Connect with us

Government

EFCC After me Over Saraki, Magu’s Rejection – Nwaoboshi

Published

on

Achike Udenwa
  • EFCC After me Over Saraki, Magu’s Rejection

A member of the Senate representing Delta-North Senatorial District, Peter Nwaoboshi, on Friday, alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is after him over his loyalty to President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.

He alleged that the EFCC was also after him and other senators due to their opposition to the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, by the Senate.

The lawmaker denied the allegation that his Bank Verification Number had been linked with 20 different company and personal bank accounts, urging the EFCC to contact the firms.

It was reported on Friday that based on a petition from an undisclosed author in Delta State, the EFCC was investigating Nwaoboshi’s alleged complicity in the non-execution of N4bn contracts awarded by the government of Delta State.

The EFCC was reported to also be investigating how the lawmaker operates 20 accounts in six banks with different signatories.

He was alleged to have used a company to buy a 12-storey building in Apapa, Lagos, which belonged to the Delta State Government, for N805m.

Nwaobosho was also accused of not declaring all the companies and bank accounts belonging to him to the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday, Nwaoboshi denied the allegations.

He said, “They said I have 20 bank accounts and that my BVN number is linked to the 20 accounts but my brother is the signatory to those accounts. If you have a BVN, can it be different from the signature to an account?

“Again, if it is true, what disqualifies my brother from owning 50 bank accounts for his businesses if he decides to own different accounts for his companies? What disqualifies his company from owning an account in different banks? Is there is any law that says a company should have only one bank account?

“These are just meant to malign, discredit and stop me from talking. I learnt they are planning to arrest and detain me. I am the wrong person because it will not stop me from talking and doing the work my people sent me here to do. Great men have gone into detention – those bigger than me.”

He further said it was the duty of the CCB to verify the information provided in his assets declaration form. He stated that it was not a case to be handled by the EFCC.

The Senate had rejected Magu’s nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari based on a damning report by the Department of State Services.

Nwaoboshi said, “If the power of confirmation resides here and that power of confirmation and rejection has been exercised, the appointing authority should do what is needful. That was what I said and that was what I was supposed to say. If the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, of which I am a member, takes a decision on a matter, it is binding on the members.

“I am a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Senate is an institution I must protect. I was not born a senator. I am a teacher, lawyer, businessman before becoming a senator. I have come and I will go but the institution of the Senate must be defended.”

When asked if he felt his investigation by the EFCC was due to his loyalty to Saraki, he replied, “Yes, we are paying for the alleged sins of our principal.”

The lawmaker stated that he was not in the Delta State Government during the period under which EFCC acts under investigation were committed.

He said, “EFCC can go ahead to contact the companies. I have nothing to hide and we have nothing to hide in the companies. We do business and we stand by the business because we have a name. We have nothing at all as a company to hide in this matter. Although, I am no longer a director in the company.

“For me, I don’t have a problem; they will go to court and we will go to court. All they want is what I’m telling you; they cannot stop me from saying what I believe in. What I believe in, I will say it.”

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

Continue Reading
Comments

Government

Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

Published

on

Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

Continue Reading

Government

Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

Published

on

Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

Continue Reading

Government

President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

Published

on

power project

President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

Continue Reading
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending