Procurement fraud: Emefiele meets bail conditions, regains freedom.

Procurement fraud: Emefiele meets bail conditions, regains freedom.

A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele has been released from the Kuje Correctional Centre after meeting up with his bail condition..

Our correspondent learnt that Emefiele was released on Friday, December 22 2023.

The spokesperson for the Kuje Correctional Centre, FCT, Adamu Duza, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Saturday.

“I can confirm to you that he (Emefiele) has met his bail conditions, hence he has no reason to remain in our facility.

“He met his bail condition and was released past 2pm yesterday (Friday),” he said.

The Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja, had granted N300m bail to Emefiele, who is being prosecuted for alleged procurement fraud.

Justice Hamza Muazu granted the bail with two sureties in like sum.

The judge said the sureties must have certificates of occupancy and titles of properties within the Maitama District of Abuja.

He also ordered Emefiele to deposit all his travel documents with the registrar of the court, adding that he must remain within the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The judge, however, ordered that Emefiele should remain in Kuje Correctional Centre till he meets the bail conditions.

While rejecting the objection by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to Emefiele’s bail application, Justice Muazu disagreed with the anti-graft agency that the ex-CBN governor was a flight risk and could jump bail, jeopardise investigation or threaten the security of the country if granted bail.

After granting the bail application, Justice Muazu adjourned till November 28 for the commencement of trial.

Emefiele stood trial on six counts bordering on procurement fraud to the tune of N1.2bn.

Meanwhile, after more than four months of investigation, the Special Investigator probing the CBN, Jim Obazee, said Emefiele and others embezzled billions of naira and committed other gross financial offences.

Obazee’s report which was submitted to President Bola Tinubu on December 9 2023, indicated that Emefiele who was in office from June 2014 to June 2023, engaged “in fraudulent cash withdrawal of $6.23 million”, and perpetrated fraud in the redesign of the naira, while he allegedly kept 543.4 million pounds in the United Kingdom.

INEC to conduct rerun, bye-electionsinto NASS, state assemblies Feb 3.

INEC to conduct rerun, bye-electionsinto NASS, state assemblies Feb 3.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced Saturday, February 3, 2024, as the date for the conduct of bye-elections and rerun elections into existing vacancies in both the state and National Assembly.

While the bye-elections will be conducted in two senatorial districts, four federal constituencies, and three state constituencies, the rerun election is expected to take place in 35 constituencies across the country.

 National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information Voter Education Committee of the Commission, Sam Olumekun, said in a statement that details of the timetable have been uploaded and are currently available on the commission’s website.

The statement reads: “The Commission has approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for conducting bye-elections resulting from the resignation or demise of Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.

 “These vacancies were declared by the Presiding Officers i.e. the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly.

 “The vacancies occurred across two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies spanning nine States of the Federation.

“Furthermore, the Commission is conducting re-run elections stemming from the 2023 General Election, as directed by various Election Petition Appeal Tribunals.

 “Currently, 35 Constituencies are affected by these Court-ordered elections. While three cover entire constituencies, others involve only a few Polling Units.

 “Both categories of elections are scheduled to take place simultaneously in all affected constituencies on Saturday 3rd February 2024. 

“The Timetable for the elections, along with detailed delimitation data (i.e. registration areas, polling unit names, the number of registered voters and PVCs collected), has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms as a guide to political parties and candidates, and for public information.

“We urge parties and candidates to strictly adhere to the specified timelines for the seamless conduct of these elections.”

According to the timetable seen by The Nation, political parties are expected to conduct party primaries and produce candidates for the bye-elections between January 5 and 9.

The parties are expected to submit the list of their candidates to the commission between January 10 and 13, while the final list of candidates will be published on January 117, with campaigns starting January 18.

Obaseki signs N342bn 2024 Edo Appropriation Bill into law.

Obaseki signs N342bn 2024 Edo Appropriation Bill into law.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Friday, signed the state’s 2024 Appropriation Bill, pegged at N342bn into law after the bill was passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

Signing the bill at the Government House, Obaseki commended the State Assembly for their collaboration, noting that the greater part of the budget will be used for capital projects to drive further development in the State.

He said, “A fourth night ago, I came to the House to present the last budget in the life of this administration which we termed, ‘Finishing well budget’ and proposed an appropriation of N342 billion.

“I want to thank the House who worked tirelessly to ensure we achieved this today. I am aware of the diligent work in ensuring that the bill is signed and passed into law today in good record time before the end of the financial year.

“The greater percentage of this budget is going to be used for capital projects affecting our people in the State, and less than 50 percent will go for running of government and recurrent expenditure. We appreciate you for the progressive stand taken in this budget.”

Obaseki continued: “I want to assure you that this government is going to be prudent and disciplined in terms of financial behavior. As a government, we ensure we fulfill and meet all our financial obligations. We meet our commitments as and when due. That is why we are able to pay salaries and benefits of staff on time.

“From what we have seen from this appropriation law, we are going to complete all priority projects we embarked on. No government can complete the entire work in the life of any State or Country; it’s a continuous process. But for those things we set out to do, we will surely complete them and not leave any abandoned projects.”

The governor added, “We are aware of the challenges and difficulties our citizens are facing and are working hard to complete our capital projects. We need to support the weakest in society by providing a soft landing for those who need help to sustain themselves, feed and for small businesses that need capital or support to help keep their livelihood.”

On his part, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Blessing Agbebaku, said, “Your Excellency, you presented your budget some time ago which you tagged ‘budget of finishing well’. We are here today to present the finished work of the budget to you. We have all party members here both the PDP, Labour and APC. It’s a total agreement on the budget.

“This budget captured all spheres of administration of this State; it captured both the young, old, poor, rich, vulnerable and everybody in the State and also captured all the projects that intend to be executed in various constituencies.”

Varsity workers lament non – payment of minimum wage arrears.

Varsity workers lament non – payment of minimum wage arrears.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has lamented the non – payment of arrears of the national minimum wage to its members.

It also urged the Federal Government to pay the October and November backlog of the N35,000 wage award to workers in its payroll.

The union said fourteen universities have failed to pay the arrears to its members four years after it was approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The listed the universities to include: Federal University Otuoke; Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; Federal University, Dutsinma; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal University, Gashua, Yobe and Federal University Kashere.

Others are: University of Maiduguri; Modibo Adamawa University, Yola; University of Benin, Benin; College of Medicine, of the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba; University of Calabar; University of Uyo; Federal University of Lafia and Federal University, Lokoja.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its 46th National Executive Council meeting at the Federal University of Technology, Minna and signed by its National President Mohammed Ibrahim the union appealed to the Federal Government to release money for the payment of the arrears.

“NEC in session observed that some of her members are yet to be paid arrears of the National Minimum Wage, which was approved in 2019 despite the efforts of the Union.

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“NEC, therefore, calls on the government to, as a matter of urgency, release funds for payment for those omitted in the under listed universities,” the communiqué read.

The union also urged the federal government to release the N50 billion allocated for the payment of the earned allowances of universities and Inter-University Centres workers “without further delay.”

SSANU also demanded the implementation of the approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent increase in the salaries of university workers.

The union said: “Though this proposal is a far cry from the salary increase demanded by SSANU, we regarded it as an award by the government and therefore expected that the award should have been implemented by now.”

 NEC, therefore, demands the implementation of this wage increase, which had been captured in the budget before the end of 2023, pending the conclusion of the renegotiation with the government on the mutually acceptable salary wage.”

“This is with a view to forestall the complicated problems that plagued the use of IPPIS,” it said

Yuletide: IG promises adequate security.

Yuletide: IG promises adequate security.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has assured Nigerians of adequate security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He made this known on Friday during the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Force Christmas Carol in Abuja.

The IG, speaking to journalists during the Carols of Nine Lessons, noted that the police had put in place necessary security measures towards ensuring a hitch-free celebrations across the country.

He added that Christmas Carol was to intimate Nigerians on the need to promote peaceful coexistence during and after the Christmas celebrations. He further revealed that the NPF has been at the forefront in ensuring the security of lives and properties.

Egberokun said, “This is the first of it’s type by the Nigeria Police Force; the Christmas Carol is an avenue to bring Nigerians together to celebrate, and be encouraged to live peacefully with one another. Before this Carol, we have made our adequate deployments across the country to ensure that Nigerians are safe and that they enjoy the festivities in peace and harmony.”

Tinubu Reassures Nigerians of Unwavering Commitment to Fairness for All Policy.

Tinubu Reassures Nigerians of Unwavering Commitment to Fairness for All Policy.

President Bola Tinubu says he will always be fair to all Nigerians and that his administration remains committed to advancing the unity of Nigeria, as well as ensuring the welfare and prosperity of all citizens. 

Speaking at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Central Mosque in Surulere, Lagos, on Friday, the President said the economic reforms initiated by his government are aimed at establishing a robust and secure foundation for Nigerians today and for generations unborn.

President Tinubu, who joined the Muslim Ummah to observe Jumaat prayers marking the centennial anniversary of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), commended the Society for its service to humanity, contributions to the propagation of the tenets of Islam, and efforts in uplifting the downtrodden.

He implored members of the Society to remain committed to their objectives of advancing the education of citizens, as well as promoting the moral and social development of the Muslim Ummah.

The President thanked the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society for their support during the elections, emphasizing that their efforts serve as a motivation for his government to stay resolute in delivering good governance to the people.

”I thank the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society for its support during the elections. I do not take it for granted; rather, the support serves as a stimulus for us in government to remain focused,” he said.

Reiterating his commitment to the welfare of all citizens, President Tinubu, who is on a brief Christmas holiday in Lagos, said the recent 50 percent cut in inter-state land transportation fares nationwide, and the payment of N-Power beneficiaries’ backlog of allowances, among other reliefs, are all efforts aimed at alleviating the burden of Nigerians this festive season with much more to be expected in the new year. 

”We are committed to enthroning a better society for our citizens irrespective of ethnic, religious, or geographical differences. The various policies already in place are expected to bring great succour to our people. We know their pains, and we are addressing them holistically.

”It is instructive that Ansar-Ud-Deen has attained 100 years through a systemic strategy that maintains its mission and vision. This is a testimony to what focused planning can achieve in a society,” the President concluded.

Kaduna gov signs 2024 appropriation bill into law.

Kaduna gov signs 2024 appropriation bill into law.

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani on Friday signed into law the 2024 appropriation bill of N458,271,299,477.66.

It was reported that the governor had on Monday, presented the 2024 budget to the lawmakers for approval.

The budget had a capital budget size of N318,836,576,588.28 and recurrent spending of N139,434,722,889.38, representing a capital-to-recurrent ratio of 69.57% to 30.43%.

Sani had said that education took the lion’s share of N115,421,129,011.16 or 25.19% of the budget while state N71,647,821,975.33 or 15.63% would be spent on the Health sector.

The governor while signing the appropriation bill into law at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, commended the lawmakers for the expeditious passage of the bill.

He, however, noted that for the state to achieve the objectives of the 2024 budget, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies as well as other government-owned enterprises must improve on their revenue generation efforts.

He also solicited the support and cooperation of the good people of the state to commence the implementation of the budget.

According to him, the budget tagged: ‘Rural Transformation for Inclusive Development,’ will revitalize the rural economies, promote social inclusion, boost agriculture, and make the state secure for the citizens.

He said, “The 2024 Budget that I have the honour of signing into law today provides for a total expenditure of N458,271,299,477.66, of which N318,836,576,588.28 (69.57% of the budget) is for Capital Expenditure and N139,434,722,889.38 (30.43% of the budget) is for Recurrent Expenditure.

“I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Henry Danjuma and Honourable Members of the House for the expeditious consideration and passage of the Appropriation Bill. This is a clear testament to your commitment to the progress and development of our dear state.

“As I stated during the budget presentation to the House, this budget is designed to bring development closer to the people of Kaduna State.

“The 2024 Budget of “Rural Transformation for Inclusive Development” will bridge the gap between the rural and urban areas, revitalize our rural economies, promote social inclusion, address the gaps in infrastructure and human capital, boost agriculture and food security, and make Kaduna State safe and secure for citizens and investments.

“For us to achieve the objectives of the 2024 Budget, all hands must be on deck. MDAs and government-owned Enterprises must brace up and fashion effective strategies that will enable them to improve their revenue generation efforts.

“The reinvigorated Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has an important role to play in the effective implementation of the 2024 Budget. KADIRS must sustain the current momentum of our revenue generation drive.”

Speaking at the Signing of the Budget, Acting Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Henry Danjuma, said the lawmakers consider speedy passage of the bill to enable the government to deliver the much-needed dividend of democracy to the people of the state.

He expressed confidence that the governor has the determination to fully implement the appropriation law.