Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • $9.6 billion judgment debt: no imminent threat to Nigeria’s assets – FG

    The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that there is no imminent threat to Nigeria’s assets in spite the recent award of 9.6 billion dollars judgment debt by a UK court over a botched contract.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference on the court ruling authorising Process and Industrial Developments Ltd. (P&ID) to seize 9.6 billion dollars in Nigerian assets.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the briefing was jointly addressed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    Also at the briefing were the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Ahmed and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

    Mohammed noted that contrary to reports in certain quarters, the country is not about to lose any of its assets to P&ID.

    “In the first instance, the enforcement of the award cannot even commence now because the Judge in the UK court ordered that P&ID cannot enforce the judgment against Nigeria until after the court resumes from its current vacation.

    “What this means is that enforcement action cannot begin until further hearing on the matter, which will take place on a date to be determined by the court upon its resumption.

    “The Federal Government, therefore, wishes to use this opportunity to assure Nigerians that there is no immediate threat to Nigeria’s assets as has been wrongly interpreted by a section of the media.

    “Nigerians should be assured that the Federal Government is taking all necessary steps to appeal the decision of the UK Court.

    “The government will seek for a Stay of Execution of the decision, to defend its rights and to protect the assets of the people,’’ he said.

    The minister assured that the Federal Government would avail itself of all defence customarily afforded to sovereign states under the United Kingdom Sovereign Immunity Act to stave off any enforcement of the award.

    He, therefore, appealed to the sense of patriotism of the media in the reportage of the sensitive matter.

    “It is capable of threatening the very existence of the country, especially as some media outfits have clearly thrown overboard objectivity and patriotism in their very biased reporting of this matter,’’ he said.

    Mohammed said experts’ analysis of the damages awarded by the court, showed that “it was clearly unreasonable, unjustifiable and manifestly excessive and exorbitant.

    “The damages over-compensated P&ID on a frankly gargantuan scale and imposed a punitive award on Nigeria.’’

    Narrating the issues that led to the judgment, the minister said it was fallout of the contract purportedly entered into in 2010 between the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and P&ID

    “In a 20-year Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA) purportedly entered into with the P&ID in 2010, the company never performed as agreed.

    “With the contract having suffered a setback, the case went to arbitration. P&ID’s claim in the arbitration proceedings was mainly for the loss of profit for the 20-year term of the GSPA.

    “In an interim award, the Arbitration Tribunal ruled that Nigeria has breached the contract.

    “Though Nigeria successfully applied to have that award set aside by the Federal High Court in Lagos, the Tribunal ignored this decision.

    “Consequently, on January 31, 2017, the Tribunal rendered its final award against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the sum of 6.597 billion dollars.

    “This was in addition to pre-award interest at the rate of seven per cent per annum, effective from March, 20 2013 and post-award interest at the same rate from the date of the award.

    “This interest increased the size of the award to 9.6 billion dollars,’’ he said.

    The minister said that after the arbitration award in 2017, Nigeria made several attempts to negotiate the award and resolve the whole issue amicably with P&ID but to no avail.

    He said following an enforcement proceedings instituted simultaneously by the company in the UK and the U.S. the government engaged the services of the U.S. law firm of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP.

    The minister also reiterated government’s position on the underhanded manner in which the contract was negotiated and signed.

    He said indications were that the whole process was carried out by some vested interests in the past administration.
    Mohammed said the saboteurs colluded with their local and international conspirators to inflict grave economic injury on Nigeria and its people.

    He said following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was conducting investigations into the company and the contract agreement.

    The minister said the investigation was being conducted by EFCC in conjunction with the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

    NAN

  • Johnson, Abia killer soldier, to be arraigned before Friday – C P

    By Ijendu Iheaka

    Aba (Abia) Aug. 27, 2019 (NAN) The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ene Okon, has said that the alleged killer soldier, Private Ajayi Johnson, would be arraigned before Friday.

    The police boss made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba on Tuesday.

    Okon said the police may have him arraigned in court before concluding investigations or after the conclusion of investigations into the matter.

    He said the soldier was only handed over to the police on Thursday, urging the media to be patient and await the date of his arraignment.

    “I am sure that within the week, he will be in court; It may be tomorrow or next tomorrow.

    “When he was handed over to the police, we made it known to the media and when he would be arraigned, we would let the media know that we have taken him to court,” said Okon.

    NAN reports that Johnson was alleged to have shot dead Chimaobi Nwoha, a motorcyclist, on Aug. 7, in his home town of Umuokereke Ngwa in Obingwa LGA for failing to give him a N100 bribe.

    After the dastardly act, the soldier was arrested days later, after which the military authorities tried and found him guilty of failing to abide by military rules.

    Brig.-Gen. Solomon Kumapayi, Commander, Nigerian Army 14 Brigade in Ohafia, subsequently announced that Johnson, serving at Ohanze Forward Operation Base (FOB), had been demoted from a Lance Corporal to a Private and dismissed.

    He was later handed over to the police on Thursday for prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction.

    NAN

  • Court fixes Sept. 11 for hearing in IMN’s case challenging proscription

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed Sept. 11 to hear a  a motion filed by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), asking the court to vacate the exparte order it gave on July 26 proscribing its activities in the country.

    Justice Nkeonye Maha of Court adjourned the case after hearing the two counsels.

    The Solicitor General of the Federation, Mr Ayo Apata, SAN, had applied for more time.

    Counsel to the IMN, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, did not oppose the request either.

    The court had, upon an ex-parte motion by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), also declared the group a terrorist organisation.

    The IMN, in a notice of motion filed, on Aug. 2, by its lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, particularly sought the court to vacate the ”ex-parte order made on July 26, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/876/2019 between: AGF vs. IMN proscribing the existence and activities of the group in Nigeria under whatever form, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called or referred to.”

    The group also asked the court to set aside the order ”restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the IMN, under any other name or platform howsoever called or described in any part of Nigeria.”

    The IMN stated that the reasons for its requests include that “the ex-parte order made on July 26, was made without jurisdiction, as the order was made against a non juristic body.

    ”This honourable court on July 26, pursuant to an ex parte application brought by the IMN made an order, inter alia, proscribing the existence and activities of the group in any part of Nigeria under whatever form, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called or referred to without affording the Respondent/Applicant the right of fair hearing.

    ”The said order of the honorable court breached the fundamental right of all members of the IMN in Nigeria to fair hearing guaranteed by Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004 in that no fair hearing was granted the applicant/respondent before the order was made.

    ”The order ex parte granted by this honourable court has violated the fundamental right of members of the Respondent to freedom of thought, conscience and religion guaranteed by Section 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

    ”The order ex parte granted by this honourable court has breached the fundamental right of the members of the respondent to freedom of assembly and association guaranteed by Section of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

    ”The honourable court did not grant the declaration ‘that the activities of the IMN in any part of Nigeria amounts(sic) to acts of terrorism and illegality,”’ the group said.

    According IMN, there was no urgency warranting the grant of the order ex parte.

    ”No motion-on-notice was filed together with the motion ex-parte.

    ”The ex-parte order made by the honorable court has determined the fundamental right of the respondent/applicant without affording it fair hearing.

    ”No undertaking was made as to damages. The order ex-parte was anchored on misrepresentation of material facts and based on suppression of material facts.

    ”The order ex parte constitutes a gross abuse of the process of this honorable court,” the group stated.

    The Federal Government had, July 29, published the order in its official gazette as directed by the court.

    It was described in the gazette as ”Government Notice No. 79,” titled: ”Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice, 2019.”

    Particularly, pages B597 to 602 of the document spelt out details of the enrolled order of the Federal High Court and the Federal Government’s warning against participating in any of the activities of IMN.

    It reads: ”Notice is hereby given that by the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/Cs/876/2019 dated July 26, 2019 as per the schedule to this notice, the activities of IMN in Nigeria are declared to be terrorism and illegal in any part of Nigeria, as proscribed, pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended).

    ”Consequently, the general public is hereby warned that any person or group of persons participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intentions or otherwise of the said group will be violating the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended) and liable to prosecution”.

    NAN

  • Primary: APC NWC approves 9 Kogi governorship aspirants

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved nine Kogi governorship aspirants out of the 16 screened to contest for party’s primaries scheduled to hold on Aug 29.

    The party  in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in Abuja on Wednesday,  said that the NWC of the party took the decision after deliberating on the report of  screening and appeal committees for the party’s Kogi governorship aspirants.

    “After a comprehensive review of the submissions by the two committees, relying on the party’s guidelines and the provisions of the Electoral Act, nine aspirants were finally cleared to contest the Aug. 29, 2019 Indirect Governorship primary.

    “Seven other aspirants did not meet the requirements for participation in the exercise.

    “Those cleared by the NWC are Gov. Yahaya Bello, Hadiza Ibrahim, Yahaya Audu, Sani Abdullahi, Alhaji Abubakar Bashir, Mr Danlami Mohammed, Yakubu Mohammed, Hassan Abdullahi and Blessing Ekele.

    “The aspirants who are not cleared are Prof. Mohammed Onaili, Usman Jibrin, Mustapha Mona Audu, Rukkaya Ibrahim, Gen. Patrick Akpa, Babatunde Irukera
    and Muhammed Audu,” Issa-Onilu said.

    NAN

  • Meeting Iran counterpart, Japan minister says he hopes to ease Mid-East tension

    Japan will try to help ease tension in the Middle East, Foreign Minister, Taro Kono, said on Tuesday as he began a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Zarif.

    Zarif said he looked forward to discussions with Kono as both countries had special interests in the security of the energy market and stability in the Gulf.

    “We are worried about tension in the Middle East and we hope to make some diplomatic effort to ease the tension,’’ Kono told reporters as he stood with Zarif.

    “We wanted to have a direct and frank conversation with you today,’’ he said to Zarif.

    The two smiled and shook hands before sitting down for talks as the media were ushered out.

    Japan has historically had friendly ties with Iran and is also a close U.S. ally.

    The tension between Iran and the U.S. has risen since President Donald Trump’s administration in 2018 quit an international deal to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and began to ratchet up sanctions.

    Iranian officials have denounced the new penalties as “economic warfare”.

    French President Emmanuel Macron opened an avenue towards a diplomatic solution to the U.S.-Iran standoff at a Group of Seven (G7) summit at the weekend.

    Macron added that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had told him he was open to a meeting with Trump.

    Trump told a news conference it was realistic to envisage a meeting with the Iranian head of government in the coming weeks.

    Both leaders are scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in September.

    But on Tuesday, Rouhani said Iran would not talk to the U.S. until all sanctions were lifted.

  • Kogi APC gov ticket: Bello thanks delegates, seeks aspirants’ support

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Friday expressed his gratitude to delegates for electing him as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Governorship election in the state.

    Bello in a statement in Lokoja, commended the delegates for their conduct and maturity during the party’s primary election held on Aug. 29.

    He promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him, calling for unity among party members to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the coming election.

    “Your votes demonstrated your esteemed confidence in my leadership. This show of faith is highly appreciated and shall serve as a boost to our collective aspirations of moving Kogi State to the next level.

    “I am assuring you that I would do you proud by coasting home to victory for the party in the Nov.16 general election,’’ he said in the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mohammed Onogu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello emerged winner of the APC governorship ticket by polling 3,091 votes to beat nine other aspirants who contested the governorship primary.

    The primary election was conducted at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja on Thursday.

    The governor also hailed the democratic posture of all the aspirants and appealed to them to join hands with him to retain Kogi State for APC come November.

    “I thank God Almighty for this victory. I want to appreciate the National Leader of our party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his advice.

    “I want to express my appreciation to the National Chairman of our party, Mr Adams Oshiomhole and the National Working Committee for the quality of leadership they have provided.

    “My sincere appreciation goes to the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, His Excellency Badaru Abubakar and his members.

    “In this contest, there is no winner, no vanquished.

    “I, therefore, called on all aspirants, stakeholders and members of our party to come to work with me to ensure victory for our party on Nov. 16,’’ Bello said.

    NAN

  • Dabiri-Erewa urges S/A police to speed up trial of policemen linked to killing of Nigerian

    The chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa,  has reiterated her call on the South African Police to speed up the trial of four policemen, linked to the death of Mr Pius Abiaziem.
    NAN reports that the South African authorities noted that four members of the South African police service have been arrested and would be charged to court immediately.
    Dabiri-Erewa, made the call in a statement issued by Gabriel Odu, the Media Assistant, NIDCOM, in Abuja on Friday.
    In furtherance to the arrest and trial of the suspects, she urged the South African Police to expedite action in the matter and speed up their trial and of others being tried for offence committed against Nigerians.
    Abiaziem was reportedly picked up by south African police officers in an eatery and taken to his home for a search and interrogation.
    An argument between him and the South African police officers degenerated so fast that a gun shot was fired, leading to Abiaziem’s death in South Africa on Aug.23.

    The deceased was married to a South African who was present at the scene of the incident.

    He reportedly asked the policemen to kill him in his house as he would not follow them to where they wanted to take him to.

    NAN reports that  President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa,  on Wednesday, said his government is working to end killings of Nigerians in his country.

    Ramaphosa said this in Japan, venue of the ongoing 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The South African leader said he feels pained by the situation, especially looking at the relationship between Nigeria and his country which has spanned many years. (NAN).

  • Buhari orders ministers to design monthly performance indicators for parastatal agencies – Pantami

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed Ministers to come up with key performance indicators for Parastatals and Agencies under their ministries which should be evaluated monthly.

    The Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami disclosed the President’s directive in Abuja when he received a delegation from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), an establishment under his ministry.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the delegation led by the Director General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa was on courtesy visit to the minister.

    Pantami recalled that the president gave the directive during ministerial retreat and was re-echoed during their inauguration.

    The minister who said he would implement the president’s directive to the latter, charged the workers to be passionate and dedicated to their work, develop themselves and contribute their quota to the growth of the nation.

    “As instructed by the President, we will come up with the key performance indicators for agencies under our ministries which will be evaluated monthly.

    “It is,important that you are passionate about your work, be hardworking and always find ways to improve yourselves because having your integrity intact is better than anything.

    “If we are all committed to working passionately, it means the government has succeeded and will deliver on its mandate to develop the country through deployment of Information Communication Technology,” Pantami said.

    Pantami also said that the ministry would come up with broad policies which would be handed to the agencies for implementation,

    He assured that the ministry will always approve any action-plan of its agencies and intervene in situations where they needed support.

    Specifically, Pantami said he was abreast with the events of NITDA having being the immediate past director-general of the agency for three years.

    He charged the management of NITDA to take proactive steps towards improving on the delivery of the agency’s mandate.

    NAN reports that the delegation briefed the minister on the projects and programmes of NITDA and presented him with a congratulatory card on his appointment.

    NAN

  • Niger Govt. moves to tackle security challenges

    Alhaji Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Niger on Friday urged the people to be more security conscious in confronting the present insecurity problems bedeviling some parts of the state.

    He gave the advice in a statement made available to newsmen by the SSG’s Information Officer, Lawal Tanko, in Minna.

    Matane spoke during an interactive meeting with Fulani leaders, rural dwellers, security agencies and other stakeholders held at Kotonkoro in Mariga Local Government Area of the state.

    The secretary to the state government said that government was worried over activities of armed bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers.

    Matane said that government was leaving no stone unturned in holistically tackling the dastardly act once and for all in the state.

    He condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and mayhem bandits and kidnappers are causing in some parts of the country.

    Matane reiterated government’s continued determination to rid the state of any security threat.

    “The present administration led by Gov. Abubakar Bello is leaving no stone unturned in fashioning out strategies that will  bring lasting solutions as well as forestall any breach of security in the state,’’ he said.

    Matane was optimistic that the interactive meeting would afford the people an opportunity to come up with strategies that would help secure the borders and communities from trans-border terrorism and migration of armed bandits and kidnappers.

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, Adamu Usman, warned bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and perpetrators of other criminal activities to desist from their nefarious activities or face the law.

    He urged vigilante groups in the area not to engage in any operations without the consent and involvement of the police or any security agency.

    The commissioner warned that violation of the order by any vigilante group will be decisively dealt with.

    Speaking at the occasion, Alhaji Hussaini Bosso, the Vice Chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Niger State Chapter, said that those perpetrating banditry, kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities were not from Niger but neighbouring states.

    Bosso was optimistic that the meeting would put an end to the migration of bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers from the neighbouring states to Niger.

    In separate remarks, the Fulani leaders and other relevant stakeholders resolved to collaborate with the security agencies to find lasting solutions to the security challenges and other criminal activities in the state.

    NAN