DasukiGate Case Continues,: No Secret Trial And No Masked Witnesses

The era of Change is bringing sanity to the justice system where fairness and equity would be the order of the day. Hopefully, this trend of sanity would be manifested in all institutions.

In accordance to the report made available from premium times, a Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by the State Security Service, SSS, to use masked witnesses against a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who is on trial for alleged corruption and illegal possession of firearms.

The SSS had asked Justice Adeniyi Ademola to allow the use of masked witnesses against Mr. Dasuki.

But the court dismissed the application.

EFCC detective fails to answer questions on document he tendered against Saraki

According to report by the Cableng, Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday denied knowledge of the contents of a petition he tendered as evidence against Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The petition, which is marked “Exhibit 11″, was written by a group known as Kwara Freedom Network, alleging corruption against Saraki.

While being cross-examined by Kanu Agabi, Saraki’s lead counsel, Wetkas said he was not involved in the investigation of the petition he tendered as evidence at the tribunal.

Dasuki's Gate: Jonathan’s ex-aide Dudafa arrested

Former presidential aide Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa has been arrested, The Nation learnt yesterday. The Nation Newspaper had reported.

The former Senior Special Assistant (Domestic Affairs) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan is to be interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with the investigation into the $2.1billion arms deals.

Sources said he was being grilled last night over $47million and 5.6million Euros (N10 billion) which were withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Another Prank From Senate To Interrupt Saraki’s corruption trial

 According to report from premium times, the Senate had initiated moves to          dislocate Saraki’s corruption trial, summons CCT judge

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions on Monday summoned Danladi Umar, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), who is presiding over Bukola Saraki’s corruption trial.

Mr. Saraki, the Senate President, is facing 13 counts of false assets declaration and fraud before the CCT.

According to The Nation newspaper, Justice Umar‎ was asked to appear before the Committee “unfailingly” by 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Saraki: The Man Who Dug His Own Grave By Osita Chiagorom

At the inception of this administration, the president and the ruling party, APC made it known to all that they don’t need a senate president with excess baggage.

They don’t need a senate president with outstanding corruption cases because they want to maintain a neat leadership devoid of personalities with ongoing corruption cases.

Ordinarily, Senator George Akume was supposed to emerge as the senate president in the sense that he was the senate minority leader when his party(APC) was in the opposition.

With his party coming to power, he was supposed to be automatically elevated to the senate presidency.

U.S. agrees to give Nigeria $480m Abacha family loot

United States has agreed to repatriate to Nigeria about $480million believed to have been stolen by the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha and his family.

But the conditions for the repatriation of the cash and other details are being worked out, The Nation has learnt.

Also, it was learnt that the Department of Justice in the United States now has a Kleptocracy Unit, which will assist to track looted funds and money laundered by public officials from Nigeria and other nations.

Corruption Trial: Senate President Saraki’s Camp In Disarray, Dino Melaye Failed To Appear At Poorly Attended Meeting Of 'Likemind' Senators

Hours after the refusal of the fundamental rights application by Senate President Bukola Saraki to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by a Federal High Court in Abuja, there were signs at the weekend that some of his prominent loyalists within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be retracing their steps.

There were strong indications that they may be opting to support an ongoing move by the leadership of the party to unite the party’s caucus in the national assembly.

Reliable national assembly sources told The Nation yesterday that prior to the judgment delivered by Justice Abdul Kafarati on Friday, some frontline supporters of the embattled Senate President have resolved to withdraw their support for Saraki in his bid to remain in office as Senate President while his trial at the CCT lasts.

2016 Budget Palaver: Heads may roll as Presidency uncovers more infractions

As controversy continues to dog the budget transmitted by the National Assembly to the Presidency for assent, indications emerged last night that President Muhammadu Buhari was still furious with the high level of distortions inflicted on his estimates by the lawmakers.

For that reason, the President is said to be considering measures to deal with those who masterminded the budget infractions, thereby drawing back the hands of his administration. Competent sources said that the President became more

No Man Can Give Power, Dogara tells politicians

Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, has told his fellow politicians that “no one, no matter how powerful he or she is, can give you power”.

According to Turaki Hassan, Dogara’s media aide, the speaker made the remark during a thanksgiving service organised by Jagaba Adams, a Kaduna lawamaker, on Saturday.

“Politicians should put their trust in God because power comes from God, victory comes from God, and no one, no matter how powerful he/she is can give you power,” Turaki quoted him as saying.

Kogi APC Versus The Governor

The Kogi state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has written to John Odigie-Oyegun, the national chairman, vowing never to have anything to do with Yahaya Bello, the governor, again.

They accused Bello of giving power back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through the back door, alleging that all the 45 appointments made so far were from the ousted ruling party.

At the meeting held on Monday and attended by 33 state EXCO members and the 21 LGA party chairmen, the party leaders also alleged that Bello is responsible for the crisis in the house of assembly which has not been able to sit because of a leadership tussle.

Aregbesola Won’t Stop Building Functional, Integrated School System With Modern Facilities By Waheed Adekunle

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reassured the citizens of the state that his administration would remain focused and determined in its efforts at providing quality and quantitative education in the state.

Aregbesola also pledged his government’s commitment to continuously building functional and integrated school system through the provision of modern facilities in all the public schools across the state.

Nigeria Will Pull Trough Without IMF Loan Says Minister of Finance

Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, says Nigeria will overcome its economic challenges “without taking loan facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)”.

According to Festus Akanbi, media aide of Adeosun, the minister made the remark at the ongoing spring meetings of the IMF-World Bank in Washington DC in response to why the government has refused to apply for IMF loans.

Christine Largarde, managing director of IMF, has advised Nigeria to seek help on its economy, saying the organisation is willing to assist.

“Our recommendation is that Nigeria seeks help from the international institutions that can best help… We remain completely available to help,” she had said.

Proof-of-Life Video Credible, Says Shehu Sani

Senator Shehu Sani has thrown his weight behind the CNN proof-of-life video, which showed 15 of the schoolgirls abducted from Chibok town two years ago, saying that the video is credible.

Sani and his colleagues in the Senate had on Thursday demanded updates from the nation’s security agencies on attempts to rescue the girls.

Akinwunmi Ambode, Is Not A Quipster, Is Working!

The Governor of Lagos State (Akinwunmi Ambode ) is turning Lagos to "Eko-wunmi "
Perhaps the images below would convince you:

Chibok Girls Will Never Be Forgotten. Never - VP, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

Today, and till the day they are found, our Chibok girls will never be forgotten and we will do everything possible to bring them home.

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) April 15, 2016

At the roundtable organized by the NSA/Presidency in honour of the Chibok girls we engaged citizens, relevant NGOs & CSOs.

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) April 15, 2016

For President Buhari, his approach to the rescue of our girls is with the urgency of a father, who himself has daughters.

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) April 15, 2016

At every Security Council meeting I have attended, we have deliberated on the safe return of our Chibok girls. pic.twitter.com/FFCVfq9WZR

— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) April 15, 2016

Our Job Is To Support, Not Fight The Executive, Says Speaker Dogara

Speaker Yakubu Dogara and other reps at the palace of Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Olowo of Owo Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Dr. David Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has called on traditional rulers to mobilise their subjects to support the present administration’s change agenda.

Dogara said if Nigeria is to change, the traditional institution must play key role in rallying support from their subjects to support the government.

He spoke at the weekend when he visited the Olowo of Owo Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Dr. David Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi in his palace, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Turaki Hassan.

EkitiGate Continues: We Perfected Ekiti Rigging In Hotel– Aluko

A former Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Dr. Tope Aluko, has said the plot to rig the June 21, 2014 governorship election was perfected inside a hotel barely a week before the poll. 

He alleged that the hotel was owned by the Chief of Staff to Fayose, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, where sensitive materials like ballot papers and result sheets were delivered to PDP chieftains by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Besides, he claimed the Governor Ayodele Fayose’s administration had received the refund of the N5.2bn spent on Ado-Ifaki federal highway by former Kayode Fayemi’s administration. The government has continued to deny receiving refund.

Pres. Putin Praises President Obama

Putin praises Pres. Obama for recognizing his administration had made mistakes in Libya.

Re: Con Coughlin’s April 12 Telegraph Report on Nigeria’s War on Terror

Statement from the Villa (Aso Rock)

Our attention has been drawn to a piece published on April 12, 2016, in The Telegraph (London) paper, by one Con Coughlin (identified as 'Defence Editor'), and titled, ‘Nigeria using UK aid to persecute president's political foes rather to fight Boko Haram.’

The piece is not only full of factual inaccuracies, it also betrays a shocking ignorance of Nigeria and the country’s ongoing war against terrorism.

Mr Coughlin’s editorial tactic is to quote unnamed “senior officials” and “Western diplomats” and “Western officials” and “political opponents” making fact-free and unfounded statements. It also appears that he sought out only those opinions which suited and reinforced his disgracefully false headline. Nowhere in the piece is there anything that suggests he attempted to contact the Nigerian government for its own side of the story.

Pipeline Vandals: Nigeria's Buhari Pledges to Get Tough on Pipeline Attacks

Pipeline attacks and violence have been on the rise in the southern swampland since authorities issued an arrest warrant in January for a former militant leader on corruption charges.

"I hope this message will reach the vandals and saboteurs who are blowing up pipelines and installations. We will deal with them the way we dealt with Boko Haram," Buhari said during a visit to China, referring to jihadists who have been waging an insurgency to set up an Islamic state in the north." he said.

You would recall that Buhari has extended a multimillion-dollar amnesty signed with militants in 2009, but he has upset them by ending generous pipeline protection contracts. The militants, like other Delta residents, demand a greater share of oil revenues.

A word is enough for the wise (and the foolish that don't want to perish suddenly).