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In my own election, NDDC brought N10 billion cash to fight against me – Wike

Ihuoma ILO
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In my own election, NDDC brought N10 billion cash to fight against me – Wike

NYESOM Wike, Governor of Rivers State says the recent revelations of corruption from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were not unexpected to him, alleging that the Commission invested N10 billion to fight against him during the last election.

“Unfortunately, they have turned it to a different thing, NDDC is a cash cow for politicians. In my own election, NDDC brought N10 billion cash to fight against me,” Wike said on Tuesday in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

He added that the NDDC has lost focus from the initial mission for which it was established for, and has become a money making machine for some corrupt politicians.

“I have said before and it is very clear, my concern is everybody knows that NDDC was set up for the development of the region,” he said.

His comments followed the ongoing probe by the National Assembly into the fraud running into billions of naira said to have been perpetrated by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC between February and May 2020.

He also accused the Commission of embarking on projects in Rivers without the consent of the state government.

“You cannot go to a state and begin to carry out projects without the permission of the state government, you don’t know what their plans are. You can’t come into my state to disturb my development plan, you must let me know,” Wike said.

According to him,  technocrats, and not politicians should be placed in charge of the Commission to enable it function effectively to change the narrative of what is playing out at the moment.

While explaining the role of governors in the South-South, he said, “Under the NDDC Act, there should be a governing board made up of the governors.”

“Since 2015 we have been asking for that board, but it was only last year that the President was able to constitute a governing board. But that is just theory.”

Between February and May, investigations were launched by lawmakers to probe the alleged fraud in the NDDC  while President Muhammadu Buhari also ordered that a forensic audit to be carried out on the Commission.

The investigations unraveled more scam and loopholes in the Commission’s funds, a development that  has sparked series of drama and blame games between lawmakers and government officials.

Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, alleged that about 60 per cent of the NDDC projects were awarded to lawmakers during the last investigative hearing organised by the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission at the National Assembly.

Akpabio’s allegations generated backlash, which led to the demand by the Femi Gbajabiamila asking the minster to publish names of the lawmakers in twenty four hours, the claim has since sparked more reactions from some members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

 

NDDC says director’s death two months ago caused delay in payment of scholars’ bursaries

Seun DUROJAIYE
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NDDC says director’s death two months ago caused delay in payment of scholars’ bursaries

THE management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday attributed the delay in payment of bursaries to scholarship beneficiaries in the United Kingdom to the death of Ibanga Etang, the Commission’s acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration.

Charles Odili, NDDC’s Director Corporate Affairs,  disclosed in a statement that Etang’s demise in May hampered the payment of the beneficiaries’ bursaries and would forthwith be settled following a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that the outstanding bursaries should be paid within one week.

THE ICIR reported on Monday protest by NDDC scholars in London at the Nigeria High Commission over non-payment of their ‘tuition and upkeep allowance’.

The aggrieved scholars were captured on video, holding placards with several inscriptions, expressing disappointment and demanding a resolution from the government.

While explaining further on the delay, Odili stated that only the Executive Director (Finance) and the Executive Director (Projects) can sign for the release of funds from the Commission’s domiciliary accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“With the death of Chief Etang, the remittance has to await the appointment of a new EDFA,” he said.

According to him, President Buhari had issued the directive to pay the scholars to Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

“Senator Akpabio, the Honourable Minister, said President Buhari who has been briefed on the protest by students at the Nigerian High Commission in London, has ordered that all stops be pulled to pay the students by the end of this week. We expect a new EDFA to be appointed this week. As soon as that is done, they would all be paid,” he added.

Meanwhile, the NDDC is enmeshed in a huge corruption scandal which is currently being investigated by the National Assembly.

The House of Representatives Committee  investigating financial infractions in the NDDC is demanding accountability for  N81.5 billion expenses incurred by the Commission between January and May 2020.

Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, Chairman, House Committee on NDDC disclosed this at the investigative hearing on alleged financial malfeasance in the commission.

He said the discovery was made after going through books submitted by both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Auditor General of the Federation (OAGF).

Adoke, former AGF pleads not guilty to money laundering charge

Niyi OYEDEJI
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Adoke, former AGF pleads not guilty to money laundering charge

MOHAMMED Adoke, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the amended charges of money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Adoke, alongside Aliyu Abubakar who is an Abuja-based businessman are facing a seven-count charge filed against them by the EFCC over money laundering allegation to the tune of N400 million.

They are being tried before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Their trial on Monday was stalled by late filing of an amended charge by the prosecution team.

However, during sitting on Tuesday, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 14 count charge filed against them.

The EFCC had in June filed an additional seven charges against the former AGF and his co-defendant.

The initial charge contained seven counts, with six of them relating to Adoke.

At the resumed trial, Bala Sanga, the prosecutor informed the court of an amended charge he filed on July 29 which was served on all the defendants.

The trial judge, Justice Ekwo who frowned at the late filing of the amended charge adjourned the trial till Tuesday on the ground that he was yet to sight the amended charges.

In the former seven counts, the EFCC alleged that the defendants committed the money laundering offences involving over N400 million in Abuja in September 2013.

In the counts relating to Adoke, he was accused of among others, receiving the dollar equivalent of N300 million from Abubakar, paying the dollar equivalent of N367,318,800 to one Usman Mohammed Bello, and allegedly using the sum of N300 million, which was alleged to be part of the proceeds of unlawful activities, all in violations of various provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011.

He was also accused of making “structured cash payments, in 22 tranches” amounting to N80 million, another of such structured payments in 13 tranches summing up to N50 million into his Unity Bank account.

The Commission alleged that the funds were not only part of the proceeds of unlawful acts but they also exceeded “thresholds outside a financial institution,” and that the payments were done with the intention of concealing the origins of the funds contrary to Section 15(2(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same law.

According to the EFCC, the count one of the new charges against Adoke read: “That you Mohammed Bello Adoke, sometime in September 2013, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, made a cash payment of the sum of $2,267,400.00 (Two Million, Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, Four Hundred United States Dollars) to one Rislaundeen Muhammed, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to the combined effects of Section 16(1) (d) and of Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011(as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

A new charge against Abubakar read. “That you Aliyu Abubakar, sometime in September 2013, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, accepted a cash payment of the sum of $4,000,000.00 (Four Million United States Dollars) from Farmans Holdings Limited, through Abdulhakeem Uthman Mustapha, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to the combined effects of Section 16(1)(d) and of Section1(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges, following which Akin Olujimi, SAN, counsel to the second defendant,  made an oral application, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to sit on the case while courts in the country are on vacation.

Justice Ekwo in response advised the counsel to make his application formal so that he could rule on it.

While reminding Olujimi that he could exercise his discretion as it pleased him in his court, he warned that a consequence of his application may be the revocation of the bail of his client.

Olujimi,  for the interest of his client’s liberty, beat a hasty retreat and withdrew the oral application.

The judge adjourned the case till August 11, 12 and 13, 2020 for commencement of trial.

It will be recalled that the defendants were arraigned on a seven-count charge before Justice Binta Nyako, on March 1, 2020, re-arraigned on June 17, 2020 on the same number of charges before Justice Ekwo  and re-arraigned again, August 4, 2020 on 14-count charge before the same judge.

He was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on February 10, 2020, in the sum of N50million with one surety in like sum.

 

Kwara governor inaugurates panel to Local Governments’ spending, N300m deduction

Editorial
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Kwara governor inaugurates panel to Local Governments’ spending, N300m deduction

ABDULRAHMAN AbdulRazaq, the Governor of Kwara State has inaugurated an eight-man committee to investigate federal allocations accrued to the  16 local government areas of the state as well as their share of the state’s internally generated revenue.

A press statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor Monday evening, disclosed that members of the committee were mandated to investigate funds received and disbursed to the local government councils from May 29, 2019 to date.

“In pursuance of the powers conferred on the Governor of Kwara State under the Commission of Inquiry Law CAP, C17 Laws of Kwara State, 2006 and other enabling laws in that regard, I, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Governor of Kwara State, hereby constitute a panel of inquiry into local government federal allocations and IGR accruing to local government councils from May 29 to date,” the statement read.

The panel which has retired Justice Mathew Olabamiji Adewara as chairman and Sabitiyu Grillo as the Secretary is to submit its report in two weeks time.

Abdulrahman who revealed that the panel was unveiled following an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the House of Assembly to investigate the issue, enjoined its members to find out the amounts received by local governments as statutory allocation from the federal government.

In particular, the governor said part of the mandate of the panel is to investigate the veracity of the claim of N300 million monthly deduction by the Kwara State Government from the local government funds from May 29 2019 to date.

He also charged the panel’s members to determine ‘whether the state government borrowed money from banks or financial institutions to pay salaries at any point in time and how the funds mentioned above were spent monthly by the JAAC from May 29, 2019 to date.

“Determine the duplicity or otherwise of any Kwara State public official on the matter of local government funds; and provide any other information that may assist the State Government in ensuring accountability at all times with respect to the state’s activities and the local governments,”  he said.

FIRS accuses NIPOST of fraud, corruption, misinformation, threatens legal action

Seun DUROJAIYE
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FIRS accuses NIPOST of fraud, corruption, misinformation, threatens legal action

THE Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria’s apex tax administration agency has accused the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) of illegality ranging from illicit operation of Stamp Duty account to suspected misappropriation of funds.

In a statement shared via its official Twitter page and signed by Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, FIRS Director of Communication and Liaison,  the agency vowed to ensure that all monies diverted to the wrong quarters by NIPOST would be remitted into the Federation Account, with proper accountability.

“The FIRS is determined to not only ensure that all monies collected by NIPOST into its illegally operated Stamp Duties Account are fully remitted into the Federation Account but also make sure that any kobo not accounted for in that account is legally recovered,” the statement read in part.

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This follows allegation made by Maimuna Abubakar, Board Chairman of NIPOST, who in a series of Twitter posts stated that FIRS stole the mandate of the country’s postal service by ‘selling stamps.’

“I am worried for NIPOST, having sleepless night because of NIPOST, we need the general public to come to our aid, FIRS stole our mandate. FIRS are now selling stamps instead of buying from us #justicefornipost,” her tweet read in part.

Abubakar further accused the tax agency of attempting to ‘kill and ‘bury’ NIPOST, demanding that the stolen mandate of the postal service is returned.

“FIRS did not only steal our stamps but also our ideas, what NIPOST had worked for since 2016, our documents, patent and sneaked everything into finance bill and tactically removed the name of NIPOST,” she lamented.

“I like to make this clear, NIPOST is the only agency charged with the responsibility of producing adhesive stamps and revenue for the for the purchase of such stamp accrues to NIPOST.”

But the FIRS in its response, clarified that ‘stamp duty’ is different from ‘postage stamp’, noting that the two separate entities were being mixed up by Abubakar.

“We appreciate the general public for demonstrating deep knowledge of the difference between Stamp Duty and Postage Stamp. It is unfortunate that Mrs. Maimuna Abubakar, Chairperson of the NIPOST Board is yet to understand this,” FIRS said.

“To be sure, NIPOST is a government parastatal established by Decree 41 of 1992 with the function to develop, promote, and provide adequate and efficiently co-ordinated postal services at reasonable rate.”

Abubakar’s outburst follows the newly introduced collectible stamp duties on rent by the FIRS.

The FIRS had earlier in July announced that stamp duty will be paid on house rent and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), in line with its new adhesive duty.

Consequently, Ahmad urged Nigerians to ensure that documents that relate to rent and lease agreements for homes or offices, C of O, and other common business-related transaction instruments are authenticated with the new FIRS Adhesive Stamp Duty.

“Stamp duty is a tax payable in respect of dutiable instrument as provided under the Stamp Duties Act, CAP S8, LFN 2004 (as amended),” Muhammad Nami, Executive Chairman of FIRS had clarified.

EFCC’s late filing of amended charge delays trial of Adoke, others

Amos ABBA
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EFCC’s late filing of amended charge delays trial of Adoke, others

THE re-scheduled trial of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke was stalled on Monday, at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja due to the late filing of an amended charge by the prosecution team.

Adoke, alongside Aliyu Abubakar who is an Abuja-based businessman are facing a seven-count charge filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for laundering about N400 million.

He is alleged to have played a prominent role in the sale of sale of the Nigerian oil license OPL 245.

The lucrative OPL 245 oil block was allocated in 1998 for $20million – a fraction of its value now – to Malabu Oil & Gas, a company secretly owned by the then oil Minister, Dan Etete.

The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo at the hearing noted that the amended charge was not in the court’s file and wondered why the prosecution delayed until July 29 to file an amended charge.

Bala Sanga, the lead prosecuting lawyer for the EFCC at the hearing told the court he had an amended charge rather than bring the witness.

Justice Ekwo then adjourned till August 4 for the defendants’ re-arraignment on the amended charge and possible commencement of trial.

Six counts in the earlier charge involved Adoke, with one relating to Abubakar. They were alleged  to have committed the offences in Abuja in 2013.

Adoke was accused of receiving the dollar equivalent of N300 million from Abubakar while paying the dollar equivalent of N367,318,800 to one Usman Mohammed Bello, and allegedly using the sum of N300 million which was alleged to be part of the proceeds of unlawful activities.

The former AGF was also accused of making “structured cash payments, in 22 tranches” amounting to N80 million another of such structured payments in 13 tranches, summing up to N50 million into his Unity Bank account.

The EFCC claimed that the fund were not only part of the proceeds of unlawful acts but they also exceeded “thresholds outside a financial institution” and  the payments were done with the intention of concealing the origins of the funds contrary to section 15 (2(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same law.

Abubakar was accused of making the payment of dollar equivalent of N300 million to Adoke’s account in violation of the money laundering law.

The anti-graft agency is also making several efforts to prosecute Adoke on claims of his involvement in the controversial Malabu Oil deal which includes abuse of office for granting Oil Prospective License (OPL) 245 to Shell and ENI illegally.

NDDC scholars protest in London over abandonment by government

Seun DUROJAIYE
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NDDC scholars protest in London over abandonment by government

SCORES of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) scholarship beneficiaries on Monday, protested abandonment by the government, lamenting unpaid tuition and allowances.

The scholars who gathered at the Nigeria High Commission in London, were captured holding placards with several inscriptions, expressing disappointment and demanding a resolution from the government.

The protest which was captured on video was shared on Twitter via handle, @2019Nddc.

As part of their demands, the scholars sought audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, disclosing that they risk deportation from the United Kingdom (UK) over failure to pay their tuition and meet up with monetary requirements of their courses in the UK.

The aggrieved scholars also lamented the non-payment of their fees for one year since they were awarded scholarships.

In response to their grievances, an official of the Nigerian High Commission in London was seeing in the video urging for calm, promising that their worries would be relayed to the appropriate channels.

“My integrity will be at stake if I call somebody else to act as the minister on the telephone. It will not solve your problem. What matters most is that we are giving you our words,” he said.

Earlier in May, students sponsored to Europe for post-graduate studies by the NDDC who were reportedly stranded abroad because of the lack of funding from the commission, sent a letter to the Ahmad Lawan, Senate President, demanding payment for their studies.

The students said that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated struggles to survive abroad.

“While we had survived with working as bar attendants, warehouse assistants and even care workers during these nine months of being sent overseas without upkeep, this ‘assistive’ source of income has been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said about 25 students who signed the letter to  Lawan on behalf of the “2019 NDDC scholars.”

“With the pandemic, scholars are unable to meet up with their basic obligations like rent and feeding and are living on the constant threat of ejection by their landlords in different parts of the world,” the letter read in part.

Meanwhile, the NDDC is enmeshed in a huge corruption scandal which is currently being investigated by the National Assembly.

The ICIR had earlier reported how Kemebradikumo Pondei, the acting Managing Director of the NDDC fainted during hearing held by House of Representative investigative panel in Abuja.

Pondei lost consciousness while answering questions by the House Committee on NDDC over alleged misappropriation of funds.

He fainted after a member of the panel raised questions about N641 million paid to a particular Clear Point Communications and N536 million to another company for a campaign tagged Save Lives in the Niger Delta.

Kwara Govt distributes face masks to students, as schools reopen August 5

Editorial
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Kwara Govt distributes face masks to students, as schools reopen August 5

THE Kwara State Government has given out 65,000 face masks for distribution across schools as part of safety measures to contain the spread of the virus in the state.

This was part of preparation for the reopening of schools  on Wednesday, August 5 for students preparing for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE) in the state.

The face masks which were to be distributed to SSS 3 students in the state were handed over to Bisola Ahmed, the state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, by the Deputy Governor of the state, Kayode Alabi.

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Alabi announced that the scheme is the first phase of the state’s plan to ensuring that schools are safe for reopening as hand sanitizer would soon be given out to the students

“This is the first phase as we are also giving out sanitisers while the Ministry of Education, working with the committee and stakeholders in the sector, has been mandated to ensure that safety rules are adhered to,” he said.

Speaking also, Bisola Ahmed, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Bisola Ahmed, noted that the State Government was making frantic efforts to ensure strict compliance with the preventive measures reeled out by the Federal Ministry of Education

“Our SS3 students will resume this week, precisely on Wednesday. We have 65,000 face masks here which will be distributed to schools across the three senatorial districts of the state,” Ahmed said.

“The face masks are now being distributed through the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS). This is the first phase of what will be provided to schools.”

She further stated that principals of the schools were ready to support the state Government, saying, “we assure you that all the preventive measures as directed by the Federal Ministry of Education will be provided as the schools resume.”

While assuring that the face masks would be evenly distributed across the state, the Commissioner said only the SS 3 students are to resume on Wednesday, adding that other exit students would be communicated on their date of resumption ahead of their own examinations.

TUC planned protest is ill-advised, uncalled for- Presidency

Editorial
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TUC planned protest is ill-advised, uncalled for- Presidency

By Vincent UFUOMA

THE presidency has reacted to the  planned protest by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), describing  as ill-advised.

THE PUNCH reported last week that the leadership of TUC said it was going to mobilize a nationwide protest against the ongoing revelation of corruption in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), hike in electricity tariff, Value Added Tax (VAT), and  hike in pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol by the Buhari’s administration.

In a statement on Monday,Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, asked the TUC to partner the president against corruption instead of stampeding him.

“The reported plan by the Trade Union Congress to embark on a nationwide protest over the alleged President Buhari’s “inaction over the high-level of corruption uncovered at the Niger Delta Development Commission , the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)” is ill-advised and totally uncalled for, considering that there are ongoing investigations in the cases by both the Executive and Legislative arms of government,” Shehu said.

He said staging a protest in a matter that is still under investigation by both the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government is uncalled for, noting that  it is against democratic laws to seek action against offenders without due and “proper investigation, trial and conviction.”

According to the presidential spokesperson, all the processes must be allowed to run their full courses, adding that, “It is against the norm in a democratic society as well as the natural laws of justice to seek “action,” meaning punishment against offenders before proper investigation, trial and conviction.”

He further said that while the TUC should voice its concerns against corruption, it should also look at its impact on the social and economic life of the country.

“The President has made it clear that the allegations that have surfaced clearly “constitute a breach of trust” and as the investigations take hold and close out, all those found wanting will face the wrath of the law,” Shehu said.

“The TUC, as an enlightened group of labour Unionists, should indeed voice their indignation whenever such acts are being unearthed.”

Shehu said that the expectation will be for the Congress to also raise the bar higher, in terms of the debate concerning the impact of such allegations on government’s ability, to create and retain employment, attract investment, improve the living conditions of its members and citizens, and how a preponderance of these heinous crimes decimates any gains being made in other spheres.

He noted that the world is confronted with a global public health crisis, decline in economic growth, and expanding areas of conflict by non-state actors.

“All these ills in their singular or combined form are consuming every nation. Nigeria is no exception; we must hold the line and lock arms that way we rid ourselves of these existential issues whilst we grapple with those that are our own homegrown problems.

“This administration is committed to doing just that, and organizations like the TUC should be extending a hand in supporting such a fight that is in our collective interest,” he said

EFCC secures final forfeiture of N827.6m from NDDC contractors

Niyi OYEDEJI
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EFCC secures final forfeiture of N827.6m from NDDC contractors

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the final forfeiture of N827, 679,098.32 from Flank Power Resources Limited and GMFD Ventures Limited, both of whom are firms linked to contractors with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the forfeiture.

The forfeiture followed an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC investigator in which the Commission prayed the court for the forfeiture of the sum to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds of unlawful activity, traced to some contractors’ accounts with Zenith Bank.

A breakdown of the recovery shows that N616, 679, 098.32  was recovered from Flank Power Resources Limited, while N211 million was recovered from GMFD Ventures Limited.

The EFCC said it discovered that between 2018 and 2019, Flank Power Resources Limited received the funds from the NDDC, through its account number:1015642852 , while GMFD received through account number: 1014657819 both of which are domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc for desilting contracts which aside being inflated, were not executed, but diverted and laundered.

The sum of N616, 679, 098.32 recovered from Flank Power Resources Limited was facilitated through 62 Zenith Bank drafts in favour of the EFCC Recovered Funds Account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, while the N211million from GMFD came through 22 Zenith Bank drafts in favour of the same account.

EFCC had earlier secured the interim forfeiture of the money on June 8, 2020.

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