Keshi's burial: Renovation work begins at Illah home

Contrary to rumours making the rounds in some sections of the society that the late Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has no building in his home town, Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Council, the late Coach has a house inside a large expanse of land.

Late Stephen Keshi

for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, on a visit to the compound to see the extent of the ongoing renovation works preparatory to his burial later this month. 

Mr. Ukah, who was conducted round inside the building and other parts of the compound by the eldest brother of deceased, Mr. Sylvester Keshi, and a nephew, Mr. Eboka Ofuonye, disclosed that the visit was to see the extent of renovation done as the burial date in Illah is around the corner. 

The Information Commissioner said that the state government is assisting the family to see that the compound is put in proper shape considering the number and calibre of very important persons who will come to pay their last respect to the fallen hero.

The burial ceremonies of late Stephen Keshi will begin in Abuja on July 26, 2016, with interment taking place in Illah on the 29th and outing service on July 31, 2016.

Halliburton: Fayose justifies claim of Buhari wife’s involvement

 By Rotimi Ojomoyela Ado-Ekiti

Governor Ayo Fayose

Counsel to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has replied the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs Aisha Buhari through her counsel, Mary Ekpere & Co, saying the governor’s claim as regards her involvement in the infamous Halliburton scandal was correct and justified in law. Aisha-Fayose Ozekhome insisted that there are documentary evidences to support the governor’s claim that Mrs Buhari was indeed mentioned in the scandal.

In the letter dated July 8, 2016, Ozekhome affirmed that the statement made regarding the involvement of Mrs Aisha Buhari in the Halliburton scandal was “correct and justified in law, having regards to a court judgment convicting one Mr William Jefferson for bribery in the Halliburton case.”

 Counsel to the president’s wife, Mary Ekpere & Co had written to Governor Fayose on June 22, 2016, demanding a retraction of the governor’s statement that the President’s wife was involved in the Halliburton scandal, threatening legal action if the retraction was not made within five days. 

Mrs Aisha Buhari

However, Ozekhome said the statement of Governor Fayose was correct and justified, having been factually premised on an existing court judgment. The letter read; “Our client has referred to us your letter dated June 22, 2016, on alleged defamation of the character of your client , Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Buhari, the wife of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, with firm instructions to reply to and reject same in its entirety. “Our client states and reaffirms categorically that the statement he made as regards the involvement of Mrs Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Buhari, in the Halliburton scandal, is correct and justified in law; having regards to a court judgement convicting one Mr William Jefferson for bribery in the Halliburton case. “Therein, the name of the President’s wife featured conspicuously. At page 22 of the said judgment delivered by the United State District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, USA, in criminal No 1: 07CR209, the said Mr William Jefferson was sentenced at 9.00 am on November 13, 2009, by Mark D, Lytle. Your client, Mrs Aisha Buhari was specifically mentioned in the judgment. The judge referred to Exhibits 36-87 in the following words, for clarification; “See also Government Exhibits 36-87 (6/26/02 $170,000 wire transfer from account in Nigeria in the name of Aisha Buhari to an account in the name of The ANJ Group, LLC, identifying “William Jefferson” as Beneficiary)… Given the age of the defendant, the severity of the sentence calculated by the Probation Office, the defendant’s frequent travel overseas and unexplained wire transfers from overseas locations to financial accounts used by the defendant, the defendant cannot rebut the presumption at sentencing that he is a risk of flight.

 “The said Williams Jefferson is currently serving a jail term in the USA and to the best of our client’s knowledge; this judgment has not been challenged, or set aside by any Appellate court of law anywhere in the world. The statement of His Excellency, our client, is therefore correct and justified, same having been factually premised on an existing court judgment above referred to.” On the immunity enjoyed by Governor Fayose against civil and criminal proceedings, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said; “Your attention is also hereby drawn to Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as altered, on the immunity enjoyed by our client from civil or criminal proceedings for the period that he occupies the office of the governor of Ekiti State. “You may therefore advise your client to wait until after 16th October, 2018, when our client’s tenure expires. When that happens, we shall join issues with your client in a competent court of law, in the event that your client does not have a change of heart.’’
Source: Vanguard

Court annuls 45% electricity tariff hike

·       The issue of DISCOs is the biggest scam, says Rep

By Innocent Anaba, Victor Ahiuma-Young & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A Federal High Court     sitting in Lagos, yesterday (13/7/2016), annulled the increment in electricity tariff recently announced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.

Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris in his judgment in the suit by a human rights lawyer, Mr. Toluwani Adebiyi, challenging the increment, described NERC’s action as procedurally ultra vires, irrational, irregular and illegal. In a swift reaction, labour applauded the judgment and asked NERC and DISCOs to immediately respect the ruling, describing it as a “victory for the ordinary Nigerian who had been crushed by exploitative bills.” These developments came on a day the House of Representatives described the Distribution Companies, DISCOs, as the biggest scam in Nigeria and called on the Federal Government to halt any tariff by 100 per cent in the country.

On the judgement, the court, relying on Sections 31, 32 and 76 of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act(EPSRA) 2005, in deciding the substantive suit, held that, “NERC acted outside the powers conferred on it by the Act and failed to follow the prescribed procedure.”The court said that “NERC has not shown that it acted in due obedience to the prescribed procedures and that there is no evidence that NERC complied with Section 76(6)(7)and (9) of the EPSRA Act. “Of all the legal requirements, it appeared the only one complied with by NERC was that it announced the new tariff in the newspapers. It is clear from the affidavit evidence that the increase in tariff was done by NERC in defiance of the order of this court made on May 28, 2015, which directed parties in the case to maintain the status quo.

The law is that every person upon whom an order is made by a court of competent jurisdiction must obey it, unless and until the order is discharged and set aside on appeal.” The court consequently, held that,” The tariff increase from July 1, 2015 was done in breach of the ‘status quo’ order. NERC’s action, was therefore, clearly hasty, reckless and irresponsible. “This country is in a democracy where the rule of law shall prevail over impunity or whimsical desires. Anything to the contrary will be an invitation to anarchy. It is the law that what is done officially must be done in accordance to the law. Investors are free to do business in Nigeria but they shall abide by the law of this country. Nigeria is not a kangaroo State. Nigeria is not a banana Republic. It is intolerance and extremely dangerous for any branch of the executive to create a posture it may not obey certain orders of the court. That is tantamount to executive recklessness which will lead to lawlessness.”

Invoking its disciplinary jurisdiction, the court ordered: “The increment in electricity tariff which took effect after the institution of this action and while a restraining order is subsisting is, hereby, declared illegal and same is hereby set aside. NERC is, hereby, directed to revevert to the status quo and the commission is, hereby, restrained from further increasing electricity tariff except it complies strictly with the relevant provisions of the EPSRA.”

The sum of N50,000 was awarded in favour of the plaintiff. Reacting to the judgement, organised labour applauded it and asked NERC and DISCOs to immediately respect the ruling and revert to the old tariff without further delay.

According to labour, the judgement is a “victory for the ordinary Nigerian who has been crushed by exploitative bills.” Labour hails ruling Speaking through the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba, Labour said: “We, at the Nigeria Labour Congress, wish to state that this is a courageous judgment deserving of commendation.  ‘’We also consider it victory for the ordinary Nigerian who have been crushed by exploitative bills. We urge NERC and DISCOs to obey the judgment and revert to the old rates without further delay. We demand that the NERC and DISCOs observe all the conditions precedent as contained in the sales agreement before any increase is made.’’

 DISCOs, biggest scam in Nigeria, says Reps

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday described the Distributions Companies, DISCOs as the biggest scam in Nigeria and called on the Federal Government to halt any plan to increase electricity tariff by 100 per cent in the country. This is just as the Majority Leader in the House alleged that Electricity Distribution Companies didn’t have the financial capacity and technical know-how to handle distributions of electricity in the country.

The House in a resolution, after hearing a motion under matters of urgent public importance sponsored by Aliyu Madaki, representing Dala Federal Constituency of Kano State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said that the plan by Discos to increase electricity tariff from N24 to N50 per kilowatt for residential consumers was not in the interest of Nigerians. The lawmaker expressed worry that epileptic and erratic power supply by distribution companies had persisted and affected both households and commercial activities, adding that the planned new tariff would amount to disobedience of an injunction by the Federal High Court, Lagos that had restrained National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, from any increase in electricity tariff. He said: “I recall that in February 2016, NERC had increased electricity tariff by 45 per cent with no correspondent result as the electricity supply has dropped affecting both households and commercial activities. “The planned 100 per cent increase in electricity tariff by NERC on the request of distribution companies is illegal and abuse of court process. “If the proposed hike in electricity tariff is not put on halt, its multiplying effect on the economy and the social wellbeing of Nigeria cannot be quantified.”

Contributing to the debate, the House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, said there was need to review the sale of DISCOs to private individuals, noting that the companies lacked the financial and infrastructural capacity to deliver quality services to Nigerians. Resolutions and court orders he said: “The issue of DISCOs is the biggest scam; people are paying huge money and DISCO are smiling to the banks without commensurate services. In other countries, they do not privatize a large life wire of their economies. It is as if somebody powerful somewhere is protecting the DISCOs, so this House must remain resolute in finding out what gives the companies the effrontery to disobey resolutions and court orders.”

Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the plenary, told the Committee of Power to investigate the matter. He also referred the matter to the ad hoc committee to investigate the sale of power assets and also investigate the rationale behind the last increase in electricity tariff by DISCOs which was not commensurate with their investment in the power sector.  
* Source: Vanguard

Bandit remnants, cattle rustlers in North West will be cleared in few days, says Buratai

 The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has assured residents of North West that the army will clear the remnants of cattle rustlers and bandits terrorising their communities in few days.
He said the myriad of security challenges in the North West would be largely addressed by the end of the army's training in Bakura forest of Zamfara on Friday.
Buratai gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy call on Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State in Gusau on Monday.
He said the training was organised as part of activities to mark the 2016 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) in Gusau.
He said the army remained determined to end the scourge of insecurity across the country through real time operations and trainings.
``The 2106 Nigerian Army Day Celebration is an extended celebration that fully incorporates real time security operations amidst our routine training.
``While we celebrate, we will also address issues relating to insecurity in Zamfara state and parts of the North West in general.
``Though we are not just starting this operation, we have been on it and have recorded a number of successes against the bandits and cattle rustlers.
``I want to assure the people that at the end of our exercise this week, Zamfara state will be free of bandits and cattle rustlers.’’
Buratai said the army was also using the 2016 NADCEL to boost public confidence in the army through various programmes including medical outreaches and display of the army’s capabilities.
He said the army’s resolve to rid the nation of criminals and divisive elements would extend to the south where kidnappers and pipeline vandals were operating.
``While we carry out this operation, we will also display our capability to assure Nigerians that the army belongs to them and they must trust the army to secure them.
``We will also go to the South-South in particular to clear out all the criminals that are operating there and others that are threatening to divide Nigeria.’’
Gov. Yari, represented by his deputy, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, expressed hope and confidence that the issue of rustlers and bandits would eventually be addressed.
He assured the army of the support and cooperation of the state government and the entire people of Zamfara in their effort to address the challenge.
The governor, however, appealed to the military hierarchy to consider the state government’s proposal of extending the troops’ stay in the state.
``We are confident that you will succeed here in Zamfara just like you are succeeding in the north east.
``We will give you support as a government and will mobilise the people to cooperate with you on your operation.
``We are however requesting that you extend the stay of troops in Zamfara to two years’’, he said.
The army chief and his team also paid homage to Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, the Emir of Gusau, in his palace.
At the Emir's palace, Buratai urged improved civil and military relations in order to enhance gathering of intelligence for military operations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports the emir, in a brief remark, prayed for the success of the military operations against criminals across the country.
NAN also reports that the high point of the 2016 NADCEL is the field training at the Bakura forest in Zamfara. (NAN)

Enforce Child Rights Act, NPC boss urges FG

Chief Eze Duruiheoma, the Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), has urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the enforcement of the Child Rights Act (CRA) signed into law in 2003.

Duruiheoma made the call at the commemoration of the World Population Day on Monday in Abuja.

This year’s edition had as theme: ``Investing in Teenage Girls.’’

He noted that the signing of the Act was a worthy step in protecting Nigerian children, including teenage girls, from deep seated practices that suppress their growth into responsible adults.

The chairman, however, stressed that there was need to vigorously implement the Act and enforce its provisions, which included sanctions against violations.

Duruiheoma said when a teenage girl has the power, means and information to make her own decisions, she would likely realise her full potentials and become a positive force for change in her home, community and nation.

According to him, policies and investment in education and health that would empower teenage girls and create conditions that lead to jobs were particularly important in countries with large emerging youth populations.

``Effective implementation of the CRA is critical to empowering the Nigerian child and should not be allowed to gather dust on the shelf like other similar provisions.

``I appeal to states yet to domesticate the CRA to urgently do so for the welfare of children and the Federal and State Governments to implement the provisions of the Act to ensure justice.

``Policymakers play an important role in ensuring that human rights are universal and thus enjoyed by all including teenage girls who worldwide face obstacles to their rights to education, health and freedom from violence.

``Communities, non-governmental organisations, youth-led groups, activists, faith-based institutions and the girls themselves also have a vital role to play in shaping policies that affect their lives and making sure that these policies are translated into real positive transformation,’’ he said.

The chairman decried the conditions majority of teenage girls live in and challenges they have to surmount on a daily basis, describing them as `pathetic’.

He listed such situations to include lack of education, poor health as well as little or no control over their own body.

``At the national level, the conditions of the teenage girls are not in any way better, neither are the burdens they carry lighter.

`` From the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2013, an estimated 23 per cent of women aged 15-19 have begun childbearing.

``Of this, 17 per cent have had their first child and six per cent are pregnant with their first child.

``The potentials of teenage girls to transform into fulfilling adults is also being threatened by low literacy status.

``With the increasing spate of insecurity and organised crimes in Nigeria, the teenage girls, more than their male counterparts,
have been victims of various types of physical violence and abuse, including rape, kidnapping, child trafficking and torture.

``Data from the 2014 Violence Against Child (VAC) Survey indicated that approximately six out of every 10 Nigerian children under the age of 18 experience some form of physical, emotional and sexual violence,’’ Duruiheoma said.

The World Population Day is a global event commemorated since 1989 on July 11 annually.

It is aimed at creating awareness on current and emerging population issues as they impact on the quality of population. (NAN)

Render account of 13% derivation funds collected, court orders DTSG

By Emma Amaize

A Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared that the State Government is under a legal obligation to render account of the 13 per cent derivation funds ‎collected from the Federation Account, under the Freedom of Information Act.

Trial judge, P.O Onajite Kuejubola (Mrs) made the declaration on Tuesday in Warri while delivering judgment in suit No W/377/2015, Olakunle Edun and three others vs Governor of Delta State and another.

The suit was to compel the Delta state government to account for the 13 per cent derivation funds received from the Federation Account in view of alleged failure or non-existent infrastructures in Warri and other oil producing communities.

The court while refusing to grant some of the reliefs sought by the claimants granted the main reliefs ‎, among which were a declaration that by virtue of the provision of Section 1 (1) (3) 3 (1) of the Freedom of Act,2011, the defendant being a public officer, is under a legal obligation to provide the claimants with information requested as contained in the letter, dated September 15, 2015.

 The court also granted the request for the government to ‎explain the constitutional basis for allowing only 50 per cent of the derivation funds from the federation account to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC and retaining the remaining 50 per cent.

Other reliefs granted was a comprehensive account of how the other 50 per cent allowed to DESOPADEC had been utilized and list of projects utilized for and the total amount that has so far been paid to Delta state from the federation account to the date of commencement ‎of the DESOPADEC Law (August 1, 2006) and thereafter till date.

·         Source: Vanguard

Rainstorm wreaks havoc at Ekwuoma quarters in Abavo Kingdom

·                Pulls down electricity poles, wires

·                Victims flee homes to secured abodes

Rainstorm wreaked havoc in Ekwuoma quarters, Abavo in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State when the gusty wind during a heavy downpour pulled down one hundred and fifty high tension electricity poles.

A scene of the havoc by rainstorm at Ekwuoma Quarters in Abovo Kingdom,
Delta state 

A Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS)Correspondent, Ejime Udueme who visited the town reports that occupants of the buildings have relocated over fear that when the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC restores power, the high tension wires lying naked on their buildings and surroundings may electrocute them.

The ugly incident which occurred on Wednesday last week also led to the collapse of some buildings while others were submerged by the resultant flood caused by the heavy rain that fell for over eight hours in Abavo town.

As a result of the disaster, the Azuowa Udomi road that connects Ekwueze, Okpe and Oyoko in Abavo has become a death trap as the high tension wire criss-crossed the road as no driver or passersby would want to pass on top of a naked high tension wire on the ground.

Victims sacked from their homes are currently taking refuge in their relatives or friends houses outside the town.

Another havoc scene and damage to electricity power pole.

In an interview some indigenes of the town including Mr. Friday Osagede, Mr. Patrick Nwaoga and Mr. Andrew Acha said it would have been a colossal loss of lives if the public source of power was on when the poles fell.

They said they have visited the Abavo Divisional Office of BEDC to lodge their complaints but nothing was done to salvage the situation by the company.

The people said the community has been able to procure 60 concrete poles as a palliative measure and urged the BEDC to rise to the occasion to fix the poles and restore power to the town.

Respondents called on the state Government through the State Emergency Management Agency SEMA and other relevant agencies to help in rebuilding collapsed structures and provide relief materials for as compensation for valuables lost to the rainstorm.

They gave an estimate of what they lost to the rainstorm to the tune of Sixty-five million naira.

·         Source: FLASHPOINT Story Reported by Ejime Udueme, DBS, Asaba