CAC Opens Portal to Ease Business Registration

 

By Emma Ella

As part efforts to improve communications with its customers, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on Tuesday embarked on sensitisation visit to key states in the country.

The visit was organised in collaboration with the presidential enabling business environment council which is intended to bring together management of the commission, stakeholders and members of the public.

The visit was also aim at interacting on issues pertaining to the current reform initiatives of the commission to provide enabling business activities in the country.

The Kano State sensitisation programme is the second after Lagos in the series in pursuit of the 60 days action plan of the federal government on ease of doing business in the country.

In her opening remarks, the acting Registrar General, Azuka Azinge, told stakeholders and participants the commission reform initiatives on ease of doing business and the registration portal of the commission that the commission has deployed registration portal (CRP) which enables registration services online, whereby entrepreneurs and members of the public can now register at the comfort of their homes.

In her goodwill message, Senior Special Assistant to the president on Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who was represented by Rebecca Dokun, urged members of the public and stakeholders to take advantage of the programme.

She pledged to sustain its reform initiative programmes and continuous support of the programme.

Galadima Replaces Salami As Head Of Graft Cases Monitoring Committee

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has replaced a former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, as the head of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee.

The replacement followed last week’s resignation of Salami as the chairman of the 16-man committee as he turned in his resignation letter before a date for the Committee’s inauguration could be announced and

To this end, the NJC, in a statement by the Director of Information, Mr. Soji, stated that Salami was replaced by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Suleiman Galadima, adding that the Justice Galadima-led committee would be inaugurated on Wednesday, November 1.

Apart from Justice Salami, all other members previously announced by the NJC on September 27, 2017 remained on the new list of members released by the Council on Tuesday.

“The National Judicial Council under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, has picked a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Mr. Suleiman Galadima, CFR, as the new chairman of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee,” the statement read.

“He is to replace Hon. Justice Mr. Ayo Salami (retired) who excused himself from the Committee as the chairman, after initially accepting to serve.

“The Committee will be inaugurated tomorrow, Wednesday, November 1st, 2017 by Hon. Justice Mr. Onnoghen, at the Council’s Conference Hall by 2pm.”

A Nigerian Facebook User Who Posted Tips on How to Rape Women Goes Into Hiding

A Facebook user,  named Donatus Enyeobi, who gave an unsolicited bit-by-bit tips on how to rape women, a young man,  goes into hiding after the post he shared on his Facebook page went viral and consequently drew the anger of Nigerians and anti-rape advocates.

Enyeobi's action of teaching men interested in raping ladies shocked the social media space, especially the part where he admitted that his method has aided him in successfully raping several girls.

On Facebook, which has since gone viral, the irascible young man wrote: "Well, for the guys that are interested, before you rape, make sure you punch her neck first so she can be unconscious. Then it will be easy to get into her pants. I am posting out of experience. Take it or leave it."

As appalling as his post was, it wasn't surprising that it went viral with the general consensus being that he be found and brought to book.

When initially confronted, he showed little or no remorse about the post or even the fact that he admitted to have raped several girls using that method.

One of the appalled followers had tried to engage him to pull down the post as it would cause more damage and breed potential rapists in a society already riddled with several unsolved rape cases.

In a munched chat between the duo, he was told that the post would put him into trouble but he rudely told the adviser to go and sleep as no one knows his whereabouts and thus can't be found.

As expected, several Nigerians took to different social media platforms to condemn his post and call for his arrest.

Lifestyle coach, Laila Mathew St. Daniel, who was among theose calling for his arrest, said: "This young man's post points to him being a serial rapist! He must be located."

 Also, anti-rape advocate, Esther Ijewere, said: "Please let's fish him out; it's obvious that this one is not only a rapist but a beast. Please help with details about him."

Although many joined the clarion call, credit must however be given to Stand To End Rape (S.T.E.R) initiative, a non-governmental organisation, for going above and beyond to track him to his workplace.

When his post went viral, S.T.E.R took up the gauntlet and put the power of social media to test by asking people to help identify his location so that he would be brought to book.

Tweeting from @S.T.E.R three days ago, the NGO said: "This is appalling, help us find Enyeobi Donatus. We need his location and contact details of his employers. Some said he works at Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

 "He's not sorry and will probably rape again if not brought to book. We have to find him now! Any information will help. Our direct message (dm) is open."

When all hope seemed lost, their search yielded results on Tuesday when some people helped tracked him to his work place.

With the help of several Nigerians who provided pointers, Enyeobi was traced and located at his work place where his employers-DEPASA Marine International Nigeria-confirmed that he was on the run.

Giving an update afterwards, the NGO said: "We met with his employers and they confirmed he is presently on the run. We will meet again later this week to discuss further options."

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is still mum on the issue as they are to say if they have declared him wanted. 

Metuh: Court, Again Orders DSS to Produce Dasuki in Court Tomorrow, Steps Down on Jonathan

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday re-ordered the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS) to produce former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) in court tomorrow to testify in the ongoing trial of former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh.

Abang, however, stepped down on the subpoena issued against former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on the ground that he (Jonathan) was yet to be served with the subpoena personally as required by the law.

The judge however said Dasuki may not be compelled to testify in the trial until his motion, praying for adjournment, is fully determined by the court.

Metuh and his company, Destra Investments Limited, are standing trial on a seven-count charge of money laundering involving alleged cash transaction of $2 million and fraudulent receipt of N400 million meant for procurement of arms from Dasuki when he was the NSA.

The court had at its last sitting adjourned till yesterday at the instance of the first defendant (Metuh) for the subpoenaed witnesses, Dasuki and President Jonathan, to be in court to testify for the former PDP spokesman.

However, at the resumed trial yesterday, both Jonathan and Dasuki were again absent in court. While the court was informed of the inability of the bailiff to effect personal service of the subpoena on Jonathan, the DSS or its representative was not in court to explain Dasuki's absence.

Dasuki had filed a motion challenging the decision of the court which last week turned down his request to set aside the subpoena issued against him by the court.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Dasuki, in a fresh motion, prayed the court to adjourn the execution of the subpoena issued against him, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal he filed at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

In the fresh motion brought pursuant to order 5 Rule 10 and 11, Dasuki, through his counsel, Mr. Ahmed Raji ( SAN), submitted that having lodged an appeal at the appellate court, it is incumbent on the lower court to allow the appellate court to determine the matter before executing the subpoena against him.

Raji said record of proceedings has already been compiled and transmitted to the Appeal Court, adding that Dasuki’s appeal had been entered and issued with a number as required by law.

The senior advocate further stated that a letter had been written to the presiding Justice of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, praying for a departure from the rule and for an accelerated hearing of the appeal.

He stressed that it is in the best interest of justice for the high court to adjourn the execution of the subpoena against Dasuki.

Raji also urged the court to expunge the remarks of the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, in which he alleged that Dasuki vowed not to appear in court; from the court record on the ground, it was hearsay evidence.

Buhari Was Aware Of Maina’s Reinstatement, Oyo-Ita’s Memo Reveal

The memo of the Head of Federal Civil Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, has been revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of the reinstatement of a former Chairman of the Pension Reforms Commission, Mallam Abdulrasheed Maina, into the civil service.

This was stated by  Oyo-Ita, in her memo, with reference number HSCSF/HCSF/LU/COR/FCSC/750/T, dated October 23, 2017, to the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Abba Kyari.

In the memo, titled, “Re: Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina,” which was received in the office of the Chief of Staff to the President on October 23, Oyo-Ita claimed that she warned the President against it based on the implications such reinstatement would have on the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government.

THEWILL recalls that the President had directed the HoS to investigate the circumstances that surrounded the return of Maina to the civil service following the public outcry that trailed Maina’s reinstatement.

Maina, whose whereabouts is still unknown, has been accused of embezzling pensioners’ funds running into billions of naira and is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the memo, Oyo-Ita revealed that she met the President after the Federal Executive Council meeting of Wednesday, October 11, where she verbally warned Buhari against bringing Maina back to the service.

“Further to your letter Ref. SH/COS/100/A/1570 dated 23rd October, 2017 on the above subject matter, I write to inform you of the circumstances leading to the irregular recall of Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina,” the letter partly read.

“I wrote to place on record the following facts as it permits to Mr. A. A. Maina who was dismissed from service on 21st February, 2013.

“The move to recall Mr. A. A. Maina was at the instance of a series of letters from the Attorney General of the Federation to the Federal Civil Service Commission requesting the commission to give consequential effect to the judgement that voided the warrant of arrest issued against Mr. A. A. Maina which formed the basis for the query and his eventual dismissal.

“The letters herewith attached as Annexes I-III are:

(a) Ref. HAGF/FFCSC/2017/VOL.1/1 dated 19th January 2017,

(b) Ref. HAGF/FFCSC/2017/VOL.1/ 2 dated 21st February 2017; and

(c)Ref. HAGF/FFCSC/2017/VOL.1/1 dated 27th April 2017.

“The FCSC thereafter requested that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation should advise the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior to consider the AGF’s letter and make appropriate recommendations to the commission and this was so communicated to the Ministry of Interior.

“The Ministry of Interior took the matter to the Senior Staff Committee of the ministry and recommended the reinstatement of Mr. A. A. Maina into the service as Deputy Director.

“The OHCSF forwarded the recommendation to the FCSC which has the constitutional responsibility for appointments, promotion and discipline for further action.

“The FCSC in consideration of the letter from the AGF and the recommendations of the SSC of the Ministry of Interior consequently approved and conveyed the reinstatement of Mr. A. A. Maina with effect from 21st February, 2013 vide letter herewith attached as Annex IV.

“(vi) The letter of reinstatement, as communicated to HCSF Ref. FC. 4029.82/Vol. III/179 dated 18th September, 2017 attached herewith as Annex IV, ostensibly also copied the Ministry of Interior which is the one erroneously used to document Mr. A. A. Maina on a claim that he has resumed work since 28th September, 2017.

“The Ministry of Interior informed the OHCSF of this development vide letter Ref. MI/1436/II/24 dated 16th October, 2017 from Ministry of Interior stating that Mr. A. A. Maina has resumed with effect from 28th September, 2017 is attached as Annex V.

“Please note that the OHCSF was never in agreement with the reinstatement and consequently never conveyed the approval of the FCSC to Mr. A. A. Maina nor approved his posting to the Ministry of Interior or any other MDA.

“Rather, I sought audience with His Excellency, Mr. President on Wednesday, 11th October, 2017 after the FEC meeting where I briefed His Excellency verbally on the wide-ranging implications of the reinstatement of Mr. A. A. Maina, especially the damaging impact on the anti-corruption stance of this administration.

“However, I have requested the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, to provide any documentary evidence to support the claim of reinstatement and posting of Mr. A. A. Maina by OHCSF, since after his dismissal.

“The letter to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior is attached as Annex VI. The foregoing is accordingly submitted for your information and further consideration.

“Please accept the assurances of my best regards.”

Uhuru Kenyatta Gets 98% In Flawed Re-run

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Monday declared victor of the country’s deeply divisive elections, taking 98 percent of the ballots cast in a poll boycotted by his rival Raila Odinga, sparking fears of further violence in flashpoint opposition strongholds.

Despite his crushing win, the turnout of just 38.8 percent among 19.6 million registered voters is set to raise questions about the credibility of an election that has plunged East Africa’s most stable democracy into its worst crisis in a decade.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati said Kenyatta had received 7,483,895 votes to Odinga’s 73,228 — less than one percent of votes cast — in a sign the boycott had held.

A total of 7,616,217 cast ballots in Thursday’s protest-hit election.

The vote was the chaotic climax of two months of political drama after the Supreme Court overturned Kenyatta’s victory in August 8 polls over widespread irregularities and mismanagement by the IEBC.

Violent protests, the murder of an IEBC official and the resignation of another who fled the country condemning a flawed process, have seen the country lurch from crisis to crisis during the election period.

Chebukati — who just before the election had called into doubt its credibility due to internal IEBC divisions and political interference — said he was confident the poll had been “free, fair and credible”.

Ahead of the announcement, security was stepped up in flashpoint areas in the west, in Nairobi’s Mathare slum and its central business district, and also in the coastal city of Mombasa, a senior police source told AFP.

Shortly after the results were announced, demonstrators began burning tyres in the western city of Kisumu as well as in Nairobi’s Kibera slum, AFP correspondents said.

While calm has reigned for the past 48 hours in the restive west of the country and some flashpoint Nairobi slums, the announcement is expected to fuel further anger and protests.

At least nine people have died since election day, many shot by police according to rights groups, taking the death toll since the first presidential election on August 8 to 49.

Odinga refused to take part in the re-run, accusing the IEBC of failing to make sufficient reforms to ensure it would not be flawed.

He called on his voters to stay away on election day. But in the west, many blocked polling stations, leading to violent clashes with police.

Plans to restage the vote in the western regions on Saturday were quickly called off after a second day of protests, over fears for the safety of polling staff.

And Chebukati decided Monday to abandon plans to reschedule the vote in 25 violence-hit constituencies where voting could not take place, estimating these would not affect the outcome.

Nigerian Govt. Engages Israeli Firm to Police Nigeria’s Territorial Waters

*To save shipping companies $180m annually

The Nigerian government has announced the engagement of an Israeli firm to police Nigeria’s territorial waters for three years and train members of the Nigerian Navy and security personnel after which the Nigerian security agents will take over the security of the nation’s waters.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, stated this on Monday while speaking at the World Maritime Day with the theme: ‘Connecting Ships, Ports and People’, held in Lagos.

Ameachi, who did not mention the name of the Israeli firm, disclosed that the development would save shipping companies over $180 million (N55.62 billion) in security fees, adding that Meask alone pays $18 million annually for its ships to be escorted in and out of Nigeria.

According to him, “Security is a major challenge globally especially in the Gulf of Guinea. There have been major concerns and developments to address the issues of Maritime security along the Gulf of Guinea. Various initiatives, actions, programmes and centres/organisation have been developed and established to counter this insecurity. This administration has seen the need for all relevant maritime agencies to synergise to improve efficiency in our ports.”

He added that the federal government has recorded some level of success on the concessioning of Onitsha River port, “while others like Lokoja, Baro, Oguta, River Ports are all in the pipeline and a priority for this administration. The maintenance dredging of Ajaokuta to Onitsha channels of River Niger is a major step to boost the huge potential in our inland waterways transportation.

“On the ever present challenge of vehicular movement in our ports, especially the Apapa/Tincan Island ports, efforts have been made by the federal government to decongest and proffer solution to the ever persistent gridlock limiting the movement of goods and people to these ports. The new policy of the government is that all new rail lines entering the coastal states of the country must be extended to the sea ports to make them more efficient, functional and viable.

“Accordingly, the government has extended the Lagos-Ibadan rail link from Ebute Metta to Apapa port complex and is currently rehabilitating the narrow gauge rail line to start evacuating goods from Tincan Island and Apapa ports.

“Equally, the coastal rail (Lagos-Calabar) project has extended to Warri port, Onne deep sea port-Port Harcourt and Calabar Port as well as the Export Processing zones in Calabar. This will support the desired efficiency at the ports for loading and offloading of goods at the ports as well as eliminate multiple handling and de-emphasize warehousing at the ports.”

Brazilian Star Neymar Regret Leaving Barcelona

Brazilian star Neymar, hasn't been at Paris Saint-Germain very long, but he is already believed to be unhappy at his new side and is beginning to regret his summer move from Barcelona.

The forward recently left Barca for the Ligue 1 side for a world-record €222m fee, despite the Catalan side trying to block the move. He has already scored 10 goals and registered seven assists for the French giants, yet is said to be disenchanted with life in France at the moment.

The Brazilian has had problems with teammate Edinson Cavani and is reported as being unhappy with Unai Emery's tactics as well.

Neymar has also faced disciplinary problems, having gotten himself sent off during his last encounter in the French league.

La Porteria, a Catalan TV station, tweeted: "La Porteria understands that the Brazilian regrets having left Barça and misses his life in Barcelona.

"The player is unhappy with Emery and his methods. The player's environment does not feel comfortable in Paris either."

As to what led to those suggestions, they are yet to reveal. But, meanwhile, Emery has warned the former Barca star to avoid the traps that opposing players will attempt to push him into.

"He's an intelligent player, conscious of all that he suffers," the manager said. "Last Sunday will teach him a lesson.

"Marseille players pushed him, fouled him. It's important referees control that. But he should not fall victim to the provocation, although I understand players are humans."

CULLED FROM 90MINS

Buhari Appoints New SGF, Sacks Lawal, Ayo Oke

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and terminated the appointment of the suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal.

The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, 

confirmed this development in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

Adesina said the president also approved the termination of the appointment of the suspended Director-General National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke.

According to the statement, “President Muhammadu Buhari has studied the report of the panel headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, which investigated allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir David Lawal, and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke.

“The President accepted the recommendation of the panel to terminate the appointment of Mr Lawal, and has appointed Mr Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The appointment takes immediate effect.

“President Buhari also approved the recommendation to terminate the appointment of Ambassador Oke, and has further approved the setting up of a three-member panel to, among other things, look into the operational, technical and administrative structure of the Agency and make appropriate recommendations.’’

Mr Boss Gida Mustapha is a lawyer, management consultant, politician, businessman and boardroom guru of considerable repute.

His was the former Managing Director/CEO of the National inland waterways Authority (NIWA).

He was born in Adamawa and attended Hong Secondary School, in Hong Adamawa and North East College of Arts and Sciences Maiduguri Borno state, crowning it with WASC and HSC in 1976.

He earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 and was called to bar in 1980.

Mustapha did the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) – Directorate of Legal of legal Services at the Army Headquarters and was in charge of review of Court Marshall Proceedings from 1980 to 1981.

ECOWAS Orders Nigerian Govt to Pay N88bn as Compensation to Nigerian Civil War Victims

 

Emma Ella and Ola Akinbami

Forty seven years after the Nigeria civil war ended with no 'victor no vanquished' terms, the federal government on Monday agreed to pay victims of the war a whopping sum of N88billion compensation.

A breakdown of the compensation adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice as consent judgment for government and the victims showed that N50 billion will go directly to the victims of the war in 11 affected states in the Southeast, South-south and parts of the North central region, while the remaining N38billion will go for the evacuation of abandoned bombs and other lethal weapons and construction of schools, courts, churches and mosque among others in the affected areas.

In the consent judgement read by Justice Friday Chijioke Nwoke, the federal government is expected to pay the N50 billion into a United Bank of Africa (UBA) with account number 1018230076 belonging to Chief Noel Agwuocha Chukwukadibia, the nominated counsel for the war victims and another N38 billion is to be paid into another UBA with account number 1016296801 belonging to Deminers Concept Nigeria Limited for RSB Holdings Nigeria Limited and Deminers Concept Nigeria Limited which are expected to evacuate all the abandoned bombs and other dangerous weapons in the farmlands, schools, churches and mosque of the war victims and also carry out construction works.

Besides, the federal government will, by the consent judgment, establish a National Mine Action Centre in Owerri, Imo State, for victims in the Southeast region.

In order to ensure transparent and accountability, the federal government will also set up a Special Purpose Vehicle that will comprise all necessary stakeholders in the terms of settlement.

The consent judgment further indicated that medical experts employed on behalf of the federal government to screen and identify true victims of the war, acknowledged that 685 persons were selected and classified as survivors while 493 of them, including those who sued the federal government, were confirmed as victims of either landmines or other dangerous military ordinance, including locally fabricated weapons, and  are confirmed to be entitled to compensation.

The consent judgment further acknowledged that a total of 17,000 bombs were recovered in the war ravaged communities and destroyed by RSB Holdings Limited and Deminers Concept Nigeria Limited, while a total of 1,317 bombs are still in the stockpile located at the Mine Action Centre, Owerri, in addition to large quantities of live bombs that still liter communities of the war victims.

It further indicated that the federal government as part of its responsibility to remove and destroy without further delay all the stockpilesof bombs at the Nigerian Mine Action Centre located at plot 108, Ndubisi Kanu Street, New Owerri, Imo State.

Parties, according to the consent judgment, agreed that the war victims, apart from their direct physical injuries, their families and community at large, have been deprived of the use of their farmland since the civil war hostilities ended in 1970, hence the agreement to clear the war affected areas of the post-war ordinances.

It was also agreed that RSB Holdings Nigeria Limited and Deminers Concept Nigeria Limited, having satisfactorily performed the first phase of clearing and destroying the post-war bombs, should be mobilised back to site to complete the final phase of the ongoing demining process.

The representatives of the victims of the Nigerian civil war, including the 493 victims prey enumerated by the Federal Ministry of Defence, have through their agents, Vincent Agu and 19 others, dragged the federal government before the ECOWAS court demanding N100billion and another order of the court compelling the government to clear and destroy all by post-civil war bombs and other dangerous weapons of war abandoned in their various communities and farmland since 1970.

The plaintiffs claimed that apart from physical injuries, the abandonment of the war weapons has deprived them of the use of their farmlands, schools and churches, hence their demands for compensation.

Though the suit was filed at the regional court in 2012, the federal government opted for out-of-court settlement with the war victims prompting the court to adopt the terms of settlement by government and the war as consent judgment was delivered yesterday.

Key signatories to the terms of settlement are Rt Hon. Noel Chukwukadibia and Alex Williams for the applicants; Chief Femi Falana (SAN), Sola Egbeyinka, Charles Uhegbu and Solomon Chukwuocha for government and its agencies, while Dr. Charles Onuoha and Chief Alams Chukquemeka signed for the stakeholders.

Maina: EFCC Traces £6m Pension Fund To UK Bank

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced about £6 million pension funds to a United Kingdom bank account being managed by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(OHCSF).

According to The Nation reports, the cash is being suspected to have been tampered with by some government officials while 66 pension accounts linked to the OHCSF were uncovered.

It quoted a source as saying: “The EFCC has done enough in unraveling pension fraud syndicate in OHCSF, Presidential Pension Reform Task Committee, Police Pension funds and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) check-off dues among others.

“It is certainly a huge racket by civil servants some of who are still in the system. For instance, our team uncovered £6m pension funds in an account in the UK. The money was for the payment of the pensions of some British colonial officers who served in Nigeria.

Also, it was learnt that the anti-graft body had seized more houses believed to be owned by the embattled ex-Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina who is one of the signatories to the UK bank account.

“Our detectives have linked a large farm in Keffi to Maina and we are going to invoke Interim Assets forfeiture Clause in the EFCC (Establishment) Act.

“We have also sealed off two of the suspect’s houses at No. A5 B. Close and No. 9A in Kado Estate in Abuja. We have located some houses in Maiduguri too.

“So far, we have taken possession of the houses in Abuja and Kaduna,” an EFCC source was quoted.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has released a fact-sheet, which states that no former EFCC chairman collected N5,476,000 for overseas trips from Maina.

The document said: “It is hereby stated categorically that the former EFCC chairman never received any payment whatsoever in respect of any trip in OHCSF/Police Pensions and neither embark on such trips.

“That Estacode payments to the tune of N5,476,000 purportedly made for the Executive Chairman was discovered to have been paid into the First Bank acct. No. 4033010067733 belonging to one Christian Madubuike who is an account clerk with Police Pension office (PPO).

“The money was subsequently withdrawn from his account and handed over to Mr. John Yusuf (AD Accounts PPO). However John Yusuf admitted receiving the monies but claimed that he remitted same to Abdulrasheed Maina.”

Saraki, Dogara Finally Meet Buhari, Osinbajo After Initial Spat With Security

Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara are presently meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo after the lawmakers and other principal officers of the National Assembly angrily left the pilot gate of the presidential villa when security officers insisted on frisking them and putting them through security before allowing them passage.

The officers were scheduled to have dinner with the president and vice president where the proposed 2018 appropriation proposal approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, Thursday was to be discussed and a date agreed for the president to present it to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The president’s spokesman, Femi Adesina in a statement Thursday confirmed the spat at the gate describing it as a “security mix up.”

He said the dinner will now hold next Tuesday.

“President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, host the leadership of the National Assembly to dinner at the Presidential Villa.

“At a private dinner with the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and  Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, at the State House, President Buhari said the dinner, earlier arranged for Thursday, October 26, will now hold on Tuesday.

“The new date is occasioned by a security mix up that attended the earlier scheduled meeting.

“Thursday’s dinner meeting was attended by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly (House of Representatives), Sumaila Kawu,” the statement said.