Justice Minister, Malami, Ignores Justice Salami’s Panel Invitation On Ibrahim Magu’s Probe

September 24, 2020

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami SAN, has ignored the Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by the retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami’s subpoena issued to him.

The subpoena was issued by the Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the allegations he leveled against the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , Ibrahim Magu.Magu had consistently requested the opportunity to confront his accuser before the Panel, including an opportunity to be given the allegations leveled against him by the Attorney General of the Federation.

Malami failed to appear before the Commission of Inquiry to substantiate the allegations he leveled against Magu in the memo he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari which was the basis upon which the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was set up by the President.It was learnt that after the conclusion of presentation of witnesses before the Commission of Inquiry, Magu was called upon to present his defence which he has done by presenting a volumes of written responses to all the allegations against him, backed by numerous exhibits and truck load of documents showing his achievements as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and official documents showing that no recovered assets was missing or diverted to personal use for his benefit or those of his close associates.

Magu had also requested before the Tribunal to issue subpoenas to certain persons to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to give evidence in support of their allegations and to be cross-examined upon such wild and unsubstantiated allegations.In line with Magu’s request, Justice Ayo Salami who is the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry signed and issued a Subpoena to the Attorney General of the Federation to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to come and substantiate the allegations he made against Magu.

In the said Subpoena, it was stated as follows: “You are hereby Commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to give evidence in respect of your allegations against Mr Ibrahim Magu.”

It was learnt that instead of appearing before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Malami wrote a letter in disobedience to the subpoena issued for him to appear on the authority of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stating that he would not appear as a witness.

He hinged his refusal on the fact that he only made charges against Magu based on the petitions he received against him in his office. Analysts said that Malami’s excuse is untenable and is clearly a contempt of judicial authority and shows total disregard for the authority of President Muhammadu Buhari on whose authority the subpoena was issued, requesting his appearance before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

A few weeks back, Malami had taken to the media, boasting to the whole world that he would appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry if summoned to do so. “Now that the opportunity has been presented, he is shying away from that call because his allegations cannot be substantiated with facts or any shred of credible evidence.

The position of the law is clear, whenever a Petitioner refuses to substantiate his petition before the appropriate authority, such a petition is declared to be frivolous.

“Now that the main accuser of Mr Ibrahim Magu has refused to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, the world waits with bated breath to see what justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry will report to President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Meanwhile, Magu has again, challenged anyone who would prove that he offered him bribe or accepted bribe from him to come out.In his defense before the presidential panel, Magu had consistently said that he had never received any bribe from anyone in his life.

NCP Complains Of Being Excluded From Edo Guber Poll, Wants It Annulled

Editorial staff

September 23, 2020

The gubernatorial candidate of National Conscience Party (NCP) in the last Saturday governorship election in Edo State, who doubles as its national chairman, Peters Osawaru Omoragbon, has called for the total annulment of the election, saying that NCP name and logo were not on the ballot.

Kogi Gov Rushes To Minister Of Works, Seeks Urgent Attention To Federal Roads

Editorial staff

September 23, 2020

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello rushed to the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fasholatoday, September 23, to solicit urgent Federal Government’s attention to the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state.

The governor’s visit came on the heels of a fatal road accident involving a tanker and other vehicles on the Okene/Lokoja/Abuja road that resulted in an explosion which claimed 23 lives in the Felele area of Lokoja today.

The governor told the minister that the deplorable state of all federal roads across the state have led to recurrent accidents in the state.

He said the state government has done a lot in maintaining the roads but owing to the large volume of traffic on the roads, in view of its strategic location as gateway state, such repairs and maintenance do not stand the test of time.

He appealed to the minister to expedite action in carrying out reconstruction of roads across the state to curtail the preventable accidents on the road.

The governor appealed to the minister to direct contractors handling repairs on the Murtala Bridge at Jamata to speed up the rate of work, noting that the slow pace of work has caused the commuters untold hardship.

Bello informed the minister that he had to personally be on ground on the Lokoja -Abuja road on July 26 to help other agencies to control the traffic gridlock caused on the Lokoja -Abuja road as a result of the damaged portion of the bridge.

He equally urged the minister to direct the contractors handling the Kabba-Ilorin road to return to site, noting that the total neglect of the road in the area has made life unbearable for motorists and commuters plying the road.

The governor also drew the attention of the minister to the Lokoja-Ganaja-Ajaokuta road which the federal government awarded for over three years but contractors were yet to be seen on site.

Responding, Fashola said he has directed the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to immediately move into action to fix bad portion of the road at the Felele end of the Okene/Lokoja/Abuja road.

The minister equally put calls across to contractors handling Kabba-Egbe-Omuaro road, Okene-Lokoja-Abuja road to inform them of the governor’s presence in his office and the need for them to speed up the works on the roads.

He assured the governor that the ministry will use the remaining part of the year to achieve more in fulfilling the governor’s request in respect of federal roads in the state.

Fashola commiserated with the governor, people and government of Kogi State over the accident that claimed lives on Wednesday in Lokoja.

The Obaseki Tsunami, By Prince Tonye Princewill

Greenbarge Reporters

September 23, 2020

The recent victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the Edo State governorship election is a lesson that many can learn from. I think it sends a very clear message to Nigerians as a whole, but a direct message to APC and a quiet message to the PDP in particular.

Today I will leave the international community out of it. They still have their own fishes to fry. Their progression from what I had previously described as very toothless bulldogs to now issuing travel bans on election riggers, is a good first step. But they know they can do more.

Some will still not learn this lesson, but that will not detract from the lecture being given. Let those who have ears, please hear:

To Nigerians, you can see that there is still hope for our democracy. You have a President who will not go out of his way to save the APC. There are no sacred cows. Tomorrow, as was the case in Edo, your vote can count. Do not give up on Nigeria. I tell friends who are anti Buhari, that they are all still missing my point. No need to waste your energy. Focus on the Messiah you want and organize and vote to replace Buhari with him or with her. You can’t be sitting down here complaining about Pres. Buhari while 2023 is almost upon us. No. You cannot truly be that helpless. Buhari will help popular candidates win, even if they are not of the APC. A proven fact. I cannot in all conscience vouch, that any of your previous Presidents would do that.

To APC, you have a chance to right your wrongs. Disqualifying Obaseki was a disgraceful act, reminiscent of years gone by and not what APC is expected to defend. You should have held a transparent primary if he was not popular. Buhari will not stop here. He will continue to be a neutral observer. This means that your best option is to field popular candidates who have the interests of the people and not the interest of Godfathers at heart. If you do not, a Buhari will not save you. Again you will fail elections and again he will congratulate the winner. The recent removal of Adams Oshiomole was an opportunity to place that chapter behind us. Ondo will be our first true post Oshio test. People are watching.

To the PDP, congratulations. You did what was not common to you. You took in a non PDP individual and gave him full access and proper authority to execute a campaign. You mixed a good candidate with a transparent process and took advantage of a neutral President, to make change possible. In other words, you gave power to the people. I am sure you are not under the illusion that this was a victory for just the PDP. It was not. This win took a heterogeneous effort, that made practical, the key theory that together Nigerians can overcome. Remember this theory when the next election comes. Using ethnic divisions to win, means governing by division. APC is still learning that lesson. For all of us.

So, the APC has no Governor in all of the South South. This is not just a coincidence. It is 100% self inflicted. A lack of clear zonal leadership in the South South, a deliberate effort to keep the zone weak, a refusal to mend fences and too much wealth. People with a lot of money, find it harder to listen to each other. I have found out that nobody is more attentive than a poor man looking for prosperity.

May God give us wisdom.

Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill is an APC stakeholder.

Frequent Deaths In Vehicle Accidents Are Becoming National Scandals – Buhari

Editorial staff

September 23, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that frequent accidents resulting in deaths across the country are becoming national scandals.

According to him, “these frequent incidents that result in loss of lives and property are a national scandal caused by our indifference to safety standards.”

The President, who reacted today, September 23 to the petroleum tanker explosion earlier in the day in Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital which claimed the lives of travellers, school children, bystanders, including some students of Kogi State Polytechnic, said: “I am seriously worried about the frequency of these unfortunate and large scale tragedies in the country which cause needless deaths.”

He said that the death of 23 people, as confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Commission, “represents another disturbing and saddening incident in the litany of tragedies that have befallen our country.”

“Many accidents are preventable if proper proactive and precautionary measures are put in place or properly observed as routine policies.”

The President regretted that “ours is a country where we move on whenever tragedies occur instead of taking preventive safety measures to forestall future calamities.”

President Buhari called on the county’s transport authorities, traffic and road management agencies as well as law enforcement officials to sit up and enforce safety standards with more seriousness.

“Refusal to do the right thing can cause potential tragic problems that harm innocent people.

“Nigeria is not having a shortage of laws and regulations, but our problem is lack of zeal to enforce those laws and regulations for the sake of public safety.”

He condoled with Kogi State government and the families of the victims of the tragedy.

World Health Organization Commends FCT’s Rapid Response To Coronavirus Outbreak

Editorial staff

September 23, 2020

World Health Organization (WHO) has commended the Federal Capital Territory Administration for its quick and rapid response to coronavirus pandemic in Abuja.

The Organization’s new Country Representative for Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, who led a delegation of officials of the Organization on a courtesy visit to the FCTA yesterday, September 22, acknowledged the effectiveness of the actions of the FCTA in the fight against the virus.

“When I arrived on the 19^th of June, I was surprised by the organization I saw at the airport, the way I was received, the way I went through all the processes and where I stayed in quarantine for 14 days, it was so perfect. It was really something that was properly done. So, I wish to congratulate you on that one.”

He called for continued vigilance from the populace until a vaccine is developed, adding: “COVID-19 is here to stay with us for some time until we find an effective vaccine. But until then, you need to remain vigilant. The only tool here is non-pharmaceutical intervention. I’m happy to see that we are wearing face masks.

“It’s very important that we continue to adhere to those principles of social distancing because the other tools are being experimented. So, we need to make sure that what we are seeing, the downward decline in cases actually translates the truth of what is going on in the communities.”

The WHO Country Representative also called for a collaboration between his organization and the FCTA for the effective control of the disease and its effects both on the health and economic sides.

While commending the FCTA for its role in the eradication of polio in Nigeria which he said has paved the way for the entire African continent being certified as polio free, he pledged the support of the WHO to the FCTA in its efforts at ensuring that as many residents as possible are enrolled in the FCT Health Insurance Scheme.

“We have your agenda as our preoccupation. Your priorities are our priorities. We want to continue to support the FCT until such a time that everybody benefits from universal health coverage.”

He also called on the FCT to continue to pave the way so that its policies can be replicated in other states of the country.

This was as the Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said that the FCTA has always enjoyed a very close working relationship with the World Health Organisation and wished Dr Mulombo a successful tenure in Nigeria.

He said that whatever successes the FCTA had achieved in the sector was also due to the collaborative efforts with the WHO and remarked that the priority of the FCTA in the health sector is the development of the Primary health care system.

He called on the WHO to assist in the areas of capacity building in ensuring that primary healthcare centers are self-sustaining with improved funding and better legislation.

Buhari Describes Elumelu As Visionary Leader With Milk Of Human Kindness

Editorial staff

September 23, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr Tony Elumelu, on his being named among Time 100 Most Influential People of 2020.

The President, in a statement today, September 23, by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, commended Elumelu’s vision of Africapitalism, which he said, espouses Africa’s private sector must play a leading role in the continent’s development through long-term investments, entrepreneurship, and regional connectivity, adding that it was just a matter of time before such caught global attention.

Buhari said that Elumelu’s commitment to the development of African youths, whom he has given a voice and empowerment, investing $5,000 in 1,000 young entrepreneurs per year across 54 countries, described him as “a visionary, with milk of human kindness.

“Such, among others, must have qualified him for the Time Hall of Fame.”

The President wished Elumelu greater successes on all fronts, and recommendes his strides to other high networth people.

Flood Destroys 5,000 Houses, Farms, Others Worth About N10 Billion In Kwara – Gov AbdulRazak

Editorial staff

September 22, 2020

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has lamented that a huge rainstorm has destroyed about 5,000 houses, farms and other structures in the State capital.

“We had huge flooding in Kwara North and the bank of River Niger. There are a lot of internally displaced people at the bank of River Niger and in the State capital. The State needs virtual aid to abate the crisis.”

The governor, who spoke to newsmen shortly after an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa Abuja, today, September 23, said

that the losses were in the neighborhood of N5 to N10 billion.

“we have about 5,000 houses and thousands of hectares of farmland are under water. Close to about 10,000 to 15,000 people are already displaced so far. So, it’s straining the State’s economy. That is why we need virtual aid.”

He said that the saving grace so far is that the state is doing two cycles of rice farming in the area affected, adding: “We are hoping to do three cycles. Yes, there is huge impact. We are expecting bumper harvest this season, especially with Federal Government’s intervention in the agricultural sector. But unfortunately, we are going to lose this harvest and we hope we will be able to gain ground.

“We also thank Federal Government as they gave 10,000 Hectares Irrigation Scheme to boost our dry season farming. That project is on course now.”

Governor Abdulrazak said that the first line of assistance to the affected people the provision of is blankets, buckets, food, roofing sheets, and building materials.

“After that come things like fertilizers, pesticides, and seedlings to help them recover.

According to him, President Buhari has been very proactive, saying that the Federal Government is coming in to assist the State.

“The new General Manager (GM) at National Emergence Agency (NEMA) is also coming to Kwara to see the situation for himself. Already, NEMA is on ground in Kwara. He promised that the cycle will be shorter this time around. Before, after flooding, it will take up to six months before the aid comes in. But he has promised that things have been turned around at NEMA and they will act promptly. I believe him because he is an ex-Airforce officer. It will be regimented.”

Federal Govt Blames Rising Cost Of Food On Bulk Purchase For Palliatives

Editorial staff

September 22, 2020

Bulk purchase of food commodities to distribute as Covid-19 palliatives is one of the factors responsible for the observed higher costs in the country, the National Food Security Council has said.

But it is confident that the situation will change as harvest season has begun and more commodities are arriving at the markets.

Governor of Jigawa state, Abubakar Badaru, who represents the North West in the council, made the observation during the council’s briefing after a meeting at the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

He pointed out that the Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID), the federal and state governments were all involved in the bulk purchase of food items to distribute as coronavirus palliatives leading to increased costs.

Responding to a question, he said: “Let me explain further on the prices of food crops. You will not see it (drop in prices) immediately living in the cities, living in Abuja. You will not see the price drop immediately because there is always transition between drop in the price and on the counter price dropping.

“Prices started dropping at the local markets. It has to be bought, it has to be transported. If you have a exiting stock you will not lose money and drop the price. They will wait until they have exhausted the stock or there is a lot of the produce in the market, then they will be forced to drop the prices.

“So, the crops have started coming up, getting cheaper. It’s being transported and it takes time, depending on how fast the stocks are and how fast the traders are bringing the cheaper stock into the market before you will see that final drop.

“I’m sure if you go out now, you will see the drop. But I’m worried about people talking about expensive food, this is a cycle. For all of us that understand farming cycle, we know that May, June, July always produce, food get expensive because all the stock have started going down.

“And even the farmers that keep some to consume have probably exhausted and have to go to the market and buy. So, the demand is becoming higher.

“And this is also exacerbated because there is bulk buying. CACOVID, states bought a lot to distribute as palliatives; federal government is also buying. All are buying at the same time at the same market, and you know when there is chunk of demand at the same time, things will naturally go up and that brings about the hike in price and coupled with the fact that it is an off-season period.

“An off-season period met with this huge demand certainly, price will go up. We have started seeing them going further down. It takes little time to translate into cheaper prices and in retail stores.”

In his explanation, the Vice Chairman of the Council and Governor of Kebbi state, Atiku Bagudu, reiterated that good prices are coming down judging by the data obtained and made available to him.

“Yes, I said food prices for crops has started coming down. That was from data collated and made available to me in my state and from a pre-meeting with all the commodity association: farmer groups prior to the National Food Security Council meeting.

“In the last one week, I have been going round my state in the last one week and have seen further drops in prices and it makes sense and is self explanatory. Harvest is coming in, harvests of millets, maize and of rice.

“Yes, we had a lot of devastating floods that affected the rice crop but again, there is upland rice that is being harvested that has not been affected by flood.

“The CACOVID was buying food items for the coronavirus pandemic response in bulk at a peak of the beginning of the season, at a time when demands are not high. So, it contributed to the high cost.

“The global lockdown also contributed because of lack of movement of food items. But now, harvests are coming in and it is good.

“Yes, there are some states that experienced huge draught but that has been overcome by the food coming from elsewhere.”

Bagudu assured that despite the flood disasters in parts of the country this year, which he said was worst that previous ones, there will it be food crisis.

He maintained: “Is there going to be good crisis? No, by God’s grace. Yes, flooding is devastating. Unfortunately, that is part of life. We have a good eco-system where immediately after flooding we can plant again.

“In fact the farmers are more confident because the risk of flooding has reduced.

So, what is important is for us to mobilize and ensure we time properly and is part of the reason Mr. President has been working very hard because that is what bothers him most, how to deliver to Nigerians.

“That is why since last week and a week earlier, the challenge has been ‘come up with how we can intervene so that farmers, fishermen and those in husbandry can resume economic activities as quickly as possible.’

“In fact, one of the key initiatives as the very first intervention of the national Food Security Council, was to recognize how to support people to resume economic activity following the disaster. That is why in 2018, N23 billion was spent to support farmers in 14 states as well as another N8 billion to support some states that were affected by conflict and the need for people to resume economic activity.

“That is part of what we resumed today and that experienced will certainly come to play in this model.”

The governor also disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the reduction of the cost of fertilizer from N5,500 to N5,000 per bag.

Bagudu informed that production of the commodity has normalized in the country following the reopening of Indorama plant in Rivers state, which was closed because of Covid-19 related deaths.

Unstable Fiscal Regime Stifling Nigerian Petroleum Industry – Kyari

Editorial staff

September 22, 2020

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, has said that the absence of a stable fiscal environment is inhibiting the growth of the Nigerian petroleum industry, especially the upstream sector.

Mallam Kyari, who stated this while playing host to members of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) who were on an oversight visit to the Corporation recently, said international investors were losing confidence in the nation’s oil and gas industry and tasked the lawmakers to act fast and arrest the situation.

“We need to act quickly to move from this unstable situation to a very stable one and the only way is for us to get the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to work so that countries and investors can work with us,” the GMD stated.

He said foreign capital was needed in the upstream sector and that the only way to attract it was to have stable laws and a friendly business environment that could guarantee cost recovery and a decent return on investment for investors.

He disclosed that the uncertainty in the sector created by the long delay in the passage of the PIB has led to a number of divestments from the country in the recent past.

The GMD also stated that the drive by the management of NNPC to entrench the culture of transparency in the Corporation has improved its business fortunes and creditworthiness as lenders are now willing to grant credit to it.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Musa Sarki Adar, expressed the readiness of his committee to provide the necessary support for the Corporation to discharge its duties without hindrance.

He acknowledged the Corporation’s efforts at deepening transparency and accountability, stressing that the Committee was impressed with the level of professionalism exhibited by the NNPC Management and the leadership role played by the GMD in rallying the oil and gas industry to provide support for the Federal Government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a presentation, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Engr. Mansur Sambo, said the company has increased its gas production to 860mmscf/d and is now the largest supplier of gas to the domestic market.

All the business units in the Upstream arm of the NNPC made presentations to the committee.

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