Connect with us


BIG STORY

Budget Padding: APC Moves To Save Dogara, Meets Speaker, Jubrin.

Published

on

Dogara-Jibrin

The All Progressives Congress has intervened in the crisis rocking the House of Representatives over alleged padding of the 2016 budget.

The APC was said to have made the move to prevent the party from being “brought to dishonour.”

The APC National Working Committee, at the party’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, separately met with the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; and a former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jubrin.

It was gathered that the meetings were aimed at addressing the crisis and preventing the removal of Dogara.

A leader of the party, who confided in The PUNCH, said, “We are making moves to resolve the crisis. Dogara is a loyal party man.”

The national executive of the APC had, through a letter, summoned Jubrin to appear before leaders of the party at 2pm on Tuesday.

The party leadership had earlier on Tuesday met with Dogara.

In the letter by its Deputy National Chairman (North), Lawal Shuaibu, the party decried the media war between the two APC lawmakers without consulting the party for resolution.

The letter read in part, “As a disciplined party, the constitution of our party has made adequate provisions on ways of resolving any issue among members. It behoves the party to take all necessary steps to ensure that no member of our family brings dishonour on the party.

“You are, therefore, by this invitation, expected to appear before the undersigned at the APC national secretariat on Tuesday, August 2, at 2pm.

“Kindly note that failure to and/or refusal to honour this invitation will amount to a decision you have made not to submit to the party.”

Jibrin arrived at the APC headquarters in Abuja in a Toyota Land Cruiser with number plate, BWR 768 AM, around 2.10pm and immediately went into a closed-door meeting with Shuaibu.

It was observed that the meeting was attended by the northern caucus in the party’s executive.

Other officers who attended the meeting are the National Secretary, Mai Bala Buni; and the National Vice Chairman (North-West), Inuwa Abdulkadir.

Both Jibrin and Dogara, who are at the centre of the budget-padding scandal, are from the North.

The Deputy National Chairman of the APC, Segun Oni, who was sighted around the party’s headquarters, did not attend the meeting.

The meeting, which was held in Shuaibu’s office, lasted till around 5pm.

Shuaibu, who later addressed journalists, said the meeting was a consultation among party members.

He said, “This is strictly a consultation between a very great member of the party and party officials in respect of what is going on in the House of Representatives.

“There is nothing like passing any judgment against any member of the party; we will play our role as an umpire in this matter to see how we can restore peace and unity among our members.”

Shuaibu said there was no truth in the information that the meeting was called to discipline Jibrin.

“But when certain things go off course, the party needs to call its members to know how best to reunite them. That is exactly what we did. We heard his side of the story. We earlier heard from the Speaker,” he added.

The APC chieftain further said the meeting with Jibrin was to get “a better briefing” because the party had to be carried along as the Speaker and Jibrin were members of the APC.

“We should know directly from them what is really going on,” he added.

When he was asked if the crisis had been resolved at the meeting, Shuaibu said, “I said we are discussing with them and the discussions are not concluded.

“We will continue to consult. We are not done with them. We sat with the Speaker earlier. We just finished talking with Jibrin. If the need arises, we will have a round-table discussion with both of them.’’

Jibrin also told journalists that he and the party leaders discussed “extensively” at the meeting on the crisis in the House.

He said, “We will continue to discuss. I will continue to honour the invitation of the party, respect the party, and I am sure that whatever it is, you will know in due course.”

When our correspondent asked Jibrin why it took him so long before coming out on the alleged padding of the 2016 budget, he said, “I want to restrict my discussion to the party’s invitation.”

Jibrin, from Kano State, had on Monday submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission and the Nigeria Police Force against Dogara and some leaders of the House.

A party source, who spoke to our correspondent after the meeting, lamented that the crisis in the House was embarrassing the party.

The source, who was privy to the details of the Tuesday meeting, said Jibrin was warned against seeking out-of-party ways to air his grievances with Dogara and other leaders of the House.

The source said, “Although the issue is a legislative matter, what is going on in the House of Representatives is denting the image of the APC. The party should have been invited to mediate between the warring sides rather than involving the police, the ICPC and the EFCC.”

 

 

Punch

BIG STORY

Equitorial Guinea Sacks Senior Government Official, Baltasar Engonga Over “Sexcapade”

Published

on

The Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been dismissed following the discovery of over 400 explicit videos involving him with high-profile women across the country.

The dismissal, ordered by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, was confirmed by Real Equatorial Guinea, which referenced Decree No. 118/2024, issued on November 4.

According to the decree, Engonga’s removal was due to alleged professional misconduct and personal behavior deemed incompatible with his public position.

The scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation involving the 54-year-old economist, leading to a surprise search of his house and office by ANIF officials.

During the search, they uncovered several CDs containing explicit videos that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.

One of the women involved has since committed suicide. It has not been confirmed whether Engonga will face prosecution for his actions.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Kaduna Government Gifts N100,000, Smartphones To 39 Released #EndBadGovernance Protesters

Published

on

The Kaduna State government has provided N100,000 in cash, new smartphones, and additional support to 39 #EndBadGovernance protesters who were recently released from detention.

The government facilitated their reunion with their families on Wednesday, following their release from detention.

The reunion ceremony took place at the Children Homes along Kauru Road in Kaduna, where Governor Uba Sani offered support to the protesters, promising to assist them in reintegrating into society.

He assured them of opportunities for empowerment, contingent upon their commitment to lawful and responsible conduct.

Speaking to journalists after the release of the protesters, the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Abdulkadir Meyere, who represented the governor, revealed that Sani had instructed him to gather the credentials of those who have completed their tertiary education.

‘’The governor promised that some of them will be given start-up capital to begin trading, others will be taught skills, and some will be offered employment,’’ he said.

However, the SSG emphasized that the activities and conduct of the released protesters would be monitored to ensure they maintain good behavior, “before these benefits will be extended to them.”

Meyere also noted that the state government had taken the details of the released detainees, including their contact information, telephone numbers, and the names of their Next of Kins, to facilitate tracking and monitoring.

He further explained that the protesters underwent medical evaluations and received psycho-social counseling to encourage them to make positive changes and become productive members of society.

“Both Islamic and Christian religious leaders preached to them to embrace the teachings of their faiths and avoid bad company, so as to benefit from God’s blessings here and in the hereafter,” he said.

Meyere added that the detainees were each given a phone because they had lost theirs during detention, and ‘’the Governor has graciously given each of them N100,000 as a measure of goodwill.”

The state Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, also addressed the protesters during the reunion, emphasizing the government’s commitment to their welfare.

She stated that the 39 protesters, including two minors aged 16 and 17, had received various forms of support from the government.

“We want you to be ambassadors of peace and preach peace within your peer groups, so you won’t be involved in any unlawful protests.

“We want you to return to a more peaceful environment with your families, and then we can invite you back for further training,” she said to the released protesters.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Two Robbers Gunned Down, 23 Suspects Arrested In FCT

Published

on

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has killed two armed robbers during a gun duel and arrested four others in the Jahi area of the nation’s capital.

Additionally, no fewer than five car snatchers were arrested, and 13 stolen vehicles were recovered during operations carried out by the FCT command’s Scorpion Squad.

Speaking on Wednesday while parading the suspects in Abuja, FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, said the armed robbers opened fire on October 21 after seeing police officers who had responded to a distress call about a robbery in the Jahi area.

According to Disu, during the ensuing gun battle, the police neutralized two of the armed robbers, recovered two of their vehicles, and arrested two suspects, Haruna Abdullahi, 32, from Ikara LGA, Kaduna State, and Yerima Usman, 28, from Itoro LGA, Bauchi State.

He said, “Upon sighting the police patrol vehicle, the suspects opened fire, and in the ensuing confrontation, two suspects were neutralized.”

Disu added that after a follow-up operation on October 23, the suspects led police operatives to arrest two additional gang members—Abba Ismail, aka Dan-Abba, and Ashiru Suleiman—who had escaped from the scene.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a gang of armed robbers led by one Dan Auwalu, who is still at large. So far, they have carried out armed robberies in Mabushi, Jahi, and Gishiri. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining gang members,” he stated.

Disu also identified the arrested car-snatching suspects as 32-year-old Arji Thomas from Gwoza LGA, Borno State; Amobi Ndukwe, 40, from Awgu LGA, Enugu State; and Amaechi Sampson, 26, from Imo State.

He said the trio—Thomas, Ndukwe, and Sampson—are members of a notorious car-snatching gang led by one Chidiebere, who is currently on the run.

According to him, the suspects were apprehended just as they were about to sell a stolen blue Toyota Corolla with registration number KTW 2155D.

“It is important to note that both Arji Thomas and Amobi Ndukwe are ex-convicts. During interrogation, they admitted to operating in Garki for the past year and a half, claiming responsibility for numerous car thefts within the metropolis,” Disu added.

Disu also explained how Joseph Abang was arrested. He said one Philemon Olaoluwa reported at the Central Police Station that his mechanic, Abdulhamid Saidu, had absconded with his car—a 2006 ash-colored Honda Accord with registration number RBC 40—after repairing it and taking it to Jos.

He added that Saidu, who is still at large, handed over the vehicle to Abang, who confessed to being part of a gang of car thieves operating in Abuja, Plateau, and Nasarawa states.

Disu said, “Extensive investigations led police operatives of the Central Police Station to Jos, Plateau State, where Joseph Abang was arrested. During interrogation, he informed the police that he belonged to a gang of car thieves who operated in Jos, Abuja, and Nasarawa State.

“He specializes in receiving, remodelling, and selling off vehicles stolen by his gang members. During a search operation at his residence and place of business, two additional vehicles—a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208—suspected to be stolen were also recovered from him. He is in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”

Disu also revealed that a Toyota Hilux with registration number 03A309 FG, stolen by a newly employed security guard, Usman Abubakar, was recovered. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspect.

Disu explained that the vehicle, owned by Mr. Frank Udah, was stolen on October 7 by Abubakar, who had only been employed for three days. Preliminary investigations revealed that Abubakar took the vehicle to Nasarawa State, where he handed it over to two other gang members, who have since been arrested and are facing trial for another offence in Nasarawa State.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the security guard, who had been employed for barely three days, stole the said vehicle on October 7, 2024, and took the same to Nasarawa State where he gave the vehicle to two other gang members who were arrested and currently facing trial for another offence in Nasarawa State. While the vehicle has been recovered, efforts are in place to arrest the suspect, Usman Abubakar, who is still on the run,” Disu stated.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular