The appeal court on Thursday dismissed Senate President Bukola Saraki’s appeal challenging his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The panel led by Abdul Northerner, a justice, dismissed the appeal and held that the appellant’s submission was laced with sentiments.
Northerner further struck out a cross appeal by the appellant filed at court, saying that it was “smuggled in”.
Saraki is standing trial for alleged false declaration of assets.
More to follow…
https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-saraki-loses-bid-halt-cct-trial?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ThecableTopStories+%28TheCable+%C2%BB+Top+Stories%29
Thursday, 27 October 2016
Military Rejects Jonathan’s Claim That He Bought Warships And Aircraft
$2.2b arms cash: Military rejects Jonathan’s claim
by Seun Akioye,
Military sources yesterday rejected former President Goodluck Jonathan’s claim that his administration bought warships and aircraft.
The former president, who spoke at a lecture he delivered on “Youth Entrepreneurship” at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom (UK), tried to exonerate former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki of corruption allegations involving $2.2 billion voted for arms procurement.
Jonathan said he did not believe the former NSA stole the money because weapons were bought for the military to fight Boko Haram.
Jonathan said: “I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion; we bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth and you are still saying 2.2billion, so where did we get the money to buy all those things?”
Independent checks by The Nation
revealed that the former President might have been deceived by his officials on the type of weapons that were bought for the military.
According to several military sources who asked to remain anonymous because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, many of the weapons bought under the former president were “unserviceable and useless”.
One said the Jonathan administration bought at least three fairly used (Tokunbo) Alpha Jets for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and two helicopters. But the jets were , the sources claimed, “not worth anything because they were not weaponised and the helicopters were cannibalised.”
NAF recently reconfigured two demilitarised Alpha jets in its inventory. According to the NAF website, the jets were bought from the United States in 2015 to help in the fight against Boko Haram.
“The two aircraft are among the four Alpha Jets bought from the United States in 2015 by the immediate past administration to enhance the operational capability of the NAF to combat Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.
“The aircraft, however, before now, could not be deployed in the theatre of operation due to the inherent weapon delivery deficiency, hence its limited use for training purposes. The urgent need in recent times to commit all NAF available platforms to OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE to enhance the success of the counter insurgency operation necessitated the Service to look inward to seek ways of achieving its drive for self reliance through research and development.
“ A number of vendors invited to Nigeria to assess the platforms had concluded that it would be difĂ»cult or almost impossible to undertake the project since the Original Equipment Manufacturer had long closed down the production line. A few others who agreed to the possibility of having the aircraft reconfigured to carry munitions have also submitted proposals for initial assessment fee ranging from $20,000 – $30,000 before they could come up with the actual cost for the project.
Convinced that the project would work, the NAF consequently assembled a team of technicians to develop a feasible model for the project. The model worked on ground, and has since been mounted on the Alpha Jets, and test fown successfully. This feat is a major research and development breakthrough for the NAF and the nation as a huge foreign exchange saver, given that the project only cost about N4,000,000.00 compared to what would be required to have it done abroad,” NAF said.
However, the former President may have been referring to the purchase of six decommissioned Norwegian battleships, bought purportedly on behalf of the Navy by former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.
The purchase had caused a huge row in Norway forcing that country’s military leadership to apologize to the lawmakers. The battleships were said to be used for anti-piracy operations on Nigerian waters. The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, did not respond to our correspondent’s questions on the whereabouts of the battleships.
However a search on the Navy website revealed that the service has 24 battle ships purchased over several years while it still awaits one battleship built in China, NNS Unity.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is seeking to add an additional C295W military aircraft to its fleet as the battle against Boko Haram reaches an advance stage. NAF has been crucial to the recent victories recorded by the military in the Northeast, through series of sustained aerial bombardment of camps and locations of Boko Haram militants.
The aircraft is to be purchased from Airbus Defence and Space Company (Spain), which had earlier in the year made proposals to the NAF.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had played host to Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Barnuevo Sebastian De Erice, who led two executives of Airbus Defence and Space Company to the NAF Headquarters and held discussions on the company’s proposal to sell the C295W military aircraft to the NAF.
According to NAF, based on its operational capabilities, the aircraft was considered suitable to meet some of its operational needs, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and airlift operations.
The air force has also recommended the aircraft for acquisition and provisions have been made for this in the 2017 budget proposal.
The CAS urged the visiting team to start looking into training areas for NAF pilots and technicians on the aircraft.
This, he said, is with a view to ensuring a smooth take-off for the operation of the aircraft in the event of its approval by the Federal Government.
http://thenationonlineng.net/2-2b-arms-cash-military-rejects-jonathans-claim/
by Seun Akioye,
Military sources yesterday rejected former President Goodluck Jonathan’s claim that his administration bought warships and aircraft.
The former president, who spoke at a lecture he delivered on “Youth Entrepreneurship” at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom (UK), tried to exonerate former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki of corruption allegations involving $2.2 billion voted for arms procurement.
Jonathan said he did not believe the former NSA stole the money because weapons were bought for the military to fight Boko Haram.
Jonathan said: “I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion; we bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth and you are still saying 2.2billion, so where did we get the money to buy all those things?”
Independent checks by The Nation
revealed that the former President might have been deceived by his officials on the type of weapons that were bought for the military.
According to several military sources who asked to remain anonymous because of the “sensitivity” of the matter, many of the weapons bought under the former president were “unserviceable and useless”.
One said the Jonathan administration bought at least three fairly used (Tokunbo) Alpha Jets for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and two helicopters. But the jets were , the sources claimed, “not worth anything because they were not weaponised and the helicopters were cannibalised.”
NAF recently reconfigured two demilitarised Alpha jets in its inventory. According to the NAF website, the jets were bought from the United States in 2015 to help in the fight against Boko Haram.
“The two aircraft are among the four Alpha Jets bought from the United States in 2015 by the immediate past administration to enhance the operational capability of the NAF to combat Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.
“The aircraft, however, before now, could not be deployed in the theatre of operation due to the inherent weapon delivery deficiency, hence its limited use for training purposes. The urgent need in recent times to commit all NAF available platforms to OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE to enhance the success of the counter insurgency operation necessitated the Service to look inward to seek ways of achieving its drive for self reliance through research and development.
“ A number of vendors invited to Nigeria to assess the platforms had concluded that it would be difĂ»cult or almost impossible to undertake the project since the Original Equipment Manufacturer had long closed down the production line. A few others who agreed to the possibility of having the aircraft reconfigured to carry munitions have also submitted proposals for initial assessment fee ranging from $20,000 – $30,000 before they could come up with the actual cost for the project.
Convinced that the project would work, the NAF consequently assembled a team of technicians to develop a feasible model for the project. The model worked on ground, and has since been mounted on the Alpha Jets, and test fown successfully. This feat is a major research and development breakthrough for the NAF and the nation as a huge foreign exchange saver, given that the project only cost about N4,000,000.00 compared to what would be required to have it done abroad,” NAF said.
However, the former President may have been referring to the purchase of six decommissioned Norwegian battleships, bought purportedly on behalf of the Navy by former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.
The purchase had caused a huge row in Norway forcing that country’s military leadership to apologize to the lawmakers. The battleships were said to be used for anti-piracy operations on Nigerian waters. The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, did not respond to our correspondent’s questions on the whereabouts of the battleships.
However a search on the Navy website revealed that the service has 24 battle ships purchased over several years while it still awaits one battleship built in China, NNS Unity.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is seeking to add an additional C295W military aircraft to its fleet as the battle against Boko Haram reaches an advance stage. NAF has been crucial to the recent victories recorded by the military in the Northeast, through series of sustained aerial bombardment of camps and locations of Boko Haram militants.
The aircraft is to be purchased from Airbus Defence and Space Company (Spain), which had earlier in the year made proposals to the NAF.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had played host to Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Barnuevo Sebastian De Erice, who led two executives of Airbus Defence and Space Company to the NAF Headquarters and held discussions on the company’s proposal to sell the C295W military aircraft to the NAF.
According to NAF, based on its operational capabilities, the aircraft was considered suitable to meet some of its operational needs, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and airlift operations.
The air force has also recommended the aircraft for acquisition and provisions have been made for this in the 2017 budget proposal.
The CAS urged the visiting team to start looking into training areas for NAF pilots and technicians on the aircraft.
This, he said, is with a view to ensuring a smooth take-off for the operation of the aircraft in the event of its approval by the Federal Government.
http://thenationonlineng.net/2-2b-arms-cash-military-rejects-jonathans-claim/
Police Uncover Ritualists’ Den In Ogun, Arrest Two Ritualists
By Evelyn Usman
Operatives of the Zonal Intervention Squad, Zone 2, Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, have uncovered a ritualists’ den at Abule Ifa, Siun area of Obafemi Owode Local Government, Ogun State, arresting two suspected leaders of the syndicate.
Recovered inside the massive den were several fetish materials and assorted charms.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Zone, Abdulmajid Ali, yesterday, led a team of senior officers among who were Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Police Command, Mr. Ahmed Iliyasu; Officer in Charge of Operations, Zone 2, DCP Suleiman Balarabe; Commander of the ZIS, CSP Gbenga Megbope, and Commander 16 Police Mobile Force, Chika, among others, to the den.
The visit, as explained by the AIG, was to have an on-the-spot assessment of the den and also to design possible legal means of taking over the den, which he described as dangerous.
He stated that the discovery and subsequent arrest of the suspects were made following a tip-off.
He disclosed that the den was used by some fraudsters/ritualists to dupe people and perpetrate evil acts.
“The operatives, who had been on surveillance of the men of the underworld, were able to arrest the ring leaders of the syndicate identified as Taiwo Adeleke, 47, and Kayode Oseni, 52,” he added.
While commending the policemen for what he described as a job well done, he reiterated his readiness to set all machineries in motion, with a view to tackling crime and criminality within the zone.
He said: “Necessary legal steps will be taken to take over the structure and dislodge the syndicate,” adding that the suspects would be charged to court.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/police-uncover-ritualists-den-ogun-arrest-two/
Operatives of the Zonal Intervention Squad, Zone 2, Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, have uncovered a ritualists’ den at Abule Ifa, Siun area of Obafemi Owode Local Government, Ogun State, arresting two suspected leaders of the syndicate.
Recovered inside the massive den were several fetish materials and assorted charms.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Zone, Abdulmajid Ali, yesterday, led a team of senior officers among who were Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Police Command, Mr. Ahmed Iliyasu; Officer in Charge of Operations, Zone 2, DCP Suleiman Balarabe; Commander of the ZIS, CSP Gbenga Megbope, and Commander 16 Police Mobile Force, Chika, among others, to the den.
The visit, as explained by the AIG, was to have an on-the-spot assessment of the den and also to design possible legal means of taking over the den, which he described as dangerous.
He stated that the discovery and subsequent arrest of the suspects were made following a tip-off.
He disclosed that the den was used by some fraudsters/ritualists to dupe people and perpetrate evil acts.
“The operatives, who had been on surveillance of the men of the underworld, were able to arrest the ring leaders of the syndicate identified as Taiwo Adeleke, 47, and Kayode Oseni, 52,” he added.
While commending the policemen for what he described as a job well done, he reiterated his readiness to set all machineries in motion, with a view to tackling crime and criminality within the zone.
He said: “Necessary legal steps will be taken to take over the structure and dislodge the syndicate,” adding that the suspects would be charged to court.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/police-uncover-ritualists-den-ogun-arrest-two/
Nigerian Nanny Arrested For Killing Eight-month-old Baby
A Nigerian woman Oluremi Oyindasola, 66, of Glenarden, Maryland working as a nanny has been arrested and has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death and other offenses after police said she force fed an eight-month-old baby girl who then later died.
Prince George's County Police said Wednesday, a home surveillance system recorded Oyindasola taking a nap when the crying infant, eight-month-old Enita Salubi, approached her in a toddler walker.
According to Police, Oyindasola unsuccessfully tried to feed the child, then when she got frustrated with the infant not wanting to eat, she 'proceeded to pour a large amount of white liquid directly inside the victim's mouth'.
Col. Harry Bond with Prince George's County Police said:
'She forcefully poured the two bottles of what looks to be milk down the baby's mouth, causing her to not be able to breathe, suffocating her, and eventually she died at the hospital.'
The Police also released a press statement which read:
'On October 24th, at about 4.10pm, the baby had been rushed to a hospital after she became unresponsive at home. 'She was pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy on Tuesday revealed the baby’s cause of death was asphyxiation. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. 'The preliminary investigation revealed the injuries to the baby occurred while in the sole care and custody of Oyindasola.' Oyindasol 'is in the custody of the Department of Corrections,' the release said.
Oyindasola, is being held on $1million bond.
Source
Prince George's County Police said Wednesday, a home surveillance system recorded Oyindasola taking a nap when the crying infant, eight-month-old Enita Salubi, approached her in a toddler walker.
According to Police, Oyindasola unsuccessfully tried to feed the child, then when she got frustrated with the infant not wanting to eat, she 'proceeded to pour a large amount of white liquid directly inside the victim's mouth'.
Col. Harry Bond with Prince George's County Police said:
'She forcefully poured the two bottles of what looks to be milk down the baby's mouth, causing her to not be able to breathe, suffocating her, and eventually she died at the hospital.'
The Police also released a press statement which read:
'On October 24th, at about 4.10pm, the baby had been rushed to a hospital after she became unresponsive at home. 'She was pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy on Tuesday revealed the baby’s cause of death was asphyxiation. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. 'The preliminary investigation revealed the injuries to the baby occurred while in the sole care and custody of Oyindasola.' Oyindasol 'is in the custody of the Department of Corrections,' the release said.
Oyindasola, is being held on $1million bond.
Source
Jamilah Tangaza Declared Wanted By EFCC
Jamilah Tangaza, a former BBC journalist and former aide to former FCT minister Bala Mohammed has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Magu told BBC Hausa that she was declared wanted following media reports that she had tried to jump bail. Tangaza was arrested by the EFCC in July over allegations of financial crimes and released on bail in August.
http://www.newshelm.com/2016/10/jamilah-tangaza-former-bbc-journalist.html
EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Magu told BBC Hausa that she was declared wanted following media reports that she had tried to jump bail. Tangaza was arrested by the EFCC in July over allegations of financial crimes and released on bail in August.
http://www.newshelm.com/2016/10/jamilah-tangaza-former-bbc-journalist.html
Fire Outbreak At Murtala Muhammed International Airport MMIA
A correspondence sent in this video showing fire outbreak at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport this morning.
IO think our aviation sector is taking a hit this recessive economic times. I do hope those who are charged with safety responsibilities within this facility would step up their game. They are obviously not doing what needed to be done, we shouldn't be having fire outbreaks in our facilities, no excuse.
See video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw2XcITgfiM
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