CCT chairman ‘rules in favour’ of Saraki

The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, at the resumed hearing of the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki over false asset declaration, ruled in favour of Saraki as he permitted his counsel to continue the cross-examination of a principal witness, Michael Wetkas of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Counsel to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Rotimi Jacobs, objected to Paul Erokoro (SAN), one of Saraki’s lawyers, cross-examining Wetkas, arguing that the defence counsel kept changing the lawyers examining the witness. Kanu Agabi (SAN), Saraki’s lead counsel, and Paul Usoro (SAN), had earlier cross-examined the witness.

“The counsel that started cross examination should finish it. The witness cannot be cross-examined by three lawyers. My learned brother should conclude cross-examining the witness. You can have several lawyers, but only one of them will address the court. That’s why we have lead counsel. The lead counsel who has started the cross examination is bound to conclude the case. It is not an opportunity for six lawyers to cross examine one witness. Why I am raising this, is that we have already spent days on cross-examination,” he argued while urging the Tribunal to regulate the proceedings.

In his ruling, Umar held that Saraki had the right to engage as many lawyers as he wanted, and to choose which one of them would speak for him in court.

“The defence has the right to conduct their defence the way it suits them. What we are here to do is to give fair hearing. Paul Erokoro can now conduct the cross examination,” he held.

This is the first ruling the tribunal would give in favour of Saraki.

Recalled that Saraki has challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal and urged the tribunal chairman to disqualify himself from the case

Excitement as Buhari delivers great news to Nigerian workers

‎President Muhammadu Buhari, has assured Nigerian workers that he is painstakingly studying their demand for an increment in the National minimum wage.

This is coming, following demands by the ‎Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, for an increment in the N18, 000 minimum wage to N56,000.

The President speaking through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on Monday May, 9 said, “The demand by labour for the review of the minimum wage is a legitimate request which the federal government is carefully studying and appropriately responding to.

“The other day, the labour requested for increased wages for workers and they have only done what they are supposed to do.

“Therefore, nobody will quarrel with them. At the appropriate time, we shall all sit down, because what the labour is asking for is the re-negotiation of an existing Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA).

“Every CBA based on an agreement is subject to re-negotiation at any given time that any of the partners requests for it,” Ngige said.

He however, debunked rumors making waves that the NLC and TUC are at loggerheads with the government, most especially whenever they make demands.

He said, “It is wrong for people to think that whenever the labour makes such demands, the nation is boiling.

“The labour in Nigeria has for the first time met a labour-friendly government under President Buhari.

“The government has put machinery in motion as we speak, because I have got a letter as the Minister of Labour and Employment for my advice.

“We shall advise the government the way such a tripartite negotiation will be handled, so that everybody will be satisfied without any industrial unrest.

“Government in this sense includes, also the state and local governments, whom such wages will be binding on.

“When government takes a decision, we will now move to another stage in the process of re-negotiation of the CBA,” the minister said

Victory for PDP as Buhari bows to their demands

    There were indications on Saturday, May 7, that President Muhammadu Buhari, may disclose the actual amount of funds so far recovered from those who looted the treasury under ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan, at the London Anti-Corruption Summit, scheduled to hold during the week. ‎

This is coming, following demands from many Nigerians, especially the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the President should announce the total amount of money recovered from his ongoing anti-corruption crusade.

Officials were at work on Saturday night with a view of verifying the figures, the Nation has confirmed.

Sources said Buhari intends to update all the world leaders expected at the summit about his war against corruption. The president is to depart Abuja on Tuesday for the meeting.

Sixty global leaders, including Buhari will be participating in the talks.

“Contrary to insinuations that the anti-graft war of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is a witch-hunt, the world leaders will be presented with the nation’s fact-sheet on the fight so far,” a top source said last night.

“At the summit, the President will make disclosures on recovered loot and the challenges ahead. The figures have been collated by all relevant MDAs, but kept under wraps as I talk to you.

The source added: “These critics will realize at the end of the day that Buhari has walked the talk on the anti-corruption war.”

The President will join 59 other world leaders in the United Kingdom to seal the pact, which will make 60 countries a “no safe haven” for treasury looters.

Some of the sanctions likely against looters are as follows: travel restriction or denial of entry into the 60 countries; rejection of request for political asylum by corrupt political and public officers; likely loss of citizenship; no more approval of naturalisation for any corrupt person; no establishment of shell companies abroad; and the corrupt will not be allowed to operate foreign accounts in any of the 60 nations.

The UK government which is hosting the summit, said the leaders might agree on the enforcement of international anti-corruption laws.

It said: “On 12 May, the Prime Minister will host the Anti-Corruption Summit to step up global action to expose, punish and drive out corruption in all walks of life.

“The summit will seek to galvanize a global response to tackle corruption. As well as agreeing a package of actions to tackle corruption across the board, it will deal with issues including corporate secrecy, government transparency, the enforcement of international anti-corruption laws, and the strengthening of international institutions.

“It will be the first summit of its kind, bringing together world leaders, business and civil society to agree a package of practical steps to:
expose corruption, so there is nowhere to hide,
punish the perpetrators and support those affected by corruption,
drive out the culture of corruption wherever it exists.

“The summit will be preceded by a conference on 11th May, for leaders in civil society, business and government who are championing the fight against corruption.”

Tension as Fayose lands in ‘HOT SOUP'

At the wake of the statement recently credited to the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, top members of the Fulani herdsmen have summoned the Governor before the Council of Traditional Rulers.

A highly placed  member of the ethnic group, name withheld, who stated this to ThisDay Newspaper on Friday, May 6, in  Ado-Ekiti, disclosed that they received Fayose’s statement with shock.

He added, that the group has lodged a formal complaint to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, because of the dangers inherent in Fayose’s comment.

The governor had on Tuesday, May 3, during the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day, organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Ibadan the Oyo state capital, said he had instructed his people to poison water with a particular brand of chemical used against fungal attack, in the event of any herdsmen attack in Ekiti.

Fayose, who spoke against the backdrop of herdsmen attacks in Benue and Enugu States, had stated that the time had come for Nigerians to defend themselves in the face of unwarranted attacks and killings by suspected herdsmen across the country.

While speaking, the Fulani herdsmen said their members would also meet with the state traditional council, particularly its Chairman and Ologotun of Ogotun Ekiti, Oba Oladapo Samuel Oyebade, after their encounter with the Ado monarch.

The source, who did not want to be quoted because of the sensitivity of the issue and for not being authorized to speak on behalf of the Fulani herdsmen, said the statement credited to the governor could spark a crisis between them and the farmers, even when such is unwarranted.

He said members are now living in palpable fear, because anything could happen to them and their herds since the governor has said he had issued directives to the people to poison their water, if they notice any untoward attitude from the Fulani herdsmen.

“What many people don’t know is that there is a difference between Fulani and Bororo. We have been in Ado for long doing our businesses and I don’t think any of us could resort to killing of our hosts, what for?”

Nigerian Army replies Militants with very deadly blow

   The Nigerian military has vowed to respond appropriately and decisively to the resurgent Niger Delta militants who recently blew up major economic facilities in the nation’s maritime sector.

The Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Rabe Abubakar, in response to THISDAY inquiries on Saturday, May 7, described the recent attacks as unpatriotic and callous activities of the criminal gang.

He said that the Defence Headquarters is aware of increased militant activities and promised that the military response will be both
holistic and professional.

‎Recall, that a couple of days ago, the Niger Delta militants blew up a gas pipe line in the Niger Delta Area, thereby affecting electricity supply.

As a result, the Nigerian army vowed that the militants will be treated as criminals and that the security forces will leave no stone unturned to apprehend the perpetrators.

He said: “This is no doubt a criminal activity and they will be treated as such at an appropriate time. The whole world is seeing the callous and unpatriotic activities of this gang. Our response will be holistic and professional, which will come at an appropriate time.

“The military and other security agencies will ensure the apprehension of these criminals and leave no stone unturned in this direction, in compliance with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Speaking further, the General urged that, “the community leaders, oil companies and innocent individuals should go about their legitimate endeavour, as military and other security agencies have the capability to respond appropriately and guard
our strategic assets and other platforms.”

12 things Buhari said after signing 2016 budget

It is no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the 2016 budget into power. But the statement made by the Nigerian leader afterwards are quite key.

The signing of the budget had been anticipated by Nigerians who have described the president as a very slow individual who has no serious plans for the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari handing over the 2016 budget after signing it.
But after signing the 2016 budget, the president addressed Nigerians on how he feels after signing the document.

Below are 12 key things he said after assenting the budget:

1. It gives me great pleasure today to sign the first full-year budget of this administration into law. I thank the leadership of the National Assembly, in particular, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and indeed all members of the National Assembly for their cooperation in making this a reality.

2. The budget is intended to signpost a renewal of our commitment to restoring the budget as a serious article of faith with the Nigerian people. This Administration is committed to ensuring that henceforth the annual appropriation bill is presented to the National Assembly in time for the passage of the Act before the beginning of the fiscal year.

3. Through the 2016 budget, aptly titled “Budget of Change’’, the government seeks to fulfill its own side of the social contract. The Budget I have signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of N6.06trn. Further details of the approved budget, as well as our Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget, will be provided by the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning.

4. I shall be speaking in more details about the Budget, its implementation and the over-all national economic and social policies of the Government in my address on May 29th, God willing.

5. In designing the 2016 budget, we made a deliberate choice to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy despite the huge decline in government revenues from crude oil exports. This is why we decided to enlarge the budget deficit at this time, to be financed principally through foreign and domestic borrowings. All borrowings will however be applied towards growth-enhancing capital expenditures.

6. The signing of the budget today will trigger concerted efforts to reflate the Nigerian economy, a key element of which is an immediate injection of N350bn into the economy by way of capital projects. To illustrate our renewed commitment to infrastructural development, the 2016 budget allocates over N200bn to road construction as against a paltry N18bn allocated for same purpose in the 2015 budget.

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President Buhari signing the 2016 budget into law after several controversies.
7. Despite the current difficulties we will work extra-hard to achieve our revenue projections. Our revenue generating agencies are coming under better management and are being re-oriented. The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) is expected to contribute significantly to improving transparency over government revenues.

8. Our determined fight against corruption is resulting in improvements in the quality of public expenditure. The work of the Efficiency Unit, as well as other public financial management initiatives, are also contributing in this regard. The continuing efforts to reduce recurrent expenditures should hopefully free up more funds for capital expenditure in 2017 and beyond.

9. As I said in my New Year message, living in State House does not in any way alienate me from your daily struggles. I read the newspapers and listen to the TV and radio news. I hear your cries. I share your pains.

10. We are experiencing probably the toughest economic times in the history of our Nation. I want to commend the sacrifice, resilience and toughness of all Nigerians young and old who have despite the hardships continued to have hope and confidence of a great future for Nigerians. But permit me to say that this government is also like none other. We are absolutely committed to changing the structure of the Nigerian economy once and for all.

11.We are working night and day to diversify the economy so that we never again have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country. So that we can produce the food we eat, make our own textiles, produce most of the things we use. We intend to create the environment for our young peoples to be able to innovate and create jobs through technology.

12. I cannot promise you that this will be an easy journey, but in the interest of so much and so many we must tread this difficult path. I can assure you that this government you have freely elected will work with honesty and dedication, day and night to ensure that our country prospers and that the prosperity benefits all Nigerians. God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.

EFCC Releases CEOs Of Access Bank, Sterling Bank After They Refund Billions Of Naira

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the chief executive officers of two Nigerian banks after the men returned billions of naira they had illicitly acquired from political slush funds during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKMAY 07, 2016

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the chief executive officers of two Nigerian banks after the men returned billions of naira they had illicitly acquired from political slush funds during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Two EFCC sources told SaharaReporters that Sterling Bank’s CEO, Yemi Adeola, who was arrested on Wednesday in a raid on his bank by EFCC operatives, was released last night after he deposited a payment of N5 billion. According to one of our sources, the money returned by Mr. Adeola was in partial restitution for a transaction of $88 million he received from Nigeria's former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Mr. Adeola is expected to pay back a total of N17 billion to the recovery accounts of the Nigerian treasury within two weeks.

Also released last night was Herbert Wigwe, the Managing Director of Access Bank Plc., who was arrested yesterday after EFCC agents raided the bank headquarters in Lagos. 

A source at the EFCC told SaharaReporters that some notable personalities, including Oba Akiolu of Lagos and the bank's former CEO, Aig-Imokhuede, had pressured the anti-corruption agency to grant Mr. Wigwe bail. “We refused all such entreaties until Mr. Wigwe returned $5 million.” EFCC investigators said Zenith Bank had illicitly transferred the $5 million to Access Bank from a slush fund arranged by Ms. Alison-Madueke.

The EFCC source said the agency was conducting discreet investigations and recoveries of plundered funds from rogue bank CEOs who assisted Ms. Alison-Madueke and other officials of President Jonathan’s administration to launder funds. He added that most of the funds were laundered through opaque accounts that were kept “off records” by bank MDS.

The case of Access Bank was also linked to oil businessmen Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko, now a fugitive. Between them, both men are suspected to have stolen more than $6 billion from oil proceeds that should have accrued to the Nigerian government treasury.

According to an EFCC source, the two oil businessmen’s link at Access Bank is an executive director, Angela Ebagua, who is Omokore's wife. EFCC investigators who recently searched Ms. Ebagua Lagos home found her in possession of a $600k wristwatch.

One of our EFCC sources disclosed that the agency was now looking at First Bank. He said the EFCC’s investigation of the bank was focusing on the bank’s role in laundering more than $1 billion for the National Security Adviser’s office during the tenure of Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who is on trial for funneling billions of dollars of security funds into private hands. The source added that First Bank may have helped launder funds for Ms. Alison-Madueke, Mr. Omokore, and Mr. Aluko. EFCC officials recently invited a former CEO of the bank, Bisi Onasanya, for a chat