All Posts in "Day: October 25, 2023"

Police Nab Three Over False Alarm On Male Organ Harvesting

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested one Emmanuel Danladi and two others for allegedly causing the death of Alhaji Tijani Yakubu of Kabusa village who was lynched by irate youths on allegation of causing the disappearance of Emmanuel Danladi’s male organ.

The police in a coordinated operations also impounded nine tinted vehicles suspected to be used for one chance criminal activities in Abuja city.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Haruna Garba said,told newsmen that the Command under his leadership will do all that is “humanly possible to prevent crime and criminality in Abuja.

He said: “On 15/10/2023 following a distress call that one Alhaji Tijani Yakubu of Kabusa village was being lynched by irate youths on allegation of causing the disappearance of a male organ of one Emmanuel Danladi, Police operatives from Kabusa Division swung into action and rescued the injured victim.

“Both the suspect and the victim were subsequently taken to the hospital for medical attention and examination, unfortunately Alhaji Tijani was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.

“However, the male genital of Emmanuel Danladi who raised the false alarm that his penis has disappeared was confirmed intact and active by Medical doctor. He is in custody along with two others who resort to mob action resulting in death of Alhaji Tijani. The suspects will soon be arraigned in court.”

The CP noted that, “On 21/10/2023 following a distress call that one Mathew Michael aka (Stress D) is about to be lynched by angry mob at Apo primary school, Police operatives from Apo Division Swiftly mobilised to the scene and rescued him.

“A lifeless body of a male (name Unknown) was also discovered on the ground. Preliminary investigation revealed that the said Mathew Michael and one Ezekiel (surname unknown) a wanted and notorious cultist currently at large, murdered the decease which resulted to the mob action on him. Suspect is cooperating with the Police in an effort to arrest his accomplice who is currently on the run.”

He added:”On 16/10/2023 following the report from one Sunday Clement Idemudo that his ash coloured Toyota Corolla car Reg No: ENU 104 JZ 2023 was removed from where parked at Michael Opara way, Wuse zone 5 at the close of work, Police Operatives from Utako Division swung into action, tracked and recovered the vehicle at Toll gate, Kaduna State with the help of Reconstructive Digital Analysis (Tracking).”

He noted that two suspects, namely Mohammed Yunusa Dibal and Ibrahim Haliru were arrested in possession of the car. The suspect according to the CP are cooperating with the Police in an effort to apprehend their other accomplice on the run.

On the emerging criminal activities of one-chance criminal gang which is becoming a nightmare in Abuja city, the CP explained that the FCT Police Command newly created operation sting and anti-one chance squad in an effort to rid the city of one chance activities.

He disclosed that, the Operatives of the Unit “carried out coordinated operations and impounded nine tinted vehicles suspected to be used for one chance activities.”

The impounded vehicles, the CP said include, “Red Golf with Reg. No. ABJ 897 DC; White Peugeot 206 with Reg. No. JJJ 638; Ford Vita Black with Reg. No RBC 567 MK; Nissan Almeira with Reg. No. AWK 260 IB; Toyota Corolla Gold in Colour with Reg. No. ABJ 590 AE; Mazda 323 Protege with Reg. No. RBC 258 XC; Toyota Corolla Gold in colour with Reg. No. LD 364; Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. YAB 561 EH Black in colour; A vehicle with Reg. No. ABJ 597 TH.”

CP Garba stated that, “On 22/10/2023 Police Operatives from CPS while on routine patrol intercepted a Gold coloured Toyota Corolla with hand in scripted Reg. No. RSH 287 suspected to be used for one chance activities at phase 1 Federal Secretariat.

“On sighting Police Operatives, suspect took to his heels leaving behind both the car and the victim whom he had attempted to rob. In the course of searching the vehicle, a locally made pistol, jack knife and a rope were recovered from the vehicle.”
[10/25, 8:50 PM] Mohammed Shosanya: Police arrest three over fake alarm on male organ disappearance

admin by — October 25, 2023 in Crime/Metro 0
EFCC Attack:Mgt Close Federal College Of Forestry Ibadan

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal College of Forestry in Ibadan has been shut down by the management of the institution until further notice.

The action was due to the clash between the staff and students of the institution and some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Public Relations Officer of the college, Mr Kehinde Olawale, said that the college had been closed as a result of the incident.

He said:“The school has been closed to douse tension. We have gone to Eleyele Police Station to complain. We have sent a circular to the students.

“What we have decided to do now is close down the school. We don’t want to see any student for now; this was done to douse the tension.”

There was tension in the College on Tuesday when EFCC operatives stormed the college.

The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, noted that seven operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the commission on a routine verification exercise of a surety, Azeez Kazeem Oluwakemi, were attacked and held hostage by staff and students of the college.

He maintained that the operatives were in the college to authenticate the address and identity of Oluwakemi, who stood as a surety for Alakinde Khalid Kolawole, a suspected internet fraudster in the custody of the commission.

The EFCC spokesman, in the statement, added that students and staff of the college went into a frenzied attack against operatives of the commission who were on an authorised assignment.

The agency noted that the college community was duly informed about the mission of the EFCC team.

admin by — October 25, 2023 in News 0
Niger:Court Orders Arrest Of DPO For Rejecting Service By Bailiff

Mohammed Shosanya

A Minna High Court has ordered the arrest of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger state, DSP Wakili Inusa for refusing the service of court processes by bailiff.

Justice Mohammed Mohammed issued the bench warrant of arrest of the DPO on Wednesday.

Wakili Inusa, according to the court balilff, had refused to accept the court processes after reading through the documents.

According to the court processes, one Issyaku and other applicants are seeking the enforcement of fundamental rights to dignity of their persons, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of movement and as well, the right to bail.

The respondents in the suit: IGP, DCP Bello of FIB Special Taskforce, DSP Wakili Inusa who is the DPO of Mokwa and one, Hamza Baba.

The applicants have been incarcerated for almost three months now by the police in Abuja after their arrest in Mokwa,their counsel,Phillip Emmanuel said.

But,Justice Mohammed Mohammed said the refusal of the DPO to receive the personal service of the court processes is an affront on the administration of criminal justice system.

He said, “As a law enforcement officer, the DPO is supposed to uphold the rule of law as done by the 1st and 2nd Respondents who are his superiors”.

“This court cannot encourage such misconduct from anybody especially the police who are statutorily the law enforcement officer”.

“In view of the above, bench warrant is hereby issued against Wakili Inusa, DPO Mokwa to be brought to this court forthwith “, Justice Mohammed ordered.

Justice Mohammed also ordered the immediate release of all the applicants in the matter.

admin by — October 25, 2023 in Law/Human Rights 0
Tinubu To Present N26.1trn 2024 Budget To NASS Next Month

Mohammed Shosanya

The Senate has said that the joint session of the National Assembly will receive the proposed N26.1trillion 2024 budget estimates from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu early next month.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC Ogun West),who disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday,also said that President Tinubu would forward 2024 – 2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework ( MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper to both chambers of the National Assembly next week for scrutiny and approval .

Adeola disclosed that the executive in the proposed budget should come up with 55% allocations for capital expenditure as against 25 to 30% it has in previous budgets.

The appropriation committee under him, would not entertain any approval for corrigendum after budget consideration and passage,he said.

He added: “Information at our disposal indicate that President Bola Tinubu would present 2024 budget proposals to joint session of the National Assembly early next month.

“Ahead of that presentation, Mr President would forward to both chambers of the National Assembly, MTEF and FSP papers next week for thorough scrutiny and possible passage.

“In the light of the presentations, Senate Committee on Appropriations will have before it on Wednesday next week , Ministers of Finance , Budget and Economic Planning for explanations on planned projections as regards what percentage is going for what and what components of the budget .

“The new administration has a new mantra that encapsulates its vision and there must be challenges. We will do a thorough job on the budget. Our job is to verify the budget to meet the expectations of the people. We will look into it thoroughly.

“We are expecting the MTEF next week and immediately we receive the document, the Committee on Finance will go into work and look into it.

“I assure you that we won’t break the tradition, we will have the budget as at when due. We will keep to the tradition of January to December budget cycle.”

admin by — October 25, 2023 in News 0
Nigeria:Sahara Group Earmarks $1bn For Investment In Gas Sector

Mohammed Shosanya

Ejiro Gray,the Director of Governance and Sustainability,Sahara Group says
it has earmarked $1billion for investments in the Nigeria’s gas sector.

She disclosure during a workshop with the Energy Correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday.

She reiterated that Nigeria has gas in abundance of the resource, remains a faster means of industrialization than any other renewable energy solution that we are trying to push forward.

She said:”Our energy transition strategy is heavily based on gas because we have the resources as a country and we must use it. It is a faster means of industrialization than any other renewable energy solution that we are trying to push forward”.

According to her,the company’s focus is getting gas to power plants, hence a lot of investments are going into development of logistics.

She said,once infrastructures to deliver gas to power plants is effectively achieved it will catalyse development of manufacturings, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

She said it is infrastructure that drives energy demand hence Africa needs to develop in the line and refrain from being over reliant on other economies.

She implored government at the highest level to create an enabling environment that would encourage investors who are willing to invest in oil and gas industry in the country.

She urged government to create incentives and enabling environment for access to funds for investors in the oil and gas industry in the country, stressing that lack of access to funds is part of the reasons investors are unwilling to commit their investments in the sector.

“If the investors have access to funds and they have the right incentives to support their investments they will be willing to, we not just talking about foreign investors but local, but they cannot do it without the government also de-risking the sector. They must create an enabling environment to encourage that investment. Without it, the risk will be too high, number one, the won’t even have access to funds, two, off taker risks, transactions risks”,she added

admin by — October 25, 2023 in Oil&Gas 0
Reps To Investigate Nigerians Involved In $11bn Botched Gas Project

Mohammed Shosanya

The House of Representatives plans to investigate all Nigerians as well as parties involved in the illegal contract which led to the P&ID $11 billion arbitration award in favour of Nigeria by United Kingdom Court.

The House also mandated the joint Committees on Justice and Financial Crimes to investigate the conduct of all legal and other services providers involved in the P&ID deal and to report back within four weeks

The resolutions of the House were sequel to the adoption of a motion titled: ‘Reversal of the $11 billion arbitration award in favour of Nigeria: Call for the investigation of all legal and other services providers involved in the P&ID deal’, brought by Hon. Kama Nkemkanma, (LP. Ebonyi).

Moving the motion, Hon. Nkemkanma expressed delight that the “judgment of the Business and Property Court in London on Monday, 23th October, 2023 which halted the enforcement of the $11 billion arbitration award in favour of P&ID against Nigeria in a case marked CL-2019-000752.

The House noted that in the judgment delivered by Justice Robert Knowles, it was hold that the process through which P&ID secured a 2010 contract to build a gas processing plant in Calabar, Cross River State, was fraudulent.

“While delivering the judgment, Justice Robert Knowles held that – ‘In the circumstances and for the reasons I have sought to describe and explain. Nigeria succeeds in its challenge under section 68, I have not accepted all of Nigeria’s allegations, but the Awards were obtained by fraud and the Awards were and the way in which they were procured was contrary to public policy.

“What happened in this case is very serious indeed, and it is important that section 68 has been available to maintain the rule of law.

“The House stated that Nigeria has been involved in a fight with P&ID since the company accused the Nigerian government of botching a deal by failing to provide gas to them leading to the ugly situation where the country suffered a $6.6 billion judgement debt in 2017 when the arbitration tribunal ordered the country to pay P&ID with interest to start counting from March 2013.

“The House is again noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in 2018, began investigating P&ID and found evidence of two bank transfers totalling $20,000 made by Dublin-based Industrial Consultants (International) Ltd. — part of the P&ID group of companies—to Grace Taiga, a Nigerian government lawyer who oversaw the award of the gas plant contract, thus exposing the level of shoddiness and corruption around the entire process.”

“The House was pleased by the outcome of the Curt ruling, the House congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on well-deserved victory over P&ID at the Business and Property Court in London presided over by Justice Robert Knowles on Monday, 23rd October, 2023.

admin by — October 25, 2023 in News 0
Group Urges FG To Prioritize Gas

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Gas Association,NGA has advised the Federal Government to prioritize gas and capitalize on the abundant gas reserves in Nigeria.

The group said the development was necessary in view of the country’s participation in the Decade of Gas and the global energy transition.

The group gave the advice when its executive members visited the Special Adviser (SA) to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Verheijen and congratulated her on her appointment.

The group expressed its utmost confidence that her wealth of experience and dedication to the gas industry would pave the way for positive policy directions and substantial growth in the energy sector, particularly within the gas industry.

It commended the Federal Government for several commendable initiatives, including licensing 42 companies under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Program, expanding the gas aggregation space, establishing the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, and the substantial energy investment commitment with major oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria. All steps in the right direction.

Acknowledging government efforts, the NGA highlighted several critical challenges plaguing the industry that need urgent attention, such as gas supply issues, the absence of a commercial and fiscal framework to stimulate investment in the sector, ageing gas infrastructure, security concerns, multiple taxation hurdles, VAT on autogas-related equipment and transactions, lack of public awareness regarding the benefits of switching to gas, and the dollarisation of levies and taxes.

The NGA sought the support of the Special Adviser on Energy in addressing these challenges and proposes enhanced special security measures around pipeline assets to ensure consistent gas supply,sreamlining taxes and levies with government initiatives, including reviewing the PIA’s provisions that impact the ease of doing business in the sector.

The group also advocated strong focus on deepwater and offshore gas development to unlock Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves and ensure sustainable gas supply for export and domestic use as well as involvement of the NGA as a resource group for industry input in formulating policy and regulatory direction.

admin by — October 25, 2023 in Oil&Gas 0
Report:Reps To Commence Probe Of N8trn Unremitted Revenue,Subsidy Scam

Mohammed Shosanya

House of Representatives, Wednesday,received the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) 2021 Oil and Gas Report for the first time.

The report presentation, which was in line with Section 4(3) of the NEITI Act, was laid by the sponsor and chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, co-sponsored by chairman Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa.

Following the receipt og the report, the House referred it to its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream) to carry out thorough investigation into unremitted and misappropriated oil revenues, shoddy contracts, extra-budgetary expenditure by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of federal government, to tune of N8 trillion.

Ugochinyere had while laying the report, noted that Section 4(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) empowers the National Assembly to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation or any part thereof.

He also noted that Order 18 Rule 75(2)(k) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives grants jurisdiction over the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) to the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).

According to him,the House was aware that Section 4 (3) of the NEITI Act provides that NEITI shall cause its Report to be presented to the National Assembly for review and debate.

He said the lawmakers were also aware thal the establishment of NEITI in 2004 was part of government’s overall economic and institutional reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in the governance of the abundant natural resources in Nigeria, which form the mainstay of the national economy.

He added the lawmakers were further aware that by the provisions of the Act, NEITI is to provide crucial facts, recommendations, information and data required by the government to promote constructive engagements, public debates, discussions, dialogue, and advocacy to push for oil sector reforms.

He expressed displeasure that the 2021 Oil and Gas Report disclosed a rise in the amount of unremitted revenues to the Federation to the tune of $9.85 billion and a total crude oil and gas revenue of $23.046 billion, signalling a 13 per cent increase from the total of $20.430 billion realized in 2020.

He noted that according to the NEITI Report, 54 companies accounted for a total metered crude oil production of 634.60 million barrels. Out of this, 68.47 million barrels were lost to production adjustments, measurement error and theft/sabotage, leaving a balance of 566.13 million barrels.

Ugochinyere said, “Aware that the 2021 Oil and Gas Report was publicly unveiled and presented on Monday 18th September, 2023 with far-reaching findings and recommendations that are critical to the development of the oil and gas sector.

“Acknowledges that this year’s NEITI Oil and Gas Report presentation is coming at a time when the government needs to block all revenue leakages, grow its income generation opportunities and retrieve all debts owed to it by oil companies within the sector.

“Alarmed that according to the NEITI Report, the unremitted revenues consist of $278.813muillion earned by the Federation from tral marketing under the First Exploration and Production JV, $7.61million from OML 116 operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and $5.85 billion proceeds from the sales of domestic crude oil, including about $871.15million unremitted crude oil sales.

Worried that,according to the NEIT! Report, the total outstanding taxes payable to FIRS as at 315 of July 2023, was US$ 13.591million while the total amount of outstanding Federation revenue payable to NUPRC as at 31% of December 2022 stood at US$8.251 billion.

“Bothered that for Downstream operations, NEITI reported that the volume of PMS imported in 2021 under the Direct Sale Direct Purchase (OSDP) arrangement based on NNPCL’s records was significantly different from the volume of PMS imported into as per NUDPRA records which indicates that there is no independent third-party confirmation of product importation volume and subsidy value.

“Determined that in line with the resolve of the Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu leadership; to champion a People’s Parliament in 10″ House of Representatives, it is necessary that the House do receive the 2021 NEITI oil and Gas Report.”

admin by — October 25, 2023 in News 0
Yeni Kuti Recognized As World Dance Master

Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, dancer, singer and initiator of the annual music festival, Felabration, has been acknowledged as World Dance Master by the World Masters Committee. Yeni is better known as YK Power.

Yeni’s partner, Theo Lawson,disclosed this on his Facebook page on Wednesday 25 October, 2023. Lawson also posted the photo of the certificate awarded to Yeni.

He wrote:

“YENI KUTI- ‘WORLD DANCE MASTER!’ It’s no joke, after over 40yrs on stage, on the road and in classrooms, my dearest YK Power gets recognised as a World Dance Master issued by the World Masters Committee, it is like the Nobel Prize of dance. Congratulations my Love”.

The World Masters Committee wrote on the certificate: “The World Masters Committee is very pleased to award this certificate of the World Master of his/her country to the above named person with all the honour, rights and privileges pertaining thereto.

The World Masters Committee, based in South Korea with member countries from across the globe, is devoted to promoting the power of culture and maintaining the idea of creating one world through arts and culture.

Born in England on 24 May 1961,Yeni is the eldest child of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. She conceived the idea of Felabration, a music festival organised to celebrate the life and contributions of her father Fela to the global music industry and the Nigerian nation.

Yeni had her primary and post primary education in Nigeria after leaving England at the age of two. She holds a diploma in journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

admin by — October 25, 2023 in Arts/Entertainment 0
Don’t Tamper With Petroleum Industry Act, Wabote Warns

Mohammed Shosanya

Making unending changes to the structures set up by Petroleum Industry Act 2021 could kill the confidence of investors and stall new projects in the oil and gas sector,Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote,has warned.

Wabote,who spoke on Tuesday at a panel session at the recently concluded Nigerian Economic Summit held in Abuja, the Executive Secretary,explained that the PIA 2021 contains adequate provisions to ignite growth in the energy sector.

He advised the Federal Government and key stakeholders to avoid the temptation of tweaking the law at every turn.

According to him, “policy somersaults kill the confidence of investors. Once a nation or economic sector is known for trial-and-error initiatives, it makes the investors adopt a wait-and-see attitude or move on to other entities.”

Emphasizing the need to seek areas of improvement, he cautioned that “it is injurious to the investment climate if we are in a perpetual state of policy modifications or amendment of laws that we are yet to even progress to full implementation.”

He noted that it took the Nigerian oil and gas industry almost two decades to pass the PIA, during which time many stakeholders of the industry blamed the lack of passage of the then Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as the reason for the lack of investment in the oil and gas industry.

He implored players of the industry to complete ongoing projects and deploy the provisions of the PIA to simulate the necessary growth in the energy sector.

Speaking on ideas that would ignite the growth of the industry, the Executive Secretary recommended timely decisions on lingering issues on divestments, assignments and acquisitions, bid rounds, inter-agency collaborations, sanctity of contracts, and others.

He also canvassed for the speedy completion of the Dangote Refinery project and the delivery of products into the economy.

He listed the Presidential Power Initiative in partnership with Siemens and the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries as ignition points for growth, stressing need to get them across the finish line.

“The construction of the 615km AKK Pipeline is an ignition point for growth, we need to keep at it till completion, otherwise, it remains a pipe dream,” he added.

He also harped on the need to set Local Content practice as a National Agenda to address recurring dislocations in the economy.

He recalled that Presidential Executive Order 003 requires that MDAs must give preference to made-in-Nigeria brands in eight products. He pointed out that the implementation has been abandoned in public procurement.

He maintained that the successes recorded in the practice of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry needed to be replicated and sustained across other sectors of our economy to promote local manufacturing and productivity.

admin by — October 25, 2023 in Oil&Gas 0