$2.1b arms deals: Metuh gives up legal fight, offers to refund N400m

$2.1b arms deals: Metuh gives up legal fight, offers to refund N400m

The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuhu on Thursday said he was prepared to pay back  his share of N400million out of the

$2.1billion cash meant for arms.

The cash was allegedly diverted to political purposes by the Office
of the National Security Adviser( ONSA) during the tenure of ex-National Security Adviser( NSA).

But Metuh, who has been on trial in the past few months, said he has had enough of legal travails.

He said he had been in talks with the Ministry of Justice, the EFCC and other necessary bodies on how to refund the money and resolve the issue.

The ex-PDP National Publicity Secretary came up with the offer in a statement through his counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN).

He said although the cash was released to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan, he did not know the source as at the time.

He said since the EFCC presented a document on the source of the
money in court, he had made up his mind to willingly refund the N400million.

He said: ” It was however while in court that a document was brought regarding the source of the money and since then, our Client has made manifest his willingness to refund the money and
has indeed approached his family, friends and associates to mobilise funds to refund the entire N400 million to the government regardless of the fact that the money had been expended based on
the directives of the former President and that part of the money had been recovered from one of the prosecution witnesses.”

N22.8b Fraud: Ex-Air Force Chief, Amosu Refunds N4b To FG, As Court Remands Him, Others In Custody

N22.8b Fraud: Ex-Air Force Chief, Amosu Refunds N4b To FG, As Court Remands Him, Others In Custody

The Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (Rtd) has returned N4 billion to the Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC and counsel to the former Air Force bose, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde confirmed this fact to judiciary Correspondents after he and ten others were arraignment by the Commission before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over an alleged N22.8 billion fraud.

Amosu, was arraigned alongside two senior serving Air Force officers, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga and eight companies before Justice Mohammed Idris.

Companies named in the charge are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd.

The EFCC accused the accused persons of converting and stealing the sum from the Nigeria Air Force around March 5, 2014 in Lagos.

They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime” and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 17(a).

The accused persons were accused of using the companies to convert and conceal the money.

Air Marshal Amosu and Air Vice Marshal Adigun were said to have, between July 17 and September 16, 2014, allegedly removed
over N663.4million from the Nigerian Air Force accounts to purchase properties at  50-52 Tenterden Grove, London (NW4 1TH)
and at 93B Shirehall Park, LondonNW4 2QU, United Kingdom.

They were also accused of buying 40A, Bourdillon, Ikoyi, with N900million, and a property at Sinari Daranijo in Victoria Island with N1.5billion.

According to the EFCC they also bought a property named as Cappadol Mall at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II Abuja, for N750million, as well as a property worth over N1.7billion at Agobogba Street, Parkview, Ikoyi Lagos, using the airforce’s money.

Other properties they allegedly bought using Air Force’s funds include one at Salt Lake Street, Maitama, Abuja; one at Agadez Street off Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja; 61A, Lake Chad Street, Maitama, Abuja; and one at 1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja using alleged stolen funds.

Between last March 6 and April 30, the accused allegedly used N428,139,539.00 removed from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force to renovate and purchase medical equipment for Solomon HealthCare Ltd situate at 24th Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja Lagos.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

While moving the bail application on behalf of his client, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) said Amosu has been cooperating fully with EFCC since his arrest in January 2016.

He also said, "He has remitted the sum of N4 billion to the federal government, although not in admittance of guilt, but out of cooperation with security agencies. 

"I therefore urged the court to granted bail to the 1st accused person (Amosu) on self-recognisance or if the court want to impose conditions it should be very liberal.

"My client has been reporting to the EFCC, sometimes twice a week. The 1st defendant will make himself available for trial", he stated. 

Also, Norrison Quakers (SAN), leading Kemi Balogun (SAN) and other lawyers for 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants urged the court to grant their client bail on liberal terms. 

He submitted that his client has been cooperative since his arrest, adding that the accused has health challenge. "The Commission is aware of it.

"My humble application is that your lordship grant bail on liberal terms. Incidentally, the 2nd defendant is on administrative bail by the Commission. He will be available for trial," he submitted.  

Counsel to the 3rd, 9th and 10th defendants, A Etuokwu also urged the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms, adding that he is still a serving military officer.

The lawyer said,  "He is a serving military man and has a debilitating heart condition. He has also cooperated with the EFCC and we urge the court to grant him bail on liberal terms". 

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo did not oppose the bail applications but urged the court to give stringent conditions that would secure the accused persons attendance i court. 

In his ruling, Justice Idris granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum. 

The judge also held that the two sureties must have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court and that they must deposit their title documents with the registrar of the court while the EFCC must verify the documents.

The court also stated that the sureties must swear to affidavit of means to be verified by the EFCC while the accused persons must deposit their international passports with the court.

Before adjourned case to July 8 for trial, Justice Idris remanded the 1st and 3rd accused persons to prison custody while the 2nd accused is to be kept in the EFCC custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions. 

Count one read: “That You, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu Nunayon (Rtd), Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Owodunni Olugbenga, Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites Bdc, Fonds and Pricey Ltd,Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd And Solomon Health Care Ltd on or about the 5th day of March, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N21,467,634,707.43, property of the Nigerian Air Force, which sum was derived from stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section
18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.” EFCC said the accused converted and concealed the sums, which they “reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: stealing.”

Prison Warder Attacks Journalists In Court

Prison Warder Attacks Journalists In Court

Pandemonium broke out yesterday at the premises of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja when a prison warder, A.A. Teriba attacks and injured some journalists covering the court.

The ugly drama occurred shortly after Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye convicted and sentenced a bricklayer, Femi Adebowale to death by hanging for armed robbery.

After the proceedings, journalists, who covered the court sitting had tried to take the photograph of the convict to buttress their report but their action drew the irk of Teriba.

The prison warder, in an attempt to prevent the convict's picture from being taken, left the convict unguarded and pounced on Adebisi Onanuga of The Nation,  rough-handled and punched him on the chest and ordered him to hand over his Black Berry phone, with which he was trying to take the photograph.

In the scuffle that ensued, the warder tore his shirt and removed three buttons ‎from the cloth.

When Onanuga passed the phone to a colleague, Gbenga Adewoye  of the AIT/RayPower, Teriba turned his attention on him and punched him again on the chest in an attempt to forcibly take the phone from him.

The incident attracted various officers of the court, lawyers and security officers.

All efforts by those who intervened to settle the matter ‎were rebuffed by Teriba who boasted that he was ready to take the matter up to Abuja.

It finally took the intervention of the Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mrs. Idowu Alakija before the situation was brought under control.

It would be recalled that a Prison warder‎ two weeks ago assaulted Wahab Akinlade of federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) when he took the photograph of  Bale of Temidire village in Alagbado, Alhaji Nojeen Abioye who was standing trial for alleged murder and manslaughter.

The matter attracted the attention of Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo who chided the prison official and told him there was nothing offensive in the photograph.

Also last month, a Prison ‎warder attacked the cameramen of Silverbird Television and Mr. Jesuchri Imoni , an independent journalist for taking the photograph of two engineers of Synagogue Church, Akin. Fatiregun and Oladele Ogundeji when they were remanded in KiriKiri prison pending pending approval of bail application by the court.

Armed Robbery: Bricklayer To Die By Hanging Court Rules

Armed Robbery: Bricklayer To Die By Hanging Court Rules

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos State High court, sitting in Ikeja yesterday convicted and sentenced a ‎bricklayer, Femi Adebowale to death by hanging for conspiracy and armed robbery.

Justice Ipaye handed down the verdict after  he found the convict guilty of a four count charge brought against him by the Lagos state government in accordance with section 295(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

According to the judge the mimimum penalty provided by the law is death sentence for each of the four counts over which the convict was charged.

She held,  "‎In accordance with the provision of the law, you are hereby sentenced to death by hanging by the neck until death. May the Lord have mercy on us", she said.

During the trial, the Prosecution, Akin George had accused Adebowale of robbing one Alhaja Amudalat Olowo-Eyo of gold jewelries‎ valued over N500,000.00; cash of N350,000.00 and other valuable documents at gun point.

George had told the court that the convict, with others at large, robbed their victims on December 28, 2012 between 1.00 a.m. and 2.00 am at their residence, 10, Aiyetolu street, Abule Egba, Lagos.

The convict, when arraigned last year, had pleaded not guilty to the four count charge.

The complainant, Alhaja Olowo-Eyo had told the court how the convict and others at large robbed her‎ at her residence.

She had told the court that she and her family were gathered in their parlour and ‎told that they would waste their lives if they refused to cooperate with them.

She said she identified the convict as being among bricklayers brought in by her landlord for the renovation of the house two days before the incident.

She said that after robbing them, her husband was able to pin one of the robbers down, a situation that gave her courage to also held to another robber next to her.

In order to free himself, she said the robber shot her twice in the chest but that God kept her alive.

She said colleagues of the convict who escaped came back 20 minutes later and rained bullets on their apartment.

She said one of her daughters was hit in the stomach, another on the back while her son was hit on the thigh.

She said the incidence was reported at Ile Epo Police station while they were treated at the General Hospital in the area.

In her judgment, Justice Ipaye dismissed the alibi provided by the convict that he was away in Akure for his marriage introduction ceremony on the day of the incident.

She also‎ described as not credible, the evidence provided by the supposed father in-law who told the court during trial he met the convict for the first time on the day of the ceremony.

Citing several authorities, the trial judge noted that the evidence provided before the court by the complainant and her daughter‎ among other evidences were not controverted by the defence led, Yemi Omodele.

Justice Ipaye said the prosecution proved their charge of conspiracy as the act was carried out by more than one person.

The judge also said that the prosecution  proved the case of armed robbery against the convict.

Justice Ipaye therefore sentenced the convict to death "by hanging by the neck until death"  stressing that the prosecution has proved their case beyond reasonable doubt.

Court Remands Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman other In Prison Over Alleged N4.6bn Fraud

Court Remands Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman  other In Prison Over Alleged N4.6bn Fraud

Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded Former Aviation Minister & Spokesman of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Nenadi Usman in prison custody over an alleged N4.6 billion fraud pending the hearing of their bail applications on July 1.

Justice Hassan gave the order after the two former ministers a firm, Joint Trust Dimensions Limited; and one Jimoh Yusuf were arraigned before him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 27 count charge of conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft, corruption and money laundering.

According to the EFCC in the charge marked FHC/L/C/251c/2016, the accused persons allegedly on or before January 2015, unlawfully retained the total sum of N4. 6 billion, which they knew was a proceeds from an unlawful act.

While Usman, former Minister of Finance, under president Goodluck Jonathan Administration, Danjuma Yusuf and Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited retained the sum of N1.5 billion, Fani-kayode and Olubode Oke, said to be at large, were accused of retained the total sum of N1,650,650 billion.

The accused persons were also alleged to have made payment of several amounts running to billions of Naira without going through Financial institutions.

The offences according to the anti-graft agency are contrary to sections 1(a), Section 15(2)(d), 16(d), 18(a), 16(d) 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3),  16(2)(b) and 4 of the same Act.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

After their arraignment, the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo asked the court for accelerated hearing, and that the court should remand the accused persons in prisons custody pending the determination of the charge.

This motion was strongly opposed to by lawyers to the accused persons, Fred Orbih (SAN), Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), and Mr. S. I Ameh.

Although they told the court that they are not opposed to an accelerated hearing of the case, they however expressed objection to the application to remand their clients in prison  pending the hearing and determination of the charge.

In opposing the bail application, counsel to Usman, Orbih (SAN) imformed the court that he had filed his client's bail application and it has been served on the prosecution.

He urged the court to allow him to move the bail application.

In the same vain, lawyer who represented Fani-Kayode in court, Adedipe,  informed the court that he had also filed a bail application on behalf of his client and same has been served on the prosecution.

Adedipe particularly informed the court that the bail application was filed on June 15, and same was served on June 16, adding that he has not received a counter-affidavit indicating the prosecution's opposition to the bail application.

He therefore urged the court to hear his client's bail application.

Also, lawyer to third accused person, Ameh, also told the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client.

In response, the prosecutor, Oyedepo, imformed the court that Nenadi and Yusuf's bail applications were served on the prosecution on Monday, and he needed time to respond to the applications.

Though, he conceded that Fani-kayode's bail application has been served on the Commission since June 16, he was waiting to respond to the three applications at once since the court will give a joint ruling on the applications.

Oyedepo, therefore urged the court for an adjournment to enable him respond to all the applications.

The EFCC counsel further informed the court that the Commission's remand facility has been over strength, and that one of the accused persons alleged that he was being assaulted by the Commission's officials, so the right place to remand the accused persons in is the prison.

In his ruling, Justice Hassan held "I have listened to the arguments canvassed by the both  parties. The prosecution was only served yesterday.

"In the interest of Justice, it will be better if the prosecution is given the opportunity to respond to the applications. In the instance, the matter is hereby adjourned Till Friday, July 1, for hearing and ruling on bail applications".

The judge however ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Prisons custody until the next adjourned date.

unt one of the charge reads;
That you, Nnenadi Esther Usman,   Femu Fani-kayode, Danjuma Yusuf and Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited, on or about the 8th day of January, 2015, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to indirectly retain the sum of N1,500, 000,000.00 (One Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira) which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d), 16(d), 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) & 4 of the same Act."

While count 17 reads; "that you Femi Fani-kayode and Olubode Oke (still at large) on or about the 12th day of February,2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without going through a financial institution made cash payment in the sum of N6,000,000. 000 (Six Million Naira) to Paste Poster Co (PPC) of 125, Lewis Street, Lagos Island, Lagos which sum exceeded the amount authorized by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a), Section 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

Nigeria oil output rises to 1.9 million bpddue to repairs -NNPC

Nigeria oil output rises to 1.9 million bpd
due to repairs -NNPC

Oil production in Nigeria has risen to about 1.9 million barrels per day
(bpd), from 1.6 million bpd, due to repairs and more than a week
having passed since a major pipeline attack in the Niger Delta, a state
oil company spokesman said on Monday.

Militants who say they want a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth to
go to the impoverished Delta region have carried out a spate of attacks
on pipelines in the last few months.

Nigeria, an OPEC member that was Africa's top oil producer until the
attacks pushed it behind Angola, has seen production fall from 2.2
million bpd at the start of the year. Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe
Kachikwu said in early June that output had fallen to around 1.6
million bpd.

But on Monday, Garba Deen Muhammad, a spokesman for the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said oil production
had risen to around 1.9 million bdp since last week.

"Production has increased because we are making repairs to damaged
pipelines and installations. And we have not had any major attacks in
recent times," he said.

The Niger Delta Avengers, the group that has claimed responsibility for
most of the recent attacks on oil and gas installations last said it blew
up a pipeline on June 16.

Last week, petroleum ministry officials said the government had
agreed a one-month ceasefire with militants, but the Avengers said
they had not agreed to a truce.

Muhammad also said Kachikwu was in China for a roadshow, which
began on Sunday, aimed at raising around $50 billion of investment for
Nigeria's oil industry.

A’Court Uphold Constitutionality Of Lagos Traffic Law On Okada Restriction

A’Court Uphold Constitutionality Of Lagos Traffic Law On Okada Restriction

The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal upheld the judgment of Justice Aishat Opesanwo of the Lagos High Court, which upholding the constitutional power of the state to restricts movement of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada ridersfrom plying some routes in the State.

The Court of Appeal in an unanimously verdict held that Section 3 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012 was not ultra vires the powers of the Lagos State House of Assembly to enact laws for the State.

The Court further stated that the law was enacted with the overriding intention to protect the interest of the public, provide environmental sanity and reasonably justifiable for a society like Lagos State.

The Lagos State Road Traffic Law which came into effect on August 2, 2012 restricts the operations of commercial motorcycle on about 475 out of the over 9,000 roads in Lagos State.

The Law also prohibits other activities considered inimical to road traffic including hawking, drunk driving,  and sale of alcoholic drinks within 100 metres of bus stops, and motor parks within the State, amongst others.

However, worried that the Law will affect their livelihood, the Okada riders, under the aegis of

All Nigerians Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association, had asked the court to restrain the state government from prohibiting their operations on the highways.

They had argued through their counsel, late Bamidele Aturu, that some of the restricted roads were federal roads listed under the Federal Highways Act, cap F13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

They had prayed the court to declare  section 3(1) of the law which prohibits the riding, driving or propelling of a cart, wheel barrow, motorcycle or tricycle on the Major Highways in Lagos, as unconstitutional.

The commercial motorcycle operators had further asked for a declaration that the defendants have no power whatsoever to make any law to regulate traffic on any of the Federal Trunk or Highway Roads.

The claimants said restricting their operations on the said roads would violate their rights to freedom of movement, guaranteed by section 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

But the state government and the House

of Assembly had opposed the suit,

saying they had the power to make

and execute laws on all the roads in

the state.

They had argued that there was no

law passed by the National Assembly

declaring any road to be federal.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, now the vice-president of Nigeria, while defending the Assembly in the case, argued that the 1999 constitution only empowers the National Assembly to designate

roads as “federal trunk roads”.

He said, “As required by part III

paragraph 1 to the Second Schedule,

the National Assembly can only

designate or declare a road as federal

trunk road either by an Act or a

resolution passed by both houses of

the National Assembly.

The second defendant urged the court to hold that the House of Assembly validly exercised its powers to make law in respect of these highways.

Justice Aishat Opesanwo in a judgment on the suit held that the Lagos State House of Assembly has the right to make laws governing roads within the state.

The Judge held that from the evidence before her, the Lagos state traffic law did not in anyway prohibit freedom of movement as alleged by okada riders.

Justice Opesanwo also said that "from the evidence before me, I do not see how the Lagos State Traffic Law prohibits the movement of citizens in the state." 

Adding that the law only prohibit certain means and mode of movement for security and safety reasons. 

She also held that the Nigerian Constitution clearly prohibit any restriction to movement of citizens but not inanimate objects such as motorcycle.

Justice Opesanwo also held that the argument by the Okada riders that the Lagos Traffic law discriminate against them, lacks merit as she could not find in any of the affidavits put before her, how they were discriminated upon.

She held that the Nigerian Constitution only make for discrimination on the ground of sex, state of origin, religion, ethnic group and that since the Okada riders do not fall in any of these group, they cannot claim that they were discriminated upon by the enactment of the Lagos traffic law.

She noted that Okada Riders in the state does not constitute a community and has not been in anyway discriminated upon.

"Today having the originating summons, am obliged that it lacks merit, so it is dismissed."

While dismissing the action, she said " I hold that this action is lacking in merit. The action fails and is hereby dismissed in its entirety"

I can’t face CCT trial together with forgery case, Saraki tells court

I can’t face CCT trial together with forgery case, Saraki tells court


The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has asked a High Court
of the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, Abuja, to quash the forgery
charges instituted against him and other co-defendants.
He urged the court to alternatively adjourn the case indefinitely.
Saraki, in the application which his lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji
(SAN), filed on Wednesday, said compelling him to face the fresh
forgery charges alongside his ongoing trial before the Code of
Conduct Tribunal would jeopardise his right to fair hearing.
The Senate President is currently being prosecuted before the
CCT on 16 counts of false and anticipatory asset declaration.
On June 10, the Federal Government preferred two counts of
criminal conspiracy and forgery of the Standing Rules of the
Senate used for the leadership election of the presiding officers
of the Senate in June last year against him, the Deputy Senate
President, Ike Ekweremadu, and two others.
The other two co-accused are a former Clerk to the National
Assembly, Salisu Maikasu, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.
The Federal Government stated that the offence of conspiracy is
punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code Act; and
offence of forgery with “fraudulent intent” punishable under
Section 364 of the same law.
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court in Jabi where the
accused were charged, had on Tuesday ordered that the charges
preferred against them be pasted to the notice board of the
National Assembly.
The judge fixed Monday (June 27) for arraignment of the four
accused persons.
But in his fresh motion, Saraki challenged the competence of the
charges which he said disclosed no prima facie case against
him.
He also contested the mode of service through pasting of the
court summons alongside the charges to the notice board of the
National Assembly on Tuesday.
He asked the court to set aside the service for being invalid.

Finally FG Releases Interim Report On Financial, Assets Recoveries

Finally FG Releases Interim Report On Financial, Assets Recoveries

The Federal Government has finally released the interim report on funds and assets recovered from individuals who looted the nation’s treasury.
According to a statement from the office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the total cash recoveries comes to the sum of seventy eight point three billion Naira; one hundred and eight five million point one US Dollars, three point five million Pounds, and eleven thousand Euros, from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016.
This comes after the Federal Government failed to publish the list of individuals and the amount stolen on May 29, as earlier promised.
Full text here:
PRESS RELEASE LOOTING: FG RELEASES INTERIM REPORT ON FINANCIAL, ASSETS RECOVERIES
The Federal Government made cash recoveries totaling N78,325,354,631.82 (Seventy eight billion, three hundred and twenty-five million, three hundred and fifty-four thousand, six hundred and thirty one Naira and eighty two kobo); $185,119,584.61 (One hundred and eight five million, one hundred and nineteen thousand, five hundred and eighty four US Dollars, sixty one cents); 3,508,355.46 Pounds Sterling (Three million, five hundred and eight thousand, three hundred and fifty-five Pounds and 46 Pence) and 11, 250 Euros (Eleven thousand, two hundred and fifty Euros) from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016.
In a statement in Lagos on Saturday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also disclosed that Recoveries Under Interim Forfeiture (cash and assets) during the period totaled N126,563,481,095.43 (One hundred and twenty six billion, five hundred and sixty three million, four hundred and eighty one thousand, and ninety five Naira, forty three Kobo; $9,090,243,920.15 (Nine billion, ninety million, two hundred and forty three thousand, nine hundred and twenty Dollars, fifteen cents; 2,484,447.55 Pounds Sterling (Two million, four hundred and eighty four thousand, four hundred and forty seven Pounds, fifty five Pence) and 303,399.17 Euros (Three hundred and three thousand, three hundred and ninety-nine Euros, 17 cents).
According to the statement, which is based on the interim report on the financial and assets recoveries made by the various government agencies from 29 May 2015 to 25 May 2016, the Funds Awaiting Return From Foreign Jurisdictions total $321,316,726.1 (Three hundred and twenty one million, three hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred and twenty six Dollars, one cent); 6,900,000 Pounds (Six million, nine hundred thousand Pounds) and 11,826.11 Euros (Eleven thousand, eight hundred and twenty six Euros, 11 cents).
It showed that Non-Cash Recoveries (Farmlands, Plots of Land, Uncompleted Buildings, Completed Buildings, Vehicles and Maritime Vessels) during the period total 239.
The following is the breakdown of the recovered cash and assets:

FG Scraps Post UTME, Pegs Cut-off Point At 180

FG Scraps Post UTME, Pegs Cut-off Point At 180

The federal government yesterday announced the cancellation of the post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) into the nation’s institutions of higher learning.

Post UTME is usually conducted by universities for candidates after they have passed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations.

Making the pronouncement yesterday in Abuja to declare open the 2016 combined policy meeting on admission to universities, polytechnics and other higher institutions in Nigeria, the Minister of Education , Malam Adamu Adamu, said the federal government has confidence in the examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, adding that there is no need for other examinations to be conducted by universities after JAMB exams.

He said, “As far as I am concerned, the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing. The universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complain against JAMB, let them bring it and then we address it.”

Adamu maintained that since JAMB is qualified enough to conduct tests, there’s no need for tertiary institutions to conduct test again for students to gain admission.

The minister also asked the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board to stop extra charges on several categories of changes on admissions such as the change of course, change of school and others.

Meanwhile, delegates from different higher institutions across the country who converged on Abuja yesterday at the Combined Policy meeting, rounded off their debate over the cut off marks for Year 2016 Admissions into the tertiary institutions, with a cut-off point at 180.

However, the delegates maintained that the schools should not rule out screening of candidates ,that screening of is still vital to gaining entrance into the universities.

They argued that in the quest for knowledge, educational standard should not be lowered in the country.

Speaking with journalists, the JAMB Registrar, Prof ‘Dibu Ojerinde, said, “180 is given and no institution will go below 180 this year, And some universities can go above it, I know Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife will not go below 200 and University of Lagos will not go below 200 and also University of Ibadan. All these ones stand. But 180 is a bench mark for others.”

He said this year, the examination board have more than enough candidates with over 1.5 million candidate, saying, “So we will get enough candidates to take in all the schools if they are serious”
The JAMB registrar said re- distribution is already ongoing because it is embedded in the registration procedure.

He reiterated the minister of Education’s pronouncement saying, “for post UTME ,no more writing of post UTME anymore but institutions will screen their candidates.

However, some people protested at the venue of the 2016 Combined Policy meeting on Thursday.

They carried placards with various inscriptions, some of which called on the federal government, National Assembly and other major stakeholders to put an end to the conduct of the post UTME exams.

Some also called on the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the ICPC to probe university administrators on the utilisation of the post UTME.