The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FG

  • FG will ensure free, fair elections

    THE Presidency on Saturday night said that the Federal Government welcomes the prevailing keen interest and partnerships for successful elections in, and a peaceful Nigeria.

    It however said that the Federal Government rejects any interference or perception management that promotes apprehension, citizens distrust or undermines the transparency and acceptability of the outcomes of the electoral process.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also said that Nigeria reserves the right to be insulated from suggestions and or interference with respect to wholly internal affairs.

    It also commended international laws, customs and norms that mandate and require nations and the comity to respect the prerogative to all.

    He said that Nigeria is confident of its electoral processes and her preparation for the imminent elections and the federal government has supported the independent electoral umpire in both its independence and resources needed to accomplish the desire and insistence on free and fair elections.

    “In addition, the Federal government has ensured the independence of all organs, institutions and arms of government to perform their functions in a manner that is transparent and is not lacking in integrity whether institutionally or by persons within such institutions or organs and will continue to do this.

    “Although the question of foreign interference, whether state sponsored,promoted or otherwise has dominated recent elections and outcomes globally, the federal government assures citizens and the global community that it will fiercely and assiduously promote the will and the right of Nigerians to choose and elect their leaders without pressure or assistance from persons or entities that are not constitutionally empowered to participate in the process.

    “Citizens are encouraged to confidently exercise their franchise in an orderly manner with the assurance of the federal government to their security during and after the electoral process as well as the readiness of the security forces to confront any plan or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the process whether by elements within or from outside the country.” he stated

  • FG, states, LGs share N649.198bn for December

    A total of  N649.198 billion has been distributed as the federal allocations for the month of December, 2018 to the federal, state and local governments.

    The Technical sub-Committee of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in a communiqué yesterday read by the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Idris Ahmed, put the gross statutory revenue received at  N547.462 billion.

    The amount is lower than the N649.629 billion received in November by N102.167 billion.

    Ahmed noted that federation crude oil export sales dropped by 1.7 million barrels resulting in a drop in federation revenue by $83.54 million regardless of a significant increase in price from $72.84 to $81.06 per barrel for the month.

    ”There was also shut-in, shut -down and closure of production at various terminals due to fire leakages and flooding,” the AGF said.

    Read also: Badagry LG boss sues for cooperation over projects

    Revenues from Value Added Tax (VAT), import and excise duties and royalties increased marginally while Company Income Tax (CIT) and Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT) decreased significantly.

    The total revenue distributed for the month (including VAT and Exchange Gain Difference) is N649.198 billion.

    Therefore, from the Net Statutory Revenue, Federal Government received N255.202 billion representing 52.68%; states received N129.442 billion representing 26.72%; local government councils received N99.794 billion representing 20.60%; while the oil-producing states received N45.524 billion also representing 13% derivation revenue.

    The cost of collection, transfer and FIRS refund came up to N 21.530 billion.

    Furthermore, from the revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT), Federal Government received N14.510 billion representing 15%; states received N48.365 billion representing 50% while the local government councils received N33.856 billion also representing 35%.

    The AGF maintained that the balance in the Excess Crude Account remains $0.631 billion.

  • Photos: Buhari swears in Ibrahim Tanko as acting CJN

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday swore in Ibrahim Tanko as the new acting Chief Justice of Nigeria to replace embattled Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    Read Also: Buhari signs Executive Order 007

  • FG, States, LGs share N649.198b monthly allocation

    A total of N649.198 billion has been distributed as federal allocation for the month of December, 2018 to the Federal,State Governments and Local Government governments

    The technical sub -committee of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) in a communiqué on Friday read by the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Idris Ahmed, put the gross statutory revenue received at N547.462 billion.

    The amount is lower than the N649.629 billion received in November by N102.167 billion.

    Ahmed noted that federation crude oil export sales dropped by 1.7 million barrels resulting in a drop in federation revenue by $83.54 Million regardless of a significant increase in price from $72.84 to $81.06 per barrel for the month.

    “There was also Shut-in, Shut -down and Closure of production at various Terminals due to fire leakages and flooding,” the AGF said.

    Revenues from Value Added Tax (VAT), Import and Excise Duties and Royalities increased marginally while Company Income Tax (CIT) and Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT) decreased significantly.

    The total revenue distributed for the month (including VAT and Exchange Gain Difference) is N649.198 billion.

    Read Also: Buhari swears in Ibrahim Tanko as acting CJN

    Therefore, from the Net Statutory Revenue, Federal Government received N255.202 billion representing 52.68%; States received N129.442 billion representing 26.72%; Local Government Councils received N99.794 billion representing 20.60%; while the Oil Producing States received N45.524 billion also representing 13% derivation revenue.

    The cost of collection, transfer and FIRS refund came up to N 21.530 billion.

    Furthermore, from the Revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT), Federal Government received N14.510 billion representing 15%; States received N48.365 billion representing 50% while the Local Government Councils received N33.856 billion also representing 35%.

    The AGF maintained the balance in the Excess Crude Account remains $0.631 Billion.

  • FG approves N300m for NCAT

    The Federal Government ( FG ) has approved N300 million for the renovation of the existing hostels in the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria.

    Its Rector Captain, Abdulsalam Mohammed made this known on Wednesday in an interview with aviation reporters in Zaria.

    He said the renovation of the hostel was part of government efforts to upgrade facilities in the college hostels for the comfort and safety of the students.

    He said the government has concluded arrangements to build a 100 hostel bed for males and a 150 hostel
    bed for females under a Public, Private, Partnership deal.

    He said the infrastructure expansion is to handle the expected upsurge of students from within and outside the country.

    The NCAT Rector said the college was still in talks with the company billed to handle the project to ensure that whatever agreements reached was water-tight to avoid any problem that could put the college to disrepute.

    Captain Abdulsalam said since the college was designated as an International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE), it has gained more brand visibility for students from other West African countries.

    Read Also: 2019 Budget: Reps to meet Ministers over errors in figures

    According to him, there were few RTCEs in the world saying it takes a lot of efforts and process before any institution is recognized, adding that the college was doing everything possible to ensure that its status and accreditation is retained.

    On the acquisition of training aircraft, he said 2015 government gave approval for the acquisition of 20
    Diamond Aircraft, two twin engines DA42 and 15 Assembly engine DA 40 aircraft, adding one of the trainer aircraft was delivered in April 2017 as four additional aircraft were expected before the end of this year.

    He said additional four DA 40 aircraft, have been ordered.

    When delivered, the college, he said would have one DA 42 and five DA 40 in addition to the eight aircraft on its fleet.

  • Breaking: FG raises alarm over plot to attack governors, 10 states

    The Federal Government on Monday accused some opposition leaders of alleged plot to unleash violence on 10 states in the North.

    It also said some mercenaries have been hired from Niger Republic to attack key government functionaries including some governors in the North-West.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed raised the alarm at a briefing in Abuja.

    He said the uncovering of the plans to orchestrate violence followed intelligence report.

    He said: “As you are aware, Nigeria goes to the polls just 27 days from now. However, the Federal Government is in possession of credible intelligence to the effect that widespread violence being orchestrated by the opposition is threatening the 2019 general elections.

    “Before you accuse the government of crying wolf, let me tell you, gentlemen, that we have credible intelligence that armed bandits and Boko Haram insurgents have been mobilized to engage in massive attacks and other acts of violence in several states across the country, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara.

    Read Also: Opposition politicians plotting violence to truncate 2019 elections – FG

    “The Benue-based armed criminal group, led by Terwase AKWAZA, also known as Gana, has been commissioned to strike soft targets in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States. In Kano State, a group of notorious miscreants have been mobilized by some prominent opposition leaders to provoke massive chaos before, during and after the elections.

    He said some mercenaries from Niger Republic had been hired to attack top government officials including state governors.

    More details later

  • FG to quiz Atiku

    THE Federal Government is set to quiz the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over an alleged N156million payment from the defunct Bank PHB. Atiku, according to Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, allegedly benefitted from the payment that led to the demise of the bank.

    The former vice president is currently on a visit to the USA. But Mohammed said yesterday that “any time Abubakar returns home, he has questions to answer following the fresh evidence that we have that he benefitted from ‘slush funds’ that led to the collapse of the former Bank PHB.” Atiku’s party, the PDP dared the Federal Government to go ahead with its threat to arrest him on the allegation,while the presidential candidate’s spokesman dismissed the N156million claim as a cock and bull story Mohammed said: “The document we have shows that he benefitted to the tune of N156 million from that fund. “The paper which we have here started from an internal memo on the Jan. 13, 2009.” “These are pieces of fresh evidence as to his involvement in the collapse of Bank PHB.

    So we want him to stay as long he wants in the US but as soon he comes back, he has to explain to the electorate and to Nigerians what is his role in the collapse in the former Bank PHB.” The minister said the Federal Government was not losing sleep over Atiku’s US trip,saying: “You can recall that a few weeks ago, I did issue a statement advising the US government not to issue visa to Atiku. “Remember also that in that same press conference, I also stated that it remains the prerogative of the US government to issue visa to anyone it deems fit. “Let me say right away that we are not perturbed one bit that Alhaji Atiku Abukakar was able to secure visa to the US. As a matter of fact, he can go ahead and get the US Green card.That will not save him from imminent defeat in the forthcoming election.

    “I want to remind Abubakar that the elections will be right here in Nigeria and not in the US.” Asked why the fresh allegation against Atiku was coming now, Mohammed said: “Because even though this happened in 2009, and the case on the collapse of BANK PHB has been on, this evidence is fresh. “In any case, there is no statute of limitation on this case. “Like I told you, this is a freshly-uncovered evidence. Whether or not he travelled to the US, we would still have disclosed this evidence.” PDP dares Buhari over threats to arrest Atiku Responding last night to the allegations against Atiku ,the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO) dared government to go ahead and arrest him.

    The spokesman for the organisation,Mr.Kola Ologbondiyan, told reporters that the planned arrest was both laughable and a heinous plot to frame Atiku borne out of fear of his victory in the February 16 presidential election. “It is reprehensible that Mr. President will descend abysmally low to fabricate outright lies and falsehood in a bid to discredit a more qualified and acceptable presidential candidate”, Ologbondiyan said. The PDP campaign spokesman added that Atiku has nothing to do with the alleged issues leading to the collapse of Bank PHB, stressing that the PDP presidential candidate is an honest and hard working Nigerian who has no skeleton of any sort in his cupboard.

    “For emphasis, even the Chairman of President Buhari’s Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, has since told the world that the Buhari Presidency has searched everywhere and could not find anything incriminating on Atiku Abubakar. “The world already knows that this attempt to mudsling our presidential candidate is coming out of President Buhari’s frustration over Atiku Abubakar’s successful outing in the United States, for which the Buhari Presidency has gone into full hallucination. .”The PPCO, however, counselled the APC to note that Nigerians can see through their lies, fabrications and frustration and that their scheme against Atiku Abubakar is already dead on arrival.

    Read also: Why Atiku travelled to USA —Obi

    “If anything, the PPCO will want President Buhari to open the books and provide explanation for the N9 trillion stolen under his watch as Minister of Petroleum Resources as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo. “Finally, the PPCO states that the PDP presidential candidate, our great party and indeed all Nigerians, who have already reached a national consensus to vote-in Atiku Abubakar as the next President of our country, will not be distracted by this unfounded allegation by the rejected President Buhari and his handlers.” A similar response came from Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu. Shaibu said the allegation against Atiku was a cock and bull story.

    The allegation,he also said ,stemmed from what he called Atiku’s growing popularity, especially his current trip to the USA. He said the Federal Government having failed to stop Washington from granting visa to Atiku had to devise another strategy to embarrass him. He also said that with or without a trip to the US, the PDP will defeat the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress in next month’s election.

    Said Atiku: “It is disgusting to continue to spin allegations of corruption against me by people who have failed to come forward with a single shred of evidence of my misconduct while in office. “They just suddenly woke up to the reality that their lies about Atiku being corrupt can no longer hold? I challenge the Federal Government to come up with evidence that I benefitted from N156 million slush funds through Claremont Management Services Account on 13th January, 2009 as well as the collapse of Bank PHB as they have alleged. “It is instructive to note that the same Bank PHB is now Keystone Bank, which was said to have been acquired by Buhari’s cronies through AMCON last year.”

  • FG launches new international passport

    The Federal Government on Tuesday launched a new 60-page Nigeria international passport.

    The red diplomatic passport also has ten years life span.

    President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were issued their new 10-year Diplomatic passport by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as the emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) was drawing to a close on Tuesday.

    The passports were presented to them by the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau and assisted by the Comptroller General of NIS, Mohammed Babandede after their biometrics were captured and processed.

    Read Also: Nigerian Army deserves better welfare, says Atiku

    Apart from the ten-year validity, the new passport, according to Babandede, has 25 special features and difference from the existing passports.

    He said that it is an enhanced and self-tracking of application and ” weather friendly”.

    The new passport l, he said, has polycarbonate technology that eliminates damages.

    He also pointed out that it will now save Nigerians in disapora the time needed to frequently visit Nigerian embassies in search of new passports.

    The new passport, he said, will work concurrently with the existing passports.

  • Killings: Fulani communities petition FG

    Seven Fulani communities from Giwa and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, have petitioned state and federal governments over alleged incessant killings of their kinsmen and confiscation of their cattle by the vigilante officers and soldiers. The communities are Kidandan, Yadi, Sabon layi, Sabon Sara, Banaga, Kufan Kari and Karshi village in Igabi local government.

    Speaking to newsmen in Zaria, counsel to the Fulani communities, Yemi Adekunle esq, said the petition was necessary considering the lukewarm attitude of government on the matter. “The Fulanis have made several complaints to the state government, including security agencies through Miyyeti Allah, yet no  response. On this context, it is the duty of government to stop vigilante from armed conflicts with Fulani and also unite and prevent the nomads against retaliation fight,” he said.

    Adekunle said the petition has sought for both federal and state government to recover all cattle allegedly taken away by military, stopping further arrest, injuries , detention and killing of Fulani. Other demands of the Fulani communities include, compulsory payment of compensation for the lives and property lost during the attack on the communities and setting up a committee to investigate the attacks.

    The counsel however said, the crises has increased the level of insecurity in the area and displaced over 700 young children and widows. “It is sad to see young children and women sleeping on the ground of  people’s farmlands, no shelter, no food, no good sanitation. This time around, we have sent our petition to the state and federal governments on the matter and we are still expecting their response, which will  determine the next legal step,” he said.

  • FG files charges against CJN over $3m in five accounts

    Barring a late minute change, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, has a date in court in Abuja tomorrow for alleged failure to declare some of his assets, including about $3million.

    Onnoghen is scheduled to be arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    The Federal Government has already filed a six-count charge against him in that respect.

    The $3million in said to be lodged in five accounts.

    The domiciliary and Naira accounts in the Standard Chartered Bank are coded as USD account No. 870001062650; Euro account No. 93001062686; Pound Sterling A/CNo. 285001062679; e-Saver Savings (Naira) account No. 5001062693; and a Naira A/C No. 010001062667.

    The alleged undeclared amount is put at about $3million in the evidence before the CCT.

    The charge sheet is dated January 10 and filed on January 11.

    Onnoghen will be prosecuted by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) through the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    The application to put the CJN on trial was filed by two prosecutors, Musa Ibrahim Usman and Fatima Danjuma Ali on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    The application reads: “Pursuant to Section 24 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, I hereby apply to the Tribunal for the commencement of trial for the offence of failure to submit all assets and liabilities contrary to Paragraphs 15(1) and (2), Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 11(1) of the Fifth Schedule, Part 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended) and punishable under paragraph 18(1) and (2) of same constitution against Honourable Mr. Justice Walter S. Nkanu Onnoghen( GCON).

    “In support of this application, I attach herewith four copies of the charge, affidavit and summary of evidence consisting of a list of witnesses.

    “If the application is granted, we shall be relying on the facts disclosed in the summary of evidence and further evidence the tribunal may consider necessary at the trial.

    “I attach herewith four copies of the charge against the accused.”

    In an affidavit in support of the application by an investigator with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mr. James Akpala said “it is in the public interest to charge the CJN.”

    He said: “I know as a fact that the Head Office of the Bureau received a petition alleging that the CJN failed to declare his assets according to the law.

    “I know as a fact that the defendant did not comply  with the provisions  of the Code of Conduct for public officers in that he failed to declare his assets after his elevation to the Supreme Court and immediately after taking oath of office in the year 2005 and he failed to declare his five Standard Chartered Bank accounts in his two forms CCB1 leveled 2014 and 2016 respectively.

    “The investigation had been concluded and it is in the public interest to charge the defendant. That all witnesses are ready and available to testify. That prosecution is ready to commence trial.

    “At the trial, the complainant will rely on the testimony of the witnesses set down in the list attached hereto and tender all relevant documents in proof of the case.”

     

    The allegations against the CJN are as follows:

    “That you, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, CJN, GCON between 8th June 2005 to 14th December 2016 being a public officer serving as a Judicial Officer in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Justice of the Supreme Court failed to declare and submit a written declaration of all your assets and liabilities within the prescribed period of three months after being sworn in as the Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the 8th day of June 2005 and you thereby contravened the provisions of Section 15(1) of the Coded of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria( LFN) 2004 and punishable under Section 23(2) a, b, c, of the same Act.

    • “That you, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, CJN, GCON between 8th June 2005 to 14th December 2016 falsely declared your assets in your Declaration of Assets Form CCB 1(after you were sworn-in as the Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria) by omitting to declare a domiciliary (US dollar) account No. 870001062650 maintained with Standard Chartered Bank(Nig.) Limited Wuse 2, Abuja which is being operated since 2011 and you thereby contravened the provisions of Section 15(2) read along with Section 15(1) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 23(2) a, b, c, of the same Act
    • “That you, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, CJN, GCON between 8th June 2005 to 14th December 2016 being a public officer as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who is under a duty to declare his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau on or about 14th December 2016 falsely declared your assets in your Declaration of Assets Form CCB 1(after you were sworn-in as the Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria) by omitting to declare a domiciliary (Euro) account No. 93001062686 maintained with Standard Chartered Bank (Nig.) Ltd. Wuse 2, Abuja which is being operated since 2011 and you thereby contravened the provisions of Section 15(2) read along with Section 15(1) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 23(2) a, b, c, of the same Act.
    • “That you, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, CJN, GCON between 8th June 2005 to 14th December 2016 being a public officer as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who is under a duty to declare his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau on or about 14th December 2016 falsely declared your assets in your Declaration of Assets Form CCB 1(after you were sworn-in as the Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria) by omitting to declare a domiciliary(Pound Sterling) account No. 285001062679 maintained with Standard Chartered Bank (Nig.) Ltd. Wuse 2, Abuja which is being operated since 2011 and you thereby contravened the provisions of Section 15(2) read along with Section 15(1) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 23(2) a, b, c, of the same Act
    • “That you, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen between 8th June 2005 to 14th December 2016 being a public officer as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who is under a duty to declare his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau on or about 14th December 2016 falsely declared your assets in your Declaration of Assets Form CCB 1(after you were sworn-in as the Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria) by omitting to declare an e-Saver Savings (Naira) account No. 5001062693 maintained with Standard Chartered Bank (Nig.) Ltd. Wuse 2, Abuja which is being operated since 2011 and you thereby contravened the provisions of Section 15(2) read along with Section 15(1) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 23(2) a, b, c, of the same Act.
    • “That you, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, CJN, GCON between 8th June 2005 to 14th December 2016 being a public officer as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who is under a duty to declare his assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau on or about 14th December 2016 falsely failed to declare assets in your Declaration of Assets Form CCB 1(after you were sworn-in as the Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria) a Naira Account No. 010001062667 maintained with Standard Chartered Bank (Nig.) Ltd. Wuse 2, Abuja which is being operated since 2011 and you thereby contravened the provisions of Section 15(2) read along with Section 15(1) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 LFN 2004 and punishable under Section 23(2) a, b, c, of the same Act.