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Tag: Kwara

  • EFCC commences probe of Saraki, Kwara gov, others over alleged misappropriation of N17b bond

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is probing Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State and the Accountant-General of the state over how a N17billion bond secured by the State Government was spent.

    The anti-graft agency suspects that part of the funds may have been diverted into private use.

    The bond was intended to cover 13 projects and loan refinancing package during the tenures of Saraki as governor and Ahmed,his successor.

    According to a report by The Nation, the investigation is digging into what has become of the N2billion Asa Dam Mixed Use Development Project and the Ilorin Water Distribution Project which has gulped N3.736billion but without water to drink by residents.

    The EFCC has already interrogated the Secretary to the State Government, two Permanent Secretaries, the Accountant-General of the state, and about three contractors.

    All those invited were said to have made “voluntary statements.”

    Two ex-commissioners and two members of the House of Representatives may be arrested by the anti-graft agency in connection with the affected projects.

    But a source in government in Kwara State claimed that EFCC is on a “wild goose chase because the bond has been fully repaid since 2014 without any outstanding liability for the people of Kwara State.

    “We suspect sheer politics and a plot to intimidate Saraki and Ahmed because 2019 polls are around the corner.”

    The fact-sheet sighted by our correspondent listed the affected projects as Aviation College –(N1.5b budgeted, N2.448, 663, 386.56b spent); Asa Dam Mixed Use Development Project (N2b); Kwara State University (N1b); Ilorin Water Distribution Project (N2b allocated, N3.736b spent); Shonga Irrigation Project (N2.9b allocated, N882.9 million paid to contractor); Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Centre( N750m allocated, N1.861b spent); Urban roads (N1.5b allocated but N1.609b spent); Rural and Feeder roads(N200m); Ilorin Metropolitan Street Lights Project(N250m); Kwara Vocational Centre (N650m); Loan refinancing (No evidence of payment of N2.4b to AFDB); Ilorin Township Stadium Project—N1b allocated but N1, 117 430, 700.54 spent; Electrification Project—N462, 144, 291.10; Kwara Mall Project—N500m allocated, $2m deposit in another account

    The fact-sheet said: “We are investigating a petition forwarded by the Code of Conduct Bureau, Abuja. It was alleged that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and the incumbent Accountant-General of Kwara State allegedly conspired and misappropriated N17billion raised through bond in 2009.

    “Letters of invitation were sent to the Secretary to the State Government, the Accountant-General of the state as well as Permanent Secretaries for ministries that handled the projects.

    Some snippets of the investigation include the following:

    “Asa Dam Mixed Use Development project: The project had N2billion allocated from the bond. However the sum of N83.688 431.68 was spent on consultancy by ECAD Designs Limited and nothing else was done.

    “Ilorin Water Distribution Project was allocated N2, 000,000,000. However, N3, 736,505,126.49 was spent on the project. The only contractor for the project was C.G.C Nigeria Limited. An analysis of the Kwara state Government’s First Bank of Nigeria Plc account revealed that the sum of N1billion was paid to C.G.C apparently for the project. Investigation is still ongoing.

    “Another project which benefitted from the bond was Kwara State University with a N1billion vote. But a total of N1, 675 607.905 23 was spent. The project had the following contractors: Charvet Nigeria Limited, Akit technology Limited, Integrated Concept Limited, Golden Consult and the University Itself.

    “The project was handled by the Ministry of Works and the Commissioner as at the time was one Kolawole Abdulrauf Shitttu. Investigation revealed that Mr. Shittu and one Engr. Akintola Taiwo are both directors and the accounts signatories to a company called PTL Consult Limited. “Shittu is also a signatory to another company called Strudev Consultancy Services. Analysis of the companies’ accounts and the Mr. Shittu’s personal account revealed that transfers were made by Charvet Nigeria Limited and Archon Nigeria Limited; the two companies were among the contractors of the University Project.

    “The Managing Director at Archon was invited and he stated that he was the project manager for the construction of the Kwara State University and that he was informed by the State Government that PTL Consult is the consultant on the project and that he worked with Engr. Taiwo during the period which was why they made payments to PTL Consults’ account. Efforts are being made to arrest Mr. Shittu.”

    Concerning Kwara Mall, the fact-sheet claimed that the project was allocated N500million and the entire sum was utilized by the Ministry of Commerce.

    It added: “The Permanent Secretary was unable to provide us with details of how the money was spent but did state that they were in partnership with a private company; Persians Investments Limited and that the Kwara Mall was constructed and is being fully utilized. A search of the company showed that they were into real estate and property management; parts of their properties included Kwara Mall, Viva cinema, Polo Park Enugu among others. Analysis of the company bank statement showed N500million paid to the company by the Kwara State Government on the 10th of June 2010. While the investigation is ongoing, the sum of two million USD $2,000,000 deposit was traced to one of the company’s account. The depositor is being tracked by detectives and all relevant agencies.”

    Regarding the irrigation project, the EFCC detectives alleged that the “document recovered from the Accountant-General did not show this project but the Permanent Secretary stated that the project also known as Shonga Irrigation Project was handled by the Ministry and the contract was awarded to C.G.C Nigeria Limited for N2,998,966,827. However, only N882, 944,215 was paid to the company. He further stated that the project was later taken over by the Federal Government.

    On the International Aviation College, whose licence was suspended recently, the detectives in their report said it was allocated N1.5billion from the bond but N2,448.663.386.56 was spent in on the construction and purchase of equipment.

    “Contractors that handled the project were: Godab Nigeria Limited. Henry George Nigeria Limited, ECAD Design (Consultants) and the college itself. The College is alleged to be fully owned by the Kwara State Government and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) R C; 746511. Its board included the current State Governor, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Razak Atunwa (a former commissioner in the state) Popoola Captain Shadrack Taiwo and Yusuf Tunde. The registrar of the college was invited for an interview and questioned on the finances of the college as well as aspects in which the college handled during the construction of the college. He stated that the bursar of the school died recently but most contracts were handled by one Harlequin Aviation Information Service Limited (HAIS).

    “A search at the company found that one Yusuf Tunde is a Director as well as signatory to the accounts of the company: he is also a Board member of the Aviation College. Based on this the accounts of HAIS were placed on caution and the company’s representative is to report for an interview on the 30th of August 2018.

    The report clarified the status of loan refinancing by the state government.

    It said: “The prospectus of the bond stated that Kwara state had indebtedness of N4, 980,000 in external loans out of which N3.3billion amounted to legacy obligations preceding the then administration They proposed utilizing N2, 400,000,000 from the bond proceeds of the bond to service part of the legacy obligations which were (a) African Development Bank(AFDB)- construction of four specialist hospitals in Jebba, Offa, Oke-Ode and Sobi at a cost of N1,440, 828, 000; (b) AFDB-equipment procurements to the four specialist hospitals; ( C) World Bank Essential Drug Projects.

    “The total debt was N3, 301, 162, 42. Only Documents obtained from the Accountant-General of the State did not show any indication that monies were paid to AfDB or the World Bank instead another list with heading ‘OTHER PAYMENT’ showed the names of Government Agencies and private companies being paid a total of N974, 896,343.47.

    “The companies were invited. One of the companies, Lolada Investment Limited reported and stated that they were awarded a contract valued at N285, 652, 200 by the Kwara state Government to install CCTV system for Ilorin metropolitan.

  • 2019: Mission to rescue Kwara from Saraki’s grip won’t come easy – Buhari’s minister

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says his mission as new All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in Kwara State is not to contest any elective position in 2019 but to rescue the state from hawks.

    The minister, who disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin, the state capital at a meeting of Congress of Kwara Progressives, underscored the need to take the state from those who had milked it dry.

    He said the recent defection from APC by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and his followers had presented auspicious opportunity for the people to liberate the state from those who had held it to ransom.

    “What an auspicious time for all of us! Never before, have we had a great opportunity like we have now to take our state back from the rapacious few, who have held the state by the jugular and prevented it from meeting the hopes and aspirations of its people.

    “From my consultations with key stakeholders so far, I can say, categorically, that Kwarans have all resolved to take their destiny into their own hands and take back what rightly belongs to them.

    “This is unprecedented in the history of our state, and we must not waste this opportunity.

    “On my own part, I can say here, without equivocating, that I won’t be running for any office during the forthcoming elections.

    “For me, it is not about any clamour for office. It is about working with all like minds for the greater benefit of our people,” he said.

    The minister underscored the need for the people to be united and shelve their personal ambition to rescue the state.

    “I can tell you that if we all remain united, we can’t and we won’t lose the looming battle for the survival of our dear state.

    “All that is required is for us all to subordinate our individual ambitions to the collective efforts to wrest our state from the hegemony of one man and his cohorts,” he said.

    The minister called the attention of the people to the fact that the battle ahead would be tough because “one with power will ever give it up easily”.

    Mohammed, however, encouraged them that “the power of the people supersedes all powers” and the mission to rescue Kwara from grinding poverty and make it a better place for all, is achievable.

    “The fightback has already begun, in the form of blackmail and fake news.

    “They say I do not like Ilorin people. But what they do not know is that no amount of cheap blackmail will deter us.

    “The people of Ilorin should know who their friends are. I do not hate the good people of Ilorin,” he said

    To justify his claim, the minister recalled that in 2011, he supported, on his platform, an indigene of Ilorin to run for the governorship of the state.

    “Even when my kinsmen were not happy with my decision, I was undeterred.

    “Even when the PDP sponsored someone from my own constituency, I insisted on the Ilorin candidate as a matter of principle, upon the conviction that that was what we needed to do at the time to effect the necessary change,” he said.

    Mohammed also recalled that as a minister, he was instrumental to the appointment of an Ilorin man, Modibbo Kawu, as the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

    “In a related development, when Prof. Raheem Oba, an Ilorin man, sought a second term at the Federal Character Commission, we know those who worked against him.

    “They will do this and many more acts of blackmail to divide us, to drive a wedge between us. Don’t let us succumb to their antics,’ he said.

    The minister reassured the people that in the new dispensation, every person in Kwara would have a voice and the resources of the state would be used for the development of the state and its people.

    “Never again will our people be turned to panhandlers, never again will our people be made to eat crumbs from the master’s table.

    “We must become the masters of our own destiny,” he said.

    Earlier, Ayodele Shittu, the convener of the meeting and a former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly said the people of Kwara were tired of the Saraki’s political leadership and yearning for change.

    He reiterated the commitment of the stakeholders to support the new leadership of Mohammed and rescue the state from bondage.

    The meeting was attended by Iyiola Oyedepo, the state’s APC Caretaker Chairman, Bashir Bolarinwa, Labour Party Chairman, Mumuni Onagu, former Nigerian Bar Association Chairman in the state, Salman Jawando, among others.

  • 2019: How APC will win back Sokoto, Benue, Kwara, others – Oshiomhole

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has revealed how his party will win back the states whose governors recently defected to the People Democratic Party (PDP).

    Oshiomhole who spoke to reporters at the Bénin Airport on his way to Sapele, Delta State on Friday, said the APC would continue to engage and pro-attack, whether the opposition called him an attack dog or not.

    The former Edo State governor added that APC would deploy labour tactics to humble the PDP in Kwara, Benue and Sokoto states.

    He said: “I asked you to understand that what is at stake is beyond the APC and the PDP. Nigeria is much more than the sum total of all the political parties.

    “We will see who is who in February next year. In Edo, they made this argument that politics is different from labour, but we used labour tactics to humble them and they became converted.

    “Exactly the same way we used it in Edo, we will use it either in Kwara, Benue or Sokoto or anywhere.

    “This is not about me, it is not about them, it is about the Nigerian people.

    “I will not adopt the ruling class tactics to deal with a cankerworm of disease. I offer a different style in order to get a different outcome.”

    Addressing thousands of APC supporters who were at the Bénin Airport to welcome him, Oshiomhole said the APC under his leadership would not borrow what he termed other people’s style.

    Oshiomhole urged APC supporters not to despair as he would work with President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the party meets their aspirations.

    He promised to work with Governor Godwin Obaseki to ensure that any concerns the party members have would be addressed satisfactorily.

    He said: “I will represent the feelings, the aspirations and I will meet your expectations as far as the running of the All Progressives Congress is concerned.

    “We will have to fight odds on the basis of our conviction and we will adjust our style. We will not borrow other people’s style.

    “I am very proud of my working class background and we will bring those values into the leadership and management of the APC.

    “I will ensure working together with President Buhari to see that government focuses on the people; that government will not focus on the welfare of the few at the expense of the majority; that government must do everything possible to ensure that those who work have something to show for their labour.

    “We must support the President and the APC to remove all those thieves, all those looters who believe it is their birthright to continue to loot.

    “I want to assure you that the tradition of carrying our people along will be sustained.

    “You represent what I call our infantry division. You are the ones who on election day ensure that our voters come out. You were the ones who ensured that the PDP rigging machine was defeated.

    “We must keep you as a standing point. Together we will match on and will ensure that everyone who works is looked after.

    “I know there are people with all kinds of stories, but let me assure you that after the storm, the weather will settle.

    “Trust me, as you have not abandoned me, I will never abandon you.

    “To our youths, I want to particularly appeal to you: don’t lose faith. There will be work, there will be participation, there will be involvement. We will not throw anybody away.

    “Nobody will be used and dumped. If yesterday has come beautiful, tomorrow will be better,” he stated.

  • BREAKING: Kwara LG chairmen, councillors defect from APC to PDP

    Following the defections of Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdul Fatal Ahmed, Local Government chairmen and councillors in the state have also defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, Mr. Joshua Omokanye, said all the 16 LG chairmen and all the councillors elected under APC defected to the PDP.

    He spoke during a media briefing on the defection on Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    Details later…

  • Kwara APC rejects dissolution, calls Oshiomhiole a dictator

    The All Progressives Congress in Kwara State (APC) has rejected the dissolution of its executive committee by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    The party said the purported dissolution of its executives at the ward, local government and state levels was not only outrightly unlawful but also null and void.

    The state APC made its position known in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Alhaji Buhari Sulyman.

    The statement reads in party: “We confirm that there is no case of lacuna in the party leadership in Kwara State and there was no ground for the purported dissolution. Thus, the NWC erred in law. Furthermore, the purported dissolution is null and void.

    “We recall that for many weeks, party members worked assiduously and painstakingly to elect party leadership at the ward, local government and state levels in Kwara State. The party structure was certified as duly elected by the National Working Committee of APC. The duly elected party structure in Kwara State cannot be overthrown or dissolved by an unlawful declaration from Abuja.

    “Considering the inglorious role played by Comrade Adams Oshiomole, he has lost the respect of the leadership and members of APC in the 16 local government areas and 193 wards of Kwara State. He has destroyed his human rights credentials. It is crystal clear the emerging dictator is always willing to trample on the rights of other party members whenever his personal interest is involved.

    “While the party will exercise legal means to protect the constitutional mandates of the party leadership at the ward, local government and state levels, we wish to reaffirm that the Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani – led State Executive Committee (SEC) remains the only authentic and lawful leadership of APC in Kwara State.

    “Despite the distraction from Abuja, the Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani – led State Executive Committee (SEC), the party leadership in the 16 local government and 193 wards of Kwara state shall continue to discharge constitutional functions. All members of the APC in Kwara State should remain calm as we devise legal measures to guarantee the protection of their rights.”

  • Expel Saraki now, Kwara APC faction tells Oshiomhole

    A faction of the All Progressives Congress loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari in Kwara State has urged the national leadership of the party to expel Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    The Chairman of the faction, Mr. Bashir Bolarinwa, on Friday called for Saraki’s expulsion from the party, accusing him of being behind the recent mass defection of senators and members of the House of Representatives from the APC to other parties, mainly the PDP.

    He said, “As for me, he is no longer a member of the APC. He is just hiding behind one finger deceiving himself and thinking that he is deceiving Kwara people.

    “We already know where he belongs. We know how he operates politically. We know very well that he is behind all that happened in the state and even nationally, including the defection of the federal lawmakers.

    “What he has done is to look for aggrieved senators, even from other parts of the country. I know that the national leadership of the APC will not just ignore it. For us in Kwara, we saw it coming, so it did not come as a surprise.

    “We know that the national leadership (of the APC) will do the needful. We are calling for his expulsion and that of all others who are with him, pretending to be APC members while their hearts are elsewhere. They should all be expelled immediately.”

    However, the APC faction in the state loyal to Saraki, dismissed the Bolarinwa-led faction of the party and its call for the Senate President’s expulsion.

    The Publicity Secretary of the faction, Sulyman Buhari, said there was no basis to expel Saraki from the APC, adding that the Senate President had not engaged in any anti-party activity.

    He noted that being the Senate President, Saraki is required by his office to relate with all the members of the National Assembly, including those from other parties

    Buhari said, “As far as I am concerned, I will not give much concern to the call. I do not know any other faction of the APC in Kwara State; we have one APC in Kwara and I’m its Publicity Secretary. I don’t think that I should give any statement by some aggrieved people in the state a response.

    “The call is baseless. Those who are calling for his expulsion have lost focus. They should rather think of better things to do. There is no basis for anybody to think of expelling Saraki and his loyalists. He is still the Senate President. There are people from other parties in the Senate and he should not be a sectional leader.”

     

  • BREAKING: Issa Aremu declares for Kwara governorship

    BREAKING: Issa Aremu declares for Kwara governorship

    Former Deputy National President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Vice President Industrial Global Union All, Comrade Issa Aremu has declared his intention to run for the post of governor of Kwara state during the 2019 election.

    Issa Aremu has a Master’s degree in Labour and Development from the Institute for Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, The Netherlands. He holds a Bachelor’s degree (honours) in Economics from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria and is an alumnus of the George Meany Labour Centre, Maryland, Washington, USA (1987 and 2003).

    Aremu joined the Nigerian labour movement as Head of the Economic/Research department of the Nigeria Labour Congress. In August 1989, he joined the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria. After 20 years, he became the General Secretary of this union.

    Aremu was a two-term Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and was also elected as its Deputy President.

    Aremu has distinguished himself as a leader of the Nigerian trade union movement. He has been globally acknowledged as an ambassador of the trade union movement and is a member of key institutions across the world.

     

  • 2019: Kwara APC declares total support for Saraki, awaits directives on defection

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara state on said declared its loyalty to Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    The party also said it is awaiting Saraki’s directive on defection from the ruling party.

    The State Chairman of the party, Ishola Balogun-Fulani told reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital that members of the party remained committed to Saraki and would follow his decision.

    Balogun-Fulani described the APC as a broken party, saying the cord of unity among members had been severed due to internal wrangling and the “unwarranted” trial of the Senate President.

    When asked to respond to a call last week by the party’s three senatorial chairmen asking Saraki to lead them out of the APC, he said:”Everyone has a right to express what he wants but as for us, we wait on what our leader (Saraki) will decide ”

    Baligun- Fulani expressed relief, satisfaction and justification by the decision of the Supreme Court acquitting Saraki of allegations of false asset declaration, pointing out that the party held the same position since the now ended trial began three years ago.

    “Like we have always maintained, no political party ever survived war waged against itself. Indeed, It is now clear that the bond of cohesion in the APC has been weakened, damaged, fractured and severed.

     

  • Offa Robbery: Aregbesola condoles with Olofa, Kwara Govt

    Following the armed robbery attack that claimed many lives of in Offa, Kwara State, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described the recent armed robbery attacks in Offa, Kwara state as the worst in the history of the ancient town.

    He called on security agencies at various levels to beam their searchlights into the incident and launch thorough investigation to unravel the incident.

    He made the call on Friday during a condolence visit to Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Oloyede, at his palace, in Offa, Kwara State.

    Aregbesola described the attack as barbaric in the modern society, saying no effort must be spared to unravel the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    According to him, what happened last week was very unfortunate, barbaric, saddening and uncalled for. It was like what happened about 132 years ago in this town.

    “I deemed it fit to be here in my capacity not only as a Governor but as a brother, friend and in-law to the people of Offa and Kwara State in general.

    “It is on record that our people in Osun have had robust relationship and affection with the people of Offa, prompting us to be here in large number.

    “I came here with members of my cabinet to sympathize with the good people of Offa and Kwara State, particularly the family of those that lost their lives to the unfortunate incident.

    “The incident has once again challenged us on the need to tighten internal security and I am very sure that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

    “As Muslims, we believe that the incident was God’s will and those that lost their lives have been destined to experience such as we pray God to grant the souls of the departed the best place in Paradise and give their family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”, Aregbesola added.

    Governor Aregbesola who had earlier observed Jumat Service with Oba Okikiola at Offa Central Mosque, called on the people of the town to remain calm and go on their normal businesses as efforts are in top gear to forestall future occurrence.

    He said the matter has been taken up by the appropriate security agencies, affirming that the perpetrators will soon be exposed and brought to justice in due course.

    Aregbesola, however, visited the attacked Police Divisional Headquarters, where he consoled the officers and men of Nigeria Police Force on the duty on the loss of their colleagues to the incident.

    In his remarks, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Oloyede Okikiola attributed the incident to God’s will.

    Olofa noted that the family of the victims and the entire people of the town have taken consolidation in God, noting the ancient town is vastly religious.

    ‎”What happened to us last week is considered as God’s will that is why my subjects have been going on their normal businesses.

    “We are consoled with the fact that this incident will mark the beginning of success and blessing to us as we have been hearing good news from government at various levels to support the town in strengthening the security.

    “Investigation is ongoing and we are rest assured that the bandits will be brought to justice in no distance time”, Olofa stressed.

  • Offa robbery: IG deploys three mobile force units to Kwara, Taraba

    The Inspector-General of Police( (IG), Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the deployment of three units of Police Mobile Force ( PMF), high powered police investigation team and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to Kwara.

    The Force spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said anti-robbery equipment and 10 crew members were also deployed to the state.

    Moshood said three additional PMF units were also deployed to Taraba to prevent further attacks in Donga and Bali Local Government Areas by gunmen.

    Recall that armed robbers attacked five commercial banks in Offa, Kwara on April 5, during which 17 persons, including policemen and a pregnant woman died.

    He said that the units which had arrived kwara would cover Offa and its environs as well as other vulnerable points in the state.

    The spokesman added that the police teams would carry out intelligence gathering and raids on identified criminal and other flash points in the states.

    He said that the team deployed to Kwara, working in synergy with the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department in the state had arrested eight suspects connected with the bank robbery.

    The force spokesman said the unit deployed to Taraba would cover Donga, Bali, Lau, Gassol, Karim Lamido Local Government Areas and other flash points in the state.

    Moshood said that the team had also arrested 12 suspects directly responsible for the recent killings in Donga and Bali Local Government Areas.

    He said that items recovered from the suspects were: seven AK 47 rifles, four locally made revolver pistols and 30 rounds of AK 47 ammunition.

    Others were seven operational vehicles used by the armed robbers and assailants in the two incidents.

    Moshood called on the residents of the states to be calm, support the police and promptly report suspicious acts or persons to the nearest police detachment or station for prompt action.