The newly appointed Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, says President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to proper repositioning of the Niger Delta region.

Semenitari spoke with newsmen on arrival at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Tuesday.

She said that President Buhari had charged the new appointees to clean-up the commission so as to be able to serve the people of the region effectively.

Semenitari, however, said that her appointment was a confirmation of President Buhari’s commitment to active women participation in his government.

“My appointment is in keeping with President Buhari’s commitment to ensure that the Niger Delta is properly positioned and adequately taken care off.”

“It is also in keeping with the President’s commitment to guarantee women’s participation in his government, but beyond that, it is a call to service.”

“I have insisted all through my life that the Niger Delta deserves better and this is a chance to prove that the region will be all that God plans it to be.”

She pledged to keep to the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to develop the region.

Semenitari described the high number of women who thronged the airport to receive her as ”overwhelming and women support for women”.

“I have always said that women lift women; my bosses all through my career, who have made me progress the most, have been women,” she said.

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and confess all he knows about the $2bn arms scandal.

Sagay told our correspondent during an interview that if Jonathan could provide adequate information, he would be accorded the adequate respect by virtue of being a former Head of State.

A former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; a former Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; and several others have been charged for their roles in the arms scandal.

Dasuki had also claimed to be acting on “instructions from above.”

When asked if Jonathan could be arrested despite his soaring popularity in the international community for conceding defeat in the March 28 presidential election and congratulating Buhari, Sagay said the issue was a ‘sensitive’ one.

He, however, argued that conceding defeat to Buhari did not make Jonathan a hero. The senior advocate said one good action could not correct several evil actions.

He said, “To start with, the great reputation he (Jonathan) seems to have is the fact that he admitted defeat. There are thousands of actions that are negative actions so I don’t think that we should overplay it.

“But on the issue of the former President going to prison, I agree that it is a bit touchy politically but the case of Jonathan is particularly bad if you see the manner with which the country’s resources and government coffers have been turned into a bazaar parlour where everyone goes to collect his own share. Just like Warri boys would ask, ‘You don obtain your own?’

“Everyone was going to ‘obtain’ under Jonathan. It was just bizarre but I understand that dealing with a former Head of State is always a sensitive issue but I would say he should have a private chat with President Muhammadu Buhari and say all that he knows and if there is anything he has to release, then he should release it and be allowed to go quietly into retirement.”

Also reacting to the N120m collected by some members of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria from Dasuki which is believed to be part of the diverted $2bn, Sagay said investigations would determine if the newspapers were culpable or not.

He said the Chairman of NPAN, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, who confessed to collecting over N500m from Dasuki, might not be charged if the process through which he collected the money was transparent.

Sagay said, “I think the issue of knowledge and motive are very important. In other words, if Nduka Obaigbena was informed that the Federal Government had decided to compensate him for the losses suffered by his company and this was conveyed in writing and the cheque was given to him from the NSA, it would not be out of place because the NSA, after all, is a security adviser and what happened to Obaigbena’s company was a security adversity so I can understand that but if it was an underground thing, without any formality, explanation or record, that is when it will arouse suspicion and make one to assume that it was an underhand deal done to obtain Federal Government money without any entitlement.”

The senior advocate said plea bargaining which was bastardised under the last administration would be more stringent under the Buhari government.

Under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, was convicted of financial impropriety and sentenced to six months in jail while the Managing Director of the defunct Oceanic Bank, Cecilia Ibru, who was convicted of financial impropriety, was jailed for six months and made to forfeit assets worth N191bn.

However, both Balogun and Ibru spent their jail terms in hospital and never went to prison.

In his reaction, Sagay told our correspondent that under Buhari, people would be made to spend more time in jail rather than be given light sentences.

The senior advocate said there was no provision in the constitution for convicted people to spend their entire jail term in hospital.

He said the Administration of Criminal Justice Act coupled with the anti-corruption stance of the President would ensure that no one escaped justice.

He said, “It is something that we have to look into but I have a feeling that with the new government and the arrival of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which has plea bargaining positions that are tougher than the normal ones, I think we are going to see people spending longer periods in prison even with plea bargaining and it will be longer than six months.”

The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit, has denied that Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is facing major corruption investigations in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, was ever offered or encouraged by his government to make that country her home.PM Roosevelt Skerrit of Commonwealth of Dominica and Nigeria’s ex-Oil Minister Diezani Allison-Madueke

In a statement dated December 10, he explained that the Minister was introduced to him in May during a routine stop-over visit to London, and that the discussions took place well before any question of an investigation by the relevant authorities arose.
May was the same month that the government in which Alison-Madueke served came to an end.

Contrary to reports that the former Minister had arranged to move to Dominica, Mr. Skerrit said the idea of relocating to Dominica was never discussed with her, let alone agreed.

He recalled that in his budget address to his people two years ago, he outlined a vision of recruiting persons of experience, influence and integrity to serve and represent Dominica in various capacities abroad, given that as a small nation with very limited resources, she lacks the capacity to establish consular or other offices in many regions of the world.
“In this case, who better to speak for and on behalf of Dominica in parts of the African continent than a former President of OPEC and former Chairman of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority?” he asked of Alison-Madueke.

He noted, however, that following the former Minister’s arrest in October 2015, and pending the outcome of the investigations, the Dominica Ministry of Foreign Affairs moved with dispatch to suspend all relations with her immediately.
“This suspension took place in the month of October,” he stated.  “Our position is that the relationship with Mrs. Madueke and all that flows from this will remain completely suspended until such time as the probe into her conduct as a Minister of Government is concluded and a determination made by the relevant authorities.”

Full text of the statement:
Office of the Prime Minister Commonwealth of Dominica Kennedy Avenue Roseau, Dominica www.opm.gov.dm pressdm@dominica.gov.dm December 20,2015 For Immediate Release Official Statement There is no truth to the rumour of a former Government Minister of Nigeria being offered or encouraged by the Prime Minister or Government of Dominica to make The Commonwealth of Dominica her home.

Prime Minister Skerrit explained that in May of this year, during a routine stop-over visit to London, Madueke was introduced to him as the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria and also immediate past President of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. These discussions however took place well before any question of an investigation by the relevant authorities arose.

Prime Minister, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit has made clear that the idea of relocating to Dominica was never discussed, far less agreed, in any discussions with or on behalf of Diezani Alison Madueke, the ex-minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria, who is now under investigation by United Kingdom and Nigerian authorities. Indeed, the Prime Minister said the discussions surrounded her continued residence in the United Kingdom and ability to travel to Africa in order assist Dominica. The Prime Minister stated: “The academic and professional credentials of Mrs. Madueke were impeccable. She had been a senior government minister since 2007, having served also as Minister of Transport and Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

Additionally, she served as an Executive Official and Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria. In my Budget Address to the people of Dominica two years ago, I outlined the intention and policy of my Government to recruit persons of experience, influence and integrity to serve and represent Dominica in various capacities abroad. As a small nation with very limited resources, we do not have the capacity to establish consular or other offices in many regions of the world. In this case, who better to speak for and on behalf of Dominica in parts of the African continent than a former President of OPEC and former Chairman of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority. Also, it must be recalled here that Mrs.

Madueke was educated in the United Kingdom and United States of America, having studied for her Bachelor’s degree at Howard University in Washington, D.C. and post-graduate studies at Cambridge University in the UK. So, on the recommendation of a number of outstanding individuals of note, and after thorough due diligence studies were undertaken, the Government of Dominica agreed to the appointment of the former Nigerian Government Minister as Trade and Investment Commissioner for Dominica, with the specific remit of promoting and marketing the trade and investment opportunities of Dominica. This was especially the case considering her obvious contacts following her stint as President of OPEC. The issue of her relocating to Dominica was never raised in any of our discussions, because at the time Mrs. Madueke was to my knowledge in good standing in Nigeria and United Kingdom, having only just demitted office in Nigeria and established living arrangements in the United Kingdom.

The arrangement of Mrs. Madueke serving in an honorary capacity, with no direct remuneration from Dominica and Dominica facilitating her travels across Europe and Africa with the issuance of a diplomatic passport, was entirely in accordance with existing convention, protocol and practice, until the very recent and unexpected development of the investigations by UK and Nigerian authorities. This development was not foreseen nor anticipated by the due diligence undertaken on behalf of the Government, and could not have been and was not foreseen by me or the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

I should add that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs moved with dispatch to suspend all relations with Mrs. Madueke immediately following her arrest in October 2015, pending the outcome of the investigations. This suspension took place in the month of October. Our position is that the relationship with Mrs. Madueke and all that flows from this will remain completely suspended until such time as the probe into her conduct as a Minister of Government is concluded and a determination made by the relevant authorities.”

The United Nations, UN, has pledged to support Nigeria in its effort to conquer the twin menace of corruption and terrorism.

Consequently, the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, last Friday, sent a high-powered delegation  to have a meeting with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, at his office in Abuja.

A statement by the Director of Information at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Nwodo Charles, said the delegation was led by  UN Special envoy on ECOWAS, Dr.  Mohammed Ibn Chambas.

The international body said it was in full support of the  current drive by President Muhammadu Buhari to recover looted funds.

Chambers said the UN will cooperate with Nigeria to strengthen the administration of Justice, rule of law and respect for human rights in the country.

However, he said there was need for all African countries in the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to form a common front against the menace of terrorism, especially with regards to the spreading activities of the Boko Haram  sect.

While congratulating the minister on behalf of United Nations on his appointment, he noted the landmark achievements resulting from the free, fair and credible elections that were recently conducted in Nigeria, which he said had brought progress to Africa’s nascent democracy.

“Dr. Chambas was optimistic that with the completion of the remaining 100km border posts, Boko Haram terrorists will be defeated,” he said.

Meantime, the AGF has said he was pleased with the level of success so far recorded by the Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Border Commission, in terms of resolving cross border disputes between the two countries.

The minister said this administration would be committed towards ensuring that unnecessary border disputes within the Lake Chad Basin areas are resolved amicably.

He told the UN that Nigeria is currently working with other countries on reforms and protocols that will ultimately bring about everlasting peace in the region.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has extended its investigation into the arms procurement scandal to the 2015 presidential campaign funds of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, our sources gathered on Saturday that the latest move was as a result of fresh discoveries that more chieftains of the party got funds from the office of the National Security Adviser, specifically for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential campaign.

A former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, was reported to have given N600m to six chairmen of the contact and mobilization committee of the PDP in the 2015 elections.

He was reported to have listed George (South-West); Yerima Abdulahi (North-East); Peter Odili (South-South); and Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West) as beneficiaries of the funds. Yuguda, in a statement made to the EFCC, said the money was for the 2015 general elections. Bafarawa, a former Governor of Sokoto State, has since admitted receiving N100m.

But George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, denied reports that he had collected N100m from Dasuki.

In a write-up titled, ‘Hack writers and the contempt for truth’ on December 9, 2015, the PDP leader said, “Again, I hereby restate forcefully that I neither collected nor solicited one farthing from Dasuki or anybody else. Throughout his tenure as National Security Adviser, I never met Dasuki except once or twice when he came to brief members of the national caucus.”

However, George, on December 13, admitted that he received $30,000 (N5.9m) and not N100m from Yuguda.

George said, “Yuguda gave me $30,000 to share among ourselves. Each person received $1,500 including myself.

“We held a series of meetings in Lagos and the money was used to settle hotel bills, transport and sittings. So, I don’t know what Yuguda is talking about. If the money that was given to us was stolen, how was I supposed to know?”

The three delegates that represented Lagos were George; a former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe; and a former Minister of Communications, Maj. Gen Tajudeen Olanrewaju (retd.), it was learnt.

Ogunlewe also told our correspondent that the money they received was meant for the committee. He said, “They (Peoples Democratic Party) set up a committee; a reconciliation committee after the primaries in the run in to the 2015 general elections. The function of the reconciliation committee was to go all over South-West and persuade all those who were aggrieved and bring them back into the party. Hence, is that sharing of money?”

A top official of the EFCC, who confided in one of our correspondents, however said that despite the denials and ‘half truths’ by some of the suspects, findings by the commission showed that other sums, apart from the initial N600m, were diverted into the campaign fund from the NSA office.

He said, “The commission is looking into the funding of the presidential campaign of the former president. Some of the money that was spent came from the NSA office.

“We have been looking into the bank accounts of those involved in the PDP campaign fund and more names will be revealed in the coming weeks. Yuguda was not the only person that shared the campaign funds and the money involved was more than N600m.There are strong links between the campaign fund and the NSA’s office.”

Attempts to get the reaction of the commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, did not succeed as he did not pick his mobile telephone nor respond to an SMS sent to him.

The commission had on Monday arraigned the past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and two others before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja. They were arraigned for the misappropriation of funds meant for the purchase of arms.

Those arraigned along with Dasuki were a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, and Aminu Baba-Kusa. Baba-Kausa’s two firms – Acacia Holdings Ltd and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited – were also indicted.

The accused leaded not guilty to all the 19 counts involving misappropriation of about N32bn when the charges were read to them before Justice Yusuf Baba on Monday.

Justice Baba Yusuf later granted bail in the sum of N250m with one surety to Dasuki and others being prosecuted along with him.

But Dasuki and Salisu are to remain in EFCC custody to wait for the ruling of Justice Peter Affen of the same FCT High Court in Abuja on their bail application with respect to another set of 22 counts of misappropriation of about N13bn arms fund.

Other accused persons who are also awaiting the ruling of the court fixed for Monday are former Governor Bafarawa, his son, Sagir Attahiru; a firm Dalhatu Investment and a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested the Managing Director of Stallion Group, Harprrie Singh, for allegedly making N1.3billion ‘questionable payment’ to a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda.

The Nigerian conglomerate, owned by the Vaswani brothers, is one of the major companies currently being questioned by the EFCC as part of the ongoing investigation into the messy arm procurement scandal in the office of a former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

A source at the Commission disclosed that Stallion’s name cropped up when investigators scrutinizing  transactions carried out by the former NSA with Jabbama Company, a bureau de change operator, stumbled on evidence that Stallion Group also paid N1.375billion to the company, although N100million of the money was later returned, leaving a balance of N1.275billion.

Investigation further revealed that Jabbama converted the money into United States Dollars ($114,750,000) and handed it to Mr. Yuguda, former minister of state for finance, who is already being prosecuted on multiple charges of fraud and money laundering.

Mr. Yuguda was said to have explained to EFCC interrogators that the N1.175billion received from the Stallion Group was at the instance of former NSA, Dasuki, for political purposes.

In the statement he volunteered to interrogators, EFCC sources said, Mr. Singh claimed his company had a $170million contract with the ONSA to supply some vehicles and that, he had already supplied the first batch of 50 vehicles since November 2014 for which he was yet to be paid.

Additionally, he confessed that the money he gave to Mr. Yuguda was at the request of both Messrs Dasuki and Yuguda, to support their party.

They are also trying to understand whether the money was an inducement for a contract awarded to the company by the NSA.

However, in spite of these difficulties, President Muhammadu Buhari has been able to record some successes, Below are 8 of the key achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in office.

Renewed Vigour in the War against Boko Haram

One of the key achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari administration thus far is the overhaul of the dysfunctional topmost hierarchy of the Nigerian military. Since May 29, new service chiefs have been brought in, the military command centre has been moved to the heart of the war in Maiduguri and the troops’ morale and confidence are on an upswing. Furthermore, the United States government has finally agreed to commit their resources to the fight against the insurgents after previously backing out of negotiations with the previous Nigerian government, citing alleged human rights abuses by the Nigerian military. The Israeli government has also indicated their interest in helping Nigeria win the war,if the words of Speaker Yakubu Dogara are anything to go by.

Waging a “Non-Negotiable” War against Corruption

On August 30, President Muhammadu Buhari, through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described the war his administration is currently waging on corruption in the country as “non-negotiable.” In his words: “It is sine qua non to the overall reconstruction of the economy and social system which have suffered destruction and severe denigration under the last administration.” Be that as it may, the present government must learn to go about its probe of the immediate-past Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration with more hush and decorum, so that it looks less like a persecution and more like an actual prosecution.

Appreciable Improvement in Power Supply in Various Parts of the Country

Though some parts of the country are yet to witness it, there’s been a marked upswing in power supply in many parts of the federation since May 29. According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), power generation in the country reached an all-time high of 4,810.7MW on August 25, 2015. This represents a major departure from what was obtainable in the past, when it usually hovered around 2,000MW and sometimes dipped below that. However, it should be noted that the power supply is still far from stable and hardly is 4.8 thousand megawatts enough for a country of over 175 million people.

Cleanup of the Messy NNPC

As the “juiciest” fragment of the national economy, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has, for decades, been the nexus of unchecked, gargantuan corruption. Administration after administration either abated the wild corruption going on in this organization or simply failed to properly keep it in check. This, it seems, will no longer be the case as concerted efforts are now being made to declutter the cesspit.

Mending of Nigeria’s Fractured Relationship with the World Powers

Nigeria’s relationship with the global powers, especially the West, sank to its post-1990s nadir prior to the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as the country’s president. The assent of ex-president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the anti-gay marriage bill that was passed by the National Assembly, the confusion surrounding the abduction of the Chibok Schoolgirls and the government’s slow response to it, alleged human rights abuses perpetuated by the Nigerian military, mounting allegations of unbridled widespread corruption as well as some economic and political disagreements with the West behind the scenes all conspired to make Nigeria very unpopular in the international community. At some point, Nigerians were being treated with disdain and subjected to inhuman treatments in foreign lands as a consequence. But, so far under President Buhari, things are discernibly beginning to look up.

Prioritizing Regional Cooperation

Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President Muhammadu Buhari has made regional integration within the West African subregion one of the priorities of his administration. This policy direction is not only economically vital, but it will also be critical if the war against insurgency is to be won.

Returning Discipline to the Polity

Due to the president’s no-nonsense personality as against his predecessor’s more laissez-faire disposition, some level of discipline has been restored to various sectors of the country, especially the public sector. A laissez-faire approach may work in more civilized countries, but in an unruly country such as ours, an uncompromising approach is the only thing that can bring us back to sanity.

Reducing the Size and Cost of Governance

When – and if – implemented, President Muhammadu Buhari’s vow to significantly cut down the number of ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs) in the country by merging the duplicates and jettisoning the non-performers will inadvertently save Nigeria monies to the tune of hundreds of billions of naira that are needlessly spilled from the national treasury into their maintenance. The successful blockage of these leakages does not only make economic sense, but it will also be a giant leap in the fight against corruption.

The Electronic Transaction Bill passed its third and final reading at the Senate. If implemented, this Bill will guarantee the integrity of the electronic commerce environment. Once implemented, this Bill will facilitate the use of information in electronic form for conducting business transactions in Nigeria. It will also encourage and approve the use of digital signatures for electronic transactions, and provide a legal framework that will assist consumers on their rights when they use electronic transactions.

Fesh details have emerged on how members of the National Assembly Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution withdrew N7.75 billion purportedly to amend Nigerian constitution.

PREMIUM TIMES had last week exposed how the federal lawmakers collected the money in tranches to purportedly alter the document between 2011 and 2015, but which former President Goodluck Jonathan refused to sign into law.

While the 49-member Senate Committee on Constitution Review led by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, withdrew a total N4,500,000.00 for the exercise, the 53-member House of Representatives Committee headed by the former Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, spent N3,250,000,000.00.

The documents, exclusively obtained by this newspaper, also showed that the Committee withdrew money from its account few days before the 2015 general elections. The presidential and National Assembly elections held on March 28.

While on March 2, it withdrew N83.33m, it withdrew the same amount 21 days later, precisely on March 23. Yet, on April 13, two days after the governorship election, it withdrew another N83.33m.

The fresh documents exclusively obtained by this newspaper which exposed bank transactions showed that the two committees transferred various sums of money from two National Assembly accounts – 321/212/606/1/1/0 and 321/212/606/1/1/3 domiciled in Guarantee Trust Bank to their own accounts in different banks.

While the House Committee transferred funds to its account in Zenith Bank, its counterpart in the Senate transferred monies to its three accounts domiciled in Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank), Oceanic Bank (now EcoBank) and United Bank for Africa.

According to the documents, the House Committee transferred to its Zenith Bank account N500m on December 16, 2011; N500m on May 17, 2012; N250m on August 6, 2013; and N250m on November 11, 2013; N250m on February 20, 2014; N250m on May 27, 2014; N250m on August 21, 2014; N166.5m on a date not specified; N83.5m on December 5, 2014; and N83.33 on March 2, 2015.

The committee, on different occasions, also withdrew huge amounts in cash, serially violating Nigerian money laundering law.

Part 1, Subsection 1 of the Money Laundering Act 2011 provides that “No person or body corporate shall, except in a transaction through a financial institution, make or accept cash payment of a sum exceeding- (a) N5,000,000.00 or its equivalent, in the case of an individual; or (b)N10,000,000.00 or its equivalent in the case of a body corporate.”

It withdrew N250m on October 29, 2012; N250m on May 8, 2013; N83.33m on March 23, 2015 and another N83.33m on April 13, 2015.

The Senate Committee, the documents revealed, transferred the sum of N125m on April 21, 2010 to Bank PHB; N250m on June 10, 2010 to Oceanic Bank; N125m on a date not specified; to Oceanic Bank and N250m on October 13, 2010 to Bank PHB. The transactions were made before the Committee was inaugurated in the 7th Assembly in 2011

It also transferred N250m on a date not specified to Oceanic Bank; N250m on February 9, 2011to Bank PHB; N500m on December 16, 2011 to Bank PHB; N250m on May 17, 2012 to Bank PHB; N250m on July 23, 2013 to Keystone Bank, N250m on November 5, 2013 to Keystone Bank; N250m on February 5, 2014 to Keystone; N250m on May 22, 2014 to Keystone; N250m on August 18, 2014 to Keystone; N166.6m on November 25, 2014 to Keystone; N83.4 on December 5, 2014 to Keystone; and N83.33m on February 27, 2015 to Keystone.

It further withdrew N250m on April 20, 2012; N250m on February 27, 2013; N250m on May 8, 2013; N83.33m on March 17, 2015; and N83.33 on a date not specified, in cash.

This again was a clear violation of Nigeria’s money laundering law.

PREMIUM TIMES could not reach Mr. Ekweremadu to speak on this story last week. He did not respond to calls to his mobile telephone nor replied a text message sent to him.

Mr. Ihedioha directed this newspaper to the Clerk of the House, Sani Omolori, who did not respond to our enquiries by phone.

The management staff of the National Assembly, including its Clerk, Salisu Maikasuwa, did not also respond to our enquiries.

Uche Anichukwu, the media aide to Mr. Ekweremadu, however issued in a statement on Saturday, denying that members of the two committees judiciously spent the huge sum on the fourth alteration of the Constitution.

“The Office wishes to state categorically that there was no “pocketing” of N8 billion by members of the Committee on Constitution Review in the 7th Senate chaired by Senator Ekweremadu,” the statement said.

The statement also claimed members of the 7th National Assembly and the 36 state assemblies did not fail in their legislative duties towards the realization of the fourth amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

Mr. Anichukwu said, “Members diligently and successfully piloted the most elaborate amendments to the 1999 Constitution through all the legislative due process. They were indeed amendments that held great promises for the nation’s democracy”.

The statement did not attempt to explain how the several billions withdrawn by committee members were spent or why committee members were withdrawing as much as N250million in cash, serially committing money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said it is preparing to reopen investigation into alleged fraud cases that have been put on hold because of subsisting permanent injunctions secured by the accused against such cases.

A top management staff of the EFCC told our correspondent in confidence in Abuja on Wednesday that the commission would no longer be deterred in its mission to investigate allegations of corruption by such injunctions used in the past to prevent it from looking into corruption-related cases.

The source said the EFCC was empowered by the constitution to investigate allegations of corruption without any inhibitions whatsoever.

The top EFCC operative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the commission would rely on Section 15 of the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act to investigate all such corruption-related cases in the interest of the people.

Refusing to disclose the cases to be reopened, the source, however, hinted that some celebrated fraud cases against former governors and ministers would be reopened for fresh investigation and prosecution.

It was further gathered that the commission would intensify legal efforts geared towards the lifting of the seeming judicial embargo on some high-profile corruption-related cases.

The source said, “Let it be clear that the EFCC will go after all cases that are deserving of investigation. There is nothing like permanent injunction now.

“We have a duty to investigate all cases; we are empowered by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to investigate all such corruption-related cases and that is what we are asked to do.

“We are empowered by Section 15 of the new ACJA to investigate all cases irrespective of injunctions. We cannot be stopped.”

The source told our correspondent that the EFCC would interrogate the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy in the last administration, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

It was learnt that the commission would also look into the activities of three officials who presided over the affairs of the Central Bank of Nigeria in relation to the ongoing arms purchase probe.

They are the former Governor of the CBN and now the Emir of kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; former Acting Governor of the CBN, Mrs. Sarah Alade, and the current Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

However, the top shot did not give the exact date when the top figures involved in the release of funds and approval in some cases would be invited by the commission.

“I will find out and get back to you. These cases are very many; several of them are ongoing but I will get back to you on this issue,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has disclosed plans to establish of a Procurement Fraud Unit in the commission to strengthen the fight against corruption in the country.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, quoted the EFCC acting chairman as having made the comment while hosting a coalition of civil society organisations, in a statement on Wednesday.

Uwujaren said Magu expressed concern over the increasing rate of procurement fraud and told his guests that the PFU would contribute immensely to the anti-corruption battle when it became operational.

“I am so concerned about procurement fraud. I am thinking of establishing a unit, purely on procurement fraud. When put in place, it will go a long way in checking corruption,” Magu said.

In a swift reaction to the ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja affirming the nullification of his election as the governor of Rivers Sate by the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal, Governor Nyesom Wike has instructed his lawyers to proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment.

In an electronic statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, Wike said he “disagrees with the judgment, hence his decision to exhaust his constitutional right by challenging the Appeal Court judgment at the Supreme Court.”

The statement, in part, reads: “Governor Wike called on all his supporters and the people of Rivers State to remain calm as Justice will be done at the end of day.

“He assured the people of the state that he will use all constitutional processes to protect the mandate they freely bestowed on him, hence his decision to approach the Supreme Court for further adjudication.

“The governor said that he still remains the duly elected governor of Rivers State pending the determination of his appeal by the Supreme Court.

“Governor Wike assured the people of Rivers State that all ongoing development projects will continue while his administration will continue to promote the security of lives and property across the state.”

It would be recalled that the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal had on October 24 nullified the April 12 governorship.

The tribunal led by Justice Suleiman Ambrosa had also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election within 90 ‎days.

Dissatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, Wike approached the Appeal Court, seeking to set aside the tribunal’s verdict, but failed to do so following the dismissal of his appeal for want of merit.

Again dissatisfied with the appellate court’s verdict, Wike has now resolved to go to the final court – the Supreme Court.

The three-man Court of Appeal panel sitting in Abuja has struck out the appeal of Nyesom Wike seeking a dismissal of the judgment of the Rivers election petition tribunal which sacked him as governor of the state.

In a 110-page ruling delivered by Justice M.B. Dongban-Mensem, the Court ruled that the election of Nyesom Wike did not conform with the electoral act.

In delivering a final ruling the Court of Appeal decided all the seven issues raised by Governor Wike against in favour of Dakuku Peterside and the All Progressives Congress party.The Court has ordered a rerun in 90 days.

Recall that on Saturday, October 24, the tribunal had held that Wike was not duly elected governor of Rivers‎ state.

It ruled that a fresh election be held in the state within 90 days.

But Wike appealed against the judgment, insisting that he was duly elected governor of the state‎.

He asked the appellate court to set aside the judgment of the tribunal, arguing that‎ the lower court failed to consider the evidence – that a proper election took place in Rivers state on April 11 – tendered before it.

Wike had previously gone to the supreme court to challenge the jurisdiction of the tribunal, which sacked him. His main argument at the apex court was that the tribunal should have sat in Rivers state and not in Abuja.

But the supreme court dismissed his suit for lacking in merit‎, ruling that the tribunal – owing to security reasons – was right to have relocated to Abuja to sit in judgment on the petition of Dakuku Peterside, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11 governorship election in Rivers state.

The Turkish ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Hakan Cakil on December 14, 2015 paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase in his office at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The highlight of the visit was the need for an improved relationship between Turkey and the Nigerian government through exchange of counter-terrorism courses for the Nigeria Police Force.
He also said the Turkish government is ready to assist the Nigeria Police Force in investigative tactics and forensic analysis training.
Responding, IGP Arase while appreciating the visit, reminded the Envoy of an existing collaboration between the Nigeria police and Turkey on training at one time of our history, but particularly said, what the Nigeria police need for now is train the trainer program, and specifically requested the presence of Turkish instructors for sustainability.

•N10b PDP ‘cash given to former President’s ADC, aide’ 

•‘I’ve no foreign accounts, company’

•‘N10b came from oil block accounts’

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has said he handed over the N10billion given to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination convention delegates to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa and the Aide-de-Camp.

He said the money was given out by the two aides, on the directive of Dr. Jonathan.

The former NSA said aside collecting the  cash, he had nothing to do with it.

As at press time, no slush funds had been traced to Dasuki’s personal accounts, it was learnt.

Dasuki, who protested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had subjected him to “media trial”, said such a treatment might jeopardise his defence.

Also yesterday, it was gathered that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) confirmed that the N10 billion was sourced from the Signature Bonus Account (oil block Account).

But the ex-NSA expressed regrets that he was being vilified by the EFCC when he acted on the instructions and approval of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

He said he had no foreign account and his local accounts are in Skye bank Plc, GTB and Standard Chartered Bank.

Dasuki’s Statement of Witness/Accused Person has been filed in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ahead of his arraignment today or tomorrow.

He said: “I wish to state as follows: That I have been publicly indicted and any statement may jeopardise my defence. Having been briefed by the EFCC investigators on why I was invited, I will answer the charges in court. As such, I do not wish to make any further statement on the matter.

“That I am aware in November (I cannot remember the exact date), my office requested the CBN to exchange N10billion from the account of the Office of National Security Adviser domiciled in CBN. The money was exchanged at $47m and some Euros which I cannot remember. The exact amount was delivered at my residence.

“The money was for delegates that  attended the nomination convention for the PDP. Presidential nomination. The money was paid and sent to Hon. (Waripamowei) Dudafa (SSAP Household) and ADC(C-IC) for distribution on the instruction of the President.

Based on the statement of Director of Finance and administration (Salisu), Ibrahim Wambai, and Yazidu Ibrahim, all the cash (both foreign and local) are usually given to them for official use.

I also noted the statement of Sagir Bafarawa whose company is Dalhatu Investment which he stated that he received the sum of N4,633,000,000 from the account of the Office of the NSA. I authorised the payment . The money was for vehicles, motorcycles for youth empowerment and women sent to Saudi Arabia. I got the proposal from the President. I do not have the proposal; it should be at the office in the Villa

“I have seen the statement of the Zenith Bank account where N5billion was paid. I authorised the following payments, among others: Jabbama Ada Global Nigeria Limited (N400m); R.R. Hospital (N750m); ACACIA Holdings LTD (N1.25b); Barr. I.M. Bala (N150m); African Cable TV (N 350m); Nigerian Defence Academy (N159m); B.B. (N350m); Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (N125,503, 255.11); Coscharis Motors (N119m).

“The payments were  meant for various partners as earlier listed. I know Basha Nigeria Limited to be owned by Hon. Bello Matawalle. I authorided the payment of N380million for further disbursement to members of the House of Representatives as campaign contribution. I authorised the payment of N751million to HEIRS BDC Limited for conversion to forex from the account of the NSA. Money was used for  operation in the Office of the NSA.

“I have seen the mandate from the CBN  signed by me authorising payment of various sums of money to Dalhatu Investment for the reasons earlier stated.

“In respect of funds given to Amb. Bashir Yuguda between December 2014 and 2015, I authorised the payment of N1.5billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser for political campaign in the last elections. I remember paying DAAR Communications the sum of N2.120billion from ONSA for media activities for the Presidential Campaign 2015.”

Dasuki confirmed also payment of $146,639019.00 to E-Force Inter-Service Ltd

The ex-NSA added:  “I do not have any company registered in my name, I have no account with HSBC. All payments  made from NSA accounts within the period I was there were authorised by me.”

The CBN confirmed that the N10billion was sourced from the CBN/ OAGF Signature Bonus Account.

The CBN made the clarification in an October 29, 2015 letter to the EFCC’s Director of Operations.

The apex bank said: “Your letter ref: EFCC/EC/ CBN/ 12/163 dated  21st September 2915 to the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and the directive by the management that we provide some explanations, we wish to state as follows:

“The N10billion constitutes two tranches of N5.08billion each debited to the CBN/OAGF SIGNATURE BONUS ACCOUNT NO 400225220 vide OAGF memo Ref: FD/LP2015/1/28 DF to the  Office of the National Security Adviser A/C Number 20172241019 with the CBN Abuja  and the second was for credit into the account of National Security Adviser Account Number 1014199287 with Zenith Bank Plc Wuse II Abuja.

“The transactions were consummated  on November 10, 2014. The mandate that authorized the withdrawal of USD47.0m was from the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA) with REF: NSA/366/S dated November 26, 2014. The mandate was processed for dollar cash payment to Mr. S. A. Salisu on November 27,  2014.

“The USD5.0M was via a memo from the ONSA memo REF: ACCT/86/VOL. 2/ 218 dated November 13, 2014. The National Security Adviser Account Number 20172241019 was debited  and dollar cash payment made to Mr. Wambai Ibrahim on November 14, 2014 in line with the mandate.

“The Euro 4.0m and Euro 1.6m transactions were via mandate from ONSA memo REF: NASS/ 366/S dated November 26, 2014.  The NSA’s Account Number 20172241019 was debited and Euro cash payment effected as follows: Euro 4.0m on December 3, 2014 and Euro 1.6m was on December 24, 2014. These sums were released to Mr. S. A. Salisu as stipulated in the mandate. Attached are copies of all the relevant documents please.”

The CBN Governor was responding to a letter ( EFCC/EC/CBN/12/163) of 21st September, 2015 by former EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde.

The three-paragraph letter said: “ This commission is investigating a case of Abuse of Office and money laundering of funds for special services by the Office of the National Security Adviser which were withdrawn  in November 2014.

“We seek your kind assistance to provide available information on the disbursement of the funds with copies of relevant documents, including transfers to foreign and local banks and cash withdrawals.

“Thank you in anticipation of your usual cooperation.”

A Staff Officer Account 1 in the Office of the NSA, Yazidu Ibrahim said in his statement as follows: ” I can testify that in the last five years, for all the companies that were paid, VAT and Withholding Tax were never paid for any contract.

“Also, to the best of my knowledge, there is no tenders board and procurement unit at the NSA. The awarding authority for all contracts, remains the NSA. All payments for contracts are (sic) based on directive from the  DFA. Sometimes, there were accompanying documents  most times, there was nothing except account details of contractors.

“In the last five years, the SAS imprest account has been passed and ONSA is getting direct funding from the government.

“I want to state as follows: many of the contracts were fake because the payment were round figures. (2), many of the payments were related to the 2015 presidential elections and not for national security. Many of the cash payments were just looted. Many people in the ruling PDP got huge sums of money”.

” The SAS imprest account is an account maintained by the NSA and the Permanent Secretary, Special Service Office. This is where money for the intelligence community is first paid before sharing between the ONSA, NSA and DSS.”