The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

CCT trial: Saraki closes case after calling a witness

The trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki resumed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Tuesday with his invitation of a witness. He equally closed his case after the witness concluded his evidence.

The witness, Dr. Ademola Adebo, an ex-commissioner with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), told the court that he was familiar with assets declaration process.

He said at a time, he was engaged by CCB to simplify the CCB Assets Declaration Form and also created a portal so that public officers will not have to visit CCB to declare asset.

He identified some asset declaration forms filled by Saraki at the commencement and conclusion of his tenure as Governor in Kwara State in 2007 and 2011 when he became a Senator.

The witness, led in evidence by Paul Usoro (SAN) read from the forms where Saraki declared that he acquired Nos: 17A and 17B Macdonald, Ikoyi through sale of rice and sugar commodities.

In another form, the witness read where Saraki also said he bought the same houses through bank loan from GTB.

At the conclusion of his evidence-in-chief, the prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacbos (SAN), was about to commence cross-examining the witness when tribunal’s Chairman, Danladi Umar announced a brief suspension of proceedings.

He said the trial will resume in 30 minutes.

When proceedings resumed later, Adebo, under cross-examination said he was a lecturer in the Ondo State University before his appointment as a member of the CCB in 2010.

He said he had lectured in two universities in the United States as Assistant Professor of Political Science before returning to Nigeria.

When asked to confirm if he was still a member of the CCB, the witness said the issue, relating to the dissolution of the board to which he belonged, was a subject of litigation in court.

When given copies of the asset declaration forms completed by Saraki and was asked to identify his signature or name, the witness said he did not sign any of Saraki’s forms.

The witness said he could not recall any other ex-Governor that was charged before the tribunal beside the former Lagos State governor.

When asked if the CCB was only interested in prosecuting cases involving the poor public officers, Adebo said the CCB was not expected to always prosecute public servants but to also protect them.

He blamed the CCB’s inability to function effectively on the lack of structure, a development, he said informed why, there was effort, while he was a member, to restructure it for efficiency.

When Jacobs indicated that he was through with the witness, Usoro’s attempted to ask the witness further questions, an attempt the CCT Chairman rejected, upon an objection by Jacobs on the grounds that the questions do not relate to issue that emanated during cross-examination.

At that point, the CCT Chairman asked parties to agree on the next date. But, while Usoro, Jacobs and the tribunal’s Registrar were trying to agree on a date, Saraki, who sat in the dock, signalled to the leader of his legal team, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who promptly approached him.

Saraki conferred briefly with Kanu, shortly after which the lawyer informed the tribunal that the defence has made up its mind to close its case.

The announcement came as a surprise to all, because the defence had, at the commencement of proceedings, indicated its intention to call four witnesses. Agabi was, however, silent on why the defence changed its mind.

The CCT Chairman later adjourned to February 27 for the adoption of parties’ final written address.

February 6, 2018
Gunmen kidnap two NDDC contractors in Bayelsa

Suspected Gunmen on Tuesday kidnapped two contractors working on one of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) projects in Otuogiri Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

Confirming the incident, Spokesman of the Bayelsa Police Command, DSP Asinim Butswat, said in Yenagoa that police had arrested the accomplice and that he was undergoing interrogation.

Lucky Moses, one of the Community Development Committee (CDC) executives in the community, told our reporter that the gunmen stormed the area in the early hours of Tuesday.

“The gunmen came and began to exchange gun fire with soldiers before whisking away their targets.

“The victims were two but one was released on the spot, while the other was whisked into a waiting speed boat which zoomed off to an unknown destination.

“The community caught the accomplice who confessed that he gave information to the abductors; the accomplice has been handed over to security operatives,” Moses said.

NAN

February 6, 2018
I sympathise with CCT chairman, says Saraki

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday sarcastically expressed sympathy for the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Mr. Danladi Umar over his alleged travail in the hand of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Saraki in a post on his Face Book page said that the EFCC suddenly woke up four days to the resumption of his (Saraki’s) asset declaration case to slam a criminal charge against Umar.

He recalled that in April 2016, when his lawyers asked Umar to rescue himself from his (Saraki’s) case because of the criminal investigation against him, the EFCC swiftly cleared Umar of any wrong doing.

He wondered what has changed since April 2016 and few days ago to force the EFCC to file criminal case against Umar.

Saraki wondered “whether those who genuinely love this Government appreciate the damage that all this is doing to our so-called ‘War Against Corruption.”

The post read: “I sympathize with the Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr. Danladi Umar, for his travail in the hands of the EFCC which suddenly woke up 4 days to the resumption of this case to file criminal charges against him.

“You will recall that in April 2016, when our lawyers asked the Tribunal Chairman to rescue himself from our case, because of the criminal investigation against him, the EFCC swiftly cleared Mr. Umar of any wrongdoing.

“Now, I find it amusing, that in a dramatic turnaround, this same EFCC now thinks that Mr. Umar has a case to answer just before the commencement of my case before him. What has changed since April 2016?

“As much as many Nigerians want to continue to believe that this case is merely about asset declaration irregularities, the maneuvers, manipulation, intrigues, schemes, and “House of Cards” nature of this whole case proves otherwise.

“I really wonder whether those who genuinely love this Government appreciate the damage that all this is doing to our so-called ‘War Against Corruption.’

“However, in all of this, my confidence in the judiciary and its ability to do justice in all cases, remains unshakeable. — Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki”

February 6, 2018
Ex-militants warns against removal of Mowarin from Amnesty office

Ex-militants from Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo and Delta states, have kicked against alleged plot by unknown persons to remove Head of Onshore Education Unit, office of the Amnesty Programme, Major Hassan Kesiena Mowarin (rtd).

The ex-militants said there have been improvement in the scheme since Morawin assumed office and his appointment showed that the ruling party meant well for the people of the Niger Delta region.

Spokesman for the ex-militants, Mr. Atangbala One, who spoke to newsmen in Benin City said some few individuals want Morawin removed because true beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme are now selected for the scheme.

Atangbala alleged that the few cabal in the system placed fake beneficiaries in schools and subsequently force them to remit the sum of N30, 000 to N40, 000 monthly to them

According to him, “Major Mowarin has been fighting feverishly against the commercialization of admission process for amnesty sponsorship which was supposed to be free for the genuine delegates for the program.

“But a cabal hijacked it and sell the beneficiary codes of the poor children of the Niger Delta to their cronies.

“The few cabals who do not mean well for the people of the region have gone as far as paying for on-line media, smear publications and also paying some uninformed persons to stage protest against him all in attempt to remove him and continue with their blood money business.”

February 6, 2018
Obaseki inaugurates committee on privatisation, commercialisation

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated a 10-man Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation (TCPC), which will take inventory of all non-operational enterprises owned by the state government and provide guidelines for their privatisation and commercialisation.

The committee to be chaired by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu, was inaugurated on Tuesday, by the governor at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

Obaseki noted that the TCPC will “carry-out due diligence on the Uromi Cassava Factory; review and end the previous process for the sale of the factory and carry-out actions that will ensure the selection of capable investors for the uptake of the factory.”

Obaseki said, “The objectives of the committee will include visits to sites of the state-owned enterprises to identify enterprises that require urgent restructuring through commercialisation, privatisation or partnership. It will carry out due diligence on the status of the identified enterprises.

He added, “The TCPC will make recommendations for the review of the TCPC law and appoint the Public Private Partnership Office as a standing and Adhoc Committee to facilitate the performance of its functions.

Chairman, TCPC, Rt. Hon. Shaibu, represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh, expressed appreciation to the governor for the opportunity to support the economic agenda of state government.

He said, “The committee will put their best in discharging its duties in line with the provision of the Law and economic agenda of Obaseki’s administration. We will be transparent in our engagements.”

Other members of the committee include, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Kabiru Adjoto; Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Osagie Inegbedion; Commissioner for Infrastructure, Hon. Osahon Amiolemen; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, Hon. Emmanuel Usoh; and the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Prof (Mrs.) Yinka Omorogbe.

Others include, a Director in the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment, who will act as Secretary of the committee; Mr. George Etomi, of Etomi and Partners; Mr. Olu Akpata, Templars Law firm and Mr. Cephas Afebuameh, Supply Chain and Operations Director, Suntory Beverage and Food Nigeria.

February 6, 2018
Moghalu lauds Ekwueme’s contributions to Nigeria’s unity

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu has eulogized former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme. In a speech delivered at the memorial service for Ekwueme in London, United Kingdom, Moghalu said the former number two citizen helped to unity the country.

Excerpts….

The great Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle once wrote. “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

Nigeria sometimes feels like a nation that has lost its direction. In many ways, we are a country that sees excellence as difficult to achieve in leadership and many of us feel powerless to change it. Then every so often, someone comes along repackaging old promises in a shiny new box, telling us they are the answer to all our woes, only to leave us disappointed once again. What is the result? A place where almost 200 million people fight to secure their individual destiny, where the collective good is often an afterthought. That is not a country.

Dr Alex Ekwueme spent his career and his life seeking to unify us all as a nation, using the weapons of honesty, integrity, and truth. As a business man, as a politician, and as a philanthropist, his goal was to always use the power of unity to build better things—whether it was a people, a party, or a country. His vision was to build a nation with one goal, and one dream, with all of us working as one to lift all our boats in collective prosperity.

As we gather here today to remember the man we must learn from his legacy. Unity is a formidable weapon. It can move mountains, it can change tides. It can reform a nation and set us on a path to fulfilling our destiny as a true giant of Africa. We must learn to compromise—wisely—and accept our differences to come together for the greater good. The Ide was a man who ultimately believed in the equality of all citizens of Nigeria, and our ingenuity in finding solutions.

As we remember his selfless work, we Nigerians must put our heads together to defeat our sense of persecution and speaking in one voice, aligned in purpose to build something great. Young and old, man and woman, we all must take the lessons from his life and apply them to everything we do, and Nigeria will be a nation reformed and reborn. We must learn to vigorously inspire each other using the strengths and uniqueness of our differences, the unparalleled skill of enterprise and the passion for innovation he that our people are famous for. The Ide pushed the cause for his kinsmen to fire the competitive spirit that built excellence in the nation.

As we mourn our father, kinsman, mentor, friend, and fellow comrade, let us remember to uphold the values he believed in. Let us as citizens stride forward collectively and work for a more prosperous and egalitarian society. His legacy demands much of us; asking us to be active participants in seeking the leadership that can truly make Nigeria the very best version of itself as a country, of us as a people. To remember and honor him will not be in the eulogies we will share today but in our lives, expressing the values he lived for.

We must move to make him proud by putting ourselves up for service to fill the big shoes he has left and work to right the wrongs of this nation. We must make Ide proud by ensuring Nigeria works even beyond what he would have dreamed. The iroko may have fallen but the seeds have taken strong root in fertile ground.

On behalf of myself, and the entire family of the late Elder Isaac Moghalu, my late father, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of the Ide. Our thoughts and prayers are with his son, Pastor Goodheart Obi Ekwueme and his daughter Mrs. Chidi Onyemelukwe and her husband Dr. Okey Onyemelukwe, who are close friends of my wife and me.

In his habits and in his actions, the Ide was truly a man who lived up to his name, Alexander, “defender of men”.

May he rest in peace.

February 5, 2018
History will be kind to IBB, Says ADP

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the wise counsel of former President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida not to seek reelection in 2019, but prepare to hand over to much younger person who can move the nation forward.

However, in a statement signed by its National secretary, Dr.James Okoroma, the ADP said history will be kind to the former President for speaking out against what he described as leadership failure of President Buhari.

Okoroma said the former President was “clinical in his presentation by touching on the economy, pervasive insecurity, bloodletting across the country, devolution of powers, community Policing and restructuring.

“Babangida’s declaration that restructuring can no longer be wished away shows that there is hope for Nigeria. Those who thought that Buhari’s actions and segregation had the blessings of the entire North can now heave a sigh of relief with a serious opposition coming from another Northern leader of Babangida’s status.”

While aligning with the former President in appealing to President Buhari not to seek re-election in 2019, the ADP scribe said: “Babangida was one of those who fought to keep Nigeria one, he cannot keep quiet while Buhari destroys the Country through divisive and nepotistic leadership. Today, we are losing our Country on a account of Buhari’s misrule which has set the Country backward.

“Babangida’s advice that the war against Boko Haram be taken to the inner recesses of Sambisa Forest should be hidden.

“Babangida spoke as a Patriot. He offered solution to every problem he identified in his statement. He has spoken as one of the Fathers of modern Nigeria. The issues he has raised should engage the attention of all Patriots.

“History will be kind to IBB for speaking up against the leadership failure under President Muhammad Buhari. From all indications, the Buhari Government is a monumental failure and a disappointment to all Nigerians”.

Also, the Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM) said the position expressed by the former President is a tacit endorsement of its agenda to recruit, groom and position credible fresh breed successor Leaders for the 2019 elections

NIM’s Deputy Director General, Mallam Naseer Kura commended what he described as IBB’s strategic Intervention on the crisis of leadership and politics rocking Nigeria. He said NIM is also compelled by the dearth of real political parties in the country to facilitate a major Rainbow political platform, modeled after the ANC of South Africa, to undertake the grooming of its adopted candidates for the 2019 elections.

Kura further asserted that “with this crucial endorsement of the third force initiative of NIM by IBB and other Eminent Leaders of the country, it means the time has come for fresh breed third force ideologues to rise up and take over the mantle of leadership to lead the country out of the present woods of political inertia and impunity, while also not shying away from NIM’s core agenda for profound democratic reordering of the Nigerian State come 2019”

February 5, 2018
Why we want to rearrange election order, says Ekweremadu

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Monday said that the National Assembly wants rearrangement of the order of election to help voters to judge each candidate on his or her own merit at each level of election.

Ekweremadu said that the rearrangement of the order of election as passed by the House of Representatives, if adopted by the Conference Committee of both Houses, would no doubt help the electorate to make up their minds on each candidate seeking their votes at each level of election.

He also assured that legislative work on the Electoral Act and the Constitution amendment would be concluded in a matter of weeks.

Ekweremadu was said to have stated this when he received a delegation of the British High Commission in Nigeria led by the High Commissioner, Mr. Paul Arkwright.

A statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu said that Ekweremadu expressed gratitude to the British Government for always showing interest in state of the Nigerian union and her democracy.

It said that Ekweremadu noted that concluding the amendments to the Electoral Act and Constitution amendment was top on the priority list of the 8th National Assembly to ensure better governance and smooth elections in 2019.

The Deputy Senate President was quoted to have said: “The 2019 election is very important to Nigeria. The amendments to the Electoral Act and the Constitution all form part of the ongoing electoral reform to continue to improve on the quality of our elections.

“In the previous amendment, a timeframe was set for the determination of election petitions. Now we are working on setting a timeframe for pre-election matters. In the previous amendments, we also created a window for direct and indirect primary by political parties.

“In the current amendment, we want to make more elaborate provisions regarding direct party primaries for political parties that may wish to adopt it to ensure greater fairness, transparency, and internal democracy in choosing their flag bearers.

“We are also working to lift the restrictions on the use of electronic voting by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. That way, it will be up to the election management body to determine if it is sufficiently prepared to deploy electronic voting or when to adopt electronic voting.”

He said, “The bottom line is that the Conference Committees on both the Electoral Act and Constitution Amendment are meeting separately this week to conclude work on the entire amendments to ensure a smoother and more credible electoral processes as well as promote good governance of the country.”

It said that the British High Commissioner, Mr. Arkwright, noted that they came to see Ekweremadu on political developments, especially as it concerned the prospects for the People’s Democratic Party and legislative activities of the National Assembly.

“The legislative programme, which you have in the Senate and the National Assembly, the changes to the electoral laws are also important to us”, Arkwright was quoted to have said.

February 5, 2018
EFCC recovers N473b, $98.2m, £294,851 in 2017, says Magu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was able to recover crime – related funds amounting to N473b in addition to $98,258,124.97; £294,851.82; €7,247,363.75; 443,400 Dirham and 70,500 Rand, the Commission’s acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu has said.

Magu also confirmed that identified whistle blowers, including the Osborne Towers, Ikoyi whistle blower were being paid timely to encourage other Nigerians buy into the policy.

During the course of 2017, the Commission also succeeded in securing final forfeiture of the Osborne Towers, Ikoyi cash of $43m as well as N32b; $5m recovered from a former Petroleum Resources Minister and N449m discovered at Legico Plaza in Victoria Island, Lagos, he said.

While defending the Commission’s 2017 budget before the Kayode Oladele-led House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes yesterday, Magu said the $43m Osborne Towers cash got forfeited to the Federal government because no one came forward to claim it.

The Committee had asked Magu whether the Osborne cash was ever traced to anyone.

In response, Magu explained that the document recovered from the property from where the money was recovered showed that it belonged to a company owned by the wife and son of a former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

However, after due diligence and no one coming forward to calm it, the court had to pronounce it’s final forfeiture, he said.

Among other recoveries and forfeitures from proceeds of crime, Magu said over N329b was recovered from petroleum marketers by the Kano office of the Commission; withholding tax recovery of over N27.7b from banks; €6.6m recovered from Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); recoveries of about N1.1b on behalf of AMCON; and recovery of subsidy fraud funds of over N4b.

Magu however reiterated government commitment to the whistle blowing policy, saying, promised incentives are being paid timely.

Saying that the Ikoyigate whistle blower has also been paid, Magu noted the payment policy was meant to encouraged more Nigerians to join in the campaign against corruption.

On the 2017 budget implementation, the EFCC boss complained of delay in fund releases which he said affected operations of the Commission

“Delayed and irregular release of the overhead component of the recurrent vote affected the commission’s investigation and prosecution activities especially in the Zones.

“Out of the total sum of total sum of N17,202,253,360 appropriated in 2017, only N11,737,492,342.07 or 68 percent has so far been released out of which N9,759,277,008.53 has been utilized.

“From the sum of N7,127,316,354 appropriated for Personnel, N6,533,373,324 was released; from N3,000,713,298 appropriated for Overhead only N1,667,007,163.70 has been released while from N7,074,223,708 appropriated for Capital expenditure, only N3,537,111,853.87 was released to the commission so far,” he added.

He also complained that the Commission’s 2018 budget proposal of N45b was reduced to about N21b, which is capable of hampering the activities of the Commission for the year.

Magu also informed the Committee that Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has been granted autonomy.

“In the course of the outgoing financial year, the NFIU was granted self-accounting status by both the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Budget Office. Effective date of implementation is 1st January, 2018 with a budget proposal of N2.903b,” he said.

Of the sum, N339.350m was proposed for Personnel cost; N22.500m for meals and refreshment to cater for numerous sub-regional, national and internal meetings while N26.500m was proposed for publicity and advertisement for stakeholders in the financial sector.

February 5, 2018
Metuh attends court on stretcher

Former spokesman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh was brought to court Monday on a stretcher in compliance with an order of a Federal High Court, Abuja that he must attend court or have his bail revoked.

Justice Okon Abang in a ruling on January 25, rejected a medical report tendered by Metuh’s lawyers, claiming he was on admission in an hospital. The judge noted that report was not properly before the court and did not meet the necessary requirement.

Instead, Justice Abang agreed to an adjournment, but ordered Metuh to attend court on February 5, 2018 or have the bail earlier granted him revoked.

In compliance with that order, his lawyer ensured he was brought to court early Monday in a white ambulance, bearing the name and logo of the National Hospital, Abuja.

Metuh was later taken into the courtroom on a stretcher, with the assistance of some relations, friends and associates.

He was covered with a white cloth, with an opening only in his head area, possibly to allow him breathe. He had bandage on his legs and a neck brace on.

Metuh and his company, Destra Investment Limited are being tried on allegations of corruption and money laundering.

When proceedings opened, Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) told the court that his client was in court in obedience to the court’s order, but was not in a good state to stand trial.

He sought a month’s adjournment to allow his client receive medical attention and within which he (Metuh) would have been fit enough to stand trial.

Lawyer to Destra, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) associated himself with Ikpeazu’s position.

Responding, lead prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir said he appreciated the 1st defendant’s (Metuh’s) health condition, having seen the manner he was brought to court.

Tahir said he was not opposed to the defence’s request for adjournment for a month.

He noted that none of the papers tendered by the defence suggested the length of time that the 1st defendant will be hospitalised, but added: “We leave the decision about the time to the discretion of the court.

“May I disabuse the mind of everybody (the court, the gallery and the defence team) that we are prosecutors, not persecutors. And in doing that, we have no ill-will or ill-feeling against anybody,” Tahir said.

In his reply, Ikpeazu appreciated Tahir for his understanding. And, as regard when his client will be fit for trial, Ikpeazu said the doctors were not categorical.

He said: “We believe that within the one month that we have asked, and we pray extensively to that effect, that the 1st defendant should be fit to continue with his trial

“That period is a reasonable period for the medial doctors to enter a proper evaluation and assessment of the state of health of the 1st defendant. We fervently hope and pray that he will be fit to continue with this trial,” Ikpeazu said.

Ruling, Justice Abang said he was mindful of granting the adjournment sought by Metuh’s lawyer in view of his state of health and since the prosecution did not oppose the request for adjournment.

The judge added: “A court of law must be firm in its decision. A court of law must be fair to parties in a matter placed before it. And, when occasion demands, a court of law must also be humane.

“I have seen the condition that the 1st defendant is in the courtroom. On the account of the condition in which I have seen the 1st defendant in the courtroom, I am inclined to exercise my discretion in his favour in adjourning this matter, at his instance, to enable him receive medical treatment.”

Justice Abang adjourned to March 14 for possible continuation of trial in the case.

February 5, 2018