25112020 - Selfish Northerners opposing restructuring, says el-Rufai

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C M Y K 6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 Gunmen kidnap secondary school teacher in Delta By Perez Brisibe ABRAKA—A female teacher at Erho Secondary School, Abraka in Ethiope East local government area of Delta State, was Monday evening, abducted by gunmen. The victim, identified as Mrs Ojoboh is the wife of a lecturer with the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Dr Sunny Ojoboh. Though details of how she was abducted were still sketchy, some sources disclosed that she was waylaid and abducted close to her shop located along Old Eku-Abraka road by the FSP junction in the town. According to an eye witness, the hoodlums shot sporadically into the air before whisking the victim away in their car. They also went away with her Lexus Jeep. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the hoodlums zoomed off towards Eku with their victim. When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onowakpoyeya, confirmed the incident but failed to give details on how it happened. Two to die by hanging for armed robbery in Ekiti ADO-EKITI—AN Ekiti State High Court, yesterday, in Ado Ekiti sentenced two persons, Adekunle Osho (31) and Chinedu Ugwu (34), to death by hanging for armed robbery. In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye said the accused were involved actively in the robbery and were linked with the stolen vehicle recovered. “In the consideration of the above, the accused are guilty as charged and hereby sentenced to death by hanging,” the judge said. According to the charge, the act was committed on November 14, 2014, at Oke Ila, Tinuola area, off Afao road, Ado Ekiti, where they robbed one Chief Ojo Gbenga of his Toyota Camry valued N3.3 million and N150,000. During the robbery, the convicts were armed with gun contrary to Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearm (special provision) Act Cap R11, Law of Federation of Nigeria 2004. The victim, Chief Ojo Gbenga, in a statement to the police, said the armed robbers blocked his car with theirs while on his way home, dragged him out, shot him on the leg and took away his car alongside his N150, 000. To prove his case, the Prosecutor, Gbemiga Adaramola called three witnesses and tendered exhibits which included the recovered Toyota Camry, two native dresses belonging to the victim and the sum of N84,700. Three dead children found at retired police officer’s home in Enugu By Ikechukwu Odu NSUKKA—THE people of the rustic town of Ugwu Ogede in Itchi, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State are still trying to unravel the circumstances that led to the mysterious death of three children discovered in a car at a retired police officer’s home Monday. The victims, whose names were given as Chibugo Eze, Chinenye Eze, and Ebuka Ene, had gone to fetch water at a commercial borehole owned and located at the home of the former police officer, Fabian Ogbu, but did not return home alive. Two other children, Kingsley Eze and Mmasichukwu were found in the same car and rushed to the hospital where they were resuscitated. The parents of the children had raised the alarm when their children, who had gone to the aforementioned borehole at about 8 a.m. on Sunday to fetch water, did not return home as usual. Vanguard gathered that amidst confusion, the parents of the five children raised search parties who ransacked every corner of the community but could not find the missing children. The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe Ike Oke, who confirmed the development to Vanguard, described the news as mysterious. The monarch, who is also the chairman of Igbo-Eze South Traditional Rulers Council, said that he also mobilised personnel of vigilante and Forest Guard groups who joined in the search of the missing children. He added: “We were almost frustrated in our search when a community member who went to fetch water heard the voice of a little child calling her name. She traced the voice to a car that had been parked for over six months in the compound of the ex-police officer where she discovered the children and raised the alarm. “We found three of the children already dead by the time we opened the car. I think they suffocated to death because the car doors were stiff when we tried to open it at first but we engaged an artisan who forced them open. “One of the two children OKADAMEN CLASH WITH PRISON OFFICERS: The scene of the fracas between commercial motorcyclists (Okada) and Prison Officers around Agodi prison in Ibadan yesterday. Man, 55, arrested with four human skulls, other body parts in Ogun By James Ogunnaike ABEOKUTA—A 55-yearold man, Yesiru Salisu, has been arrested by men of the Ogun State Police Command for being in possession of four human skulls, two dry human hands and three jaws. The suspect, Yesiru Salisu, who resides at No. 7, Odenusi Street, Ijebu Igbo was apprehended Monday. A statement by the command spokesperson, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, indicated that the suspect was arrested following a report lodged at Ago Iwoye division that a man was seen with a bag suspected to contain stolen property, and when he was challenged, he dropped the bag and ran into the bush. Oyeyemi said: “upon the report, the DPO Ago Iwoye, CSP Paul, led his detectives to the scene where they opened the bag and discovered that it contained dry human parts. “Consequently, the bush he ran into was properly combed and the suspect was subsequently apprehended.” On interrogation, the suspect confessed harvesting the human parts from one cemetery in Oke Eri, Ijebu Ode together with one Lekan Bakare, who is now at large. Oyeyemi said the State Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation and prosecution. OLD SCOUNDREL: The suspect and his wares. rescued said they went to fetch water but didn’t meet anyone at the borehole because the owner and the family entire members had gone for church service. “He informed us that they were about going home when three hooded men came from a hill beside the scene of the incident and abducted them into the car and left. He said they were all dressed in red cloths. He also said that the hoodlums returned at the middle of the night to take them away but they couldn’t open the car doors because they were stiffed. “We are still investigating the incident and the dead victims have been deposited in the mortuary. The owner of the house has been arrested by police,” he explained. The youth leader of Nkalegu Obukpa community, where two of the victims hailed from, Ifeanyi Eze, described the news as shocking. The youth leader also said the stakeholders in the community are working assiduously to unravel the circumstances which led to the mysterious death of the children. Cybercrime suspect offers N1.9m bribe to police detectives By Evelyn Usman EFFORTS by a cybercrime suspect to bribe police detectives attached to the Akwa Ibom State command with N1.9 million naira was reportedly frustrated by the refusal of the detectives to accept the offer. The suspect, Edet Okpo is facing a six-count charge of cybercrime, advance fee fraud, conspiracy, criminal defamation of character among other related offences, at the Federal High Court, Calabar Division. Okpo, 37, was alleged to have withdrawn the amount offered to the detectives from the Uyo branch of one of the first generation banks. He was charged alongside his 48-year-old sister, Mary Okon Okwong, Inyene Udo, 25 and others said to be at large. The suspects were alleged to have demanded N2 million from the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Commodore Duja Efedua (retd) through a WhatsApp conversation, using a phone line registered with a fake identity. They allegedly threatened to publish alleged sex escapades of the Rector if he failed to pay. At the court sitting in the suit filed by the Inspector General of Police, yesterday, one of the defence counsels had deposed to an affidavit in the bail application, alleging that the police forced the accused at gunpoint to withdraw N2 million from an Automated Teller Machine, ATM. But the prosecuting counsel, A. A Ewa kicked against the request for bail. The presiding judge, Justice Simeon Amobeda, adjourned the matter to today, to continue hearing the application for bail.
C M Y K Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 — 7 :Vanguard News Appear for budget defence in your own interest, Gbajabiamila warns MDAs •Gives House Committees 48hrs to submit reports By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA — Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday warned some Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, of government yet to defend their respective financial estimates in the 2021 Appropriation Bill to do so in the overall interest of the country. The speaker, who gave the warning in his remarks while welcoming members back to plenary after about one month break to work on the 2021 budget at committee levels, noted that some agencies were yet to appear before the :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058 LAUNCHING — From left: Managing Director, Hope PSBank, Mr. Ayotunde Kuponiyi; the Chairman, Hope PSBank, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar; the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo; the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Alhaji Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi and Director, Hope PSBank, Mrs. Fatima Mede during the official launch of Hope PSBank in Lagos, yesterday. Money Laundering: Court begins trial of ex-Pension boss, Maina in absentia •Orders arrest of Maina’s son, Faisal, summons his surety By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday continued to try the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, in his absence. It also issued a warrant for the arrest of Maina’s son, Faisal, following his refusal to appear for continuation of his trial on money laundering charges. Trial Justice Okon Abang gave the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the nod to tender more evidence against Maina, whose decision to jump bail, led the court to remand his surety in Kuje prison. Maina is facing a 12- count money laundering charge alongside a firm, Common Input Properties & Investment Limited. EFCC alleged that he used account of the firm and laundered funds to the tune of about N2 billion, part of which he used to acquire landed properties in Abuja. The court had in a ruling on Monday, remanded the Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume,who stood surety for the former pension reform boss, in custody, following his inability to explain the whereabouts of the defendant. It held that Ndume should remain in detention pending when his Abuja property is sold to raise the N500million bail bond on Maina’s head. It directed that proceed from the sold property should be paid into the federation account. Alternatively, the court asked Ndume to produce Maina for continuation of his trial. Meanwhile, Maina, who had since September 19, failed to attend his trial, was also absent in court at the resumed proceedings in the matter yesterday. Likewise, none of his lawyers entered appearance before the court. Owing to the development, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, urged the court to foreclose Maina’s right to continue to cross-examine the sixth prosecution witness, PW-6, who was in the witness box before the defendant jumped bail. Justice Abang granted the request, even as he okayed the seventh witness, Sani Ali, to give evidence in the matter and tender exhibit against the defendants. The court held that the defendants, by their absence, waved their right to either cross-examine the witnesses or to challenge exhibits tendered by the prosecution. EFCC had in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/256/ 2019, alleged that the ex-Pension boss used fictitious names to open and operate various bank accounts, as well as recruited his relatives that were bankers to operate fake bank accounts through which illicit funds were channelled. Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday issued warrant for the arrest of son of former Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, Faisal, following his refusal to appear for continuation of his trial on money laundering charges. Trial Justice Okon Abang ordered security agencies to arrest Faisal anywhere he was found. The court equally summoned the member representing Kaura-Namoda Federal Constituency, Umar Dangaladima, to appear before it on Wednesday to show cause why he should not be remanded in custody or made to forfeit N60million bail bond on the head of the defendant, to the Federal Government. Relying on section 352 (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Justice Abang gave the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the nod to prosecute Maina’s son in absentia. The orders followed an application the EFCC made through its lawyer, Mr. Abubakar Mohammed. The prosecuting counsel had at the resumed proceeding in the matter on Tuesday, drew attention of the court to the absence of both the defendant and his lawyers. lawmakers to defend their proposals. He said: “I have observed during the recent budget defence process that there are still some ministries, departments and agencies that consider the exercise of the legislative authority to review their budget proposals as an undue incursion on the management of their offices. This posture stems from a fundamental misunderstand-ing of the legislative role in the appropriations process. “Let me at this time reiterate that when the Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate convene to review the heads of expenditure contained in the Appropriation Bill, we do so in the exercise of clear and concise constitutional authority. Let me also state very clearly that this is a responsibility we take seriously, and will not evade, regardless of whatever objections may arise from any quarters. “It is in the best interests of our country that all parties concerned subject themselves to this process in good faith, knowing that this too is an obligation of service to our country. We will pass the budget, and we will do it early, and we will do it right. ’The Nigerian people expect as much from us. I thank all of you for the work you have put in thus far, and I encourage you to continue in this regard.” Gbajabiamila also asked Nigerians to take advantage of the constitutional review to make necessary inputs, adding that the House would amend the Electoral Act to reflect the realities on ground. “The Special Committee on the Review of the Constitution, ably led by the deputy speaker of the House, has been inaugurated, and they have resumed their essential work. ‘’The committee has put out a request for memoranda and other submissions that will guide their work. It is through the aggregation of the many and varied opinions of all Nigerians that we will arrive at a constitution that meets all the best expectations we have for our country. “In the same vein, the House has commenced longanticipated efforts to review and amend the Electoral Act well in advance of the next general elections. Perfecting the process through which we choose the people that will serve in government is an essential requirement for the continued development of our democracy. “Therefore, I encourage all of you to reach out to your various constituencies and encourage your constituents to participate in both the Constitutional Review and Electoral Amendment processes by articulating and submitting the changes they wish to see. This too is part of the joint task of nation-building,” he said. The speaker also gave a 48-hour ultimatum to the standing committees of the House to submit their budget defence report to the Committee on Appropriation on or before tomorrow. The committees include Finance, Aviation, Petroleum Upstream and Downstream, Army, Science and Technology, Commerce, Solid Minerals, Health Care Services, Health Institutions, Works and Basic Education. Others are Climate change, health care services, rural development, agriculture, national security, local content, labour employment and productivity, Niger Delta National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Agriculture, Labour and Employment, Tertiary Education, Poverty Alleviation, Gas Resources, among others. Buhari writes Senate, seeks confirmation of Yakubu as INEC chairman ABUJA — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that the realization of the Refinery Roadmap rolled out by his administration in 2018 will lead the country to become a net exporter of petroleum products. He also said the establishment of modular refineries in the country would make petroleum products available in the country and eliminate importation. Buhari, who stated this at the virtual inauguration of the 5,000 barrels per day Waltersmith modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State, as well as the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Phase-2 works By Henry Umoru ABUJA — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The letter from President Buhari was read yesterday on the floor of the Upper Chamber by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan. It would be recalled that Professor Yakubu’s name was submitted to the Senate for reappointment having completed his first five year tenure. Buhari also forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, nominees as chairman and members of the Governing Council of Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, HYPA- DEC, and National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. The requests were contained in separate letters read on the floor during plenary yesterday by Lawan. In a letter dated November 12, 2020, the President requested the upper chamber to confirm the nomination of Ityav Joseph Terfa as chairman of HYPADEC. According to him, the request was made pursuant to Section 3(2) of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission Act. Also to be confirmed are: Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa (Kebbi) as Managing Director; Alh. Isa Ozi Salami (Kogi) as member; Taoheed Daud Toyin (Kwara - member); Hon. Mikail A. Bmitosahi (Niger – member); Saleh Mohammed Galadima Kanam (Plateau – member); Engr. Aminu Muhammed Ganda (Sokoto – member); and Chief Utum Eteng (Cross River – member). Senate approves Buhari’s request to refund N148.14bn to Rivers, Bayelsa, C/River, Osun, Ondo By Henry Umoru ABUJA — THE Senate yesterday approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for a refund of N148,141,969,161.24 to Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Osun and Ondo states. The refund is for projects executed by the five states on behalf of the Federal Government. A breakdown of the money showed that Bayelsa will get N38,404,564,783.40; Cross River, N18,394,732, 608.85; Ondo, N7,822,147, 577.08; Osun, N4,567,456, 673.63 and River State, N79,953,067,518.29. Senate’s approval was sequel to the consideration of a report by the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts presented by the Chairman, Senator Clifford Ordia, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo Central. In his presentation, Senator Ordia explained that most of the federal highways in the beneficiary states where said projects were executed “were at a deplorable state before the intervention of the state governments.” According to him, “series of visits were carried out by the Federal Ministry it Works and Housing on all Federal Roads completed by the States and ascertained that the quality off work done met the required standard.” Ordia, who noted that states like Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa and Ondo States embarked on the highway projects execution as far back as 2005 to date, said that while the State Governments have completed all projects, as well as paid all contractors, the Federal Bureau of Procurement on its part certified that due process was followed accordingly. Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday confirmed the nomination of Barr. Benedict Umeano (Anambra – South East; Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, Edo - South South; and CP. Olayinka Babatunde Balogun Rtd, Ogun –South West as members of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB. The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of the report of the Senator Ayo Akinyelure, PDP, Ondo Central led Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. Meanwhile, the Upper Chamber yesterday referred President Buhari’s request seeking the confirmation of nominees to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Tribunal to its Committee on Trade and Investment. Realization of refinery roadmap‘ll make Nigeria net exporter of petroleum products — Buhari to expand the capacity of the refinery to 50,000 barrels/day, said the deployment of modular refineries was one of the four key elements of his administration’s Refinery Roadmap rolled out in 2018. Noting that its implementation would make Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products, the President expressed delight that Waltersmith refinery in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State was coming on stream within two years of the commencement of the Roadmap, after many years of granting licenses for the establishment of modular refineries with nothing to show for it.
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25112020 - Selfish Northerners opposing restructuring, says el-Rufai

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