Buhari Sacks EFCC Boss

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday ended the nearly four years reign of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde.

Lamorde's sacking came amid allegations of fraud and mismanagement of funds and property recovered from convicted treasury looters by the anti graft agency.

President Buhari was said to have invited Lamorde into the Presidential Villa, Abuja where he personally told him that his time was up.

The president has already appointed Mr Ibrahim Mustapha Magu as the Acting Chairman of EFCC.

A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina confirmed the development.

According to the statement,
“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Mustafa Magu as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission .

“Mr. Magu, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police, is to take over from Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde who is proceeding on terminal leave ahead of the formal expiration of his tenure in February next year.”

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CCB Arraigns Former Minister For Bribery And False Assets Declaration

The Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB on Monday arraigned a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT on a four-count charge bordering on bribery and false declaration of assets.

The former minister is accused in counts one and two of failing to declare his assets at Plot 2722 Kyamu District, Abuja and Plot 2059 Asokoro District, Abuja on assuming office as minister on 26 September 2007.

The third count alleges that Orubebe received a bribe of N50m from one Pastor Jonathan Alota on 19 September 2012 for the award of a contract to Alota's company, Chemtronics Nigeria Ltd.

Count four accuses Orubebe of collecting an additional bribe of N20m from Pastor Alota in 2013 for the award to Chemtronics Nigeria Ltd of a contract for the construction of a N1.8b skill acquisition center in Edo State.

Elder Orubebe pleaded not guilty to all four charges.

The tribunal Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar adjourned the case to 26 November 2015 after reprimanding the prosecution for failing to produce its witnesses.

To the chagrin of the tribunal Chairman, the prosecution counsel, Mr Musa Usman had asked for adjournment on the ground that his witnesses were not in court, immediately after the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

“I am surprised that your witnesses are not here. You have ample time, you have ample opportunity to prepare your witnesses. The whole essence of the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act is to ensure that criminal cases are treated with dispatch.

“Once arraignment has taken place, the prosecution is supposed to call its witnesses. Don’t let this repeat itself,” Justice Umar warned.

The accused ex-Minister had stormed the tribunal with a musical band and a large retinue of tribal supporters singing his praises.

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Pension Funds Theft : Court Orders Maina's Arrest

Former Chairman of the Presidential Pension Task Force Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, is now swimming deeper into troubled waters following a court order directing the EFCC to arrest and produce him in court.

Maina has disappeared from public view since he was removed from office by former President Goodluck Jonathan over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of pension funds.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had recently approached an Abuja High Court for an order to arrest and arraign Maina in court to answer to charges of charges of criminal conspiracy, pension fraud and money laundering.

Justice Ahmed Usman Shuaibu of a Chief Magistrate court in Abuja issued the warrant for Maina's arrest on October 27, 2015.

Two top bankers had recently told the anti graft agency how they helped Maina to manage and launder looted funds in collaboration with some bureau de change operators.

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Police IG Warns Pro-Biafra Agitators

Following massive protests in Portharcourt, Asaba, Awka and Enugu for the release of the detained Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as well as the actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase has warned against obstructing the peace of the country.

Mr Arase warned those agitating for the recognition of the Indigenous people of Biafra that they would be violating the law of the land if they continued with their protests.

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No Ban On Assembly Devotion In Schools - Police

Contrary to stories making the rounds in some quarters that the Nigerian Police has banned assembly devotion in primary and secondary schools across the country, the office of the Inspector General of Police has clarified that it only issued an advisory notice to states where insurgency is endemic.

A statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer,  ACP Olabisi Kolawole, said that IGP Solomon Arase issued the advisory notice against the backdrop of current security challenges in the country to avoid providing soft targets for terrorists.

Read the statement here.
: “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, fdc, NPM, wishes to inform the general public that the Force has not issued any order banning assembly devotion in primary and secondary schools anywhere in Nigeria.

“The IGP notes that against the backdrop of current security challenges in the country, the Police only issued advisory notice directed predominantly to the states where there are insurgency, enjoining them to apply caution in the said assembly so that such congregations do not present soft target for insurgents.

“Reminding citizens of their freedom to worship as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Police High Command states that the Nigeria Police Force did not stop anybody from taking part in prayer sessions organised by schools, churches and mosques,describing the congregation as the constitutional and democratic rights of Nigerians.

“The IGP calls on the general public to see the present position of the Force as a necessary sacrifice for the security, safety and peace our schools need, as security is a collective responsibility.

“Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, therefore, reassures Nigerians of the Police’s determination to strengthening and enhancing the safety and security of all residents of Nigeria while counting on Nigerians to continue to support and work in synergy with the Nigeria Police Force toward the achievement of its constitutional mandate.”

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Under-17 FIFA World Cup Final : What Buhari Told The Eaglets

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday had a telephone chat with the Golden Eaglets and their handlers, urging them to go for victory in Sunday's final match against Mali.

Presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adeshina said that the chat lasted for about 25 minutes.

To Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, President Buhari said ;

“Your victory tomorrow will remind Nigerians of what happened in China 30 years ago, and it will raise the morale of Nigerians, especially the youths.

“We’re praying for you. We are anxiously waiting to receive the cup. Please put us on the world map of soccer again."

The President charged goalkeeper Udoh Akpan to keep a clean sheet. “If you don’t let in the goals, then none will be scored against us. We look forward to lifting the cup,’’ he said.

To defenders John Lazarus and Tobechukwu Ibe, President Buhari said ; “don’t allow anybody to penetrate the defense. Rest well today, because a lot of Nigerians will be depending on you tomorrow.’’

To top striker Victor Osimhen, the president gave the charge to strike the Malians like thunder.
“Strike like thunder tomorrow. I believe you will bring us victory,’’ he said.

According to the Presidential spokesman, “apart from the 21 players and head coach, President Buhari also had encouraging words for other members of the technical team, the team doctor, physiotherapist, media officer, and other officials.’’

The team thanked the president for his support and vowed not to let him and the country down. 

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Buhari To Swear In Ministers On Wednesday

President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to inaugurate the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday 11th November 2015.

Abujacitynews learnt that the president will administer the oath of office on the 36 ministerial nominees at an event which will hold inside the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The portfolios of the ministers are expected to be announced at the event, although the president has said that the constitution does not require him to have 36 ministries.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, confirmed that the inauguration of ministers would take place on Wednesday.

“Yes, it is on the President’s schedule. He will swear in the ministers on Wednesday," he said.

See the list of the 36 ministers to be inaugurated on Wednesday.

1.Udoma Udo Udoma (Akwa Ibom);
2. Kayode Fayemi(Ekiti);
3. Audu Ogbeh (Benue);
4. Ogbonnaya Onu (Ebonyi);
5. Osagie Ehanire (Edo); 6.Abdulrahman Dambazau (Kano);
7. Lai Mohammed (Kwara);
8. Amina Mohammed (Gombe); 9. Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa);  10. Ibrahim Jibril (Nasarawa); 11. Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); 12. Ibe Kachikwu (Delta);
13. Abubakar Malami (Kebbi); 14. Chris Ngige (Anambra);
15. Aisha Jummai Alhassan (Taraba);
16.Solomon Dalong (Plateau); 17.Kemi Adeosun (Ogun);
18. Hadi Sirika (Katsina); 19.Adebayo Shittu (Oyo);
20. Khadija Bukar Ibrahim (Yobe);
21.Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); 22.James Ocholi (Kogi);
23. Baba Mustapha (Borno);
24. Claudius Daramola (Ondo); 25.Heineken Lokpobiri (Bayelsa); 26. Usani Uguru (Cross River); 27. Munsur Dan Ali(Zamfara); 28. Zainab Shamshuna Ahmed (Kaduna);
29.Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu); 30. Abubakar Buari (Niger);
31. Isaac Adewole (Osun);
32. Aisha Abubakar (Sokoto); 33. Mohammed Bello (Adamawa);
34.Adamu Adamu (Bauchi);
35. Anthony Anwuka (Imo);
36. Okechukwu Enelamah (Abia).

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