The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • 2020 budget: Entitlements of Obasanjo, IBB, Jonathan, entitlements to gulp N2.3 billion

    By: Onyedi Ojiabor, Sanni Onogu and Tony Akowe, Abuja

    Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Goodluck Jonathan will receive a cumulative entitlements of N2.3 billion under the 2020 fiscal year.

    This is contained in the details of the 2020 Appropriation Bill presented to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    The details of the fiscal document obtained by our reporters also showed that others who will also benefit from the budgeted entitlements include General Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Ebitu Okiwe, Oladipo Diya, Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo.

    The budgetary allocation is listed under the omnibus “Service Wide Vote” domiciled in the Presidency as “Entitlements for former Presidents/Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chief of General Staff.”

    Also listed under the Service Wide Vote are the benefits for retired Heads of Service of the Federation who are to enjoy a whopping N4.502 billion, while retired Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Generals and Colonels are to receive a cumulative N3.88 billion.

    Retired workers of the Nigerian Airways who have been agitating for their benefits will also have course to smile under the budget as the government made a provision of about N16 billion for them.

    A greater majority of retired Nigerian Airways staff are said to have died without receiving their entitlements.

    Also contained in the budget is N20 billion voted as University Revitalisation Fund which is said to be part of the agitation by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    A source in ASUU told one of our reporters that “N20 billion is a far cry from the funds required by union for the revitalization of the universities.”

    He noted that “it is unacceptable that the government did not make any provision for the long overdue allowances owed our members all over the country.”

    Equally contained in the budget is the provision for the Federal Government to pay electricity bills of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to the tune of N5billion in the 2020 fiscal year.

    The President Buhari voted N132,199,558 for fuel and lubricants, N240,730,180 for welfare package and N98,306,492 for foodstuffs and catering materials supplies to the State House.

    There is also a provision for medical expenses of N51,821,160, rehabilitation and repairs of buildings of N4,451,883,558, refreshments and meals of N25,652,502.

    There is an additional proposal to construct a “Presidential Wing” at the State House Medical Centre with the sum of N416,668,229.

    Read Also: 2020 budget defence: President bars ministers, heads of agencies from foreign travels

    The State House Medical Centre is to gulp N723,003,927 with overheads put at N331,730,212.

    Besides the State House budget also made provision for conversion/upgrade of “Villa Ranch” and construction of wildlife conservation capture in the sun of N14,344,026.

    The proposed reconstruction and furnishing of the security building within the Villa, including extension of bodyguards kitchen is to cost N18,502,943 while the sum of N6,197179 would be expended for the rehabilitation of animal enclosure/procurement of Veterinary laboratory equipment in the State House.

    The Presidency would also purchase plant nursery equipment for production of local flowers for routine floral arrangement, irrigation and upgrade of helipad grass field at the sum of N11,924,777, while the systematic collection and assessment of data about projects and programmes to aid management to make decisions in the State House is to cost N25,419,885

    The budget document also contained a provision for the cleaning and fumigation of the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in the sum of N52,219,699.

    Motor vehicle fuel cost for the office of the NSA was put at N36,102,180 as other transport equipment fuel cost were estimated at N72,932,000.

    The NSA is also to expend N3,022,300 refreshments and meals and N8,494,958 for honorarium and sitting allowance.

    There was also a proposal for the purchase of security equipment at the cost of N3,235,729,600, medical expenses of N8,388,275 and welfare packages N41,250,000 for the office of the NSA.

    In addition, the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs proposed amount for refreshments and meals is N38,620,353 with honorarium and sitting allowance of N6,338,158 and welfare packages of N31,600,481.

  • Atiku’s appeal: Supreme Court accuses CUPP of engaging in campaign calumny

    By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

    The Supreme Court has expressed displeasure at what it described as unwarranted attacks by a group – Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) – preparatory to its hearing of an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar.

    The court, in a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Festus Akande, said the “campaign of calumny” being waged against it by CUPP, through one Imo Ugochinyere, was an attempt to blackmail the court in its handling of the appeal by the PDP and Atiku.

    The Supreme Court said, being an independent body, peopled by diligent minds, it remains focused on its goal of always ensuring justice irrespective of the individuals behind any case.

    The statement reads: “In the light of the blatant falsehood, misinformation and malicious rumour being generously peddled by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) through its spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, we wish to state clearly that the association is not and can never constitute itself into an agency of the Nigerian Judiciary or assume the role of an alternate Supreme Court of Nigeria.

    “We have been watching rather cautiously the drama of the absurd being exhibited on daily basis by this association which sadly debases our collective morality and sense of decency as people from a civilized and well cultured society like Nigeria.

    “Sensitive issues like the presidential election appeal should not, in all honesty, be taken to the altar of frivolous drama and misguided oration that is displayed on the screen of our national television with reckless abandon by people who ought to be some sort of role model to the younger generation.

    “It will be recalled that even weeks before the presidential election appeal was filed at the Supreme Court, the CUPP had already, in its characteristic manner, constituted its own ‘panel’ for the Supreme Court and aggressively brandished the list on television and newspapers.

    “Shortly afterwards, when the appeal was eventually filed at the court, the coalition came out once again with another imaginary list of panel members and followed it with yet another malicious allegation against the Chief Justice of Nigeria of ‘handpicking’ them in contrast to the ’tradition’ of selecting the most senior justices of the court.

    “Let it be known that the Supreme Court is not an assemblage of individuals with no defined purpose, vision and modus operandi.

    Read Also: Nigeria should be beacon of hope, democracy, freedom – Atiku

    “Our operations are strictly guided by the Constitution and extant laws. We are not an appendage of any individual or group of people, and we don’t pander to the dictates of anybody or association.

    “The Supreme Court, and by extension, the Judiciary, is an independent arm of government that can never be intimidated or dictated to by anybody.

    “The CUPP’s action only amounts to naming a baby before it is born. We should be mindful of our utterances to avoid inflicting a devastating harm on the nation.

    “This exhibition of unbridled utterances and prevarication will only endanger the progress and cohesiveness of our country.

    “The Supreme Court has been entertaining presidential election appeals over the decades, but the unnecessary hysteria and superlative drama being woven around this particular one calls for caution and moderation.

    “The constitution of any panel to sit on a matter in the court is the sole prerogative of the Supreme Court and it is never an issue for the court to debate on the television or pages of newspapers.

    “We are not a political party or social club and should never be dragged into any form of baseless pedestrian discussions that will drive valid reasoning aground. Enough of this orchestrated falsehood and campaign of calumny.

    “We are here to serve the interest of the generality of the Nigerian masses and not a select individuals or groups with inordinate ambition.

    “As soon as the presidential appeal panel is constituted, the public will be duly informed as Supreme Court is not a secret society. Let us always observe caution when disseminating information to the public.”

     

     

  • Four feared dead in Rivers cult clash

    By Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

    At least four persons are feared killed and many houses razed as two rival cult groups engaged in battle of supremacy in Sime Etche communuties in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state.

    The incident reportedly took place early hours of Monday.

    Spokesman of the Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, A deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the attack in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    He however said that nobody was killed in the fight.

    But a community source, who broke the news, stated the fight was between members of Dey-gbam and Dey-well cult groups.

    He narrated that trouble started Sunday evening with the murder of a cultist by an opposing gang at Okehi, the headquarters of Etche LGA.

    The eyewitness, who was simply identified as Emeka, told newsmen that the killings later spread to other communities within Etche as the cult gang whose member was killed went on reprisal rampage in the area.

    The source said three of the other victims were killed on the early hours of Monday in Ulakwo, Igbodo and Mba communities of Etche LGA, respectively.

    Emeka noted that many houses were also burnt down while residents of the communities have fled their homes for safety.

    He said: “Members of the Degbam group killed a member of the Deywell group on Sunday night and this morning another one person was killed in Ulakwo, another one at Igbodo and Mba communities.

    Read Also: One dies as Police, cultists clash in Delta

    “Some houses have also been burnt down in Okehi, while residents have fled for fear of been killed by the rampaging cult groups.”

    But Omeoni assured that nobody was killed in the cult fight and that normalcy had returned to the communities.

    He urged residents to go about their normal business as security has been beefed in the area.

    He noted that tactical teams have been deployed in the area by the Commissioner of Police Mustapha Dandaura, adding that the situation has been arrested.

    Omoni noted that no suspect has been arrested, stressing that when police arrived the area that the bandits took to flight.

  • PDP: Attack on Oshiomhole’s home sign of disintegration of APC

    By Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the attack on the Benin, Edo State residence of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole signified the disintegration of the APC.

    Oshiomhole blamed the Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki for the attack in what party sources described as part of the disagreement between the party chair and the governor over the latter’s re-election bid.

    In a statement Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the attack has further confirmed that the “dysfunctional” APC has finally disintegrated.

    According to the PDP, the fact that APC members openly took up arms against their leadership was a demonstration of their eternal rejection of the APC and the Buhari Presidency, particularly for the ruins they have caused the nation.

    “For APC members to publicly call their National Chairman a ‘thief’, as reported in the open media, amply captures the mood of majority of Nigerians, including APC members, that the APC and its government are havens for thieves, criminal gangs and corrupt persons.

    “The indisputable fact among Nigerians is that the APC has become torn apart within its core. The manifest greed of its leaders, particularly, in the Presidential villa, in addition to endless infighting over positions and looted resources, has further exposed the party as a soulless mob,” the statement added.

    The main opposition party said the governing APC has never been a genuine platform for governance, adding that it has neither the predisposition nor the design for operable people-oriented policy and programmes.

    “If anything, it has remained a special purpose vehicle for power grabbing, hijacked by oppressive and exploitative cabal which has no iota of interest in the welfare of Nigerians.

    “Indeed, the propensity of APC leaders at looting our common patrimony as well as the total neglect of the living conditions of the masses, whose mandate they had stolen, has become a huge source of anger and resentment in the hearts of Nigerians,” the party further stated.

    Read Also: PDP faults APC’s ‘one-party state’ claim

    It called on Oshiomhole to respond to the demands of his party members, who are chasing him around like a common tout and for which he was reported to have hidden in a hotel in Benin City.

    Continuing, the PDP said: “Is it not absurd for a National Chairman of a political party that claims to have won an election just a few months back to require the services of truck load of policemen and personal thugs to escape from Benin to Abuja?

    “The Edo incident reminds of how the APC National Chairman also allegedly fled the nation at the heat of his reported interrogation by the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2018 over alleged corruption charges.

    “The PDP however encouraged Nigerians not to despair. There is always an end to any platform that does not have the care of the people as its primary goal in governance.

    “Our party, which has remained the bastion of our collective consciousness as a nation, is at the Supreme Court, where Nigerians expect that justice will prevail in retrieving our stolen presidential mandate to end the nightmare of the APC”.

  • Dickson plotting removal of Bayelsa REC, stakeholders allege

    By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

    Stakeholders in Bayelsa State have accused Governor Seriake Dickson of sponsoring calls for the removal of the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

    The stakeholders under the auspices of Bayelsa Rainbow Coalition for Good Governance (BRCGG) said the alleged move was part of the desperation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to arm-twist and intimidate officials of the commission ahead of the poll.

    The Leader of BRCGG, Fred Joel, in a statement in Yenagoa, said Dickson was pushing for a new REC that would do his bidding at the election having seen that the incumbent REC is a strict adherent to the principles of justice and fairness.

    Joel said: “These phony groups’ protests are birthed on the REC’s rare commitment and adherence to the principles of fairness and justice in the discharge of his duties with specific reference to next month’s gubernatorial poll in the state.

    “Dickson has continued to mount pressure to manipulate the system in favour of his PDP that has perpetrated nothing else but agony, death and economic strangulation in the once prosperous Bayelsa State.

    “In a similar fashion, in 2015, Dickson arm-twisted and manipulated the then REC which sadly led to the illegal cancellation of valid votes in Southern Ijaw LGA. It’s sad that the governor wants such a despicable occurrence.

    “It remains one of the eight wonders of the world that Dickson’s PDP which claims to have a stronghold in the land of Bayelsa and in the hearts of Bayelsans has chosen the path of ignominy by restlessly seeking to upend the wishes of the Bayelsa people through manipulation which has fast become its trademark in governance.

    Read Also: Bayelsa poll: Dickson restrategises, embarks on mass appointments

    “Dickson should rather learn how to employ democratic means to canvass support for his handpicked candidates whom he believes will provide a cover for him. Dickson has actually realised that in the forthcoming governorship polls, his party can only stand the chance of winning if a REC that can compromise the conduct of the poll is posted to the state.

    “Verily, the good people of the state have rejected Dickson and his party for wreaking untold havoc on them and these latest actions of his are desperate attempts to be grasping at straws.

    “In his desperation, Dickson will stop at nothing, including dipping his fingers into the finances of the state, to influence the posting of a new REC to the state who will embrace his moves.

    “We, therefore, call on the leadership of INEC to withstand the evil intentions of Dickson as anything short of that is capable of smearing the good image of the commission and its leadership. We also call on the Nigerian police, the civil society and all Bayelsans of goodwill to continue to reject the dictatorial proclivity of Dickson”.

  • 2015 Zaria massacre: 23 girls still in Army, police net- Islamic Movement

    By: Gbenga Omokhunu and Jennifer Obasuke, Abuja

    Sisters Forum of the Islamic Movement on Monday raised alarm that 23 girls are in the Army or police custody after the December 2015 Zaria massacre.

    The forum urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to as a matter of urgency, order the release of the girls who the group said are languishing in detention in spite of life-threatening injuries sustained by some of them.

    The sisters also called for the release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky, his wife and his followers in detention.

    According to the group, names of the 23 girls are: “Sumayyah Isah Hassan Samaru, Fatima Waziri Isah Samaru, Aisha Abubakar Zaki, Nusaiba Abubakar Zaki, Fatima Abubakar Zaki, Batula Buhari Jega, Fatima Lawal, Fatima Aminu Maihoto, Fatima Muhammed (Uncle), Fatima Amin and Baraka Ishaq.

    Others are: “Nusaiba Yakubu, Nusaiba Abubakar Abdullahi, Fatima Ahmed, Sukaina Jaafar, Habiba Hajiya, Hauwau Dalhatu Dakace, Fatima Muhammed Lawal, Rukyyah Nuhu, Kubra Sani, Ummul Aiman, Nusaiba shafiu, Nusaiba Shafiau Alhassan Kazaure and Rabi Maman Kubra.”

    Zainab Zakariyya, who spoke to reporters in Abuja on behalf of the Sisters Forum of the Islamic Movement said: “We would like to inform the general public that the families of 705 people that got missing over the course of the December-2015 massacre in Zaria are yet so anxious for their missing children.

    “46 months after, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Police are saying anything about the missing persons or their whereabouts. Even more distressing is the case of 23 girls kidnapped. These girls were made off with in a broad daylight: attached to this press release is a comprehensive list with their names and where they hailed from.

    “Most surprisingly, the stage-managers of the massacre, particularly Buhari, on whose table the buck stops, are keeping mum, and their flinty silence is quite deafening. If Saudi Arabia footed the bill of the massacre, Buhari is the proxy through which it was ordered; and the Army, along with the Police, are the handy instruments for its execution headlong into a bang.

    “Thus, from the orchestrators down to the killer-cum-arsonist troops and undercover agents, no one wants anybody to be informed about the fate of the missing people. But, if anything else, the government’s silence acquiesces to more conspiracies in the offing.

    “Nigerians and international community are well acquainted with this massacre, where more than 1,000 innocent men, women, children, the aged and infants were killed within 48 hours in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    “Even pregnant women and nursing mothers were not spared; some were burnt alive, others gunned down, and the victims buried in mass graves so as to do away with conclusive evidences of the war crimes.

    “Sheikh Zakzaky, his wife Mallama Zeenah and many more of his followers are languishing in detention in spite of life-threatening injuries they had sustained. The brutal carnage left hundreds wounded, some of which are battling with effects of the wounds to date.

    Read Also: El Zakzaky: Government preparing fresh insurgency, Falana warns

    “Furthermore, the perpetuation of the persecution continues without any stops. The most recent of such wanton crimes are the October-2018 bloodbath during Arbaeen symbolic trek and July-2019 bloodletting in the free-Zakzaky protest, both in Abuja.

    Zainab Zakariyya said what took place on December 12, 2015 had been clandestinely planned out to be sponsored through: “by Saudi Arabia. Buhari approved it, and the Army carried it out, and the Police are now putting finishing touches to it. The prime target for elimination and obliteration is Sheikh Zakzaky with the Islamic movement he pioneered, and is leading.

    “They had planned to kill him on 12 December, 2015 before 12:00 mid-night. But, in the wake of the failure of December-2015 project, a directive has been given to the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu to continue with the massacre under the guise of the ex-parte proscription ruling made by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    “Nigerian Security personnel are capable of apprehending whoever commits an offence like Chibok Girls’ kidnapping but why the dilly-dallying? It is a clear indication that there is something fishy in the whole matter.

    “However, Zaria-masscre has well exposed everything therein. By analogy, while the abductors hid their identity in Chibok, the urge to put a wrap to it was disregarded in Zaria; they came with their identity unconcealed. They killed and kidnapped innocent citizens during the massacre. The wind has blown, nay it is getting up and no date for its dropping.”

  • Gunmen abduct two school children in Delta

    By Okungbowa Aiwerie Asaba

    Armed hoodlums have reportedly whisked away two school children from a private school (name withheld) at Issele-Azagba, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.

    The Nation gathered that the gunmen who drove into the school premises around 10am, took the unsuspecting children away in a black SUV after beating the school security men at the gate

    As at the time of filing this report, effort was still being made to reach the school management.

    But the situation has assumed a new twist after youths allegedly apprehended some herdsmen accusing them of being involved in the kidnap.

    Read Also: Armed bandits attack three communities in Niger

    Meanwhile tension is building as youths in the community are attacking herds of cows within the community.

    The Nation gathered that the herdsman has been taken into custody by the military

    But Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke could not confirm the report.

    He said; “my men are in the field working, so I cannot confirm anything to you now.”

  • Pensioners protest in Abia over unpaid pension arrears

    By Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

    Retired civil servants on Monday trooped to the streets of Umuahia, the Abia State capital to protest the inability of the state government to pay their pension arrears.

    The pensioners, who appeared in mournful attires, later took their protest to the Abia Assembly where they met with the leadership and members.

    They appealed to government to pay them their entitlements said to have accumulated to over 20 months.

    A protester, who simply gave his name as George, said that they want the government to pay them.

    “We are protesting for over 20 months outstanding pension arrears. We want the government to settle us, our children are out of school, and we can’t pay house rent, we can’t pay anything, we want all to be paid.

    Read Also: Pension benefits: Retired Perm Secs, SSG, HOS hail Obaseki on harmonisation

    “It is 22 months now and this is aside what the past government owes us. This is what the present government owes us. If we add five months owed by the previous governor, Dr. T.A Orji, it will be making up to 27 months unpaid pension. We are not even talking about gratuity that has been stopped for over 19months. We are heading to the House of Assembly.”

    The pensioners headed to the Abia state House of Assembly where they were addressed by Speaker Chinedum Orji.

    Orji, who pleaded with the protesting pensioners to go back to their houses, assured that the lawmakers will ensure that they engage the State Executive Arm to see how they can ameliorate their sufferings.

    He advised the pensioners not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to achieve their selfish purposes of destabilising the State and promised them that the issue of pension arrears will soon be a thing of the past.

    PHOTO BELOW

  • Rice Smuggling: Court orders interim freezing of 45 bank accounts

    By Agency Reporter

    A Federal High Court on Monday in Abuja ordered the temporary freezing of 45 bank accounts belonging to three companies allegedly involved in smuggling of rice into Nigeria.

    The companies whose accounts were domiciled with ten commercial banks in Nigeria are Sun Sam A1 International Limited, Sun Sam International Limited and Sunchrist O. Trans Nigeria Limited.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed directed the Head offices of First Bank Nigeria PLC, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Union Bank PLC, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank PLC, Sterling Bank, Access Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Polaris Bank and Eco Bank Nigeria to freeze forthwith all transactions from those accounts for 45 days.

    Justice Mohammed said that this was pending the outcome of the investigation and inquiry currently being conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Read Also: Nigeria-Benin border partially closed to check smuggling- Buhari

    Ruling on an ex-parte application on behalf of the apex bank by its counsel, Nosike Nicholas, to freeze the accounts for 90 days, the Judge granted the apex bank permission to freeze the accounts for only 45 days.

    He said that the order of freezing for 45 days was subject to renewal for further days upon an application by the CBN, in the event that its investigation could not be concluded within the first 45 days.

    Nosike anchored the application on section 60, Paragraph (B) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 1991 as amended.

    He told the court that there was an ongoing investigation against the defendants who are customers of the commercial banks.

    According to him, transactions under the accounts can cause significant financial loss to the rice industries in particular and the Nigeria economy in general.

    The case was adjourned to Dec. 12 for further hearing.

  • Lawyers demand justice over colleague’s police brutality

    By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    A group of lawyers in Onitsha, Anambra state have asked the state police command to bring to justice all officers involved in the manhandling of their colleague, Jacob Obasi in Onitsha, last Friday.

    This is as the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Onitsha branch, said it had taken up the matter to ensure officers involved do not go unpunished.

    The lawyers under the aegis of Abakaliki Lawyers forum said their next line of action in terms of legal action against the police would be determined by the level of disciplinary actions meted out to the culprits.

    Speaking on Monday to newsmen in Onitsha, Chairman of the forum, Victor Alo said the action of the culprits was borne out of malice.

    Read Also: NBA urges more states to adopt ACJA

    He said, “After visiting the victim at Onitsha General Hospital where he is currently battling between life and death, as a result of the level of beatings meted out to him by some armed policemen, it dawned on them that the policemen acted out of malice.

    “Obasi is still unconscious at the intensive care unit of hospital when we got there. We discovered that blood was gushing out from his ears, his jaw swollen and his teeth shaking, an indication that he was badly beaten to pulp by the vicious policemen.

    He added, “The culprits must be made to understand that being authorized to carry arms does not give them license to operate above the law by reckless abuse of peoples fundamental human rights.

    “Even if the victim is not a lawyer, the police have no rights to abuse any law abiding citizen of this country”.

    Obasi was allegedly beaten into a coma by officers of the State Police Command at Osuma road junction by Awka road and was rushed to the general hospital by passers-by who rescued him from the officers’ grip.