The Nation Newspaper

Tag: panel

  • Probe: Amaechi’s aide, council chair snub Omereji panel

    The Justice George Omereji-led Judicial Commission of Enquiry has ordered former Rivers State Commissioner of Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda, to appear before him on Friday to explain how the N4 billion agricultural loan acquired by the Chibuike Amaechi administration for farmers was diverted or disbursed.

    The panel said the ex-commissioner would be arrested if he failed to appear before it.

    Also summoned are: former local government chairmen and ex-commissioners through who the funds were allegedly disbursed.

    Governor Nyesom Wike inaugurated the panel on June 19 to investigate the Amaechi administration for allegedly selling the state’s assets and other related matters.

    The panel began sitting on Monday, following the failure of two court cases filed to stop the members from sitting.

    The commission, on its first day, began hearing on how N2 billion of the N4 billion Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme’s fund was disbursed.

    The panel’s agenda for the day reads: “The disbursement or use by the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture of N2 billion Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme Funds.”

    Permanent secretaries in the ministries of Agriculture and Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Atonye Tari-Okoye and Mrs. Cordelia Maurice Peterside, as well as a director in the Ministry of Agriculture, who served as chairman of Agriculture Loan Disbursement Committee, Chijioke Grant Amadi, testified before the panel on Monday.

    Mrs Tari-Okoye denied any involvement in the disbursement.

    She explained that although she was the permanent secretary in the ministry, she was not a member of the committee and could only confirm that N1 billion of the N4 billion loan acquired from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was set aside for the building and stocking of fish farms in three local government areas of Opobo, Ubima in Ikwerre and Andoni.

    The two of the three farms, it was learnt, have been completed and stocked except that of Opobo.

    Mrs Tari-Okoye said part of the remaining N3 billion was used to pay Oniga Investments, the company that managed the farms while some money was spent on bank charges.

    According to her, the money left for disbursement to farmers was below N3 billion.

    In their separate evidence, Peterside and Amadi said the N2 billion was disbursed to farmers as grants through 380 registered Mother Farmer Cooperative Societies, including former local government chairmen and ex-commissioners.

    Mrs Maurice Peterside said the registration certificates of the 38 mother corporative societies, which received the funds, could not be traced in the ministry.

    The panel, on Monday, announced that Chinda and the former local government chairmen and state commissioners indicted in the evidence had been invited to appear before the commission to give their evidence.

    They were expected to appear yesterday. But at the yesterday’s sitting none of the respondents was present, they shunned the panel.

    Chinda filed a notice of summons to the commission and its members, alleging infringement on his fundamental right to fair hearing.

     

     

     

     

  • Senate raises panel to review aviation sector

    • Upper Chamber begins six-week holiday

    Worried by what it called a “worrisome and unstable position of the aviation industry, the Senate yesterday raised a committee to take a critical and holistic examination of the sector.

    The decision followed a motion sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South) on “The worrisome and unstable position of the Nigerian aviation industry.”

    Na’Allah said that the Senate should be worried that the growth and development of domestic airline operators in the country has remained stunted, praying the  chamber to ensure total review of the extant laws which guide the operations of domestic and international airlines in the country.

    He listed Sosoliso, Concord, Slok, Okada, Chanchangi as some of the airlines in the country that liquidated a few years after take-off.

    In his contribution, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremmadu, said that despite the recent infrastructure upgrade carried out by the last administration on some major airports, Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport remains one of most ill-equipped in sub-Sahara Africa.

    Ekweremmadu noted that “Nigerians are very active people, so our transport sector must be very active.”

    He stressed that the need to sustain a national career at least for the image of the country.

    Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) also said that “a National Carrier is not just about the economy, it is the pride of the Nation.”

    He urged the Senate to investigate all former interventions in the aviation sector.

    Senator David Jonah Jang told the chamber that airline operators allegedly diverted the money meant for the resuscitation of the industry into other sectors, leaving their airlines in a state of comatose.

    The investigation committee is to be headed by Senator Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central), while others members are: senators Chukwuka Utazi, Bala Na’Alla, and Akanbi Adesoji and Stella Odua (Anambra North.

    Meanwhile the Senate adjourned plenary to resume on September 29, 2015.

    The upper chamber resumed plenary on July 28 from their July 25 adjournment.

    The Senator had earlier adjourned plenary of two previous occasions after their controversial inauguration of June 9th, 2015.

    Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, however described the six week recess as normal. He said that the upper legislative chamber used to adjourn for eight weeks, but they decided to go for only six weeks.

    He said that no meaning should be read into the recess because it was not unusual.

    On their moved to amend the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Act, Ndume said that it was meant to block all the loopholes of leakages in the Act.

  • Panel to probe Jos chlorine leakage

    Panel to probe Jos chlorine leakage

    The Plateau State government has constituted an administrative panel to investigate the chlorine gas leakage which claimed eight lives. The 11-man panel is chaired by Mr Jimmy Cheto, an engineer.

    The chlorine gas leakage at Jos Water Treatment Plant that affected over 100 residents was initially thought to be a saboteur’s handiwork. It was rather a case of negligence and possibly sheer ignorance of the chemical capacity of the gas. Those who use of the chlorine in treating water for human consumption may not know the chemical beyond its usage.

    Laboratory scientists and chemists say the chemical is also a weapon of mass destruction, which can wipe out many humans, animals and plants, as was the case in the leakage in Jos killed human beings, plants and animals.

    Chlorine gas is described as a “highly irritating, greenish-yellow poisonous gas existing as a diatomic gas and capable of combining with nearly all other elements, produced principally by electrolysis of sodium chloride and used widely to purify water, as a disinfectant and bleaching agent, and in the manufacture of many important compounds including chlorates, sodium hypochlorite, and chloroform”

    A laboratory scientist in the Laboratory Science Department of University of Jos, Mr. Danjuma Kumbak said, “Chlorine is very poisonous, being highly irritating to the nose, throat, and lungs, and causing suffocation. It is used in purifying water, as a disinfectant, and bleach.

    He said, “The chemical is only useful to humans when it is dissolved in water, but it is poisonous to human beings when consumed in its raw stage. Such accident can occur through sabotage or careless handling of the chemical.

    “I know that small amounts of chlorine gas can be made in the laboratory by combining hydrochloric acid and manganese dioxide.”

    Historians have revealed that chlorine gas was used as a chemical weapon during the First World War by Germany. Recently, during the Iraq war of 2007, chlorine gas was used in the form of chlorine bombs by insurgents against the local population and coalition forces in the Iraq War. On March 17, 2007, for example, three chlorine-filled trucks were detonated in the Anbar province, killing two and sickening over 350. Other chlorine bomb attacks resulted in higher death tolls, with more than 30 deaths on two separate occasions.

  • Panel probes Ado Poly crisis

    a ministerial fact-finding committee to investigate the causes of the crisis rocking the Federal Polytechnic, Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti State, yesterday began work.

    The Rector, Dr. Theresa Akande, has been at loggerheads with the unions, which accused her of corruption, financial reckless and nepotism.

    This has led to the long closure of the institution and disruption of its academic calendar.

    The committee raised by the Ministry of Education, which is led by Olu Nipede, visited the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, with the Polytechnic management.

    Oba Adejugbe urged the panel to do everything humanly possible to ensure the return of peace to the institution.

    The monarch said the community had appointed Dr. Ibikunle Ogundipe to represent its interest on the committee.

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have called on the panel to do its job dispassionately.

    Acting under the aegis of the  Joint Action Committee (JAC), the unions expressed optimism that the probe panel would be fair in its assignment, uncover the “rot” in the system and chart a new course for the institution.

  • Presidency denies allocating N3bn to panel

    THE Presidency has denied the allegation that it allocated N3 billion to the transition committee.

    A social media message claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration allocated the money for members of the transition committee to prepare handover notes to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the allegation as pure fiction and blackmail.

    He said no meeting between both camps has been held.

    “This is pure fiction and blackmail. No such meeting or conversation ever took place. Whoever wrote the copy obviously has never heard of being magnanimous in victory. A charlatan certainly,” he stated.

    The social media broadcast reads: “NOW, I’M CONVINCED WE DIDINT MAKE A MISTAKE…

    “Buhari was at the villa in connection to setting up a transition committee for handing over. At the meeting, Goodluck asked for the list of representatives of APC and the required remuneration.

    “Buhari was surprised that Goodluck’s list and corresponding cost was put at N3 billion for a job estimated to last only  two months. Goodluck then asked why Buhari’s list didn’t show corresponding cost.

    “Buhari answered that his team was made up of volunteers and their feeding would be by individuals/self even if they have to bring in leftover food from their homes. No word has been heard from presidency since then.

    “This is the beginning of purposeful leadership….”

     

  • Nigerian leads global panel of health experts

    Nigerian leads global panel of health experts

    Laolu Osanyin, Nigerian, lawyer, has been appointed as the lead of the Global Panel of Health Law Experts by the American College of Legal Medicine.

    Osanyin’s appointment into the prestigious group was at the 55th Annual Conference of the American College of Legal Medicine at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas United States of America recently.

    Also appointed into the Global Panel of Health Law Experts was Prof Kate Diesfeld from New Zealand and Dr. Santosh kakade from India.

    Speaking as a guest speaker at the conference with the presentation of a paper titled: ‘The Development of Health Law in Nigeria- The Open Season of Malpractice Suits’, Osanyin opined that there is a new medicolegal environment in Nigeria, evidenced by the steady and consistent increase in petitions and litigations against Nigerian doctors.

    Some of the reasons alluded to this increase in patients awareness are the increase in literacy level amongst Nigerian patients and their families, medical tourism which allows patients to compare standards of treatment given in Nigeria with those rendered in other countries, the effectiveness of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, amongst other reasons.

    Mr. La-olu Osanyin is the Course Director of the Medicolegal Department of Medical Tutors Ltd which is accredited by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria as a Continuous Professional Development Provider.  He also serves on the Editorial Board of Medical Malpractice Law Report published under the authority of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

  • Panel orders transfer of land

    The Justice Oyejide Falola Judicial Commission of Enquiry on Ipetumodu and Asipa communal dispute has ordered that Songbe in Ejigbo Local Government should take over  the land allocated to the community by the surveyor-general.

    The commission upheld yesterday the recommendation of the surveyor-general on the dispute between Songbe and Osuntedo.

    It directed the solicitor-general to ensure that nobody obstructed its order, adding that whoever foments trouble should be arrested and prosecuted.

    The absence of Osuntedo at the peace meeting was condemned.

    Kuta and Ile-Ogbo submitted names of their representatives, who will work to resolve disputes between the two communities.

    Chief Johnson Opakanmi is to lead the team from Ile-Ogbo and Chief Abel Fatoyinbo, the Kuta team.

    Also, Chief Afolabi Adedeji submitted a letter of apology on behalf of Ipetumodu.

    He pleaded with the commission to approve Friday for Akinola Market day.

    Justice Falola said the commission would deliberate on the letter and communicate  to Ipetumodu but said Akinola market would be closed until the commission directs otherwise.

  • Vacation Judge can’t set up panel, says Falana

    Vacation Judge can’t set up panel, says Falana

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has said that a vacation judge does not have any power to set up an impeachment panel.

    In a statement in Lagos yesterday, Falana said it is wrong and a violation of the law for the leadership of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to direct a vacation judge to set up a new panel to investigate Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

    According to him, “it is ultra vires, illegal and unconstitutional on the part of a vacation judge to usurp the powers of the chief judge by setting up an impeachment panel.

    He stressed that only the Chief Judge of a state, and no other  judge, is permitted to set up an impeachment panel under the Constiution.

    The activist recalled that the seven-member  panel set up by the chief judge of Nasarawa state to investigate the allegations of impeachable offences levelled against Governor Tanko Al-Makura has concuded its assignment.

    “Since the House of Assembly ignored the directive of the panel to substantiate the allegations against the governor, the panel dismissed them.”Once the governor has been exonerated by the impeachment panel no further proceedings shall arise from the allegations by virtue of section 188(8) of the Constitution.

    “However, completely dissatisfied with the clean bill of health given to Governor Al-Makura by the impeachment panel, the House of Assembly of Nasarawa state has decided to request the vacation judge to set up another panel to re-investigate the allegations which had been dismissed in favour of the governor.

    “It is pertinent to point out that apart from the chief judge of a state no other judge is permitted to set up an impeachment panel under the Constiution.

    “Neither can a panel set up by a vacation judge  be turned into an appellate chamber to review the proceedings and decisions of the impeachment panel set up by the chief judge in exercise of his exclusive powers under the Constitution”, he said.

    Falana said that in line with the development, the Nasarawa state house of assembly should be cautioned to desist from delibetately violating the clear provisions of the Constitution. “As the legislators are stopped from raising any of the issues which formed the subject matter of the impeachment charges which had been dismissed by the panel, they should be restrained from engaging in further acts of impunity”, he stressed.

  • Oyo panel on demolition to begin sitting Aug. 28

    Oyo panel on demolition to begin sitting Aug. 28

    Oyo State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on complaints arising from demolition of buildings over Environmental and Town Planning Regulations’ contraventions between May 29, 2011 till date, will begin sittings on August 28.

    The commission, which was set up by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, will be sitting at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan at 10a.m each day.

    It has requested for the submission of written memoranda by individuals, groups or organisations affected by the demolition.

    A statement by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Waheed Ajuwon, in Ibadan yesterday, said anybody wishing to submit memorandum should produce 12 copies.

    It said this should be address to the office of the Commission’s Secretary, Room 64, Office of the Governor, Secretariat, Ibadan between 9a.m. and 4p.m.

    The statement added that all memoranda should be ready within the next seven days.

    It indicated that such memoranda should be accompanied by relevant documents, including approved building plan, photograph(s) of such buildings(s), and proof of ownership of the affected property.

    It also stated that any other person wishing to give oral evidence could also appear personally at the public sittings.

    The panel, to be chaired by Justice Okanola Akintunde Boade (rtd), was constituted on Monday, August 11.

    It was charged with the responsibility of receiving complaints of irregular demolition of properties on the grounds of Environmental and Town Planning Regulations contraventions and determining the genuineness or otherwise of such claims among others.

  • Panel to probe Amalaha’s drug shame

    Panel to probe Amalaha’s drug shame

    The Minister of Sports and Chairman,National Sports mmission(NSC) Tammy Danagogo will this week inaugurate an investigative panel to dig into the events that led to the disgrace the country suffered in the just ended Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, where Nigeria’s 16-years-old weight lifter Chika Amalaha was stripped of her gold medal and disqualified from the Games for failing a dope test. She was also banned for two years.

    SportingLife gathered at the weekend that the upcoming weightlifter, who won the gold medal in the 53 kg, may have fallen victim of poor orientation right from home. According to a source who spoke in confidence to SportingLife in Abuja, the young lifter may not have taken any of the banned substances as was alleged, but must have taken Zobo, an ancient locally prepared drink to enable her maintain her weight category

    “To be frank, Chika weighs about 60 to 62 kg, and she had been introduced to the use of Zobo drink to enable her shed some weight to be able to compete in the 53 kg weight category, which gave her the gold medal. This I am sure she must have been doing in the past without knowing the implications.”

    The source further accused the officials incharge of the athletes for not taking adequate time to educate the athletes of the health implications of some of the things they indulge in.