Zenith Bank Plc, the nation’s third-biggest lender by assets, has named long serving Mr. Peter Amangbo as its new chief executive officer.
This came barely one week after its current Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, was confirmed as the next Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by the Senate.
Amangbo, an executive director with the bank, will become the CEO with effect from June 1, 2014, according to a Nigerian Stock Exchange filing by Zenith. The new CEO has been with the bank for more than 21 years.
Emefiele was appointed last month to replace suspended CBN Governor, Mr. Lamido Sanusi.
An economic and finance professional with experience in banking and academics, Emefiele was appointed few hours after the Presidency announced the suspension of Sanusi.
President Goodluck Jonathan had appointed Mrs. Sarah Alade, a deputy governor at the CBN, as the acting governor.
Emefiele, who took over from Mr. Jim Ovia at the helm of Zenith Bank, is credited with taking the bank to a higher level, with its rating as one of the top three banks in the country and ranked among 500 global brands.
According to a statement by the bank, the Board of Directors of Zenith has approved the appointment of Amangbo as the CEO-Designate of the bank effective June 1.
The statement said Amangbo had over two decades of experience with Zenith Bank, gaining experiences in corporate finance and investment banking, business development, credit and marketing, treasury, financial control and strategic planning and operations.
He was appointed to the board of the bank and its subsidiary companies in 2005.
He was a pioneer non-executive director of Zenith Bank United Kingdom. Before joining the banking industry, he was a senior consultant with PriceWaterhouse where he covered assignments in financial services, manufacturing and general commerce.
The statement read, “Amangbo brings the experience and expertise to meet the current competitive banking challenges that require constant innovation through proven leadership and team-building skills, an exceptional ability to drive product, process and customer service improvements and a talent for building partnerships with key business decision-makers. He also has demonstrable ability to motivate, mentor and lead talented senior professionals and to direct cross-functional teams.”
Amangbo, an alumnus of INSEAD and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from the Warwick Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics from the University of Benin.
He took courses in management at the Harvard Business School, Wharton School of Business and HSM – New York respectively.
Copyright PUNCH
Monday 31 March 2014
Job search tactics you should stop immediately
You’ve been on the job hunt for weeks. You’re applying immediately to every job you come across that’s remotely related to your field. You’re getting your resume in the hands of anyone you meet. You’re following up with hiring managers like your life depends on it. And still? Nothing.
Well, I’m going to tell you a little secret. It might be you that’s the problem.
Before you get all ready to tussle with the writer of this article, let me assure you that I realise that most people are smart and motivated and have all the best intentions when it comes to landing that next big thing. The problem is that most of us don’t have much training on how to not suck at the job search. Which means we’re bound to make some gaffes along the way.
So, let’s change that as soon as possible. If you’re using any of these (very common) job search tactics, you must change course immediately.
Spending 100 per cent of your search time submitting online applications
If trolling the job boards is your primary search tactic, you’re looking at a long road ahead. Realise that, for every job you pursue, at least one or two people are going to find an “in” at that company. And they’re going to use that “in” to get a direct introduction. Would you rather be the one with the “in,” or one of the other 20, 80, or 400 contenders coming in via the automated “clump” of applicants?
Instead: Even if you apply for the job online, the moment you hit “send,” head over to LinkedIn and see if you have a first- or second-degree connection at that company. Reach out. Your goal is to be the one who gets the direct introduction.
Applying for jobs (blindly) when you’re not an obvious on-paper match
Nobody’s sitting around deducing what you might be good at or why you might make sense for any particular job. Read: When you apply online, if your resume and cover letter don’t speak to the specific needs and deliverables of the job — and spell out exactly how you are going to meet them — no applicant tracking system is going to even find it.
Instead: If you’re not an obvious match (on paper) for a job, you either need to figure out a way to make yourself one (i.e., gaining new skills, taking on volunteer opportunities or freelance work to boost your resume), or find an opportunity to explain your rationale for applying directly to a hiring manager (i.e., show how your previous work experience in your current field would translate seamlessly to this new job).
Foisting your resume on strangers
Would you ever walk up to a stranger and propose marriage? Of course you wouldn’t. So why do you think it’s remotely okay to find someone who works at your dream company and — before you’ve even gotten to the “How about that crazy weather?” stage of small talk — shove your resume at him, with a plea to take it on over to the manager? That’s not networking, that’s ambushing.
Instead: If you meet a contact or find a great connection on LinkedIn, look for ways to build a relationship before you ask for a job.
Calling the hiring manager with ridiculous frequency
Yes, I know. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Fortune favours the bold. Ask and ye shall receive. All sound mantras. But there is a very fine line between “confident, proactive professional” and “desperate dude who will not stop calling us.”
Instead: If you haven’t heard back about a position, follow up nicely by email after your original thank-you note.
Job searching isn’t easy, nor can it be boiled down to a single, perfect formula. But if you eliminate the tactics that don’t work (or make you look flat-out foolish), and start replacing them with more effective alternatives?
You’ll probably start seeing progress. And progress gives you momentum. And momentum?
That’s what allows you to steamroll your way to greatness.
—mashable.com
Well, I’m going to tell you a little secret. It might be you that’s the problem.
Before you get all ready to tussle with the writer of this article, let me assure you that I realise that most people are smart and motivated and have all the best intentions when it comes to landing that next big thing. The problem is that most of us don’t have much training on how to not suck at the job search. Which means we’re bound to make some gaffes along the way.
So, let’s change that as soon as possible. If you’re using any of these (very common) job search tactics, you must change course immediately.
Spending 100 per cent of your search time submitting online applications
If trolling the job boards is your primary search tactic, you’re looking at a long road ahead. Realise that, for every job you pursue, at least one or two people are going to find an “in” at that company. And they’re going to use that “in” to get a direct introduction. Would you rather be the one with the “in,” or one of the other 20, 80, or 400 contenders coming in via the automated “clump” of applicants?
Instead: Even if you apply for the job online, the moment you hit “send,” head over to LinkedIn and see if you have a first- or second-degree connection at that company. Reach out. Your goal is to be the one who gets the direct introduction.
Applying for jobs (blindly) when you’re not an obvious on-paper match
Nobody’s sitting around deducing what you might be good at or why you might make sense for any particular job. Read: When you apply online, if your resume and cover letter don’t speak to the specific needs and deliverables of the job — and spell out exactly how you are going to meet them — no applicant tracking system is going to even find it.
Instead: If you’re not an obvious match (on paper) for a job, you either need to figure out a way to make yourself one (i.e., gaining new skills, taking on volunteer opportunities or freelance work to boost your resume), or find an opportunity to explain your rationale for applying directly to a hiring manager (i.e., show how your previous work experience in your current field would translate seamlessly to this new job).
Foisting your resume on strangers
Would you ever walk up to a stranger and propose marriage? Of course you wouldn’t. So why do you think it’s remotely okay to find someone who works at your dream company and — before you’ve even gotten to the “How about that crazy weather?” stage of small talk — shove your resume at him, with a plea to take it on over to the manager? That’s not networking, that’s ambushing.
Instead: If you meet a contact or find a great connection on LinkedIn, look for ways to build a relationship before you ask for a job.
Calling the hiring manager with ridiculous frequency
Yes, I know. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Fortune favours the bold. Ask and ye shall receive. All sound mantras. But there is a very fine line between “confident, proactive professional” and “desperate dude who will not stop calling us.”
Instead: If you haven’t heard back about a position, follow up nicely by email after your original thank-you note.
Job searching isn’t easy, nor can it be boiled down to a single, perfect formula. But if you eliminate the tactics that don’t work (or make you look flat-out foolish), and start replacing them with more effective alternatives?
You’ll probably start seeing progress. And progress gives you momentum. And momentum?
That’s what allows you to steamroll your way to greatness.
—mashable.com
Mikel, Moses listed in Chelsea mass clear-out
Chelsea are planning a mass clear-out of more than 10 players in the summer, with Fernando Torres, Ashley Cole and Mikel Obi all set to leave.
Manager Jose Mourinho admitted after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace that changes had to be made in order to improve the squad for next season. While the Portuguese again revealed his frustration over his underperforming strikers, a number of players in different positions are on their way out according to a London Evening Standard report.
The senior members of the squad who are vulnerable include Torres, Demba Ba, Samuel Eto’o, David Luiz, Mikel, Cole and back-up goalkeepers Mark Schwarzer and Hilario.
Anxious to adapt to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, the club want to bring down the wage bill, which means they will let Luiz leave for £30m and are prepared to sell some of the 28 players currently loaned out including Romelu Lukaku, Marko Marin, Victor Moses, Ryan Bertrand, Gael Kakuta and Josh McEachran.
Mourinho is determined to make some high-profile signings, including Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa, to improve their ability to challenge on all fronts and is aware he has to raise funds to bring in the quality he wants.
The club have run out of patience with Torres, who has two years left on his £175,000-a-week contract. He has scored just four League goals this season and if a permanent move cannot be secured, a loan one is a possibility. Ba has confirmed he will be leaving Stamford Bridge after failing to make an impact since joining from Newcastle 15 months ago.
Eto’o has been Chelsea’s best forward with 11 goals and the club have an option to keep him for another season when his contract runs out in May but no decision has been made on that.
Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel has found himself frozen out since Nemanja Matic joined for £21m in January and Chelsea hope he can command a large fee because he has three years left on his contract.
As Standard Sport revealed, the club are also prepared to cash in on Brazil international Luiz. Paris St-Germain and Barcelona are both interested in his services. Significantly, Mourinho substituted Luiz at half-time at Selhurst Park for “tactical reasons” and has rarely played him in his preferred central-defensive role this year.
Chelsea are also confident they can make a significant profit on their loan players. Lukaku has scored 13 goals at Everton but his relationship with Mourinho has soured and he has had a price tag of £20m-plus put on his head.
Moses and Marin, at Liverpool and Sevilla respectively, cost £16m between them in 2012 and are not part of the Chelsea coach’s plans, so permanent moves will be sought.
Mourinho dropped a major hint over his intentions at Selhurst Park. “We want to improve the team and the players and make some surgical movements in the transfer window,” he said.
“Normally at the end of the season, players that are not playing a lot or who are not happy and prefer a change, that is also part of the market.”
Manager Jose Mourinho admitted after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace that changes had to be made in order to improve the squad for next season. While the Portuguese again revealed his frustration over his underperforming strikers, a number of players in different positions are on their way out according to a London Evening Standard report.
The senior members of the squad who are vulnerable include Torres, Demba Ba, Samuel Eto’o, David Luiz, Mikel, Cole and back-up goalkeepers Mark Schwarzer and Hilario.
Anxious to adapt to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, the club want to bring down the wage bill, which means they will let Luiz leave for £30m and are prepared to sell some of the 28 players currently loaned out including Romelu Lukaku, Marko Marin, Victor Moses, Ryan Bertrand, Gael Kakuta and Josh McEachran.
Mourinho is determined to make some high-profile signings, including Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa, to improve their ability to challenge on all fronts and is aware he has to raise funds to bring in the quality he wants.
The club have run out of patience with Torres, who has two years left on his £175,000-a-week contract. He has scored just four League goals this season and if a permanent move cannot be secured, a loan one is a possibility. Ba has confirmed he will be leaving Stamford Bridge after failing to make an impact since joining from Newcastle 15 months ago.
Eto’o has been Chelsea’s best forward with 11 goals and the club have an option to keep him for another season when his contract runs out in May but no decision has been made on that.
Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel has found himself frozen out since Nemanja Matic joined for £21m in January and Chelsea hope he can command a large fee because he has three years left on his contract.
As Standard Sport revealed, the club are also prepared to cash in on Brazil international Luiz. Paris St-Germain and Barcelona are both interested in his services. Significantly, Mourinho substituted Luiz at half-time at Selhurst Park for “tactical reasons” and has rarely played him in his preferred central-defensive role this year.
Chelsea are also confident they can make a significant profit on their loan players. Lukaku has scored 13 goals at Everton but his relationship with Mourinho has soured and he has had a price tag of £20m-plus put on his head.
Moses and Marin, at Liverpool and Sevilla respectively, cost £16m between them in 2012 and are not part of the Chelsea coach’s plans, so permanent moves will be sought.
Mourinho dropped a major hint over his intentions at Selhurst Park. “We want to improve the team and the players and make some surgical movements in the transfer window,” he said.
“Normally at the end of the season, players that are not playing a lot or who are not happy and prefer a change, that is also part of the market.”
MTN sacks 252 engineers
As a consequence of dwindling revenue, leading Global System of Mobile communications provider in the country, MTN Nigeria, on Monday disengaged 252 of its engineers who were responsible for the operation and maintenance of its base stations nationwide.
Our correspondent gathered that most of the disengaged engineers joined the company at inception in 2001 and were involved in the day-to-day running of MTN’s 10,000 base stations all over the country.
The company had earlier in March explained that it and other operators were facing the challenge of not only stagnating revenues, but also increasing operating expenses.
According to MTN, the network expenses of the operators are increasing due to the overall high inflationary environment along with their network expansion activities, illegal and multiple taxation, high cost of providing power and rising inflation, among others.
For instance, the company said in 2013, the N34bn spent on diesel formed 12 per cent of its total operating expenditure cost, which could have been used to construct 5,200 new base stations.
It said, “Over 200 per cent reduction in headline price points to massive free-fall in tariffs within three years through aggressive price war.
“The aggregate spend per subscriber has reduced in the same proposition with the expected net effect from new additions not being sufficient to drive profitable growth.”
As a consequence, the firms said it took a decision to focus strictly on areas that would directly impact on its operations, while outsourcing ancillary services to independent service providers.
Following this decision, MTN signed managed services contracts with global telecommunications solutions providers, Ericsson and Huawei, who have agreed to absorb 232 out of the 252 disengaged engineers from today (Tuesday).
The fate of the remaining 20 is unclear as sources in MTN explained that they might have decided to leave outright rather than transfer their services to other companies, or that they fell short of the requirements of Ericsson and Huawei.
The company had said in a statement in October last year, “Under the terms of the contracts, Ericsson will take over the management, optimisation and field maintenance of MTN’s network infrastructure in Abuja, Lagos, as well as the southern and eastern regions. On the other hand, Huawei will manage Kano and Ibadan regions, thus allowing MTN to focus on providing a superior customer experience across all its network offerings.
“MTN will retain ownership and full control of its network assets and continue to have responsibility for strategic design and planning, as well as equipment purchasing decisions.”
Our correspondent learnt on Monday that the agreement between Ericsson and Huawei specified that the disengaged engineers would be mandatorily engaged for one year and placed on the same salaries as they were earning in MTN, or even more, after which the firms could decide to continue with their services or not.
It was further gathered that in order to make their disengagement seamless and devoid of controversies, MTN implemented a “generous” severance package for the affected workers, and ensured that they did not join the growing list of unemployed people by moving on to another job straight away.
When contacted, the spokesperson for MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Funmi Onajide, referred our correspondent to her colleague, Mr. Funso Aina, who said the company stood by its position as stated in the October 2013 press statement.
The statement had quoted the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ikpoki, as saying, “This engagement with Ericsson and Huawei is a logical step forward in the course of the steady evolution of the telecommunications industry.”
Copyright PUNCH.
Oil marketers threaten strike, 28 depots dry up
Oil marketers on Monday threatened to embark on a nationwide strike over the alleged illegal shutdown of the Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company’s depot in Apapa, Lagos by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.
The Chairman, Concerned Marketers, Mr. Abidemi Agunbiade, who spoke with journalists in Lagos, said the current fuel scarcity in the country might be aggravated by the continuous shutdown of the NIPCO’s depot, which pumps 30 per cent of the daily national demand.
Agunbiade said the shutdown of the plant, which entered the ninth day on Monday, had affected over 1,000 marketers, who had paid to load petrol, but were now defaulting on their obligations to the banks which they borrowed from.
According to him, the discharge of over 45 million litres of petrol brought into the country into the NIPCO depot is being stalled due to the shutdown.
He said, “About four vessels are on the high sea, including that of the NNPC, which they are paying demurrage of between $15,000 and $20,000 on daily basis due the shutdown of NIPCO by the leadership of NUPENG.
“Our trucks laden with petroleum products have been stuck in the company in the last nine days, which is aggravating the scarcity in most stations across the country.”
As a result of the development, our correspondent gathered that about 80 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit in NIPCO’s storage facilities could not be discharged to marketers, while about 500 tankers were waiting to load the product for onward distribution to retail outlets.
Meanwhile, indications have emerged that 28 out of the 33 fuel depots in Lagos have no PMS in stock as of Monday, thus aggravating the fuel scarcity situation currently rocking the nation.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that depots such as Acorn, Aquatine, D Jones, Euroafric, Fatgbems, Global Fleet, Hensmor, Honeywell, SPG, Index, Lister, Obat, and Techno had no drop of petrol in stock on Monday.
Others without the product are Zenon Heyden, Eterna Oil, Bovas, Everest, and T-Time.
Though the Ascon, Ibakem, Ibafo, Integrated, Rahamaniya, Heyden, Switf, FDWP, Gulf Treasure and SPOG depots had kerosene and diesel, investigations, revealed that they had no petrol.
The Ibakem, Ibafo and Integrated depots loaded a litre of diesel at N136.50, N137 and N136, respectively on Monday, while Rahamaniya and Heyden loaded kerosene at N90 per litre. Swift loaded the product at N89.50; while FWDP and Gulf Treasure both loaded diesel at N137 per litre. SPOG loaded kerosene and diesel at N90 and N137, respectively.
“None of them had a drop of petrol,” said a source who did not want to be named.
Already, fuel depots that have products have increased the ex-depot price of petrol from N87.66k per litre to about N100.
It was learnt that Capital Oil and Folawiyo depots, which were selling PMS on behalf of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, sold to marketers with draft tickets from the PPMC at the official ex-depot price of N87.66k. However, the marketers sold the product to other third party marketers at N101 per litre.
The Managing Director, PPMC, Mr. Haruna Momoh, had said on Sunday, “The NNPC ex-depot price for the PMS is N87.66k. This price is uniform in all the NNPC depots nationwide. Our ex-depot price must not be confused with the price at which unscrupulous elements or marketers sell PMS at the tarmac outside of our depot after buying from the NNPC at the official price.”
Marketers, who spoke with our correspondent under conditions of anonymity, said though the PPMC had never sold PMS above the official ex-depot price of N87.66k, they, confirmed that third-party marketers were paying N110 for a litre of PMS at its depots.
Investigation also revealed that Sahara and Aiteo depots were on Monday loading a litre of PMS at N99.50 each.
Though NIPCO remained shut on Monday, records showed that it was selling PMS at an ex-depot price of N95.
While supply has been unable to meet the 35 million litre average national demand, experts express worry that consumers are already buying PMS above the official pump price of N97.
The Chairman, NUPENG, Western Zone, Mr. Tokunbo Korodo, who spoke with our correspondent on Sunday, confirmed that the pump price of petrol had increased because the product was not being made available to the marketers.
He said, “Some of the marketers are now patronising black marketers who sell above the pump price.
“The few ones selling at the pump price have seriously adjusted their pumps by selling lesser quantity that does not correspond to the money the masses are paying, just to avoid closure of their stations by the DPR.”
Though the Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, had told our correspondent that no major oil marketers’ filling station was selling PMS above the pump price, investigations by our correspondent revealed that a litre of fuel was sold at N100 per litre in retails outlets owned by Forte Oil, Conoil, Mobil, Oando, MRS and Total in Lagos as of Monday.
Copyright PUNCH.
The Chairman, Concerned Marketers, Mr. Abidemi Agunbiade, who spoke with journalists in Lagos, said the current fuel scarcity in the country might be aggravated by the continuous shutdown of the NIPCO’s depot, which pumps 30 per cent of the daily national demand.
Agunbiade said the shutdown of the plant, which entered the ninth day on Monday, had affected over 1,000 marketers, who had paid to load petrol, but were now defaulting on their obligations to the banks which they borrowed from.
According to him, the discharge of over 45 million litres of petrol brought into the country into the NIPCO depot is being stalled due to the shutdown.
He said, “About four vessels are on the high sea, including that of the NNPC, which they are paying demurrage of between $15,000 and $20,000 on daily basis due the shutdown of NIPCO by the leadership of NUPENG.
“Our trucks laden with petroleum products have been stuck in the company in the last nine days, which is aggravating the scarcity in most stations across the country.”
As a result of the development, our correspondent gathered that about 80 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit in NIPCO’s storage facilities could not be discharged to marketers, while about 500 tankers were waiting to load the product for onward distribution to retail outlets.
Meanwhile, indications have emerged that 28 out of the 33 fuel depots in Lagos have no PMS in stock as of Monday, thus aggravating the fuel scarcity situation currently rocking the nation.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that depots such as Acorn, Aquatine, D Jones, Euroafric, Fatgbems, Global Fleet, Hensmor, Honeywell, SPG, Index, Lister, Obat, and Techno had no drop of petrol in stock on Monday.
Others without the product are Zenon Heyden, Eterna Oil, Bovas, Everest, and T-Time.
Though the Ascon, Ibakem, Ibafo, Integrated, Rahamaniya, Heyden, Switf, FDWP, Gulf Treasure and SPOG depots had kerosene and diesel, investigations, revealed that they had no petrol.
The Ibakem, Ibafo and Integrated depots loaded a litre of diesel at N136.50, N137 and N136, respectively on Monday, while Rahamaniya and Heyden loaded kerosene at N90 per litre. Swift loaded the product at N89.50; while FWDP and Gulf Treasure both loaded diesel at N137 per litre. SPOG loaded kerosene and diesel at N90 and N137, respectively.
“None of them had a drop of petrol,” said a source who did not want to be named.
Already, fuel depots that have products have increased the ex-depot price of petrol from N87.66k per litre to about N100.
It was learnt that Capital Oil and Folawiyo depots, which were selling PMS on behalf of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, sold to marketers with draft tickets from the PPMC at the official ex-depot price of N87.66k. However, the marketers sold the product to other third party marketers at N101 per litre.
The Managing Director, PPMC, Mr. Haruna Momoh, had said on Sunday, “The NNPC ex-depot price for the PMS is N87.66k. This price is uniform in all the NNPC depots nationwide. Our ex-depot price must not be confused with the price at which unscrupulous elements or marketers sell PMS at the tarmac outside of our depot after buying from the NNPC at the official price.”
Marketers, who spoke with our correspondent under conditions of anonymity, said though the PPMC had never sold PMS above the official ex-depot price of N87.66k, they, confirmed that third-party marketers were paying N110 for a litre of PMS at its depots.
Investigation also revealed that Sahara and Aiteo depots were on Monday loading a litre of PMS at N99.50 each.
Though NIPCO remained shut on Monday, records showed that it was selling PMS at an ex-depot price of N95.
While supply has been unable to meet the 35 million litre average national demand, experts express worry that consumers are already buying PMS above the official pump price of N97.
The Chairman, NUPENG, Western Zone, Mr. Tokunbo Korodo, who spoke with our correspondent on Sunday, confirmed that the pump price of petrol had increased because the product was not being made available to the marketers.
He said, “Some of the marketers are now patronising black marketers who sell above the pump price.
“The few ones selling at the pump price have seriously adjusted their pumps by selling lesser quantity that does not correspond to the money the masses are paying, just to avoid closure of their stations by the DPR.”
Though the Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Obafemi Olawore, had told our correspondent that no major oil marketers’ filling station was selling PMS above the pump price, investigations by our correspondent revealed that a litre of fuel was sold at N100 per litre in retails outlets owned by Forte Oil, Conoil, Mobil, Oando, MRS and Total in Lagos as of Monday.
Copyright PUNCH.
Rivers PDP denies Wike’s resignation
THE Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State has dismissed media reports (not The PUNCH) that the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, has resigned his appointment and membership of the Federal Executive Council.
The minister reportedly resigned from the FEC in order to pursue his governorship ambition in Rivers State.
But the PDP in the state said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday that Wike was still in charge of the education ministry at the federal level.
The statement was signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the PDP chairman in the state, Mr. Jerry Needam.
The statement read, “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to some media publications and speculations in some quarters alleging that the Honourable Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, has resigned his position as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The party wishes to state that the minister has not resigned his membership of the Federal Executive Council and has not at the moment contemplated doing so. He remains the Supervisory Minister for Education.
“The PDP therefore calls on its members and the general public to discountenance this concocted, false, misleading and calumnious speculation, which we are aware, is a creation by mischief makers and enemies of the minister and the party.”
It further warned members of the party not to be deceived by falsehood from political opponents, particularly the All Progressives Congress.
The state PDP urged members to be steadfast and more committed to the struggle of liberating the people and the state from the bad governance of the opposition.
Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi recently defected from the PDP to the APC.
Copyright PUNCH.
The minister reportedly resigned from the FEC in order to pursue his governorship ambition in Rivers State.
But the PDP in the state said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday that Wike was still in charge of the education ministry at the federal level.
The statement was signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the PDP chairman in the state, Mr. Jerry Needam.
The statement read, “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to some media publications and speculations in some quarters alleging that the Honourable Supervising Minister for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, has resigned his position as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The party wishes to state that the minister has not resigned his membership of the Federal Executive Council and has not at the moment contemplated doing so. He remains the Supervisory Minister for Education.
“The PDP therefore calls on its members and the general public to discountenance this concocted, false, misleading and calumnious speculation, which we are aware, is a creation by mischief makers and enemies of the minister and the party.”
It further warned members of the party not to be deceived by falsehood from political opponents, particularly the All Progressives Congress.
The state PDP urged members to be steadfast and more committed to the struggle of liberating the people and the state from the bad governance of the opposition.
Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi recently defected from the PDP to the APC.
Copyright PUNCH.
$1.69m fraud: Court rejects Ajudua’s bail application
A Lagos High Court, Ikeja has again denied a suspected advance fee fraud kingpin, Mr. Fred Ajudua, bail in an alleged $1.69m fraud case.
It was Ajudua’s fifth bail application since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission instituted the charge against him in 2003.
Justice Kudirat Jose, before whom the defendant was on February 5, 2014, re-arraigned along with his co-accused, Charles Orie, ruled on Monday that the fresh bail application lacked merit.
The court earlier had allowed Orie to continue enjoying the bail granted him by the former trial judge, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole.
Ajudua, who was ordered to remain in detention after the re-arraignment, had, through his lawyer, Chief Charles Edosomwan (SAN), filed a fresh bail application on the grounds of “serious ill health.”
Justice Jose in refusing the application on Monday, cited Ajudua’s antecedents of tampering with evidence and absconding from trial when he was initially granted bail.
Though, the judge in her ruling, admitted that he was ill, she held that the medical reports tendered by him did not show his health conditions could not be treated in the prison.
The judge said, “These reports show that the applicant (Ajudua) is not a very healthy man and that he needs medical attention.
“However, the reports have not shown that he cannot be treated while still in prison.”
The judge said the medical reports issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, showed that Ajudua was suffering from complicated ailments because of a solitary kidney.
She added that the accused failed to convince the court that he would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if the bail was granted.
She said, “He has not shown to the court why he was not able to come to his trial between 2008 and 2013.
“In his counter-affidavit, the applicant did not respond to the claims that he had tampered with evidence. His lack of response means an admission of guilt.”
Ajudua and Orie were first arraigned before Justice Oyewole for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen – Mr. Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen of about $1.69m between July 1999 and September 2000.
The case was re-assigned to Justice Jose and the matter started afresh after Justice Oyewole withdrew from the case. Oyewole was recently elevated to the Court of Appeal.
Ajudua is also being detained in a separate case pending before another Lagos High Court in Ikeja for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (retd.), of about $5.9m between November 2004 and June 2005.
The matter was adjourned till April 28 for trial.
Copyright PUNCH.
It was Ajudua’s fifth bail application since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission instituted the charge against him in 2003.
Justice Kudirat Jose, before whom the defendant was on February 5, 2014, re-arraigned along with his co-accused, Charles Orie, ruled on Monday that the fresh bail application lacked merit.
The court earlier had allowed Orie to continue enjoying the bail granted him by the former trial judge, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole.
Ajudua, who was ordered to remain in detention after the re-arraignment, had, through his lawyer, Chief Charles Edosomwan (SAN), filed a fresh bail application on the grounds of “serious ill health.”
Justice Jose in refusing the application on Monday, cited Ajudua’s antecedents of tampering with evidence and absconding from trial when he was initially granted bail.
Though, the judge in her ruling, admitted that he was ill, she held that the medical reports tendered by him did not show his health conditions could not be treated in the prison.
The judge said, “These reports show that the applicant (Ajudua) is not a very healthy man and that he needs medical attention.
“However, the reports have not shown that he cannot be treated while still in prison.”
The judge said the medical reports issued by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, showed that Ajudua was suffering from complicated ailments because of a solitary kidney.
She added that the accused failed to convince the court that he would not abscond or interfere with witnesses if the bail was granted.
She said, “He has not shown to the court why he was not able to come to his trial between 2008 and 2013.
“In his counter-affidavit, the applicant did not respond to the claims that he had tampered with evidence. His lack of response means an admission of guilt.”
Ajudua and Orie were first arraigned before Justice Oyewole for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen – Mr. Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen of about $1.69m between July 1999 and September 2000.
The case was re-assigned to Justice Jose and the matter started afresh after Justice Oyewole withdrew from the case. Oyewole was recently elevated to the Court of Appeal.
Ajudua is also being detained in a separate case pending before another Lagos High Court in Ikeja for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (retd.), of about $5.9m between November 2004 and June 2005.
The matter was adjourned till April 28 for trial.
Copyright PUNCH.
Govs’ comments would have forced me to resign —Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday chided some unnamed state governors over their utterances and actions.
He said if 50 per cent of the governors in the country talk and behave the same way these governors do, he would have vacated his seat for others to come and manage the country.
Jonathan spoke while granting audience to the Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders from the North-Central, who paid him a solidarity visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President said at a point when the Nigeria Governors Forum turned itself into a monster, it was the zone that helped to stabilise the forum.
He also lauded the zone for producing great leaders, including the present President of the Senate, David Mark, who has been able to stabilise the National Assembly.
He said, “We thank you for this solidarity visit and for giving us a Senate President that has been able to stabilise the National Assembly.
“The governors from the zone have not been stabilising the country because of the way some of the governors talk and behave. If 50 per cent of the governors behave that way, probably, we would have vacated this place and allow others to come and manage it for us.
“But they have been able to help to stabilise the whole country. When the governors forum became a monster and we had a lot of challenges, it was the North-Central that came on board to stabilise the governors’ forum.
“So, the zone has been able to produce very great leaders, not just hat leaders but they are patriotic leaders, so, we will continue to work with this zone, we will continue to encourage you. As we approach elections next year, let us know the problems on time. We will work with you to ensure PDP continues to maintain the zone.”
The President again assured Nigerians that the nation’s security architecture was being repositioned to contend with the security challenges in parts of the country.
“The security personnel are moving in to strengthen the conventional security; that is the police. But we are working very hard with the National Security Adviser’s Office to make sure that the security challenges that we have across the country, whether in Borno State or the kidnapping in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia and so on. We are coming up with different architecture that will deal with this insurgence. As we progress, we will begin to bring the situation under control,” he added.
Governor Benue Suswan of Benue State again raised the alarm over the activities of cattle rearer and insurgents who he said are camouflaging as Fulani men.
He said what has been witnessed lately are well-trained people who are trained to kill and destroy, describing the manner of destruction as massive and unimaginable.
He listed the states most affected in the zone to include Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue.
The governor urged the President to concentrate more on the zone because if the North Central is disorganised, Jonathan himself is disorganised because that is where he has his stability.
He said, “You have just directed the military to move in, they have started moving in between Nasarawa and Benue. As of last night, there were lot a security movement between Benue and Nasarawa States and we hope that the same thing will be applicable in Plateau State because the state has had a longer history of this than any one of us.
“Mr. President, what has worried us as governors who are also leaders is that in spite of the magnitude of destruction, no one person has been arrested and these destroyers move in large numbers.
“We are worried that without appropriate sanctions, they will continue with impunity because once people are not sanctioned, they don’t take that serious and I think the appropriate example must be shown.
“Mr. President, you must insist that your security must arrest these people, if you see the level of destruction and the fact that no person has been arrested, It becomes worrisome.
“Mr. President, how these people get their arms, because they are carrying very sophisticated weapons, is also an issue that we are worried about and I believe that Mr. President is also very worried because all of us swore to the constitution to protect lives and property.”
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He said if 50 per cent of the governors in the country talk and behave the same way these governors do, he would have vacated his seat for others to come and manage the country.
Jonathan spoke while granting audience to the Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders from the North-Central, who paid him a solidarity visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President said at a point when the Nigeria Governors Forum turned itself into a monster, it was the zone that helped to stabilise the forum.
He also lauded the zone for producing great leaders, including the present President of the Senate, David Mark, who has been able to stabilise the National Assembly.
He said, “We thank you for this solidarity visit and for giving us a Senate President that has been able to stabilise the National Assembly.
“The governors from the zone have not been stabilising the country because of the way some of the governors talk and behave. If 50 per cent of the governors behave that way, probably, we would have vacated this place and allow others to come and manage it for us.
“But they have been able to help to stabilise the whole country. When the governors forum became a monster and we had a lot of challenges, it was the North-Central that came on board to stabilise the governors’ forum.
“So, the zone has been able to produce very great leaders, not just hat leaders but they are patriotic leaders, so, we will continue to work with this zone, we will continue to encourage you. As we approach elections next year, let us know the problems on time. We will work with you to ensure PDP continues to maintain the zone.”
The President again assured Nigerians that the nation’s security architecture was being repositioned to contend with the security challenges in parts of the country.
“The security personnel are moving in to strengthen the conventional security; that is the police. But we are working very hard with the National Security Adviser’s Office to make sure that the security challenges that we have across the country, whether in Borno State or the kidnapping in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia and so on. We are coming up with different architecture that will deal with this insurgence. As we progress, we will begin to bring the situation under control,” he added.
Governor Benue Suswan of Benue State again raised the alarm over the activities of cattle rearer and insurgents who he said are camouflaging as Fulani men.
He said what has been witnessed lately are well-trained people who are trained to kill and destroy, describing the manner of destruction as massive and unimaginable.
He listed the states most affected in the zone to include Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue.
The governor urged the President to concentrate more on the zone because if the North Central is disorganised, Jonathan himself is disorganised because that is where he has his stability.
He said, “You have just directed the military to move in, they have started moving in between Nasarawa and Benue. As of last night, there were lot a security movement between Benue and Nasarawa States and we hope that the same thing will be applicable in Plateau State because the state has had a longer history of this than any one of us.
“Mr. President, what has worried us as governors who are also leaders is that in spite of the magnitude of destruction, no one person has been arrested and these destroyers move in large numbers.
“We are worried that without appropriate sanctions, they will continue with impunity because once people are not sanctioned, they don’t take that serious and I think the appropriate example must be shown.
“Mr. President, you must insist that your security must arrest these people, if you see the level of destruction and the fact that no person has been arrested, It becomes worrisome.
“Mr. President, how these people get their arms, because they are carrying very sophisticated weapons, is also an issue that we are worried about and I believe that Mr. President is also very worried because all of us swore to the constitution to protect lives and property.”
Copyright PUNCH.
INEC to deliminate constituencies 18 years after
The Independent National Electoral Commission has concluded arrangement to review the existing constituencies, allocation of seats, and identify imbalances where they exist.
If this succeeds, some states may experience an increase in representation in the National Assembly.
A committee saddled with the responsibility was inaugurated on Monday in Abuja while the final work of the committee would be subjected to approval by the National Assembly.
The 17-member National Committee on Constituency Delimitation is headed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, while Mr. Mr. Kayode Oladimeji, is the Secretary.
Jega inaugurated the committee on Monday.
The review of the constituencies is coming 18 years after the last exercise carried out in 1996. Currently, the country has 388 constituencies and the law provides for every 10 years review.
The committee according to Jega is to consider the composition and boundaries of existing constituencies, as well as allocation of seats, and identify imbalances where they exist.”
Jega had recently said that the exercise would help deal with the existing inequalities in the constituencies. He stressed that it would bring about equity in the weight of representations and votes in the constituencies.
He said, “Ideally, the weight of representation should be as nearly equal as possible. For every representative should be as nearly equal the number of the population quota.
“Every federal constituency should be as nearly equal in size of 388,000. That ensures that the weight of a representative in the parliament is as nearly equal with other representatives.
“In Nigeria there are wide-ranging disparities. There are constituencies that are as small as 122,000 and as large as 1.3million.
“This disparities have existed because of population movement or original inequalities in the creation of constituencies.
“We are obligated by the constitution to periodically review these constituencies so that we can bring equity in the weight of representations and votes in the constituencies.
“It is very important in deepening democracy and fairness in representations.
“We are required to do it either after every population census or in at least 10 years.
“In the kind of democratic system that we operate, where constituencies are based on single-member representatives, it is necessary, as provided by the constitution, and in line with international best practice, that the various districts and constituencies should be reviewed periodically.”
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If this succeeds, some states may experience an increase in representation in the National Assembly.
A committee saddled with the responsibility was inaugurated on Monday in Abuja while the final work of the committee would be subjected to approval by the National Assembly.
The 17-member National Committee on Constituency Delimitation is headed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, while Mr. Mr. Kayode Oladimeji, is the Secretary.
Jega inaugurated the committee on Monday.
The review of the constituencies is coming 18 years after the last exercise carried out in 1996. Currently, the country has 388 constituencies and the law provides for every 10 years review.
The committee according to Jega is to consider the composition and boundaries of existing constituencies, as well as allocation of seats, and identify imbalances where they exist.”
Jega had recently said that the exercise would help deal with the existing inequalities in the constituencies. He stressed that it would bring about equity in the weight of representations and votes in the constituencies.
He said, “Ideally, the weight of representation should be as nearly equal as possible. For every representative should be as nearly equal the number of the population quota.
“Every federal constituency should be as nearly equal in size of 388,000. That ensures that the weight of a representative in the parliament is as nearly equal with other representatives.
“In Nigeria there are wide-ranging disparities. There are constituencies that are as small as 122,000 and as large as 1.3million.
“This disparities have existed because of population movement or original inequalities in the creation of constituencies.
“We are obligated by the constitution to periodically review these constituencies so that we can bring equity in the weight of representations and votes in the constituencies.
“It is very important in deepening democracy and fairness in representations.
“We are required to do it either after every population census or in at least 10 years.
“In the kind of democratic system that we operate, where constituencies are based on single-member representatives, it is necessary, as provided by the constitution, and in line with international best practice, that the various districts and constituencies should be reviewed periodically.”
Copyright PUNCH.
National Confab seeks for more fund
The National Conference has said it will need more fund to accommodate the amendment in the composition of its committees.
This will be an addition to the reported N7bn budgeted for the conference.
Delegates on Monday at the plenary in Abuja agreed to remold the proposed 20 committees by suggesting new ones and collapsing some others.
The conference Vice-Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, said the principal officials would have to meet the Federal Government to meet up with the new amendments.
He said, “We may have to go to government for more funds. If government gives us more funds, we will rent more committee rooms.”
The conference began its debate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech with delegates calling for peace and tolerance in the nation.
Thirty-nine delegates spoke at the opening of the debate.
Dr. Mariam Abdullahi said Nigeria’s problems would be over if the elite stopped seeing their loss as that of their tribe and region.
On his part, National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, kicked against subjecting the outcome of the conference to ratification of the National Assembly.
He feared that no positive achievement could be realised from such measure.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, frowned on the comment of Lamido Adamawa, HRH. Muhammadu Mustapha, who said his kingdom could secede to Cameroon, if provoked.
He appealed to delegates to mind their utterances.
He also urged the conference to produce a new constitution which would be acceptable to all.
He added that the Conference must make a clear break from the past by ensuring that issues were discussed frankly and not allowing the old prejudice to over-shadow delegates’ sense of patriotism.
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This will be an addition to the reported N7bn budgeted for the conference.
Delegates on Monday at the plenary in Abuja agreed to remold the proposed 20 committees by suggesting new ones and collapsing some others.
The conference Vice-Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, said the principal officials would have to meet the Federal Government to meet up with the new amendments.
He said, “We may have to go to government for more funds. If government gives us more funds, we will rent more committee rooms.”
The conference began its debate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech with delegates calling for peace and tolerance in the nation.
Thirty-nine delegates spoke at the opening of the debate.
Dr. Mariam Abdullahi said Nigeria’s problems would be over if the elite stopped seeing their loss as that of their tribe and region.
On his part, National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, Otunba Gani Adams, kicked against subjecting the outcome of the conference to ratification of the National Assembly.
He feared that no positive achievement could be realised from such measure.
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, frowned on the comment of Lamido Adamawa, HRH. Muhammadu Mustapha, who said his kingdom could secede to Cameroon, if provoked.
He appealed to delegates to mind their utterances.
He also urged the conference to produce a new constitution which would be acceptable to all.
He added that the Conference must make a clear break from the past by ensuring that issues were discussed frankly and not allowing the old prejudice to over-shadow delegates’ sense of patriotism.
Copyright PUNCH.
Mr President, Alison-Madueke’s cup is full BY PUNCH EDITORIAL BOARD
THE recently-uncovered financial recklessness and obscene lifestyle involving Diezani Alison-Madueke is truly the apex of cumulative impunity by the Minister of Petroleum Resources. She is accused of living extravagantly at the expense of Nigerians by wasting about N10 billion to maintain one of the three private jets she is using for official and personal travels. More shocking disclosures are still streaming in.
The details of the preliminary enquiry in the House of Representatives are unnerving. The minister is said to have spent €500,000 (N130 million) monthly or N3.21 billion in two years to maintain a Challenger business jet. Every time she flies the second jet on a round trip, taxpayers lose €600,000 (N137 million), while the cost of the third aircraft is still to be ascertained. The irreducible minimum Nigerians demand of the House Public Accounts Committee is to establish the facts of the case.
But as usual, a duplicitous Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has attempted to turn the page on the scandal by defending its deviant minister. It says, “It is standard practice for a large oil and gas corporation such as the NNPC to make use of the most efficient means of transportation to ensure the effective and efficient coverage of the vast scope of critical oil and gas assets under their purview.” The Presidency, also playing the ostrich, claims it is not in possession of documents or papers or “has any petition relating to such issue” and will “rather await the outcome of the ongoing investigation by the House of Representatives before it can undertake any reasonable action.”
The public is waiting, too. But the same President Goodluck Jonathan did not bother to follow the due process in line with the law and civilised practice before suspending Lamido Sanusi, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, over allegations of financial recklessness. How many probe reports will smear Alison-Madueke before Jonathan saves his government from the NNPC’s serial graft scandals?
Alison-Madueke’s tenure as Petroleum Minister, which started in 2011, has been scarred by pains, controversies, sickening graft at the NNPC and now, wantonness at the expense of a country in dire economic straits. The 2011 petrol subsidy scandal, in which the parliament approved only N245 billion for payments, saw the government spending N2.5 trillion. The protests that trailed the January 2012 petrol price hike and the subsequent investigations made it obvious that the government used the humongous amount to corruptly enrich Petroleum Ministry and the NNPC officials, staff of the petroleum subsidy agencies, marketers and cronies, though some of them have been undergoing lacklustre prosecution since 2012.
It is noteworthy that the government has been spending about N971.1 billion annually since then to offset petrol subsidy, showing that more than N1 trillion was plundered from the nation’s coffers in 2011 alone on petrol subsidy under Alison-Madueke’s watch. In 2012, the minister secured the approval of the parliament for a loan of $1.6 billion to carry out Turn Around Maintenance of the nation’s four refineries. Brimming with false excitement, she had promised the nation that the refineries would function at 90 per cent capacity after the repairs. But the best the facilities have averaged since then is a measly 22 per cent.
Why has our Petroleum Minister, just because the NNPC generates more than two-thirds of the country’s external income, become so prodigal? Earlier this year, the nation groaned helplessly with the unveiling of the kerosene subsidy scandal, for which the NNPC has been deducting illegally from national revenues in spite of a presidential directive that stopped the subsidy in 2009. In February, the Senate uncovered how the corrupt oil corporation had been spending N700 million daily to subsidise kerosene without the product reaching consumers who pay as much as N150 per litre, instead of the NNPC’s N55 per litre.
In a normal environment, the aggregate of these misdeeds is enough to send a minister packing. In France, a former president, Nicolas Sarkozy, is being tried for allegedly receiving money illegally to fund his party’s campaign. Nigeria should also be a society where anybody, no matter how highly placed, is subject to our laws.
But, there is more. Sanusi, at a series of parliamentary hearings this year, listed wide-ranging fraudulent acts by the NNPC, the sum of which is that the rogue oil corporation has not remitted $20billion of oil money it sold to the Federation Account. “It is established that of the $67 billion crude shipped by the NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013, $47 billion was remitted to the Federation Account. It is now up to the NNPC… to produce proof that $20 billion unremitted either did not belong to the Federation or was legally and constitutionally spent,” Sanusi said. The NNPC, which Alison-Madueke supervises, has yet to give the nation satisfactory answers to these posers.
The NNPC has been swimming in a sleazy barter arrangement with some international companies over the 445,000 barrels of oil per day the government sets aside for domestic refining though the four refineries have the capacity to produce just at 22 per cent.
Corruption has never been so brazen and sickening in the country as in recent times. Regularly, fresh nerve-jangling allegations of venality in public office assault the citizens. Unfortunately, the parliament, as usual, may just make futile noise about this outrageous case, as many of such probes have been prematurely interred in its burial chamber.
But Jonathan must know that it is hard to move on when so many questions on graft involving his government are still unanswered, foremost being what he has done with our oil money.
Copyright PUNCH.
The details of the preliminary enquiry in the House of Representatives are unnerving. The minister is said to have spent €500,000 (N130 million) monthly or N3.21 billion in two years to maintain a Challenger business jet. Every time she flies the second jet on a round trip, taxpayers lose €600,000 (N137 million), while the cost of the third aircraft is still to be ascertained. The irreducible minimum Nigerians demand of the House Public Accounts Committee is to establish the facts of the case.
But as usual, a duplicitous Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has attempted to turn the page on the scandal by defending its deviant minister. It says, “It is standard practice for a large oil and gas corporation such as the NNPC to make use of the most efficient means of transportation to ensure the effective and efficient coverage of the vast scope of critical oil and gas assets under their purview.” The Presidency, also playing the ostrich, claims it is not in possession of documents or papers or “has any petition relating to such issue” and will “rather await the outcome of the ongoing investigation by the House of Representatives before it can undertake any reasonable action.”
The public is waiting, too. But the same President Goodluck Jonathan did not bother to follow the due process in line with the law and civilised practice before suspending Lamido Sanusi, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, over allegations of financial recklessness. How many probe reports will smear Alison-Madueke before Jonathan saves his government from the NNPC’s serial graft scandals?
Alison-Madueke’s tenure as Petroleum Minister, which started in 2011, has been scarred by pains, controversies, sickening graft at the NNPC and now, wantonness at the expense of a country in dire economic straits. The 2011 petrol subsidy scandal, in which the parliament approved only N245 billion for payments, saw the government spending N2.5 trillion. The protests that trailed the January 2012 petrol price hike and the subsequent investigations made it obvious that the government used the humongous amount to corruptly enrich Petroleum Ministry and the NNPC officials, staff of the petroleum subsidy agencies, marketers and cronies, though some of them have been undergoing lacklustre prosecution since 2012.
It is noteworthy that the government has been spending about N971.1 billion annually since then to offset petrol subsidy, showing that more than N1 trillion was plundered from the nation’s coffers in 2011 alone on petrol subsidy under Alison-Madueke’s watch. In 2012, the minister secured the approval of the parliament for a loan of $1.6 billion to carry out Turn Around Maintenance of the nation’s four refineries. Brimming with false excitement, she had promised the nation that the refineries would function at 90 per cent capacity after the repairs. But the best the facilities have averaged since then is a measly 22 per cent.
Why has our Petroleum Minister, just because the NNPC generates more than two-thirds of the country’s external income, become so prodigal? Earlier this year, the nation groaned helplessly with the unveiling of the kerosene subsidy scandal, for which the NNPC has been deducting illegally from national revenues in spite of a presidential directive that stopped the subsidy in 2009. In February, the Senate uncovered how the corrupt oil corporation had been spending N700 million daily to subsidise kerosene without the product reaching consumers who pay as much as N150 per litre, instead of the NNPC’s N55 per litre.
In a normal environment, the aggregate of these misdeeds is enough to send a minister packing. In France, a former president, Nicolas Sarkozy, is being tried for allegedly receiving money illegally to fund his party’s campaign. Nigeria should also be a society where anybody, no matter how highly placed, is subject to our laws.
But, there is more. Sanusi, at a series of parliamentary hearings this year, listed wide-ranging fraudulent acts by the NNPC, the sum of which is that the rogue oil corporation has not remitted $20billion of oil money it sold to the Federation Account. “It is established that of the $67 billion crude shipped by the NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013, $47 billion was remitted to the Federation Account. It is now up to the NNPC… to produce proof that $20 billion unremitted either did not belong to the Federation or was legally and constitutionally spent,” Sanusi said. The NNPC, which Alison-Madueke supervises, has yet to give the nation satisfactory answers to these posers.
The NNPC has been swimming in a sleazy barter arrangement with some international companies over the 445,000 barrels of oil per day the government sets aside for domestic refining though the four refineries have the capacity to produce just at 22 per cent.
Corruption has never been so brazen and sickening in the country as in recent times. Regularly, fresh nerve-jangling allegations of venality in public office assault the citizens. Unfortunately, the parliament, as usual, may just make futile noise about this outrageous case, as many of such probes have been prematurely interred in its burial chamber.
But Jonathan must know that it is hard to move on when so many questions on graft involving his government are still unanswered, foremost being what he has done with our oil money.
Copyright PUNCH.
Attempted jailbreak: SSS to punish errant operatives
The leadership of the State Security Service has commenced an investigation into an attempted jailbreak at the agency’s detention facility in Abuja on Sunday.
Our correspondents learnt on Monday that the investigation was aimed at punishing errant SSS operatives, whose carelessness was said to have been responsible for the incident.
This is as the SSS said on Monday that 16 detainees, who escaped during the jail break attempt, were rearrested.
It was learnt that the leadership of the SSS had been embittered by professional lapses of the operatives.
Security sources told one of our correspondents in Abuja that the secret agency had commenced probe of the incident since Sunday.
One of the sources said the bosses at the SSS were alarmed that the detainees’ handler went to the detention facility without adherence to standard procedure for feeding inmates.
The source said, “What happened was abnormal. The incident was queried by the leadership. A decision has been taken to x-ray the entire incident in order to get the details.
“The standard operational procedure is for three people to go to the detention centre to feed the inmates.
“Usually, the person carrying the food does not carry arms but in this case, he was hanging a Cador rifle.
“That is why the matter has to be properly investigated to find out where the lapses occurred.
“The others were with him. If not for those that were with him, the detainees would have killed many people.
“Going to the detention centre with the gun was in violation of the rule and if it is investigated those culpable might be punished.”
It was gathered that laxity on the part of the operatives contributed to the attempted jailbreak.
Investigations showed that the terror suspects took advantage of the absence of most personnel on Sunday to make the jailbreak attempt.
Sources told one of our correspondents that lack of security cameras in the detention facility also made it possible for the suspects to plan their escape without giving the authorities room for suspicion.
“The terror suspects knew that most personnel don’t come to work on Sunday and beside that, the few operatives on duty would be in a relaxed mood since their bosses won’t be around, so they took advantage of the situation and made their move, but we successfully foiled it,” a source stated.
The Deputy Director, Public Relations, SSS, Marilyn Ogar, said that 16 suspects that escaped from the facility were re-arrested.
She added that 21 suspects who resisted arrest were shot.
“We were able to re-arrest 16 suspects that scaled the fence and escaped out of the facility and 18 others who resisted arrest were shot. Eight suspects however refused to participate in the jail-break,” Ogar told a private-owned Channels television on Monday.
Copyright PUNCH.
Our correspondents learnt on Monday that the investigation was aimed at punishing errant SSS operatives, whose carelessness was said to have been responsible for the incident.
This is as the SSS said on Monday that 16 detainees, who escaped during the jail break attempt, were rearrested.
It was learnt that the leadership of the SSS had been embittered by professional lapses of the operatives.
Security sources told one of our correspondents in Abuja that the secret agency had commenced probe of the incident since Sunday.
One of the sources said the bosses at the SSS were alarmed that the detainees’ handler went to the detention facility without adherence to standard procedure for feeding inmates.
The source said, “What happened was abnormal. The incident was queried by the leadership. A decision has been taken to x-ray the entire incident in order to get the details.
“The standard operational procedure is for three people to go to the detention centre to feed the inmates.
“Usually, the person carrying the food does not carry arms but in this case, he was hanging a Cador rifle.
“That is why the matter has to be properly investigated to find out where the lapses occurred.
“The others were with him. If not for those that were with him, the detainees would have killed many people.
“Going to the detention centre with the gun was in violation of the rule and if it is investigated those culpable might be punished.”
It was gathered that laxity on the part of the operatives contributed to the attempted jailbreak.
Investigations showed that the terror suspects took advantage of the absence of most personnel on Sunday to make the jailbreak attempt.
Sources told one of our correspondents that lack of security cameras in the detention facility also made it possible for the suspects to plan their escape without giving the authorities room for suspicion.
“The terror suspects knew that most personnel don’t come to work on Sunday and beside that, the few operatives on duty would be in a relaxed mood since their bosses won’t be around, so they took advantage of the situation and made their move, but we successfully foiled it,” a source stated.
The Deputy Director, Public Relations, SSS, Marilyn Ogar, said that 16 suspects that escaped from the facility were re-arrested.
She added that 21 suspects who resisted arrest were shot.
“We were able to re-arrest 16 suspects that scaled the fence and escaped out of the facility and 18 others who resisted arrest were shot. Eight suspects however refused to participate in the jail-break,” Ogar told a private-owned Channels television on Monday.
Copyright PUNCH.
National Conference: Delegates adopt 70 per cent voting procedure
The delegates, after a stalemate, finally adopted 70 per cent majority as voting procedure.
The National Conference on Monday adopted 70 per cent majority as the voting mode to be used in arriving at decisions at the conference.
PREMIUM TIMES had, over the weekend, reported on how the 50-member committee selected by the conference chairman, Idris Kutigi, resolved on 70 per cent. The conference on Monday adopted the committee’s recommendation.
The adoption followed a motion by Iyorchia Ayu, representing the Former Senators Forum. It was seconded by former Akwa Ibom Governor, Victor Attah, representing the Former Governors’ Forum.
The delegates adopted the resolution at the resumption of plenary in Abuja.
Proceedings at the conference were stalled last week as delegates failed to reach consensus on whether or not to adopt 66 per cent (two-third) or 75 per cent majority as the voting mode on decisions taken at the conference.
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Underage persons register to vote in Ekiti, Osun, TMG says
INEC says it is cleaning up the register to weed out clear cases of underage registrants.
A coalition of election monitoring civil society, Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, has complained that people obviously less than 18 years of age were allowed to register in the just concluded Continuous Voter Registration , CVR, that held in Osun and Ekiti states.
Electoral observers have in the past lamented the various incidence of underage voting. PREMIUM TIMES had also shown pictorial evidences of under-age voting in the just concluded local government elections held in Plateau State.
The TMG, however, says it has engineered a way to discourage this after witnessing underage voter registration.
“We have factored a way into our training so that they (underage) will be denied access to exercise franchise even if they are in possession of voter cards.
“And we have increased the tempo of voter education clubs in schools, through electronic and print media campaigns,” he said.
Reacting to the TMG observations, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday said it had trained its personnel on prevention of underage voting in the Ekiti and Osun polls.
The National Commissioner in charge of South-West, Lai Olurode, said this at an interview in Lagos.
Mr. Olurode said even if persons underage are in possession of voters’ card, they could never be allowed to vote.
He said INEC is cleaning up the register to weed out clear cases of underage registrants.
Mr. Olurode explained that the CVR which was held from March 12 to March 19 for the two states enabled the commission to accommodate all complaints before the governorship elections.
He said that Registration Area Officers, RAOs, were used for the registration at ward levels. He added that the CVR would go a long way to correct some of the mistakes in terms of biometrics in the previous registration.
He said that law enforcement agents were also being sensitised to effectively perform their duties and ensure a hitch free polls.
The commissioner, however, said prevention of electoral offences is the duty of all stakeholders and not for INEC alone.
He said, “elections are for the good of all and they are about partnership and vigilance on the part of all”.
The elections in Ekiti and Osun states are slated for June 21 and August 9 respectively.
(NAN)
Fani-Kayode warns APC against Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket
“This is not 1993 and whether we like it or not we must accept the fact that religion plays a major role in our politics today.”
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has cautioned the party against fielding an all Muslim presidential ticket in next year’s polls.
In a statement on Monday, Mr. Fani-Kayode said the APC would lose “woefully” if they present a Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2015 presidential election.
“I have said it privately in countless political meetings and I will say it publicly today. Please mark it – the biggest mistake that my party, the APC, can make is to field a Muslim/Muslim ticket in the 2015 Presidential election. If we do that we will not only offend the Christian community, but we will also lose the election woefully,” Mr. Fani-Kayode said.
In the 1993 presidential election, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, had fielded M.K.O Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe – both of them staunch Muslims – and still went ahead to garner a landslide victory in the annulled election.
“This is not 1993 and whether we like it or not we must accept the fact that religion plays a major role in our politics today,” Mr. Fani-Kayode said.
“Our party must have both a Christian and a Muslim on the ticket if we want to be taken seriously in the Presidential election. I implore those that think otherwise to sit down and think this through properly,” Mr. Fani-Kayode added.
Mr. Fani-Kayode further argued that presenting a Christian/Christian ticket would be as insensitive to the feelings of Muslims as a Muslim/Muslim ticket would be insensitive to the feelings of Christians.
“I for one would never support a ticket that presents two members of the same faith no matter what the consequences would be.
“This country belongs to both Muslims and Christians- we are all one and we must ensure that we do not hurt the feelings or the sensitivities of one another either advertently or inadvertently. As they say ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions.’
“Let us be mindful of our actions, deeds and words, no matter how well-intentioned they may be, and let us ensure that we do not confirm the terrible stereotyping that those that are against us are trying to label us with.
“The APC is the only hope for Nigeria. Let us not mess it up by making the wrong choices. A word is enough for the wise,” Mr. Fani-Kayode said.
Protesting youth burn two churches in Katsina
The youths were protesting alleged blasphemous statements made by a corps member.
Two churches were burnt on Monday afternoon at Tudun Wada, Funtua Local Government Area on Katsina State by rampaging youths, witnesses have said.
The unrest started when some students at one Ideal School, a private secondary school in the community, reported to youth outside the school that a teacher was teaching an SS2 class lessons that were ‘blasphemous’ in Islam.
According to a witness, who simply identified himself as “Alhaji Surajo,” the angry youth took to the streets of Funtua, vandalising property and ended up attacking two churches.
“I was around Tudun Wada, near the school, when we heard youth coming to the area, saying that they wanted to burn it (the school) down,” Mr. Surajo.
Mr. Surajo, who was caught in the mayhem, said before the youth could get to the school, some security operatives had arrived to offer protection to it.
Failing to get to the school, the youth set the two churches on fire instead. One of the churches was mentioned as St. Theresa Catholic Church, also in Tudun Wada.
Another witness, a market woman, Hajia Ade, said she had to run home from her shop because the youth were attacking people and businesses indiscriminately.
“I had to run home because it was becoming too bad and serious. The youth were just shouting and stoning everybody. I saw a church being set ablaze but I don’t know the name of the church,” she said.
She said that according to a neighbour’s daughter who attended the school, the ‘blasphemous’ statements were attributed to a Youth Corps member serving at the school as a teacher.
Mrs. Ade lamented that the youth did not wait to confirm from the school authorities whether what they heard was true or false before rioting in the streets.
Efforts to speak with the school authorities were not successful as the school was surrounded by the police and military, who have taken over the town.
Movement has since been restricted and all shops closed, according to another witness, Kabir Funtua.
“We hope that the situation is over now. The security people have to be alert because some of these youths want to take advantage of this and loot people’s businesses. They had already started the looting prior to the arrival of the military.”
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Katsina Police Command, Aminu Abubakar, were unsuccessful as he did not pick his calls.
Court of Appeal overturns high court ruling on El-Rufai
In 2008, Mr. El-Rufai approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, to defend and uphold his rights.
A Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, Monday, set aside a 2010 judgment of a Federal High Court which threw out Nasir El-Rufai’s fundamental human rights enforcement suit against the Senate.
In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of judges, the appellate court directed the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to appoint another judge to hear the suit.
Mr. El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, had filed a suit in August 2008 challenging the decisions and recommendations of a Senate Committee established to hold investigative public hearings on the affairs of the FCT between 1999 and 2007.
Muyiwa Adekeye, Mr. El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, said that the hearings essentially targeted his principal.
“That committee invited El Rufai as a witness and not as a defendant,” Mr. Adekeye said in a statement on Monday.
“But in its report, the committee went ahead to recommend punishment and other sanctions against El Rufai without making available to him the petitions against him, or placing before him any instances of violations of the law for his response.
“By acting in this prejudicial manner, the Senate committee, and eventually the entire Senate in accepting the committee’s recommendations, had violated El Rufai’s constitutionally guaranteed rights,” Mr. Adekeye added.
In 2008, Mr. El-Rufai approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, to defend and uphold his rights. He sued the Senate and five other parties – the Senate president; Abubakar Sodangi, then a Senator; the Clerk of the National Assembly; the Minister of the FCT; and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
In the ensuing suit, the respondents told the court that the former minister’s legal action came too late because it was not filed within three months of “the commencement of the breach,” as required by the Public Officers Protection Act.
The respondents also stated that they are public officers and are, therefore, protected by the Act against such actions.
On March 11, 2010, Justice M.G. Umar ruled that the substantive case was not a violation of Mr. El-Rufai’s fundamental rights, deciding that it was “statute-barred.”
Bamidele Aturu, Mr. El-Rufai’s counsel, lodged an appeal at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in April 2010.
On Monday, the appellate court unanimously decided that the judge of the lower court erred in ruling that any statute is capable of abridging fundamental rights. The superior court thus, allowed the appeal and directed that the suit be remitted back to another judge of the Federal High Court to hear the substantive suit.
Reacting to the appellate court’s decision, Mr. El-Rufai described the judgment as another contribution to human rights jurisprudence in the country.
“We are gratified that the Court of Appeal saw through attempts by public officers to avoid responsibility for their abuse of the rights of citizens using various stratagems,” Mr. El-Rufai added.
APC to challenge Court ruling asking decampee members to vacate House of Reps
The APC leader in the House says the court ruling turned law on its head
The All Progressives Congress, APC, will appeal a court ruling asking its decampee new members to quit the House of Representatives, and not to effect any leadership change in the lower house of parliament, the party’s House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, said Monday.
Mr. Gbajabiamila said the court’s decision Monday was “a strange judgement that turned law on its head”.
He said the decision of the court will be appealed at a higher court.
“The judgement is strange and will be appealed. No person can be compelled by law to stay in an association against his or her wishes,” Mr. Gbajabiamila, who is the House of Reps Minority Leader, said.
His reaction followed an order of perpetual injunction given by a Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC from effecting any leadership change in the House of Representatives.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola who delivered judgement said the lawmakers no longer had any business, morally and legally, to stay in the House of Representatives.
He said they should honourably resign from their seats as members, having moved to another political party while their tenure had yet to expire.
“Having perused the arguments of counsel and the constitutional provisions, it is clear and unambiguous that the defendants were sponsored by the PDP and won the election on its platform. It is also the court’s opinion that their tenure has not expired and there is no division in the PDP.
“The defendants are, therefore, not competent to vote or contribute to any proceedings in the House of Representatives. An order of perpetual injunction is, hereby, ordered, restraining them from altering or attempting to change the leadership of the House of Reps,” Mr. Ademola said.
The PDP had on January 7 instituted a suit seeking to restrain the House of Representatives from altering the composition of its leadership.
The party commenced the action following the defection of 37 lawmakers, who won election on its platform, to the opposition APC. The defection initially gave the APC a slim majority which was reversed as some APC lawmakers later decamped to the PDP.
Mr. Gbajabiamila said the judgment of the court was an affront to the right of association of the lawmakers.
“It negates a fundamental right of association of every citizen that is inalienable. Section 68 of the constitution has been turned on its head and the error of the court is manifest,” he said in a statement.
He said the judge gave an opinion he was never asked to give and an argument that was never canvassed before him.
Accused of corruption, Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman shuns EFCC
Aside from the alleged bribe demand and collection, Mr. Umar is also being investigated for maladministration and corruption at the CCT.
The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Danladi Umar, has refused to honour an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over corruption allegations including allegedly receiving N10 million bribe from a suspect.
The EFCC had sent an invitation to Mr. Umar on March 18; requesting that the tribunal boss appears before the commission on March 27.
Mr. Umar had allegedly demanded a N10 million bribe from a retired Comptroller of Customs, Rasheed Taiwo, who is being prosecuted at the CCT for allegedly failing to declare his asset while in office.
Mr. Taiwo told the EFCC that he paid part of the bribe, N1.8 million, to the chairman of CCT through the latter’s personal assistant.
One refusal too many
A highly placed source at the EFCC had earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Umar failed to honour an invitation sent to him to appear before the commission on December 30, 2013.
The Head Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Mr. Umar failed to appear before the commission. The accused did not also notify the commission of his reason for not appearing.
It is not clear how the EFCC will handle the defiant Code of Conduct boss, whose mandate as the Chairman of the Tribunal includes curbing corruption among public officials.
Mr. Uwujaren told PREMIUM TIMES that he would consult with the commission’s operatives in charge of Mr. Umar’s case before he can give details of what the commission would do.
“I will have to interact with the operatives on the case to know the way forward on his case,” he said.
Aside from the alleged bribe demand and collection, Mr. Umar is also being investigated for maladministration and corruption at the CCT.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported how three staff of the tribunal – its accountant, Shotunde Adeyinka, and two administrative officers, Lucky Eronlan and Johnson Owopetu – who were transferred out of Abuja to Ondo, Bauchi and Katsina states respectively, under controversial circumstances, had petitioned the EFCC on Mr. Umar corrupt practises and his highhandedness.
The trio copied in the Presidency, CCT, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, the National Judicial Council, NJC, the Senate, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Attorney General of the Federation on their petition.
In their petition, the trio listed a barrage of corruption allegation, including awarding contracts without due process, making full contract payments to contractors instead of mobilization fees, and dysfunctional appointments and promotion without board approval or regards to federal character.
There was also an alleged disappearance of N24 million belonging to the tribunal that was allegedly found in the Wuse Zone 5 residence of Mr. Umar’s late predecessor.
The seeming corruption at the CCT may not have started with Mr. Umar. His late predecessor, Murtala Sanni, was also indicted of corruption.
Mr. Umar, on assumption of duty, set up a committee to investigate Mr. Sanni for perceived corrupt practices. The committee found Mr. Sanni culpable of awarding contracts to pseudo contractors amongst other corrupt acts.
The committee recommended that stolen monies be retrieved from Mr. Sanni’s family while all other officials who benefited from the corruption be sanctioned.
It is uncertain if the CCT implemented the recommendations as none of its indicted officials is being prosecuted.
Mr. Umar, who was to provide clarification on these issues to the EFCC, has now twice shunned the commission.
The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, Danladi Umar, has refused to honour an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over corruption allegations including allegedly receiving N10 million bribe from a suspect.
The EFCC had sent an invitation to Mr. Umar on March 18; requesting that the tribunal boss appears before the commission on March 27.
Mr. Umar had allegedly demanded a N10 million bribe from a retired Comptroller of Customs, Rasheed Taiwo, who is being prosecuted at the CCT for allegedly failing to declare his asset while in office.
Mr. Taiwo told the EFCC that he paid part of the bribe, N1.8 million, to the chairman of CCT through the latter’s personal assistant.
One refusal too many
A highly placed source at the EFCC had earlier told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Umar failed to honour an invitation sent to him to appear before the commission on December 30, 2013.
The Head Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Mr. Umar failed to appear before the commission. The accused did not also notify the commission of his reason for not appearing.
It is not clear how the EFCC will handle the defiant Code of Conduct boss, whose mandate as the Chairman of the Tribunal includes curbing corruption among public officials.
Mr. Uwujaren told PREMIUM TIMES that he would consult with the commission’s operatives in charge of Mr. Umar’s case before he can give details of what the commission would do.
“I will have to interact with the operatives on the case to know the way forward on his case,” he said.
Aside from the alleged bribe demand and collection, Mr. Umar is also being investigated for maladministration and corruption at the CCT.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported how three staff of the tribunal – its accountant, Shotunde Adeyinka, and two administrative officers, Lucky Eronlan and Johnson Owopetu – who were transferred out of Abuja to Ondo, Bauchi and Katsina states respectively, under controversial circumstances, had petitioned the EFCC on Mr. Umar corrupt practises and his highhandedness.
The trio copied in the Presidency, CCT, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, the National Judicial Council, NJC, the Senate, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Attorney General of the Federation on their petition.
In their petition, the trio listed a barrage of corruption allegation, including awarding contracts without due process, making full contract payments to contractors instead of mobilization fees, and dysfunctional appointments and promotion without board approval or regards to federal character.
There was also an alleged disappearance of N24 million belonging to the tribunal that was allegedly found in the Wuse Zone 5 residence of Mr. Umar’s late predecessor.
The seeming corruption at the CCT may not have started with Mr. Umar. His late predecessor, Murtala Sanni, was also indicted of corruption.
Mr. Umar, on assumption of duty, set up a committee to investigate Mr. Sanni for perceived corrupt practices. The committee found Mr. Sanni culpable of awarding contracts to pseudo contractors amongst other corrupt acts.
The committee recommended that stolen monies be retrieved from Mr. Sanni’s family while all other officials who benefited from the corruption be sanctioned.
It is uncertain if the CCT implemented the recommendations as none of its indicted officials is being prosecuted.
Mr. Umar, who was to provide clarification on these issues to the EFCC, has now twice shunned the commission.
Boy kills brother, removes his eyes, tongue
The boy buried his brother’s remains on his father’s farmland in Yobe.
A boy in Daya Village, Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State, on Monday, killed his younger brother and removed the victim’s tongue and eyes, residents said.
A resident of Daya, Ishmail Daya, told PREMIUM TIMES, that the younger boy had gone missing three days ago and that while a search was going on in the village, the older brother was found with his brother’s tongue and eyes.
“He killed his younger brother and buried him on his father’s farmland,” Ishmail said.
Both the alleged killer and the victim are believed to be underage.
He insisted that there had been no prior quarrel between the siblings.
“There was no fight, he just killed his brother. Though investigation is still going on, but there was no fight,” he said.
The district head and Galadima of Fika, Fika LGA, Garba Daya, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it actually happened in Daya,” he said, adding that the killer was currently in police custody.
Efforts to reach the Yobe Police command proved futile as the state Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Rufai, did not pick his calls or respond to text messages as at press time.
Court asks 37 decampee PDP-to-APC lawmakers to vacate House of Reps
“The defendants are, therefore, not competent to vote or contribute to any proceedings in the House of Representatives.”
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from effecting any leadership change in the House of Representatives.
Delivering judgment, Justice Adeniyi Ademola lambasted the decampee lawmakers. He said they no longer had any business, morally and legally, to stay in the House of Representatives.
He said they should honourably resign from their seats as members, having moved to another political party while their tenure had yet to expire.
“Having perused the arguments of counsel and the constitutional provisions, it is clear and unambiguous that the defendants were sponsored by the PDP and won the election on its platform. It is also the court’s opinion that their tenure has not expired and there is no division in the PDP.
“The defendants are, therefore, not competent to vote or contribute to any proceedings in the House of Representatives. An order of perpetual injunction is, hereby, ordered, restraining them from altering or attempting to change the leadership of the House of Reps,” Mr. Ademola said.
The PDP had on January 7 instituted a suit seeking to restrain the House of Representatives from altering the composition of its leadership.
The party had commenced the action following the defection of 37 lawmakers, who won election on its platform, to the opposition APC. The defection had initially given the APC a slim majority in the House. The majority was later reversed when some APC lawmakers decamped to the PDP.
The PDP’s counsel, Yunus Usman, had, while arguing his originating summons, faulted the cross-carpeting of the lawmakers, saying that the legislators did so during the dependency of a judgment.
He argued that by virtue of the October 2013 judgment of Justice Evoh Chukwu, which he claimed said there was no division in PDP, the matter had been laid to rest.
Mr. Usman had further submitted that by virtue of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Nigerian constitution, as amended, the lawmakers ought to have vacated their seats immediately.
The counsel to the defendants, Mamoud Magaji, had in his submission, argued that it was wrong for the PDP to have sought to restrain its former members from House activities for defecting.
Other defence counsel, Niyi Akintola, Sebastian Hon, James Ocholi, Abiodun Owonikoko, and Jibril Okutepa had prayed the court to dismiss the suit.
(NAN)
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from effecting any leadership change in the House of Representatives.
Delivering judgment, Justice Adeniyi Ademola lambasted the decampee lawmakers. He said they no longer had any business, morally and legally, to stay in the House of Representatives.
He said they should honourably resign from their seats as members, having moved to another political party while their tenure had yet to expire.
“Having perused the arguments of counsel and the constitutional provisions, it is clear and unambiguous that the defendants were sponsored by the PDP and won the election on its platform. It is also the court’s opinion that their tenure has not expired and there is no division in the PDP.
“The defendants are, therefore, not competent to vote or contribute to any proceedings in the House of Representatives. An order of perpetual injunction is, hereby, ordered, restraining them from altering or attempting to change the leadership of the House of Reps,” Mr. Ademola said.
The PDP had on January 7 instituted a suit seeking to restrain the House of Representatives from altering the composition of its leadership.
The party had commenced the action following the defection of 37 lawmakers, who won election on its platform, to the opposition APC. The defection had initially given the APC a slim majority in the House. The majority was later reversed when some APC lawmakers decamped to the PDP.
The PDP’s counsel, Yunus Usman, had, while arguing his originating summons, faulted the cross-carpeting of the lawmakers, saying that the legislators did so during the dependency of a judgment.
He argued that by virtue of the October 2013 judgment of Justice Evoh Chukwu, which he claimed said there was no division in PDP, the matter had been laid to rest.
Mr. Usman had further submitted that by virtue of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Nigerian constitution, as amended, the lawmakers ought to have vacated their seats immediately.
The counsel to the defendants, Mamoud Magaji, had in his submission, argued that it was wrong for the PDP to have sought to restrain its former members from House activities for defecting.
Other defence counsel, Niyi Akintola, Sebastian Hon, James Ocholi, Abiodun Owonikoko, and Jibril Okutepa had prayed the court to dismiss the suit.
(NAN)
Don’t resist state creation, resource control, MOSOP tells north
THE Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People has called on northern governors and other leaders in the region to change it’s plan to resist issues on state creation and resource control at the ongoing National Conference.
MOSOP President, Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara, said in a statement signed by his Media/Public Affairs Advisor, Mr. Bari-ara Kpalap, that the northern sentiment on the issue of resource ownership, control and state creation betrayed sinister motives.
Pyagbara explained that the stance of the northern part of the country on the issue could jeopardize the North/South relationship, adding that it was wrong for the North to always vent its opposition to national matters with threats.
He noted that Ogoni’s participation at the National Conference was mainly to pursue its interest in state creation, resource control and ownership, environmental remediation, restoration and protection.
“As the National Conference progresses, the apex organization of the Ogoni people, MOSOP, has called on the people of northern Nigeria, including its delegates to the conference, elders and governors to rescind their planned resistance to issues of state creation, resource ownership and control supported by the South.
“The expressed northern sentiments no doubt betrayed sinister motives, which in our view, may not augur well for the conference and North/South relationship.
“It is alarming that at crucial times in this country such as this, the North has been behaving as if other parts of the country are mere vassals that have no real legitimacy and rights and must subject to their whims and caprices.
“Our bitter experience has been that any time that the North wishes to get its way against the interests of other nationalities in Nigeria especially on the issue of resource ownership and control, it emphasizes that the present arrangement impoverishes the North and would vent its opposition with threats.
“It is painful to note that when groundnut was the mainstay of the economy, they controlled benefits that accrued therefrom and communities outside of their region especially those of the Niger Delta accepted it in good faith,” Pyagbara stated.
MOSOP president pointed out that the North’s resort to masking behind international law would not help its (North) position against the position of MOSOP.
Prepare for protest votes, pensioners tell FG, states
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners on Monday warned the Federal and State Governments that are neglecting their welfare to prepare for protest votes in coming elections.
Boasting that it had five million voting block, the union warned that it will not be in the interest of any government to continue to treat its demands with neglect.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the NUP President, Dr. Abel Afolayan, said governments had continued to neglect the pensioners by not paying them their entitlements, despite numerous letters written to raise the issues.
According to him, efforts to seek redress from various governments have proved fruitless and failed to satisfy their legitimate yearnings.
He complained that pensioners had not been paid their outstanding arrears and gratuity due by the federal and some state governments.
He also accused government of favouring the military pensioners over the civil pensioners by paying them the 33 percent pension increase and its arrears.
Besides, Afolayan lamented that government had not prosecuted most identified pension thieves, “not to talk of jailing anyone found guilty among them.”
If the situation persisted, the NUP said it would “have no alternative other than to involve the Nigeia Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.
“With the involvement of these two labour giants in the country, it is retain that all Nigeian workers, who are praying to be pensioners one day, would join us on sympathy ground in nationwide protests which may likely come up in future.
“Government should be told that civil pensioners in Nigeria which is about five million form a large voting block and to neglect us is not in the best interest of either the Federal Government or State Governments.”
Why Nigeria shunned EU/ECOWAS trade liberalisation agreement –FG
The Federal Government has explained why it did not sign the trade liberalisation agreement being pushed forward by the European Union under the Economic Partnership Agreement with ECOWAS.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the Federal Government’s delegation to the ECOWAS summit led by President Goodluck Jonathan raised 10 objections to what was presented to the country.
Aganga who spoke in Abuja during a working lunch in honour of the Director-General, United Nations Industrial Development Organsation, Mr. Li Yong, noted that the objections were done in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy.
The minister, whose ministry played a major role in the EPA negotiations, said certain provisions of the agreement, which Nigeria was expected to sign at the ECOWAS Heads of States meeting in Yamoussoukro, Cote D’Ivoire, last week, were not in the overall best interest of the nation’s economy.
Under the EPA, the European Union will immediately offer the 15-member ECOWAS and non-member state Mauritania full access to its markets.
In return, ECOWAS will gradually open up 75 per cent of its markets, with its 300 million consumers, to Europe over a 20-year period.
Technical negotiations was wrapped up last month with the European Union which offered a 6.5bn euro (about $8.94bn) package over the next five years to help ECOWAS cushion the effects and costs of integrating into the global economy.
ECOWAS countries that are expected to participate in the agreement are Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Niger and Togo.
Aganga said, “The EPA agreement is not ready for endorsement by the Heads of State and Government. During the meeting last week, Nigeria raised 10 objections to what was presented to us and the Summit of Heads of State ratified it.
“Consequently, a committee from Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire , Ghana and Senegal looked at the issues raised by member states, particularly Nigeria, and came up with a proposal. When we went into the meeting, the whole idea was to endorse it, but of course, we had various reservations concerning the agreement based on our model and the feedback we got from our private sector.”
He added, “One major reservation was that the way the agreement was done, which of course they expected us to sign, would not be in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy over the long term. For instance, in the area of market access, the EU wants us to open our market by 75 per cent over a 20-year period.
“This appears harmless because over the first five years, there will be no major impact because they will open all their doors for us to export to Europe. However, the problem here is that, currently, we are not exporting much to Europe and so the benefit will not be significant.”
The minister explained that, given Nigeria’s current condition as an import-dependent economy, it would be counter-productive to completely open its doors for imports without first of all developing its industrial sector to compete globally.
This, according to him was crucial especially in those sectors where the country has comparative and competitive advantage as provided in the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan recently launched by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said, “Another major point we raised was that those items that were in Category D, and excluded in the 25 per cent, should include those areas and sectors that we want to develop in line with the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan.
“Some of those areas are already under Category C and D, meaning that they are the sectors that the EU wants us to liberalise imports. If we do that, it will have a very negative impact on the NIRP.
“Nigeria is the biggest country in the ECOWAS and we are already producing some of those goods that they want us to liberalise their importation. Also, what this means is that, not now, but from 2025-2026, based on the items that have been included and excluded, there will be significant loss of revenue to the government. There will be loss of jobs, investment and loss of even the ECOWAS market.”
Aganga, however, said it was important to remain as one unit in the ECOWAS region, saying that “even if they import those items into our neighbouring countries, they will end up in Nigeria and this will have negative impact on the Nigerian economy. So, it is important for us to work together as ECOWAS members and not to allow EPA to divide us.”
Speaking during the event, the Director-General, UNIDO, Mr. Li Yong, pledged UNIDO’s unflinching support towards the growth and development of Nigeria’s industrial sector in line with the organisation’s Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development Programme.
Military begin major offensive in Benue, Nassarawa, Plateau
The Defence Headquarters has announced the commencement of a major military offensive against armed bandits causing mayhem in the three North Central States of Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Chris Olukolade, said in an electronic mail on Monday the DHQ had deployed troops on Sunday for a major confrontation in the three states where several people have been killed and many communities destroyed in clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.
Olukolade said that the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Police and other security agencies have also been deployed to participate in the crucial operation designed to ensure restoration of peace in the area.
He said that the security agents had a mission to neutralize and take over all enclaves of criminal elements in the area.
He urged the people of the area to cooperate with the security forces by providing them with relevant information on the activities of such gangs in their localities.
“The Nigerian Army yesterday commenced a major operation to put an end to the activities of all armed men and criminal gangs who have been engaging in wanton killing and destruction of lives and property in 3 states of North Central part of Nigeria.
“Troops have already been deployed for a major offensive which is covering Benue, Nassarawa and Plateau States.
“ The Internal Security Operations is meant to capture and neutralize all the enclaves of criminal gangs.
“ The Nigerian Air Force, Police and other security agencies are also participating in the operation designed to restore peace in the affected states.
“Law abiding citizens are enjoined to cooperate by providing timely and useful information to facilitate the operation as it affects their localities.” The statement read.
Atiku hails Obasanjo for forgiving him
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the olive branch extended to him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness in the interest of national unity.
In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja yesterday, Atiku said “forgiveness is divinely inspired and is an oil that lubricates the wheels of continued human interactions and engagements.”
The former Vice President commended Obasanjo, his former boss for taking this bold and Godly step in the interest of the nation and humanity.
Obasanjo said on Sunday that he has forgiven Atiku and other persons that offended him.
The former President was reacting to a request made by the Northern Youth Forum, asking him to forgive Atiku, who was his deputy.
Obasanjo replied that though he had no grudge against anyone including Atiku, but quickly added that if there was any, ” I have forgiven all as a father.”
But Atiku said that the process of national healing and reconciliation should advance to a new level and extend to other citizens of our great nation, who may have had grievances against one another.
He urged politicians to learn from the words of Mahatma Ghandi that an eye for an eye will make our nation go blind.
“When I made a similar effort few years ago, it was on the conviction that it would not be beneficial to me before Allah, if I went to the grave with bitterness. Let us forgive one another so that we can team up for national rebirth,” Atiku urged Nigerians.
He maintained that even if one disagrees with Obasanjo, no one would doubt his firm commitment to the unity of Nigeria.
Helicopters supply arms, food to B’Haram -Borno, Yobe elders
Political elders from Borno and Yobe states have alleged that helicopters drop arms and ammunition, food and medicine to areas well known to be strongholds of the members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect in the North-East.
They said it was unbelievable that the authorities would claim ignorance of this development, wondering how about 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles could move in a convoy freely with a subsisting curfew without being detected.
The elders, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, also asked the government to provide answer raised by the insurgents’ attack on the Maiduguri Air Force Base, where the terrorists demobilised and burnt planes and other military installations despite the existing state of emergency and curfew in the town.
Speaking under the aegis of Borno, Yobe People’s Forum, the elders also asked those in authorities to tell Nigerians those who authorised the withdrawal of security personnel from the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, few hours before the attack that claimed the lives of 59 innocent children.
A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Al-amin Dagash (retd.), read the text of the statement on behalf of the members of the Forum at the press conference.
He was flanked by a former Minister of Finance, Mallam Adamu Ciroma; a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; elderstatesman, Shetima Mustapha, and some political and opinion leaders from the two states.
The former Chief of Air Staff wondered why security reports from the communities on impending attacks were ignored or not promptly responded to by security personnel and the government.
Dagash said, “Are the authorities unaware of helicopters dropping arms and ammunition, food and medical supplies to areas well known to be strongholds of the surgents?
“How were the insurgents able to attack the Maiduguri Air-Force Base and demobilise as well as burn planes and other military installations despite existing state of emergency and curfew in the town? How could 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles move in a convey freely with subsisting curfew and still go undected?
“How did a little band of rag-tag misguided youths metamorphose into a well kitted, well armed killing machine moving freely in convoy of vehicles and supported by holicopters.
“How did the Shilka Tank, a multipurpose self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery weapon positioned to secure Giwa Barracks fail to function resulting in heavy loss of lives of both civilian and military as widely reported in the media? Are we dealing with fifth columnists in this crisis?”
FG challenges suit against confab
The Federal Government has asked an Abuja Federal High Court to dismiss a suit which is challenging the constitutionality of the ongoing national conference.
In the suit, a lawyer, Tunji Abayomi, asked the court to declare that President Goodluck Jonathan lacked the power to convene the conference without an empowering legislation by the National Assembly.
Listed as defendants in the suit are the President, the Attorney General of the Federation, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, the Vice Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, and the Secretary, Dr. Mrs. Valerie Azinge.
The defendants are opposing the suit.
Counsel for the defendants, Femi Falana, SAN, in a preliminary objection, asked the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff, Abayomi, has no locus standi to file the suit.
Falana equally argued that there was no cause of action in the suit, and that the President has constitutional power to convene the conference.
He also submitted that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
The presiding judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati, adjourned the matter to May 8 for hearing.
In the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/ 167/204 and dated March 3, 2014, Abayomi asked the court to declare the conference as null and void.
Israel offers Palestinians new talks proposal
Israel has handed the Palestinians a proposal aimed at extending peace talks beyond an April 29 deadline in efforts to salvage negotiations.
According to a Palestinian official, Israel presented Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with a draft agreement on Sunday to push forward with the talks. Abbas was to examine the proposal, he said.
An Israeli official would not provide details on the proposal but told AFP: “Now the Palestinians need to reply if they are willing to continue negotiations.”
Israel broke a commitment to free 26 Palestinian prisoners on March 29, a key plank in the original US-brokered terms to relaunch the peace process.
Israel, on Friday, informed the Palestinians it would not free the prisoners as it had previously agreed, with the US State Department confirming it was working “intensively” to resolve the dispute.
The Palestinians say they will not even consider extending the talks without the prisoners being freed, but Israel has refused to release them without a Palestinian commitment to continue the talks, prompting a fresh crisis of confidence.
“The ball is now in Israel’s court,” Issa Qaraqaa, the Palestinian prisoners’ minister, told Voice of Palestine radio, saying the leadership was expecting an answer from the Israeli government within 24 hours.
“We agreed to the fourth batch,” Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz told reporters on Sunday, while stressing it would not happen as long as Abbas was preparing to “blow up the negotiations” the very next day.
US mediation efforts
With the talks teetering on the brink of collapse, Washington has been fighting an uphill battle to coax the two sides into accepting a framework proposal that would extend negotiations beyond April 29.
US Secretary of State John Kerry broke from his travel schedule for the second time in a week on Monday to return to the Middle East to discuss the fragile talks with leaders from both sides.
Days ago, Kerry had interrupted a visit to Rome to go to Amman for talks with Abbas to try to convince him to prolong the negotiations beyond the deadline and to press Israel to release the prisoners.
Under the deal that relaunched the peace talks, Israel agreed to release 104 prisoners, held since before the 1993 Oslo peace accords, in exchange for the Palestinians freezing all efforts to seek further international recognition.
So far, Israel has freed 78 of them in three batches, and the last group – which the Palestinians insist includes 14 Arab Israelis jailed for nationalist attacks – was to have been released on March 29.
Thousands in protests
Meanwhile, Palestinians and Arab Israelis commemorated Land Day on Sunday, with rallies remembering six of their number who were shot dead during a 1976 demonstration against land seizure.
In the northern Israeli town of Arraba, thousands of people turned out for the main demonstration, many waving Palestinian flags, an AFP correspondent said.
A smaller gathering also took place in Sawawil, a Bedouin village in the southern Negev desert which is not recognised by Israel, with police saying hundreds participated.
In occupied east Jerusalem, some 70 demonstrators gathered outside the walls of the Old City by Damascus Gate, throwing stones and chanting slogans, a police spokeswoman said, adding that the rally was quickly broken up and one person was arrested.
There were also several gatherings in the Gaza Strip, with scores of people attending a demonstration near the northern town of Jabaliya organised by the ruling Hamas movement.
Fashola writes Ghana over killing of Nigerian student
Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Monday said he had e-mailed the Ghanaian Parliament, requesting it to investigate the recent killing of a Nigerian student in that country.
The governor made the statement in Ikeja, while addressing some students who had come to protest against the hike in Lagos State University fees.
The governor said the killing of the student was unfortunate, adding that the case must not be allowed to be swept under the carpet.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Godwin Ayogu, a 300-level Nigerian student of the Gold Coast University, was recently murdered in Chana by unknown persons.
His body was dumped by the roadside, while the Ghanaian authorities were yet to begin any investigation into the matter.
Fashola said, “The killing of a Nigerian in Ghana is very unfortunate as he was a victim of very mindless violence.
“I am trying to reach the Ghanaian Parliament to see how we can intervene to assist in the investigation of Godwin Ayogu’s incident, who died at the Cape Coast University.
“I sent an email to one of the parliamentarians. I am still expecting a feed back and hope the right steps will be taken.”
Fashola condemned the recent killing of Adelabu Tunde, another Nigerian student in Malaysia, describing his death as unfortunate.
The governor urged the relevant authorities to take urgent steps to end the incessant killings of Nigerian youths abroad.
Jonathan leaves Abuja for Brussels
President Goodluck Jonathan will on Tuesday travel to Brussels as the head of Nigeria’s delegation to the Fourth European Union-Africa Summit scheduled to open in the Belgian capital on Wednesday.
The summit has ‘Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace’ as its theme.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.
According to the statement, participants including Jonathan, the President of the European Council, Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, other Heads of State and Government of the European Union and Africa as well as leaders of the European Union and African Union Institutions will, among other matters, discuss ways of stimulating further growth and creating more jobs in Nigeria and other African countries.
The statement read, “Education and training, women and youth, legal and illegal migrant flows between both continents, investments in peace and ways to enhance EU support for African capacities to manage security on the continent are also on the agenda of the summit.
“The Brussels Summit will also provide an opportunity for participants to review EU-Africa relations based on the Joint Africa-EU Strategy which was adopted in Lisbon in 2007 and explore options for greater mutually-beneficial cooperation between Africa and Europe.
“President Jonathan whose entourage will include the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau (rtd.), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga will hold bilateral talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and some other participating heads of state and government before leaving Brussels for Abuja on Wednesday night.”
ECOWAS states refuse to sign partnership deal with EU
The Economic Community of West African States has once again refused to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, a Ghanian media reported on Monday.
The media report said the refusal was contained in a communique issued at the end of the 44th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS Authority held in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.
It said some states found issues with technical matters about the agreement, compelling the heads of state and government to shelve the signing of the deal.
This was in spite of the fact that West African leaders had reaffirmed their strong commitment to the agreement and endorsed its conclusion in principle.
The authority directed the chief negotiators to take steps to address the issues raised within two months before appending their signature to the EPA.
“The authority also directs the chief negotiators to establish a committee, including representatives from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, to look at issues raised and present the final outcome to the Heads of State and Government,’’ the communique stated.
The EPA is a trade and development agreement negotiated between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries engaged in regional economic integration process.
It aims among other things, to help countries in regional and sub-regional blocs to integrate into the world economy and share in the opportunities offered by globalisation.
Addressing a news conference later, Ghanaian President John Mahama, who was elected the new ECOWAS Chairman, said though the leaders agreed in principle to the agreement, they needed to negotiate an agreement that would be beneficial to their people.
In Ghana and other West African countries, religious and farmer-based groups have opposed the signing of the agreement by ECOWAS, saying it would worsen the economic problems of their countries.
The ECOWAS communique, which was read by ECOWAS Commission President Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, also touched on regional economic performance and consolidation of the common market.
The heads of state stressed the need to step up economic growth to sustain employment and facilitate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
“To sustain the good economic prospects in the region, the authority urges member states to pursue efforts toward putting in place sound and stable macroeconomics frameworks,’’ it stated.
The authority renewed its commitment to ensure peace and security in the sub-region through good governance and democracy.
Ministers of trade and negotiation experts of the ECOWAS on May 12, 2011, decided against acceding to what they termed “unreasonable’’ demands from the EU over their EPAs.
The decision, reached at a meeting of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee on EPAs stalled further negotiations with the EU.
The MMC, therefore, urged the authority of the heads of state and governments of ECOWAS to take up the matter, taking into account the guidelines on divergences observed within the framework of the Special Summit of Heads of State on the EPAs.
A copy of the conclusions and recommendations obtained by Xinhua noted the concern of the MMC over the decision by the EU to amend a rule on access to the European market.
It stipulated that countries which had concluded EPAs would benefit from provisional and early applications for trade preferences ahead of steps they should have taken to ratify these interim agreements.
The media report said the refusal was contained in a communique issued at the end of the 44th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS Authority held in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.
It said some states found issues with technical matters about the agreement, compelling the heads of state and government to shelve the signing of the deal.
This was in spite of the fact that West African leaders had reaffirmed their strong commitment to the agreement and endorsed its conclusion in principle.
The authority directed the chief negotiators to take steps to address the issues raised within two months before appending their signature to the EPA.
“The authority also directs the chief negotiators to establish a committee, including representatives from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, to look at issues raised and present the final outcome to the Heads of State and Government,’’ the communique stated.
The EPA is a trade and development agreement negotiated between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries engaged in regional economic integration process.
It aims among other things, to help countries in regional and sub-regional blocs to integrate into the world economy and share in the opportunities offered by globalisation.
Addressing a news conference later, Ghanaian President John Mahama, who was elected the new ECOWAS Chairman, said though the leaders agreed in principle to the agreement, they needed to negotiate an agreement that would be beneficial to their people.
In Ghana and other West African countries, religious and farmer-based groups have opposed the signing of the agreement by ECOWAS, saying it would worsen the economic problems of their countries.
The ECOWAS communique, which was read by ECOWAS Commission President Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, also touched on regional economic performance and consolidation of the common market.
The heads of state stressed the need to step up economic growth to sustain employment and facilitate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
“To sustain the good economic prospects in the region, the authority urges member states to pursue efforts toward putting in place sound and stable macroeconomics frameworks,’’ it stated.
The authority renewed its commitment to ensure peace and security in the sub-region through good governance and democracy.
Ministers of trade and negotiation experts of the ECOWAS on May 12, 2011, decided against acceding to what they termed “unreasonable’’ demands from the EU over their EPAs.
The decision, reached at a meeting of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee on EPAs stalled further negotiations with the EU.
The MMC, therefore, urged the authority of the heads of state and governments of ECOWAS to take up the matter, taking into account the guidelines on divergences observed within the framework of the Special Summit of Heads of State on the EPAs.
A copy of the conclusions and recommendations obtained by Xinhua noted the concern of the MMC over the decision by the EU to amend a rule on access to the European market.
It stipulated that countries which had concluded EPAs would benefit from provisional and early applications for trade preferences ahead of steps they should have taken to ratify these interim agreements.
Sambisa: DHQ confirms two soldiers killed, six missing
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, has confirmed the death of two soldiers with six others missing in a clash between the Special Forces and the insurgents between Friday and Saturday.
Olukolade said that most of the 20 soldiers who were reported missing in the latest battle at the Sambisa forest had returned to base and were already participating in the mission.
The Defence spokesman said a very large number of the insurgents were killed in the combined operation between ground troops and fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force.
Olukolade said that the Special Forces that went for the operation discovered a larger number of insurgents than they had anticipated which made one of the units to call for additional reinforcement to enable them to finish off the assignment.
He said that it would amount to mischief for anybody to interpret the situation in the unit as mutiny as rebellion was a grave act which would not be tolerated by the military.
He said, “The assault on Sambisa witnessed massive killing of terrorists over the weekend.
“Having discovered more than the expected number, despite the heavy casualty inflicted on the terrorists, troops in one of the units involved in the advance called for additional fire support to enable them to finish the mission in record time.
“In demonstrating their enthusiasm, they raised a number of issues which have been addressed by the commanders to enable the unit to resume the assault on the terrorists.
“Despite losing two soldiers while six are reported missing, the zeal of the troops is quite encouraging to the command.
“Most of those earlier reported missing have actually rejoined the unit and are participating in the resumed advance of their assigned objective in the campaign.
“It is indeed improper to mischievously misinterpret the situation in the unit as mutiny. The fact remains that mutiny is a very serious offence that is never condoned under any circumstance in the military. Please don’t insinuate it here. It would be unfair to the troops and their unit.”
A source had told the PUNCH on Sunday that the Special Forces had killed over 2000 insurgents in a combined operation with the fighter aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force at the Sambisa Forest between Friday and Saturday.
The source also hinted that the victory against the insurgents was almost marred by an operational blunder which resulted in 20 of the troops from the first unit in the three-units operation missing.
Punch
Olukolade said that most of the 20 soldiers who were reported missing in the latest battle at the Sambisa forest had returned to base and were already participating in the mission.
The Defence spokesman said a very large number of the insurgents were killed in the combined operation between ground troops and fighter jets of the Nigerian Air Force.
Olukolade said that the Special Forces that went for the operation discovered a larger number of insurgents than they had anticipated which made one of the units to call for additional reinforcement to enable them to finish off the assignment.
He said that it would amount to mischief for anybody to interpret the situation in the unit as mutiny as rebellion was a grave act which would not be tolerated by the military.
He said, “The assault on Sambisa witnessed massive killing of terrorists over the weekend.
“Having discovered more than the expected number, despite the heavy casualty inflicted on the terrorists, troops in one of the units involved in the advance called for additional fire support to enable them to finish the mission in record time.
“In demonstrating their enthusiasm, they raised a number of issues which have been addressed by the commanders to enable the unit to resume the assault on the terrorists.
“Despite losing two soldiers while six are reported missing, the zeal of the troops is quite encouraging to the command.
“Most of those earlier reported missing have actually rejoined the unit and are participating in the resumed advance of their assigned objective in the campaign.
“It is indeed improper to mischievously misinterpret the situation in the unit as mutiny. The fact remains that mutiny is a very serious offence that is never condoned under any circumstance in the military. Please don’t insinuate it here. It would be unfair to the troops and their unit.”
A source had told the PUNCH on Sunday that the Special Forces had killed over 2000 insurgents in a combined operation with the fighter aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force at the Sambisa Forest between Friday and Saturday.
The source also hinted that the victory against the insurgents was almost marred by an operational blunder which resulted in 20 of the troops from the first unit in the three-units operation missing.
Punch
Sanusi financing terrorism, FG, SSS tell court
The Federal Government and State Security Service have accused the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, of financing terrorism.
They made the allegation in their counter-affidavits before a Federal High Court opposing a suit instituted by Sanusi, who is seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the SSS and the police from arresting him.
Sanusi’s lawyer, Mr. Kola Awodein, who raised the allegation in open court on Monday, denied it, describing it as an afterthought which government came up with after seizing his clients passport.
He said, “The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent, is a derogation of his freedom of movement.
“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant: This conflict goes to show that they acted without due process of the law.
“The allegations against the applicant as to funding of terrorism, is an afterthought by the respondent, which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime.
“The law clearly defines how such duties should be performed, and so, I invite your lordship to hold that the applicant has a cause of action against the respondent.”
Government had seized Sanusi’s passport after it suspended him as CBN governor in March. Following that, he had instituted the suit to restrain the security agencies from further arresting or harassing him.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, represented by Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), and Mr David Abuo and Mr. Moses Idakwo, representing the police and the SSS respectively asked the court on Monday to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
The AGF, the Inspector-General of Police and the SSS are the first to third respondent respectively.
The AGF’s counsel, Ajogwu, argued that the applicant could not by his suit, seek to restrain the respondents from performing their constitutional and statutory duties.
Ajogwu said, “My Lord, this suit is speculative, hypocritical and an attempt to shield the applicant from the machinery of the administration of justice, which the Federal Government has kick-started.
“My lord, we respectfully submit that the applicant is not entitled to a grant of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from performing their constitutional duties.”
Ajogwu, while moving his preliminary objection to the suit, argued that the suit bordered on employment and such the provisions of section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the 1999 Constitution had vested jurisdiction to entertain such suit on the National Industrial Court.
“Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the Constitution vest exclusive jurisdiction on the National Industrial Court, with respect to civil causes or matters touching on employment, labour or industrial relations.
“We respectfully urge the court to hold that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the reliefs sort by the applicant, and strike out the suit,” he said
He also quoted Justice Niki Tiki Tobi (a retired Justice of the Supreme Court) as saying, “A court cannot grant perpetual injunction on a mere prima facie case; the applicant’s suit is basically an action to shield him from the machinery of administration of justice, which has been kick-started by the respondents.”
“I therefore, urge your lordship, like the Biblical Pontius Pilate, to wash his hands off this case, as it is not the affairs of this honourable court,” he said.
Abuo and Idakwo, also associated themselves with Ajogwu’s submissions.
But Idakwo added that it was absurd for the applicant to argue that an interaction with the SSS for less than an hour, amounted to a violation of his rights.
He maintained that the provisions of section 6 of the National Security Agencies Act, empowered the Service to impound the international passport of suspects, pending the conclusion of investigations.
He therefore urged the court to strike out the applicant’s suit.
But Awodein said it was untrue that his client was trying to prevent the security agencies from performing their duties.
He said, “It cannot be suggested that the applicant is restraining the respondents from performing their duties, but they must be restrained from doing so, without due process of the law.
“The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent, is a derogation of his freedom of movement.
“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant: This conflict goes to show that they acted without due process of the law.
“The allegations against the applicant as to funding of terrorism, is an after thought by the respondent, which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime.
“The law clearly defines how such duties should be performed, and so, I invite your lordship to hold that the applicant has a cause of action against the respondent.
He maintained that that the court was clearly vested with jurisdiction to hear the suit.
He insisted that the suit had nothing to do with the terms of employment of the applicant or industrial relation as submitted by Ajogwu.
He argued that the applicant in his originating summons, never sought for an order of perpetual injunction, adding that the reliefs sought were qualified.
He urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection of the respondent, and uphold the case of the applicant.
Justice Ibrahim Buba after taking parties’ argument adjourned ruling till April 3.
The court had on February 21, granted an interim order of injunction, restraining the respondents from arresting, detaining, or harassing the applicant, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
They made the allegation in their counter-affidavits before a Federal High Court opposing a suit instituted by Sanusi, who is seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the SSS and the police from arresting him.
Sanusi’s lawyer, Mr. Kola Awodein, who raised the allegation in open court on Monday, denied it, describing it as an afterthought which government came up with after seizing his clients passport.
He said, “The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent, is a derogation of his freedom of movement.
“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant: This conflict goes to show that they acted without due process of the law.
“The allegations against the applicant as to funding of terrorism, is an afterthought by the respondent, which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime.
“The law clearly defines how such duties should be performed, and so, I invite your lordship to hold that the applicant has a cause of action against the respondent.”
Government had seized Sanusi’s passport after it suspended him as CBN governor in March. Following that, he had instituted the suit to restrain the security agencies from further arresting or harassing him.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, represented by Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), and Mr David Abuo and Mr. Moses Idakwo, representing the police and the SSS respectively asked the court on Monday to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction.
The AGF, the Inspector-General of Police and the SSS are the first to third respondent respectively.
The AGF’s counsel, Ajogwu, argued that the applicant could not by his suit, seek to restrain the respondents from performing their constitutional and statutory duties.
Ajogwu said, “My Lord, this suit is speculative, hypocritical and an attempt to shield the applicant from the machinery of the administration of justice, which the Federal Government has kick-started.
“My lord, we respectfully submit that the applicant is not entitled to a grant of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from performing their constitutional duties.”
Ajogwu, while moving his preliminary objection to the suit, argued that the suit bordered on employment and such the provisions of section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the 1999 Constitution had vested jurisdiction to entertain such suit on the National Industrial Court.
“Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the Constitution vest exclusive jurisdiction on the National Industrial Court, with respect to civil causes or matters touching on employment, labour or industrial relations.
“We respectfully urge the court to hold that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the reliefs sort by the applicant, and strike out the suit,” he said
He also quoted Justice Niki Tiki Tobi (a retired Justice of the Supreme Court) as saying, “A court cannot grant perpetual injunction on a mere prima facie case; the applicant’s suit is basically an action to shield him from the machinery of administration of justice, which has been kick-started by the respondents.”
“I therefore, urge your lordship, like the Biblical Pontius Pilate, to wash his hands off this case, as it is not the affairs of this honourable court,” he said.
Abuo and Idakwo, also associated themselves with Ajogwu’s submissions.
But Idakwo added that it was absurd for the applicant to argue that an interaction with the SSS for less than an hour, amounted to a violation of his rights.
He maintained that the provisions of section 6 of the National Security Agencies Act, empowered the Service to impound the international passport of suspects, pending the conclusion of investigations.
He therefore urged the court to strike out the applicant’s suit.
But Awodein said it was untrue that his client was trying to prevent the security agencies from performing their duties.
He said, “It cannot be suggested that the applicant is restraining the respondents from performing their duties, but they must be restrained from doing so, without due process of the law.
“The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent, is a derogation of his freedom of movement.
“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant: This conflict goes to show that they acted without due process of the law.
“The allegations against the applicant as to funding of terrorism, is an after thought by the respondent, which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime.
“The law clearly defines how such duties should be performed, and so, I invite your lordship to hold that the applicant has a cause of action against the respondent.
He maintained that that the court was clearly vested with jurisdiction to hear the suit.
He insisted that the suit had nothing to do with the terms of employment of the applicant or industrial relation as submitted by Ajogwu.
He argued that the applicant in his originating summons, never sought for an order of perpetual injunction, adding that the reliefs sought were qualified.
He urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection of the respondent, and uphold the case of the applicant.
Justice Ibrahim Buba after taking parties’ argument adjourned ruling till April 3.
The court had on February 21, granted an interim order of injunction, restraining the respondents from arresting, detaining, or harassing the applicant, pending the determination of the motion on notice.
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