The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Security Adviser

  • FG to inaugurate advisory council on cyber security 

    FG to inaugurate advisory council on cyber security 

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said the Federal Government will inaugurate a Presidential Advisory Council on cyber security to be headed by the National Security Adviser (NSA).

    Osinbajo disclosed at the 2016 Cyber Secure Nigeria that the council, which would include major stakeholders in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, as well as the Nigeria Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is expected to counsel the President on measures to protect national critical infrastructures and address cyber threats.

    The VP spoke at an event organized by the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN), Wednesday in Abuja. It was titled ‘Emerging Cyber Security Threats and Counter-measures.

    Osinbajo said terrorism could take several avenues to attack critical infrastructures in the country, adding that there was need for more partnership between the public and private sectors to secure the nation’s cyber space.

    The Vice President (VP), who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Rule of Law, Mr. Akingbola Adeniran, emphasized the sector is capable of creating jobs for the unemployed youths, especially with the right partnership.

    He added that the Office of the NSA and NITDA already setup emergency response teams in respect to cyber threats.

    Osinbajo said: “If it is in the area of terrorism there are threats. Terrorism can take several forms on critical national infrastructures and through that, you can commit terrorism. In areas of financial crimes, we already have that happening. When you look at the threats this poses to the country, this is something we should be discussing and discussing seriously.

    “We have a cyber-crime act which came into law last year and one of the provisions establishes cyber-crime advisory council, which is to be headed by the NSA. I am happy to inform you that in the coming weeks, that council will be inaugurated under the chairmanship of the NSA. This is the premiere cyber-crime fighting or coordinating body for the country and so many agencies, including the private sector that is part of this council. The idea is that every aspect of cyber security is discussed so that they can take decisions, to advise Mr. President on how to improve our cyber security.”

    In his remarks, CSEAN President, Remi Afon said the conference was organized to call government’s attention to the need to train Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on cyber security.

    He advised government to create more awareness on impact of cyber-crime, adding that research and investment in cyber security are essential to responding to cyber threats.

     

  • 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.”

     

  • Buhari to attend 2015 Commonwealth meeting in Malta

    Buhari to attend 2015 Commonwealth meeting in Malta

    President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Thursday, November 26 for Malta to participate in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

    The 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will begin on Friday, 27th November 2015 in the island nation of Malta.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu on Wednesday.

    The Commonwealth is made up of Britain, Nigeria and 51 other countries that work together to pursue common goals and promote development, democracy, peace, security and good governance.

    According to the statement, the President and other Heads of State and Government who will be in Malta for this year’s summit are expected to deliberate on fresh Commonwealth initiatives on development & climate change with a view to adding greater value to ongoing efforts in these areas.

    The statement reads: “The Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will formally declare the summit open.

    “Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II is expected to host a banquet in honor of Buhari & other participating Heads of State & Government

    “At the conclusion of the Summit on Sunday, President Buhari will leave Malta for Paris where he will present Nigeria’s statement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled to open in the French capital on Monday, November 30.

    “President Buhari will join over 100 other world leaders at the Leaders Event on the opening day of the conference.

    “The Conference will be hosted by President Francois Hollande of France and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon. Pres. Buhari will also participate in a summit of the Heads of State & Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission & Benin Republic which has been scheduled to take place on December 2 in Paris on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change.

    “Deliberations at the Paris meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Commission & Benin Republic will focus mainly on the war against Boko Haram and other security issues of common interest to participating countries.

    “President Buhari will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed and the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.).”

    [news_in_pics style=”2″ display=”tag” tag=”Buhari” count=”8″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link”]

  • Dasuki to Presidency: I am ready for trial

    Dasuki to Presidency: I am ready for trial

    The former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), on Wednesday said he is ready for trial over the N644billion fictitious arms deal uncovered by a probe panel.

    Dasuki said he acted in the interest of the country and with the fear of God in office.

    He also said that contrary to the claim of the Presidency, he submitted a comprehensive list of arms procured to President Muhammadu Buhari before leaving office.

    He said all contracts and payments were approved by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Dasuki, who opened up in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, declared that he was prepared to meet the Federal Government in court.

    The ex-NSA said he had a lot to tell Nigerians except for the security of the country which was guiding him.

    He said: “In a theatrical manner, the Presidency fed the public with many allegations against my person and yet to be named former public officers.

    “To draw sympathy, the Presidency quoted some absurd findings including extra-budgetary interventions, award of fictitious contracts, 53 failed contracts, payment for jobs without contractual agreements and non-execution of contracts for the purchase of four Alpha jets, bombs and ammunition.

    “For undiscerning Nigerians, they may tend to assume that the allegations were true and pronounce the former National Security Adviser guilty as charged.

    “The statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, who should know better as a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and a witness to history, was nothing sort of propaganda to cast aspersions on Dasuki.

    “To set the records straight, Nigerians should appreciate that the AVM Jon Ode-led panel did not invite the ex-NSA under any guise before arriving at its ambiguous findings.

    “At least, fairness demands that the panel ought to hear from Dasuki instead of its recourse to hasty conclusions.

    “If the panel had been more patient and painstaking, it would have been availed of all relevant documents on some of the jaundiced findings.

    “As if acting a script, the Presidency alleged that the panel accused Dasuki of awarding fictitious contracts between March 2012 and March 2015.

    “Contrary to this claim, Dasuki was not the NSA in March 2012 and he could not have awarded any contract in whatever name. The ex-NSA was appointed by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on June 22, 2012.”

    The ex-NSA also explained that all arms contracts and payments were approved by Jonathan.

    He said all the services acknowledged the delivery of military equipment supplied to them.

     

     

  • Dasuki arraigned, granted bail on self-recognition

    Dasuki arraigned, granted bail on self-recognition

    Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, was arraigned on Tuesday morning before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Dasuki was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on illegal possession of fire arms, an offence punishable under section 27(i) (a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge, following which the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, granted him bail on self recognition, upon an application filed by his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN).

    The prosecution lawyer, M. S. Diri, did not oppose the application for bail, but left the issue at the court’s discretion.

    Justice Ademola ordered Dasuki to deposit all his international passports with the court’s Deputy Registrar, Litigation. He ordered that the passports should be retrieved, if they are currently being held by other government agencies, and handed to the named court’s official.

    Further hearing has been fixed for October 26.