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The battle continues

Senate Presidency: I expect support of all PDP senators-elect – Lawan
June 2, 2019Kemi Busari

A contender for the position of Senate President in the 9th Senate, Ahmed Lawan, has expressed confidence that senators of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will endorse him.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Mr Lawan said he expects all senators of the opposition party to support his bid.

Details of the briefing were shared with PREMIUM TIMES by journalists present.

The lawmaker’s comment came as a reaction to his endorsement by Peter Nwaboshi, a PDP senator.

Mr Lawan, who is currently the Senate Leader, said Nigerians only care about the betterment of their lives and not the political parties lawmakers represent.

He noted that what Mr Nwaboshi did is not a crack in the fence of PDP but a display of patriotism.

The senator also praised Ifeanyi Uba, a senator of the Young People’s Party (YPP) for his support.

“We are expecting the PDP senator-elects to – all of them – have an understanding with us and endorse me as a caucus,” he said.

“Let me first pay tribute first to Senator Ifeanyi Uba of the YPP. Senator Ifeanyi Uba identified with our aspirations the first day the idea of running for this office and he has been with us all through. We are campaigning together and sometimes he goes alone to spread our vision for the ninth assembly.

“Particularly to the endorsement by Senator Peter Nwoboshi who is a serving senator and also a PDP senator. What the endorsement means is not a crack in the fence of the PDP but in the Senate. What the endorsement means is that feeling of patriotism, that feeling of the necessity of all of us that will be in the ninth Senate to work together in the national interest.

“That feeling that Nigerians don’t care what platform you represent in the Senate. What Nigerians care for will be what the ninth is able to do to better their lives.

“What Nigerians care for is the improvement in the security of their lives and properties. What Nigerians care about is how the economy will be improved and enhanced and revitalised so that it is an all-inclusive economy.

“An economy that will work for those at the lowest level of the ladder and those at the highest level. Those who will great the businesses and those who will need to be employed.”

Mr Lawan said although the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari brought the country out of recession, a lot more needs to be done in collaboration with the National Assembly.

“We know that this administration has done a lot in the last four years, getting out recession to a growth per cent of between two and three per cent of the GDP today. But we are still faced with that challenge if expanding the economy, diversifying the economy or providing employment for our teeming youth who need to have accommodation in the economy.

“That is what Nigerians expect the National Assembly to do with the executive arm of government.”

“So our platforms are simply vehicles that will convey everybody [to parliament]. We have our belief and whatever our beliefs are and whatever your political party is, it must be central in looking at one thing – how do I work with my colleagues to making Nigeria better,” he said.

Mr Lawan is a major contender for the position having emerged as candidate favoured by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senators Ali Ndume and Danjuma Goje are other APC aspirants, even though the latter has not publicly declared intention.

As experienced in 2015, the vote of opposition lawmakers is very crucial in the emergence of presiding officers of the Senate.

Even though Mr Lawan was the favoured candidate of APC in 2015, another party man, Bukola Saraki, was able to lobby the PDP lawmakers and eventually won.

Election of presiding officers of the 9th Senate is expected to hold on June 11.

Appeal Court rules against firm linked to Saraki, orders forfeiture of N1.4bn Paris Club refund
May 31, 2019Press Release

The Court of Appeal in Lagos on Friday okayed the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the final forfeiture of N1.4 billion which a firm, Melrose General Services Limited, obtained from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) through false claims.

Melrose is allegedly linked to outgoing Senate President, Bukola Saraki, whose two aides – Gbenga Makanjuola and Kolawole Shittu – are being prosecuted by the EFCC in respect of the matter.

Justice Cecilia Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Lagos had on April 27, 2018, ordered the final forfeiture of the said N1.4 billion to the federal government.


Dissatisfied with the verdict of Justice Olatoregun, Melrose General Services approached the appellate court for redress, asking it to set aside the pronouncement of the lower court.

But in its judgement on the matter on Friday, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of Melrose (the appellant) and resolved the four contentious issues in favour of the EFCC (the first respondent).

The appellate court further held that Melrose’s appeal lacked merit and ordered the firm to pay N100,000 cost to the EFCC.


The appellate court also held that Melrose could not show that the said funds were lawfully earned by it.

It added that section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act, 2006, which the EFCC relied on to seek for the forfeiture of the said funds, was constitutional.

According to the Court of Appeal, Melrose was not denied fair hearing in the matter.

Justice of the Court of Appeal, Tijjani Abubakar, wrote the lead judgement; E. Tobi delivered the judgment while O. A. Obaseki-Adejumo concurred with the verdict.


Lawyer to the Melrose, Olawale Akoni, argued the appeal while the lawyer to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, appeared for the commission.

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The EFCC had claimed that Melrose obtained N3.5 billion from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum by making false claims.

Listed as defendants in the final forfeiture application filed before the Federal High Court were Melrose General Services Limited, WASP Networks Limited and Thebe Wellness Services.

The firms were accused of impersonating a consortium of consulting firms engaged by the NGF for the “verification, reconciliation and recovery of over-deductions on Paris and London Club Loans on the accounts of states and local governments between 1995 and 2002.”


But the EFCC insisted that the original firms engaged by the Governors’ Forum were GSCL Consulting and Bizplus Consulting Services Limited.‎

Usman Zakari, the alter ego of Melrose General Services Limited, Robert Mbonu, made a false representation to the Governors’ Forum, causing the forum to pay N3.5 billion to his company on December 14, 2016.

Mr Zakari said the money was credited into the Access Bank account of Melrose General Services Limited, adding that Melrose and others dissipated and laundered about N2.3 billion out of the money between December 15, 2016, and January 20, 2017, leaving a balance of N1.2 billion.


Mr Zakari said the anti-graft agency had also recovered N220 million out of the laundered sum from WASP Networks Limited and Thebe Wellness Services.

The EFCC had on October 13, 2017, obtained an interim order from Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, placing a “Post No Debit” order on the accounts containing the N1.2bn and N220m.

The judge had made the order following plea by the lawyer to the EFCC, Ekene Iheanacho, that it would best serve the interest of justice for Melrose and others to forfeit the N1.4 billion temporarily to prevent them from dissipating same.

The judge, after granting the interim freezing order in 2018, directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national daily giving anyone interested in the funds 14 days to appear before the court to show cause why the funds should not be forfeited permanently.

Subsequently, one Godwin Maduka and Linas International Limited showed up before the court, praying separately that the funds should be forfeited to them.

Mr Maduka claimed that his firm, Udemgaba Maduka & Associates, had been engaged in 2011 as a consultant by Zamfara State Government to help the state recover some hanging funds, with an agreement that it would be paid 20 per cent of the recovered funds.

He urged the court to forfeit the N1.4 billion to his company to cover Zamfara State’s alleged indebtedness to him.

But the EFCC opposed Mr Maduka, contending that the suit was not a debt recovery suit and that Zamfara State was not a party to the suit.

In her verdict on the matter, Ms Olatoregun upheld the EFCC’s argument and dismissed MrMaduka’s claims.

On its own part, Linas International Limited said it was entitled to the payment of $6 millio. from Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

But Ms Olatoregun also dismissed its claim, holding that the suit was not a debt recovery suit.

Having dismissed both claims, the judge ordered the permanent forfeiture of the N1.4 billiin to the federal government.

Their business, not mine

Was there in 2016. Nice place to visit

Uzoho shd continue as number one

AfoltundeOG:
Igbo people tarnished and killed our country image worldwide

U don't have sense

Alright

Lol

Alright

Manbryto:
You are very far from the truth, igbos are not ethic bigots. Many igbos didn't even vote for Ojukwu when he contested. Do You know how many igbos contested this presidential election. Muoghalu with all the hullabaloo got only one vote in my own polling unit. Bring Yar'adua from the dead, igbos would vote for him. Buhari had good number of supporters among igbos including me in 2015. He entered power instead of building on the little gains made more enemies out of many including those who were even neutrals in 2015. People were willing to travel long distance to ensure they voted against him. Obi has a proven track records, Igbos would have still voted him if he was to be from another tribe. No one has divided this country more than Buhari had done. He had my vote in 2015, he lost it in 2019

Spot on! I voted for Buhari in 2015... A mistake I'm still regretting

Made4naijablog:
Family members seen fighting nepa officials over cutting their light at Ikeja, Lagos State

Watch video

source :

https://www.made4naija.com/2019/01/family-members-seen-fighting-nepa-officials-over-cutting-their-light-video/

How did u get this video? We gonna sue u for this. It didn't happen at Ikeja. Get ur facts correct lol

iamrammy:
check the two emails u received while applying for the job, you will see a 4digit number that's the id i used...

Wtz ur four digits let's see if it's same for everyone

[quote author= post=72834731]It is so good to see that we have a President that does not intervene in the rule of law.
That is the type of President we have prayed for all these years.
Anything for the betterment of Nigeria is what we pray for.
We believe in the President's and Vice President's final decision in this case.
We are in very safe hands.
NIGERIA WILL BE GREAT AGAIN.



APC has won gubernatorial positions under Buhari in Kogi, Edo, Ekiti and Osun states. The victories were fair and square. The party lost in Bayelsa and Anambra. This President would never manipulate victory for anyone, not even his own party. And you ask us not to trust him? Of course, We will![/quote]Ur stupidity aches... Which Osun??

Too long an epistle

She's been off d limelight for some time now. Beautiful lady

MassLegend:
Yes na...

Can u buzz me ur WhatsApp digits?

The worst DISCO in Nigeria

OK

MassLegend:
Different source of info bring different msg...

So someone that used ilorin address gat a closer to his address dats y dae invited him for interview ??

What I knw z dat if ur der is vacant position close to ya address dae will invite U for medical asap...

Hv u done second interview?

MassLegend:
Lolz .. Luk at dz guy... Did u know how many people dat did d 1st stage? Dou heard tomao z d last day for 2nd stage interview... If all tinx bin equal... And d invite will be based on available spaces close to your address...

I went to their Head Office n heard all the invites are based on availability of spaces close to ur address on d CV. But how did u know tomorrow is d last day for interviews?

MassLegend:
Some guys are having der 2nd stage interview for ESR tomao 30th... So let's just chill till next week.

How u take dey get all these infos?

MassLegend:
Yes we suppose reach 10 or more ... Coz I did for 1pm and we were 4 and seems 12 pm were 6...

And u ain't aware of anyone that has gotten medical invite?

MassLegend:
So we that did 2nd stage interview today needs to take chill pills b dat.... God gotta favour us all

Ooh! So 2nd stage interview was conducted today!!!

haybeyneezah:
What of call center?

Honestly, I dont know

Theophelat:
So there is no ESR applicant that did his/her final stage interview yesterday that got the invitation for medical yet?

I really don't know

Theophelat:
What about me that uses Ilorin address...

I really dunno bouh that tho. But they might be recruiting some ESR's soon

haybeyneezah:
Was told same thing too but i have a boss who wants me in Ogba B.U And i used Ojodu berger address, so it is reallly becoming, unbecoming........ how much do u think is their pay compared to each other

ESR is above 100 but no higher than 150

haybeyneezah:
Wanted that EsR TOO BUT WHEN THEIR INVITE IS NOT COMING NKO...

I understand ur plight.

The info available to me is those in HR are using the addresses on people's cv's to recruit. Of any vacancy comes out in any business unit close the anyone on d list, they send the person their offer letter... I'm referring to ESR

EMMYD01:
They are piling ESR up. They didn't send any medical invite to any esr yet.

Anyway, I did my interviews n medical test in July, my set resumed in August, I couldn't tag with them cos I requested for a longer notice to be able to resign from my former employer. I got a call from IE HR and asked few questions n informed me I'll hear from them soonest. So I think soonest, some of u guys will be receiving ur medicals invitation

EMMYD01:
They are piling ESR up. They didn't send any medical invite to any esr yet.

Lol... How u take know?

haybeyneezah:
GOTTEN THE INVITE ALREADY, FOR CALL CENTER YESTERRDAY..... IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOD

I think the pay for ESR is higher than that for Call Center Agent... Just a thought!!!