BREAKING: VICE PRESIDENT, YEMI OSINBAJO , NAMED IN A N33 BILLION CORRUPTION SCANDAL, AHEAD Of THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS

The House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, has indicted Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, accusing him of illegally approving N5.8 billion North-East Intervention Fund, which the Lawmakers said was mismanaged by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

The Committee called for the sack of the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, for alleged fraud, corruption, and embezzlement of N33 billion Emergency Intervention fund.

The House Committee, held a public hearing four months ago, on the alleged breach of public trust by NEMA.

Details...later...

TONYE COLE'S CONVOY KILLS TWO WOMEN (DISTURBING PHOTOS)

Tonye Cole

The convoy of APC Gubernatorial candidate, Tonye Cole has allegedly crushed two women to death in Rivers State.

According to an Eyewitness, Kelvin Mopho, Cole's convoy reportedly knocked down two women named Mrs Enigheni Inyele and Mrs Idiami Umor, all from Emoh, in Abua Odual LGA of the state.

Mopho wrote on his social media page;

"Today Is A Black Friday For The Okpeden Clan Ward 8 Of Abua Odual LGA As The Factional APC Governorship Candidate Tonye Cole Kills Two Women Named Mrs Enigheni Inyele And Mrs Idiami Umor All From Emoh, Due To Reckless Driving And Political Desperation As He Commenced His Campaign Tour In Rivers State.

Eye Witness Has It That People Of The Clan And Indeed Ward 8 Rejected Tonye Cole With His Entourage Which In Anger While Trying To Zoom Off From The Ward, The Two Innocent Friends Were Knocked Down By Tonye Cole And His Angry Entourage. The Two Corpses Have Been Deposited At The Abua General Hospital As At The Time Of This Information..."
 

SENIOR LAWYER BAGS 7 YEARS IMPRISONMENT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Maiduguri Zonal Office, yesterday, secured the conviction of Ahmed Mai-aji, who was re-arraigned on a-three-count charge before Justice Haruna Yusuf Mshelia of the State High Court Maiduguri, Borno for the offences of criminal breach of trust and cheating to the tune of N3million.

The accused person, who is a senior lawyer, was entrusted with a land document for the purpose of intervening in a land dispute between the complainant and another party, dishonestly dispossessed the owner of the plot in violation of the trust the complainant had for the accused.

Recall that Barr Mai-aji was re-arraigned as a result of an application brought by his counsel, Barr SM Konto, seeking an order, declining jurisdiction to hear and determine the charge on the ground of bias or likelihood of bias by Justice Fadawu Umar.

In his ruling on 16th May 2017, Justice Fadawu Umar said, “the issue of bias arises as a result of judicial rulings delivered by this court on the grounds of the application brought by the defence counsel for lack of jurisdiction by the EFCC to initiate any criminal matter before this court and the refusal of bail stands.

“The registrar of the court should return the case file to the chief judge of the state and I hereby decline jurisdiction not to hear the case. The accused be further remanded in prison custody”.

On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, Mai-aji was re-arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Haruna Yusuf Mshelia. Prosecution counsel, Khalid Sanusi, in proving the case, tendered seven different exhibits and five witnesses testified against the convict.

In his judgment, Justice Mshelia stated, “the court hereby found you guilty of the offences of criminal breach of trust and cheating”.

Count three of the charge reads: “That you, Ahmed Mai-aji, sometime in 2016 at Maiduguri Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Baba Yusuf Bukar to deliver to you the sum of N3,000,000.00 in the name of payment for a plot of land situated at Pompamari Light Industrial Layout, Maiduguri, Borno State, covered by grant of Right of Occupancy N0:BO/6057 of 79.1981, which was kept in your custody for the purpose of discharging your responsibility without any right to sell same, contrary to and punishable under sections 320 and 321 of penal Code Law Cap 102, Laws of the Borno State of Nigeria, 1994 respectively.”

“On count one, the court sentences you to five years in prison without an option of fine. And equally finds you not guilty and therefore, discharges and acquits you on count two.”

“On count three, the court finds you guilty and convicts you to two years in prison without an option of fine and the sentence is to run concurrently”, Justice Mshelia ruled.

IHUOMA LINDA EJIOR TIES NUPTIAL KNOT WITH TINSEL ACTOR

Nollywood actress Ihuoma Linda Ejior (Bimpe) marries another co-Tinsel Actor Ibrahim Suleiman (Damini). The Actor and Actress do act together in the popular soap opera Tinsel as lovers (Bimpe and Damini) and today, have been joined together as husband and wife.  

Adesua Etomi Wellington was so excited and showed how happy and grateful to God for bringing their union to pass. She been a close friend to the couple has been very supportive in all preparation for the wedding. 

Other colleagues also showed their support and happiness to the union especially the Tinsel family. 

Congratulations! 

I AM NOT BEHIND OSHIOMHOLE’S TRAVAILS –AMOSUN

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, are meeting again inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Amosun is one of the governors elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress aggrieved by the outcome of the party’s primary elections.

The party’s National Working Committee refused to recognise his preferred candidate for the governorship race.

The meeting was believed to be a continuation of efforts aimed at resolving the crisis that trailed the primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress across the country.

Amosun and his counterparts, Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), have been at the forefront of those campaigning for the removal of Adams Oshiomhole as the party’s national chairman for the role he allegedly played during the primary elections.

The Ogun State Governor, however, in an interview with State House correspondents on Thursday, denied being responsible for Oshiomhole’s reported arrest and interrogation by the Department of State Services.

He said he would never hide behind a finger if he needed to fight.

When asked that media reports suggested that he and Okorocha orchestrated Oshiomhole’s investigation, Amosun said, “I think you are probably giving me an oversight role and I am not a security person, so clearly I think that question will not be for me.

“I don’t have to hide under a finger to fight. If there is need for me to put my views across, you know me by now that I will do it.”

When he was also asked to react to the reports that the APC chairman has fled the country, the governor said, “I have told you that you are asking me questions that I am not well suited for. The one that I have to talk about, we have said it loud and clear that it doesn’t even need adding anything.”

Amosun has been confronting Oshiomhole over the decision of the party’s National Working Committee to recognise Dapo Abiodun as the governorship candidate in his state as against his preferred candidate, Abiodun Akinlade.

SUPREME COURT BARS RIVERS APC CHAIRMAN, FLAG-AMACHREE, FROM FOREIGN MEDICAL TRIP

Ojukaye Flag-Amachree

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a motion by the chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, asking to be allowed to travel to Dubai for medical check-up.

Flag-Amachree is standing trial on allegation of murder of a man during the 2015 election in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

Giving his ruling, Justice Inyang Okoro held that the application lacked merit, adding that the applicant was being prosecuted for a murder case.

Okoro noted that the “medical update letter,” dated December 15, 2016, had no connection with the type 2 diabetes melitus which Flag-Amachree claimed he had.

Also, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who presided over the panel, expressed worry why Flag-Amachree’s trial had not commenced fully after 25 adjournments.

The CJN said from the records of the court, Flag-Amachree had not appeared in court all the while.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Flag-Amachree’s five charges bordering on the alleged murder of Iminabo Dokubo and attempted murder of Ipalibo Jackson is pending at the High Court in Port Harcourt.

The applicant had approached the court with a motion on notice pursuant to sections 33, 36(5) and (6), and Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Flag-Amachree had sought an order granting him leave to travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to enable him meet up with the medical appointment scheduled with Dr. George Davis.

He had also prayed for the release of his passport with issuance No. A04003142, deposited with the registrar of the Court of Appeal as part of the conditions of the bail granted him,

The applicant was, however, refused bail on May 26, 2016 by a High Court in Port Harcourt, but had the decision set aside on November 24, 2016 by the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.

Flag-Amachree stated that following his detention and subsequent release by the appellate court, his health had deteriorated, leading to his collapse and resuscitation on various occasions both in and out of prison.

The applicant averred that the Saudi German Hospital had agreed to treat him and therefore scheduled an appointment with him for February 16, 2016 at Dubai, UAE.

Flag-Amachree said he could not meet the appointment, as his passport had been with the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt.

He stated that a similar application had earlier been filed at the Court of Appeal on January 24, 2017 but was struck out on February 28 of the same year.

(NAN)

HOW WIFE DESTROYED WEDDING PICTURES BEFORE KILLING HUSBAND

Udeme Otike-Odibi and her late husband's wedding photo

A house help and a prosecution witness in an ongoing trial of a female lawyer, Udeme Otike-Odibi, who allegedly murdered her  husband, told a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere how she found the couple’s wedding pictures torn and thrown in the dustbin months before he was murdered.

The house help, Blessing Austin, while giving her evidence told the court that in December, 2017, when she went to clean the deceased and defendant’s room, she saw the couple’s wedding picture turn and thrown into the dust bin, so she packed and threw it away.

Udeme, 48, is facing a two-count charge of murder and misconduct with regard to a corpse.

She was arraigned on June 13, by the Lagos State Government and she had pleaded not guilty to the offences and was remanded at Kirikiri prison.

The prosecutor during arraignment told the court that Udeme committed the alleged offences on May 3, at Diamond Estate, Sangotedo, Lekki, Lagos.

The prosecution said that Udeme stabbed her husband and mutilated his corpse by cutting off his genitals.

The offences committed are Punishable Under Sections 165 (b) and 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Led in evidence by Titilayo Shitta-Bey, the Director of Public Prosecution DPP, Blessing said: “On December 4, 2017, she travelled outside the country and came back in April, during Easter, since she came back her character changed towards her husband, she wasn’t cooking for her husband, she cooks only her food and her husband buys his own food.

“I normally clean the deceased and defendant’s house twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays adding that her resumption time was 8 am and closes at 8pm.

“On 28 of April when I came to clean their house, I heard when Udeme, started quarreling with her husband that why did he send his daughter to school outside the country, my madam, later told my oga that he should lower his voice that I was downstairs, so I could no longer hear their argument when they loved their voice,” Austin said.

DEDUCT TITHES FROM WORKER’S SALARY AND FORWARD TO CHURCH - BISHOP TELLS GOVT.

Most Reverend Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, a Catholic Archbishop of Kampala, Uganda, has proposed that the central government deducts 10% from the monthly salaries of workers, and forward the deductions directly to the church.

He stated this at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Rubaga during mass, according to Citizen TV. He said non-payment of tithes affects project development in the church.

His words: “Whenever we ask for tithe, everyone gives only what they have at that time. But the Bible says a tenth of whatever you earn belongs to the church.
Give me your support as I front this proposal because it is good for us.

Aren’t you tired of putting money in the baskets all the time?” Lwanga said he wanted Uganda to toe the line of Germany, where citizens who are registered as Catholics, Protestants or Jews have a church tax (Kirchensteuer) of 8 to 9% deducted from their annual income.

The church tax is collected by the government and channeled to the respective faiths.

“I was told Germans make agreements with their government to deduct monthly tithe from their salaries and forward it to the church and this money they use to build and renovate their churches,” he added.

'N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE WILL CAUSE INFLATION' – UMAHI

The Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, David Umahi has raised alarm over the new minimum wage of N30,000.00, warning that the new pay rise could trigger off hyper inflation in the country.

Umahi, who gave the warning while inaugurating his campaign organisation, the Divine Mandate Organisation, said, “we are approaching this issue of minimum wage wrongly.”

He noted that the N30,000 new minimum wage was not enough to carter for workers’ welfare, urging civil servants to look beyond the new pay rise.

“If what we are being told is correct and some states are using up to 90 per cent of their resources to pay salaries, if what we are told is correct that ASUU is going on strike because ASUU is saying that the budget for education is only 7 per cent against 20 per cent. So, if you put these two sections together, it is 110 per cent. We are just talking about this section alone- education, other sectors are there, health, security votes, water, light and so on. We are just talking of education and workers’ salaries alone.

“The two cannot mix; they cannot work until we are able to sit down and think how we can run this country. I do not believe that all the resources of this nation are correctly collected. I believe that if we collect in honesty the resources of this country, we will have enough to take care of our workers and we will have enough to take care of our heath, education and others.

“Civil servants should look beyond minimum wage component. Even the minimum wage of 30,000d what can it do? It will cause inflation and that inflation is going to sweep out whatever gain you think you have.

“Till we sit down in this country and look at all sides and agree that this is how we are going to do it otherwise, we will ground this country”, he stated.

Umahi, however, said he was not afraid to contest with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

“If I were in the opposition, I will be afraid to say I am contesting election because considering the type of structure we have on ground, no ordinary man will be able to build it. It is God and Holy Spirit that made it possible.

“The people that say they are contesting election, some of them cannot define budget, they don’t even know what GDP is. They make promises like making a cross without ground,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday declared his government’s readiness to work towards implementing the new national minimum wage agreed by the tripartite committee.

Buhari gave the assurance shortly after receiving the report of the National Minimum Wage Committee set up to recommend a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers on 27th November 2017.

“I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas. Our plan is to transmit the Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time. I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has declared that the federal government has a cordial working relationship with labour unions in the country.

Mohammed, who said this in Abuja Tuesday, said the federal government and the organised labour had been able to amicably address the recent stalemate arising from the implementation of a new minimum wage for workers.

FAKE ARMY GENERAL WHO SPONSORS BOKO HARAM

     FAKE ARMY GENERAL

 Another suspected Boko Haram sponsor, Aliyu Hussaini, who has also been parading himself as a Army brigadier general has been arrested. 

The Nigerian Army in a statement on Tuesday said that Hussaini was arrested by soldiers of the 33rd Artillery Brigade in Bauchi State during a raid. 

The fake Army General, Aliyu Hussaini, the statement read, “The 33 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, has recorded another landmark success in the ongoing Operation Zaman Lafiyah as troops of the brigade recently arrested one Aliyu Hussaini, popularly known as Colonel, a suspected Boko Haram terrorist and an Impostor who has been parading himself as a Brigadier-General in the Nigerian Army. 

“The troops, who were acting on a tip-off, said Aliyu Hussaini was a sponsor and also a member of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation. They carried out a raid operation, which led to the successful arrest of Aliyu and another suspected Boko Haram member, one Ibrahim Mohammed, who is also known as Yuram. 

“It was later gathered that Aliyu had been defrauding innocent citizens (with the claim) that he was a general in the Nigerian Army.” The military had earlier today announced the arrest a financier of the terror group in Bama, Borno State. It was reported that the sum of one million naira and other items were found on the suspect.

BREAKING: PRESIDENT BUHARI ENDORSES N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday endorsed N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

He said this while receiving the report of the Tripartite Committee on the Review of National Minimum Wage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The report was submitted by the committee’s chairman, Amal Pepple.

Buhari has also promised to send a bill to the National Assembly to effect the change from N18,000 to N30,000.

BREAKING: BUHARI RECEIVES MINIMUM WAGE TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE REPORT

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received report of the Tripartite Committee on the Review of National Minimum Wage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.  The report was submitted by the committee’s chairman, Amal Pepple.

The committee which recommended N30,000 as the new national minimum wage also submitted a draft bill that will be sent to the National Assembly.  

BENUE FAMILY TRAGEDY: PUNCH, SUN REPORTER ATTACKED

The family of Nicholas Adetsav, who was allegedly killed by his wife, on Monday attacked and molested the correspondents of The PUNCH and The SUNnewspapers, John Charles and Mrs Rose Ejembi, respectively.

A house wife, Mrs Rachael Adetsav, was reported to have killed her husband, three children and later stabbed herself to death on Friday night.

The two reporters had gone to follow up on the story when they were attacked by the family members of the late Nicholas at the Makurdi Local Government Secretariat.

The reporters had earlier visited the residence of the deceased family, the school where the children were attending and later proceeded to the local government secretariat where both the husband and wife were working before their death.

At the secretariat, some of colleagues and friends of the deceased, who spoke with the reporters, stated that members of the Adetsav family were also around and in a meeting with officials of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees.

After their meeting with the NULGE Secretary, Mandu Igber, the reporters approached the women, who were identified as members of the Adetsav family for audience, when one of them flared up and heaped insults on the reporters for writing rubbish about their family.

All efforts to calm her down were rebuffed as the woman insisted that she would not interact with any reporter. She added that journalists were the architect of the misinformation and negative impression the public was having about the family in respect to the incident.

Other family members surged towards the reporters, while one of them dispossessed the PUNCHman of his gadget while trying to escape the mob action.

However, some members of staff of the local government whisked The SUN correspondent through a window to the vigilante office, while the family members held the PUNCHman hostage until he was also rescued by the NULGE officials.

WITHDRAW FROM POLITICS OR BE WITHDRAWN, GOV. WIKE WARNS MONARCHS IN RIVERS

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike, yesterday warned traditional rulers in Rivers State to desist from what he described as involvement in politics, saying he would not hesitate to move against any monarch found to be partisan.

He also said traditional rulers would be held responsible for the conduct of operatives of  the newly constituted Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.

Wike, at the 108 and 109 general sessions of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt, also said the security outfit would soon become operational.

In addition, he cautioned the monarchs against being partisan, adding that partisanship would reduce their relevance in the society.

His words:  “The Neighborhood Watch arrangement will soon be fully operational to complement efforts of federal security agencies in the detection and prevention of crime in our neighbourhoods.

“Let me remind you that the corps members were recruited based on your attestations to their character and suitability. Consequently, we will hold you accountable for the performance of the corps and the success of the scheme in your local government areas, communities, and neighbourhoods.

“If you don’t respect your stool, you will have challenges. Withdraw yourselves from playing politics. If you don’t withdraw yourselves, I will withdraw you. If you take sides, I will also take sides.

“We expect political parties to play by the rules and embark on peaceful, issue-based campaigns.”

But you must be on the watch to ensure no person or entity violates the peace of your communities under the guise of political campaigns.

“At the end of the campaigns the votes of our people are very important and we expect the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct free, fair and credible general elections that will enable our people to freely determine their political direction and destiny.

“It is time you lend your voices more forcefully to the neglect of the state by the Federal Government, the devastation of our environment by the oil companies, the grand fraud and deception on the Ogoni cleanup and the call for economic justice and fiscal federation”

Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja appealed to the federal government to revive ports in Rivers to create employment opportunities for the youths.

ITF TRAINS NO FEWER THAN 120 PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED ENTREPRENEURS

No fewer than 120 physically challenged persons have benefited from the skills training and empowerment programme of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) across the country.

The director general of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari said that the programme is part of the 2018 implementable programmes aimed at equipping many Nigerians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship in line with the policy direction of President Muhammad Buhari’s administration.

The director general who was represented by the deputy director, ITF, Martins Shepga said the objective is to provide technical and vocational training to disabled Nigerians in different trades and crafts, adding that nine out of every 10 persons with disability in the country live below the poverty line.

“In most societies including Nigeria, any major disability renders an individual more vulnerable to poverty in view of several factors-some of which are cultural while others stem from the absence of policies that would have ensured that they thrive as any normal person.

“ We believed that equipping the physically challenged people with skills will strengthen them socially and economically”, he said.

According to him, the training commenced in August this year with 120 participants drawn from Bayelsa, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Osun, Plateau and Taraba.

He said the participants were trained in foot-wear making, phone repairs, lady’s wig cap making and manual clothes design and embroidery.

Nicodemus Hananiya who is one of the 20 beneficiaries in Kaduna State promised to contribute his quota to the economic development of the country.

While encouraging the beneficiaries to make use of the opportunity, the District Head of Doka, Bala Tijjani said they must develop the habit of giving back to the society.

ITF also presented startup packs to the beneficiaries to enable them start business immediately.

MINIMUM WAGE: ORGANISED LABOUR SUSPENDS PROPOSED STRIKE

The organised labour union has sispended the nationwide industrial action initially scheduled to commence on Tuesday to press home workers’ demand for a new national minimum wage.

The National Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, announced the suspension at the end of the last meeting of the tripartite committee set up to come up with the new minimum wage on Monday evening.

Wabba said the decision to suspend the action was reached after agreements were reached and documents signed.

“Having reached this position and agreements signed, the proposed strike action is hereby suspended,” the labour leader said.

Wabba, however, refused to disclose the figure of the new minimum wage arrived at by the committee.

He said the figure would only be made public after the committee’s report would have been presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by 4.15pm on Tuesday.

He, however, said only one figure would be presented to the President.

He thanked all their tripartite partners for their understanding while particularly appreciating the roles of the private sector.

The Chairman of the committee, Amma Pepple, expressed delight that their assignment had been concluded.

“I am happy to report to you that we have concluded our assignment and we will submit our report to the President by 4.15pm on Tuesday.

“We will reveal the figure at the presentation,” she said.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, thanked members of the committee for doing a wonderful job. He described the process as a long journey.

“The committee has worked assiduously to reach the conclusion,” he said.

UPDATE:

The Tripartite Committee set up by the Federal Government agreed on N30,000 new minimum wage. Nigeria Labour Congress President, Ayuba Waba (m) addressing a rally on Good Governance before a delegation took a list of Labour demands to Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

At the end of the first meeting of the tripartite committee set up to arrive at an agreeable minimum wage template, Chairperson of the committee and former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ms Ama People had said while the federal government insisted on N24,000, organized labour maintained its earlier stance of N30,000.

She however said the government pleaded with labour to call off its planned strike “We have concluded and we have a little challenge with what we call Chapter 5 of our report, that is where we have the numbers and the figures we used for the negotiations and the figures that we concluded with and the committee has two figures: the N24, 000 suggested by the federal government and the N30, 000 given by the organized labour.

“There is no stalemate. We have finished and we have signed it but we are insisting that the strike must be called off. There are still two figures, N24, 000 and N30, 000. You know that labour came up with a figure of N66, 500 but when we put all that together with the figure we got from the states…so, we put all that in a basket plus the initial figure that the federal government recommended which was N20, 700. We put them together in a basket and came up with four scenarios, we worked with one of the scenarios and that was how we agreed on that N24, 000 and N30, 000 respectively”, said Ms People.

Asked on what the committee was going to submit, she said both figures would be forwarded to the president. On his part, Labour and Employment minister, Chris Ngige said the committee was working to secure an appointment with President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that its resolution would be passed to the Federal Executive Council, then the National Economic Council and later the National Council of State after which the president would initiate an Executive Bill to be transmitted yo the National Assembly. 

He said; “We are making progress. The governors’ figure should be the figure of the federal government. We are just trying to carry them along. That is why we made the discussions ‘tripartite plus’. It is just because we want to carry them along, otherwise the federal government speaks for governments. Yes, the figures are standing but we know that there are other processes. It has to go through the Federal Executive Council, the National Executive Council and the National Council of State, then an Executive Bill will be transmitted to the National Assembly”. Asked if the two figures would pass through those processes,

he said; “Yes, because the federal government figure is noted and is also weighty because it says that it depends on the ability to pay, affordability and sustainability. “Labour are quiet satisfied, we are doing the needful, we have passed the rubicon. The only aspect of it now that we need to do is to fix an appointment for the handing over of the report to Mr President.

We are reconvening tonight because that appointment has to be gotten because the president has gone home. He is not just sitting down in the office. If we get the appointment now, we will reconvene later and agree on how to proceed. “The governors have no choice now because they have attached themselves to us because we are the supreme sovereign, they are minor sovereigns”, he added.

On whether the strike would go on as planned on Tuesday, he said, “no”, referring all enquiries to labour leaders. All the labour leaders at the meeting however declined media enquiries, saying they were on break and the meeting would reconvene later tonight.

NEPOTISM: PRESIDENT BUHARI QUIETLY APPOINTS SON-IN-LAW AS HEAD OF BORDER AGENCY

L: Junaid Abdullahi

President Muhammadu Buhari has quietly appointed his son-in-law as the head of Nigeria’s Border Communities Development Agency.

Junaid Abdullahi, a retired pilot, assumed duties at the agency on a low-key on October 18.

He was married to Zulaihat, Mr Buhari’s first daughter who passed away in 2012 from childbirth complications. She was 40.

Mr Abdullahi took over from Jummai Idakwo, the former director of the agency.

Such appointments are usually announced by either the Presidency or the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

It was not immediately clear why both institutions kept a sealed lip over the appointment.

A government source who learnt about the appointment last month said it might have been hushed to save Mr Buhari the trouble of again being accused of nepotism.

The president has faced regular allegations of being sectional, with critics saying his appointments have been lopsided since he assumed office in 2015.

His critics often raise concerns about how most key federal appointments, especially top national security positions, have been ceded to northerners.

Last week, the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili, said Mr Buhari was Nigeria’s “most nepotistic” leader ever.

Mr Buhari has repeatedly denied the allegations, and often urged Nigerians to scrutinise his appointments, after which they are likely to reach a different conclusion.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has also said the administration’s appointments are not lopsided, and suggested that more seats have gone to the south than the north under Mr Buhari.

It was not immediately clear whether Mr Abdullahi has remarried since the passing of Zulaihat, who was born with sickle cell anemia.

MINIMUM WAGE: FG PLANNING TO INCREASE PETROL PRICE TO N185 – AYO FAYOSE

Fayose

Immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has said that the federal government must perish the idea of increasing the pump price of petrol from N145 per litre to N185 in March next year.

He said that “Nigerians have suffered enough in the hands of the APC government and won’t accept any further upward review of petrol pump price.”

The former governor, who described the planned increment as a way of taking back of whatever that is added to workers salary as minimum wage increment.

He said; “They are delaying the increment till March because of its effects on the February 2019 elections.”

Media Aide to the former governor, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement on Monday that the NNPC presentation to the Senate last week that N145 fuel pump price was unrealistic and that the pump price of petrol was supposed to be N185 per litre as against the official price of N145 per litre was a way to prepare the minds of Nigerians for the planned increment.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Maikanti Baru had told Senate Ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate allegation that the Corporation created a fund to finance fuel subsidy without appropriation by the National Assembly that the NNPC set aside $1.05 billion to augment the differential between the landing cost of imported fuel and the pump price of N145 per litre. He said landing cost of petrol was N185 per litre, pointing out that the N40 gap was being filled with the $1.05 billion Support Fund.

Reacting, Fayose, who said the NNPC must explain to Nigerians where it derived powers to spend $1.05 billion (over N350 billion) from crude oil sales to subsidise petrol, noted that it was unexplainable for any agency of the federal government to spend revenue belonging to the entire country without first remitting the fund into the federation account.

The former governor said it was uncharitable for anyone to draw comparison between the pump price of petrol in West African countries with that of Nigeria without considering cost of living in those countries and whether or not they are oil producing like Nigeria.

He said “smuggling is an outdated excuse for increasing petrol pump price, it will no longer be accepted by Nigerians.

“Nigerians are suffering. Millions of jobs have been lost and even many of those still employed are not gainfully employed. The federal government must not add to the burden of the suffering masses by increasing the pump price of petrol as being planned.”

BREAKING: STALEMATE AS MINIMUM WAGE COMMITTEE ADJOURNS MEETING TILL 10PM

The meeting of the tripartite committee set up to come up with a new national minimum wage has ended in a stalemate.

The Chairman of the committee, Ama Pepple, told journalists at the end of their marathon meeting that they would be reconvening at 10pm.

She, however, said the committee arrived at two figures of N24,000 and N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

She said the committee had appealed to the labour leaders to call off the strike and they have promised to consult and revert when the meeting reconvened at 10pm.

But the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said the meeting at 10pm was meant to get appointment on when the report will be submitted to the President.

POLICE ARREST WOMAN FOR LOCKING HER HOUSEMAID INSIDE TOILET

The Nigeria police, in Lagos, on Monday arrested a 35-year-old mother of two (name withheld) who allegedly locked her housemaid inside a toilet and left for church.

The 14-year-old maid was said to have been rescued by policemen who broke the toilet door.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, said that a neighbour who felt concerned about the ordeal of the victim reported to the police.

“Based on the complaint, the DPO of Ipaja division visited the house at Baruwa estate and forced the door open to rescue the girl.

“During interrogation, the victim told me that since she had been living with her madam, she had been going through one form of maltreatment or the other,’’ Edgal said.

He said that police saw various degrees of injuries on the body of the victim.

“On close examination of the girl, wounds of various forms were seen all over the victim’s body,’’ the CP said.

He called on parents to be careful of who they give their children to.

The suspect, however, said that she lock up the victim in the toilet for refusing to follow her to church.

“On the fateful day of the incident when we woke up, I asked her to get prepared so that we can get to church early, but stayed in the toilet doing something else.

“After waiting for her for a while, I went into the toilet to check her only to see her doing some irrelevant things. Out of annoyance I spanked her for avoiding going to church.

“In order to punish her for her action, I locked her inside the toilet and went to church.

“It was when I came back from church that I was told my neighbour reported the incident at Ipaja police station.

“I was told that police broke the door to bring her out of the toilet,’’ she said.

Similarly, the CP said that the Command Gender Unit is investigating a case of defilement against one Nigerien national who allegedly inserted his fingers into the private part of a 10-year-old girl.

Edgal said a concerned resident who saw stains of blood around the girl’s genital area reported the matter to the police.

He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded. (NAN)

ONDO STATE GOVT. PROMOTES 14,016 CIVIL SERVANTS IN ONE YEAR

The Ondo State Government says it has promoted no fewer than 14,016 deserving civil servants in the state between 2017 and 2018.

The Chairman, Ondo State Civil Service Commission, Dr Afolabi Adewakun made the disclosure at a press briefing on Monday in Akure.

According to him, the promotion affected officers from grade level 02 to grade level 17.

Adewakun also disclosed that 3,091 civil servants in the main stream of the state’s civil service had received their letters.

He said distribution of letters to the remaining 10,923 in parastatals and agencies of government were ongoing.

“One special feature of this exercise is the early approval for the exercise given by Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“He gave the approval as early as August, and you will agree with me that this is unprecedented.

“Hitherto, such approval comes up between October and November of the promotion year and the exercise will not be completed until December.

“I am sure that by now, most, if not all, must have received their letters of promotion.

“Usually, promotion for senior officers on grade level 07 to grade level 17 is handled directly by the commission.

“A total of 1,742 officers were promoted based on the briefs forwarded by the commission by the Head of Service’’, he said.

The chairman said the governor’s gesture would not only ensure improved productivity within the service but would also boost the morale of civil servants in the state.

“Since the inception of the Akeredolu’s administration in February 2017, the welfare of workers has been prioritised through motivation and incentives.

“This has resulted in higher productivity leading to better service delivery for the people of the state,’’ he said.

Adewakun also said the governor approved the promotion of all the deserving officers despite economic challenges being experienced in the country at the moment. (NAN)

COURT REFUSES TO GRANT FRESH ORDER AGAINST ORGANISED LABOUR’S PLANNED STRIKE

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday rejected a request for a fresh order stopping the organised labour from embarking on its planned indefinite strike scheduled to commence Tuesday.

The court which was presided over by Justice Sanusi Kado also refused to grant a prayer for an order to compel the government to immediately commence the process of adopting N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

Justice Kado said it would be unnecessary to make another order stopping labour from embarking on the planned strike having earlier made a similar one in a case brought to the court by the Federal Government last Friday.

The Federal Government had filed its suit following the threat by the organised labour, comprising the National Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, and the United Labour Congress, to embark on strike if its demand for increase in the national minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000 was not met.

Contrary to the labour’s demand, the Federal Government said it could only pay N24,000 as minimum wage and the state governors under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, had stuck to N22,500.

The lingering dispute between government and the labour prompted the Federal Government to seek and obtain the court order stopping the strike last Friday.

But the fresh ex parte application seeking to stop labour from embarking on the strike and to also compel government to commence the process of paying the N30,000 minimum wage was filed by a civil society group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International.

The group’s lawyer, Mr. Okere Nnamdi, at the Monday’s proceedings, informed the court that he had filed his client’s ex parte motion alongside other processes on November 1.

He urged the court to grant the prayers, including the one seeking an order of substituted service of the court processes on the governors joined as the 10th to the 45th defendants in the suit.

But the judge immediately cut in, asking the lawyer if it would still be necessary to proceed to hear the application, in view of the Friday’s order made by the same court.

Okere conceded that he was aware of the order made by the judge on Friday.

But he insisted that his ex parte motion was different from that of the Federal Government, save for the prayer seeking an order stopping the planned strike, which is contained in both applications.

He said two prayers contained in his motion seeking an order of substituted service of the court processes filed in the case on the 36 state governors and the one seeking an order compelling the federal and state governments to commence the process of paying the N30,000 minimum wage differentiated his motion from that of the Federal Government.

Responding, Justice Kado said an order of interim injunction could only be granted if there was an urgency, there was the need to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and the defendants could not be served.

The judge noted that the court having, on Friday, granted an order stopping the strike, it was no longer any form of urgency in the matter, and as such, it was not necessary to compel the government to start the process of adopting the N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

Following the judge’s explanation, the plaintiff’s lawyer applied to withdraw two of the prayers having to do with the request for an order stopping the planned strike and the other seeking to compel the government to pay N30,000.

ATIKU SUPPORTERS WARN OBI EZEKWESILI

Ezekwesili

A group of Atiku Abubakar’s supporters, under the aegis of Atiku for Better Nigeria, has warned a former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, to desist from using derogatory remarks against Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Atiku supporters advised Ezekwesili, who is a presidential candidate for 2019, to concentrate on her campaign and stop tagging other contestants and political parties as fraudsters.

The Atiku for Better Nigeria, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Benita Dike-Israel, made available to our correspondent, advised Ezekwesili to learn the ropes in politics so as to avoid “falling into the abyss”.

The group argued that by painting Atiku and the PDP black, Ezekwesili was indicting herself and bitting the fingers that fed her since she was a minister under the PDP regime.

The group said, “Oby should learn not to be rude to Atiku or bite the fingers that fed her.

“For her to say that the PDP and Atiku lack knowledge in economy and (are) into 419 politics, is self-indicting. That means her period as Minister of Education and Solid Minerals added no value to the party that appointed her and to Nigeria as a whole; that also means that her immense credential amounts to nought and (she) has nothing new to offer. After all, a river is as good as its source; for whatever is built on void is void.”

The Atiku supporters argued that by joining politics, Ezekwesili, who had been spearheading the campaign for the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls through the #BringBackOurGirls movement, had “diluted her fame and goodwill among ordinary Nigerians and friends of Nigeria”.

According to the group, people will now begin to see Ezekwesili’s campaign for the release of the Chibok schoolgirls as “a mere ruse, smokescreen and cheap opportunity to feather her own political nest.”

“Whereas it is her constitutional right as an eligible Nigerian to contest the election, yet she should understand politics as a game of persuasion and lobbying rather than (using) pressure group tactics of brick batting and (using) foul language.

“She can politicise without being rude and judgmental,” the Atiku supporters said.

BREAKING: SOLDIERS KILL ONE AS YOUTHS PROTEST FLOODING IN RIVERS

Report reaching our news desk have it that some soldiers on Monday shot and killed one Aleruchi Woko during a protest against flooding by youths of Nkpolu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the Rivers State.

A policeman, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, was alleged to have been seriously injured by the angry youths, while four other protesters were said to have also sustained gunshot injuries.

Our correspondent learnt that a policeman, who probably had come to maintain peace, allegedly lost his rifle during the clash.

It was gathered that the deceased was died on the spot after being hit by the bullet from one of the soldiers.

The incident resulted in a gridlock on the Choba-Rumuokoro axis of the East-West Road, leaving many commuters stranded for hours as the angry youths blocked the Nkpolu point of the road.

The spokesman of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, dismissed the claim that anybody was killed by soldiers.

“It is cheap blackmail to say that soldiers killed anybody. They smashed the windscreens of our vehicles, including that of the escort. The mob threw stones and other objects at them (soldiers and the government officials).

“For them to extricate themselves and because of the blockade, they (soldiers and government officials) had to turn back to base. In this era of social media, if somebody was killed, you would have seen it all over the social media,” Iliyasu said.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the clash between the soldiers and the youths, but could not confirm whether anybody was killed or not.

Omoni disclosed that 15 suspects had been arrested in connection with the breach of peace within the area, adding that those arrested were helping the Police in their investigation.

GOV GANDUJE OF KANO STATE AGREES TO PAY N30,600 MINIMUM WAGE

The Government of Kano State has said it is ready to pay the new minimum wage of N30,000 with additional N600.

According to the state Head of Service, Auwalu Naiya, the decision to pay the N30,000 naira new minimum wage was adopted at the State Council meeting which has the governor and his Deputy in attendance.

Auwalu Naiyya reminded that Governor Ganduje gives much priority to the welfare of Civil servant’s a reason Kano is among the few State that has no payment of monthly salary problems.

Similarly, Naiyya hinted that apart from the monthly salary of over N8 Billion the State always was in the forefront in the payment of Pension and Gratuity.

“Therefore it is as easy as anything for us to pay the N30,000 monthly salary this is because welfare of our workers is Paramount to anything and will always gives it preference”, Naiyya added.

However, the state Labour Union Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Minibir said they have not received any formal communication on the state readiness to pay the new minimum wage.

Kabiru Minjibir who spoke to a local Radio notes that as soon as they received formal communication they would sit on the matter and discuss.

The government also pleaded with the Labour to spare some strategic places like hospitals, banks, filling stations, markets and other areas.

BREAKING: FG, LABOUR IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING OVER MINIMUM WAGE

Ngige

The federal government is currently in a closed-door meeting with the National Tripartite Minimum Wage Committee members over the demand by labour union for an increase in the national minimum wage from N18,000 naira to N30,000 naira.

This is coming just hours after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared an indefinite nationwide industrial action over what it described as poor funding.

Following a meeting of leaders of the union on Sunday at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the Ondo State capital, ASUU National President, Professor Abiodun Ogunyemi, had said that the union took the decision due to the poor funding of universities.

However, leaders of the organised labour had failed to attend the meeting convened by the Federal Government to continue negotiations on the national minimum wage for workers in the country. The labour union insisted that its members would also commence on strike tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the government continued the earlier on scheduled dialogue with the organised private sector at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, on Sunday in Abuja.

Following the appeal by Dr. Ngige for all stakeholders to attend today’s meeting for the interest of the nation, members of the committee are currently in the meeting at the SGF’s office alongside federal government’s delegates.

The meeting is expected to find a solution to the minimum wage impasse.

Details later…

MINIMUM WAGE: NNAMDI KANU BACKS LABOUR, REVEALS NEW STRATEGY

Kanu

Ahead of the proposed nationwide strike by organised labour over the new minimum wage crisis, the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has thrown his weight behind the labour unions.

Kanu told Nigerian Workers how to get their demand on minimum wage without much ado.

Nigerian Workers had been at loggerheads with the federal and state governments in the country.

They are clamouring for an increase in the current N18,000 minimum wage to a paltry N30,000.

Initially, the organised labour pegged their demanded increase at N66,500 but later succumbed after much negotiation and agreed to go with N30,000 which state governors have refused to pay proposing theirs at N22,500.

The workers led by various labour unions in the country have decided to embark on an indefinite strike on November 6 despite a court order preventing them from going ahead with the planned industrial action.

For the separatist leader, the workers should boycott the 2019 general election to press home their demand which he said they will get if they adhere to his advise.

“Nigerian workers are on a minimum wage of N18,000 per month which is roughly $48 equivalent,” Mr Kanu said in a radio broadcast on Sunday believed to have come from Isreal.

“Recently they have been begging the government to increase it to N30, 000 about $85 per month.

“So, far the government have refused. This demand can be met with minimal fuss before presidential elections of next year if the workers remain resolute and determined not to vote.

“We call on all labour unions in Nigeria to join IPOB in election boycott campaign,” he said.

Mr Kanu who is believed to be in Isreal left the country last year September when the Nigerian Military staged an ‘Operation Python Dance’ around his residence.

The federal government in a move to curb IPOB’s growing influence across the country declared the group as terrorists.

Since his group was proscribed Kanu has not been publicly seen until recently when video of him allegedly shot in Isreal went viral on the social media.

BREAKING: EFCC SET TO PUSH FOR FORMER PETROLEUM MINISTER, DIEZANI’S EXTRADITION FROM BRITAIN

Diezani

A former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke is to be extradited from Britain. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to approach Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami( SAN) this week with a request to file charges against Mrs Alison-Madueke based on its findings.

As part of its investigation, the EFCC has traced N47.2 billion and $487.5million to the ex-minister, it was gathered.
Besides, about N23,446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) have been located in various Nigerian banks. But only about $37.5 million Banana Island property has been finally forfeited by the ex-minister.

Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the final forfeiture of the property.

According to reports, the EFCC has concluded the investigation of the allegations against Mrs Alison-Madueke. More than 50 suspects in some of the cases linked with her have been arraigned in court, especially the alleged N23.29billion 2015 poll bribe.

The EFCC review team felt it will be “in the interest of justice to extradite the ex-minister to Nigeria for trial”. She is believed to be in Britain.

Some of the investigated allegations against the ex-Minister, with substantial evidence, include the following:
Release of $1.3b NNPC cash to the Office of the national Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2014 to fight kidnapping in Niger Delta; whereabouts of $18.5billion earnings by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC);
$15.8billion NLNG dividends between 2000 and 2014 (especially about $9b component between 2010 and 2015); $1.7billion oil contracts involving Mrs Alison-Madueke and two business associates;
N23.29b 2015 poll bribery scam;
$37.5m property on Banana Island; and acquisition of many properties at home, in Britain, and in the UAE

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC has reached a convenient bend to request for the extradition of Diezani from the UK. Most of the cases against her have reached maturity level for her trial at home. “The commission will formally approach the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami( SAN) to assist it to invoke the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK against Diezani. “Through the office of the AGF, appropriate charges will be filed in court to commence the process for the extradition of the ex-Minister.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The extradition process is without prejudice to the ongoing investigation of Diezani in the UK.
“The US end of Diezani probe has been done. The EFCC has also hauled evidence to the UK to assist the authorities. Some detectives from the UK have visited this country too.
“For the Nigerian flank of the probe, it is necessary to extradite Diezani to answer allegations against her.”

The source, however, added that the AGF has the final say on whether or not to initiate the extradition process. He stressed that all the allegations against the former minister are within the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK.
The laws guiding extradition in Nigeria include:
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) with extradition matter within the purview of the Federal High Court.

The Extradition Act, Cap E 25, Laws of the Federation, 2010
The Immigration Act, Cap 11, Laws of the Federation, 2010
Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The Evidence Act, Cap E14, Laws of the Federation, 2010.
Twice, the embattled former minister has defended some of the allegations against her.

On the N23.29m poll bribery cash, she said: “In the face of the obvious falsification of facts and misinformation, it is only right and proper that the EFCC should publish the details of the $153.3million lodgements, the bank account numbers and the account beneficiaries, showing proof of my link to them.
“Having also alleged that the said $153.3million was ‘wired’ from NNPC, the EFCC should also publish details of the NNPC accounts from where the said $153.3 million was taken, with proof that I authorised such a transaction/transactions, acting either in my private capacity or as The Honourable Minister of Petroleum.

“Let me state for the record that as Minister of Petroleum, the operation and management of NNPC finances were outside my purview as outlined in both the Petroleum Act and the NNPC Act.
“The only involvement I had in NNPC finances was in terms of statutory matters, where the Petroleum Act prescribes that as minister, there were certain duties or actions which I had to perform or take in relation to NNPC.”
The ex-Minister said also that she acted on the instructions of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to release $1.3billion to the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

She said it was not within the power or discretion of any minister to question or disregard the written directive of a president.
Although about $1.4billion was requested by the ONSA via three memos, for “Intervention for Urgent National Security Projects,” about $1.3billion was released from NNPC accounts.
But it was unclear what became of the $100million balance.
Documents revealed that ONSA had requested for $1.4billion between March 27, 2014 and May 5, 2014 when approval was given and cash backed.
About three memos were sent to ex-President Jonathan on March 27, 2014, 31st March 2014 and May 5, 2014.
But Diezani insisted that she could not be held liable for carrying out a presidential directive.

The statement said: “The attention of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum, has been drawn to a story in The Nation Newspaper of Monday 22nd January, 2018 as well as other print and online media titled “Diezani in trouble again over withdrawal of $1.3b from NNPC accounts”.

“Under Section 5 of the Constitution, all executive powers are vested in the President who may exercise it directly or through the Vice President or Ministers of the Federation. As Minister for Petroleum Resources Mrs. Alison-Madueke was an appointee and delegate of the President.

“Consequently, the Minister of Petroleum Resources acted on the basis of the written approvals and directives given by the President, which approvals were given after written requests from the relevant security agencies were made to the President.

“At such instances, as in fact the article clearly shows, a Service Chief or Intelligence Chief makes a written request/appeal to Mr. President outlining whatever urgent and critical security needs of the nation they consider imminently paramount, at any given point in time.

“If such a request received the approval of the President, the President may direct that the requested funds be drawn from a Security Budget maintained by NNPC, or that the funds be sourced from elsewhere.

“Where the President directs the Minister of Petroleum Resources, in writing, to make the payment from the NNPC, the Minister in turn, directs the GMD NNPC in writing to execute the directive of the President. NNPC then wires the funds from one of its major foreign bank accounts, or from the CBN, directly to the stipulated account of the particular branch of the armed services, or intelligence unit, or department, that initiated the request.
“It is not within the power or discretion of any serving minister to question or disregard the written directive of a president including that of the incumbent President

“The former Minister of Petroleum Resources in the statement stated that at no time, did she, or could she, as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, interfere with this process.”

The ex-Minister said since the disbursement of $1.3billion can be traceable, it was wrong to assume that it was diverted.
“It is, therefore, impossible and implausible, for any monies under such presidential directives to be diverted during the process, at least from the standpoint of the Minister.

“Any and all amounts approved and directed by Mr. President to be paid, were executed exclusively by NNPC, directly from NNPC’s foreign and or, Central Bank of Nigeria accounts, to the stated recipients.

“Therefore, let it be very clear, that all funds disbursed by these banking institutions on behalf of NNPC are easily and openly traceable, and the process cannot and should not be utilized for the distortion of facts.”

BAD NEWS FOR ATIKU AS U.S DELIVERS SHOCKING MESSAGE, AHEAD OF THE 2019 ELECTIONS

The United States Institute of Peace, USIP, has said that the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, President Buhari is not likely to be defeated in 2019.

The news comes as a shock to many political analysts and in particular  the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who had hope to replace the incumbent next year.

The International body said that the report is based on its interactions with Nigerians from different sectors.

The report, which analysed the chances of violence marring the 2019 general elections, is contrary to two recent predictions by The Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU, the Research Unit of The Economist Magazine, that the incumbent government of President Muhammadu Buhari, will be unseated next year.

The USIP, stated that although many Nigerians feel that the current administration has not met their expectations, this is not likely to cost the All Progressives Congress government, its hold on power.

“Many Nigerians feel their hopes have not been met. Some respondents suggest the electorate is sufficiently disappointed that voter apathy will be greater in 2019 than in 2015, with the unifying narrative of change that helped elect the APC in 2015, much less compelling as a factor in mobilising the electorate, and perceptions that another defeat of the Presidential incumbent, is less likely to happen in 2019”, the report read.

Comparing the 2015 elections to the forthcoming one, the report revealed that there is a greater chance of the occurrence of election violence, listing Adamawa, Anambra, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers States, as 8 out of the 36 States with greater risks of election violence.

While it stated that it is up to the combined efforts of political parties, Security Agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to curb violence in the election, it said that the greater work lies with the Electoral body.

“Important shifts in Nigeria’s political and security context have occurred since the 2015 elections, presenting both evolving and new risks to the 2019 elections”, it read.

“Of all the State’s institutions, most respondents felt that peaceful elections in 2019, are contingent on the performance of Nigeria’s INEC.

“Given the relative success of the 2015 elections, they felt that INEC ought to be able to deliver credible elections again, in 2019. They feared, however, that any regression from the level of performance achieved in 2015, could lead to violence, because some would view the failings not as a result of incompetence, but as deliberate attempts to frustrate the will of the voters.

“INEC should at least match the standards it set in 2015, and any regression could set the stage for violence.”

The report further stated that despite the projections of violence, “there are signs of hope.”

“Yet, while the potential for election violence exists, there are signs of hope. Some States have developed successful election conflict-mitigation practices. In the short amount of time remaining, INEC and the Police should undertake a number of key reforms”, it said.

“The United States, along with other international supporters of the electoral process, should also intensify their efforts to reinforce the work of these key Nigerian Institutions.

“Beyond institutional support, rather than apply a conventional approach to electoral violence mitigation, donor programming should adapt to Nigeria’s current context, political shifts, and opportunities, and be sufficiently flexible to respond to the risks distinct in each of Nigeria’s States.

“In advance of the election, international diplomatic efforts to preempt electoral violence, need to be intensified. Regional and International actors should convey their expectations, that political parties effectively address their internal disputes, and be ready to put on notice, Politicians responsible for escalating these disputes.”

BREAKING: WAEC TO HOLD EMERGENCY MEETING!!! MAY SUSPEND NIGERIA OVER BUHARI’S CERTIFICATE SAGA

The West African Examination Council Executives may suspend Nigeria from the membership of the council over alleged illegal printing of WAEC Attestation certificate for the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.

WAEC LOGO

The Council is having an emergency meeting to discuss the unprecedented action on the National office in Nigeria last week, where they printed an attestation certificate President Buhari whom the Ghana headquarters has confirmed on a number of cases that he was never a registered candidate of WAEC in 1961.
Details shortly...

MINIMUM WAGE: WHY WE CAN’T MEET LABOURS’ N30,000 DEMAND – FG

The federal government on Sunday gave reasons why it cannot meet the demand of labour unions that the national minimum wage be increased to N30,000.

The labour unions, NLC, TUC and ULC, have vowed to commence a nationwide strike from Tuesday if government does not meet its demand.

The workers unions accuse the government of going back on a N30,000 decision reached at a tripartite meeting between labour, government, and private employers.

However, the federal government says no agreement was reached at the tripartite meeting and insists on a N24,000 minimum wage, while the state governors say they would only be able to pay N22,500.

On Sunday, the labour unions boycotted a reconciliation meeting called by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Speaking with journalist Sunday evening, the SGF, Boss Mustapha, said the meeting was part of the exercise that ought to be undertaken to ensure that there was a complete report to be submitted to the presidency on the issues relating to the minimum wage.

Boss Mustapha said that the tripartite committee has been working assiduously though there were outstanding issues that needed to be dealt with and that was the reason he called for the reconciliation meeting.

“Basically the only outstanding issue that needs to be dealt with is to harmonise the 5th chapter of the report and get the figures in for the purposes of submission to government,” he said.

REASONS WE CAN’T MEET N30,000

The SGF said President Muhammadu Buhari, while inaugurating the tripartite meeting, emphasised the need for a unanimous resolution at the meeting, something that was yet to be agreed to.

“Mr President went further to emphasise that the concern is not only for the welfare of the workers but also every other thing should be taken on board as it affects the country’s economy.

“So it is a balance of the welfare of the workforce with the effect of the new minimum wage and the economy,” he said

The SGF quoting Mr Buhari said, “We yearn to go above basic social protection for Nigerian worker but also tie to the ability to pay, because I know that a lot of states are even having difficulty meeting the basic minimum wage”.

He noted that 27 states were having difficulty in paying the current minimum wage of N18,000, while noting that he was not making any excuses for them.

He did not elaborate on why labour unions boycotted the meeting but said the tripartite meeting will continue tomorrow.

“I want to assure all of you that once the report is concluded and ready, I will personally ensure that Mr President sign immediately on it,” he said.

Earlier on Sunday, the General Secretary of the NLC, Peter Ozo-Esan, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview why his union boycotted the Sunday meeting.

“We (NLC) are not aware of any meeting with the SGF over any matter. A government that gets an injunction against us without putting us on notice until we heard from the press has shown enough bad faith.

“Even if we were aware, we would not be interested to attend any meeting. The meeting we are aware of, which we are going to attend, is the tripartite committee meeting tomorrow in Abuja. That’s the one we plan to attend. That is the official position,” he said.

ASUU BEGINS INDEFINITE STRIKE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has commenced a nationwide industrial action following the inability of the Federal Government to respond to their demands.

Specifically, the union accused the government of not implementing the Memorandum of Action signed with it, declaring that the strike would be total as all federal and state varsities would join the strike.

The union made the announcement after their National Executive Council meeting held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State on Sunday night.

Briefing journalists after the NEC meeting, the National President of the ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi said all entreaties made to the Federal Government to honour the agreement with the union fell of deaf ears and they had no other alternative but to begin the strike action.

He said, “Having waited patiently for action and meaningful negotiation with reasonable men using the principle of collective bargaining that ASUU at its NEC meeting of 3rd and 4th November 2018 at the FUTA,  resolved to resume the nationwide strike action it suspended in September 2017 with immediate effect.

“This strike will be total, comprehensive and indefinite. Our members shall withdraw their services until government fully implement all outstanding issues as contained in the MOA of 2017, and concludes the renegotiation of the 2009 agreements.

“We have today (Sunday) been subjected to 20 years of continued re-colonisation under alleged democracy in which all that the ruling circle have been regrouping among themselves in their various faction they called political parties.”

Ogunyemi alleged that the government was not interested in public universities as the children of the top politicians and rich men in the society patronise private universities at the detriment of public institutions.

EKITI PDP REMOVES FAYOSE AS LEADER

Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, yesterday, removed the immediate past governor of the state, Mr Ayodele Fayose, as the leader of the party in the state.

Fayose

They immediately appointed the senator representing Ekiti South, Mrs Biodun Olujimi, as the leader of the party in Ekiti State and South-West.

In a communiqué signed at the end of the stakeholders’ meeting held in Ado Ekiti, the party said it took the decision to install Olujimi the leader owing to the fact that she remains the ranking elected official   in the state and the South-West.

The resolution, signed   and read by the Protem Secretary of the PDP Stakeholders and   former   Assembly member, Hon Bunmi Olugbade, also overruled the SWC on the suspension of former State Secretary of the

party, Dr. Tope Aluko , saying he remains a bonafide member of the party.

PROSTITUTE THROWS MAN FROM THIRD FLOOR OVER REFUSAL TO PAY FOR SERVICES RENDERED

A man has been left hospitalised after he was thrown from the third floor by a prostitute following a misunderstanding over payment for sex services she rendered.

The incident happened at Dana Place in the Avenues area in Zimbabwe.

The man, only identified as Mandewo, sustained head, back and leg injuries and was rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where he is receiving treatment.

Mandewo told H-Metro that the woman known as Trish within their circles and resides in Flat Room number 17 wrestled him off the apartment when he refused to disclose his Ecocash details.

He said they agreed for a $5 quickie when they hooked on the streets before the woman shifted goalposts after the act.

“I hooked her in the street and we agreed on $5 for sex but she demanded $100 soon after the quickie,” said Mandewo.

Mandewo said he offered to add $10 but she insisted on $100 demanding him to disclose his Ecocash details.

“I was prepared to add $10 but she kept on demanding my Ecocash details and when I refused she wrestled me along with her flat mate and threw me over the window.

“She took my car keys and I want to believe she has gone and searched the vehicle or disappeared with the car if she is licensed to drive,” said Mandewo writhing in pain.

Asked if he could give contacts of his relative, Mandewo ignored the question insisting to get help on making sure his vehicle is recovered.

Eye witnesses at Dana Place heard Mandewo calling for help but could not give a hand on time.

“We heard him calling for help and we saw him hanging by the window and fell down as we tried to rush to the room,” said one of the eye witnesses.

“The lady reported to have hooked him ran away and we managed to apprehend two of the ladies who stay in that flat,” added the witness.

Police attended him and was taken by paramedics to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.