NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Head, Transparency International (Nigeria), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said available evidence points to the fact that the Nigerian government is not keen on fighting corruption in the country. According to Rafsanjani: “First and foremost, let us be clear: this government doesn’t appear to be committed to combating corruption. All the existing legal instruments designed to aid the fight against corruption are either suspended, diluted, or completely disregarded. For example, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Public Procurement Laws. Regrettably, we have not witnessed the enforcement of these legal frameworks by this government. “Similarly, the manner in which the Executive arm of the government interferes in the activities of the anti-corruption agencies is a significant reason the fight against corruption seems ineffective, particularly in cases involving politica...

..... Deploy staff throughout Anambra The MD of Bigly Oil and Gas services, High Chief Chimeze Nwankwo one of the authorised revenue collectors and partners of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, has promised to help increase the revenue base of the state. He made this known while fielding questions from our correspondent in his office at Onitsha recently.  Giving insight into their operations, Chief Nwankwo said that first that his company is not the only AIRS partner or authorised revenue collector in the state. He stressed that there are other companies in the state while his company is in charge of haulage.  "We are primarily in charge of revenue on haulage. As a responsible partner of the AIRS, before the commencement of our primary task, we recruited, trained our personnel and educated them on the rules of engagement" He said that the company's drive is geared towards ensuring that heavy and articulated vehicles in the state pay the stipulated tax to G...

The Senate president, Godswill Akpabio has restated the commitment of the 10th National Assembly to work towards economic reforms that will bring more revenue to the national coffers to ensure the survival of the country.  Senator Akpabio made the pledge at the opening of a two day-retreat for Senators of the 10th National Assembly on Fiscal policy and Tax reforms, held at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State  While urging the Senators to follow the dreams of their forebears in the development of the country, Akpabio expressed their commitment to an economy of double-digit GDP growth, greater food security and one with a strengthened manufacturing base, as well as an active digital economy where young people will have ample space to fulfill their dreams and aspirations. He charged his colleagues to work together in ensuring that the expectations and hopes of the people who voted them into office are not betrayed even as he explained that they...

The solicitors of Capital Oil and Gas has come out with what actually happened between the company and AMCON this in  view of giving the public insight on what actually transpired.  Below is an excerpt from Capital Oil and Gas Solicitors We remain Solicitors to Capital Oil and Gas and Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, and in that capacity, we wish to he as follows: 1. The dispute that culminated in several court cases and the criminal charge filed against Capital Oil and Gas and Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah arose from commercial transactions with various banks in whose stead AMCON acted upon acquisition of the facilities. In 2013, the parties entered into a consent judgment which unfortunately became subject of various litigations by AMCON and Capital Oil and Gas at various times. Some of these cases were won by AMCON and some were won by Capital Oil and Gas.  During the pendency of these cases and appeals, several efforts were made toward the resolution of the di...

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has struck out the charge filed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) against Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and his company, Capital Oil and Gas limited, over an alleged N135bn debt Justice Nicholas Oweibo dismissed the charge following an oral application by counsel for AMCON, Oluwaseun Onabowu, seeking the withdrawal of the suit. At the last sitting of the court on June 13, the court had directed that criminal summons be issued on Senator Ubah and his company, Capital Oil and Gas Limited. The court gave the directive in the criminal prosecution of the Senator by the Federal Government of Nigeria on an 8-count charge bordering on his alleged indebtedness to AMCON. At Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for the complainant informed the court that following a consent judgement reached in a sister case which was before the court in Abuja, parties had agreed that the case against Ubah should be withdrawn in Lagos. The counsel urged ...

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said he has no hand in the sack of his former colleague,  Senator Abbo, dismissing  his alleged involvement in the political travail of Senator Abbo.  Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in a telephone interview, Honourable Eseme Eyiboh, Special Adviser, Media, and Publicity to the President of the Senate, denied the involvement of his principal. He said, “It is unfortunate if he actually said that Akpabio was responsible for his removal. That’s the swan song of a man looking for scapegoats. “The Court of Appeal across the country decides cases based on the provisions of the Electoral Act and evidence advanced by petitioners. The Senate President has no reason to witch-hunt any of his colleagues.”

Valentine Ozigbo a frontline politician, and a Chieftain of the Labour Party from Anambra, has set a new Leadership and development agenda for Anambra at the grand event of ASA-USA National Convention, which held at the Marriott, Atlanta, on Saturday, October 14, 2023. His postulations which witnessed an inspiring and rousing accolades from the attendees of the event.  Ozigbo, a multiple-award-winning global CEO, former transcorp boss and 2021 Anambra Gubernatorial Candidate, in recent times have been seen as a beacon of hope for the future of Anambra. The theme of the conference, 'Unity, Progress, & Transparency: Making a Difference Through Medical & Education Mission', touched on areas of concern especially on leadership and development of Anambra State.  In his address, Ozigbo painted a vivid picture of Anambra's potential. Drawing from global success stories and contrasting them with the challenges faced by black communities, he presented a compellin...

Ijaw Youths Network (IJN) has commended President Bola Tinubu for renewing the pipeline protection contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited for another three years. The IYN coordinator, Frank Ebikabo and secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, said in a statement yesterday that the president displayed uncommon leadership in the pursuit of the collective good of Nigeria. The group said that the decision of the president who ignored a campaign of calumny orchestrated by a group of self-serving individuals was a further vindication of the bold efforts made by Tantita Security Limited to confront the mindless theft of the nation’s oil resources. IYN said the renewal of the contract in spite of the massive campaign against the company clearly showed that the president is determined to strengthen the fight against the oil thieves who have held down the country’s economy for years. The group also commended the group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Com...

The New governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, from all indications is likely to opt out of some key development finance projects of his predecessor, Godwin Emefiele, a move that will halt the bank’s interventionist programmes,which  helped Nigeria exit economic recession twice in five years – between 2016 and 2020 respectively.  Dr Cardoso was appointed alongside four deputy governors for the CBN by President Bola Tinubu in September 2023 following the suspension of Emefiele and the voluntary resignation of his four deputies. Cardoso had told a Senate session during his confirmation that he would drop some of the policies of the Emefiele-led administration. Multiple sources privy to some of the management meetings held by Cardoso and his deputies said he emphatically stressed that his administration would specifically drop the bank’s N63 billion  programme, Anchor Borrowers fund Programme, eNaira (a financial inclusion instrument) and the c...

The Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has received a significant endorsement for his reelection bid as over 1500 Obidient movement in the State back his second tenure bid. They said that Governor Uzodimma has shown capacity for leadership and has verifiable track records  of better human relationship which his opponents gunning for the office of the Governor of Imo State do not have. They also demonstrated their support by marching through the major streets of Owerri on Saturday before they converged at the Okigwe round about where they were received by Governor Uzodimma, stating that they have reserved their voters cards for Governor Uzodimma and will use them accordingly to reelect him on November 11, 2023. The group's leader, Emeka Mandela conveyed their collective assurance to the Governor, emphasizing their admiration  for his governance, youth-focused initiatives and pledge to stand by him untill his re-election on November 11th.  I...