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  • Senate awaits MTEF, Budget-Lawan

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said the Senate has resolved to await the presentation of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) as well as the 2020 budget proposals to it by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Lawan, who spoke after an executive session of the Senate, also disclosed that all the 69 Standing Committees of the Senate would be inaugurated on Wednesday at plenary.

    The Senate had on resumption from its annual recess immediately went into an executive session.

    Lawan said that the Senate resolved during the executive session to inaugurate all its Standing Committees on Wednesday.

    He said that the Senate also resolved to await the presentation of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper as well as the 2020 budget proposals by the executive.

    READ ALSO: 9th Assembly: Ahmad Lawan storms NASS

    He however did not give a definite date when the two important communications from the executive would get to the National Assembly.

    Meanwhile Section 11 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act clearly stipulates that the MTEF/FSP “must not be submitted later than four months before the commencement of the next financial year.”

    Section 18 of the Act also provides that “the MTEF shall be the basis for the preparation of the estimates of revenue and expenditure required to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly under section 81 (1) of the Constitution.”

  • Auchi Polytechnic not closed-Management

    Management of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, has denied reports that it has shut down the institution due to cult -related killings.

    About five persons have been killed in a cult war that began last weekend.

    Spokesman for the institution, Musa Oshiobugie, statement said students are only on vacation.

    Oshiobugie said the reported cult killings and violence happened at Iyakpi, a community that is two kilometres away from Auchi.

    He said no student of the institution has been killed or injured in the violence.

    READ ALSO: Don’t tarnish image of Auchi Polytechnic, council warns staff

    According to the statement, “The polytechnic has been on holidays for the past one week when the students finished with their examinations and the hostels were vacated.

    “A school already on holiday cannot be shut. What appears to drive this rumour is a reported violent incident that occurred in Iyakpi, a town two kilometres from Auchi.

    “Preliminary reports show that no student of the polytechnic is among the reportedly dead.”

  • One killed, four injured as Customs clash with smugglers

    At least one person was killed while four others, including two custom officers and one soldier, sustained various degrees of injuries on Tuesday when operatives from the National Border Drill Operations comprising of personnel from Customs, Air force, Army ,Police and other paramilitary agencies, clashed with smugglers at the Jibia border in Katsina state.

    The Assistant Controller General of Customs and Sector 4 Coordinator of the operations, Bashir Abubakar, confirmed this newsmen.

    He maintained that closing the nation’s borders were also part of economic security measures and to complement the activities of conventional security agencies through joint operational network.

    READ ALSO: Row over death of two residents during customs, smugglers clash

    On the Jibia border clash with smugglers, he said following intelligent and covert operations report, they were led at about 1am to a warehouse that contained over 300 bales of smuggled clothing materials.

    He however said they were only able to remove 235 bales from the warehouse when the smugglers mobilised the villagers and attacked them

    He said: ‘’By the time our troops were leaving the Jibia warehouse, there was a shootout followed by attendant loss of lives caused by stray bullets.”

    While appealing for cooperation from members of the community and traditional rulers, he urged them to report the movements and activities of the smugglers warning them on the dangers of smuggling, human trafficking and cross border crimes

  • No evidence Abdulsalam is critically sick

    CLAIM: Former Head of States General Abdulsalam Abubakar is critically sick and has been flown abroad, a recent publication alleged.

    FALSE: Abubakar, who lives in Minna Niger state, was present at a lecture by his foundation in Minna last Saturday.

    Full Text

    A news report from “yahoournalist.com” stated former the former Head of States General Abdulsalam Abubakar is critically sick and has been flown abroad for medical treatment.

    The reporter claimed to have gotten the scoop from Jackson Ude, former Director of Strategy and Communication under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Ude on Thursday, September 19 tweeted: “Please pray for General Abdulsalami Abubakar. He is sick and hospitalised in a London Hospital.”

    Ude’s tweet gathered over 127 likes and 63 retweets. It should be noted that Ude is a prominent influencer with his followership ranging over 31,000 users. He has also been at the centre stage with respect to a lot of online activism in the country.

    Verification

    The Nation confirmed that Abubakar is in Niger state, Nigeria. He was at the second General Abdulsalam Abubakar Foundation annual Peace lecture in Minna on Saturday, September, less than 32 hours after the post circulated.

    The Former President was also at the Central mosque in Minna for the Jummat prayers on 20th September.

    Most of the worshippers who saw him attested that he was behind the Imam in the mosque during the prayers.

    One of the worshippers at the mosque, Abubakar Sani said:  “I observed my Jummat Service today at the Minna Central Mosque and saw the General behind the Chief Imam seated on a chair.”

    Conclusion – The news report is FALSE. Abubakar is not critically sick.

    This fact-check was done by a Dubawa Fact-checking Fellow in collaboration with The Nation.

  • Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Wins Maritime Awards in Dubai

    Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN), the leading operator of the SHI-MCI fabrication and integration yard, has won a highly commended award for the contribution to the development of regional maritime Cluster at the prestigious Sea trade Maritime Awards Middle East, Indian Subcontinent & Africa held in Dubai on September 22, 2019.

    Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria has committed to empowering the African oil and gas industry through local content leadership. Prior to the construction of the company’s fabrication and integration yard in Lagos, customers in the regional oil and gas industry had to work outside of Africa.

    In order to complete the Egina FPSO project, significant investment was needed to develop a local workforce and facilities.

    These have become the core of a world-class marine construction capability that benefits all shipping and marine construction and maintenance companies in the region with greater access to opportunities as well as providing economic stimulus to the whole West African region.

    The Sea trade Maritime Awards are recognised internationally as the most influential in the industry with a very robust selection process led by independent judging panels consisting of CEOs from maritime companies around the world.

    An impressive list of nominees was shortlisted, from over 120 entries across 20 countries, made it to 2019’s shortlist.

    Over 200 industry and governmental representatives from attended the award ceremony across Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent.

    Commenting on the award, Managing Director of Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria, Mr. Jejin Jeon, said “it is a great honour to be recognised for our contribution to the development of the Regional Maritime Cluster in Africa. Empowering the African oil and gas and maritime industry in practice means developing the capacity to deliver world-class work locally. We hope the SHI-MCI yard with its international standard marine construction capability can play a role in stimulating even more opportunities”.

    Samsung was the only nominee from Africa to be listed for four individual awards.

    READ ALSO: Samsung’s nominations for Dubai’s award places Nigeria on global maritime map

    This Maritime Cluster award is an encouraging acknowledgement of the significant work SHIN has done in initiating collaboration with the Nigerian government and local partners to improve the profile of Nigeria as the most advanced integration and fabrication hub in Africa. The company has already been receiving worldwide recognition, winning multiple national and international awards for its dedication in bringing about economic and local talent development. It has received notable accolades from the Nigerian Content Board, NOGOF and Africa Assembly Paris hosted by World Energy Council.

    The judges noted that Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Limited was commended for its contribution to the development of maritime cluster award, they also took a moment to congratulate Samsung for being shortlisted for the awards.

    After successfully delivering the Egina, the world’s largest FPSO, SHIN’s next focus is to widen its integration and fabrication work for the on- and off-shore oil & gas industry as well as power and infrastructure projects. The high profile generated from this award will also drive increased interest among the maritime industry into the immense potential and capability of Nigeria and indeed the whole West African region, showing what they have to offer to international customers.

    This will continue to stimulate local employment, on going talent development and vocational training to continue performing at international standards.

  • UPDATED: $9.6b verdict: Senate summons AGF Malami, others

    The Senate on Tuesday summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to brief it on the details of the $9.6billion judgement awarded against Nigeria and the details of the 2010 Gas contract to the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) Limited.

    This followed a motion for a matter of urgent public importance moved by the Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

    Also to appear before relevant committees of the Senate on the matter include officials of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and professional arbitrators engaged on behalf of the Federal Government in that regard.

    In his lead debate, Senator Bamidele who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, noted that the motion was for the need to invite the Honorable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami and other relevant stakeholders to brief relevant committees of the Senate on the award of $9.6billion against the Federal Government of Nigeria, by a United Kingdom Court in the matter of P&ID – Process & Industrial Development Limited versus Federal Government of Nigeria.

    He called on the Senate to note with concern that “Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora have become apprehensive while several committees of the Senate have over the last few weeks received several petitions and other direct and circumstantial information on the ongoing legal imbroglio involving the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and by extension the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Kingdom firm known as Process and Industrial Development Limited, hereinafter referred to as P&ID.”

    He urged the Senate to be aware that in January 2010, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, acting on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria executed a Gas supply processing agreement with P&ID whereby Nigeria was to supply zero cost natural gas to P&ID through a pipeline to be constructed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to P&ID processing facility.

    He said that under the terms of the TSPA which had a tenor of 20 years, from the date of first supply of wet Gas, P&ID had an obligation to process the wet gas and deliver the derivative to the Federal Government free of charge for power generation while taking any other residual liquid itself at no cost.

    He said that based on the facts of the case, P&ID served a notice of arbitration on the Federal Government in 2012 on the ground that Nigeria repudiated its obligation under the terms of the TSPA by defaulting to make wet Gas available to it.

    He said that the Senate is also aware that a commercial court in the United Kingdom in the suit referred to has ruled that the Federal Government must pay the British firm – Process and Industrial Development Limited – a sum of $9.6billion or have its assets to the tune of that amount forfeited.

    He urged the Senate to be alarmed that the UK Court’s decision converted the subsequent arbitral award into a domestic judgement against the Federal Republic of Nigeria thereby creating a situation where Nigeria’s asset around the world, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States of America risk being taken over by P&ID or its agents.

    He lamented that the damages awarded to P&ID were “manifestly excessive, exorbitant, punitive and a big threat to the economic well-being and security of Nigeria.”

    He added: “The Senate is deeply concerned that the issues arising from the default aforesaid as well as the consequential arbitration, court proceedings and the ensuing award against Nigeria have thus far been concealed from the Senate and the entire National Assembly.”

    Read Also: Senate to inaugurate Standing Committees Wednesday

    He observed that the principal role of the National Assembly, is among others, “to undertake oversight of all government ministries, departments and agencies or amend subsisting laws of the Federation of Nigeria, for the proper functioning and good governance of the country which power is derived from the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.”

    Senator Opeyemi prayed the Senate to invite the “Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and other relevant stakeholders, including officials of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and professional arbitrators engaged on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria in this regard to comprehensively brief the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Gas Resources and Power on the details of the 2010 contract with P&ID as executed, reasons for the default as well as the handling of resultant negotiations, arbitration, court proceedings and steps being taken to resolve the matter in the overall best interest of the Nigerian economy and security of the nation’s assets at home and abroad.”

    However, citing order 53 (5) of the Senate Standing Rules, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege cautioned his colleagues to limit their contributions on the motion which is to invite AGF and other relevant government agencies to brief the Senate as the matter is presently awaiting judicial decision.

    The only prayer of the motion was unanimously approved when it was put to vote by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan.

    Lawan added that the judgement $9.6billion awarded against Nigeria is one reason the country needs to strengthen its diplomatic engagements with other countries.

  • DPR shuts down three illegal gas plants in A’Ibom

    The Eket Field Office of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has shut down three illegal gas plants in Ikot Ekpene local government area of Akwa Ibom state.

    The Operations Controller of the Department, Mr Tamunoiminabo Kingskey- Sunday, who disclosed to journalists on Tuesday, said the shut down exercise took place last week..

    “Last week in the cause of our surveillance activities, we notice three illegal gas plants found within Ikot Ekpene axis.

    “These are gas plants that they just brought gas vessels and they planted them just to do business in spite of the dangers impose to people’s property, environment and danger to life,” he said.

    He said that those illegal gas plants lack and does not have standard facilities like engineering, safety, earth and environment.

    “Before the DPR will give you an approval or license, there are certain engineering and standard you must achieved.

    READ ALSO: DPR seals 12 filling stations in Sokoto, Kebbi

    “You just don’t come and run a facility, you must have an international standard and they are business that are governed with same code and same standard,” kingsley-Sundaye said.

    Kingsley- Sunday said that the department had written to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to enforce law and order to the illegal gas plants if operational.

    He explained that any illegal gas plants owners that does not comply with International Standard would be arrested and possibly prosecuted in the state.

    He advised gas plants owners to ensure that their plants meet up the minimum standard and guidelines of doing business in the state.

    The Operations Controller appealed to owners of gas plants to get details that gives impetus to DPR in order to grant them license and approval to operates.
    Kingsley-Sundaye thanked NSCDC for their support towards achieving the objectives of the department.

  • BREAKING: Egbemode, Akande’s son make Osun commissioners list

    President Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mrs. Funke Egbemode has made the list of commissioners and special advisers submitted to the Assembly by Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

    Oyetola submitted the 35-man list on Tuesday.

    Osun Speaker Timothy Owoeye read the list at plenary.

    Read Also: 14 passengers abducted in Osun freed

    Also on the list are: Femi Akande, son of the former Interim National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Adebisi Akande; Mr Remi Omowaiye, Supervisor for Works and Mr. Nathaniel Agunbiade, who represented Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015.

    Yemi Lawal, running mate of Senator Iyiola Omisore, the 2018 governorship Candidate of SDP in Osun and Taiwo Akeju, the spokesperson of the SDP also made the list.

  • NDLEA intercepts 238kg of cannabis in Edo

    The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a vehicle conveying about 238 kilogrammes of substance suspected to be cannabis to Port Harcourt, in Rivers State.

    Mr Buba Wakawa, the State Commander of the NDLEA, who disclosed this to newsmen in Benin on Tuesday, said the vehicle belonged to an interstate cannabis smuggling syndicate.

    “The suspect is being held in connection with unlawful possession of 17 bags of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis weighing 238 kilogrammes hidden in a false compartment of a bus.

    “The arrest took place at Abudu along the Benin/Agbor Road based on intelligence report.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the J5 Bus with registration number Lagos XL 591 MUS conveying the cannabis took off from Ifon in Ondo State and was going to Port Harcourt when it was intercepted by officers of the Irrua Area Command.

    “The syndicate used the mode of concealment to smuggle drugs undetected. There were few empty crates of beer to mislead officers that there are no goods in the bus, but fortunately, they were caught in the act.

    READ ALSO: NDLEA arrests seven ‘drug barons’ in Kwara

    “We are working to bring all members of the criminal group to justice,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the 48-year-old suspect, who claimed to hail from Delta and married with four children, admitted transporting cannabis to earn a living.

    “I attended primary school in my home town, Owhelogbo in Isoko North Local Government Area, and after my primary education, I learnt welding from 1989 to 1994.

    “However, in 1995 I changed my carrier to driving and I transport cannabis to earn a living, but I am not the owner. They gave me N25, 000 after fuel and other expenses to deliver the drug,” the suspect said.

    The Commander, however, said that the suspect would soon be charged to court.

    (NAN)

  • Abacha family to Adoke: your claims on Malabu false

    The family of former head-of-state Gen. Sani Abachi on Monday hit back at former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Adoke (SAN) over alleged false claims he made in his book.

    Adoke claims that the Abachas went to court over OPL 245 because of their political connections.

    But, the family said it was not directly in court over the oil deal as Adoke claims.

    In a statement by Mohammed Abacha, the family said Adoke made a “baseless allegation” in his book: Burden of Service – Reminiscences of Nigeria’s former Attorney General.

    Adoke writes: “The Abacha family decided to go to court and make claims on the OPL 245 otherwise known as Malabu because it has sympathisers in the Mohammadu Buhari Government.”

    The family said contrary to Adoke’s claim, a separate legal entity, Malabu Oil and Gas, in which Mohammed Abacha has a stake, is in court over OPL 245.

    Besides, the family said its members were citizens with rights and do not need influence or sympathisers in the government to seek justice through the legal process.

    Read Also: Adoke has case to answer on Malabu Oil Block scandal, says EFCC

    The family said Malabu Oil and Gas had consistently engaged the judicial process to seek redress even under previous administrations.

    “The Abacha family and/or Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd has always engaged the constitutional legal process in seeking redress and does not need any political sympathisers or conducive political environment to seek justice.

    “Malabu is presently in court not because of any sympathiser(s) in government. It has no such sympathisers and does not need one like the Adoke’s sense of justice of influence peddling would want the world to believe,” the family said.

    It added: “It is, therefore, unfortunate and totally false for Adoke, a former Chief Law Officer of the Federation to have been quoted or credited as saying that: ‘for the eight years that president Obasanjo was in power, the Abachas never came out to make a claim to OPL245. They never tried it under President Yar’adua. Under President Jonathan, they never came out boldly to assert any claim.’

    “It will be recalled that in 2010 Alhaji Mohammed Sani Abacha instituted an action at the Federal High Court, Abuja in suit NO. FHC/ABJ/CS57/2010 before Hon. Justice Kolawole asserting his 50 per cent wnership shares in Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd.

    “It was during the pendency of this action that the purported re-allocation of Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, and Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE) was carried out under the watch of Mohammed Adoke (SAN) in 2011.

    “Also, Mohammed Sani Abacha asserted his ownership of 50 per cent before the House of Representatives Committee on Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd in 2014. The report of the committee confirmed Mohammed Abacha’s 50 per cent ownership in Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd.

    “It will also be recalled that when the report was challenged at the Federal High Court Abuja before Hon. Justice A. R. Mohammed, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Abacha instructed the law firm of R.O. Atabo & Co. to file an application for him and Pecos Energy Ltd to participate in the case as interveners in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/816/2014.”

    Abacha said when his shares were allegedly altered on Form CO2 at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja, he petitioned the CAC Director-General, following which the share structure was reversed and the matter referred to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation.

    “Notwithstanding the reversal of the share structure, Malabu Oil & Gas was purportedly sold and re-allocated to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep (SNUD) and Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE) under questionable circumstances for a consideration of $1.3billion,” the statement said.

    Abacha said $801,540,000 was allegedly transferred from the Federal Government Escrow Account to Keystone Bank and First Bank accounts controlled by a private individual, who was neither a shareholder nor director of Malabu Oil & Gas and without appropriation by the National Assembly.

    “All these happened when Mohammed Adoke was holding office as the Attorney-General of the Federation…

    “The 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that all monies accruing to the Government of the Federation shall be appropriated by the National Assembly,” the statement said.

    Abacha added that there was no shred of evidence that $801,540,000 was appropriated by the National Assembly.