Exposed: Politicians, NNPC Staff 'Forged' Buhari's Signature to Sell $19m Crude Oil

More shocking revelations of looting. A member of the House of Reps, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has alleged that certain politicians in connivance with some staff of NNPC, forged President Buhari’s signature in order to illegally sell crude oil from Nigeria worth $19 million in China.

He made the disclosure on Channels TV's Sunrise Daily programme.

Hon. Ehiozuwa, who chairs House ad-hoc committee on sale of crude oil to foreign destinations, added that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was aware of the forged letter and that investigations were ongoing to prosecute the culprits.

He said that the level of corruption in the petroleum sector which has been uncovered by his committee requires firm political will, and a radical approach to fight it.

He said: “In this letter here, this is not President Buhari’s signature but it was forged by our people – by Nigerians who wanted to sell the crude in China worth about $19 million.

“I tell you the truth, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is also aware. We are working day and night to also do what is needed to get it right because he (the AGF) is the custodian of the laws in the nation.

“So, I’m saying I must tell you that the corruption in this country didn’t just start yesterday. It is a cancer, and to cure cancer, you need a radical approach getting the radical approach in this case means you have to step on peoples’ toes, which might affect those that are probably close to you.

“What is important is ability to have that willingness to commit to the fight against corruption. Let’s give credit to Mr. President in the war against corruption. We must do our part as well."

Police invite Sahara Reporters Publisher, Sowore, Again

The Nigeria police on Monday again invited the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, to a meeting on Thursday with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department(SCID) in Lagos.

The invitation, which came as text message, did not disclose the purpose of the meeting. It merely invited Sowore and his colleagues to meet with the police authorities for an interview at 10a.m at the SCID headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos.

According to PT, Sowore was on January 9 physically assaulted in Lagos by one Lekan Fatodu over a report by SR detailing how Mr. Fatodu was allegedly used as a front by Femi Fani-Kayode to corner public funds through the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

When Sowore was brought before Fatai Owoseni, Lagos Police Commissioner, the police claimed a petition alleging criminal libel had been submitted by Mr. Fatodu against Sowore.

The following day when Sowore arrived at SCID, the police were more interested in “mediation”, asking Sowore to meet Mr. Fatodu to resolve their differences.

Sowore refused, saying the police had been dishonest in the handling of the case.

His attorney, Femi Falana, on January 12 issued a statement saying the allegations of threat to life, criminal libel and extortion stated in Mr. Fatodu’s petition were false.

A few days after Sowore’s release, a new dimension arose when a lawyer, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, issued a statement claiming Sowore was barred from leaving Nigeria over Mr. Fatodu’s petition.

Mr. Osuagwu is the same lawyer who, in January, addressed a petition to the police on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai, which led to the arrest of two Premium Times journalists a few days after Sowore was attacked and arrested in Lagos.

The continued police harassment of Sowore and other journalists has attracted condemnation by press freedom bodies across the globe.

Mr. Sowore told our reporters he plans to honour the invitation of the police on Thursday, an event which coincides with his birthday.

Police invite Sahara Reporters Publisher, Sowore, Again

The Nigeria police on Monday again invited the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, to a meeting on Thursday with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department(SCID) in Lagos.

The invitation, which came as text message, did not disclose the purpose of the meeting. It merely invited Sowore and his colleagues to meet with the police authorities for an interview at 10a.m at the SCID headquarters in the Yaba area of Lagos.

According to PT, Sowore was on January 9 physically assaulted in Lagos by one Lekan Fatodu over a report by SR detailing how Mr. Fatodu was allegedly used as a front by Femi Fani-Kayode to corner public funds through the office of the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

When Sowore was brought before Fatai Owoseni, Lagos Police Commissioner, the police claimed a petition alleging criminal libel had been submitted by Mr. Fatodu against Sowore.

The following day when Sowore arrived at SCID, the police were more interested in “mediation”, asking Sowore to meet Mr. Fatodu to resolve their differences.

Sowore refused, saying the police had been dishonest in the handling of the case.

His attorney, Femi Falana, on January 12 issued a statement saying the allegations of threat to life, criminal libel and extortion stated in Mr. Fatodu’s petition were false.

A few days after Sowore’s release, a new dimension arose when a lawyer, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, issued a statement claiming Sowore was barred from leaving Nigeria over Mr. Fatodu’s petition.

Mr. Osuagwu is the same lawyer who, in January, addressed a petition to the police on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai, which led to the arrest of two Premium Times journalists a few days after Sowore was attacked and arrested in Lagos.

The continued police harassment of Sowore and other journalists has attracted condemnation by press freedom bodies across the globe.

Mr. Sowore told our reporters he plans to honour the invitation of the police on Thursday, an event which coincides with his birthday.

Fashola disowns N2bn planted in Housing ministry budget

ABUJA— Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, shocked the Senate with the denial of N2 billion allegedly voted for regional housing scheme by the Ministry of Finance. The money is part of the N64.991 billion budgetary proposals for the housing sector this year. Speaking, yesterday, in Abuja when he appeared before the Committee on Land, Housing and Urban Development, led by Senator Barnabas Gemade, APC Benue North East, to defend the 2017 budget, Fashola said the Ministry of Finance planted it in the 2017 budgetary profile of the Ministry of Housing as its own initiative, tagged “Regional Housing Scheme.” Fashola He was merely responding to the question raised by chairman of the committee, who requested to know how the ministry came about the regional housing scheme. Fashola said: “I know as much of it as you do because it is not our initiative.” Following the denial, Gemade ordered the committee clerk to write the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, to appear before it for explanation on what she knew about the N2 billion allocation which Fashola disowned. Fashola requested the committee to add N6 billion to the total budget estimate of the ministry as an appropriated vote for payment of the $11.9 million Nigeria was owing Shelter Afrik, a Housing Development and Financing Organisation which has membership in 44 African countries. He added that as one who currently chairs the governing board of the organization on the slot of Nigeria, indebted nations, as Nigeria, were set to be expelled from the organization by the end of this year if they refused to pay their dues to avoid total collapse of the development organization. In his presentation, Fashola said other votes in the N64.199 billion 2017 budgetary proposals of the Housing Ministry, aside the questionable N2 billion earmarked for regional housing scheme, were the National Housing Progromme, N41.89 billion; construction, completion and rehabilitation of federal secretariats, N5.379 billion; Zik Mausoleum and Prototype Housing Scheme, N1.325 billion and Projects and Programmes under PPP, N3.367 billion. Others are Cadastral URD and Lands, N3 billion; URD/Special Projects, N2.140 billion; payment of outstanding local debts, N1.2 billion; and Constituency Outreach Intervention Projects, N1.69 billion etc. The committee asked the Minister to forward a written request through the Ministries of Finance and Budget and National Planning. There was, however, disagreement between the two parties when the seemingly moribund status of the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, was raised.  

*vanguard

Udoedeghe was PDP agent in our party –APC

Akwa Ibom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described  the former gubernatorial aspirant of the party, Senator John Akpanudoedeghe as the Peoples democratic Party (PDP) mole in the party.

APC recently expelled Udoedeghe citing his anti-party activities as reasons.

Reaffirming the expulsion during a press conference, the state chairman of the party, Amadu Attai in company with the secretary, Effiong Etok and other officials, said one of the anti-party activities of Udoedeghe carried out against APC was urging his supporters to work for the electoral victory of the PDP in the 2015 general election.

“We wish to categorically declare here that Akpanudoedeghe never contributed in any way towards the success of the APC in Akwa Ibom State both in the 2015 presidential and gubernatorial elections. Truth be told, he openly and boldly asked a motley of what remains of his supporters to work for the electoral victory of the PDP candidates in that general election.

“Akpanudoedeghe’s belligerence pointedly began when he lost the 2015 governorship primaries of our party to Obong Umana Okon Umana. Ever since, he has wilfully constituted himself into a cog in the wheel of the party’s progress, doing everything within his reach to ensure its failure.

“It is on record that when notified of the sundry harmful anti-party activities perpetrated by Akpanudoedeghe, the APC national leaders and stakeholders initiated various reconciliatory moves. And again, our dear senator, in his usual way, scorned the gestures outright,” Attai said. The party chairman said the summary expulsion of Akpanudoedeghe from APC was done in strict compliance with the provisions of the APC constitution, as amended since the process began at his Ward 6, Uyo, where he was earlier suspended.

“This was followed by a subsequent ratification and a recommendation for his total expulsion by the Uyo chapter executive. There is no doubt that these chain of events are concrete proofs of the snator’s total alienation and disconnect from his immediate Ward (Uyo Ward 6) and chapter.”

Reacting, Akpanudoedeghe described his purported expulsion from the party as sham, saying the state working committee had no power to expel him based on the party constitution.

“They do not have power to expel a ward chairman, not to talk about a Board of Trustees member. Let me tell you that they have no power, no authority to expel me from the party,” he said.

He alleged that those talking of his expulsion from the party were not APC members.

*The sun

Okorocha/Obiano feud: How two Igbo governors tore each other apart

AWKA- THE recent verbal war between the camps of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and his Anambra State counterpart, Chief Willie Obiano, may ultimately form the basis for a united South East Governors’ Forum, going by the latest development. Media aides of both governors went out, all guns blazing recently, apparently to showcase their ability to defend their bosses well, by writing unprintable things. Surprisingly, both governors were not in the country at the time the media were awash with the attacks from both sides. While Okorocha was in South Africa, Obi was enjoying his vacation in the United States of America, USA, and it was after the dust settled that people realized that the two governors did not sanction the writings in the first place. Newly elected president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio cultural organization, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has taken it upon himself to resolve the matter as he realized that the altercation between the two governors was a merely distracting  the Igbo nation from what is important.

*vanguard

Buhari’s former aide joins APGA in Anambra

The Director of Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari during his presidential campaign in 2003, Chief Uche Ezechukwu has joined the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State.

Speaking shortly after he was registered in his country home of Amesi, Aguata Council area of the state, he said he was motivated to join APGA in order to assist in building a viable party for Ndigbo, which the party represents.

Ezechukwu, who was also media adviser to the late military head of  state, Gen. Sani Abacha, lamented that Igbo people have been grossly marginalised. He, therefore, asked them to forge a common front that would shoot them to the centre.

“As it stands in Nigeria today, people from different ethnic nationalities are going back to their cocoons. My philosophy centres on Igbo, that’s why I decided to join APGA to render service to Ndigbo. Our people are not getting a fair deal from Nigeria,” he lamented.

The Chairman of APGA in the council area, Mr Obiora Ezechukwu and the Anambra South Zonal Chairman, Chief Titus Anigbogu, who handed him APGA party materials, urged Ndi Anambra to re-elect Governor Willie Obiano for a second term to enable him consolidate on the gains the APGA-controlled government has brought to the state.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the party in Amesi, Ikenna Ezeibenne, disclosed that he had kicked off a re-election campaign for Obiano with the branding of over 40 vehicles.

*The sun

Presidency, Senate to clash over Magu again

The Presidency and the Senate are set to clash again over the confirmation of acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, Daily Trust has gathered.

According to sources, some senators have vowed to reject the confirmation of Magu as substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency after the Presidency re-nominated him for confirmation.

Magu’s confirmation was rejected by the Senate in December 2016, after acting as EFCC chairman for over one year.

The Senate had rejected Magu’s confirmation citing allegations of corruption against him, contained in a Department of State Services (DSS) report.

Some senators, it was gathered, insist that the allegations in the DSS report have not been vacated and the investigation carried out by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami that cleared Magu has not been made public.

Sources who don’t not want to be mentioned, said resending Magu’s name would again pitch the Presidency against the Senate, noting that both President Buhari and acting President Yemi Osinbajo are determined to have Magu lead the anti-corruption campaign.

Other objectors to Magu’s confirmation may be a number of former state Governors and politicians now in the Senate, who were at one time interrogated by the EFCC for corruption.

Contacted, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the Senate would take a position on Magu after the consideration of the 2017 budget. 

Meanwhile, an anti corruption crusader, Rasheed Oyewumi has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to disqualify Senate President Bukola Saraki and other ranking senators from being part of the screening of  Magu. 

He said Senators Godswill Akpabio, Jonah Jang, Aliyu Wammakko, Stella Odua, Theodore Orji and Rabiu Kwankwaso cannot be fair if allowed to participate in the screening of Magu. 

Other are: Senators Ahmed Sani, Danjuma Goje, Joshua Dariye and Abdullahi Adamu. Also joined in the suit are the Clerk to the National Assembly, the Senate, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Magu. 

According to Oyewumi, Saraki and others are threatened by the leadership of Magu as EFCC chairman. 

He asked the court to determine whether the Senate President and other senators will not violate the provisions of Section 56, 172 of paragraphý 1 and 9 of the fifth schedule to the 1999 Constitution if they jointly or severally participate in or vote during the screening or deliberation on the nomination of Magu for the position of EFCC.

No date has been fixed for the hearing.

*Dailytrust

Ex-NNPC boss Yakubu forfeits N3bn to FG

A Federal High court sitting in Kano yesterday ordered that the $9.8 million and 74,000 pounds recovered from the former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu, be forfeited to the federal government.

The court presided over by Justice Zainab Abubakar, gave the order while ruling on an ex parte application filed before it by Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr. Salisu Sani, counsel to the commission moved the application seeking an interim forfeiture of the recovered money to the federal government.

In her ruling, Justice Zainab held, “That the sum of $9,772,000 (Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand United States Dollars) and £74,000 (Seventy Four Thousand Pound Sterling) which are now in the custody of the applicant (EFCC) are in the interim forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria”

The EFCC had last Friday announced the recovery of the  N3bn from the residence of the former NNPC boss located in Kaduna.

*Dailytrust

LETTER AUTHORISING ILLEGAL DEDUCTION OF 7.7 BILLION FROM TERMINAL BENEFIT OF EX-PHCN STAFF UNCOVERED

The confidential letter authorising the illegal deduction of the over 7.7 billion Naira otherwise known as 2% deducted from the Terminal Benefit (Severance Package) of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) staff nationwide and the untenable rationale behind it has been uncovered. Unsuspecting members of both unions were made to understand that investing their money and capacity building are keys to their overall development in the privatised power sector. The content was flimsy as it was absolutely ridiculous. 

In a letter dated March 15, 2013 exclusively obtained by thenewinsightng.blogspot.com, signed by Joe Ajaero and Bede Opara representing the National Union of Electricity Employees and Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies which was addressed to the former Managing Director Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the two unions promised that they will invest part of the resources of members to acquire shares in the emergent companies form (sic) PHCN.

The letter reads in part, “our request for the deduction of 2% from our members entitlements is an industry wide decision taken to achieve our cardinal objectives by securing the services of resource persons and other consultants to develop and build capacity of our members: develop infrastructure for the unions to better perform their duties in a deregulated power sector; invest part of the resources of our members to acquire shares in the emergent companies form (sic) PHCN. It is worthy of note that our respective unions gave us the mandate to deduct between 2-5% from their entitlements but we opted for lower percentile which will have negligible impact on their entitlements.”

The unions also added without batting an eye lid that the deduction is to defray all costs associated with the negotiations with the federal government and improve the financial position of the associations. If the 2% deduction from the terminal benefit of the entire staff totaling over 7.7 billion Naira was recklessly spent to defray cost incurred during negotiation for the payment, one wonders what happened to the monthly dues deducted over the years by the unions. Were the check-off dues not big enough to take care of the so called negotiation? Both leadership of the two unions must be reminded that they are salary earners and employees of the members who make up the unions. Therefore, they only performed the duties they were paid for.

The reasons adduced by these two unions was in fact what encouraged the then  management of PHCN to approve their demand bearing in mind that the deduction at that time was meant to further the best interest of staff (ex-staff). When it has become obvious that the purpose of the deduction has been defeated and that over 99.9% of ex-PHCN staff whose monies were deducted as per the 2% are no longer in the employ of any company in the power sector, it is imperative to ask: What concerted effort did the unions make to ensure that the ex-staff who they intend to buy shares for in the emerging companies retained their jobs? Did the unions acquire the so called shares or built the capacity of members as they proposed three years after post-privatisation of the power sector? Is it possible that defraying cost associated with negotiation of payment of terminal benefits of staff has gulped over 7.7 billion Naira? If the unions were armed with the mandate to deduct, the onus lies on them to also properly account for the sum deducted? Finally, what is the status of the money at the moment? These questions beg for answers from the leadership of the two unions.