Goodluck Jonathan: Fire Diezani Alison-Madueke Immediately Or Resign! By Conscience Nation

At the very root of the insecurity threatening to consume Nigeria today, is one single matter – CORRUPTION!!! While there are many manifestations of this hydra-headed monster, any decisive action against corruption MUST be launched against it from the source, namely the petroleum sector, which is the nation’s leading revenue generator.
Before we proceed further, here are a few quick facts and corresponding questions:
1. Some of Nigeria’s most prolific oil assets were recently renewed by Petroleum Minister
    Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke in favour of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited for an
    undisclosed amount (reportedly millions of dollars). This approval disregarded superior bids
    from competing Chinese companies which offered billions of dollars. This development
    clearly contradicts Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s vow when he assumed the Presidency in
    May 2010, that ALL transactions during his tenure would be transparent. QUESTION: IN
    THIS ERA OF FISCAL PRUDENCE GLOBALLY, WHY WERE THE SUPERIOR BIDS
    FROM THE CHINESE COMPANIES DISCOUNTENANCED?
2. After much speculation, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Mr.
Mohammed Adoke (SAN) revealed that Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke personally approved a settlement between her former employer (i.e. Shell Petroleum) and Agip Oil on one hand; and Malabu Oil on the other hand, with respect to the contentious OPL 245. Thereafter, in what must be one of the most scandalous actions in Nigeria’s history, US$ 1.1 billion dollars was brazenly funneled through the nation’s hallowed Federation Account to several third party beneficiaries including Malabu Oil.
In other words, Nigeria’s Federation Account was used for money laundering. Incidentally, one of the beneficiaries – Malabu Oil – is owned by a convicted money launderer, namely former Petroleum Minister Chief Dan Etete. POSERS: (2.1) PRESIDENT JONATHAN MUST EXPLAIN WHY NIGERIA’S FEDERATION ACCOUNT WAS USED FOR MONEY LAUNDERING. (2.2) WHY WAS THIS TRANSACTION, UNPRECEDENTED IN ITS ILLEGALITY, HURRIEDLY EFFECTED BEFORE THE RESUMPTION OF FINANCE MINISTER DR. NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA? (2.3) BESIDES PAYING MALABU US$ 1.1 BILLION, HOW MUCH DID SHELL AND AGIP PAY TO THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT FOR THE BENEFIT OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS, AS CONSIDERATION FOR OPL 245?
3. Though the menace of illegal bunkering been happening over the years, during Petroleum
Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke’s tenure, this criminal enterprise has become (second only to the Boko Haram insurgency) the greatest enemy of Nigeria’s
security. Indeed, a senior Federal Government official recently confirmed to “Financial Times of London” that at least 400,000 barrels per day of Nigeria’s premium light sweet crude oil, are carted away, effectively draining the nation’s treasury to the tune of US$ 1.2 billion monthly or over US$ 14 billion annually!!! QUESTION: BESIDES MOUTHING PLATITUDES AND ESTABLISHING INEFFECTIVE COMMITTEES, WHAT DECISIVE ACTION(S) HAS PRESIDENT JONATHAN TAKEN TO HALT THIS EQUIVALENT OF A FISCAL ATOMIC BOMB?
4. Sequel to a painstaking forensic audit, commissioned by the Federal Government,
    the Aigbojie Aig-Imokhuede Committee Investigating Fuel Subsidy Payments has established
    prima facie cases evidencing how several companies defrauded Nigeria’s Treasury of over
    1 trillion Naira between 2010 and 2012. POSER: NIGERIANS AND THE WHOLE WORLD
    ARE WATCHING WHETHER THE INDICTED COMPANIES WILL SIMPLY BE TOLD
    TO REFUND STOLEN MONIES OR ALSO PROSECUTED, CONSIDERING PRESIDENT
    JONATHAN’S DEADLINE OF 5 PM FRIDAY 13TH JULY 2012 FOR THE ALLEGED
    CULPRITS TO EITHER CLEAR THEMSELVES OR FACE CERTAIN PROSECUTION!!!
While one may give President Jonathan the benefit of doubt as to his complicity in the above listed scandals, Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke CANNOT and MUST
NOT escape responsibility since she is invariably implicated, either by deliberate action, commission, omission or dereliction of duty. Whatever the case may be, she ought to resign IMMEDIATELY or else face prompt dismissal by President Jonathan. If former National Security Adviser General Owoye Andrew Azazi and former Defence Minister Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed could be sacrificed for incompetence in their respective national assignments, why not  Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke whose stewardship of this most critical sector has recorded such grave infractions?
Therefore, I call on all well meaning Nigerians to IMMEDIATELY launch a campaign to directly pressure President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to IMMEDIATELY dismiss and prosecute Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke. Otherwise, President Jonathan should himself resign from the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
After sacking Diezani Alison-Madueke, President Jonathan should appoint a globally acclaimed professional to champion the much-need reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Witness the impressive transformation agenda which Dr. Adewunmi Adesina and Dr. Okonjo-Iweala are driving in the Agriculture Industry and Finance Sector/Economy respectively.
To personally register support for the reform of Nigeria’s petroleum industry (through the removal of Petroleum Minister Architect Diezani Alison-Madueke) ALL Nigerians should reach President Jonathan as follows:
⎫    Call Presidential Villa Switchboard Number +234 (0) 9 625 3000 or +234 (0) 9 625 4000;
⎫    Call President Jonathan’s Media Adviser Dr. Reuben Abati on +234 (0) 803 400 4249 or +234 (0) 805 400 4249;
⎫    Translate this document into Nigerian languages (e.g. Ibo, Hausa, Yoruba, Ijaw, etc) and circulate same widely on Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Once all those who have plundered Nigeria’s resources are held accountable, starting with the thieves in the petroleum sector, we would have commenced the reclamation of Nigeria.
LONG LIVE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!!!
cotnation@yahoo.com

IMPEACHMENT THREAT: Jonathan Still In Hot Soup, PDP To The Rescue?

With the House of Representatives unrelenting in its impeachment threat against President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will today formally intervene in the crisis.
The PDP's intervention through its National Working Committee, NWC is coming as the House, yesterday, maintained its stance on the September ultimatum to Jonathan to fully implement the 2012 budget. The House has also dismissed insinuations of a conspiracy by other political interests against the Presidency.
The communiqué from the House came as it emerged that the Presidency was itself losing the backing of normally supportive members of the House. Of serious concern to the Presidency, it was learnt yesterday, was the fact that some House members from the South-South were becoming indifferent to the difficulties of the administration in the House over the ultimatum.
The House of Representatives had last Thursday issued an ultimatum to President Jonathan to fully implement the 2012 budget failing which the House would commence impeachment proceedings against him when it resumes from its seasonal break in September.
The formal intervention of the PDP NWC follows reports of the intervention of the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur who was reported to have communicated with Speaker Aminu Tambuwal over the issue on telephone.
The act of intervening by telephone was something that some in the House of Representatives have seen as an example of the lack of seriousness on the part of the presidency in resolving the matter.
Members from the South-South geopolitical zone who had in the past backed President Jonathan, were, yesterday, pulling away from him, alleging that his failure to fully implement the budget was also damaging their political interests.
Meanwhile a plot to discredit the impeachment threat was yesterday afoot with supporters of the President aiming to link the threat of impeachment to the political opposition who they claimed were seeking to get power outside the ballot box.
"There is no serious threat from our members in the House but what we see is a determined scheme by the discredited opposition to gain power and relevance using the platform of the House of Representatives.
"In fact, we are not perturbed by the rumblings because we are all on the same page with the members of the House of Representatives on the matter of budgets and we are certainly not moved by the machination of the opposition," a senior official of the PDP disclosed yesterday.
Besides the political opposition there were also insinuations of members being propelled by ulterior motives such as financial gain or other considerations.
It also emerged that the NWC of the party would be meeting with the issue on the top of the agenda.
Apparently responding to the insinuations of a plot by outside interests to destabilize the House, House spokesman, Rep. Zakari Mohammed in a statement yesterday dismissed it, saying that the House was essentially being driven by the patriotism of members.
"We in the Legislature are lawmakers and not contractors and execution of the constituency projects has been the exclusive preserve of the executive and its agencies. At no time has there been any argument on this," Mohammed said in the statement yesterday. "The entire 360 members in the House are bound by the Nigerian project; our independence and objectiveness is evident in the selection of our principal officers which we did according to our thoughts. To assume that we are guided by some forces outside the House of Representatives is mischievous and a deliberate ploy to misrepresent the House before the Nigerian public."
Noting the effort of the House to distance itself from one of its allegedly errant members, Rep. Farouk Lawan, the House spokesman said:
"The 7th Assembly has distanced itself from the Hon. Farouk/ Otedola case as evident in the bold steps, we took in suspending Lawan as chairman of both the committees on fuel subsidy and education. In addition we have encouraged the law enforcement agencies to do their work according to the dictates of the law.
"To now conclude that our resolution of last Thursday was borne out of selfish motives is terribly out of place. We would, however, continue to raise our voices to the highest level where we sight injustice or impunity; no amount of blackmail or intimidation would cow us to abdicate our constitutional responsibility which we signed with our employers the (Nigerian people) to stand firm and protect their interest."
It also emerged that anger was also boiling over even among members normally supportive of the President.
"The executive has completely abandoned the constituency projects as contained in the budget that was passed by the National Assembly," a member of the House from the South-South said yesterday.
"For instance, we are now on recess and we need to go back to our various constituencies but what are we going to point to as our achievements in the last one year when we face our people?"
He also condemned the Presidency's handling of the situation adding that not even law-makers from the South-South region had been contacted for support on the unfolding scenario.
Said he: "I am from the South-south region and nobody has even reached out to us on this development".
Chudi Uwazurike, (PDP, Imo) reacting on the budget impasse said: "There is no war with the Presidency; the House is not at war at all. There is of course frustration over the major function of the parliament which is oversight over the budget. Remember that the whole point of democracy is to make life easier and more meaningful.
"This particular budget was treated and passed in such a way that whatever the executive asked for, they really got. So there is no excuse whatsoever for failure and we are thoroughly disappointed with Mr. President that up till now less than 30% performance has been recorded. And worse, quite a lot of it has not been cash backed yet."
Continuing, he said:
"so we have a situation where a lot needs to be done. We talk with our constituents; the 469 members of the National Assembly are the direct representatives of the people. So we feel the pressure. We are the ones who get this budget passed and we get to our constituents on weekly basis. If only the executive branch can actually deem itself being in partnership with the parliament, the country will move forward faster.
Source: Vanguard

SHOCKING: Ghanaian President John Atta Mills Gone?

Ghana’s President John Atta Mills, who was most recently treated in the U.S. for an unspecified condition, has reportedly passed away. His replacement will be sworn in Tonight, sources have told Sahara Reporters.

Questions about the President’s health had been swirling for almost a year. Regarding his frequent visits to U.S. hospitals – 3 this year alone - President Mills replied: ‘’I am going for a medical checkup. I go there to ensure everything is okay. I am going to see my doctors for some examination then I will come back and continue my work of building a Better Ghana.’’

His death reportedly occurred at the 37 Military hospital in Accra.

Prof John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills was born on July 21, 1944 and was 68 years old at the time of his passing.

He was the third and current President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana and was inaugurated on Jan. 7, 2009, having defeated the ruling party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 election.

He was last seen in Ghana on June 3 when he toured the plane crash site at Accra. The President was reported to be crestfallen for seeing the crash site. Critics however said he was looking poorly because he was dragged to that site when he was not feeling well.

He was expected to visit Nigeria in August for a one-day working visit with President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the recent foreign retail trade brouhaha. Vice President John Dramani Mahama is expected to fill the executive’s functions in the interim.

In apparent anticipation of a long period of incapacitation, the President had written to the members of Parliament with his last wishes. His letter, read today, to the MPs said: “In accordance with Article 59 of the Constitution of Ghana, I write to inform you that I shall be away in the US from Saturday, 16 June to Monday 25 June, 2012 for a routine medical check-up.

“During my absence the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E John Dramani Mahama, shall in accordance with Article 60 (8) of the Constitution act in my stead. Kindly accept, Right Honourable the assurances of my highest consideration. No plans have been announced as yet for his burial.
Source: Sahara Reporters

AT LAST: Remmy Mary Engaged?

Nollywood actress, Remmy Mary is engaged. The actress confirmed the news over the weekend when she updated her Facebook page about the development.
Mary informed her fans with this update; “Hi guys hope everyone is doing good….. I’m engaged to Jason Njoku. Great weekend. God bless us.”
Jason Njoku is the boss of popular Nollywood movies streaming outfit, iRoko TV. In 2011, Mary was part of actresses picked to become brand ambassadors of iRoko TV.
She lost her sister, Eucharia Remmy, who is also an actress to bomb blast in Damaturu, Yobe state in 2011.
Source: Daily Post

INTERESTING: Court, My Wife Is A Tigress Save Me - Husband

A 44-year-old civil servant on Tuesday asked an Ojo Customary Court to dissolve his marriage, accusing his wife of 10 years of biting him at the slightest provocation.
The petitioner, Samuel Yisa, described the incessant bites by his 33-year-old wife as “animalistic and a wicked act of defence”.
“This woman is a tigress. Even before any quarrel between us becomes heated up, she will spontaneously reach for any part of my body and bite me.
“I kept reporting to her parents with the hope that she would be cautioned but now, I want a divorce,’’ he said.
He told the court that he was once hospitalised following a deep cut on his hand as a result of her bite.
The respondent, Victoria Yisa, begged the court in tears, stating that she has become a changed wife and asked the court president to help save her marriage from collapse
“I am no longer a fighter as I have changed sir and this act will not repeat itself,’’ she said in tears
The acting court president, Mr S.B Giwa, asked the couple to return home and settle their differences and report back to the court and adjourned the case to Oct. 23. (NAN)
Source: Vanguard

NOLLYWOOD: I Need A Break - Emeka Ike

Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, has said he’s leaving Nollywood temporarily to strategies. Speaking to an Encomium reporter exclusively on Sunday July 22nd, the actor said:
“I have not quit Nollywood in the real sense of the word. What I did was to withdraw all my movies from the market, and I mean all the movies that are related with Emeka Ike…and the reason is not far fetched. I am angry with what is going on in the industry. My conscience would not allow me to go on with the decay in the industry. So, I feel that was the best thing to do, to dissociate myself from the problem and stand out! So, henceforth, any Nollywood movie would not involve Emeka Ike. Rather, I want to market all my movies on the label of Emeka Ike Production. If you want to deal with me as an actor, you have to work with me under the label. That clearly separates me from Nollywood.
Source: Information Nigeria

SHOCKING: $3 Million Gone, Ibori Lose More Loot In Jail?

James Onanefe Ibori

James Ibori, the convicted former Delta State Governor, loses $3 million to the U.S.
More trouble has come the way of imprisoned former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, as a United States (U.S.) court seized his asset worth N480 million ($3 million).

The seizure was announced, Monday, through a statement by an Assistant Attorney General at the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Lanny Breuer; and a Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), John Morton.

The asset, believed to be proceeds of corruption, seized from Mr. Ibori are a mansion in Houston and two Merrill Lynch brokerage accounts. The case is part of the Justice Department’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative.

“Instead of working to benefit the people of the Nigerian Delta, Governor Ibori pilfered state funds and accumulated immense wealth in the process,” Mr. Breuer said. 

“He conspired with Mr. Gohil (Bhadresh, his British Lawyer) to funnel millions of dollars in corruption proceeds out of Nigeria and into bank accounts and assets maintained in the names of shell companies and nominees. “

The U.S. District court of Columbia approved the seizure on May 16, 2012, following an application from a UK court.

Mr. Ibori is already serving his jail term in the UK after he was convicted, to 13 years in prison, for money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. 

The Delta State born politician was governor of the oil-rich state from may 1999 to May 2007.

Mr. Gohil was also convicted, in November 2010, of money laundering and prejudicing a money laundering investigation; and was sentenced by a UK court to 10 years in prison. 

 

Report Corrupt Leaders to us

While speaking on the asset seizure, Mr. Morton, the ICE director descried Mr. Ibori’s case as “a warning to those corrupt foreign officials who abuse their power for personal financial gain and then attempt to place those funds in the U.S. financial system.”

He said his agency would work with other US authorities to deny “them (corrupt foreign officials) the satisfaction of their illegal earnings.”

The statement also called on members of the public, anywhere in the world, to report any public official suspected of keeping stolen funds in the U.S.

“Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through institutions in the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to kleptocracy@usdoj.gov,” it stated.
Source: Sahara Reporters

SLANDER: AIT Lied Over Tunde Bakare's SSS Invitation?

Tunde Bakare, the firebrand lawyer and pastor who yesterday answered an invitation of the State Security Service (SSS), which appealed to him to tone down his blazing political message on the pulpit, is about to serve a different kind of fire to AIT Television.
In a letter to the Chairman of DAAR Communications, which owns AIT Television, lawyers to the Pastor today gave the station 48 hours to apologize for yesterday’s 8pm newscast, in which it said that Mr. Bakare was arrested by the SSS for his speech at the Latter Rain Assembly the previous day, or face immediate legal action.
The lawyers noted that in the broadcast, AIT alleged that Mr. Bakare was “detained for 48 hours by the State Security Service before he was released on bail,” and that during interrogation, Mr. Bakare “denied making certain statements in his speech and stated that he was misquoted by the press”.
“The foregoing statements credited to our client were never made by him neither at the State Security Services office nor at any other place,” the letter said.  “By your statements, you have injured the reputation of our client by portraying him as a man who lacks the temerity and courage to stand by his words before constituted authority.”
According to the statement, the “calculated attempt to further injure the reputation” of Pastor Bakare was followed up this morning on the live “Focus Nigeria” programme when anchor Kunle Adewale, commenting on the topic, “ARREST AND DETENTION OF PASTOR TUNDE BAKARE BY THE SSS,” posited that the pastor is “mixing politics with the pulpit” and urged Nigerians to call in and comment on his conduct.

“The comment/broadcast of Kunle Adewale during the live broadcast, insinuates that our client is a disgruntled politician who is hiding under the disguise of religion to instigate a change of government,” the notice said.  “The comment/broadcast also suggests that our client’s “message of enlightenment” is an incitement on Nigerians to revolt against the present Government.
It further affirmed that the broadcast is malicious, offensive and intended to disparage Mr. Bakare and cause him embarrassment and public condemnation.
“The aforestated publication has grossly lowered the reputation of our client in the estimation of right-thinking members of the Nigerian society and the world in general. It has exposed our client, founder of Latter Rain Assembly and Convener of Save Nigeria Group to public odium and ridicule. Our client has been inundated with calls and text messages by friends and associates who are perturbed by the broadcast. This broadcast has exposed our client to the worst condemnation ever made against any Pastor and Human Rights Activist.”
Furthermore, said the notice, “Our client finds it totally unacceptable that a man who convened the peaceful protest on the removal of subsidy in Lagos would be so cowardly as to deny making the said speech or attributing the content of his speech to the misquotations of the press.  It corrodes the reputation of our client to suggest that a man of his status who chooses to walk the path of honesty would use the Lord’s name for political gains or lie against the press.”
AIT has yet to respond to the ultimatum, which will expire on Thursday.
Source: Sahara Reporters

WICKED: Woman Lures Virgin For Rapist?

A woman, Ukamaka Oluche, who allegedly lured her teenage friend (names withheld) to a suspected rapist, Tunde Mesanga, has landed herself and the man in serious trouble.
An Apapa Magistrate’s Court in Lagos where they are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape, has ordered that they be remanded at Kirikiri prisons, Apapa.
P.M.NEWS gathered that Ukamaka was a friend to the 18-year old teenage girl for some years. The victim confided in Ukamaka that she was a virgin and would like to remain so until after her university education and marriage. The teenager did not know that her friend, Ukamaka, was not happy at such a revelation.
Ukamaka therefore lured the victim to suspected rapist’s house somewhere in Agric area of Lagos-Badagry expressway, where she was allegedly raped by Mesanga. Both of them reportedly stripped the victim while Tunde raped her.
The incident was later reported to the police and the lady and Mesanga were arrested and charged to court.
The police prosecutor told the court that the two suspects contravened sections 409 and 263 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011. When the charge was read to them, Ukamaka and Mesanga pleaded not guilty. The presiding magistrate, Mr. E.O. Ogundare admitted each of them to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety each in the like sum.
The matter was adjourned till 19 October, 2012 for mention. But because they did not meet the bail condition on time, they were remanded in Kirikiri prisons, Apapa, pending when their sureties will perfect their bail conditions.
Source: PM News

KWARA STATE ADMISSION LIST IS OUT (1ST BATCH)

The Kwara State University, Malete List is out. To view it visit the link below.

KWASU ADMISSION LIST (1ST BATCH) PDF File format

If you see your name on the list, don't forget to print your screening form. Click the link below to get it.

KWASU SCREENING FORM PDF File format

BOKO HARAM: Senator Get Permission To Travel Out?

A Federal High Court siting in Abuja on Tuesday gave its nod for Ndume to proceed to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser Hajj as it granted him an order to exit from Nigeria for the purpose of performing lesser hajj, Umrah, from 1st to 31st August, 2012.
Ndume has been standing trial on a four counts charge for allegedly sponsoring the dreaded Boko Haram sect.
The court held that it lies on the state to prove that releasing Ndume’s passport to enable him travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser Hajj, Umrah, will jeopardize the efforts of the security agencies to curb the ravaging activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sects which has caused the death of many Nigerians in the last 14 months.
“An accused standing trial is still presumed innocent until proven guilty but this however does not mean that there was no prima facie evidence linking him to the crimes, presumption of innocence supposes that one who is alleged to have been committed a crime and was arrested should be charged to court and the accused had been so charged” the court noted.
In exercising the court’s discretion in favour of Ndume, the presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, stated that the accused applicant has requested to attend to his religious obligation as well as attend his routine medical checks and noted that prosecution had not responded on how releasing his passport to travel will prejudice this trial.
“He had been admitted to bail and there is prospect or certainty that the accused will attend his trial. His request was for a specified time frame, and a mere assertion by the prosecution that the accused will not return for his trial, can not be taken like a magic wand, reasonable materials to that effect ought to have been placed before the court”.
Ndume’s application is based primarily on his personal religious faith which the court should treat cautiously. Moreso, only the living can perform umrah, so the submission of the prosecution that Ndume can always perform the religious rites after his trial holds water as the prosecution cannot say for certainty that Ndume would be discharged and acquitted at the end of his trial, the court observed.
“The offence for which he is standing trial carries a jail term of 10 years and there is no law which permits someone serving term to travel for religious rites”.
Justice Kolawole ordered Ndume to file within 24 hours upon his arrival an affidavit deposing to having received any medical attention in the course of his trip for religious rites and to return his travel documents back to the court immediately on arrival.
In the application moved by his lawyers led by Mr. Segun Jolaowo, the senator had pleaded with the court to release his travel documents to enable him perform Islamic religious rites in Saudi Arabia and seek further medical attention over seas.
According to Ndume’s lawyers, the application seeking the release of the travel documents will enable his client seek further medical attention abroad after performing religious rites in Saudi Arabia.
” We all know the state of our nation’s medical facilities, that is why he wants to travel abroad for medical attention as well perform his religious obligation in Saudi Arabia”.
He further informed the court that the senator had always appeared for his trial and had never flouted any of the conditions attached to his bail and that he will promptly return his International Passport upon his return to the court.
The court was also reminded that despite an earlier leave granted by the court for Ndume to travel which the SSS frustrated, that he promptly returned the passport to the custody of the court.
In opposing the application, Mr. Sunday Mordi, the prosecution counsel, had informed the court that he filed and served a Nine- paragraph affidavit on the 11th of July and sought rely on all the avirements in the counter affidavit and adopt it as prosecution’s argument in opposing the application.
“We urge this court to dismiss this application in the interest of justice and the security of the entire nation as granting it will jeopardize the process of this trial. We all know that this country is under siege by the dreaded Boko Haram. We hear tales of bomb blasts in Damaturu, Yobe and Jos”
Mr. Mordi also faulted the claims by the embattled senator on the issue of medical attention abroad, noting that there are medical facilities across the nation to cater for whatever ailment he may be suffering from.
Senator Ndume, in his application, did not specify what ailment he is suffering from nor the nature of the proposed treatment being sought abroad.
The trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole subsequently adjourned trial to October 24th.
Source: PM News

HOT LIST: First Batch Of Fuel Subsidy Fraudsters Unveiled?

The commission will arraign 20 Suspects for a start
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has concluded arrangements to prosecute the first batch 20 suspectsimplicated in the oil subsidy fraud. The suspects, comprising seven oil companies and 12 individuals, will be docked in Lagos courts.Abdulahi Alao will however be docked in another separate charge.
The companies involved are: Nasaman Oil Services; Eternal Oil and Gas Plc; Ontario Oil & Gas Plc; Nadabo Energy Limited; Pacific Silver Line Limited, Axenergy Limited and Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited.
The 11 individuals involved in the scam are: Mamman Nasir Ali; Christian Taylor; Mahmud Tukur; Ochonogor Alex; Walter Wagbatsoma; Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele; Abubakar Ali Peters; Jude Agube Abalaka,  Abdulahi Alao and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo.
Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele is director of the accounting firm, Akintola Williams Deliote while Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer is a staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulating Agency, PPPRA.
Nasaman Oil Services; Mamman Nasir and Christian Taylor are to face charges bordering on obtaining N4, 460, 130, 797. 94 (Four Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira, Ninety Four Kobo) from the Federal Government of Nigeria under false pretence.
The sum is alleged to have been fraudulently obtained as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirit from SEATAC Petroleum Limited of British Virgin Islands .
In the same vein, the anti-graft agency will equally prosecute Abdulahi Alao and Axenergy Limited for allegedly obtaining the sum of N2, 640, 141, 707.75 (Two Billion, Six Hundred and Forty Million; One Hundred and Forty One Thousand; Seven Hundred and Seven Naira, Seventy Five Kobo) being payments received from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 33.3 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Others include Mahmud Tukur,  Ochonogor Alex; Abdulahi Alao and Eternal Oil And Gas Plc who will be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 899, 238, 946. 02( One Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Six Naira, Two Kobo) from the Petroleum support Fund for a purported importation of 80.3million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Also, Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka and Pacific Silver Line Limited are to be prosecuted for allegedly obtaining the sum of N1, 464, 961, 978.24 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Sixty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Twenty- Four Kobo ), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 19.4million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Walter Wagbatsoma; Adaoha Ugo -Ngadi; Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer; Ezekiel   Olaleye Ejidele and Ontario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited will be arraigned for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N1, 959, 377, 542, .63 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty Nine Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Forty Two Naira, Sixty Three Kobo) from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 39.2 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
Lastly, Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo are to be docked for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N979,653,110.20 ( Nine Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira, Twenty Eight Kobo), from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 33, 627, 84 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
The 20 suspects are among the over 140 individuals and organisations involved in the on- going investigations into the subsidy payments by the EFCC. More suspects will be arraigned periodically as the investigation progresses.
This investigation is massive and extensive; and the Commission wishes to reassure Nigerians that every effort will be made to bring all those who defrauded the country in the guise of subsidy for imported fuel to book.
Source: Premium Times

2012 BUDGET: Why We Want To Impeach Jonathan - Reps

Members of the House of Representatives yesterday came out to defend themselves on the decision to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan by September, if the 2012 budget is not fully implemented.
Besides, the lawmakers said they were aware of the comments as well as what they described as the deliberate plan by the Presidency to misinform the public on the rationale behind their “nationalistic stand”.
According to a Statement released and signed in Abuja by the House spokesman Zakari Mohammed, said the lawmakers’ decision was informed by the fact that the growth in the economy has not reflected in the well-being of Nigerians.
He said: “This bold and patriotic step by the Seventh Assembly has attracted different comments from a lot of quarters, expectedly. Therefore, some sponsored news, editorials and commentaries choose to deliberately misinform the public on the rationale behind our nationalistic stand, for the avoidance of doubt, whilst we are aware that all revenue-generating agencies have surpassed their annual target by mid this year.
“The House is worried that this positive development did not reflect the implementation of the budget for the benefit of the Nigerian peoples.”
The spokesman also faulted reasons adduced by the Presidency as being behind the impeachment moves, saying: “This trend, if not arrested, would worsen the already fragile state of the nation, hence the need for our quick intervention.
“To then insinuate that the House of Representatives took this noble step to satisfy pressure from a political party or because the Constituency projects were not awarded to members or because of the drama that followed the presentation of the fuel subsidy report, is to say the least malicious damaging and uncharitable to the image of the Assembly.
“We in the Legislature are lawmakers and not contractors and the constituency projects execution has been the exclusive preserve of the executive and its agencies. At no time has there been any argument on this.
“Similarly, what members do in the course of the budget preparation is to furnish the respective MDAs with locations and areas of needs of our constituencies.
“The bidding processes are handled by the supervising ministries. The entire 360 members in the House are bound by the Nigerian project, our independence and objectiveness is evident in the selection of our principal officers which we did according to our thoughts.
“To assume that we are guided by some forces outside the House of Representatives is mischievous and a deliberate ploy to misrepresent the House before the Nigerian public”.
The spokesman said, the lawmakers took steps to preserve the integrity of the institution by not shying away from sanctioning erring members. He cited the bribery scandal involving House member Farouk Lawan and businessman Femi Otedola from which he said the 7th Assembly has distanced itself.
He said, Lawan was suspended as Chairman of the committees on fuel subsidy and education, and the House encouraged law enforcement agencies to do their work according to the dictates of the law.
“To now conclude that our resolution on Thursday is borne out of selfish motives is terribly out of place, We would, however, continue to raise our voices to the highest ebb where we sight injustice or impunity; no amount of blackmail or intimidation would cow us to abdicate our constitutional responsibility which we signed with our employers (the Nigerian people) to stand firm and protect their interest,” Mohammed added.
Source: Daily Post

SURPRISING: Ghana Deny Nigerians Entry Over Fake Yellow Fever Card?

A DIPLOMATIC row may soon arise between Nigeria and Ghana as the country is said to be denying Nigerians entry over alleged fake yellow fever cards.
Some Nigerian travellers to Accra told The Guardian that they were recently subjected to inhuman treatment at the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, over yellow fever vaccination.
The Guardian learnt that all the yellow fever cards from Nigeria were presumed fake and international passports of such Nigerians seized and the Ghanaian immigration officials insisting that the affected persons get Ghana’s yellow fever cards at the cost of N2,000 before their documents could be released to them.
According to one of the affected Nigerians, “on June 29, 2012, there were two last flights by Aero and Arik that landed almost simultaneously at about 6.10 p.m. Nigerian time. Immediately, the health officials mounted an unconventional roadblock on the way to the immigration points. Every vaccination card issued in Nigeria was presumed fake. We were all asked to move to a side after all our international passports have been seized.
“New vaccination cards were issued to us after injecting us with the vaccine and a fee of N2, 000 charged for that which was paid in Nigerian currency. Charging for this in naira is curious. A pregnant woman was issued only with a card when she told them she is pregnant but after parting with N2, 000,” he added.
He said attention was not paid to new international arrivals consisting of whites and blacks on board, stressing that on inquiry, “the health officials claimed ignorance of such arrivals, disclosing that they were only after Nigerians.
“We were held for hours that day. To confirm extortion of money from Nigerians, why should they collect money from a pregnant woman who was not jabbed an injection? Why should we be paying in Naira and why should every yellow fever card issued in Nigeria be presumed fake? Do the health officials of foreign countries have the powers to seize the passports of travellers/visitors to their countries? he queried.
Source: Guardian

OUTRAGEOUS: Man Kills Wife Over Soup?

Hon. Mathias Nweze a former member of the Enugu Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) was said to have rushed to the police station in the town of Umuida Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State to report himself for killing his wife.
In his report to the police, Nweze claimed that while he was sleeping in his house at about 11 pm last Saturday, his generator went off twice, arousing the suspicion that robbers might have invaded his compound. He therefore brought out his pump action gun and fired several times at the direction of the generator. Having been living with his two wives in the same house, he claimed that while trying to shoot whoever was out there in the compound, one of the bullets hit his wife, leaving her critically injured.
However, the neighbours of the Nwezes believed the suspect must have made up the story to the police to lessen the weight of his crime. According to two neighbours who spoke to THISDAY newspaper on grounds of anonymity, they said the suspect had given money to the late wife to cook some delicacy for him but he was angered when he found out that rather than cook what he wanted, he was served something else which they identified as ‘corn mill’. An angry Nweze had rushed into his room, picked his gun, stormed out, aimed the gun at the wife, and pulled the trigger, the neighbours claimed.
The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the report, adding that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy, just as the suspect has been detained by the police. He also noted that the police had commenced full scale investigation into the incident that led to the shooting of the mother of six.
Source: Information Nigeria

FLOOD MASSACRE: Over 60 Dead In Jos?

It was another distater in Plateau State,following a flood which killed over 38 people at Rikkos Tundun Gangare and Angwan Rogo in Jos North local government area.
Besides,  Abdulhamid Useni, a victim of the flood, lost seven of his 12 children to the incident.
The distraught man said his wife and the other children were lucky to survive the flood.
According to him, “I have recovered the corpses of six of my children but we are still searching the corpse of the seventh one”.
Residents of the affected areas are not searching for 68 person, while over 200 houses were destroyed.
Among the dead is a 90-year-old woman and a three-month-old baby according to Manasel Phampe, head of the Nigerian Red Cross in Plateau State.
He said 20 bodies had been recovered in Gangeri and 18 in Rikkos.
The death toll was expected to rise last night after 68 people were declared missing.
The floods followed downpour which lasted for many hours between Sunday afternoon and early yesterday. It caused the overflow of waterways, forcing River Rikkos to overflow its banks. The rampaging flood consumed everything on its path.
“So far, we have recovered 16 bodies but many others are still missing,” the Publicity Secretary of Jama’atul-Nasril- Islam, Alhaji Faruk Umar, told reporters in Jos.
“Already, we have just buried 14 bodies. Two bodies have just been discovered, but we are also still searching for more bodies because many people are still missing.
“More than 200 houses were washed away following the flooding of Rikkos River,” he said, listing the worst-hit areas as Gangare and Ungwan-Rogo.
Umar blamed what he described as “colossal damage”, on the practice of building houses on waterways and blocking of drainage. He called for a massive drainage evacuation to allow free flow of water.
An official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Kazeem Olanrewaju, said NEMA officials were already taking stock at the scene.
“NEMA has evacuated some of the displaced persons from Dilimi, Ungwan-Rogo and Gangare to a nearby school and we are battling to see how much assistance we can render for now.
“The figure of those affected is rather much and we expect the situation to be tougher with the Ramadan season but we shall do our best to help them,” he said.
Source: Daily Post

IMPEACHMENT THREAT: Jonathan Running From Pillar To Post?

As the Battle of impeachment against President Goodluck Jonathan takes the center stage, information available to 247ureports disclose that all may not be ease for President Jonathan who is reportedly running from pillar to Post to quench the impending impeachment threats coming against him.
Inside sources within the Villa disclose that soon after the threat issued by the House of Representatives on their resolve to commence impeachment Process against Mr. President on 18^th September as soon the return from recess if he fails to implement the budget to 100%.
According to the Source; “Soon after that announcement by the House to commence impeachment process against President Goodluck Jonathan, knowing fully well  that the country is bankrupt and there is no money in the treasure that will be used to implement the budget to 100% as demanded by the House.”
According to the source; “The President summoned the CBN governor asking him to release money from the CBN, a request which the CBN Governor turned down telling him there is no money, and he also made another request to him asking print more money, the CBN Governor this time told him if that is done the inflation will go up and the value of naira to a dollar will be up to N300 to one dollar.”
“He met with the Economic team, and told them that the Subsidy on fuel should be removed totally, the Economic team also disagreed with him, as they told him that if that happen the country will be thrown in flames as what happened in January will be little compare to what will happen if the subsidy is being removed totally.
At the moment the President is said to be in total confusion as the House is said to be adamant to his pleas even as the intervention of the Senate President and PDP top shots is said not to have done anything.
Source: 247ureports

EXPOSED: Why House Of Reps Is Conspiring Against Jonathan Over 2012 Budget

Although some concerned Nigerians have begun to wade into the renewed face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and the House of Representatives as evident at the weekend, more facts have emerged as to why the lawmakers had actually moved against the president, last week.
THISDAY gathered that the renewed hostilities between the president and the House were informed by three factors, namely, delay in the release of funds for constituency projects, disenchantment on the part of the presidency with the leadership of the House, and the recent bribery scandal involving the suspended chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Farouk Lawan and Chairman of Zenon Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola.
This revelation, however, came against the backdrop of the criticism by the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) of the National Assembly, declaring that the lawmakers have not lived up to expectations in their constitutional responsibility as a check on the executive.
ACN’s position was contained in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, wherein it stated that the “country has stealthily but steadily entered into an era of impunity and anomie under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan.”
THISDAY’s findings revealed that the lawmakers have taken the battle to the president because they are cashed strapped and one of their major sources of making ends meet, that is, through constituency projects, has been blocked by the Federal Government.
For instance, the budget for constituency projects in the recent past was in the region of N40 million per quarter for each federal constituency, which was accomplished each time the legislature padded up the federal budget.
But in this year’s budget, the allocation to constituency projects was pruned considerably by the Jonathan administration to just a little above N20 million per quarter and for each lawmaker.
That apart, while the lawmakers personally executed such constituency projects using their own companies in the past through the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government, the Federal Government has insisted that the projects must pass through due process before the contracts are awarded.
As a result, the lawmakers are said to see the development as a deliberate attempt to frustrate them and starve them of funds.
The second factor is said to be predicated on the crisis over the House leadership, which has festered since the current leadership defied the zoning arrangement of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last year, to elect its own officials.
Besides, the House leadership is said not to be oblivious of the growing belief that it presently shares its loyalty between the PDP, the platform on which its members won elections into the House, and the ACN which gave the leadership the necessary backing to scuttle the PDP zoning arrangement.
This is believed to have influenced several anti-executive pronouncements and motions of the House since the leadership emerged over a year ago.
This is evident in the way ACN members always shoot down ideas that generate from the executive or presidency without the Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, batting an eyelid.
For example, when the Federal Government recently proposed troops deployment in Edo State for the July 14 governorship election which eventually returned the incumbent, Adams Oshiomhole, members of the ACN had opposed the idea, suspecting that government was up to something sinister.
Similarly, last week, when the executive presented the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), ACN leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, curiously stood against it, arguing that the House would not consider the bill because its submission coincided with the time they were about to go on recess. Such instances are further believed to have indicated a sharp division even in the PDP.
The Otedola-Lawan issue is also another major reason that has contributed to the schism between the House and the president. It is believed that Lawan may have become an albatross for the House, especially after his admission that he took a bribe from Otedola to influence the House’s ad hoc committee report on the monitoring of the fuel subsidy scheme.
But the House believes that the presidency had a role in the bribery scandal, ultimately to clamp down on the lower legislature.
But as eminent persons, including party faithful continue to mediate in the simmering crisis, there are indications that both sides might shift ground soon and give peace a chance in the overall interest of the nation.
Meanwhile, the ACN, in its statement yesterday said with the judiciary effectively cowed by the president, he “is now closing in on the legislature, as any discerning observer of the polity knows that the resolutions of the National Assembly are today treated with utmost disdain by our imperial presidency.
“It is irrelevant and besides the point that our National Assembly today, especially the House of Representatives, has not lived up to expectations, but that is no excuse for the deliberate assault on the doctrine of the separation of powers by President Goodluck Jonathan.”
The party added that it is now common knowledge that when the House relying on Section 89 (d) of the constitution had invited Jonathan to appear before it to explain why his government was failing to tackle the worsening security situation in the country, the president failed to honour the invitation.
ACN said: “But the president’s advisers-in-mischief have under one pretext or the other justified the president’s refusal to honour the invitation.
“May we remind President Goodluck Jonathan and his advisers-in-mischief that Section 89 (d) of our constitution gives the House of Representatives the power to summon ‘ANY PERSON’ in Nigeria to appear before it.
“Of course what President Jonathan by this singular misadventure is telling Nigerians and the whole world is that he is not only above the law but he is the law.
“Who says we are not back to the era of Louis XIV of France who infamously pronounced ‘l’etat c’est moi’.”
According to the party, the arrogance, insouciance and contemptible manner with which the president has treated the case of Justice Ayo Salami, the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, has dealt a near mortal blow to the independence of the judiciary from which it may never recover unless men and women of courage immediately rise up to rescue the institution.
Source: Information Nigeria

ANTI-CORRUPTION SERMON: SSS Now After Tunde Bakare?

Nigeria's secret police, the SSS, has invited fiery Lagos Pastor Tunde Bakare to explain the content of his Sunday sermon asking President Goodluck Jonathan to resign from office.
Pastor Bakare was invited to meet with the State director of the SSS at its Shangisha offices in a Lagos suburb for a 4 PM meeting.
The fiery Lagos pastor and political activist yesterday delivered a damning sermon titled: "How To Change Government Peacefully And Make Society Better".
The pastor leads the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) which has had the government in an uncomfortable stare-down in recent times. In December 2010, the group visited President Jonathan in Abuja in connection with its advocacy of certain public policies.
On its way out of the presidential villa, the group was handed a $50,000 bribe, which it refused. The embarrassed government explained that the money was not a bribe, but “transport fare.”
Pastor Bakare eventually ran for vice-president on the ticket of the Congress for Progressive Change. As pastor or political activist, he has always strongly criticized anti-people policies.
UPDATE 1
"It is a three-part message I'm giving, and they are free to attend," he told the SSS
Tunde Bakare, the pastor of Later Rain Assembly and vice presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in the last general election has said he will not tone down his church sermons critical of the administration.
Mr Bakare was called in by the State Security Service in Shangisha, Lagos, on Monday following a sermon he delivered in his church Sunday on how to peacefully change governments.
Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES Monday night, the activist pastor said at the SSS office, the director requested him to moderate his sermon given the huge following he enjoys nationwide.
In response, Mr Bakare, who went to the Shangisha office of the secret police Monday afternoon, flanked by his lawyer and Yinka Odumakin, a close comrade, handed the director a signed copy of his Sunday sermon, and requested him to peruse it carefully.
"I then asked him whether there was anything in the sermon that was false or misleading," the pastor said via telephone from Lagos. "I then informed him that I won't tone down my sermons."
Mr. Bakare also said he handed an invitation to the SSS directors to attend his church where more critical messages would be delievered this and next week.
"It is a three-part message I'm giving, and they are free to attend," he said.
The pastor said he had a cordial deliberation with the security agents, as all those who engaged him were civil.
"In fact, I spoke far more than they did," Mr. Bakare, a fiery critic of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, said.
Source: Premium Times
Click here to view sermon by Tunde Bakare

SHOCKING: Bamanga Tukur's Son In Fuel Subsidy Scam?

His oil-magnate son is to answer questions for fuel subsidy

The first batch of subsidy thieves will be in the dock Tuesday
Barring any last-minute change in its plan, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on Tuesday, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, arraign the first batch of companies believed to have defrauded the country in subsidy claims totalling over N2.7trillion.
A source familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES Monday night that at least six company executives including Mahmud Tukur, the son of the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, would docked to answer questions over their involvement in the monumental fuel scam.
Mahmud is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Eterna Oil Plc, which was indicted in the report, and listed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) among companies that reportedly benefited from the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) Scheme, but defaulted in their tax obligations.
The other board members of the company, who might be put in the dock in the absence of Mahmud, include the former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential running mate to Nuhu Ribadu in the 2011 election, Fola Adeola, who is the Chairman of the Board; Boyi Tukur and Ojo Michael Ade, owner of Elizade Motors, a Toyota dealership.
It was gathered that the other companies, whose proprietors are to be arraigned, include those owned by the former PDP Chairman and immediate past Chairman of the Board of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Ahmadu Ali.
The subsidy probe report had demanded the prosecution of Mr. Ali for his role in the monumental corruption that characterised the PSF management between 2009 and 2011.
The lawmakers had noted that the proliferation of real and pseudo companies that benefited from allocation of products for imports in the subsidy bazaar took a turn for the worse when the one-time senator was presiding over the Board of the PPPRA as chairman.
The report had shown that at the onset of the PSF scheme in 2006, just six importers were involved in the importation of petroleum products, with the figure progressively increasing to 36 in 2007 and later 49 in 2009 prior to the appointment of Mr. Ali, who single-handedly raised the number to 140 between his assumption of office and 2011.
The report quoted Mr. Ali as admitting that the number of importers was deliberately raised by his board as a ploy to break the major marketers’ stranglehold on the petroleum product supply system to help flood the market with the products in times of scarcity, although observers say it was a way of dispensing patronages to loyal party faithful.
The report cited the example of two promoters (Eco-Regen Limited), who came to Nigerian from the USA with a proposal for waste management contract with the NNPC, but ended up being awarded a plum contract to import 15,000 metric tons of products, for which it collected about N1.99billion as subsidy for products it never supplied.
Source: Premium Times