Mahmood Ahmadu Never Charged for Money Laundering

Media Statement
When we present matters to the public, we should ensure that the truth is told no matter whose ox is gored. The lies we tell about others to dent their images may come back to us.

Contrary to what we was being circulated about businessman and entrepreneur, Mahmood Ahmadu, our investigations have revealed that he has never been charged with money laundering allegations.

It would be recalled that a national newspaper circulated the news then that he was wanted in the UK and indeed was being charged for money laundering.

The man in the eye of the storm called the AMPON office and described such news as malicious with the intent of damaging his hard-earned reputation.

We hope our media men would take time out to do diligent investigations before going to press. - Wole Arisekola AMPON Chairman.

Excel boys of Port Harcourt lift 18th NNPC/Shell Cup

…Kelvin Amadi Bamaiyi, Joseph Ejeh  for Netherlands.

 

In a classy display of skills and talent, the golden boys of Excel Education Centre, Port Harcourt on Thursday clinched the 18th edition of the NNPC/Shell Cup with a 3:2 victory over their counterparts from Fosla Academy, Abuja. The prize money is a total of N8.2million – N3.5m for the 1st position; N2.3m for the 2nd position; N1.3m and N1.1 for the 3rd and the 4th positions respectively.

 

Kelvin Amadi of Excel school and Joseph Ejeh of Fosla were selected by the coaching crew from Feyenoord Academy, as the two best players of the 2016 tournament and would be sponsored for a training tour to The Netherlands.

 

In the match watched played at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos, Joseph Tari of Excel opened the goals in the 13th minute of play when he beat the Fosla defenders and the goalkeeper to lob the ball in the net. The thunderous applause from the team’s supporters was short-lived as Solomon Abraham of Fosla Academy delivered an equaliser in the 14th minute. Jacob Bamaiyi shot the Excel boys back to the lead in the 33rd minute of play.

 

The second half saw Tari finding the net again to give victory comfort to his team. In a brilliant show of resilience and determination, Solomon converted a penalty to score the second goal for his side. 

 

A large crowd cheered the two teams. They included the Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor; the Group General Manager CSR of NNPC, Mr. Ahmed Laminu who represented the Group General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS); and President of the Nigeria Schools Sports Federation, Mallam Ibahim Mohammed.

 

Earlier, the boys from the Government Science Secondary School, Bauchi had defeated their Asegun Comprehensive High School, Ibadan team by 4:3 in a keenly contested yet very entertaining third place match.

In his comment, Mr. Okunbor commended the discipline exhibited by the students and charged them to live by that standard even away from the pitch.

 

“The final match is highly competitive but I cannot but commend the level of discipline and fair displayed by the boys,” he said. “They should keep that behaviour in their studies and indeed in everything they do.”

He reiterated the motivation behind the sponsorship of the annual tournament as SPDC’s belief that students could combine their education with football passion without sacrificing one for the other.

 

In opening remarks before the match, the Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Mr. Dafe Sejebor, noted that over 700,000 students had participated in the championship since inception in 1998. “We are proud to note that some of the footballers that started from here have gone on to play for the national teams and international clubs.

 

The final ceremonies also witnessed a special performance of the NNPC/Shell Cup theme music by ace songster, Sonny Nnaji.

 

Also present to watch the final match were the representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, Commodore Ibrahim Umar and ex-international, Segun Odegbami.

 

The annual tournament, Nigeria’s flagship secondary school soccer championship, is organised by the Nigeria Schools Sports Federation and sponsored by the SPDC joint venture.

 

Sheikh Abubakar Gumi College, Kaduna won the maiden edition of the cup in 1999 while Rochas Okoracha Foundation School, Ogbuku, Imo State won the 2015 edition.

CCC Kicks-Off Seminar on Crisis Communication in the Geopolitical Zones

The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) is set to host the zonal phase of the Seminar on Media Engagement in Crisis Situation for Public Relations and Information Officers for the Military, Security and Response Agencies in Nigeria. The seminar will hold in the North East (Bauchi) on the 21 and 22 of June, 2016. It will be recalled that the seminar series which was declared open in Abuja in April, 2016 by the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali drew participants from headquarters of the military, security and response agencies. 

Dasuki Sets for Supreme Court Over Denial of Freedom After Bails … Says he is not afraid of trial

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) is fully set to storm the Supreme Court to press for his freedom denied him by the federal government after three different High Courts in Abuja had admitted him to bail in the criminal charges filed against him by the government.

The ex NSA had on Wednesday at the Court of Appeal in Abuja lost his bid to enforce his freedom after he had secured bails on all the charges against him.

UPDATE ON OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE: TROOPS RESCUE 53 MORE PERSONS KILL 2 TERRORISTS AND ARREST ONE

The Nigerian Army troops deployed in Operation LAFIYA DOLE clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists have been busy performing their assigned tasks with varying degrees of satisfactorily accomplishments. 

It is in this regards that the troops of 114 Task Force Battalion of 28 Task Force Brigade, embarked on aggressive patrol to dominate and secure the road linking Izge and Bitta. During the operation, the patrol came across 43 persons that escaped from one of the Boko Haram terrorists hideout in Madube. The escapees comprised of 10 men, 14 women and 19 children. They are currently being screened and profiled at the Battalion Headquarters. 

Similarly, troops of 115 Task Force Battalion of the same Brigade, in conjunction with some vigilante groups, also carried out patrols to Pegana, Joma, Wambiyar, Dille, Pumpum, Zah, Miya and Pugula communities and cleared them of Boko Haram terrorists. 

Yesterday, some elements of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), arrested and handed over a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, named Garba Thlama Mussa to the unit. He is currently being interrogated  and would be handed over to Joint Intelligent Committee.

The troops of 117 Battalion also carried out patrol within Mubi North and Mubi South to ensure general security of the areas. The same unit also provided security to Adamawa State boundaries adjustment committee during their visit to Kwaja village in Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State. 
Troops of 143 Battalion also carried out patrol in Bebel, Fattude, Teddei, Hyambula and Sukur. 

We are pleased to state that the troops in that axis are in high spirit determined to continue doing the nation proud. 
The story is the same in 22 Brigade area of operations as troops of 3 Battalion also conducted  foot and mobile patrols towards Diema, Tatakura and Kala villages in which they had contact with Boko Haram terrorists and killed 2 of them and recovered some dangerous weapons. 

Similarly, troops of 22 Brigade Garrison in conjunction with a detachment of Nigeria Custom Services personnel conducted patrol along Dikwa-Mafa-Maiduguri road to keep it safe. 
As the security situation kept improving in the North East especially in the liberated and cleared areas, other security and Para-military agencies have started redeploying back to their locations. It was to this end that the Nigerian Immigration Service has also deployed its personnel in Dikwa. The 21 personnel were received and briefed at the Headquarters 22 Brigade Garrison. The team is undergoing  training on mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) awareness and ground signs before they commence work. 

In a related development, the troops of 22 Brigade Garrison, intercepted 14  Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) which include 3 men, 3 women, 6 male children and 2 female children coming to Dikwa from Chingowa village. The IDPs were screened by the troops and the Civilian JTF at the area and then handed over  to Dikwa IDP Coordinator for further screening, registration and rehabilitation. 

Sadly, an administrative patrol was ambushed an administrative patrol 12 kilometres to Gwoza. Unfortunately 3 soldiers and 13 other civilians were wounded. All of the wounded have been evacuated to 21 Brigade Medical Reception Station. They are all in stable condition and responding to treatment. 

Governor Ambode Must Hear This..... LASWA In Metro Ferry Jetty Take Over Mess

Metro Ferry Jetty,Ikorodu was today invaded by LASWA Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) claiming it now belongs to Lagos State. Attached is the C of O presented by Metro Ferry Mgt, and the letter from LASWA stating Government take over. 

ALLEGED PENDING RETIREMENT OF NIGERIAN AIR FORCE OFFICERS

The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to the publication on pages 1-2 of New Telegraph newspaper of Monday 13 June 2016 titled “Arm Scandal: Air Force to retire AVMs, Commodores”. 

The publication alleged that the NAF is at the verge of retiring a number of senior officers connected with the ongoing investigation of arms purchase under the immediate past administration. 

It is pertinent to state that this story is unfounded and did not emanate from the NAF. The Press is therefore please advised to always confirm their story with the NAF before publication. 

 

See How Students Now Dress To School In Osun

Court Warns FMI over Incessant Delay in Three-Year-Old Suit

 

The National Industrial Court (NIC) has warned the Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) against the continued delay in the hearing of a three -year old legal action instituted against it and two others by a former employee, Mr. Yushau A. Shuaib.

 

The warning from the court followed a complaint by lawyer to the plaintiff, Barrister James Abah Odeh of Bamidele Aturu Chambers that the Ministry of Information had in the past three years employed delay tactics to frustrate hearing of the civil action while other defendants especially the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) had been diligent in the court.

 

At the resumption of the hearing when the plaintiff was to be cross-examined, the Federal Ministry of Information was not represented by its lawyer but instead the ministry wrote a letter to the court requesting for another adjournment.

 

The plaintiff counsel Mr. Abah Odeh who was surprised that the Ministry wrote for an adjournment instead of its counsel, accused the ministry of frustrating hearing of the legal action that was instituted against it to challenge the legality of the compulsory retirement of the plaintiff three years ago.

 

Although the adjournment was granted till July 12, 2016, Justice Edet Isele warned the defendant against undue delay of hearing of the case in the interest of justice adding that Justice delayed is justice denied.

 

The plaintiff, Mr. Shuaib had dragged the Federal Civil Service Commission, Federal Ministry of Information and the Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala before the Industrial court in Abuja to challenge his compulsory retirement from the Federal Civil Service after a media publication title Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Controversial Appointments. 

 

In the court action, the plaintiff prayed for an order of the court against the civil service commission to reinstate him to his post as Chief Information Officer forthwith without any loss at to seniority, salaries, positions and other emoluments.

 

He also prayed for an order of  the Industrial Court to compel the Federal Ministry of Information and FCSC  to compute and pay to him all his salaries, allowances, other emoluments and interests due to him from the month of July 2013 up to the date of judgment.

 

In the legal action instituted on his behalf by Mr. James Ode Abah, the plaintiff claimed that he was offered automatic employment in to Federal Civil Service in 1994 as one of the NYSC National Honour recipients for meritorious service and outstanding performance as a writer and had served as Press Secretary in the Federal Ministry Information, Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Health, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

 

The claimant further averred that by a letter of June 26, 2013, he was purportedly retired by the Federal Ministry of Information where he was the Chief Information Officer.

 

The plaintiff claimed that the compulsory retirement was based on imaginary misconduct raised against him by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala over a publication in the media without following the due process of the law relating to civil service procedure.

 

He therefore asked the court to declare that the letter of compulsory retirement as having  no force of law, it is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever being in flagrant violation of the rules of the public service 2008 edition.

 

Plaintiff further asked the court to declare that the decision of the Federal civil service commission of June 26, 2013 on his compulsory retirement without conducting any investigation, without giving him opportunity to defend himself and without complying with the conditions, precedent for retirement is contrary to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution and the Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Right and Enforcement Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and the Public Service Rules 030305 and 030601 of 2008 it is therefore illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

 

Meanwhile Justice Edet E. D. Isele has adjourned further hearing in the industrial dispute case till July 12, 2016 when the Ministry of Information is expected to cross-examine the plaintiff

Outrage over abuja -lokoja road zero allocation.

It is no longer news that one of the most important roads in nigeria is the ever busy abuja lokoja dualized road network which was carefully planned to link the other parts of the country with the federal capital territory. 
However, years after this project was awarded and commencement of work, it has been one calamity after another with the project that is meant to bring joy and succour to a state like kogi State and inhabitants of the towns and villages on that route owing to the complete neglect of some portion of the road by successive governments. 
Investigations revealed that some sections of the road, particularly sections, 2.3, and 4 have become the hottest spot of fatal accidents, kidnappings and various vices that have caused untold hardships to influential and pliable Nigerians. 
The latest being the kidnapping of a customary court judge and killing of his orderly.
"This is just one in the long list of ugly incidences on the route not forgetting it was also here that the former labour minister, ocholi, met his untimely death along with his family. 
The chairman of the all progressives Congress (kwara state) also tasted the horror on this route when he was kidnapped. 
Information available to us indicate that thus trend might continue unless the contractors that are working on this sections (2,3,4.) are mobilized back to work as soon as possible.
The bad news however is that the hope of a permanent relief from the minister of power,works and housing, Babatunde fashola to complete the three priority road projects in the country, (abuja -lokoja, Kano -maiduguri, Lagos -ibadan) might be dead on arrival as only one section of the critical abuja -lokoja road project was accommodated in the budget and this has now become a source of worry to nigerians as people are now wondering as to why a project of such importance which should've been appropriated for is not in the budget. 
People living in this area our sources revealed are now appealing to there representatives in the national Assembly to take the matter up Immediately and ensure the contractors are paid and negotiated with to go back to site. 
We gathered that the contractors have not been paid for years despite the fact that they have their certificates for the jobs done. 
"with the way things are it is only wise for the minister to do the needful inorder to achieve the mileage of having found a permanent solution to one critical problem claiming the lives of both the low and the mighty of our society.