The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has appealed to Nigerians, especially those who have the wherewithal, to complement the efforts of the government by assisting the thousands of Nigerians who have been displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.

”With over 2 million people displaced, mostly in the North-east, the scale of the crisis is enormous and far beyond what the government alone can handle,” said the Minister, who on Saturday visited a camp for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bama, one of the most affected towns in Borno State, the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency.

”This is why I am appealing to Nigerians to assist in whatever form. We are aware that some individuals and groups have already taken it upon themselves to provide succour to the IDPs by digging boreholes, providing clothing, bedding, medicines, foodstuffs and other things needed to alleviate their suffering.

”But what I saw at the IDP camp in Bama brought to the fore the enormity of the problems faced by our less fortunate compatriots, especially in the area of shelter and medical facilities, hence this appeal to Nigerians, individually and collectively, as well as to local and international NGOs

”Many of the IDPs, especially the young children, are in dire need of medical attention, shelter and clothing. Most are at the mercy of the elements. We must be our brother’s keeper by assisting these unfortunate victims of a senseless war,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said the situation at the camps was particularly daunting for women and children, as well as old men and women – the usual victims of a war they know little or nothing about.

He said the appeal for assistance to the IDPs is aimed at complementing the efforts of the Borno State Government, the Federal Government and the military, which have gone a long way in making life less miserable for the IDPs.

”The Federal Government has in place a Victims Support Fund for those affected by the war; the Borno State Government has established a Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement to spearhead massive reconstruction works so the IDPs can gradually return to their homes, while the military has taken on the humanitarian burden alongside its already enormous challenge of winning the war and the peace.

”Also, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is collaborating with the states in the North-east, the UN system, the Red Cross and the faith-based organizations ‎to provide temporary shelters and care for the IDPs. Yet the situation in the camps remains very difficult. We need to act now,” the Minister said.

MEMBERS of the House of Representatives adhoc Committee on Crude oil swap have vowed to expose all shoddy deals perpetrated by government officials involved in all swap arrangements.

This revelation was made yesterday by the chairman of the adhoc committee, Rep Zakari Mohammed, APC, Baruten/Kaima Federal Constituency.

The former House spokesman who spoke on behalf of fellow lawmakers said”we are still studying all the memoranda sent to us by the agencies but one thing we can assure all Nigerians is that all sharp practices will be unearthed”.

“We’ll dig deep into all the transactions and make a powerful delivery at the end of the day as this is not like any other probe of the past”.

“As I speak to you now we are working round the clock to ensure that there are no mistakes that will rubbish our efforts”.

Asked whether the committee members are under any form of pressure to alter their findings, Mohammed said”well that is a matter for another day as it is we are only concerned about the volume of swap deals and all the annual reports of the agencies involved”.

“One thing is however certain, all members of this committee promised to work hard towards achieving success at the end of the probe”.

On when the probe intends wrapping up its investigative inquiry, Mohammed said our deadline to submit our report I think is 6 weeks that is why we work on Saturdays because the work is voluminous”.

“At the rate we are going once we conclude the investigative hearing it won’t take us two weeks to lay our reports before the entire House”.

On what happened to the agencies that earlier failed to submit their memoranda, he said”they eventually submitted before our 12noon November 18 deadline”.

It was learnt that the Crude Oil division and the PPMC had failed to submit their memoranda until the committee threatened to issue a bench warrant to the three defaulting agencies.

The Adhoc committee was set up following a motion promoted in June 2015 by Rep Michael Enyong ,Akwa Ibom PDP, who alleged that the country has lost considerable revenue, from the oil traders involved in the crude oil swaps and Offshore Shore Processing Agreements (OPAs).

There were allegations that the oil traders under-delivered petroleum products to the PPMC, the NNPC subsidiary responsible for taking delivery of the products after crude oil has been lifted by the traders.

The committee is charged with exposing corruption, inefficiency, and waste in the operations of the swap agreement, as a prelude to the efficient and transparent management of the nation’s resources for improved revenue generation for the country.

The new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, will on Monday (today) be presented with the staff of office by the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

The ceremony which will hold at the Enuwa Square in front of the Ile Oodua (Ooni’s palace) is expected to have many dignitaries in attendance, among who are the Queen Elizabeth England; President Muhammadu Buhari; some governors; ministers and other important personalities from within and outside the country.

Ogunwusi, who is the 51st Ooni of Ife, succeeded Oba Okunade Sijuwade, who joined his ancestors on July 28 in a London hospital at the age of 85.

Ogunwusi was announced the new Ooni on October 26 and he started the installation rites on October 28 when he arrived in Ife. He proceeded to Ilofi (seclusion,) where he was initiated.

A close ally of the new Ooni, Mr. Biyi Odunlade, told our correspondent that the new monarch was ready to impact his subjects positively with his wealth and influence.

Odunlade said Ogunwusi had started the construction of a big resort along Ife-Ibadan Expressway. This, he said, would engage some people and would also attract people to the town.

Ogunwusi had on Wednesday said he would establish a football academy which, according to him, would liberate some youths from the grip of unemployment.

Meanwhile, the Osun State House of Assembly has urged Ogunwusi to work with other Obas and government at all levels in the interest of peace and development.

The assembly gave the advice in a statement issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Olatubosun Oyintiloye, a copy of which was made available to one of our correspondents in Osogbo on Sunday.

The lawmakers urged Oba Ogunwusi to use his office to foster a peaceful coexistence not only in Ife and the Yorubaland but throughout the country and beyond.

The statement read, “Ooni Ogunwusi should give an inimitable service and surpass the worthy legacies of his predecessors.

“He was also admonished to work with other traditional rulers and government at all levels to inspire harmony, peace and development in the country.

“The new Ooni should also use his position as the custodian of the cultural heritage and traditions of the Yorubaland for the service of the people,” the statement added.

The lawmakers commended ruling houses in Ile-Ife for the manner in which they resolved their differences during the selection process.

They also congratulated the Osun State Government, the state’s Council of Obas, and the people of the state, especially the descendants of Ife on the peaceful transition.

“The spontaneous enthusiasm that greeted the announcement of the new monarch across Ile-Ife, the Osun State and the entire nation is a substantiation of the better days ahead,” the statement said.

The immediate past Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government in Lagos, Comrade Ayodele Adewale has described the donation of security equipment worth about N4.8bn to the Nigerian Police by the Lagos State Government as worthwhile, considering the several gadgets procured with the sum.

Adewale, in an interview with journalists said it was highly commendable that the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode brought his accounting acumen to bear in acquiring several gadgets with such amount, adding that the development had truly announced the Governor as a good manager of resources.

A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George, yesterday said he never met Col.Sambo Dasuki let alone take money from him.

A statement yesterday by Prof. Tejumade Akitoye – Rhodes, of Lagos Collectives on behalf of Chief George, said it was wrong to link him with collection of cash from the ex-NSA’s office.

“For the record, Chief Bode George did not collect a farthing from Dasuki or anybody else whatsoever. He has never even set eyes on the former NSA throughout his tenure in office talk less of collecting money from him. Dasuki of course is very much alive to corroborate this position,” the statement said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday combed the Abuja residence of the former Chairman, DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, in continuation of its investigation into the controversial disbursement of $2bn arms procurement funds by the ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

It was gathered on Thursday in Abuja that Dokpesi was taken to his house in Abuja, where the operatives of the anti-graft agency searched the businessman’s residence for certain clues that might aid its probe.

It was not clear what the operatives looked for in the residence and if they succeeded in taking away any document.

After the search, the suspect was taken back to the EFCC headquarters, where he was kept overnight.

Dokpesi, had, in a statement on Wednesday, said the N2.1bn he collected from Dasuki’s office, was meant for publicity and media campaigns during the 2015 general elections, describing it as a contractual transaction.

A 13-man committee set up by the Office of the NSA to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and defence sector from 2007 to date had unearthed alleged illicit and fraudulent financial transactions on the purchase of arms during the period.

The committee had submitted an interim report to the Presidency.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, after the submission of the interim report, the total extra budgetary interventions so far articulated by the committee was estimated at N643.8bn

The committee also put the foreign currency component of the arms contracts at $2bn, an amount, it said, excluded grants from state governments and funds collected by the DSS and Police.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has arrested a former Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Marine Safety, Air Vice Marshal Salihu Atawodi (retd.), for alleged N600m arms scam.

It was learnt that the retired military officer was invited to the commission’s Abuja office by 11am on Thursday and was grilled for several hours.

A top operative of the commission said Atawodi was invited to the commission’s headquarters for alleged conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

He was alleged to have awarded contracts to the tune of N600m to one Alhaji Rabiu’s Hypertech Nigeria Limited for the procurement of military boats, which were not supplied.

The source said, “The commission is of the view that the contract for the supply of the military boats, which were awarded for N600m, were not supplied.

“He is being interrogated in connection with the alleged scam.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest and the ongoing interrogation of the AVM.

Meanwhile, Dasuki has denied implicating anybody during his appearance at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the $2bn arms procurement probe.

According to an Abuja-based public relations outfit, PRNigeria, Dasuki spoke on Thursday through his lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN).

PRNigeria reported that not all the funds in the NSA office were spent on the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram.

It stated that part of the funds was spent on miscellaneous items such as refreshment and office maintenance.

Dasuki’s lawyer denied a report that the former NSA implicated some people in the statement he made at the EFCC on Wednesday.

Raji stated, “I was with Dasuki yesterday (Wednesday) and wish to make categorical statement that my client never made any statement of such nature or naming anybody or group in any statement.

“Quote me anywhere, Dasuki has not done anything like that. It is absolutely untrue. It is the figment of the imagination of the authors aimed at creating falsehood for reasons best known to them and Nigerians should disregard them.

“They are just out to scandalise the man, bring his image and character into disrepute so that his friends and well wishers can run away from him. They want him deserted and that will fail.”

A newspaper publication on Thursday claimed that Dasuki listed ex-governors and Peoples Democratic Party chiefs in the $2bn arms deals.

Also PRNigeria reported that not all funds in Office of the National Security Adviser were related to arms’ procurement.

It stated, “The ONSA manages several funds for national security and other special interventions, which are not related to Boko Haram arms procurement.’’

The Economic  and Financial Crimes Commission, yesterday, continued its arrest of high profile politicians and top military officers over the $2bn arms contract allegedly disbursed by the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA.

Suspects arrested, yesterday, included the former Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Marine Safety, Air Vice Marshal Salihu Atawodi.

Others who are already being detained in connection with the arms deal include former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa and former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda.Atawodi was accused of alleged diversion of N600 million meant for acquisition of military boats for the use of the Nigerian armed forces.

Chief Dokpesi reportedly told EFCC interrogators that the N2.1bn he collected from the NSA was meant for election publicity in media houses across the country, a disclosure strongly discountenanced by media operatives yesterday.

Atawodi was said to have awarded the contract for the boats and fully paid for them while none was supplied at the end of the day, thereby making Nigeria lose the funds.

According to a competent source in the EFCC, Atawodi, who recently retired from the Air Force, was arrested Wednesday and taken into EFCC custody for questioning.

The former fighter pilot, the source claimed, is likely to be charged with conspiracy, abuse of public office and misappropriation of public funds.

He awarded the contract to one Alhaji Rabiu’s Hypertech Nigeria Limited. The contractor was fully paid but the boats were never supplied.

The source  further disclosed that the contract award process violated the Procurement Act.

AVM Atawodi who has been on the radar of the anti-graft agency since 2013, was quizzed for several hours on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, after he responded to the invitation extended to him. He arrived EFCC headquarters at about 11am.

EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren confirmed Atawodi’s presence at the Commission, adding that he is assisting the investigation.

At press time, the retired Air Force officer was still with operatives of the commission.

His arrest added to the increasing number of high profile Nigerian politicians and top military officers implicated in the diversion of defence budget, which the Buhari administration has sworn to unearth and punish.

Arrests one-sided, says PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, which was in power when the alleged diversion of huge funds occurred, has, however, kicked against the attempt to bring these men to justice, describing the move as politically motivated and one-sided.

I implicated nobody — Dasuki

Meanwhile, embattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, yesterday, refuted reports that he implicated many persons, including stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the statement he volunteered before the panel probing his alleged complicity  in the $2billion arms purchase deal.

Speaking through his lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, yesterday, Dasuki, said he never made any statement or implicated anyone or group at the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, even as he wondered  where the reports emanated from.

Raji said: “I was with Dasuki yesterday (Wednesday) and wish to make categorical statement that my client never made any statement of such nature or naming anybody or group in any statement.

“Quote me anywhere, Dasuki has not done anything like that. It is absolutely untrue. It is the figment of the imagination of the authors aimed at creating falsehood for reasons best known to them and Nigerians should disregard them.

“They are just out to scandalise the man, bring his image and character into disrepute so that his friends and well wishers can run away from him. They want him deserted and that will fail”, he added.

Court rules on Dasuki’s bail Dec 8

Meantime, Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, fixed December 8 to deliver ruling on an application by the federal government, seeking to revoke Dasuki’s bail.

FG had in the application it filed pursuant to Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, also sought an order  committing the former NSA to prison pending his trial.

Already, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, has contracted a private prosecutor,  Mr. Oladipupo Opeseyitan, SAN, to handle the case for government.

Opeseyitan who announced his appearance at the resumed hearing on the matter yesterday, told trial Justice Adeniyi that he has gone before the court of appeal to challenge the ruling that permitted Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

He said that he has  also  filed a motion for stay of execution of the ruling, even as he urged the high court to put the ruling on hold pending determination of the appeal.

Responding, Dasuki’s lawyer, Raji,  told the court that he was only served a copy of the motion yesterday morning, saying he would need time to reply accordingly.

It will be recalled that though Dasuki was on September 1, granted bail by the high court on self recognition, however, trial Justice Ademola Adeniyi, on November 3, while granting the defendant leave to travel abroad for medical treatment, varied his bail condition.

Justice Adeniyi ordered the erstwhile NSA to produce a surety that must be ready to face prosecution should he (Dasuki), go into hiding after his medical treatment in the United Kingdom.

The court further directed the release of his hitherto seized traveling documents,   saying Dasuki should return same to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the high court within 72 hours of his return from the three-week medical trip.

It was this order that  government asked the court to vacate by revoking the bail  granted to the defendant.

On why the bail should be revoked, FG, told the court that Dasuki is undergoing investigation by the committee auditing procurement of arms/equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence Sector from 2007 to date.

It said that an interim report of the committee showed that over $2 billion was allegedly embezzled and that Dasuki’s presence is required to assist in further investigations.

“That there is a Federal Government directive for the arrest of all those indicted by the report, including the defendant (Dasuki) and that the ongoing investigation which borders on money laundering against the defendant has not been concluded and there is fear that investigation might be tampered with on account of foreign visit by the respondent before the completion of investigation.

It maintained  that the ailment for which permission was given to Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom for treatment can be properly treated in the National Hospital, Abuja and other teaching hospitals in Nigeria.

Besides, FG, told the court  that there is an intelligence report that Dasuki has concluded plans to take advantage of the court order releasing his international passport to escape justice and tamper with ongoing investigations.

Despite the permission of the court, FG, using operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, prevented Dasuki from travelling outside the country.

He was subsequently arrested and handed over to the EFCC for interrogation over the alleged $2bn arms deal fraud.

I didn’t receive a dime from Dasuki— Bafarawa

In a related development, former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa who is also being being held by the anti-graft commission in connection with the arms deal money has denied receiving any money from Dasuki. He was said to have collected about N4.6 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser, for “spiritual purposes”.

An aide of the former governor who served under him as a Special Adviser on Youth and Students Matters, Alhaji Akibu Dalhatu said yesterday that his boss had no such financial dealing with the former NSA nor did he collect any money from him for any purpose.

“The former governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa did not receive any money from Col. Sambo Dasuki for any arms deal or for any purpose” Dalhatu said.

Dalhatu who said he had visited the former governor at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, added that his boss was never arrested at home or anywhere else as alleged in some quarters saying Bafarawa merely honoured an invitation extended to him by the anti-graft agency.

“The truth is that Governor Bafarawa went to the EFCC to honour  an invitation made to him by the agency while he was abroad. He had informed them through a letter by his lawyers that he was abroad and would honour their invitation on return. Governor Bafarawa went to the office of EFCC with his lawyer and an aide” he said.

Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim has denied sponsoring the ongoing pro-Biafra protests‎, saying any assertion to the contrary is the handiwork of detractors.

Anyim, a former Senate President who spoke through his Media Adviser, Sam Nwaobasi Thursday, added that he is neither under house arrest nor any form of investigation.

“We find it despicable that some people have taken it upon themselves to disparage, embarrass, ridicule, insult and indeed incite the public against Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, since he left office as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, through publication of bare-faced lies, fabrication of baseless stories and peddling of rumours on phantom issues that make no meaning or sense.

“We have resisted the temptation to join issues with these gangs of debased characters. However, there is a limit to what can be ignored”, Nwaobasi said.

According to him, “Sen. Anyim is not sponsoring, has not sponsored and will never sponsor any protest by any group against the Government or our dear country Nigeria”.

He added that Sen. Anyim is not under any investigation for any such allegation, warning those behind what he described as dastardly and mischievous acts to stop forthwith.

“They must bear in mind that those who rise up against an innocent person are only setting themselves up for a fatal fall”, he added.

An online media portal had reported how Anyim is currently under investigation for sponsoring activities of Radio Biafra as well as pro-Biafra protests.

The portal also added that the former SGF has been accused of taking huge sums from the coffers of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC while in office, which he now allegedly uses to fund the pro-Biafra agitation.

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja for South Africa today to participate in the Forum on China/Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg where he will ask China’s President Xi Jinping to fund rail and power projects urgently needed to diversify an economy hit hard by a plunge in oil prices.

The meeting would be a continuation of his interaction with Jinping which began in New York during the last General Assembly of the United Nations, UN.

The President would be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema; Minister of Transportation, Chubuike Amaechi; and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah to the forum which would commence on December 4 and end on December 5.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, stated that during the meeting in New York, President Buhari had indicated to Xi Jinping that “he wanted China to re-commence stalled rail projects under new terms that would see China providing nearly all the financing required.”

The statement added that “of particular interest is the coastal railway project stretching for 1402 kilometres linking Lagos in the West with Calabar in the East; a project that is expected to be financed with 12 billion U.S Dollars Chinese loan and which will create about 200,000 jobs.”

Another rail project that will be up for renegotiation is the $8.3bn Lagos-Kano standard gauge modernization project, of which only a segment, Kaduna-Abuja has reached completion stage.

Outside from railways, President Buhari is also expected to discuss ways of kick-starting the 3,050 MW Mambila Power Station, considered to be a strategic project initiated in 1982 but has not taken off.

Adesina revealed that the Chinese President expressed the willingness of his country to finance the whole project through a special loan agreement.

The president is expected back to Nigeria on December 5.

A former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged the federal government to call the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, to order, saying Mr. Oshiomhole is seeking how to link her to the $2.1 billion arms probe.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she had “absolutely nothing” to do with the arms issue.

The Nigerian government has made high profile arrests in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged $2.1 billion arms contract.

Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was arrested Tuesday.

Mr. Oshiomhole was quoted Wednesday by Leadership newspaper as saying the immediate past finance minister, and former President Goodluck Jonathan, should also be prosecuted as they gave approval for funds to be released.

“The issue is whether the Nigerian president under the constitution has the power to approve funds belonging to local, state and federal government- funds that have not been appropriated by the National Assembly,” Mr. Oshiomhole was quoted by the paper as saying.

“That is a criminal offense for which Okonjo-Iweala ought to face criminal prosecution. These things are just discussed and wished away. For me, I will stick for the truth and don’t care what people will say,” he said.

In an emailed statement signed by her spokesperson, Paul Nwabuiku, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said that it is an abuse of public office, the judicial process and her human rights for Governor Oshiomhole “whom she stopped from taking a highly suspicious N15 billion loan to make false allegations against her while hiding behind the constitutional immunity granted state governors”.

“As recently confirmed by the Debt Management Office, professional analysis showed that Oshiomhole’s loan request which was based on using low interest World Bank loan to offset high interest commercial loans would have left Edo state with a heavy debt burden and the state would have found it very difficult to pay back,” the former minister said.

The former minister said it was unconscionable for the governor to embark on a “campaign of lies against her because she thwarted his dubious loan request”.

She described the governor’s unsubstantiated allegations as a “cynical personalization of the anti-corruption campaign to achieve ignoble objectives”.

“Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala therefore put Mr. Oshiomhole and his ilk on notice that she has briefed her lawyers and that she is ready to explore all legal means, local and international, to defend her name against corrupt and compromised persons,” her spokesperson said.

“It has become a pattern of behaviour that each time Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is internationally recognized, Governor Oshiomhole and his cohorts embark on a cynical and devious ploy of trying to pull her down locally.

“Just last night, December 1, Okonjo-Iweala was honoured at a high profile event attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Okonjo Iweala was honoured alongside Michael Bloomberg, Bill and Melinda Gates and Mo Ibrahim for their contributions to global development and humanity.

“Gov. Oshiomhole and his cohorts should realize that their ill-motivated attempts to taint Dr Okonjo Iweala’s reputation will never succeed!” the statement said.

… Assures Of Quality Road Delivery Across Delta

Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has commended the pace of work at the dualisation of Nnebisi road to Cable Point, Asaba saying the project would be completed within three months.
The governor on Tuesday accompanied by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro , commissioners and other top government officials inspected the road project from Traffic Light, Asaba and the Okpanam road dualisation project assuring that measures have been put in place to ensure that all contractors handling road projects in the state delivers quality work.
According to the Governor, the contractor handling the road to Cable Point road project has given the assurance that the road would be completed within three months, observing that from the speed exhibited by the contractor, the road would be delivered in record time and to specification.
He also doused fears about early completion of the Okpanam dualisation project saying, ““I think the work in Okpanam is going very well, the dualisation of the road and the drainage is coming up very well and they are moving much faster and we intend to release some mobilization to the contractor because, I have confirmed that the contractor was not mobilised by the previous administration, so, we intend to release some money to him because, he has been working solely with his company’s fund,” he said, adding, “when he is mobilized, he will move faster than what is going on now.”
The Governor continued, “there is still a lot of work to be done because, after the drains are completed, we will also have to do a connecting drainage that will channel all the water from the drains to the river and after the construction of the drains, the road will be dualised to Okpanam from Asaba; it is a huge project but, it will be delivered for the benefits of the people.”
He also spoke on efforts to tackle erosion in Asaba, disclosing, “we want to tackle erosion situation in Asaba because, we have found out that the current surface drains cannot meaningfully take care of the water during the rainy season; we have been advised to construct storm drains which means, we are going to have a very high diameter circular drains that will go very deep down which can take the volume of water and this will take care of the DLA and Jesus Saves road area,” the Governor said.
Senator Okowa also hinted that, “the work on Okpanam road will be slowed down because a storm drainage has to be constructed all through Okpanam, connecting to Nnebisi to the FMC road which will lead to the River Niger and these are very major projects; the estimate we have at the moment is about N9 billion because the sewage will be constructed in such a way that it will be big and wide enough for cars to drive though, for people to walk through.”
Governor Okowa also used the occasion to speak on ongoing projects by his administration asserting, “there are lots of ongoing projects at the moment; the Ozanogo road, about four roads have been awarded in Okpe local government area, the Sapele dualisation project will be starting next week and hopefully, the road leading to the Oleh Campus of the Delta State University has been completed but we intend to extend it further to Emede junction; there are other road projects that are going on in the state and we have a project monitoring team which is made up of engineers because we want to make sure that we get value for our money.”
“We are in very challenging times, but, we have very good managers in this administration, not just myself but, a team of intelligent people who are putting head together, trying to cut cost and make savings in different ways so that we are able to impact positively on our people; we are looking at generating funds through our internally generated revenue without impacting negatively on our people,” assured.

Sambo Dasuki, has been transferred into the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A source told a SaharaReporters correspondent that Mr. Dasuki will be interrogated for his role in the $2.1 billion arms contract scandal.

Former members of his staff in the Office of the National Security Adviser, and AIT Chairman Raymond Dokpesi were arrested this week all in relation to this arms contract scandal.

…Shares Vision, Opportunities With Investors In London
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday met with potential investors from over 40 countries at the just concluded Trade and Investment Forum, put together by PricewaterhouseCoopers, held at the Dorchester Hotel, Mayfair, London, where he posited that the State has the capacity to drive trade and investment in the African continent.
Governor Ambode who spoke at a special session tagged ‘An Audience with the Governor of Lagos State’, said his administration is working hard to make the State the bridge into Africa and become the staging post for trade and investment in the continent.
He said that since assuming office as the 14th Governor of the State, he set out to reposition Lagos as the ‘global gateway’ for Africa and an easy place to do business.
“Our strategic imperative is to see Lagos emerge as an International Financial Centre of repute in Africa and beyond. Indeed, I am confident that Lagos stands poised to sustain and further develop a buoyant financial and consumer services’ industry. We have the population and the rise of an emerging middle class to back this up. Lagos is a new market, a new frontier for you to consider”, the Governor said.
He said the need for diversification of the economy in the wake of the ongoing decline in oil prices with its inevitable consequences on the nation’s economy was not negotiable as Nigeria can no longer rely on a mono economy.
“We require huge investments in public infrastructure, production of energy, health and education to enable us take full advantage of the evolving economic conditions. The World Bank estimates that nearly $93 billion is required annually as investment in Africa and it is estimated that the city of Lagos will require at least a quarter of this figure”, he said.
The Governor, who spoke on the topic, ‘Lagos: A City of Opportunity’, said that despite being the smallest state in Nigeria in terms of space, Lagos remains the commercial hub of the country as its GDP currently stands at $136.6 billion, while it contributes 25% to the GDP of Nigeria, making it arguably Africa’s fourth largest economy.
“The GDP of Lagos has an estimated growth rate of 10% and it is expected that by 2025 the GDP will be $355billion. At present, 18 of Fortune 500 global companies have a presence in Lagos State. As at January 2015 the population of Lagos was 21 million making it Africa’s largest city and the 3rd largest city in the world. The population has an average annual growth rate of 3.2% and is estimated to be over 30 million by 2025.These are indeed impressive figures”, he said.
Governor Ambode, however, said that like many other mega cities of the world, Lagos has its own challenges, but his administration is engaging key leaders within the private sector to tackle the challenges head on.
He said the strategic imperatives of his administration is built on four pillars, namely infrastructural development, Economic Development, Social Development and Sustainable Development.
“I would like to emphasize my Government’s commitment to the development of Lagos. These are exciting times for our city and I urge you to reflect on the new market and frontiers which Lagos presents”.
“As I conclude today, I will take this opportunity to invite Nigerians in the diaspora to come home. We need your skills and experience to contribute your quota into building our nation. We all have a “social obligation” to transform our country into the dream status we aspire, but it will require aggressive innovations and creativity from us all”, he said.
Governor Ambode and his team, which include some Commissioners and Special Advisers also participated in the Africa Global Summit (TGAIS) which started on December 1, at the Central Hall, Westminster, London, where they held several one-on-one meetings with key investors who have shown strong interest in investing in transportation, energy, infrastructure and agriculture sectors in Lagos
Some key Nigerian and foreign investors who attended the forum include President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Chairman of the Zenon Group, Femi Otedola; Churchgate Group, Japanese Group – Matuerbeni, AmatheurAgric, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse.
The UK Minister for Africa, James Duddridge and Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ray Kyles were also in attendance.

Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole has urged the federal government to also prosecute former President Goodluck Jonathan and immediate past finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for approving spending of funds from the excess crude account without appropriation by the National Assembly.

This is just as the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday arrested the former national security adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) quizzed former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa, and chairman, Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi in connection with the on-going arms deal investigation.

According to the governor, Jonathan and the former minister should be made to face law since it had been established that they made approvals for which billions of dollars released for the procurement of arms for counter-terrorism operations under Jonathan.

The former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) had admitted receiving an extra-budgetary allocation of $2.1 billion from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) within nine months after approvals by former President Jonathan.

Oshiomhole insisted that both Jonathan and Okonjo-Iweala must face prosecution because the Nigerian constitution does not empower the president to spend money not appropriated by the National Assembly.

“The issue is whether the Nigerian President under the constitution has the power to approve funds belonging to local, state and federal government- funds that have not been appropriated by the National Assembly. That is a criminal offense for which Okonjo-Iweala ought to face criminal prosecution. These things are just discussed and wished away. For me, I will stick for the truth and don’t care what people will say”, he stated.

Quoting the Money Laundering Act which stipulates that if one takes cash in excess of N5 million transaction, it is money laundering and it is criminal, the governor urged the federal government not to prosecute Dasuki without the former president and Okonjo-Iweala.

His words, “Talking about revelation, look at the letter credited to Dasuki – the immediate past National Security Adviser. In his defence which I read in your paper, he seems to admit that money was spent but it was approved by the President. Does the Nigerian constitution empower the President to spend money which has not been appropriated by the National Assembly? And they took cash from the CBN. The Money Laundering Act says if you take cash in excess of N5 million transaction, it is money laundering and it is criminal.

“So, by Dasuki’s letter, he has also confirmed that Okonjo-Iweala is a privy to spending money never appropriated and therefore criminal, and that cash were being moved contrary to the money laundering act. Just using Dasuki’s own defence, you can see a case of conspiracy has been established between Dasuki, Okonjo-Iweala and all those involved in that transaction,” Oshiomhole submitted.

SSS arrests Dasuki, as EFCC quizzes Bafarawa, Dokpesi, others

The Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday arrested the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), just as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) quizzed former Sokoto State governor Attahiru Bafarawa, and chairman, Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi in connection with their alleged involvement in the on going arms deal investigations.

Dasuki was said to have been arrested from his Abuja residence at about 10 am yesterday.

Others in custody of the EFCC also include, Shuaibu Salisu, Dasuki’s director of finance, Aminu Baba Kusa, a member of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC executive director, Abba M.T. Usman, Evegny Kundaev, Attahiru Maccido, Salisa Umar Garu, Oyinmiebl Bribena, Olukoya Olusegun Godwin, and Olukayode Raimi.

Sagir Bafarawa, son of former Sokoto Stake governor, Atahiru Bafarawa, was arrested on Monday over the same allegation. Sagir, according to the EFCC had allegedly received the sum of N4.6 billion from the office of the NSA, on his father’s behalf.

Former administration of President Goodluck Jonathan was said to have approved $2.2 billion for the procumbent of arms for the nation’s military to tackle the menace of Boko Haram. Bulk of the arms procurement deal were said to have been carried out by the office of the former NSA.

Dokpesi and Bafarawa (senior) were reported to have been picked from their respective houses in Abuja by separate teams of EFCC operatives at about 12pm yesterday.

The spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrest of the three politicians to journalists, was not forthcoming with details of how and why the arrests were made. He however said all those arrested in connection with the crime were being investigated.

The notable Nigerians were taken to the headquarters of the EFCC where they were being quizzed on their involvement over the missing multi-billion-dollar arms deal.

Their arrests may have suggested that the worse may not have been heard of how dirty the arms deal had alledgely been.

Dokpesi was alleged to have received through one of the firms under Daar Communication Holdings, a sum of N2.1 billion from the office of the NSA when Dasuki was in charge during the administration of Jonathan.

But one of his lead lawyers, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has debunked the alleged claim, saying that his client did not take any arms contract from Dasuki.

It was not clear what Dokpesi, a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was meant to do with the funds, even though his TV station had accepted and aired some damaging advertorials from the then ruing PDP that maligned incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari (then a candidate of the APC) which many other sister stations had avoided like a plague.

Dasuki may be arraigned in court today or tomorrow before Justice Adeniyi Ademola, where his suit, earlier filed asking the court for a permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, was granted.

Dokpesi was not arrested by EFCC but invited- Ozekhome

But his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has said that Dokpesi was not arrested but invited by the EFCC.

He said, “Chief Dokpesi was not arrested but invited by the EFCC. He went there on his own volition, voluntarily upon a mere phone call, asking him to see the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu. The EFCC was trying to find out if there was any contract awarded to one of the firms under Daar Holdings from the office of the NSA. The firm later replied that there was no such contract in its record. The commission later demanded for the list of directors and same was made available to the agency. One of our lawyers accompanied Dokpesi to the EFCC and I believe that he will be released once he is through with the questioning.”

The EFCC have so far arrested 16 persons in connection with the alleged theft of billions of naira meant for the procurement of arms for the nation’s military that is currently battling to combat a homemade terror group.

Dokpesi’s arrest is politically motivated – PDP

Peoples Democartic Party (PDP) national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, has faulted Dokpesi’s arrest, saying that the action is tantamount to military style of pronouncement of guilt on Dokpesi before any fair hearing.

He said, “While the PDP is not against the war against corruption, we insist that the crusade must be carried out within the limits of the law and not as a guise to persecute and torture opposition elements in the country”.

“Our fear is that with the pronouncement of guilt even without being giving the opportunity within his rights as a citizen to state his own side of the story, the President Buhari-led government is sidestepping the laws to ensure that Dokpesi does not get justice in the court, a plot which they want to extend to other PDP leaders.

“The PDP therefore demands an open and public trial of all those arrested so that all issues and charges against them as well as their defence therein would also be in the public domain. We demand a proper investigation and lawful prosecution instead of the reprehensible resort to outright political persecution, which can only have a place in a military regime.”

Friends, political associates abandon Dasuki

But it seems no one is standing by Dasuki in this latest twist of event concerning the multibillion-dollar arms deal as his friends and close associates have suddenly abandoned him, Leadership investigations reveal.

Political associates, friends and relations of the embattled former NSA seemed to have distanced themselves from him as his chances of escaping the arms of law continued to nose-dive by the day.

According to an informed source close to ex-NSA, his political associates have left him in the cold: his friends and relations including those he worked with under the watch of Jonathan.

“Until his arrest today (yesterday), his residence had been deserted by political associates, friends and even relations for fear of being arrested or invited by security operatives,” one of his neighbours who does not want his name in print told our correspondent.

According to him, “Since the arrest of (former Sokoto state governor, Attahiru) Bafarawa’s son by the security people coupled with the reports that Boni Haruna who stood for him in the court was invited and questioned by those people, everyone who knows the man has been running away.”

Speaking further, the source disclosed that Dasuki’s wife and one of his children were the only ones living in the house adding that, “and even the son does not know what to do since he has been away from the country for his studies for years and only came in to look after his father’s health.

I am not involved in N60bn arms deal – Saraki

Meanwhile, Senate President, Bukola Saraki has dissociated himself from the alleged N60 billion arms deal involving Dasuki .

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that contrary to reports published by SaharaReporters, he has no hands in the purchase of security equipment because in his entire political career he never served in any committee or body which has any link with defence or national security.

The statement reads in part, “As a member of the Seventh Senate, Saraki was not a member of any of the committees which have oversight function on the Ministry of Defence or the intelligence and national security apparatus. If he was tagged the leader of the opposition to the Jonathan administration, how then will he be privy to Arms purchases and have the influence to blackmail any government agency or institution over the release of funds.

“The Senate President would like to alert members of the public to this new plot by this particular online medium, SaharaReporters to tarnish his reputation as the medium and its sponsors pursue the singular objective of removing him from the office of the Senate President, an objective they have since failed to achieve within and outside the National Assembly”

“SaharaReporters and its sponsors chose to drag the Senate President to the issue of arms purchase by insinuating that he once blackmailed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give him and other Senators the sum of N250 million as a way of covering up the arbitrary withdrawal by the NSA from the security fund approved by the former President.

“First, there is no logic in SaharaReporters’ claim as Saraki who was persecuted by the last administration could not have had the influence and good standing to walk up to the Central Bank to demand for any money having exposed many atrocities of the past administration. Again, on what ground would the Senate President blackmail anyone for 250 Million naira? It must be emphasised here that Dr. Saraki will never engage in any sharp practice or issue which will warrant him to blackmail any individual or government institution.

“Therefore for record purposes, Dr. Saraki did not collect any money from any official of the CBN in respect of any arms deal. The Senate president also challenge SaharaReporters or any official of the apex bank, senator, serving or past, who witnessed or participated in any sharing of the alleged money purported to have been received by him, to come out with evidence.

“It should be recalled that SaharaReporters believe it can continue to disparage and defame people claiming that it is operating outside the country. The medium cannot operate above the law.

“This same medium had falsely published the data page of a forged passport it purportedly claimed belonged to Saraki. The Home Office in the United Kingdom has since written to confirm that the said passport, does not belong to the Senate president. Also, SaharaReporters once claimed that Saraki bribed some judges using a former Chief Justice of Nigeria as a front. The claim has since been proven to be false. Anybody who knows the reputation of the retired Justice in question knows that he cannot be used to pervert the cause of justice.

“It also claimed that Saraki tried to cover up the case of $20 billion missing NNPC fund and indeed collected “cash and gifts” from former President Goodluck Jonathan through Mr. Gilbert Chagoury when in actual fact the Senate president was the only member of the Senate committee who refused to sign the majority report of the Makarfi committee because he disagreed with the report which he believed did not address the matter. It is strange however that a man who dissociated himself from the probe report because he believed it amounted to a cover up was later accused by the same online medium as supporting attempts to hide the issue of the missing funds. This is not only completely false, but also a fiction concocted by SaharaReporters to defame Dr. Saraki.

“The game being played by SaharaReporters and its sponsors is clear. As they have done in previous cases involving the on-going trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, they are targeting the Appeal at the Supreme Court coming up on Thursday, December 3rd 2015. They want to prejudice the Supreme Court as they have done when they blackmailed a judge of the Federal High Court to withdraw from the case and also published false reports, which compelled the Court of Appeal to postpone its judgment at the last minute.

“Whatever the motive of SaharaReporters, it is high time we employed the instrument of the law to stop this act of impunity aimed at publishing false reports believing the victims will not go to court or be frustrated by its dubious claims that they are domiciled outside Nigeria.

“We urge all Nigerians and other well-meaning individuals across the globe to ignore this absolutely false claim by SaharaReporters. Like we earlier stated, this false claim shall not go unchallenged. We shall meet in court.

“We have allowed SaharaReporters enough latitude to indulge in their unscrupulous and mischievous method of journalism. However, enough is enough. We have no option than to commence legal action against SaharaReporters in all relevant jurisdictions, particularly on the issue of fake passport, false claim of bribery and the recent one on blackmail, all aimed at tarnishing the image of the Senate President.

“We need to put an end to this concerted mischief of defaming the person and good reputation of Senator Bukola Saraki. We will vigorously defend the integrity of the Senate President. We believe law and global best practices should guide these cyber-warriors. They have abused the docility of the law for too long. Enough is enough.”