₦airaland Forum

FIFA U-17 World Cup Final may not be broadcast - As LOC owes TV station N3.5bn
http://www.tribune.com.ng/13112009/news/news3.html
Ade Somefun, Abuja - 13.11.2009

LESS than 72 hours to the end of the ongoing Nigeria 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Africa Independent Television (AIT), which was awarded the broadcast rights by FIFA, is being owed about N3.5 billion by the main Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the competition.

AIT, according to investigations, has not been paid a kobo by the LOC, though it spent about N12 billion to put the International Broadcast Co-ordination Centre (IBCC), where all the broadcast activities for the competition are being co-ordinated and later distributed to the various international stations.

It was gathered that AIT, because of its lean purse, could no longer provide the required services to the world, having been cut off by the MTN, which is its service provider, as a result of non-payment.

Further findings have it that AIT is indebted to the sum of N700 million, which is the amount MTN is claiming for providing fibre optic, internet connectivity and telephone lines being used at the competition, which has now been cut off.

What that means is that, transmitting of the remaining matches and the closing ceremony will not be taken live and this is contrary to the contract AIT signed with FIFA before it was awarded the broadcast rights.

Reacting to the internet problem, FIFA, through its media officer, Arai Hidenori, a Japanese, informed AIT that there was still no internet and fixed lines at the IBCC, “we need connections for tomorrow’s match; please, help us.”

Mr. Tony Akiotu, the Acting Managing Director of Daar Communication Plc, the parent body of AIT, told the Nigerian Tribune, on Thursday, in his office, that the situation was very critical.

Mr. Akiotu confirmed that MTN had cut off AIT’s internet facilities, because of the N700 million it was owing them, adding, “this is not our fault, as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) is yet to pay a kobo up to date. And as I talk to you, we are, indebted to Fidelity Bank Plc, having taken a loan from it to prosecute the project. The total expenditure is a little over N12 billion which was used to purchase eight uplink trucks, building of the IBCC and equipping it with the required standard internet facilities and other relevant facilities, as recommended by FIFA.

“I must say the LOC has not been fair to us after everything said and done. In fact, we requested for N5 billion, which was later reduced to about N3.5 billion after a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Harmonisation and Negotiation, headed by Director-General of the National Sports Commission, (NSC), Chief Patrick Ekeji, which approved the said amount.

“We (AIT) agreed to the amount simply because we believed that as a Nigerian company, we should be seen to be contributing our little quota to the development of the nation and this we have done through the sacrifice we’ve made as far as the Host Broadcast Rights are concerned.

“ It is obvious the LOC is insensitive to our plight.

“We have written about eight letters to government on the issue, hoping for the best, held meetings with the Sports Minister and LOC officials but nothing has improved.

“This is rather frustrating. We held trust for the LOC as Host Broadcasters, with FIFA in the picture, only to be denied our entitlements. We cannot guarantee that the final and closing ceremony will be transmitted live to the world, as MTN has cut off its services. As Host Broadcasters, we are to provide the signals to the world. We have the mandate to produce highlights of the matches to be sent to all the stations the world over. But I am afraid, this will not be possible, unless we settle the debt we are owing MTN. It will be embarrassing if we fail to send signals out,” Akiotu stated.

All efforts to get the comments of the LOC proved abortive, as the mobile line of Emeka Odikpo, General Manager, Media, was not going through.

Minister in trouble over N3.5bn police fund - Companies awarded contracts have no fixed addresses - Reps allege - As EFCC quizzes NECO boss, 2 others over N2.4bn scam

From Bola Badmus and Lanre Adewole - 13.11.2009

THE House of Representatives, on Thursday, expressed great displeasure with the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Lame, for allegedly misapplying a sum of N3.5 billion out of N5.2 billion appropriated by the National Assembly for the establishment of Strategic Crime Prevention projects in seven cities across the country.

The concerned cities are Lagos, Kano, Maiduguri, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan, where the police force was to be made more proactive in combating crime.

Committee on Police Affairs, headed by Honourable Abdul Ningi, expressed this concern at the interaction it had with the minister and his team with Deputy Speaker, Honourable Usman Bayero Nafada, in attendance.

According to information, the money was approved for the police before Lame became minister, but members of the Police Affairs Committee were worried that he could spend the huge sum without recourse to the National Assembly.

At the interaction, members expressed shock at the alleged discovery that most of the companies used by the minister for various projects had no fixed addresses, while the projects did not achieve 20 per cent of completion.

Some members even walked out on the minister to express their anger with the way he was parrying questions from the Abdul Ningi-led committee.

The minister had claimed that he spent the huge amount already accessed, after passing through due process, on capacity- building for the police, buying of specialised vehicles and modern communication gadgets based on expert advice.

But deputy Speaker, Honourable Nafada and the committee chairman, Honourable Ningi, declared that the minister missed the point, saying the intention of the president had been misconstrued as well.

According to the deputy Speaker, the intention of President Umaru Yar’Adua, as enunciated in his Seven- point Agenda, was to have some cities in the country, where security of life would be fully guaranteed and the police responding to distress calls within five minutes.

He said such cities were found in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Western world, disclosing that the president had the intention of having one or two such cities in the country for a start. But the House, while passing the Budget 2009 into law, increased the number to seven.

Committee boss, Ningi, said the idea of the House, as agreed to by the former minister of finance, was to report back to the committee once it was resolved at the executive level on what to spend the N3.5 billion to achieve Yar’Adua’s dream of seven security- tight cities.

He said his committee came to the conclusion, because the N5.2 billion was appropriated as a matter of priority as one of the Seven-point Agenda of the president without seeing the details, as to what and what to be procured or what the project would look like.

He, therefore, challenged the minister to produce a breakdown of the amounts spent on each of the seven cities, adding that “one of the concepts of this project was to make the police arrive a crime scene or respond to a distress call within five minutes.

“What exactly have you done in trying to achieve this objective? How much have you released to each of the seven cities? We want specifics; let us know how much has been released.”

Lame had claimed ignorance of the meeting, saying he was not informed on time. “I was not informed of this discussion. It was a purely procurement contract. But we wanted to build capacity, so I got experts to help me. If I knew I was coming to the House today, I would have prepared better.”

He also stated that the former minister of finance did not bring it to his knowledge that he had to come before the House to show the project designs before getting approval.

Meanwhile, Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Professor Promise Okpala, Director of Finance, Mr. Isaac Ishola and the Assistant Director/Secretary of Tenders Board/Head, Procurement, Mr. Adesina Adetona have been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since last Monday over an alleged N2.4 billion scam.

They were arrested in Minna, headquarters of the examinations body, and moved to Abuja.

Commission’s spokesperson, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest and detention, but declined comments on details.

A commission source, however, revealed that the trio who had been on the radar of the commission for some time were eventually picked up after investigation into the allegations against them showed that they had a case to answer.

Commission’s operatives had penultimate week arrested Isaac in Minna and taken him to Tundun Wada Police Station before he was taken to Alovera Hotel, believed to be owned by him, for a search.

Adetona was also arrested and quizzed for several hours, while Okpala was alleged to be evading arrest.

The entire alleged scam was said have involved about N5 billion.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/11112009/news/news1.html
Navy uncovers plot to destabilise Nigeria


Adelowo Oladipo, Lagos - 11.11.2009

THE Nigerian Navy Command, on Tuesday, alerted that it had uncovered secret plans by some disgruntled individuals led by one Commodore Benson Edema to destabilise the country.

It said that the group had allegedly been recruiting and training some youths in weapon handling and military tactics, highlighting that some of them had been posing as naval personnel in Lagos and other parts of the country and wreaking havoc.

Their activities, according to the Director of Naval Information, Commodore David Nabaida, posed serious national threat to the peace of the country. According to him, no fewer than five persons, including a 70-year-old man, had been arrested for allegedly operating an illegal military camp.

Nabaida, while briefing defence correspondents at the Western Naval Command, Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos, said that the suspects, who were dressed in naval uniforms, fled when some naval personnel from NNS Beecroft, Apapa, raided one of their locations at No. 6, Force Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The navy spokesman said that the presidency was worried over the alleged criminal activities of the said Commodore Edema and his illegal merchant navy outfit.

He noted that, recently the Navy received an intelligence report about the existence of some people, who claimed to be operating as merchant navy and who had allegedly invaded the liaison office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation at No. 6, Force Road, Victoria Island and allegedly forcefully took over the place.

He stressed that the group, led by the so-called Commodore Edema, stormed the place sometime ago along with about 30 armed youths. “Based on the information and with disclaimers from the offices of the Federal Ministry of Transport, the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, officials of the Maritime Workers Union and (NIMASA), the navy swung into action and raided the place,” he said.

Though, according to him, the leader of the group escaped before the arrival of the naval personnel, some vital documents on the use of arms and ammunition, which Commodore Edema was alleged to have been using in training his boys, were said to have been recovered along with other items.

“The Navy High Command had been inundated with a series of complaints from members of the public, particularly in Lagos, by naval personnel. Based on those complaints, some people wearing naval uniforms have been arrested. From our investigations, we have discovered that those involved in the battering of innocent Nigerians were not, usually, naval personnel but fake merchant navy officers, recruited by Benson Edema. These sets of people are usually seen escorting vehicles at the border posts, extorting money from commercial bus drivers and committing all sorts of illegalities.

Members of the public who cannot differentiate genuine naval personnel and the fake are used to believing that they are soldiers. We are looking for Commodore Edema and will arrest him anywhere we find him,” he added.

Nabaida stated further that the so-called commodore was, indeed, a one-time sailor, who was said to have been trained and employed as a welder onboard MV Epa, during the days of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line and that his employment was terminated in 1994 and he was said to have been paid about N120,000 as retirement benefit .

Commodore Nabaida, however, stated that Edema’s former colleagues, under the umbrella of the Maritime Workers Union, had written a disclaimer, wondering when he was promoted to the rank of a commodore. He warned that, henceforth, anybody or group of persons wearing uniforms similar to that of the Nigerian Navy would be arrested, just as he advised parents to educate their children on the need to desist from joining any of these groups, as ignorance was never an excuse in the court of law.

“Those who want to become merchant navy members should seek to be admitted to either the School of Nautical College, Oron, or the School of Oceanography and Marine Research, Victoria Island, Lagos. These are the only recognised institutions in Nigeria,” he added.

It will be recalled that recently Commodore Edema allegedly conducted passing out parade for thousands of his boys trained at their Ogun State camp, adding that the illegal merchant navy boss had been arrested in the past for allegedly beating up officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) at Mile 2, for arresting one of his boys over traffic offence.

Similarly, the Naval authorities said they had information about the activities of some crew members on board cargo vessels who gave false alarm to cover up their criminal activities.

The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, stated that recently a ship, MT Syabas, owned by a Greek, raised a false alarm that their vessel was under attack by some sea pirates.

Upon the receipt of the information, the Commanding Officer (CO), BEECROFT, Commodore Ozojiofor, directed a patrol boat to raise to the scene.

On arrival, the captain of the ship, a foreign national, alleged that some pirates had attacked their ship and had made away with about 50 tonnes of petroleum product.

“The boys pursued the so-called fleeing vessel and it eventually caught up with it, but surprisingly, the crew members revealed that they actually purchased the product from the crew for the sum of 30050 dollars. When the boys came back they discovered that the ship that raised the alarm had disappeared to the neighbouring Republic of Benin. We got across to the owner of the ship who at the time was in Greece,” he explained.

He advised ship owners to always properly screen their would-be crew members before they are employed because some of them were in the habit of selling their product and at the end, raise false alarm to justify the shortage they must have incurred.

Will you allow your partner’s ex spend the night in your house?
Is It Beyond Pardon?

Nov 6, 2009
By Bridget Amaraegbu (bridgyfree@yahoo.com)

Madam Jane didn’t know what she was getting  herself into when     she allowed her ex-boyfriend spend the night in her home without the consent of her husband. When her husband got to know about it the next day, he was furious. But because he loves his wife dearly, he didn’t know how to handle the situation.

The question Bridget  AMARAEGBU sought answers from some of celebrities is, ‘was it right for his wife to have allowed her ex spend the night in their home?
Enjoy it.

No way, not in my own house —  Lurrenz, Musician

No, way he can’t spend the night in my house. My dear, a lot of things can happen in one minute. What I’m saying is that no matter how much we love each other, it is not advisable to give the devil any opportunity to ruin our home. Though, it’s very possible that this ex- lover just got stranded and was looking for refuge, I don’t think my house is the best place for such to happen. At worse, I can afford to pay his hotel bill for just that night, considering the danger that can befall him if he’s left in the dark. But he won’t sleep in my house for any reason.

Again, I ask myself questions such as why should he be stranded around my house? Can’t he find his male friends to assist him? What about his relatives? Of all his friends, why did he remember my wife for such assistance? The fact that I’ll pay for his accommodation will be based on the love I have for my wife and I won’t even pay for more than one night, after which he should be able to find his way, unless he has an ulterior motive.

Even if he hasn’t got a hidden agenda, I’ll not be comfortable if after one night he still can’t find his bearing. And you should not blame me for taking any other action. I want you to understand that most men will not even hear of it.

Things that like this can lead to divorce in many African homes. We are not in the western world where nearly everything is obtainable. Some of them may not really bother if their spouse is having another affair or not. But the mind of the average black man is full of jealousy with issues such as this.

And if you ask me what I’ll do if the ex-lover in question was my girlfriend, I’ll like to put it straight here that my ex-girlfriend cannot come around my matrimonial home. If she’s stranded around my house, I’ll seek the consent of my wife and together, we’ll put her in a hotel so that peace can reign.
*Lurrenz

*Lurrenz

There’s no reason why anybody should allow trouble to smell around his home for no serious reasons when there are other options.
I know so many men who can’t stand their women having a chat with another man. In fact, there’s a particular neighbour of mine who doesn’t allow his wife to chat with his friends and he has a good reason for doing that. No matter how much those friends of his try to persuade him, he’ll tell you that his wife is too young to handle such chat, and I don’t blame him. Since he already knows that his wife is too young, it’s better for him to shield her from danger. I’m not saying that any of those friends would begin to toast her but he has to be cautious to avoid temptations.

Sometimes, when you hear that one partner is being unfaithful, it may not be intentional but as a result of the situation he or she found himself, don’t forget that the spirit may be willing but the flesh will be weak. That is why it’s better to avoid any short cut the devil can use to destroy your marriage. We’ve heard stories where unfaithful partners were bewitched, and so on. We read them on the papers and watch related issues in the movies.

So, what are we talking about?

Let’s all pray that we have a happy and peaceful home because it’s only God that can sustain our homes but then we should also make our own effort.

Why not, I trust her —  GT Guitarman, Musician

My answer is yes. Do you know why? Because she is my wife and confidant.  I don’t see any reason why I cannot trust her. Trust is the word that should hold any relationship and I believe that once that trust is not there, then a relationship as sacred as marriage should not hold in the first place. I won’t marry a woman who doesn’t love me because it’s only when a relationship is not built on love that the people involve find it difficult to trust themselves. I’ll like to give my spouse that opportunity to prove her love for me.

I won’t allow a visit — Henry Ojo, Creative artist

Honestly, I don’t know where you get all these     inspirations from but if you insist that it’s a true life story, then I’ll tell you my mind. The truth remains that I’ll not allow my wife’s ex to even visit my house, not to talk of spending the night in my house. No forget say na from clap dem de follow enter dance…o. From spending one night, he may have to visit again and before you know it, so many things might begin to happen.
Another thing is that any woman who can bring her ex- boyfriend to her husband’s house is mad. As far as I’m concerned, she can lodge him in the hotel and do whatever she likes with him there but not in my house.

It’s an assault to marriage — Amaka Johnson, Model

My dear, such a thing is not advisable because no matter how much love we profess for each other, I’ll never be comfortable with myself as long as this ex-lover of his is in the house. Anything can happen when a man and woman who are not related are left alone in the same house.

While I was growing up my grandmother always reminded us that you don’t keep yam and goat together and come back to find them the way you left them, no way, and I believe her.

Apart from the fact that he can also do whatever he likes with her elsewhere if he doesn’t want me to know, I’m still better off if he does it outside my knowledge. Sleeping with her in our home will mean an assault on my marriage.

No, old firewood no dey quench — Ebeye Amanda, Actress

No, I’ll not allow that to happen. Is it that she can’t find any other place to spend the night? I’ll only be a fool to think that nothing will happen between them that night because anything can happen. Do you still remember that saying, old firewood no dey quench? I don’t even expect her to still have my husband’s contact in the first place because they should have been separated long before now. So what is she still looking for in his home if not trouble?

It’s not my business if he goes looking for her elsewhere but it won’t happen under my roof, never.

Many things can happen in one night — Fragrance, Musician

Ah! No way, eeh too many things can happen in one night. I can’t trust any man to the extent of allowing his ex-girlfriend to come spend the night in my matrimonial home. At worse I can rent a room for her in a hotel but she won’t sleep under the same roof with me and my husband. That one is not safe at all and that’s my personal view on this issue, any other persons opinion is welcome.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/11/06/will-you-allow-your-partner%E2%80%99s-ex-spend-the-night-in-your-house/

I was watching Switzerland and Italy March yesterday and it pains my heart to see the output/graphics and audio of the NTA , they could not give a good productions despite the facts that they are celebrating 50 years of Televisions in nigeria

Deji of Akure dethroned - Ordered to vacate palace immediately - I am not aware - Deji

Yinka Oladoyinbo, Akure - 09.11.2009

THE four-year reign of Oba Oluwadare Adesina, Osupa III, as the Deji of Akure, came to an end on Sunday, as the Akure Traditional Council removed him from office over various allegations levelled against him.

The council has consequently requested Adesina to quit the palace immediately and hand over all items belonging to the Akure community, including the funds.

Adesina, who ascended the throne as the Deji of Akure on November 26, 2005 after almost 10 years of interregnum, was removed for allegedly conducting himself in a manner “unbefitting and in desecration of the much exalted, revered and respected throne of the Deji of Akureland.”

According to the resolution of the Akure Council of Chiefs, which includes the 17 traditional kingmakers that approved Adesina’s installation, various allegations had been levelled against him.

The resolution signed by the traditional Prime Minister of the town, Chief Folorunso Davies, the Olisa of Akure, the Odopetu of Akure, Chief M.A. Falade; the Elemo of Akure, Chief Bolanle Adedipe and others found the monarch guilty of the offences.

The council said some of the allegations levelled against Adesina were: “Violation of Akure tradition and custom by personally going to the market to disturb market women from performing their legitimate trading business and engaging in wanton and indiscriminate destruction of essential food items in the market.

“Flagrant breach of age long and hallowed custom of Akure that makes it mandatory for the Deji not to leave his official palace without the knowledge and concurrence of the chiefs.

“Oba Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina deliberately failed and refused to complete the traditional rites for the stool of the Deji of Akureland contrary to the tradition and custom of Akure, rendering his selection and appointment incomplete, in that he failed to give the Akure chiefs the traditional ‘Igbarunjo’.

“Incessant, rampant and re-curring cases of highhandedness, brutal and repressive oppression of the people in and around the Akure community.

“Oba Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina has been personally leading a team of recruited and sponsored thugs, gangsters, hoodlums and armed terrorists to people’s houses at the late hours of the night to inflict injuries on innocent citizens in the Akure community in his presence and at his instructions and directives.”

Apart from these, the council added that part of the allegations levelled against the Deji was desecrating the palace and grooming of a notorious gang known as “60 by 120” that was involved in land disputes.

Having carefully investigated the allegations levelled against him, the council said, “the entire members of the Akure Council of Chiefs and the Akure community have considered you as unfit, unworthy and improper to continue to occupy the cherished and exalted throne of Deji of Akureland, having brought disgrace, dishonour and impudence to the office of the Deji of Akureland.

“The entire Akure Council of Chiefs and the community are now fed up with your bastardised, brutalised and draconian rulership and leadership and have totally, without any reservation, rejected you as their oba with immediate effect.

“You are consequently warned in the interest of peace to stop holding yourself out or parading yourself as the Deji of Akure kingdom henceforth.”

Speaking with newsmen on their resolutions, the Olisa of Akure said the kingmakers were misled into choosing Adesina as Deji of Akure in the first instance and were ready to correct the mistake made four years ago.

The Olisa said all the traditional steps necessary for the removal of a Deji had been completed by the kingmakers, as they had informed the dethroned monarch to leave the palace for another person that would soon emerge.

However, in his reaction, Adesina, who was said to be away from the town, said he was not aware of the decision to remove him as Oba.

Adesina, while speaking on his mobile phone, however, directed newsmen to the kingmakers, saying that he was not ready to engage in an argument with anybody.

When contacted, the Ondo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Donald Iroham, said although he was yet to be briefed on the development, his command would ensure there was no breakdown of law and order in the town.

He said the command was ready to protect life and property of the people of the town, adding “anybody who wants to foment trouble because of that will be dealt with.”

http://www.tribune.com.ng/09112009/news/news1.html

N8.2bn scam: Minister, others under probe

Lanre Adewole, Abuja - 08.11.2009

Application of public funds in the on-going U-17 World Cup tagged: ‘Nigeria 2009’ are reportedly receiving the attention of relevant anti-corruption agencies in the country, even though spending is still being done on the project.

The controversial N8.2 billion contract for the upgrading of the Nigeria Television Authorities (NTA) facilities for the coverage of the competition, was said to have compelled the commencement of the probe, following public outcry on perceived underhand dealings in the award of the contract.

The contract was awarded to a United Kingdom-based company, Well Trade Services (WTS), in partnership with Sony Group, by a minister (names withheld), following an approval by the Federal Executive Council on July 15, 2009.

Checks revealed that the probe was multi-dimensional because of different angles to the contracts awarded for the competition, considering that the handling of funds approved for the competition by the Local Organising Committee, has also been a subject of probe.

The committee had been accused of frivolous spending, with about N40 million said to have been expended on biscuits and soft drinks. A source who preferred anonymity, revealed that given the proactive nature of some of the probing agencies, there might not be any need for petitions to be written against the minister and other public officers before investigations were launched into their activities, especially when there were compelling evidences to look into such matters.

The international dimension to the equipment upgrade contract was said to have been responsible for the early start into the investigation, since it was taken that it would take a relatively longer time to get all the facts in the matter.

Sunday Tribune also learnt that the early start was to make sure that facts gathering had gone far before the completion of the competition and the expected audit of the finances that would go into it by all the relevant agencies.

It was further gathered that the probe became compelling after it was discovered that South Africa, which is hosting the senior World Cup in 2010, paid about N2 billion less for brand new equipment.

Those involved are expected to provide answers to some riddles in the project, especially having to pay more for renovation, even when the said upgrade was said to be almost useless for the configuration NTA was having in place now.

Another issue is the late or non-delivery of the equipment contracted to WTS when the competition was almost ended and why the contract was not awarded directly to Sony, which would supply new kits at a lower cost of 20 per cent less than what was agreed with WTS.

With the broadcast right eventually going to AIT, those involved would also be expected to explain why the contract was still awarded, since FIFA made it known early enough that AIT came tops in its assessment. The contract awarded by the Nigerian government was to “Renovate from SD to HD 6 x 12 Camera HD OB van for £25,777,571.24; renovate from SD to HD 6 x 2 Camera HD SNG van for £4,389,798.89; renovate and upgrade 1 x IBC for £1,952,722.26, with the total project costing £32,120,092.39.

The total value in the nation’s currency amounted to N8, 351,224,022, (Eight billion, three hundred and fifty one million, two hundred and twenty-four thousand, twenty-two naira), with the currency exchange put at N260 to one British pound.

Government-owned South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), on September 9, 2008, signed an agreement with Sony for 380 million rand (about N6.3 billion), to supply brand new OB vans to broadcast the 2009 Confederation Cup and 2010 Soccer World Cup in High-Definition (HD).

The specifications of the OB vans supplied for the World Cup were far superior to that of NTA and were as follows: Four new OB vans. Identically- specified, each 30-ton vehicle is equipped with 18 cameras, and wired for 24, including 3 super-slo HD cameras. The interior is divided into four main areas; production, sound, video tape area (VT) ; and vision control.

Another grey area in the Nigerian contract is that though, Sony also biobled for the direct supply to the NTA at a lower cost, the ministry allegedly decided to award the contract to WTS , which would in turn, buy the equipment from Sony.

A source noted that “the prices quoted by them (WTS) were for renovation as stated on the approved budget and quotation. Also, Sony on its own part, quoted directly to NTA for the same project. However, the same Sony Broadcast, which WTS claimed to be partnering, in quoting directly for the same project, refused to provide NTA a quote for renovation, as they believed that there was no value in renovating the present facilities.

Instead, Sony provided a cheaper quote for brand new equipment to NTA.”

http://www.tribune.com.ng/08112009/news/news2.html

Why we created crisis for bank CEOs - CBN Gov

Akin Adewakun, Lagos - 08.11.2009

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has stated that the recent shake-up of the nation’s banking industry was a bold move by the apex bank to save the entire sector from collapse.

Sanusi added, however, that the shake-up was not indicative of any crisis in the sector. The apex bank governor, who stated this while delivering a paper in Lagos, Friday night, at the 2009 Annual Bankers’ Dinner, organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, noted that no bank had defaulted in its obligation to its customers, adding that if the apex bank had not waded in at the time it did, there would have been crisis in that sector by now.

“I can authoritatively tell you that there is no crisis in the nation’s banks, since all of them are still performing their obligations to their different customers. But it is the CEOs of some of these banks and some borrowers, that are in crisis.

“We had to create a crisis for them so that the banks would not have crisis. If we had not created the crisis for these people, the banks would have been in crisis by now,” he stated.

While lamenting the absence of good corporate governance culture among the nation’s financial institutions, the apex bank governor stated that some of the lapses discovered in the running of some of the banks showed that some of the chief executives were not abiding by this very important code of corporate governance.

According to him, the seven per cent growth recorded in the last two quarters, despite the credit squeeze and the global economic downturns at the periods under review, showed that the nation’s economy could go on without the banks, stressing that “it simply means the growth of bank credit to the private sector recorded in the last two years were fake.”

The banks, he stated, were not lending to the real sector, adding that the greatest challenge was getting the banks to perform their statutory function to the banking public.

He restated the apex bank’s determination to ensure that no bank failed in Nigeria, since the failure of one bank, he stated, could lead to collapse of the entire banking system.

One of the ways, he stated, the apex bank would ensure this, was by continuously “intruding” on the privacy of these banks to ascertain their state of health.

While defending his N620 billion bailout to some of the banks recently, Sanusi stated that the action was informed by the fact that the failure of a big bank could make other banks to go under, since it would have eroded the confidence of the banking public.

He stated that the current sanitisation exercise going on in the sector would not be limited to the operators in the industry alone, adding that regulators would also be held accountable where necessary.

He, however, noted that the reforms had been able to revive shareholders activism; since shareholders’ are now, more than ever before, eager to know how their investments were being spent.”

http://www.tribune.com.ng/08112009/news/news1.html

N1.4bn fraud uncovered in Wema Bank’s subsidiary

Lanre Oyetade, Group Business Editor - 08.11.2009

The management of Wema Bank Plc has uncovered a fraud allegedly perpetrated by a top officer of one of its subsidiaries running into about N1.427 billion.

According to sources within the bank who spoke on conditions of anonymity, the said officer (names withheld) was a top manager with a subsidiary of the bank until September 2008, when he was relieved of his duties on account of the fraud.

The man, who was also said to be a proprietor of a new generation church, was alleged to have been involved in a fraud on the account of one of the customers of the subsidiary.

The source disclosed to the Sunday Tribune that the said manager allegedly moved N350 million out of the account based on a letter he had forged. “The bank thereafter, wrote a petition to the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) against the diversion and stealing.

“During the course of investigations, it was discovered that the sum of N330 million was used to acquire a property in Ikoyi, Lagos. However, while the bank’s petition was for N350 million, the police, during the course of investigations, stated that the amount recoverable was N810 million,” the source stated.

The source added that, based on the fact that he could not return the money to the account, he handed the property over to the chairman of the company who sold the property for N810 million, while the police directed that the proceeds of the sale should be paid over to the bank.

According to the source, the sum of N655 million has been recovered with regard to this original fraud, leaving a balance un-recovered sum of N155 million from that particular fraud.

However, according to the source, there are a number of other frauds currently undergoing investigation, traceable to the same manager. According to documents made available to our reporter, the top manager allegedly fraudulently converted a total sum of N617,217,963.72 (Six hundred and seventeen million, two hundred and seventeen thousand, nine hundred and sixty-three naira, seventy-two kobo) from the subsidiary between August 2007 and September 2008.

For instance, he allegedly converted a N218 million cheque in favour of the company into an unidentified beneficiary’s account and allotted 10 million units of Wema Bank Plc’s shares currently worth N61,010,362.80 to himself without payment, among a series of other fraudulent activities.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/08112009/news/news3.html

CBN raises alarm on rising cases of bank fraud
Headlines Nov 5, 2009

By Omoh Gabriel, Business Editor
Returns ETB to shareholders

LAGOS —  THE Central Bank, CBN, yesterday, raised an alarm on rising cases of fraud in the nation’s financial institutions even as it  granted the request of shareholders of Equatorial Trust Bank Limited to recapitalise the bank, following a proposal by the bank’s shareholders to the apex bank.

The CBN said that as at December 31, 2008, a total 1,974 cases of fraud and forgeries, amounting to N24.49 billion and various other sums in foreign currencies were reported by banks.
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor CBN and Mike Adenuga Junior, Chairman & CEO Globacom.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor CBN and Mike Adenuga Junior, Chairman & CEO Globacom.

According to the CBN in its 2008 Banking Supervision report, 746 of the cases amounting to over N6.37 billion were reported to have been successful. Arising therefrom, 316 staff of the banks were dismissed and 220 others had their appointments terminated.

Reviewing the non-performing loans in the banks in 2008, the CBN said “Non-performing credits increased from N0.4 trillion in 2007 to N0.5 trillion in 2008. The ratio of non-performing credits to total credits of 6.26 per cent during the review period was far below the trigger level of 35 per cent for setting up a Crisis Management Unit as stipulated in the Contingency Planning Framework for Systemic Distress.

“The ratio was lower than 21.6 per cent, 18.12 per cent, 8.77 per cent and 8.44 per cent recorded in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Provision for bad and doubtful debts grew from N0.2 trillion in 2004 to N0.4 trillion in 2008.

The ratio of bad debt provision to total credits was 22.6 percent in 2004; 19.1 percent in 2005; 6.3 percent in 2006; 8.1 percent in 2007 and 6.1 percent in 2008”.

According to the CBN, “In many of the banks, Board and Management oversight needed improvement as evidenced by lapses in risk asset quality, corporate governance and abuse of insider-related facilities.

“Most of the banks reported increased earnings and profitability due to increased lending and business diversification. The crisis in the capital market threatened the liquidity in the banking system due to banks’ exposure to margin loans.

The CBN took some actions, such as the stoppage of liquidity mop-up and reduction of liquidity ratio from 40 per cent to 30 percent, to assist banks in their liquidity management.

“Some of the banks had their foreign lines reviewed downward by their foreign correspondent banks, which reduced supply of foreign exchange in the market and exerted pressure on the exchange rate.”

According to the report, “The minimum liquidity ratio for banks was reduced from 40 to 30 percent during the year. Compliance with the prescribed minimum liquidity ratio of 30 and 60 percent by banks and discount houses respectively, was closely monitored on daily and monthly basis. Two banks failed to meet the minimum prescribed liquidity ratio of 30 percent in the month of December 2008. Compliance with the capital adequacy ratio requirement of banks and discount houses was also monitored throughout the year. In the month of December 2008 two banks failed to meet the minimum prescribed capital adequacy ratio of 10 per cent.”

Returns ETB to shareholders

In a statement signed by the M.M. Abdullahi, Head, Corporate Affairs, CBN said “having reviewed the terms and conditions of the Deeds of Covenant, the CBN has consented to the request aimed at further strengthening the bank. In granting these requests, CBN noted that the Special Examination had not raised issues of serious supervisory concern or criminal activity by any member of the Board of ETB.

However, the CBN will closely monitor the implementation of the terms of the Covenant to ensure that the lapses are fully rectified and in the overall interest of the banking system.”

In the statement, the CBN further said “Following the special examination of all banks operating in the country, and the subsequent actions by the CBN, the shareholders of Equitorial Trust Bank Limited requested the permission of the Central Bank of Nigeria to be allowed to rectify lapses identified in the bank.

In pursuance to that, the shareholders executed a Deed of Covenant, the specific terms and conditions of which included the following:

“The willingness of the shareholders to recapitalise the bank by way of injection of additional capital latest by June 30, 2010; restructuring, diversification and enlargement of the capital base of the bank either by way of a public offering of shares, securing a core investor or merger with a local bank within one year period; addressing the corporate governance issues in the bank which were mainly ascribed to the previous Executive Management team in the bank; reconstitution of the Board of Directors of the bank through the retirement of two non-executive directors and the appointment of four new non-executive directors, including Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. (CON), an erstwhile member of the board, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria; and Convening a general meeting of the bank’s shareholders to ratify, through a resolution all the nominated appointments to the bank’s board”.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/11/05/cbn-raises-alarm-on-rising-cases-of-bank-fraud/

na sooo

Post-amnesty: Ex-militants report to camp Nov 11
Headlines Nov 4, 2009
FG releases N2bn for roads in N-Delta, To construct  rail line from Calabar to Warri

By Chris Ochayi & Oscarline Onwuemenyi
ABUJA — THE Federal Government, yesterday, commenced the post-amnesty programme in the Niger Delta region as it directed 3,000 former militants who had accepted the amnesty offer to report to camp between now and November 11 towards rehabilitating them just as the government approved N2 billion for immediate construction of physical development projects in the region.

Some of the ex-militants however expressed regrets over their decision to lay down their arms citing insincerity on the part of the government.

Chairman, Presidential Committee on Amnesty and Minister of Defence, Major-General Godwin Abbe (rtd) who spoke yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with leaders of ex-militants, assured that the region will witness aggressive physical development if the current peace is sustained.

Ex-militant leaders, who attended the meeting include, Ateke Tom, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Chief Jacob Odiki, Ezekiel Akpasebewa, Bonny Godei, Lubi Akpobi Ebi, Joh Toso and Hon Ayela.
A cross section of former Niger Delta militants, who had accepted the amnesty offer nwo asked to report to camp between now and November 11 towards rehabilitating

A cross section of former Niger Delta militants, who had accepted the amnesty offer nwo asked to report to camp between now and November 11 towards rehabilitating

Major-General Abbe explained that with the successful implementation of the first phase of the amnesty programme by the Federal Government, the next stage is now the rehabilitation and the reintegration of the ex-militants.

According to him, “the essence of this meeting is for the amnesty committee to interact with you all and let you know the steps of government as affecting the next stage of the implementation of the amnesty programme, which has to do with rehabilitation and reintegration of all of us back into the society.

“We are going to be discussing with you the plans we have and how we intend to implement the plans. We are also in this meeting to get your own contribution towards this programme so that together we can move on.

After that, we will have someone who will be speaking to us on the process of law and order, so that we take the message back and get ourselves organised.

“For a start, between now and November 11, 2009, there will be a call up for our boys to start reporting to the camp. And because of the difficulties in accommodation facilities, we are going to put together two camps.

“These two camps established are at Agbarho in Delta State and Alu in Rivers State. We have plans to establish another one in Bayelsa State the moment we finish further discussions with the Governor of Bayelsa State who will tell us his own plans. He too is also working and very soon, we will hear from.

“But be that at it may, the call up will not work effectively unless you participate, in the number that we have to go into now from the beginning, and what we want to do is to give preference to those who really picked arms and later surrendered and accepted the call of Mr. President”.

General Godwin Abbe further told the Niger Delta leaders that “In the process, we are going to have the opportunities of discussing with every individual as to the type of training that individual will be interested in.
“When we have done that, and we are satisfied, we will move to the next stage of dispersing everyone who have been categorised into the various institutions of their choice.

“Some who will want to go to school because they stopped schooling will also go and continue their school; those who want to go to the university should know that university admission has strict rules, which has to be followed, and admissions are over now, so those who want to go to university should wait and prepare for admission examinations.”

N2bn for roads; plan for rail line

General Abbe also disclosed that the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved the sum of N2 billion intervention fund for Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for the construction of major roads in all the oil producing states.

He explained that the Federal Government is also working towards the construction of the first phase of the railway project from Calabar to Uyo-Port Harcourt-Yenogoa and Warri, adding that the second phase of the project will be linked to Lagos.

Abbe noted that President Yar’Adua has directed that work should commence on the Inland waterway project, adding that relevant government agencies have started studying the East-West Coastal road project which will commence from Calabar.

The minister further explained that government is also planning the construction of some houses in various communities across the region with a view to ensure re-integration of the ex-militants and address the problem of shortage of houses for the residents of the region.

Abbe further disclosed that the Federal Government through the National Poverty Eradication Programme, NAPEP, would provide revolving loan for some of the fishermen who embraced the amnesty offer.

In his comments, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Ufot Ekaette, said all what was needed was for “all to work together so that peace is restored to the region.

Ekaette said his ministry had organised a job fair and trade expo earlier in the year and “we were able to identify  job providers who were not only prepared to offer jobs but to ensure that jobs are given to the Niger Delta. I have also been privileged to hold discussions with some foreign investors and all they are saying is if peace returns to the region, we will come and invest; so we are appealing that peace is sustained in the region.”

Meanwhile some of the ex-militants who attended the meeting have accused the Government of insincerity.
President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, who spoke on behalf of the other ex-militants expressed doubts over the sincerity of the Federal Government to implement most of the programmes it enumerated prior to the amnesty deal.

According to him, “Thirty days after our people surrendered our arms, we have not seen any progress. The fundamental question is on government plan for the pre and post amnesty programme. We are tired of having these meetings.

“We are beginning to ask the question if we actually took the right decision. Those at the helm of affairs already know the problem and we should not be at the planning phase at this time.”

Ekiyor noted that, “We are tired of having these meetings. The way and manner we have been attending meetings, I am aware that from 2007 till date, we have exhausted whatever is needed to be said and we are beginning to wonder why we accepted having this meeting today. Today, you call this group, tomorrow you call another group and nothing is being said.

“These agenda are the reason why we are here. People are wondering what questions are we going to ask and what answers are you going to give. So, with this question and answer session, my people are wondering what answers you are going to provide.

“What they want to see is that these are things that can be done now, tomorrow, next tomorrow and two years from now.”

He said the people of the Niger Delta and Nigerians are asking “what are those things you are doing now that are doable ones, because what we see are the same programme of events, planning stage and all what not.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/11/04/post-amnesty-ex-militants-report-to-camp-nov-11/

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/11/03/%E2%80%98major-marketers-behind-artificial-fuel-scarcity%E2%80%99/

North, South in fresh tango over constitution amendment

Taiwo Adisa, Group Politics Editor - 02.11.2009

A fresh controversy over which direction the ongoing constitution amendment would take has surfaced in the Senate, with the controversy leading to a one-month postponement of the zonal public hearings scheduled for the exercise.

Investigations in Abuja had revealed that the forces opposed to the constitution amendment exercise had, again, regrouped and were moving to once again frustrate the exercise.

It was gathered that those behind the plot believed that the North did not really have something to gain in the exercise and that the proponents had to convince the zone on the necessity of the exercise.

The fresh plot to frustrate the exercise came into the open last week when many of the members of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review (SCCR) chose to embark on the trip to Hajj during the scheduled zonal constitution review exercise.

It was gathered that members of the SCCR from the North had simply said that their colleagues from the South could go ahead with the programme, meant to hold simultaneously in all the six geopolitical zones, while the Northerners would complete the exercise later in the year or early next year.

Sources hinted that the move would have truncated the exercise permanently as interests working on the failure of the exercise would have latched on the division between the North and the South to finally nail the coffin on the project.

As a way of forestalling the killing of the exercise, it was gathered that leaders of the Senate had moved in and effected a postponement of the exercise till December, when those expected to travel for the Hajj would have returned to the country.

A statement by the office of the Deputy Senate President, which is supervising the constitution amendment process, indicated that the exercise will now hold between December 14 and 15 in the six geopolitical zones.

The statement by the Clerk of the SCCR, Innocent Mebiri, said that the exercise would hold simultaneously in all the six zones in December.

@ topic
why not give a picture of the city, to prove it

Deregulation: Labour, allies write Yar, Adua, give strike notice
Headlines Oct 31, 2009

By Victor AHIUMA-YOUNG
LABOUR and its civil society allies, have written President Yar, Adua to prepare for unprecedented nationwide industrial action should the government deregulate the downstream sector of the Petroleum industry.

Under the umbrella of Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), organised labour and its allies in a letter to the President, advised him to listen to the voice of the people and muster the political will to do justice to the wishes of Nigerians and jettison the planned deregulation, implement fully the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) report and hasten the review of the national minimum wage.

labour-deregulation

In a letter signed by President of Nigeria Labour, President-General of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and Co-Chairman of LASCO, Comrades Abdulwaheed Omar, Peter Esele and Dr. Dipo Fashina, respectively, LASCO, warned that should government insist on pursuing anti-people and anti-democratic policies which the group sees as detrimental to workers and the Nigerian People, it would mobilise both workers and Nigerian masses to fight such policies.

LASCO in the letter recalled to the President a meeting it held with government team on October 16, 2009, where it gave reasons why deregulation would be anti-people and undesirable the way the government is planning it.

According to the letter “the Government lamented at the meeting that marketers are hoarding products and that their underhand tactics had forced the NNPC to rent initial 600 trucks to distribute petrol products with a pledge to hire additional 400 trucks.

If with Government involvement, the marketers are holding the country to ransom, then what they will do under “deregulation” can be better imagined.

We also told the Government team that its argument that the economic meltdown makes deregulation necessary is not in tandem with trends in other parts of the world like United States and Europe where the meltdown has meant government stimulus package for the economy and the citizenry. As other forward looking countries have shown, this is not the time to cut social spending; rather this is the time to increase social spending.

Another major fault in Government thinking that was discernible at the meeting is its almost metaphysical belief that deregulation will lead to availability of petroleum products and crash in prices of the products.

The Nigerian people do not have such beliefs or faith in the religion of market forces. In any case the deregulation of diesel has only led to hoarding and astronomical increase in prices of the commodity.

It is our view that the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry will only spell doom to the economy and bring untold hardship to the Nigerian people.

If deregulation is allowed, the country will return to the era of arbitrary high prices, profiteering, adulteration of commodity, artificial queues as well as endless importation of refined petroleum products.”

“ We are of the view that the problem of instability in the supply and distribution of petroleum products is embedded in the inefficiencies and corruption in the management of the Petroleum Support Fund and sharp practices in the down stream sector of the oil industry.

These are exacerbated by the deliberate weakening of the capacity of the refineries to produce due to incessant but deceptive Turn Around .Maintenance that only lead to frequent breakdowns.

For us in the Labour Movement, the solution lies in government stopping the importation of refined petroleum products at no distance future, having the political will to decisively check leakages in the down stream sector of the oil industry, honestly fixing the refineries and building new ones.

The chain effect prices of petroleum products have on other commodities and services makes it imperative that the product must be available at moderate prices to the average Nigerian.

In these times of global economic crisis most governments have abandoned the path of market fundamentalism in favour of a regulated people_oriented system of governance. This stresses the need for stimulating and reinvigorating the labour market through mass job creation and cushioning the effects of the economic downturn on the citizenry.”

On the issue of the minimum wage, he said: “ In line with this, workers need a stimulus package and better standard of, living by government increasing the Minimum Wage and carrying out general wage review in the country.

While the wages of workers were raised by 15% in the last three years, emoluments of Public Office holders were increased by over 800%.

The rather lame attempt at cutting 20% from the wages of public Office holders is only tokenism in the current compensation scheme. We are demanding the expeditious conclusion of negotiations and implementation of a new Minimum Wage and general review of wages in the country.”

“Another issue of concern to the Labour Movement is the need for fundamental electoral reforms to check the massive fraud and violence that have become the hallmark of our electoral system.

The setting up of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform .Committee was a welcome relief to most Nigerians who believe in the sustenance’ of our democracy through credible elections.

It was surprising that despite the ,wide consultations that led to the recommendations of the Uwais Committee; the Federal Government jettisoned some fundamental recommendations that would . have strengthened our electoral system and ensured that the votes of the people count. We believe that a neutral and. independent electoral body would go a long .way? in restoring confidence in the electoral process.

The recommendation that for the INEC Chairmanship, the National Judicial Commission should screen candidates, short list and forward three candidates to the National Council of State, which shall select one of them and send to the National Assembly for ratification, to our mind, is the best way of ensuring unbiased electoral umpire for the nation.

Secondly, to check election riggers benefitting from elections they never won, the Committee had also recommended that all electoral disputes should be resolved before the swearing-in of elected officers.

This would ensure that the practice of unelected persons imposing themselves on the electorate for upward of 18-36 months as we have witnessed in our recent electoral history, will be effectively brought to an end. Additionally, the practice of election riggers who when sworn in, use state funds to oil their litigation to stay in power, will be eliminated.”

LASCO added “our position is that these issues if thought through and implemented by Government will not only go a long way in raising the quality of life of workers and the Nigerian people, but also ensure a level playing field for electoral contestation and good governance.

We pray that your administration will listen to the voice of the people and muster the political will to do justice. But if Government insists on pursuing anti-people and anti-democratic policies which we believe will be detrimental to workers and the Nigerian People, the Labour Movement will have no option but embark on a full blown national strike after today’s rally.”

May be Americans will be proud of Dollarland or Briton proud of Poundland

N5bn Fraud: EFCC Files Fresh Charges Against Elumelu, Others - Files 229 Charges Against Ex-NERC Boss, Others

31.10.2009

Justice Salisu Garba of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has adjourned till December 15, taking of pleas in the 229 amended charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the suspended chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Ransome Owan and six commissioners of the agency.

The commissioners are Mallam Abdurahman Ado, Professor Onwuamaeze Iloeje, Dr. Abdurazaq Alimi, Mr. Mohammed Bunu, Mr. Abimbola Odubiyi and Dr. Grace Eyoma.

Counsel to the EFCC, Godwin Obla, said the amended charges were as a result of fresh evidence available to the commission.

But when the matter came up on Thursday, counsel to the fourth accused person, Mr. O. Owa, argued that his client could not take his plea because he was only served the amended charges that morning.

“We were served the amended charge this morning, and when there is a dispute as to issue of service, it cannot be resolved by conflicting words of counsel, it must be resolved by production of proof of service,” Owa told the court.

After listening to the submission of both the prosecuting and defence counsels on the matter, Justice Garba adjourned the case to December 15, to enable the 5th accused person study the amended charge before taking his plea.

Dr. Owan and the six commissioners were first arraigned by the EFCC on April 22, 2009, before the FCT High Court, Abuja, on a 196-count charge. The accused persons are alleged to have committed an offence contrary to sections 97, 315,122, 309, 123, 289 of the Criminal Procedure Code, all bordering on criminal conspiracy, dishonest conversion of public funds, criminal appropriation, theft and disobedience to law.

They were said to have allegedly converted billions of naira belonging to NERC for personal use.

The accused persons were later granted bail in the sum of N100 million each, two sureties for each of the accused persons with like sum; the two sureties must be prominent Nigerians with properties in either Maitama, Garki, Asokoro or Wuse, all in Abuja.

The accused persons were also barred from travelling and are to report to the EFCC head office first and last Mondays of every month.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday, preferred a fresh 130-count charge against a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Godwin Elumelu; a Senator, Nicholas Ugbane and seven others at the FCT High Court, Abuja, for defrauding the government to the tune of over N5.2 billion in the Rural Electrification Agency project.

The nine accused persons have also been separated in the fresh charges.

The three lawmakers are jointly facing a 62-count charge, while the other six accused are jointly facing a 68-count charge.

The three lawmakers are: Mr. Godwin Elumelu, House of Representatives committee Chairman on Power, Mr. Nicholas Yahaya Ugbane, Senate Committee Chairman on Power and Mr. Jibo Mohammed.

The other accused are Mr. Samuel Ibi Gekpe, Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu, Simon Kirdi Nanle, Mr. Lawrence Kayode Orekoya, Abdulsamad Garba Jahun and Mr. Kayode Oyedeji.

Count three and four, being charges against the lawmakers, state that while the duo of Ugbane and Elumelu were serving as the committee chairmen on Power in the Senate and the House respectively in 2008, alongside Mr. Jibo Mohammed, who is Elumelu’s deputy, they conspired among themselves to the commission of offences, to wit: criminal breach of trust by public servants in the purported award of Grid Extension and Solar Electrification contracts from the Amended Budget 2008 of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and, thereby, committed an offence punishable under section 97(1) of the penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, Abuja, 1990.

In one of the charges preferred against the other six of the nine accused persons, Mr. Samuel Ibi Gekpe, Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu, Simon Kirdi Nanle, Mr. Lawrence Kayode Orekoya, Abdulsamad Garba Jahun and Mr Kayode Oyedeji, all senior officials of Rural Electrification Agency, they were alleged to have, some time, in December 2008, as public servants and officers who were entrusted with money and properties of the agency agreed among themselves to breach such trust by fraudulently awarding contract for Grid Extension and Solar Electricity from the Amended Budget 2008 of the Rural Electrification Agency(REA).

After more than five hours of reading out the offences and a “not guilty” plea taken by all the accused persons, the lead counsel for the first accused, Mr. Samuel Gekpe, Paul Erokoro (SAN), asked that the bail earlier granted the accused be sustained.

Thereafter, the presiding judge asked that all counsels should pick a date for the determination of a motion brought by counsel to Mr. Ugbane that the charges against him be squashed.

Justice Abimbola Banjoko, after listening to the 130-count-charge, read out one-by-one to the nine accused, adjourned the case till November 5, for hearing of motion by Ugbane.

Tcrack:
Unfortunately Bode, wont be having access to such luxuries. You should have spent furniture allowance wisely when u had the chance.

my bros, pls read this thread https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-345370.0.html

PDP Chairman Ejected From Quarters For Ex-militants - It’s Not True - Govt

Donald Ojogo, South-South Bureau Chief - 31.10.2009

The lingering crisis of confidence between the governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva and the factional state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Rufus Abadi, took a new dimension penultimate week as the latter was ejected from Government House quarters he had stayed for close to two years.

He was reportedly ordered out of the quarters by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Sam Ogbuku.

Saturday Tribune learnt authoritatively that Abadi’s residence in the Government House had now been re-allocated to leaders of ex-militant groups that had operated in Bayelsa.

The Bayelsa State government has, however, denied the report, describing it as “nonsense, a cooked up story.”

The embattled chairman, who all the same, confirmed his relocation from the quarters, nonetheless, denied that it had anything to do with perceived crisis of confidence between him and the governor.

Abadi, who had a running battle with the State Security Services (SSS) in the state two months ago after he was allegedly assaulted, had relocated to Abuja in controversial circumstances amid reports that he was not disposed to the re-election of Governor Sylva.

The relationship between Sylva and Abadi became chummy in the wake of the controversies generated by the PDP congress in the state, just as Abadi was backed by the governor for the position of the state chairman of the party.

Honourable Fred Agbedi is also laying claim to the same position, having been endorsed by the stakeholders of the party at thier meeting in Abuja in February, 2008.

But trouble started for Abadi four months ago as he reportedly insisted on having all stakeholders on board.

But Abadi, who spoke through his Personal Assistant, Jones Abiri, said his relocation from the quarters was voluntary and had nothing to do with any preceived animosity with the governor.

“The chairman remains the chairman, he left the quarters on his own when he saw that some of the ex-militant leaders had to be accommodated in Government House; he has houses in places like Yenagoa, so I see no reason why his relocation has to be misinterpreted to mean that he was ejected from the Government House.

“No one ejected him and his relationship with the governor is very cordial, there is nothing to suggest that there is problem anywhere,” Abiri said.

When contacted on telephone, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Ogbuku, fumed at the report.

“It is all your cooked up story in the media, it is nonsense; if it is true, why not send your correspondent to the Government House to verify?”

let re-branding starts from them

LABOUR RALLY: Mark, Bankole flee National Assembly - Labour promises total showdown with FG over deregulation

From Soji-Eze Fagbemi and Adunola Fasuyi, Abuja - 30.10.2009

THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Civil Society Coalition, on Thursday, led hundreds of Nigerians to the streets of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to protest the planned deregulation of the downstream oil sector, non-adoption of a national minimum wage of N52, 200 and the partial implementation of Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee’s report.

But they could not deliver their message to the Senate President, David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, as the two leaders of the National Assembly fled from the premises a few minutes before the arrival of the procession, led by the NLC President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, the President General of TUC, Mr. Peter Esele, and the chairman of the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), Dr. Dipo Fashina, to the National Assembly.

However, labour threatened that if the Federal Government failed to rescind its decision on deregulation after the series of rallies, it would go for a total showdown with the government. They also challenged the Federal Government to subject the issue of deregulation to the court of public opinion by conducting a referendum to determine whether Nigerians truly wanted the policy or not.

The procession, which began early Thursday morning at the Berger end of Abuja, ended at the National Assembly, where both leaders, Senator Mark and Honourable Bankole, refused to receive the labour leaders, but ran away from the premises of the National Assembly, when the rally train was moving nearer to the Assembly.

Their disappearance was not a surprise to the labour leaders, as Nigerian Tribune was reliably informed that Senator Mark, in particular, made frantic efforts to make labour stop the rally late Wednesday night.

Specifically, Senator Mark was said to have called the leaders of the NLC on Wednesday night to tell them that he would only receive them outside the gate of the National Assembly, a proposition the labour leaders rejected.

However, about 30 minutes to the arrival of the rally, Senator Mark, who was leading the Senate plenary session, excused himself and hurriedly drove out of the premises.

The rally was later received by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour, Senator Wilson Ake, who assured union leaders that their requests would be looked into by the National Assembly.

Speaking at the rally, Mr. Omar said: “I want to challenge the Federal Government, if they think that deregulation is a popular policy, let them subject it to a referendum and let Nigerians decide.

“Let Nigerians decide. Because, if the essence of democracy is for the people and by the people, then let them subject it to a popular referendum. The National Assembly should also refer it to the public and let us see the result.”

In his own address, to the General Secretary of LASCO, Mr. Biodun Aremu said: “If government does not yield to the workers’ demands after this final rally, there will be a total showdown.

According to LASCO chairman, Dr. Fashina, the National Assembly had only two options; either to be on the side of the people or to be against them, adding that there was no middle way.

He stated that if the National Assembly supported deregulation, it meant that they were against the people and that people would treat them as enemies.

Dr. Fashina, however, said that many Nigerians believed that the people at the National Assembly did not win their elections.

The TUC president, Mr. Esele, in his own address, pointed out that deregulation did not mean pump price increase, regretting that a majority of the people were not educated, thus making them to give wrong perception of deregulation.

Also, Mr. Femi Falana said the Peoples Democratic Party government had been increasing fuel prices illegally, because the National Assembly had refused to perform its role.

Rather than deregulating the downstream oil sector, Mr. Falana said the government must deregulate corruption, election rigging and the looting of treasury, regretting that billions of naira had been spent on the refineries but they had refused to work due to corruption.

NLC president, Omar, delivered a letter entitled “Why we held a national rally in Abuja today, Thursday, October 29, 2009” to Senator Ake for onward delivery to the Senate president and stated that the three primary reasons for the rallies and processions were the planned deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry; fast-tracking negotiation of a new National Minimum Wage and wage review, and the non-implementation of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform report.

Reacting, Senator Ake said the National Assembly was aware of their coming and had made provisions to ensure they had a fine atmosphere to deliver their message.

He expressed appreciation and thanked the leadership of labour for organising peaceful rallies across the country, adding that the issues they raised were very important.

Senator Ake said the National Assembly was in alliance with the position of labour as the legislature was already looking into the Uwais panel report and had subjected it to public hearing.

He also said: “We want to assure you that we are with you on this. Workers need increased salary. There is a basis for the salary to be increased. The National Assembly is also with you on deregulation. Now that it is officially before us, we are assuring you it is going to receive serious attention.”

Court sacks Senator Omisore - Orders rerun in Ife East Senatorial District within 60 days - Oyo Deputy Speaker loses seat at tribunal

From Adebayo Waheed, Taiwo Adisa and Tunde Oyekola, - 30.10.2009

THE Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday, nullified the election of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore. The senator, representing Ife East Senatorial District, Osun State, contested the election on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct another election within 60 days.

The presiding judge, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, faulted the ruling of the lower tribunal, which upheld the April 21, 2007 election of Omisore, despite the fact that there were enough proofs of “widespread violence, act of thuggery, electoral malpractices and non-compliance with the electoral laws.”

The Action Congress candidate in the election, Hon. Jide Omoworare, had gone to the Appeal Court on six grounds but the court ruled in favour of Omisore on one ground, favouring the appellant in the remaining five grounds.

The court ruled in favour of Omisore that he was qualified to contest the election regardless of his impeachment on 13 December 2002, as the deputy governor of Osun State, since he had not been “found guilty of any criminal act by a regular court of law or a code of conduct tribunal.”

The appellate court, however, picked holes on the ruling of the lower tribunal that there was no evidence that the widespread violence in Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South during the election affected its results.

It said the lower “tribunal judges grievously erred” by failing to attune themselves to the word, “widespread” while the tribunal “seriously somersaulted” in overlooking the absence of signature of presiding officers on the election result sheets, absence of voting in some polling booths arising from violence and acts of thuggery.

The court, therefore, declared the National Assembly election in Ife East Senatorial District as invalid in view of its non-compliance with the electoral laws and, consequently, nullified the election.

The INEC was ordered to conduct a fresh election within 60 days. The two other judges on the panel, Justices Modupe Fasanmi and Sidi Bage, aligned themselves with the judgment, describing it as “a thorough job.”

Counsel for Omoworare, Miss Folasade Aofolaju, commended the justices but said “we are satisfied partially,” adding that she would have preferred a situation where the court would go ahead to declare her client as “the authentic winner of the election.”

In a related development, a three-man appeal panel has nullified the election of the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Jelili Adeleke and ordered a re-run within 60 days.

The panel at its sitting on Thursday upheld the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal in the petition of Adesanya Orimidara, the Labour Party candidate in the April 2007 election.

The Labour Party candidate had prayed the tribunal to cancel the election on the grounds that the INEC unlawfully excluded his party’s logo on the ballot papers prepared for the election, even when his party had validly nominated him for the election.