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Tag: panel

  • Alleged sexual assault at Queens College: Panel lacks evidence to indict teacher

    The Ministry of Education, said the investigative panel into alleged sexual molestation on a female student of Queens College, Ikeja, Lagos could not establish any evidence to indict the accused teacher.

    The Minister of State for Education,  Prof Anthony Anwukah, who briefed newsmen on Friday in Abuja, said the mother of the victim failed to appear before the committee to prove her case.

    It will be recalled that Anwukah had on March 22, set up a committee to investigate the alleged sexual molestation of a student of the college.

    He said that the ministry would take appropriate actions following the recommendations of the committee.

    “The Investigation Committee did not establish any credible evidence against the accused teacher, considering the fact that Mrs Chinenye Okoye remained unidentified, faceless and inaccessible despite the committee’s best efforts and assurances to protect her identity and that of her daughter.

    “Consequently, the Investigation committee finds it difficult to recommend disciplinary action against the accused teacher as the complainant failed to come forward to prove this weighty accusation.

    “The committee could not establish any cover up of sexual molestation by the management of Queens College.

    “The Federal Ministry of Education notes and accepts all the recommendations of the committee and will take actions as appropriate,’’ he said.

    The minister asked anyone with information that could lead to the identification of the alleged victim or her mother or with any credible and substantiated evidence to approach the ministry.

  • N23.3b bribe: INEC chiefs to face disciplinary panel

    N23.3b bribe: INEC chiefs to face disciplinary panel

    EFCC quizzes 16 directors

    Some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials have been summoned to the agency’s Abuja headquarters in connection with the alleged N23.29billion bribe the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing.

    The EFCC has quizzed 16 top INEC officials, including 10 directors, over the scandal.

    Those invited are two Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and an administrative officer.

    The RECs are Gesila Khan and Austen Okojie, who have been under investigation by the EFCC and other security agencies.

    On the list too   is an Administrative Secretary in Delta State,  Uluochi Obi Brown.

    Khan has been  quizzed for allegedly collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe. Brown allegedly got   N111,500,000.

    Okojie’s infractions were unknown as at press time but the INEC management is said to have “a security report” on him.

    The officials will appear on Wednesday  before the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee chaired by a National Commissioner, Mustapha Lecky.

    More RECs and INEC officials may face the panel based on EFCC’s investigation.

    The indicted officials may be dropped by the Presidency if the allegations against them are established “beyond reasonable doubt”.

    The INEC management has stepped into the poll bribery scandal to cleanse the system of corrupt elements.

    REC Gesil Khan allegedly collected  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe; Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River state, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.

    A retired INEC official, Sani Isa,  was grilled for alleged N 406,206,000 bribe, allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC) in Kano State, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Apart from EFCC’s findings, the INEC management is also looking into the scandal which has battered the image of the commission.

    “The Secretary of INEC, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, has sent a letter of invitation to the affected RECs and Administrative Secretary.

    “Apart from the confidential report of the EFCC, I think INEC may revisit the report of a committee sent to Rivers and Akwa Ibom during the 2015 poll when there were issues in the two states.

    “So far, EFCC has not accused Okojie of involvement in the bribery but I think he is being invited to face the disciplinary panel on the basis of the report of the committee which looked into issues in Akwa Ibom during the 2015 poll when he was the REC in the state.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Although the chairman of the disciplinary committee is on a medical trip abroad, the INEC management may find a way out.”

    As at press time, the EFCC has quizzed 16 top INEC officials over the scandal.

    They include four directors at INEC headquarters, six directors at the state level and six Heads of Operations in the Southwest

    Another source said: “Actually, EFCC wrote a letter to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, seeking permission to interrogate these top officers.

    “They were all subsequently released to the anti-graft agency for a comprehensive session.

    “The outcome of the interrogation  led to the discovery that a former INEC chairman and two ex-National Commissioners coordinated  the bribery ring which led to the disbursement of the N23.29billion by Fidelity Bank.

    “The INEC management is awaiting EFCC’s report on these 14 directors before wielding the big stick if they are found guilty.

    “Sensing danger, one of the Administrative Secretaries implicated had offered to resign his appointment. This resignation will still not prevent his arraignment if he has a case to answer.”

    There were indications last night that the RECs might be dropped by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari if they are found guilty.

    Many directors might be fired too depending on the report of the EFCC and INEC management.

    “There is already tension in the system because many INEC officers benefited from the bribe. It was discreetly done but the scam has been uncovered by EFCC.

    “Those involved are jittery that their days are numbered because the administration of Buhari will not condone nonsense. In fact, a few directors have been seeking advice on whether or not to quit before being shown the way out.”

    A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke is believed to be central to the huge bribe of poll officials to alter the 2015 presidential election results.

    About $115m( N23.29b) was involved in the bribery, with four  oil firms contributing $88.35million.

  • Labour seeks panel on N56,000 wage

    Labour seeks panel on N56,000 wage

    Labour yesterday urged the Federal Government to constitute a tripartite committee to consider its proposed N56,000 National Minimum Wage proposal.

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba and Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Bobbio Kaigama spoke in Abuja at the 2016 May Day celebration.

    Wabba spoke on the theme: “Working class and the quest for socio-economic revival”.

    The NLC and the TUC last Tuesday submitted a proposal for N56,000 National Minimum Wage to the Federal Government.

    Wabba said the committee should comprise the government (Federal and state) the Nigerian Employers Consultative Assembly (NECA), the organised private sector and Labour.

    “During the last May Day, we had stated that as soon as the new government to be sworn in on May 29, 2015 settled down, we would table a proposal for a new National Minimum Wage demand.

    “The National Minimum Wage Act, which former President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law in April 2011, has a five-year reopener clause for new negotiations to review the minimum wage.

    “In fulfillment of the above provision, we recently submitted a N56,000 proposal as minimum wage to the Federal Government.

    “Our proposal of N56,000 is just N4,000 more than the figure we put out for negotiation in December 2008, which was N52,000.

    “This represents our awareness about the prevailing economic situation in the country,’’ he said.

    TUC President Bobbio Kaigama said the economic hardship and its attendant effects on workers had made nonsense of the N18,000 minimum wage.

    He said N18,000 had been operational for over five years and called for its upward review to N56,000.

    “This has become necessary as the present one formally lapsed on March 24.

    “Indeed, even before we submitted our proposal, we had expected the Federal Government to appoint a committee to handle the issue.

    “We anticipate that no state governor would dare claim that his state cannot afford the increase.

    “Each state government should be proactive and look inwards to the state’s bountiful alternative sources of income rather than relying only on statutory monthly allocations from the federation account.”

    Kaigama urged the Federal Government to start the negotiation, adding that any further delay would be counterproductive.

    Labour also requested the Buhari government to put in place strong measures to revive the ailing economy, saying the country is “bleeding” and needs urgent attention.

    Wabba said after it took office, the APC- led federal governmenthas not brought out a blueprint for the creation of the three million jobs annually contained in its manifesto.

    While admitting that the unemployment crisis in the country is a reflection of the wider national economic crisis, Wabba said: “we have persistently pointed out, there is hardly any household in Nigeria where there aren’t at least two or more unemployed persons who have graduated from various tiers of our educational system, looking for job placement for upward of  three to five years.

    “The ruling APC government in its manifesto promised to create three (3) million jobs annually. We have waited one year for the government to bring out its blueprints on how it intends to go about achieving this.

    “Congress will seek audience with Mr. President to get more information on this important matter. On our part as workers, we will be prepared and willing to contribute to any effort to create a ‘Job Creation Fund,’ nationally to tackle this problem.

    “Our worry as organized labour is that if no concrete convictions are secured in the many corruption trials going on, between now and the next 12-15months, those who have stolen these huge fortunes will start feeling that they can outlive the Buahri Presidency, and return to a regime of “business as usual” as far as corruption is concerned.

    He stressed that while in the last twelve months of the Presidency of President Buhari, INEC has been left to run its show as it deemed fit, the desperation of politicians of the two mainstream political parties gives of cause for concern, pointing out that “unless the unfinished reforms started with the partial implementation of the Justice Mohammed Uwais’ electoral reform committee are completed, we see dangers ahead.

    “Among these reforms waiting to be implemented is the establishment of the  Electoral Offences Commission.

    “For us in organized labour, unless our politicians know that there is real possibility that their electoral rascalities carry real penalties of jail terms or long term disqualification from contesting for public offices, the type of disgraceful mayhem witnessed during the recent election in Rivers and other states would continue unabated.

    “The pronouncements of Mr. President both during the campaigns and when he was sworn in as President,  tallied with our long held view that there was no subsidy on petroleum products even when we import 100% our national needs. Mr. President was also right to maintain that the majority of Nigerians because of their poverty cannot afford to pay more for petroleum products – via more price increase.

    “We believe that the corruption which has hindered the effective operation of the industry can be defeated. Wabba lamented the suffering of pensioners due to the non-payment of their pension benefits saying “like workers, our pensioners have been suffering. They are not regularly paid and when paid at all, such payments do not reflect what they should earn..

    “We recall that Mr President  graciously granted bail-out funds to states to enable them pay workers salaries and pension benefits to pensioners but very few ever adverted themselves to this responsibility.  So as we speak, most of our pensioners are in considerable pain and difficulty needing urgent intervention.

    “We therefore insist they be paid immediately. It is their right and not a privilege. Let us not forget for a minute that we are all potential pensioners.

    Wabba emphasized labour’s opposition to former governors and their deputies as well as other public officers receiving double pay, pointing out that “some of the largess paid by state governments to these former public officers ranges from 100% – 300% pension for life, houses in Abuja and states of origin among other incentives.

    He said “We find this double payment to public officials from tax payer’s money as the height of insensitivity to the plight of workers and the Nigerian poor, and a barefaced systematic thievery and looting of our common wealth by those elected or appointed to serve our country.

    “We hold the view that these serving public officers must be made to forgo their pension and severance allowances while working for the Federal government as it is morally reprehensible, ethically irresponsible and should not be accepted in the change project of the present dispensation.

    “We call on workers and their trade unions in collaboration with civil society organisations to intensify mobilisation to stop this abhorrent practice of bleeding and looting the already cash strapped economy of the state by a few a few greedy and self-serving public office holders”.

    President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Bobboi Kaigama sad Nigerians have lost hope of the country becoming a great nation, due to decades of rape of the national treasury by a privileged few, adding that even though Nigeria is a great nation, greatness is never achieved on a gold platter.  It is earned and must be consciously sustained.

    He argued that “the country is bleeding and there is no pretence about that. He who feels it knows it!  The poor masses of the country feel it in all spheres, and only very close monitoring of the economy, commitment and sincerity of purpose constitute the way out.

  • Budget panel to conclude work today

    Budget panel to conclude work today

    The Presidency may have to wait till today or tomorrow for the finetuned 2016 budget.

    The 20-man committee working on the document may resolve the grey areas and clean it up today.

    President Muhammadu Buhari was said to be “anxiously awaiting” the budget last night.

    According to sources, the 20-man team from the National Assembly and  the Federal Executive Council will hold final round of consultations on the grey areas today in Abuja.

    The committee will shun the public holiday to consider the National Assembly’s review of the budget.

    Members of the committee from the National Assembly are House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Lasun Yusuf, Senate Leader Ali Ndume, Sen. Danjuma Goje( Chairman, Senate Committee on Apprporiation), Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin( Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation) Sen. Biodun Olujimi,

    From the Executive are the Minister of Budget and National Planning Udo Udoma, Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Minister of Transportation  Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Labour and Productivity Chris Ngige, Minister of Agriculture  Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, and Minister of Health Isaac Adewole,

    A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said the National Assembly was working round the clock with the Executive to finish the job today.

    The issues, which the committee will finalize discussions on are as follows:

    • need for National Assembly to concede to the retention of the bulk of the proposals from the presidency;
    • restoration of priority projects, such as the rehabilitation of the  Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (N60billion voted); completion of Kano-Maiduguri Expressway(N16b voted but its liability is N20b); Lagos-Calabar rail project;
    • even spread of turnkey projects across the six geopolitical zones to avoid hurting any zone;

    *•Significant reduction or cancellation or spread  of projects hitherto arbitrarily awarded by the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin; and

    • establishing a principle that it is not the business of the National Assembly to tamper with the budget.

    The source said: “The National Assembly has conceded to the Executive to retain the bulk of the priority projects in their review of the budget.

    “In the first two meetings we had, there was tension but the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives tried to calm everybody down. He was very reasonable about it in conducting the session on the review of the budget.

    “When we meet on Monday, we will know whether the review is acceptable to us or not.

    “We are working assiduously to finalise consultations on the budget on Monday, irrespective of the holiday.”

    A member of the National Assembly in the committee said: “We are working , we are struggling. By tomorrow or Tuesday latest, the budget should be ready.

    “What we are trying to guide against is to avoid a misrepresentation or the hurting of any zone. We want all projects allocated with fairness to the six geopolitical zones. We hope the Executive will appreciate our position.”

    All efforts to get Udoma’s reaction were unsuccessful last night but a top government official  said: “We are optimistic that they will send in the report very soon. We know everybody is working hard to get the budget ready.”

    A source in the Presidency said: “The National Assembly is yet to submit the reviewed budget to President Muhammadu Buhari. He is eager or anxious to get  the document.”

  • Panel submits report on sexual assault claim at Queens College

    Panel submits report on sexual assault claim at Queens College

    The Federal Government yesterday received the report of the panel, which probed the sexual molestation allegation at Queens College, Yaba, Mainland, Lagos.

    The five-man panel was constituted last month to probe the allegation that a teacher, Mr Olaseni Oshifala, sexually assaulted an unnamed Junior Secondary Two (JSII) pupil.

    Her mother, who made the allegation on a blogger’s site, did not also give her name.

    The panel members were not named.

    Minister of State for Education Anthony Anwukah, who confirmed receipt of the report in an interview with reporters in Abuja yesterday, said the ministry would make its position known soon.

    Anwukah said: “I set up a committee as soon as that thing came up and the committee has been working and they have met their time frame. That is the report. The ministry will now look at the report and in the next couple of days be able to take a final action on that thing. The report by the committee I set was given to me this morning.”

    Anwukah also said the government would review the current education curriculum to embrace technical education.

    He explained that it was planning to include technical education and skill acquisition in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools because the current curriculum had not served Nigeria well.

  • Panel on airport security backs MMA2 for regional operations

    The Ministerial Committee on Airport Security has affirmed its support for the commencement of regional operations at the Murtala Muhaammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos.

    The Air Commodore H. Tukur-led committee, set up by the Federal Government to assess the security situation in all airports, also expressed satisfaction with the level of security at the terminal, operated by Bi-Courtney Services Limited.

    After its visit to the MMA2, last Thursday, it observed that the facilities at the airport are comparable to any other top airport around the world.

    The committee said nothing should have warranted further delay in the commencement of international operations at the terminal, judging by the facilities available for use.

    The committee was received by the Chief Operations Officer, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi, the Chief Security Officer, Mr. Olayinka Olatunji and other top management members of Bi-Courtney.

    A member of the committee, Mr.Akin Olateru, commended the efforts by the terminal operator to enhance passenger facilitation.

    “Due to the fact that the regional operation comes under facilitation, the committee is ready to take it up with the relevant authorities, he said”

    Areas visited by the committee during the assessment tour include: The ticketing hall, regional arrival and departure areas, the screening point and other security formations, the car hire area, drop-off zone, the self-check-in kiosks and the electronic screening machines.

    Addressing the committee, Mrs Awoniyi commended the Federal Government’s initiative, stressing that airport security and safety are key areas that the company had never taken for granted. She said the company is undertaking an extensive upgrade of CCTV camera for the terminal, due to the dynamic nature of airport operations and the introduction of new technology.

    She also told the committee that approval for regional operations at MMA2 was granted by former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka in May 2015 and that Bi-Courtney had invested over N200m in getting the terminal ready for the commencement of the operations.

    She added: “All relevantsecurity agencies,including Customs, SSS, Immigration, NDLEA and others have their offices ready for the regional operations, while some of them have, in fact, deployed personnel in the terminal. Some have also installed their scanning equipment and are ready for the commencement of operations.”

    “The truth is, starting regional flight operations at MMA2 is a win-win situation for all the parties involved. It is particularly beneficial for the airlines operating from MMA2 and Nigerians as a whole. The airlines are groaning under the weight of additional cost of having to use the international terminal to operate such flights. These airlines use the same aircrafts for their domesticas well as their regional operations, so consolidating the two operations in one terminal will ensure drastic reduction in their operating cost.”

  • N116b deals probe: Panel lists those to refund cash

    N116b deals probe: Panel lists those to refund cash

    Dasuki, Fadile, Matawalle, Yuguda, others named

    EFCC gets report on how $2.1b was released 

    Barely three days after the Presidency claimed that 300  persons and companies were implicated in N116billion “curious” contracts issued by  the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), details of the cash some of those indicted will refund have emerged.

    Also at the weekend, it was learnt a former Director of Funds in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mohammed Dikwa, admitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) that the controversial $2.billion released to ONSA under ex-NSA Sambo Dasuki were based on either presidential or ministerial orders.

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Thursday  claimed that the ONSA committee had recovered over N7billion from those indicted.

    The indicted companies are to refund N41 billion.

    The investigating agencies, including the EFCC, will determine whether N75 billion should be recovered from some of the companies.

    The Special Committee in the Office of the NSA found some persons and companies “guilty” of some infractions.

    Some of the alleged infractions:

    • breach of contract terms;
    • non-execution of contracts;
    • haphazard or partial completion of contracts;
    • collection of funds for unexecuted contracts;
    • diversion of funds for political purposes; and
    • sheer mismanagement of contract funds.

    The 300 persons and companies have been referred to investigating agencies, including EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC) and the police.

    Amounts to be refunded by some of the persons and companies are as follows: Acacia Holding Limited – (N600m and  N650m); Reliance Referral Hospitals Limited – N750m (16/4/2015); African Cable Television Limited -N350million; Dalhatu Investment Limited(N500m) -20/12/13 and N200m on 17/3/15;,Duchy Concepts Limited RC392281(N70m) – 17/3/15; Wehsec Farms Limited RC 713258(N200m); Stellavera Dev Company – N250m; Stellavera Dev Company- N250m; Societe d’Equipments internationaux – $6,954,000(21/4/2015), $30m(9/5/15); $50m(9/3/15); €1, 395, 346.84(11/12/13); €1,401,869(2/10/13); €2, 252,252.25; $16m (20/5/14); $38m(20/5/14); $36m(20/5/14); $5m(4/6/14); $10m(11/7/14).

    Some of the expected refunds from individuals are Dr. Bello Matawalle – N300m; Bello Fadile -N100m and Bashir Yududa N1.5 billion.

    A source in EFCC said: “Some of those indicted have outstanding cases under investigation by our agency. These allegations are intertwined and we may have to improve on a few clues.

    “The latest assignment is to recover the sums against these 300 persons and companies. A few of them had written to  the commission to refund some money illegally collected for jobs undone.

    “ In line with the mandate of the Presidency, we will get to the root of the allegations against those already referred to us. We will also collaborate with other investigating agencies.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Of course, some of these persons and companies will be prosecuted.”

    Meanwhile, a former Director of Funds in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mohammed Dikwa, has given an insights to the disbursement of the controversial $2.1billion and other funds to ONSA under Dasuki.

    Dikwa gave the details in a statement made to the EFCC on the ongoing investigation of the $2.1billion arms procurement cash and the trial of some suspects.

    He admitted to the  EFCC that funds were released to ONSA, led by Dasuki,  based on either presidential or ministerial orders.

    He said: “I am the Director of Funds from April 2013 to date. All releases were made based on approvals by relevant authorities.

    “Releases of funds are normally initiated  by relevant MDAs and go through presidential approval or ministerial approval or budgetary provisions, depending upon the nature of the requests.

    “Having obtained the necessary approvals, the OAGF will process the approval by drawing a mandate instrument and send to the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN).

    “The CBN will then pay the amount involved to the relevant agency. The agency will now spend the funds in line with the established Financial Rules and Regulations.

    “The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and other relevant agencies will also  conduct post-mortem examination of the books of accounts of such MDAs as to the appropriateness  or otherwise of such transactions.

    “All releases in favour of the National Security Adviser were based on approvals by the appropriate authorities.

    The following releases were made under the former Accountant-General of the Federation( Mr. J.O. Otunla) : $250,000,000 on 16/2/2015; $5,500,000 on 20/3/2015; $10,000,000 on 9/4/2015; $10m on 29/4/2015; $1,200, 000,000 in November 2013; $5.5m on 13/12/2013; $120m(15/11/2013)

  • Panel indicts 300 persons, firms for contracts’ scam

    Panel indicts 300 persons, firms for contracts’ scam

    Three hundred persons and firms have been indicted by presidential panel for “partial” or “non-execution” of the contracts awarded them by Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between 2011 and 2015.

    The committee has recovered over N7billion from those indicted.The indicted companies are to refund another N41 billion.

    These are contained in a statement issued last night by Mallam Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The committee, the statement said, recommended further investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to determine whether another N75 billion should be recovered from some of the companies.

    The committee, headed by Air Vice Marshal JON Ode, is different from the one investigating the breach of the Defence Arms and Equipment Procurement Act in the award of contracts ONSA.

    It found that one of the indicted companies, Societe D’Equipment International was overpaid by 7.9 Million Euros and $7.09 Million.

    It noted that many contractors were apparently over paid, while others were given full upfront payments contrary to their contract terms and agreements.

    The panel also uncovered evidence of payments to individuals and companies by ONSA without any contractual agreement or evidence of jobs executed.

    The committee discovered that some companies failed to fulfil their tax obligations for contracts executed.

    It recovered some of the funds from these individuals and organisations amounting to N3,537,549,223.04, $8,000,000.00 and houses worth 512,000,000 from 32 companies.

    The Panel also established that some individuals and companies received money without evidence of contractual agreements or jobs done.

    The amount received by these individuals was N7,104,925,000.

    It directed some companies that failed to execute contracts or did so partially to make refunds.

    The total amount to be refunded is N19,896,539,125.20, $43,771,433.73 and two houses in Abuja worth N260,000,000.

    Fifteen firms, the panel said companies were awarded contracts that require further investigation to ascertain their status. The total value of the contracts in this category was N11,726,571,161.00, $202,136,890.00 and €4,114,752.96.

    The companies include: “Abrahams Telecommunication Limited and Value Trust Investment Limited RC 1050628 and RC133792, Bilal Turnkey Contractors Limited RC 616389, Circular Automobile Limited RC 953549, Continental Project Associates Limited RC 1201210, Da’voice Network Solutions Limited RC 658879.

    Others are Foretech Investment Limited RC 759046, Forts and Sheild Limited RC 1148793, GDP Associated Limited RC 830715, Hakimco Automobiles – RC 904389, Hamada Properties and Investment Limited RC

    635720, International Resources Management Company RC

    228657, Investment Options Limited – RC 133484, Jakadiya Picture Company Limited RC 270972, JBE Multimedia Investment Limited RC 48875, Kamala Motors Limited RC 845545, Key Information Services Limited RC 297516.

    Also investigated are Leeman Communications Limited RC 499781, MCAF Associates RC 734745, Moortown Global Investment RC 968416, Syntec Nigeria Limited RC 220165, Trafiga Limited RC 1098961, Trim Communications Limited RC 261180, Securicor Emergency and Safety RC 431246, Sologic Integrated Services Limited RC 744982, Wada Autos Limited RC 1082513, Zukhruf Nigeria Limited RC 306244, 2020 Nigeria Limited RC 1090292 and A and B Associates Limited RC 279980.

    The individuals and companies that received payments without contractual agreements include: Bello Matawalle, Brig.-Gen. A.S. Mormoni-Bashir (the former Principal General Staff Officer at the ONSA, who is still  serving), Alhaji Umar Sani, Dr Yakubu Sanky, Baba Bala, Ambassador Clement Layiwola Laseinde (a Director in the ONSA), an architect from Baitil Atiq Travels and Tours.

    Others are Alhaji Shuaibu Salisu (the former Director of Finance and Administration at (ONSA), Col. Bello Fadile (rtd) (Special Adviser to Lt Col Sambo Dasuki; former NSA), Mr Otunla Jonah Niyi, Otunba Adelakun, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, Dr Tunji Olagunju, Miss Oluwatoyin Oluwagbayi, Lt Col MS Dasuki (rtd) (the former NSA}.

    Also listed are Maipata Mohammed Abubakar, Mohammed Suleiman from Musaco investment and properties, Ibrahim Abdullahi also from Musaco investment and properties, Alhaji Aliyu Usman, and 18 other officers that served in the ONSA.

    The companies that failed to execute contracts or did so partially, and have been asked to refund various sums are: A and Hatman Limited, Abuja Consulting Limited, Afro-Arab Investment, Agbede A Adeshina and Co, Aleppo Systems Nigeria Limited – RC 947255, Amp Africa Holdings and Solar Services, Apple Drops Nigeria Limited – RC 1102219, Apt Security Limited – RC 165189, Autoforms Integrated Enterprises Limited – RC 1234829, Axis Consulting Services Limited – RC 1151145, Belsha Nigeria Limited.

    1. Community Defence Law Foundation – RC/IT No

    56854, Complus International Service Limited, Cosse Limited – RC 316214, Daar Investment and Holdings Limited, Dalhatu Investment Limited – RC 404535, Destra Investment Limited, Development Strategies International Limited – RC 361191.

    Others are DFX/White Zebu BDC – RC787658/RC1049919, Duchy Concepts Limited RC392281, Fara Security Limited RC 694607, Fimex Gilt Nigeria Limited RC 143150, First Aralac Global Limited RC939512, Fix-HYL Global Investment RC1129654, Good year Properties Limited RC1168828, Image Merchant Promotions Limited RC 416703.

    1. Interglobal Limited RC 189188, Jos Peace Dialogue Forum CAC/IT/No75434, Kakatar Limited RC 443321, Leaderette Nigeria/Norden Global RC 422129/RC1119925, London Advertising Limited UK BASED, Mithra Oil Limited RC 620979, NigerLink BOG (Under Musaco Investment)

    RC 834592, Iban Global (Under Musaco Investment), Musaco Investment (Bank Charges), Mystrose Limited RC 475579, NAF Holding Company Limited.

    Also listed are: Peach Tree Communications Limited RC 410115, Perception BDC RC 740741, Pioneer Ventures RC 69776, Proptex Nigerian Limited – RC 116801, Prosedec Interglobal Limited RC 619845, Real Property Investment Limited RC 294761, Sinash Communications Limited RC 333134, Skytick International Limited RC 798693, Soject Nigeria Limited RC 74991, StellaVera Development Company Limited RC 713258.

    Others who defaulted on their contractual agreements include Teracon AG SWISS BASED, Wehsec Farms Limited RC 713258, African Cable Television Limited RC 1113903, BCN Nigeria Limited RC 50969, Brains and Hammers RC 655673, Concept Options Ultimate Limited RC 604167, Elizade Nigeria Limited RC 11544, Emerging Platforms Limited RC 922205, EMI System Nigeria Limited RC 248986, Hadassa Investment and Security RC 709085, Kala Consulting Solutions Limited RC 98562, Pioneer Ventures, Nan Bizcom Nigeria Limited RC 680708, Nerres Limited RC 1138835, Plectrum Consulting Limited RC 937931, Protech Consultant RC 301426, Summit Publications Limited RC 304671, Telios Development Limited RC 468351, Urban Abode Nigeria Limited RC 651613, RCN Networks Limited RC 439720, Sail International Limited RC 97863, Suburban Broadway Limited – RC 469689, Geronimo Middle East and Africa, Julius Berger RC 6852, Romgat Morgan Nigeria Limited RC 902020, and Stallion Motors Limited RC 178627.

    Contracts awarded to the following companies are to be further investigated: 2020 Nigeria Limited RC 1090292, Acacia Holdings Limited RC 940978, Africair Incorporated US Company, Augusta Westland Limited, Almond Project Limited, Bam Project and Properties, Bob Oshodin Organisation Limited RC 790662, Coral Builders Limited RC 397748, Dan Clington Nigeria Limited RC 940978, Law Partners and Associates BN/UY/004566, Magnificient 5 ventures Limited BN/2299463, MPS Global Services Limited.

    Others are One plus Holdings Nigeria Limited RC 695999, Quadsix Nigeria Limited RC 1177968, and Reliance Reference Hospitals.

  • Panel invites Ihejirika, Minimah, Dambazzau over arms deals

    Panel invites Ihejirika, Minimah, Dambazzau over arms deals

    Airhiavbere, Muraina, Bassey, Kitchener, Ugwu, Akinyemi, others summoned

    The Presidential Committee on Defence Equipment  Procurement in the Nigerian Armed Forces has extended its investigations to the tenure of three former Chiefs of Army Staff (COAS)  – Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika and Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah.

    The panel has summoned over 292 serving and retired top  officers who worked with the three former Army chiefs.

    It said it was in line with its mandate to look into procurement of arms, ammunition and equipment from 2007 to 2015.

    The committee has also asked more than 10 local and foreign companies to appear before it. They include the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

    According to sources, the Chairman of the committee, Air Vice Marshal JON Ode, has asked  the Nigerian Army Headquarters to direct all the officers to be present at the panel.

    The panel’s letter to the Army Headquarters said: “The invitees are required to clarify issues arising from procurement between 2007 and 2015 before the committee sitting at the ONSA daily.

    “AHQ is required to cause the appearance of the senior officers and CEOs of the companies before the committee on dates stated against their names. Your cooperation will be most appreciated.”

    It was gathered last night that some of the military chiefs will testify before the panel today.

    Procurement overheads to be probed include ammunition for Darfur operation, supply of training kits and equipment; purchase of 16MG and 29 RPG and 10Grenade Launchers; repair of seven assault craft; repair service and upgrade of 29 Suncraft ; purchase of 15 Freefall Parachutes; buying of MRAP vehicles with maintenace containers; order of Radio Technologies Equipment; purchase of 10 APCs by DICON; 51 GPMG and sustenance of Operation Zaman Lafiya; emergency procurement of Combat Equipment for Ongoing Ops; Operation Internal Security; Quick Response Group and Forward Operation Bases; HE Type Mortal and purchase of Bullet Proof Vests.

    Some of the retired officers invited are former Commander of the Army Finance Corps, Maj-Gen Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere (the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State; former Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps, Lagos , Maj.-Gen. Olayemi Abidoye; ex-Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General E. E. Bassey; former General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Major General Jack Okechukwu Nwaogbo; former Chief of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General M.A. Yerima; former Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General O Akinyemi; former Commandant, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC)Major-General A. A. Martins; ex-GOC 3 Amoured Div, Maj.Gen. AB Marwa; and former Chief of Policy and Plans at Army headquarters, Major General A. Atofarati.

    Others include former Commandant, Army Finance Corps, Gen. A.I. Muraina; ex- Directing Staff, National Defence College, Maj-Gen. Christian Onuorah Ugwu; former Director-General, Defence Industries Corporation (DICON), Maj.-Gen. Ekwenugo Chioba; former Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Major General Essien Bassey;  former  Chief of Logistics at the Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Daniel Kitchener; and former Defence Attaché at the Nigerian Embassy in Pakistan, Maj.-Gen. Daniel Kitchener.

    Some of the local and foreign firms slated for interaction, alongside their Chief Executive Officers,  are DICON;  Streit Group; China North Industries; Suncraft International Inc;  Shangai L Electronics; Poly Trechnologies Inc; NRTC Pakistan; Kennedy Logistics; DYS Global Service Limited; Driveline System; Hadassa Investment Security Nigeria Ltd; Oraco Trade Link Limited and M/S Jatori.

    Although some serving Army Generals are expected to appear before the panel, their names are being kept under wraps “for strategic reasons”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “All those invited have been served letters and some of them will appear on Monday (today).

    “Actually, most of them have nothing to do with fraud in the Nigerian Army but the panel cannot do a thorough job and be fair minded without hearing from them. For instance, all past commanders of Army Ordinance Corps from 2007 to 2015 were summoned by the panel. The Ordinance Corps has more or less to do with keeping inventory of arms,  ammunition and other equipment. All they need to do is to reconcile the records of arms purchased and those utilised.

    “The chairman of the committee, AVM Ode, is a thorough professional and a respected man of probity.  This is why the committee wants to meet with all key stakeholders who have had to take decisions on arms procurement.”

    Asked if the committee will interact with the three former Chiefs of Army Staff, the source said: “If there is need for it, Generals Dambazzau, Ihejirika and Minima will certainly be invited.

    “Please note, none of all those invited is facing trial. They will only interact with this fact-finding committee. At the end of the day, the panel will make recommendations to the President and Commander-In-Chief, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Where there are infractions,the C-I-C will make appropriate decision, based on facts and figures.

    “No one is the target; nobody has been labeled a thief or looter. We are looking into massive procurement issues in the Nigerian Army.”

  • Panel to probe allegations against NITDA’s chief

    Panel to probe allegations against NITDA’s chief

    Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu has set up a committee to probe alleged breach of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and financial abuse in the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    The minister was angered by the non-adherence to a letter ofAugust 14, 2015, by a former Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, who queried alleged breach of rules by the NITDA Director-General, Mr. Peter Jack.

    Jack was alleged to have  mismanaged state funds running into hundreds of millions of naira and breached civil service rules.

    A source close to the minister said a petition by Information Technology Law Practitioners Association of Nigeria, signed by its President, Fredrick Uyabeme and Secretary Olumide Aboyade-Cole, accused the director-general of fraud and administrative impunity in its six-page memorandum on NITDA and annexure attached as exhibits 1-12.

    The petition was also sent to the anti-graft agencies.

    Olaopa, in the letter to Jack, titled: “Reported Breaches in NITDA”, copy of which was made available to reporters in Ibadan at the weekend, stated: “It has come to my attention that there are several anomalies in your agency, which touch on the following: breach of public service rules pertaining to recruitment and secondment of staff; breaches of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and non-implementation of board directives as well as failure to seek approval of the ministry in absence of a board.

    “I have also been inundated with news of your invitation to answer to sundry queries for breaches, yet you have not deemed it fit to update me on issues so I can appraise our principal as required. Notwithstanding the foregoing, I am directing that you reverse all recruitment and secondment implemented without the approval of your board.

    “You are to also ensure that all procurement processes are implemented with strict adherence to the Public Procurement Act 2007; and furthermore, I am reminding you that the absence of a board does not confer the liberty to breach the NITDA Act nor the Public Service rules.

    “You are required to comply with the letters and spirit of the circular of July 16, 2015, on matters that would normally require the attention of the NITDA board.”

    But the minister was worried that months after the letter was issued by the former permanent secretary, “the director-general continues to treat the matter with disdain”.

    This attitude informed the minister’s resolve to set up a ministerial committee headed by the Director, Research and Statistics to probe the matter.

    The committee is expected to submit its report this week.