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Tag: Kogi State

  • Kogi Govt stops salaries of 231 civil servants

    Kogi Govt stops salaries of 231 civil servants

    The Kogi Government has stopped payment of salaries of 231 workers in the State Civil Service for alleged failure to comply with the government directive to update their records.

    The state’s Head of Service (HoS), Mrs Hannah Odiyo,  made this known  on Wednesday in Lokoja at the inauguration of issuance of Identity (ID) cards to state’s workers.

    Odiyo said that the affected civil servants failed to comply with Kogi State government’s directive to update their records.

    The HoS said that the salaries of the affected civil servants had been suspended since November 2023 till date.

    Odiyo explained that the exercise was carried out in a bid to further authenticate the updated staff records.

    She explained that in May 2022, her Office had earlier sent out an enclosed form (Bio Data Form) to all Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) to be filled by the civil servants and returned.

    She emphasised that an authentic data was required for adequate planning by the government, especially in a transition period like this.

    “Although the Bio Data exercise revealed a lot of inadequacies on the part of the MDAs, a total number of 231 staff have failed to show up for the updated records exercise.

    “This has led to the suspension of their salaries since November, 2023 till date.

    “The question now is, where are they? Who are they? Are they ghosts?,” she queried.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary (PS), Research Evaluation and Policy Analysis/Certificate Verification Department (REPA), Mrs Memunat Shuaib, commended the HoS for her proactiveness in ensuring the actualisation of the project.

    On his part, Mr Teddy Adegbola, the PS, Ministry of Information and Communications, congratulated the government for a landmark achievement in the history of Kogi civil service.

    The PS, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Modupe Andi also applauded the office of the head of civil service for a successful update exercise.

  • Newly established Kogi university to matriculate 1,200 students

    Newly established Kogi university to matriculate 1,200 students

    No fewer than 1200 students will be matriculated at the maiden Matriculation of the newly established Kogi State University (KSU), Kabba, Kogi.

    The Vice Chancellor, KSU, Kabba, Prof. Kehinde Eniola, disclosed this on Monday during the maiden matriculation press conference at the University campus in Kabba.

    The VC said that the university would be matriculating the first set of 1,200 students on Tuesday Jan. 16.

    He noted that though more candidates were still applying for various courses in the institution, but the university had a set target.

    Eniola said that the management of the institution were working very hard to make the ivory tower the best in academic excellence in Nigeria and beyond.

    He expressed the determination of the institution from the beginning to raise students that would be nationally and globally recognised, in their various fields of study.

    According to the VC, the management is working with some partners to provide an affordable accommodation for the students, assuring that their security on campus would remain the utmost concern of the University authority.

    The vice chancellor commended Gov. Yahaya Bello,  for putting every necessary requirements in place to ensure the smooth take off of the institution.

    The VC added that 25 Academic programmes had been approved by the National Universities Commission, (NUC), adding that the IJMB would commence immediately to create opportunity for those who do not meet the entry requirements of the University.

    The don advised the students to take their studies seriously as the university intends to be different in their approach to both academic and student discipline on campus.

    Gov. Yahaya Bello on June 23, 2023, assented to the law to provide for the Establishment of Kogi State University, Kabba, a day after the bill was passed by the Kogi House of Assembly on June 20, 2023.

  • REVEALED: How Gov Yahaya Bello’s nephew transferred N20bn from Kogi govt accounts – Witness narrates in court

    REVEALED: How Gov Yahaya Bello’s nephew transferred N20bn from Kogi govt accounts – Witness narrates in court

    A prosecution witness has narrated to a Federal High Court in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT) how Governor Yahaya Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello transferred the sum of N20 billion from the coffers of the Kogi State Government.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice James Omotsho, heard that the whopping sum was transferred in tranches from the account of Kogi State government and that of the State’s Government House Administration account in suspicious transactions.

    Bello’s nephew is standing trial in a N10 billion money laundering case, along with two others: Abdulsalami Hudu and Dauda Suleiman.

    The defendants are being prosecuted on 10-count charges bordering on misappropriation and money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The witness, Bananda Edward, a Compliance Officer with United Bank of Africa (UBA), led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, presented a statement of account generated from UBA in respect of transactions in the State government and State government’s house administration accounts.

    In the statement of accounts, there were cash withdrawals on December 23, 2022  to the tune of N20 million which were withdrawn in tranches of N10 million each from the Kogi State Government account in favour of Kudu Abdulsalam.

    Oyedepo move to tender the transactions as an exhibit in evidence was opposed by A.M Alilu, counsel to the first defendant and Nureini Jimoh, counsel to the second defendant on the grounds that the  documents did not satisfy the Bank Book 258 of the Evidence Act as well as Sections 89(h) and 91(e) of the same Evidence Act 2011.

    Responding, Oyedepo  prayed the court to discountenance the arguments of the defence counsels, arguing that the documents are original and genuine in the form they appear.

    “The law says where a document is admissible, the attachment goes with it. The documents are also relevant to the facts of the case. That is why it is going through the turbulence we are seeing now.

    “I submit that the fundamental evidence given by the witness has complied with Section 90, sub-section 1, Paragraph (e) of the Evidence Act 2011, and the witness has confirmed on oath that the documents presented are made by customers of the bank.

    “The document is relevant to the trial, because it is a bank statement. He even took a step further to authenticate the document through the certificate of authentication,” he said.

    Justice Omotosho, meanwhile, ruled in favour of the prosecution and admitted the documents in evidence.

    The witness also examined Exhibit E, which contained transactions on December 28, 2022, where he revealed that there were cheque withdrawals of N10 million each in four places in favour of one Alhassan Onakaji.

    “On January 3, 2023, there was an inflow of N100 million and on January 4, 2023 there were withdrawals from the same account of N10 million each in nine withdrawals. There were further cheque withdrawals of N10 million each in favour of Abdulsalam Kudu.

    “On January 11, 2023 there was an inflow of N100 million into the account and on January 24, 2023, there was also an inflow of N100 million into the account.

    “On February 22, 2023, there were inflows of N24,928,195.26 and N50 million. On February 6, 2023, there were inflows of N29,800,000; N16,740,000; N35,440,000; N22,700,000 and N151,135,000.

    “On February 6, 2023, there were also cash transfers in favour of Hussein Yusuf to the sum of N500,000.00; N300,000 in favour of Salaudin Abdulrazak; N500,000,00 in favour of Sule Ojo; N500,000,00 in favour of Shuab Abdulrasheed; N300,000.00 in favour Abubakar Magaji, N500,000.00 in favour of Abdulkareem Abdulraman; N1,300,000 in favour of Chrisenbirth Investment Ltd and N1,000,000 twice in favour of Peter Oha,” the witness revealed.

    Justice Omotoso, after listening to the submissions of the witness, adjourned the matter till February 5 and 6 for continuation of hearing.

    According to the EFCC, Ali and Yahaya Bello and two others are standing trial in a N10 billion money laundering case.

    They were arraigned on December 15, 2022 on 10-count charges bordering on misappropriation and money laundering.

  • Kogi govt set to unveil new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland

    Kogi govt set to unveil new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland

    The Kogi Government is set to unveil a new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland out of the 70 contestants screened by a committee to succeed the late Dr Ado Ibrahim, an official has said.

    Alhaji Yunusa Sule, the Secretary of Ebiraland Traditional Council, confirmed this in an interview in Lokoja on Sunday.

    Recall that the deceased Ohinoyi died on October 29, 2023, after a protracted illness.

    “His Royal Highness, Alhaji Isa Musa-Achuja, the Ohi of Eganyi-led committee has finished its assignment by selecting seven qualified persons out of the 70 contestants screened,” Sule said.

    He gave the names of the lucky seven as former Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Philip Salawu; former Clerk of the National Assembly, Barrister Ataba Sani Omolori; and Gen. Yusuf Abubakar Amuda.

    Others are Mr Momoh Shaibu, Prof. Ibrahim Onuwe Abdulmalik, HRH Dr Ahmad Tijani Anaje, and Mr Ahmed Momoh Jimoh.

    The council scribe said that the governor was appreciative of the work of the kingmakers committee and commended them for a job well done.

    “Our state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, will within this week unveil a designate to assume the vacant stool of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

    “Already, the governor has held a meeting with the qualified seven aspirants recommended by the Kingmakers committee and from whom one would be appointed to take the stool.

    “The governor had during the meeting, urged the aspirants to display the spirit of good sportsmanship by supporting whoever is appointed by the government.

    “This is because he believes they are all qualified to occupy that stool, but which is meant for just one person,” he said.

    According to him, the governor also cautioned them against divisive statements and actions capable of disrupting the peace of the land.

    The number would had been 71, but the 71st person is a female Professor, Angela Oregwu-Okatahi, who by Ebira tradition is not eligible to contest for the stool

    The 70 eligible contestants were from four of the five eligible districts in Ebira land, comprising Okewe, Ohema, Erika, Aganiye and Adavi.

    However, Adavi was left out since the late Ohinoyi was from there.

    The stool of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland became vacant following the demise of Dr Ado Ibrahim, who passed on at the age of 74 years after a protracted ailment.

  • I am leaving Kogi better than I met it – Gov Bello claims

    I am leaving Kogi better than I met it – Gov Bello claims

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi says he came, saw and will be leaving the State better than he met it.

    Bello stated this on Saturday at the 4th Convocation ceremonies of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, for 10 sets of graduating students from 2013 to 2022.

    Bello said part of his achievements were evident in the repositioning of Kogi Polytechnic and other state tertiary institutions.

    “My achievements can be attested to, by where the State Polytechnic was before my assumption of office, where it is now and how we have repositioned it for the future.

    “We have taken time to look into the education sector for the benefit of our people; we made education a top priority in our thematic agenda.

    “We did not only improve on the infrastructure and learning in our tertiary institutions, but also expanded our educational institution through the establishments of two additional universities.

    “This will enable our children not to travel far to seek for knowledge within four years of our second term administration.

    “By 16th January 2024, the first set of students would be matriculated at the newly-established Kogi State University, Kabba,” Bello said.

    Bello appreciated Kogi people for their modest contribution by resoundingly voting for the Governor-elect, Alhaji Ahmed Dodo, in the November 11, 2023, governorship elections, as his successor.

    The Governor assured them that Ododo’s administration would build and take the state to the next level.

    He appealed to the people to support the Governor-elect to enable him achieve greater successes.

    Bello, the visitor to the university, thanked the Chairman of the Governing Council, Staff, and Students of the Polytechnic for the cooperation his administration enjoyed.

    The Governor eulogised the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Salisu Ogbo, for his outstanding achievements which had made the Polythecnic an of envy among others, saying it is worthy of emulation across the world.

    ”To the Rector, I say I’m proud of you. I’m indeed very proud of you. and I will forever be proud of you,” Bello said.

    The Governor commended TETFUND and other donors and financial agencies for their contributions to the repositioning of the Polytechnic.

    Earlier, the Rector praised the Governor for his unflinching support towards the successes recorded, describing his appointment as a rare privilege, and thanked the governor for finding him worthy to serve.

    Ogbo said he was able to use his three “RRRs” agenda of Repair, Reform and Restore, to return the lost glory of the Polytechnic to one of envy.

    “The Polytechnic now prides itself as an institution committed to graduating students who are employers of labour in the country.

    “A total of 145 students are graduating with Distinction at the National Diploma (ND) level, while 104 students are graduating with Distinction at Higher National Diploma (HND) level from various Schools and Departments.

    “A total of 7,653 students are graduating with National Diploma while 4,427 students are graduating with Higher National Diploma,” Ogbo said.

    On his part, the institution’s Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Isa, said the council would continue to support the Polytechnic to prioritise academic and personal development of students,

    Isa promised that the Polytechnic would strive to provide the needed tools and resources for students to continue to succeed.

    The Governor was conferred with a Fellowship of the Polytechnic Award for his improvement in infrastructure and in human capital development.

    Alh. Ozi Salami also bagged fellowship of the institution for sinking several boreholes and for granting scholarship to several students of the Polytechnic.

    Similarly, Barr. Umoru Jimoh, Prof. Idris Bugaji of NBTE and Barr. Moses Okafor were also conferred with Fellowship of the institution.

  • Bello presents N258.2bn as 2024 budget for Kogi

    Bello presents N258.2bn as 2024 budget for Kogi

    Gov. Yahaya Bello on Monday presented N258.2bn as Kogi state’s 2024 Appropriation Bill for approval by the state House of Assembly.

    The presentation was made at the renovated Assembly Complex.

    The budget is higher by N60.67bn, compared to N197.59bn Revised Approved Budget of 2023.

    It has N145.73 billion as Recurrent Expenditure and a Capital Expenditure of N112.54 billion.

    Presenting the bill before the state legislators, Bello said the budget, tagged: “2024 Budget of Consolidation and Continuity for Inclusive Growth”, was geared towards consolidating on the gains of 2023 fiscal year.

    “As I bid farewell to this honourable assembly today, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude again for your dedication to our state and people over the years and commitment to the growth and success of our dear state.

    “As Jan. 27, 2024, when I will wind down my administration approaches, and we all prepare to welcome the new Government of Governor-Elect, Usman Ododo, it is my heartfelt desire that you extend even greater levels of cooperation to him (Ododo), ” he said.

    On sectorial allocations, Bello said that administration had N64.3bn; economy, N82bn; law and justice, N14.97bn and social affairs, N96.98bn.

    He explained that the objective of the budget was to improve the quality of education at all levels and make it accessible to all citizens and to produce the bulk of skilled manpower necessary for economic transformation of the
    state locally.

    According to him, it is to further democratise access to healthcare by sustained improvement in the efficiency of our healthcare delivery system and ensure food security and generate a high proportion of the GDP from agriculture.

    “It’s also aimed at exploiting the full potentials of our economy and expand trade and commerce in the state to have access to markets locally and internationally.

    It is also “to ensure gainful employment of youths and create opportunities for the development of their talents and to achieve sustainable development and promote social and economic development through culture and tourism.

    “It’s to establish the necessary framework for a robust Mining and Solid Minerals Sector, to brand Kogi as the foremost solid minerals mining destination in Nigeria and improve the road network in urban and rural areas.

    He said the network would be improved through construction of new roads, bridges and rehabilitation of existing ones.

    “It’s to ensure sustainable use of the environment and continuous management of environmental challenges such as pollution, deforestation, flooding, degradation, gully erosion and other ecological problems.

    “Despite notable hiccups, we have become a family that cannot be broken. We will work through any problems we may have with each other and find common ground from which to mentor our successors and move on to the next levels of our own lives and careers. ”

    He, however, extended gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, for his exemplary leadership within the past 7 months during which “some really hard but necessary decisions have been taken which will no doubt help Nigeria to work better for all Nigerians”.

    Earlier, Speaker Umar Yusuf expressed gratitude for the collaboration enjoyed by the house with the executive under Bello’s leadership.

    Yusuf assured that the incoming administration of Usman Ododo would enjoy even a better synergy for the growth and progress of the state.

    The speaker, however, assured of a closer working relationship in thoroughly examining the new budget before its passage.

    “I seek the cooperation of heads of ministries, departments and agencies of government in ensuring due diligence is done to give the document accelerated passage.

    “On behalf of my colleagues, I hereby assure you that we are committed to the progress of the state and therefore, ready to drop everything on our tables to concentrate on passing the budget in record time for the growth and development of the state.”

  • Kogi Govt explains workers screening

    Kogi Govt explains workers screening

    The Kogi Government on Friday dismissed speculations of imposing compulsory screening for its workers had caused any ugly incident in the state.

    The ste Head of Civil Service (HOS), Mrs. Hannah Odiyo, who offered the explanation in a statement issued in Lokoja on Friday, debunked reports that the exercise caused the death of a worker.

    She explained that, contrary to reports, the audit which involved only staff in the Head of Service office, was purely an internal routine exercise devoid of any ill-motive, moreso it did not involve the entire state civil service.

    Odiyo said: “It is therefore wrong for anyone to allege that Gov. Yahaya Bello directed staff audit of all Kogi state workers.

    “To put the records straight, the ongoing exercise is purely an internal routine for biodata update by the office of the Head of Civil Service, especially after the last screening.

    “But the officer, Mr Fadumila Olowo, who painfully died during the in-house exercise, was said to have been sick before the exercise..

    “We understand that he had in recent time, slumped elsewhere before this fateful day. The incident happened around 11.00 a.m, shortly after he arrived the venue.

    “As worried as we are, we sincerely commiserate with the family of the deceased and pray for the peaceful repose of his soul,” she said.

    The HOS said that she has mandated her office to maintain adequate records of all staff of the state civil service in order to maintain proper planning cum implementation.

    “It was in view of this that the office sent out circular with biodata forms on May 26, 2022, to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to fill.

    “Many officers complied while some failed to adhere to the directive. A reminder was sent on July 19 for all those who failed to fill the bio data forms.

    “Yet many did not comply especially officers who have their salary pay points with the Office of the Head of Civil Service, but their duty stations are elsewhere.

    ‘’Predicated on the above, the office decided to send invitation letters to all MDAs requesting Pool Officers under the office of the head of civil service to appear physically with a bid to make budgetary provision for their promotions and equally know their duty stations.

    “This exercise commenced on 4th Dec. 4, and to end on Dec. 8, based on the timetable for MDAs to appear on their stated dates. There was adequate sitting arrangement for Officers in the  Conference hall, as such, there was no queue as reported,’’ she added.

    The HOS said the directive for the exercise as against the caption by CAPITAL POST on socio-media was not by Gov. Yahaya Bello, adding that the effort was in a bid to identify the total number of the pool staff of the Office of the Head of Civil Service whose pay points are with the office but rendering their services elsewhere in other MDAs.

    She said that for officers outside the office of the Head of Civil Service, their salaries were stepped down pending when they show up to update their data, noting that such is the  only way to make defaulters comply.

    Odiyo, however, said that the action was in their favour, otherwise, their names would be missing from the authentic nominal roll as bonafide staff of Kogi government.

  • How gunmen made away with petitions filed by opposition parties in Kogi

    How gunmen made away with petitions filed by opposition parties in Kogi

    The Kogi Police Command on Wednesday said it had received report of attack on the Secretary of the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Mr. David Mike, on Monday by gunmen.

    A statement issued in Lokoja by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said that the secretary was reportedly attacked along two other persons on the day.

    Ovye-Aya warned the public from making inflammatory statements on the incident, which he said was under investigation.

    “On Monday, Dec. 4, at about 1820hrs, one Mr David Mike (M) Secretary to Kogi governorship election petition tribunal, along with Labode Apreala (F) Confidential Secretary and Hassimu Adamu Assistant Secretary, came to State Criminal Investigation Department, Kogi State Police Headquarters and reported that they were attacked by gunmen.”

    “On the date, three of them left their hotel rooms in Lokoja about 1300hrs, heading to their office at the High Court Complex, driving in his (David’s) Peugeot 406 car, but that just before the CBN at about 1320hrs, one SUV vehicle which had earlier overtaken him, blocked his car with two other SUVS following behind.

    “All of them (attackers) surrounded and blocked him as he attempted to reverse the car.

    “That he (Mike) saw about seven hooded men all heavily armed and dressed in black attire, who shot severally into the air and dragged him and his two other colleagues out of their car, ransacked the car and made away with all the documents, including petitions filed by four parties.

    “The names of the parties are Action Alliance (AA), Action People’s Party (APP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).”

    The items also included two record books and a bag containing his personal items. He claimed to have also reported to the DSS Office, according to Ovye-Aya.

    He said the Police Commissioner, Bethrand Onuoha, had ordered for a thorough and diligent investigation into the incident.

    He explained that the statement on the attack became imperative following series of distorted information on the incident, hence the need to set the records straight.

    “The command hereby advises the general public to avoid making statements that might prejudice ongoing investigation into the matter.

    “The command also appeal to anyone with useful information on the alleged incident to provide same to the Command, ” Ovye-Aya said.

    He, however, pledged to update the public as investigation progressed.

    Nevertheless, APC had earlier said that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) should be investigated over the alleged attack, to save the nation’s democracy.

    Mr Kingsley Fanwo, Director of Media and Publicity, APC Governorship Campaign Council, had made the call in Lokoja on Tuesday.

    But the Kogi SDP, through its Counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), had also raised the alarm over the attack and accused the APC of using hired thugs in Lokoja.

  • Appeal Court relocates Kogi governorship tribunal

    Appeal Court relocates Kogi governorship tribunal

    Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the President of the Court of Appeal, has relocated the Kogi Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal from Lokoja to Abuja.

    A statement by Mr David Umar Mike, Secretary of the Tribunal, said that its sittings would now be at the National Judicial Institute on Umar Yar’Adua Way.

    It urged litigants to take note of the change in venue.

    The statement was silent on the reason behind the relocation, but a top source at the tribunal said the step was necessitated by “security reasons.”

    The source said that members of staff of the tribunal had been attacked on several occasions in Loloja.

    “Just last Monday, tribunal officials were attacked on the way to the office.

    “Armed men just pounced on the officials. They robbed them of everything. They took away all the documents that were in the car.

    “Copies of petitions and personal belongings, official receipts, processes like subpoena, official stamps, were all stolen.

    “Generally, thugs are frustrating the job and the lives of our officials are at stake, making it difficult to work there,” the source said,” the source said.

    The All Progressive Congress won the Nov. 11 off-cycle election, with the Social Democratic Party coming second.

  • Gunmen attack residence of Kogi INEC REC

    Gunmen attack residence of Kogi INEC REC

    Suspected gunmen on Friday attacked the residence of the Kogi Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Hale Longpet, in Lokoja, an official has confirmed.

    Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Secretary to INEC Chairman, said this in Abuja on Friday, adding the incident occurred around 3.30 a. m.

    He said that the suspected attackers engaged the security personnel at the residence in a gun battle for over 30 minutes before they called for reinforcement.

    “No live was lost, but some property was damaged in the ensuing gun battle.

    “A team of combined security personnel has been deployed to protect the residence. This incident occurred a day after a mob besieged our state office.

    “We call for a thorough investigation and an enhanced security protection for our personnel and assets in the state,” Oyekanmi said.