₦airaland Forum

On May 25, 2017, the country’s apex court will begin hearing the various applications relating to the leadership tussle between the Senator Ahmed Makarfi National Caretaker Committee and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The court fixed the new date last week after parties to the suit regularised the various court processes earlier filed with respect to the case. Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed, who presided over the session in company of four other justices, settled for the date after parties in the suit agreed on the date.
Daily Sun recalls that the two factions of the party have continued to lay claims and counter claims to the national leadership of the party, a situation that culminated in the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, affirming Sheriff as the authentic national chairman.

However, not satisfied with the court’s decision, the Makarfi-led leadership filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, challenging the competence of the appeal. It also went further to ask the apex court to set aside the decision of the Appeal Court which affirmed Sheriff as the authentic national chairman.

During last week’s proceedings, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), counsel to Sheriff, challenged the grounds on which Makarfi appealed the decision of the lower court in the name of PDP, insisting that by virtue of the court’s verdict, Makarfi no longer has any right to enter an appeal in the name of the party without first consulting with and seeking the consent of Sheriff.

Fagbemi had said “it was wrong for an appeal to be filed at the Supreme Court without consulting the chairman of the party. The person I am representing is not interested in the appeal, and I am here based on the judgment of the Court of Appeal which recognised Sheriff as national chairman of the PDP.”

He further argued that since the said judgement had not been set aside and there was no order for stay of execution, Sheriff, remains the national chairman of the PDP.

But the panel posed the following questions to him to justify whether or not he should be entertained: “What entitles you to be heard in this appeal? And was the decision of the Court of Appeal secured ex-parte?

In his response, Fagbemi told the court that he was in the matter on the instance of Sheriff, who according to him is the validly known national leader of the PDP and had asked him to discontinue the appeal. This is even as he admitted that the judgment obtained at the appellate court was not via an ex-parte order.

To this end, the panel described Fagbemi’s motion as “a storm in a tea cup,” just as Justice Dattijo granted him seven days to file and serve his written address in support of his motion on parties, while five days were given to Wole Olanipekun, SAN, counsel to Makarfi, to reply.

Sheriff, the ex-governor of Borno state, is no doubt facing what could pass for a political battle of his life ahead of 2019, the outcome, which could make or mar him politically for life. Like a colossus, he had survived many battles in the past. But will he survive this latest one?

Before his emergence for instance as governor in 2003, the tradition was that the elders in Borno decide who must be governor. But in 2003, Sheriff broke that tradition. Apart from his father, who incidentally was part of those who installed the former governor in 1999, no single elder supported Sheriff’s ambition to be governor in 2003. But the youths rallied support for him, having suffered what one of them had referred to as a “monumental” obliteration, under the then governor, Mala Kachallah. Because of his old age, Kachallah was surrounded by old men who lacked vigour and capacity to work.

Sheriff’s second term battle

The only time the PDP came close to working for a common goal in Borno state was in 2007, when the likes of Mohammed Umara Kumalia and Hajia Fati Ibrahim Bulama known in local parlance as ‘Hajja Kinna,’ and their supporters left the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), for the PDP. The two former political associates of Sheriff alongside their armies of supporters were on hand in 2003 to sway victory in favour of Sheriff, when he contested against the then incumbent, Alhaji Mala Kachallah (AD) and Kashim Ibrahim-Imam (PDP).

When Hajja Kinna and Kumalia pooled their political structures into the traditional opposition party in the state, many had concluded that for the PDP, it was victory and nothing else at the 2007 polls. The stakes became higher when former governor, Kachallah, also moved with his entire AD structure into the PDP.

However, before the polls, Kumalia again moved from the PDP to the defunct Action Congress (AC), owing to the fact he was denied a waiver to contest the governorship primary, even when others like Senator Mohammed Abba Aji, who defected long after Kumalia had defected, were given waivers to contest. The action, no doubt depleted the PDP’s support base.

Although, Kumalia eventually contested the governorship on the platform of the defunct ACN, Sheriff, was later to emerge governor in a controversial circumstance, as votes were still been counted in Maiduguri, the state capital, when Sheriff was declared the winner of the contest from Abuja. Once that was done, the PDP met and decided to withdraw from all the other remaining elections, especially the National Assembly elections, after it established that some persons within the Presidency, “actually worked to undermine the party in the state.” And that was how Sheriff became the first sitting governor, to break the second term jinx, in the State.

The battle to return to Senate in 2011

Like in 2007, when he ran for a second term in office, again, preparatory to the 2011 elections, Sheriff faced another stiff opposition from those who were bent on decimating him politically. Although, not gunning for governorship then, he needed to deliver the governorship seat to his party, and return to the Senate again.

But this time, the odds against him were higher, owing to allegations that he had a hand, through his actions and inactions, in the formation and the growth of the outlawed Boko Haram group. For this singular reason, the people of the state vowed to defeat him and his party at the polls.

In fact, several times, they openly called for his arrest and prosecution over his alleged involvement in the rise of the group. But Sheriff has always denied the allegations, including the one openly made against him by his friend and former FCT minister, General Jerry Useni (rtd), at the Villa, who was reported to have said that Sheriff, as governor then, once told him that the political thugs in the state, known as ECOMOG, usually came in handy to help the party during elections.

Although the ANPP won the governorship in 2011, to show that Sheriff was their target, the people killed his dream of returning to the Senate after eight years as governor, as he was defeated by a relatively unknown politician in the state, Ahmed Zanah, (now late) a candidate, whom according to insiders, the PDP had just fielded to “fulfill all righteousness”.
Sheriff’s failed bid to reclaim the state in 2015.

Preparatory to the 2015 elections, Sheriff defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP. As chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), of the ANPP, Sheriff played a prominent role in the formation of the ruling party. Shortly after his defection, he had while coming out the Villa, after his visit to then President Goodluck Jonathan, said “My being in the PDP is a personal sacrifice for my people. I am in PDP to make the necessary intervention for my people. If it takes me to be sleeping 24 hours in the Presidency for my people, I will do just that.” And because of his previous political antecedents, especially, from 1992, when against all odds, he defeated the highly rated wife of Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, in a contest for Borno Central Senatorial District, to 1999, when repeated the same feat against highly rated and highly educated Ibrahim Bunu; former FCT minister, for the same seat, to 2003, when he came from Abuja, as a sitting Senator to dislodge an incumbent governor, to 2007, when he broke a second term jinx in the state, many had thought, he could again repeat the same magic, in 2015.

At the party’s presidential rally in Maiduguri shortly before the 2015 elections, Sheriff had boasted publicly to Jonathan that he should be held responsible should PDP fail to win in the state during the presidential and governorship polls.

Daily Sun recalls that he went as far as boasting that the APC would not get up to 30 per cent of the total votes in the state, for the two elections. But oblivious of the fact that Sheriff was only able to move with a handful of his supporters from the APC to the PDP, in spite of his earlier boast to move the “soul” of the party in the state to the PDP, the old PDP members in Borno State blocked him from making any electoral capital out of the situation. Governorship primaries were held and the old PDP bloc produced the candidate, in the person of Alhaji Gambo Lawan, but allowed Sheriff to take the Borno Central Senatorial ticket.

However, Sheriff, was said to have pulled a fast one against the state PDP, by lobbying the Presidency to allow him produce the governorship candidate, insisting that it was a sure way to guarantee the party’s victory in the state. He got his way, and his protégé and former State chairman of the defunct ANPP, Mohammed Imam, emerged as the candidate, and his name published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But somehow, Sheriff’s name suddenly disappeared on INEC’s list too, as the Borno Central Senatorial candidate, for the polls.

Alhaji Lawan wasted no time in challenging his substitution in court. The case was decided on March 18, 2015, barely 10 days to the presidential contest, by Justice Ramat Ahmed, of an Abuja Federal High court.
In granting the reliefs sought by Lawan, the Judge ruled that the claims by the party that it resorted to consensus candidacy and that Lawan’s “Certificate of Return,” (issued by the PDP, after his emergence as the candidate) was “forged,” were doubtful, since the party never filed any criminal proceedings against Lawan, and the party’s chairman in the state and the national headquarters never filed any affidavit to debunk the plaintiff’s case. The judge also said that since the court was never availed of any document supporting the PDP’s claims; the court had no choice than to rule in favour of Lawan. The court’s verdict, Daily Sun gathered, became the first sign to the Sheriff’s camp in the PDP that it may have embarked on a fruitless adventure after all.

Interestingly, on the day of the presidential contest, Sheriff was in Maiduguri, not just to cast his vote, but to also fulfill his promise to ex-President Jonathan, of delivering the state to the PDP. The first shocker he got was that majority of the big wigs within the PDP from the state, who would have lent him the necessary support; failed to come in from Abuja for the election. In the end, Sheriff not only failed to deliver his council to the PDP, he also failed to redeem his promise to Jonathan, as Buhari beat Jonathan 473, 543 to 25, 640 votes in the state.

While campaigning in 2001, preparatory to his ousting of the then Governor Mala Kachallah from office in 2003, Sheriff had said that no governor in the history of the state had ever gotten a second term. And true to his word, he became the first to record that feat, in 2007.

Ironically too, until 2011, Sheriff has never lost any election before in Borno, since his foray into politics in the 90’s. But in 2011, he not only lost the election, he was roundly defeated by a relatively unknown politician in the State, thereby shattering his dream of returning to the Senate after eight years as Borno State governor.

The Battle within PDP

In Borno state, majority of the PDP members are with the Makarfi group. If the Supreme Court decides in Sheriff’s favour, there is the likelihood that the Makarfi group, who are in the majority will leave the party. If that happens, the political relevance he seeks by being the national chairman of the party may be eroded. Again, if the Supreme Court ruling does not favour him, the larger PDP may find it difficult accommodating him, as the members would have lost confidence in him. Whichever way the Supreme Court ruling goes, Sheriff, no doubt has a crisis in his hands, as far as his political future and the PDP crisis are concerned.

http://sunnewsonline.com/pdp-sheriff-and-his-many-political-battles/

The legal battle between Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu and Uche Ogah will come to an end today at the Supreme Court after two years.

The issues

The subject matter between the duo who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the governorship primary election conducted on December 8, 2014.

The declared result of the said primary was as follows: Iheanacho Okezie, 1 vote; Marc Wabara, 3 votes; Okey Emuchay, 3 votes; Ikpeazu Okezie, 487 votes; F.N. Nwosu, 5 votes; Uche Ogah 103 votes; Emeka Wogu, 33 votes, Acho Nwakama 5 votes, and nine invalid votes.

Ogah, who came second, had in a suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1086/2014, dated December 22, 2014, instituted at an Abuja High Court, against the PDP, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ikpeazu, sought to disqualify Ikpeazu from contesting the governorship election in 2015 on the grounds that he was not “fit and proper,” having allegedly failed to pay his personal income tax for two years in line with the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria.

He also prayed the court for an order to bar the 1st defendant (PDP) from presenting the 3rd defendant (Ikpeazu) to the 2nd defendant (INEC) as governorship candidate, just as he equally prayed the court for a consequential order that since he came second in the primary election of December 8, 2014, he should be declared the rightful candidate of the PDP.

The back and forth

Daily Sun recalls that the pre-election matter had commenced after the conduct of PDP primary at the Federal High Courts (FHC),where the applicants prayed the court for the following reliefs: that in view of the provisions of the relevant sections of the Electoral Act, PDP Electoral Guideline 2014 and the PDP Constitution, that INEC Form CF001, Tax Payment Receipts and Tax Clearance Certificate attached to the Form submitted to INEC by Ikpeazu through PDP be declared to contain false information, and as such hold that Ikpeazu was not qualified to contest for the PDP primaries in the first instance.

Ikpeazu, upon receipt of Uche’s claims, filed a preliminary objection seeking an order of the court to transfer the matter from the FHC to the Chief Judge of Abia State for assignment, since according to him, the FHC, Abuja, lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
After hearing parties’ submissions, the trial judge dismissed the application and ruled that FHC had jurisdiction.

Dissatisfied, Ikpeazu appealed to the Court of Appeal and the decision of the trial court was reversed. Uche also appealed the ruling at the Supreme Court.

In its judgement, the panel led by Justice Mohammed Muntaka -Coomassie, the Supreme Court faulted the decision of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the competence of the Federal High Court to try the case. The justices then remitted the case back to the Federal High Court for a re-trial.

At the FHC, the matter was re-assigned to Justice Okon Abang, following a petition alleging bias against Justice Ademola who had ruled against Ikpeazu’s preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

On June 27, 2016, Justice Abang sacked Governor Ikpeazu and ordered INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Ogah.

But before the order could be executed, Ikpeazu went to state High Court and obtained an injunction restraining any judge from swearing in Ogar.
The order was given by Justice Chibuzo Ahuchaogu.

The fireworks

Ikpeazu appealed the high court judgment. In his notice of appeal dated July 4, 2016, Ikpeazu through his counsel, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, raised 50 grounds of appeal and expressed dissatisfaction with the decision of the lower court.

He among other things averred that the trial judge erred in law and came to a wrong decision in holding that Ikpeazu was ineligible to participate in the primary election of the PDP by reason of presenting false information to INEC.

Ikpeazu’s counsel also noted that the lower court erred in law and acted without jurisdiction when it purported to “enforce/apply the provisions of the PDP Electoral Guidelines for primary elections in determining the originating summons before it without the PDP Guidelines being put in evidence before it.”

In the end, the Appeal Court in Abuja, on August 18, 2016, set aside the judgment of Justice Abang, which sacked Ikpeazu as the governor of Abia state, describing it as “a rape of democracy”.

The five-member panel of judges led by Morenikeji Ogunwumiju, further faulted the technicalities in which Justice Abang employed to arrive at his judgement.
She said: “The trial judge stated that the exhibits were not for his consideration, in the absence of his consideration of the contents of the documents, it would amount to the deliberate avoidance on the implication of the acknowledgement.

“It is my humble view that his lordship committed great violence against one of the pillars of our criminal justice. Judges don’t work at the tax office or know how they issue receipts and clearances,” adding that based on the tax act, the court was bound to the assessment of the Abia tax office, which has “documents of the governor that has not been faulted”.

APGA joins the fray

While the trial was on, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Alex Otti and an aspirant on the platform of the PDP, Friday Nwosu, had at different times, sought to be joined in the Ikpeazu/Ogah suit, but the appeal court declined, describing them as “busybodies.”

However, on January 27, 2017, the Supreme Court gave a nod to the request by Otti, seeking to be allowed to appeal the judgments relating to validity of Ikpeazu, as Abia governor.

After hearing the appeal and objection by Ikpeazu and Ogah on February 16, 2017, the apex court fixed today, Friday, May 12, 2017, for its judgement.


http://sunnewsonline.com/abia-decision-day-for-ikpeazu-ogah/

Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday authorized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to seize some assets belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

The judge authorized the EFCC to take possession of the concerned assets pending when Tompolo will make himself available to answer the charges of N45.9bn fraud preferred against him and nine others.
The judge said if Tompolo failed to appear within three months of the order, the Federal Government may proceed to auction the said assets.

The assets of Tompolo which the EFCC was authorized to seize include his house located at No. 1, Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri (Effurun), Delta State.

Others are a River Crew Change Boat named MUHA -15; “Tompolo Dockyard,” “Tompolo Yard,” the Diving School at Kurutie, at Escravos River; “Tompolo House” at Oporaza Town, opposite the Palace.

The judge said the EFCC may also seize any other assets it may later discover and verify to indeed belong to Tompolo.

The judge, however, declined to authorize the EFCC to seize four companies, which the EFCC had listed in its application as parts of Tompolo’s assets, saying one person does not own a company.

Justice Buba noted that third parties had already appeared in court to oppose the seizure of the said companies.

The said companies are Mieka Dive Ltd.; Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd.; Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd.; and Muhaabix Global Services Ltd.

The EFCC, through its lawyer, Keyamo, had applied through an ex parte application, to the court pursuant to sections 80 and 81 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to seize Tompolo’s assets.
At the hearing on Friday, Tompolo’s lawyers, Messrs Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, were not in court.

Keyamo, while moving the application, said it would be in the interest of justice to grant it.

He said, “What is unfolding before our very eyes is something that has never been seen in this country for a very long time, where a citizen disparages the order of the court, briefs lawyers to appear for him but refuses to appear, keeps making disparaging statements against the judiciary.”
In his ruling Justice Buba said he found the application to be meritorious.

The judge held, “Sections 80 and 81(ACJA) provide that a judge or a magistrate can at any time, after action has been taken under Section 41 of this Act, for an application made in that regard after summons or warrant has been issued but disobeyed, order the attachment of any property, movable or immovable, or both belonging to a suspect, the subject of public summons or warrant, while Section 81 provides an order under Section 80 of this Act to authorise a public officer to attach any property belonging to the suspect within the area of jurisdiction of the judge…
“This court has no doubt that the application has merit.”

In a five-paragraph affidavit filed in support of the ex parte application, a lawyer from Keyamo’s chambers, Adah Adah, said he was aware that Tompolo had been invited on several occasions by the EFCC to answer allegations of fraudulent activities.

He added that a charge had been filed against him before the court but that Tompolo had persistently refused to honor all the invitations extended to him.
Adah said he was aware that Tompolo had already briefed two lawyers, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, to represent him.
Adah said he recalled that a bench warrant was issued against Tompolo by the court on January 14, 2016.

“That since the issuance of the warrant of arrest, the 1st accused person has absconded and concealed himself from all security forces in the country to frustrate the execution of the warrant of arrest.

“That rather than present himself to the court, the 1st accused person engaged the services of Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), who filed a motion dated 27th day of January, 2016 to set aside the warrant of arrest. The said motion was dismissed on the 8th day of February, 2016.

“That since the order for the arrest of the 1st accused person, the combined team of the Nigeria police and the military have been combing the creeks and the entire nation for the arrest of the 1st accused person, but he continues to abscond and conceal himself.”
Adah said the EFCC operatives had investigated and discovered that the assets it sought to seize indeed belong to Tompolo.

He said it would be in the interest of justice for the court to grant the application.
The EFCC filed 40 counts against Tompolo and nine others, including the immediate-past Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi.

The other suspects in the charge are Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Capt. Warredi Enisuoh.

The suspects were charged along with four companies, namely: Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electrical Limited, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited and Destre Consult Limited.
The suspects were accused of diverting and converting to their personal use a sum of N34bn and N11.9bn belonging to NIMASA.

The offence, according to EFCC, is contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and were liable to punishment under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.


http://saharareporters.com/2017/05/11/court-authorises-efcc-seize-tompolo’s-assets

Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ben Ndi-Obi, has debunked insinuations in some quarters alleging that the story of the schoolgirls abducted in Chibok three years ago by Boko Haram terrorists was a hoax.

He stated that the abduction and release narratives of government were true while chatting with the media in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, there was evidence to show that the government did not stage-manage the abduction and release of the girls to score political points.

The PDP scribe said: “I certainly do not believe the issue of the Chibok girls is a hoax. I was in government when this happened.

“I do know the quantum of effort that was made by the past government in trying to release the Chibok girls – in as much as it wasn’t successful then.

“I know there are people who go around day-in-day-out crying and singing ‘bring back our girls’ I want to believe they are certainly not doing that for nothing. You all should also know that it has gained international dimension which means there is something behind that.

“I think this (Buhari) administration is doing well on the issue of the Chibok girls. There is no doubt about it. The military is equally doing extremely well in trying to track down the abducted girls.

“Nobody would be unhappy to hear that the Chibok girls have been released. We are all delighted and we will be more delighted when they are finally reunited with their family and friends.”


http://dailypost.ng/2017/05/10/boko-harams-abduction-chibok-girls-real-pdp/

Your Excellency: I greet you. First, this disclosure: I am neither a PDP nor APC member. I do not belong to any political party in Nigeria. I am a passionate patriot of our great nation. However, I am also an unapologetic supporter of our President, Muhammad Buhari. I admire his blunt, bold simplicity, sincerity, sense of purpose, commitment, unconditional care for Nigeria’s everyday people and patriotism, especially since he transitioned from a brutal Military dictator to a born-again democrat. I believed almost 20Million Nigerians that voted for him in the last election saw the same qualities as I did.

Sir, I write in response to some of your vicious attacks on our President. I cannot go back to years of continued hostility from you, to our President. It seemed you continue with this exercise because no one within his media relations has responded aggressively to some of your juvenile comments with regards to the President’s health, policies, wife, and his family. Your Excellency, when is enough, enough?.

You smack the president with a silly smirk on your face: you have reduced the office of the Presidency to a playhouse program. Where is your dignity and respect for your elders? Yoruba culture is rich and endowed with profound respect for our elders. You are Yoruba. Sir, respect that sacred and unique culture of your tribe. One of the fundamental elements of democracy is right to free speech. It's within your rights to criticize the President, but with respect, maturity and dignity your office beholds.

Few days ago, 82 Chibok girls were released by the terror group Boko Haram, the deal was still fresh when you accused the President of manipulating information.

Sir, you alleged that the release of these girl captives was diverting attention from the sick President’s true state of health; you further, carelessly stated that the Chibok girls were not missing. ”What is not missing cannot be found”… But sir, where were you when Goodluck Jonathan made a surprise three-hour visit to Nigerian soldiers stationed in Sambisa Forest on January 14th, 2015? Are you so stressed thinking about your next media frenzy showmanship, to forget, so soon, that your political party, PDP, was in power when the Chibok girls were kidnapped?

I am really concerned with your state of mind, your mental health, because of your careless statements. You are the Chief Executive of one of Nigeria’s young states. Ekiti State is just 21 years old. You are not an outlaw or the leader of an unorganized turbulent brood of intimidators or mob boss. You are a Governor. Chief Executive! Respect that institution by behaving decently. Stop embarrassing the good citizens of Ekiti State.

Early March, you challenged the President to speak to you from his London sick bed, as proof to Nigerians that he was not dead. Who the hell are you?... Who made you a spokesperson for the Nigerian people? You are a State Governor, not an arrogant Federal employee. So, why did you think that Nigerians trusted or considered you credible source of information with regards to their President? Sir, with the greatest respect, are you hallucinating? You are not the Voice of Nigeria….

Your Excellency, you charged our President’s wife, Alhaja Aishat, of playing games with the release of the Chibok girls. Last year, you accused her of being wanted in the United States for Halliburton alleged corruption. These were your musings during her publicized visit, as First Lady, to the United States. Do you really reason about the consequences of your statements before you open your mouth? During our severe recession in December, you indicted President Buhari for using the recession to punish Nigerians. You denied that the country was in a recession. Why would an elected head of his people punish his nation with a recession? What is the purpose or desired goals of punishing Nigerians with the recession?

You are an elected leader. In life, time is the judge and history, the jury. You are 57 years old, these times. You are 21 years apart from 78, perhaps one day; you would attempt political office at past prime of your life. How would you feel, if, at 78, a 48 yr old lavishes insults at your office and person, mischaracterizes your aspirations for our country and declared you dead while you are recuperating from illness? We are not omnipotent; no one is immune from health challenges…

Health conditions come at any time of our lives. A man who disrespects an old man with lies and callously wishes him death, his father’s age mate, is indirectly expressing his years of built up emotions, rage, and anger toward his father.

Your Excellency, personal attacks on a sick honest old man will not give you closure to past relationships with your father. Only therapy would reconcile you and your dad. You seemed an emotionally troubled Governor. You are erratic, hysterical, bullish, and insecure, an embarrassment to the office you occupy.

Sir, I remind you that Buhari’s administration is yours too. Historians would remember you as the Governor of Ekiti State, during President Muhammad Buhari's administration, as a democratically elected President.

Buhari's successes and failures are part of your governorship history. You may think your freestyle outbursts against President Buhari identify you as a "straight shooter" or unafraid anti-establishment. No sir.

Your antics show a disconnection between your present and your past: your tirades, frequently directed at a disciplined servant of the people, suggests you are struggling with your low self-esteem, past emotional trauma, always wishing to be the attention of the moment. My dear Governor, something is wrong with you. You are neither the law nor above it as Chief Executive of Ekiti State. "Ekitians" shall remember you as a lawless loudmouthed attention seeker willing and able to say stupid things. A man that reacts on impulse.

You make headline news as a clown, as President Buhari’s attack machine, than actually addressing the economic and social challenges of the great Ekiti people: healthcare, jobs, crime, education, security, good road, and infrastructure. Pay civil workers their past salaries and find creative ways to make their salaries regular, focus on programs to help millions of unemployed youths and graduates with no jobs. Give every child the opportunity to better healthcare and education. Reduce crime by encouraging local law enforcements with regular salaries and for teachers, too. Build affordable hospitals, clinics to help ageing Ekiti population, not run to the local markets to price “ponmo” or walk into a popular “Buka” and eat just to show you are a regular “homeboy” Governor connected with everyday Ekitians. Sir, how would Ekiti people remember your administration, twenty years from now? Under your three year administration, what programs have impacted the ordinary person in Ekiti. You were elected as Governor in 2014. You perfectly used Buhari’s illness to distract citizens from auditing your lame duck administration. Your Excellency, it is absolutely possible to fool few people, sometimes, but it is impossible to fool all the people, all the time.

Thank you for the privilege to write you.

Sincerely,

Azuka Jebose


http://saharareporters.com/2017/05/10/dear-governor-fayose-please-shut

The written declaration or letter transmitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by President Muhammadu Buhari conveying his decision to proceed on medical vacation has ignited an avoidable controversy regarding the status and role of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN for the period that Mr. Buhari's medical vacation will subsist.
On Tuesday 9th May, 2017, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara read the separate but identically worded letters they received from Mr. Buhari during the plenary of both houses of the National Assembly. The content of the controversial letter (the Senate President’s copy) is reproduced infra (below) as reported in mainstream and online media:

It reads: “In compliance with section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, I wish to inform the Distinguished Senate that I will be away for a scheduled medical follow-up with my doctors in London.
“The length of my stay will be determined by the doctor’s advice.

“While I am away, the Vice President will coordinate the activities of the government. Please accept, the Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.’’

The part of the letter that has elicited public debate is where Mr. Buhari offered his view on the role his Vice; Mr. Osinbajo will play in his absence. He stated thus:
"While I am away, the Vice President will coordinate the activities of the government."

Many commentators have interpreted this statement to mean that Osinbajo will not assume or exercise the functions of the office of the President as an Acting President, but will merely ‘’coordinate the activities of the government" only as the Vice President of Nigeria.
The above interpretation, I submit with respect, is constitutionally untenable, baseless, wrong, faulty and legally indefensible.

The reasons are summarized as follows:
It is not open to Buhari, Osinbajo, the National Assembly or any other authority or person to go outside the express and unambiguous provisions of Section 145 (1) of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) (hereinafter referred to as the Constitution) to determine the status and functions of the Vice President when the President is proceeding on vacation and transmits a letter to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The only legally cognizable and acceptable reference on this matter is Section 145 (1) of the Constitution.
What does Section 145 (1) of the Constitution provide for? It states as follows:

"Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President.''

There is nothing in the quoted provisions of Section 145 (1) of the Constitution that justifies controversy on what should happen whenever the President is proceeding on vacation or leave. President Buhari has acted in line with this constitutional process in the past without argument.

In the present case, the President transmitted a written declaration to both the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives that he is proceeding on medical vacation to London. That is ALL that was/is required of Mr. Buhari by the Constitution. Any other statement in his written declaration or letter to the presiding officers of the National Assembly is constitutionally irrelevant. Buhari's assertion that Mr. Osinbajo will "coordinate the activities of the government" in his absence is a surplusage in the eyes of the law.

There are two elementary canons or principles of statutory or constitutional interpretation which have received unchallenged judicial blessings from every superior court of record in Nigeria, including the Supreme Court, as decided in a plethora of cases which are relevant to the current discourse and they bear repeating.

First, it is a settled rule of interpretation that when the words of a statute, including the Constitution, are plain and unambiguous, they should be given their ordinary meaning unless it would lead to absurdity or be in conflict with the Constitution. In the case of Okotie-Eboh v. Manager & Ors. (2004) 18 NWLR (Pt. 905) Page 242; (2014) LPELR-2502(SC) (pp. 30, paras. E), the Supreme Court, Per Edozie, J.S.C. correctly stated the principle thus:

"According to the canons of interpretation of statutes, it is a cardinal principle that where the ordinary plain meaning of the words used in a statute are very clear and unambiguous, effect must be given to those words without resort to any intrinsic or external aid."

The position taken by the Supreme Court in the Okotie-Eboh's case quoted supra is very instructive. Applying same to the present case, it will be unconstitutional to resort to any external aid in giving effect to the clear and unambiguous provisions of Section 145 (1) of the Constitution. Since the Constitution has clearly stated what should happen whenever the President transmits a written declaration to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives that he is proceeding on vacation, Buhari lacks the vires (power) to go further to define the role of Prof. Osinbajo.

Buhari can neither add to nor subtract from the provisions of Section 145 (1) of the Constitution.
See also the pronouncements of the Supreme Court in the following reported case: Nyame v FRN (2010) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1193) Page 344 at Page 399, Paras. B-H; Action Congress v. INEC (2007) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1048) Page 220 at Page 318, Paras E-H and Utih v. Onoyivwe (1991) 1 NWLR (Pt. 160) Page 166 at 238, Paras. D-E . These authorities are to the effect that when the words of the statute or the Constitution are plain and unambiguous, an effect must be given to their ordinary grammatical and literary meaning.

The second canon of interpretation which is relevant to this discussion is on the import of the use of the word "Shall’’ in an enactment". The Supreme Court, Per Adekeye, J.S.C. in Dr. Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo & Ors. v. Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua & Ors. (2010) LPELR-2109(SC) at Pages 78, Paras. D-E had this to say:

"The word shall when used in a statutory provision imports that a thing must be done. It is a form of command or mandate. It is not permissive, it is mandatory. The word shall in its ordinary meaning is a word of command which is normally given a compulsory meaning as it is intended to denote obligation."

It should be noted that the word "Shall" is mentioned only once in Section 145 (1) of the Constitution. The mandatory word (shall) is not mentioned in the provision with regards to whether the President should transmit a written declaration to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives or not when he is proceeding on vacation. It is only mentioned at the later part of the provision embodying the consequence of transmitting a written declaration, whenever he chooses to do so.
What this implies is that it is not compulsory for the President to do so.

However, WHENEVER he acts in line with Section 145 (1) of the Constitution, that is, anytime the President deems it expedient to transmit a written declaration or letter to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Vice President automatically assumes the position of an Acting President and perform the functions of the President.

The moment the written declaration or letter transmitted by President Buhari conveying his decision to proceed on medical vacation was received and acknowledged by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prof. Osinbajo had, by operation of law, assumed the position of Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Not even the National Assembly could stop him from assuming that position. It is automatic and there is nothing that can be done to the contrary by any authority or person without offending the spirit and letters of the Constitution.

Had the President proceeded on vacation to London without notifying the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prof. Osinbajo would have continued to "coordinate the activities of the government" as Vice President for the next 21 days, after which the National Assembly shall pass a resolution empowering him to perform the functions of the office of President in line with Section 145 (2) of the Constitution.

Interestingly, Mr. Buhari had expressly indicated in his written declaration that he was writing pursuant to Section 145 (1) of the Constitution. This forecloses any contrary inference on his intentions other than for Osinbajo to become the Acting President.

It should, however, be noted that it was not necessary for the President to expressly indicate that his written declaration was made pursuant to Section 145 (1) of the Constitution. It was equally superfluous for him to state the nomenclature, status or functions of his Vice while he is on vacation. The Constitution has already catered for this.

I will like to assume that the language used by Mr. President in his letter was innocuous and not intended to subvert the Constitution. It will amount to a rape on the Constitution and democracy if Mr. Osinbajo is prevented or inhibited, in any manner, from assuming the position of Acting President and exercising full presidential powers and functions.

There is no office with the appellation ‘’Coordinator of Nation’s Affairs’’ under our Constitution. Buhari cannot amend the Supreme Law of the Land by implication. If Osinbajo is to coordinate the activities of the government while Buhari is away, he can only do so as the Acting President of Nigeria. Anything contrary is ultra vires, illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

Mr. Osinbajo cannot refuse or reject the position of an Acting President. It is not in his mouth to say whether he will temporarily lead the country as the Vice President or as an Acting President. He has no choice in this matter other than to perform the functions of the office of President as Acting President. It is the law that parties cannot by conduct or consent alter the Constitution. See the case of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) v. Famfa Oil Limited (2012) 17 NWLR (Pt. 1328) 148.

Pending when Buhari transmits a written declaration to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives indicating his return to Nigeria and readiness to resume his functions, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN is and will remain the Acting President of Nigeria.
Thank you.

Inibehe Effiong, a Legal Practitioner can be reached via:
inibehe.effiong@gmail.com

http://saharareporters.com/2017/05/10/osinbajo-acting-president-nigeria-period-inibehe-effiong

In a treacherous Nigerian political terrain, embarking on a journey without a map is akin to a ram going to a head-fight without a skull. Even with a map, you still need to know the contours and other geophysical attributes of your domain in order to navigate the challenges you will encounter in the course of the journey. Ndigbo have a saying that, if a child is not well prepared and mature enough to seek what killed his father, what killed his father may kill him, too.

Some of the consequences of embarking on a journey without a map are that your trails will be lined with thorns rather than roses; your vision will be blurred rather than clear, all of which could make your journey endless. In the case of IPOB, the interesting outcome of attempting to navigate the complex Nigerian political terrain without a map was getting stuck, only to be rescued by your uncles you once characterized as “saboteurs”. The first lesson for IPOB: a newborn child does not throw his father up and a boisterous show does not imply knowledge.

Talking about noise, it is an irony that Nnamdi Kanu, who is meant to be Odimegwu Ojukwu reincarnate, landed in the tummy of FKK, who in an attempt to belittle Ndigbo once claimed to have slept with Ojukwu’s wife. What a journey, what an embarrassment. I hope that by now, my IPOB brothers would have admitted that they were heading in the wrong direction after watching the IPOB leader run into the arms of the Yoruba tribe they characterized as “betrayers”. Second lesson: during a famine, you will be forced to eat what you earlier said you disliked.

So, what should you do when you realize that you are facing the wrong direction in the course of a journey? Keep wallowing in the wilderness? Turnaround? Ask for direction? I guess the Chinese proverb “to know the road ahead, you need to ask those who are coming back”, is a good start. Where will IPOB find those that are coming back? In history books, oral and written.

The Pan-Africanist writer and historian, Prof. John Henrik Clarke, wrote that even though history is not everything, it is a starting point. He referred to history as a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. This history, he stated, is a compass we should use to find ourselves on the map of human geography.

Using a compass to navigate your way to a destination is not a dumb luck. It is paying attention to a wonderful tool of science. If the brains behind IPOP had paid attention to the history of Biafran Civil War or the history of the last two independent countries in Africa, Eretria, and South Sudan, they would have realized the folly in a headless ram initiating a head-fight. As such, they should have started by drawing a map, even if it is a sketch.

Without a clear map, one will certainly not know where he or she is. To think that an Independent State of Biafra is in the best interest of Ndigbo in Nigeria is still puzzling to me. To imagine that an independent country could be realized by going to an International Court of no consequence even to countries that obey laws was an illusion. It is also laughable and an act of lazy analysis to compare the EU or Scottish referendum to the realization of Biafra. Without any political backing, therefore, it is a big joke to be calling for a referendum on social media.

Here is a fact: no matter how long one travels in the wrong direction, getting to the right destination will remain elusive. The navigation to any destination should truly begin in the hearts of the voyager. This is the most important map of all. Where is the heart of Ndigbo? If we generate a heat map of Ndigbo, what will be the spread of our data matrix on the map of Nigeria?

If those behind this journey without map had measured the footprint of Ndigbo in Nigeria, they would have realized that the fastest way to get to the top of the mountain is to climb down. Because more than 60% of the heat map of the heartbeat of Ndigbo in Nigeria are outside the domain of the enclave of Igbo states, any map of our domain should be boundless.

IPOB should make a heat map of Ndigbo in Nigeria and distribute it to all their followers and sympathizers. The intent is for them to stare at the spatial distribution of the heartbeat of our brothers and sisters anytime they get that strange feeling of destroying the “zoo”. By so doing, they will realize that destruction of the “zoo” is like committing suicide.

The struggle to ensure an equitable Nigeria, essential to the vibrancy of Ndigbo should not be about changing the map of Nigeria. Rather, what is needed is mapping a change of the way we assert ourselves in our domains irrespective of whether it is in Lagos or Kano.

My duty is to bring Ndigbo out of this lethargy of always seeing themselves as poor victims that are being trampled by every other tribe in Nigeria. Not everyone is trampling on us. We are champs.

This botched journey should be a lesson that an old woman that provokes a fight but is not pushed to the ground, will provoke again. It is hoped that the voyagers have discovered that Biafra is not and should never be all about them. From here, it is hoped that they will learn to be who they are meant to be in the first place - ordinary mortals with no superior powers. When a black ant bites the buttocks, it learns common sense.

Before IPOB, there was MOSSOB. Like Uwazurike, like Nnamdi Kanu? Time will tell. After this distraction from what the focus of Ndigbo should be in Nigeria, there is currently a pause, a space. In that space lies our freedom to choose how to respond. How should Ndigbo respond? Push for restructuring of Nigeria state? Look inwards and develop the Igbo States? Or Both?

I am happy to hear that Ohaneze will attempt to “convince” Nnamdi Kanu of the need to push for a restructuring of Nigeria rather than acting like a turtle that geared up beside a river that swallowed an elephant as if it will fly over it. To succeed, however, Ohaneze should let the experience from IPOB’s journey without map shape their approach in agitating for restructuring.

As the call for restructuring garner momentum, Ohaneze, just like IPOB, should know that some renegades in the zoo that made the most out of the captivity of Nnamdi Kanu, will be key players. They should know that it will take the cooperation of the dissatisfied ethnic nationalities and different interest groups in Nigeria to make headway with restructuring. As such, Ohaneze should be careful in their actions, not to destroy the bridges that will be crucial in crossing the shark infested rivers of a restructuring. A word is enough for the wise.

In the final analysis, the need to have a map before embarking on any checkered political journey in Nigeria, including restructuring is very crucial. The concept of ebule ji isi eje ogu (A ram goes to fight with its head), without a strategy, even with courage, is outdated and folly.

You can email Churchill at Churchill.okonkwo@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @churchillnnobi .

http://saharareporters.com/2017/05/09/ipob-anatomy-journey-without-map-churchill-okonkwo

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ruled that the statements obtained by the anti-graft EFCC from Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, an ex-aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan, were made voluntarily and not under duress.

Mr. Dudafa is arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside. Joseph Iwejuo, on 23 counts bordering on fraud, conspiracy and concealment of crime proceeds.

Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the commencement of trial on November 21, 2016, the defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, had raised an objection to the tendering of Mr. Dudafa’s statement as evidence.

He argued that the statement was an “extra-judicial” statement as it possessed similar features, claiming that Mr. Dudafa was forced to make the statement.
Mr. Oyewole had urged the court to conduct of a trial-within-trial to ascertain if the statements were voluntarily obtained.

Consequently, the trial judge, Mohammed Idris, ordered a trial-within-trial in a bid to test the voluntariness of the statement.

The judge had taken arguments from both counsel and final addresses were adopted in March, while the court reserved its ruling.

Delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Idris held that the statements of the accused were voluntarily obtained.

“The question then is, are the statements confessional?
“A confession is that which is made before the police and any other security agent while investigation is on.
“There is no evidence before the court that the statements made by the defendant is not a confessional statement.
“I cannot, therefore, hold that the statements were not voluntarily made,” he said.

The judge further held that the statements in contention were made under caution and same voluntarily obtained.

Consequently, he adjourned further hearing until June 21.

In the charge, the accused were alleged to have on June 11, 2013, conspired to conceal proceeds of crime amounting to over N1.6 billion.

It was alleged that they concealed the sum through a company — Seagate Property Development and Investment Ltd and that they also used Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd to launder over N399 million.

Other companies allegedly used in perpetuating the alleged crime include Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Rotato Inter Link Services Ltd and De Jakes Fast Food and Restaurant Nigerian Ltd.

Mr. Dudafa was alleged to have between June 1 and June 4, 2015, contracted Iwejuo and Ebiwise Resources Ltd to conceal N150 million being alleged proceeds of crime.

The EFCC also alleged that on April 27, Mr. Dudafa failed to provide any information in relation to over N616 million held on his behalf by Seagate Property’s account.

The prosecution said he also failed to disclose the sum of N560 million held for him by De Jakes Fast Food Ltd as well as the sum of N10 million held for him by Ibejige Services Ltd.

The offences, according to the prosecution, contravened the provisions of Section 27 (3), (c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.

(NAN)

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/230680-confessional-statement-jonathans-aide-voluntarily-made-court-rules.html

The Presidency has hinted that the panel that investigated the allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, may have submitted its report to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, dropped the hint this morning while featuring on the Sunrise Daily programme of Channels Television.

Babachir was investigated for alleged violations of law and due process in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North-East; and Oke, over the $43.4m hauled from a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Presidency had last Wednesday assured that President Buhari would receive the report today.

But Adesina disclosed this morning that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who headed the three-man panel met with Buhari before the latter travelled to London for medical follow-up yesterday.

The presidential spokesman explained that the submission of the report might have "come up" during that meeting.

"The vice president met with the president yesterday before he travelled. It is not unlikely that that (the submission of the report) may have come up," Adesina said.

He also stated that given the reputation of the members of the panel, Nigerians should expect "what is fair and just" from the report.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/babachir-oke-osinbajo-panel-may-have-submitted-report-presidency/196786.html

The Federal Government is considering three options for the privatisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.

This follows the submission of a report on the possible transaction routes that could be taken by the Federal Government to rehabilitate the steel complex by the transaction advisers and consultants, Greenwich Trust Limited.

The three options being considered by the government to bring back the plant to life are outright sale, concession and joint venture partnership.
The Sole Administrator, ASCL, Mr. Joseph Isah, gave the indication while speaking with journalists in Ajaokuta on Friday.

He said that it would cost about $700m to complete the plant and put it to good use; and another $663m in external infrastructure financing for the transportation of the plant’s raw materials and final products.

He said it was lamentable that Nigeria was spending about N6tn per annum on the importation of steel products, while successive governments had insisted that it could not afford the resources to rehabilitate and put the steel complex to good use.

Isah stated, “Recently, even though not adequate, government has begun to commit resources towards the maintenance and preservation of the equipment and facilities of the plant. This is pending the decision on the appropriate way forward regarding the completion, inauguration and continuous operation of the steel plant.

“To this end, the government is currently considering the report on various options on the way forward as advanced by a nominated transaction adviser concerning outright sale, concession and joint ventures.”

According to the sole administrator, at the time the Federal Government stopped funding the complex in 1994, the first phase of the project had attained 98 per cent completion.

He also state that in the year 2000, when the original contractor, TPE of Russia, audited the complex, only $400m was required to put it to good use within 24 months, but the Federal Government again failed to implement the proposal.


http://upshotreports.com/govt-considers-three-options-for-ajaokuta-steel-privatisation/

The Minister of Transportation and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the failure of his successor, Governor Nyesom Wike, to prove in court the allegation that the $43m found in an Ikoyi apartment belongs to the state has exonerated him of any link to the cash.

Amaechi described the claim by the state governor that the seized money was proceeds from the sale of gas turbine belonging to the state as lies from the current governor of the state.

The minister, who spoke on Sunday through his Media Office, said that Wike’s claim was meant to denigrate him (Amaechi).

Amaechi also expressed his support for Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who expressed the need to criminalise distraction in the war against corruption.

The statement noted, “Wike’s failure to prove his allegations against Amaechi in a court of law or even in the court of public opinion clearly vindicates our position and completely exonerates Amaechi of any link or connection to the Ikoyi money and apartment.
“Since he became governor, Wike sleeps and wakes up every day with a one-point agenda to attack and denigrate Rotimi Amaechi, his erstwhile benefactor, no matter how ridiculous and silly he sounds.

“Wike had also lied that the luxury Ikoyi apartment belonged to Amaechi. Amaechi had strongly debunked Wike’s unfounded claims and had challenged Wike to provide evidence of his (Amaechi’s) ownership of the money and the apartment where the money was found.

“To stem this dangerous trend, this is why we are in full support of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s call that in the anti-corruption war, detractors who deliberately create distraction should be criminalised and prosecuted,” Amaechi said in the statement.

According to him, “The seven-day ultimatum has long expired, yet no action, whether legal or otherwise by Wike to prove his malicious allegations and claim to the money.

“Again, on Friday, May 6, another wonderful opportunity was open for Wike to prove his frivolous allegations against Amaechi and claim the money, before Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
“The judge had on April 13, directed that anyone who owns the money should come forward to claim it. Neither Wike nor his lawyers were anywhere near the court. Again, another no show.”

http://upshotreports.com/ikoyi-43m-wikes-inaction-has-vindicated-me-says-amaechi/

Senior sources in Nigeria’s military have told SaharaReporters that the 82 Chibok girls released today by dreaded Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, regained their freedom after intense negotiation with a faction of the militant group.

The sources disclosed that the deal involved the Federal Government’s release of two senior Boko Haram commanders who had been in detention by the Nigerian security services.

According to one of the sources, a combined team of military and Red Cross negotiators flew the two detained Islamist commanders to Banki town in Borno State where they were handed over to a team of Boko Haram representatives. The Boko Haram team had, in turn, brought the 82 Chibok girls to the outskirts of Banki where a heavy contingent of Nigerian troops took custody of them.

The sources said the negotiators included operatives from military intelligence as well as officials of the Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria’s secret police.

A resident of Banki told our correspondent that he and other members of the town were a bit apprehensive when they saw two helicopters land in the town. “We were not sure why the helicopters were landing until we saw two men handcuffed and driven away in a military convoy and also the Chibok girls driven into town under heavy military escort,” said Sani Usman.

Our military sources also disclosed that the Nigerian government paid Boko Haram a significant amount in foreign currencies in addition to releasing two of the insurgent group’s detainees.

SaharaReporters first broke the news of the latest release of 82 Chibok schoolgirls out of 195 of the girls who remained in captivity. Boko Haram fighters abducted more than 300 schoolgirls on April 14, 2014, but some of the girls managed to flee from their abductors. In October 2016, the Nigerian struck an agreement with Boko Haram under which 21 of the schoolgirls were released. Two others were found wandering out of the sight of their abductors last year.

The Nigerian government has not released the names of the 82 girls released today. A Nigerian government source, who asked for anonymity, disclosed that the girls would be flown first to Maiduguri before heading to Abuja tomorrow.


http://saharareporters.com/2017/05/06/how-nigerian-government-got-82-more-chibok-girls-released-boko-haram

Alhaji Ahmed Ali Gulak was at different times Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on legal matters and political affairs.

In this interview with REMI ADEFULU , the Adamawa-born politician, who is currently the Chief of Staff to the PDP National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, blames the Makarfi camp for the crisis in the party.

What is your position on the state of the PDP?


I think as a fallout of the 2015 general election which the PDP lost, all that has happened should not surprise anybody, because this is a party that I can term the only national party for all Nigerians, a party that has ruled this country for 16 years and losing election in 2015 threw the entire structure of the PDP off balance. From when the former national chairman had to resign, there has been leadership tussle. I had to go to court to challenge Uche Secondus, who said he had to remain the acting chairman and I personally felt that the position belonged to the North-East. If somebody resigns, somebody from that zone must occupy the position before election, but Secondus kept mute. He refused to budge and I had to go to court. The court gave judgment that either me or somebody from the North-East should occupy that position. The National Executive Committee of the party met in this place (Wadata Plaza) and elected Sheriff. Since then, we have been having a running battle. The Federal High Court in Lagos gave Sheriff judgment After, a national convention was held, where Makarfi was made chairman of the caretaker committee. The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt validated the Makarfi caretaker committee.
Again, the Federal High Court in Abuja validated Sheriff as the National Chairman of the party. Courts of same jurisdiction were giving conflicting judgments. All the stakeholders were embroiled in this crisis. Later, we said the crisis is tearing the party, destroying the party. Somebody later suggested that we should rally round whoever wins at the Court of Appeal and thereafter hold a national convention. Now, the Court of Appeal judgment came, declaring Sheriff as the authentic national chairman of the party. Before then, both Makarfi and Sheriff had issued press statements that we shall abide by the outcome of the judgment of the Court of Appeal. But when the judgment came, the Makarfi group said no. Meanwhile, Sheriff said let’s come together, let’s organize a national convention. I am not contesting for the position of chairman any longer.

Don’t you think that suspicion of a hidden agenda by the Makarfi camp is making them uncomfortable?


There is no reason to suspect. Even when Gov. Dickson of Bayelsa State who is the chairman of the reconciliation committee came up with a report and submitted same to Makarfi, they remain unsatisfied. What reason have they got to suspect? No reason at all. Sheriff is saying he is not contesting. Sheriff is saying he’s okay with all the proposals by Dickson. He has said let us form a convention committee cutting across the levels of the party. He has no hidden agenda.

Is it true that the Sheriff camp is working for APC?


You know it is not true. How can anybody say Sheriff is working for APC? Sheriff was in his house. He never wanted to be chairman of PDP. We that were interested from the North-East showed interest for us to lead the party up to the convention, they refused. Twelve governors of the PDP at that time went to Sheriff, not once, not twice, prevailed on him to accept the position. For anybody to say Sheriff is working for APC is just trying to give a dog a bad name. They prevailed on Sheriff to lead the party. They prevailed on Sheriff to contest. Sheriff said he was not going to contest but hold a national convention that he would not contest in.


What is the problem?
Why are ex-President Jonathan’s peace efforts not yielding fruits?



The effort by Jonathan is beautiful. He has met both sides. He has said this legal tussle is enough, let us reconcile and embark on political solution to save this party. That was how the Dickson committee went to work. The committee didn’t just go to work – it was former President Jonathan that kick-started reconciliation. All the proposals in the Dickson committee have been accepted by the NWC led by Modu Sheriff, that convention be done not later than 30th of June. What other solution do you want the party to proffer? All the party organs are keying into it except Makarfi and his few people.
They have the right to go to Supreme Court. They talk as if they own the Supreme Court. They talk as if they will dictate to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court belongs to all Nigerians. The Supreme Court will look at all the facts of the case. The court will not look at your face and say oh, you are the Governor of Ekiti State. No, the Supreme Court will not say oh, Makarfi, you have Jerry Gana behind you, oh, you have the Governor of Ekiti behind you, oh, you deserve judgment. That is not what the Supreme Court will look at. The Supreme Court will look at the facts before it and come up with judgment, but they talk as if what they tell the Supreme Court is what the Supreme Court will do. It is very, very unfortunate on the part of those people.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. That is what the ex-president is saying, that even if you win at the Supreme Court, you still need the people. That was why he suggested political solution. That was why Dickson committee went to work and they came up with a political solution on how to solve this matter once and for all. That was why the NWC accepted in its entirety the proposal of the Dickson committee. This is the way forward. You can see that people have been paying solidarity visits to Sheriff. People are keying in. Supposing they get favourable judgment, is he not going to do convention? He must. Assuming he gets judgment at the Supreme Court, is he not going to do convention? The bottom line is you need convention for the party to elect officers. All hands must be on deck to elect our officers to take this party to the next level.


Do you think Sheriff has done enough to appease the Makarfi camp?



Let me confirm to you that immediately Sherrif got the news of the Court of Appeal judgment, Makarfi was the first person Sheriff called. I was with him. He said all of us have accepted that whichever way it goes we must accept and do national convention. Let us plan this convention committee, so that we can do convention. It was in my presence Makarfi said he would hold consultation and get back to Sheriff.
The next thing we heard was that Makarfi and Fayose said they would not recognize Sheriff, despite the judgment of the Court of Appeal. It is not good to be lawless. The fact that you are a governor does not mean you need to show the world that you are lawless. It’s not good. The Court of Appeal has given judgment, you cannot say you will not recognize that judgment, and you want to go to Supreme Court.
In one breath, you say you are not recognizing the judgment of the Court of Appeal, in another breath, you are going to the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeal has delivered judgment recognizing Sheriff, we will take this judgment to the Supreme Court. It’s their right to go to Supreme Court, but to say we will not recognize the Court of Appeal judgment and in another breath want to go to the Supreme Court speaks volume of the impunity these people are perpetrating. Sheriff has been reaching out to stakeholders. He has reached out to the BoT, he is talking to the governors. Except Governors Fayose, Wike and Okowa, all other governors have recognized the judgment of the Court of Appeal. We are saying let us all come together. Let us recognize what former President Goodluck Jonathan has kick-started. We are saying let us all hold the national convention, and put this crisis behind us.
Are you not bothered that Anambra governorship election is coming soon and this crisis persists?
I am really bothered, but what can you do, if you have impossible people? People who will always change the question when you provide answers to them. That is what is happening. They will always change the situation. While they are perfecting their papers in the Supreme Court, we are moving on.
The Supreme Court is not owned by them. Let them exercise their constitutional rights, but the party should not be held down, more so, that 90 per cent of members have keyed into the political solution. The party must move forward.

http://sunnewsonline.com/makarfi-camp-making-pdp-reconciliation-impossible-gulak/

Barring last minute alteration in its decisions, the Presidential Investigative Panel probing suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ayodele Oke, may have set free the security chief while recommending Lawal for criminal investigation and likely prosecution.
The three-man panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, under the chairmanship of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was constituted two weeks ago and given 14 days to conclude the assignment. Though it has concluded the probe since Wednesday, May 3 the panel will submit its report to President Buhari on Monday.

The panel, which also had the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Munguno (Retd), as members, sat in camera throughout its work.

Lawal was accused of legal and due process violations in the award of contracts to companies handling the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

Oke got into trouble following the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies totaling over N13 billion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in an apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos. The NIA subsequently claimed ownership of the fund, adding that the money was warehoused in the private apartment for covert operations across Nigeria and some neighbouring countries.

The Senate, which had been probing Lawal on alleged contract fraud, on Wednesday, recommended his prosecution after indicting him for allegedly taking bribes to the tune of N500 million from contractors his office awarded contracts to. The Osinbajo panel’s findings, it was gathered, agreed with the upper chamber of the National Assembly on virtually all the issues raised for consideration.

According to presidential sources , the Osinbajo panel was however convinced that the seized N13 billion was no proceed of crime and that it truly belongs to the NIA for its operations following “overwhelming evidence of documents tendered and witnesses called to testify, all of who exonerated Oke of any wrongdoing.”

The panel was also said to have established that soon after Gen. Monguno was appointed the NSA, Oke briefed him “on all on-going operations and projects along with available funds, both in cash and in the banks.” It also agreed with Oke’s submission that the NSA in February 2016 directed a team to verify the NIA’s submissions, as a result of which Gen. Monguno did a memo to Oke on May 17, 2016, informing him of his decision to inform President Buhari on intelligence operations and projects embarked upon by the Agency.

The panel came to that conclusion following oral testimonies and submission of copies of the correspondence involving Buhari, Monguno and Oke. Though the panel in its report had issues with Oke’s explanations on why he used his wife’s company name to procure the Osborne apartment, it could not however indict Oke for money laundering as a result of provisions of paragraph 12(1) & (2) of the National Intelligence Agency Instrument No.1, a subsidiary legislation to National Security Agencies Act, 1986, which states that the NIA reports directly to the president and its accounts are prohibited from external auditing.

A source close to the panel said Oke was able to itemise the $289 million intervention fund approved and released to the agency by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in November, 2014, just as he had stated in his memo to the NSA in 2016.

Though the panel failed to indict the acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu for not handling the investigation in a tidy and professional manner, it however acknowledged the fact that Oke did the right thing by visiting Magu in his office to brief him about the true ownership of the money while the operation was still going on at the Ikoyi apartment.

As at the time of filing this report, it could not be established whether President Buhari will indeed handover Babachir Lawal to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution, or whether Ayo Oke would be allowed to complete his tenure which ends in November or be asked to proceed on terminal leave as soft landing since no case of criminal breach could be established against him.

http://sunnewsonline.com/ikoyigate-osinbajo-panel-may-free-nia-dg/

The EFCC is seeking an order of final forfeiture of the money recovered from a flat at Osborne Towers to the Federal Government even as it revealed that the wife of the embattled director general of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, paid a princely $1.658 million to acquire the Osborne flat.

Mrs. Oke was said to have made a cash payment of $1.658 million for the purchase of the flat between August 25 and September 3, 2015 in the name of a company, Chobe Ventures Limited.
She and her son, Ayodele Oke Junior, are said to be directors in the company.

Mrs. Oke was also said to have made the cash payment in tranches of $700,000, $650,000 and $353,700 to a Bureau de Change, Sulah Petroleum and Gas Limited, which later converted the sums to N360,000,000 and subsequently paid it to Fine and Country Limited for the purchase of the property.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, tendered as exhibit the receipt issued by Fine and Country Limited to Chobe Ventures Limited.

According to Mr. Oyedepo, “The circumstances leading to the discovery of the huge sums stockpiled in Flat 7B, Osborne Towers, leaves no one in doubt that the act was pursuant to an unlawful activity.

“The very act of making cash payment of $1.6 million without going through any financial institution by Mrs. Folashade Oke for the acquisition of Flat 7B, Osborne Towers, is a criminal act punishable by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Amendment Act. I refer My Lord to sections 1(a), 16(d) and 16(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Amendment Act. ”

Also, in the affidavit filed by the prosecution, Chobe Ventures, which is not into any business, was said to be merely incorporated to retain proceeds of suspected unlawful activities of Mr. Oke.

While urging the court to order the permanent forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government, Oyedepo argued that the property, which was purchased in a criminal manner, made the money recovered therein to be proceeds of unlawful acts.”

Mr. Oyedepo further said that that despite the newspaper advertisement of the initial order of April 13, 2017 temporarily forfeiting the money to the Federal Government, no one showed up in court today to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Mr. Oyedepo also observed that Chobe Ventures Limited, in whose apartment the huge sums were recovered, did not come to court to challenge the forfeiture order, despite being served with the motion on notice at its registered address of No. 18 Ogunmodede street, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

He added: “The failure of Chobe Ventures Limited, in whose custody these properties we are seeking to forfeit were found, to show cause before My Lord today why the property (money) should not be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Your Lordship should hold that Chobe Ventures Limited has admitted all the facts deposed to in our affidavit and order the final forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government.”

Earlier, a lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, had filed an application urging the court to suspend further action in the forfeiture proceedings pending the outcome of the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo three-member panel constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the claim by the NIA boss, Mr. Oke, that the money belongs to the agency.

They further argued that the Commission had not yet identified the owner of the money as required by Section 44(2)(k) of the Constitution

However, Mr. Oyedepo urged the court to dismiss the lawyer’s application and award a heavy cost against him for seeking to waste the time of the court.

“I submit that coming to My Lord through the back door by way of this application is a violent abuse of the processes of this court. The application is standing in the way of justice and the applicant even lacks the locus standi to be a party in this suit, ” he added.
Justice Hassan adjourned the matter June 6, 2017.

The prosecution on Thursday closed its case in the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Mr. Saraki is facing 18 counts of false asset declaration-related charges. He is being tried at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja.

His trial continued May 4 after three consecutive adjournments at the instance of the prosecution.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, informed the court about his client’s decision to close its case after the last witness, Bayo Dauda, was cross-examined by the defence counsel, Paul Erokoro.

The prosecution presented four witnesses in all.
Following Mr. Jacob’s statement’s, Mr. Erokoro informed the court of his client’s decision to make a no-case submission on the matter.

He prayed the tribunal to provide the details of its proceedings, to guide the defense while making its application for no-case submission.
He also asked the tribunal for time, to properly analyse the testimonies.

Reacting to Mr. Erokoro’s request, Mr. Jacobs said the defense ought to have been fully guided before making a no-case submission.

He argued that the request for time was unnecessary, since the defense team had already reached its conclusion.

Mr. Jacobs then urged the tribunal to specify the duration of time, in which the defense would be expected to return to the tribunal for its application.
The case was adjourned till June 8 for adoption of written addresses.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/230346-alleged-false-asset-declaration-prosecution-closes-case-sarakis-trial.html

Carry on. pls be objective and elaborate so we will feel as if we are also in the court room with you.

Following a plea bargain agreement, Justice Muhammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, today convicted Yisa Olarenwaju Adedoyin, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for receiving bribe to compromise the 2015 general election.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Mr. Adedoyin for receiving a cash payment of over N70m from Tijani Inda Bashir, a 3rd defendant in the matter. Mr. Bashir had received N234.88 million from the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Deizani Allison-Madueke, for disbursement to his colleagues in the electoral commission.

Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Adedoyin forfeits to the Federal Government of Nigeria a parcel of land measuring 100ft by 100, in Buda-Osho Village, Ilorin-South Local Government Area of Kwara State, and pay a fine of N10m.

Reading his judgment, the judge said he accepted the agreement and that the court would temper justice with mercy considering that the defendant is an elderly person and also a first offender. He also noted that the agreement is in consonance with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Acts (ACJA).

“N5 million has been recovered and surrendered,” Justice Idris said. “Assets attached in excess of N30 million has been recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. It is not in contention that the 2nd defendant is a first-time offender, therefore the court will temper justice with mercy. It is in this light that I find the plea agreement entered into between the Federal government of Nigeria and the second defendant acceptable”.

Meanwhile, Christain Nwosu, an administrative secretary with INEC and 1st defendant in the suit, who had earlier entered into a plea bargain agreement, abandoned the plea and changed his plea to not guilty. Nwosu’s new counsel, Obinna Okereke, accused the anti-graft agency of hoodwinking his client into the earlier plea bargain agreement.

Nwosu had agreed to plea bargain but the process hit problems when the judge insisted he would impose a heavier fine as stipulated by the provisions of the law on which the charge was preferred. Nwosu had agreed to a fine of N500,000 in addition to the N5 million recovered from him during the course of the investigation, but the judge insisted that the fine must be N10m, according to Section 16(2)(b) of the ACJA.

Rotimi Oyedepo, representing the EFCC, presented an amended charge to which Nwosu and Mr. Bashir pleaded not guilty. Oyedepo then asked that the file be sent to the Chief Judge for reassignment since the provision of ACJA stipulates that a judge who had heard and rejected a plea bargain agreement of a defendant cannot preside on the matter should the defendant decide to change his plea.

Responding to this, Nwosu’s lawyer argued that the court need not be in a hurry to return the case file to the chief judge for reassignment. He affirmed that the judge retained jurisdiction in the matter and that his client could not be held to have entered into any plea bargain as he was not given the liberty to choose his counsel and he was ill-advised by the counsel provided by the EFCC.

He urged the court to take the bail application of his client as he had been in the custody of the EFCC for over a month.

Justice Idris adjourned the matter till May 15 for the counsel to address the court on the issue of transferring the case file to the chief judge, and also for hearing on the bail application of the 2nd defendant.


http://saharareporters.com/2017/05/03/court-convicts-inec-official-bribery

Believe Fayose at your own peril.
Always speak from both sides of his mouth.

Cursed Afonja....!!

About 15 commercial banks were on Tuesday barred from dealing in foreign exchange through the recently created small and medium enterprises, SMEs wholesale forex window.

The decision by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to wield the big stick followed persistent complaints against the erring deposit money banks, DMBs, that they were deliberately frustrating efforts by many of the SMEs to access foreign exchange through the new window.

The CBN spokesperson, Isaac Okorafor, who confirmed the action by the apex bank said the decision was based on field monitoring reports, which found eight of the banks not culpable.
Mr. Okorafor did not mention any of the banks involved.

However, a highly-placed source, who requested that his name not be disclosed, identified the eight to include seven of the 22 commercial banks and one non-interest bank.

The banks found not culpable include Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank, Heritage Bank, Sterling Bank, Unity Bank, Zenith Bank and Jaiz Bank.

The source said these were the banks that have been allowed to sell forex to the SMEs segment since the inception of the new window.

The 15 banks sanctioned, the source said, included Citibank, Ecobank, Enterprise Bank, First Bank, First City Monument Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Key Stone Bank, MainStreet Bank, Skye Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, SunTrust Bank, Union Bank of Nigeria, United Bank for Africa, and Wema Bank.

Mr. Okorafor said the CBN frowned at the action of the banks that refused to sell foreign exchange to SMEs to enable them import eligible finished and semi-finished items, despite the availability of forex from the CBN wholesale intervention window.

“All banks that had refused to sell FOREX to the SME actors after accessing over $300 million offered to the SMEs wholesale forex window since its creation last month will be sanctioned accordingly,” he said.
Urging all stakeholders to play by the rules for the benefit of the entire country and its economy, Mr. Okorafor warned that the CBN would not sit back and allow any form of instability in the interbank forex market through the actions of institutions or individuals.

Meanwhile, the CBN continued its intervention in the foreign exchange segment of the financial market by injecting a total of $196.2 million into the various segments on Tuesday.

The CBN offered about $100 million to authorised dealers at Tuesday’s FOREX wholesale auction.
A breakdown of the other interventions indicated that about $52 million was made available to the SMEs segment, while Personal/Basic Travel allowances as well as allocations for medicals and tuition fees received $44.2 million.

Mr. Okorafor also announced interventions in the retail auction window, which he said would be computed when the bank received requests made by customers to the CBN through their respective banks.

He also disclosed that the bank would continue its weekly sale of $20,000 to dealers in the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment this week.

“We are confident that the continued interventions by the CBN will continue to guarantee stability in the market and ensure availability to individuals and business concerns,” Mr. Okorafor said.


http://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/230211-cbn-sanctions-first-bank-gtb-uba-12-others-forex-infractions.html

NPOWER: SOLUTIONS AND UPDATE

(Read Me)

1. MARCH 2017: Since the month of march stipends have been paid on time. Everyone RECIEVE payment on the last day of the month

2. APRIL 2017: On Friday 28 of march many people have RECIEVE their April stipend only few are yet to RECIEVE theirs....

3. NIBSS: VERIFIED VOLUNTEERS WITH CORRESPONDING (V) LOGO on their profile, should have no problem receiving their continuous stipends...
We recognize that not everyone became NIBSS verified at the same time, as such there are BACK-LOGS. in dealing with this, we have begun COLLATING BACK-LOGS PAYMENT FOR AFFECTED VOLUNTEERS.

BACK-LOGS:

A first batch is currently being processed for payment of BACK-LOGS, some 1 MONTH, some 2 MONTHS
Another batch will be done collated by next week and sent in for payment.

4. FOR THOSE WHO ARE YET TO BE VERIFIED: should endeavor to please update their account through the following channels;

A. Fill a complain form on the "NPVN HELP PAGE" and enter their update account details.......

B. Go to your FORCAL PERSONS in the state and they will assist them update their RECORDS to the Npower Team.

C. i. For those who are successful, you will get (V) VERIFIED LOGO.

ii. And for those who do not have validated account, we will share their details through various STATE FORCAL PERSON ON or BEFORE MAY 15.
THANKS.....

SOURCE: PRINCE AHMAD

AmeerahFKI:
So, nobody wants to acknowledge April stipend here. u want to chop and clean mouth.


While, as for me April stipend received. Shukralillah!

I knew u will be one of the early birds for testimony..

Nothing do u

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has frowned on calls by Amnesty International, AI, on the federal government to halt the planned execution of some inmates on death row in Lagos State.

The ministry made the remark in a statement issued by Olushola Enikanolaiye, its Permanent Secretary, on Friday in Abuja.

Mr. Enikanolaye stated that the AI had on April 21, urged the federal government to establish an official moratorium, with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

The permanent secretary, however, said that the Lagos State Government had yet to officially confirm its intention to carry out executions at the Kirikiri Prisons.
According to him, the federal government acknowledges the growing global preference for the abolition of death penalty.

He said that the federal government was aware that total abolition of the capital punishment was yet to be established as a globally acceptable human rights norm.

Mr. Enikanolaye said the claim by the AI that death penalty was an outdated and cruel punishment which violated the right to life was just propaganda by the organisation.

He said that AI by its claim ignored the rights of the traumatised family members of victims of violent crimes and rather threw its weight behind those who committed heinous crimes against Nigerians.

Mr. Enikanolaye explained that death penalty, as contained in Article 6 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights was an exception to the right to life as long as it was not arbitrarily imposed.

“Furthermore, it is reaffirmed that Nigeria, incontrovertibly possesses the sovereign right to determine its laws and operate a criminal justice system within the rule of law.

“The imposition of death penalty is a constitutional matter in Nigeria clearly spelt out under Sections 33(1) and 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“As AI is probably aware, in every democracy, sovereignty belongs to the people,” he said.

According to him, it is therefore repugnant and imprudent for AI to continue condemning Nigeria’s criminal justice system on the basis of AI’s randomly conducted experiment on the use of the death penalty.

“AI should refocus attention on defending the rights of the traumatised family members of victims of violent crimes, rather than the veiled support for those who have committed heinous crimes against the Nigerian people.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to complying with its international human rights obligations while upholding the Constitution and the demonstrated will of the Nigerian people.

“The Federal Government has not deviated from its stated position of a self-imposed de facto moratorium on execution of the death penalty on federal cases following the restoration of democracy in 1999,” he said.

He, however, noted that the federalist nature of democracy equally makes death penalty the prerogative of the state governments to impose and execute in accordance with the Constitution.

According to him, the federal government duly recognises that there is no right more sacred than the right to life.

“Hence, the precondition for imposing the ultimate penalty in Nigeria is conducted with impeccable fairness and propriety, as the Nigerian Judiciary follows an exacting standard and a heightened level of due process in the prosecution of death penalty cases.

“Thus, the well established safeguards for the prevention of wrongful conviction and execution of the death penalty are fully operational in these cases,” he said.

(NAN)

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/229899-nigerian-govt-blasts-amnesty-international-defends-death-penalty.html

Senators George Thompson Sekibo (Rivers East) and Magnus Abe (Rivers South East) thursday differed over the N13 billion found in an Ikoyi apartment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

While Sekibo insisted that the money belongs to the Rivers State Government, Abe called for him to be summoned to appear before the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led panel, to provide proof to buttress his claim.

Sekibo is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while Abe was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sekibo, in a point of order raised at plenary yesterday, said the Rivers State Government had already ‘blown a whistle’ that money amounting to $700 million was taken from the coffers of the state.

The state Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, had claimed that the N13 billion is part of monies allegedly stolen from the state by former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

“We have a suspicion and our suspicion is coming through this direction: the Rivers State government had forwarded a petition claiming the loss of over $700 million allegedly taken by the former governor of the state, and we prayed the Senate to do something about it at that time, but it became too political,” he said.
He called on the Osinbajo committee to unravel the real owner of Flat 7B, where the money was found.
Adding some drama to his presentation, Sekibo blew a whistle in the chamber.

“That was a whistle that the state government blew at the time. We are coming back to say that money found in that 7b – we have done our interim investigation by the state government, and we are blowing the whistle the second time. We trust the capacity of the vice-president as the chairman of the investigative team. And on behalf of my constituents, I am blowing the whistle a second time,” he said and blew the whistle three times.

Abe, while reacting in an interview with journalists, said Sekibo should provide the panel with facts to prove his whistle blowing stunt at the Senate.

“With the information that Senator Sekibo said he has now, it would be appropriate for the panel headed by the vice president to invite him to present his fact. I urge Sekibo having blown the whistle in the Senate, he should take the whistle to the panel and blow it there, just as he did in the Senate,” he said.
He added that a serious issue was being reduced to a political witch hunt.

Abe noted that while Nigerians should be appreciative of whistle blowers who have presented facts that have led to recoveries of monies that may have been stolen, there should be consequences for false whistle blowing.

“There must be consequences for false whistle blowing when you do not have facts, because falsely blowing whistle leads to trauma for the families of those involved. When your political opponents blow whistle in your direction, then you deal with trauma,” he said.
He cited the case of the raid on the home of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje.

“As a consequence of false whistle blowing, budget documents are said to have disappeared and the committee has come out to say it was affected by the raid in Goje’s property,” Abe added.


https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/04/28/rivers-senators-differ-on-n13bn-ikoyi-money/

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed why he opposed the re-election of immediate past president, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.

Mr. Obasanjo’s reasons are contained in a book, Against the Run of Play, written by Mr. Segun Adeniyi, Chairman of the Editorial Board of ThisDay Newspapers.

The book, an account of what happened in the 2015 presidential election, is due for public presentation in Lagos on Friday.

The relationship between the former presidents, noted the author, had soured long before the election. Mr. Jonathan, whose political rise is widely credited to Mr. Obasanjo’s influence, had sought to make up with his presumed benefactor and keep him on his side for re-election. He arranged for a meeting with Mr. Obasanjo in his Abeokuta home.

Before leaving for the Ogun State leg of his campaign in January 2015 wrote the author, Mr. Jonathan had concluded plans to visit Mr. Obasanjo, who had agreed to meet him.

Mr. Obasanjo, however, gave a condition: Jonathan must come along with someone of sufficient credibility to act as a witness at the meeting. Mr. Jonathan agreed to bring one along.

He approached the hugely influential General Overseer (GO) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor EA Adeboye, who accepted to play the role of a witness.

But on the evening of 12 January 2015, the agreed date of the meeting scheduled for Mr. Obasanjo’s Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Pastor Adeboye arrived in the company of Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel.
“It was only Pastor Adeboye that Jonathan told me was coming with him, but Bishop Oyedepo is a man I also know very well, so I had no problem with his presence at the meeting,” Mr. Obasanjo was quoted as saying.

The meeting, stated the author, was an unpleasant one for Mr. Jonathan, a man Mr. Obasanjo had assisted to become Vice President and then President. Mr. Obasanjo frontally told Mr. Jonathan that he was not going to support his re-election bid, saying he considered his performance as president sub-par and that he had acted less than honorably for reneging on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zoning arrangement, which prescribed that it was the turn of the North to produce the president.

“I told him in the presence of his witness that I was not going to support him for a second-term and I gave my reasons. Aside the issue of zoning on which he was reneging, his stewardship up to that point had also shown very clearly that he was not up to the job,” Obasanjo reportedly said to the author in December 2016.

Mr. Obasanjo, according to the author, claimed to have nothing personal against Mr. Jonathan, explaining that his disagreement with him was based on certain principles on which he was not prepared to compromise.

“My decision was based on what would be for the good of Nigeria and since I didn’t consider Jonathan god enough, I told him to his face. What would I be afraid of?” asked Obasanjo.

The outcome of the meeting was a huge blow to Mr. Jonathan, who was initially billed to be on the ballot in February 2015 before the eventual postponement of the election. Mr. Jonathan, expectedly, left Abeokuta dejected.

The outcome of the meeting was the culmination of years of disdain, initially muted, with which Mr. Obasanjo held the Jonathan presidency. Signs of his irritation first manifested on 3 April 2012, when he resigned his position as chairman of PDP Board of Trustees.

Two months later, he delivered a wounding assessment of the Jonathan’s administration’s capacity to confront corruption.

On 15 June 2012, at a debate organized by the club De Madrid (an independent, non-profit organization comprising 80 former democratic presidents and prime ministers from fifty-six countries) in Geneva, Switzerland, Mr. Obasanjo laid into the Jonathan administration with full force.

“I haven’t seen that will of persistency and consistency in Nigeria because the people that are involved in corruption, they are strongly entrenched and unless you are ready to confront them at the point of even giving your life for it, then you will give in, that is the end of it,” he told BBC

Ritula Shah, moderator of the debate. Clever sniping by an accomplished verbal sniper. From then on, Mr. Jonathan was a sitting duck.

A year later, Mr. Obasanjo abandoned sniping for an all-out shootout. His first major target was the oil pipelines protection initiative of the Jonathan administration.
“This morning, on my way from Abeokuta by road, I was listening to the radio. I heard that the Jonathan administration said that they are going to set up an agency for pipeline protection. Now, what are the police there for? What are all the security agencies doing? This is another chop-chop,” Mr. Obasanjo said in Abuja during a thanksgiving ceremony to mark the 50th birthday of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education.

He sustained his attack with details of how he thought the Jonathan administration was not interested in accountability, noting that its handling of the Boko Haram insurgency indicated that if allowed to continue in power, Mr. Jonathan could fatally damage the country. “Jonathan and his people turned Boko Haram into an industry for making money. Rather than seek for solution, Boko Haram became an ATM machine for taking money out of the treasury. Take the issue of the Chibok tragedy. If he had acted within the first 48 hours, they would have found most of the girls. The CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) Chairman of the local chapter in Chibok was here to see me and he explained how they were helpless with no reaction from the authorities for several days,” the book quoted Mr. Obasanjo as saying.

The author noted that Mr. Obasanjo had advised early in the life of the Jonathan administration that Jonathan, as president, needed to pay more attention to the Boko Haram insurgency, a counsel that was ignored.

In November 2012, the author stated, at a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary on the pulpit of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the then CAN President, Obasanjo suggested that the Jonathan administration was mishandling the challenge posed by the insurgency.
“My fear is that when you have a sore and you don’t attend to it early enough, it festers and becomes very bad. Don’t leave a problem that can be bad unattended…if you say you don’t want a strong leader who can have all the characteristic of a leader, including the fear of God, then you have a weak leader and the rest of the problems is yours,” he said at the occasion.

Mr. Obasanjo also accused Mr. Jonathan of clannishness and promotion of a form of Ijaw triumphalism, which he described as “sickening”.
“I once asked him: ‘What is this Ijaw thing all about? Can the Ijaw people make you president?’ I remember when he granted pardon to Alamieyeseigha (Diepriye, the former governor of Bayelsa State convicted for corruption) and it became an international embarrassment. I also asked him: ‘Why did you do it?’ He started by offering a lame excuse that it was a Council of State decision before I reminded him that Council of State was merely advisory and that the decision was his. After a while, he said if I was at the meeting, he probably would have acted differently because nobody opposed him on what he could do to address the problem.

But it was either because he didn’t have the courage to broach the issue with Alamieyeseigha or he didn’t think it was important. he did nothing afterward,” Adeniyi reported Obasanjo as saying.


The author also noted that the public conduct of some Ijaw men such as ex-militant, Mujahid Dakubo-Asari, and a former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark damaged the image of Jonathan and that of his administration.

Mr. Adeniyi observed that the fact that Mr. Jonathan did not restrain them created the impression that he supported what they were saying and doing. For instance, in May 2013, recalls Adeniyi, Dakubo-Asari said Niger Delta militants would throw the country into chaos if Mr. Jonathan was not re-elected in 2015. Again, on September 9th, 2013, he declared that Jonathan’s presidential ambition in 2015 was already settled.

“The way things are going, there is no sitting on the fence in the battle before us… All of us will have to be in the ring and fight. 2015 is already a settled matter. Goodluck Jonathan would be president in 2015,” Dakubo-Asari declared.

A few days later, Chief Clark did the same, saying Jonathan would remain President in 2015 because it was not yet the turn of the North.

“In the Constitution of Nigeria, every president has two elections to be contested. (Alhaji Shehu) Shagari did it in1979 and 1983. In 1999, (Chief Olusegun) Obasanjo did it and 2003. In 2007, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of blessed memory did it and if he had remained alive, he would have done it again in 2011. So, Jonathan has the right to contest again. This is an incumbent that has not done a second-term. It is not yet the turn of northerners. They have the right to contest as Nigerians. Yes, but in other parties,” said Chief Clark.

At the same occasion, the late Alamieyeseigha bragged: “Aso Rock is not vacant. The northern agitators will all, at the appropriate time, join the moving train. They may have their opinion, but I can assure you that President |Jonathan will remain as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2015.”

The author equally observed that Mr. Obasanjo, was, on many occasions, the target of attacks by prominent Ijaw leaders and groups. This, states the author, was one of the reasons for his famous open letter to President Jonathan in December 2013. Titled, “Before it is too late,” Mr. Obasanjo’s letter accused Mr. Jonathan of pursuing selfish interest by destroying his own party, polarizing the country along regional and religious lines and ridiculing Nigerians globally. “For you to allow yourself to be ‘possessed’, so to say, to the exclusion of most of the rest of Nigerians as an Ijaw man is a mistake that should never have been allowed to happen. To allow or tacitly encourage people of Ijaw to throw insults on other Nigerians from other parts of the country and threaten fire and brimstone to protect your interest as an Ijaw man is myopic and that you are not openly quieting them is even more unfortunate,” wrote Mr. Obasanjo.

Obasanjo’s criticisms of Mr. Jonathan were a boon to the opposition, whose disparate bits were in the process of coalescing into the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be reinforced by the defection of some PDP governors.
Cleverly painting Mr. Jonathan as dishonorable, Mr. Obasanjo said Mr. Jonathan told him before the 2011 election that he would serve for a single term and made the same promise to governors, party stakeholders, and Nigerians.


“As a leader, two things you must cherish and hold dear, among others, are trust and honor, both of which are important ingredients of character. I will want to see anyone in the office of the presidency of Nigeria as a man and woman who can be trusted, a person of honor in worth and character,” Mr. Obasanjo stated.

He referred to the “gentleman agreement” of a single term brokered in 2011. “Up till two months ago, Mr. President, you told me that you have not told anybody that you would contest in 2015. I quickly pointed out to you that the signs and measures on the ground do not tally with your statement. You said the same to one other person, who shared his observations with me. And only a fool will believe that statement you made to me judging by what is going on. I must say it is not ingenious. You may wish to pursue more credible and honorable path,” Mr. Obasanjo added.

Mr. Jonathan responded in kind and his battle axes in the media went for Mr. Obasanjo, an indication that a full-blown war had been declared. An expert at milking situations, Mr. Obasanjo did not allow his former protégé any respite. Speaking at the Ake Arts and Books Festival in Abeokuta, he delivered a dim verdict on Mr. Jonathan when asked to rate his administration.
“I rate this current administration below average. When the head is rotten, the whole body is useless,” he said woundingly.

In what seemed an attempt to deflect the accusation that he yoked the country with the Jonathan presidency, the author quotes Mr. Obasanjo as saying Mr. Jonathan was not his first choice as running mate to the late Yar’Adua.

“It was Dr. Peter Odili. But whether by fate or by some conspiracy, Odili had hurdles that made it impossible for him to take the position. That was how I settled for Jonathan,” the former president is quoted as saying.
While admitting not knowing Yar’Adua and Jonathan well enough, he stated that you can only accurately gauge people’s capacities when they are given power and responsibility.

Obasanjo also rejected the notion that he knew that Yar’Adua was terminally ill before anointing him his successor.
“One, the lingering doubts about his health, while the other was a very pervasive allegation that he had a manipulative wife, who had too much influence on him,” the book quoted him as saying.
Mr. Obasanjo, however, said the accusation against Yar’Adua’s wife was out of jealousy, as she was close to the husband. On Yar’Adua’s health, Obasanjo told the author: “Not being a medical practitioner, I gave the report to a friend and a renowned professional in the medical field, who reviewed it, and told me the person in the report that he was not on dialysis, by which he meant either he didn’t have kidney problem or that he has successfully undergone a kidney transplant. That was the report I had about his health.”

Explaining why he endorsed Jonathan for the 2011 presidential ticket, following Yar’Adua’s demise, Mr. Obasanjo said: “I saw the emergence of Jonathan an opportunity to solve the problem of minority agitation. The three majority ethnic groups in Nigeria can always sort themselves out but not so for the minority.


A good example is my state here in Ogun. Despite the best intentions, nobody from Ogun west has been able to become governor because of this minority issue and it will take a conscious effort to make it happen. So, it was in that context that I had to plead with prominent people in the north to allow Jonathan run for a term.”
Signs that Mr. Jonathan was not going to be a successful president, according to Mr. Obasanjo, manifested in certain actions the man took early in the life of his administration. One of such, he said, was the appointment of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke as Minister of Petroleum Resources, an action he said he warned against and for which he received assurances was not going to be taken.

“He (Jonathan) gave me the impression that he was not going to give her the portfolio. At the end, he did and then we can see the consequences. He, of course, knew what he was doing,” he told the author.

Mr. Obasanjo’s rift with his protégé oiled the opposition machine operated by Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, behind whom many disaffected politicians, including from the PDP, were queuing. He, however, denied supporting Mr. Buhari.

“I didn’t join them in supporting Buhari, I joined in opposing Jonathan, so Buhari was just a beneficiary of my opposition to Jonathan since my position was AOBJ: Any Option But Jonathan,” he told the author.

He explained that Mr. Jonathan and his supporters thought they could buy the country. “They were so arrogant about it that the PDP will print only one nomination form for him and him alone. If he was wise, he would have yielded the ticket to somebody else in the PDP,” he stated.

The former president also depicted Mr. Jonathan as corrupt and lacking the capacity to deal with Boko Haram in his three-part book, My Watch.

This, observed the author, was hugely damaging to Mr. Jonathan’s profile and persuaded the US and Britain to lean towards Mr. Buhari, whom they believed was strong on those key issues. Ever the man to time his attacks well, Mr. Obasanjo, in January 2015, just a few weeks to the initial date of the election, accused Mr. Jonathan of squandering $25 billion crude oil savings left behind by his administration.
The crippling allegation was made when he hosted southwest women leaders at his residence in Abeokuta. “Our reserve after we had paid off the debt was about $45 billion. As I said, it continued till the end of 2007, I heard that the reserve increased to almost $67 billion before the end of the year. Our reserve now, I learned, is left with around $30 billion. That is why the naira has been falling against the dollar,” he said.
While he mentioned no name, he left his audience in no doubt the target of his barbs.

“In the profession, I know very well, the military, what we normally say is that there are no bad soldiers, but bad officers. If you see a situation where the soldiers are not doing very well, you need to examine the officers in charge. So, it is in the family, the community, the town and the country,” Obasanjo stated.


He followed it up with an advice to Nigerians to use their votes judiciously during the general elections. Mr. Jonathan created some breathing space for himself when, two days after the scalding from Mr. Obasanjo, his government rescheduled the elections by six weeks.
But again, Mr. Obasanjo stepped up his attack, accusing Mr. Jonathan of copying former Cote d’Ivoire president, Laurent Gbagbo, who kept postponing election so he could manipulate the process.

“It looks to me that the President is trying to play ‘Gbagbo’. I believe this is the sort of thing Nigeria may fall into if I am right in what I observed as the grand plan. We all remember that in the run-off Gbagbo lost with 8 percent behind Ouattara and then refused to handover. All reasonable persuasion and pleading was rebuffed by him and unleashed horror in that country until nemesis caught up with him,” Obasanjo said in London.

He equally expressed a dim view of the role of the military and security chiefs in rescheduling the elections.
“I believe the President’s concern or fear is not about life out of office per se, but he and I have had occasions to talk about this, both seriously and jovially. I believe the President’s fear is particularly motivated by the person he sees as his likely successor, that is General Buhari. I believe people must have been telling him that Buhari is a hard man and he will fight corruption and he (Jonathan) will end up in jail if not in the grave,” added Mr. Obasanjo.

The attack, unsurprisingly, got the Jonathan camp red-eyed. Spokesperson of the Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, accused Mr. Obasanjo of desperately wanting to see Mr. Jonathan defeated.

“He has raised issues and made assertions that are capable of derailing our democracy and creating chaos in the land. It is vital that we consider his motives for this latest outburst and his credentials as a leader and an elder statesman. The truth is that he knows that President Jonathan will win the next month’s presidential election and that it why he wants to destroy the credibility of the whole process right from the beginning,” said Fani-Kayode.

http://saharareporters.com/2017/04/27/jonathan-used-boko-haram-insurgency-turn-nigeria-his-atm-obasanjo

Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega, has replied ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, over comments he made concerning the 2015 general elections.

Jonathan in a book, Against the Run of Play, written by ThisDay Editorial Board Chairman, Olusegun Adeniyi,
expressed disappointment with how Jega conducted the election.

Reacting though his Special Assistant, Prof Mohammed Kuna, Jega disagreed with Jonathan’s belief that the wide margin between the presidential election and National Assembly results in Kano State was a reflection of a flawed election.

The former President said it was strange that the state recorded 1.8 million votes in the presidential poll and 800,000 in the National Assembly election on the same day.

But Prof Kuna dismissed Jonathan’s claims and insisted that the introduction of the card reader made it difficult to manipulate elections and inflate results.

“There is nothing particularly special about the Kano result; it is a general trend as many voters were more interested in the presidential election than in other elections. That was what happened across the country and you can go and do the tabulation.

“With the card reader, it is no longer possible to return results that are higher than the accredited voters. If you analyse the results nationally, you will discover the same trend.”

Meanwhile, Senator Abubakar Girei, who represented Adamawa Central Senatorial Zone from 1999 to 2003 has slammed Jonathan for blaming his electoral defeat in 2015 presidential race on some persons.
Girei said Jonathan was the architect of his own defeat and not anyone and that he should bury his head in shame.

http://dailypost.ng/2017/04/27/jega-replies-jonathan-comments-conduct-2015-election/

The Nigeria Police has replied a former Governor of Gombe State and Senator representing Gombe Central, Senator Abdullahi Danjuma Goje, that they (police) should be held responsible for the alleged ‘missing’ of the 2017 budget.

Goje, whose house was recently raided by the Police, is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations.
In a motion of personal explanation raised on the floor on Wednesday, the Senator said, the Police, in addition to the sum of N18m cash retrieved from over 50 occupants of his residence, also took away his laptop computer and 18 office files, where the 2017 Appropriation Bill was being worked upon.

Replying to the allegation in a statement issued Wednesday night by the Force PRO, Moshood Jimoh, the police described the claim as false and misleading.
Jimoh said, “the report in its entirety is false, misleading and capable of misinforming Nigerians about the statutory roles and duties of the Nigeria Police Force as provided under Sections 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations, which includes prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations, and authority to enter any house or premises to execute search warrant.

“It is pertinent to set the record straight and inform Nigerians of the facts of the matter. A search warrant duly obtained from court of competent jurisdiction was professionally executed in the house of Senator Danujma Goje on 20th April, 2017 at No. 10 Haile Salasie Street, Asokoro District Abuja which was subsequent upon intelligence report at the disposal of the Force that large sum of money suspected to be stolen public funds and other incriminating items are about to be moved out of the said house.

“It is worthy of note that on arrival of the Police team to Senator Danujma Goje’s house, the house keeper Ango Usman informed the Senator of the presence and mission of the team and he promised coming but later switched off his phone.

“The search warrant was successfully executed in the presence of three (3) close relatives of Senator Danjuma Goje who are residing in the house and the recoveries were made in their presence. The three (3) relatives listed below opened the house and took the Police team round the building, and endorsed their signatures after the completion of the search as required by the procedure of law on search warrant which contained the money, documents and Laptop recovered, and none of the items include 2017 budget document.”

The police said there was nothing like budget among the items recovered from the senator’s house.
He added, “For avoidance of doubt, the followings are the sum of money both in local and foreign currencies, vital documents and a Laptop recovered for investigation when the search warrant was executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje.

i. Cash sum of Eighteen Million and Fifty Six Thousand Naira (₦18,056,000) only

ii. Cash sum of Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty (19,850 US Dollars).

iii. Cash sum of Nine Thousand Four Hundred (SR9, 400) Saudi Riyal

iv. Thirty Eight (38) Files and Six (6) Envelopes containing documents, some of which are listed below

a. File on funds spent on security administration and information gathering– a-g – 2009

b. File on release of funds for Special operations a- f – 2009

c. File on Gombe State Government of Nigeria Cash inflow 2005

d. File on Project 2007 – Executive Briefs on how to fight opposition in Gombe State – Strategies and Tactics

e. Envelopes containing permit to operate as an Oil Industry Service Company (special categories) 2011

f. A File containing write-ups on how Governor Shekarau plotted the assassination of Sheikh Jafaru

g. Letters from Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Sarkin Yakin Gombe) to the MD LUBELL Nigeria Ltd of proposed residential Devt at Kashere Phase II dated 16/01/2007 and 19/11/2010,” it said.

The Nigeria Police Force insisted that there was no single document relating to 2017 budget sighted or removed by the Police team that executed the search warrant. There is video recording of the execution of the search warrant.

“The Inspector General of Police honoured the invitation of the National Assembly on 26th April, 2017 to explain the legality of the search warrant that was executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje on the 20th of April, 2017.

“Further investigation is currently ongoing into the matter. Police actions are in line with the provisions of Sec. 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations as mentioned in paragraph 2 above and consistent with Sec. 9 & 144 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.”

The statement described the claim by Senator Danjuma Goje as a deliberate distraction to cast aspersion on Police investigation to pervert justice.


http://dailypost.ng/2017/04/27/missing-budget-police-reply-senator-goje-vow-tender-video-evidence/

The Chairman of the Senate committee on appropriations whose residence was raided by the police last week, has said files containing work on the 2017 budget proposal were carted away during the raid.

Mr. Goje, a former Gombe State governor, made the disclosure before the Senate on Wednesday when the matter came under Order 43 of the Senate Rules and he was asked to report the raid on his residence, located at Asokoro, Abuja.

Mr. Goje’s committee, alongside a similar one at the House of Representatives, has oversight responsibility over the country’s budget.
He told the Senate that the police carted away laptops and 18 documents that contained the work of his committee on the 2017 budget.

The report on the budget proposal was scheduled to be laid this week.
He added that the operatives broke into rooms whose keys they could not get and also carted away a sum of N18 million.

PREMIUM TIMES had provided details of the raid including documents and money recovered by the police team.
In its resolution, the Senate tasked an ad-hoc committee to look into the matter and also investigate the circumstances around the alleged attempted assassination of Dino Melaye.
The police are yet to make a public statement over the raid.

The current 2016 budget, by the provision of the 2016 Appropriations Act, expires on May 5.
But with the development, with the claim of losing files, the 2017 budget may not be ready for legislative passage before the expiration of the current budget.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/229684-danjuma-goje-speaks-says-police-carted-away-2017-budget-documents-raid.html

The Federal High Court Lagos on Wednesday granted a fresh exparte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an order forfeiting the sum of $5.8 million belonging to former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan.

EFCC wants the sum forfeited to the Federal Government pending the determination of the motion on notice. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun held: “Order is granted as prayed”.

The new order was granted 24 hours after the EFCC withdrew a pending application for stay of the court’s judgment which had earlier unfrozen Jonathan’s account.


http://saharareporters.com/2017/04/26/court-orders-forfeiture-patience-jonathan’s-58m

NPOWER Portal Updated With Stipend Payment

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CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL DETAILS: http://www.hotgistnaija.com/npower-adds-stipend-payment-history-to-npvn-portal/

ABUJA —THE Presidential Committee on Ease of Doing Business has slashed deadline for registration of new businesses from 10 to two days and effected a 24-hour timeline for registration of companies.
President Muhammadu Buhari
This takes effect from when an application form is completed and all required documents made available.
Similarly, it stated that all prospective business owners could now search on Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, portal (www.cac.gov.ng ) to avoid duplication of names and prevent selection of prohibited names, while company registration no longer requires lawyers.
According to the committee, it is now optional for Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, to hire lawyers to prepare registration documents.
These were among the highlights of a report presented at a Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, at yesterday’s meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, which marked the end of the 60-day Action Plan on Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria reforms, was chaired by Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, at the instance of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was engaged with the work of the Presidential Investigative Panel.
Other ministers at the meeting included Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of State for Industry Trade & Investment, Aisha Abubakar, and her counterpart in Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.
Other government dignitaries at the meeting includedHead of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, and several heads of MDAs.
The report which was presented by Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Trade & Investment indicated that “CAC has introduced single incorporation form (CAC1.1) to save time and reduce costs, while the agency has introduced document upload interface on its website to enable e-submission of registration documents.”
Other aspects of the reforms actualized in the last 60 days included the Integrated FIRS e-payment solution into CAC portal to enable e-stamping while the reform empowers CAC internal lawyers to certify company incorporation forms and conduct statutory declaration of compliance for a fixed fee of N500.
The report also listed dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit and paying taxes, as some of the areas where the council has recorded progress in the past 60 days.
It also highlighted the completed reforms on the “Entry and Exit of People,” indicator which includes Simplified Visa-on-Arrival process, infrastructural improvements at Abuja airport, and the new Immigration Regulation 2017.
It further indicated that the completed reforms were being closely monitored to ensure diligent implementation with minimal disruption, while pending reforms were being escalated to ensure completion in the coming weeks.
On Trading across Borders, some of the completed reforms include palletisation of imports, advanced cargo manifests, reduction in documentation requirements and scheduling of Joint Physical Examination by the Customs Service.
The National Action Plan contained initiatives and actions implemented by responsible Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, the National Assembly, a number of state governments, as well as some private sector stakeholders.
The council emphasised that with the conclusion of implementation of the Action Plan, the next phase would involve “deepening existing reforms; completing and implementing pending initiatives; engaging with the public; validating completed reforms and kicking-off medium-term reforms.”
The council would also kick-start “sub-national reforms across Nigeria’s 36 states; trading within Nigeria; kick-off of initiatives and reforms improving business processes and regulations within Nigeria; and ease of movement of goods within and across regions in Nigeria.”
Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Ameachi said 15 of 22 reforms had been taken, adding that the committee would conclude its work on or before June.
“This is the meeting of the Presidential Council on the Ease of doing business.
We met and we looked at 22 reform items. we have met 70 percent of them. We have done 15 out of 22 and the rest we think we can complete it before June.
‘’ We looked at Land registry in states where we are using as pilot; FAAN entry and exit. You have seen the development at Abuja airport. From Abuja, we are going to lagos airport and other airports in the country.
“The vice president is very busy. After sometime, he asked me to chair the meeting. I will go upstairs to brief him,” Amaechi said.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/presidency-cuts-deadline-for-business-registration-to-2-days/