SAVE THE NATION MOVEMENT A GROUP OF BLACKMAILERS AND MISCHIEF MAKERS

NIGERIA ARMY PRESS RELEASE

The Nigerian Army has noted with dismay the attempt to rubbish the hard earned name and reputation of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and the Nigerian Army by a faceless group that called itself Save the Nation Movement (STNM) through orchestrated campaign of calumny in the media. In a release signed by Steven Chilaka, its National Secretary on Sunday, they wanted the Chief of Army Staff to be included among those indicted in the ongoing probe of abuse of funds meant for the procurement of arms simply because he was the Director of Procurement at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

The public will recall our earlier warning of this type of campaign of calumny against the Nigerian Army and the Chief of Army Staff. This has reared its ugly head again. Unfortunately, the movement could not get their facts right as has always been the case with people with dubious intents.

Contrary to their mischief, it should be noted that General Buratai was Director of Procurement at Defence Headquarters from March 2014 to May 2015, not from 2012 to 2015 as they wished to mislead the public. Furthermore, there is the need to educate the ignorant group that, Defence Procurement in Nigeria is decentralised each Service is responsible for its procurement. It is advisable for the group to look elsewhere if they want to attack the Chief of Army Staff. For the avoidance of doubt, the Chief of Army Staff has never been involved in any questionable act throughout his career as military officer let alone when he was at the DHQ.

As a matter of fact, the Chief of Army Staff has always been a reference point in exemplary conduct, probity and integrity. It is on record that he voluntarily declared his assets both as Commander MNJTF and as Chief of Army Staff. In addition, he has directed all Nigerian Army officers to do so. One wonders what the faceless groups motive is and why they are in a hurry to rubbish the good name of the Chief Army Staff and the Nigerian Army, when there is a Presidential Panel already working selflessly. Why is the group trying to jump the gun. Let these mischievous elements which Steven Chilaka represents, allow the Panel to discharge its duties dispassionately as it is doing.

It is advisable also that the faceless group should get their facts right and not just merely speculate or disturb us with their wishful thinking. They should further understand that whatever mischievous intentions they have against the Chief of Army Staff and indeed, the Nigerian Army, both would not be deterred, we shall remain focused and never to be distracted. Consequently, the public is please requested to disregard the so called Movements evil machinations which would surely fall back on them.

Thank you.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations

Treason: Court To Decide On Nnamdi Kanu’s Bail Application Friday

Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed next Friday January for ruling on the bail application brought by the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Mr. Kanu and two others are charged with treason. 

The court today heard legal arguments over his bail application. Prosecution counsel Mohammed Diri argued that the application put up by the defence does not satisfy the requirements of the Evidence Act. 

He urged the court to consider the weighty evidence against the accused, including a statement in which he admitted that he was a British citizen; that he sneaked into Nigeria without a passport, and that he was the operator of Radio Biafra in London, and asked that the application be refused. 

Objecting, the defence counsel, M.U Udechukwu, told the court that the document being cited by the prosecution has not been admitted by the court in evidence, and that the prosecution therefore lacks the right to make reference to it before the court. 

He argued that there are procedures to be followed before such a document can be admitted as an exhibit, and therefore prayed the court to grant the defendant bail as the offence committed is not a capital offence. 

Earlier, a mild drama ensued in the court premises when Kanu was brought in handcuffed, but refused to come out of the prison vehicle because of the press cameras.  His co-accused, who were also in handcuffs, had already alighted.  

An alternative entrance in the back of the court was eventually found and Kanu was ushered into the court through the elevator that is normally reserved for judges.

A similar drama followed the hearing when Kanu, exchanging greetings with friends and relatives, was reluctant to move towards the elevator as demanded by prison officials, pointed warning fingers at them and dared them to hurt him.  

The situation nearly led to fisticuffs before it was brought under control and he was led into the prison vehicle.                        

Kanu is standing trial on six of treason preferred against him by the federal government of Nigeria.

Source: Sahara Reporters

PDP Spokesperson Metuh Gave Me $2 Million In $100 Bills To Invest – Witness

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday opened its case with two witnesses against the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in the charges of money laundering involving the sum of N400m which he allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014.

Mr. Olisa Metuh arriving court today from prisonSahara Reporters Media

The trial commenced before a Federal High Court in Abuja after the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, overruled objection by Metuh’s lead counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) to adjourn the trial.

Ikpeazu also informed the judge on Monday that since Metuh had been unable to meet the bail conditions granted him on January 16, the defence had filed an application for variation of the terms.

He urged the court to adjourn the proceedings as the inability of his client to meet the bail conditions had adverse effect on his preparation for the defense.

The prosecution led by Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application for adjournment and his objection was upheld by the judge.

Tahir then proceeded to open the prosecution’s case on Monday with the testimony of an employee of Asset and Resource Management Company Limited, Nneka Ararume, who narrated how he collected a total sum of $2m cash from Metuh at his house in Prince and Princess Estate, Abuja.

Ararume who described her position with the company as Wealth Manager, said the instruction given to her by Metuh was that the money should be invested.

She explained further that she went ahead to change the money to its naira equivalent through two bureau de change operators she engaged.

She said, “He gave me the sum of $2m in $100 bills. It was taken to bureau de change operators who would then transfer the money to ARM. From there (Metuh’s house) I proceeded to Mr. Sie Iyenome’s office at Wuse 2 where I gave him the sum of $1m.

“I also invited Mr. Kabir Mohammed and I also gave him the sum of $1m to transfer the naira equivalent in favour of Destra Investment Limited. Later on the same day, December 2, 2014, Mr. Kabir and Mr. Sie Iyenome confirmed the receipt.”

The prosecution also called Iyenome as its second prosecution witness, who also narrated how he changed the $1m to its naira equivalent and paid it to ARM.

Both witnesses were cross-examined by the defence counsel.

Trial has been adjourned till tomorrow for the prosecution to call more witnesses.

The prosecuting counsel said he had 16 more witnesses.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Metuh Requests For Variation Of Bail Conditions As Trial Begins, Witness Testify Confirms the PDP chief gave her $2m!

The trial of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Olisa Metuh, has started, with the opposition party’s spokesman requesting for a variation of his bail conditions. 

Mr Metuh made the request before his trial began on Monday.

However, because the prosecution was just served, the trial judge, Justice Abang Obong, deferred hearing on the issue to January 27.

Witness Testify

He, however, declined to adjourn the trial, asking the first prosecution witness to testify.

The witness, one Miss Nicole Ararume, claimed she was the wealth manager for Mr Metuh and his company Destra Investment Limited.

She narrated to the court how she received the sum of two million dollars paid in 100 dollar bills, which she took to a Bureau De Change for onward transfer to the Asset and Resources Management account of Mr Metuh and his company.

The lawyers to Mr Metuh, however, asked for an adjournment for him to prepare materials required for cross examination.

“Her allegations are serious and there is a need to get the necessary documents to enable me adequately cross examine her,” Mr Oyeachi Ikpeazu told the court.

However, the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Tahir Sylvanus, objected to the application.

He said: “It has been known to the defence that trial will commence today, as such, it should have adequately prepared for the case”.

Mr Sylvanus also told the court that he had front loaded all the account details relating to the transaction as such there was no cogent reason why the hearing should be adjourned.

Again Mr Ikpeazu argued that he could not cross examine a prosecution witness based on its document.

He told the court that the defence would also rely on its own generated document to do so.

The council to Mr Metuh further complained that it had been difficult to adequately prepare for trial as the prison officials have made interaction with his client’s difficult.

On Friday, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court granted Mr Metuh bail in the sum of 300 million Naira and two sureties in like sum.

In the ruling, the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, stressed that the sureties must be resident in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

Mr Metuh is facing a seven-count charge of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering.

Source: ChannelsTV News

U.K. man must give cops 24 hours’ notice if he plans to have sex

LONDON – A British man has been ordered by a court to give police 24 hours’ notice if he plans to have sex with a female.

The unusual “interim sexual risk order” will be in effect until a further hearing is held in four months. A longer restriction may be sought at that point.

Sexual risk orders are used in cases where a person has not been convicted of a sex crime but is judged by police as posing a potential threat to the public.

The order was sought by North Yorkshire Police and issued by York Magistrates’ Court. It replaces an earlier order limiting the man’s sexual activity that was about to expire.

He must give police the name, age and address of any female he plans to have sex with at least 24 hours before engaging in such activity.

The man can be sent to prison if he does not provide proper notification or if he violates other terms.

He is also prohibited from using the Internet unless he uses a device equipped with police-managed software that is to protect against online offending.

The only exception to this rule gives him permission to access the Internet while seeking work at government-run employment offices.

The man cannot be named for legal reasons and his address cannot be revealed. Police declined to comment on the case Monday.

© The Canadian Press, 2016

Lagos gives 7-day ultimatum to residents on gated streets

• Ambode

Lagos State Government has given seven days ultimatum to residents to keep to the directives that gates or barricades leading to major roads in the state, is locked between 12 mid night and 5am with manned security guards to allow free flow of vehicular movement.

State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami, who revisited the directive yesterday at a press conference, said the government will not hesitate to remove gates of streets where residents fail to comply.

According to him, “this is a serious issue and we are not taking it likely with anyone, residents have within seven days to comply with this directive or have their gates remove.”

He assured residents of security, saying that government officials will go round to make sure that people comply with the government directives.

Earlier, Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Affairs, Mr. Tajudeen Quadri, who addressed journalists alongside the commissioner and Special Adviser to the Governor on communication and Community Affairs, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan said recent trends revealed that some residents have abandoned the directives.

He said the development have given rise to come back of street gates even streets that never had them before are now erecting theirs fortified with all manner of objects.

Quadri recalled that before 2009 when the government came up with the directive, it was observed that streets where gates are under lock and key constitutes serious bottleneck and makes it difficult for police, fire service and vehicle on emergency to go through when carrying out their legitimate duties.

He said it also constitutes obstructions to traffic, especially in areas where such streets gates or barricades are on the roads meant to serve as thoroughfares or alternative links.

Also affected are pregnant women in Labour and sick people of which some has lost their lives because they were unable to get through to hospitals because their gates where lock with no security guards to attend to them.

He recalled the inconveniences the situation has cause, stressing that henceforth leaders of community must ensure that residents comply with the directives to avoid pulling down their gates.

He recalled the inconveniences gated streets have caused residents who have to walk round to access their area, while adding that some gates are deliberately locked for purposes of allowing roads to be used for parties.

He said government is revisiting the directives on the gates and barricades, with the aim of solving the challenges posed by the unrestricted erection of street gates all over the state.

Source: The Nation

Fashola to PENCOM: invest N5tr pension fund in real sector

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Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola has urged the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and other operators to invest the over N5 trillion pension fund in construction of infrastructure.

He mentioned such infrastructure as roads, housing, Fourth Mainland Bridge, coastal road linking several coastal states from Lagos to Bayelsa and the new seaports in Lekki and Badagry.

The minister spoke in a keynote speech at the Nigerian Pension Industry Strategy Implementation Roadmap Retreat organised by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and pension operators at the weekend in Abuja.

His paper was titled: “Overcoming the Challenges and Managing the Risks and Constraints that Inhibit the Investment of Private Capital and Funds in Nigeria’s Infrastructure Landscape to Make a Visible Economic Impact”.

He also recommended investment of the fund in refineries, such as Dangote’s, Ajaokuta Steel, petrochemical plants, resuscitation of textile mills; prisons to strengthen justice system and decongest prisons; hostels for universities, power plants for universities, especially those with teaching hospitals, health care and others.

To sceptics, who may be scared to invest pension assets in the real sector, Fashola said “diversification has forced itself on us as a nation and those investible vehicles exist”.

The minister said he could see a future of Africa, where Nigeria is leading in the use of people’s resources to build a future that includes the people.

He said he developed a topic from the challenges encountered by the pension regulator and operators in finding suitable investable vehicles to invest.

Fashola noted that the risks that stand in the way of the pension managers in investing the fund without any hitch were caused by some businessmen, who for their selfish reasons ensured that projects and contracts were tied down in courts.

He identified five areas that needed to be addressed to assure investors of low induced risks and these included politics, government’s action, socio-cultural, legal and judicial factors.

He stated that while the journey of a new pension system started with the coming together of some Nigerian minds like President Olusegun Obasanjo and Fola Adeola and was nurtured by the dedicated hands of men and women, it has reached a major milestone from where it must reinvigorate itself.

The minister, who said it was time to invest in the real sector, added that the biggest opportunity presented itself for the nation to act towards diversification rather than sloganeering it.

Fashola, who lamented infrastructure deficit in Africa, said: “This is the time to show that our nation and our national economy is bigger than the challenges posed by dwindling oil prices. This is the time to diversify and change the face of our economy. But the risks that stand in the way of investing the fund are caused by us and they must be changed by us.

“Perhaps, the appropriate starting point will be to acknowledge that pension reforms are just beginning to gain a foothold across most of Africa in jurisdictions as Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana, Kenya and Uganda, to mention a few.

“Perhaps the biggest and most advanced of the pension funds, especially in sub-Saharan Africa is the South African Pension Fund. But while the sizes of these funds are happily growing, and the number of contributors increasing, the impact in the quality of life on the continent is not yet anywhere near minimum globally acceptable standards.”

The minister advocated the adoption of a collective national attitude to make it possible to invest the over N5 trillion  fund constituting the contributions of the nation’s working class into real sectors as a means of diversifying  the nation’s economy and achieving inclusive growth.

He noted that the attitude that once mired pension funds management in scandals and lack of transparency, had led to stringent legislative interventions that limited the scope of activities that pension funds could participate.

Fashola acknowledged the amendments being made to address the situation.

Source: The Nation