With Chibuike Amaechi On The Ministerial List, Buhari Is Not Serious With The Anti-corruption Fight

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Read Time:1 Minute, 57 Second

At last, Nigerians have been availed of the names of people who will form Buhari’s cabinet after the senate approved the list of 36 nominees last week. This came five months after the president took office.

Mr Buhari, who was elected in March partly on a promise to tackle corruption and insecurity, vowed to select competent and clean individuals.

But when the much-anticipated list was released, many were disappointed, asking whether the wait had been worth it, and whether those selected were the best in the country.

The 36 names approved by MPs, but yet to be given portfolios, include five former governors, nine lawyers, four former senators, three academics, two medical doctors, two retired soldiers and a clergyman.

Nigerians are of the opinion the list is full of old and recycled politicians who have been part of Nigeria’s problems. However, His supporters say the list shows he is committed to fulfilling his election promises, adding that age and gender do not matter at this stage because the country needs to be rescued urgently.

Some say his hands were also tied by the constitutional requirement to choose at least one person from each of Nigeria’s 36 states. Yet, others maintain that the list is made up of ex politicians who have been accused of embezzling their states’ fund and that that goes to show that the president is trying to rewarding party loyalists who emptied their states’ treasuries in contributing to Buhari’s election.

Former Gov. of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, has accused by his state of emptying the state’s treasury for Buhari. It is said that Amaechi bankrolled 80% of the total expenses Buhari’s campaign incurred during the electioneering period. He is the most controversial of all the appointees even though his inclusion did not come as surprise.

As one of the major contributor to Buhari’s campaign, many Nigerians see Mr Amaechi’s appointment as pay-back for the role he played in the president’s victory during the election.

However, Buhari’s choice of Amaechi for Rivers State has been heavily criticised since he was indicted by Rivers state’s panel of inquiry for allegedly enriching himself during his eight-year tenure as the state’s governor.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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CNN Investigates Why Buhari Dumped $182 Halliburton Bribe Scandal

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Read Time:5 Minute, 42 Second

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari surely meant well for the Nigerian people. His integrity, discipline and avowed commitment to fight, name and shame corruption had never been in doubt since Nigerians have high hopes in his administration to ‘fight corruption among the elites’, in a bid to free Nigeria’s economy from Kleptomaniac. As it is a fad that “when you fight corruption, surely corruption will fight back,” aptly captures the trending conspiracy of few Nigerian Army Generals (retired) and former Heads of State who allegedly prompted Buhari to ‘let-off’ his earlier, intentional investigation of $182million Halliburton bribe scandal, so he may continually ‘govern Nigeria in peace’.

CNN iReport gathered that few weeks before Buhari made his maiden visit to United States, words reached him that few retired Army Generals who were erstwhile Heads of State were allegedly not happy with the planned moves by the no-nonsense disciplinarian to re-open the Halliburton scandal, with the sole intention to expose, disgrace and prosecute some of culpable generals and other highly-placed Nigerians whose hands may have been ‘soiled’ by the cookie-jar of corruption in Bonny Island Liquefied Natural Gas Project.

As such, after General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), a former Nigeria’s Head of State received a phone call from from General Olusegun Obasanjo, also a former Nigeria’s president where he brought the attention of IBB to the fact that they way Buhari was going about corruption-fight, he would eventually probe the majority of past administration, including IBB era. This position was echoed by another Nigerian Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar; which prompted a conspiracy theory to ‘place Buhari in order’. Abdusalami had visited IBB in his Minna Castle in Niger State, there it was concluded that IBB should stylishly pass on their position to Buhari to halt his earlier intended probe of his predecessors.

In a press statement issued by IBB through his media adviser, Prince Kassim Afegbua, it reportedly reads: “On General Buhari, it is not in IBB’s tradition to take up issues with his colleague former president. But, for the purpose of the record, we are conversant with General Buhari’s so-called holier-than-thou-attitude. He is a one-time minister of petroleum and we have good records of his tenure. Secondly, he also presided over Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) which records we also have. We challenge him to come out in clean hands in those two portfolios he headed. Or, we will help him to expose his records of performance during those periods. Those who live in glass houses do not throw stones. General Buhari should be properly guided.”

CNN iReport gathered when intelligence report reached Buhari on the position of these retired Army Generals and former Heads of State, and bearing in mind how mean they can fully engage him in ‘dirty-fight’ which may ridicule him in the eyes of Nigerians and expose his stewardship then as Minister of Petroleum in 1976 that led to the mysterious disappearance of a whooping US $2.8 Billion from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC account in Midlands Bank, United Kingdom allegedly under his watchful eyes, Buhari quickly made a detour and issued a press statement through Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser, Media & Publicity claiming the investigation of Buhari administration would only be limited to his predecessor, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GEJ, the man who honorably handed peacefully to Buhari on May 28, 2015 at Eagle Square so Nigeria may remain united as an indivisible nation.

For the records, Buhari was appointed Minister of Petroleum in 1976 under the Murtala/Obasanjo administration. Not much is known about any scandals that occured during his tenure as Minister, but there are rumors of the mysterious disappearance of US$2.8 Billion from the NNPC account in Midlands Bank in the United Kingdom, during Buhari’s stewardship. Now that IBB has threatened to expose him, it lends a certain credibility to the rumors indicting Buhari of grand graft.

As if Jonathan knew that this would happen. In the last days of his administration as president in Aso Rock villa on May 27, 2015 during Federal Executive Council valedictory session witnessed by big-wigs of Peoples Democratic Party, he said “Some people are even calling for the probe of the government, but I think in Nigeria, there are a lot of many things that will be probed, very many things, even debts owed by states and debts owed by this country from 1960 up to this time. They say it is Jonathan’s administration that accrued these debts,” Jonathan said.

“I believe that anybody that is coming for probe must also ensure that this probe is extended beyond the Jonathan administration. Otherwise, to me, it will be a witch-hunt. If we are very sincere, it is not only the Jonathan administration that should be probed.”

CNN iReport investigation showed that Jonathan administration may have been singled-out as ‘corrupt government’ due to the fact that he was a minority-leader from Niger-Delta and obviously not a military, but a civilian leader. There are feelers from some Nigerians that this probe may not have happened if Jonathan had been a retired Army General.

For Folu Adewope, an undergraduate of University of Texas Arlington, UTA, her words: “This is obviously a witch-hunt, charade and selective humiliation with ethnic coloration under corruption-guise. I strongly believe this investigation would not have happened if Jonathan had hailed from the North and had been a retired Army General. Why can’t Buhari open the Halliburton scandal, and openly prosecute Obasanjo, Abdusalami, Atiku Abubakar, a former Nigeria’s Vice president and every other corrupt Nigerians named in the scandal. As Nigerians, we are interested in this case.”

Recently on his Facebook wall-page, Femi Adeshina, special aide to the president on media and publicity, said: “It would be a distraction for the President to begin digging into all former administrations, but for a proper take off of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, there is need to look into the immediate past government (Jonathan’s). We are interested in investigating Jonathan’s government to recover stolen funds”.

International Community watch in Disbelief
As at the time of going to the press, members of International Community, particularly the United States government is shocked that Buhari ought not to leave any stone unturned in fighting corruption no matter whose ox is gored. The Halliburton bribery scandal is seen by members of international community as a litmus test for Buhari to prove his desire effectively to combat corruption among the elites in Nigeria.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Wike pounces on, with-holds September allocation of Local Government Councils in Rivers State

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Read Time:1 Minute, 36 Second

A highly placed Rivers State Local Government Service Commission source has revealed to the Rivers State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, that embattled governor Nyesom Wike, whose election was recently annulled by the tribunal, has since with held and keeping the federal allocations of the 23 Local Governments in Rivers State for the month of September against the relevant laws of the nation which recognises them as a separate and independent tier of government.

According to findings by the APC which were confirmed by several sources, the outgoing governor with-held and converted the September allocations of the Councils to enable him use the money to pursue his matter at the Appeal and Supreme Courts. This accounts for why Council workers in Rivers State have not been paid their September salaries to date.

The APC recalls that a few days ago, Wike’s man Friday and foremost promoter, OCJ Okocha [SAN], asked the embattled governor to hire the best lawyers in the land to pursue the annulment of his so-called election at the Appeal Court and possibly the Supreme Court.

The APC also notes that some Council workers are being owed 3 months and 2 months salaries because the outgoing governor pounced on and converted various Council allocations in the past. Several Council workers in the State have been unable to pay their children and wards schools fees since schools resumed in September and therefore have their children and wards sent out of school. A particular Council staff from Opobo/Nkoro narrated his sad story of how he now begs from friends to feed his family.

The APC calls on Governor Nyesom Wike to immediately and unconditionally release the allocations of the Local Governments in Rivers State as such an act is unlawful and criminal. Nyesom Wike must look up to the heavens and realise that the God of justice and of the poor exists.

{podcast id=10}

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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PDP and the burden of guilt

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Read Time:3 Minute, 33 Second

There is something unique about the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP that confounds. And this has to do with the former ruling party’s inability to be remorseful and penitent even in the face of failure and defeat.

For more than 16 years, they took the entire country for a jolly ride, inflicting unparalleled economic and political pains on Nigeria and its citizens under the pretence of bogus transformational governance.

I am very sure that for those awful years, no time was spent on serious thinking or reflection by men and women in PDP. For the most part, the party dissipated its time and energy chanting its incorrect diabolic mantra of being the biggest party in Africa and behaving like the Roman Nero who fiddled while Rome was on fire.

Quite unsurprisingly, tomorrow was never in their reckoning even when it was evident shortly before the general election that PDP would be history in a matter of time. Today, like a bad workman who quarrels with its tools, PDP is bickering and fighting people and institutions over its self-inflicted woes.

For some of us who live in Rivers State, it is most amazing how times change. This is a party that perpetrated unprecedented violence and malpractices during the last general election; this is in addition to fighting and killing its people because of their membership of another party. Yet, members of the PDP have the impudence to still criticise a judicial process that is widely believed to be fair and transparent. Wonders indeed, shall never cease.

What exactly does PDP want? Why did its members commend the same judges when undeserving victory came their way at the Rivers State National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal? To brand judges “gangsters” and “terrorists” on account of their judgment is most unfortunate especially from people who should know.

The truth is that PDP does not like order and the rule of law. Impunity is its trademark and it is now evident that they will deploy every means possible, including blackmail to protect their stolen mandate. So it is going to take a very long time to teach this party and its wayward members, particularly in Rivers State that a society is governed by law.

Anytime issues around election in Rivers State come up and people, especially persons outside the state talk about PDP’s popularity, I just laugh. For those who do not know, the former First Family spent their twilight in Abuja creating problems and disaffection among the people of Rivers State. Outside Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi who led the opposition against Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, there are strong opposition elements including the Ijaw in Rivers State.

For instance, shortly before the primaries, the Ijaw, including those in PDP felt totally alienated when it became obvious that Jonathan and his wife were backing Wike, an Ikwerre candidate even after Amaechi, another Ikwerre man had spent eight years as governor. This is aside complete absence of infrastructural development in Ijaw communities, coupled with the ceding of Soku Oil Wells to Bayelsa, home state of Jonathan.

By now, the world would have also seen PDP’s lies and hypocrisy. If truly there was election, why are they afraid of a re-run? And why is Wike and his Coterie of advisers denigrating the judicial institution because they lost their defence of a fraud? Why is Wike threatening fire and bribing people and institutions to arrange phoney press conferences in his favour?

The fact of the matter is that election did not take place in Rivers State and the tribunal has said so based on the overwhelming evidence before it. I believe that the only path to healing and restitution is acceptance of guilt. And the earlier PDP in Rivers State comes to terms with this reality, the better for all of us.

But for many of us at home, we are happy that Nyesom Wike and the PDP in Rivers will not get away with the impunity of April 11 governorship election of 20015. It would have amounted to a grave injustice, not just to the living but also to many APC souls that perished in that ill-fated election.

Ogali, a public affairs commentator lives in Port Harcourt

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Pwajok’s death, great loss to Nigeria- Buhari

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Read Time:48 Second

ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of the immediate past senator who represented Plateau North senatorial

district, Senator Gyang Pwajok as a great loss to both Plateau State and Nigeria in general.
It will be recalled that Pwajok who died on Wednesday was also Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the April 11, 2015 election.
News of his death reached President Buhari in the course of his official engagement in India from where he offered heartfelt condolences to his family, the government and people of Plateau State.
The president also extolled late Pwajok’s invaluable contributions to the enthronement of peace in his state and development of the country
“His life touched so many people. He was loved by so many. That is why there is grief all over the state and many parts of the country,” he said, praying God Almighty to comfort all who mourn Senator Pwajok and grant his soul eternal rest.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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ELECTION TRIBUNALS: PDP accuses Buhari of interference

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Read Time:7 Minute, 10 Second

NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the presidency of undue interference in the Judiciary, Legislature and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which it said was unacceptable.

Specifically, the PDP accused the presidency of using the Department of State Service, DSS to influence election petition tribunal and court rulings in favour of the APC.

Rising from a meeting held at the Ondo State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, the PDP National Caucus also lampooned Senators elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, for confirming former governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a minister, saying the action was a death knell on APC’s war against corruption.

Amaechi was on Thursday confirmed by Senate when all but one Senator in the PDP caucus walked out of the Senate Chambers.

Hailing its senators who staged a walk out from the Senate Chambers during the confirmation of Amaechi, the PDP describing the action as good for democracy.

It said: “We salute the courage and unity of purpose of our senators especially as demonstrated in the Senate chambers in their collective stand against impunity and corruption, in line with the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people. The PDP states that what the APC senators did is a death knell on their party’ s pretentious war against corruption.

“The PDP further notes that whilst former APC governors are being rewarded with ministerial appointments, their PDP counterparts are being hounded and harassed in the selective war against corruption. The party reiterates its commitment to the unity of Nigeria and the continued development of democracy in the country.”

In a communiqué signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the the opposition party urged President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, intervene and save the nation’s democracy from drifting into a dictatorship.

The Communiqué read: “The National Caucus carefully reviewed the political developments in the nation’s polity and resolved as follows.

“That there is serious cause for concern in the nation’s political environment, especially as it concerns the survival of the nation’s democracy.

“That the gains recorded in the 16 years of nurturing of democracy in the country by the PDP is rapidly being eroded with non-functioning of basic tenets of democracy and perpetuation of actions tilting towards dictatorship.

“That the insensitivity of the ruling government to very critical issues being raised by the opposition is a huge threat to viable democracy and dangerous to the peace, unity and progress of the country.

“That the undue interferences by the executive arm of government on the activities of the judiciary, legislature and INEC using the DSS is clearly unacceptable to the PDP as well as the Nigerian people and the party resolved to vigorously resist such.

“That the party finds it offensive and provocative, the judiciary’s handling of cases involving it in election tribunals in some states, particularly, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Taraba, Ogun, Plateau and Lagos states. The tainted judgements of these tribunals, which are evidently products of arm-twisting from the nation’s security operatives under the direct command of an APC member remains unacceptable to us.

“The PDP states that the conclusive evidence of external influence on the Rivers State governorship election tribunal is the fact that it was able to deliver its judgement within 24 hours, in a case that had nearly 100 witnesses, 1000 pieces of documentary evidences and nine counsel’s final written addresses; each not less than 40 pages. The decision, in view of the rather interesting history of the case, indicates that the judiciary, like the PDP and the Nigerian electorate are victims of the

APC-led Federal Government.

“The party expects the judiciary, as an institution to restore its image by taking immediate measures to protect itself from political interferences as well as ensure that needed steps are taken at the appellate levels to remedy the embarrassing ruling by some of the election petitions tribunals.

“The party has also noted clandestine moves by the APC to use various agencies of government, to manipulate the processes and rig the outcome of the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states in their favour and vowed to deploy every means within the law to resist such.

“That the party calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, as the leader of the country, to stand up for justice and equity and halt the undemocratic attitudes of agents of government in the interest of peace and stability.”

APC dismisses allegations

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the allegation, describing it as a rehash of the opposition party’s infantile whinnying which will not save it from going down unless it rebrands most urgently.

APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in his reaction said: ‘’It is time for the PDP to take a long, hard look at itself in the mirror and change everything that is ugly about the party, instead of wasting its energy and time on irrelevancies,’’ the party said in a
statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

It said the PDP cannot continue to do things in its trademark old, crooked ways and expect a different result.

“The PDP just doesn’t get it, despite being the architect of its own fall from power. The days of winning elections with the aid of slush funds, brigandage, deceit and rigging are gone forever, hence the PDP must return to the drawing board to fashion out decent and empirical ways of repackaging and selling itself to Nigerians, just like the opposition did when they decided to come together,’’ APC said.

The party said the PDP’s ceaseless and ill-advised attack on the judiciary, now its favourite whipping boy, the endless put-down of government agencies and the demonization of everyone but itself will fetch the party nothing but political grief.

“Instead of a blanket and unsubstantiated accusation against the judiciary over the election petition tribunal rulings in Rivers and Akwa Ibom, the PDP would have shown itself to be a serious party if it had provided statistics on how many of the cases filed at the various election petition tribunals nationwide, after the 2015 elections, have so far been decided in favour of the PDP and the APC, so that Nigerians can see whether the PDP has not won any single petition or
whether all the cases have been won by the APC.

“The PDP has forgotten that the same judiciary that it is wilfully castigating today had decided many election petitions in favour of the party and against the APC, whether at the Governorship, National Assembly or State Assembly levels, and the ruling party has not opted to bring the whole house crashing down on everyone just because of that.

“Going down the memory lane, when the PDP took itself to court in 2007 over the Governorship election in Rivers, the same judiciary that has now become an apparition to the PDP awarded the Governorship to a candidate who never even featured on the ballot because the party crookedly substituted his name. Then, the PDP did not see the judiciary as being used by the then PDP Administration, neither did the opposition castigate the judiciary,’’ it said.

Asks PDP to re-brand

APC admonished the PDP to stop yowling and engage in strategic thinking that could propel the party forward, rather than continue to be nostalgic about its past, which is neither dignifying nor enlivening.

“The 16 years of the PDP – which the party has continued to shamelessly celebrate – are nothing to celebrate, either for the impunity that characterized the party’s governance, the massive looting of the national treasury that is still being assessed or the bastardization of all the values that the nation holds dear. Thankfully, President Muhammadu Buhari has brought sanity to governance even as the PDP has continued to try to distract him with their endless wailing.

“Our parting word for the PDP: Stop throwing juvenile tantrums against everyone, especially the judiciary. Stop wasting your energy on frivolous accusations. Learn how to communicate your thoughts to Nigerians in a more civilized way and put your shoulder to the wheel if you want to reincarnate as a force to be reckoned with in our country’s political firmament,’’ APC said.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Victim of alleged college sodomy receiving treatment – Police

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Read Time:1 Minute, 42 Second

Following uproar generated by alleged case of sodomy recorded at Hassan Ibrahim Gwarzo private boarding School,  Kano, the state Government has closed down the  college to defuse tension.

Hassan Ibrahim Gwarzo College is owned by a renowned economist,  Professor Ibrahim Ayagi and it attracts elite children within and around Kano city.

Acting Governor of the state,  Professor Hafiz Abubakar has directed the Private and secondary schools Board to sealed the college immediately to pave way for investigation.

Professor Hafiz Abubakar further announced a 14 member committee under the leadership of Professor Abubakar Mustapha to investigate the allegations and turn in their report within two weeks.

There was panic among Guardian and Parents of  Hassan Ibrahim Gwarzo private Boarding school yesterday following a heart touching story aired by private radio station on alleged rampant cases of sodomy in the college in which a 9 years JSS student of the college claimed he was overpowered and sexually violated by unknown person.

Similarly,  the police in Kano has also launched a full blown criminal inquest to unravel the mystery sorrounding the sexual assault in male dominated boarding school.

 The Public Relations officer,  Kano Police Command, ASP Magaji Musa Majia told Reporters in Kano Friday that one of the victim of the alleged sexual violence was receiving treatment at Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital

Magaji Musa Majia explained that the crime was reported by the victim’s Guardian, adding that the Commissioner of police,  Muhammad Musa Katsina had directed the Criminal Investigation Department to unmask the mystery.

 In the meantime,  the Proprietor of the All boys boarding school, Professor Ibrahim Ayagi in response to the sodomy story dismissed it as “clear mischief to rubbish the image of the school. ”

The renown economist however confirmed that no fewer than 5 JSS 1 students had complained to the school authority twice during their first week in school,  an unknown persons had tried to assault them but they disappeared when they raised alarm.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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We’ll complete Corps members hostel soon – Ugwuanyi

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Read Time:1 Minute, 34 Second

The Governor of Enugu State Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has promised to complete the ongoing NYSC 500-bed female hostel accommodation initiated by the last administration before the end of March 2016.

The Governor noted that he has directed the Honourable Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Patrick Ikpenwa, to request the contractor handling the project to intensify efforts in completing the camp facility for use before the end of the first quarter of 2016 and to vigorously pursue the upgrading of other facilities in the camp to meet the increasing needs of corps members deployed to the state.

The Governor in an address by his deputy, Hon Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, during the swearing in ceremony of two thousand, three hundred and fifty-five (2,355) members of the 2015 NYSC Batch ‘B’ (stream one) at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Awgu, disclosed that his administration would continue to support the scheme with a view to making it more functional, efficient and effective for its contribution to the development of the state.

Governor Ugwuanyi also approved the immediate release of one Hilux van to the scheme to enhance monitoring of its field operations, stating that his administration is committed to improving the welfare of corps members and smooth operation of the NYSC in the state.

According to the Governor, “Youths play effective roles towards national development, and for us to achieve effective change in our national life, we must create the requisite enabling environment to optimally harness the creative and productive capabilities of ou youth.”

In their separate speeches, the  state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Charles Ndukwe and the Coordinator of Enugu State NYSC, Barr. Nwano  Eze Ukagha, noted that the NYSC scheme was established to promote national integration by exposing the Corps members to the ways of life of other nationalities that make up the country.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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False assets declaration, N70m bribe: These ‘re fabrications against me – Orubebe

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Read Time:4 Minute, 26 Second

SEVEN months after his attempt to disrupt the announcement of the results of the 2015 presidential polls, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe, will be arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on November 9, over alleged false declaration of assets and acceptance of about N70million bribe.

During final collation of the 2015 presidential election results in Abuja, Orubebe accused the then Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC National Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega of bias and partisanship and disrupted the exercise for several minutes in an attempt to stop Jega’s falsification of results.

According to reports, it took the intervention of then President Goodluck Jonathan for him to back down for the exercise to be continued and completed leading to the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the polls.

Barring any last minute change, Orubebe will be arraigned before the CCT on November 9.

The four-count charge filed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by Peter Danladi of the CCB on October 8, 2015, is currently pending before the CCT.

CCT’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ibraheem Al-hassan, who confirmed that a charge was pending against Orubebe before the tribunal, said summons was served on the ex-minister on October 29, adding that the tribunal has scheduled his (Orubebe’s) arraignment for November 9.

These ‘re fabrications against me – Orubebe
Speaking on the issue, Orubebe, who said he will address the media tomorrow, dismissed the allegations as false.

His words: ‘’ Former Niger Delta Minister, Elder Godsday Orubeb, has denied allegations of graft leveled against him.

He said he did not demand and collect bribe of N70 million from a contractor handling a skill acquisition project for the ministry when he was minister and does own the plots of lands in Asokoro and Kyame, as alleged.

He said it was one of his aides who collected the sum of N20 million from the said contractor in aid of a church project in his community without his knowledge.
Orubebe said that when he got wind of the money he quickly ordered his aide to return the donation to the contractor and also punished his PA for collecting the donation without his authorization.

On the land said to be owned by him in Asokoro and Kyame, the former minister said he could not have laid claim to such plots of land having donated them to other persons.

“I cannot lay claim to plots of land I had since donated to other people and moved on in life.
“I have an image and integrity to keep and none of the people who know me can say that I have ever collected a bribe from anyone,” the former minister said.

The charges
Count one reads: “That you, Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29th 2011 did make a false declaration in your asset declaration form by failing to declare plot 2722 Kyamu District Abuja on assumption of office on 26th September 2007 and on leaving office (at the end of your tenure), on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) & (2) of Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution and punishable under section 23(2) of the CCB & T Act.

Count two: “That you Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29, 2011 did make a false declaration in your asset declaration form by failing to declare plot 2059 Asokoro district, Abuja on assumption of office on September 26, 2007 and on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of the CCB & T Act, and punishable under section 23 (2) of the CCB & T Act.
Count three: “That you Godsday Peter Orubebe while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on or about September 19, 2012 asked for and accepted the sum of fifty million naira from one Pastor (Dr) Jonathan Alota, as bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company, Chemtronics Nigeria Limited and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of the CCB & T Act, and punishable under Section 23 (2) of CCB & T Act.

Count four: “That you Godsday Orubebe, while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about 2013 asked for and accepted the sum of twenty million naira from one Pastor (Dr.) Jonathan Alota as additional bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company Chemtronics Nigeria Limited for the construction of skill acquisition Centre at Edo State for the sum of one billion seven hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty naira eighty eight kobo only (¦ 1,799,914,251.88) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 of CCB & T Act.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Police nab 2 for robbing hotel in Aba

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Two suspected members of a five-man robbery gang terrorizing Aba and environs have been arrested by the Mobile Police Force, MOPOL 55, for allegedly robbing workers and customers of a hotel located at the city. The suspects identified as Chikadibia Orji, Ifeanyi Clement alias ‘Don’ and others still at large were accused of taking advantage of power outage during a party holding at the hotel to dispossess their victims of cash and property worth over N200, 000.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that luck, however ran out on one of the suspects, Ifeanyi Clement, a victim recognized him while he was hurrying out of the hall with members of his gang. Clement and his suspected accomplice, Orji, were later arrested by men of the Rapid response Squad of the State Police Command.

“They carried out their operation smoothly, but while they (5man-robbery gang) were going out, the power was restored back suddenly and while they were rushing out from the hall, one of the people in the hall saw his face, but he (Clement) didn’t know.” It was gathered that the two suspects confessed to the crime as other members of their gang were still at large.

In a related development, the Police have arrested a man identified as Loveday Onungwa in Aba after he allegedly inflicted bodily injuries on one Chikwendu Sunday and later made away with the sum of N300, 000, belonging to the victim. The incident, it was learnt, took place at a hotel located at Ajao Estate, Lagos State where the suspect and the victim had gone to lodge during a business trip.

Saturday Vanguard learnt that Chinwendu who lives at No. 7 Leo Street by Osusu Road, Aba was in Lagos with Onungwa to help him buy an L300 bus he intended to use for commercial transportation in Aba. While they were lodged at the hotel, the suspect attacked the victim with a knife and cut off one of his fingers and inflicted deep cuts all over his body but the victim managed to raise alarm which attracted the hotel authorities.

But before they could locate the room, Onungwa had already left the hotel, leaving the victim in a pool of his own blood and was rushed to the hospital by the hotel operators. Efforts to arrest the suspect by the Ajao Police Station, Lagos state Command proved abortive as they could not trace his whereabouts, but luck however ran out on him when the Police in Aba arrested him through a tip off.

Spokesman of the Abia State Police, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu who confirmed  the arrest of the suspects, added that efforts were on ground to hand over Onungwa to the Ajao Police State where the matter between him and Chikwendu Sunday was initially reported.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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