Igbo national council gives 90 days to South-East Governors to launch security outfit

By

-

February 26, 2020

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Igbo National Council (INC), an Igbo socio-cultural group has issued a 90 days ultimatum to the governors of the southeast zone to inaugurate their own regional outfit.

Reading a communiqué after a meeting well attended by members from 20 states, the National President of INC, Chilos Godsent said that the group also condemned what it described as the “naked cowardice exhibited by the governors of the South-East geopolitical zone on the failures to establish and officially inaugurate the highly-demanded South-East regional security outfit like their contemporaries in the North-West and South-West geopolitical zones.

Also, Godsent disclosed that INC rejects the view of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP)’s proposal for community policing for the South-East geopolitical zone.

“We wish to inform the people of the Igbo race that the proposed community policing by the IGP is meant to officially aid the framework for intelligence gathering and invasion of Igbo communities by the jihadist.

“On the foregoing, the Igbo National Council requests the governors of the South-East, South-South and North-Central geopolitical zones respectively as a matter of urgent necessity to establish and officially inaugurate their regional security outfits like the South-West (AMOTEKUN) and North-West (SEGE KA FASA) within 90 days from 29th February 2020 as a sign of patriotism and commitment to the security and welfare of their citizens, part of the communiqué reads.

“We note that failure for the governors of the aforementioned geopolitical zones to adhere to this call, the self-determination groups in those geopolitical zones may be compelled to take their destiny into their own hands in other to protect their citizens from the rampaging Fulani jihadist.

However, Godsent pointed out that INC supports in its totality the call by the National Assembly, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to sack all the service chiefs with immediate effect.

He averred that the reality on the ground has clearly shown that the present crops of service chiefs in the country can no longer protect the lives and properties of Nigerians who he claimed are daily slaughtered “like cows and chickens by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, and Fulani jihadists.”

The group also condemned the wanton arrest and arbitrary detention of the elders and people of Ifite-Ogwari community in Anyamelum Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State.

“We condemn this arrest; they are simply defending their community from Fulani herdsmen who have continued to attack and kill members of the Ifite-Ogwari community in their ancestral land.”

On the foregoing, INC urge the Government of Anambra State to rise up to the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people of Anambra State.

It also urged the Federal Government to be very sensitive of the untold hardship the people of southern Nigeria are passing through because of the border closure.

“On the above, INC, therefore, requests the Federal Government to reopen the southern border or otherwise close the porous northern borders where too many smuggling activities have been taking place since the politically-motivated closure of the southern borders.

“Finally, the Igbo National Council wishes to advise the leadership of Miyetti Allah in Nigeria to urge its members who now camp in many forests in South-East and South-South geopolitical zone to immediately vacate those forests or regret their deviancy,” Godsent stated.

Presidency recalls sacked Osinbajo’s aides

By

Alex Enemanna

-

February 26, 2020

0

Some aides of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who were unceremoniously relieved of their duties late last year, have been recalled.

However, instead of returning to their previous posts in the Presidential Villa, our correspondent gathered that they have been redeployed to various ministries where they were assigned new roles by the supervising ministers.

Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday evening, one of the affected aides said some of them were recalled in December 2019 while some also got redeployed in January 2020.

“We have all been recalled but not to our former posts. We have all been redeployed to ministries and we will be reporting to the ministers. We are no longer under the Office of the Vice President. It is not what we expect but it is better than what happened before when our appointments were terminated abruptly.

“Some of us were recalled late last year while some of us got our letters in January this year. I have since returned to Abuja and resumed in my ministry.”

Also speaking, another of the affected aides said it took a serious intervention from prominent Nigerians before they were recalled.

“It was just divine because we have all lost hope. The media also did not help matters as they were reporting that there is a rift between the vice president and the president and he may resign or be impeached.

“But we thank God for his grace and the intervention of eminent Nigerians including our then-boss, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who really fought for us to be recalled. I have also resumed in a ministry”, she said.

When Daily Independent contacted some ministries, some top officials confirmed that some of the affected aides are in the ministry.

A top official in the Ministry of Information and Culture said, “Yes, some of them are with us here. They resumed in January this year”.

Another top official in the Ministry of Transport also confirmed that some of the affected aides were redeployed to the ministry.

The names of the affected aides are Ajibola Ajayi, daughter of former governor of Oyo State, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi. She was appointed Special Assistant (Legal) to the President (VP’s Office) in August 2019. She was a former SA to the President on Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) (VP’s office), from October 2015 to May 2019.

The others are Lanre Osinbona (SSA, ICT); Imeh Okon (SSA, Infrastructure); Jide Awolowo, grandson of Obafemi Awolowo (SA, Oil and Gas); Lilian Idiaghe (SA, Research, Legal and Compliance); Arukino Umukoro (SA, Niger Delta); Bala Liman Mohammed (SSA, Economy); Edobor Iyamu (SSA, Niger Delta); Dolapo Bright (SSA, Agro-Allied Value Chain); Toyosi Onaolapo (SA, Community Engagement); Gambo Manzo (SA, Political); Bisi Ogungbemi (SA, Political Matters); Edirin Akemu (SSA, Industry, Trade & Investment); Akin Soetan (STA, Economic Matters); Aondaver Kuttuh (Technical Assistant, Rule of Law); Ife Adebayo (SA, Innovation), and Yussuf Ali (SA, Power Regulations).

The rest are Tola Asekun (SSA, National Boundary Commission); Morakinyo Beckley (SA, Off-Grid Power); Yosola Akinbi (SSA, NEC); Tochi Nwachukwu (SA, Power Privatisation); Bode Gbore (SSA, Political); Abdulrahman Baffa Yola (SA, Political); Kolade Sofola (SA, Infrastructure); Ebi Awosika (STA, Community Engagement); Muyiwa Abiodun (SSA, Power); Forri Samson Banu (SA, Entrepreneurship); Bege Bala (SA, BPE); Feyishayo Aina (SA, Community Engagement); Halima Bawa (SA, Community Engagement); Nkechi Chukwueke (SA, Community Engagement), and Ilsa Essien (SA, Media).

The sack, according to reports, was masterminded by President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

The incident which happened while President Buhari was abroad jolted the sacked aides as their access tags were reportedly seized by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).

One of the affected aides had lamented to our correspondent last year that they had suffered physical, emotional, financial and psychological trauma by their sack which, they believed, was done without President Buhari’s knowledge.

It would be recalled that the presidency while reacting to the rumoured sack in a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, had said an unprecedented overhaul of the nation’s seat of government was ongoing and had resulted in a number of political appointments either revoked or not renewed in Buhari’s second term.

The exercise, which, according to him, was ordered by the president, was meant to streamline decision-making, cut down multiple authorities and reduce the high cost of administering the nation.

“It is also an appropriate response to the general perception that the presidency has an oversized and bloated workforce, which acts as a drag on efficiency,” he had said.

Upon his return to the country, President Buhari explained that the aides were not sacked but they were redeployed to a new ministry.

He described what happened as a re-organisation and not a sacking, stressing that, a new ministry has recently been created, that is, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

“They said 35 people were sacked in the Vice President’s office but we just created a ministry and we reorganised but people are giving it an ethnic and political dimension. It is unfortunate,” the president had said.

FIRS sets April 12 deadline for taxpayers to get tax identification number

By

Alex Enemanna

-

February 26, 2020

0

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has again said it is mandatory for all taxpayers and companies to register and obtain the Tax Identification Number (TIN) and display it on all documents supporting business transactions before April 12, 2020.

FIRS made this known in a public notice published on Monday which was signed by its Chairman, Muhammed Nami.

It stated that every company or business “shall provide their TIN to relevant providers of financial services not later 12th April 2020, in order to update their existing records for accounts opened prior to the coming into effect of the Finance Act, 2019.”

It also said banks and other financial institutions are required to request for TIN as a precondition for opening new accounts for companies and any other business.

It further explained that Section 3 of the Finance Act, 2019, substituted the provision of Section 10 of the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) which explains that “every company shall have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) which shall be displayed by the company on all business transactions with other companies and individuals and on every document, statement, returns, audited accounts and correspondence with revenue authorities, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service, ministries and all government agencies.”

The notice also read, “Every person engaged in banking and other financial services in Nigeria shall require all companies to provide their TIN as precondition for opening an account or in case of an account already opened within three months of the passage of this act, the bank requires such TIN to be provided by all companies as precondition for continued operation of their bank accounts.”

In a separate notice, FIRS notified taxpayers that payment of tax is to be made on or before the due date of filing in one lump sum or instalment.

This according to the service, is pursuant to the amendments to Section 77 of the Companies Income Tax Act, (CITA) by Section 18 of the Finance Act.

The service further noted that it would grant approval to any taxpayer that wishes to pay in instalments prior to the due date of filing and final instalment must be paid on or before the due date of filing.

FIRS added that any tax due and unpaid by the due date of filing shall attract interest and penalties as provided in the extant tax laws.

IGP Adamu orders closure of SARS satellite offices

By

Alex Enemanna

-

February 26, 2020

1

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Abubakar Adamu, on Tuesday, ordered the closure of all Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) satellite offices.

The directive followed Monday’s protests in Sagamu against SARS.

The people had marched against the killing of Remo Stars Football Club player, Tiamiyu Kazeem aka Kaka, in Ogun State.

Adamu announced the scrap when he accompanied Governor Dapo Abiodun, on a condolence visit to the home of the deceased Vice-Captain of Remo Stars.

The IGP was represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, in-charge of Research and Planning, Peter Ogunyanwo.

He ordered that all activities at the satellite offices should be handed over to Commissioners of Police in the state.

Adamu assured that everyone responsible for his death would be prosecuted accordingly.

Abiodun and the delegation also visited the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi.

The Governor said: “Today, I was on a condolence visit to the residence of Tiamiyu Kazeem’s parents.

“Tiamiyu, who was until his death, vice-captain of the Remo Stars Football Club died in an unfortunate encounter with some men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who were on an illegal mission.

“Kaka’s death is irreversibly regrettable because Ogun State has lost a man of unexplored talents.

“But this long-awaited, significant reform within the structures of the Nigerian Police assures us of an end to such anomalies,” the governor added.

Police arrest seven as cultists raid police station to free member

By

Alex Enemanna

-

February 26, 2020

0

Suspected members of the Vikings confraternity have allegedly invaded the office of the Operation Safe Delta, a formation of the Delta State Police Command at Issele-Asagba, the state capital.

Southern City News gathered that the cult members stormed the police formation over the arrest of a member, who they allegedly attempted to escape from police detention.

Sources told our correspondent that the cultists were overpowered by policemen during the invasion on Monday night.

“The suspects stormed the OSD command office in four cars with over 15 members. But the police overpowered them and seven members of the cult were arrested during the incident,” the source said.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, on Tuesday, confirmed the arrest of the seven suspects, adding that they confessed to being members of the Vikings confraternity.

“They invaded the command of Operation Safe Delta with the intent to rescue one of their members, but they were rounded up by our operatives. Seven of them were arrested,” Inuwa said.

The CP said despite the confession of the suspects, an Asaba-based human rights activist, Mr Harrison Gwamnishi, allegedly claimed that the suspects were members of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.

Buba Galadima Lost House, Company To AMCON Over ₦900 Million Loan

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

February 26, 2020

0

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over the Abuja residence and company of Buba Galadima, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, over “debts to the tune of N900 million”.

He said Galadima and Bedko Nigeria Limited, his company, owe AMCON nearly N900 million, obtained as loan during the first phase of Eligible Bank Assets purchase from Unity Bank Plc in 2011.

The spokesman said the order to take over the assets was granted by a federal high court in Abuja, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1136/2019.

The properties taken over from Galadima in Abuja are located at 15, Addis Ababa crescent, Wuse zone 4, and 4, Bangui street, Wuse 2.

Alleged Fraud: More Troubles For Shehu Sani As EFCC Presents 2 Witnesses Against Him

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

February 26, 2020

0

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, presented two witnesses before Justice I.E Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja against the former senator, representing Kaduna North Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani.

In a statement signed by the Acting Head, Media and Publicity of the Commission, Tony Orilade and made available to ABN TV, the EFCC is prosecuting Senator Sani on a two-count criminal charge, bordering on intent to defraud and obtain the sum of USD 10,000.00 (Ten Thousand United States of America Dollars) from one Alhaji Sani Dauda, (ASD) under the false pretence, that the money was meant to bribe the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, to arrest and prosecute one Abubakar Musa.

At the resumed trial on Tuesday, prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed, presented two witness: Beckley Ojo and Elizabeth Muka, who are compliance officers of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).

Ojo, who is the first prosecution witness (PW1), told the court that he personally generated the statement of the beneficiary’s account and forwarded it to the EFCC. He further explained that the name of the beneficiary from the covering letter who received the sum of N3.5million, (Three million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from Sani Dauda is Shareef Zailani Shanono.

According to him, the GTB cheque issued by Dauda was an instruction to transfer the sum of N3.5 million to Shareef Zailani Shanono.

In the same vein, second prosecution witness (PW2), Muka revealed that there was a transfer of N5million (Five Million Naira), on November 20, 2019, which was carried out from the account of Dauda to one Abubakar Ahmed, adding that there was another N3million that was transferred to Shareef Shanono.

She further told the court that on January 23, 2020, she packaged the account opening documents, a cover memo and other documents and sent to the EFCC as the Commission requested.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till tomorrow, February 26, 2020 for continuation of trial.

I Don’t Want Almajiris Beggars On Streets Of Kano Again – Gov. Ganduje

By

ABN TV EDITOR

-

February 26, 2020

0

The Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Tuesday announced a ban on street begging by children popularly referred to as Almajiris.

The governor’s spokesperson, Abba Anwar, said the effort was to fully consolidate the free and compulsory primary and secondary schools education in the state.

According to the statement, the governor announced the decision during the launching of Basic Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) and Distribution of Offer of Appointment to 7,500 volunteer teachers, held at Sani Abacha Stadium.
“This policy of free and compulsory basic and secondary education goes along with its integration of our Almajiri system into the mainstream policy implementation. This suggests that English and Arithmetic must be included in the Almajiri schools curriculum,” the governor said.

This, according to him, will give those children other types of education, while they will continue acquiring their knowledge of the Holy Qur’an.
“That will give them an opportunity to continue with their studies to secondary schools and beyond,” the governor highlighted.

At the event, 7,500 newly recruited teacher volunteers under the BESDA programme were given letters of appointment.

“They will be posted to Islamiyyah and Almajiri schools, so that our Almajiri schools would be fully integrated under our new policy of education,” the statement added.