Wednesday 27 January 2016
Sunday 17 January 2016
Two weeks after the formal introduction of the Treasury Single Accounting (TSA) system in Sokoto, the state government said it has uncovered the sum of N1.5b lying idle in 100 redundant accounts belonging to it in various commercial banks in the country.
The state commissioner of finance, Alhaji Umar Saidu, who stated this in Sokoto Sunday while giving an update on the system's implementation, said government is determined to trace and close down all dormant and inactive accounts operated by it.
He added that more analysis are being undertaken efficiently and at regular intervals.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, Oyo state governor Abiola Ajimobi and Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi were among the dignitaries that attended the 60th birthday party of Senator fareedah Raji-Rasaki at the Civic Center in Lagos on Friday January 15th. Continue to see more photos ...
Embattled ex-militant chief, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, has issued a statement of threat to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Tompolo
Daily Post reports that Tompolo stated in his communique that President Muhammadu Buhari will not know peace if the Niger Delta region knows no peace.
Tompolo said this in reaction to allegations that he attacked oil installations in Warri area of Delta state.
The statement issued by his media aide, Paul Bebenimibo, reads in part: “Well, I am sure this is what President Buhari is looking for. He should allow the people of the Niger Delta Region to know peace, otherwise he will not know peace as well.”
The former militant lord was accused of being the spearhead of an alleged militant attack in which a gas pipeline in Warri southwest local government are was blown up.
Tompolo who condemned the act, said his name is being associated with the crime just because he has a pending case in court with the federal government. He advised those behind the crime to desist from such dastard acts.
A suspected member of a gang of ritual killers, Ganiyu Tajudeen (25), has been arrested by the operatives of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (FSARS), Osun State Command, after the killing and beheading of a four-year-old Bakare Teslim.
The killing was said to have occurred in Iragbiji, the headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State recently.
The FSARS operatives have through the arrest curbed the activities of the gang which was said to have carried out series of murder of innocent residents of Osun State in recent times.
Saturday Tribune learnt that Tajudeen connived with other gang members whose names were given as Aremu Moshood (48), Agboola Abdulwasiu (31) and Ganiyu Abidoye (60) to lure the four-year-old Bakare Teslim away from his parents’ residence on the pretext of buying him groundnuts.
A police source told Saturday Tribune that the father of the victim, Mr Ismail Bakare of Agbelekale area of Iragbiji, disclosed to law enforcement agents that on getting home on the day of the incident, he was informed by an aged woman living in his neighbourhood that Tajudeen had come to take away his son to buy groundnut.
But to his surprise, when the little boy was nowhere to be seen afterwards, the response to his enquiries on the whereabouts of his son was negative, as he denied setting his eye on the boy.
The disappearance of the four-year-old led to the matter being reported at the office of the FSARS and through investigation, the suspect confessed to have taken the boy to an unknown destination with the sole aim of using him for money ritual.
Tajudeen also confessed that he and his partners in crime had already beheaded the young lad, adding that the boy’s head had been buried in a shallow grave, while the body was thrown somewhere and covered with leaves.
He thereafter took the FSARS operatives to the scene where the body was thrown while the head was exhumed few meters away from where the body was recovered.
In the suspect’s confession to the police, he stated that “I am a palm fruit cutter. The mother of the body came to my house to tell me that she would need my services to cut palm fruits, asking me to come the following day.
“But I went to her house at about 5.30p.m same day. I took the young boy with me, with the belief that no one noticed when he was going with me. I bought N20 worth of groundnut for him before taking him to my house at Iyana Olofa.”
The suspect initially claimed that he got the boy at the prompting of Moshood, who had earlier asked him to bring the urine, blood and hair of a young boy when he (Tajudeen) went to Moshood for ritual to make fortune and for protection. The suspect added that he went to Abdulwasiu for the same ritual and he also asked him to bring a boy.
Tajudeen indicted his father, Ganiyu Abidoye in his statement, saying that he was the one also told him to kill a boy and bury his body so that his acts would not be exposed.
He disclosed to the police that he took the deceased to Olokede bush where he cut his head with a knife and buried it, while he threw the body away.
Saturday Tribune gathered that Tajudeen had once been arrested in 2012 for stealing a child at Otapete area of Iragbiji. He was said to have been beaten and macheted by indigenes of the town before he was taken to the police station, while the rescued boy was returned to his parents. The accused Tajudeen was eventually charged to court and spent seven months in Ilesa prison.
But Moshood denied Tajudeen’s claim, saying that he was not a herbalist and could not have asked Tajudeen to bring anything for ritual. Among the exhibits found in Moshood’s house were two horns covered with red cloth, white cloth, four knives, bones, black soap and charm.
Speaking on the items, the suspect said that he was using one of the horns for self-protection while charmed arm band was also for him because of his involvement in politics. He added that the knives belonged to his wives.
It was also learnt that one of the suspects. Abdulwasiu had a pending case of kidnap in court before his latest arrest.
Meanwhile, the four suspects have been dragged before an Osogbo magistrates’ court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and unlawful and intentional killing of Teslim Bakare.
The suspects, whose pleas were not taken by Magistrate B.B Idowu Ajao, ordered that the suspects should be remanded in prison till next date of adjournment.
The case has been adjourned till February 18, 2016.
The suspects, whose pleas were not taken by Magistrate B.B Idowu Ajao, ordered that the suspects should be remanded in prison till next date of adjournment.
The case has been adjourned till February 18, 2016.
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state has strongly warned President Muhammadu Buhari against his order that 18 military Generals be probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Fayose said on Saturday, January 16, that if the army chiefs are to be probed for their involvement in the $2.1 billion armsgate, then it must be done in accordance with the armed forces rules of engagement.
The governor who spoke through Lere Olayinka, his aide, said: “the $2.1 billion arms deal is a scam because all that they are just doing is to brandish figures to deceive Nigerians and demonise the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and those opposed to his (Buhari’s) dictatorship in the All Progressive Congress (APC).
“Till today, the amount they have charged people for stealing is not up to N10 billion and $2.1 billion they claimed was stolen is about N600 billion.
“The President must let Nigerians see where the arms deal is in the 2015 budget and publish details of the imaginary $2.1 billion scam.
“Also, the President must tell Nigerians how his friend, Jafaru Isa was able to return N100 million to the EFCC within three days because there are insinuations that the N100 million refunded came from the Presidency.”
PM News reports that while reiterating his support for the war against anti-corruption, Fayose said it was strange for serving military generals to be interrogated by junior police officers, adding that“the President should not act in a way that he will be perceived as ridiculing the armed forces.“Even though I am not a military officer, I know that there is what is called orderly room trial or court martial, which military men who erred in the performance of their duties are made to go through.
“It is until they are found guilty and probably dismissed that they are made to face court trial.
“In this case, how does it feel for a serving military General to be interrogated by an Assistant Commissioner of Police?
I think we should not destroy our democratic institutions, especially the judiciary and the armed forces because we are fighting corruption.
“Already, the President has ridiculed the judiciary by disobeying the courts and coming on television to say that orders of the court do not hold waters.
“He is also destroying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by turning it to commission for inconclusive elections.
“He should not ridicule the military, and men of goodwill should advise the President to thread cautiously.
“Also, the international community, especially the United States, United Kingdom and the United Nations should caution the President against actions capable of bringing down institutions of government under the guise of fighting corruption.”
The governor who in recent times has come under fire from the APC, stressed that subjecting the superior military officers to the EFCC probe may stir some badblood within the Nigerian army.
Recall that Fayose recently challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to act on petitions submitted to it against chieftains of the ruling APC and President Buhari’s election sponsors.
Meanwhile, Some youths in Ekiti state under the aegis of Ekiti Kete Youths Forum have called for the probe of the Fayose-led administration.“Even though I am not a military officer, I know that there is what is called orderly room trial or court martial, which military men who erred in the performance of their duties are made to go through.
“It is until they are found guilty and probably dismissed that they are made to face court trial.
“In this case, how does it feel for a serving military General to be interrogated by an Assistant Commissioner of Police?
I think we should not destroy our democratic institutions, especially the judiciary and the armed forces because we are fighting corruption.
“Already, the President has ridiculed the judiciary by disobeying the courts and coming on television to say that orders of the court do not hold waters.
“He is also destroying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), by turning it to commission for inconclusive elections.
“He should not ridicule the military, and men of goodwill should advise the President to thread cautiously.
“Also, the international community, especially the United States, United Kingdom and the United Nations should caution the President against actions capable of bringing down institutions of government under the guise of fighting corruption.”
The governor who in recent times has come under fire from the APC, stressed that subjecting the superior military officers to the EFCC probe may stir some badblood within the Nigerian army.
Recall that Fayose recently challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to act on petitions submitted to it against chieftains of the ruling APC and President Buhari’s election sponsors.
Meanwhile, Some youths in Ekiti state under the aegis of Ekiti Kete Youths Forum have called for the probe of the Fayose-led administration.
Read the press statement from Ekiti state government below...Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has advised President Mohammadu Buhari on his order for 18 Military Generals to be probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in the $2.1 billion arms deal.Governor Fayose, who reacted to the president order for the 18 serving and retired military chiefs to appear before the EFCC from Monday, through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the military officers ought to have been probed in accordance with the armed forces rules of engagement.
The governor, who reiterated his support for the fight against corruption, said "the $2.1 billion arms deal is a scam because all that they are just doing is to brandish figures to deceive Nigerians and demonized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those opposed to his dictatorship in the All Progressive Congress (APC). Till today, the amount they have charged people for stealing is not up to N10 billion and $2.1 billion they claimed was stolen is about N600 billion.
"The president must let Nigerians see where the arms deal is in the 2015 Budget and publish details of the imaginary $2.1 billion scam. Also, the President must tell Nigerians how his friend, Jafaru Isa was able to return N100 million to the EFCC within three days because there are insinuations that the N100 million refunded came from the Presidency."
He said it was strange for serving military generals to be interrogated by junior police officers, adding that; "The president should not act in a way that he will be perceived as ridiculing the armed forces."
He said; "Even though I am not a military officer, but I know that there is what us called orderly room trial or court martial, which military men who erred in the performance of their duties are made to go through. It is until they are found guilty and probably dismissed that they are made to face court trial.
"In this case, how does it feel for a serving Military General to be interrogated by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)? "I think we should not destroy our democratic institutions, especially the judiciary and the armed forces because we are fighting corruption. "Already, the President has ridiculed the judiciary by disobeying the courts and coming on television to say that orders oyf the court do not hold waters. He is also destroying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by turning it to commission for inconclusive elections. He should not ridicule the military, and men of goodwill should advise the President to thread cautiously.
"Also, the international community, especially the United States, United Kingdom and the United Nations should caution the President against actions capable of bringing down institutions of government under the guise of fighting corruption."
Saturday 9 January 2016
The office of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has noted certain apparently sponsored reports in some section of the media dropping figures and falsely claiming that Chief Olisa Metuh got the sum of N1.4 billion in addition to receiving N4 million monthly stipend from the Office of the former National Security Adviser.
These reports are completely false, mischievous and fabricated to mislead the public and derail the course of proper investigation on issues relating to Chief Metuh.
For the avoidance of doubt, neither Chief Metuh nor his office received the figures being bandied. We therefore challenge the EFCC to substantiate that Chief Metuh received the said N1.4 billion figure as well as make public any evidence that he ever received N4 million monthly stipend from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
This office is deeply worried at the turnout of events since Tuesday when Chief Metuh was arreste and detained while fictitious figures continue to be bandied against him in the media.
Chief Metuh, as a well-known citizen and a public figure had always stated his readiness to honor any invitation by the EFCC or any agency of government for that matter on any issue regarding any allegations against him.
This office is therefore persuaded that the continued detention of Chief Metuh is ostensibly part of the plot by the APC to silence or keep the opposition spokesperson out of circulation for obvious reasons of clipping the wings of the opposition PDP.
A LIB reader with exclusive info said Lawyer Onyeabo forged several documents that belonged to his client to claim a payment that was meant for his client. His client won the court case and the said money was meant for him but, Onyeabo in connection with Ochi forged the man's document, got the money out in December 2014 and refused to give it to his client.
Despite the fact that lawyer Onyeabo pleaded not guilty to this charge, the Judge who presided over the case, M.A Adeyanju ordered that he should be remanded at Oke Kura prison in Ilorin, while the case was adjourned to next month.
Senator Uche Ekwunife, the former senator representing Anambra Senatorial District announced on Friday that she had defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).
The senator whose election was annuled by Appeal Court in Enugu on December 6, 2015, on grounds of irregularities. The court ordered a the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in the zone within 90 days.
Ekwunife also confirmed her defection to newsmen in Awka. She said:
"It's better now for me to join the APC. "Let the heat be there; I am already on campaigns for my return to the senate, to complete my contract with contract with the people of Anambra Central District."
Her full statement below:
"Today, I officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC)" her statement reads.
"You will recall that the election which returned me as your Senator was mischievously cancelled. The reason which the court adduced was that I was not duly and legitimately nominated as the PDP flag bearer for Anambra Central Senatorial election in 2015.
I also wish to let you know that a Federal High Court Abuja has Prior to this judgement upheld my candidacy in a suit filled by Chief Sylvester Okonkwo challenging the validity of my candidacy.
But then, even if I were not the valid candidate, the right thing for the court was to declare whosoever came second in the PDP Primaries as the authentic candidate and thereby replacing me as it is purely a party matter.
But the court which was FATHER CHRISTMAS granted Victor Umeh what he did not pray for, as his prayer was for the court to declare him winner of the election.
The court which has before it enough evidence that Umeh lost went ahead to nullify the election on the basis of what they called invalid primaries of the Anambra State PDP. A reason which is not strong enough to cancel the election in an appeal filled by APGA and Umeh as other political parties also contested in the election.
The questions remain:
i. How can invalid PDP primaries affect an election which other political parties participated in?
ii. Why should the invalid PDP primaries be a source of granting Umeh who took me to court the nullification of the election which other political parties (which did not go to court) participated in?
iii. Why was my own election the only one that was canceled when the same invalid PDP primaries produced other PDP Senators, Members of the House of Representatives as well as State Assembly Members?
My good people of Anambra Central, the outcome of what we witnessed was a conspiracy between some elements in PDP and the State Government who were panicking over what they referred to as my rising profile.
I am focused and my major concern is to bring back the dividends of democracy to my people. These I have done so far by:
i. Being the first woman to be appointed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream.
ii. Sponsoring, moving and leading many Bills and Motions on the floor of the Senate among which is the motion on FLOOD AND EROSION DISASTER IN AWKA, ISUANAOCHA, OBOSI AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN ANAMBRA CENTRAL.
iii. I also influenced and led the Senate Ad hoc Committee to Anambra State to see and have a first hand touch of what my people are experiencing.
iv. Partnering with the Federal Government to ensure adequate supply of petroleum products.
v. Assisted Seven youths to gain employment in the Federal Service since I became a Senator six months ago.
vi. Among others quite numerous to mention here.
Even after these minor setbacks, I advised PDP to conduct primaries in other to produce a candidate who will fly the party’s flag in the oncoming repeat election, but since then, nothing meaningful has been done as they are busy creating more confusion in the party. A confusion which will lead the party nowhere.
My good people of Anambra Central Senatorial District; taking cognizance of these developments, I took time to make wide consultations and have decided to join the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Even after these minor setbacks, I advised PDP to conduct primaries in other to produce a candidate who will fly the party’s flag in the oncoming repeat election, but since then, nothing meaningful has been done as they are busy creating more confusion in the party. A confusion which will lead the party nowhere.
My good people of Anambra Central Senatorial District; taking cognizance of these developments, I took time to make wide consultations and have decided to join the All Progressive Congress (APC).
It is true some of us did not give our support to APC in the previous election, it is true you voted for me massively in PDP, but then my brothers and sisters, that seed of confusion that militated against PDP in the previous election is still inherent and may not be of any good to any people.
We Ndigbo cannot continue to be relegated from the national bargain which we are co-owners. This is the time to join forces with the Federal Government to move our country forward.
I remain your amiable lawmaker, I remain your dogged Senator, I promise to give you a much better representation. Accept the assurances of my best regards.
first arrested, detained endlessly while the anti-corruption agency goes about looking for evidence.”
Governor Fayose, who maintained his support for a genuine fight against corruption, challenged the EFCC to also act on petitions submitted to it against All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and President Buhari’s election sponsors.
Governor Fayose, who maintained his support for a genuine fight against corruption, challenged the EFCC to also act on petitions submitted to it against All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and President Buhari’s election sponsors.
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose cautioned that nothing untoward must happen to Metuh, adding that the APC’s desperation to decimate and silence the opposition has dragged the Buhari-led government in the mud of lawlessness.
The governor said; “In saner climes, you don’t arrest people for alleged fraud and start to look for evidence to prosecute them. Rather, before you arrest anyone for fraud, anti-corruption agencies
must have established a prima facie case and arresting the suspect will only be to enable for his or her arraignment in court.
“However, what we are witnessing in Nigeria today is a situation whereby the EFCC will arrest PDP leaders, humiliate them by subjecting them to media trial, detain them for weeks in the process of trying to force them to make statements during which the commission will be looking for evidence.
“For instance, in the case of Metuh, we are being told that the EFCC is insisting that he must write statements and one begins to wonder if it has now become mandatory for an accused to write statements in law enforcement agent’s custody. Shouldn’t the EFCC have simply charged Metuh to court based on its own evidence? Or is Metuh’s statement the evidence the EFCC requires to prosecute him?
“The international community, especially the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and others are put on notice on this condemnable act of arresting and detaining opposition leaders by agents of the Buhari-led government before fishing for evidence.”
While challenging the President Buhari to extend his anti-corruption crusade to those who sponsored his election, Governor Fayose said; any anti-corruption effort that targets only members of the opposition and those with axe to grind with the government of the day can never succeed.
“If President Buhari did not wait for any petition to move against PDP chieftains, asking people to come forward with allegations of corruption against APC chieftains, especially those who sponsored President Buhari’s election is clearly hypocritical.
“Most importantly, that the EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu even said the commission do not have any petition against APC chieftains when indeed there are loads of petitions against ministers serving in Buhari’s government and other notable APC chieftains goes to show the hypocrisy of the fight against corruption.
“It is even more hypocritical and anti-democratic for the President to have turned himself to the accuser, prosecutor and judge, carrying on as if those he accused of corruption have already been convicted,” the governor said.
US police have arrested a man who allegedly plotted to kidnap one of President Obama's two pet dogs.
Officials say Scott Stockert - who is from the state of North Dakota - was planning to snatch one of the dogs, either Bo or Sunny.Police in Washington DC found weapons in Mr Stockert's vehicle, including a shotgun, a rifle and a machete.
Agents say he made several outlandish claims during his arrest, including that he intended to run for president.
He also said he was the son of former President John F Kennedy and actress Marilyn Monroe, according to court documents.
Mr Stockert has been charged with violating the District of Columbia's gun laws.
The First Family acquired Bo in 2009, with Sunny, referred to by the family as Bo's "little sister", following in 2013
Nwobodo said his reasons for decamping is because he wants to play at the federal level. He disclosed that he warned PDP about their impending ‘doom’ following the exit of five of their then Governors. He also revealed that his wife, Mrs. Pat Nwobodo, is already a member of APC and even joined the party before him. Senator Ekwunife, representing Anambra Central has also decamped!
The two plays which commenced December 28 and ended January 3, 2016 had a throng of musical drama enthusiasts and a host of celebrities to feed their eyes and crack their ribs. And the plays left them with no disappointment. Two of the beneficiaries of the MTNF-sponsored Muson scholar programme, Ajo Ajayi & Lawal Seyi who were part of the cast and crew for the plays added glitz & glamour to the stage performances. Drop a comment here if you enjoyed any of these plays.
See pictures from the two plays below...........
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