TheNewsGuru

Tag: Senate

  • We will resist attempts by presidency to reinstate Lawal as SGF, Senate vows

    We will resist attempts by presidency to reinstate Lawal as SGF, Senate vows

    The Nigerian Senate has stated that it was under pressure to compromise the report of the Adhoc Committee investigating the awards of contracts under the Presidential Initiatives on North East (PINE) in favour of the suspended Secretary General to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. Babachir Lawal.

    The Senate however stated at plenary on Wednesday that it will not hesitate to go into a fresh war with the Presidency if Lawal is returned from his suspension as substantive SGF.

    This followed its consideration of the final report of its Adhoc Committee, which accused Lawal of process violation in award of contracts under the Presidential Initiatives on North East (PINE) on Wednesday.

    The 45-page report was submitted by the Committee Chairman, Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central).

    The final report revealed that contractors paid over N500m in kickbacks to a company linked Lawal.

    The bribe was discovered to have been paid to Rholavision Engineering Limited.

    Senators were shocked that besides the N270 million for the grass-cutting contract, there was another N200 million spent to hire consultants on grass-cutting.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that an interim report, late last year, had indicted Lawal for corruption.

    It also resolved to immediately send its resolution to President Muhammadu Buhari for immediate action, even as it adopted the report.

    After considering the votes and proceedings on the parliamentary process required in arriving at a logical conclusion on the matter, Senator Muhammad Shittu (APC, Jigawa North-East), moved for the adoption, while Senator Ben Murray- Bruce (PDP Bayelsa) seconded it.

    In his remarks after adoption of the final report, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, confirmed the existence of pressure groups to protect the job of the suspended SGF.

    Saraki said: “I am sure of the kind of pressure on the members; especially the chairman and some of us in the leadership and the kind of pressure we were under.

    “But for you to have been able to stay firm and do your job, and carry out your responsibility, I must commend the committee and the chairman, in particular.”

  • Just in: Senate postpones 2017 budget report presentation

    Just in: Senate postpones 2017 budget report presentation

    The Senate, on Thursday, postponed the laying of report on the 2017 Appropriation Bill to Tuesday.

    The Committees on Appropriations in the Senate and House of Representatives had planned to present their reports today, while the presentation was listed on the Order Paper for the plenary.

    But the Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, announced that both chamber of the National Assembly were still harmonising the versions of the report.

    He said, “I have also equally been informed that by the grace of God, definitely, the Budget 2017 will be laid on Tuesday. Having said this, Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I will move that we stand down this report to Tuesday, the next legislative day.”

  • Senate indicts suspended SGF, Lawal, says he collected N507m bribe

    The final report of the Senate ad-hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North East has revealed that contractors paid over N500m in kickbacks to a company linked to the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that an interim report, late last year, had indicted Lawal for due process violation in award of contracts under Presidential Initiatives on North East (PINE)

    The over N500m discovered by the committee was paid to Rholavision Engineering Limited.

    The report presented by the chairman of the committee Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central), to Senate at plenary yesterday is expected to be considered today.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the Yemi Osinbajo-led committee investigating allegations against Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Amb. Ayo Oke had last week requested the Senate to produce relevant documents on the matter.

    In the final report, the Sani panel submitted that N507m was paid into Lawal’s company account by seven PINE contractors.

    It alleged that JOSMON technologies limited which got two contracts, amounting to N530m from PINE, paid N317m to the company of the suspended SGF in 23 transfers.

    The panel also said JMI global technologies limited, was awarded eight contracts amounting to N199m by PINE and it paid N30m from Zenith bank account number 114357188 into Rholavision account with ECObank.

    Also, Messers Adamawa Borehole and Drilling Company which was awarded contract to renovate seven number of 18 classrooms at Yeskule Girls Secondary School Michika in Adamawa state at N54.8m transferred N18.3m to the suspended SGF’s company.

    Another N58m was paid to Lawal’s company by Yuby Ventures limited which was awarded a contract of five number of 15 classrooms at Hausari Primary School in Adamawa.

    The panel also uncovered that Barde Brothers multi-Services Limited which was awarded seven contracts for renovation of classrooms in Adamawa state at N145.6m paid N71m to Rholavision in three instalments.

    The company also paid another N13m into personal account (no. 0003004417) of the suspended SGF at Diamond bank in three instalments.

    The committee said it discovered that the suspended SGF resigned in September 2016, but that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed that he was the signatory to accounts of the company as at Wednesday, 15th February 2017.

    “In the course of its investigation, the committee observed that Rholavision Engineering Limited has become a destination pool for companies that were awarded contracts by PINE and other government agencies to make payments into its (Rholavision) account no. 0182001809 with ECObank, “it said.

    The committee recommended that further investigation be carried out by relevant agencies of government on why contract benefiting companies paid over N500m into Rholavision Engineering Limited, a company in which the suspended SGF has interest.

    “The banks transaction of Rholavision Engineering Limited and the confirmation by CBN that the Bank Verification Number (BVN) of Babachir David Lawal is still the signatory to Rholavision and 13 other accounts, some with different names.

    “The committee is of the opinion that Lawal has contravened the provision of part 1 of the fifth schedules of the 1999 Constitution and the breach the oaths of office as SGF and therefore he should be prosecuted,” the committee stated.

    The panel also said that all resources that had been misapplied or stolen by public officials should be retrieved and that anybody found culpable of contravening any of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act and the Federal government financial rules and regulations pertaining to the award of these contracts should be duly prosecuted.

    It also said that relevant agencies should ensure that contracts partially executed but fully paid for must be completed by the concerned contractors.

    The panel further said that since it was observed that there was no bill of quantities on most of the contracts awarded by PINE under the emergency situation, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) should undertake a revaluation of all such contracts to recover any proceeds from over-inflated contracts.

     

  • BREAKING: Senate confirms two ministers

    The Senate, on Wednesday, confirmed the nomination of two ministerial nominees sent to the chamber by President Muhammadu Buhari for legislative confirmation.

    They are Professor Stephen Nkani Ocheni (Kogi State) and Mr. Suleiman Zana Hassan (Gombe State).

    The president will however deploy them to their various ministries later.

    Details shortly…

  • Grass-cutting scandal: Senate panel indicts, recommends prosecution for suspended SGF

    Grass-cutting scandal: Senate panel indicts, recommends prosecution for suspended SGF

    The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East has indicted the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, for mismanagement.

    The investigative panel specifically asked relevant agencies to prosecute the suspended SGF for allegedly awarding contracts worth N500m, through the Presidential Initiative on North-East, a rehabilitation programme under his office, to a company in which he had interests.

    This was part of the recommendations in the final report by the panel, which was laid before the Senate by its Chairman, Senator Shehu Sani, at the plenary on Wednesday.

    The report was later sighted by our correspondent.

    In the final report, the panel recommended that “all resources that have been misapplied or stolen by public officials should be retrieved and anybody found culpable of contravening any of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations, pertaining to the award of these contracts, should be duly prosecuted by the relevant authorities.

    “That the banks transactions of Rholavision Engineering Limited and the confirmation by (the) Central Bank of Nigeria that the Bank Verification Number of Babachir David Lawal is still the signatory to Rholavision Engineering Limited accounts and 13 other accounts, some with different names. The committee is of the opinion that Babachir David Lawal has contravened the provision of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (As amended); the Public Procurement Act 2007 and breach the Oaths of Office as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and should be prosecuted by the relevant authorities; and

    “That the committee also recommends further investigation by relevant agencies of government on why contract-benefitting companies paid over N500m into Rholavision Engineering Limited, a company in which Babachir David Lawal has interest.”

    The panel also stated that since all the contracts awarded by PINE were done under the principle of emergency situation, PINE should forward a detailed report of all contracts awarded by it to the Bureau of Public Procurement in accordance with Section 43 (iv) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

    It added that since it was observed that there was no bill of quantities on most of the contracts awarded by PINE under the emergency situation, the BPP should undertake a revaluation of all such contracts to recover any proceeds from over-inflated contracts.

    The panel further recommended that the relevant agencies should ensure that contracts, partially executed but fully paid for, must be completed by the concerned contractors or be asked to refund the equivalent money of outstanding jobs to the government treasury.

    The Senate had earlier called for Lawal’s resignation, probe and prosecution based on the interim report by the committee, which was released on December 14, 2016.

    The lawmakers specifically called on security and anti-graft agencies to arrest and prosecute Lawal for allegedly owning and being a signatory to one of the companies awarded contracts in the rehabilitation of the North-East.

    Lawal had last Thursday failed to appear before the committee on his third invitation.

    The lawmakers had said the non-appearance of the former SGF would not stop the committee from presenting its final report on its probe into the alleged mismanagement of funds meant for the rehabilitation of the geopolitical zone.

    The former SGF had been re-invited by the committee to answer questions on his role in the alleged mismanagement of funds by the PINE under his watch.

  • JUST IN: Senate steps down Nigerian Peace Corps bill

    JUST IN: Senate steps down Nigerian Peace Corps bill

    The Senate, on Tuesday, suspended passage of the conference report on the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill, over the allegation of fraud in the recruitment exercise by the organisation which is being prosecuted in a court.

    The bill sharply divided senators at the plenary.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that both chambers of the National Assembly had last year, passed the Bill for the establishment of the Corps and mandated a conference committee to harmonize it.

    While the House of Representatives adopted its own report in January, 2017, the red chamber has continued to stand down further legislative actions.

    It, however, become glaring on Tuesday, when the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Bayero Nafada moved a motion that the report of the conference committee be considered, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu raised a strong objection to it.

    According to Ekweremadu, a matter on Peace Corps is currently at the Court of law where the leadership of the Corps is being tried in a 90-count charge.

    He said it would amount to legalising illegality if the Corps was allowed to be established.

    Senators James Manager (Delta), Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), all stood against the consideration.

    The move was, however, resisted by APC Senators who also took turn to push for the establishment of the Corps.

    Senators Binta Masi (Adamawa), Ahmed Lawan (Yobe) and others who spoke in favour of the Corps, pointed to the fact that, it was the Police who has been fighting the Peace Corps, adding that, same drama took place when the Federal Road Safety Corps and Civil Defense were to be established.

    They also canvassed for the unemployed youths who have been angling for the Corps to be established.

    In his ruling, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said the Bill will not be killed.

    He said the fact that, some people are in court doesn’t mean the Senate would not do its job.

    “We also need to relate with our brothers at the green chamber who have adopted this report earlier,” Saraki added.

    The Senate, therefore, referred the Bill to the Committee on Judiciary, to consult and appropriately advise the Senate on the next legislative action.

    The committee is to report back to the Senate within 2 weeks.

  • FUTO expels six final year students for violent protest

    FUTO expels six final year students for violent protest

    The authorities of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), have expelled six final year students of the institution for allegedly involving in a violent protest in the premises of the institution.

    The Registrar of the institution, John Nnabuihe, who disclosed this on Tuesday, in Owerri, said the Senate of the institution met a few days ago and approved of their expulsion.

    “Six of them have been expelled, including the former student leader. The Senate met and expelled them,” Nnabuihe said.

    Those affected were Collins Ogbonna (Fishery and Aquaculture Technology); Elvis Onuoha (Animal Science Technology); and Ebuka Odunze of Computer Science department.

    Others expelled as confirmed by Nnabuihe were Kenneth Mega (Prosthetics and Orthotics department); Nnamdi Madu and Collins Ugwu all of Optometry department.

    Meanwhile, in solidarity with the expelled students, according to The Guardian, we gathered that the students of the institution and other tertiary institutions across the country were allegedly planning to shut down academic and administrative activities in the FUTO on May 8 if the authorities of the institution fail to recall the expelled students.

    They demanded that the cause of the demonstration students held about two months ago be addressed rather than expelling students.

    Students had staged a violent demonstration at the school about two months ago to protest increase of certain fees and lack of some accommodation and basic amenities.

    Certain properties belonging to the institution were destroyed in the process.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Francis Eze dismissed the allegation, stating that the institution, as a federal institution, does not charge school fees, noting that only negligible addition for the provision of WiFi was made as agreed between the student body, the authorities and the providers.

  • Senate to pass 2017 budget next week, Lawan assures

    Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan on Thursday said the Senate would conclude legislative work on the 2017 appropriation bill next week and pass it to President Buhari for assent.

    Lawan said this at the end of a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari. He noted that the National Assembly had intended to pass the bill in March but could not.

    “The good news is that we are doing everything possible to catch up the lost time and that by the grace of God I am thinking that by next week we should be able to finish our own work and pass the budget for Mr President to sign.’’

    The Senate Leader also confirmed that the Senate would screen the two ministerial nominees from Kogi and Adamawa as well as others who require confirmation by next week.

    On his visit to the President, he said that it was to get the right executive briefings as part of his responsibility to market all executive bills’ request.

    “I have come to meet Mr President as part of my continuous engagement with the executive to ensure that I get my briefings right so that I can always market Presidential and executive requests.

    “This is supposed to be a continuous process and that is essentially why I have come to see Mr President,’’ he added.

    He said such interaction should be maintained in the country in spite of the independence of the three arms of government.

    “I know clearly that there is independence of each arms and I also know equally well that there is so much interdependence between the two arms or even the three arms of government in Nigeria.

    “Therefore, we need to always close and narrow the gap,’’ the Senate leader said.

     

     

    NAN

  • Suspended SGF, Lawal to appear before Senate today

    …as Osinbajo committee demands Senate’s interim report

    The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led committee investigating allegations of due process violation in award of contracts under Presidential Initiatives on North East (PINE) has requested the Senate to furnish it with relevant documents on the matter.

    Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East, Sen. Shehu Sani, confirmed receipt of a letter on the issue in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday.

    He said Osinbajo, Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry, in a letter dated April 21, requested for the Senate ad hoc committee’s report on the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

    According to him, the Vice President stated in the letter that the committee required documents from the senate for appropriate consideration.

    “ The Presidential Committee set up to look into allegations of due process violation in award of contracts under Presidential Initiatives on North-East (PINE) has written to us to make available report our findings.

    “I confirm that we got the letter and we will provide the documents to the committee,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, the Senate ad hoc committee has asked Lawal to appear before it on April 27 by 10:00 a.m.

    Sani, who also confirmed this, said a letter had been written to Lawal requesting him to attend a rescheduled public hearing on the allegations.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the committee had earlier invited Lawal to appear before it for a second time on March 15.

    However, Lawal in a letter dated March 22, requested for a rescheduling of the meeting to a more appropriate time.

    The Senate ad hoc committee, in an interim report, indicted Lawal in the award of contracts under the PINE.

    The call for Lawal’s resignation followed alleged contravention of the provisions of Public Procurement Act and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations pertaining to award of contracts by him.

    While presenting the report to the Senate, Sani said that the committee discovered that some of the contracts were awarded to companies belonging to top government officials’ cronies and family members.

    He explained that the committee found out that Rholavision Engineering Limited, a company in which Lawal was allegedly a director, was awarded consultancy contract.

    The company’s major role, according to him, is the removal of invasive plant species in Yobe on March 8.

     

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Buhari writes Senate, seeks appointment of CBN Board members, Ambassadors

    President Muhammadu Buhari has written the leadership of the National Assembly requesting the confirmation of the appointment of 5 Non-Executive Directors of the Board of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    In a letter dated 12th April, 2017 and read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, Buhari said their nomination was in accordance with sections 6 (1) (d) and 10 (1) and (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria ( Establishment Act, 2007).

    The nominees as contained in the list are, Prof. Ummu Ahmed Jalingo (North East), Prof. Justitia Odinakachukwu Nnabuko (South East), Prof. Mike I. Obadan (South South), Dr. Abdu Abubakar ( North West) and Adeola Adetunji (South West).

    In a related development, the President resubmitted the name of Justice Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor, as Non-career Ambassadorial Nominee from Imo State.

    Other names submitted for replacement as Non-career Ambassadorial Nominees include, Joseph Olusola Iji, from Ondo State and Commodore Yusuf Jonga Hinna (Rtd), from Gombe State.

    The nominees have been referred to various committees for further actions.