We Can’t fully Implement The 2016 Budget – FG

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, on Wednesday declared the Federal Government cannot fully implement the N6.06 trillion 2016 budget as passed by the National Assembly.
Lawal told a joint Senate committee on Appropriations, Finance and Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions that the revenues of the government had dropped by 50 to 60 per cent contrary to projections.
The SGF was invited by the Senate to explain his comment that the 2016 constituency projects as captured in the budget would not be implemented.
He pointedly blamed the drop in Nigeria’s revenue on activities of militants in the Niger Delta.
Lawal noted that the oil benchmark of $38 per barrel fixed by the Federal Government has been drastically dislocated.
He added that the benchmark has been grossly affected by activities of militants in the Niger Delta.
The SGF said, “The statement is correct. That is my statement, we cannot guarantee the implementation of constituency projects in the 2016 budget. As a government, constituency projects are championed by members of the National Assembly. Like the legislature, members of the executive are politicians who canvassed for votes.
“Lawmakers are aware that oil barrels had dwindled to about 800,000 per day. This has led to the inability of government to finance the budget. It is the duty of government to prepare the minds of Nigerians ahead that there will be challenges in implementing the budget.
“Government based its principle on zero budgeting this year. Funds will be released to finance key projects in line with the implementation plans of the government. I will explain why it will be hard for the government to implement the budget.
“I spoke with the Minister of Budget this morning and I asked him the revenue base of the government. We are now receiving about 50 to 60 earnings from what we projected.”
“Some Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) might find it impossible to implement projects appropriated in their budgets. We have to re-prioritize. I like us to understand that this is the background upon which I made that statement. “

Source: The Nation

CCB: Buratai Declared $1.5m Mansion In Wife’s Name

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has opened up on the acquisition of $1.5 million mansions by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai.
The bureau said its records showed that the assets of Buratai in Dubai were declared in his wife’s name
The CCB made the clarification in a July 11 letter by Mrs. Ijeanuli Arinze Ofor, to Ugochukwu Osuagwu of St. Francis Xavier Solicitors and Advocates in Abuja.

Osuagwu had requested information on Buratai “pursuant to Section 1 and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.
The CCB said: “We refer to your mail dated Jun 29, 2016. We wish to state here that Gen. Tukar Yusuf Buratai, after his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff, declared his assets as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“He was served the Form CCB-I on July 21, 2015, and returned same on August 21, 2015.
“We also wish to confirm that his property at Dubai was declared in the wife’s name. Please, accept the warmest regards of the chairman.”
In a June 29, 2016, letter of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Osuagwu sought clarification on whether or not Buratai declared the controversial mansions.
The letter said: “We request that the CCB, pursuant to the FOI Act 2011, avail us the following concerning the declarations of Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai.
“On July 13, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Gen. Buratai as Chief of Army Staff. The newspapers are awash that Gen. Buratai and his two wives in 2013 paid 1,498,534.00 AED (N120 million/ $419,000) for a Dubai property, Project TFG Marina Hotel, Unit 2711.
“Sale documents indicated that the property was handed over to the Buratais on January 13, 2013, prior to his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff.
“For the purpose of clarity sir, we request you as follows: (1) Confirm if Gen.Tukur Yusuf Buratai declared his asset with you upon his appointment on July 13, 2015, as Chief of Army Staff; (2) Whether the above property he bought with his wife was also declared with the CCB.
“Kindly avail us a reply within the time allowed under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 as much as you can sir.”
The Executive Chairman of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Mr. Debo Adeniran, said assets declarations to the CCB, by public officials,  should be made public for the purpose of transparency and public scrutiny.
Adeniran, who made his position known in a statement in Lagos, said public officers should not hide their assets.
He, however, asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe Gen. Buratai.

Buhari seeks Magu’s confirmation as EFCC chairman

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday requested the Senate to confirm Mr. Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
A letter from the President, read at plenary by the president of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, also sought the confirmation of Messrs Nasule Moses, Lawan Mamman, Galadanci Imam, and Adeleke Rafiu as members of the commission, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
President Buhari requested the Senate to confirm the list of the persons at the shortest time possible.

Court Grants Abba Moro Permission To Travel Abroad For Medical Treatment

Former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro has been granted permission to seek medical attention abroad by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Moro’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN) had prayed the court to allow his client seek medical treatment abroad.
Lawyer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farouk Abdallah, while arguing that the ex-minister failed to show that his ailment cannot be treated in the country, and that he also failed to provide evidence of an appointment with a specialist abroad opposed the motion.
However, Justice Dimgba, in a brief ruling, ordered the release of Moro’s international passport, currently in the custody of the court’s registrar and directed him to return the passport to the court 48 hours after his return from the two-week medical trip.
The judge also ordered Moro to ensure his presence in court on September 29 for the continuation of their trial.
Moro is being tried with a former Permanent Secretary in the Interior Ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia‎, an ex-director in the ministry, Felix .O Alayebami and a firm, Drexel Tech Nigeria Limited, on an 11-count charge of defrauding 675, 675 graduate applicants of about N675,675,000 having been made to pay N1000 each as processing fees for 5,000 (five thousand) job openings
They are being tried over their alleged involvement in the botched 2014 recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) while Moro was Minister.
The four defendants were also accused of breaching the Public Procurement Act, No. 65 of 2007 in the award of the contract for the organisation of the recruitment test to Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd.

Lagos Senators Drag Melaye Over Comments Against Tinubu’s Wife

A Lagos Senator representing Lagos East Constituency and Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Gbenga Ashafa has expressed his displeasure at Senator Dino Melaye’s ‘uncouth’ remarks to Senator Remi Tinubu, wife of a former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu. INFORMATION NIGERIA brings you everything he said in this piece.

They reviewed the matter

1. Having reviewed the undenied happenings in the senate on 12th July 2016, myself and @YAYIAdeola have since issued a press release to wit:

— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

They are not pleased

2. We deplore in very strong terms the use of abusive, threatening, uncouth, vulgar and un-parliamentary language by ANY senator.
— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

And only appreciate dialogue and due process

3. We are strongly in favour of resolving ANY conflict that has arisen in course of our representation through dialogue and due process.

— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

But would tolerate threat or intimidation

4. We will not be part of any solution obtained through any form of coercion, threat, intimidation and ungentlemanly conduct of a senator.
— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

And they refuse to be part of those comments

5. We dissociate ourselves from the comments and behavior of Sen. Dino Melaye (APC – Kogi West) at the Executive Session of 12th July 2016.

— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

And their reason thus;

6. … Reason being, we represent people known for finer character and noble culture of social interaction in Lagos State.
— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

And would make things better

7. We equally state that we will be part of efforts to instill and enshrine decorum & gentlemanly conduct associated with the Upper Chamber

— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

They noted their disgust at the abuse

8. We particularly take offense to the use of abusive and denigrating words against the person of Distinguished Senator @oluremitinubu .
— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

And they said Melaye’s words were demeaning

9. The words of Senator Melaye greatly demeaned the female gender and the hallowed chamber of the Senate. #NoToViolenceAgaintWomen

— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

They said they are not scared o

10. Pursuant to the threat of physical abuse against Senator Oluremi Tinubu by Senator Dino Melaye we state that we are not lily-livered…
— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

They said no one can intimidate them

11. We cannot be intimidated or deterred from our primary assignment of representing the good people of Lagos State.

— Gbenga Ashafa (@SenGbengaAshafa) July 14, 2016

And nothing can deter them
12. We won’t be deterred from our national duties, even if it entails testifying in court on the side of the truth as part of the resolutio

Pres Muhammadu Buhari’s Daughter Gets Called To Bar

Halima Buhari, the 7th child of President Muhammadu Buhari was today called to bar. 247 NEWS IN NAIJA brings you all the photos from the ceremony of the Lawyer who is married to Mohammed Sheriff, here.

Halliburton: Fayose Justifies Claim Of Buhari Wife’s Involvement

By Rotimi Ojomoyela Ado-Ekiti—Counsel to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has replied the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs Aisha Buhari through her counsel, Mary Ekpere & Co, saying the governor’s claim as regards her involvement in the infamous Halliburton scandal was correct and justified in law.

Ozekhome insisted that there are documentary evidences to support the governor’s claim that Mrs Buhari was indeed mentioned in the scandal.
In the letter dated July 8, 2016, Ozekhome affirmed that the statement made regarding the involvement of Mrs Aisha Buhari in the Halliburton scandal was “correct and justified in law, having regards to a court judgment convicting one Mr William Jefferson for bribery in the Halliburton case.” Counsel to the president’s wife, Mary Ekpere & Co had written to Governor Fayose on June 22, 2016, demanding a retraction of the governor’s statement that the President’s wife was involved in the Halliburton scandal, threatening legal action if the retraction was not made within five days.
However, Ozekhome said the statement of Governor Fayose was correct and justified, having been factually premised on an existing court judgment. The letter read; “Our client has referred to us your letter dated June 22, 2016, on alleged defamation of the character of your client , Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Buhari, the wife of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, with firm instructions to reply to and reject same in its entirety.

“Our client states and reaffirms categorically that the statement he made as regards the involvement of Mrs Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Buhari, in the Halliburton scandal, is correct and justified in law; having regards to a court judgement convicting one Mr William Jefferson for bribery in the Halliburton case. “Therein, the name of the President’s wife featured conspicuously. At page 22 of the said judgment delivered by the United State District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, USA, in criminal No 1: 07CR209,

the said Mr William Jefferson was sentenced at 9.00 am on November 13, 2009, by Mark D, Lytle. Your client, Mrs Aisha Buhari was specifically mentioned in the judgment. The judge referred to Exhibits 36-87 in the following words, for clarification; “See also Government Exhibits 36-87 (6/26/02 $170,000 wire transfer from account in Nigeria in the name of Aisha Buhari to an account in the name of The ANJ Group, LLC, identifying “William Jefferson” as Beneficiary)… Given the age of the defendant, the severity of the sentence calculated by the Probation Office, the defendant’s frequent travel overseas and unexplained wire transfers from overseas locations to financial accounts used by the defendant, the defendant cannot rebut the presumption at sentencing that he is a risk of flight.

“The said Williams Jefferson is currently serving a jail term in the USA and to the best of our client’s knowledge; this judgment has not been challenged, or set aside by any Appellate court of law anywhere in the world.
“The statement of His Excellency, our client, is therefore correct and justified, same having been factually premised on an existing court judgment above referred to.” On the immunity enjoyed by Governor Fayose against civil and criminal proceedings, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said; “Your attention is also hereby drawn to Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, on the immunity enjoyed by our client from civil or criminal proceedings for the period that he occupies the office of the governor of Ekiti State. “You may therefore advise your client to wait until after 16th October, 2018, when our client’s tenure expires. When that happens, we shall join issues with your client in a competent court of law, in the event that your client does not have a change of heart.’’
Source: Vanguard

Se x misconduct: US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, will tender video evidence to House of Rep members on Thursda

US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, will on Thursday July 14th, tender a video evidence of the alleged sexual misconduct of three Nigerian lawmakers in Cleveland, USA last month. Entwistle has been summoned by the House of Representatives joint committees on Ethics and Privileges and foreign affairs investigating the alleged sexual misconduct.
Also to appear before the committee is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
The US Ambassador had in a letter sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, accused three members of the House, Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom), Mohammed Gololo (APC, Bauchi) and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue), of sexual misconduct while they were attending a conference in Cleveland, USA .

We’ll start going after lawyers who help ‘looters’ escape justice’- EFCC acting chairman says

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The acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, says that the antigraft agency will soon start going after lawyers who aid and abet financial and economic crimes. Magu said this at the opening of a one-day workshop organised by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACC) at the Rockview hotel in Abuja yesterday Tuesday July 12th.
A statement issued by EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren states that Magu said at the workshop that the EFCC could not stamp out corruption in the country without the support of all stakeholders.
“We consider everybody a stakeholder, as the EFCC does not have monopoly of knowledge to defeat all shades of graft. We will not stop going after people who are involved in laundering money. It doesn’t matter who you are, the law is a respecter of nobody especially those who commit crime. Whether you are EFCC, SAN or whatever, sooner or later we will start going after people who buy properties with stolen funds as well as people who help others to escape justice”he said

Benue attacks: It is unfortunate that up till today, no herdsman has been arrested- state gov, Samuel Ortom says

Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, says it is unfortunate that no herdsman has been arrested by security operatives since they started carrying out attacks on residents of the state. Governor Ortom said this in an interview with Channels TV;
“We have been appealing to the security agencies. We have been supporting them to ensure that they restore peace and order. It is unfortunate that up till today, there is no time that the security men came back to tell me that one arrest has been made against the herdsmen and their militia”.

11 local government areas in Benue state have come under sustained attacks by the herdsmen.

Rowdy session at House of Representatives following debate on bill to introduce immunity for National Assembly leaders

It was a rowdy session at the House of Representatives today after a bill seeking to provide immunity for the leadership of the National Assembly while in office, was introduced. The bill which is being sponsored by Leo Ogor, the minority leader of the house, is proposing an amendment to section 308 of the Nigerian constitution to allow the national assembly leadership enjoy immunity while in office. Presenting the bill to members of the house, Ogor said;
“The amendment is straight forward but it needs some clear explanation. The amendment seeks to strengthen the national assembly. The leadership should be protected in the period they are in office.”
His opinion was immediately countered by the majority leader of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila, who argued that since the Senate was presently having some issues, discussing a bill on immunity clause for National Assembly members is ill timed.
“We must feel the pulse of the people. There is something about timing, timing in any piece of legislation is important. There are issues in the senate and I pray it’s resolved.”he said
At this point the house became rowdy. After calm was restored, the speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, said the bill would be sent to the special committee on constitutional review for proper scrutiny. He however passed the bill for second reading.