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Tag: Officials

  • Serie A officials intend to finish 2019-20 season

    Serie A officials remain committed to seeing out the season, even if it is behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    The league was suspended indefinitely in March due to COVID-19 and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has already stated that the 2019-20 campaign will not resume until the health and safety of all concerned can be guaranteed.

    Italy‘s minister for sport Vincenzo Spadafora is hoping to confirm a May 4 date for the return to Serie A training as soon as possible, with the current restrictions on movement and outdoor activities set to end on May 3.

    There have been reports that seven clubs, including Torino and Sampdoria, are against the resumption of the campaign but Lega Serie A released a statement on Monday.

    “The Lega Serie A Council that met today unanimously confirmed its intention to complete the 2019-2020 season, if the government allows it to take place in full compliance with the rules for the protection of health and safety,” a statement from Italy’s top flight read.

    “The resumption of sporting activity, in the so-called Phase 2, will take place in accordance with the regulations laid out by FIFA and UEFA, with the decisions of the FIGC as well as in compliance with the medical protocols for the protection of footballers and all professionals.”

    While a May 4 return to training has been mentioned, Spadafora said a resumption of football was not necessarily on the cards.

    “Right now, I can’t confirm neither the resumption of training on May 4 or the season,” he told Tg2 Post . “Sport isn’t just football or Serie A. Serie A’s an economic industry, but we’re also focusing on the football side.

    “On Wednesday I’ll meet the FIGC, who will present its training protocol. We’ll evaluate it together.

    “We have to understand if football’s ready to restart training. I’ll evaluate it very carefully, but it mustn’t give the illusion that resuming training means resuming the campaign.”

    President of the Italian referees’ association (AIA) Marcello Nicchi says officials will return to work in their home cities, and will not travel for games across Italy until it is safe to do so.

    Nicchi told Gazzetta Dello Sport : “Caution is needed, the pandemic will dictate the times. We could send direct those who live near the cities where they play.”

    Defending champions Juventus were a point clear of Lazio through 26 games when the league was postponed last month.

    Goal

  • PDP conducts ward congress, elects officials by affirmation

    Ward officials of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi state are to be elected through ‘affirmation’, Spokesman of the party in the state, Alhaji Yahaya Zainabari told newsmen on Saturday.

    The congress is taking place Saturday (today) in all the 323 wards across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.

    Zainabari said a total of 5,491 party officials were expected to be elected through the popular process of affirmation as provided by the party’s constitution, adding that the party was committed to ensuring that members adhered to party rules.

    He said 17 officials in each of the existing electoral ward would be selected, after which they would be subjected to affirmation and oath of office in accordance with the party’s constitution, assuring that the leadership would ensure a free and fair process.

    According to him, the congresses will be strictly monitored and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the law requires, and that the party will ensure equity and justice throughout the exercise.

    The spokesman added that the congresses would be conducted under the watchful eyes of security agencies to ensure its credibility and acceptability.

    PDP in Bauchi also fixed March 28 and 11th to 14th of April, 2020 for the conduct of Local Government and State Congresses, NAN reports.

  • Oyedepo sacks top church officials for stealing God’s money

    The Presiding Bishop of Winner’s Chapel, David Oyedepo, has dismissed some officials for allegedly stealing from the church’s treasury.

    Oyedepo, who spoke on Saturday during an empowerment summit organised for the church’s ordained workers, however, did not disclose the number of officials affected.

    The annual event, which is usually attended by pastors, zonal ministers and their assistants, deacons, ushers and other ordained workers of the church, where they are acquainted with the church’s programme for the year, was presided over by Oyedepo, while his deputy, Bishop David Abioye, was also in attendance. Both men ministered powerfully. Oyedepo ministered on service, while Abioye spoke on consistency in service.

    In the course of the programme, however, Oyedepo took some time to talk about the goings on in the church. He revealed how some very high up officials, mainly accountants, had looted the church’s treasury.

    He said, “We had no choice but to dismiss them. You can imagine top church officials engaging in doubling figures and other dubious practices. After we dismissed them, we discovered more fraud.”

    “Those who should discover the fraud were the ones involved in it. One of them refused to confess until the last minute. Can you imagine accountants perpetrating fraud in the house of God?

    “Don’t employ them, don’t sympathise. Whoever sympathises with the wicked is wicked himself. Don’t sympathise with any perpetrator of fraud, otherwise, you are a partaker of the evil act.”

  • EFCC has no power to probe our officials – Rivers Govt

    EFCC has no power to probe our officials – Rivers Govt

    Rivers State Government has reiterated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has no power to investigate the financial transactions of the state.

    According to Paulinus Nsirim, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Rivers State, who spoke to pressmen on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, EFCC can only investigate the government if it vacates the Federal High Court judgment that said it cannot investigate the financial transactions of the government.

    “Magu cannot claim that that judgement cannot stand, except he wants Nigerians to believe that he has started issuing instructions to the Supreme Court.

    “It is unfortunate that in a democracy someone holding a public office would want to muzzle the Court, “the commissioner said.

    On the allegation that Rivers State is the second capital of money laundering in Nigeria after Lagos, the Information boss wondered how the EFCC arrived at that conclusion.

    “To justify this allegation, the EFCC should make public the names of people they have arrested and prosecuted in Rivers State over money laundering. If this is not done, Magu’s statement would just be seen as mere playing to the gallery to enjoy cheap publicity”, he said.

    He stated that the Rivers State Government was ready to support EFCC to fight corruption within the ambit of the law, but would reject any attempt to subvert the rule of law in the state.

    “The EFCC should desist from self help and unnecessary political propaganda, as it will yield no results, ” he stated.

  • 2019: INEC speaks on inconclusive elections, attack on officials, others

    …presents Certificates of Return to El-Rufai, legislative members

    As it presented certificates of return to Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai and 34 elected house of assembly members in Kaduna on Thursday, The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why inconclusive elections have become the order of the day in Nigeria.

    The election management body noted that though, inconclusive elections did not start with the present commission, it became rampant because elections have become highly competitive.

    National Commissioner supervising Plateau, Niger, Kaduna States and FCT, Professor Antonia Okoosi-Simbine stated while presenting certificate of return to the Governor and the lawmakers.

    According to Professor Okoosi-Simbine, “Our democracy is deepening incrementally having conducted the sixth successive election without an interregnum; there is improved integrity in the electoral system; the elections are becoming more and more competitive and the margin between winners and runners-up are decreasing to the extent that in many instances elections into the Executive and Legislatures are increasingly becoming inconclusive.

    “This explains why the phenomenon of inconclusive elections appears to have
    increased. To be sure, it existed prior to the existence of the present commission. We cannot expect less when a few big parties are contesting for power at every level.” He said.

    She also noted that the election was marred by violence through, “a new trend in which some parties and candidates engaged in violent behaviour, including manhandling election duty officials and intimidation of voters, collation and Returning Officers.

    “The Commission views this trend with grave concerns and will continue to work on greater voter enlightenment for mandate protection as well as with the security agencies to curtail this ugly trend.”

    She, however, advised politicians who felt aggrieved in the just concluded general elections to seek judicial remedy in law court.

    “The commission advises disgruntled persons and parties to feel free to seek judicial remedy where they believe they have genuine case(s) to pursue.

    “Indeed, seeking judicial remedy is not only a part and parcel of the electoral process in Nigeria, it is consistent with the culture of democracy as opposed to resorting to self-help.

    However, the INEC boss called on governor El-Rufai to ensure the people of the state enjoy dividends of democracy.

    “I encourage you to deliver more materials benefits to the diversity of people in Kaduna in order to meet their governance expectations”. She told El-Rufai.

    Shortly after receiving the certificate, El-rufai said in a remark that he would carry everybody along in governance irrespective of political differences.

    He assured of security of lives and property, just as he expressed gratitude to the people for re-electing him to serve them for the second term.

  • Alleged fraud: Access Bank explains officials’ role in sale of customer’s goods

    Access Bank Plc has officially reacted to reports making the rounds in the media that its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe and other top officials of the bank were slammed with a N2.5 billion suit bordering on stealing and others.

    The 21-count charges were filed by the Lagos section of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force Justice N.I. Agbelu of the Ogun State High Court in Sagamu.

    Mr Wigwe, Alawode Oluseye, Bayo Adesina, and Access Bank Plc were all accused of conspiring and stealing 23,754.413 metric tonnes of steel billets valued at N2.5 billion belonging to BMCE Bank International Plc.

    The police claimed the defendants falsely presented themselves as the owners and sold the steel billets to Metal Africa Steel Products Limited without the authorisation of the actual owner.

    The alleged crime was said to have taken place in June 2017 at the premises of Metal Africa Steel Products Limited along Sagamu/Ikorodu road, Ewe Jagun, in Ogun State.

    In the suit, the police alleged that the defendants forged the Bill of Ladings number: MJINLOS150007’1A’; MJINLOS150007 ‘1B’; MJINLOS150007 ‘1C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2A’; MJINLOS150007’2B’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2D’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2E’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2F’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2G’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2H’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2I’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2J’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2k’; MJINLOS150007’2L’ and MJINLOS150007’2M’, which they claimed were issued on January 9, 2016.

    The offences according to the police are contrary to and punishable under Sections 518(6), 434, 383(1)(f) and 390(9), 516 and 464 and 467 of the criminal Code of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

    The offences also contravened Section 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

    “That you Herbert Wigwe ‘M’, Alawode Oluseye ‘M’, Bayo Adesina ‘M’ and Access Bank Plc, on 22 day of June, 2017, at the premises at Met Africa Steel Products Limited, Km 16, Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, Ewe Jagun, Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to effect unlawful purpose to wit: the unlawful and unauthorised sale of 754.413 metric tonnes of steel billets, property of BMCE Bank International Plc without its permission or consent,” one of the charges read.

    However, in a swift response to the allegations, Access Bank, in a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday, explained that in 2015, it provided credit facilities to Metal Africa Steel Products Limited, which it referred to as its customer, to finance the importation of billets and machinery for the expansion of its (customer) factory.

    According to the statement, “Consequent upon the grant of the facilities, the bank opened Form M and Letters of Credit (LC) to facilitate the importation of the billets for which the shipping documents were consigned to the bank. The facilities were secured by a Debenture Trust Deed over the customer’s assets shared with other lenders.

    “Upon arrival of the billets, the bank released the shipping documents to the customer to enable it clear the goods. The bank subsequently discovered that the customer had cleared the goods from the port without payment of appropriate customs duty.

    “The bank, in line with its duty to protect its depositors’ funds, reported the alleged crime to SFU which obtained a court order to take over the customer’s business operations. Furthermore, the bank petitioned Interpol, which is presently taking steps to repatriate the suspects involved in the alleged fraud from India. Subsequently, the beneficiary banks (including the bank) under the Debenture Trust Deed, appointed a Receiver/Manager who took over the operations of the customer’s business and paid the appropriate customs duty on the billets.

    “The Receiver/Manager subsequently obtained court order from the Federal High Court and sold the billets and distributed the proceeds amongst the beneficiary banks (including the bank).”

    Access Bank further said in the statement that it was “aware that the petitioner also laid claims to the same billets following which there were attempts at settlement between the petitioner and the Receiver/Manager. The petitioner subsequently filed a complaint at SFU following the failure of settlement.

    “Based on the foregoing, we were surprised to be served with the charges by the SFU alleging, amongst others, that the bank stole the billets and forged the shipping documents covering the billets.

    “We hereby state that at no time did the bank or any of its executives or officers commit any of the alleged offences. The bank has continued to maintain the position that it financed the importation of the billets and that the Receiver/Manager appointed by the bank and a syndicate of other lenders had the right to sell the goods. We are aware that there are civil matters in court on the same subject.

    “We are also aware that there are on-going settlement negotiations between the Receiver/Manager and the petitioner. Without prejudice to the settlement discussions and the civil matter, we reiterate that the Receiver/Manager appointed by the bank and a syndicate of other lenders acted within its powers to sell the billets.

    “We wish to assure our stakeholders that the bank will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its depositor’s funds in line with its fiduciary duties as well as extant rules and regulations.”

  • If re-elected, Buhari will jail more corrupt officials – Osinbajo

    If re-elected, Buhari will jail more corrupt officials – Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, says the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will jail more corrupt Nigerians, if re-elected.

    Osinbajo said this on Sunday during his house-to-house campaign in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traffic was at standstill as thousands of residents, including party faithful, market persons and the Arewa Community, trooped out to receive the vice president during the Sunday visit.

    Osinbajo, the vice presidential of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was in the area to canvass for votes, also visited various markets and houses in the area.

    Speaking to people in Ifako-Ijaiye, Osinbajo said grand corruption, which plagued the 16 years administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contributed to the lack of infrastructure for Nigerians.

    Osinbajo said the Buhari-led APC government would focus on jobs for youths, power and providing enough resources to financially empower petty traders and business owners.

    “The difference between us and the PDP is that we don’t steal government resources. We use it for the people. We earn less and we spend more on the welfare of people than the previous government.

    “Everybody know Buhari is an honest man. He will not steal public fund. We shall continue to fight corruption so that we can have enough money to provide infrastructure. We have to build on the foundation we have laid.

    “The corrupt people will be jailed. That is why the corrupt elements in the opposition are desperate to regain power. We can’t leave government for the thieves.

    “You should vote for APC because it is the only party that can do the job. We should not allow PDP to return to power,” he said.

    Osinbajo said that the issue in the coming election was creation of jobs for youths, more power supply, provision of infrastructure, adding that the present administration planned to complete Lagos-Kano Rail, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.

    “The next level will be much better than today. More power will be available to the people and there will be more infrastructure. Too much corruption have retarded our progress. That is why Buhari is fighting corruption. If there is no corruption, there will be money to carry out the developmental projects.

    “Buhari will fight for young and old. He will not allow anybody to steal public funds.

    “Government will decentralised power so that there will be adequate and efficient distribution of power in the country. Government will provide adequate electricity supply for the household, artisans, corporate organisations and business enterprise,” he added.

    The vice president however urged the electorates to vote for President Buhari and other APC candidates in the February 16 and March 2 elections.

     

  • Buhari appoints two new top officials for NIA

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointments of Ambassador Apollonius Demenongu Agev and Kio Solomon Benibo Amieyeofori as Deputy Directors-General (DDGs) at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

    Details of the new appointees were not provided beyond the explanation that Mr. Agev is from Benue State in the North-Central geopolitical zone while Mr. Amieyeofori is from Rivers State in the South-South geopolitical zone.

    A statement by Olusegun Adekunle, permanent secretary (General Services) in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said the appointments are with immediate effect.

    Mr. Adekunle added that the appointments are in fulfillment of Para. 4 (1) & (2) of the relevant Instrument establishing the NIA.

    “The Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (DGNIA), in line with the provisions of the Instrument under reference, will assign areas of responsibilities to the DDGs who will assist him in carrying out his functions as Director-General,” he added.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on January 10 approved the appointment of Ahmed Abubakar as substantive Director General for the NIA.

    Mr. Abubakar, a retired career Foreign Service officer, was until his appointment a Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on Foreign Affairs/International Relations.

     

  • NUJ condemns police brutality on officials in Warri

    NUJ condemns police brutality on officials in Warri

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents Chapel condemned in its entirety the assault on its chairman, Comrade Akpokona Omafuaire by men of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Oleh Police Division and official of Isoko South Local Government Environment department led by the Supervising Councillor, Mr Kenneth Ogba, during today (Saturday, 27th January) environmental sanitation exercise at the council area.

    The Union states vehemently that assaulting a journalist who is on essential duty like those who were deployed to cover and enforce law and order, after due introduction of self is unacceptable as we view that as attempt to gag the press from doing its job.

    Journalists, for no reason should not suffer any prejudice in course of their duties, as such a journalist who known his right must refuse any directive or interference that is contrary to the general policy of his organisation; therefore attempt by the policemen and other officials of the council to manhandle our chairman because they were deployed to enforce restrictions of movement is repugnant to journalistic practice.

    Journalist, among others like the police, members of Environmental department of council also have the right to movement and it is only a policeman who need to be schooled that would say journalist are suppose to sit at home during Environmental Sanitation exercise whereas himself is licence to stay on the street to maintain law and order.

    A journalist who is worth his declaration to exercise his journalistic duties, doesn’t need a police permit or an accreditation by the local government council to cover sanitation exercise or being elsewhere on the road as anything could happen that is in the public interest anytime.

    Therefore, the assault on our chairman, seizure of his work tools, like camera, identification card and car key under the guise of trying to enforce restriction of movement order is condemnable, unacceptable and an affront to journalistic practice.

    We would not condone such barefaced act from anybody who claim to be doing his duty and trying to shut down journalist who should have free access to all sources of information and the right to investigate without impediment anything that is in the public interest.

    NUJ State Council Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu who also expressed displeasure over the development, emphasized that he wouldn’t condone any embarrassment of journalists who are legitimately doing their job.

    “Any policeman that doesn’t know that journalists monitor environmental sanitation exercise or are allowed access while such exercise are taking place like others on essential duty should go back to training”.

    Meanwhile, the chapel is relieved by the prompt response of the chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council, Hon Constantine Itiako Ikpokpo whose attention was drawn to the ugly incident by the Secretary of the Chapel, Comrade Joe Ogbodu and honourably called to apology over the incident.

    Signed: Joe Ogbodu, Secretary, NUJ Warri Correspondents Chapel

  • EFCC probe: Fayose ‘rewards’ released officials with car gifts for ‘loyalty to the state’

    Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State on Sunday ‘rewarded’ the Commissioner for Finance, Chief Toyin Ojo, and the Accountant General, Mrs. Yemisi Owolabi who were recently arrested and released the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the two officials spent two weeks in the custody of the anti-graft agency for alleged diversion of over N680 million from the state’s share of bailout funds.

    Fayose, in a fulfillment of his earlier promise presented the two officials with new Kia Rio cars after a thanksgiving service to mark the third anniversary of his administration. They were arrested in Abuja on September 28 while attending the governor’s declaration to run for President in 2019.

    The governor noted that the car gift was meant to honour them for their “for their loyalty to the state” in the face of a fresh onslaught by the anti-graft agency.

    The governor also held a welcome party for Ojo and Owolabi last Thursday, which he declared as “half-work day,’ to allow civil servants attend the occasion.

    Speaking at the thanksgiving service, Fayose said: “We have to reward you for enduring intimidation, mental and emotional torture and illegal incarceration for the sake of our state. The Constitution of Nigeria does not empower the EFCC to arrest state officials over alleged graft.

    “That function belongs to our House of Assembly. We will sue the EFCC to court for this illegality, pursue the case to a logical conclusion and get damages for this ill-treatment.

    “The Constitution of Nigeria is supreme and has over-riding influence over any government parastatal, such as EFCC.”