The President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki is set to meet President Muhammadu Buhari to relay to him an alleged plot by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to implicate him (Saraki).

The President of the Senate is to lead the leadership of the upper legislative chamber to meet with President Buhari over the alleged plot which Saraki disclosed on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.

Saraki had raised the alarm on the floor of the Senate over a plot by the IGP to implicate him using ‘coerced’ cultists.

“My Distinguished colleagues, there is an issue which I need to bring to your attention very urgently. Last night, my State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatai Ahmed revealed to me an information at his disposal that a group of suspects who had been in police cells for several weeks for cultism and whose investigation had been concluded with prosecution about to commence under the State law based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the Ministry of Justice were ordered to be transferred to Abuja this morning.

“ According to the information available to the Governor, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim directed the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State to immediately transfer the men to the Force Headquarters.

“The plan, as the Governor was made to understand is that, under duress, the suspects would be made to alter the statements they already made in Ilorin. They will then be made to implicate the Kwara State Government, and in particular, myself, in their new statement.

“This plot is part of the strategy by the IGP Idris to settle scores over the declaration by this honourable Chamber that he is not qualified and competent to hold any public office, within and outside the country and that he is an enemy of Nigerian democracy based on his usual disrespectful conduct towards lawful authorities.

“”In my own view, this plot is an act of desperation, blackmail, intimidation, abuse of office and crude tactics aimed at turning our country into a Police State where top officials cannot be made to obey the law, follow due process and subject themselves to constituted authorities.

“I want to bring this dangerous development to the attention of all of you my colleagues, the entire country and the international community so that you can be aware of the level of impunity in our country and the danger it constitute to our democracy,” the President of the Senate said.

Saraki explained that he was bringing the issue to the attention of his colleagues to let them know the gravity of the situation.

“I know the gravity of the issue that is why I am bringing it to your attention and to continue to let our colleagues and the world know presently the danger we are going with and the levels of the rascality that is going on with some of these actions.

“I have brought it to your attention and we must continue to play our own role in doing what we believe in the course of our duty.

“It is very unfortunate but that it the information I have as of now,” the President of the Senate said.

The Senate resolved that the Senate President should lead a delegation to relay the concerns raised on the floor by Saraki. The delegation would consist of the Senate President, the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan; the Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye; and the Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Other members of the delegation would included Senator Danjuma Goje, Senator Sam Anyanwu, Senator Aliyu Wammako, Senator Fatima Raji Rasaki, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Source: NAN

A Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has granted bail to Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, who is standing trial on gun-running allegation.

Justice Nasir Ajana gave the ruling based on an application by the defence counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome.

Ajana admitted Melaye to bail to the sum of N10 million, with one surety in the like sum.

Ozekhome argued that the continued incarceration of Senator Melaye would jeopardise his health condition, which he said was deteriorating.

Melaye, however, was not in court as he is still receiving treatment in hospital.

Details coming.

Source: NAN

Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, says on Wednesday the state government has secured a 60 million dollar loan from the World Bank for the construction of 500 rural roads across the state.

Bagudu made the disclosure in Birnin Kebbi when he received the Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammdu Zayyanu, who paid him a courtesy visit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roads construction and rehabilitation would cover all the 21 local government areas of the state.

Bagudu said that state government had already paid its counterpart fund for the project which was designed to transform rural areas and ease transportation difficulties.

He also added that government would support the construction of the dilapidated Jega-Koko-Yauri federal road.

The government has already released N374 million for the completion of Yauri Power Sub- Station as well as the repairs of Yauri-Birnin Yauri-Zuru power lines to actualise uninterrupted electricity supply.

He also ordered the immediate release release of fund approved for the evacuation of waterways in Yauri Emirate topave way for smooth marine transportation and reduce boat mishaps.

On the problem of signals for transmission the state television programmes, the governor assured the emir that the problem would soon be over.

My administration has released N700 million for the contract to digitise the television station including the sub stations in Yauri, Zuru and Koko.

Earlier, the emir had appealed to the governor to tackle the problems of potable water supply, good roads and electricity in his domain.

I am here to show solidarity and forward the incessant complaints I receive from my subjects on the problem of potable water supply, electricity and roads, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

A Special Offences Court in Ikeja has fixed June 1 for the adoption of final written addresses in the trial of Clement Illoh, ex-Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity for alleged N14 million fraud.

Illoh is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly stealing N14 million from the defunct Federal Governments Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

At the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, granted the prayers of the EFCC Counsel, Mr Nnaemeka Omeha, seeking an adjournment to enable the prosecution regularise its application.

The judge, thereafter, acceded to his request for an extension of time and consequently adjourned the case.

The defendant was arraigned on Oct. 16, 2017 by the anti-graft agency on a three-count charge bordering on stealing by conversion of property to the tune of N14 million.

It was allegedly sourced from the from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges with four prosecution witnesses testifying during the trial.

Illoh was responsible for supervising numerous programmes including SURE-P and allegedly awarded fictitious contracts to himself via his company and friends.

The offences contravened Sections 279 (1), (b) and 285 (6) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Source: NAN

Only four out of 35 Nigerian representatives to the ECOWAS Parliament were on Wednesday present at the presentation of the Nigerian Country Report at the First Session of the Parliament.

The absence of the 31 representatives is coming days after only 19 of 35 representatives were reported to have attended the opening session of the Parliament.

During the Ordinary Sessions of the Parliament, the 15 ECOWAS member nations present reports on their countries. The report bothers on the Political situation, Economic situation, Human rights situation and many more relating to their countries.

Our correspondent reports that only two representatives Hon. Ibrahim Sadiq who read the report and Hon. Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi were sighted on the floor of the ECOWAS Parliament.

However, a member of Parliament from Ghana, Hon Opare-Ansah Frederick who observed the embarrassing absence of Nigerian representatives expressed displeasure that only four Nigerians were present for the report.

Fredrick particularly expressed displeasure at the absence of the Nigerians especially on a day when the Nigerian Country Report was being presented.

Mr Speaker, on a day when Nigeria is presenting her country report, one would have expected that the representatives from Nigeria would be well represented.

We see them here, but on a day when we are taking their report only four of them are here. In fact I saw one of them leaving right after the report, he said.

On the issue of community levy, the Ghanaian MP joined many other members to call on Nigeria to play her big brother role and pay her community levy stressing that Nigeria was the biggest economy on whose shoulders the success or failure of ECOWAS laid the most.

Our correspondent reports that the issue of poor attendance by Nigerian representatives has been a recurring decimal.

At the last session of the Parliament in 2017, the Speaker of the Parliament Moustapha Cisse Lo particularly frowned at the low attendance by the Nigerian representatives.

Our correspondent reports that rather than step up their attendance, many Nigerian representatives still shunned the parliament. Some of them only come in, sign the attendance and leave story.

A particular Nigerian Representative from the South-South has gained popularity for coming late: and rather than sit and contribute to plenary, goes about exchanging pleasantries with other Members of Parliament who are going about their businesses.

Reacting to the interventions by other members of parliament, Nigeria representative, Hon. Lafiagi apologized for the very low turn-out of Nigerians.

He explained that the low turnout was almost unavoidable as the 2018 Budget of Nigeria was scheduled for passage in both chambers of the Nations National Assembly.

It is particularly very bad today because budget this year had been delayed, the budget is being passed today in both houses. That is one reason why a lot of us are absent today.

Another issue that causes this is because we are based here and the parliaments meet at the same time, that is why many of us go to attend, especially on a Wednesday when it is on live TV

Saturdays attendance was poor because congresses were going on, so members have to go to their constituencies to organize for the congresses.

I must also apologise for the absence of a lot of our colleagues. We will convey the message to let them know that their brothers are missing them, he said.

Speaking on the non-payment of the community levy, Lafiagi stressed that the delay in the passage of the nations budget had affected the payment.

He however assured that Nigeria was committed to meeting up with its obligation with regards to the payment of its levies.

Below is a list of Nigerian federal lawmakers (Senators and members of the House of Representatives) who are members of the ECOWAS Parliament.

Sulaiman Lasun Yussuff

Mohammed Ali Ndume

Foster Ogola

Ibrahim Danbaba Abdullahi

Gershom Otu Bassey

Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah

Mao A. Ohuabunwa

Yele Omogunwa

Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

Mustapha Bukar

Biodun Christine Olujimi

Ahmad Moallahyidi Abubakar

Isah Misau Hamma

Mohammed Shaaba Lafiagi

Joshua Chibi Dariye

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi

Nelson Asuquo Efiong

Adamu Dali Usman Kamale

Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu

Mani Aminu Ashiru

Dickson Dominic Tarkighir

Shehu Garba Sarkin-Noma

Salisu Garba Koko

Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi

Sani Mohammed Aliyu Rano

Sadiq Ibrahim

Olatunbosun George Oladele

Abdullahi Balarabe Salame

Magaji Dau Aliyu

Bassey Eko Ewa

Sulaiman Romo Aliyu

Abdullahi Idris Garba Kontagora

Solomon Ahwinahwi

Asabe Vilita Bashir

Emmanuel Isaac Ukoete

Source: NAN

An Ikeja Magistrates Court on Wednesday remanded a hotel cleaner, Abdulrahmon Shuaib, at the Kirikiri Prisons for allegedly stealing a customers cell phone, worth N25,000.

Shuaib, 22, of no fixed address, had pleaded guilty to the charges of stealing and attempt to escape from the police custody.

The Magistrate, Mrs Y. O. Aje-Afunwa, said that the accused should remain behind bars until the next adjourned date.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Peter Nwangwu, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 3 at Wix Hotel, situated at No. 7, Kujle Akinosi St., Oshodi, Lagos.

He said that the accused stole an XBO Android Phone, valued at N25,000, belonging to one Ganikale Hammed.

The prosecutor explained that the complainant, on getting to his room after it was cleaned, discovered that his cell phone was missing.

Shuaib stole an Android phone belonging to the complainant, (a guest at the said hotel), the prosecutor said.

He said that the cell phone was recovered from the accused.

Nwangwu also said that the accused made attempt to escape from the police custody.

The accused, on May 7, at 3.40a.m after he was apprehended and handed over to the police for questioning, he made an attempt to escape by breaking the ceiling, he said.

The offences contravened Sections 106 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The case was adjourned until May 25, for a review of facts and sentencing.

Source: NAN

The Senate has passed the 2018 Budget of N9.21 Trillion following the consideration and adoption of the Budget report laid on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday.

This is coming 6 months afterthe budget document was presented to a joint session of the National Assembly in November.

The Budget document passed on the floor of the senate is similar to what is being considered by the house of representatives and it shows and increase of N508 billion to take it to N9,120, 334,988,225 from the N8.6 trillion presented by Buhari.

The Senate and House of Representatives had promised to pass the budget on April 24, but failed to do so.

There were equally assurances that the budget would be passed in the first week of May but it was not passed.

The Senate had on several occasions accused Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of not keeping to appointments with the various standing committees to defend their budgets.

Subsequently, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on April 12, mandated the Appropriation Committee to tidy up reports on the budget latest by April 13.

With this development, theJanuary to Decemberbudget cycle would not be obtainable with the 2018 budget.

Buhari had on Nov. 7, 2017 presented a budget of N8.6 trillion before a joint session of the National Assembly.

The president who announced the 2018 budget as Budget of Consolidation, said the projected expenditure would drive rapid economic recovery.

He said at the session that with a benchmark of 45 dollars per barrel at an exchange rate of N305 to a dollar in 2018, the budget would consolidate on the achievements of previous budgets to aggressively steer the economy to the path of steady growth.

Source: NAN

Germany has proposed a new process that will facilitate the smooth repatriation of over 30,000 illegal Nigerian migrants back to the country.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama said this when he received the Security Adviser to the President of Germany, Dr Jan Hecker, and his team in Abuja.

The new proposal, according to Onyeama, is predicated on perceived failures and slow pace of the current system of repatriation.

This, he said, involved both the participation of Nigerian embassies and consulate and the German immigration office.

“They don’t have enough faith and confidence in the process that we have at the moment for the repatriation process.

”Some of the delays they believed are with the mission and consulate in Germany.

” They want to propose a completely new process of repatriation, known as Return and Re-admission,” he said.

Onyeama said that in the last two years only about 200 Nigerians had returned to the country out of about 30,000.

”Germans were not happy that the system we have in place at the moment is certainly not working to their satisfaction,” he said.

According to him, the new process essentially entails that once all legal processes have been exhausted, Nigeria should trust them (Germany), to make right decision on whom should be repatriated.

He added that once the decision was taken, Germany would bring the affected persons to Nigeria without the involvement of Nigeria’s mission in Germany.

“They will bring them here to Nigeria and say we have gone through a process in Germany; these people are your nationals, they have exhausted all the legal processes, please take them.

”And it will be here on Nigeria territory that any possibility will then exist to say maybe that one is not or this one is not.

Onyeama, while describing the proposed process as a complete transformation of the current process, noted that Germany aside from issuing travel documents to those to be repatriated, would also be responsible for their travels.

However, for the new process to come into being, Nigeria would have to agree and carry out some changes in her laws.

Earlier, Jan Hecker said he was in Nigeria to see how both countries could intensify their bilateral relations and achieve good result, particularly on migration.

He was accompanied on the visit by the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Bernhard Schlagheck and other officials.

Source: NAN

Ado Ekiti, capital of Ekiti state, will be connected to Lagos-Kano rail line, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said today as he signed a $6.68 billion dollars contract agreement for the Ibadan-Kaduna segment with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Amaechi said at the signing ceremony in Abuja that Ado-Ekiti will be connected with a single track branch line from Osogbo.

He signed the contract on behalf of the Federal Government.

“This agreement is for the Ibadan-Kaduna rail line, which is part of the Lagos-Kano rail line, the completion time of the contract should be between two to three years, depending on availability of funds,” Amaechi said.

Amaechi promised that the ministry would be able to provide its counterpart funding between 2018 and 2019 budget provision, stating that the contract was a fulfilment of Federal Government’s plan to complete the Lagos-Kano rail modernisation project.

“The Ibadan-Kaduna standard gauge line will pass through Oshogbo-Ilorin-Minna to Kaduna, with a single track branch line from Oshogbo to Ado-Ekiti.

“This contract is in fulfilment of Federal Government’s plan to complete the Lagos-Kano rail modernisation project started in 2006 and broken into segments for implementation.

“The segmentation phase commenced from Abuja-Kaduna rail line in 2011, which was completed and commissioned into commercial operation by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.

“The Federal Government in March 2017 commenced the second leg of the Lagos-Kano line that is currently ongoing and planned to be completed by the end of 2018.

“The signing of the Ibadan–Kaduna segment contract agreement today concludes all outstanding segments of the Lagos-Kano rail line.”

Source: NAN

Embattled Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, who vowed to attend Tuesdays plenary of the senate in compliance with a court decision failed to turn up.

The Senate on April 2, suspended Omo-Agege (Delta-APC) over a dissenting comment on decision of the Upper Chamber on adoption of conference report on INEC Commission Act (2010) Amendment Bill.

Omo-Agege, however went to court to challenge his suspension and the court in its ruling, declared the action unconstitutional, saying that the Senate could not suspend a member beyond 14 days.

The Senate appealed the ruling but said in statement that while it was waiting for a stay of execution, it would not stop the lawmaker from resuming plenary.

Omo-Ageges suspension, which was expected to last for 90 legislative days, followed a report of the Senate Committee on Ethics Privileges and Public Petitions.

Chairman of the committee, Sen. Sam Anyanwu, had said the committees probe followed a Point-of-Order raised by Sen. Dino Melaye (Kogi-APC) on the matter.

According to Anyanwu, Melaye drew Senates attention to a media briefing by Omo Agege, faulting senates adoption of the conferences report on Feb.14.

He said that Melaye further intimated the senate that the media briefing by Omo Agege indicated that the resolution of the senate was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

His suspension was based on his comment that amendment to section 25 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), bordering on reordering of elections sequence was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of Federal High Court on May 10, held that while the National Assembly had the power to discipline its erring members, the premise on which Omo-Ageges suspension was anchored was illegal.

Although the court refused to grant any of the seven prayers sought by the senator, it held that the suspension could not hold on grounds of the violence it did to the Constitution.

The judge noted that from the wording of the report of the Senates Ethics and Privileges Committee which recommended Omo-Ageges suspension, he was punished for filing a suit against the Senate after apologising to the legislative house over the allegation leveled against him.

Access to court is a fundamental right in the Constitution, which cannot be taken away by force or intimidation from any organ, the judge ruled.

The judge also added that the Senates decision to punish Omo-Agege for filing a suit against the Senate and for punishing him while his suit was pending constituted an affront on the judiciary.

He added that even if the Senate had rightly suspended the senator, it could only have suspended him for only a period of 14 days as prescribed in the Senate rules.

He also ruled that the principle of natural justice was breached by the Senates Ethics and Privileges Committee by allowing Senator Dino Melaye, who was the complainant, to participate in the committees sitting that considered the issue and also allowed him to sign the committees report.

The judge therefore nullified Omo-Ageges suspension with immediate effect.

He also ordered that the senator be paid all his allowances and salaries for the period he was illegally suspended. (NAN)

Source: NAN