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EFCC arraigns Saraki’s cousin over alleged N220m contract scam

Nneoma BENSON
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EFCC arraigns Saraki’s cousin over alleged N220m contract scam

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday has arraigned Ope Saraki, a cousin to former Nigerian Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on a two-count charge bordering on contract scam to the tune of N220 million.

The Ilorin Zonal Office of the EFCC had arraigned Saraki before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court sitting in the state.

In a statement disclosed by the commission, Saraki had allegedly got a contract to supply 13 ambulances to general hospitals through a company he had an interest while serving as Special Adviser to the Kwara State government.

Count one of the charges read: “That you, Ope Saraki, sometime in 2012 whilst being the Special Adviser to the governor of Kwara State on Millennium Development Goals within the jurisdiction of this honourable court knowingly acquired indirectly a private interest in contract worth N171m…

“…awarded to Chemistry Nigeria Limited for the purchase of 13 units of ambulances for 13 general/specialist hospitals in Kwara State, contract connected to your office contrary to Section 12 of the corrupt practices and other related offences Act, 2000 and punishable under same law”.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

In his response, the prosecuting counsel, Sesan Ola, prayed that the court set a trial date in view of the defendant’s plea, and asked that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Countering his request, the defence counsel, N. Olatoke urged the court to grant bail to Saraki, pending the hearing and determination of the case. He said his client would not jump bail as the EFCC has in its custody, Saraki’s international passport.

On hearing the arguments of both counsels, Justice Akinpelu granted the sum of N300m bail to the accused person, alongside two sureties with verifiable addresses.

She ruled that the accused, remained in the custody of the EFCC until he perfects his bail conditions.

The case was later adjourned until April 16, 2020, for further hearing.

Lagos records 4 new cases of Coronavirus, country now has 12 cases

Seun DUROJAIYE
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Lagos records 4 new cases of Coronavirus, country now has 12 cases

LESS than 24 hours after announcing that Nigeria has recorded eight cases of Coronavirus, the Lagos state commissioner of health, Akin Abayomi, has confirmed four new cases of Coronavirus in the state.

This rounds up the number of cases in the country to 12.

Abayomi disclosed details of the new cases while addressing journalists on Thursday at the Lagos state secretariat, Alahusa

According to the health commissioner, the country is now dealing with a combination of imported cases and local transmission.

Reports state that 19 new suspected cases were tested on Wednesday and four returned positive

Abayomi disclosed that one of the cases is a Nigerian female who returned from France via a Turkish airline (TK 1830) on March 14.

Another case is a Nigerian male who arrived in Nigeria on March 13, from Frankfurt, Germany on Luftansa flight LH 568, reports state.

In all, there are four new cases and contact tracing of over 1,300 people has commenced as stated by Abayomi.

The commissioner also said the first index case in the country, an Italian man, has been declared free of the virus.

The commissioner stated that the patient would however undergo another test before he is finally discharged.

Meanwhile, a recent study conducted by a group of scientists and physicians led by Gregory Rigano, an Advisor to Stanford University School of Medicine has shown a possible cure for the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, The ICIR earlier reported.

The scientists claimed that after six days, all infected patients treated with Chloroquine and Azithromycin were ‘virologically cured’.

COVID-19: CAN calls for suspension of church activities in Kaduna

Nneoma BENSON
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COVID-19: CAN calls for suspension of church activities in Kaduna

IN a bid to contain the spread of novel coronavirus in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chapter in Kaduna State on Thursday has called for the suspension of all church activities for the safety of its brethren.

The directives come on the heels of 12 confirmed cases of the virus in Nigeria.

The Kaduna chairman, CAN, Joseph Hayab in a statement advised that the duration of church services should also be shortened except for necessities.

According to him, the church has a role to play, to sensitize its members on preventive measures to take on and encourage the use of hand sanitizers, by providing for one at the entrance of the church.

Hayab said despite Christians’ belief in the power of prayers, it was important to observe global standards for prevention, adding that church leaders could adopt bringing in health workers to the church to test members with genuine equipment for overall safety.

“The church in Nigeria, therefore, should not be ignorant of this global pandemic. The church, as a school of faith, which is known for having large gatherings for church services, wedding, burial, prayer meetings, crusades and revival services must endeavour to join forces with government and health workers to stop the spread of this virus.

“Our role must not just be to pray but we must be seen taking concrete steps for the well being of our flocks and the country at large,” Hayab said.

The state chapter thereafter made appeal to worship leaders, to read through official guidelines and information about the virus, then educate their members.

Relatively, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) had also directed all its parishes in Lagos and Ogun states to limit the number of persons in one service, to 50.

The RCCG assistant general-overseer of administration and personnel, Folorunsho Odesola in a memo said parishes with an average attendance of 50 members or less can hold their service without making any changes.

“Parishes that have the facility to run more than one service can also do so, under the strict directive that worshippers won’t exceed 50 people per service,” he said.

Also, the Ansar ud deen Society of Nigeria had suspended mosque activities also involving more than 50 people. Activities such as the Jum’ah prayers and any gathering of up to 50 people were suspended by the group indefinitely.

“This decision was informed by the menacing spread of the novel coronavirus(COVID-19) and Fatwa by World Islamic bodies taking cognisance of the Islamic principles of ‘preservation of life’, ‘prevention of harm’, and ‘proactive response to impending danger’.

“The society shall abide by government recommendations and update members and mosque users of any change in the suspension decision.

“We acknowledge that many of our members and mosque users might find this unprecedented decision very uncomfortable, we should please be reassured that this is for the good of the community and it is in compliance with the Islamic response to epidemic pandemic,” the group said.

New study shows possible cure for COVID-19 virus

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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New study shows possible cure for COVID-19 virus

A RECENT study conducted by a group of Scientists and Physicians led by Gregory Rigano, an Advisor to Stanford University School of Medicine has shown a possible cure to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

The scientists claimed that after six days, all infected patients treated with Chloroquine and Azithromycin were ‘virologically cured’.

Chloroquine is a common and cheap anti-malaria drug used in most countries, particularly in Africa to cure malaria infection. Though, banned in Nigeria since 2005, it is still being used in other parts of the continent.

The Chinese authorities and South Korea also recognised the use of Chloroquine as an antiviral treatment that could ‘decrease the viral replication’ and possibly reduce victim’s stay in the hospital and recovery from the virus.

A consensus of medical experts at Department of Science and Technology, Guangdong Province and Health Commission of Guangdong Province released last week on 12 March, recommended 500mg twice daily chloroquine phosphate tablet for victims usage for 10 days.

Though, yet to be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – the US body responsible for regulating health and human services, Rigano, however, proved further authenticity of the discovery by sharing publicly the peer-reviewed study earlier released by Didier Raoult, also a Medical Doctor.

“Use of chloroquine (tablets) is showing favourable outcomes in humans infected with Coronavirus including faster time to recovery and shorter hospital stay,” Rigano stated in the treatment document released last week on 13 March.

“US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) research shows that chloroquine also has strong potential as a prophylactic (preventative) measure against Coronavirus in the lab, while we wait for a vaccine to be developed. Chloroquine is an inexpensive, globally available drug that has been in widespread use since 1945 against malaria, autoimmune and various other conditions.”

Yesterday, Wednesday 18 March, the scientist appeared on Fox News, a popular television station in the US to analyse the research outcome.

 

WHO identifies chloroquine, three others for clinical trial

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reportedly listed chloroquine among four drugs identified for a multinational clinical trial as part of efforts to find a cure to the pandemic.

The trial is code-named solidarity trial.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General said the four drugs or a combination of an existing drug used to cure other ailments would be tested while 10 nations already signified interest in the clinical trial.

“The drugs to be tested are antiviral drug remdesivir; a combination of two HIV drugs – lopinavir and ritonavir, lopinavir and ritonavir plus interferon beta and the antimalaria drug chloroquine,” report says. “All show some evidence of effectiveness against SARS-CoV 2 virus, which causes Covid-19, either in vitro and/or animal studies.”

The participating nations also include France, Iran, Argentina, Norway, South Africa, Bahrain, Canada, Thailand, Spain and Switzerland.

It is expected that more nations would indicate interest.

Since the outbreak in Wuhan, China, Tedros put the global casualty figure due to the COVID-19 virus at 5,000 people.

On 14 March, he described the deaths as a “tragic milestone,” identifying Europe as new epicentre of the virus.

Nigeria has so far recorded seven cases while six are currently under observation.

Right groups decry Kaduna State Government’s attempts to frustrate judicial process over Odinkalu’s case

Samad UTHMAN
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Right groups decry Kaduna State Government’s attempts to frustrate judicial process over Odinkalu’s case

 By Uthman Samad

TWO Abuja based right groups, Open Bar Initiative and Global Right Initiative have decried the slow pace of judicial process and violations of the constitutional provisions by Kaduna State Government in a case it instituted against the former Chairman of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu.

Odinkalu had been charged to court by Governor Nasir El-Rufai led Kaduna State Government for “inciting disturbance, injurious falsehood, public nuisance, and furnishing false information punishable under section 77, 373, 104, and 150 respectively of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna state, 2017.”

His travails in the hands of the state government started when he alleged that Governor El-Rufai exaggerated the number of casualties in Kajuru violent clash.

However, addressing journalists at a press briefing in Abuja, the rights groups noted that throughout the proceedings, they have had grave concerns arising from manifest biases as well as lack of independence and impartiality on the part of the court, in violation of the applicable constitutional standards which the defense team has dutifully observed its professional obligation to treat the court with due respect.

The right groups alleged that the direct criminal complainant had Chidi Odinkalu’s address on the face of it but it was never served on him, noting that proceedings began, held and were adjourned three times on March 22, 25 April and May 22, all in 2019 without Odinkalu’s knowledge.

They argued that it was not until September 18, 2019 where his legal team appeared before the Magistrate Court for the first time that they were in the picture of the proceedings.

The groups also affirmed that the direct criminal complaint lacks subject matter and territorial jurisdiction which reportedly aroused from an interview Odinkalu granted in Abuja on Channels Television on February 16, 2019 where he disproved and alleged that Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai lied over the number of recorded causalities in Maro, Kajuru Local Government of the state.  

However, the rights groups also expressed worry that the “case” does not have a case number, therefore, the direct criminal complaints and any orders purporting to be based on it are a nullity because they did not exist and could not have existed.

 Micheal Opara, who spoke on behalf of the two groups,  noted that the magistrate is being represented by counsel in these proceedings by the same counsel who represents the Governor of Kaduna State, a development, he described as crass judicial aberration under the law.

He alleged that the magistrate in Kaduna is being instructed by Governor El-rufai, to overrule and disobey the High Court orders.

This, Opara said was a step that destroyed the entire bases of judicial process in Nigeria.

Chidi Odinkalu’s travail with the Kaduna State Government stemmed from an interview he granted during a live programme on Channels Television on 16 February, 2019 where he said the causalities in the Kajuru incident were not more than 11 but El-Rufai was playing politics with lives when he reported through his media aide that about 66 people were killed at the incident.

“That story, if you noticed, that story was broken by the Kaduna State Governor with his publicist, Muyiwa Adekeye standing by his shoulder. No police officer, no SSS officer, no security person in the vicinity and he was throwing out words that were calculated to be very incendiary on the eve of very difficult elections about a location that is very difficult and has had historical problems of violence across communities,” Odinkalu had said.

“And he was dropping this bromide like he was on some substance, with all due respect. I spent all of last night from all the sources in Kajuru and nobody can verify or substantiate that there has been a killing of 66 people in Kajuru over the past few days.”

In reaction to Odinkalu’s statement, Kaduna State Government filed a suit dated March 18, 2019, accusing the human rights lawyer of inciting disturbance and furnishing false information which is punishable under the state’s penal codes.

 

38-year-old Nigerian man confirmed positive of Coronavirus in Ekiti

Seun DUROJAIYE
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38-year-old Nigerian man confirmed positive of Coronavirus in Ekiti

A new case of Coronavirus has been registered in Ekiti state, Nigeria, raising the number of confirmed cases in the country to eight.

On Wednesday, the minister of health, Osagie Ehanire, announced that the country had registered five new cases of the virus, with four patients in Lagos and one in Ekiti.

Details about the case in Ekiti were later shared in a statement released by the Ekiti state government on Twitter, disclosing that the patient, a 38-year-old Nigerian man tested positive to the virus and upon further probe, was identified to have been in contact with an index case.

In the statement signed by the state’s commissioner of health, Mojisola Yaya-Kayode, the patient was reported to have driven the index case, an American man who came into the country from Virginia, United States, on March 3 through Muritala Mohammed International airport.

According to the statement, the 27-year-old caucasian American man travelled with his caregiver, a 31-year-old Nigerian woman, from Lagos to Ibadan where they both spent two weeks before heading to Ekiti on March 13.

Upon arriving in Ekiti, the index case fell ill and was taken to a private hospital before he was transferred to a tertiary hospital where he was declared dead, the statement disclosed.

It was gathered that the hospital alerted the government who then commenced contact tracing and identified the driver who has now tested positive to the virus.

The caregiver who is said to be in an isolation centre in Ekiti has been reported to have tested negative to the virus but the government has stated that a second test would be carried out before she is either discharged or admitted.

So far, Nigeria has confirmed eight cases but only one of the cases was said to have tested negative after initially testing positive and being asymptomatic.

In arresting the spread of the virus, the Federal Government has placed travel ban on 13 countries, all of which have at least 1,000 cases of COVID-19

Globally, coronavirus has infected up to 200,000 persons and killed over 8,000 people around the world.

There is still no known cure or vaccine to eliminate the virus, which has now been recorded in every continent except Antarctica.

Allegedly left unfed for 24 hours, Lady calls-out Ekiti, Osun State Govts. over cousin placed under quarantine

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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Allegedly left unfed for 24 hours, Lady calls-out Ekiti, Osun State Govts. over cousin placed under quarantine

A LADY identified as Chinyere Oranugo @Splendidmarshal on Wednesday took to the social media to call out the Governments of Osun and Ekiti states for wrong handling of her cousin suspected to have been infected by the COVID-19 virus and placed under quarantine in Osun state.

Oranugo said his cousin came in from the United Kingdom after schooling abroad to partake in the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), only to develop a cough at the Ekiti State NYSC camp.

Cough is known as one of the symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the victim was reportedly quarantined and subsequently transported to Osun state through ill-equipped ambulance followed by alleged poor treatments.

“Please Nigerians, my family and I need your help at this time. My cousin who schooled in the Uk and returned home 26/01/2020 to serve in the NYSC was posted to Ekiti state for his orientation and he’s down with cough so has been quarantined and sent to Osun state, but he’s not been fed since yesterday that he’s been quarantined and he’s complaining of dizziness,” she tweeted appealing for the appropriate authorities to intervene in the matter.

“Not only that, he was carried like a waybill in a poorly kept ambulance, it’s almost as if they want him dead so a case will be established.”

“Please help us speak to the authorities to give this boy food to eat, so that he can even withstand whatever treatment awaits him. My family is going to visit and see how he’s being treated. This is a boy who is ordinarily fragile but with one of the largest hearts on earth,” she stated.

However, based on Oranugo’s claim on the arrival date of her cousin – 26 January, the NYSC member, there were concerns that his case would have possibly deteriorated beyond normal cough.

From the said date to today is about 51 days.

It is also uncertain if the victim was conveyed by the Ekiti state Government or the NYSC officials in the state.

But in its reaction, the state government via its official social media handle claimed ignorant of the development. Rather, it advised Oranugo to contact the state task force emergency numbers.

“We have no knowledge of this incidence. Please call the emergency numbers: 09062970434, 09062970435, 09062970436 and provide necessary details for a coordinated response by the Ekiti State Task force #EKSG_COVID19.” It stated.

The ICIR reached out to Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary to the Osun State Governor on the matter but he dismissed the news describing it as fake.

“It is fake. We don’t have any such case in Osun. I just spoke with the health commissioner.  In fact, he said our consultant from LAUTECH just left a meeting and we do not have such a case. We don’t, it’s fake.”

“Before they can even send the person to Osun, because we have a world-class laboratory in Osun State, they must have quarantined him in Ekiti. How can they have a case in Ekiti and bring him to Osun?” He queried.

Oranugo was also contacted in a direct message to provide details to the incident, particularly where her cousin was kept.

Hours after, she responded that the corp member has been released and confirmed negative.

“Thanks, sir. As I write, he’s been confirmed negative and released. I appreciate your concern. Grateful heart,” she stated.

But in her reaction that her claim was a rumour, she said, “My cousin was in the NYSC camp. As it stands I will not disclose his name. He went to sought medicare because he had cough. He was quarantined yesterday and taken this morning to Redeemer University in Osun for a test.”

“This evening they’ve confirmed him negative and released and he’s left the camp. Why the denial? Worse, they can claim it hasn’t gotten to their notice,” she noted.

However, a similar case was reported in Enugu State, the victim was declared dead on 15 March.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government had earlier announced five additional cases including an American who entered the country via the Benin Republic. This amounts to seven cases in totality while one case has been tested negative.

The number of cases in the Lagos State Mainland Hospital which serves as the quarantine centre, according to Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Commissioner for Health has also reduced to six.

Federal Government reviews petrol pump price from N145 to N125, citing falling crude oil prices globally

Amos ABBA
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Federal Government reviews petrol pump price from N145 to N125, citing falling crude oil prices globally

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari approved the reduction of the pump price of  Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol from N145 to N125 to reflect the declining price of crude oil globally.

This was announced after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, by the Minister of State on Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva in a statement.

He cited the drop in the price of crude oil at the global market leading to the reduced open market price of imported petrol below the official pump price of N145 per litre.

“President Buhari has approved that Nigerians should benefit from the reduction in the price of PMS which is a direct effect of the crash in global crude oil prices.

“In view of this situation, based on the price modulation template approved in 2015, the Federal Government is directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to reduce the ex-coastal and ex-depot prices of PMS to reflect current market realities,” he said.

Data obtained from the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, showed that the landing cost of petrol was N64.32 per litre indicating a steep decline in the landing cost of a litre of petrol since the outbreak of the “dreaded” Coronavirus.

Based on PPPRA initial projection on March 11, the Expected Open Market Price, EOMP, for a litre of petrol was N112.26 while the ex-depot price was N125.63.

Sylva stated that the measure taken by the Federal Government to reduce the price would benefit citizens of the country and balance the market economics.

“The PPPRA is further directed to modulate pricing in accordance with prevailing market dynamics and respond appropriately to any further oil market development.

“It is believed that this measure will have a salutary effect on the economy, provide relief to Nigerians and will provide a framework for sustainable supply of PMS to our country,” he said.

Brent Crude Nigeria’s oil equivalent currently sells for $30.85 per barrel which is below the $57 per barrel benchmark for the 2020 fiscal budget.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, which is currently the sole importer of petrol into the country subsidises the consumption of petrol initially pegged at N145 per litre.

Ban all forms of open worship and gatherings, lawmakers urge FG

Ihuoma ILO
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Ban all forms of open worship and gatherings, lawmakers urge FG

THE MEMBERS of the House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the federal government to ban all forms of open worships and gatherings in other to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in Nigeria.

Following the announcement of five new confirmed cases of coronavirus by the Federal Ministry of Health, Lawmakers called on the federal government to ban public worships and gatherings and all flights coming from all countries into Nigeria.

Ndudi Elumelu (PDP) member representing Aniocha North/Aniocha South/ Oshimili North and South Federal Constituency proposed an amendment to urge Federal Government to ban all airlines entering the country unless they meet safety standards and are certified by the Port Health Authorities.

He also called on the aviation ministry to enforce passport regulation that stops airport touts from loitering.

The Speaker of the House Femi Gbajabiamila, in a reply to calls for a ban on all airlines reminded members that banning all airlines from entering the nation would mean Nigerians wishing to come home from schools from abroad might be stranded in their bid to return home.

The lawmakers further stated it had banned visitors to the National Assembly describing the Coronavirus outbreak as a matter of public importance which should be treated with urgency.

Ossai N. Ossai (PDP) member representing Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency, Delta State proposed an amendment that management should ensure everyone visiting the National Assembly complex to be properly tested at every point of entry.

Speaking on the call by the lawmakers to ban open worship and gatherings, The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos state chapter stated that the level of Coronavirus infection in the nation does not yet warrant ban on religious gathering and activities.

Citing the Nation’s report, CAN however, said religious organisation, especially churches and mosques, must take proactive measures to safeguard members from infection.

Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, Chairman Lagos state CAN told reporters on Wednesday that Nigeria must do everything to win the war against the virus.

“The Federal Government must further secure our borders. Many nations are doing this very seriously now. We must also act now as a nation, our nation cannot afford to welcome or accommodate Coronavirus in our land. God forbid it in Jesus name, “Alexander said.

Meanwhile the state Commissioner for Information Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, has stated the state government will ask religious leaders to stop Friday (Juma’at) and Sunday service in the interest of the public.

Further reacting to the coronavirus increase in Nigeria and the first suspected case in Katsina State, Aminu Masari Katsina, the state Governor,  in a communique read after a closed-door meeting on Wednesday announced that Governors of North-West zone had agreed on the closure of all schools in the zone.

The meeting held in Kaduna, revealed the closure was for 30 days, and was to take effect from March 23, 2020, noting that it had become necessary in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the zone.

NECO to sanction schools charging above N9,850 for registration

Nneoma BENSON
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NECO to sanction schools charging above N9,850 for registration

THE National Examinations Council, NECO, on Wednesday has vowed to sanction schools charging above the government-approved fee of N9,850 as registration fee for the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE.

In a statement by the board, the Acting Registrar of NECO, Abubakar Gana, said the exam body had written to Commissioners of Education of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), notifying them of the extortions going on in their schools against the directive of the federal government.

Gana spoke in Abuja when the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Services paid an oversight visit to the Council, and raised an observation that some schools were charging between N19,000 and N20,000 as registration fee for SSCE.

While frowning at the development, the NECO boss said the Council was on top of the situation, adding that the exam body will continue to play active role in ensuring that candidates are not defrauded while pursuing their education.

He added that the Council would engage members of the committee to monitor its examination and report any infraction to guide the Council on appropriate actions to be taken.

“Not quite a month, we wrote to all the commissioners of education, highlighting that some schools, both public and private, are overcharging candidates. While the NECO fee itself is N9,850, some are even charging N20,000 in the name of administrative charges.

“Most of these schools are miracle centres and what they do there is that they perpetrate malpractice. Candidates who are lazy and don’t have confidence can go to the extent of paying N50,000 to register so they can have their way.

“We are on it. You too have a very critical role to play. We will make sure that in all our activities, we would make you part of the monitoring team so you can see what is happening and at your own convenience, write a report to us,” the paper said.

Gana had also appealed to the National Assembly for the review of NECO’s budget, lamenting that the exam body has not embarked on any capital project for the past three years.

The statement stated that NECO, apart from conducting the examination, was finding it difficult to execute one project due to low allocation to the agency.

Gana said in 2018, it was budgeted that the Council will purchase 18 Hilux pickups but only N7 million was released to it which couldn’t even buy one.

Responding, the Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education and Services, Julius Ihovbere, said the committee had a lot of confidence in NECO and those managing the agency.

Ihovbere said from the feedback from his constituency, NECO was doing exceptionally well.

“We believe that the role you have played, the only way to better appreciate it is to imagine a Nigeria without NECO,” he said.

According to him, the limitations faced by NECO were not from the inability of the Council to deliver but because of the challenges confronting the exam body.

He expressed confidence that both the Senate and the House of Representatives will approve a review of NECO’s budget to enable it execute its mandate.

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