Dasuki Appears In Court, Claims He Could Not Remember What Happened In Metuh’s Case

November 1, 2017

Former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, appeared before Federal High Court in Abuja today, Wednesday, told the court that he could not give accurate account what happened in his office in 2014 because of his two years in detention.
Dasuki responded to the court subpoena for him to give evidence in the trial of former National Publicity Secretary of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Olisah Metuh on N400 million corruption charges.
The former NSA, in his brief remarks, before Justice Okon Abang at the instance of Metuh,
confirmed that he knew Metuh but that he could not recall without reference to his records, the transaction of 2014 upon which Metuh was put on trial by the Federal Government.
Led in evidence by Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN) Counsel Metuh, Dasuki told Justice Abang that he had been kept in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) for over two years and had no access to records of his office that could make him refresh his memory to give accurate evidence.
He recalled the caution issued to him by the court to the effect that he would be prosecuted if he gives inaccurate evidence in the trial of Metuh, adding that in order to give accurate evidence, he needs to have a recourse to his records to be able to give accurate evidence.
Counsel to Metuh had to apply for an adjournment to enable Dasuki to have access to his records to enable him to give correct evidence. Adding that from all indications, Dasuki is ever willing and ready to cooperate to give reliable evidence.
However, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC), Sylvanus Tahir opposed the application for adjournment, adding that major documents needed by Dasuki to give evidence are in the custody of the court and that Metuh’s counsel should be compelled to use the documents on the witness. He urged Justice Abang not to grant the adjournment.
In his ruling, Justice Abang adjourned ruling on the application for adjournment to November 3, 2017.
Meanwhile the Court of Appeal has fixed November 13, 2017 for hearing of the Appeal filed by Dasuki in which he prayed the court to set aside the subpoena issued on him by Justice Abang on the ground that he had been in the custody of DSS for over two years and may not be able to give accurate evidence in the trial of Metuh.
Similarly, in the motion brought by former President Goodluck Jonathan praying Justice Abang to set aside the subpoena issued to him to appear in court to give evidence for Metuh, the Court in a brief ruling held that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the motion argued by Chief Mike Ezekhome (SAN) for Jonathan on the ground that the former President has not been formally served with the subpoena.
Justice Abang said all issues raised by Jonathan against the subpoena can only be canvassed after he had being served with the Subpoena personally as required by the court. [myad]

2019 Presidency: Those Campaigning For Me Are My Enemies – Orji Kalu

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described those who have been pasting his posters and campaining for him to run for Presidency in the 2019 election as his enemies.
Orji Kalu, who is also a staunch supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, was reacting to posters of him that have gone viral, one of which has an inscription: “Vote Orji Kalu for President on the platform of the APC.”
The former governor, in a statement in Abuja, distanced himself from such posters, which he said, are fake campaign posters.
According to him, the posters are the handiwork of political jobbers and speculators, who are afraid of his unstoppable political feat.
In the statement which was issued by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Orji Kalu declared that his support for the candidature of Buhari if he so desires to run in 2019 was not shaking, adding that the North should be allowed to complete its eight years before the Igbo will have “their rightful turn in 2023.
“After a two-week business trip to China, to my surprise on my way from Nnamdi Azikwe International airport, Abuja this morning, I sighted the malicious posters in my name with the caption: ‘Kalu for President.’
“It is definitely the handiwork of some politicians who are either afraid of my political capacity or enemies of the present administration as I have continually maintained my support for Mr. President.
“The action of these jobless politicians is a ploy to damage the robust relationship I have with President Buhari and the top hierarchy of the APC.?
“Such political blackmail is not only disheartening but unhealthy for Nigeria’s growing democracy.
“While I call on the unsuspecting public, especially members of the APC, to disregard the vicious posters, I am also reaffirming my unflinching and unaltered support for Mr. President.
“I will contest in 2019 by the grace of God but definitely not for President.”
The APC chieftain appealed to the political class to play the game by the rules, even as he called on the electorate to be wary of desperate politicians.
He made it clear that the collective interest of Nigerians is paramount and should be placed above selfish ambitions.[myad]

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Angry With Buhari For Not Picking SGF From Southeast

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

The umbrella body of Ndigbo, the Ohanaeze, is angry with President Muhammadu Buhari for not appointing a South Easterner as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) even after the ruling party zoned it to the region.
The body said in a statement signed by its President General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo that the President has failed again to play father figure which his office demands in presiding over a plural and divergent society.
“The President’s action has further denied the people of the region a strong place in the executive arm of the administration.”
The Ohanaeze boss expressed regret that the President by his action, has failed to seize the opportunity of running an inclusive government and assuaging the feelings of Ndigbo by side tracking them again in the appointment of the SGF.
“It also shows the President’s insensitivity to the over flogged issue of marginalization of Ndigbo by his administration.
“We had thought that the recent meeting of South East leaders with the President at the Aso Rock Villa opened an avenue for a new relationship with the zone which appointing an SGF from the area would have helped to cement especially as the ruling party originally zoned the position to the region.”
According to Chief Nwodo, the President’s remarks on the South East Ministers in his cabinet during the meeting could not have been a good reason to continue sidetracking them over a position that was zoned to them, especially when such appointment would have helped to heal wounds and reconcile a disgruntled people.
Chief Nwodo considered as saddening, the fact that Buhari, who he said, has had the enviable opportunity of working across the country in his military career and has been a huge player in the polity for almost two decades, cannot find somebody from the South East he can trust for the SGF position.
The Ohanaeze leader advised the President to open his mind and have a positive attitude about Ndigbo, whose contributions to the socio economic and political development of the country is not in doubt.

[myad]

Nigeria Signs MoU To Recover 321 Million Dollars Stashed Away In Swiss By Treasury Looters – Malami

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

The Nigerian Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has announced that Nigeria has moved to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Swiff for the recovery of the sum of 321 Million Dollars which Nigerian looters stashed in that country.
Malami said, when he briefed news men today, Wednesday, on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting: “we are in agreement substantially, with Swiss, for the recovery of additional sum of 321million dollars. That memorandum of understanding has been substantially agreed between Nigeria and Swiss. We intend to now execute or to sign off the agreement during the Global Assets Recovery Forum taking place in December, in US, which is on assets recovery coming up in December.
He said that a memo he raised, seeking the approval of the council to allow him to sign the agreement on behalf of the Government of the Federation of Nigeria, was approved.
The memo, he added, also seeks to develop an instrument of ratification which would give him the powers to ensure the repatriation of the funds.
The implication of which is that the MoU as negotiated between Nigeria and Swiss has been agreed and ratified by council and then the Attorney General has been mandated to execute the agreement that will see to the repatriation of the 321million dollars and added to it to develop the instrument of ratification that will be expected from both sides of the device which will constitute the basis for the signing of the agreement in December in US during the global forum on assists recovery.
It would be recalled that about a week ago, Nigeria succeeded in recovering 85 million dollars relating to Malabu issues from U.K. [myad]

APC Governors Endorse President Buhari For 2019

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have formally endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 Presidenrial election, for his second tenure.
Speaking to news men shortly after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said that the future of the country would be good with President Buhari who remained a personality with the greatest amount of integrity and impeccable character.
This was even as Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State said that he and many APC members would support President Buhari if he decides to contest again in 2019 because of his performance in the last two and a half years.
Also, the Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, said that he and his supporters have resolved to work for the President if he continued to perform well and carry everybody along.
“Do we have any other person that will challenge the President again? Whatever you call it, as far as we are concerned, we have one President and that is the ticket we will fly,” Lalong said.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State said that the president has been showing the right leadership and taking the right steps through the ongoing reconciliation moves.
Okorocha said that he would back President Buhari if he decids to run again.
“My President is very democratic. If Mr President wants to run for election, he will follow all the processes. And if he is the person, we will all support him. In the APC, there is no imposition of candidate. If Buhari is running, I will allow that man to continue,” Okorocha said. [myad]

Judicial Council Receives 1, 124 Corruption Cases, Chief Judge Of Nigeria Confirms

Greenbarge Reporters

November 1, 2017

Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) who doubles as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, has announced that the Council has so far received a total of 1, 124 corruption cases from the various jurisdictions across the country.
He said that this followed the Chief Judge’s directive to the Heads of Court to compile and submit a compendium of all corruption cases being handled by their various jurisdictions.
Justice Onnoghen, who spoke today, Wednesday, at the formal inauguration of the Corruption and other Financial Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO) at the Complex of the National Judicial Council, said that the Committee was formed as part of the commitment of the Judiciary to lend support to the efforts of the present regime, to rid the nation of corruption.
He promised that all aspects of judicial duties would be scrutinised, improved and re-aligned towards reform.
He explained that all the institutions of the Judiciary and Heads of all the Courts have been advised to provide the Committee with all the necessary information and support to enable the Committee make decisions from informed perspective.
The Chief Judge said that Justice Ayo Salami should have headed the Committee but that he withdrew on personal ground. He hoped that the respected Judicial Officer will be available for other national judicial assignments in the near future.
He commended the Members for accepting to serve their fatherland through this assignment.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria said that the choice of the members was purely on merit and recognition of their track records of service to their fatherland, as well as contributions to the development of the country’s law and jurisprudence.
He appealed to them to come up with strategies that will help eliminate the delays and its attendant effects on the speedy disposal of corruption cases.
He advised the Committee to do all it can to justify the high level of public confidence reposed in it.
The Committee is expected to among other things propose Practice Direction, for consideration and approval of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, in order to compliment the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and serve as a guide to as well as applicable Rules in all Courts designated for corruption cases.
He advised the prosecution and defence counsel to shun all unethical antics employed to delay hearing and determination of corruption cases as Heads of Courts have been directed to report such counsel. He added that such counsel will be referred to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (in the case of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria) or the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (in the case of other Legal Practitioners) for staff disciplinary measures.
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Justice Suleiman Galadima, expressed appreciation to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for inviting them to serve the nation.
He assured him that the members would bring to bear their wealth of experiences to ensure the purpose for which the Committee was set up.
He pledged that the Committee would strictly adhere to the Terms of Reference. [myad]

President Buhari Celebrates Nigeria’s World Bank Ranking On Economic Performances

Greenbarge Reporters

October 31, 2017

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with what he called “the phenomenal improvement of Nigeria” on the World Bank’s Doing Business latest rankings.
The President said the the rankings which were released today, Tuesday, moved up Nigeria to 24 places in the rankings, and also placed Nigeria among the Top Ten Reformers globally.
A statement by the Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina said that Buhari congratulated all Nigerians on this very significant step forward.
He said that it symbolizes the real success achieved by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, (PEBEC), the National Assembly and State Governments.
According to him, such bodies have contributed immensely in making it easy for people to register their businesses speedily, obtain licenses and approvals from government agencies without encountering unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks.
President Buhari said: “it also reflects our efforts to make it easy for foreign business visitors to obtain visa on arrival, pass through our airports and do their businesses with ease and speed.”
He commended PEDEC, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, for a job well done, even as he said that he looks forward to even greater achievements for the nation.[myad]

PDP Is At Lowest Ebb, Needs Re-packaging, Gbenga Daniel Insists

Greenbarge Reporters

October 31, 2017

Two-term former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has described the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as being at its lowest ebb and needs to be repackaged for the 2019 general elections.
Chief Daniel, who is contesting the chairmanship of the party at its forthcoming national convention, said that he has the skill and capacity to reposition the party for the future electoral victory if elected as the Chairman of the party.
Daniel, who spoke during a Roundtable discussion with members of the Guild Of Corporate Online Publishers, (GOCOP) at Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos, said that he really needed to reboot PDP into power in 2019, adding that he possessed the skill, capacity and experience to return it to national prominence in 2019.
He said that the Chairmanship position of the party in a situation where it is not in control of centre, should not be made  to compensate some group of people, but that it should be seen as a situation that calls for work.
According to him. An ideal National Chairman of PDP should be able to put himself out to be scrutinized, to be harassed and  to be dealt with because the party is not in power at the national level.
He said that an odeal Chairman, is taking over a party that is at the lowest ebb, should be able to repackage, reprogramme, re-strategize as well as re-orientate it.
Gbenga Daniel assured party fateful that he has the qualities to achieve the lofty goals of the party, swearing that other candidates do not have such qualities.
“At the lowest level, I removed the government in power in 2003 in Ogun. I did it successfully without any bloodshed. I have also run elections successfully in various levels. Apart from Ogun state, in 2010 to 2011, I coordinated the Presidential election in the South-West.
“I also happen to be a two term governor that has networked  for several years.  In this process, the experience I gained from the network  as a  governor is very important.  I have a lot of network experience which I have acquired in the course of being a governor and doing my business. When you begin to take the aggregate of all these together you will actually come to the conclusion that I have the capacity to do it. But not only that, I am a pioneer.  I have always been a pioneer in my life. I am a pioneer in hostile environment.
“I left a lucrative and well paying job and came to start Kresta  Laurel. When I started Kresta Laurel, I was the Secretary, the technician and the Managing Director, among others. I have been able to grow Kresta Laurel today that it is probably operating in about eight major cities in the country with over 600 workers. Come rain or shine we are still paying salaries. I think I have that capacity.”
Gbenga Daniel disclosed that he will start his campaign tour across the country tomorrow, Wednesday, said: “I think that the work has to be done by the delegates is  to painstakingly look at the position of  the party today. As I said earlier on, if the party were to be in power at the federal government, probably any kind of chairman can do the work. But now that the party is not in power it  is quite a different case.“[myad]

CBN Pumps Another $195 Million Into Forex Market

Greenbarge Reporters

October 31, 2017

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again, injected another $195 million into the inter-bank Foreign Exchange market.
The apex Bank offered the sum of $100 million to the wholesale window and intervened in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment with $50 million.
A statement from the apex bank saidd that the invisibles segment comprise tuition, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance received $45 million.
Confirming the figures, the Bank’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor, reiterated CBN’s capacity to sustain the ongoing foreign exchange intervention especially now that the nation’s external reserve is on the upward climb and stands at $34 billion.
Okorafor called on Deposit Money Banks to continue to honour requests from customers with genuine needs, adding that the Bank will continue to sustain liquidity in the foreign exchange market.
He restated the Bank’s determination to achieve its objective of rates convergence, hence the consistent intervention in the foreign exchange market.
Meanwhile, the nation’s currency continued today, Tuesday, to maintain its stability in the FOREX market, exchanging at an average of N360/$1 in the BDC segment of the market.[myad]

Local Production Of Cement Saving Nigeria $2 Billion Dollars Annually In Foreign Exchange – BUA Chairman

Greenbarge Reporters

October 31, 2017

Chairman of BUA Group, another mass cement production, Abdulsamad Rabiu has said that local production of cement had saved $2 Billion for Nigeria yearly.
Speaking to news men shortly after the monthly Presidential advisory Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, Tuesday, Abdulsamad Rabiu said that the cement industry in Nigeria has and will continue to save Nigeria a lot of foreign exchange.
“If for example, you look at what we have produced in Nigeria today, maybe 25 to 30 million tons. If we quantify that in terms of foreign exchange it is almost 2 billion dollars per year.
“That is a lot of money being saved because if we do not have these cement plants definitely we have to import cement.”
He announced that his compnay hopes to commission its Sokoto plant next quarter of 2018, “and also our Edo second cement line will come on stream probably by second quarter of next year.” [myad]

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