Police, Ali-Kwara Hunt for Kidnappers in Bauchi, Arrest 19 Suspects

Bauchi Police Provide Updates on Operation
In order to stem the tide of rampant cases of kidnappings, cattle rustling and armed banditry along Toro, Gumau and Ningi Axis, The Bauchi State Police Command in collaboration with a re-known hunter Ali Kwara organized a well coordinated operation relying on actionable intelligence and stormed Yuga forest, a notorious hideout for kidnappers in Toro LGA of Bauchi State between 5/1/2017 to date in order to apprehend the hoodlums and rescue several hostages who were held captives and awaiting ransom payment by their families.

On sighting the police/hunters, suspects opened fire which triggered a fierce gun battle. After incurring heavy casualties, hoodlums abandoned their rifles and escaped into the Bush with bullet wounds.

In a related development, following intelligence report, the command also arrested 19 suspected kidnappers in various locations as follows; 3 suspects in Yuga Forest, Toro LGA, 1 suspect in Jimi village of Darazo LGA, 1 suspect in Tama District of Toro LGA, 2 suspects in Ningi LGA, 3 suspects in Kundum of Bauchi LGA, 3 in Giwa hamlet of Toro, 3 suspects in Ganjuwa LGA, 1 suspect in Tashan Durumi in Toro LGA and 2 suspects from Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State respectively. The command further arrested a suspected informer and negotiator of the kidnappers in Gilliri Village of Bauchi LGA.

Exhibits recovered include:
Eight AK 47 Rifles
One AK 49 Rifle
One G3 Rifle
Two Automatic Pump Action
One double barrel gun
One Single Barrel gun
One Sub Machine gun
One Locally made Pistol
Six Machetes
Eleven Magazines
Forty Nine (49) Cartridges
Nineteen (19) ammunition of LAR rifle
Three Hundred and Thirty (330) assorted Ammunition
Sum of Three hundred and Eighty Eight Thousand One Hundred and Ninety Naira (#388,190.00)
One charm
One padlock and chain
Two blue magazine bags
Two Expanded ammunition of 7.62mm
One Jincheng Motorcycle
Three GSM Phones
Thirty Seven Cows (37)
Twelve Sheep (12)
Meanwhile, Forty Eight hostages were rescued in good condition of health. And efforts are being intensified to apprehend fleeing suspects. Members of the public are urged to assist the police with useful information by reporting suspicious persons, especially those with bullet wounds to the nearest police station for prompt action. The Command further warned members of the public to desist from screening suspected kidnappers under false pretence that they have repented without proper consultation with the police, please.

N510 BILLION BUDGET SUPPORT FACILITY:FG commences independent monitoring of State finances

The Federal Government has commenced independent review of State financial management by appointing eight reputable accounting firms including KPMG, Ernst & Young and PWC to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the 22-point Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) which specified the conditions under which 35 State Governments in June 2016 started accessing the N510 billion Budget Support Facility (BSF).

It could be recalled that monitoring by the Federal Ministry of Finance has been ongoing since June 2016 however, independent monitoring and verification of the States against agreed milestones under the FSP will now commence by the eight accounting firms.

The Budget Support Facility, a 12-month standby loan facility, was designed to bring immediate financial relief to State Governments and enable them meet their financial obligations; with a monthly amount of N50 Billion in the first three months and N40 Billion available for the remaining nine months to the 35 States.

The Fiscal Sustainability Plan is a 22-point reform programme which commenced in June, 2016 with requirements including increasing internally generated revenues, introduction of biometric payroll, publication of audited annual financial statements, and reduction of wastages by establishing efficiency units.

S/N ACCOUNTING FIRMS
1 PWC
2 KPMG
3 Ernst & Young
4 PKF
5 Muhtari Dangana & Co/S.S. Afemikhe & Co
6 Ahmed Zakari & Co/Ijewere & Co

While announcing their appointment, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said that the firms were “expected to vigorously monitor, evaluate and verify the performance of the States against the agreed milestones set by each State Government under the Fiscal Sustainability Plan.” State Governments that fail to implement the action plans, as stated, would be taken off the facility with immediate effect.

It could be recalled that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun introduced the FSP for Sub-National Governments in 2016 to which State Governments acceded, with the view to enhancing fiscal prudence and transparency in public expenditure. The Plan is part of the nationwide Public Financial Management Reform which is being implemented by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari through the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Fatgbems unveil brand identity, commissions service station

Fatgbems Petroleum, a leading independent oil marketing company today unveiled a new brand identity. The company also commissioned its new state-of-the-art pilot fuel service station at the occasion.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Chairman of the Company, Mr. Ajibola Gbemisola said that the new brand identity is not a change of direction. He stated that the change of brand identity is a restatement of the company’s value and strong commitment to its customers for which the company has been known over the years.

“l will like to emphasise that our new brand identity is not a change of direction rather it is a restatement of our values and our strong commitment to our customers as drivers of our business”.

Mr. Gbemisola who paid glowing tributes to the resilience of the company over the years, disclosed that from a humble beginning when the company started business with just one fuel station at Ejigbo in Lagos, “we now have a tank farm and several stations across Lagos and other south west states including plans to expand to the Federal Capital Territory”. He added that the company has also become known for its distinct identity of its integrity and quality service in the market.

Fatgbems, Mr. Gbemisola further disclosed,decided on the idea to redesign and rebuild its numerous stations into state-of-the-art service stations with the Berger station being the pilot, to meet with the increasing changes in the market

“With total deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil industry, customers’tastes have become sophisticated and are asking for innovative services beyond just fueling their vehicles.

“Apart from aligning with the thoughts of Lagos State government in transforming Lagos into a mega city status, we also feel that customers should buy fuel in an environment that is very conducive to create really satisfying fueling experiences” he concluded.

Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Wale Olowu, commended the company for aligning its thoughts to the State's vision of a mega city.

He commended the Fatgbems for for its resilience, noting that very few family businesses survive after the exit of its originator

"For the company to have transformed into such a stable and fast growing business rapidly expanding into what it is today is really exemplary"

He assured that the Lagos state government will continue to create the necessary conducive environment for investment and for businesses to grow in the state
Fatgbems petroleum is an independent petroleum marketing company incorporated in 1986 and has since grown to own a Tank Farm and retail outlets spread on a number of states in the country.

Metuh’s Absence Stalls Trial

The trial of embattled former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh was stalled as he was not in court today due to ill-health.

Metuh is standing trial alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited, on a 7-count charge of fraud to the tune of N400 million pressed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja

After counsel on both sides entered their appearances, Metuh’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, informed the court that his client could not make it to court because he was indisposed.

His words: “My Lord, due to health complications, the first defendant (Metuh) was rushed to National Hospital on Sunday, January 8, 2017. I pleaded with the Consultants to give us a medical report to show to the court but this was not possible due to the fact that the report is to be a summation of the reports of five different Consultants. I called him (the doctor) ten minutes ago, but he became thoroughly ‘abusive’.”

In view of this, Ikpeazu requested that the matter be adjourned to January 11, 2017, promising that the report would be made available at that time.

Counsel to Destra Investment Limited, Tochukwu Onwugbufor, SAN, supported Ikpeazu’s application for adjournment.

However, counsel to EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, strongly opposed the application describing the explanation given by the defence as unreasonable.

Tahir argued that, the date of today’s proceedings ought to have given the defence sufficient time to avail the court with, at least, a sick certificate.

“Explanation given cannot be taken as substitute for the certificate which is the preserve of a medical doctor. The explanation, therefore, does not constitute a reasonable explanation as envisaged by Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act”, Tahir argued.

He urged the court to ‘take with a pinch of salt’ the explanation given by the defence and to see the absence of the first defendant (Metuh) as a disregard of the bail conditions, so that trial could continue ‘in absentia’.

After hearing the arguments of counsel, Justice Abang held that, adjournments were at the discretion of the court.

He said, “It is not automatic that the court must grant adjournment. It depends on materials submitted to the court.”

Thereafter, Justice Abang adjourned to January 11, 2017 and ordered the defence to make necessary reports available.

EFCC Faults Witness’ Attempt to Distort Facts in Badeh’s Trial

Attempt by a prosecution witness to distort facts in the ongoing trial of a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh (rtd) was on January 10, 2017 exposed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN.

Badeh is being prosecuted by the EFCC before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja. He is standing trial alongside a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited, on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption to the tune of N3.97billion.

He allegedly abused his office as CDS by using the dollar equivalent of the sum of N1.4billion removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to purchase properties in choice areas of Abuja between January and December, 2013.

The offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

The witness, Joseph Okpetu, who testified as PW13, told the court that he received hundreds of millions of naira from Badeh for various construction projects.

Okpetu, a builder and managing director of Habco Nigeria Limited, Kunychun Drilling Services and Dilplast Nigeria Limited, narrated how he was contracted to build a 3-bedroom duplex in Yola valued at N150million for Badeh; renovate Badeh’s country home at Mubi, Bintin in Gwoza local government area of Adamawa State at the cost of N50million; paint one of Badeh’s homes in Zone B, Abuja amongst other renovations, and purchase plants and equipment for a farm belonging to the former defence chief.

He said: “Yushau (former Director of Finance and Accounts of the Nigeria Air Force during Badeh’s tenure) had called me to his official residence and showed me a drawing of a building to be constructed in Yola for his boss, Badeh. Initially, the quote was N200million but after scaling down some of the features of the house, the price came down to N150million.

“At the meeting, Yushau gave me the dollar equivalent of N50million as mobilization. The other payments were done later in two installments. During construction, Badeh visited the house on two occasions (with Yushau) and there were no complaints.”

The drawing in respect for the Yola duplex was tendered and marked as Exhibit T88.
Confusion however started when the witness began to contradict the statement he had earlier volunteered to the EFCC.

Sensing a foul play, counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs swiftly drew Okpetu’s attention to the contradictions, asking the witness if he still stood by what he had said in his earlier statements.

“I do not stand by my statement to the EFCC”, Okpetu replied.

Upon further examination by Jacobs, Okpetu admitted that the counsel to the second defendant (Iyalikam), Samuel Zibiri, SAN, who was holding brief for S. T. Ologoorisha, was in fact, his close family friend.

“On the first day that I was arrested by the EFCC, Zibiri, came to bail me. Like me, he is from Edo State. We are family friends”, he confessed.

At this point, Justice Abang adjourned to Thursday, January 12, 2017 for continuation of trial.

Shema challenges N11billion charge, Arraignment now Feb 7, 2017

The arraignment of a former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema and three others could not go on today as planned following a motion by the defendants challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the competency of the charge.

Shema is being charged alongside three others, Sani Hamisu Makana, Lawal Ahmad Safana and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba before Justice Maikaita Bako of the Katsina State High Court for the alleged offences of criminal breach of trust, abuse of office and conversion of public funds to the tune of over Eleven Billion Naira during his tenure as governor.

When the case was called today, counsel for the accused persons, J.B Daudu SAN brought a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the competency of the charge. However, the prosecution Counsel J.S Okutepa SAN filed a counter affidavit in reply to the motion.

The prosecution also asked that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody until the next adjourned date. Okutepa told the court that the first accused person violated the terms of the administrative bail granted him by the EFCC. But Daudu argued that since the court is yet to assume jurisdiction to hear the matter, such application should not have come up at this stage.

Justice Bako refused the prosecution application for remand and adjourned the matter to February 7, 2017 for hearing of the motions on notice after which the issue of arraignment would be determined.

One of the charge read that “You Ibrahim Shehu Shema whilst being the Governor of Katsina, Sani Hamisu Makana whilst being Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Katsina State, Lawal Ahmad Safana whilst being the Permanent Secretary for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs of Katsina State and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba whilst being the Chairman Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Katsina State Chapter, between September 2012 and May 2015 at Katsina, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court were entrusted with certain property to wit; an aggregate sum of N4,463,600,000 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Three Million, Six Hundred Thousand Nairn Only) committed a criminal breach of trust in respect of the said sum by transferring it from Katsina State Joint Local Government Account domiciled at Access Bank , Katsina Branch to the account of ALGON domiciled at Union Bank, Katsina Branch and subsequently withdrew same and dishonesty convert it to your personal use (under various guises including funding security intervention fund to all the 34 local governments in Katsina State and falsely described in several payment vouchers and memos) and thereby committed and offence contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 312 of Penal Code Cape 96 Laws of Katsina State, 1991.

FG APPROVES FUNDS WORKS ON 2ND NIGER BRIDGE AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS OF TAMBURAWA BRIDGE

The Federal Government has awarded the contract for additional early works on the Second Niger Bridge linking Delta and Anambra States in the South- South and South- East zones respectively.

The Contractor handling the project is Messrs Julius (Nig.) Ltd. at total cost of #14,446,010,416.16K (Fourteen billion, four hundred and forty-six million, ten thousand, four hundred and sixteen naira, sixteen kobo)

The existing Niger Bridge which was commissioned on January 4, 1966 is severely overstressed and its continued serviceability cannot be assured. The idea of a Second Niger Bridge started way back in the late 1970s but its realization has been delayed by several challenges. The Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is resolutely committed to the completion of this important project.

In a related development, the Federal Government has also awarded a contract for emergency repairs of Tamburawa Bridge along Kano- Kaduna Dual Carriageway in Kano State to Messrs. Borini Prono & Co. (Nig.) Ltd. The cost of the project is #1, 898,456,175.00K (One billion, eight hundred and ninety-eight million, four hundred and fifty-six thousand, and one hundred and seventy-five naira) with a twelve-month completion period.

The scope of works for the Emergency Repairs involves the use of rock-filled gabion protection with reno mattresses, fitters and embankment protection to the abutments. This intervention is premised on the public outcry and concern earlier expressed by the Executive Governor of Kano State over the scouring around the piles and exposure of substructures of the said bridge and subsequent integrity test carried out by Engineers from the Ministry.

DHQ REASSURES PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE ON NORTH EAST OF ITS SUPPORT

The Nigerian Armed Forces has reassured the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI), of its unflinching support and collaboration in line with the Committee’s action plan of ensuring a coordinated frame work for lasting peace and stability in the North East.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin made this known when the Security and Peace building sub-committee of the PCNI paid him a courtesy call at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Saidu, the CDS expressed the readiness of the Military to collaborate with the PCNI in every area that would obliterate the suffering of the displaced persons and the speedy rebuilding of the damaged infrastructure.

Elated by the quality of the committee’s membership, the CDS said “all that is needed is a close collaboration between the military on one side and the committee on the other side until the war against insurgency is brought to a successful conclusion”.

He added that the military is ready to assist the peace building process urging the Chairman to remain in close contact with the military for continuous synergy.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of the Committee and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Tumsa while applauding the military on behalf of the Chairman of PCNI, Gen TY Danjuma (rtd) for routing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorist in Sambisa forest. He expressed delight in the capabilities and resilience of the Nigerian Armed Forces at bringing peace back to the North East.

He said the visit was to acquaint the CDS on the PCNI’s mandate and its operational plans. Alhaji Tumsa briefed the CDS about the committee’s new initiative of a working plan by all stakeholders in the peace building process and the rebuilding of the North East region.

Malabu Oil Deal Wasnt Done Under My Administration- Goodluck Jonathan Insists

Our attention has been drawn to news reports published mostly by online media which suggested through innuendo, rather than factual evidence, that former President Goodluck Jonathan received kickbacks in the $1.3bn OPL 245 oil block deal involving oil giants ENI and Royal Dutch Shell.

With regards to the publication, we wish to make it clear that former President Jonathan was not accused, indicted or charged for corruptly collecting any monies as kickbacks or bribes from ENI by the Italian authorities or any other law enforcement body the world over.

In the first place, we have to categorically state that the negotiations and transactions for the oil block deal predate the Presidency of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan which began on 6th May 2010 and ended on 29th May 2015.

It may interest those promoting this false narrative to know that all the documents relating to the transactions, issues and decisions of the Federal Government on the Malabo issue, during the Jonathan administration, are in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice.

As President of Nigeria, there is no doubt that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan met with executives of all the oil majors operating in Nigeria and urged them to, amongst other things, support the growth of the Nigerian oil industry by ramping up their investments and comply with the Local Content Act that he promoted and signed into law.

We however wish to state, for emphasis, that at no time did the former President hold private meetings with representatives of ENI to discuss pecuniary issues. All the meetings and discussions former President

Jonathan had with ENI, other IOCs and some indigenous operators were conducted officially, and in the presence of relevant Nigerian Government officials and were done in the best interest of the country.

We make bold to point out that the former President never sent any Abubakar Aliyu, as the innuendoes in the false report suggest, to ENI, the IOCs or any indigenous operator to seek favour or collect any gratification on his behalf.

We will like to point out for the umpteenth time that whether in office or out of office, former President Jonathan does not own any bank account, aircraft or real estate outside Nigeria. Anyone with contrary information is challenged to publicly publish same.
As the President who signed the Freedom of Information Act into law, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan lifted the veil on governance and encouraged transparency knowing that evil breeds in secrecy. It is the opinion of the former President that journalists and media houses should take advantage of this law in their investigative journalism, rather than rely on hearsay.

We hope that these clarifications will help guide future reports which should be factual.

Ikechukwu Eze
Media Adviser to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
(President 2010-2015)

Faces @ Folake Sola Fajobi's 40th Birthday Party

Wife of Digital Interactive Media Boss, Sola Fajobi, Folake clocked 40 on planet earth. "Solar" as roundly called by friends had his friends around to celebrate the unique occasion, here are pictures from the event.