Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

Matawalle Drained Zamfara State’s Resources Within 4 Years – Commissioner

The Zamfara State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, has accused the immediate former governor of the state, Bello Matawalle, of misappropriating the state’s resources during his tenure.

In a video interview, Gajam highlighted significant neglect in essential sectors such as water, health, education, and the economy under Matawalle’s leadership but said that Matawalle, who is now the Minister of State Defence, spent as much as N50 million on massage chairs

Gajam referenced statistics from Analysts Data Services and Resources (ADSR), indicating Zamfara State ranked poorly among other Nigerian states.

According to the data, Zamfara fared poorly in economic output, importation, business competition, industrialization, healthcare, education, and ICT, ranking at or near the bottom across these sectors.

“We met Zamfara State in security crisis. When we talk about economic output, Zamfara is 32 out of 37. Importation, Zamfara is 32 out of 37, business competition and industrialization, Zamfara is 35 over 37.

“When we talk about healthcare, Zamfara is 26 out of 37, when we talk about education, Zamfara is 30 out of 37. When we talk about ICT, Zamfara is 34. This is based on the statistics that were done by ADSR, the scorecard of the Nigerian states.

“Overall, the average mark was 45 but Zamfara State was under 40. We were 36 over 37. That means we are last, we’re taking the Z status,” Mr Gajam said.

He said that the state is facing a debt servicing burden of over N30 billion, and the current administration has paid over N20 billion to date.

Furthermore, Gajam accused Matawalle’s administration of mishandling funds intended for healthcare services, resulting in a lack of equipment, manpower, planning, and policy in primary healthcare centres.

Mr Gajam accused Mr Matawalle’s administration of misappropriating money meant for healthcare services in the state.

“There is nothing to show in healthcare. Even those primary healthcare centres when you go around now you can’t even take animals into those structures. You built a primary healthcare centre with World Bank money and did substandard work. At the end of the day, there is no equipment, no manpower, there is no planning and no policy.

“We still have emergencies in Mafara Local Government, in Anka Local Government, children are dying of cholera.

“We don’t have a functioning education system. What will amaze you is the idea that the past administration spent three years without paying for WAEC or NECO for our students.

“The past administration spent more than 15 billion in naira in the Government House alone and now if you go to Zamfara State there is no government office that’s functioning; we’re even renovating them. They bought massage chairs of 50 – 50 million naira when people were hungry, when they were dying of insecurity and illiteracy and malnutrition,” he said.

The commissioner said Mr Matawalle also failed to construct roads. He said the former governor didn’t build any road as long as five kilometres in the four years he was in office.”

“The legacy the past governor left: he bought Hilux vehicles and dashed them away to bandits. The evidence is there. He was giving asylum to bandits in the Government House. People that killed…even in the barbaric era, there had never been a time where an Emir or a king would give asylum to somebody that kills people,” Mr Gajam added.

He highlighted the previous government’s failure to pay for WAEC or NECO examinations for students, spending over N15 billion in the Government House while essential government offices remained non-functional and under renovation.

Additionally, Gajam criticized the lack of road construction during Matawalle’s tenure, emphasizing that the former governor failed to build any road exceeding five kilometers. Gajam also alleged that the previous governor purchased Hilux vehicles and gave them to bandits, providing asylum to individuals involved in criminal activities.

These allegations depict a state of disarray and mismanagement during Matawalle’s governance, creating a situation where essential public services were severely neglected while financial resources were reportedly misused.

11/04/2023
Nigeria, France Sign Pact To Support Young Entrepreneurs, Boost Employment

The Federal Government on Friday signed an agreement with France on the Digital and Creative Enterprise (I-DISE) programme aimed at promoting employment opportunities in Nigeria.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of France, Catherine Colonnade signed the bilateral agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on behalf of both countries.

The agreement was also witnessed by Bosun Tijani the Minister of Communications who represented the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima.

Tuggar said the I-DICE programme is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President and aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital technology and creative industry sectors.

According to the minister, with a focus on job creation, the programme is set to significantly impact young Nigerians, by assisting them to create sustainable employment opportunities, develop high value-added industries and contribute to the development of the Nigerian economy.

He said the programme would train two million young people, whilst encouraging them to structure their own ecosystem, through access to financing for the creation of innovative businesses and start-ups.

Tuggar said the programme is being financed by the French Development Agency (AFD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) & the Bank of Industry (BOI).

He said of the 600 million dollar value of I-DICE, the AFD is contributing 100 million euros (equivalent to $116 million).

He added that the programme would also receive funding and support from the private sector and institutional investors adding that the Bank of Industry, as the Implementing Agency, will coordinate the day-to-day activities of the project.

Colonnade thanked all the partners and co-financers including the l’Agence Française de Développement, bien sûr.

She said the purpose of this ambitious programme is to support young entrepreneurs and innovators.

She added that the programme will promote the employability of Nigerian youth, enable Nigeria to boost the capacities of its very promising digital technology and creative industries and help thousands of young Nigerian entrepreneurs to unleash their talents.

“Those digital technology and creative industries have indeed enormous potential to create jobs and spur economic growth in Nigeria.

“We are very pleased that the French Agency for Development is stepping into these sectors, enabling us to scale up significantly our actions through the I-DICE programme,’’ she said.

According to her, the programme is expected to include nearly two million youth in the training sessions of which 40 per cent would be women.

“The programme will create more than 65,000 start-ups, 150,000 direct jobs in the technology and creative industries sectors and approximately 1.3 million indirect jobs.’’

Speaking on behalf of the vice president, Tijani said Shettima champions youth development and the Nigerian government’s efforts to boost the employability of young people by focusing on promising careers in the digital, cultural and creative industries.

“As part of our efforts to stimulate the growth of the Nigerian economy and mainstream the application of technology in critical sectors, we welcome the support of the French government as they collaborate with us to leapfrog technological advancements for the benefit of our startup ecosystem.

“This funding from the AFD for the I-DICE programme is a testament to France’s historical commitment to the growth of startups which is evidenced by its position as a leading startup destination in Europe”.

11/03/2023
Appeal Court Upholds Isah’s Election As Kogi East Senator

The Abuja division of the Appeal Court has affirmed the election of Jibrin Isah, of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, was declared the winner of the said election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Not satisfied with the outcome of the election, Victor Adoji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went to the Tribunal, citing cancellation of election results in some polling units where the PVCs collected were more than the margin of win.

Specifically, he Prayed the court to nullify the victory of Isah and ordered a supplementary election in the affected 94 polling units in the senatorial district.

In a unanimous Judgement, the tribunal led by Justice K.A. Orjiako ordered a rerun in 94 polling units where there were irregularities in the last general election.

Not pleased with the judgment, Isah filed an appeal against the decision of the lower court.

The appeal court in its judgment on Thursday, held that the witness on which the tribunal relied its judgment on was incompetent.

The court subsequently expunged the exhibits presented by the witness from the records.

“The appeal succeeds. The judgment of the tribunal is hereby set aside and the appellant’s victory is sustained and affirmed, ” the appellate court held.

11/02/2023
Appeal Court sacks Suswam from Semate

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Wednesday, nullified the election of former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, as senator representing North East Senatorial District of the state.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, said it was satisfied that Suswam was not the valid winner of the senatorial election that held on February 25.

It faulted the judgement of the Benue State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal which returned Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Senate, after it nullified the election victory of Emmanuel Udende of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the appellate court, the tribunal wrongly evaluated the evidence that was presented before it by the parties in the matter and thereby arrived at an erroneous conclusion that upheld the petition Suswam filed to challenge Udende’s election victory.

Consequently, the court voided the judgement of the tribunal, saying it found merit in the appeal that was lodged before it by the APC candidate.

“The judgement of the tribunal delivered on 8th of September, 2023 is hereby set aside.

“The return of the appellant as the winner of the Benue North East senatorial election that was held on February 25 is hereby affirmed.

“Parties are to bear their respective cost,” the court held in its lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Abimbola Adejumo, who led the panel.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Udende as winner of the senatorial election after he polled a total of 135,573 votes to defeat Suswam who garnered 112,231 votes.

Not satisfied with the outcome of the election, Suswam approached the tribunal on the ground that it was marred by over-voting, irregularities, alterations and falsification of results.

In its judgement, the tribunal held that Suswam successfully established his case that irregularities took place in five out of seven LGAs in the senatorial district.

The tribunal cancelled 51,895 votes entered for Udende and also cancelled 21,229 votes entered for Suswam.

After subtracting the padded votes, Suswam was left with 90,590 while Udende scored 82,699 votes.

The tribunal, headed by Justice Ori Zik-Ikeoha, entered judgment in Suswam’s favour, a decision that was vacated by the appellate court on Wednesday.

11/01/2023
Zamfara: Matawalle Accuses Successor, Gov Dauda Lawal Of Governance Incompetence

The immediate past governor of Zamfara state and also the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, has criticized his successor, Governor Dauda Lawal, and his commissioners for their lack of fundamental understanding of governance.

Alhaji Matawalle responded to allegations by the Governor Dauda-led administration, which claimed that misleading documents were published showing that “former Governor and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, approved 100% payment of over N1 billion for fencing, landscaping, and furnishing of Governor’s lodges in 14 Local Government Areas, even before the project began.”

In a statement released in Abuja, through the coordinator of his media office, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, Matawalle asserted that Governor Lawal should focus on governance and the protection and security of Zamfara residents, rather than engaging in a fault-finding mission to mislead the general public with false publications.

Dosara stated, “It is very disheartening that a government led by a “(Dr)” and managed by Consultant Professors consistently engages in perjury in an attempt to indict and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of a man who has demonstrated his worth and integrity to the general public, receiving various merit awards and honours from different quarters.”

10/31/2023
Court Orders EFCC, CBN To Release Ex-NNPC Boss, Andrew Yakubu’s $9.8m Cash

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately release the $9.8 million belonging to the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu.

The anti-graft agency had refused to release the cash they took from Yakubu’s house, despite an earlier judgment ordering the release of the money.

The court said the money must be deposited with the Chief Registrar of the court, in the interest of justice.

Yakubu had approached the court seeking an order compelling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two other defendants to release his money.

Yakubu in April 2023 sued the EFCC, Central Bank of Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank for failing to release the money after a court acquitted him of money laundering charges filed against him by the anti-graft agency.

Recall that EFCC had urged Justice A.R Mohammed to convict Yakubu after it discovered $9, 772, 800 (9.7 million dollars) and £74, 000 from an apartment linked to him in 2017.

In his defense, Ahmed Raji SAN, asked the court to dismiss the EFCC’s case for lacking in merit.

Justice A.R Mohammed, on March 31, 2022, had quashed the money laundering charges instituted against Yakubu.

Yakubu also testified before the judge that the monies found in his house were gifts from friends and associates.

The judge had agreed with the defendant’s submissions; acquitted him and ordered the release of his money.

But Yakubu’s lawyer approached another court presided by Justice Inyang Ekwo over the non-release of the money as directed by the other court.

By way of originating summons, he had urged the court to order the release of his money or in the alternative, direct that the money be deposited with the FHC registrar pending the determination of the suit.

But the EFCC, through its lawyer, Faruk Abdullah, raised an objection to the application, saying appeals have been entered against the subsisting trial court judgment.

The EFCC also contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Passing his judgement on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the preliminary objection of the EFCC, saying the arguments of the respondents contradicted themselves and called to question the whereabouts of the money.

Ekwo held it would be in the interest of justice if the sum is kept in a neutral custody pending the conclusion of proceedings, in line with rules of court.

Ekwo held that based on the contradictory arguments of the respondents about on whose custody the money was domiciled, the justice of the case demands that they must produce the money.

“The plaintiff has made a compelling case and it succeeds and I so hold.

“An order is hereby made directing the first and second defendant to immediately transfer $9.8 million into the account under the control of the Chief Registrar of this court,” the Judge held.

10/30/2023
Matawalle Condoles With Zamfara Communities Over Bandits’ Attacks

The former Governor of Zamfara state, Dr. Bello Muhammad, Matawalle Maradun, has condoled with the people of Maru and Kaura Namoda local government area of Zamfara State, over the recent bandits’ attacks.

Matallela said he received with shock, the news of recent attacks of marauding bandits in their numbers, killing innocent people and abducted several others, and left many with various degree of injuries.

The former governor said he was saddened by the news of the attacks and called on the people of various communities in the state to report any suspicious movements of the bandits to security agencies.

This is contained in a statement by the media coordinating office of the former governor, signed by the Coordinator, Ibrahim Dosara.

It said “on behalf of myself, my family and political gladiators, I would like to extend my deep sympathy and condolences to Maru and Kaura Namoda Emirates; local government councils and indeed, the Zamfara State Government over these ugly attacks, killings and kidnapping of innocent lives across the two local government areas.

“I must say we are utterly shocked and dismayed at the terrible human loss incurred and the excruciating pain that ensues. May Almighty Allah ease your pain and grant you patience.

“We are all terribly sorry to witness the mindless acts of banditry in the two local government areas and other parts of the state, resulting in so much death and destruction. No words are enough to condemn such acts.

“Let me hope that the state government and the detachment of troops the Bola Ahmed Tinubu government deployed to the state, along with other security operatives will work together, assert themselves, and ensure that such callous and barbaric attacks, killings and kidnappings are stopped in all parts of the state.

“We share the grief of our countrymen and offer our sympathies.

“I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and other victims of the attacks.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the relatives of those who were killed in the latest waves of the tragic attacks.

“I write to you on behalf of my family and political associates to express our shock, horror and profound distress at the appalling events and tragic loss of life in the two local government areas and beyond.

“What happened was a dreadful blow to us all and to the civilized values which we share and cherish.

“I am deeply shocked and filled with grief over the terrible atrocity and losses brought on to your respective communities and people.

“The unbelievable disregard to our community values, of human life and dignity, that exhibited in the ferocious plans behind these acts comes as a horrifying awareness to all of us, a threat to humanity and humankind.

“All of us have been impressed by the courage and dedication of our security operatives and rescue workers, and for the dignity and resilience which lies behind the commitment and determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, to prevail against such monstrous evil.

“We, who value democracy and freedom, stand shoulder to shoulder with the the government of Zamfara state at this time.”

“As the son of the soil and the minister of state, Defence, I would like to reassure you of my commitment and resilience to implement the far-reaching decisions and policies of the Tinubu administration to defeat these monsters and to bring back the lost glory of our dear state in particular and the country in general.”

10/28/2023
CJN Decries Depletion Of Supreme Court Justices

The Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on Friday, argued that the Supreme Court is now having the lowest number of Justices in its history.

According to him, the Apex Court is having only 10 Justices on its bench to tackle the heavy workload of pending cases.

Meanwhile, the retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Muhammad Musa Datijo, said without mincing words, that the number of Supreme Court Justices, which has hit an all-time-low of 10, has remained so due to deliberate action.

Justice Ariwoola spoke on the occasion of retirement of Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed who today attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

The CJN however assured that efforts are on top gear to elevate a sizeable Justices to the bench of the Court.

“With Justices Musa Dattijo leaving us today after the retirement of Hon. Justice Adamu Amina Augie a few weeks ago, we are now left with just 10 Justices on the Supreme Court Bench; being the lowest we have ever had in contemporary history of the Court.

“However, I can confidently assure all the litigant public that efforts are in top gear to get on board a sizeable number of Justices to boost our rank and complement the tremendous effort we have been investing in the business of the Court.

The CJN paid glowing tributes to the retired Justice saying “I am so emotionally overwhelmed, and at the same time, profusely exhilarated to personally witness this uncommon valedictory session.

“This is not because I have never witnessed or presided over valedictory sessions before; but for the fact that we are honouring a quintessential Judicial icon with dazzling qualities and alluring stature who could, in one breath, be classified as a model of excellence that transcends the legal profession.

“My Lord Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad in whose honour we assemble here today, is an epitome of jurisprudential finesse; an insuperable lion with an irrepressible voice in the temple of justice.

“We are here to identify with an accomplished jurisprudential iconoclast that has offered the best of his intellect to the advancement of the legal profession through his several years of unblemished and incontrovertible adjudications at different levels of Courts in Nigeria.

“His Lordship has, by all standards, made an incisive inroad into the revered history books of the Nigerian judiciary as that gallant and eminent Justice at the Supreme Court bench who inviolably held sway in the discharge of his judicial functions.

“As second-in-command in the hierarchy of the Supreme Court, my Lord, Justice Dattijo, skilfully aided and supported me virtually in every sphere of administration. He is a specimen of hard work, industry, discipline and high moral rectitude.

“He willingly offered every support and encouragement that any leader would always wish to enjoy from a deputy to effectively meander the often stormy coast of court administration.

“So, by this event heralding his 70th birthday anniversary, the time has come to cease from functioning as a Judicial Officer. Immediately after this Court session, a new page will ultimately open in the life of my Lord, which His Lordship and an entirely different set of people, that destiny had already assembled along the path of the second phase of his life, will begin to write on.

“He is, indeed, a jewel of inestimable worth and an icon worthy of celebration and adulation.

“His Lordship is one judicial officer that could be blunt, even to a fault; and is never known to be afraid to say things the way they are; and also never shies away from calling a spade by its name, irrespective of whose ox is gored.

“Through his mien and conduct, His Lordship has succeeded in erecting an edifice of hope and optimism in the minds of his teeming admirers; and even generations yet unborn who will be privileged to access and behold his great works in the judicial landscape that have already been well-documented and displayed conspicuously in the shelves of various libraries across the world.

“My Lord, before I end my speech, I will urge you to passionately cherish and relish every moment of your life because, ordinarily, this ceremony we are all witnessing today will never take place again in your life time. From the depth of our hearts, we say happy 70th birthday to you and sincerely wish you good luck and God’s grace in all you do”, the CJN said.

However, Justice Datijo in his speech at a valedictory court session to mark his retirement from the apex court bench, having attained the statutory retirement age of 70 years, on October 27, 2023, said,

“It is evident that the decision not to fill the vacancies in the court is deliberate.

“It is all about the absolute powers vested in the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the
responsible exercise of same” Justice Datijo said.

The retired Jurist was reacting to the reduction in the number of Justices on the bench of the Supreme Court, which is now 10, following his retirement.

“That this avoidable depletion has affected and will further affect the court and litigants is stating the obvious” Justice Datijo said.

10/28/2023
Dattijo Bemoans Absence Of South-East, North-Central On Supreme Court Bench

A former Justice of the Supreme Court, Muhammad Dattijo has said that the non-representation of the South-East and North-Central on the Supreme Court Bench poses great danger for the country’s democracy.

The retirement of Justice Datti on Friday, after spending 43 years in the judiciary, brings the number of Justices to 10, with two regions of the country not represented.

The South-South and North-East have two serving Justices, while the North-West and South-West are fully represented with three Jurists each.

“To ensure justice and transparency in presidential appeals from the lower court, all geo-political zones are required to participate in the hearing.

“It is therefore dangerous for democracy and equity for two entire regions to be left out in the decisions that will affect the generality of Nigerians” Justice Datijo warned.

The retired jurist noted that since November 6, 2020, when the Supreme Court, in its history, got a full complement of 21, following the swearing in of 8 Justices.

“This is not what our laws envisage. Although it can be posited that no one expected the sudden passing of Justice Centus Nweze, on July 29, 2023, yet, it has been two years and seven months since Sylvanus Ngwuta, another Justice from the South East died and no appointment was made,” Justice Datijo revealed.

Datijo stated that the retirement of Justice Ejembi Eko, who also represented the North Central zone on May 23, 2022 has also caused a great lacuna in the system.

“Ditto for the replacement of Justice Eko JSC of North central who exited nearly two years ago.

“Hon. Justice Sidi Bage JSC, now his Royal Highness, the Emir of Lafia, from the North Central, had earlier voluntarily retired. He equally is yet to be replaced” Datijo stated.

Meanwhile, Justice Datijo has stated that the depleted number of Supreme Court Justices has remained so due to deliberate action.

“It is evident that the decision not to fill the vacancies in the court is deliberate. It is all about the absolute powers vested in the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the responsible exercise of same” Justice Datijo said.

“That this avoidable depletion has affected and will further affect the court and litigants is stating the obvious,” he added.

According to the Justice, “appropriate steps could have been taken since to fill outstanding vacancies in the apex court”.

“Why have these steps not been timeously taken?, he asked.

“We are in an election season where the Election Tribunals and appellate courts are inundated with all manner of petitions and appeals.

“The Supreme Court is the final court in the Presidential, Governorship and National Assembly election appeals.

“Yet, there are only 10 justices left to determine these matters.

10/28/2023
Supreme Court Dismisses Atiku’s Appeal Against Tinubu

*Says Appeal Lacks Merit, Affirms Tinubu’s Victory

The Supreme Court, on Thursday dismissed the appeal by former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, seeking to nullify the February 25, presidential election of President Bola Tinubu.

In the notice of appeal, Atiku had urged the apex court to dismiss and set aside the September 6, judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, which affirmed the victory President Tinubu.

Determining the first issue for determination, held that failure to transmit election results electronically did not affect the outcome of the election and could not warrant the nullification of presidential election.

It held that Atiku did not produce alternative results of the presidential election that showed he won majority number of votes cast to rebuff the one declared by INEC.

All the 7 issues distilled for determination were resolved in favour of Tinubu, stating that the appeal lacked merit.

10/26/2023