BREAKINGNEWS: EFCC RE-ARRAIGNS ORJI UZOR KALU ON CHARGES OF N7.6BN FRAUD

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday re-arraigned a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, for an alleged fraud of N7.65bn.

Kalu was re-arraigned alongside his company, Slok Nigeria Limited, and Ude Udeogu, who served under him as the Director of Finance and Account, Abia State Government House.

The re-arraignment of the defendants before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday followed an amendment to the charges filed against them 11 years ago. With the amendment, the prosecution increased the number of charges against the defendants from the initial 34 to 39. The amount quoted to have been allegedly diverted, stolen and laundered by the defendants was also increased from N2.9bn to N7.65bn.

The prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the amendment to the charges became necessary in view of new facts revealed by some of the19 witnesses who had testified against Kalu and his co-defendants in court. The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, dismissed the objection raised by the defence counsel to the amended charge sheet, paving the way for the re-arraignment of the defendants.

In one of the counts, the EFCC alleged that Kalu, who was Abia State Governor between 1999 and 2007, “did procure Slok Nigeria Limited — a company solely owned by you and members of your family — to retain in its account, domiciled with the then Inland Bank Plc, Apapa branch, Lagos, an aggregate sum of N7,197,871,208.7 on your behalf.” The prosecution claimed that the N7.1bn “formed part of the funds illegally derived from the treasury of the Abia State Government and which was converted into several bank drafts before they were paid into the said company’s account.”

The prosecuting counsel, Jacobs, said the ex-governor violated Section 17(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, and was liable to be punished under Section 16 of the same Act.

Apart from the N7.1bn, which he was accused of laundering, the ex-governor and the other defendants were also accused of receiving a total of N460m allegedly stolen from the Abia State Government treasury between July and December 2002. The prosecutor said they breached Section 427 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.

On their part, Udeogu, Slok Nigeria Limited, one Emeka Abone, said to be at large, and another fellow, Michael Udo, also at large, were accused of collaborating with Kalu to conceal the “genuine origin” of allegedly stolen funds. The EFCC said they are liable to be punished under Section 14(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004. When the charges were read to Kalu, Udeogu and Slok Nigeria Limited, however, they pleaded not guilty as they had done during their previous arraignments.

At the request of their lawyers, Justice Idris allowed them to continue with the bail granted them 11 years ago when they werfirst arraigned. Meanwhile, the defence counsel – Messrs Gordy Uche, Solo Akuma and K.C. Nwofor, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria – called the court’s attention to the no-case submissions they had filed on behalf of their clients since May when the prosecution closed its case after calling a total of 19 witnesses to prove the charges.

They also informed the court that they had each been served with a 126-page written address by the prosecutor in response to the no-case submissions. They pleaded with the court for a short adjournment to enable them to file a reply to the 126-page document and return to court to adopt same. Justice Idris granted the prayer and adjourned till July 25, 2018 for further proceedings. 

Source: Abiafacts

Abia APC tackles Senator Abaribe over anti-Buhari comment

The Abia State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has demanded an unreserved apology from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South in the Senate over what they called his derogatory comment against President Muhammadu Buhari on the floor of the Senate on Thursday.

Senator Abaribe, in his contribution to a debate at the plenary on Thursday described President Muhammadu Buhari, as “incompetent” leader who had nothing to offer Nigeria and need to either resign or be impeached.

The publicity secretary of Abia APC, Comrade Benedict Godson, in a statement on Saturday, described Senator Abaribe as a “drowning man” who has obviously lost idea on how to make positive impact on the lives of his constituents. The statement reads:

Senator Enyi Abaribe has also lost focus and the reason for being a senator. We are totally unhappy with him because his comment was a pointer that he has no respect for the office and person of the president. This is politics taken too far and we, the Abia state chapter of APC would not accept that.

“We demand that his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), should call him to order or possibly punish him for such a comment against a President that enjoys the goodwill and support of Nigerians, home and abroad. “We suggest that the leadership of the Senate should also activate their rule book and visit him with sanctions to serve as lesson to others who might attempt to abuse their privileges as senators.

“Abaribe’s duties as a senator is to contribute to the making of laws that would strengthen our institutions and herald better living conditions for the people and not to make derogatory statements against a duly elected President of Nigeria. “Let’s just remind him that his days are numbered in the red chamber, because, we have embarked on grassroot campaign to convince electorates to look the way of APC in the 2019 elections so that people like Senator Abaribe don’t get the opportunity to occupy a seat in the hallow chamber.”

Source: Daily Post

Nigerian Army Bars Officers From Attending Church Services Outside Barracks

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has barred officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army from attending church services outside the barracks. The COAS also warned personnel who he said were ‘sympathetic’ to political, religious and ethnic groups to voluntarily retire from service or have themselves to blame. 

Gen. Buratai gave the warning at the opening of the chief of army staff first quarter conference holding in Abuja. He said henceforth no personnel was permitted to attend church services outside the barracks especially when the Army has made provisions for the spiritual needs of its personnel. The Nigeria Army recognises the Roman Catholic Church, Protestant (Anglican), and Mosques, all of which have heir prayer houses in all its barracks, formations and units across the country. The Army chief also warned that for exceptional cases of wedding and any other form of worships which must be granted by him, anyone who disobeys the new order would be severely dealt with.

The Army chief said, “All are reminded on the ban on any form of worship outside the barracks except those permitted by me for wedding and other social functions. “Therefore officers and soldiers must restrict themselves from any act of political, religious, or ethnic patronisation as these would attract severe consequences. The fate of the 38, officers who were retired is still fresh in our memories,” he said. 

It was gathered that the warning might not be unconnected to the 2019 general elections where many religious leaders have been preaching to their flocks on the need to get registered in the ongoing voters registration exercise and other matters concerning the security of Christians in the country. With the new directive, personnel who worship outside the three major recognised worship centers in the military would now have to adjust as there are no provisions for Pentecostal, white garment or other churches in not just the Nigerian Army but the entire Nigerian armed forces.

Source: 247ureports

House Leader Introduces Bill To Stop Use Of 'Estimated Billing' By Electricity Distribution Coys

A bill to criminalize the use of ‘estimated billing’ in the calculation of electricity consumed and to be paid for by consumers by Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies has passed first reading in the House of Representatives. 

The bill which was sponsored by the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, contains sections criminalizing the arbitrary estimation of energy consumed by consumers who have not been supplied pre-paid meters by the electricity distribution companies. In a press statement, Gbajabiamila’s media aide,  Olanrewaju Smart,  quoted the lawmaker as saying the bill was necessitated by complaints from constituents across the country who felt regulations by the executive had failed to arrest the highhandedness of electricity distribution companies.

 Furthermore, Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere I. Federal Constituency, said the legislation would resolve the unfavorable technical manipulation of the reading pattern of existing pre-paid meters, which have led to incommensurate calculation of purchased electricity credit. The bill recommends six months imprisonment for any official of an electricity distribution company found guilty of illegally disconnecting a customer or failing to provide a pre-paid meter for a client after 30 days of application. Gbajabiamila guaranteed that the legislators would push the bill until it is signed into law.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Detained OSIWA Nigeria director released; speaks on encounter with SSS

Udo Jude Ilo, the Nigeria office director for the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) has been released by the State Security Service, hours after he responded to a summon by the secret police.

Mr. Ilo confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES around 11:45 a.m. Friday. His visit to the Abuja Command of the SSS in Asokoro District was exclusively reported by PREMIUM TIMES when his colleagues and associates could not communicate with him for unknown reasons. His driver told PREMIUM TIMES he drove Mr Ilo to the secret police, but could not tell why he was being kept inside without updates about his condition. 

His colleagues also raised the alarm, with some OSIWA officials telling PREMIUM TIMES the encounter came amidst a series of disturbing messages the organisation has had with Nigeria’s security intelligence bodies recently. But they said they weren’t sure if Mr Ilo was at the SSS over the exchanges.  Mr Ilo said the SSS’ questions centered around his organisation’s activities in Nigeria. “They asked to know our partners, how we’re getting funding and who we are funding,” he told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone shortly after his release. “They also indicated interest in profiling us, knowing what we do, who our partners are and how our grantees are using the funds received from. “They took my fingerprints and other details and told me our interaction was a friendly one.”

It was not immediately clear why an intelligence organisation like the SSS would have to take an OSIWA official in for secret interrogation about the organisation’s activities and grantees which are readily available on its website. OSIWA is an advocacy and grant-making organisation that pushes for open societies, accountability and inclusive democratic governance. It has presence in 10 African countries and is part of the larger Open Society Foundations founded by business magnate, George Soros, which is working to “build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens.”

The organisation is doing extensive work in Nigeria to strengthen the capacity of the country’s civil society bodies to hold government, individuals and corporations accountable. OSIWA has been widely praised for its achievements and transparency, all of which could be seen on its website. Mr Ilo said the SSS operatives who interrogated him today told him the exercise was “a friendly” type that should not have attracted media attention. The SSS could not be reached for comments as the agency has refused to name a spokesperson since President Muhammadu Buhari named Lawal Daura as its director-general in 2015. 

Source: Premium Times

IPOB warns Ohanaeze over Enugu summit

                                             IPOB Press statement 

We the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and it’s leadership worldwide once again warn Chief John Nnia Nwodo of Ohaneze Ndigbo not to dare hold the Fulani sponsored Igbo summit in Enugu as earlier warned by the movement. IPOB warned Nnia Nwodo and his collaborators in crime not dare IPOB or face the consequences from the youth. We respect and recognise our elders including freedom of speech and assembly but not one designed to enslave us in the deadly Nigerian contraption for another 100 years.

We are well aware of the nocturnal meetings between Nnia Nwodo and a certain Brigadier General affiliated to the GOC of 82 Division Enugu. 

The same people Ohaneze Ndigbo and South East governors ran to and convinced to launch Operation Python Dance II are the same people Nnia Nwodo and his Ohaneze Ndigbo are running to now for security. If Ohaneze Ndigbo likes let them surround the venue with armored tanks and Fulani soldiers, one this is certain, the summit will not hold unless Nnia Nwodo and his collaborators kill us all on that particular day. Nnia Nwodo and his collaborators are in the liberty to call summit to sensitize and educate our people for the upcoming referendum not restructuring to remain in Nigeria.

Nnia Nwodo and his fellow Hausa Fulani servants will understand how enraged we are on the day of this their so-called summit scheduled to hold in Enugu. Should the Nigerian army arrest or kill anyone on that day, Nnia Nwodo’s children and that of the governors and anybody else involved in the betrayal of IPOB and Biafrans in General will suffer the same fate regardless of where they are. Ohaneze Ndigbo and South East governors forum have outlived it’s usefulness. They merely exist to entrench Fulani dominance and influence over Igboland and Biafra in general. Without exception, they are all Hausa Fulani errand boys and girls.

We have taken the liberty of chronicling the sad history of Igbo people and wider Biafra in Nigeria. To is Nigeria is dead and can never be resuscitated. Majority of Igbos and Biafrans do not want Nigeria any more, if Nnia Nwodo and his collaborators in Biafraland are in any doubt, they should conduct a plebiscite towards the democratic demand for Biafra independence.

COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL MEDIA AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB.

Source: Elomba.com

FG Releases Second Batch Of Alleged Looters’ List

The Federal Government has said the list of alleged looters which it released earlier was based on verifiable facts, including the amount involved, the date the amount in question was collected and from where it was taken.

Releasing a fresh list of alleged looters, in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said those complaining that the list was too short apparently did not understand that it was strategically released as a teaser. “At the press conference where the list was released, I did say it was a tip of the iceberg. Apparently, this does not mean anything to people whose style is to comment on issues they barely understand, or just to shoot down anything coming from the government,” he said, adding that the Federal Government has a large number of alleged looters on its list. Alhaji Mohammed slammed the PDP for daring to challenge the Federal Government over an issue that the party knows is its weakness: Looting of public treasury. “What was the PDP expecting when it challenged the FG to name the looters of the public treasury under the party’s watch? Did the PDP actually believe that the massive looting under its watch was a joke? Did they think it is April Fool?” he queried.

The Minister said the PDP’s reaction to the looters’ list has shown that its recent apology is an election-induced act, contrived to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians to vote for the party in the 2019 general election, even when it has not come clean on its looting spree during its time in office. “The hysterical and panicky reaction from the PDP has shown that the party is not at all sincere about its choreographed apology. Were it not the case, the party would have followed in the footsteps of one of its leaders, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who simply owned up to his role in the party’s rigging in the past elections and said he had turned a new leaf. “It is said that a true confession is done in humility with an attitude of repentance. It is clear that the PDP does not know this, hence its resort to hubris instead of humility and genuine penitence,” he said. Alhaji Mohammed said the Federal Government will neither be intimidated nor blackmailed into silence, adding that it will also not rest until all those who looted the public treasury have been brought to justice. 

SECOND BATCH OF ALLEGED LOOTERS AND THE AMOUNT ALLEGEDLY EMBEZZLED

1. Former NSA Sambo Dasuki: Based on EFCC investigations and findings alone (this is beside the ongoing $2.1 billion military equipment scandal), a total of N126 billion, over $1.5 billion and 5.5 million British Pounds was embezzled through his office. A good number of these monies were simply shared to persons and companies without any formal contract awards.
2. Former Petroleum Resources Minister Dieziani Alison-Madukwe: In just one of the cases the EFCC is investigating involving her, about N23 billion is alleged to have been embezzled. She is also involved in the Strategic Alliance Contracts of the NNPC, where the firms of Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko got oil blocks but never paid government taxes and royalty. About $3 billion was involved. The Federal Government is charging Omokore and Aluko and will use all legal instruments local and international to ensure justice.
3. Rtd. Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah: N13.9 billion. N4.8 billion recovered by EFCC in cash and property
4. Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika: N4.5 billion. N29m recovered by the EFCC so far.
5. Alex Barde, former Chief of Defence Staff: N8 billion, and EFCC recovered almost N4 billion in cash and property already.
6. Inde Dikko: former CG Customs: N40 billion, and N1.1 billion in cash recovered in cash and choice properties.
7. Air Marshal Adesola Amosun: N21.4 billion. N2.8 billion recovered in cash. 28 properties and 3 vehicles also recovered.
8. Senator Bala Abdulkadir, former FCT Minister: N5 billion. Interim forfeiture order on some property secured.
9. Senator Stella Oduah: N9.8 billion. Interim forfeiture order on some property secured.
10. Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu: N1.6 billion – from NSA.
11. Senator Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor: N12.5 billion.
12. Bashir Yuguda, former Minister of State for Finance: N1.5 billion. $829,800 recovered.
13. Senator Peter Nwaboshi: N1.5 billion
14. Aliyu Usman: Former NSA Dasuki’s aide: N512 million
15. Ahmad Idris: Former NSA Dasuki’s PA: N1.5 billion
16. Rasheed Ladoja: Former Oyo Governor: N500 million
17. Tom Ikimi: N300 million
18. Femi Fani-Kayode: N866 million
19. Hassan Tukur, former PPS to President Goodluck: $1.7 million
20. Nenadi Usman: N1.5 billion
21. Benedicta Iroha: N1.7 billion
22. Aliyu Usman Jawaz: Close ally of former NSA Dasuki: N882 million
23. Godknows Igali: Over N7 billion

By Segun Adeyemi

SA Media to Minister for Information and Culture

Source: Elomba.com

Media mogul, Dele Momodu has disclosed that Senate President Bukola Saraki will join the 2019 presidential race. Momodu said this in a lengthy statement on his ‘Boss Newspaper’.

It read in part: “The Boss can exclusively reveal that Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has joined the 2019 Presidential race. “There is no doubt that he would be a formidable force that should not be ignored because only few politicians in Nigeria today have the pedigree, the experience, the clout and the connection of Senator Saraki. “Impeccable sources reveal that as he plots his move for the Presidency, he is said to be considering building alliances with all Nigerians of like minds. “He is also considering using the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as his running mate. Having already exhibited the ability to work seamlessly with politicians from the two main political parties, it is a path he can easily thread.

“Having risen to the enviable position of the number three citizen, the only place to go for the two-term Senator and former two-term governor is up! Indeed, Saraki is not new to the dynamics of power politics, he is the scion of a political dynasty that is well-known across the nation.

“He has all the criteria that a modern Nigerian president should have, he is tall, urbane, suave, charismatic, cool and collected. But behind this charm, is a man of steel who is never afraid to pursue causes that he feels are right and just.

“Saraki is one of those rare breeds who is street smart as well as book smart. This was evident when he steered his political path away from his father, and triumphed without breaking up the family or the people’s faith in his leadership abilities. “Those who know, say he is counting on his youthfulness and ability to connect with the youths and his strategy will be to spread the “I am one of you” message and show his track record of working with young technocrats and turning them into prolific achievers. “Of course, like everything in life, Saraki would have to navigate through thorny paths to reach the Presidential Villa, he surely has many challenges ahead. “The most important challenge, according to our source, is the perception that he is corrupt This has been a damaging blow to his profile, little wonder that Saraki has not taken this allegation lying down.”

Source: Daily Post

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Nnamdi Kanu: Court Overrules Fed Govt Over Sureties

A federal high court overruled the federal government on the matter of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB], Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s sureties in a court ruling in Abuja. In a report by Duncan Odey and Agency Reports, the presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako overruled the Nigerian government’s call for the sureties to either produce Mazi Kanu or forfeit their bail bonds.

 

Justice Nyako relied on the submissions of the lawyers for the sureties and ordered the Attorney General of the Federation [AGF] to first and foremost serve the sureties with an Order to Show Cause. The Show Cause Order, ElombahNews gathered, is a type of court order that requires one or more of the parties to a case to justify, explain, or prove something to the court. Courts commonly use orders to show cause when the judge needs more information before deciding whether or not to issue an order requested by one of the parties.

At the next hearing, lawyers to the Nigerian government are expected to show the judge cause why the sureties will forfeit their assets. On the other hand, lawyers for the sureties will introduce direct evidence of the army invasion of Kanu’s house, which has been said to be the proximate cause of his disappearance.

It could be readily recalled that Kanu was taken on bail last year on the bond of 100 million Naira each provided by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Jewish Rabbi Immanu El Ben Madu and Tochukwu Uchendu, an accountant. It could also be recalled that Kanu has been missing since September last year when the Nigerian army carried out lethal operations at his home at Umuahia in Abia State via Operation Crocodile Smile. Since Kanu’s trial resumed in October last year after the military attack, Kanu has neither be seen nor heard from.

The Nigerian Armed Forces have since denied holding Kanu in any of their detention facilities. Based on that denial, the federal government claimed that his nonappearance at his trial was enough to revoke his bail and compel his three sureties to forfeit their bonds. Conversely, the lawyers to the sureties had consistently moved the motion that that the issue of the military invasion had to be considered first before the issue of breach of bond can arise.

Barrister Shuaibu Lanaran, representing AGF, had argued that Kanu’s sureties ‘did not deserve any hearing on the matter, but must produce Kanu or face sanctions’.

In opposition, counsels for the three sureties jointly argued that a forfeiture proceedings first requires an “enrolled” Show Cause Order before any issue of revocation or bench warrant can arise.

The lawyers told the court that their clients are yet to be served with such Order and thus the matter cannot be said to be properly before the court. Counsels cited pertinent statutory and judicial authorities. If the court upholds their argument, Nigerian army may be cited in contempt and that alone is likely to affect the course of the trial in Kanu’s favor. The sureties were represented in court by Barristers Aloy Ejimakor, Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh (SAN), and FC Chude.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 26, 2018.

Source: Elomba.com

FG’s Growth Plan ‘Doesn’t Fully Reflect People’s Needs’, Says Bill Gates

Philanthropist and Founder of Microsoft Corporation Bill Gates on Thursday in Abuja faulted part of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

Gates, the Co-Chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said the implementation of the ERGP is at odds with the needs of Nigerians. The ERGP, which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, is a medium-term plan for 2017-2020, that sets out an ambitious roadmap to achieve a seven percent growth rate for the country by 2020. It is aimed at restoring economic growth while leveraging the ingenuity and resilience of Nigerians.

But Gates, while delivering a speech at the special and expanded National Economic Council on Investment in Human Capital in Abuja, suggested the plan got part of its priorities wrong. “The Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan identifies investing in our people as one of three strategic executives, but the execution priorities don’t fully reflect people’s needs – prioritising physical capital over human capital,” he said.

According to Gates, Nigeria can only maximise its enormous potential when citizens are well equipped. As such, he expects the government to prioritise human capital development. “Nigeria has unmatched economic potentials but what becomes of that potential depends on the choices you make as Nigeria’s leaders. The most important choice you can make is to maximise your greatest resource – the Nigerian people.

“Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive, If you invest in their health, education and opportunities, the human capital that we are talking about today, then that will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity,” Gates said. Without human capital development, the billionaire believes there will be “a sharp limit on how much the country can grow”. He stressed the need for the country to act fast by analysing the state of country’s health sector. “Much of Nigeria still looks like a low-income country. Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth,” he said. “With the fourth-worst maternal mortality rate in the world, ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, and Chad. One in three Nigerian Children is chronically malnourished.”

Source: Channels TV

SENATE OKAYS ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC ITEM, ABIA STATE

The Senate has technically endorsed the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Adikpo, Benue State, Federal Polytechnic Item, Abia State and the Federal College of Education, Omuo Ekiti, Ekiti State. The endorsement followed the consideration of the Bills which proposed the establishment of the institutions at a widely attended public hearing held by the upper chamber in Abuja.

 

Senators Barnabas Gemade sponsored the Bill for the establishment Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa proposed the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Item, while, Senator Biodun Olujimi sponsored the establishment of Federal Collage of Education, Omuo Ekiti. Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye who represented Senate President at the public hearing underscored the importance of education in the country.

 

He also stressed the need to spread the establishment of educational institutions in parts of the country for the benefit of education hungry Nigerians, Adeyeye assured that the Senate will continue to support the establishment of vital higher institutions in the country.

He said: “there is no doubt polytechnics have continued to play vital role in the provision of middle level manpower and young professionals who help in no small measure in the development of the country.”

Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Jibrin Barau noted that the public hearing became necessary in order to enable Nigerians make input before the Bills are passed. At the end of the public hearing nobody spoke against the establishment of the three institutions in the three states.

Barau promised to submit the report of his committee to the Senate in plenary as soon as possible. 

Source: Dailypost

MELAYE, THREE OTHERS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS

Senator representing Kogi West in the Senate, Mr. Dino Melaye, who is challenging moves to recall him by his constituency, is in fresh trouble: the Police said they have filed a case in a Lokoja court accusing him and three other persons of illegal possession of firearms. Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, announced the move today in a statement. The police took the action, following the confession of two alleged thugs who claimed to be working for Melaye.

“The men were arrested on January 19 at Ogojueje in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State after a shootout with the Police; and have confessed to being hired by Melaye to cause mayhem in the state,” Moshood said. One of the persons arrested was identified as 31-year-old Kabiru Saidu, a.k.a Osama. The other was Nuhu Salisu, who is 25 years old. The third person charged to court was identified as Muhammed Audu, a politician, who is said to currently be at large. The police said they seized from the thugs and their gang members two AK-47 rifles, five pump action guns, two locally made pistols and heaps of charms.

According to the police, the men not only confessed to have been involved in several kidnappings in the state and environs, they also claimed to be hired thugs for politicians. “According to the gang leader, Osama, he has been working as a political thug for one Alhaji Mohammed Audu, a politician in the state. “He said Alhaji Mohammed Audu invited him to Abuja and introduced him to Senator Dino Melaye and they met on Airport Road, Abuja, inside Senator Dino Melaye’s car in the month of December, 2017.

 “The suspect further confessed that Senator Dino Melaye told him that they should start working for the Senator as his political thugs and they should recruit and train more other (sic) thugs to work for him in preparation toward 2019 general election to enable him (Sen. Dino Melaye ) challenge his political opponents and disorganise Kogi State,” Moshood added. The police said Osama further confessed that Melaye handed over a bag containing one AK-47 rifle, two pump action guns and N430,000.00 to share with his boys. 

“Consequent upon the indictments and criminal confessions against Senator Dino Melaye by the principal suspect, Kabiru Saidu a.k.a Osama, “31 years,” Nigeria Police Force wrote a letter dated 2nd of March, 2018 addressed to the Senate President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, informing and requesting him to release Senator Dino Melaye to report to Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command on the 7th March, 2018 to answer to criminal offences leveled against him, to enable the Police carry out a discreet investigation into the confessions of the principal suspect against Senator Dino Melaye. But Senator Dino Melaye have refused to honour the Police invitation till date.

“A case of Criminal Conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms have therefore been filed by the Nigeria Police Force at Federal High Court Lokoja on 16th March, 2018 against the two suspects mentioned above, Senator Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu who is also a suspect in the matter and is now on the run.

Source: NAN

Barrister Nnamdi Ahaaiwe, the former board chairman of PPIDF has replied to the press release made available and signed by Abia State Commissioner for Information, Honorable John Okiyi Kalu.

In the Press Release, Honorable John Okiyi Kalu stated that the board of PPIDF was dissolved because they failed to follow instruction of the state government which led to violence that took the life of one Fortunewell Staff few days ago.

But in reply, Barrister Ahaaiwe disagreed with the position of the Commissioner of Information, rather he said they were dissolved because he refused to ignore the siphoning of millions of naira which accrued to Abia State through IGR. Read his full reply.

Once more I am forced by attempts of shameless and gutless officials of the Abia State Government to deceive the public on their show of infamy, to respond briefly instead of waiting for the exhaustive, comprehensive and detailed International Press conference I intend to call in coming days. After this, I will resist the temptation to allow this administration frame the conversation until I have meticulously compiled my facts and figures and ready to let the world peep into a sordid dark world of Abia mis-governance & perfidy. This response is delayed as I had to wait to have some documents scanned to me. The wise always advise that when you are in a hole you stop digging but obviously the Attack Dogs of this administration lack wisdom. 

The narrative painted in the above statement of the Information Commissioner is that we are a DISOBEDIENT BOARD who refused to follow directives of Government on collection of Revenues and that is the reason for the dissolution. These lackeys of the Abia State Government will serve their Principal better by keeping quiet instead of embarrassing themselves. Everyone knows this story is one for the birds. It is not even worth commenting on; the real reason for the dissolution is that I refused to obey instructions to look away and ignore siphoning of millions of Naira in IGR Revenues.

As to appointment of Revenue Agents, the PPIDF Board led by a very Senior Lawyer rather chose to obey valid subsisting orders of an Abia State High Court. The PPIDF, Abia State Government, Mr. Udochukwu Ogbonna (Chairman of BIR), Fortunewell Ltd., Mr. Dannie Ubani, etc by themselves, their Agents, Consultants, proxies, etc were restrained and ordered by an Abia State High Court on the 13th of December 2017 to stop interfering with the collection of Infrastructural Revenues by Kenneth Chikezie and his colleagues who were Claimants in that case. The Court further SPECIFICALLY ordered Fortunewell/Manja not to collect any Infrastructural Revenues until determination of the Substantive Suit. That order still subsists and has not been vacated. A copy of the Court Order which speaks for itself is attached below. The Abia State Government was represented at all times by Lawyers from Ministry of Justice. Udochukwu Ogbonna was represented at all times by the Legal Adviser to the BIR and every other party was equally represented. 

Therefore Mr. Kenneth Chikezie is the Lawful Agent recognized by Law to collect said Revenues for now. It therefore speaks volumes of the character and sordid mentality of top functionaries of the Abia State Government who form the Cabal stealing the State blind, that they chose to back rogues to invade the office of an Agent legally carrying on his business. This ungrateful Administration which is one of the greatest beneficiaries of the goodwill of the Judiciary, has in typical character, consistently undermined same institution including by defying extant Court Orders and supporting rogues to flout and thumb their noses at Court Orders.

Before now, I had used certain tactical actions/persuasions to delay these Agents from starting collection of said revenues based on the Court Order just so as to avoid any chaos because it was clear to me that the Cabal and their protege, Manja will resist the order. I therefore chose to appeal to the CSDC Consultant to factor in these Agents who had valid and subsisting Court orders into whatever arrangements he had been making to enable him work smoothly since he was in any event bound by the Court order. I wrote a comprehensive memo on the issue which was submitted to the Consultant about two or three weeks ago and he promised to come to me to discuss the matter, and I on my part, kept pleading with the Agents to exercise patience for now until the Consultant takes a decision one way or another. 

However, the Revenue Agents got fed up because while they tarried to see if the matter could be settled amicably instead of using the coercive powers of the Court to collect, Manja, with no appointment letter from either the PPIDF, BIR, the Consultant (CSDC) or the Abia State Government started collecting Infrastructural and other levies right from 2nd January 2018 (having collected for all of 2017) WITH NO APPOINTMENT BY ANYONE. For this year 2018, Manja has already collected over N40m in Infrastructural levies and over N100m if other Agency’s levies Are added and yet no one said a word. See attached a letter by which Manja even sub-contracted one of our Revenue windows to Chimonex Investments to collect on his behalf for 2018 which was brought to the attention of the authorities but they all chose to play mute, deaf & dumb. 

It was when the PPIDF Revenue Agent, KENNETH Chikezie, who could no longer wait for the promised intervention of the CSDC Consultant, informed the various transport Unions that he will commence collections of Infrastructural levies on Tuesday in accordance with the Court orders in his favor and the MoU signed with our Agency.

Source: Abia Facts News

Abia Community Sets For A Showdown With Abia Government Over An Attempt To Stop A Road Project Attracted By Alex Otti

 

The tension that enveloped Isieketa Autonomous community and its environ since last week following an alleged directive given to DDC contractors by the state government to stop a road project attracted by the 2015 governorship candidate of APGA, Dr. Alex Otti, is yet to abate.

According to Abia Facts investigation, trouble started when contractors handling the strategic Isieketa Mbawsi road, in Isialangwa South, which connects two LGAs of Isialangwa North and South, received a directive from the Isialangwa South L.G.A chairman, Mr. Ifeanyi Isikaku asking them to stop work on the road. 

The news of the directive circulated all over the area, which forced the leaders of the different communities to mobilize their people who trooped out to Ubaha Isieketa Civic Hall on Monday, 26th January, 2018 chantg anti Isikaku songs and threatening to deal with the L. G. A Chairman if he dares come to the area to enforce his directive. Interacting with the press who were invited to come and hear the complaints of the people, some members of the community which included Mr. Chukwudi Adindu of Amuha village,  Chief Edwin Njoku from Umuakpo Ovungwu, Chief Eze Ufomba  from Umuakwa and Mr. Kingsley Chidi Nwogwugwu from Amadi/Ezenwoke all expressed their joy that when they thought all hope was lost after more than fiftly years of having the road in dilapidation, Dr. Otti wiped their tears through NDDC which is constructing a very solid road for the people, and warned against any attempt to interrupt the project in the name of politics.

 

They explained that prior to now, the people lived in agony as they found it extremely difficult conveying their agricultural produce or doing any other business, without having to suffer immensely, and disclosed that since the commencement of the project, their story has changed. Reacting to the allegation levelled against him, the council chairman Mr. Isikaku confirmed that he did order the contractor to stop work because, according to him, the road had already been awarded by the state government for reconstruction, adding that about two kilometres of the road had been completed. Isikaku also alleged that the NDDC contractor had told him that the terms of the contract did not entail total construction of the Isieketa – Amuha – Umuehiri road which cuts across both Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South local governments.

“Somebody said he came to do a palliative work. I told him there is no where I will accept palliative work on a road the governor has awarded for reconstruction,” he said. But the protesters said there was political undertone in the action of the council boss, saying that the road project was attracted by the leader of APGA, Otti hence the move to deny him the credit, without the government considering the pain such interruption could cause the people. Investigation by however contradicted the claims of the LGA chairman that two kilometers of the road had been built by the state government, as there’s no such construction on the road. The construction of the strategic Isieketa-Mbawsi road was said to have been attracted by Dr. Alex Otti in 2017, while construction commenced a few weeks ago.

Source: Abia Facts News

Monkey carted away N70 million in senators’ farm house – Shehu Sani

A senator, Shehu Sani (Kaduna-APC), has given some insights into why Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa-APC) was removed as chairman Northern Senators Forum. Mr. Sani said about N70 million belonging to the group was claimed to have been carted away by monkeys in a farm house.

Mr. Adamu’s removal was announced in a letter read by the presiding officer, Ike Ekweremadu, shortly before the end of the plenary on Wednesday.

The letter signed by the forum’s Public Relations Officer, Dino Melaye, noted that Mr. Adamu was removed for ‘financial mismanagement and misadministration.’ Responding to questions on why the senator was removed, Mr. Sani said the financial mismanagement borders on a N70 million belonging to the forum. He said the money was rumoured to have been carted away by monkeys in a farm house. “There are some things some of my colleagues will not say but I’m not used to holding back. When we assumed office, Senator Ahmed Lawan tendered the sum of N70 million to the 8t Senate. That N70 million was money gathered from the 7th Senate. It was handed over to northern senators of 8th Senate. The rumours going round, which I don’t know whether it’s true but I believe other senators know, is the fact that there were allegations that some monkeys raided the farm house of some of the executives of the northern senators forum and carted away some of these money. 

“I think, this country is becoming a huge joke. First of all, it was the rodents that drove away the president and then we now have snakes consuming about N36 million and now we have monkeys raiding farm house. So, they don’t want this to be said but I believe that we should be very clear.”

 

He however didn’t mention whose farm house it is among the executives. Speaking on the change, Dino Melaye said the decision was that of the majority in the forum.

“All I will just say is simply that the decision of the majority of the Northern Senators Forum is that they want to have a change of leadership. The allegations investigated and found out to be true is that there was financial mismanagement. Monies were spent without the consent of members or the excos. The organisation is becoming moribund and we need to inject some vibrancy in the organisation,” he said. He declined to comment on the N70 million allegation. Mr. Adamu also declined to speak on the allegation. He told journalists he would speak at an appropriate time.

Source: Premium Times

National Judicial Council queries, suspends acting Abia Chief Judge

The National Judicial Council has declared the removal of the chief judge of Abia State by the state’s House of Assembly as illegal. The council says it has also queried and suspended Obisike Orji, the judge named as the acting chief judge. The decision came five days after the state assembly announced the suspension of the chief judge, Theresa Uzokwe, for “acts of tyranny and gross misconduct.” Shortly after, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu appointed an acting chief judge in her place, a decision condemned by many Nigerians. 

The regulatory body, NJC, responded with the statement below on Wednesday.

PRESS RELEASE

National Judicial Council declares the suspension of Hon. Justice T. U. Uzokwe, Chief Judge, Abia State unconstitutional. It queries and suspends the State sworn-in Acting Chief Judge. The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable, Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, at its Emergency Meeting which held today, 31st January, 2018, considered the recent suspension of the Abia State Chief Judge, Hon. Mr. Justice T. U. Uzokwe and the swearing-in of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge of the State by Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and agreed that the decision to suspend the Chief Judge and the swearing-in of an Acting Chief Judge without the input of the National Judicial Council is unconstitutional, null and void.

It noted that its attention had been drawn to the crisis in Abia State Judiciary by petitions written against Hon. Mr. Justice T.U. Uzokwe and the one written by the Chief Judge against Hon. Mr. Justice C. U. Okoroafor, but in the course of the investigation by the Committees set up by Council, some elderly Judicial Officers of Abia State Judiciary waded in and pleaded with the Committees to allow the matter to be resolved amicably by them, which was granted by Council at its plenary.

At the last Meeting of Council which was held on 6th December, 2017, Council directed the Committees to continue and conclude with the petitions before them if there were no reports of the settlement by the peace makers. While this was going on, the problem escalated and Council was informed of the suspension of Hon. Mr. Justice Uzokwe and the swearing-in of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge.

In view of the foregoing, Council resolved as follows:

1) The suspension of the Chief Judge of Abia State by the State House of Assembly without a prior recommendation by the National Judicial Council violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2) Consequently, the subsequent act of appointing and swearing-in of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge is invalid for being unconstitutional.

3) Furthermore, the conduct of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji in presenting himself to be sworn-in raises potential questions of misconduct that Council is now looking into.

4) Council therefore resolved to query and suspend the Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji pending the outcome of its investigation.

5) In view of the recent escalation, Council, in the interest of the smooth administration of justice in Abia State, resolved to direct the Chief Judge, Hon. Mr. Justice T. U. Uzokwe, to stay away from duties pending Council’s final decision after consideration of the report of its Panels.

6) In the prevailing circumstance, whereby the National Judicial Council has directed the Chief Judge not to perform his duties, and the next most senior Judge is suspended, the Governor of Abia State shall appoint Hon. Mr. Justice Onuoha Arisa Kalu Ogwe, the next most senior Judge to act as the Chief Judge of Abia State, pending Council’s final resolution of the matter.

Source: Premium Times

EEDC Network Manager, Engr. Emmanuel Dim and 11 Others Detained at Aba Area Command

It was a black Thursday for EEDC, Ariaria District Manager, Engr. Emmanuel Dim and eleven other staff of the electricity company as they were detained at the Aba Area Command for stealing and selling of consumers’ electricity cables. Aggrieved members of the Enugu Electricity Consumers Forum (EECF) gathered at the office of the Area Command to witness the outcome of a formal report made to the command earlier on the illegal disconnection and carting away of electricity cables of over 50 residents of the Over-rail area of the town.

The drama about the whereabouts of the cables lasted for over four hours as neither Engr. Emmanuel Dim nor any of his staff could give a clear defense on the allegation leveled against them. At a certain point, some of the EEDC staff were requested to go and get the cables in question to the police station but upon returning back to the station reported that the cables which were supposedly in custody of the network manager were nowhere to be found. When the network manager was asked about the cables, he failed to put-up any defensive argument about the missing cables.

Addressing newsmen before leaving the Area Command, Comrade Chuka Okoye, a civil rights activist, said that it is high time, residents of Aba and its environs wake-up from their slumber and fights all forms of illegalities perpetuated by EEDC. This he itemized, ranging from carting away of consumers’ cable after disconnection; imposition of the so-called estimated billing system on the masses which he described as exploitative and unbearable to the harassment of consumers by security agents who accompany EEDC Staff on revenue drive, which according to him is unconstitutional and abuse of fundamental human rights. All these he argued strongly contravene the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.

Adding his voice, the Secretary of the Enugu Electricity Consumers Forum (EECF), Chief Ike Opigwe, condemned the excessive, estimated billing methodology devised by EEDC which he described as milking a sick cow. He went on to condemn a situation whereby electricity consumers in Aba are being billed N10,000 to N15,000 for a room apartment and N20,000 to N60,000 for three-bedroom flats and stores, which has adversely affected the commercial activities of the ancient Enyimba city. He finally noted that the exploitation by EEDC manifest in various forms and ways as consumers are still made to pay for electric poles, transformers and other materials whereas DISCO’s (EEDC) under the law are mandated to provide all infrastructures without tasking the consumers.

Reacting to the development, a member of the Joint Action Group (JAG), Cassius Ukwugbe, lamented on National Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) insensitivity to the plight of energy user’s in Aba, as the regulatory body has abandoned their duty as the electricity watchdog of DISCO’s hence leaving the fate of electricity consumers at the mercy of the almighty EEDC. He finally said that there is need for the Federal Government to set-up a committee that will analyze the recent activities of the DICSO’s in the various constituencies as EEDC, since privatization has rather become a cancer to inhabitants of Abia in particular and other South-eastern states as a whole rather than a service operator.