Another Chibok schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram more than two years ago has been found, less than 48 hours after the first one, Amina Ali Nkeki was found around Sambisa forest in Borno State.

The Nigerian army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman said Thursday that the girl had been rescued, though he did not give details.

He promised however that the details would soon be made available.

The first of the 219 abducted students – 19-year-old Amina Ali – was found on Tuesday with the four-month-old baby she gave birth to in captivity.

Amina Ali was received on Thursday at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, by President Muhammadu Buhari. [myad]

The National Publicity Secretary of the People‎s Democratic (PDP), Olisa Metuh, Thursday, vomited in his car as he arrived in court for continuation of his trial, even as he counsel immediately applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja for the release of his passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

Justice Abang on Thursday reluctantly adjourned Metuh’s trial and the hearing of his fresh motion seeking the release of his passport till May 23, after his lawyer, Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), complained that his client’s condition worsened overnight.

Etiaba told the judge that Metuh was rushed to hospital at about 1am on Thursday following a sudden change in his condition.

He said he read Metuh’s text message about the overnight development on Thursday morning but insisted that the defendant must attend the day’s proceedings.

He said he met Metuh at the court’s car park on Thursday and realized that the PDP’s spokesperson had vomited in his car.

“Waking up this morning, I read a text from the first defendant (Metuh) informing me that he was rushed to the National Hospital by 1am. My lord, I read that text this morning when I woke up and I responded that whatever it is he must be in court.

“I drove in this morning and he (Metuh) was at the car park in his car. On getting there I realized that he had vomited profusely and his brother-in-law Mr. Andy, narrated how he was rushed to the hospital last night.

“On getting to the hospital, they met a lady doctor who said the nurses were on strike but they administered injection and drugs to him.

“They also gave him a room but he was advised that since they had given him medical attention that he should go home because the injection administered to him would make him to sleep.

“He was also informed that because of the strike, the only available room was not cleaned up. He was advised to come back to the hospital by 8am. He was only here based on my advice.

“Our application this morning is for an adjournment.
But for the reason that the 1st defendant is very weak, there is need to report back to the hospital because he cannot stand trial.

“I therefore plead with my lord to indulge us because this is a life threatening-situation. The defendant needs to stay alive to face his trial. This is a passionate appeal.”

Destra Investment Limited’s lawyer, Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN), supported the application for adjournment.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, described Etiaba’s submission as an “oral affidavit” but that he would not oppose the application for adjournment since it had to do with the defendant’s health.

‎Justice Abang in a bench ruling also said the issues raised by Etiaba were merely “sentimental” as there was no evidence apart from the lawyer’s oral submission to back the ill health claim.

The judge said ‎the defendant ought to have invited the doctor who attended to Metuh in the hospital to give evidence on oath with respect to the defendant’s ill health.

But the judge said notwithstanding the failure of the defendant’s lawyer to adduce tenable evidence, he would adjourn the case because “the court is also human”.

He adjourned till May 23 but with a directive that the trial would proceed day to day in line with provisions of section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015

Justice Okon Abang had ordered Metuh to deposit his passport with the court’s registrar as part of the bail conditions granted him on January 19, with respect to his ongoing trial before the court.

Metuh, by his motion filed on May 16, seeks orders directing the court’s registrar to release his passport to him and to permit him to travel to the United Kingdom for five weeks to get treatment.

He said in the application that his decision to seek treatment abroad was informed by the advice of a neurosurgeon in the National Hospital, Abuja following the injury he allegedly sustained after falling from a chair at the national secretariat on April 26.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Metuh and his company, Destra Investments Limited, on seven counts, including alleged fraudulent receipt of N400m from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014 to fund Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential campaign ahead of the 2015 poll.

Other counts preferred against Metuh include alleged money laundering offences involving cash transaction of $2m without passing through a financial institution. [myad]

The Federal Government of Nigeria has classified the former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki as a threat to national security

Through its ‎witnesses and its lawyer, Mr. T. D Kabiru, who led the witnesses in evidence, the Federal Government said on Thursday that Dasuki is being held because he constituted threat to national security.

Addressing the point raised by  the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the government insisted that it would be dangerous to Dasuki, who is being held owing to his involvement in the over $2bn arms funds scam.

The government called two witnesses ‎to oppose a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed before the ECOWAS Court by Dasuki, seeking his release from the custody of the DSS.

It said that given his pivotal role in the $2bn scam and the calibre of top politicians that had been fingered in the alleged fraud, Dasuki was also being kept in custody for his own safety.

It said that with the quantum of arms and ammunition alleged to be illegally kept in the ex-NSA’s home in Abuja and recovered by security operatives, there was the general apprehension that he possessed more, which the state had yet to discover.

It argued that Dasuki’s detention was justified based on the intelligence and security report in the disposal of the nation’s security agencies, and  that national security superseded individual’s security.

‎The lawyer said, “the position of the defence, which is not controverted by the applicant, is that the arms and ammunition recovered during the search (at Dasuki’s home) are not the only arms and ammunition in the possession of the applicant.

“There is fear that he has more. There is intelligence report that some are yet to be recovered. That we fear he has more is a ground to hold him. There are ongoing investigations which are revealing fresh facts concerning him.

“The right of an individual cannot supersede the security of a country when there is intelligence report to suspect the conduct of the individual.”

Dasuki was re-arrested on December 29, 2015 by the operatives of the Department of State Service shortly after he was released on bail from ‎Kuje Prisons, Abuja, with respect to his ongoing trial on three separate sets of charges.

Source: Punch. [myad]

President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that though nothing could be done to reverse the horror which Amina Ali Nkeki, had gone through in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents, being one of the over 200 students of the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in Borno state in 2014, but that his government would do everything possible to ensure her life takes a completely different course.

The President, who received her, her baby and parents at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa today said: “although we cannot do anything to reverse the horrors of her past, the federal government can and will do everything possible to ensure that the rest of her life takes a completely different course. Amina will receive the best care that the Nigerian government can afford.”

President Buhari said that the continuation of Amina’s education, so abruptly disrupted, will definitely be a priority of the federal government, adding that she must be enabled to go back to school.

“No girl in Nigeria should be put through the brutality of forced marriage. Every girl has the right to an education and a life choice,” President Buhari said.

“We will ensure that she gets the best medical, psychological, emotional and whatever other care she requires to make a full recovery and be reintegrated fully into society” the President said adding that he can only imagine all the girl who was taken away at 17 years had to go through at such an early stage of her life.”

The President also promised that she would be given the best medical, psychological and emotional care that the Nigerian Government can afford.

Amina, who was one of the over 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents, was rescued on Tuesday after two years in their captivity. She arrived at the presidential villa in complete veil, and escorted by her brother, mother, the National Security Adviser, Mohammed Monguno, and the Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima.

According to her mother, who spoke at the brief ceremony in the President’s office, Amina is one of the two surviving children of the family. Her father died from the trauma of losing his daughter.

The 19-year-old girl has already been examined by medical personnel from the government and nongovernmental organizations. Trauma experts from UNICEF have also met with her.

Meanwhile, Governor Shettima commended the President for his patience, persistence and doggedness in ensuring the restoration of peace in the North East.

He that said one year ago, nobody could venture out of Maiduguri beyond 15 kilometres, as it was on the verge of falling into the hands of Boko Haram.

He said that no local government area in Borno or in Yobe or Adamawa is under the control of the insurgent group now.

Nigeria’s Federal Government may heed the advice of a special committee it set up, which recommended the establishment of Special Courts to prosecute the rampant cases of oil theft and bunkering in the Niger Delta region.
The Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, made the recommendation to the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, which held on Thursday at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja, presided over Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
The Committee said: “Federal Government should set up special courts for speedy prosecution of oil bunkerers and oil theft suspects.”
it also recommended engagement of traditional rulers to sensitize their communities on the criminal and environmental dangers of oil theft.
The Committee recommended that procurement and deployment of appropriate technology in surveillance and combat vehicles/boats in difficult terrain be effected to drastically reduce incidents of oil thefts and illegal bunkering “and this would ensure full benefits of uninterrupted supply.”
Other highlights of the NEC meeting which lasted for several hours and attended by governors of the 36 states, relevant ministers, Central Bank Governor and others are:

1. REPORT ON EXCESS CRUDE PROCEEDS

• Honourable Minister of Finance (HMF) reported to the Council that the balance in the ECA stood at (USD 2,259,688,878.06 billion) as at 30^th April, 2016.  She disclosed that interest accrued on the account is USD 429,903.55 for the month of April 2016 experiencing a little drop in interest.

1. UPDATE ON THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE BOARD OF NIGER DELTA POWER HOLDING COMPANY (NDPHC)

The Chairman of Council, the Vice President informed that His Excellency, the President has approved the reconstitution of the board, which will be effected in due course.

UPDATE BY NEC AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON MANAGEMENT OF THE EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT (ECA) AND PAYMENT INTO THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT

Edo State Governor reported to the Council that their sub-committee endorsed the forensic auditors firms as earlier proposed by the Finance Minister to audit the ECA.

UPDATE BY NEC AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON CRUDE OIL THEFT PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Bayelsa Deputy Governor reported to the Council that, the Committee set-up sometimes in 2013 consulted widely with relevant stakeholders including the Armed Forces Joint Task Force (JTF), Oil Companies, Oil Producing States, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) among others.

• Key findings of the Committee as to the causes of crude oil theft include:

1. Inadequate operational patrol vessels to conduct patrol of entire pipeline network;
2. Massive unemployment among youths in the region attributed to increasing incidence of theft and vandalism;
3. Non availability of petroleum products in the Niger Delta Area also responsible for reoccurrence illegal bunkering.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Among the key recommendations of the Committee are:

1. Procurement and deployment of appropriate technology in surveillance and combat vehicles/boats in difficult terrain would drastically reduce incidents of oil thefts and illegal bunkering and this would ensure full benefits of uninterrupted supply.
2. Federal Government should set up special courts for speedy prosecution of oil bunkerers and oil theft suspects.
3. Engagement of traditional rulers to sensitize their communities on the criminal and environmental dangers of oil theft.

WAY FORWARD

Among others are:

• Increase the refining capacity of the domestic refineries through relocation/co-locating smaller cost-efficient refineries within time frame of 12 – 24 months.
• Focus on restoring upstream production by positively engaging host communities to put the current militancy to an end.
• Focus on improving Government funding in the upstream sector where funding has been less than 30%.
• Relieve Government of monthly cash-call funding and create a sustainable self-funding arrangement.
• Continue to engage the general public and all stakeholders by providing relevant information and education.

UPDATE ON STATES THAT HAVE RECEIVED BAILOUTS FUNDS AND THOSE OUTSTANDING

CBN Governor reported that:

• 30 States have so far benefited with the salary bailout as at 18^thMay, 2016
• 35 States have applied for the Excess Crude Account-backed loans

1. UPDATE ON FUEL SUPPLY AND MARKETING

The Minister of State for Petroleum briefed the Council, and stated that:

• Fuel scarcity was due to non availability of FOREX as a result of significant decline in government foreign earnings due to 60% drop in global crude oil price compared to 2014.
• NNPC supply dynamics had crumbled and NNPC is now straining to supply over 90% of the national demand for PMS from the 48% it was designed to supply.
• Prevalent hoarding, smuggling and diversion of the product have reduced volumes available for citizens/end users.
• Scarcity has created abnormal increase in prices resulting in our people paying an average of N150 – N300 per litre.
• There is no provision for subsidy in 2016 Appropriation as current estimated subsidy claim per month is N16.4 billion
• Consequences of imminent difficult situation if not addressed would be:

• Inability of government at all levels to pay salaries or meet financial obligations
• Increased scarcity of product leading to long queues
• Continuous upward surge of prices across the nation.

PRESENTATION ON STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2016 BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION

Minister for Budget and National Planning made a presentation to the Council on Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 Budget of Change.

• Key highlights of the presentation are:

• Implementation of 34 priority actions across 4 fundamental areas to progressively facilitate true national transformation.
• The 4 fundamental areas constitute the focal points for prioritized execution and implementation of the Government’s short -term strategy as follows:

1. Investing in critical infrastructure
2. Embracing and encouraging private sector
3. Continuously advocating for greater social inclusion
4. Improving security and tackling corruption.

• Among the strategies for achieving the goals across 6 thematic areas of the 2016 budget are as follows:

1. Changes in the policy environment, National Security and Governance
2. Diversifying the economy by fast-tracking Industrialisation, Agriculture and Agro-Allied Processing, as well as attracting investment into solid minerals, Tourism and Entertainment sectors.
3. Priority critical infrastructure, focused on increasing investment in power, rail, roads and housing.
4. Oil and Gas Reform
5. Ease of doing business
6. Social investment

• Robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E Framework)

• The Strategic implementation plan would be incomplete without a focus on systematically tracking the achievement of actual outputs and outcomes.
• Ministry of Budget and National Planning will, going forward, utilize the revised National Monitoring &Evaluation framework to institutionalise the process of carrying out physical inspections and other verification exercises
• Impact Assessment of policies, projects and programmes on regular basis at the national level
• The M&E reports will be an input into the process for capital allocation releases to MDAs.
• NBS tracking of statistical indices are critical in measuring performance and rewarding delivery.

1. PRESENTATION OF POLICY DRAFT ON FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

In response to previous requests, the Honourable Minister of Finance made a presentation to the Council on Fiscal Sustainability Plan and Fiscal Framework for Sub-National Governments in Nigeria.  This included:

• Five (5) key strategic objectives and recommended action points with a view to achieving objectives around improved fiscal behaviour that will align both short-term and long-term sustainability objectives of the Federal and State Governments
• The 5 key elements are:

1. Accountability and Transparency;
2. Increase in Public Revenue;
3. Rationalisation of Public Expenditure;
4. Public Financial Management Reforms; and
5. Sustainable Debt Management.

Council then approved the Fiscal Sustainability Plan.

PRESENTATION ON POLICY PAPER ON SOLID MINERALS EXPLORATION BY BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS

Minister of State for Solid Minerals presented a policy paper to the Council.  The highlights of the paper among others are:

1. Nigeria was once a mining nation and ranked as a leading producer and exporter of columbite, sixth producer/exporter of the metal and producer of coal amongst others.
2. Nigeria lost those positions due to greater attention to oil exploration and exploitation, and also the indigenisation Decree of the 70s that led to the departure of the multinationals that owned the then Tin and Columbite mines.

• The policy paper was presented to NEC to apprise the reforms of the minerals sector and to particularly address issuance of licences for solid minerals exploration by both Federal and State Governments. [myad]