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  • Yuguda, ASUU disagree over plan to convert ATBU to conventional varsity

    Yuguda, ASUU disagree over plan to convert ATBU to conventional varsity

    Former Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, on Friday led key state stakeholders in endorsing the Senate’s plan to convert Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, from a specialised university of technology into a conventional university.

    The endorsement came during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, aimed at gathering stakeholder input on the proposed amendment to the university’s enabling Act.

    At the hearing, Yuguda described opposition to the conversion as unfair to the people of Bauchi State and surrounding communities, pointing to the limitations students face due to the absence of several academic programmes at ATBU.

    “Anyone who is against converting the university to a conventional one is not being fair. I know what I went through to ensure ATBU began running medicine. Today, we have produced over 100 medical doctors,” he said.

    Yuguda, an economics and accounting graduate, stressed that students should not be denied access to courses essential for their development simply because of the institution’s current classification.

    “If economics is not offered at ATBU, why shouldn’t I fight for it? There are many science, arts and social science courses that are needed but are not being run,” he added.

    However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ATBU branch, opposed the proposed amendment. 

    The branch chairman, Haruna Angulu, said the union’s position, as contained in its memorandum, was against converting the institution to a conventional university.

    “In an era where the world is moving rapidly towards technology, what is required is increased funding to strengthen the existing specialised university of technology, not to make it conventional,” Angulu said.

    He noted that ATBU is the only university of technology in the North-East and warned that the region could lose a critical technological institution if the amendment is passed.

    Earlier, in a keynote address delivered at the hearing, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said it was the responsibility of lawmakers to ensure that legislation affecting national institutions benefits from broad stakeholder engagement.

    “Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University has, over the decades, served as an important centre of excellence in science, technology, research and innovation,” Akpabio said.

    He added that the institution, like many public universities, had evolved beyond the framework envisaged in its original Act, making legislative review necessary.

    Akpabio urged academics, administrators, regulators, students, civil society groups and development partners to contribute constructively to the process.

    In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South), said the public hearing was designed to draw from the collective wisdom of stakeholders.

    He explained that as ATBU has expanded in programmes, structure and responsibilities, some provisions of its existing Act had become inadequate.

    “The amendment bill seeks to update and strengthen the governance framework of the university and clearly define the roles of key officers,” Dandutse said.

    He acknowledged that the Senate’s plan to broaden academic offerings to include arts, social sciences and humanities had generated intense debate among academics, students, policymakers and industry experts.

  • Be patient for Tinubu’s reforms to bear fruits, Yuguda begs Nigerians 

    Be patient for Tinubu’s reforms to bear fruits, Yuguda begs Nigerians 

    Former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu for the ongoing reforms to materialise.

    Yuguda, who doubles as Chairman, Board of Trustees of APC Professional Forum (APCPF), insisted that the president was on the right path to delivering the country out of the woods.

    According to him, the ongoing policies being embarked upon by President Tinubu’s administration, especially in the power sector, would get Nigeria out of its age-long challenges.

    Yuguda, who spoke after the forum hosted the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen said: “What Nigeria needs is what the president is doing for us today.”

    He described Tinubu’s government as one that is “seeing things delivered on the table, and not about things that are talked about and never seen.”

    Speaking further at the event where the presidential aide briefed reporters on government’s policy reforms and implementation in the energy (oil and gas) sector, Yuguda recalled that a huge amount of money has been sunk into the power sector by successive administrations without much achievement.

    He said: “As APC Professional Forum, we are duty bound to know what we are achieving in government so that we can talk to the general public and tell them ‘yes, the government is working.’

    “What you have heard from her, you can appreciate that it’s a complete departure from what it used to be. In fact, the kind of interventions, corrections and incentives that they (government) have put in place today, for the purpose of improving power, and distributing it at an affordable level to the lowest of the low in this country is appreciable.

    “As we have just heard it from her, at least, we are just waiting for time. She has confirmed to us beyond reasonable doubt that the government is working with time. It’s not like the experience in the past where policy makers would come out and make remarks and before you start seeing the results, maybe it could be years, or it would never come. Sometimes, it was just a promise on the ground but no implementation.

    “You can appreciate the fact that Asiwaju ‘s government is that of seeing things delivered on the table and not about things that are talked about and never seen.

    “So what Nigeria needs is what he is doing for us today. And of course, all of you are aware of the level of destruction that has been done in the power sector.

    “If you recall, for some of you that are old enough, during the time of our revered Bola Ige, when he was in the power ministry, he said he would deliver power in two years. But if you look at money that has been invested in the power sector since then, it’s just beyond anybody’s imagination and it does appear this is the only time that we are getting it right.”

    Verheijen explained that her office has been working with the president to support his agenda around reforms, investments and the formulation of policies and coordination of policies that enable investments across oil, gas and power sectors. 

    She said: “Oil and gas sector is critical, at least in the short term, to our physical and microeconomic stability. For our ability to earn foreign exchange, this sector produces 90 percent of the foreign exchange earnings. 

    “So the ability to stabilise our currency, stem inflation is directly related to our ability to grow production here.And the only way to grow that production is by undertaking the reforms that the president signed and making sure that this is an attractive, valuable proposition to investors to make their investment.”

    According to the presidential aide, in the last one year, the government has generated $600 million of interest from investment in the energy sector, following the directive by President Tinubu to unlock more gas investments into the sector.

    Read Also: Tinubu’ll tackle Nigeria’s long-standing challenges – Yuguda

    She said: “With this directive, we are going to make sure that this 76 per cent reserve gets developed with a sense of urgency and a sense of purpose. We have the will, we have the capacity and we are going to do that and make sure that people make this investment.

    “Even though there is a negative press of some of the investors turning away from Nigeria over the last two decades, what was not as widely celebrated was the fact that four weeks after that negative press came, that same investor worked with NNPC to make an investment of almost $600 million, based solely on the directive of the president to unlock more gas investment into the sector.

    “There is no way to ensure that we are able to power the level of development and accelerated economic growth and industrialisation that we want to see without on-grid electrification.”

  • Akpabio, Yuguda rally support for Buhari

    FORMER Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has urged members of the Presidential Support Committee (PSC) for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election to intensify their campaign to ensure that the President defeats his major opponent, former Vice President Abubakar Atiku by a minimum of 10 million votes.

    Akpabio spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while inaugurating the the group’s Southwest zonal leadership.

    Also, former Bauchi State Governor and Chairman, Miners for Buhari/ Osinbajo Mallam Isa Yuguda pledged five million votes for Buhari’s re-election bid.

    Yuguda stated this yesterday in Abuja at a news conference organised by Miners for Buhari and Osinbajo (MFBO).

    Buhari is contesting on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku is  People’s Democratic Party (PDP)  candidate in the February 16 presidential election.

    Akpabio, who is the national coordinator of the PSC Committee, said it is made up of over 1,900 volunteer groups who are mobilising support for the President’s re-election.

    He said: “You must set a target for yourselves. Mr. President must have over 10 million votes more than the next person.

    “Our states are for the APC and President Buhari. God has guaranteed victory for APC in 2019 because when we go for campaigns, we always plead with the security not to allow people into the stadium because everywhere we have been to for campaigns, you will see crowd,” he added.

    The former Senate Minority Leader described Buhari as a rare kind of leader that comes once in a generation.

    “This man, who has integrity, has brought back respect to Nigeria. His integrity and honesty made African heads of state crown him czar of anti-corruption in Africa. I joined APC because I believe in transformational leadership.

    “When I was governor in 2012, we were getting zero allocation. There was massive corruption in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Petroleum Ministry. The President brought Treasury Single Account (TSA) and everything improved. Yesterday at the University of Nigeria in Enugu, the president commissioned an edifice, an academic centre of excellence built by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). There were three of them awarded in 2006 but nothing was done. But the president came and commissioned one of it yesterday and the remaining two are also ready to be commissioned.

    “He has improved power generation from 2.3 megawatts to seven megawatts. He has also been fair to all the states by giving them bail out funds. He didn’t say you are PDP or you are APGA; he gave everybody bail out funds”. Akpabio said.

    PSC Deputy National Coordinator (South) Senator Akin Odunsi gave kudos to the various groups mobilising grassroots support for Buhari/Osinbajo and APC candidates.

    He said PSC would hold mega rallies in the six Southwest states on the same day to support Buhari’s re-election.

    But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Affairs, Gideon Zamani warned the members of the group that their job won’t be so easy.

    Senator Ajayi Boroffice will serve as the Zonal Coordinator of PSC in the Southwest and Dele Olanubi, an engineer, will serve as the secretary.

    Some other members of the committee are: Women Leader, Chief(Mr.) Yetunde Babajide; Deputy Women Leader Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo; Treasurer, Rilwan Akinjagunla; Organising Secretary I Olugbenga Ogundare; Organising Secretary II, Adebisi Abraham; Director, Mobilisation and Contact Alhaji Garuba Goniya and Doyin Johnson will serve as Publicity Secretary.

    The State Coordinators are Moshood Salvador (Lagos); Olajide Adelani (Ondo); Erelu Laide Badmus (Oyo); Lukman Abimbola Bello (Osun); Suraj Fadairo (Ogun) and Chief Tunde Arifayan (Ekiti).

    Dignitaries at the event include the APC National Women Leader Hajia Salamatu Baiwa; the Iyaloja general of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs.) Juliana Raheem; APC southwest Women Leader Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson; Mr. Woke Arisekola; Chief Femi Olaore; Chief Gbolagade Andre; Prof. Fasina Nelson; Chief Olajide Onaolapo; Chief (Mrs.) Bisi Otunba; Statistician General of the Federation Dr. Yemi Kale and former Deputy Governor of Ondo State Alhaji Alli Olanusi.

    Yuguda, in Abuja, said from the series of consultations carried out by the association in places where mining activities occur, it was agreed by miners that the enabling environment they are enjoying was due to Buhari administration’s policies.

    Yuguda added that anything short of continuity would make the mining industry suffer a setback.

  • Buhari receives ex-PDP chairman Muazu, Yuguda, others at Bauchi APC rally

    BAUCHI-PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is happy at the success story from the agricultural sector under his administration.

    Buhari,speaking yesterday at an All Progressives Congress (APC)  rally in Bauchi said the agricultural policies of the government had produced the desired result.

    “The last two rainy seasons recorded in the last two years in the country as a result of which farmers recorded bumper harvest, were gifts from God,” he told a massive crowd of supporters

    “Nigerians who heeded to my call for them to go back to farm, had no cause to regret,” he said.

    Buhari promised that if re-elected for a second term, he would ensure that all existing agricultural  programmes initiated by his administration, were sustained to ensure food security.

    He expressed delight that the agricultural programme had reduced mass importation of food items.

    He also expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the anti graft war embarked upon by his adminstration, saying it had yielded dividends.

    The president reiterated the commitment of his administration to protect public treasury and ensure that looters were prosecuted according to the law of the land.

    In his remarks, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, cautioned the people against giving their mandate to someone else.

    He urged Nigerians to thoroughly scrutinize presidential aspirants, adding that some of them that had boasted of being rich, owed it a duty to explain their sources of wealth.

    Oshiomhole formally received into the APC high ranking politicians who switched  allegiance mainly  from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.

    They included two former governors of the state,Alhaji  Adamu Muazu and Mallam  Isa Yuguda, a former deputy governor Abdulmalik Mahmood, as well as Senators  Abubakar Maikafi and Babayo Gamawa.

    The defectors were handed over to Oshiomhole by the APC chairman in the state, Alhaji Uba Nana who commended commended the defectors for taking the right decision at the appropriate time.

  • CORRUPTION TRAVEL BAN: Dasuki, Badeh, Daniel, Amosu, Yuguda, 45 others top travel ban list

    •Why presidency took action – top source
    •PDP, ex-Minister Fani-Kayode kick, fault ban

    A former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), 13 former governors and       seven ex- ministers have been barred from travelling out of the country under Executive Order 6 (EO6) issued yesterday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The restriction followed the judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6).

    The watch-list and restriction were put in place pending the conclusion of the cases against those affected.

    Also on the watch list seen last night by The Nation are: ex-governors Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); and Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina).

    The ex-ministers are Nenadi Usman, Bashir Yuguda, Jumoke Akinjide; Bala Mohammed; Abba Moro; Femi Fani-Kayode; and Ahmadu Fintiri.

    Others include a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; ex- Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A. D. Jibrin; a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar; a former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero; and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Chairman Emeritus of AIT/ Raypower, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Waripamowei  Dudafa (a former  Special Assistant (Domestic) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan); a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike; a former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia;

    Also on the list are a former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh; Chief Jide Omokore; Ricky Tarfa; and Dele Belgore (SAN).

    Most of the affected persons are currently facing trial for alleged corrupt practices in different courts.

    The list was generated from cases and proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police, and 17 other agencies.

    The document indicated that many of those affected had earlier been placed on similar legal restrictions by the courts and security agencies including restriction of movement, seizure of passport, temporary forfeiture of assets, freezing of accounts and others.

    Explaining the government’s action in a statement yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu said:  “Following the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6), President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.

    “To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.

    “Also, the financial transactions of these persons of interest are being monitored by the relevant agencies to ensure that the assets are not dissipated and such persons do not interfere with, nor howsoever corrupt the investigation and litigation processes.

    “It is instructive to note that EO6 was specifically directed to relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all assets within a minimum value of N50 million or equivalent, subject to investigation or litigation are protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful means, pending the final determination of any corruption-related matter.

    “The Buhari administration reassures all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians of its commitment to the fight against corruption, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the general principles of the Rule of Law.

    “Accordingly, this administration will uphold the rule of law in all its actions and the right of citizens would be protected as guaranteed by the Constitution.

    “We, therefore, enjoin all Nigerians to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities towards ensuring a successful implementation of the Executive Order 6 which is a paradigm-changing policy of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.”

    A top government official, who spoke in confidence, said there is no cause for alarm on E06.

    The source said: “The ban is not different from the conditions given by the court in granting these accused persons bail. The E06 is like a codification of steps to prevent those on trial for alleged corrupt practices from tampering with assets.

    “Some of these accused persons used to go to court for permission before they can travel out of the country. The E06 is not a new thing but instead of all agencies working at cross-purposes, a list was generated and backed with the Executive Order.

    “Some of those on trial, especially the Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) had been selling their assets. What will they return after being convicted?”

    PDP rejects travel ban, says it’s prelude to full-blown fascism

    The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the travel ban outright, dismissing it as an attempt by the Buhari administration to foist full-blown fascism on the country.

    Spokesman for  the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the travel restriction was illegal, draconian and targeted at members of opposition parties, perceived political enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari, well-meaning Nigerians, including members of the business community, religious leaders, former political leaders and traditional rulers, who are perceived to be averse to the President’s re-election bid.

    He said: “We hope this is not a ploy to harm certain eminent Nigerians on the claims of resisting travel restrictions.

    “The whole world can now see how fascism is fast taking over our democracy and judicial system and how the Buhari administration, by fiat, has directly ordered that citizens be secretly trailed, their movements and financial transactions restricted by government agencies, without recourse to due process of the law.

    “While the PDP notes that the Buhari Presidency has gone into panic mode since the popular emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as PDP Presidential candidate and the spontaneous jubilation his emergence has evoked across the country, the party maintains that the resort to total clamp down on the opposition and our supporters will be totally unacceptable.

    “What this means is that all Nigerians, particularly, opposition members, members of the business community and religious leaders, have become endangered and stand the risk of state violence under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

    “The PDP therefore alerts the international community to hold the Buhari Presidency responsible should any harm befall any opposition leader, key members of the business community and religious leaders across the country as we march towards the 2019 general elections.”

    The PDP maintained that no amount of intimidation, harassment and foisting of fascism will deter Nigerians from their determination to rally on its platform to oust the APC from power next year.

    Fani-Kayode too

    One of the affected persons, Femi Fani-Kayode, described the ban as “utterly shameful and condemnable”.

    He alleged that the ban was targeted at members of the opposition.

    The ex-Minister of Aviation said: “The banning of 50 prominent Nigerians who are all members of the opposition from travelling out of the country by Buhari’s Executive Order and the power to confiscate their assets even though they have not been empowered to do so by a court of law or convicted of any offence is utterly shameful and condemnable.

    “It is nothing less than a descent into fascism and a violation of the fundamental human rights and civil liberties of the individuals that have been directly affected and the Nigerian people.

    “It is also a usurpation of the role of the Judiciary. Buhari is so desperate to remain in power that he has now resorted to attempting to muscle and intimidate the opposition. He forgets that he is not God and that he will soon leave power.

    “I condemn his lawless and desperate ways in the strongest terms. Only dictators behave in this way and Buhari has proved to be the most brutal and callous of them all in the history of our nation. I challenge him to do his worse and enjoy the short time that he has left in office. Sadists never last. Soon it will all be over and he will account for his evil ways and brought to justice.”

    List of affected persons

    S/N/   CASE NO/CHARGE NUMBER &  COURT OF TRIAL

    PARTIES

    NPF

    1          FHC/ABJ/CR/48/2017                               FRN VS GABRIEL SUSWAM &

    2 ORS

    2          FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2017                            FRN VS SOLOMON WOMBO &

    2 ORS

    3          FHC/MKD/CR/72/2017                             FRN VS ORAYEV

    AUGUSTINE AVAAN & 8 ORS

    4          FCT/ABJ/CR/129/2017                             IGP VS RICHARD GBANDE & 2 ORS

    5          FCT/ABJ/CR/128/2017                             IGP VS RICHARD GBANDE & ORS

    6          FHC/L/18C/2015                                        IGP VS MOSHOOD JUBRIL

    1. FHC/CA/3C/2018-FHC,

    CALABAR                                                    FRN VS PETER AGI & 1 OTHER

    8          FHC/L472C/2015                                       IGP VS OWOLABI OLUKUNLE &

    11 ORS

    9          FHC/L/376C/2015                                      IGP VIS BAKARE JELILI

    10       FHC/L/523C/2015                                      IGP VIS ADESA JIMOH & 2 ORS

    11       FHC/L317C/2015                                       IGP VS KAYODE MORUF & ORS

    12       FHC/L/286C/2015                                      IGP VS JAMIU AJANI & 2 ORS

    13       FHC/L144C/2016                                       IGP VS GANIYU SULAIMAN

    14       FHC/L/139C/2016                                      IGP VS SHOLOLA OMOLARA &

    2 ORS

    15       FHC/L/394C/2016                                      FRN VS BILLIAMINU ABDULLAHI &                                                               ORS

    16       FHC/L/456C/2016                                      IGP VS TUMBIRI EZEKIEL & 11 ORS

    17       FHC/ABJ/CR/117/2017                            FRN VS ILIYA JAMES & ORS

    18       FHC/ABJ/CR/89/2017                               FRN VS AYINDE THOMAS

    19       FHC/ABJ/CR/182/2017                            FRN VS CHIMA MIKE & ORS

    20       FHC/ABJ/CR/94/2017                               FRN VS LUCKY UDOBI & ORS

    21       FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2017                               FRN VS ISMAIL OGALA & 2 ORS

    22       FHC/ABJ/CR/41/2018                               FRN VS RITA ISAAC & 2 ORS

    23       FHC/ABJ/CR/41/2018                               FRN VS ALIYU UMAR & 3 ORS

    24       HIGH COURT OF

    LAGOS 16 & 24                                         STATE VS CHUKWUDUMEME

    ONWUAMADIKE “EVANS & 2 ORS’’

    25       CR/265/C/2017                                           HENRY CHIBUEZE

    AKA “VAMPIRE” & 5 ORS

    26       CR/90/2017                                                 STATE VS HON. NASIRU

    UMAR RONI & 5 ORS

    27       CMC/TUM/98CR/2017                              STATE VS SHANONO

    ALH. AHMED & OTHER

    28       I/75C 2016 HIGH

    COURT 5, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS MUHAMMED

    WELI & 1 OTHER

    29       I/137C/2017-HIGH

    COURT 16 IBADAN                                  C. O. P. VS ABDULLAHI

    GARUBA & 3 ORS

    30       I/211C/2017-HIGH

    COURT 18 IBADAN                                  C. O. P. VS DAHIRU

    MOHAMMED

    31       I/172C/2017 -HIGH

    COURT 17 IBADAN                                 C. O. P. VS JOSEPH

    UDOMA & 3 ORS

    32       I/184C/2017-HIGH

    COURT 19 IBADAN                                 C. O. P. OWOYOMI OKE & 1 OTHER

    33       I/49C/2016-HIGH

    COURT 5, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS KABIRU ALI & 2 ORS

    34       I/69C/2016-HIGH

    COURT 4, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS TUNED IBRAHIM &

    2 ORS

    35       I/132C/2017 -HIGH

    COURT 5, IBADAN                                    C. O. P. VS TUNED IBRAHIM &

    3 ORS

    36       MOG/03C/2017                                          C. O. P. VS MUTAIRU

    MOHAMMED & 2 ORS

    37       HOY/11C/2016                                           C. O. P. VS SEGUN OMOLADUN

    38       MI/31C/2016                                                C. O. P. VS MUSA SALEH & 4 ORS

    39       CR: 32/2016/MOG10C/2016                  STATE VS JAMIL UMAR & 6 ORS

    40       CR: 34/2016/MOG12C/2016                  STATE VS SUNDAY EDOREN & 3                                                                 ORS

    41       CR: 42/2016/MOG/11C/2016                 STATE VS GOODLUCK OGHENE

    & 4 ORS

    42       CR: 49/2016/MCI/12C/2016                    STATE VS OYIBO SHELL & 2 ORS

    43       STATE VS EFE REUBEN

    44       CR: 78/2016/MOG/44C/2016                 STATE VS GODSTIME

    EKWEREME & 2 ORS

    45       CR: 78/2016/MK/16C/2016                     STATE VS SMART

    ONOLOGBE & 1 OTHER

    46       CR: 81/2016/CMA/259C/2016               STATE VS REUBENOJOGWU & 2                                                                 ORS

    47       MAB/1064C/2017                                      C. O. P. CHINOYEN AGU & ORS

    48       KTX/06/2018-HIGH

    COURT KATSINA                                      C. O. P. VS IBRAHIM

    MU’AZU & 1 OTHER

    NAPTIP

    49       FHC/L/48C/2018-FEDERAL

    HIGH COURT LAGOS JUDICIAL

    DIVISION                                                      NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE VS

    PROSSY NIGERIA LTD. & 6 ORS

    50       FHC/L/185C/2017 -FEDERAL

    HIGH COURT LAGOS JUDICIAL          DIVISION FEDERAL

    REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA VS

    HIZEC MARINE SERVICES LTD &

    4 ORS

    51       FHC/CA/CS/40/2017CALABAR

    JUDICIAL DIVISION                                  MAGGPIY TRADING TFZE VS NIGERIA

    CUSTOMS SERVICE BOARD &

    2 ORS

    ICPC

    52       HU/4C/2017- ABIA STATE

    HIGH COURT                                              FRN V. DR. PHILIPS NTO & 2 ORS

    53       FCT/HC/CR/92/12-

    COURT 10, APO  FCT                              FRN V. SUNDAY EHINDERO &

    JOHN OBANIYI

    54       ID/412C/13-COURT

    1, AWKA ANAMBRA STATE                 FRN V. EZEONWUKA INNOCENT

    55       KWS/56C/2016-KWARA STATE

    HIGH COURT                                              FRN V. DR. SA AD AYINLA

    ALANAMU & 2 ORS

    56       FHC/ABJ/CR/169/13-FED

    HIGH COURT 7, ABUJA                          FRN V. PROF. (SENATOR)

    DAVID IORNEM, & 2 ORS.

    57       FHC/EN/CR/72/15-FED.

    HIGH COURT 2, ENUGU                         FRN V. (1). PROF. E. ONYENEJE (2).

    1. LEONARD UGWU,

    (3). ELDER FREDRICK

    ONAH, (4). MR. BASIL OFFOR

    58       HU/38C/2016                                              FRN V. (1). COSMOS NDUKWE,

    (2). CONK PRODUCTION NIG. LTD.

    (3). CHIJIOKE OKONKWO

    59       HU/90C/2017-HIGH COURT

    4, UYO, AKWAIBOM                                FRN VS  EPHRAIM SUNDAY AKPAN

    60       PHC/888CR/2013-RIVERS

    STATE HIGH COURT

    4, SITTING IN

    PORTHARCOURT                                    FRN VS. ASO ADASA

    MORRISSON AND ORS.

    61       FCT/HC/CR/112/1-                                     FRN V. JOE EJE OKHIKU

    (FORMER ACTING

    DIRECTOR, NEWS AGENCY OF                                                                     NIGERIA)

    62       HCL/63C/2017-HIGH COURT

    OKENE KOGI STATE                              FRN V. ZACCAEUS ATTE

    63       MHC/73/2016- HIGH COURT

    MAKURDI, BENUE STATE                     FRN V. DONALD ANAGERIDE &                                                                     ANOR.

    64       K/ICPC02/2016                                          FRN V. RABIU T. WADA

    65       FHC/ABJ/CR/288/2015-

    FEDERAL HIGH COURT

    ABUJA                                                          FRN V. YEMI ARIS OLANIRE

    66       CR/136/2017- FCT

    HIGH COURT                                              FRN V. IBRAHIM HASSAN

    67       FHC/A1/59C/2013                                     FRN V. HENRY ALOR AND ANOR

    68       FCT/HC/CR/2014                                       FRN V. YUSUF AGABI & 3 ORS.

    69       KB/HC/27C/2017                                       FRN V (1) ALH. GARBA KAMBA

    (2) MOHAMMED TUNGA

    (3) ALH SAIDU DAKINGARI

    70       FCT/HC/CR/2003-FCT

    HIGH COURT 9                                         FRN V. MOHAMMED  ALI BALOGUN

    71       ZMS/GS/53C/2015                                    FRN V. SANI AHMED YERIMA &

    3 ORS.

    72       HU/36C/2015                                              FRN V. EZE BOB UBIARU

    73       CR/78/2014-COURT

    4, MAITAMA,FCT                                       FRN V.  VS. AMINU BELLO                                                                                SULEIMAN

    74       CR/136/15-FCT HIGH

    COURT, MAITAMA, COURT 4               FRN VS. ADEOLU ADEYANJU

    75       CR/276/2016-COURT 19, APO             FRN VS. MAJOR SAM

    76       HC/11C/2016-HIGH

    COURT 2, CALABAR                               FRN VS MICHAEL OKPO & 1 OTHER

    77       HC/65C/2016-CROSS

    RIVER STATE                                            FRN VS. DR. ITAM ABANG

    78       CR/287/2017 &

    CR/37/2018-FCT HIGH COURT

    NO 16 JABI & FEDERAL HIGH

    COURT NO. 10                                           FRN VS. ALIYU SANDA MAIMUNA

    79       PLD/J10C/2017-PLATEAU

    STATE HIGH COURT 5, JOS                 FRN VS. ISTIFANUS MWANSAT & 7 ORS

    80       CR/92/2018-COURT 37, ZUBA              FRN VS. DR. OBARO & 2 ORS

    EFCC

    81       FHC/ABJ/CR/181/2016                            FRN V AHMADU UMAR (ALIAS RT.

    HON. AMADU FINTIRI)

    82       FHC/ABJ/CR/148/2016                            FRN V EDIDIONG & ORS

    83       FHC/L/280C/16                                           FRN V. AIR MARSHAL AMOSU

    NUNAYO & 10 ORS

    84       FHC/ABJ/CR/121/2016                            FRN V OLAJIDE OMOKORE & 5 ORS.

    85       FHC/L/135C/2017                                      FRN VS. MUHAMMED

    DELE BELGOE SAN & ORS

    86       LD/2514C/16                                               FRN V. RICKY TARFA (SAN)

    87       LD/3671C/2016                                          FRN V HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI

    OFILI AJUMOGOBIA & ANOR

    88       FHC/IB/26C/2017                                       FRN VS OLOYE JUMOKE AKINJIDE & 2 ORS

    89       FHC/L/251C/16                                           FRN V NENADI ESTHER USMAN,

    FEMI FANI KAYODE & 2 ORS

    90       FHC/L/106C/2017                                      FRN V CHRISTIAN NWOSU AND ORS

    91       FHC/L/337C/16                                           FRN V WARIP AMOWEI

    EMMANUEL DUDAFA & ORS

    92       FHC/L/238C/2016                                      FRN V WARIP AMOWEI

    EMMANUEL DUDAFA & ANOR.

    93       FHC/L/31C/2016                                        FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 11 ORS

    94       FHC/L/553C/2016                                      FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 11 ORS

    95       FHC/511C/2016                                         FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 6 ORS

    96       LD/217C/15                                                 FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM,

    MAJOR GENERAL EMMANUEL

    ATEWE & ORS

    97       LD/218C/15                                                 FRN V PATRICK AKPOBOLOKEM & 6 ORS

    98       FHC/L/149/16                                              BABA JARUNA JAURO & 2 ORS

    99       FHC/L/148C/16                                           FRN V CALISTUS & 3 ORS

    100     FHC/GM/33C/2011                                    FRN V ALHAJI DANJUMA GOJE & 4 ORS

    101     HOS/34C/2017                                           FRN V PROFESSOR ANTHONY

    ELUJOBA, JOSEPHINE ADERONKE AKEREDOLU

    102     I/5EFCC/2011                                             FRB V OTUNBA ALAO-AKALA & ORS

    103     AK/4C/2017                                                 FRN V ADEBIYI G. DARAMOLA,

    EMMANUEL AYODEJI ORESEGUN

    104     AB/EFCC/03C/2016                                  FRN V SENATOR ADESEYE OGUNLEWE,

    PROF. OLUSOLA OYEOLE, MOSES

    OLUSOLA ILESANMI

    105     NSHC/EFCC/2C/2017                              FRN V DR. MAUZU BABANGIDA ALIYU ORS

    106     FHC/ABJ/CR/71/2017                               FRN V DR MUAZU BABANGIDA & ANOR

    107     FHC/ABJ/CR/43/2017                               FRN V ANDREW YAKUBU

    108     FHC/ABJ/CR/329/2015                            FRN V SULE LAMIDO & ORS.

    109     AB/EFCC/02/11                                          FRN V GBENGA DANIEL

    110     SS/33C/2009                                              FRN V ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA & ORS.

    111     FHC/ABJ/CR/297/2015                            FRN V STEPHEN ORONSANYE & ORS.

    112     FHC/ABJ/CR/82/2013                               FRN V DR. SANI TEIDI SHAIBU & ORS.

    113     FHC/09C/2007                                            FRN V CHIMAROKE NNAMANI & ORS.

    114     FHC/L/336C/08                                           FRN V RASHEED LADOJA

    115     FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2015                            FRN V BELLO ABBA MOHAMMED & ORS

    116     FHC/ABJ/CR/46/2016                               FRN V AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ALEX S.

    BADEH & IYALIKAM NIGERIA LTD

    117     FHC/ABJ/CR/362/2015                            FRN V GABRIEL SUSWAM & ANOR

    118     FHC/ABJ/CR/380/2015                            FRN V DR. RAYMOND DOKPESI & ANOR

    119     FCT/CR/42/2015                                        FRN V BASHIR YUGUDA & 5 ORS.

    120     FCT/CR/43/2015                                        FRN V COL. MOHAMMED

    SAMBO DASUKI & 4 ORS.

    123     EHC/74C/2017                                           FRN V INNOCENT AZUBIKE UMEZULIKE

    124     FHC/ABJ/CR/56/07                                    FRN V ORJI UZOR KALU & ORS.

    125     FHC/ABJ/CR/86/07                                    FRN V SAMINU TURAKI & ORS.

    126     FCT/CR/64/2012                                        FRN V ESAI DANGABAR & 7 ORS.

    127     FHC/LF/CR/34/2011                                  FRN V ALIYU AKWE DOMA & 2 ORS.

    128     FHC/ABJ/CR/293/2015                            FRN V MURTALA NYAKO & ORS.

    129     FHC/ABJ/CR/05/16                                    FRN V OLISA METUH & ANOR.

    130     FCT/HC/20/16                                             FRN V AIR VICE MARSHAL

    OLUTAYO OGUNTOYIBO

    131     FHC/ABJ/CR/92/2016                               FRN V AIR VICE MARSHAL

    MOHAMMED DIKKO UMAR

    132     CR/182/2016                                               FRN V AVM. ALKALI MOHAMMED MAMU

    133     FHC/ABJ/CR/113/2016                            FRN V ROBERT AZIBOLA & 2 ORS.

    134     FCT/CR/177/2017                                      FRN V SENATOR BALA MOHAMMED

    135     FHC/ABJ/CR/141/16                                 FRN V EMEKA MBA & ORS

    136     KTH/34C/2016                                            FRN V IBRAHIM SHEHU SHEMA & 3 ORS.

    137     FHC/ABJ/CR/186/2016                            FRN V AVM MARSHAL

    TONY OMENYI AND ANOR

    138     FHC/ABJ/CR/42/2016                               FRN V ABBA MORO & ORS

    139     FHC/ABJ/CR/224/2016                            FRN V ASHINZE & 8 ORS.

    140     CR/210/16                                                    FRN V VICE AD. JIBRIN & 3 ORS.

    141     FHC/ABJ/CR/142/16                                 FRN V OLUGBENGA OBADINA AND ANOR.

     

    NDLEA

    142     FCH/L65/18                                                 FRN V IGAN EGHEOSA

    143     FHC/244C/12                                              FRN V. ADEGBOYEGA AYOBAMI ADENIJI

    144     FHC/AWK/37C/2015 FHC/

    AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE                     FRN V IKEJIAKU SYLVESTER

    CHUKWUNWENDU & 3 ORS

    145     FHC/EN/CR/53/2015ENUGU,

    ENUGU STATE                                          FRN V EDDIE IFEANYICHUKWU

    DAYSON & 3 ORS

    146     FHC/AK/56C/2015-FHC AKURE,

    ONDO STATE                                            FRN V AUGUSTINE FRIDAY

    USIFO & ANOR

    147     FHC/L/519C/2015-FHC LAGOS            FRN V UBA HARRIS ALAEKWE & 13 ORS

    148     FHC/ASB/21C/2016                                  FHC V ANTHONY CHUKWUEMEKA

    UMOLU & 8 ORS (INCLUDING

    FOUR MEXICANS)

    149     FHC/L/232C/2016-FHC, LAGOS           FRN V JOHN VINCENT ARINZE

    150     FHC/AK/CS/60C/2017-FHC,

    AKURE, ONDO STATE                           EXPARTE APPLICATION

    (SUSPECT AT LARGE SINCE JAN. 2016)

    151     FHC/AK/34C/2017-FHC, AKURE,

    ONDO STATE                                            FRN V ESUABOM JOHNSON &

    ERIC AKINYIMIKA

    152     FHC/L/311C/2017-FHC, LAGOS           FRN V MUONEKE JOHNPAUL IFEANYI & 3 ORS

    153                                                                             FRN V OGBEGBU GOODLUCK & ORS

    154     FHC/L/483C/2017-FHC, LAGOS           FRN V EZE REMUGUS

    RAPURUCHUKWU & 4 ORS

    155                 FCH/L/235C/17                   FRN V ONOWU CHUKWUKA ISAAC

     

  • Former Bauchi Governor, Yuguda, dumps PDP

    Former Bauchi Governor, Yuguda, dumps PDP

    The immediate past Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, yesterday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) citing the party’s ‘loss of focus’ as reason.

    The PDP, he told journalists by phone, lacks what it takes to develop Nigeria.

    He said he would not be fair to himself and his supporters who voted him as governor if he continued being in the PDP.

    He described goings on in the party as contrary to the doctrines of his Islamic religion.

    Yuguda said: “As from today, I have resigned my membership of the PDP because of personal reasons. I have had enough troubles in the party.”

    He added, “PDP is no longer the party that can give Nigerians the kind of future they are looking for. I have given serious thought to what has been happening in the party, what has happened to me and what has happened also to our country at large and I felt it will only be wise for me to quit the party.

    “Looking back  at what happened in the country under the PDP, if I continue staying in the party, I will not be fair not only to myself but to my teeming Bauchi supporters who gave me the mandate to serve them for eight years as Governor.”

    He did not say what he is up to next.

    He merely said: “I have neither joined APC and my people have not advised me to do so nor have I quit politics. All I am saying is that I will rest for a while and make consultations with my friends and associates, if they ask me to quit politics, I will quit but if they ask me to continue, I will continue.”

    He said he has told his associates and supporters that he “will not force them to leave PDP. Anybody that wants to remain in PDP is free to do so and whoever wants to move with me is welcome.”

    Many of his supporters wasted no time in tearing their PDP membership cards yesterday after hearing what he said.

    Yuguda had been quiet since his former party was routed at the federal level and in most of the states it controlled, in last year’s elections

    Before his election as governor in 2007 on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), he had served as Aviation Minister in the Obasanjo Administration.

    He had hoped to succeed the then governor of the state, Mallam Ahmed Mua’zu, only to be denied the PDP ticket.

    Yuguda then moved to the ANPP and defeated the PDP candidate.

    He returned to the PDP on April 14th 2009.

  • Dasuki, Yuguda, Bafarawa, others to remain in EFCC custody 

    Dasuki, Yuguda, Bafarawa, others to remain in EFCC custody 

    Justice Peter Affen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday ordered that former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, former Sokoto Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and two others be further remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Also to be kept with the EFCC are former Finance and Administration Director in the office of the NSA Shuaibu Salisu and Bafarawa’s son Sagir.

    They are to remain in the EFCC custody pending the judge’s ruling on their bail application.

    The judge ordered their remand after listening to submissions from their lawyers and the prosecution on the bail application they filed.

    They were on Tuesday arraigned on a 22-count charge of breach of public trust in relation to alleged diversion of public funds and acceptance of proceed of crime estimated at about N18billion.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges and applied for bail.

    While arguing the defendants’ bail applications the defence lawyers prayed the court to admit their clients to bail on liberal terms on the grounds that their alleged offences are bailable and that they are well-known individuals who will readily attend trial.

    Prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to refuse their bail application because they could jump bail, interfere with prosecution witnesses, who are individuals, who worked under them.

    Jacobs argued that mere reliance on grounds of ill-health was insufficient for the court to grant bail to a defendant.

     He said the defendants must show that the ailment was life threatening and that the detaining authority lacked the capacity to effectively provide the needed medical assistance. Justice Affen adjourned to Monday for ruling.

  • Bauchi reports Yuguda to EFCC over N6.1b security votes in five months

    Bauchi reports Yuguda to EFCC over N6.1b security votes in five months

    The Bauchi State government has reported former Governor Isa Yuguda to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly spending N6.181 billion as security votes between January and May.

    The state also queried alleged curious withdrawal of N2,191,248,744.71 within 10 days under the guise of security votes.

    In a petition by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bello Shehu Ilelah, the government urged EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu to probe the suspicious expenses.

    The Bauchi State government said the security votes were supposed to be used for projects, but were diverted.

    The petition reads: “I am directed to lodge a petition on behalf of the Bauchi State government. The gist of the petition is that from January to May 2015, the sum of N6,181,224,230.00 was purportedly spent on security reasons and consideration as follows: January (N351,806,000); February (N899,900,000); March (N2,040,876,500); April (N738,200,000) and May (N2,150,441,730).

    “On May 8 and May 18, two memoranda were originated by the Commissioner for Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Hajiya Talatu M. Barwa, to (former) Governor Yuguda for the release of N1,591,248,744.71 and N600,000,000, totalling N2,191,248,744.71.

    “The amount was supposed to be used for the execution of projects in the Health, Education, Rural Development and Security (sectors). The projects were said to cut across the 20 local government areas, having direct bearing on the lives of people in various communities in the state. The sums are the 20 local government areas’ contributions to joint projects between the state and the local governments.

    “The sums were spent as security vote requirements in May 2015 without executing any health, education and rural development-related projects. This was the main reason the application for cash-backing was made.

    “The sum of N1,591,248,744.71 was to be released from the Local Government Joint Account Number 5030025116 at Fidelity Bank Plc to the Accountant-General through the Excess Crude Oil Account Number 1243224012, operated at the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc. The N600 million was from the Local Government Joint Account Number 5030025116 at Fidelity Bank to the Bauchi State government, through Excess Crude Oil Account Number 1243224012, operated at the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc.

    “Suffice to say that the sums of money in the memorandum for cash-backing, dated May 8, were released. We urge you to cause investigation to be conducted into this matter. The following documents are attached and marked as Annexures 1, 2, 3 and 4.

    The annexures are: Memorandum May 8; Memorandum May 18; a document, titled: Payment of Security Vote Requirement for the Year 2015 and a document, titled: ‘Certificate of Expenditure.’

    Contacted, the former governor’s ex-Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Michael Ishola, said: “The former governor is out of the country and I have not been able to reach him for a while. As soon as I establish contact with him, I will draw his attention to the issue you raised.”

  • Abubakar, Yuguda bicker over Bauchi’s debt profile

    Abubakar, Yuguda bicker over Bauchi’s debt profile

    Bauchi State Governor Abdullahi Abubakar has asked his predecessor, Isa Yuguda, to explain the state’s debt profile. But, the former governor says his successor is witch-hunting him and his aides. Correspondent AUSTINE TSENZUGHUL writes on the predecessor-successor crisis in the Northeast state.

    For eight years, former Governor Isa Yuguda ruled Bauchi State. On May 29, he bowed out of office after the expiration of the two terms. When he was governor, he was powerful and influential. But, barely a month outside power, his successor, Governor Abdullahi Abubakar, a lawyer, is asking him to properly render accounts.

    Yuguda, a former Minister of Transport, is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In his view, the governor, who belongs to the All Progressives Congress (APC), is trying to wage war against the opposition.

    When he assumed the reins, the governor declared that governance will not be a tea party. He promised to clean the Augean table, adding that indiscipline, recklessness and laxity would not be tolerated. “Our administration is a product of people’s resilience . We are committed to upholding their yearnings for improved living standards. We will strengthen weak institutions and revive essential facilities,” he stressed.

    Abubakar alleged that “ the previous government literally lived at the expense of Bauchi state’s populace for eight years.” He said the previous government was reckless. “We have taken over a government owing a cumulative external and domestic debts to the tune of N125 billion, made up of N48,743,196,021:79 domestic loans, foreign loans  at $87 million (N18,915,644,597,04), contractual liabilities of N42,556,123,229,05, workers’ gratuity arrears of N7,741,016,737,19, and  local government workers’ gratuity arrears of N1,670,407.774:00,” he alleged.

    The governor said he inherited three months unpaid workers’ salary arrears, totaling N5.2 billion. There are other worrisome disclosures.  “ I met an absolutely empty treasury. Bauchi State treasury had next to nothing of funds,“ Abubakar added. He also said that, for eight years, the Yuguda government got N864 billion, besides ecological funds. “Yet, there are decayed infrastructures,” he fumed.

    When Abubakar assumed office, he was inundated with complaints about lack of essential farm in-puts, including fertilizers. Many farmers cried foul, saying that the previous government neglected them.

    According to sources, the new government needs N572 million as subsidy for intending Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year. The empty treasury, they said, is crippling the feeding of students in boarding schools.

    Allegations of maladministration against a predecessor does not translate into performance for the new governor. Therefore, Abubakar has unfolded what he described as “ quick win programmes.” The elements include the reduction in the cost of governance, financial frugality and bridging the loopholes. The governor has laid a good example by reducing his salary and that of his deputy   by 50 per cent. He has also reduced the number of domestic aides. He has also disclosed that there will be downsizing of political appointees.

    In April, Abubakar set up a 41-member Transition Committee, which he tagged: Committee on the Recovery of Government Property.  It was headed by Air Commodore Ahmed Tijani Baba Gamawa. The committee was charged with the duty of recovering government property allegedly carted away by government functionaries under the last administration. The governor said the recovered vehicles will facilitate the discharge of official duties by government officials.  The committee was also mandated to recover institutional lands, movable and unmovable assets illegally taken away by government officials.

    Last week, it was disclosed that the committee has recovered 71 assorted luxury vehicles, including Sports Utility vehicles(SUVs).”Of this number, 25 vehicles were recovered,” said Tijani-Baba

    Also, the committee retrieved 15 Toyota Camry, 24 Peugeot 242 and Peugeot 306, three Range Rover HSE Sports, two Honda Civic IVTEC, one Peugeot 407,  seven Land Cruiser Prado, two Honda Jeeps,   one C 35,  two ChevRolet Optra L.S, two  Nissan Buses, four Toyota Land Cruiser TXL Jeeps, three Toyota Hilux, three Ford Range Pick-ups and three Peugeot Station Wagons. The cost of the vehicles was not disclosed. But, a car dealer in Bauchi, who pleaded for anonymity, said they cost billions of naira “because the 15 jeeps (SUVs) are not up to 26 months in use”.

    Also, some generating sets were recovered.  Eighty electric transformers hastily purchased at over N 245 million in April were recovered. Of the 80 transformers, 70 were allegedly sold  to local government councils, communities and individuals at the cost of N50,000:00 each.

    According to dealers,  a transformer costs about N5 million. The immediate past administration allegedly awarded contract for the installation of the 70 transformers at N92 million.

    The chairman of the panel said: “We have recovered over 100 plots of land illegally acquired. These plots are located at the current premises of Bauchi Specialist Hospital (former BACAS premises) ,Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programe and the Ministry of Information land Kyaure along Bauchi / Jos road.”

    But, it is not yet Uhuru for the committee. Gamawa said: “We are yet to start looking into the accounts books of the past administration. But, I can tell you that Bauchi’s common wealth was mercilessly plundered”.

    Sources said that the committee has identified some land grabbers. They have now been asked to stop further development on a large parcel of land belonging to the Specialist Hospital in the state capital. It also directed those who bought 95  plots of land belonging to Bauchi State Agricultural Develoment Programe in Bauchi  to keep off as they risked been labeled as “trespassers on government land”.

    Abubakar has vowed to bring culprits to book. He said: “We have gotten a clearer picture of the extent to which Bauchi State has been plundered and gravely short changed. We have commenced a diligent process to recover resources that have been converted into private use by officials and even non-officials of the previous administration.”

    The governor has now resolved to cut down the expenditure in ministries, departments and agencies. This has enabled the government to save N800 million on the Hajj expenditure. He also promised to unfold structural and policy adjustments that would generate funds.

    Abubakar’s policies have been criticised by PDP chieftains, who accused him of vendetta. But, he vowed to continue with what observers have described as the financial sanitation. There is bickering in the state and critics are sowing the seed of discord. But, the governor said he will not be discouraged by foes. He urged the people to support his administration.

    Abubakar said: “We are ready to deliver selfless services to the people, no matter whose ox is gored, and no diabolical machinations will deter us from this journey of promise.”

    Gamawa also assured that the committee will not look back. He said: “We have been given a state assignment to recover these government properties and we owe Bauchi people and God a duty to put in our best. We have recovered 57 assorted vehicles, two from a local government chieftain. Other people have been calling and bringing their cars. But, we go to others to recover the cars. We do not have a limit of cars to recover, but we are targeting about 150 or more. For now, we are on vehicles, land, movable and unmovable assets. We are yet to go for the money and other things taken by individuals and or in the name of organisations”.

    The committee chairman lamented that laid down procedures were completely thrown away.

    He said: “Those who were using these vehicles were supposed to return them to the pool, for a certain committee or surveyors to assess their value in Naira, before those interested could apply and perhaps, buy”.

    “But, this process was not followed. Some of those that went away with their cars applied to the governor on May 27,2015,and the governor approved same day. Their applications  did not pass through any person or process. This is illegality and we are say no to that. It is Bauchi people’s property and they should returned to them. Things must be properly done.”

    Abubakar, in his maiden address on June 1, vowed to recover public property. He said: “Our government shall recover such illegal acquired funds and properties and use the same in developing our dear Bauchi state”.

    However, Yuguda has fired back. He said: “The governor has no right to reverse what I did in my capacity as an executive governor of Bauchi State”. Also, his associates have accused the governor of victimisation.

  • Yuguda warns successor against policy somersault

    Yuguda warns successor against policy somersault

    Former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda has said that his successor, Mohammed Abubakar, has no right to change any of the decisions he took while in office.

    Yuguda, who was governor between 2007 and 2015, also charged the people to call Abubakar  to order because he has no right to  harass anybody over land allocation. He denied claims  that his regime left a debt of N125.551, 171,366:79 billion behind.

    Since he assumed office, his successor has revoked some of Yuguda’s last  minute allocation of lands and auctions of government vehicles.

    According to the Secretary of the Transition Committee, Dr. Aliyu Tilde, Yuguda, who governed Bauchi State for eight years, left a huge debt for the new All Progressives Congress (APC ) administration. He said: “The government inherited debt of over N125b from the immediate past government  of Governor Isa Yuguda.”

    But, Yuguda  in a  telephone interview with reporters has questioned the propriety of the new government to reverse decisions taken by his administration. He said: “The governor should be called to order because he has no right to upturn my own decision and they don’t have right to change anything or harassed anybody within the state.”

    Yuguda also stated that “ any public servant that has worked under me and I handed anything to him and I signed and approved it, that approval is legal and Abubakar  has no right to reverse that approval. Also anything that I allocated to any individual, group or association which  remains legal,Mohammed Abubakar does not have any right to reverse my decisión”.

    “If Abubakar thinks he can reverse what I have done, he has made a mistake because I had the right as an Executive Governor elected by my people to take such decisions on their behalf so any person that is aggrieved should go to court because such is not done in a government administration”.

    Commenting on the over N125b debt, Yuguda informed that” all the loans he handed over to Governor Abubakar were not up to N80 billion,including the loan he inherited from the then Gov. Ahmadu  Muazu  including foreign loans that would be service for a period of 40 years”.

    “While I was in office, we paid salaries, provided water, security, education. We constructed International Airport, Specialist Hospital among others. When I came into government in 2007, I did not only meet an empty treasury  but I met over draft of N8 billion in the account which I inherited from  Muazu ,but  I did make noise about it, I did not complain but I started work  as a governor.” Yuguda added.

    “We took a bond from capital market which is N52b and we completed the Airport, specialist hospital and we also have N7b arrears of gratuity and 1.3b of contractor obligation. We inherited about N20b Foreign debt which is payable in 30 to 40 years, these are the only debt that we know of so if there is any  debt apart from this maybe his Abubakar who have taken the debt.

    “These are the  figures that I handed over to Abubakar,  if you convert the debt that you are going to pay for a period of 30 to 40 years is not up to 80b. So, what the governor is saying is a white lie, it’s unfortunate that somebody in his position will be talking like that , I handed over to him and he signed and collected the handing over documents. If he gave any other information outside that one, may be he has his own Government somewhere.