Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Sign MOU On 2020 Hajj

December 6, 2019

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 2020 hajj operations in the Holy Land.
The MoU, according to a statement today, December 6 by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Adnan Bostaji, is for the maintenance and improvement in standards, cooperation and agreement.
The statement said that the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, D. Muhammad Bantan signed on behalf of his country while the Nigeria’s Minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Zubair Dada signed for Nigerian. The minister led Nigeria’s Hajj Affairs delegation.
The MoU, the statement added, also paid particular attention to early arrangements for the 2020 Hajj operations.
It quoted the Minister of Hajj and Umrah as saying: ”all institutions serving the Guests of Allah are keen to provide the finest services to pilgrims following directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman and Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman and in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030.”
It also quoted Nigeria’s Minister of state for Foreign Affairs as saying: “we thank the Saudi government for facilitating the arrival of Muslims to perform Hajj.”

Jailed Orji Kalu Remains A Senator, Not Convict Yet – Legal Expert

Greenbarge Reporters

December 6, 2019

A legal practitioner, Barrister Monday Onyekachi Ubani has said that Orji Uzor Kalu, who was jailed 12 years yesterday, December 5 by a court for fraud and money laundering remains a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that he is not yet a convict until the case is finally decided by the Supreme Court.
Monday Omyekachi, who reacted to the court verdict, in a statement today, December 6, stressed that Orji Kalu remains a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under this new term of four years except under the following circumstances:
(a) He is recalled by his constituents.
(b) His seat declared vacant by the Senate President if he is unable to attend legislative sittings to a certain period allowed by the constitution.
(c) If he dies while serving the sentence before his term in the senate is exhausted(God forbid).
He has a right of appeal up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He cannot bring any application for stay of execution as Administration of Criminal Justice Act has outlawed such measures, but he can bring application for his bail pending the hearing of his appeal.
This application is not granted as of right as applicable to when he had not been convicted. For now he has lost the right of presumption of innocence given to every accused person. The ground/s upon which his bail application can be granted must be on exceptional grounds, part of which has to do with serious health challenge/s that has grievous consequences if he is allowed to remain in prison to pursue his appeal.
Due to his legal right of appeal which will take him as far as to Supreme Court, he is not in the eyes of the law yet as an Ex-convict until the final pronouncement of the highest court in the land is made about him on these offences he is alleged to have committed.
If the Supreme Court finally pronounces him guilty as charged(unless the case does not get up to that level) he will be disqualified from contesting for any future political office until after 10 years after serving.
He will answer Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for life because his election to the office of a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was confirmed recently by the Court of Appeal on National Assembly and Gubernatorial Election Matters.
If he is finally confirmed guilty by the Supreme Court, he can contest election in Nigeria for any position only after 10 solid years.

Works Minister Lists 524 Roads, Bridges Under Construction Across Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

December 6, 2019

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has listed 524 roads and bridges which are currently under construction across the country by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Fashola, who gave an update of the ongoing projects when he briefed his colleagues at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) said that every State in the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has at least three such ongoing projects.

Below are some of the construction projects – roads and bridges – across the country as listed by the Minister:

Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin-Jebba-Kotangora-Jega-Sokoto-Niger Border (A1)

Warri-Benin-Lokoja-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano-Daura-Niger Border (A2)

Port Harcourt-Aba-Umuahia-Okigwe-Oturkpo-Makurdi-Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Maiduguri-Gamboru (A3)

Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Katsina Ala-Jalingo-Yola-Bama-Maiduguri (A4)

Lagos-Otta-Abeokuta-Ibadan (A5)

Onitsha-Ihiala-Owerri—A.3 Junction at Umu Uyo (A6)

Chikanda, Kosubosu-Kaiama-Kishi-Ilorin (A7)

Mayo Belwa-Ganye-Serti-Mayo Selbe-Gembu (A8)

Jibiya-Katsina-Kano (A9)

According to the Fashola, some of the prioritized road projects being funded through the Sovereign SUKUK Fund, include:

Abuja-Abaji Road (Section 1, International Airport Link Road Junction-Sheda Village Junction)

Abuja-Lokoja Road Section IV (Koton Karfi-Lokoja)

Dualisation of Obajana Junction-Benin Phase 2: Section 1 (Obajana Junction to Okene)

Construction of Oju/Loko-Oweto Bridge to Link Loko and Oweto

Reconstruction of Bida-Lambata Road in Niger State

Dualization of Suleja-Minna Road Phase 11 in Niger State

They also include Kano-Maiduguri Road (Section ii, iii and iv)

Rehabilitation of an outstanding section of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway: Amansea- Enugu State Border

Dualization Of Obajana Junction-Benin Phase 2: (Section ii, iii and iv)

Rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Road Section iv: Aba-Port Harcourt

Dualization Of Yenegwe Road Junction-Kolo-Otuoke-Bayelsa Palm (20km)

Others include:

Dualization of Ibadan-Ilorin (Section ii) in Oyo State,

Reconstruction of the outstanding Sections of Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagamu Expressway Phase iii,

Pavement strengthening and asphalt overlay of Ajebandele- Ijebu Ode-Shagamu Road in Ogun State.

Some of the projects scheduled for substantial completion in 2020/2021 and other priority projects, according to the Minister, include:

Rehabilitation of Alesi-Ugep (Iyamoyung-Ugep) Section in Cross River State

Construction of Yenegwe-Okaki-Kolo-Nembe-Brass Road

Completion of rehabilitation of Ada-Okere-Ukoni-Amedokhiom Old Road, Uromi, Edo State

The rehabilitation of Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road in (Section i) and Odukpani-Itu Bridge Head in Cross River State

Construction of Bodo-Bonny Road with a bridge across the Opobo Channel, in Rivers State,

Rehabilitation of Odukpani Junction-Akpet Central Section of Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja Road in Cross River State

Rehabilitation of Oshogbo-Ilesha Road in Osun State

Dualization of Abeokuta-Ibadan Road

Reconstruction of Apapa-Wharf Road in Lagos State, among others

Bridges

The four bridges under the priority projects are:

Construction of Ibi Bridge

Completion of construction of Chanchangi Bridge along Takum-Wukari Road in Taraba State

Construction of Ikom Bridge in Cross River State

The emergency rehabilitation/maintenance of Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos

The construction of Agaie-Katcha-Barro Road in Niger State

Construction of Baro Port to Gulu Town in Niger State.

Senate Passes 2020 Federal Budget, Effects Slight Increase

Editorial staff

December 5, 2019

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has passed the 2020 appropriation bill with a slight increase, from N10.33 Trillion as Presented to the joint session of the National Assembly ny President Muhammadu Buhari on October 8 to about N10.6 Trillion.

In a report of the Committee on Appropriation, which was presented before it was passed, the chairman of the committee, Senator Barau Jibrin said that the N560.47 billion addition is for statutory transfers (a category into which the National Assembly budget falls).

The Senate maintained Nigeria’s daily oil production rate at 2.18 million per barrel, even as it increased the Oil Benchmark Price to $57 per barrel against the $55 proposed by the Executive.

The committee retained the inflation rate at 10.81 per cent and the exchange rate at N305-$1 as proposed by the executive. It also retained GDP Growth Rate at 2.93 per cent as proposed.

Jibrin said that the committee worked harmoniously with the Executive for the processing of the bill.

The Senate passed the budget with the breakdown as follows:

Statutory transfer – N560,470,827,235

Debt service – N2,725,498,930,000

Recurrent expenditure – N4,842,974,600,640

Capital expenditure – N2,465,418,006,955

Fiscal Deficit – N2.28 trillion

Deficit/GDP – N1.52 per cent

Jibrin explained that the increase allows for intervention in critical areas like security, infrastructure, mines and steel development, social development, among others.

He said that it is in line with the budget thrust of the government “which is focused on growing development and sustainable growth.”

He said that the committee adopted the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) as approved by the National Assembly.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, thanked his colleagues and the Executive for the cooperation, He also admonished the Executive to ensure the full and effective implementation of the budget of the budget.

He said that the ninth Senate has achieved one of its key promises to return the budget cycle to January – December.

“We have done so much in a short while; we have given the Executive everything they need – budget, finance bill, MTEF, among others.”

Lawan said that the Senate will interact with Ministries, Departments and Agencies on a quarterly basis in 2020 to monitor implementation of the budget.

“We hope that with this budget passed, the Executive will ensure full implementation for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

Source: PREMIUM TIMES.

Omoyele Sowore Gains Freedom, Released After Over 100 Days In Detention

Editorial staff

December 5, 2019

Publisher of SaharsReporters, an online medium, Omoyele Sowore has regained freedom as the Department of State Services (DSS) released him today, December 5 from detention. He has been in the DSS detention since August 3.

Report this evening, December 5, by TheCable, another online medium quoted DSS source as having confirmed the release of the agitator for a revolution in the country, even as the medium also said that one of the Omoyele lawyers, Marshall Abubakar, equally confirmed the development.

“He has been released. I am with him as we speak,” he told TheCable over the phone, adding that Olawale Bakare, Sowore’s co-defendant, had also been set free.

The federal government had come under intense pressure over the detention of the activists despite fulfilling the conditions of the bail granted to them.

Earlier in the day during the trial of the duo at a federal high court in Abuja on “treasonable felony”, Ijeoma Ojukwu, the presiding judge, gave the secret police a 24-hour ultimatum to release them.

The judge said that after she signed the warrants for the release of the defendants from custody, and same was served on the defendants, the DSS had no justifiable reason to continue to hold them in custody.

The prosecuting counsel, Hassan Liman (SAN), had insisted that the DSS had not obeyed the court order for their release, adding that the DSS had no power to constitute itself into a parallel court.

The judge also awarded the cost of N100,000 against the prosecution to be paid to the defendants for foisting “frivolous adjournment” on the court.

She ordered that the cost must be paid before the next hearing which is Friday.

Kaduna Court Orders Transfer Of El-Zakzaky From DSS Custody To Prison

Editorial staff

December 5, 2019

A Kaduna State High Court has ordered that the leader of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiite, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat be transferred from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), to a correctional centre in the state.

Justice Gideon Kudafa, in his ruling today, December 5, explained that the decision to remand El-Zakzaky and his wife in a correctional facility was to enable their lawyers and doctors to have easy access to them.

Shortly after the ruling, the judge adjourned the case to tomorrow for the commencement of trial.

El-Zakzaky is facing trial over allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, and disruption of public peace, among other charges.

Recall that Justice Kudafa had on March 26th adjourned the case indefinitely following his appointment as a member of the Election Petition Tribunal in Yobe State.

The IMN leader and his wife were not in court during the last proceedings, although their counsel, Femi Falana, claimed that their absence was due to their deteriorated health conditions.

El-Zakzaky and his wife were denied bail by the presiding judge during the last sitting on January 22, 2018.

In the application for bail filed by his lawyer, Femi Falana, El-Zakzaky had prayed the court to give a mandatory order for his client and his wife to be flown abroad.

Falana had informed the court that this was to enable them to receive proper medical attention since the Federal Government has glaringly failed to cure them of the injuries they sustained during the alleged army’s onslaught on their residence in December 2015.

The judge in his ruling, however, ordered that El Zakzaky should be allowed by the government to bring doctors of his choice to examine him in the presence of doctors from the government before the date of the next sitting.

Source: Daily Post.

Buhari Media Group Hails Conviction Of Senator Kalu, Says It Proved Buhari’s Sincerity

Editorial staff

December 5, 2019

The conviction and sentencing of a former governor of Abia State and incumbent is further proof that the war against corruption is in full swing,

Buhari Media Organization praised the conviction of the current Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu over a N7.56 billion fraud, describing it as another proof of the Muhammadu Buhari’s government war against corruption in the country.

The group said that the conviction of Orji Kalu, who was once governor of Abia State, also showed that being a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is not a shield from prosecution, contrary to what opposition elements had been saying about the ruling party.

In a statement today, December 5 by chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, the group saidn that the conviction of a high ranking APC chieftain proved that the courts are indeed independent in this dispensation.

” For some time, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its supporters had been casting aspersion on the anti-corruption crusade, especially in the run-up to the 2019 elections.

“The claim then was that all a politician seeking protection from trial needed to do was to join APC. And this was even after two former governors who are also members of the ruling party, had been convicted and sent to jail.

“This speaks to the focus and uncompromising nature of the administration, and if a high ranking Senator is in jail, then clearly a message has been sent out on the rule of law.

“So if there was any doubt about President Muhammadu Buhari’s sincerity, then the fact that a ranking member of his party has been sentenced to a 12-year jail term is proof that such doubts had been unfounded.

“We hope that the judgement delivered by Justice Muhammad Idris of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos would clear all doubts about the seriousness of the anti-graft crusade.”

Buhari Is Worried Over Negative Effects Of Climate Change On Farmers

Editorial staff

December 5, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over the climate change that has been steadily taking a toll on income of families as farm lands get narrowed with desert encroachments, while the vagaries of the weather pose greater risks for the future.

The President, who received a Letter of Credence from the High Commissioner of Australia to Nigeria, Mrs. Claire Ireland today, December 5, said that the global attention on taming the effects of climate change is important, adding that population has been on the increase in Nigeria while lands for investment and farming have become competitive.

“Before now, 10 to 15 members of a family could own a land, but the desert encroachment and growth in population has created a situation where you can have 200 people struggling over a family land.”

Buhari said that the effect of climate change on Lake Chad had created more economic challenges, with the shrinking lake rendering many jobless, and leaving them with little or no options for survival, except crime.

The new High Commissioner said that her country had maintained consistent economic growth for 29 years, scoring a record of development indicators that many countries had not been able to attain.

Mrs. Ireland said that the growth had been largely driven by investments and diversification in the mining sector, assuring the President that stronger partnerships will be explored for Nigeria’s potentials in minerals, education and agriculture.

President Buhari, who also received Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of Sweden, Carl Michael, said that Nigeria remains grateful for the strong partnership it had enjoyed over the years, urging the diplomat to use his stay to improve trade relations.

The Swedish ambassador assured the President that he will work hard to deepen political and economic relations, pointing out that there are many opportunities for cooperation, including trade and investments.

Receiving the Letter of Credence of the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Nigeria, Maxwell Ranga, President Buhari said Nigeria had enjoyed long years of cooperation with Zimbabwe, adding that the country had also been playing a major role in Africa.

Ranga said Zimbabwe appreciates Nigeria’s support during the country’s struggle for independence.

“I have been tasked by my President, His Excellency, Emmerson Mnangagwa, to take this relationship to greater heights. My mandate is to improve trade and economic relations. We are facing sanctions and we implore your support for our country.”

Aged Women, Beneficiaries Of Detained Sowore, Strike Half Naked In Abuja

Editorial staff

December 5, 2019

A group of half-naked women from the birthplace of Omoyele Sowore, in Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, staged a demonstration today, December 5 at the Federal High Court in Abuja to protest the continued detention of their son by the Department of State Service (DSS).

Most of the women numbering about 30 were decked in white wrappers and bra but with no clothes covering the rest of the upper parts of their bodies.

In their Apoi dialect, the women, many of them with grey hair, described themselves as beneficiaries of Sowore philanthropic gestures and appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to release their son from custody.

The protesting women who arrived in the court environment after the proceedings started were not allowed entry into the court premises.

But they stayed by the gate brandishing their placards with various inscriptions calling for Sowore’s release and only departed long after the proceedings had ended and Sowore with his co-detainee returned to custody by the DSS operatives.

Sowore and his co-detainee, Adebayo Bakare, were produced in court today with the judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, ordering the DSS to release them from the illegal detention within 24 hours.

Their trial on charges of treasonable felony was scheduled to commence today but the court had to adjourn to tomorrow, December 6 due to report of none compliance with the fresh order for the defendants’ release.

Court Jails Serving Senator, Seizes His Company Over N7. 2 Fraud

Editorial staff

December 5, 2019

Federal High Court in Lagos has sent a serving senator in Nigeria, Orji Kalu to prison having been found guilty of fraud involving N7. 2 billion.

Orji Kalu, who is one time Governor of Abia State, was also found guilty of money laundering and is to spend 12 years in prison.

He was convicted today, December 5 on all the 39 counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Kalu was charged alongside a former Commissioner for Finance, in the state, Jones Udeogo, and his company, Slok Nig. Ltd.

While Kalu and his company were found guilty of all the 39 counts, Udeogo was convicted on 34 counts and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The court ordered that the Slok Nig. Ltd. Should be wound up and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

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