The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has once more arraigned another Accountant General for allegedly committing fraud to the tune of N289m.
Saadu Maiwada and Sani Lawal BK, both officials of the office of the Accountant General of Katsina State, were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court on a five count charge of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.
Recall a similar case where operatives of the Commission arrested Ahmed Idris, the Accountant General of the Federation for alleged stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109, 485,572,691.9
The former AGF was first arrested on May 16, 2022 and remained in EFCC custody until his bail on 2nd June 2022.
However, during the sitting today, EFCC narrated in court that Maiwada and BK committed the fraud during their tenures as Sub Treasurer and Deputy Sub Treasurer in the office of the Accountant General of Katsina State,
They allegedly conspired and converted the sum of N289,000,000 (Two Hundred and Eighty Nine Million Naira) from the coffers of Katsina State.
Investigation by the Commission revealed that the defendants laundered the stolen funds through the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited.
Further investigations showed that in the company, the first defendant (Maiwada) is a Director.
EFCC said the sum of N49, 000,000 was also allegedly transferred from the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited to the personal account of the second defendant (Lawal BK), who is now the Deputy Accountant General of the state.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.
One of the charges reads, “That you, Saadu Miawada and Sani Lawal BK sometime in 2017 at Katsina within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Katsina State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N120,790,942.86 (One Hundred and Twenty Million, Seven Hundred Ninety Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-two Naira, Eighty-six Kobo) which was transferred from Katsina State Government Sub -Treasury Expenditure Account number 1012424374 domiciled in United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC to Integrated Gas Services Company Limited’s Fidelity Bank account no 4010693761 (CO1717299) and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 297 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State 2021”.
In view of their pleas, counsel for the prosecution, Aisha Tahar Habib, prayed the court for a trial date.
However, Counsel for the defendants, J B Israel made an oral bail application on behalf of his clients but the prosecution objected, demanding for a formal application as the court is a court of record.
The judge admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira) each.
They were also ordered each to provide a surety with a landed property within Katsina and present letters of introduction from a traditional ruler as the matter was adjourned till July 24, 2023 for trial.
•President called for zoning, failed to name anointed aspirants – Sources
•Opposition parties claim majority, plot to use number against APC candidates
Five days to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, President Bola Tinubu’s meetings with lawmakers-elect failed to resolve the crisis over the All Progressives Congress zoning arrangement.
The APC National Working Committee had micro-zoned the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President seats to Senator Godswill Akpabio from South-South and Senator Jibrin Barau from North-West, respectively.
But other aspirants like Senators Abdulaziz Yari, (Zamfara West); Osita Izunaso (Imo West) and Orji Kalu (Abia North) have insisted that they would not step down for the party’s consensus candidate.
In the House, the APC leadership had also endorsed the member-elect representing Kaduna (North-West), Tajudeen Abbas, as speakership candidate, while the member-elect from Abia State (South-East), Benjamin Kalu, clinched the Deputy Speaker slot.
The aspirants, who were among the lawmakers who held a meeting with the President at the Aso Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday night, were still lobbying their colleagues and strategising to upturn the APC’s zoning arrangement for the NASSS principal positions as of Thursday.
This is happening as the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party have concluded plans to frustrate the APC’s plan for the NASS leadership offices.
The PDP confirmed on Thursday it had entered an agreement with other opposition parties to leverage on their numbers in influencing the election of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Findings by The PUNCH indicated that at least two members of the G-7, a group of anti-zoning aspirants for the speaker position, might contest against Abbas.
Consensus candidacy
The group has, however, not officially declared its consensus candidate to run against Abbas.
While Abbas is from Kaduna State in the North-West, members of the G-7 who are from the same geopolitical zone with the APC candidate are Sani Jaji from Zamfara State and Sada Soli from Katsina State.
The PUNCH learnt on Thursday that despite his interventions, aspirants were capitalising on the fact that the President during his meetings with the aspirants and the members-elect did not directly ask for support for Abbas and Kalu.
Member-elect for the Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency in Bauchi State, Adamu Ranga, told one of our correspondents that the President did not voice support for any of the candidates vying for the senate or House leadership, but he simply called for a united front.
Ranga said, “Mr President spoke to the general assembly, both Senate and the House of Representatives, in order to ensure that we have a solid government. Secondly, he emphasised that he will perform an open-door policy for everybody.
“Whoever wants to see him can see him without any hindrance. And whatever you want to discuss with him, he will give you that privilege to discuss. Thirdly, he said we should put our constituency first since we are here to represent them. He mentioned that he wants the Senate and the House to cooperate to elect good leaders.”
Tinubu pleads
A member-elect for Enugu East/Isiuzo Federal Constituency, Prof Paul Nnamchi, told The PUNCH that Tinubu appealed to lawmakers to uphold national interest.
“He appealed that we should forget about party politics and face national interest. That was the major part of his speech. He didn’t mention anybody’s name to be voted for. Maybe he is appealing, but I didn’t hear anybody’s name,” Nnamchi said.
Sources in the G-7 also confirmed that Tinubu asked members-elect to work with the zoning plan of the APC, clearing the way for aspirants for a position allocated to a particular zone to contest against themselves.
A source close to Jaji and Wase said, “Prior to yesterday (Wednesday meeting), there was a meeting of the aspirants with Tinubu at the State House. He was not categorical. What he told them there and then was that the zoning stands.
‘’But he did not say ‘support Abbas’ but he said ‘zoning of the party stands.’ So, invariably, what he was trying to tell them, based on our interpretation, is that those aspirants from that zone can go ahead and contest.”
When asked about Wase who has said he would be the next Speaker of the House despite being from Plateau State in the North-Central, where no leadership position was zoned to, the source admitted that “it does not favour him.”
However, the source stated, “That is what Tinubu told members-elect on that day. I can confirm that one,” adding that, “It leaves Jaji, Soli and Abbas – the three of them – to slug it out.”
When asked to be categorical if Jaji was going ahead to contest against Abbas, the source said, ‘Yes, he is.” The source, however, could not say the same about Wase.
The source further disclosed that Jaji held a meeting with some members-elect at his Abuja office on Thursday afternoon, as part of his continued lobbying for votes.
While the source faulted the reports that Wase and Jaji shunned the Wednesday night meeting with Tinubu, he could not confirm if they were at the general meeting which was held on Thursday.
The source also confirmed the meeting between the G-7 and members-elect scheduled for Saturday.
The PUNCH had reported on Thursday that the group of aggrieved aspirants might declare its consensus candidate at the meeting, ahead of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly.
A member-elect also confirmed that the President urged the incoming lawmakers across party lines to work with the APC.
The opposition PDP member said, “He (Tinubu) spoke very well, frankly. He stressed on the importance of nation-building and working together. He said politics is over, it is time now to focus on governance, in building confidence and ensuring that we focus on delivering service to the people.’’
When asked if the issue of zoning Tinubu mentioned was in the context of the 10th Assembly leadership, the lawmaker said, “Yes, he enjoined everybody to support the choice they have made and work together.”
The member-elect added, “Before then, the Vice-President (Kashim Shettima) had stressed the need not to push too far the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket by allowing a third person – the Senate President – to also have an Islamic background. You know that Yari is contesting for President of the Senate.”
According to him, the senators-elect will decide Akpabio’s fate.
“Let me tell you: many people don’t understand how the parliament works. There is a role for the party. Immediately a party has won the election and it is the majority in the parliament, the party has a decision to make and who to support. And if they zone their way to the leadership position, that is their prerogative. It is not really about zoning, it is about nomination and a party has the duty to nominate and support someone. And they have done that,’’ the lawmaker declared.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, outgoing Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, were present at the meeting.
Others were former Governor of Akwa Ibom and Senate Presidency aspirant, Godswill Akpabio, former governors of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi and Edo, Adams Oshiomhole.
Osita Izunaso, Sani Bello, Aliyu Wammako and speakership contender Abbas also attended the parley.
However, former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, were not spotted at the meeting.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Kehinde Olaosebikan, the media consultant speaking for the senator-elect representing Imo West, senator Osita Izunaso stated that his principal was not stepping down for anyone.
He noted that the president never told anyone to step down for anyone, rather, he demanded a Christian as the Senate President.
He said, “ The President never told anyone to step down for anyone. He only made a case for a Christian as the Senate President, and this makes my boss more qualified.”
Olaosebikan further noted that the boss would be Senate President.
He said, “ Senator Izunazo would be Senate President by God’s grace and he isn’t stepping down for anyone. “
Similarly, Emeka Nwala, the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate Whip, Orji Kalu, stated that nothing had changed as his boss was still in the race.
He said, “It’s too early to determine a thong. Senator Kalu is still in the race.”
Efforts to get the Director-General of Wase Campaign and DG of Jaji Campaign, Messrs Olufemi Bamisile and Olaide Akinremi, respectively, proved abortive on Thursday.
A text message was sent to them asking them to confirm if their candidates would go ahead to contest against Abbas or if they are under pressure to back out of the race. They had yet to reply to it as of press time on Thursday night.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, said the opposition party had entered into a working agreement with other opposition parties ahead of the inauguration of the parliament.
Although the publicity scribe did not disclose if the PDP would field candidates for both positions, he noted that the situation would be clearer on Tuesday when the 10th Assembly would be inaugurated.
According to him, lawmakers elected on the platform of the PDP are united, stressing that opposition parties are ready to leverage on their numbers to have a say on who becomes the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
At the conclusion of the February 25 parliamentary elections, the APC produced 59 Senators leaving the opposition parties with 50. In the House of Representatives, the ruling party boasts of 177 members while opposition parties have 182.
But Ologunagba said the parliament, being the symbol of democracy, must be protected from anti-democratic forces, adding that the party is working in collaboration with its members-elect in both houses to forge a common front ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration.
“With regard to the current race for the Presiding Officers of the National Assembly, it is instructive to note that the opposition parties put together form a strong majority in the National Assembly and we are very mindful of that. The PDP leadership is working together with our members-elect and opposition parties in the two chambers.
Meanwhile, the Abbas/Kalu Campaign secretariat has said the President is firm on the zoning plan of the APC for the coming 10th National Assembly during his meeting with Senators-elect.
According to the campaign in a statement issued on Thursday, the President did not have plans to dump the candidates adopted by the APC for 10th Assembly leadership.
The statement was titled, ‘10th Assembly: Tinubu remains firm on APC’s endorsed candidates…Appeals to governors, lawmakers-elect to work for party’s candidates…as Wase, Jaji boycott meeting with President.’
However, the Abbas/Kalu campaign claimed that most of the G-7 members stepped down after Tinubu’s intervention in the matter.
The statement read, “Tinubu spoke firmly on the need to work for the victory of the APC’s candidates for the 10th NASS leadership. He begged them to work for Akpabio, Abbas, Barau and Kalu.
“He said the success of his administration largely depends on whether or not he gets it right with the leadership of the National Assembly. He urged them to see reason with him. He said the candidates were chosen for the stability of the nation.”
“Wase had said during the House valedictory session on Wednesday that he would go ahead to contest for the Speaker’s seat because it has been prophesied that he would become Speaker. There is a likelihood that only Wase would go to the floor to contest, while others may step down after the President’s appeal.”
LP unfolds plan
Speaking on the election, a member-elect, Victor Ogene, said the Labour Party lawmakers had yet to decide on the aspirant to support, noting however, that once a decision was made on that, it would be a bloc vote.
“The LP has yet to decide on a particular candidate, but I can assure you that we are going to vote en bloc, the consultation is on. I do not know those we will vote for yet, but I know those we will not vote for. I just want to tell you that we will not be railroad in choosing anybody; it will be a conscious decision,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.
The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, on Thursday, met members-elect of the coming 10th National Assembly on the platform of the Labour Party over the leadership aspirants to adopt as candidates of the opposition party.
Otti, in his brief comment at the meeting, said he chose to meet with the lawmakers-elect after meeting with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Ahead of the inauguration, 35 members-elect from the South-East geopolitical zone have endorsed Abbas and Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the coming 10th House of Representatives, respectively.
After a meeting of the caucus in Abuja on Thursday, 35 of the 43 members-elect from the South-East across party lines, signed for the APC’s consensus candidates.
The outgoing Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Iduma Igariwey, made the announcement during the meeting with Abbas, Kalu and their campaign team, noting that more endorsements were still coming.
Igariwey said other members of the caucus who were not in Abuja would sign when they return.
In a related development, a pro-democracy group under the aegis of The Natives on Thursday pleaded with the former governor of Zamfara State, Yari, to step down for the joint ticket of Akpabio and Barau.
Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Convener of The Natives, Smart Edward, argued that for the sake of equity and fairness, only a Christian and a unifier like Akpabio should be allowed to lead the 10th Senate.
While noting that Nigeria is a secular state, Edward further urged other lawmakers to respect the choice of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC on the need to balance the religious representation in the new government.
He said, “We say ‘No’ to Senator Yari’s ambition and in the name of the country, we appeal to him in the name of our dear country to please shelve this ambition for all and become the hero. What the average Nigerian is looking for now is strong institutions not strong individuals, sustainable development in all facets of our nation, and policies that uplift the poor and promote economic prosperity.
“We cannot toy with the expensive portrayal of acts that can widen the divide of the people post elections, while it is politically permissible, we persuade the 10th Assembly to dissociate themselves from any political, financial and insensitive approach or act that will promote a Muslim for the office of the Senate President for this is a display of national sabotage.
“While the ruling party may have presented these candidates, we appreciate its efforts to assuage other regions and make sacrifices to see a pan-Nigerian, nationalistic, equitable and fair balance of the spirit and letters of our constitution.’’
[Punch]
•Tinubu meets with members, and keeps mum on the preferred choice
•North insists on producing a Senate president
AHEAD of the June 13 inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the fate of those aspiring to become presiding officers seems hanging in the balance as President Bola Tinubu is yet to make a formal pronouncement on it.
Vanguard was reliably informed that though the president met with lawmakers-elect at Aso Rock Villa Wednesday night, some of the contenders, including former governors of Zamfara and Abia states, Abdulaziz Yari and Orji Kalu, among others, were absent at the meeting.
A source privy to the meeting, also disclosed that some northern leaders are insisting that the north produced both Senate President and speaker of the House of Representatives.
Speaking on the development, a lawmaker-elect, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “At the time you called, I was about entering the Villa. For now, nothing has changed. The president didn’t mention any name while meeting with us, all he said was that we should work and be united. That was all he said.”
On whether the president will support Senator Godswill Akpabio and Mr Tajudeen Abass for the Senate presidency and speakership, the source said: “I am just leaving the meeting and the president didn’t say he has preferred candidates.”
On the North’s position on the 10th NASS leadership, he said: “This is a northern agenda, they don’t want Tinubu to control the Senate but as for the G-6, they are still intact, although Betara has withdrawn from the race his supporters have shifted base to Idris Wase.
“The president’s claim of religious balancing is what is most vexatious. How can he say so because his chief of staff is not just from Lagos, the same state? Is Gbajabiamila, not a Muslim? We shall meet on the floor on Tuesday.”
Recall that the All Progressives Congress, APC, chose Godswill Akpabio from the South-South zone and Senator Jubrin Barau from the North West zone as Senate president and deputy president respectively.
It also anointed Tajudeen Abass from the North West and Benjamin Kalu from the South East as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The party’s choice has, however, drawn criticisms and condemnation from other contestants for the principal positions of the National Assembly.
[Vanguard]
Rauf Aregbesola, immediate past minister of interior, says he does not hold any grudge against anyone in Osun state.
Aregbesola spoke on Wednesday at the palace of Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, Ataoja of Osogbo.
The event was to celebrate his return to the state after spending four years as a minister in the cabinet of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In the build-up to the 2023 elections, Aregbesola and Adegboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun, fell out.
In July 2022, the former minister described the primary election that gave Oyetola the guber ticket as a “sham”. Moshood Adeoti, his choice of candidate, lost to Oyetola.
Speaking at the palace, Aregbesola asked the monarch to plead with all the people he might have had issues with in the past.
“I hold no grudge against anyone in Osogbo or Osun. My hands are wide open to work and receive anyone,” the former minister said.
“Anyone who has issues with me has their reasons, but I hold no grudge against anyone.
“It is never my desire to leave any of them, but now that they have gone the way they did, I beseech you, our royal father, to plead with them. I would always wish them well and always desire to work with them.
“I have come here today to beg for forgiveness from anybody who is offended towards me.
“The reason why people are applauding me over my successes in Osun today was because of the great work I did when I was in government and those who turned themselves into enemies today, we worked together in government.
“Anywhere I am, please be rest assured that Osogbo and Osun’s interests are covered.
“I was born in Ikare Akoko. It is surprising that a boy born in Ikare Akoko became a commissioner in Lagos and governor in Osun. That is the work of God. He used Asiwaju to lead me to the path of success.
“I thank God who brought me to Lagos through the assistance of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He is the architect of my success. I spent eight years as commissioner in Lagos.
“In 2004, we had a meeting in Badagry where we talked about how we will take over our states from the opposition party.
“Asiwaju Tinubu and other Yoruba elders directed me to come and take over my fatherland — Osun state. That it was my next place of assignment.”
[TheCable]
The governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, Thursday, met behind closed-doors with President Bola Tinubu for the release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the presidential villa, Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Mbah said he pleaded with the President for Kanu’s release as part of the national healing process, which he said Tinubu has already begun.
The governor expressed the hope that President Tinubu would give a favorable consideration to the request for the self-acclaimed leader of IPOB leader to regain his freedom.
The Enugu governor disclosed that he also appealed for the assistance of the federal government to explore the abundant mineral resources in Enugu State for the benefit of the people.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has accused the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of withholding N8.4 trillion meant for the Federation Account.
Chairman of the RMAFC Mohammed Bello Shehu leveled the accusation against the NNPCL in a statement by the commission in support of the recent removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shehu said the NNPCL withheld the money in the name of paying for subsidy.
According to him: “Since 1st January, 2022 to date, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has not been contributing to the Federation Account due to the claimed subsidy payments.
“The total amount withheld by the NNPCL as claimed subsidies for this period amounted to N8,480,204,553,608.13 as reported by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF)”.
Shehu added the N8.4 trillion being withheld by the NNPCL “is yet to be reconciled by the RMAFC, OAGF, and NNPCL”.
Shehu urged the Tinubu administration “to work out strategies that would cushion the attendant effect of the new policy and deterrent measures should be earnestly taken to bring to book all the economic saboteurs who have contributed to our national adversity in accordance with the extant laws of the Federation.
The Lagos State House of Assembly will soon make laws that will protect the interest of the indigenous people of the state.
This was made known by speaker, Mudashiru Obasa in his acceptance speech after his re-election as the leader of the house.
Obasa said lawmakers will go to any length in protecting the state indigenes even if it means reversing existing law, adding that laws passed by the assembly will now be translated into the Yoruba language.
“Lagos is a Yoruba land as against the assertions of some people that it is a no man’s land.
Therefore, part of our legislative agenda is to ensure the translation of laws passed by this House to the Yoruba Language. We also aim at achieving our collective goals of creating a robust legislative framework that protects the interest of our people.
Going forward in this wise, we are going to employ all legislative instruments for the support of the indigenes of Lagos. There would be laws and resolutions in the areas of economy and commerce, property and titles,” Obasa said
Recall that in the build-up to the February and March elections in Lagos, there were divisive statements made on and off social concerning Lagos politics.
INEC Ad-Hoc Staff Tell Tribunal Why Presidential Election Results Were Not Transmitted To IReV
AdminOn Thursday, two ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, testified against the electoral umpire before the Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja.
They were subpoenaed by the Peoples Democratic party and presented before the five-man panel of the court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani.
They explained in their testimonies why the presidential election results were not transmitted into INEC’s results viewing portal on election day as was the national assembly election results.
Their testimonies were taken despite stiff objections from the lawyers representing INEC, President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.
The respondents urged the court not to take their testimonies until they have thoroughly studied their statements on oath.
But the court held it would rule on their objections later while directing the PDP counsel, Chris Uche SAN to present his witnesses for the day.
Uche then called Friday Egwumah who testified that he served in Abia as one of the INEC adhoc staff.
He adopted his testimony on oath insisting that the election did not go as outlined by INEC.
Under cross examination by INEC, Egwumah told the court that with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS machine, National Assembly results were scanned and uploaded to the INEC Results Viewing Portal, IRev.
But for the presidential election which was conducted simultaneously, the witness said the BVAS could not transmit the scanned result sheet despite several attempts.
“At my Polling Unit, the election went well. I signed the result form, the party agents signed as well after which I snapped it with the BVAS machine.
“After successfully sending the scanned results of the House of Representatives and Senate, the presidential could not be sent.
“I now took the results signed by me and party agents to the collation centre,” Egwumah replied.
Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun asked the witness if he knew his role as ad-hoc staff of INEC.
The witness said he was aware of the role, adding ” I did not break any law or regulation when performing my duty.”
The second subpoenaed witness presented by the PDP was Grace Timothy, an ad-hoc staff in Plateau state.
She adopted her statement on oath.
Upon cross examination, she said the BVAS machine “did not transmit the presidential poll” but successfully transmitted that of the National Assembly.
After taking their testimonies, the court subsequently adjourned.
Recall that the PDP and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar are contesting the presidential election results declared by INEC in favor of Tinubu.
Atiku claimed he won by majority of lawful votes cast.
So far, he has presented over 10 witnesses who’re largely state collation agents.
The witnesses have claimed that polling unit results were either changed at ward level or altered at the state collation centre.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has apprehended a 31-year-old man, Benjamin Ufoh, on allegations of defrauding St. Augustine Seminary College in Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, of the sum of N425,000.
Ufoh was taken into custody by the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit following a petition submitted by the college’s solicitor, Sampson Ekigbo, to the state Commissioner of Police.
According to the petition filed by the school, it is alleged that the suspect approached the college’s Rector in November 2022, falsely representing himself as a staff member of a health company.
It was later discovered that Ufoh was actually a salesman for a marketing company with offices in Abuja and Lagos.
Under the guise of being a staff member of the health company, Ufoh convinced the Rector that he could supply cushion massaging machines to the college. Based on this representation, the college was persuaded to pay the sum of N425,000.00 to Ufoh for the purchase of the said machines.
However, subsequent to the transaction, the college neither heard from Ufoh nor received the promised machines. A letter was sent to the company in May 2023, but no response was received. Consequently, the college finds itself perplexed as Ufoh has absconded with their money.
The college’s lawyer pleaded with the Commissioner of Police to take the necessary action by apprehending and prosecuting Benjamin Ufoh, highlighting the potential threat his continued presence poses to Nigerian citizens who could fall victim to his fraudulent activities.
At the time of this report, the police command was in the process of arranging the suspect’s arraignment. Efforts to obtain a statement from Ufoh were unsuccessful as our reporter visited the SWAT office where he was detained pending arraignment.
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill mandating the inclusion of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in secondary school curricula across the country.
The Senate Leader, Ibrahim Gobir, sponsored the bill titled “Mandatory Inclusion of Preventive Measures on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence into the Curriculum of all levels of Secondary Schools in Nigeria Bill, 2023.”
The bill was passed at Wednesday’s plenary session which was presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.
Gobir said mandatory inclusion of the SGBV in school curricula, will alert secondary pupils to the risks associated with committing such acts.
While leading the debate on the bill, Gobir said “It is now important for authorities of secondary schools to include lessons on how to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in their curriculum for students,
“Compulsory inclusion of the SGBV in school curriculum will expose secondary students to the dangers involved in committing the act.”
He pointed out that making such mandatory would reduce the rate of SGBV, as well as further address child protection rights, rape, and harassment.
He said “It is cost-effective, timely, and sustainable. As it is said, a stitch in time saves nine.’ The bill, when enacted, will tackle the prevalent issues of the SGBV and will further address child protection rights and related issues such as sexual violence, rape, and harassment,
“To reduce cases of the SGBV and its related offense, experts have mentioned that individuals, groups, and systematic interventions should be implemented in schools and must include students, teachers, administrators, and parents’ participation.
“This is one of the systematic approaches to tackling this issue by early intervention by catching them young with this enlightenment which will also put our children on their toes to detect the red flags and be on guard. This will also avail them of the opportunity to referral pathways for reportage.
“The goal is to have at least 80 percent of all the participating students achieve satisfactory knowledge within 12 months of the rollout to each cohort. When they learn, they will pass on to their siblings, friends, and generations. This is a more sustainable systematic approach to solving this problem” he declared.
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The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 12 as a public holiday in commemoration of 2023 Democracy Day celebration.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, on behalf of the Federal Government.
While congratulating Nigerians on the occasion, Akinlade stated that the country’s democratic journey has encountered stormy and smooth sails, just like in many other climes.
She said, “But the ship of State, its institutions and most importantly, the Nigerian people have remained steadfast on the tenets of democratic governance.”
“On this memorable occasion therefore, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria are invited to appreciate the progress that has been made, celebrate the milestones covered and look forward to a better future for the country’s democracy.
“The Permanent Secretary wishes all Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day celebration, ” the statement added.
Nigeria crossdresser Bobrisky’s former personal assistant, Oye Kyme, revealed a shocking secret about him.
Oye Kyme who had parted ways with Bobrisky as his personal assistant, has called him out for sleeping with her every night despite being called his daughter.
She spilled the tea via her Instagram story in the late hours of Wednesday with a video of her and Bobrisky together where he referred to her as his daughter.
However, the Ivorian has revealed that the daughter-mother relationship is all a lie, as they were both involved in consistent intimate activities.
Watch the video below:
Media
A Federal High Court in Abuja has extended the order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), and Department of State Services (DSS) from detaining Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari.
Justice Donatus Okorowo extended the order on Thursday after Yari’s counsel, Michael Aondoaka, SAN, made an oral application to the effect.
The development occured following a plea for an adjournment moved by lawyer to the EFCC, Gloria Ogbason, and her counterpart representing the ICPC, Kemi Odogun, to enable them file their responses to Yari’s motion.
Upon resumed hearing in the matter, Aondoaka, informed that all the respondents had been served as directed by the court.
Ogbason, who acknowledged receipt of Yari’s processes on June 5, said they had yet to file their response.
“Therefore, we will be asking for a date since we are still within time to file my lord ” she said.
Corroborating Ogbason’s submission, Odogun, who said the ICPC was served on June 6, also sought an adjournment
“In accordance with the rules of this court, we are still within time to file and we intend to show cause my lord,” she also said.
Aondoaka said though he was not opposing their intention to respond to his application, he said: “We will only be asking for an order extending the order made on June 5 because the order was given by the court to abridge the time to show cause.”
The senior lawyer also informed that there was a proof of service of their application on the DSS, the 3rd defendant in the suit, though it was not represented in court.
Obasun and Odogun did not object to Aondoaka’s application for extension of the order.
Justice Okorowo, who adjourned the matter until June 27, barred the EFCC, ICPC and DSS from.detaining Yari until they appear to show cause in the next adjourned date.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated on June 13 after a proclamation by President Bola Tinubu.
Yari, the two-term ex-governor of Zamfara, had indicated interest to vie for the position of the Senate president of the 10th assembly.
Yari had, through his team of lawyers led by Mr Aondoaaa, filed the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ANJ/CS/785/23.
In the motion dated and filed on June 2, Yari sued the EFCC, ICPC and DSS as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.
In the application, the former governor prayed the court for an order, restraining the respondents, their officials from arresting, detaining and preventing him from attending or participating at the Proclamation of the 10th Senate by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on June 13 pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice.
In a 15-ground of argument given by the senator-elect, he said his aspiration to contest the position of President of the Senate had received overwhelming support from the general public and amongst distinguished senators-elect irrespective of party affiliations.
According to him, the support which the applicant has continued to garner across party lines has drawn consternation from some members of his political party, the All Progressives’ Congress (APC).
The party, he alleged , has resorted to using the respondents and their agents to harass and threaten to arrest and detain the applicant on trumped-up charges for the period leading to the First Sitting of the Senate when nominations and election of presiding officers shall be constituted.
“The respondents and their agents have threatened to violate the applicant’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution by unlawfully threatening to arrest and detain the applicant up to the period of the First Sitting of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 13th June, 2023, without a warrant of arrest and informing him in writing the reasons for the arrest and detention.
“The respondents and their agents violated the applicant’s fundamental human rights as enshrined under Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The respondents and their agents are mandated to operate within the ambit of their establishment laws, and to respect the fundamental human rights of the Applicant as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.
Yari said if the order was not given, his rights would have been breached by the respondents.
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has reiterated the readiness of his administration to partner with any stakeholder that would like to support in giving the children in the State better standards of living, regardless of political leaning.
Prince Abiodun who made this statement in Odogbolu Local Government Area, during the commissioning of Ultra-Modern Hall, donated by Old Pupils of St. Barnabas' Anglican Primary School, said his administration would continue to provide an enabling environment and necessary resources for anyone willing to support his education policy.
Governor Abiodun, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye said overtime, Old Students of Secondary Schools are fond of developing and contributing to their Alma Mater only and the gesture extended to Primary Schools by the Old Pupils would continue to make history.
Prince Abiodun, according to the Press Officer, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, Mr. Ayoola Obadimu, commended the strides of the Old Pupils, noting that their passions have significant positive impacts on the educational and infrastructural developments of the school and learners, as his government has been embarking on all it required to change the narrative of the education sector in the State.
He said, "part of our systematic efforts was the introduction of Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda (OGSERA), a digital approach at managing the curriculum design, funding, infrastructural development, teachers' welfare of our ever-growing population in the education sector".
Speaking, the Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, Hon. Shuaib Ladejobi stated that since the inception of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led government, education in the State had enjoyed tremendous transformation, noting that at the Local Government level has been supported through the donation of white marker boards, furniture and exercise books to the schools in his local government.
In his remarks, the National President, St. Barnabas Anglican Primary, School, Okun-Owa, Asiwaju Sina Ogunbambo said the gesture was borne out of the passion to invest immensely in the lives of the pupils, saying the hall could be used as an examination centre, centre for literary and debate activities and other extra-curricular events, appreciating the government for providing an enabling environment.
In her appreciative note, the Head Mistress of the school, Mrs. Adebola Akinsanya applauded the donors for supporting the government in providing a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning in the school.