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Perm Sec Speaks On Paying N7bn For Uncompleted Building, Says “Agric Minister Approved It”

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Mohammed Bello, permanent secretary of the ministry of science and technology, has denied the allegation of financial misconduct made against him.

The federal government had issued a query to Bello over alleged financial misconduct while he was the permanent secretary of the federal ministry of agriculture and rural development.

He was accused of purchasing an uncompleted building for N7 billion without following due process.

But in a response to the query, Bello said Sabo Nanono, minister of agriculture, and the federal executive council (FEC) approved the purchase of the building.

In a letter dated May 14, he said all the financial transactions made while he was at the ministry of agriculture followed due process.

“While denying in totality all the allegations, I hereby forward my representations and response to all the false allegations contained in the query,” the permanent secretary said.

“I am constrained to give details of the transactions I approved to set the record straight and clear my name. I will like to state the following that all transactions at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development were approved through Administrative process and principles as traditioned in the conduct of government business.

“That FMARD run a rolling budget year in year out as most projects are been captured as ongoing; that all contracts/procurement and payments at the FMARD followed due process.

“There are procedures for contracts/procurement and payments handled by various departments in all government agencies, FMARD inclusive.

“That my tenure as Permanent Secretary at FMARD commenced from 10th January 2019 to 18th December 2019 and hence cannot be held responsible or liable for actions prior to 10th January 2019.

“I state that contractors were dully paid. The allegation of contractors not been paid is totally false. All contractors whose contract was captured in the 2018 budgetary allocation were paid in accordance with budgetary releases.

“However, contractors whose contracts are ongoing were rolled over as ongoing. Rollover capital projects are not new in contract management.

“I will state that due process was followed to the latter in the purchase of the said building.

After submission of the recommendation to the Hon. Minister of Agriculture; He approved that Council Memo is made to that effect.

Read Also: 55-Year-Old Woman, Daughter Electrocuted Inside Her Shop In Anambra

We then sent the Memo to the Secretary to Government of the Federation who then scheduled it for Federal Executive Council Approval. Consequently, the Federal Executive Council approved the purchase of the building.”

Bello accused the agriculture minister and Mu’azu Abdulkadir, the current permanent secretary of the ministry, of being responsible for the allegations against him.

“These are the same people alleging that the purchased office building was unfit for use,” he said.

“It is worthy of note at this point that it is the current Permanent Secretary FMARD who is actually guilty of virement as since after the approval of the above contracts has refused to sign and release letters of award of a contract to the respective contractors but instead diverted and vire the funds to other projects in his locality that were never part of the appropriation, neither advertised nor bided for.

“This is a case of unequivocal virement.”

55-Year-Old Woman, Daughter Electrocuted Inside Her Shop In Anambra

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A 10-year-old girl and her 55-year-old mother, Mrs Patience Ughana, were on Monday evening, electrocuted inside their shop along Nnewi-Nnobi road in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra state.

Confirming the incident, Mr Andrew Kumapayi, the state Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, said a high tension wire fell on the shop and electrocuted the victims.

ABN TV reports that a statement signed and released by Kumapayi on Tuesday, May 19, read

“It was reported that a high tension wire opposite St. Peters Clavers, along Nnewi-Nnobi road cut and fell on the roof of a shop, electrocuting two female victims. The deceased were identified as Mrs Patience Ugbana, 55, and her 10 year-old daughter, Adaeze.

“The victims were rushed to Rose of Sharon Hospital by sympathisers before the arrival of FRSC rescue team from Nnewi Unit Command, but on reaching the hospital, the doctors confirmed them dead,” the statement read

Read ALso: First COVID-19 Vaccine Tested On Humans Yields Positive Results

The Sector Commander advised traders and shop owners not to build shops under high tension wires.

Social Media Users Beg Ikpeazu To Offer Lady Labourer Employment Instead Of Tip

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A popular social media platform, Facebook was abuzz on Monday after Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, Esq the Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu shared a photo on his verified Facebook page in which the governor was offering a lady labourer tip in appreciation of her hard work.

The Governor had gone to inspect the progress of work at the site of the renovation works at the Infectious Diseases Hospital Aba on Monday where he saw the lady whose name could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report at the construction site serving chippings.

Also Read: Ikpeazu Commissions 100 Bed Isolation Facility, Says Abia Ready To Respond To Future Health Emergencies (Photos, Video)

Social Media Users Beg Ikpeazu To Offer Lady Labourer Employment Instead Of Tip Social Media Users Beg Ikpeazu To Offer Lady Labourer Employment Instead Of Tip Social Media Users Beg Ikpeazu To Offer Lady Labourer Employment Instead Of Tip

According to Mr. Ememanka, “The Governor kept staring at her with keen interest and was obviously impressed.

“Just before he left the site, the Governor sent for the lady, brought out some substantial amount of money and gave her.

“Jisike nnu, the Governor told her.

“Thank you Sir. She responded with a huge smile on her face.

“I cannot categorically tell you how much he gave her but considering the daily pay of masons in Aba, she would have to work daily for close to three weeks to earn that” he said.

This however did not go down well with a section of Facebook users who thought the governor should have used the opportunity to touch the lady’s life permanently instead of giving her tips.

According to them, an offer of employment or substantial amount to commence a business that will sustain her and her dependents would have been better.

Social Media Users Beg Ikpeazu To Offer Lady Labourer Employment Instead Of Tip Social Media Users Beg Ikpeazu To Offer Lady Labourer Employment Instead Of Tip Social Media Users Beg Ikpeazu To Offer Lady Labourer Employment Instead Of Tip

“This is not a good news for such incident, We could have heard that the poor woman life has change as the governor meet her suffering. Stupid people will never understand this and they will still talk good or praise the governor over nothing. How much did he gave the poor woman to compare how much he will loot from this little project. He did not try at all for not change the poor woman life entirely. Let him look for a huge amount to help the woman for business or fixed her in a good job. This is not encouraging please” says Samuel Shiniko Oleka in a comment in ABN TV‘s Facebook group, All Breaking News.

“The world will here this… This is corruption… A governor…. Give such a woman money instead of changing her life….i wonder Wat ur wife will do if she the one….maybe she will give her zobo to drink” says Michael Kayode.

Another commenter, Onengiye Bestman said, “He should employ her at Ministry of Works in Abia State”.

“Giving her some money is encouraging her to continue from where she stopped by carrying cement” Kelechi Johnkennedy said.

“Gov Okezie Ikpeazu is a good man!! Hoooohaaa!! It was his good deeds that took him where he is today* You can’t get in touch with him & remain the same!! Onyeisi kaa nká ooo!! May GOD reward you in JESUS NAME AMEN!!” Peters Ernest Ibekwe Prince said.

Other respondents who spoke to our correspondent offline said the governor would have been the ultimate destiny helper to the lady by empowering her to self sustenance.

First COVID-19 Vaccine Tested On Humans Yields Positive Results

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The first COVID-19 vaccine to be tested on humans has produced positive initial results. 

Moderna, the biotechnology company leading the effort, made the announcement on Monday.

Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, said this was based on the results of an initial clinical trial involving eight humans, who were given two doses of the vaccine mRNA-1273 back at the start of March. 

The healthy volunteers then produced antibodies which, when tested in human cells, were found to be able to stop the virus from replicating.

Read Also: Woman Who Smuggled Husband’s Corpse From Lagos Tests Positive For COVID-19 In Enugu

Moderna said the levels of antibodies found also matched the levels discovered in individuals who contracted the virus and later recovered.

The company also noted that the vaccine was “generally safe and well-tolerated” with the only adverse effect coming with one volunteer, who noted redness around the skin where the vaccine was injected.

The US Food and Drug Administration already gave the company approval to begin phase two clinical trials of the COVID-19 Vaccine, which it plans to launch in July.

Woman Who Smuggled Husband’s Corpse From Lagos Tests Positive For COVID-19 In Enugu

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The Enugu state government has confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 in the state. 

The State’s Commissioner for Health, Obi Emmanuel Ikechukwu who lamented over the continuous violation of the interstate travel ban, said the new cases include a widow from Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the State who smuggled her late husband’s corpse into Enugu State from Lagos for burial.

Ikechukwu also revealed that two Coronavirus patients have tested negative for the virus after undergoing successful treatment.

Read Also: Married Female Nursery Worker Who Had Baby For 13-Year-Old Boy, Jailed For 30 Months

He said;

 “ 2 more COVID-19 patients in Enugu test negative, as State records 3 new positive cases with travel history

“The Enugu State Ministry of Health wishes to announce that 2 more cases out of the previously active COVID-19 cases undergoing treatment in Enugu State have tested negative and are being assessed for discharge from the isolation and treatment centre.

“However, the state has unfortunately received 3 new results of persons who have tested positive for the virus.

“This means that Enugu State has had 15 cases in all, with 9 active cases and 6 cases discharged after testing negative.

“The two cases that have tested negative are case number 5 and her daughter who is case number 9.

“The 3 new positive cases, who entered Enugu State illegally during this ban on inter-state transportation, are as follows:

“Case 13 is a 25-year-old man from Ondo State who lives in Lagos and made his way first to Akwa Ibom, then to Rivers State and finally to Obollo Afor in Udenu LGA of Enugu State, all within the period of closure of all land boundaries and inter-state movement. He developed symptoms while at Obollo Afor, the health authorities were alerted, he was tested and his result came out positive.

“Case 14 is a 38 year old male, from Okpuje in Nsukka LGA, who lives in Nasarawa State, and found his way back to Enugu State during the same period of lockdown.

“On suspecting he may have contacted the virus, he initially went into self-quarantine in a hotel at Nsukka. He subsequently developed symptoms and alerted the health authorities. He was tested and his test result also came back positive.

“Case 15 is a 28 year old female and a widow who hails from Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, Enugu State and lives in Lagos State with her husband. She recently lost her husband in Lagos and was able to smuggle her husbands corpse back to Enugu State for burial, despite the lockdown in Lagos State and the national ban on inter-state movement . Her actions raised suspicion and the health authorities were alerted. She was subsequently tested and her result came back positive.

“These unfortunate figures are coming up as a result of individuals who have deliberately disobeyed the lockdown order and inter-state transportation as ordered by the Federal and State governments.

“In these times, we all need to comply strictly with all measures and regulations and exercise restraint from behaviours that will put others at risk.

“The good people of Enugu State are still encouraged to continue to comply with the directives of the Federal and Enugu State governments on containment of the spread of COVID-19 as well as the precautionary measures in the public health advisory of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and the Enugu State Ministry of Health.”

Married Female Nursery Worker Who Had Baby For 13-Year-Old Boy, Jailed For 30 Months

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The married female nursery worker who had sex with a 13-year-old boy and gave birth to his child has now been jailed for 30 months.

The Married Female Nursery WorkerLeah Cordice, 20, from Windsor, Berkshire, who started sleeping with the boy when she was 17 at that time had initially denied the sexual activity and claimed that the teenager raped her, a false claim which a jury at Reading Crown Court rejected and she was convicted of having sex with her victim on at least five occasions.

 

Married nursery worker who had sex with 13-year-old boy and had his baby, jailed for 30 months

 

At one occasion, she seduced the teenager by pulling down his trousers and asking for sex after a drunken night out in January 2017.

As she continued her sexual relationship with the boy she kept it hidden from her husband.

She also sent the teenager complimentary text messages and bought him presents of fish and chips.

Judge Peter Clarke QC, said: ‘Cordice asserted that the truth was that she had been raped by the victim on multiple occasions. I had and have difficulty with that assessment.

‘I heard no indication from either Cordice or the victim that she held him in any particular affection, the evidence from at least one witness was of physical obsession and self-indulgence as opposed to emotional attachment.’

The victim and Cordice both lived in the same area of Windsor and had known each other for many years before the abuse began, prosecutors said.

In a victim impact statement, the boy said he had been diagnosed with separation anxiety by a psychologist, which was a result of him having his child taken away by social services.

The boy told the court: ‘I cannot see my child and have not had any involvement with her recently.

‘Seeing my daughter and then having her taken out of my life was very hard to cope with.

‘It feels like I was punished for what I have been through. I hope in the future I can move on from this and have a relationship with my daughter.

‘Social media has just exploded with comments and posts about Leah. I do not feel anger towards her anymore. If anything, I worry about her.

‘If she does go to prison for what she has done, I hope it is not for a long time. I hope Leah has involvement in her daughter’s life.’

In a separate victim impact statement, the boy’s mother said:

‘He was so young to become a father, but when he started having contact with his daughter it went very well. He has not done anything wrong but she has also been taken away from him.’

Read Also: Federal High Court Releases Guidelines For Virtual Proceedings

During the trial, the court heard the boy’s police interview, where he claimed that the abuse began when Cordice started to hug him and kiss him, before pulling down his trousers and asking for sex.

Defending Cordice today, Tara McCarthy said: ‘This is a desperately sad case all around. There are absolutely no winners. The age gap between the victim and Ms. Cordice is relatively limited.

 

Married nursery worker who had sex with 13-year-old boy and had his baby, jailed for 30 months

 

‘She is a very immature person, she is still and she certainly was then and it makes the situation difficult. She does accept this has had a significant impact on the victim. It is a situation that nobody really wants to be faced with.

‘She had a relationship with him. She was also in a relationship with somebody else. Over-zealous outer family members made a union between Ms Cordice and her then-partner and, for a short while, husband.

It led to the most awful situation happening and her being stuck and probably to some extent not facing reality.’

In March 2017, the boy she had sex with had been interviewed by police after one of Cordice’s friends sent an email to the nursery where she was working to try to blow the whistle on the affair, the judge heard.

Cordice had blasted the allegation as malicious and the friend was issued with a harassment warning and a penalty notice for wasting police time, the court heard.

After the boy victim’s mother later complained to the police, Cordice was arrested at her home in Windsor in July 2018 and she was later interviewed under caution.

 

She had provided a prepared statement, denying any sexual contact with the boy, and adding: ‘He has always had a crush on me and would always make inappropriate remarks and do inappropriate things such as grab me and annoy me..’

 

She reportedly denied that the victim was the father of her child but was forced to take a DNA test which showed,’ with a probability of 14 million times more likely than not, that the 13-year-old boy was the father.’

 

Cordice had been living with her husband, an apprentice mechanic who had believed he was the father and had been bringing up the little girl as his own child.

 

Married nursery worker who had sex with 13-year-old boy and had his baby, jailed for 30 months

 

Her husband, who has since separated from Cordice, said: ‘There was an argument straight after the DNA test. I was bawling my eyes out. Honestly, if you want to talk about being traumatised, that traumatised me.

‘I had a secure job, I had a nice place, I had a good relationship. I had an amazing life. Everything was going so well and all of a sudden everything got taken away from me: my child, my wife, home, job.

‘I have trust issues now. I am worried about my relationships in the future. Next time I have a child with another person, I am going to have to say, “can I have a DNA test please”.’

Cordice faced a two-week trial at Reading Crown Court, following which a jury convicted her of one multiple-incident count of sexual activity with a child which took place when she was 17.

After the conviction, the judge told the jury they did not need to return verdicts on two other counts which took place during the same time period, because the first count was ‘compendious’ enough to incorporate them.

The jury then acquitted Cordice on two further counts of the same charge which reflected times when she was aged 18 years.

For the one multiple-incident count, Judge Clarke sentenced Cordice to 30 months detention in a Young Offenders’ Institution and said she would be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years. She will also have to sign into the Sex Offenders Register

Ikonne’s Appointment: Thank You Mr. President, Abia South APC Tells Buhari

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The APC in Abia South has expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of former Zonal Chairman of the party and former Governorship aspirant during 2019 election, Prince Paul Ikonne as Executive Secretary National Agricultural Land Development Authority, (NADLA).

The party after a meeting on Monday described that appointment as a wonderful reward to APC family in the State and Nigeria at Large.

Also Read: APC Mourns Abba Kyari

In a release signed by Orji Chikezirim Mormor, the Zonal vice Chairman APC Abia South, made available to ABN TV, the party also appealed to Buhari to continue to spread his tentacles in order to accommodate more of its leaders on the waiting list.

“We also congratulate our Son, on his appointment and ask him to use his wealth of experience to project the Agency to an enviable height” the statement said.

Federal High Court Releases Guidelines For Virtual Proceedings

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The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court has released guidelines and practice directions authorising judges to adopt virtual proceedings for court cases in all its judicial divisions.

The Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, issued the practice directions for cases to be heard virtually on Zoom, Skype or any other audio-visual means approved by the court.

The guidelines take effect from Monday, May 18.

The virtual proceeding, however, can only be held with the consent of the parties and their counsels.

Read Also: Soldier Who Showed Off His “Leg Work” Dancing Skills Has Allegedly Been Arrested

Under the new rules, judges of the Federal High Court cannot hear more than nine cases in a day.

Judge and counsel involved are also expected to wear their robes for such proceedings.

The practice directions add that cases for virtual proceedings shall be stated on the Cause List, posted on the court’s website and communicated to counsel and parties, either by e-mail or any other electronic means.

It also allows for Service of court processes to be affected by e-mails, WhatsApp or as may be directed by the court, and the print out of same shall be sufficient proof of service.

In keeping with Federal and States COVID-19 regulations, the Chief Judge also made the wearing of face masks and maintaining of social distancing mandatory.

Every person within the premises of the court and inside the courtroom is to observe social and physical distancing of not less than two meters (6 feet) apart from each other.

The practice directions also stipulate that at any given time, there shall not be a congregation of more than 10 persons within the court premises, except for purposes of court sittings where there shall not be more than 20 persons inside the courtroom including the court staff and counsel at court sittings.

Soldier Who Showed Off His “Leg Work” Dancing Skills Has Allegedly Been Arrested

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According to reports, the Nigerian soldier who featured in a viral video where he was impressively doing the ‘leg work’ dance, has allegedly been arrested.

The NAF soldier who was masked-up was recorded while dancing to singer Wurld’s ‘Mad’ — the video eventually went viral with people hailing his impressive dance moves.

A Twitter user, @GhenhisKhan recently alleges that the officer has now been arrested. Singer, Wurld also reacted, requesting for his release with a hashtag #FreeNAFOfficer.

“The song “MAD” by @thisisWurlD feat SARS, got futher free publicity because of the military guy (NAF), who was dancing to it, although the song is very “Sweet” and of international standard. We have been told the the military guy has been arrested.” the Twitter user wrote.

Read Also: ‘Return Mercy’s Sanitary Pad’ – BBNaija’s Omashola Trolls Ike (Video)

He continued while tagging the Nigerian Army;

“All I see is a combatant fancing away his stress at the front while keeping Nigeria safe from Boko Haram and other forms of insecurity. It is plain madness for anyone to arrest him for dancing to a tune that said “dealing with my stress and your stress and you know”

@thisisWurlD @HQNigerianArmy @DefenceInfoNG if it is indeed true that you arrested this officer for this then it is important that you release him immediately.

His mere dancing to this tune has earned @thisisWurlD 1.3m views on @YouTube“

Fast-rising singer Wurld also got a DM asking him to speak up for the officer. See Wurld’s reaction below….

“hope it’s not true that this awesome guy got arrested for posting this video of himself on duty. This elevated my mood and I hope we can help get him out if the information is true . Bembelembe! Spread the word ?? #MAD #FreeNAFOfficer #Afrosoul“

Arrested

SCDDD: Buhari’s New Chief Of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari Resigns

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The New Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has resigned as Chairman of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), ABN TV learnt.

Gambari’s resignation was made known in a statement by the Executive Supervisor of the Centre, Amb. Abdullahi Omaki.

According to him, he was surrendering his appointment to avoid disputes of passion.

This is a normal procedure considering the fact he is now holding a political Position now, he also took this step to avoid backlash from different channels in the country.

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