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The Nigeria Immigration Service has said there is no evidence that the herdsmen wreaking havoc and killing farmers and villagers across the country are foreigners.

The NIS Public Relations Officer, Ekpedeme King, said the NIS does not profile people based on their ethnicity when coming into Nigeria.

He said, “There is no evidence that the herdsmen are foreigners and the immigration service doesn’t profile immigrants based on their ethnicity. So, the NIS cannot say whether the herdsmen are Nigerians or not because nobody has produced them for us to profile them.

“We are at the borders and we have not seen any herdsman coming into the country. We have our men at the borders and they are doing their job. So far, what we have heard is speculation that they are from foreign countries, but no one has profiled them to know their identities, but it is not impossible that they could be foreigners.”

He averred that it is the responsibility of port health officials to check immigrants with animals to certify the health of their cattle.

King said, “We don’t ask if they (immigrants) are herdsmen or not and we don’t see people coming in with cattle. We have not received reports of people coming in with cattle. When you see someone coming in with animals, we have relevant agencies to check the state of the animals. If you are importing or exporting animals, like in other countries, the port health officials are in charge of that.”

He, however, said the NIS lacked the capacity to man the 1,400 illegal routes in Nigeria.

King said, “There are over 1,400 illegal routes, but the border patrol guards cannot be posted to the illegal routes because they are illegal, you cannot post an official to go and work at a place that is declared illegal, those places are not recognized as border posts, but the border guards patrol the periphery of the borders and prevent illegal people from coming in.

“We have patrol bases, the guards patrol from one base to the other. So, what we do is that we patrol the border areas, the government approved border bases for us.”

However, the Federal Government has said that it will collaborate with the neighboring countries to contain the needless violence by the rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

The government said it would consolidate on its existing cordial relationship with Niger Republic, Chad, and Cameroon to curb the influx of herdsmen and other violent elements into Nigeria and improve security around the nation’s borders.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bolaji Akinremi, said Nigeria has a working relationship with the neighboring countries on regional security of lives and properties.

“Of course, we have a cordial relationship with our neighbors and a robust partnership on security and this issue (herdsmen attacks) is a security challenge which the partnership will take cognizance of,” Akinremi said.

Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Republic of Benin had on June 11, 2015 formed a military coalition to fight Boko Haram.

The force, which was established with a budget of $30m, comprises of 8,700 troops from the five countries.

Some Fulani herdsmen on Monday attacked a community in the Uzo-Uwani area of Enugu State and killed no fewer than 48 persons.

The herdsmen were said to have attacked the community despite an earlier intelligence report that the attackers were lurking around and the pledge by the police to prevent the attack.

The Acting Director, Defense Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, confirmed the Federal Government’s intention to tackle the herdsmen rampage.

Abubakar told one of our correspondents on Thursday in Abuja that with the plans being put in place by the military, the threat posed by the herdsmen would be drastically reduced.

On the issue that some Boko Haram members escaping from the military bombardment in the North-East could be involved in the killings by herdsmen, the military spokesperson said such insurgents had always been apprehended in collaboration with the security agencies.

Abubakar said, “While one will not divorce it (herdsmen rampage) completely from the Boko Haram, the military and the security agencies will continue to synergise to arrest such people.”

He vowed that the military would do everything to contain the reprehensible killings by the herdsmen and ensure that those behind it are prosecuted.

Abubakar stressed that the issue of the security of lives and property was a responsibility of the Armed Forces, adding that the security agencies would not condone such criminal conducts from the herdsmen and other criminal gangs.

There have been insinuations that the marauding herdsmen are aliens and not Nigerians. But Abubakar claimed that the herdsmen could be foreigners.

He explained that while the issue of people coming into the country to carry out the heinous acts could not be completely ruled out because of the nation’s porous borders, the relevant security agencies were doing their best.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency on Friday said that residents of Ukpabi Nimbo village in Enugu State had deserted their community following Monday’s attack.

NEMA said its personnel had begun on-the-spot assessment of the destruction carried out in the community by the herdsmen.

A NEMA Senior Information Officer, Mr. Sani Datti, told one of our correspondents that the agency’s officials were deployed in the community immediately after the attack.

He said, “Our men are there. They went, they conducted assessment and visited the victims. The way we handle cases of this sort is that we conduct on-the-spot assessment in order to know what to report, in case there is the need for greater attention.

“Don’t forget that NEMA has a zonal office in Enugu and because of the proximity, we were able to mobilize to the location immediately. Most of the time, we have situations of that sort and we carry out on-the-spot assessment for immediate assistance.”

However, security experts on Friday spoke on the need by the Federal Government to muster the political will to tackle the recurring attacks by the Fulani herdsmen on farmers and their host communities.

A former Director of Procurement in the Defense Headquarters, Brig.-Gen. Ayodele Ojo (retd.), urged the Federal Government to unravel the cause of violence between the herdsmen and their host communities for lasting solution.

He said, “While removal or redeployment of the Enugu State Commissioner of Police will not bring solution to the violence in the state, what I think should be done is to find out why the security agencies failed to prevent the attack after receiving information that the herdsmen were lurking around.

“If it is established that there is any negligence on their part, then those responsible should be punished. The Federal Government also needs to unravel the root cause of the frequent clashes between the herdsmen and their host communities.”

But, a former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Abubakar Tsav, said it was too harsh to call for the removal of the Enugu State police boss because it had yet to be established that herdsmen were responsible for the killings.

He said, “If you listen or read the statement of the police in Enugu State, they said the people who came to attack the community were hoodlums, not herdsmen. And people were killed with machetes, not with guns.

“So, the police have yet to clarify whether it was Fulani herdsmen that carried out the killings or hoodlums. If the police were aware that the attack would happen, they knew that it was their responsibility to send security personnel to protect the area. The next thing is to investigate the incident before calling for necessary action.”

Like Ojo, Tsav asked the government to find out why the Fulani herdsmen suddenly find interest in killing their hosts with who they had been living peacefully in the past.

He said, “The issue is that the Fulani have lived peacefully with their hosts for many years in the past and there was no communal violence between them. The question to ask is why is the violence happening now? The best the Federal Government can do is hold an inquiry involving the whole country to find out why this is happening and proffers solution.

“But if you just say create ranches and prevent Fulani herdsmen from going about, this may not work because moving about has become part and parcel of their lives. The government should find out why this was not happening before and why it is happening now. It is when we know the causes of this problem that we can proffer solution to it.

“For now, if you send soldiers and the police to kill them, it will also not work because the Fulani people are united and assuming that one of them is killed and the rest organize a reprisal, what do you think will happen? The Fulani have the right to rear their cattle, but they have no right to destroy people’s farms and they have no right to kill anybody.”

The Secretary, Lagos State chapter of American Society of Industrial Security, Prof. Femi Adegbulu, said it was embarrassing that the herdsmen still struck despite an earlier report indicating that the attackers were around.

He, however, blamed the incident on what he described as the police weakness.

Adegbulu said, “The first question we should ask ourselves is that the herdsmen, who are now armed to the teeth, what is their strength vis-a-vis the police who are to prevent them from attacking?

“The police will always tell you that they are on top of the situation; they will never tell you their weaknesses. They will never tell anyone that the Fulani herdsmen possess more sophisticated arms than them. But when the crimes are being committed or the attacks are being carried out, you will not see any policeman at the scene to prevent them because they know that the herdsmen have more sophisticated weapons than they have.

“Are we saying that there were no police in Benue State when the herdsmen moved there to kill people? Are we saying that the police were not in Benue State when the herdsmen killed the locals? If the police were there when the herdsmen were perpetrating the attacks, it meant the police took cover because they knew they could not overpower the herdsmen. The time to stem this is now; otherwise I keep saying it that it will be difficult to contain them.”

Source:- http://www.punchng.com/killings-no-proof-fulani-herdsmen-foreigners-nis/

UMUAHIA—As condemnations continue to trail the massacre of no fewer than 40 people of Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu by Fulani herdsmen last Monday, Igbo youths under the aegis of Ohaneze Youth Council (OYC) have given the herdsmen three days to leave Igbo land or they will be forced out.

The Igbo youths gave the herdsmen till Monday to vacate all Igboland saying enough is enough even as it was gathered that the attack by the herdsmen has forced nursing mothers, widows, children and bedridden patients from the affected communities into exile.

An Igbo traditional ruler, Igwe Rowland Odegbo and Champion newspaper publisher, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu also condemned the massacre and tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Rising from an emergency meeting held in Enugu on Thursday, the Igbo youths in their communique noted that the herdsmen “are off-shoots of Boko Haram and must not be allowed any breeding ground in Igbo land. Any herdsman who fails to quit South East by Monday will have himself to blame”.

The communique was signed by the National Vice President of the group, Mazi Obinna Achuonye and the Chairmen of OYC in seven Igbo- speaking states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Imo and Rivers.

According to the communique, “never again will Igbo youths fold their arms and watch our people being massacred by blood-sucking terrorists under the guise of herdsmen. Urgent times need drastic measure. We warn all violent Fulani herdsmen to vacate our farmland, our backyards, our territories and boundaries on or before Monday next week.

“Even though Ohanaeze Ndigbo will meet over the weekend to discuss this menace, Igbo youths will not wait until our people are massacred again before we take action. “

If after Monday and the herdsmen are still around, we will direct Igbo vigilante groups set up by OYC in all the 95 Local Government Areas in South East to force them out”.

Continuing OYC said it had also uncovered plots through its intelligence unit that Ebonyi State has been marked as the next target of the rampaging herdsmen.

“We have uncovered plots that their next target is Ebonyi State. They are coming from Taraba State to attack Ebonyi. We want the Governor of Ebonyi State and all the security agents in the state to be at alert”, OYC alerted. OYC claimed that Igbo youths were already collaborating with Ijaw youths and Middle Belt youths on how to defend their people as the Federal Government under Buhari has failed to protect them.

“Ijaw youths, and Middle Belt progressives are already waiting for the expiration of the deadline on Monday. Fulani herdsmen have pushed us to the wall, time to take action is now or never”, it warned.

Nursing mothers, widows, bedridden patients now in exile—Rep Meanwhile, the barbaric murder of over 40 persons in Igboland by Fulani Herdsmen has forced nursing mothers, widows, children and bedridden patients in the area into exile, a member of the House of Representatives Chime Oji has said.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday Vanguard in Abuja, Oji who represents Enugu North/South Federal Constituency of Enugu State said that since the gruesome murder of innocent citizens by the herdsmen, the mood in the area had been that of total frustration, despair and anguish.

According to him, “To the best of my knowledge, the killing was not an offhand attack. It was too coordinated to be an impromptu or perfunctory misunderstanding. The damage is colossal to be dismissive by any right thinking and patriotic Nigerian.”

Describing the mood in the area as that of anguish, he said, “it is total frustration, creating fear, despair, anguish and forced exile on the people, most of whom are infirm children, very old and pregnant women, nursing mothers and widows, including bedridden patients who were all compelled to leave their homes for exile.”

isplaced residents narrate ordeals Residents of the community who fled their homes as a result of the attack and now taking refuge at petrol stations, churches, motor parks, hospitals, army barracks and uncompleted buildings have also recounted their ordeals. One of the displaced persons, John Ayogu of Nimbo community told Vanguard that his family survives at the mercy of good Samaritans who donate food, water and fairly used clothes.

“We sleep at any available space at night and roam the town in the day time for food to eat, mostly for the teenagers who were forced out of school by the barbaric attack and killings in our community. People have been helpful to the residents of Nimbo, some people took some of us to their residential homes to take refuge, and many others buy food items and water for us. We fled our community without food and cloth. The number of death was too much for one community to bear. Our children were forced out of school for a good number of days now; we don’t know when it will be safe for us to go back to ours farms. We are predominantly farmers but the herdsmen could not allow us settle in our farms as they rape women and young girls. We no longer allow our younger girls to go to the farms for fear of being defiled by Fulani herdsmen”.

Utazi Chikodili of Nimbo in tears at Royal Cross hospital said, ‘’Fulani herdsmen have finished our people, turned indigenes of Nimbo to beggers. We wander about everyday looking for food and water to stay alive with the little ones who could do nothing but to cry when they are hungry. We sleep at this hospital every day and night, people do come here to give us food and water, and we take our bath at midnight because of space.

Ajougwu Chisom (15) an SS 2 student at Community Secondary School, Nimbo and Ugwoke Regina (10) in primary six, said, ‘’we went to buy food items with the little money people gave to us. We are staying with our sister and our parents but we want to go back to school”.

Attack on any Igbo soil is an attack on Nigeria—Iwuanyanwu Chief Iwuanyanwu, in his reaction said “once again, innocent Igbo blood have been shed in Igboland by Fulani herdsmen. The activities of these herdsmen in the past 12 months have been of great concern to all men and women, who are committed to the unity, peace and economic development of Nigeria. These group of people have waged serious war against many Nigerian communities.

“Wherever they attacked, they were reported to have used sophisticated weapons and other weapons of modern warfare. They have slaughtered people in a most brutal and uncivilized manner. They have raped women, including young girls, married women and the aged women. This matter has become a matter of grave concern to everybody.

The recent attack in Ukpabi Nimbo in Enugu State, is very painful to Nigerians and Igbos in particular. By Igbo culture and tradition, the greatest injury one can inflict on an Igboman, is to attack him and kill him in his home. It is even worse when his property is destroyed, some lives are lost, their women brazenly violated. Attack on any Igbo soil is an attack on Nigeria and an impunity on the peace loving Igbo people.

“This matter should not be treated with levity but regarded as a matter that can seriously affect peace, unity and economic progress of this country, which all of us are trying to achieve.

Today, most farmers in these areas are afraid to go to their farms for fear that they may be killed, kidnapped or raped by this group, resulting in poor agricultural production in Igbo land and other parts of Nigeria, where they are invading. The truth is that this matter has assumed a dangerous dimension.

The Nigerian Police is over stretched. It is impossible for Nigeria to get enough policemen to police Igbo farmland and other parts of the country, where the so called herdsmen are rampaging. Rather the following questions needs to be addressed and answered:

*By the laws of Nigeria, individuals are not allowed to carry automatic weapons. Who allowed the herdsmen to carry automatic weapons? *Since this invasion, kidnapping and raping by the Fulani herdsmen commenced some years ago, no arrests or prosecution or conviction has been made against any of them.

Set up panel of inquiry, Monarch tells Buhari Similarly, the traditional ruler of Nteje in Oyi local government area of Anambra State, Igwe Rowland Odegbo has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a panel of inquiry to look into the remote and immediate causes of the activities of Fulani herdsmen who have been killing people in various parts of the country in recent times.

Speaking in an interview, Igwe Odegbo, who is a prominent member of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, said the panel of inquiry should consist of security operatives, leaders of thought and traditional rulers.

He described as unfortunate a situation whereby herdsmen swoop on communities and slaughter people and wondered “why people should be killed because of cows”.

He said: “President Buhari is a Fulani man and his silence on this matter is not sending any good signal. He was elected to protect the lives of all Nigerians irrespective of their tribe and he should not encourage a section of the country to threaten the lives of other Nigerians.

“Grazing areas should only be established in the North for the people who do the business of rearing cows. They should not come down to the south to avoid conflict with communities who are mainly farmers.”

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/enugu-massacre-leave-land-now-igbo-youths-tell-fulani-herdsmen/

The diplomatic process that will ensure the extradition of suspected looters who have fled the country will dominate President Muhammadu Buhari’s discussions with his counterparts when 60 world leaders meet in the United Kingdom next month.

Saturday PUNCH learnt on Friday that the President would at the summit explore ways of bringing to the country politicians who were being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

It was gathered that the outcome of the summit would speed up the extradition of individuals, including a former Minister of State for Defense, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro; a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu; and a former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force, Abdulrasheed Maina.

Others are the ex-Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; her son, Ugonna; and a former Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, whose house was raided in Abuja in January by the EFCC.

Also included are a former Senior Political Adviser to ex-President and Coordinator of Goodluck Support Group, Prof. Rufai Alkali, who coordinated the disbursement of N320m allegedly collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria during the 2015 elections and the immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, who is being allegedly investigated over $1.1bn Malabu Oil deal.

While Obanikoro, who is believed to be in the United States, is wanted in connection with the alleged payment of N1.45bn to his companies, Muazu is reportedly wanted over disbursement of funds to PDP zonal chairmen. He was reported to be in Singapore.

Alison-Madueke and her son are being investigated for N2.3bn disbursed to some staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission through Fidelity Bank before the 2015 general elections.

While the former minister is in the UK, the whereabouts of her son is unknown.

Findings revealed that some of the pacts that would be signed by the world leaders at the summit would pave the way for the extradition of those who were being investigated.

A senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who confided in Saturday PUNCH, said at the sideline of the summit, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, would meet with law-enforcement agencies from 59 other countries.

The senior official said, “The Federal Government is determined to bring politicians, who are under investigations, but have fled the country. The summit will afford the EFCC and the Ministry of Justice the opportunity of discussing how those guys will be interrogated for the offenses they have allegedly committed.”

Efforts to get the attorney-general and minister of justice did not succeed on Friday as he did not pick calls to his mobile telephone or respond to an SMS sent to him as of the time of sending this report.

But a source in the Ministry of Justice confirmed to one of our correspondents that Malami would be attending the London conference.

The source said, “Though it is a conference of heads of state, the minister will attend with the President since it has to do with corruption.

“You can also not rule out the fact that there may be the need to sign one agreement or the other with some other nations. In that regard, the President needs the AGF to be with him.”

The AGF had, in an interview on Friday last week, said that the Federal Government and 59 other countries would sign agreement on the sanctions to be imposed on corrupt political and public office holders.

According to him, the sanctions will include travel restriction or denial of entry visa into the 60 countries; rejection of requests for political asylum by corrupt political and public office holders; likely loss of citizenship; non-approval of naturalization for any corrupt person; stoppage of establishment of shell companies abroad; and banning operation of foreign accounts in any of the 60 nations.

He had said, “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is stepping up the fight against corruption. I am happy to bring to your notice that Nigeria and 59 other countries will enter into an agreement in May on the imposition of international sanctions against corrupt political and public office holders. This will take place at the 2016 international summit on anti-corruption in the UK.

“At the May summit, these 60 countries will agree on some sanctions against those who steal public funds or launder money.

“Some of these measures are travel restriction or denial of entry into the 60 countries; rejection of request for political asylum by corrupt political and public officers; no more approval of application for naturalization by any corrupt person; and the corrupt will not be allowed to operate foreign accounts in any of the signatory nation to the pact, among others.

“The affected countries will also design ways of sharing intelligence on corrupt officers and money launderers. We will all key into this understanding as part of the global action against corruption. “With this development, there is no hiding place for any public office holder who steals funds in this country.”

EFCC could confiscate assets of escaped offenders –Ex-envoy

Commenting on efforts of the Federal Government to extradite escaped suspects, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Angola, Otunba Folorunso Otukoya, said that EFCC could apply to a court for the seizure of assets belonging to Nigerians accused of embezzling public funds.

The retired diplomat also said that the agency could apply for the extradition of fugitives from their countries of residence so they could come and face trial for their alleged offenses.

Otukoya explained that Nigeria has extradition treaties with a number of countries which could be exploited to bring back escaped offenders to the country for prosecution.

He said, “There are many mechanisms for getting someone who is wanted: one, if you have extradition treaty with the country where he has run to. You would make a formal appeal to the government through a court process and he would be handed over to that government and they too would have a system of how to arrive at whether the person should be extradited.

“Other measures may be to impound his assets here through a court order whereby the person could come back and prove his innocence. You can also use diplomatic means to persuade the country of residence of the suspect that he will be given a fair trial; you will assure them that the suspect’s human rights will not be abused.

“That government may assist by encouraging the person to leave their country, not by extradition, but by encouraging him to leave after his visa had expired or they refuse to renew his residency in the country.”

The ex-envoy, however, noted that it may be difficult to extradite a fugitive in a country with which Nigeria has no extradition treaty.

Otukoya said, “Where there is no extradition treaty, it is difficult to persuade another government to send home a fugitive or offender, but if he had been found guilty by a competent court of law in our country, we can use a friendly nation to persuade that country to assist us to get the fellow to come back, but he will not be physically or forcefully extradited.”

A security analyst, Lt. Sola Oremade (Retd.) stated that EFCC could explore a wide range of options to bring escaped offenders to justice, “if they are serious and know what they are doing.”

He said the constitution stipulated measures, including legal and diplomatic options that could be taken against offenders and fugitives, stressing that it was important that the commission adhere to the rule of law in its operations.

Oremade said the anti-graft agency might be handicapped if offenders had escaped to countries that had no extradition with Nigeria.

He said, “If they (suspects) have escaped to countries that have no extradition treaty with Nigeria, there is nothing they (EFCC) can do to bring them back, they have to follow the law, you can’t go against the law in Germany, England or Canada.

“You can’t try to kidnap the suspect as they tried to do to Umaru Dikko in the 80s. You have to follow the law, do the right thing and show you are responsible. The other countries will cooperate with us if they see that we are following due process.”

Any anti-corruption summit is of interest to Nigeria –Presidency

When contacted, the Presidency on Friday said any summit on corruption in any part of the world would naturally be of interest to Nigeria because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption stand.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said this in an interview with our correspondent.

Adesina was responding to a question on the benefit of an anti-corruption summit of 60 world leaders which Buhari would be attending in the UK on May 11 and 12.

Although the presidential spokesman said all the questions raised by our correspondent would be addressed when the trip is officially announced, he said Nigeria would naturally be a participant at that kind of summit because of Buhari’s reputation.

He said, “These issues (on the benefits of the planned trip) will be addressed when the trip is officially announced.

“It may be premature to begin to talk about them now.

“Suffice to say, however, that any summit on corruption in any part of the world today would have Nigeria as a key participant, because of the zero tolerance of the Muhammadu Buhari administration for graft, and the reputation of the President himself as a man of probity, integrity and transparency.”

Source:- http://www.punchng.com/world-leaders-summit-muazu-obanikoro-others-extradition-tops-buharis-wish-list/

Tunji Balogun a.k.a Teebillz’s outburst Thursday, opening more cans of worms about his marriage to popular singer, Tiwa Savage, may be the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

But before the public meltdown, there has been a deep crack in their marriage. It would be recalled that their three-year-old marriage has been having problems since last year when the celebrated singer sacked her husband as her manager. Since then, there has been whispers of things falling apart between them.

Also, in 2014, it was rumored that their marriage has crashed.

A pointer to this, was when Tiwa failed to wish her husband a happy birthday on her social media page as it was part of her tradition. It soon came to light that the couple had been having issues in their marriage, and that Tiwa’s family had admonished Teebillz to stop managing his wife and look for another lucrative job

It was alleged then that Teebillz was always beating her up, and that she had to move out of the house temporarily to stay with a friend. However, families and friends prevailed on the couple not to give up on their marriage.

It was also reported that a family meeting was called and a consensus was reached that Teebillz’s protege, Mekka Millions should take over as Tiwa’s manager.

However, after that episode, there have always been insinuations that all is not well with the couple as they have been the subject of several rumours that their marriage has packed up.

But there has been no substance to the tales until this latest incident.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/genesis-tiwa-savage-teebillz-marriage-crisis/

KADUNA—THE Northern branch of Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday advised President Muhammadu Buhari against purported moves to arrest former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying Nigeria would boil should the man regarded as the “hero of democracy” be arrested by the government.

The body urged President Buhari to focus on arresting the menace of marauding and murderous herdsmen, erratic power supply and an economy that was getting weaker since his assumption of office.

CAN, in a statement in Kaduna by its Public Relation Officer, PRO, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, one-time Adviser on Religious Affairs (Christians) to both late Governor Ibrahim Yakowa and former Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State said: “Every honest Nigeria knows that the feelers on the ground are that this administration’s popularity is dwindling rapidly among the Nigerian people. It is therefore not advisable to think or plan to arrest former president Goodluck Jonathan. Let me warn that such a misadventure will set a wrong precedent and only open door for mischievous people to set this nation into confusion. What Nigerians need urgently is availability of fuel, electricity, prompt salary, security of lives and properties etc.

“If the purported plan to arrest Jonathan is to please the international community and prove to them that we are fighting corruption, then let us know that these same international community are busy celebrating him as hero of democracy and even those who seriously wanted him to go for a change to happen are now singing a new song about him. Former President Jonathan is deservedly seen in Nigeria and beyond as a hero of democracy because of his actions before, during and after the 2015 elections. As such, it will be curious for the Buhari administration to initiate the arrest of such a statesman.

”Government must know that there are individuals serving today that have also been accused of corruption, but since there are claims that nothing has been established against them, they are walking and speaking like saints. While ignoring all these people, government now wants to arrest a man of peace like Jonathan?

According to the statement: “CAN Northern states wishes to advice that such an action, if actualized, has the capacity to lead to serious confusion that will affect Nigeria economically and otherwise. We are afraid that such an action may spark chain reaction.

“If our President wants to arrest anything for now then he should arrest the incessant spate of herdsmen attacks in Nigeria which has led to the deaths of almost a thousand innocent Nigerians under his watch. He should arrest the dangerous slide in the power sector; he should arrest the slide in the economy. We believe at this time and with the current realities our former president must not be denigrated but honored, because honor must be given to whom it is due.”

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/nigeriall-boil-jonathan-arrested-northern-can-warns/

A Nigerian academic, Professor Abiodun Alao, will today deliver inaugural lecture at King’s College, University of London, making him the first black African scholar to deliver such lecture since the institution was established in 1829.

Alao, a professor of African Studies, was conferred with professorial title about two years ago alongside his Nigerian counterpart in the institution’s African Leadership Center, Prof. Funmi Olonisakin, making them first black Africans to attain professorial cadre at the institution since its establishment.

The appointments have been confirmed in a letter by the institution’s President and Principal, Prof. Edward Byrne AC, justifying their elevations based on their contributions to African peace and security.

According to a statement obtained by Vanguard yesterday, Alao had published several single-authored books, well-researched journal articles and occasional papers, among others, which findings and recommendations “have largely helped establish peace and boost security in many African countries.”

In an institution that produced 12 Nobel Laureates among its professors, the statement said Alao had distinguished himself, citing about 100 widely recognized 100 academic articles and encyclopedia entries he had published, all of which were assessed to accord him professorial title.

As an academic tradition globally, the statement said the Nigerian academic would today deliver his inaugural lecture, titled, “Africa: A Voice to be Heard, Not a Problem to be Solved” at the Edward Safra Lecture Theater at the college’s main campus.

The statement said the inaugural lecture, holding at the institution’s Edward Lecture Theater on the Strand, “will be attended by many people from different parts of the world, including from the United States, Australia, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.”

Aside his academic contributions, Alao joined the long list of globally renowned academics the institution had produced and whose research works had produced answers to different challenges of humanity and society since its establishment.

The statement pointed diverse assignments Alao had undertaken for international institution, which include the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), European Union (EU), World Bank, ECOWAS and for many individual countries in Africa and beyond.

It added that Alao was part of the 4-person team that undertook “a comprehensive threat assessment for Rwanda immediately after the 1994 genocide and was on the team of academic experts that advised former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan on the civil war in Sierra Leone.

“He also co-authored the Concept Note for the Common Defense and Security Policy for the Africa Union and was the co-author of the first post-Civil War National Security Strategy Framework for Liberia. He was a member of the team that worked on the Development of Donor Countries Effectiveness in Fragile States, the statement said.

Ranking among the top 20 universities in the world, King’s College London holds a unique position in global scholarship, which the statement said, was evident in the landmark research works the institution’s professors and alumni had conducted since its establishment several decades ago.

Among its landmark research works, the statement cited the research that led to the discovery of the famous genetic testing, DNA undertaken at the College by Prof. Maurice Wilkins, while another retired scholar of the institution, Prof. John Lister, developed Antiseptic Surgery.

It cited the researches of Prof. Charles Wheatstone, who “invented the first working telegraphs line and Prof. James Maxwell, who began humanity’s first steps towards a unified theory of physics by bringing magnetism and electricity together in a research that paved way for radio, television, radar and mobile phones.

“The College also has among its former Professors, Thomas Hodgkin, who discovered the Hodgkin disease that was named after him and John Danrell who invented the world’s first battery,” the statement added.

Source:-http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/nigerian-breaks-187-yr-old-record-university-london/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission made staggering discoveries in the process of investigating the alleged fraud relating to the diversion of $2.1bn meant for prosecution of the war against Boko Haram.

The PUNCH learnt on Tuesday that the EFCC had discovered that the total anti-insurgency money diverted by various personalities and agencies was over $15bn.

The $2.1bn represents the arms cash placed under the Office of the National Security Adviser, then headed by the immediate past NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (Retd.).

Ex-military chiefs, including a former Chief of Defense Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (Retd.); and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd.), had been quizzed for their alleged roles in the arms scam.

Badeh and Dasuki are currently standing trial on charges relating to the alleged fraud.

A top source at the commission, who confided in The PUNCH on Tuesday, said the EFCC and the presidential panel on arms procurement, during investigations, discovered that $2.1bn fraud was just for one of the several transactions.

The source added that the commission discovered that top military officers deliberately incorporated companies to divert anti-insurgency funds for their personal uses.

“We have discovered that the total money in the arms scandal is over $15bn, not $1.2bn that was initially discovered. The $2.1bn was just for one transaction. Many of these military officers set up companies for the purpose of diverting money meant for the prosecution of the anti-insurgency war,” he said.

CCT chair, Umar, not yet exonerated

On the allegations against the Code of Conduct Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, the source explained that the judge had not been totally exonerated.

Umar was alleged to have demanded a N10m bribe from Mr. Rasheed Taiwo, a former customs officer.

The source in the commission stated that the content of the letter the EFCC wrote to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the matter was clear.

The top source, who confided in The PUNCH, said, “Facts are being distorted by those who are afraid of their shadow. The letter, dated March 5, 2015, clearly explains that there was no sufficient evidence at that time to prosecute the judge. It is not an exoneration. The man (who wrote the letter) says there is no sufficient evidence. The issue can come up again.”

£600,000 wristwatch seized from Diezani

£1.4m wristwatch seized from Omokore’s wife

One of our correspondents learnt that the commission had seized expensive jewellery and wristwatches during various raids on houses of some suspects on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, and other places.

The source added that the items seized from the suspects would be displayed to journalists in Nigeria while the summit of 60 world leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari, would take place on May 11 and 12 in the United Kingdom.

The EFCC source added that a wristwatch worth 1.4m pounds was seized from the wife of the Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jide Omokore.

He stated that a wristwatch of about £600,000 was seized from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, during a raid on her residence.

The firm of Omokore, who was quizzed in January by the commission, was one of the companies that allegedly received multi-billion dollars worth of public assets without due process from the Jonathan administration.

The company, which was established in 2010, had reportedly not explored any oil when it was curiously awarded controlling stakes in two lucrative oil blocks, OML 30 and 34, for just over $50m each.

The deal, which was signed by Jonathan’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, gave Atlantic Energy Limited a controlling 55 per cent stake

The former minister had been interrogated by the Metropolitan Police on issues relating to money laundering.

The EFCC source said the commission had started analysing information on Nigerians, including the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and others mentioned in the Panama Paper leaks.

It was gathered that the commission had seized one hospital equipment known as MRI, Medical Resonance Image, from Amosu. The equipment is worth N2.6bn.

The EFCC had previously recovered over N2.3bn cash from Amosu, while properties worth over N1bn had been seized from him.

Commission working to extradite Obanikoro, Mu’azu

Besides suspects in Nigeria, it was learnt that the EFCC had begun moves to extradite those who had fled the country.

The EFCC source added that the commission was working with the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation and the UK’s National Crimes Commission to bring back those who were being investigated, including a former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, and an ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.

“We are working with FBI and NCA and they are eager to assist us. I can assure you that those people will be brought back to Nigeria for interrogation,” the source said.

Source:- http://www.punchng.com/arms-scandal-15bn-not-2-1bn-stolen-says-efcc/

ENUGU—The Igbo Youths Movement, IYM, has lamented that Fulani herdsmen have killed 710 other Nigerians excluding the 48 Agatu people in Benue State in the last 10 months without the Federal Government addressing the issue.

IYM made this known while reacting to the Monday’s killing of about 40 indigenes of Nimbo in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by Fulani herdsmen last night.

The statement signed by the Founder of the IYM and Leader of the South East Democratic Coalition, Evangelist Elliot Uko, entitled, ‘Ten Months of Carnage,’ read: “Between June 2015 and April 2016, Fulani herdsmen have killed over 710 Nigerians (excluding Agatu incident) in 48 recorded incidents, the highest in recent years.

“For the first time, the nation’s Department of State Services, DSS, only interest in these avoidable blood baths, seems only to accuse one organization of killing five Fulani. That accusation is yet to be substantiated with photographs or at least a DSS invitation to media people to the graves in order to corroborate their allegations.

“Monday morning, seven communities in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State received it hot, as usual from the rampaging Fulani warriors. Two churches, over 100 houses, dozens dead and hundreds injured with many still missing.

“Nigerians do not expect any positive reaction from the Federal Government and the DSS, for obvious reasons.This bloodletting which began since the new government took over power is interestingly redefining how much faith, large sections of Nigeria should have in the ability or willingness of the Federal Government to protect them from this Fulani warriors, who clearly act as if they know that the Federal Government cannot (or is it, will not) save the helpless victims from their attacks.

“But above all, the ongoing war by the Fulani herdsmen, have only confirmed Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, a prophet and visionary, who saw tomorrow. Mazi Kanu correctly predicted over the radio, what the Fulani would do to the Middle Belt, South East, South- South and the South West.

“The serial slaughter by the Fulani, the intimidation by the security agents and the disturbing silence of the President, who incidentally is also Fulani and life Patron of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, has put Mazi Kanu in the league of avatars, who correctly predicted events before they happened.

“This development has also greatly increased Kanu’s popularity, especially among the oppressed, suppressed and consistently attacked populations, who now see him as a hero and a legend. This has resulted in a huge sympathy towards the gospel of IPOB and its leader.”

Southern govs, monarchs must meet immediately—Ikokwu.

Second Republic politician and lawyer, Chief Guy Ikokwu, said the unceasing slaughtering of people by the Fulani herdsmen in most parts of the South demands immediate meeting of the 17 governors of the South and traditional rulers.

His words: ‘’The governors of the southern states must meet immediately with their traditional rulers to discuss the issues affecting the area. Northern governors have been meeting. Southern governors must take a cue. The ethnic organisations of the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Efik, like Ohanaeze, Afenifere, among others, must meet and take a common position on the issue.”

Source:-http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/710-nigerians-killed-fulani-herdsmen-10-months-igbo-youth-movement/

So white people self no dey carry last during examination in the exam center. in fact, their own is even on high class............ END TIME EXAM CHEATING

Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart has announced that Nigeria’s former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will be the guest speaker at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT’s 2016 Investiture of Doctoral Hoods.

Okonjo-Iweala is an alumna of MIT, having done her MCP in the school, in 1978 and PhD in 1981.

Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership on the complex global stage of economics and politics demonstrates the real-world impact of an informed and compassionate scholar. We are honored that she will return to MIT to share that vision of service with our doctoral candidates,” says Barnhart on the institution’s website.

The Investiture of Doctoral Hoods ceremony, held the day before Commencement, featured a guest speaker for the first time last year.

This new tradition solicits input from MIT faculty and doctoral students, with the aim to invite as guest speaker an MIT alum who can encourage and inspire students as they begin their new careers.

“I’m thankful to the faculty and the student committee for their thoughtful recommendations,” says Eric Grimson, chancellor for academic advancement and chair of the Commencement Committee.

“This is truly a collaborative effort and I’m delighted that we will all have the privilege of hearing Dr. Okonjo-Iweala speak at such an important moment in the lives of our doctoral candidates.”

Okonjo-Iweala was born in Nigeria and came of age in the late 1960s, enduring the fragmentation of her nation and the horror of civil war. Undeterred in her commitment to continuing her education, Okonjo-Iweala made her way to the United States, where she received her undergraduate degree at Harvard University. She did her graduate work at the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT, receiving an MCP in 1978 and a PhD in regional economics and development in 1981.

After serving 21 years at the World Bank, first as a development economist and later as vice president and corporate secretary, Okonjo-Iweala became Nigeria’s minister of finance in 2003. During her three-year tenure, her influence was key to re-positioning Nigeria as a nation in recovery, including initiating negotiations that ended in Western creditor nations acquiescing to cancel $30 billion of Nigerian

In December 2007, Okonjo-Iweala returned to the World Bank as managing director, the second-highest position in the organization. In that time, she oversaw the World Bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia, and led several World Bank initiatives to assist low-income countries during the 2008-2009 food crisis.

In 2010 she successfully chaired the World Bank’s drive to raise $49.3 billion in grants and low-interest credit for the world’s poorest countries.

In 2011, love and loyalty for her country called Okonjo-Iweala back to Nigeria, where she served as minister of finance and coordinating minister for the economy, wherein she was responsible for managing the finances of Africa’s largest economy. She left the position in 2015 and is currently a senior adviser at Lazard, a global financial advisory and asset management firm. She is also the chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.

Okonjo-Iweala has been ranked among the 50 greatest world leaders (Fortune, 2015) and the top 100 most influential people in the world (TIME, 2014). She was awarded the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award in 2014 and the John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Services Award in 2010. “Ngozi is a profound example of the way a leader can transform academic theory into tangible practical results, using knowledge to truly change nations,” says Professor Eran Ben-Joseph, head of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning. “We couldn’t ask for a better example of ‘mind and hand’ at work to inspire our students.”

The 2016 Investiture of Doctoral Hoods will take place on June 2 at 11 a.m. in the Johnson Athletics Center Ice Rink. The ceremony is open to family and friends of doctoral candidates; no tickets are required.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/okonjo-iweala-to-speak-at-mits-2016-investiture-of-doctoral-hoods/

Some senior citizens, who are the owners of buildings demolished by the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the expansion of some road projects in Osogbo on Tuesday stormed the House of Assembly to protest the nonpayment of about N2bn compensation since 2012.

The aged protesters, who had waited patiently for the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr. Najeem Salam, blocked him before the seamier before he entered into his office.

Armed with placards with various inscriptions, the protesters, who were owners of demolished buildings at Fakunle, Olaiya, MDS, Old Garage, Ayetoro and Baba Onisekere area made a passionate appeal to the speaker to persuade Aregbesola to pay them.

The chairman of the landlords, Moshood Oladejo, said the speaker demonstrated that he was a caring leader by choosing to address them on the spot.

They said they had met with the governor on some occasions and had written to him but he had not paid them the compensation he promised.

Oladejo said, those whose buildings were demolished after theirs had already been fully paid by the same government. He was wondering what caused the delay in paying them.

Oladejo, who suggested that the Goernor could pay the owners of the 350 buildings demolished in batches told the speaker that 10 of them had died because of lack of money.

He said majority of the owners of the buildings were retirees, who depended solely on rents from the buildings to feed.

Oladejo said, ” Our pain was made much more severe upon the discovery that the governor started set,ing those to be affected by the dual ideation of Odi Olowo.

“His Excellency has duly compensated our counterparts who fell victims of the same circumstance and has left us to our fate. The biting economic situation of the country coupled with the devastating reality of homelessness requires an urgent attention and intervention by your office and the governor.”

The speaker lauded the peaceful conduct of the aggrieved landlords but assured them that the lawmakers would discuss the issue with the governor.

He also commended for being patient with the government and for suggesting payment in batches which he said should be okay with the governor.

He asked the leadership of the aggrieved landlords to come and meet with members of the House of Assembly on Monday for a further discussion on the issue.

Source:- http://www.punchng.com/demolition-aged-landlords-protest-non-payment-of-n2bn-compensation/

lovdoc:
The actress showed off her 'secret'' tattoo as she relaxed in a red bikini... Sexy lady!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEW-mO5vTv3/?taken-by=beverlynaya

Hmmm Secret Tatoo indeed..........End time news from nonsens poster.......... How does that look like a secret tatoo to you ? ? ? silly Barbarian........

[quote author=lovdoc post=44830340]The actress showed off her 'secret'' tattoo as she relaxed in a red bikini... Sexy lady

Hmmm Secret Tatoo indeed..........End time news from nonsens poster.......... How does that look like a secret tatoo to you ? ? ? Stupid Barbarian........

The Federal Government on Thursday opened its case against a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, who is being prosecuted before the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja on one count of false asset declaration.

The first prosecution witness, Samuel Madojemu, an official of the Code of Conduct Bureau who testified on Thursday, accused Orubebe of failing to declare his property at Plot 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja, as a minister between 2007 and 2011.

Madojemu, who coordinates CCB’s “intelligence on observed breaches of the code and asset tracing investigation,” said Orubebe submitted five asset declaration forms to the bureau between 2007 and 2011, the period he served as a minister.

Orubebe submitted the five forms to the CCB, first, as Minister of Special Duties under the administration of the late President Umar Yar’Adua, and later, as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs up till 2011 under the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The witness said the Certificate of Occupancy for the property obtained from the land registry of the Federal Capital Territory administration showed that it was issued to Orubebe on April 10, 2011 but that the former minister failed to declare it as of the time he was leaving office on May 29, 2011.

The witness, who was led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Diri, said Orubebe refused to honor invitation by the bureau during the investigation of an intelligence report obtained concerning him.

Madojemu said, “The defendant declared his assets to the bureau by virtue of his position as a public officer and as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I was instructed to invite him to the bureau for the purpose of obtaining his statement on the allegations and intelligence report that was being handled by the bureau concerning him.

“I invited him. He promised to respond by sending his legal team. He also promised that he might decide to come in person but he did not come.

“My lord, the bureau issued him with Form CCB 1 which is the bureau’s asset declaration form and he made his declaration between 2007 and 2011 – the period under investigation.

“The Code of Conduct Bureau issued the defendant the Form CCB 1 five times. For those five times, he made his asset declaration to the bureau.

“My lord, after we received the form, we examined the form as part of our procedures of investigation to ascertain if there was over-declaration or under-declaration.

“We conducted intelligence assessment on the declaration made by the defendant. We discovered that there were some other plots or properties that were traced to the defendant, Godsday Orubebe.

“We conducted record examination by writing a letter to the Federal Capital Territory’s Department of Land Administration.

“My lord, in their response, which was in writing, it was indicated that Plot 2057, Asokoro District, for which the Certificate of Occupancy was issued on April 10, 2011, belonged to the defendant.

“We thereafter compared the information arising from the response from the FCT Land Administration Department with the information on asset declaration forms submitted to the bureau between 2007 and 2011 and discovered that Plot 2057, Asokoro District, belonging to the defendant was not declared, even as of May 29, 2011 when he left office.

“Apart from the letter from the FCT Land Administration registry, we also received the Certified True Copy of the Certificate of Occupancy in respect of Plot number 2057 issued to the defendant.

“We also received the CTC of the Right of Occupancy for that same Plot No. 2057 issued to the defendant.

“Also received from the FCT Land Administration registry was a letter of authority given to one Rodney, an engineer, by the defendant, authorising him to collect the Certificate of Occupancy and the Right of Occupancy from the FCT Land registry. It was supported by the (passport) page of the defendant.”

Madojemu said the reason for inviting Orubebe was to ask him why he failed to declare the asset which he acquired about one month to the expiration of his tenure.

The two-man panel of the Code of Conduct Tribunal admitted as exhibits the certified true copies of all the five CCB 1 forms submitted to the bureau by Orubebe.

Orubebe’s lawyer, Mr. Selekowei Larry (SAN), did not oppose the admissibility of the documents.

But the lawyer opposed the admissibility of the Certificate of Occupancy, the Right of Occupancy, the letter of authority referred to by the witness, which were all attached to a letter dated February 18, 2016, by the Land registry of the FCT, in response to the request by the CCB.

Larry contended that the letter along with the documents attached to it was inadmissible under Section 83(3) of the Evidence Act, because it was authored by “a person interested” while the case against his client was already pending in court.

The letter dated February 18, 2016 was authored by an Assistant State Counsel in the Lands Administration Department, Mrs. Funke Audu, of the Federal Capital Territory.

“These are documents procured during the pendency of this case. The letter is dated February 18, 2016, whereas the suit commenced on October 18, 2015,” Larry said.

But the tribunal chairman, in a ruling, overruled Larry and upheld the argument by the lead prosecutor, Diri, who argued that Audu, who was an employee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, could never be an interested party.

The documents were admitted as exhibits.

Orubebe, who was dressed in a white native attire and a black hat, sat in the dock throughout the proceedings.

He was accompanied to court by a group of women and other supporters.

The trial was adjourned till April 14 for cross-examination of the witness.

Source:- http://www.punchng.com/how-ccb-uncovered-orubebes-hidden-abuja-property-witness-2/

The Sunday, March 6, 2016 ghastly road accident that claimed the lives of the Minister of State for Labour, Chief James Ocholi (SAN), his wife and son, was another instance of avoidable deaths on our highways. Taiwo James Elegbede, the driver of the ill-fated Lexus sports utility vehicle, died in a hospital the following day. The fatal car crash which occurred along Kaduna-Abuja road was attributed to over-speeding.

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Road Traffic Crash Investigation Interim Report identified the cause of the accident as excessive speeding and hard slam on the brake following the burst of the left rear tyre. The FRSC report also indicated that failure to use the vehicle’s back seat belt contributed to Ocholi and his son’s death. The tragic loss of a cerebral lawyer in a road disaster barely four months after he assumed public office has thrown up fundamental issues of safety on our roads.

Government vehicles, particularly those attached to top functionaries, are often guilty of road use violations that result in some of the carnages. Often, siren-blaring convoys of governors, senators, ministers and other political officeholders travel at break-neck speeds that sometimes result in fatal accidents.

The terrible state of most roads and highways has turned some of them to death traps. Most of the mishaps tell something about the drivers’ suitability for the job. It was not a surprise when the FRSC said it would prosecute Ocholi’s driver for not possessing driver’s license. The question is, why would a driver be employed to drive a minister if his papers and credentials were not up to date? Why would such drivers be employed as part of a ministry’s pool? Obviously, some people somewhere are not doing their job.

We strongly support the Commission’s recommendation that a certification and re-certification of convoy drivers every two years after issuance of drivers license should be put in place. We further recommend that this should be extended to private and commercial vehicle drivers. This would enable the Commission to determine those who are no longer fit to continue driving.

We advocate a more strenuous public enlightenment media campaign to sensitize the general populace – even the non-driving public – on the benefits of respecting road safety rules. The efforts of the FRSC in this direction are grossly inadequate. The Commission should not be left to handle public sensitization alone. The mass media and social advocacy groups should also contribute as part of their social responsibility functions.

Road safety awareness is a very important component of efforts to reduce the carnage on our roads, and we encourage everyone to play their roles in promoting it, right from our homes and in schools nationwide.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/minimising-fatal-road-accidents/

Immediate past Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dele Olugbemi yesterday debunked Dr Tope Aluko’s claim that Governor Ayodele Fayose stage-managed the re-conciliatory meeting he held with the embattled former Secretary of state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Olugbemi said he took Aluko to Fayose on Sunday, saying; “It was a lie that Governor Fayose stage-managed the re-conciliatory meeting,” adding that himself, and Aluko prostrated for the governor three times while begging that Aluko be forgiven.”

But in a swift response, Aluko said, “It is all lies. It is part of the plot to sustain the propaganda against me. Olugbemi is an appointee of the governor in the State Universal Basic Education Board. So, he is doing the bid of his master.

“I only saw him when he barged into the meeting with the governor. I didn’t have any discussion with him and couldn’t have gone with him to the meeting. He is only being used.”

Olugbemi, who said he was surprised that Aluko could address the press to deny that he willingly attended the Sunday night meeting with Governor Fayose and that he spoke to the press under duress after the meeting, disclosing that he, out of genuine concern for peace took Aluko to Eko Hotel, Lagos venue of the meeting.

He said; “The existing cordial relationship between Aluko and myself brought us to a discussion that eventually led to the last Sunday April 3, 2016 meeting.

”The former speaker said Aluko cannot deny that he re-affirmed that Governor Fayose remained his mentor and father, that all his previous actions were the devil’s work, and that he was under spiritual attack when he said all those things against the governor.

“Even when the Governor told him to sit down, he prostrated and I also prostrated along with him to beg the governor for forgiveness.

“The Governor asked Aluko four questions: Whether he knew the implication of his coming to him; why he behaved in that manner; how old he was; and whether he wanted the reconciliation to be total or partial and he (Aluko) replied that he knew the consequence of coming to him and that if he did not want total reconciliation, he would not come to see the governor.

“At this point, Aluko stood up again, saying my mentor, my leader, my egbon, I am your boy, you know, I am your boy. Whatever steps I have taken before now, forgive me. Aluko and myself prostrated again.”

Narrating how the meeting was arranged, Olugbemi said; “Before we agreed to meet in Lagos, I first suggested that the meeting should take place in Ekiti State Government House after the wedding of the niece of Governor Fayose but Aluko said he was not too comfortable with the arrangement because of fear that he might be arrested. “

I re-assured him that the intention of the meeting was not to arrest, embarrass or humiliate him rather than to reconcile with Governor Fayose, whom he called his mentor.

“In the morning Sunday, April 3, we agreed to meet in Lagos and I left Ekiti for Lagos. I got to Lagos at 12 noon; I lodged in a hotel at Magodo Area of Lagos.

“At 1 pm, Aluko called me to confirm my hotel room number and I gave it to him. Aluko called me back and promised to be with me within 20 minutes. 15 minutes later, he called me again, and I told him that I was barbing my hair at a salon in Magodo. He asked me to come out of the salon and we met. He came in a blue Ford Sports Utility Van, SUV together with his wife.

“I joined them in the car and we drove to my hotel room where Aluko stayed with me till 2 pm. He later instructed me to call the governor to ascertain the time and place of the meeting.

“I called the governor, he did not pick the call. I later called Chief of Staff to the governor. The Chief of Staff told me to call either the ADC or CSO to the governor for further directive. The CSO told us that the meeting will take place at the governor’s residence in Magodo at 7.30pm.

“I told Aluko but he was not too comfortable with venue of the meeting. He said if the meeting is about reconciliation, it should hold elsewhere and not the governor’s residence. I pleaded with the governor that the meeting should hold elsewhere as demanded by Tope Aluko, which the governor obliged.

“All these I was doing because I wanted the crisis to be totally resolved. Immediately we were told of a new venue for the meeting, Aluko left my hotel room for Victoria Island and promised to come back at 7pm. At 7.45pm, Aluko came back to meet me at my Magodo hotel room. At 9pm, I called the governor to inform him of Aluko’s arrival. The governor asked if I was sure Aluko was with me and I said yes.

“The governor told us to come to Eko Hotel and his friend will welcome us and that he would join us later. We drove in Aluko’s car, myself, a woman, a driver and my Personal Assistant.

“We got to the Eko Hotel at 9.50pm. We were taken to the Hotel waiting room. Myself, Aluko, ADC, the governor’s friend entered the same lift to the fourth floor of the hotel.

“At the hotel room, I pleaded with the governor to forgive and forget about the previous comments and allegations made by Aluko against him since he is father to us all. Aluko interjected and said that I should allow him to lead the talk.

“The governor told him to stop fooling himself at 50 and since he allowed himself to be used by the APC at 50, what legacy will he leave for his children ? The governor told him that there were going to be reactions to this meeting by the APC and therefore advised Aluko to switch off his phones and rest for at least two weeks to avoid counter allegations. The governor said that the APC will fire back at Aluko because of the money he had received to malign them.”

“Aluko promised the Governor that he will dismantle all the structure he had put in place to attack the Governor. The Governor said he had forgiven him totally and that he should go and sin no more.

“The governor told Aluko that he would call soon and that he would need to study him (Aluko) very well within two weeks because he could go out of the meeting and say something different.

“The Governor also said it was better to let the press know that he had reconciled with Aluko to which he initially disagreed and later agreed to meet the press with the Governor, and myself, which we did and the video recording is everywhere for the public to see.

“On Tuesday April 5, 2016, Aluko called me, sent a text message to me that things were falling apart as the party, and aide of the governor were attacking him. That he would renege on his promise. I advised him not to take any negative action or talk to the press if he wanted his already battered image to be rebuilt.

Unfortunately, he did not listen to my advice and having come to deny what he willingly took part in, I have no option than to let the public know the true story.”

… Works commissioner resigns.

Meantime, the state government yesterday announced the resignation of the Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Mr Kayode Oso.

The announcement was contained in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade.

According to the statement, Oso, known to be one of the closest political associates of Governor Ayo Fayose, resigned on health grounds.

“Mr Kayode Oso has worked assiduously to add value to this administration going by his effort towards the development of our state.

“His letter of resignation has been fully accepted by His Excellency, Mr Ayo Fayose.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/fayose-vs-aluko-aluko-prostrated-begging-fayose-olugbemi/

UMUAHIA—FOR the 76 Ugwuleshi indigene in Awgu Community, Enugu State, they would ever hate that faithful day they gathered to organize a search party for two of their women allegedly abducted by Fulani herdsmen who have been having a running battle with them over destruction of their farm lands.

They woke up to realize that two of their women were allegedly abducted by the Fulani herdsmen and they decided to organize a search party to look for them.

While they gathered to commence the search, they ran into some soldiers on patrol who seeing the large number of men confronted them. They were said to have satisfactorily explained themselves to the soldiers who it was said wanted to leave them.

But suddenly, it was alleged, one Alhaji came out and met them and allegedly placed a call after which some more army vans arrived and bundled them to Umuahia where they were clamped into prisons.

That was how their ordeal drew public outcry. Their arrest created fear and tension in the community. Following public outcry and condemnation, they were arraigned in court last Friday in two Magistrate Courts on a five count arson and illegal possession of dangerous weapons charge as well as burning down 90 houses at Obinwanne Fulani Community Settlement in Umunneochi.

When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty. The presiding Magistrate granted bail in the sum of N200, 000 each with five sureties who must be resident in Umuahia or Umunneochi

Alternatively, the traditional ruler of the community would sign with two other prominent persons he nominated and who are resident in Umuahia or Umunneochi.

Their bail conditions were perfected at about 4.47pm, prompting them to erupt in jubilation in the court premises thankful for breathing the air of freedom after two weeks of imprisonment.

The matter was adjourned to April 29, 2016 for trial

Reacting to the development, the traditional ruler of the Community, Igwe Godwin Nwobi expressed happiness that his people have been granted bail, saying “at least I can now sleep”.

The monarch has been in Umuahia for three days running, trying to effect the release of the people.

Also the law maker representing them in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr. Nelson Ogunji said he was happy that his constituents have been granted bail, just as he lamented their arrest in the first place.

According to him, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has promised to make sure that such incident never happens again, as they were working towards finding a lasting solution to it. Their lawyer, Damain Uche Ajah, also expressed joy that the Court granted his clients bail and said that they were ready for the trial proper.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/enugu-76-ended-prison-searching-women/

The Appropriation Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives have submitted the details of the 2016 Appropriation Bill to the Clerk of the National Assembly for onward transmission to the Presidency.

In a statement jointly signed by the chairmen of the Appropriation Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, Danjuma Goje and Abdulmumin Jibrin respectively, the committees thanked Nigerians for their patience and understanding.

The chairmen said it took their committees extra weeks to get the details ready so we could correct all the inconsistencies, errors, omissions and padding in the document submitted to them in December last year.

“Being the most important economic policy tool of government, the budget provides a comprehensive statement of our priorities as a nation.

“And as representatives of the people, the National Assembly remains the appropriate place to ensure that the details of such a document best match our national goals and aspirations.

“Therefore, what we have been doing in these past few weeks is to balance the projections for revenue against the estimates for expenditure based on the reality of our situation today.

“Unfortunately, that task has been made very difficult by the sloppy manner in which the 2016 Appropriation Bill was prepared by the executive such that many of the officials who came before our various committees practically disowned the inputs from their own departments and ministries.

“In most instances, and across several agencies, the bill that was initially presented to us failed in many respects to connect with the policy thrust of the government and the needs of our people.

“That is aside the fact that most of the figures simply did not just add up. It was one of the most controversial budgets that ever came to the National Assembly from the Executive.

“Fortunately, President Muhammadu Buhari, who we must commend for showing leadership, intervened and that helped in resolving what had become a serious logjam.

“Some officials in the executive branch have also been removed from their duty posts because of these glaring lapses. That happened because the president took direct responsibility and got involved in the process, not only to ensure synergy between the executive and the legislature but also so that we could both arrive at a budget that is implementable for the good of all Nigerians.

“However, it is important to stress that this is the first time we would have a transition from the ruling political party to the opposition, so some of these problems are understandable.

“We therefore believe that the executive will learn from the mistakes of this year, going forward. But we must also commend the leadership of the National Assembly as well as members of our own committees who have had to endure sleepless nights, especially in recent weeks.

“To the extent that the budget drafting phase is a long process, the committee stage provides the most significant opportunity for members of the public, including the media and civil society organizations to make their own contributions and we have taken into account all shades of opinions in arriving at the breakdown, which is now with the executive.

“Now that the 2016 budget has been passed, our next role is to add value to the process through legislative oversight functions that enable us to ensure adherence to priorities while monitoring effective allocation of resources. But there is a lesson that should not be lost on the executive given the current experience.

“We specifically urge the president to abide strictly with provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act which stipulates that the appropriation bill be presented early so that there could be sufficient time for interactive sessions between the executive and the legislature before the commencement of committee hearings.

“That way, we can avoid some of the controversies that dogged this year’s budget and add value to the entire process,” the statement added.

Source:- http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/201329-nigeria-lawmakers-finally-send-2016-budget-details-to-buhari.html

ABUJA – AHEAD of the expected judgment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, following yesterday’s commencement of his trial over false assets declaration when he held sway as governor of Kwara State, Senate President, Bukola Saraki may throw in the towel by resigning from his position any movement from now, Vanguard learnt.

In other not to be humiliated while on the throne, some senators including those who had vowed to remain with him to the end of his trial at the anti-graft court, yesterday, asked the Senate President to consider the resignation option so as to save the Senate, as an institution.

Vanguard gathered that the option was thrown to him at a special meeting held by a group of some loyal senators, who followed him to his Maitama residence, shortly after the end of yesterday’s trial at the court.

But as Saraki is considering the option, senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, appeared to be at loggerhead with their counterparts in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the Senate President’s successor.

While the APC senators are insisting on producing Saraki’s successor, those of the PDP are favorably disposed to anointing one of their own, a development that has further polarized the Red Chamber.

A senator of the PDP fold, who spoke to Vanguard late yesterday, but on condition that his identity would not be mentioned, said Saraki was given the option of resigning basically to save the institution of the legislature.

I can confirm to you that at a special meeting held yesterday, we asked the Senate President to consider the option of resignation.

“We believe that doing so would preserve the institution of the Senate'', he said, refusing to speak further.

Asked whether the Senate President was considering the resignation option, the lawmaker said ”this was just thrown at him this evening. We believe that he would do the right thing”.

Meanwhile, names of senators Abdullahi Adamu, representing Nasarawa West from the APC and Suleiman Adokwe of the PDP were being touted as possible replacements of the Senate President to press time.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/cctsaraki-may-resign-moment-senators-mount-pressure/

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the call by Lagos Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the Code of Conduct Tribunal to re-open the case against the National leader of APC and former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu as an attempt to tarnish Tinubu’s image.

Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Joe Igbokwe, in a statement, yesterday, said APC viewed the call “as silly rants of frustrated losers desperately splashing mud to tar others when they are facing weighty corruption cases.”

According to APC the trial which happened during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s led government and instigated by PDP; “Lagos PDP and indeed the entire PDP are suffering acute Tinubu-phobia borne out of the fact that Asiwaju Tinubu constitutes the greatest nightmare for PDP rank and file given his prosecution of the defeat of the PDP last year.”

APC, also described Lagos PDP as a spent gathering of losers facing indictment for their role in the monumental corruption that marked the woeful PDP governance in the country.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/apc-chides-pdp-attempt-re-open-tinubus-cct-trial/

Eeyah, see Nija people's ooooo, they have come with their fake news again.............. this news is nothing but bullshit............... no wonder the thread doesn't have source.............. END TIME NEWS........

A Nigerian singer, songwriter, television presenter, publisher, producer, one of Nigeria’s most controversial entertainers and a onetime president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Charly Boy Oputa (Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa) has described himself as “attention walking on the street”.

On a Channels Television’s programme, Rubbin’ Minds, on Sunday Charly Boy told Ebuka that he had no intention to let people forget him.

“Most of the things that you read are all engineered by me. If I don’t do that, you will soon forget me and I intend not to be forgotten.

“I don’t look at them as unconventional. The people out there do that. For me, it is a very normal thing and because I understand your mind-set… take for instance my rings they are just rings to me but a lot of people will read a lot of meaning into it.

“I just paint all this pictures and you can make what you like of it.

“I play it up because people are busy eating it up,” he said.

On a leaked photograph of another entertainer, dancer and television presenter, Denrele Edun and himself kissing, he said it was leaked with Denrele’s consent.

He further said it was leaked by his people on purpose but did not say if he gave them a go ahead to leak the image.

“Sometimes you can agree to something, but when the heat comes up, whether you can take it or nor is a different matter,” he said.

On current political situation in Nigeria, Charly Boy said: “I am going ahead to give hope to young people not to despair

“This government is all about fighting corruption. We have been surviving on corruption money for the past 50 years. A lot has happened and a lot has gone bad and it is not something that could be fixed in a year or two.

“What I am not sure of is if he has the right kind cabinet to solve our problem. People that are dedicated.

“I have met a few people and the Petroleum Minister is one of them.

“We have been seeing queues for many years and this is not the first time and it is not going to happen in one year.

“He is a perfect gentleman who always meant what he says and says what he means. For me that is a good take away.

“If Fashola is allowed to do his work and if they stop all these petty tribal politics that is going on, he will do well”.

The entertainer also praised his father for his upbringing, saying that the principles he grew up with had made me who he was.

Source:- http://www.channelstv.com/2016/04/03/attention-walking-street-charly-boy-says/

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has reacted to an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES that exposed hidden assets owned by his wife, Toyin Saraki, which he failed to declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as required by Nigerian laws.

At least four assets belonging to the wealthy and famous Saraki family of Nigeria, all tucked away in secret offshore territories, were uncovered by the investigation published by PREMIUM TIMES.

Last September the CCB slammed false asset declaration charges on Mr. Saraki, accusing the Senate President, among other things, of failure to declare his assets in full.

Under the code of conduct law, a public office holder is required to declare his own assets, those of his wife as well as assets in the names of his children below the age of 18.

In response to the PREMIUM TIMES’ story, Mr. Saraki insisted he fully complied with law on asset declaration.

In the response sent in by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Saraki said he fully complied with the provisions of the law on declaration of assets by public officers.

The Senate President maintained that he did not fail to declare assets belonging to his wife in secret offshore territories, adding that he, in his different asset declarations, included properties owned individually by himself and his wife.

“The property in question forms part of Dr Saraki’s wife’s family asset,” Mr. Saraki said. “It is public knowledge that Mrs. Saraki comes from a family of independent means and wealth with numerous and varied assets acquired over decades in family estates and investments

“Furthermore, the law only requires a public officer to declare both his own assets and those held by his spouse and his children under 18 years of age. The law does not require a public officer to declare assets held by the spouse’s family.

“It is not expected by the law that a public officer should declare such assets held in the spouse’s family estate. Indeed, the Code of Conduct form does not make provision for declaration of spouse’s family assets,” he stated.

Indeed, Toyin Saraki hails from the rich and famous Ojora family of Lagos. She married Bukola Saraki in 1991.

The hidden properties in offshore territories the Senate President failed to declare were acquired in 2004 and 2011 respectively.

They are not part of the Ojora’s family estate and were not acquired through inheritance.

They are owned by Mrs. Saraki, as shown in the offshore documents obtained by this newspaper.

Source:- http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/201274-panamapapers-why-i-failed-to-declare-my-wifes-assets-saraki.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has accused the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh, of attempting to use “cooked up” allegations to frustrate his trial before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The anti-graft agency, in a counter-affidavit deposed to by one Mr. Francis Jirbo, said it was appalled that Metuh, who is facing a seven-count criminal charge alongside his firm, Destra Investment Limited, resorted to “antics and gimmicks” aimed at blackmailing trial Justice Okon Abang to hands off his case.

Metuh had in a petition he forwarded to the Chief Judge of the High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, expressed his unwillingness to conclude his trial before Justice Abang, who he said he always had a “frosty relationship” with from their days in the Law school.

Aside the claim that the judge was his classmate, Metuh insisted that Justice Abang had through some interlocutory rulings so far delivered in the matter, shown elements of bias against him.

The petition with Ref No. EES/01/11/03/16 and dated March 11, 2016, was signed by one of the four Senior Advocates of Nigeria representing Metuh before the court, Mr. Etiaba, SAN.

Meantime, at the last adjourned date, March 24, Justice Abang, directed the EFCC to respond to Metuh’s bid to disqualify him from further presiding over his trial.

In its response, the commission argued that it was late in the day for the defendant to raise such issues, having already subjected himself to the jurisdiction of the court despite the fact that he purportedly attended law school together with the trial Judge.

“All manner of allegations, as stated by the defendants, were cooked up by them just to justify frustrating the stalling of proceedings. We submit that the antics and gimmicks deployed by the defendants are nothing but mere afterthought and pure blackmail aimed at intimidating the court to drop the case in the guise or pretext of bias by the judge.

“The allegations of bias levelled by the defendants against the court relate merely to the exercise of judicial powers by the court, without any evidence of facts or circumstances that suggest that the court did, in fact, favour one side unfairly.

“In the circumstances of this case, even if the judex and the 1st defendant (Metuh) were classmates, one would have thought that relationship would have given more concern to the prosecution than the defence for obvious reasons. The prosecution would have been the one to entertain fear that the court may favour its classmate.

“The 1st defendant suddenly woke up when it is time to open his defense to remember an alleged ‘frosty relationship’ that had existed over the years. This is blackmail of unprecedented proportion, which cannot be a ground to disqualify his lordship (the judge).

“Other tendentious and mundane allegations of bias remain unsubstantiated and unproven. Even the normal practice of a litigant (either in civil or criminal cases) standing either in the dock or witness box until his counsel draws the attention of the judex, with an oral request for the litigant to sit down, which is acceded to by the court, has become an issue of bias.

“Another germane issue on the allegation of bias is that the test of real likelihood of bias is that of a reasonable man, not that of a man, who has made up his mind to pull down the institution of justice in a desperate bid to undermine the judicial process and get off the hook by all means” , EFCC stated.

More so, EFCC’s lead counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, relied on provisions of sections 396(3) & (5) and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and Section 19 (2) and 40 of EFCC Act and urged the court to ignore the petition and compel Metuh to enter his defence to the charge against him.

“That it will not serve the interest of justice to grant the defendants/applicants’ (Metuh and his firm, Destra Investment Limited) application which will entail commencing trial de novo (afresh) with all the expenses and the difficulty of procuring prosecution witnesses, some of whom have been harassed out of the country, with some receiving threats for having the courage to have testified in the court”, EFCC added.

Justice Abang who already slated Friday to entertain arguments from both Metuh and the EFCC, had earlier responded to allegation of bias against him, saying he never knew the defendant as his classmate.

“With respect to the first issue that the petitioner, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), stated that the 1st defendant in Charge FHC/ABJ/CR/05/2016 was my classmate in the Nigerian Law School, my Lord, for the records, I was at the Law School in 1987/88 academic session.

“I am not aware that Olisa Metuh was my classmate in the Nigerian Law School. I cannot recall seeing him in the time session in my time. In the Law School, we were over 1,000 students and we had then two sessions, morning that I attended.

“He is not from my place, Oron, in Akwa Ibom State. I did not see him as a student at the University of Calabar that I attended between September 1983 and June 1987. I have never met him in practice anywhere in the country before I was elevated to the bench in June 2009.

“Again, he claimed he met me at Le’ Meriden, Uyo, late last year. I was not at Le’ Meriden, Uyo, late last year. I had no function that I attended at the Le’ Meriden, Uyo, late last year. I did not meet him at Le’ Meriden Uyo late last year. If the records show that he is a lawyer and was called to the Nigerian Bar on November 3, 1988, which record I am yet to see, that cannot affect the facts and the law.

“I attended recently my class reunion meeting in Abuja, Lagos and Enugu; I did not see Olisa Metuh in the places I mentioned. I am not related to Olisa Metuh in any way, I do not know where he comes from.

“As regards the issue that I made interlocutory decisions in favour of the prosecution in the matter, my response here is simple, and that is that I am entitled to give decisions in matters placed before me for adjudication having heard parties.

“That is why there are appellate courts. If he is dissatisfied with those decisions, I think Emeka Etiaba (SAN) ought to know what to do.

“As regards the alleged non-release of the record of proceedings, I think Emeka Etiaba (SAN) is not fair to me at all. I will leave him to his conscience. He has an improper motive in this regard.

“For the records, my Lord, the defendant applied for the Certified True Copy of the proceedings at the time the proceedings were going on from day to day. I approved same and directed my secretary to type the proceedings.

“The proceedings were bulky in nature because I heard the case from day to day. When the secretary concluded typing the proceedings, I abandoned all other matters before me and concentrated on checking the typed proceedings to be in line with what were in the court’s records.

“When I proofread the proceedings and was satisfied that it represents what transpired in the open court, I endorsed same for certification and released the proceedings to them on March 15, 2016”, the judge added.

Justice Abang had in a ruling he delivered on March 9, dismissed a no-case-submission Metuh filed through his lawyers, saying the EFCC had through evidence that was laid by eight witnesses, established that he has a criminal case to answer.

Source:-http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/alleged-n400m-fraud-metuh-cooked-allegations-frustrate-trial-efcc/

The Nigerian Army has sacked Aliyu Momoh, a Brigadier General, who allegedly supervised the rigging of the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, told news website, Sahara Reporters, in Washington DC, United States, during the just-concluded Nuclear Security Summit, that Mr Momoh’s career in the military had been terminated after the report of a military panel that investigated the unprofessional conduct of officers and soldiers during the elections in Ekiti and Osun State indicted him alongside other soldiers.

The board of inquiry, chaired by Adeniyi Oyebade, a Major General, made “far-reaching recommendations” meant to assist the army in future involvement in civil elections.

In arriving at the recommendations, the board spoke to 62 officers, over 100 soldiers and 62 civilians.

According to the statement, the board recommended the compulsory retirement of two officers from the army.
It also recommended that three officers should lose their commands and another recommended prosecution for collecting financial gratification.

The board further recommended the placing of 15 officers on watch list while nine others were to be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission for further investigations following allegations of corruption against them.

Six officers are to face an audit committee and 62 officers (mostly of the rank of Majors-below) were to be given letters of displeasure and to appear before their respective General Officers Commanding for counselling, the board also advised.

The panel was set up following the release of a video recording by Sagir Koli, a Captain from its Intelligence Corps, showing actions by his commanding officer (Mr Momoh) and top officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration to rig the June 21, 2014 election in Ekiti State.

The video recording revealed the connivance between Mr. Koli’s commanding officer, Aliyu Momoh, a General, and former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, chieftains of the Peoples
Democratic Party: Andy Uba and Iyiola Omisore, to rig the 2014 election in Ekiti State.

Mr. Koli was forced into hiding after he was tipped off of a plan by the army to arrest him.

His younger brother, a 15-year old secondary school pupil was however arrested, detained and tortured by the army.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan refused to investigate the video, saying Mr. Koli refused to come out of hiding to authenticate the recording.
The army also confirmed that Mr Momoh has been retired.

Sani Usman, the spokesperson of the army told the Punch newspaper that : “General Momoh and others have been retired from the Army”.
The newspaper said Mr Usman, a colonel, did not give further details.

According to the Punch, another senior officer also retired following the recommendation of the panel was the former spokesperson of the army, Olajide Laleye, a Brigadier-General.

It is believed that Mr Laleye was sacked following his role in the controversy surrounding the school leaving certificate of President Muhammadu Buhari, the candidate of the then opposition All Progressives Congress in the lead up to the 2015 election.

The then ruling party had accused Mr Buhari, a retired Major General, of not having a secondary school leaving certificate – the basic academic qualification for candidates vying to be President.

Mr Laleye held a press conference at the time where he stated that the Army could not find the Mr. Buhari’s West African School Certificate Examination result.

Source:-http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/201237-army-sacks-general-momoh-allegedly-supervised-rigging-2014-ekiti-governorship-poll.html

At least four assets belonging to the wealthy and famous Saraki family of Nigeria, all tucked away in secret offshore territories, have been uncovered.

But the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, failed to declare them to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as required by Nigerian laws.

This revelation, made possible by internal data of the Panama-based offshore-provider, Mossack Fonseca, obtained by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) with PREMIUM TIMES and over 100 other media partners in 82 countries, could worsen Mr. Saraki’s case as he battles to extricate himself from allegations of corruption.

Mr. Saraki is yet to respond to PREMIUM TIMES’ request for comments. His spokesperson, Yusuph Olayinonu, did not return calls or respond to a text message seeking comments.

But in a written response to ICIJ, the Senate President insisted, through his UK lawyers, that he “declared his assets properly in accordance with the relevant legislation,” and that the charges against him “are both unfounded and politically motivated.”

Last September the CCB slammed false asset declaration charges on Mr. Saraki, accusing the Senate President, among other things, of failure to declare his assets in full.

Under the code of conduct law, a public office holder is required to declare his own assets, those of his wife as well as assets in the names of his children below the age of 18.

In his declaration form, Mr. Saraki listed property owned by his wife, Toyin Saraki, to include a plot of land at Lekki valued at N5 million, which he said was a gift he received in January 1989.

Mrs. Saraki was also listed as owner of a property at 15 Bryanston Square, London W1 and 69 Bourne Street, London.

While the first, which rental income was put at £48,000 with a value of £900,000, was acquired in January 1989, the second, which value was put at £2m and had rental value of £150,000, was acquired for business in April 2000.

However, a fresh investigation by PREMIUM TIMES and its media partners, has uncovered a hidden London property in the name of Toyin Saraki but which was left out among the assets declared by the Senate President.

The hidden property is located at #8 Whuttaker Street, Belgravia, London SW1W 8JQ. It has title number NGL802235.

Similarly, the Senate President stated in his assets declaration form that his wife held an account in Eco Bank Broad Street, Lagos, where she had N1.5 million at the time he became governor in 2003.

She also maintained an account in Coutts & Co Strand, London, where she owned £450,000 and $125,000 in addition to $3 million in Northern Trust International Banking Corporation Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner.

Mrs. Saraki was also listed as maintaining substantial shares in European and American Trading Company, Tyberry Corporation and Eficaz Limited just as she held 500,000 shares, valued at £500,000, at P.C.C (U.K) Ltd. He was however silent on the number of shares the former first lady had in Haussmann and Tiny Tee (Nig) Limited.

Elaborate as the declaration in the name of Mrs. Saraki appeared to be, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report that apart from the undeclared London property, three additional overseas assets in the name of the wife of the Senate President were hidden from the authorities and are missing from the assets declaration form.

Our investigations reveal that Mrs. Saraki owns secret companies in some notorious tax havens.

The Hidden Assets

The first, Girol Properties Ltd, was registered on August 25, 2004 (a year after Mrs. Saraki’s husband became governor of Nigeria’s north-central state of Kwara) in the British Virgin Island (BVI).

Company documents show that Mrs. Saraki owns 25,000 numbers of shares with a par value of US$ 1,00 each, and was appointed the first and only director of the company.

It however remains unclear what businesses Mrs Saraki transacted with the company. Mrs Saraki however, in a letter to ICIJ, through her lawyers, denies ever owning any shareholding in Girol Properties.

The second company, Sandon Development Limited, was registered in Seychelles Island on January 12, 2011 and has Mrs. Saraki and one Babatunde Morakinyo, (a long-term personal aide and friend of Mr. Saraki) of 11 Okeme Street, Lagos, as shareholders.

While incorporating that company, documents show, Mrs. Saraki bought a curious service from Mossack Fonseca & Co, the Panamanian firm that helped her to register the firm.

Perhaps to avoid being identified as the beneficial owner of Sandon, the Senate President’s wife asked Fonsecca to provide nominee directors for the company. Nominee directors are sometimes used in tax havens to conceal real owners of companies and assets.

She then made an undertaking indemnifying the Panamanian company “in respect of all claims, demands, actions, suits, proceedings, costs and expenses whatsoever as may be incurred or become payable by you in respect of or arising out of any member or employee or associate of your company or associated companies holding any office, directorship or shareholdings in the company or by reason of or in consequence of any act or decision made by any such person or company in connection with the management and/or administration of the said company.”

Shortly after the company was incorporated, Mrs. Saraki used it, in July 2011, to buy the property on Whuttaker Street, Belgravia, London SW1W 8JQ.

The property, acquired from Renocon Property Limited, a company registered in the British Virgin Island, was never disclosed to Nigerian authorities as required by the country’s code of conduct law.

The third hidden company in the name of Mrs. Saraki is Landfield International Developments Ltd., a company registered in the British Virgin Islands on April 8, 2014. It’s registration number is 1819394 while its registered office is 1 Akara Blog., 24 De Castro Street, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Island.

According to Mossack Fonseca, the registered agent of the company, Mrs. Saraki, at least until January 27, 2015, was sole shareholder and beneficial owner of the company which had two nominee directors – Glaisd Alie Limited and NewGombe Limited – both appointed on September 2, 2014. Its agent says Landfield is authorized to issue a maximum of 50,000 no par value shares.

“In so far as is evidenced by the documents filed at the Registered Office, the Company is in existence and, in good standing,” Mossack Fonseca recently said of Landfield in response to an enquiry by one Laura Templeman, a Senior Associate for Ogier Group, a law firm based in the British Virgins Island. “According to the documents filed on the Company’s file as at 27th January, 2015, there are no actions, pending or threatened against the Company and no action has been taken to wind up the Company or to appoint a receiver or manager.”

Mrs. Saraki said she sold her shares in the company to a third party in January 2015, but PREMIUM TIMES is yet to sight any document to that effect.

In July 28, 2015, Mrs Toyin Saraki, who was the first lady of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011, was interrogated by Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in relation to awards of contracts during her husband’s tenure as governor.

The EFCC has not taken further actions since her interrogation, and nothing has been heard of the case since then.

A troubled husband

Mrs Saraki’s husband, Bukola, who is Nigeria’s third most powerful official by virtue of his position as Senate President, is facing a 13-count charge of alleged false declaration of assets.

He is being tried by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, a special court that tries public officers for any contravention of the Code of Conduct for Nigerian public officers as spelt out in the Fifth Schedule of the Nigerian constitution.

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) were established to enforce “a high standard of morality in the conduct of government business, and to ensure that the actions and behaviour of public officers conform to the highest standards of public morality and accountability.”

The Code of Conduct Bureau had on September 16, 2015 slammed charges on Mr. Saraki, accusing him of offences ranging from anticipatory declaration of assets, to making false declaration of assets in forms he filed before the Bureau while he was governor of Kwara state.

The Senate President was also accused of failing to declare some of his assets, acquiring assets beyond his legitimate earnings, and operating foreign accounts while being a public officer – governor and senator.

The offences, the charge said, violated sections of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

Mr. Saraki is also said to have breached Section 2 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and punishable under paragraph 9 of the said Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.

The Senate President has denied wrongdoings, saying the case was politically motivated and that he was merely being persecuted for emerging the President of the Nigerian Senate against the wishes of his political party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, which preferred a different candidate.

But this fresh revelation regarding hidden assets in tax havens might fuel the allegations against Nigeria’s third most powerful official and strengthen the prosecution’s case against the politician.

The Saraki family and ownership of offshore companies

Apart from Toyin Saraki, another member of the Saraki family popped up repeatedly as PREMIUM TIMES and its partners conducted a year-long investigation into the leaked Mossack Fonseca internal documents, which contained 2.6 TB files, involved 214,488 entities, and revealed hundreds of details about how former gun-runners, contractors and other members of the spy world use offshore companies for personal and private gain.

Laolu Saraki, brother to Senate President Saraki, also has several footprints in offshore financial havens, documents show. A number of shell companies are connected to the younger Saraki.

He is sole shareholder in some of the companies while sharing ownership with some business partners in others.

For example, documents show that Laolu is the owner of Polly Capital Holdings Ltd registered in Niue, a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean.

Another document showed that after some years, Laolu brought in another person as co-owner. The company is now co-owned with a certain Richard Pembroke, who has 25,000 equity shares, just like Laolu.

Laolu’s other offshore companies are co-owned with his associates. Among the co-owners are Kojo Annan, son of former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan; Obi Asika; Olufela Ibidapo who are all known figures in Nigeria.

Laolu and Kojo Annan hold equal shares of 25,000 in Blue Diamond Holding Management Corp. The duo, along with Mr. Asika, also own Sutton Energy Limited, registered in the British Virgin Island.

Mr. Asika owns 15,000 units of shares, the same amount owned by Laolu Saraki and Kojo Annan. Mr. Asika was a Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, and is closely connected to the Sutton Group.

Mr. Asika’s profile on the website of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), of which he is Board member, refers to him as Founding Partner & Executive Director, Sutton Group from June 1999 to October 2002.

The connection between Mr. Annan and Mr. Asika seems clear, as Mr. Annan sits on the Board of Mr. Asika’s another company,Dragon Africa. Additional documents show that the trio – Laolu, Kojo and Asika – also co-own Sapphire Holding Ltd., a company located in Samoa, a tiny Island of an estimated 194,320 people in the South Pacific.

Company documents also indicate that Ensol Limited (Environmental Solutions), registered in the Republic of Seychelles, with registration number 028376, partly belongs to Laolu

The company is co-owned with Ama Annan, a relative of Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary General), who was appointed director on May 19, 2006 but ceased to be director on July 2, 2008.

Another Nigerian, Olufela Ibidapo, was then appointed to replace her on January 4, 2010.

Mr. Ibidapo is the current Head of Corporate Affairs at Heritage Bank, a successor bank to the defunct Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria, largely owned by the Saraki family but whose operational license was revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria in January 2006 following the re-capitalisation policy in the banking sector.

The bank however returned with a new name (Heritage Bank) in 2012 following the order of the Federal High Court, compelling the central bank to restore its operational permit after it declared that it had amassed the required capital base to return to business.

It however remains unclear why the Saraki’s incorporated the offshore companies linked to them or what businesses they transacted with the entities.

While that may not be the case with the Sarakis, some business people in Nigeria and elsewhere are known to have created Shell companies offshore for a host of dodgy business reasons, which include hiding assets, avoiding tax or as fronts for illegal deals. Shell companies are however not entirely illegal, and not all owners use them for dubious purposes.

We have done nothing wrong – the Sarakis

Mr. Saraki and his wife denied any wrongdoing.

Responding to separate written demands for comments, the couple maintained that it is not illegal to hold shares in offshore companies.

In a letter to ICIJ by the London-based law firm of Discreet Law, Mr. Saraki said he declared his assets properly in accordance with the relevant Nigerian legislation.

Mrs. Saraki, in a separate letter to the ICIJ through another London-based law firm, Harbottle & Lewis, also insisted that she “made all required disclosures in relation to her shareholdings.”

In their separate letters, the couple threatened to sue should the ICIJ and its partners proceed to publish information about the undeclared offshore assets, with Mrs Saraki saying any publication concerning her private financial information infringes on her privacy and breaches the Data Protection Act 1998.

Will Fitzigibbon (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists), contributed reporting to this story.

Source:-http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/201222-panamapapers-hidden-family-assets-nigerias-senate-president-saraki-uncovered-tax-havens.html

The Nigerian Army has ordered Brigadier General Aliyu Momoh, who achieved notoriety by overseeing the rigging of a governorship election in Ekiti State in 2014 to resign.

Minister of Defense, Dan Ali, disclosed the plan to end General Momoh’s military career in an exclusive interview in Washington, DC. Mr. Ali was in the US as part of the Nigerian delegation at a nuclear power summit convened by President Barack Obama of the United States of America.

The Nigerian Defense Minister revealed that the army decided to initiate the process of rusticating General Momoh who was indicted last year by a military panel.

General Momoh led a contingent of soldiers and other security agencies who intimidated voters and inhibited the movement of officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a broad strategy that was reportedly approved by former President Goodluck Jonathan to enable Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to defeat then incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi.

A former Minister of State for Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro, was used as a conduit to transfer huge sums of funds for the rigging operation. Mr. Obanikoro, who faces a separate investigation for money laundering, reportedly used the corporate account of his son’s firm to receive more than N4.7 billion for the election. The funds were then distributed among Mr. Fayose, Senator Iyiola Omisore and security agents who carried out the rigging.

The full version of Mr. Ali’s interview with SaharaReporters will be posted soon

Source:- http://saharareporters.com/2016/04/03/nigerian-army-orders-general-who-masterminded-rigging-ekiti-governorship-election-resign

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has again slammed President Muhammadu Buhari over his incessant foreign trips.

Fayose says Buhari's trip to the United States on Wednesday, March 30, for the 4th Nuclear Security Summit at a time Nigerians are groaning in pain is laughable.

The Governor who spoke through his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, said the President should stop "junketing around the world, wasting the country’s scarce foreign exchange."

“It remains a mystery what President Buhari that met power generation at 6,000MW and could not manage it such that power generation crumbled to Zero Megawatt yesterday, will contribute to the Nuclear Energy Summit in America.

“It is shameful that while President Buhari was far away in the United States of America, attending a summit that does not have any bearing on Nigeria and its people, an unprecedented happened - power generation stopped completely for over three hours!”

Fayose alleged that over $50 million must have been spent on the president’s frequent foreign trips, adding that Nigerians should ask President Buhari whether his trip to the United States of America to attend Nuclear Energy Summit will bring the lingering fuel scarcity being experienced in the country to an end.

He said: “Nigerians are suffering. Petrol has become so scarce that our people now sleep in petrol stations to buy fuel at N200 per litre while the president who should alleviate their sufferings is in the USA, attending a summit that he won’t even understand whatever that is discussed there.

“This is not acceptable. Mr President should stay at home and see to it that at least, power generation returns to 6,000MW that he met it if he cannot add to it.

“Mr President should stay at home and bring this fuel scarcity that has paralyzed almost all activities in the country to an end.

“Nigerians are saying their president should stay at home and bring to an end the killings, raping of women and destruction of farmlands by Fulani herdsmen.

“Most importantly, the President should listen more to those of us who criticize him instead of those hailing every of his wrong steps either because of what they intend to gain or for fear of persecution.”

Source:- http://pulse.ng/politics/fayose-nigerians-suffering-buhari-touring-the-world-gov-slams-president-again-id4871792.html

Inna Lillahi Wahinnah Illehi Rohjiun............ Bisillahi Quliuh Allahu for the crash victims............

Inna Lillahi Wahinnah Illehi Rohjiun............ Bisillahi Quliuh Allahu for the dead............

You walk into your room and find your Lover and your best friend in your Matrimonial bed under a bed sheet while both of them are naked, and when they see you, both of them shout APRIL FOOL!!! You look at the Calender and realizs that indeed the date is April 1st. What would u do? Nairalanders please be sincere..............