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ICPC To Prosecute Employment Racketeers

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ICPC To Prosecute Employment Racketeers

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, says it will prosecute job seekers and job placement agents who indulge in giving and demanding “bribes”, or other forms of gratification to secure jobs.

The commission said it has received series of petitions relating to an ongoing internet scam whereby gullible applicants are paying money for recruitment and bogus interviews into Nigeria Customs Service and expressed concern at the ease with which the general public and those seeking employment are easily duped.

“It is sad to note that despite a highly publicized joint ICPC/Customs operation early this year announcing several arrests over internet-based recruitment scams, pranksters are still at work preying on the gullible few who also probably believe in subverting the recruitment process by paying monies for recruitment,” Folu Olamiti, spokesperson of the ICPC stated.

He warned members of the public that investigation was ongoing and “the Commission will not hesitate prosecuting those who willingly lend themselves to or abet criminals to subvert the recruitment exercise through fraudulent means.”

Olamiti stressed that no government ministry, department or gency should request for applicants to pay money into private accounts to secure employment, adding that those who offer money or gratification in any form in order to facilitate employment during real or fake government recruitment exercises are as culpable as those soliciting or receiving same.

The ICPC also cautioned that applicants who procure or present fake documents like forged or altered certificates, affidavits, recommendation letters for use during recruitment exercises risk prosecution.
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EFCC Re-arraigns Timipre Sylva For Laundering N19.2 billion

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EFCC Re-arraigns Timipre Sylva For Laundering N19.2 billion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will today arraign former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, and six others on a 42-count amended charge of money laundering before Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The other accused persons are Francis Okuburo, Gbenga S. Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited

The former governor was first arrained in June for the alleged misappropriation of N6.46 billion state funds.

The anti-graft agency had in a suit number HC/ABJ/CR/23/2012, claimed that Sylva and the others fraudulently obtained N4 billion loans from Union Bank under the guise of using it to augment workers’ salaries.

The EFCC also alleged that the accused persons had in the same period converted properties and resources of the Bayelsa government amounting to N2 billion to personal use, and another N380 million worth of government property through a Fin Bank account No. 221433478108 belonging to one Habibu Maigida, a bureau de change operator on January 22, 2010

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The EFCC further said that Sylva and his accomplices had on February 5, 2010, converted N50 million of the state’s funds through a First Bank account number 6152030001946 of Enson Benmer Ltd.

The EFCC said the offences contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004.

Sylva, however, pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge but his re-arraignment, the Commission says, is sequel to fresh evidence linking him with a bouquet of fraudulent transactions that borders on money laundering to the tune of N19.2 billion during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State between 2009-2012.

Seven Commissioners, 13 Special Advisers Suspended In Cross River

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Seven Commissioners, 13 Special Advisers Suspended In Cross River

The governor of Cross River, Liyel Imoke, has suspended seven commissioners and 13 special advisers in his cabinet indefinitely for failing to attend the state’s World AIDs Day anniversary walk on Sunday.

According to a statement signed by the secretary to the state government, Michael Aniah, the affected cabinet members are to hand over to their permanent secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective ministries and agencies.

The four-kilometre World AIDS Day walk, which also heralded the flag-off of the state’s annual Calabar Festival, was attended by the governor and other cabinet members.

Those affected include the commissioner for Justice, Attah Ochinke; the commissioner for Finance, Etim Takis Caifas; the commissioner for Women Addairs, Edak Iwuchukwu; and the commissioner for Social Welfare, Patricia Endeley.

Others are the commissioner for Environment, Sandy Onor; the commissioner for Agriculture, James Aniyom and the commissioner for Water Resources, Elemi Etowa.

The suspended special advisers include Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Eja Dons Eseghe; Tourism, Wilfred Usani; Religious Affairs, Eyo Okpo Ene and Special Duties, Fabian Okpa.

Also affected are the special advisers, Forestry and Biodiversity, Ntufam Gabe Odu-Oji; Investment, Gerald Adah; Political and Legislative Matters, Fred Osim andLegal, Mark Obi.

Others are the special advisers on Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, Margaret Johnson Ebokp; ICT, Odo Effiong and Mineral Resources, Effiong Bassey.

The adviser on Strategy and Planning, Idem Temple and the Special Adviser on Debt Management, Francisca Nkoyo Effiong were also suspended.

Borno Govt Imposes 24-Hour Curfew In Maiduguri

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Borno Govt Imposes 24-Hour Curfew In Maiduguri

The Borno State government on Monday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Maiduguri metropolis following an attack by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect in some parts of the state capital.

The secretary to the state government, Ahmed Jidda,  announced the decision in a statement released to newsmen in Maiduguri.

The statement said that the curfew was imposed in consultation with the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.

“During the period of curfew, government pleads with all citizens to remain calm. Only vehicles on emergency calls and essential services are allowed to move while the curfew will be lifted as soon as situation improves,” it stated.

Keep Your Wards From Campuses, ASUU Warns Parents

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Keep Your Wards From Campuses, ASUU Warns Parents

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has warned parents not to endanger the lives of their wards by sending them back to school, as the country’s public universities will remain shut until government accedes to lecturers’ demands.

Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of the union, Segun Ajiboye, said in a statement on Sunday that the union is determined to pursue the issues at stake to a logical conclusion and cannot be intimidated by the federal government with threats of sack.

“Don’t risk the lives of your children and wards. Keep them at home because ASUU will not teach. Soldiers and the police deployed by the Federal Government will not teach. Wike can come and teach in the universities. It is a huge joke to sack lecturers. Our strike must not be in vain. Our students must see the results,” Ajiboye said.

He said that the federal government was only playing out a script written by the military administration of Ibrahim Babangida in the 1990s and that if the union could withstand it then, it can do so again.

“Dear members stay calm and remain resolute. There is nothing wrong in asking government to do what it says it will do immediately. ASUU is not making any new demands as the supervising minister is propagating.

Government is only repeating a ‘one act play’ scripted by the IBB dictatorship in early 90s. It didn’t work then, and, it won’t work now. All branches are intact. We cannot be intimidated. If ASUU could withstand Babangida, this government cannot threaten us,” the statement said.

It said further: “It is funny. We thought we are in a democracy. I assure Nigerians that we know what the law says about the strike. We have worked this road before; the only thing that will work is peaceful resolution. Our job is statue backed. We are not threatened. We do not trust the government. “

“The record of the government is clear. This government is dishonouring agreements. Our members are resolved to pursue this to a logical conclusion. We are ready to be sacked but government should learn from the University of Ilorin experience.”

In a similar tone on Sunday, ASUU’s national President, Nassir Fagge, urged university teachers not to sign any attendance register and to remain resolute in their demands despite the threat of insecurity to their jobs.

“Comrades, can you see the unfolding drama? Now Jonathan says they didn’t give ultimatum. That the vice-chancellors did and Wike became their trumpet. But NUC’s (National Universities Commission) ultimatum is by the Federal Government to us to resume or get sacked. Wike’s press address says ‘FG has directed’ not ‘VCs have directed.’  Be calm, stay resolute. By God’s grace, we are on course,” Fagge said.

The supervising minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, had at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday warned that any ASUU member who failed to resume on or before Wednesday would be sacked.

Wike also directed vice-chancellors to advertise vacancies in their institutions and to open attendance registers for lecturers that resumed in their universities.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has also deployed policemen to all federal universities as a “proactive and confidence-boosting measure designed to ensure that nothing untoward happens in our academic communities.”

Dangote Donates N540 Million To Boko Haram Victims In Borno

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Dangote Donates N540 Million To Boko Haram Victims In Borno

Musdapha Ilo, in Maiduguri

The Dangote Foundation on Sunday gave a donation of N10,000 each to about 54,000 indigent residents of Borno state to enable them recover from the devastation caused by the activities of terrorists in the area over the past four years.

The foundation, financed by the billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote, is collaborating with the Support for Women, Orphans and Tsangaya (SWOT), a pet project of the wife of Borno State governor, Nana Kashim Shettima, to bring succour and give hope to residents, especially victims who have incurred losses in one way or the other from attacks carried out by terrorists.

Most of the beneficiaries are women who lost their husbands at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency as well as orphans, blind, the crippled and other vulnerable members of the society.

Adhiambo Odaga, the managing director of the Dangote Foundation, said N540million has been earmarked for the rehabilitation exercise that will affect residents in the 27 local government areas of Borno State.

Odaga explained that the sum represents part of a special disbursement of N1.2 billion relief fund meant for Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States which are under state of emergency.

She noted that about 177, 500 women and 19,000 youths in Kano, Kogi, Adamawa and Yobe States have benefited from the programme.

According to her, the micro-grant is part of a national programme instituted by the Dangote Group to provide cash transfers to at least 1,000 poor and vulnerable Nigerians in each of the 774 local government areas of the federation.

“Dangote Foundation’s micro-grants enable recipients to grow or start an enterprise, invest in productive assets, improve the health of their families and or take on new activities that will reduce their vulnerability and enhance the economic standing of their household and communities,” Odaga said.

The flag-off of the cash distribution was monitored by Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, and his wife from the government house in Maiduguri.

The governor expressed gratitude to Dangote for the generous donations and urged benefactors to make good use of the money.

INEC Declares Obiano Governor-Elect Of Anambra State

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INEC Declares Obiano Governor-Elect Of Anambra State

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, winner of the Anambra state governorship election.

This followed the completion of the supplementary election in the state on Saturday in areas where it did not hold on November 16.

Declaring the result late Sunday, the chief returning officer of the election, James Epoke, said the APGA candidate scored 180,178 votes to win the election.

Tony Nwoye of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress, APC, scored 97,700 and 95,963 votes  to emerge second and third respectively.

The Labour Party candidate, Ifeanyi Ubah, came forth with 37,495 votes and Godwin Ezeemo,  of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, was fifth position with 5,120 votes.

“declare a winner, the candidate must score 25 per cent vote in two-third of local government; having satisfied this condition, Chief Willie Obiano is now returned winner, ” the Chief returning officer declared.

Results from INEC showed that of the 1,770, 127 registered voters in the state, 465,891 people were accredited and total vote cast was 442,242.

The results also showed that 16,988 votes were voided leaving valid ones at 425,254.

Army Vows To Dislodge Terrorists, As Seven Are Killed In Borno

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Army Vows To Dislodge Terrorists, As Seven Are Killed In Borno

Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The Nigerian Army has assured of a peaceful yuletide season as it plans an onslaught on Boko Haram strongholds.

The assurance came even as insurgent attacked and killed at least seven people in as village in Borno State.

Spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Muhammad Dole, a colonel, regretted that insurgents have carried out successful coordinated attacks on innocent civilians in Borno state, especially in Gwoza area, but said that peace would soon return to the state.

“As I am talking to you now, operation is going on and it is going to be a continuous one. The troops of 7 Division with air support from the men of the Nigerian Air Force are carrying out assault on the terrorists. We have identified their camp around the Bita area and we are determined to make all the border communities and the state generally free of Boko Haram activities so that people can move freely and celebrate the Yuletide peacefully,” he said.

But as if to challenge his assurances, gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members killed seven persons and injured 15 others in an attack on Doron Baga village near Baga town, a fishing community in Kukawa local government area of the state.

The attack, suspected to have been a revenge mission, occurred in the early hours of Saturday.

Those injured were taken to Umaru Shehu Ultra-modern Hospital in Maiduguri to be treated while the 7 persons killed were buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

Fear gripped the whole community throughout Saturday as a result of the attack as soldiers combed the area for clues on the attackers.

A fisherman who witnessed the incident told journalist that he barely managed to escape.

“We were going to the river to check our nets that we set yesterday night, as it is normal practice here among us we usually go in group. Some were however ahead of our group, those ahead were ambushed by some hoodlums and our group had to immediately take to our heels,” he narrated.

He continued: “Those behind us also took a cue from us and ran for their lives. We summoned courage later and went to the riverside to confront the hoodlums but all we saw were the seven corpses and people in pains, moaning from the injuries sustained in the attack.”

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He added that the corpses were immediately conveyed to the village for burial while those injured were rushed to Maiduguri with the help of the military who escorted them from Doron Baga to Maiduguri in two vehicles.

A relation of one of those injured, Isa Yunusa, who was at the hospital in Maiduguri told journalists: “We were taking our breakfast this morning when people came shouting my name from the street near my house, this made me to rush out and meet them. On seeing them, they told me that my brother was attacked along with others at the riverside by Boko Haram. We went to the Bulama (village head) where they were assembled and after the funeral prayer of those killed we brought those injured to hospital in Maiduguri.”

It was impossible to get official confirmation as at the time of filing this report with telecommunication still lockdown in Borno state.

One Killed In Lebanon Over Syrian Crisis

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One Killed In Lebanon Over Syrian Crisis

One person was shot dead and six others wounded in clashes on Saturday in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli between neighbourhoods which support rival sides in Syria’s civil war.

Security sources say the dead man is from the Sunni Muslim Bab al-Tabbaneh District of Tripoli, whose residents overwhelmingly support the Sunni Muslim rebels battling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

He was killed in an exchange of fire with gunmen in the Alawite neighbourhood of Jebel Mohsen, which supports the Alawite Syrian leader.

The divisions in Tripoli, 30 kilometres from the Syrian border, reflect the sectarian gulf across Lebanon over Syria’s civil war.

But the northern city, where tensions between the Sunni Muslim majority and small Alawite community have festered for decades, has seen some of the heaviest violence this year.

Saturday’s fighting erupted despite the deployment of soldiers in both districts.

It followed reports that Alawite men were shot and wounded in three separate incidents this week, and an attack on a bus in Tripoli in which several Alawite men were beaten.

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In the Bekaa Valley, the Lebanese Army said it defused three 107-millimetre rockets on Friday near the northeastern town of al-Qaa near the Syrian border.

It said the rockets were ready for launching when they were discovered.

Suspected supporters of the Syrian rebels have fired several rockets at Shi’ite targets in the area, saying they were in response to the intervention by Lebanon’s Shi’ite Hezbollah militia in Syria’s civil war.

Low Turn-Out Marks Anambra Supplementary Election

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Low Turn-Out Marks Anambra Supplementary Election

The. supplementary election in Idemili local government area of Anambra State was marked my low voters’ turn out even though election materials arrived early in most polling units.

Restriction of movement imposed by the police and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was shunned in Idemili North which has 160 polling units, the highest number in the rescheduled election, as residents went about their normal business activities.

The polls are being conducted in 210 polling units in 16 out of 21 local government areas of the state.

Most of the markets opened for business while vehicular movements were visible even with the presence of security personnel on the roads.

Voting materials were, however, ready while the electoral officials in most of the units arrived at their stations early in the morning with joint security operatives on hand to provide adequate security.

At Ogidi Town Hall 1 and 2, units 009, 010 and 021, only 45 voters were accredited out of 372 as at 11:30 a.m.

At Chukwura Primary School 1, polling Unit 006 in Abatete, in Qniocha local government area, 42 voters out of 382 that registered had been accredited as at noon.

Also, at Chukwura Primary School 2, polling unit 007, only 16 registered voters were accredited out of 123 as at noon.

At Nkpor Uno in Isingwu village, with three polling units of 983 registered voters, only 30 were accredited, while at Esther Obiako Estate in Awka South, with 249 registered voters, many complained that their names were missing from the voters’ register.

An observer with the Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, John Chukwuma, said that the voters’ apathy could be due to inadequate voter sensitisation in the area.

He, however, commended INEC, for its “timely mobilisation of materials and commencement of the exercise.”

However, there was peace and orderliness during the voting exercise which is expected to last till 4:00pm before counting and coalition of results commences.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; the Labour Party, LP and the All Progressives Congress, APC, had earlier announced plans to boycott the election.

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, also urged political parties to boycott the supplementary election “so as not to unwittingly legitimize an illegality”.

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