Supporters of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, have declared their intention to vote for the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, during the forthcoming April presidential election.
The supporters, under the aegis of Joint IBB Support Group,told newsmen in Kaduna through their leader, Kasim Idris Dodo, that since Babangida was no longer in the presidential race, they were now behind Buhari and would work for his success during the presidential election.
They said considering the fact that their trusted candidate, Babangida, was no longer in the race, they had resolved to support Buhari in the April presidential election.
“The decision of the group to support Buhari was taken after a wide range of consultations with Babangida and other stakeholders in the IBB campaign organisation.
“This decision came following series of dialogues and wider consultation both with IBB and his campaign organisation. It was unanimously resolved that we gather and publicly declare our support for General Buhari.”
The group believed that Buhari was the only credible, honest and patriotic candidate that can transform Nigeria by tackling the myriads of problems that have retarded the development of the country.
Monday, February 28, 2011
NNPC is not transparent, inefficient - Minister
The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is inefficient and lacks transparency in its operations. Speaking at the weekend in Abuja, the minister, who was represented by the Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, Mr Andrew Yakubu, solicited the support of all stakeholders to assist in entrenching transparency and discipline in their business dealings with NNPC officials.
She said, “it is our hope that all stakeholders and players in the industry will extend a hand of partnership in entrenching the transparent and efficient ways in which we now desire to do business by leveraging on the laws of the land. This will no doubt ensure accountability in the management of investments across the value chain.”
Former Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Remi Babalola, had recently reported that the NNPC was broke. The statement generated a lot of heat in the polity with the Finance Minister, Olusegun Aganga, denying the report.
The Minister for Petroleum said the ongoing reform in the oil and gas sector was to sanitise the corporation as well as the industry. “In order to entrench transparency and accountability in the sector, the government had embarked on critical reform in the sector,” she said.
Meanwhile, reports by independent auditors had earlier indicted NNPC of using its unique trading position to make profit in the country’s crude oil sale payments at the expense of the government between 2006 and 2008 which the audit covered.
The audit was conducted by British accountants, Hart Group and Nigerian firm, S.S Afemikhe & co and approved by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
The report recommended that the NNPC should be autonomous. “Restructuring of the NNPC should ensure arm’s length dealing between the NNPC and the federation,” the report said. It also said the NNPC is taking advantage of its position as both buyer and agent of seller (the government) to make profit at the expense of the federation.
She said, “it is our hope that all stakeholders and players in the industry will extend a hand of partnership in entrenching the transparent and efficient ways in which we now desire to do business by leveraging on the laws of the land. This will no doubt ensure accountability in the management of investments across the value chain.”
Former Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Remi Babalola, had recently reported that the NNPC was broke. The statement generated a lot of heat in the polity with the Finance Minister, Olusegun Aganga, denying the report.
The Minister for Petroleum said the ongoing reform in the oil and gas sector was to sanitise the corporation as well as the industry. “In order to entrench transparency and accountability in the sector, the government had embarked on critical reform in the sector,” she said.
Meanwhile, reports by independent auditors had earlier indicted NNPC of using its unique trading position to make profit in the country’s crude oil sale payments at the expense of the government between 2006 and 2008 which the audit covered.
The audit was conducted by British accountants, Hart Group and Nigerian firm, S.S Afemikhe & co and approved by the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
The report recommended that the NNPC should be autonomous. “Restructuring of the NNPC should ensure arm’s length dealing between the NNPC and the federation,” the report said. It also said the NNPC is taking advantage of its position as both buyer and agent of seller (the government) to make profit at the expense of the federation.
FCTA demolishes over 120 illegal structures in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it demolished over 120 illegal structures between December 7, 2010 and January 26, 2011in the bid to keep faith with the dictates of the Abuja Master Plan.
According to the administration, while another 176 illegal structures had been marked for demolition, 64 new demolition notices had been served on illegal structure developers.
Making the disclosure at the weekend while reviewing the activities of the FCT Development Control Department in his office, the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, disclosed that 37 shanties were removed around the FCT city while 94 stop-work and 107 quit notices were served on erring developers within the same period under review.
According to the minister, some of the buildings demolished under the mass housing programme include structures in Wumba on Plots 118, 119, and 120 as well as the over10 shanties that were removed in Mbora Districts.
Senator Mohammed said that 20 illegal structures in Dutse District around Apo Village in addition to more than 10 shanties were also brought down.
Other structures affected, according to him, were shanties on Plots 470, 468 and 1059, in addition to the nine illegal structures pulled down in Garki II District.
The minister further disclosed that the FCT Development Control has removed all structures on Plot 1290 Garki District developed for informal sector market by the Abuja Market Management Limited without building plan approval.
He said, “The Development Control has also cleared illegal settlements within Mabushi Village as well as market encroaching on individual plots 1669, 1668, 1666, 1805 and 938. An illegal structure being constructed on plot 760 Central Business District was also removed for attempting to build after revocation of title.
Some illegal structures were removed in Kubwa and Lugbe as well as in Wuye District in the Phase II of the Federal Capital City. Development Control has marked and re-sealed Plot 1059, Cadastral Zone B11 in Kaura District of Phase II due to development contrary to approved land use and building plan; while the foreman on site was arrested by the Police due to no compliance to notices issued.
According to the administration, while another 176 illegal structures had been marked for demolition, 64 new demolition notices had been served on illegal structure developers.
Making the disclosure at the weekend while reviewing the activities of the FCT Development Control Department in his office, the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, disclosed that 37 shanties were removed around the FCT city while 94 stop-work and 107 quit notices were served on erring developers within the same period under review.
According to the minister, some of the buildings demolished under the mass housing programme include structures in Wumba on Plots 118, 119, and 120 as well as the over10 shanties that were removed in Mbora Districts.
Senator Mohammed said that 20 illegal structures in Dutse District around Apo Village in addition to more than 10 shanties were also brought down.
Other structures affected, according to him, were shanties on Plots 470, 468 and 1059, in addition to the nine illegal structures pulled down in Garki II District.
The minister further disclosed that the FCT Development Control has removed all structures on Plot 1290 Garki District developed for informal sector market by the Abuja Market Management Limited without building plan approval.
He said, “The Development Control has also cleared illegal settlements within Mabushi Village as well as market encroaching on individual plots 1669, 1668, 1666, 1805 and 938. An illegal structure being constructed on plot 760 Central Business District was also removed for attempting to build after revocation of title.
Some illegal structures were removed in Kubwa and Lugbe as well as in Wuye District in the Phase II of the Federal Capital City. Development Control has marked and re-sealed Plot 1059, Cadastral Zone B11 in Kaura District of Phase II due to development contrary to approved land use and building plan; while the foreman on site was arrested by the Police due to no compliance to notices issued.
Govt evacuates Nigerians from Libya
The Federal Government has started evacuating Nigerians stranded in Tripoli. The first batch of evacuees, about 499 Nigerians, arrived in Abuja yesterday around 1.30 am.
Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Muhammad Sani-Sidi said the government has set up a camp to accommodate the returnees, until the necessary documentation and screening are completed.
Sani-Sidi said the screening is necessary to identify passengers without valid travelling documents and those with bad records.
Foreign Affairs Minister Odein Ajumogobia, who was represented by Timloh Nkom, said all Nigerians in Libya would be brought home safely.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the African Union (AU) to stop the ongoing abuse of human rights in Libya.
In an open letter to AU Chairman President Obiang Mbasogo, the group’s lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, urged the union to exercise its right under Article 4 of the Constitutive Act and intervene.
The group is seeking the following:
•That the AU intervenes in Libya to stop the violence against the protesters.
•That the AU refers the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and supports the initiatives at the United Nation (UN) Security Council in this respect.
•That the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights visits Libya to investigate allegations of rights abuses and refer the cases to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The letter reads: "Playing politics or remaining silent when the citizens of Libya are being murdered by their government will undermine the authority of the AU and its many institutions.
"It has committed itself to promoting peace and security in the continent and has a fundamental duty to assist people in danger. The old-fashioned theory of state sovereignty, used to fend off criticism of massacres, cannot stand under the terms of the AU Constitutive Act.
"Article 4 says the AU will intervene in respect of grave circumstances, namely: war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.’ Unless the AU acts now and stops the killing in Libya, its ability to prevent the kind of abuses cited above will be severely undermined."
Cocaine trial: Court rejects bid to free 3 accused
JUSTICE Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, at the weekend rejected a no case submission made by the defence counsel in the ongoing cocaine trial, on behalf of the third, fourth and fifth accused in the suit.
Justice Okon, while discarding the application for lacking merit, ordered the defence to open its case today.
According to the judge, “I have thoroughly and painstakingly examined the issues.
“A no case submission lacks merit and is hereby overruled.”
Meanwhile, chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, has renewed its pledge for diligent prosecution of drug barons in the country.
The helmsman of the anti-drug agency made the declaration, while reacting to a ruling on the application by the defence counsel in the ongoing 450.400kg cocaine trial.
Impressed by the ruling, Giade said it had sent the right signal to drug trafficking syndicates that the due process of the law must be followed in the dispensation of justice, adding that “this is commendable. The message is that every accused must justify their plea.”
Also describing the ruling as satisfactory, NDLEA director of prosecution and legal services, Mr Femi Oloruntoba, who is the chief prosecuting counsel, said that the prosecution was adequately prepared as trial continued.
“The ruling is satisfactory. Our prayer was upheld and we are ready for trial as the defence opens its case,” Oloruntoba said.
The NDLEA had argued that the no case submission be rejected and accused be allowed to open their defence.
The prosecution in the trial closed its case in December 2010, after producing 15 witnesses that gave evidence in support of the charges brought against the five accused.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the NDLEA, on Friday, arraigned three men on a two-count charge, in connection with 110kg of cocaine intercepted also at the Tin Can Island port Lagos.
The accused, who were arraigned before Justice M.B. Idris, pleaded not guilty to the charge and were ordered by the judge to be remanded in prison custody.
Following the objection of their bail application, the case was adjourned till tomorrow.
Justice Okon, while discarding the application for lacking merit, ordered the defence to open its case today.
According to the judge, “I have thoroughly and painstakingly examined the issues.
“A no case submission lacks merit and is hereby overruled.”
Meanwhile, chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, has renewed its pledge for diligent prosecution of drug barons in the country.
The helmsman of the anti-drug agency made the declaration, while reacting to a ruling on the application by the defence counsel in the ongoing 450.400kg cocaine trial.
Impressed by the ruling, Giade said it had sent the right signal to drug trafficking syndicates that the due process of the law must be followed in the dispensation of justice, adding that “this is commendable. The message is that every accused must justify their plea.”
Also describing the ruling as satisfactory, NDLEA director of prosecution and legal services, Mr Femi Oloruntoba, who is the chief prosecuting counsel, said that the prosecution was adequately prepared as trial continued.
“The ruling is satisfactory. Our prayer was upheld and we are ready for trial as the defence opens its case,” Oloruntoba said.
The NDLEA had argued that the no case submission be rejected and accused be allowed to open their defence.
The prosecution in the trial closed its case in December 2010, after producing 15 witnesses that gave evidence in support of the charges brought against the five accused.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the NDLEA, on Friday, arraigned three men on a two-count charge, in connection with 110kg of cocaine intercepted also at the Tin Can Island port Lagos.
The accused, who were arraigned before Justice M.B. Idris, pleaded not guilty to the charge and were ordered by the judge to be remanded in prison custody.
Following the objection of their bail application, the case was adjourned till tomorrow.
Robbers kill policeman, night guard in Ibadan
Suspected armed robbers, on Saturday, night, killed two people, a policeman and a night security guard, at Jakan area of Agbowo in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspected robbers were said to have wounded two other people, including a night security guard, who are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed private hospital in the area.
The policeman attached to Kajorepo Police Station, Jakan area, the Nigerian Tribune learnt, was not on duty when the incident happened.
According to a police source, he had closed for the day around 11.30 p.m. when he decided to see a friend who resides in the area.
He was killed in front of the house of his friend before other residents were deprived of their valuables.
The deceased policeman, not knowing that they were robbers, it was gathered, had introduced himself as a policeman and that he was coming from a friend’s house.
It was after introducing himself that the suspected robbers killed him and went ahead to kill the night security in the area.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that they later matchetted another night security guard and another person.
The robbers were said to have deprived the people of Irepodun Street of their valuables.
But for the quick intervention of policemen at Kajorepo, the Nigerian Tribune gathered that more people would have been killed and several others were deprived of their valuables.
When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta, confirmed the incident and said it was being investigated.
The suspected robbers were said to have wounded two other people, including a night security guard, who are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed private hospital in the area.
The policeman attached to Kajorepo Police Station, Jakan area, the Nigerian Tribune learnt, was not on duty when the incident happened.
According to a police source, he had closed for the day around 11.30 p.m. when he decided to see a friend who resides in the area.
He was killed in front of the house of his friend before other residents were deprived of their valuables.
The deceased policeman, not knowing that they were robbers, it was gathered, had introduced himself as a policeman and that he was coming from a friend’s house.
It was after introducing himself that the suspected robbers killed him and went ahead to kill the night security in the area.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that they later matchetted another night security guard and another person.
The robbers were said to have deprived the people of Irepodun Street of their valuables.
But for the quick intervention of policemen at Kajorepo, the Nigerian Tribune gathered that more people would have been killed and several others were deprived of their valuables.
When contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Adisa Bolanta, confirmed the incident and said it was being investigated.
CNPP knocks Jonathan over Bode George
Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), on Sunday, said that it was against best ethical tradition for President Goodluck Jonathan to have delegated the Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, to represent him at the event celebrating the release of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Bode George,from prison.
The group in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Osita Okechukwu, maintained that it was at a loss where to locate President Jonathan’s much publicised zero tolerance for corruption and in fact, his anti-graft crusade by his decision to send a representative to the event which it described as an obscene celebration.
According to CNPP, President Jonathan, from all intents and purposes, by the act failed woefully to defend the constitution which the group observed frowns at corruption.
The group in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Osita Okechukwu, maintained that it was at a loss where to locate President Jonathan’s much publicised zero tolerance for corruption and in fact, his anti-graft crusade by his decision to send a representative to the event which it described as an obscene celebration.
According to CNPP, President Jonathan, from all intents and purposes, by the act failed woefully to defend the constitution which the group observed frowns at corruption.
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