April 2021 – Page 40

Post Date : April 14, 2021

Okorocha spends second night with EFCC operatives, speaks on alleged N7.9b cash

Former Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha spent his second night with his interrogators on Tuesday, with indications emerging that he would not be released until he had addressed all the things he knows about the sum of N7.9 billion and choice property allegedly traced to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. A top source in the EFCC told Vanguard on Tuesday night that Okoroch was still being grilled and would not be allowed to go home until the operatives were satisfied with his submission. “As we speak, former governor Okorocha is still writing his statement at the headquarters of the EFCC and from the look of things he is not likely to be left off the hook until the operatives are satisfied with the answers over the questions being put to him regarding the amount traced in banks to him and the choice property spread across many towns and cities in Nigeria,” the source confided in our reporter. “The former governor is however cooperating with his interrogators and is writing his own statement on what he has been confronted with. It is only after his statement that those handling his matter would decide the next line of action: either to charge him to court or free him. “But the truth of the matter is that those interrogating him, know exactly what to do,” one of the officials familiar with the case, told Vanguard last night. It will be recalled that Okorocha, who presided over the affairs of Imo State until 2015, was picked up by operatives of the EFCC on Monday morning in Abuja and taken to the headquarters of the commission in Jabi, where he has been since then, answering questions relating to the amount reportedly traced to him. But he has denied that such amount and account belong to him. The Head of the Port Harcourt Zone of the EFCC, Imam Usman, had spoken of the tracing of at least N7.9 billion in several Nigerian banks to the former governor. Usman said: “Within the period in review, the Commission succeeded in freezing about N7.9 billion in different accounts. Out of this, N2.7billion was released to the Imo state government to enable it pay staff salaries and pensions. “Also, properties worth billions of Naira recovered in the course of the investigation have been forfeited to the Federal Government.” “Only last month, N514million was further released to the incumbent administration of the state to enable it meet its obligations to workers,” Usman said last year when the saga between Okorocha and the EFCC started. VANGUARD

Post Date : April 14, 2021

PDP South-West congress election was rigged, Fayose says

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has said that the election of the South-west zonal congress of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was rigged. Speaking on a Channels Television programme on Wednesday, Fayose said, “I am not satisfied with all that happened. But I want peace and nothing but peace for the Southwest. “I conceded because the PDP is the bigger picture. Conceding is exhibiting leadership. “I am glad because that is a show of strength.” After mentioning the calibre of persons namely one sitting governor, two former governors and seven former deputy governors supporting Taofeek Arapaja, who contested against his preferred candidate, Eddy Olafeso, ex-governor Fayose remarked that “The world can see a one-man army.” When asked, “would you say that the election was rigged?” Fayose responded, “very clearly.” Recall that Monday’s contest for the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West saw Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja emerging as the winner with 343 votes. His co-contester, Dr Eddy Olafeso, polled 330 votes. A total of 684 accredited votes had 10 voided, with 674 votes cast at the WOCDIF Event Centre, Osogbo, Osun State, venue of the zonal congress.

Post Date : April 14, 2021

Chibok Abduction: Release Of Schoolgirls Is Work In Progress, Says Presidency

The Presidency on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to securing the release of the missing students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, saying rescue efforts is a work in progress. A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, reassured parents and all concerned citizens that the safe return of the students “remain constantly on the minds of government as they are always on the minds of their parents.” Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents had on April 14, 2014 stormed the school facilities and whisked away over 276 schoolgirls, an incident that drew widespread condemnation across the world. Although most of the 276 girls escaped or were later released, more than 112 girls are still missing. Today marks the seventh anniversary of that tragic incident, with calls being renewed for the Federal Government to step up its efforts in facilitating the return of the schoolgirls. But the presidential spokesman called on Nigerians to continue to remember the nation’s military in their prayers. He said, “No one is giving up hope here. Efforts to secure their release through various channels and activities of the security and intelligence agencies remain on course. “The recent decisive push by the military against the terrorists gives hope that a breakthrough is possible and could happen anytime soon. “The Presidency asks for support, understanding and prayers for the military as they discharge their historic mandate to quickly finish off the insurgency war and free all citizens held hostage.”

Post Date : April 14, 2021

FG remains silent on Buhari’s return date

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has failed to disclose the exact date President Muhammadu Buhari would return to Nigeria. Buhari has been in the United Kingdom for two weeks for his “routine medical check-up”. When he travelled on March 30, the presidency had said he will return during the second week of April 2021. However, as the second week of April winds down, Mohammed said the timeframe extends to Saturday. While addressing state house correspondents on Wednesday, the minister also said there is “no big issue” yet regarding Buhari’s expected return. Asked about the president’s return, he responded: “Today is Wednesday, this week finishes on Saturday. So, what’s the big issue in that one?” Buhari had said he was taking a “short rest” in London in a letter to Abdullah ll Bin Al-Hussein, the king of the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan.

Post Date : April 14, 2021

Abducted Rivers Council Chairman Regains Freedom

The Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Chief Philimon Iwoloma Kinggoli, who was kidnapped on Tuesday last week by unknown gunmen, has regained his freedom. A press statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday by the Rivers State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni, said the abducted council chairman was rescued Tuesday night in a covert operation by the operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit of the Police. He said that the freed council chairman was taken to the hospital, debriefed and released to reunite with his family.

Post Date : April 14, 2021

One dead over father’s inheritance battle in Imo

Battle over father’s inheritance in Okuku, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, has allegedly landed first son of the family, one Chinonso Azuatalam, to death, after he was said to have been beaten up by his siblings. Vanguard Wednesday in Owerri, was told that trouble started last Tuesday, over which sharing formula to be used for the late father’s properties. As a result of failure to reach a common agreement, led to fight and Chinonso (deceased) was said to have been beaten by his siblings and was taken to the hospital from where he was said to have passed on. A female police officer and sister to the deceased said to be involved in the fight, Chioma Azuatalam, has been arrested by the police, as well as one of the brothers of the deceased. Further investigation into the matter, a source from the community said: “The issue started on Tuesday, when they invited their maternal home people from Agwa in Oguta local government area of Imo state to help them settle their disagreement. “As the process was about to start, Fight started between Chinonso (deceased) and his immediate younger brothers, Chibuzor Azuatalam, to cut the whole story short, Chibuzor used a big stick and hit Chinonso at the back of his head and Chinonso fell down. “Chinonso was rushed to the hospital and from there the story is that his dead. That is how we lost a promising young man. His married with two kids and presently the wife is pregnant.” He continued: “The most painful part of it is that the sister who is a police officer, Chioma Azuatalam, that supposed to make peace joined in the fight, I was told that Chioma, beat up Chinonso’s (deceased) pregnant wife. My happiness now is that Chioma has been arrested by the police and others have ran away.” When contacted the President General of the community, Mr. Martin Daniel confirmed the death of Chinonso linked to controversy over sharing of family inheritance. Also speaking, the Imo state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Orlando Ikeokwo, said: “The deceased picked up a knife and threatened to kill his mother. His sister who is a police officer called her two other brothers. They came and fight ensured and one of them heat him with a wood. He lost consciousness and he was rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was pronounced dead. “Their sister who is a police officer who invited her brother is in police custody. One of the brothers who heat the deceased with the wood has also been arrested.”

Post Date : April 14, 2021

EXTRA: Southeast not ready for presidency in 2023 – Lagos Lawmaker

Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly Mr Jude Idimogu, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 2, has said that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best candidate to run for presidency under the auspices of the All Progressive Party, APC, in the general elections in 2023, adding that the South-East was not ready for the President. Idimogu stated this during an endorsement programme organised by “Abundance Support Group, to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Presidency and Lagos Speaker, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa as Senator of the Lagos West Senatorial District in 2023 which held at the secretariat of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Ejigbo, Lagos. Idimogu, while speaking to journalists, said that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a great achiever based on records of his achievements as the Governor of Lagos State and that he is the most qualified person for the nation’s presidency in the next general elections. “Apart from that, when you look at my history of moving from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tinubu has shown me love and he has been committed to my “We are also doing this on behalf of my great Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, as he is also aspiring to be the Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District in 2023. He has a lot of achievements and he is one of the best 10 legislators in the country as of today,” he said. The lawmaker said further that everybody and every zone has a right to aspire for any position in 2023, but that his assessment was that the best person to rule Nigeria from the year, irrespective of where he is coming from, is Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He recalled that when the allocations of the local governments in Lagos State were seized by the then former president Olusegun Obasanjo-led Federal Government, Tinubu came up with a formula, which he said increased the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state. “Besides, Tinubu is somebody that has made a lot of people and some of us have benefited from that, and he has been fighting for democracy in Nigeria. “Tinubu has people all over the country, including Hausa, Ibo, and Yoruba. For me, he is a detribalised Nigerian and I have not seen anybody that would be like him. I don’t know what would happen in 2023, but as of today, he is the best candidate to be the next President of Nigeria. The event was attended by party leaders, National Coordinator of Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Support Group, Mr Ipoola Omisore, Politicians, Yoruba and Igbo Leaders, Youths among others.

Post Date : April 14, 2021

JAMB scraps use of email for UTME, direct entry registration

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced that the use of email would no longer be required for the processing of registration for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry. The Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, said this while speaking with journalists on Tuesday evening. According to him, email would only be requested at the successful completion of the registration exercise by candidates to access information on the examination. He said, “As from Thursday, April 15, 2021, candidates will no longer be required to provide any email address during registration. “Consequently, candidates will have the following options to access their profile during or after registration. “i. Mobile APP on the candidates’ phone. ii. On the 55019 option (being designed) for example admission status checking, acceptance of admission etc on their profile. “Printing of examination slip (Notification) or Result notification slip or ticketing can be done anywhere using the candidates JAMB registration number only. “At the conclusion of the 2021 UTME/DE registration exercise, candidates will provide their email addresses only after the 2021 UTME/DE registration exercise has been declared closed by JAMB through (a) Mobile APP on his/her registered phone. (b) Sending the word email (space then the email address) on his /her registered phone to 55019. “The email is typed twice for correctness (Email addresses will be entered twice for validation and prevention of typographical errors.” Oloyede said the new system was to ensure candidates’ information are not exposed to dubious cyber cafe operators and other criminal elements who in the course of UTME/ Direct Entry registration steal email passwords to perpetrate fraud. He said an individual’s mobile phone now remains the only major tool to carry out all the registration processes. The JAMB CEO said the organization has phased out the use of cash for any transactions in the Computer-Based Test centres owned by JAMB but Automated Teller Machine cards. He said the move was to frustrate the antics of touts who hang around JAMB CBT centres as well as prevent illegal charges. Oloyede said candidates who are only keen on using cash can visit privately owned centres for their registration and other activities. Earlier, a final year student of the University of Abuja, Adegoke Justina, exposed how she was lured to hand over her email details to a cyber cafe staff, who posed as JAMB staff. Adegoke had visited the JAMB CBT centre in the Kogo-Bwari area of Abuja, to rectify issues with her admission when she was accosted by a young man who promised to help do necessary applications, only for him to be issuing threats and demanding money days later after taking over the student’s email address. Moses Peter, the cyber cafe operator, nabbed by police over the incident, however, identified the perpetrator of the crime as David Ahmad, a student of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, who sometimes works in the cafe.

Post Date : April 14, 2021

2023: APC Reacts To Zoning List In Circulation

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has disowned a 2023 zoning list in circulation, saying it is yet to zone its offices ahead of the forthcoming national convention. There is a list in circulation indicating that the APC has zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the South and chairmanship to the North, among others. But reacting, Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Sen John James Akpanudoedehe, in a statement on Wednesday, described the list as the handiwork of speculators who are interested in running for various offices. “People who are interested in running for one office or the other can speculate. “As far as I am concerned, the last Caretaker Committee meeting we had, we did not discuss that [zoning]. “That is not what we are concerned with now. What we are concerned with is data collection; how to collect data without making mistake. “We are not going to be pressurised because of sentiment and we do the wrong thing. “Let me say that zoning is not for the Caretaker Committee alone. “It has to do with the President, it has to do with other major stakeholders, it has to do with a lot of people. “I want to mute the speculation. The list is not from us [Caretaker Committee]. “The President is not in town. There is no way such decision will be taken without consulting with the President, consulting with the governors and other major stakeholders,” he said.

Post Date : April 14, 2021

Printing N60bn to augment March federal allocation not a fact, FG replies Obaseki

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, has told Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State not to worry over the country’s rising debt profile because it is still within sustainable limits. She also said that the assertion made by the governor on the printing of N60 billion by the federal government to augment the shortfall in the federally allocated March revenue is not “a fact.” Ahmed gave the assurance while briefing correspondents on the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Recall that Obaseki had said last Saturday, “When we got FAAC for March, the federal government printed additional N50-N60 billion to top-up for us to share. “This April, we will go to Abuja and share. By the end of this year, our total borrowings are going to be within N15-N16 trillion.” Ahmed, however, explained that whatever is distributed at the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings were generated revenue from government institutions and can be accessed by the public at the ministry’s website. She argued: “The issue that was raised by the Edo state governor for me is very, very sad because it is not a fact. What we distribute at FAAC is revenue that is generated and in fact distribution revenue is public information. “We publish revenue generated by FIRS, the customs and the NNPC and we distribute at FAAC. So, it is not true to say we printed money to distribute at FAAC, it is not true. “On the issue of the borrowing, the Nigerian debt is still within sustainable limit. What we need to do as I have said several times is to improve our revenue to enhance our capacity to service not only our debt but to service the needs of running the government on day to day basis. “So, our debt currently at about 23% to GDP is at a very sustainable level. If you look at all the reports that you see from multilateral institutions.” On the deliberations by the FEC, the council approved a total of N20,114,002871 for the acquisition of various operational equipment for the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS). The minister said a total of 427 operational vehicles, worth N14.55 billion and nine assorted gunboats worth N5,564,002,871 was approved. She explained: “The ministry also presented, on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service, a memo that was seeking for Council’s approval for the design, construction and supply of two NC36M patrol boats, in favour of Messrs of Boat Plus Limited, in the sum of N5,062,530,400, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a delivery period of 12 months and council approved our request. “We also presented a memo, again on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service, for the approval of Council for the design, construction and supply of seven fast assault patrol boats and seven regular patrol boats, in favour of Messrs Siwa West Africa Limited, in the sum of N501,472,471.08, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a delivery period of eight weeks. “The purpose of the purchase of these two types of petrol boats is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations of the Nigerian Customs Service in its bid to control smuggling and also ensure enhanced efficiency in all customs duty operations in the Marine Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service. “We also presented, again on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, a request for Council’s approval and council approved the procurement of 427 operational vehicles for the Nigerian Customs Service operations in favour of various contractors in the combined sum of N14.55 billion, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a delivery period of four weeks.” Mrs Ahmed also revealed that FEC approved the sum of N539,277,673 for the construction of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) building at the Ilupeju Medium and Small Taxpayers’ office. Also speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the council approved a project for the extension of the University of Ibadan’s library at the sum of N532 million. He added: “The Minister of Education also presented a memo for the award of contract for the construction and furnishing of the extension of the library of the University of Ibadan. The memo, which was approved, is at the cost of N532,609,000 and with a completion period of 48 weeks. “It was a memo that was very well received because of the need to actually extend the library facility in the university. For many years, the library of the University of Ibadan needed real extension, given the surge of the student population.”