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Nigeria’s envoy in Japan congratulates Buhari, others on their country’s independence day

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The Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Ambassador Abubakar Moriki Husaini, congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians in Japan on the occasion of Nigeria’s independence.

According to a statement provided  by the Embassy of Nigeria in Tokyo, Japan, the occasion marks the 61st anniversary of Nigeria-Japan diplomatic relations.

“On the occasion of Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary, I would like to congratulate His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the Government and People of Nigeria, and Nigerians in Japan.”

“I arrived in Tokyo with my family on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, as Nigeria’s new Ambassador to Japan.” Today, October 1, 2021, is Nigeria’s National Day, commemorating the day the country gained independence from its colonial masters. It’s worth noting that today is also the 61st anniversary of Nigeria-Japan diplomatic relations.

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The day is also significant for me because it marks 100 (one hundred) days of my stewardship as the new Head of Mission in the Embassy in Japan. These one hundred days have been eventful for me, despite the constraints imposed by the commendable efforts of Host authorities to combat the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.”

“I presented the Copie d’Usage of my Letter of Credence to the ViceMinister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, July 12th, 2021,” he said. The subsequent presentation of my Letter of Credence to His Majesty Naruhito Emperor of Japan at the Imperial Palace on Friday, August 27th, 2021 marked the official start of my representational duties in Japan.

During my tenure, I assured His Majesty Naruhito of my determination to strengthen and deepen the existing cordial relations between our two countries. I specifically assured him that I would work to strengthen friendly relations between our two countries in areas such as trade, economics, investments, culture, security, and so on.”

He went on, It is also worth noting that in the last hundred days, I have met with the leaders of the Nigerian Union in Japan (NUJ), the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (NCCIJ), and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO). In addition to the briefings I received from officers at the Embassy when I arrived, and my interactions with these organizations, I am pleased to note that the majority of Nigerians residing in Japan are positively projecting the image of Nigeria in the Host country. This has strengthened my resolve to take an active interest in the well-being of Nigerians in Japan. Interestingly, one hundred and forty (140) passports were issued during this time period, and I received no negative feedback from Nigerians who visited the Embassy for passports and consular services.

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“The positive image of Nigeria in Japan was further consolidated by Team Nigeria’s brilliant performance at the recently concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which took place from the middle of July to early September, 2021.” The team was led by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Honourable Sunday Dare, as well as Mr. Nebolisa Anako, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Engr. Habu Gumel, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC). I met with each of the athletes during their camp in Kisarazu City to greet/welcome them, attend to their well-being, address their challenges, and encourage them to perform admirably at the games.

Finally, they made us proud. Athletics, Rowing, Swimming, Basketball (Male & Female), Table Tennis (Male & Female), Taekwondo, Badminton, Wrestling, Canoeing, and Powerlifting were among the ten Olympic sports in which Nigeria competed. We took home two medals from the Games, one silver and one bronze. Following this, the Embassy hosted a reception for the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Ministry officials, NOC officials, athletes, and Olympian medalists. Following that, Nigeria sent twenty-two Paralympians to the Paralympic Games, competing in four sports: Para Table Tennis, Para Powerlifting, Para Athletics, and Para Rowing. Nigeria finished with ten medals, including four gold, one silver, and five bronze.

Regardless of the above-mentioned good news, there is no denying that I took office at a critical juncture in which the coronavirus pandemic had hampered socioeconomic activities and hampered the smooth operation of official engagements. The Embassy has taken a number of steps to ensure compliance with the Covid-19 protocols established by the host government.

” I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Japan for facilitating the vaccination of Embassy officers and staff, as well as for their perseverance in the fight against the dreaded virus.”

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One important conclusion I have reached based on my interactions with government officials in Tokyo during this period of my stewardship is that Japan is keenly interested in strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria by paying more attention to issues that affect our two countries with greater vigour and enthusiasm. I am pleased to report that this period has ushered in a new era in Nigeria-Japan relations.

The Embassy is also firmly committed to this. In this regard, it is my pleasure to report that Nigeria backed Japan’s candidate, Mr. Metoki Masahiko, who was elected as Director-General of the International Postal Union (IPU) on August 25, 2021, following a successful election process.

We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to improving existing bilateral relations in all aspects and in the spirit of reciprocity.

Our visa application policy is liberal enough to attract the business community from Japan to Nigeria. The number of visa applications processed by the Embassy has increased in the last hundred days. During that time, 61 biometric visas were issued. This demonstrates the Japanese business community’s renewed interest in engaging in trade and investment in Nigeria, despite the pandemic.

To express my commitment to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and trade relations with Japan, I met with top government officials and very senior officials from some of the country’s most important organizations. During the meetings, strategic decisions were made. The officials I met with included the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry; the Director General of African Affairs in the Host Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Chief Executive Officer of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO); and many more are on the way, including Toyota Tsusho and Honda’s Chairman.

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“In addition, I attended the NEC Corporation Seminar and met with the Chief Executive Officer of NS JEMICON Company Limited, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and top executives from ITOCHU Corporation and Albanex Company Limited.” This month, I plan to pay a visit to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). On behalf of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, the Embassy participated in the opening of two bids in JICA (NCDC). Indeed, I believe that we will begin to see the fruitful results of our engagements with all of these and other Japanese organizations in due course.”

“It is also worth noting that within the last hundred days, I have paid homage to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the Ambassador of San Marino in Japan; the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps and the Ambassador of Eritrea in Japan; the Dean of the ECOWAS Group and the Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire; and the nine Ambassadors from ECOWAS countries accredited to Japan, in order to register my presence in Japan and seek their cooperation during my tenure.” I had appeared in some Japanese and Nigerian media outlets.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), other electronic and print media in Nigeria, as well as the NIKKEI incorporated Newspaper and “The Japan Times,” are among them. “My response to the various media interviews I granted them explains the clear path I intend to tread to take Nigeria-Japan relations to a new level during my tenure,” he said.

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“In conclusion, I would like to take advantage of our country’s 61st Independence Anniversary to reassure Nigerians living in Japan that the Embassy will continue to prioritize issues concerning their welfare.” I would rely on their support to achieve the goals I have set for myself as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Japan at this time. I also thank the Government and People of Japan, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and all those who sent messages of goodwill to our Embassy on the occasion of Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary.”

EFCC interrogates former Edo Gov Lucky Igbinedion over an alleged N1.6 billion fraud

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Lucky Igbinedion, a former governor of Edo State, was grilled by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives on Thursday over alleged criminal diversion of N1.6 billion in public funds.

According to NAN, the former governor arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, around 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Shortly after leaving office as governor in 2007, Igbinedion was charged and convicted of corruption by the EFCC.

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However, according to a source who was not authorized to speak on the matter, the new investigation was based on new evidence against him.

According to the source, the former governor diverted a loan obtained by the Edo State Government to finance an investment during his tenure in order to settle the financial indebtedness of a company in which he had a stake.

Wilson Uwujaren, the Commission’s spokesperson, confirmed the former governor’s invitation but declined to comment further.

Buni Caretaker Committee should be disbanded, according to concerned APC stakeholders

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The APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee under the leadership of the Yobe State governor, Mallam Mai Mala Buni, has been demanded to be disbanded by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ayo Oyalowo, the group’s leader, told reporters on Thursday that the APC CECPC had failed to achieve its stated goals.

Governor Buni’s CECPC was given a mandate to reconcile aggrieved party chieftains and hold a national convention at an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee in June 2020, according to Oyalowo.
Interim leader Oyalowo claimed that the party’s crisis has worsened as a result of factions and tendencies that have been created by the interim leadership.

“Gentlemen of the press, the Caretaker Committee has conducted what is arguably the worst ward, local government, and state congresses since the formation of the party in 2013,” he told the media. This series of congresses has done the opposite of what it was intended to do: strengthen the party by uniting the party’s disparate factions.

Few days ago, Bauchi State’s delegates to the party’s congress protested at the national headquarters. Furthermore, the party’s attempt to reconcile Oyo State stakeholders was thwarted by a brick wall right in the party headquarters.

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Some other states are also experiencing similar problems due to a lack of trust in the process and an outcome that was designed to benefit certain party members.

One of the clearest signs that Caretaker Committee failed is the outcome of Anambra State’s gubernatorial election. However, despite the fact that the APC came in third place in an election it had every chance of winning, it would have been an incredible feat had Senator Andy Uba, the APC’s candidate, performed better than he did, given that the party’s ideals are so different from those of Senator Uba’s.

Group members urged President Muhammadu Buhari to dissolve the APC CECPC and form a “new committee whose task will be to immediately conduct the National Convention.”

Investigation into $15 billion Petro Union fraud resumes in Lagos

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The ongoing high-level criminal trial in the alleged Petro Union fraud case is set to resume on November 15 at a Lagos Federal High Court. According to the court’s hearing notice, the trial court will hear the case exclusively over two days in the first instance.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the case in March 2020 against Petro Union Oil and Gas Limited (Petro Union), its financial consultant, and four of its directors – Abayomi Kukoyi (trading as Gladstone Kukoyi & Associates), Prince Kingsley Okpala, Prince ChidiOkpalaeze, and Prince Emmanuel Okpalaeze. The defendants and the firm are facing a thirteen-count charge on various criminal counts ranging from conspiracy to obtaining by false pretenses, forgery, and fraud brought by the anti-graft agency on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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Previous hearings have revealed what appears to be a brazen attempt by the accused to use Nigeria’s justice system to sustain and validate corrupt practices. Key prosecution witnesses testified about how the company and its directors allegedly plotted and conspired to defraud the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So far, eight witnesses have testified before the court, including a former finance minister, a senior CBN officer, and an ex-Union Bank UK employee.

The Ministry concluded that what was needed was for the Ministry to remind the Petro Union that the CBN does not require the mandate of the Minister of Finance before such foreign capital could be imported into Nigeria because it was not public funds. She concluded her testimony by stating that the Ministry was unable to confirm the existence of the funds mentioned in Petro Union’s letter.

Mr. Olugbemileke Akinyemi Akinwunmi, another key witness who works for the Central Bank of Nigeria in Abuja as a Principal Manager in charge of domiciliary accounts and the management of inflows into the Revenue Account, told the Court that he was tasked with compiling a series of records relating to correspondence between the CBN and Petro Union.

When explaining international transfers, he stated that all outflows from the CBN go through a platform called SWIFT, and that all processes must pass through this platform in order for payments to be processed, and that there must be a Correspondence Bank for the inflow in order for payments to be processed. He also explained to the Court that the CBN serves two types of clients: Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on the one hand, and Banks and other financial institutions on the other. He stated unequivocally that, aside from these two types of customers, the CBN does not keep individual accounts and is not involved in the receipt of funds into Nigeria for private transactions.

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He claimed to have seen a copy of a statement purportedly presented by Petro Union as the account statement of a company called Goldmatic Limited. He confirmed that no company with that name exists in CBN’s records after reviewing the statement. The company is clearly a limited liability company based on the name, and CBN does not keep accounts for such entities.

Mr. Walter Mbah, now retired, worked for Union Bank from October 1971 to March 2009, and had the opportunity to work at the Union Bank London Branch between 2000 and 2001. He told the Court that in 2001, Union Bank’s London branch received a request from the bank’s head office in Lagos to confirm a cheque for GBP2,556,000,000. As is customary, the London Branch requested confirmation of the cheque from Barclays Bank. Barclays Bank responded by letter, stating that the account on which the cheque was drawn had been closed since 1989.

Mbah testified that, while Union Bank was unable to locate a copy of the letter sent to Barclays Bank, the bank still had a copy of the response. The response from Barclays Bank was tendered and admitted into evidence by the Court.

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When the criminal trial resumes on Monday, November 15, 2021, it is expected that the prosecution will have completed its case and the defense will have begun its case either immediately or at the next adjourned date.

Kenyan envoy decries stagnation of intra-African trade

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Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Wilfred Machage has decried the stagnation of intra-African by 15% in the last few years compared to the levels in Europe and Asia which stands at about 69 and 59 percent respectively.

Dr. Machage made the remarks Wednesday, in Lagos while delivering a keynote address at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair.

He noted that the time is ripe to make the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from a dream into a reality by stimulating intra-African trade.

Ambassador Marchage further indicated the interest of Kenya in working closely with Nigeria in the field of Tourism and Hospitality.

“We have rich experiences especially in eco-tourism and beach tourism where we could partner with Nigeria in terms of exchange programmes.

“Last year alone, 14, 918 Nigerians visited Kenya which is an encouraging number, on our part now we are looking at how to increase this number by working with our partners in organizing promotional activities like this one of today.
“We shall also collaborate with tour operators and other relevant stakeholders to enhance visitor experiences in Kenya.” He added.

He noted that Kenya ranks fourth in terms of the total number of global visitors to Africa, after Seychelles and Mauritius with South Africa on the lead.

“Last year alone Kenya in spite of the challenging context of COVID 19, Kenya received over 500,000 visitors who chose Kenya as their preferred leisure and travel destination.

“For us in Kenya, our economy is an agro-based economy and tourism comes number second as the source of our foreign exchange earnings hence the government has deliberated invested heavily in the development of tourism industry in Kenya.

“As a sign of commitment in making Tourism industry more vibrant, Kenya has developed the National Tourism Blueprint (NTB) 2030 that is geared towards guiding and accelerating the development of the tourism sector in the country.

“The strategy has key enablers, such as the growth of air strategy and development of modern Meetings, International Conference and Exhibition (MICE) facilities that will spur growth of tourism in the whole continent. These enablers, if well-developed in collaboration with other member countries, will accelerate the growth of tourism in the African Continent.”

Kenya’s favourable business environment and strong economy he said, has allowed many companies to reduce operation costs and thus growing their profit margin.

Dr Marchage commended the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its active and credible role as the sole leading private sector in advocating for improved business environment as well as interfacing business groups and partners with the Nigeria counterparts.

The Fair with the theme: “Connecting Business, Creating Value’’ is hosting over 200 foreign exhibitors from several countries across the world and approximately 500,000 visitors participating.

In Osun, 48-year-old farmer was hospitalized after police officer dragged his motorcycle into a gutter

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Kazeem Amzat, 48, was hospitalized after a police officer in Osun dragged him and his son, Afeez, on a motorcycle in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday in the Owo-Eba, Oke-Ijetu area of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

The officer was one of the officers from the state CID stationed at the checkpoint in Owo-Eba.

Amzat, a plank vendor, has a bone fracture in his left leg. It was also reported that after the incident, some enraged youths in the area attacked and injured the police officer.

Amzat described his experience on a hospital bed, saying he was riding his motorcycle to his farm in Apara village, Atakunmosa East Local Government, with his son.

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He went on to say that along the way, he told his son, who was riding the motorcycle, to take a detour to meet a welder who had been working for him on a building when a police officer appeared and pointed a gun at them.

Amzat went on to say that the police officer dragged the motorcycle with his son while it was in motion, and they both fell into a gutter.

“There’s a checkpoint in front, and the welder’s shop is around the corner before the checkpoint.” The cop was on the opposite side of the street from his colleagues. He just appeared and pointed a gun at us on the side of the road; I and my son were terrified; he dragged us into the gutter, where my leg was broken.

“He began begging, and one of his coworkers promised to take care of me at any cost.” They escorted me to the hospital, and I haven’t seen them since. Some officers from the command have arrived to check on me.

Further investigation revealed that the welder and vulcanizer had been arrested and had not been released at the time of filing this report.

Attempts to contact the Osun command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to her went unanswered.

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In August 2020, a 20-year-old fashion designer, Ayomide Taiwo, was brutalized with the butt of a gun by a police officer over a N50 bribe, and he died after six days in a coma at the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, where he was receiving treatment.

In another incident that same year, in September, a 21-year-old apprentice named Idris Ajibola was chased to death by men from the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Osogbo.

Ganduje Launches White Paper Committees for Tertiary Institutions

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Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano State, has inaugurated white paper drafting committees for Tertiary Institutions in the state as part of the successful implementation of the Visitation Panels’ reports.

The White Paper Drafting Committees/Technical Committees have been given two weeks to submit their reports.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Abba Anwar, the event occurred on Wednesday during the State Executive Council Meeting, which was held at Africa House, Government House, Kano.
The committees’ terms of reference include studying the Visitation Panels’ reports on their assigned institutions and advising the government on the various recommendations. And to do so within two weeks of the date of the inauguration.

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“You have been appointed because of your capacity, capability, and knowledge of the system,” Ganduje said.

According to the statement, Barrister M.A. Lawan, the state Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, serves as the Legal Advisor and Chairman of the committee at Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil. Members include Zainab Braji and Prof Shehu Usman Aliyu. Dr. Tijjani Rufa’i Buhari is also a member and the committee’s Secretary.

Barrister Ibrahim Mukhtar, state Commissioner of Commerce, serves as the Legal Advisor and Chairman of the Committee at Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (YUMSUK). Members will be Dr Muhammad Dahiru Shehu and Prof Yusuf Bala Daraja. Dr. Muhammad Lawan Farouq is also a member of the committee and its Secretary.

The committee is chaired by Prof. Abdurrashid Garba, former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Bayero University, Kano, and former Executive Secretary, National Examination Council (NECO). Fatima Binta Salihu and Barrister A.S. Aikawa are members. Dr. Jamila Aminu is also a member and the committee’s Secretary.

Arch The committee assigned to Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso is chaired by Ibrahim G. Kabara, a retired Permanent Secretary. Barr Aminu ‘Yargaya and Sa’ad Farouq are members. Ibrahim B. Garko is also a member and the committee’s Secretary.

The committee sent to Kano State College of Education and Preliminary Studies is chaired by retired Permanent Secretary Hossam Musa Kari. Barr A.A. Gadanya and Prof Zafar Salim are members of the committee. Dr. Mahmoud Zubair is a member of the committee as well as its Secretary.

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The committee sent to Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies is chaired by Ibrahim Sagagi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Governments. Barrister Mustapha Nuruddeen Mohammed is the committe’s Legal Advisor and a member. Ahmad Yahaya is a member as well. Dr. Sani Haruna, who is a member, will also serve as Secretary.

The committee, which was sent to Audu Bako College of Agriculture, is chaired by Dr Binta Umar Bala, a Permanent Secretary with the state Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. Barrister Musa Dahuru, who will serve as Legal Advisor and a member, and Dr Ali Na’ibi, who is a member, are the other members. Dr. Umar Mato, who will serve as Secretary, is also a member.

The committee sent to RMK College of Advanced and Remedial Studies, Tudunwada, is chaired by Lauratu Ado Diso, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education. Barrister Abdullahi Salisu Marmara will serve as Legal Advisor and a member, as will Prof Aminu Ahmad. Hajara Muhammad Tahar is the Secretary and a member of the committee.

Barrister Mahmoud Balarabe, Executive Chairman of the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, will serve as Legal Advisor and Chairman of the Technical Review Committee (TRC) for the Draft White Papers. Dahiru Adda’u, Fulani Sarki, Abba Mustapha Dambatta, and Dr Lawan Shehu Abdulwahhab are also members. While Abdullahi Balarabe will be the Secretary and a member.

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“The Committee shall consider the report of the Draft White Paper Committees for the eight Visitation Panels and ensure that they are in tandem with the prevailing laws and policies of the government, before presentation and onward transmission for the Visitor’s (Governor’s) approval,” according to the Terms of Reference of the Technical Review Committee.

“Within 14 days of the date of inauguration, the Committee shall complete the assignment and submit a report.”

 political solution to Nnamdi Kanu, Igboho is possible – Nigerian govt

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The Nigerian government has stated that it is open to all options, including a political solution, to resolve the crisis surrounding separatist agitations in the country’s south east and south west.

Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, gave the indication in an interview with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

The AGF, while stating that criminal acts would not go unpunished, also stated that the government has been using the amnesty policy to address some security issues in the country, and thus the possibility of a political solution cannot be ruled out.

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Malami also discussed the current dispute between the federal government and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), as well as the international arbitration involving Nigeria and Process and Industrial Development (P& ID) company on the one hand, and Sunflower firm on the other, over the Mambila power projects.

When asked if the federal government is open to a political solution to the cases of Kanu and Igboho, as suggested by some leaders and other stakeholders in the country, Malami stated that while such consideration is not yet on the table, he would not mind taking a shot at it once there is a plan in place.

“In terms of the security situation and governance and this administration, you cannot rule out all possibilities,” he said, adding, “but then there has to be an approach for government to consider.”

He did, however, explain that he cannot be preemptive at this point by stating unequivocally and unequivocally that reconciliation is being considered in the absence of an approach.

According to him, the government “will look into it for the purpose of looking at its weight, the authenticity of it, the good faith associated with it, and then bring about the significant factors relating to the negotiations or otherwise.”

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“As a result, it is not a conclusion that can be reached without juxtaposing related facts pertaining to the reconciliation.” There must be an approach followed by a counter-consideration.”

Malami added that no approach in that regard is currently under consideration, but it is something the government may consider when the time comes.

“As a result, no approach in that regard is currently on the table for consideration.” So we’ll cross the bridge when we get there; if a similar request is made, we’ll think about it,” he said.

While the federal government is fighting to extradite Igboho from Benin Republic to face criminal charges in Nigeria, it is also fighting to extradite Nnamdi Kanu from Nigeria.

Kanu and Igboho have both been at the forefront of separatist movements in Nigeria.

In new charges filed against Kanu last month at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, the government accused him of wilful destruction of lives and property, as well as attacks on security operatives and government infrastructure in Nigeria’s south east.

Some leaders from the two geopolitical zones, however, have called for a political solution to the crisis.

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Malami chastised the governors for “aprobating and reprobating at the same time” over the payment of fees to contractors who allegedly assisted the 36-state government in recovering excess deductions from the account during the payment of Paris Club loans.

He explained that the governors cannot come to deny a liability in 2021 after consenting to it and making multiple payments.

While arguing that the federal government is obligated to obey court orders and carry out court judgment executions, he claimed that the governors’ current litigation over the payment of consultancy services fees was belated.

“As I previously stated, the contested judgment was issued in 2013, and it was a consent judgment in which ALGON and the governors forum agreed to a judgment.”

“So what judgment are you talking about in 2021 in light of the fact that they consented to the judgment in 2013, in light of the fact that they have been effecting payment as far back as 2013, in light of the fact that they have written in their right, under their respective hands, committing to the payment of this consultancy fee we are discussing?”

“So I think it is logical for everyone to see that they were indeed submissive and in agreement, and that they conceded and consented to a judgment that created the liability they are now complaining about.”

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“They probated at some point in 2013 by submitting to judgment and then effecting payment over time.” Indeed, among the claims relating to the Paris Club that have been presented to the federal government over time is one relating to consultancy fees.

“So they’re doing the equivalent of approving and reprobating at the same time, conceding in 2013, and objecting in 2021.”

He denied having any relationship with the contractors or having any personal interest in keeping the federal government safe from unnecessary liabilities.

According to him, because the federal government was made a party to the suit, the federal government’s assets could be seized to pay the debt.

“As far as payment is concerned, the Attorney General’s office is not involved in any way.”
But the fact remains that judgments are meant to be enforced, and you are not expected to be speculative about the enforcements.

“When an award was made against Nigeria in the case of P&ID, we went to a court of law to have the enforcement proceedings set aside.”
Only after the proceedings were adjourned did we have a reprieve in terms of ensuring that no federal government asset was attached.

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“So the fact that they are in court, belatedly, again against the backdrop of having three months within which to appeal against the 2013 judgment, which they kept sleeping from 2013 until 2021, makes it illogical that they expect the federal government, or perhaps any institution of government confronted with a judgment and order of the court, to await their belated approach to court, which is indeed forum shopping.”

He also clarified that, in response to complaints from governors at the time, the administration enlisted the help of the EFCC and DSS to authenticate the project, as well as what was done and how much was spent.

According to Malami, the total judgment debt is estimated to be around $3.2 billion, of which the governors not only agreed to pay but have also been making payments until recently.

Resignation of Enugu Commissioner Causes Upheaval

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Despite what appears to be a voluntary resignation, Dr. Victor Nnam, former Commissioner of Lands and Urban Development in Enugu State, has been heavily criticized by groups and individuals for being arrogant, unfriendly, and corrupt, among other things.

Some government agencies, organized labor unions, and others have criticized the former commissioner, who resigned his position in a letter dated October 29, 2021, in response to the news of his resignation.
The Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, ESUT-TH, organized labor groups such as the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), the Trade Union Council, (TUC), the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE), a former local government chairman in the state, and others have reportedly described the former Commissioner as arrogant and unfriendly.

“Nnam should bury his head in shame and seek God’s forgiveness in all the land scams he allegedly committed that culminated in his forced resignation,” according to NULGE officials in Enugu state. The Labour Union, on the other hand, insisted that the investigation by security agencies into Nnam’s alleged takeover of the Union’s developed plot in Independence Layout Enugu be completed conclusively and that appropriate measures be taken.

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NULGE, through its State President, Comrade Kenneth Ugwueze, reacted to Nnam’s sudden resignation by saying the union was still skeptical that Nnam, who allegedly tormented NULGE using land grabbing agents and refused to listen to its cries, would write a resignation letter using the words ‘diligently’ and ‘Conscience.’

“If the aforementioned letter truly came from him, he should investigate the true meaning of diligent, which may also be referring to a guilty conscience.”

According to Ugwueze, the former administration of Governor Sullivan Iheanacho Chime allotted NULGE a plot of land in Independence Layout, Enugu, alongside other professional bodies such as the Nigeria Society of Engineering, Enugu State Branch, and a few individuals, in 2012, for the construction of its permanent State secretariat, which also serves as the zonal office for the South East.

“We have had ownership of the land for many years, with significant work being done on it, until recently (July 2021) when the land grabbing agent of the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development allegedly appeared, claiming ownership of all the lands belonging to Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Nigeria Society of Engineering, and two other individuals (with erected buildings) without any prior notice.”

“We wrote to Enugu State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, pleading for assistance, as the governor is also aware of our ownership of the land.” While the security agencies were still investigating and preparing preliminary reports, the Commissioner hurriedly tendered his resignation letter to avoid being fired because his guilty conscience was staring him down, claiming to be in the hospital for some time.

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‘If grabbing people’s land without due process is diligent work done by his affected officers and his version of ‘World Best Practices in Land Administration,’ then he should blame himself for the act and seek forgiveness from God and the many groups and individuals he has subjected to untold hardship and dehumanisation through his “Diligence.”

“It is absurd for the former Commissioner to write such a letter of resignation when the investigation is still ongoing and those his senior officers were only redeployed to allow for proper investigation of his Ministry, which has been in the public domain, including but not limited to several invitations by the Enugu State House of Assembly.” “As a result, we demand that the investigation by the security agencies be completed so that justice can be served,” Ugwueze demanded.

Similarly, Mr. Chukwudi Ezinwa, a former Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government Area in Enugu State, had raised concerns long before the Commissioner threw in the towel. Ezinwa accused Nnam of failing to act diligently in his capacity as Commissioner in charge of his Ministry in an alleged brazen act of corruption and fraudulent activities of his Heads of Department, particularly as contained in a petition dated 25/5/2021 brought by him with the expectation that Nnam would set up a panel of inquiry or committee to look into his complaint involving the de jure deprivation of his property, Plot 318, New GRA, Trans – Ekulu, Enugu.”

“Prior to the petition dated May 25, 2021, and while still in office, I had instructed my lawyers to write to the Commissioner in respect of my missing file and land documents at the Ministry of Lands, but none of the petitions saw the light of day as my land documents and all letters written to the Ministry were claimed and actually found to be missing,” Ezinwa explained.

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“This was ostensibly orchestrated by a female Director who was instrumental in my ordeal and whose relative with the same surname was discovered to have been issued with a Certificate of Occupancy in 2014 over a property I purchased from one Prince Onyeka Onyia in 2008.” In 2006, the said Prince Onyeka Onyia was granted Allocation of the said Plot 318, New GRA.

“However, prior to my transaction with Prince Onyeka Onyia, I conducted a search at the Lands Registry and discovered that the Allocation was genuine and the land was free of encumbrances.”

“Following that, I fenced the property and installed a gate, and built a 4-bedroom bungalow, a gate man’s house, and a fishpond on the property that has remained uncontested to this day.”

“The final straw was when I decided to apply for the Certificate of Occupancy of the property and discovered, to my utter surprise and shock, that they had altered every document pertaining to the property and labeled FAKE.”

“So, my concern is how the Certificate of Occupancy was issued to one Jimmy Ugwu without the due process of visiting the property to see the level of development made by me, and who gave consent for the Certificate of Occupancy to be given to Jimmy Ugwu, etc.” These and other concerns were raised in my petition to the Commissioner, who refused to conduct an investigation to solve the mystery, which did not sit well with me.\

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“The Commissioner’s failure to act diligently on my complaint about the unscrupulous, unwholesome, corrupt, and fraudulent activities of his top staff should be viewed as either a pretentious weakness or veiled connivance and collusion with such staff.” It’s no surprise that the Commissioner became uneasy and resigned quickly, citing the Governor’s removal of his professional HODs. “Are they indeed professional HODs, or are they not professional corrupt practitioners?”

“The embattled ex-Commissioner claimed that Plot 318 New GRA was assigned to one Jimmy Ugwu on November 14, 1995, and that he received C of O on January 7, 2014. For those with keen eyes, the administration of Governor Chimaraoke Nnamani, which took office in 1999, carved out New GRA. Despite this, the land was allotted in 1995.

He claimed that “The C of O” was issued 19 years later, from 1995 to 2014. Who is deceiving whom? Meanwhile, in 2008, I took possession of the Virgin Land. The commissioner also lied about Jimmy Ugwu’s development of the land. This is a piece of land that I developed and still own. Who exactly is Jimmy Ugwu? Our investigation reveals that there is no one like that. And, if he exists, why hasn’t he shown his face in all of this?”

Dr. Josef Umunnakwe Onoh, Chairman of Enugu Municipal Development Authority, alleged abuse of office, land racketeering, illegal subdivision, nepotism, and acts detrimental to the ministry of lands and the Enugu State government in a strongly worded letter of complaint also sent to the Governor by the son of a former Governor of Enugu State, Chief C.C. Onoh, titled “Before it is too late.”

He stated unequivocally that he has reservations about developments in the Ministry Lands under Dr. Nnam’s supervision, and he drew the attention of the government to what he described as “activities detrimental to the current administration being orchestrated by Commissioner Nnam.”

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He also claimed that he (Nnam) appointed a fraudulent crony as his personal assistant, who brazenly engaged in scouting, illegal subdivision, sale, and laundering of funds derived from the illegal sale of land on behalf of the Commissioner within Enugu Urban division, and that upon receipt of his letter, the Commissioner quickly backdated the termination paper of his Assistant after learning of their fraudulent activities.

Furthermore, in an earlier letter to the Commissioner dated March 12, 2029, Dr. Onoh claimed that he committed a criminal breach of trust, cheating and conspiracy, and abuse of office.

He requested information and clarifications regarding unauthorised “Carve out” plots within Enugu Metropolis, contract awards to companies in which the Commissioner has a vested interest, and the unwarranted sale of government land by his designated agents on Golf Avenue in Enugu.

Apparently unfazed, Nnam stated that he expected his abrupt resignation to ruffle feathers in a variety of Enugu State circles. The former commissioner stated in his defense of the NULGE case, “The issue of NULGE is already a matter that is in court with suit No E/658 in the High Court of Enugu State.” There are some things that cannot be said because it is already a subject of litigation, but NULGE, as far as I am aware from all of the documents in the ministry, does not have any title to the land.

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Nnam responded to Chukwudi Ezinwa’s claim, saying, “it is laughable that Ezinwa left his issue that started way back in the previous administration and accepted to be used by known land grabbers to look for ways to drag me.”

“Let me state unequivocally that I have no beef with the Governor. I only have issues with a few people in government making unfair decisions against innocent civil servants. “The governor is still my boss, and I will be eternally grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to serve,” he added.

Bauchi health workers demand govt to implement consolidated salary structure

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The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has urged the Bauchi State government to fully implement the state’s Consolidated Salary Structure for medical and health workers.

The call was made by the union’s national president, Comrade Biobelomeye Joy Josaya, on Wednesday during the union’s North-East zonal meeting in Bauchi.

Josaya, who was represented by the union’s national treasurer, Comrade Auwal Kyawa, stated that medical and health workers needed to be motivated to do their best in healthcare delivery because of the critical services they provide in society.

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Comrade Dauda Shuaibu, state chairman of the MHWUN, also spoke, explaining that the meeting was an opportunity for members to interact with government officials as part of efforts to improve industrial harmony and the union’s relationship with the state government.

He stated that the government and labor should meet on a regular basis to solicit opinions and views from MHWUN members on how to ensure effective health care delivery.

Shuaibu blasted state auditors for tampering with negotiated health-care allowances without consultation or recourse to a roundtable discussion.

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In his remarks, the state Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna, stated that the Bauchi State government prioritized the health sector and promised that his office would work to implement the consolidated salary structure for medical and health workers.

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