U S Ambassador visits mosque, pledges to promote peace in Nigeria

The U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terence McCulley, on Thursday said that the U.S mission in Nigeria was committed to promoting peace and mutual understanding in the country.

McCulley said this at Guzampe, Abuja, at the Al-Habibiyyah Ramadan feeding programme.
McCulley, who was represented by Mr James McAnulty, the Charge D’ Affairs of the embassy, said that the gesture was aimed at fraternising with the Muslim faithfuls.

“The opportunity to join the Muslim brothers and sisters in the celebration of their faith, reminds us that we are all part of a larger community dedicated to making Nigeria a better place,’’ he said.
The Ambassador, who came in the company of some U.S mission volunteers, said that the desire for a life of peace and prosperity was not limited to any community.

“We hope that by being here today, we shall keep up the good relationship we have with Muslim community of Abuja and Nigeria as a whole. This Iftar is special because it brings individuals from many groups and Muslims to celebrate one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.’’

McCulley stated that his country was pleased to support Al-Habibiyyah’s food bank programme and hoped that such efforts would be sustained. NAN.
source vanguard

Nigeria requires 650,000 policemen to overcome security challenges

Ado-Ekiti – About 650,000 police officers would be needed to adequately confront the security challenges facing Nigeria, a university lecturer, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, said in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

Ajayi, a Professor of Political Science, Ekiti State University, (EKSU) gave the figure in a paper he delivered at the annual Michael Opeyemi Bamidele Lecture Series, held at Christ School, Ado-Ekiti.
The paper is entitled: “Legislating in a Troubled Times: National Assembly and the Challenges of Legislating for Good Governance in Nigeria”.

The don, who is also the Head the institution’s Department of Political Science, said that shortage of personnel had been the major constraints militating against effective policing in the country.
He said that Nigeria with an estimated population of 160 million people was policed by 370,000 policemen
“This unfortunately translates to mean one policeman to as many as 432 people,” he said.
“For effective policing, the nation needs at least 650,000 police personnel for a start,” he said.
Ajayi urged the three tiers of government to collaborate to stem the tide of insecurity in the country by providing jobs for unemployed youths.

He also urged government officials to address the issues of corruption and incompetence in public places. (NAN)
source: vanguard news

Jonathan challenges African first ladies to speak against abuses

Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged African First Ladies to summon courage to speak out against abuses in the continent to promote peace and stability.

President Jonathan, who declared open the African First Ladies Peace Mission, AFLPM, in Abuja, Thursday,  expressed optimism that soon, Nigeria will produce its first set of female service chiefs.

ROM LEFT: NIGERIAN FIRST LADY/PRESIDENT, AFRICAN FIRST LADIES PEACE MISSION (AFLPM), DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN, AND THE PRESIDENT JOYCE BANDA OF MALAWIAN, AT THE 7TH SUMMIT OF AFLPM IN ABUJA ON THURSDAY 

According to him, the recent re-admittance of women into the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA, to train to become combatant soldiers was an indication of the Federal Government’s commitment to uplifting the fortunes of women.

According to him, “for the first time, we admitted women into the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy to prepare women as full combatants in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

“We have admitted women now into NDA and we are hopeful that in few years to come, a woman could be Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff  or even Chief of Defence Staff.
“We have commenced the journey and we’ll get there. I just listened to my sister, Banda, who advocated women to grow to be heads of their armed forces.”

He said as women and mothers, women had the power “to control the gladiators that cause conflict in Africa and being mothers can control the youth used for violence”.

He pledged that his administration remained resolute in the implementation of policies on effective representation of women in all aspects of governance.

“I urge you all to encourage governments to implement existing international legal frameworks that promote peace, security and human development.

“It must also summon the will to speak up wherever and whenever these frameworks are abused. But the task is not for you alone, raising the standards of survival in Africa is a collective task,” the president said.
 source: vanguard

Urhobo youths plan mass protest over govt neglect

WARRI – WORRIED by the perceived neglect of the Urhobo Nation by the Goodluck Jonathan led administration, and the dwindling political fortune, the Urhobo youths have been called upon by Comrade Rex Anighoro, an Urhobo youth leader, to take their destiny in their hands and join forces together to wrestle back the lost glory through a planned mass protest.

This is coming on the heel of the call on the President by Chief (Maj-Gen.) Patrick Aziza (Rtd.), President General of the Urhobo Progress Union to appoint an Urhobo son/daughter into the federal executive. council in order to correct the perceived neglect.

An agitated Anighoro made the call thursday in Warri, Delta State in a social media chat promised that the planned protest will be peaceful.

According to him, “The Urhobo nation has become a laughing stock, greatly derided by friends and enemies, the urhobo people strong, intelligent and creative but lacking in common purpose. The urhobo nation which is bigger than over 70 independent nations has lost her leadership role in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian enterprise and African project.”

Anighoro lamented that with the Urhobo greats fast declining with no adequate and ready replacement; it is high time that the youths rose to the occasion by staking a claim to reclaiming its lost glory.
In his words, “ Today, as the first generation of Urhobo greats, like the Oshues;  Mowoes, Salubis, Okumagbas, Dafinone, Ovie whiskeys, Akpores,  Ibrus, Brumes, and the rank and file gets more depleted, I fear if there are adequate replacements.”

He declared that it is time for the Urhobo people to join forces with the over 1000 Urhobo youths to storm the streets in a direct action to renegotiate the Urhobo pride of place.

“We shall use the face of Mukoro Mowoe and Oshue of Orhuworun as our symbols, we shall design our flags, draw our map, compose a political national anthem, design our coat of arms and many more. It is the urhobo revolution! Watch out for Urhobo youth summit!”
source:vanguard news

Slow budget implementation: Presidency shifts blame to N-Assembly

Abuja — The Presidency, yesterday, shifted the blame for the slow implementation of the 2012 budget to the doorstep of the National Assembly, saying the insertion of constituency projects by the legislature into the original copy of the budget has significantly altered the budget.

Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who addressed State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting in Abuja maintained that the ultimatum given by the House of Representatives for a 100 per cent implementation of the budget by September was untenable even in advanced economies.



According to the minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of Information and the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement,  the insertion of constituency projects by the parliament  requires the ministries to commence fresh procurement process which is procedural and backed by the law.

Okonjo-Iweala said the collaboration between the two arms of government on  the budget implementation had yielded results as the implementation and utilisation of resources which as at end of May stood at 39 per cent  was now at 56 per cent as at July 20.

Third quarter funds for release next two weeks
She said of the budgeted figure of N4.96 trillion, N404 billion had been released with a  cash backing of N324 billion and a utilisation of 56 per cent. The minister said the third quarter funds would be released within the next two weeks.

She noted: “We have been working quite collaboratively with the National Assembly on the budget. We have met with the various committees of the House and the Senate and we appreciate the cooperation that we have from them in trying to get this budget and also in working to implementation.

“Let me stress that the objective of Mr. President and that of the execuives is very much the same as that of the National Assembly, which is to ensure that there is budget execution in order to deliver on the development programmes for this country.  To that effect, we have really been working hard to try and get this done and I think the proof that the attention the President has been giving to these issues is bearing fruit is the fact that from the review we had last month, where implementation and utilisation of resources was at 39 per cent, we are now at 56 per cent. So, we have moved from 39 per cent as at the end of May to 56 per cent as at July 20.

“So, I think that is a very good progress and we expect to see continuing progress in that particular area. As you know, we have released about N404 billion so far, cashed back N324 billion and the utilisation of that is 56 per cent. We will soon be considering the release of the third quarter funds, we hope to do that within the next two weeks or so.

Challenges
“We do face a couple of challenges that we have also been working with the National Assembly on, effectively and quietly we have been working with them on a couple of these challenges.
“We hope that the good cooperation we have had with the National Assembly will continue in rectifying some of these moves which you find in the budget because it will also enable MDAs to implement the budget a bit faster.

On 100% budget implementation
On the ultimatum that government must  implement 100 per cent of the budget by the end of September, Okonjo-Iweala said: “In terms of 100 per cent implementation, I think what I read that was said by sections of the National Assembly will have to do 100 per cent implementation of the budget by September.
“First, in my experience world wide, there is hardly any country where you would implement 100 per cent even by the end of the year and this is based on very broad experience, but people try to get at least to 80 per cent or 90  per cent of the budget, as much as can be done.

“One hundred per cent by September, you know September is the ninth month of the year, so we will definetly be moving. I think the point is that Mr President is determined to implement this budget as fully as possible and, therefore, we will be moving towards the figure of as full implementation as we can by the end of the year because the budget was made for the whole year.”

“So you can see that there is no lack of effort, no lack of goodwill. If we could go from 39 per cent in May to 56 per cent by mid July, that shows a considerable leap and I’m quite confident that as we go month by month, both us and the National Assembly will be able to look at it and say yes a good effort has been made for the country.”

On his part, the DG BPP said “Part of the global requirement is that public funds must be subjected to scrutiny. In our law, it is open competitive bidding. Projects must remain in public domain for the period of six weeks”.
source: vanguard news

FUEL SUBSIDY SCAM: Bamanga Tukur’s son, 11 others charged

By Abdulwahab Abdulah, Onozure Dania & Bartholomew Madukwe
LAGOS—The law bared its fangs, yesterday, as the Ikeja and Lagos judicial divisions will try 7 oil companies and 12 directors charged before them.

They face between 7 years and 20 years imprisonment and to refund N304bn which was alleged to have been illegally taken from the Federal Government coffers.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, filed charges against the first batch of 18 suspects comprising six oil companies and 12 individuals implicated in the oil subsidy fraud. The companies are: Nasaman Oil Services; Eterna Oil and Gas Plc; Contario Oil & Gas Plc; Nadabo Energy Limited; Pacific Silver Line Limited, Axenergy Limited and Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited.

The 12 individuals involved in the scam are: Mamman Nasir Ali; Christian Taylor; Mahmud Tukur; Ochonogor Alex; Walter Agbasoma; Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele; Abubakar Ali Peters; Jude Agube Abalaka, Abdulahi Alao and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo.

Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele is director of the accounting firm of Akintola Williams Deloitte while Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer is a staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulating Agency, PPPRA.
At Ikeja High Court, Justices Habeeb Abiru and Adeniyi Onigbanjo have been assigned to entertain some of the charges while Justices Samuel Candide-Johnson, Lawal Akapo and Dotun Adefope-Okojie of Lagos High Court will try the other charges in Lagos.

Justices Abiru and Onigbanjo who are presently on annual court vacation couldn’t come for the formal arraignment of the oil marketers yesterday. It was gathered that the Judges will sit today (Wednesday) for their arraignment.

In Justice Onigbanjo’s court, Mahmud Tukur, son of the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; Ochonogor Alex, Abdulahi Alao and Eterna Oil & Gas Ltd are defendants in a nine-count charge of  alleged conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining N676.9 million under false pretence.
The EFCC alleged that the suspects on April 28, 2011 in Lagos, fraudulently obtained a total sum of N676.9 million from the Federal Government purporting same to be payment accruing to Eterna Oil under the Petroleum Support Fund.

They are also accused of falsifying claims of having “purchased 33,288,388 litres of Premium Motoring Spirits (PMS) from Mercury Energy Trading AS and imported to Nigeria through Ex-MT Fulmer, Ex-MT Emirates Star and Ex-MT Panther.”

The case preferred against the defendants before Justice Abiru bordered on “conspiracy to obtain N1.9 billion under false pretence contrary to Section 8, punishable under Section 107 of Advance Fee Fraud & other Related offences.”

The charge against Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer and Ezekiel Olajide Ejide stated that they “conspired to obtain property by false pretence contrary to Section 8 punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences on July 7, 2010, within the jurisdiction of this court.

“Conspired to commit an offence to wit: Obtaining the sum of N340, 178, 111.231 from the Federal Government of Nigeria, purporting to be Payment Support Fund, which sum was in excess of the actual value of the product imported into Nigeria.”

They were also said to have collected the sum of N340, 015,198, being “Excess of the value of the actual product (12,070,706 litres) delivered by MT. Union Brave to Integrated Oil & Gas Ltd on your behalf as against 19,681, 731 litres you falsely claimed to have discharged.”

The defendants were also accused by the government of “altering and forging documents contrary to Section 468 and 467 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos of State of Nigeria, 2006” respectively. The offences were said “to contradict Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences.

“The charge further said: “On July 7, 2010, within the jurisdiction of the court, you conspired to commit an offence to wit: Obtaining the sum of N340, 178, 111.231 from the Federal Government of Nigeria Support Fund, which sum was in excess of the actual value of the product imported into Nigeria.”

Abdulahi Alao will also face another 7-count charge bothering on obtaining by false pretence, forgery and use of false documents before Abiru.

He is accused of “fraudulently obtaining N2.5 billion in December 2010 from the Federal Government as subsidy payments for supplying 13,364,284 and 20,014,627 litres of PMS from Ex- MT Gavros and Ex-MT Nippon Princess.”

In same vein, two directors of other oil companies who were charged  before the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere will be arraigned on Thursday (tomorrow) for their alleged complicity in the fuel subsidy fraud of N2.153 billion, for the importation of 36.654 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into the country.
In a charge No. ID/117C/2012, Integrated Resources Limited, Durosola Omogbemigun, Pinnacle Oil & Gas and Peter Mba who are defendants were accused of having between 2010 and 2011conspired to defraud the Federal Republic of Nigeria by collecting the said money from the Petroleum Support Fund, in respect of purported importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from Europe to Nigeria.

The charge read: “You Integrated Resources Limited, Durosola Omogbemigun, Pinnacle Oil & Gas and Peter Mba, on or about February 4, 2011 within the jurisdiction of this Court, by false pretence and intention to defraud obtained from the Federal Republic of Nigeria the sum N986.154 million, requested the said money to be subsidy payment payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Federal Government, under the Petroleum Support Fund, in respect of 19.347 million litres of PMS, which you falsely claimed to have purchased from Guinness Petroleum Limited.”

The charge further stated, “Omogbemigun, on November 15, 2011 defrauded the Federal Republic of Nigeria of the sum N343.182 million, money meant to be subsidy payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Federal Government, under the Petroleum Support Fund, in the respect of 4.116 million litres of PMS, which he claimed to have purchased from Alkamo International Limited and allegedly imported into Nigeria.

“That Durosola Omogbemigun, on or about November 15, 2011 within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, by false pretence with intent to defraud the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the sum of N823.305 million, purported the said sum to be subsidy payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Federal Government, under the Petroleum Support Fund, in respect of 9.191 million litres of PMS, which you falsely claimed to have purchased from Alkamo International Limited and alleged imported into Nigeria”

Nasaman Oil Services; Mamman Nasir and Christian Taylor are to face charges bordering on obtaining N4, 460, 130, 797. 94 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira, Ninety Four Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria under false pretence. The sum is alleged to have been fraudulently obtained as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirit from SEATAC Petroleum Limited of British Virgin Islands.

Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka and Pacific Silver Line Limited are to be prosecuted for allegedly obtaining the sum of N1, 464, 961, 978.24 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Twenty- Four Kobo ), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 19.4million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Walter Agbasoma; Adaoha Ugo -Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele and Contario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited will be arraigned for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 959, 377, 542, .63 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty Two Naira, Sixty Three Kobo) from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 39.2 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo who are also charged will be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N979,653,110.20 ( Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira, Twenty Eight Kobo), from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 33, 627, 84 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

source: vanguard news

FUEL SUBSIDY SCAM: Bamanga Tukur’s son, 11 others charged

By Abdulwahab Abdulah, Onozure Dania & Bartholomew Madukwe
LAGOS—The law bared its fangs, yesterday, as the Ikeja and Lagos judicial divisions will try 7 oil companies and 12 directors charged before them.

They face between 7 years and 20 years imprisonment and to refund N304bn which was alleged to have been illegally taken from the Federal Government coffers.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, filed charges against the first batch of 18 suspects comprising six oil companies and 12 individuals implicated in the oil subsidy fraud. The companies are: Nasaman Oil Services; Eterna Oil and Gas Plc; Contario Oil & Gas Plc; Nadabo Energy Limited; Pacific Silver Line Limited, Axenergy Limited and Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited.

The 12 individuals involved in the scam are: Mamman Nasir Ali; Christian Taylor; Mahmud Tukur; Ochonogor Alex; Walter Agbasoma; Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele; Abubakar Ali Peters; Jude Agube Abalaka, Abdulahi Alao and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo.

Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele is director of the accounting firm of Akintola Williams Deloitte while Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer is a staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulating Agency, PPPRA.
At Ikeja High Court, Justices Habeeb Abiru and Adeniyi Onigbanjo have been assigned to entertain some of the charges while Justices Samuel Candide-Johnson, Lawal Akapo and Dotun Adefope-Okojie of Lagos High Court will try the other charges in Lagos.

Justices Abiru and Onigbanjo who are presently on annual court vacation couldn’t come for the formal arraignment of the oil marketers yesterday. It was gathered that the Judges will sit today (Wednesday) for their arraignment.

In Justice Onigbanjo’s court, Mahmud Tukur, son of the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; Ochonogor Alex, Abdulahi Alao and Eterna Oil & Gas Ltd are defendants in a nine-count charge of  alleged conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining N676.9 million under false pretence.
The EFCC alleged that the suspects on April 28, 2011 in Lagos, fraudulently obtained a total sum of N676.9 million from the Federal Government purporting same to be payment accruing to Eterna Oil under the Petroleum Support Fund.

They are also accused of falsifying claims of having “purchased 33,288,388 litres of Premium Motoring Spirits (PMS) from Mercury Energy Trading AS and imported to Nigeria through Ex-MT Fulmer, Ex-MT Emirates Star and Ex-MT Panther.”

The case preferred against the defendants before Justice Abiru bordered on “conspiracy to obtain N1.9 billion under false pretence contrary to Section 8, punishable under Section 107 of Advance Fee Fraud & other Related offences.”

The charge against Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer and Ezekiel Olajide Ejide stated that they “conspired to obtain property by false pretence contrary to Section 8 punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences on July 7, 2010, within the jurisdiction of this court.

“Conspired to commit an offence to wit: Obtaining the sum of N340, 178, 111.231 from the Federal Government of Nigeria, purporting to be Payment Support Fund, which sum was in excess of the actual value of the product imported into Nigeria.”

They were also said to have collected the sum of N340, 015,198, being “Excess of the value of the actual product (12,070,706 litres) delivered by MT. Union Brave to Integrated Oil & Gas Ltd on your behalf as against 19,681, 731 litres you falsely claimed to have discharged.”

The defendants were also accused by the government of “altering and forging documents contrary to Section 468 and 467 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos of State of Nigeria, 2006” respectively. The offences were said “to contradict Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences.

“The charge further said: “On July 7, 2010, within the jurisdiction of the court, you conspired to commit an offence to wit: Obtaining the sum of N340, 178, 111.231 from the Federal Government of Nigeria Support Fund, which sum was in excess of the actual value of the product imported into Nigeria.”

Abdulahi Alao will also face another 7-count charge bothering on obtaining by false pretence, forgery and use of false documents before Abiru.

He is accused of “fraudulently obtaining N2.5 billion in December 2010 from the Federal Government as subsidy payments for supplying 13,364,284 and 20,014,627 litres of PMS from Ex- MT Gavros and Ex-MT Nippon Princess.”

In same vein, two directors of other oil companies who were charged  before the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere will be arraigned on Thursday (tomorrow) for their alleged complicity in the fuel subsidy fraud of N2.153 billion, for the importation of 36.654 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into the country.
In a charge No. ID/117C/2012, Integrated Resources Limited, Durosola Omogbemigun, Pinnacle Oil & Gas and Peter Mba who are defendants were accused of having between 2010 and 2011conspired to defraud the Federal Republic of Nigeria by collecting the said money from the Petroleum Support Fund, in respect of purported importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from Europe to Nigeria.

The charge read: “You Integrated Resources Limited, Durosola Omogbemigun, Pinnacle Oil & Gas and Peter Mba, on or about February 4, 2011 within the jurisdiction of this Court, by false pretence and intention to defraud obtained from the Federal Republic of Nigeria the sum N986.154 million, requested the said money to be subsidy payment payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Federal Government, under the Petroleum Support Fund, in respect of 19.347 million litres of PMS, which you falsely claimed to have purchased from Guinness Petroleum Limited.”

The charge further stated, “Omogbemigun, on November 15, 2011 defrauded the Federal Republic of Nigeria of the sum N343.182 million, money meant to be subsidy payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Federal Government, under the Petroleum Support Fund, in the respect of 4.116 million litres of PMS, which he claimed to have purchased from Alkamo International Limited and allegedly imported into Nigeria.

“That Durosola Omogbemigun, on or about November 15, 2011 within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, by false pretence with intent to defraud the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the sum of N823.305 million, purported the said sum to be subsidy payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Federal Government, under the Petroleum Support Fund, in respect of 9.191 million litres of PMS, which you falsely claimed to have purchased from Alkamo International Limited and alleged imported into Nigeria”

Nasaman Oil Services; Mamman Nasir and Christian Taylor are to face charges bordering on obtaining N4, 460, 130, 797. 94 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira, Ninety Four Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria under false pretence. The sum is alleged to have been fraudulently obtained as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirit from SEATAC Petroleum Limited of British Virgin Islands.

Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka and Pacific Silver Line Limited are to be prosecuted for allegedly obtaining the sum of N1, 464, 961, 978.24 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Twenty- Four Kobo ), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 19.4million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Walter Agbasoma; Adaoha Ugo -Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele and Contario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited will be arraigned for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 959, 377, 542, .63 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty Two Naira, Sixty Three Kobo) from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 39.2 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo who are also charged will be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N979,653,110.20 ( Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira, Twenty Eight Kobo), from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 33, 627, 84 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

source: vanguard news

FUEL SUBSIDY SCAM: Bamanga Tukur’s son, 11 others charged

By Abdulwahab Abdulah, Onozure Dania & Bartholomew Madukwe
LAGOS—The law bared its fangs, yesterday, as the Ikeja and Lagos judicial divisions will try 7 oil companies and 12 directors charged before them.

They face between 7 years and 20 years imprisonment and to refund N304bn which was alleged to have been illegally taken from the Federal Government coffers.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, filed charges against the first batch of 18 suspects comprising six oil companies and 12 individuals implicated in the oil subsidy fraud. The companies are: Nasaman Oil Services; Eterna Oil and Gas Plc; Contario Oil & Gas Plc; Nadabo Energy Limited; Pacific Silver Line Limited, Axenergy Limited and Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited.

The 12 individuals involved in the scam are: Mamman Nasir Ali; Christian Taylor; Mahmud Tukur; Ochonogor Alex; Walter Agbasoma; Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele; Abubakar Ali Peters; Jude Agube Abalaka, Abdulahi Alao and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo.

Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele is director of the accounting firm of Akintola Williams Deloitte while Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer is a staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulating Agency, PPPRA.
At Ikeja High Court, Justices Habeeb Abiru and Adeniyi Onigbanjo have been assigned to entertain some of the charges while Justices Samuel Candide-Johnson, Lawal Akapo and Dotun Adefope-Okojie of Lagos High Court will try the other charges in Lagos.

Justices Abiru and Onigbanjo who are presently on annual court vacation couldn’t come for the formal arraignment of the oil marketers yesterday. It was gathered that the Judges will sit today (Wednesday) for their arraignment.

In Justice Onigbanjo’s court, Mahmud Tukur, son of the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; Ochonogor Alex, Abdulahi Alao and Eterna Oil & Gas Ltd are defendants in a nine-count charge of  alleged conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining N676.9 million under false pretence.
The EFCC alleged that the suspects on April 28, 2011 in Lagos, fraudulently obtained a total sum of N676.9 million from the Federal Government purporting same to be payment accruing to Eterna Oil under the Petroleum Support Fund.

They are also accused of falsifying claims of having “purchased 33,288,388 litres of Premium Motoring Spirits (PMS) from Mercury Energy Trading AS and imported to Nigeria through Ex-MT Fulmer, Ex-MT Emirates Star and Ex-MT Panther.”

The case preferred against the defendants before Justice Abiru bordered on “conspiracy to obtain N1.9 billion under false pretence contrary to Section 8, punishable under Section 107 of Advance Fee Fraud & other Related offences.”

The charge against Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer and Ezekiel Olajide Ejide stated that they “conspired to obtain property by false pretence contrary to Section 8 punishable under Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences on July 7, 2010, within the jurisdiction of this court.

“Conspired to commit an offence to wit: Obtaining the sum of N340, 178, 111.231 from the Federal Government of Nigeria, purporting to be Payment Support Fund, which sum was in excess of the actual value of the product imported into Nigeria.”

They were also said to have collected the sum of N340, 015,198, being “Excess of the value of the actual product (12,070,706 litres) delivered by MT. Union Brave to Integrated Oil & Gas Ltd on your behalf as against 19,681, 731 litres you falsely claimed to have discharged.”

The defendants were also accused by the government of “altering and forging documents contrary to Section 468 and 467 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos of State of Nigeria, 2006” respectively. The offences were said “to contradict Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences.

“The charge further said: “On July 7, 2010, within the jurisdiction of the court, you conspired to commit an offence to wit: Obtaining the sum of N340, 178, 111.231 from the Federal Government of Nigeria Support Fund, which sum was in excess of the actual value of the product imported into Nigeria.”

Abdulahi Alao will also face another 7-count charge bothering on obtaining by false pretence, forgery and use of false documents before Abiru.

He is accused of “fraudulently obtaining N2.5 billion in December 2010 from the Federal Government as subsidy payments for supplying 13,364,284 and 20,014,627 litres of PMS from Ex- MT Gavros and Ex-MT Nippon Princess.”

In same vein, two directors of other oil companies who were charged  before the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere will be arraigned on Thursday (tomorrow) for their alleged complicity in the fuel subsidy fraud of N2.153 billion, for the importation of 36.654 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into the country.
In a charge No. ID/117C/2012, Integrated Resources Limited, Durosola Omogbemigun, Pinnacle Oil & Gas and Peter Mba who are defendants were accused of having between 2010 and 2011conspired to defraud the Federal Republic of Nigeria by collecting the said money from the Petroleum Support Fund, in respect of purported importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from Europe to Nigeria.

The charge read: “You Integrated Resources Limited, Durosola Omogbemigun, Pinnacle Oil & Gas and Peter Mba, on or about February 4, 2011 within the jurisdiction of this Court, by false pretence and intention to defraud obtained from the Federal Republic of Nigeria the sum N986.154 million, requested the said money to be subsidy payment payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Federal Government, under the Petroleum Support Fund, in respect of 19.347 million litres of PMS, which you falsely claimed to have purchased from Guinness Petroleum Limited.”

The charge further stated, “Omogbemigun, on November 15, 2011 defrauded the Federal Republic of Nigeria of the sum N343.182 million, money meant to be subsidy payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Federal Government, under the Petroleum Support Fund, in the respect of 4.116 million litres of PMS, which he claimed to have purchased from Alkamo International Limited and allegedly imported into Nigeria.

“That Durosola Omogbemigun, on or about November 15, 2011 within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, by false pretence with intent to defraud the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the sum of N823.305 million, purported the said sum to be subsidy payable to the Integrated Resources Limited, by the Federal Government, under the Petroleum Support Fund, in respect of 9.191 million litres of PMS, which you falsely claimed to have purchased from Alkamo International Limited and alleged imported into Nigeria”

Nasaman Oil Services; Mamman Nasir and Christian Taylor are to face charges bordering on obtaining N4, 460, 130, 797. 94 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira, Ninety Four Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria under false pretence. The sum is alleged to have been fraudulently obtained as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirit from SEATAC Petroleum Limited of British Virgin Islands.

Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka and Pacific Silver Line Limited are to be prosecuted for allegedly obtaining the sum of N1, 464, 961, 978.24 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Twenty- Four Kobo ), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 19.4million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Walter Agbasoma; Adaoha Ugo -Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele and Contario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited will be arraigned for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 959, 377, 542, .63 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty Two Naira, Sixty Three Kobo) from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 39.2 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo who are also charged will be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N979,653,110.20 ( Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira, Twenty Eight Kobo), from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 33, 627, 84 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

source: vanguard news

‘Good Samaritan’ docked for stealing from victims

LAGOS— Police in Lagos, yesterday, arraigned a 32-year-old unemployed man, Bartholomew Mbatuonu, before an Apapa Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing the property of an accident victim, who later died.

The prosecutor, John Iberedem, told the court that Mbatuonu stole three bags containing various women clothes, shoes and cash totalling N200,000 belonging to Mrs Georgina Chijioke , who was involved in a bus accident around Maza- Maza on Lagos-Badagry expressway on July 2.
Iberedem said the accused pretended as if he was helping the accident victims and in the process stole the bags.

He said Mbatuonu, of no fixed address, was facing a one-count charge of stealing.
The prosecutor said that the accused was caught with the three bags, by a ‘Good Samaritan‘ who was also helping the victims.

Mbatuonu pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Chief Magistrate, E.A. Ogundare, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000, with one surety in like sum.
He also ordered the surety to show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, as part of the bail conditions.

Ogundare adjourned the case to October 12 for further hearing.

source: vanguard

NLC deplores deadly bombings

LAGOS (AFP) – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday condemned “incessant” bombings killings in the country, saying that the atmosphere of insecurity was inimical to growth and development.
“These incessant violence and general insecurity, which are engendering fear and restlessness in the citizenry is taking a negative dimension and is inimical to growth and development,” NLC president Abdulwahed Ibrahim Omar said.
“No nation can grow in a chaotic and anarchical situation,” he said in a speech at a forum for training of young labour unionists in Uyo, capital of southern Akwa Ibom State.

Omar particularly cited recent killings in central Plateau state and urged government and the security agencies to rise up to the occasion by defending the lives and property of Nigerians and foreigners.
Members of the livestock-herding Fulani ethnic group were blamed for July 7 raids on Christian villages that killed more than 80 people.

Another 22 people, including two senior politicians, were killed the following day in an attack on the victims’ funeral, also blamed on the Fulani.

The labour leader also reiterated the NLC call on government to expedite action on the implementation of the reports of committees set up to probe oil subsidy scam “in order to bring those found guilty to justice.”
In April, a parliamentary report alleged Nigeria had lost $6.8 billion from 2009 to 2011 through a fuel subsidy programme rife with corruption.
source: vanguard

Only in Nigeria that crude oil is stolen – Jonathan

ABUJA — President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, expressed dismay at the continuous stealing of Nigeria’s crude oil by illegal bunkerers, vowing that his administration would do everything possible to stem the tide by bringing the perpetrators to book.

The President  stated this at the opening of the Maritime Sector Presidential Retreat with the theme, “Harnessing the Potential of Nigeria’s Maritime Sector for Sustainable Economic Development” at the Presidential Villa.

President Goodluck Jonathan (middle); Vice President Namadi Sambo (left) and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during the opening of the Presidential Retreat on Maritime Security at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

He upbraided those involved in the crime and told them to “throw their heads under the pillow” in shame as there was no justification for their actions.
Jonathan’s comment came on a day the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala revealed that the country loses over N2 trillion annually in capital flight to foreign countries following the inability of the indigenous ship owners to fully participate in lifting of the over 150 million tons of cargo from the country including crude oil exports.

It’s only in Nigeria that crude is stolen
According to Jonathan, “it is embarrassing that it is only in Nigeria that crude oil is stolen. It is a very bad news and I believe that Nigerians and foreigners who are involved in that act need to throw their heads under the pillow because all over the world, it is only in Nigeria that crude oil is stolen.

He said: “This must stop. We will be decisive in putting an end to this malaise. Our charge to all relevant agencies and departments of government is to work cooperatively with the required urgency.”

He said the maritime sector was a critical component of the economic development of a modern state, noting that it was in this regard that it was incorporated as a major component of the transformation agenda.

The president said the “sector facilitates approximately 90 per cent of world trade, creates millions of jobs and generates billions of dollars in economic output. The sector, to say the least, is a major engine of our national growth strategy.

“Besides improved prospects in traditional sea-related activities such as fishing, shipping, ship-building and repairs, agriculture and tourism, the sector is a major hub in offshore oil exploration and production activities and will remain so in the foreseeable future.

“Given its importance to the national economy, we have an uncompromising obligation to safeguard our territorial waters against all threats: poaching, piracy, pipeline vandalism, coastal insecurity, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, non-payment of statutory levies and charges, illegal entry of ships into our territorial waters, illegal importation of arms and hard drugs, among other sundry crimes.”

Cost of inadequate maritime safety
Okonjo-Iweala who also spoke at the event said the cost of inadequate maritime safety and security to Nigerian society and the economy “has been significant.”

She  said “the Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria said that we now lose over N2 trillion annually in capital flight to foreign countries which own vessels used to lift about 150 million tons of cargos including oil products from this country as there is no Nigerian flag ship currently plying international routes. Nigerian-own vessels make up less than one per cent of the global fleets and are quite old with an average of 30 years of age”.

FG sets up 15-man maritime c’ttee
Meanwhile, the Federal Government, yesterday, set up a 15-member committee to draw up roadmap for effective maritime operations in the country.

The committee which has heads of most of the maritime agencies was charged with the responsibility of working out ways for the development and effect exploitation of the enormous potential of the sector.
The committee is chaired by the Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar while a re-known maritime lawyer, Olisa Agbokoba, SAN will serve as the vice chairman.

Other members of the Committee are the Director General of NIMASA, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Maritime, Mr Leke Oyelese and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Maritime Authority, Alhaji Omar Suleiman.

Others are the Chairman of Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, Chief Isaac Jolapamo, Chairperson Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, Mrs Vicky Harstrup and former Managing Director of  Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia.

Also in the Committee are the Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Umar and the Special Adviser to the President on Project Monitoring who will represent the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-weala, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Minister of Petroleum Resources,

Attorney-General of the Federation and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would send a representative each as members of the committee.

At the end of one day retreat on Maritime security in Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan who announced the setting up of the committee  charged it to look at all the issues raised at the retreat and bring out workable solutions in sustainable ways of achieving them with timeline for execution.

The President said that the Secretariat of the committee would be provided by the Ministry of Transport.
President Jonathan in his closing remarks reiterated the need for concerted efforts at putting an end to crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and the activities of the illegal local refineries.
source: vanguard

9 feared dead in multiple explosions in P/Harcourt

EXPLOSIONS yesterday rocked a section of Port Harcourt killing no fewer than nine persons.  The incident which happened at about 915am at the former PW jetty, Abuloma area of the State occurred in a vessel.

Eye witnesses who spoke to   Saturday Vanguard at the scene of the incident said a welding work was going on in the ocean liner which was carrying a large quantity of crude when suddenly it exploded three times.

Nobody could confirm the death toll from the bang but sources said several persons were still trapped in the smouldering fire from the vessel at the time Saturday Vanguard visited.  “Several persons are still trapped in the burning vessel. Some said they are ten, others put the figure at thirty.  But all we know is that some persons have burnt to death in the vessel”, a marine worker said at the scene.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the captain of the vessel and one of his deck hands were among five persons that were rushed to the hospital.

Confirming the incident, Spokesman of  Sector II of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield in the state, Captain Samuel Sunday said the vessel exploded in the morning hours, adding that he had little details on the incident.

A vessel explosion at Abuloma Waterside in Port-Harcourt on Friday (20/7/12) NAN-PHOTO

Meantime, neighbourhood sources said those that were trapped in the fire included some commercial workers that had stormed the vessel to “dish out service” to those in the cabin. They said the vessel had three cabins and was conveying crude out of the state.

Effort by fire fighters to extinguish the raging fire on the vessel was helpless as their hoses could not extend to the vessel which was at the shore end of the jetty.  “The fire fighters from the government only came here on sight scene. They could not do anything because their hoses could not get to the spot where the vessel is burning”.

Also the Sector II of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield said it set fire on five petrol tankers conveying illegal crude at Eneka area of the state. Spokesman of the security body, Captain Sunday said no life was lost in the operation, adding that six persons were arrested over the issue.

In a related development, seven offices in the administration area of the Rivers state owned newspaper, The Tide were razed down in an early morning inferno.   The state government was yet to issue a release on the incident at press time but workers were seen milling around the office premises discussing the development in groups.

Plateau crisis: Mark urges warring factions to cease fire

Senate President David Mark on Wednesday appealed to aggrieved parties in Plateau to lay down their arms, embrace dialogue and restore lasting peace to the state.

Mark made the call in Abuja during a valedictory session in honour of the late Sen. Gyang Dantong.
In an address entitled: “The Death of the People’s Hero”, Mark urged the warring parties to make renewed commitment to peace so as not to allow Dantong’s death to be in vain.

“In the end he paid the ultimate price for freedom, human dignity and peaceful coexistence in the Plateau. Having paid this supreme sacrifice, his death must not be in vain, peace must now return to Plateau state.
“If peace does not return to Plateau, then his death would have been in vain. For the sake of our brother and our friend, the late distinguished Sen. Gyang Dalyop Dantong and all those who lost their lives in Plateau State, I urge all the warring parties to sheath their swords and return to the dialogue table like brothers and sisters.”

While paying his last respects, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said the year was a challenging period for the country given the huge number of people who lost their lives.
He said it was difficult to understand why a peace loving, industrious and hardworking man such as Dantong would die at such a time and under such circumstances. NAN.

source: vanguard news

Manchester United win world tour with narrow victory

DURBAN  (AFP) – Manchester United started a six-game pre-season world tour with a 1-0 win over AmaZulu before a capacity 50,000 crowd at Moses Mabhida Stadium Wednesday.

Federico Macheda scored the winner midway through the first half for the Red Devils, who came closest to increasing the lead just before time when another Italian, substitute Davide Petrucci, rattled the crossbar.
It was a closer match than anticipated, with many South Africans believing mid-table AmaZulu would be swept aside by the former European champions even though they were lacking many first choices like Wayne Rooney.

Political icon Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa, was remembered before the kick-off with the teams wishing him a happy 94th birthday in song.
United left new signing Shinji Kagawa from Japan on the bench as they started with a mix of experienced stars like captain Rio Ferdinand and young players Robbie Brady, Scott Wootton, Frederic Veseli and Jesse Lingard.

The Red Devils were quick into their stride on a clear mid-winter evening in the Indian Ocean city and could have taken the lead inside two minutes had Javier Hernandez been sharper.
Kapini failed to grasp a close-range Macheda shot and the ball fell invitingly for the Mexican in front of goal but he failed to connect with the ball and it was hastily cleared.

United were dominant in the early stages against nervous opponents and the 2012 English Premier League runners-up to Manchester City would not have been flattered by a three-goal lead after 10 minutes.
Machedo broke the deadlock on 20 minutes by finishing off good work from Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov with a close-range shot that touched the hand of the AmaZulu goalkeeper and the foot of a defender before crossing the line.

The goal triggered greater urgency from AmaZulu, a mid-table South African Premiership side coached by Swede Roger Palmgren, and Ayanda Dlamini twice threatened the visiting defence.

Bulgarian Berbatov was unlucky not to score a second goal for United before half-time as his sweetly struck volley off a corner was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Zimbabwean Kapini.

A frenetic start to the second half saw both teams come close to scoring and AmaZulu posed more of a threat as it progressed, although they were continually let down by wild shooting.

Kagawa, a June signing from German champions Borussia Dortmund, finally came on one minute from time after a prolonged wait on the touchline before the ball went out of play.

United play Ajax Cape Town Saturday before flying to China for a midweek clash against Shanghai Shenhua, the club that recently signed Chelsea Champions League hero Didier Drogba.

The Old Trafford club will also face Valerenga in Norway, Barcelona in Sweden and Hanover in Germany during a 22,000-mile (35,400-kilometre) pre-season tour before opening their Premier League campaign against Everton.

source: vanguard news

Kwara govt immortalises Yekini

The administration of Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state  yesterday immortalised the former governor of the state,  Late Alhaji  Mohammed Alabi Lawal and former Super Eagles striker, Late Rashidi Yekinni .
The decision was taken at the state executive council meeting.

The SSG,Alhaji Isiaka Gold flanked by commissioner for information and home affairs,Prince Tunji Moronfoye and Commissioner for sports Barrister Kayode Towoju said this at a post exco press briefing yesterday.

The State Commissioner for Sports and Youths development, Mr. Kayode Towoju told journalists that, the Ilorin Golf Club was named after late former  governor Lawal while the, CBN- Ola-Olu road was named after late Rasidi Yekinni.

Towoju added that, during the life time of Late former governor, Lawal  used his wealth to develop the Golf development across the nation and Kwara in particular.

He added that, apart from this, late Alhaji Lawal has also sponsored many people in the state for Golf competition which according to him has brought a lot of laurels to the state.

On the part of Late Yekinni’s contributions to the football development in the nation, Towoju said that, the late striker has done the nation proud and his home state, Kwara that called for the immortalisation.
He said that, this contributions has gone a long way of putting the state in the world map.

Towoju therefore assured the people of the state of government commitment towards rewarding any body that had worked for the socio economic development of the state.

Commissioner for education and Human capital development,Alhaji Saka Onimago also told newsmen that the  state government has splitted its ministry of Education and Human Capital Development into two.
The commissioner  said that the ministry now has a twin sister of ministry of tertiary education, science and technology Onimago said the government took the decision to ensure that its policies  plans for education in the sate are effectively implemented.

He said the new ministry would be in charge of all the state owned tertiary institutions which include a university, a polytechnic and  four colleges of education among others

Onimago who said that the state scholarship board has also been put under the supervision of the ministry as a parastatal disclosed that the state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed has asked  the commissioner for Special Duties, Aliu Lade  to oversee the new ministry for the time being

He also hinted that the government has awarded contract for the establishment of faculty of engineering at the state university, in Malete town

He disclosed that the project was awarded for N690.9million and said it is expected  that the faculty would meet requirement for accreditation as soon as it is completed

The commissioner said the government would soon lay the foundation for the vocational training centre it planned to establish at Ajase-Ipo in Irepodun local government area of the state Onimago who noted that this is in addition to the renovation of existing technical schools in the state and the plan to float more of the schools said the projects are in line with the commitment of the government to its programme of developing human capital in the state

source: vanguard news

8 kidnappers jailed for 44 years in Delta

The Delta Command of the State Security Service (SSS) on Wednesday in Asaba said it has secured the conviction of eight persons for kidnapping and other offences in the state.

The convicts, according to the command in a statement signed by Mr Alex Disi, Assistant Director, Operations, got a total jail term of 44 years, adding that the cases against the eight persons were concluded between February 8, 2012 and July 10, 2012.

It listed the convicts as Ifeanyi Obiakpani, Peter Okafor, Christian Eze, Efe Omonigho, Patrick Boyite, Edafe Erakpor, Bernard Isibor and Edwin Asoro.

The command said Obiakpani, Eze and Okafor bagged 10 years imprisonment each for kidnapping, conspiracy to commit felony and harassing the family of a kidnap victim.
The charges against the trio, the statement said, were determined by Justice Theresa Diai at the Ogwashi-Uku High Court.

It also said that Omonigho got two years and 18 months, respectively, on charges of stealing and threat to life.

“Boyite and Erakpor were individually sentenced to three months imprisonment for each of three-count charges, with an option of fine of N5,000 by Chief Magistrate Nnamdi Onyekwe,” the statement said.
The statement also added that Isibor was sentenced to three years and 18 months, respectively, on a two-count charge of threat to life of one Walter Okafor “through text messages and demanding with menaces”.

It said Asoro, who was arrested at Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area, in April, 2012, got three years and 18 months, respectively, for conspiracy to kidnap and harassment.
Disi said the eight concluded cases were among the numerous crimes being investigated by the command as part of efforts to curb kidnapping and threats to lives of citizens. (NAN)

source: vanghard news.

Lagos taskforce impounds 216 Okada

LAGOS – NO fewer than 216 motorcycles both private and commercial otherwise known as Okada were impounded by Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit for contravening traffic rules between June and mid-July.

The Tasks Force Chairman, Superintendent of Police, Bayo Sulayman,  said the state was leaving no stone unturned towards steming the tide of lawlessness in the state.

He said the unit would not relent in its clampdown on indiscipline.
He added that routine inspection of flash spots, especially under bridges to arrest miscreants would continue to ensure the state is totally rid of criminal hideouts.

He said: “Definitely, very soon we have to start a major operation on miscreants. We have to chase them away from Lagos because we have realised that they are returning. As we are removing them some are coming back.“

Sulaiman stressed that impounded motorcycles are  dismantled into pieces and spare parts auctioned at regular intervals for members of the  public, saying the move was to discourage nuisance perpetrated by the operators.

“We will continue the arrest and not allow sentiment to set in, because if we do that is the beginning of failure.”

source: vanguard news

Hundreds flee as UN says Syria violence spiralling

DAMASCUS (AFP) – Hundreds of people were fleeing Damascus flashpoints on Thursday after the army warned of a violent clashes with rebels following a bomb blast that killed three security chiefs, witnesses said.
Major General Robert Mood, head of the UN monitoring mission, meanwhile warned that Syria was not on track for peace and that the violence was spiralling, as President Bashar al-Assad appeared to have gone to ground.

The military gave residents 48 hours to leave areas where clashes are taking place between security forces and rebels pushing their “Damascus Volcano” offensive.

“These extremely violent clashes should continue in the next 48 hours to cleanse Damascus of terrorists by the time Ramadan begins” on Friday, a security source told AFP, referring to the Muslim holy fasting month.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights watchdog said that in the western district of Mazzeh alone, hundreds of people were on the move, “fearing a large-scale operation by regime troops.”
Residents also fled the southern district of Tadamon and the Palestinian refugee camp Yarmuk, it said.
The developments come a day after a bombing in the city killed three top security officials, including the defence minister and Assad’s brother-in-law, in a severe blow to the regime.

“There is an escalation by the Syrian regime to avenge the operation that targeted the (security chiefs),” said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Observatory.

“The rebels have also escalated (the violence) to reap the fruits of the attack, and to try to finish off the battle” for Damascus, he added. “Clashes and shelling have engulfed Syria, and they are taking place day and night.”

The whereabouts of Assad are still not known and he has not commented on the bombing or appeared in public since the attack.

However, he was cited by state media as appointing Fahd al-Freij defence minister to replace Daoud Rajha, who was among those killed when the National Security headquarters was targeted.
State media have yet to distribute images of the aftermath, unlike on previous occasions when there have been attacks in the capital.

The deaths on Wednesday of Rajha, Assad’s brother-in-law Assef Shawkat and General Hassan Turkmani, head of the regime’s crisis cell, marked the first time in the 16-month revolt that Assad’s inner circle has been targeted.

“The army has so far exercised restraint in its operations, but after the attack, it has decided to use all the weapons in its possession to finish the terrorists off,” the security source said.
“The army has told residents to stay away from combat zones, as the terrorists are trying to use residents as human shields.”

The Damascus blast came on one of the deadliest days in the conflict.
At least 214 people — 124 civilians, 62 soldiers and 28 rebels died on Wednesday, the Britain-based Observatory said, revising an earlier toll. That figure did not include the three regime members.
– ‘Not on track for peace’ –
“It pains me to say, but we are not on the track for peace in Syria, and the escalations we have witnessed in Damascus over the past few days is a testimony to that,” General Mood, head of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria, said in a statement to reporters.

The deteriorating situation in the capital comes as the West and Russia and China prepare for a showdown later Thursday over a draft UN resolution calling for sanctions against Syria.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon and international envoy Kofi Annan called on the Security Council to take strong action, but Russia and China are expected to veto the resolution.

Ban said there was an “extreme urgency” for action to halt the violence which activists say has killed more than 17,000 people.

Annan, the UN-Arab League envoy, said the council must take “decisive” action after he persuaded the major powers to postpone the vote originally set for Wednesday.

“The deteriorating situation in Syria underscores the extreme urgency for all sides to stop armed violence in all its forms, implement the six-point plan and move swiftly towards a political dialogue,” Ban said in a statement.

Annan “urged members of the Security Council to unite and take concerted and strong action that would help stem the bloodshed in Syria and build momentum for a political transition,” said his spokesman Ahmad Fawzi.

Wednesday’s attack that also wounded Interior Minister Mohammed al-Shaar and General Hisham Ikhtiyar, head of National Security, has been claimed by the rebel Free Syrian Army as well as another group, the Brigade of Islam.

“The traitors, agents and mercenaries are deluding themselves if they think that Syria will bow to this strike, even if it hurts,” the ruling party’s mouthpiece, Al-Baath newspaper, said on Thursday.

White House National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said Assad was “losing control,” pointing to “increasing” defections and a “strengthened and more united” opposition.

British Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters in Afghanistan it was time for Assad to go.
“It is time for transition in this regime… but if there isn’t transition it’s quite clear there is going to be civil war,” he said.

source: vanguard news

Reps, FG on warpath over Oteh’s recall

LAGOS — Tempers  flared among some members of the House of Representatives, yesterday, following the recall of Ms Aruma Oteh by the Presidency as the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, in contravention of a House report recommending her dismissal.

The  anger may be ventilated in a special session of the House this morning when members are expected to deliberate on the issue and the hanging issue of the non implementation of the 2012 budget.

Staff of SEC in protest against the return of Ms Aruma Oteh,  Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission in Abuja . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Anger over the recall of  Oteh also overflowed to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja where staff, yesterday, mounted a demonstration against the Federal Government’s move with workers grumbling over her recall.

Oteh who was sent on compulsory leave by the board of the commission days before its term lapsed last month was on Tuesday recommended for formal dismissal from the commission by the report of the House ad-hoc committee on the collapse of the Capital Market.

The House report which is scheduled for deliberation today alleged that Oteh did not meet the minimum 15 years experience in the capital market operations required for the job.

The Presidency in a surprise development yesterday, however, lifted the suspension on Oteh on the basis that the audit report of the external auditors did not find her wanting.

Her recall was communicated to her through a circular, SGF.2/S.9/C.13/454 dated July 17, 2012, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim.

According to him, Oteh’s recall was the outcome of the findings of the external auditors, Price Water HouseCoopers which exonerated her from allegations of fraud and criminal breaches.
She was, however, indicted for some administrative lapses. The circular reads:

The letter that recalled Oteh
“Please refer to the decision of the Board of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to send you on compulsory leave in order to enable SEC’s external auditors-the Price Water Coopers Limited (PWC), to examine the records of the commission’s transactions covering SEC project 50 which you supervised.

“I am to note that government has studied the report submitted by the external auditors and you are neither indicted for fraud nor criminal breach in any form. However, some administrative lapses were reported, particularly, in cases where administrative procedures were not thoroughly observed.

“The purpose of this letter is to recall you from your leave and to caution that you must henceforth endeavour to diligently observe all extant rules and administrative procedures in the conduct of all official transactions.”
News of the recall of the embattled SEC boss came exactly a day after the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on the Near Collapse of the Capital Market submitted its report.

House wanted Oteh sacked
The committee headed by Hon. Ibrahim El-Sudi, had Udoka Ini Akpan;  Yakubu Dogara, Bimbo Daramola, Toby Okechulkwu,  Jibril Bubar, Usman Adamu,  Oko Rose Okoji as members.

Okechukwu, a member of the committee, shocked by the administration’s recall of Oteh said yesterday that he stood by the content of the report.

However, other House sources were not as courteous.

One senior official in the House of Representatives told Vanguard yesterday that the recall of  Oteh was another indication of the administration’s lack of seriousness in its engagement with the House in the fight against corruption.

“You can now see that this administration does not take some matters seriously. People are not happy and we are going to consider the issue today,” the official told Vanguard yesterday.

It was learnt yesterday that the preponderance of opinion in the House was on the adoption of the recommendations which prescribed stiff actions against Oteh.

Vanguard could not confirm whether the decision to take up the report today was a result of the administration’s recall of Oteh.

Besides Oteh, the House is also expected to take a debate on the slow implementation of the 2012 budget, a source revealed yesterday.

Meanwhile, members of staff of the commission were unmoved in their earlier objection to the recall of Oteh, even as heavily armed security agents were deployed to forestall breakdown of law and order, ahead of her resumption.

Trouble started at about 10 am when information filtered to the staff that the External Auditors, Price Water House Coopers, which examined the books of the commission after her suspension by the board did not find her guilty of any financial malpractice and that the federal government therefore decided to recall her.

Angry workers of the commission barricaded the entrances into the SEC headquarters, located at the Central Business District of Abuja and insisted that they would not let her into the premises. They chanted anti-Oteh slogans and displayed placards with various inscriptions such as “No to Oteh”, “we don’t want Oteh back” and warning the presidency against her reinstatement and vowed to resist such a move.

Members of staff who spoke with journalists decried the alleged one-man show style of  Oteh’s as well as alleged high-handedness of the embattled D-G.

Oteh had not arrived SEC headquarters as at press time, but the staff insisted that they were prepared to drive her back at the gate and would not allow her back in the office, no matter the decision of the Federal Government.

The angry staff members refused to disclose their names but insisted that the allegations  against Oteh were true and that the revelations at the House of Representatives probe were enough to keep her out of the office and indeed face trial for alleged corruption.

The Secretary –General, Staff Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service and Recreation Employees, Elder Adekoya John, who eventually spoke to journalists urged the Federal Government to ensure it followed due process even if it chose to reinstate Ms. Oteh.

The Acting DG. Ibrahim Bolaji had to convey an impromptu staff meeting to arrest the situation from degenerating into a violent protest as he was said to have appealed to the workers to exercise restraint.

Industry operators protest
Industry operatives were no less critical of the reinstatement with some alleging it to be a confidence draining decision.

David Adonri, Chief Executive Officer, Lambeth Trust and Investment Company Limited, said, “The news of her reinstatement hit the market by surprise. Market operators were unable to form any concerted opinion due to paucity of information surrounding her recall. If she was cleared of all the allegations against her, there might be no problem”.

In his own view, the Chief Executive Officer, of a finance and investment firm who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “What is really going on in this country? How can she force herself on the nation as the DG of SEC despite the fact that the agency’s staff and most capital market operators have clearly lost confidence in her capacity to lead the organisation?

“I was at the 2012 Second Quarter Meeting of the Capital Market Committee last Thursday in Lagos, and the reception given to Ibrahim Bello, the Acting Director General of SEC, was unprecedented.
“From the comments by most of the Capital Market Operators present it was obvious they were glad to see the back of Arunma Oteh.

source: vanguard news

Married Olympic couple can’t room together

Asumnu is Clean, Says AFN
Marriage has its ups and its downs, but the downs don’t usually include being unable to sleep together.
Sunday, Nick Green, chef de mission of the Australian Olympic Committee, told Australian Olympic shooters Russell and Lauryn Mark via email that they would not be able to room together in the Olympic Village during this month’s London Games.

The husband and wife Olympians are calling the mandate stupid and believe it was set off by Russell’s pro-sleeping pill stance and Lauryn’s provocative photo shoot in the latest issue of The Zoo, an Australian magazine geared towards the fellows.

Asumnu is Clean, Says AFN
Meanwhile the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), yesterday refuted claims  in a section of the sporting press that sprinter, Gloria Asumnu, was one of the three top Nigeria athletes that tested positive to banned substances.

President of the AFN, Chief Solomon Ogba, said yesterday that the clarification became necessary because of wild speculations about the three Nigerian athletes that failed the dope tests carried out at the Nigerian Olympic trials in Calabar last month.

“This clarification has become necessary because of the wrong impression it was creating in track & field circles. Despite our federation’s appeal to journalists to exercise caution in handling the matter, because of the procedures involved, a section of the sporting press has gone to town to speculate those they believed are involved. For the record, we want to say here that Gloria Asumnu is not one of the three athletes,” observed the AFN chief yesterday in a statement.

Ogba insisted that once the final result of the dope carried out on Nigerian athletes is ready, “we are going to address the media on it and athletes found to have run foul of the law on dope would be made to face the consequences of their actions. This present board has zero tolerance for dope and will do everything possible to ensure that we compete fair and square at the London Games without bringing any embarrassment to Nigeria.”

Until the final result of the dope, the AFN chief urged the media to exercise caution in handling the issue. “Any of the athletes that is not involved in the dope failure and are scandalised in the media have every right to seek redress in court.

Last week, the AFN announced the dropping of three athletes from the London Games because they tested positive to banned drugs. The federation had insisted that those involved were entitled to fair hearing and possibly going for the testing of their ‘B’ sample to authenticate the result of the tests carried out in Calabar.
Asumnu’s  personal American coach, Garfiel Ellenwood, was equally dropped not because he was involved in any dope with any of Nigerian athletes but because he was once punished for a violation in his previous employment.

source: vanguard news

Fashola ‘arrests’ Col, Sergeant on BRT lane

‘Those officers I caught are very bad examples for the military’

LAGOS – Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, arrested two  military officers who drove on the dedicated Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, lane.

The two military officers, who were accosted on the BRT lane at the Outer Marina in Central Lagos, were Colonel K. I. Yusuf, who drove in an Army Green Peugeot 406 with registration Number BO1 – 150 NA and Staff Sergeant Adeomi A.J, who drove in a black Toyota Camry car.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT…Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, (right) asking Colonel K. I. Yusuf why he drove on the BRT lane illegally, when he was apprehended being driven in an Army Green Peugeot 406 with number-plate BO1-150 NA at Outer Marina in Central Lagos, Tuesday 17th July

Realising that the game was up, Col. Yusuf came down from his car, saluted several times and kept muttering: “I am sorry, very, very sorry” with the governor enquiring why,  a senior military officer, Yusuf, chose to break the law instead of preserving it.

Speaking after the incident, Fashola described as very unfortunate the fact that those who ought to stand behind in defence of democratic values were the ones violating them.

Fashola, who noted that the highest level of the military command had expressed their commitment to supporting democracy and to subjecting themselves and their officers to the laws of the country, declared: “Those officers that I caught today are  very bad examples for the military.”

The governor said he had already made a representation to the superiors of the culprits, expressing optimism that they would be sanctioned appropriately.

He, however, added, “But it signifies my commitment and the commitment of the Lagos State Government that all those who will not comply with our laws should leave our state. We will not back down”.

“There is a zero-tolerance for lawlessness. There is zero-tolerance for breach of our regulations and we are going to do more of this. We are going to take control of our traffic. We cannot build our way out of traffic congestion; our responsibility is to manage traffic and manage congestion.”

Insisting that people must behave themselves, Fashola declared, “I don’t use BRT lane, I sit in traffic and I expect everyone who wants to drive his car to do same. The alternative is to use the bus.

“The bus is for those who cannot afford to buy cars. They have the right also to use the road and we cannot encroach on that lane which we have reserved for them. This is democratisation of the road and I will defend it.”

source: vanguard news

Risks to global growth rising – IMF

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The International Monetary Fund stepped up its warnings Monday on risks to the global economy, especially coming from Europe, as it trimmed its growth forecast for the rest of the year.

Forecasting world growth at 3.5 percent in 2012 and 3.9 percent in 2013, the IMF said the world economy appeared weaker since its assessment just three months ago, and that “downside risks continue to loom large,” especially from inadequate or slow policy reactions in major economies.

“In the past three months, the global recovery, which was not strong to start with, has shown signs of further weakness,” the fund said in its quarterly revision of economic forecasts.

“Financial market and sovereign stress in the euro-area periphery have ratcheted up,” it said, while growth has fallen below expectations in a number of major emerging-market economies.

source: vanguard

2 feared dead as gunmen rain bullets in Yenagoa

Yenagoa -Two men appeared dead on Monday in Azikoro suburb of Yenagoa, as gunmen rained bullets on them in their car around 10.30 am, an eye-witness said
The witness said that the assailants, driving a car behind the victims’ car, suddenly overtook it and shot the occupants.

Not satisfied, the suspected assassins returned after driving away for 20 metres to pump more bullets to ensure the victims were dead, the eye-witness said.

Residents of the area locked up their doors for fear of arrest.

At the scene, policemen, led by the DPO of Azikoro Police Station, Rita Green, were seen removing the two bodies into a police van.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Fidelis Odunna, confirmed the incident on telephone and said investigation was underway.

The police later towed the bullet-riddled car to their station. (NAN).

source: vanguard

Nigeria woos Chinese investors

Abuja -The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) in Abuja on Monday said its recent trade mission to China was to woo Chinese investors.

Hajia Gana Wakil, the Deputy Director, Department of Investment Promotion, disclosed this while giving speaking on the 10th Edition of the Nigeria-China Business and Investment Forum.

Wakil said that the trip was to market Nigerian products and investment opportunities in Nigeria.
“We tried to make them understand that Nigeria is not as bad as been presented in some international media.
“We did let them know the business climate in Nigeria is conducive,” the deputy director said.

She said that the team visited construction companies, agricultural and science and demonstration zone, equipment manufacturing companies, oil and gas firms and a glass company.

Wakil said that all the firms visited indicated interests in investing in Nigeria and consequently got invitation to come and explore investment opportunities in Nigeria.

The deputy director said that the delegation held several meetings with their Chinese counterpart and showcased Nigeria’s investment profile.

She said, “The presentations generated a lot of interests and several inquiries on doing business in Nigeria amongst the Chinese participants at the event.

“Questions were asked while clarifications were sought in mining sector, tapioca/cassava, oil and gas, among other areas.

“The commission, while offering to follow up on leads generated at the event, extended invitations to the Chinese local authorities and the companies.”
She said that, as a follow up, NIPC is looking forward to visits to Nigeria by a delegation of Chinese businessmen.

She noted that exploration requests had been coming from China since the delegation returned, especially in the power sector.

According to her, Nigeria has a lot to learn from China as the global business hub of the world which should be attracted by improvement in infrastructure.

Nigeria is China’s second biggest trading partner in Africa.
More than 30 Chinese companies operate in various sectors of the economy, including building of Free Trade Zones, infrastructure, information and communication technology. (NAN)

source: vanguard