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Reps Summon Finance Minister, AGF over $2.4bn Undeclared Crude Oil Sales Proceeds

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By Ubong Ukpong & Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The House of Representatives, yesterday, summoned the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed Shamsuna and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to provide details of status of remittances into the federation account and the Whistle Blower Protection Bill before the House.

The summon was issued by its Adhoc committee investigating the alleged loss of over $2.

4 billion in revenue from illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export in 2015 including, all crude oil exports and sales by Nigeria from 2014 till date.

The panel which issued the summon at an investigative hearing on the subject matter also slammed Oriental Energy Limited with a One-week ultimatum to provide all necessary details regarding its involvement in crude oil lifting and sales within the period under review.

Chairman of the adhoc committee, Hon. Mark Gbillah from Benue gave the ruling at the end of day-one of the investigative hearing in Abuja.

Addressing participants and his colleagues at the hearing, Gbillah said the focus of the panel is on the alleged sale of crude in China which was not remitted back to the federation account, as well as other related matters contained in the panel’s terms of reference.

“We are looking at the issues that have to do with allegations of 48 million of crude oil barrels sold in China. We are looking at the issue of Crude oil export in general from Nigeria for the period under review. We are also looking at the whistleblower revelations and recoveries, which the federal government publicly declared that they have made recoveries.

“It’s unfortunate that the Minister of Finance is not here, the Attorney General of the Federation is not here.

“This is a formal request from the committee that they should appear before this committee because they have received formal invitation to do so. And a lot of what we have to investigate regards to whistleblower policy is saddled within the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General of the federation.

“There are responses received from the Accountant General’s office which show that the Minister of Finance has been approving payments to whistleblowers in percentages at variance with the policy says they should be paid.

“There have been allegations of the Attorney General being involved also in the receipt of funds from outside the country without these funds being remitted into the federation account in line with the provisions of the constitution.

There have been allegations that there has been expenditure from these recoveries been done in complete violation of the provisions of the constitution,” he said.

Hon. Gbillah further revealed that “the CBN made a formal response to this committee indicating that. You see the TSA policy of this administration agencies operate their TSA Treasury Single Account, and make expenditure from these accounts without recourse to the CBN.

“This is something that’s alarming for the CBN to declare before us, because we are aware of constitutional provisions that state all revenue accruing to the federation must be paid into the federation account.

“So if there are recoveries being made from whistleblower these monies need to be paid into the account of the federation as required by law.

“So we are inviting Minister of Finance, the Attorney General of the Federation, Secretary to the government of the Federation and stakeholders in the implementation of the whistleblower policy to appear before the committee to provide clarification on the operation of this policy and the approvals being made by the finance minister,” he said.

Listing further, Gbillah said, “In regards to the issue of crude oil, we are expecting the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, NEITI, oil and gas companies who operate fuel stations and engage in export.

“The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and the Accountant General himself to be present including the budget office of the Federation to be present and provide clarification,” he added.

Declaring the hearing open, the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila earlier stated the resolve of the 9th Assembly to pass the Whistle Blower Bill, urging the panel to turning its report so as to guide the House in deciding on the Bill.

“The recommendation of the Committee after its investigation will no doubt, guide the House in making an informed decision in considering the Whistle-Blower Bill currently before it. The legislation when passed into law will address mirage of issues associated with the implementation of the policy as well as take adequate care of the whistle-Blowers involved, which is very significant in the success of the policy and law when passed.

“Let me state emphatically, that whistle-blowers that volunteered information to this Honourable House will receive the maximum legislative protection and confidentiality,” Gbajabiamila, who was represented by Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim from Ogun state stressed.

A former member of the House in the 8th Assembly, Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma from Edo state also made presentation before the panel, informing his former colleagues that he moved a motion which necessitated a probe in 2016.

He said the quantum of money involved in the crude oil heist was way more than what the panel is investigating, suggesting that relevant agencies be summoned to give explanations, just as he promised to avail the committee of the sensitive documents at his disposal.

Whistle Blowers Oppose Reps’ Ad-hoc Committee

Hundreds of George Uboh Whistleblowers Network stormed the main entrance to the National Assembly yesterday protesting against Hon Mark Gbillah led Ad – Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on alleged 48million barrels stolen crude oil that was later sold in China .

The protesters led by Ambassador Joseph Peter Umoh carried banners and placards with inscriptions denouncing the setting up of the Ad – Hoc Committee by the House of Representatives when the crime according to them was already in the court of law.

Addressing journalists during the protest through a written statement, Ambassador Umoh said the Hon Mark Gbillah led Ad – Hoc Committee on illegal sale of 48million barrels of stolen crude oil , later sold in China at $2.4billion was unnecessary since the crime was already being litigated against in the court of law.

He said as Whistleblowers, they blew open the stolen crude oil and illegal sales in China to Hon Mark Gbillah and Nigerians generally, adding that rather than carry them along in the planned investigation, Hon. Mark Gbillah decided to do it alone raising suspicion on vested interests.

“The whistleblowers who furnished Hon Mark Gbillah the information germane to the 48million barrels of crude oil stolen did not file any petition to the National Assembly for any investigation or hearing, neither were they called as witnesses to testify during hearing.

“Because Gbillah did not follow this sacrosanct due process, the purported public hearing by the Ad – hoc committee is a sham predicated on unilateral action driven by greed.

“Therefore we the whistleblowers at this protest, authoritatively assert that the National Assembly does not hear or deliberate on any matter in court.

“Two different competent courts of jurisdictions are already handling the case filed against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari to account for proceeds from the stolen crude oil which are roughly estimated to be $2.4billion at $50 per barrel and $4.8billion at $100per barrel.

“Hon Gbillah led Ad – Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives should therefore hands off the matter by not sitting or carrying out any public hearing on it,” he said.

When told that the Ad- hoc committee was not set up by Hon Gbillah himself but the leadership of the House of Representatives, he said the protest was staged for the leadership to know the futility of its action on the committee.

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FG Invests $617m in Creative Enterprise Fund

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Federal Government has invested $617million in Digital Economy and Creative Enterprises as initiative to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital economy and creative industries.

The Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ayo Adeagbo who disclosed this during his address at the African Fashion and Arts Award Business and Mentorship Summit held in Abuja yesterday said the initiative tagged the iDICE fund offered access to start-up capital and resources for the nurturing of talent in Nigeria.

While describing the formation of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy by the president as a “remarkable investment”, Adeagbo added that the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa should ensure the building of greater pathways for young talent to reach their global potential

“After the inauguration of Mr President, one of the remarkable investments he made into the country was the creation of a ministry to handle the affairs of art, culture and creative economy.

“The ministry, ably led by Hon. Hannatu Musawa has achieved significant strides in less than a year for the benefit of our creatives and the nation as a whole.

“Some pivotal actions taken include the significant $617 million investment in Digital Economy and Creative Enterprises (iDICE), known as the iDICE Fund – an initiative that aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in digital technology and creative industries.”

While unveiling the enterprise, the minister made it known that the fund offers access to start-up capital and resources essential for nurturing talent in Nigeria.

The Acting Director of the FCT Department of Arts and Culture, Kayode Aiyegbusi, who also represented the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud noted the importance of a synergy between the private sector and the government to grow the creative economy, adding that while the government would continue to create the enabling environment, to allow the industry to thrive.

Similarly, the convener of the AFAA, Kingsley Amako, described the creative industry as “the next oil boom”, and encouraged youths to develop their skills, build capacity and learn to produce and market their products, noting that the AFAA provided a platform for their recognition.

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Reps Query OAGF Over N15bn Payment  to Remita

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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives yesterday queried the payment of N15 billion to Remita, a payment platform from the Office of the Accountant General for the Federation (OAGF).

The committee accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Commercial Banks of complicity in the sharing of the N150 billion remittance.

Rep.

Bamidele Salam, Chairman PAC made the allegation at the resumed investigative hearing on revenue leakages in Abuja.

Salam said that the payment of N15 billion to Remita from the OAGF from 2016 to 2018 was questionable, adding that the OAGF paid the money without agreement or contract.

He described the payment as illegal. “The money is an illegal payment. There was no budget provision, so where did they source the money from?” the chairman queried.

He said, “The CBN also shared in the money. The money is an illegal payment. There was no budget provision so where did they source the money from?

 “Ordinarily, that whole sum of VAT ought to go to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) but what they are doing in this transaction is that they will now add that VAT to the N150.

“They will add it up, and take it to the CBN,” he alleged.

He said, “System Spec and Remita, both collect revenue for the federal government, will share 50 percent, while the banks and the CBN will also have their share.”

He said that by the time the committee finishes its reconciliation, “I am very sure that hundreds of billions of naira will be the VAT component that was not remitted to FIRS.”

According to him, each bank ought to take the money and directly remit it to FIRS.

“Now Remita is saying that those collecting should calculate the money that has been shared. How do we track this kind of money?” he asked.

The PAC chairman warned the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji against disregard for the committee, stressing that Adedeji’s actions amounted to contempt of parliament.

Salam said that for four times the committee invited the FIRS chairman but he failed to show up.

According to him, “In addition to writing him officially, we have also made sure that such letters were delivered personally to his mail box and his WhatsApp number.

“And we condemn and describe it as irresponsible and arrogant, and we tell him that there will be consequences if he continues this contempt of parliament.”

He said that several letters had been written him without responses, adding that the Value Added Tax (VAT) that the federal government should be collecting on Remitta had not been collected by FIRS.

The Director of Banking Services of the CBN, Mr Ahmed Abdullahi said they deemed it fit to source for an alternative way of remitting revenue and Remita and System Spec were selected because they had been rendering similar services to banks.

According to him, Remita was engaged in 2011 and operations commenced in 2012 with system module names. The CBN only finalised the transaction

He said that the fees charged under the TSA were in line with the structure of banking. The volume of revenue collection that passed through Remita was N86 million.

Mr. Oyewole Adewale, Chief Accountant, TSA Department, representing the Accountant General for the Federation, accused the CBN of not honoring its letters to reconcile the revenue accrued to the country through TSA.

He said the OAGF had developed a system where all revenue generated by the Ministries of Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) could now be monitored without any interference.

Mr Aderemi Atanda, the Director of Remita Payment Services Ltd., while reading the summary of the TSA collection record, said that 10, 20, and 50 percent were shared among CBN, commercial banks, and Remitta.

He said that collections are not static, they vary.

“From 2015 to 2016, it was N4.2 million, and the fee paid was N8.5 billion; in 2016, N1.3 billion was paid.”

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Tinubu Makes Numerous Promises at Slain Soldiers Burial

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the military to within the next 90 days ensure that all the benefits of the 17 officers and men of the army killed in Okuama on March 14 be paid to their families.

Tinubu said that government would provide a house in any part of the country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.

He said that all the children of the deceased would enjoy a Federal Government scholarship up to University level.

He described the officers and soldiers as patriotic, brave and gallant Nigerians.

The president said that the deceased gave their lives to defend and protect the Nation against internal and external threats.

At the burial ceremony of the officers and soldiers on Wednesday in Abuja, Tinubu said that their death serves as a rallying point for Nigerians to condemn crime and criminality.

“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers, seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.“They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.“The officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day were patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect our nation against internal and external threats,” he said.The 17 military personnel killed included Lt.-Col. Ali, Maj. D.E Obi, Maj. S.D. Ashafa, Capt. U. Zakari, Staff Sgt. Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna, Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi, and Lance Corporal Bello Anas.The rest were Private Alhaji Isah, Private Clement Francis, Private Abubakar Ali, Private Adamu Ibrahim, Private Hamman Peter, and Private Ibrahim Adamu.Tinubu said that the deceased have all been awarded posthumous national honours.“The four gallant Officers have been awarded Member of the Order of Niger (MON). And the 13 courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been Awarded Officer of the Federal Republic Medals.“As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our Armed Forces for granted. I recognise your valour and bravery.

“I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers and insurrectionists.”The President urged the officers and men of the military not to be deterred by these setbacks and be prepared to continue to work for peace and harmony.Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to rebuilding communities and making them places where love, tolerance and harmony reigns.“Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting.“I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them and our departed heroes will get justice.“The elders and chiefs of Okuoma also have a duty to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.”The president commended the Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuoma or its neighbouring communities.“We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuoma are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them.”

On his part, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army who were gruesomely murdered in Okuama Community in Delta on March 14, left behind 10 widows three of whom are pregnant and 21 orphans.Lagbaja made this known at the burial of the 17 personnel comprising one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers, on Wednesday at the National Cemetery in Abuja.According to him, the Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian army and, by extension, the Nigeria state, 10 widows, three of whom are four, five, and eight months pregnant, 21 orphans, and many other dependents, including parents.“While commiserating with the families of these gallant soldiers, I assure them that the Nigerian army and the good people of this country will not leave them in the cold.“We shall do all within our power to provide succour to them and preserve the memories of their departed loved ones,” he said.Lagbaja said he considered his toughest job to be putting fine men and women in harm’s way, sometimes knowing that they might not return to their families and loved ones.He added that his men, correspondingly and intriguingly, know that in spite of the equipment, training, and other forms of preparations, sometimes some may not make it back alive, while some may return handicapped.According to him, “when soldiers die in the hands of the enemies of the State, we take it as dying for what the nation has considered a just cause; we celebrate them as gallant heroes.“But when they are gruesomely murdered by the very people they are trained, equipped, and took an oath to protect, it is highly demoralizing.“It is no longer news that 17 of the Nigerian Army’s finest men, whom we have come to bury, were murdered in a reprehensible manner on March 14 in the Okuama community of Delta State while they went on a legitimate peace-making mission.

“It grieves my heart that it took our search and recovery effort over 72 hours to recover some vital organs of the decapitated and disembowell bodies of my men that were scattered all over the Okuama community by the community youths and their friends.“I consider it the most barbaric act any citizen or community can commit against the authority of the state, and I must place on record that a lot of restraints have been exercised so far in our search and recovery efforts for missing arms, ammunition, other equipment, and body parts.“I assure the President and all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army remains committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will not be deterred by setbacks such as witnessed in the Okuama community.“As tasked by the President and Commander-In-Chief of our Armed Forces, the Nigerian Army, with the assistance of its sister services and other security agencies, is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the Okuama murder to book and recover all service and personal belongings taken from the murdered troops.“The Nigerian Army will continue to seek the cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly in the affected area, towards swift and successful conduct of our search and recovery operations,” he said.The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the fallen heroes exemplified the very best of service to nation and love for country.Musa said they were the vanguards of peace, the guardians of freedom, and the sentinels of security, adding that their selflessness and unwavering dedication to duty would forever be etched in their hearts and memories.He assured the families of the deceased officers of the support of the nation and the armed forces in every way possible, urging them to find solace in the knowledge that their loved ones made an indelible mark on the nation’s history.The defence chief said the military would honour their memory by continuing the fight against those who sought to undermine the peace and security of the nation.

“We will remain steadfast in our resolve to build a nation worthy of your sacrifice.“The loss we feel today is immeasurable, but we must not allow it to dim the light of hope within us.“Instead, let us use this moment as a rallying cry to come together as a nation, to support our armed forces, and to work tirelessly towards a Nigeria free from the grip of violence and insecurity.“We owe it to these fallen heroes to honour their memory by redoubling our efforts to create a safer and more prosperous nation for all.“Let us build a nation where every citizen can live without fear, where communities can thrive, and where our children can grow up knowing the true meaning of security and stability.“To the men and women who continue to serve in the armed forces, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your dedication to duty.“Your commitment to defending our nation, even in the face of great peril, is truly commendable,” he said.Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Kano, Kogi and Imo states amongst others attended the burial ceremony.

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