$1.2bn Malabu deal: Court defers ruling on Shell, Agip’s bid to reclaim OPL 245

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, deferred ruling on bid by two multinational oil giants, Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company Ltd and Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd, to retain ownership of the disputed Oil Prospecting License, OPL, 245, pending their trial over alleged $1.2 billion fraud.

Justice John Tsoho adjourned the ruling till March 17, following application by Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, to be joined as an interested party in the court action.

Shell and Agip had in separate applications filed through their lawyers, Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN, and Mr. Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, queried the legality of an order the high court made on January 26, which granted the Federal Government interim ownership of OPL 245, regarded as one of the biggest oil blocs in Africa.

Meanwhile, though the court had already heard and adjourned applications by both Shell and Agip for ruling, at the resumed sitting, yesterday, Malabu Oil and Gas, through its lawyer, Mr. Abdullahi Haruna, insisted that its right was at stake.

The firm contended that it had vested right in the disputed oil block, adding that it would be affected by whatever decision the court arrived at.

It, therefore, prayed the court to allow it to also present its own side of the case before ruling on the applications by Shell and Agip.

 

 

 

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2 Brigade Uyo assures on improved security

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By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT— Newly established 2 Brigade in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has promised improved security of lives and properties of residents of the state as it celebrated the annual West Africa Social Activities, WASA.

The Brigade Commander, Brigadier- General Hamisu Hassan, gave the assurance at the event at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Abak Local Government Area in the state.

He said WASA was a yearly social exercise in the army where soldiers and civilians come together to celebrate, explaining that this year’s celebration was unique because it was the first to be celebrated by the brigade since it relocated from Port Harcourt to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

It will be recalled that the 2 Brigade which was in Port Harcourt was moved to Uyo on December 12, 2016.

Brigadier-General Hamisu commended soldiers and officers of the command for their discipline, assuring that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai would continue to give their welfare special attention.

“WASA is a social tradition in the Nigerian Army where soldiers, their family members and civilians come together to celebrate. This year’s WASA is unique because we are barely three months old in Uyo as 2 Brigade”, he said.

Deputy governor of the state, Mr Moses Ekpo, thanked the Federal Government for establishing the brigade in the state,   promising that the state government would give it all the support.

Represented by Mr Emma Udom, the deputy governor also thanked the Federal Government for bringing a Command Secondary School to the state.

Various ethnic nationalities showcased their cultural dances at the event. There was also tug of war competition between soldiers of the brigade and the newly established 6 Division in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, corps members serving in 2 Brigade and other groups.

 

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Delta govt wades into Hostcom, NPDC rift

How FG made Brass, OKLNG projects fail — Gaius-Obaseki, others

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By Michael Eboh

ABUJA—Chairman of Brass Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, Mr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, and other experts in the petroleum industry, yesterday, blamed the Federal Government for the collapse and failures recorded in the multi-billion dollars Brass Liquefied Natural Gas and Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas, OKLNG, projects.

Gaius-Obaseki; Mr. Alex Neyin, a former chairman of the Board of the Society of Petroleum Explorationists, SPE and Mr.  Yemi Oke, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, spoke in an interview monitored on the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA.

Also present among the discussants were Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Maikanti Baru.

The Federal Government had spent over $1.2 billion already on the Brass LNG project and about $600 million on the OKLNG projects which started in 2003 and 2005 respectively.

Gaius-Obaseki stated that the decision by the Federal Government to undertake the three LNG projects — Nigeria LNG Train 7, Olokola and Brass LNG — led to the failure to complete any of the projects several years after their conception.

He said:  “In my view, at the best of time for Nigeria, we do not have the resources, human and financial, to pursue three LNG projects at the same time. That is where the problem came from. Political or no political, all the projects would still had happened, if one came after the other.”

He argued that the country does not have the resources to pursue three LNG projects at the same time, stating that the government should have concentrated in finishing one of the projects before undertaking another.

Point of no return for Brass; $1.15bn spent so far

He said: “It is important to also know that I believe Brass has reached the point of no return.

“The fundamentals, the reasons are still there, valid today and you have expended $1.15 billion already; expectations are high; communities are giving land already. Really, we shouldn’t look anywhere else. Complete Brass, let OKLNG follow.”

 NNPC defends  FG’s position

However, Maikanti Baru explained that at the time the OKLNG project started, the market was showing robustness in terms of being able to absorb some extra volumes that would be coming from OKLNG.

Baru said:“The decisions were right at that time, because the market was postulating. At the moment, the market is a bit depressed. Train 7 is very likely because all the indications for having it, the various parameters to be able to move forward are there.

“We are finalizing the major various stumbling blocks in terms of gas supply. That is the major stumbling block holding back the Train 7. As soon as we do it, we are going forward for FID. In about 36 months, we are going to take FID on Train 7.”

In his submission, Alex Neyin said it was ridiculous for the country to dabble into many LNG projects at the same time, stating specifically that the country could not have Brass LNG going on and set up another, in form of the OKLNG, declaring also that this raises concerns among potential investors.

He also stated that the country lacked the capability to manage two LNG projects at the same time, when it had the NLNG Train 7 ready to go.

Similarly, in a statement issued by the NNPC after the interview, Baru said the Federal Government would do everything to ensure the take-off of Bonny NLNG Train 7 and the Brass LNG in the months ahead, after which the Olokola LNG would come on board, if the fundamentals were strong.

He stated that the NNPC was refocusing on the Brass LNG and rebuilding the confidence of investors on the project after the exit of Conocophillips a few years ago, adding that Nigerians and the Federal Government would gain a lot from the project in terms of taxes, royalties and profits.

He noted that when the project comes on stream, it would create massive employment opportunities for Nigerians.

 

 

 

 

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Trump dismisses dozens of Obama-era federal prosecutors

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High-profile Manhattan prosecutor Preet Bharara was among 46 federal prosecutors asked to resign by the administration of US President Donald Trump. PHOTO: AFP

The administration of US President Donald Trump on Friday moved to clean house at the Justice Department, demanding the resignations of 46 federal prosecutors appointed during the two terms of his predecessor Barack Obama.

Presidents often order political appointees in several agencies to resign when they take office, but the abrupt nature of the move caught some by surprise — especially given that so many were asked to leave at once.

High-profile Manhattan prosecutor Preet Bharara was among those asked to leave — even though he met with Trump before the Republican took office and said he was asked to stay on.

Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said Attorney General Jeff Session had asked “all remaining 46 presidentially appointed US Attorneys to tender their resignations in order to ensure a uniform transition.”

“Until the new US Attorneys are confirmed, the dedicated career prosecutors in our US Attorney’s Offices will continue the great work of the department in investigating, prosecuting, and deterring the most violent offenders.”

Later Friday, another Justice Department spokesman, Peter Carr, said Trump had asked two to stay on — current acting deputy attorney general Dana Boente and the man he picked to take over that position, Rod Rosenstein.

“The President called Dana Boente and Rod Rosenstein tonight to inform them that he has declined to accept their resignation, and they will remain in their current positions,” Carr said.

It was not immediately clear if other resignations would eventually be declined.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he was “troubled” to learn of the mass request for resignations, especially that of Bharara, and said it had not been done in an “orderly fashion” as seen in the past.

“By asking for the immediate resignation of every remaining US Attorney before their replacements have been confirmed or even nominated, the president is interrupting ongoing cases and investigations and hindering the administration of justice,” Schumer said in a statement on Facebook.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mSof6R

Alphabet’s Project Loon loses CEO after about six months

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Tom Moore, a satellite veteran brought in to lead Google’s Project Loon unit, has stepped down after about six months. Alastair Westgarth, who headed wireless antenna company Quintel, is taking the spot.

The transition comes after the company scaled back an ambitious attempt to build a global communications service by circling the earth with high-altitude balloons. X, the research division of Google parent Alphabet Inc., recruited Moore in August after the unit’s earlier leader, Mike Cassidy, stepped down. Moore started in mid-September.

“Alastair’s vision for Project Loon aligns with X’s philosophy of approaching huge problems, at scale, to improve the lives of millions or billions of people,” a spokeswoman for X said. Moore will stay on at X in an advisory role for the next few months, she added.

At the time, Moore’s hiring was positioned as a key part of turning Loon into a proper business. Giving Google’s experimental projects more independence and paths to revenue was a key rationale behind the creation of Alphabet in 2015. “Tom’s valuable industry experience will help launch us into the commercial stage,” Astro Teller, the head of X, said when Moore joined.

Unlike Cassidy, who primarily worked as an internet entrepreneur before running Loon, Moore had specific industry expertise. He created a satellite-based broadband service provider called WildBlue Communications Inc., which was acquired by satellite company ViaSat Inc., where Moore served as senior vice president.Over the past year, a string of executives have departed Alphabet’s divisions outside the main Google internet business. Those who have left include Tony Fadell, who ran Nest, and Craig Barratt, who ran Access, the division that oversaw Google Fiber. Moore declined to comment through an X spokeswoman.

X began testing Loon balloons in 2013, working with wireless operators like Vodafone in New Zealand and Telefonica SA in South America. Loon announced partnerships with three Indonesian carriers in late 2015, but has not updated the status of those deals.

Last month, X invited reporters to its headquarters to unveil changes at Loon. Its engineers had deployed machine learning to improve flight patterns for the balloons, limiting the numbers needed to provide internet coverage. Originally, the project was conceived to create a global network. The new technology meant Loon could launch a small number of balloons over particular regions, accelerating the project’s path to becoming an actual commercial operation, executives said.

Moore did not attend the session. Teller told reporters that Moore was traveling.

Westgarth has experience building early-stage startups into commercial businesses, and has held executive positions at Airspan Networks Inc., InnerWireless Inc., Navini Networks Inc. and Tango Networks Inc.

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Demonstrators clash in Delta over calls for Uduaghan’s probe

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Violence erupted yesterday in Asaba, Delta State, between youths who urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and those loyal to him.

The pro-Uduaghan group confronted the demonstrators, who urged the EFCC to investigate the ex-governor for alleged financial impropriety. One of the groups, The Guardian learnt had planned the rally to hold at the Cenotaph, before the other group changed the rally to Government House Asaba when they learnt of the planned attack.

The protesters sang solidarity songs carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “Search all Uduaghan’s houses for there are bunkers there,” “Okowa you started the anti- corruption war,” Uduaghan used over N1 billion to build gutters,” “I stand for jail Uduaghan,” amongst others.

However, the anti-Uduaghan protesters had hardly gathered at Government House gate on Anwai Road when the pro-Uduaghan group, armed with broken bottles, knives, sticks and other dangerous weapons, swooped on them.

They fled as the pro-Uduaghan group kicked, pushed, shoved them and tore up their placards and banners in their determination to break up the protest.

Leader of the anti-Uduaghan group, Mr. Oliver Fejiro, who spoke after they regrouped in another part of Asaba, insisted that Uduaghan must be brought to justice for all the atrocities he committed as governor of the state between 2007 and 2015.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lFKD3z

Senate cancels trip to South Africa over xenophobic attacks

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The Senate has cancelled its planned trip to South Africa over recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in that country. Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided at yesterday’s plenary, announced the cancellation of the trip ‎after a closed-door session of the upper chamber.

He said the cancellation became imperative to avoid multiple delegations to the Southern Africa nation.He said: “On our trip to South Africa, we noted that the House of Representatives insists on going to South Africa independently.

“We thought we could send a single delegation of the National Assembly to avoid the unnecessary embarrassment of multiple delegations. The Senate, therefore, decided to pull out to allow the House of Representatives delegation to proceed.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2m4GYIu

Etisalat risks acquisition by banks over $1.7 billion debt

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We are discussing with them, says telecom firm

If current negotiations with its banks fail, the assets of Nigeria’s fourth largest telecommunications provider, Etisalat, may be acquired by its creditors.

In 2013, Etisalat Nigeria was said to have secured a total of $1.7 billion medium term syndicated loan facility with a consortium of Nigerian banks. The facility includes both naira and US dollar tranches from a consortium of Nigerian banks: Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank, United Bank of Africa, Fidelity Bank, Access Bank, Ecobank, Keystone Bank, First City Monument Bank, FSDH Merchant Bank, Mainstreet Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Union Bank.

The loan, which involved a foreign-backed guaranty bond, was for Etisalat to finance a major network rehabilitation and expansion of its operational base in Nigeria.

However, current economic challenges in the country may have pushed Etisalat into a tight corner with its creditors, as it is unable to pay off its debts.

In the event that Etisalat’s assets are taken over by the banks, the about 21 million of its subscribers are at the risk of experiencing issues in the quality of services and possibly at higher costs. There could also be loss of jobs on account of employment rationing, and above all shutting down of their operations in Nigeria.

In keeping with customer confidentiality, all the banks contacted by The Guardian kept sealed lips on the matter, except, GT Bank.

GT Bank admitted in an email response that the lender has an ongoing commercial relationship with Etisalat, but denied knowledge of alleged takeover of the company’s assets.

But Etisalat, admitting to the debts, said it is discussing with its creditors with a view to amicable resolutions, even as industry regulator, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), said it is unaware of the financial dispute.

Vice President, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs, ‎Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, said the firm is negotiating the loan.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lFLUYt

Australia child sex charges for Justin Bieber impersonator

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"Detectives had been investigating a man who allegedly posed as Justin online in order to solicit explicit images from young children," Queensland state police said in a statement.

A man posing online as pop superstar Justin Bieber was Thursday charged with more 900 child sex offences in Australia after enticing young fans to send him explicit images, police said.

The 42-year-old used online platforms including Facebook and Skype to impersonate the chart-topping Canadian singer, with his alleged offending dating back to 2007.

“Detectives had been investigating a man who allegedly posed as Justin online in order to solicit explicit images from young children,” Queensland state police said in a statement.

“As part of the investigation, a 42-year-old man had earlier been charged with a number of child sex offences including possessing child exploitation material and using a carriage service to groom persons under 16.

“After a thorough examination of the man’s computer, he has been further charged with another 931 child sex offences.”

The charges include rape, indecent treatment of children, making child exploitation material, using a carriage service to procure person under 16, and using a carriage service for child pornography material.

Bieber, who once enjoyed a squeaky clean image but has recently had frequent run-ins with the law, has a legendary army of fans dubbed “Beliebers”.

Detective Inspector Jon Rouse described the breadth of offences as “horrendous” and urged fans to be extra vigilant when using the internet.

“This investigation demonstrates both the vulnerability of children that are utilising social media and communication applications and the global reach and skill that child sex offenders have to groom and seduce victims,” he said.

“The fact that so many children could believe that they were communicating with this particular celebrity highlights the need for a serious rethink about the way that we as a society educate our children about online safety.”

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French rocker Hallyday says has cancer, not life threatening

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(FILES) This file photo taken on January 10, 2016 shows French singer Johnny Hallyday perform with the French army choir (back) during a remembrance rally at Place de la Republique (Republic square) in Paris, to mark a year since 1.6 million people thronged the French capital in a show of unity after attacks on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper and a Jewish supermarket. Veteran French rocker Johnny Hallyday announced Wednesday that he is being treated for cancer, but added in a Twitter message that his life was not in danger.<br />YOAN VALAT / POOL / AFP

Veteran French rocker Johnny Hallyday announced Wednesday that he is being treated for cancer, but added in a Twitter message that his life was not in danger.

“I was actually screened a few months ago for cancer cells for which I am currently being treated,” he wrote. “My life is not in danger today,” added the 73-year-old who has been described as the French Elvis.

“I’m doing very well and am in good physical condition,” he added. Hallyday’s announcement came ahead of the publication Thursday by Closer magazine of an article which describes his condition as of serious concern.

Often referred to in the British media as “the biggest star you’ve never heard of” because his appeal is anchored in the French-speaking world, he is a musical icon at home and has sold more than 100 million records in his decades-long career.

His health has been the subject of media speculation since he was hospitalised in 2009 in the United States for complications following a hernia operation, and was put in an artificial coma.

Instantly identifiable as simply “Johnny”, Hallyday is also known for an eventful private life, and for a row over his decision to dodge French taxes by taking up residence in Switzerland.

Hallyday’s career took off in 1960, a time when French young people were beginning to savour the freedoms brought by the post-World War II economic boom.

His early concerts, including one that attracted 100,000 young people to a Paris city square in 1963, prompted scenes of hysteria similar to those then being seen at concerts by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

His major hits, almost all sung in French, included local versions of rock standards such as Presley’s “Hound Dog”, “Let’s Twist Again” by Chubby Checker and “Bebop a Lula” by Gene Vincent.

In 2015, in the wake of the Paris attacks, the singer, already in his eighth decade, made headlines saying if he was not a singer he would “pick up a weapon and go fight” the Islamic State group.

Hearing of his cancer Wednesday, fans took to Twitter to wish a veteran rocker well.

“Good luck with this fight,” one user wrote. “You rock, we love you,” said another.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lFInZV

Helicopter operations set to boom on Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja routes

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Caverton Helicopters

*Railway corporation releases new timetable for train services
Helicopter service operators in the country are set for a boom time on account of the temporary closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, for its runway repair.

The operators, who are deploying both charter and shuttle service helicopters for different categories of people and pockets, on various routes inwards Abuja, are expecting to make it big with the traffic.

The Guardian learnt from some marketing agents that the shuttle service, which is open to all air travellers, now ranges between N100, 000 to N200, 000 per head, depending on the boarding location and time of booking.

A direct helicopter shuttle service from Lagos to Abuja now goes for between N150, 000 to N200, 000 per head, depending on the operator of choice. Similar flight on Kaduna-Abuja or Minna-Abuja route costs between N50, 000 to N100, 000, depending on airline and time of booking.

Charter services, designated for the corporate bodies and the very rich are priced in millions of naira.

An online marketer said it was not the case that the prices were inflated since all operators were hoping to attract as many patronages as possible within the six-week window.

The Managing Director of Omni-Blu Aviation, Capt. Sunny Adegbuyi, said at least two helicopters have been deployed for the operations. One will run four chartered operations daily on Lagos-Abuja route, while the other is dedicated to shuttle services on Kaduna-Abuja route.

Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria), on its part, said it would continue to offer its Lagos-Abuja fixed-wing charter service via Minna Airport during the closure of the runway at Abuja Airport.

To complement Federal Government efforts to ease commuters’ burden, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has released a new timetable for Abuja-Kaduna-Abuja train.

A statement by the commission revealed that the first up train would be departing Idu station, Abuja by 0600hrs signaling the commencement of six trips per day.

The statement also disclosed that two coaches were reserved strictly for airport passengers on both up and down direction while only one SP coach and SPA coach would be for existing passengers.

It also revealed that the train would not stop at Jere and Rijana stations, saying that the directive takes immediate effect and must be strictly complied with.

As part of fall-outs of the closure of the Abuja airport, the Indonesian Embassy has announced a cut down on air travels for the six-week period.
The measure according to the consular office is because they are skeptical about the safety of their officials while travelling by road to Kaduna.

Although embassy sources stated that they were aware of the Federal Government’s safety and security measures, they are however, still not comfortable due to the poor state of the Kaduna road.

As flights coming into Abuja begin the inevitable diversion to Kaduna Airport, the pledge by Heads of security agencies in Nigeria must come alive, even though some international airlines are yet to come to terms with the arrangement as passengers and stakeholders are still unconvinced with the preparations.

Even as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris assured on security a security expert and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Security Kabir Adamu said enhanced deployment of security personnel on the road, like the IGP said, is not enough to reduce or deter the present crime profile in the state, rather a more proactive measure of routing out the criminals from their enclaves should have being the preference.

Adamu said these bad guys use the forest along the roads to hide, they hide there and I am not aware that any of the security forces is going into the forest to dislodge them or to arrest them. All it would take is for them to come out from the forest, do their thing and go back into the forest. So the opportunity for them to carry out the abductions is much more higher now, because of the increased traffic especially by VIPs on that road.

He explained further that the present security profile of Kaduna state itself is not satisfactory, as the state has become very notorious for kidnapping for ransom, beside the development in Southern Kaduna, with the governor unable to protect the people.

Other stakeholders in the security sector identified lapses like the non availability of street lights on the road stretch leading into the Kaduna airport, making it dangerous for those coming in or out of the Airport a night, especially as some of the places on the over 30-kilometre stretch are without human habitation. The Tarmac is ready, but the Terminals are not, just as the two access roads as well as some other infrastructure are yet to be certified ready.

Meanwhile, the head of Abuja office of Ethiopian Airlines, Firiehiwot Mekonnen said the airline’s first flight will arrive Kaduna today and will continue throughout the six weeks period.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2lVXgms

NCC partners firms to rebuild destroyed telecom facilities in North-East

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Umar Danbatta, NCC Boss.

The Director General of National Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said that the commission is working with Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication providers to rebuild Boko Haram destroyed telecom facilities in the North-East sub-region of the country.

The destroyed telecom masts and base stations signals are worth billions of naira lost during the Boko Haram insurgency between 2009 and 2015 in Borno, Adamwa and Yobe states.

Prof. Danbatta disclosed this at the weekend; while presenting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to Borno State Police Command in Maiduguri, the state capital.

He said with return of peace, there is the need to rebuild all the destroyed telecom facilities in restoring GSM communications in Northeast.He noted that the destruction of these telecom facilities has seriously affected communications in most of the major towns, including the state capitals of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

Prof. Danbatta, who was represented by NCC Director of Legal and
Regulatory Services, Hajiya Hafsat Lawan said the commission was in talks with the GSM providers on ways to get the destroyed facilities rebuilt and restore effective communications.

Her words: “We are working on making GSM work effectively in Borno State and parts of the North-East sub-region destroyed by Boko Haram.”Lawan also disclosed that the commission was equally ready to make some sacrifices needed to take the full pains off the GSM providers.

She said the representatives of NCC; was in Maiduguri to collaborate with the police on ending cybercrime which has fuelled to dent the nation’s image in the international community.

She said that the donated ICT equipment and facilities; was to assist the police tackle cybercrime, adding that the commission was ready to give further donation in this regard.

Responding, the Borno State Police Commissioner, Damien Chukwu said they would be put to use in fighting crimes.He assured the commission that the police would provide needed escorts; whenever the work on the destroyed telecommunications facilities commence.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2myWgsL

Court jails Adamawa ex-governor, Ngillari, for fraud

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• Guilty of 17 criminal charges
• Awards N167.8m contract to unknown person
• ‘Actions denote executive rascality, lawlessness’

A former Governor of Adamawa State, James Bala Ngillari, was yesterday sentenced to five years in prison by a Yola High Court for fraud he committed while in office.

The presiding judge, Justice Nathan Musa, said he relied on section 58 sub-section (5) of the Adamawa Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) Law which provides that any state officer that contravenes the law is liable to a minimum of five years imprisonment without an option of fine.

“The court’s hands are tied by this law, so I cannot do otherwise. The only thing is to give you the minimum sentence of five years, you will serve in Yola main prison,” the judge said.

This conviction is a major boost to the anti-corruption campaign. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had suffered a credibility crisis for not being able to successfully prosecute former or serving top public officers for corruption and sending them to jail. They had either been set free because of poor prosecution or plea bargain that enabled them to go home to enjoy their loot.

Ngillari was found guilty of 17 criminal charges relating to the award of contracts without due process levelled against him by the EFCC. He was sentenced to one year each on five out of the 17 charges brought against him, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ibrahim Andrew Welye and erstwhile Commissioner for Finance Jonathan Lamorde. The two were discharged on the grounds that they merely acted on instructions from the convict.

The former governor awarded a N167.8 million contract for the supply of 25 units of Toyota Camry 2.8 to a contractor to the state government, whose identity is known only to him.

Justice Musa said the case was decided based on evidence before the court and not on the opinion of the counsel.According to the judge, the counsel to the former governor failed to prove before the court that the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance was the officer to be held responsible as the accounting officer of the ministry for the contract scam.

He pointed out that the evidence before the court and oral confessions of the second accused (Welye) at the EFCC proved that the tender board headed by the permanent secretary was sidelined in the award of the contract before the court.

Justice Musa read the SSG’s statement which was one of the exhibits: “The governor summoned me and directed me to write a memo for the purchase of vehicles for commissioners. When I raised the issue of due process by contacting the BPP, the governor told me he was under pressure. A few days after I raised the memo, the governor called me to say that the contractor failed to supply eight vehicles, out of the 25, she supplied only 17 units and that I should call her, but I could not call her because I did not have her phone number.”

On the submission of the counsel to Ngillari that it was an emergency and if quick measures were not taken the prices of the vehicles would go up, the judge ruled that the first accused failed to prove that he carried out a market survey on the prices of the vehicles and that the prices were increasing fast.

Justice Musa stated that since the vehicles were not security in nature, hiding under emergency could not be covered by law and that the defence lacked legal protection and merit. He said Ngillari unlawfully awarded a contract to a contractor known to him alone and his action amounted to executive rascality and lawlessness.

The judge noted that the prosecuting counsel, Murktaka Ahmed, proved his case beyond reasonable doubt against the first accused, and that the second accused (SSG) and the third accused (Jonathan) could not be held responsible for an offence they were not part of from the initiation to the execution level.

He said his judgement would be a warning to political office holders that the law would not respect anyone that abused it using the powers of his office.

The counsel to Ngillari pleaded for leniency for his client, appealing to the court to consider the service he offered to the state in the past.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. James Silas Sanda, who commended the judgement, regretted that a former governor would be sentenced to prison. He described the development as ugly for the country, and called on all political office holders to learn their lessons from the verdict.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2myTV0G

At Awolowo lecture, leaders re-echo calls for true federalism

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Chairman, Board of Trustees, Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (left); former Governor, Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Chairman, Selection Committee, Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Guest Lecturer, Prof. Banji Akintoye; Patron of the Foundation and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and Executive Director, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu at the 2017 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Lecture in Lagos…yesterday. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI<br />

• Political associates, family members celebrate sage
• Why I back restructuring, by ex-Vice President Atiku

Nigeria’s pressing challenges require urgent solutions. And the panacea could come a little sooner if the current federal system is readjusted to fit the prescription of the late elder statesman and founder of the defunct Action Group (AG), Chief Obafemi Awolowo. This was the consensus of prominent leaders at the 2017 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Lecture and his 108th posthumous birthday event in Lagos yesterday.

The eminent Nigerians included former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd); Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Governors, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) as well as Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Chief Olusegun Osoba, both erstwhile governors of Delta and Ogun states.

Also present were The Guardian’s Publisher, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; former Minister of Defence, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd); Chief J.K. Randle, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and National Coordinator, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams. 

To them, the nation’s foundation needs urgent tinkering with to enable it to deliver the expectations of the founding fathers for the citizenry.
The speakers noted: “If Nigeria had embraced the political advice of Awolowo on how a multi-ethnic country like ours should be run, we would have been walking side by side with some of the Western nations like Japan, United Kingdom, America and others today.”
  
Anyaoku particularly expressed sadness at what he described as the prevalent poverty rate and disrespect for the judiciary by the Federal Government over the years.

His words: “The founding fathers would be disappointed to find out that instead of having viable federating units, we have weaker and non-viable ones with an all-powerful government at the centre which stifles competition and growth.
 
“They would also be disappointed in the way that the Federal Government disrespects the judiciary and disobeys court orders. Our fathers would be disappointed in the direction the country is heading to.”
 
Anyaoku, who is also the chairman, Selection Committee, Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, therefore called on those in government to review their stance on the restructuring of the country.
 
Gowon lauded Awolowo’s sagacity, saying he was a great Nigerian who gave all to keep the nation united, especially during the civil war.The Ooni of Ife, who also condemned the current federal structure, however, challenged all on stewardship. He stressed that it was good for one to be remembered for service.

Aregbesola however, differed, saying the critical deficiency of the country was the concept of money.He noted: “A nation that does not care about how its income is distributed to the class of workers cannot be said to be serious. This is responsible for the great poverty in our country and until income is predicated on production of good and services, we are going nowhere.”
 
But the guest lecturer, Prof. Banji Akintoye, faulted the governor, noting that the abandonment of the late sage’s prescription had done the nation a lot of evil. He stressed that true federalism remains the only way to go.
 
To Osoba, Awolowo left a great legacy that the country could not afford to overlook.Later yesterday, political associates and family members held a thanksgiving service at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne-Remo Ogun State to commemorate the day.

The Vicar Venerable Samuel Enike, who spoke on the theme, “Living for Christ”, noted that the free education policy initiated by the late Awolowo afforded countless Nigerians the opportunity to be educated.

Also yesterday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said he was championing the restructuring of the country because the current system gives room for suspicion and makes the nation weak.

Atiku, who spoke at the annual public lecture of Prof. Ademola Popoola of the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife, Osun State under the theme, “Constitutional and political framework for reconstructing Nigeria for true federalism and national integration,” termed the current structure a “unitary federalism.”

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How Nigeria lost $30b to foreign-controlled monopoly

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President of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Prince Dapo Adelegan

Experts seek urgent intervention in local content development

Nigeria may have lost in excess of $30 billion in the past 30 years to poor infrastructure and foreign- controlled monopoly playing out in the country’s oil and gas sector, stakeholders said in Lagos.

The experts, who gathered to discuss, “Pushing the Boundaries in the Development of Local Capacity and Nigerian Content in the Oil and Gas Industry,” at the March breakfast meeting of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), were optimistic of the huge potential in the sector. They however demanded an urgent intervention to enable the nation develop local content in order to create desired growth.

The domiciliation of these jobs seeded to foreign companies would have added immense value to indigenous operators, while also enhancing their capacities and capabilities in executing usually capital intensive oil and gas projects.

Operating firms, particularly in the oil and gas logistics sector groaned that the sector had failed to keep pace because government allowed monopoly, which continues to deny growth of local capacity, limit participation of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), cripple globally competitive facilities and suppliers and other grave losses.

Guest Speaker at the event, who is also Managing Director of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) Dr. Amy Jadesimi, said: “If you look at the oil and gas sector in the past 30 years, we have spent about $300 billion. Local content is around 10 per cent. That is $30 billion. Local content in Brazil is 70 per cent so if you think of the opportunity cost – the loss value, we have lost 60 per cent of that $30 billion, which is around $240 billion.

“Nigeria has the potential to be the hub of West Africa, so if you add the fact that we have not built the infrastructure to drive development and to get business from the whole of West Africa, that is possibly another $10 billion. So an excess of about $30 billion has been lost because we have allowed our industries to be dominated by foreign controlled monopoly.”

Jadesimi, who was very futuristic in her presentation, urged the government and players in the sector to enforce the law and policies and increase local collaboration to enable Nigeria take advantage of West Africa’s $200 billion market

“Our market is so huge that if you add a little bit of value you will realise a tremendous value, not just for investors but for your clients and even for the foreign partners that you are working with.

“We don’t have a level playing field because we still have people in the government, who want monopoly. There are people who are sabotaging the country economically,” she said

Chairman, Oil & Gas Sector Group NBCC, Aisha Abdurrahma, said Nigeria must find every means to develop the sector and retain the money lost to foreign players.

She urged players in the sector to appreciate contributions from local organisations, adding that effective strategy is needed by local players to meet international standard.

NBCC President, Dapo Adelegan, enjoined government to ensure that the daily crude oil production of Nigeria hit a three million mark by 2020.The President also sought the creation of technical institutions that would enable young Nigerians acquire necessary skills that would help them participate in oil and gas businesses in the country.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mz9xRT

Chance the Rapper gives $1 mn amid Chicago school row

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This file photo taken on February 12, 2017 shows Chance the Rapper arriving for the 59th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California. Fast-rising star Chance the Rapper on March 6, 2017 donated $1 million to Chicago's schools as he waded into the middle of a political feud that threatens to close down classrooms weeks early.<br />Mark RALSTON / AFP

Fast-rising star Chance the Rapper on Monday donated $1 million to Chicago’s schools as he waded into the middle of a political feud that threatens to close down classrooms weeks early.

The “Coloring Book” rapper, who last month won three Grammys including the prestigious Best New Artist award, threw a national spotlight on a long-running rift over school funding in the third most populous US city.

Chicago has warned that its public schools could shut on June 1, three weeks ahead of schedule, due to a gap of more than $200 million in funding.

“This isn’t about politics, this isn’t about posturing, this is about taking care of the kids,” Chance the Rapper told a news conference at an elementary school that he streamed to his millions of social media followers.

The 23-year-old artist, a Chicago native who attended public schools, said he was donating $1 million to support arts programming and was not looking to replace state funding.

He also promised that his group Social Works Chicago would match every donation of $100,000 with another $10,000.

“This check that I donated is a call to action. I’m challenging major companies and corporations in Chicago and all across the nation to donate and to take action,” said the rapper, at times reading formally in contrast to his on-stage poise.

Chance the Rapper has long been an activist and has made appeals to end Chicago’s street violence. His father Ken Williams-Bennett is a veteran Chicago political figure who was an aide to former president Barack Obama.

Former first lady Michelle Obama, who has mostly kept a low profile in the weeks since leaving the White House, hailed Chance for “giving back to the Chicago community, which gave us so much.”

“You are an example of the power of arts education,” she wrote on Twitter.

Chance, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, last week met on the school funding dispute with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, a Republican.

Rauner last year vetoed a funding plan for the schools in a dispute with the legislature as he pushes the school district to reform ballooning pension costs and fix what he calls longtime mismanagement.

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Etisalat launches youth-friendly package with #Breakfree campaign

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Etisalat Nigeria team – Director, Brand and Experience, Elvis Ogiemwanye; Vice President, Marketing, Adebisi Idowu; Manager, Teen Segment, Ife Oyeyipo; Director, Consumer Segment, Adeolu Dairo and Vice President, Consumer Sales and Services, Ken Ogujiofor at the official unveiling of the revamped EasyCliq proposition during the 24-hour #BreakFree party… in Lagos

In a bid to further demonstrate its commitment of placing customers at the centre of its operations, telecommunications company, Etisalat has launched a revamped Easy Cliq, a bespoke package that gives customers the freedom and power to choose from a range of bonus options.

The official launch of the revamped Easy Cliq was preceded by the #BreakFree campaign which featured a flash mob orchestrated by youths at the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos and at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja, and an exuberant 24-hour party held at the Hard Rock Café, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.

The campaign, which encouraged Nigerians to live outside the box and embrace opportunities to actualize their dreams, sought to portray the value Etisalat has brought to customers with the revamped Easy Cliq.

Wile speaking on the new package, Vice President, Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Adebisi Idowu, said the new EasyCliq is a clear demonstration of Etisalat’s competitive edge and continuous commitment to smart innovations that give Nigerians the best deals possible in both voice calls and data plans, and also the freedom to choose what they prefer.

“At Etisalat, we have proven it time and again that we can consistently stay ahead of the game when it comes to innovation and offering the best deals to our customers. With the revamped EasyCliq, we have again shown leadership in our industry by giving our customers the power and freedom to choose what they prefer from multiple bonus options.”

While noting that the package also comes with default features including 25 kobo per second default tariff, 200MB for N100 and one free SMS for every billed SMS, he said customers, who opt for the revamped EasyCliq package would enjoy other benefits such as access to digital media services like Cloud 9, Football portal, Games portal and Video portal at a discounted rate, as well as 250MB night plan from 12:00am to 5:00am at N50 only.

Idowu explained that once on the all-new EasyCliq package, an Etisalat subscriber can dial *545# to select any of the three bonus options they prefer.

“A customer can choose a 250 per cent bonus to call all networks, a 350 per cent bonus to call only Etisalat numbers, or 100 per cent bonus on data purchase between 50MB-500MB,” he said. “Whatever the choice, the customer wins. This is why Etisalat is the most customer-friendly telecommunications network in the country.”

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Reps seek increased budgetary allocation to judiciary

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PHOTO: Channelstv

The House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary has urged the federal government to prioritise funding for the Judiciary.At the consideration of this year’s budget proposals of National Judicial Council (NJC), Chairman of the committee, Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari said in view of the critical role of the judicial sector, there was need to enhance activities in the judiciary.

Shagari said the need for increased budgetary allocation has become necessary in complementing the government’s efforts against corruption.He expressed concern that the 42.8 per cent increase in the 2017 budgetary proposal may not cater for the needs of the judiciary.

Shagari announced that N70 billion was approved for the judiciary in 2016 while the sum of N100 billion was proposed in 2017 Appropriation Bill. According to him, with the introduction of the democracy and the growth of the Nigerian economy, there has been demands for establishment of more courts or special courts due to the increase in number of cases handled by existing courts.

“It is obvious that the work load is too much which is manifested in the delay in the hearing of cases.“The implication of this is that the budget of the judiciary has to be increased proportionally to cope with the load. This will even be more so if special courts are established as some members of the public are presently agitating for,” Shagari said.

The lawmaker, who said that some existing court complexes and rooms were in bad state, called for urgent need to renovate them and complete construction of new ones in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of justice delivery in the country.

He added that while the budget of the judiciary in six years remained relatively the same, the various courts and judicial bodies had during the period embarked on massive recruitment.

“However, because there were no corresponding provision for the salaries of the new recruits, the judiciary was compelled to fall back on its contingency votes to pay salaries and allowances of the new recruits,” Shagari said.

According to him the annual budget of the judiciary caters for the salaries and allowances of about 1, 150 serving judicial officers in both federal and state court.

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