CCB To Prosecute Ibrahin Magu Over Dormant Account, Port Harcourt Property

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CC will arraign Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CTC) any moment from now, TheCable understands.

According to sources in the know, Magu is to be prosecuted for allegedly failing to list a bank account in his asset declaration form. TheCable understands that the First Bank account had not been operated by Magu for 5 years and gone dormant.

The CCB has also listed a property in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, allegedly owned by Magu as part of the evidence to be used against him at the tribunal. Magu had previously been accused of owning properties in Dubai, Lagos and Abuja — but it now appears there is no substance to the allegations. His team has maintained that he owns only one house and it is in Karu, a suburb in the federal capital territory (FCT).

“We thought they said he owned houses in Dubai and Banana Island but now it is a phantom property in Port Harcourt that is being linked to him,” a member of his team told TheCable.

Magu, who was named acting chairman of the EFCC in 2015 and was never confirmed until his suspension in July 2020, had been invited by the CCB to answer questions on his asset declaration. This came at the time he was also being investigated by the Justice Ayo Salami panel, which has now recommended his sack and prosecution for alleged corruption in office — an allegation Magu has consistently denied. Magu failed to appear before the CCB, citing his lack of access to the documents being requested.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Wahab Shittu, counsel to Magu, denied that the suspended chairman shunned the bureau. Below is the full text of his statement.

Our attention has been drawn to certain media reports where it was reported that our client, the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, shunned the invitation of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CC.

We wish to state that our client did not shun the CCC invitation as the media reportage did not reflect the true position of the narrative. We wish to state with high sense of responsibility that we have written 2 letters to the Chairman of the CBB, intimating him about the inability of our client to have access to the relevant documents as required by the CCB.

The letters, which were dated November 16 and 17, 2020, were addressed to the CCB Chairman. The letters were titled- Re: Investigation of Activities- Letter of Invitation, Breach of Code of Conduct for Public Officers. Please note that the letters were stamped and acknowledged by the office of the CCB Chairman on the said date of November 17, 2020. We also wish to state the said letters were copied to the Director of Intelligence, Investigation and Monitoring while the letters were also stamped and acknowledged by his office.

Explaining the inability of our client to honour the invitation, we stated as follows:

“Your letter dated November 2, 2020 with reference No.-CCB/HQ/II & M/007/2093 addressed to our client has been passed unto us to respond to as follows:

“In the referred letter, our client was requested to appear before your distinguished body on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 11am prompt concerning the above subject matter. We have firm instructions to inform your distinguished body that our client, regrettably will not be able to honour today’s invitation in view of certain circumstances beyond his control.

“Our client’s inability to honour your invitation is as a result of his inability to access his office and the requested documents since his suspension from office. We wish to inform you that the documents which you requested for and other personal documents are still in his personal office where he has been denied access up to date. The relevant documents include:

1. Acknowledgement slips of all Magu’s assets declaration to the Code of Conduct since he joined Public service.
2. Copies of his Appointment Letter, Acceptance, Records of Service and payslips from January to May, 2020.
3. All title documents of his landed properties both developed and undeveloped.

“We request that the invitation to our client be extended pending the conclusion of the exercise of the mandate of the presidential Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up against our client and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This request has become necessary since most of the documents requested by your Bureau, were removed from our client’s offices by the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the request of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry in the absence of our client while our client was in detention.

"Based on the foregoing, it would be impossible for our client to answer your questions and provide those documents which are in the possession of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and the Department of State Security Service (DSS). We therefore kindly request your distinguished body to graciously extend the invitation extended to our client pending the return of our client’s documents (which you requested).

“We further wish to inform you that we are writing a letter to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, requesting it to direct the Acting EFCC boss to allow our client access to the relevant documents. Please note that there is the need for our client to have access to the relevant documents in order to prepare for his defence to your invitation.

“In the circumstances, until such a time when our client gains access to his personal files in his office where most of the requested documents are, it is impracticable to honour your invitation, even if our client is willing to do so as an obedient and patriotic citizen.

"Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation in the above regard. Please accept our professional regards."

Yours Faithfully,

Signed

Wahab Shittu, Esq

#nairaland

LASPOTECH: Sanwo-Olu Approves Appointment Of Olaleye As Rector

FLASH: Governor of Lgos State, Mr. @jidesanwoolu has approved the appointment of Dr Oluremi Nurudeen Olaleye as the 11th Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).

#foragreaterlagos

The appointment was sequel to interview conducted by the Institution's Governing Council and its subsequent recommendation, is for 5 years single term and takes effect from 1st December, 2020 at the expiration of the tenure of the Acting Rector, Mr. Olumide Olusola Metilelu.

Osinbajo: FG Plans To Buy Locally Assembled Cars

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday said the Federal Government proposed in the 2020 Finance Bill to exempt minimum wage earners.

He said the move was to reduce the impact of inflation on Nigerians, adding that the initiative would exempt minimum wage earners from the Personal Income Tax.

Buhari disclosed this in his speech delivered virtually by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, at the opening session of the 26th Nigerian Economic Summit Group Conference themed ‘Building partnerships for resilience’.

Osinbajo also explained that the Federal Government would buy locally assembled cars rather than imported foreign ones.

He said, “We are proposing in the new Finance Act that those who earn minimum wage should be exempted from paying income tax.

“These provisions which complement the tax breaks given to small businesses last year will not only further stimulate the economy, but are also a fulfilment of promises made to take steps to help reduce the cost of transportation and the impact of inflation on ordinary Nigerians.”

The President stated that it was clear that Nigeria must diversify the economy away from dependence on crude oil exports, speed up human capital development and improve infrastructure.

“Above all, our economy must be made more resilient to exogenous shocks,” he said.

Buhari gave insights into the collaboration between the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority and other stakeholders in the creation of an Infrastructure Company Fund to address some of the nation’s critical infrastructure needs.

He said the government was working actively with the CBN, NSIA and state governments under the auspices of the National Economic Council to design and put in place a N15tn Infrastructure Company Fund, which would be independently managed.

“The Infraco Fund will help to close the national infrastructural gap and provide a firm basis for increasing national economic productivity and growth,” the President explained.

Responding to the issue of import duties raised at the summit during the speech presentation, the Vice President explained that the reduction of import duty on vehicles would help cut down transportation cost.

“The point of the reduction in levies on motor vehicles, commercial vehicles for transportation is to reduce the cost of transportation by reducing the cost of vehicles,” Osinbajo said.

He added, “With subsidy removal and the increase in fuel price and the pass-through to food prices, transportation costs had to be reduced. Now the automotive policy is directed at localising the production of vehicles.

“So the logic was increase the duty and levies so that local production becomes more competitive. But the annual demand for vehicles is about 720,000 vehicles per year. Actual local production is 14,000 vehicles a year.”

He noted that the current rate of production would not meet the serious national needs and this would mean higher prices of vehicles and greater strain on other sectors of the economy that depend on transportation.

Osinbajo, however, stated that the government was not giving up on the local auto industry.

He said, “Two important things to note; the first is that we still have relatively high duty at 35 per cent; so, there is still a disincentive for importation.”

Osinbajo added that the government was also promoting a policy of buying only locally manufactured cars.

#punchng

Barcelona have left Lionel Messi out of their 19-man squad to face Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Today.

The Argentine played the full 90 minutes of Barca's 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid on Saturday, but was not included in the list of players who will travel to the Ukraine for the Group G match.

Manager Ronald Koeman advised he has decided to rest Messi and midfielder Frenkie de Jong for the European tie because they are in a good position in their group but are struggling in 12th place in LaLiga.

The club cannot afford another injury after Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto joined Ansu Fati and Samuel Umtiti in the long-term absentee list.

The superstar forward is due a rest after missing just 45 minutes of action in total for Barca this season and played all of both Argentina's games against Paraguay and Peru last week.

Source: Lionel Messi LEFT OUT of Barcelona's 19-man Champions League squad for trip
to Dynamo Kiev7 hours ago

#sports

Trump Indirectly Concedes Defeat, Ask Officials To Cooperate With Bidden's Team

I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country. She has been harassed, threatened, and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her, her family, or employees of GSA.

Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.

#uselection

Trump Indirectly Concedes Defeat, Ask Officials To Cooperate With Bidden's Team

I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country. She has been harassed, threatened, and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her, her family, or employees of GSA.

Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.

#uselection

Trump Indirectly Concedes Defeat, Ask Officials To Cooperate With Bidden's Team

I want to thank Emily Murphy at GSA for her steadfast dedication and loyalty to our Country. She has been harassed, threatened, and abused – and I do not want to see this happen to her, her family, or employees of GSA.

Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our Country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same.

#uselection

PDP Senators To Oppose Yakubu’s Confirmation As INEC Chair

Vows to block social media bill

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate is set to block confirmation of the nomination of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for fresh five-year tenure by President Muhammadu Buhari, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.

This is coming just as the National Assembly resumes plenary today after a five-week break during which Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) defended their 2021 budget estimates before the committees of the federal parliament.


Sources told THISDAY yesterday that the PDP senators met at the weekend and took far-reaching decisions, including opposing Yakubu’s nomination.

Buhari had earlier this month forwarded the name of Yakubu to the Senate for confirmation, and President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, is expected to read the letter today at the resumed plenary of the Senate.

A senator told THISDAY that the PDP caucus resolved to lobby their colleagues towards ensuring that the Senate doesn’t ratify Yakubu’s nomination.

The lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity told THISDAY that the minority caucus based its rejection of Yakubu’s candidacy on his reported inconsistencies in his first term.

He mentioned, in particular, the 2019 general election, allegedly marred by irregularities leading to INEC saying they had no server only for it to use the server during the Edo/Ondo guber polls this year.

He said: “You could see that under Yakubu’s watch as INEC chairman, there were glaring inconsistencies. At a point, the commission will say one thing, at another point, deny it. An example was during the 2019 general poll in the country when INEC said the server would not be used for the elections only for it to turn round this year and use the same server for Edo and Ondo governorship elections. So, for us in PDP we can’t trust Yakubu with future polls in the country because we believe he can’t guarantee free and fair polls and on this basis we will oppose his re-nomination by the president.”

THISDAY also gathered that the minority caucus also resolved to resist a bill currently before the National Assembly to gag the social media, whenever it is tabled for discussion at plenary.

Other decisions taken by the PDP senators ahead of the resumption of Senate plenary today include giving necessary legislative support for the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill and Petroleum Industry Bill (PI as well as constitutional reform.

“We will support the timely passage of the PIB and the Electoral Amendment Bill because they are for the betterment of the citizenry as well as the society.

“The PDP caucus is also in support of the review of the 1999 Constitution and will support our colleagues in APC and YPP towards ensuring that the revised constitution is ready by June 2021,” the source added.

The Senate had on October 20 suspended its plenary and adjourned till today to enable its committees to consider the 2021 budget estimates of the federal government.

Lawan had said the break would enable ministers and heads of parastatals to appear before the Senate committees to defend the allocations for the various MDAs in the 2021 Appropriation Bill.

#thisday

Soldiers arrested for assaulting a young man in Asaba, Delta state

As shared by Harrison Gwamnishu:

Yesterday, I raised alarm over Security Agencies Brutality in Delta State.

Watch the video filmed by our intelligence department. Citizens were dehumanized by the Army, Civil Defence and the Police.

Right now, citizens are ready for another mass Protest if the Government fails to address this inhumane treatment by this joint patrol team.

These Security team can be positioned in strategic locations and provide adequate security and not by stopping and humiliating road users.

As the Youth Representative in the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, I have called the attention of the State Government to this and will give them time to act.

Please share the video and let this be evidence that we are seeing what's going on in Delta State.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CH5WSsWHv7U/?hl=en

All the Soldiers involved in brutal assault on Godson have been arrested and detained. The female soldiers inclusive.

The head of Civil Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Bature has just confirmed the 'arrest' of the soldiers involved in this video.

We are also pushing for the arrest of the Civil Defense officers with them.

Please help us film them when the need arises. We will keep you anonymous and protect you till infinity.

Thanks to you all that shared the video and special thanks to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Appreciation to @segalink for the support and phone calling the Authorities.
Behind Bars Team

UK Parliament: Gowon Stole Money 'Half Of The Central Bank Of Nigeria'

UK Parliamentarian Exposes How Gowon Stole Money 'Half Of The Central Bank'

Here is the exact Video where the UK parliamentarian made the allegations


During the debate today, Monday the UK Parliament discussed about the #EndSars protest as well as the excesses of the Nigerian government officials. In that session, a shocking revelation was made where a UK Parliament member revealed that Nigerian Hero, civil war veteran and former Head of state stole so much money - it could be equated as "Half the cnetral bank of Nigeria', - during his reign as leader of the nation and hid it in London.

#nairaland