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N3m Salary Scam: Bauchi Civil Service sacks senior staff

The Bauchi State Civil Service Commission (BSCSC) has terminated the appointment of Ibrahim Garba, Chief Secretarial Assistant attached to the State Pension Board over alleged “serious misconduct of salary and pension scam”.

This is contained in a statement by the Information Officer, BSCSC, Mr Saleh Umar in Bauchi..

The Commission alleged that Garba’s action violated the Public Service Rule (PSR) 0327(XI) which deals with the issues of financial embezzlement.

“The commission approved the termination during a sitting of the 17th plenary session held on August 1.

“A disciplinary committee of the State Pension Board found Garba guilty of swapping the account number of one Audu Mohammed, now deceased, with his own.

“This facilitated the change of pay point after the relatives of the deceased reported his death.

“Thereafter, he received illegal pension for 55 months of N54,871 for four years and seven months which amounted to over N3 million.

“This amount will be recovered from Garba’s benefits,” he said.

He further explained that the chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Usman has called on workers in the state to be God-fearing in the discharge of their duties.

He said the Public Service Rule (PSR) must be observed and adhered to as a guide

The chairman assured the civil servants in the state that no worker will be victimised for nothing and the commission will not sit back and do nothing while bad eggs sabotage the service.

08/09/2023
Staff Capacity Building: OAGF pledges collaboration with ASCON

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) is to work with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) to provide the requisite capacity development training for treasury staff.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein dropped the hint when the Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Mrs. Cecelia Gayya led a delegation from the institution to her office Tuesday in Abuja.

According to a statement by Director (Press) Bawa Mokwa, Dr. Madein said capacity development is essential for effective performance, assuring that Office will sustain a deeper collaboration with ASCON in that regard.

She noted that, “Challenges abound in every position one occupies and every task has its own demands. The complexities will keep increasing and the ability to overcome and achieve the desired result will definitely rely more on the exposure, in terms of skills and knowledge of global trends”.

While reaffirming that staff training is a cardinal policy of her office, the AGF called on the management of ASCON to include Treasury staff in its capacity building programmes on any area within the civil or public service.

She applauded the management of ASCON for considering the Treasury Academy, in Orozo, Abuja as its study Centre, adding that the OAGF will provide all the necessary assistance to bring the idea to fruition.

On her appointment as the first female AGF, Dr. Madein acknowledged that the office comes with much expectation from the government and Nigerians, promising that she will put in her utmost effort to discharge the responsibility creditably.

In her remarks, the Director General of ASCON, Mrs Cecelia Gayya congratulated Dr. Madein on her appointment as the first female AGF and expressed optimism that she has the capacity and experience to succeed in the office.

Mrs. Gayya confirmed that ASCON was willing to partner with the OAGF on staff training and other areas as may be required of it, adding that the institute was working towards making the Treasury Academy in Abuja one of its study Centers.

She said the institute had commenced the training of Chief Executives of parastatals, agencies and commissions, and that the AGF will be included in the next session of the training which will commence in September.

08/08/2023
Protests: FG bows to Organised Labour, withdraws contempt suit

The Federal Government says it has withdrawn the contempt of court proceedings against organised labour for embarking on a nationwide protest.

This is contained in a letter addressed to the lead counsel to the NLC, Falana and Falana’s Chambers on Tuesday in Abuja.

The letter dated August 7 to Falana’s Chambers was signed by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs B.E. Jeddy-Agba.

The Federal Ministry of Justice had through the National Industrial Court (NICN) issued the leadership of the organised labour summons on contempt of court for embarking on the protest.

The Union had responded by threatening to embark on a nationwide strike from August 14, if the Federal Government failed to withdraw its contempt of court charges.

The Labour Congress and it’s affiliate the Tarde Union Congress (TUC) had embarked on a mass protest over anti-poor policies of government, especially the removal of fuel subsidy that had brought untold hardship to Nigerians.

The letter reads: “Kindly recall the exchange of correspondence between the ministry and your office on the need for compliance with the extant court orders, restraining industrial action of any kind on the part of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

“The position of the ministry was informed by the need to safeguard the integrity of the court and prevent avoidable service disruption or damage to public facilities.

“In spite of these exchanges/interventions, the labour unions on August 2, proceeded with the industrial action through public pretests”.

It also said the protest led to disruption of work and the eventual pulling down of the gate of the National Assembly.

“The foregoing, it said, prompted the ministry to initiate contempt proceedings by tiling Form 48 on the same 2nd August 2023 in accordance with Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act and Order 9 Rule 13 oftlwe Judgment (Enforcement) Rules.

“It is trite that issuance of Form 48 is just the starting point in contempt proceedings which will only crystalize upon the issuance of Form 49 and the consequential committal order.”

It noted that upon the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the decision of the labour unions to call-off their industrial action after meetings with the President and leadership of the National Assembly.

“The ministry did not proceed further with the contempt proceedings, which would have required the issuance of Form 49 within two days of the issuance of Form 48.

“It is self-evident that the none-issuance of Form 49 as at August 4, renders the contempt proceedings inchoate.

“You may therefore wish to advise or guide the labour unions on the practice and procedure of contempt proceedings.

“Also, particularly to the effect that the issues or concerns raised by NLC in its communique on the proceedings, have been overtaken by events,” it said.

08/08/2023
NAF destroys boats with stolen crude oil

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has destroyed boats laden with stolen crude oil as part of efforts to thwart oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAF Director of Public Relations, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the air component had on Saturday bombarded three boats carrying stolen crude oil at about four Nautical Miles South-East of Bille, a riverine area located west of Bonny Island and South of Port Harcourt, in Rivers.

He said the boats were sighted tapping crude oil from a pipeline.

He added that the crew also observed an active illegal refining site with tanks and reservoirs loaded with suspected illegal refined products, about 4 miles South-east of Idama also in Rivers.

According to him, the site has been subsequently attacked and destroyed.

“Air strikes against these economic saboteurs will be sustained until they desist from their acts of thievery and economic sabotage.

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has since directed all air component commanders nationwide to ensure they team up with other security agencies to sustain air strikes on all criminal elements in the country.

“He said that days of treating criminal elements with kid gloves is over, saying that NAF must continue on the trajectory until they brought all of them to their knees,” he said.

08/08/2023
Top US diplomat meets leaders of Niger military junta

A Senior U.S. diplomat Victoria Nuland has met with senior leaders of the military junta in Niger, the U.S. State Department has said.

Nuland, the acting deputy secretary of state, travelled to Niamey to meet with the armed forces’ new chief of staff, General Moussa Salaou Barmou, and three other members of the military junta.

She expressed Washington’s “grave concern regarding developments in Niger and our resolute commitment to supporting democracy and constitutional order,” U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

During the meeting Nuland outlined what was at stake if Niger did not “respect its own constitutional order,” Miller said.

“This includes the potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in economic and security support for the people of Niger,” she highlighted.

She described the more-than-two-hour conversation as “extremely frank and at times quite difficult” in a call with reporters.

Nuland’s request to meet with ousted and detained President Mohamed Bazoum was denied, she said.

“The United States continues to call for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum, his family, and all those detained as part of the extra-constitutional attempt to seize power,” Miller said.

Nuland was also not able to see new self-declared ruler Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani.

Bazoum was ousted in a military coup on July 26.

Tchiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard, then claimed power as the country’s new ruler.

He and his group of officers suspended the constitution and dissolved all constitutional institutions.

08/08/2023
Alleged Fraud: Aviation Perm Sec sued over non-disclosure of contract details

As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to assign portfolios to his ministerial nominees who have been screened by the Senate, whoever becomes the Minister of Aviation may have a lawsuit waiting for them as a suit has been filed against the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Emmanuel Meribole.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, will on September 2, hear the ex-parte motion instituted against Mr Meribole over failure to declare contract details of the ministry.

The plaintiff, Incorporated Trustees of Patriotic Youth Organization of Nigeria, through their lawyer, Mr Peter Abang, in suit FHC/ABM/CS/969/2023, dated July 17, 2023, prayed the court for an order granting leave to the applicant to apply for Judicial Review to its reliefs.

The plaintiff prays the court for a declaration that the 1st Respondent (Permanent Secretary) has a statutory and public duty to furnish the Applicant information and details concerning the 2nd Respondent as contained in the Applicant’s letter of request dated 23rd June 2023.

He also prayed the court for a declaration that the refusal or failure of the 1st Respondent to respond to or comply with the Applicant’s request as contained in its letter dated 23 June 2023 constitutes a refusal failure of the 1st Respondent’s statutory and or public duty to the Applicant and is, therefore, unlawful, illegal, abuse of powers, abuse of discretion and ultra vires.

Barrister Abang urged the court to make an order directing and compelling the 1st Respondent, either by its staff, officers, privies, servants or otherwise howsoever described to issue, comply with and or make available to the Applicant or his privies or Counsel, information and details of contracts and expenditures as contained in the Applicant’s letter of 23° June 2023 as well as accept payment of the appropriate fees from the Applicant forthwith.

Some of the contract details being requested, in a letter dated June 23, 2023 include: Airstrip and other Capital Contracts by the Ministry from 2020 till date; list and locations of all Project Vehicles for the above mentioned contracts; list and locations of all Official vehicles the Ministry, including that of the former Permanent Secretary; Contract Executed from Over-head from 2022 December till date; details of Approved foreign Programmes for the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry and its Agencies from 2022 December till date; Performance Management System Contracts and Expenditures from 2020 till date; Any other relevant document in relation to the foregoing.

According to the applicant, following investigation being undertaken by the Applicant into the activities of the 2nd Respondent, spearheaded by the 1st Respondent and his various activities in office, the Applicant has a reasonable suspicion that there has been several lapses and various misconducts by the 1st Respondent, in relation to the discharge of his duties.

He said the request made in the letter is to enable the Applicant to compare the ownership of the assets and properties declared by the 1st Respondent in his Assets Declaration Forms as well as his lifestyle, with any other assets and properties which it suspects to be linked either to the 1st Respondent, his Children or even other third parties suspected to be acting for them.

08/07/2023
Address good governance, alliance tells ECOWAS leaders

The Alliance for Deepening Democracy (A4DD) has called on leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to take urgent measures to address challenges to democracy principles and good governance in the region in order to stem the scourge of unconstitutional takeover of governments now afflicting some of its member countries.

In a statement issued Monday/ in Abuja, the alliance of organizations working to advance democracy in Nigeria, strongly condemned the July 28, 2023 coup in which President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic was removed from power in a military takeover but noted that the failure of leaders in many ECOWAS member states to adhere to the universally accepted norms of democratic practice and good governance principles had become a ready justification for insurgents and coup plotters undermining democratic governance, peace and stability of the region.

The Alliance identified some of the challenges to good governance in West Africa as the failure of some leaders to respect constitutional term limits in their countries, the manipulation of electoral processes leading to the emergence of governments with dubious legitimacy from such flawed elections, widespread violation of human rights and constriction of civic space in many countries, the high level of corruption, lack of independence of the Judiciary, and the inability of governments to deliver basic public services to their citizens in countries across the region.

Noting that the coup in Niger was the seventh coup attempt and fourth successful military takeover of power in West Africa since 2020, the Alliance said it was deeply concerned that a region that was once celebrated as demonstrating the strongest political will and leadership in advancing democratic governance, peace and stability is now referred to as “the coup belt of Africa”.

It said although some of the coups are greeted with jubilations on the streets of the different countries, the reactions were not necessarily informed by the people’s love for military regimes but are frequently motivated by a growing frustration among the people about democratic governance, especially the failure of leaders to meet the collective and individual aspirations of their citizens.

Insisting that ECOWAS leaders had a duty to ensure good governance and adherence to sound democratic principles and practices, the Alliance contended that since they have always cited the violation of the region’s Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance as the basis for their zero tolerance for military takeover of governments, it is imperative that they also abide by a key feature of the Protocol, which is the common and universal norms on democratic governance expected of member states through “constitutional convergence”.

The Alliance argued that the failure of ECOWAS leaders to address other challenges to good governance and democracy while seeking to take decisive action against coups would only reinforce the impression that they are only interested in ensuring their continued stay in office and have no real desire to promote universally accepted democratic norms and good governance.

The Deputy Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the Alliance, Ms Faith Waziri, who is also the Communications Officer of the Women in Politics Forum, said: “Sadly, experience from the past in some of the West African countries under military leadership has demonstrated that the military is no different to the political class they often claim to liberate the people from. Thus, if this dangerous precedent is not curtailed immediately, we are concerned that it may become an uncontrolled trend in the region, putting the freedom of the people at risk.”

She said that “While we commend the region’s zero tolerance for military takeover, the conspicuous silence of ECOWAS leaders in the face of violations of the constitutional convergence principles as outlined in the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Governance has raised legitimacy concerns and doubts over the sincerity of ECOWAS in championing democracy and good governance in the region.”

08/07/2023
Gov Yusuf swears in Kano’s first female Chief Judge, Dije Aboki

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf on Monday ushered in an historical moment when he swore in the first female Chief Judge of the state, Justice Dije Audu Aboki.

Yusuf urged the judiciary to support his administration’s demolition and anti-graft policies to enable it to recover public assets acquired illegally by the immediate-past administration in the state.

He spoke on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony for the first female Chief Judge in the state at Africa House, Government House, in Kano.

The governor explained that his administration’s desire of demolishing illegal structures and recovering public properties was for the development of the state.

Yusuf wondered why the Abdullahi Ganduje administration could demolish schools, hospitals, and other public places only to build shopping complexes for businesses.

He described the relationship between the judiciary, legislature, and executive as not competitive, but complementary, promising to continue to maintain cordial relationships amongst the three arms of government.

The governnoted that Justice Aboki has paid her dues in the temple of justice and through experience, talent and patriotism is by the grace of God elevated as the Chief Judge of the state.

“While I congratulate you on this well-deserved appointment, may I also remind my Lord that this task is a daunting one which calls for total dedication and commitment for the peace, progress and stability of Kano state and Nigeria at large.

“Having spent your public life within this sector, no one can lecture you on what the citizens expect from you as the Head of this very important Arm of Government,” he said.

Yusuf enjoined Aboki not only to see her this elevation as a call to duty but also as a trust inv3sted in her by God to represent Him in the affairs of men.

The governor said she was assuming duty when the state was operating financial autonomy of the three arms of government, including the Judiciary.

He, therefore, charged Justice Aboki to take advantage of all the latitude that this autonomy provides to ensure that judiciary staff are well trained while the day-to-day running of the courts is seamless.

“You can count on the support of the Executive Arm of Government and the Legislature to work with you in helping you cultivate a cordial working relationship with the staff,” he assured.

Yusuf also drew the attention of the new chief judge to the challenges with the speedy dispensation of justice particularly as it involves some suspects that are arraigned for violent crimes.

“It is our view that when such cases are dealt with expeditiously and those found guilty are punished, it will deter others hoping to engage in criminal acts,” said the governor.

Besides, he advised her to beware of those who want to corrupt, confuse, intimidate or blackmail the judiciary to do their bidding.

Yusuf however expressed optimism that the present leadership is very capable of withstanding and maintaining the sanctity of the Temple of Justice and the Legal profession in the state.

Responding, Justice Aboki said she was grateful to God for the opportunity to serve and the privilege to be elevated to the position of Chief Judge of the state.

She promised to serve with “integrity, honesty and justice” as well as do her best to ensure that the rule of law is adhered to at all times.

“We will restore the lost glory of the judiciary in our state,” pledged the new chief judge.

Justice Aboki also said she was aware of the challenges in the Judiciary and appealed for support and collaboration from the executive and legislative arms to succeed.

She also solicited the support of the Justices, other judicial staff and professional bodies to meet the desire objectives of delivering justice.

08/07/2023
NAF Special Forces rescue kidnapped victims in Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces on night patrol on Sunday rescued seven kidnapped victims, comprising six females and one male near Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Monday in Abuja.

Gabkwet said the female victims on interrogation revealed that they were kidnapped from Paikoro in Niger State while the lone male victim said that he was abducted from Rijau in Niger State.

He said the terrorists, on sighting the troops, abandoned their victims and fled into a nearby forest.

According to him, six of victims were subsequently taken to NAF Medical facility at Birnin Gwari for review and subsequently released.

Gabwet said that the last victim, the male, was still being observed at the facility.

“The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has since commended the efforts of the troops, while calling for intensified efforts toward ensuring all areas within Kaduna State and environs are free of terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements,” he said.

08/07/2023
Subsidy: FCTA urban mass transit buses resume soon– Official

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed that its urban mass transit buses would resume operations soon to reduce the hike in transport fares, occasioned by fuel subsidy removal.

The transport fare has skyrocketed by more than 100 per cent in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), since the new fuel price regime took off.

During his inaugural speech on May 29, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had announced the removal of fuel subsidy, leading to the increased price of petrol from N195 to N540 per litre.

Barely two months after, the price was further reviewed upward to N617 per litre, a development some FCT residents said was taking a heavy toll on them.

Some civil servants particularly groaned that the increase in transport fares was forcing them to spend a larger chunk of their salary on transport.

Some residents described the efforts as a “welcome development”, saying it will significantly ameliorate the hash transportation situation in the FCT.

A resident of Nyanya, Mr Paul Nkom, said that he spends more than N1,000 daily on transportation from the initial N300 to Federal Secretariat and back home.

“This amounted to over N5,000 a week and N20,000 a month from my meagre salary, but I am sure that fare will drastically reduce if we have the urban mass transit buses on the road,” he said.

Another resident, Mr Lawal Haruna, said that she spends N1,100 on transportation from Gwarinpa to his office located at Central Area, Abuja and back home, amounting to N2,200 every day.

Haruna pointed out that he spends N11,000 weekly and N44,000 monthly.

“This is about 50 per cent of my salary. We are appealing to the FCTA to roll out palliatives to cushion the effect of the hike in transport fare on workers salary,” he said.

He urged the FCTA to, as a matter of urgency, refurbish the urban mass transit buses and get them on the road to provide alternative and cheaper transportation within the FCT.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, said on Monday that plans are already in place to bring back the mass transit buses on the road.

Adesola disclosed that the Managing Director of Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO) was in Lagos over the weekend on the matter.

“He was in Lagos over the weekend where he held meetings with the companies that supply our mass transit buses to fix the buses for us.

“We are also working to ensure that all the buses are fixed and back on the road to support the movement of persons in and out of the city,” he said.

“We have also commenced the rehabilitation of the vandalised rail tracks of the Abuja Rail Transport System to complement the urban mass transit buses to bring succour to our people.

“The Federal Government has also introduced a number of measures to ameliorate the effect of the withdrawal of subsidy of petroleum products,” the permanent secretary said.

Similarly, Mr Wadata Bodinga, Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Secretariat of the FCTA, recalled that the FCTA had in Nov. 2022 mandated the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), to resuscitate AUMTCO for better performance.

Bodinga told NAN that the goal was to ensure efficient and effective mass transportation services in the FCT.

He explained that the AICL is an investment company established by the FCT Administration to manage the assets, investments, and business interests of the FCTA.

He noted most of the buses were not on the road, adding that efforts were on top gear to fix them and get them on the road because of the huge potential in public transportation in the FCT.

“Currently we are in a situation where taxes are the one doing the work of high-capacity buses.

“This will soon change as one bus has the capacity to remove 20 taxes off the road,” the director said.

The director also disclosed that the FCT Administration has concluded plans to encourage private sector investment in urban mass transportation.

Bodinga said that the fuel subsidy removal was a transportation matter but with transcending effect across all other sectors.

Noting the need for government intervention in the transportation sector, the director said that the move to encourage private sector investment was part of efforts to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.

The idea, according to him, is for the private sector to invest massively in urban transportation which will eventually crash transport fare in the city.

“One of the steps is to provide an enabling environment for the private sector to invest, so that they can compete favourably and have greater advantages than small buses and taxes.

“We are already in talks with a lot of companies who are ready to invest. Some of them are already partnering with foreign companies to bring the vehicle into the city.

“The FCT Administration on its part will provide some kind of palliatives, or incentives by providing the companies with spaces to build their service centres and parking bay.

“We will provide critical infrastructure that will encourage the private companies to come to the Abuja city and operate,” he said.

08/07/2023