SHOCKING:”FG SQUANDERED N4.17TN ILLEGALLY IN 9 YEARS” – REPS

 

According to a shocking report released by the House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), the Federal Government ‘illegally’ spent over N4 trillion from 2004 to 2012 without the approval of the National Assembly.

The report not only revealed a gross misuse of the Service-wide Vote, which is provided annually to cover 

emergencies that crop up during the year, but also alleged that the Obasanjo government squandered N250 million for the upkeep of the family of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who sought asylum in the country between 2004 and 2006

At a briefing of journalists during the weekend, the Chairman of PAC, Adeola Olamilekan, termed the expenditure incurred as an ‘abuse’ of the Service-wide Vote, explaining that PAC’s investigation revealed that the vote was converted to a recurrent fund by the government, instead of an infrastructure vote.

After cross examination of the Auditor-General’s reports on the accounts of MDAs, the report indicated the following:

1.       An expenditure of N162m from the 2011 Service-wide Vote was tagged “Closing Accounts” incurred by both the Budget and Accountant General’s Office of the Federation.

2.       N1.2bn was spent on the overseas trips of government officials to seek medical attention.

3.       N250m was used for the upkeep of former Liberian President, Mr. Charles Taylor when he sought asylum in the country between 2004 and 2006.

4.       A pattern of increases in releases from the SWV from 2007 to 2012 was also noticed, N1.7tn being the highest spending from 2010 to 2012.

5.       Two security challenges (Niger Delta militancy and the Boko Haram insurgency) were the only “real emergency spending” from the vote that was justified, which cost the government N144.4bn between 2009 & 2012.

Including other “unexplained” expenses incurred, the government spent over N4.17tn contrary to the N1.8tn approved by the National Assembly, implying that an extra-budgetary expenditure of N2.2tn was incurred in the process.

“Such extra-budgetary expenditures constitute a breach of Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and an illegality, Olamilekan explained.”

He added, “These releases were mainly used to finance recurrent expenses not targeted at critical and strategic sectors of the economy and the releases were random and did not follow any clear pattern.”

The Committee urged the House of Reps to scrap the vote if it was poorly implemented, and that the extra-budgetary expenditure during the period “should be investigated and those found culpable should be sanctioned.”

Khodorkovsky Granted Presidential Pardon

After spending a decade in jail for embezzlement, tax evasion and theft, former Russian oil magnate and prominent political critic, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was granted pardon on Thursday by Russian President Putin on the basis of "the principles of humanity".

It was revealed during his annual press conference on Thursday, that the former head of oil giant Yukos had asked the President for clemency because his mother was ill.

In a decree signed by Mr Putin and published
by the Kremlin, he said "guided by humanitarian principles , I decree that Mikhail Borisovich
Khodorkovsky. .. should be pardoned and freed from any further punishment in the
form of imprisonment . This decree comes into force from the day of its signing."

The pardon came as a surprise to the public after Russian MPs pushed for a wide-ranging amnesty for at
least 20,000 prisoners including minors, disabled
people, veterans, pregnant women and mothers.

Although, analysts say that the pardon may actually be a ploy to push aside international criticism of Russia's human rights record ahead of February's Winter Olympics in Sochi, the Kommersant newspaper said on Friday Khodorkovsky had made the decision to seek a pardon following the threat of a
third trial against him.

Although, Khodorkovsky was imprisoned in 2010 after being convicted of stealing oil and laundering money, he has been in prison since 2003 when he was arrested on charges of tax evasion. He was due to be released next August.

OOU Lecturer Murdered by Unknown Gunmen

Dr. Olusegun Onabanjo, a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, was shot dead by unknown gunmen who stormed his private residence in the early hours of Wednesday.

According to reports, the killers suspected to be robbers, stormed the private residence of the late lecturer located in Odomo lasa area of Ilese-Ijebu within the hours of 12am to 2am.

Dr. Onabanjo was said to have been shot and left for dead while trying to challenge the robbers.

Residents of the area told reporters that they heard Mr. Onabanjo shouting "e bami gbe ibon mi (kindly bring me my gun)" to his family members hoping to scare away the gunmen at the time they were making efforts to force their way into the house.

Luck ran out on the lecturer, as the gunmen broke in, shot him dead for challenging them and made away with some of his property.

The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the killing of the lecturer to newsmen, adding that the policemen rushed to the scene and engaged the assailants in a gun duel as soon as they received a tip-off of their activities in the area.

However, he sympathised with the family of the deceased lecturer, adding the command would do everything possible to bring them to justice, as they were currently on the trail of the suspected killers who have escaped with bullet wounds through a nearby bush.

The PPRO also urged the residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in the area that could help bring the criminals to justice. He called on doctors in the state to alert the command should anyone with gun wounds approach their hospitals.

Dr. Onabanjo, a well-celebrated scholar of his university, was a graduate of Sociology from the University of Uyo.

Until his untimely death, he had obtained two masters degrees from the University of Lagos and University of Ibadan and was recently awarded a Ph.D by the University of Ibadan.

Super Eagles Camp Opens Oct. 6 for Ethiopia/Nigeria showdown

The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) on Wednesday said the Super Eagles would open camp in Abuja on Sunday, Oct. 6 for preparations against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.

Musa Amadu, the association’s Secretary-General, in Abuja said that Nigeria could not afford to take things for granted in the crucial World Cup playoff.

The first leg tie of the 2014 Brazil World Cup Playoff between Nigeria and Ethiopia will hold in Addis Ababa on Sunday, Oct. 13.

Amadu said the Eagles would be expected to train in Abuja from Oct. 7 to Oct. 11, before departing for Addis Ababa aboard a chartered flight on Oct. 12.

He said the NFA was liaising with the National Sports Commission (NSC) to make the Abuja National Stadium available for the Eagles to train in.

“This game is very critical to us and we are giving it all the seriousness it deserves. We are doing all we can to secure entry visas for the delegation and team officials before departure.

“You know the Ethiopians are eager to qualify for their first-ever World Cup finals and, because they are playing against the African champions, they will prepare seriously,’’ Amadu said.

He added that arrangements had been made for the Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia to meet with the country’s advance party in Addis Ababa, before the arrival of the main delegation.

“This will enable the Nigerian contingent to put all necessary requirements in place before the match, so as to enhance Nigeria’s chances of picking the maximum points at stake,’’ the NFA secretary-general said.

He disclosed also that the NFA was working towards making the return leg game in Calabar on Nov. 16 an easy game for Nigeria.

 

Super Eagles’ head coach Stephen Keshi had on Sept. 20 released a 23-man list for the Oct. 13 match against Ethiopia.

There were no new additions to the squad which defeated Malawi 2-0 in Calabar, as Keshi decided to stick with the same team which secured the playoff berth.

The list has goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim, as well as strikers Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Obinna Nsofor and Uche Nwofor.

The defenders are Elderson Echiejile, Francis Benjamin, Efe Ambrose, Solomon Kwambe, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and James Okwuosa.

The invited midfielders are Mikel Obi, John Ogu, Ogenyi Onazi, Nosa Igiebor, Victor Moses, Sunday Mba and Nnamdi Oduamadi.

Abaribe: Senate in Full Support of National Confab

The Senate, yesterday, said it was in full support of the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to convoke a national conference, saying the development was in line with earlier call of its president, David Mark, to that effect.

The upper legislative chamber said it was aware that the national conference, as being designed by President Jonathan, would be limited to the scope where the sovereignty of Nigeria was not called to question.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Enyinnaya Abaribe, who stated the position of the Senate in a press statement, insisted: “It is, therefore, given that the proposed conference is in tandem with the time tested stand of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as enunciated by the President of the Senate, Senator David A. B Mark in his address at the last Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Calabar and to senators penultimate week.

“The Senate has always canvassed the position that it will always welcome a conference where all ethnic nationalities would converge to discuss all critical issues and proffer the very best way that will enhance national unity. The Senate red-line and for which was aptly factored in the President’s broadcast is the conferment of a sovereign status to the conference.

“The Senate is happy that it is a conference that will hold with due respect to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. It has always been Senate’s considered stand that there cannot be two sovereigns at a time.”

It said it was “gratified with the development and see it as an opportunity to address all of Nigeria’s structural problems that keeps agitating the mind of her ethnic nationalities,” adding, “the Senate is confident that the conference’s final outcome would go a long way to cement Nigeria’s unity.”

Three Suspected Cultists Arrested over Murder

Three suspected members of Eye and Aiye confraternities have been arrested by Police in Lagos State in connection with the murder of some rival cultists in Epe area of the state.

Among them is a 200 level Business Administration student of the Lagos State Polytechnic. The suspects, as gathered, were arrested following investigation into the incessant clashes between rival cultists by members of a vigilante.

Their identities were given as Olawale Olushote 20; Idowu Gborokini 29 and Seyi Adewunmi, 26.

According to Olushote, “I was forced into cultism by some of my course mates because of my built and intimidating looks. I was told I could one day become the Capone. But I have never killed anyone.

“Rather, I was attacked by members of Eiye confraternity, where I had gone to charge my phone. I did not know some members lived in the area.

“They stabbed me with a knife and broken bottle on the head. They even put some cartridges in my pocket, which the police found on me when I was handed over to them. I don’t own a gun let alone cartridges.”

Idowu Gborokini and Seyi Adewunmi denied being cultists. They claimed to be musician and bricklayer, respectively. They said they were arrested during a raid by policemen.

When contacted, Lagos State Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, said the suspects have been transferred to the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, from where they would be charged to court at the end of investigation.

Macari: Fergie Saw Disaster at Manchester United Coming

Lou Macari believes Sir Alex Ferguson was well aware of Manchester United’s squad frailties – and that could be the reason why he retired at the end of last season.

The Scot stepped down after 26-years in charge at Old Trafford and handed the reins to David Moyes, who has since struggled to impose himself at the Premier League champions.

The Red Devils have started the season poorly and are currently 12th in the table, following a 2-1 home defeat to West Brom. And former midfielder Macari claims Fergie could see this situation occurring last season.

“He’s always been a good judge of everything,” he told Hawksbee and Jacobs. “When he shocked everyone and said he was retiring, I thought, 'is he aware of what’s around the corner, is he taking the view that one or two of his best players are coming to an end?'. And Macari added Moyes should have improved the squad further during the transfer window.

“Every team in the country needs new blood,” he said. “The supporters get tired of watching the same players.

“I just felt this summer he needed to bring in some news players. They brought in one main player [Marouane Fellaini] but he wasn’t the sort of player the supporters wanted to see. They wanted a little ball playing midfielder.”