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Osinbajo Must Answer For N5.8b Fraud, Reps Insist

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The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness yesterday offered insight into why it indicted Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the alleged diversion of N5.8 billion meant for emergency intervention in the north east.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Ali Isa J.C., who addressed reporters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, explained that there was no way Osinbajo could be exonerated from the alleged mismanagement of the fund.

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Isa said: “Yes, of course, he (Osinbajo) does have questions to answer. He may have questions to answer because he is the chairman of the governing council of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and he was the acting president that gave the approval.”

To justify his position, he brandished a memo (reference number SH/OVP/DCOS/HMF/010), dated June 1, 2017, which drew the attention of the former finance minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, to an approval for the purchase of 30,905,08 metric tonnes of grains worth N5,036,644,933.26 and the cost for logistics and distribution of the grains put at N829,026,456.

The lawmaker also brandished another memo (HMF/FMF/CBN/FOOD/1/2017) dated June 2, 2017, in which Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, drew the attention of Adeosun, Osinbajo and the Accountant General of the Federation Ahmed Idris to the payment instruction for the aforementioned amount of money.

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He further claimed that in breach of laid down procedure, the money was paid directly to five companies: Dangote Rice Limited (N936.1 million); Golden Agric Input Limited (N1.3 billion); BUA Rice Limited (N1.3bn); WACOT Limited (N453.6 million); and WACOT Limited (N939.9 million) while NEMA received N829 million for the transportation of the goods.

Isa, who insisted the report was not politically motivated, urged anti-graft agencies not to shirk their responsibilities by bringing to book anyone found wanting in the alleged theft.

In a report adopted last week, the House had indicted top government functionaries involved in the approval, processing, release and diversion of the money on the ground that they contravened the provisions of Section 80 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

But a statement by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, criticised the committee’s “conclusion”, describing it as “false and misleading.”

The statement reads in part: “These presidential approvals were well within the clear constitutional authority of the acting president, who needed to take emergency steps to forestall acute food shortages in the affected states and there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about them. The approvals were duly communicated by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Central Bank Governor, Director General of NEMA and the Minister of Finance for implementation.

“On account of the emergency nature of the procurement, the House committee’s assumption that the ordinary rules of procurement would apply was wrong. Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act makes provision for emergency procurement, in which case the procuring entity is allowed to engage in direct contracting for goods and file a report thereafter with the Bureau of Public Procurement.

“It is also wrong to assume that taxes and interests accruable to government from these transactions in food items were deliberately ignored or waived by neglect. Of course, we expect that any loans advanced to any of the companies would be recovered with the agreed interests, and that any profits made by such companies would be liable to tax in the usual manner.

“The suggestion that the grains were never delivered to the target states is also blatant falsehood. In actual fact, in order to ensure effective distribution of the grains, an Emergency Food Intervention Project Team was established, consisting of the Director General of NEMA and representatives of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Department of State Security, Nigeria Police and the Presidency.

“The committee also worked with respective State Emergency Management Agencies, as well as humanitarian agencies such as World Food Programme, International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Deliveries were publicly made directly to the intended beneficiaries.

“In fact, the then acting president personally inspected the electronic truck-tracking unit established in Maiduguri for the purpose of monitoring the transportation and flagged off the food distribution on June 8, 2017. Besides, there was the integration of a robust monitoring and evaluation system into the operation, in order to facilitate a transparent and accountable process.

“Therefore, all insinuations on this matter regarding purported indictments and perceived violations of due process or the constitution are baseless and totally false. Such interpretations are flawed and should be utterly ignored.”

This came as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asked Osinbajo to desist from “juggling figures” and “making false claims about the nation’s debt profile.” Accusing him of “playing to the camera”, the opposition party said: “Osinbajo is challenged to present to Nigerians the empty scorecard of APC’s failed administration, for which President Muhammadu Buhari has now lost his carriage as a leader.”

In a statement by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja yesterday, the PDP claimed “Nigerians are alarmed that Osinbajo, a professor of law, has allowed himself to be turned into a vendor of propaganda and false claims for a corrupt administration now hanging on straws. He is the head of Buhari’s bungling economic team and should therefore, not in anyway, parade himself as if he has no blame at all in the manifest failures of this administration.”

In another development, Mr. Nasiru Ingawa, a one-time special adviser to former governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State on SURE-P, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Katsina how Shema allegedly directed him to use about N5.7 billion state SURE-P (Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme) funds for politics during his tenure.

The adviser testified at the resumed hearing of a fraud case against Shema.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shema is standing trial before the court on a 26-count charge bordering on fraud, in contravention of Section 15(2d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, as amended. The offences are punishable under Section 15 (3) of the Act. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred the charges.

Ingawa told the court that he was the special adviser to Shema on SURE-P from June 2014 to May 2015. He said: “I remember him (Shema) telling me that we were going to use the funds for politics and that we would extract our savings from there.” He said they wrote memos for certain programmes and used half of the money, while the remainder went into savings.

Ingawa also said that the department made direct purchases from which a certain percentage would go into savings. He noted that sometimes, they wrote memos for programmes not implemented at all.

After the evidence, the prosecution counsel, Mr. O. I. Uket, applied for adjournment, which the defence counsel did not object to.

Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari adjourned the case till January 14, 2019, for the continuation of the trial.

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Ondo 2024: Leading Aspirant, Funmi Ayinke Purchases APC Nomination Form

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To further express her passion to serve the people of Ondo state, Engr. (Dr) Olufunmilayo Ayinke-Adekojo, a leading aspirant in the Ondo governorship race has purchased her nomination form today Wednesday, 27th Of March, 2024.

Funmi Ayinke, as she is fondly called among her followers, besieged the APC national headquarters in Abuja to pick up her nomination form, substantiating her interest in the governorship race.

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The race for who becomes the next governor of Ondo state has attracted several politicians in the state including the incumbent governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. While many of them have stepped down, Funmi Ayinke has continued to wax stronger by the day and with the purchase of her nomination form, she has shown that indeed she is capable of becoming the next governor of Ondo state.

Despite being the only recognizable female in the race, Funmi Ayinke has shown great strength, sagacity and credibility; she is truly the candidate to beat in the race.

Speaking at the Party’s Secretariat, Funmilayo, Adekojo expressed confidence that she would win the party’s ticket and would tailor her campaign inline with the guidelines

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She said, “I am confident that I will secure the nomination as the party’s candidate and emerge victorious in the Ondo State Governorship Election. This is an opportune moment for women to showcase their leadership abilities and make a significant impact in politics. With determination and support, I am ready to lead the way and bring about positive change for the people of Ondo State.”

“As a woman, I recognize the importance of representation and diversity in governance. I am committed to amplifying the voices of women and addressing the unique challenges they face. By promoting gender equality and inclusivity, we can build a stronger and more prosperous Ondo State for all its residents.”

“My candidacy symbolizes a shift towards a more inclusive and progressive political landscape. By breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, I aim to inspire future generations of women to pursue their ambitions fearlessly. Together, we can build a brighter future where every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive.”

Adekojo was warmly received, on behalf of the National Working Committee by Alhaji Suleiman Argungu and others.

 

 

 

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PROPHETIC HALL OF FAME: beware of early exit of King Charles, prophet Godwin Ikuru tells Buckingham palace

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Prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, Lagos is one of the great prophets we have in Africa.He has several fulfilled prophecies as God uses him greatly to deliver revelations, prophecies, warnings and spiritual guidance.

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He’s one prophet that God has been using greatly these days;as the mouthpiece and oracle of God,God has given him revelation concerning the Royal House of England,King Charles of England.He said “I see tragedy in the Royal House of England,I don’t see King Charles ruling for long,his health is the major thing that will hamper his reign and bring disaster,he need to work assiduously to combat his health issues if he wishes to spend enough time on earth” .

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Prophetic Hall Of Fame : Prophet Godwin Ikuru Speak Again

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The Senate President Take your times and take good care of your health.

The nation needs you
your family needs you
also friends need you .

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God needs you to deliver the Good Peoples of Nigerians
Almighty God as places a responsibility on your shoulders.

To carry Nigerian through this difficult time ,so you need Divine health to carry your people’s through as a Senate President of Nigeria.

God Bless you .

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PROPHECY!!!

Prophet Godwin Ikuru
General Oversea of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry

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