TheNewsGuru

Tag: Reps

  • Patience Jonathan: ‘You are not above the law’, Reps tell Magu, threaten arrest

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday threatened to issue arrest warrant against the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, for shunning the invitation to address its committee on a petition filed by former First Lady, Patience Jonathan.

    The Uzoma Nkem-Abonta led House Committee on Public Petition said warrant of arrest would be issued to compel Magu’s appearance on November 7.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the ex-first lady had petitioned the House over harassment and restriction on her bank accounts and that of her relatives by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    However, following Magu’s failure to appear at the continued hearing on Wednesday, the Committee said his disregard of the invitation was disrespectful to the parliament.

    “There is a need to say that people should work within the confines of the law because nobody is above the law

    “EFCC has consistently absented itself from this hearing. If it were here, perhaps we would have dispensed with this investigation.

    “What the EFCC is doing is not only unfair but disrespectful to the parliament,” Nkem-Abonta said.

    In addition, the Committee ordered five out of six banks where Jonathan and her relations have accounts to furnish her lawyers with details and relevant document on the restriction from the anti-graft agency and the courts.

    Earlier Jonathan’s representative had complained that only two banks complied with the Committee’s directive on lifting of the restriction.

    According to her counsel, Charles Ogboli, the former first lady was unable to access her accounts despite the Committee’s directive and the vacationing of the restriction order by the Appeal Court.

  • Jibrin yet to fulfil resumption condition – Reps

    The House of Representatives said yesterday that its suspended member, Abdulmumin Jibrin, is yet to fulfil the major condition set for him before he could return to the House.

    The House had on September 28 last year suspended Jibrin for 181 legislative days. The House also set a condition that the suspended lawmaker must apologize for “embarrassing” his colleagues in the media.

    But one year after, Jibrin is yet to apologize, spokesman of the House Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) told journalists in Abuja yesterday.

    Our correspondent reports that the House sits at plenary from Tuesday to Thursday, while its legislative days are counted from Monday to Friday. But within the period, the lawmakers embarked on series of breaks, including annual recess, which lasted for more than two months.

    Asked if Jibrin’s suspension period was over, Namdas said: “I talked with the chairman of the ethics and privileges committee, and he said the period is not yet over. “Besides, when we passed the resolution, we said he (Jibrin) should apologize before the expiration of his suspension period, but he is yet to do that. If he does that, it’ll be known by everybody because it’ll be public,” he said.

    Namdas could not give the exact date for Jibrin’s resumption.

    But Jibrin, in a reaction through his media aide, Godwin Onyeacholem, said he viewed Namdas’ comments as “insensitive and insult” to the people of his Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency.

    “I wish to state that Jibrin’s position on this issue remains, as always, immutable. He has maintained that denying his constituents representation for one good year is unconstitutional and negates all known democratic principles, just as asking him to apologize for doing no wrong is a negation of all known social norms.

    “It is somewhat weird that the official spokesman of the House claims that he does not know the exact date that Jibrin’s purported suspension would lapse. That in itself speaks volume of the subterfuge and sinister motives around the whole issue.”

  • Provide audit reports on TSA in six weeks, Reps tell CBN, Auditor General

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAGF) six weeks to provide it with detailed reconciliation and audit reports of the amounts generated so far in the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

    The House said it’s ultimatum was necessitated by the need to know the current and true status of the TSA going by reports that not all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) have complied with the August 2015 directives of the Federal government on the policy.

    The Abubakar Danburam-led ad-hoc committee investigating the status of the TSA said the November 10 deadline is sacrosanct, adding that all money banked in the country are not excluded as long as they have MDAs’ account with them.

    The Committee held a closed door meeting with officials from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Auditor General’s office as well as CBN and some commercial banks.

    According to the Chairman, the Committee was forced to take the decision following the revelation of the Director of Funds, Accountant General’s office Alexander Adeyemi that there were still leakages in collecting funds from agencies despite the existence of TSA.

    It would be recalled that the Committee was told last month that the TSA has not been audited by the office of the Auditor General since its inception two years ago.

     

  • Reps summon Customs, SSS over illegal arms importation

    The House of Representatives has on Wednesday summoned the Nigeria Customs Service and the State Security Service, SSS, to brief it on the influx of small arms and light weapons into the country.

    This was sequel to a motion under Matters of Public Importance by Obinna Chidoka (Anambra-PDP) to ascertain the cause of the influx and how to stop it.

    Mr. Chidoka said that the Customs had on four occasions this year intercepted firearms, totalling 2,671 pieces, smuggled into the country since January.

    He said that a set of firearms was seized in May while the third and fourth were seized in September.

    Mr. Chidoka said that the seizure in January was intercepted by the Customs after it had been purportedly checked and certified freed.

    He recalled that the firearms had left the premises of the port when it was tracked down after a tip-off.

    “The recent firearms seizure, which is the second this month and fourth in 2017 would appear to suggest that the syndicate behind the firearms has stepped up its nefarious trade.

    “This has far-reaching consequences for our dear nation, as firearms and light weapons are the lifeblood of organised crimes and criminality.

    “The influx has confirmed the recent report by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, which identified Nigeria as a destination of choice for smugglers of small arms and light weapons,’’ he said.

    Mr. Chidoka said that the invitation would enable the relevant agencies inform the House on how to curb the menace.

    The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

    The House also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for the seizure of the firearms.

    The speaker urged the Customs, SSS and the Office of Attorney General of the Federation to speed up investigations into the seizures and commence prosecution of the culprits to serve as deterrent to others.

     

    NAN

  • Secession agitation: Reps to reconsider ‘failed’ devolution of power bill

    The House of Representatives at plenary on Tuesday said it will reconsider treating the devolution of power bill which failed during the constitutional amendment in June.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the decision of the house might not be unconnected to the several secession agitations in the country in recent weeks especially from the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

    The Majority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiala raised the issue on during plenary on Tuesday.

    Gbajabiamila noted that different agitations across the country have led to divergent views on the structures upon which the unity of Nigeria rests.

    “These agitations have resulted into proscription of groups, loss of lives and judicial pronouncements,” Mr. Gbajabiamila said.

    “Events of the last few weeks brought Nigeria close to the precipice but for the determination of Nigerians in their various show of commitment to the peace and unity of the country. Hence the urgent need for the intervention of the House of Representatives,” the lawmaker ‎said.

    He urged his fellow members whom he said hold brief for their teeming constituents to drop partisan politics, ethnic and religious interests and speak in one voice to save Nigeria from disintegration.

    Apart from revisiting devolution of powers bill, the House has also resolved to set up a strong committee to liaise with stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones for practical solutions to issues that threaten the unity of Nigeria.

    In the same vein, the speaker of the house, Yakubu Dogara, has also commended religious and traditional rulers, leaders of various ethnic nationalities, elder statesmen, security agencies, the governors and governments of the states for their display of statesmanship during the IPOB agitation.

    “Indeed all patriotic Nigerians rose in unison to uphold the fundamental rights of all citizens to move freely and reside in any part of the federation as they choose, without let or hindrance,” he said.

    “It appears to me that the citizens of this great country have sounded the message loud and clear that they stand for a united, prosperous and just Nigeria,” Dogara said.

     

  • We’ll pass NGOs’ regulation bill – Reps

    The Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives Buba Jibril says the house will pass 2010 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Regulation and Co-ordination Bill to forestall illegal activities of some of the organisations.

    Jibril (Kogi-APC) made the explanation in a statement he issued to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

    “The NGOs bill is primarily to set up a commission to regulate their activities and provide a platform for robust relationships between them and the government for the interest of Nigerians.

    “Recent developments have shown that some people registered NGOs to solicit funds for selfish motives.

    Also, recently, in the north eastern part of the country, some NGOs were reported to have funded the activities of insurgents,’’ he alleged.

    According to him, the bill is to ensure transparency and accountability in the ways NGOs collect money and use it.

    “The bill is not peculiar to Nigeria; it exists in many countries, particularly in the ECOWAS sub- region, Africa and other continents,’’ he explained.

    Jibril explained further that religious organisations and quasi financial institutions were affected by the bill because they were not NGOs.

    “NGOs and Civil Society Organisations are voluntary organisations registered to partner government at all levels to fill gaps wherever they exist.

    “They are supposed to be partners in progress with the government; therefore there is the need for a commission to regulate their operations.

    In spite of criticisms from some quarters on the bill, Jibril said the bill was justifiable.

    “When the bill is for public hearing, anyone can express views, including corporate bodies and government agencies and the standing committee will do justice to the bill.

    “Going on cheap propaganda and blackmail and even calling on world bodies to assist in withdrawing any bill from the National Assembly will not be popular,’’ he said.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the bill has passed first and second reading in the House of Representatives; ready for public hearing.

     

     

  • Supreme Court upholds sack of Reps member, Henry Hembe

    The Supreme Court has reaffirmed its stance on the sack of Hon. Herman Hembe, the ousted House of Representatives member who represented Vandeikiya/Konshisha federal constituency of Benue State.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Hembe had approached the Supreme Court again to refer the case to a lower court for retrial after the apex court ordered him to vacate his former seat and return all monies he earned in the House of Representatives since 2015.

    The Supreme Court also awarded the sum of one million naira against Mr. Hembe in favour of Dorathy Mato, the defendant.

    Details later…

  • ‘Unfreeze Patience Jonathan’s accounts immediately’ – Reps order First, Union, Eco, other banks

    ‘Unfreeze Patience Jonathan’s accounts immediately’ – Reps order First, Union, Eco, other banks

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has directed six commercial banks to free accounts operated by former first lady, Patience Jonathan.

    The committee chaired by Rep. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (Abia-PDP), gave the directive on Tuesday in Abuja at a hearing on a petition by Jonathan.

    The affected banks are Union Bank, First Bank, EcoBank, Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank and Skye Bank.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had directed the banks to freeze the account over allegations of some irregularities over the sources of the funds.

    Officials of Union Bank, led by a lawyer, Mr Kenneth Otowo, had told the panel that the bank placed Mrs Jonathan’s account under a ‘precautionary restriction’ following a directive by the EFCC.

    “We received a communication from EFCC to put a precautionary restriction on the account. The letter was dated March 21, 2016, so we had to act based on that,’’ he said.

    But, the committee deplored the action, saying that the bank could only take such decision if EFCC proved that it had obtained a court order to that effect.

    “Until EFCC proves otherwise, I’ll ask you to remove the precautionary restriction on the account. Let me tell you, whatever you’ll do, you must follow the law. A bank can’t hold a legal entity to ransom.

    “I want to order all other banks that all the accounts that have no specific pending order from the courts, please release them.’’ the committee chairman said.

    Counsel to EcoBank, Mr Afam Osigwe, said Jonathan’s account could not have been on restriction because there was no court order to that effect.

    He later said that the bank would cross-check its records and get back to the committee.

    As for Diamond Bank, Jonathan’s lawyers said three of her accounts were frozen there.

    However, Mrs Unoma Ndulue, who represented the bank, said two out of the three accounts were fully operative, while one was closed.

    On Fidelity Bank, Mrs Jonathan’s lawyers said they did not have a direct issue with the bank, but that it was through the EFCC.

    Officials of First Bank and Skye Bank were not present at the meeting.

    Meanwhile, the committee has given Mr Ibrahim Magu, the EFCC acting Chairman, up to Oct. 4 to appear before it or have arrest warrant issued against him.

    Similarly, the panel asked Jonathan’s lawyers and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to reconcile their positions on an alleged tax default of over N10 million.

    FIRS had said that Aridolf Resort Wellness and SPA, owned by Mrs Jonathan, failed to pay taxes in spite of serial reminders.

    However, her lawyers insisted that they had paid all their taxes to the agency.

  • Malabu oil deal: Honour Reps’ invitation if you are clean – CACOL tells Jonathan

    Malabu oil deal: Honour Reps’ invitation if you are clean – CACOL tells Jonathan

    The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to respond to the House of Representatives’ formal invitation over his alleged role in the controversial $1.1bn Malabu oil deal.

    The group said the former Nigerian leader presided over the most corrupt administration in the history of Nigeria.

    It noted that the ex-president cannot sweep the allegations under the carpet.

    Debo Adeniran, leader of CACOL said, “Now that his name has come up in the record of the probe, he cannot wish it away.

    “He must be made to realize that it will continue to remain in the record and no matter how long it takes; it’s just going to be a matter of time for him to be made to answer for questions about a lot of atrocities committed under his watch. If he believes his hands are clean, then why the fear to appear?

    “And if on the other hand, his refusal is borne out sheer contempt for the House, he perhaps needs to be reminded that the constitutional immunity does not cover former presidents and so the instrumentality of the law is ever so alive and potent and could always be applied if and when it becomes necessary. The refusal itself is quite unstatemanly.

    “It is so sad that even though some names of Nigeria’s top public officials’ had appeared atop many investigative submissions in many foreign lands over this scandalous deal and causing various ad hoc committees to be set up by both legislative chambers at different times, right from the days of Obasanjo’s reign down to this day, nothing concrete has been achieved so far.

    “There is no disputing the fact that GEJ presided over the most corrupt and reckless government ever in the political history of this country. Under his watch, massive looting and squandering of the country’s wealth at the most alarming scale took place.

    “It will be recalled that, directly under his watch, both indicted members of Jonathan’s cabinet in persons of Bello Adoke and Deziani Alison-Madueke, ministers of justice and petroleum respectively, blatantly shunned the House of Representatives probe panel’s invitation to them to appear for questioning over the matter.

    “So, Jonathan has no moral justification to refuse to answer the call of the representatives of the citizens of Nigeria to provide answers to activities that took place during his rule.

    “We, therefore, strongly advise the former President to honour the invitation of the legislative house without further delay if he places any value on his name. Eventually, the truth will come out and it will prevail.”

  • We’ve commenced process of recovering 11bn loan – BoI tells Reps

    The Bank of Industry (BoI) has said that the N11b owed it by 53 debtors will be fully recovered irrespective of litigation by some of the debtors.

    The Managing Director of the Bank, Olukayode Pitan said the recovery drive has already begun.

    The House of Representatives has however requested the Bank to furnish it with details of the recovery of the debt.

    The query for the debt was raised by the 2015 Auditor General’s report.

    At the resumed hearing of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Friday, Pitan said the bank had complied with the directives of the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF) on the recovery of the debt.

    In compliance with the directives of the AGF, Pitan said the recovery efforts began immediately with the publication of the names of the debtors in three national newspapers.

    He said: “In addition, we have recovered some money; some of the companies were reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for recovery.

    “Also, some of them have subjected the recovery to litigation while the property of some of them are on the verge of being sold.”

    Asked to provide exact figures recovered so far, as well as the names of the companies that have taken the bank to court, Pitan said he could not provide the details at the sitting as he had to consult his records.

    On the N2.7b YouWin fund domiciled with the bank for disbursement since 2012, Pitan said the bank could only access N870m out of which N129m was returned to the treasury through the Treasury Single Account in 2015

    Chairman of the Committee, Kingsley Chinda said the House was worried about the huge debt that could affect the objectives of the bank meant to boost the economy.

    In his response, Pitan, who recently assumed office as MD of the Bank said though the debt appeared huge, the bank was prepared for such developments.

    Saying that the bank will not relent in recovery the debt fully, Pitan added, “The bank is not under duress, this does not in any way threaten our business.

    “We are rated and in a healthy position”.

    The Committee also requested the bank to furnish it with the details of transactions on the YouWin programme.