02042019 - Military uncovers arms factory in Benue

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4—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 I ‘ll do my best for all Nigerians in 2nd term —Buhari By Johnbosco Agbakwuru A BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, assured Nigerians that he will put in all efforts to ensure the best for the country and her citizens when he begins a second term in office on May 29, 2019. President Buhari also said that he appreciated all those that voted for him in the election. Receiving the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council of Gidauniyar Jihar Katsina (Katsina State Development Fund) led by Justice Mamman Nasir at the State House, Abuja, Buhari said his campaign to all states of the federation was an eye opener. According to him, “Thank you for supporting me. I assure you that I will do my best in the second term. We will work for Nigeria and her people.” The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina said the crowd that welcomed his campaign train in each state was more than anyone can possibly “induce,” attributing the turnout of people as an appreciation of the efforts of his administration. In his remarks, the Galadima of Katsina, Justice Nasir, said the foundation returned gratitude to God and all Nigerians for giving Buhari the opportunity to serve another term in office. “We are most grateful to almighty Allah for bringing you back for another term in office. Our happiness and gratitude goes to Nigerians for electing you,” he said. DSS releases journalist, Jones Abiri ANigerian journalist, Jones Abiri, who was arrested on Saturday by operatives of the Department of Security Service, DSS, has been released. The Bayelsa-based magazine publisher was released, yesterday, from the secret police’s detention facility in Abuja, his lawyer said. “He has just been released around 2 p.m.,” his lawyer, Samuel Ogala said, adding that terms of the release would be disclosed later. The men who arrested Mr Abiri came in a Toyota Hilux truck. He was arrested in Yenagoa, the capital of his home Bayelsa State where he publishes his Weekly Source magazine. The DSS initially denied knowledge of the arrest, but those who were with him insisted the agency was responsible. No official statement had been issued to clarify the arrest, which comes months after the journalist was released from a prolonged detention. Abiri had been arrested in 2016 on allegations of blackmailing expatriate oil workers in the Niger-Delta. He denied the allegations, but was kept in custody until August 2018 when he was freed on a court order. He sued the agency and received damages for N10 million in the case, which has neither been appealed nor executed. Magistrates take turns to share courtrooms, Ag CJN laments By Ikechukwu Nnochiri A BUJA—ACTING Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad, yesterday, decried what he termed as enormous challenges facing justice administration in the country, noting that some magistrates take turns to share courtrooms. Justice Muhammad, in a keynote address at the opening ceremony of 2019 Refresher Course for Magistrates, held at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, in Abuja, said he was optimistic that the Federal Government would look into the issue of lack of modern court infrastructure in the country. He urged Judges and Magistrates across the federation to be patient, even as he implored them to eschew all forms of corruption in the discharge of their duties. He said, “As Magistrates, your appointment and powers confer jurisdiction on you to try both indictable and non-indictable offences not exceeding the limit of your jurisdictions. “It is trite that the greater bulk of criminal cases are handled by Magistrate Courts. It therefore, behoves on you to be guided by the ever-green principle of criminal jurisprudence on presumption of innocence. “By so doing, you will instil confidence in the public of securing justice in the courts. You must always remember that the overriding consideration in all criminal trials is for the Magistrates, the prosecutor and defendant to act fairly and honestly, so that justice must not only be done, but must be manifestly seen to be done. “In order to avoid causing untold hardship and injustice to litigants which may be occasioned by convicting and punishing an innocent defendant, you must subject every item of facts raised for and against the defendant to scrutiny. “Nothing is to be taken for granted, especially where the liberty of a citizen is at stake. Let me at this juncture reiterate that you should always adhere to the highest standard of integrity and moral rectitude. It therefore, goes without saying that corruption in any of its forms must be eschewed. “This is because it is antithetical to the judicial process and therefore, cannot be allowed to thrive if courts must exist. We are not unaware of the enormous challenges you face in your courts, such as lack of adequate modern court infrastructure. “Indeed some of you take turns to share courtrooms. There is also the challenge of security of your persons and your Court rooms. Despite all these, I want to encourage you to be patient and be committed to your duties." Audit reports indict Surveyor-General of multi-billion naira contract frauds, theft A troubling blend of questions bordering on corrupt practices, involving N1.4 billion in one case, and theft of public assets has been raised against the Surveyor- General of the Federation, Ebisintei Awudu, and his office, the OSGF, according N1.26trn assets registered with National Collateral Registry …20 aircraft registered Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief A BUJA—Moveable assets worth N1. 26 trillion have been registered on the National Collateral Registry, NCR, platform. They included 20 planes, owned by private individuals. The Registrar of the NCR, Alhaji Mohammed Mainasara, disclosed this while addressing Finance Correspondents on the activities of the agency in Abuja. According to him, a total of 65,370 moveable assets had been registered on the NCR’s portal as at March 20, 2019. The National Collateral Registry is a databank where security interests in moveable assets are registered for the purpose of being used as collateral to obtain loans from financial institutions. It allows borrowers to prove their creditworthiness and lenders to assess their priority interest in potential claims against particular collaterals. Mainasara disclosed that other items registered include 17,657 documents of title/negotiable instruments, 100 boats, 13 intellectual properties, as well as, two minerals (undisclosed). The rest were: 417 plants and machinery, 218 securities, 13,425 motor CONVOCATION: From left—Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Author Mbanefo and Pro Chancellor of UNILAG, Dr Wale Babalakin, during the UNILAG 50th Convocation Lecture in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN. vehicles, 1,582 farm products, 1,166 deposit accounts and 10,579 consumer/household goods among others. The Registrar added that 630 financial institutions had registered on the NCR portal. He gave the breakdown as: 21 deposit money banks (DMBs) 552 Microfinance banks, four Merchant banks, four Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), 34 finance companies; one non-interest bank and 14 non-bank financial institutions. The Registrar said that 165,456 debtors had registered on the portal. They comprised 157,077 individuals; 735 large businesses; 2,279 medium businesses; 3,457 micro businesses and 1,908 small businesses. He disclosed that two of the registered Development Finance Institutions attracted largest number of borrowers registered on the NCR portal numbering 114,894, with financing statements of N54.131 billion. Mainasara added that 21,144 borrowers were owing six non-bank financial institutions the sum of N84,651 billion. "A total of 24,318 women had been registered on the NCR portal with a combined registered value of financial statements against them standing at N45.183 billion," the NCR boss said. to audit documents reviewed. The audit reports, for at least three years, included a recommendation that OSGF should be investigated by the antigraft authorities and that the Accountant-General of the Federation should constitute an inquiry into the accounts of the office, according to a report by Premium Times. The reports, which though are interim observations requiring Mr Awudu’s explanations to the Auditor-General of the Federation, detailed observed contract frauds, as well as disregard for due process and accountability standards. When contacted, Awudu said that officials opposed to him and desperate to see him leave office were behind his travails. He then declined to comment on the allegations raised in the reports. He said the reports were interim and it was out of order for him to answer to journalists’ questions on them as he is only dutybound to offer his explanations to the auditorgeneral of the federation. He denied any wrongdoing. Between January and June 2018, according to the audit inspection report on the surveyor-general’s office, questions of fraud raised by the auditorgeneral’s office involved a sum of N1.4 billion, including N725.8 million reported to have been paid to three companies within one week without any evidence of service or contract rendered. The three companies included Altruinco Services Ltd., F.A Kassim Survey Associates Ltd., and M. Yahaya and Associates. According to the report, only Altruinco was paid on March 22, 2018, F.A Kassim was paid in three transactions in one day, March 27, 2018. Yahaya was paid in two different transactions, according to the report delivered in November 2018.
Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019—5 POCKET CARTOON Adeyemi, stressed the need for a genuine patriotic speaker to lead the 9th House of Representatives, adding that he was prepared to rally support for any aspiring speaker of the House that is prepared to ensure timely passage of budgets and maintain robust relationship with the executive to improve the fortune of Nigerians. ONNOGHEN AT CCT—Suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen (Front row) waiting for the resumption of hearing of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Utako, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. REPS SPEAKERSHIP: Our plans for 9th Assembly — ASPIRANTS By Clifford Ndujihe, Acting Political Editor, Henry Umoru, Emman Ovuakpore, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Olayinka Ajayi & Luminous Jannamike MAJORITY Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, have more hurdles to scale in his quest to become the speaker of the 9th House. This emerged, yesterday, as some aspirants, in separate chats with Vanguard unveiled their agenda. One of those who spoke to Vanguard on his plans is Mr. Olusegun Odebunmi, a third timer representing Surulere/ Ogoluwa Federal Constituency of Oyo State, who hails from the same South-West zone as Gbajabiamila. Indeed, to get the support of their colleagues in the ongoing posturing for the speakership of the House of Representatives, six of the 17 lawmakers angling for the top seat have told Vanguard why they are the best for the job in separate interviews. Members-elect, who shared their plans with Vanguard and what they would do differently, if elected in June include Femi Gbajabiamila, Ado Doguwa, Nkeiruka O n y e j e o c h a , , Abdulrazaq Namdas, and Bago. They spoke as Senate President Bnukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara urged members-elect to protect the independence of the legislature, adding that the National Assembly is not designed to work for the executive and judiciary. Saraki said the independence of the legislature was not negotiable, noting that despite the posturing of political party leaders, the lawmakers, themselves, will at the end of the day choose their leaders. Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has urged the lawmakers to ensure regional and religious balance in the election of the principal officers. Indeed, the memberelect for Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Alhaji Tajudeen NASS not designed to work for Executive, Judiciary – Dogara Speaking at the opening ceremony of the orientation programme for members-elect of the 9th Assembly in Abuja, Dogara said the legislature was not designed to be subservient to the Executive or Judicial arms of government in the discharge of its duties. He said the three arms of government are rather created to work in tandem as partners to achieve democratic growth and development in Nigeria. He, therefore, urged the members not to be deterred by the oaths that would be administered on them but muster courage even in the face of adversity and challenges to work for the country. According to him, as representatives of the people, the lack of courage would translate to no service for the people. He said: “Now let me say something about the National Assembly that we may not learn in the course of the lectures that will be delivered. I have said that the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly require people of courage. Very soon, we, Calls on FG to allocate oil wells to states (1) members-elect of the National Assembly, whether distinguished senators and members of the House of Representatives, will be required to take an oath of office. “But we must always remember that our democracy is organised in such a way that it is made to be driven by consensus. Where consensus fails, it is always the prerogative of the Parliament or the National Assembly to go first, in the sense that when it comes to bills for instance, even where the President has vetoed the bill, if the National Assembly can muster two third of its members, they can override the bill. “And so, with regard to appropriation, no monies will be appropriated or spent in the absence of express legislative authorisation. That means the budget is the work of the National Parliament. So this work, of course, requires courage. “And we must always remember that as elected members of the National Assembly, let us do the work of the National Assembly. We are meant, as the first institution of democracy, to work with the Executive and the Judiciary. It was never designed that the National Assembly will work for the Executive or work for the Judiciary. “That is the aspect that I want all of us to pay attention to as we take oath as members of the National Assembly. We should know that it is about courage. It has been said that internal vigilance is the price for liberty. If liberty must be preserved in Nigeria, it’s because there is an institution that is internally vigilant. That institution has always been the institution of the National Assembly.” Why we need a patriotic speaker – Adeyemi Speaking on the raging tussle for the speakership, Alhaji Tajudeen Adeyemi, also known as Small Alhaji said he was prepared to rally support for any aspiring speaker of the House that is prepared Continues on Page 40 By Bose Adelaja, Ebun Sessou, Yinka Latona, Chiamaka Uba & Dickson Omobola It’s a welcome development. I must commend those who made the calls because it will boost the internallygenerated revenue of each state and will enable state governors to pay workers' salaries on time without excuses. In addition, it will brighten each state's business potentials. Mr. Lawal Afeez Lekan Activist Will the allocation oil wells to states solve the corruption in the oil sector? The core mandate is for the Federal Government to put the right people in the right places. Nigerians do not buy petrol at affordable price because of the price of oil at the international market. Buhari should drop the portfolio of being the Petroleum minister because he has failed. Mr. Ishowo Olanrewaju Analyst As much as I feel such resources should be managed by the central government, allocating oil wells to states will boost the economy of the states thereby making them independent of the federal government to some extent. Mr.Oluyemi Fasipe Social Media Influencer It's better than allocating to privileged individuals or companies owned by the elite. It becomes meaningless except such allocations to states are controlled and managed by the communities, the working class and the profit dedicated to agreed projects like free education, health, and capacity development of citizens. If not, corrupt governors who diverted bailout funds will be richer, more corrupt and dictatorial. Comrade Adeola, Soetan Human rights activist The proposal to allocate oil wells to states is a welcome one as it will give the federating states a measure of financial autonomy and cut the undue dependence on Abuja. My caveat is: How would the funds be managed by the states? Mr. Bankole Akinwumi Public Servant The proposed allocation of oil wells to states is a welcome development. Majority of Nigerians have always criticised previous governments for creating non- productive and emergency billionaires through allocation to cronies and friends. But with this, state governments woud be self-sufficient and provide more needed infrastructure for the rapid development of the country. Mr. Oluwashina Ishola Tourism promoter
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02042019 - Military uncovers arms factory in Benue

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