Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday called for the resignation of the speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji over alleged N500 million scam.
The PDP noted that it was disheartening and unfortunate that in spite of the progressive posture of the party, no chieftain of the ACN has been prosecuted in its controlled states despite what the PDP described as ‘’the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states.”
Reacting to call by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN that the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur must step down now, the PDP said, “The ACN has also turned the other way in the case of a N500 million fraud allegation against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. There has been no call for the Speaker to resign. Till date, there is no record of any ACN official or chieftain standing trial in any ACN controlled State despite the barrage of cases of misconduct in these states”.
In a statement signed yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the Party however threw its weight behind its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, stressing that the party was not prepared to sacrifice his son, Mahmud Tukur over his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on the subsidy payment scandal.
Metuh who also accused the ACN of interfering in judicial processes for its members, stressed that PDP was the only party in Nigeria that does not do that, adding, “the same cannot be said of the ACN. For instance, when the educational qualifications of Senator Bola Tinubu, the ACN’s National Leader were questioned, the entire Party machinery, operating under its earlier metamorphosis as Alliance for Democracy(AD) rose up and vilified anyone that called for a mere investigation. Every effort was deployed to frustrate the investigation.
According to PDP, it was not surprised as a party at the propensity of the ACN to make political capital out of every passing event in Nigeria, adding that it finds this posturing hypocritical, laughable and a desperate measure to smear the image of an individual who stands very tall in his contributions to the development of our country.
It will be recalled that son of the PDP National Chairman, Mahmud Tukur; Mamman Nasir, son of the former National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali and Abdullai Alao, son of Chief Arisekola Alao are presently standing trial before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for alleged offences in the oil subsidy payment scam.
Metuh who noted that there was the need for the PDP to put the record straight, said, “However, in order to set the records straight especially in the minds of those who may be swayed by the ACN’s warped logic, we wish to state categorically that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Dr Bamanga Tukur, is not on trial, neither has he been linked to any of the allegations on the current petroleum subsidy trials.
‘’We have stated severally that the son of the Chairman currently facing trial is an adult and is fully responsible for all his actions in the eyes of the law. We shall therefore not allow the name and dignity of our revered Chairman to be dragged into an issue he knows nothing about.
“Secondly, it is interesting that the ACN, which has been on record as casting doubts over the Federal Government’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in fuel subsidy matters is suddenly enmeshed in a juvenile frenzy, dishing out judgments even before trials are concluded. What is expected from a responsible opposition like it is done all over the world is to give credit where it is due, and criticize where necessary.
“The decision by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to bring to trial those who have allegations standing against them is a clear signal that the government has nothing to hide and there are no sacred cows. We thought that the ACN will for once rise above petty partisan considerations and acknowledge this fact. Unfortunately, they have once more missed another opportunity to earn the status of a decent organization.
The PDP spokesperson who warned that the party will not succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition, said, “the call by ACN for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to resign is therefore not only an assault on his fundamental rights but also a wild misadventure by a clueless group that is ignorant on the workings of due process. We wish to remind them that the PDP is not operated on the basis of the opinions of the ACN.
‘’As the Party holding the mandate and trust of the people of Nigeria, we shall continue to show example on all matters of morality and good governance. We shall however not allow the integrity of our leaders to be wantonly violated, neither shall we succumb to blackmail from a very vocal but politically impotent opposition.”
Tuesday 31 July 2012
Saturday 28 July 2012
Ini Edo says "im truely pregnant"
Nollywood superstar Iniobong Ini Edo has confirmed that she is definitely pregnant. Some of you will recall that rumours of the actress being pregnant went viral about a week ago.
In a recent interview she had with E24-7 the actress finally confirms it, said, “Yes, I am pregnant. I have become a real woman.”
Sick man vomits lizard in a hospital
It was really breathtaking as a strange thing occured in a community near the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
Friday 20 July 2012
House of Reps blasts> sack Oteh and Sanusi
The House of Representatives on Thursday asked the Federal Government to remove from office the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh.
The lawmakers said this in their adoption of report of the House ad hoc committee which probed the near-collapse of the capital market.
The report was debated and adopted on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the Federal Government recalled Oteh from the suspension slammed on her on June 12 by the Board of the SEC which indicted her for mishandling the Project 50 of the commission.
The report, which aslo faulted Oteh’s appointment as DG on grounds of qualification, said that she lacked the competence to manage human and material resources.
Oteh was also found to have lied on oath before the panel on the ownership of nationalised banks as well as “regulatory failure in some of the recent mergers, acquisitions and approvals of transactions by SEC.”
The report in fact recommended her removal and prosecution.
But the government in a letter recalling her said Oteh was not indicted of fraud.
Some of the legislators had on Wednesday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of “shielding corruption” with the recall of Oteh while she was being investigated. They alleged that the action of the government was to pre-empt the House decision.
Spokesman for the House, Zakari Mohammed, had also said that the lawmakers would take a decision on the SEC DG, notwithstanding the government’s action.
Workers of SEC had also on Wednesday protested the recall of Oteh, arguing that her recall would erode confidence in the capital market.
But the Presidency said on Thursday that the government’s decision to bring back Oteh was independent of the House decision and that due process was followed in her recall.
Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, told one of our correspondents in Abuja that the accusation that his boss was shielding corruption with the recall of Oteh lacked merit.
Abati said, “If you look at the content of that letter issued by the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, government indicated that under her (Oteh’s) watch, there were a number of lapses in terms of how procedures were managed. The letter strongly advises her to pay more attention to the management of procedures.
“Due process has therefore been followed; fair hearing has been allowed. And on the basis of the recommendation and findings of independent auditors, government has taken this decision. The allegation of shielding corruption cannot stand in this matter.”
He added, “What government has done has nothing to do with the report of the House of Representatives. They are two separate things.
“When the House was carrying out its probe, there was no communication with the Executive.
“If the House concluded its work on the probe and forwarded its recommendation to the Executive, it would be treated on its merit.”
The report of the House ad hoc committee, led by Mr. Ibrahim El-Sudi, specifically stated that the embattled DG’s appointment violated “Section 3(2) a and 4ection 38 (1)(b), 2 and 3; Section 315 of the Investment and Security Act, 2007 in that she did not have 15 years experience in the Nigerian Capital Market as required…”
“That the appointment of Ms Arunma Oteh be terminated forthwith as DG, SEC,” the report said.
The report added, “She has shown incompetence in the management of human and material resources at her disposal in SEC, lack of transparency in the management of Project 50…and general inability to carry along her staff, board and management in decision-making in SEC and questionable staff recruitment.”
In another recommendation, the panel directed the prosecution of Oteh for lying on oath over the “ownership structure of the nationalised banks.”
Also to be prosecuted with Oteh for the same offence are a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Moughalu; and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Umar Ibrahim.
The House directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to prosecute the officials for breach of Section 10 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act “for giving false evidence under oath to the committee.”
While the officials had told the panel that the nationalised banks were owned by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, it was later discovered that private individuals were the directors of the banks.
On another ground, Oteh and the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, were recommended for prosecution for contempt.
The panel explained that they refused to produce documents that would have assisted the investigation in breach of “Sections 4&11(b) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act and Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution.”
Also to be prosecuted for the same offence is the MD of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi.
For their roles in the banking sector crisis, which led to the CBN intervening in eight banks in 2009, the panel recommended a former Governor of the apex bank, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for “further investigation.”
Others to be investigated for the same reason are the Deputy Governor (Banking Supervision), Mr. Tunde Lemo; and a former deputy governor, Mr. Ignatius Imala.
Similarly, the House endorsed the recommendation of the panel asking President Goodluck Jonathan to strip the former MDs of the eight banks of their national honours.
In addition, it called on anti-graft agencies to “hasten their prosecution to serve as deterrence and to help restore investors’ a deterrent in the market.”
Although the panel had recommended the prosecution of Sanusi over nationalisation of AfriBank, Bank PHB and Spring Bank by the EFCC, the House stepped down the recommendation pending the outcome of consultation between the panel and the Committee on Banking/Currency.
This came after an explanation by the Chairman of the banking committee, Mr. Chukwudi Onyereri, who told the House that the committee was adequately briefed on status of the affected banks.
Members had obliged the committee a request to brief the House after the two committees had consulted on the matter.
But, one member, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, warned that the consultations should be done transparently to avoid a repeat of scandal witnessed during the consideration of the fuel subsidy probe report last month.
To strengthen the capital market, the committee recommended that both SEC and the CBN should improve on their regulatory duties by “detecting infractions and malpractices in their supervisory capacity.”
The lawmakers said this in their adoption of report of the House ad hoc committee which probed the near-collapse of the capital market.
The report was debated and adopted on Thursday, barely 24 hours after the Federal Government recalled Oteh from the suspension slammed on her on June 12 by the Board of the SEC which indicted her for mishandling the Project 50 of the commission.
The report, which aslo faulted Oteh’s appointment as DG on grounds of qualification, said that she lacked the competence to manage human and material resources.
Oteh was also found to have lied on oath before the panel on the ownership of nationalised banks as well as “regulatory failure in some of the recent mergers, acquisitions and approvals of transactions by SEC.”
The report in fact recommended her removal and prosecution.
But the government in a letter recalling her said Oteh was not indicted of fraud.
Some of the legislators had on Wednesday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of “shielding corruption” with the recall of Oteh while she was being investigated. They alleged that the action of the government was to pre-empt the House decision.
Spokesman for the House, Zakari Mohammed, had also said that the lawmakers would take a decision on the SEC DG, notwithstanding the government’s action.
Workers of SEC had also on Wednesday protested the recall of Oteh, arguing that her recall would erode confidence in the capital market.
But the Presidency said on Thursday that the government’s decision to bring back Oteh was independent of the House decision and that due process was followed in her recall.
Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, told one of our correspondents in Abuja that the accusation that his boss was shielding corruption with the recall of Oteh lacked merit.
Abati said, “If you look at the content of that letter issued by the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, government indicated that under her (Oteh’s) watch, there were a number of lapses in terms of how procedures were managed. The letter strongly advises her to pay more attention to the management of procedures.
“Due process has therefore been followed; fair hearing has been allowed. And on the basis of the recommendation and findings of independent auditors, government has taken this decision. The allegation of shielding corruption cannot stand in this matter.”
He added, “What government has done has nothing to do with the report of the House of Representatives. They are two separate things.
“When the House was carrying out its probe, there was no communication with the Executive.
“If the House concluded its work on the probe and forwarded its recommendation to the Executive, it would be treated on its merit.”
The report of the House ad hoc committee, led by Mr. Ibrahim El-Sudi, specifically stated that the embattled DG’s appointment violated “Section 3(2) a and 4ection 38 (1)(b), 2 and 3; Section 315 of the Investment and Security Act, 2007 in that she did not have 15 years experience in the Nigerian Capital Market as required…”
“That the appointment of Ms Arunma Oteh be terminated forthwith as DG, SEC,” the report said.
The report added, “She has shown incompetence in the management of human and material resources at her disposal in SEC, lack of transparency in the management of Project 50…and general inability to carry along her staff, board and management in decision-making in SEC and questionable staff recruitment.”
In another recommendation, the panel directed the prosecution of Oteh for lying on oath over the “ownership structure of the nationalised banks.”
Also to be prosecuted with Oteh for the same offence are a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Moughalu; and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Umar Ibrahim.
The House directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, to prosecute the officials for breach of Section 10 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act “for giving false evidence under oath to the committee.”
While the officials had told the panel that the nationalised banks were owned by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, it was later discovered that private individuals were the directors of the banks.
On another ground, Oteh and the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, were recommended for prosecution for contempt.
The panel explained that they refused to produce documents that would have assisted the investigation in breach of “Sections 4&11(b) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act and Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution.”
Also to be prosecuted for the same offence is the MD of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi.
For their roles in the banking sector crisis, which led to the CBN intervening in eight banks in 2009, the panel recommended a former Governor of the apex bank, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for “further investigation.”
Others to be investigated for the same reason are the Deputy Governor (Banking Supervision), Mr. Tunde Lemo; and a former deputy governor, Mr. Ignatius Imala.
Similarly, the House endorsed the recommendation of the panel asking President Goodluck Jonathan to strip the former MDs of the eight banks of their national honours.
In addition, it called on anti-graft agencies to “hasten their prosecution to serve as deterrence and to help restore investors’ a deterrent in the market.”
Although the panel had recommended the prosecution of Sanusi over nationalisation of AfriBank, Bank PHB and Spring Bank by the EFCC, the House stepped down the recommendation pending the outcome of consultation between the panel and the Committee on Banking/Currency.
This came after an explanation by the Chairman of the banking committee, Mr. Chukwudi Onyereri, who told the House that the committee was adequately briefed on status of the affected banks.
Members had obliged the committee a request to brief the House after the two committees had consulted on the matter.
But, one member, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, warned that the consultations should be done transparently to avoid a repeat of scandal witnessed during the consideration of the fuel subsidy probe report last month.
To strengthen the capital market, the committee recommended that both SEC and the CBN should improve on their regulatory duties by “detecting infractions and malpractices in their supervisory capacity.”
Thursday 19 July 2012
Aki wife a graduate of fashion school
Nneoma, was very proud to show off her certificate from the Needlecraft Couture Fashion School on Sunday, July 15, 2012 right at the graduation ceremony held in Ikeja, Lagos. We are unsure if Aki was present at the ceremony.
The ‘pint sized’ actor and beau Nneoma tied the knot on Friday, December 9, 2011.
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