Saturday, 18 June 2016
I stole and sold my mom’s gold to pay for my first studio session — Humblesmith
Fast rising Afro-pop artiste, Ekene Ijemba, popularly known as ‘Humblesmith’ recently released a new single
Digitisation will open doors for businesses to recreate growth models’
The magnitude of change Andrew Grove, former Chairman of Intel Corporation, in his classic, Only the Paranoid Survive, provides a fresh perspective to Michael Porter’s ‘5 Forces’ analytical model.He articulates the possibility of a ‘10X’ magnitude force of change to Porter’s ‘5 Forces’ variables, such that the changes the variables provide to a business are not incremental.
They are landslide. Essentially, the force of change is about ten times what an industry or a business is typically accustomed to.
The wave of technology change the world has seen in the last couple of decades, perhaps more than anything else, best typifies this. It has provided this ‘10X’ change for most businesses, creating new industries and businesses and making some hitherto existing ones obsolete.
ECOWAS community court of justice gets new president
ECOWAS Community Court of Justice on Saturday in Abuja elected Justice Jérôme Traoré from Burkina Faso as its new President.
This is contained in a press statement issued by the court through Mr Sunny Ugoh, the head of the information department of ECOWAS.
The statement said that Jérôme took over from Justice Maria Do Céu Silva who just served out her two-year tenure.
“Justice Traore, who becomes the first male President of the 15-year-old court, will serve a two-year term with other members of the bureau.
“The new president, who replaces Justice Maria, whose two-year term ends today, was until his election the Dean of the Court,” ,” the statement said.
Besides, the statement said that Justice Micah Wright from Liberia and Justice Hameye Mahalmadane from Mali would now serve as the court’s vice-president and dean respectively.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly elected justices will be responsible for the court’s programmes, while providing policy guidelines for the court’s management.
Iceland own goal saves Hungary’s blushes at Euro 2016
An own-goal by Iceland’s Birkir Savarsson in the dying seconds rescued a draw for Hungary in a frenetic Euro 2016 clash that keeps both team’s hopes alive of a second round berth.
A first-half penalty by Gylfi Sigurdsson put little Iceland on course for a fairytale win. But the European Championship newcomers succumbed to waves of late Hungarian pressure.
With 88 minutes gone, substitute Nemanja Nikolic sent a low ball into the area and in the thick of a goalmouth scramble, Savarsson touched the ball into his own net.
Prior to the tournament both teams viewed this Marseille tie as their best opportunity to get a win. But unfancied Hungary’s shock 2-0 victory against Austria on Tuesday meant a slot in the last-16 beckoned if they could beat the Scandinavians.
Hungary had more of the ball in the first-half, but, more used to playing a counterattacking game, they failed to craft clearcut openings against a physical Iceland defense.
Their midfield trio of Laszlo Kleinheisler, Balazs Dzsudzsak and Zoltan Stieber probed industriously. But the nearest they came to hitting the target in the first half was a Kleinheisler effort that raked across the goalmouth on 33 minutes.
In contrast, Iceland attacks carried more direct menace, with their best chance falling to Johann Gudmundsson on the half hour.
– Kiraly suffers –
Having shouldered right-back Tamas Kadar off the ball, he found himself one-on-one against Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly but angled a weak shot straight at the 40-year-old, the oldest player ever to play at a European Championship final.
Approaching half-time Kiraly took centre-stage in a horror show he will want to forget.
Six minutes before the break he fumbled a corner from Johann Gudmundsson, then tripped Ragnar Sigurdsson while grappling to recover the ball.
In the scramble that ensued referee Sergei Karasev pointed to the spot for a kick by Kadar on Gunnarsson.
He dived the wrong way for the penalty as Sigurdsson fired smartly to the left to give the Scandinavians the lead. Kiraly kicked the ball away in disgust.
After the break the Magyars resumed their pressure with Kleinheisler blasting over over twice in five minutes.
But it was Iceland who could have extended their lead on the hour, Sigthorsson heading wide from point-blank range after a pinpoint cross by Sigurdsson.
The goal-shy Magyars — who only scored 11 goals in 10 qualifying games — toiled anxiously for the leveller with Dzsudzsak twice sending free-kicks straight at Hannes Halldorsson.
As Hungary anxiously sought an equaliser Bernd Storck sent on Nikolic as an extra striker but they appeared to lack the final breakthrough touch.
Nikolics cross finally secured the equaliser to break Icelandic hearts.
Iceland, who nearly stole a winner with the final kick, a snapshot by subsitute former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, face Austria on Wednesday in their final group game.
The Nordic minnows need a win to seal a berth in the knockout stages. Hungary can progress by avoiding defeat against Portugal in Lyon the same day.
Fuel price hike: Nigerians devise means of survival
The hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, has thrown up a number of challenges and in response, Nigerians have been forced to adopt a number of cost-cutting measures to survive the hard times thrown up by the increase. Specifically, Nigerians are introducing ingenious means to survive the hike and the associated hardship, some of which include car-pooling, fuel-gauge watching, cutting down on the use of car air-conditioning and patronising fuel stations selling at lower prices.
Already, the National Bureau of Statistics, in its April inflation report released during the week, revealed that Nigeria’s headline inflation reading rose to 15.6 per cent in May, 2016, about 1.9 percentage points in excess of the previous month’s record of 13.7 per cent.
The latest record did not only indicate a steady rise since last year (except in August, 2015), but also showed a six-year high point, matching the same level as in February 2010 The NBS blamed the rise in the country’s inflation rate on the increase in electricity rate and fuel price among others.
Motorists groan, device means of survival
A motorist, Mr. Jude Umeh, said the fuel price increase has hiked his expenditure and reduced his savings significantly. He said “prior to the increase, I normally drive into a petrol station and ask the fuel attendant to fill up my tank, but I can no longer afford to do that. In the past, when my fuel gauge is showing that my tank is half way, I used to fill up my tank with about N3,500, but now I cannot afford to fill up my tank from half way.” Umeh said these days, he could only buy fuel as much as his pocket allows, stating that N5,000 can no longer fill his tank when it drops half way.
Another motorist, a businesswoman, Mrs. Agatha Otiti, who drives a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), told Saturday Vanguard that within the first two weeks of the price hike, she spent N27,000 to fuel her vehicle, which forced her to have a rethink on her expenditure as it concerns fuel. She explained that these days, she no longer comes to town on a daily basis, from her place in Lugbe, but only ventures out of her home if she is certain she has a business deal to close, which would fetch her reasonable sum of money.
For Mr. Friday Olarewaju, he only comes to work with his car twice in a week and on days when he cannot catch up with the company’s staff bus. He said the decision to limit his driving time was as a result of the high cost of petrol, which he lamented was taking a toll on his finances. He added that the company’s staff buses had recorded significant increase in staff patronage, as majority of his colleagues had abandoned their cars since the hike in fuel price.
“It was agreed among all the staff that we would be contributing N1,000 each on a monthly basis for fuelling the company’s Toyota Coaster Buses that pick and drop us at bus stops closest to our house on a daily basis. As for me, the bus stop is a walking distance from my house, so it is very convenient for me,” he explained. Mrs. Anastasia Bakare, said she, her friends and some of her colleagues have reached an unwritten agreement to take turns in driving to the office carrying others.
She said, “When it is your turn to drive, you carry others, and that is how we arrange it on a weekly basis. With this arrangement, I usually end up driving my car to the office only once a week. This has been helpful in reducing the amount I spend on fuel on a daily basis.” Another motorist who chose not to be named, told Saturday Vanguard that he no longer uses the air condition in his car, so as to conserve fuel. According to him, I only use my car air condition when it is raining heavily, and when it would be very difficult to drive.
In addition, to save cost, Mr. Usman Salisu said he does not allow his fuel to reach half tank before he goes for fill up. According to him, allowing the fuel to drop to half tank means one will spend more in filling it up. He explained that fuel drops faster from the mid-point of the tank, stating that from the point at which the tank is full to the mid-point, it takes a little longer.
“If you want to spend less on fuel, once your fuel gauge drops from the point at which it is full, do not let it get to the midpoint before you fill it up again. That way, you might end up spending less for fuel on a weekly basis,” he argued. A private car owner who spoke to Saturday Vanguard said that since the price increase, he has been mindful of his movements to conserve fuel. He added that filling of his tank is now a thing of the past as he only buys the quantity that would be enough for his immediate use, even as low as two litres.
A commercial bus driver who plies between Iyana Ipaja and Ayobo Road, Matthew Akinpelu complained bitterly over the negative effect of the new price on his transport business. “It is saddening that these days, I hardly make money from my transport business because of the new fuel price. Before now, I was making a profit of N2,000 with N800 worth of fuel. But that is not the case since a litre of petrol now cost N145. Presently, when I buy seven litres of fuel for N1,015 and after toiling under the rain from Iyana Ipaja to Ayobo Road, I make N1,000. Tell me, how do I feed my family, pay house rent and meet other responsibilities?”
The price increase has also affected the use of generating sets. Saturday Vanguard investigations revealed that many residents of Lagos no longer keep generators on for long as it used to be. A filling station attendant at Conoil filling station, Olude Bus stop, Ipaja, said due to the new fuel price, the number of residents who flood the filling station, especially in the evenings, to buy fuel has drastically reduced. “Everybody is aware of the high cost of fuel so, we only put on generator when necessary”, a resident, Oluwadare Kosefe, said.
Motorists abandon vehicles
Some motorists in Enugu State have abandoned their vehicles for commuter buses and tricycle operators popularly known as Keke-NAPEP following the hike in pump price of petrol even as filing stations in Enugu metropolis and beyond are experiencing a drop in patronage. Checks at most roads within the metropolis which include New Heaven, Ogui Road, Penoks-T Junction, which are renowned for traffic gridlock showed that fewer vehicles are on the roads.
Ameobi Chime,a civil servant residing at No. 7 Carter Street,Enugu said, “I parked my car since December during the fuel scarcity that ushered in the increase to N145 per liter from N87.60. I tried to see if I could cope initially when the new price regime came on board but I had to abandon my car. I now go to work by commuter buses. Before I abandoned my car, I was buying fuel worth N3,000 daily which was about 13 litres, but I discovered I could not sustain it. Presently, I spend about N600 daily on intracity fares which is cheaper for me to enable me attend to other family needs.
On his part, a civil servant in Makurdi who craved anonymity told Saturday Vanguard that since the increase in pump price of petrol, he has cut down his weekly budget for fuel purchase. “Before now, I used to ensure that my tank is filled every week because I move around a lot but as it is now, I have cut down on that. One does not move around except there is need for it. I buy fuel when there is also need for it. One cannot afford that luxury of having a filled tank anymore.”
For Terzungwe Kase, a commercial bus operator, “the new pump price is killing, most of us have now devised what we call, ‘buy as you go’. We buy fuel depending on the volume of passengers we are able to convey in a day. Most of us start the day’s work with about 10 litres of fuel and top up as the work progresses since fuel is available though at a higher price which has also forced us to increase transport fare across the state.”
On his part, a barber, James Ameh said, “it is unfortunate that we are paying so much for fuel at this time when feeding has become so difficult. What we do is to buy in small quantity but unfortunately, electricity supply is also not stable, so we are facing a difficult time.” Most people in some parts of Ogun who spoke with Saturday Vanguard expressed agony over the increment and many of them have resorted to parking their cars at home and taking commercial cabs to get to their destinations.
Speaking with Saturday Vanguard, Kunle Olayeni, a journalist and Chairman of Ogun State Correspondents explained that, before the increment, he spent N5,000 to fill his tank but since the increment, he has never bought a full tank. Olayeni said he only buys 10 litres now which cost him N2,900 and he tops it when necessary. Also speaking, Olayinka Olukoya, an assistant editor with a national newspaper said she spent N4,500 to fill her tank before the recent increment but she has now resolved to buying N2,000 worth of fuel.
She said “I can no longer afford to buy full tank. The economy is sick. Some of us who have cars don’t usually take our cars out these days, we prefer to go by public transport because it makes economic sense.” An operator of a barbing salon simply identified as Akanmu said his car would take 60 litres that used to cost N5,000, but now he only buys fuel worth N2,000, saying he would need to spend N9,000 if he were to fill his tank now.
Mr Idris Kelvin Abu, a motorist, said “I spent N5,200 to fill up my car at the rate of N86 per litre but now I dare not try it, as I will not spend nothing less than N17,000 to fill my tank now. “For now we can see the fuel everywhere, fuel is at every filing station, there is no more long queue but there is no money to buy it.
Ajani Sodiq, a commercial motorcyclist while sharing his experience said, “I spent N1,200 to fill my motorcycle tank before, but now, I spend nothing less than N1,700. Mr Waheed Ogundele, another motorcyclist narrated his ordeal, saying before the increment, he spent N1,100 to fill his motorcycle tank, but it has jerked up to N1,900. “The only thing I see about the increment is that I can enter filling station at anytime to buy fuel unlike before when we would sleep at filling stations.”
Imoleayo Alade, a driving tutor said he spent N5,000 before the increment, but needs N15,000 to fill his car tank now while Adedokun Adelaja, who drives Sienna SUV said that she spent N4,500 before, while she needs N13,000 to fill her her tank now. Adedokun said “in my life I had never experienced such hardship, I cannot fill my tank again because of the increment.”
Some of the petrol attendants who spoke with our correspondent on the condition of anonymity lamented that despite the fact that there is fuel, the number of vehicles that patronise them are very few. They said even with the low patronage the motorists buy between 10 and 20 litres.
Fuel stations record low patronage
A petrol attendant in one of the filling stations at the High Level area of Makurdi, Benue State capital who gave her name as Rita said there has been low patronage since the introduction of the new pump price. She said, “before now when we were selling at N87 per litre, this place used to be like a war zone with many vehicle owners struggling and shouting to be attended to at the same time. At that time, many would prefer to fill their tanks because it was a lot cheaper to have your tank filled up.
“Unfortunately, today the reverse is the case, as most car owners as well as commercial buses and motorcycle operators would drive in here and buy fuel for as low as N1,000. It’s as bad as that. Besides they come in trickles, sometimes we sit for as long as 30 minutes before you see somebody driving in to buy.”
Another attendant at one of the stations in Makurdi, Abigail Usman told Saturday Vanguard that sales has dropped significantly since the introduction of the deregulation policy. She said, “Before the increase in price, there was hardly a day we sold less than 10,000 liters of fuel, but now we struggle to make half of that in a day. People prefer to buy in small quantities, maybe because the product is readily available.”
In Lagos, the Manager of Ibukun-Olu Abdul Azeez (Nig.) Ltd, operators of a filling station along Olojo Drive, Ojo, who did not want his name in print said, “there’s no doubt that the fuel price increase has affected the volume of sales.” He told Saturday Vanguard that it was common, before the fuel price increase, for commercial bus drivers to request their tank to be filled up, which is about 50 litres and above. “But now, very few of them still do that. They prefer to buy as much as they could afford, even as low as10 litres, and then come back to buy again.”
He said as for private car owners, their patronage has drastically reduced. “There are some who would buy as little as two litres. You don’t see them order their tank filled up like they used to”, he said He added that before the price increase, daily sale was in the average of 35,000 litres daily, but that, presently, it would be a good day if they could sell 15,000 litres as sales now waiver between 12,000 and 14,000 litres per day.
It was a similar situation at Forte Oil filling station along Oshodi/Apapa Expressway by Berger Bus stop, Apapa, where the manager admitted that volume of sales has drastically reduced, and attributed it to the price increase. He said before the price increase, the station would sell between 14,000 to 15,000 litres, but that presently, they sell between 6,000 and 7,000 litres.
Ebere Unazi,an attendant at Mobil Filing Station,Ogui Road in Enugu regretted that the volume of sales has reduced due to the increment in pump price of PMS. “We do not sell as we used to before now. A 33,000 liter fuel which normally lasted a week now stays for months before we finish dispensing it to few motorists. This is because very few people can buy fuel these days at N145. Some of our colleagues were laid off the other day because the employers said the turnover has dropped drastically. We operate on Sundays now to see if we could sell off our stock timely but this has not helped”.
Demand for petrol has reduced by 50 percent—MOMAN
However, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa, Chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN and Group Chief Executive Officer of Forte Oil Plc, said the seeming availability of the product is due to the fact that the hike in the price of product has dragged demand for petrol down by 50 per cent. While the many tales of woes persist, motorists are calling on the Federal Government to introduce measures that would help alleviate the sufferings of people and also take steps to put up palliatives and other incentives that would be beneficial in the short, medium and long term.
Nigerians are also urging the Federal Government to ensure that the refineries are fixed, while oil facilities are adequately protected to avoid disruption in supply of petroleum products across the country.
New forex policy: Stock investors gain N702bn
Positive market trend heightened yesterday as a result of the new foreign exchange policy introduced by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, mid this week, leading Naira unto 6.7 per cent appreciation and a total of N702.6 billion gains by investors in the stock market.
Yesterday Naira appreciated massively against the US Dollar to N350/USD1.00 from N365 the previous day. The rate had crashed to N375 from on the first day after the announcement of the new foreign exchange policy before reversing a day later.
The stock market maintained its upward trend as The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) appreciated by 2.66 per cent to close at 29,247.27 points.
Similarly, the Market Capitalization apprec-iated by 2.66 per cent to close at N10.04 trillion, bringing total gains of N702.6 billion to investors in the first three trading days following the new foreign exchange policy.
Interest rate began a decline yesterday at the inter-bank market with the overnight rate dropping 250 basis points to 1.5 percent on Friday from a week ago, driven by excess liquidity, prompting the CBN, to mop up the Naira at higher rates to support its new currency regime.
In the same trend banking industry liquidity surged astronomically to N1.1 trillion against N401.7 billion recorded previous week.
The excess liquidity prompted the CBN to sell N205.9 billion worth of one-year Nigerian Treasury Bills, NTB, on Friday at 13.5 percent, compared with the secondary market rate of 10.81 percent, treasury dealers said. The apex bank had offered N78 billion in bills on Thursday.
The apex bank had announced it would start a new foreign exchange trading regime on Monday, which would border on market forces driven, thereby abandoning its controlled market policy, a development which market observers said would set the stage for the depreciation of the local currency.
Fitch endorses new policy
Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings, world’s leading economic and financial rating agency, has endorsed the new policy.
In a release in London yesterday the agency stated, ”Nigeria’s planned shift to a more flexible foreign-exchange regime could aid the country’s adjustment to lower oil prices and support growth, although implementation may present challenges.”
The International Monetary Fund, IMF, had earlier given its endorsement of the new forex regime with the spokesman, Gerry Rice, stating that the Fund wanted to see how effectively the Naira exchange market functions once the new float system is put into effect on Monday.
The two institutions were among several international financial organizations that disagreed with the CBN’s previous market controls at a time foreign investors were withdrawing from the economy as a result.
However, Fitch warned that establishing the new framework’s credibility will be key to its effectiveness in attracting foreign portfolio investments as well as foreign direct investments to make up for lower oil export receipts.
CBN’s previous policy of restricting access to the official foreign exchange market and supporting the Naira, rather than risk the inflationary impact of devaluation, has been negative for Nigeria’s sovereign credit profile.
According to Fitch, defending the Naira has lowered reserves and increased external vulnerabilities, while a shortage of hard currency has weighed down the non-oil economy.
Fitch stated, ”the change of policy is consistent with our view that the CBN would struggle to defend the Naira indefinitely.
”But a backlog of unmet dollar demand (estimates range from USD4 billion to USD9 billion) has built up and any inability to clear a significant portion of that backlog early in the transition would hinder the effectiveness of the new framework”.
Sex Scandal: Mine is a case of mistaken identity – Ikon
Abuja – Mr Samuel Ikon, one of the three House of Representatives members accused of sexual indiscretion in the U.S., has dismissed the allegation as untrue, saying his identity had been mistaken.
Ikon, a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Constituency of Akwa Ibom, said in Abuja on Saturday that the allegation was in bad taste.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, had on Wednesday petitioned the House of Representatives alleging that Ikon and two other lawmakers solicited sex from prostitutes in Cleveland, Ohio, recently.
The lawmaker said that he was at a loss as to what the U.S. envoy intended to achieve with the allegation, insisting that he had been mistakenly dragged into a matter he knew nothing about.
He said that he was happy that the lower chamber had commenced the process of investigating the allegation, and expressed confidence that he would be cleared.
He also said that he had briefed his lawyers to initiate legal and diplomatic steps to get to
the root of the matter “to clear my name and the institution I represent”.
Condemning the allegation by the ambassador, Ikon said, “I wish to state unequivocally that this is false and definitely not me.
“This, to me is a case of mistaken identity and I will be vindicated. I have initiated measures both legal and diplomatic to clear my name and the institution I represent.
“There are many questions left unanswered by the actions of the U.S. mission but I believe it will become clearer in the course of time.”
He urged his constituents and Nigerians to be patient as the truth would be unveiled, adding that God would vindicate him.
“I want to reassure all of my innocence in this matter and I call on all relevant authorities and jurisdictions to commence full investigation to correct this great injustice to me.
“I have an unwavering faith in God to see me through this trying moment and plead with all not to be hasty in condemning me as the final outcome will surely clear my name.
“I urge for patience, prayers and God’s abiding wisdom at this time,” Ikon said.
Fresh trouble for Saraki as FG charges him, Ekweremadu, others with forgery
Fresh trouble for Senate President Bukola Saraki is on the way with the resolve of the Federal Government to press forgery charges against him and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
The suit against the two presiding officers of the Senate, which flow from last year’s Senate leadership election, is coming more than a year after police investigations into the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules 2015. The move was, however, being interpreted in quarters as another dimension in the quasi-battle between the presidency and the legislature directed at paralysing the Senate with the simultaneous prosecution of the two presiding officers.
Also charged with the two presiding officers are the immediate former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Bennedict Efeturi.
The police report on the issue exclusively reported by Vanguard on July 27, 2015, had referred the case to the Attorney General of the Federation for further advice whether the case should be treated as a criminal case or part of the internal affairs of the Senate.
The case against the quartet marked CR/219/16 between the Federal Government of Nigeria (Complainant) and Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki, and Ike Ekweremadu (Defendants), has been assigned to Justice Yusuf Haliru of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
It was further gathered that the suit borders on a two-count charge of “Criminal Conspiracy, contrary to Section 97 of the Penal Code Law” and “Forgery contrary to 362 of the Penal Code Law,” against Ekweremadu and others.
Yesterday aides of Senator Saraki and Ekweremadu denied formal knowledge of their principals being under investigation even if they claimed to have sensed the impending case against them.
Specifically, an aide of Senator Saraki said yesterday:
“We are aware of the new case, but he (Saraki) has neither been invited nor questioned on the case.”
In the affidavit attached to the case file, which was filed on June 10, 2016, the investigative police officer swore that the investigation into the case had been concluded, a development associates of the two presiding officer queried asserting shock that the two presiding officers were not questioned before the conclusion of the investigation.
An invitation letter dated June 6, 2016, said to have been written to the two men was as at yesterday yet to be delivered, Ekweremadu, his special adviser on media, Uche Anichukwu said yesterday.
The case followed a petition written to the police by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, APC, Kaduna North, on behalf of the Senate Unity Forum, SUF in which he alleged that the Senate Standing Rule, 2015 used in the election of Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu as presiding officers was forged.
The petition prompted police investigations led by Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Dan‘Azumi Doma.
In the course of the investigation, the police team quizzed several senators all of them associates of Senator Hunkuyi and some Senate bureaucrats, however, neither Saraki, nor Ekweremadu were questioned on the issue.
Those questioned were Senators Suleiman Hunkuyi, Secretary of the Senate Unity Forum who wrote the petition to the police, Ahmad Lawan, Abdullahi Gumel, Kabiru Marafa, Gbenga Ashafa, Robert Boroffice and Abu Ibrahim.
Also questioned were Senator Ita Enang, who served as chairman of the Business and Rules Committee in the 7th and is presently special assistant to the president, Senate, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who is now a Political Adviser to the President, and Solomon Ewuga, all of whom are members of the APC. No member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP or member of the Likemind Group associated with the Senate President were questioned according to the police report.
The report on the investigations obtained by Vanguard and exclusively published on July 27 did not mention Saraki or Ekweremadu or their offices or being among those that the police spoke to in the course of the investigation.
Maikasuwa, who was the CNA at the time of the election and who presided over the election, was quoted in the report to have said that “he did not refer to any Senate Standing Order/Rules but used the normal procedures for the opening of a new parliament.”
Efeturi, his deputy had said that the production of the 2015 Standing Rules was in line with convention, saying that the same procedure was used in the production of the Standing Rules in 2003, 2007 and 2011.
In the suit against the quartet marked CR/219/16 between the Federal Government of Nigeria (Complainant) and Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki, and Ike Ekweremadu (Defendants), the Federal Government charges them of “Criminal Conspiracy, contrary to Section 97 of the Penal Code Law” and “Forgery contrary to 362 of the Penal Code Law.”
The two count charges read thus:
Count One reads: “That you Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu on or about the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arm Zone, Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves, to forge the Senate Standing Order, 2011 (as amended) and you thereby committed the offence of Conspiracy, punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code Law.
Count Two reads: “That you Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu on or about the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arm Zone, Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with fraudulent intent forged the Senate Standing Order 2011 (as amended) causing it to be believed as the genuine Standing Order, 2015 and circulated same for use during the inauguration of the 8th Senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when you knew that the said Order was not made in compliance the procedure for amendment of the Senate Order, you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law”.
The fresh trouble for the Senate President is coming against the background of his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over allegations of false declaration of assets when he was governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.
PDP tackles Buhari, APC govt on Abuja-Kaduna speed train
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on its twitter handle (@PdpNigeria) has attacked the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Abuja-Kaduna speed train.
PDP in a tweet said ‘is it not ironic that ‘Buhari’ who cancelled Lagos Rail Project initiated by Jakande 3 decades ago will now commission Abuja-KD Fast Rail?’
The Abuja-Kaduna rail line is one of the first standard gauge railway modernisation projects (SGRMP) undertaken in Nigeria. The standard gauge line links Abuja (Federal Capital Territory) with the commercial capital Kaduna, enabling faster movement of goods and people between the two cities. The rail project is expected to create over 10,000 jobs when fully operational.
The PDP in it tweets also said that it does not believe in the 97% vs 5% ideology of President Buhari and that those who said that the Abuja-Kaduna speed train was a locomotive train are now struggling to be associated with the the rail project.
The party further accused the APC-lead government of President Buhari of building an helipad in Daura
PDP’s tweets
‘Our party does not believe in the 97% vs 5% ideology of president Buhari.
Same people who said the Abuja-Kaduna Fast Rail was a colonial LOCOMOTIVE now struggling to associate with it and even commission it.
Is it not ironic that ‘Buhari’ who cancelled Lagos Rail Project initiated by Jakande 3 decades ago will now commission Abuja-KD Fast Rail
PDP Nigeria @PdpNigeria 4h4 hours ago
It is important to remind Nigerians that this Govt has not awarded a N10m contract since its inception 1year ago except, helipad in Daura.’
The APC also tweeted that the rail line Abuja-Kaduna high speed train project would start operations once inaugurated by President Buhari in July.
’@APCNigeria
The official test-run of Abuja-Kaduna rail line took place yesterday. To begin full commercial operations in July.
Abuja-Kaduna high speed train project ready to start operations once inaugurated by President Buhari in July.’
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