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Jibrin Adds Another Name To House Of Reps “Corruption List”

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Jibrin Adds Another Name To House Of Reps “Corruption List”
Abdulmumin Jibrin
Abdulmumin Jibrin

The ousted former chairman of the House of Representatives committee on appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has added another name to the list of corrupt lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

The Kano state lawmaker has been making series of startling revelations of alleged corruption against the speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun and Whip, Alhassan Doguwa and minority leader, Leo Ogor.

The new name added to the list as stated by Jibrin via his social media handle is Abonta Abonta.

“I added one new name to my petition, Hon Abonta Abonta. The member who spoke after me on Channels and denied corruption exists in the House,

“Let me use Hon Abonta as a case. I have asked the anti-graft agencies to investigate his office running cost. Wait for the shocking outcome,” Jibrin wrote on his tweeter handle.

Jibrin granted what he described as a “no-holds-barred” interview to a television station where he repeated his allegation against Dogara and the other three principal officers of the House.

He said he was certain that the law will catch up with the speaker.

Jubrin, shortly after his removal as chairman of the appropriation committee, started accusing Dogara of gross corruption and abuse of office, alleging that the speaker padded the 2016 budget, inserting a lot of unnecessary projects in it to serve his selfish interest.

Dogara had replied with a threat to sue Jibrin if he did not withdraw the allegations within seven days and tender an unreserved apology to him.

But Jibrin vowed he would neither apologise nor stop in his quest to “expose the corrupt nature of the speaker.”

Earlier on Monday, Jibrin was at the offices of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Department of State Services, DSS and the Police headquarters, “to personally provide insight on my petition.”

Top Nigerian Internet Scammer Arrested

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Top Nigerian Internet Scammer Arrested

 

scammer

A Nigerian suspected of being in charge of a network of internet scammers, stealing around $60 million, has been arrested in the oil city of Port-Harcourt.

The International Police Organization, INTERPOL, said the 40-year-old known as ‘Mike’, and a 38-year-old who was arrested with him on similar charges have, however been granted administrative bail as investigations continue.

INTERPOL alleged that  the suspects conned one of their victims into paying them $15.4 million.

The organization added that one of the main scams the 40-year-old was suspected of perpetrating was payment diversion fraud – where a supplier’s email would be hacked into and fake messages would then be sent to the buyer with instructions for payment to a bank account under the criminal’s control.

The alleged Nigerian ringleader of an online fraud network will face charges of hacking, conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.

The Interpol said: “The network compromised email accounts of small to medium businesses around the world, including in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, Romania, South Africa, Thailand and the US, with the financial victims mainly other companies dealing with these compromised accounts.”

 

Islamic Movement Condemns Report On Army/Shiite Clash As Biased

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Islamic Movement Condemns Report On Army/Shiite Clash As Biased
Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky
Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, has described the report of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the clash between the movement and the Nigerian Army in December 2015 as biased and full of distortions.

The report had indicted the group’s leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, saying that the Islamic cleric should be held responsible for the attack for not calling his followers to order. The report also blamed the Nigerian army for the use of excessive and unnecessary force.

Ibrahim Musa, spokesman for the IMN, questioned the reason behind the commission’s indictment of the group as being responsible for the bloody clash in Zaria, whereas their leader, El-Zakzaky was never given the opportunity to appear before the commission and defend himself.

Musa argued that the failure of the commission to invite El-Zakzaky to state his own side of the story during the sittings, or visit him in Abuja where he is being detained for the past seven months, clearly showed that the panel was not fair to the movement from the beginning.

He also criticised part of the report that recommended the trial of their members involved in the killing of a soldier, as well as the recommendation that their lands in some part of Zaria which were allegedly acquired illegally be revoked by the Kaduna State government.

The Shiites’ spokesman further demanded for the immediate and unconditional release of their leader from detention, adding that the report would not stop the movement from pursuing its litigation against the Army and the federal government.

Former Kano AG Elected New NBA President

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Former Kano AG Elected New NBA President
New NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud
New NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud

Former Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abubakar Mahmoud has been elected as the new president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

The new NBA President was elected at the 2016 National Elections held in Abuja, in an election conducted through e-voting, polling 3,055 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Joe-Kyari Gadzama who polled 2,384 votes.

Mahmoud is an alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he got his first and masters degree in law and had chaired the Kano branch of the NBA.

The Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, national honours holder is also currently the pro-chancellor of the Kano State University of Technology and is set to become the 33rd chairman of the NBA.

Dajan Gal emerged as the first Vice President with 4057 votes and Monday Ubani, second Vice President with 4375 votes.

The position of General Secretary was won by Olagunju Isiaka who got 2,721 votes against Yamah Desmond who scored 2,510 votes.

Balogun Oyeyemi emerged Legal Adviser with 3068 votes as against Onwuzuike Christopher who polled 2,043 votes.

The election was monitored by the Deputy Director, Legal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mariam Musa.

This is the first election conducted through electronic voting by the Nigerian Bar Association.

Outgoing President of the Association, Augustine Alegeh urged the contestants who lost the election to shun acrimony and join hands with the new leadership to move the association forward.

The new NBA President, Mahmoud pledged that the new executive will hit the ground running once they are sworn in.

The new executives of the NBA are expected to be sworn on August 26, 2016 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

World Bank, Sokoto Govt. In N8.8b Partnership For Projects In 10 LGAs

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World Bank, Sokoto Govt. In N8.8b Partnership For Projects In 10 LGAs
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal

The World Bank and the Sokoto State Government will execute various projects amounting to N8.8 billion in 10 local government areas of the state.

The projects would be executed under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP. The collaboration is aimed at addressing the menace of gully erosion and land degradation in selected communities across the state.

This was contained in a statement issued Sunday by Imam Imam, spokesman to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal in Sokoto.

“Under the arrangement, Sokoto state government will pay 12.9 percent of the amount which stand at over N1.33 billion as counterpart funding. The entire project will be executed in 10 local government areas of the state and will tackle environmental issues, water management and land reclamation across the LGAs.

“The projects are: rehabilitation of Lugu dam and Wurno irrigation scheme in Wurno LGA, control of river erosion along bridge linking Sabon Birni and Niger Republic, construction of medium earth dam at Rafin Duma and Kadassaka area in Gada LGA, and construction of main collector drainage and gutter from Tudun Wada area to River Sokoto in Sokoto South LGA,” the statement added.

Others include construction of drainage gutter from Goronyo Dam for tree planting and protection activity on desertification, construction of earth dam and afforestation activities to help in reducing erosion in Ungushi district of Kebbe LGA and finally, construction of drainages, earth dams and land reclamation across multiple locations in Tambuwal LGA.

The rest, according to the statement, include construction of drainages, earth dam, afforestation activities to control erosion of Durbawa in Kware LGA and construction of earth dam, drainage and afforestation activities to check flood and erosion in Sifawa in Bodinga LGA as well as construction of drainage gutters to alleviate flood in Wamakko LGA.

Army Ambushes Boko Haram, Recovers Cache Of Arms In Gamboru

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Army Ambushes Boko Haram, Recovers Cache Of Arms In Gamboru
Some of the recovered arms
Some of the recovered arms

The Nigerian Army on Sunday said it had recovered cache of arms and ammunition in Gamboru.

The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, made this known in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja.

The statement said the troops conducted raids at Gamboru town early on Sunday morning following a tip off.

“The troops recovered 3 AK-56 rifles and 2 AK-L rifles with registration numbers; AK-L-AGB 1172, AK-L PU2879, AK-56-2556688, AK-56-22622832 and AK-56-22622315, respectively.

“They also recovered 235 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and 7 AK-56 rifle magazines.

The Army commended the good citizens that alerted supplied them with timely and useful information that led to this recovery.

“This is the type of cooperation and support we always require from citizens of this country to enable us clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists. We wish to reiterate the need for all to be more vigilant, security conscious and report any suspicious movements or persons to the nearest security agency,’’ the statement said.

The army spokesman also said that troops on Operation LAFIYA DOLE on Saturday night carried out successful ambush against Boko Haram terrorists at a crossing point off Damboa road.

“The ambush party decisively dealt with the terrorists riding on bicycles at a crossing point off Damboa-Kubwa road towards Multe village axis. The team killed one terrorist, while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” Usman stated.

“The troops recovered 1 AK-47 rifle with registration number 565907530 and14 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, a wooden Dane Gun shaped to the resemblance of an AK-47rifle, 1 fabricated double-barrelled pistol and 4 bicycles.”

 

Army Pounds Militant’s Base In Ogun state

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Army Pounds Militant’s Base In Ogun state

arepo bombardment

Dozens of militants have been reportedly killed in the Arepo area of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria over the weekend as the military intensified aerial bombardment of the area which is the base of militants and pipeline vandals.

It was reported that the heavy aerial attack lasted for about 30 minutes and no less than eight missiles were fired by a fighter jet across the creek at intervals, bringing all activities to a halt and sending shivers down the spines of residents.

A resident of the area who spoke toTHE PUNCH newspaper on condition of anonymity, said that he lay flat in his apartment during the attack.

He said, “I was alone in the house with my son. The boy shook with fright every time a missile landed. I carried him and lay flat on the floor. The missiles shook the whole ground. I am not sure if I would  continue to live here because of this. My landlord left with his family yesterday.”

Another resident in the area asked the military to intensify attacks on the militants, adding that the men could regroup and cause greater havoc if given a breathing space.

He said, “The military should deploy secret officials in Ibafo, Pakuro, Wawa and other villages. I believe those places will be their next hideouts. They must not be given any breathing space. If they are allowed to regroup, there will be serious problems.”

The acting Director of Defence Information, Rabe Abubakar, a Brigadier-General, confirmed the air strikes.

“The joint operation will continue until the area is secure and free from all forms of unwanted and criminal gangs whether they are militants or vandals. We have taken some camps. The casualties cannot be confirmed but I know that we were able to target some of their camps and locations,” he said.

He assured that the military would ensure the destruction of more camps in the ongoing operation.

FG Embarks On  Series Of Cost-Cutting Measures

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FG Embarks On  Series Of Cost-Cutting Measures
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

In continuation of the on-going cost-cutting and efficiency drive in the utilization of public funds by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the federal government has banned the procurement and distribution of conference bags, T-shirts and other souvenirs at events and activities such as Conferences, Workshops and Seminars organised and funded by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

This was contained in a press release by Salisu Dambatta, the Director of Information in the federal ministry of finance.

Dambatta said the new measures were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari following recommendations by the Efficiency Unit of the finance ministry, and has been conveyed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministers of Finance and Budget and National Planning, by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, for implementation.

Dambatta explained that in a period of lean financial resources in the face of huge national infrastructural deficit, wasteful and unnecessary expenditure on overheads such as on souvenirs and conference bags were luxuries that the government must eliminate to release funds for infrastructure and services such as health and education that would have direct positive impact on the wellbeing of the citizenry and promote economic development.

The directive also contained specific guidelines that would reduce the cost of printing Invitation Cards, Programme of events, Brochures, Folders and Note Pads. Among the guidelines are that they should be in black and white and limited to only one page and in the case of Brochures they should be streamlined to contain only essential information.

Similarly, the directive has banned the printing of unnecessary publications and books of short shelf life which have no real value to the concerned public institutions or the citizens.

The MDAs were directed to save costs by uploading information of their activities, programmes and initiatives on their websites as that would guarantee wider visibility, and print only limited number of hard copies of such publications.

The efficiency unit in the finance ministry was established by the present administration to promote fiscal prudence on overhead expenditure thereby releasing resources for the development of vital national infrastructure.

 

Budget Minister Optimistic About Funding From China

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Budget Minister Optimistic About Funding From China
Minister of Budget and National Budget, Udoma Udo-Udoma
Minister of Budget and National Budget, Udoma Udo-Udoma

Budget and National Planning Minister, Udoma Udo Udoma, at the weekend, in Beijing, made a strong case why the Chinese government should assist Nigeria financially in funding critical major infrastructure projects in the country.

Udoma who was in China for the Coordinator’s meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, FOCAC, also used the opportunity to discuss issues of vital economic interest with the country’s Vice Minister for Commerce,  Qian Keming; and officials of China EXIM bank, where he stressed the mutually beneficial relationship the two countries will enjoy if Nigeria’s economy is assisted to grow rapidly.

At the Johannesburg Summit in South Africa in December 2015, China had agreed to Assist African countries in ten strategic areas that will help their economy. It pledged $60 billion in aid, grants and concessional loans.

A statement issued on Sunday by Akpandem James, Special Adviser on Media to the minister, said Nigeria was trying to get as much of the Chinese funding for projects in the form of grants, aids, investments and loans. The loan component will however be within the country’s debt sustainability limits.

Projects proposed for the facility by Nigeria is in the region of about $20 billion, and the minister said Nigeria will be in a better stead if the Chinese government will assist with a substantial part of the funds required.

During the various meetings, Udoma stressed the need for special consideration for Nigeria given its strategic relationship with China, its economic potentials, and its capacity to redeem its part of the transaction obligations.

The Minister said following the meetings, both countries expressed satisfaction with the proposals and are very anxious to take proceedings to the next level.

During the Cooperation meeting attended by ministers from various countries in Africa, China’s President Xi Jinping said the meeting was an important step taken by China and Africa to implement the consensus of Chinese and Africa leaders and the outcomes of the FOCAC.

“It is a significant measure to boost China-African cooperative development. The meeting demonstrates to the world once again that no matter how the international landscape may change, the resolve of China and Africa to pursue unity and win-win cooperation will never change”, Jinping said.

At the plenary session, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, was pleased that both China and the African countries have attained a high level of implementation of the outcomes of the summit, have acted promptly to take forward the five pillars and ten plans of cooperation and have made substantial progress in enhancing friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation across board.

He added that China has delivered on its commitments and made every effort to advance follow-up actions.

Be Wary Of Fleeing Terrorists, Military Warns

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Be Wary Of Fleeing Terrorists, Military Warns

MNJTF1

The Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, engaged in clearance operations against Boko Haram terrorists in the North east has warned citizens especially those living in the insurgency ridden region to be security conscious as some remnants of the insurgents fleeing from the troops are relocating to remote settlements along the borders of neighbouring countries.

The fleeing insurgents are said to be disguising as normal civilians.

This was made known in a statement by Muhammad Dole, a colonel and the Chief Military Public Information Officer of the Multinational Joint Task Force Headquarters, in N’Djamena, Chad.

Dole added that the Commander of the MNJTF, Lamidi Adeosun, also wants the law abiding and good citizens residing along the borders to always report the arrival of new persons or settlers in their domains, as well as unusual movement of persons to the nearest security agencies.

Dole assured that troops have successfully linked up and are currently consolidating their defences in the recaptured town of Damasak, Borno State, and stabilising the general area.

The town of Damask was recently captured from insurgents by troops of Sector 4 of the MNJTF.

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