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  • NASS, Executive feud slowed down governance process – Buhari

    NASS, Executive feud slowed down governance process – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday blamed the standoff between the Executive and the National Assembly for the failure of government to deliver on its mandate as it has slowed down the process of governance in the country. 

    The President who spoke at the National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) however said the government was working hard to resolve the differences between the Executive and the National Assembly so that the country can move forward.

    Buhari acknowledge that the government has not met the expectations of many members of the party, but was quick to add that a few Nigerians however appreciate the depth of the wrath in the country when the APC took over government.

    He said: “I must acknowledge that the face of government has not met the expectations of many within our party. But few of us know or appreciated the depth of the wrath when we took office and that we spent the last two years bringing the country out of the mess we met it.

    “Furthermore, the standoff between the executive and the National Assembly slowed down the process of government. We are working hard to resolve the differences so that the country can move forward.

    The President paid tribute to the Nigerian people for massively support the government inspite of what he called distractions from proponents of business as usual.

    He said: “Nevertheless, I am not asking us to relax and take things easy. We all know that elections are looming in the horizon. We must therefore get our acts together. Accordingly, I implore all members of the party to give the Asiwaju committee full cooperation to resolve existing differences among our members in the states affected.

    “It is perhaps inevitable that there will be differences of opinion within the party. If we resolve them, then we can build a genuinely democratic party. But we must not lose sight of our common purpose as a party to break the mule of Nigerian politics and takes the country to new heights. Therefore, we have asked Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead this process of restoring order, manage differences and strengthen the party.”

    While expressing appreciation to the party leadership at all levels for service to the party, President Buhari said “In particular, I commend the National Chairman for steering the party from success to success. From our resounding election victory in 2015, we have won elections in Edo, Kogi and Ondo as well as the much improved performance in Anambra elections and the party has moved from the party in government to the party of the Nigerian people.

    “Much credit is due for our APC state chairmen for stabilizing the country and to our Armed forces and the police and other security agencies for stopping Boko Haram in the country and driving them from their bases. No country, no matter how well secured can isolate acts of terror as we have seen in the United States, Europe, Asia and here in Africa.

    “We must support our security agencies to safe guard our country so that the job of development as outlined in our manifesto can proceed without too much interruption. We cannot afford to fail in reminding Nigerians where we came from in 2015.

    “I am happy to report that slowly and steadily, we have managed to stabilize the country and redirect the ship of state. We have restored prudence to manage of resources and confidence in Nigeria has been restored.

    “On February 23, Nigeria floated a 12 year and 20 year Eurobond in the international market which were both oversubscribed. The 12 year bond was, within days over subscribed by 332 percent, while the 20 year bond was oversubscribed by 372 percent.

    “We have stabilize the naira and increase our foreign reserve from 20 billion dollars to 40 billion dollars. Inflation rate is down. With considerably less resources available to the country, we have improved all the indices towards a stronger economy.

    “Soon, primaries at the wards, local government, states and the Centre will soon be due. I urge all members to take account of the fact that APC has a history of conducting free and fair primaries whenever consensus about any position is not reached. Regardless of the outcome of the primary processes which is imperative, we should all work together to ensure victory for our party.”

    National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the party has a tough year ahead of it with the general election as well as governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states and appeal that party members do everything possible to minimize disputations within the party and do everything to ensure that the party is in fighting shape come 2019.

    “We obviously have a very tough year ahead of us. It is year of challenges, multiplicity of activities beginning from the month of April when the processes for replacing officers of the party whose tenure will expire by June, the process of conducting challenging elections in Ekiti in July, in Osun in September.

    “These elections are precursors of the national elections. It is therefore necessary that we treat them with great seriousness because they are elections we should do everything to win. They are signals and signposts, indicators of what is to come in 2019. Preparations are also well underway for those elections.

    “In an atmosphere like that, contests whether at party level or primaries to select candidates for all positions from the House of Assembly members to the exulted position of Mr. President always present challenges.

    “I want to make a passionate appeal that everything be done to minimize the stresses within the party. We must do everything to minimize the disputations within the party and do everything to ensure that we are in fighting shape come 2019.

    “For that reason, I want to say once more that we are fully behind and in support of the initiative taken by Mr. President in setting up a team headed by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to effect such a reconciliation that are necessary within the party.

    “We have had challenges; we have had storms and weathered the storms. We have a government that took over at a very difficult circumstances but today, we can proudly say that the basic foundation of a new Nigeria economy is finally in place.

    “We are not talking now of a foundation that is based on easy money, not a foundation based on crude which for a long time sent all of us to sleep but an economic foundation built on the sweat and labour, resources- material and otherwise, of the Nigerian people. That is the foundation that lasts. The economic indices tell a clear story”.

  • Why we are investigating Patience Jonathan – EFCC

    Why we are investigating Patience Jonathan – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed Monday that it was investigating former First Lady, Patience Jonathan for her alleged involvement in money laundering activities.

    The EFCC said its investigation of Mrs. Jonathan was informed by its discovery that she allegedly laundered money and bought property beyond her legitimate earnings.

    An investigator with the EFCC, Kolawole Mukaila, who is a member of a special task force constituted by the commission to investigate the ex-First Lady, disclosed this in a court document.

    Mukaila, who deposed to a counter-affidavit filed by the EFCC, said his special task force is “investigating alleged amounts of money laundered by the former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan into various accounts and property purchased, which are disproportionate to her known source of income”

    The EFCC investigator also described as misleading claim by Mrs. Jonathan that her property in Abuja has been demolished by a government’s agency at the instigation of the commission.

    Mukaila stated, in a counter affidavit it filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja that, as against Mrs. Jonathan’s claim, the property, housing some organisations linked to her was never demolished.

    Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) told the court on January 22 this year that a property owned by a group – A. Aruera Reachout Foundation/Women for Change and Development Initiative, linked with the ex-First Lady, has been demolished by an agency of the government.

    He said the property, an uncompleted structure, is said to be located on Shehu Yar’Adua Way along Mabushi-Kado Life Camp Expressway, Abuja.

    When asked by the court if he was aware of the alleged demolition, lawyer to the EFCC, Benjamin Manji denied knowledge of such development.

    Manji said he was hearing for the first time that the property, the subject of an ex-parte motion the EFCC filed, has been demolished.

    He said the property was a subject of an ongoing investigation of alleged money laundering case by the EFCC, which informed the motion for interim forfeiture now pending before the court.

    In view of EFCC’s position, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba directed that the true position be investigated and that parties should report to the court at next hearing date.

    It was in compliance with the directive of the judge that the EFCC filed its counter affidavit dated February 23, 2018. It was in response to an earlier affidavit by Ozekhome (dated. February 7, 2018) complaining about the alleged demolition.

    Mukaila stated that contrary to the claim by Mrs. Jonathan’s lawyer, the property in question, known as Plot No: 1758 Cadastral Zone A00 Central Business District, Abuja is still exist and was never demolished by any person or group of persons.

    He further stated that the position presented by Ozekhome, at the last hearing in the case (on January 22), “misrepresented facts in making the court to believe that the entire structure which the applicant (EFCC) applied to be forfeited was demolished by officers of the applicant in conjunction with Federal Capital Development Authority/Development Control (FCDA/DC).”

    Mukaila stated that what was demolished by FCDA/DC was a mini chalet situated behind the main structure due to non-approval.

    He added: “I personally visited the property and confirmed that the property known as Plot No: 1758 Cadastral Zone A00 Central Business District, Abuja is still exist and was never demolished by anyone

    “From my visit to the property and also as seen on Annexure EFCC 1 – 4 (photographs of the structure), what was demolished was a mini chalet situated behind the main building.

    “Upon enquiry from the FCDA/DC, I was reliably informed that the Development Control, under the FCDA, carried out the demolition of the chalet and the reason is that the building of the chalet has no government approval as specified by law,” he said.

    When the case was called yesterday, EFCC’s lawyer, Rimamsomte Ezekiel informed the court about the counter-affidavit, which he said has been served on the respondent.

    Ozekhome acknowledged service, but said he required time to respond because he was served late last Friday.

    He faulted EFCC’s claim in the counter affidavit.

    Ozekhome said: “The counter affidavit is a lie, because we are going to attack it for what it is.

    “If it was in those days when we have sufficient security, we would have asked that the court visit the site of the building.

    “They wantonly demolished two out of the four houses that constituted the structure.

    “What they did in their counter affidavit was to take the pictures from the back of the other two buildings that are yet to be demolished.

    “When we return on the next adjourned date, we shall argue that while the case is pending before the court, they do not have a right to demolish even a room in the building,” Ozekhome said.

    Justice Dimgba later adjourned to April 12 for hearing.

    Read Also: $11.489m: EFCC rejects Patience Jonathan’s settlement offer

  • IGP monitoring Unit bursts notorious kidnappers camp in Rivers

    IGP monitoring Unit bursts notorious kidnappers camp in Rivers

    Residents of Etche communities of Rivers State and their neighbouring Ukwa area of Abia state can now heave a sigh of relief, following the raid weekend of a notorious gang camp in the area by men of the Inspector-General of Police.

    The people have for a long time lived in intense fear of insecurity,  following the emergence in the area of a criminal group,  led by one Uchenna Okere (a k a Togo).

    The group who has reportedly held sway in the area have been endulged in all manner of criminality including kidnapping,  armed robbery,  killing,  cultusm among others has terrorized the communities to stupor without challenge.

    However help came to the residents last Friday following a midnilight raid of his camp by the IG monitoring unit in the state led by Ben Igwe,  Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

    The operation reportedly led to the rescue of a 17 year old daughter of a traditional ruler in Etcheland who was in the criminals custody for more than two weeks.

    The men also arrested a member of the gang and recovered arms and live bullets.

    Speaking to the nation, shortly after parading the suspects, Igwe said residents of the community were joyful over the police operations in the areas,  saying that it was the first time police or any other security agency has come to their aide,  since the uprising of Togo and his notorious gang in the place, adding that the exercise would bring about relative peace and security in Etched and it’s environs.

    He said, “If you know the joy if the people over the raiding you will understand that they have been living in great fear of insecurity in the place.

    “There is a notorious kidnapper,  cultist,  killer, name Uchenna Ekere (a. k. a.  Togo),  from Umuoko Etche, where he also built his camp, following a tip-off on the kidnap of the daughter of the traditional ruler of the area and that the people are helpless even when they suspected that the missing girl must be in his custody.

    “Following the outcry,  we left for the community about 1:am Saturday morning when we located their hideout, he engaged the police to a gun battle we over powered them,  they escaped we went in arrested one of them (Gift), and rescued the victim and recovers two guns and ammunition”

    He however vowed that the unit will not rest on its oars until Togo and other members of his gang are apprehended and peace is restored to the area.

    “It is not yet over,  we will continue to comb the area until the kingpin and his members were arrested.  They have ran away but relative peace have return to the communities around there,  even parts of Ukwa  area of Abia state,  where he holds way. He is referred to there as governor, and harvests levy from all the markets in that  axis in each market day,  we must make sure that his illegal reign in the area comes to an end and people there liberated,” he stressed.

    In a separate chat with the suspects, each denied the alleged involvement with the criminality of Togo and his men.

    The suspect said to be arrested from the burst camp,  Gift Nnodim said said,  “I am from Umuokom Etche, I am 21 years old,  I live at Umuokiri Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state, I am a training in welding.

    “I travelled home last Sunday to assist my mother to harvest Palm fruits. This morning (yesterday), while I was in my compound with other members of my family,  the policemen came and held me.  They did not tell me what my offence was,” he said.

    Asked his relationship with one Togo,  the notorious criminal, admitted that he is his kinsman, and a renowned culists.

    Asked his connection with the cultist vowed no involvement with him and his activities,  adding that “If my phone is here right now,  you would have dialed Togo’s number and confirm whether or not it is stored in my phone, at least if I have any dealings with him,  his phone number willl be in phone,” he noted.

    Also speaking another suspect,  Chidiadi James (22) a hair barber said narrating how he was arrested said, “I was arrested from bed this morning.” he said that he was arrested about 6: am Saturday.

    Narrating her ordeal in the hands of her abductors, the victim  said she was beating,  tied up and left in the custody if armed men,  but denied any form of assault on her.

    In her words,  “I was coming back from school, when they accused me with a motor bike and took me away to far away village from where I was kidnapped. There were 15 of them.  They were taking me from one house to the other,  one village to another. They did not take me to their camp in the forest, but one of them pointed to me the direction of their camp.

    “When we got to the first house,  they asked me to release the contact number of my father I told them that I am an orphan, they now said,  then you will be here and be cooking for them.”

    Asked if all she was doing in the over two weeks she was with them was to cook for them, said she was not untied anyway to cook.

    “I was beaten severally,  blindfolded at some point and threatened with death. Some of the boys also threatened to rape me,  this sparked heated argument among them,  that they almost fought each other,  but they later did not touch me.”

    Asked if she was fed by the kidnappers said,  she was barely fed, and that she eats only when food was  given to her adding that the stepple meal there was indomie noddles.

    To her,  her parents were not aware of her whereabouts having exhausted all their links to no avail.

  • Lack of internal democracy a major set back , says INEC

    Lack of internal democracy a major set back , says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described as a major set back the lack of internal democracy among the political parties.

    A Deputy Director at INEC, Mr. Shehu Wahab who spoke at The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) flagship programme, Nigerian Political Parties Discussion Series (NPPDS).

    The NPPDS seeks to promote healthy debate amongst leaders of political parties on national development issues ahead of the 2019 general elections. The theme for this edition of NPPDS is: Internal Party Democracy: Who Fares Better Among Political Parties in Nigeria?

    Wahab noted that conducting a credible election is not the work of the electoral body alone but that of all.

    He stressed that every stakeholder has a role to play to ensure that political parties conducts their activities transparently and openly for all to see.

    He said, “Ensuring that Nigeria has a credible election is not the work of INEC alone, the truth is that people are not willing to play their own part and there is little INEC can do in that regard.”

    Adding her voice, CDD Director, Ms. Idayat Hassan noted that the lack of internal party democracy is one of the most important challenges bedevilling Nigerian democracy.

    “Since the advent of  democracy, political parties are perceived to be governed by a select few often referred to as godfathers or godmothers, who decides who get what and influence the operations of party structure.

    “The challenge of internal party democracy manifest in the decision-making processes within the party structure, candidate selection processes, party primaries and inclusion of Youth, Women and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD). This failure to democratise has not only weakened the party structure and its ability to institutionalise but is also partly responsible for the proliferation of political parties in the country,” she added.

    Ms. Hassan said the essence of the vent was to start a discussion ahead of the 2019 elections on what political parties had to offer to the masses.

    She said, “In the lead up to the 2019 elections, there has been lots of discontent in the polity about political parties and the option they represent to Nigerian voters. In line with our mandate as a platform to facilitate robust engagements on topical issues in the polity, CDD is organising this edition of NPPDS between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Party (APC) and other political parties in Nigeria to address the following questions

    Also, Samuel Dabeng of Savana Centre for Democracy and Development said there is still a lot to be done by all the political parties in the area of internal democracy.

    He said, ” there is a lot to be done in the area of internal democracy. I think from the public response there is still have to address that. There seems to be some disagreement in the process of bringing out election and part of the things that is affecting democracy is the level of contribution or control of the political parties by some bigwigs, which I think other people should be allowed to have a say in the process.

    ” A lot still needed to be done to throw the political parties open to the people by making the processes of registering for membership accessible.”
    This he said should be a priority for the political parties if they really want to have a culture.

    On the role of Money bags, he said “Parties looking for votes would always want to look for the most convenient way of getting their votes. I appeal to Nigerians not to accept their money, because if they do, they sell their right.”

    On his part, Mr. Jaye Gaskiya a political analysts posited that lack of internal democracy remains a major gap in the country’s political process.

    He said, “So it is a major gap really, so what today has shown is that one of the things we really need to pay attention to and immediately begin to address is the question of party reforms anc the only way parties can be reformed is by opening up their membership to Nigerians.

    “Parties must be transparent. There is absolutely no reason why an ordinary Nigerian for example a researcher should not be able to access online the register of a party.

    “You can protect it so that people should not be able to change what is there but people should be able to go online to say so this party has so many numbers of people, the percentage of women, the percentage of people with disability, the percentage of youth that are members of the party and the rest of that. Information like for example how is the party funded should be available. It should be able to tell us, for example dues and internal contribution contributed 50% of party resources in the previous year.

    “We must move to that level, and then the next thing, citizens of Nigeria themselves we need to start sanction political parties. Why should you vote for political party that you cannot access, why should you vote for the candidates of parties you cannot access. So those are the things we need as citizens that we should begin to consider. But without that political cost, parties will not change.”

  • Lalong creates six new ministries in Plateau

    Lalong creates six new ministries in Plateau

    Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau has created six additional ministries to the 17 ministries in the state,  bringing the total to 23. Five of the ministries were carved out from the existing ones.

    Mr Rufus Bature, Secretary to the Government of Plateau, announced the creation of the new ministries in a statement in Jos.

    Bature said that the creation of ministries was in line with government determination to reinvigorate its machinery to deliver on the five policy thrust of the administration.

    The statement said that a Ministry of Transport has been carved out from the Ministry of Works and Transport.

    “Ministry of Mineral Development is to be excised from the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Development.

    “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has been carved out of the present Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

    “A Ministry of Economic Planning has been created out of Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and State Planning Commission”.

    According to the statement, a Ministry of Science and Technology has been created out of the present Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

    Bature  added that an entirely new Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs has also created.

    He  said that the new ministries will take off immediately.

    It would be recalled that before the creation of the ministries,  Gov Lalong had submitted a list of 23 Commissioner nominees to the Plateau House of Assembly for approval instead of the 17 nominees he submitted in 2015.

    NAN.

  • Oyegun assures Tinubu of support

    Oyegun assures Tinubu of support

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has assured former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of his full support in the reconciliation efforts within the party.

    Oyegun, in a letter dated February 23, 2018 was however silent on the issues raised by the APC leader in his letter.

    The Nation learnt that Oyegun’s letter was written after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa on Friday afternoon after Friday prayers

    A copy of the two paragraphed letter sited by The Nation reads: “I thank you for your letter dated February 21, 2018, for your prayers and good wishes for my health. I wish you the same and pray that our good God keeps you strong and grants you His peace.

    “Let me once again formally congratulate you on the peace making assignment Mr. President has entrusted you with. It is most challenging but I believe you will ultimately justify the confidence reposed in you by Mr. President. In this you have my fullest support.

    “Be assured, dear Asiwaju, of my highest regards now and always”

    Tinubu had, in a well publicised letter accused the APC national chairman of frustrating reconciliation efforts by taking decisions regarding some state chapters the party.

    Also, the Cross Rivers state chapter had accused the national leadership of undermining the reconciliation efforts by ordering a Congress to elect a chairman for the party in the state barely one month to the end of the tenure of the present executive in the state.

    Read Aslo: Tinubu to Oyegun: stop frustrating peace moves

  • DAPCHI:  Parents demand release of missing children

    DAPCHI:  Parents demand release of missing children

    Angry parents of abducted students at Government Girls Science Technical College Dapchi have demanded the true position of their missing children from Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam.

    Ibrahim Gaidam on Thursday visited Dapchi to meet with the parents of the missing girls and Dapchi community to commiserate with them over the unfortunate incident.

    The parents who gathered at the front of the palace of the emir of the town were however not satisfied with the message of the governor as many of them left the palace in anger tears and sorrow.

    According to some of the parents, their grief and annoyance was aggravated by the “hopeless” message the governor presented to them.

    “The message of the governor was clearly hopeless and full of lies. How can he tell us that he is not sure whether our children are missing or not, one of the parents said?

    The minister of information Alhaji Lai Mohamed also led the Federal delegation to Dapchi where he met with Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam at the school.

    The minister who fielded questions from reporters at the school said Boko Haram have been defeated. He added that Boko Haram was looking for oxygen to breath having been pushed out of Sambisa and other fringes.

    On the number of girls missing, the minister said, “What we know as at today (Thursday) is that some of the girls are still unaccounted for. That is because some of them are still trickling back to the school,” the minister told journalists without giving detail of the number of girls rescued or seen.

    “What we know for a fact now is we cannot account for some students but since two days ago students have been reporting back to school.

    We also have it on record that some of them have phone from their hiding place, some from Damaturu, some from other locations. But, as things develop we will let you know.

    But, we cannot categorically say ‘X’ number of students have been abducted but we can say not all students have returned”, the minister said.

    He said the responses from the military and Yobe State government was commendable. “Since this thing happened, I’ve been in touch with the governor, the theatre commander and the GOC (General Officer Commanding).

    “I think we should take it in context, to me, the most authoritative position is the one given by both the governor, theater commander and the GOC. What we know is that some students cannot be accounted for. That is because some of them are still returning back”, he added.

    The Minister  also said  the attack on the school by the insurgents is just to embarrass government and attract attention across the world, stressing that  “with the determination of the gallant soldiers the days of Boko haram is over.

    In the meantime, Yobe State Government have apologise for the statement earlier issued on the rescue of some of the abducted girls.

    In a statement signed by Abdullahi Bego, the Spokesman to Gov. Ibrahim, Gaidam, said they were misled by a top security agent on the issue.

    The statement read in full:

    “The public may recall that we issued a statement last night in which we announced that some of the girls at Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC) Dapchi who went missing after Boko Haram terrorists had stormed their school last Monday were rescued by officers and men of the Nigerian Army who are currently executing the war against the Boko Haram Insurgents.

    “We issued the statement on the basis of information provided by one of the security agencies that is involved in the fight against Boko Haram and which we had no reason to doubt.

    “We have now established that the information we relied on to make the statement was not credible. The Yobe State Government apologises for that.

    “His Excellency Governor Ibrahim Gaidam was in Dapchi today where he met with community leaders and the Principal and staff of the Girls’ College. The governor also addressed the parents of some of the schoolgirls that are still unaccounted for where he told them to pray and exercise patience as the government and security agencies at all levels continue the work to address the unfortunate situation.

    “His Excellency Governor Gaidam has also directed Education Ministry officials and the school administration to work closely with the security agencies to establish the actual number of the girls that are still unaccounted for and to contact parents and the community for possible information that could be useful in the investigation.

    “His Excellency Governor Gaidam shares deeply and personally in the grief about the unfortunate event at the Girls’ College and, under his leadership, the Yobe State Government will continue to do everything necessary in partnership with security agencies and the federal government to address the situation”.

    Read Also:111 schoolgirls missing at Dapchi after Boko Haram raid

  • ‘Ex-Daily Times workers not queried before sack’

    ‘Ex-Daily Times workers not queried before sack’

    The National Industrial Court in Lagos, Thursday heard that two ex-workers of Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN) Plc, Patrick Nduka Uzuakpundu and Babatunde Scott, were not issued queries before they were disengaged by the firm.

    DTN Group General Manager, Innocent Nwankwo, stated this Thursday during cross examination by Uzuakpundu and Scott’s counsel, Samuel Ogueri.

    Uzuakpundu and Scott, both journalists, have asked the court to compel DTN to pay them accumulated salary arrears of N910, 000 each.

    They are also seeking an order compelling the firm to pay them N40, 000 each as one month salary in lieu of notice of disengagement.

    At the commencement of proceedings yesterday, Nwankwo said he became the firm’s Group General Manager in 2017.

    But when Ogueri confronted him with a copy of a December 4, 2017 edition of the paper, the Nwankwo said: “My name falls in there as the technical adviser to the publisher.”

    Nwankwo also stated that the claimants were not issued a query by DTN.

    Following further cross examination, the witness read out two letters of employment and two letters of disengagement, allegedly issued by DTN to the claimants.

    Both disengagement letters referred to Uzuakpundu and Scott as Copy Editors.

    Justice Mustapha Tijani adjourned till April 19, for adoption of final written addresses.

    In their August 10 statement of claim, Uzuakpundu and Scott averred that they worked for the defendant from November 17, 2014 until they were disengaged on August 11 and 12, 2016, respectively.

    The letters of disengagement, they claimed, were dated August 4, 2016.

    They said DTN, by letters of October 13, 2014, appointed each claimant as Copy Editors with a monthly remuneration of N120,000 each following which they resumed duty on November 17, 2014.

    Read Also: Daily Times: Court to rule on Anosikes’ objection September 30

  • Diezani cash: EFCC rejects ex-minister’s settlement offer

    Diezani cash: EFCC rejects ex-minister’s settlement offer

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday rejected an offer for an out-of-court settlement by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide, who was accused of money laundering.

    Akinjide was charged along with former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is said to be at large, a former Senator Ayo Adeseun and a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Chief Olarenwaju Otiti.

    They were accused of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

    Justice Muslim had adjourned to enable parties conclude the settlement talks after Akinjide’s lawyer Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) reported that the N650million had been returned.

    Thursday, EFCC’s lawyer Nnaemeka Omenwa, who stood in for Rotimi Oyedepo, said he was instructed to turn down the proposal.

    “I have instruction to reject the proposal as it’s not in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Based on that, we’re ready to go on with the trial, subject to your Lordship’s overriding convenience,” he said.

    But defence counsel Ayorinde and Michael Lana (for second defendant) accused Oyedepo of a breach of agreement.

    Ayorinde said the defendants made a proposal to the prosecution in line with Section 14 of the EFCC Act.

    “For the purposes of your Lordship’s record and because of the public interest that this case seems to unnecessarily attract, our proposal was made in accordance with established laws and there is no fixation on Section 270 of the ACJA.

    “We’re very confident that this case is a sham and we’ll defend it vigorously. It’s political and we’ll show that it’s unnecessary and a waste of time and resources of the court,” Ayorinde said.

    Lana accused EFCC breaching an agreement reached by parties with regards to the settlement, saying it amounted to a “betrayal”.

    He said the defendants agreed to withdraw a civil suit against EFCC and Oyedepo after the prosecuting counsel indicated that the commission was open to an out of court settlement.

    “Their refusal to consider the terms of settlement is to say the least a betrayal of trust by a lawyer. A representation was made to us that we should withdraw a civil suit we filed. Oyedepo is the first defendant in the suit.

    “He made a proposal to us which we believed. On the day of the first arraignment in Ibadan, Oyedepo and Chief Ayorinde informed the court that they had agreed to settle. But the judge decided that the defendants should be arraigned while the talks continued.

    “We withdrew the suit and the money they requested was paid. That’s why we were surprised when we received a hearing notice. A lawyer’s words should be sacrosanct. That’s an abuse of office. Oyedepo was the initiator of the settlement. That’s like 419. We’re highly disappointed with Oyedepo,” Lana said.

    But, Omenwa denied that the case was politically motivated, adding that there was no proof to support the claims against Oyedepo.

    “The EFCC is not a political party. We’re an independent organisation and are not out to witch-hunt anybody.

    “There is no documentary evidence that they had any such agreement with Oyedepo that they should withdraw their suit. There’s no evidence before my Lord,” he said.

    In short ruling, Justice Hassan said since settlement talks had “broken down,” EFCC was at liberty to call its witness.

    Trial began immediately with Omenwa calling the first witness, a banker Mrs Kehinde Adeniyi, who said she is the Head of Customer Relations at her bank’s Dugbe, Ibadan branch. She said she knew Akinjide and Adeseun.

    Asked to narrate her connection with them, she said: “On March 26, 2015, I received a call from our Head of Operations Mr Martins Izuegbe that we should pay the sum of N650million to Akinjide, Adeseun and Hon Taiwo Yinka once they produce two means of identification and sign a receipt of payment.

    “They came, signed and the payment was made. The payment was in naira. They came with their Hillux van to pick up the cash in a box.”

    The receipt of payment was tendered in evidence.

    The witness said under cross examination by Chief Ayorinde that she made three statements at the EFCC, which were also tendered in evidence.

    Adeniyi said she merely carried out instructions, and that she did not know the source of the funds.

    She added that she knew Mrs. Alison-Madueke, and that she did not know how the money was used.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until March 8 and 9 for continuation of trial.

    Read Also: Diezani cash: EFCC re-arrests ex-INEC chief for ‘diverting’ N450m

  • AIB begins investigation into DANA Air incident

    AIB begins investigation into DANA Air incident

    The Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB has commenced investigation into the Dana Air incident at the Port- Harcourt Airport on Tuesday February 20.

    The spokesman of AIB, Tunji Oketumbi said a team from the Commission led by the director of operations of AIB, Capt, Dayyabu Danraka is already on ground in port Harcourt for the investigation into the incident.

    The team is expected to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the incident and make recommendations to forestall future occurrence.

    The commencement of the investigation followed the official report of the incident by the Airline to AIB.

    The Dana incidence is coming barely a week after Delta Airline also had serious incident and had to make an air return to the Murtala Muhammed Airport for an emergency landing.

    It will be recalled that a Dana aircraft with registration number 9J0363, flying from Abuja to Port Harcourt airport skidded off the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport Tuesday February 20 2018.

    The airline attributed the incident to bad weather situation and torrential rain at the time of landing.

    Meanwhile no casualty was recorded as all passengers and crew disembarked safely.