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Tag: Namadi Sambo

  • Buhari, Sambo meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with former Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    The meeting lasted for about 25 minutes at the President’s office.
    At the end of the meeting, Sambo told State House correspondents that his meeting with President Buhari was private.

    Read Also: CSO asks Buhari to reinstate ex-NIA boss

    Sambo had in May 2017, also met in closed door meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo while acting as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • ICPC arraigns Whistle Blower over raid on VP Sambo’s residence

    ICPC arraigns Whistle Blower over raid on VP Sambo’s residence

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), on Thursday arraigned one Abubakar Sani for providing false information to the commission.

    Sani’s information had led to the raid on the residence of former Vice President, Namadi Sambo on June 28, in Kaduna by ICPC and DSS operatives.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since the raid on the property, the ICPC had not said if anything incriminating was found.

    The whistle blower, who was arraigned before Justice Aliyu Tukur of the Kaduna State High Court, is facing two-count charge of providing false information and misleading a public officer while on lawful duty.

    Counsel to the commission, Elijah Akaakohol, said the accused had provided the false information to an official of the commission on June 21, 2017.

    Akaakohol told the court that Sani had claimed to have transported boxes of money in local and foreign currencies from Abuja airport to the house at Ungwan Rimi GRA, Kaduna in 2013, which he suspected to be ill-gotten wealth and still at the house.

    The counsel added that it was based on the claim that the accused “made officers of the commission to carry out a sting operation that turned out to be false.

    “You thereby committed an offence, contrary to, and punishable under section 64 (3) of the Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act 2000.’’

    Sani is also being charged for making false statement to one Mr Olusegun Adigun, an official of the ICPC while in the course of duty as a public officer, contrary to section 25(1) and punishable under section 25(1b) of the ICPC Act 2000.

    Sani, who appeared before the court without legal representation, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Judge directed that the accused be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till Thursday, Nov. 2, for hearing.

    Before the adjournment, Justice Tukur advised the accused to get a counsel to stand for him at the next adjourned date.

  • Sambo holds private talks with Osinbajo at villa

    Sambo holds private talks with Osinbajo at villa

    Former Vice President Namadi Sambo on Wednesday paid a visit to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and both held private discussions.

    Sambo said the visit was a usual familiarisation.

    He added that “I have come to visit Mr Vice President and the Acting President as a usual familiarisation visit.

    “As you know, former presidents visit Mr President and former vice presidents visit incumbent vice president,’’ he told correspondents after the visit.

    Sambo said he was happy to meet his former staffers during the visit and thanked them for according him good reception

    “I am happy to see all of you our old colleagues here and I want to thank you very much for this very good reception.’’

    When prompted to disclose what both discussed, he declined, saying it was private.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as Sambo climbed the staircase to approach the office of the Vice President, Osinbajo received him on the corridor and led him inside.

    Sambo was Vice President to former President Goodluck Jonathan who handed over power to President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2015.

  • I refunded Metuh’s N25m to EFCC – Ex-VP Sambo’s aide

    An ex-aide to former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Abba Dabo has confessed refunding N25m to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He said the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh gave him the money for the party’s media publicity activities.

    Dabo, who was Sambo’s Political Adviser, disclosed this Thursday while testifying before a Federal High Court, Abuja at the resumption of Metuh’s trial. Metuh is being tried with his company, Destra Investments Limited, on a-seven count charge in which they were accused of   fraudulently receiving N400m from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on November 22, 2014 and laundering $2m.

    The witness said he returned the money in January 2016 on realisimg that the money formed part of the funds earmarked for the procurement of arms in the office of the National Security Adviser.

    Dabo, led in evidence by prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, said the N25m was paid to him through an account belonging Metuh’s firm – Destra Investment Limited – on December 16, 2014, five days after former President Goodluck Jonathan and Sambo were selected as the party’s candidates for the office of president and vice-president in the last presidential election.

    The witness, who said he was a newspaper editor and one time Chief Press Secretary to former President Shehu Shagari, said he decided to return the money to the EFCC because he could not reach Metuh, who had then been arrested by the commission.

    Dabo, a chieftain of the PDP said, “Unfortunately, there were reports in the media, on this transaction with Chief Metuh linking it to controversial circumstances. I mean it was identified that Chief Metuh paid the N25m to my account through his company and that the source of the money was from the arms deal that was being discussed generally in the country.

    “As a result of that publication, we thought we needed to explain, and because it was paid to my personal account , in my name, I decided to make a refund, and  I paid it to EFCC, because I couldn’t reach Mr. Metuh that particular time.

    “The newspapers were awash with the story that linked the money given to me to the arms money that was said to have been diverted to other uses by the Office of the National Security Adviser. On my own volition, I decided that the the best way out of the rigmarole was to pay back the amount. I paid it back to EFCC.”

    Dabo said he was paid the N25m by Metuh before  the 2015 presidential election, to help the party “mitigate and counter negative media reports against the then Jonathan-led government and the PDP.”

    He added that the money to run the Media Support System which he had set up to boost the PDP’s media profile‎  in response to “vicious attacks” from Hausa radio stations and criticisms from the Nigerian media as well as the social media.

    The witness further said he also set up a team of facilitators and young Information Technology enthusiasts, who were active on the  Internet to run a website, ‘What’s Up Naija’.

    “From the money we received from Chief Metuh, we paid salaries and allowances of facilitators, bought equipment and computers for the young people working on what’s up Naija.

    “We even paid that year’s rent for our office at 12B Deb Street, Off Danube Street in Maitama, Abuja. We also used that office to monitor the election.”

    Describing Metuh as “a loyal party man, dedicated, strong and outspoken person”, Debo said he however, chose to refund the money to the EFCC following media reports linking the money to the botched purchase of arms.

    “I decided to refund the money not only because it was from the NSA Office, but also because it was linked to the botched arms purchase deal,” Dabo said‎.

    Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), Dabo confirmed that he considered the refund of the money “absolutely important”, and that he made the refund to EFCC through three bank drafts.

    “I wrote a letter to the EFCC attaching three bank drafts with a cover letter acknowledging that the Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, gave N25m to me on December 16, 2014 for the purposes of publicity campaign which was paid by WhatsApp naija and Media Support System,” he said.

    He said he did not mention the refund in his statement made to the EFCC on January 6, 2016 “because I needed to go to the bank the next day and make necessary arrangement”.

    Dabo said was at Metuh’s home in Gudu area of Abuja on the day he was arrested, while trying to find out the source of the campaign money from him.

    “Up till now I have not have the chance of meeting with him,” the witness said.

    He claimed that former President Jonathan, the Federal Government and the PDP benefited “immensely” from the media works Metuh engaged him for.”

     

  • Photo: Jonathan’s valedictory photo with ministers

    Photo: Jonathan’s valedictory photo with ministers

    President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo with the Female Ministers in a Valedictory Group Photograph at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN
    President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo with the Female Ministers in a Valedictory Group Photograph at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    President Goodluck Jonathan (centre),Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the Head of Service Danladi Kifasi and other members of Federal Executive Council in a Valedictory Group Photograph at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN
    President Goodluck Jonathan (centre),Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the Head of Service Danladi Kifasi and other members of Federal Executive Council in a Valedictory Group Photograph at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN
  • Power generation capacity hits 6,000Mw, says Sambo

    Power generation capacity hits 6,000Mw, says Sambo

    Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday said the  Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) now has 6000megawatts (Mw) generation capacity.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the 330/132KV Transmission Substation in Gwagwalada, Abuja, he confirmed the position of the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, that were it not for gas challenge, the electricity market can generate 6,000Mw

    He added  that the electricity market has 5,500Mw transmission capacity.

    Sambo said: “At present, as confirmed by the minister of power, the generation level is about 6,000Mw. And  we can wheel up to 5,500Mw.”

    He noted that based on what the administration has done in the power sector, posterity would place them on the right side of history.

    His words: “We shall continue to make our contributions. We are confident that posterity will place us on the right side of history.”

    Urging vandals to keep off the installation, Sambo called on  the residents of Gwagwalada to keep surveillance on the substation.

    The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) which constructed the facilitty through Chinese Construction Company (CCC) International, will in its second phase of the project, focus mainly on the construction of hydro power plants in northern Nigeria, he said.

    Sambo said: “In its phase two mandate, the NDPHC will vigorously pursue the construction of hydro power plants mainly in the northern axis to assure  a mixed grid distribution.

    “Currently, the company plans to construct new nine and hydro power plants, which includes the Mambilla hydro power plant that will generate 3050Mw. “

    The Vice President said with the completion of the project, system stability in the national grid would improve.

    Justifying the decisions of the company and that of the National Council on Privatisation in the implementation of power projects in the country, Sambo said: “ I will use this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that all the decisions and project implementations both Niger Delta Power Holding Company and the National Council on Privatisation, all decisions are taken on sound professional advice and sound decision to ensure that we succeed in Nigeria in providing power for the benefit of Nigerians and development.”

    Nebo said the Federal Government had looked forward to the completion of the project before now but there were some hiccups that delayed it.

    He appealed to vandals of power installations to give the power sector a chance .

    Nebo said: “We plead with those who are vandalising our gas to power infrastructure to give Nigeria a chance to celebrate what this administration has done . Because today, we do not only have the capacity to generate about 6,000Mw of power if we have the gas, also to wheel out through transmission over 5,500Mw.”

    The Managing Director NDPHC, Mr. James Olotu noted that the sub-station would improve electricity supply and the quality of life.

    The chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Philip Aduda, who noted that the sub- station will boost power supply to the Northcentral zone, said energy generated in the NESI will be stranded or useless if it is not transmitted.

  • Row as FG concedes $470m national security system to private firm

    Row as FG concedes $470m national security system to private firm

    •Top Presidency official mounts pressure on Ministers to sell NPSCS
    •Panel: Selling NPSCS will compromise national security

    The Federal Government has conceded the $470million National Public Security Communication Systems (NPSCS) of the Nigeria Police to a private firm, in what appears to be a threat to national security.

    The concession is also believed to be in contradiction of the recommendation of an inter-ministerial panel set up by government itself, sources knowledgeable about the deal said yesterday.

    The six-man panel comprising Police Affairs Minister Jelili Adesiyan and Communication Minister Omobola Johnson, it was gathered, had opposed any such concession on the ground that it would compromise national security.

    The panel was set up by Vice- President Namadi Sambo.

    The concession to Messrs. Openskys Services Limited is also unlikely to go down well with the Chinese government which provided the bulk of the funds for the project through the China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank.  Investigation revealed that the concession was made without input from the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    The conveyance of concession was contained in  a  letter to the Managing Director of Openskys Services Limited by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. James N. Obiegbu in which he conveyed “ the approval of His Excellency, Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for your company Messrs. Nigeria Satellite Communications (NigComSat) to partner and form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will operationalize and commercialize the National Public Security Communications System (NPSCS) network of the Nigeria Police Force.” Details of the deal, according to Dr. Obiegbu, are:

    •the Equity of the SPV shall be held at the ratio of 82% by OpenSkys Services Ltd and 18% by the Federal Government;

    •the Federal Government’s investment in the Project so far is to constitute the 18% Equity of Government;

    •upon its formation, the SPV shall assume the assets and agreed liabilities of the Federal Government in the project, except the reimbursement of Messr. ZTE Corporation in respect of cost incurred in the maintenance of the network prior to this take-over;

    •the Government is not making any further investment in the network while the SPV shall undertake the repayment of the agreed portion of the China EXIM Bank liabilities through the Federal Ministry of Finance. A copy of the Financing Agreement containing the repayment schedule is herewith attached;

    •consequent upon the above, the SPV will be required to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Police Affairs on the repayment of the agreed portion of the loan obligation; and

    •the Nigerian Police Force shall operate on the network using the 500,000 subscriber lines at no extra cost to Government.

    It is expected that government will hand over the assets and agreed liabilities of the NPSCS to Messrs. Openskys Services Limited once it avails the authorities with the details of the SPV.

    Of the   US$470million spent on the  project the Federal Government contributed    $85million (15%) through the Ministry of Police Affairs, while   the balance of $399.5m (85%)  came from  a concessionary off-shore long term loan facility from China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank.  The project was certified substantially completed by the Nigeria Police in December, 2012.

    Upon the completion, NigComSat entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministries of Finance and Police Affairs on December 18, 2012 to “partner in the implementation of the NPSCS and the commercialization of the excess capacity on the network in order to repay the USD399.5m China Exim Bank credit facility and support the sustainability of the network.”

    It was learnt that  dispute over the sharing of the  same 450 MH7 frequency with OpenSkys and the  non-provision of the take-off funds had hampered the operational deployment of the NPSCS. While the nation was sourcing for funds, the Technical Contractor, ZTE operated the system up to December, 2013 at the cost of N3.2 billion.

    But since 2013, the system has been “largely underutilized which has been the source of concern, especially in the face of the present security challenges.”

    It was gathered that the government was faced with three options including a joint venture between NigComSat Ltd and OpenSkys Services; sourcing funds to sustain NPSCS; and outright sale which was considered dangerous.

    There had been tension in government over the fate of the NPSCS. But the six-man Inter-Ministerial Panel, raised by Vice President Namadi Sambo, rejected proposal to sell or concession the  nation’s security network.

    Members of the panel apart from Adesiyan and Johnson were Mr. Obiegbu (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs); Mr. Abba Kassim (Senior Special Assistant, Research and Statistics, Office of the Vice President); Ms. Abimbola Alale (Managing Director, NigComsat) and Mrs. Nuratu Batagarawa (Director, Police Services, Ministry of Police Affairs).

    The committee, in its report, was of the view that “The NPSCS network is viable as the Central Bank of Nigeria has expressed the desire to roll its nationwide cashless policy thereon for a fee and additionally some security agencies have expressed interest to operate on the network.

    “The operation take-off fund required by Messrs NigComSat Limited could be sourced from the funds for the Nigeria Police Force Reform Programme and in respect of which a provision should be made from the 2014 funds.

    “In the light of the above, the meeting is of the view that greater value for money outcome would be achieved by raising the required take-off funding for Messrs NigComSat Limited to run and operate the network rather than its outright sale to a third party to whom payment for the use  of the services there from would again be made (round tripping).

    “Accordingly, the Interim Implementation Committee on Police Reform Programme is requested to consider providing the required take-off funding for the project.”

    The panel said the proposal by Messrs Openskys Services Limited (OSL) “to absorb the NPSCS, a network ab initio dedicated to national security service, to provide for an independent, private and secure communication platform for the police and other security agencies is considered to be a compromise.

    “Messrs OSL only proposed to absorb funds expended by the Federal Government subject to its own assets valuation.  Hence the obligation to pay the balance of the EXIMBank loan will again fall on government.

    “The National Telecommunications and Industrial Policies specifically preclude foreign companies’ participation in telecommunication matters relating to defence and security of the nation.  Accordingly, the proposal of Messrs Openskys Services Limited (OSL) with heavy foreign participation would also appear a compromise of the policy.

    “A colossal resource of the Nigeria Police Force was committed to the implementation of the NPSCS project. Hence the proposal which now requires annual payment for the use of the same network by the Nigeria Police Force will indeed disadvantage the Force.

    “That in consideration of overriding national interest, the approval granted Messrs OSL for the 450MHz Frequency Band ‘A’ be withdrawn at no cost to and assigned to the NPSCS project. “That consequent upon above, Messrs OSL should be migrated to Band ‘L’ of the 450MHz Band to deploy its network.”

  • Sambo inaugurates N100b irrigation project

    Vice President Namadi Sambo at the weekend inaugurated the N100? billion Gurara Irrigation project at Kachia local government area of Niger State.

    The project, which is expected to augment the lower Usman Dam, will supply the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with potable water and generate 30 megawatts power and enable fishery.

    Sambo said that the multipurpose dam will support realisation of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) and support rural development in the host community.

    Sambo expressed optimism that the irrigation dam, which occupied 6, 000 hectares of farmland, will contribute to food security.

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, urged the host community to take ownership of the facility.

    Paramount ruler of Wadara Kingdom, Maiwada Galadima, pleaded for special consideration of youths in the community during recruitment exercise.

  • Sambo seeks 2million votes

    Sambo seeks 2million votes

    Vice President Namadi Sambo, at the weekend, said he expects over two million votes for President Goodluck Jonathan in Kaduna State in next year’s presidential election.

    He said this would be possible with the support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) enjoyed in the state.

    A statement in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant, Umar Sani, said Sambo spoke at a unity and family meeting of the Kaduna PDP at the Hassan Usman Katsina House in Kawo, Kaduna.

    The vice president said he expected 100 per cent victory for PDP’s candidates in other elective posts, including that of the governorship poll.

  • Sambo deserves to be pitied, says Lagos

    Sambo deserves to be pitied, says Lagos

    The Lagos State government has said Vice-President Namadi Sambo deserves its pity, following his statement that people were leaving Lagos because of heavy taxation imposed by the state.

    A statement by Governor Babatunde Fashola’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Lateef Raji, said: “It is no surprise at all that the steadfastness that the Lagos State Government has brought to the management of its Internally Generated Revenue and the attendant improved and consistent performance over the years will continue to be mind boggling for all those who do not appreciate the need to move from the past and adopt innovations in order to improve the lot of the society.

    “For whatever it is worth, Vice-President Namadi Sambo deserves to be pitied. If his itinerary coming on a trip in an election year had included the inspection, of any ongoing ambitious programmes or projects initiated by the Federal Government for the good of the people of Lagos State, he may have been better preoccupied and avoided the gaffe.

    “The Lagos State government had for long realised that the state, with its enormous social and economic potentials, cannot continue to depend on the allocation from the Federation Account, if it must deliver on the popular expectations.

    “Measures were then introduced to drive efficiency in the tax assessment and collection regimes by effectively plugging loopholes and leakages in the system. The result was the leap in the accruable to the coffers of the government.

    “With this enhanced revenue profile, the government embarked on ambitious infrastructure upgrades to meet the critical areas of need like never experienced before.

    “The Lagos State Government is not just “doing it” on the tube and the press; the testimonials abound all over the state for the people to see, feel and put to use.

    “The lesson for the Federal Government in all of these is that if the Presidency can summon the will power to rein in its members and ensure that oil receipts and accruals from other revenue heads are properly accounted for and remitted to the Federation Account, Nigeria would be better and the citizens would be happy.

    “If the Federal Government had avoided situations where individuals present claims in billions of hard-earned money spent on hotel accommodation, air travels and all other such excesses in diversion of public funds, the Nigerian economy will not be in the sorry state it is today and we would all have been better for it.

    “The Vice President is not known for courting controversies, but as a junior partner in Nigeria’s uninspiring Presidency, he cannot but speak during public engagements. Rather than join the gabby gang in Abuja, simple greetings and a few compliments will do instead of making non-residential claims that are lacking in facts.”