FEDERAL ALLOCATION DROPS

States and federal governments will have to brace up for hard times again as the amount shared for the month of September 2016, shrunk to N420 billion from N510.2 billion in the previous month.

Addressing journalists at the end of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in the Abuja on Thursday, the permanent secretary of the federal ministry of finance Dr Mahmoud Isa Dutse attributed the decline to the “activities of vandals in the Niger Delta Inspite of the appreciation in the price of crude oil in the international market.

Dutse lamented that crude oil export volume decreased by 1.5 million barrels in June, 2016 as a result of the activities of Nigeria Delta vandals and appealed that “we need to do everything possible to normalize things in the Niger Delta.”

Other reasons for the decline were the Force Majeure declared at Bonny terminals and the subsisting one at the the Forcados terminal as well as the shut- and shut-down of pipelines for repairs and maintenance.

Dutse added that there was decrease in the volume of dutiable imports, receipts from Joint Venture Cash Call, foreign companies income tax and Value Added Tax (VAT).

For statutory disbursements in the month of September, the federal government got N120.351 billion; state governments received N61.044 billion; local governments were given N47.062 billion while mineral producing states got N13.729 billion.

In addition, the three tiers of government shared a total of N61.694 billion with the federal government receiving N9.254 billion; state governments, N30.847 billion and local governments, N21.593 billion.

To make up the numbers, an additional N41.402 billion exchange gains accruals and another N63.386 excess Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) were shared among the three beneficiaries.

Aside from the disbursements, the permanent secretary disclosed that the funds in the Excess crude Account remains N2.454 billion.

He also expressed optimism that Nigeria’s potential for growth remains high given the recent announcement by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Nigeria’s economy is now larger than that of South Africa. This development he said, “will make us a major destination for investors and it shows that Nigeria is on the part of growth.”

The Accountant General of the Federation, (ÀGF) Alhaji Idris Ahmed, attributed Nigeria’s economy overtaking that of South Africa to the massive capital investment made by the federal government and he also reiterated that “we will come out of this recession soon as all the indices and parameters point to this.”

When the permanent secretary and team of federal government delegation left, the Edo state commissioner for finance and chairman finance commissioners forum Mr. John Inegbedion told journalists that the cost of collection deducted by revenue generating agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) were unconstitutional.

However, he admitted that it was politically agreed by all stakeholders that the agencies should go ahead and receive cost of collection because the federal government was not able to fund them properly and that limited their ability to function well so it was agreed to let them have it

Senate rejects Nigeria Peace Corps Bill
The Senate at its plenary session on Thursday stepped down the Nigeria Peace Corps Bill it earlier considered till another legislative day.
Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, after consultations with other distinguished colleagues, moved a motion to step down the Clause by Clause Consideration of the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill SB. 173 and SB. 183 to another legislative day.
This was majorly as a result of the absence of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Bayero Nafada, representing Gombe North, whose Committee worked on the bill. However, the Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, would ensure further legislative work and consultation on the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill before it is brought for the Clause by Clause consideration and eventual passage into law at a later date.

Senate rejects Nigeria Peace Corps Bill
The Senate at its plenary session on Thursday stepped down the Nigeria Peace Corps Bill it earlier considered till another legislative day.
Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, after consultations with other distinguished colleagues, moved a motion to step down the Clause by Clause Consideration of the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill SB. 173 and SB. 183 to another legislative day.
This was majorly as a result of the absence of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Bayero Nafada, representing Gombe North, whose Committee worked on the bill. However, the Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, would ensure further legislative work and consultation on the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill before it is brought for the Clause by Clause consideration and eventual passage into law at a later date.

ORTOM ON LIVE RADIO BENUE.

ORTOM INTERACTS ON RADIO BENUE, OCTOBER 17TH, 2016
Radio Benue, Makurdi, will tomorrow Monday, 17th October, 2016, play host to the Executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on a special edition of its interactive phone-in programme, Issues of the Moment.
This edition of the programme, which is as usual, at the instance of the Governor, will hold from 8 to 10 o’clock in the morning with focus on appointment of traditional rulers and the Chieftaincy Law recently passed by the State House of Assembly and assented to by His Excellency.
The programme provides another opportunity for you, the Benue populace, to interact with your Governor on matters related to the traditional institution and other issues of governance and development.
You can be part of the programme by dialing telephone number 07038267479 which will be activated during the programme while you can send short text message to 08034787173 which has already been activated for that purpose.
Remember that text messages must contain the sender’s full name and location.
While at Radio Benue for the programme, the Governor is expected to relaunch the AM Channel of the Corporation which has been running test transmission on nine-one-eight kilohertz, three-two-seven metres in the Medium Wave Band.
Signed: Management

BUHARI VS BUHARI

POLITICS IS NOT A PROFESSION AND YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW EVERYONE IN ALL STATES BEFORE YOU WORK WITH THEM
Aisha Buhari’s interview with BBC: We only knew Fashola, Amaechi, few others
BBC Hausa: It has been One and a half years since President Muhammadu Buhari came into power, a lot of people are expressing their unhappiness over the way few acquaintance of the President have hijacked power while neglecting people that work for his success. Like we have promised, here is how the interview with Aisha Buhari and Naziru Maka’ilu from Abuja goes.
BBC Hausa: People have goodwill towards President Muhammadu Buhari, especially looking at the things he did before, but since coming into power things have not been working the way they should, what do you thing is the cause?
Aisha Buhari: I am not a government official, but in my opinion as a woman, a mother, what I think is it is well known that the first 4 years are not going to be easy. Firstly, it was people that brought the government into power. More than half of those people are not appointed into the government. Some people that are not politicians, not professionals were brought into the government. They don’t even know what we said we want and what we don’t during the campaign. They even come out and say to people we are not politicians, but they are occupying the offices meant for politicians. Some have parted with their wives, some lost their children lost, some women too have parted with their husbands because of politics, a lot happened during the time. The way things are going I too I am not happy. We are just starting, we have not finished. Some people that worked for the government have been appointed. But those heading government agencies you can find one fighting his state governor, they contested together during election one in APC while in PDP.
BBC Hausa: Who are those doing these kinds of things?
Aisha Buhari: Everybody knows them. Those people should know that people voted singly. Even Buhari too had one vote. Nobody voted 5 times. 15.429 Million People. That one that people are thinking too, he had only some 2 or 3 people. I am pleading to them to have the people at heart and embrace everybody so that we can all move together. Not even now in 2016 or 17, lot of people are creating divisions within the APC, which is our source of concern. They think they have worked for the government while those appointed some of them had no voter’s card. What I fear is uprising of 15.4 million people.
BBC Hausa: Is the President aware some people are subverting his government?
Aisha Buhari: Whether he knows or he do not, those that voted for him knows.
BBC Hausa: But you are the most closest to him, did you tell him?
Aisha Buhari: There is nothing I can tell him, he is seeing things himself. Out of the people he has appointed, take 50, 45 of them I don’t know them. Perhaps he doesn’t know them too. I have been living with him for 27 years.
BBC Hausa: Do you think there are some people that are dictating to the President things to do, not him?
Aisha Buhari: That is what I am saying, those that know they don’t have voters card, they should give chance to those that have, they are the ones that struggled and knows what we want to do. Some of them if you go to a meeting with them they will tell you, we are not politicians, if somebody is wise, they will not accept to take any political office. They didn’t even work for it. Even if you are asked to, you should say it is not my profession. Those places not headed by politicians will cause people discontent.
BBC Hausa: One would wonder to hear you say some people have hijacked the government without him knowing, but who do you think are those people?
Aisha Buhari: I don’t know them, I don’t know them. I don’t know them
BBC Hausa: But some people are calling names, saying 2 or 3 are the ones, do you that as well?
Aisha Buhari: Yes I agree. Because of those appointed apart from Fashola, Ameachi and some others, not much, I don’t know them, most of us too don’t know them, and he too does not know them
BBC Hausa: One would wonder that Buhari is not the one charge knowing him as a person who had leadership experiences, people would not believe
Aisha Buhari: Yes, it is surprising; nobody thought it is going to be like this. But now that it is so…sometimes when one is doing something wrong without him knowing, but when people talk to them, they should listen. Because in the future, whether he is going to contest or not, it is that same people that would vote for APC. We hope those people don’t come back, and everybody don’t hope so too
BBC Hausa: You said “Whether he is going to contest in the future or not”, has he disclose it to you whether he is standing or not?
Aisha Buhari: He didn’t tell me, but I have made up my mind.

WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION THICKNESS.

Full Details Of Nigerian Secret Police Raid On Federal Judges Revealed

SaharaReporters has learnt from sources at the Department of State Security (DSS) that the overnight raid on the residences of some nine court judges, culminating in the arrest of several of them, came as a result of petitions and decisions of the National Judicial Council (NJC), a statutory body that regulates the activities of judges.
by SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK Oct 08, 2016

SaharaReporters has learnt from sources at the Department of State Security (DSS) that the overnight raid on the residences of some nine court judges, culminating in the arrest of several of them, came as a result of petitions and decisions of the National Judicial Council (NJC), a statutory body that regulates the activities of judges.

Two DSS sources, however, stated that contrary to earlier reports, the Supreme Court nominee for Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, was not targeted in any of the raids conducted so far. Justice Onnohen reportedly raised alarm to friends when he noticed police action next to his residence as a team of security agents swooped on his next door neighbor, Justice Sylvanus Ngwunta. A press release issued by the DSS indicated that Justice Onnohen is not under investigation, SaharaReporters learnt that the justice's appointment is being fast-tracked to become the CJN in a few days.

However, two Supreme Court justices, John Inyang Okoro and Sylvanus Ngwuta, were arrested in connection with the receipt of bribes from Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. Justice Ngwuta reportedly traveled to Qatar to receive bribes that he shared with Justice Okoro and other justices in order to help Mr. Wike to win a case at the Supreme Court regarding his disputed election. During a search of his home Justice Ngwunta was in possession of N35,208m, $319,475, 25,890 pounds and 280 Euros

The two judges have been linked with massive properties development in Abuja and Calabar. Justice Okoro is said to be building seven houses simultaneously in Calabar with the help of former Governor Godswill Akpabio and his predecessor Udom Emmanuel in Akwa Ibom state. Justice Okoro had N4.35m, $38,833 and 1000 Euros in his possession during his arrest this morning.

SaharaReporters learned that Governor Wike sprang up late at night to obstruct the arrest of a judge in Port Harcourt. The altercation that ensued created a tense atmosphere between the Governor and security operatives sent to arrest the judge.

One source told SaharaReporters that the judge involved was Justice Abdullahi Liman of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. Justice Liman, who is yet to be apprehended reportedly took $2million from Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party to give a judgement that “overthrew” the faction led by a former governor of Borno state, Ali Modu Sheriff. Governor Wike reportedly transferred the funds in cash to Liman in Ghana, before it was ferried to his home in Port Harcourt. The bribe was to be shared between Lima and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Auta. When the team arrived the house in Port Harcourt where the loot was kept Gov. Wike mobilized his men to counter the DSS team with the aid of the State’s Police Commissioner. Another source also stated that one Justice Uche Nma Agomoh of the Federal High Court in the same city who was a lackey of the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Joseph Daudu was also involved in the scam.

A statement issued by the DSS stated that their team was obstructed by the governor and some thugs with the help of officers from a sister agency, which SaharaReporters learnt is a reference to the Nigerian police.

A security source claimed that Governor Wike left when confronted by police and DSS agents who threatened to shoot him, however, the obstruction aided movement of the cash found on the property. Governor Wike told a different version to the press, claiming he did not know who the judge was.

As early as 11 p.m. Nigerian time, the siege on the homes of judges became public knowledge when DSS agents raided the home of a young judge, Dimgba Nnamdi, who apparently has been a thorn in the side of the DSS lately. When the siege was over, the judge's brother had been brutalized, after which the security agents showed their victim a "search warrant" meant for Justice Okoro. Justice Dimgba Nnamdi was "roughened up" but not immediately arrested. However, a DSS source stated Justice Dimgba is guilty of corruption and had been arrested as well.

Justice Muazu Pindiga, who was arrested in Gombe, was transported to the DSS headquarters in Abuja. A DSS source told our correspondent that Justice Pindiga was cooperating with the DSS regarding his role in a bribery scheme over the Rivers State election tribunal from which he was removed as a judge as Saharareporters exposed him for receiving N100m from Governor Wike.

SaharaReporters learned that Justice Muhammad Ladan Tsamiya, an Appeal Court justice who was recently "compulsorily retired" by the NJC, was not home when a DSS team invaded his home in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja, he reportedly surrendered to the DSS later this morning.

One of the most dramatic scenes took place when the DSS team stormed the home of Justice Adeniyi Ademola. When the team ordered Justice Ademola to come out, the judge claimed he was not home, but his cellphone signal gave him away. He was subsequently arrested with at least N300 million found in different local and foreign currencies in his bedroom. Specifically the same of N54m cash, $171,779. 4,400 Euros, 1,010 Rupees, and 80 pounds was found in his residence.

A different team also arrested Justice Kabiru Auta in Kano.

One DSS source told our reporter that the raids were meant to be carried out by joint DSS and the Nigerian police teams, adding that the police bungled some of the raids by apparently tipping off their targets.

Several security agents stated that the raids took place following independent investigations that were triggered by petitions submitted to the NJC against some of the judges. According to one of the operatives,  none of the nine judges targeted haven't spent their salaries in the last two years.

One source revealed that the raids were originally planned for last week, but had to be postponed for "strategic reasons."

A statement issued by the DSS stated that the agency had recovered large sums of foreign and local currencies. The DSS gave a breakdown of the recovered funds as follows:

SUMMARY OF RECOVERED MONEY

1.   NAIRA          -      N93,558,000.00

2.    DOLLARS   -      $530,087

3.    POUNDS    -      £25,970

4.    EURO        -      €5,680

Other foreign currencies were also recovered. The funds were recovered from just three of the arrested judges.

The DSS revealed that its operatives also seized banking as well as real estate documents from several judges.

The agency is making preparations to arraign the arrested justices in court early next week.

LIST OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SOLE ADMINISTRATORS IN BENUE STATE

1 Usula Mfaga         -Logo

2  Peter Onche          -Obi

3 Micheal Umoru Inaellegwu - Agatu

4 Innocent Inyiyongu               -Makurdi.

5 Akura Dannis                         - Vandeikya

6 Adakole Abutu                        -Ohimini

7 Achado Benedict Nyiekura   - Gwer-East

8 George Alli                               -Otukpo

9 Dajuma Oche Solomon         -Apa

10 Anthony Shawon                  -Guma

11 Orngu Daniel                          -Kwande.

12 Barr. Oketa Alexander           -Ado

13 Kwaghmande Aper Innocent - Ushongo

14 David Yiman Terna                  -Buruku

15 Vera Akua                                 - Katsina Ala

16 Becky Orpin                               -Gboko

17 Mrs Anna Itodo                         -Okpokwu

18 Austin Okwoche                        -Oju

19 John T Ayaku                              -Konshisha

20 Akola James Simon                    -Ogbadibo

21 Agee Asawa                                  -Ukum

22 Anthony Sende                              - Tarka

23 Tar Timothy Terry                          - Gwer West .