No plan to relocate Uli Campus---Govr. obiano

By John Ndu

Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has debunked the rumor making the rounds that his government was planning on relocating the uli campus of the Chukwuemeka Odumekwu Ojukwu University.

Governor Obiano stated this when he inspected the construction of on going 11 Km Oluoha road, Ihiala, Anambra state.

Addressing the people, Governor Obiano said the State House of Assembly had passed a bill into law creating three campuses for the institution, namely Igbariam, Awka, and Uli, with Senate building at Igbariam campus.

Governor Obiano disclosed that the law passed by the Fifth Assembly did not pronounce where the residential building of the Vice Chancellor of the University would be situated in the three campuses, which had given him provisional right to reside in any campus of his choice.

Governor Obiano added that the present administration had no intention to interfere in any law backing the establishment of the institution, rather to consolidate on the law and further attract more meaningful development for the good of the students and people of  Uli community.

The Governor noted that his administration had commenced the construction of ultra modern engineering building at Uli and had completed plans to embark on road construction in the three campuses and other communities in the state.

Explaining further on the road, the Governor commended the contractor handling the project, saying the additional convert designed by the contractor would further control flooding.

He urged the contractor to speed up construction, saying about 3 km would be completed before rainy season.

The contractor handling the project and the Managing Director Tamad Construction, Engr Tony Madi promised to complete the road in accordance with specification .

Breaking News! Anambra State Government Gets 9 New Permanent Secretaries...

According to a Press Release signed by the Head of Service, Barr Harry Udu, Gov Willie Obiano of Anambra State has approved the appointment of 9 new Permanent Secretaries to fill the vacancies in the State's Civil Service.

The new PermSecs are:

1. Mr Nwankwo Nwabueze Linus
2. Barr Ike Emmanuel Chukwudi
3. Mrs Ezeanya Lolusa Nneka
4. Mrs Ezeaku Ifeoma Patricia
5. Mr Ohuoha Nnaemeka Prospect
6. Mrs Keri-Uzor Stephanie S.
7. Mrs Njaka Caroline Onyeari
8. Mr Ofomata David Azuka
9. Mrs Nwandu Pauline Nwakaego

They will be sworn in on Monday, February 27, 2017 at the EXCO Chambers, Government House  Awka.

The appointment is in line with Gov Obiano's total commitment to the repositioning of the Service and ensuring that the machinery of Government is continually fine-tuned for optimal service delivery.

Obiano and investors’ renewed confidence in Anambra

By Chukwudi Enekwechi
AT   a time when many state governors are missing in action in terms of providing developmental projects in their states, Anambra State has a different but pleasant story to tell. It is common knowledge that even at the peak of the economic recession when some state governments were unable to pay workers’ salaries or discharge their obligations, Anambra State under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano continued to pay worker’s salaries, pensions and still provided basic amenities to the citizens.

Perhaps, the best attestation to the remarkable progress being made by the state government can be seen in the various developmental projects going on across the state. It is pertinent to remark that such projects cut across all sectors and today Anambra State has become an investment destination. Of course, the policy of the state government to provide adequate security of lives and properties has contributed to the new investors’ confidence in the state.

The convivial and serene atmosphere was most visible during the last Christmas celebration as most Anambrabrians returned to a state that has been repositioned in all spheres. For example, it was enthralling to see street lights installed  on major roads of the state.
To say that the joy of the Christmas celebration was on a high pitch due to the way most parts of the state were lit up is an understatement. Additionally, Obiano’s love for aesthetics must have justified the need for the three hanging bridges constructed within Awka, the state capital.
With the erection of the hanging bridges, the needed status of a state capital was immediately conferred on Awka.
Before Obiano’s emergence, Awka was more of a glorified village, and many would-be investors hesitated to invest their huge capital in the state. Furthermore, that Obiano was able to calm frayed nerves and restore peace among the feuding parties in Awka has enabled investments to flow into the state.
Obiano’s leadership quality has also manifested in his ability to attract investors from all corners of the world to Anambra State. He has been able to achieve this through the state government’s public-private partnership. This is a policy that encourages investors to partner with the state in setting up industries in the agro-allied and manufacturing sectors.
This imaginative and innovative idea has led to the attraction of over five billion dollars worth of investments into Anambra State. We are familiar with the Coscharis Farms, Lynden Poultry and several other investments that have established multi-billion naira agricultural and poultry farms at Igbariam. Similarly, the long abandoned Ufuma Rice Mill has been renovated by Joseph Agro Industries Limited as a mark of confidence in the state’s economy.
In a bid to boost the image of the state as well as create recreational facilities, the Pinnacle Integrated Expert Solutions has signed a memorandum of understanding with Anambra State government for the construction of Anambra Golf Resort and Estate. Obiano, a trained banker and administrator has demonstrated that government can work for the people, and his programmes and policies have been designed to remain people-friendly and result-oriented
Apart from infrastructural development and attracting huge investments, the governor has placed priority on education, health care, environment, sports and human capital development.
The success story of the Obiano administration did not happen by accident, as he ensured that careful planning is matched with diligent execution of programmes.
This deliberate approach to governance has precluded Anambra state from the recession-afflicted states. Today, salaries, wages and pensions are being paid as due, while new road projects are being executed in the three senatorial zones of the state.
The governor has, in a bid to upgrade the  dilapidated federal infrastructure in the state reconstructed federal roads and this amounted to huge debts which the federal government is yet to redeem.
Therefore, it is worthwhile to join millions of Ndi Anambra and other Nigerians to celebrate on the occasion of the conferment of Silverbird Award of “Man of the Year” on Governor Willie Obiano. This is an award that is well deserved and will go a long way to spur the performing governor to redouble his efforts in the arduous task of developing Anambra state.
It is, indeed, remarkable that Silverbird has chosen to give its award to people of substance and reputable Nigerians like Governor Willie Obiano,  who understand that occupying a high office should be used to serve the greater good of the people.
Anambrabrians have been beneficiaries of Obiano’s commitment and selflessness in the service of the people. Since his assumption of office, he has not  shirked his responsibility of delivering good governance and restoring the glory of the enterprising people of the state.
  In fact, it seems the fate of Ndi-Anambra is intertwined with Governor Willie Obiano as he crystalizes the hopes and dreams of the people. In other words, he symbolizes the resilience and strength of the people who, despite all odds, refuse to give up even when faced with daunting challenges.
It is also important to commend the governor for prudent management of scarce resources, and the concomitant effect of this is that resources  are deployed towards providing basic amenities that serve the interest of all citizens.
    As he begins the journey into seeking a second term mandate, Governor Obiano has an impeccable record of solid and verifiable achievements, and in all fairness posterity will judge him positively. It is, therefore, not misplaced to join Silverbird to eulogise Governor Obiano as he has elevated Anambra state to enviable heights.

Enekwechi writes from  Anambra

Ndigbo urges FG to expedite action on second Niger Bridge

A league of Ndigbo in the south eastern part of Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to show commitment and expedite action on the construction of the second Niger Bridge to rekindle confidence in the government.

A cross section of the people made the call on Tuesday in an interview when the Ashiwaju.org visited the site of the bridge in Ogbaru near Onitsha.

A food vendor, Mrs Ijeoma Agu, said that activities at the site were last observed in December 2016 when the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, took some equipment away from the site.

Agu, who appealed to the government to release funds to the firm for the project, said that when completed, the project would not only ease the burden on the Niger Bridge, but would also promote economic activities in the area.

A tipper driver, Mr Samuel Aguncha, said that he and his colleagues normally drive vehicles to the site but added that no work was going on there.

“I want the government to construct the bridge to reduce traffic on the Niger Bridge; I want the government to start the project which I learnt had been approved,” Aguncha added.

Mr Isaac Nwankwo, who dredges sand along the riverbank, said that since the project was awarded, no tangible work had been done on site and urged the government to order the contractors back to site.

“What I see is that government is taking the project for granted; nothing is happening there at all and I can’t really say why,” he said.

In his reaction, Mr Edward Bosah, Controller of Works in the state, assured that work would soon resume at the site.

“The consultants have since left for South Africa, but work may resume between February and March,” Bosah said.

An official of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the company was working hard to resume work.

“Yes, we have not worked this year, but we will soon resume as things are being normalised as we speak.

“If you come back in the next one month, you will see some activities; we have just put things in order to resume work,” the source said.

Correspondent reports that though some equipment were on site, no substantial work had been done since former President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the project in 2014.

The Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who inspected the project early in February, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was committed to completing the 2nd Niger Bridge.

Gsniyu Caught For Using His Wife Fir Money Ritual

Sakiru Bello (36 years) has been arrested by Lagos State police command for dismembering his wife and mother of his three children, Sherifat Bello on February 13th.

Sakiru Bello told the Police;
“I called her on February 13th and she came to see me at home. Later, both of us went to the Island. It was on our way back that a commercial bus hit the bike that we boarded and she fell, hitting her head on the ground.

When we got home, she started complaining of pain in the head and then she died. I didn’t take her to the hospital because I didn’t have money. After she died, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t call her family members since we aren’t in good terms. It was while thinking about what to do that a thought came into my mind that I should cut her corpse into pieces to enable me dispose off her remains easily. So I cut her head, her breast, her leg and other parts of her body. I later wrapped them in a sack before taking it to an uncompleted building, where I buried the parts in different holes.”

The deceased elder Sister said;
“My sister is a nurse. She is the one who has been catering for the family, while they were married. She once bought him a bike and later, a Danfo just to ensure that he is gainfully employed. But nothing came out of it. About a year ago, she raised alarm that he wanted to use her for rituals, so the two families came together and they separated them.”

Gov Obiano Dedicates Silverbird Award To Nigerian Youths

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has dedicated the Silverbird Man of the Year Award conferred on him last night to the youths of Nigeria.
Giving his acceptance speech on a night that he had the attention of the nation’s political and business elites to himself; Governor Obiano showed strong concerns about the nation’s future by symbolically dedicating his honour to the Nigerian youths who look up to the present crop of political and business leaders for direction and inspiration.
Speaking, the governor declared, “I am dedicating this award to the youths of Nigeria who are waiting for us leaders to do something new in their lives. God has trusted us with the leadership of this country at this point in time. It is for a purpose; let’s make sure we utilize that purpose very well.”
The governor charged his colleagues in leadership positions in every stratum of the society to strive to do a new thing in the lives of the youths, emphasizing that it behoved on him and his colleagues to touch the lives of the youths of this country.
“We can achieve this by the way we conduct ourselves, by shunning corruption, by showing integrity, by showing that hard work pays and by showing that we are prepared.
To drive home the point that his concerns about the youths were not an empty rhetoric, Governor Obaino reminded the audience that he still held the record in the current dispensation for appointing Nigeria’s youngest commissioner into his cabinet.
Speaking further on the strategic focus of his administration, Governor Obiano declared “We are working hard to make sure that we get it right in Anambra. If we get it right in Anambra, we shall get it right in the South East, if we get it right in the South East, the Igbo man’s story in Nigeria will change for good.”
Presenting the prestigious award to him, the Arole Oduduwa, the OOni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II declared that he was proud to be associated with Governor Obiano whose achievements stood out as testimonials of his service to his people.

3 Out Of Every 10 Nigerian Men Are Not The Biological Fathers Of Their Children – DNA Expert

In a bombshell interview with a DNA Expert, it has been revealed that three out of ten Nigerian men are not the biological fathers of their children. www.naijagists.com Interview excerpts below Is paternity testing becoming an issue in Nigeria? We have seen that there is serious need for it because in many homes things are happening that are scary both to the lives of children and their parents. And for the general statistics that is now available, it is found that three out of every ten men are not the fathers of their babies. Similarly, three out of every ten children are not fathered by men they have seen as their biological fathers. What we have found out is that, anytime we take ten men, at least three of them eventually found that they are not the fathers of the children they call their own. And these men would have taken care of the children for all their lives. Now, the global statistics is 100, 000 out of every 300, 000 men. But what we have found that is that the situation is higher in Nigeria than other places. For example in our laboratory here, 50 per cent of the cases comes out negative. And we also realised that majority of the first-borns are affected. You only need to be here to see big men cry like little kids and watch children weep in agony. It has been that bad. And I dare say it is becoming something every home must do and you may be quite surprised at the level of dastard revelation. About thirty per cent of fathers are unknowingly bringing up children who are not biologically theirs. And it is suspected that this percentage may be on the increase due to sexual recklessness. According to recent trends in sexual health, especially in Nigeria, it was suggested that unprotected sex and multiple partners are comparatively common occurrences with a large proportion of conceptions still unplanned. So, more than half, that is, 50 per cent of all paternity tests carried out by our lab comes out negative and the most affected are first-borns, except in a few cases. Do these cases happen mostly in matrimonial settings or in casual relationships? In both matrimony and casual affiliations! I tell you, we have had series of married men come here and go back home devastated. In one instance, a man came here with his wife. Out of the five children he thought were his own, he discovered that only two belonged to him. And they are both duly married, living together as husband and wife. You see, the major problem we have in our country is that most of these cases are not duly documented. So, people don’t know we have such issues among us. In fact, some even don’t know where to go for the test to determine their child or children’s paternity. And I tell you, if you go to ten homes as we speak, you will be amazed to find that in almost all of them the children there do not belong to the men. It is that rampant. If it is that rampant, how would you describe the three years since you started testing men? Now, the general statistics by the American Association of Blood Banks is that globally, 100, 000 out of 300, 000 men are not the actual fathers of their presumed children. And like I said earlier, the Nigerian situation is even alarming. Also, Duess International, the condom manufacturers, once noted that Nigeria has the most reckless sexual life. So, you can then imagine what the outcome would be like if we say okay, let’s start taking statistics one-by-one. How many families do you attend to each week? We test about 15 to 20 families. People come here as a result of various types of controversies over the paternity of certain children. You know, families have come to us with claims that a child neither takes after the mother nor the father in looks and character. So, the man of the house would be curious to ascertain facts. And when they come here with such children, the fears of the fathers have often been affirmed. Fathers usually have the doubts; maybe he has been hearing some rumours, and you know, men are often the last to hear such things about themselves. Until many of them come here to take the test, they have nurtured other men’s children before realising it.What does it take to do a paternity test? Technology has made it so easy. It is just like any other deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test. In less than two seconds, we take the sample from the man. We use the Helix Swabs like a “big cotton buds” to extract some cells from the man’s mouth. We rub the ‘Swab’ up-and-down the mouth to get some epithelial cells from around the cheek bone. In the nucleus of every cell, there is DNA. Once we collect that, we purify, extract and then multiply it and get the genetic profile which we then send to DNA laboratory abroad for testing.What happens in situations where DNA samples do not match as we saw with some DANA victims? So many reasons could be responsible for that. We have had a case in which a boy went to an hospital to claim the body of his deceased dad and on testing him, it was found that he was not fathered by the dead man. The genetic profile of the boy does not match with that of the man he claimed to be his father. And DNAs don’t lie. The medical experts conducting these tests have nothing personal against the people that come to them for testing. Every human being take half of the genetic profile from either parent. Therefore, it is a matter of case closed if the genetic profile of the living does not match with that of the dead man. He is simply not that father. Forwarded as received!

Obiano Dedicates Man of the Year Award to Nigerian Youths

By James Eze (eziokwubundu@gmail.com)

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has dedicated the Silverbird Man of the Year Award conferred on him last night to the youths of Nigeria.

Giving his acceptance speech on a night that he had the attention of the nation’s political and business elites to himself; Governor Obiano showed strong concerns about the nation’s future by symbolically dedicating his honour to the Nigerian youths who look up to the present crop of political and business leaders for direction and inspiration. 

Speaking, the governor declared, “I am dedicating this award to the youths of Nigeria who are waiting for us leaders to do something new in their lives. God has trusted us with the leadership of this country at this point in time. It is for a purpose; let’s make sure we utilize that purpose very well.”

The governor charged his colleagues in leadership positions in every stratum of the society to strive to do a new thing in the lives of the youths, emphasizing that it behoved on him and his colleagues to touch the lives of the youths of this country.

“We can achieve this by the way we conduct ourselves, by shunning corruption, by showing integrity, by showing that hard work pays and by showing that we are prepared. You cannot just jump into something that you are not prepared for,” he suggested.

To drive home the point that his concerns about the youths were not an empty rhetoric, Governor Obaino reminded the audience that he still held the record in the current dispensation for appointing Nigeria’s youngest commissioner into his cabinet.

Said he; “We have demonstrated our resolve to work with the youths in Anambra State. That is why I appointed the youngest commissioner in Nigeria today at the age of 30 as my commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget (Mark Okoye). 58% of the people working with me are between the ages of 18 and 31. We are not paying lip service to youth development and welfare.”

Speaking further on the strategic focus of his administration, Governor Obiano explained that “We are working hard to make sure that we get it right in Anambra. If we get it right in Anambra, we shall get it right in the South East, if we get it right in the South East, the Igbo man’s story in Nigeria will change for good.”

Presenting the prestigious award to him, the Arole Oduduwa, the OOni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II declared that he was proud to be associated with Governor Obiano whose achievements stood out as testimonials of his service to his people.

Oba Ogunwusi therefore challenged other Nigerian leaders to live a life of selfless service to the people, saying, “today I will challenge other leaders of this country to continue to live a life of selfless service. For each and every one of us to believe in this country, for each and every one of us to know that someday this country will be a great nation. I am very proud to be associated with you. I am very proud to believe in you because of the quality of your leadership savvy. I am speaking on behalf of the youths of this country; I will continue to pray for leaders like you. I will continue to support leaders like you. Congratulations. I am very proud of you.” 

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray Bruce reminded Governor Obiano that he emerged the Silverbird Man of the Year because Nigerians voted for him.

Pointing out that it was impossible for an unpopular candidate to win the Silverbird Man of the Year award; Senator Bruce explained that the process was based on a popularity contest involving all the nominees.  

Hear him, “All the past winners were subjected to a contest and based on that competition which the audience can verify at any point in time, they were chosen. We do research across the country. For instance, the wife of the Kebbi State governor, I have never met her in my life. Never! The research team went across the entire country. When they came back they said, there is a lady in Kebbi who is shining and excelling and she is doing amazing things for the people of that state, and that is why she’s here today.

“Now, that goes for everybody who has received our award in the past and in the present. Today, I did my research before the competition and wrote several articles about Anambra. And in the articles I wrote, what I came about was agriculture, health, education, security, the things we talk about every day. So my research team kept going back to Anambra. I wrote several articles. So, if I write articles and you see your name in Thisday as governor or minister or president or ex-president, it’s not because I know you. I don’t have to know you. I will always write the truth. And you don’t have to be my friend,” he further explained.

APC ANAMBRA STATE AND OCHANJA MARKET POLITICS (NDI MMACHA HOW FAR?)

Sometime last month there was so much media hype and frenzy about APC’s intention to wrestle  Anambra state from the ruling APGA. They with immediate effect deployed their foot soldiers and all the apparatus to register members from all the wards, communities, local govt and senatorial districts in Anambra state. They attached so much noise making to the futile exercise that most of us thought it was voter’s registration exercise. Unfortunately for them Anambra people have long resolved on their rejection of APC as a party. Even one of their registration agent painfully lamented that it was impossible to sell APC even to his own immediate family. With all the money APC budgeted and assigned to that irrelevant task it was huge failure….. No photos, no videos, no line ups flooded the internet to show that their strategy to rent a crowd also was thwarted as Anambrarians out rightly rejected them.

Shamefully enough they never told us how exercise ended. The only major news I read was that APC record registration of 30 thousand members in Imo state. I now ask the organizers of that failed registration exercise tagged: Operation Capture Anambra and South East. How market? APC Anambra state chapter, how many members did you record in your party membership registration exercise? Or did the exercise started openly and ended secretly…. I want APC to know that Anambra is not Ondo or Edo where propaganda can thrive. We play real politics in Anambra and any party that felt they have rigging formula should better stay away from our beloved state. They might have succeeded in Edo, Ondo and other southwest states…. This is Anambra, the land of many Ikembas, land of many nobles, land of greatest African and Nigeria leaders….. The light of Igbo Nation, they can never succeed with their darkness here….

APGA is united, focused, determined and indomitable. This coming election is an option for great Anambrarians to choose between light and darkness, between hunger and abundance, between recession and economic prosperity, between security of lives and property and lawlessness and anarchy, between good and evil, between truth and lies….. APC have shown us what it stand for with position of Nigeria economy today… They have brought hunger, starvation, fear, failure, darkness, recession, nepotism, tribalism, religious intolerance, deprivation, corruption, sectionalism, oppression, violation of freedom of expression, intimidation, manipulation of judicial process, inconclusive electioneering, manipulation of electoral process through high powered rigging and many uncountable vices to our nation… You can listen again to Daniel Wilson’s song titled NEVER AGAIN for a detailed rhythmical expression the quagmire APC has plunge Nigeria into…. ANAMBRARIANS BE WISE…. USE THEIR BROOMS AND SWEEP THEM AWAY!!!

APGA ONYE AGHANA NWANNE YA OO!

Machi Pius Igwe
Writing from Lagos

ANDY UBA: A POLITICIAN TO WATCH

Senator Dr. Andy Uba, Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone and a Governorship Aspirant of All Progressive Congress (APC) known as the front-runner in the Anambra gubernatorial race, who has declared his interest and support for efforts to make Anambra great AGAIN. Senator Andy Uba’s opinion and commitment to this struggle is partly informed by his desire to build a power station for Anambra state if elected governor, to enhance productivity, generate jobs, mass employment and prosperity in the state, as well as arrest the desperate security situation in the state, attract both local and foreign investors and curb the continuing exodus of quality manpower from the state.

According to #iStandWithAndyUba’s Volunteer Group Founder, Mr. Okonkwo Samuel, Senator Dr. Andy Uba also hopes to use the proposed state police to consolidate the security needs of his state as well as work for the exploitation of the long neglected oil & gas resources of Anambra State.

I think that Andy Uba is a politician to watch. His articulations and deft politics mark him out as one who not only understands the terrain in which he is operating but also the issues that are close to the hearts of the people he seeks to lead. His forthright declaration and support for a new constitution for Nigeria and his bold politics are bound to alter for the better the developmental paradigm of Anambra State, the South East and Nigeria in general.

Mr. Okonkwo Samuel, who has already remarked that given Andy Uba pronouncements and identification with the drive for true federalism in Nigeria, he has proved that unlike his fellow contestants in the Anambra governorship race, he, Uba, sees the bigger picture and understands the wider issues and possibilities for Anambra state and Nigeria as a whole, and is not one of those narrow-minded politicians without the depth of character, courage and perception to deliver or perform creditably in office. But what are the wider issues the Mr. Okonkwo refers to? It is true that when people of different ethnic or racial background congregate to build a nation, they tend initially to be parochial, but they do generally become cosmopolitan with time.

Nwafor Ukeji Writes from Abagana
#iStandWithAndyUba
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I've not received a kobo as pension, entitlement since leaving office – Kalu

Eminent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has said he is yet to receive a kobo from the Abia State Government either as pension or entitlement since leaving office in 2007.
Kalu was the governor of Abia State between 1999 and 2007.
Reacting to a publication alleging that 108 former governors have been collecting pensions and entitlements from their State Governments, Kalu said he was not involved.
He said none of his successors has paid him a dime since he left office, alleging that his had been withheld.
He said he is the only ex-governor does not receive pension.
Kalu, who spoke with newsmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday, said the report is heartbreaking considering that many ordinary pensioners were being owed by some of the people currently receiving the pensions.
Kalu recalled that as a governor, it was one of his most important obligations to see that all the pensioners in his state were paid appropriately and timely, adding that he left the state with no pensioner being owed.
He also said that while leaving the Government House on May 29, 2007, he left behind all the government vehicles and other properties that belonged to the government.
Kalu explained with no regrets that none of the privileges that accrue to former governors have been extended to him, not even the security attache or vehicles.
He expressed disenchantment over non-compliance with the laws of the land by some leaders.
This, he said, does not speak good of a leader.
When asked if he is broke because of the non payment and his next line of action, Kalu said: “It is not about being broke or not.
“The pension laws of the state did not exclude me from being paid as expected.
“In fact, it is illegal according to the law to deny one his rights and privileges.
“Since 2009, I have not received any pension or entitlement from the state government, but I took it in good faith.
“I have earlier written to my two successors in different periods notifying them of how they were flouting the laws by withholding my pensions, but it was ignored.
“If it is out of will to disregard the law, I shall instruct my lawyers to take legal action against the governor for denying me my rights.
“If the present governor cannot resolve it, I will seek redress in the court.
“It doesn’t matter what I will be doing with the money.
“I can channel it into humanitarian service and philanthropy, but the laws must be obeyed.”

Treat Public Property As Yours, Bishop Ezeokafor Urges Nigerians

By Abuchi Onwumelu of Fides Newspaper (07034507760)

The Catholic bishop of Awka  Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has urged the citizens to always treat public property as theirs by protecting them, adding that it will be wrong of them to conclude that government’s business was nobody’s business.

  Bishop Ezeokafor who stated this at St. Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, Awka while fielding questions from  newsmen, enjoined Nigerians to guard jealously  Govt projects sited in their various areas as a way of  supporting the Govt in her onerous efforts to ensure infrastructural and human development.

  The Catholic prelate, charged the citizens to continue to pay their legitimate taxes to the state's treasury which he said was part of their civic duty that would enable the state to implement its projects and other programmes for them.

  'It takes people for government to succeed; they must do their part, pay taxes and justify their wages in this era of dwindling oil revenue.

  'That is only way they can hold the government responsible,' the man of God said.

  The chief shepherd of Awka Catholic Diocese, also called on the state civil servants to justify their monthly salaries by rendering corresponding services to the state, and by extension, to the citizenry.

  Bishop Ezeokafor said a worker who received their wages without working was robbing the state and does not deserve it.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AFTER A MEETING OF STAKEHOLDERS OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON THE 20TH FEBRUARY 2017 WHEREAS:

A.​Following the repugnant attempt by Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif and other undemocratic forces to undermine and take over the Peoples Democratic Party, the National Convention of the party held at Port Harcourt on the 21st day of May 2016 dissolved the then National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee and replaced the National Working Committee with a 7-member National Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi as Chairman and Sen. Ben Obi as Secretary with a mandate to run the party and organize an elective National Convention as soon as practicable;
B.​The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in FHC/PH/CS/524/2016 PDP & ORS. Vs. SHERRIF & ORS in its judgment endorsed the decisions of the 21st May 2016 National Convention, holding that the Convention did not violate any extant Order of the Courts or any provisions of the Party’s or Country’s Constitution.
C.​On the 17th February 2017, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt in a split decision in CA/PH/349/2016 SHERRIF & ORS. VS. PDP & ORS. nullified the decision of the National Convention of 21st May 2016 and reinstated the Sherrif-led National Working Committee;
D.​While the party holds the judiciary in the highest regard, the decision of the aforementioned Court of Appeal was greeted with consternation not only amongst leaders and members of the party in Nigeria but also true lovers of democracy in Nigeria and the world over;
E.​Moved by the outpour of anxiety and rage over the decision of the Court of Appeal, stakeholders and leaders of the party ranging from the Board of Trustees, Governor’s forum, National Assembly Members, former PDP Ministers forum, National Vice Chairmen, State Chapters represented by the Conference of State Party Chairmen, Leadership of State Assembly Caucuses and other major stakeholders assembled in Abuja on the 20th day of February 2017 to examine and review the state of the party following the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
NOW THEN, the stakeholders and leaders of the party aforestated firmly and unequivocally resolve as follows:
1. That the Peoples Democratic Party is united, strong, resolute, steadfast and solid under the leadership of the National Caretaker Committee in view of the fact that the Court of Appeal is not the final court on the matter. All members, leaders and organs of the party, including but not limited to the Board of Trustees, the Governor’s forum, the National Assembly Caucus, PDP former Ministers forum, National Vice Chairmen, State Chapters represented by the Conference of State Party Chairmen, Leadership of State Assembly Caucuses and teeming members nationwide, stand resolute that authority to lead the PDP, and indeed any party, solely and exclusively derives from the consent of members at plenary. PDP members freely and clearly expressed themselves on the 21st May 2016 at the Port Harcourt National Convention and we stand by the decision given that the National Convention is the highest decision-making organ of the party.
2. That we fully endorse the prompt and proactive decision of the National Caretaker Committee to lodge an appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria against the decision of the Court of Appeal as well as filing an application for INJUCTION PENDING APPEAL all of which was done in the morning of Monday 20th February 2017. Our abiding faith in the capacity of the judiciary to protect Nigeria’s democracy and political aspirations of the Nigerian people, particularly at the level of the Supreme Court, proven repeatedly over time, is aided by the profound, fearless, irrepressible, comprehensive and insightful minority decision of T. N. Orji-Abadua, J. C. A. in CA/PH/349/2016 SHERRIF & ORS. VS. PDP & ORS., whom we salute for doing the judiciary proud in spite of the predatory interferences of anti-democratic forces and State actors.
3. That having duly filed both an appeal to the Supreme Court and an application for Injunction Pending Appeal in the morning of Monday the 20th February 2017, we pass a resounding and unqualified vote of confidence in the leadership of the Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and pledge our unalloyed support to it as it pilots the affairs of the party in this critical transitional period of the party’s life. To this end, we are not at all deceived by the supposed olive branch being offered by Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif, knowing that the only thing that can come from traitors of his ilk is nothing but a poisoned chalice and a Greek gift.
4. The meeting reiterates that the party’s Constitution stipulates the process of democratically electing officers of the party and therefore emphatically rejects any imposition such as those being illegally paraded as officers of the party by Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif.
5. That stakeholders and leaders of the party are enjoined to return to their Geopolitical Zones, States, LGA’s and Wards to convene meetings of the party and disseminate the foregoing to members. True Partymen are urged to remain calm, steadfast, loyal even in the face of wanton provocation of sealing off the venue of a peaceful assembly of stakeholders. We remain committed to the ideals of the party which stands us out as democrats.
6. That in view of the mismanagement of our economy by the APC-led Federal Government, the decline in investor confidence and massive capital flight leading to the Nigerian currency being the worst performing on the African continent; the dehumanization of Nigerians, the abridgement of fundamental human rights, persecution of political opponents, and the return to the dark days of mindless dictatorship and the reign of fear, all leading to a state of helplessness and hopelessness; the PDP reaffirms its commitment to return Nigeria in 2019 to the path of Economic growth and respect for fundamental human rights as guaranteed by our constitution. A PDP-led Federal Government will remove hunger in the land and restore confidence in the Nigerian economy.
7. The meeting agreed to appeal to all Nigerians to fully support the Peoples Democratic Party, a genuinely Democratic Party that is people oriented and a great defender of equity, justice and fairness to all in its commitment to eradicating poverty, hunger and under-development from our country.

STATEMENT ON ALI MODU SHERIFF, SENATOR AHMED MAKARFI AND THE NATIONAL CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE PDP

By Femi Fani-Kayode

"Those that say that they will work with Ali Modu Sheriff are misguided and naive. 

Worse still anyone that calls for members of the PDP to rally behind him and recognise him as our National Chairman is a simpleton and a fool.

I say this because the man is evil: he is an agent of destruction and no good can come out of him. I was the first to see him for what he was and I said so publicly.

Then came the PDP Ministers Forum who also stood their ground. At first no-one believed us until eventually 90 per cent of our party members lined up behind those of us that opposed Sheriff and that supported Makarfi.

I read his insulting comments about Fayose and Wike and I laughed. Are these not the very same people that brought him in the first place and convinced others in the PDP Governor's Forum to support him?

Now he has finished using them to get what he wanted he is insulting them and saying that they must be kicked out of the party and dealt with.

I say shame on him because that will never happen. Fayose particularly has proved his worth to Nigeria and Wike has stood firm and strong in defence of his people and state. They are both lions and I am proud to stand with them and Makarfi.

Sheriff is nothing but a traitor who is biting the fingers that fed him. Fayose is one million times the man he is. As a matter of fact so are almost all the governors and other party leaders. Sheriff comes nowhere near any of us in any shape or form.

Only a blind, deaf and dumb simpleton or prancing village idiot would line up behind a man with such filthy and evil antecedents.

This is a man whose fundamental purpose and ambition in life is to sell the PDP down the river and to help the ruling APC and the Buhari government to destroy us and win the presidential election in 2019.

Sheriff is the Angel of Death to the PDP. He is worse than the bubonic plague: not only is he a curse to our party but he is also an affliction to our nation. 

I stand with Ahmed Makarfi and our Caretaker Commitee and unless and until the Supreme Court says so he remains our National Chairman" -

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode,
19th February 2017.

Breaking news !!!!! INEC to Drop Makarfi from Party Chairmen’s List

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will obey the verdict of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, which, nullified the outcome of the May 21, 2016 Convention of the PDP.
Before, the judgment, the commission, in the list of 40 registered political parties in the country, recognised Makarfi as the National Chairman of the PDP.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission would comply with court verdicts on the PDP’s leadership tussle.
Oyekanmi said that the commission would commence the process of obeying the court directives as soon as it was served with the papers.
He said, “Our position has not changed; we will always comply with legitimate court orders and judgments. So, in this case, when we are served, we will take the necessary steps to obey the judgment. I am not sure we have been served with the judgment
"If they serve the commission with the judgment, absolutely, the commission will recognize Ali Modu Sheriff as the chairman of PDP because that is what the court has said.

"We also know that the other party (faction) has said it will be proceeding to the Supreme Court.
"Whatever is the decision of the Supreme Court, which is the final verdict, would be obeyed by INEC.
"But as we speak, the Appeal Court is the superior and latest judgment. INEC will comply with the provisions of that judgment as of today when we are served, and that will affect everything in the PDP as far as INEC is concerned.”

"Oyekanmi stated that it was the desire of the commission for the PDP to resolve its internal dispute as INEC would always obey whatever the courts ruled on the matter.

I regret supporting Sheriff, it’s one of my worst political decisions – Nyesom Wike

Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor, says assisting Ali-Modu Sheriff to the position of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is one of the worst decisions he has made in his political career.

Wike and Ayo Fayose, his Ekiti state counterpart, had backed Sheriff, but they soon fell out with him.

This degenerated into a series of lawsuits that culminated in the recent affirmation of Sheriff as PDP chairman by an appeal court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Reacting to the development during an interview on Sunday Politics, which aired on Channels Television, Wike said he regretted bringing Sheriff into the fold of PDP.

The governor said the PDP would file for a stay of execution on the appeal court’s decision, adding that afterwards, an appeal will be filed at the supreme court.

The governor said he was shocked by the ruling and maintained that Sheriff had no good intention for the opposition party.

“I do believe that even in life, even as human beings, there are times for setbacks, and challenges. What has happened to us is a temporary setback,” he said.

“I will not support anything that has to do with Sheriff. I know that he doesn’t mean well for the party.

“He’s a mole in the party. His antecedents tell you that there are people behind who are not members of the party, who do not want PDP to exist.

“I’m not new in this game. Even the characters around him, they don’t augur well for the party.

“That is one of the worst political decisions I’ve ever taken. In life, when you take a decision and you realise that you made a mistake. In that decision you made, there is nothing stopping you from saying, ‘I’ve made a mistake, I think we can correct it’.

“Frankly, I have never regretted any decision I’ve taken than this decision. Politically, we have seen his conduct. It has shown that he does not mean well for the party. It will be difficult for me to work with him. That is clear. I don’t have that confidence that he can lead the party.”

 

Nigeria Now Second Largest Producer of Rice Worldwide

Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday assured Nigerian youths that their support and confidence in the Federal Government would yield the desired results.

Shehu gave the assurance in Abuja at an interactive session organised by the Citizens Support for Good Governance in Nigeria for youths.

The group is a coalition of non-governmental organisations and Civil Society Organisations in the country.

The programme was organised for youths to air their views on the present administration and the way forward.

Shehu said that Buhari’s desire was to ensure a secured and stable future for the upcoming generations.

Shehu said: “All we require of you is to be patient; President Buhari is a long distance runner, he is not looking for short-term gains that people will just clap for him.

“He wants to build a future of prosperity that will be everlasting, something that will stay for generations, and I assure you that this is a beginning of the good things to come.”

According to him, the Federal Government has, under the leadership of President Buhari, done a lot in ensuring the security of the nation as well as fighting corruption.

Shehu also said that the government’s whistle blowing policy had to a large extent helped in recovery of looted public funds.

He said: “The policy gives opportunity to every Nigerian to raise alarm when they notice that an individual may have stolen public funds.

“You will not only be honoured for pointing it out for discovery, but you can earn a commission.”

Shehu said that government was working hard to restructure the country’s economy, “though its efforts is being misunderstood by most Nigerians”.

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He said: “The President Buhari-led administration met a ravaged economy and people were used to lifestyles that can no longer be sustained.”

Shehu said that no country would develop when it imports everything, including toothpick and tissue papers.

He said that things were beginning to take shape, as Nigeria had become the second largest rice producing country in the world.

He also said: “The rice revolution just started a year ago; a newspaper did an investigation in Kebbi and found out that there were 48,000 new millionaires in Kebbi alone for growing rice.”

Shehu said the nation’s over-reliance on oil in the past was not healthy for the country’s development, adding that such attitude should not be allowed to continue.

He said that the Federal Government was looking on how to create more jobs for the unemployed youths across the country and to scale up power generation.

He said: “You can see that exploration and exportation of oil is growing, gas is coming back and power is getting better.”

Shehu said that President Buhari had delivered on his promise of putting the economy on a sound footing and fighting corruption.

He said the results were already showing, adding that the government required a little more patient from Nigerians.

According to him, the government’s war against corruption is acknowledged all over the world, while its effort to restructure the economy is becoming manifest.

He expressed confidence that the country would come out of the recession soon, following the boom in agriculture, especially in rice and sugar production.

The session was attended by students of the University of Abuja, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Federal Polytechnic, and was used to identify achievements recorded by the President Buhari-led administration.

Ijaws & our brothers don't know that the niger delta oil belongs to the North:

Farouk Adamu Aliyu a nomadic tribesman of Jigawa made it clear to all and sundry that the crude oil of niger delta belongs to the north and it is uniformly regarded as a booty of the civil war and that any attempt to lay claim to the oil by indigenous people of niger delta, would  amount to spilling of their blood again. 

The reality on the ground backs the fulani tribesman pronouncements because they, the northerners were the major shareholders & distributors ,so irrespective of your prejudices and ideological inclinations, its fact that alimajiri  farouk Adamu Aliyu spoke the bitter truth, so instead of beating about the bush or engage in unnecessary platitudes, we should look for a good way to wrestle power from this clowns.

They can't let go without a fight, that is what the fulani alimajiri is saying in essence and it baffles me that a good number of ijaws and riverine brothers rely solely in chasing shadows than fighting their fight.

You keep hearing them saying that Igbos would dominate them and their oil, the oil that belongs to Hausa/fulani oligarchies. Listening to this propaganda, some of them, if not most gets the impression that Igbos re the real enemies, i don't know what they had behind this their thoughts, perhaps Igbos dominated and killed them since independent. This is an aspect that would rile the sensibilities of many Igbos  who are beholden to the universal principle of natural justice, equality and fairness. 

Once more, the oil really belongs to the north and north alone and to fight this out, requires returning to the battlefield as every other option encrypted in legislative documents would be effectively scuttled by men like Farouk and entire north, however, retaining the status quo of eating from crumbs is the worst option that must be discourage by every means possible.

The unfortunate thing is that this oil is the major hindrance to our freedom, but nothing will stop us.c

About 21 killed in fresh attacks in southern Kaduna

At least 21 people have been killed in renewed attacks in four communities in Kaura and Jama’a local government areas of Kaduna state.

Many houses were also burnt in the attacks, which reportedly took place between Sunday evening and Monday morning.

Details of the attacks are still sketchy.

All efforts to contain the violence in the region have not yielded the desired results.

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, has held a series of peace meetings with stakeholders. The governor even declared a 24-hour curfew in some of the affected local government areas during the heat of the crisis.

Last week, the foundation of a proposed military barrack in Kafanchan.

Speaking when the foundation was laid, Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, said the location was chosen as a response to the incessant killings occurring in southern Kaduna for four decades.

The government has vowed to go ahead with the establishment of the barrack, despite the temporary setback.

Earlier in the month, former president Goodluck said the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 national conference will prevent ethnic and religious tensions that lead to crises.

Following the  attacks, the Kaduna state government has announced  the relocation  of the garrison commander of the one division of the Nigerian Army, Ismaila Isa, and the state’s commissioner of police, to the southern part of the state to coordinate a determined response to renewed attacks by armed bandits on communities in Kaura and Jema’a local government areas.

In a statement by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to Nasir el-Rufai, the government said the  situation had been brought under control as security operattions continue.

The governor assured  that the government is fully committed to securing the area, with the active support of the army and the police.

The statement added that the two battalions of the army and the 10 mobile police squadrons are engaging the bandits, as the duty state carries out its obligations to secure the area, protect lives and rout these armed bandits.

The governor said that despite these difficulties and the pain of the attacks, this is not the time to give “the bandits” the pleasure of seeing victims turn on each other.

“Unknown gunmen in a coordinated attack invaded Bakin Kogi, Kaninkon Village in Jemaa Local Government Area in the State on Sunday 19th February, 2017 at about 5:30pm. They were repelled by Operation Yaki Surveillance Patrol Teams and Operation Harmony Patrol Teams,” the statement read.

“Further attacks were recorded today (Monday) in Kaura local government. Fatalities were recorded and some houses were burnt in the attacks.

“I have been in touch with the security agencies and I have been studiously following the situation in Jema’a and Kaura Local Government Areas over the unfortunate attacks.

“I want to, first of all, extend myheartfelt condolences to the families and relations that lost their loved ones and properties in these unfortunate attacks. My prayers and support equally goes to citizens that sustained injuries and are traumatised by what they witnessed.

“This is clearly a wicked, evil and devilish act being perpetrated by enemies of peace and humanity.

“I also wish to commend our gallant soldiers and police personnel, who are defending our communities.The Kaduna State Government will continue to work assiduously with security agencies towards the protection of life and property.”

President Buhari Caged By Cabal As Doctors Ask Him To Shelve Work.

By SaharaReporters

SaharaReporters has learned from sources at the Presidency that President Muhammadu Buhari’s doctors have advised him to shelve the idea of returning soon to the daily routine of running Nigeria on account of the gravity of his illness. However, some of Mr. Buhari’s closest associates are goading him to defy the doctors’ recommendation and to take up the reins of power once more in Nigeria.

President Buhari left Nigeria on January 19 on what was supposed to be a 10-day medical leave. He has since twice postponed his return date even as several government officials and his close aides have continued to characterize him as “hale and hearty,” insisting that he was still vacationing and would soon return to Nigeria.

However, our sources, who are well briefed about Mr. Buhari’s health, disclosed that doctors managing the president have been unequivocal in warning that his condition would certainly deteriorate should he return to Nigeria without completing the first stage of his treatment.

According to one of the sources, the Nigerian president’s condition has been downgraded to “full blown illness” even by members of his kitchen cabinet who are now quietly admitting that he is “ill.” However, the ailing president’s closest associates remain averse to disclosing to the Nigerian people the nature of Mr. Buhari’s illness.

Saharareporters learnt that the president’s deteriorating health has got to a point where doctors are taking “extreme measures” to ensure that he eats. Mr. Buhari has progressively lost weight due to his illness and course of treatment, our sources disclosed.

SaharaReporters learned that the pool of aides traveling with President Buhari have extended their hotel booking in London by at least one month starting from February 6th 2017. This means that the earliest Mr. Buhari would make it back to Nigerian soil is in early March.

However, our sources revealed that some members of the president’s inner political circle continue to pressure Mr. Buhari’s doctors in the UK to allow him to return to Abuja, even if for a short time, in order to give the impression that his recovery was on course. We understand that the UK doctors have so far resisted the pressures, stating that it would be professionally irresponsible of them to clear Mr. Buhari at this stage to take up the demands of the Presidency. “I understand that the doctors [in the UK] have made it clear that Mr. President’s flight back to Nigeria could complicate things for him,” one source said.

Another group of Mr. Buhari’s supporters have asked the ailing president to authorize his doctors to address the Nigerian people directly about his health situation. However, members of the president’s inner cabinet have staunchly opposed this disclosure, arguing that, since Mr. Buhari had handed over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, there was no need to make further revelations since the VP has been vested with all the constitutional powers to run Nigeria.

Some political figures, particularly governors of some northern states, have been spending extending times in London and making efforts daily to meet with the ill president. However, such meetings with Mr. Buhari have also become difficult to arrange since the ailing president’s doctors have cautioned against his meeting and smooching with visiting politicians, citing the significant drain on his already low energy. “The doctors have become very stern in restricting access to him [President Buhari],” said one source. “As a result, so many of the visiting politicians do not even get to see Mr. Buhari before returning to Nigeria empty handed,” he added.

As SaharaReporters earlier revealed, President Buhari’s doctors in the UK have recommended that he would need at least a period of four months away from power to receive the full regimen of treatment for his several health challenges. A source said the president was undergoing therapy related to his prostate, declining to be more specific. A different source disclosed that the treatment had partially affected President Buhari’s voice, at one point making it almost impossible to hear him.

During the week, there were rumors in Abuja that President Buhari would attend the inauguration of President Adams Barrow in the Gambia. But one source at the Presidency dismissed the rumor as “a ruse raised by some members of a cabal who are determined to see that their power is not whittled down.”

Two of our sources disclosed that President Buhari’s health issues were of a chronic nature, adding that it was unlikely that the ailing president would ever be in a position to meet the full demands of his office whenever he returns to the country. “He is going to need regular trips abroad for ongoing treatment,” one stated.

MY VISION FOR NDI ANAMBRA

"Part of my vision for our beloved state, Anambra, is to replicate the extraordinary success l have achieved in my private businesses by cashing into the abundant potentials and opportunities in the state and insisting on character and accountability to create wealth, job opportunities and all round SUSTAINABLE development.

I have been blessed with the creativity and capacity to make Anambra state a model state in self-reliance on SECURITY, HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, POWER, EDUCATION/EMPOWERMENT(SHAPE).

I therefore urge all of you to join me in building a virile state. Together, Anambra Can Be Better"- Mr. Godwin Ezeemo (Achinagbaraoha)
From:
ANAMBRA CAN BE BETTER MEDIA TEAM

BUHARI AIDES CALL LONDON POLICE TO ARREST GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER JOURNALIST

Security staff at the Abuja House in London yesterday called in policemen to arrest a correspondent of The Guardian who was on the premises to see President Muhammadu Buhari and possibly interview him.

When the correspondent told a member of staff at the Abuja House, the official residence of the Nigerian High commissioner to the United Kingdom, yesterday afternoon that he had come to see the president, he replied: “As far as I’m concerned, he’s not here.”

At 2:50 p.m., when a black Mercedes jeep arrived, the occupant sitting by the driver rolled down the glass and asked the The Guardian correspondent, “why are you here?” “When I told him that l was a reporter with The Guardian and l had come to see if the president was there and to interview him, he looked quite irritated and replied angrily: ‘he’s not here, you can’t see anybody here.’ “

Former GMD NNPC Wants His Seized Money Back

N3bn Loot: Give Me Back My Money, Yakubu Tells Court
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Erstwhile Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Kano to order the Federal Government to return to him, over N3billion that was found in his home in Kaduna.
Yakubu, in a motion on notice with suit number FHC/ICN/CS/24/2017, filed by his lead counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, asked the court to set aside the forfeiture order that granted FG ownership of the money which was discovered by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on February 9.
Specifically, he wants the court to set aside the order and return the $9,772,800 and £74,000,000 which he said belongs to him.
The former NNPC boss insisted that the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant FG ownership of his money.
According to him, the court, was bereft of the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the motion that culminated to the forfeiture order since it related to a crime that was alleged committed in Abuja.
Raji, SAN, contended that going by section 45 of the Federal High Court Act, an offence should be tried only by a court exercising jurisdiction in the area or place where the offence was committed.
“No aspect of the perceived offence in respect of which the Order of February 13, 2017 was made, was committed within the Kano judicial division of this Honourable Court”, Raji argued.
He further maintained that FG lacked the locus-standi to seek the interim order of the court granted on February 13.
“By Section 28 of the EFCC Act, only the commission, i.e. the EFCC has the vires to seek an order for the interim forfeiture of property under the Act.
“The power of this Honourable Court to make interim forfeiture order(s) pursuant to sections 28 & 29 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004 (herein after referred to a “EFCC Act”) is applicable ONLY to alleged offences charged under the EFCC Act and not to offences cognizable under any other law.
“The ex-parte order of this honourable court dated February 13, 2017, was made in respect of alleged offences under the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission Act (herein after “ICPC Act”) and not the EFCC Act as prescribed by section 28 & 29 thereof.
“The conditions precedent to the grant of an interim forfeiture order under sections 28 & 29 of the EFCC Act were not complied with by the Applicant (FG) before the Order was made”, he submitted.
Besides, he argued that the combined effect of sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act was that a charge alleging infractions against the provisions of the EFCC Act ought to be brought against a suspect before the powers of the court under cections 28 & 29 of the EFCC Act, to order interim forfeiture of property, could be activated.
He insisted that without a formal charge, no prima-facie evidence could be established in order for the provisions of section 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act to be activated.
“In the instant case, no charge was brought against the Respondent/Applicant before the provisions of section 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act were activated to grant the ex-parte Order of February 13, 2017”, he stated.
Yakubu was Group Managing Director of the NNPC between 2012 and 2014. He was sacked by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for alleged insubordination and corruption.
EFCC operatives raided his house situated in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State, following a tip-off by a whistle-blower. The agency disclosed that it discovered the sum of $9.7m and £74,000 that Yakubu hid in a fireproof safe inside the house.
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