Woolwhich killers, Michael Adebolajo and Adebowale found guilty

Woolwich killers, Michael Adebolajo (left) and his friend, Michael Adebowale (right) have been found guilty of the murder of British soldier, Lee Rigby. 

25 year old Rigby was attacked by the Muslim extremists on May 22 outside his military barracks in Woolwich South London. They first run the soldier down with their car while he was returning from an errand, then mutilated and nearly beheaded him in a crime that happened in broad day light.

It took the jury only 90 minutes to come back with a guilty verdict. Adebolajo reportedly kissed the Koran and smiled as the verdicts were read but Adebowale didn't react. They will both be sentenced next month.

Heart breaking video: New born twins thrown into the carnal

An unidentified woman allegedly threw her new born set of twins into the carnal...watch the video..

Cristiano Ronaldo's cute son joins him as he unveils new museum

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s 3 year-old son, Cristiano Junior, helped his father unveil the museum plaque dedicated to him in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, on Sunday Dec. 15th. That's a cute lil' man.

The museum will display 150 of Cristiano's trophies and awards, waxworks, jerseys and everything concerning his football career. See more photos after the cut...

Chelsea players recognize Triple T+ watch their new video ft Timaya

Nigerian blazing duo MIKO - Micheal Ogbue and YDEE - Chaizor Emmanuel popular known as Triple T get recognized by Chelsea players at Stamford bridge. (Pictured above). They didn't only hang out with the artistes they also took time to listen to their music and were very impressed. 
 

Triple T has also released their long awaited video, Legge featuring one of Naija's finest musicians  Timaya. Video directed by Matt Maxx. Check on it after the cut...

Triple T is signed to GoldHeartProductions and currently working on their first album...

Their new video below...

Army, other security forces strategise against Boko Haram

Participants, rose last week from a strategic communications workshop organised by the National Defence College and concluded that defending the civilian population and maintaining their support remained essential to the success of the Nigerian armed and security forces in their war against the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

The workshop is first of its kind for the Nigerian security services and stakeholders and part of the National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki’s new strategy for embracing a new discipline – strategic communications.

According to participants, major challenges facing the military and other security agencies were the inability to effectively communicate with civilians in their areas of operations and the country as a whole. They agreed that the rethink demonstrated a new approach on the part of the Federal Government to win both the war and the peace. Participants acknowledged that there were communication challenges between security agencies and the public over military actions in their communities but noted that with the new approach, the people would see an improvement in trust and collaboration.

According to them, the military does not have a strategic communications plan, hence had not fared well in the public domain despite many successes recorded against Boko Haram.

At the opening of the workshop, the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki said there must be a more comprehensive spectrum of weapons and technologies developed and deployed against terrorism.

Dasuki and other stakeholders were in agreement that the nature of conflict had changed significantly and that protecting Nigerians against terrorists had become the centre of gravity for the military’s mission, along with protecting the country’s democracy, and helping to provide regional security. They observed that for the military, this was an important shift in emphasis.

Part of the message from the deliberations at the weeklong workshop was that the military had a primary duty to defend the lives, rights and properties of Nigerians – Christians and Muslims alike – and that there would be zero tolerance for terrorism.

The NSA had organised two similar workshops within the past 10 months to smoothen whatever ruffles that might be between the two security forces. In attendance at the workshop were the media who were given an insight into what the military plans were for its new approach to effective communications.

Participants were drawn from all the branches of the Nigerian armed forces including the police and their civilian security counterparts from the State Security Service and the office of the NSA.

Overall, more than 160 senior officers from the Nigerian military, as well as representatives of other government agencies, benefitted from the workshop. The media and Diplomatic Corps, bodies closer to the public, were also involved in the deliberations that brought experts from countries that had faced such insurgencies in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland. The presentations and discussions, led by experienced military and civilian communications experts from the United States of America and the United Kingdom gave Nigerian officers the opportunity to exchange experiences with officers who had faced situations elsewhere in the world that were similar to what Nigeria was experiencing in several states.

The workshop was organised by the National Defence College for the office of the NSA based on its assumption that the nature of conflict had changed significantly, that protecting Nigerians against terrorists had become central to the mission of the military, along with protecting the country’s young and fragile democracy, and helping to provide regional security.

Both the office of the NSA and the National Defence College had been working with the US State Department, UK’s Ministry of Defence and strategic communications specialists, Albany Associates, partnered in Nigeria by Africa Today, the London-based pan-African news magazine, to promote the strategic communications approach.

The partnership delivered intensive training in different communications disciplines deployed by the US and UK in their operations against insurgencies across the world.

A report on the workshop, including various recommendations, would be delivered to the National Security Adviser by the project’s coordinators, Albany Associates (UK).

2-month-old baby kidnapped in Aba

Kidnapping in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State has taken a new dimension following the abduction of a two- month-old baby boy from his parent’s house at Umunba, Osisioma near Aba.

It was gathered that three gunmen on Tuesday at about 2.30am stormed the house of the parents of the baby identified as Master Testimony Chidiebube Sunday as residents of the neighbourhood were still asleep.

In a commando style, the hoodlums were said to have made straight to where the baby was laid and made away with him without harming the parents who were reported to have put up an initial resistance.

Although the gunmen’s motive was not clear as at the time of filing this report, there were insinuations in some quarters that the baby may have been abducted for ritual purposes which has taken a prime place in the state today.

This fear is further rekindled by the fact that since his abduction, the baby’s abductors had not established contact with the parents as to know how much they want to be paid as ransom.

Some residents of the area who spoke with Daily Sun and who described the action as ungodly wondered why the gunmen should invade Chidiebube’s parents’ house to abduct him without hurting the parents and others who are living within the vicinity.

According to them: “We are still surprised that gunmen numbering about three broke into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sunday Udo, the child’s parents and made away with the baby which is ungodly and an abomination.

Efforts made to reach the child’s parents for comments proved abortive as they were said to have gone to the police station when our correspondent visited the area.

The Commissioner of Police Abia State, Usman Tilli Abubakar, who spoke with newsmen on phone confirmed the incident and said  investigations were on to unravel those behind the abduction of the child.

22 killed on Kano road as seven die in tanker fire

A road accident along Marke village in Takai Local Government Area of Kano State yesterday killed 22 passengers of a Ford, marked XA671 NNG. Several people were injured even as another tragedy hit Rivers State yesterday when a loaded fuel tanker crashed at about 1am in Elele, Ikwere council area, barely 24 hours after fire razed the popular Mile One market in Port Harcourt.

A resident, who spoke with Daily Sun on condition of anonymity, said the loaded tanker  upturned at an area known as ‘roundabout’ and exploded.

Seven died in the inferno, which also burnt about 30 houses, both residential and business buildings, six cars, three trailers and a police van parked around the area.

The state police command’s spokesman, Ahmad Muhammed, a Deputy Superintendent, confirmed the incident. on Tuesday, at about 2am, fire razed the Port Harcourt market and destroyed inestimable goods and property.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged the police command to investigate the cause of the fuel tanker fire, according to a Government House statement. He visited the scene yesterday.

He said: “The police should investigate the cause of this fire. We hear a life was lost and properties have been damaged. We need to hear from the police and know what happened before the government can decide on what to do.”

Meanwhile, a more devastating tragedy occurred in Kano yesterday along Marke village in Takai Local Government Area, killing 22 passengers.

The victims of the auto crash, include 10 women. Nine injured victims, who survived the crash, were rushed to Takia General Hospital.

Some of the deceased were burnt to death in the crash which happened at about midday.

According to the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Alhaji Garba Mohammed Ibrahim, the bodies were given mass burial at the scene of the crash by the community. They were buried at about 3.00 pm.

Eyewitness told Daily Sun that the heavily-loaded Ford vehicle was also carrying bags of foodstuffs when it somersaulted and burst into flames following a suspected mechanical fault.

The sector commander appealed to motorists to drive more carefully even as he prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims.

The Information Officer in the area, Malam Muntari Usman Romi, journalists that funeral prayer was conducted at the graveyard side by Malam Ibrahim Usman, adding that the burial was attended by the local government officials and traditonal rulers in the area.

He said the passengers were coming from Magami village in Takai local government and were travelling to the state capital.

Osaze battles Moses

The chase for the coveted English Premier League diadem hots up tomorrow as free-scoring Liverpool, parading Eagles winger Victor Moses host CardiffCity at Anfield Stadium.

Liverpool, with 33 points, are within touching distance of leaders Arsenal, who have 35 points and an home win against the Bluebirds, which have outcast Eagles’ forward Osaze Odemwingie in their fold, will see the Reds leapfrog the Gunners at the top, at least for 48 hours as Arsene Wenger’s side don’t get to play until Monday against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

Osaze Odemwingie

Odemwingie, who was delighted with the team’s 1-0 win over West Brom, said he expects a titanic battle, noting that the unity in the Bluebird fold was going to prove crucial in upsetting Liverpool.

“Since I arrived, the team spirit has been fantastic and the camaraderie is very good between the boys. There is a strong relationship between the players and the manager and I think that makes us work as a unit.

“It was a very important three points that came at the right time for us. We lost our last game and needed to bounce back – they were the instructions from the manager. We’re happy to be back winning,

We’ve got some difficult games coming up so the win over West Brom was important to give us confidence heading into the next few weeks.

Why we didn’t push for Iheanacho – Man United

English Premier League champions Manchester United have conceded Nigerian youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho to their neighbours ManchesterCity but the club has revealed they would not miss the Nigerian whizkid.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Writing on the club’s website under the headline, Nigerian talent set for City move over United!, Paul Bienkowski said, “Thinking on the positives though, United have plenty of talented players in their academy, so it could be a reason as to why the club did not push for the player.”

The writer raises doubts as to whether Manchester United actually wanted the player, as he writes further, “For all we knew, City might have been the only club to make a concrete offer for the player. I am sure, over time, the truth will come out on the deal.”

Iheanacho is currently ineligible for a work permit, so City, who have a sister club in Ghana, will loan the 17-year-old until he has earned enough international caps to qualify for a work permit.

Robbers kill journalist in Warri

THREE robbers, Wednesday evening, at Ogbe-Ijoh market, Warri, Delta State, stabbed a journalist, Mr. Vincent Onovakpuri, to death after carting away an unspecified sum of money.

The robbers attacked the deceased and his wife in her shop.

Late Onovakpuri, a native of Akperhe-Olomu in Ughelli-South Council Area of Ughelli-South, was the Udu Council Information Officer.

According to a report, “Vincent came to the store to take his wife home after closing from work that day. He was going to buy something near the store at about 7.23pm when three armed youths  attacked him and took his money and phones.

“After dispossessing him, he rushed back to the store. Immediately the boys started shooting guns, so we all lied down, there was confusion as people were running about.

“All of a sudden, they boys rushed to the store and started stabbing him. They went inside and took all the money made from sales that day.

“After that he was rushed to CentralHospital. He died moments after arriving the hospital.”

We  latter learnt that army officers at NBTC yard arrested two of the boys and killed one.”

When Vanguard visited the late Onovakpuri’s residence at Eguono Street, Orhouwhorun Road, members of the Akperhe-Olomu community were seen in droves in mourning mood. Mrs. Loveline Onovakpuri (widow) was wailing uncontrollable along with her six children and relatives.

There were gossips that Vincent’s death could be a set up by people in Ogbe-Ijoh market who are envious of his wife prosperity. Mrs Onovakpuri could not speak due to uncontrollable tears, she only muttered “They have killed my husband.”

When journalists visited the Warri Area Command to get details about the arrested suspects, Police sources said that the Army are yet to hand over the suspects but confirmed hearing about the incident.

As at press time, the remains of Onovakpuri was kept at the morgue of he Central hospital Warri.

30 wounded as London theatre ceiling collapses

The ceiling of a top London theatre collapsed on the audience during a performance Thursday, leaving terrified theatre goers covered in blood and dust and causing at least 65 casualties, emergency services and witnesses said.

The incident happened at the Apollo Theater during the West End show “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time”, and comes during the week before Christmas when London’s theatres are traditionally busy.

Hundreds of emergency workers rushed to the scene after the collapse but firefighters said all those trapped had been freed.

“We were called to the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue to reports of a ceiling collapse during a performance. We are aware of a number of casualties,” the Scotland Yard spokesman told AFP.

Five people were seriously injured and taken to hospital in central London, police said. They said they were not aware of any fatalities.

“We have 65 casualties at this point including walking wounded. We are trying to get further information on hospitalization,” a London Ambulance Service spokeswoman told AFP.

AFPTV reporters saw at least one person being stretchered away from the scene. Others, including some with bandages on their heads, were being treated in the lobby of a nearby theatre.

Emergency services said they had reports that the collapse involved part of a balcony.

Pictures on social media showed people fleeing the theatre with head injuries and covered in dust.

Audience members said they had heard creaking during the performance.

Simon Usborne, a writer for the Independent newspaper, said there was a “cloud” of dust obscuring the stage after parts of masonry appeared to fall away.

“There was panic, there was screaming,” he said.

Martin Bostock said he suffered a head injury after he was hit by falling debris.

“It was complete chaos in the theatre. Absolutely terrifying and awful,” he told Britain’s Sky News.

“I was in the lower stalls with my family in the early stages of the show.

“I think the front part of the balcony fell down. At first we thought it was part of the show.

“Then I got hit on the head.

“We got out with cuts and bruises. I think most people did.”

Nigerian hunger striker removed from Britain

A Nigerian failed asylum seeker who has been on hunger strike for around 100 days was removed from Britain on Wednesday following an unsuccessful legal battle.

Isa Muazu has been returned to Nigeria, immigration minister Mark Harper said.

The 45-year-old had been detained since July after he was found to have overstayed his leave by five-and-a-half years.

He began his hunger strike in September. His weight at one point was measured at 53 kilogrammes (eight stone) — little for his 1.8-metre (5ft 11in) height.

Muazu was first sent to Nigeria at the start of the month but the plane turned back, reportedly because Nigerian authorities refused to let it land.

Harper said: “Today (Wednesday), Mr Muazu, a failed asylum seeker from Nigeria, has been successfully returned.”

While Britain rarely comments on individual cases, the minister said in Muazu’s case, “he was not found to have a genuine need of protection”.

“Halting the removal of Mr Muazu because of his protest would undermine our asylum and immigration system, and provide a dangerous incentive for others to follow suit,” he said.

“The health of those in our care is something we take very seriously and all detainees including Mr Muazu have access to healthcare provision.

“At every stage, the government has offered appropriate assistance to him and has also facilitated his transport to a hospital in Nigeria where the cost of an assessment will be covered.”

Muazu claims he faces persecution from the militant Islamic group Boko Haram if he returns to Nigeria.

37 PDP Reps defect to APC

House of Rep. Nigeria

Thirty-seven members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the House of Representatives ended months of speculation on Wednesday as they formally defected to the All Progressives Congress.

The development increased the numerical strength of the APC from 135  to 172. With this, it now has a simple majority in the House as the PDP now has 171 members.

Seventeen other lawmakers  are members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Labour Party, Accord Party and Peoples Party of Nigeria.

The APC had 137 members at a point but Mr. Bamidele Opeyemi, a member from Ekiti State, defected to the Labour Party, while Mr. Benjamin Aboho (Benue State) moved to the PDP.

This left the APC with 135 members before the 37 former PDP lawmakers joined the party.

Thirty-six of the 37 ex-PDP members came from four states (Kano, Rivers, Kwara and Sokoto), whose governors had earlier  defected to  the APC.

The 37th member (Dogara) came from Bauchi State.

Curiously, members from Adamawa State, whose governor (Murtala Nyako) had  also joined the APC, did not defect on Wednesday.

The defectors wrote a letter to the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, citing alleged “divisions and factions” in the PDP as their reasons for moving  to the APC.

The speaker read out the letter and the names of the defectors on the floor.

They stood up to acknowledge their decision to abandon the PDP amid cheers and clapping by the APC lawmakers.

The letter reads, “We, the undersigned members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the PDP, wish to inform you that we have joined the APC.

“This action is as a result of the division (factionalisation) in the political party that sponsored our election into the House of Representatives.

“Furthermore, we write to inform you that following this division, the faction of the PDP, which we belong to, has formally merged with the APC.

“This communication is made pursuant to Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, for your information, guidance and records.”

The letter was dated December 18, 2013.

Some of the prominent defectors are  the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed (Kwara); Chairman, Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Mr. Dakuku Peterside (Rivers); Chairman, Committee on Justice, Mr. Ali Ahmad (Kwara); Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Mr. Aminu Shagari (Sokoto); and Chairman, Committee on House Services, Mr. Yakubu Dogara (Bauchi State).

There was jubilation on the floor  of the House as the APC members hugged the defectors and shook hands with them.

Most of  the  PDP members looked worried as they watched the unfolding drama on the floor.

However, some of them were heard  shouting “PDP, power”; “PDP, power to the people”; “PDP, no shaking.”

The defectors soon filed past Tambuwal, shaking hands with him.

A member from Rivers State, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, tried to protest the defection.

Raising Order 57(5) of the House Rules, he told the House that the matter was before a law court.

According to Chinda, the same members, who defected on Wednesday, had filed a suit seeking an order restraining the PDP from declaring their seats vacant after their defection.

Chinda argued that since the substantive suit was pending before the court, it was not proper for the members to defect.

In his response, Tambuwal merely said, “noted”, and looked away from Chinda.

Another member from Enugu State, Mr. Pat Asadu, also protested that there was no crisis in the PDP, but he too lost out.

Asked to comment on the complaint of the PDP members, the Chairman, Committee on Justice, Mr. Ali Ahmad,who is also  a defector, recalled that the House had long established that there was a faction in the PDP.

He added, “Recall that we took resolution number HR/RF/36/2013, vide votes and proceedings of Tuesday, September 17, 2013.

“The resolution came from a motion moved by Chinda himself, who stated that in view of the factions in the PDP, the House should pass a vote of confidence in the speaker.

“He is a PDP member and he moved that motion; so, the House already acknowledged that the PDP had factions.

“The motion was unanimously carried. We cannot come back today (Wednesday) and claim that there is no faction in PDP.”

It had been anticipated that the APC would assume the majority leadership of the House on Wednesday after it gained one member advantage over the PDP, but nothing of such happened.

The House still maintained its existing leadership structure on Wednesday.

When asked why this was so, Ahmad replied that the aim of the APC was not to hurriedly effect a change in leadership but to “make a bold statement as a political party.”

He said, “We have heard all sorts of things like we want to impeach Mr. President and all that; that is not our aim.

“People just go to the  Villa (Aso Rock) and say all sorts of things about the House just to get favours.

“Our intention is not to wrest power from the majority or cause confusion in the polity.”

However, investigations showed that the APC was buying time to win over more members and be in “comfortable majority” before calling for a change of structures in the House.

“We want to get at least 181 members fully declared and recorded for the APC.

“With that done, we will be home and dry”, a key APC source confided in The PUNCH.

Findings indicated that close to 40 more PDP members might declare for the APC by January 2014.

“There are members from states, whose governors have not defected to the APC.

“These members have issues with their governors; it is a matter of time before they move to the APC”, another source   said.

But the leadership of the  PDP threatened to  drag the lawmakers to court over their action which it   described as treacherous.

It said after its National Working Committee   meeting which held  immediately after the news broke, that the defection did not follow due process..

A  statement  issued after the meeting  by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh , reads in part,  “The defection, if confirmed to be true, is treacherous and a huge betrayal not only of the PDP but millions of voters ,who worked  hard for their election on the platform of the PDP in their respective constituencies.

“As lawmakers, the defectors must no doubt be aware of provisions of section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which clearly states the  conditions upon which a member of the Legislature will change platforms.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the courts of our land have declared that the PDP is one and not bedevilled  by any factions.

“Any member of the National or State Assembly who therefore renounces his membership of a united PDP must be ready to face the consequences of defection in line with provisions of the constitution.”

The  PDP  therefore condemned what it  described as a desperate attempt by selfish politicians to cause confusion in the polity.

Okonjo-Iweala presents N4.6tr budget to National Assembly

Coordinating Minister for the economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Thursday presented the 2014 budget estimate of N4.6tr to the National Assembly.

She laid the document on the table before the senators during their plenary, presided over by Senate President David Mark.

Mark said the action was in conformity with section 81 of the 1999 Constitution as amended,  which empowered the President to communicate the budget to the National Assembly.

Iweala,  who was accompanied to the Senate by some of her colleagues in the cabinet and the Director-General of the Budget Office,  explained to journalists after her assignment that the aggregate expenditure of  N3.73tr was expected as revenue.

She, however, said the SURE-P fund was not part of the estimated budget.

She put the capital expenditure  at about N1.1tr, which according to her, is about 27 per cent of the budget.

The balance, she added, was the recurrent expenditure, “which is about 72 per cent of the budget.”

She said, “This budget is the budget for job creation and inclusive growth; meaning that its a budget which will continue the president’s transformation agenda for several sectors of the economy.

“The budget is going to support the push in agriculture; it will kick-start the housing sector where we can create more jobs; it is designed to promote our policies that would support manufacturing because jobs would be created there.

“Industries will also be created in solid minerals. All these support will continued to be unleashed.  Job creation is the key to really solving the problems of the Nigerian economy.”

Sanusi admits error in $49.8b missing fund claim

• Okonjo-Iweala also clears NNPC 

CENTRAL Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi shocked the Senate Wednesday as he openly admitted that his claim that $49.8 billion crude oil fund was missing was an error on his part.

  In a verbal presentation before Senate Committee on Finance, Sanusi, however declared that so far, only about $12 billion was found to have been the shortfall in the oil fund remittance.

  He, therefore, pleaded with the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led committee to grant him some time to reconcile figures and facts with other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

  Also at a joint press briefing attended by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) Group Managing Director, Andrew Yakubu, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, clarified the matter.

Babatope, Toyo, Uranta, Salis, others fault call for Jonathan’s impeachment

SINCE the sudden lift in the political fortunes and strength of the opposition groups, which have transformed into the All Progressives Congress (APC), unfolding events in the landscape have continued to create anxiety and fear in the minds of patriots and interested observers. 

  This is so as the fate of the leadership of the country is hanging in the balance. 

  One of the most recent of such unfolding events is the call by the APC on the National Assembly to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan following an 18-page letter written to him by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. 

  The letter contained many explosive allegations made against President Jonathan, with the APC weighing on the accusations to want the president be removed “before he crashes the country.”

  The National Assembly has not heeded the call to commence impeachment moves against Jonathan. Indeed, the Senate on Tuesday dismissed the call off-handedly. 

  However, in the light of yesterday’s announced defection of 37 National Assembly members and five governors who had defected earlier from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, the opposition is now in the majority in the Assembly. 

We are not broke, says EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has dismissed as "gross misinterpretation", some newspaper reports that it was broke.

Commission's spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren in an official communication Wednesday, stated that comment credited to the Secretary to the Commission, Mr Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, that the EFCC had less than N2 million in its coffers was a misrepresentation of what Aremo explained to the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes on the Bill to establish the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency.

"The mention of N2million by Aremo was not in respect of the total financial health of the EFCC, but a direct response to a remark by the Chair of the Committee, Senator Victor Lar, to the effect that his committee had observed during an oversight visit to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) that it has no power generating set while its ceiling had caved in".

"To this, Aremo remarked that the Commission had complained to the Committee during the visit on the state of its finances and that the situation has not improved. The comment has no bearing whatsoever on the operations of the Commission", Uwujaren said.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted one Suleiman Abdul for illegal dealing in Petroleum product. Justice U.N Agomoh convicted the accused and sentenced him to two years imprisonment on each of the two-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The court also ordered that the truck with registration number XA 179 MWA containing 33,000 litres of petroleum product be forfeited to the Federal Government.

According to Uwujaren, Suleiman was arrested on January 16, 2007 by the Anti-Vandalization Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, River State Command and subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

Upon his arraignment, one of the charges preferred against him reads, “that you Suleiman Abdul, and one Charles now at large on or about the 16

th day of January, 2007 at Eleme-Obigbo  Expressway, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire with one another to commit felony to wit: dealing in Petroleum  Product without appropriate licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 (6) 0f the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 of the Revised Edition ( Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act”.

2015: APC leaders meets Atiku, to consult with Obasanjo soon

AHEAD of 2015 Presidential election, leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, stormed the Asokoro residence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as part of moves to woo him into the family of the opposition party.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the APC disclosed that it has concluded arrangements to meet with former President and past Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT of PDP, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at his hill top mission, Abeokuta, OgunState as part of its membership drive.

Led by APC interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, the leadership of the opposition political party which has been moving round the country to get more members especially from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP  stressed that it was determined to dismantle the PDP and rule the country in 2015.

APC—Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, flanked by the National Chairman, APC, Chief Bisi Akande (L) and Former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as he briefs journalists after a closed-door consultation between him and other leaders of the party at his residence, Asokoro, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Speaking earlier at the Asokoro residence of Atiku before the closed-door meeting, Chief Akande, who noted that the team decided to visit the former Presidential aspirant on the platform of PDP having worked together in the past, said that it has become imperative for Atiku to join the APC to rescue the country, adding that Nigeria as a nation is suffering from credibility problem and all men of integrity must rise up and save the country.

At the end of the meeting which lasted over one hour, Akande said that the existing relationship and comradeship between them and Atiku was well cemented and they were all moving together.

He said, “all of us that met here this morning were comrades in politics from time to time and we only came here to cement that comradeship and it is well cemented. We are all moving together to work for this country.”

On his part, Atiku, who noted that he had very fruitful discussions with the APC leadership, however promised that he will in the next week or thereafter get back to them on his decision after consulting with his people, friends, associates, party members, aides, among others.

Speaking earlier before the closed-door meeting, Atiku Abubakar who noted that his visitors were political associates having worked together in the past to fight the military and bring about democracy, however stressed the need for all men of integrity to rally around one another to rescue the country.

Atiku who disclosed that he was just back from South Africa, said that “we have a lot to emulate from South Africa against the backdrop that we have in common some features”, noting that in South Africa, they faced Apartheid,  while that of Nigeria was that of colonialism.

The former Vice President who reiterated his support for a two party system, said that the process of having two party structure will be in the interest of democracy, adding that the country has enough that would go round for everyone.

He said: “Most of us have been friends and political associates for over two decades. I will call my stakeholders across the country, we will take a decision and now address the press and let you know.”

Atiku who hailed the formation of APC and the opposition it affords Nigerians, said:  “I congratulated them and welcomed them because it will improve competition and governance. It is healthy for our democracy. Once you have one very strong party and weak ones there is no way the opposition can check the government in power. I think it will give Nigerians an alternative during elections, so I told them I will consult with my associates and brief the press later.”

Also speaking, former Head of State and 2011 Presidential Candidate of defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari disclosed that the leadership of APC will as well visit former President Olusegun Obasanjo to brief him on why the opposition party was formed. He said: “We have been visiting others like G7 governors, we have also visited some heads of state; we will also visit Obasanjo anytime he is available to ask for his understanding and brief him why we formed the APC.”

Present at yesterday’s meeting with Atiku were former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari; Chief Bisi Akande;  Former governor of Lagos State and APC leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor Ali Modu Sheriff; Governor  Ibrahim Shetimma of Borno State; former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu; Hon. Faruk Adamu Aliyu;  Sen. Annie Okonkwo; Nasir Isa Wambai; Former Presidential aide to Chief Obasanjo, Dr. Femi Fani-Kayode and publisher, Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Also present were Sen. Nazeef; Boss Mustapha; Dr. Yakubu Lame;  Senate Minority leader, Sen. George Akume; Musa Gwadabe; former governor of Kaduna State, Lawal Kaita and former Speaker, House of Representatives,  Hon. Aminu Masari and many others.

$49.8bn not missing; records reconciled, says Okonjo-Iweala

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, declared that the missing $49.8 bilion has been accounted for.

The declaration followed evidence provided by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, which indicated that the alarm raised by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, over the “missing” $49.8 bilion may have been a ruse.
The development followed the conclusion of a two-day crucial Revenue Reconciliation Meeting, during which the relevant ministries, departments and agencies, took a thorough assessment of their records.

The closed-door meeting, which held at the instance of the Presidency, comprised representatives of CBN, NNPC, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the Budget Office of the Federation, and the ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources.
CBN Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, had in a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, declared that about $49.8 billion could not be accounted for from crude oil exports by NNPC from January 2012 to July 2013.

However, at a joint press conference in Abuja, Okonjo-Iweala said the preliminary findings of the joint reconciliation exercise reveals that the said missing proceeds were not mis-sing, but intact and in the system.
In attendance at the briefing were the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu; and Sanusi.

‘Everything’s  reconciled’
Okonjo-iweala said: “There are perhaps some misconceptions or misunderstandings that led to this number, and we have been able to come to the conclusion that we can account for this amount.”
She said the meeting arrived at this conclusion after a closer and extensive scrutiny of the books by all the parties involved.

She added: “I just want to say that this reconciliation is still an ongoing matter. But we thought at this point, after working last night, we could share with you some of our thoughts and clarifications on this issue.
“And that is why we are here to resolve this and get to the bottom of this.
“So the bulk of the sum of $49 billion has been accounted for and that is what the reconciliation exercise is about. So it is very clear that it is not missing.’’

NNPC’s clarification
Responding on the same issue earlier at a hearing with the Senate Committee on Finance, NNPC’s Chief Executive, Yakubu, had clarified how CBN arrived at the amount quoted.

Yakubu said: “Funds attributable to NNPC meant for the Federation Account have been remitted consistent with existing petroleum arrangements in the industry.
“The Corporation has obligation to remit funds from direct equity export proceeds as well as value of domestic crude allocation into the Federation Account.”

Statistics
Yakubu gave further breakdown: equity export totalling $14.14 billion remitted; realisable value for the domestic allocation of $28.21 billion or N4.37 trillion, the sum of N2.26 trillion remitted; about N2.11 trillion subsumed in unrealised inflows attributable to N1.31 trillion subsidy claims, N128.05 billion crude and product theft.

About N48.42 billion strategic reserves holding cost; about N18.41 billion pipeline security and vandalised pipelines repair cost; about N12.59 billion alternative crude supply cost and N9.65 billion for other costs (fees, levies, charges).
Yakubu also listed other “outstanding legacy claims of N1.1 trillion due to NNPC, predating the period under review of (January 2012 to July 2013) being reviewed and reconciled with all stakeholders including PPPRA, FAAC, FOF.
“The net effect of consolidating NNPC’s claims against the cost of domestic crude allocation before and during the period under review is now N500 billion in favour of NNPC.”

He further listed other streams captured as remittances to the Federation from the NNPC to include: tax oil due to FIRS, $15 billion lifted and proceeds remitted directly into FIRS PPT account with CBN;
Royalty oil due to DPR, $2 billion lifted and proceeds remitted directly into DPR royalty account with CBN; NPDC production due to NPDC, $6 billion lifted and proceeds remitted into NPDC account being the sole risk operator of its licences;
Third party financing and trial marketing volumes, $2 billion lifted and proceeds remitted into Project Escrow account from where the share of the Federation is transferred into the consolidated crude oil revenue account with the CBN.
He said these are consistently reported to FAAC.
Pan Ocean,  $0.095 billion lifted by NNPC on behalf of the JV and NNPC equity of 60 per cent is remitted into the Federation account with CBN.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Okonjo-Iweala

CBN’s defence
In his defence, Sanusi blamed the controversy generated over the “missing” money on the leakage of the letter to Mr. President, which according to him, was not meant for the public.
He said: “It is the first time I am speaking about this matter in the public. I think it is important to give a little context.
“First of all, it is important to remember that the CBN never issued a public statement on this matter. The CBN wrote a letter to the President, which unfortunately found its way to the press and was at best, an invitation to begin investigation.
“It was not an end or a conclusion of an audit or investigation. Conclusions drawn before investigation were premature.”

He explained that the purpose of the letter was to address perceived gaps “between what we had in our records as the value of crude shipped by NNPC and the amount repatriated as equity to the federation account.
“What we had in our records was $65 billion shipped by NNPC and about $15 billion returned as equity to the Federation Account,” he added.

Sanusi said the reconciliation meetings have provided a clearer picture of the transactions to the apex bank.
Earlier, before the Senate Committee, Sanusi noted that the ongoing joint reconciliation exercise will help resolve and explain the outstanding issues.