Security: Jonathan seeks support of Lake Chad Commission.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in N’djamena, called on member States of  Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to develop new security plans to address the spate of violence in their territories.
Jonathan made the call at the opening session of the 14th Summit of the LCBC holding in the Chadian capital.
Jonathan arrived in N’djamena on Monday morning to join five other Heads of State and Government for the summit.
The President expressed concern at the new spate of insecurity and the threat to peace around the borders of the lake.
He said the perpetrators, particularly in Nigeria, were taking advantage of the free movement around the border areas and urged member states to regard the security threat as capable of affecting the sub region.
Jonathan stated that the terror attacks would have wider implication on peace in the West African sub region.
The President suggested the expansion of the mandate of the existing multi-national joint task force around the lake, as part of measures to contain the security threats.
``It has become urgent to give a new mandate to the multi-national joint task force to include cooperation in dealing with such cross-border insurgency within area of coverage.
``Our approach should be holistic and robust to address the general security issues around the common border areas,’’ he said.
The President also underscored the urgent need to give a new lease of life to the activities of the commission to move it forward.
He said that after 48 years of existence, there was the need to provide the LCBC Secretariat with the necessary tools to  function as a modern and forward looking organisation.
Jonathan challenged the member states should show more commitment to saving the lake.
He noted the effect of climate change and its socio economic impact on human habitation, the ecology and bio-diversity of the basin.
The President re-affirmed the commitment of Nigeria to meet its financial obligations to the commission and called on other  member states to also meet their obligations.
On equitable sharing of the resources of the basin, Jonathan said the commission should adopt the  ``Water Charter’’ initiative of the organisation.
He said the charter, if adopted, would also set the basis for the the participation of international development partners in saving the basin from extinction.
Jonathan expressed delight on the feasibility study on inter-basin water transfer from Oubangi River in Central Africa Republic to Lake Chad.
``The good news which we have all received today is that the project is feasible and life and hope can return to our population around the lake.
``Nigeria, as you know, has been very supportive of this project
``It remains very dear to our hearts and we will continue to lend every support in whatever is needed to carry out more detailed study on environmental impact assessment as well as other needed hydraulics toward its full realisation,’’ he said.
Earlier in his remark, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Sanusi Abdullahi, stressed the need to reverse the drastic shrinking of the lake, in order to harness the resources of the basin in a more sustainable manner.
He said that the lake, which served as a common heritage and source of livelihood to over 30 million inhabitants, would go into extinction if urgent measures were not taken.
The lake provided water for the economic activities of the inhabitants who are mainly fishermen, farmers and cattle rearers.
On the water transfer project, Abdullahi, a Nigerian, said the study concluded that it was technically feasible, and remained the primary option to save the lake from extinction.
He said the project, if executed, would increase the present level of the lake up to 1.5 metres with an area  increase of about 7,500 sq. km in four to five years.
Abdullahi said that the lake had shrunk  from its approximated 25,000 sq km coverage in 1962 to the present 1,300 sq km radius.
``The execution of the project is expected to restore socio-economic activities in the sub-region and help to alleviate poverty in the basin,’’ he said.
The Executive Secretary said the estimated cost of the water transfer project was N14.5 billion US Dollars.
He said with the exclusion of Nigeria and Chad which updated its contribution, a sum of 4.34 million CFA remained outstanding against other member states.
Abdullahi expressed gratitude to Nigeria and Chad for payment of regular contribution and commitment to the activities of the commission.
President Issufou  Maahamadou of Niger, Francois Bozize of Central Africa Republic, and Idris Debby, of the host country attended the summit.
Cameroon, Libya as well as Sudan which had been granted observer status were  represented at the summit.
Jonathan urges Nigerians not to be discouraged by terrorist attacks
President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians and foreigners resident in the country not to be discouraged by the recent upsurge in terrorist attacks in parts of the country.
Jonathan who made the appeal said Nigerians must go about their normal business and resolve to collectively defeat those perpetrating evil in the country.
He condemned the upsurge in terrorist attacks, the latest of which occurred in Jalingo on Monday, saying the administration would not waver in its commitment to restore peace and stability in the country.
Jonathan assured that the government would curb terrorism and bring the perpetrators and sponsors to justice.
The President also reassured Nigerians and foreigners resident in the country that the administration was taking every necessary action to end the attacks.
He noted that the success in the war against terrorism would be speedily achieved with greater support and assistance from affected communities.
Jonathan called on all patriotic Nigerians to promptly report all suspicious persons to security agencies.
He condoled with the families of the victims of the bomb attacks in Jalingo and wished the injured speedy recovery.
Makinde wants Nigerians to be more vigilant over terrorist acts
Most Rev. Ola Makinde, the Prelate of the  Methodist Church  of Nigeria, on Monday urged Nigerians to be more vigilant  now than ever before about terrorist acts in the country.
Makinde made the call at the presentation of communiqué of the 30th Council of Bishops Meeting held at St. Andrew’s Methodist Cathedral, Awada in Obosi, Anambra.
The theme of the six-day conference was ``Behold I am Doing a New Thing’’.
The Prelate expressed conviction that the insurgency of terrorism would be defeated through vigilance and fervent prayers.
``For now, it has turned to a spiritual warfare between the forces of evil and good in this country.
``Except we are not serving a living God in this country, Boko Haram or whatever name you call it, that is gearing-up to disintegrate this country, must be defeated."
Makinde also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to step up the necessary measures to end the upsurge in terrorism and gave an assurance that the evil forces would be subdued eventually as it was in the past.
``President Jonathan, all political, religious and traditional rulers should collaborate with security agencies to put an end to this menace and avert further threat to the peaceful co-existence of the country".
Meanwhile, the Council of Bishops has lauded the Federal Government and the National Assembly on the on-going probe of Pension funds, Petroleum subsidy and PHCN.
It stated that findings of the various panels should be implemented and those found guilty punished.
The council's commendation is contained in the communique, which also lauded the Federal Government on the completion of the Onitsha River Port.
The council  urged the government to commence work on the proposed 2nd Niger Bridge in order to reduce the suffering of Nigerians using the existing bridge and safe it from collapse.
``While commending President Goodluck  Jonathan on his achievements in less then one year in office, Council calls on him and all political office holders to show a stronger political will to face the challenges of electricity, unemployment, job creation and good road network".
On the international scene, the communiqué applauded the conviction of Chief James Ibori, a  former Governor of Delta and Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, respectively.
``Council is hopeful that this will send a warning signal to all those who may want to abuse their offices.
"Council, therefore, calls on the Nigerian judiciary to be more firm in the dispensation of justice in the country.
NLC wants FG to dormulate benefitial policies
The President, Nigerian Labour Congress, Abdulwaheed Omar, on Monday in Abuja called on the government to introduce policies that would benefit Nigerians and check insecurity in the country.
He made the call at a joint NLC and Trade Union Congress 2012 May Day Symposium with the theme, ``Right to Work, Food and Education: Panacea to Insecurity ”.
Omar said that the government should pursue policies that had no adverse effects on the people.
The NLC president condemned the decision by some banks to layoff some workers as a result of the introduction of  ``cashless society” policy.
He noted that Zenith Bank announced recently its decision to layoff about 2,500 workers because of the policy.
``Government should take the lead in tackling insecurity in the nation; it should not be business as usual,’’ Omar said.
He said the government should not introduce policies without thinking of the repercussions on the people, adding: ``We cannot continue to come up with policies that will always end up punishing the citizens.''
He said that job insecurity had led to the state of insecurity in the country, thereby exposing youths to criminal acts.
In his remarks, Ali Chiroma, a former NLC president, said the government should pay more attention to job creation in ``practical terms”.
Chiroma urged the government to come up with policies that would support creation of jobs rather than the ones that would create more problems for the people.
In his comments, Hassan Sunmonu, the founding president of NLC, reiterated the need to make skills acquisition an integral part of the educational system and called for a change in ``the get-rich-quick” mentality.
Sunmonu urged the government to tackle insecurity by providing the basic needs of Nigerians and formulating policies that would enhance their well-being.
``A generator-run industry is not a competitive and sustainable industry; neo-liberalism is not sustainable because Nigeria is a communal society.
``Leaders should make the interest of Nigerians their own interest and they have to be accountable for it.''
Also speaking, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije noted that ensuring security in the country ``rests largely on education”.
Chukwumerije described education as an integral part of human development, saying the level of insecurity in the country would be reduced with a change in education policy.
He urged the government to come up with a ``Marshall Plan” to coordinate the funds and personnel involved in implementing education policies.
He noted that the Universal Basic Education scheme ``is no longer free or basic” and called for synergy at all levels to make it free and compulsory.
The symposium was held ahead of Tuesday’s May Day celebration.

We are not losing battle against terrorists.

Acting Inspector-General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, on Monday in Abuja dismissed insinuations that the Nigeria Police was losing the war against terrorists.
Mohammed, who was speaking to State House correspondents on Monday’s attack at the Taraba State Ministry of Finance, said the police had intensified efforts toward checking the activities of terror groups across the country.
Terrorists threw explosives at the motorcade of the Commissioner of Police in Taraba, Mamman Sule, while he was going through the ministry to his own office.
Mohammed refuted the claim that the Taraba attack was targeted at Sule, saying that arrests had been made in connection with the attack.
Mohammed had earlier attended a high powered meeting of top security officials including the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Gen. Owoye Azazi and the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting was presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.   
The explosion in Jalingo was said to have claimed the lives of 11 civil servants at the premises of the Ministry of Finance.
``We can confirm that 11 people were killed. 10 people died at the spot, while one person died at the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo,’’ Umar Waziri, the Red Cross Information Coordinator in Taraba.

Tinubu denies secret meeting with Jonathan.

The National Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Bola Tinubu, on Monday said that he did not hold any private meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend.
Tinubu spoke at the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, in reaction to reports that he, alongside Oba Akiolu of Lagos and Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, met with Jonathan in Lagos at the weekend.
On whether he would be favourably disposed to the president inviting  him to a meeting to find solutions to Nigeria’s numerous problems, Tinubu responded in the affirmative.
He said that the leaders of various political parties had been meeting on national issues.
On the present security situation in Nigeria, he said it was ``a critical time when all hands must be on deck’’ to help solve the problems.
The matter of security should be less politicised and advice should be solicited in good faith. If ideas are solicited in good faith, one would offer them,’’ he said.
On the way out of the Boko Haram problem, Tinubu said that it was a critical issue confronting the nation.
He expressed regrets that such a tragedy confronting the country was reaching a dimension where Nigerians could not afford to ignore it or sleep with their two eyes closed.
``On this national issue of security, President Goodluck Jonathan, as the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian armed forces, should be the first person who probably should commence the consultation with the people and must not politicise this problem.
 ``Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been ruling this country; they claim to have the wisdom and the apparatus to govern it.
``But each time they react to this question of national security, they have been blaming one political party or the other. That is passing the buck,’’ he said .
Tinubu said that there was a clear line as well as ideological differences between the ruling party and the other political parties but  ``this Nigeria still belongs to all of us.''
He urged the PDP- led Federal Government to cry for help from others, noting that it would get it if it did,  instead of putting blames on the other parties or categorising one party as ``one man party’’.
ACN chieftain was on his way to Benin, to visit Gov Adams Oshiomhole, following the accident involving the latter's motorcade.
Three journalists were killed in the accident which occurred while the governor was on an official assignment.
Tinubu was accompanied by the ACN National Chairman, Bisi Akande, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed and Niyi Adebayo, a former Governor of Ekiti.

Boko Haram Bomb Police Boss’ Convoy .

A power bike belonging to a police escort hit by the blast.

A suicide bomber on auto-bike, believed to be a member of the Boko Haram sect
rammed into the convoy of the Commissioner of Police in Jalingo early today, killing at
least two civilians, including himself.

•Okada riders killed this morning during the Jalingo bomb blast. Photo: Ben Adaji.
But the police officer escaped unharmed.
Some accounts said no fewer than 10 people died, but there was no official
confirmation of the figure.
The explosion, which injured many people, resonated around the usually calm town,
which is the capital of the north eastern state of Taraba.
An eyewitness said the bomb explosion occurred at the Government
House roundabout when the suicide bomber rammed into the convoy of the state
Commissioner of Police, Sule Mamani, who was passing through the area to his
office at about 9 a.m.
As at press time, doctors, nurses and other medical personnel at Federal Medical
Centre, Jalingo were working feverishly to save the lives of the injured victims.
The explosion, which is the first since the incident of Boko Haram bombings in many
parts of the North forced the residents of Jalingo to run helter skelter.
Security operatives comprising the army and police have been moved to the scene of
the bombing and investigation has commenced into the incident.


While the commissioner of police and his convoy escaped narrowly the bomb attack,
his official vehicle, a new model of BMW car, in which he was driving, was badly
damaged and his pilot rider was badly injured and he is one of the victims receiving
treatment in the hospital.
Taraba’s police authorities confirmed three persons dead. Spokesman, Ibiang Mbaseki
told AFP: “the bomber died with two others, who were passersby.
 Meanwhile, to commiserate with the families of victims who lost their lives when Bayero University, BUK, Kano, Kano State, Northwest Nigeria, was bombed yesterday, authorities of the University have declared today as a day of mourning.
A power bike belonging to a police escort hit by the blast.
The spokesman of BUK, Mustapha Zahradeen confirmed this morning to our
correspondent the position of the university.
He said the institution will be mourning throughout the day and as such there will be no
lectures or work.
The corpse of Professor Andrew Leo Ogbonyomi, an indigene of Kogi State who died
in the bomb attack is still in the mortuary. His colleague, Professor Jerome Ayodele
Faniyi from Ekiti State is alive but was injured during the explosion.
Yesterday morning, 16 persons including Prof. Leo Ogbonyemi were killed while
Christians were worshipping at a lecture theatre at Bayero University, Kano.
Several people were injured and were later rushed to the hospital.
The Christians were first attacked with gunshots which was followed by Improvised
Explosive Device, IED, which was thrown into the hall by unknown assailants believed
to be members of Boko Haram.
The victims included lecturers, students, non-academic staff of BUK and worshippers.
In another attack, Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram killed four people at a Sunday
church service in the northeast town of Maiduguri, police said on Monday, adding to the
death toll from a separate shooting in the country’s second largest city Kano.
Gunmen killed at least 15 people and wounded many more at a Christian service in
Kano on Sunday, the latest round of violence which has seen hundreds killed in the
mostly-Muslim north of Nigeria this year.
No group took responsibility for either attack and it was not clear if they were
coordinated. But both strikes bore the hallmarks of the Boko Haram sect, which has
used bomb and gun attacks in its push to carve out an Islamic state in Africa’s most
populous nation.
“Boko Haram who were six in number came in a Volkswagen Golf car and shot the
pastor and three others while they were about to administer the Holy Communion to
worshippers,” Maiduguri police spokesman Samuel Tizhe said.
Maiduguri is the capital of northeast Borno state, Boko Haram’s home region and the
location of the majority of its attacks, which mostly target the police and military but
have also hit churches and drinking spots.
In the attack in Kano on Sunday, gunmen arrived on motorbikes at a university lecture
theatre used for Christian services and threw small homemade bombs into the building
before shooting fleeing worshippers. nL5E8FT05E
“President Goodluck Jonathan condemns the murderous terrorist attack on the Bayero
University Campus in Kano yesterday and the brutal killing of innocent worshippers at
the University by vicious assailants,” a presidency statement said.
Jonathan has been criticized by Nigerians and foreign diplomats for failing to get a grip
on the sect’s wave of violence, which has gained momentum since his presidential
election victory a year ago.
Most of Boko Haram’s attacks focus on authority figures it believes have wronged the
group by arresting or killing its members.
Nigeria’s more than 160 million population is split roughly equally between a largely
Christian south and a mostly Muslim north.

Police to train 45,000 personnel.

The Acting Inspector- General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, says the Police has concluded plans to train over 45,000 police personnel nationwide.
Abubakarsaid on Friday in Port Harcourt at a stakeholders meeting, that the training was necessary to equip the personnel with modern skills to enable them contain emerging security challenges in the country.
The IG said the training was part of the reform programme of the police service, which was meant to evolve a highly proficient and efficient police force, that is people friendly.
He said the training would be conducted in batches, with the first set of 20,000 policemen, to be followed by 15, 000 and 10, 000 personnel in the second and third batch, respectively.
The IG acknowledged that the police training institutions across the country were in bad shape, with the trainees sleeping on bare floor.
He noted that it was difficult under such deplorable condition, for the trainees to assimilate properly what they were being taught.
Abubakar pledged that the institutions would be transformed to meet up the challenges of modern police training.
On police performance, the IG said there was no basis to compare the performance of British police and Nigerian police, arguing that the policemen in Britain were better paid, motivated and equipped.
Abubakar said in spite of the inadequacies locally, the Nigerian police have always emerged the best in international peace-keeping missions, due to the available equipment at their disposal.   
According to him, the era of police brutality and bailing suspects with money are gone, saying: ``we are ready to work for Nigeria and Nigerians. The police are to serve the people and not the other way round,''
He commended Rivers State Police Community Relations Committee for its laudable activities which had helped to bridge communication gap between the police and the public.
Abubakar directed the state commissioner of police to embark on a tour of the state to parley with the ordinary people on security issues affecting their locality.
Media, crucial to ending terrorism in Nigeria
The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, says the media are being attacked because of the ``crucial and significant’’ role they play in the quest to end acts of terrorism.
Maku made the remark on Friday when he visited the office of Thisday Newspapers to commiserate with the organisation over Thursday’s bomb attack.
The minister said that the current spate of bombings was a passing phase in the history of the country.
``This (the attack) is a passing phase in the history of our nation. When a nation comes under attack, it calls for greater courage, commitment and vigilance by all of us.
``The media are very crucial and significant in the efforts to overcome terrorism. We will continue to work together to ensure the end of this phase.''
Maku described the attack on the newspaper house, which killed two of its staff and the suicide bomber, as ``unprovoked’’ and urged the media not to be deterred.
He said in spite of the attack, the media must develop an attitude against terror both in their editorial policy and the kind of prominence they gave evil men and their activities.
He called for collaboration between the media and security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property.
It will be recalled that a suicide car bomber forced himself into the premises of Thisday Newspapers office at Jabi District in Abuja on Thursday and rammed into the building, killing himself and two others.
An Amoured Personal Carrier and some men of the police anti-bomb, as well as the rescue team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and their ambulance were still positioned at the entrance of the office on Friday.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in and around major media organisations in Abuja, following the attack.

DOCTOR ONA EKHOMU

Media organizations have been advised to accept the reality of being targeted by the Boko Haram terrorist organization, and act in logical ways  to protect their people and assets. 

Commenting on the terrorist attack against ThisDay newspaper in Abuja and Kaduna, the President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, Ona Ekhomu said media organizations needed to adopt risk mitigation strategies in order to deter, detect, deny or defend against terrorist attacks.

Ekhomu, who writes a column for ThisDay newspaper sympathized with management and staff of the media house on the unfortunate attack that claimed eight lives.

He urged media outfits to urgently implement security measures and programs to protect people, property, mission and the truth. 

According to him, media outfits should urgently assess their risks, determine vulnerabilities and implement counter measures that will protect them against terrorist attacks.

The Security Expert urged the press to contribute its share to the war on terror with courage, resilience and security sense.

They should then conduct target-hardening of their facilities in order to thwart suicide bombing and other terrorist attacks. 

He also urged media organizations to strengthen the protection around media executives and key personnel in order to avoid Bokite attacks.

Ekhomu said the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack on ThisDay newspaperwas a naked attempt by the Bokites to muzzle the truth and return “Nigeria to a period of darkness and savagery.

The Bokite worldview is characterized by extremism, violence, hatred and a lack of respect for human life. 
The media represents the light, truth, freedom and democracy which the terrorists find abhorrent.

The security expert likened the attack on ThisDay Abuja and Kaduna to the execution of Zakariya Isa, the NTA reporter in Maiduguri. 

The aim of the attack is to gag the press and strike fear into the hearts of press personnel.

Ekhomu urged the press to “contribute its share to the war on terror with courage, resilience and security sense.

Two die as blasts hit newspaper offices in Abuja and Kaduna.

At least people have been confirmed dead in a bomb blast at the Thisday newspaper office in Abuja, according to Segun Adeniyi, Chairman of the paper’s Editorial board, while a second explosion that affected the same company, the Sun and the Moment newspaper offices went off in the city of Kaduna.
The explosion in Abuja occurred around 11:30am on Thursday at the offices of ThisDay.
Mr Adeniyi who confirmed that the incidence in Abuja was a suicide bombing said that two men disguised as visitors had driven into the Thisday premises in and and detonated the bomb before the security officers could suspect or stop them.
He said five other person who sustained injuries from the incidence are been treated in a hospital in Abuja.
An official of  Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the explosion in Thisday office Abuja was caused by a bomb planted inside the newspaper’s office.
“It’s true there was an explosion at Jabi (district),” NEMA official, Yushau Shuaib said
“NEMA officials are on the ground,” said he. “They are trying to move those injured to the hospitals, but we don’t have any information on casualties yet.”
The agency in an initial statement had said that it did not believe it was a suicide bombing.
Police and paramilitary were on the scene and had surrounded the offices where the blast had taken place. An Associated Press new agency reporter who heard the explosion said it was very large.
Witnesses said another blast in the city of Kaduna hit the Sun newspaper office there.
Response from Government
The Deputy President of Senate, Ike Ekweremadu has condemned in strong terms the bomb attacks on Thisday and Sun Offices in Abuja and Kaduna.
Mr Ekweremadu who described the attack as a grievous affront on the Nigerian people urged Nigerians to unite in their resistance against all acts of terror.
He said: “The Nigerian media industry has distinguished itself in not only fighting for and entrenching the current democratic dispensation, even at very high sacrifices, but has as well stood out as a bastion of our unity and the moral voice of our society.
“An attack on the media is therefore an attack on the very fabric of the conscience of our society and the fulcrum of our unity, democracy, and good governance which every Nigerian must stand up against”
The Deputy President of Senate who added that the attack was “dastardly, anti-cultural, and anti-Nigeria”, urged the media not to be cowed, but speak up against all acts of terrorism as Nigerians were in solidarity with them.

Ibrahim Hassan Dankwabo

Nigerian Governor Escapes Indictment, As Reps Debate On Oil Subsidy Report.

 
The House of Representatives today concluded its debate of the oil subsidy report submitted to it by chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee, Farouk Lawan, as former Accountant-General of the Federation and now Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwabo, escaped indictment.
In the committee’s report, it discovered that the former account-general made a payment of N999m 111 times in one day and 17 times the following day.
It recommended that anti-graft agency like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, should investigate further and prosecute person(s) who might have benefited from this questionable payment.
While seeking an amendment to the committee’s recommendation number 43 on the matter, Abike Dabiri-Erewa representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency described the committee’s recommendation as mild.
Instead, Dabiri-Erewa suggested an amendment that the former accountant-general should be indicted, even though he is now a state governor.
But Mrs. Uche Ekwunife drew the attention of the House to the fact that such indictment might be an academic exercise.
Another Representative supported Ekwunife, saying that the House may be overstretching its authority.
Shedding more light on the matter, the Ad-Hoc committee chairman, Farouk Lawan said he was in possession of three letters from the office of Accountant-General, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and PPPRA, all clarifying the issue that the PPPRA and not the office of Accountant-General was responsible for the irregular payment.
Subsequently, Dabiri-Erewu’s amendment calling for indictment was jettisoned.
Similarly, Reps approved the committee’s recommendation number 41 that government officials involved in extra-budgetary spending should be sanctioned.
But a heated argument ensued on whether or not the National Assembly should legislate to criminalise extra-budgetary spending.
Most Reps who contributed were of the view that there are existing laws to punish the act.
A few of the committee’s 64 recommendations were deleted; some amended while the committee was given extra period to work.
At the completion of the debate of the oil subsidy report, the chairman, House Committee on Rules and Proceedings moved a motion that the report be served on the President, the Senate and anti-corruption agencies for their information and necessary action. The House unanimously adopted the motion.
Yesterday and today’s sessions were presided over by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ikedioha.

Charles Taylor

Taylor verdict a warning to world leaders.

The conviction of Charles Taylor by the Special Court for Sierra Leone has sent out a clear message to leaders the world over that no-one is immune from justice, argued Amnesty International today.
But the human rights group added that while the verdict has brought some satisfaction for his victims more must now be done.
There is no doubt that today’s verdict sends an important message to high-ranking state officials; no matter who you are or what position you hold, you will be brought to justice for crimes,” said Brima Abdulai Sheriff, Director of Amnesty International Sierra Leone.
“This verdict can also be seen as a reminder for Taylor’s home country Liberia that those responsible for the crimes committed during Liberia’s conflict must be brought to justice.”
Sheriff spoke after he attended the televised pronouncement of the verdict at the seat of the court in Freetown with hundreds of Sierra Leoneans.
The Trial Chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, sitting in The Hague because of security concerns, found Taylor guilty of 11 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the West African country between 1996 and 2002.
Taylor will be sentenced soon in a separate hearing. The judgment can be appealed by the defence or the prosecution.
The presiding judge said the Prosecution had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Taylor was responsible for planning crimes committed by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) in Sierra Leone and aided and abetted these crimes taking place.
While the conviction is a milestone, Amnesty International said it was concerned that thousands of people who suffered atrocities during a decade of armed conflict are yet to see their perpetrators brought to justice.
Due to the Special Court’s limited jurisdiction mandated only to investigate and prosecute those bearing the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed on the territory of Sierra Leone, only 12 individuals aside from Taylor were charged with crimes.
Three of them died and one suspect remains at large. Thousands of other suspects belonging to the RUF, AFRC and Civil Defence Forces (CDF) have not been brought to justice in the SCSL or national courts.
“While today’s conviction brings some measure of justice to the people of Sierra Leone, Taylor and the others sentenced by the Special Court are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Sheriff.
“Thousands of persons suspected of criminal responsibility for incidences of unlawful killings, rape and sexual violence, mutilations and the use of children in Sierra Leone’s armed conflict have never been investigated, much less prosecuted.”
“Sadly, only a limited number of Sierra Leone’s thousands of victims who bear the terrible scars of the conflict have received reparations, despite the Lomé Peace Accord and the clear recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC),” said Sheriff.
“Reparations are integral to achieving justice for the victims and assisting them to rebuild their lives.“
In 2004, the TRC’s report made detailed recommendations for the provision of reparations to those who had suffered throughout the conflict. However, more needs to be done to ensure long-term sustainable plan is in place so that all victims receive full and extensive reparations.
One survivor of a double amputation to the arms told Amnesty International, “There are no plans to make reparations for victims. We have been asking them for years throughout the court proceedings to find ways and means to compensate us but victims are still languishing in the streets and begging for a living.”
Amnesty International continues to call for the repeal of the amnesty provision in the 1999 Lomé Peace Accord and the enactment of legislation defining crimes against humanity and war crimes as crimes under Sierra Leone law. Until then, the thousands of alleged perpetrators not tried by the Special Court can never face trial in Sierra Leone.
In addition to repealing the amnesty law, the authorities of Sierra Leone must bring the country’s criminal laws into line with international law and provide the domestic criminal justice system with the capacity to investigate and prosecute all crimes under international law in fair trials without the death penalty, and it should allow survivors to seek reparation directly against a convicted person.
Today’s judgment against Taylor also served as a reminder of the legacy of crimes in the former head of state’s native Liberia.
“The political and legal obstacles to bringing perpetrators in Sierra Leone to justice are only matched by the prevailing climate of impunity in Liberia,” said Sheriff.
During the 14-year Liberian civil war that raged while Taylor was first the leader of one of the numerous armed opposition groups and later the President, all parties to the conflict committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murders along ethnic lines, as well as torture, rapes and other crimes of sexual violence, abductions, and recruitment and use child soldiers.
The recommendation of the Liberian TRC that a criminal tribunal be established to prosecute people identified as responsible for crimes under international law is yet to be implemented, as are most TRC recommendations on legal and other institutional reforms, accountability, and reparations.
“The lack of justice for the victims of the Liberian conflict is shocking. The government of Liberia must end the reign of impunity by enacting the necessary legislation and acting on its duty to investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators.

Businessman Battles EFCC Over Unpaid N10m Judgment Money.

 
In a bid to claim a judgement sum of N10.03 million from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, a Lagos businessman, Adisa Sowemimo, has commenced garnishee proceeding against the anti-graft agency.
Chief Sowemimo is urging a federal high court sitting in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, to issue a garnishee order Nisi attaching the funds of EFCC in five commercial banks and Central Bank of Nigeria to satisfy the said judgment sum. N10,030,000 was awarded against EFCC sometimes in April last year for violation of the plaintiff’s right.
An Associate professor of law, Akin Ibidapo Obe, wrote a petition to EFCC against the applicant, complaining that the plaintiff failed to pay his professional fee of N7.4 million.
He further stated that the applicant agreed to pay him from the N15 million judgment sum that he recovered for the applicant in the case he filed against Dangote Nigeria Limited.
However, having failed to pay the professional fee as agreed, the applicant allegedly converted criminally the N7.4 to himself, as the applicant collected the judgment sum of N15 million from the court but upon demand for his outstanding legal fees, the applicant denied owing him any money, claiming he had completely paid for his services.
Consequently, Professor Obey alleged further that the applicant, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, converted the N7.4 million to himself which is contrary to section 1 (1C) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act 2006 and therefore, the EFCC should investigate the matter and not allow the applicant to dissipate the said N15 million without paying his professional fee.
Based on the petition, the EFCC then set in motion machinery to investigate and arrest the applicant for the fraudulent allegations.
EFCC’s Operatives visited the premises of Chief Sowemimo at 2/4, Adisa Sowemimo Street, Onireke, Opposite Trade Fair, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency claimed that the applicant could not be found and the premises is an uncompleted building and unoccupied, but the applicant claimed that EFCC agents in his absence drove his family members out of the premises including his workers that were working on the upper floor of the building without lawful authority and sealed up the premises with a padlock in order to halt the progress of work being carried out and consequently, he could not enter his house from 25 February, 2009 till 5 September, 2010.
Chief Sowemimo also averred that as a result of the unlawful act of EFCC, the building materials kept in the premises and other household materials got exposed to sun, rain and burglars, thereby causing him financial losses and hardship as himself and his family became refugees.
Chief Sowemimo then urged the court not only to declare the act of EFCC unconstitutional, illegal, null and void but to also compel the agency to pay him N10 million as general damages as well as N1 million as the cost of this suit.
In his judgment, Justice Okon Abang, while awarding the sum of N10 million as damages and N30,000 as the cost of instituting the suit in favour of Chief Sowemimo, describe the unilateral action of EFCC and its agents in sealing off the applicant’s premises as primitive, uncivilized, crude, unconstitutional and gross abuse of official power.
Justice Abang further said “I do not know how the applicant committed a criminal offence in refusing to pay his counsel his professional fee as alleged.
Assuming he was indeed indebted to the said counsel, refusal or inability to pay professional fees cannot amount to fraudulent conversion of the applicant’s N15 million legitimate earnings that will warrant the EFCC inviting the applicant or looking for him to arrest for purpose of investigation.
There is evidence before me that the applicant and his immediate family members were rendered homeless not because there is civil disturbance or civil war in Nigeria, that building materials in the premises were exposed to sun, some destroyed and stolen.

Court Adjourns Case Against Lagos Speaker, Ikuforiji Till 3 May 
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till 3 May, 2012 the criminal case preferred against the speaker, lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his personal aide, Oyebode Atoyebi.
When the case was mentioned this morning, the EFCC prosecuting counsel, Godwin Obla told the court that the defence counsel served him with their response to the objection he filed against the application to quash the criminal charges against the speaker.
In his response, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN confirmed the position of Obla.
Thereafter, Obla said he needed to file his reply.
He added that both prosecuting and defence counsel have agreed to return to the courtroom on 3 May, 2012.
Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, adjourned till 3 May, 2012 for them to come adopt their written addresses.
The speaker and his aide were arraigned before the court for allegedly transacting business in cash without going through any financial institution.

Akala vs EFCC: Judge adjourns case to 24th May.

The ruling on the on-going trial of former Oyo state governor, Adebayo Alao Akala and 2 others has been adjourned till 24th May 2012 by the Presiding judge, Akintunde Boade.
The trial was stalled by the Counsel to the accused persons Mamman Osuman (SAN) as a result of the absence of the lead prosecuting counsel Godwin Obla (SAN).
Osuman who opposed the appearance of  Olayinka Bolanle who stood in for Godwin Obla(SAN) prayed the court not to allow Bolanle’s representation as Obla’s mandate is exclusive to the lead counsel.
Osuman further argued that until Bolanle provides a fiat from the attorney general before he can have legal capacity to prosecute.
Earlier in his presentation, the representative of the lead counsel, Olayinka Bolanle had informed the court that he was standing in for Godwin Obla who he said was handling a criminal case in lagos.
Bolanle urged the court to disregard Osuma’s objection since there was no material to anchor it on.
The Presiding Judge Akintunde Boade having listened to both counsels adjourned ruling to 24th May, 2012.

ABDULLAHI DIKKO COMPTROLLER OF CUSTOMS

Seme Customs Command generates N685.9m revenue.

The Seme Border Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated  N685.9 million revenue in March.
Command Area Comptroller, Sadiq Sahabi said that the amount was generated from the duties, fines, levies and Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods imported  through the border post.
The area comptroller also said that the command recorded 13 seizures whose Duty Paid Value was N2.7 million during the month..
He listed some of the seized items to include textiles, beverages, vehicles, alcohol, leather wears and poultry products.
The command, which generated N6.9 billion revenue in 2011, has the target of generating N9.6 billion in 2012.

IG says Police authorities will sustain public-friendly service.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IG), Muhammad Abubakar, says the police authorities is committed to building a public-friendly, well equipped and respected service.
Abubakar disclosed this during a courtesy call on Governor Ibrahim Gaidam in Government House, Damaturu on Wednesday.
He said the security challenges facing the country were surmountable, assuring the public that the police would work toward Nigeria's safety and security.
The IG commended Yobe Government for assisting, contributing and collaborating with the police to perform effectively.
He also called on other states to emulate Yobe State in supporting the police to provide security to the public.
In his remark, Gaidam commended Abubakar for visiting the state, saying: ``this will give you the opportunity to identify lapses with a view to improve on them. ’’
He said government would continue to provide the police with logistics support but appealed for the deployment of more policemen to the state.
5 killed, many injured in Riyom night attack
Plateau Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ayeni has confirmed that five persons were killed and many others injured in a midnight attack in Riyom on Tuesday.
Riyom is the headquarters of Riyom Local Government of Plateau.
``There was an attack in Riyom that left five people dead. It was a night attack and we are investigating. It is very unfortunate and we are doing something about that.
``Riyom is our albatross, it is the major albatross we have now.
Ayeni explained that he had convened a stakeholders’ meeting to address the lingering crisis in the area.
He added that stakeholders from Barkin Ladi and Bokkos, facing similar crisis, would be part of the meeting.
The commissioner said that traditional rulers and community leaders of all the ethnic groups, from the three areas would also be in attendance at the meeting.
He said that earlier meetings had discussed the need to find lasting solution to the problems of killings, cattle rustling and destruction of farmland, which were the major cause of the crises.
Ayeni said that previous meetings resolved that the Berom and the Fulani should refrain from taking the laws into their hands.
He explained that the meetings had also resolved that the council chairmen should constitute peace committees with a view to ending tribal and religious disagreements that usually preceded the violence.
``It was also resolved that there should be meetings between the commissioner of Police and the Fulanis, the Berom traditional rulers and the police, Berom and the Fulani leaders. ’’
An eyewitness, Pam Dalyop, said the assailants struck when the people were asleep.
Dalyop said there was a heavy rain, which made it impossible to hear the cries of the affected persons.
``Because of the heavy rain, we were trying to sleep but we were hearing gunshots.
``The assailants came with sophisticated weapons; we were shouting for help but no one was there to help us.
``There was pandemonium in the whole area as people were running for safety.
``The assailants were more than 20, they shot some people and also cut some people with axes and machetes,’’ he said.
Daylop urged the government to provide security in the area because the attack was similar to previous ones. 
``The same people even killed a mobile policeman that was deployed here two weeks ago,” Dalyop alleged.
He said that four females and a male were killed and gave their names as: Dinatu Danbwarang, 48, Simi Joseph, 26, Rose Dalyop, 25, Japhet Samuel, 4, and Christiana Adamu.
According to him, two other children, aged two years and three month, are among the victims currently being hospitalised at the Vom Christian Hospital.
Inquest blames Police, driver for "Black Sunday" multiple pile-up
A coroner's inquest into the Aug. 15, 2010 multiple accidents on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway has held that the carnage was caused by the negligence of the truck driver of the Dangote Sugar Refinery Company.
Lagos State Coroner, Tajudeen Elias, in a judgement delivered on Wednesday, also berated the police for mounting a road block at the Michael Otedola bridge axis of the road.
The road block resulted in a heavy vehicular traffic and the driver of the truck, who was said to be on high speed, had rammed into stationary vehicles, resulting in an inferno.
At least 15 people were reportedly killed and 18 seriously injured, while more than 20 vehicles were destroyed in the carnage which happened during a strike by Lagos State doctors.
The coroner ordered Dangote Sugar Refinery Company to produce the culprit driver (suspected to be at large), to the police for prosecution.
Elias said: ``Without mincing words, the negligence of the Dangote truck driver is the immediate cause of the accident.
``It is true that the negligence of the driver cannot totally be put on his employer but the company ought to show serious concerns for its corporate social responsibility to the public.
``Dangote Sugar Refinery Company should tender an apology to the victims and their families, which must be published within three months of this verdict.''
He further advised the company to pay minimal compensation  to the victims, adding that it was appalling that the company had taken no action since the incident occurred.
The coroner warned the police to desist from mounting checkpoints on dangerous road bends across the state, to prevent such accidents in future.
He also advised the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure that road signs are placed on the roads, to warn motorists and other road users.
According to him, the FRSC must put in place mechanisms to monitor heavy duty trucks and articulated vehicles, to ensure that they are road worthy.
The coroner also called for more education of road users by the relevant authorities, to ensure that they mastered the various road signs.
He said many lives were lost in the accident because Lagos State doctors were on strike and, therefore, urged them to take their oath to preserve human lives more seriously.
The inquest, which began on Sept. 6, 2010, was at the instance of a human rights group, Access to Justice, and a Lagos-based law firm, Falana and Falana Chambers.
It was brought pursuant to Sections 14 (1) (2) (3) and 15 (1) (2) (3) of the Coroner’s System Law of Lagos State, 2007.
The groups had petitioned the Lagos State Coroner, Justice Yetunde Idowu, and the state Attorney-General, to conduct the inquest to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
11 witnesses, including four survivors, testified at the inquest.
Others who testified were representatives of the police, the FRSC and the Dangote Sugar Refinery Company.

NAPTIP BOSS AND CHIEF OF DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE

NAPTIP, NOA partner to curb human trafficking.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Wednesday signed a partnership agreement to curb human trafficking.
The Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Mrs Beatrice Jadi-Agba, who paid a visit to the Agency in Abuja, said that the move was necessary to forestall the high rate of trafficking in the country. 
She said that for NAPTIP to effectively address the scourge of trafficking, it was necessary to involve NOA to apply the strategy in educating and informing Nigerians.
Jadi-Agba said that trafficking was having a devastating effect on the country, hence the need to partner with NOA to sensitise and enlighten the public on the danger of trafficking.
The Executive Secretary said that NAPTIP was designing a communication strategy which would help it fight the menace, adding that the role of NOA was strategic to the fight.
``NOA has much to do for NAPTIP because of its spread and strength of its officers across the country that can help NAPTIP prosecute the job, NOA must be engaged to tackle the menace.
``We want NOA officers to come on board, we are willing to provide material and training that will equip them for the job because this trafficking must be brought to the barest minimum.’’  
She said that NOA was needed to drive the message against trafficking because of its role of creating awareness.
She added that something massive must be done to engage Nigerians in the crusade against human trafficking.
The Director General of NOA, Mr Mike Omeri said that the agency was responsible to the country and would be willing to partner with any organisation or government agencies to move it forward.
He said that NOA was mobilising and sensitising Nigerians to understand the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan and would not hesitate to work with anybody concerned with transformation.
``Right now, I am directing all the State Directors to include issues of NAPTIP in their campaign against human trafficking,’’ Omeri said.
He reminded the Executive Secretary of NAPTIP that NOA staff would need the requisite training to know what the issues were.
Omeri called on Nigerians to resist trafficking, saying that trafficking amounted to slavery, saying that it was time for Nigerians to start thinking of how the country would make progress.
He promised to convey the message to the community in the language they best understood.
He said that NOA was training people in community theatre and it would be used as part of the communication strategy.

Femi Fani-Kayode

Fani-Kayode Faces Trial 10 October.

 
The coast is now clear for the trial of the former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode to commence on 10 October, 2012 as a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos bluntly refused to stay proceedings in his trial.
When the case was mentioned at the court this morning, Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to grant him a fairly long adjournment pending the determination of an appeal filed at the Supreme Court in respect of admissibility of a printout document to support the argument that there is an appeal before the Supreme Court.
Subsequently, a certified true copy of the appeal before the Supreme Court was filed before the court.
Opposing the application for stay of proceedings, Barrister Nelson Okedinachi told the court that what the defendant filed at the Supreme Court was an academic exercise which had been overtaken by event.
He said the trial of the former Aviation minister is starting afresh.
Okedinachi contended that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Act does not provide for stay of proceedings.
Consequently, Justice Binta Muritala Nyako, while refusing to stay proceedings, adjourned till 10 October, 2012 for the trial of the former minister to commence.

Tunde Bakare

Nigerians Must Rise Against Looters.

Activists in Nigeria have challenged Nigerians to rise up against corrupt leaders who continue to steal billions of naira from the public till.
With the fuel subsidy probe exposing the trillions of naira stolen by individuals and oil marketers and the case of the conviction of former governor, James Ibori still fresh in mind, activists believe this is the right time for Nigerians to rise up against corrupt leaders.
Fiery Pastor and convener, Save Nigeria Group, SNG, Tunde Bakare said this is the right time for Nigerians to rise up against corrupt leaders and take their destiny in their hands, but cautioned against violence.
“Nigerians must rise up and take their destiny in their own hands. They must not resort to violence. If they don’t rise up now, history will not be on their side,” said Bakare, who spoke with our reporter.
He said the fuel subsidy report must not be swept under the carpet and must be implemented to the letter, while Nigerians must not sleep.
President, Movement for Justice in Nigeria, MOJIN, Abdulkarim Daiyabu said the over N1 trillion subsidy fraud discovered to have been stolen is equivalent to 25 percent of this year’s budget of the federal government.
He said the figure disclosed by Farouk Lawan Committee was not all the money that was stolen, adding that the total amount stolen will be far higher than that.
Daiyabu suggested that only a thorough investigation by reputable Nigerians can establish the true amount stolen in the name of fuel subsidy, noting, “even at N1.4 trillion, every Nigerian will collect N6.2 million, with an estimated population of 160 million; and a balance of N40 billion will be left.”
He expressed the fear that the actual amount stolen could be twice or thrice the N1.4 trillion discovered by the committee.
The MOJIN president wondered what became of the loot reportedly seized from the late General Sani Abacha, Tafa Balogun and James Ibori, etc.
“If we are not cursed, it is now our responsibility, we, the entire innocent Nigerian masses to wake up from our slumber to fight for our dues until we win. Nobody can fight for us, we can do it by ourselves. Once there is will, there is a way. God willing, we shall win,” Daiyabu submitted.
Constitutional lawyer, Itse Sagay, said protest against corrupt leaders is key to achieving development in a nation like Nigeria, saying that corrupt activities of government must be criticised.
Mr. Yinka Odumakin, scribe, SNG, added that “it is clear, like we said in January during the fuel subsidy protest that we must ‘Kill Corruption, Not Nigerians,’ if we don’t kill corruption, it will kill us.
“It is high time Nigerians rose up against corrupt leaders and say enough is enough. Save Nigeria Group will rise up if the recommendations of the fuel subsidy reports are not implemented to the letter.”
Odumakin stated that if the recommendations were not implemented, SNG would call out Nigerians for a mother of all protests to hold this government accountable.
According to Barrister Chris Akiri, “Nigerians must not be silent at this time. We can’t continue like this. There is the fear by Nigerians that the fuel subsidy report is about to be swept under the carpet as we expect it to be.
“If this should happen, we are in trouble and if we keep our mouths shut now, we are in trouble. Nigerians have to be vociferous about this as it is a serious matter.”
In his reaction, the National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima, warned that any attempt to sweep the report under the carpet would be met with stiff resistance by Nigerians.
According to him, what happened in January in the aftermath of the announcement of fuel subsidy removal by the President would be a preamble to what the government and oil marketers would face in the event that they attempt to frustrate the implementation of the report.

He said: “this is one of the most critical moments in the country and the fight is no longer that of the National Assembly or the executive.
“It is now time for political office holders who are patriotic to the country, the average Nigerian whether partisan or not and professional organisations to come together and fight this fight for the sake of our future and that of our children.
“If they try to frustrate Farouk Lawan Committee report, what happened in January would only become a preamble to what the country would face this time.
“We would ensure a total shut down of the country by mobilising Nigerians and we would go after those indicted because we now know them.”
The General Secretary of the Joint Action Front (JAF) which spearheaded the struggle against fuel subsidy removal in January, Abiodun Aremu, informed that the struggle had gone beyond subsidy removal as it had further led to the unearthing of other issues that have been pulling down the country.
According to him, it is now very clear that the country needs system change with what the House had discovered.
“We should not just be contented with asking for the cabal to be punished. It would be like calling on a thief to prosecute a thief.
“It has also gone beyond institutional mechanisms like the EFCC.
“So what we should do now is to allow our collective anger to begin to bear on the society and on these indicted people by making sure that everywhere in the country becomes a ‘no-where’ for them,” he said.
Barrister Mustafa Nwaokobia said every member of the public, the civil society groups as well as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) should ensure that the report is not swept under the carpet.
He said he would continue to spearhead the fight for a better society even after the culprits in the oil subsidy scam have been punished.
He said that apart from making the culprits refund whatever they have stolen, they must also be made a scapegoat for other Nigerians to learn their lessons and that anything short of this would make him and other Nigerians mobilise people and take over the streets again.
He also said Nigerians should be on the look-out for those who are attempting to frustrate the House because of the report and ensure that they are made to face societal sanctions.
“We must unite in this country to make sure the era of white papers, yellow papers and if you like, blue papers without implementation are stopped.
“If this particular report is not implemented, we would be forced to return to the streets, this time with serious anger.
“They should remember that we now have a new Egypt, Libya and Tunisia because the people of those country decided to stop keeping quiet,” he said, adding that Nigerians must take back their country by going on the streets.
Former Governor of the old Kano state, Balarabe Musa, while supporting the call to ensure that the report is not left to gather dust, however, urged Nigerians to be patient till the House of Representatives finish with the report.
Comrade Debo Adeniran of the Coalition against Corrupt Leaders supports Alhaji Musa even as he added that the use of brute force by the security agencies against peaceful protesters must be frustrated by Nigerians.
He warned the Inspector-General of Police that he should know that the barbaric actions of the police in such situations would sever the support he is enjoying from Nigerians currently.
“The probe is still on and we must wait since it would be premature to embark on rallies by what we only got from the media,” he said, adding, however, that Nigerians must be prepared to act against any move to frustrate the House Committee.

FRSC Cautions Motorists On Rainy Season.

 
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Gombe State has advised motorists to drive carefully during the rainy season to prevent road traffic accidents.
The Sector Commander of FRSC, Kuteb Galadima, said the warning became necessary because the rate of road traffic accidents was always high during the rainy season.
During the rainy season we have a lot of accidents because drivers fail to do those things that they are supposed to do.
“For example, their wipers, their brakes, tyres, lighting systems, all these things must be made to be functional at all times.
“During the rainy season they have to maintain the normal speed limit as outlined in the highway code.”
Galadima also advised motorists to ensure that their vehicles were properly maintained.
“It doesn’t mean that when the Federal Road Safety Corps tells you that you have a limit of 100 kilometer per hour, you must exhaust it in spite of the condition of the road.
“When there is rain you must make sure that you reduce your speed.”
According to him, the rainy season always comes with sand stones that can impair the driver’s view.
“When you notice such things, you should park and wait for it to clear, then you can continue on your journey.”
The commander also warned motorists to look out for fallen trees on the road to ensure safe driving.

Sniffer Dogs Detect N160m Drugs At Ikeja Airport.

 
Sniffer dogs belonging to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have helped the agency to seize heroin worth about N160 million, the agency said in a statement today.
NDLEA said that anti-narcotic agents had placed the consignment on surveillance after sniffer dogs signaled that it contained hard drugs.
The operation led to the ultimate discovery of 16 kilogrammes of high grade heroin abandoned by a suspected drug syndicate at the National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Shed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
The brownish substance was packed in white transparent polythene bags and hidden inside metal pipes, the agency said.
The drug was brought as cargo on a KLM flight from the Republic of Iran with an estimated street value of the drug in Lagos of about N160 million, NDLEA said.
“The agency conducted 100 percent search because of the alert given by the sniffer dogs. A welder was invited to forcefully cut the pipe open. The effort paid off when the heroin was found.
The cargo with Air Waybill number 0747419547 was addressed to one Mr. Nnaemeka Chinedu Joseph of 64, Ladipo Industrial Parts, Mushin Lagos, “ NDLEA said.
According to the Airport Commander Hamza Umar, the consignment arrived from Iran but was left unclaimed.
“The consignment was at the NAHCO shed upon arrival from Iran. Based on suspicion we placed it under observation.
However, when nobody came forward to take delivery of the consignment, we first brought in the sniffer dogs to examine it.
The dogs alerted that the thick metal pipes are positive for narcotics. This was what emboldened us to conduct extensive examination openly witnessed by customs, police and other security officials.
They were all amazed at the clever way the drug was concealed,” Hamza said.
NDLEA parades 11 peddlers/users of hard drugs in Port Harcourt
Eleven persons, including seven men and four women, were arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Port Harcourt for being in possession of and peddling various hard drugs with total weight of 347.732 kilograms.
Commander of the rivers state command of the NDLEA, Jude Ekure, who told journalists at a briefing in his office in Port Harcourt, said substances comprising cocaine, heroin and cannabis were retrieved from a joint operation with operatives from the 2 Amphibious, Port Harcourt barracks, on the slum at Abonnema wharf.
According to him, the operation which started at about 3am, caught the peddlers in the slum unawares, a factor which he said made it a success.
The NDLEA boss who said the state needed a lot of work to do in the area of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, going by the volume of hard drugs that were impounded from just a single operation in one area, noting that there is need to pay real attention and not lip service to ending the drug menace in the state.
He said “the operation was carried at about 3am this morning between officials of the NDLEA and operatives of the 2nd brigade of the Nigerian Army at Abonnema wharf. At the end of the day we made 11 arrests, seven males and four females.
“A total of 347.732 kilogrammes of hard drugs, comprising cannabis, heroine and cocaine were recovered from that scene of operation. If from one operation in one small area, we were able to recover this volume of hard drugs, it goes to say that the state has a lot to do in tackling the problem drug abuse and illicit trafficking,” said the anti-drug chief.
He further stated that the agency had not carried out any operation in the area all along because it was taking its time to do a thorough job “by the arrests and seizure this morning you will agree with me that we have some impact”.
The suspects were later paraded with the seized illegal items. Some of the suspects paraded are Elizabeth West, a first year student of Banking and Finance department of Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri-Borno state, Nene Johnson, Festus Okumgba, Jude Okpara and Grace Etel among others
Ekure said the suspects were going to be prosecuted accordingly.
Nigerian drug cartel busted in Spain, 15 arrested
A Nigerian drug cartel responsible for smuggling of cocaine and other drugs into Spain and other European countries from the Latinos and Africa has reportedly been busted by Spanish police officials with 15 members arrested.
The group, based in the Madrid suburb of Alcala de Henares, use drug mules who injest pellets filled with drugs and avoid detection at airports, the police said in a statement.
Police seized about 18 pounds of cocaine and 17,000 euros in cash as part of their investigation, which began in September 2011.
The majority of those arrested were Nigerian citizens.
Police carried out their first arrest as part of the operation in October 2011 at the airport at Palma de Majorca of a man who had swallowed 77 pellets of cocaine.
Later that month police detained another man at the same airport who had swallowed 68 pellets of cocaine.
“These people had been sent by the organisation to Madrid to collect cocaine from other members of the ring which based in Alcala de Henares. From there they would also send mules to South America and Africa to collect the drug,” a police statement said.
Spain’s proximity to North Africa, a key source of hashish, and its close ties with its former colonies in Latin America, a major cocaine producing region, have made it a major gateway into Europe for drug traffickers.

Fraud cost Africa $10.9 billion in 2011: KPMG.

Bribery, theft and other kinds of fraud cost African governments and companies at least $10.9 billion last year, auditing firm KPMG estimated in a study on Wednesday.
South Africa and Nigeria had the highest number of reported cases of fraud, but the study noted that fewer cases were reported in the second half of the year than in the first in both countries,.
Zimbabwe has the highest value of fraud perpetrated in the second half of 2011, amounting to over US$1.2 billion.
KPMG said it arrived at the figure after scouring English-language news reports and databases of fraud cases from 2011.
The actual cost of fraud is likely much higher, given that the study was limited to information in the public domain, said Petrus Marais, a forensic investigator with KPMG.
However, he said many governments appear to be making headway in fighting fraud and other types of corruption.
“There is a strong sense that the tide is turning. More and more countries are making combating corruption an issue of government” he said.
The inaugural “Africa Fraud Barometer” found a total of 875 cases of fraud in Africa last year.
Accounting for 29% of perpetrators, company employees committed the most fraud during the second half of 2011, according to the report. That is an increase of two percent from the first six months.
Management were responsible for $4.5 billion worth of fraud, or 40 percent of the total for the year.
Governments and the public sector were the most frequently impacted by fraud, accounting for 44 percent of all cases in the first half of 2011 and 39 percent in the second half.
“Fraud occurs most where money enters and exits a company or institution. At the interface of financial transactions, perpetrators tend to be most successful in defrauding funds,” says Marais.
General fraud is the highest reported fraud type at 29%, while misappropriation and theft come second.
The role of a free press in digging up corruption was critical to fighting fraud, Marais said, adding that “over time, we expect to get a clearer picture about the different types of fraud committed, which will allow us to propose to our clients various types of measures against fraud.”
KPMG developed the Africa Fraud Barometer to form a bigger picture of fraud prevalence in Africa. The initiative is a first effort to measure fraud on the African continent and expose the risk of fraud for companies in their day-to-day operations.
KPMG compiled data for the Africa Fraud Barometer by accessing and analysing all available news articles, as well as reviewing fraud cases from designated databases.
This methodology has been successfully used in the United Kingdom.
The data is captured, processed and will be disseminated in a press release every six months.

Crime one of the world's top 20 economies.

Crime generates an estimated 2.1 trillion dollars in global annual proceeds and the problem may be growing.
This is 3.6 per cent of the world's gross domestic product .
"It makes the criminal business one of the largest economies in the world, one of the top 20 economies," said Yury Fedotov, head of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
He describes it as a threat to security and economic development.
The figure was calculated recently for the first time by the UNODC and World Bank based on data for 2009 and no comparisons are yet available, Fedotov told a news conference.
Speaking on the opening day of a week-long meeting of the international Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), he suggested the situation may be worsening "but to corroborate this feeling I need more data".
He said up to 40 billion dollars is lost through corruption in developing countries annually and illicit income from human trafficking amounted to 32 billion dollars every year.
"According to some estimates, at any one time, 2.4 million people suffer the misery of human trafficking, a shameful crime of modern day slavery," Fedotov said separately in a speech.
He also cited a range of other crimes yielding big money.
Organised crime, illicit trafficking, violence and corruption are "major impediments" to the Millennium Development Goals.
The goals are targets set by the international community in 2000 to seek to improve health and reduce poverty among the world's poorest people by 2015, Fedotov said.
Criminal groups have shown "impressive adaptability" to law enforcement actions and to new profit opportunities, a senior U.S. official told the meeting in Vienna.
"Today, most criminal organisations bear no resemblance to the hierarchical organised crime family groups of the past," Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Brian Nichols said, according to a copy of his speech.
"Instead, they consist of loose and informal networks that often converge when it is convenient and engage in a diverse array of criminal activities," Nichols, of the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, added.
 He said terrorist groups in some cases were turning to crime to help fund their operations: "There are even instances where terrorists are evolving into criminal entrepreneurs in their own right."

Five boko haram members die making bombs

 

Five suspected members of Boko Haram were killed when bombs they were assembling exploded during a shootout with officers of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) at their bomb making facility in the north eastern town of Biu, 190km from Maiduguri, in northern Nigeria.
A military commander of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Colonel Victor Ebhaleme,  in charge of security said the bombs were being assembled for attacks planned for the city of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital which has been the epicentre of the insurgency that has killed more than 1,000 people since mid-2009.
According to the military commander, the JTF officers were deployed to the region to stem the violence and they had surrounded the hideout.
The military officers engaged the sect members in a shootout.
Colonel Ebhalame said the insurgents had thrown a bomb at the soldiers when the other bombs inside the house went off, killing the five suspects and destroying the house.

Uduaghan meets air-force boss on security challenges

 

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has enjoined the Nigerian Air-Force to assist other security agencies in the state to combat crime and protect lives and property, in view of the security challenges in the state and country.
He made the call while receiving the Chief of Air Staff, Air-Marshal Mohammed Umar at the Government House, in Asaba.
He explained that the combined effort of all security agencies would yield more positive result and rid the state of crime. He also commended the Air-force for establishing a base in Warri.
The governor said the approval of the Air-force Base and stationing of the Air force air-craft at the Asaba lnternational Airport was timely and would make assurance double especially in terms facing security challenges both in the air and on land.
He noted that the Nigerian Air-force had deployed its oficers to the Asaba International Airport for security purposes and promised that his administration would provide the necessary logistics to enable them function adequately.
The governor explained that the state government had maintained a cordial relationship with the Air-force stressing that the force had greatly contributed to the maintenance of peace and security in the Niger/Delta Region.
“I thank the Force for approving security personnel for our airport in Asaba, we are working to get the necessary logistics for your men at the airport. I also thank the force for approving the airport as a base to station your air-craft” the governor said.
Responding, the Chief of Air- Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar commended governor Uduaghan for accelerating economic development in the state.
Air Marshal Umar praised the governor for the airport which he said would boost economic activities in the state, adding that his team was in Delta State to oversee the operations of the newly 61 Airforce detachment in the state.

Full Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the subsidy regime in Nigeria

Following the removal of subsidy on PMS on the 1st day of January, 2012 by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the attendant spontaneous social and political upheavals that greeted the policy, the House of Representatives in an Emergency Session on the 8th of January, 2012 set up an Ad-hoc Committee to verify and determine the actual subsidy requirements and monitor the implementation of the subsidy regime in Nigeria.

The Federal Government had informed the nation of its inability to continue to pump endless rampant of money into the seemingly bottomless pit that was referred to as petroleum products subsidy. It explained that the annual subsidy payment was huge, endless and unsustainable. Nigerians were led to believe that the colossal payments made were solely on PMS and HHK actually consumed by Nigerians.
Government ascribed the quoted figures to upsurge in international crude price, high exchange rate, smuggling, increase in population and vehicles etc. However, a large section of the population faulted the premise of the Government subsidy figures, maintaining that unbridled corruption and an inefficient and wasteful process accounted for a large part of the payments.
To avert a clear and present danger of descent into lawlessness, the leadership of the House of Representatives took the “bold and decisive action of convening the first ever Emergency Session on a Sunday (8th January, 2012), and set up the,Ad-hoc Committee to verify the actual subsidy requirements of the country.
And two months after the fuel subsidy saga, Nigerians waited anxiously for the outcome of the report.
On Thursday the April 19 2012, the Chairman of the House of Representative ad-hoc committee that investigated the management of the country’s fuel subsidy scheme, Farouk Lawan on Thursday said that attempts were made to influence the outcome of the committee’s report.
Addressing a press conference at the National assembly, Abuja, Mr Lawan said the pressure came from government officials and oil marketers.
“Yes, there was pressure, pressure from so many quarters,” he said.
Though Mr Lawan refused to disclose the names of the government officials who pressurized him and his colleagues in the committee, he said the officials said they were concern of the effect the report will have on the country.
He said that his committee made it clear to those mounting pressure on them that as far as they are not guilty of short changing Nigerians, there was no need to panic.
Also speaking at the meeting, the spokesman of the Houses of Representative, Zakari Mohammed assured Nigeria that the House of Representatives will ensure that the report, when adopted by the house is fully implemented.
After months of delay, the Lawan-led House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the subsidy regime management, on Wednesday, submitted its report with recommendation that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) indicted oil marketers and companies that refused to appear before the panel to refund the sum of N1.067 trillion to the nation’s treasury.
The House has, however, slated next Tuesday for the consideration of the report.
Executive summary of the report made available to journalists on Wednesday recommended that, “marketers that had short-changed Nigerians were identified and recommended to make refunds within a time-frame of three months.
“Civil servants were to be sanctioned in accordance with the civil service rules as well as under extant laws; management staff and top government officials were based on the gravity of their offences, to be reprimanded, re-deployed, dismissed and in specific cases prosecuted for abuse of office and fraudulent practices.”
The committee also recommended the refund to the treasury, the sum of N1,067,040,456,171.31 from the underlisted for various violations; NNPC (kerosene subsidy) N310,414, 963,613; NNPC (above PPPRA recommendation) N285,098,000,000; NNPC (self-discount), N108,648,000,000; marketers (total violation of petroleum subsidy fund) N8,664,352,554; companies that refused to appear, N41,936,140,005 and PPPRA, excess payment to self, N312,279,000,000.
To this end, the panel recommended that the sum of N806,766 billion be budgeted as subsidy for 2012, adding that “we also proposed a budget amount of N806,766 billion for the 2012 fiscal year for payment of subsidy on PMS and kerosene.”
The committee, also in its report, recommended that “NNPC be unbundled to make its operations more efficient and transparent and this, we believe, can be achieved through the passage of a well-drafted and comprehensive Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).”
The committee as well recommended that all those on the management board of the NNPC directly involved in the in-fractions identified for 2009 to 2011 be investigated and prosecuted for abuse of office by the relevant anti-corruption agencies.
The panel further indicated that NNPC was found not to be accountable to anybody or authority, saying that “the corporation, in 2011, processed payment of N310.4 billion as 2009 to 2011 arrears of subsidy on kerosene, contrary to a presidential directive which removed subsidy on kerosene in 2009.”
The panel also reprimanded the chairman and entire members of the board of PPPRA from 2009 to 2011 for their decision.
Allegation of doctored report
A group Legislative Integrity Assembly said on Wednesday that the report of the House committee into the probe of fuel subsidy was “apparently doctored” following conflicting details about the report in the media in recent weeks.
The group, in a statement said that it noticed a number of inconsistencies having followed the snippets of information released on the committee’s report in recent weeks.
The group said that it had followed closely the situation in the ad hoc committee since it concluded its public hearing on the matter, adding that lots of inconsistencies have come out of the House in recent times.
The group, which claimed to have seen the original recommendations of the committee, said that the report submitted by Mr Lawan to the House on Wednesday was an “edited, doctored report.”
“The list of indicted companies suddenly got shortened within 24 hours. This country is in trouble if this is allowed to go unchallenged. It just confirmed that probes in this country are not to be taken seriously,” the group alleged.
It said it was not entirely taken by surprise by the doctoring because a major newspaper reported on Wednesday that there might be “eleventh hour” changes in the report following outcries generated by media reports of its recommendations.
The Guardian had reported on Wednesday that allegations of doctoring of the report had stirred a controversy in the House.
The report said there were speculations that the leadership of the House had seized the report of the Lawan committee with a view to effecting some changes. The newspaper, however, quoted House spokesman as saying that the allegations are not true.