₦airaland Forum

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Wednesday urged Nigerians to stop President Muhammadu Buhari from borrowing $29.960b (over N10 trillion) for the execution of key programmes and infrastructural projects across the country.

PDP also asked the National Assembly not to approve the request by the President.

Spokesman for the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, in a statement said that President Buhari must specify what he intended to finance with the proposed borrowing of almost $30b, instead of lumping it up in a coded term,

“and to plunge the nation’s future into burden of debt.”

PDP said the President’s approach cannot be the preferred solution to the economic quagmire “created by
the present government”.

“This Government budgeted N6.07trn for the 2016 Fiscal Year with deficit of N2.22trn and according to the breakdown, N1.8trn was budgeted for Capital Expenditure and President Buhari is now seeking to borrow over N9trn ($29.960b) for ‘critical infrastructure’.

“This is absurd and way outside the Government budgetary provisions for Capital Expenditure and must be rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians.

“Nigerians will recall that the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in June 2016 made public through a press statement, an account of recovered looted funds between May 2015 to May 2016 amounting to the sums of N78.3b, $185.1m, £3.5m and €11,250m in cash; while others were under interim forfeiture.

What happened to the recovered funds?

“Or is it the same funds the EFCC and Department of State Services are planting in houses of opposition figures and Justices instead of channeling it into the economy?”


Daily post

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, has denied claims that former Minister of Aviation and spokesperson to former President Goodkuck Jonathan’s campaign Organisation, Femi Fani- Kayode, slumped at their premises yesterday. Speaking with Vanguard, Uwujaren said there was no truth whatsoever in the report

“There is no truth whatsoever in the dubious and attention-seeking alarm that Fani-Kayode slumped and was revived by EFCC medical personnel. There was nothing like that as the said Fani-kayode and Obanikoro sat together and enjoyed their jokes at the first round of checks of inmates in EFCC custody on Monday night"he said.

The Press statement as released by the Aide:

When Chief Femi Fani-Kayode was rearrested on Friday, 21st of October, 2016, in the premises of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, we raised a number of issues which included that the re-arrest was not only unnecessary but that it was also reckless.

We made known our fears that Fani-Kayode’s life was in dire danger as long as he remained in EFCC custody or in the custody of any agency of the federal government based on discreet information available to us. This is apart from the fact that his health has been badly affected since his incarceration for a whopping 67 days based on some questionable ‘detention orders’.

This fact is well known to the EFCC as Fani-Kayode’s lawyers have written several letters to the Commission reminding them of the health conditions of the former minister of aviation
(Kindly see attached).

It is therefore shocking that having known these facts, the EFCC still acted in a most unprofessional and crude way by re-arresting a man who has never been known to turn down their invitation even for once, who was since granted administrative bail by the same Commission after meeting the stringent conditions set by them; a man who is also supposed to be on bail as granted by the courts after fulfilling the conditions, and who even has his international passport still lodged with the Commission.

Although Chief Femi Fani-Kayode was yet to complete the recovery therapy he was undergoing after spending the initial 67 grueling days in FFCC custody wherein he was also physically attacked by one of the Commission’s agents, in deference to the law and the Commission, he painfully but willingly cut short his therapy and medical checks to attend court proceedings.

One would have thought that these were enough to convince EFCC that Fani-Kayode was very willing to face his persecutors in court. But rather than be humane in their conduct, EFCC hounded him for the umpteenth time on that fateful Friday and have since kept him in custody.

It is therefore little wonder that based on the history of his medical conditions which the Commission is very much aware of, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode slumped while in detention on Saturday, 22nd of October, 2016.

But for the quick and
professional intervention of the medical team in the EFCC medical facilities, the story could have been different, it could have been fatal! We must commend the medical staff at the Commission’s medical facility. They were prompt in their response, and very impressive in their care. It is very heartwarming to know that some professionals have not allowed the political witch hunt and persecution of political opponents and perceived enemies taint their professional calling.

We hope this extends to all facets of the Nigerian society. Nigerians would recall that we had earlier raised the alarm about the danger in which Fani-Kayode’s life is right now; we are shocked that that danger rather than ebb away is becoming a reality slowly but steadily. If not, why re-arrest and keep him in detention when he has not failed to appear before the Commission or even before the courts at any time, neither has he ever been declared wanted?

The fresh charges for which he was said to have been re-arrested were presented to him over the weekend and they border on an alleged N26m which he was accused to have collected from the erstwhile NSA, Sambo Dasuki, and he has since signed for the charges while he waits for his day in court. So, why still detain him if there is no sinister motive behind it all?

From the foregoing, it is obvious that this issue about corruption is nothing but an already exposed façade for the silencing of opposition voices, and keep Fani-Kayode out of circulation as long as practicable since he is seen by many as one of the strongest voices against tyranny, oppression and executive lawlessness.

For the avoidance of doubt, we reiterate our earlier warning that nothing untoward must happen to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode whether now or in the nearest future. Should anything happen to him, we can assure those responsible that there would be reactions of unimaginable propensity.

It is not all sacrifices that the gods accept. There are some sacrifices that even oracles reject for fear of untamable repercussions! Nigerians are watching and waiting!

Jude Ndukwe
SA (media) to Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
24th October, 2016

The Minister of Defence, Retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, on Saturday, assured the Armed forces that the Federal Goverment would provide more support.

Dan-Ali gave this assurance at the passing out parade of 90 new Direct Short Service Course 23 and 13 Special Duty Course 2016 cadets at the Nigerian Navy College Onne, Rivers.

He said the assistance would enable the military to succeed in its ongoing operations such as Operations Delta Safe and Tsare Teku in the Niger Delta and Operation Lafiya Dole in the North-East.

Dan-Ali said the operations were aimed at ensuring law and order as well as preserving the territorial integrity of the country.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is ever committed and determined to honour its obligations to support capacity-building for the Armed Forces.

“Government is pleased that the Nigerian Navy has added a large number of platforms (war ships) to its fleet, which includes NNS Prosperity and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).

“As we speak, the latest OPV to the fleet of the Nigerian Navy is underway from China to Nigeria to improve the defence of the nation’s maritime interests.

“The government is committed to performing its constitutional roles despite the present economic downturn, occasioned by dwindling oil prices and the spike in militancy and sabotage in the Niger Delta,” he said.

Dan-Ali said the 103 cadets started their training in March to become Commissioned Officers with a focus on contributing to the ongoing internal security operations across the country.

He urged the new officers to give unflinching loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari as well as obey both civil and military laws.

“The cadets should note that their service would demand patriotism, professionalism, integrity, loyalty, tact, commitment to duty and respect and protection of human rights.’’

The minister lauded the Commandant of the Nigerian Navy College, Commodore Emmanuel Isreal and the Naval Training Command for the qualitative training at the college.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister inaugurated the refurbished hostel accommodation among other facilities at the college.

NAN

Mavin's first lady, Tiwa Savage, got so many mouths agape when she got an international deal so many of her colleagues only fantasise about.

The singer recently signed an international deal with JayZ's Roc Nation Records and some people began to insinuate that the deal might tear Mavin apart just as such deal allegedly tore apart Mo'hit Records which was then run by D'banj and Don Jazzy.

But then, the singer said she wasn't going to let such apprehension affect the advancement of her career even as she claimed she wouldn't know what caused the rift between D'banj and Don Jazzy.

"I really don't think the international deal was what broke Mo'Hits. I would not like to think that and I don't think any of us can really talk about that issue because it is only the two of them that really know what happened between them. For me, this is a blessing and I would not allow something that happened before to make me nervous. Maybe this is a way for us to get a second chance as Nigerian artistes and second chances rarely happen," she said.

The singer who has been through the eye of the storm due to her recent marriage crisis told Saturday Beats that despite everything that has happened in her life, she is still happy.

"I am very happy, I am blessed. I have a child and I have no reason why I should not be happy. I have a beautiful, healthy son and a loving family. My career is getting stronger by the day. I just signed an international deal, why shouldn't I be happy?

"Not everybody loved Jesus Christ, so who is Tiwa Savage in the scheme of things? I am nobody. I am just somebody God has put a talent in. In all honesty, when I encounter negative criticisms, I just focus on the people that love me. You cannot make anyone love you, so I try not to convince people that don't love me. I would rather focus on the people that love me and make sure I do not disappoint them," she said.

A mobile phone software marketer, who specialises in downloading applications on mobile sets, has been reportedly found dead in a hotel room in Ovwian, Udu Council area of Delta State after allegedly demanding sex from a female customer who could not pay for the service he rendered to her.

The deceased identified as Nelson Eni Millz operating at a popular Robinson Plaza along Deco road in Warri South was said to have demanded that the female customer ‘pays in kind’ since she could not pay the entire fee.

Southern City News gathered that the incident happened last week Thursday at Treasure Land Hotel in Ovwian where the victim had lodged with the supposed lover identified as Helen Obiogu.



Conflicting reports had it that the victim (Nelson) slumped and died while having rounds of sex with Helen, but another account had it that he died from poisoning.

A source at the popular Robinson Plaza, where the lady suspect had gone to purchase the mobile phone told our correspondent that Helen was at the phone plaza last week Wednesday to buy a handset and to download music and applications, but was left with N5,000 after buying the phone.

It was gathered that Helen, who is now in police custody, pleaded with the late Nelson to let her go and come back another day to complete the payment but he had refused and insisted she met him in a hotel.

A source alleged Helen eventually went to the hotel and Nelson sent her to buy drinks for them. The source also alleged Helen could have poisoned Nelson’s drink which eventually led to his death.

Nelson, in his late 20s, left behind two kids.

When Southern City News discreetly visited the hotel as a lodger, staff and sympathizers were seen discussing the unfortunate incident.

A staff at Treasure Land Hotel told our correspondent that the lady suspect had almost fled from the hotel when she was arrested by the hotel security guards on duty.

The security guards had noticed that she was crying and was in a haste to leave the premises in the early hours of last week Thursday.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the development to our correspondent when contacted.

Kalu, in an additional message to our correspondent, said, “It was a sudden and unnatural death. Be informed that on 13/10/2016 at about 15.30 hours, one Gordon Tone (the manager) of Treasure Land Hotel, reported that one Nelson (male) surname unknown, lodged in his hotel along with his female friend by name Helen Obiogu of Ovwian Town.

“The said Nelson was found dead in his hotel room by 14.55hours. We visited the scene of crime and no mark of violence seen. The corpse has been removed and deposited at Noble Hospital mortuary for autopsy and the said female friend, Helen Obiogu of Ovwian town, has been arrested and detained.”

Nollywood actress, Inem Peter, one of the cast members of the movie, 5 Wives, released new photos to celebrate her birthday. Happy
Birthday to Inem Peter.

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has described DSP Idowu Oyewole, the Mobile Police officer in charge of his convoy who was killed by armed robbers on Wednesday, as a dutiful and dedicated officer, while charging police authorities to ensure his killers are fished out.

This was contained in a condolence message to the family of the deceased, made available by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade yesterday in Akure. Describing his death as a pill of reality too bitter to swallow, Mimiko said Oyewole was alive to his responsibilities, tasking his employers, the police, to do everything within its power to ensure that his killers are apprehended and brought to book.

The governor urged the authorities to ensure that the peaceful status of the state is maintained, saying that the peace in the state cannot be compromised.

Mimiko lamented that the wife and children of the deceased are subjected to experiencing the harsh side of life, while praying to God to dry their tears and quickly heal the wounds the sad occurrence must have inflicted on the family.

The late Oyewole, was the Unit Mobile Commander (Mopol 17) attached to the State Government House, Alagbaka, Akure. He was killed by suspected armed robbers last Wednesday at 8:30p.m. in his private house situated at Ugele community along Benin-Abuja Road in Akure.

Oyewole’s death was said to have occurred when the officer responded to a distress call from a neighbour without knowing that the distressed neighbour was under serious attack by armed robbers, who shot him immediately he arrived at his compound.

Workers in Ogun state have commenced an indefinite industrial action to press home their demands over an alleged non-payment of 12 months deductions.

Among other demands, the industrial action is also aimed at putting an immediate end to the contributory pension scheme.

When Channels Television and Newsmen visited the state government secretariat at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital, it was revealed that some workers reported for work while others abdicated their duty post on the order of their leaders.

Commenting on the
development, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, described the action as illegal and uncalled for, saying that the government may initiate a ‘no work, no pay’ system as a punishment.

Mr Adeoluwa asked the workers to see reasons, especially in the face of the current economic downturn, restating that the government is committed to the welfare and care of the workforce.

Although the town seemed calm, security operatives were stationed at strategic places to maintain law and order as a result of the strike.

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, had earlier sent a strong warning to the leadership of labour unions in the state, over the proposed indefinite industrial action.

He gave the warning in Abeokuta, the state capital, during a town-hall meeting for the 2017 budget, held at the cultural centre in the state capital.

He also thanked residents for their understanding and the support shown towards his administration’s policies and programme, while assuring them of more development in the coming fiscal year.

The Nigerian Navy has arrested 28 crude oil thieves in recent operations to eliminate economic sabotage and other criminal elements within Nigeria's maritime domain.

A statement on Monday by Navy spokesman, Commodore Christian Ezekobe said a patrol team deployed by NNS Jubilee arrested 13 suspects allegedly involved in illegal bunkering activities around Ibeno area of Akwa Ibom State. He said another patrol team deployed by Forward Operating Base Escravos has arrested three persons suspected to be oil thieves.

Ezekobe said the team also destroyed six Cotonou boats carrying suspected stolen crude oil around Sandhill Creek in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. He also said a patrol team deployed by NNS Pathfinder raided Adokiakiri Creek around Okirika axis and Dutch Island at Onne in Rivers State and arrested eight suspects.

A bill seeking to provide legal framework to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), which replaced the Nigerian Football Association (NFA), passed its second reading in the Senate yesterday.

The bill, tagged: “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Nigerian Football Association, 2014 and enact the Nigeria Football Federation and other matters connected therewith, 2016,” is being sponsored by Senator Obinna Ogba, PDP, Ebonyi Central.

The bill seeks to repeal the Nigerian Football Association Act 2010 and subsequently enact the Nigerian Football Federation. In his lead debate during the plenary session, Senator Ogba explained that the general principle of the bill was to repeal the Nigerian Football Association Act Cap N100 LFN2010 and to enact the Nigerian Football Federation Act.

He added: “It has become necessary to repeal the extant Act because as it exists now, it requires a lot of amendments to bring it into agreement with FIFA requirements, international best practices andd to give football the desired boost it requires in this country.”

Ogba said, “one of the highlights of the new bill being presented to you is the membership of the federation. The new bill seeks to ensure that only those who are actually involved in competitive football matches are members of the federation and not just organizations and establishments as it is contained in the extant act.

“Another feature of the bill is that provisions are made for the election of a president to lead the executive committee in contrast to the contents of the extant act where governing body of the association is a board appointed from different organisations and such appointed persons elect a Chairman from amongst themselves.

“In the bill, the aspiring president is nominated by his or her state football federation and that nomination has to be
endorsed by three members of the federation from other geo-political zones of the country. This broadens the selection base of the leadership of the federation.

“The general complaint of our footballers, both foreign and home based, is the quality of football management in the country. It is envisaged that with the passage of this bill, this country will experience an appreciable improvement in the management of football and that I am convinced, will ensure our football stays amongst the top 10 in the world.

“One will not easily forget the joy and pride that was brought to Nigerians in all walks of life with Nigeria winning the 2013 African Cup of Nations and it is desirous that this feat be repeated over and over in the near future.

“We cannot achieve this without a systematic development of game locally and nationally.

“We are aware that football brings joy, hope and expectations of brighter future.

“The bill seeks to establish modes of mandatory systematic development of soccer through institutional, age and gender competitions. It is my firm belief that with the passage of this bill, Nigeria will reclaim its envied position of being African number one football nation.

The Senate has ordered an investigation into the arrest of some judges by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Adopting a motion to that effect by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, David Umaur, the upper legislative chamber directed the panel to do whatever it could within its constitutional oversight powers to carry out the assignment.

The Senate was informed that the resolution taken by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on the matter had already been submitted to the committee and it would be part of the materials to be examined during the investigation.

The decision to probe the matter came barely a week after the Senate condemned the manner the judges were arrested.

The investigation will involve inviting the six judges affected by the arrest and officials of the DSS to testify at a public hearing to be conducted during the probe. While ruling on the motion, Senate President Bukola Saraki noted that the committee did not need any extra power to conduct its investigation.

“You do not need to come to us, you have your powers under the oversight and you should be able to use the powers and do whatever you deem
necessary,” Saraki said.

Operatives of the DSS on Saturday, October 8, 2016 arrested six judges and later said its action was based on petitions against the judicial officers on alleged corrupt practices it received.

The judges arrested include John Okoro and Sylvester Nguta of the Supreme Court
and a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Innocent Umezulike. Others are Namdi Dimgba and Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja; Kabiru Auta, from Kano; and Muazu Pindiga of Federal High Court in Gombe.

In a related development, the absence of Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday stalled the trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and an erstwhile Minister of
Finance, Nenadi Usman over alleged money laundering.

Fani-Kayode, who is also a former director of media and publicity, Goodluck/Sambo Campaign committee and Usman, its finance director, are facing trial alongside one Danjuma Yusuf. Also charged is a company named Joint Trust Dimension Nig. Ltd.

They were arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of money to the tune of about N4.9 billion.

They each pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail. Yesterday, the trial of the accused could not proceed due to the absence of the trial judge, who was said to be away on an official assignment. The trial resumes tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday disclosed that it had engaged the services of some foreign and local forensic experts in its investigation of alleged illegal repatriation of $13.9 billion in breach of the Foreign Exchange Act. The Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions that is conducting the investigation declared that it had received relevant communication from some institutions, persons and corporate organisations linked to the matter.

The Chairman of the
committee, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, said the need to involve forensic experts was informed by the weight of the allegation. He said:

“The committee has also written to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria for information on the matter. This is because the MTN and its bankers are in clear violation of Section 15 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous) Act, 1995. Memorandum 20 and 22 relating to the purchase and sale of Securities and Direct Foreign Capital Investment in Nigeria respectively.

“As you know, the allegation is a weighty one that involves the repatriation of $13.92 billion illegally out of Nigeria byy Mobile Telecommunication Limited (MTN) through its bankers between 2006 and 2016.”

Besides MTN, other corporate organisations and individuals listed to appear before the committee include Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered Bank, Citi Bank and Diamond Bank.

According to the committee, some of the promoters of the corporate organsiations to appear before the committee include Dr. Pascal Dozie, Ahmed Dasuki, Gbenga Oyebode, Babatunde Folawiyo, Mohammed Sani Bello, Victor Odili and Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Elenemah
And just as the committee announced its readiness to begin the open investigative hearing on the matter today, Enelamah, has denied direct involvement in the alleged fraud.

Ikeja Electric has appealed to customers in Ejigbo, Oke Afa, Ikotun Egbe, Egan, Igando, Arepo, Warewa and Channels Television axis on power outage.

Head, Corporate Communications Officer of the company, Felix Ofulue, said the management regretted the prolonged outage witnessed by its customers in and around the affected areas, adding that the outages were due to a faulty 100MVA transformer at Ejigbo Transmission Station, coupled with other multiple faults along the network of that area.

The Transmission company, Ayeni said, has commenced repairs on the faulty transformer. However, in the interim, customers will be temporarily back fed through alternative sources to mitigate the current blackout pending the completion of the repair.

In a related development, the recent damage of the 33KV Electric Towers along Abeokuta Expressway, by a truck has resulted in power outage at Millennium Estate, LSDPC Estate Ojokoro,
Agbado, Aboru, Jankara and other parts of Abeokuta environs.

Technical teams have started effecting repairs, though restoration of power to affected areas, the company said, may take about a week.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 6, Abubakar Marafa, has re-affirmed that bailing of suspects remains free.

Marafa said this in on Tuesday in Abakaliki when he visited the Ebonyi police command, which is one of the commands under the zone.

“There should not be any form of payment for bail as the Inspector-General of Police has mandated that this instruction should be carried to the latter,” he said.

According to the AIG, the ban on road blocks nationwide is still in place, as no police check point should be seen on the
road.

“I have received many cases of loss of firearms and any officer who is careless with this will be punished.

“The concerned case would be reviewed and anyone found guilty will be charged to court and be made to pay for the government property he lost.

“Police personnel should place their rifles on guard so that it would be well protected and secured.

“The rights of the citizens should also be protected as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

The AIG directed that officers should henceforth not be posted singularly for duties but posted in numbers.

“We should post more men at night duties than women because most women are married and have dependents to cater for during such periods.

“You should use your phones regularly to call patrol teams and higher officials to enable them arrive at crime scenes on time to check such incidences,” he said.

He said that the Federal Government would soon deploy gunboats to secure the riverine area of Afikpo.

“The Inspector General of Police and his management with assistance of Federal Government, will by God’s grace inaugurate the Marine Police College in Bayelsa soon,’’ Marafa said.

Gov. David Umahi commended the police for adopting proactive measures in securing the state, noting that it has restored the confidence of the people in the force.

“We want you to look at the issue of arrests in the state especially from the Police Headquarters in Abuja, necessitated by petitions from individuals.

“The police have an organogram which runs from the state commands to the headquarters, but it is regrettable that when petitions are written about people, no one bothers to substantiate the petition.

“The arrests by the police from the headquarters especially put the lives of people at risk, both those making the arrest and the ones being arrested.

“People can hide under such guise to perpetrate evil, so we plead that the police organogram be strictly followed in the interest of the citizens,” he said.

He also urged the police to ensure that before any case goes to the zone, it should be a situation where the petitioner is not satisfied with the way the Commissioner of Poice handled it.

“The same process should then be observed before the case goes to the police headquarters as this would restore confidence in the
Force,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the AIG also interacted with officers in the command where they asked questions bordering on their welfare. NAN reports that the Police zone six comprised Ebonyi,
Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River.