... ... 07/23/21 | IYANDA'SBLOG

Local News, Sport Updates, Politics, Educational News, Religious etc.

07/23/21

A group, The People’s Alternative Political Movement (TPAP-M) has said that the constitution does not allow the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to take a loan from financial institutions to fund any enterprise owned by a private corporate body or individual such as Dangote Refinery.

The group's stance was contained in a statement issued by Comrade Omotoye Olorode and Comrade Jaye Gaskia on Wednesday.

NNPC

The group warned that it would take the NNPC to court if it goes ahead to take the proposed unapproved $3.2billion loan which it wanted to use to fund Dangote Refinery.

TPAP-M also called on the Minister of Petroleum Resources to immediately restrain the Management of the NNPC to stop the transaction as the aforementioned conditions were not met.

The statement partly reads, “Pursuant to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act (Cap. N123) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is vested with the power to engage in all commercial activities relating to the petroleum industry and to enforce all regulatory measures relating to the general control of the petroleum sector through its petroleum inspectorate department.

“Like his predecessor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President Muhammadu Buhari made himself the Minister of Petroleum Resources. As the supervising minister, the President is in charge of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

*The NNPC recently announced that it had concluded arrangements to take a loan of $3.2billion to acquire 20 per cent in the Dangote Refinery which is expected to be completed in 2022. It is estimated that the 20 per cent will be valued at not less than $4 billion.

”TPAP-M has confirmed that the Federal Government granted approval for the Dangote Refinery to be sited in the Free Economic Zone in Lagos, granted duty waivers in respect of the imported machinery and special concession to purchase foreign currencies at the official rate.

“Thus, the contribution of the Federal Government to the Dangote Refinery is more than $4billion. 

“However, upon a critical review of the relevant provisions of the Constitution and other relevant statutes TPAP-M has found that the NNPC lacks the power to take a loan from financial institutions to fund the enterprise owned by a private corporate body or individual.

“From the information at our disposal, the NNPC did not seek the approval of the Federal Executive Council to borrow the said sum of $3.2 billion. Furthermore,  under the  current  political  dispensation  the  power of Government  at all  tiers to borrow is regulated  by  the  Fiscal  Responsibility  Act,  2007.

”It is undoubtedly clear that the Federal Government did not seek the approval of the National Assembly to borrow the said sum of $3.2billion.

”In view of the  undeniable  fact  that  the NNPC has neither sought the approval  of the Federal Executive  Council and the National Assembly to borrow the  sum of $3.2 billion  to  invest  in Dangote Refinery, we call on the Honourable  Minister of Petroleum Resources to restrain the Management  of the  NNPC  to stop the illegal transaction without any further delay.

“However, if the  NNPC  is  allowed to  take the  loan, TPAPM will not hesitate to invoke section 51 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act which states that "A person shall have legal capacity to enforce the provision of this Act by obtaining prerogative orders or other remedies  at  the  Federal  High Court,  without having  to  show any  special  particular interest.”

NNPC News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/30dOkkx

A group, The People’s Alternative Political Movement (TPAP-M) has said that the constitution does not allow the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to take a loan from financial institutions to fund any enterprise owned by a private corporate body or individual such as Dangote Refinery.

The group's stance was contained in a statement issued by Comrade Omotoye Olorode and Comrade Jaye Gaskia on Wednesday.

NNPC

The group warned that it would take the NNPC to court if it goes ahead to take the proposed unapproved $3.2billion loan which it wanted to use to fund Dangote Refinery.

TPAP-M also called on the Minister of Petroleum Resources to immediately restrain the Management of the NNPC to stop the transaction as the aforementioned conditions were not met.

The statement partly reads, “Pursuant to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Act (Cap. N123) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is vested with the power to engage in all commercial activities relating to the petroleum industry and to enforce all regulatory measures relating to the general control of the petroleum sector through its petroleum inspectorate department.

“Like his predecessor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President Muhammadu Buhari made himself the Minister of Petroleum Resources. As the supervising minister, the President is in charge of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

*The NNPC recently announced that it had concluded arrangements to take a loan of $3.2billion to acquire 20 per cent in the Dangote Refinery which is expected to be completed in 2022. It is estimated that the 20 per cent will be valued at not less than $4 billion.

”TPAP-M has confirmed that the Federal Government granted approval for the Dangote Refinery to be sited in the Free Economic Zone in Lagos, granted duty waivers in respect of the imported machinery and special concession to purchase foreign currencies at the official rate.

“Thus, the contribution of the Federal Government to the Dangote Refinery is more than $4billion. 

“However, upon a critical review of the relevant provisions of the Constitution and other relevant statutes TPAP-M has found that the NNPC lacks the power to take a loan from financial institutions to fund the enterprise owned by a private corporate body or individual.

“From the information at our disposal, the NNPC did not seek the approval of the Federal Executive Council to borrow the said sum of $3.2 billion. Furthermore,  under the  current  political  dispensation  the  power of Government  at all  tiers to borrow is regulated  by  the  Fiscal  Responsibility  Act,  2007.

”It is undoubtedly clear that the Federal Government did not seek the approval of the National Assembly to borrow the said sum of $3.2billion.

”In view of the  undeniable  fact  that  the NNPC has neither sought the approval  of the Federal Executive  Council and the National Assembly to borrow the  sum of $3.2 billion  to  invest  in Dangote Refinery, we call on the Honourable  Minister of Petroleum Resources to restrain the Management  of the  NNPC  to stop the illegal transaction without any further delay.

“However, if the  NNPC  is  allowed to  take the  loan, TPAPM will not hesitate to invoke section 51 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act which states that "A person shall have legal capacity to enforce the provision of this Act by obtaining prerogative orders or other remedies  at  the  Federal  High Court,  without having  to  show any  special  particular interest.”

NNPC News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/30dOkkx

The order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday which compelled the Department of State Services to produce the 12 associates of the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) has been served on the secret police.

SaharaReporters was told by Pelumi Olajengbesi, the counsel to the detained aides, that the certified true copy of the order was served on the DSS by the court bailiff on Friday.

“Sequel to the order granted earlier today, we made application for the Certified True Copy of the enrolled Order made by the court and we requested the bailiff of the court to serve the Order on the Respondents. The bailiff has just confirmed to us now that the service of the Order has been successfully effected of the DSS. Thank you,” Olajengbesi said.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered the DSS to produce on or before next Thursday the 12 associates of the Yoruba Nation agitator so that it could consider whether to grant them bail.

See Also Legal DOCUMENT: Court Considers Bail For Sunday Igboho’s Aides, Compels Department Of State Services To Produce Them

The court in a ruling obtained by SaharaReporters and delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu stated that the order would “enable this Honorable Court inquire into the circumstances constituting grounds of their arrest and detention since 2nd of July, 2021.”

Justice Egwuatu made the order in the ruling on an ex-parte motion filed on July 8 and moved by Olajengbesi on behalf of the applicants.

By the motion, the applicants had prayed for an order of court mandating and compelling the respondent to produce them in court for them to be arraigned.

The court ruling reads, “Upon this motion exparte dated the 7th of July, 2021 and filed on 8th of July, 2021 and coming up before this Honourable Court today today 23rd day of July, 2021 for hearing, praying for the following;

“An Order of this Honourable Court mandating and compelling the Respondents to produce the Applicants to enable this Honorable Court inquire into the circumstances constituting grounds of their arrest and detention since 2nd of July, 2021 and where it deems fit, admit applicants on bail.

“An Order of this Honourable Court mandating and compelling the Respondents to produce the applicants.

“That the Respondents are to produce the Applicants at the next adjourned date. That this matter shall proceed during the vacation.”

On July 1, the DSS operatives had stormed the residence of Sunday Igboho at Soka, Ibadan around 1am, killing two of his associates and arresting the 13 aides.

 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3710Eq1

A Nigerian Army officer of the 16 Brigade, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Abbas Fatai, has been shot dead by suspected members of a cult group.

This was confirmed in a wireless message seen by Peoples Gazette.

According to the army, Fatai was shot dead at about 09.12pm on July 22, at Igbogene Junction in the Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, where he resided, according to preliminary investigations by the army.

The cult group led by a man named Confidence attacked and shot the officer who was subsequently rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

The army’s message reads, “Suspected members of Icelanders cult group led by one Mr Confidence attacked and shot 08NA/61/2298 CPL Abbas Fatai of 16 Brigade at Igbogene Junction in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State,” the message read in part.

The army said Fatai’s body had been deposited at Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, as soldiers have also launched a manhunt for the suspects.

On July 15, a Nigerian Army Major-General, Hassan Ahmed, was murdered by gunmen along the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

Ahmed’s death had been announced in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu.

 

 

Insecurity Military Breaking News News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2RAthBP

Residents of Akpawfu community in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State have abandoned their homes following an operation by men of the Nigerian Army and other security forces.

The joint security agents stormed the community where it was reported that some policemen were on Wednesday evening killed by unknown gunmen at the Amaechi axis of Enugu South.

A source at Akpawfu revealed that the gunmen, who had attacked the checkpoints, were said to have penetrated the community from the nearby Akpugo, and in the process, one of their Hilux vans somersaulted near St Philip Catholic Church, Akpawfu.

“This must have informed the belief by the military that the gunmen were camped in Akpawfu,” a village source said.

The source claimed that the soldiers came into the community in the early morning, searching house to house, arresting scores of youths.

The soldiers reportedly came in four armoured vehicles and other operational vehicles situated in strategic places within the community, particularly, Agudene village.

Sources within the community disclosed that there is a mass exodus of people, especially the youths from the community.

A village source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to Daily Post, said, “As I’m talking to you, all young men in the community and even women have fled the community as the soldiers claimed that those houses being searched were used as camping grounds by the gunmen.

“For me, I don’t know if that is true. What I know is that the gunmen drove past our community towards Abakaliki. Our youths are running away to other towns because we know that the army will see the youths here as targets.”

 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3aL8p6l

Residents of Akpawfu community in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State have abandoned their homes following an operation by men of the Nigerian Army and other security forces.

The joint security agents stormed the community where it was reported that some policemen were on Wednesday evening killed by unknown gunmen at the Amaechi axis of Enugu South.

A source at Akpawfu revealed that the gunmen, who had attacked the checkpoints, were said to have penetrated the community from the nearby Akpugo, and in the process, one of their Hilux vans somersaulted near St Philip Catholic Church, Akpawfu.

“This must have informed the belief by the military that the gunmen were camped in Akpawfu,” a village source said.

The source claimed that the soldiers came into the community in the early morning, searching house to house, arresting scores of youths.

The soldiers reportedly came in four armoured vehicles and other operational vehicles situated in strategic places within the community, particularly, Agudene village.

Sources within the community disclosed that there is a mass exodus of people, especially the youths from the community.

A village source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to Daily Post, said, “As I’m talking to you, all young men in the community and even women have fled the community as the soldiers claimed that those houses being searched were used as camping grounds by the gunmen.

“For me, I don’t know if that is true. What I know is that the gunmen drove past our community towards Abakaliki. Our youths are running away to other towns because we know that the army will see the youths here as targets.”

 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3aL8p6l

The Department of State Services has warned Nigerians against a public display of affluence, saying it is dangerous and a great security risk.

The Deputy Director, Security Enforcement of the Secret Service in Kwara Command, Paul Oduh, gave the warning on Friday in Ilorin, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

DSS Director-General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi.

Oduh made the declaration in a paper presentation, titled: “Security tips for health practitioners in Kwara” at a symposium organised by the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association.

The DSS deputy director stated that Nigerians must live moderately so as not to expose themselves to kidnappers, bandits and other criminals.

He said, “People must adopt moderate lifestyles, so as not to fall prey to these criminal elements.”

He explained that keeping negative habitual routines, such as keeping late nights all the time and driving on a particular route every time could also put individuals under observation by all manner of attackers.

“The country is ravaged by insecurity on daily basis. However, people should not despair; security should be the concern of all people and they must be enlightened on it.

“Security can never be 100 per cent everywhere in the world. People should be knowledgeable enough about those things they can do to protect themselves.

“Security denotes being free from danger and protection of lives and property where individuals can pursue their lawful activities.

“There is a need to accept that threats exist and people are targets of these threats. This is why people should put in place measures to safeguard themselves from such threats,” he said.

The DSS director listed types of threats to individuals, families and the country to include assassination, terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, ritual killing, cultism, robbery and arson.

 

 

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3By2TPv

The Department of State Services has warned Nigerians against a public display of affluence, saying it is dangerous and a great security risk.

The Deputy Director, Security Enforcement of the Secret Service in Kwara Command, Paul Oduh, gave the warning on Friday in Ilorin, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

DSS Director-General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi.

Oduh made the declaration in a paper presentation, titled: “Security tips for health practitioners in Kwara” at a symposium organised by the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association.

The DSS deputy director stated that Nigerians must live moderately so as not to expose themselves to kidnappers, bandits and other criminals.

He said, “People must adopt moderate lifestyles, so as not to fall prey to these criminal elements.”

He explained that keeping negative habitual routines, such as keeping late nights all the time and driving on a particular route every time could also put individuals under observation by all manner of attackers.

“The country is ravaged by insecurity on daily basis. However, people should not despair; security should be the concern of all people and they must be enlightened on it.

“Security can never be 100 per cent everywhere in the world. People should be knowledgeable enough about those things they can do to protect themselves.

“Security denotes being free from danger and protection of lives and property where individuals can pursue their lawful activities.

“There is a need to accept that threats exist and people are targets of these threats. This is why people should put in place measures to safeguard themselves from such threats,” he said.

The DSS director listed types of threats to individuals, families and the country to include assassination, terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping, ritual killing, cultism, robbery and arson.

 

 

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3By2TPv

A Federal High Court in Lagos State has sentenced 10 suspected pirates to 12 years' imprisonment for kidnapping the crew of a Chinese-flagged merchant vessel last year.

Delivering the judgment on Friday, Justice Ayokunle Faji submitted that piracy had been an embarrassment to the nation and had impacted the economy negatively.

File photo used to illustrate story.

According to a release from the Nigerian Navy obtained by SaharaReporters, the convicts are; Frank Abaka, Jude Ebaragha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adekole Philip, Matthew Masi, and Bright Agbedeyi.

The judge stated that the punishment for the act must be proportionate to the offence committed by the convicts to serve as deterrence to others.

In his submission, the lead prosecution counsel, Labaran Magaji, averred that the verdict would send a strong warning to other criminal elements that Nigeria had zero-tolerance for maritime criminals.

He added that it would send a strong message that Nigerian institutions, including the Nigerian Navy, and other security agencies were ready to counter criminal activities.

The defence counsel had promised to appeal the judgment.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Navy rescued 18 crew members on board the Chinese vessel, FV HAILUFENG II, from a pirates’ attack on May 15, 2020.

Subsequently, the 10 suspects were charged before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

The suspects were charged to three counts on piracy with the offence contravening the provisions of Section 3, 10 and 12 of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019.

 

CRIME Legal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3y0TttS

A Federal High Court in Lagos State has sentenced 10 suspected pirates to 12 years' imprisonment for kidnapping the crew of a Chinese-flagged merchant vessel last year.

Delivering the judgment on Friday, Justice Ayokunle Faji submitted that piracy had been an embarrassment to the nation and had impacted the economy negatively.

File photo used to illustrate story.

According to a release from the Nigerian Navy obtained by SaharaReporters, the convicts are; Frank Abaka, Jude Ebaragha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adekole Philip, Matthew Masi, and Bright Agbedeyi.

The judge stated that the punishment for the act must be proportionate to the offence committed by the convicts to serve as deterrence to others.

In his submission, the lead prosecution counsel, Labaran Magaji, averred that the verdict would send a strong warning to other criminal elements that Nigeria had zero-tolerance for maritime criminals.

He added that it would send a strong message that Nigerian institutions, including the Nigerian Navy, and other security agencies were ready to counter criminal activities.

The defence counsel had promised to appeal the judgment.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Navy rescued 18 crew members on board the Chinese vessel, FV HAILUFENG II, from a pirates’ attack on May 15, 2020.

Subsequently, the 10 suspects were charged before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

The suspects were charged to three counts on piracy with the offence contravening the provisions of Section 3, 10 and 12 of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019.

 

CRIME Legal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3y0TttS

Another pastor, who was among the 40 recently sacked pastors by the Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church, has explained how pastors who were graduates got N38,000 as salaries.

The pastor noted that the gross salary was N53,000 but they were paid N38,000 as the rest was supposed to cover for pension and housing allowance.

David Oyedepo

The victim, who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity, noted that the money deducted for pensions was not even remitted to their bank accounts until their sack and outrage went viral.

He said, “Oyedepo and his senior Pastors knew they would sack us before employing us. That was why they gave us employment on probation. Someone went online to post lies in support of the church that the recently sacked pastors were being paid N80,000 and house rent of N150,000.

“I will just say a little here; no employed pastor was paid N80,000 in the church. The highest salary is for degree holders which is N53,000 and, this N53,000 is not the net salary at the end of the month. The pastor will only receive N38,000 at the end of the month; N6,000 goes to the pension account and N9,000 goes to house rent account.

“It is very funny that the pastors, we honoured, could keep the money they removed from our salaries in their personal bank accounts for long without paying into our pension accounts. It was when they sacked us that they started paying into the pension accounts. Imagine that.

His comment followed a revelation by Peter Godwin, a former pastor of the church who was also affected by the sack for not generating enough money in his branch.

Godwin in a trending video seen by SaharaReporters had said he was employed on the 28th of August 2020. See Also Christianity Bishop Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church Allegedly Sacks Pastors For "Generating" Low Income From Their Branches

He claimed he was invited with about 40 colleagues by the state pastor on July 1, 2021, and were sacked over low income in their branches.

Godwin, however, failed to mention the name of the state.

He had said, “Actually, by the special grace of God, our father in this great assembly, Living Faith Church received a mandate from the Lord to plant 10,000 churches in Nigeria and by the special grace of God, I was privileged to be one of the pastors that were employed on the 28th of August, 2020, that was last year.

“So after that, I started working, engaging myself in the work of the Lord. I tried my possible best to make sure I win souls for Christ but unfortunately, on the 1st of July, I received a call that the state pastor wants to see me, so I thought I was the only one. I was surprised, so I went to his office.

“When I got there, I saw other pastors too, over 40 of them, so I joined them. A few minutes later, we were issued a letter. I opened the content of the letter to see what was there and I saw that it was a sack letter.”

Christianity LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2WgSFmz

Another pastor, who was among the 40 recently sacked pastors by the Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church, has explained how pastors who were graduates got N38,000 as salaries.

The pastor noted that the gross salary was N53,000 but they were paid N38,000 as the rest was supposed to cover for pension and housing allowance.

David Oyedepo

The victim, who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity, noted that the money deducted for pensions was not even remitted to their bank accounts until their sack and outrage went viral.

He said, “Oyedepo and his senior Pastors knew they would sack us before employing us. That was why they gave us employment on probation. Someone went online to post lies in support of the church that the recently sacked pastors were being paid N80,000 and house rent of N150,000.

“I will just say a little here; no employed pastor was paid N80,000 in the church. The highest salary is for degree holders which is N53,000 and, this N53,000 is not the net salary at the end of the month. The pastor will only receive N38,000 at the end of the month; N6,000 goes to the pension account and N9,000 goes to house rent account.

“It is very funny that the pastors, we honoured, could keep the money they removed from our salaries in their personal bank accounts for long without paying into our pension accounts. It was when they sacked us that they started paying into the pension accounts. Imagine that.

His comment followed a revelation by Peter Godwin, a former pastor of the church who was also affected by the sack for not generating enough money in his branch.

Godwin in a trending video seen by SaharaReporters had said he was employed on the 28th of August 2020. See Also Christianity Bishop Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church Allegedly Sacks Pastors For "Generating" Low Income From Their Branches

He claimed he was invited with about 40 colleagues by the state pastor on July 1, 2021, and were sacked over low income in their branches.

Godwin, however, failed to mention the name of the state.

He had said, “Actually, by the special grace of God, our father in this great assembly, Living Faith Church received a mandate from the Lord to plant 10,000 churches in Nigeria and by the special grace of God, I was privileged to be one of the pastors that were employed on the 28th of August, 2020, that was last year.

“So after that, I started working, engaging myself in the work of the Lord. I tried my possible best to make sure I win souls for Christ but unfortunately, on the 1st of July, I received a call that the state pastor wants to see me, so I thought I was the only one. I was surprised, so I went to his office.

“When I got there, I saw other pastors too, over 40 of them, so I joined them. A few minutes later, we were issued a letter. I opened the content of the letter to see what was there and I saw that it was a sack letter.”

Christianity LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2WgSFmz

MKRdezign

Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *

Powered by Blogger.
Javascript DisablePlease Enable Javascript To See All Widget