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Malawi President Gets Death Threats For Fighting Corruption

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Malawi President Gets Death Threats For Fighting Corruption
President Joyce Banda of Malawi has received death threats since the uncovering of a high-level fraud scandal that forced her to dissolve the cabinet, the country’s information minister said.

The minister, Brown Mpinganijira, told the state radio that Banda has been receiving death threats some of which came from outside the country.

“The President has been receiving death threats, some of the threats have come from outside the country,” Mpinganjira told state radio.

He said police is investigating the threats.

Banda on October 10 dissolved her cabinet over a graft scandal where top official are suspected of stealing more than $3 million from state coffers.

A few weeks ago, a budget director in the ministry of finance, Paul Mphwiyo, who had been investigating a fraud ring amounting to millions of dollars from the state, was shot outside his home.

“It all shows how serious the battle against fraud and corruption is,” Mpinganjira said.

Banda, who is the country’s first female president, came to power in 2012 after the death of Bingu wa Mutharika.

Prosecutors estimate that as much as one-third of the country’s revenue is lost to fraud and graft-linked pay-outs, while about 40 per cent of Malawi’s national budget comes from aid.

The EU has threatened to suspend aid to Malawi after the scandal and Norway has also halted funds.

 

FG May Sack NCAA Workers Over Bulletproof Car Scandal -The Guardian

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FG May Sack NCAA Workers Over Bulletproof Car Scandal -The Guardian

Written by Wole Shadare, Chuks Nwanne (Lagos) and Bridget Chiedu Onochie (Abuja) 

• Senate may not discuss alleged scandal

THERE are indications that following the revelation of purchase of two bullet proof cars for the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) heads may begin to roll in the agency soon, The Guardian has reported.

Apart from NCAA, which is the prime target, staff of other agencies in the sector like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) are not free from the eagle eyes of investigators as the government is said to be suspecting that they leaked the information to the media.

At the headquarters of NCAA yesterday at the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, workers were seen discussing the development in low tones.

Since the issue was blown open by the media last week, several Nigerians have reacted angrily to it by describing the amount involved as outrageous and fraudulent. Some of the analysts also called for the immediate removal of the minister on the ground that the purchase of the expensive security cars did not follow due process.

NCAA has been in debts for several months just as it was revealed that the luxury cars were bought on credit from Coscharis Auto Company while First Bank Plc stood as a guarantor for the agency.

Besides, following the embarrassment the revelation of the controversial deal has caused the Federal Government, the Director General of the NCAA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, announced plans to launch an investigation to unravel those behind the official information leakage.

Akinkuotu while speaking at a press conference in Abuja described the information leakage as criminal, saying the action posed danger to a sensitive government agency like the NCAA.

The declaration of the NCAA DG to set up a committee to probe the information leakage has created tension within the agency as workers who spoke but did not want their names in print, expressed the fear that the management may use the opportunity to sack innocent people or those they found not to be blindly loyal to them.

Meanwhile, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) have submitted a joint Freedom of Information(FOI) request to the NCAA asking for detailed information on the procurement records for the purchase of the bullet-proof.

In the letter addressed to Akinkuotu, MRA and PPDC asked for the procurement records for the purchase by the NCAA of two BMW 760 Li HSS vehicles with chassis numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044.

Specifically, the groups requested for copies of the procurement and contract records for the purchase of the vehicles, including: evidence of budgetary allocation for the procurement process; the procurement plan for the purchase of the vehicles; evidence of advertisements of the planned purchase in various newspapers, the NCAA website, among others.

And as the Senate resumes plenary today after a two-week break, there are no indication that the crises rocking the aviation industry would be among issues on its agenda.

A close source told The Guardian that the initial plan to quiz Oduah and chief executives of Aviation parastatals over the state of the nation’s aviation sector, is not listed in today’s Order Paper.

 

National Dialogue Not Necessary – Senator Ndume

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National Dialogue Not Necessary – Senator Ndume

By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

The senator representing Borno South in the upper chamber, Ali Nfume, has expressed fears that the proposed national conference may not address the socioeconomic and political problems of the country but may end up as just another jamboree.

Ndume told journalists in Maiduguri on Monday that until “good governance, transparency and accountability”  are guaranteed at all levels, the problems of the country would remain unsolved, adding that most Nigerians are mostly concerned about security and welfare.
He noted that addressing these issues will ensure the delivery of the long awaited “dividends of democracy” to the electorate and move the nation closer to its avowed development destination, stressing that Nigerians are desirous of good governance and not a national conference.
He said: “I personally think we are not understating problems we have in this country and if we don’t appreciate and play our little roles, honestly we will be getting to a situation where the country will be in dare strait. Anytime the leaders in this country throw up something to Nigerians, they will now leave the real things for things I considered trivial. For me national dialogue is not our major problem now. It doesn’t even have a place in our constitution.”
The lawmaker said it was rather unfortunate that the President as the custodian of the constitution attaches much importance to an issue that lacks constitutional basis.
“What happened to the previous conferences? We had a national dialogue in 2005 by President Obasanjo, what happened to it. Very eminent Nigerian sat down to discuss, I was very opposed to it too at that time because as an elected representative of my people, I felt my people were not consulted on who should speak for them. But then, we toy with ideas in this country and I believe the national conference is one of such thing we toy with,” he said.
Ndume gurther8 lamented: “Our attention has been diverted from real issue affecting us: closure of public universities, problem in the health sector, poverty among our people, insecurity. The representation of the committee itself has default because my state Borno and about 23 states are not represented. So, there is a problem with representation.”
He said that the country and its citizens have been engaging in dialogue since 1914 and that it was time for the country and its leaders pay attention to good leadership and good governance at all levels.
According to him, the Senate has really not taken any decision about the dialogue issue.
“The senate president just revealed the acceptance of the leadership of the Senate after a meeting with the President. I don’t want people to misunderstand the position of the Senate President. He did not say that the Senate has decided that there should be national dialogue. He only said since that is what Nigerians want, there is no problem,” Ndume said.
He said Nigerians should not mistake the agitation of few elites to be that of the totally of all.
 “One fundamental issue with our country is that less than one percent decides for Nigerians which is wrong. In my zone with nine local governments, in Borno state; national dialogue is not their problem. They have not spoken to me about it,” the lawmaker said.
According to him, the people of his local government are more concerned the fundamental purpose of governance – development, security, and the high rate of unemployment.

PDP Faults Oshiomhole’s Town Hall Meeting

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PDP Faults Oshiomhole’s Town Hall Meeting

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

The Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the governor, Adams Oshiomhole, of “deliberate” plans to exclude its members from the town hall meeting organized to bring citizens up to date on latest developments.

The party in a statement by its publicity secretary in the state, Felix Utubor, on behalf of the chairman, Dan Orbih, said that although the party received invitation to attend the town hall meeting, the invitation was delivered to its secretariat Monday morning, same day of the meeting.

“However, we suggests that the town hall meeting is re-scheduled so that we can fully participate as we are also preparing for the rescheduled LGA elections across the state slated for tomorrow (Tuesday),” the statement said.

In the meantime, traditional rulers in the state have given support to the sale of the Edo House in Lagos, as decided by the state government.

The royal fathers led by the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, who was represented by his son, the Benin Crown Prince, Eheneden Erediauwa, said at the town hall meeting that it was in good fate if the property was sold and the proceed used to develop the state as proposed by the governor.

Oba Erediauwa recalled that four years ago when some palace chiefs visited Lagos, they were unable to stay at the property owing to the dilapidated condition in which it was, adding that previous governments in the state had sold government properties without the courtesy of explaining to the people.

“The governor is doing his second term. He could have sold the house like his predecessors and nobody would do anything. Selling the house is a viable thing to this state. Let the governor do what is good and we will keep an eye on him to see what he does with the money,” he said.

He described governor Oshiomhole as a man of integrity who would make judicious use of proceed from the sale of the house.

 

Boko Haram Sets Borno Village Ablaze, Kill 3 Civilian JTF Youths

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Boko Haram Sets Borno Village Ablaze, Kill 3 Civilian JTF Youths

By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Armed men believed to be members of the outlawed Boko Haram group, have killed ten persons and set several public and private owned buildings ablaze a village, in the Kawuri and Fori district areas in Borno State.

Three of those killed were members of the Civilian JTF who confronted the gunmen while the others were innocent villagers.

The attack reportedly occurred Sunday morning at the same time another group from the sect invaded Logomani in Gamboru/Ngala local government area of state killing 20 persons as reported yesterday.

Kawuri is one of the big villages in Konduga local government area and is about 20 kilometres away from Bama town where the sect has executed most of its most devastating attacks. It is about 60 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.

A source who had just arrived Maiduguri from Mubi town in Adamawa State told journalists that as at the time she passed by the villages some houses were still in flames as security operatives battled to put out the fire.

“Yes I was among the passengers that boarded a taxi from Mubi to Maiduguri, and when we reached the villages along the main road, we saw some buildings being consumed by fire with the presence of security operatives and men of the vigilante youth popularly addressed as civilian JTF in the village not quite long after the attackers have fled into the bushes),” the source said.

Another unofficial account says the attackers numbered 30 and arrived the village in two Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles and were heavily armed with sophisticated guns, rocket propelled launchers and improvised explosive devices.

They were said to have instructed residents to come out from their houses into the open before they opened fire on them and later threw petrol bombs into some private and public buildings.

It was gathered that the three vigilante youths who confronted the invaders were also killed.

Spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Aliyu Danja, and the state police public relations officer, Gideon Jubrin, a deputy superintendent of police, could not be reached for confirmation of this report as communication services remain shut down.

Kidnapping: Oshiomhole To Reintroduce checkpoints in Edo

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By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Barely three days after endorsing a law that prescribes death penalty for kidnappers in Edo State, the governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has called for the reintroduction of police check points to further halt the rising incidence of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

Oshiomhole said in Benin, the state capital, on Monday that his administration will not relent in the fight against kidnapping and criminality but is determined to ensure the safety of the lives of properties of all citizens.

The governor who was speaking at a town hall meeting, said further that he had already briefed the Inspector General of Police, IGP, on the planned reintroduction of check points in the state..

He urged citizens of the state to support efforts of security officials as well as refrain from paying ransoms to kidnappers.

“I appeal that you avoid the temptation of working at cross purpose with security agencies,” he said.

Edo State has become one of the hot spots for the thriving business of kidnapping in the country.

Last Thursday, a private security expert and chairman of Transworld Security, Lagos, Ona Ekhomu, was shot and his wife, Victoria abducted by suspected kidnappers.

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It was gathered that the attack happened in front of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma on the couple’s way to their home town, Irua, Edo State.

As security agents rally round to track the kidnappers, Ekhomu is said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital and the kidnappers are yet to demand for a ransom.

The attack comes barely a month after renowned lawyer and activist, Mike Ozekhome, was kidnapped in the state and later released.

PDP Officials Attacked In Kano

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PDP Officials Attacked In Kano

Officials of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, caretaker committee in Kano State were on Monday attacked by yet to be identified persons.

The public relations officer of the committee, Ja’afar Bello, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Kano, that the incident happened at 1:30 pm when the committee was holding a meeting.

He said the attackers were armed with dangerous weapons and injured four persons during the attack.

“We were about to finish our meeting when the attackers suddenly invaded the venue. Some of us escaped by jumping down from the third floor of the three-story building,” Bello said.

Abubakar Rano, a journalist, who sustained a minor injury during the attack, told NAN that he jumped from the building when the attackers came.

When contacted the police commissioner in the state, Musa Daura, confirmed the incident.

He said four suspects were arrested and being questioned at the command’s State Criminal Investigation Department, CID.

 

Rambleta Pledges US$8,100 For Exhibition In Spain

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Rambleta Pledges US$8,100 For Exhibition In Spain

Journalists, photographers, designers and artists around the world who are interested in new technologies can be the lucky winner of US$8,100 scholarship on exhibiting their projects in Spain.

The scholarship is organized by Espai Rambleta, a center that helps artists to exhibit their work and it is supported by the Department of Culture of Valencia in Spain.

The scholarship seeks to give support to people who need space and financial aid to exhibit their work.

Participation can be individual or groups. The exhibition will be held from March to September 2014.

The topic is ‘Photojournalism’ and the deadline is December 1, 2013.

Click here for more information.

 

School Principal Charged With Murder Of 23 Pupils In India

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School Principal Charged With Murder Of 23 Pupils In India

Police in eastern India have filed charges against a school principal and her husband for the July deaths of 23 pupils who consumed poisoned school mid-day meals, officials said on Monday.
The children, aged four to 12, fell ill within minutes of eating the lunch of lentils, potatoes and rice at their primary school in a poverty-stricken village in eastern Bihar state on July 16.

Meena Devi and Arjun Rai were charged with various offences including murder, attempted murder and causing harm by means of poison, police investigator, Raj Kaushal, said.

The deaths at the primary school in Bihar State’s Saran district caused outrage across the country and beyond.

The tragedy raised questions about the safety and standards of the national scheme to provide free midday meals to tackle malnutrition and encourage attendance.

The charges were filed in court on Sunday evening.

“The charge sheet mentions that Rai kept pesticide in a room where items for the midday meals were stored,” Kaushal said.

“Witnesses said the food was intentionally cooked with the pesticide. We found adequate evidence against the accused during our investigations,” he said.

Devi and her husband are in custody. Forensic tests confirmed the presence of pesticide monocrotophos in the meals, Kaushal said.

Police Investigates Attack On Zamfara Acting Gov

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The Zamfara State Police Command says it is investigating the alleged attack on the motorcade of the acting governor of the state, Sanusi Rikiji, on Saturday.

The public relations officer, PPRO, for the command, Lawal Abdullahi, a deputy superintendent of Police, made the disclosure on Sunday while speaking with newsmen in Birnin-Magaji.

Abdullahi described the attack as “unfortunate”, saying that the police would not fold its arms and allow such unbecoming behaviours by youths.

He said that the police had deployed troops of mobile and regular police to maintain peace in the area.

The police image maker assured that anyone found involved in the attack would face “the full wrath of the law”.

Scores of angry youths on Saturday, attacked Rikiji’s motorcade in Birnin-magajiin, headquarters of Birnin-magaji local government area of the state over what they described as the “poor security provision in the state”, among other grievances.

They used stones and sticks on the motorcade of the acting governor before they were dispersed by the combined efforts of the police escort, the military and men of the State Security Service, SSS.

Rikiji, who is also the speaker of the State House of Assembly, was in the area to condole the families of three Fulani youths allegedly killed on Thursday by youths of Tudun-Kuya village in the local government.

The killers of the three deceased were said to have suspected them of being members of “the Fulani killer gangs” said to be terrorising villages in different parts of the state.

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