N3.9b fraud trial: Finance Director recounts how he rejected Badeh's N120m largesse

A former Accounts and Finance Director in the Nigerian Airforce, Salisu Abdullahi has told a Federal High Court in Abuja how he rejected a monthly largesse of N120m allocated to his office and turned same over to then Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh for 39 months.

Testifying as a prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, , Abdullahi told the court that the monthly salary for the Airforce at the time was N4 billion with N558 million set aside for the general administration of the chief of staff’s office.

“We receive about N4bn monthly for the payment of salaries. Our total wage bill, when I was finance director, was above N2 b. The balance of the money for personnel emolument was about N1.7 b. The sum of N558m was earmarked for the general administration of the chief of staff’s office monthly. The balance is proposed for disbursement to the units. In most cases the Chief of Air Staff directs that the amount be exchanged into US dollars and taken to the headquarters Nigeria Air Force camp.

“When this money is exchanged it is brought to me, and I take this money to the Chief Air Staff at home- his official residence at Niger Barracks. As military officers we don’t request for any acknowledgment. In some cases, I do tell the finance officer to meet me at air house at Niger barracks with the money so that he can see when I hand over the money to the Chief of Air Staff. The instruction to convert the money to dollar was not in writing. The Chief of Air Staff gives many instructions that are not in writing. The instructions in writing are those requests forwarded to his office from the branches. When I came I met N120m earmarked for the office of the director of finance. It was part of the balance of personnel emolument released monthly. But I rejected it. I asked that the money be placed under the control of the Chief of Air Staff for tours and visits, and other sundry issues,” he said.

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CAN meets Kaduna Govt over plan to regulate religious preaching

The government of Kaduna State on Wednesday met with the state branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN behind closed doors at the Government House

The meeting was to seek the support of CAN for the government-sponsored bill that seeks to regulate religious preaching in the state.

The government was represented at the meeting which lasted for about 40 minutes by the Deputy Governor, Mr Barnabas Bala

Kaduna State CAN Chairman, Bishop George Dodo, who briefed the press after the meeting confirmed that it was on the controversial bill, but declined further comments.

“When we are through with the study, memo will be sent to the state Assembly. On the day of public hearing we will explain more, but now it would be premature to say the position of CAN,” he said.

He however doused the fear that the state government was trying to muzzle religious freedom.

“I don’t think any governor has the power to enact law that will supersede what is in the constitution.

“The constitution guarantees every person the right to practice his/her religion. I don’t think there is any governor that can enact a law in that regard.

“Governors ask for prayers in all places of worship, so how would they enact a law that will ban the practice of religion,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that the state government is bent on going ahead with the Religious Preaching Bill which has already been rejected by the Council of Imams and Ulamas in order to
“protect the state from religious extremism and hate speech."

The state government expressed its position in a statement issued by Gov Nasir El-Rufai's Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Samuel Aruwan at the end of the meeting.

“This is not a new law, it has existed since 1984, with amendments in 1987 and 1996.

“The bill, by virtue of Section 45(1) of the 1999 Constitution, is in order and does not offend the provisions of the constitution. The provisions of the bill are in tandem with the Constitution.

“There is nothing in the bill that suggests any effort to abolish, stop or derogate on the freedom of religion and religious beliefs.

“It merely seeks to ensure that religious preaching and activities in the state are conducted in ways that do not threaten public order, public safety, and to protect the rights and freedom of other persons,” the statement said.

NAN

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FG To create three million jobs in three years

FG to provide 3 million jobs in the next 3 years - Osinbajo http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/03/fg-to-provide-3-million-jobs-in-next-3.html

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National Industrial Court In Valedictory Session For James Ocholi (Photos)

The National Industrial Court, NIC on Wednesday held a valedictory session in honor of the fallen Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barrister James Ocholi who died with his wife and son in an accident along the Abuja-Kaduna highway on Sunday, March 6, 2016.

The late Ocholis will be buried in their home town in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State on March 18.

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Six drunken elders sentenced to 120 strokes of the cane

A Senior Magistrates Court in Malumfashi, Katsina State on Wednesday, sentenced six elderly men to 20 strokes of the cane each for constituting public nuisance in their drunken state.

The convicts Nomau Akwai, Yusuf Bature, Salisu Abdullahi, Sani Rabi’u, Sa’idu Abdullahi and Musa Yusuf, are all residents of Malumfashi Local Government Area.

The prosecuting police officer, Cpl. Joseph George told the court that the convicts were arrested by a police patrol team on March 13 while wondering and intoxicated with alcohol at Gidan Mariya and Gidan Coach, in Marabar Kankara, a suburb of Malumfashi.

He said that the act constituted an offense of public nuisance under section 183 of the penal code law and urged the court to try them summarily.

The accused persons pleaded guilty to the charge and were summarily sentenced to 20 strokes of the cane each by the presiding Magistrate Salisu Shehu

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22 persons killed in Maiduguri mosque suicide bombings

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that 22 persons lost their lives while 18 others sustained various degrees of injuries in two separate attacks carried out by female suicide bombers on the outskirts of Maiduguri on Wednesday morning.

It said that troops have been mobilized to the crime scenes to evacuate the dead and the injured.

Here is a press release issued by the Army on the attacks.

PERSON-BORNE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ATTACK IN UMMARARI
Mar 16, 2016

This is to confirm that there were twin Person-borne improvised explosive attack carried out by two female carriers in Ummarari village near Molai, outskirts of Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, this morning. The first attack targeted a mosque, while the second blast about 50 metres away, a few minutes later. Sadly, 22 people were killed and 18 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
Troops, security agents and care givers have been mobilized to scene, while the wounded have been evacuated to Molai General Hospital for treatment.
The troops, security agents and the Civilian JTF have secured the area and are combing the environment for possible clues.
While we commiserate with the families of the victims of this dastardly act, we wish to reassure the public that we would continue to rout the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists wherever they may be hiding. We will not rest on our oars until all those that masterminded this latest heinous and other similar crimes are apprehended and brought to justice.
Meanwhile, we implore the members of the public to be more security conscious, cooperate with the troops and security agencies. They should also please report any suspicious persons, objects or happenings to troops or security agencies at all times.

Thank you for your kind and usual cooperation.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations

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Buhari condemns Maiduguri mosque bombing.

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned Wednesday's early morning bombing in a Maiduguri mosque.

Buhari in a Twitter message expressed dismay at the wanton attack on innocent worshippers.

He also sympathized with the government and people of Borno State who lost their loved ones in the bomb attack.

President Buhari@NGRPresident27m"I am dismayed by the news of a bomb attack on innocent worshippers in a mosque in Maiduguri this morning." ~ President@MBuhariView details
President Buhari@NGRPresident"I sympathize with all who lost family and loved ones in the attack, and with the government and people of Borno State." ~

Pres@MBuhari4:10 AM - 16 Mar 2016

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