₦airaland Forum

wetin be my own?

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday, docked retired Air Vice Marshall Tony Omenyi on a three-count charge of abuse of office and money laundering to the tune of N136 million.

Omenyi, according to a statement by the commission, is being prosecuted for his alleged role in the diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms by the military.

The statement said he appeared before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, alongside his company, Huzee Nigeria Limited.

The court heard that while in service, the accused received N61 million from SkyExperts Nigeria Limited, a contractor of AETSL, through the FCMB account of Huzee Nigeria Ltd, between Aug. 16 and 23, 2014.

“You reasonably ought to have known that the said funds formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity (to wit: corruption) of Air Vice Marshall Tony Omenyi.

“You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act,” of the counts read.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.

Upon his plea, counsel to the EFCC, M. Abubakar, expressed his readiness to commence trial immediately, subject to the convenience of the court.

The defence counsel, Wahab Olatunji, urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s claim, arguing that they had not been furnished with the statements of both the accused and the witnesses as recommended by the ‘Practice Direction Act, 2013’.

Olatunji’s motion was, however, overruled by the judge, who held that all the documents required by the ‘Practice Direction’ had been furnished in three volumes in the charge filed and dated Oct. 11, 2016 by the prosecution.

Olatunji further urged the court to grant his client bail, adding that the law presumed the accused innocent until proven guilty.

Dimgba adjourned the case till Nov. 14 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded in Kuje prison. (NAN)

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/armsgate-omenyi-in-kuje-custody/171288.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on African leaders to form a strong united front to defeat terrorism and violent extremism, which is inhibiting development in Africa.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as saying this at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday while receiving Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto.

President Buhari expressed concern that the continent was still grappling with acts and effects of terrorism after a successful de-colonisation campaign.

Buhari, while acknowledging the valued cooperation between Nigeria and Kenya in the fight against terrorism, commended the East African country for the recent successes recorded in tackling terrorism in the region.

“A situation in which insecurity continues to obstruct the process of national development should not be allowed to continue”, the president told Mr Ruto, a special envoy to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

On the forthcoming election of a new leadership for the African Union Commission (AUC), Buhari said African States needed a very strong leadership that would encourage member states to refocus their resources and energy toward human and national development.

On Kenya’s request for Nigeria’s support for the candidature of Ambassador Amina Mohammed, Kenya’s Foreign Minister, who is vying for the AUC chairperson, Buhari said Nigeria would hold robust consultations with other African leaders on the need for strong and capable leadership that would respond to the current challenges facing the continent.

Earlier, Ruto had commended Buhari for his leadership, particularly on regional security and the fight against
corruption.

He said President Buhari’s efforts towards eradicating terrorism and violent extremism had emboldened the continent’s resolve to achieve lasting peace and security.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/terrorism-halting-africa-s-development-buhari/171283.html

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Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on Friday relieved his Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Sir Joe Akpa, of his appointment.
This is contained in a statement by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the governor on Electronic Media, in Port Harcourt.

However, the statement did not give any reason for the action.

It said that the governor wished Akpa well in his future endeavours. (NAN)

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/gov-wike-fires-protocol-aide/171257.html#c2UXChuoLVk1AL7U.99

The Borno Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said on Friday that 34 people were killed in 13 road accidents between February and December 2016.


The Sector Commander of the command, Mr Shehu Illiyasu, who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri, said 29 persons were injured, while at least 50 of them were rescued within the period under review.

The commander attributed most road accidents to the nonchalant attitude of road users and over speeding by motorists.


“We are in the post-insurgency era and people are used to lawlessness. We had conducted our road sensitisation campaigns at motor parks on the need to observe safety on the road.

“We will collaborate with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to organise health and public enlightenment for motorists and tricycle operators on the dangers of drug intake while driving.

“We have discovered that some of them are illicit drug users and this poses great challenges and dangers to both motorists and their passengers.

“They honestly need to understand the effects of drug abuse,’’ Illiyasu added. (NAN)



Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/road-accident-34-persons-killed-in-13-road-mishaps-in-borno-in-2016-frsc/171258.html#PtZD9YCQvXQZ7U0M.99

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Former Nigerian and African Union (AU) President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday congratulated the United States president-elect Donald Trump with assurance of the African continent’s support.

In a three-paragraph letter dated November 9, 2016, Obasanjo cautioned that support would only come with equitable and fairer acceptance of the continent.

The letter reads: “I felicitate with you, your family and everybody in your camp and your campaign for winning the presidential elections to become the 45th President of the United States of America.
“Let me assure you that most of us in Africa who believe in equitability in the global affairs will work with you for a fairer world and more so, those of us in Nigeria. While congratulating you once again, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration,” the letter stated.

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/obasanjo-congratulates-trump/171166.html#s6uzxwy3gWjH5HJe.99

The special panel of the Appeal Court sitting on the Ondo Peoples Democratic Party Governorship candidate tussle has dismissed the application of sacked factional chairman, Biyi Poroye challenging it's jurisdiction and asking for its disbandment.

Justice Ibrahim salauwa says poroye's application is stinking, has no merit and hereby dismissed.

Two other justices on the panel, Ignatius Agube and George Baba agreed with justice Salauwa that the application is absurd, blackmail, utmost mischief, abuse of court process aimed at annoying the appellant and obstructing justice.

The appeal Court justices added that it is a misnomer for the Appeal Court President to consult with parties before setting up any panel which would undermine his administrative powers as enshrined in the constitution.

The special panel also granted Mr Eyitayo Jegede's application to appeal justice Okon Abang judgement which ordered the substitution of his name with that of Jimoh Ibrahim as the PDP governorship candidate.

In his lead ruling, Justice Salauwa said the application is of merit having critically examined the grounds of appeal and supporting affidavits as well as counters from the other parties.

He said Eyitayo Jegede clearly established with copious evidence that he was affected by the ruling though not a party to the suit having successfully gone through a primaries in Akure.

The two other Justices concurred with justice Salauwa ruling.

At the last sitting on Monday, the Appeal Court Panel specially constituted to hear and give rulings on the Ondo PDP gubernatorial candidature reserved its ruling till today.

The sitting began with an application by Ben Nwofor, counsel to the self-acclaimed Chairman of the PDP in Ondo State, Biyi Poroye, challenging the jurisdiction of the special panel and asking for its immediate disbandment.

On the motion by Eyitayo Jegede SAN seeking leave to appeal Justice Okon Abang's ruling of October 14 which ordered the substitution of his name by INEC as PDP candidate for this month's election, Biyi Poroye's lawyer, Ben Nwofor SAN said the appeal was belated and did not identify suit title and parties for which the ruling was delivered.

But Olanipekun SAN, who led two other SANs, Ife Adedipe and Dayo Akinlaja and 18 other lawyers to appear for Jegede, in his arguments said the Appeal court President's action is an administrative decision adding that the special panel cannot give credit to Poroye's application let alone treat it.

He added that based on section 318 of the 1999 constitution, the decision of the Appeal Court President to set up the panel can't be appealed against or set aside.

Olanipekun further said that the appeal was filed within time and prayed the court to allow Jegede appeal Justice Abang's judgment in view of it's urgency which affects his interest and Fundamental Human Rights.

Other applications heard by the special panel include Ahmed Markarfi versus Biyi Poroye, PDP versus Biyi Poroye, and Clement Faboyede versus Biyi Poroye.



Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/politics/ondo-court-grants-jegede-leave-to-appeal-subsitution-of-his-name-by-inec/171133.html#vv6q30M3hjLsOfWF.99

The Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) in collaboration with Muslim Specialist Hospital, Zaria has concluded arrangement to spend about N1.3 billion on the construction of the proposed school of nursing and midwifery to be sited within the hospital premises at Danmagaji.
The General Manger of the hospital, Alhaji Abubakar Idris, who disclosed this, said a committee that would see the take-off of the project had been formed.

Idris said aside providing opportunities for Nigerians to enroll into nursing and midwifery professions, the school would assist the hospital in getting the right manpower.
“This collaboration started in June when the JIBWIS National Chairman, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau and National Secretary, Sheikh Kabiru Gombe paid a visit to the hospital. They were highly impressed to see even non-Muslims being treated at the facility. They therefore promised to collaborate with us to set up the school to improve our activities,” Idris said, appealing to Muslims to support the initiative.
Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/izala-earmarks-n1-3bn-for-school-of-nursing/171049.html#HYDJIPldH5XGsWIU.99

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An elderly woman in Benin City, Edo State, Egbon Grace on Monday met President Muhammadu Buhari and gave him a goat as gift.
A government official yesterday quoted Grace, a supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) registered in Ward 7, Oredo Local Government Area, as saying that she had longed to meet Buhari to show her admiration for “his selfless lifestyle and passion to liberate the masses”.

The official, who described the gift as unique, said the woman thanked the president for accepting the gift which was handed over to protocol officials.
The official stated: “A window of opportunity opened on Monday, November 7, 2016 when the president was scheduled to commission the ultra-modern Samuel Ogbemudia College in Benin City, during his two-day working visit to Edo.
“Many in the crowd got emotional seeing the elderly lady pull through the crowd with the goat, determined to make a presentation to the President.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole received the goat on behalf of the president and thanked Lady Grace for her kind gesture.”

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/buhari-gets-gift-of-goat-from-edo-woman/171037.html#H4ElXxTHR6T7lwvP.99

Officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) have raided two major Bureau de Change markets in Lagos and Abuja in a fresh attempt to end speculation in the foreign exchange transaction at the parallel market.
Sources at the market told Daily Trust that the DSS have earlier directed the officials of the BDCs association to peg the dollar at N400 while selling and N390 while buying from customers.

Immediately after the directives, the DSS operatives commenced the enforcement of the order by arresting those erring members that sold the dollar above N400 and or bought above N390 a dollar.
During the two-day operations, which took place between Tuesday and Wednesday, some traders were arrested.
Sources said about five operators were arrested in Abuja and Lagos as at yesterday.
When our reporter visited Zone 4, a cluster of BDC shops in Abuja, he noticed slow activities as both the traders and customers were jittery.
A trader who pleaded for anonymity said it was difficult to see the dollar to buy or sell in the market because, nobody was willing to sell at the new rates by the DSS.
He said when customers heard of the new rate of N390 a dollar they usually turned back.
He said the best way out was for CBN to flood the market with enough forex, instead of using force to address the problem.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Issac Okorafor, confirmed the activities of the DSS in the BDC market. He said most of the people arrested were unlicensed operators who were taking advantage of speculation to reap illegal money.
He said though the CBN had no hand in the raid, it was a welcome development for the market.
Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/business/forex-crisis-dss-raids-bdc-operators-forces-dollar-down-to-n400/170949.html#JjiC82wMTMQrtSKP.99

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President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with his administration, saying he is rebuilding Nigeria for the country’s children and grandchildren.
Commissioning projects at the Edo State University, Iyamho, yesterday as part of his two-day working visit to Edo state, Buhari said, “For those of us who are here, please continue to persuade others to be patient with the leadership of the country at all levels because this is a time of rebuilding Nigeria. We are blessed with human and material resources but we have made terrible mistake by allowing ourselves to be put in a mono-economy and we are now paying dearly for our mistakes.”
He said Nigeria saved money from cocoa, palm oil, palm Kernel, groundnut, hides and skin to start exploration and development of petroleum only to discard those products after developing petroleum.
Speaking on the projects he commissioned, Buhari said Governor Oshiomhole had engraved his name in historical places, having served the people meritoriously and showed foresight with the quality of infrastructure he had created.
On his part, Governor Oshiomhole said God had answered his prayers to finish well.
He said it was clear to him at the beginning of his tenure that governance was not about popularity contest but about getting things done in the best interests of the people.
He said he conceived the university in Iyamho not as an exclusive reserve for children of the rich, as the state government would pay for those who would need government support.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/we-re-rebuilding-a-nigeria-that-will-endure-buhari/170828.html

hmmmm

RIP

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The Anti-Corruption and Research-based Data Initiative (ARDI) has dragged the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to court seeking a declaration that the National Assembly cannot unilaterally tinker with the 2017 budget by adding or removing items without the consent of the Executive.

Executive Secretary of the organisation and a former spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Dennis Emeka Aghanya, said in Abuja that the organisation has filed a suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/884/2016 at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In a statement on Monday, he said this has been an issue of contention between the Executive and the Legislative arms of government respectively and that their research has shown that since 1999 till the 2016 budget saga, most business activities are usually affected due to the problems associated with the delay in the passage of the appropriation bill.

This, according to him, is one of the major reasons for the slow economic activities every year.

"The 2016 Budget presentation and its final approval processes were characterized with much bickering leading to the late passage of the said budget. In the process, small and medium-sized enterprises, businesses, manufacturers, construction companies and most Nigerians in other sectors of the economy experienced serious economic challenges due to delay in the passage of the Budget," Aghanya said.

He said that now that another preparation is ongoing for another appropriation bill for the year 2017, there is need for the court to interpret the provisions of the constitution on appropriation to save the country from experiencing another delay in the passage of the budget.

Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/politics/buhari-s-ex-spokesman-drags-attorney-general-to-court-over-2017-budget/170530.html#SrCBTyXOBMGseUOB.99

I wishing well

RIP

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Nigeria imported a total of $1.82 billion capital into the economy at the third quarter of 2016, more than double the value imported at the second quarter of the year.
Data released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the latest capital import value was $780 million higher than the $1.04 billion imported at the second quarter of this year, translating to a 74.84 percent rise.

Analysis of the data showed that the highest level of capital imported was in August, when $894 million was imported, the highest level since July last year.
The NBS attributed the rise in the capital import at the third quarter to “a number of investment types.”
However, total capital imported declined by 33.70 percent in Q3 2016 from $2.67 billion same period last year.
“Much of the quarterly increase in the value of capital importation came from debt financing,” the NBS stated.
“Of the total quarterly increase, 85 percent was accounted for by increases in portfolio investment in bonds and money market instruments; the latter of which comprises short-term funding securities such as treasury bills and commercial bills from CBN,” it said.
Capital is either imported in the form of shares, or directly imported by different sectors of the economy.
During the period, the value of share capital imported was $646.28 million, which represents an increase of 85.72% relative to the previous quarter.
The banking sector regained its position as the sector to import the largest value of capital, importing $555.52 million worth, or 30.49 percent of the total.
The report said quarterly growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) equity was also strong, although portfolio equity continued to decline.
Each type of investment, being FDI, portfolio and other investments, recorded quarterly increases, of 84.84 percent; 5,172.84 percent t and 7.80 percent respectively.
The country from which Nigeria imported by far the most capital was the United Kingdom, which accounted for $1.10 billion, or 60.24 percent of the total.
Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/business/nbs-nigeria-records-1-82bn-capital-inflow-in-q3/170545.html#7QkhfldgoxoSOojf.99

hmmm

May you live long...

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