Maina family rises in defence of son

Barely 24 hours after his properties were sealed by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kaduna, family members of the embattled former chairman of Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina have cried out that their son is being persecuted by corrupt elements in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
They said, the ongoing ‘persecutions’ of Abdulrasheed Maina, was the handiwork of a cabal in government, which is witch-hunting him because he did not allow them steal pension fund.
The Maina family however threatened that, Abdulrasheed will soon open the can of worm, as regard facts in his possession which they said are capable of nailing the cabals in his pursuit.
The Abdullahi Maina family said that their son is not a fraudster but someone who worked diligently to save pensioners from thieves, adding that his recent sack by President Muhammadu Buhari was because Mr President was misinformed. The family lamented that the ongoing persecution by a government that preaches the rule of law is bad, but noted that Abdulrasheed is in possession of documents and facts that would vindicate him and show the true intention of his persecutors.

Addressing the media Wednesday in Kaduna, spokesman of the Maina family, Malam Aliyu Maina, who was flanked by Salihu Maina and Ladan Abdullahi, said that the marking of the houses they inherited from their father in Kaduna by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is wrong, but they are ready to take legal recourse to protect their fundamental rights.
They said that Abdulrasheed left Nigeria following threats to his life, only for President Muhammadu Buhari to invite him to come and help his administration. “You must have noticed the recent attempt by some cabal to ridicule and tarnish the image of the Maina family in the media. Were our brother, Abdulrasheed Maina has been blackmailed as a fraudster.
“The cabals have gone to the extent of marking our house in red paints with an inscription of E.F.C.C under investigation. The EFCC is wrong in their action because Abdulrasheed inherited so many properties from his late father in Kaduna and Abuja, some of them were built before he was born so how could he have acquired them fraudulently.
“The entire family of Abdullahi Maina is categorically stating that our son is not in any way a fraudster, rather he is a messiah who brought reforms into Nigerian Pension Scheme, whose effort saw the disappearance of pensioners roaming the streets of Abuja and other state capital in Nigeria.
“It is on record that Abdulrasheed Maina’s reform put to a stop the fraudulent withdrawals of huge sums from both the Nigerian Pension Board, the Nigerian Police Pension Board etc. Perhaps it is this noble effort that made him enviable to the present administration when they came into power to convince him to come back and assist in its “Change” agenda.”
According to the family, the recent actions may have been targeted at not Maina but high above, “we are aware that all this act of calumny is not targeted against Abdulrasheed Maina alone but against the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria and the office of the Attorney General. We have contacted our lawyers Messr Mamma Nasir & Co and instructed them to act appropriately.

“We equally know that Abdulrasheed Maina is in possession of many facts that is against the cabal and interesting to the Nigerian populace, which he will disclose very soon,” the family noted.

BREAKING: Retire quietly or we open the Pandora box – VON DG to Jonathan

Director General of the Voice of Nigeria and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ostia Okechukwu has asked former President Goodluck Jonathan to quietly retire to any part of the country of his choice and stop challenging the APC and the Buhari government to a public debate, threatening to open the pandora box on the former president.
Okechukwu told The Nation in a telephone interview that the former President cannot challenge the current government to any public debate because his government failed the nation, leaving major infrastructure to decay, while public funds were freely diverted.
He challenges the former President to show the nation any project that he was able to complete during his six-year in office as President, adding that even the development he did at the nation’s airport was not commensurate with the money voted for such projects.
Okechukwu who was reacting to a statement by the former President that the APC won the 2015 election using lies and propaganda and challenging the party to a public debate in its achievement in office said “Mr President was very clear that the man left almost an empty treasury, consequent unpinned which we have a huge infrastructure deficit.

Jonathan accuses APC of lying, non-performance

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of running a government of lies and propaganda.
Jonathan spoke in Abuja yesterday while receiving one of the chairmanship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Tunde Adeniran, at his residence.
The former President insisted that the PDP, which controlled the federal government from 1999 to 2015 did well for the country but that the APC had failed the country and its people.
He said the APC administration has nothing to show as achievement.

?Challenging the APC leadership to public debate on its performance, Jonathan said, “The PDP administration for 16 did well and will continue to do well. But this administration has done nothing, the administration is full lies and propaganda
“In the power sector, we did well to revive it, a certain state governor criticised our government, saying that any serious government should be able to fix the power sector within six months. But today, the APC has been in power for how many years? Fortunately, the then governor is in the APC Government as a Minister”.
The former President said that all hope was not lost, adding that the PDP would go all out and put its house in order for it to return to power in 2019.
Jonathan said that Nigerians have been able to see the difference between the PDP and the APC in terms of performance.
“With the rate at which people are coming around to associate with a party that lost elections, it shows that the people still believe in the PDP. With the number and calibre of the people coming out to vie for the seat of the national chairman and other offices of our party, it shows that our party still has another chance”, the ex- President added.
But APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Senator Lawal Shuaibu, rejected the ex-president’s comment.

Shuaibu said: “In the history of governance in this country, there is no government that deceived Nigerians like that of Goodluck Jonathan.
“I have never seen where a government was being run on the basis of speculation rather than realities like that of Goodluck Jonathan.
“I am not even talking about the PDP government. I am talking particularly about Goodluck Jonathan’s government. They were so deceptive that Nigerians actually realised their act of deception and decided not to trust them again and that was why they lost the (2015) election.”
Speaking on his expectations, Jonathan said the PDP needed “a national chairman who will rule the party democratically and carry others along. In fact, the national chairman is the leader of the party. It is not the other way round”.
He said judging by his long interaction with Prof Adeniran, coupled with testimonies of other party leaders, Adeniran possessed what it takes to lead the party at this critical point in time.
The ex-President warned the party leaders and the aspirants against turning the convention into a battle field.

We don’t owe Union Bank – Ontario

The management of Ontario Oil and Gas Limited has denied any fraudulent sale of refined petroleum products, as alleged by Union Bank Plc in what the company described as a “hurriedly” procured ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ).

The company spoke on Monday in the matter of a commercial transaction between her and the bank which dates back to 2014.

Speaking through its counsel, Ben Udoh, Ontario acknowledged that it did approached Union Bank Plc for a facility to import and market petroleum products in 2014.

“Indeed, we approached Union Bank in 2014 for an $11 million facility. A letter of Credit (LC ) was issued same year but was amended to $9.9 million in May 2015. The said sum ($9.9)was paid to the supplier, Petrocam Trading Limited.

“Contrary to impressions created by Union Bank, there was no case of fraudulent diversion and conversion of proceeds as alleged. We would like to confirm on good authority that the products were duly imported and sold in the open market,” Mr Udoh said.

He added, “Total proceeds from the transaction was N1.9billion, and in line with our offer letter and best practice, same amount was provided for. The management of Union Bank was subsequently advised to bid for appropriate foreign exchange to discharge the LC.

“Unfortunately, Union Bank, for reasons best known to them, failed to heed several exchanges for the liquidation of the debt which Ontario diligently dealt with within the 60-day expiration of the facility.”

Speaking further, he regretted that “Union Bank had unwittingly shot itself on the foot by its failure to register the Form M with Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ), nearly 8 months after, which made it difficult for them to successfully bid for forex to tidy up the transaction.”

“Finally, we are surprised that the ex parte order which targeted Ontario Oil and Gas Limited was used to seize the assets of The Renoire Logistics which is an independent entity with no similar directors or ownership. Union Bank failed to transparently manage this transaction and should blame itself for allowing the devaluation of the Naira to hurt its interests.

“We do not owe Union Bank. All proceeds arising from the transaction has been fully redeemed. Any differential is as a result of devaluation of the Naira. Ontario would do everything legal to vacate the ex parte application,” Mr Udoh noted.

Agbakoba to court: Disqualify Buhari as Petroleum Minister

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Olisa Agbakoba has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to disqualify President Muhammadu Buhari from holding office as Petroleum Minister.
Agbakoba prayed the court to declare that by Section 138 of the 1999 Constitution, the holder of the office of President of Nigeria cannot simultaneously, legally hold another executive office, such as that of a petroleum minister.
The court is yet to fix a date for hearing of the.

Buhari receives three young admirers in Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday received three young admirers in the State House, who have shown high interest in his administration, and prayed for his recovery during ill-health.
They included three-year old Maya Jammal, who became an internet sensation when her videoed prayer for the President’s recovery went viral, and 10 year-old Aisha Aliyu Gebbi, who penned a personal letter to President Buhari describing herself as his “biggest fan’’.
The third person is Nicole Benson, 12 years old, who contributed N5,785 to the President’s campaign in 2015, which was all saved up from her lunch and pocket allowance.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said: “I am very impressed by what the children have been able to do,’’

“I can see Maya is shy. I watched her video where she was praying for my recovery when I was ill.’’ he added

The President attributed his victory at the polls to the contributions of good hearted Nigerians, like young Nicole, who is from Lagos State, and showed her support by sending her personal savings.
“Nicole, I congratulate you, and myself for being here today. Your contribution made a great impact. As you can see, I am here in the Presidential Villa. Thank you,’’ he said.
President Buhari told Aisha that her letter was heart-warming, noting that he felt re-assured knowing he had fans amongst the children.
“Thank you very much for the letter,’’ he said.
The President said he looked forward to more visits from the children.

“I am hoping that it will not be the first and last time we will be meeting while I am here. We will continue to meet even after I have left here.’’ he said

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Gebbi, said the President’s gesture of inviting the children to the Presidential Villa was a dream come true.
Gebbi said the invitation also added to the President’s long standing record of good heartedness and fairness.
“In a nation with few legends and accuracy of truth, we look up to you, Mr. President, and our children are looking up to you,’’ he added.
Maya lives in the FCT, while Aisha came in from Bauchi State.

Buhari mourns tragic loss of students in Kaduna

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the news of the tragic death of some students of Victory College, Ungwan Yelwa, Kaduna, who drowned in River Kaduna while on an excursion.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari’s thoughts and prayers are with the distraught families of the deceased and the management of the College, and he expresses heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Kaduna State, during this difficult time.

The President prayed that God will comfort families and friends affected by the profound loss of these young minds, and he wishes speedy recovery to other staff and students, who are in shock over the unfortunate incident.

Army launches Exercise Crocodile Smile II in Lagos

Nigerian Army said on Friday the increase in crimes in coastal areas of the country prompted it to step up training and operations in the amphibious environment.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, stated this at Takwa Bay Island in Lagos State when he launched “Exercise Crocodile Smile II.”
According to him, the “Order of Battle” 2016 provides for amphibious battalion in the island to keep the coastal area of Lagos State safe.
He said: “A detachment of Nigerian Army has since been stationed on the island; more army presence would also be felt soon on the island and other parts of the country in line with the 2016 Order of Battle as fund becomes available.”

The army chief recalled that the first phase of the exercise which took place between August and September 2016 in Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo and Rivers states recorded tremendous success.
He said it degraded activities of militants and illegal oil bunkerers, destruction of kidnappers’ den and rescue of kidnapped victims and destruction of cultists’ camps, among others.
Buratai, however, said the success of Exercise Crocodile Smile I in those states pushed some criminal elements to other parts of the country, thus necessitating “readjustment” of area of operation of the second phase in 2017.
He added that it was in that regard that the exercise was being conducted in the South South and South West regions.

MonkeyPox: Panic as parents withdraw children from public schools in Edo

There was confusion in some public and private schools in Benin City, the Edo State capital as parents stormed various schools to forcefully take their children and wards home.
It was gathered that the panic started at Army Day Secondary in Oregbeni quarters when some parents heard that the Nigeria Army was carrying out vaccination exercise.
The parents said they were told that the MonkeyPox virus was being injected into the students.
Sources at the school said denial by the school authorities did not stop parents from taking their children away.

At Idia College, rumours that three students die of Monkeypox infection made parents  rushed to the school to take their children home.
In some primary schools like Olua and Emokpae, the school authorities locked parents out and refused to open the gate.
The school authorities simply told the parents to return during closing hours to pick up their children.
There was also attempts by parents to take their children away from Oghosa High School, Edokpolor Grammar School, Crystal Fountain Group of School and Olua  Primary School.
One of the parents who identified herself simply as Mrs. Chiazor said: “I came to school because I heard that the killer vaccines are already at the Oredo local government secretariat for onward transmission to schools.”
When asked where she got the information, Mrs. Chiazor replied: it’s on radio. Children also died in Anambra after they were vaccinated.”

Edo Police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, who confirmed the rush by parents to take away their children said there was no vaccination exercise in schools in the state.
Nkombe warned parents to stop acting on fake information from the social media.
Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Communication and Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said there was no reported case of Monkeypox infection in the state.
Crusoe said steps have been taken to tackle the disease if there was any occurrence.
He said there was no vaccination exercise currently going on in the state.

Liberia election: Weah retains lead as more results announced

George Weah of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) retained his lead as the second batch of provisional results of Tuesday’s presidential elections in Liberia were released on Friday.
According to figures read out by Mr Jerome Korkoya, Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Weah remained ahead with 39 per cent of the polling places so far processed.
Vice President Joseph Boakai of the ruling Unity Party retained his second position with 31.1 per cent of the votes.
Jerome Korkothe CDC, of the total number of places we have processed, he has obtained 240,750 votes; that would represent 39.6 per

“He would be followed by Mr Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party. He has obtained 160,975 votes, and that would represent 31.1 per cent.
“Mr Charles Brumskine of the Liberty Party has obtained 48,219 votes, and that represents 9.3 per cent.
“Mr Alexander Cummings of the ANC (Alternative National Congress) has received 34,550 votes, and that represents 6.7 per cent.
“Mr Prince Johnson of the MDR (Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction) has received 24,948 votes, and that represents 4.8 per cent.’’
Korkoya said as at the time of Friday’s briefing, results from 1,817 polling places had been processed out of the 5,390 polling places in the country.

This represents additional 585 polling places compared to results of 1,232 polling places announced by him on Thursday.“We have 5,390 polling places in the entire country. Of that number, we have processed 1,817 polling places, and that would represent 33.71 per cent of polling places processed.

“A total of 547,965 votes have been processed from the polling places we just mentioned, and that would represent 74.58 per cent of the total number of voters registered in those poll places, that is the 1,817.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there are 20 candidates in the presidential race.
A winner needs 50 per cent plus one of the total votes cast to avoid a run-off election.

ObamaCare a broken mess – Trump

President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump on Friday said that the ObamaCare system is a broken mess.
President Trump tweeted this, referring to his September 2012 tweet in which he condemned the system
In the latest tweet, he said: “ObamaCare is a broken mess. Piece by piece we will now begin the process of giving America the great HealthCare it deserves!”
 The Post