Probe: Go And Defend Yourself, Wike Tells Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has called on his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, to go and defend himself before the judicial commission of inquiry sitting in the state.

Wike, who was reacting to Amaechi’s declaration on Saturday that he (Amaechi) would not appear before the Justice George Omereji-led panel of inquiry, said it was wrong for the former governor to describe the commission as illegal even when the court had ruled that the panel was in order. The governor, who spoke on Sunday through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, said he would not take issues with Amaechi over the setting up of the judicial commission of inquiry. Wike stressed that it was necessary for Amaechi to defend himself on certain issues concerning how the state was managed during his tenure.

The incumbent governor recalled that a former governor, Dr. Peter Odili, appeared before a panel of inquiry. Wike had set up the panel to probe the sale of state’s assets and other related matters by the immediate past administration.

Amaechi had told his supporters and members of the All Progressives Congress in Port Harcourt that Wike failed to comply with the laws setting up an administrative panel and, as such, would not appear before it (panel). Wike explained that the former governor was put to shame when the court pronounced that nothing was wrong with the setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the immediate past administration. “It is laughable that Amaechi would call a panel that has already been declared lawful by a court of law illegal. This means that as of when he questioned its proprietary in court, he thought the court would declare it illegal but was shamed.

“This is no media trial and the government (Rivers) will not be embroiled in any war of attrition. He (Amaechi) should go and defend himself just like Dr. Peter Odili did during the Kayode Esho panel,” Wike said. He, however, dismissed the allegations against him by Amaechi, adding that trying to whip up sentiment in the media will not help the former governor.

According to him, “Media trial will not vindicate him as the sentiment he is trying to whip up has failed. Wike has no skeleton in his cupboard. “We will not take issues with a paradox like Amaechi who claims in one forum that he left N7.5bn (in the state’s coffers) and in another, he said 10bn.”

-Punch

N338b Loans For Ekiti, Oyo, Kwara, Ondo, Osun, Others

CBN-backed cash ready for 27 states to pay workers

Cash-strapped workers who are being owed salaries are set to smile again, with the disbursement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) – backed bailout loans for states. Fourteen banks are disbursing N338 billion “to stimulate the economy”.

Kwara and Zamfara have received their loans and have begun the payment of salary arrears to workers.

A CBN source confirmed that the other states will get the cash this week. A breakdown of the loans repayable at an interest rate of nine per cent over 20 years is as follows: Abia- N14.152b; Adamawa- N2.378b; Bauchi- N8.60b; Bayelsa – N1.285b; Benue – N28.013b;

Borno – N7.680b; Cross River – N7.856b; Delta – N10.036b; Ebonyi – N4.063b; Edo – N3.167b; Ekiti – N9.604b; Enugu – 4.207b; Gombe – N16.459b; Imo – N26.806b; Katsina – N3.304b; Kebbi – N0.690b; Kogi – N50.842b; Kwara – N4.320b; Nasarawa – N8.317b; Niger – N4.306b; Ogun – N20.00b; Ondo – N14.686b; Osun – N34.988b; Oyo – N26.606b; Plateau – N5.357b; Sokoto – N10.093b and Zamfara – N10.020b.

The CBN last week announced that it had approved that Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) lend money to requesting states to pay salary arrears owed their workers.

Some of the conditions for accessing the loan include:

resolutions of the State Executive Council authorising the borrowing; State House of Assembly consenting to the loan package; and issuance of Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) to ensure timely repayment. With the signing of the ISPO, “it is clear that the facility is not free as the states’ financial exposure to the banks becomes first line charges deducted from their monthly allocation”. The CBN official explained that specific figures were attached to the facilities to be disbursed to the states is because “every state is to come up with its specific needs in order to access the facility from the commercial banks. They’re (states) working out what they need from the banks according to the conditions they reached with the banks”. The decision to borrow money from commercial banks is sequel to the decision by the National Executive Council (NEC) at its June 29 meeting, requesting the CBN “in collaboration with other stakeholders to appraise and consider ways of liquidating the outstanding staff salaries owed by state and local governments.” The Buhari administration announced a bailout package for states to take care of the backlog of workers’ salaries and access funds for development through the rescheduling of their debts by banks with the CBN’s guarantee. Eleven states have had their commercial debts to DMBs restructured with a proviso to pay 14.83 per cent of the value of their bonds which their commercial debts were converted to. Eleven others are also to have theirs restructured. Debt Management Office (DMO) Director-General Abraham Nwankwo said “the restructuring was effected using a re-opening of the FGN-Bond issued on July 18, 2015 and maturing on July 18, 2034. The pricing was based on the yield to date of the bond at a 30-day average, resulting in a transaction yield of 14.83 per cent.”The impact of the restructured states’ commercial debts to domestic bonds, he said, is that “management operations will include: monthly debt service burden will drop by a minimum of 55 per cent and a maximum of 97 per cent, among the 11; and interest rate savings for the 11 states ranging from 3 per cent to 9 per cent per annum.”

-The Nation

Vigilance Group Uncovers Joint For Unclad Female Dancers In Asaba

An Asaba-based vigilance group has uncovered a joint where female teenagers dance Unclad and has arrested the operator of the joint. The joint, located in Asaba, hosts bizarre activities, including pornographic shows, especially at weekends.

Confirming the arrest of the operator, the vigilance group boss, Chukwudi Nnamdi, said the suspect was arrested last week Thursday and handed over to the police. Police sources at the ‘A’ Division Asaba confirmed that the operator of the joint was being interrogated.

Investigation revealed that during weekends, the joint was filled to capacity with teenage girls during nightfall who offer sex for money.

Sources said the girls came from neighbouring states and wooed men for sex in rooms provided for the purpose.

One of the girls, Ogechi (surname withheld), said “We make money every night we go there and men who visit the joint prefer sucking and caressing and at times we come home with N20,000 to N25,000 especially on short times in the chalet, we have never had police disturbances”.

-Punch

I am a settled woman - Tonto Dikeh

Actress Tonto Dikeh who had her traditional wedding yesterday August 29th, shared this photo of herself and her husband kissing and wrote about how marriage has made her happy and settled. What she wrote below and after the cut...

"29-08-15 My best friend paid my dowry and I traditionally now belong to him.. In my culture after this event you can now move in with him as a family.. Am super proud of his confidence Am super proud of his courage,believe me he heard a lot of trash but stood firm and believed in his God & cut off anyone who spoken ill of me,Now thats a real man ..One reason I will for ever love respect & serve him with my life... #MrsX" ...

God has been faithful

Court wedding- Done 

Introduction-Done

Bride price payment and reception(BP CEREMONY)-Done 

Traditional and white wedding on the way..

We plan on celebrating every event all the way becos this is a wonderful Gift God has bestowed upon us..

I am A happy Woman

I am A settled Woman

I can't express my heart,it's been all tears and thanks to my Potter(God) who never stopped looking out for me even when Man thot they could rewrite my story..

Thanks to my Husband and Sultan for a beautiful ceremony and All the love he showers on me.. I reckoned a private life is the happiest one,we will publicly announce the traditional marriage so u can all come out and celebrate Life with Us...

I wish every woman out there at least a quarter of the joy this married life has brought to me,I wish you all Love and Gods protection...

It was indeed a carnival and a Huge success,My community(RUMUOKWUTA) made me Proud..

Commercial transporters clash with FRSC over Sept 1 introduction of speed limit device

A major crisis that may disrupt road transportation in Nigeria for a long period if not averted by the Presidency has broken out between commercial transporters in the country and the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. The crisis of confidence between the two parties arises over the decision by the commission to introduce speed limit device technology on commercial vehicles with effect from September 1 this year. N35,000 for device, N1,000 for installation. It was learnt that the FRSC is working with a private Nigerian firm to enforce the controversial deal, which would require each vehicle owner to buy the device for N35,000 and pay additional N1,000 for installation.

The transporters claim that with each of the 25 million vehicles in Nigeria paying N36,000 to the FRSC, it would rake in at least N900 billion from innocent Nigerians for a technology that would not add value to their lives.

In a protest letter to the FRSC, the transporters warned the commission to desist from going ahead with the project, as it would endanger the lives of vehicles owners rather than protect them and accused the FRSC of bringing an outdated technology to Nigeria, which had long been phased out in Britain, India, Kenya, Tanzania, United States of America and Uganda because of its adverse negative effects. The road transporters writing under the aegis of International Human Rights and Anti-corruption Society gave the FRSC one month with effect from August 17, 2015 to publicly declare the discontinuation of the device or face a court action. In the letter addressed to the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, and signed by the Director General, Dr. U.O. Udofia and Secretary General, Barrister E.A. Egbebu, the group also drew the attention of the commission that it lacks the power to introduce the said device under the Section 10 (3) of the FRSC Act of 2007. It warned that the FRSC should adopt and use the world acclaimed Spider Technology that comes with a 3-in-one high definition camera with long range monitoring of highways to capture over speeding vehicles.

The group pointed out that while it does not oppose the use of technology to control road speed limit on the highways, it would not fold its hands and allow the FRSC to bring in anything for money-making purpose and endanger the lives of vehicle owners.

They complained that while the Spider technology was being used globally it was wrong for the FRSC to contemplate installing speed limiter on vehicles so that they do not run beyond the fixed limit even when pursued by armed robbers, kidnappers, hired killers and car snatchers. “Speed limiter in all developed and African countries had been banned.

Again speed limit device had been discovered to expose motorists to danger such as armed robbery and other dangerous exposures.

“Therefore, in a country like Nigeria where there is serious prevalence of insecurity, the installation of speed limiter in vehicles would be counterproductive and self-defeating,” the transporters said. Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Commission has insisted that the speed limiter will be enforced by the commission with effect from tomorrow.

-Vanguard

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Appoints DG Sports Commission

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has approved the immediate appointment of Mr. Ayo Agbesanwa as the director general, Lagos state sports commission.

This was made known in a press statement signed by the governor’s chief press secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna today, August 28, 2015. According to the statement, the appointment takes immediate effect. The governor reiterated his commitment to revive sports in Lagos and said the wealth of experience that Agbesanwa had in the sector would be key in making the determination a reality. Agbesanwa joined the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation as a current affairs officer and worked in various departments especially the sports unit where he presented all sports programmes on LTV for over 15 years. In a related development, Ambode, on Friday enjoined youths in the state to always utilise their talent in creating great ideas and unleashing great potentials in all areas of human endeavor.

The Governor spoke at the commissioning of the newly reconstructed Multipurpose Onikan Youth Centre, Lagos, executed by PZ Cussons Foundation. Ambode, who initially commended the effort of the management of PZ Foundation for the execution of the project, further enjoined youths in the state to utiilise centres such as that as a rallying point for the conception of bold ideas and unleash their potential in all facets of life.

“I thank the management of PZ Cussons Foundation for reconstructing this centre. Centres such as this will serve as a rallying point for the conception of great ideas and unleashing of potentials in all areas of human endeavor,” he said. The Governor maintained that the reconstruction of the centre is a good example of how private sector organisations can support the efforts of government for the common good of the society, calling on other corporate organisations to come up with credible mechanisms and projects to stimulate the society. “Government alone cannot handle the many challenges our society is faced. I also call on other private sector organisations to come up with credible mechanisms and projects to stimulate the society,” he said. Ambode added that: “As a government, we will continue to explore ways to create an enabling environment to make businesses thrive. We are committed to introducing new incentives for businesses in Lagos to enable them grow, support the society to take more of our youths off the streets.”

It would be recalled that a report surfaced recently saying that Governor Ambode will appoint his cabinet from people loyal to the former governor of the state.

Nigerians react to President Buhari's Northern appointments

Nigerians reacted to the appointment of Pres Buhari that consisted mainly of Northern appointees. More Tweets below...

Fire guts Senate President Saraki’s house

An early morning fire incident occurred in the residence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in the Maitama area of Abuja on Friday, but no casualty was recorded.

Our correspondent learnt that some residents of the sprawling edifice raised the alarm when they  noticed a heavy smoke  inside the gymnasium of the senate president.

A resident told our correspondent that  the attention of the officials of the fire service were drawn to the incident around 10:05am and that they quickly mobilised themselves there to put the fire under control.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent,  the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the incident was caused by an electric spark from one of the air conditioners in the gymnasium of his principal.

He explained that Saraki had been duly informed of the incident, adding that nobody was injured in the process.

-Punch

NNPC slashes crude buyers from 43 to 16

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Thursday said it had reduced the number of crude oil off-takers for the proposed 2015/2016 term contract from 43 to 16. It said the move was part of measures to optimise the marketing of the nation’s crude oil and secure new market potential.

The corporation, in a statement signed by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said, “In a novel move to instill transparency and probity in the award of the annual crude oil term contract, the NNPC has mapped out measures to execute the 2015/2016 award of contract to companies for the evacuation of Nigeria’s crude oil equity from the various crude and condensate production arrangements.” It said, “In the days ahead, we shall place advertisement for the 2015/2016 term contracts and the publication will run for one month in major national and international print media to ensure effective message penetration. Later, the guidelines for the selection of new off-takers would be published and subsequently a special bid evaluation committee would be constituted to conduct due diligence on successful applicants.”

The NNPC also clarified that apart from the earlier listed industry operators whose performance trajectory impressed the management of the corporation to invite them to bid for the proposed Offshore Processing Agreements, “the corporation is extending the invitation for competitive bidding to Forte Oil and Mobil, among others.” It said, “We are throwing the tender process open for competitive bidding by strong industry players with track records of integrity and financial strength to execute the project.”

The nation sells its oil through annual term contracts awarded by the NNPC to a list of companies, both local and international and the firms are then eligible to buy crude throughout the year. The list of the 2014-2015 crude oil term contracts, which was released in April last year and expanded in June, showed 28 Nigerian firms among the 43 winners.

-Punch

Usain Bolt wins Gold in 200m race at IAAF World Championships

Usain proved once more that he's the world's fastest runner after winning 200m today at the IAAF Championship in 19.55sec, which is the fastest time in the world this year and his quickest since winning gold at London 2012. This is also his fourth consecutive 200m World title. He shared he news on his Instagram page. 

Crowd besiege the newly opened Shoprite Store in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos (Photos)

I had a private jet before becoming a governor - Rochas Okorocha

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha says contrary to stories being peddled by the opposition in his state, he'd bought his private jet before becoming a governor, an indication that he did not use the state's money to buy one. The governor said this after some politicians in the state asked him to sell his private jet and use the proceed to address unpaid salaries of civil servants in the state. Okorocha's reaction is contained in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, today August 27th. Read it below...

"As a government, we want to deny with high sense of honesty that since May 29, 2011 when Owelle Rochas Okorocha became governor, he has never bought any private Jet either directly or by proxy. Having made this denial let those behind the allegation make their facts public to fault our denial. “The period Governor Rochas Okorocha bought Jets was years before he was elected, during the Olusegun Obasanjo regime when some of the presidential jets were auctioned. The governor bought jets then under the aegis of Lamonde Aviation, alongside few other Nigerians. Since he became governor, he has never bought any private Jet. Again, the Debit Management Agency penultimate week published the states and their respective debt profiles. And in the case of Imo State, they published N37 billion which was far from the hundreds of billions the opponents of the government have been claiming to be the debt status of the state. And the N37 billion debt include the ones owed by the previous administrations. The good story is that we have been vindicated on that.”the statement read

APC leaders upset as Pres. Buhari appoints more Northerners

There was outrage in the ruling All Progressives Congress party on Thursday over the announcement of new appointments by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Leaders of the APC complained that the appointments were mostly in favour of the North and  Northerners.

“The President does not consult before making most of these appointments and I can tell you that Nigerians are going to term the party and the President as a northern party and the President of Northern Nigeria,” a leader of the party said on Tuesday.

He said, “Though the President did not get much votes from the South-East, we must not neglect the zone in key appointments.

“Even the South-West that supported and was the backbone of the party, what are we giving the zone in appreciation? We need to be careful before the party is destroyed.”

It was gathered that some leaders of the party are considering having a meeting where the appointments would be reviewed.

But another senior member of the APC said such a meeting, would have to wait until the party holds its Kogi State governorship primary on Saturday. A member of the state executive of APC in a South-West state, said the appointments were lopsided against the South.

He said, “When President Olusegun Obasanjo took over, you saw balance in appointments as he reflected federal character. President Goodluck Jonathan too reflected a semblance of balance. Buhari is pursuing a northern agenda. This is the same agenda pursued by the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, when everything was pro-North. Buhari made six appointments at a go and five of them are northerners.” The Speaker of one of the Houses of Assembly in the South-West, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also described the new appointments as shocking.

The Speaker, who is a member of the APC, said,

“This is shocking. It doesn’t speak well at all. The South-West has been completely neglected and the South-East too. The South-West was neglected during the President Goodluck Jonathan years. The South-West must rise up against this.”

Similarly, an APC chairman in another South-West state, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the list of the new appointees left him perplexed.

He said:

“This is not good at all. Why should he choose everybody from the North? I am sure he did not confide in anybody before drawing up the list and making the announcement. We will continue to watch. It is condemnable.”

In the same vein, an APC member of the House of Representatives, said the leaders of the party in the South-West were shocked by Buhari’s latest appointments.

“He didn’t tell anybody. We are all shocked. The real shocker would be when he is going to appoint ministers. The only thing that would save us is that he is mandated constitutionally to choose from all states, otherwise, he would have chosen all the ministers too from the North,” the female member of parliament said.

-The Punch

Nigerian Ambassador to The U.S. Ade Adefuye is dead

Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye has died. He died of an undisclosed ailment at a hospital in the US yesterday August 27th. He was planning to hand over to a new ambassador when he suddenly died yesterday. He was 68 years old.

A historian by training, Mr Adefuye hailed from Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun state. He studied at the University of Ibadan where he earned his first degree in 1969 as well as a PhD in history in 1973. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

We Hid Cocaine In Arik Flight Meals – Attendant’s Accomplice

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday said it had apprehended another employee of Arik Air, Ikechukwu Chibuzor Oliver, for his alleged involvement in the smuggling of 20kg cocaine to London on Monday.

According to the NDLEA, Oliver had confessed to the crime and had revealed that he charged N400,000 for each of the three bags containing the substance. Oliver, Arik Air’s employee in the catering department, was said to have assisted Chika Egwu Udensi to get the cocaine onboard the London-bound Flight W3101 on which Udensi arrived in the UK on Monday night. Udensi, a senior flight attendant with the airline was arrested with the substance by the UK Border Force at the Heathrow Airport, London, shortly after the Airbus A330 landed. The NDLEA, in a statement, said 35 years old Oliver, who is a catering loader at Arik, was found to have subverted airport security by concealing cocaine in catering supplies.

The statement by the anti-narcotics agency’s spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, indicated that preliminary investigation had revealed that both Oliver and Udensi had been infiltrated by a suspected drug cartel. Ofoyeju said Oliver had told narcotic investigators that he was brought into the illicit drug deal by Udensi. The NDLEA’s statement quoted Oliver to have said, “It was Chika that introduced me into the drug deal. Whenever Chika gives me the drug, I will hide it in catering supplies. Chika knows where to collect the drug inside the flight. They pay me N400,000 per bag. I was expecting N1.2m for the three bags that I smuggled into the aircraft.” The statement added,“The 20kg of cocaine found with Chika in London was concealed within the construction of laptop bags. The quantity and estimated street value of the cocaine is over N100m.

“The latest Range Rover (Land Rover) car belonging to the prime suspect parked on the airline’s premises had been moved to the NDLEA office as exhibit. “As part of investigation, the rented apartment of Chika on Pastor Ojediran Street Ejigbo, Lagos was searched by operatives of the NDLEA. He lives there with the mother and siblings while his wife and children are based in Canada.”

Oliver hails from the Isialagwa North Local Government Area of Abia State. The graduate of Business Administration was employed by Arik Air in 2009. Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Ahmadu Giade, has directed that, henceforth, all airport workers must be extensively screened.

Giade said, “The agency has taken drastic measures to avert infiltration of airport workers by criminal syndicates. Airline officials and airport workers shall be subjected to comprehensive search. The NDLEA will resist any act capable of undermining security at all entry and exit points.”

The NDLEA boss stressed that all catering trucks, luggage trucks, aviation fuel tankers, machines and personnel whose duty directly or indirectly related to the tarmac and flight operations would be subjected to full screening.

Following Udensi’s arrest, operatives of the agency had on Wednesday besieged and occupied his Lagos house. The NDLEA stormed the house after they had interrogated pilots and flight attendants in the flight that left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

-The Punch

Star Actress Funke Akindele arrives London to celebrate her birthday (photos)

Couple Exchange Vows Underwater

A Miami couple marked the 50th anniversary of the installation of an underwater statue off Florida’s Key Largo on Tuesday by getting married in front of it.

Dressed in their wedding outfits as well as scuba gear, Kimberly Triolet and Jorge Rodriguez wed beside the “Christ of the Deep” bronze statue, which stands some 25 feet below the surface, five miles off Key Largo. Using an underwater slate with their written vows, a notary public officiated the ceremony. Family and friends aboard a boat watched thanks to an underwater camera.

The 9-foot statue, a replica of the “Christ of the Abyss” statue off the Italian coast, was installed on Aug. 25, 1965 and has become a popular snorkel and dive site in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 

Na wa oooo, nothing way person no go see for this life!

-Channels TV

My Wife Caught Me Red Handed—Toyin Aimakhu’s Husband Admits

Adeniyi Johnson, the husband of Nollywood star, Toyin Aimkhu, has admitted sleeping around with another woman, which forced his wife to leave him.  The handsome actor took to his Instagram page on Wednesday to also beg his wife to return to him because he wants to sort things out with her. He further urged fans not to throw banters at his wife, but him because he messed up, not his wife.

In his words, “To clear the air of the recent happenings, I, Adeniyi Johnson is at fault and not my wife. She reacted according to her pains and we all have different ways of reactions. I beg everyone to please stop throwing banters and insults. “You can channel all anger and grievances towards me and not her. Instead of abuses, I would rather beg you to join me in apologizing to my darling, lovely and adorable wife. OLUTOYIN, I’M DEEPLY SORRY PLEASE. I promise to make things right. I don’t want a broken home. She caught me flirting, dirty chat.”

EFCC begins probe of Amaechi's administration

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced probe on the administration of the immediate past governor of Rivers state, of Rotimi Amaechi. According to a report by ThisDay, the probe comes after a Port Harcourt-based group, The Integrity Group, petitioned EFCC on July 29th, accusing the former governor of corruption, graft and abuse of office while he served as governor. 

According to the petition filed by the  group, Governor Amaechi allegedly sold the Rivers State Electric Power projects and the revenue generated were converted to other uses through payments amounting to N60 billion to three companies all located at Trans Amadi, Port-Harcourt. The group also allege that the proposed Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt which was initiated by the former governor, was a failed contract which cost the state a whooping N4.63 billion. They say the circumstances leading to the failure of the contract is questionable.

The group also allege that the former governor, appointed a firm of tax consultants, which was given a relatively exorbitant fee of 12 per cent of taxes collected on a much lower monthly collection target of N2.5 billion, even as the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service was raking in about N7.5 billion monthly at five per cent administrative cost, as prescribed by law. The consultants were said to have collected over N1.5 billion in fees within weeks of their being engaged by Amaechi’s government.  EFCC operatives responded to the petition in three separate letters titled, “Investigation Activities”, and dated August 13, 2015 and immediately swung into a detailed probe of Amaechi’s dealings as alleged by the group. 

While two of the letters with reference numbers CR: 30/EFCC/ABJ/EG/T4/Vol.26/386 and CR: 30/EFCC/ABJ/EG/T4/Vol.26/379, respectively were addressed to the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Finance, in respect of the sale of the state power projects as well as Clinoriv Specialist Hospital and Leisure Limited, which was engaged to have constructed the still-born Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital, the third one with reference number CR: 30/EFCC/ABJ/EG/T4/Vol.26/380 was addressed to the state Accountant-General in respect of the activities of Messrs Collect Nigeria Limited on the collection of internally generated revenue (IGR) on behalf of the state.

One of the EFCC letters to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, read in part: “The commission is investigating a case of conspiracy, abuse of office and fraud. In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish the following: Details of all the assets sold to the NG Power-HPS Limited; total amount received and the account it was paid into; Sales Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding; House of Assembly resolution/approval; investments made from the proceeds if any; documents indicating due process; and any other information that will assist the commission in its investigation.”

-ThisDay

Tambuwal Betrayed Me, Says Gbajabiamila

Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader of the federal house of representatives, has revealed that he is not on speaking terms with Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state and former speaker of the lower chamber, who backed Yakubu Dogara to emerge speaker of the green chambers. Gbajabiamila, who said he felt betrayed, expressed disappointment at Tambuwal’s comments questioning his competence to occupy the position.

Tambuwal had initially said he had a strong affinity for Gbajabiamila, but he endorsed Dogara due to his “proven competence” as chairman of house services committee.

Speaking on Straight Talk with Kadaria Ahmed aired on Channels Television on Wednesday night, Gbajabiamila revealed the betrayal he felt for Tambuwal’s comments. “It’s a comment I would rather ignore, I feel disappointed in that statement. Looking at that statement, there are many things wrong with that statement, which I don’t want to join issues with. But let me just say this since this is ‘straight talk’. “I feel disappointed that a speaker to whom much had been given would chop down the issue of leadership and competence to the issue of procurement. That is the last thing I would expect him to say,” adding that the same procurement got Patricia Etteh and Dimeji Bankole into trouble. “To seat here and say there is no sense of betrayal would be lying. Of course, there is a sense of betrayal, but it’s not something I dwell on. Betrayal unfortunately happens to be the order of the day in politics – particularly in Nigeria. So do I feel betrayed? Yes.

“Tambuwal was one of my closest friends when he ran for speaker; I think I single-handedly pushed his speakership bid. But again, he must have reasons why he did what he did. That must be respected; I just wished he had made that known.” Asked if he had spoken with Tambuwal since the election, he said: “No I have not, I am not crossing paths with him, he is in Sokoto, I’m in Abuja; you might want to direct that question to him. Who do you think should be reaching out to who? “When it was clear we were going to win, the other side walked out. Tambuwal, who is my friend, did not call once to congratulate me, he never sent a message, and I haven’t spoken to him since then.”

Speaking on allegations levelled against Babtunde Fashola on budgetary allocations and contract, Gbajabiamila said “I am not holding brief for him, he may be guilty. But as of today he has not been proven guilty.”

-The Cable

I Didn’t Praise Jonathan’s Anti-corruption Style – Falana

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), on Wednesday denied claims that he approved of the approach former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration adopted to fight corruption.

Falana, in a statement, said “some misguided fellows” attributed to him in his recent interview with Channels Television, a suggestion that the Jonathan administration fought corruption in a more civilised way.

“I challenge the reactionary forces that have twisted and manipulated my views to reproduce any statement made by me suggesting that ex-President Jonathan fought corruption in a civilised manner,” he said.

He said the claim was part of a desperate move to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption policy and to link him with forces of corruption that were fighting back against the policy.

He said, “In a desperate move to discredit the anti corruption programme of the Muhammadu Buhari admistration some misguided fellows have attempted to link me with the forces of corruption that are fighting back in the country.

“I was alleged to have ‘suggested’ in an interview with Channels television, that (former) President Jonathan fought corruption in a more civilized manner than President Buhari. I never made such a silly statement. Hence, the ‘suggestion’ ascribed to me is grossly misleading and downright dishonest.”

Falana had said in the interview that the National Peace Committee, led by a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, was only protecting the interest of the rich.

He said in his statement on Wednesday that the much that he said about Jonathan administration’s fight against corruption was that the administration recovered $970m from the loot of the late former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

He said, “In accusing the influential members of the National Peace Committee of gargantuan hypocrisy, I did say that tbeir chairman, General Abbdulsami Abubakar, even probed the dead and recovered property and over $1bn from Abacha loot which are contained in the Forfeiture Decree No 45 of 1999.

“With respect to President Jonathan, I did say that his administration recovered $970m from the said Abacha loot and sacked three of his ministers. I never said that those actions were taken quietly as they were announced and celebrated in the media by the Jonathan administration.

“Consequently, I questioned the motive of the members of the National Peace Committee in calling for ‘soft landing’ for corrupt people. Convinced that the call was a demonstration of class solidarity I urged the Buhari administration not to be deterred in prosecuting the anti-corruption war.

“In fact, I did not hesitate in supporting President Buhari’s anti-corruption policy by citing section 15 of the Constitution, which has imposed a duty on the the Nigerian State to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power.”

Tinubu Breaks Silence on Attacks on Fashola, Speaks On Relationship With him

A leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has distanced himself from the recent ordeal of the former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola.

In a statement Wednesday, Mr. Tinubu said he is not behind the latest “rancid attacks” on Mr. Fashola. “An attack against the performance of Governor Fashola is indirectly an attack against me and the edifice of achievement we have constructed in leading Lagos state out of a protracted time of stagnation and into an era of sustained progress and development,” said Mr. Tinubu. It was the first time Mr. Tinubu would speak out over claims that he was sponsoring individuals and groups to sustain media attacks against his successor.

Mr. Fashola, who governed Lagos State between 2007 and 2011, had been the subject of a media blitz after details of contracts he awarded during his administration was made public earlier this month. ‎Two weeks ago, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption, a coalition of anti-corruption organizations, petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the “questionable expenditures” of Mr. Fashola,

The group urged the EFCC to probe‎ a controversial N78 million spent on the upgrade of Mr. Fashola’s website.

The group’s petition came after a public outrage that greeted the revelation by analytic firm, BudgIT, that Mr. Fashola approved numerous “inflated contracts” before he left office in May 29 this year. In an addition to the sum awarded for a website upgrade, Mr. Fashola also approved N1.2 billion for the construction of pedestrian bridges along the Eti Osa – Lekki – Epe expressway – the contract did not specify the number of bridges or their locations.

The former governor also spent N25 billion on the 1.36 kilometre Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge, N330 million for the renovation of the immediate past deputy governor’s residence, and N3.4 billion for the renovation of a beach resort at Ilase.

Mr. Fashola himself had offered what many consider as an unconvincing response to all the allegations against him. But in his statement on Wednesday, Mr. Tinubu accused opposition ‎elements of a deliberate attempt to sow discord in the APC by peddling falsehood. “I for one will not bend to the artificial provocation of those seeking to tear at what we have painstakingly built over the years,” said Mr. Tinubu, who was also a governor in the state, between 1999 and 2007. “In my mind, Governor Fashola and I are and shall always be political allies and fellow travelers on a vital journey; that alliance is unshakable and our journey must not be interrupted‎. I would no more attack his character or his administration than I would attack myself.” Last week, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode approved the termination of a concession agreement between the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation and Afriland Properties for the re-development of the Falomo Shopping Complex, Ikoyi.

According to the governor, the concession, which he put at N50 million over a 50-year period, is “grossly detrimental” to the people of Lagos State.

That move by the governor, coupled with the decision of his administration to publish the details of the contracts awarded by Mr. Fashola on the state’s procurement agency website, fueled speculations that Mr. Ambode was carrying out the bidding of his godfather. Just as he selected Mr. Fashola to succeed him in 2007, Mr. Tinubu also handpicked Mr. Ambode to take over from Mr. Fashola.

‎”I am proud to say that I played an instrumental role in bringing Governor Fashola into politics in the first instance,” Mr. Tinubu continued. “He served as my trusted chief of staff, performing excellently in that role. Due to his leadership qualities and diligent work ethic, I endorsed him for governor notwithstanding the stiff and vocal opposition of many. I am not ashamed of backing him. I believe the progress the state made under his administration has more than vindicated my endorsement.

“Fashola, the present Governor Akin Ambode including myself are the products of a progressive political institution and its programmatic expressions. I laid the governance foundation and started the first lap, running as well as I could. “I handed the baton to Fashola, knowing he would do the same. He did; he ran as well as he could. Now, he has handed to Ambode who is off and running as well as he can. We have achieved much in Lagos; but, we recognize as much as anyone that we have much more to do.

“We also know that progress is fragile and easily undone while destruction is easily transacted but hard to undo. I for one am not the type to tear down my own house or to bring my enemy’s rubbish into it.”

Mr. Tinubu said the APC had governed Lagos State as an open forum where democracy and free expression were respected. “Those who are against us were never placed in fear of the heavy hand of government descending on them even as they played funny tricks,” he said. “We also must remember than in any democracy, a number of people will always oppose you no matter the quality of your performance. If an office holder has an approval rating of 70 percent, this means, in Lagos, roughly five million people dislike the person. Also remember the PDP is just recently out of office at the federal level and that it built a vast, unprecedented financial war chest to contest the elections.

“The residual of that war chest is still at work, buying media space to plant rumors in hopes of spreading discord through the APC. Thus, the enemy camp may be a minority but it is a large and well-funded one that knows its only chance lies in us attacking ourselves.”

Premium Times

Inspector Shoots Self Dead In Lagos

The atmosphere at the Mobile Police Force 20, in the Ikeja area of Lagos, had been tense since Tuesday after a police inspector, identified simply as Medugwu, mistakenly shot himself dead, while adjusting a faulty rifle.

PUNCH Metrolearnt that the inspector, who was attached to MOPOL 20, was the second-in-command to the armourer. He was said to have accidentally pulled the trigger of the rifle, which sent a bullet to his jaw.

Our correspondent gathered that on Tuesday, at about 10am, a policeman had brought the faulty rifle to Medugwu to examine and readjust for him.

It was learnt that the second-in-command to the armourer collected the rifle, and tried to find out where the fault was. The rifle was said to have been fired in the process.

Other policemen in the area were said to have rushed to the scene and taken Medugwu to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

The inspector, however, died at about 1pm in the hospital.

Speaking withPUNCH Metro, a policeman, who claimed to be an eyewitness, said Medugwu accidentally turned the barrel of the rifle on himself during the check, before his finger touched the trigger.

He added that the inspector died as a result of severe injuries sustained from the gunshot.

He said, “He was the second-in-command at the armoury in the MOPOL 20. A policeman brought a faulty rifle to his office to examine. While he was doing that, he mistakenly turned the barrel of the gun on himself, and he mistakenly pulled the trigger.

“We rushed him to LASUTH, where the medical personnel battled to save his life. But, he died at about 1pm. His head was badly injured. Medugwu’s death shook all of us.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Patricia Amadin, confirmed the death of Medugwu via a text message.

-Punch

No missing money, NDDC boss tells Buhari; tackles Auditor-General

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NNDC, Managing Director, Mr. Dan Abia, yesterday, met with President Muhammadu Buhari for the first time since issues of funds misappropriation to the tune of N183.7 billion was raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Samuel Ukura, against the commission, stating that the allegation was completely false.

Following an audit report on NDDC from 2008 to 2012, Ukura had said the commission had a case to answer.

Briefing journalists after a meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abia said no money was missing and he also dissociated himself from issues of contract splitting.

He said:

“It is only proper that we should come and brief the President. I requested to meet Mr. President in my capacity as the Managing Director of NDDC. I was not summoned as reported in the media. We briefed the President on our mandate.

“As far as the audited account of NDDC is concerned, how many of us know that the audited account under reference refers to 2008 to 2012? I was not the Managing Director then. Let’s get that the facts clear.

“The second one, on not having assets, I do not know from when to when. On principle, I came to brief Mr. President properly. “Let me assure you that even by the admission of the auditor General, no N180 billion is missing.

“The Office of the Auditor General is a government agency. We shall engage the office and proper record will be strengthened. I said that even before the President that no N180 billion is missing. “Let me also tell you that I cannot be a party to contract splitting. NDDC is a very unique institution; we have a budgeting process.

“Those people that are now crying where were they when NDDC was not having project up till the end of the year.”

Vanguard

Age limit disqualified me from youth corps – Obasanjo

Former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, said he would have loved to participate in the National Youth Service Corps, but was disqualified because of his age. Obasanjo who graduated from National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN with a degree in Theology, said; ”Somebody wrote me a letter when he got to know that I have graduated from NOUN, he wanted me to do national youth service, but unfortunately for him there is age limit.” The former President was decorated as Grand  Patron of NOUN Alumni Association at a meeting with the executives of the NOUN Alumni Association, led by Mr Phil Colman, President and Mr Ayeni Olutope, Southwest Vice-President at his Hilltop residence, in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo, in his remarks said the establishment of  NOUN, has presented a unique opportunity for Nigerians to have access to higher education in the country. He also said that the academic and professional issues  surrounding the accreditation of law course being offered at the NOUN by the National University Commission and the Nigerian Law School would soon be taken care of.

He  also said that law graduates of the University would have opportunity to undergo compulsory one year programme at Nigerian Law School.

The Ogun State chairman of NOUN, Chief Bode Mustapha, in his remarks urged Nigerians to make use of the NOUN opportunity. He stated that the institution has prominent graduates like  the Royal father, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona as a law student and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Governor of Osun State as student of Theology.