Tag Archives: Without

How Dasuki Paid Dokpesi N2.1bn Without A Contract- Witness

Posted on by
350

A prosecution witness in the trial of former chairman of Daar Communications and Investment Plc, Raymond Dokpesi on Tuesday claimed that he(Dokpesi) was paid without executing any contract with the Officer of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Salisu Shuaibu, who was former Director of Finance in the ONSA, testified at an Abuja Federal High Court that the sum of N2.1 billion was transferred to Dokpesi through the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) in four tranches of N500m each.

Led in evidence by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Salisu stated that a contract would usually require an agreement with the company prepared by the legal officer at ONSA and approved by the NSA, which was not done with Daar.

He testified that on the four occasions, he was instructed by the then NSA, Sambo Dasuki to prepare the payment mandate for him to sign while he (Salisu) counter-signs. The document will then be forwarded to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for execution.

He said the processing of payment mandate for contractors of the ONSA began under the tenure of late General Owoeye Azazi and was used for the purchase of military hardwares, explaining that the contracts do not include media campaigns.

“This payment is the first time we are budgeting for media campaign in the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.

However, being cross examined by defence counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Salisu admitted that the ONSA was not a procurement agency under the Procurement Act, but added that the office enjoys some exemptions in the area of purchase of military equipment.

The case has been adjourned to February 7 and 8, 2017 for hearing.

Credit: dailytrust

We Will Actualize Biafra Without Shooting A Gun– IPOB

Posted on by
Reply

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, worldwide and its Directorate of State, DOS has said that it would not achieve Biafra’s sovereignty through warfare and bloodshed but will rather achieve it through globally accepted procedures.

It said the United Nations has a set of approved self-determination processes and hence, urged the Nigerian Government and its military to be civil and play by the globally accepted approaches in their dealings with self-determination seeking groups like it.

In a statement by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Powerful, it said “we are aware that some individuals fear that the Biafra actualization project will turn bloody like done in the 1967 and 1970, but we want to assure them that it will not be so because the international law gives room for the restoration of Biafra through the stipulated lay down processes that will be applied without shedding blood.”

“Biafran by nature have respect for human life. We are not war-mongers like as known by the world unlike the people who are persecuting us who have no respect for human life.”

“Biafrans do not like to shed blood, and the actualization of Biafra will not change us. What happened in the past was the extreme pushing of the Biafran to the wall, but times have changed, we must achieve Biafra without shooting a gun.”

Read More:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/biafras-actualization-wont-be-bloody-this-time-ipob/

We Fought Corruption Without Making Noise– Jonathan

Posted on by
1

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that his administration fought corruption in the country without making noise about it.

Mr. Jonathan said this on Monday while speaking at the Oxford Union of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

The immediate past Nigerian leader spoke on the theme “Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship”.

Responding to inquiries by some of the students regarding his administration’s fight against corruption, Mr. Jonathan said he would not like to “interfere with the legal processes” because “several matters are pending in court”.

Mr. Jonathan however said he did enough to reform anti-corruption agencies to enable them function effectively.

“We reformed the institutions and introduced various mechanisms to stop the corruption problems in our country without publicity,” he said.

Using his Twitter handle, the former president paid glowing tributes to Nigerian youth and said “any Nation that does not spend its wealth and resources to develop the capacity of its youth, will be forced to use them to fight insecurity.

“As a leader, you can decide through your policies to educate the youth, or face the consequences of failing to do so,” he said.

Mr. Jonathan also said his administration put in place some youth related policies, which, he said, helped grow the Nigerian economy.

“Despite incredible challenges, Nigerian youths are achieving great things and placing Nigeria positively in the world map. They inspire us,” he said.

He also said his administration increased the allowances due to Youth Corps members by more than 100% in 2011.

Read More:

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/213551-fought-corruption-without-making-noise-jonathan.html

2019 Polls In Danger Without RECs – Senate

Posted on by
1

The Senate on Tuesday said there were signs that the 2019 general elections would be inconclusive without enough Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to oversee it.

This followed a motion by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and supported by the Senate Leader Ali Ndume.

Ekweremadu expressed concerns that the rate of inconclusive elections in many states showed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was endangering the nation’s democracy.

He alleged that at least 20 states had no REC, adding that the development was contrary to the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

“The developments after a few electoral exercises carried out so far by our electoral umpire have left much to be desired.

“We are worried about the fate of the 2019 general elections in the face of the present state of inconclusive elections and postponements.

“We are worried that the trend of inconclusive elections and whimsical postponement of elections are wrong signals and symptoms that cannot just be dismissed with the wave of hands,’’ he said.

Ndume, on his part, said the lawmakers would be failing if they saw something wrong and failed to point it out.

“It is better to take wrong decisions than not to take any decision at all,’’ he said.

The Deputy Senate Leader Bala Na’Allah said it was unfair that certain sections of Nigeria were not being represented in the National Assembly, saying it is contrary to the constitution.

Credit: NAN

EU Meets Without Britain For First Time Since Brexit Vote

Posted on by
1

European Union leaders will Wednesday assess the damage from Britain’s decision to leave the bloc and try to prevent further disintegration, as they meet for the first time without a British representative.

And as the shockwaves reverberate around British politics, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is also expected in Brussels “utterly determined” to keep her pro-EU country in the club despite the Brexit vote.

Five days after Britain voted by 52 to 48 percent to leave the bloc, unleashing turmoil on global financial markets, EU President Donald Tusk said he understood that time was needed “for the dust to settle” before the next steps can be taken.

However, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned Britain did not have “months to meditate” and set a clear timetable for triggering Article 50 — the EU treaty clause that begins the two-year withdrawal process — after Cameron’s successor takes office in early September.

“If someone from the ‘Remain’ camp will become British PM, this has to be done in two weeks after his appointment,” he said. If they are from the Brexit camp, then it should be “the day after”.

And German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that London could not “cherry-pick” the terms of the exit negotiations.

Some in Brussels are concerned that giving Britain favourable divorce terms will spark a domino effect of others leaving the union, set up six decades ago to foster peace on the continent after World War II.

At a tense summit that finished late Tuesday, the 27 remaining EU members agreed to give Britain some breathing space, accepting that it needs time to absorb the shock of the Brexit vote before triggering Article 50 that will begin the formal divorce proceedings.

Credit: Guardian

How Police Rescued Abducted Lagos School Girls Without Ransom

Posted on by
1

After six harrowing days in the custody of kidnappers, three abducted students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos, yesterday, breathed the air of freedom. The girls were rescued in Imota, another town on the outskirt of Ikorodu, after intricate police moves that started with the arrest of one of the suspects, last Friday.

The girls- Timilehin Olusa, Tofunmi Popo and Deborah Akinayo, were abducted last Monday in their school, an act that outraged the nation. The news of their release provoked spontaneous jubilation in their school.

Though they were not publicly presented after their rescue, it was gathered that the girls were not molested by the kidnappers. To ascertain their health status, police authorities reportedly took them to an undisclosed hospital for medical examination after their rescue.

However, a suspected member of the gang that abducted the girls and two other accomplices have been arrested by security agents. Eleven other suspected members of the 12-man gang were said to be at large and police are still on their trail. The picture of one of the two conspirators paraded, according to the police, is on the registration Subscriber Identity Module, SIM, of his phone.

It was also gathered that one of the arrested kidnappers, a prime suspect, Emmanuel Arigidi, led police operatives to secure the release of the abducted girls somewhere at Imota.

Confirming the news, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Steve Ayorinde, said no ransom was paid. He blamed the crime on some pipeline vandals who he said had been sent out of business by security agencies.

Meanwhile, it was jubilation galore, yesterday, at the school as parents and students expressed appreciation to Almighty God over the release of the three female students.

This came as a militant leader simply called ‘General Ossy’ made frantic calls, Saturday, exonerating his group from the abduction saga. He, however, vowed that his group would continue to engage in vandalism, boasting that no security force could flush them out of existence.

While parading the three suspects at the Lagos State Government House, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday, the obviously elated governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, commended the gallant effort of the Nigeria Police and other security operatives in the rescue of the girls.

Ambode said: “In the early hours of today, (yesterday), the Lagos State Police Command, the Department of State Service, DSS, and members of the Armed forces worked tirelessly round the clock in the last six days to secure the release of the children. I thank them for a good job. “The three girls have been safely re-united with their families and the government wishes to assure Lagosians that their security is top priority and it will not relent in ensuring that Lagos remains safe and secure.”

The governor, therefore, warned that the state government would not tolerate kidnapping or any form of crime in the state. “Our position is clear and unambiguous. Lagos State has the capacity and the will to go after every form of crime and criminality in order to safeguard lives and property in the state.

“As our daughters are re-united with their mothers and other members of their families, I would like to seize this opportunity to wish all mothers in Lagos State and Nigeria at large a happy “Mothers’ Day.”

Credit: Vanguard

 

 

Obasanjo Awarded Abuja Rail Project Without Design, MOU- Senate Panel

Posted on by
1

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo awarded the Abuja Rail Project in 2007 with neither a design nor a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), according to the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The then Minister of FCT and current governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, was said to have signed the contract based on an uncalculated estimate.

The revelation came as the committee discovered the contract, which stood at 60.67 kilometres, was inflated by $10 million (about N2 billion at N200 per dollar) per kilometre even as the length was later reduced to 45 kilometres without the refund of the cost for the 15.67 kilometres dropped.

To this end, the Senate committee, led by Dino Melaye has demanded the refund of the of $195,878,296.74 ( about N392 billion at N200 per dollar) being the amount for the 15.67 kilometres cut out from the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), handling the project.

The Project Manager of the company, Etim Abak, who answered questions from members of the committee when they undertook an oversight assignment to the project site, said the contract was signed by the then FCT minister without design and MOU, saying it was carried out based on what he simply identified as a conceptual design.

“The contract was awarded based on a conceptual design and estimates were not properly done. There was no formal design submitted and rail bridges and crossover bridges were not captured in the contract, “he told the committee.

According to him, the contract sum was $841.645,898 and project completion period was 48 months while the scope of work was 60.67km standard gauge, with double railway tracks and associated permanent way within FCT.

Melaye , who alleged the whole project may be shrouded in fraud, wondered why the project, whose length initially stood at 60.67 kilometres was later reduced to 45.245 without cut in the cost of the project initially paid for.

Credit: Guardian

Iranian Actress Forced To Flee Country After Posting Photos Without Hijab

Posted on by
Reply

?When Iranian actress and director Sadaf Taherian? began posting photos of herself without her hijab to social media sites, she was worried. She told ?Masih Alinejad, a journalist who runs the My Stealthy Freedom Facebook page, she was nervous about the backlash she could face for posing without a traditional Muslim head cover. But she had no idea leaders from her own country would condemn and attack her so viciously she’d be forced to flee her home.

But that’s exactly what happened soon after ?Taherian? posted her photos to Instagram and Facebook. ?Women in the World ?reports the attacks didn’t stop at nameless Internet trolls. Soon, officials within the Iranian government were joining in, going as far as to threaten her career. When another actress, ?Chekame Chaman-Mah,? spoke out on ?Taherian?’s behalf, the government moved to ban both of them from appearing on television.

Hossein Noushabadi, Iran’s ministry of culture and lslamic guidance, lashed out at them in public.  “As far as this ministry is concerned, these two individuals are no longer considered to be artists any more and do not have any right to act,” ?Noushabadi? said. That’s when Taherian’s television show was removed from the airwaves.

Because of the threats and attacks, Taherian no longer felt comfortable staying in Iran, so she fled to the ?United Arab Emirates?. “I want to live in a place and live the way that makes me happy,” she said. She still continues to post photos to Facebook without her hijab.

Credit: Cosmopolitan

Ministers Without Portfolio Not New In Nigeria- Saraki

Posted on by
4

Even with the quantum of criticism that greeted his statement that Nigeria at the moment can’t afford to pay 36 ministers in far away India on Friday, last week, president Mohammad Buhari Tuesday in Abuja ruled out the possibility of assigning portfolios to all the confirmed 36 ministerial nominees by the senate.

Though he gave vent to the constitutionally mandatory 36 ministerial slots, he also reiterated that the economy was battered to accommodate the number.

This came as the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki said that the idea of having ministers without portfolio was not entirely novel in the Nigerian political system.

President Buhari spoke when he received the second and last batch of the screened nominees from the senate president at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Saraki had at a brief ceremony to mark the presentation stated that the senate had concluded the assignment.

In an interview session after the brief event, the Senate President said it was not new to have ministers without assigned duties.

He however urged Nigerians to focus on “major issues”.

According to him, the appointment of the ministers would give room for serious government works to better the lots of the citizenry.

Credit: Vanguard

Scott Disick Visited In Rehab By Kris Jenner & His Kids, Without Kourtney Kardashian

Posted on by
Reply

Scott Disick has the support of his children — and even Kris Jenner — as he continues his stay at a rehab center in Malibu, California.

The 32-year-old reality star was photographed at the rehabilitation center on Sunday, when he got a visit from his three children — 5-year-old Mason, 3-year-old Penelope and 10-month-old Reign — as well as 59-year-old Kris. Scott was also photographed giving a few male friends a hug.

Scott was affectionate with his kids, giving baby Reign a kiss on the head, as well as picking up both Penelope and Mason. He also posed for family photos with Kris, who had a big smile on her face, and was still wearing the same pajamas she sported at Kim Kardashian’s camp-themed baby shower earlier in the day. An eyewitness tells ET that the visit lasted two hours, and that Scott “seemed fine, but a bit serious” around Kris.

Noticeably absent from the family visit was Scott’s ex, 36-year-old Kourtney Kardashian. The mother of three has been adamant about not keeping their children away from their father, a source told ET in September, despite the status of their own relationship. “Scott sees the kids whenever he wants to,” the source said. “Despite all of Scott’s addiction problems, he is a great dad and loves those kids with all his heart, and they are obsessed with him.”

Credit: ETonline

Kylie Jenner Spotted Without Make Up (PHOTO)

Posted on by
Reply

The 18-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians star looked almost unrecognizable when she was spotted at a car dealership in Calabasas, California, on Monday without her signature glammed-up makeup.

Fresh-faced Jenner looked cute, casual and age appropriate, rocking a messy ‘do in a white Kanye West Yeezus long sleeve T-shirt, jeans, and black and white Adidas Superstar sneakers.

1

Read More: ET

FG Paid N222.1bn On Fuel Subsidy Within 7 Months Without Approval- Perm Sec

Posted on by
Reply

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, admitted spending  N222.1 billion on fuel subsidy between January and July without the approval from the National Assembly and without its provisions  in the 2015 Appropriation.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia, represented by the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Mr Aliyu Gusau, made the  revelation  in Abuja, on Tuesday, in her  presentation  at the ongoing public hearing organized by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the non-implementation of the 2015 capital budget.

She, however, explained the Federal Government, in one of its fiscal items, made the extra-budgetary spending under “Emergency Intervention (fuel subsidy crisis),” to end the eight-month long fuel scarcity which started in December 2014 and ended in July 2015.

This came just as the committee queried the finance ministry over N600 billion it  borrowed from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)to finance the payment of salaries and wages, contrary to the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which “provides that money borrowed should be used to fund only capital projects.”

Read More: tribuneonlineng

Billionaire Buys $52 Million Mansion Without Seeing It

Posted on by
Reply

Australian-Chinese billionaire Chau Chak Wing has bought a mansion in Australia for 70 million Australian dollars ($52 million) — the biggest home purchase in Aussie history. And he forked out that huge chunk of change without actually seeing the place.

The estate, named La Mer, used to belong to another billionaire, Australian mogul James Packer.

Chau told the Australian real estate site Domain: “I never saw the [Packer] house. I don’t know who the former owners were.”

Read More: spaces

A Dollar Would’ve Been Exchanged For N500 Without Subsidy- Dangote

Posted on by
1

Media men had a piece of Aliko Dangote last weekend. And when they were done many appreciated why he is one of the richest in the world. In an interactive session with senior editors Dangote discussed state of the nation while explaining some details in his businesses that are geared towards a better life for Nigerians.

On oil subsidy he said,

The issue with subsidy is that government needs to block all loopholes. If there’s no subsidy, it will affect our foreign exchange, we’ll end up buying a dollar at N500, because there’s no VAT on petroleum products. That’s why the import of petroleum products is taking about 30% of our foreign reserve. We just need to make sure that there’s no siphoning of money. The refining business requires volume. If you don’t have a massive volume, there’s no way you’ll make money. Most of the refineries in Africa are running at a big loss. It’s not possible for government officials to successfully manage oil businesses. It’s good enough if they remove the subsidy, but you can check with neighbouring countries like Senegal. If a poor person in Senegal can afford to pay subsidy, why can’t a poor person in Nigeria afford to pay. I think there must be something for the masses, which should be in terms of power, social insurance, good education system, good roads etc.

Read More: vanguardngr

Chinese Company To Fine Workers Who Get Pregnant Without Permission

Posted on by
1

A Chinese company plans to demand its employees seek approval to get pregnant and fine those who conceive a child without permission, reports said, provoking a media firestorm Friday.

“Only married female workers who have worked for the company for more than one year can apply for a place on the birth planning schedule,” read a policy distributed by a credit cooperative in Jiaozuo, in the central province of Henan.

“The employee must strictly stick to the birth plan once it is approved,” it added. “Those who get pregnant in violation of the plan such that their work is affected will be fined 1,000 yuan ($161),” it said.

Read More: punchng

Mark, Ekweremadu Leave NASS Premises Without Convoy, Aides

Posted on by
1

Follwing the valedictory session marking end of the 7th Senate, outgoing Senate President, David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday evening left the premises of the National Assembly without the usual convoy of vehicles.

Also, the two principal officers of the Red Chamber were seen leaving the premises without their usual retinue of aides. Instead, among the several vehicles in their convoys, only a handful of three cars, believed to be their personal cars, followed them outside.

The siren blaring vehicles and motorbikes, usually in their convoys, which were missing as they drove out separately, caught the attention of not just some legislative staff but some of the National Assembly workers who watched as they were moving out, after the formal closing of the legislature.

Read More: vanguardngr