NDLEA Burns Over 14,000kg Of Illicit Drugs

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The over 14,000 kg of drugs on fire at abeokuta

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday May 9, 2012 destroyed over 14,000 kilogrames of narcotic drugs seized by the Ogun State Command at Abeokuta. The drugs consist of 14,022.827kg of cannabis, 557 pinches of cocaine, 101 pinches of heroin and 50 pinches of amphetamines.

According to the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade, the destruction of drug exhibits is in furtherance of the Agency’s desire to create the needed conducive environment which guarantees the safety of lives and property. “The safety of our country tomorrow depends on our counter-narcotic measures today. We are working on strategies to arrest the development and prevent the situation from degenerating” Giade stated.

Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun thanked officers of the Agency for the seizures. An operational vehicle was also donated to the State Command of the NDLEA by Amosun who charged them to work harder in eradicating illicit drugs from the State.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa said “it is when there are no drugs that the State government can achieve its developmental goals. We are going to support the NDLEA in the drug war. If these large quantities of drugs were seized in just three years, it means there is more work to be done”.

Giade added that “the threat of drug abuse is now creeping into our society. This is evident from the large seizures of pinches made in the State. Drugs packed in pinches suggest use because it is prepared for consumption. The astronomical increase in seized drugs is yet another strong indication of the increasing drug problem.”

The Ogun State Commander of the NDLEA, Mohammed Mohammed also described the drug situation as alarming. In his words, “even primary school compounds and pupils are used to peddle drugs in the State. This unfortunate development should not be allowed to degenerate because the youths are the leaders of tomorrow”.

Mohammed stated that the Ogun State Command in the last four months arrested 53 suspected drug traffickers and seized over one thousand kilogrammes of drugs. Three accused persons were convicted while 73 hectares of cannabis farm plantations were successfully destroyed since January 2012.

According to the NDLEA Act, exhibit destruction is the last event in the Agency’s drug control chain. The Agency stated that similar public destruction events are expected to take place across the nation. It therefore urged members of the public to be actively engaged in the anti-drug abuse and trafficking campaign.

“I urge parents to know the friends of their children. Drug abuse can be prevented or minimised by choosing the right friends and associates. A bad situation can also be averted when drug use is detected at the early stage. This calls for vigilance and effective monitoring. Therefore, parents, guardians, teachers and leaders at all levels must be actively engaged in the drug war” the NDLEA boss stated.

The Agency also vowed to take away the illicit profit from the drug trade. “We are making efforts to remove the huge profit from drug trafficking by denying barons and traffickers the expected proceeds. This is being done through strict enforcement of anti-money laundering laws. While the NDLEA is making some inroads, I wish to task our partners in drug control in the financial institutions to do more. Banks must know their customers as stipulated by the law. The principle of know-your-customer is to enhance proper record-keeping as well as reporting of suspicious transactions. Any institution that is found wanting shall be severely sanctioned”.

Giade thanked the Governor for the vehicle and other logistic support pledged by the State government. According to the NDLEA boss, “I am grateful for the operational vehicle donated to the Command. Let me assure you that it will be judiciously used in advancing the frontiers of the drug war”.

 

President Jonathan Has No Plan To Change Ministers Now

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STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

Contrary to recent speculations in the media about a so-called impending cabinet reshuffle, the Presidency wishes to state emphatically that there is no truth whatsoever in the said reports.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has implicit confidence in the ability of the current crop of ministers to deliver and has no plan to undertake any replacement at the moment.

There is also no truth in the alleged tension among ministers as a result of the rumoured imminent cabinet change. This is a calculated attempt to cause disaffection within the cabinet and divert the attention of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from their unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan Administration.

The speculation about cabinet change is the handiwork of mischief makers who seem bent on frustrating the good intentions of the Federal Government to deliver on the campaign promises of President Jonathan.

We advise the public to ignore the antics of these mischief makers.

REUBEN ABATI

Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to the President

May 9, 2012.

 

Gov. Okorocha Hails Roche Group Over Imo Palm Plantation

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Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha has applauded the initiatives of Roche
Group in reviving and repositioning Imo Palm Plantation to a
profitable venture.
The governor who barred his mind shortly after he was conducted round
the plantation, milling plant and about 85,000 improved palm seedling imported from Cuba by Roche Group, said recent positive development in
the establishment under the new management has justified the decision
of his administration to concession Imo Palm Plantation to the Irish
company which in a swoop earned the state government about 3.5 billion
Naira.
Gov. Okorocha directed the management of Roche Group to give 5% of the
profit to the landlord communities in line with the concepts of the
community government.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration give priority to
agriculture towards making Imo self-reliant with a booming economy and
massive job opportunities.
Gov. Okorocha lamented on the massive fraud and embezzlement in Imo
Palm Plantation under the previous administration which left the
establishment in a debt profile of over 1billion Naira.
The governor who expressed worrisome over the embezzlement of about
450 million Naira deposited for Palm products not yet supplied and 750
million Naira salaries and allowances owed to workers before the
present administration came on board, said while government plans
towards addressing the problem, it would also consider inviting the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to bring all involved
in the corrupt deals to face the full wrath of the law.
Gov. Okorocha, however, urged the management of Roche to focus more on
job creation in its operations to ensure that not less than 3000 new
job opportunities are created in the establishment.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Imo Palm Plantation, Neil Danby said
the management has introduced several innovations to revive and
reposition the establishment for optimal productivity.
He added that machines with modern technology in agro-business have
been imported and put into use which are expected to increase the
output in Imo Palm Plantation in the nearest future.
Danby further disclosed the delivery of the 85,000 improved seedling
from Cuba and that modern milling plant that will soon be installed
for enhance productivity.

EFCC Arraigns Wonder Bank Operator

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 7th, 2012, arraigned a Wonder Bank operator, Mr. Moses Samanja Audu, before Justice Mohammed Shuaibu of the Federal High court, Kaduna , on a one count charge bordering on fraudulent operation without license and obtaining under false presence. Mr. Audu, charged alongside his company, Miriam Moses Ventures Limited, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Consequently, the defence counsel, Usman Ndaliman Ahmed, informed the court that he had earlier submitted an application for bail before it, which Justice Shuaibu quickly refuted saying there is no such application before him.
The prosecuting counsel, Ms. Jijah Bwala disclosed that she was served with a motion for bail application inside the courtroom and that she informed the defence counsel that she will need time to respond to the motion. While adjourning the case to May 17th, 2012, Justice Shuaibu urged the prosecution to line up its witnesses as the trial will commence on that day after hearing the bail application.
Audu’s arrest followed a petition to the EFCC dated June 16th , 2010, from A. O. Agbola of Cheakley Chambers on behalf of Mrs. Miriam Ines Rotman (nee Garcia Milla Jurado), a citizen and resident of Netherlands . The petitioner copied the Central Bank of Nigeria , CBN, on the fraudulent activities of Mr. Audu who incorporated a wonder bank for the purpose of defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians and Mrs. Rotman, who was unwittingly made a director.
“To our client’s chagrin, she discovered that Mr. Audu has incorporated a business in Nigeria known as MiriamMoses Ventures (an amalgam of our client’s name and that of Mr. Audu),with our client’s name boldly listed as a Director and wife of Mr. Audu”, the petitioner said.
Agbola said that he had the instruction of his client to inform the EFCC that “Mrs. Rotman is not a partner, director or staff of Miriam Moses Ventures in any form whatsoever and she does not have and has never been involved in foreign exchange trading on behalf of the accused. Our client hereby disclaim any liability, whether criminal or civil, that may arise from the activities of Miriam Moses Ventures or Mr. Audu…… …For the purpose of emphasis, our client is neither married to Mr. Audu nor is she carrying out any business on his behalf in Netherlands or any other part of the world”, he said.
Some documents also circulated entitled “Plan”issued by Mr. Moses Audu promised 100% return on any money invested in his business every 22 working days. The promise had lured many honest and hardworking Nigerians to give their money to Mr. Moses Audu/Moses Ventures.
Mr. M.A. Adegbite, Chairman, Implementation Sub-Committee of the Inter- Agency Committee on Illegal Fund Managers/ Wonder Banks’,on July 20, 2010 also wrote the EFCC on the activities of the Moses Ventures.
The one count charge reads “that you, Moses Samanja Audu and Miriam Moses Ventures Limited, sometimes between 2010 and 2011, at Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court transacted banking business by receiving deposits from the public, without a valid license from the central bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2 (2) of the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act, Cap B3, Vol.2, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

The Misplaced Hope in Nigerian Youths

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By Tochukwu Ezukanma

 

Good leadership is not a function of age. The world has known great and outstanding leaders in different age brackets. Ronald Reagan was 69 years old when he became the President of the United States of America. He remained president until he was 77 years old. Winston Churchill first became the British Prime Minister at the age of 65. His second stint as prime minister started when he was 77 years old. At the other extreme, Theodore Roosevelt became the president of the United States of America at the age of was 43, John Kennedy at 43, and that greatest phenomenon of the 21 Century, Barak Obama, at 46.

 

The failure of leadership in Nigeria is indisputable. As Nigerians grope for answers for this unmitigated failure in leadership, some blame it on the domination of power by obscurantist and retrograde old guards. They argue that if the youths can supplant these old guards, they will make better leaders, and can unrecognizably transform Nigerian.

 

While youthfulness is magnificent, it is not a necessary prerequisite for good leadership. Up until that point where it becomes associated with senility and other forms of mental and physical impairments, old age does not impede leadership capabilities. Secondly, thus far, the Nigerian youths in positions of power have not, in anyway, distinguished themselves as leaders. Like the old guards, they are greedy, arrogant and scornful of the masses. They are world renowned for their incompetence, political intolerance, financial dishonesty and theft of public fund

 

The word youth lacks a precise definition. It becomes even harder to define in the context of political leadership. The Nigerian constitution stipulates a minimum age of 30 years for running for a legislative office, and 35 for the office of the governor. Therefore, the most youthful politically leaders in this country must, at the least, be in their 30s. These included the likes of Orji Uzo Kalu, Chimaroke Nnamani and Demeji Bankole that came to power still in their 30s.

 

Incidentally, none of these men differentiated himself for his selflessness commitment to service of the people and responsiveness to the legitimate aspirations of the people. Like the older leaders, they all pandered to this unconscionable system of ours that engenders the stupendous wealth of an elite few and consigns the majority of Nigerians to desperate, gateless poverty. In their scorn for the masses and studied indifferent to the increasing economic plights of Nigerians, none of them advanced a more equitable distribution of the state or national resources. In no way was their leadership marked by high morals and/or elevated ethics. Were they not all later indicted by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for corrupt practices?

 

More than any of these youthful rulers, Dimeji Bankole riveted the attention of the country. Like most Nigerians, I was very impressed by the then emergent Speaker of the House of Representatives. Youthful, erudite and with a superb diction, he seemed a paragon of the new breed of young leaders that Nigerians were longed for: a veritable president material; something of a future Nigerian John Kennedy or Barack Obama.

 

He has style, a style that is unique and uncomplicated. His sartorial taste of light colored traditional outfit is plain, unadorned, yet dignifying. With an impressive height, stately gait and a ready smile that reveals his gap teeth, he looked every inch debonair and cultivated – almost regal. No one in recent memory held sway of the House of Representatives from the Speaker’s dais with such confidence, dignity and class.

Once in office, he started off as though he was to live up to the massive hope reposed on him by the Nigerian people. He roused the House to action and it seemed poised to live up to new standards of probity and responsibility. It subjected the 2008 budget to unprecedented scrutiny and forced the presidency to revise the budget. It started investigations into the corrupt activities in the power sector and other government agencies.

Suddenly, the Bankole led House ran out of vigor; it relapsed into business as usual. Then, nothing washeard of the investigations. No report was issued and no one was indicted, thoughtless of being prosecuted. Obviously, no moral or ethical revolution had taken place in the House. It was all a hoax – mere trumpery by a bunch of venal politicians with their own hidden agenda. The House remained a bastion of corruption and the epicenter of all our moral and ethical maladies.

 

As Demji Bankole left office, series of scandals swirled around him. In an egregious act of irresponsibility, he refused to honor an initiation, for questioning, from the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). The youthful, dashy Speaker of the House was ready to flee from the law. It was at the end of a protracted stand off with law enforcement officials that he surrendered to the EFCC.

 

Are we not forced to wonder about the kind of humanity our political leaders represent? If common criminals can honor invitations, for questioning, from the police and other law enforcement agencies, why do our “Honorables” and “Excellencies” behave like sociopaths that lack moral restraint and any sense of responsibility to the society? They run and hide from the law and jump bail. To run from the law, hide from the law or jump bail is an act of unfathomable stupidity, utmost recklessness and unpardonable disdain for the law. Do we unwittingly hitch our stars with reprobates or is there something about Nigerian politics that turns decent people into incorrigibly bad men and women?

 

In the final analysis, Nigerian leaders are basically the same. They are a band of conscienceless and lawless men and women that are neither devoted to public service nor committed to any political or philosophical ideal. They are pre-occupied with stealing and salting away public funds into their own bank accounts. They wield power as though it is a merciless enemy of the people. In addition to stealing from the people, power deployed as an enemy of the people exploits and represses the people, disrespects the law and undermines equity and social justice.

 

This is true of Nigerian leaders, irrespective of their age. Just as the old guards, our youthful leaders have equally been a disappointment to the country. Therefore, the hope reposed on the Nigerian youths to usher in a new era of selfless and responsible leadership, and thus, economic progress, social justice, official incorruptibility and societal reformation, if given the opportunity to lead, is misplaced.

 

Tochukwu Ezukanma writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

maciln18@yahoo.com

0803 529 2908

Okereke-onyuike blames CBN and SEC for the stock exchange collapse

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It was another day of gross revelations at the House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee probe on the near collapse of the Capital Market, as the immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Professor Ndidi Okereke-Onyuike made her presentations.

According to her, the government regulators; the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), failed to provide any guide lines for margin loans which she said banks used to speculate on share prices.

“It was margin loans that led to the collapse of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, nothing more” she affirmed as she blamed the failure of the regulatory bodies to fulfill their responsibilities.

Professor Okereke-Onyuike in her presentation, largely blamed the banks for solely being responsible for the collapse of the capital market as she accused the CBN and the SEC of failing to protect investors when margin loans were indiscriminately given out by commercial banks.

She noted that the CBN cordoned the banks establishment of several arms, such as their own registrars, which they will now use when they want to come to market for a public offer. “We opposed the banks using their own registrars whenever they come to the market for offers” she said.

She also accused the SEC, of illegally collecting money from the stock exchange and market brokers to fund its regulatory activities.

Responding to the allegations levelled against the council of the NSE on Monday by SEC’s DG, Dr Arunma Oteh, that the council spent N138 million on wrist watches and N39 million on yachts, Professor Okereke-Onyuike, stated that it is unfair for the SEC to accuse the NSE of mismanaging its finances when the SEC was one of the beneficiaries.

CSCS and Abuja stock exchange

Other revelations made by Professor Okereke-Onyuike during the question and answer session of the probe were that she’s now been summoned to help re-organise the failed Abuja Stock Exchange and Commodities Market.

Responding to a question from the probe panel chairman on her alleged overbearing influence on the stock market, which led to the collapse of the Abuja Stock Exchange, she stated that she was never opposed to the establishment of another stock exchange in Nigeria.”It was I and the council of the NSE, that recommended that the commodities market should be included at the Abuja exchange, because we need a commodities market in this country.”

She also revealed that now that she is in her retirement, she’s been called on to help re-build the Abuja stock exchange.  “I have been approached to come and help re-strategise the Abuja Stock Exchange and I will do this for free and I assure you that the market will be up and running in six months” she said.

On the legality of the CSCS, the former DG explained that the CSCS was not illegal stating the then Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation was approached by the executives of the stock market on the need to amend the law that makes share certificates the only Prima Facie evidence in any litigation.

“The AGF, affirmed that the CSCS can serve as the ‘cerficateless’ evidence for shareholders….and he promised that the law will subsequently be amended.”

The CSCS account enables every share holder to hold the shares in digital formats and numbers.

Obama elections

On the controversial raising of $68 million for the Obama presidential campaign in 2008, the retired NSE boss stated that she never raised funds for the American elections but that all she did was create awareness for his election as the first black man who could get to rule the United States.

She explained that she’s known the US president, Barack Obama, before his sojourn into politics. She got the entire hall laughing when she said the US President posed with a picture of her and three others when they were awarded a Congressional CaucusAward.

She further noted that the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC) had investigated into the fateful dinner and found her not culpable.

Transcorp

On her appointment as the chairman of Transcorp, Professor Okereke-Onyuike stated that her appointment “was just a national assignment.”

The former DG of the NSE who was forced to resign the appointment in 2008 stated that there was no conflict of interest with her appointment as she was the serving chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

She noted that the council of the stock exchange officially endorsed her appointment on Transcorp’s board after such affirmation was sought by the president.

Professor Okereke-Onyuike, was the inaugural chairman of the Transnational Corporation set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo with a view of creating a Nigerian transnational company in 2005.

—

Source: Channels TV

Clinton praises Indian refiners for Iran oil cuts

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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stands as India's Foreign Minister S M Krishna (not pictured) speaks during a news conference in Delhi May 8, 2012.

(Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton focused on Tuesday on India’s refiners for their cuts in crude imports from Iran in a shift from pressure on the New Delhi government, welcoming the steps the refineries had taken so far.

She said the United States was working with India to find alternative crude supplies, after calling on Monday for New Delhi to do “even more” to reduce its reliance on Iran, its second-biggest oil supplier and the target of U.S. sanctions.

“We commend India for the steps its refineries are taking to reduce imports from Iran and we have also been consulting with India and working with them in some areas on alternative sources of supply,” Clinton told a press conference on the last day of her three-day visit to India.

As Tehran’s second-biggest crude customer, India is crucial to U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy until it agrees to curb its nuclear programme, which the United States and other Western nations suspect is a cover to build atomic weapons.

Publicly, India has rejected Western sanctions. But privately, it has pushed local refiners to start cutting imports. India’s refiners signed new yearly contracts with Iran running from April 1 and Reuters calculations suggest imports could fall about 25 percent in 2012/2013.

New Delhi has maintained that it makes sense to diversify suppliers of crude as the energy demands of its trillion-dollar economy rise. It stresses that such decisions are made by the refiners and are commercially driven. Many of the refiners are state-run.

On Monday, Clinton said India “as a country … is certainly working toward lowering their purchase of Iranian oil.”

In March, the United States granted exemptions to Japan and 10 European Union nations from the sanctions, which aim to shut out importers of Iranian crude from the U.S. financial system. India and China, Iran’s biggest crude importer, remain at risk.

Clinton on Monday held up Japan as an example, saying it had cut imports despite having suffered an earthquake and tsunami that crippled its Fukushima nuclear reactor. Japan’s cuts of between 15 and 22 percent were enough to get a waiver.

Carlos Pascual, the U.S. negotiator who has been pressing Iran’s customers to cut imports, will visit India next week to discuss the issue, she said on Tuesday.

Judge Postpones Timipre Sylva’s EFCC Court Hearing

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The long awaited exicted of Court appearance of the former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva has suffered anti climax.

The former governor was slated to appear at the Abuja Federal High Court in Abuja today [May 8, 2012]  to answer to charges brought fourth by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission[EFCC] regarding allegations of embellzzement of Bayelsa State treasury. But the presiding Judge, without offering reasons, postponed the hearing to Monday May 28, 2012.

The slated court appearance by the former governor of Bayelsa State had been marred in controversy following allegations that the President of the rederal republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan may have intentions to arrest the former governor immediately following his appearance at the court – over allegations of treason. The former governor had written previously about his safety and concerns of being arrest under “fake” charges of treason – which carries a death penalty. In the letter, the former governor sought a public assurance from the President that he will not be arrested as he appears for court.

The President did not respond and has yet to respond.

It is not certain to 247ureports.com whuy the Judge decided to postponed the court date without warning but sources close to the activities of power players in Abuja attribute the postponement to the dust raised by the open letter to the President.

 

Okorocha Commiserates With Families Of Boko Haram Victims

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Jos, Plateau State

Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has commiserated with
families of victims of the activities of the terror group known as
Boko Haram.
In a solidarity message personally signed by governor Okorocha on his
capacity as President, Nigeria Red Cross Society to mark the 2012
World Red Cross Day, he said “Though we live in a society that is
almost apprehensive of what tomorrow will bring forth as a result of
the high level of insecurity in our land occasioned by the activities
of a group of people who are hell-bent on unleashing terror on the
people in the name of religious extremism, we must encourage our
people especially our youths to embrace peace and non-violence as a
way of life and the way to go. Nigeria red cross Society uses this
auspicious occasion to commiserate with the families of scores of
innocent Nigerians who have lost their precious lives in the various
unfortunate incidents of terrorism that have jolted our nation
especially in the northern part of the country”.
Governor Okorocha urged the people to rise to the challenge of
bringing help and succor to all those who suffer any form of disaster
at any point in time whether natural or manmade. He also said ‘we must continue to strive to lend a helping hand to all
those around us who are in need. Our attention must go in the
direction of the weak, aged, sick, motherless, orphaned and
vulnerable. In this wise, our humanity must come to the fore and
become fully manifested. Let us all cultivate the culture of
humanitarianism and imbibe the philosophy of reaching out and touching
lives”
Governor Okorocha, who equally noted the significance of the theme of
this year’s celebration – “Youths on the Move”, however, urged young
Nigerians to join the Red Cross Movement and contribute their quota
towards making the world safer, better and more secure place to live.

New Bomb Explosions in Kano

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Information reaching 247ureports.com from sources in Kano indicate that an explosion has occurred opposite the Federal College of Education in Kano 30minutes ago. Unconfirmed sources state that the explosion was the result of a bomb planted at the college premises. The federal college of education is located opposite the Bayero University campus [old site].

Also, bombs were discovered at the Bayero University old campus site at the faculty of Law and Faculty of Sciences. Anti bomb squad were said to have recovered three bombs – of which they successfully diffused one of the bombs – the other two bombs were detonated by the anti bomb squad – as it proved too difficult to diffuse.

No casualties has been reported. But the residents of Bayero University Kano [BUK] are said to be in panic. The police public relations officer, Malam Magaji confirmed the explosions and stated thatthere were no casualties or arrest.

Stay tuned

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