Dons EzeFUBARA: THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS IMPEACHMENT, NOT PEACE – SHUHU SANI
FUBARA: THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS IMPEACHMENT, NOT PEACE – SHEHU SANI Amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, former federal lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has suggested that the “the ultimate goal is impeachment and not peace”. Sani was reacting to the lastest development in the state after Governor Siminalayi Fubara was denied access to the State House of Assembly. “The ultimate goal in Rivers is impeachment and not peace; what happens afterwards is left to God,” Sani said. Fubara was on Wednesday denied access to the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters, where lawmakers were holding plenary sessions. Fubara arrived at the Assembly quarters to present the state 2025 budget but was met with a locked gate, preventing his entry. Recall that the governor had earlier pledged to implement the Supreme Court judgment, which includes the formal presentation of the 2024 budget. Meanwhile Fubara has accused the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule of deliberately avoiding him. Fubara said he had called Amaewhule severally before the incident but the Speaker refused to answer.
SENATE CAN’T PROBE NATASHA’S ALLEGATION AGAINST AKPABIO BECAUSE THERE’S NO PETITION – AIDE
SENATE CAN’T PROBE NATASHA’S ALLEGATION AGAINST AKPABIO BECAUSE THERE’S NO PETITION – AIDE Eseme Eyiboh, special adviser on media to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, says the senate cannot investigate the allegations levelled against his principal by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Sunday, Eyiboh said Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi central senator, has not submitted any petition about the alleged sexual harassment to the national assembly. He added that the Kogi senator did not mention sexual harassment in her suit filed against the senate president BACKGROUND On Friday, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the senate president of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom. The allegation spurred reactions from notable Nigerians, including a lawsuit against the Kogi senator by Ekaette Akpabio, the senate president’s wife. Others have called for an investigation into the claims made by the Kogi senator. Bukola Saraki, former senate president, had advised the leadership of the 10th senate to follow the precedent laid when he was accused of an importing official car without paying customs duty at the 8th senate. ‘NO CONTEMPLATION FOR SARAKI’S SUGGESTION’ Asked during the interview if Saraki’s suggestion would be followed, Eyiboh said the ex-senate president’s suggestion has no place in the current conversation. The media aide said what happened at the 8th senate when Saraki was accused of importing a car without paying customs duty is different from the sexual allegations levelled against Akpabio. Akpabio’s aide added that the upper chamber cannot institute a panel to probe the Kogi senator’s allegations because there is no petition to that effect. “What Bukola Saraki said has no place for contemplation at this level,” he said. “There is no petition, either to the police, court or senate regarding sexual harassment. It is just somebody exercising the right to public communication, that is freedom of expression. “She went to a public television platform another person could have gone to Wuse market to lay an allegation. And you are asking the institution to investigate. “It is a different thing that happened to Senator Saraki during his time on the car issue. “In this case, there is no petition anywhere. There is no petition on sexual harassment. “So from where will the senate as an institution going to set up a panel? Who is the complainant? There is no complainant. “What he (referring to Saraki) is saying has no place in the conversation.”
TINUBU’S GOVT CAN’T SILENCE ME – PROFESSOR YUSUF SPEAKS FROM DETENTION
TINUBU’S GOVT CAN’T SILENCE ME PROFESSOR Yusuf SPEAKS FROM DETENTION Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Prof Usman Yusuf, who is facing corruption allegations has detailed his experience in the hands of security operatives and officials of the federal correctional service. Yusuf, a Professor of Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, had been a vocal critic of President Bola Tinubu, his government and policies. His travail reportedly began after a viral interview criticising Nigeria’s new found romance with France among other public commentaries that allegedly unsettled the government. He was recently arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and subsequently slammed with a five-count charges bordering on alleged embezzlement and conferment of undue advantage to himself, as the boss of the NHIA in 2016. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges in court. But on Wednesday, an FCT High Court shifted ruling in his bail application. Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu ruled that he be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Kuje, FCT pending the ruling on February 27. But following the ruling, Prof Yusuf in lengthy response to his ordeal described the whole scenario as a ploy by the President to silence him. Professor Yusuf said he has full confidence in his legal team to “vigorously defend me against the baseless recycled falsehoods the EFCC charged me with. He said the family was deeply touched and remained eternally grateful for the overwhelming support from people all across the country and abroad. He assured Nigerians that he would never be silenced by Tinubu’s “dictatorial and autocratic leadership, which is forcefully suppressing any legitimate opposition to his misrule of our fatherland”. According to him, well-meaning Nigerians should resist “these dangerous traits that are reminiscent of the dark days of military rule in Nigeria”. He revealed that he had the haunting presence of the state stalking him since he started publicly criticising the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s. “The security agents have been physically and electronically tracking my family and I on the orders of this government. He said the trigger for his ordeal was the Northern Youths Summit in Bauchi last month. His fifteen days account of his detention and incarceration reads: “On Wednesday, 29 January 2025, at around 6:30pm, as I was preparing to break my fast, my wife came upstairs to inform me that two gentlemen in black suits knocked at the door and came inside the house, saying I knew they were coming. I came downstairs in my Jallabiyya (robe), no cap, with bathroom slippers to meet these gentlemen who introduced themselves as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) directed to take me to their headquarters. “I asked them for their badges, which they showed me with an apology for the oversight. I asked for an arrest warrant, and they told me that they did not need one. I also asked why I was not sent any formal invitation letter before this intrusive visit. I then asked to be allowed to go upstairs to change but was physically blocked by these operatives. I also asked for my wife to be allowed to go upstairs and bring me a change of clothing, but they refused to allow that. “On stepping outside the house, there were 5 armed mobile policemen, some deployed to the back of my house, presumably to prevent me from escaping through the back door or window. The engine of the bus they came in was left running with the driver sitting inside. “In the heat of argument, my wife got into a shouting match with the lead operative, which made her say a few unpleasant words that provoked him and the rest of his team. “My 14-year-old…
ECCIMA URGES ENUGU GOVERNOR, PETER MBAH , FOR ENABLING ENVIRONMENT, SIMPLIFICATION OF TAX SYSTEM
ECCIMA URGES ENUGU GOVERNOR, PETER MBAH, FOR ENABLING ENVIRONMENT, SIMPLIFICATION OF TAX SYSTEM The Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ECCIMA), has urged Governor Peter Mbah government to create a more robust and enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state, saying the administration should simplify its tax payment system to avoid multiple taxation. President of the Chamber, Sir, Odeiga Jideonwo, who stated this Thursday during the ECCIMA 2025 and 51st Annual General Meeting AGM held in Enugu, hailed the Mbah administration for its efforts towards creating a conducive business atmosphere in the state, but stressed the need for more to be be done to that effect. While expressing appreciation to the state government in her support for the chamber’s projects so far, he also harped on the need for the administration to address the issue of multiple taxation which has been a serious barrier to the private sector operators, insisting that a harmonized tax payment statement remains the answer. Jideonwo, however, expressed optimism about the future of business in Enugu State, citing the chamber’s efforts to promote international collaborations and strategic partnerships that would positively impact the business community. He said : “Your Excellency, we wish to once again appreciate the consolidated efforts being made by the Enugu State government to improve the state business environment. According to the ECCIMA boss, “Your regular town hall meetings with the business community is commendable. We urge you to remain focused and to keep up the good works. It is our hope that these efforts would be sustained because, “our tomorrow is here” He bought into the tax policy of the State Government which for him, has brought more people into the tax net of the Government, appealing that effort should be made to launch a one stop shop, unified tax payment system for the State to avoid multiple taxation The ECCIMA president, equally stressed the for more concerted efforts towards facilitating the opening of the new International Terminal building at the Akanu ibiam International Airport Enugu to attract more International Flights to the city with a view to keeping the State on the Global tourism map. Jideonwo , who marked one year in office as the 17th President of the Chamber, assured the state government of ECCIMA’s commitment to the promotion of business and economic development in the state. Speaking at the event, Governor Peter Mbah, harped on the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector to enable business drive economic growth in the state. Represented by his deputy, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai, Mbah said “business environment in Enugu State has improved significantly and we acknowledge the challenges faced by businesses, but we are committed to supporting the operators and attracting investments to the state. “As a government, we have made difficult decisions to prioritize our finances and cut down on unnecessary expenses. Our goal is to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. “We recognize the importance of technology in driving business growth and have employed technology to make payment systems seamless, eliminating multiple taxation and unauthorized revenue collection. “Our efforts are geared towards creating a safe and secure environment for businesses to operate,” he said According to the governor, to encourage investments, we are expanding our infrastructure, investing in critical facilities, and securing land for commercial farming. We believe that agriculture and technology are key drivers of economic growth, and we are committed to supporting these sectors. “We also acknowledge the role of universities in driving innovation and economic growth. We are willing to collaborate with universities to provide research solutions for businesses and the government. “Our goal is to create a skilled and talented workforce that can drive business growth and development. The governor said “Our…
EFCC STAFF STEALS $30,000, OTHER VALUABLES FROM EXHIBIT ROOM IN KADUNA
EFCC STAFF STEALS $30,000, OTHER VALUABLES FROM EXHIBIT ROOM IN KADUNA The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is enmeshed in another internal scandal as an officer in charge of Kaduna Zonal Office’s exhibit room allegedly absconded with over $30,000 and other valuable exhibits. Earlier in January, the country’s flagship anti-corruption agency said it had detained 10 officers in Lagos over theft of operational items they could not account for. Although the commission did not disclose the specific items stolen by the officials, DAILY NIGERIAN findings revealed that they stole gold bars worth over N1billion as well as over $180,000 and about GBP 140,000. In the latest scandal, DAILY NIGERIAN exclusively gathered that a member of staff of the commission, simply identified as Polycarp, vanished into a thin air when he failed to account for “over $30,000”. Insiders who preferred anonymity told this newspaper that the zonal director, Benedict Ubi, a couple of weeks ago ordered for an audit of the directorate’s exhibit room, following the internal heist that occurred in Lagos. According to the sources, when Mr Polycarp received the directive that the exhibit room would be audited, he took an excuse to ease himself and fled. “Immediately after the order for the audit was given, he took an excuse to ease himself. Efforts were made to contact him but all his telephone lines were switched off. “This is only what the preliminary audit on foreign currency shows. There are chances that more could be uncovered after a thorough audit of the exhibit room,” said a source familiar with the development. This newspaper learnt that the commission had launched a manhunt to trace the fleeing officer’s whereabouts. In 2019, an official of the commission was indicted for receiving $20,000 as bribe from a business man at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos state. Despite his confession to the crime, he was reinstated by the then acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu. The matter was not made public. In 2021, the anti-graft agency dismissed an officer after DAILY NIGERIAN published a leaked audio in which he was heard helping suspects on how their accounts could be unfrozen and charges dropped against them. The then spokesman for EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, described the officer as “a corrupt fifth columnist with scant regard for the values of the commission,” adding that his action was contemptuous of the Standard Operating Procedure of the EFCC. “Without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation, snippets of the audio recording clearly showed an abysmally compromised ‘officer’ dropping names to ingratiate his benefactor, a relative of a crime suspect. “By the alleged action, the said officer is no more than a corrupt fifth columnist with scant regard for the values of the commission.” On January 6, the commission announced the dismissal of 27 officers from its workforce for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct. Although the anti-graft agency made it appear recent, credible sources however said it was the total number of members of staff sacked for fraud since the establishment of EFCC in 2003. Attempts by our correspondent to get the reaction of the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as he neither picked calls nor responded to an SMS sent to his known mobile number.