EFCC to arraign 2 Kano businessmen for scamming Swiss of $530,000

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been granted leave by a Kano High Court to arraign two suspects for obtaining money from a Swiss businessman by false pretence.

The suspects Saminu Umar Ta’ambu and Ahmed Maiturare of Kantin Kwari textile market, Kano are alleged to have fraudulently used the name of the Kano State Government to induce a Swiss national, Mathias Hee of Okutex Ag, into supplying them with fabrics worth $530,000 (N164m).

Justice Dije Aboki granted the leave following an application  for leave to prefer charges against the two men by EFCC counsel A.T. Habib pursuant to Section 185(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

One of the suspects, Ta’ambu w allegedly  approached Mathias Hee around July, 2015 requesting for the supply of fabrics amounting to $530,000 under the pretext that he was acting on behalf of the Kano State Government, having forged a document titled, ‘Authorisation to Transfer to Foreign Account,’ purportedly issued and signed by the authority of the Government of Kano State.

“After the items were supplied, Ta’ambu failed to honour his part of the bargain and refused to remit the amount as agreed,” the statement said.

Justice Dije adjourned till October 5, 2016 for arraignment of the suspects.

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PMB appoints new Chairman for RMAFC

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Elias Nwalem Mbam as Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC.

The President also approved the appointment of Dr. Marilyn Amobi as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

According to a statement issued  on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi,the new appointments are “for a tenure of four years.”

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Rio 2016 Olympics: Mikel and Oshonaike to lead Team Nigeria

Super Eagles captain and Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel and veteran tennis player, Funke Oshonaike will be leading Nigeria's contingent to the Rio 2016 Olympics as team captain and assistant team captain respectively.

This was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by  Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung.

Mikel is attending his first Olympics as one of the three over-aged players invited to the national under-23 football team for the games while Oshonaike is a veteran of the Olympics having made her debut at the Atlanta games in 1996.

“Mikel and Oshonaike were chosen because of their consistency, patriotism and dedication to national assignments.

“Mikel is a young, patriotic footballer of international status and we believe he will be a role model to the upcoming athletes, while Oshonaike is experienced and is one of the oldest athletes in the team.

“We believe that their combined efforts will bring goodwill to Team Nigeria and project the county’s image positively to the world,’’ said the statement.

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INEC backs Makarfi as Acting National Chairman of PDP

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says that it recognizes Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr Nick Dazang on Tuesday in Abuja, the electoral body said it ratified the administrative approval granted Makarfi, based on the judgment of a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

He noted that the ratification was a follow up to INEC’s Decision Extract, issued on July 14, 2016 and signed by the Director, Commission’s Secretariat, Mr Ishiaku Gali.

According to Dazang, INEC will recognise the National Caretaker Committee's activities like primary elections for political officers and the party's list of candidates for any election to be conducted by INEC.

“Two weeks ago, the commission received the candidate forwarded to it by the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP, which had earlier secured an order from the Port Harcourt High Court,’’ he explained.

NAN

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PMB with Progressive Governors Forum at the State House Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met with the Progressive Governors Forum at the State House, Abuja.

Also present at the meeting was Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

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President Buhari's address at the flag off of Abuja-Kaduna train services

26 July 2016 | STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE COMMISSIONING AND FLAG-OFF CEREMONY OF ABUJA (IDU)-KADUNA STANDARD GAUGE TRAIN SERVICE ON TUESDAY, 26TH JULY, 2016

Protocol.
I am delighted to be here today to commission the Abuja – Kaduna railway track and flag-off the Abuja-Kaduna train services (Passengers & Freight) on Nigeria’s first ever Standard Gauge Rail track to go into operation. This project was conceived by a previous administration, started by the last government and I am pleased to complete and commission it.
2. It is on record that between 1963 and early ‘80s, Nigeria had a vibrant rail system which conveyed agricultural and livestock and solid mineral resources to Lagos and Port Harcourt sea ports from where they are exported to other parts of the world. It is our vision and hope that those good old days will soon be back with us and indeed in a more prosperous way with the restoration of rail transport system which today’s occasion symbolises.
3. The construction of the Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge rail track commenced in 2009 and happily, seven years after, we are on the threshold of presenting to Nigerians a Standard Gauge Railway Train Service that will be safe, fast and reliable. The Abuja-Kaduna train service will provide the much needed alternative transport link between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State, a corridor which has a huge potential for industries, agricultural activities and a growing labour force.
4. The Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi and his team have put great efforts in the last few months to ensure the successful completion of this project under this Administration. Completion and Commissioning of this project is indeed in keeping with our vision of bringing about the desired change to make life easier for the generality of Nigerians through the development and provision of the necessary social and physical infrastructure.
5. In this regard, I wish to assure Nigerians that most State capitals and major commercial and production centres will be linked with railway system as a way of bringing about rapid socio-economic development and improving the quality of life of the Nigerians and promoting social & regional integration.
6. Furthermore, I wish to also reassure Nigerians that due attention will be placed on pursuing the 25-Year Strategic Railway Master Plan which is aimed at rehabilitating the existing 3,505km narrow gauge rail line and developing and constructing new standard gauge rail lines across the country.
7. As we celebrate the symbolic return of rail service today I wish to reiterate the commitment of this Administration to pursue with greater vigour and determination rehabilitation and construction of other rail lines including the major Lagos-Calabar and Kano-Lagos lines.
8. As we get down to work, I look forward to flagging off many more lines outlined in our transport policy programme.
Thank you, and safe journey to all our travellers.

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Buhari commissions Abuja-Kaduna rail services

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday commissioned the $1.457 billion Abuja- Kaduna standard-gauge rail line.

While commissioning the high speed rail services at the Idu Station in Abuja, the president said that the Federal Government plans to link all states and commercial centres in the country by rail.

As part of the official flag-off, Buhari rode in the train from Idu to Kubwa station.

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