Category: Uncategorized

By Samuel itsede

Election petition tribunal seating in Cross River State has dismissed five more petitions filed by candidates of the All Progressive Congress, APC, against the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, challenging the outcome of the 2019 general elections to different seats of the National Assembly in the state.

It would be recalled that on Wednesday this week, the three-man election tribunal gave five judgements, one of which was between former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba of APC and Senator Sandy Onor of PDP, all in favor of the PDP.

Again on Thursday, the second panel with Justice A.A. Babawale as chairman with Justices S. B. Shuaibu and M. C. Okoh as members, delivered judgement in suit number EPT/CAL/S/09/2019 between Wabilly Nyiam of APC versus Senator Rose Oko of the PDP, and another concerning Cross River North senatorial district; EPT/CAL/HR/06/2019 Jude Ngaji of APC versus Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe of the PDP, concerning Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency; EPT/CAL/HR/07/2019 Mkpanam Obo-Bassey Ekpo of the APC versus Hon. Daniel Asuquo of the PDP, concerning Akamkpa/Biase Federal constituency; EPT/CAL/HR/08/2019 Akibe Ekpenyong of the APC versus Rt. Hon. Eta Mbora and another concerning Odukpani/Calabar Municipal federal constituency; as well as EPT/CAL/HR/10/2019 between Dominic Aqua-Edem of APC versus Hon. Essien Ayi, for Bakassi/Calabar South/Akpabuyo federal constituency.

Grounds for dismissing the cases were similar, as stated by the tribunal which stressed that “the crux of the petition was the petitioners’ complains that they were unlawfully excluded from participating in the elections held on February 23rd by the actions of the second respondent- the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.”

The first, second and fifth judgments; EPT/CAL/S/09/2019, EPT/CAL/HR/06/2019, and EPT/CAL/HR/10/2019 were read by the chairman of the tribunal Justice A.A. Babawale.

Justice Shuaibu read the judgement in suit number EPT/CAL/HR/07/2019 while Justice Okoh read the judgement in suit number EPT/CAL/HR/08/2019.

The tribunal said the APC in Cross River shut itself on the foot because they refused to resolve their internal disputes within the ranks of the party that gave rise to the Federal High court Judgement whose order remained valid and was obeyed by INEC.

The tribunal held that the delisting of APC candidates by INEC on the eve of the polls was not unlawful as contended by the petitioners because the judgement of the federal high court in suit number FHC/C/73/2018 remained valid and was bound to be obeyed as constitutionally provided.

The judges of the second panel however, deferred from those of panel one in their conclusions concerning the jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain the exclusion matter being the crux of the petitioner.

While the first panel which sat on the previous day contended that the exclusion prayed by the petitioners qualifies for a pre-election case and declined jurisdiction, the second panel agreed with the petitioner that the election tribunal has jurisdiction to entertain their cases as it qualifies for a post-election matter.

However, the five petitions of the APC were dismissed on the grounds that the exclusion of their candidates by INEC was done lawfully in obedience to a valid court order.

They noted that the Appeal Court only set aside the Federal High court Judgment after the delisting had been carried out and the elections conducted.

The tribunal chairman urged the APC in Cross River to put its house in order and blame itself, rather than INEC, for their woes in the state.

Begs envoy to use China tech to recharge Lake Chad

By Jennifer Yusuf

Nigeria is ready to provide counterpart funding on all agreements reached with China for the provision of infrastructure that directly improves the livelihood of Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.

Receiving Yang Jiechi, Special Envoy of the President of China, Xi Jinping, at State House, President Buhari expressed deep appreciation for China’s sustained and genuine efforts to improve Nigeria’s infrastructure development, especially in the sectors of road, railway, aviation, as well as power and water resources.

‘‘Now that we have a government in place (with the Ministers), we know the provision of infrastructure is very important. It (Infrastructure) provides job opportunities and economic sustainability which are very important for political stability,’’ the President said.

President Buhari also underlined Nigeria and China’s cooperation at the international arena, saying: ‘‘at the international level, we appreciate the support we give to each other and very importantly this must be sustained.’’

‘‘Nigeria is determined to play its role wherever China’s interest is concerned,’’ the President said while appreciating China’s support for Nigeria’s presidency of the 74th UN General Assembly.

On Lake Chad, the President emphasised the need for sustained support from China on the recharging of The Lake, noting that Nigeria and countries in the region have a lot to benefit from Chinese expertise and technology on inter-basin water transfer.

‘‘China has the technology, the people and the resources to help Lake Chad Basin countries because not many people in the region appreciate our problem of being near the Sahara desert and its influence on our population and climate change, which is affecting over 20 million people living there,’’ he said.

President Buhari also welcomed the offer by the Special Envoy for close partnership between Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress and the Communist Party of China.

Delivering the message of President Xi, the Special envoy, who led a high-powered Chinese delegation to the meeting, assured President Buhari of China’s readiness to improve strategic partnership with Nigeria and effectively implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit in 2018.

‘‘China firmly supports Nigeria in pursuing a development path that supports Nigeria’s national conditions. We have every confidence that under Your Excellency’s able leadership, Nigeria will achieve even greater success in its national development.

‘‘During Your Excellency’s trip to China for the FOCAC Beijing Summit, we had bilateral meetings and reached important agreements on our bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

‘‘I highly value China’s ties with Nigeria and stand ready to work with Your Excellency to enhance our political trust, jointly pursue Belt and Road Cooperation, effectively implement the outcomes of FOCAC and strengthen our coordination in regional and international affairs so as to further enrich the strategic partnership between both countries,’’ President Xi said.

The Chinese leader once again congratulated President Buhari on his re-election.

With President Buhari at the meeting were Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Power, Transport, Aviation, Industry, Trade and Investment and Foreign Affairs.

The meeting discussed the status and implementation of several on-going projects being undertaken by Chinese firms in the country including railways, free trade zones, Mambilla Hydro-Power plant and four airport terminals, among others.

By Dauda R Pam

GOVERNOR Babagana Umara Zulum, Of Borno state has vowed to complete all ongoing projects that were midwifed by his predecessor and advised all commissioners to key in and develop a work plan that will ensure successful execution of projects under their purview in the state.

He made this known during his maiden meeting with the state executive council members(commissioners) at the government house Maiduguri and urged them to do everything possible to complete all ongoing projects under their ministries.

According to him,his administration will provide the required support and cooperation to enable them implement policies and programmes that will improve the quality and living standard of Borno people in tandem with the budgetary provisions of the appropriation law.

He thanked all members of the state executive council for accepting to serve under his administration,urging them to feel free,be transparent and work as a team for the well-being and development of the state.

Shortly after, the state commissioner of information, Alh. Babakura Abba Jato,briefed journalists and said the governor told them to do what the state needed most now,in the provision of security to lives and property,as according to him, no development can take place without adequate security and urged them to work assiduously to achieve that.

He said,the GOVERNOR directed them to have a work plan that can add value and bring development in the state while reminding them to operate an open door policy and liaise with their staff in the ministries for greater output .

On the role of the media,he called on all working journalists in the state to give in their maximum support to,GOVERNOR ZULUM, led administration by shunning negative reportage and to seek for clarification where necessary before going to press.

On their part,the commissioners,he said,assured the governor of their unalloyed loyalty and support to achieve the ten point agenda policy thrust of the administration aimed at bringing positive development in the state through prioritizing their projects that will impart positively on the lives of the people.
Ends

By Abel Leonard Nzwanke/Lafia.

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to appear before it to explain alleged exclusion of Labour Party’s logo and the name of its candidate, Mr Umaru Angibi, in the ballot paper that was used for the last governorship election in Nasarawa State.

Justice Evelyn Maha ordered both INEC and leadership of the LP to appear on September 5, following an exparte motion with suit number: FHC/LF/CS/9/19, which Angibi filed through his lawyer, Mr. Joshua Barau.

The court gave the applicant the nod to within 24 hours, serve the order on the respondents via substituted means to enable them to file their processes in response to the suit within 48 hours after service.

The applicant had in his suit, sought for leave to paste the processes on the entrance gate of the party’s headquarters at No. 29, Oke Agbe Street, Off Ladoke Akintola Boulevard, Garlic II, Abuja.

He equally applied for abridgment of the time within which the respondents could file their memorandum of appearance and defense to the suit.

The applicant argued that “The election, having been conducted by the 1st respondent (INEC) without including the plaintiff/applicant’s name and party logo.

“This matter was filed since March 7. This court must abridge the time within which the respondents may file their defense so that the matter can be heard and disposed of within the time left”.

He told the court that the matter came up on four occasions in the Lafia Division of the Federal High Court before it was transferred to the Abuja Division.

The told the court that the party had on all the occasions, failed to appear in the matter, despite attempts by the bailiff to serve the originating processes and hearing notice on it.

“That the 2nd defendant at all material time always refused, declined accepting service of the orientation processes in the guise that the person responsible for receipt of same is not on sit and no other person can accept to receive processes except him.

“Attached is the affidavits sworn to by the court bailiffs marked as exhibits A, A1, A2 and A3.Mr

“That personal service on the 2nd defendant/respondent of the originating process and all other processes filed and/or to be filed in this suit will be impossible and inconvenient as nobody may be found there at the time of attempting to serve the 2nd defendant/respondent personally or everyone around decline to accept service as they have always done since this originating process was filed.

“I verily believe that it is a matter of urgency that this suit is heard speedily and time within which the respondents may file their defense to the suit be abridged”.

He, therefore, prayed the court to in the interest of justice, order the two respondents to appear on the adjourned date.

By Abel Leonard Nzwanke lafia

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has queried the Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Mohammed Dan’azumi, for hording and refusing to distribute sporting kits to various schools across the 13 local government areas and 18 development areas of the state.

The governor also expressed displeasure over the manner at which sporting kits procured by the SUBEB were not utilised after over two years of procurement, but were rather left in the open where they were being destroyed by rain and sunshine.

The governor also queried the SUBEB boss for ignorance of staff strength on the payroll of the board alongside his management staff when he paid an unscheduled working visit to the board’s headquarters in Lafia.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has obtained orders for the interim forfeiture of assets traced to a former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; his wife, Nneoma Nkechi, and their daughter.
The Head, Enugu Zonal Office of the commission, Mr. Usman Imam, disclosed this on Wednesday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the activities of the commission in the last eight months.

Imam said the EFCC also obtained similar order on a property traced to a former aide to Okorocha, Mr. Paschal Obi, and the former governor’s daughter.

He said that the commission had established prima facie cases against the suspects, which they would answer to.

Imam said that the commission would like to know how the Rochas Foundation and “other accomplices” acquired and or converted some of the property for personal use.

He listed some of the property to include a 16-block 96-flat structure and an eight-bungalow multimillion naira estate, hotel, two schools, shopping plaza, supermarket, hospital and four vehicles.

The EFCC chief said that while the hospital was traced to Obi, the remaining property were traced to the former governor and his family, including his wife and daughter.
“We hope to get permanent forfeiture orders on the property in order to return them to the people of the state,” he said.

Imam said that all the facilities, including the schools, would remain functional as the commission would not like to shut them down for the sake of the students and other users.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has said that it had recorded a total of 45,347 pipeline breaks on its downstream network between 2001 and mid-2019.

The Group Managing Director, GMD, Malam Mele Kyari, stated this at the Nigeria International Pipeline Technology and Security Conference, in Abuja.

“Between 2001 to half-year 2019, NNPC has recorded a total of 45, 347 pipeline breaks on its downstream pipeline network. The cost of vandalism, which includes fatalities, loss of revenue, asset and environmental degradation, affects everyone. Lost revenue, possible loss of employment, collateral damage to national image, loss of investor confidence etc will obviously affect everyone in the long run,’’ he said.

The GMD also said that in 2018, a total of 19 fire incidents were recorded on the petroleum products pipelines. This, he said, remains a challenge for stakeholders and they must come together to find a lasting solution to, in order to end the menace.

Kyari said that the importance of pipelines could not be overemphasised, adding that when there are no pipelines to transport petroleum products, the alternative is to transport by trucks. He said that the high number of trucks involved in the daily transportation of products over long distances contributed to highway accidents and deterioration of the nation’s road network.

“Based on Federal Road Safety Corps estimate, Nigeria has lost about N7.157 billion to road traffic accidents involving 116 petroleum product tankers during the first half of 2018,’’ he said.

He called on all stakeholders including Pipeline professionals, communities, government institutions and industry players to tackle the menace.

Kyari said that the corporation would deploy technology, physical deterrent interventions and other soft options to arrest the menace.

He noted that some progress had been made over the last three years, but more work needed to be done.

“We have sustained awareness campaign, removed illegal structures on pipeline rights of ways, and we are deploying appropriate technology to mitigate attacks on pipelines as well as to reduce our response time to incidents,’’ he said

He said that Nigeria required billions of dollars annually to tackle its infrastructure challenge and to achieve this; there was the need to adopt a Public-Private Partnership.

By Danzumi Ishaku Jalingo

Clerk, Taraba State House of Assembly Mr. Orngu Mellah has denied hosting an emergency meeting of Tiv elites in Jalingo Taraba state.

Mellah made the denial in a statement he issued on Wednesday to newsmen in Jalingo.

The clerk said the publication circulating on social media was intended to blackmail and cause mischief to his reputation and carrier as a civil servant, especially as clerk of the house.

“I want to draw the attention of the general public to a mischievous and defamatory publication circulated by one Tsokwa Fwaje on the social media against my person.

“This publication clearly intends to blackmail and cause mischief to my reputation and carrier as a civil servant and particularly as the Clerk of the Taraba State House of Assembly.

According to Mellah the publication has unfortunatly attracted a lot of negative comments against him on the social media.

“I wish to state categorically that I do not belong to any such group named in the publication and therefore, did not hold such a meeting.

“The post clearly exposes the evil intent and malice nursed against me by Mr Tsokwa Fwaje whom I don’t even know”.

He therefore said, “Iam giving the author of the libelous write-up to retract his publication and tender an unreserved apology to me, to be published in all platforms in which he made such publications”.

By Danzumi Ishaku.

The Taraba state House of Assembly under the speakership of Right Honorable Able Peter Daiah Speaker, has inaugurated 20 man committees to oversight the affairs of ministries in the state.

Speaking during the inauguration in Jalingo, the speaker said the main purpose of the standing committees is to oversight the activities of the other government agencies under their jurisdiction.

The Speaker who was represented by his Deputy Danladi Gwapo, said good governance presupposes accountability and transparency is possible when there is checks and balance.

The speaker commended the Taraba state Governor for his harmonious working relationship between the all arms of government in the state.

He urged members of the committees to take the opportunity as means of ensuring good governance and not as a platform for witchunt.

Earlier, Clark of the House Mr Mela Orngu, urged ministries, department and agencies to exhibit rubost partnership with the committees.

He said that the Constitution of committees was part of the tradition to conduct it’s mandate with efficiency.

He listed some of the Standing committees to include, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education, Science Technology, Finance and Appropriation, Poverty Alleviation, works and Housing, Information Culture and Tourism, Health Services Social Welfare youths and sports, Water Resources and Rural Development, Justice, Judiciary and Cabinet Affairs among others.

By Dazumi Ishaku

The alleged lopsided and fraudulent employment of over 250 staff in Federal Polytechnic Bali, Taraba has become an issue of concern.

Investigation reveals that the institution employed over 250 members of both academic and non-academic staff in recent time without following due process as enshrined in the public service rules concerning employment into public offices.

Our correspondent gathered that those issued with appointment letters were not duly interviewed before appointment.

It was also discovered that the institution disregarded the standard of public service rules on employment into public offices by not complying with Federal Character Principles on employment into public offices.

One of the staff of the Polytechnic who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the Polytechnic management has received an increase of N50 million on it’s former N30 million monthly allocation to clear backlog of outstanding staff promotion and migration allowances being owed to staff.

He accused the management of shortchanging staff of the Polytechnic by embarking on a shoddy and fraudulent employment which grossly violated the public service rules.

He also accused the management of issuing appointment letters to newly employed staff before asking them to write and submit their handwriting application letters.

“we noticed with dismay that the appointment letters issued to those new staff did not state the date of their resumption of duty which looks dubious and criminal”.

“The management can decide to divert those funds they corruptly earmarked for the employment within the period in which those staff were employed”.

We are calling on the National Board for Technical Education, Federal Character Commission and the Federal ministry of education to probe the scandalous employment carried out by the management of the Polytechnic spearheaded by Dr Jen, Rector of the Polytechnic.

“The relevant agencies should ensure that standard practices are upheld for day to day administration of the institution because the Polytechnic does not belong to a single individual, ethnic group or religion”.

When contacted, the Rector of the Polytechnic Dr. Saidu Jen said that he hurriedly issued the appointment letters to satisfy the MBTE requirements for the introduction of new courses and accreditation of other courses earlier introduced in the Polytechnic.

Dr. Saidu Jen who spoke through the Acting Registrar of the Polytechnic, Sirajo Isa El-Yakub said that the exercise was carried out with a good intention to beat up the MBTE date for visiting the Polytechnic for programmes accreditation.

According to Sirajo El-Yakub, the MBTE has given the Polytechnic a latter notifying us of their visit for accreditation exercise.

He also debunked the allegation that the management violated public service rules insisting that the employment waiver was granted for employment of 80 members of staff since 2015 and interview was conducted there after.

The Acting Registrar further explained that the overshoot in the number of employed staff was due to another vacancies inherent in the institution due to retirement and death of some staff.

He however, said that the management was already in the process of revilidating the employment process as they planned to reach out to relevant agencies on this issue.

On the increament in allocation to the Polytechnic, the Acting Registrar said that the funds were granted in the 2019 budget for the purpose of employment as that had been the management demand over time.

He argued that the funds were not meant for any staff arrears but for the employment of staff to meet up manpower inadequacy in the Polytechnic.

Although, documents tendered to our team of reporters showed that 80 slots were granted by FCC for employment and interview were conducted as far back as 2015 but over 250 we’re employed whose majority did not pass through the interview process.

Also funds were released in line with budget demand for the employment of more members of staff to augment the manpower shortfall.