NEWS
N20bn Bailout: Kogi to Seek Legal Redress, says Commissioner
The Kogi Government says it will seek legal redress over allegations of mismanagement of a N20 billion bailout loan meant to augment payment of workers’ salaries.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday had ordered the freezing of a bank account belonging to the Kogi Government over a N20 billion loan obtained from Sterling Bank Plc.
Justice Tijjani Garba Ringim ordered that the said account be frozen pending the conclusion of investigation or possible prosecution by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.
EFCC had approached the court for the order in an ex parte application brought pursuant to section 44(2) of the Constitution and section 34(1) of the EFCC Act, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
But addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Kogi Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, rejected reports of a section of the media claiming the state government mismanaged funds belonging to the state government.
He said: ” His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello and his New Direction Administration in Kogi State would like to assure our citizens, partners, investors and the general public that our commitment to transparency, probity and accountability in office will remain unrivalled in the country.
” We shall continue to provide good governance and the dividends of democracy without wavering, and in spite of unholy distractions such as this one.
” We shall also continue to expand our investments in the security, unity, peace and prosperity of all our people while promoting cooperation and integration, affirmative action, youthful endeavour equality, equity and justice as the basis for our co-existence as citizens of one state and one nation.
” Sections of the media ran with the EFCC’s fantastical tales – unverified, unexamined and unchecked.
” They serially reported that the alleged funds in the alleged account was a loan sought and obtained by the Kogi State Government from Sterling Bank Plc in 2019 for the purpose of paying salaries to workers which were later deposited in a fixed deposit account upon the instruction of the Kogi State Government, and allegedly to yield interest and with parts of it dissipated for other unascertainable purposes other than payment of salaries.”
He said Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, was the only one ever to score 100 percent in the States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability programme of Nigerian states.
” We recently received commendations from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for being one of the very few States to have adopted the IPSAS Accrual Basis Accounting which is to enhance transparency, and accountability in financial reporting in the public sector,” the commissioner added. (NAN)
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
In its concerted effort at combating insecurity, the Nigeria Police Force has now authorized that all Constables will henceforth carry arms to combat insecurity.The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7 Abuja, Benneth Igweh stated this while on an official visit to Niger that everyone now has the power to make an arrest.
According to him “Community Policing is everyone’s business, we have granted all Police Constables the power to carry arms henceforth. ”We have given them two weeks to get trained by the l SPU, CTU or Mobile base; and this will give them the ability to carry out their duties.”According to him “With the rate of crime in our various communities, everyone now has the right to make an arrest. If you see something say something, and then the Police including the community will do something”The Assistant inspector GeneralofPolice, Igweh explained that, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has assured that there will be recruitment into the Police, adding that Niger and Abuja will get more slots.Niger state Commissioner of Police Shawulu Danmamman said the AIG’s visit is a practical initiative to enhance Community Policing.He added that “crime rate is relatively low compared to previous antecedents due to the crime prevention strategies employed since my assumption in office.”However, he said that “insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and farmers/herders clash are prevailing challenges at Munya, Mariga, Rafi, Shiroro, and parts of Kontagora LGAs because of our neighborhood with Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states”.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorist group known as ‘Lukarawas’ in the North-western part of the country.The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on military operations on Thursday in Abuja.
Buba stated that the new terror group originated in the Republic of Niger after the recent coup, which disrupted military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger. He explained that the terrorists began infiltrating northern areas of Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Niger Republic and Mali, particularly following the coup in Niger.According to him, joint border operations with Nigerien security forces, previously in place before the coup, had kept the terrorists at bay.He said, “The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions into remote areas in some north-western states to spread their ideology.“The terrorists were initially welcomed by locals who believed they had good intentions. However, the movement was not reported to the military and security agencies.”The DHQ spokesperson assured that troops have sustained Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) efforts to degrade the terrorists.He added that the group continued to exploit vast ungoverned areas to hide, evade troops, and harass locals but stated that troops were locating and eliminating the threat.Buba also revealed that the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 216 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta region in October.He said the troops also destroyed 195 wooden boats as well as recovered 30 vehicles and 429 assorted ammunition during the period.Buba said that the troops also impounded 3.2 million litres of crude oil, 763,860 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and 12,690 litres of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS).According to him, troop operations have progressively increased the nation’s daily crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day.“During October, troops arrested 126 persons involved in crude oil theft and recovered 429 assorted ammunition,” he said.Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA in the South East, conducted offensive operations against IPOB/ESN terror group in several states killing 40 terrorists, apprehended 55 suspects and rescuing 35 kidnapped hostages.According to him, IPOB/ESN incidents were recorded in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu States.“Troops recovered 21 AK47 rifles, 24 pump action guns, 19 assorted arms, 177 live cartridges and 191 assorted ammunition,” he added.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has commiserated with the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen Bola Tinubu over the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, on November 5.
In a statement signed by his media team from uphill, Minna on Thursday. His death, especially at this point in his life and career, is not only a profound loss to his immediate family but to our country as a whole. ”He was a fine officer and a dedicated leader of men whose sense of patriotism was exemplary”His vigorous effort at the frontline of the war to end banditry and insurgency has already borne good fruits, and it is unfortunate that he would not be around to see it through””Gen Babangida’s heart goes out to his beloved family, his officers and men, and the country that has once again lost a gallant army chief”He was one of the finest in the tradition of his brilliant predecessors. May his soul Rest In Perfect Peace”As the Nigerian Armed Forces continue to make the necessary sacrifice to safeguard our democracy, our territorial integrity, and our safetyHe joins other citizens in applauding the courage of their exemplary heroes.
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