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  • INEC flouting tribunal order on inspection of election materials, says Akpabio

    Senator Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial district has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state of denying his legal team access to election materials.

    It could be recalled that the Chairman of the Election Petition

    Tribunal, Justice W.O Akanbi had on April 2 granted Senator Akpabio, the petitioner and applicant and his agents including forensic experts’ access to inspect and copy all electoral materials used in the Akwa Ibom Northeast senatorial election.

    However, counsel to SenatorAkpabio, Mr. Patrick Umoh disclosed that the INEC in the state has refused to obey the order of the tribunal to allow them inspect and copy the materials for litigation purposes.

    Umoh told our correspondent that it was obvious that the state

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC, Mr. Mike Igini was colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state to frustrate the efforts of the legal team.

    Read also: INEC Chairman Yakubu: votes now count

    “We learnt that on the instruction of Igini, Akwa Ibom INEC has consistently flouted the order and has refused the agents of Senator

    Akpabio and forensic experts access to the election material. INEC has been engaging in a hide-and-seek game.

    “We also wish to inform you that we had earlier reported for the said inspection on Thursday, the 11thday of April, 2019, Friday, 12thApril, 2019 and Monday, 15thApril, 2019 but our efforts to have access to the materials and inspect same did not yield any positive result,” Umoh said.

    Akpabio’s lawyer said that the hide-and-seek by Igini may have been to tip off the PDP and give them sufficient time to oppose the move for the inspection of the election materials by forensic experts hired by Senator Akpabio.

    “INEC has colluded with PDP and advised the party to file a motion on April 16th which they cited as the reason they couldn’t allow the inspection of the materials as ordered by the court.

    “Analysts believe the hide-and-seek by INEC was to give the PDP enough time to file the motion,” he maintained.

    Head legal department of INEC in Akwa Ibom, Mr. MarkChukwu who spoke on the matter said it is not true that Akpabio’s legal team was denied access to electoral materials.

    Chukwu explained that the senator’s lawyers had met with the

    commission to allow them inspect and copy the materials which the commission quickly granted.

    He, however, said the inspection which was scheduled for 11am on Wednesday would have taken place but for Motion on Notice obtained from court and issued to INEC by one of the parties in the election.

    Chukwu further said that despite the Motion on Notice, the commission still went ahead to invite legal teams of all the political parties to come inside the strong room to inspect the materials.

    He, however, said the inspection was not possible because of the shabby arrangement of the materials, which needed the presence of Electoral Officers to help sort them out.

  • Breaking: Buhari moves to dissolve cabinet

    President Muhammadu Buhari is set to dissolve his cabinet as he prepares to wind down his first term in office.

    Buhari, who was recently re-elected, in a statement on Wednesday directed the ministers to submit a comprehensive reports of their respective ministries.

    They have till Wednesday, April 24 as the deadline for submission to the Presidential Audit Committee in the office of the Vice President.

    They are also directed to submit all outstanding memos to Federal Executive Council to the Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not later than Tuesday, 30th April, 2019

    The statement, which was signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity) reads: “As the first term of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration winds down, the President has asked for a comprehensive “status reports on policies, programs and projects” from cabinet members on their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

    Read also: Breaking: I’m far more qualified than Atiku, Buhari tells tribunal

     “These reports have Wednesday, April 24, 2019 as the deadline for submission to the Presidential Audit Committee in the office of the Vice President.

     “A circular to this effect issued by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, also requested members of the Federal Executive Council to “ensure that all outstanding memoranda they intend to present to the Federal Executive Council are submitted to the Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not later than Tuesday, 30th April, 2019.

     “The circular also informed members that the “9th and 10th meetings of the Council have been rescheduled to Thursday, 25th April and Thursday, 2nd May, 2019 respectively” in view of the Easter break and May Day celebrations.”

  • Owo begins traditional rites for late Olowo

    Owo community will on Thursday officially announce the passage of the Olowo of Owo in Ondo state, Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi who joined his ancestors on Tuesday night.

    Oba Olateru-Olagbegi passed at the age of 77.

    At the palace, it was observed that many of the residents were discussing in groups about the demise of the first class monarch and Law teacher.

    READ ALSO: When Owo Town stood still for Igogo Festival

    There was calm in the ancient community.

    One of the Chiefs at the palace hinted that the palace would officially pronounce the death of Oba Folagbade according to tradition of the town

    He added that traditional burial rites had commenced for the departed monarch.

  • UPDATED: I’m far more qualified than Atiku, Buhari tells tribunal

    President Muhammadu Buhari has responded to allegations contained in the petition by Atiku Abubakar and his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before the presidential election tribunal.

    Buhari, in a response filed on April 16 by a team of lawyers led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), put a lie to the claim by Atiku and the PDP that he was not qualified to stand for election to the office of the President.

    The President said he was far more qualified than Atiku and challenged Atiku to produce his academic credentials before the tribunal.

    He argued that it was Atiku Abubakar who was not qualified to contest for the office he is seeking occupy.

    Buhari said he did not, “at any time, provide any false information in Form CF00] submitted to the lSt respondent, either in 2014 or 2018.

    “The affidavit of compliance to the 2019 Form CF001 was correct in every material particular.

    Read also: Senate passes seven bills rejected by Buhari

    “In filling Form CF001 in 2014 and 2019, respondent was not oblivious of the constitutional qualifications stipulated in Section 131 of the Constitution and interpreted in Section 318 of the same Constitution.

    “Petitioners themselves are also not oblivious of the fact that respondent possesses far more than the constitutional threshold expected for a candidate contesting for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The respondent avers that he is far more qualified, both constitutionally and educationally, to contest and occupy the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria than the 1st petitioner (Atiku); and that in terms of educational qualifications, trainings and courses attended, both within and outside Nigeria, he is head and shoulder above the 1st petitioner in terms of acquisition of knowledge, certificates, laurels, medals, and experience.

    “Respondent states further that it is the 1st petitioner, who is not qualified to contest the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and challenges the educational credentials and certificates of the 1st petitioner.

    “1st petitioner is hereby given notice to produce and tender his educational certificates, indicating the schools attended by him, with dates.”

    The President gave his educational resume as: “Elementary School, Daura and Maid’adua (1948 – 1952), Middle School, Katsina (1953-1956, Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina (1956-1961).”

    Buhari faulted the entire petition filed by the PDP and Atiku, noting that they are more about pre-election issues, which the Court of Appeal, sitting as a tribunal lacked jurisdiction.

    He also argued that the petitioners told lies against themselves in the petition and made conflicting claims which the tribunal cannot grant.

    For instance, Buhari noted that while the petitioners claimed to have won the last presidential election and also won elections in many states in the south-south and south-eastern part of the country, they also urged the court to nullify the election and order a fresh presidential election.

    Burari argued that by virtue of Section of 137of the Electoral Act, petitioners cannot question the results of elections in states where they claim to have won and still retain themselves as petitioners.

    Buhari faulted the petitioners’ claim that the election was marred by corrupt practices and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

    Continue in page 2

  • UCL: Origi in for Liverpool against Porto

    Divock Origi was named in Liverpool’s side to face Porto in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

    The 23-year-old Belgian, a substitute in the first leg which Liverpool won 2-0, got the nod up front ahead of Roberto Firmino who dropped to the bench as one of three changes made by Jurgen Klopp.

    There were also starts for James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum as Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson took their places amongst the substitutes.

    Read Also: Liverpool denied top spot by Everton

    FC Porto XI: Casillas, Militao, Felipe, Pepe, Alex Telles, Corona, Danilo, Herrera, Brahimi, Otavio, Marega

    Subs: Vana, Maxi, Bruno Costa, Oliver, Andre Pereira, Soares, Fernando Andrade

    Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Milner, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah, Origi

    Subs: Mignolet, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Henderson, Sturridge, Shaqiri

     

  • Senate passes new police bill

    The administration of the Nigeria Police is set for far reaching reforms as the Senate on Wednesday passed the Police Reform Bill, which saw drastic amendments to, and review of some provisions of the Police Act of 1943.

    If the bill is eventually assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) will be appointed for a five-year single tenure in office. The tenure of office is statutory, regardless of the retirement age of the appointee.

    One of the key highlights of the bill was that while the President retained the power to appoint the IGP, such appointment has to be confirmed by the Senate.

    Also, unlike the existing practice where the President can fire the IGP at will, the removal from office of the IGP has to be by recommendation of the Nigerian Police Council, as stated in Clause 7(7c) of the bill.

    Going by a provision of the bill, the Nigeria Police Council shall nominate three applicants from among the pool of qualified candidates for the position of IGP to the President for appointment.

    The Police Council, the bill states, shall be chaired by the President, with the 36 state Governors, Chairman of the Police Service Commission and the Inspector – General of Police as members.

    Read Also: Senate passes seven bills rejected by Buhari

    Clause 7(4c) of the bill states that the President shall appoint the Inspector – General from recommended applicants subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

    Also, one of the provisions of the bill is a two-year jail term, or N5 million fine as punishment for anyone who impersonates a policeman or a police officer.

    Similarly, any police officer caught for excessive use of force against civilians, leading to the death or bodily injury, shall be liable to two years jail term, or N1 million fine upon conviction.

    This, however, is without prejudice to existing internal disciplinary measures in the police.

    Addressing newsmen shortly after the passage of the bill, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Tijani Kaura, said the essence of the bill was to make the police people-friendly and service-oriented.

    Kaura said training and re-training of police officers and men was also one of the key highlights of the bill, with the welfare of officers and men as priority.

    Kaura said, “All the age long draconian laws in the Police Act of 1943 have been removed to make the Police people friendly, efficient and more effective in crime detection and security service delivery.

    “The bill prescribed constant trainings and welfare packages for men and officers with the recently passed Police Trust Bill to ensure availability of funds for implementation.

    “In the Police Trust Fund Bill, provisions like .5 percent from Nigeria’s gross income, .005% of profits made by companies in Nigeria would go a long way in helping government to fund the Police very adequately for improved security services to Nigerians”.

  • UCL: Line-ups of Man City vs Tottenham

    Man City

    31Ederson

    2Walker

    4Kompany

    14Laporte

    22Mendy

    17De Bruyne

    8Gündogan

    21Silva

    20Bernardo Silva

    10Agüero

    7Sterling

     

    Substitutes

    5Stones

    19Sané

    25Fernandinho

    26Mahrez

    30Otamendi

    33Gabriel Jesus

    49Muric

     

    Tottenham

    1Lloris

    2Trippier

    4Alderweireld

    5Vertonghen

    3Rose

    12Wanyama

    17Sissoko

    20Alli

    23Eriksen

    7Son Heung-Min

    27Lucas Moura

     

    Substitutes

    6D Sánchez

    16Walker-Peters

    18Llorente

    21Foyth

    22Gazzaniga

    33Davies

    52 Skipp

  • EU lawmakers approve bill to remove online terrorism contents

    Internet hosting services that fail to promptly remove online terrorist content could face hefty fines under a bill
    approved by EU lawmakers on Wednesday.

    “Companies could be fined up to 4 per cent of their annual turnover if they `systematically and persistently’ violate a requirement that content is removed within an hour after national authorities give notice,’’ the parliament said in a statement.

    The bill was passed by 308 votes to 204, with 70 abstentions.

    However, negotiators will have to wait until the new European Parliament convenes in July, after EU elections, to hash out a final deal with member states, as this week is the last plenary session of the term.

    In a nod to concerns of civil liberties groups and other critics, the bill does not require providers to monitor the content that they transmit or store, or to actively seek out illegal posts.

    READ ALSO: EU lawmakers move to ban throw-away plastics

    It also does not require firms to set up a de facto filter to catch such content automatically, which the original European Commission proposal called for last year.

    In addition, the bill includes language aimed at small providers.

    It calls on national regulators to contact small platforms when they incur first-time notices, first giving them information and then allowing 12 hours before issuing the order.

    It also seeks to provide a clear definition of terrorist content, while noting that “the expression of polemic or controversial views on sensitive political questions” should not fall in that category.

    For providers who are repeat offenders, the legislation allows authorities to impose additional measures, such as requiring extra staff or regular reporting.

  • Breaking: FG approves $20m foreign loan for Lagos strategic transportation plan

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the loan of $20 million for Lagos state strategic transportation plan.

    The sum is part of the total $247 million loan approval granted at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The other $227 million loan is for rural electrification and West Africa Power projects.

    The minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, who announced the loan approval, said the Lagos transportation project when completed will benefit 1.8 million people in the state.

    Lagos state she said has the capacity to repay the loan.

    She briefed State House Correspondents alongside with Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, FCT Minister, Bello Mohammed and Senior Special Assistant to the President,  Garba Shehu.

    She explained that the country’s borrowing is still within limit.

    She said: “The third loan approval is $20 million, for the Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan, this facility is from the French Development Agency.

    “The objective of the project is to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of Lagos urban area and to promote urban development sitting by efficient and effective transport system.

    “The project has two major components, first is to rehabilitate urban roads and the creation of minimum of eight equality bus corridors and the creation of two multi-model inter-changes at Marina and Mile 2. The second objective is to provide technical support for implementation and management.

    Read Also: Lagos set for new bus experience

    “When completed, the project is expected to impact 1.8 million inhabitants of Lagos State and accumulative 1.5 million users per day for inter-model inter-changes without about 620,000 boarding at Mile 2 and 480,000 boarding at Marina. Another estimated 630,000 boarding at QBS.

    “The project is being undertaken by Lagos State agency, LAMATA under its own strategy.

    “So the federal government is borrowing to unlearn to Lagos following the same terms and conditions that we signed.

    “Our assessment is that Lagos state has the capacity to repay the loan.”

    The Council also approved $150 million loan facility from African development bank and $50 million loan from African Grow Together Fund to finance the Nigeria electrification project.

    The project, the Minister said “is a nationwide initiative to be implemented by the rural electrification agency. The project aligns with the strategy of federal government on electrifying rural community. ”

    The project, She revealed has four components, first is solar hybrid mini-grid for rural economic development, the second is productive appliances equipment for off-grid communities and the third is energising education while the fourth component is institutional capacity building.

    “The impact of the project when fully implemented, about 500,000 people will be able to have access to electricity for about 105,000 households.

    “The maximum power that will be generated will be 76.5 megawatts installed generating capacity part of which is 68,000 megawatts of solar.

    “Eight universities will benefit from this scheme and about 20,000 small, micro, medium enterprises across different communities in the nation,” she added.

    The other foreign loan approval of 27.3million is for the West Africa regional power project.

    The post project aims to connect Nigeria, Niger, Benin Republic, Togo, Burkina Faso with a high voltage 330 kilowatts transmission line, to facilitate energy trade amongst participants.

    She said: “The second approval the North Core Dorsal regional transmission project. This is a project that is part of the pipeline for the pipeline for the West Africa power pull priority projects. The intention is for the creation of regional power pull in the region of west Africa. The post project aims to connect Nigeria, Niger, Benin Republic, Togo, Burkina Faso with a high voltage 330 kilowatts transmission line, to facilitate energy trade amongst participants.

    “The project is in the total sum of $640 million out of which each of the four countries involved has a component. Nigeria has the smallest component in this pact which is a total loan of $27.3 million IADE  facility, it is a concessionary loan. This is a loan that the four countries are taking together, the other three countries have concluded theirs, so this is one of the final stages for Nigeria to conclude its process.”

    FEC also approved contract in the sum of N3.86 billion for projects in FCT.

    Briefing newsmen on the approval, FCT Minister, Hello Mohammed said: “The first is the approval for the rehabilitation of 12.6 kilometer of road from the junction Gwagwalada in the abuja Lokoja A1 express way. It will pass through Gwagwalada specialist hospital upto Bello village at the cost of N1.3 billion, with a completion period of eight months.

    “Council also approved the award of contract for the provision of cultural zone at the cost of N1.3 billion with a completion period of nine months.

    “Council also approved the award of contract for the reconstruction of access road leading the lower usuma dam, which provides portable water to the residents of abuja and environs. This is line with this administration’s stance of twin contract development of the city and satellite towns to make it easier for residence to stay in either satellite towns or city. The contract sum is N1.26 billion with a completion period of six months .”

    Also, the two memos presented by the Ministry of Transportation, got the approval of council, Amaechi said .

    The sum of $8.7 million was approved for the rail projects spanning Ibadan-Kano-Oshogbo-Minna-Abuja.

    With the approval yesterday, the project will now include Oshogbo-Ekiti.

    He said “There was an approval for $8.7 billion for Ibadan to Kano to Oshogbo, to Minna to Abuja. Minna to Kaduna, Kaduna to Kano. What we sought for was the variation because the financing authority wanted to find just $5.7 billion. We needed approval to negotiate the remender as a commercial loan.

    “Again the President also approved that we add Oshogbo to Ekiti as part of the construction. It was not there earlier. That will cost us a total of $500 million.

    “The next one was approval for N474.4 million for the purchase of 22 number operational vehicles for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. There will be two Hiace vehicle and 21 others

    In the cost of each of the vehicles, he said the unit price for each of the buses is N27.5 million and they are two. And don’t forget that there is nothing we do that does not go through due process. So they would have checked the actual prices in the market. And the other ones are N28.5 million multiple by 21 vehicles.

    “Also, FEC approved the bill for the establishment of a Nigeria Army University in Biu, Borno state. You will recall the council in April 2018 approved the establishment of the university. The bill will be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislation.”

  • Doctors commence strike in Imo

    Medical doctors in Imo state owned hospitals and health facilities on Wednesday began an indefinite strike action.

    The Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kyrian Duruewuru, who briefed journalists, alleged that the state government is treating the striking doctors unfairly.

    He explained that the first phase of the strike would involve all doctors in Imo state University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Imo State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma and Hospital Management Board.

    According to him, the second phase of the industrial action would have all doctors in private hospitals and those in federal health centres in the state downing their tools.

    READ ALSO: Imo Assembly recalls suspended lawmakers

    He noted that while their “colleagues practising in other states were enjoying the adjusted salary structure for medical practitioners, the state government had refused to implement it in the state”.

    In his words:  “For the past four years, doctors in Imo state have received seventy percent of their salaries. Also the doctors are being owed three months’ salary arrears by the Imo state government. For us, this is highly unacceptable and very insensitive.”

    He said that all the moves by the NMA to make sure that the situation was resolved failed hence the industrial action.

    The doctors, who had earlier given a two week ultimatum, said that they were demanding for the payment of their salary arrears.