Tambuwal pledges to cut cost of N’Assembly

APPARENTLY disturbed by the concerns raised by Nigerians about the cost of running the National Assembly, Speaker of the House of Representatives has pledged to adopt what he calls ‘fiscal conservatism’ regarding all public funds spent for the purpose of paying salaries as well as other allowances.

I won’t attend Council of State meetings – Buhari

The presidential candidate of the Congress Progressive Change, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, (retd), says he will not participate in the Council of State meetings, until a ruling on the party’s petition by the Presidential Election Tribunal was given.

Buhari, whose party is challenging the election of President Goodluck Jonathan in the election, said this on Monday in London in a lecture he delivered at Chatham House.

PHCN workers ground activities at Abuja headquarters

Workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies on Tuesday grounded activities at the corporate headquarters of PHCN in Abuja as they turned the supposedly prayer session in respect of their demands to protest poor welfare.

Prior to the protest, which prevented people from performing their duties, the various unions had issued statements on the non-payment of their 50 per cent salary increment as well their disapproval of the perceived appointment of Prof Barth Nnaji as minister of Power.

Boko Haram: Senate summons police, SSS, Defence chiefs

Senators on Tuesday raged at the worsening state of security in the country decrying the spate of bombings and killings by members of the Boko Haram sect resolved to summon the Inspector-General of Police, Defence Chief and the Director-General of the State Security Service to provide explanations.

The Senators’ anger coincided with a condemnation of acts of violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect by the European Union and United States embassy.

Christine Lagarde named IMF chief

FRANCE’S Christine Lagarde has been named the first-ever female chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to agency reports yesterday.
The French finance minister, widely respected for her leadership during Europe’s financial crisis over the past three years, was chosen to replace Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who resigned abruptly on May 18 after being arrested in New York for the alleged sexual assault of a hotel maid.

Residents cry foul over proposed power tariff

Lagos residents have expressed shock at the proposed increment of electricity tariff, expected to take effect from July 1, across the country.

The hike which is set to become operational by Friday will put an additional burden of ₦1.50 per kilowatt hour on consumers, meaning consumers will pay ₦10.00 instead of ₦8.50 currently charged per kilowatt hour.

Announcing the increment last week, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) chairman, Samuel Amadi said the move was to make the power sector more attractive to investors who have raised concern that the current tariff is too low.

Daniel ‘sold' Olumo rock before leaving office, says Amosun

Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun yesterday told an audience of shocked traditional rulers that his predecessor, Gbenga Daniel had "sold" the famous Olumo rock to a private manager under a concession arrangement that would last fifteen years.

North Korea blame loss to U.S. on players getting struck by lightning

A couple of second-half goals gave the U.S. a 2-0 win over North Korea and a strong start to their Women's World Cup run. The eighth-ranked North Koreans have the youngest team in the tournament with an average age of 20. Still, their discipline and skill gave the U.S. a lot of trouble in the first half before controversial starter Lauren Cheney justified her selection by heading in the first goal in the 54th minute and defender Rachel Buehler scored a second in the 76th minute.

Lagos,BRT Soldier Dismissed

The Nigerian Army, yesterday, dismissed from service, Lance Corporal Sunday Ayode, the soldier who clashed with men of the Lagos task force on BRT last week at Obanikoro, Lagos.


The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major-General Kenneth Minimah, disclosed this to Vanguard, yesterday, at his Victoria Island, Lagos office. Minimah said the Nigeria  Army is an embodiment of highly disciplined and cultured officers and men, stressing that any one that deviates from the laid down culture of discipline would definitely face the full wrath of the law.

Controversy trails Akinjide's Daughter's Ministerial nomination

THE nomination of Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, daughter of the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN, for ministerial appointment has been generating mixed reactions in Oyo State.


While some indigenes of the state applauded the gesture of President Goodluck Jonathan, some said the nomination had further widened the differences in the party and would also jeopardize the reconciliation moves of the party.

Fashola, Tinubu, Speaker meet over Cabinet List.

Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Sunday, met with Governor Babatunde Fashola, apparently to streamline the list of nominees into the state’s cabinet.


Governor Fashola, it was gathered, had, last Friday, sent the list of about 37 commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for approval.
According to a source, the Speaker, along with some principal officers of the House, met with the leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and former governor in the state, Senator Ahmed Tinubu.

Expect Harsh Economic Policies, Jonathan!

President Goodluck Jonathan has said the Federal Government would take hard decisions in its bid to move the economy forward.


He, however, assured that government would protect local manufacturers from dumping and would also support them with incentives like waivers.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the May and Baker Pharma Cenre in Sango-Ota, Ogun State, the President said: “Government will take hard decision that will create some inconveniences, but bear with us.

4 first bank staff accused of Fraud!

Four staff of First Bank in Calabar, Cross River State, are standing trial at a Calabar Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing from a customer's account using different tricks.

The four, who risk dismissal by the management of the bank if found guilty, appeared in court on Friday, 17th June, 2011, accused of illegally withdrawing on different occasions various sums of money belonging to Chibuike Nwogu, a long-standing customer of the bank.

1139 get federal scholarships

The federal government offered over one thousand scholarship slots to Nigerians in 2010, permanent secretary, federal ministry of education, Nicholas Damachi, has said.

According to him, this was part of efforts to bring about the development of a sound and effective citizenry.

Mr Damachi, who stated this at the 23rd annual coordinating committee meeting of secretaries of federal and state scholarship boards on Monday in Abuja, noted that majority of the recipients were indigent.

Eviction officials harrass human rights observers

 

Officials from a combined joint task team of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and several other law enforcement agencies yesterday attempted to arrest international and national human rights activists and lawyers over their insistence on witnessing the destruction of an Abuja slum.

The team made up of officials of the Ministry of Environment, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Army, the Ministry of Transport, amongst others, on Monday, June 27, 2011,

Full Minestarial list out! Twelve women make list!

The newly compiled and complete version of the Ministerial nominees’ list to be sent to the Senate on Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan .This list shows that former Ministers, Diezani Alison Maduekwe, Hajia Ruquayyat Rufa’I and Mohammed Bello Adoke would return to their duty posts. The list also includes the names of some other members of the last Federal Executive Council. One of those who have their portfolios on the list is the Acting Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Bello Mohammed whose name is listed for the Ministry of Defence.
Below is the list of the 40 names compiled by the Presidency and their states, geo-political zones as well as the portfolios that have been penciled down for some of them.

Lagos cabinet: Fashola’s list tears ACN apart

LAGOS—THE much touted disharmony between Governor Fashola and the leadership of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Lagos State, peaked, weekend, when members of the state Assembly turned down the list of commissioners submitted by the governor for their consideration and approval.

Ondo workers settle for N14,000 minimum wage

Public service workers in Ondo State have suspended their recently declared indefinite strike and agreed to the N14,000 minimum wage offer made by the state government.

Civil servants in the ‘Sunshine State’, which is governed by the Labour Party, had embarked on the strike last Thursday following government inability to implement the new minimum wage of N18,000 recently signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Sarakis resolve pre-election family crisis

The crisis that broke out within the Saraki family in Kwara state during the build up to the last general elections has been resolved amicably, members of the family told the press at the weekend.

Diezani Allison Madueke skipped NYSC

If President Goodluck Jonathan proceeds to nominate former petroleum minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke, to his incoming cabinet, one question she might answer during her confirmation hearing is why she failed to sign up for the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme after her graduation from the university.

Under Nigerian law, fresh graduates under the age of 30 must sign up for a year of national service in a part of the country different from their places of origin. The service year serves as a demonstration of patriotism to the Nigerian state. No one who skipped the compulsory national service, barring any exception, clearly stated in the law, may receive employment in Nigeria.

Shekarau wasted 6.9Billion- Ministry

The former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau has been accused of spending N6.9billon naira on ‘reciprocal arrangement’ in 28 months when he was at the helm of affairs.

This allegation was contained in a financial report made to the State Executive Council by the Ministry of Finance which revealed that the money was ‘repeatedly withdrawn in large sums’ from banks.

The report said Mr Shekarau withdrew the money from the account of the Special Service Directorate that is under the cabinet office for what it described as ‘reciprocal arrangement’ The report noted that there is no explanation as to what ‘reciprocal arrangement’ meant, stressing that the phrase is not known in the standard financial regulations.

Revelations of alleged financial mismanagement by the administration of Mr Shekarau was already raising dust in the state, with many demanding an outright probe of the administration.

The incumbent governor of the state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has however stated severally that he was not going to probe the last administration. He said doing this would just be a distraction to his administration and that since he was not on a vengeance mission, he will not do that.

Complete lies

Mr Shekarau’s spokesperson, Sule Yau Sule, dismissed the issue as “a tissue of lies and cheap blackmail” designed by Mr Kwankwaso’s administration to paint his boss black in the eyes of the general public.

He also expressed worry that the media is giving attention to issues that has no relevance to the growth of the society and called on the media to be careful to avoid being used by desperate politicians.

Bombs kill 25 in maiduguri

Suspected members of a radical Islamist sect threw bombs at a drinking spot in Maiduguri on Sunday, killing around 25 people, witnesses and military sources said.


The attackers -- who the military said were suspected members of the Boko Haram sect -- threw three sets of explosives from the back of motorbikes at around 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) and appeared to be targeting police officers, witnesses said.

Okonjo-Iweala set to return as Super Minister

As the president puts finishing touches to his list of cabinet nominees Thursday evening, close aides say the president has decided to name Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as finance minister and economic czar.

In the position, not unlike the role she played as finance minister and chairman of the presidential economic team under Olusegun 0basanjo, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala is expected to be a kind of super-minister with wide swathes over the economy.

Police and Soldiers Clash in Lagos Again

Police officers and Soldiers clashed at Obanikoro, along the Ikorodu expressway in Lagos on Thursday, throwing the area into panic.

No deaths were recorded and no shots were fired in the crisis that lasted about two hours, but three officers of the Nigerian Army and a suspected police officer reportedly suffered injuries after being beaten up in the resulting fracas.

Iboris Trial to take up to 10 weeks, UK Judge

Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori today appeared at the Southwark Crown court in London where he is charged with offences related to money laundering and fraud in two cases.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales, sought an order for Mr. Ibori and Ellias Nemo Preko, an alleged associate of his, to have a joint trial by November. The court was conducting preliminary hearings into case numbers T20107446 and T20117192 which had Mr. Preko and Mr. Ibori as defendants.

New Ekectricity Tariff to take off July 1 2011

THE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced increase in tariff rate for electricity consumption in the country from N8.50 to N10 with effect from July 1, 2011.

The commission also informed the chief executive officers of electricity distribution companies that the last schedule of the 2008/2013 regime of Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) will be applicable at the same time.
In a statement issued in Abuja, NERC described the development as a marginal increase in kilowatt hour of electricity.

UI Students protest Blackout, Issue 7 day Ultimatum

IBADAN – ACADEMIC and commercial activities came to halt at the University of Ibadan yesterday as thousands of students protested against continued power failure on the campus. The protest prevented staff of the institution and visitors alike from gaining access the campus.

Also, the two gates leading to the school were locked to prevent the students from taking the protest out of the campus.

Aregbesole fails to appoint Commissioners in 7 Months, PDP suggests Names for him

Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s failure to appoint commissioners seven months after he assumed office has now taken a comical turn.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in an unprecedented act of generosity last week suggested names of what the party described as qualified persons the party said were qualified to serve as commissioners in the State. The seeming sincerity of the gesture was underlined by the fact that all the names suggested by the PDP for the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN government were indeed members of the ACN.

Ehiosun's Workrate worries Warri Wolves!

Ekigho Ehiosun is working off his socks to grind results for the various national teams he has played for so far. The last being the London 2012 Olympics qualification match against Tanzania last weekend  in Benin.
The Warri Wolves’ striker scored one and made two goals for the Austin Eguaveon coached Under-23 team in the 3-0 thrashing of the Tanzanians. But his club officials are worried that their star striker is being over worked having to play for the Eagles, the Under-23 and at the same carry the burden of his club in their Premier League campaign.

Jonathan to give more power to Economic Team.

AN insight into the emerging President Goodluck Jonathan governance style has shown that the National Economic Management Team (NEMT) will play more role in the Goodluck Jonathan administration in the next four years.

The President had last month announced that he would henceforth chair the NEMT, which has since its constitution in 1999 been headed by the Minister of Finance.

Pastor Adeboye at UN, charts path to peace in Middle East

PEACE in the Middle East would remain a mirage without God’s involvement, as all involved in the process must get down on their knees to pray and cry out in supplication to the Creator of the Universe, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said.
Adeboye stated this on Monday when he opened a “Global Summit on The Road Map to a Culture of Peace in the Middle East” at the United Nations (UN).

Senate drops demand for ministerial list with portfolios

PDP faction rejects Edo nominee
NOW, President Goodluck Jonathan is at liberty to attach portfolios or refrain when he sends the ministerial list to the Senate, hopefully next week.
This follows the Senate decision to shift ground on earlier insistence that the President’s attachment of portfolios to the list was mandatory.

Senate President David Mark confirmed the new position yesterday in Abuja when he said the Upper House would not insist that portfolios be attached to the ministerial list being expected from the President.

Nigeria is 14th Most Failed State in the World!

Described as only better than Somalia, Sudan, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Central African, Iraq, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Pakistan, and Yemen, Nigeria has once again been ranked 14th most failed state in the world.


This is out of the 177 countries considered in the ranking by the Fund for Peace, an American independent non-profit research and educational organisation that works to prevent violent conflicts and promote sustainable security in the world.

Electricity workers kick against Nnaji’s appointment

Barth Nnaji, former president’s special adviser on power

The Edo/Delta States zone of the National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria (NUEE) yesterday kicked against the proposed appointment of Bath Nnaji to head the power sector of the economy, warning that all its members across the nation would resist the appointment.

Panic in Kaduna over Boko Haram's bomb threat

There was tension in Kaduna State following a threat by suspected Islamic sect, Boko Haram members to bomb Kaduna in the coming days.


But the police public relations officer, Kaduna command, Aminu Lawan, said the command is on top of the situation and would do everything possible to prevent any bomb attack in the state.


"We are collaborating with other stakeholders, because this kind of issue is not going to be a one-man affair or a one business. It's going to be a

Presidency sets up panel on bomb blasts

The presidency has raised a secret committee to investigate last Thursday's bomb blast which rocked the Police Headquarters in Abuja, killing eight, wounding several others, and destroying 77 cars, a security source said yesterday.


The committee, which had its first sitting at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) at the presidential villa yesterday, will also probe all recent explosions around the country and recommend measures that could be taken to check the spate of bombings.

Niger governor criticises Jonathan ministerial nomination

Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu

Plans by President Goodluck Jonathan to make one of the directors of his campaign organisation, Shem Zagbayi Nuhu, a minister in his cabinet will go against the zoning formula of Niger State, governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu has said.

Eguavoen targets ‘big win’ over Ghana

National U-23 team coach Austin Eguavoen has said he would be gunning for a big win over the Black Meteors of Ghana in this Saturday’s All African Games qualifying match billed for Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City.

Eguavoen opined that a high score margin win for his team will make the return leg in Accra much easy for his U-23 side that are also seeking a place at next year’s London 2012 Olympic Games.

Bomb blast: Internal probe looms in Police HQ

Fears have gripped policemen and officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja as some of them have been directed to write statements on the security breach that led to the bomb that exploded at the car park of the expansive building on Thursday.

NLC threatens strike over non-payment of minimum wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Sunday advised governors to begin payment of the new N18,000 minimum wage to avert industrial actions in their states.

A statement by the NLC Vice-President, Mr. Issa Aremu, reminded the governors that they did not need a new revenue allocation formula to be able to pay the new wage.

Police place N 1m bounty on oyo NURTW leaders capture

The Oyo State Police Command on Sunday expressed its readiness to pay anybody who could volunteer information on the whereabouts of the factional leaders of the proscribed state council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a Tokyo) and Mr. Lamidi Mukaila (a.k.a. Auxiliary).

Amosun alleges plot to destabilize Ogun govt

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has raised the alarm over alleged plans to destabilise the state by a group by inciting the people against his administration.

Amosun, who raised the alarm in a statement by the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, on Sunday, said the group, whom he failed to disclose its identity had held a meeting with a view to destabilising the state.

Nitel: Reserved bidder transfers $ 150m into BPE's account

The reserved bidder for the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited, Omen International Consortium, has transferred the sum of $150m into the escrow account of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, investigation has shown.

Jumbo pay: Senators, Reps set for upward review of emoluments

A review of emoluments of lawmakers and other political office holders in the country is underway as the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has put machinery in motion to that effect.

Osogbo rape victim transferred to FCT

An Osogbo magistrate’s court has ordered the immediate arrest of the Alowa of Ilowa, Oba Adebukola Alli, on the grounds that his alibi that he suffered a stroke was unacceptable.

The Magistrate, Mr Adewunmi Makanjuola, on Friday, ordered the arrest of the monarch, who is standing trial over an allegation that he raped a female National Youth Service Corps member (name withheld)

5 die in rivers road mishap as pupils write JAMB

Five candidates who were travelling on Saturday to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination died in an accident, which occurred on Ahoada-Abua road in Rivers State.

Lagos-Ibadan express way concession project on hold

The planned reconstruction and modernisation of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway may have been put on hold as the concessionaire is still awaiting the final draft of the road design from the Federal Ministry of Works.

The development came just as it was learnt that the concessionaire had not sealed any funding arrangement with local or international financial institutions for the project.

Sanusi lacks power to sack bank CEO's- Court

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday said the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, lacked the absolute power to sack bank chiefs without disclosing the findings and recommendations of the special examination conducted into the books of the respective banks to the affected directors.

Boko haram: Security beefed up at presidential villa

Security was beefed up in the Presidential Villa on Thursday, following twin bomb blasts at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Vehicles entering the complex were subjected to rigorous security checks by a combined team of military and police personnel stationed at the various entry points.

Ajimobi blasts police over NURTW

For the first time, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Thursday publicly upbraided the state police command for its alleged hypocrisy in the handling of the violence being perpetrated by members of the proscribed state council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

Bankole, deputy, get steep bail conditions

A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday granted strigent bail conditions to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, and his erstwhile deputy, Alhaji Bayero Nafada.

Senators demand OBJ's apology over anti-corruption war

Senators yesterday demanded apology from former President Olusegun Obasanjo over what they described as his ineffectual battle against corruption asserting that his castigation of the present administration’s fight against corruption is misplaced.

Boko haram: Immigration beefs up security at border

The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has said that the service has beefed up security at the border areas to ensure that the orgy of violence perpetrated by the religious sect, Boko Haram, was not extended to the Southern part of the country.

Explosion rocks force HQ in Abuja

At least eight persons have been killed in an explosion outside police headquarters in Nigeria’s capital Thursday, an emergency agency said.
An Associated Press reporter at the scene said the blast occurred in the parking lot at police headquarters and more than 50 cars had been damaged and burnt by the explosion. The reporter saw emergency workers carry away a dismembered body hit by the blast.

Yushau Shuaib, spokesman for Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency told AP at least one person has died, but had no further details.
The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. Thick black smoke could be seen from far away at the time of the blast, and fire services have since put out the fire. Army, police and emergency workers were also at the blast site.

Labour asks NNPC to intervene in kerosene scarcity

THE Chairman, Delta State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr Mike Akusu, angry with the scarcity of some essential petroleum products in the state, which had caused long queues at service stations, has called on the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to make kerosene and diesel available to its mega stations across the state.

PDP asks tribunal to strike out CPC petition

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, asked the Presidential Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja to strike out the petition entered before it by the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, on the ground that it was filed on a Sunday which it said was not a working day.

BPE terminates sale of NITEL

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has terminated the privatisation of Nigeria Telecommunication (NITEL). The process began in 2009.

This follows the inability of the reserved bidder in the NITEL/Mtel sale transaction, Omen International Consortium, to revalidate its bid bond of $105 million. The deadline for payment was June 10. 
A BPE statement yesterday said it was exploring various options to consummate the sale of the telecommunications company. 

The statement said: “The Director General was emphatic in saying that while several options, which included, among others, liquidation and negotiated sale, were under consideration, the Federal Government had not yet taken a decision as to which of the options to pursue.” 

The BPE said although the deadline was June 10, a grace period which expired Wednesday was given. 
The BPE said: “The transaction was therefore closed.” 

Nigeria is one of the world’s fastest-growing telecoms markets but the government has been trying to sell NITEL for almost a decade, struggling mainly because of the shambolic state of its fixed-lines and huge debts.
Its fixed lines have fallen to fewer than 100,000 from five times that number in 2001 and subscribers to its MTEL mobile unit have dropped to a few thousands from over one million.

Following the failure of the preferred bidder, New Generation Consortium, to pay 30 per cent security bid of its $2.5 billion bid offer, the reserve bidder, Omen, was called upon to revalidate its bid bond.
The BPE wrote to Omen in March, asking if it would be interested in revalidating its original February 2010 offer of $959 million after the preferred bidder missed several payment deadlines.

The Bureau said last Tuesday the reserve bidder had up till yesterday to come up with a $105 million bid security or the firm could face liquidation.

Salami asks NJC to dismiss MTN call logs

Court of Appeal President Isa Salami has told a National Judicial Council (NJC) panel that the MTN call logs attached to some petitions against him were fabricated.

Justice Salami has closed his case before the panel raised by NJC on the rift between him and Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Aloysius Katsina-Alu, who said the verdict of the Court of Appeal on the Sokoto governorship election dispute never leaked.

These are contained in the final written address filed by Justice Salami’s counsel, Lateef Fagebmi (SAN), Ricky Tarfa (SAN), Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), Emeka Ngige (SAN) and O.A. Adelodun (SAN).
Former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni presented the call logs to the panel, in a bid to prove that the Appeal Court was compromised in sacking him from office.

According to Oni and Sunday Ojo-Williams, there were strange calls between Justice Salami, some politicians and lawyers to influence the judgment of the Appeal Court on Ekiti and Osun governorship election petitions.

Other allegations against Justice Salami are:
*Treatment of Sokoto matter/purported leakage of the judgment of the Court of Appeal on governorship election petition; and
*Ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s claim of Justice Salami being a member of the Court of Appeal’s panel on Osun governorship election petition and alleged bias over how Justice Salami constituted panels on election petitions.

Justice Salami denied all the allegations and asked the NJC panel to discountenance the petitioners’ submissions.

He said Oni and Ojo-Williams’ call logs allegations were fabricated, adding that a MTN official admitted that the logs did not emanate from the company.

The address reads in part:  “It is pertinent to state that the Petition of Engineer Segun Oni was fundamentally based on the Call Log purportedly obtained from Network Provider MTN Telecommunications which purported to show communications between the PCA and certain lawyers in the course of the election petition appeals in Ekiti and Osun states.

“However, in the course of the presentation of the case of the petitioners, this foundation of the petition was completely knocked off by evidence which became available to the Panel. The authenticity of the call logs “Exhibits 4 and 5” that were annexed to the petition was shown to be substantially flawed.

“Before going any further, we wish to state that the petitioner did not tender any letter requesting MTN Telecommunications to oblige them with the aforementioned call logs. The two Exhibits were not procured from proper custody, the name or logo of the service provider is not inscribed on it, it was not certified at all, there is no serial number on it and there was no endorsement and/ or a covering or forwarding letter.

“The petitioner in his petition and during his oral testimony did not state the source it came from as MTN, the mobile telecommunication company that was purportedly claimed to have produced the call logs has denied the release of the call logs in numerous publication amongst which was the publication in The Nation newspaper of 25 February, 2011 admitted as Exhibit 19 where they stated that
“The procedure for the release of information pertaining to calls or data transmitted on our network is rigorous and we will only release customer information that has been authorised by MTN Executive management, acting further to a court order or a demand by security agencies and by the individual owner of the phone line. Such demands are made with respect to specific phone number and not individual customer names”.

“This fact was buttressed by the Senior Manager Commercial Legal in the Corporate Service Division of MTN, Mr. Rotimi Odusola, when he gave evidence before this panel on the 9th June, 2011. The question begging for answer at this stage is:
“Did the petitioner obtain a court order from a competent court ordering MTN to release the call logs to the Petitioner?

“Did the petitioner write to any law enforcement agency to apply for the call logs on their behalf?

“Is the petitioner the owner of the phone lines he claimed to be in the call logs?

“The answers to all these questions are in the negative as there is no evidence before this panel that shows or points to how these call logs attached to the petition were obtained by the petitioner.

“Therefore, we urge my Lords to discountenance the content of the call logs as they are not authentic call logs from MTN Telecommunications but a fabrication by the petitioner and his accolade.
“Also, the Senior Manager, Commercial/Legal in the Corporate Service Division of MTN, Mr. Rotimi Odusola, denies the call logs that were annexed to the petition by the petitioner on the ground that MTN does not produce call logs on A3 papers.

“My Lords, this testimony of a senior ranking officer of MTN, the network provider from whom the call logs were purportedly obtained, is of crucial importance to the determination of this petition. In his testimony, Mr. Odusola categorically and unambiguously stated that the ‘call logs did not emanate from MTN as MTN do not produce call logs on A3 papers’.

“At the hearing of 19th May,2011, Mr. Theophilous Ndubuisi Onyie, a representative of the office of the National Security Adviser (SAN), testified before this panel wherein he gave testimony concerning the source of the content of the flash drive that he forwarded to the secretary of this panel.

“A point worthy of note here is the fact that during cross examination, Mr. Onyie was unable to tender the request letter they wrote to MTN or a forwarding or covering letter from MTN to support the authenticity of the content of what the office of the National Security Adviser received from MTN via e- mail.

“Under cross examination wherein he stated his experience and qualification, he admitted that an e-copy (electronic copy) of a document is not safe and that it is prone to alteration. He also admitted that he did not preview the content of the document before he forwarded it to the Secretary of this panel.

“My lords, we urge this Honourable tribunal to discountenance the bundle of documents printed out from the flash drive received by the secretary of this panel from the office of the National Security Adviser as the representative of the National Security Adviser himself has admitted that the flash he gave out was not tamper proof and is very capable of being altered to suit certain clandestine purposes and smear campaigns. We urge my lords to so hold.

“It is also noteworthy to state here that the credibility of the expert witness that was called by the petitioner is highly unreliable as he does not possess the necessary qualifications in telecommunications to give an expert opinion on a field that he lacks requisite knowledge in.  Where an expert is summoned to testify in relation to a particular field, such an expert must give his qualification to show his special skill in the relevant field. See MELWANI V CHANHIRA CORP. (1995) 6NWLR (pt 402) at 438.

“Mr. Ademola Oyinlola (the expert witness called by the petitioners), in examination-in-chief claimed to have graduated from the University of Ife in 1993 with a BSC in Engineering Geology, but, however, under cross- examination, he said he obtained BSC Geology and not Engineering Geology. Under cross examination he said that he had never worked with any of the communication outfit both in Nigeria and outside the country and/or has he ever worked on call logs before.

“Furthermore, he claimed to be a Director of an IT firm, Ivory Solutions Ltd, but under cross-examinations, it was proved that he lied on oath as he was subsequently shown not to be a Director of the company nor any IT related company.

“We submit that it is trite that an expert is a person who is specifically skilled in the field in which he is giving evidence. An expert is a witness in a case who is summoned to give an opinion evidence on a fact or fact in issue with in the area of his expertise or specialty. The witness must have made a special study of the subject or acquired a special experience therein. SEE. OGIALE v SHELL PET.DEV.CO. (NIG) LTD (1997) 1NWLR (pt480) AT 148.

“In this case, the supposed expert witness, which the petitioner brought, is a person who has no experience whatsoever in IT Communications and is a graduate of Engineering being brought to testify as an expert in IT communications. Further, he neither has any practical experience in IT nor has worked in any of the telecommunications companies in Nigeria or abroad. Rather, he is the Managing Director of a Bureau De Change, a staunch member of the PDP and a nephew of one of the petitioners.

“In the light of these glaring facts, we humbly urge this panel to disregard, discard and discountenance his testimony as he does not qualify as an ‘expert’ and his testimony is tainted, seeing that he lied under oath, is a member of PDP and a nephew of one of the petitioners.

On Oyinlola’s petition, the counsel said: “The first fact that should be noted here, is that Justice Salami was not a member of the panel of justices that sat and heard the Osun State governorship election petition appeal.

“The petition of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola dated 2nd December, 2010 contained on pages 672—875 volume 2 of the working papers is outside the mandate of this panel and it was duly withdrawn by the petitioner. We urge this panel to disregard the petition.

“The second petition by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola dated 7th February, 2011 is contained on page 648-652 volume 2 of the working papers also goes to no issue.”

On the alleged leakage of the Court of Appeal judgment on Sokoto governorship election petition, Justice Salami said there was nothing like that.
He said those who made the allegations could not back up their claims before the panel.

He added: “In dealing with this issue of leakage, it is pertinent to state that only two petitions were relied upon by the Hon. CJN in issuing his query to the PCA. As earlier mentioned, the two petitions are those of Yahaya Mahmood, Esq. and Alfred N. Agu, Esq. In none of these petitions is the issue of leakage of judgment mentioned. One is, therefore, at a loss as to how the Hon. CJN came about the issue of leakage of the judgment as it was not mentioned in the petitions and up to this moment, no copy of the judgment said to have leaked has been seen nor brought before this panel.

“Whatever the situation, the deponent to the affidavit of 12th February, 2010, Usman Buhari, never showed up to own, adopt nor was he cross-examined on it. In any event the person who allegedly informed the leakage of the judgment of Sokoto appeal panel – Hon. Justice Dattijo Muhammed, gave evidence which completely denied the content of the said affidavit or any conversation with the deponent.

“Still on this issue of leakage of judgment, it is relevant to recall the evidence of Hon. Justice Musdapher, J.S.C. before this panel. Although the Hon. Justice Musdapher, the deposition of paragraph 7(iv) of the CJN affidavit, he limited his admission to just being told by the CJN about the leakage of the judgment. He said it categorically that the petitions were not shown to him.

“Yahaya Mahmood, Esq., in his evidence, gave the PCA a clean bill of health on the issue of leakage when he said that he did not discuss the issue of leakage with the PCA. If he did not, as he himself has admitted, he also did not put it in his petitions.”

Regarding his allegation that the CJN allegedly wanted him to influence the judgment of the Court of Appeal on Sokoto Governorship Election Petition, Justice Salami said he stood by his allegation.

He said: “On the issue of the CJN directing the PCA to deliver judgment in favour of one of the parties, the response of Hon. Justice Musdapher JSC was that he could not recollect.

“That, of course, is different from saying that it did not         happen, and we submit that he may not recollect because probably the    discussion did not occur in his presence. From the Record of Proceedings of this panel, Hon. Justice Musdapher is quoted as saying- ‘The issue of the Chief Justice of Nigeria asking the President, Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal was not discussed in my presence…’
“This situation, therefore, shows that as at 8th February, 2010 when the CJN discussed with the PCA, no petition had emerged against the leakage of the judgment about to be delivered in the Sokoto governorship appeal. Paragraphs 4(I – vi) of the affidavit of the PCA on 31st March 2011 remained uncontroverted. The allegation has to do with the instruction from the CJN to the PCA directing the latter to deal with the Sokoto appeal panel in a particular way, in favour of the incumbent Governor. Somehow, Hon. Justice Musdapher only said that this issue was not discussed in his presence.

“It is instructive to note that the Hon. CJN has not and did not file a counter affidavit to the allegations made by the PCA that he was asked by the Hon. CJN to dismiss the appeal in the Sokoto matter. Hon. Justice Musdapher, in his testimony, only mentioned that the discussions were not in his presence and not that the Hon. CJN did not say it.”
The counsel asked the panel to dismiss the petitions against Justice Salami.
“We urge this Honourable panel to dismiss all the petitions and vindicate Justice Salami of all the allegations against him,” they said.

Bankole, Nafada, plead with court to grant bail application

Former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole and his deputy, Usman Nafada have asked an Abuja High Court to grant them bail pending their trial.

The duo are facing a 17-count charge of criminal breach of trust, dishonest use of House of Representatives bank account to obtain loan and sharing same to members without the consent and approval of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the extant Revised Financial Regulations of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 2009.The alleged offences are contrary to Sections 97(1), 286 and 311 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under Sections 287 and 315 of the same Penal Code Act.

They pleaded not guilty.

Their lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) filed separate applications for them.

In the application, Nafada said he was in a precarious health condition, informing the court that he needed to liaise with his lawyer and prepare his defence to the charges

He added that he had never been tried for a criminal offence and that he would not jump bail if admitted to bail.

In his own case, Bankole said he was ready to face trial and prove his innocence before the court.
The bail application will be heard today.

DPR accuses oil marketers of hoarding kerosene

Kerosene,  the petroleum product used in many homes for cooking may remain scarce and costly for a very long time.




Despite Federal Government’s directive to the marketers to make the product available, members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) are hoarding it to create artificial scarcity.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) yesterday confirmed that IPMAN and MOMAN have been starving households of the stock.
DPR’s confirmation came on the heels of an impromptu but scheduled assessment of the efforts being taken by the department to give effect to government’s directive to stop the lingering scarcity of kerosene nationwide.

It also came barely a week after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) announced that major marketers had accepted to distribute kerosene to retail outlets in the country within 10 days.
By their action, the associations have flouted the agreement they reached with the NNPC.

A surveillance team of the DPR that visited about eight service stations within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja metropolis confirmed the hoarding theory even as the marketers claimed that they had not received supply of the product contrary to the information given by the supply manifest from the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC.

Some of the NNPC Mega Stations visited by the fact-finding team dispensed the product at the official pump price of N50 per litre. But in the face of overwhelming queues, other stations visited, though had abundant stocks, refused to dispense on the excuse that customers were not patronising them.

The team, headed by DPR’s Head of Downstream Operations in Abuja, Mr. Yerima Killoma, however, discovered that some of the MOMAN and IPMAN operated stations had stocks but were selling above the approved rate. Some were selling at N100 per litre. Others at N150. 

For instance, Yaman Petroleum Limited in Garki Area 3 and Mararaba as well as Mobil Plc, in Karu were found to have stocks. They sold above the official rate.
In a swift reaction to the development, the DPR ordered that the products be dispensed immediately to consumers at N50.

Erring officials at the Mobil Filing Station, who had initially refused to obey the order on claims that their station had ran out of stock were, however, forced to comply. The station was thereafter sealed off. 

Speaking to reporters, Killoma said the objectives of the surveillance team was clear and apt, adding that the DPR has been mandated to ensure that marketers comply with the order and agreement they reached with the NNPC in the supply and distribution of kerosene. 

He said: "You can see what we have discovered here today, whereas the NNPC Mega Stations are selling at the official rate of N50 per litre but faced with inadequate supply to comfortably satisfy the huge number of customers that troop in to buy from them, some marketer are hoarding the product to sell at exorbitant rates, any marketer found to be guilty of this will be made to face sanctions."

Also yesterday, the sudden resurgence of queue in Abuja for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, reduced yesterday as the product was available in most of the service stations that were visited.

Abuja residents had on Monday experienced an artificial scarcity.

Militants seek protection following leaders death

Following the killing of an ex-militant leader, Mr. Ebi Albert, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Saturday by unknown gunmen, indications emerged on Tuesday that former Niger Delta warlords were adopting desperate measures to protect themselves from attacks.

'We can't force the president to attach portfolios to nominees' - Senate

In spite of calls by senators for President Goodluck Jonathan to attach portfolios to the nomination of ministers when sending the names for screening, the President will not be compelled to do so when he forwards the names to the Senate.

EFCC petitioned lagos to re-assign Atuche's case to new judge

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has petitioned the Chief Justice of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande, to re-assign two pending cases against former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank PHB Plc, Mr. Francis Atuche, to a new judge.

Bankole denies allegation raises alarm over mode of trial

EMBATTLED former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, yesterday, challenged the entire 16-count criminal charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, insisting that they were baseless and dubious.

Ex works minister, Lawal gets bail over N 75bn fraud

Respite came the way of the embattled former minister of works, Dr. Hassan Lawal, yesterday, as he was finally granted bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja, after he had spent 35 days at the Kuje Maximum Prison.
The high court had on May 11, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to remand him in prison custody, sequel to his alleged complicity in two criminal charges bordering on money laundering, conspiracy and illegal diversion of public funds through fictitious contracts.

' I can't rubbish the Awolowo family'- Tinubu

Former governor of Lagos State and Action Congress of Nigeria National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has reiterated his respect for the matriarch of Awolowo family, Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo and the entire Awolowo family.

GTBank CEO, Tayo Aderinokun dies after protracted illness

Tayo Aderinokun, one of the founding partners and the Managing Director of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), who has been undergoing treatment for lung cancer at a UK hospital for months, died today.
In April, some media reports stated that he had died after a long coma at the hospital. However, relatives and business associates of the banker had debunked the rumour.

Ex-speakers arrest may lead to Tambuwal's probe

The continuous probing of Dimeji Bankole’s activities as speaker of the House of Representatives may soon lead to the arrest of Aminu Tambuwal, the current speaker.

Tambuwal is said to have benefited from some of the monies the former speaker is being charged for misappropriating. The current speaker was an ally of the former. He was also the Deputy Chief Whip of the House and was listed as part of the beneficiaries of the loot for which Bankole is currently held for.

Court grants ex- Intercontinental bank boss N 100m bail

A Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, granted bail to former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, in the sum of N100m with two sureties in like sum.

The trial judge, Justice Habeeb Abiru, also granted his associate, Bayo Dada, bail in lower sum of N50m with two sureties in like sum.

Uduaghan, Ogboru disagree over inspection of electoral materials

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the governorship candidate of the Democratic People’s Party, Mr. Great Ogboru, on Monday traded words over an order of the election petition tribunal to inspect materials used in the April governorship election.

US court convicts Nigerian woman of slavery

A United States federal jury has convicted a Nigerian, Bidemi Bello, of forced labour, trafficking for forced labour, document servitude, and alien harbouring.

Code of conduct bureau gives public officers 2 week ultimatum to declare assets

THE Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, has issued a two-week ultimatum to political office holders and top public officials who failed to appear before it during the verification exercise of their income and assets to do so or face the wrath of the law.
Head of the Bureau and Federal Commissioner of the agency for the South West, Dr Ademola Adebo issued the ultimatum in Akure, Ondo State capital.

Borno: Boko haram kill 4 in beer parlour

The Borno State Police Command has confirmed that four persons were killed on Sunday by suspected Boko Haram militants at a drinking joint in Bulumkutu, Maiduguri even as the Islamic sect has given conditions to the government for laying down their arms.

Ekiti: Fayemi blames Oni for paying billions for uncompleted contracts

The government of Ekiti State paid billions of naira to contractors for jobs not executed, it has been revealed.







The payments were made by the ousted Segun Oni administration.

In most instances, the contractors were paid in excess of work done. Besides, some had their contracts terminated after receiving between 20 and 50 per cent payment of the contract sum without any refund.
Some abandoned the contracts after receiving part payment.

These facts are contained in a report by the Contract and Consultancy Review Committee (CCRC) set up by the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration to review contracts awarded between May 2007 and October 2010.
The report is published by the state as an advertorial in this newspaper. It contains the committee’s work as at March 31. The committee examined about 89 projects awarded to 63 companies. 

According to the report, contractors, in most cases, were paid in excess of work done. Many of the contracts lie uncompleted.

They include the dualisation of Ado–Iworoko–Ifaki road, awarded to Messrs Hajaig Construction at N7, 471,743,345.46. 

The committee found that while only 30 per cent of the project was executed, the contractor was paid N5,116,380,847.42 (69 per cent), indicating that it earned N2,924,857,838 "in excess of work done."

In the case of the Emure–Supare road (13.3km), Igede-Ilawe road (9.5km) and Ipole-Iloro–Ogotun road (11.8km), awarded to Messrs Dortmund Construction Limited, a substantial part of the contract sum was released, but the project was not completed. The committee noted that the drainage part of the three projects was not done.

The committee also noted that the contract in respect of the Iludun-Eda Oniyo-Obo Ayegunle road (Kwara State), Isinbode-Iro-Irun roads (Ondo State), awarded to Borino Prono and Co. Ltd, was allegedly over valued to the tune of 82 per cent (about N73,192,894.45).

On the contract for Ijesa-Isu-Ode road, awarded to Konstruja Ltd. at N312, 053,806.53, the committee said "it was terminated on May 26, 2007, as a result of poor performance," after the contractor had collected N40, 122,456.48" for work not done."

The committee also noted that majority of solar powered street light projects, particularly those at Fajuyi Police Headquarters, Ojumose junction, NTA road, Old Motor Park-Ministry of Works, were abandoned after funds had been released by the state. The contracts were awarded at N1.35 million per pole.

The committee said the Ijesa-Isu -Ode road awarded to Parsons Science Engineering at N384,390,592.90 was re-awarded in 2008 and reviewed upward.

It discovered that although the project was 73 per cent completed, "the excess of N40,122,450.48 hitherto paid to Konstruja Ltd in respect of the same contract should be recovered."

On the contract for the Egbe-Imesi road, also awarded to Parsons Science Engineering, the committee recommended that from what it had been paid, "the excess sum of N4,000,000 should be deducted from the retention sum of N18,066,058 due to the contractor.


The committee recommended the cancellation of some contracts, the renegotiation of some and the need for some contractors to be reimbursed to enable them perform.

Ministerial list: President drops 5 controversial nominees

President Goodluck Jonathan has dropped five controversial would-be ministers. The Senate is expected to get the list tomorrow.






The President’s decision was based on security reports on the nominees.

They include two candidates linked to the ongoing N9billion scam in the House of Representatives for which ex-Speaker Dimeji Bankole is being tried.

Three others were implicated in the defiance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House members on zoning, which led to the election of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal. The party preferred Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola.

The three candidates were alleged to have been part of the revolt in the House against the party.
The five nominees, whose names were kept under wraps yesterday, are being replaced.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: "The President has said that no nominee will be allowed to go through or be presented to the Senate, if he is being investigated for anything.

"Five of such nominees have already been dropped. Two are linked to the allegations against ex-Speaker Dimeji Bankole; three worked against the party to ensure the emergence of Tambuwal."

It was gathered last night that members of the Lagos State chapter of the PDP and Lagos indigenes were adamant in their opposition to the return of the immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Olusegun Aganga.
They alleged that Aganga is not an indigene of Lagos and cannot take the slot meant for the state or represent the Southwest.

The party members and some members of Indigenous Association of Lagos, led by a retired Justice, are expected to seek audience with the President on the matter.

A source said: "Our position is that Aganga is from Sabongida-Ora in Edo State, as far as records on his parents are concerned. He has no basis to claim that he is from Lagos State.

"We bear no grudge against Aganga because he is eminently qualified as a Nigerian and a technocrat. But he cannot usurp the slot meant for Lagos State. The President is free to choose him as his nominee from Edo State.

"So, this time around, we want an indigene of Lagos as the ministerial candidate for the state. Aganga cannot even represent the Southwest.

"We want the President to appreciate our position and make amend accordingly. That is why we are seeking audience with the President on the peculiar challenge facing Lagos."

It could not be immediately ascertained whether the President will accede to the case of the Lagos indigenes.
A Presidency source confirmed that Aganga is one of the returnees to the cabinet. But he declined comments on the state he is to represent.

The official said: "The President has the constitutional prerogative to constitute his cabinet. No one can teach him who to choose or not.

"The baseline is that all the nominees must be bonafide Nigerians."
Section 147 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), empowers the President to constitute his cabinet to reflect the Federal Character Principle.

The Section says: "There shall be such offices of Ministers of the Government of the Federation as may be established by the President.

"Any appointment to the office of Minister of the Government of the Federation shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the Senate, be made by the President,

Kano: Kwankwanso alleges overpayment of salaries

Kano State Government yesterday said it has uncovered N14 million monthly salaries’ overpayment to 35 civil servants in the last eight years.


Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso spoke in Kano, the state capital, at the swearing-in ceremony of 43 interim management officers to run the affairs of the local governments. Expressed dismay over the alleged fraudulent payment. 


He said the actual salaries of the 35 civil servants ought to be N600,000 monthly, adding that some of the workers were paid N600,000 per month.

Kwankwaso said: "None of the 35 workers earn up to N20,000 as his monthly salary, but some of them were collecting as much as N600,000; N500,000; N400,000; N160,000; and N120,000 as monthly salaries.
"This is direct stealing, and my government is not going to condone such fraudulent act in the civil service."
The governor urged youths and politicians to desist from unwarranted visits to the offices of public officials to enable them work for the progress of the state.

He noted that such visits could frustrate the realisation of his administration’s programmes to provide purposeful leadership to the people. 

Kwankwaso said: "The state government has plans to ensure that youths and politicians are constructively engaged in the scheme of things."

He added that it is important for well–meaning residents to cooperate with the government to hasten the pace of development. 

The governor urged the Interim Management Officers to perform their duties honestly and diligently, directing them to initiate programmes for the welfare of women, youths and children. 

Kwankwaso urged them to fish out ghost workers in their domains and pay attention to environmental sanitation.


Forty-three Interim Management Officers were sworn in but none was appointed for Dawakin Kudu Local Government since the tenure of the incumbent Chairman has not expired.

ICPC quizzes 8 oyo officials over N8.5bn scam

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday grilled eight top officials of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala’s administration over their alleged complicity in the N8.5 billion contract scam.

The officials are in the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources as well as Commerce.
They were invited to the Abuja headquarters of the commission where they tendered files and other documents on the alleged contract scam.

It was learnt that the commission’s officials requested the files and documents to enable them probe the alleged contract scam, particularly to determine the role played by commissioners.
They were still at the commission, as at press time yesterday.

It was learnt that the documents they supplied were being scrutinised by ICPC officials.
The ICPC resident consultant, Public Affairs, Mr Folu Olamiti, confirmed the visit of the government officials.
He said investigation was ongoing, adding that the commission was still at the preliminary stage of the probe.
Olamiti said the ICPC would require and vet relevant documents in the alleged scam to enable it establish the facts about the case.

The six former commissioners who were grilled by the anti-graft agency in Abuja last month, yesterday showed up at the ICPC Ibadan office. 

It was learnt that they were asked to report to the Ibadan office on Mondays, pending the outcome of investigations into the alleged scam.

They are: Chief Bayo Bankole, (Finance); Alhaji Mukaila Aborode, (Environment and Water Resources); Alhaji Muslim Oyedemi, (Works and Transport); Mr Kunle Isola, (Agriculture); Dr Nureni Adeniran, (Education); and Dr Kola Blogun, (Commerce and Industry).

They arrived the Old Bodija office of the commission at 10am.
It was learnt that the politicians have been barred from traveling abroad pending the conclusion of investigations into the alleged scam.

More woes for Bankole as he is re-arrested on fresh charges

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday released former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole on bail. He is facing a 16-count charge of contract inflation and awards without due process slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).







But his freedom was short-lived. He was rearrested and whisked off to an Abuja High Court for fresh charges.
At the Court yesterday were former and present House of Representatives members, senators and students of Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Some youths carrying placards with various inscriptions were at the court premises. They came to support Bankole.

Bankole and his former deputy Usman Nafada were arraigned on a 17-count charge of criminal breach of trust, dishonest use of House of Representatives bank account to obtain loan and sharing same to members without the consent and approval of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the extant Revised Financial Regulations of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 2009.

The alleged offences are contrary to Sections 97(1), 286 and 311 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990, and punishable under Sections 287 and 315 of the same Penal Code Act.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Bankole and Nafada allegedly obtained over N37.91billion loans to pay jumbo allowances to members of the 6th House of Representatives.
One of the loans was a N12billion facility obtained by the House leadership three days to the end of its tenure last month.

The allowances were allegedly paid outside the approved Remuneration Package for Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the extant Revised Financial Regulations of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 2009.

The accused persons were brought to court around 2:37 p.m. in a Coaster bus marked BR739BWR. Bankole was clad in his trademark all-white dress with a white cap to match. Nafada wore a blue Kaftan and a red cap.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecution counsel Festus Keyamo urged the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody.

The defence counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who led Mr. Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) and others tried to move an oral bail application.
But Justice Suleiman Belgore declined the move. He ordered the defence to file a formal bail application as sufficient materials must be placed before the court to show why bail should be granted.

But, Keyamo told the court of the EFCC’s predicament in keeping the accused persons in its custody.
Keyamo said the anti-graft agency does not have enough medical facilities to accommodate them. Besides, he said, the facility is over-stretched.

"My lord, the prison has enough medical attention. We don’t have facilities to accommodate them. Since we have charged them to court; that is the prerogative of my client," he said.
Awomolo disagreed. He insisted that the commission could still accommodate them.

Then, the Judge asked: "How could you know they have facilities; this is a question of fact, you know it".
On a second thought, Justice Belgore, said: "It is a presumption that the prison has facilities to accommodate them".

Justifying his position, Keyamo said: "I say this with every sense of responsibility, there are lots of them. There are so many of them that will be brought in and there is no space for them again."
Keyamo also opposed a short adjournment saying the week was busy.

But Awomolo pleaded with the court to grant a short adjournment as the liberty of the accused was at stake.
Ruling, Justice Belgore said the adjournment was important at this stage.

Consequently, he adjourned till Thursday for bail application. Overruling the request of the EFCC, the Judge ordered that the accused persons be remanded in the custody of the commission.

Keyamo told reporters after the court session that more charges will be filed as investigation progresses.
Admitting Bankole to bail at the Federal High Court, Justice Donatus Okorowo described EFCC’s claim that it was informed that Bankole planned to run abroad as hearsay and speculative.

Besides, he faulted the commission’s argument that it was not under obligation to disclose the identity of the riot policeman attached to Bankole who exposed his plot to escape abroad.

The Judge said no one is allowed to hide from the court any information that could assist in arriving at a considered decision.

The Court admitted Bankole to N5 million bail with one surety in like sum. He was also ordered to deposit his travelling documents with the court.


The matter was adjourned till July 26 and 27 for trial.

EFCC quizzes Bankole's deputy over new loan taken 3 days to end of house tenure

Former House Deputy Speaker Usman Nafada was yesterday interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is due to be charged today alongside former Speaker Dimeji Bankole over their management of the funds of the sixth House of Representatives.

It also emerged last night that the Bankole-led House obtained another N12 billion loan, three days to the end of its tenure.
The EFCC said the former House leadership took the loan even as there was outcry over the N10 billion the House earlier obtained from the United Bank of Africa (UBA).

It said Bankole’s leadership took N40 billion during its tenure.

Now charges are expected to be filed today at another court against Bankole and Nafada.
The former Speaker is on trial on a 16-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Donatus Okorowo will rule today on Bankole’s request for bail.

Although Nafada and five former principal officers were invited last week, he was released on administrative bail.
The former Deputy Speaker was invited again yesterday by the EFCC for interrogation, over records showing that the House obtained N12billion loan three days to the end of its tenure.

A source in the EFCC said: “Nafada will join his former boss to account for how they came about obtaining almost N40billion loan while in office.
“It became necessary to ask Nafada to appear before our team on Sunday, having got records showing that the House got another loan of N12billion from First Bank Plc three days before the end of its tenure.
Nafada spokesman Bello Hameed said last night: “It’s true that my boss was at the EFCC today. He has since returned home.”

An official of EFCC said: “Where necessary, we may invite some officials of the affected bank for interaction on why the loan was given, for what purpose, on what terms and the collaterals relied upon.”
“The commission will file charges against Bankole and his deputy on Monday in another court for a separate trial on illegal obtainment of loans.”

Ekiti bank robbery: Two suspects arrested

Investigation into the raid on a branch of First Bank Plc in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on May 31 has started yielding result with the arrest of two suspected members of the gang of robbers, which attacked the bank.

No fewer than five persons were killed in the successful operation in the state capital.

The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, said this in Ado-Ekiti on Friday while briefing members of the Police Community Relations Committee during the Zone 8 meeting of the body, comprising Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi States.

The police boss, who did not give the detail of how the suspected hoodlums were arrested, said the two suspects were already in police custody.

He vowed that he would do everything to arrest every member of the gang who operated in the state.

Balogun had earlier claimed that his men dislodged the robbers from the bank, saying two of them (robbers) were shot dead by the police team. He, however, said the police could not recover their corpses because they were shot dead inside the operation vehicle, which the robbers escaped.

A top security source, who pleaded not to be named, told our correspondent on Sunday that the close circuit camera installed in the bank, assisted the police in their investigation.

He said the pictures downloaded from the CCTV were helpful.

Members of the Police Community Relations Committee, who commended the efforts of the police towards making Ekiti State safe, also called on members of the public to always inform security agents any time they found people of questionable character in their areas.

Ex speaker to know fate on bail application today

A Federal High Court, Abuja, will today rule on the bail application filed by the embattled former House Speaker  Dimeji Bankole.
Bankole is facing a 16-count charge of contract inflation and awards without due process slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Donatus Okorowo had adjourned ruling on the application till today after hearing Bankole’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and that of the EFCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo on Friday.
The Judge, who expressed his willingness to decide the application on time, said due to time constraints and the plethora of authority cited by parties, he needed time to give a considered ruling.
Awomolo had urged the court to admit Bankole to bail on self recognition.
He described as hearsay and speculative claims by the EFCC that the accused will jump bail if granted him.
Awomolo argued that the fear that an accused will run away or jump bail is not a reason in law for denying bail because  jumping bail has its own criminal consequences.
Urging the court to discountenance the EFCC, Awomolo cited a Court of Appeal decision in Ibori Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria which overruled such claim by holding that an accused person will only jump bail at his own peril.
But Keyamo urged the court to refuse bail as the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Bankole and that many of the paragraphs in the bail applications did not meet the requirement of law in considering bail application.
Besides, he  said “the world is now a global village where criminals have no hiding place”, adding that court can only act on legally admissible evidence whether orally or documentary.
Awomolo contended that certain claims in the EFCC counter-Affidavit deposed to by one Oriogun Folajinmi offended Section 76, 86, 87, 88 and 89, saying all facts except content of a document could be proven by oral evidence.

Aregbesola wants MKO Abiola immortalized

Osogbo, the Osun State capital, yesterday came alive as activists, labour leaders and politicians converged in the town to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the annulled June 12 presidential election. The state governor, Rauf Aregbesola had, on May 29 this year during the Democracy Day lecture held in Osogbo, declared June 12 as the recognised Democracy Day which should be celebrated in the country.

Activists clamour for new Nigerian constitution

As long as the current structure of government in Nigeria persists, Nigerians would not be able to enjoy democratic values, Wale Oshun, a former chief whip of the House of Representatives and guest lecturer at the 18th commemoration of the annulled June 12 ,1993 elections in Lagos State said.

Youth group wants indigene as FCT minister

A youth organisation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Youth Coalition for Positive Change, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to consider an indigene of the area for the position of FCT minister.

The group assured that such an appointment would not only bring about even development to the capital territory but also give its indigenous people a sense of belonging.

Chime, Ekweremadu disagree over ministerial list

THE push for who to be appointed as minister and other federal slots from Enugu State has resulted in a face_off  between the state Governor, Sullivan Chime, and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
Already, the feud has resulted in the submission of two separate lists to the Presidency for consideration. The list sent by the Governor has the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Vita Abba and three others on it while Ekweremadu’s  list has former Aviation minister, Fidelia Njeze at the top.