11/03/17

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Friday, said it does not see the possibility of postponing the Anambra State governorship election scheduled to hold on November 18.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra, Dr. Nwachukwu Orji, who spoke during a dialogue session he held with a coalition of over 70 Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, under the platform of ‘The Situation Room, said he was confident that the electoral body has put adequate machinary in place with a view to ensuring a hitch free election in Anambra state.

Orji however decried that barely 15 days to the election, many electorates in the state had yet to collect their Permanent Voters Card, PVC. He said that a total of 203,000 new PVCs were printed, out of which 54, 000 were collected within three days after INEC started sharing them.

The Anambra REC further revealed that additional 45, 000 PVCs were also printed to cover for some people that were not captured initially.

He said INEC was optimistic that at least one-third of the printed PVCs would be handed to the owners before the election date, saying the electoral body had embarked on massive sensitization campaign aimed at galvanising the electorates to come out and vote during the election.

Responding to a question on whether INEC is nursing any plan to shift the poll, Orji said: “I don’t see the possibility of postponing the election.

The conditions for such postponement does not exist at the moment except something happens”. The Anambra REC equally allayed fears that INEC could be compromised by politicians.

He said: “This is the very first time that politicians in Anambra are going to the field to look for votes. Formally, they come to INEC to look for votes. Now our office is very dry. They are all in the field talking to the electorates”.

Meantime, on security preparations for the election, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Anambra state, Mr. Mike Okoli, maintained that recent deployment of twenty-three Mobile Police Units (PMF) by the Inspector-Gene

General of Police to the command has helped to reduce crime and criminality in the state.

“The effective utilization of these units has helped to ensure that criminal elements relocate from the state before the election and build the confidence of the people of the state on the ability of the police to provide adequate security in the state before, during and after the election”, he added.

He said recent proscription order placed on the Indeginous People of Biafra, IPOB, has robustly boosted security, peace and order in Anambra State.

“The group which hitherto threatened that there will be no election in the state has virtually disappeared, thus, giving room for a peaceful environment for the conduct of the gubernatorial election in the state.

“In addition, the Operation Python Dance II (Egwu-Eke II) has put the final nail on the coffinof miscreants in the state.

The Command is therefore intensifying efforts to sustain the existing calm for a peaceful, crime free and credible election in November 18, 2017”.

He said the Command has identified eleven flashpoints in the state where it would emplace extra security for peaceful conduct of the election.

Okoli listed the said flashpoints as Aguleri/Umuleri, Anam/Nzam Riverline Area, Achalla, Ajalli, Ekwulobia, Ihialla, Okpoko, Ozubulu, Onitsha, Umunze and Otuocha.

He said a total number of 21, 084 policemen would be deployed for the election, saying any officer that compromise standard with politiciand would be severely dealt with.

“It is important to note that the Police are usually accused of being used by politicians to intimidate opponents and to rig elections.

“We are mindful of this allegation, and have therefore educated our men to discharge their functions with keen awareness of the national responsibilty entrusted to them without fear or favour.

“They have been warned to display the highest level of integtity, transparency and professionalism in the conduct of the election”.

Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.


The Osun State Government has thrown its weight behind the police invitation sent to a former Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, over the alleged assault on a former governor of the state, the late Isiaka Adeleke.

This was contained in the minutes of the State Executive Council Meeting posted on a whatsApp platform by the Media Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Sola Fasure,  in Osogbo on Thursday.

The report of the SEC meeting presided over by Governor Rauf Aregbesola read, “Council was briefed on the invitation extended by the police to suspects who were alleged to have assaulted the former governor of Osun State, the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, in an Osogbo hotel in 2014.

“Council held that the invitation is in order, agreeing that we are a society of law and order. That a crime was committed three years ago and the victim has passed on, does not mean that justice cannot be served or that a criminal should escape justice.”

The police had invited Omisore over the allegation that he, a former Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Jelili Adesiyan and one Sogo Agboola assaulted Adeleke shortly before the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2014.

Omisore had, while reacting to the police invitation, accused the All Progressives Congress-led government of using the police to silence him ahead of the next governorship poll in 2018.

But the party debunked the allegation, saying Omisore should leave the APC out of his issues he had with the law enforcement agents.

The council also expressed satisfaction with the concession arrangement of the MKO Abiola International Airport in Ido Osun with a company.

It read, “Council received report on the concessioning of the MKO Abiola International Airport, Ido Osun, to All Works of Life Development Organisation (AWOL International Limited).
Council expressed satisfaction on the arrangement and urged all the parties to do everything possible to deliver the first phase on or before the eight months envisaged in the agreement.

“Council condemned the campaign of calumny embarked upon by the opposition, saying the falsehood being peddled by the party is not just opposition rhetoric but a grand plan to scuttle the project. Council then admonished the people of the state to be vigilant and not allow them to sabotage this lofty project.”
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.
 
 Senator Misau & IGP. Ibrahim Idris



The ad hoc committee set up to probe the allegations and counter-allegations between the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Senator Isa Misau, and the Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday reported the police boss to the Senate over his non-appearance.

Idris on Wednesday failed to appear before the committee. He wrote through his lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN), to inform the panel that his appearance would be sub judice as there were pending cases in court on the matter.

The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate the Various Allegations Levelled against the Police, Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission, Senator Francis Alimikhena, who raised a point of order at the plenary on Thursday, told the lawmakers that his panel would not stop the probe as requested by Idris’ lawyers but had re-invited the police boss.

He said, “The Inspector-General of Police failed to appear before the ad hoc committee yesterday (Wednesday), 1st November, 2017. The committee received a letter from Alex Iziyon (SAN) and Co that they were acting on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police to write to the committee to stand down the investigation or, if possible, put it in a permanent abeyance because, according to the letter, the matter is before the FCT High Court.

“The letter from Iziyon cannot stop the committee from performing its constitutional role. The committee therefore resolved accordingly to once again invite the Inspector General of Police to appear before the committee on Tuesday, 7th of November, 2017, unfailingly.”

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, asked Alimikhena to report back to the chamber on whatever happens on the new date, while asking Idris to obey the law and appear before the panel.

He said, “As the chief law enforcement officer, who we expect to know what the law is, should know that there are judgments that clearly state that such cannot stop the Senate from doing its job and I think that he is best advised to follow the law and ensure that he has nothing to hide, and come and appear like anyone else before the committee.

“So, report back to us next Tuesday on the outcome of that.”
Misau last week appeared before the panel, where he made more allegations against the Police boss, including how Idris gave two Sports Utility Vehicles to the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari.

He also alleged that the IG diverted funds appropriated for the acquisition of Armoured Personnel Carriers in the 2016 budget to purchase of personal vehicles.

Alimikhena, while addressing journalists on Wednesday, insisted that the police boss must appear before the committee, threatening that the panel might be forced to issue a warrant for the IG’s arrest.

He said, “So, I just want to let you know that the Inspector-General of Police will not be appearing this afternoon but we are going to wrote him again to appear before us on Tuesday next week.

“Otherwise, we will be forced to invoke Section 89 (c) of the Constitution.”

The Senate had on October 4, 2017, resolved to probe into Misau’s allegations bordering on corruption and misconduct against Idris.

Saraki had mandated the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the circumstances surrounding Misau’s disengagement from the Nigeria Police. Idris had alleged that Misau was a deserter.

Saraki also set up an ad hoc committee to probe into the allegations against the Nigeria Police and Idris, including alleged collection of N120bn annually from high-profile persons and corporate organisations for security services.
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.



A former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services, Dennis Amacree, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission knows where the ex-chairman of the defunct Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, is.

Amacree said this during an interview on a breakfast television show, Sunrise Daily, on Channels Television on Thursday.

Also, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to arrest and prosecute Maina.

When asked if the EFCC should seek help from sister agencies in finding Maina, Amacree said, “Well, they can do that but I believe strongly that they know where he is. They do but it might be difficult for them to get to him because he has surrounded himself with a bunch of people.”

Amacree said the DSS also possessed intelligence on Maina’s whereabouts but the feud between the acting EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, and the DSS Director General, Lawal Daura, was preventing the two agencies from cooperating.

“The EFCC is looking for him but it was claimed that the DSS was protecting him and so intelligence will not be shared. The break in synergy did not start today. Remember that Magu was supposed to be confirmed by the Senate and he hasn’t been confirmed till now because of a letter from the DSS. So, there is no love lost between them.”

He said there was a general belief that President Muhammadu Buhari was fully aware of Maina’s reinstatement and his whereabouts.

The former DSS assistant director wondered why Buhari would go ahead to reinstate Maina after the Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, warned him against it.

“The HoS said she advised the President not to reinstate Maina. So, let someone come out and tell us the truth,” he added.

Amacree said Maina’s governorship posters were all over the streets of Maiduguri, adding that the intention of those who reinstated him was to make him the next governor of Borno State.

He said, “If you go to Maiduguri you will see his posters everywhere where he says he wants to be governor. I don’t think he came back because he just wanted to be a director in the ministry. I think this was one of the steps he wanted to take before becoming governor.”

The former DSS official said the open argument between the HoS and the President’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday showed that there was disunity within Buhari’s cabinet

“You can see the anger in the HoS. Apparently she feels they are dragging her into something she was not aware of. So, it was her way of expressing that this is wrong.”

When asked to explain how Maina, who is wanted by the EFCC, returned into the country and resumed work at the Ministry of Interior, Amacree said it was due to the lack of cooperation among security agencies.

He said, “That shows you the gap of communication that is right now and I think it is something that must be fixed right away. He is on the EFCC wanted list and they are accusing the DSS of protecting him and it has been back and forth.

“All the fingers are now pointing at the Attorney-General of the Federation but no one is coming out to say anything.”

Afenifere, which frowned on the alleged recalling and promotion of Maina in the federal service, said Maina’s case was an embarrassment to the anti-corruption fight of the current administration.

The group stated this in the communiqué issued at the end of its monthly meeting held at the residence of its leader, Chief Rueben Fasoranti in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Tuesday. The communiqué was read by the Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Mr. Yinka Odumakin.

The Afenifere also warned the Federal Government not to sweep the case under the carpet and must ensure that Maina and other officials of government that involved in the matter were brought to book.

Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.
 
Mr. Christian Nwosu



An ex-Administrative Secretary with the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Christian Nwosu, admitted on Thursday that he received and signed for the sum of N264.8m at a branch of Fidelity Bank in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

He added that though he received N30m out of the N264.8m, he did not benefit personally from the money but spent it on logistics.

Nwosu stated this before the Federal High Court in Lagos where he is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly conspiring with two other INEC officials to take a total bribe of N264.88m from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to compromise the elections.

The anti-graft agency claimed the N264.8m was part of the sum of $115.01m, which Diezani allegedly stashed away in the bank for conversion and onward disbursement to several individuals across the 36 states of the federation.

But Nwosu said though he went to the bank to collect the N224.8m out of which he got N30m, he did not benefit from the money.

He said the money was for logistics, adding that he acted under the instructions of one Mr. Togba, who directed him over the telephone to visit the bank to collect the money.

Nwosu said this while being cross-examined by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, during a trial-within-trial ordered by Justice Mohammed Idris.

The trial-within-trial is to test the voluntariness of confessional statements which Nwosu made to the EFCC.

Asked by the prosecutor whether he indeed collected and signed for money, Nwosu answered in the affirmative. He however added, “I did not personally benefit from the N30m. The ad hoc staff benefitted because the election went smoothly with the assistance of the logistical support. My commission was aware of the money and the evidence was that the election went smoothly.”

Asked whether he received the money in cash or cheque, the defendant said, “The money was not given to me by way of cheque. We were asked to go to the bank to collect the money. No cheque was given to me at the bank. I just signed a document at the bank, which confirmed the receipt of the money.

“I confirmed receiving N264,880,000 on March 27, 2015. I did not instruct the bank to transfer the money to any account because it was not for me but for the coordinator, Mr. Isa Adedoyin, who was to ensure that the money got to the ad hoc staff.”

He said the N30m he got for the settlement of the ad hoc staff logistics was paid in two tranches into his bank accounts.

He said he first received the payment of N17m paid into his Diamond Bank account on April 7, 2015 while N13m was also paid into his Union Bank account on April 13, 2015.

Nwosu had earlier pleaded guilty to the bribery and money laundering charges and opted for a plea bargain, after which the EFCC told the court that it had already recovered N5m cash and a landed property worth N25m from him.

But Nwosu later abandoned the plea bargain after Justice Idris rejected the N500,000 fine proposed for him as punishment by the EFCC.

Justice Idris had held that by virtue of Section 16(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, under which Nwosu was charged, he was supposed to pay a fine of N10m or go to jail for two years.

Further proceedings in the case have been adjourned till November 15.
Continue reading

at
Latest Reality Blog is a legal blog where you are updated on online latest news, gist, entertainment, events, motivational text, and genue articles.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has assured corps members who are yet to receive their personal allowances that the federal government has released funds for their payment.

This was made known on Friday through a statement by the scheme’s Director of Public Relations, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe.

According to her, the delay in settling outstanding Corps members’ personal allowances was as a result of technical problems with the payment platform.

While assuring the Corps members that service providers are working round the clock to restore connectivity so as to allow seamless crediting of their accounts, Mrs. Aderibigbe said they should expect full payment in a couple of days.

The statement reads: “The Management of the National Youth Service Corps regrets the delay being experienced in the payment of personal allowance to Corps members.

“Management wishes to inform Corps members and the rest of the public that funds have since been released by the Federal Government, but the delay is as a result of technical problems with the payment platform.

“We wish to further inform that the service providers are working round the clock to restore connectivity so as to allow seamless crediting of Corps members’ accounts. We are confident that this will be achieved in a couple of days.

“Management appreciates the patience shown by Corps members in the face of this unforeseen challenge, and appeals for more understanding as we are working assiduously with the relevant agencies to address the problem.

“Payment of Corps members’ allowance is a top priority for the Federal Government and the NYSC Scheme, and wish to restate our commitment to the welfare of the youth on national service at all times.”

Continue reading
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)