https://ift.tt/GtT04DK By Olumuyiwa Adejobi Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has condemned the shooting and killing of Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, a lawyer who was allegedly shot and killed by a Policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State. The IGP, who described the incident as unfortunate and sad, has ordered speedy investigation and prosecution… Continue
https://ift.tt/sbJa5rD By Garba Shehu President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday gave a firm indication that he will not be hanging around Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), after May 29, 2023, in order not to meddle in the affairs of the office of his successor. The President was speaking to residents of FCT led by the Minister,… Continue
https://ift.tt/g4zSMDo Nigeria Police Force has reacted to the killing of innocent Nigerians in the Ajah area of Lagos State by it men, promising to reappraise its rules of engagement to put an end to the ugly incidents. The Nigeria Police through the Lagos State Command in a press statement few minutes ago, sympathized with the families,… Continue
https://ift.tt/wO1iR6m By Femi Babafemi Consignments of Colorado concealed in vehicles imported from Montreal, Canada and packs of cannabis juice flown in from South Africa, meant for distribution ahead of the Christmas festive season, have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Tincan seaport, Apapa and the Murtala Muhammed International… Continue
https://ift.tt/AotaCBy It was a scene to behold on Saturday as Anambra State Deputy Governor, Onyeka Ibezim stopped over his convoy of vehicles to confront soldiers at military checkpoint in Awka, the Anambra State capital for causing traffic gridlock on the road. The Deputy Governor who looked very angry with the way and manner road users were… Continue
https://ift.tt/6nSoAs3 By Samuel Aruwan Troops ambush bandits, neutralize ten and destroy camps across Chikun, Birnin Gwari and Giwa Local Government Area. Troops of Operation Forest Sanity neutralized eight bandits and seized six motorcycles during ambush patrols in the Chikun/Birnin Gwari general areas. Army Troops Kill 10 Bandits In Kaduna Buhari To Christians: This Year Christmas Is… Continue
https://ift.tt/AdUHVop By Muhammadu Buhari I heartily rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of this year’s Christmas. Many of us look forward to this festive season as a time to travel, share gifts, spend quality time with family and friends, attend special carols and events, and generally relive the good moments of the… Continue
https://ift.tt/vDlnfpX By Ifeanyi Ejiofor Legal team of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu ably led by the legal Iroko- Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, on Wednesday, the 21st December, 2022, commenced legal action against the State Security Service (SSS) and its Director General. The fulcrum of this suit, is to compel the State Security Service, to provide Onyendu Mazi… Continue
https://ift.tt/qARhmeD By Press Unit Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government will sustain efforts at providing infrastructure, security and other incentives to boost business growth and the inflow of investments into the state. Obaseki gave the assurance while commissioning Oti Hotel, owned by a former governor of the state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, at… Continue
https://ift.tt/qYhsBOj Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has commissioned hotel in the Benin metropolitan area of the state, built by the former governor of the state, Lucky Igbinedion. Governor Godwin Obaseki made this known few hours ago via his social media accounts with photographs of the hotel building attached to the post. Lucky Igbinedion served as two… Continue
https://ift.tt/4cupWE8 By Femi Adesina We are not fully there yet, but anyone that is honest and not filled with bile against the government of the day will agree that very significant advances have been made in the past year against the insecurity that had beleaguered the country for more than one decade. Is the Eid-el-Kabir not… Continue
https://ift.tt/zOQ6rYP By Christian Aburime Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR has commended his immediate predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano for the legacy projects he put in place while in office as APGA Governor in Anambra State. The Governor also reiterated that Anambra government is APGA and should be sustained being the third biggest political party… Continue
https://ift.tt/ASpQCUG Bright Okpocha, Nigeria Super Stand up comedian, well known as Basketmouth has begged the general public to respect his family privacy just as he announced an end to his 12 years old marriage with his wife, Elsie. Basketmouth via his social media accounts on Thursday, said both of them decided to go their separate ways… Continue
https://ift.tt/wN5YD1e By Femi Adesina President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja said the Government edged forward in promoting sustainable development by creating a digital application, Eyemark, that enables citizens to monitor and evaluate capital projects, in real-time, with unimpeded access to information on stakeholders, including contract terms and the contractors. President Buhari, who launched the digital application… Continue
https://ift.tt/EFxiKWO Founder of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media platforms, Mark Zuckerberg has revealed that the Argentina Super Football Star, Lionel Messi has broken Instagram record. Mark Zuckerberg in a Facebook post on Tuesday, said Lionel Messi’s World Cup post is now the most liked in Instagram history. Zuckerberg added… Continue
https://ift.tt/9Yq3Mza By Garba Shehu In the first in-person meeting with the American President Joe Biden, President Buhari established a personal equation with his US counterpart and got an important recognition for his democratic credentials and activism at home in particular, and Africa in general: “your legacy is a model,” says President Biden. There was a perfect… Continue
https://ift.tt/e4kHL93 By Press Unit Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 auctioned seven cars, which are subjects of final forfeiture orders in Ilorin, Kwara State. The process started on Monday, December 19, 2022 with the display of the cars for public inspection at Number 11, Catchment Road, Adjacent Noktel Hotel, G.R.A, Ilorin… Continue
https://ift.tt/hl1ZIK9 It is no longer news that Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that the former Special Assistant to the then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe has no criminal or money laundering case to answer. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on Monday ruled and thrown into the… Continue
https://ift.tt/vtzsI4D By Garba Shehu President Muhammadu Buhari Monday expressed appreciation for the many cards and well-wishes he received for his 80th birthday. He said however, in a jocular manner, that his wish for a quiet day had been denied by the staff, adding that: “I fixed the return journey from America on the day to avoid… Continue
https://ift.tt/NF5aWqS By Press Unit Doyin Okupe, former senior special assistant on public affairs to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and chieftain of the Labour party is to spend two years in prison following his conviction today, December 19, 2022 by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja. In a well-considered judgment, the trial court held that… Continue
https://ift.tt/BydQHwT Ongoing mass unrest in Iran has taken a new twist as one of the Iran award winning star actresses, Taraneh Alidoosti has been arrested by government authorities on Saturday for alleging, a protester detained by the country security operatives had been charged and executed. Fox news in a publication on Monday with a contribution from… Continue
https://ift.tt/4HbAGut By Press Unit As part of measures taken to assess troops’ combat readiness and boosting their morale in the ongoing Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations, the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Christopher Musa on 17 December 2022, continued with his operational visit to frontline… Continue
https://ift.tt/3VmTsFi Executive Director of Africa Network For Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Reverend David Ugolor has made available the family arrangements for the burial ceremony of their late mother, Mrs. Agnes Akora Ugolor. Mrs. Agnes Akora Ugolor nee Umukoro passed away earlier in the year at the age of 90. According to the Press statement for… Continue
https://ift.tt/pqsFRtn Didier Deschamps, France Coach had predicted that he will not allow the Lionel Messi, Argentina Super Football player lift the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup trophy. As a coach, he said during the week ahead the World Cup Final, that, he would put all tactical and strategical structures in place to stop Lionel Messi from… Continue
https://ift.tt/Q86ak1L By Garba Shehu President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed great pleasure in the conduct of Nigerians who have continued to excel in their chosen fields as they reside in the United States of America. The President made this commendation at the Presidential Townhall Meeting with Nigerians in the Diaspora, which took place Friday in Washington as… Continue
https://ift.tt/vwEhxVg By Femi Babafemi At least, One Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty (1,760,460) pills of Tramadol and other opioids have been intercepted hidden in indomie noodles packs and others at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos as well as in Gombe state. While over 600,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg… Continue
https://ift.tt/iGfmAn3 Ahead Sunday World Cup final match between Argentina and France, Didier Deschamps, the French Coach has stated that the french team will do ‘everything humanly possible’ to stop Lionel Messi from lifting the 2022 World Cup. Both Argentina and France are preparing to win the World Cup for the third time in history. Before now, Argentina had… Continue
https://ift.tt/MLPHoOb By Tanjim Chowdhury One of the most important days of my life. So, I guess I will feel a bit relieved if I can express my feelings. Cause I don’t know whether I’ll be in a situation or not to share this after today. Also I’m not expecting anyone to read this post fully. I… Continue
https://ift.tt/qXHjvdO By Edward Gabkwet In what could be described as a daring and clinical military operations, Special Forces (SF) under the 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, carried out a rescue operation in the early hours of 17 December 2022, leading to the rescue of 7 Chinese expatriates earlier kidnapped and held… Continue
https://ift.tt/xIJUgX0 Group of women in Abia state on Friday raised Biafra flag to protest along some major streets in Aba over the continuous detention of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government despite Appeal Court judgement granting the freedom rights activist unconditional release. Court… Continue
https://ift.tt/5uLsJBr By Christian Aburime Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, says, development of Nigeria should be the utmost priority for any politician or candidate. Governor Soludo made the remark at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, where he recieved in audience, the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa Governor… Continue
https://ift.tt/s4Nu2iT By Garba Shehu President Buhari Thursday in Washington DC warned that Africa risks not attaining the goals continental leaders have set for the region by 2063 in view of challenges facing it. He however believes that they can be achieved if there is a unity of purpose among all member states. Speaking at the ongoing… Continue
https://ift.tt/EN2pak6 By Onyema Nwachukwu In recognition of their meritorious service to the nation, the Army Council has on Thursday 15 December 2022, approved the promotion of senior officers to the ranks of Major General and Brigadier General. In the promotion signed and released by the Military Secretary (Army), a total of 122 senior officers of the… Continue
https://ift.tt/NpB9UJM By Press Unit Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has today sensitized 36 Criminology and Security Studies students of Bayero University Kano on cyber security and financial crime. Heads of Cyber Crime Sections, CSE Sadiq Olamide and CSE Musa Bashir Olalekan, lectured the students on the rudiments of cybercrime and cybersecurity,… Continue
https://ift.tt/hAlZsau By Press Unit Following the success of its recent public auction of over 649 vehicles, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will soon commence the process of sale of forfeited properties comprising 160 flats and apartments in 16 locations across the country. The Commission’s Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa disclosed this today, Thursday December 15, 2022,… Continue
https://ift.tt/fCQOnJk Emma Kanu, Brother to the detained Biafra agitation leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has said the IPOB leader had mandated his lawyer to give Department of State Services, DSS, the sum of one million naira to enable the security service provide him decent meals and drugs. According to Prince Emma Kanu, the detained Biafra leader gave… Continue
https://ift.tt/pyNUYoM By Press Unit Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa on Wednesday, 14 December, 2022, revealed that the Commission recorded 3,615 convictions as at December 5, 2022 He disclosed this while speaking at the Inter-Agency Task Team programme to mark 20 years of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, UNCAC,… Continue
President Nigerian Army Officer Wives Association (NAOWA) Mrs Salamatu F Yahaya receives Quintessential Award of Excellence from the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Drug and Narcotics in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Drug Monitoring (NANDRUM).
The award took place during the 3rd Annual Lecture and Quintessential Awards/Endorsement at the National Assembly Complex Abuja on 14 December 2022.
In her goodwill message, Mrs Salamatu F Yahaya extoled the Federal Government of Nigeria for appointing the current Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retired) who has achieved great feet in the fight against the production, distribution and consumption of illicit drugs and narcotics.
In his opening remarks, the Senate President Senator Ahmed Lawan who was ably represented by Senator Boroffice Ajayi emphasized the determination of the joint committee to salvage the Nigerian society from the menace of drugs and other illicit substance abuse.
He also called on other organizations to join in the fight to eradicate the ugly menace.
He also commended the Joint Committee for conferring the Quintessential Award of Excellence and Ambassadorial Endorsement on the deserving recipients who have contributed positively in the fight against the trafficking, distribution and consumption of drugs and narcotics.
Earlier at the event, Dr Christabel Regan Okoye who is the Ambassador Joint Committee on Drugs and Narcotic of the National Assembly and also the Executive Secretary NANDRUM in her welcome address appreciated the presence of all invited guest who graced the event.
She further commended the Chairman Senate/House Committees on Drugs and Narcotics, she further commended the Chairman/Executive Officers of the NDLEA and all the recipients of the award for their great contributions in the fight against Drugs and Narcotics.
Other dignitaries who received the award include; Her Excellency the First Lady of Enugu State Mrs Monica Ugwuanyi, Chief Nelson Madubuchi FCIMA, the Commander of Narcotics (NDLEA) Usman Ali Wandar, State Commander (NDLEA) Delta State John Tunde.
@views exclusive rights: Press Unit, Nigerian Army, December 14, 2022.
Factional leader for the agitation for the Republic of Biafra, Simon Ekpa has threatened Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
Simon Ekpa made the threat known on Wednesday in a live broadcast to end the 5 days sit-at-home ordered in the southern states seen as Biafra land that turned out bloody, leading to several deaths in Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra and Imo states.
Simon Ekpa made the threat in response to the lawsuit, Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor filed against him before a High Court sitting in Abuja over Simon Ekpa alleged promotion and actions of violent behavior, disturbances and destructions in the Southeastern states.
Ifeanyi Ejiofor in the lawsuit on Monday said:
“Today, we formally commenced a legal action before the FCT High Court against Simon Ekpa, which action is founded on a plethora of grave infractions arising from his violent, disturbing and false declarations.
“I may not release further details here so that it will not prejudice the robust legal actions already lined up for him and his cohorts. It shall be coming in piecemeal. This is the first batch.
“I also want to assure Simon Ekpa and his cohorts affected by this compelling legal action, that no matter the country you people believe to be presently hiding under its sovereign protection, the full arms of the law shall certainly catch up with you all, in the legal onslaught already commenced.
“This is just one in the long line of compelling civil and criminal litigations coming your way.
“The hour has come, and I wish to reiterate that you Simon Ekpa cannot escape from the long arms of the law”.
According to Simon Ekpa, he will not take Ifeanyi Ejiofor to Nigeria Court, adding, he knows where to take him to, if Ifeanyi Ejiofor is still around when Biafra Republic is actualized.
Simon Ekpa stressed, emphatically and repeatedly used the words: ” If Ifeanyi Ejiofor is still around when Biafra comes”
Simon Ekpa accused Ifeanyi Ejiofor of conflict of interest.
Adding, Ifeanyi Ejiofor filed a lawsuit against him with the same allegations Federal Government of Nigeria accused Nnamdi Kanu of, which him, Ifeanyi Ejiofor is defending as illegal and abused of human rights.
Simon Ekpa, In Continuation of his response to Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor's Ridiculous Lawsuit, Said That Ejiofor Has Grossly Abused The Ethics of Legal Profession & Displayed The Highest Level of Incompetence.@EjioforBar hasn't responded to the weighty allegations against him.
👇 pic.twitter.com/8mJLCRo1hy
I may not release further details here so that it will not prejudice the robust legal actions already lined up for him and his cohorts. It shall be coming in piecemeal. This is the first batch.
I am so humbled by the enormous show of love from my lovely wife, my family members, associates, Ndi Imo nile, friends and well wishers who gathered yesterday to celebrate my birthday, including those who sent in goodwill messages and calls.
This year has been spectacular due to the intervention of God in our fight against insecurity in our State.
The relative peace we have achieved so far, has been complementary to the milestones we have recorded in developments across the State.
This, to me, is worth more celebrating and I thank you all for by your support, they were achieved.
While thanking God for his magnanimity and grace, I pray for his continued guidance and wisdom in service to our dear State even as I appeal for your continued support to my good intentions of transforming our dear State.
In a very special way, I appreciate the presence of my very good friend, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR, the Ooni of Ife, who made out time to join us in Owerri for the celebration, may your reign be long Kabiyesi.
To my amiable wife, H.E. Chief Barr. Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, I love you dearly and to my family members, associates, Ndi Imo nile, friends and well wishers, I adore you all and pray for God’s grace upon you always.
Just yesterday, at the St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, New Owerri, I admonished the actors and players of insecurity in the State to redress and embrace a peaceful and lawful course but unfortunately, they chose to persist in their venture by attacking the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri this morning.
Kudos to the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies for the collaborative effort in foiling the attack. While some of the attackers lost their lives, some were caught alive and investigation has commenced even as I have charged the Police authority to be swift and prudent in unraveling details behind this attack.
In a related development, I commend the joint security team in the State for their prompt response and success in rescuing the Craneburge Staff who were abducted from construction site, along the Owerri-Okigwe road, on 9th December 2022. It is quite unfortunate how some people chose stagnation against progress. The contractors are working for the good of everyone and it is expected of the people to offer hospitality and not hostility to them.
I am indeed elated at these successes by our security agencies today. The security network and intelligence across the State has been beefed up to guarantee the safety of all throughout this season and beyond.
Yes, we have achieved a lot in restoring stability in our dear State but so long as the criminals remain unrepentant, we will never relent on our efforts in wiping them all out for the safety and peace of everyone.
It is with great pride that I write to congratulate you, Dr. Godknows Osarenren Osarhiaekhimen, for emerging the Best Graduating Student at the 46th Convocation Ceremony of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University.
We are, indeed, proud of your lofty achievements, as you have given a good account of yourself by clinching 7 distinguished prizes.
This attainment is a testament to the indomitable Edo spirit, which places hard work, diligence and determination as core virtues in pursuit of excellence.
You have joined a long list of illustrious Edo sons and daughters, who continue to blaze the trail and record phenomenal results in their chosen life endeavours.
Today, you serve as an inspiration to many young Edo boys and girls who are looking out for worthy mentors to guide them aright in a world filled with numerous distractions.
I celebrate your genius and wish you even more resounding success in your chosen field of medical practice.
Congratulations!Godwin Obaseki
Governor, Edo State
@views exclusive rights: Godwin Obaseki
Governor, Edo State, December 14, 2022.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya CFR has urged the military and other relevant security agencies to aggressively synergize, in efforts towards nipping in the bud contemporary threats to national security.
He made this known during the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) 2022 Media Workshop holding at the 81 Division Officers’ Mess, Outer Marina Lagos.
The COAS who was represented by the Chief of Staff Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Brigadier General Lateef Jimoh stated that this year’s edition of the yearly workshop is focused of confronting information disorder and misinformation through holistic mobilization of all society resources against every threat to national security.
According to him, Nigeria is contending with numerous security challenges such as insurgency, banditry, violent separatist agitations, kidnap for ransom among others.
He reiterated that the ability to surmount these security challenges depends solely on effective management of information orchestrated by mutual support among various security agencies and other stakeholders in information management.
Earlier, in his speech the Commandant NASPRI, Brigadier General Omale Ochagwuba stated that the main objective of the workshop is to create an enabling environment for interactions and cross fertilization of ideas by experts on contemporary information management and security in order to proffer solutions to the menace of information disorder and misinformation including malicious narratives that constitute threats to national security.
General Ochagwuba used the medium to appreciate the COAS for approving funds for finishing of construction work at the school’s permanent site in Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri Abuja.
The opening ceremony of the workshop which has the theme “Harnessing Whole of Society Approach to Curb the Menace of Information Disorder: National Security in Perspective” was graced by Commander 55 Signal Brigade, Brigadier General EO Oshunsan who represented the General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigerian Army, Representives of various Corps Commanders, senior officers both serving and retired and heads of security agencies.
The workshop is expected to last from 12 – 16 December 2022.
@views exclusive rights: Press Unit, Nigerian Army, December 14, 2022.
President Muhammadu Buhari came into office in 2015 to find that a law, which stipulated for the collection of a token on banking transactions existed but was not being correctly implemented
This anomaly arose because certain characters apparently formed a cartel with collaborators in the Nigerian Postal Service, NIPOST and were allegedly collecting and pocketing this money.
Soon after, a non-government organization posited to the administration that the Nigerian government had lost the sum of over N20 trillion to the Nigerian Inter-bank Settlement System ((NIBSS) between 2013-2016 in this regard, claiming that the said sum could be recovered and paid back into the government coffers.
The consultants asked to be paid a professional fee of 7.5 percent and were placed under the supervision of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.
Following the lack of progress in the promised recovery, the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari wrote on March 8, 2018 to the SGF conveying a presidential directive that following the lack of progress and several expressed concerns received, the activities of the consultants be discontinued.
In the aftermath of this dismissal, the consultants sued the government.
A court of competent jurisdiction subsequently ruled in favour of the government.
Arising from the outcome of the litigation and the well known controversy on the legally responsible agent for collecting this levy, the administration went to the National Assembly and caused an amendment to the law and removed NIPOST from the duty of its collection.
Having lost a potentially “lucrative” line of “business,” the sacked characters returned to the drawing board to formulate one form of trick or another to intimidate the government but the vigilant teams of the administration kept them at bay.
Lately, they returned to the government through Hon. Muhammadu Gudaji Kazaure with a plan to track the so-called lost stamp duties with the erstwhile consultant as chairman and Hon. Gudaji as secretary.
When it emerged that the petitioner and lead consultant of the committee the President had dissolved via the late Abba Kyari’s letter of March 28 had masqueraded himself and re-emerged as the chairman of the new recovery committee championed by the Hon. Gudaji, the President rescinded the approval he gave and asked that it be stopped from operating under the seal of his office.
In addition to this committee being chaired by a petitioner, there were also other concerns relating to natural justice and fair hearing in having the Chief Justice of the Federation as a committee member and a serving member of the House of Representatives as Secretary, which are not in line with Section 5(1),(a)&(b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Once the President rescinded his approval to constitute this Committee, lost all legitimacy.
Arguments have in recent days been flying left and right over the rightfulness of a committee being dissolved.
People are entitled to hold opinions. But these opinions do not change the fact that under our constitution, the power of the president to appoint and remove persons or groups is duly entrenched and unless such powers are shared with the Parliament, the President can hire and fire literally at will, and in line with the law.
To go back to the main issue though, it is now evident that the consultants and petitioners’ claims of a missing N89 trillion from stamp duty appears false and a figment of their malicious imaginations.
The same set of consultants claimed in 2016 there was 20 trillion naira to be collected. It was found to be false. The entire banking sector deposit is not even up to half of 89 trillion naira.
Indeed, if the Federal Government can find 89 trillion Naira, it can pay off all its debt, both foreign and local currency and all state government debts and still have over 10 trillion naira left.
So, the claim by these so-called consultants and the disbanded committee is totally ridiculous and a complete mockery.
Our good friend and a committed party member, Hon Gudaji has tried to draw me into a public debate which I don’t consider a good idea.
In a video clip in Hausa and a press release in English both by this good friend of the administration, Hon. Gudaji Kazaure, invited me to answer questions, some of which are completely lacking in imagination.
I would have ignored the allegations therein. Yet, a wise man once said that a lie can travel the world while the truth is still wearing his shoes.
It is on the basis of the above that I decided to put some things straight and respond directly to Hon. Kazaure’s questions posed to me.
Specifically, I will respond to each of his questions as follows:
(A) “The money with CBN I & E window Account stood at $171 billion dollars as at 2020 what is the source of that money?”
To my knowledge, the CBN-established Investors and Exporters (I&E) Window is a foreign exchange trading platform where banks and other authorized dealers can buy or sell foreign exchange. These trades are recorded by the CBN daily and reported as turnover or activity in the market.
Contrary to Honourable Kazaure’s assertion, the I&E window is NOT an “account” where foreign exchange is deposited. It is simply a platform for trading foreign exchange. As of April 2020, the total amount of foreign exchange traded (either bought or sold) in the window was about $171 billion. The size of this amount suggests that there is adequate liquidity or availability of foreign exchange and that anyone who wants to buy or sell would easily find a counterparty to trade with. The amount does not mean that we have $171 billion stacked away in some vault or saved in any account.
Note that both the CBN and authorized dealers are free to bring foreign exchange to the window, and in fact, the CBN is not the major seller of Foreign Exchange in that segment of the market.
(B) “The 23.4 trillion naira CBN gave as a loan to some banks, what is the source of that money?”
The CBN is best placed to respond to this question though I must say the assertion itself is both baseless and misleading. The total balance sheet of the CBN is not anywhere near 23 trillion naira. So how can it give such an amount in loans to any or some banks?
(C) “The 13 trillion naira loan to the federal government from FMDQ, what is the source of that?”
According to the DMO, the total amount of Nigeria’s domestic debt as of September 2022 is 21.6 trillion naira. Is Honourable Kazaure suggesting that a small company in Lagos holds over 60 percent of Nigeria’s domestic debt?
More also, of the 21.6 trillion naira domestic debt, only 4.5 trillion naira are in Treasury Bills? How then can a company in Lagos hold more treasury bills (13 trillion naira) than the entire treasury bills issued by the Federal Government?
For the avoidance of doubt, I also took time to reach out to the FMDQ ( Financial Markets Derivative Quotes) and understand from their audited financial statements that their holdings of FGN Treasury bills is just 7.99 billion naira as of December 2021.
(D) “Finally, what is the total equity of CBN and its National budget?”
Anyone who understands this question should provide an answer. I can offer this information: on an annual basis and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the CBN transfers 80 percent of its operating surplus to the Federal Government as part of the budget revenues. In the last 6 years, this contribution has amounted to over 150 billion naira.
Let me inform, that Mr. President has not completely ignored these matters. Indeed, a duly authorized committee under the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) is working to reconcile, recover and transfer all Stamp Duties into Stamp Duties Central Account.
The work is ongoing, it is not finished yet and the President will continue to show his keen interest in the matter of Stamp Duty collection.
@views exclusive rights: Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, December 13, 2022.
https://ift.tt/cpHhrDX By Press Unit General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Aminu Chinade has described the series of attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Offices and facilities nationwide as a threat to democracy in Nigeria. Major General Chinade stated this when the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, Oyo… Continue
https://ift.tt/Dmkw3AQ By Festus Okoye Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Imo State, Professor Sylvia Uchenna Agu, has reported that our State Headquarters office in Owerri was attacked by unknown gunmen. The incident occurred at about 3.00am today Monday 12th December 2022. The attack affected the part of the building occupied by the Election and Party Monitoring (EPM)… Continue
https://ift.tt/afX3LKm By Muhammad Kazaure I wish to draw the attention of the general public to a recent stement credited to Mallam Garba Shehu, where he dismissed the committee legitimately set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NIBSS and other financial institutions. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t join any issues… Continue
