Category: News

The expected Wednesday arraignment of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over an alleged procurement fraud to the tune of N6.9 billion, has again been stalled.

The matter was not listed on the cause list of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Wednesday with no reason given as lawyers to both parties were absent in court.

The suspended CBN governor, who appeared before the court last Thursday, was supposed to be arraigned but the arraignment was stalled due to the absence of the second defendant who was said to have been indisposed.

Although Emefiele (the first defendant) was present in court, the second defendant, a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro, was not in court.

Following an application for adjournment, the Presiding Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter to August 23, 2023.

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The N966.110 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N397.419 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N271.947 billion, electronic money transfer levy revenue of N12.840 billion and exchange difference revenue of N283.904 billion.

According to a statement that was issued by the director of information in the Office of Accountant-general of the Federation Bawa Mokwa, the meeting was chaired by the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun.

In July 2023, the total deductions for cost of collection were N62.419 billion and total deductions for savings, transfers, refunds and tax credit cancellation was N717.962 billion.

The balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $473,754.57.

The communiqué stated that from the total distributable revenue of N966.110 billion; the federal government received N374.485 billion, the state governments received N310.670 billion and the local government area received N229.409 billion. A total sum of N51.545 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13 per cent derivation revenue.

Gross statutory revenue of N1.150 trillion was received for the month of July 2023. This was lower than the sum of N1.152 trillion received in the month of June 2023 by N2.497 billion.

From the N397.419 billion distributable statutory revenue, the federal government received N190.489 billion, the state governments received N96.619 billion and the LGAs received N74.489 billion. The sum of N35.822 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13 per cent derivation revenue.

For the month of July 2023, the gross revenue available from the VAT was N298.789 billion.  This was higher than the N293.411 billion available in the month of June 2023 by N5.378 billion.

The federal government received N40.792 billion, the 36 state and Federal Capital Territory received N135.974 billion and the local governments received N95.181 billion from the N271.947 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue.

The N12.840 billion electronic money transfer was shared as follows: the federal government received N1.926 billion, states and FCT received N6.420 billion, while LGAs received N4.494 billion.

From the N283.904 billion exchange difference revenue, the federal government received N141.278 billion, subnational governments received N71.658 billion, the LGAs received N55.245 billion and the sum of N15.723 billion was shared to the relevant states as 13 per cent mineral revenue.

Leadership

Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating in the 82 Division Nigerian Army, Area of Responsibility have foiled an attack by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) on its Forward Operating Base at Ukwuorji, along Owerri – Onitsha Expressway.

This is according to a Tuesday statement by the Director of Army Public Relations Onyema Nwachukwu.

“The irredentist fighters attempted the attack on the troops on 20 August 2023 but met their Waterloo, when they came under the superior firepower of the vigilant troops. The troops neutralized one of the fighters, while 2 others were arrested, as others fled,” the statement added.

“Items recovered at the scene of the shootout, include one vehicle, one mobile phone, one machete, nine empty cases of expended 7.62 mm Special Ammunition, and one empty case of expended 12.7mm Ammunition.”

Meanwhile, troops in the North-East have recorded another feat with the surrender of a Boko Haram fighter and his wife.

The duo surrendered to troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison in Gwoza with items recovered from them including one AK-47 rifle and 10 live rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition.

“In a separate operation on 21 August 2023, troops of 1 Brigade Garrison, operating under 8 Division, Area of Responsibility, while acting on actionable Intelligence, ambushed insurgents who were on a mission to attack Bobo Village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. In a fierce fight with the insurgents, troops eliminated two of the criminals and recovered two AK-47 rifles and four motorcycles,” the statement added.

“The Nigerian Army enjoins all law-abiding citizens to support its operations to enhance security across the country.”

Suspected Bandits Nabbed, Abductees Rescued

In a related development, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operations HAKORIN DAMISA IV have arrested 39 criminal suspects.

According to the Army, the arrest took place between 14 to 21 August 2023 with the suspects linked to crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

“The suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint Operation Area of Operation SAFE HAVEN and 3 Division Nigerian Army Area of Responsibility. Two of the suspects have been on the wanted list for involvement in several armed robbery and kidnapping activities,” an Army statement read.

“Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action magnum gun, one AK-47 Magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special, and an Itel mobile phone from the suspects. A suspected kidnapper and arms dealer was also captured at Kuba village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.

“Similarly, troops arrested two militia gang members identified to be among those who attacked Heipang general area recently and recovered 2 x AK-47 rifles, seven fabricated rifles, and four pump action cartridges during the operations. A drug syndicate operating in Bassa LGA was also nabbed during a sting operation and seven drug peddlers were arrested with a large cache of drugs.

“Additionally, troops arrested a total of 307 cows for grazing on farmlands belonging to locals at Kubat Community and Mabel village of Mangu and Bokkos LGAs respectively.

“Furthermore, a total of 37 distress calls were promptly responded to by OPSH within the period leading to the rescue of 17 kidnapped victims, foiling of cattle rustling, and repelling of attacks on vulnerable communities, especially in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs.”

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Oborevwori who announced the approval on Tuesday while swearing-in 26 Commissioners into the State Executive Council, said the payment would start from August, adding that the staff figure included employees of the ten higher institutions in the state.

He also approved that workers from salary grade Levels 1-14 should run shifts, with  first batch                                 Mondays to Wednesdays and second batch, Thursday to Friday.

He said: “This schedule will be implemented on a rotational basis. Those who work from Monday-Wednesday in one week will work Thursday to Friday the following week to ensure fairness and equity.  The schedule for officers from salary grade Levels 15 and above is to be worked out by the various MDAs as it is suitable for them.

“However, staff on essential services must be on duty while working remotely is also encouraged. The other arms of government – the judiciary and legislature – are to work out their modalities as they deem fit.

“As you are aware, local government workers are not under the administration of the state.  However, we have held consultations with the leadership of ALGON and it is our earnest expectation that ALGON will implement the same palliative measures for its workers.

“In line with my electoral promise, I recently approved the payment of outstanding promotion arrears to twenty-three thousand, eight hundred and eighty-seven (23,887) workers in the state public service.

“The total amount payable is five billion, five hundred and twenty-two million, six hundred and thirty-seven thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight naira, and five kobo (N5, 522,637, 848.05). The payment commences from this month of August and will be made in four tranches.

According to him, “the thorny issue of unpaid local government pensions is nearing final resolution. My administration helped to secure legislative approval for the local government councils to obtain a N40b bank loan to enable them liquidate their backlog of pension liabilities.

“The loan, which is guaranteed by the state government, is payable over a five-year period, and will be deducted from the accounts of the local government councils. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the payment of the pensions should commence soon.

” I have also given the nod for the local government councils to recruit teaching and non-teaching staff to fill up existing vacancies. At least 2,000 persons will be gainfully employed through this process. In due course, we shall carry out comprehensive audit of physical infrastructure in our primary and secondary schools to enable us know where there are gaps and respond accordingly.

“My administration will spare no expense in providing the conducive climate essential for high quality learning experiences in our schools.

“Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are keeping faith with the electorate to make life richer and more fulfilling for them as contained in the MORE Agenda.

“Consistent with my pledge to be Governor for all, I have constituted a committee headed by the SSG and other stakeholders including labour to work out palliatives that will cover the following segments of the population, namely;People Living with Disabilities (PwDs);Widows;Poor and vulnerable households that do not belong to the above categories; and the aged.17.

“I expect us to roll out palliatives for these categories of people as soon as the committee submits its report.  Meanwhile, the committee is also looking at the possibility of the state government acquiring electric vehicles for public transportation.

“The committee has equally been mandated to initiate the process of converting the existing Tricycle (popularly known as keke) assembly plant in Asaba into a dual-purpose factory that will be able to produce gas-powered keke, in addition to those running on petrol.  If this is done, it should significantly drive down the cost of transportation.

“Finally, I wish to reiterate the point I made to the Special Advisers on the need for elected officials and political appointees to be our brother’s keeper given the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

“Our people are going through very difficult times. Therefore, those of us that have the privilege of public office must do everything within our power to bring relief to the poor and the less privileged.  Please, be available to the people. This is very important because our people need to see that we care. “

Congratulating the new ccommissioners, Oborevwori advised them to be humble.

“Being a commissioner does not make you superior to others. So, you must shun pride and arrogance.

“This appointment is simply a call to higher responsibility, and you must justify the confidence that has been reposed in you with good judgment, tenacity of purpose, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the development of the state and the welfare of our people”, he said.

Vanguard

According to Reuters, British police said they had charged her with bribery offences, saying they suspected she had accepted bribes in return for awarding multi-million-pound oil and gas contracts.

Alison-Madueke, 63, was a key figure in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

She served as petroleum minister from 2010 to 2015 and also acted as president of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

“We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” said Andy Kelly, Head of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) International Corruption Unit.

“These charges are a milestone in what has been a thorough and complex international investigation.”

The NCA said Alison-Madueke was accused of benefitting from at least 100,000 pounds in cash, chauffeur driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties.

Charges against her also detail financial rewards including furniture, renovation work and staff for the properties, payment of private school fees, and gifts from high-end designer shops such as Cartier jewellery and Louis Vuitton goods, the NCA said.

Since she left office she has been dogged by corruption allegations but denied the charges.

British police said she was currently living in St John’s Wood, an upmarket area of west London.

She was first arrested in 2015, but underwent chemotherapy for breast cancer, according to her family.

At the time of her arrest, the NCA said only it had detained five people in London on suspicion of international corruption, without naming those held.

The NCA said that assets worth millions of pounds in relation to the case have been frozen as part of the investigation.

In March, the agency, which targets international and organised crime, provided evidence to the US Department of Justice allowing them to recover assets totalling $53.1 million linked to Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.

Diezani is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 2.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had made many moves to extradite her but its request was blocked.

Daily Trust