₦airaland Forum

Twenty-nine (29) Senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been dismissed for various acts of gross misconduct, the service announced Thursday.

The dismissed officers are among 44 senior officers who were punished for actions capable of compromising national economy and security, Customs said in a statement.
Read the full statement signed by Custom’s spokesperson, Wale Adeniyi.

Twenty-nine (29) Senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been dismissed for various acts of gross misconduct. The dismissed officers are among forty-four (44) Senior officers who were punished for actions capable of compromising national economy and security.

“Ten (10) other officers were retired from Service, while the appointment of one (1) was terminated. Four (4) officers were given written warnings to be of better conduct while another 4 officers who were investigated and tried for some offences were exonerated. Four (4) of the officers who got the hammer were of the rank of Deputy-Comptroller of Customs, while five (5) were Assistant-Comptroller. Others were seven (7) Chief Superintendents of Customs and four (4) Superintendents, among others.

“Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd) had made it clear upon his assumption of duties that the Service will not compromise on Corruption and Indiscipline among the officers corps. In line with this, the structure and process for investigation of offences was strengthened to handle cases reported promptly and professionally. “We will give all officers fair hearing in line with the principle of natural justice. We will however insist that sanctions be punitive, not only to match the offence committed, but to serve as deterrent to others”, the CGC remarked at Management meeting convened to consider the report of the Disciplinary Committee that investigated the cases.

“The process leading to the actions taken on the officers was painstaking in line with the Public Service Rules (PSR). All the officers were served with Queries indicating offences committed, before they made appearances before the Special Investigation Committee. The Committee’s recommendation was discussed and approved by the Customs Management.

The recommendation was thereafter referred to the Presidency for ratification, in the absence of a substantive Board for the Nigeria Customs Service. All the officers affected in the exercise have been communicated accordingly.

“The Comptroller-General warned officers that punitive sanctions will continue to be used to discipline officers who refuse to embrace change.

“Officers affected in this exercise were investigated for involvement in improper examination and release of containers without proper documentation and payment of duties, illegal release of goods in advance before the arrival of vessels, collection of bribe to release prohibited items, release of export prohibitions, fraudulent sale of seized items, use of fake certificates and bribery to secure auctioned goods.

“Last week, seventeen (17) Junior officers were similarly dismissed from service for offences like bribery, drug addiction, use of fake certificates and absence from duty.”

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Yusuf Alli,

DETAINED former Minister of State (Defence) Musiliu Obanikoro yesterday made more revelations on how the N4.745billion wired to a company linked to him by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) was shared.

The money comprised N4.685billon transferred to Sylva McNamara Limited and N60million ($5.77m) cash personally given to Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose by the ex-Minister.

Fayose issued a statement yesterday, saying Obanikoro’s return from overseas was planned to nail him. He did not deny receiving money from the former minister.

Obanikoro told Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives that N3.880billion was allocated to Fayose and Sen. Iyiola Omisore out of the cash.

He also said he handed over $5.377m cash to Fayose at Spotless Hotel, Ado-Ekiti in the presence of the former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Dr. Tope Aluko, and other party stalwarts.

He reportedly demonstrated how Fayose collected the cash and put it “in the room next to where we were seated”.

The ex-minister, who made the disclosures during another round of grilling, said there were heaps of bank transfers to buttress his statement.

He said: “Out of N4.685billon transferred to Sylva McNamara Limited, N3.880billion was transferred to both Ayodele Fayose and Senator Omisore through cash and bank transfers.

“The dollars contents were handed over to Fayose personally by me in the presence of some party leaders and he collected it and took it to the room next to where we were all seated.

“The location where I gave the dollars to him is called Spotless Hotel, Ado-Ekiti. One of the party leaders that was present is Dr. Tope Aluko, who was then the secretary of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I transferred N1.7 billion to Omisore. The money was paid into his account and companies nominated by him. He gave the list of companies for the transfer of the N1.7billion that was released by the NSA to him.

“The funds were therefore transferred as prescribed by Omisore in full. That is to the account of the companies he provided. Details can be obtained from the bank that transferred the money.

“I, Musiliu Obanikoro, did not buy or sell any landed property from Sen. Omisore. The National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) did not disclose to me what the funds were meant for and neither did I ask or I did not know the source of the funds.”

The former Minister however claimed that the balance of N785milion was used to wage war against Boko Haram in Lagos.

He added: “The balance of N785milion was used to prosecute the following: 1. procurement of souvenirs for the promotion of anti-Boko Haram insurgency in Lagos; 2. N200million for surveillance activities; 3. N200million and other remaining funds were for operations managed by Taiwo Kareem.

“Taiwo Kareem impressed the former NSA with his management of pre and post-election funds. To God be the glory, the two elections were carried out without any loss of life

“When bomb blast occurred in Lagos on the 25th of June 2014, the NSA was disturbed and told me of his commitment to ensure that such doesn’t reoccur.

“He expressed the grave consequence that the reoccurrence will have not only on Lagos but the economy of the entire country. He emphasized the need for local input to complement the activities of security agencies. This is how Sylvan McNamara was introduced.”

The EFCC obtained yesterday a court warrant to detain Obanikoro.

The anti-graft agency has also seized his passport to restrict his movement to the country.

A source said: “We have a valid warrant from the court to detain the ex-minister pending the conclusion of his interrogation by our team. He has a lot to tell us and we are keeping him in safe custody with comfort to enable him respond to the issues we have isolated for him.

“We have also seized his passport to restrict his movement to the country pending the conclusion of the ongoing probe.”

Aluko is believed to have made a statement to the EFCC.

Aluko had last year claimed that Obanikoro and Fayose clashed when the money ferried to Akure Airport was short of N80million.

He said: “The Presidency gave us security and money; the money was sent from a Diamond Bank branch through an account run by Sylvan MacNamara, a company owned by Obanikoro.

“My boss (Fayose) said he wanted to get his own in cash and that was why such a huge amount was ferried by plane. Obanikoro cannot claim not to have brought the money.

“He (Fayose) chose his man, Abiodun Agbele, to keep the money in a bank account. The transaction was not recorded and it got to a stage when it was discovered that the money was short by N80 million.

“This caused a crisis between Fayose and Obanikoro, who brought the money. He (Obanikoro) brought other things, apart from money, which I won’t disclose now..

”The cash carried in the plane was not entered into the manifest. It was delivered to a bank at 4.30 am in Ekiti. The remaining from the cash received for the election was used to buy a house in Abuja and the house belongs to Fayose.”

By Evelyn Usman

LAGOS— A 41-year-old woman, who was arrested by policemen attached to Area ‘J’ Command, Ajah, Lagos State, for allegedly hiring assassins to kill her husband of 14 years over a disagreement which led to their separation, has said she was a frustrated housewife but that she only sent the thugs to beat him.

The suspect, Mrs. Chika Orji, was arrested following a confessional statement by one of the suspected assassins, Bright Ikechukwu, who was arrested while attempting to break into Mr. Orji’s apartment at Jakande Estate, Ajah.

During preliminary investigation, it was discovered that one of those hired for the botched assassination was a carpenter, identified as Ekene, who usually worked for Mr. Orji.

During interrogation, Mrs Orji, a mother of four, denied sending thugs to kill her husband. Rather, she stated that she only told them to beat him, to teach him a lesson for always beating her.

According to her, “we got married 14 years ago and are blessed with three daughters and a son. All of a sudden, my husband became a wife beater. He would beat me, leaving me with swollen face and would also threaten to kill me.

“He chased me out of the house three years ago. I made several efforts to get my children back, part of which was to report him to human rights offices for settlement.

But he did not honour any of the invitations. Both families have made attempts to settle us, but he would not listen.

“He was served with a court warrant over the issue, but he also refused to show up. Along the line, he sold the house we both built for N85 million, but never gave me any dime.

“He also stopped our children from visiting me and any attempt to see them always resulted in beating. Out of frustration, I told Ekene, our carpenter, to beat him up. I did not pay him or hire anyone to kill him. I am a frustrated woman and I am sorry for everything.”

‘ She paid us to kill him’

However, the arrested suspect, Bright Ikechukwu, insisted that he was contracted by Ekene to kill Mr. Orji, on the instructions of his estranged wife.

Ikechukwu, a plumber, disclosed that he travelled all the way from Delta State to carry out the operation, with another thug whose name he gave simply as Samuel.
According to him, “I live in Ogwuashi-Ukwu, Delta State. My friend, Ekene, said he had a job for me. This was three weeks ago. I hurriedly came to Lagos and stayed with him in Ajah, where I met another of his friend, Samuel.

“He told us that Madam Chika promised him N500,000 to kill her husband.

Thereafter, he told Samuel to take me to Mr. Orji’s house, to identify the target. We went there and hid inside a tricycle, waiting for Mr. Orji, who we were told always came to open the gate himself whenever he was returning home.

“But on that day, it was his daughter that opened the gate. We went back the next day, yet it was his daughter that opened the gate again.

“By the time we went the third day, it was Mr Orji that opened the gate himself. The plan was to rush to him and stab him eight times in the chest, rib and neck. But Samuel, who was supposed to stab him, went to buy cigarette and by the time he came back, our target had gone inside and shut the gate.

“Out of frustration, I went back home and told Ekene to give me my own share of the money that I was going home. But he stated that Madam Chika would only pay after the job was done. I decided to go to Mr. Orji’s apartment to steal instead, to get some money to go back to Delta State.

“But as I was trying to jump through the fence, somebody raised alarm which attracted members of a vigilante in the area, who apprehended me. I had to open up when they almost killed me.”

Fidelis Soriwei, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is intensifying a discreet investigation into the allegations made by the former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, against the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and other principal officials of the House.

A top operative of the commission told The PUNCH on Tuesday that the operatives involved in the investigation into the allegations made by Jibrin was at an advanced stage.

The source said the commission had grilled officials of 16 federal ministries in connection with the probe into the allegations contained in the petition written to the commission by Jibrin, who was suspended by the House in September.

It was further stated that operatives of the commission had gathered some evidence on some of the issues raised in the petition.

It was gathered that the commission would soon send invitation letters to some of the members listed in the petition to the commission.

Abdulmumin had accused the Speaker, Dogara, and other principal officers of the House of padding the 2016 budget to the tune of N40bn as constituency project.

He had alleged in the petition that the N40bn projects were shared among the Speaker, his Deputy, Yussuff Lasun; the Whip of the House, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa; and the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor.

He also alleged that Dogara ignored his complaint that the chairmen of 10 out of the 96 standing committees inserted 2,000 projects worth about N284bn into the budget among others.

He had claimed also that his refusal to accept a requested insertion of N30bn into the 2016 budget caused the rift between him and the leadership of the house.

The source, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, “The commission is seriously working on the petition against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and some principal officers of the House.

“The investigation is progressing smoothly. As a matter of fact, operatives have interrogated officers of 16 ministries in reaction to the matter.

“We will soon get to the level where those who have cases to answer would be invited to make clarifications where necessary.”
The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption had said the panel had a meeting with Jibrin which lasted for five hours.

The Executive Secretary of PACAC, Prof, Bolaji Owasanoye, had said during a briefing in Abuja that the committee would give the necessary advice to the government on the issue.

He said, “We have met with Jibrin, which all of you know about; we are following up. I cannot tell you that publicly.

“We have met with Jibrin; it is not a lie, it was a very useful engagement for five hours, so, that tells you that it was not a tea party.

“We asked questions, he provided answers, he needed to explain what he meant and then of course we are then making our advisory to government as the case may be.”Efforts of our correspondent to confirm the grilling of the officials of the ministries on the budget padding probe from the spokesman for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, on Tuesday, did not succeed as his mobile failed to connect.

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

A top Commander of the Urhobo/Isoko militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM), has been nabbed by the operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code-named Operation Delta Safe.

Security sources told THISDAY Monday night that the high profile suspect was apprehended on Sunday after diligent surveillance by JTF operatives.

The suspect, whose name could not be ascertained at the time of this report, was said to have been arrested along with four of his foot soldiers.

THISDAY learnt that the militant Commander was one of the brains behind incessant attacks on trunk lines in Ughelli and its environs.

It was learnt that soldiers attached to 222 Battalion, Ughelli, stepped up a massive manhunt for the members of Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate since last Saturday after the group claimed it breached Iwhremaro trunk line in Ughelli North Local Government area of Delta State on Friday night.

“We stepped up action when the group again claimed it vandalised another pipeline and it paid of with the arrest of one of their kingpins along with four other militants” a top security source said.

Acting JTF spokesman, Lieutenant Commander Thomas Otuji, confirmed the arrests to THISDAY.

One of the judges arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in its October 14 operation says he made the money found in his house from his rice business, a security source has said.

The judge, whose identity was not revealed, denied that it was proceeds from crime.
The DSS said it confiscated nearly N100 million in cash from the residences of some of the judges, while foreign currencies running into hundreds of thousands of dollars and tens of thousands of pounds were also confiscated.

“One of the judges said he made his money legitimately, that he sells rice. He said this in a written statement,” the source said, pointing out that the claim is subject to verification since there will be paper trail and taxes involved.

Another judge said the foreign currencies found on him were his unspent estacode – the allowances paid to government officials on foreign trips, usually in dollars.

“The amount discovered which he claimed to be estacode beggars belief, but then it makes investigation easier since the documents can be traced and subjected to forensic tests,” he said.

He died claims that a judge was arrested at gunpoint.

“The judge resisted arrest and called for his lawyer. Ironically, the lawyer came on the scene and affirmed that the search warrants were in order and the judge was arrested,” the source added.

John Paden, the authorised biographer of President Muhammadu Buhari, says the president had evidence to put former President Goodluck Jonathan in jail for corruption, but he did not want to do so.

In his book, ‘Muhammadu Buhari: Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria,’ Paden, a professor of international studies, wrote that Buhari was more concerned about recovering stolen funds than about jailing anybody.

He said Buhari had letters in his possession showing Jonathan’s request for off-budget funds.

Buhari recently praised Jonathan’s “patriotism” for the post-election stability in 2015 and it would appear – from Paden’s account – that the president was concerned about the political implications of putting his predecessor on trial.

“As of the early months of 2016, it appeared that the EFCC was not going after Jonathan. Nor was it going after former president Obasanjo. The question of the stability of the entire political system seemed at stake,” Paden wrote in chapter 20, page 203.

“In addition, a number of senior military officers who had served as head of state – from Babangida to Abubakar – seemed off limits. Indeed, rumours swirled that if the probes went after senior officers, they might push back, because they had extensive networks in the active military services.

“At the same time, the knowledge such heavyweights possessed could well be traded for immunity, and would help to illuminate the patterns and sources of corruption. Buhari had letters in his possession showing Jonathan’s requests for off-budget funds. But Buhari’s larger purpose was not to put former high-level officials in jail. Rather, it was to retrieve stolen funds and to change the political culture of the country.”

The president’s biographer in chapter 8, page 67 also alleged that Jonathan withdrew “enormous” funds from the treasury as the March 28 presidential election approached.

“The threat of postelection violence was palpable. There would be winners and losers, quite likely with a regional or ethnoreligious profile. The international community was deeply concerned. Was Nigeria on the brink? High level diplomatic demarches were made to both candidates.

A highly publicised ‘Peace Accord’ was signed by Jonathan and Buhari. But would they be able to control grassroots supporters,” he wrote, explaining events leading to the election.

“As March 28 approached, enormous sums of money were withdrawn from the treasury by the incumbents.”

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. Babachir Lawal, has accused the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, of not doing enough to resolve the crisis in the Delta state chapter.

The NWC is chaired by APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, who recently
refused resignation call by former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu.

The SGF was, before his appointment, the National Vice-Chairman, North-East.

At a meeting held in the conference room of the Office of the SGF in Abuja, yesterday, Lawal reportedly lambasted, the NWC, for watching as crises lingered in several state chapters of the party.

Present at the meeting were party topshots including the minister of petroleum, Dr. Kachikwu, party leader, Senator Francis Okpozo, Chief Great Ogboru, Chief Ayiri Emami, former Speaker, Victor Ochei.

Others were members of the House of Representatives, Temi Harriman and Halims Agoda, former chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh, Richard Odibo, Chief Hyacinth Enuha, among others.

The National Working Committee, NWC, was represented by Engr. Segun Oni while South-South Chairman, Chief Hilliard Eta was absent, Vanguard reports.

However, the factional chairman of Delta APC, Prophet Erue Jones and the party’s 2015 governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, were absent.

The crisis in the party degenerated about 18 months ago when the Jones-led executive was declared illegal upon a court action filed by Okotie-Eboh.

“You have to take charge of the party, Kachikwu. We cannot leave the party in the hands of those people,” Lawal reportedly told Kachikwu.

“Peace and progress cannot be held down because of a few people. How many are they?”

Kachikwu, in response, was said to have taken offence at insinuations that he failed to show leadership.

He, however, promised the gathering to do more in resolving the crisis.

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A police officer on duty along Aliade-Awajir road has shot and killed a motorcyclist, otherwise known as Okada rider.

The victim identified as Friday was killed for interfering while the officer was allegedly arguing with a fellow Okada rider over N50 bribe.

An eyewitness hinted DAILY POST that the deceased, who came to the scene to maintain peace, got more than he bargained for as the officer reportedly got angry, pulled the trigger and shot him on the forehead. He died on the spot.

The development sparked violence in the area as youths of the community have threatened to set the police station where the officer is attached on fire.

When DAILY POST contacted the Benue State Police PPRO, Moses Yamu for comment, he said the command was yet to receive the report.

“We have not gotten the report. I will find out and get back to you,” he said.

The incident is coming barely one week after two ladies were roasted alive for alleged lesbianism in the state.

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MOST men – and their women – would like to have a mean-sized 4-5 to ensure pleasure between the sheets.

But Mnombo “Anaconda” Madyibi (32) and his wife want exactly the opposite. That’s because Mnombo’s snake-sized 4-5 is allegedly too big, hairy and scary for his new wife’s kitten!

Mnombo got his nickname after his fellow soccer players saw his 4-5 in the change rooms before a soccer match. But his new wife said she’s not being entertained by his bullish 4-5 as it’s destroying her kitten.

Mnombo, a local soccer player from Bhongweni Village in Mthatha, allegedly got klapped on Friday night by his new makoti on their honeymoon in Coffee Bay, on the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape.

“All was well and she enjoyed the pre-intimacy, but all hell broke loose the moment I took off my underwear.

“My wife said she wanted a 4-5 inside her kitten, not an anaconda,” claimed Mnombo.

“When I tried to penetrate her, she bit my ear before squeezing my balls. Before I knew it, she knocked me over with a bottle of wine before attempting to suffocate me with a red and white teddy bear I had bought her as a gift.”

Mnombo claimed his screams summoned other guests and staff at the B&B where they were staying.

“We took different buses back home. I don’t want to lay charges against my new wife. I love her.

“I think she’s angry because I could only afford a cheaper honeymoon instead of the one she wished for in Zanzibar.”

He said he met his makoti at church last year and she told him she wanted to abstain from sex until they were married.

“I’ve only heard of penis enlargement and not penis shrinking,” said a frustrated Mnombo.

When Daily Sun contacted her, his wife said Mnombo was telling lies.

“He has a big 4-5 – long like a cucumber and hairy and scary like a bush. I only slapped him on the cheek and never moered him or tried to suffocate him,” she said.

The couple agreed to get counselling and said they would not involve the police.

An Assistant Inspector of Nigeria Prisons Service attached to Otukpo Division, John Itodo was in the early hour of Friday robbed at gun point with his bride, Jesse and other family members while returning from their traditional marriage.

Mr. Itodo, younger brother to Yemi Itodo, an Abuja based Media Practitioner, had concluded a traditional marriage rite with his bride in Etulo, a suburb of Katsina-Ala local government of Benue State on Thursday and was to move to Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA same day for their wedding ceremony billed for Saturday.

The vehicle carrying the newly married couple, however, broke down in Aliade, Gwer LGA and the couple and some family members had to sleep over at Aliade.

“As early as 4 am on Friday, we set out for onward movement to Otukpa and the journey was smooth until we got to a place called Atlo, after Otukpo.

“We saw a military check-point by 6am with about 5 soldiers on uniform, fully armed, flagging down our car and we parked”, a family source disclosed to our correspondent.

Speaking further, the source said “We thought they were genuine soldiers because they were kitted with Army Uniform and carrying weapons. They also blocked the federal road with logs of wood and lanterns on both sides of the road, to suggest it was a military or police check-point.

“One of them entered our vehicle and asked the driver to move towards a path in the bush while the rest unknown’ soldiers’ were following with legs.

“They took us to a nearby bush and dispossessed us of a large sum of money and all our belongings, including a professional video camera and photo camera with the memory card which contained all our marriage activities yesterday”.

He said the matter has been reported at the Otukpo Police Area Command.

Detectives from the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a middle aged woman for allegedly planning to murder her husband.

The suspect who resides at Lekki area of the metropolis was said to have paid about N600,000 to suspected assassins to help her carry out the killing.

Fatai Owoseni, Lagos State Commissioner of Police who confirmed the incident, said the woman was among 25 suspected criminals arrested by the command in two weeks.

Owoseni refused to disclose the identity of the woman, saying it would jeopardize investigation, but affirmed that the hired assasin had confessed to the crime.

“He said that the woman paid him N600 ,000 to eliminate her husband. We are currently on the trail of the assassins,” he said, explaining that the woman was picked up after a suspect was arrested and he named her as the person who contracted him to kill her husband.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, on Thursday said change began with members of the current administration “a long time ago”.

Reacting to the demands of people that change should start from the top, Mohammed said the campaign was leadership-driven.

Mohammed, who said the lifestyle of top government officials, is devoid of any ostentation, said ministers now queue at filling stations and airports.

He was speaking in Lagos when he unveiled the ‘Change Begins With Me’ campaign to the corporate world.

“Today, ministers queue up at airports and filling stations. Their lifestyle is devoid of any ostentation,” he said.

“The federal executive council is not left behind. The weekly FEC Meeting starts on time. Indeed, change started with us a long time ago.”

Mohammed said President Muhammadu Buhari demonstrated that change began with him when he rejected the purchase of new vehicles on assumption of office.

He added that the president had also directed his convoy not to break traffic rules.

“The president demonstrated leadership when he rejected the purchase of new vehicles for his use, thus saving N400 million,” he said.

“Thanks to his action, no minister purchases new vehicles, saving millions more.

“Then upon assuming office, the president instructed his convoy to always respect traffic rules. The ministers all followed suit.

“In simple parlance, the campaign is geared towards achieving attitudinal change. As they say, you cannot continue to do things the same way and expect a different result.

“Against the background that our core values have witnessed total breakdown in the past years, it is imperative that we re-orientate ourselves with a view to restoring those time-tested values.”

Mohammed outlined the different options available to the private sector to key into the campaign, including platinum, gold, diamond and channel partnerships.

Some representatives of the private sector, who spoke at the event, expressed support for the campaign, saying it could not have come at a better time.

Akinpelu Dada, Washington DC

The International Monetary Fund has warned that the current economic crisis in Nigeria may spill over to the rest of West Africa with negative consequences.
It also raised the alarm that Nigeria was spending too much of her revenue to service debts, noting that this was not sustainable.

The Assistant Director and Head of Fiscal Policy and Surveillance Division, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF, Catherine Pattillo; and the Director, Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF, Vitor Gaspar, said this on Wednesday at a press conference on the IMF Fiscal Monitoring Report as part of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in Washington DC, United States.

They insisted that the fact that about 45 per cent of the Federal Government’s revenue was being paid as interest on the nation’s debt was a worrying development.

Pattillo said, “The slump in oil production and slow growth have created challenges for Nigeria. But one statistic that is quite striking to me is that the debt profile is weakening and the interest account payment is more than 45 per cent of the Federal Government’s revenue. The priority is a big challenge.

“On the fiscal side, the important priority should be in safeguarding fiscal sustainability, which means, importantly to increase non-oil revenues and implement an independent price-setting mechanism that minimises fuel subsidy. So, these are two priorities, while also of course, improving public service delivery so that citizens can see the benefits of good governance and services financed by the government.

“So, these are the challenges. As you know, Nigeria is a very important economy in the African region and its success has positive spill over for the region, particularly in West Africa, and its challenges create difficulties for its neighbours.”

On his part, Gaspar said, “Message number one is that if you look at the global debt and deficit landscape in the world, you’ll see that the countries that have the highest public sector deficit are oil exporters; Nigeria is in debt and it is a country much hit by very low oil prices.

“That is a general message because it applies to oil exporters in general; the group of oil exporters have shared some characteristics.

“The most important point, in my view, is that for countries in sub-Saharan Africa to deliver on the SDGs, the key challenge is the building up of revenue mobilisation capacity through tax capacity building; that’s a key priority.”

He added, “These countries must improve their capacities to raise revenue, and why is that so? Because there is such need in term of public infrastructure, there is such need in terms of public education; there is such need in terms of health.

“For these group of countries, public finance/fiscal policy is part of the overall development strategy, and in that, tax capacity is a fundamental cornerstone.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has condemned multilateral funding agencies and Western nations for blocking an attempt by Nigeria to generate electricity from coal on the excuse that the project is not ‘green’.

She said this at the ongoing annual meetings of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund in Washington DC, United States of America on Wednesday.
According to her, it is hypocritical to block the project at a time Nigeria needs power most.

Although Adeosun did not give details of the project, she said it was blocked because of its likely contribution to carbon emission, but noted that most developed countries still relied on coal as a means of generating electricity.

The minister, who spoke on infrastructure funding for Africa, said, “I think there is a need for consistency around bankable projects that can attract investments. Yes, we do need macroeconomic stability. We also do need consistency of policies by the multilateral institutions and Western countries.

“Let me give you an example. In Nigeria, we have coal and there is power inadequacy. It doesn’t take a genius to work out what it will take to get coal-fired power. Yet, we are being blocked. I think there is some hypocrisy in that. We have an entire Western industrialisation that was built on coal-fired energy and that is the competitive advantage that has been used to develop Britain, where I grew up. Now, Africa wants to do it, and they are saying it’s not green, we can’t do it and that we should go and do solar and wind, which are the most expensive power projects in the world.

“Yes, we are going to have the narrative around infrastructure; we must invest in infrastructure, but we must also make sure the playing field is level. The West, after polluting the atmosphere for 100 years, and when Africa wants to explore its resources, they say no.

“Yes, we would come up with bankable projects and we would behave ourselves, but I think we also need to be firm.”

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Alexander Okere and Tony Okafor

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has said that the All Progressives Congress will lead evidence at the election petitions tribunal to show how the Peoples Democratic Party allegedly benefited from an electoral fraud during last Wednesday’s governorship poll conducted in the state.

Oshiomhole noted that, contrary to claims by the PDP that its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, was allegedly denied victory in the election, he (Ize-Iyamu) “is not worth 50,000 votes”.

The governor spoke while addressing some APC youths during a road show held from Five Junction to Dawson Road, shortly after a visit to the crown prince of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Highness Eheneden Erediauwa.

The state chapter of the PDP had on Monday vowed to challenge the outcome of the poll at the election petitions tribunal.

But Oshiomhole said, “We encourage our opponents to go to court. We will be able to lead evidence to show how much they profited from electoral fraud because the Ize-Iyamu that I know is not worth 50,000 votes.

“So, it is like an armed robber rushing to a police station with bullet wounds and claiming that he has been shot, whereas he is the one who opened fire on very innocent people. We will expose them where it matters in our courtrooms.”

While expressing satisfaction with the performance of the APC in the September 28 election, he stated that the victory of the party signalled the final political “funeral” of the godfathers in the PDP.

The governor, whose tenure will end on November 12, noted that he would want to be remembered not only for the development of infrastructure but also for liberalising the political space, so that the youths could take charge of their destiny.

Oshiomhole said, “My message to them is, whether it is Igbinedion, (Tony) Anenih or (Tom) Ikimi, it is not me.

“It is God who knows their sin against our people that decided to recall their political lives. He has only used us to cement it and to celebrate their political funeral.”
Meanwhile, Obaseki has promised to run an all-inclusive government.

Obaseki spoke when he received the state chapter of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs on Wednesday in Benin City, the state capital.

He explained that he was mindful of the different tribes and religions in the state and would ensure that all of them had a sense of belonging during his administration.

The governor-elect said, “I want to assure you that the type of administration that I want to run in Edo State is one that will be all-inclusive, so that people will feel that they are part of the state, irrespective of religion and tribe, because we are one Edo State and there is strength in our unity.
“I want to thank you and assure you that I will be there for you.”

Obaseki also commended the Islamic council for their support before and during the election.

He added, “I am overwhelmed for several reasons because you are the first set of people who have come to congratulate me.

“For me, it is significant because you men of God prayed for me and today, there is something to celebrate.”

Earlier, the state Chairman of the council, Alhaji Yusuf Bako, urged the governor-elect to be resolute in achieving his objectives and to be accessible to the citizens of the state.

Bako, who was accompanied by a leader of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, Alhaja Aminatu Moti, said, “We are glad that you are a peaceful man and we Muslims are also peaceful. Be resolute. Be dogged and accessible, and the sky will be your limit.”

Troops from the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army Calabar, at the early hours of Friday, repelled an attack on its soldiers by killing seven armed militants at Efut Esighi in Bakassi local government area of Cross River State.

Capt. Kayode Owolabi, Army Public Relations Officer who disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Calabar, said the militants attacked the Army post in Efut Esighi.

Owolabi linked the militants to be `boys’ of the most wanted militant leader, Benjamin Ene a.k.a `G1’, who has been on the wanted list of security agencies in the state.

“The very determined troops from the 13 Brigade and Operation Delta Safe, repelled an attack from armed militants at Efut Esighi in Bakassi local government area this morning.

“The militants tried to attack the Army post in Efut Esighi. Some of them were wearing Nigerian military camouflage.

“We recovered 250 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, rocket propelled gun luncher, GPMG belt links and various charms on their bodies. Other militants escaped with very serious gun shots injuries.

“There was no casualty on the side of the military. Our men were in full combatant during the attack.

“We have also destroyed their camps and shrines in the creeks,’’ he said.
The APRO said the 13 Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Bulama Biu, had warned that no militant group or criminal under any guise would be spared.

Owolabi further said the military and other security agencies would continue to hunt down any militant group or criminal that did not surrender.

He, however, called on residents in the state to always avail the security agencies with useful and timely information that would enable them curb crime.
NAN

lalasticlala

By Angela Okpe


Rape: A 49-year-old man, yesterday, gave a graphic description of how he had been sleeping with his 15-year-old daughter in their Oko-Oba home in Abule-Egba area of Lagos State.

The suspect, Tony Ehumadu, who hails from Mbaise area of Imo State, was caught in the act by his wife, a Customs officer.
Ehumadu, a businessman, was arrested after one of his brothers-in-law reported the case to the police.

He admitted to have slept with his Junior Secondary School 1 daughter twice, adding that the first instance was under the influence of alcohol.

According to him, “I did the abominable act with my eldest daughter. But I only raped her twice. I don’t know what came over me. I am convinced that forces beyond me led me into committing the crime.

“Both incidents happened on Fridays. One Friday night, one of my friends invited me to a naming ceremony around Power Line, New Oko-Oba. I came back home drunk but my wife was not around. All my children, except the eldest, were asleep.

“Immediately, I rushed in and raped her. I did not meet her as a virgin. But the second time, my wife was at home.

“That Friday night, we were all watching a movie, when I suddenly stood up and went straight into my daughter’s room and started raping her. It was at that point that my wife caught me and started shouting.

“My wife did not want to go to the police because of the embarrassment it would bring to the family and because of her reputation as a Customs officer. But her brother did.”

The suspect, according to the Lagos State Police Command boss, Fatai Owoseni, would be charged to court.