Report of the 2018 budget has been finally laid in the Senate.
Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Sen Mohammed Danjuma Goje moved the motion for the Senate to receive the report.
Senator Mathew Urhoghide seconded the motion. The 2018 budget may be passed on Thursday if the promise of the Senate Leadership is any thing to go by.
The Senate and House of Representatives had promised to pass the budget on April 24, but failed to do so.
There were equally assurances that the budget would be passed in the first week of May but it was not passed.
The Senate had on several occasions accused Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of not keeping to appointments with the various standing committees to defend their budgets.
Subsequently, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on April 12, mandated the Appropriation Committee to tidy up reports on the budget latest by April 13.
With this development, the January to December budget cycle would not be obtainable with the 2018 budget.
Buhari had on Nov. 7, 2017 presented a budget of N8.6 trillion before a joint session of the National Assembly.
The president who announced the 2018 budget as “Budget of Consolidation”, said the projected expenditure would drive rapid economic recovery.
He said at the session that with a benchmark of 45 dollars per barrel at an exchange rate of N305 to a dollar in 2018, the budget would consolidate on the achievements of previous budgets to aggressively steer the economy to the path of steady growth.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday commiserated with the Goje family over the passing away of Hajiya Fatima Yelwa Goje, wife of Sen. Danjuma Goje.
In a letter of condolence to the former Gombe State Governor delivered by a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Adamu Adamu, at the funeral ceremony, President Buhari described Hajiya Yelwa as a kind and caring mother.
Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “Further to our telephone conversation, I convey my deepest condolences to you for the loss of your dear wife, Hajiya Yelwa.
“The loss of a spouse is one of the cruellest blows of our lives. However, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala gives life and takes it away when He wills,’’ he said.
The President prayed that Allah would admit her into paradise.
In his remark, Goje expressed his appreciation to the President for sharing in the family’s grief.
The Federal Government’s delegation are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello, Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing, Sulaiman Hassan, Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal Arabi and the President’s associate, Musa Daura.
Others are Senior Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs, Sarki Abba and Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmad Idris.
A cousin of former Gombe State Governor, Danjuma Goje, was allegedly paid over N1.4billion in six years to supply food to the state government house, the Federal High Court in Jos heard on Monday.
A prosecution witness, Saliu Sambo, a Director of Administration and Finance in the state, gave evidence on details of food supply from 2003 to 2011 during Goje’s administration.
Goje is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.
Led in evidence by EFCC’s lawyer, Wahab Shittu, Sambo said the food contractor was the former governor’s cousin.
According to him, N1,451,682,518.6 was paid to the contractor between 2003 and 2011.
Another witness, Mohammed Balbaya, a cashier at the Government House, confirmed that the food contractor was paid N1,451,682,518.6 between 2003 and 2011.
Balbaya said he prepared the cheques based on approval from the Accountant-General and handed them to the contractor.
Another witness, an Assistant Director of Finance and Account, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), tendered a certified true copy of Federal Government’s Approved Guidelines for Accessing and Utilisation of the UBE Intervention Fund, issued in March 2006.
He also tendered a copy of Federal Ministry of Education Circular of September 9, 2008 and signed by Goke Adegboroye, titled: Re: Review of the disbursement formula of the Federal Government’s two per cent of Consolidated Revenue Fund as Intervention to the UBE Programme.
The witness informed the court that as the Assistant Director of Finance, he was in charge of disbursement of funds to states.
Adegboroye said the supply of dictionaries, allegedly done under the Goje administration, was not covered by the guidelines.
He added that under the guidelines, a state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) cannot supply dictionaries as that would amount to over-stepping it bounds.
According to the witness, the provisions/paragraphs of the guidelines are sacrosanct and inviolable, adding that not even UBEC can waive the conditions.
The Senate on Wednesday advised the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), to quit his position if he cannot cope with the volume of work in the ministry.
The upper legislative chamber also accused the minister of misleading the public with his “controversial comments” on the 2017 budget
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Danjuma Goje, stated these during Wednesday’s plenary.
He said: “Initially, I wanted to come under a motion but, yesterday (Tuesday), the House of Representatives took up the matter. Since we are on the same page with the House, I feel I should not come under a motion. But I will like to seize this opportunity to advise the minister that he should remember that he is now a minister and should behave like a minister.
“He is not a governor (anymore) and this National Assembly is not Lagos State House of Assembly. This is an Assembly composed of very patriotic Nigerians, very experienced Nigerians; many had done his job; many were governors before him.”
“Fashola should know that he is dealing with the National Assembly of Nigeria, not of Lagos. If the job is too much for him – the ministry is too big; it comprises three ministries, which are works, housing and power. If he cannot adjust, then, he should do the honourable thing. He should so the needful.
“No amount of blackmail by him; no amount of propaganda by him or his surrogates will stop this National Assembly from discharging its duties in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. We have sworn to uphold and protect this Constitution, and this we will do to the end of this Assembly.
“For now, I will cease fire and watch to see how the House will handle him. If he is well handled there, we will leave him with them. But if we are not satisfied and they pass him to us, then, we will take him over.”
The Senate on Tuesday received the report of the Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance on the 2017 budget.
The report was laid at plenary by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje.
In his remarks, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, commended the committee for a job well done.
He said the Senate would ensure the passage of the budget on Thursday.
Saraki commended the committee for laying the report with details, saying it would help speed up the passage of the budget.
He said, “On behalf of our colleagues let me congratulate the committee.
“This is history been made, because this is the first time report of the Appropriation Bill will be laid with details.
“Because of that, by Wednesday you will get hard copies of the report. But the soft copy will be ready today (Tuesday).
“We will distribute them and ensure we pass the bill on Thursday.”
The report on the 2017 budget was laid four days after the expiration of the 2016 fiscal year.
President Muhammadu Buhari had presented a budget proposal of N7.30 trillion for the 2017 fiscal year before a Joint Session of the National Assembly on December 14, 2016.
Contrary to claims by Senator Danjuma Goje that document relating to the 2017 budget were removed during a search on his house by the men of the Nigeria Police, the police have maintained that there was no single document relating to budget sighted or removed by the Police team that executed the search warrant.
The police also said a search warrant was duly obtained from court of competent jurisdiction and was professionally executed in the house of Senator Danujma Goje on 20th April, 2017 at No. 10 Haile Salasie Street, Asokoro District Abuja.
The Force leadership also said Goje’s house was searched after it got intelligence that large sum of money suspected to be stolen public funds and other incriminating items are about to be moved out of the said house.
The police also explained that its actions are in line with the provisions of Sec. 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations as mentioned in paragraph 2 above and consistent with Sec. 9 & 144 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the
The full statement by Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood.he reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to reports in the media credited to Senator Da jump Abdullahi Goje captioned “Blame the Police if 2017 Budget is not Ready Senator Goje” “REPS gives Police 24 hours to return budget documents allegedly carted from Goje’s residence”
“The report in its entirety is false, misleading and capable of misinforming Nigerians about the statutory roles and duties of the Nigeria Police Force as provided under Sections 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations, which includes prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations, and authority to enter any house or premises to execute search warrant.
“It is pertinent to set the record straight and inform Nigerians of the facts of the matter.
“A search warrant duly obtained from court of competent jurisdiction was professionally executed in the house of Senator Danujma Goje on 20th April, 2017 at No. 10 Haile Salasie Street, Asokoro District Abuja which was subsequent upon intelligence report at the disposal of the Force that large sum of money suspected to be stolen public funds and other incriminating items are about to be moved out of the said house.”
On how the search was carried out, the Police said: “It is worthy of note that on arrival of the Police team to Senator Danujma Goje’s house, the house keeper Ango Usman informed the Senator of the presence and mission of the team and he promised coming but later switched off his phone.
“The search warrant was successfully executed in the presence of three close relatives of Senator Danjuma Goje who are residing in the house and the recoveries were made in their presence.
“The three relatives opened the house and took the Police team round the building, and endorsed their signatures after the completion of the search as required by the procedure of law on search warrant which contained the money, documents and Laptop recovered, and none of the items include 2017 budget document.
“This is available for inspection by any interested members of the public”.
The three relatives that were present during the search according to the police are; Danjuma Mohammed, a master Degree holder from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Chartered Quantity Surveyor is a nephew to Senator Danjuma Goje, Ango Usman, House keeper to Senator Danjuma Goje and Aisha Umar, Alias Iklima a step daughter to the Senator Danjuma Goje.
Highlighting the items taken from the house, the police said: “For avoidance of doubt, the followings are the sum of money both in local and foreign currencies, vital documents and a Laptop recovered for investigation when the search warrant was executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje
“Cash sum of Eighteen Million and Fifty Six Thousand Naira (₦18,056,000) only, Cash sum of Nineteen Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty (19,850 US Dollars), and Cash sum of Nine Thousand Four Hundred (SR9, 400) Saudi Riyal”
38 Files and six envelopes containing documents were also recovered from his home.
Some of the files include: “file on funds spent on security administration and information gathering– a-g – 2009, file on release of funds for Special operations a- f – 2009, file on Gombe State Government of Nigeria Cash inflow 2005, file on Project 2007 – Executive Briefs on how to fight opposition in Gombe State – Strategies and Tactics
Others are: “Envelopes containing permit to operate as an Oil Industry Service Company (special categories) 2011, a file containing write-ups on how Governor Shekarau plotted the assassination of Sheikh Jafaru
“Letters from Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Sarkin Yakin Gombe) to the MD LUBELL Nigeria Ltd of proposed residential Devt at Kashere Phase II dated 16/01/2007 and 19/11/2010.”
On whether the police went away with documents relating to 2017 budget, it said: “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state categorically that there was no single document relating to 2017 budget sighted or removed by the Police team that executed the search warrant.
“There is video recording of the execution of the search warrant,” it added.
The IG was said to have honoured the invitation of the National Assembly on 26th April, 2017 to explain the legality of the search warrant that was executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje on the 20th of April, 2017.
The police while noting that further investigation is currently ongoing into the matter added that it’s actions are in line with the provisions of Sec. 4 & 28 of Police Act and Regulations as mentioned in paragraph 2 above and consistent with Sec. 9 & 144 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
The Force leadership also described the report credited to Senator Danjuma Goje as a deliberate distraction to cast aspersion on Police investigation to pervert the end of justice.
Members of the public were urged to disregard the report as the search warrant which was professionally executed in the house of Senator Danjuma Goje has nothing to do with 2017 budget.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to disqualify Senate President, Bukola Saraki and 10 other Senators being prosecuted and investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from participating in the process leading to the confirmation of Ibarhim Magu as Chairman of the EFCC.
The request formed part of prayers contained in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/102/2017 filed in Abuja on Monday by a lawyer, Raji Rasheed Oyewumi.
Other Senators named in the suit with Saraki, as defendants, include Godswill Akpabio, Jonah Jang, Aliyu Wammako, Stella Oduah, Theodore Orji, Rabiu Kwankwanso, Ahmed Sani, Danjuma Goje, Joshua Dariye and Adamu Abdullahi.
Also listed as defendants are the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, the Attorney General of the Federation and Magu.
The plaintiff’s contention is to the effect that, since the Senators are either being tried or investigated for economic and financial crimes in various courts and tribunals by the EFCC under the leadership of Magu, he (Magu) will not be afforded fair
Senate President, Bukola Saraki
hearing by the Senate headed by Saraki.
Oyewumi stated, in a supporting affidavit, that Saraki exhibited bias against the confirmation of Magu when he (Saraki) failed to read the letter of the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, seeking the confirmation of Magu, on the floor of the Senate until July 14, 2016 even when he got the letter on June 17, 2016.
He said, in further manifestation of their bias and conflicting interest in the nomination of the 15th defendant (Magu) the 1st defendant (Saraki) together with 2nd to 11 defendants (other named Senators) did not consider the 15th defendant’s nomination until December 15, 2016 when they rejected Magu’s nomination six months after the letter was read on the floor.
The plaintiff said the Senators flouted the Senate Standing Orders when they acted on the letter by rejecting Magu’s nomination without first, referring Magu to the appropriate committee of the 13th defendant (Senate), an executive or closed session instead of an open session.
He added that unlike when he recused himself from the proceedings leading to the passage of the Bill for the amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act on October 27, 2016, because of his ongoing prosecution at the CCT, Saraki failed to recuse himself when the Senate was considering the confirmation of Magu.
Senator Godswill Akpabio
The plaintiff identified some of the cases against the Senators, which Magu and his EFCC are currently handling.
“The 1st defendant (Saraki) was investigated by the 15th defendant on an allegation of false declaration of assets which culminated in the 1ts defendant’s arraignment and ongoing prosecution at the CCT in charge No: CCT/ABJ/01/2015, and a prime prosecution witness in the trial, Michael Wetkas is an officer of the EFCC.
He said the 2nd defendant (Akpabio) was being investigated by the EFCC over the allegation of abuse of office, diversion of public funds and embezzlement in relation to a petition by a lawyer, Leo Ekpeyong.
The plaintiff said the 3rd defendant, (Jang) was being investigated by Magu’s EFCC for allegedly awarding various contracts running into several billions of naira without due process and allegedly diverting N2billion Small and medium Scale Enterprises loan given by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during his tenure.
The reliefs being sought by the plaintiffs are:
*A declaration that the 1st defendant is disqualified by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) from presiding over or participating in the deliberation, screening and voting on the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of the EFCC due to the apparent conflict of interest arising from the 15th defendant’s active role in his ongoing trial at the CCT.
*A declaration that the 2nd to 11th defendants are jointly and severally disqualified by the Constitution and the Senate Standing Order 2015 (as amended) from participating In the deliberation, screening and voting on the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of EFCC due to the apparent conflict of interest arising from their pending or ongoing cases of financial and economic crimes, given that the 15th defendant is coordinating and supervising the investigation into or prosecution for the said financial and economic crimes.
*A declaration that the 1st to 13th defendants jointly and severally violated the Senate Standing Order 2015 9as amended)n when they participated in the screening, deliberation and voting on the first or earlier nomination of the 15th defendant in the 13th defendant on the 15th day of December 2016 by not declaring their pecuniary interests in view of their pending or ongoing cases of financial and economic crimes, given that the 15th defendant is coordinating and supervising the investigation into or prosecution for the said financial and economic crimes.
*A declaration that the first and earlier rejection of the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of EFCC on the 15th day of December 2016 without first referring the 15th defendant to the appropriate committee of the 13th defendant and at an executive or closed session instead of an open session, is illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.
*A declaration that the 15th defendant is entitled to be accorded fair hearing by the 1st to the 13th defendant during screening, deliberation and voting in the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on his nomination for the position of Chairman of the EFCC.
*An order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant from presiding over or participating in the screening, deliberation or voting on the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of the EFCC.
*An order of injunction restraining the 2nd to 11th defendants from or participating in the screening, deliberation or voting on the nomination of the 15th defendant for the position of Chairman of the EFCC.
The case is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.
A Gombe Federal High Court sitting in Jos on Wednesday adjourned the five-year-old case involving former governor Danjuma Goje till November 22.
Justice Babatunde Quadri adjourned the case to enable the prosecution tender the financial regulations and due process documents mentioned by the witness during proceedings, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Quadri set out four days – November 22 to 25 – as requested by prosecution for continuation of hearing in the matter.
Goje is standing trial on a five-count charge of financial impropriety during his time as governor of Gombe.
At the resumed hearing, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuting counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu, led a prosecution witness, Dr. Sani Gyauro, in evidence.
Shittu had applied for an adjournment to enable him tender the financial regulations and due processes documents mentioned by Gyauro.
“My Lord, in view of the relevancy of the financial regulations and due process documents regarding the subject matter of food procurement, I wish to apply to the court to adjourn this case and give us four to five days.
“I wish to tender the relevant documents about the manner contracts for the procurement of food for the government was flaunted during ex- governor Goje’ tenure, ’’ he said.
A Gombe Federal High Court sitting in Jos on Wednesday adjourned the five-year-old case against former governor Danjuma Goje till November 22.
The judge, Justice Babatunde Quadri, adjourned the case to enable the prosecution tender the financial regulations and due process documents which the witness talked about.
Quadri set out four days – November 22 to November 25 – as requested by prosecution for continuation of hearing of the case.
Goje is standing trial along four others on a five-count bordering on financial dealings, including the contract on food supply to the government house during his tenure as well as loan facilities taken from both Access and Union banks.
At the resumed hearing the EFCC prosecuting counsel, Mr Wahab Shittu, led the eight prosecution witness, Dr Sani Gyauro, in evidence.
Shittu had applied for an adjournment to enable him tender the financial regulations and due processes documents mentioned by the Gyauro.
“My Lord, in view of the relevancy of the financial regulations and due process documents regarding the subject matter of food procurement, I wish to apply to the court to adjourn this case and give us four to five days.
“I wish to tender the relevant documents about the manner contracts for the procurement of food for the government during former Goje time was flaunted, ’’ he said.
Shittu said he had 16 witnesses but the problem was logistics to bring them, adding that “if I can have the four or five days, I will take all of them and then close my case”.
Mr Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), the Defence Counsel, did not object to the application, but said four days would be okay and not five days.
“As regards to logistics, we are also victims; I am not objecting to the application for an adjournment but we hope that we shall be serve with all the documents to be tendered on time so as not to put us in a tight corner, which might affect our proceedings, ’’ Akintola pleaded.
The Senate on Tuesday gave its standing committees one week to submit all 2016 budget reports.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, told the Senate in plenary that his committee is ready to receive reports of the standing committees on the 2016 budget.
Goje said the time table for submission ofreports by various committees had been distributed to enable committee chairmen know when to turn in their reports.
He noted that the early submission of the reports would enable the Appropriation Committee to consider and turn clean copy of the budget to the Senate for passage into law.
Goje said the submission would end on Tuesday next week.
He said the committee would sit from 8:00am to 6:00pm every day to receive the reports.
He added that the committee was prepared to spot all errors, padding and inconsistencies in the submissions in order to produce a clean copy of the budget.
Goje assured that Nigerians would happy with what the National Assembly would do.
