Goodluck Jonathan denies Edo of N10bn in four years – Oshiomhole

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday alleged that former President Goodluck Jonathan and his Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, jointly denied his state of about N10bn in four years.

He said the sum was an estimate of what could have accrued to his state if the past administration had been faithful in remitting taxes paid by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria into the Consolidated Federation Account the same way the present administration did.

Oshiomhole spoke with State House correspondents shortly after he and former governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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The governor claimed that if the $1.6bn NLNG tax that Buhari used as bailout for states had come during Jonathan’s administration, it would have gone the same way it had been going without states benefitting.

He said he was happy with Buhari because he made it clear that he would stop impunity and fragrant disobedient of law and order.

Oshiomhole said, “All the noise that have been generated over what happened last week, there was nothing extraordinary. What was extraordinary is that the NLNG has over the years been remitting funds to the Federal Government but the government illegally refused to transfer these funds to the Consolidated Revenue Fund which belongs to the three tiers of government.

“All that President Buhari has done is to, in line with his commitments to ensuring that all funds and money accruing to the Federation Account are remitted, that he has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to transfer the funds to the consolidated funds. “Our commissioners along with federal officials met last week to share those funds in line with the revenue allocation formula. If this money had come under the last administration, it will have gone the same way as in previous years.

“The NLNG is not starting fresh to remit. It has been doing that every year plus taxes paid by, I think Shell, amounting to about $500m added to the amount of $1.6bn from the NLNG that total to the amount of $2.1bn. That was the money that was shared.

“Imagine what Edo State got from this renewed transparency and total compliance to the spirit and letter of the constitution. If what we got last week, courtesy of this renewed commitment to transparency, if we had gotten this in the past four years consecutively, we would have made about N10bn.

“So, by the same token, Edo State Government had lost N10bn under Jonathan.”

SHOCKING: Explosion kills 12 oil workers, others in Bayelsa

No fewer than 12 persons suspected to be oil workers have died in a pipeline explosion in Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Also, three unidentified persons were injured in the explosion, which occurred on Thursday night along the Tebidaba-Azuzuama trunk line belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

The explosion took place at an oil spill site operated by Agip where a joint investigation visit was ongoing.

Officials of Agip, representatives of the host community and Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment were investigating the cause of a recent oil spill in the area.

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According to a statement by an Eni spokesperson, Mr. Filipo Cotalini, the parent company of NAOC, the cause of the explosion is being investigated.

Cotalini said, “An explosion occurred on Thursday, July 9, 2015, late afternoon, at the site of the repair works of the Tebidaba-Clough Creek line, an oil pipeline in Nigeria’s onshore Niger Delta, previously damaged by acts of sabotage.

“The explosion resulted in the death of 12 members of the maintenance team of a local service company, with three others being injured.

“The causes of the incident are still under investigation by both Eni and the local authorities.

“The company expresses its deepest condolences to the families involved in this tragic accident.”

But community sources said the explosion occurred during a joint investigation visit for the official clamping of a spillage site along the route of the Agip pipeline.

They said the victims of the explosion were burnt beyond recognition.

Though no one could confirm the identities of the victims, it was gathered that the joint investigation team was made up of officials from the Ministry of the Environment, Department of Petroleum Resources, NAOC, representative of the Azuzuama Community and the NOSDRA.

It was further learnt that two soldiers attached to the team for security cover might have also been killed in the explosion.

A former Vice-Chairman, Azuzuama Community Development Committee, Dennis Dumde, confirmed the recovery of 12 bodies from the explosion site between Thursday night and Friday morning.

He said though the source of the fire was still unknown, the identities of the victims could not be ascertained as they were burnt beyond recognition.

Also confirming the incident, the State Coordinator, Environmental Right Action, Mr. Alagoa Morris, said a team of government officials had been deployed to the community by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Inuro Wills.

The police spokesperson, Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.

He said the incident occurred while Agip workers were carrying out routine maintenance at Gbaraun/Tebidaba.

He said 12 persons, including a soldier were burnt beyond recognition. According to him, six other bodies were recovered while four persons were rescued alive and were undergoing treatment at an undisclosed hospital

Boko Haram: Ekweremadu under fire over anti-Buhari comment

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu
 

The senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Solomon Adeola, said on Friday in Abuja that the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, was wrong in his comparison of the activities of Boko Haram insurgency during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and the bomb blasts recently recorded in some parts of the country.

Adeola, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro, said Ekweremadu should not play partisan politics with the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in recent times.

The senate deputy president had, on Thursday, expressed concern over the current spate of Boko Haram attacks in the country at a time that government should be talking of a plan to rebuild the North-East since Jonathan’s administration had almost rolled back the insurgency before handing over on May 29.

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But Adeola described Ekweremadu’s comparison as a partisan mindset of one playing politics with the insurgency.

But the Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, said Ekweremadu did not blame President Muhammadu Buhari, for the current Boko Haram attacks, when he spoke with journalists on Wednesday night.

Anichukwu, in a statement issued in Abuja, explained that his principal only reviewed the recent bomb blasts in some parts of the country and urged Nigerians to pray for, and rally round the Federal Government to win the war against insurgency.

He said, “Specifically, the Deputy President of the Senate was reported by two national dailies as stating that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has worsened insurgency, whereas Senator Ekweremadu expressed concerns over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the country. At no time did he try to blame it on the present administration.

“It is instead, on record, that he not only commended the efforts of the present administration, especially in building international support and synergy to tackle the monstrous group, but he also called for greater inter-party, intergovernmental, and international collaboration to address the problem.

“The fact that out of the 75-man Senate Press Corps, representing various media houses, which were present at the function, only one medium sensationally skewed his statement out of context, while a second medium copied the same story without a by-line (name of reporter), tells the whole story of a devious intent.”

Anichukwu said Ekweremadu, as a lawmaker, would not shy away from presenting constructive criticism where and when appropriate.

Govs blackmailed Buhari to accept bailout –LP

President Muhammadu Buhari

The Labour Party has flayed state governors for blackmailing President Muhammadu Buhari to release over N700bn bailout to them, saying the action set a bad precedent and will encourage governors to steal more.

The LP National Chairman, Alhaji Abdukadir Abdulsalam, told journalists in Abuja that the disadvantages of the bailout far outweighed its benefits.

He said, “This over N700bn released by the President for the bailout belongs to Nigerians. Although it is good that workers will get their salaries, but the bailout has created a bad precedent. Such an action is tantamount to illegality.

“Buhari came with the promise of change, but it seems the President has not learnt from the mistakes of previous administrations because what is happening now was what happened during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo when the state governors prevailed on him to bastardise the local government system and local government funds were diverted to personal use of the governors.

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“For how long will Buhari continue to bail out the states to pay workers’ salaries? It will be difficult for the President to prevent many of the governors from mismanaging the funds since they know that even when they are caught, they have plea bargain and that the alleged offence is bailable.”

Abdulsalam added that when former President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office, the governors also deceived him to carry out certain policies and projects, “but at the end disappointed him.”

He said, “Buhari has fallen into their trap; they must have deceived him that they used money meant for workers’ salaries to campaign for him and his party and that he must now save them. But unfortunately, Buhari has spent over N3trn without appropriation or recourse to other considerations.

“The government claimed the bailout were loans; but under what conditions were the loans given? What is the mode and processes of the repayment? In this regard, the President has started on a very bad note, this is unfortunate and we are going to suffer for it.”

Boko Haram: Cameroon depots 450 Nigerians

As a proactive measure to guard against a likely attack by the Boko Haram sect, the Cameroonian immigration authorities have deported about 450 Nigerians living illegally in the country.

Those affected were picked up from Kousseri, a border town between Cameroon and Chad where they had initially been sent packing by the authorities in that country.

They were handed to government officials in Mubi, Adamawa State, North-Eastern Nigeria, according to Africa Review, a Kenyan digital news platform.

A Cameroonian official, Mr. Albert Mekondané Obounou, said those affected, “are foreign nationals without valid documents.”

A security source, who asked not to be named, revealed that the move was also part of an agreement reached by countries leading the fight against the insurgents in the sub-region.

“We decided to send home all foreigners without valid papers. Other countries of the sub-region involved in the fight against Boko Haram had advocated this solution to truly fight against the terrorists who infiltrate people,” the source said.

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Nationals of other countries affected in the latest crackdown include Chad, Mali. Cameroon said it was only the beginning of a hunt on undocumented foreigners in the country.

NEWS: medical doctor arraigned, denied bail

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said that it arraigned the man arrested for presenting himself as a medical doctor, George Dawari, before a High Court in Abuja for impersonation.

Dawari was arrested on June 5, 2015 following a petition filed before ICPC that he allegedly claimed to be a medical doctor and demanded the sum of N450,000 from a couple with a promise to help them and members of their family to procure a five-year visa to the United States.

ICPC had said that it discovered while interrogating the suspect that he was neither a medical doctor nor did he work in the National Hospital, Abuja, as he claimed.

The commission added that apart from having in his possession a medical laboratory coat with the name, Dr. E.D. George, the suspect attempted to administer intravenous drip on one Mrs. Patti Bassi under the guise of being a medical doctor, contrary and punishable under Section 132 of the Penal Code Caps.532 Laws of the FCT, Abuja, 2006.

However, the commission, in a statement on Friday by its Media Consultant, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said a nine-count charge levelled against him included forgery, possession of forged documents and impersonation.

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“The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges. His counsel, Henry Iheme, asked the court to grant his client bail, which was refused by the trial judge because the application was not properly made.”

The matter was adjourned till September 30, 2015.

Cross River tribunal orders forensic probe of INEC materials

The National and State Legislative Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has ruled that a forensic expert be called on to examine election materials presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission in a case against Senator Gershom Bassey.

Bassey, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party currently representing the Cross River State South Senatorial district in the National Assembly, was declared the winner of the May 28 senatorial election by INEC against Senator Bassey Otu of the Labour Party.

Otu’s counsel, Mr. Essien Andrew, had prayed the court to allow him bring in a forensic expert to examine the materials, but the respondents’ counsel, led by Nta Akpan Nta, kicked against it, describing it as a tactic by the petitioner to prolong the case. However, the tribunal chairman, Justice Christopher Awubra, upheld the prayer of the petitioner’s counsel, saying the application was necessary because it was not intended to abuse the principle of fair hearing as alleged by the respondents’ counsel.

Justice Awubra stated that the Electoral Act of 2011, as amended, provides that the inspection of disputed election materials (forensic analysis) could be adopted before or after a petition had been filed, adding that an application “can also be utilised to maintain, sustain and explain it.”

According to Justice Awubra, “the petitioner has the right to inspect the election materials and therefore, cannot be shut out without such an opportunity, more so, when the application is competent before the law.”

: Sarkodie – Mewu ft. Akwaboah @sarkodie

Today is a Sarkodie’s birthday and as expected he is throwing out material for his fans all over the world in the form of visuals for a new single titled Mewu.
This single is off his yet to be released album titled Mary, the follow up to Sarkolog


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MUSIC:Pepenazi ft. Olamide – Illegal @pepenazi @Olamide_YBNL

 
This is a jam! Pepenazi and Baddo came through on this tune dubbed “Illegal”. There seems to be no stopping for Pepenazi at this moment.
Produced by rave of the moment – Young Jonn “THE WICKED PRODUCER”.

“Barely a week after dropping the sublime visuals for the amazing tune ‘LOW’, the golden child of Nigerian music is back with a massive collaboration with the YBNL General and street king, OLAMIDE BADDO in this certified street anthem titled ‘ILLEGAL’.
There is no definition for the ‘hustle don’t stop’ than the artiste, PEPENAZI.
Enjoy and download this guaranteed hit coming from the stables of ECLEFTIC Ent.
Instagram/Twitter: @pepenazi @Olamide_YBNL @Baddo_Ybnl”

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MUSIC; Yemi Alade – Na Gode ft. Selebobo @Yemialadee @selebobo

Effyzzie Music‘s leading lady Yemi Alade is extremely thankful on the first single lifted off her sophomore album, which is slated for a 2016 release. The rousing highlife gem is christened “Na Gode”, and features the track’s producer Selebobo. “Na Gode” which means “thank you” in Hausa preaches the message of gratitude and giving; no matter your present situation, you have to be thankful or better still say “Na Gode”, because it could be worse not forgetting aiding the less privileged individuals in the society. Asides the message, “Na Gode” a mid-tempo cut that is fated to cause a musical uproar and find a home on any playlist.After birthing monster hits “Johnny” and “Tangerine”, Yemi Alade and Selebobo collide again to serve “Na Gode”, a song critics are already labelling “classic”. Listen, download, buy, share, enjoy and do not forget to say “Na Gode”

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MUSIC:Reekado Banks - Suger Baby @ReekadoBanks @MavinRecords

Barely 24hours after the release of “Corner”, Reekado Banks is out with another Don Jazzy produced single – “Sugar Baby“. Reekado is on a streak of form
Listen Up!

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Shocking: 17 dead in Bangladesh stampede (see photos)

At least 17 people have been killed in a stampede during a handout of free clothes at a factory in the northern Bangladeshi city of Mymensingh, police said.
The stampede erupted on Friday when hundreds of people tried to force their way into the factory compound through a small gate after massing outside the building before dawn, local police chiefs told the AFP news agency.
“We have so far recovered 17 bodies. Most of the dead are poor and emaciated women,” Mymensingh police chief Moinul Haque said.

Kamrul Islam, the senior officer at a police station near the factory, said the death toll could rise.
“Some people had taken the bodies of their relatives before police arrived at the scene,” he said.
The owner of the factory and six others have been arrested, Islam added.
Police said up to 1,500 people had massed outside the chewing tobacco factory at around 4:45am after the plant owners had announced they would distribute free clothes to poor people in accordance with Islamic ritual.
Rich Bangladeshis often distribute free clothes to poor people during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan

Am A Lover Of Sex…Didi Ekanem Nollywood Actress

 
Nollywood actress, Didi Ekanem, has disclosed that being on the curvy side is not a problem to her as she knows how to carry herself.
When asked how often she has fun with her guy, the actress stated that she would love to have fun as many times as possible but rarely have the time.
She explained that despite her busy schedule, she still enjoys the feeling of the little time she spends with her man.

According to E247 magazine, the actress said, “Who doesn’t love s*x? I’m not going to sit here and tell you I don’t like s*x. Everybody loves fun; it is just natural so I’m not going to pretend I don’t like it. For me, I’m a very busy person. Of course, anytime I have the time for it, of course, I do."
She added that every position goes, as long as she can feel what she wants to feel at that point in time.

Fans!!! Please Fast and Pray For Empress Njamah (see photos0

Last Updated: 5 minutes ago

Nollywood actress, Empress Njamah, is currently having a nice time with her mother in oil rich United Arab Emirates and as the days go by, the actress continues to give her mum nice treats.
Still enjoying her vacation, the actress has revealed that she has been having eye problem for sometime now but has been avoiding not wear glasses.
Empress in order to correct her sight decided to visit an optician who tried to see what could possibly be wrong and give good recommendations on what to use.
The actress, who is scared of going on glasses urged fans to wish her well as she can’t afford to start going on glasses.
According to her, “Been having issues with my eyes, so had to do this. Wish me luck, don’t wanna wear bottles please. Oya make we fast and pray.”

Synagogue rejects coroner’s verdict on collapsed building

Synagogue Church
| credits: File copy

The Synagogue Church of All Nations has described as unreasonable the verdict of a Lagos coroner, Mr. Oyetade Komolafe, who called for its prosecution over the death of 116 persons in a collapsed six-storey building on its premises.

The September 12, 2014 tragic incident claimed the lives of 85 South Africans, 22 Nigerians, two Beninoise, one Togolese and six unidentified persons.

Komolafe, a magistrate given the mandate to unravel what led to the victims’ death, had in a verdict on Wednesday indicted SCOAN and the structural engineers that built the collapsed structure and called for their criminal prosecution.

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The coroner had held the engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, of HardRock Construction Company Limited, liable for “criminal negligence.”

He also recommended SCOAN for prosecution for embarking on a building construction without obtaining the “necessary permits.”

But in a statement on Thursday by its counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, the church said it vehemently disagreed with Komolafe’s verdict that structural defect was responsible for the collapse of the six-storey building.

Ojo, who described Komolafe’s verdict as “unreasonable, one-sided and biased,” said the church maintained its stance that the building was sabotaged.

He described as unwarranted the call made by the coroner on the state to investigate and prosecute the church, saying that before the building collapsed, the process for its approval was in place while the amount payable for the permit had already been processed by the relevant government agencies.

According to the lawyer, the verdict of the coroner could not stand as long as he did not establish that the church hired unqualified or incompetent professionals to do the job or that substandard materials were used.

He also said there was no finding that connected the incident with the lack of a building permit.

The statement read partly, “The church disagrees most vehemently with the finding that the incident was due to structural failure.

“The church considers it strange that the coroner did not refer its verdict to the evidence of the COREN-registered structural engineer and contractor used by the church nor did it evaluate the conflicting evidence given by civil and structural engineers as to whether or not the incident was as a result of structural failure.

“It was a one-sided verdict which left many issues unaddressed and questions unanswered.

“The church disagrees with the findings concerning the aircraft that hovered over the six-storey building because there was evidence before the court that the incident could have been brought about by external forces such as controlled demolition or an explosion.

“The verdict did not even refer to the CCTV footage which showed the six-storey building falling in less than four seconds – a manner consistent with controlled or externally induced demolition – nor did it refer to the interim report and investigation by the Nigeria Police Force which pointed to sabotage by external forces.

“The recommendation for the investigation and prosecution of the contractors and structural engineers used by the church for criminal negligence is premature because it gives the impression that the coroner has found them guilty when a coroner is not allowed in law to make any finding of civil or criminal liability against anybody.”

Ojo said no matter “how long a lie is sustained, the truth will someday prevail.”

Meanwhile, the structural engineer, Fatiregun, has said he would challenge the coroner’s recommendation in court.

Fatiregun, who insisted that his company employed international best practices in the construction of the collapsed building, said, “We will definitely challenge the outcome of this coroner’s inquest.”