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  • Emir of Kano commend Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council

    Emir of Kano commend Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council

    By Jennifer Y Omiloli

    Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, ‎Emir of Kano, ‎has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for constituting an Economic Advisory Council (EAC) comprising first-rate ‎professionals and academics on Wednesday in Kano while briefing newsmen at his Palace.

    The emir, ‎who described the new council as “first class”, said the move was “timely and reflective of Buhari’s determination to re-energise the management of the economy”.

    He said Nigerians were highly desirous of such an effective and knowledge-driven team to provide the lead on the economic front.‎

    According to him, the beauty of the team, apart from the pedigree of its members, is their private sector experience and their independence.‎

    “If you look at the system we operate, if you also look at the United States, every US president always have a council of economic advisers.

    “One of the reasons you have this council is you want independent academics who are able to give you frank and honest ‎advice on how to run the economy and address its problems.

    ‎“What the president has done is to follow that pattern to appoint a team of highly respected professionals to advise him, ‎especially‎ this time when we have economic problems, fiscal issues.

    “When global economy is facing uncertainty due to trade wars, it is important that the president has a high quality advice,” he said.

    Daybreak.ng reports that the president on Monday replaced the Economic Management Team with the EAC.

    The new EAC has Prof. Doyin Salami as its chairman.

  • Tribunal judgment: No grudge against anyone, says Bello

    Tribunal judgment: No grudge against anyone, says Bello

    Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger on Wednesday says he holds no grudge against any individual or political party that filed petitions against his re-election.

    Bello, who spoke to newsmen in Minna shortly after the election petitions tribunal upheld his re-election, also promised to run an inclusive government.

    The governor added that he would continue to be fair to all parts of the state in the distribution of amenities for the benefit of residents.

    The News agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Umar Nasko, the PDP candidate in the March governorship election in the state and his party, had dragged the APC candidate, Bello and his deputy Ahmed Ketso, before the tribunal.

    The petitioners alleged that the duo presented forged academic and declaration of age certificates to the Independent National Electoral Commission, to contest the election.

    But the tribunal dismissied the petition for lack of merit and evidence.

    Bello in his reaction described the tribunal judgment as “a very fair judgment” and called on people to join hands with him to move the state forward.

    “Like I said after I was declared winner in March, that we should all come together because we are all Nigerlites as I am more concerned about the welfare of our people.

    “The judgment has been passed and I hope we can come together as one because I have no grudges against anyone as I am more concerned about the development of our state,” he said.

    The governor, however, commended the people for giving him their mandate, pledging that everyone irrespective of religion and political affiliations would enjoy the dividends of democracy. (NAN)

  • Mobile court convicts 40 Jos motorists for traffic offences

    Mobile court convicts 40 Jos motorists for traffic offences

    A mobile court has convicted 40 motorists over various traffic offences in Jos.

    The motorists were convicted having been arraigned before the court by the Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    The Public Education Officer of the command, Mr Andrew Bala, disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos.

    Bala said the FRSC legal officer was the Prosecuting counsel at the court which sat along Agwan Rukuba-lamingo road in the Jos metropolis, on Wednesday.

    He said the FRSC arraigned 42 offending motorists before the court and court convicted 40 and discharged two others.

    “42 motorists were earlier arrested, but the court discharged 2 and convicted 40.

    “The motorists were convicted over use of expired tyres, seatbelt violation, driver’s license violation, use of phone while driving and underage driving,” he said.

    The official said the court, however, fined the convicted motorists and impounded their vehicles, pending when they would pay the fines.

    He said the command would continue to use the mobile court to compel motorists to comply with traffic rules and regulations, particularly during the ember months.

  • Abandoned Projects: CBN Gov., NDDC Management to appear before Reps C’ttee

    Abandoned Projects: CBN Gov., NDDC Management to appear before Reps C’ttee

    Rep. Nicholas Ossai (ODP-Delta) Chairman, House of Representatives Committee investigating abandoned projects in the Niger Delta, says that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emiefele, will appear before the committee on Thursday, Sept. 19.

    In an interview with journalists in Abuja, Ossai said that the Acting Managing Director and all the Directors in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) would also answer questions on abandoned projects in the oil rich region.

    “Some of the documents we requested from the CBN has come and we are looking forward to receiving him on Thursday by 12 o’clock.

    “I believe we might ask one or two questions from the documents we have received, that is what we are going to do, I know the CBN Governor is a law-abiding citizen.

    “What we did is to protect the interest of the Niger Delta people, who are a part of the people of Nigeria, whose money had been released to do a good job for them by the Federal Government.

    “The investigation we are conducting will unravel a lot of issues and make sure that some of these contractors go back to site to execute those jobs abandoned over the years; that is the essence of summons.

    “So the CBN Governor is going to appear on Thursday including all directors and the Acting MD of NDDC, who is also a Director of a Department,” he said.

    According to the lawmaker, the essence of this thing is to return contractors to site and for us to get documents.

    Ossai said that the committee would make sure that contractors that had collected money without going to site will be made to go back to site or the monies recovered.

    The Rep also said that the committee would ensure that contractors that had executed jobs will be paid by the appropriate authorities.

  • UNIMAID TOP MANAGEMENT DECLARES VARSITY SAFE AND SECURE FOR ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

    UNIMAID TOP MANAGEMENT DECLARES VARSITY SAFE AND SECURE FOR ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

    By Dauda R Pam, Maiduguri

    In a fierce attempt by the Boko Haram criminals to cause mayhem and disrupt normal academic activities in the University of Maiduguri,UNIMAID,Sunday, through a lone suicide bomber,was however bostched by security personnel on duty on the fateful day.

    As a result of the failed attempt, the top management committee,TMC,of the ivory tower,has declared the University safe and secured for normal academic activities, particularly, lectures and the on going second semester examinations.

    This was contained in a statement issued by, Professor Danjuma Gambo, the Director UNIMAID Radio and Public Relations and made available to newsmen via a WhatsApp platform,Tuesday in Maiduguri, said while additional measures are being taken for the protection of lives and property, parents, guardians and other stakeholders are hereby assured that the University will do everything possible to ensure the safety and security of all staff students on campus.

    Professor Gambo said: “After a very long period of relative peace and tranquility, the University of Maiduguri has once again, been brought to public attention following the recent security breach on campus by elements suspected to be insurgents.

    “Consequently, the media landscape is replete with reports and analysis of the incident many of which do not reflect the facts on ground.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, on Sunday,15th September, 2019 at 21:45 hours, a lone suicide bomber (male, approximately 24 years old) attempted to inflict maximum harm on innocent members of the University Community.

    “However, following a hot pursuit by the ever-vigilant security men on duty, the bomber hurriedly entered a disused building at the extreme end of the campus (to the east) and detonated his Improvised Explosive Device (I.E.D.), thereby dying alone.

    

    “Unfortunately, while the building was damaged, a female student sustained a minor injury in an attempt to escape from the general area. She has already been treated and discharged from the University Clinic.”

    According to the statement,since the unfortunate incident, the University Management has been receiving messages of sympathy and solidarity from individuals and organisations, particularly His Excellency. Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Executive Govemor of Borno State.

    “He has already visited the scene of the explosion, commiserated with the community and reiterated the commitment of the State Government to substantially support the University in reinforcing its already existing security arrangements.

    “Following a careful review of the situation, the Top Management Committee (TMC) has decided that the campus is safe and secure and that normal academic activities, particularly lectures and the on-going Second Semester Examinations, should be concluded in line with the Senate-approved Calendar of Events.

    

    “Therefore, while additional measures are being taken for the protection of lives and property, parents, guardians and other stakeholders are hereby assured that the University will do everything possible to ensure the safety and security of all staff and students alike on campus.

    “Management appreciates the sympathy, solidarity and enormous support of the Federal Government, the Government and people of Borno State, all security agencies and services, community and religious leaders, our great alumni, the media and the entire university Community “, the statement added.

  • Judicial Recklessness Threatens Outcome Of Suit Seeking Custody Of Children In Abuja

    Judicial Recklessness Threatens Outcome Of Suit Seeking Custody Of Children In Abuja

    The Judiciary has in recent time come under serious criticism by some Nigerians in the way and manner justice is dispensed following some high profile cases that made headlines in most national dailies. However, the development does not mean all is well with cases that attracted little or no reportage following erroneous and reckless handling of low profile cases.
    In this piece, an independent investigator divulges to AljazirahNigeria’s judiciary correspondent what could be best described as judicial recklessness dissipated by the Upper Area Court sitting at Gwagwalada, Abuja, under the watchful eyes of Shariah court of Appeal Gudu, Abuja. An act of misconduct in respect of case No.: CV/90/2019 between Amina Usman vs Abubakar Rahmat Salihu.
    Narrating the outcome of his investigation on a case seeking to keep custody of children of Abubakar Rahmat Salihu and his estranged wife, Amina Usman, he had these revelations to make;
    “Abubakar Rahmat Salihu is the defendant in the abovementioned suit which was heard before His Worship the judge of the upper area court sitting in Gwagwalada.
    “The suit was initially before the Area Court in Kubwa before it was transferred by the head of the Sharia court from Kubwa Area Court to the Gwagwalagda Area Court.
    According to the investigator, “The suit borders on the custody of the defendant’s children whose mother was granted temporary custody of the children by the former judge sitting in Kubwa.

    “The order was appealed by the respondent to the Sharia court of appeal during which an outcome of the appeal was being awaited. The defendant appealed the awaited decision of the Sharia Court of Appeal and duly informed the judge through a motion and a letter of the need to wait for the decision of the court of appeal A motion was filed for the restraining order against the judge and others to stop the warrant of arrest he has issued against the defendant on the civil matter.

    “ Our findings revealed that the Gwagwalagda Upper Area Court Judge issued the said arrest warrant without jurisdiction and was trying to make use of the vacation to overreach the appeal by enforcing the judgement appealed against.
    “Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the head of the upper area court in gwagwalada was heard making utterances against the Defendant that he must jail him since he had written a petition against his masters at the sharia court to NJC for misconduct. To us this seems like the ruling of the gwagwalada upper area court on this, is a vendetta against the defendant.

    “ Our further trail on the petitions written by the defendant shows that the above reasons and many other attitude exhibited by the judge in gwagwalada led to the petition by the defendant.
    “According to a source in the court, the judge in gwagwalada gave an order that no submission be received at the court from the defendant. It is despicable that a judge of his caliber will always descend that way during and after court proceedings.

    It is also on good authority that
    “On August 1, 2019 he signed a subpoena that the defendant should produce the children in court when the defendant is fully aware that subpoenas are only issued to witnesses. According to a staff of the court, the defendant’s counsel informed the court that they have since filed a notice of appeal challenging the order at the Sharia court of appeal but yet he turned a deaf ear since he already has a mission to accomplish.
    Our findings further showed that the defendant approached the High court to remove the case from the Gwagwalagda court, and to call the said judge to order.

    In our effort to know the details and merits of the defendant’s petition submitted to various offices, we found out that the above submission was reported by the defendant through a petition to the Executive Secretary, National Judicial Council, Supreme court, of Nigeria complex, the secretary FCT Judicial Service committee, Gudu High court and the Director of Area Court, Sharia Court of Appeal. The investigation also traced to know if there has been responses from the offices where the petition were reported, but found out that yet no feedback from the authorities, which suggest that the petitions has merits.

    Accordingly, the investigation further revealed that “On the 6th of September 2019, a Certiorari court order with motion No FCT/HC/M/8287/19 quashing the entire proceedings, subpoena ad testificandum et du cess tecum, ruling of 1st August 2019 and warrant of arrest of 7th, August, 2019 was obtained by the defendant from the High court of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyanya, Abuja. The said orders were duly served to the respondent’s counsel and the sole judge upper area court sitting at Gwagwalagda.

    At this juncture attempt by the investigators to interact with Abubakar Rahmat Salihu (defendant) and Amina Usman (respondent) was abortive, as defendant’s contact phone was not reachable and the respondent’s number was reached but refused to interact with the investigators.

    Additionally and based on findings around the court environment, revealed that the Sharia Court of Appeal under the leadership of its Head attempted serving the defendant another warrant of arrest on 12th of September, 2019 at his office, despite the existing Court of Appeal of Nigeria restraining order with appeal number CA/A/688/S/2019 from the court of Appeal and Certiorari court order with Motion No FCT/HC/M/19 staying all action or steps towards the proceedings of the respondent.
    In synopsis, the investigator frowned at the observations portraying the judiciary which serves as the hope of the common man as a tool for what could be regarded as judicial recklessness on the part of the Area Court Judge in Gwagwalagda under the watch of the shariah court of appeal. According to our sources, the respondent counsel is still seen around the Sharia court of appeal attempting to influence the court to carry out further action where they have no jurisdiction. This urgently begs for concern an sincere interpretation from all stakeholders, on whether it is right for an upper area court to overrule a restraining order of the court of appeal and if also the shariah court has the power to attend to a matter before the court of appeal. i

    The above submission from the investigators begs for an answer to avoid any ambiguity in the standards of the nation’s judicial system.

  • Nigeria to seek global support to combat terrorism

    Nigeria to seek global support to combat terrorism

    By Jennifer Y Omiloli

    Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, has said that the Nigerian Government would use the Forum of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to seek global support in fighting terrorism and increasing Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

    Onyeama disclosed this in Abuja during a Pre-UNGA briefing with newsmen on Tuesday stating the expectations of the Nigerian government during the high level summit from Sept. 17 to Sept. 30.

    According to Onyeama, Nigeria would take advantage of its position as President of the 74th UN General Assembly to project the country and articulate priorities of the country, what it seeks to achieve and areas for global support.

    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari will be lead the Nigerian delegation which would include Members of his cabinet and some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure Nigeria have the best technical resources.

    Onyeama listed other priority issues of the country to be discussed at the summit to include: issues of Peace and Security, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG ) which covers socio-economic, education, humanitarian issues regarding child’s right.

    Other issues are: poverty eradication, illicit financial flows, recovery of stolen assets.

  • Buhari dissolves SPIP

    Buhari dissolves SPIP

    By Jennifer Y Omiloli

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately take over all outstanding investigations and other activities of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) on Tuesday.

    Buhari dissolves the panel currently constituted with Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla as Chairman in the process.

    The President also said he is awaiting the final Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) report on Obono-Obla.

    The panel was established in August 2017 by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while acting as president, to investigate specifically mandated cases of corruption, abuse of office and similar offences by public officers.

    President Buhari thanked all members of the dissolved panel for their services, said the President’s media adviser, Femi Adesina.

    Recall that Buhari in August suspended the chairman, Okoi Obono-Obla, from office.

    The suspension letter, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who also directed him to answer questions from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission.

    According to Mustapha, Obono-Obla was to hand over to Dayo Apata, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, who was holding forte in the Justice Ministry at the time.

    Among other things, he is being investigated over allegations of certificate forgery and other corruption-related charges. He was also accused of acting outside the mandate setting up the panel.

  • OML 25: SPDC, Belema signs dispute closure agreement

    OML 25: SPDC, Belema signs dispute closure agreement

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with its joint venture partners, Shell Production Development Company (SPDC) and Belema OIL, have resolved the dispute on the operation of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 25.

    The group at the signing of the dispute closure agreement in Abuja, on Tuesday agreed that operations at the oil well would take off in the next 10 days.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Slyva, at the event thanked all the parties stressing that the step signified the beginning of a new chapter in the industry.

    Slyva said that the aim of the ministry was to ensure an oil industry that worked and operated in harmony and in unity.

    “When I came into the office, the issue was one of the problems that came on the table; there were so many letters from communities complaining about the problem.

    “I just decided to invite Shell to hear its own part of the story but fortunately, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, had intervened in the matter.

    “So, I have the honour now to thank him for this great intervention.

    “And also thank Shell and Belema for cooperating to ensure that there is closure to this matter that has bedeviled the industry for so long,” he said.

    He said that one of the aims of the Petroleum Industry was to ensure zero loss in the industry and production got to destination.

    According to him, zero loss is not loses from pipelines but lost to the country, especially with assets that can produce but for some reasons bug down by leakage issues.

    He said that the biggest beneficiaries of the agreement were not the companies but the communities, especially those in Belema who had been suffering since the beginning of the dispute.

    The minister commended the NNPC, Shell and the Belema Oil for agreeing to resolve the dispute.

    Earlier, Kyari said that the development was a big achievement for the corporation.

    The NNPC boss said that the dispute around the OML 25 had been on for over two years, adding that the end result was that communities lacked peace with the disruption of property and social lives in the area.

    “For us, the most important aspect of the dispute resolution is that, at least, the communities will have their peace restored.

    “At the back of it, you are aware that there is a complete stoppage of petroleum operations around the OML 25 and adjoining blocks.

    “What this means is shut down of production of over 35,000 barely of oil every day in the last two years and that is enormous economic loss for all stakeholders, Nigeria and the communities.

    “This is why we engaged all stakeholders and we are happy to announce today that the closure has been obtained.

    “It means that the communities will have their peace back and also commence operations with the OML 25.

    “That means that there is prosperity for the community and also some returns to shareholders of Belema Oil, NNPC and Nigeria at large,” he said.

    Kyari commended the Belema Oil for its role and assured full engagement of the communities, adding that all the parties would be taken care of.

    The NNPC boss also said that all opportunities found would be shared equitably for overall peace and development of the country.

    He commended the minister of petroleum for his support and assured that the operations would soon commence in the area.

    Also, the Managing Director of Shell, Osagie Okunbor said that the dispute had been for two years but “we are happy that we concluded on resolving the dispute.

    “I want to convey my deep appreciation to the GMD of NNPC for the intervention to bring this issue to a closure.

    “When dispute of this nature happens, every one suffers, especially the immediate family, recipient community not to talk of investors like ourselves.

    “We have been in discussion with communities and Belema Oil and sometimes under the auspices of government.

    “We are very pleased that we have finally brought this to a conclusion, to work on some agreements with communities to achieve speedy return to operations on that facility,” he said.

    He said that to meet the plight of the host communities, Shell had paid in the Joint MOU account, over N300 million to restart community efforts it had not done because of some issues.

    Okunbor said that under the joint MOU framework, monies would be paid into communities’ accounts to execute projects to ensure that employment opportunities get to the people.

    He noted that SPDC remained the operator of the OML 25 but assured commitment to ensure that all parties would derive from the benefits.

    The President and Founder, Belema OIL, Mr Jack Rich-Tein, also said the agreement signaled that stakeholders shared common interest and value of lifting the country high and strengthening relationships.

    “What has been resolved is that, we have agreed to work together, SPDC and Belema Oil.

    “Belema Oil is now going to be able to create a lot of employment opportunities for the communities under operations and maintenance part of the operations.

    “SPDC remains the operators because they still have the licence, the communities will be happy because we will employ them and they will be able to work with SPDC.

    “The key thing there is getting back to work and creating jobs for the local communities, everybody will be happy.”

    He said that Belema OIL with 7.7 per cent asset would provide the operation maintenance and employ the community members through that platform.

    The founder said that Belema OIL would work with shell to ensure that the development needs of the people were met.

    “We have agreed that less than 10 days from today, we will visit the communities and appeal to them and then, we go to work,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that operation in OML 25 stopped since in 2017 when the host communities sent SPDC away from operating in the facility over issues of unemployment and underdevelopment among others. (NAN)

  • Group lauds removal of VAT on cooking gas

    Group lauds removal of VAT on cooking gas

    The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), says the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on cooking gas by the Federal Government will deepen market penetration, boost the country’s economy and protect the environment.

    Mr Nosa Ogieva-Okunbor, President , NALPGAM, stated this during the association’s Governing Council Meeting held in Lagos on Tuesday.

    He noted that the removal of VAT on the gas supply to marketers by Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) would attract more investors and reduce importation of gas into the country.

    “This removal of VAT on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), popularly known as cooking gas, has crashed the price of cooking gas by about 30 per cent in the market.

    “Currently, a 12.5kg bottle of gas which was N4,300 now sells for between N2,500 and N2,700 and has also deepened household usage of gas,’’ he said.

    Ogieva-Okunbor said the association would take effective steps to deepen the use of LPG and increase local consumption from the current 700,000 metric tonnes to 1,000,000 metric tonnes annually.

    He said that the target can increase to about five million metric tonnes by 2025 if stakehokders in the sector adhere to standards.

    “If achieved, Nigeria will join the league of nations with high level of LPG consumption,” he said.

    The President also stressed the need for the reduction of import duty on LPG equipment so as to encourage more investors to come in and deepen LPG consumption in the country.

    He, however, expressed concern over growing indiscriminate establishment of gas plants in filling stations, which he said pose a great danger to the citizenry and the economy.

    Ogieva-Okunbor said that the association is not against establishments of such plants but insisted that they must operate with the same Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) applicable to standard gas plants as laid down by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

    He noted that the right procedure for petrol filling stations to dispense cooking gas was for them to retail already filled gas cylinders.

    Ogieva-Okunbor added that the DPR had given a directive for the removal of gas plants in filling stations by December 2020.(NAN)