2.1 billion naira wahala: Dokpesi gets N400m bail

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday granted bail to the founding Chairman of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi in the sum of N400m.

Dokpesi is facing a six count criminal charge bordering on money laundering.

Ruling on Dokpesi's bail application, Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered that the accused must produce two sureties in the sum of N200m (two hundred million naira) each.

The court ordered that one of the sureties must be a serving or retired civil servant, not below the level of a Director. 

The court also ruled that the second surety may be an entrepreneur but must submit three years tax clearance.

According to Justice Kolawole, any of the two sureties must tender the title deeds of a landed property in any part of the country , the value of which must not be less than N200m.

The judge also ruled that each of the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means which should be submitted with two recent passport photographs to the Deputy Chief Registrar, DCR, Administration, of the court.

In addition to the above conditions, Dokpesi was ordered to surrender his international passport to the DCR of the Federal High Court in charge of litigation.

The accused is to be remanded in prison custody until he fulfills his bail conditions.

Meanwhile, the court has slated February 17, 18 and March 2 and 3, 2016, for full hearing to begin on the case.

Photo credit : Vanguard

Read More

I gave N10b cash to Jonathan's ADC, aide - Dasuki

Former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki has told the EFCC that the N10b shared to PDP nomination delegates was given by him to Jonathan's Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa and the Aide-de-Camp on the orders of the former president.

Dasuki made the disclosure in his Statement of Witness/Accused Person which has been filed in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.

His words :

“I wish to state as follows: That I have been publicly indicted and any statement may jeopardise my defence. Having been briefed by the EFCC investigators on why I was invited, I will answer the charges in court. As such, I do not wish to make any further statement on the matter.

“That I am aware in November (I cannot remember the exact date), my office requested the CBN to exchange N10 billion from the account of the Office of National Security Adviser domiciled in CBN. The money was exchanged at $47m and some Euros which I cannot remember. The exact amount was delivered at my residence.

“The money was for delegates that  attended the nomination convention for the PDP. Presidential nomination. The money was paid and sent to Hon. (Waripamowei) Dudafa (SSAP Household) and ADC(C-IC) for distribution on the instruction of the President. Based on the statement of Director of Finance and administration (Salisu), Ibrahim Wambai, and Yazidu Ibrahim, all the cash (both foreign and local) are usually given to them for official use."

Read More

Buy made in Nigeria automobiles, NAMA urges government

Following media reports that the Nigerian Senate has concluded plans to buy various brands of imported automobiles, the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association, NAMA has appealed to the Federal and State governments to support local assembly plants, through a strict policy of procuring locally made automobiles.

Given indications that the management of the National Assembly has invited bids from interested vehicle suppliers with the exclusion of local assembly plants, the local industry laments that cheaper and more efficient models assembled in Nigeria like 4X4 vehicles from Hyundai, Kia, Innoson, Nissan, Ford among others are awaiting government patronage for their survival.

NAMA therefore asked  the National Assembly and the Federal Government to lead by example  in their procurement of automobiles so that the country would have a self-sufficient automotive industry.

Read More

2016 Budget To Revive Industries And Secure Economy - Buhari

The 2016 national budget will solve the problem of youth unemployment in the country, says President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari made the declaration at a dinner he hosted in honour of the visiting Alumni Association of the Indian Defence Services Staff College, DSSC, Wellingon, led by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Ghanashyam.

Some retired Indian army generals who were President Buhari's course-mates were also in the delegation.

The president attributed the security problems in parts of the country to the prevailing 60% youth unemployment rate and poverty in the country.

“We will sit down to see how we can rehabilitate industries. We will do this in order to clear the problem of unemployment. This is extremely dangerous for our country.

“We are meeting after the budget to see how to revive industries and secure the economy,” he said.

Read More

Army/Shiites Clash: The Islamic Movement's Account

Here is the Shiite Islamic Movement's account of its violent confrontation with the Nigerian Army over the weekend as contained in a press release by its spokesman, Ibrahim Musa.

“Following alleged blockade of the route of the Chief of Army Staff by the members of the Movement, the Nigerian Army brutally descended on armless members of the Movement with heavy military weapons killing indiscriminately.

"Those killed

“In the mean time, leading members of the Islamic Movement and other members as well, have been killed by the soldiers including the leader of the Kano Center, Sheikh Muhammad Turi, Dr. Mustapha Sa’eed, Malam Ibrahim Usman and Sister Jummai Gilima.

“Also killed were Sayyid Aliy, the son of the leader of the Movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky; the wife of Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky, Malama Zeenat Ibraheem  and tens of other members as more are being killed as at the time of this release.

“The sporadic killings took place at three  locations that included the residence of the revered leader of the Movement at Gyallesu, the Husainiyya Bakiyatullah at the GRA and the Darur Rahma located along Zaria-Jos road where many unarmed people were killed.

“The killing was so brutal at Gyallesu that even those injured in the shooting were identified and killed in cold blood by the soldiers. And as at the time of writing this press release, the victims are in their hundreds, if not thousands.

“Considering the gross violation of fundamental human rights and extra-judicial killings perpetrated by the Nigerian Army, the Islamic Movement hereby condemns these unjustifiable acts.

“We state categorically that the claim by the Army that members of the Movement attempted to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff was a blatant lie as the army came back to launch their attack more than an hour after the COAS had passed.

“Clearly, the Nigerian government through its military is now on rampage in an all out war with the Islamic movement, its members and structures.  The scale of this attack would suggest it was meticulously planned by authorities and now being executed ruthlessly. The alleged attack on COAS Burutai was just an alibi.

“Therefore, with all pointers at the government as the contractor of the killings, we hereby call on well meaning Nigerians and the international community to intervene and seek redress for the victims and their family members as many innocent people have unjustifiably been killed and many others severely injured.

“In the mean time, there is no idea as to the where about of the leader of the Movement, Sayyid Ibraheem Zakzaky nor his current condition, and aggrieved members of the Movement across the country have taken to the streets in protests."

Read More

Army/Shiites Clash: What really happened, by Nigerian Army

This is a statement signed by Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations.

“Saturday’s incident involving clashes between detachments of the Nigerian Army, accompanying the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai and followers of Sheikh Ibrahim El Zak-Zaky, suspected to be members of the Shiite Sect in Zaria, leading to loss of lives as a result of the Shiite group members’ blocking roads and not allowing other passers-by to go about their lawful businesses and activities, was most unfortunate.

“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the rights of any group of persons and Sheikh El ZakZaky’s followers to hold a peaceful march or procession unhindered, but it also guarantees other people’s rights of way on public highways.

“It is important to note that over the years this group has subjected ordinary citizens using public roads to untold hardship, delays, threats and disruption simply because they insist on using public space irrespective of inconvenience and hardship on other law abiding citizens and motorists.

“This cannot be tolerated and must stop!

“As soon as order is restored to the situation in Zaria city and its environs, the Police will conduct an enquiry and the public will be informed.

“In the meantime, the public is advised to go about their lawful business and report any suspicious persons or incidents to the police."

Read More

PDP, APC In War Of Words Over State of Economy

The Minister of Information in ruling APC administration, Alhaji Lai Mohammed yesterday took on the duo of PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh and Deputy Senate President, Mr Ike Ekweremadu in a war of words over the terrible state of the Nigerian economy.

See these snippets from the arena and give your own score.

Olisa Metuh (PDP):

“We restate for emphasis that a media and public war against corruption is good, but it should not be limited to only those opposed to the President and the ruling party. In fact, until top officials of the former government open up on the exact source of the funding, it remains premature to be accusing our party members of corrupt practices.

“Nevertheless, if indeed the government’s investigation includes the expenditure of President Jonathan security votes from 2011, then it should be extended to a public inquisition on the following:

*The security votes of past presidents and Heads of state from 1984.
*Contract award by the Petroleum Trust Fund from 1995to 1999.
*The expenditure of military purchases and expenditure during the Bakassi wars, the fight against militancy in the Niger Delta, military interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda, among others.
*The source of funding of the PDP and APC’s 2015 presidential campaigns; the contributions from APC-controlled state governors for their presidential campaign and the beneficiaries thereof.

Ike Ekweremadu (PDP) :

“In the next six months Onitsha and Alaba markets will shut down. If government does not do anything, I’m not a prophet of doom, but I believe if nothing urgent is done to reverse the ugly development, we will have revolution in our hands.

“Both our nationals and foreigners are worried; we need to inform APC that Nigerians are dying, unless APC changes style,Nigerians will in 2019 be begging PDP to come back.”

Lai Mohammed (APC) :

“If there was still any honour left among thieves, there is no way the leaders of a party under whose watch the nation’s economy suffered a monumental mismanagement and the Central Bank was turned to the ATM or piggy bank of a few people will have the temerity to insult a government that is working hard to turn things around or the citizens who are bearing the brunt of such mismanagement.

“It is now clear to all Nigerians that if the PDP had won the last general elections, Nigeria’s economy would not have survived one more month, considering the battering it received under the immediate past Administration. It is therefore unconscionable that those who should show contrition and hunker down to avoid public opprobrium are the same ones pointing an accusing finger at the Buhari Administration.

‘’They are lucky that Nigerians are not as incautious as they are,otherwise they would not be able to walk around freely, not to talk of having the effrontery to fire darts at the government that inherited their rot or the people who are suffering the consequences.

‘’They looted the billions of Naira that were allocated for the fight against insurgency, causing many innocent and patriotic soldiers to die needlessly, yet they are not remorseful. They looted the treasury to influence the last elections, doling out money as if it was going out of fashion, yet they continue to grandstand.

“Senator Ekweremadu complained about the depreciation of the Naira without telling Nigerians who ‘dollarized’ the Nigerian economy by bribing many individuals and groups with dollars during the last elections, thus inflicting a knock-out punch on the local currency. He also failed to tell Nigerians which government presided over the frenzied mop-up of dollars, either for ‘armsgate’ or for slush fund purposes, from the CBN to a point where it almost ran out of the hard currency.

“The outcome of the months of hard work will manifest soon in the 2016 national budget that will give succour to millions of Nigerians who are reeling from fallout of the solecism of the immediate past administration that turned the country into a cash bazaar.’’

Well, here we are readers. What's your score in this battle of blames?

Read More