini touted Dr. Bawumia as the best candidate to lead the NPP into victory in the next general elections.
He noted that the Vice President has proven through his works that he deserves to be President of Ghana.
“Even as Vice President, he has proven himself like this. What about when he becomes a President?”, he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh.
Nominations for the Presidential primary opened on May 26 and is expected to end on June 24, 2023.
umia as flagbearer of the party.
Contributing to Peace FM’s ‘kokrokoo’ show, Issah Fuseini touted Dr. Bawumia as the best candidate to lead the NPP into victory in the next general elections.
He noted that the Vice President has proven through his works that he deserves to be President of Ghana.
“Even as Vice President, he has proven himself like this. What about when he becomes a President?”, he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh.
Nominations for the Presidential primary opened on May 26 and is expected to end on June 24, 2023.
Concerns have been raised by journalists in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis regarding Ghana’s escalating debt, coupled with a perceived lack of viable repayment strategies.
They also said successive governments have failed to cut down public expenditure, conduct proper monitoring and evaluation on projects to eliminate procurement breaches and dealt with government officials found culpable of financial abuses.
The journalists expressed these sentiments at a media town hall meeting organized by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) on the need for a debt sustainability plan to save the country the growing debt of over GH¢575 billion.
Mr. Akwasi Anim, Citi News correspondent queried why successive governments continue to organize huge ceremonies even on sod cutting for roads and other projects, asking “can’t these projects be awarded and inaugurated without the flamboyance associated with them?”.
Though the participants agreed that government needed such bonds and loans for development, they also argued that the debt level should be tolerable hinging on sound economic policies, need for other revenues potentials and proper management of the debts are save for the future of the country.
Awo Efua Assifuah a journalist, also encouraged leadership; the government and state institutions to be more disciplined and committed to judiciously use of state resources for the betterment of the country.
Mr. Clement Boye, of Ghanaian Times Newspaper intimated the need for successive governments to be committed in paying the accrued debts rather than only servicing the interest and allowing the capital to swell.
He called for strong monitoring systems, transparency and strict enforcement of the laws of the country to serve as deterrent to other unpatriotic citizens.
Dr. Charles Gyamfi Ofori, Policy Lead at the African Centre for Energy Policy, who led the discussions noted how critical it had become to address the governance inefficiencies as well as other drivers of public debt.
ACEP, he said, conducted a study that identified and analyzed the primary drivers of Ghana’s debt and proposed long-term solutions aimed at preventing a repetitive cycle of relying on IMF assistance.
He said the engagement sought to increase media, and by extension, public, understanding of the primary causes of Ghana’s current debt and the required fiscal measures necessary to engender long-term debt sustainability.
Dr. Ofori said over the years, Ghana had had to borrow for various purposes such as project finance, budgetary support, or facilitating lending to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the private sector.
He said, in recent years, Ghana had witnessed a steady rise in its public debt adding, “As of November 2022, the total public debt of Ghana stood at GH¢575 billion, comprising GH¢382.7 billion in external debt and GH¢193.1 billion in domestic debt.
The increasing public debt has resulted in substantial interest payments, which have consumed a significant portion of Ghana’s domestic revenues.
By September 2022, interest payments constituted around 49 per cent of the total domestic revenue, marking a rise from 34 per cent in 2017.
This, combined with employee compensation which accounted for 94 percent of the revenue posed challenges for the country in financing development projects or repaying its debt.
“This is why expected demand-side accountability is expected to enforce fiscal prudence in the management of the IMF funds,” the Policy Lead added.
A Police Corporal in Kumasi reportedly attempted suicide by jumping a three storey-building.
He is currently recovering from multiple fractures after the incident which occurred in the city’s Central Business District.
Corporal Emmanuel Sarpong with the Kumasi Ridge Police Station, according to a police situational report, sighted by MyNewsGh.com, drove to the Kumasi Central Barracks climbed the story building situated within the barracks and jumped off, injuring himself in the process
He was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, where he has been admitted at the emergency ward for treatment. At the time of filing this report, he was visited at the hospital and was found responding to treatment.
The Medical Officer on duty at the emergency ward revealed that the policeman had suffered fractures on both legs and that they are yet to assess the extent of the fractures.
