FG moves to reopen N100bn fraud case against Odili

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has faulted Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court for granting a perpetual injunction to a former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Peter Odili, which has scuttled the ex-governor’s prosecution.

Buba’s order has prevented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and any other government anti-corruption agency from prosecuting or arresting Odili, who was accused of allegedly embezzling about N100bn of Rivers State money during his eight-year tenure as governor.

Sagay further stated that the case could be reopened, adding that measures were being put in place to ensure that such an order was never granted again.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria stated, “What is happening now is unconstitutional; that judgment was unconstitutional. The judge who gave that perpetual injunction did what was unconstitutional.

“In effect, he was saying that the police should not do their work. He was removing the prosecutorial powers of the police and the prosecution in Nigeria.

“It is illegal and Supreme Court judgments have said so.  So, the whole thing we should do now is to restore legality so that if you are charged, you should be able to come to court and defend yourself instead of asking that you should not be investigated.

“That (Odili’s injunction) is totally illegal and unconstitutional and not acceptable.”

Responding to reports that the long delay in the case might have weakened the resolve of security agencies as well as compromised evidence, Sagay urged law enforcement agencies not to give up.

He added, “The important thing is not to give up because if you give up, the whole system will collapse.

“Personally, I have said any judge that gives an order of perpetual injunction against investigation, interrogation and arrest, should be regarded as having committed a serious act of wrongdoing, which should merit disciplinary action by the NJC. That is my proposal and I am going to push it that it should be regarded as an action that should attract discipline.

“I can assure you that under the new system that we are all running, there is no case that will be allowed to remain permanently under injunction. They will have to go through the process and be declared guilty or not guilty; in case of suspended cases, where a person is neither guilty nor innocent will no longer be allowed to exist.

“This case can be reopened, definitely.”

On December 12, 2006, the EFCC had issued an interim investigative report and prepared a draft of 223 charges against Odili, accusing him of embezzling N100bn during his tenure.

In a counter-move, the then Attorney General of the state, and later Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), on February 23, 2007, sued the EFCC, the then Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and other defendants in a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

In the suit, Buba of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt granted Odili’s prayer to bar the EFCC from investigating, prosecuting or ever harassing him and officials of his administration.

 It was learnt that the EFCC had filed an appeal at the appellate court since 2008 but the case had not been assigned to anybody.

A source at the EFCC stated, “We went to see two Presidents of the Court of Appeal but they never showed interest in the case. It has been eight years that we have been trying to vacate that order to no avail.

“This kind of thing demoralises detectives because evidence may have been compromised, victims or witnesses would have moved on while some of the investigators may have been transferred or retired.”

An EFCC prosecutor, Johnson Ojogbene, told reporters recently that the EFCC had appealed the judgment, adding that Odili’s case was presently hanging at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division.

He stated that there was the need for proper synergy between the judiciary and the anti-graft agencies in the anti-corruption fight as there was noting the EFCC or anyone could do to overturn the judgment of any court except to appeal.

Ojogbene noted that when the judiciary failed to cooperate, cases could be stalled for ages.

Punch

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56TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY : GOVERNOR WIKE GRANTS REPRIEVE TO NINE CONVICTS

His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,  CON, the Governor of Rivers State has, upon the advise of the Rivers State Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and pursuant to the powers conferred on him by section 212 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended,  has granted a reprieve to the convicts listed below by substituting the terms of imprisonment already served by them for the sentences of either life imprisonment or death imposed on them upon conviction by a Court of Law:

1.   Chukwuemeka O. Emeka             
(Life Imprisonment)
2.   Akara Etteh                                    
(Life Imprisonment)
3.   Emmanuel Ihenebiri                       
(Life Imprisonment)
4.   Samuel Amadi                                  
(Life Imprisonment)
5.   Sgt. James Mordi                          
  (Life Imprisonment)
6.   Tochukwu Chukwu                        
(Life Imprisonment)
7.   Goddy David Faghawari                 (Death)
8.    Kendu Uffort                                   (Death)
9.    Emmanuel David Ekanem             (Death)

The Comptroller of Prisons, Port Harcourt is authorized and commanded to, upon the receipt of the Instrument signed under the hand of His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,  CON,  the Governor of Rivers State on the 1st day of October 2016, to discharge the above named persons from the Port Harcourt Prisons by releasing them and the said instrument shall be a sufficient warrant for so doing.

Dated this 2nd day of October 2016
Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN
Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Rivers State

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Makarfi, Sheriff agree on 24-man negotiating committee

The factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and the Chairman of its National Caretaker Committee,  Senator Ahmed Makarfi, have agreed to set up a 24-man committee to handle negotiation between the two warring factions.

The committee, which will consist of 12 members each from the two factions, is expected to be unfolded this week, according to investigations by our correspondent.

Our correspondent gathered that the two leaders of the committee had agreed that the names should be submitted to each faction for scrutiny before making them public.

Our correspondent also learnt that each faction had been mandated to list terms of reference to be covered by the committee.

A prominent member of one of the factions, who confirmed this development to our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday,  said that the names of the nominees should get to each of the factions either by Tuesday or Wednesday.

He said, “As I speak with you, I’m working on the terms of reference for the committee. We have agreed that each of us (factions) should nominate 12 persons that would be in the reconciliation committee.

“The names should be made known this week. However, we are giving each group the opportunity of knowing the nominees before we release the list to the public.”

Last week, there were fears that the promised reconciliation between the two factions was heading for the rocks when a prominent member of the Sheriff faction alleged that Makarfi was desirous for peace because his faction was losing out in the fight for the control of the soul of the PDP.

This prompted the spokesperson for the former governor of Borno State, Mallam Inuwa Bwala, to issue a rebuttal, saying that the affected person was not speaking for Sheriff.

Meanwhile, there were indications that the Sheriff camp was worried about the non-recognition of its candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.

Sheriff had forwarded Ibrahim’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission as its candidate.

However, the commission recognised the candidate of the Makarfi’s  faction, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), as the candidate of the PDP for the election.

The election will hold on November 26.

In the just concluded Edo State governorship election, the commission also rejected Mr. Mathew Idorioyekemwen, the candidate nominated for the election by the Sheriff faction.

Rather, it went ahead to recognise Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was nominated by the Makarfi’s faction for the election.

The electoral body cited a court order for its action.

Our correspondent gathered that the loss of the election might have spoilt the strategies that would have been used by the faction if the PDP had won the election.

“We were waiting to go to court and pursue who the true leader of the party is. But the defeat of the PDP by the All Progressives Congress spoilt everything,”  a member of the faction said on condition of anonymity.

But unlike what happened in Edo State, Sheriff insists that his candidate will still make the list in Ondo State.

Speaking through Mr. Bernard Mikko, Sheriff said Ibrahim remained the validly nominated candidate of the PDP for the election.

Mikko said, “There is a lot of politics behind what is happening in Ondo State concerning the non-recognition of our candidate by the INEC now.

“You know that the commission is claiming a court order as the reason for its action. We are not going to quarrel with that.”

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FG outlines programmes to revive nation’s economy

The Federal Government says it has outlined various developmental programmes that will revive the nation’s economy, restore the value of the naira and “drive hunger from our land.’’

President Muhammadu Buhari said this in a national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary in Abuja on Saturday .

Buhari said the programmes, included the constructions and rehabilitation of new roads, housing and power projects across the country, adding that already the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing had received N197.5bn for the execution of some of the projects.

According to him, already contractors have recalled 9,000 workers laid off and several hundreds of thousands of workers will be reengaged in the next few months as our public works programme gains momentum.

He said the affected roads were the dualisations of Calabar- Itu Road in Cross River/Akwa Ibom States, Lokoja-Benin Road, Ehor-Benin road and reconstruction of outstanding sections of Benin-Shagamu Expressway, Edo/Ogun States.

Others were the expansion works on Lagos-Ibadan Dual carriageway (Ogun/Oyo); rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu Expressway (Anambra/Enugu); and rehabilitation and reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriage way.

He said the rehabilitation of Hadejia-Nguru Road, dualisation of Kano-Katsina Road in Kano State, dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri Road, dualisation of Azare-Potiskum Road, Azare-Sharuri Road, Bauchi State, would also be carried out.

The president revealed that rehabilitation work would also be carried out on Ilorin- Jebba-Mokwa-Birnin Gwari Road, while Oju/Lokoja-Oweto Bridge over River Benue in Benue would be constructed.

“Other major highways are in the queue for rehabilitation or new construction.’’

On railways, Buhari disclosed that Federal Government had provided its counterpart funding to China for the building of the standard gauge Lagos-Kano railway.

He said, “the General Electric is investing 2.2billion dollars in a concession to revamp, provide rolling stock, and manage the existing lines, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line.’’

He said that the Lagos-Calabar railway would soon be on stream.

On housing, the president revealed that the government had initiated the National Housing Programme.

“In 2014 N400m was voted for housing. In 2015 nothing. Our first budget this year is devoting N356bn,” he said,  adding that much of the housing projects would be private sector-driven.

He, however, said the Federal Government would be initiating a pilot housing scheme of 2,838 units uniformly spread across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“We expect these units to be completed within four to six months. These experimental Nigeria House model Units will be constructed using only made in Nigeria building materials and components.’’

He expressed the hope that the housing initiative would reactivate the building materials manufacturing sector, generate massive employment opportunities and develop sector capacity and expertise.

NAN

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Sam Allardyce faces ban from football

Former England coach Sam Allardyce is facing a football ban.

He could be charged with bringing the game into disrepute according to FA chief executive Martin Glenn.

Allardyce was axed on Tuesday after just 67 days and one game in charge after being filmed giving advice to undercover reporters on how to get around FA transfer rules.

Glenn confirmed last night that Allardyce could be charged over his controversial comments.

“It is realistic he could be charged," said Glenn. “The newspaper that made the revelations are releasing the full transcripts to the police, which is what has to happen.

“Once we get full access to them we'll pass them to our Integrity Unit. We've dealt with Sam as an employee. Sam's role as a participant in the game will be part of this next process, if there is one.

“The decision will be based on the merits of the evidence. Bringing the game into disrepute might be a possible charge.

“A potential sanction could range from a fine to a ban. That's what history shows. But that is for a tribunal to decide."

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Happy Birthday Nigerian From Newest Rivers Reporters

Happy Birthday Nigerian

From Newest Rivers Reporters

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Buhari's Independence Day Speech - 'The recession will not last, I will deal with Niger Delta militants'

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigeria that his administration was working hard to reposition Nigeria for prosperity, urging them not to be deterred by the current economic crisis, saying that it would not last for so long.

The president who recalled his promises to Nigerians during his campaigns as a presidential candidate stated that he would not deviate from he hallmark of transparency and honesty. The remarks were contained in his broadcast Saturday morning to commemorate the 56th Independence anniversary of Nigeria.

He said: “Today – 1st October is a day of celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago our people achieved the most important of all human desires – freedom and independence. We should all therefore give thanks and pray for our founding fathers without whose efforts and toil we would not reap the bounties of today. 

“I know that uppermost in your minds today is the economic crisis. The recession for many individuals and families is real. For some It means not being able to pay school fees, for others it’s not being able to afford the high cost of food (rice and millet) or the high cost of local or international travel, and for many of our young people the recession means joblessness, sometimes after graduating from university or polytechnic. 

“I know how difficult things are, and how rough business is. All my adult life I have always earned a salary and I know what it is like when your salary simply is not enough.

In every part of our nation people are making incredible sacrifices. “But let me say to all Nigerians today, I ran for office four times to make the point that we can rule this nation with honesty and transparency, that we can stop the stealing of Nigeria’s resources so that the resources could be used to provide jobs for our young people, security, infrastructure for commerce, education and healthcare. “I ran for office because I know that good government is the only way to ensure prosperity and abundance for all. I remain resolutely committed to this objective. 

“I believe that this recession will not last.”

We have defeated Boko Haram to provide security for our people Highlighting his achievements in the last one and half years of his government, president Buhari places security ahead, saying that Boko haram had been defeated. “Temporary problems should not blind or divert us from the corrective course this government has charted for our nation.

We have identified the country’s salient problems and we are working hard at lasting solutions. “To re-cap what I have been saying since the inception of this administration, our problems are security, corruption and the economy, especially unemployment and the alarming level of poverty. “On Security, we have made progress. Boko Haram was defeated by last December – only resorting to cowardly attacks on soft targets, killing innocent men, women and children. “Nigerians should thank our gallant men of the Armed Forces and Police for rescuing large areas of the country captured by insurgents. 

Now, residents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, as well as several neighbouring states go about their daily business in relative safety. People can go to mosques, churches, market places in reasonable safety. “Commuters can travel between cities, towns and villages without fear. Credit for this remarkable turn-round should go to our Armed Forces, the Police, various sponsored and private vigilante groups, the local traditional leaders. 

Security is a top to bottom concern and responsibility. “Besides Boko Haram, we are confronting other long-running security issues, namely herdsmen vs farmers, cattle rustling, kidnappings. This Administration is firmly resolved to tackle these challenges and to defeat them.”

I will deal with Niger-Delta militants

Disturbed by the incessant blowing up of oil and gas installations in the Niger-Delta, the president reiterated his threat to militants. He said: A new insurgency has reared up its head in the shape of blowing up gas and oil pipelines by groups of Niger Delta Militants. This Administration will not allow these mindless groups to hold the country to ransom.

“What sense is there to damage a gas line as a result of which many towns in the country including their own town or village is put in darkness as a result? What logic is there in blowing up an export pipeline and as a result income to your state and local governments and consequently their ability to provide services to your own people is reduced? “No group can unlawfully challenge the authority of the Federal Government and succeed.

Our Administration is fully sympathetic to the plight of the good people of Niger Delta and we are in touch with the State Governments and leaderships of the region. It is known that the clean-up of the Ogoniland has started. Infrastructural projects financed by the Federal Government and post amnesty programme financing will continue. “We have however, continued to dialogue with all groups and leaders of thought in the region to bring lasting peace.

Corruption must be fought headon

“Corruption is a cancer which must be fought with all the weapons at our disposal. It corrodes the very fabric of government and destroys society. Fighting corruption is Key, not only to restoring the moral health of the nation, but also to freeing our enormous resources for urgent socio-economic development. 

“In fighting corruption, however, the government would adhere strictly by the rule of law. Not for the first time I am appealing to the judiciary to join the fight against corruption. “The Third Plank in this Administration’s drive to CHANGE Nigeria is re-structuring the economy. Economies behaviour is cyclical. All countries face ups and downs. Our own recession has been brought about by a critical shortage of foreign exchange.

Oil price dropped from an average of hundred USD per barrel over the last decade to an average of forty USD per barrel this year and last. “Worse still, the damage perpetrated by Niger Delta thugs on pipelines sometimes reduced Nigeria’s production to below One million barrels per day against the normal two point two million barrels per day. Consequently, the naira is at its weakest, but the situation will stabilize. “But this is only temporary. Historically about half our dollar export earnings go to importation of petroleum and food products! Nothing was saved for the rainy days during the periods of prosperity. We are now reaping the whirlwinds of corruption, recklessness and impunity.

How we are providing solutions to economic crisis There are no easy solutions, but there are solutions nonetheless and Government is pursuing them in earnest. We are to repair our four refineries so that Nigeria can produce most of our petrol requirements locally, pending the coming on stream of new refineries. 

That way we will save ten billion USD yearly in importing fuel. “At the same time, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank have been mobilized to encourage local production of rice, maize, sorghum, millet and soya beans. Our target is to achieve domestic self-sufficiency in these staples by 2018. “Already farmers in thirteen out of thirty six states are receiving credit support through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme. 

Kebbi state alone this year is expected to produce one million tonnes of locally grown rice, thanks to a favourable harvest this year. As part of the 13 states, Lagos and Ogun are also starting this programme. Rice alone for example costs Nigeria two billion USD to import. “The country should be self-sufficient in basic staples by 2019. Foreign exchange thus saved can go to industrial revival requirements for retooling, essential raw materials and spare parts. 

It is in recognition of the need to re-invigorate agriculture in our rural communities that we are introducing the LIFE programme. “Government recognises that irrigation is key to modern agriculture: that is why the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources are embarking on a huge programme of development of lakes, earth dams and water harvesting schemes throughout the country to ensure that we are no longer dependent on rain-fed agriculture for our food requirements. “In addition, government is introducing Water Resources Bill encompassing the National Water Resources Policy and National Irrigation and Drainage Policy to improve management of water and irrigation development in the country. We are reviving all the twelve River Basin Authorities, namely;

I. Anambra – Imo 
II. Benin – Owena 
III. Chad Basin 
IV. Cross River 
V. Hadejia – Jama’are 
VI. Lower Benue 
VII. Lower Niger 
VIII. Niger Delta 
IX. Ogun – Osun 
X. Sokoto – Rima 
XI. Upper Benue 
XII. Upper Niger

“The intention is eventually to fully commercialise them to better support crop production, aqua –culture and accelerated rural development. “This Administration is committed to the revival of Lake Chad and improvement of the hydrology and ecology of the basin. 

This will tune in with efforts to rehabilitate the thirty million people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad basin countries. “The second plank in our economic revival strategy is centred on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. The Ministry will lead and oversee the provision of critical infrastructure of power, road transport network and housing development. 

“Power generation has steadily risen since our Administration came on board from three thousand three hundred and twenty four megawatts in June 2015, rising to a peak of five thousand and seventy four megawatts in February 2016. 

“For the first time in our history the country was producing five thousand megawatts. However, renewed militancy and destruction of gas pipelines caused acute shortage of gas and constant drop in electricity output available on the grid. “There has been during the period June 2015 to September 2016 big improvement in transmission capacity from five thousand five hundred megawatts to the present seven thousand three hundred megawatts. “There were only two system collapses between June and December 2015, but due to vandalism by Niger Delta militants the over-all system suffered 16 system collapses between March and July 2016 alone. 

As I have said earlier, we are engaging with responsible leadership in the region to find lasting solutions to genuine grievances of the area but we will not allow a tiny minority of thugs to cripple the country’s economy. “In the meantime, government is going ahead with projects utilizing alternate technologies such as hydro, wind, and solar to contribute to our energy mix. In this respect, the Mambilla Hydro project, after many years of delay is taking off this year. Contract negotiations are nearing completion with Chinese firms for technical and financial commitments.

“The project is to be jointly financed by Nigeria and the Chinese-Export-Import Bank. In addition, fourteen Solar Power Projects have had their power purchase agreements concluded. Hence the plan to produce one thousand two hundred megawatts of solar electricity for the country would be realized on schedule. “And in line with the objective of government to complete all abandoned projects across the country, the Rural Electrification Agency’s projects needing completion are provided for in the 2016 Budget. Bringing electricity to rural areas will help farmers, small scale and cottage industries to integrate with the national economy.

Road construction 

“Roads Construction and Rehabilitation has taken off. The sum of twelve billion naira was allocated to this sector in the 2015 Budget, not enough even to pay interest on outstanding unpaid claims. “Notwithstanding the budgetary constraints, the current budget allocated two hundred and forty billion naira for highway projects against twelve billion naira in 2015. 

Many contractors who have not been paid for three years have now remobilized to sites. Seven hundred and twenty point five billion naira has so far been released this budget year to capital projects. “The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has received one hundred and ninety seven point five billion naira. Work on the following highways has now resumed.

1. Dualization of Calabar – Itu Road in Cross River/Akwa Ibom States. 
2. Dualization of Lokoja – Benin Road, Ehor – Benin city, Edo State. 
3. Re-construction of outstanding sections of Benin – Shagamu Express way, Edo/Ogun States. 
4. Expansion works on Lagos – Ibadan Dual carriageway, Ogun/Oyo States 
5. Rehabilitation of Onitsha – Enugu Expressway, Anambra/Enugu States. 
6. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu – Port Harcourt Dual carriageway, Abia/Rivers States. 
7. Rehabilitation of Hadejia – Nguru Road, Jigawa State. 
8. Dualization of Kano – Katsina Road, Kano State. 
9. Dualization of Kano – Maiduguri Road, Borno State. 
10. Dualization of Azare – Potiskum Road, Azare – Sharuri Road, Bauchi State. 
11. Rehabilitation of Ilorin – Jebba – Mokwa – Birnin Gwari Road, Kwara State. 
12. Construction of Oju/Lokoja – Oweto Bridge over River Benue, Benue State.

“Other major highways are in the queue for rehabilitation or new construction. “Already contractors have recalled about nine thousand workers laid off and Government expects that several hundreds of thousands of workers will be reengaged in the next few months as our public works programme gains momentum.

Railways 

“On railways, we have provided our counterpart funding to China for the building of our standard gauge Lagos -Kano railway. Meanwhile, General Electric is investing two point two billion USD in a concession to revamp, provide rolling stock, and manage the existing lines, including the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Line. The Lagos-Calabar railway will also be on stream soon. “We have initiated the National Housing Programme. In 2014 four hundred million naira was voted for Housing.

In 2015 nothing. Our first budget this year is devoting thirty five point six billion naira. Much of the house building will be private – sector led but Government is initiating a pilot housing scheme of two thousand eight hundred and thirty eight units uniformly spread across the 36 states and FCT. “We expect these units to be completed within 4 – 6 months.

These experimental Nigeria House model Units will be constructed using only made in Nigeria building materials and components. This initiative is expected to reactivate the building materials manufacturing sector, generate massive employment opportunities and develop sector capacity and expertise. “The programmes I have outlined will revive the economy, restore the value of the naira and drive hunger from our land.

Restoring Nigeria’s image abroad “Abroad, Nigeria’s standing has changed beyond belief in the last 18 months. We are no longer a pariah state. Wherever I go, I have been received with un-accustomed hospitality. 

Investors from all over the world are falling over themselves to come and do business in Nigeria. This government intends to make business environment more friendly because we can not develop ourselves alone. “All countries, no matter how advanced, welcome foreign investments to their economy.

This is the essence of globalization and no country in the 21st century can be an island. Our reforms are therefore designed to prepare Nigeria for the 21st century.

“Finally, let me commend Nigerians for your patience, steadfastness and perseverance. You know that I am trying to do the right things for our country.”

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