N400m fraud: Metuh tells court to subpoena Dasuki as witness

Metuh

A former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, has asked the Federal High Court, Abuja, to subpoena former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to testify in his trial.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Counsel to Metuh, Mr Emeka Etiaba (SAN), reminded the judge, Justice Okon Abang, of a pending subpoena before the court to invite Dasuki as the next witness.
Abang, however, advised that both the defence and prosecuting counsel liaise with the authority holding Dasuki to release him to appear in court.
He said that it was only after the defence and prosecution had approached the relevant authority and the authority refused to release Dasuki to them that they should come back to him.
Counsel to the second defendant Tochukwukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) however said it was the duty of the court to issue a subpoena to anyone to appear in court.

The defence team filed the subpoena on Dec. 2, 2016.
It was premised on the grounds that since the allegation against Metuh revolved around Dasuki, it was important for Dasuki to be a witness in the matter.
Meanwhile, following the stalling of the case on Tuesday due to the ill-health of Metuh, the defence, at today’s sitting presented a medical report from the National Hospital with details of his health condition.
The defence team told the court that Metuh was unable to appear in court because he was admitted at the National Hospital for complications arising from spinal cord injuries.
Etiaba said that the medical experts handling the defendant’s ailment were unable to give the specific date for his full recovery due to the nature of the ailment.
He asked the court for a three-week adjournment for the defendant to recuperate and also seek further medical attention.
Onwugbufor, for his part, told the court that he had seen the medical report and that he was suffering the same ailment as the defendant.

He said he was able to get the right medical care only in London, and urged the court to look at the defendant’s case with compassion since his condition was even more critical than his.
According to him, what Metuh is suffering is excruciating and requires expert attention to ensure full recovery.
Prosecuting counsel, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, said that he was not opposed to an adjournment, adding that the prosecution sympathised with the defence and wished the defendant quick recovery.
“We have been served with the medical report of the defendant and we have little or nothing to say since the record speaks for itself. All we can say is that we extend our sympathy to the defence.
“With regards to the request for a three-week adjournment, we are taking them by their word since the medical report did not give an indication about how soon the defendant will be discharged.
“It only says his management will continue until he gets well and I am not opposed to the adjournment,’’ Tahir said.
Abang adjourned continuation of hearing in the matter till Feb. 21 and Feb. 24.

Saraki orders staff audit in National Assembly

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has directed management of the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive staff audit in the National Assembly.

Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Senator Isa Galaudu in a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, said the measure is aimed at “verifying the skills, efficiency and motivation of the employees of the National Assembly.”

The letter dated December 16, 2016, entitled, “Carrying out a comprehensive human resource audit in the National Assembly” reads in part: “We have made commendable strides in our continuous endeavour to attain the goals set out in the legislative agenda of the 8th National Assembly.

“We, however, must continue to deploy clear strategies that meet the challenges facing this institution and capitalise on the strengths that we possess.
“Even the best strategy will ultimately fail without the right people in the right places to execute it. Thus, it has become apparent that at this juncture one of the true challenges of the National Assembly is human capital.
“I hereby convey the decision of the President of the Senate that you carry out comprehensive Human Resource audit.

“You should kindly, therefore engage the services of a reputable consulting firm with adequate Human Resources expertise to carry out a complete review and produce a report verifying the skills, efficiency and motivation of the employees of the National Assembly.

“Expected outcome of this engagement is a detailed assessment of the nominal roll, succession plan and furthermore to identify possible vacancies, duplications, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, limitations, and developmental needs of the existing organisational structure of the National Assembly.

“The President of the Senate expects the assessment to be completed within 90 days and progress reports be submitted regularly until completion.”

The Clerk of the National Assembly in a letter noted that a Committee has already been set up.

Sani-Omolori said that a “tested and trusted” consultant has been appointed to work closely with the Committee.

The Clerk added that the committee has been inaugurated with the following terms of reference:
* To verify and ascertain the actual staff strength of the National Assembly;
* To determine the current structure and distribution of staff in terms of cadre, spread, etc,;
* To establish skill gaps or excess capacity (if any) within the workforce;
* Determine the structure and distribution of staff required for an ideal legislative management system, align it with the current staff status of the National Assembly and  determine an accurate personnel cost thereof;
* Recommend all such other actions as it deems necessary to ensure an efficient and highly motivated workforce.
Sani-Omolori said that it was also agreed between the consultant and the Committee that the process should be completed by the end of first quarter of 2017 with the submission of the final report.

My stand on $1.3b Malabu oil deal bribe, by Jonathan

Ex-President: transactions predate me 
Former President Godluck Jonathan yesterday denied collecting $466m kickback in the fraud-fraught $1.3 billion OPL 245 Malabu oil deal involving oil giants Shell and ENI.
A report by French News Agency AFP on Monday quoted Italian prosecutors as naming the former president and his Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, among those who collected the bribe after the former president met with top officials of the oil companies.
The report quoted the prosecutors as alleging in documents filed by Italian prosecutors last December in Milan, that Jonathan met with Chief Executive of ENI, Claudio Descalzi, and his predecessor, Paolo Scaroni, to discuss the deal.
The prosecutors alleged that Jonathan and Mrs Alison-Madueke benefited from $466m converted into naira and used to buy property, aircraft and others.
The Italian prosecutors alleged that ENI and Shell executives worked with former Petroleum Minister Dan Etete to strike the deal.
The oil companies have denied the allegations.
In a statement by his Media Adviser Ikechukwu Eze, Dr. Jonathan denied it all.
He said: “We wish to make it clear that former President Jonathan was not accused, indicted or charged for corruptly collecting any monies as kickbacks or bribes from ENI by the Italian authorities or any other law enforcement body the world over.
“In the first place, we have to categorically state that the negotiations and transactions for the oil block deal predate the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan which began on 6th May 2010 and ended on 29th May 2015.
“It may interest those promoting this false narrative to know that all the documents relating to the transactions, issues and decisions of the Federal Government on the Malabo issue, during the Jonathan administration, are in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice.
“As President of Nigeria, there is no doubt that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan met with executives of all the oil majors operating in Nigeria and urged them to, amongst other things, support the growth of the Nigerian oil industry by ramping up their investments and comply with the Local Content Act that he promoted and signed into law.
“We however wish to state, for emphasis, that at no time did the former President hold private meetings with representatives of ENI to discuss pecuniary issues. All the meetings and discussions former President Jonathan had with ENI, other IOCs and some indigenous operators were conducted officially, and in the presence of relevant Nigerian Government officials and were done in the best interest of the country.
“We make bold to point out that the former President never sent any Abubakar Aliyu, as the innuendoes in the false report suggest, to ENI, the IOCs or any indigenous operator to seek favour or collect any gratification on his behalf.
“We will like to point out for the umpteenth time that whether in office or out of office, former President Jonathan does not own any bank account, aircraft or real estate outside Nigeria. Anyone with contrary information is challenged to publicly publish same.
“As the President who signed the Freedom of Information Act into law, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan lifted the veil on governance and encouraged transparency, knowing that evil breeds in secrecy. It is the opinion of the former President that journalists and media houses should take advantage of this law in their investigative journalism, rather than rely on hearsay.”

“I Wont Take A New Wife, That Will Be Madness At My Age” Actor Jide Kosoko Reveal

Veteran Nollywood actor, Jide Kosoko who lost his wife, Henrietta Kosoko sometime in 2016 disclosed in an interview with The Point how his late wife died and how remarrying at 63 is madness to him.
‘Forget all those things you heard. She was ill. She died of complications that arose from diabetes. Honestly, my family, friends and colleagues stood by me and I appreciate that.
Of course, you will always have one or two persons, who would say one or two negative things. But you see, in my life, I have fought so many battles and I have won all. It is only people who want to be crushed that would confront me in war, because the Almighty God has His plans for me. It is just quite unfortunate that these things are happening to me, but I would still thank the Almighty God for everything. There are reasons for everything and I want to believe that it is natural’.

When asked if he’ll be taking a new wife;
‘If at this age, I still think of taking a wife, when I have over a dozen children, it is madness. On January 12, I will be 63. I am taking care of some of the children, while others are now adults. She left and left me with two teenagers’.

Nollywood Actor, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) Cries Out – The Child Is Not Mine

Comic Nollywood actor, Chinedu Ikedieze popularly known as ‘Aki’ took to his Instagram page yesterday, 1st of January 2017, to share photo of the newborn baby below and minutes later, news went flying all around saying the actor and his wife have welcomed a new child.
Well the actor has now come out to debunk the rumor, saying the child is not his but his niece.

BREAKING News: President Buhari Sacks Obazee, Orders Reconstitution of FRCN Board

President Muhammadu Buhari has fired the Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and ordered the reconstitution of the FRCN board.
PRESIDENT BUHARI APPROVES THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate removal and the replacement of the Executive Secretary and the reconstitution of the board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). He has appointed a Chairman and a new Executive Secretary for the council.

The new Council as approved by the President has Mr Adedotun Sulaiman, MFR as Chairman.
Mr. Sulaiman was a former Managing Partner/Director of Arthur Anderson and later, Accenture. He is a Chartered Accountant and a product of the University of Lagos and Harvard Business School.
The President has also approved the appointment of Mr. Daniel Asapokhai as the Executive Secretary of the Council.
Mr. Asopokhai is a partner and a Financial Reporting Specialist at the PricewaterHouseCoopers (PWC), Nigeria.
He is a product of the University of Lagos and the University of Pretoria.
President Muhammadu Buhari has also instructed the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment to invite the nineteen ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government and private sector organizations specified in the FRC Act to nominate members of the board of the council.
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media and Publicity)
January 9, 2017.

COMMOTION!!! As Kogi State Workers Protest And Demand For Their 8 months Unpaid Salary

8-Months Unpaid Salaries: Kogi State Workers Protests.
Members of academic staff of Kogi State Polytechnic And other Workers In the State are currently protesting against the failure of Governor Yahaya Bello-led government to pay their 8 months salaries after screening and re-screening.

Banker who allegedly stole ex-DIG’s N30m granted bail

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday varied the bail conditions of a former Branch Manager of First City Monument Bank, Rosemary Usifo, charged with N30 million fraud.
Usifo and the bank were arraigned by the police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) on December 5 last year.
The prosecution alleged that the accused defrauded a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Archibong Nkanga, by allegedly obtaining N30 million from his fixed deposit account.
The offence is contrary to sections 1(2) (a), (c), and 3 (1) (2) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation, 2004, the police said.‎
Justice Saliu Saidu had granted the accused bail for N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties, he said, must be a blood relation and must own a landed property in Lagos; the other surety must be a public or civil servant of grade level 15 and above.
The judge ordered the suspect’s remand at the Kirikiri prisons pending the perfection of her bail terms.
The defence counsel, Mr. Olu Akanbi, on Monday moved a motion seeking a variation of the bail conditions.
He prayed the court to do away with the condition that one of sureties must be a property owner.
Prosecution counsel, M. Susan, did not oppose the application.
Justice Saidu, who would soon relocate to Port Harcourt having been transferred to the city, granted Usifo bail for N10 million with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties, he said, must be a public or civil servant of grade level 15 serving with either the Federal or Lagos State government.

Mikel Right to move to China

Super Eagles’ Chief Coach, Salisu Yusuff has disclosed that former
Chelsea of England midfielder, John Mikel Obi was right to move to the
Chinese Super League(CSL) judging by his experience with the Stamford
Bridge landlords since the beginning of the season.
Yusuff told SportingLife that it was not proper for Mikel Obi not to
be playing the sport he enjoys regularly and that he would always
support any decision taken by the ex-Lyn Oslo midfielder for him to
play regular football again.
He said the wealth of experience of Mikel Obi would still be needed by
the Eagles and that he won’t be able to give that if he is not playing
regularly for his team.
Yusuff also hinted that he was delighted with the switch of Wilfred
Ndidi to Leicester City of England from the Belgian side, RKC Genk
while asserting that the Eagles’ utility player would be a better
player under Claudio Ranieri in the EPL.

Nigerians are Hungry!!! Father Mbaka Sends 2017 Message to President Buhari

Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu State has sent a new year message to President Muhammadu Buhari on leadership in 2017.

Speaking during his New Year message at the cross over service to 2017 in Enugu on Saturday, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, advised President Muhammadu Buhari on leadership in the New Year.

The Adoration Ministry of Enugu State general overseer, advised the President to tackle the challenges facing the country, saying “many Nigerians are suffering.

“Though the President is trying on corruption and security, Nigerians are hungry; they want to see more changes.

“There is the need to assist businessmen and women in their businesses.” He also advised the President to appoint experts who would help him to revive the economy.

The cleric asked the President to consult Church leaders and eminent men of God to advise him and tell him the truth about the economy. “We cannot reach him for advice because of the kind of people around him,” he added.

He then urged Nigerians to be patient and be prayerful “as your sufferings and hardships would be over in 2017. “Nigeria is set to be great again,” he stressed.

Photos: Pres Buhari receives Shekau’s personal Quaran and Boko Haram’s flag captured by Nigerian Army

Army presents captured Boko Haram flag to President Muhammadu Buhari .

President Buhari yesterday attended the Guards Brigade Regimental Dinner Night at the Guards Brigade Scorpion Mess in Abuja where he received the captured flag of Boko Haram as well as the personal Quaran of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

The military on December 23rd, captured the last camp of the sect members in Sambisa forest. There they recovered the Quaran of Shekau as well as the flag for the group. See more pics after the cut…