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Tag: Melaye

  • Senate, Customs chief in fresh feud over protocol

    Senate, Customs chief in fresh feud over protocol

    The feud between the Senate and Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), resurfaced on Monday in Abuja.

    Trouble started when the Senate Ad- hoc Committee on Economic Waste in Nigeria visited the Customs Headquarters in Abuja as part of its oversight functions.

    The drama was triggered by remarks made by Chairman of the Committee, Senator Dino Melaye, over the way the Senate delegation was received by the Customs high command.

    Melaye said by protocol, the Customs chief was expected to come down from his office to welcome the committee members into the Custom premises.

    The Kogi West lawmaker said it was a breach of protocol for the Customs CG to casually meet the delegation at the conference room.

    Melaye said the practice of ushering in the Senate delegation has been the practice with statutory bodies like Customs, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) and others over the years.

    He wondered why such established etiquette which was the norm under previous Customs chiefs was not accorded the committee by Ali.

    Melaye said: “Before reading the prepared speech of the committee, let me make this small remark on what we have just observed here in form of breach of protocols.

    “Mr. CG, rather than meeting us here at the conference room by way of courtesy, you supposed to have met us at the ground floor on arrival into the premises.

    “That has been the practice of statutory bodies headed by Chief Executive Officers like you. Relevant Senate committees have over the years been accorded this by bosses of Immigration Service, Prison Service and others, making us to wonder why it was not so here today under your leadership.

    “Therefore before proceeding further, on account of this observation, we want the Customs management to know that the presence of this committee before it implies that the Senate itself is before it to put things in order as regards the economic waste taking place in the Customs Service requiring the seriousness it deserves from you and the entire management.”

    The Customs CG told the Senate delegation that the agency has its own protocol that is different from other public establishments.

    Ali said: “We have our own protocol as regards receiving visitors like you. I don’t need to come downstairs to receive you just as nobody in the Senate or House of Representatives has ever come out to receive us anytime we visit the National Assembly.”

     

  • Sen. Ndume resumes in Senate on Wednesday

    Sen. Ndume resumes in Senate on Wednesday

    The Senate has resolved that Sen. Mohammed Ndume ( APC ) should resume sitting on Wednesday Nov. 15, since he had served out his suspension of 90 legislative days.

    The decision was reached after a closed-door meeting by the Senate on Tuesday before its plenary.

    Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy President of the Senate, who presided over the plenary, said Ndume had served out his suspension of 90 legislative days, without prejudice to the current court process.

    The Senate had, on March 29, suspended former Senate Leader Mohammed Ndume over his petition calling for investigation into the allegation that Sen. Dino Melaye, did not obtain first degree at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

    The university authorities later came out and declared that Melaye, APC – Kogi West, passed out with a degree at the institution.

    The suspension order followed the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which investigated the allegation.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Sam Anyanwu, submitted his committee’s report, which recommended that “the Senate should suspend Ndume for bringing Sen. Dino Melaye, his colleagues and the institution of the Senate to unbearable disrepute.

    “This is even at a time of our national life, when caution, patriotism, careful consideration and due diligence should be our watch words.

    “The suspension is with effect from March 29, 2017 to last for six months.

    “After having been properly cleared of any wrong doings by the findings of the committee, Sen. Dino Melaye has been cleared of the allegations made against him and exonerated.”

    Anyanwu had said that the recommendation was signed by seven members of the committee.

    NAN

  • Fashola denies Melaye’s $385 million squandering allegation

    Fashola denies Melaye’s $385 million squandering allegation

    The Minister of Power  Mr Babatunde Fashola has denied  allegations of fraud by senator representing Kogi west, Dino Melaye of the All Progress Congress against him and the Ministry of Power, Work and Housing.

    Melaye had alleged that the power ministry diverted $35 million to the Afam fast power project without the approval of the national assembly.

    He also said a sum of $350 million ‎raised from a $1 billion Eurobond was spent by the ministry in 2013

    But Fashola in a statement denied the allegation of financial impropriety, saying fact could have been easily verifiable by a simple letter from the senator to the Ministry.

    According to Fashola, the country must be careful about what it say and do with regards to investments and investors which is clearly needed in all sectors of developmental life, particularly in infrastructure and power.

    He said, “Before perception becomes reality, I feel compelled to make this Statement in response to allegations bordering on financial impropriety raised on the Floor of the Senate against the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, my Office as Minister, the staff of the Ministry and by extension my person.

    “The sum and substance of the allegations to which the Ministry will provide full, factual and detailed response when formally invited are that: An amount in the region of $350million being part of a $1billion Eurobond facility taken in 2013 has gone missing or has been diverted and that the Ministry, had procured a contract for Afam Fast Power and paid $26million or thereabout for it.

    “With all emphasis, I state that there is no factual basis for the allegations. The Ministry, my staff and I have done nothing wrong and we will collaborate fully with the Investigating Committee when called upon. For now, it suffices for members of the public to note that I wasn’t a Minister in 2013, and that when Government raises a Debt like the Eurobond, it is the Debt Management Office that manages the Debt and not the Ministry”.

    “The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) had on Monday, 6th November 2017 issued a Statement on the Front Page of The Nation Newspaper explaining that the money was not missing, stating also that the $350 million had been invested and that interest had even accrued on the money”.

    “If there was no ulterior motive for the allegation, this was enough reason for a reconsideration of the presentation of the Motion on the Floor of the Senate on the 8th of November 2017. But the story seemed to have changed from “missing money” last week, to a “desperate attempt to retrieve the money”, this week”.

    “As for the Afam Fast Power, the sum and substance of it is that it was an investment by the General Electric, a globally reputed Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), to invest in our country and support our effort to get good quick power under our Roadmap of Incremental, Steady and Uninterrupted power”.

    “They offered to do this by providing Nigeria with mobile turbines of 600MW if we could find a location with Gas and Transmission evacuation infrastructure. The Afam Power Station fitted because it had transmission and evacuation facilities but all its turbines had been virtually run down. The investment was contingent on paying $27,990,000 million which was 15% of 8 (eight) units of 30MW turbines each totaling 240MW valued at about $186,600,000:00 and this payment of $27.9m was made without breaching any law”.

    “At this moment, the turbines have arrived Nigeria and currently at the Onne Port. This is verifiable just as works are on going on the site – civil and engineering – preparing to receive the turbines , and install other equipment already at site.

    All of these are verifiable by all well meaning Nigerians who may want to undertake the inspection. We expect that the project will be commissioned soon enough to add 240MW to the Grid. This will be one of the fastest power projects when delivered, compared to inherited power projects before this Administration”.

    He also said investors do not require Parliamentary approval to invest in Nigeria.

    “Investors to the best of my knowledge do not require Parliamentary approval to invest in our Country. All of these facts could have been easily verifiable by a simple letter from the Senator to the Ministry without the furore and suggestions of wrong doing and malfeasance”.

    “Unverified allegations such as the ones under discussion constitute an imminent threat to our investment climate. For the avoidance of doubt, there has been no wrong doing whatsoever”.

  • Melaye attacked at Kabba

    Melaye attacked at Kabba

    •Bello sent thugs after me, says senator

    Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) was, at the weekend, attacked in Kabba, Kogi State, during the Kabba Day celebration.

    After speaking and donating N3 million, the senator was about to enter his vehicle when thugs attacked him.

    The embattled senator, who is trying to stave off a recall, was pelted with stones, sachet water and other objects. Some  thugs were arrested; tear gas was used to control the situation.

    Governor Yahaya Bello, who was billed to attend the event, allegedly returned to Lokoja when he got the situation report.

    A source said Melaye’s loyalists could have caused further crisis, had the governor made it to the event.

    Melaye alleged that his attackers were sent by the government, according to a statement by his aide.

    “Two of the boys who attacked him were sent by the Kogi State government, but were arrested by the police. They were later granted bail following intervention of the state apparatus,” the statement said.

    But the governor said he took a proactive step to avert impending chaos.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Petra Onyegbule, said Bello’s absence at the event was to avert chaos.

    The statement reads: “The alleged attack on Dino Melaye, by some aggrieved Kogi West youths, would have been worsened if the governor was present at the event. As the father of the state, the governor decided to stay off to avert further violence.

    “As the chief security officer of the state, the governor is committed to ensuring that the task of safeguarding the citizens is never compromised.”

    Police spokesman William Ayah said the event should not be overflogged.

    According to him, the two persons were arrested “to save their lives” because they were to be mobbed by some youths who wanted to have a share of the money they got.

    He, however, said those arrested were released.

  • Recall: Jostle for Melaye’s replacement intensifies in Kogi

    Recall: Jostle for Melaye’s replacement intensifies in Kogi

    In anticipation of the continuation of the recall process initiated against the member representing Kogi West at National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stakeholders from the area have began drumming up support for a likely replacement.
    Despite the court process initiated by the senator against his recall, the INEC said it with continue with the process as soon as the legal logjam are cleared.
    While a group, Youth for Change  (YFC), is demanding that the seat go to the Yagba Federal constituency, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kabba, Chief Ayodele Olukore, has said that the member representing the Kabba/Bunu/Ihumu federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. T. J Yusuf fit the Senate slot.
    According to him, the lawmaker has brought development to the area and should be allowed to proceed to the upper chamber.
     “Yusuf is performing in Kogi West and we are in support of him to go to the Senate. His two terms at the House of Representatives has been very fruitful to our people, and has brought development to Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu.
    “He bought transformers, distributed machines to several youths, provided borehole to many communities. We commend him and urge him to go to the Senate”.
    The YFC vowed that they will not relent until the APC zone the ticket to Yagba Federal constituency.
    Speaking on Sunday in Lokoja, the leader of the group and staunch, Mallam Umaru Haruna Bashir said it’s time Yagba Federal constituency produce the next senator after Ijumu/Kabba, where Senator Melaye hails from.
    According to him its in the interest of the entire Kogi West senatorial district that the senate seat be zoned to Yagba area.
    He said that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has done so, and in order to maintain peace and sense of belonging the ruling party must also act and speak out.
    He described as commendable, the names of those purportedly showing interest in the Senate seat, from Yagba, including Barrister Babatunde Irukera, Managing Director, Consumer Protection Council (CPC).
    “Irukera is one of the finest brains from the state, and if decides to run, many will support him because of his antecedent and unblemished record. He’s close to the powers that be at the centre and he will influence development to us here”, he said
    He appealed to APC supporters in Kogi West to reject aspirants from constituencies that have produced senator in the past.
  • NUJ cancels award on Melaye

    NUJ cancels award on Melaye

    THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has declared as illegal, the proposed ‘Senator of the Year Award’ to Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi-APC) by the Senate Press Corps.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the corps had nominated Melaye and 14 other senators for series of awards, slated to hold on Monday Oct. 9 at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

    In separate statements on Monday, the National President of NUJ, Abdulwaheed Odusile and the Chairman of FCT Council of the Union, Ella Abech, said the union had canceled the proposed award ceremony.

    The NUJ said the Press Corp of the Senate was not recognised by the constitution of the NUJ and as such, had no locus standi to present award to the lawmakers.

    Odusile said the purported award by the Senate Press Corp was illegal as the body was not recognised by the NUJ constitution to give any award to anybody.

    “The Union dissociates itself from the so-called conferment as it did not comply with the provision of the Constitution of NUJ on such issues, hence the nullification of the award,” he said.

    The Chairman, FCT Council, Ella Abechi, has called off the award ceremony, adding that it was illegal and lacks legitimacy by the constitution of the NUJ.

    “The press corps is not a legitimate organ to decide who to give awards to,” he said.

     

  • NUJ cancels proposed award on Dino Melaye

    NUJ cancels proposed award on Dino Melaye

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has declared as illegal, the proposed ‘Senator of the Year Award’ to Sen. Dino Melaye (Kogi-APC) by the Senate Press Corps.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the corps had nominated Melaye and 14 other senators for series of awards, slated to hold on Monday Oct. 9 at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

    In separate statements on Monday, the National President of NUJ, Abdulwaheed Odusile and the Chairman of FCT Council of the Union, Ella Abech, said the Union had canceled the proposed award ceremony.

    The NUJ said the Press Corp of the Senate was not recognised by the constitution of the NUJ and as such, had no locus standi to present award to the lawmakers.

    Odusile said the purported award by the Senate Press Corp was illegal as the body was not recognised by the NUJ constitution to give any award to anybody.

    “The Union dissociates itself from the so-called conferment as it did not comply with the provision of the Constitution of NUJ on such issues, hence the nullification of the award,“he said.

    >The Chairman, FCT Council, Ella Abechi, has called off the award ceremony, adding that it was illegal and lacks legitimacy by the constitution of the NUJ.

    “The press corps is not a legitimate organ to decide who to give awards to,“he said.(NAN)

  • Melaye: Court dismisses INEC’s motion for substituted service

    Melaye: Court dismisses INEC’s motion for substituted service

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday struck out a motion for substituted service filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against Senator Dino Melaye.

    The court’s decision followed request by INEC’s lawyer, Yunus Usman (SAN), to withdraw the motion after realising that it was not the right application to make at the current stage of the case.

    INEC, in a motion dated September 15, 2017, sought the court’s permission to serve through substituted means, the petition for Senator Dino Melaye’s recall as ordered by the court on September 11.

    Ruling on the fundamental rights suit filed by Melaye, the court ordered INEC to serve Melaye with the petition for his recall, accompanying signatures and other documents relating to the process.

    INEC had filed the motion ex-parte, citing the inability of its officials to personally serve the documents to Melaye personally.

    It alleged that Melaye had been evading service, a development that necessitated the application for substituted service.

    When the parties got to court on Thursday, Melaye’s lawyer, Ikem Okoro, said his client’s appeal against the September 11 judgment has been entered, adding that the court could no longer take steps on the case.

    The judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba said since the court has given its final judgment on the case, it would not entertain any new applications, particularly when the appeal against the judgment has been entered at the Appeal Court.

     

  • Recall: Stop playing games with the law, group tells Melaye

    Recall: Stop playing games with the law, group tells Melaye

    Senator Dino Melaye has been accuses by an election monitoring group, the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG) of trying to frustrate the process of his recall.
    The Senator had reportedly refused to accept the recall petition served on him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the ground that the 90 days allowed by law for the recall process has elapsed, thereby rendering any further action invalid.
    However, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, the ISDMG challenged the Senator to go and face his constituents and prove his popularity among them rather than frustrating the process.
    The group said it was clear that Senator Melaye and his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), are playing games with the law to frustrate the recall process.
    “We must not allow Senator Dino Melaye to ridicule our Constitution and our court. The beauty of democracy is that it allows elected representatives to renew their mandates through legally guaranteed elections or recall process.
    “The Senator it was who headed to court while time was counting down, alleging that the process enunciated by INEC abridged his fundamental right to fair hearing. He was heard by our court while the countdown on time was paused; he cannot turn around now and complain about the effusion of time by playing up stupid histrionics, while acting jejune theatrics.
    “Our court deprecated the behaviour of folks like Senator Dino in Governor of Lagos State & Ors v Ojukwu & Anor who seek to supplant the Rule of Law with their own Marshal command, using our court as a sword and as a shield”.
    It was all drama at the National Assembly yesterday as Senator Dino Melaye and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) engaged in hide-and-seek game over the Kogi West lawmaker’s recall.

    The INEC officials had arrived at the National Assembly complex as early as 11am with four ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags containing recall petitions and a heap of tied documents signed by constituents in Melaye’s  Kogi West.

    The INEC officials had split into two with one group waiting at the door of the senator’s office. The other group was monitoring the chambers, where Melaye kept himself busy with legislative duties.

    Apparently aware that some of the INEC officials were waiting for him in the frontage of his locked office at the Senate Wing of the complex, the lawmaker refused to go to his office after plenary.

  • INEC storms NASS with Melaye’s recall notice

    INEC storms NASS with Melaye’s recall notice

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials stormed the National Assembly on Tuesday to serve Senator Dino Melaye the recall notice sent by his constituents.

    The officials, who dropped bags containing the documents at the entrance to Melaye’s office, waited patiently for the senator to return to the complex.

    Melaye had repeatedly rebuffed moves by INEC to serve him the recall petition as ordered by court.

    The senator had on Monday explained why he refused to accept the petition from INEC.

    He told journalists that accepting any “purported’’ petition from the electoral commission would amount to breaching the 1999 Constitution.

    According to him, the 90-day deadline set for INEC on the matter by Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution has expired.

    Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, is facing a recall by his constituents, who in a June 23, 2017 petition, asked INEC to recall him.

    He was accused of poor of representation of the constituency at the Senate.