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Category: News

  • DSS, Police raid Matawalle’s house, recover over 40 vehicles

    The Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Police on Friday raided the residence of former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, even as the Zamfara State Government has broken its silence on the raid.

    Hours after the raid, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara said operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and police raided the residences of Matawalle in Gusau and his hometown of Maradun.

    The party had accused the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal of witch-hunt, saying the immediate past governor ought to be charged to court if there is any issue against him.

    But in a statement on Wednesday evening, Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Zamfara Governor, Suleiman Idris, said government’s stolen property were recovered during the operation.

    “The Zamfara State Government has cleared the air on the operation of the Nigeria Police Force that led to the recovery of vehicles looted by the former State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.”

    “In the early hours of Friday, the Nigeria Police Force stormed the residence of the former Governor, where over 40 vehicles were impounded.

    “The Police acted on a court order and a search warrant was obtained for the operation.

    Recall that the Zamfara State Government communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his Deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five (5) working days.

    “We also lodged an official complaint with the Police on overriding public interest on wasteful looting of valuables including official vehicles.

    “Consequently, the Police sought a search warrant which was duly given by the court and hence raided Matawalle’s residence in Gusau, Maradun Local Government, and another unidentified hideout.

    “Over 40 vehicles were recovered including Three bulletproof vehicles and Eight SUVs.

    “We want to reaffirm our commitment to recover all that belongs to the people. Our common resolve is to rescue and rebuild Zamfara. Recovering the proceeds of crime and public assets is a critical part of our rescue mission.

    “We want to call on the people of Zamfara to remain calm as we continue to record massive improvements in the areas of security and the lingering water scarcity in the state.”

  • Court dismisses suit seeking Buhari’s tenure elongation 

    The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking the tenure elongation of former President Muhammadu Buhari pending when the presidential election petitions tribunal will deliver its judgment.

    The Plaintiffs had also sought an order from the court directing the former President not to hand over to President Bola Tinubu until the petitions at the tribunal are finally disposed of.

    They had also prayed for an order of the court directing the CJN not to administer the oath of office to President Bola Tinubu.

    At Friday’s proceedings where the matter was slated for mention, the plaintiffs and their counsel were absent from court.

    At the last adjourned date of 9th June, the plaintiffs were also absent from court.

    The court had ordered the registry of the court to serve the plaintiffs with the hearing notice. 

    Today,  the plaintiffs, having taken hints from the court’s previous judgments on cases with similar subject-matter, avoided the court, as neither they nor their counsel was present in court.

    The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that already the plaintiffs were duly informed about today’s proceedings, but they decided to run away knowing that their prayers were unconstitutional.

    The court noted that if the plaintiffs were present in court, orders would have been made against them. 

    The court subsequently dismissed the suit.

  • Internet Fraud: EFCC arrests 52 suspects

    Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 52 suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun.

    Its Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    According to him, the suspects are Olamilekan Ayuba, Ogundeyi Kayode, Abdulrahman Abiodun, Blessing Omokaro, Olasupo  Ridwan, Adetola Salau, Adeola Ideraoluwa, Victor Osikwemeh, Taiwo Ayobami, Eleshin Ademola, Ayomipo Adelere, Shogbesan Quadri, Sanni Qudus.

    “Others are: Olanite Oluwatosin, Olatunbosun  Alameen, Aderemi  Adekunle, Olawunmi  Tosin, Ayobado  Olatunde, Ariyo  Taofik, Olugbade David, Olumayowa  Adedayo, Aremu  Alabi, Akintosoye  Pelumi, Fatoye Akanbi and  Adio  Oyebanji.

    “Also arrested  are:  Adekoya Samuel, Adebayo Taiwo, Olawale Bayole, Emmanuel Benjamin, Omotosho Ayobami, Usman Boluwatife, Adewale Adeniyi, Obadina Olawunmi, Ashiru Abdullahi, Ahmed Mubarak, Idowu Kazeem, Olukoya Emmanuel, Yusuf Lukman.

    “The suspect also include: Agesin Eniola, Tajudeen Mustapha, Falola Olalekan, Usman Funsh, Bolaji Usman, Ayiyon Naoh, Mohammed Adeoye, Babatunde Seun, Afela Mustapha, Yusuf Habeeb Olanrewaju, Alao Ayomide, Oyeleye Uman Abduljelil Raji, Adeniyi Abdulmojeeb,” he said.

    He said that they were arrested during sting operations between June 7 and  June 8, following intelligence received by the commission about the activities of some individuals involved in computer-related fraud in some areas of the state.

    He said that items recovered from the suspects included mobile phones, laptop computers and cars.

    Uwujaren said that the suspects would  be charged to court after investigations are concluded

  • DMO bags 3 EMEA awards, recommits to innovative debt strategies

    Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO), has renewed its commitment to continue delivering innovative and comprehensive debt management strategies.

    In a statement signed by DMO’s Director-General Patience Oniha on Friday, the agency’s commitment to the fulfillment of its mandate has placed it on solid footing in the EMEA region and beyond.

    The DMO received three prestigious EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Finance Achievement Awards recently in London.

    While commending EMEA Finance for recognizing the work it was doing, she said the Office’s success has been down to its commitment to provide tailored debt management solutions to Nigeria.

    “As the DMO celebrates these remarkable achievements, it renews its commitment to continue delivering innovative and comprehensive debt management strategies, further solidifying its standing in the EMEA region and beyond,” she said.

    She said the awards are a recognition of DMO’s unwavering commitment to implementing effective debt management strategies in the emerging markets region encompassing EMEA.

    “The awards, bestowed by EMEA Finance, which is renowned in the emerging markets, highlight the outstanding performance of DMO in managing debt and optimising financial resources across diverse markets.

    “The accolades serve as a validation of the DMO’s tireless efforts in providing innovative solutions to meet the challenges of debt management in the ever-evolving economic climate.

    “Receiving these accolades mark a significant milestone for DMO, as it solidifies its position as a leading player in the field of debt management within the EMEA region,” she said.

    The three awards include: “Best Sovereign Borrower”; “Best Sovereign Bond in EMEA”; and “Best Local Currency Bond in EMEA’’.

  • We’re not currently recruiting, NBS insists

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that it is not currently recruiting.

    In a statement signed by its management, and posted on its website, the statistics bureau said the online publication purporting that it was recruiting was a ploy to mislead Nigerian job seekers.  

    “The attention of the Management of National Bureau of Statistics has been drawn to an online publication titled “NBS Recruitment 2023/2024 Job Application Form Portal” and hosted on https://recruitmentfile.net/nbs-recruitment/, purporting that the Bureau will soon commence recruitment exercise, and advising prospective candidates on the process for the recruitment.

    “The general public may wish to note that the publication did not emanate from the Bureau and that the content seeks to mislead unsuspecting jobseekers. It has therefore become imperative to refute the information.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Bureau would like to emphasize unequivocally that it is not currently recruiting.

    “The general public is strongly advised to be wary of any such job offer, particularly one obtained online, and to report such offers to the appropriate law enforcement organizations without delay,” the statement read.

  • EFCC arrests identical twins, 26 others for internet fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested identical twins: Potential and Takwan Peter and 26 others for alleged internet fraud in Calabar, Cross River.

    This is contained in a statement issued by EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Friday in Abuja.

    According to him, they were arrested on Tuesday, following credible intelligence linking them with suspected internet-related fraud.

    ”The other 26 suspects are Takwan Emmanuel, Kelvin Onedu, Evans Edwin, David Osuji, Osang Tony, Confidence Oblech, Uche Chinedu, Gabriel Kanong, Ojong Victor, Ephraim Ikechukwu and Shedrack Mfon.

    ”Others are Godswill Omini, Walter Opha, Godswill Iti, Moses Sha, Prince Uba, Anyi Bassey, David Disi, Peter Silas, Christian Uche, Chidindu Oforji, Kelvin Anyanwu, Anthony Ojone, Samuel Disi, Gideon Joseph and Ezekiel Francis.

    ”Preliminary investigations showed that while some of the suspects specialized in love scam, others engaged in fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretense.

    ”Items recovered from them include, several mobile phones, laptops, five cars and a wifi device,” the anti-graft agency said.

  • NASS Leadership: NGF endorses APC zoning arrangement

    The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has endorsed the zoning arrangement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the election of the presiding officers of the 10th National Assembly.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun said this in a statement by Rep. Tajudeen Abbas Campaign Team in Abuja after receiving a delegation of the Joint Task-10th Assembly.
    Abiodun said that he and his colleagues took the decision after an interactive session with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

    He said that during the meeting, Tinubu sought the support of the governors for the APC candidates to make the election easier for them.
    “It is within the right of the President to seek those that will make his job easier. He has decided in collaboration with the party that these are the people that he wants to work with.

    “All of us across party lines keyed into what the President told us. We had our meeting after meeting him and decided that we should support the President,” Abiodun said.

  • Road Repairs: Senate approves N6.7bn refund for Kebbi

    The Nigerian Senate has approved a payment of N6.7 billion to Kebbi Government as a refund for repairs carried out on Federal Government roads in the state.

    This followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts at Thursday’s plenary.

    The report was on “Promissory note and bond issuance as a refund to Kebbi State government for projects executed on behalf of the federal government.”

    The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Clifford Ordia while presenting the report, said that the committee recommended N6.706 billion as promissory note and bond issuance.

    He said that the amount was to settle outstanding claims and liabilities of the Kebbi government.

    Ordia said that the Senate had on Sept. 21, 2022, considered the report of the President on the “Establishment of a Promissory Note Programme and a Bond Issuance” as a refund to Kebbi and Yobe states.

    “It was for projects executed on behalf of the federal government.

    “The report was referred to the committee for further legislative action,” he said.

    Ordia said that promissory note programme and bond issuance was a financial instrument to clear federal government’s debt to other governmental and non-governmental bodies in various sectors of the economy.

    “Specifically, this promissory note and bond issuance is designed to make refunds to three state governments for projects executed on behalf of the federal government in the aforementioned states.

    “The communication has contained a request for approval of N18.6 billion for Yobe Government, N2.47 billion for Taraba Government and N6.7 billion for Kebbi State Government.

    “It will be recalled that the committee noted that it would resume the consideration of the outstanding request in respect of Kebbi as soon as possible.

    “Subsequently, on Nov. 23, 2022, the Senate considered the committee’s report on the promissory note programme for Taraba and Yobe for projects executed on behalf of the federal government.

    “The upper chamber then mandated the committee to re-invite Kebbi government to defend its claim before the committee within two weeks,” Ordia said.

    He said that the committee found out that Kebbi government completed all the projects for which it sought for refund.

    They findings he said are:

    “That the roads were constructed in line with the contract specifications and can stand the test of time.

    “That the projects were executed between 2006 and 2012 and are federal roads.

    “That series of inspection visits were carried out by the Ministry of Works and Housing on the federal roads completed in the state and it ascertained that the level of work had met required standard.

    “That the state government had paid all the contractors that executed the projects.

    “That the promised amount due for reimbursement to Kebbi State Government and reviewed by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) is N6,706,835,495.12 for the execution of federal roads.

    “That BPP had attained and classified that due process was followed accordingly.”

    Meanwhile, the 9th Senate had adjourned until Saturday for valedictory session.

  • 2023 Census expenditure not wasted – NPC

    The National Population Commission (NPC) has said the expenditure towards the 2023 National Population and Housing Census is not wasted.

    The NPC Federal Commissioner in charge of Delta, Chief Richard Odibo, said this during a breakfast meeting for media executives on Thursday in Asaba.

    Odibo said that former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the postponement of the 2023 Census earlier scheduled for between May 3 and May 7, commending the commission for the progress recorded so far.

    ”The expenditure so far on what we have been doing since 2013 is not wasted.

    ”Most of the items that we procured towards the census are all safeguarded at different state’s Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), states and local government offices.

    ”So much has been done and quite a lot has also taken place,” he said.

    Odibo said that the commission welcomed the decision of the Federal Government to postpone the conduct of the census.

    He said that the postponement would give the present administration the opportunity of making input into the process.

    ”The postponement has given the commission the opportunity to further perfect its processes and systems for the conduct of the first-ever digital census.”

    The commissioner said that the breakfast meeting was to update media executives on the status of the preparation for the 2023 Census as well as the step forward in light of the postponement.

    Odibo said that the commission had carried out all the preparatory activities for the conduct of the census.

    He said that enormous human and material resources were expended on the implementation of the basic preparatory activities.

    ”The processes and systems put in place for the conduct of the census are currently being reviewed to determine what needs to be done to ensure that preparations do not become obsolete.

    ”The focus of the commission is to ensure that all the resources expended so far are safeguarded and that the nation does not need to start all over when the current administration would have approved a date for the conduct of the census,” he said.

    Odibo said that the recruitment of ad-hoc staff was completed before the postponement.

    He further said that the commission had commenced training of personnel before the postponement of the exercise.

    According to him, a total of 13,814 enumerators and 2,846 supervisors have been trained.

    ”A total of 1,385 facilitators and 416 specialised workforce/quality assistants have also been trained.

    ”The commission has also trained 98 Training Centre Managers, 32 Data quality Managers, 26 local government training coordinators as well as 26 monitoring and evaluation personnel,” he added.

    In his remarks, the State Director of the Commission, Mr Patrick Lotobi, said that to ensure credible census, the state office had been carrying out advocacy campaigns across the state.

    Lotobi said that materials including generators, solar systems and jackets had been delivered to the state for the exercise adding that the commission was ready for the conduct of the census.

  • Democracy Day: FG declares Monday, June 12, Public Holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 12, a public holiday in commemoration of the 2023 Democracy Day celebration.

    This is contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinlade, on Thursday in Abuja.

    Akinlade, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians on the occasion.

    She said that Nigeria’s democratic journey had, like in many other climes, encountered both stormy and smooth sails, but the ship of state, its institutions, and most importantly, Nigerians had 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 to celebrate the milestones covered and look forward to a better future for the country’s democracy,” she said.

    Akinlade, therefore, wished all Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day celebration.