Metuh's Attempt To Destroy Statement: Lawyers React

Olisa Metuh, the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come under criticisms for allegedly tearing his confessional statement. 

Some lawyers said tearing up his statement at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commisssion (EFCC) does not stop him from being prosecuted, The Nation reports.

Report had surfaced some days back thatMetuh tore a statement he made to the EFCC, concerning his alleged involvement in the $2,1billion arms fraud and tried to eat it.

The lawyers include professor of Law, Itsay Sagay(SAN), Professor Kanyisola Ajayi (SAN), Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), Wahab Shittu, chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Yinka Farounbi, member of Ogun state Judicial Service Commission, Abayomi Omoyinmi and national president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Malachy Ugwummadu.

According to Sagay, the EFCC could prosecute Metuh for criminal conduct as what he did amounted to a criminal act saying, “It is a bad example by somebody of his status.”

He noted that the torn statement could still be tendered in court if the pieces could be put together.

On his part, Prof Ajayi said: “The alleged tearing up of the confessional statement shouldn’t affect the EFCC’s prosecution. The EFCC as an organisation will most likely have other evidence to support its case before it proceeds to court. It should have other things in store that’ll prove that the crime it alleged was committed was indeed committed by the defendant.”

Also speaking, Fagbohungbe said Metuh may have decided to destroy statement after he realized he wrote incriminating things against himself.

“His action will raise a lot of suspicion in the mind of security agents. It is a suspicious conduct,” he said.

According to Omoyinmi, the implication of Metuh’s action was that he could be charged with willful destruction of property belonging to the government because the matter at hand is a criminal offence.

Lending his voice to the matter, Farounbi said it was unfortunate that Metuh did what he did, “If the statement is not badly torn, it could be used; otherwise it will constitute a separate offence and the torn paper constitutes an exhibit against him,” he said.

On his part, Ugwummadu said if indeed Metuh attempted to destroy his confessional statement, it exposes his thuggish nature and level of civility.

Metuh, who has been in detention since Tuesday last week, allegedly admitted to receiving N400m from the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

He was said to have told investigators that he would rather starve than refund the money he is being prosecuted for.

Report had it that he indicated his interest to make public all the assignments he did for Nigeria’s past president, Goodluck Jonathan during the last presidential election.

Remembering Governor Muhammed lawal By Is’haq Modibbo Kawu November 15th, marked the ninth anniversary of the passing of Rear Admiral Muhammed Alabi Lawal, naval officer, former Ogun state military administrator and first democratically elected indigene of Ilorin as civilian governor of Kwara state. To commemorate the anniversary, a prayer session held in his residence in Ilorin, while his political associates used the opportunity to recall his contributions to Kwara’s development. I was unable to attend ceremonies to commemorate his death. I had a very difficult relationship with Governor Muhammed Lawal.

November 15th, marked the ninth anniversary of the passing of Rear Admiral Muhammed Alabi Lawal, naval officer, former Ogun state military administrator and first democratically elected indigene of Ilorin as civilian governor of Kwara state. To commemorate the anniversary, a prayer session held in his residence in Ilorin, while his political associates used the opportunity to recall his contributions to Kwara’s development. I was unable to attend ceremonies to commemorate his death. I had a very difficult relationship with Governor Muhammed Lawal. There was really nothing personal between us, but by proxy, we became estranged, as a result of issues and individuals within his administration. Those directly concerned did everything to set Muhammed Lawal against me, and I must openly declare today, that it was testimony to his character, that he did not go as far as they wanted, in the manner that I decided to end my tenure as General Manager of the Kwara State Television Service.

I met Governor Lawal alone in his office inside the Government House, Ilorin, on May 7TH, 2002, to submit a letter of resignation; we then spent the next one hour and a half hours discussing all the issues that were crafted as political allegations against me as well as my honest view of his performance as governor that he insisted that I offered. “You’re a journalist and Political Scientist”, he had reminded me, “please tell me the truth”! I resumed as Editor of DAILY TRUST the following week, and in February, 2003, I met Governor Muhammed Lawal again, in Ilorin, this time at the behest of General Ibrahim Babangida, who insisted on the meeting, so we can settle whatever differences we had. That meeting held before the 2003 elections and the backdrop was the deep political division, which had developed in the Ilorin Emirate, and the feeling that Governor Muhammed Lawal had designs against the Emir of Ilorin and the Emirate structure. Dr. Olushola Saraki postured as defender of our community’s values; therefore, a tactical alliance was built against Governor Muhammed Lawal. The late Olushola Saraki exploited our feelings and manipulated emotions about our historical values to open access for his son, Bukola, to seize the reigns of power and unfortunately, we couldn’t foresee that we were embarking on a journey to perdition. The Saraki hegemony has turned out to be the worst plague that our community has ever or can ever suffer! But that is a different issue to interrogate at another point in time.

After Governor Muhammed Lawal’s defeat in the 2003 elections, I won’t get to meet the man again, until April 2004, in Sokoto and later on in Abuja. That last meeting in Abuja held for a very long time and we discussed in some detail, many of the issues that haunted his administration and led to his alienation from the community. I left Muhammed Lawal that day, a bit more sympathetic towards him, even when I was still caught up in the sweep of the emotions of the events, which led to his defeat at the elections. Not long after our last meeting, his mother died in Ilorin. I went to greet him but did not meet him, I however left a very long note. We were not destined to meet again, till he died in 2006. I wrote an obituary which some of his supporters were not happy about. And when I attended a wedding ceremony in his mosque a year or so after, a member of his family even attempted to assault me as we filed out of the mosque! It was indicative of the deep emotions that the late Governor Muhammed Lawal continued to stir in our community. But I think nine years after his death, and with the experience of the Saraki hegemony and the systematic institution of kleptocracy as the fundamental objective and directive principle of state policy in Kwara since 2003, there has come a newer understanding of the Governor Muhammed Lawal’s years in our state as well as a greater appreciation of the man himself.

The late Governor Muhammed Lawal belonged to that generation of Ilorin elites born during the 1940s; they were the first set that really had university education and therefore were the link between the older generation and the much younger. They helped the community to finally appreciate the importance of tertiary education. That generation was also unique, because many of them were outstanding students and Muhammed Lawal was also one of the best of his generation. They went into professions and would be outstanding in their various fields. Muhammed Lawal studied engineering at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, before joining the Nigerian Navy, where he rose to become an admiral. When he retired, it came as no surprise that he would join politics; and it was also remarkable that he became civilian governor at a point when the Ilorin community had reached a consensus, that one of its children should become governor, for the first time since the creation of Kwara state in 1967. Muhammed Lawal took to the job like a duck to water and made tremendous effort at rehabilitating many projects that had decayed over the decades of military dictatorship. He went on a roads rehabilitation and construction spree; health centres were rehabilitated; a new presidential lodge was constructed and Muhammed Lawal renovated Kwara Hotel and government quarters all over the GRA were given a facelift. Above all, he consciously chose to empower local contractors and so a lot of money circulated within the economy of the state. Remarkably, Muhammed Lawal did not choose to sell off state assets as Bukola Saraki was eventually to do when he became governor and he didn’t prioritize non-Kwara contractors as Bukola Saraki was to do, in a conscious effort to impoverish the community, as a weapon of control. And because Muhammed Lawal was a bonafide son of our community, he readily showed respect for our culture and our people. Whether at wedding ceremonies or funeral prayers, Muhammed Lawal knew the values that our people valorized. On the contrary, when Bukola Saraki became governor, his arrogance became the talk of the community. He looked down at people, including the elders of our community, and carried on as if he was doing a favour being governor of Kwara state.

Unfortunately, the politics of Second Term in power distracted Governor Muhammed Lawal. Unbeknownst to all, late Olushola Saraki had decided that his son, who was alien to the community,  was ready to become governor. He postured as defender of the values of the community at a time that Muhammed Lawal was increasingly becoming profiled as antagonistic to the Emir of Ilorin and the structures of value of the community. It was a battle that he could not win, since the Saraki family had entered the ruling PDP; federal might was called upon, after then Vice President, Atiku Abubakar had imposed Bukola Saraki as PDP’s governorship candidate, despite protestations of original members of the party in the state. Muhammed Lawal was defeated in the 2003 elections, and people in our community and state rejoiced. What we could not foresee in 2003, was that we were about to enter into the worst possible period in our history. The Saraki hegemony was finally instituted and the control of Kwara’s finances since 2003, led to the entrenchment of Bukola Saraki’s personality cult. He defeated his father and sister in the 2011 elections and installed as governor a long-term loyalist, AbdulFatai Ahmed. With that action, the most unique political project was foisted on Kwara state, which has no parallel in Nigeria-genuinely ruling a state by proxy!

There is no gainsaying the fact that the twelve years since 2003, has been the worst in the history of Kwara state. The steady impoverishment of our people has gone side-by-side with the jaw-dropping enrichment of Bukola Saraki and the coterie of political hangers on around him. Today teachers, local government staff and workers in parastatals are owed salaries. The huge sums that Kwara took from the Federation Account along with the massive loans taken in our name over the past twelve years, cannot be seen in meaningful developments genuinely touching the lives of our people. Governance in Kwara since 2003 resembles an elaborate project of deceit and patent fraud. It is like entering a “One Chance Taxi”, and in the name of Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP), Kwara state has been systematically fleeced while its resources resembles a lady that fell into the hands of serial rapists. This is the lie that governance has desperately continued to attempt to hide since 2003 and it’s the reason that Kwara state lies prostrate while kleptocracy became firmly entrenched as the fundamental objective and directive principle of state policy. Our people are in acute despair because governance is a fraud, which does not touch their lives positively.

Given the pains they have gone through since 2003 with the institution of the Saraki hegemony and the enthronement of Bukola Saraki’s personality cult, it is no wonder
that people are reappraising the Muhammed Lawal legacy in Ilorin in particular and Kwara state in general. There were many things that people disagreed with during his administration; they included the employment of thugs and cultists who visited violence on the community. His commissioner son-in-law also alienated people. They were also unable to tolerate his disrespect of the emirate structure and they expressed their displeasure through the ballot box. However, in the years since he left power, and following his tragic death, we now know better, who was really a genuine lover of our community and its ethos. Muhammed Lawal worked devotedly as governor and he never attempted to alienate the properties of government, nor sold them to cronies. He did not take loans in the name of Kwara, nor use the loans to build shopping complexes, diagnostic centre or aviation college; he did not appropriate hundreds of millions of naira for a so-called Zimbabwe farm, then turn around to say those projects do not belong to our state, but to a so-called “Private Sector”. That was the governance gimmick introduced to Kwara state by Bukola Saraki. Muhammed Lawal was a genuine patriot who loved our community and worked for its genuine development and the empowerment of our people. He did not manipulate an irresponsible House of Assembly to approve for himself an immoral pension package and did not treat Kwara as a private estate. That came after he left power and the state became the hegemony of a single family and eventually the wallet of an individual. This is the background today, why the late Governor Muhammed Lawal is now fondly remembered in Kwara state. May Allah forgive Governor Muhammed Lawal and grant him Aljanna. Amin.

kawumodibbo@yahoo.com

N31b loot: EFCC goes after Dasuki’s, Yuguda’s assets

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives yesterday began a massive search for more assets of suspects in the N31 billion arms funds probe.

The agency sent a special team to Kaduna, Zaria and Sokoto to ascertain the assets of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr. Sambo Dasuki, and eight other suspects.

The other accused persons include a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; the ex-Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), Shuaibu Salisu; former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa; a former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Babakusa and Sagir Attahiru.

Dalhatu Investment Limited; ACACIA Holdings Limited; and Reliance Referral Hospital  Limited are also accused of partaking in the massive misapplication of funds.

The anti-graft agency has also established links with its counterparts in Britain, United States and United Arab Emirates to track the assets of some of the accused persons.

Also yesterday, an EFCC source confirmed that it had uncovered more cases of looted funds.

But the commission might not be opposed to a plea bargain if the suspects will refund all looted funds for public use.

The EFCC  is believed to have raised a special committee which has identified some choice assets of the accused persons.

The committee is said to be operating in a “restricted” manner because of the “vital” information at its disposal.

The source said: “After identifying the assets, a team has been sent to Kaduna, Sokoto and Zaria to assess the worth of the properties and put machinery in place to attach them.

“We have also established links with anti-graft agencies in the UK, USA, UAE and some islands where a few accused persons acquired assets.

Sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004 empower the anti-graft agency to invoke Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.

Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: ‘Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.”

Section 13 of the Federal High Court Act reads in part : “The Court may grant an injunction or appoint a receiver by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just or convenient so to do.

“Any such order may be made either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Court thinks just.”

More suspects are likely to be arrested, following the discovery of more fraud, The Nation learnt.

The source added: “All the findings so far are like a tip of the iceberg. We have stumbled on fresh documents on looted funds. But we are investigating all these before inviting those connected for interaction.”

Asked if the suspects would be left to go free after agreeing to forfeit their assets in a plea bargain, the source said: “Why not?  The EFCC may accept plea bargain from those already on trial  as long as they are ready to return all the looted funds.

“The money we will get from them is sufficient to cushion the 2016 budget. The fraud is monumental. Nigeria needs money for development and if these accused persons offer to return their loot, it is in the interest of the nation to accept it.”

“But we have not recovered money from any of the accused persons”, he added, pleading not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the investigations.

Free IT Training land in Kwara state

This to inform all the general public in Kwara state that,there would be Free IT training base Cisco and others.it also serve as job creation for employment people in the state.

Empowerment and Job Creation

1. A3 FOUNDATION AND OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT ON JOB CREATION NIGERIA This partnership brought about a new dimension in area of scope and job delivery. Under this scheme, A3 Foundation was appointed as Managing Partner/Consultant by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Job Creation. The aim of this scheme is to empower 12million Nigerians cutting across different sector under Public-Private driven arrangement. With this strategic arrangement, A3 Foundation was saddled with the responsibility of developing framework that is achievable and other indices to help the smooth implementation of the project. With the project pilot scheme cutting-across North-Central States of Nigeria; among many achievements; we also successfully initiated support from Samsung Electronics to train and support 12000 young Nigerians with a tool to pursue their dreams in (ICT) by equipping them with Samsung Note Personal Computer at a discounted price of 40percent.

2. A3 FOUNDATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WISE-P NIGERIA Wise-P Nigeria is a Strategic Skill Enterprises Development, Graduate Finishing and Job Preparation Program for young people in Nigeria. The Skilled Enterprises Development Program (SEDEP) is the flagship agenda designed to Discover, Empower and Retain Independent Technical and Vocational Service Providers (Artisans) as associate mentors who will partner to provide mentoring; low cost vocational and soft skills acquisition platforms for teeming unemployed or unskilled youths in Nigeria. A3 Foundation was fully engaged to provide financial linkage services to grants set aside for Small and Medium Enterprises by the Federal Government. We also assist in providing advisory services to over 3000 enrolled mentors.

3. A3 FOUNDATION AND LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE The pilot scheme of this partnership is focused on Kogi State Business Development and Job Creation Program. With this strategic partnership, A3 Foundation in collaboration with Leadership Initiative (LI) successfully teamed-up to assist in solving Kogi State’s problem of underdevelopment by empowering communities to address their own needs. We partnered with local government and business figures to provide outstanding community leaders with entrepreneurial, leadership and project management training. These leaders now identify obstacles to development, develop workable solutions and create new businesses necessary to implement their solutions simultaneously. With special attention made to creating several businesses that will support the needs of the state through new community business ventures. Through this intervention program, we successfully, reposition the following areas, Computer Program “more business centers was funded and established through this initiative”, Fish Farming, Tailoring, Motor Vehicle Repair, Welding and Orphan Care Programs.

Our Goals

In the short-term: Local leaders will create solutions to local problems using existing community resources.

In the long-term: To create an honest, transparent generation of leaders who will empower all of Nigeria.

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Nigerian Appeal Court Upholds Election Of Wanted Drug Baron Senator Kashamu

Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan on Monday set aside tribunal judgment and declared Senator Buruji Kashamu of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), winner of Ogun East Senatorial District seat.

Kashamu had challenging the judgment of the tribunal delivered in Abeokuta by Justice Tobi Ebiowel that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in 110 polling units in the district.

Mr Dapo Abiodun of All Progressives Congress (APC), had challenged the declaration of Kashamu by INEC at the tribunal as the winner in the senatorial election of March 28.

The Court of Appeal chaired by Justice A.G. Mshelia, unanimously agreed that Abiodun did not lay a credible foundation for the admissibility of the documents tendered to the tribunal.

Mshelia said the tribunal was wrong for laying emphasis on the documents tendered by Abiodun and using it as a basis for nullification of election of some polling units.

He, however, nullified the judgment of the tribunal and declared Kashamu as the winner of the election.

Tambuwal, Saraki, Dogara, Kwankwaso To Return To PDP As It Rebrands *Kwankwaso Grievances With Buhari

247Ureports – Information available to 247ureports.com obtained from competent sources within the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] indicates that the opposition party maybe prepping for a major rebound judging by the recent political mechanization ongoing behind closed doors.

According to reliable information, many of the ranking political leaders of the All Progressive Congress [APC] who had cross carpeted from the PDP to the APC, are presently said to be in talks the leadership of the PDP concerning pathway to returning back to the PDP. Among the list of possible returnees are the former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Tambuwal, the present Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the present President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, among others.

Particularly, the former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is reported to have concluded plans to return to the PDP. According to the information, Kwankwaso has formally approached the acting Chairman of the PDP, Secondus for a meeting concerning his intentions to return to the PDP. Our source indicates that the meeting was a fruitful one for both Kwankwaso and the PDP. It was agreed upon in principle that Kwankwaso would be given a suitable return way into the party – and that Kwankwaso would remain in the APC for now – until a later date possibly in 2017 when other APC would-be defectors would defect in large numbers into the PDP.

Kwankwaso, for all intent and purposes, is considered and treated as a PDP member presently, stated our source who also noted that the leadership of the PDP would always brief Kwankwaso on any move the PDP intends to make in Kano State. “He remains the leader of the ‘PDP’ in Kano presently” said the source who also added that Kwankwaso has indicated interest in vying for the office of the Presidency under the PDP.

Kwankwaso’s intention to vie for the office of the presidency was confirmed by a Kano political heavy weight who is familiar with the activities in the Kano political theater. The source who was a one-time commissioner under the Kwankwaso administration confirmed that Kwankwaso had already begun making consultations with his group and wider supporters concerning his pending move to the PDP. The source revealed that Kwankwaso remains bitterly unhappy with President Buhari in the manner he was relegated to the ‘side table’ – after having generated 1.9million votes from Kano – largely from the efforts of the former Kano Governor. “Without the 1.9million votes from Kano where would Buhari be today?”

It was understood that immediately following the electoral victory of President Buhari, he was quick to close the doors on Kwankwaso. Some informed sources claimed that Buhari was not too trusting of Kwankwaso due to some un-desiring clandestine activities on the part of Kwankwaso to undermine Buhari. So, as Buhari got victory at the polls, he recoiled away from Kwankwaso – without including him in the setting up of government or in the discussions at play on the national level. Buhari’s demeanor to Kwankwaso is reported to have angered Kwankwaso bitterly.

But a source close to a political rival of Kwankwaso in Kano [Shekarau’s camp], discounted the cold treatment meted to Kwankwaso by Buhari – as well deserving of a disloyal politician in the person of Kwankwaso. The source reveals that during the 2011 gubernatorial campaign in Kano that Kwankwaso was virtually cashless and ‘broke’. He needed assistance to purchase the party gubernatorial ticket in the PDP. “He had no money and nobody was willing to offer assistance” revealed the source who went on to add that it was the then President Goodluck Jonathan who came to his aid and financed the entire gubernatorial campaign and ensured victory for Kwankwaso – and he became Governor of Kano State in 2011. In the build up to 2015 presidential elections, Kwankwaso dumped the PDP and defected to the APC. While at the APC, he craft-fully generated 1.9million votes in Kano for the APC president candidate to eventually defeat the PDP presidential candidate.

Nonetheless, “we are willing to overlook Kwankwaso’s inabilities and shortcomings”, said a PDP national executive member to 247ureports.com when questioned on the behavior exhibited by Kwankwaso in the past on the area of disloyalty. He was also clear to state that the PDP remains the party for all people and not for a section of the country. “Other members who left for the APC are gradually coming back to us to open talks on how to forge a way forward”.

Tambuwal and Dogara are said to have expressed their willingness to return to the PDP directly to the national executive council officially and unofficially. This is according to reliable information available to 247ureports.com which also indicates that Atiku has already concluded plans to announce his return to the PDP. “Some of his people have already decamped/returned as we speak”, said the national executive member. Saraki had also met with the national executive council of the PDP indicating his willingness to abandon the APC and to return to the PDP. Saraki is reported to have made his intentions clear. He intends to vie for the office of the presidency come 2019 under the PDP. Kwankwaso is reported to have also told members of the national executive behind closed doors of his intentions to vie for the office of the President under the PDP.

Cursory investigation into the reason behind the sudden flurry of northern candidates into the PDP back from APC – show that the leadership of the PDP had agreed in principle to zone the slot of presidency to the north. In the same tone, the party has decided on zoning of the chairmanship to the south south geopolitical zone instead of the south west – which it had contemplated on zoning to – but dropped the idea because the PDP is considered weak in the south west region. The PDP governors are said to be happy with Secondus, the current acting top boss of the PDP. It is likely for Secondus to hold on to the post of Chairman of PDP on a more permanent basis. The other members of the national working committee are not expected to survive the ongoing rebranding by the PDP.

No Plot To Rig Kogi Or Any Election Under My Watch – Angry Buhari Berates PDP

Following allegations by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party that the Presidency in connivance with the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and some security forces have concluded plans to rig Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress, President Muhammadu Buhari has denied the, stating no election will be rigged under his watch.

The national publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement yesterday accused the APC of holding clandestine meetings to rig the election.

However, in a statement from the Presidency yesterday, it said “the President called the meeting cited by the PDP to warn in particular, the INEC and the Police to do prepare and give the nation a credible election. He said he expected nothing short of a free, fair and credible election.”

The statement quoted the President Muhammadu Buhari has having “suffered election manipulation in 2003, 2007 and 2011 and will not like to have any Nigerian go through that again.”

He warned against the intimidation of voters in anyway and vowed that he was prepared to move with all the force available to him against anyone who undermines the rights of any citizen.

“The meeting was short and straight to the point. It ended after five minutes,” the statement explained.
The president also asked the VP if he had anything to say and Prof Yemi Osinbajo added nothing.

The statement noted that Nigerians should be wary of the PDP’s fruitless attempts to destroy national institutions President Buhari is determined to rebuild.

“They started with the courts, then the EFCC, then onto the Police and now they are on the one-week-old INEC. When will PDP allow our national institutions to do their job?” the statement noted.

Speaker Dogara seeks senate’s approval for removal of IGP

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara yesterday canvassed for the involvement of the National Assembly in the appointment and removal of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, to ensure operational independence and command integrity.

The Speaker also called for the decentralisation of the Police force for effective crime detection.

Dogara who stated this in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the National Dialogue on economy, security and development facilitated by The National Institute for Legislative Studies, further disclosed that the House of Representatives was contemplating to amend Section 82 of the Constitution from six months in which the President was allowed to spend without appropriation to three months.

Recall that the Fiscal Responsibility Act has recommended that the executive should forward to the National Assembly the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, three months before the end of the financial year, but President Muhammadu Buhari was yet to forward the MTEF for the preparation of the 2016 Appropriation to the National Assembly.

But the Speaker in an indirect reference to the delay by the executive to submit the MTEF to the National Assembly, suggested a possible review of the Act, to streamline budgetary processes to achieve strict adherence to timelines for budget presentation and passage.

Expressing optimism that the dialogue would address the burning questions of the day, and proffer workable solutions to guide both the Executive and Legislative arms of government, especially at this early period of President Buhari’s administration, he said the House was committed to reviewing budgetary process in the country.

According to him, “This Roundtable has security as one of its main themes. That the security situation in Nigeria is very bad is common knowledge and needs no repetition here. We should be rather concerned with legislative solutions to the problem. We need to think outside the box.

“It seems to me that the time has come for us to reexamine the legal and constitutional framework for policing in Nigeria. A decentralized police force may be more effective as Nigerians in their communities are better placed to detect criminals in their midst. We look forward for further guidance by experts in this regard and for your recommendations.

“Furthermore, it has become necessary, in my view, for the appointment and removal of the Inspector General of Police to receive the blessing, of at least, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This will also ensure some measure of operational independence and command integrity.

“Policing however, must exist side by side with economic empowerment of the people for it is said that an idle mind is the devils workshop.”

Dogara said the House was committed in its legislative agenda, in the review of the national budgetary process and the revamping of the national economy development in areas like “Legislative measures to tackle non-remittance of internally generated revenue and leakages; Infrastructure development; Legislative Initiative on New Cities and Regional Hubs of Development and Legislative initiative on North-East and Niger-Delta.”

Other areas include, “Legislative initiative on Unemployment; Legislative Initiative on Housing, Urban Development, Mortgages; Legislative initiative on Power; Legislative initiative on Security; Legislative initiative on Economic Diversification.”

He said the House had further committed itself in specific terms to a review of the budgetary process with emphasis on the following the promotion of an inclusive budgetary process that seeks the cooperation of the executive in institutionalising pre-budget interface and consultations and the adoption of an effective Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)

“Strict compliance with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007. Insistence on prioritisation of budget expenditure that reflects approved budget lines and zero tolerance for non-implementation of capital projects as approved in annual budgets.

“Effective monitoring and evaluation of expenditure and of outcomes achieved – value for money and the revisiting of the ‘Constitution Amendment passed by the 7thHouse mandating the President to submit his Budget proposals at least 3 months before the end of a fiscal year, instead of “at any time” before the end of a fiscal year currently in the Constitution.”

He also said that there were critical issues to be considered in passing annual Appropriation Bill that include the possibility of conducting public hearings on the budget before legislative approval, explaining that the process exposed the national budget to increased citizen and stake holder participation.

Besides, he said, “The House also committed itself to ensuring ‘proper functioning and operation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, including a possible review of the Act, to streamline budgetary processes and achieve strict adherence to timelines for budget presentation and passage.

“The House committed itself to a further review of the Finance (Control and Management) Act to expunge all provisions that are inconsistent with the Constitution and Presidential System of Government.

“The House shall also seek to ‘amend Section 82 of the Constitution to reduce the period of 6 months that the President is allowed to spend without appropriation as this provision severely distorts the Appropriation process.

“The 8th House of Representatives will take legislative measures to ensure that the Executive does not choose which aspects of the Appropriation Act it implements. Indeed the House shall seek the cooperation of the Executive to develop and enforce a Needs Based Budgeting System rather than an ‘envelop’ Based Budgeting System.

“The 8th House will also ensure the coming into being of an independent effective, nonpartisan Budget Office (NABRO) by law to aid in economic and budgetary information and planning.

“The House shall enforce strict compliance with the Reporting requirements by various officials and MDAs contained in the annual Appropriation Acts which are currently observed more in breach by the Executive without consequences.

“The House shall insist on timely release of appropriated funds and general implementation of the Budget as the ‘Nigerian people are entitled to feel the impact of governance through the appropriation mechanism and process.”

Dogara said improvement of national economy could not be meaningfully discussed without discussing priority legislation in the field.

“Undoubtedly, one of the most important pieces of legislation is the Petroleum Industry Bill. This is necessary because Oil and Gas still accounts for over 70% of our foreign exchange earnings in spite of the rapid fall in oil prices.

“We therefore cannot afford not to organize the sector in such a manner as to benefit the nation. In this regard, may I call on the President as the Minister of Petroleum to as a matter of urgency transmit a Bill to the National Assembly on how his administration intends to reorganize the Petroleum Sector.

“The PIB has had a checkered history. It was introduced late in the life of the 6th Assembly and was not passed. In the 7th Assembly, a private Members Bill was introduced in the first month of that Assembly, based on the experience of the 6th Assembly.

“However, the last administration informally indicated that it would prefer an Executive Bill on the matter, which took over two years to materialize. It was passed only by the House of Representatives very late in its tenure without the Senate concurring.

“Investment decisions in this field cannot continue to wait. Clarity on the legal framework for Oil and Gas in Nigeria is crucial to our economy. Contrary to the assertion that the size of the Bill is the problem, the fact is that an early introduction will lead to an early passage,” he stated.

The speaker said priority legislation that could help jumpstart the economy included
the Competition and Consumer Protection Laws and other laws that touched on the economic wellbeing of Nigeria.”

On the anti-corruption crusade, he said, “Anti -Corruption Legislation and Over-sight would be the major contribution of parliament to the change that has come to Nigeria.

“As I have said elsewhere, the National Assembly remains the only arm of government specifically charged with responsibility by the Constitution to ‘expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.

“The enduring fight against corruption must be waged through the instrumentality of law and legislation. People can only be accountable when the law is clear and when it is enforced fairly and firmly.

“While we await the decision of Mr. President on whether to merge EFCC and ICPC, the urgent legislative undertaking now, is to strengthen the independence and impartiality of the Heads of these agencies by requiring the consent of the Senate to their appointment and removal from office.

“This will ensure that they are not whimsically removed when they disagree with a sitting President.”

He said issues of development and economy would not be discussed without discussing the budget process in Nigeria.

Dogara said, “Mr. President should follow up the implementation of the TSA with another bold and courageous move to capture all expenditure by all the MDAs in one single National budget.

“No longer should the income and expenditure of some revenue earning agencies be an ‘Attachment’ to the National Budget but should be an integral part of it. It should be part of the aggregate figures that make up the Budget. Such agencies should include the NNPC, NPA, NIMASA, Customs and Excise, NCC, etc.

“This Roundtable should also consider whether it is appropriate to continue to maintain January to December as the Financial year. In the alternative, the National Assembly may prescribe the financial year to be 12months from the date of the signing of the Appropriation Bill.

“This is because the only way a Budget would have any realistic chance of full implementation is if it is operated for 12 calendar months as the spirit of Section 318 of the Constitution seems to suggest.”

Back To Back Champions: Nigeria's Golden Eaglets Wins FIFA U17 World Cup the Fifth Time!

Nigeria became only the second side to retain the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a 2-0 win against Mali in Vina Del Mar. Victor Osimhen stole the show once again thanks to his record-breaking tenth goal of the tournament, with Funsho Bamgboye adding a second moments later. Samuel Diarra had saved an early Osinachi Ebere penalty as the Malians played their part in an entertaining finale to Chile 2015.
The penalty came as both sides were just finding their rhythm in the opening exchanges, Chato the culprit with a handball. Ebere saw his low effort saved brilliantly by Diarra, the No17’s follow up header hit the bar before a third bite of the cherry was blocked by the Malian defence.

Both sides had chances in a tense opening period, with Golden Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali hitting just wide and Boubacar Traore seeing his glancing header tipped over by Akpan Udoh.
The second half saw the game burst into life, with Emmanuel Amuneke’s words clearly working their magic on the Nigerian youngsters. Osimhen shrugged off the challenge of Mamadou Fofana before hitting a wonderful dipping half volley towards goal, which Diarra spectacularly saved. Udochukwu Anumudu then smashed a thunderous effort at goal, which rebounded back off the crossbar and was cleared away.
Mali did not heed those warnings. Good approach play by substitute Chinedu Madueke saw him tee up Osimhen for his record-breaking goal, seeing him surpass the nine goals scored by Florent Sinama Pongolle in 2001 and Souleymane Coulibaly ten years later.
The holders doubled their advantage mere minutes later, with Bamgboye bursting down the Nigerian left before smashing a powerful effort at goal, Diarra standing little chance.
Despite a couple of late chances for Mali, from corner kicks, Nigeria retained possession for large spells and saw the game out to retain their crown. The jubilant scenes on the final whistle in Vina Del Mar will surely live long in the memories of these Nigerian heroes of the present, some of whom may just become the stars of the future.

Mama Taraba Emerges Nigeria's First Female Governor

Aisha Alhassan has been declared the winner of the April 11 governorship election in Taraba state, thus making her Nigeria’s first female governor-elect.

This was after a Taraba state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja nullified the election of Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Aisha Alhassan has been declared the winner of the April 11 governorship election in Taraba state, thus making her Nigeria’s first female governor-elect.

This was after a Taraba state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja nullified the election of Governor Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

APC’s Aisha Jummai Alhassan has emerged as Nigeria’s first female governor
‎According to Vanguard, the tribunal headed by Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar declared Alhassan, popularly referred to as Mama Taraba, as the bonafide winner of the election.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is also among the ministerial nominees who were screened and confirmed by the Nigerian Senate.
Reliable sources in Taraba have also confirmed the report to Naij.com. This means President Muhammadu Buhari will have to shop for a replacement for the minister-designate in the coming days.

Naij.com’s sources in Abuja disclosed further that the APC and its governorship candidate had challenged the victory and declaration of Ishaku as the winner of the election.

At the hearing, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), the counsel to the petitioners, made an adoption in his final written addresses, urging the tribunal to return the first petitioner, Alhassan, as the elected governor of the state.

The counsel to the first, second and third respondents, however, prayed the court to dismiss the petition, saying it lacks merit, while Solomon Akuna (SAN), the counsel to the PDP, also prayed that the petition be dismissed because the petitioners could not prove their case.

This new development further quells reports which made rounds that Alhassan’s nomination by the president may have been a way of compensating her from losing out at the polls earlier this year.