Help Protect Soft Targets From Boko Haram Attacks – Mohammed Charges Police

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January 12, 2016

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday charged the Nigerian Police that it was now left for them to deploy more security measures towards protecting soft targets in the country from Boko Haram terror attacks.

This was as he reiterated that the military has decimated Boko Haram and uprooted them from the territories they once controlled. The minister spoke when he paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, in his office in Abuja,

According to him, “What the terrorists are now engaged in are attacks on soft targets, by which I mean highly-vulnerable places like markets, motor parks, as well as worship and entertainment centres, etc. Herein lies the important task of the police, the body statutorily given the role of maintaining law and order.”

He called on the police to step in to protect these vulnerable places, leveraging on its large network, its investigative capacity and the fact that its officers reside largely among the people.

Mohammed suggested that they can do this by liaising with transport workers, market women, local government councils and police public community relations councils, faith-based organizations, community development councils and other necessary stakeholders.

He further urged the police to provide 24-hour, cost-free protection for the premises of broadcasting establishments, explaining that “when I met with their members last week in Abuja. They asked me to implore the Inspector-General to provide 24-hour police protection, at no extra cost, for the premises of their organizations. I am hereby presenting and endorsing their demand.”

Responding, the IGP disclosed that the visit afforded the police an opportunity to draw from the vast and fertile experience of the Minister within the national space to enrich policing in Nigeria.

“In this regard, it is particularly appreciated that the Hon. Minister could deploy the broad network of his ministry to support the leadership of the Nigeria Police in advancing the concept of police-community partnership and to aid in enlightening the general public down to the grass roots on their civic responsibilities in relation to national security and crime prevention,” he said.

The police boss noted that with the support of the President, the police leadership had commenced projects aimed at enhancing the technical intelligence capacity of the Force, with a view to strengthening their operational competence and managing highly-organized crimes, including terrorism and other crimes of national security.

He pledged to partner the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in sensitizing the public against terrorism, assuring that the police high command would fashion out modalities for the immediate deployment of policemen to provide adequate security for media houses across the country.

Photo News: Courtesy Call on IGP by the Minister of Information and Culture — at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

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Hamilton Nwosa

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January 12, 2016

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Twinkle Nigeria sues PDP for ex-President campaign’s N360m debt

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Culled From Punch

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January 12, 2016

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‎An Abuja-based firm, Twinkle Nigeria Limited, has sued the Peoples Democratic Party and some members of the the party’s 2015 presidential campaign committee for their alleged failure to pay a N350m fee for the job it executed for them.

Others who were sued along with the party are Senator Ahmadu Ali (who acted as the Director General, PDP’s Presidential Campaign Organisation), former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana (who acted as the Director, Contact and Mobilisation) and ex-Finance Minister, Senator Nenadi Usman (who served as Director of Finance).

The suit marked, CV/2733/2015, was filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja.

The firm, through its counsel, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), claimed to have been engaged by the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation to “beautify and decorate” the campaign venues used by former President Goodluck Jonathan as PDP presidential candidate during his campaign for the 2015 election.

‎The firm accused the defendants of refusing to pay the contract sum of N360m mutually agreed on.‎

A director of Twinkle Nigeria Limited, Agarawu Tunde, stated in a supporting affidavit that his company had on January 7, 2015 submitted a proposal for the branding and beautification of the PDP presidential campaign venues in all the 36 states to the party’s presidential campaign organisation with suggested cost of N15m per state.

The affidavit read in part, “The third defendant (Gana) approved the plaintiff’s proposal for the sum of N10m per state and directed the Assistant Director, Venue, to include same in the budget. The plaintiff states categorically that it was not paid for the services it rendered to the defendants.”

Hearing in the case has been fixed for February 11.

A company, Silon Concepts Limited had sued the PDP and Ahmadu Ali before the High Court of the FCT last year for their alleged refusal to pay it an outstanding N70 balance of the cost of the services it rendered during the Jonathan campaign. The suit is marked: CV/2017/2015.

Global Crash in crude oil price wakes up talk for diversification of economy for survival – Dogara

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Culled From Vanguard

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January 12, 2016

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-THE House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara Tuesday said the global crash in oil prices is a wake up call for Nigeria to diversify from a mono-economy that relies only on revenue from oil for survival.

Dogara said this in his speech to welcome House members back from the two-week Christmas recess and the resumption of plenary.

The speaker said that the crashing prices of crude oil in the international market and the concomitant impact on the nation’s economy is a sad reminder of the collective failure over the years to diversify from a mono-product economy.

“It is a wake up call for walking the talk on diversification which has been our rethorics for decades and we have no excuse for letting this opportunity slip by again. I believe, dear colleagues, that this realization will shape our views and decisions as we consider the 2016 Appropriation Bill”, the speaker added.

While tasking his colleagues to expeditiously pass the 2016 Appropriation Bill into law, he reminded House members that so many Nigerians are hurting because of the downturn being experienced in the economy, especially the sufferings of construction workers, majority of whom Dogara said haven’t been paid for months and those laid off because of the inability of government to settle outstanding debts owed the firms.

The speaker therefore advised House members to be on the same page with the Buhari administration in tackling the rising unemployment in the country, asserting that “since job creation is one of the fundamental policies of the APC administration, we cannot treat job losses lightly.”

As true representatives of the people, we owe a duty to make haste and whether we make haste slowly or we slowly make haste, we must hasten those long nights of despair into a glorious morning for our citizens who hope to go back to work as soon as government pays the firms they were working for.

“We must therefore pass the 2016 budget which includes Mr. President’s proposals on job creation early, to restore confidence in existing obligations and the economy generally”.

In order to ensure an orderly and predictable budgeting system in Nigeria, the speaker disclosed that the House will seek to amend Sections 81(1) and 82 of the constitution to ensure that annual budgets are submitted three months before the end of every financial year, including reducing from six months to three months the period allowed for pre budget expenditure authorization by the president.

Also, Dogara said the recent monetary and fiscal policies introduced by the government aimed at preventing money laundering and protecting the naira have resulted in avoidable hiccups in international financial transactions with multifaceted counterproductive implications for both commerce, foreign investor promotion and diaspora Nigerians, including students.

More Influential Nigerians on our radar: $2.1bn Arms Deal, EFCC extends investigation to ex-Vice President

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Culled From Punch

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January 12, 2016

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has extended its ongoing investigation into the $2.1bn arms procurement scandal to the office of former Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

It was gathered on Monday that the EFCC operatives were looking into the office of the former Vice President because of some transactions that linked the office to that of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

There was a report two weeks ago that Destra Investment, a company owned by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, allegedly paid N25m to a former special assistant to Sambo, Abba Dabo, on December 16, 2014.

The commission is currently investigating N1.4bn found in the account of Metuh’s company.

Out of the N1.4bn, N400m was alleged to have been paid by the Office of the NSA.

A top EFCC source, said the former VP’s office was being investigated because some of the funds disbursed by the former NSA had to do with the financing of the PDP presidential campaign in the North.

It was learnt that the office of the former VP coordinated the PDP campaign in many parts of the North and that some of the funds were sourced from the ONSA.

The source explained that virtually all the arms of government had one reason or the other to interact with the ONSA because of its strategic nature in the last administration.

It was further learnt that the ONSA was always directed to take care of emergency cases in the previous government.

A top operative of the commission said the commission had also commenced a probe into the operations of another former NSA, the late Gen. Owoye Azazi.

It was stated that the EFCC was detaining some of the personnel of the ONSA, who worked under Azazi and Dasuki.

It is not clear whether the EFCC has released the former Military Assistant to the late Azazi and Dasuki who has been in detention for over two weeks.

The source said the EFCC was also detaining others in connection with the probe.

The source added, “Operatives are intensifying investigation into the activities of the former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, as part of the ongoing probe.

“The commission is also detaining some of the people who worked under the late Azazi. You know that there is no government office that would not come under this probe.

“The reason is that the ONSA was strategic and was called upon to play a role in all cases identified as emergency.

“This thing will touch all the offices in the previous government. It is just a matter of time.

“The former VP coordinated the PDP’s presidential campaign in many parts of the North.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said he did not have the information when contacted on the telephone.

“I do not have any information on the matter,” he said.

Abacha’s loot: Switzerland set to transfer another $300 million to Nigeria – Minister

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Culled From Premium Times

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January 11, 2016

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The government of Switzerland is prepared to transfer to the Nigerian government, another $300 million recovered from the family of former military ruler, Sani Abacha, foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, announced Monday.

The money is part of an estimated $5 billion stolen and stashed in foreign accounts by the late dictator.

Nigeria has in the last 10 years received over $1 billion from the Swiss and American governments, but there are growing concerns past administrations misused the huge sum.

PREMIUM TIMES reported in December 2015 how former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, with the approval of former President Goodluck Jonathan, authorised the diversion of at least N61.4 billion ($300 million and £5.5 million) from funds recovered from Mr. Abacha, to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, few weeks before the 2015 presidential election.

The former minister said the money, which was not approved by the National Assembly, was meant for purchase of military equipment for the fight against Boko Haram.

The money is believed to be part of at least $2.1 billion slush fund later distributed by Mr. Dasuki to politicians ahead of the polls. An ongoing investigation into the scandal as led to the indictment of several high profile figures.

Metuh Drags EFCC To Court, stated that his continued detention was illegal

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Culled From The Will

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January 11, 2016

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Detained spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to order his release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The EFCC is said to have obtained an order from a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse II, Abuja, to detain Metuh, who was arrested in connection with about N1.4bn “suspicious” funds in the account of a company in which he has a substantial interest. The commission explained that it sought an order to remand Metuh because some of his accomplices are at large.

About N400m allegedly meant for arms purchase by the Office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), was purportedly paid into the account of Destra Investment Limited where Metuh reportedly have a high stake.

But in a suit, numbered FHC/L/CS/21/2016, filed through activist-lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, the opposition party’s mouthpiece claimed that his family, lawyers and doctors were denied access to him.

He sued the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami SAN, contending that under section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, the anti-graft agency has exceeded the maximum time allowed by law for a citizen to be detained without trial.

Adegboruwa, who personally deposed to an affidavit of urgency in support of Metuh’s suit, alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari had since coming into power launched “a massive attack upon the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, in the guise of fighting a nebulous anti-corruption war.” The lawyer further claimed that the President had upon taking office reorganised the EFCC to hound the opposition.

Expressing fear that his client was being kept under untidy or unhygienic conditions which might have effect on his health, Adegboruwa argued that Metuh’s continued detention was a breach to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

His words, “I verily believe that the applicant has not committed any offence other than his principled opposition to the ruling government and his arrest and detention are meant to silence the opposition and create a one-party state by the respondents to allow the APC to dominate Nigeria.

“Nobody knows the present whereabouts of the applicant, as to his exact place of detention, his condition in the custody and how he is faring. Recently, detainees in the custody of the 1st respondent have been dying due to lack of proper care and adequate medical facilities, as the 1st respondent is not normally well-funded to function effectively, except to be used by the ruling government to hound the opposition.”

Metuh, through Adegboruwa, sought a declaration that his detention by the EFCC without access to his family and lawyer, and without being charged to court, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed under sections 33, 34, 35, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution. He also sought a declaration that his arrest on January 5 constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights and is ultra vires, null and void and unconstitutional.

FG moves to probe NDDC

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Culled From Vanguard

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January 11, 2016

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new-diplomat default image

Barely four days after sacking its last board members, the Federal Government is considering returning the Niger Delta Development Commission to a holistic development agency to be manned by core professionals rather than politicians to be able to transform the Niger Delta region.

The Presidency at the weekend relieved Dr. Henry Ogiri, Executive Director Finance, and Tuoyo Omatsuli, Executive Director Projects of the NDDC of their appointments, paving the way for the newly-appointed Sole Administrator/Acting Managing Director, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, to run the agency alone in the interim.

The unceremonious removal of the two men, who were seen as indispensible following their retention when the Managing Director, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia, was removed two weeks ago, completes the sack of the board, which was empanelled by President Goodluck Jonathan in December 2013.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, whose office supervises the commission, confirmed in a telephone chat with our source that the Federal Government would beam its searchlight on the activities of the commission in its bid to make it serve the needs of the region better.

Describing the NDDC as being in bad shape, Lawal, lamented that the debt profile of the agency, which had not done much to transform the Niger Delta since its inception, had risen to N300 billion due to many contracts yet to be completed in most cases.

Lawal regretted that the organisation had lost its focus of serving primarily as a strategic development vehicle and served more as a political organisation, thereby denying the people of the area the real benefits for which it was set up.

The SGF said: “We have to reorganise the NDDC to serve as a strategic development organisation to be able to address the peculiar needs of the region and its people.

“As part of the re-organisation, we are going to beam our searchlight on the commission’s activities and see how best to reposition the agency for better performance. We will do whatever is necessary to put the NDDC in a better shape for the overall development of the area.

“I can tell you that the Federal Government is very sympathetic to the Niger Delta because of its peculiar terrain and we need to take urgent steps to put things right in the place,” the SGF said.

On why it took some time before the NDDC management was sacked, the SFG explained that the government needed to study the situation in the commission before wielding its axe against the officials.

“We needed to study the place before taking action,” he said.

On the complaints by some of the nine states that they had been marginalised by the sacking of their natives on the board and the appointment of a sole administrator, the SGF said the action was a temporary one and assured that none of the states would be short-changed.

Lawal said: “I want to assure all the nine states that nobody will be short-changed in the composition of the board and management of the NDDC. The right thing will be done by putting the right people in place in accordance with the Act setting up the commission.

$2.1bn Arms Deal: full list of 241 companies and organizations to appear before the contract verification committee

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Culled From Sahara Reporters

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January 10, 2016

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The office of the National Security Adviser has invited 241 companies and organizations in relation with receipt of payments from the agency during the tenure of Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel.

Mr. Dasuki is currently being prosecuted for allegedly distributing over $2.1billion meant for arms procurement to relatives, friends, political associates and campaign officials of the Peoples Democratic Party.

A public notice released on Friday directed the firms to appear before a panel probing payments to individuals, companies and foundations.

The companies are to appear between January 12 and 26 with their certificates of incorporation, particulars of directors, tax clearance certificates for their companies and directors from 2011 till date, letter of award of contracts, evidence of payments so far outstanding balance, certified bank statements, and other documents considered relevant to the contracts.

The statement, signed by the Principal General Staff Officer in the NSA office, added, “The general public is please invited to note that companies or organizations that received payments from ONSA between 2011 and 2015, who have not appeared before the Committee, and their names are not reflected in the list below, should please endeavor to appear before the committee anytime within the stated period at the Office of the National Security Adviser’s Complex, 3 Arms Zone, Abuja.

“Your prompt appearance before the committee would be wise to avoid any embarrassment.”

#List of companies to appear befoe the contract verification committee on January 12th includes

1. 2020 Nigeria Limited
2. 313 BDC Limited,
3.A & Hatman Limited,
4.A A Master Nigeria Limited,
5. A and B Associate, Abbatare Inc.,
6. Abraham Telecommunication Limited,
7.Abuja Electricity Distribution Company,
8. Abusarhard Nigeria Limited,
9. Acacia Holdings Limited,
10. Ace of Wood Working Nigeria Limited
11. Africair Inc.

Those expected on January 12 are:

12. Afro-Arab Investment Limited,
13. Agabea Securities Limited,
14. Agbede A. Adesina and Co,
15. AGI Nigeria Limited,
16. Ahjuwa Nigeria Enterprises,
17. Air USA,
18. AI Noor Travels and Tours,
19. Albani Associates,
20. Allaje Motors Limited,
21. Almond Project Limited,
22. AMAC Aerospace,
23. APC Axial, Appledrop Nigeria Limited,
24. Apt Securities Limited,
25. AR Security Solution Limited,
26. Arewa House, ASECNA
27. Associate Air Centre.

Companies to appear before the committee on January 13th

28. Atlas Capital Sa,
29. Autoforms Integrated Enterprises Limited,
30. Autopoietic Telemetric Solutions Limited,
31. Aviation Techni GMBH, Bam Project
32. Projecties, Baron Limited,
33. Bell Pottinger LLP
34. Belley Corporation,
35. Belsha Nigeria Limited,
36. Bergons Security Consulting & Supply Limited,
37. Bilal Turnkey Contractors Limited,
38. Biodun & Adekunle Idiagbon,
39. Bluenory Limited,
40. Bob Oshodin Org,
41. Boeing Commercial Airplanes,
42. Brains & Hammers Limited,
43. Bureau Securitas Limited,
44. CAE Flight Training LLC
45. Cardiff Properties Limited,
46. Centre Etiquette Protocal
47. Social Graces Limited,
48. Centre for Regional Integration and Development,
49. Cert Protection Agency,
50. Circular Automobile Limited,
51. CLD Global Concepts Limited,
52. Clems Eze & Co,
53. Codan Limited,
54. Community Defence Law Foundation,
55. Complus International Service Limited,
56. Conella Services Limited
57. Coordinating Committee of Traditional Rulers.

Those to appear before the committee on January 14
58. Core Comm Association of Traditional Rulers,
59. Corart Ventures Limited,
60. Crack Security Service Limited,
61. Crenfact Ventures Limited,
62. Cresco Limited,
63. Damaris Mode Coulture Limited,
64. Dar’Alsalam Travels & Tours,
65. Dassault Falcon Service,
68. Da’Voice Bnetwork Solution Limited,
69. Debanto Consulting Co. Limited,
70. Development Strategy International Limited,
71. Dezign Zentrum Limited
72. DEX BDC,
73. Digital Inspiration Limited
74. DM Communication Limited,
75. Donpedro Medical Company Limited,
76. Eastwise Trading,
77. E-Force Interservice Limited,
78. Eivor Media Nigeria Limited,
79. Enviromental Engineering and Construction Limited,
80. Enviromental One Global Enterprise
81. Enviromental, Engineering Construction Limited,
82. Eric Ventures Limited,
83. Fara Security Limited,
84. Fimex Gilt Limited,
85. First Aralac Global Limited,
86. Fiz-Hyl Global Investment Limited,
87. Fleetmeig HT W/A Limited,
88. FlightSafety International
89. Foretech Investment Limited.

On January 19th, companies to appear before the committee

90. Forts and Shields Limited,
91. Forum for Protection of CNI,
92. Forum for Protection of Critical National Infrastructure,
93. GC Electronic Limited, GDP Associate Limited,
94. General Hydrocarbons Limited,
95. Geonel Integrated Service Limited
96. Gerhard Rothhaupt,
97. Geronimo Middle East & African Limited
98. Geronimo System Limited
99. GEW Technologies Limited
100. Girl Child Concern,
101. Glenair Training Centre Limited, England
102. Global Industrial and Defence Solution – Pakistan
103. Global Structures
104. Gold Reff Industries Nigeria Limited
105. Goodyear Properties Limited
106. Gracepeace Ventures Nigeria Limited
107. GTESC Limited
108. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
109. Halal Palace Ventures
110. Hamada Properties and Investment Co. Ltd
111. Hawker Beechcraft Corporation
112. Heintzmann Sicherheitssysteme GmbH,
113. Helpline Organisation
114. Hypertech (MR) Limited
115. IB Casa
116. Image Axis Limited
117. Imperial College Healthcare
118. Integrated Navigation Systems.

On January 20th, the committee will also verify the contracts of the following companies:

119. International Res. Management Limited
120. International Resources Management Co. Ltd
121. Investment Option Limited
122. ITSI-Bioscience, LLC,
123. Jabbama Ada Global Nigeria Limited
124. Jakadiya Picture Company
125. Jawaz Multipurpose Ventures Limited
126. JBE Multimedia Investment Limited
127. Jnzizi Investment Co. Limited
128. Kadawa Agro Products Limited
129. Kamala Motors Limited
130. Kampus Suites Limited
131. Kane Int. Limited
132. Key Information Service Limited
133. Kitwood Nigeria Limited
134. Kola Adejide & Associate
135. Konet Limited
136. La Kreem International Limited
137. Laconso Global Gotechniks Limited
138. Lambstar Limited
139. Law Partner and Associates
140. Lazer Detct System 2010 Limited,
141. Leaderette Nigeria Limited
142. Leeman Communication Limited
143. Lislie Tading Limited
144. Little Italy Global Service Limited
145. London Advertising Limited
146. Loure Global Service Limited
147. Maimakani Nigeria Limited
148. Makfab General Enterprises Nigeria Limited.

On January 21, the committee is expecting
149. Manara Development Project Limited
150. Map Telecommunication Limited
151. Marshall Aviation Service Ltd
152. Max Air
153. MCAF Associates
154. Mithra – Oil Limited
155. Moortown Global Investment
156. MPS Global Services Limited
157. Murtala Mohammed Foundation
158. Musim Venture Company Limited
159. Muteedah Travels & Tours Limited
160. Muzaq Investment Limited
161. Mystrose Limited
162. NARICT
163. National Agency for Computer Security of Tunisia
164. Nerris Limited, NIALS Research Fund
165. Nigeria Guild Editors (NGE)
167. Nigeria in Safe Hands
168. Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),
169. Norden Global Resources Limited
170. Numora Multi-Trade,
171. O O Osuntokun and Co
172. Obasa Specialty Vehicles
173. ODELL International LLC
174. OnePlus Holding Ltd
175. Onile Nigeria Limited
176. Ornyx Properties Limited
177. Patton Boggs LLP
178. Peoples & Passion Consult Limited.

List of those to appear before the committee on January 25
179. PHK International Co. Ltd
180. Pickel Holdingd and Investment LTD
181. Pioneer Ventures Limited
182. Pratt and Whitney, Canada
183. Pro-Avionics Limited
184. Proptex Nigeria Limited
185. Prosedec Inter Global Limited
186. Proton Security Service Limited
187. Quarter One Consulting Limited
188. Rajco Int. Ltd
189. RECN Networks Limited
190. Real Property Investment Limited
191. Reliance Reference Hospital
192. Ripples Ventures Limited
193. Rolls Royce NA
194. Romix Technologies Limited
195. Rothhaupt GMGH
196. Safety Technologies Limited
197. Sanisah Communication Limited
198. Sanmilak Nigeria Limited
199. Sartoria Ventures
200. Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development
201. Seal Chambers
202. Scientel Limited
203. Secureforces Logistics Limited
204. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation
205. Silk Resources Limited
206. SK Sawki
207. Sky Expert Nigeria Limited
208. Slyvan McNamara Limited.

The list of those to appear before the committee on January 26
209. Societe D’Equipment Internationaux
210. Soject Nigeria Limited
211. Southerland Associates Limited,
212. ST Aerospace Solutions, Denmark,
213. Starbriid Limited
214. Starr Concrete Blocks & Properties Limited,
215. Starepoint Integrated Service Limited,
216. Stellavera De. Co. Limited,
217. Tag Aviation S.A.
218. TechDecision Limited,
219. The Honda Place Limited
222. Tianjin Tianrong International Dev. Limited
223. Tosins and Co Limited
224. Traditional Rulers of Nigeria
225. Trafiga Limited
226. Transgurara Nig. Ltd
227. Trim Communication Nigeria Limited
228. Tripple Kay Company Nigeria Limited
229. UCBK Motors
230. Value Trust Investment
231. Vibrant Resources Limited
232. VIG Limited
233. Wakaso Research and Consultancy Limited
234. WEHSEC Farms Limited
235. West Autos Solutions Enterprise
236. Westan Group Associates Limited
237. Westwood Motors Limited
238. White Zebu BDC
239. Wonder Wheels Automobile Limited
240. Zamzam Option Limited
241. Zukhruf Nigeria Limited.

Anti-graft crusade: PDP and treasury thieves must pay – APC declares

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Culled From The Will

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January 10, 2016

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Anti-Corruption Fight: ‘PDP Must Pay,’ APC DeclaresThe All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and all treasury thieves must pay for the recklessness and shocking mis-management of public funds perpetuated under the defunct 16-year PDP rule.

This was declared by the National Secretary, APC, Mai Mala Buni, in response to recent statements made by PDP chieftains castigating President Muhammadu Buhari and his anti-corruption crusade.

PDP big wigs, including Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; and the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, had alleged that the anti-corruption crusade, which they termed selective, was a ploy to silence the opposition and an attempt to turn the country into a one party state.

According to Mai Mala Buni, the APC is aware of the intensified orchestrated attacks by the PDP on the hugely successful war against corruption in order to stampede and blackmail anti-corruption agencies over ongoing corruption cases being investigated.

“The APC urges anti-corruption agencies not to be distracted by these syndicated and coordinated attacks and continue to employ all legal and legitimate avenues to bring to book all looters of our common wealth,” he said.

“It is clear that the PDP is out of sync and out of step with the generality of Nigerians on the clamour to bring to book all looters of public funds. The days of impunity are over.

“The PDP and treasury thieves must pay for the recklessness and shocking mis-management of public funds perpetuated under the defunct 16-year PDP rule,” he declared.

He challenged the PDP to produce proof of its allegations saying that the president is sincere and ready to tackle corruption from the roots to the upper echelons no matter whose ox is gored.

“The position of the APC has not changed. For the umpteenth time, if the PDP has any proof of corruption against any APC member as alleged, we advise that they approach any of the anti-graft agencies constitutionally mandated to handle such cases,” he said.

“The political will and sincerity of purpose of the present administration to tackle corruption from the roots to the upper echelons no matter whose ox is gored is unwavering. Anybody guilty of corrupt practices must face the law.

“We advise individuals being investigated on corruption charges to cooperate with investigators instead of declaring innocence on newspaper pages and other media outlets.

“On the allegation by the acting PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus that the APC is attempting to foist a one-party system on the country, such idle chat does not deserve a response,” he fired.

Soyinka express confidence in President Buhari’s Anti-graft war

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Culled From The Nation

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January 9, 2016

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Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Saturday expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would fight corruption conclusively.

Soyinka said this when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, visited him at his home in Lagos.

He said that the level of exposure concerning corruption under the Buhari administration showed that government was really tackling the vice.

According to him, the country had never had corruption exposed at this scale before.

“We have not had a case where it had been alleged and increasingly proven that money supposed to be spent on defending ourselves, our nation, our neighbourhood, has been shared among individuals.

“We never had experience where we were in a state of critical emergency where children are being kidnapped under our noses.

“Never had there been in a situation where we are helpless and our soldiers are sent to the front to defend our very existence and we are not backing them up with conduct that shows integrity and commitment.

“Because of these reasons, corruption is really desperate and has chosen to fight back, but I am confident that corruption will be resolved,’’ Soyinka said.

He advised the Federal Government not to relent in its effort at bringing all those who looted the nation’s treasury to justice, adding that it should not be cowed by deliberate attempts to frustrate the anti-corruption crusade.

He described as “insulting’’, news accusing him of engaging in corrupt practices, and said that he was ready to face appropriate legal authority if properly invited.

Soyinka decried the deplorable condition of the National Arts Theatre in Lagos, and said that a Private-Public-Partnership may be the solution for the resuscitation of the national monument.

On his part, the minister expressed the government’s resolve to develop the arts industry.

He said that the ministry was currently strategising on how to tap into the opportunities and potentials in the culture and arts industry to create jobs for Nigerian youths.

More Influential Nigerians on our Radar: EFCC stormed the residence of former Custom Comptroller General

By

Culled From Punch

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January 8, 2016

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday invaded the residence of the immediate past Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, in Abuja.

The operatives of the anti-graft agency stormed the residence of the former Customs Comptroller General in two white colored Toyota buses with registration numbers RSH 555 ABJ, and BWA 645 GA.

An operational van of the Nigerian Customs Service on guard duty to the resident was sighted a few meters away from the besieged residence.

Our correspondent observed a heavy deployment of security operatives for operation comprising armed riot policemen attached to the EFCC and gun wielding plainclothes operatives.

Some of the armed operatives took positions at the gate of Dikko’s residence while their counterparts were observed discussing in groups.

It was gathered that the operatives were acting on intelligence report to conduct the search on the residence for the former CG.

Our correspondent could not confirm whether Dikko was in the residence on not.

There are reports that he is outside the country.

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, had given the indication on Wednesday that the commission would arrest more prominent Nigerians for corruption in the weeks ahead.

The EFCC’s Acting Chairman made the comment while speaking at a meeting with online media practitioners and broadcast media managers.

Saraki donates N2.6m to victims of Ilorin violence

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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January 8, 2016

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Senate President Bukola Saraki on Friday donated N2.6million to the 53 victims of the recent violence in Agbarere and lta-Ajia areas of Ilorin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the 53 beneficiaries, whose vehicles were damaged, received N50,000 at the constituency office of the senate president in Ilorin.

The cash was presented to the beneficiaries by the Director General of the ABUBAKAR Bukola Saraki Constituency Office, Alhaji Abdulwahab Issa.

In his remarks, the director general said the gesture of Saraki was in response to the pledge he made when he visited the victims in May 2015.

The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in llorin East Local Government Area, Alhaji Salman Mahmud, expressed gratitude to the senate president for the gesture.

He appealed to parents to closely monitor the activities of their children.

One of the beneficiaries, Hajia Risikat Raji, commended Saraki for coming to the aid of the victims, saying the money would alleviate their sufferings.

NAN recalls that violence broke out at Agbarere and lta-Ajia areas of llorin on April 25, 2015, resulting in damage to houses and vehicles.

U.S. donates 24 Mine-resistant Armour-Protected Vehicles to Nigerian Army to boost the war against Boko Haram

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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January 8, 2016

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The United States yesterday said it handed over 24 Mine- Resistant Armour-Protected Vehicles (MRAP) to the Army to boost the war against Boko Haram, the vehicles, donated in line with its Excess Defence Articles Programme, were said to be among those retrieved from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Excess Defence Articles Programme is designed to transfer excess military equipment from the U.S. to foreign governments or international organisations to help with modernisation of partner nations’ military capabilities.

The vehicles became part of the US Army’s excess following the downsizing of the United States military, as well as the country’s withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, said US Embassy’s Defence Attaché, Colonel Patrick Doyle, who represented Ambassador James Entwistle.

However, about 50 per cent of the vehicles are faulty, with no spare parts to repair them for quick deployment in the war zone.

Source gathered on Tuesday that it would cost the military millions in dollars to fix and equip the MRAP to standard use, especially because the spare parts could only be bought from the original manufacturers in the U.S.

Manufactured in 2008, the minimum carriage capacity of each vehicle is five persons and can conveniently carry anti-air misiles, as well as M-15 calibre machine guns. It can withstand attacks from Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs), dynamites and bombs.

The vehicles also have the capacity to inflate tyres, thereby eliminating unforseen stress caused by flat tyres.

Defence Minister Gen. Dan Ali said the vehicles would help protect troops against IEDs and help in the movement of men with little or no casualties.

Ali, who was represented by the Chief of Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major -Gen. Barry Ndiomu, noted that the donation was timely given the challenges in the Northeast.

He, however, stated that some of the vehicles were not serviceable, urging the United States to do more by providing the army with spare parts.

“We appreciate what the US has done but like Oliver Twist, we will appreciate if more is done. The vehicles came without spare parts. Not all of them are serviceable. The U.S. should provide the spares to enable us repair those that need to be serviced.

In his remark during the event at the Ikeja Cantonment, Doyle said eight more of the vehicles would be shipped to Nigeria.

“These vehicles provide increased protection from improvised explosive devices, roadside bombs and small arms fire, while offering more manouverability and better fuel economy than other types of armoured personnel carriers.

“The U.S. government donated the Armoured vehicles through the Excess Defence Articles Programme. The Nigerian military arranged for transportation from the port to Lagos. Nigeria is in the process of receiving an additional eight MRAPs through this programme, valued at approximately $7.4 million.

“Today’s equipment donation represents part of the continuing U.S. commitment to Nigeria and its neighbours to counter Boko Haram’s senseless acts of terror and promote regional security.

“The United States provides advisors, intelligence, training, logistical support and equipment to our African partners as they work to defeat Boko Haram.

“We also support those affected by Boko Haram’s violence through ongoing humanitarian aid and victim support services. The United States will continue working with our partners in the region to identify new opportunities to restore order in the Lake Chad Basin region,” he said.

While fielding questions from reporters, he said the vehicles were provided in the condition they were when Nigeria inspected them.

He said: “The programme provided equipment to partner nations in the conditions that they are when the nations saw them. So, the Nigerian Army inspected the vehicles a few months back and selected the best they could find.

“Originally, we agreed to allow them to have 32 vehicles. Twent-five are in front of you today. Many of these vehicles will need some work.

“Probably about half of them are in good working condition but will need minor work. Others will need some body, electrical works.

“The reason we have excess defence article programmes is because we are downsizing forces in our military. We have left Iraq with our forces and have downsized forces out of Afghanistan.

“So, these vehicles were gladly provided when Nigerian Army asked.

“The repairs of the vehicles are up to the Nigerian government to do that. They can repair them on their own, but of course, the spare parts are particular to these vehicles and can be got only from the manufacturers.

“We have been discussing on this and we are working out conditions on how that can be done. The easiest way to do that is to open a government to government case, where we can work with them to ensure they get the correct parts and in a timely manner from the correct manufacturers.

“We have not done the estimate of what it will cost the Nigerian government to fix the vehicles,” he said.

Demolition: Oshodi traders were adequately notified – lagos govt

By

The New Diplomat

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January 7, 2016

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…Says New Ultra-Modern Market Given For N5, 000 Monthly
…Denies Destroying Any Goods
… Criminals Harbored In The Market Loop – Commissioner

The Lagos State Government on Thursday defended the relocation of traders plying their trade in Owonifari Market within the notorious loop of Oshodi to the newly built ultra-modern Isopakodowo Market in Bolade-Oshodi, saying the action was taken in the overall interest of public good, safety and security.

Speaking during a joint press briefing addressed by the State’s Ministries of Information and Strategy, The Environment, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Office of Civic Engagement, the Government said it constructed an alternative market stall for the traders which can conveniently accommodate over 600 shops and hundreds of kee Clamps, and agreed to subsidize payment by giving shops at the new market at a monthly give away price of N5, 000.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde said the traders were adequately notified before the exercise took place as required by law, and that government engaged with the leadership of the market severally before carrying out the demolition exercise on Owonifari Market.

While clarifying issues on the demolition which took place on January 5, 2016, Ayorinde said it was important for people to note that the issue of the market had been on for nothing less than ten years, adding that government had been engaging the leadership of the market to make them realize that it could no longer continue in the manner in which the market was being used.

He said unfortunately, the leadership of the market, in the last three years, refused to move despite the fact that the new market has over 600 shops apart from the kee clamps which takes the number of people that the market could conveniently accommodate to over a thousand all together.

Ayorinde said having been satisfied that government had provided a befitting alternative, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode through the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, invited the leadership of the market to the Executive Chambers and met with them on December 16, 2015, where he reiterated his plans for Oshodi and the need to move the traders to Isopakodowo which as at that time had been ready for a couple of years.

Giving a further background, the Commissioner said: “A few of them expressed certain misgivings but largely they felt that if their interest would be accommodated within the Isopakodowo Market, that they were willing and ready to move and on our part, we said that the discussion should be ongoing particularly regarding how much they would pay for each store within that market.

“After that, on Monday December 21, 2015, Governor Ambode went on a tour of that market area particularly at Isopakodowo in company with a few members of the Exco. Again, we met with the leadership of the market where it was eventually agreed based on the proposition by the leadership that what they were willing to pay for each shop at Isopakodowo was N5, 000.

“There is nowhere in Lagos where you will agree to be paying N5, 000 per shop not to talk of the central Oshodi, but the Governor agreed with them and we said we were ready to concede after which we now formally served them with a quit notice through the office of the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development,” he said.

Speaking further, Ayorinde denied allegation that many goods of the traders were destroyed in the demolition exercise, adding that such was far from the truth.

He said: “The intention of government certainly was not to destroy any goods and we did not destroy any goods because we believe that a good number of the traders, if not all, had moved because they were aware that they needed to move.

“Government, I should say, will not be blackmailed because we had done everything humanly possible and you know that the hallmark of this government has been compassion. It is a compassionate government.

“The intention was not to destroy the market or destroy properties or to make life inconvenient for them. We believe very strongly that Isopakodowo market is quite ideal; its a lot bigger store-per-store than where they had been removed now and the aim of government, as we stated earlier, is to ensure that that area of the market conforms with the type of image that we want Lagos to be, which is to return sanity to the place, to beautify the market, to construct a world class bus terminus around that place and to ensure that people who use that place on a daily basis – the commuters, traders, everybody enjoy what it means to go to a market in a mega city.

“We also believe that the exercise will largely reduce the gridlock that is associated with that area and then the criminalities that were rampant in that Oshodi. What we have done is in the interest of the generality of Lagosians,” Ayorinde said.

He added: “You will see from the reports that quite a good chunk of the traders acknowledged that they had been properly served and that they were ready to move which was why a good number of them, if not all, parked their things just before the end of last year.
“Along the line, we got intelligence report that during the holidays there were a number of criminal activities going on in the market and that the place was harbouring criminals and a number of untoward activities which of course necessitated the need to move immediately to safeguard lives, to safeguard properties and to ensure that there was no breach of peace which was what led to the demolition.”

Support Nigeria’s Policies, Spread Our Message of Change to the World – Saraki to IMF

By

The New Diplomat

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January 7, 2016

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Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki today urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support Nigeria’s economic policies and help to spread the message to the international community that the new government in the country is committed to fiscal discipline.

Saraki while receiving a delegation of the Fund led by the Managing Director, Ms.Christine Lagarde said the new government also has a supportive legislature which is devoted to enacting legislations that will create a conducive atmosphere for business to thrive.

He said that at this critical period when the economy is affected by the oil price, what Nigeria requires from international institutions like the IMF is solid backing for its policies aimed at diversifying and modernising the economy, creating more jobs, rebuilding the national infrastructure and attracting foreign direct investments.

He assured the IMF team that there is a bi-partisan commitment of all members of the federal legislature on the need to “work closely with the Executive arm in addressing the challenges facing the economy…(particularly) the need to partner with the executive through legislation that gives confidence to investors that the era of policy uncertainty is gone”.

The Senate President added: “That is why the focus of our Legislative Agenda is to give priority to laws that will provide a more conducive business environment, reduce the cost of doing business, make dispute resolution very easy, end impunity and reduce corruption in the system”,.

He assured the visitors that part of the support the legislature aimed to give to the economic recovery effort of the present administration is to ” make laws that will block identified legal loopholes that have resulted in revenue leakages; expand the tax base; improve oversight systems; expose corruption and provide better legal frameworks to entrench the rule of law and end impunity”.

The Senate President used the occasion to call on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that in reacting to recent developments in the economy, it does not devalue the Naira for the mere sake of devaluation.

Rather, he called on the apex bank to introduce a more flexible foreign exchange regime and reduce the present restrictions on the autonomous market which does not allow business men to bring in foreign exchange or utilise what they have in their accounts.

“The IMF should support our CBN to bring in low interest loans to SMEs. We need to encourage entrepreneurs and make most of our new graduates job creators rather than job seekers. This is an area where we need the financial support and technical assistance of the IMF”, he said.

$2.1bn Arms Deal: EFCC traces N400m to Army Officer’s account

By

Culled From Vanguard

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January 7, 2016

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The ongoing probe of the disbursement of the $2.1 billion arms cash by the Office of the former National Security Adviser, ONSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (ret’d), has led to more startling revelations.

This comes as the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, continued to face more grilling from his interrogators Investigators from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have stumbled on an account said to belong to an army officer with N400 million traced to the slush funds.

A top source in the Commission confirmed last night that the top operatives probing the disbursement of the arms cash, which is now the subject of prosecution in a High Court.

The account, domiciled in a third generation commercial bank, had been frozen by the EFCC and efforts made to track the suspect and others yet to be summoned.

The army officer, whose name was still being kept secret to avoid raising eyebrows, the EFCC had identified other military personnel, who had at one time or the other drawn money from the ONSA and was keen on getting them to account for it.

A source said that it was as a result of the discovery of the names of the military personnel that the EFCC formally wrote to the Defence Headquarters to release the identified officers and men to the Commission for questioning.

An officer with the rank of a colonel from Delta State, said to have served as a PA to the embattled ex-NSA, had already been arrested and detained by the EFCC for over three weeks over the discovery that he took huge sums meant for arms procurement.

He is said to have been saddled with procurement under the former NSA and had used his position to acquire stupendous wealth, including the acquisition of imposing buildings in choice areas of the FCT.

Attempts to speak with the spokesman for the EFCC on the new findings proved abortive, as he did not respond to calls by one of our correspondents.

Meanwhile, there were indications that the operatives of the EFCC were not in a hurry to free the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Metuh, arrested and detained,Tuesday, by its operatives.

Meanwhile, the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has said that more influential people will be arrested soon.

According to him: “More influential Nigerians are on the radar of the EFCC and, in the coming weeks, they would have their days in court and Nigerians will be kept fully abreast of the results of the Commission’s investigations.”

I only followed instructions on how to share N260 million from the Office of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) – Anenih

By

Culled From Sahara Reporters

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January 6, 2016

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…I didn’t benefit from the money

…N63million was given to Yakassai’s group

…EFCC vows to unveil the names of all the beneficiaries of the N260million soon

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) believes the cash came from the allegedly misappropriated $2.1 billion arms funds.

It would be recalled that one of the charges against former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki and a former Director of Finance and Administration this office, Shaibu Salisu, was the transfer of N260million to Anenih.

The charge read: “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on or about 28th November 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N260million being part of the funds in the account of the ONSA with Skye Bank Plc committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the bank account of Tony Anenih with First

Bank of Nigeria Plc and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.”

But has Anenih written the EFCC to state, among others, that he gave N63 million to a group coordinated by a former Special Assistant to former President Shehu Shagari (National Assembly Liaison), Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, for the 2015 presidential election.

Yakassai may be invited for interrogation over the “curious” payment.

Anenih was said to have told EFCC that he didn’t benefit from the money, but that he followed instructions on how to share the money.

According to The Nation a highly-placed source in EFCC said: “Chief Tony Anenih has written the EFCC on how he disbursed N260million from ONSA to various groups including a team being coordinated by Tanko Yakassai.

“Anenih specifically indicated in the letter that N63million was given to Yakassai’s group. He mentioned a few others whose identities we will not disclose until our investigation has reached an appreciable stage.

“We will unveil the names of all the beneficiaries of the N260million soon. But we are at a level that we need to invite Yakassai to shed more light on why his group was allocated N63million arms funds.”

The source also added: “Besides the letter, we will invite Anenih to make a Statement on Oath and for interrogation.”

It would also be recalled that shortly before Olisa Metuh, PDP spokesperson was arrested, the EFCC claimed that a company traced to Metuh, Destra Investment Limited had remitted about N21,776,000 on 4 December 2014 to an account allegedly belonging to a former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih and N31.5million to his media aide.

Photos News: Gov. Ambode inaugurates Lagos State Law Reform Commission at Lagos House

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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January 5, 2016

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Teacher Recruitment: Employ professionals alone, NUT tells FG

By

Hamilton Nwosa

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December 29, 2015

0

The Nigeria Union of Teachers on Tuesday commended the Federal Government in its plan to recruit 500,000 teachers for the nation’s basic education and secondary schools but warned against using using the policy as a means of compensation for political patronage as it was the practice in the past.

In its first official reaction, the NUT in a statement issued in Abuja by its Secretary General, Obong Ikpe Obong, said the intention of the Federal Government was laudable and consistent with its demand for the employment of more professional teachers to address the long identified problem of shortage of manpower in the nation’s basic education and secondary school system.

The union recalled that during its recent National Executive Council meeting, it had insisted that “this planned policy of the Federal Government should only accommodate professional teachers – graduate teachers and NCE holders and not quacks and personnel who have not been duly trained as teachers no matter their qualifications.”

Obong said, “The NUT will support the Federal Government in the actualisation of this policy but wishes to caution the government against the temptation of using this policy as a means of compensation for political patronage as it was the practice in the past.

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