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Tag: probe

  • Al-Makura demands probe of ransom for failed release of Chibok girls

    Al-Makura demands probe of ransom for failed release of Chibok girls

    Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko Al – Makura yesterday urged security agencies to probe the whereabouts of funds collected from the treasury for the botched release of 219 Chibok girls.

    He also asked  a former Minister of Information Labaran Maku to explain the failed deal.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan visited Chadian President Idris Deby at least twice ostensibly to solicit support to trace the whereabouts of the Chibok girls and to establish the true leaders of Boko Haram.

    It is believed that money was taken to that country.

    Al-Makura, who made the demands in a statement through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ahmed Tukur, said Maku’s vow to open up on the $2.1billion arms deals was an afterthought.

    The statement said: “The beginning of the probe of the arms deals by security agencies must not end without probing those who allegedly collected money in the name of securing the release of Chibok girls and never did.

    “The public will be very much interested in knowing those behind the deals and how they came in contact with those who knew the whereabouts of our girls.

    “Nigerians demand  explanations from Maku as all along as Minister for Information he  had been feeding  the public with evil lies that the war against insurgency was on the right direction while millions of tax payers money were being siphoned to private pockets while he superintended over the Ministry of Defence.”

    The governor said “Maku’s recent outburst that he will soon speak over the $2.1bn arms deal was to draw public sympathy.

    “Maku must provide answers to the failed deals to facilitate the release of the Chibok girls from captivity and also explained why such deals were entered into.”

    The governor challenged Maku to explain his role in the Ombatse and Baba Alakyo crisis which led to the killing of 86 security operatives in the state.

    Al-makura praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to defeating Boko Haram.

    He added: “The signs are already clear that Boko Haram insurgents are on the retreat. I urge all Nigerians, especially the citizens of the North-East to support the President in this patriotic and honest drive to bring lasting peace and move the country forward.”

    Maku had said he would soon speak up on the $2.1bn arms scandal.

    “It is virtually too early for me as a former minister of information to begin to talk about what is going on at the moment.” However, he added that he would make his views known when the right time comes.

    ”I don’t want to comment on this administration now because I was in the previous government as minister of information and our voice was all over the nation. It is too early for me to say anything. The processes that are going on are in the full glare of Nigerians and what I will say is that the media should be very careful. That’s my advice and I will not say anything else.

  • Minister orders probe into use of ladder at Bauchi airport

    •NAHCO denies involvement

    Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika has directed an immediate investigation into the use of ladder by Aero Contractors Airlines for passengers’ disembarkment at the end of a charter flight to Bauchi at the weekend.

    The directive was contained in a statement in Abuja yesterday by the ministry’s Deputy Director of Press and Public Affairs, James Odaudu.

    The statement said the minister received a report indicating that the airline used a ladder to disembark passengers from a Boeing 737 aircraft at the  Bauchi airport on Saturday.

    The minister stated that the act was inconsistent with Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs),  International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS).

    The investigation is expected to determine the causes of the incident with a view to developing and implementing measures that would prevent a reoccurrence of the unsafe procedure that exposed passengers to risk of injury.

    Sirika noted that if the airline is found culpable, sanctions within extant laws and regulations would be applied on it.

    He assured the traveling public that the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with Nigerian Civil Aviation  Authority (NCAA) would ensure strict adherence to the civil aviation regulations as well as ICAO and SARPS.

    He added that he would not shriek in his responsibility to ensure a safe and secure air transport services.

    But  the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) yesterday said it was not responsible for ground handling of the airline’s flights at Bauchi airport.

    A statement issued by its spokesman, Mr. Tayo Ajakaye,   said:  ”The attention of the NAHCO has been drawn to reports making rounds on the social media to the effect that it was its failure to provide handling service to one of its esteemed clients, Aero Contractors, that caused passengers of the airline to disembark with ladder at the Bauchi Airport.

    “Nothing can be further from the truth. NAHCO does not have operations in Bauchi. This fact is well-known to Aero and all our client airlines. So, for Aero to embark on that chartered flight to Bauchi, it definitely would have made its own private arrangements.

    “Aero’s statement in this regard is particularly clear. It never mentioned NAHCO, nor for that matter, any ground handler as the reason it had to innovate.”

  • UNN, UniAbuja, YabaTech, others under probe

    UNN, UniAbuja, YabaTech, others under probe

    Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu yesterday inaugurated ad hoc committees to investigate petitions on 10 tertiary institutions.

    Inaugurating the 10 ad hoc committees in Abuja, Adamu said the move was in response to allegations of abuse of due process, mismanagement, immorality, fraud and corruption, among others.

    The institutions are Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Kastina State; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State; University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, and Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.

    Others are University of Abuja, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Calabar; Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State; Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State.

    The minister said panels were set up in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting due process, fairness, accountability and transparency in the control and management of public resources.

    Adamu said allegations and counter-claims made against governing councils and managements of the institutions had created mistrust and hostility and hindered the smooth conduct of academic activities.

    The terms of reference of the panels are “to carefully study and investigate allegations in the petitions on the institutions or individuals.

    “To seek to determine the veracity of claims and counter-claims by considering the circumstances and talking to as many witnesses as possible.

    “To meet and interview the writers of the petitions and establish the basis of their claims.

    “To ensure fair hearing by meeting with, and listening to explanations from all those against whom petitions have been written.”

    Adamu told the committees that the exercise was not meant to judge or witch-hunt anybody, adding that members were selected based on their track records of integrity.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, urged members to be courageous in carrying out their findings and making their recommendations.

    Responding on behalf of the chairmen and members of the ad hoc committees, Malam Salihu Abubukar thanked the ministry for the confidence reposed in them.

    He said their assignments was a heavy responsibility, which must be carried out with a sense of duty.

  • Abubakar drops planned probe of Lamido

    Abubakar drops planned probe of Lamido

    The planned probe of ex-Governor Sule Lamido by his successor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar may have been put in abeyance, sources have disclosed. Shortly on assumption of office in May, Abubakar had vowed to probe his predecessor’s tenure, but six months down the line, indications have emerged that the governor has jettisoned the plan owing to the distractions the probe may constitute for his administration in delivering on its promises.

     

  • N18.7b paid into unknown account, Benue probe panel told

    The Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Commission of Enquiry, which resumed sitting at the Makurdi High Court IV, yesterday heard that the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs paid N18.7 billion, which was meant for primary school teachers’ salaries, into an unknown account at a major bank in Makurdi, the state capital.

    Testifying before the panel, the bureau’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ikpe, could not give a satisfactory explanation on the owner of the bank account.

    But he urged the panel to invite a former Special Adviser of the bureau during the period under investigation, Mr. Solomon Wombo, and a former Permanent Secretary, Mr. Asen Sambe, to give details on the bank account.

    Ikpe said N1.8 billion monthly salaries of primary school teachers, owed between October 2013 and June 2014, was lodged in a fixed deposit account number 1017993231 with the bank.

    The agency’s chief admitted that the bureau paid N18.7 billion between January and May, this year, into the unknown account at the Makurdi branch ofn the bank.

    According to him, officials of the bank refused to give the bureau details of the account when its Director of Finance and Administration approached them.

    When the panel demanded to know who from the bureau paid N4.6 billion in May and N5 billion in June, last year, among others, Ikpe said the then Accountant, Mr. Isaiah Ipevnor and the then Permanent Secretary, Mr. Sambe, who was the Accounting Officer, were in the best position to explain.

    On why N3.4 million was paid monthly by the bureau to a contractor, Ameh Technology, Ikpe said the bureau entered a contractual agreement with the company for the supply and maintenance of generators in the 23 local government areas.

    He recalled that since he became the Permanent Secretary, the money had not been paid to the contractor while the bureau was thinking of terminating the contract so that if any local government needed such service, it should request for it.

    When the panel’s chairman demanded to know why Ashitech, Ashifood and Akpo Integrated Limited were paid between N40 million and N45 million monthly, the permanent secretary requested for time to enable him search the records and furnish the panel with details.

    Justice Kpojime adjourned the sitting to enable Ikpe continue with his testimony today and next Thursday and to enable him tender some documents requested.

    A Makurdi High Judge, Justice Ada Onum, had vacated the order obtained by former Governor Gabriel Suswam through an ex parte motion restraining the state government from probing his administration.

    This paved the way for the commission to resume sitting.

  • House probes Conduct Tribunal Chairman Umar

    House probes Conduct Tribunal Chairman Umar

    The House of Representatives is to investigate the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Umar, for allegedly misappropriating N16.6million.

    The decision of the lawmakers followed a petition on the floor yesterday on corruption against the CCT chairman.

    It was presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Army, Shawulu Kwewum, on behalf of the Anti Corruption Network.

    After the presentation by the lawmaker, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, gave him leave to lay the petition before the House, and referred it to the House Committee on Public Petition for further investigation.

    Kwewum, presenting the petition before the House, alleged that ex-Minister of Justice and Attorney- General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke recommended that two persons be arrested and investigated for alleged corruption.

    He said one person, Ali Gambo Abdullahi, was arrested and prosecuted in compliance with the recommendation of the former attorney-general and the other person, the present chairman of the CCT, was not arrested.

    According to the allegations in the petition, the CCT chairman was accused of fictitious contract for the supply of office furniture and fitting in the sum of N11.4 million, misappropriated N4.2million for external light bulbs and N1million for his wedding.

    Kwewum said: “The petitioner wants the House to wade into the matter to ensure that the second person, Mr. Danladi, is arrested and made to face the law in compliance with the recommendations of the ex-attorney-general and minister of Justice.”

    The Public Accounts Committee in the House has promised to raise the bar in checking financial impunity in public and private institutions.

    The committee Chairman, Kingsley Chinda, at the inaugural meeting of the committee, said no institution, public or private, would be spared if found wanting in the utilisation of public funds.

    He said: “Crime has no time limit. When you mismanage public fund, you commit a crime.

    “We will dig them up and forward them to the House where a final decision will be taken.

    “If you’re not doing what you ought to do in any office, this committee will not hesitate to forward the report to the entire House.

    “We assure Nigerians that it will not be business as usual for the MDAs when it comes to public funds.”

     

     

     

  • House begins probe of Code of Conduct Tribunal chair

    House begins probe of Code of Conduct Tribunal chair

    The House of Representatives is to investigate the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Umar, for allegedly misappropriating N16.6million.

    The decision of the lawmakers followed a petition on the floor yesterday on corruption against the CCT chairman.

    It was presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Army, Shawulu Kwewum, on behalf of the Anti Corruption Network.

    After the presentation by the lawmaker, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, gave him leave to lay the petition before the House, and referred it to the House Committee on Public Petition for further investigation.

    Kwewum, presenting the petition before the House, alleged that ex-Minister of Justice and Attorney- General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke recommended that two persons be arrested and investigated for alleged corruption.

    He said one person, Ali Gambo Abdullahi, was arrested and prosecuted in compliance with the recommendation of the former attorney-general and the other person, the present chairman of the CCT, was not arrested.

    According to the allegations in the petition, the CCT chairman was accused of fictitious contract for the supply of office furniture and fitting in the sum of N11.4 million, misappropriated N4.2million for external light bulbs and N1million for his wedding.

    Kwewum said: “The petitioner wants the House to wade into the matter to ensure that the second person, Mr. Danladi, is arrested and made to face the law in compliance with the recommendations of the ex-attorney-general and minister of Justice.”

    The Public Accounts Committee in the House has promised to raise the bar in checking financial impunity in public and private institutions.

    The committee Chairman, Kingsley Chinda, at the inaugural meeting of the committee, said no institution, public or private, would be spared if found wanting in the utilisation of public funds.

    He said: “Crime has no time limit. When you mismanage public fund, you commit a crime.

    “We will dig them up and forward them to the House where a final decision will be taken.

    “If you’re not doing what you ought to do in any office, this committee will not hesitate to forward the report to the entire House.

    “We assure Nigerians that it will not be business as usual for the MDAs when it comes to public funds.”

  • Senate postpones EFCC boss’ probe

    Senate postpones EFCC boss’ probe

    Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions yesterday postponed indefinitely, the investigation of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde.

    The committee had scheduled to begin the probe of the EFCC boss today.

    Clerk to the committee, Mr. Freedom Osolo, in a statement in Abuja did not give any reason for the postponement.

    The statement reads: “I regret to inform you that the hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions slated for Tuesday, November 10 has been postponed for the time being.

    “You will be duly informed when the meeting is rescheduled. The committee regrets any inconvenience the postponement would have caused you.”

    The committee Chairman, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, confirmed to reporters that Lamorde would appear before his committee today.

    He failed to give any reason for the postponement when spoken to on the phone.

    Anyanwu simply said: “I’m in Lagos for an oversight function and I need to know the true position.”

  • Alleged murder: Witness seeks Fayose’s aides’ probe

    Alleged murder: Witness seeks Fayose’s aides’ probe

    The star witness in the alleged murder of former Ekiti State National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman Omolafe Aderiye has spoken of how he was “tutored” to implicate eight persons accused of complicity in the crime.

    The late Aderiye’s Personal Assistant, Gbolahan Okeowo, revealed that he secretly recorded the voices of the two aides of Governor Ayo Fayose whom he accused of “tutoring” him to write another statement which indicted the accused.

    On trial for the ex-NURTW boss’ murder are: Bayo Aderiye (aka Ojugo), Niyi Adedipe (aka Apase), Sola Durodola, Oso Farotimi, Ajayi Kayode, Sola Adenijo (aka Solar) and Rotimi Olanbiwonnu (aka Mentilo).

    Also implicated in the murder is a security aide to former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Deji Adesokan (aka Jarule) who has been declared wanted for Omolafe’s murder.

    The governor’s aides are Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Owoseni Ajayi and the Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media Lere Olayinka.

    Both Ajayi and Olayinka have denied any link with Okeowo in a chat with a weekend newspaper where Olayinka claimed that he had never met Okeowo. Ajayi accused Okeowo of committing perjury by recanting his evidence before an Ado-Ekiti High Court.

    In an exclusive interview with The Nation on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, Okeowo urged the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the call logs of Ajayi and Olayinka to unearth the conversations they had with him in connection with the murder case.

    Okeowo reiterated his position in an affidavit of facts he deposed to at the Federal High Court, Akure –  that all the seven persons standing trial and Adesokan who had been declared wanted knew nothing about the murder as the second statement he wrote at Ajayi’s office was used to frame them up.

    The late NURTW chair’s aide disclosed that he was shocked to read the claims of both Ajayi and Olayinka in the said newspaper that they had nothing to do with him, adding that all his encounters with the duo were secretly recorded. He is to tender the recording at the appropriate time.

    Okeowo said the two government officials told him that the first statement he volunteered at the state police headquarters “was too weak” to nail the murder suspects, hence the need to write another one to indict them.

    Okeowo claimed that Ajayi, who was Special Adviser on Legal Matters and had not been confirmed as Attorney General at the time he wrote the second statement, called on the DPP to bring the case file.

    According to him, the son of the deceased, Yinka Aderiye, younger brother of the deceased, Wale Ibidapo, the Permanent Secretary, Director of Public Prosecution, were there on the day he was allegedly coarced to write another incriminating statement against the suspects.

    Okeowo revealed that the initial plan was to bring Yinka (the late Omolafe’s son) to court to testify against the accused persons even when he (Yinka) was not present at his father’s office where he was murdered.

    He said somebody called the late Omolafe 15 minutes before he was murdered, adding: “My late boss was enthusiastic that a big man called him. The question now is, who is that big man? The phone with which he received the call was taken away by the killers.”

    Okeowo explained: “At this juncture, I will implore the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of DSS to investigate the call logs of Owoseni Ajayi. I am ready to surrender myself for full investigation to unravel the mysterious death of my late boss.

    “These people saying they don’t know me, how come they have been calling me since? I received a call from (Lere) Olayinka on October 27 and Owoseni has been calling me through Yinka Aderiye, the son of my late boss. Let the NSA, IG and DG of DSS invite all of us.

    “I want the IG to investigate the MTN call logs of Owoseni Ajayi and this will assist the whole world to know the truth. I want Owoseni Ajayi, Lere Olayinka and Yinka Aderiye, who is now Owoseni’s personal assistant, to be summoned to Abuja to explain all they know about this matter.

    “They promised me a local government appointment on behalf of the governor if I could go ahead to indict all the seven persons on trial and Jarule on the murder of my boss but these people are innocent.

    “It is ungodly and wicked for me to say what I have not seen after I had listened to a sermon of my pastor and I have gone to court to swear and depose to an affidavit because God is looking at all of us.

    “Police knew nothing about what happened at Owoseni Ajayi’s office. They submitted their file to the DPP but it was Owoseni Ajayi who ordered the DPP to bring the file and that was where we wrote another statement indicting the innocent souls.

    “Ajayi said all what his boss wanted to hear was that Jarule came down from the vehicle, waiting in company with Apase, that Jarule opened fire on my late boss and that there was a particular Hilux van at the opposite side of our office then.

    “That inside the vehicle were (Bayo) Aderiye, Mentilo, Durodola, Farotimi, Adenijo, (Kayode) Ajayi. All these are fabricated lies; there was nothing like that on that day. I was with my boss on that day and there was nothing like that.

    “I never saw anybody called Jarule on that day, I never saw Adedipe on that day. The statement I wrote at Owoseni Ajayi’s office was done under threat. That was the way I was tutored and coerced that day in his office but he never knew that he was recorded. I have my facts and figures and I will release them at the appropriate time.”