Transfer Yakubu’s seized funds to registrar’s account, court orders EFCC, CBN.

Transfer Yakubu’s seized funds to registrar’s account, court orders EFCC, CBN.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release the $9,773,200.00 and £74,000 seized from former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu.

Justice Inyang Ekwo yesterday ordered the EFCC and the CBN to release the money to be deposited in an interest yielding account in the name of the court’s Chief Registrar pending when parties exhaust their right of appeal.

Justice Ekwo held that the order became imperative because the EFCC and the CBN were not truthful about the actual whereabouts of the money.

The money was seized from Yakubu’s Kaduna home on February 3, 2017. The EFCC thereafter charged him with money laundering, and he was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on March 16, 2017, on a six-count charge.

At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, Yakubu made a no-case submission and, in a May 16, 2019 ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohammed discharged the defendant on counts 5 and 6.

Justice Mohammed also ordered him to enter his defence for the remaining four counts, a decision he appealed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The Court of Appeal, in its April 24, 2020 judgment, partially allowed the appeal, discharged him on counts one and two, and ordered him to enter his defence for counts three and four.

Former Leicester and Chelsea midfielder Drinkwater retires at 33.

Former Leicester and Chelsea midfielder Drinkwater retires at 33.

Former England midfielder Danny Drinkwater has retired from football after becoming frustrated “in limbo”.

Drinkwater, now 33, helped Leicester City win the Premier League in 2016 and joined Chelsea for £35m a year later.

He left Stamford Bridge when his contract expired in June 2022, having made little impact, and has not played since.

“I think I’ve been in limbo for too long,” said Drinkwater, who started his career at Manchester United.

He told the High Performance podcast there had been no opportunities at a level that might tempt him back into action.

“I’ve been wanting to play but not getting the opportunity to play at a standard or a level where I felt valued,” Drinkwater said.

“I’ve never been really obsessed with football, I’ve just loved it. The idea of me dropping down is fine but it’s the idea of not playing to my worth.”

Drinkwater came through the academy at United but signed for Leicester in 2012 before making a senior appearance for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

He helped Leicester win promotion to the Premier League in 2014 and was part of Claudio Ranieri’s 2016 title-winning squad.

Following his success under Ranieri, who he called “Grandad”, Drinkwater earned his first of three England caps but was not selected by Roy Hodgson for Euro 2016.

He signed for Chelsea for £35m in 2017 and made 22 appearances in his debut season.

Overall, though, he failed to make a significant impression at the club and had loan spells at Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish club Kasimpasa and Reading.

Speaking about his time at Chelsea, Drinkwater – who previously said he would be open to a move to Saudi Arabia – said: “As a whole it was garbage, but if you break it down I had some really good times.”

Drinkwater had off-field problems too – a drink-driving ban, being involved in a nightclub altercation and headbutting team-mate Jota while on loan at Villa.

“Anyone who thinks earning a good amount of money will solve all of your problems is not true at all,” Drinkwater said.

“Mental health is more important than physical. It was the darkest I’d ever felt and it was like I was drowning and forgotten how to swim.”

Reps threaten heads of NUPRC, REA, NIGCOMSAT, other to appear In 72hrs or be arrested.

Reps threaten heads of NUPRC, REA, NIGCOMSAT, other to appear In 72hrs or be arrested.

The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts on Monday gave a 72-hour ultimatum to six Federal Government agencies to appear before it to clear themselves on allegations of fraud as contained in the Auditor General for the Federation’s queries in the year ended December 31, 2019.

The arrest warrant threatened is a result of the absence of the invited agencies as the committee resumed hearing on Monday. 

The following are the agencies invited to appear before the House Panel.

The Rural Electrification Agency, REA. 

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC. 

NIGCOMSAT. 

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC.

The Nigeria, Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA. 

It was gathered that the members of the Public Accounts Committee gathered in the hearing room for hours, awaiting the arrival of the Chief Executive Officers of the invited agencies. Originally billed for 10 a.m., the event was rescheduled for 1 p.m. in what was a show of respect for the invited agencies by the federal lawmakers. 

After waiting for hours, REA sent a letter to the committee stating that it would not be able to attend the hearing because the Managing Director of the agency, Salihijo Ahmad was out of the country.

REA wants to speak up on five queries including extra-budgetary allocation of N394.3m, a Toyota Hilux vehicle taken away by its former board chairman, payment of N36.6m for an international training without evidence of attendance, extra-budgetary expenditure on advert and publicity amounting to N4.24m and unauthorised transfer from the capital to Eurobond ledger totalling N969.4m.

A document which was cited by the House Journalist shows that the NUPRC was queried for offences relating to a statutory 1 per cent stamp duty of N20m deducted but paid back to contractors/consultants. The agency allegedly failed to deduct one percent Industrial Training Fund from the 2019 payroll amounting to N119 m, among sundry ills.

NIGCOMSAT was to speak on issues relating to non-remittance of deducted taxes amounting to N96m, and store items purchased but not taken on ledger charge (N250m).

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council and the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority were similarly queried for sundry financial misdeeds.

Also speaking to the Public Accounts Committee, a member representing Shomolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye lamented the failure of the agency to appear before the committee, saying they were toying with the opportunity offered them by the panel to clear their names.

According to the Lawmaker, “There is an allegation of N2bn fraud against REA in the 2017 audited report of the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation. They are yet to clear themselves. In the 9th Assembly, they were invited to appear before this Committee, but they kept giving excuses. They never honoured our invitation.

He said: “In the 9th Assembly, NIGCOMSAT was accused of taking a $467m Chinese loan without due process but they never appeared before the Public Accounts Committee to defend themselves. There was also a petition against NEPZA that it was a conduit pipe for siphoning monies. Despite invitations sent to them, they did not appear to tell their side of the story. This is unacceptable. The 10th House of Assembly will not take this.” 

Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, member representing Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency, Abia, State in his contribution urged the Chairman of the Committee, Bamidele Salam to invoke his powers to issue a warrant of arrest against the heads of the invited agencies.

Sharing the same thought, Tunji Olawuyi (Ekiti/Esin/Irepodun Federal Constituency, Kwara State) argued that if the agencies had any defence whatsoever, they would have appeared before the committee to tender the same. 

Also speaking, Femi Bamisile representing Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency, Ekiti State advised members to stop visiting the agencies being investigated, stating that in no time, the committee will make scapegoat of them if they continue to ignore invitations to appear for questioning.

To this end, Lawmakers unanimously resolved that the agencies should be given another opportunity to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, Billy Osawuru (APC, Edo State) amended the motion urging the Committee to summon the six heads of the agencies within 72 hours.

The agencies are now expected to appear before the Committee on Thursday. 

FEC approves N2.1trn Supplementary Budget for urgent national issues.

FEC approves N2.1trn Supplementary Budget for urgent national issues.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved an N2,176,791,286,033 supplementary budget to fund urgent national issues including N605 billion for national defence and security. 

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, made this known while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting in Abuja.

”The Council considered a request for supplementary appropriation which is a second for 2023, and graciously approved the sum of N2,176,791,286,033, as supplementary budget and this supplementary budget is to fund urgent issues including N605 billion for national defence and security. 

“This is to sustain the gains made in security and to accelerate and these are funds that are needed by the security agencies before the year runs out. ”

Bagudu also said that FEC approved N300 billion for the repair of the Eko and Third Mainland bridges as well as the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of many roads nationwide before the return of the rainy season.

Similarly, he said Council approved N200 billion for the provision of seed, agricultural input, supplies and agricultural implements and infrastructure to support the expansion of production”

”Equally the sum of N210 billion is provided for the payment of wage Awards. In negotiation with the Nigeria Labour Congress.

”The Federal Government agreed to pay N35,000 each to about 1.5 million employees of the Federal Government for September, October, November and December.

”And that amounts to about N210 billion which has been approved and also N400 billion as Cash Transfer payments.” 

He recalled that the Federal Government has secured an 800 million dollar loan from the World Bank to pay cash transfers of N25,000 to 15 million households.

He said 800 million dollars is for October and November.

”The President graciously approved that an additional month should be funded by the Federal Government and that is what this N100 billion is for. 

“Equally, N100 billion has been provided for the Federal Capital Territory to support them in urgent and immediate capital expenditure works that can enhance the infrastructure in the city.”

”Also, N18 billion was provided for the Independent National Electoral Commission to support them in conducting the Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo statstatections.”

The minister stated that N5.5 billion was also provided for the funding of the take-off of the Student Loans Board and N8 billion for the take-off grant of new ministries.

”Equally the sum of N200 billion was provided as capital supplementation to deal with urgent requests that have been made to President Bola Tinubu from various parts of the country.” 

(NAN)

Vice President Shettima Attracts American Investment Giant John Deere for Tractor Assembly Plant in Nigeria.

Vice President Shettima Attracts American Investment Giant John Deere for Tractor Assembly Plant in Nigeria.

The gains on foreign investments recorded from Vice President Kashim Shettima’s visit to the United States swelled again, as an American company, John Deere, has resolved to set up a tractor assembly plant in Nigeria. 

Details of the company’s interest to invest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector were made known during a meeting between VP Shettima and top officials of John Deere led by its Vice President on Production Systems, Mr Jason Brantley. 

The meeting facilitated by the Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria, Mr John Coumantaros, also had in attendance the Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Ambassador Lot Egopija, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity, Dr Kingsley Uzoma, among others. 

Speaking during the interaction with the investors, Vice President Shettima said Nigeria is committed to transforming agriculture as a pathway to tackling insecurity and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. 

“Without mechanization, you can never be truly self-sufficient in food production. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to revitalizing the Nigerian agricultural sector. And for us to be self-sufficient in food production, three key elements are essential. First is certified seeds, then mechanization, provision of fertilizer and of course, agricultural extension services,” he noted. 

The VP who spoke on the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) project stated that “it is designed to provide the infrastructure, platform and framework for the private sector to add value to Nigeria’s agricultural produce for the domestic, regional market and for the global community.” 

Assuring the investors that Nigeria is now open for partnership, Sen. Shettima said, “We are open for discussions, for conversations towards fast-tracking the whole process. My principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is very eager to see that the full potential of the Nigerian agricultural sector is realised. 

“The President declared a food security emergency in August this year fundamentally anchored on the fact that we are exposed to all the volatility in the world. We are vulnerable, we are exposed. This is why we are putting in place the mechanisms towards addressing challenges in the sector and we cannot afford to do otherwise”. 

Earlier, Mr Brantley spoke about the company’s proposed investment in Nigeria, assuring that the project will unlock Nigeria’s agricultural potential by creating an organised approach to tractor-clearing services for smallholder farmers across the country. 

According to the John Deere top executive, the initiative to establish tractor assembly would require zero investment from the government, while credit guarantees will be needed to help make credit available at an affordable rate for interested persons or groups. 

Mr Brantley expressed the company’s readiness to immediately engage relevant authorities in Nigeria, with a view to actualising the objective of establishing the assembly plant.

PASAN Strike in Ekiti State: Parliamentary Staff Demand Financial Autonomy.

PASAN Strike in Ekiti State: Parliamentary Staff Demand Financial Autonomy.

In a show of solidarity with their colleagues nationwide, the Ekiti state chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association (PASAN) has embarked on an indefinite strike, following the directive from the national body.

A visit to the Ekiti State House of Assembly revealed that the gates were firmly locked, with PASAN leaders preventing staff members and lawmakers from accessing the Assembly Complex.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Gbenga Oluwajuyigbe, Chairman of PASAN Ekiti state branch, highlighted that the strike was a direct response to the failure of the Federal government to grant financial autonomy to state Houses of Assembly. He and other executive members carried placards with inscriptions such as "Implement Financial Autonomy of the State Assembly Now," "Payment of Conness for Parliamentary Staff," "Domicile Paypoint in State Assembly," and more, emphasizing their determination to continue the indefinite strike until their demands are met.

A lawmaker who arrived at the Assembly, Mr. Tunde Idowu, was denied entry as he was unaware of the strike's commencement.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Adeoye Aribasoye, who was on official duty outside the state, communicated with our reporter via phone. He confirmed that the Conference of Speakers had been duly informed about the strike by PASAN and was taking steps to address the situation. A tripartite Committee meeting involving the Federal government, Speakers Conference, and Nigerian governors forum is being arranged to seek solutions and discuss the way forward with PASAN leaders.

Additionally, Mr. Tola Esan, the Clerk of the House, mentioned that the national leadership of the Association had sent them a letter about the strike, urging them to maintain peace while conveying their grievances to the government.

The strike has had a significant impact on activities within and around the Assembly Complex, leading to a noticeable reduction in the presence of people and vehicles in the vicinity.

President Tinubu Celebrates Afe Babalola At 92.

President Tinubu Celebrates Afe Babalola At 92.

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated legal luminary and educationist, Chief Afe Babalola, as he clocks 92 years of age.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu noted that Chief Babalola’s versatility, visionary leadership and courage have positively impacted generations within and outside Nigeria.

He said: “President Bola Tinubu joins friends and family in the celebration of Chief Afe Babalola, Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, who clocked 92 on October 30.

“The President felicitates the legal luminary, businessman, educationist, and philanthropist, whose visionary leadership, courage, and versatility have impacted generations, inspiring and growing many leaders within and outside the country.

“President Tinubu notes, with deep appreciation, the large-heartedness of Aare Babalola as he provides opportunities for many to find and fulfill their dreams in different areas of life, especially in education, as well as his contributions to raising the standards of medicare by sponsoring research and providing medical facilities. 

“The President wishes Aare Babalola many more years in good health and in the service of humanity.”