Local

Herdsmen:Alhaji Moggogo Arrested And Handcuffed To Hospital Bed.(see pictures)

2018-02-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

Mambilla Genocide: The unprovoked attackers and killers of the aged Fulani man Alhaji Moggogo at his country home of leme (Wuro Moggogo),a suburb of Gembu town that narrowly escaped dead with gun shots from the defensive attack launched by the Moggogo's children were pictured
handcuffed to their hospital beds by the security agents for interrogation after recovery from the bullet wounds.

Reportedly the attackers unleashed mayhem on the Fulani family unprovoked because of the defeat they suffered in a court judgment over a long disputed cattle ranch land between their boundaries.They defied the court order and attacked the family unprovoked severally in different ways including forceful seizure attempt to plant eucalyptus trees.

Herdsmen:Fulani Herdsmen And Youths Clash In Delta.

2018-02-02T14:20:00.000-08:00

6 herdsmen escape death, 8 cows killed as youths, herdsman clash in Delta On February 2, 20181:31 pmIn News by adekunleComments By Perez Brisibe UGHELLI

– SIX Fulani herdsmen were Thursday rescued by community leaders at Torugbene community, Burutu local government area after youths from the community reportedly repelled an alleged attack on some farmers by the herdsmen in the community. 8 cows belonging to the herdsmen were said to
have been killed by the youths over what they described as the continues destruction of their farm produce by the grazing herd.

Sources from the community told Vanguard that the herdsmen had tried to attack a female farmer who raised the alarm, drawing the attention of her sons and other youths of the community who came to her rescue. One of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that farmers in the community have been having a running battle over the years with herdsmen who graze their herds on their farms.

The source said: “They invaded the woman’s farm and when she accosted them on the rationale for their actions, they attacked her, leading to a confrontation with youths from the community who mobilized to the farm to rescue the woman. “It took the intervention of elders of the community who intervened and rescued the herdsmen from being lynched, but unfortunately, 8 of their herds were killed while the impasse lasted.

Anybody found with Biafra flag‘ll be arrested – Abia CP

2017-09-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Anthony Ogbizi, has warned that anybody found with Biafra emblem will be arrested and charged to court.
Ogbizi who stated this while parading 7 suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, explained that with the proscription of the group by the South East governors, it has becomes illegal for anyone to operate under IPOB or adorn Biafra emblems.

Residents lynch suspected gang member in Lagos In Metro19 hours

2017-06-06T22:53:00.000-07:00

man, suspected to be a member of the dreaded Badoo gang, was, yesterday, lynched by a mob at Aga area of Ikorodu, Lagos.

Meanwhile, three persons were hit by stray bullets from policemen, who attempted to prevent the jungle justice being meted on the victim.

It was gathered that the Badoo suspect was apprehended by members of a vigilante group

at the wee hours of yesterday, while attempting to strangle a motorcyclist and dispossess him of his motorbike.

The suspect, who identified himself as Vincent, was interrogated by the vigilante group and kept in a room. While in the room, Vincent was said to have applied black oil on his body and attempted to escape through a window, only to be caught.

When policemen got wind of the arrest, they stormed Oni-Ogunsanya Street, with the intention to pick the suspect. But the move was resisted by residents, who insisted on lynching the suspect as they argued that over 50 persons had been sent to their early graves by the Badoo boys In a bid to disperse the crowd, the policemen reportedly released some gunshots, in the process of which three persons were hit.

An unconfirmed report said two persons died on the spot. But Lagos State Police Command stated that no life was lost.

The shooting sparked up violence as the mob reportedly brought the suspect out and set him ablaze.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, visited the scene, advising the crowd to desist from resorting to jungle justice.

He also assured them that he was personally leading investigations on insecurity in Ikorodu, assuring that members of Badoo gang and their sponsors would be arrested.

The command spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, when contacted, said no life was lost except that of the suspect lynched by the mob, noting “police have taken charge of the area and investigation is ongoing.”

Don’t use force against Biafran agitators – Shehu Sani

2017-06-04T23:25:00.001-07:00

Shehu Sani

Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District on Sunday in Kano, cautioned the Federal Government against using military force to silence Biafran agitators.
Rather than military approach, Sani urged the Federal Government to embrace dialogue.
Shortly after his condolence visit to the wife of the late Mallam Aminu Kano, Malama Aishatu, the senator, insisted that the Biafra agitation should be handled with utmost care.
He argued that the only solution was the entrenchment of socio-political and economic reforms in the country.

The Biafran agitation, according to him, gathered momentum due to some fundamental issues and factors that had to do with the failure of the Federal Government to address some critical issues after the civil war.
Sani said, “Although after the civil war, we created institutions to foster unity and create sense of belonging, we failed as a nation to entrench the spirit of oneness and togetherness in the minds of the people.”
Sani noted that the country’s unity was not one that was premised on love and understanding.
“And that is the reason why a nation united by force is vulnerable and a nation united by justice is impregnable,” he added.
He said the forces igniting the Biafran agitation “are a new generation of young men and women, who have not experienced war and have not suffered from the war and have not seen the consequences of wars.”
Sani, who expressed optimism that Nigeria would not disintegrate, however, said the Federal Government should douse the Biafran agitation by carrying all parts of Nigeria along politically, economically, socially and culturally.

NDLEA arrests another Saudi-bound pilgrim with cocaine

2017-06-04T00:40:00.000-07:00

Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, have intercepted a 54-year-old single mother of four, Modinat Oluwayemisi Owolabi, on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia with substances that tested positive for cocaine.
The suspect, who hails from Kwara State, was apprehended during the outward screening of passengers on a Qatar airline flight to Saudi Arabia after testing positive to drug ingestion.
Preliminary investigation revealed that she ingested 32 wraps of substances that tested positive for cocaine weighing 330 grammes.
The suspect, who hawks tea and bread to earn a living in Lagos, was found to have collected N300,000 to smuggle drugs to Saudi under the pretext of going for pilgrimage. She was also going to Saudi as a private pilgrim and not as a group.
The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said this was the second arrest of a pilgrim
at the airport.
One Odeyemi Omolara Morayo, aka Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, was caught with 1.595kg of cocaine on her way to Saudi Arabia in February.
Garba also added that the suspect, Owolabi Oluwayemisi Modinat, was cooperating with investigating officers and that she will be arraigned as soon as investigation was concluded.
The suspect in her statement explained that poverty led her into drug trafficking.
In her words: “I have never travelled outside the country before now. I am a single mother of four children. I sell tea and bread to earn a living. At present, I have no money to continue with my tea business due to family problems. A man met me and promised to help me by sponsoring my trip to Saudi Arabia. As a Muslim, I was happy but he later asked me to swallow the drugs. I agreed because he promised to pay me 300,000 naira. I have too many problem and nobody to help me.”
The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Colonel Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd), while commenting on the arrest of Oluwayemisi Modinat, said that the Agency is working to prevent those hiding under the cover of pilgrimage in trafficking narcotics.
Abdallah said: “There is no hiding place for drug traffickers. We are prepared to stop their ignoble acts and prosecute them to serve as deterrent to others. It is even more disturbing that despite the death penalty for drugs in Saudi Arabia, these criminal elements still recruit mules on a suicide mission.”
The NDLEA boss called on members of the public to be vigilant and avoid falling prey to drug barons.
The suspect will soon be charged to court.

Saraki denies plans to raise petrol pump price

2017-06-04T00:31:00.001-07:00

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has denied that the upper chamber of the National Assembly is proposing an increment of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) by N5 as part of measures to generate funds for roads repairs and maintenance.
The Special Assistant to the Senate President on New Media, Mr. Bankole Omisore, in a statement on Saturday, denied the reports that the legislature had the plan.
As part of the recommendations in the report by the Senate Committee on Works on the National Roads Fund Establishment Bill 2017, a levy of N5 will be imposed on every litre of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and Automobile General Oil (diesel) imported or refined in the country.
The panel also proposed tolling on federal roads and 0.5 per cent of transport fares paid by passengers using
mass transit for inter-state trips to generate fund for the rehabilitation and maintenance of road infrastructure in the country.
Omisore, however, explained that at the public hearing on the National Roads Fund Bill, the stakeholders were unanimous on the need to access a percentage of the funds for sustainable maintenance of roads from the pricing template of petroleum products.
He said while the unanimity was on a percentage, opinions varied as to what percentage. “Some argued for 25, 11, 7 and 5 per cent of the value of the price of the product,” he noted.
Saraki’s aide pointed out that what the Senate adopted was “the minimalist approach to ensure that our roads can come back to life.”

There are too many drinking joints in Anambra – Monarch

2017-06-04T00:27:00.002-07:00

Chief Alex Onyido, the traditional ruler of Ogilisi, Idemili South Local Government in Anambra, has called for stringent measures to curtail the growing number of drinking joints in the state.
Onyido made the call on Friday in Awka, while speaking at the the 2017 edition of Lady Victoria Onyido quiz competition, organised by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, for secondary schools.
“The trend is worrisome and not in the best interest of public health.
“Such facilities breed crime and criminality; the rate at which such businesses are springing up in all corners calls for concern,” he said.
Onyido, who is the sponsor of the quiz competition, said that it was meant to draw government’s attention to the use of illicit drugs among secondary school students.
The monarch lauded NDLEA’s commitment to the fight against drug abuse and peddling, pointing out that drug addiction and abuse could lead to other vices like kidnapping, armed robbery and prostitution.

In his speech, Gov. Willie Obiano commended the sponsor and NDLEA for the effective collaboration in the fight against drug abuse in the society.
Obiano, who was represented by Prof. Kate Omenugha, Commissioner for Education, said that his administration was committed to quality education that would enhance students’ capacity to compete with their peers the world over.
NDLEA Commander in Anambra, Mr Sule Momodu, in a brief remark, said that the competition, which started four years ago, had yielded positive results.
Momodu commended the Anambra government for establishing Drug Free Clubs in secondary schools.

PCN seals 380 illegal pharmacies, patient medicines stores

2017-06-04T00:24:00.002-07:00

Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) said it has sealed the premises of 380 illegal pharmacies and patent medicine stores during its facility inspection and enforcement exercise in Edo state.
The Council’s Director of Inspection and Monitoring, Mrs. Anthonia O. Aruya, disclosed this in Benin City while briefing journalists on the enforcement carried out in Benin metropolis by the council.
Aruya said those sealed 380 businesses during the exercise were made up of 38 illegal Pharmacies and 270 Patient Medicine stores, adding that the aim was to sanitise the drug distribution chain in the country.
According to her, the sealed-up were for various offences, ranging from failure to renew premises license, dispensing ethical products without the supervision of pharmacists and poor sanitary condition among others.
She said, “Pharmacists Council of Nigeria cannot guarantee that drugs sold in unregistered outlets are of the same integrity as specified by the manufacturers since they have not submitted to the regulation that ensure maintenance of minimum standard for handling such products”.

Aruya also noted that the inspection was carried out to ensure that the right storage environment was maintained to preserve the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic integrity of medicines.
“We observed in Edo that many premises are operating without registration while others failed to renew their license. Some of them store products in environment where quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products cannot be guarantee”, she stated.
The PCN Director of Inspection and Monitoring, added that operators of these sealed premises did not have the requisite knowledge on how to handle highly ethical drugs, saying the exercise was to revise the ugly trend and improved on service delivery.
She said the enforcement was a corrective measure to do the right thing, noting that if not checked, they could be carrying out business detrimental to the public.
“Those who complied with the council after the exercise would be trained and enlightened on drug administration while other who failed to comply would be prosecuted,” she said.
The council therefore advised the public to purchase medicines from a licensed pharmacies and patient medicines vendor shops, seeking collaboration with security agents in ensuring sanity in drug distributing system.

Woman seeking bail collapses at Lagos court

2017-06-04T00:05:00.002-07:00

An elderly woman, whose identity could not be ascertained, collapsed yesterday at the premises of the Lagos Magistrates Court, Igbosere.
It was learnt that the woman was making efforts at facilitating bail for her son, who was involved in a criminal matter, through a lawyer.
It was also learnt that the unidentified woman told her rescuers at another point “that she regularly gave an
undisclosed sum to the lawyer, who was defending her son in a criminal matter, so that the charge against him can be dispensed with”.
However, when the woman arrived court yesterday and asked around, the lawyer was nowhere to be found. She slumped on the first floor, a few metres from the Prosecutors’ office.
Immediately, the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Lateef Bello, alerted his colleagues and they tried to revive her as she began to shiver and pass urine and could neither speak nor get on her feet.
She was conveyed to a nearby general hospital by the court.

Diezani Alison- Madueke Walking On The Street Of London (Photos)

2017-04-13T00:34:00.001-07:00

She looks very strong now.

Photos Of The Men Who Killed An Uber Driver In Lagos

2017-04-12T02:52:00.001-07:00

Osaro Egbomrewen and Michael Eyeoekpe, were
yesterday paraded before newsmen in connection
with the death of an Uber driver ,Innevosa
Emmanuel, who was strangled to death at the Ogba
area of the state recently.

The deceased had responded to their call for a taxi
and was taking them to their destination at Oke-Ira in
Ogba, when they suddenly asked for a diversion to
Oremeji street where they strangled him to death,
dumped his body in front of a church and went away
with his Kia vehicle.

The suspects and one other person at large were in
the process of selling off the vehicle when they were
arrested in Benin city, Edo state.

Accident At Otukpo-Enugu Round About Kills Many (Graphic Photos)

2017-04-12T02:47:00.002-07:00

Over 5 five students who are currently studying at the Benue State Polythenic Ugbokulo has been reported dead as a result of a fatal accident along the most Popurlar Enugu Round About in Otukpo, Benue State.

An eye witness who claims anonymity says a big truck carrying a loads of yam fell on top of the car that was conveying the students, immediately the truck killed everyone of them.

The eye witness who claims anonymity says the accident was caused due to the bad state of the most popularly round about in Otukpo.

We all could recalled that, the immediate Sole Administrator of the Local Government Hon. George Alli who resigned to contest the June 3rd LG election in Benue State has severally showcase how the same round about was part of his project that was achieved.

Its indeed pitiable and painful to lost such a visionary and focus youths at this critical time.

Pray for their souls and may God comfort their families to bear the pain.

We Can Re-present Magu For Confirmation - Osinbajo

2017-04-12T02:43:00.002-07:00

VICE-PRESIDENT Yemi Osinbajo has declared that there is no law in the Nigeria Constitution stopping the Presidency from representing the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, as substantive chairman.

Osinbajo, a Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, made this known while speaking with journalists at the Presidential Villa.

He added that the Presidency is fully in support of Magu emerging as the substantive chairman of the EFCC.

He said: “It is up to the Senate to make their judgement and it is up to us say what we want to do.

“If our candidate is rejected, we can re-present him.

“No law says we can’t re-present him.

“And again, there is the other argument, whether or not we need to present him for confirmation and that’s a compelling argument from Femi Falana.

“His argument is that under the constitution, section 171, and if you look at that section, it talks about the appointments that the president can make.

“They include appointments of ministers, ambassadors and heads of agencies such as the EFCC.

“In that same section 171, the constitution rightly said that certain appointments must go to the Senate such as ministerial and ambassadorial appointments.

“Those of heads of agencies like the EFCC do not have to go to the Senate.

“That’s what the constitution says.

“But the EFCC Act, which of course as you know is inferior, says that EFCC chairman should go to the Senate for confirmation.

“I am sure that even a pocket book lawyer knows that when a legislation conflicts with constitution, it’s the constitution that prevails.

“I agree with Mr. Falana that there was no need in the first place to have sent Magu’s name to the Senate, but we did so and it was rejected by the Senate, but I believe that it can be re-presented.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong about the fact that Senate has rejected him.

“Senate has acted in its own wisdom to say ‘no, we don’t want him’, and we can say ‘this is our candidate… we like the gentleman and we want him to continue.’”

Speaking on report of the Department of State Services that indicted Magu, Osinbajo said President Muhammad Buhari could have interfered with the DSS report if he wanted to, but that he decided to hear Magu’s own account, after which he felt convinced to retain the anti-graft czar.

Osinbajo said: “We should commend the President for not interfering with what the DSS said.

“The DSS came up with a report and the man who was accused refuted it.

“He explained and gave a reason.

“When that happened, the President looked at what Magu said and what the DSS wrote and he said: ‘I am satisfied with what Magu said.’

“He then decided to retain Magu as the nominee for EFCC.

“I don’t see any reason why that should be contested.

“The President has not interfered with what the DSS said.

“If he wanted to interfere, he would have ordered the DSS to keep quiet.

“He didn’t do that, but he said: ‘I don’t think the DSS report is meritorious enough to withdraw his nomination.’

“The President reserves the right to say: ‘this is who I want.’

“I’m fully in support of Magu as the EFCC chairman just as the President is.”

It could be recalled two weeks ago, the Senate stopped the confirmation of Resident Electoral Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission in protest of the decision of the executive to retain Magu as the head of the EFCC.

Boko Haram Commanders Chatting & Smiling In Court In Abuja, foto&(Video)

2017-04-12T00:55:00.001-07:00

"Why Patience Jonathan Withdrew Cash From Skye Bank" - Barrister Charles Ogboli

2017-04-12T00:10:00.000-07:00

Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan yesterday explained that she withdrew $100,000 from her unblocked Skye Bank account for medical treatment.

Speaking through her solicitor, Barrister Charles Ogboli, the former first lady, said she never wanted to withdraw all the money, but just to ensure compliance to the order of court.

“She wanted to withdraw $5 million on Friday but unfortunately there was no funds and they (the bank) pleaded with her that she can withdraw $100,000 in order to comply with the order of court. They have
complied fully with the order of court,” he said.

“Therefore the Notice of Appeal (by the EFCC) came late. The Notice and Stay of Execution is a mere application. And we are talking of court order. Appeal has not been entered yet; records have not been transferred from the lower court to the Court of Appeal. In the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, by mere fact that you have an appeal against a proceeding, it does not stop the trial from going on. That was what they were acting upon.

“Unfortunately for them, the order has been executed. Even when you move the motion it is an exercise in futility. So we are going to court to respond to whatever they filed. The issue is that she went to the bank and applied and account was debited with $100,000. There were no challenges as to withdrawal from her account. She was not in any pressure to withdraw all the money, after all the money was there. But this is just for her medical treatment and all that.”

“I wonder why some print media will be publishing things that are not within their knowledge or facts. Mrs Jonathan is a law-abiding citizens and she has not done anything which is ultra vires to the laws of the land,” he added.

By John Chuks Azu

EFCC Recovers N4billion Cash From Ex-Niger State Deputy Governorship Candidate

2017-04-11T23:53:00.002-07:00

A tip-off by a whistleblower on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 led to another discovery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of a staggering sum of N4billion suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Investigations as to the owner of the funds revealed that the money belongs to a former deputy governorship
candidate in Niger State.

The suspect uses the names of two companies– Katah Property & Investment Limited and Sadiq Air Travel Agency- in laundering the funds.

Each of the company has N2billion fixed in its deposit account domiciled in Guaranty Trust Bank.

The suspected owner of the account and the account officer are currently on the run.

Discos Reject 10,200 Megawatts In 1 Month

2017-04-10T03:28:00.002-07:00

Eleven electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) rejected 10,200 megawatts (mw) allocation in one month, industry figures have shown.

This is coming at a time the country is experiencing low generation of electricity due to gas supply constraints.

The incident happened mid February and extended to the second week of March.

The DisCos were allocated a total of 75,021mw within the period but they accepted 65,729mw which they distributed to the end users.

However, the difference of 10,200mw was rejected by different DisCos per time.

Data obtained exclusively by the Daily Trust indicated that a few DisCos in February and March took excess power totalling 780mw.

Analysis by our reporter shows that Ikeja and Benin DisCos topped the list of the highest load rejecters as they did that for over three times in the period.

On February 15, being the first day of the period in focus, the industry statistics showed that the 11 DisCos were allocated 3868.38mw based on the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2015 Allocation table.

They consumed 3151mw, leaving out 769mw. Benin and Ikeja DisCos rejected the highest load of 171mw and 159mw, while Yola DisCo rejected 9.62mw being the lowest.

On the last day of the period being March 14, 2017, the DisCos got 3,640mw allocation but consumed 3,038mw.

A balance of 607mw was turned down that day. Ibadan DisCo topped the list with 184mw while Yola DisCo, now a public-driven utility firm again rejected the least of 16mw electricity loads.

Reactions trailing the rejection

Complaints of load rejection have been heavy since the period in focus began. Spokesperson for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Seun Olagunju in a recent statement said its System Operations - Osogbo arm directed Generation Companies (GenCos) to ramp down on production to stabilise the system due to many load rejection.

Confirming this, statistics obtained from the operators of Kainji Hydro GenCo show that due to the ramping down of load, it lost 1,420mw in just six days in March.

But in an exclusive interview and a later briefing, the 11 Distribution Companies (DisCos) speaking through the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) revealed reasons for the claimed load rejection.

ANED’s Director of Research and Advocacy, Barrister Sunday Oduntan explained that TCN often defies the daily load schedules of the DisCos by transmitting electricity to where DisCos have low distribution needs, leaving out the high areas of electricity demand.

He said: “The issue is about wrong dumping of load where the DisCos cannot recover the cost at that point as the power supply is not always enough for all the customers under a particular DisCo.”

An Abuja based Power Efficiency advocate, Mr. Odey Haruna said the 10,200mw rejected load is enough to power many industries for weeks, thereby creating productivity and leaving huge economic impacts.

Haruna advised TCN to strengthen its networks to minimise the transmission constraints leading to poor load allocation in the cities.

“The DisCos must also do their best to optimise their cables and transformers. If Nigerians are hungry for electricity and the available ones are being rejected, then it makes no economic sense completely,” he said.

By Simon Echewofun Sunday

Governors Kick Against $138m Consultants’ Fees

2017-04-10T03:06:00.000-07:00

There is disquiet among governors over a plan to pay some consultants $138 million (about N42.2b at the official N306 to $1) of the $6.9 billion Paris-London Club loan refund.

Besides, The Nation learnt at the weekend that:

• the Presidency is unhappy that local governments did not get their right share of the hefty refund; and

• some states are still owing local government workers as many as 10 months’ salaries; others are owing six months.

Non-payment of salaries and pensions is considered a breach of the agreement between the Presidency and the governors.

The Presidency has released N1,266.44 trillion to the 36 states in the past one and a half years. The cash
includes N713.70billion special intervention funds.

Some governors are displeased that the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) plans to pay 2% of the $6.9billion refund to consultants.

The 2% is $138,000,000 (N42.228billion at the official rate of N306 to $1).

According to a governor, who spoke in confidence, NGF Chairman Abdulaziz Yari, who is also the governor of Zamfara State, conveyed the agreement to pay 2% to some consultants in a July 29, 2016 letter to the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

The letter reads: “Please recall that the Nigeria Governors Forum had at its meeting of May 2016 appointed a Consortium of Financial Consultants to reconcile and recover over-deductions from the Paris and London Club loans due to states and local governments.

“Also, Mr. President in a meeting with members of the Forum had graciously agreed to pay 50% of the monies due and the balance of 50% paid after due and diligent reconciliation of the accounts.

“At the last meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum held in July 2016, the Forum unanimously resolved to pay a fee of 2% to the consultants as their professional fees for the services rendered.

“Pursuant to the Forum’s resolution therefore, I am requesting that the payment of the consultant fees should be deducted at source from each state’s entitlement and paid directly to the account details of the consultants as attached with.

“Consequently, we crave the indulgence of the Honourable Minister to effect the wishes of the governors when implementing Mr. President’s directives.”

But the aggrieved governors said they were not happy realising that “one or two governors” brought the lead consultants after each state had engaged its own consultants. “Our colleagues can also not be offering consultancy services to us through some proxies”, he said, pleading not to be named because of “the sensitivity” of the matter.

The governor went on: “At the end of it all, states are expected to part with N42.2billion to consultants who are not primary sources of the loan records. We were shocked that out of the N19billion consultancy/legal fees paid into the NGF accounts, most consultants hired by states have not been paid a farthing.

“The bulk of the job of the reconciliation of loan refunds is being done by officials and consultants or financial advisers from each state, the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).

“Some of us will resist further deductions from our loan refund. The N42.2billion is outrageous.”

Following protests by states against over deductions for external debt service between 1995 and 2002, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of N522.74 billion (first tranche) refund to states pending reconciliation of records.

Each state was entitled to N14.5 billion or 25% of the amount claimed.

Mrs. Adeosun said the payment of the claims would enable states to offset outstanding salaries and pension, which had been “causing considerable hardship”.

Governors had sought for the refund to states and local government areas at a meeting with President Buhari on May 24, last year.

The President directed that:

• a thorough reconciliation be carried out between the states and the Federal Government; and that

• 50% of the claims submitted by the states be released prior to completion of the reconciliation to support states, most of which are financially distressed.

Based on the intervention by the President, the NGF, in a letter to the Presidency, said “the total refund claim submitted by states was $6.9billion of which $2.6billion belongs to local governments.”

The NGF, in the letter through Yari, added that “the data was obtained from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).”

“The $2.6billion deducted from the local governments is not disputable as the local governments have the powers or capacity to take foreign loans for which the disputed deductions relate to,” the letter said.

The Presidency released N522.74 billion (first tranche) to states.

The release of the cash triggered a huge controversy, including payment of N19billion consultancy fees and $86million into the accounts of the NGF.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating the alleged diversion of N19billion of which it has traced N3.5billion, allegedly to a consultant and some aides of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

The latest dimension is non-remittance or “partial remittance” of the share of the 774 local government areas by some governors.

It was learnt that some governors hid under the Joint Account System to utilise local government refund for other purposes.

Local governments are entitled to $2.6billion of the refund. It is surprising that in some states, local government employees are still being owed about six to 10 months salary arrears, contrary to the spirit of the refund approved by the President,” a source said.

“Some states got the refund and diverted it to other uses. Others transferred to Joint Account and gave local governments paltry sums.

“We have the list of states where local government staff have been subjected to untold hardship by governors who have withheld the share of the third tier.

“What the government expected was that since each local government paid for the loans, its refund should be directly remitted to it to pay outstanding salaries.

“In a few states, the governors outrightly denied local governments their refund, as if the Federal Government did not release any cash.

“But we have one or three states where the governors declared the actual refund collected and remitted local governments’ share.

“We are looking at the activities of the governors and the government may be forced to name them at the appropriate time.

“Such governors may also be investigated by anti-corruption agencies and they will account for the refund after their tenure.”

A government source spoke about how the “abuse” of the refund accounted for the strict conditions attached to the release of the more than N500billion in the second tranche.

“The Presidency will be strict this time around. The good thing is that the disbursement of the second tranche is subject to cash flow or availability of cash for the Federal Government,” the source said.

Obasanjo Lacks Moral Right To Accuse Anyone Of Corruption – Fayose

2017-04-10T02:57:00.002-07:00

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has told former President Olusegun Obasanjo to desist from accusing people of corruption in Nigeria.

Fayose said it was hypocritical of the former president to claim that some church leaders in the country were not only encouraging corruption but also celebrating people with questionable sources of wealth.

Obasanjo made the accusation in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, at the 2017 Convention Lecture of Victory Life Bible Church International while speaking on the theme, “The role of the church in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.”

In a statement issued, on Sunday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose said that if anyone must accuse the church in Nigeria of promoting corruption, that person should not be Obasanjo, adding that the former president presided over the most corrupt government in the history of Nigeria.

“Where did Obasanjo get the stupendous wealth he is parading since he was a pauper before he became president? Where did he get the trillions of naira that he deployed to his failed third term bid?

“How can Obasanjo, under whose tenure, Nigeria witnessed the Halliburton scandal be sermonising about corruption?”

Fayose restated that it was during Obasanjo’s reign as president that governors were made to donate N10m each to the building of his library

“Isn’t compelling state governors to make donations to the personal project of a serving president part of corruption?,” Fayose queried.

Maintaining that Obasanjo was the father of corruption in the present day Nigeria, Fayose asked, “Who introduced the politics of ‘Ghana-must-go’ bags to the National Assembly?

“Who was the president when sacks of money were displayed on the floor of the House of Representatives as bribe money given to some Reps members to impeach the then Speaker, Ghali N’abba?

“Under whose administration was the out-of-court settlement in the controversial $1.09bn Malabu oil block initiated in 2006?”

Militants Kill Army Captain & 4 Policemen In Lagos

2017-04-10T02:50:00.001-07:00

An army Captain, identified as Muhammed, four policemen, and a civilian lost their lives on Sunday after suspected militants attacked Ishawo, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that panic-stricken residents fled their homes in the wake of the killings.

Our correspondent learnt that a combined team of the police and military had already been deployed in the area in a bid to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.

It was gathered that the militants had first attacked a funeral in Makun-Omi, Ogun State, on Saturday, disrupting the burial of a monarch.

A police source told our correspondent that the Captain and the policemen had responded to a distress call after the militants kidnapped some residents on Woodland Estate, close to the Ishawo creeks.

He explained that the operatives, after rescuing the victims, were leaving the area when they were ambushed by the militants.

He said, “The incident happened on Sunday. The security agents were called and they were able to rescue the victims. As they were leaving the place, the militants surfaced from a hideout and shot them dead.

“After that, the gunmen burnt their patrol vehicle. The policemen were from the anti-kidnapping unit of the Lagos State Police Command.”

A resident, who did not want to be identified, explained that the militants had attacked the community in reprisal for the killing of one of their members in Opeoluwa community.

She explained that the militants killed and set ablaze a resident, said to be an informant of the police.

She said the police were called after the gunmen kidnapped some other residents.

“The militants came in through the waterways. They headed straight for the home of the man, brought him out and shot him dead. They also burnt his corpse.

“The policemen and the soldiers went to rescue the villagers. The militants engaged them in a gun battle. They overpowered and killed five of the operatives. The OP MESA later deployed a troop in the scene. The militants fled when they saw they could not overpower the troop,” she added.

The resident explained that people had fled their homes, adding that apart from the informant, some other civilians were killed by the militants.

“A lot of people were killed. I don’t have the number. It was terrible. People are scared. While I was going to church this morning, I saw a lot of people running out with their loads,” she said.

Another resident, who also insisted the killings were a reprisal, said the militants were plotting to resume their oil bunkering activities.

He said, “Those people are heartless and wicked. They are eager to start the bunkering business again.”

The Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that the militants launched two attacks.

She said, “The militants had attacked Makun-Omi community in Ogun State. The community was observing a funeral for their late king, Oba Odugbefun Osoba. The area was thrown into panic when some hoodlums, suspected to be militants, invaded the community. The mobile police team deployed in the area put up a resistance with the support of hunters and a local vigilance team. One of the suspected militants, identified as Kehinde Toikumo, was arrested.

“It was later that they regrouped and attacked the Lagos community through the waterways. The AIG, Adamu Ibrahim, has put a well coordinated intelligence team in the area and activated the anti-kidnapping section of the zone to work hand in hand with Lagos and Ogun states to forestall a recurrence and ensure the arrest of the suspects.”

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said a total of six people were killed.

He said, “At about 1am on Sunday, the police received a distress call that a group of militants had entered Owutu-Isawo in Ikorodu through the thick swampy forest surrounding the area. They were reported to have kidnapped some residents.

“In response, the police and the army immediately mobilised personnel to the area, where the kidnapped victims were rescued.

“Sadly, five of the gallant, brave and patriotic officers lost their lives during the rescue operation. One of them was a Nigerian Army Captain, while the remaining four were policemen. One of the residents in the area also died.”

Owoseni said the police would work with other security agencies to ensure the suspects were apprehended and made to face the law.

The Lagos State Government, in a statement on Sunday, commiserated with the families of the deceased officers.

The statement, issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the incident was unfortunate, adding that it would strengthen the government’s resolve to root crime out of the state.

The government stressed that the incident had further reinforced its resolve to go after criminals and their collaborators, who were using coastal areas and illegal waterfront settlements as havens or escape routes to perpetrate evil.

“The governor, however, assures the police and the general public of his support and commitment to rid the state of every form of militancy, kidnapping, and illegal waterfront shanties that harbour criminals,” Ayorinde said.

The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Olaolu Daudu, confirmed the incident.

He said, “Four policemen lost their lives, while the army officer, who led the operation, sustained gunshot injuries and died on the way to a hospital. Similarly, four of the nine rescued kidnapped victims, including an infant of about two years old, sustained injuries during the encounter. They were all taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment.”

How EFCC Can Win Corruption Cases In Court – Obasanjo

2017-04-10T02:30:00.001-07:00

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on how in corruption cases, declaring that they needed ‘ogbologbo’ (competent) lawyers, among others.

Obasanjo, who spoke while playing host to members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and some media practitioners in Ogun State at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, also said there was no truth in the allegation made by Gen. Ishiaya Bamaiyi that his administration wanted to kill him.

The former president said for the EFCC to be result-oriented, it must adopt a three-pronged approach of
thorough investigation, diligent prosecution and committed judiciary.

He said, “I was reading today when the President (Muhammadu Buhari) said the EFCC should stop losing cases. They lose cases for a number of reasons. One, they engage more of outside lawyers. I believe that they need staunch, ogbologbo lawyers inside that will do the work.”

He gave the second factor as thorough investigation and third factor as judges who must be committed in fighting corruption, “because if the investigation is very sound and you have ogbologbo lawyer to handle the case, if you have Salamigate, you know what the answer will be.”

Obasanjo also denied the allegations by Bamaiyi in his book. Bamaiyi was detained in October 1999 and charged for the attempted murder of the late publisher of the Guardian newspaper and former Internal Affairs Minister, Alex Ibru. He was, however, discharged and acquitted in April 2008.

But last week during the launch of his book, Vindication of a General, in Abuja, Bamaiyi said the Obasanjo government plotted to kill him in detention.

Obasanjo who played host to members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and some media practitioners in Ogun State at his Hilltop residence in Abeokuta, said in response to a question on the matter, “My government did not plot to kill him. My government asked him to answer to those that were alleged to have been killed by him and that is legitimate. That if there is an allegation that you have done something, that you have committed a crime, then you are arrested, you should answer. And that’s all.”

Oba Of Benin Gets 117-Year-Old Tortoises As Gifts

2017-04-10T02:19:00.001-07:00

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, on Saturday received as gifts two tortoises said to be 117 years old.

The Oba received the tortoises when he visited traditional rulers in the Edo North senatorial district.

He was received at the palace of the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness, Aliyu Momoh, Ikelebe III, in the Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

During the visit, Oba Ewuare II called on traditional rulers in Edo State to promote measures aimed at conserving the environment and encouraging forest regeneration.

He urged the traditional rulers in the area to support his initiative on youth empowerment and job creation.

He stressed the need to key into the agricultural policies of the state government, by making land available to investors and encouraging the youths to embrace agriculture to boost food production.

Oba Ewuare II said, “The state government is partnering investors to provide incentives for investors to boost agriculture and create employment.

“Encourage your youths to take advantage of this initiative.

“We are taking steps to restore sanity to our villages and towns by stamping out activities of community development associations. Their activities have been criminalised. Support this crusade and stamp them out of your domains.”

Oba Ewuare II, who said Edo North would continue to be blessed with good weather, expressed optimism that the people would be rewarded with good harvest this year.

In his remark, the Otaru of Auchi pledged the support of other traditional rulers in Edo North for the Benin monarch.

He also urged the Oba to lead the advocacy for the roles of traditional rulers to be captured or specified in the country’s constitution.

NSCDC moves to prevent farmers, herdsmen conflict in Edo

2016-12-01T00:57:00.001-08:00

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo has begun a sensitisation programme for herdsmen to prevent conflict between them and farmers in the state.
The Commandant of the corps, Dr. Benito Eze said NSCDC had established an agro-allied unit to promptly attend to such cases between the farmers and herdsmen.
He attributed the recurring clashes between the two groups nationwide to communication breakdown.
“Edo has been blessed by God, which is the reason why we have not had any issue of clashes between the farmers and herdsmen in the state. We will do everything possible to prevent this completely.
“One of the steps we have taken towards this is the establishment of the agro-allied unit across the 18 local councils of the state,” he said.
Also, the Chairman of cattle rearers in the state, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar, said that his members were ready
to sustain the peace existing between the farmers and herdsmen in Edo.
In a related development, residents of six communities in Delta State yesterday raised the alarm over fear of fresh assault by Fulani herdsmen who allegedly attacked three farmers in the area recently.
The residents, many of who have reportedly abandoned their houses and farms are asking President Muhammadu Buhari and the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to urgently intervene and save them from the killer herdsmen.

Kwara sets new date to begin implementation of Infrastructure fund

2016-12-01T00:48:00.001-08:00

The implementation of the Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund, which was previously scheduled to commence on December 1, has now been postponed to December 8, 2016.
According to a statement by Dr. Muyideen Akorede, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, the postponement was necessitated by the need to allow more time for compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements.
The statement noted that the commencement of the IFK scheme will be preceded by the formal signing of contract documentation by Governor Ahmed, the fund trustee, Investment One and project partners on
December 5.
Additionally, the statement stressed that the scheme is fully on course and that all contractual obligations, including payments and project milestones, will be upheld with the release of funds for eligible ongoing and new capital projects next week Thursday.
The Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund was established by the State Government as a sustainable funding window for the implementation of high-value projects such as the construction of Geri-Alimi Diamond underpass, establishment of two campuses for the Kwara State University in Osi and Ilesha-Baruba, dualization of Michael Imodu-Ganmo Road, dualization of Sango to Oke Ose, among other infrastructure.