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P&ID Contract: Aghanya’s NGO urges FG to prosecute ex-officials on oversight, dereliction

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Oyo ALGON rejects Appeal Court verdict, heads to Supreme Court

The Federal Government has been urged to arrest and prosecute former government officials connected with the alleged ill-fated Gas Plant project contract the country signed with an Irish firm, Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID), during the late President Umar Yar’ Adua’s administration.

The Executive Secretary, Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI), Dr Dennise Aghanya, whose anti-graft outfit investigated Justice Walter Onnoghen, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on fraud stated this on Thursday, in Abuja, noting that the P&ID contract was a scam aided by some un-patriotic citizens to swindle the country.

Recall a British court on August 6 granted approval for the firm to seek to seize the country’s assets abroad worth U.S. 9.6 billion dollars. It also gave the firm a go-ahead to seek to seize Nigerian government’s assets worth 9.6 billion dollars. It was against the backdrop of being was awarded U.S. 6.6 billion dollars in an arbitration decision over a failed project to build a gas processing plant in Calabar awarded by President Yar’Adua’s government.

“It is heart-breaking to read Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan attributing the failure of Nigerian Government to act promptly and avert this development to failure of leadership by Buhari’s administration.

“At what point should we as concerned citizens separate politics from leadership so that we can build an ideal society for ourselves?

“The administration that initiated the contract should have guided it to a logical conclusion if it was well intended in the first place,’’ he said.

Aghanya further said the narrative by Omokri alleging that Jonathan sent Diezani Allison-Madueke, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and some other officials to Ireland to negotiate an out of court settlement and to later abandon such negotiation showed the extent of dereliction of duty.

Also read:  Court refuses to grant Sowore’s application challenging detention by DSS

“In fact the negotiation that saw P&ID agreeing to take 850 million dollars instead of six billion dollars early 2015 was not enough excuse to exonerate the administration of its carelessness that brought about this mess.

He therefore called on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN to open investigation into matter with a view to prosecuting ex-officials of government who were directly and indirectly involved in the P&ID hoax contract.

“The AGF should without delay invite the EFCC to commence probe and prosecution of officials of the past administration who structured the contract with P&ID and failed to take corrective measures when it became obvious that the contract was not working.

“When would government officials in this country realise that the interest of the country should come first in all official negotiations?

“It has become a norm for persons in positions of authority, either as civil servants or political appointees to see public offices as means of amassing wealth rather than rendering service for public interest.

“We therefore encourage the president to beam his searchlight on the activities of officials of past administrations without blinking.

“The president must act without consideration to political affiliation as his fight against corruption takes enters the second phase in the schedule of this government.

“In Republic of China, economic sabotage attracts death penalty and we should begin to contemplate that level of stiff penalty in this country.

“We wish to commend the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for his stance that the judgement by the British Commercial must be set aside because of the dire consequences of allowing the implementation of such judgement on the country’s economy.

“We should be smart enough to evolve an alternative plan by not depending totally on the outcome of our intended appeal to challenge this judgment,’’ he said.

Aghanya explained that the government should immediately commence an out of court negotiation with the judgment creditor by negotiating for an alternative contract to compensate them.

He said such arrangement would enable the company to recoup the judgement sum in about a year or two in place of direct payment that would subject the country to intensive economic haemorrhage.

“At moment, no court in Europe or America will be sympathetic to us over this matter, considering the country’s worrisome image accentuated by corruption and fraud in recent time overseas.

“To them, this is an opportunity long awaited.

The judgment is in connection with a 2010 agreement the federal government had with P&ID to build a gas processing plant.

 

 

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#EndBadGovernance: Court Admits 10 Protesters to N10m Bail Each 

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#EndBadGovernance: Court Admits 10 Protesters to N10m Bail Each 

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday admitted 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters charged with treason to a N10 million bail each with one surety each like sum.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on their bail applications, agreed with the submissions of the counsel for the defendants.

Justice Nwite ordered that each of the defendants’ sureties must own a landed property in Abuja and submit the property documents to the court’s registrar.

The press reported that the Federal Government had, on Sept. 2, arraigned the protesters on counts bordering on treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny, among others, which are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The Federal Government, through the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, filed the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024 on Aug. 30 against the defendants.

10 of the 124 persons arraigned included Michael Adaramoye also known as Lenin; Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khakis and Abdusalam Zubairu.

It was also reported that some youths staged a nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country between Aug. 1 and Aug. 10.

The demonstration turned violent in some parts of the country, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

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Gov. Makinde Begins Annual Leave Aug. 5; APC Begs Nigerians To Shun Protest

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Gov. Makinde Begins Annual Leave Aug. 5; APC Begs Nigerians To Shun Protest

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has written to the State House of Assembly to inform it of his intention to embark on his annual leave.

The governor’s letter was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, during Thursday’s valedictory plenary held in honour of Mrs Yetunde Awe, the House Clerk.

The governor also indicated in his message his desire to transfer executive powers to his Deputy, Mr Bayo Lawal.

Lawal is to serve in an acting capacity in Makinde’s absence, and Makinde’s leave will begin on Aug. 5 and end on Sept. 6.

“Based on Section 190 sub-section 1, I hereby transmit that during the period indicated above, Deputy Governor Lawal shall be the acting Governor.

“I shall be back from the vacation on Sept. 7,” Makinde said in the letter.

Similarly, the House also swore in Mrs. Taiwo Muraina-Akinola, who was formerly the Deputy Clerk, as the Substantive Clerk of the House to replace Awe who is retiring from the state civil service. Her swearing-in followed her recommendation by the House of Assembly Commission.

In another development, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun,  Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to Nigerians, especially the youths, to shun the planned nationwide protest.

Oyintiloye urged Nigerians to continue to keep faith in President Bola Tinubu-led administration in its ability to revamp the economy.

The APC chieftain, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), appealed while speaking with newsmen on Thursday in Osogbo.

He urged Nigerians to see a promising future in the government’s framework capable of pulling the country out of the current economic quagmire inherited from the past administrations.

He said that Nigerians’ expectation to get dividends of democracy was high owing to their trust in the president’s pedigree as an astute manager of men and resources.

Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said that the government was working tirelessly to meet the expectations and yearning of Nigerians.

He said that the intention of the president by removing the fuel subsidy and merging the foreign exchange rates, among other policies was to improve the economy and not to inflict pain on Nigerians.

The APC chieftain said that Nigerians should give more time for the president to fully develop the economy, which is going through the recovery process.

“With all sense of humility and modesty, we must appreciate the people of this country for their endurance, perseverance and unflinching support as we are passing through the dark tunnel.

“But one certain thing is that after these temporary pains, we shall all live in abundance.

“Although the task is herculean, but we are gradually navigating through the storm and challenges the country is passing through.

“In the real sense of it, this present government is working tirelessly on how to stabilise the economy, foreign exchange rates, inflation, and price control.

“With the initiatives and programme designed for good governance by the president, we are getting to the coast of self-sufficiency and economic stability.

“Our people should believe in the leadership of the president and the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, in due course, we shall laugh last.

“I strongly believe that with a little patience from Nigerians, we shall soon live in abundance. Let’s exercise a little patience, he said.

Oyintiloye, who noted that the president felt the pains Nigerians were passing through, said that was why he pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with him. 

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NNPP: Founder, Dr Aniebonam Goes Stoic on Kwankwaso and Galadima’s Defection

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NNPP: Founder, Dr Aniebonam Goes Stoic on Kwankwaso and Galadima's Defection

…Urges Members to Remain Calm and Trust in God’s Intervention

The founder of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Aniebonam Boniface Okechukwu, has finally adopted stoicism on the defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima, two prominent members of the party. 

In a lengthy statement, Dr Okechukwu expressed his disappointment and sadness over the betrayal of trust by his “friends and brothers” but urged members of the party to remain calm and trust in God’s intervention.

According to Dr. Okechukwu, the defection of Kwankwaso and Galadima is a temporary setback and a human activity that will not change the name and fate of the party. 

He described the duo as ‘men’ who were deceived by fake marabouts but hoped that they would soon realize their mistakes and return to the party.

Dr Okechukwu also called on members of the party to be patient and work hard, assuring them that God would soon intervene and restore the party to its rightful owners.

 He referenced the party’s past victory at the Supreme Court in Kano as a testament to God’s power and intervention.

The full statement by Dr. Okechukwu reads:

“My attention has been continuously drawn to the avoidable propaganda and circumstances of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima. 

“These elder statesmen are my good friends and brothers with bad intentions. It is human, noting that no human being can be predicted. I do know that the first law of God is choice. They chose the channel of betrayal of trust.

“None of you should be worried because the New Nigeria People’s Party belongs to God, and we shall continue to work hard and serve Him. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima are not above God, and He shall intervene at the appropriate time.

“All you people should do is work hard and pray for Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima for the wisdom of God and protection because they do not really know what they are doing as mortals.

“What is certain, as you people can see, is that they cannot change the name – New Nigeria People’s Party. This simply means that nothing has happened. The illegal conversion of the colour, logo, and constitution are human activities which, of course, are temporary.

“What I will advise all of you is to bear with INEC in their shortcomings, which are human and the work of the devil. What is certain is that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima may be agents of the devil, betrayal of trust and kindness. When God decides to call them to order, we shall all be witnesses to the heavenly divine intervention and glory.

“God did it for us in Kano at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He shall do it again to show that He is God. You should all remain peaceful and work hard. Let us be patient with God because He shall soon intervene, and His party shall be returned to His children.

“When that happens, the logo, colour, and constitution shall be reversed in His honour and glory. No one should be worried because He with God is with the majority.

“We do know from the physical appearance of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Elder Buba Galadima at the moment that they are burdened, and we are aware that the fake marabouts are deceiving them. Let us pray for them for life and good health, politics or no politics. What is certain is that we are brothers.

“Remark – Supreme Court of Nigeria is the final judgment, and God’s decision prevails at God’s time before or thereafter. Let us remain calm in the event of extreme provocation. Our party shall come back to us, and that is the word of God”, Dr. Aniebonam Boniface stated further.

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