The Nigeria Police Force has said that the Senate invited the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris because of Senator Dino Melaye contrary to Senator Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs’ statement that the IGP was invited by the Senate so that he explain what the Police was doing on the spate of killing across the country.

The Police in a statement signed by ACP Jimoh Moshood Force Public Relations Officer of the Force headquarters in Abuja on Saturday said that the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations was delegated by the IGP to deliver on his behalf to the Senate reports on the security situation in the country but the Senate did not allow him to brief them.

It also said that if the Senate was sincerely interested in knowing the strategies adopted by the Police in tackling the killings in the nation, they ought not to have invited the IGP to speak on the strategies of the Force on National Television, saying that the Senate’s action was against National Security, unconventional and it negates global security practice and that there is nowhere in the world where security matters are discussed on National Television, even the Senate deliberation and decision on the appearance of the IGP were done in close session. The police further said that a purported list of killings in Nigeria in 2018 by the Office of the Senate President was shocking, unfortunate and capable of worsening the security situation in the Country, saying that ‘it is mischievous and heinous to play politics with people’s lives; even if it is a soul.

Read the full statement below

The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to media publication credited to one Sen. Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs that “IGP should stop holding on to the straw on why he refused to comply with the invitation of the Senate for him to come and explain what the Police are doing on the spate of killing across the country”. The incidents of killings in some part of the country are being addressed by the Nigeria Police Force and other security and safety agencies in the Nation. While normalcy have been restored in most of the affected areas, hundreds of suspects directly responsible for these dastardly acts have been arrested and are being prosecuted in the affected States. Also over Five Thousand (5000) prohibited firearms have been recovered from wrong hands across the Federation on the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM, mni, in the mop-up operations currently ongoing throughout the Country.

These are part of the brief the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations was delegated by the IGP to deliver on his behalf to the Senate, but he was not allowed. The release of the purported list of killings in Nigeria in 2018 by the Office of the Senate President is shocking, unfortunate and capable of worsening the security situation in the Country. It is mischievous and heinous to play politics with people’s lives; even if it is a soul. The release is speculative and not supported by any fact. Office of the Senate President does not receive or process security report from State commands. The recent claim by the Senate that the reason for inviting the IGP is to brief them on the recent killings in some part of the Country is an afterthought which can be seen from the headings of their invitation letters. In any case, if the Senate is sincerely interested in knowing the strategies adopted by the Police in tackling the killings in the affected States, they would not have invited the IGP to speak on the strategies of the Force on National Television. The Senate’s action to cover the appearance of the IGP on National Television is against National Security, unconventional and it negates global security practice. There is nowhere in the world where security matters are discussed on National Television, even the Senate deliberation and Decision on the appearance of the IGP were done in close session. One wonders why security strategies of the Force to tackle the killings in the affected States would be discussed on National Television.

The Nigeria Police Force has severally reiterated that it holds the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in high esteem and regards, but will not be cowed from ensuring the supremacy of the laws of the land, preservation of law and order and above all the full enforcement of the rule of law throughout the Country. The Force will also continue to resist any intimidation from any quarter either constituent or otherwise which run contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and other extant laws. By insisting that the Senate abides by the constitutions and provisions in the Police act and regulations, the IGP is not holding on to any straw as asserted by the Senate Spokesperson but to the rule of law to ensure that there is no sacred cow.

It is incumbent on the Force to educate Sen. Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi that IGP was represented at the Senate on 26th April, 2018 and 2nd May, 2018 as provided for and in accordance with the extant laws, which affirms that, the functions, duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of Police stated in Section 215(1a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and the Police Act and Regulations Section 309(1) can also be carried out in accordance with sections 7(1),312(1), 313(2) of the Police Act and Regulations by a senior officer of the Force of the Rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police or an Assistant Inspector General of Police who if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in an official capacity at any official function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations. It is imperative to inform the general public that the invitations to the IGP from the Senate signed by Nelson Ayewoh, Clerk, Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria dated 25th April, 2018 and that of 8th May, 2018, both read thus “INVITATION TO BRIEF THE SENATE ON THE INHUMAN TREATMENT METED ON SENATOR DINO MELAYE OVER A MATTER THAT IS PENDING BEFORE A COURT OF COMPETENT LAW COURT; AND OTHER KILLINGS ACROSS NIGERIA”.

Copies of the two invitation letters are attached for clarity and public information. From the headings of the above quoted invitation letters, it is very clear that the IGP was invited on those occasions by the Senate purposely because of Senator Dino Melaye’s criminal indictment in respect of felonious and serious offenses of Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms by two (2) Principal Suspects (Kabiru Seidu A.K.A OSAMA, Nuhu Salisu A.K.A SMALL) arrested for several cases of kidnappings and armed robberies in Kogi State, who are already standing trial in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The pinch emphasis on security matters in the invitation letters was diversionary to attract undeserved public sympathy in the Senate’s desperate bid to trivialize and water down the crime and criminal liabilities for which Senator Dino Melaye is standing trial. However, due to the respect the IGP has for the Senate, that when on the 25th of April, 2018, the Senate invited the Inspector-General of Police to appear before it on the 26th of April 2018, in respect of the felonious offenses for which Sen. Dino Melaye was taken into Police custody, investigated and arraigned in a Court of Competent Jurisdiction while the Inspector-General of Police was on official assignment with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria in Bauchi on same date, that he delegated the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations, Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police and some Commissioners of Police conversant with the matter to brief the Senate.

The Senate again on the 26th of April 2018 wrote the Inspector-General of Police re-inviting him to appear before the Senate in person on the 2nd of May, 2018 but this time around the IGP was on official assignment to Birnin-Gwari Area of Kaduna State in company of the General Officer Commanding, One Division, Nigerian Army Kaduna, Major General Mohammed Mohammed to attend to some very serious security matters of National Importance, but he promptly delegated the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Research and Planning, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police to represent him and brief the Senate on the same subject matter, the Senate again refused to accord them audience insisting that the Inspector-General of Police must appear in person.

It is pertinent to let the public be aware that the Inspector General of Police since assumption of duty in June, 2016 has appeared about Ten (10) times before the Senate on different issues of National Importance. The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding entity will continue to uphold the rule of law in all its ramifications and also ensure that nobody under any guise, no matter how highly placed is allowed to pervert the course of Justice. The Force insists on due process of the law and once again implores the Senate not to whip-up sentiments or resort to self-help but to allow the rule of law and justice to prevail on the whole matter

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board generated a princely N8.453billion from the sales of forms to applicants seeking admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria in 2018, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report.
A top official of the Board told this newspaper Friday morning that the revenue came from payments made by 1,602,762 candidates who registered for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) held across the country in March.
Part of the revenue also came from registration fees paid by 135, 670.00 Direct Entry (DE) candidates, our source said. The official asked not to be named because he did not obtain official permission to divulge the details to journalists.

Each of the total 1,798,438 UTME and direct entry candidates paid N5,500 for the forms out of which N4,700 goes to JAMB’s coffers while N800 is remitted to banks and suppliers of reading texts to applicants, the official further explained.

The number of applicants was lower this year following reforms in the application process which effectively blocked multiple registration by candidates. About N1.8million UTME and DE candidates sought tertiary admissions in 2017.
It is not exactly clear how much the Board will remit to the Federal Government this year after settling computer-based test centres, and paying other service providers and exam officials.

In 2017, the examination body paid in N7.8 billion to the government. Our source said the remittance for 2018 will be close to that amount. “As you know, change of course and universities are ongoing,” the official said. “It is only after we are done with the entire admission process for the year that we will be able to determine the total revenue for the year.”

Our source said since the arrival of Is-haq Oloyede, a professor, as registrar, JAMB had ceased to request funding from the federal government for its capital and recurrent expenditures. “The registrar is now asking the government to allow JAMB handle the payment of salaries and allowances to its personnel. He believes that will enable the board to improve the working condition of its staff by paying them better.


“Since he is blocking loopholes for stealing and eradicating corruption, the registrar believes it is important that staff are better paid from the revenues they help make every year. That way, they will not be tempted to revert to corrupt acts.”

The official said Mr. Oloyede has also asked the government to allow JAMB spend N2billion from its revenue this year, and another N2billion next year, to upgrade its corporate headquarters in Abuja and improve its state offices across the country.
“But as you know, there has to be approval and everything has to be appropriated before any spending can be made,” he said.

When contacted, Prof. Oloyede confirmed JAMB has made “more than N8billion” from sales of forms but declined further details. He directed further enquiries on the matter to the spokesperson of the Board, Fabian Benjamin.
Mr. Benjamin confirmed the information provided by our source but added, “You know the direct entry admission is still on as well as change of course and university. So more money is likely to be generated from there. And our revenue will most likely go up.”

Bimpe29:
It is unfortunate to have turned the hallow chambers to mere private institution of some individuals based on the perceived conflict of interest.
No matter what happens, that institution must be respected by all and sundry. Buhari's presidency has succeeded in relegating the Legislative arm to the background.
Both houses are not for the Sarakis, Melayes, Dogaras and co, rather they are for the generality of Nigerians.

Freeman59:
IGP continue jor. enjoy, na God give you Nigeria to play with. Can you try this with USA senate?

maestroferddi:
If you can pause for a moment and use your senses that would everybody a world of good.

You are supporting tyranny and illegality because of primordial considerations.

You should be ashamed of yourself...

angelbulksms:


Exactly!

I guess the guy doesn't know that querying (summoning) is part of the contest

focus7:


You mean the chips from the South East

aolawale025:


NASS as an institution should be respected notwithstanding our feelings about the occupants

The diversification agenda of the Federal Government may be yielding results as export of agricultural produce through the TinCan Island port in Lagos, is on a sharp increase.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), TinCan Island Command, confirmed yesterday that the exports have gained appreciable improvement of about 558.46 per cent in terms of volume and 402.24 per cent in terms of FOB (Free on Board) value between January and March this year compared to the same period last year.

Controller of the Command, Abdullahi Baba Musa, while updating journalists on the performance report for the period, said the Command recorded about 45,462 metric tonnes of export with FOB value of N29.146billion. This is against the 8,140.6 metric tonnes with FOB value of N7.246billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2017.

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He gave the breakdown of the exports as 38,517 metric tonnes of agricultural produce export with FOB value of N22.435billion; and about 6,945 metric tonnes of processed and manufactured goods with FOB value of N6.711billion during the review period.

On the revenue performance, Musa said the Command raked in about N104.5billion as against a projection collection of the sum of N116 billion, recording a performance rate of 90.09 per cent between January and April this year.

“A comparative analysis against collection of the previous year (2017) for the same period in the sum of N82.154billion showed there is an improvement in the figure of about N22.68billion, which is equivalent to an improvement of about 27.61 per cent.

“The improved collection so far has been driven by the establishment of standard operating procedure (SOP) and strong revenue drive achieved through blocking of Areas of revenue leakages,” he stated.

Musa said the TinCan Island Command is committed to the transformation of revenue collection and reporting system with the implementation of MOS II with additional functionality, which is an upgrade of the Nigeria Customs Integrated System (NICIS I).

As part of these, he said the Command is working hard to float a “one stop shop” which will enable treatment of declarations with valuations, classification and other related clearance issues/queries.

“In the meantime the renovation of the space for the one stop shop is in progress. Automation of the Cargo examination and assignment process where examination officers are assigned examination automatically is also in the pipeline to ensure transparency in the inspection process.

“The vehicle Valuation System is being further improved with the attachment of the Valuation Note issued to the SGD in the system, this will enable a quick verification of assessment and duty payment,” he explained.

He added that the command has made several seizures, which included: 1×40 and 1×20 containers of Tramadol Hydrochloride (225mg) which were declared as electrical static converters and ciprofloxacin.

Other seizures are: 3×40 containers of e-waste which are considered toxic to the environment/health; and 5×40 containers of second hand clothing consisting of about 1,239 bales of clothing prohibited under the absolute import prohibition list; 4. 1×40 containers of used tyres as contain in Import Prohibition List for trade.

All the seized items, according to him, have a total duty paid value (DPV) of N124million.

Musa added that efforts have been intensified under the Federal Government’s Presidential Initiative on ease of doing business, to improve on performance rating.

MENELIK11:


Haba! you are angry bros