By SaharaReporters, New York
The high stakes game to remove the
current governor of Bayelsa state, Timipre Sylva, from the line up of
People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for the upcoming governorship
election in the state appears to have taken hold. A few minutes ago
the Gubernatorial Screening Appeal Committee of the PDP in Bayelsa
State released the names of three candidates approved as gubernatorial
aspirants for the upcoming governorship elections in the state. The name
of Timipre Sylva was excluded by the committee.
However, the committee cleared Youpele Kalango, Christopher Enai and Henry Seriake Dickson as eligible candidates.
A
statement jointly signed by the former deputy governor of Ekiti state,
Mrs Abiodun Olujimi and Alhaji Abba Anas Adamu stated that only the
three candidates are eligible to contest the governorship elections in
the state, leaving out Timipre Sylvia who was reportedly removed for
operating foreign accounts and Silverbird TV owner , Ben Bruce, who the
panel claimed had dual citizenship.
what a method.
Monday, 31 October 2011
at 09:12:12 AM » Reps insincere on planned amendment to EFCC Act
Thenational Vice-Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Senator
Joseph Waku, on Sunday in Abuja asked members of the House of
Representatives to have a rethink on their plan to amend the Act
establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Senator had also in 2000 allegedly called for the military take over of power barely one year after the return to democratic rule.
Waku, in a statement, said if the lawmakers had a genuine reason to amend the EFCC Act, the timing was already suggestive of some ulterior motives.
He said, “It is public knowledge that the EFCC, of recent has charged a significant number of serving and past members of the House to court over alleged involvement in corruption cases.
These people are bitter and will naturally want to fight back. The only logical thing is to mobilise their colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives to engage the EFCC leadership or whittle down its powers.
“As such, if the House is now initiating processes to amend the EFCC Act with full concentration on qualifications of who occupies the
position of the commission’s chairman, the only logical conclusion that can be drawn is that the process is targeting the current head of the agency for obvious reasons.
Waku added, “As representatives of the people of Nigeria, I will want to urge our lawmakers to reconsider their position so that ordinary Nigerians will not take it that the House is only fighting a proxy war for its members facing corruption charges.
“The House has in particular lately suffered a lot of damages to its image and the ongoing effort should not be allowed to further lower the public perception of the green chamber of the National Assembly.”
The Senator had also in 2000 allegedly called for the military take over of power barely one year after the return to democratic rule.
Waku, in a statement, said if the lawmakers had a genuine reason to amend the EFCC Act, the timing was already suggestive of some ulterior motives.
He said, “It is public knowledge that the EFCC, of recent has charged a significant number of serving and past members of the House to court over alleged involvement in corruption cases.
These people are bitter and will naturally want to fight back. The only logical thing is to mobilise their colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives to engage the EFCC leadership or whittle down its powers.
“As such, if the House is now initiating processes to amend the EFCC Act with full concentration on qualifications of who occupies the
position of the commission’s chairman, the only logical conclusion that can be drawn is that the process is targeting the current head of the agency for obvious reasons.
Waku added, “As representatives of the people of Nigeria, I will want to urge our lawmakers to reconsider their position so that ordinary Nigerians will not take it that the House is only fighting a proxy war for its members facing corruption charges.
“The House has in particular lately suffered a lot of damages to its image and the ongoing effort should not be allowed to further lower the public perception of the green chamber of the National Assembly.”
Saturday, 29 October 2011
Death By Hanging - Rev King's Appeal Suffers Setback
The appeal by founder of Christian Praying Assembly, Rev. Chukwuemeka
Ezeuko (Rev. King), who is challenging the judgment of an Ikeja High
Court, which sentenced him to death by hanging for the murder of one
Ann, a female member of his church, suffered a setback, Wednesday, due
to irregularities in the appeal.
At the hearing in the appeal, yesterday, it was discovered that there are two different appeals by Rev. King, one dated June 23, 2008 and another December 1, 2010 respectively.
The court also noted that the respondent’s (Lagos State Government) brief of argument, responded to the appeal filed on December 1, 2010 without seeking leave of court to do so.
Counsel to Rev. King, told the court that the appellant filed his brief of argument on June 24, 2008 against the judgment of the lower court delivered on January 11, 2007, but, the court was surprised when the Solicitor General, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Lawal Pedro, told the court that the respondent’s brief of argument was dated April 21, 2011 and filed April 22.
Presiding Justice, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, noted that the respondent was out of time since the appellant’s brief of argument was filed on June 24, 2008, stressing the need for the respondent to regularise his brief of argument and adjourned the matter till April 4, 2012.
Rev. King’s counsel, had told the court that sometimes in 2008, the appellate court granted leave to the appellant to amend his notice of appeal and file additional grounds within seven days, contending that the lower court on its own, raised fundamental issue in its judgment and addressed same without input of parties in the suit.
At the hearing in the appeal, yesterday, it was discovered that there are two different appeals by Rev. King, one dated June 23, 2008 and another December 1, 2010 respectively.
The court also noted that the respondent’s (Lagos State Government) brief of argument, responded to the appeal filed on December 1, 2010 without seeking leave of court to do so.
Counsel to Rev. King, told the court that the appellant filed his brief of argument on June 24, 2008 against the judgment of the lower court delivered on January 11, 2007, but, the court was surprised when the Solicitor General, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Lawal Pedro, told the court that the respondent’s brief of argument was dated April 21, 2011 and filed April 22.
Presiding Justice, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, noted that the respondent was out of time since the appellant’s brief of argument was filed on June 24, 2008, stressing the need for the respondent to regularise his brief of argument and adjourned the matter till April 4, 2012.
Rev. King’s counsel, had told the court that sometimes in 2008, the appellate court granted leave to the appellant to amend his notice of appeal and file additional grounds within seven days, contending that the lower court on its own, raised fundamental issue in its judgment and addressed same without input of parties in the suit.
Friday, 28 October 2011
Obama: Gaddafi's Death A Warning To Others - Who's he threatening?
Barack Obama has described Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's death as a strong message to dictators around the world.
Speaking on NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, the US President said the former Libyan leader had missed his chance to bring democracy to his country.
"This is somebody who, for 40 years, has terrorised his country and supported terrorism," he said.
"He had an opportunity during the Arab Spring to finally let loose of his grip on power and to peacefully transition into democracy.
"We gave him ample opportunity, and he wouldn't do it," he added.
There has been an international call for an investigation into Col Gaddafi's death after he appeared to be heavily beaten by his captors and then shot in the head.
Graphic footage of him before and after he died has been viewed around the world.
"Obviously, you never like to see anybody come to the kind of end that he did, but I think it obviously sends a strong message around the world to dictators that , people long to be free," Mr Obama added.
The President is in the middle of a visit to western states including Nevada, California and Colorado, where he has mixed White House business with events for his 2012 re-election campaign.
Speaking on NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, the US President said the former Libyan leader had missed his chance to bring democracy to his country.
"This is somebody who, for 40 years, has terrorised his country and supported terrorism," he said.
"He had an opportunity during the Arab Spring to finally let loose of his grip on power and to peacefully transition into democracy.
"We gave him ample opportunity, and he wouldn't do it," he added.
There has been an international call for an investigation into Col Gaddafi's death after he appeared to be heavily beaten by his captors and then shot in the head.
Graphic footage of him before and after he died has been viewed around the world.
"Obviously, you never like to see anybody come to the kind of end that he did, but I think it obviously sends a strong message around the world to dictators that , people long to be free," Mr Obama added.
The President is in the middle of a visit to western states including Nevada, California and Colorado, where he has mixed White House business with events for his 2012 re-election campaign.
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Nigeria Jails Nine Oil Thieves For 90 Years Each
ABUJA Oct 25 (Reuters) - Seven Nigerians and two Ghanaians have each
been sentenced to 90 years in prison for oil theft and illegal refining,
an organised underground industry that costs Africa's largest oil
exporter hundreds of millions of dollars a year.
Nigeria's oil production capacity of more than 2 million barrels per day is curbed by thieves, who tap pipelines that pass through the thousands of kilometres of winding creeks and waterways in the Niger Delta region.
The crude is often processed in makeshift refineries in the creeks before being sold as oil products. Bunkering - the theft of industrial quantities of oil - is a big business in Nigeria that funds criminal gangs and fuels corruption.
A judge in Delta state sentenced each of the suspects to 10 years in prison on each of nine charges against them.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said on Tuesday it had "arraigned the accused for conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products", on June 29, 2010.
"Investigations also showed that the Ghanaians came into the country illegally and, therefore, had no permission to sail in the Nigerian waters with a vessel that had no clearance, waybill or any document empowering it to transport petroleum products," the commission's statement added.
Nigeria's military said on Monday it had detained a small oil tanker and arrested 46 people trying to ship illegally refined oil products. (Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Writing by Joe Brock)
Nigeria's oil production capacity of more than 2 million barrels per day is curbed by thieves, who tap pipelines that pass through the thousands of kilometres of winding creeks and waterways in the Niger Delta region.
The crude is often processed in makeshift refineries in the creeks before being sold as oil products. Bunkering - the theft of industrial quantities of oil - is a big business in Nigeria that funds criminal gangs and fuels corruption.
A judge in Delta state sentenced each of the suspects to 10 years in prison on each of nine charges against them.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said on Tuesday it had "arraigned the accused for conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products", on June 29, 2010.
"Investigations also showed that the Ghanaians came into the country illegally and, therefore, had no permission to sail in the Nigerian waters with a vessel that had no clearance, waybill or any document empowering it to transport petroleum products," the commission's statement added.
Nigeria's military said on Monday it had detained a small oil tanker and arrested 46 people trying to ship illegally refined oil products. (Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Writing by Joe Brock)
4000 Mw Gas Plant To Be Built In Nigeria
By Chika Amanze-Nwachuku
Federal government’s bid to ensure regular power supply has received a boost as Sparkle Energy has said it planned to build a $10 billion 4000 Gas-fired Power Plant called Sparkle Power Plant, which is to become the largest gas-fired power plant in Nigeria.
Making the disclosure in a document made available to THISDAY, Groot Property Group Ltd said it floated the firm (Sparkle Energy) in partnership with some prominent Nigerian entrepreneurs and scholars based in the United States, and a Nigerian consortium for the development of the power project. The company said the project, with a construction budget of $10 billion was designed to sufficiently power up to 5 million homes in Nigeria.
Nigeria, with a population of about 155 million produces more than 22 billion of KWh and consumes more than 20 billion KWh, with a surplus of about 2 billion KWh of electricity, the company said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Sparkle Energy, Julius Gbayange, said: "Every well-meaning Nigerian understands the importance of clean, safe and constant power supply. This is the core of the development of our nation's economy because it addresses the question of industrialisation and the current high rate of unemployment. And we are glad that under this oriented Groot Property Group's technical mentorship and planning management, this power project is going to help rid Nigeria this illness. This is a new dawn for Nigeria.”
The consortium also seeks to form a partnership with the federal government of Nigeria for the development and realisation of Sparkle Power Plant.
"Obviously, Groot Property Group (Pty) Ltd will only hold 15percent stake in Sparkle Energy Ltd, while the Nigerian consortium will hold 37percent and 25percent stake is reserved for the Nigerian Central Government, while the difference of 23percent will be reserved for our future investors and partners. So, this is a development project by the Nigerians for the Nigerians and for the Government of Nigeria”, Chief Economist and VP Development Operations of Groot Property Group (Pty) Ltd, Simon Kapenda said.
"By 2016, Nigeria will become Africa's largest economy surpassing South Africa. However, Nigeria's industrial development lags far behind of South Africa, due to the country's infrastructure maintenance and management. And until Nigeria fixes some of these issues, South Africa will always be the leading and powerful economy in Africa due to its massive industrialisation and well-maintained infrastructure", he added.
Sparkle Energy Ltd also seeks to help repair and fix the current electricity infrastructure in Nigeria. The company said preliminary research revealed that in Nigeria, there might be certain people who constantly sabotage purposely the country's electricity power lines in order to help increase the sale of personal electricity generators in the country.
Said Kapenda: "There are currently laws in place against the sabotaging of power lines by anyone but these laws have little or are not entirely enforced. What we hope to do is to ask the Central Government to look into this senseless act of vandalism, which is only pushing down the vast development of our country's economy.”
Under the agreement, the government is expected to finance the start-up costs for the predevelopment of Sparkle Power Plant, which is $50 million. Then, with the guarantee of the government and Offtake Agreements in place, the company said it expected to raise the needed $10 billion to fund the project through a combination of debt and equity through a network of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) with a mandate to fund projects in developing countries.
The DFIs include DFIs include Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited, Development Bank of Southern Africa Limited, IFC and African Development Bank, as well as certain export credit agencies like the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (Pty) Ltd (ECIC) and export facilitation banks like the Export-Import Bank of China and other commercial banks.
The preliminary development for Sparkle Power Plant is expected to be completed by mid-December 2011. Thereafter, the company expects to select the EPCM Contractor for the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) of Sparkle Power Plant. The technical, engineering and construction is expected to start in mid 2012 and to make Sparkle Power Plant ready for commercial operation by the end of 2016.
Federal government’s bid to ensure regular power supply has received a boost as Sparkle Energy has said it planned to build a $10 billion 4000 Gas-fired Power Plant called Sparkle Power Plant, which is to become the largest gas-fired power plant in Nigeria.
Making the disclosure in a document made available to THISDAY, Groot Property Group Ltd said it floated the firm (Sparkle Energy) in partnership with some prominent Nigerian entrepreneurs and scholars based in the United States, and a Nigerian consortium for the development of the power project. The company said the project, with a construction budget of $10 billion was designed to sufficiently power up to 5 million homes in Nigeria.
Nigeria, with a population of about 155 million produces more than 22 billion of KWh and consumes more than 20 billion KWh, with a surplus of about 2 billion KWh of electricity, the company said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Sparkle Energy, Julius Gbayange, said: "Every well-meaning Nigerian understands the importance of clean, safe and constant power supply. This is the core of the development of our nation's economy because it addresses the question of industrialisation and the current high rate of unemployment. And we are glad that under this oriented Groot Property Group's technical mentorship and planning management, this power project is going to help rid Nigeria this illness. This is a new dawn for Nigeria.”
The consortium also seeks to form a partnership with the federal government of Nigeria for the development and realisation of Sparkle Power Plant.
"Obviously, Groot Property Group (Pty) Ltd will only hold 15percent stake in Sparkle Energy Ltd, while the Nigerian consortium will hold 37percent and 25percent stake is reserved for the Nigerian Central Government, while the difference of 23percent will be reserved for our future investors and partners. So, this is a development project by the Nigerians for the Nigerians and for the Government of Nigeria”, Chief Economist and VP Development Operations of Groot Property Group (Pty) Ltd, Simon Kapenda said.
"By 2016, Nigeria will become Africa's largest economy surpassing South Africa. However, Nigeria's industrial development lags far behind of South Africa, due to the country's infrastructure maintenance and management. And until Nigeria fixes some of these issues, South Africa will always be the leading and powerful economy in Africa due to its massive industrialisation and well-maintained infrastructure", he added.
Sparkle Energy Ltd also seeks to help repair and fix the current electricity infrastructure in Nigeria. The company said preliminary research revealed that in Nigeria, there might be certain people who constantly sabotage purposely the country's electricity power lines in order to help increase the sale of personal electricity generators in the country.
Said Kapenda: "There are currently laws in place against the sabotaging of power lines by anyone but these laws have little or are not entirely enforced. What we hope to do is to ask the Central Government to look into this senseless act of vandalism, which is only pushing down the vast development of our country's economy.”
Under the agreement, the government is expected to finance the start-up costs for the predevelopment of Sparkle Power Plant, which is $50 million. Then, with the guarantee of the government and Offtake Agreements in place, the company said it expected to raise the needed $10 billion to fund the project through a combination of debt and equity through a network of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) with a mandate to fund projects in developing countries.
The DFIs include DFIs include Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited, Development Bank of Southern Africa Limited, IFC and African Development Bank, as well as certain export credit agencies like the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (Pty) Ltd (ECIC) and export facilitation banks like the Export-Import Bank of China and other commercial banks.
The preliminary development for Sparkle Power Plant is expected to be completed by mid-December 2011. Thereafter, the company expects to select the EPCM Contractor for the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) of Sparkle Power Plant. The technical, engineering and construction is expected to start in mid 2012 and to make Sparkle Power Plant ready for commercial operation by the end of 2016.
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Alleged N20 Bribe: Police Kill Two Brothers
THERE was pandemonium in Okitipupa, Ondo State, following the alleged killing of two brothers by a policeman.
A witness said the policeman who was on foot patrol around Kajola street junction in the town allegedly demanded a N20 bribe from one of the victims who was an okada rider.
It was learnt that the okada rider, who was accosted at about 9.15 p.m, on Thursday, explained to the policeman that he did not work on the fateful day.
The refusal of the okada rider, simply identified by Osare, to oblige, it was gathered, provoked the policeman and he allegedly shot him in the chest.
Following the development, the allegedly drunk policeman also shot sporadically and indiscriminately to scare away those around the vicinity, while the victim was left fighting for his life.
The sound of the gunshots however attracted some youths in the town to the scene of the incident, while the said policeman took to his heels.
The youths later took the victim to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead.
When the news of Osare’s death was broken to his family members on Friday morning, his younger brother, identified as Robinson, rushed to the police station in anger to ascertain the cause of his brother’s death.
On his arrival at the station, Robinson was said to have engaged the policemen on duty in a hot argument and threatened to report the matter to his cousin who is a colonel in the Nigeria Army.
Meanwhile, the youths had stormed the police station with dangerous weapons demanding the head of the killer policeman.
One of the policemen in the station also shot sporadically to scare away the irate mob but in the process Robinson was hit by a stray bullet and he died on the spot, while three other people were injured.
The irate mob, it was gathered, made several attempts to set the station ablaze but were prevented by the timely intervention of the Divisional Police Officer in the area and the traditional ruler in Idepe-Okitipupa, Oba Michael Obatuga who assured them that justice would be done on the matter.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Aremu Adeniran (DSP), confirmed the incident, saying the command had brought the situation under control.
A witness said the policeman who was on foot patrol around Kajola street junction in the town allegedly demanded a N20 bribe from one of the victims who was an okada rider.
It was learnt that the okada rider, who was accosted at about 9.15 p.m, on Thursday, explained to the policeman that he did not work on the fateful day.
The refusal of the okada rider, simply identified by Osare, to oblige, it was gathered, provoked the policeman and he allegedly shot him in the chest.
Following the development, the allegedly drunk policeman also shot sporadically and indiscriminately to scare away those around the vicinity, while the victim was left fighting for his life.
The sound of the gunshots however attracted some youths in the town to the scene of the incident, while the said policeman took to his heels.
The youths later took the victim to a nearby hospital where he was confirmed dead.
When the news of Osare’s death was broken to his family members on Friday morning, his younger brother, identified as Robinson, rushed to the police station in anger to ascertain the cause of his brother’s death.
On his arrival at the station, Robinson was said to have engaged the policemen on duty in a hot argument and threatened to report the matter to his cousin who is a colonel in the Nigeria Army.
Meanwhile, the youths had stormed the police station with dangerous weapons demanding the head of the killer policeman.
One of the policemen in the station also shot sporadically to scare away the irate mob but in the process Robinson was hit by a stray bullet and he died on the spot, while three other people were injured.
The irate mob, it was gathered, made several attempts to set the station ablaze but were prevented by the timely intervention of the Divisional Police Officer in the area and the traditional ruler in Idepe-Okitipupa, Oba Michael Obatuga who assured them that justice would be done on the matter.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Aremu Adeniran (DSP), confirmed the incident, saying the command had brought the situation under control.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Auditions for Nigerian Idol in PortHarcourt Today 14th and Tomorrow 15th of October
Do you think you can sing? Become the next Nigerian Idol and win a USD100,000 in cash and recording contract as Nigerian Idol auditions comes to Portharcourt.
Auditions hold on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th October 2011 at the Presidential Hotel by 7am.
You can also get a chance to Party with Nigga Raw, Dj Zeez and more at the auditions.
Blackberry phones and exciting prizes to also win instantly. Log on to www.nigerianidol.com/
Nigerian Idol is brought to you by Etisalat, in association with Pepsi and Sony. It is also supported by partners, Air Nigeria and Beat FM.
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