Oil Subsidy Fraud Trial Resumes!

A Lagos High Court Judge summoned a witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to appear before the court in in the ongoing trial of an oil marketer, Opeyemi Ajuyah, over allegations of fuel subsidy fraud.

Justice Lateefat Okunnu issued a witness summons on Engineer Kehinde Akinmoloyan.

Ajuyah and her company, Majope Investment, are standing trial alongside another oil marketer, Abdullahi Alao, and his company, Axe Eneryg Nigeria Limited, and Olanrewaju Olalusi, a staff of Sterling Bank Plc, over an alleged N1,1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, EFCC Prosecuting Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that Akimolayan, who is a principal witness in the trial, had refused to honour invitations to give evidence in the matter.

Oyedepo claimed the witness had alleged that some persons were after his life and only recently attempted to gain entrance into his residential building.

He said that despite several assurances, the witness had remained adamant on not showing up before the court to give evidence in the case.

Oyedepo prayed the court to issues a witness summons against the witness before the next adjourned date of the trial.

Justice Okunnu subsequently granted the request and directed the court register to issue a summon against the witness.

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Okonjo-Iweala Disowns U.S.$9.3 Million Arms Funds!

There appear to be no end in sight yet in the search for the source or owner of the $9.3 million ceased from two Nigerians and an Israeli by the South African Government, as Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Ikonjo-Iweala says she has no knowledge of the fund.

 Nigeria's Finance Minister, Ngozi Ikonjo-Iweala 

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala told newsmen yesterday at the Yola International Airport after flagging off the Presidential Committee's distribution of relief materials to victims of Boko Haram in Adamawa State that her ministry was not aware of the funds purportedly meant for arms purchase.

"It is only the Ministry of Defence that can speak on that issue, we in the Ministry of Finance are not in the picture of such money or project, we are not arms project ministry," she said.

The minister further blamed government's silence on its activities on opposition parties for their attack on President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that no administration had performed better than the present one in terms of economic, human and infrastructure development.

"That the present government is not making noise over its activities does not mean it is not working, this government is doing everything possible to ensure that Nigerians are comfortable," she maintained.

Okonjo-Iweala further refuted the alleged political colouration in the distribution of the relief materials, saying the claim was fabricated by those afraid of Jonathan's scored card.

"We are here in line with the 'Safe School Initiative' of the Federal Government and to see that the relief materials are enough to carter for all victims that are able to find their way into the Yola refugee camp," she explained.

Also, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna, who was on the entourage, said the Federal Government was packaging some programmes that would empower jobless youths.

He noted that the military success in Konduga, Borno State, and the killing of several insurgents, including their acclaimed leader, Abubakar Shekau, was a pointer that Jonathan's government was on top of the security crisis in the region. He urged the region and the entire north to support government's efforts in the development of the area.

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Ebola and the Media - Nigeria's Good News Story!

When an Internet message announcing a salt water solution for Ebola went viral in July, many Nigerians were quick to take heed. Twenty people were hospitalized and two died, reportedly from an excessive intake of salt.

Madam Franca was among those ready to believe in the power of salt water. "My niece, who happens to be a nurse, sent me an SMS that early morning, and I obeyed it," Franca explained. "I had to do anything to stop Ebola from coming close to me. I bathed with salt water, morning and night for two good days, but I did not drink. I am hypertensive. I also sent all my family and close friends the SMS."

Nigerians watched with growing unease as the Ebola outbreak spread through Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Few believed the creaking health infrastructure or the government's managerial skills would be able to survive such a test. So when Ebola-positive Liberian Patrick Sawyer stepped off a plane in Lagos airport on 20 July, collapsed and died, social media exploded.

But it was not just the salt water claims and bogus pastors promising salvation that made the running: government agencies and proactive individuals also took to the Internet to quickly debunk the rumours and offer proper advice. The authorities also threatened to arrest anyone spreading falsehoods, starting with the salt water "cure". There was, after all, a plan in place.

A mass audience for messages

At 67 million users, Nigeria reportedly has the eighth largest Internet population in the world. It also had close to 166 million mobile subscribers as of June. (The country's population is 175 million.)

With so many Nigerians online, portals like ebolaalert.org set up by volunteer doctors, and the public/private ebolafact.com initiative, have become important channels to provide accurate information to help people stay safe. They complement telephone hotlines and more traditional public health approaches.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has also taken a role in the communications work on Ebola, using the SMS portal UReport. UReport Nigeria is a free SMS platform designed as a community-based two-way information exchange mechanism. According to UNICEF Communications Specialist Geoffrey Njoku, over 57,000 people received more than 3.6 million SMS containing key messages about Ebola and how to stay protected over a six-week period.

Comfort and confidence

For some who have used the service, like Dr Adoara Igonoh, an Ebola survivor, the advice given offered reassurance and quelled fears. "I began to think about my mother," Igonoh recalled. "She was under surveillance along with my other family members. I was worried. She had touched my sweat. I couldn't get the thought out of my mind. Hours later on Twitter I came across a tweet from the WHO [World Health Organization] saying that the sweat of an Ebola patient cannot transmit it at the late stage. That settled it for me. It calmed the storms that were raging within me concerning my parents."

Nigeria has won praise from the international community for its response to the outbreak. While Ebola continues to burn in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, in Nigeria it appears to have been contained with only 21 confirmed cases and eight deaths - with the last case reported on 8 September and tracing having proven effective.

"A key issue in the fight against Ebola after the provision of the necessary human and technical infrastructure is information management," said Tochuwu Akunyii, an online writer on public policy and international development. "In information management, the dissemination of accurate information is crucial; social media can be vital in this process." Akunyii pays particular tribute to Nigerian youth and its use of forums and platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

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Buhari Confirms Interest in Presidential Bid!

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday declared interest to contest for Presidency in the forthcoming 2015 elections.

Buhari, who would be aspiring for the plum job the fourth time now on the platform of the APC, told his supporters amidst a defeaning applause: "With your support, I intend to offer myself for the position of the president of the country on the platform of our great party. I intend to make a formal announcement soon and I hope I can count on your continuing support and sacrifice."

Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

He assured that if the APC is voted into power, it would address the multi-faceted problems besetting the polity.

He said: "We are the alternative the nation has been waiting for. We are committed to democracy and entrenching its culture in Nigeria. We are committed to the principles of good governance and making them work in this country.

"We are committed to public probity and entrenching a culture of accountability in the conduct of government business. Because we are committed to developing the potentials of this nation into true greatness, we shall bring about transformative change in this country - change in the way things are done and change in the way things are undone; change in the way this nation is left unsecured and mismanaged; and change in the way corruption is pampered and worshipped; and we shall install a culture of openness in public affairs. We shall develop this land and go after prosperity and get it for our long suffering people."

He thereby urged his supporters to remain faithful to the APC irrespective of the outcome of the presidential primaries where he will slug it out with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for the ticket of the party.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) yesterday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to caution political parties who use third-party machineries to carry out political campaigns even as the time for electioneering campaigns have not begun as provided by the Electoral Act.

IPAC Chairman, Tanko Yinusa who made the call while speaking at the quarterly meeting of INEC and registered political parties yesterday at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja told the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, that the council at its last meeting on September 26, 2014 frowned at the new system of campaign whereby political parties use third-party machineries to carry out campaigns.

Yinusa alleged that senior government officials in power are behind the violation of the electoral guidelines, which he noted, stipulates that election campaign must start 90 days before the election.

In the same vein, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed INEC for acting too little, too late by issuing a warning on illegal public political broadcast and campaign, saying the commission's belated action is highly suspicious.

In a statement issued in London yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said INEC's action, coming after the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan have been campaigning endlessly for the 2015 elections, can only be to the disadvantage of other candidates and political parties.

The party said: "Is it a ploy by INEC to give undue advantage to the PDP and its adopted sole presidential candidate, President Jonathan, in next year's elections?

"When did INEC become aware that these actions are illegal, considering that Section 221 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which INEC quoted in its warning letter, says 'no association, other than a political party, shall canvas for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any political candidate at an election."

The IPAC chairman while urging INEC to, as a matter of urgency, stop the third-party campaign, disclosed that the council has given its total support to the proposal by INEC to create about 30,000 new polling units across the country, stressing that it was long overdue, especially with the increase in the population as well as other new settlements.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Jega said the commission's quarterly meeting with the registered political parties would now be conducted every month, adding that the desire of INEC and the political parties to constantly deliberate on how to make the forthcoming election free, fair, credible and widely accepted by majority of Nigerians and international community has given rise to the decision to meet every month.

He added that moving down the meeting from quarterly to monthly would make the commission and the political parties deliberate extensively on issues of mutual concerns, especially with regards to preparing for the 2015 general elections.

The INEC Chairman, while stressing on the need for all the registered political parties to collaborate fully with the commission towards ensuring the conduct of an election that would be rated high internationally and also devoid of violence.

Buhari further said: "If I get the party nomination, I expect you will redouble your effort and commitment until we clinch the Presidency. But in the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who wins, I expect you as good party men to extend to him your support. We are a united party, and united we shall remain, because our strength lies in our unity."

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Obama Congratulates Nigeria at 54, Pledges Support Against Terrorism!

United States President Barack Obama has sent his greetings and that of the American people to Nigerians on the 54th independence anniversary of the country.

In a letter addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan, Obama acknowledged Nigeria's leadership role in Africa and at the United Nations (UN) towards promoting regional peace and stability.

The letter made available by the US Embassy in Abuja read in part: "At the heart of our enduring friendship is our shared commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, and economic development.

"We look forward to strengthening our relationship and working closely in the coming year, especially in promoting good governance and combating terrorism. As Nigerians observe this special day, we wish you a more peaceful and prosperous year." Obama added that the US was looking forward to strengthening its relationship with Nigeria in the coming year, especially on good governance.

In addition to Obama's congratulatory message, Senate President David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday urged Nigerians to sustain their faith in Nigeria and remain steadfast in the effort to promote peace and the unity of Nigeria no matter the challenges.

Mark, in a goodwill message to Nigerians to mark today's 54th independence anniversary, said the indivisibility of the nation was not negotiable as he recalled the nation's chequered political history since 1960, during which Nigeria went through a 30-month fratricidal civil war, various ethno-religious conflicts, adding that the crises were surmountable.

He dismissed as untrue the perception in some quarters that Nigeria had not made progress since independence, saying: "Let us cast our minds back a little and see the number of roads, schools, universities, health institutions, telecommunications infrastructure and a host of others.

"We may not have been where we want to be but we have made appreciable progress and we can do more. All we need to do is to strengthen our unity as one people with one mission and purpose.

"A stable democracy has offered us an opportunity to harness our abundant resources for good.

"Nigeria has passed through many challenges in the past and we came out of it. The security challenges; this Boko Haram can be defeated if we unite to fight them. I believe Boko Haram, terrorism or the insurgency is alien to us as a people. We have the capacity to defeat them and confine them to the dustbin of history."

He added: "We cannot correct perceived imbalances by taking up arms against our brothers, sisters and the nation. We must therefore continue to shun individuals or groups that encourage, preach and practise division among our people. We must shun every harbinger of hate and bond together as a people of common interest and destiny.

"As legislators we will continue to do our part to wit; provide the needed legislative framework for the executive arm of government to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.

"Let me use this occasion to remind our fellow country men and women that as 2015 elections approach, we must not lose sight of the fact that the election should not be seen as war. We must play the game according to the rules."

Source: ThisDay

Nigeria

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Death Row Soldiers Still in Underground Cells!

About a week after the 12 soldiers condemned to death by a military court-martial were moved to military facilities in Kainji in Niger State and Lagos, LEADERSHIP has again gathered that the soldiers are still being kept in an underground cell.

A source said last night that they were still in the cell waiting for their appeals to be fixed for hearing and determination.

The source further said that the soldiers are no longer being fed well compared to the way they were fed before they moved them to the cell.

"They no longer eat well since they were moved to the underground cell. They fed them better than now that they have been moved. We are waiting for the court to hear and determine their appeals," the source said.

Last week, a Nigerian newspaper exclusively reported that the soldiers had been moved to the military intelligence headquarters in Apapa, Lagos State and that they were facing inhuman treatment where they were kept.

The source, however, revealed last night that the inhuman treatment meted out to them initially had stopped.

The soldiers were tried and convicted for mutiny by a military court-martial about two weeks ago.

Since the verdict was passed on the soldiers, many Nigerians have been appealing to the military authorities to reduce their sentence, with some even appealing to President Goodluck Jonathan to temper justice with mercy.

We're Still Searching for Missing aircraft

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force last night disclosed that the situation remained the same with the missing aircraft: it is still trying to determine the whereabouts of its missing fighter jet.

"We are still searching for the aircraft. The search team is still at work. Every information received so far has not given us a clue about its location," the spokesman of the NAF, Air Commodore Dele Alonge, said.

Two weeks ago, specifically on September 14, the Defence Headquarters, through its spokesman, Major-General Chris Olukolade, had announced that an Air Force Alpha jet involved in operations in north-east Nigeria was missing.

"An Alpha Jet (NAF 466) belonging to the Nigerian Air Force is missing around Adamawa State.

"The aircraft, with two pilots onboard, left Yola at about 10:45am on September 12, 2014, on a routine operational mission and was expected back by 12pm. Since then, all efforts to establish contact with the aircraft have not yielded any positive result. Search-and-rescue efforts towards establishing contact with the crew are ongoing," a statement issued by Olukolade had read.

We must unite to defeat Boko Haram- Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that lack of unity among Nigerians was the main reason why the country was yet to defeat the deadly terror group, Boko Haram, and contain its activities which had claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people.

He urged politicians and highly placed Nigerian to be mindful of their action, saying that while it was usual to struggle for political space, such actions should be done with caution taking cognizance of the fact that the country needs to remain strong and united for the good of all citizens.

Speaking at the interdenominational church service to mark the 54th independence anniversary of the country which was held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, Jonathan cited the country's successful containment of the Ebola Virus disease as a battle won against a deadly disease because the country was united irrespective of political affiliations.

He said, "When I listen to some comments by some highly placed individuals, I feel sorry for this country. There are some of us who, while struggling to get what we desire, we have even forgotten that we cannot get that if we destroy our country. So, if we come together, while pursuing whatever achievement we want - I believe that we don't have any other country than Nigeria - I am sure we will overcome Boko Haram.

"We were able to defeat Ebola because all Nigerians agreed together in waging a war against the disease. That is the strength of unity," the president added, even as he observed that some of the challenges the country was facing "whether kidnapping or the greatest problem we are having - which is terror - is because all of us have not united to fight these challenges".

Noting that the Armed forces has done well and only needed the encouragement from Nigerians to do better, Jonathan commended the security services for doing their best in spite of their challenges, including sabotage.

The president further declared Nigeria is great because of the strength and resilience of its people and not due to its oil and abundant natural resources, noting that "Nigeria is a poor country if you look at the resources and the population."

On his part, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said that all the problems facing Nigeria were self-inflicted, including corruption and insurgency.

Galadiman Kano, Is Dead!

The Galadiman Kano, Tijjani Hashim, one of the most powerful members of the Kano emirate council, is dead. 

Acording to information, he died in the early hours of Monday in Abuja.

The late Hashim was a a very close ally of the late Premier of the north and Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello. He served as a regional minister under the Sardauna.

As the Galadima, Mr. Hashim was the most senior prince in Kano Emirate and was by birth, like the current emir, Sanusi II, an heir to the throne of the Emir of Kano when the late emir Ado Bayero died.

Although his father was never an emir, Galadima's  grand father, Abbas, ruled Kano from 1903 to 1919.

Mr. Hashim was arguably the most powerful member of the Kano emirate council and was close to virtually all presidents and head of state of northern extraction.

He was 79.