NDDC: Buhari speaks on unfolding drama, orders coordinated investigation

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July 17, 2020

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday broke silence over the ongoing unfolding drama over the probe of the budgetary allocations to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Speaking for the first time on the attacks and counter attacks between and around persons, institutions, and the commission, Buhari expressed his strong determination to get to the root of the problem undermining the development of the Niger Delta and its peoples in spite of enormous national resources voted year after year for this singular purpose.

The President directed that there should be better coordination among security and investigating agencies with the National Assembly to ensure that his administration’s effort to bring sanity, transparency and accountability to the management of the large amount of resources dedicated to development of the Niger Delta sub-region is not derailed.

According to him, auditing firms and investigative agencies working in collaboration with National Assembly Committees to resolve the challenges in NDDC must initiate actions in a time-bound manner and duly inform the Presidency of the actions being taken.

The President also directed timely sharing of information and knowledge in a way to speedily assist the administration to diagnose what had gone wrong in the past and what needs to be done to make corrections in order to return NDDC to its original mandate of making life better for people in Niger Delta.

Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the administration wanted to bring about “rapid, even and sustainable development to the region.”

The President gave firm assurance that his administration would put in place a transparent and accountable governance framework, not only in NDDC but in all other institutions of government.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Sanity, Transparency, Accountability Will Return to NDDC, Buhari Assures

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B.O.B Echoload

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July 16, 2020

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Buhari attends Virtual Flag-Off of Construction Phase of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project in State House on 30th June 2020 4 — File photo: President Buhari at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday broke silence over the ongoing unfolding drama over the probe of the budgetary allocations to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Speaking for the first time on the attacks and counter attacks between and around persons, institutions, and the commission, Buhari expressed his strong determination to get to the root of the problem undermining the development of the Niger Delta and its peoples in spite of enormous national resources voted year after year for this singular purpose.

The President directed that there should be better coordination among security and investigating agencies with the National Assembly to ensure that his administration’s effort to bring sanity, transparency and accountability to the management of the large amount of resources dedicated to development of the Niger Delta sub-region is not derailed.

According to him, auditing firms and investigative agencies working in collaboration with National Assembly Committees to resolve the challenges in NDDC must initiate actions in a time-bound manner and duly inform the Presidency of the actions being taken.

The President also directed timely sharing of information and knowledge in a way to speedily assist the administration to diagnose what had gone wrong in the past and what needs to be done to make corrections in order to return NDDC to its original mandate of making life better for people in Niger Delta.

Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the administration wanted to bring about “rapid, even and sustainable development to the region.”

The President gave firm assurance that his administration would put in place a transparent and accountable governance framework, not only in NDDC but in all other institutions of government.

Idowu Sowunmi

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[Video] NDDC Drama: How Governor Wike rescued Joy Nunieh from arrest

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 16, 2020

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, allegedly rushed into the Port Harcourt residence of a former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh, to rescue her from a purported house arrest following alleged police invasion of the house.

Nunieh was billed to testify before the House of Representatives committee on Niger Delta, who are probing public fund embezzlement in billions of Naira.

Video Credit: BBC Pidgin

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Mali Crisis: Jonathan arrives Bamako, optimistic of positive results

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 16, 2020

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Former president Goodluck Jonathan has arrived Bamako in Mali, expressing optimism that the current crisis in the West African country would be resolved in no time.

Jonathan was appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a Special Envoy to lead the sub-regional body’s mediation mission in Mali.

Ex-President of the Feral Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan arrives Bamako with his entourage ahead of peace talks to save the troubled nation of Mali.

His appointment was communicated to him in a letter signed by the President of ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.

“Given your position as the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the great role and contributions your tenure offered to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in our region, I have the honour, in consultation with the Chair of the Authority, H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger, to communicate to you, the decision to appoint you as ECOWAS Special Envoy for the socio-political crisis in Mali,” the letter read.

The former president is to engage in consultations with all relevant stakeholders involved in the ongoing dispute in Mali to ensure that a common ground is found in the search for peace.

As a Special Envoy, Jonathan is expected to facilitate dialogue with all principal stakeholders in Mali, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, opposition leaders, civil society as well as religious leaders among others.

Speaking shortly his arrival in Bamako, Jonathan said: “I arrived Bamako Wednesday evening with my delegation to begin my assignment as leader of ECOWAS peace mission to Mali.

“I’m optimistic that our mission will yield positive results.

“Our message of peace and progress has so far been well received by stakeholders.”

Idowu Sowunmi

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NDDC Drama: Pondei walks out on Reps as Wike rescues Nunieh from arrest

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 16, 2020

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6400C9AA-E314-4273-9E0D-9B567A37000C — Acting Managing Director of Interim Management Committee (IMC) for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Kemebradikumo Pondei

Acting Managing Director of Interim Management Committee (IMC) for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Kemebradikumo Pondei, and his team Thursday in Abuja walked out on the members of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC.

This was coming as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, allegedly rushed into the Port Harcourt residence of a former NDDC Managing Director, Joy Nunieh, to rescue her from a purported house arrest following alleged police invasion of the house.

Pondei and the team, while addressing the committee members, said they were not prepared to make any presentation before the lawmakers.

The Acting Managing Director raised objections that the Chairman of House Committee on NDDC, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, presiding over the investigative hearing, could not preside over a matter in which he’s an accused.

Members of the committee, including Benjamin Kali, Ben Ibakpa and Shehu Koko, told the Acting MD that since there was no document before them, he’s constitutionally bound to answer their queries.

While members were still making contribution on the issue, Pondei sought permission to leave and walked out before the committee could grant or reject his request.

Furious members of the Committee accused the Interim Management Committee of trying to frustrate legislative functions and ordered a warrant of arrest be issued against him.

The Committee also unanimously passed a vote of confidence on its Chairman.

Meanwhile, Wike was said to have arrived Nunieh’s house, which was surrounded by over 15 armed policemen in the early hours of Thursday.

The governor allegedly bulldozed his way into the building and took the embattled ex-NDDC managing director to the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Nunieh was supposed to be in Abuja on Thursday to testify before the ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating alleged corruption in NDDC.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Nigeria’s Air Task Force hits terrorists’ camp with devastating airstrikes in Borno

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 16, 2020

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IMG_20200716_140406 — Aerial view of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp in Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria, captured by Air Force fighter jets, July 15, 2020. Credit: Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.

The Air Task Force of Nigerian Military Operation Lafiya Dole yesterday July 15, 2020 destroyed a Boko Haram Terrorists’ (BHTs’) Camp and killing several fighters belonging to the group during massive air strikes executed at Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria.

The air strike operation was on Tuesday disclosed in a statement by the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General, John Enenche, who stated that the operation was carried out after receiving human intelligence reports that confirmed the raided settlement was one of the locations used by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) to launch attacks against Nigerian troops and villages around Kumshe area.

According to the defence chief noted that aerial surveillance missions also confirmed the heavy presence of a large number of BHTs in the settlement, some of whom were seen slinging their rifles.

“The Air Task Force therefore launched coordinated attacks on the various targets within the settlement, employing an enhanced force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships.

“The attack aircraft took turns in engaging the designated locations within the settlement, scoring devastating hits which led to the destruction of several structures, including the Communication Centres, as well as the neutralization of several terrorists”, Major General Enenche said.

Enenche further disclosed that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commended the Air Task Force team for their dedication, dexterity and professionalism.

“The Defence Headquarters equally urges them to intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country”, Major General Enenche added.

Defence Headquarters believes that the successful air strike operation is In continuation of the sustained offensive against terrorist elements in the North-East of the Country.

Photos:

Aerial view of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) camp in Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State, Nigeria, captured by Air Force fighter jets, July 15, 2020. Credit: Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria.

By Tobiloba Kolawole

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CBN demands power to freeze accounts linked to criminals; credit tribunal

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 16, 2020

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CBN-Governor-Godwin-Emefiele — Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Wednesday demanded statutory powers from the Nigerian Senate to enable freeze bank accounts that are linked to criminal suspects.

This demand was made on behalf of CBN by the Director, Legal Services, Mr Kofo Salam-Alade, who appeared before a Senate Committee Hearing for a new Act seeking to replace the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) of 2004.

The lawmakers have commenced the process of repealing/replacing BOFIA 2004 with the re-enactment of BOFIA 2020. However, a particular omission in the new bill has the CBN worried.

In his presentation to the committee, Salam-Alada pointed out that the new BOFIA bill has ‘inadvertently’ omitted a clause that should normally grant the CBN Governor the power to freeze any bank accounts linked to criminals, subject court order.

In 2004, the BOFIA Act had contained this clause. However, the new bill seeking to re-enact BOFIA does not have it. Interestingly, this new bill has passed its second reading at the senate, meaning that it could soon become law.

According to Salam-Alade, the clause should be re-introduced into the new BOFIA bill in order not to frustrate the CBN’s fight against fraud and other financial crimes.

“This omission erodes the powers of the CBN and creates a huge gap in the regulatory and resolution framework. Therefore, we propose that the extant provisions should be reinstated,” Salam-Alada argued.

Also, the CBN director called on the lawmakers to consider the creation of a credit tribunal saddled with the responsibility of addressing persistent issue of non-performing loans in the banking sector.

Salam-Alada explained that such tribunal will fast-track the recovery of loans from banks and other financial institutions through the enforcement of rights over collaterals.

“As part of measures to address the role of nonperforming loans, we propose the creation of a credit tribunal. The overarching objective is to create an efficient regime for the recovery of eligible loans of banks and other financial institutions and enforcement of rights over collateral securities.

“Several new types of licensed institutions have entered the Nigerian financial services sector since the enactment of the 1991 Act. These include the non-interest banks, credit bureaux, payment system service providers, among others. There is a compelling need to introduce new provisions in the bill to address the unique peculiarities of these institutions”, he said.

As a matter of importance to the Apex bank, Salam-Alade also raised the issue of intervention, pointing to the committee the omission of power granted the CBN to intervene and rescue a failing bank in the new BOFIA bill.

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Buhari, Aisha mourn first female NAF combat helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 15, 2020

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President Muhammadu Buhari and First Lady, Aisha, have mourned the passing of Flying Officer Tolulope Oluwatoyin Sarah Arotile, who died in a road accident in Kaduna.

Late Arotile died on July 14 at the age of 24, when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate while trying to greet her. She died as a result of head injuries sustained from the incident.

Born on December 13, 1995 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Akintunde Arotile in Kaduna, late Arotile hailed from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Flying Officer Arotile was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on September 16, 2017 and held a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

She was winged as the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force on October 15, 2019, after completing her flying training in South Africa. She held a commercial pilot licence and also underwent tactical flying training on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy.

Incidentally, late Arotile introduced the newly acquired Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to Buhari during the induction ceremony at Eagle Square in Abuja on February 6, 2020.

Before her untimely death, she made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the Country, flying several combat missions.

She joined the Nigerian Air Force out of passion for the job.

According to her, “I joined the military simply out of passion for it. Being a military personnel has been a long time ambition, the carriage and what it stands for are simply exceptional.”

Condoling with the family on loss of such a promising officer, whose short stay on earth impacted greatly on the nation, especially in peace and security, the President saluted Arotile’s bravery in the field to protect the country from onslaught of bandits and terrorists.

He assured that her memory would be indelible, and her efforts remembered.

Buhari commiserated with the Nigerian Air Force, airmen, airwomen and all friends of the deceased, recalling her deft skills in manoeuvring combat helicopters, which he had physically witnessed with pride.

The President sympathised with government and people of Kogi State on the loss.

Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, prayed God to receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family she left behind.

Also, First Lady said of late Arotile: “It’s with a heavy heart that I received the news of the demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first female Nigerian Airforce Combat Helicopter Pilot.

“I condole with the family of Flying Officer Arotile, the Nigerian Airforce and the country over this irreparable loss.

“The deceased was an intelligent young woman, a huge potential, a representative of both Nigerian women and youth, and what they could achieve.”

Late Arotile attended Air Force Primary School, Kaduna from 2000 to 2005 and Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna between 2006 and 2011 before she later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as a member of 64 Regular Course on 22 September 2012.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Court jails Ex-NIMASA ED, Agaba 7 years imprisonment for Laundering N1.5bn

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 15, 2020

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NIMASA Ezikiel — Former Executive Director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba found guilty of money laundering to the tune of N1.5 Billion.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced a former Executive Director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba, to seven years in prison for laundering the sum of N1.5 billion.

Justice Ibrahim Buba handed down the sentence on Wednesday, after convicting the former NIMASA ED.

In 2015, the EFCC had alleged that the convict while serving as the ED in charge of Maritime, Safety and Shipping, fraudulently conspired with the then-Director General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, to obtain the huge sum by false pretence from the Federal Government after which it was fraudulently converted.

In June 2019, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos also sentenced the former Director-General of the agency, Calistus Obi, to seven years in prison or a N42 million fine.

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun gave the sentence on June 3, following allegations of fraud to the tune of N136 million.

Another former Acting Director-General of NIMASA, Haruna Baba-Jauro, also faced trial in 2019 on 19 counts bordering on theft, fraudulent conversion of NIMASA’s property to their private use and money laundering of N304 million.

Baba-Jauro assumed leadership of the agency after the tenure of Patrick Akpobolokemi.

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President Buhari hits EFCC with a purge, suspends Secretary Olukoyede, 11 others

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 15, 2020

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EFCC Headquarters Olukoyede — Executive Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended about 12 senior officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, P.M News reports.

The notice of suspension was communicated to the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Mohammed Umar, on Tuesday night by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The suspension of the about 12 senior officials is connected to the probe of alleged atrocities committed under the leadership of Ibrahim Magu, the disgraced and suspended Chairman of the EFCC.

According to P.M News, sources close to the presidency disclosed on Tuesday night that the executive secretary of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede was not spared the sweeping suspension at the agency.

P.M News, the Nigerian newspaper reported that a source said: “they were suspended for various alleged criminal and corrupt infractions”, so as to not compromise ongoing investigations into alleged corruption leveled against the officials.

“All the top officials in the agency have been suspended, their offices locked, to prevent any tampering with files at the commission”, the source added.

President Buhari suspended Ibrahim Magu, the former acting chairman of the agency last week and appointed the director of operations, Mohammed Umar Abba, to lead the agency in acting capacity.

It was said that Umar was spared the sweeping suspension because he was not culpable in the alleged criminal dealings leveled against Magu and some senior officers.

Following his confirmation by the Senate in November 2018, Olukoyede was appointed the Secretary to the EFCC.

The senior member of the Nigerian Bar Association was first a chief of staff to Magu, and later ascend to the position of Secretary of the EFCC after the five-year tenure of Emmanuel Aremo expired in July 2018.

The former acting chairman of the agency is facing for the second week, grilling by the presidential panel headed by Justice Ayo Salami, over financial allegations and improprieties, including money laundering.

He is facing tough questioning over allegations that he re-looted funds recovered by the commission. And that he accepted bribes to pervert cases of graft.

He is also accused of mismanagement of recovered assets by the EFCC.

Among the issues Magu is helping the panel to resolve are wide discrepancies in figures of recovered monies published by the agency.

The panel has also asked him to react to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit(NFIU) report accusing him of siphoning money from the EFCC.

NFIU report showed that a particular Bureau de Change, owned by Ahmed Ibrahim Shanono linked to the Acting Chairman based in Kaduna has more than 158 accounts and has been receiving huge sums of funds.

The report also accused Magu of laundering money through Pastor Emmanuel Omale of Hand of God Prophetic Ministry.

Omale was alleged to have bought a landed property on behalf of Magu worth N573 million in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“Another individual who is helping in laundering funds for the Acting Chairman and who has been referred to in several petitions is one Pastor Emmanuel Omale (Hand of God Prophetic Ministry)” a source quoted by P.M News stated.

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