Court sacks Gov. Ikpeazu of Abia, orders INEC to issue Ogah C of R

A Federal High Court in Abuja, has ordered Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia to vacate his office immediately.
The Judge, Justice Okon Abang, gave the order when he delivered a judgment in a case instituted by Samson Ogah of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday in Abuja.
Ogah had accused Ikpeazu of submitting false information in his tax clearance certificate to the party during the governorship primaries in the state.

Okezie Ikpeazu sacked as Governor of Abia by Federal High court

Abang ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Ogah as the duly elected governor of Abia.
He said the court relied on the Supreme Court decisions in the case of Obi vs INEC and Ameachi vs INEC to make the consequential order.
The court said that Ogah, a PDP gubernatorial aspirant in 2015 election in Abia, was entitled to the certificate of return in the election held in April 2015.
``It is hereby ordered that INEC, the third defendant should immediately issue certificate of return to Dr. Samson Ogah as governor of Abia state in the election held in 2015 and restore to him all the entitlements as the elected governor of Abia.
``Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is hereby ordered to vacate office as governor of Abia immediately relying on the decision of the Supreme Court in INEC vs Obi,’’ he held.

Abang held that the tax clearance certificate and income tax receipts submitted by Ikpeazu were unknown to the law and made him ineligible to contest the poll.

He held that the 2011 tax clearance certificate and income tax receipt submitted to INEC before the 2014 PDP primaries contained false information.
The court said that Ikpeazu’s appointment letter as General Manager, Abia Passenger Integrated Scheme on July 18, 2011 spelt out his salary and entitlements.
``Going by the appointment letter, Ikpeazu would have worked for Abia Passenger Integrated Scheme for five months 12 days.
``The earnings of the second defendant based on the letter of appointment by single calculation in 2011 for five months 12 days is N493 or N546, 669 if not assigned government vehicle.
``The tax payment submitted by the second defendant didn't reflect this figure,’’ the court held.
Abang further held that the tax certificate indicated the gross earnings of Ikpeazu for 2011 to be N1.14 million and the income tax was assessed on this figure.
He also held that the date on the tax receipt filed by the governor was on a Saturday, adding that Saturday, even in Abia was a public holiday.
The court said that Ikpeazu did not file his tax clearance in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and that all payments he made preceding the 2014 primaries were made in one day and not as and when due.
Abang held that Ikpeazu perjured when he said that he had fulfilled all the requirements to contest the 2015 elections.
This, he said, was because he had failed to provide a tax clearance certificate that was known to the law.
He added that the governor was not qualified to be the candidate of the PDP in the primaries of 2014 and was also not qualified to be fielded as the candidate for the 2015 election.
He held that Ogah was the qualified candidate to contest as the candidate of the PDP for the 2015 election and his name ought to have been forwarded to INEC as the PDP candidate.
He said that Ikpeazu did not win the PDP primaries as he was not eligible or qualified to contest the poll.
He also awarded N100, 000 cost in favour of Ogah. (NAN)

We're working hard to restructure Nigeria's battered economy - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is working very hard to restructure the Nigerian economy, battered by several years of mismanagement.

A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari stated this in Abuja on Monday while receiving the Chief Global CEO of Unilever, Mr Paul Polman.

President Buhari

The statement quoted the President as saying that Nigeria is paying dearly for the incompetent management of the massive revenue that accrued to the nation from oil.

It also quoted Buhari as saying that the country was particularly paying dearly for over a decade's decay of critical infrastructure.

''We refused to save for the rainy day. Now the rain is beating us.

``No money, no savings, nothing. And we are thoroughly wet from the rains," he said.

President Buhari said Nigeria was paying the price for turning itself into a mono-economy.

He, however, assured that the country would soon be able to feed its citizens and even export, given his administration's focus on the development of the agriculture sector.

He assured that the Federal Government would fast-track the implementation of strategies to ease doing business and to attract more investors to Nigeria.

``We want to create jobs, and supporting manufacturing is one way to do it.

``As soon as we have stabilised our budget, I would personally be interested in the manufacturing sector, particularly in the generation of essential raw materials,’’ the President said.

The Chief Global CEO of Unilever had told the President that the conglomerate had been in Nigeria for 93 years, making it the oldest manufacturing concern in the country.

``Our products are more Nigerian than other Nigerian brands.

``Despite the economic downturn, there are opportunities to further advance our business here.

``The situation to invest and continue to invest here is very encouraging," he said.

According to Polman, Unilever has invested at least N15 billion in Nigeria in the past three years.(NAN)

Stage set for construction of Delta Commercial City

·          DTSG Signs MoU with development partners

 Delta State Government on Monday, [27-06-16] signed a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] with Development Partners to set the stage for the construction of the Delta Commercial City project in Asaba even as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa assures of government’s commitment to boost infrastructural development in the state.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Okowa who said that Deltans were desirous of development said his government would provide the enabling environment for infrastructural development to thrive. 

Governor Okowa with President of D'Arcano, sergio D'Arcano and the
company's managing director, Noise  Massogvi at the MOU signing in
Government House, Asaba. 

He stressed that the Delta Commercial City would not only provide employment for the people of the state but also bring development to the state.

Chief Ovie Agas, Secretary To The State Government, signed the MoU on behalf of the state government and witnessed by Governor Okowa along with other members of the state Executive Council, while Messrs. Moise Nassogui of D’Arcano Group and Olawole Rhodes-Vivour, Al HUDA Nig. Limited signed on behalf of the Development Partners.

Governor Okowa with Mr. Olawale Rhodes-Vivour, Al Huda at the MoU
signing also in Asaba.

 “The process of the Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] is heart-warming as everyone is eager to get the project started, Deltans are eager to see development in the state, we are convinced the time for the Delta Commercial City is now, as we are building a city for the future today.”, the governor said, adding: “I want to assure you of government’s commitment and support to enable the project spring up as soon as possible, government will provide all the enabling environment especially security for the project to thrive”.

Okowa assured the Development Partners that the project “is an economic plus as it is located in a prime area and will attract a lot of businesses,” pointing out that the economic gains to both the state and its Development partners can’t be quantified.

In his remarks, Mr. Kingsley Emu, Chairman, Steering Committee for the project, said that with the signing of the MoU, the process to kick start the development of the project would be activated and the Special Project Vehicle [SPV] would be put in place.

 He assured that the project worth several millions of dollars has great economic prospects for the state and investors.

Messrs. Moise Nassogui of D’Arcano Group and Olawole Rhodes-Vivour, Al HUDA Nig. Limited on their part, said the Delta Commercial City was a project which would pivot the development of the state promising due diligence in the delivery of this project.

Ekiti NASS caucus to Buhari: Stop intimidating Fayose,

Members of the National Assembly in the Senate and House of Representatives from Ekiti State have, elected to support Governor. Mr. Ayo Fayose in his current confrontation with the Federal Government.

President Buhari

The lawmakers under the umbrella of the Ekiti State Caucus at the National Assembly cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against allowing itself to be used to intimidate or harass Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State by the Federal government.

The caucus unequivocally condemned the freezing of the bank accounts belonging to the governor by the commission, describing it as absolutely illegal, and an affront to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The statement, issued on Sunday and signed on behalf of the caucus by the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the freezing of the bank accounts belonging to Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose by the EFCC and we wish to state that the actions violates the constitution of Nigeria, which conferred immunity on the governor and the EFCC Act, which mandates the commission to obtain a valid court order before bank accounts of anyone can be frozen.

Governor Fayose

“It is trite that the condition precedent to be fulfilled by the EFCC to fully exercise its powers as enshrined in section 34(1) of the EFCC Act, with effect to the freezing order on banks and other financial Institutions was not met. Ditto for the fact that for the court to make such an order, there must be papers (Court Process) filed in court and signed by a Judge.

"By the provision of section 308(1) (a) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), no suit can be instituted against any sitting Governor in any court in Nigeria. Therefore, no process of the court can be
issued, signed or served against Mr. Ayodele  Fayose, being a sitting governor. Knowing fully well that the import of section 308 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), is principally to avert unnecessary distraction of any sitting governor and other beneficiaries of that section.

"As much as we are not against the anti – corruption crusade of the government or the investigation of corruption persons by the EFCC, we urge the anti-corruption agency to carry out its functions without political interference from any quarters, while the Federal government on its part, must eschew all actions capable of destabilizing the peace of any state, or threaten our nascent democracy."

Source Whirlwindnews.com

Akinyemi speaks on implications of Britain’s exit from EU

·         Says it’s spur for Nigeria’s breakup

·         Weapon for Biafra, separatist agitators to drive ambitions

President Muhammadu Buhari, would now have to find an effective talisman, to prevent the breakup of Nigeria, beyond his iron-fist strategy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, said, Friday night.

Reviewing the circumstances that saw Britain exit the European Union, the renowned diplomat, argued that agitators for the state of Biafra, Niger Delta separatist entities in Nigeria and other parts of the world have been handed a strong weapon to drive their ambitions.

Prof. Akinyemi

Akinyemi, who was a guest on Channels Television 10 O’clock News, told his host that Britain had actually set a bad example that would have a domino effect across the world, blaming the Prime Minister, David Cameron for the development.

Denouncing the Prime Minister for putting such a delicate matter in the hands of those who hardly understood the issues, rather than a more sophisticated body like the parliament, he said the world had grown beyond such elementary democracy.  

“The world has grown beyond elementary democracy, where everything must be taken to the people whether they understand the issue or not. Rather, what we now have is representative democracy, where the people elect others to think for them,” he said.

Explaining the import of the development on Nigeria, he said that only a deft move by Buhari, would prevent the disintegration of Nigeria, due to increased agitation from separatist groups that would now be pointing to the British example and building their case therefrom.

Incidentally, he spoke minutes after the President himself, hailed the British Prime Minister, for his decision to respect the will of the people.

Even though he said he was saddened that Cameron, would be exiting government in the way he did, Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Garuba Shehu, said his resignation in response to the outcome of a referendum that supported Britain to leave the European Union “was a demonstration of courage by a democratic leader who respects the will of the people, even if he didn’t agree with their decision.”

He noted that by ‘‘putting the will of the people before his political future, the Prime Minister proved himself to be a selfless leader with respect for democracy and voter sovereignty.’’

But Akinyemi, saw danger in the development, regarding the unity of Nigeria, as those countering its breakup might not have very strong point to continue maintaining their position.

Here’s how he captures the entire import of the development, including the dangers ahead: “It’s like debating about a common currency for ECOWAS and you put it to vote, where Dangote would have one vote, Otedola would have one vote, Elumelu would have one vote, you would have one vote, Akinyemi would have one vote, a gardener would have one vote and a truck pusher would have one vote. What do they understand about the complexities of a common currency?  

“That’s why you have parliament. He should have left it to the parliament to debate and take the decision on behalf of the people.

“This is a leap in the dark. It is a leap off the cliff. Nobody knows what is going to happen. This has never happened before. And that is why it is going to take two years, even though the President of the European Union said he hoped that the divorce would be clean, sharp and no wastage of time. I think the British will like to drag it out. We just have to monitor things and see the way it will go. But I foresee a situation where the British will seek to energise the commonwealth as they seek to build new building blocks for their global role. Whether that would work or not, I don’t knows. But that obviously will affect us as one of the leaders of the commonwealth.

“Over the years, or do I say over the decades, the European Union has had a positive effect on the development of the African Union, to the effect that we even copied their name. We changed our name from the OAU to the African Union, in other to copy, in a positive way, developments in the European Union. Apart from Morocco that has stayed out of the old OAU, nobody had thought about the possibility of exiting the AU is an option on the table. But now this has happened in the European Union, obviously, it becomes a policy option on the table for those who are not happy about the AU over one thing or the other.

“The same thing is going to happen with ECOWAS. We are not happy with some of the decisions coming out of the ECOWAS court. Before, nobody would think that you could possibly leave ECOWAS. But now the British has set a very bad precedent, for all of us, it is a calamity, not just for the British, but for the European Union, the African Union and ECOWAS.

“In a more direct way, we need to fear in Nigeria. One of the possibilities of development in Britain, is actually Scotland that voted massively and positively to remain in the European Union, actually voting in another referendum to leave the United Kingdom.

“If that happens, don’t forget we fought a civil war in this country. And a large part of the reason why Nigeria won that civil war, was because the rest of the world was on the side of the Federal Government. Nobody wanted to hear of exiting of anything. But if Scotland exits the United Kingdom, you have so many groups in Nigeria, who have fears and who have grievances about what we call the Nigerian project. That will energise their activities and it will now make the prospect of demanding that they should be allowed to leave Nigeria a high probability.

“So, to that extent, it is a danger for us. But I hope that the fact that it is going to take two years for development to mature, which means Scotland itself will not gather referendum until about two years time. That Nigeria has the window of opportunity of two years to sort itself out, to get its acts together, you must address the fears and the grievances of the various protest groups and protest movements that you have all over the country. This is not a pretty day for people who believe in multi-nationalism and people who believe integration, not just in Britain, but all over the world. It is not a happy day.

“We are having a debate now about the outcome of the 2014 national conference. The President said he doesn’t like it. Fair enough. But, the problems that we sort to address at that national conference, are still there, are still confronting the country. He has got to address those problems. And that’s why I said, Nigeria has a window of opportunity of two years. The President, who is the embodiment of the Nigerian state, has got to sit down and face squarely how he is going to face the situation.

“The bombing of the oil pipelines, the reduction in the oil export, the reduction in the revenue accruing to Nigeria, are already issues that have caught his attention. I hope he knows how short two years can be.”    

Source Channels TV/WhirlWindNews

Okowa condoles with Erijo over mother's death

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has condoled with Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo, the Erijo family of Aviara kingdom and the entire Isoko South Constituency II over the death of their mother, wife and sister, Late Deaconess (Madam) Emamoke Johanna Agabri.

The Governor's condolence message was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu describing the late Madam Agabri as a great pillar of support for his son and a community leader of repute.

the Governor said death was a final destination of mankind. “Madam Agabri had lived a fulfilled life; it was her time to go and God took her away.

Gov. Okowa prayed that God should grant the soul of Madam Agabri eternal rest and comfort all who mourn her.

The statement further reads: “The Governor's personal thoughts and prayers as well as those of Deltans are with him as he mourns the passage of a beloved mother.

“The Governor further prayed that the loving memory and virtues which Deaconess Johanna Agabri lived for will continue to inspire all who knew her and generations to come.”

FULANI HERDSMEN: OSANEBI MEETS WITH DELTA POLICE COMMISSIONER

Piqued by the spate of killings and violence across communities in Delta State perpetrated by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi, yesterday met with the new Delta State commissioner of police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim.

Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi

Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, Delta Compol.

Osanebi who welcomed the new police boss to Delta  State, narrated the people's  security ordeal and inhuman treatment  being meted on communities in Ndokwa nation by Fulani herdsmen in the area.

 Osanebi who particularly called the attention of the police commissioner to the menace, requested him to take action as quickly as possible with a view to bringing an end to the ugly trend.

He noted that the Commissioner's prompt action will go a long way in checking further attacks from the  herdsmen, especially now that youths in the area have threatened reprisal actions  and self defense.

Responding, the Commissioner thanked the Deputy Speaker for towing the line of peace and the maturity he had displayed so far in handling the issue.

He told him that he will put in his best to ensure the security of life and property in Delta State. Further expressing readiness to fight the herdsmen menace, the Commissioner scheduled a security meeting with youth leaders and security outfits in Ndokwa land.

The new police boss in the state further warned criminals to have a change of heart and called on residents to serve as whistle blowers by reporting crimes within their environment to the police.

He also advised the citizenry to refrain from activities that are capable of causing break down of law and order in any community.

Also present at the meeting was the commissioner representing Ndokwa ethnic nationality on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Comr. Nnamdi Ezechi.