SOUTH AFRICANS PROTEST OVER NEW MINIMUM WAGE

Several thousand protesters marched through Johannesburg Wednesday to demonstrate against a proposed minimum wage, a new test for President Cyril Ramaphosa who took office in February.

South Africa, which is suffering record unemployment, is due to introduce the 20 rand ($1.60) hourly minimum wage, but it has been widely criticised as too low.

“It is a disgrace,” said Martin Kgaladi, a car industry worker wearing a T-shirt denouncing the pay level as “a salary of slaves”.

He accused Ramaphosa, a former trade union leader who supports the minimum wage, of being “captured by the capitalists and oppressing the workers he once defended.”

Ramaphosa has vowed to boost economic growth and tackle unemployment by attracting foreign investment and cracking down on government corruption.

He took over from scandal-tainted Jacob Zuma after nine years of weak growth, ballooning national debt and falling investor confidence.

SAFTU, the second biggest trade union, also held protests in Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, but the strike was not backed by COSATU, the biggest union group, which is a government ally.

Employment has hit a high of 28 percent in South Africa, with the youth unemployment levels often peaking at over 50 percent in some areas.

Last week, Ramaphosa left a summit in London early to hold talks over violent riots against alleged government corruption and poor public services.

-AFP

SENATOR DINO MELAYE DRIBBLES POLICE , ESCAPES ARREST , AS POLICE, DSS TAKE OVER HIS HOUSE

ABUJA-MEN of the Nigeria Police force have taken over the house of the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West.

Speaking with Vanguard some seconds ago in a very lone tune , Senator Melaye said, ” the Police have taken over my house.”

Melaye

It will be recalled that Senator Melaye was this morning arrested by the Police at the International wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

Senator Melaye was picked at the airport on his way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Government after checking in. 

Melaye wrote on his Facebook account, saying, ” I have just been arrested at the International wing of of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport on my way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Government after checking in.”

When Vanguard contacted his Senior Legislative Aide, Samuel Melaye, he said, ” Iam  on my way to the Airport now, I cannot say anything now, but I will get back to you.”

Meanwhile, Senator Melaye, who was arrested by immigration officials has escaped moves by the police to secure his arrest.

It was gathered that Melaye was picked up and detained by immigration officials at the airport, following a directive to that effect by the Nigeria Police Force.

Also gathered  that the immigration officials told Melaye that the Police Force had written the service requesting for his arrest as he was not allowed to travel out of the country since his name was on the watch list.

At this point, the lawmaker was said to have challenged the officials demanding to know at what point his name was published as a wanted person on INTERPOL’s watchlist.

Unable to provide answers to Melaye’s question, the immigration officials nevertheless kept Melaye  in detention awaiting the arrival of the police force that gave the directive for his arrest. 

But in between the time of Melaye’s arrest and detention by immigration officials, the attention of INTERPOL’s Commissioner of Police was sought in a bid to solicit his immediate intervention, just as  before the police chief could arrive at the international airport, a vehicle was already on standby and whisked the lawmaker away to an unknown destination.
We shall bring you details as they unfold.…
Recall that the federal government  dragged the senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, to court on a two-count charge for alleged false information. 

Mr. Melaye last April reported an alleged assassination attempt on his life while he was in his home state of Kogi.

The senator and the Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, are members of the same party, APC, but are sworn enemies.

79 2' Kogi State Governor, H. E. Yahaya BELLO                               Mr. Melaye had accused the Kogi governor and his aides of being responsible for the alleged assassination attempt. In the first count charge filed against him, Mr. Melaye was accused of deliberately giving false information to the police to frame the Chief of Staff to Mr. Bello, Edward David, as the mastermind of the assassination attempt on him at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State, last April. 

In the second count, Mr. Melaye was accused of making false statement of facts in a phone conversation with Mohammed Abubakar, a son to the late former Governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, with the intention of harming the reputation of Mr. David.

The case was filed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on January 31, Punch Newspaper reports.

According to the charges signed by Magaji Labaran, the police discovered the alleged falsehood in Mr. Melaye’s claim while investigating the senator’s assassination claim. 

The offences were said to be punishable under sections 140 and 393 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

Mr. Melaye could not be reached for comments as at the time of filing this report.

However, when the Senator was addressing women of his senatorial district, who embarked on a peaceful protest at Aiyetoro-Gbede days after the alleged assassination attempt, senator Melaye claimed that Governor Bello was planning to assassinate him for fighting for the state’s workers and pensioners.

The senator said workers and pensioners in Kogi were suffering and dying, following the non-payment of 15-month salaries and pensions by the state government.

“Yahaya Bello collected N20 billion from the federal government as bailout fund. Still, he refused to settle workers. He also collected N11 billion from the Paris Club fund. Still, he refused to pay workers and pensioners.

“Children can no longer go to school. Tenants can no longer pay their house rent. Enough is enough, the people of Kogi State are tired of this government.

“The advent of Yahaya Bello as governor and Taofiq Isa as local government administrator in the political history of Kogi State has brought this unfortunate socio-political paradigm shift,” Mr. Melaye said.

BAYELSA STATE GOVT SUSPENDS , STOPS SALARIES OF 3,403 STAFF

The Bayelsa State Government has suspended and stopped the salaries of 3,403 workers in the ongoing public service reforms.

The State’s Head of Service, Rev. Thomas Zidafomo, directed that salaries of 222 staff of Bayelsa State-owned media houses and 3,181 non-teaching staff of the State Universal Basis Education Board be suspended.

Zidafomo, in a letter dated April 6, 2018, directed that the withheld salaries of the affected workers listed as “excess workers” be remitted to the Accountant General of Bayelsa State.

But the unions have kicked against the action and urged the government to rescind its decision.

The protest of the unions was contained in a statement jointly issued by John Ndiomu, Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, Tari Dounana.

The labour noted that withholding of salaries of workers listed for redeployment was strange and urged the government to carry out the reforms in compliance with Public Service Rules.

The statement said: “Labour wishes to draw government’s attention to the ongoing public service reforms. It is proper to note that redeployment of staff is a norm but stoppage of salaries is not in line with civil service rules.

“Labour therefore calls on government to review its directive on the stoppage of salaries as it is against the public service RULES. “We also wish to remind government of its pledge that the reforms would not lead to job losses and ask that it abides by it.”

The Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions of SUBEB on Monday also urged the government to reverse its decision.

NASU with 3,181 non-teaching staff affected in the reform issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to rescind its decision or face a strike.

The Bayelsa State chapter Chairman of the union, Geku Ebiwari, in a statement after an emergency congress of the union, noted that the workers were not under any trial to warrant the suspension of their salaries.

Ebiwari said noted that there was no need to stop the salaries of the workers if the exercise was a re-deployment as claimed.

However, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, said there was no going back in the reforms.

Iworiso-Markson said the government would pursue the policy to a logical conclusion.
He maintained that the reform was necessary to “rid the public service of an excess workforce and in the process deliver a leaner, smarter and productive workforce that is better equipped to serve the state”.

Iworiso-Markson allayed fears that they had been sacked and explained that the affected workers would be trained and deployed to other areas of need.
According to him, those found unsuitable in the public service will be eased out with financial assistance to start off their businesses.

He further said that Governor Seriake Dickson is scheduled to receive the report of the state Public Service Reforms Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (retd), on Tuesday.

The submission of the report is preparatory to meeting between the governor and leaders of the organised labour on Wednesday.

BUDGET 2018: SENATE GIVES STANDING COMMITTEES 1 DAY TO SUBMIT REPORT

The Nigerian Senate has given twenty (20) of its own standing committees that are yet to submit their budget defence reports to do so unfailingly on Friday. The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, announced the ultimatum at plenary on Thursday.

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki He listed the defaulting committees as Defence, Army, Air Force, Navy, Industry, Federal Capital Territory, States and Local Government, Culture and Tourism, Petroleum Downstream, Petroleum Upstream and Niger Delta. Others, according to him, are Sustainable Development Goals; Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases; Health; Capital Market; Tertiary Institutions and TETFund; Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency; Works; Power and Cooperation and Integration. “I am sorry to have chosen this method. I have no alternative than to list these committees so that these chairmen can know that they are holding all of us back. “The listed committees have not submitted and they must submit unfailingly tomorrow. “These 20 committees must ensure that their reports are submitted on Friday.

We have a deadline which we have committed to. You can’t hold us back. You must submit unfailingly by Friday,’’ he said. 

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/budget-senate-gives-committees-1-day-submit-report/

FEDERAL GOVT RELEASES MORE NAMES OF ALLEGED LOOTERS OF THE NATIONAL COFFERS

Lai Mohammed

The Nigerian government has released more names of alleged looters of the treasury during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, in a statement released to the press, also criticised the opposition PDP for its reaction to the first names of alleged looters he released.

The fresh list by Lai Mohammed contains 23 names.

Read the full statement by the information ministry below:

The federal government has said the list of alleged looters which it
released earlier was based on verifiable facts, including the amount
involved, the date the amount in question was collected and from
where it was taken.

Releasing a fresh list of alleged looters, in a statement issued in
Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also said those complaining that the list was too short
apparently did not understand that it was strategically released as a
teaser.

”At the press conference where the list was released, I did say it
was a tip of the iceberg. Apparently, this does not mean anything to
people whose style is to comment on issues they barely understand, or
just to shoot down anything coming from the government,” he said,
adding that the Federal Government has a large number of alleged
looters on its list.

Lai Mohammed slammed the PDP for daring to challenge the Federal
Government over an issue that the party knows is its weakness: Looting
of public treasury.

”What was the PDP expecting when it challenged the FG to name the
looters of the public treasury under the party’s watch? Did the PDP
actually believe that the massive looting under its watch was a joke?
Did they think it is April Fool?” he queried.

The minister said the PDP’s reaction to the looters’ list has shown
that its recent apology is an election-induced act, contrived to
deceive unsuspecting Nigerians to vote for the party in the 2019
general election, even when it has not come clean on its looting spree
during its time in office.

”The hysterical and panicky reaction from the PDP has shown that the
party is not at all sincere about its choreographed apology. Were it
not the case, the party would have followed in the footsteps of one of
its leaders, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who simply owned up to his role in
the party’s rigging in the past elections and said he had turned a new
leaf.

”It is said that a true confession is done in humility with an
attitude of repentance. It is clear that the PDP does not know this,
hence its resort to hubris instead of humility and genuine
penitence,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said the federal government will neither be
intimidated nor blackmailed into silence, adding that it will also not
rest until all those who looted the public treasury have been brought
to justice.

SECOND BATCH OF ALLEGED LOOTERS AND THE AMOUNT ALLEGEDLY EMBEZZLED

1. Former NSA Sambo Dasuki: Based on EFCC investigations and findings
alone (this is beside the ongoing $2.1 billion military equipment
scandal), a total of N126 billion, over $1.5 billion and 5.5 million
British Pounds was embezzled through his office. A good number of
these monies were simply shared to persons and companies without any
formal contract awards.

2. Former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke: In
just one of the cases the EFCC is investigating involving her, about
N23 billion is alleged to have been embezzled. She is also involved in
the Strategic Alliance Contracts of the NNPC, where the firms of Jide
Omokore and Kola Aluko got oil blocks but never paid government taxes
and royalty. About $3 billion was involved. The Federal Government is
charging Omokore and Aluko and will use all legal instruments local
and international to ensure justice.

3. Rtd. Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah: N13.9 billion. N4.8 billion
recovered by EFCC in cash and property

4. Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika: N4.5 billion. N29m recovered by the EFCC so far.

5. Alex Barde, former Chief of Defence Staff: N8 billion, and EFCC
recovered almost N4 billion in cash and property already.

6. Inde Dikko: former CG Customs: N40 billion, and N1.1 billion in
cash recovered in cash and choice properties.

7. Air Marshal Adesola Amosun: N21.4 billion. N2.8 billion recovered
in cash. 28 properties and 3 vehicles also recovered.

8. Senator Bala Abdulkadir, former FCT Minister: N5 billion. Interim
forfeiture order on some property secured.

9. Senator Stella Oduah: N9.8 billion. Interim forfeiture order on
some property secured.

10. Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu: N1.6 billion – from NSA.

11. Senator Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor: N12.5 billion.

12. Bashir Yuguda, former Minister of State for Finance: N1.5 billion.
$829,800 recovered.

13. Senator Peter Nwaboshi: N1.5 billion

14. Aliyu Usman: Former NSA Dasuki’s aide: N512 million

15. Ahmad Idris: Former NSA Dasuki’s PA: N1.5 billion

16. Rasheed Ladoja: Former Oyo Governor: N500 million

17. Tom Ikimi: N300 million

18. Femi Fani-Kayode: N866 million

19. Hassan Tukur, former PPS to President Goodluck: $1.7 million

20. Nenadi Usman: N1.5 billion

21. Benedicta Iroha: N1.7 billion

22. Aliyu Usman Jawaz: Close ally of former NSA Dasuki: N882 million

23. Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor: N12.5 billion

24 Godknows Igali: Over N7 billion.

UNCERTAINTY IN APC AS PRESIDENT BUHARI SAYS NO TO TENURE ELONGATION OF ITS CHAIRMAN, JOHN ODIGIE-OYEGUN; MEMBERS FEEL BETRAYED AS PARTY MEETING ENDS IN A ROWDY PATTERN

- Some APC Members feel Betrayed as Party Meeting end in chaos

APC meeting ends in chaos as party members feel betrayed. Recent update reveals in details of what transpired at the National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday in which President Muhammadu Buhari voiced his rejection of party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun’s tenure elongation have emerged.

According to reports, members of the party felt betrayed by Buhari’s sudden stance that the elongation of party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun was unconstitutional as he was part of the last NEC meeting where the decision to extend NWC’s tenure was taken.

One of NEC members, who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said, “The session became rowdy at some point when members of NEC shouted down the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, for saying there was no need to debate the issue since the President had spoken.

“The noise was so much that security details of the President stepped into the hall as a precautionary measure.

“At this point, the National Chairman (Odigie-Oyegun) stood up and threatened to use his powers to walk out members if they continued to be rowdy.

“He said if anybody had a better argument he should raise his hands and be recognised to speak. He also asked us all to have respect for the President who was at the meeting.”

The source explained that earlier, the party’s National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire, SAN, had “tried to dismiss the constitutional queries raised by the President on the tenure elongation.

He said, “Our legal adviser said NEC relied on powers conferred on it by Section 13.3 of the party’s constitution. He argued that the President’s position was sub judice, because the matter was already in court.

After he spoke, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, aligned himself with the legal position espoused by Banire.”

The source explained that the Ondo State governor added that the decision was subjected to a vote with 104 members voting in favour and four against the decision.

After he spoke, Doguwa, asked members of NEC to stop the debate on the matter since the President had made his position known.

The source said, “It was at this point that the meeting became rowdy with NEC members shouting him down. This prompted security details attached to the President to rush into the meeting room to prevent a security breach.”

According to the party source, the President’s decision took everybody by surprise.

He said, “I must say, it was a civilian equivalent of a coup. “We attended the National Caucus meeting at the Presidential Villa on Monday and the President did not give us any hint about his new position because he was part of the last NEC meeting where the decision to extend NWC’s tenure was taken.

“Some of us felt betrayed because this is not how to treat party leaders.”

Another member of NEC who spoke to The on the issue explained that the party’s chairman spoke about setting up a committee to review the President’s position “but no committee was named.”

The source who is also a member of the party’s NWC, said, “After tempers cooled down, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, spoke.

“He made reference to an August 2015 Supreme Court judgment in the case of two Kano State House of Assembly seats won by the APC.

“The VP said we lost that case because the litigants based their argument on the process that produced the candidates not the outcome of the elections.”

He said, “Osinbajo essentially spoke in favour of Mr. President. He felt it would be easier to deal with internal crisis arising from party primaries than a crisis emanating from a breach of the constitution.”

CAR-WASH ATTENDANT SELLS CUSTOMER’S CAR TO FINANCE HIS WEDDING FUNDS

Chado

A car-wash attendant, Mohammed Chado, has been arrested by the police in Abuja for allegedly selling a Toyota Camry that was given to him for washing.

The suspect, who worked at a car-wash outlet in Apo, Abuja, allegedly ran away with the customer's car and subsequently sold it for N450,000, which he used to marry a wife.

Chado is 29 years of age and was among other 40 suspects paraded by the Nigeria police in Abuja on Wednesday.

The police boss said, “Chado was arrested at Batafe village in Niger State where he hid after he sold a Toyota Camry that was given to him for washing.

“He escaped with it, sold it for N450,000 and used the money to marry a wife, Chao said. The stolen car has been recovered.”

Chado explained that out of the proceeds, he spent N300,000 on his wedding and expended the balance on feeding and other needs.

The suspect said, “I sold the car for N450,000 and spent N300,000 on my wedding. I gave the money to my family to buy the needed wedding items. I spent the balance on feeding myself for one year.”

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Abuja,  Sadiq Bello, said the command recovered from the other suspects 38 pump-action guns, 13 locally-made guns, one fabricated revolver, 25 fabricated modified pump-action guns, one double-barrelled gun and 22 cartridges.

Other exhibits allegedly recovered were 11 vehicles, three cutlasses, eight fabricated pistols, nine plasma television sets, one desktop monitor, three knives and one gun, believed to be toy.