NEW APPOINTMENTS.

 President Muhammadu Buhari has approved new appointments in 13 Federal Government agencies as follows:
1. Industrial Training Fund (ITF)
Director-General
Mr. Joseph Ari
2. National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
Director-General
Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami)
3. Nigerian Content Monitoring Board
Executive Secretary
Engineer Simbi Kesiye Wabote
4. Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)
Director-General
Aboloma Osita Anthony
5. Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)
Director-General
Mamman Amadu
6. Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD)
Executive Secretary
Barrister Sharon Ikeazor
7. New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
National Coordinator/CEO
Princess Akodundo Gloria
8. Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF)
Executive Secretary
Alhaji Ahmed Bobboi
9. Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority
Managing Director
Umana Okon Umana
10. National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons
Federal Commissioner
Sa’adiya Faruq
11. Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC)
Chairman
Engineer Usman Abubakar
12. Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)
Executive Secretary
Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau
13. Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
Executive Secretary
Yewande Sadiku

COURT ORDERS ARREST OF SENATE PRESIDENT

The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja has ordered the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase and other relevant security agencies in the country to arrest the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
In a ruling this afternoon, the tribunal headed by Justice Danladi Umar issued a bench warrant against Saraki following his refusal to appear in court to face a 13-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
FG had through a deputy director in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. M.S. Hassan, asked the tribunal to order Saraki’s arrest.
Saraki who was billed for arraignment this morning, sent his team of lawyers to serve the tribunal with a copy of the ruling of Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, which summoned the Ministry of Justice to appear on Monday to show cause why the trial should be allowed to proceed.
Equally summoned by the court were the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar and that of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Mr. Sam Saba, as well as Mr. Hassan who signed the charge against Saraki.
Meanwhile, irked by Saraki’s absence at the tribunal for the commencement of his prosecution over alleged false declaration of assets, the Ministry of Justice prayed the Justice Umar-led panel to order for his arrest, saying “he cannot sit in the comfort of his chamber and object to his trial in absentia”.
The prosecution further maintained that Justice Mohammed lacked the powers to summon the CCT and CCB chairmen, even as it accused Saraki of engaging in “forum shopping” in a desperate bid to scuttle his trial.
Meanwhile, Saraki has through his lawyer, begged the tribunal to consider his position as the Senate President and stay the execution of the arrest warrant, saying he would be available for trial on Monday.
His plea was refused by Justice Umar who maintained that the accused person, having sworn to protect the constitution, ought to have shown respect to the tribunal by appearing before it today.

FORMER FIRSTLADY USED DRIVERS,ETC TO OPEN DOLLAR ACCOUNTS.

   The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested four domestic servants, including a driver and a houseboy, whose names were used to open bank accounts for Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Sources within the anti-graft agency said on Sunday that the companies’ accounts were opened at Skye Bank. The companies are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited. The four companies’ accounts, which have since been frozen by the EFCC, have a balance of about $15m while another account, which bears Patience Jonathan’s name, has $5m. Mr. Sammie Somiari, who deposed to an affidavit on behalf of the ex-President’s wife, said the former First Lady was the owner of the money in the accounts. She had revealed that she gave millions of dollars to the then Special Adviser to the President on Domestic Affairs, Waripamowei Dudafa, to open accounts for her. Somiari, however, claimed that Dudafa opened five accounts for Patience and that only one of the accounts was in her name, while the other four were opened in the names of companies belonging to Dudafa. A detective at the EFCC, however, revealed that Dudafa used his domestic servants’ names to open the four other accounts and then deposited the money into the accounts. The operative added, “We were investigating Dudafa when we stumbled on those four companies’ domiciliary accounts opened at Skye Bank with a balance of about $15m. On further investigation, we were able to identify the directors of the companies. “When we detained the directors, we found out that they were Dudafa’s domestic servants. One of them was a houseboy while another one was a driver. Their photographs were used in opening the accounts and their signatures were forged. “We found out that these domestic servants were completely innocent because they had no access to the accounts. We have since released them. The sole signatory to the accounts was Patience Jonathan and she was issued with a special card, which is accepted worldwide. She has a separate account, which was opened in her name and has a balance of $5m.” The detective said a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs, who allegedly helped Dudafa to perpetrate the fraud, would also be arraigned. It was learnt that two Skye Bank executives, Demola Bolodeoku and Dipo Oshodi, who helped Dudafa to open the accounts on March 22, 2010, were also being investigated. The detective added, “This is a clear case of fraud and there is no way the bank officials will say they did not know what was going on. They are under investigation and those found culpable will be arraigned.” The EFCC operative said he could not immediately confirm if the transaction was reported to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit. He explained that the commission had discovered a trend which politicians used in laundering and concealing funds, saying it was becoming more rampant due to the operation of the Bank Verification Number which links all accounts owned by an individual. He added, “What we have noticed is that in order to conceal funds, what politicians and top civil servants do is to open bank accounts in the name of family or friends and then make themselves the sole signatory to the account. “Don’t forget that we traced about 17 bank accounts to the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd.). “Often times, they do this in connivance with bank officials and that is why the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has said henceforth, whenever we are investigating a bank official, we will probe the entire bank as well because these officials usually act under the instruction of their superiors.” Jonathan’s wife has, however, sued Skye Bank for freezing her bank accounts and giving the EFCC vital information about her finances. She also wants the court to order Skye Bank to pay her damages in the sum of N200m for what she termed a violation of her right to own personal properties under Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution.

NEW TOR TIV EMERGES SOON.

The coast is now clear and the waiting game over as the Benue state house of Assembly has passed into law the council of chiefs and Traditional council of chiefs amendment law 2016.

The passage followed two days of marathon sessions of the House and clause by clause consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole chaired by the Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange.

Shortly before the passage, the Assembly had resolved to refer the issue of determing the true descendants of the two major component units of Tiv ie Ichongo and Ipusu back to the the Supreme Council of the Tiv people known as "Ijir Tamen" so as to guarantee peaceful coexisgence.
By this resolution, Schedule 3 to Section 16 of the proposed amendment to the Council of Chiefs and Traditional Councils bill has been reduced to Ichongo and Ipusu so that their component units (descendants) will be determined by the Supreme Council of the Tiv people known as the "Ijir Tamen" to guarantee peaceful coexistence.

Furthermore, the State lawmakers agreed that the Selection Committee for the Tor Tiv stool is to comprise of Six First Class Chiefs, 14 Second Class Chiefs and the 28 Third Class Chiefs in Tiv land to bring the total number of the Committee members to 48 for fair and equitable representation in line with the Tiv custom and tradition.

The House took these decision today while debating the report of its joint committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs and Judiciary, Ethics and Privileges on the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Councils amendment bill.

Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange who read the resolutions of the House stated that the sharing formula where the two Tiv sons coexist should be between Ichongo and Ipusu, and not by geopolitical division or Electoral Constituencies.

Mr. Ikyange also urged the Idoma Area Traditional Council to key into the restructuring of the traditional stools in the state especially as it concerns the creation of a district for each Council ward which is meant to broaden grassroots participation rather than insisting on the original 22 districts that existed in Idoma land during the colonial era.

In a lead debate, Co- chairman of the Committee, Mr. Benjamin Nungwa among other things said that Schedule 3 of Section 16 (1) which has to do with the descendants of Ichongo and Ipusu has generated unhealthy debate capable of causing disharmony in Tiv nation.

SUSWAM SNEAKED OUT OF THE COUNTRY?

Though out of office, the embattled former Governor, Gabriel Suswam was going about his 'official duties' ,attending burials, thanksgiving and participating in State and National party activities. But suddenly he has gone underground.
Tion's blog check discovered the Suswam might have sneaked out of  the country.
Efforts to get him to comment on the recent arrest of his officials proved abortive as none of his lines went  through.
As police intensifies efforts to arrest more looters ,time will tell whether he is in or out of Nigeria.

WOMBO, GBANDE IN HOT SOUP AS THEIR ACCOUNTS ARE FROZEN

News reaching Tion's blog has it that
an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court yesterday ordered the immediate freezing of the bank accounts of former Benue State Finance Commissioner, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, and 12 others recently arrested and detained in connection with their indictment by the Elizabeth Kpojime Commission of Inquiry.

The court gave the order while ruling on an exparte motion brought before it by lawyers of police detectives handling the investigation into the matter.

Impeccable judicial sources confirmed that 13 of the 52 persons indicted for looting N107 billion from the coffers of the Benue State Government under Governor Gabriel Suswam have been affected by the court order.

These, according to the sources, include former Special Adviser, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Solomon Wombo, former Permanent Secretary at the Bureau, Mr. Asen Sambe, former Accountant, Mr. Isaiah Ipevnor as well as former chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Comrade Richard Gbande.

It has also been confirmed that the order has been served on all the affected banks.

The Benue State Government had forwarded the white paper on the report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the police for further necessary action.

The police, believed to be acting on behalf of the anti-graft bodies and the state government, arrested 13 persons last week including those mentioned and took them to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for interrogation.

They have however, being granted police bail after giving statements pending their arraignment in court.

Reacting to the development, State Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Mr. Michael Gusa, expressed the determination of the state government to follow due process in the recovery of the looted funds.

He stated that when recovered the funds would be used to meet government obligations including payment of salary arrears and retirement benefits owed pensioners as well provision of critical infrastructure.

MAN WHO NAMED HIS DOG BUHARI ,NAMED HIS BABY,AISHA.

The man, Joe Fortemose Chinakwe, who named his dog after President Muhammadu Buhari, has sparked another social media ‘discourse’ as he named his newborn baby girl, Aisha. The 30-year-old trader named his child Aisha, purportedly after the wife of the president on Sunday. It would be recalled that for naming his dog Buhari, Chinakwe was arrested and charged to the Ota Magistrate Court 2, Ogun State by the police with conduct likely to cause breach of public peace, in a case with suit number MOT/617c/2016. He was, however, freed from detention after he fulfilled his N50, 000 bail condition. A Lagos based lawyer and human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong, made this disclosure on his Twitter handle. While some persons are of the opinion that Chinakwe was just after cheap publicity, others say he is a controversial man who would stop at nothing to ‘look for trouble.’ The lawyer tweeted @InibeheEffiong: “Joachim Iroko Chinakwe, the man who named his dog ‘Buhari’ has done it again. He has just called to inform me that he has named his newly born baby/daughter after the wife of @NGRPresident. “He has given his 3-day-old baby two names; Mise and Aisha. “According to him, Mise is a native Delta name which means ‘I am doing it.’ He said that he also named his daughter Aisha, after the wife of @NGRPresident and that she will bear the two names concurrently. “Sincerely, I am short of words. I never for once contemplated this. As a matter of fact, I deliberately refused to ask Iroko what name he intended to give his daughter when he called last Friday, September 2 to intimate me that his wife had given birth. “I do not know what Nigerians will say about this. It is my prayer that this will not also end him in jail since some names seem to have special protection of the @PoliceNG. “Let us hope that this is not another conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace,” he tweeted.

Whereabout of Chibok girls revealed.

Breaking:''Mama Boko Haram” Reveals
Whereabouts of Chibok Girls
....
....
Aisha Alkali Wakil also known as “Mama
Boko Haram” has announced that the
dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group is
now ready for peace.
She also stated that the group might
make an announcement on the
whereabouts of the kidnapped Chibok
school girls within the next 24 hours.
“Since I came back, I have been on their
neck, They have now agreed to come out
and discuss with the government and
bring back the girls”.
“I am for the Chibok girls and all the
captives. They are ready for peace. This
is what they told me.
“I think they might post some information
on YouTube within 24 hours,” She said.

President Impeached

President Dilma Rouseff has been impeached.

POLICE BEGINS ARREST OF INDICTED PEOPLE.

HARDEN LOOTERS IN TROUBLE
AS GOV. ORTOM COMMERNCES THE RECOVERY OF
THE ALEDGED NI07 BILLION  LOOT BY THE FORMER GOV.
AND HIS CABINET MEMBERS.9 looters now in police custody.



The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC, in conjunction with Nigeria Police have started the process of the recovery of the N107 billion looted from Benue State treasury by 52 individuals and 10 corporate organisations in the last administration with the arrest of nine persons.

The nine persons who were indicted by the Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Commission of Inquiry were arrested and detained at the State Police headquarters, Makurdi before being taken to the force headquarters Abuja for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.

Judiciary and crime correspondent, Richard Uleve, reports that those arrested are the former Special Adviser to the former Governor, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Solomon Wombo, former permanent secretary of the Bureau, Mr Asen Sambe, and the accountant during their time, Mr. Isaiah Ipevnor.

Others are Janet Aluga, Moses Detso, Peter Ochoga, James Gera, Aroga Emmanuel and former legal adviser of the Benue Investment and Property Company, BIPC, Mr John Tyokegh.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bashir Makama, who confirmed the arrest explained that the it was effected by the Police from the force headquarters in Abuja.

Mr Wombo reported himself to the police at the force headquarters in Abuja and is currently being detained there.

The police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said one of those indicted by the Kpojime Commission, Mr Richard Gbande, escaped when Police went to arrest him but that his two cars were impounded.

He revealed that large amounts of money and ammunition were recovered from the houses of some of those arrested.

Reacting to the development, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Michael Gusa,  who also confirmed the arrests stated that the Governor Ortom administration would do everything legally possible to recover the looted funds.

He assured the people of the state that after the recovery of the money, it would be channelled towards the development of the state as well as the clearing of all salaries and other entitlements owed workers and pensioners.radiobenue.live.com

Facebook founder,Mark Zurgeburg excited as he visits Lagos. Hear him speaks:

Next stop: Lagos! This is my first trip to sub-Saharan Africa. I'll be meeting with developers and entrepreneurs, and learning about the startup ecosystem in Nigeria. The energy here is amazing and I'm excited to learn as much as I can.

Our first stop is the Co-creation Hub Nigeria (CcHUB) in Yaba. I got to talk to kids at a summer coding camp and entrepreneurs who come to CcHub to build and launch their apps. I'm looking forward to meeting more people here!

Dokumbo Asari dead?

Some unconfirmed sources have said that the leader of MEND, Mr Dokumbo Asari is dead.
Details are sketchy but we will keep you posted.

posted from Bloggeroid