The Nation Newspaper

Tag: probe

  • Borno coalition seeks Sheriff’s probe

    Borno coalition seeks Sheriff’s probe

    A non-governmental organisation, the Borno Coalition for Good Governance, has called for an Independent Investigation into the alleged role by Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff in the sponsorship of Boko Haram.

    The group spokes in a statement yesterday by its Project Manager Modu Wulgo and Secretary John Ndirbula, in reaction to the claim by Australian negotiator Stephen Davis that the ex—Borno State governor was a sponsor of the sect.

    Asking the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene, the group raised some posers:

    “Why did Buji  Foi, the late commissioner for religions affair seek to have audience with Governor Sheriff  before was he executed in 2009.The soldiers honoured  of Buji Foi’s wish , but on  hearing that the late commissioner wanted to see him, Sheriff quickly drove out of Government House, Maiduguri on that fateful  day. When the soldiers brought Buji Foi in a Toyota Hilux van in handcuff twenty minutes later, Sheirff was nowhere to be found.

    “Why did late Mohammed Yusuf throughout his preaching in 2009 and after his arrest continue to accuse Sheriff of betraying him. “Why Sheriff did quickly ask the police to execute Mohammed Yusuf?”

    It insisted that the ICC must be involved

  • Boko Haram: ‘Probe Sheriff, Ihejirika’

    Boko Haram: ‘Probe Sheriff, Ihejirika’

    The Council of Babalawos in Northern Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to probe the claim that former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff and former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Azubike Ihejirika are sponsors of Boko Haram.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Fabunmi Aiyesoro, and Vice-Chairman Ogunwale Ogunshola, the group said the matter must not be swept under the carpet.

    Rising from a meeting in Bauchi State at the weekend, the group said if no probe was conducted after 40 days; it would “pursue legal action against Sheriff and Ihejerika for the destruction of our shrines in three states and claim monetary compensation for the destruction of forests which serve as a source of livelihood for our members. From 2011 to date, 48 members have lost their lives in the hands of Boko Haram members and their families are suffering untold hardship due to the loss of their breadwinners”.

    It added: “The Council of Babalawos in Northern Nigeria has suffered unquantifiable human and material loss as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency like other Nigerians and feel deeply pained that Boko Haram is gradually forming another country within the Nigerian state.

    “Our members source herbs from forests like Sambisa, Biu, Gwoza and Hong and the taking over of these areas by this retrogressive group has denied us the opportunity of treating our clients.

    “We call on the Federal Government to dislodge Boko Haram members from all towns and forests in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. This will restore our member’s right to freedom of worship as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. Babalawos are Nigerians and deserve the same recognition accorded imams and pastors by the government. Many churches and mosque have received compensation from state governments for the destruction of their place of worship, but not one Babalawo has received a condolence message or any form of monetary compensation since the Boko Haram problem started three years ago.”

  • 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.

  • Adamawa constitutes panels to probe Nyako

    •Ex-governor’s aide dismisses action

    Adamawa State Acting Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has appointed a renowned jurist, Justice Bobbo Umar, as the chairman of a judicial panel to probe former Governor Murtala Nyako.

    It will undertake a comprehensive assessment on governance under Nyako from June, 2007 to June this year.

    Another committee was constituted on the operations of the Adamawa Homes and Savings Limited.

    This was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Abdullahi Liman Tukur.

    The membership of the panel of inquiry on governance (2007-2014) also include Deputy Inspector General of Police Philemon Leha (rtd), Mr. Zira Maigadi, Suleiman M. Naiwa (an engineer), Abubakar Abdullahi, Samuel L. Kyenson and Dedan Nyari, as secretary.

    Members of the panel on the operations of Adamawa Homes and Savings Limited are Mr. Joshua Atiku as chairman, Saidu Babikkoi and Adamu Moh’d Inuwa.

    Others are Mohammed Usman Galadima and Mahmud Bindir as secretary.

    The terms of reference of the investigative panel on governance, according to the statement, are to investigate financial accruals to the state from June, 2007 to June, 2014, investigate disbursement and application of funds to ministries, boards and agencies over the period June, 2007- June 2014, and determine the appropriateness or otherwise of disbursements and application of funds over the period in reference.

    Other references are to identify those involved in inappropriate financial disbursement and application, investigate recruitment, deployment and administration of human resources, including the setting up, financing and operation of extra-ministerial units and investigate any other issue that the panel might find relevant to its assignment.

    It was also directed to make recommendation to government on all issues investigated and submit reports within four weeks.

    But the investigative panel on operations on the Adamawa Homes and Savings Limited has the following terms of reference: to investigate the conducts and operations of the company, its financial sources and the management of such finances, and investigate housings development allocation and management/ administration.

    The panel will also investigate the current standing and immediate need of the Adamawa Homes and Savings Ltd, any issue associated with operations of the financial institution, make recommendations to government on its findings and to submit reports within two weeks.

    But Nyako’s Adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Ahmad Lawal, who reacted on the panels, dismissed the action as “an afterthought.”

    He said such alleged financial sleaze could not be carried out without the consent of the Speaker been the person mandated by the constitution to checkmate the excesses of the former governor.

    Lawal expressed dismay on how, in less than three months, the State House of Assembly took too extreme decision in rapid succession by passing a vote of confidence on Nyako- led administration and then accused him of financial sleaze.

    “Three months back, they said Nyako was the most patriotic, most accountable and most discipline as well as most frugal governor. But so shocking and in less than three months that the speaker got the exalted seat, he has recanted.

    “Is he now telling us that he didn’t know what he was doing then or are the lawmakers ignorant? I think they should know where our monies are, because no Kobo is spent in Adamawa without their consent,” he noted.

    Lawal, who is also the state APC Organising Secretary, buttressed that since Nyako and his deputy were nowhere to be found, the probe panel should extend the invitation to the Acting Governor since he should know the whereabouts of the said stolen money.

    He said the Nigerian Constitution is very explicit on Adamawa situation as he said Fintiri could only assume Acting Governor’s Office and superintend the conduct of another election within three months after which he must leave the scene.

  • Military-Shi’ite clash: Sultan calls for probe

    Military-Shi’ite clash: Sultan calls for probe

    Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III has urged a full-scale investigation into the recent deadly clash between the military and Shi’ite sect members in Zaria.

    He also decried the recent clash between the military and the police in Zuru, saying, “three innocent lives were also lost.”

    Sultan Abubakar spoke in Sokoto weekend at a dinner he organised for the members of the Alumni Association of the Nigerian Defence Academy, 18 Regular Course, 1975.

    No fewer than 40 lives were lost during the Zaria incident after the military attacked the Shi’ite sect members who were on a peaceful protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

    “Whoever is found to be wanting should be properly punished in line with the laws of the country.

    “Some people commit offence with impunity and unless we punish offenders according to the laws of the land, such problems will continue to recur.

  • ‘Plan to probe Nyako ridiculous’

    ‘Plan to probe Nyako ridiculous’

    Former Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has described the plan by Acting Governor Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri to probe his administration as “ridiculous’’.

    Alhaji Fintiri, in a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday, announced that he would probe the Nyako administration, which he accused of leaving N82 billion liability.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a statement in Yola yesterday by Malam Ahmad Sajoh, Nyako’s director of Press and Publicity,  said the probe was an attempt to discredit the ex-governor and pitch him against the people.

    “To say Nyako left a liability of N82 billion is ridiculous.

    “How much did the state get as income over the period? It is not even half of the amount quoted’’, the statement said.

    It stressed that the probe would not be fair, adding that Nyako was in court challenging his impeachment and was  hopeful that the judiciary would vindicate him.

  • SDP seeks probe of members’ kidnap

    SDP seeks probe of members’ kidnap

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Muhammed Abubakar, to investigate the circumstances leading to the alleged kidnap of three of its members in Osun State at the weekend.

    The state party Chairman, Mr. Ademola Isola, in a statement in Osogbo, expressed concern over the incident, calling on all security agencies to be on the watch as the August 9 Osun governorship election approaches.

    He said SDP members, including the party chairman in Ede-North Local Government, Alhaji Adewimbi Kadiri, Mrs. Titilayo Alaanu and Mrs. Musili Usman, were abducted during their house-to-house campaign at Alusekere ward of Ede on Saturday.

    The SDP Chairman thanked the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Maishanu, for his timely intervention and the DSS for treating his party members, who were found with no incriminating materials, with respect.

    “But we still want the IG to investigate this matter,” he said.

  • Reps probe N76b Abuja, Lagos CCTV contract

    Reps probe N76b Abuja, Lagos CCTV contract

    The House of Representatives is set to investigate the ineffectiveness of the Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) installed in Abuja and Lagos by a Chinese communications company, ZTE Corporation.

    The House yesterday mandated its committees on ICT and Public Safety and National Security to probe the CCTV’s failure to capture a single criminal act, despite the huge fund expended on the contract.

    The committees are expected to report back to the House within two weeks.

    The resolution by the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion brought before the House by a member, Saviour Udoh.

    In the motion, titled: “The urgent need to deploy CCTV cameras to check the security challenges in Nigeria,” Udoh expressed concern over the insecurity in the land.

    He said the committees should get to the root of the CCTV contract to show if there were some misdeeds.

    According to him, the contract was for ZTE to install 2,000 digital solar-powered cameras (1,000 each for Abuja and Lagos), 37 switch rooms, MW backbone, 37 coalition emergency response system, 38 video conference sub-system, 37 e-police system, six emergency communication vehicles and 1.5 million subscriber lines, to be funded by the Federal Government and the China Export Bank, as contained in the contract papers.

    Udoh said the contract reportedly awarded at $470 million (N76 billion then) by the late Umar Musa Yar’Adua administration, included a security system “intended to capture images on a 24-hour basis for the analysis of the relevant security agencies”.

    The lawmaker said despite the alleged completion and handover to the government since 2012, “no criminal activity had ever been detected through the security cameras”.

     

  • Reps name panel to probe Shell, minister over OML 29’s sale

    Reps name panel to probe Shell, minister over OML 29’s sale

    A seven-member Ad-Hoc Committee has been raised by the House of Representatives to investigate Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke over the alleged illegal sale of Oil Mining Licence (OML 29).

    The probe panel was constituted by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who presided over the plenary session yesterday.

    The  committee is chaired by Hon. Aminu Suleiman (Kano/APC). Other members are: Hon. Babatunde Adejare (Lagos/APC); Hon. Irona Alphonsus Gerald (Imo/PDP); Hon. Binta Maigari Bello (Gombe/PDP); Hon. Ismaila Ahmed Gadaka (Yobe/APC); Hon. Umaru Haliru Aliero (Kebbi/PDP); Hon. Sunday Akpodiogaga Emeyese (Delta/PDP).

    The Hon. Suleiman-led Ad-hoc Committee is expected to establish the validity of the transactions and report back to the House within two weeks.

    The Speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had on May 27 said an ad hoc committee would be set up to probe the validity of the transaction but  did not name the committte members at the time.

    Tambuwal spoke sequel to the adoption of a motion brought on the floor by a member, Hon. Irona Alphonsus Gerald at the time titled: “Inadvertent Sale of OML 29 and other OMLS  by SPDC and other Oil majors”.

    Gerald in the motion had alleged that Shell and other oil majors may have hidden under the cover of waivers usually granted by the petroleum minister to embark on the sale of OML 29 and others.

  • UNILAG student’s shooting under probe

    UNILAG student’s shooting under probe

    What actually led to the shooting Monday night of Abayomi Sapare, a student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), by assailants in front of Jaja Hall, a male hostel in the university?

    This is the question that has since the fateful day, attracted conflicting views from across the institution, but its Dean, Student Affairs, Prof Olukayode Amund, who drove the victim to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) after the incident, yesterday said the incident was being investigated by the management.

    He told The Nation that the 400-Level Philosophy student was at the hall’s car park when he was attacked by the yet-unknown gunmen.

    “The victim was standing in the car park when his assailant attacked him. He was shot and stabbed, but after the gruesome attack, he managed to run into the Jaja Hall, his hostel, where other students came to his aid by rushing him to the medical centre and later, the LUTH.  I saw a stab wound on his head and a gunshot wound on the left side of his chest,” he said.

    A source in administration department said Sapare was with a girl in the car park when the assailants confronted him and demanded something from him before shooting him.

    However, an eyewitness in the hall said: “It happened by 8pm Monday night when the Public Address System (PAS) of the hostel announced that the victim had some visitors who wanted to see him. Few minutes after the announcement, a fight was overheard outside the hall between the victim and some men.  They shot and stabbed him. The gunshot scared students who had been watching the fight from afar and they all ran away. We came to his rescue after his assailants had left him in the pool of his own blood.”

    Yesterday, other students were afraid to talk about the issue as they declined to speak with these reporters. But a source said Sapare has a clique he moves around with. Another source said his friends did not sit for yesterday’s examination as part of the ongoing second semester examination, while some claimed he is a cultist.

    At press time, Amund said Sapare was in a stable condition and able to communicate with others, adding that the institution’s management was bent on fishing out the culprits as it has beefed up security.

    Last year, a student of the university was inflicted with machete wounds on campus.  Also, a lecturer in the Faculty of Business Administration was killed by unknown gunmen who attacked him in his home located in Onike, Yaba near the back gate of the university.