Buhari Reveals Those Frustrating Efforts To Recover Loots, Stolen Assets

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, descended on the judiciary, saying the overall levels of judicial service delivery in the county still leave much to be desired.

President Buhari said he was perturbed that more than ever before, “allegations of judicial corruption have become more strident and frequent.”

Flagging-off the 2015 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference  in Abuja,  yesterday, Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, accused corrupt lawyers and judges of sabotaging his efforts to recover stolen assets.

He said: “Further on point of negative perception, there is both local and international dissatisfaction with the long delays in the trial process. In the past few years, this has become especially so for high-profile cases of corruption, especially where they involve serving or former political office holders.

“As my lords are undoubtedly aware, corruption transfers from public coffers to private pockets, resources required to deliver social and economic justice.

“Government’s attempts to recover such assets in accordance with the law are often faced with dilatory tactics by lawyers sometimes with the apparent collusion of judges.

“These tactics are often not directed at reaching any conclusion or affirming innocence or guilt, but at stalling trials indefinitely, thus denying the state and the accused person the opportunity of a judicial verdict. I wish to echo the sentiments of the vast majority of Nigerians in saying that we cannot afford to continue on this path.”

Credit: Vanguard

Ooni Ogunwusi enters palace as traditional rites end

Nation...

•Monarch completes rites 

The 51st Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, entered the palace yesterday to begin his reign after performing the last series of rites.

The monarch also visited some historical compounds.

His performance of the rites marked the end of his 21-day seclusion.

He started from the Obatala shrine at 3am and ended at the Enuwa Square at 7pm.

Clad in white lace and a pair of black shoes, Oba Ogunwusi wore the Sesefun crown and held the white beaded stick given to him at the Obatala shrine.

At Oke Ilode, he alighted from his black classic Mercedes Benz Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and performed a rite on the road surrounded by his subjects.

The Oba crushed kolanut with his thumb and washed his legs.

He was blessed there by the traditional chiefs of Imole cult and the Oluorogbos.

Owa Walode  led the Ooni to Odo Egudu at his Akodi Walode for some sacrifices involving use of a ram.

Oba Ogunwusi’s head  was also washed behind close doors.

A traditionalist said the same ritual was done for Oduduwa. It is to ensure peaceful and long reign.

Also, at a junction in Ilode, other sacrifices were performed amid drumming by the traditionalists.

The Ooni danced for some minutes before proceeding with other rites.

Drumming had been banned in Ife since Oba Okunade Sijuwade ’s death.

It was lifted yesterday with the traditionalists’ symbolic drumming.

The monarch was also taken to Oke Ora, where Oduduwa was believed to have entered Ile-Ife, to wear the Aare Crown.

Oba Ogunwusi could only wear the Aare crown temporarily at Oke-Ora. He was asked to take it away to wear once every year during the  Olojo festival.

By 7pm, Oba Ogunwusi was led to the Enuwa Square, the entrance into the Ooni’s Palace, where he prostrated on a mat for the last time for his subjects, before entering.

The gate was first opened yesterday since Oba Sijuwade’s death.

Oba Ogunwusi blessed his subjects, including  traditional and palace chiefs.

APC Mourns Audu, Restates Faith In Rule Of Law

Sahara Reporters Media

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its grief over Prince Abubakar Audu, its candidate in Saturday’s Kogi State gubernatorial contest who died suddenly yesterday on the very day he seemed to be winning the governorship for the second time.  



In a statement signed by National Secretary Mai Mala Buni, the party described Audu as “one of our stars, a democrat par excellence, a  development-oriented leader and a beacon  for the liberation of Kogi State from its apparent decay,” adding, “He was a Prince of hope, a symbol of peace and an apostle of unity and reintegration of Kogi State.” Commiserating with his family and the people of Kogi State for their strong belief in Audu's capacity to redeem the state, APC said his death had created a big vacuum in the State but that it takes solace in the fact that God gives and God takes.

It said the former governor might have physically transited but will forever be spiritually and politically relevant in the state and in the country. “We appeal to the people of the state to see Audu's death as an act of God,” the statement said.  “There should be no recourse to lawlessness or vindictiveness in whatever form. The only honour will can do Prince Abubakar Audu is to remain peaceful and resolve to be undaunted in preserving the adorable ideals he lived for. It was evident to all that he ran a good race, he played his part well and he earned a rare rating as an exemplary leader.”

The party pledged not to abandon Prince Audu even in death, saying his legacies, virtues and vision are timeless. It urged its members and supporters in Kogi Stare and nationwide not to allow their spirit to be dampened by the sudden passage of Prince Abubakar Audu, but instead to be united in mourning, and encouraged to effect the desired change in Kogi through the ballot. “On INEC's position that the November 21, 2015 governorship poll in Kogi State was inconclusive, APC is studying  the declaration of the Returning Officer, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, based on Section M, Paragraph 4 (Page 22) of INEC Approved Guidelines and Regulations for the Conduct of the 2015 General Elections,” the statement continued, stressing that the party believes in the rule of law, as well as strict adherence to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010.

“Our government was a product of the rule of law, we have absolute faith in the nation's law and we will not in any manner undermine the law,” it further stated, adding that its observations and position will be within the laws of the land. It described the situation in Kogi State as a test case for the rule of law and the country’s growing democracy, and that APC is committed to its pledge to ensure a sustainable democracy.

NCC to sanction MTN, Airtel, Globacom over auto data service migration

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday  said it would sanction MTN, Airtel and Globacom for defying its directive on automatic migration to Pay-As-You-Go data bundle.

The Commission made this known in its ‘2015 third quarter Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Report’ obtained pasted on its website.

NCC said it had continued to receive complaints from subscribers on automatic migration of data bundle package to Pay-As-You-Go Billing on depletion of their data bundle.

‘’Consequently and pursuant to section 53(1) of the NCC Act, 2003. The commission on 3rd August 2015 directed all mobile service operators to comply with the data bundle directions.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NCC said “where a subscriber’s data bundle account is fully depleted before the due date, service providers should notify the subscriber via SMS, giving information regarding the tariff/ billing rate for automatic migration.

‘’That all service providers should henceforth stop auto-migration of subscriber’s data service to the Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) account upon depletion of the data bundle account, except with the express consent and authorisation of the subscriber via SMS.’’

NCC said that a follow-up compliance check was carried out which revealed that Etisalat was in compliance with the directives, adding  that Etisalat through SMS, notified its subscribers of depletion of their data bundle accounts, before due dates.

The telecoms regulator also said that Etisalat sought the consent of subscribers before automatically migrating them to the Pay-As-You-Go data service.

It pointed out that ‘’Globacom is in compliance with Direction No. One as subscribers receive SMS detailing tariff rate for auto-migration on depletion of their data bundle, stating however, that Globacom failed to obtain express consent from subscribers before migration to PAYG and therefore in violation of Direction No. Two.

NCC explained that ‘’MTN is in compliance with Direction No.One, but failed to highlight the tariff rate for PAYG billing. In addition, data service is not suspended on depletion of the data bundle account even without an authorisation via an SMS from the subscriber.

It said ‘’Airtel is not in compliance with the above directions, stating that consequent upon the above, “the Commission has issued a notice of intention to sanction the concerned service providers.”

Dasuki in fresh Wahala... Trouble

•AGF seeks ex-NSA’s bail revocation

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

ATTORNEY-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), was yesterday absent at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over the controversy surrounding the house arrest of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (retd).

He was expected to explain the reason behind the siege on Dasuki’s Abuja residence by the Department of State Services (DSS) in spite of the bail earlier granted him by the court.

Rather, the AGF filed an application dated November 20, 2015 asking for an order revoking Dasuki’s bail application and committing him to prison pending his trial.

Dasuki was charged with unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering. He had pleaded not guilty.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola had ordered the release of Dasuki’s international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical at- tention.

While ruling on Dasuki’s application for the release of his travel document, the court held that in criminal trial, every suspect is presumed innocent and that every Nigerian has the right to access medication anywhere of his choice.

He ordered Dasuki to return his international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the court within 72 hours after his return from the three weeks medical trip.

The court also reviewed the bail conditions earlier granted the former NSA; that he should produce a surety who will take his place should he refused to return to the country to face his trial.

But, at the resumption of hearing of the matter yesterday, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri, applied for a court order revoking Dasuki’s bail and to commit him to prison pending his trial.

Diri based his application on seven grounds including intelligence report that Dasuki has concluded plans to escape justice and tamper with ongoing investigation on procurement of arms and equipment.

He said the ailment for which permission was given to Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom for treatment can be properly treated at the National Hospital, Abuja or any other teaching hospital in the country.

Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), lead counsel to Dasuki, objected to the prosecution’s application and reminded the court that yesterday’s business was for the Federal Government to tell the court why its order was violated by the DSS by laying siege on Dasuki’s house after the court had granted his overseas trip.

Daudu said the essence of his preliminary objection is to deny the government any indulgence until the court order is obeyed and that Dasuki’s absence in court was justified as he has not violated any of his bail conditions.

Justice Ademola adjourned the matter to November 26 to rule of the applications.


Dasuki has also sued the Federal Government over breach of his fundamental rights.

Buhari charges GECF on sustainable gas pricing mechanism

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

Pre

sident Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Tehran, Republic of Iran called on the leadership of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) to sustain the pricing mechanism of gas in the international market to the advantage of its members.

The president who noted that Nigeria has channelled its gas resources into appropriate areas for development of its economy also urges the member-countries to show mutual technic and economic cooperation so amongst themselves.

President Buhari spoke while delivering his speech at the ongoing 3rd Summit of GECF in Tehran.

The president also decried the dwindling oil prices which he said has affected the income of the Country.

He however expressed the hope that the nation’s proven gas reserve base currently put at 188 Trillion Cubic Feet could actually be in excess of 600 Trillion Cubit Feet when developed, stressing that Nigeria remained the hub for natural gas supply in West African sub region with the construction of 681 kilometer West African Gas Pipiline which currently transmits gas from the country to neighboring countries of Benin, Togo and Ghana.

He said: “the stability of the energy and financial market is critical to ensuring investments in current and future natural gas projects. It is therefore imperative that the GECF plays a significant role towards energy security by driving the formulation of a sustainable pricing mechanism that will guarantee fair and reasonable for both producers and consumers.”

The president who noted the need to deploy research and development initiatives towards technology innovations in exploration and development processing, logistics and marketing for the benefit of member countries also called for collective effort to halt gas flaring.

Also speaking earlier, the Chairman of the forum and President of Iran earlier called for cooperation of member states to enable them benefit maximumly from the natural resources

Similarly, the Secretary to the Forum, Seyed Mohammad Hossein Adeli, disclosed to the Forum that Azerbijah has indicated to part of the forum as an observer nation.

He underscored the need for economic ties and cooperation amongst the members-countries.

Leaders of member- countries who attended the summit were Presidents of Russia, Venezuela, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, Bolivia and Nigeria.

President Buhari is expected back today after other series of meetings.

VIOLENCE: Soldiers Smash 60 Vehicle Windscreens After Tricycle Kills Colleague

By MATTHEW DIKE

Angry soldiers went beserk and attacked drivers of tricycles, mini-buses and private cars after a tricycle killed their colleague in Ajegunle area of Lagos State, on Sunday evening.

The affected soldier was said to have been riding a motorcycle along Ojo Road when the soldiers who were avoiding a gully almost rammed into the tricycle. The soldier was said to have dived from his motorcycle to hold the driver of the tricycle but unfortunately for him, he hit his neck in a sharp object in front of the vehicle and it sliced his throat.

The soldier died instantly while the tricycle driver and passengers escaped from the scene to avoid being attacked by other soldiers. LEADERSHIP gathered that immediately the news of the accident filtered into the ears of soldiers at Mile Two Signal Barracks, they trooped out and went to the scene to confirm.

The angry soldiers decided to deal with any commercial vehicle they saw on the way, smashing the windscreens of tricycle, commercial mini-buses and few private vehicles. The windscreens of over 30 tricycles, 20 commercial buses and private vehicles were smashed.

Drivers took different directions to avoid their wrath. The unlucky ones were injured. People returning to their various residences from and Suru-Alaba were forced to raise their hands as they trekked home. Those who did not raise their hands were flogged with horse whip and planks.

A police sergeant at Area ‘B’ Apapa police command disclosed that the Area commander, ACP Julius Okoro Alawari had to call the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the barracks to assist the police by calling back the soldiers to the barracks. The GOC immediately deployed OP Mesa to the scene and they all returned to the barracks while policemen attached to Area ‘’B’ Command and Layeni police station were also at the scene to restore order.