The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has sealed another
gigantic property allegedly belonging to Ex- Defence Chief, Alex Badeh on
Friday around Aminu kano Crescent, after sealing his house located at Wuse
zone II in Abuja some days ago.
This is even as a $2.8million building allegedly owned by one of his
daughters have been traced in Aventura, Florida by detectives who are
currently compiling properties owned by serving and retired military officers.
Over N1Trillion is alleged to have been found in the accounts of four
retired Generals, according to sources familiar with the probe.
The property said to be worth over N10Billion by Real Estate experts is
said to an office complex with a state of the art basement designed
specifically for Night Club.
As at the time the property was sealed by Operatives of the EFCC,
construction work was yet to be completed, sources told Pointblankews.com
Sources told Pointblanknews.com that the Federal Government might auction
all the properties seized from the retired military chiefs if found guilty
and use the proceeds to fund the 2016 budget.
It would be recalled that on the recommendation of the committee
established to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed
Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari
has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry
out further investigation into the misconduct established against the
following retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force and
Nigerian Army:
(1) Air Chief Marshal AS Badeh (Rtd)
(2) Air Marshal MD Umar (Rtd)
(3) Air Marshal AN Amosu (Rtd)
(4) Maj- Gen. ER Chioba (Rtd)
(5) AVM IA Balogun (Rtd)
(6) AVM AG Tsakr (Rtd)
(7) AVM AG Idowu (Rtd)
(8) AVM AM Mamu
(9) AVM OT Oguntoyinbo
(10) AVM T Omenyi
(11) AVM JB Adigun
(12) AVM RA Ojuawo
(13) AVM JA Kayode-Beckley
(12) Air Cdre SA Yushau (Rtd)
(13) Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi
(14) Air Cdre GMD Gwani
(15) Air Cdre SO Makinde
(16) Air Cdre AY Lassa
(16) Col N Ashinze
(17) Lt Col. MS Dasuki (Rtd)
Following the submission of the audit committee’s second interim report,
President Buhari has directed the EFCC to investigate the roles of the
officers and the following companies and their directors in fundamental
breaches associated with the procurements by the Office of the National
Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
(1) Messrs Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux
(2) Himma Aboubakar
(3) Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited
(4) Messrs Syrius Technologies
(5) Dr Theresa A. Ittu
(6) Sky Experts Nig Ltd
(7)Omenyi Ifeanyi Tony
(8) Huzee Nig Ltd
(9) GAT Techno Dynamics Ltd
(10) Gbujie Peter Obie
(11) Onuri Samuel Ugochukwu
(12) Spacewebs Interservices Ltd
(13)Oguntoyinbo Tayo
(14) Oguntoyinbo Funmi.
(15) Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd
(16)Chief Jacobs Bola
(17) Mono Marine Corporation Nig Ltd
(18) Geonel Intergrated Services Ltd
(20)Sachi Felicia
(20) Mudaki Polycarp
(21)Wolfgang Reinl.
Pointblanknews
On Wednesday, 27th January 2016, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello will assume duties as governor and chief security officer of the confluence state. His assumption will not only mark the beginning of a new era, but also end the decade-long political dynasty of certain section of the state.
Since its creation in 1991, the state has witnessed unprecedented political instability, socio-economic downturn, improvised by ineptitude of people who prioritise self-interest over state development.
There is no doubt that the incoming government will inherit a state with a severe and devastating structures, ranging from political instability, increasing wave of insecurity occasioned by decades of systematic neglect of army of youths in the state and wide spread poverty, infrastructural cum educational decay, accumulated debts and general loss of morality amongst other pot of challenges.
In spite of these alarming hurdles, the incoming governor still has numerous opportunities to overcome all the challenges which are even complicated by the outgoing Idris Wada’s administration. Yahaya Bello only needs to assemble competent team with well-articulated and all inclusive policy.
Politics of acrimony and ethnic rivalry in Kogi state
The task ahead of the God’s own-governor is indeed enormous but surmountable with diligence, prayer and diplomacy.
The history of politics in Kogi state has always been characterised with acrimony, manipulation and ethnic rivalry. Undoubtedly, the circumstances that led to the emergence of Yahaya Bello as governor-elect is still fresh in the memories of discerning Nigerians. The sudden death of Kogi born political “bulldozer,” Prince Abubakar Audu was responsible for his divine emergence.
His party painstakingly took a decision that was quickest, safest, cost-less, simplest and legally proven alternative. It was a decision that defied all human manipulations at that particular time. But this irreversible decision was greeted with a lot of controversies because of the persistence and long history of inter/intral-ethnic struggle in the state.
The incursion of south-west political godfather, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu into Kogi politics further worsened the already volatile political environment. His persistent struggle to impose his begotten-political-son, James Faleke as governor of the state has created yet another uncertainty in Kogi politics.
The all-round litigations filed by various interests group against Bello would for sure, have a negative impact on his administration.
In addition to multiple litigations which Bello needs to sail through by God willing, the current unresolved crisis in the state legislature would, of course, constitute another challenge for his government.
It also need be stated that his party has minority in the current state assembly with opposition PDP leading the leadership of the legislative arm of government. Even though, the current speaker is also from his constituency, he may still be faced with a strong opposition and clash of policy interest that require a lot of works to deal with.
The challenge of a troubled economy
About 25 years after the creation of this well-endowed state which supposed to be competing favorably with states like Lagos, River, Ilorin and others viable states in the country, the state has unfortunately, remained one of the poorest, according to resent survey. This is despite numerous human and material resources coupled with its strategic location, bordering nearly 10 states of the federation, including federal capital territory, Abuja.
In his recent parting message, the outgoing governor, Captain Idris Ichala Wada declared that his administration was “leaving behind N44.46 billion domestic debt and $35.7 million as external debt for the incoming government” without visible achievement.
Needless to say that I’m yet to see in any publication, whether the governor is also leaving behind any penny in the state coffer.
According to him, some of his major achievements are recent awarded N4billion contract of Ganaja flyover, the uncompleted Allo cement company, the yet to be completed ethanol factory in Banda among others. This is the height of ineptitude and misgovernance ever exhibited by a sitting governor in the history of Nigeria. He added that “about 85% of the monthly allocation goes into payment of salary.”
In his earlier statement, the governor said that the average total annual revenue accruing to the state from federation account and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was about N80 billion but that 90 percent of it goes into salary while the state is left with only 5billion.
It will be recalled that at the last count, the state workforce stands at Kogi Central Senatorial District, 4,069 (almost 11%); West Senatorial District, 6,519 (almost 19%); Kogi East Senatorial District 24,621 (about 70%) totalling 35,209.
In addition to the seemly empty treasury and accumulated unaccounted debts, the state governor is also leaving behind the lingering crisis between it and organized labour in the state. The labour leaders in recent time have asked the outgoing governor to account for the disappearance of about N2billion from the state coffer, but, Wada and his team are yet to provide a satisfactory answer to this allegation.
As such, correcting this comatose economy and social inequalities would require a diligence and diplomatic strategies which may take quit sometime to realise. The misfortune of former and outgoing administrations in the state will indeed have a great impact on Yahaya Bello’s administration. The expectations of the masses are high and the people are anticipating to see him wave his magic-stick and wipe out their tears caused by his successors. Though, the masses are not to be blamed as they have suffered untold hardship in the area of insecurity, dearth of infrastructure, alarming rate of poverty, unemployment amongst others, but they need to be patient and corporate with the incoming government to succeed as it takes long meticulous time to repair than to destroy.
Rising spate of insecurity in the state
Despite the claim by the Wada government that his greatest achievement was the restoration of peace and security in the state, available record show that the state is still beclouded with insecurity occasioned by frequent cases of armed robbery, communal crises, Kidnapping, assassination and youth restiveness in the three senatorial districts of the state. Recent reports revealed that major roads in and around the state have become hubs for armed robbers and hoodlums who jump out from the bush onto the road to attack unsuspecting travelers without mercy.
In Okene, Kabba, Ijumu and Ajaokuta for instance, banks are forced to close as early as 3pm every day and completely closed down during Yuletide period as armed robbers can freely invade the towns and raid the banks without assurance of security.
Recently, money meant for payment of workers in Adavi LG area were carted away in broad daylight at Ogaminana, Adavi LG area. During the last supplementary governorship election, hoodlums burnt down INEC office in Idah without single person announce to be apprehended. In Ibaji, Dekina, Okehi, Idah, Okene, Adavi, Ajoukut, Ijumu and Kabba LG areas, several people were assassinated within the period of four years of Wada administration.
In November last year, about 22 people were murdered by Fulani herdsmen in Dekina LG community while in April last year, TAO FM radio station was bombed by armed men and killed about 4 members of its staff at Kuroko, Adavi LG area of the state.
According to security sources, about 50 people were kidnapped since Wada assumed office in 2012. These include high court judge, Justice Samuel Obayomi; the American Missionary, Rev. Phylhis Sortor; Rector of Federal Polytechnic Idah, Mathew Akpata; seven Chinese men; the Oba of Apaa-Bunu in Kabba/Bunu LGA, HRH Oba Adebisi Obademi; the Bursar of Federal Polytechnic Idah; Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s mother, Hajia Hawawu Bello, two sons of Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker, Lawal Momoh Jimoh; the wife and daughter of the former council chairman of Adavi, Salihu Adaviruku and the younger brother of late Prince Abubakar Audu. The State Commissioner for Land, Housing and Urban Development, Hon, Stephen Maiyaki was among other numerous unreported cases. Yet, Wada, in his usual deceptive statement claims to have restored peace and security in the state despite these glaring evidences of acute failure in all aspects of the state which can be testified to by all right thinking Nigerians who pass through the confluence state.
The Golding opportunities:
While it’s undeniable that the 40 year old young entrepreneur would, by God willing, take over the leadership of over five million people of Kogi state, with numerous challenges, there are also numerous opportunities his Excellency can utilize to deliver his campaign promises and win the confidence of all Kogites within the next four years.
He can borrow a leaf from his counterparts like Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, and follow the developmental posture of the president Buhari administration. It is obvious that his party at the center will not see him failing and will support succor his administration to succeed at all costs.
Also in his favour, is his divine emergence that defied, and continue to defy all human manipulations by God’s willing. This alone shows that he has the guidance, beyond human making, to succeed, the state with little influence from political ‘bourgeoisies’ as he is not indebted to any political godfather in the state and at the federal level.
His experience in leadership traits which include: development, valor, fairness, fearlessness, hospitability, honesty, industriousness and gallantry would as well help him when effectively put into practice to navigate through all hurdles on his way.
Assembling sincere and knowledgeable and competent team will help him in tackling the challenges. He needs to explore numerous human and natural resources that abound the state.
As Kogi citizens are anxiously awaiting the ‘new direction,’ he must not fail the people. He must ensure that his policies and programs are driven by mass appeal. He must quickly develop a program to absorb the jobless youths who have constituted security menace to the state. He should not allow the litigations to distract his focus even as he should put faith in God. He should believe and trust that God who has brought him to limelight by His grace, would also protect him and make him triumphant in the end.
In an attempt to stretch a hand of fellowship, he must do that with one hand. In an attempt to run all inclusive government, he must do it with cautious. And, in an attempt to reconcile all aggrieved person, he must do it with long hand: that are precious words of advice to the God’s owned governor, his Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.
I wish him and kogites a very best of luck as they begin a new political era, come Wednesday.
Deen Adavize is a political analyst and ICT expert. He sent in this piece from Abuja, Nigeria.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on its members in the national assembly where it holds a minority position, to kick-start impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari.
The opposition party is also demanding the resignation of certain members of Buhari’s economic team.
The call for the president’s impeachment is coming on the heels of the senate President’s revelation on Thursday that two versions of the national budget found their way into the national assembly.
Senate President Bukola Saraki accused the President’s Special Adviser on National Assembly matters, Ita Enang of doctoring and mass producing a second version of the budget–completely different from the version Buhari tabled on the floor of the senate on December 22.
“The PDP National Working Committee rose from a meeting Thursday charging the National Assembly to commence impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari for the various constitutional breaches especially the submission of two versions of the 2016 budget”, the opposition party said in a statement signed by its acting national chairman, Uche Secondus.
The party said the National Assembly should thoroughly investigate the “shameful act, including the distortion and bandying of figures to accommodate their personal interest and ensure that appropriate sanctions are meted to whoever has a hand in the dubious action that has brought embarrassment to the legislative body”.
The PDP also asked the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma, to immediately tender their resignations “having failed to provide the much needed capacity in the management of the nation’s economy resulting in the embarrassing crashing of the nation’s currency to as low as N305 to a dollar”.
The party also called on the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to resign “for plunging the country’s currency policy into chaos; an action that has thrown investors into total confusion”.
“We sympathize with Nigerians who are seriously undergoing terrible hardship because of the now obvious inept leadership of APC despite the promise of one Naira to a dollar.
“What hope can a government that allows its currency to break a 43 year old record crashing to over N300 to one dollar offer and yet does not show it has clear focus of what to do,” the party said.
The PDP upbraided the “APC government” who “rather than address very grievous national issues created by its lack of capacity to govern has instead resorted to violation of peoples rights in the name of fighting corruption”.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has been voted Best Young African Footballer of the Year 2015 for his record-breaking feat at the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
It was a night of double honour for Nigeria as U13 star Oghenekaro Etebo was named the continent’s Promising Player of the Year during the award ceremony held in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
In the senior category, Gabonese and Borussia Dortmund of Germany star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was named Africa’s Best Player of 2015, effectively ending the four straight years reign of Ivory Coast’s talismanic midfielder Yaya Toure as the continent’s best.
Aubameyang polled 143 votes to narrowly pip Toure, who got 137 votes, to the awards.
Aubameyang, 26, becomes the first player from a German bundesliga club to be winning the award.
FULL LIST OF CAF AWARDEES:
AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Pierre- Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon)
AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR – BASED IN AFRICA - Mbwana Aly SAMATTA
WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Gaelle ENGANAMOUIT (Cameroon)
YOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Victor OSIMHEN (Nigeria)
MOST PROMISING TALENT OF THE YEAR - Etebo Peter OGHENEKARO (Nigeria)
COACH OF THE YEAR - Herve RENARD (France) – Former Coach of Cote d’Ivoire
REFEREE OF THE YEAR - Bakary Papa GASSAMA (Gambia)
NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR - Cote d’Ivoire
WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR - Cameroon
CLUB OF THE YEAR - TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
AFRICAN LEGEND AWARD
Charles Kumi GYAMFI (Ghana)
Samuel MBAPPE LEPPE (Cameroon)
Following their alleged lackadaisical attitudes toward their job, three principals and 23 teachers from different public secondary schools across Ondo State have been suspended by the state government.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the state Teaching Service Commission, Mr Francis Igbasan in Akure, the state capital, at the presentation of promotion letters to 2,500 teachers in the state.
He explained that during an unscheduled visit of members of the commission to over 72 secondary schools across the state, it was discovered that the suspended principals and teachers were not disciplined.
According to him, “the commission would not take the issue of indiscipline at work lightly again, the TESCOM of yesterday is different from the TESCOM of today. Any teacher or member of staff that is not serious at his or her duty posts would be shown the way out.
“This government is trying its best for workers of this state, so the workers too should reciprocate it with hardwork,” he added.
At the occasion, Governor Olusegun Mimiko announced that the commission had been directed to recruit 1,050 teachers.
Mimiko, who was presented by his deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo stated that the recruitment would be based on merit and that the recruitment examination conducted in 2014 will also be used.
It is urgently required for Nigeria to invest in explosives-detection technology for Maiduguri and neighboring cities. We can’t keep just talking and praying. We need bomb sniffing dogs, bees, mice and other biological organisms deployed across Maiduguri. We need explosives trace compounds testing kits to be used by Civilian-JTF and military for operations. Once precursors for home-made explosives are detected on random suspects’ hands, they can be interrogated and lead to their bomb-manufacturing bases ahead of the next deadly carnage.
While some of these things are expensive, we know many of the tools are quite cheap enough. Further, it is time for draconian measures against the National Assembly and reckless government officials who covet billions in borehole projects and buying newest model replacement cars for fleets only a year old, as the Senate leadership just did; and take this money to save lives in the northeast. Scrap that Senate as Senegal did for God sake and save Nigerian lives. Kit the army; kit the intelligence units, kit the Civilian-JTF. And as promised, keep the Army heads in Borno. There was a technical reason for that promise, your Excellency, if I must remind you. The family of 20 that were killed is never coming back. Their history has been wiped out. Where is our conscience as a nation that we play games and play politics and stoke-up and invite unnecessary sectarian strife at the beckon of mischievous foreign parties, than protect our citizens’ lives?
If indeed the war has been revised back from an insurgency to urban terror, then Nigeria should move ahead of the revision and not waste time talking. How many more lives need to be lost for us to catch up to and move ahead of Boko Haram? Enough talk. It is not by defining or redefining the technical details of the technical defeat of Boko Haram, nor by chatting with the media and defining what the media does or does not do that will save the invaluable lives of our dear loved ones. The media did its job perfectly fine during the Jonathan era in effort to save Nigeria’s north and the nation at large from total collapse under Boko Haram terror; and this job is what brought in this new government; we must never forget.
The media must advise and warn the people properly. Indeed I had to play my part as an advocate to warn the people inmy article, to stay alert and not be distracted by the political advertisement of victory of the government which borrowed from the notes of the Jonathan government. The risks of such careless advise are too grave to be continuously toyed with. Perhaps the people of Borno misunderstood the meaning of “technically,” and relaxed their security consciousness. Nigeria is not interested in publicity stunts. They got Jonathan nowhere. We want action, clue-full action. Over 100 lives have been lost in Borno and Adamawa states of Nigeria since Christmas. People like me and you; entire families have been wiped out. We must act.
As mentioned in my earlier article; we must know those behind and sponsoring Boko Haram and cut the links and execute the sponsors to end this saga and prevent the like. Killing and pleading for Boko Haram foot soldiers to surrender does not kill it. Who is doing this to us and why? Who pays the bills? Many of our Elite and politicians know. Arrest them! The Military, NSA and other security agencies should get out of Zaria sectarian and political issues and focus on Borno in terms of technology, manpower and proper intelligence. We need Boko Haram sponsors arrested and we need this now. We are not kids to think this thing lacks a head, nor are we conscience-less to think the heads can be pardoned.
Nigeria needs proper intelligence; proper tools and a professional military and intelligence command.
Dr Peregrino Brimah; @EveryNigerian
Tears flowed freely in Ketu area of Lagos on Saturday after a policeman, believed to be under the influence of cannabis killed three persons and himself.
The officer, whose identity was given as Stephen James, committed the act around a popular hotel in the area.
It was gathered that among the deceased were twin brothers identified as Taiwo and Kehinde Oyesunle and their friend known simply as Jeje.
Sadly, the twins were the only children of their mother.
Eyewitnesses said trouble started when the police sergeant with Force number 217884, threatened to shoot customers if they failed to buy him alcoholic drink.
Officer James, who was said to be a habitual smoker of marijuana, however, felt offended after the victims – Taiwo, Kehinde and Jeje – advised him to comport himself as an adult and a responsible policeman.
Angered by their utterance, the policeman reportedly ambushed and killed the three young men, who were in their early 30s, as they stepped outside the hotel premises where they had gone to celebrate Jeje’s birthday.
When the gravity of his act dawned on him, the policeman reportedly shot himself in the chest.
An eyewitness who gave his name as Segun said, “I was in the bar when the policeman first came in and threatened to shoot customers if they failed to buy him drinks. He boasted that he felt like killing someone today, but other customers and I pleaded with him.
“When the three guys walked in and sat, he went to them and threatened them too. But the guys told him to calm down that they would take care of him but he should comport himself as a responsible police officer.
“Nobody knew he took offence with their statement. The police officer shot the three guys one after the other as they stepped outside the hotel before killing himself. The whole thing happened like a movie,” he said.
The youths also wanted to burn the corpse of the officer, but policemen, who later got to the scene pleaded with them.
Policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of the Ketu Police Station arrived at the scene at about 5.30 pm to carry the corpses away.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joe Offor, confirmed the incident, said he had not yet received the full details of the incident.
DSP Joe Offor said, “The policeman was on duty at that hotel. He was attached to Mopol 22, Ikeja. He was drunk while on duty and he acted under the influence of alcohol.”
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State on Saturday berated yesterday’s announcement of Federal Government’s decision to reduce the pump price of petrol from N87 to N85 per litre, claiming that it is a continuation of the deceit propagated by All Progressives Congress, APC-led government.
This was as he dared the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to relocate to Sambisa in Borno state or move around in Yobe state without heavy military security if indeed he was sure that Boko Haram terrorists have been defeated.
The Governor, who spoke in a statement issued by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, stressed that “only God’s intervention can save Nigeria from the present economic and security problems as it is glaring that the man running the affairs of the country at the federal level does not have any answer to the problems.”
According to him, “Even the Holy Bible said in James 1:5 that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God and as it is, Nigerians must assist the President in asking for wisdom and understanding to tackle the country’s economic and security problems before Nigeria is further plunged into more woes with the federal government’s decision to borrow N2.2 Trillion, which translates to N6.066 billion per day to finance the 2016 Budget.”
Fayose, while describing the announced reduction of petrol pump price from N87 to N85 per litre as a continuation of APC government’s governance by deceit, said: “Even secondary school students of economics know that you cannot deregulate and regulate at the same time.”
He said; “it is only in a confused and clueless economy that government will plan to spend more when revenue has reduced by more than 50 percent.”
While predicting that petrol will not sell below N100 per litre in 2016, Fayose said; “Even now that the price is N87 and subsidy is yet to be removed, Nigerians are buying at between N130 and N300 per litre. What will now happen when they remove subsidy and allow market forces to determine the price?”
He further described Lai Mohammed’s claim that Boko Haram insurgents had been defeated as strange, saying; “Nigerians will only take the minister serious if he relocates to either Sambisa in Borno State or Yobe State and stay there till the end of March, next year without heavy military security.”
The statement further read: “To show their level of confusion, two days after the Minister of Information declared that Boko Haram had been defeated, President Buhari said the government would persuade Boko Haram to abandon their fight. One then wonders how the same Boko Haram insurgents Lai Mohammed said were already defeated will have to be persuaded to abandon their fight.
“Interestingly, the same Boko Haram that Lai Mohammed said had been defeated reported attacked Kimba village in Gur ward of Biu Local Government Area of Borno State yesterday night.
“Therefore, the Information Minister must show Nigerians how peaceful Borno and Yobe States have become after the defeat of Boko Haram by relocating to either Sambisa, Maiduguri or Yobe".
