FIRMS LINKED TO PATIENCE JONATHAN, OTHERS APPEAL FORFEITURE OF N12.4 BILLION

Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

A firm linked to former first lady, Patience Jonathan, and three other companies have filed an appeal before the Lagos Division of the Appeal Court challenging Monday’s final forfeiture order of N9.2 billion and $8.4 million belonging to Mrs Jonathan. The amount totals N12.4 billion.

Magel Resort Limited, joined by Finchley Top Homes Limited, AM PM Global Network, and Pagmat Oil and Gas Limited are challenging the decision by the federal high court.

The companies were among those affected after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured an interim forfeiture order to freeze their bank accounts, in 2016.

The appellants say they are challenging the entire judgment and are seeking the appellate court to set it aside and return the forfeited funds to the accounts of the appellants.

Mojisola Olatoregun, the judge, on Monday ordered that the funds, domiciled in Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, Stanbic IBTC, Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank), and First Bank be returned to the federal government.

During the suit, Mrs Jonathan had claimed ownership of the funds insisting they were proceeds of goodwill donations from Nigerians, which ”she enjoyed as the wife of a deputy governor, governor, and president, as well as proceeds of funds raised when she launched her NGO, Women 4 Change and Development Initiative, in 2010”.

Mrs Jonathan’s husband, Goodluck, served as deputy governor and governor of their native Bayelsa State before becoming president between 2010 and 2015.

GROUNDS OF APPEAL

Joined as respondents in the appeal are the EFCC, Mrs Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services, and Esther Oba as the first, second, third, and fourth respondents, respectively.

In their six grounds of appeal, the appellants, through their lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, argued that the lower court occasioned a miscarriage of justice when it assumed jurisdiction to hear the motion for the final forfeiture of the funds and relying on the “speculative depositions” of the EFCC against the clear evidence of the acquisition of income and proofs by the appellants.

The appellants argued that the federal high court judge granted the final forfeiture order ”without deciding as to whether the appellant had shown sufficient cause which would have warranted it to discharge its earlier interim forfeiture order before proceeding with the suit”.

The appellants further argued that the lower court erred by granting the final forfeiture order while its jurisdiction was still being challenged.

They also disagreed with the court’s decision to “shift the onus propandi to the appellant to prove not only the sources of their funds but their innocence.”

NATIONWIDE STRIKE LOOMS AS ORGANISED LABOUR MAKES ANNOUNCEMENT FOR POSSIBLE STRIKE SOON OVER N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE

The organised labour on Monday, July 1, alerted Nigerians of serious plans to embark on strike action if the current state of affairs with the N30,000 minimum wage is not resolved.

The organised lawbour wants the federal government to ensure that the issue of consequential adjustment arising from the new national minimum wage of N30,000 per month remains the same.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organised labour are operating under the aegis of the Trade Union Side (TUS) of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), eight unions in the public services of the federal and 36 state governments.

In a press statement in Abuja, the acting chairman of the TUS, Anchaver Simon, and the secretary, Alade Lawal, expressed disappointment over government’s alleged effort to derail the implementation of a new national minimum wage.

“As things are right now, the government side is only prepared to pay peanuts to workers as adjustment under the pretext that it will soon be undertaking general salary review in the public service,”the statement said.

According to the labour leaders, the TUS had initially proposed that since the minimum wage was increased by 66.66% from N18,000.000 to N30,000.00, salaries for officers on ‘Grade Levels 01-17’ should be adjusted accordingly to maintain the relativity that exists in the salary structure in the public service.

“But when the government side argued that such increase across board would raise the total wage bill too high, the TUS side reviewed its demand downward and eventually settled for 30% for officers on ‘Grade Levels 07-14’ and 25% for those on ‘Grade Levels 15-17’.

“The government side on its part was insisting on 9.5 per cent salary raise for employees on ‘Grade Levels 07-14’ and 5% for those on ‘Grade Levels 15-17’.

“The two sides then agreed to capture the two positions in the technical committee’s report which will now be presented for discussion at the plenary,” the statement added.

The TUS said it, however, received a rude shock at the last meeting of the technical committee when the government side began to hold on to a non-existent position.

The leaders lamented that the implication of government’s position was that the technical committee cannot go beyond what the government was pushing for which is 9.5 per cent salary increase for officers on ‘GL 07-14’ and 5% for those on ‘GL 15-17’.

“With this turn of event, it is quite clear now that some fifth columnists in this administration are hell bent on pushing President Muhammadu Buhari to enter into a collision course with millions of Nigerian workers in the public service. This is very sad,”the union stated.

KYLIAN MBAPPE READY FOR REAL MADRID MOVE

Kylian Mbappe is reportedly ready to see his wages slashed in order to seal a dream move to Real Madrid.

Marco report that Mbappe will not sign another deal with PSG in the hope of securing a move to Madrid.

PSG are desperate to keep their France World Cup star and Marca say he will not extend his deal which currently runs until 2022.

And he would then push for a move to Real Madrid in the next transfer window.

NO CHRISTIAN FROM THE SOUTH OF NIGERIA CAN BE PRESIDENT IN 2023, EVEN TINUBU CAN’T GET THERE - ACF CHIEF ABDULRAHMAN

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot take over from Muhammadu Buhari as the president of Nigeria in 2023, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, a chieftain of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has said.

Abdulrahman, an analyst and former secretary of the political committee of the ACF, also maintained that no Christian from the southern part of the country can be president in the next election.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Sun, Abdulrahman said even though a Muslim Yoruba can be president, it cannot be Tinubu.

“I think that Bola Tinubu cannot be president of Nigeria. He will not be unless as president of Oduduwa Republic. That is the way I see it.

“A Muslim Yoruba can be president of Nigeria, but Tinubu is ChrisMus. You know what ChrisMus is? It means somebody who is a Christian and a Muslim. Tinubu is ChrisMus. He may be the son of Iyaoloja, but he is not in control now of the real Lagos people who do the voting.

“I hope you still remember how we handled the Abiola issue when I was very close to Abacha. It is impossible as I see it for a Christian to be president of Nigeria now. For now, it is impossible, certainly not in 2023,”Abdulrahman emphasised in the interview.

He called Tinubu ‘double-faced’ Muslim, who keeps people wondering where he actually belongs.

He tasked the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to curb insecurity in the country and tread softly in picking his cabinet members, especially with the complaint of people that the south east should not get much because the people there did not vote massively for him.

“They (the government) need to put back life in Nigeria the way we used to drive in our vehicles to Abuja and back. They need to clear the road from Abuja to Kaduna. But let me tell you that the south and north issue has to do with religion.

“How we are going to get a Muslim Yoruba is what is going to make a southerner be president of Nigeria as one country. A southern Christian cannot be president of Nigeria. That is why Abiola won election even in Kano,” he said.

He also lamented the challenge former governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, is facing within the APC.

According to him, Okorocha stood with the APC through thick and thin only to be pushed and held by the tongue in spite of his popularity in the north.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was yet to react at the time of this report.

COZA RAPE ALLEGATION SCANDAL: TWO PERSONS ARRESTED AS HOODED SECURITY OPERATIVES STORM COZA

Two yet to be identified men have been taken into custody by security agents after they turned up at a planned protest outside the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Abuja.

The church has come under nationwide interest since one of its members came out Friday to accuse Biodun Fatoyinbo, its lead preacher, of rape.

Busola Dakolo, the wife of the musician Timi, said she was raped by Mr Fatoyinbo at age 16 in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Mr Fatoyinbo has denied the allegations and threatened a lawsuit.

A large segment of Nigerians on social media dismissed the preacher’s explanation and stood in solidarity with Mrs Dakolo, now a mother of three.

The rape allegation led to a call for a protest at the COZA headquarters in Abuja.

Two of the male protesters were driven away in a black Mercedes Benz C200 saloon belonging to an unidentified security agency shortly before 8:00 a.m, according to witnesses.

Our correspondents has not been able to identify the agency responsible for the arrest. But two witnesses outside the church told disclosed that they were angry that security agencies had started clamping down on citizens even though the protest was yet to begin.

The protest was planned for 8:30 a.m. by social media organisers. The church started seeing  increase in security measure over the weekend.

As protesters began to arrive, more security personnel were also deployed at the church’s headquarters in Abuja’s Guzape neighbourhood.

At least 30 police officers were seen around the church. About 20 Civil Defence men were also seen scattered between the church’s junction on Murtala Muhammed Way and the church’s premises, a distance of about 1.2 kilometres.

Hooded men from the State Security Service (SSS) were also everywhere outside the church, a presence some of the protesters said was aimed at intimidating them.

Security personel seen standing at COZA premises

About a dozen soldiers also arrived at the church at about 8:40 a.m.

At the church’s entrance, security agents have joined church security officials to conduct a thorough search of visitors and members of the congregation who wanted to go inside the auditorium ahead of service commencement at 9:00 a.m.

Both men and women were asked to leave all their belongings outside. Only mobile phones and the Holy Bible were allowed inside, our correspondents observed.

Members of the congregation who decried the stringent measure as unnecessarily problematic.

“I have been attending this church since 2013 when we were still using the Thisday Dome in Jabi,” a female member said. “This is too much today.”

She, however, said the measure might be necessary to prevent Mr Fatoyinbo’s detractors from having their way.

“People have been trying to blackmail our pastor for a long time,” she told our corres.

But two protesters interviewed by newsmen ahead of the protest said they were here to demand accountability from Mr Fatoyinbo, who has faced at least two separate allegations of misconduct since 2013.

An NSCDC bus seen parked at the COZA premises

N30,000 NOT A LIVING WAGE — FEMI FALANA

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has said that the N30, 000 new National Minimum Wage approved for workers is not a living wage. Falana, a human rights activist, disclosed this while delivering his speech during the Trade Union Congress Conference in Abuja yesterday.

He said what section 16 of the constitution provides for is “A living minimum wage, the N30,000 new national minimum wage you will all agree with me is not a living minimum wage.” However, he commended the present administration for taking it up to increase that minimum wage from N18,000 to N30, 000. 

He said in order for the government to ensure that the new minimum wage is paid by state governments, they must sit down with labour to ensure that “the wealth of our country is not desecrated.” “All our governors now fly chattered air.

You can’t pay minimum wage if you have to chatter air. Therefore, I’m calling on the federal government to collaborate with the labour congress,” Falana added.

Meanwhile, the organized labour vowed to fight governors who fail to pay the new National Minimum Wage recently signed into law. The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, disclosed this at the Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Trade Union Congress in Abuja yesterday. He said governors who are unwilling to pay the new Minimum Wage should be ready for a stand-off with the NLC.

The organized labour commended the Jigawa State governor who expressed readiness to pay the minimum wage, while states such as Oyo said they can’t pay.

WOMAN STABS HER HUSBAND TO DEATH IN ANAMBRA (PHOTOS)

Makoduchukwu Ndubuisi

A 20-year-old woman, Makoduchukwu Ndubisi on Saturday reportedly stabbed her husband to death in Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The deceased, John Bosko Ngu, was allegedly stabbed on his chest by the wife with a sharp knife over a feud yet to be ascertained.

Late John Bosko Ngu

Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed said the corpse of deceased had been deposited at a morgue.

He added that investigation had commenced.

He said, “At about 8am today, police detectives attached to 33 Police Station Onitsha arrested one Makoduchukwu Ndubisi , 20, of No 16 Donking Street Nsugbe in Anambra East LGA of Anambra State.

“Suspect allegedly had a scuffle with her husband, one John Bosko Ngu ,aged 35 years of the same address and stabbed him on his chest with a sharp knife.

“Scene was visited by police detectives and victim rushed to Boromeo Hospital Onitsha for medical attention but was certified dead on arrival by a medical doctor.

“Corpse was deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy; exhibit recovered and case is under investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.”

SENATE PRESIDENT LEADS FG DELEGATION TO AFCON 2019, WITH DALUNG , 9 OTHERS AS DELEGATION MEMBERS

President Muhammadu Buhari has picked the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, as leader of the Federal Government delegation to the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Egypt.

Also on the delegation are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Delta and Lagos respectively, are equally to be part of the delegation.

There are also the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, and a Representative of the Presidency; Captain Hosa Okunbo.

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Olusade Adesola, and Muhammad Gambo, the ministry’s Director of Facilities, are also members of the delegation.

A former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, completes the 11-man list.

Members of the delegation are expected to arrive in Egypt next week, in time for the Super Eagles’ Round of 16 encounters.

(NAN)

GOV. WIKE CANCELS APPROVAL FOR ALL PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike

Rivers state governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Friday cancelled operational approval given to all private schools in the state and directed them to seek fresh approval. Governor Wike stated that the application  for operational approval  must be done by all schools within the next two weeks.

The governor spoke at a meeting with all private school proprietors in Rivers state at the Government House, Port Harcourt today. “All the schools must apply for operational approval within the next two weeks. “We will set up committees that will  recommend  the approval of schools. 

All the schools  in the state must be up to the  required standard.” The governor said his second term is committed  to improving  the right standards in the education sector for the good of  Rivers people. “The governor’s office  will review all the approval of schools.  All the existing  approvals by the Ministry of Education have been cancelled. 

For this process,  there will be no room for bribery and corruption,” he said. On the issue of revenue paid by schools,  the Rivers State Governor said that all levies  must be paid  through  approved  designated bank  accounts. He said that anyone who  demands for cash payment should be reported to security agencies via designated phone lines.

He said the Office of  the Secretary to the Rivers State Government will publish  the telephone lines  that school  proprietors should contact in case they are pressured  to pay illegal levies.

SEN. AMOSUN HITS BACK AS CRITICISM MOUNTS; SAYS GEJ APPROVED, ABIODUN SUPPLIED WEAPONS, AMMUNITION

    Gov Biodun,  Amosun,    GEJ respectively 

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the immediate past governor of Ogun state, has stated that his government legitimately purchased the 13 units of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 1000 units of AK 47 rifles, two million rounds of ammunition,1000 units of bullet proof vests and 500 bullet proof helmets and other security communication gadgets.

Amosun made the disclosure in a statement released by his spokesperson, Rotimi Durojaiye, on Thursday, June 27, Daily Trust reports.

Correspondence gathered that the former governor said his administration had received approval from the Office of the National Security Adviser to former president Goodluck Jonathan.

He recalled that in 2012, his administration had committed “substantial funds” for the procurement of hard and software to combat the myriad of security challenges being faced by the state.

Amosun pointed out that in April 2012, the security gadgets were publicly handed over to the then IGP, Mohammed Abubakar.

He said it was the remainder of gadgets that had been handed over to the commissioner of police on May 28, but clarified that “Not a single AK 47 rifle was handed over at the event.”

Amosun added that Governor Dapo Abiodun, his successor and present governor of Ogun state, was the main supplier of some of the security assets, including the Armoured Personnel Carriers which he reportedly handed over to the police at the expiration of his tenure.

However, Abiodun, reacting through his chief press secretary, Abiodun Kunle Somorin, wondered why his name would be mentioned by his predecessor in what he referred to as an “arms scandal”.

He said: “I read of Armoured Personnel Carriers – vehicles, not arms or ammunition. Did he default in supplying according to the terms of the contract?

“What’s the motivation for bringing the governor’s name into the arms scandal? I consider it distracting or part of the grand plot to smear Dapo Abiodun.”

Meanwhile, it was previously reported that the allegation that the former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, illegally imported massive weapons and ammunition into the country, was dismissed by the presidency.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said preliminary investigation by IGP Mohammed Adamu showed that there was no sinister motive in Amosun’s action.