ATIKU ABUBAKAR PAYS $30,000 TO FOREIGN LAW FIRM TO LOBBY US TO RECOGNISE HIM AS 'AUTHENTIC' WINNER OF NIGERIA'S ELECTION

Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria's former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is currently lobbying the United States of America for support in his quest to challenge the outcome of the February 23 presidential election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the election, announcing he polled 15,191,847 votes while his closest challenger, Atiku Abubakar, secured 11,262,978 votes.

However, according to a report by the Centre for Responsive Politics (CRP), a research group dedicated to tracking money in US politics and its effects on elections and public policy, published on Monday, Atiku has enlisted the assistance of two high-powered lawyers in Washington DC, to "help in his legal challenge after his election loss".

Atiku had filed a suit before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal challenging the outcome of the election and insisting that he won the election.

According to the report, "Abubakar has ties to those in Trump’s orbit, having hired political consultants like Riva Levinson, who worked with Paul Manafort, and Brian Ballard, a major Trump fundraiser."

Reference was also made to Atiku's much-publicised visit to the US, during which he stayed at the Trump International Hotel in Washington DC. His visit to the US made major news since there were allegations that he could not step on the shores of America as a result of corruption-related issues.

A Senate subcommittee report on foreign corruption had referred to a transfer of millions of dollars into the U.S. through shell companies by Atiku, although he didn't face prosecution. In 2009, the FBI alleged that he demanded bribes from former Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.), who was convicted of corruption charges. Jefferson stored $90,000 in cash for Abubakar in his freezer at some point.

Filings accessed on the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) by CRP's Foreign Lobby Watch on March 24, showed that former Justice Department official Bruce Fein and his firm, Fein & DelValle PLLC, registered as foreign agents on the PDP presidential candidate's behalf.

"Fein, the associate deputy attorney general in Ronald Reagan’s administration and general counsel to the FCC, played a significant role in the repeal of the FCC’s 'Fairness Doctrine'. He also later worked with then-Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.) in drafting articles of impeachment against Bill Clinton. Joining Fein in the effort is his partner at the firm, W. Bruce DelValle, who according to an online biography has a varied background tackling civil rights and constitutional law issues, litigating intellectual property and liability disputes, along with representing a number of sports and entertainment personalities," the report noted.

According to CRP, the agreement notes that Lloyd Ukwu, “a Nigerian barrister and trusted confidant [of Abubakar],” is assisting “in the operations of the U.S. Situation Room.” Ukwu, referred to as a critic of Buhari and founder of a group called We the People of Nigeria which claims to be an advocate for “free and fair elections", recently led a delegation to meet with a variety of government officials in the State Department, Congress and “delivered a letter to the [acting] United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Jonathan Cohen, in New York to ensure the success of the Nigerian elections".

According to the filing, Fein will be paid $30,000 over a 90-day contract to provide “legal, consultancy and public advocacy services to encourage Congress and the Executive” to wait on recognizing a winner of the Nigerian election until after the legal challenge is “impartially and independently resolved".

Another filing states how the influence campaign will be conducted, noting that lobbyists will meet with members of Congress and their staff to persuade them to pass resolutions in the House and Senate “to forebear from a final declaration and recognition of a winner” until after Abubakar’s appeals are decided fairly and independently. Additionally, the firm will “draft articles and op-ed pieces” about the issues surrounding the election and appear on television and other media programmes.  

In the contract, Fein’s firm is explicit in promising to “obtain official recognition that you are the authentic President of Nigeria based on an accurate counting of legal ballots". The goal of the effort is straightforwardly described as “to convince the United States that your presidency would open a fresh and new chapter in Nigerian politics".

The filing also asserts that the lobbying effort will demonstrate that an Abubakar presidency is “the will of the people", warning that if Abubakar is denied a victory, problems like genocide, poverty, corruption and strife will “undoubtedly continue".

The US has long had close relations with Nigeria and is the country’s largest foreign investor. American troops work alongside the Nigerian military in an international effort against the Boko Haram terrorist organisation. Additionally, the incumbent Buhari visited the White House and met with President Trump in 2018.

Fein did not respond to a request by CRP for comment.

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK

THUGS NOT ARMY DISRUPTED RIVERS GUBER ELECTION - IHRC REPORT

International Human Rights Commission, IHRC, Committee on Civil/Military Affairs has said political thugs disrupted the March 9 Gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections in Rivers State and not the Nigeria Army as alleged by the State governor and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The IHRC in a preliminary report of its fact finding committee it instituted to ascertain the veracity of the allegations and suggest ways of avoiding similar reoccurrences in the future noted that the Army in collaboration with other security agencies acted in defence of the electoral process.

INEC had alleged that collation centres in Rivers State were invaded by some soldiers and armed gangs resulting in the intimidation and unlawful arrest of election officials thereby disrupting the collation centres.

However, the preliminary report by the Committee on Civil/Military Affairs of the International Human Rights Commission signed by Dr. Edward Adamgbe and submitted to President Buhari, Senate President, the National Security Advisor, Chief of Defence Staff, the Common Wealth Secretariat London, European Union and the Embassies of the USA, British and France obtained by this Newspaper explained that the Army was rather the victim in the electoral process.

“Those who actually disrupted the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State were political thugs and the Army in collaboration with conventional security agencies, where necessary, only acted in defence of the electoral process. The number of military casualties alone points to the fact that the Army was rather the unfortunate victims of Rivers State political violence with INEC collaboration,” the report said.

The Rights group also picked holes with the manner the INEC handled the situation pointing particularly to the hastened press statement of March 15 by INEC.

“For INEC to come up with claims that results were collated in 17 out of 23 Local Government Areas when only 7 were actually collated shows that the Commission was not meticulous or neutral, it is also evident that the suspension of the collation was not properly thought out and implemented with national interest,” it added.

The report further submits that a lot of awareness needs to be made for Nigerians to appreciate the role of the Army to wade off the negative impression the people have of the security agencies especially as it concerns elections in the country.

It said findings show that in the past and up till 2015, political thugs acting on the prompting of the party in authority would disrupt the process while security operatives looked the other way.

The preliminary report will be presented to members of the general public in Abuja on April 12 while the detailed report will be available in May.

THE NIGERIAN NAVY RECENT OPPORTUNITY

The Nigerian Navy wishes to inform the general public that the Aptitude Test for the NN 2019 Recruitment Exercise will hold on 13th April, 2019 in the 30 Centres across the Nation.

Nigerian Navy 2019 Recruitment Aptitude Test

Description

Applicants are advised to visit http://joinnigeriannavy.com for the names of shortlisted candidates.

Candidates are to report by 8.00 AM at their chosen centres selected during the online registration as indicated against their names.

Candidates will not be allowed to write the Aptitude Test in any centre other than their chosen centre.

Requirements
Candidates are to come along with the following:

HB Pencil and Eraser.

Print out of the Application Form showing particulars of candidate.

Click Here to Download List of Successful Candidates (Pdf)

Click Here for more Information

AIRTEL NIGERIA (AIRTEL NETWORKS LIMITED) AVAILABLE JOB VACANCY

Airtel Nigeria (Airtel Networks Limited), a leading mobile telecommunication services provider in Nigeria and a member of Airtel Africa Group, is committed to providing innovative, exciting, affordable and quality mobile services to Nigerians, giving them the freedom to communicate, rise above their daily challenges and drive economic and social development.

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The position will have overall responsibility for Airtel Nigeria manpower planning process of attraction and retention of best-fit talents in line with Airtel’s Human Resources and Talent Management Strategy in order to equip the organization with high caliber talents that will drive and achieve current and future Airtel Nigeria objectives.

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World Class On-Boarding Programme for new appointees

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Coordinate the deployment of competency based assessment tools (e.g. Assessment Centre, Occupational Personality Questionnaire) for internal and external recruitment

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Assist in the development of a recruitment strategy. This may include utilizing the best-fit communication and recruitment channels for various cadres of roles, Talent Planning etc.

Manage the recruitment process and life-cycle, including initial assessments, interviews

Provide recruitment counsel and guidance to hiring managers and HR professionals with hiring and employment data. 

May develop specialized or competitive intelligence and research in regards to talent development or retention.

Develop and manage relationships with third party recruitment agencies

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RELEVANT SKILL AND EXPERIENCE

Analytical and Presentation skills

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Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field required

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NJC RECOMMENDS JUSTICE ONNOGHEN FOR COMPULSORY RETIREMENT

The National Judicial Commission (NJC) has recommended Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), for compulsory retirement, TheCablereports.

After deliberating on the petition filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, members of the NJC unanimously agreed that Onnoghen has lost the moral authority to continue as CJN with the litany of allegations bordering on misconduct.

The NJC — which handles disciplinary issues of judicial officers — sat under the interim leadership of Umaru Abdullahi, former president of the court of appeal, who had to act because Onnoghen was already under suspension.

The council also concluded that Tanko Muhammad did not commit any offence by making himself available to be sworn in as acting CJN without the recommendation of the NJC.

These recommendations have been passed to President Muhammadu Buhari for approval, Soji Oye, the council’s director of information, informed the media on Wednesday, although he did not make the details public.

NAFDAC RAISES ALERT ON FAKE MENINGITIS VACCINES

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the Nigerians, especially health care providers, on the circulation of fake meningitis vaccines circulating in the Niger Republic.

According to a press statement by Prof Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director General, health authorities in that country issued an alert on the fake vaccines after it was discovered during a routine inspection of pharmacies in Niamey in March.

“We are raising an alert on the circulation of MencevaxTM ACWY and MencevaxTM ACW vaccines circulating in the Niger Republic.

“The Health Authorities of the Republic of Niger issued an alert on the fake vaccines discovered during routine inspections of the pharmacies in Niamey, Niger Republic, on 14th March 2019.

“The Lot number of the fake MencevaxTM ACW vaccine is AMEN A020 AA, while the Lot number of the fake MencevaxTM ACWY is AMEH A020 AA,” she said.

Adeyeye said that the fake vaccine had a manufacturing date of December 2016, and an expiring date of November 2021.

She said that the genuine vaccines used to control an outbreak of meningococcal infection were registered by NAFDAC in favour of Glaxo SmithKline Beecham (GSK), adding that Pfizer acquired the vaccines from GSK in 2015.

She warned importers and retailers of pharmaceutical products not to import or sell the fake vaccine.

“The fake MencevaxTM ACWY vaccine has a manufacturing date of December 2016 and an expiring date of November 2021.

"Genuine MencevaxTM ACW and MencevaxTM ACWY vaccines are used to control an outbreak of meningococcal infection.

“The genuine vaccines were registered by NAFDAC in favour of Glaxo SmithKline Beecham (GSK). Pfizer acquired the vaccines from GSK in 2015.

“NAFDAC implores all importers, wholesalers, and retailers not to illegally import, distribute and sell the fake Mencevax vaccines,” she said.

The NAFDAC boss said that Pfizer discontinued the sale of such vaccine in Nigeria in 2018, adding that NAFDAC had increased surveillance in all ports of entry to prevent the fake vaccine from entry into Nigeria.

"Pfizer Specialties Limited, 21 Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi Lagos discontinued commercialisation of Mencevax Vaccines in Nigeria in June 2018.

“As a result of the discontinuation of commercialisation of the vaccines, Pfizer specialities Limited no longer import the vaccines into Nigeria.

“Surveillance has been strengthened by NAFDAC at all ports of entry to prevent importation of the fake vaccines from the Niger Republic, and to prevent the distribution and sale of the fake vaccine,” she said.

Adeyeye, therefore, advised healthcare providers and other members of the public to be vigilant and contact the nearest NAFDAC office with any information on the fake vaccines.

She urged anybody in possession of the fake vaccines to submit such to the nearest NAFDAC office.

She also asked consumers to report adverse events related to the use of vaccines to the nearest NAFDAC office; via NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL-FREE for all Network ) or via pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng.

MAN, 39, REMANDED FOR FONDLING WITH TEENAGE GIRL’S BREAST

An Ogba Chief Magistrates Court on Tuesday ordered for the remand of a 39-year-old man, Fatai Oladapo, for allegedly fiddling with the breast of a teenage girl.

The accused who is in court on a two count charge of assault and rape allegedly committed the offence on March 20, 2019, at Alaba Street in Egbeda area of Lagos where they reside.

The police said the accused allegedly lured the girl into his apartment, and suspiciously started fiddling with her breast in other to arouse her feelings into making love to her.

The police said the accused did not stop at that as he allegedly went ahead into having canal knowledge of the girl whom he had allegedly rendered powerless.

The prosecutor, Inspector Christopher John, said that the young girl broke down in tears when she realized that she had been defiled by the accused.

The Prosecutor said that the girl reported the matter to her parents who in turned dragged the matter to the police.

He said the case was later transferred to the Gender Section of the Police Command for further investigation.

“However, my Lord, during interrogation, Oladapo denied raping the teenage girl as she had claimed but that he had sex with her with her consent and not the other way round” he said.

The Prosecutor said that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, ordered that the case be charged to court upon the insistence of the girl that she was raped.

Inspector Christopher John, told the court that the girl was still a minor and the matter would require the legal advise from the Department of Public Prosecutions  ( DPP).

Thus, the Presiding Magistrate, Mr. Peter Nwaka, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody without an option of bail.