By Vanguard Reporter
A 46-year-old football coach, Emmanuel Temuru, was on Friday brought before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing the death of his girl friend.
The accused was charged for allegedly causing the death of one Miss Margaret Usen, 35, but his plea was not taken as he was remanded in prison custody, pending an advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The prosecutor Inspector Philip Ugbodu, told the court that the accused, who resides at 5 Olupitan St., Idimu Lagos, is a football coach.
He said that on February 13, at about 6.30 p.m., the accused, who had allegedly impregnated the deceased, travelled with her to Abeokuta after she developed some health complications.
Ugbodu told the court that the accused had allegedly taken the deceased to a Clinic/Maternity Hospital in Abeokuta, where she was given some herbs to drink and also bath with.
He alleged that the health of the deceased deteriorated soon after the herbal treatment and she died hours later.
According to him, the offence is contrary to section 319 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The case was adjourned to June 6. (NAN)
Saturday, 31 March 2012
U.S. drone kills 5 al Qaeda militants
By Vanguard Reporter
Aden – A U.S. drone attack killed at least five suspected al Qaeda militants travelling in a car in southern Yemen’s Shabwa province on Friday, local officials said.
The drone set the vehicle on fire and killed all its occupants, one official said.
One bystander was also killed and five were wounded, officials and residents told Reuters.
A second drone hit a building used by militants but it was empty at the time, residents said.
Al Qaeda has strengthened its hold on southern areas of the Arabian Peninsula country during the past year of protests against veteran ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh, who left office in February.
The U.S. has retaliated with a campaign of drone strikes on suspected al Qaeda militants.
A text message sent to journalists, purporting to come from the al Qaeda-affiliated Ansar al-Sharia (Supporters of Islamic Law) group, said two militants were “martyred” in the attack and four passersby were injured.
Earlier this month, U.S. drone attacks killed at least 25 al Qaeda-linked fighters including one of their leaders, and a Yemeni air force raid killed 20, in the biggest airstrikes since the new president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, took office.
Neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, shares U.S. concern over the expansion of al-Qaeda’s regional wing in a country next to major Red Sea oil shipping lanes.
In a separate incident, suspected al Qaeda fighters shot dead two men in the southern port city of Aden on Friday, a local official said.
The victims belonged to a clan that has opposed the group’s militants in nearby Abyan province, he added.
In a persistent dispute over fishing rights with Eritrea, Yemeni forces captured two Eritrean soldiers trying to seize a Yemeni fishing boat near the Red Sea port of Hudaida, Yemen’s Interior Ministry said. (Reuters/NAN)
Aden – A U.S. drone attack killed at least five suspected al Qaeda militants travelling in a car in southern Yemen’s Shabwa province on Friday, local officials said.
The drone set the vehicle on fire and killed all its occupants, one official said.
One bystander was also killed and five were wounded, officials and residents told Reuters.
A second drone hit a building used by militants but it was empty at the time, residents said.
Al Qaeda has strengthened its hold on southern areas of the Arabian Peninsula country during the past year of protests against veteran ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh, who left office in February.
The U.S. has retaliated with a campaign of drone strikes on suspected al Qaeda militants.
A text message sent to journalists, purporting to come from the al Qaeda-affiliated Ansar al-Sharia (Supporters of Islamic Law) group, said two militants were “martyred” in the attack and four passersby were injured.
Earlier this month, U.S. drone attacks killed at least 25 al Qaeda-linked fighters including one of their leaders, and a Yemeni air force raid killed 20, in the biggest airstrikes since the new president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, took office.
Neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, shares U.S. concern over the expansion of al-Qaeda’s regional wing in a country next to major Red Sea oil shipping lanes.
In a separate incident, suspected al Qaeda fighters shot dead two men in the southern port city of Aden on Friday, a local official said.
The victims belonged to a clan that has opposed the group’s militants in nearby Abyan province, he added.
In a persistent dispute over fishing rights with Eritrea, Yemeni forces captured two Eritrean soldiers trying to seize a Yemeni fishing boat near the Red Sea port of Hudaida, Yemen’s Interior Ministry said. (Reuters/NAN)
No regret dating Soul-E, says Queen Ure
By Vanguard Reporter (Ogbonna Amadi) Entertainment Editor
Ure Okezie, only daughter to late prominent medical practitioner, politician and former Minister of Health Dr. J.O.J Okezie is a reporter’s delight any day.
In this interview with Showtime Celebrity, Queen Ure as she is more fondly called by friends and admirers tells the story of her childhood, love life and experience as a banker.
A native of Umuahia, Abia State, Queen Ure who made headlines on account of her romance with popular R&B star Soul-E (an affair she says she has nodoesn’t regret), also explains why she is going into music. She is dropping her first single next month.
Enjoy:
Is name Ure or Uremma?
My dad just gave me Ure. But whatever people add to it, I answer but my name is Ure and I’m called Queen Ure
Did you add the Queen or people added it for you?
I added the Queen(laughs). I think it was something that came up years ago when I was about getting a yahoo address. You know you always want to add something distinct to your name. So I just put it as queenure@yahoo.com. That was many years ago.
Now coincidentally, I went to the studio to do some work, and the producer asked what I wanted my stage name to be, and I remembered my email address. So I chose Queen Ure.
Tell me something about growing up
She’s just this person you’re looking at right now. I’m a regular girl. I was born in the 70s and I’m sure you know what growing up in the 70s was like.
I was born in the 60s…
Oh my God! Well, I’m the only daughter and the last child in a family of six, my parents inclusive. So I’ve got three elder brothers. I grew up with a lot of attention.
You were pampered?
I was loved and not spoiled.
They didn’t spare the rod?
There was no need for that. I was very quiet and a good girl. So there was no need for the rod.
So what kind of parents were they?
They were the kind of parents that wouldn’t spank a child. I never really did things that would warrant that. It’s just that my brothers were always playing boys stuff and they wouldn’t let me join them because I’m a girl. So I just got used to having to be different, nice and quiet.
But growing up was fun. My father was so much into reading and mathematics; and that’s how mathematics became my best subject. I went to Federal Government College Owerri. After that, I got into the University of Jos and studied Physics. After my NYSC at 21, I got into the banking industry and that was how the banking journey began. I spent few years in Diamond Bank, got into Zenith and spent a few years there. Later I moved to Bank PHB and then Fin Bank which was the last commercial bank I worked with.
Before going deep into what you are today, let’s go back to growing up with the boys
You know how it is, if you see male clothes, nobody would be certain who owns it. But if you see a female dress, everybody knows it’s Ure’s. So I just had all the attention and I was uncomfortable with it at a time because everybody sees me as the last child. It was good. I was also very close to my dad. Each meal he had, they would always get me to sit beside him. Even when I was in school, anytime I returned, it was already a part of me that whenever he was eating, especially lunch, I’d just sit beside him. He was like an idol to me and he showered so much love on me. Of course my mother also loved me and was never jealous of that.
You dad was a scholar and a politician?
Yeah, he was a medical doctor. He became doctor when he was 25 years, practiced for over 50 years. He died t 77 still practicing in 2002. It’s ten years now but it feels like yesterday. He was very much into politics too.
From being a girl, you grew into an adult. Did you paint the town red with your brothers?
The funny thing was that I was a little Church girl but my brothers were everywhere because they were party freaks. They never took me along to those parties. I didn’t grow up partying like them. When I was ten, I got into Students Christian Movement in school and it was serious for me.
So you got born again at ten?
Yes. And I used to be quite emotional about it. The kind of Christianity we had then was the type when you wouldn’t wear trousers, wouldn’t go to parties. So I avoided those things feeling that they would stop me from going to heaven. Not that I was boring person but my growing up years were in Church and my dad thought it was just a phase that would pass and he didn’t have any serious problem with it. I used to read a lot of Kenneth Higgins’ books. My dad noticed I loved reading religious books and so one day, he brought Sorrows of Satan. He wanted me to read it and he’d come back to ask me questions on it. So he would give me novels too so that my mindset wouldn’t be just about Church.
Were you in the choir?
Yes I was. My parents were Anglicans so I joined the choir back in the east. I joined at age 8 because I just wanted to sing.
So what did you learn from your brothers?
It made me so comfortable and not to be afraid of guys. I can stay in the same house with guys and not even feel any different . Again, it made me to know the pranks they play. That’s why when people lie, rather than condemn them, I always feel there’s always a good behind every deception because guys lie a lot.
They played lots of pranks. I had to bring in girls into the house who weren’t my friends because they would lie that they were asking after me. And if they said they were asking after me and I let them into the house, they would just whisper that they wanted to see my brothers. Sometimes, a girl might be around while another would come again. So I’ll have to go bring in that one again and sit with her. So I knew that guys love pranks so maybe that’ why I easily forgive.
Were you then scared of men because of that experience?
No. They’re very loving people too. Even before guys start playing pranks on me, I figure it out myself.
So what was it like the first time a guy came looking for you in the house?
Well, the first guy who came looking for me wasn’t a boyfriend. My first boyfriend was in the University. We dated for four years without sex. But the first guy who came to my house is doing fine now in New York where he works with a bank. He wasn’t my boyfriend, we used to read together and he was also a Christian.
Or was he shy to ask you out?
Not at all. We were very close but it never came up. We were good friends and my bothers would always tease me about him because I would give him money to buy his school things and bought him sandals. There was nothing romantic about it.
Okay let’s talk about your first love. You dated him for four years and nothing happened
Yes, because I was a Christian.
No kissing, necking…
There was a bit of smooching, the very safe ones. Back then, I was in UniJos and the kind of Christianity we had in the North was more serious than what obtains in the South. He pushed for sex a little but when he couldn’t, he respected that. I was 18 years and we dated till I went for my NYSC.
What happened four years after- who dumped who?
I don’t want to talk about those details because he’s a happily married man today.
Who broke whose heart?
He claimed I broke his heart but I claimed he broke my heart.
Were you really in love with him?
We’re talking about when I was eighteen to when I clocked twenty one. What did we know about love then. Even at that, I was in it with my whole heart and my family knew about it. I told my father about him after my NYSC. He’ a Northerner from Adamawa State.
What kind of people are his people?
They’re nice people and they’re Christians. I don’t want to talk about the details because one thing may lead to another.
So you remember him very well?
Of course, we’re still in touch. He’s pastor and he’s happily married.
You must be proud of him
Of course I am because I was part of the foundation.
Now that you’re going to record an album, is it going to be gospel?
No, I’m not doing gospel. But I can always minister anytime I enter into a Church because it’s part of me.
So what genre of music are you hoping to record?
I’m doing normal good music. I sing about everything. The thing is that I enjoy different genre of music. So whichever way the song comes, that’s the way it’ll be produced. I love R &B, Rock, Hip-hop, African music and reggae. So it depends on my mood and the inspiration at a time. But I do mostly R & B.
Do you have the gut to perform as an artiste?
When you’ve been a stage person even if it’s in Church, it won’t be a problem. I’ve always sang right from childhood. It’s funny, but way back at age of five, my audience was our night watchman. I always go to him and ask him to watch me. And while he was watching, I’d be imagining a crowd before me. So it has been in me way back in secondary school. And in all the competition we had, I always took the solos.
And immediately I got into the University as teenager, I used to back up Pernam Percy Paul. I also had a music group on campus called the Rubies but it was gospel group. Even in Household of God here, I used to sing lot then.
Why did it take you this long to break out?
I’m glad that I’m doing it because some people who are talented aren’t even coming out to do it. I would say that it’s because I’ve been doing other things. I’m so happy the way my life has gone and I’m thankful to God. I’m not one of those that believe you must do one thing for the rest of your life. God can put you in different places at different times for different reasons. For over twelves to fourteen years, I was in the banking industry.
Why did you leave the banking industry, were you not enjoying the job?
I totally enjoyed the corporate world and the discipline of waking up 4:00am and getting back home at about 10pm. And then the drive, it makes you to become result oriented.
What happened to the music part of you then?
They were there but were dormant. I still used to write songs but nothing come out of it.
So you wrote all your songs?
Yes I did.
Are you going to have collabos?
Eventually yes but as I’m coming out now, the first few songs people would hear will be just me.
Are there any regrets?
No,I don’t because I believe that every experience adds to your life
What about your relationships?
I don’t regret anything
What about your last relationship?
I don’t want to talk about that
Was it love?
I don’t want to talk about it but you’re trying to get me to talk. Before the interview, I already made up my mind not to talk about anything personal.
How did your brothers feel when that relationship ended?
My family just wanted me to be happy. And they wish me well whenever I say anything that will make me happy.
Was that happiness?
Let me make this clear. First, I’d say I don’t want to talk about it. But I just want to say that, there’s something great about everybody- whether they’re born with a silver spoon or wooden spoon. It doesn’t matter. So I don’t associate with people because of their class. I just take people as I see them and look at them as great people. So your question on why I would associate myself with such a person, and I say categorically that everybody has greatness so I can be involved with anybody
The truth is that I’m sure you lost plenty of money
I’m not going to say anything.
Ure Okezie, only daughter to late prominent medical practitioner, politician and former Minister of Health Dr. J.O.J Okezie is a reporter’s delight any day.
In this interview with Showtime Celebrity, Queen Ure as she is more fondly called by friends and admirers tells the story of her childhood, love life and experience as a banker.
A native of Umuahia, Abia State, Queen Ure who made headlines on account of her romance with popular R&B star Soul-E (an affair she says she has nodoesn’t regret), also explains why she is going into music. She is dropping her first single next month.
Enjoy:
Is name Ure or Uremma?
My dad just gave me Ure. But whatever people add to it, I answer but my name is Ure and I’m called Queen Ure
Did you add the Queen or people added it for you?
I added the Queen(laughs). I think it was something that came up years ago when I was about getting a yahoo address. You know you always want to add something distinct to your name. So I just put it as queenure@yahoo.com. That was many years ago.
Now coincidentally, I went to the studio to do some work, and the producer asked what I wanted my stage name to be, and I remembered my email address. So I chose Queen Ure.
Tell me something about growing up
She’s just this person you’re looking at right now. I’m a regular girl. I was born in the 70s and I’m sure you know what growing up in the 70s was like.
I was born in the 60s…
Queen Ure & Soul-E
You were pampered?
I was loved and not spoiled.
They didn’t spare the rod?
There was no need for that. I was very quiet and a good girl. So there was no need for the rod.
So what kind of parents were they?
They were the kind of parents that wouldn’t spank a child. I never really did things that would warrant that. It’s just that my brothers were always playing boys stuff and they wouldn’t let me join them because I’m a girl. So I just got used to having to be different, nice and quiet.
But growing up was fun. My father was so much into reading and mathematics; and that’s how mathematics became my best subject. I went to Federal Government College Owerri. After that, I got into the University of Jos and studied Physics. After my NYSC at 21, I got into the banking industry and that was how the banking journey began. I spent few years in Diamond Bank, got into Zenith and spent a few years there. Later I moved to Bank PHB and then Fin Bank which was the last commercial bank I worked with.
Before going deep into what you are today, let’s go back to growing up with the boys
You know how it is, if you see male clothes, nobody would be certain who owns it. But if you see a female dress, everybody knows it’s Ure’s. So I just had all the attention and I was uncomfortable with it at a time because everybody sees me as the last child. It was good. I was also very close to my dad. Each meal he had, they would always get me to sit beside him. Even when I was in school, anytime I returned, it was already a part of me that whenever he was eating, especially lunch, I’d just sit beside him. He was like an idol to me and he showered so much love on me. Of course my mother also loved me and was never jealous of that.
You dad was a scholar and a politician?
Yeah, he was a medical doctor. He became doctor when he was 25 years, practiced for over 50 years. He died t 77 still practicing in 2002. It’s ten years now but it feels like yesterday. He was very much into politics too.
From being a girl, you grew into an adult. Did you paint the town red with your brothers?
The funny thing was that I was a little Church girl but my brothers were everywhere because they were party freaks. They never took me along to those parties. I didn’t grow up partying like them. When I was ten, I got into Students Christian Movement in school and it was serious for me.
So you got born again at ten?
Yes. And I used to be quite emotional about it. The kind of Christianity we had then was the type when you wouldn’t wear trousers, wouldn’t go to parties. So I avoided those things feeling that they would stop me from going to heaven. Not that I was boring person but my growing up years were in Church and my dad thought it was just a phase that would pass and he didn’t have any serious problem with it. I used to read a lot of Kenneth Higgins’ books. My dad noticed I loved reading religious books and so one day, he brought Sorrows of Satan. He wanted me to read it and he’d come back to ask me questions on it. So he would give me novels too so that my mindset wouldn’t be just about Church.
Were you in the choir?
Yes I was. My parents were Anglicans so I joined the choir back in the east. I joined at age 8 because I just wanted to sing.
So what did you learn from your brothers?
It made me so comfortable and not to be afraid of guys. I can stay in the same house with guys and not even feel any different . Again, it made me to know the pranks they play. That’s why when people lie, rather than condemn them, I always feel there’s always a good behind every deception because guys lie a lot.
Queen Ure
Were you then scared of men because of that experience?
No. They’re very loving people too. Even before guys start playing pranks on me, I figure it out myself.
So what was it like the first time a guy came looking for you in the house?
Well, the first guy who came looking for me wasn’t a boyfriend. My first boyfriend was in the University. We dated for four years without sex. But the first guy who came to my house is doing fine now in New York where he works with a bank. He wasn’t my boyfriend, we used to read together and he was also a Christian.
Or was he shy to ask you out?
Not at all. We were very close but it never came up. We were good friends and my bothers would always tease me about him because I would give him money to buy his school things and bought him sandals. There was nothing romantic about it.
Okay let’s talk about your first love. You dated him for four years and nothing happened
Yes, because I was a Christian.
No kissing, necking…
There was a bit of smooching, the very safe ones. Back then, I was in UniJos and the kind of Christianity we had in the North was more serious than what obtains in the South. He pushed for sex a little but when he couldn’t, he respected that. I was 18 years and we dated till I went for my NYSC.
What happened four years after- who dumped who?
I don’t want to talk about those details because he’s a happily married man today.
Who broke whose heart?
He claimed I broke his heart but I claimed he broke my heart.
Were you really in love with him?
We’re talking about when I was eighteen to when I clocked twenty one. What did we know about love then. Even at that, I was in it with my whole heart and my family knew about it. I told my father about him after my NYSC. He’ a Northerner from Adamawa State.
What kind of people are his people?
They’re nice people and they’re Christians. I don’t want to talk about the details because one thing may lead to another.
So you remember him very well?
Of course, we’re still in touch. He’s pastor and he’s happily married.
You must be proud of him
Of course I am because I was part of the foundation.
Now that you’re going to record an album, is it going to be gospel?
No, I’m not doing gospel. But I can always minister anytime I enter into a Church because it’s part of me.
So what genre of music are you hoping to record?
Queen Ure
Do you have the gut to perform as an artiste?
When you’ve been a stage person even if it’s in Church, it won’t be a problem. I’ve always sang right from childhood. It’s funny, but way back at age of five, my audience was our night watchman. I always go to him and ask him to watch me. And while he was watching, I’d be imagining a crowd before me. So it has been in me way back in secondary school. And in all the competition we had, I always took the solos.
And immediately I got into the University as teenager, I used to back up Pernam Percy Paul. I also had a music group on campus called the Rubies but it was gospel group. Even in Household of God here, I used to sing lot then.
Why did it take you this long to break out?
I’m glad that I’m doing it because some people who are talented aren’t even coming out to do it. I would say that it’s because I’ve been doing other things. I’m so happy the way my life has gone and I’m thankful to God. I’m not one of those that believe you must do one thing for the rest of your life. God can put you in different places at different times for different reasons. For over twelves to fourteen years, I was in the banking industry.
Why did you leave the banking industry, were you not enjoying the job?
I totally enjoyed the corporate world and the discipline of waking up 4:00am and getting back home at about 10pm. And then the drive, it makes you to become result oriented.
What happened to the music part of you then?
They were there but were dormant. I still used to write songs but nothing come out of it.
So you wrote all your songs?
Yes I did.
Are you going to have collabos?
Eventually yes but as I’m coming out now, the first few songs people would hear will be just me.
Are there any regrets?
No,I don’t because I believe that every experience adds to your life
What about your relationships?
I don’t regret anything
What about your last relationship?
I don’t want to talk about that
Was it love?
I don’t want to talk about it but you’re trying to get me to talk. Before the interview, I already made up my mind not to talk about anything personal.
How did your brothers feel when that relationship ended?
My family just wanted me to be happy. And they wish me well whenever I say anything that will make me happy.
Was that happiness?
Let me make this clear. First, I’d say I don’t want to talk about it. But I just want to say that, there’s something great about everybody- whether they’re born with a silver spoon or wooden spoon. It doesn’t matter. So I don’t associate with people because of their class. I just take people as I see them and look at them as great people. So your question on why I would associate myself with such a person, and I say categorically that everybody has greatness so I can be involved with anybody
The truth is that I’m sure you lost plenty of money
I’m not going to say anything.
JAMB 2012 results released (CHECK NOW)
By 
The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board has released the results of the 2012 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, with only three candidates scoring above 300.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the results of 27,266 candidates across eight states were withheld for various reasons.
This was stated by JAMB Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, at a news conference in Abuja.
A total of 1,503,931 candidates were registered for the 2012 UTME, which held across the country on March 24, making it the one with the highest number of registered candidates since the existence of JAMB.
Contrary to earlier fears that the Boko Haram sect would disrupt the exam in some Northern states, Ojerinde, said the State Security Service and other security agencies had been engaged to deal with any security threat.
The exam proceeded on the set date without any security problem.
At the news conference, Ojerinde, the JAMB Registrar, listed Abia, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa and Rivers as the affected states, due to malpractice such as extortion of money by some examination officials.
“In 2012 UTME, we had some disturbing news of extortion of money from innocent candidates by greedy proprietors and supervisors all these persons will be brought to book,” he said, adding that the outcome of investigation would determine if more results would be released..
Ojerinde said 72, 243 scored 250 and above while 336,330 scored below 170.
He said 374,920 candidates scored between 170 and above, 601,151 candidates scored between 200 and 249 while 901 scored between 270 and 299.
“In 2010, 96,451 results were recorded invalid, while in 2011, the figure reduced drastically to 28,069, due to sensitisation on 2011 UTME.
“For the 2012 UTME, the number was drastically reduced to 5,161; the board will continue to work to ensure that the incidence of incomplete and invalid results is totally wiped out,” he stated.
Ojerinde said that Imo had the highest number of applicants with 123,865 candidates; Delta came second with 88,876 candidates while Anambra placed third with 84,204 candidates.
Conversely, FCT recorded the lowest number with 3,380 candidates, Sokoto placed next with 5, 664 candidates while 5,713 candidates sat from Zamfara.
He said the University of Lagos recorded the highest applicants with 83,865 candidates; Nnamdi Azikiwe University came second with 82,148 candidates while University of Benin came third with 80,048 candidates.
He said arrangement had been made for candidates to check their results online using JAMB web site, www.myjambonline.com, and using the scratch card used earlier for registration.
CLICK HERE to check your result
Prof Ojerinde
Withholds 27,266 results in eight states
The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board has released the results of the 2012 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, with only three candidates scoring above 300.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the results of 27,266 candidates across eight states were withheld for various reasons.
This was stated by JAMB Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, at a news conference in Abuja.
A total of 1,503,931 candidates were registered for the 2012 UTME, which held across the country on March 24, making it the one with the highest number of registered candidates since the existence of JAMB.
Contrary to earlier fears that the Boko Haram sect would disrupt the exam in some Northern states, Ojerinde, said the State Security Service and other security agencies had been engaged to deal with any security threat.
The exam proceeded on the set date without any security problem.
At the news conference, Ojerinde, the JAMB Registrar, listed Abia, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa and Rivers as the affected states, due to malpractice such as extortion of money by some examination officials.
“In 2012 UTME, we had some disturbing news of extortion of money from innocent candidates by greedy proprietors and supervisors all these persons will be brought to book,” he said, adding that the outcome of investigation would determine if more results would be released..
Ojerinde said 72, 243 scored 250 and above while 336,330 scored below 170.
He said 374,920 candidates scored between 170 and above, 601,151 candidates scored between 200 and 249 while 901 scored between 270 and 299.
“In 2010, 96,451 results were recorded invalid, while in 2011, the figure reduced drastically to 28,069, due to sensitisation on 2011 UTME.
“For the 2012 UTME, the number was drastically reduced to 5,161; the board will continue to work to ensure that the incidence of incomplete and invalid results is totally wiped out,” he stated.
Ojerinde said that Imo had the highest number of applicants with 123,865 candidates; Delta came second with 88,876 candidates while Anambra placed third with 84,204 candidates.
Conversely, FCT recorded the lowest number with 3,380 candidates, Sokoto placed next with 5, 664 candidates while 5,713 candidates sat from Zamfara.
He said the University of Lagos recorded the highest applicants with 83,865 candidates; Nnamdi Azikiwe University came second with 82,148 candidates while University of Benin came third with 80,048 candidates.
He said arrangement had been made for candidates to check their results online using JAMB web site, www.myjambonline.com, and using the scratch card used earlier for registration.
CLICK HERE to check your result
Pension funds scam: Task Force recovers N151.6bn
By 
Forty-seven bank accounts used to stash away over N100 billion of the funds by a cartel have also been uncovered, according to an investigation in Abuja.
A status report submitted to the Federal Government confirmed that the task force has so far recovered N151.6 billion pension funds from various accounts in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Police Pension Office.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. J.O. Otunla, have already launched a fresh initiative to harmonise pension accounts.
The seven-man task force, headed by Abdulrasheed Maina, inclides B. G. Kaigama; A.O Leke; I.M. Adoke; G.T. Idris; F.T. Bankole; and I. Abdulkarim.
The report showed that most of the accounts were opened in violation of Federal Government Financial Regulations.
It was also learnt that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation was unaware of the operation of the secret accounts.
The report said in part: “At the inception of the task team, the Office of the Head of Service (OHCSF) operated about 47 bank accounts (some of which had amounts raging from N2 billion downward.
“As at today, instruction has been given to the banks having account with OHCSF pension to collapse all the operational accounts to one account each, where more than one account is being operated.
“At the end of the instruction, 14 bank accounts are expected to be in operation even though the Task Team recommended three accounts only.”
It was learnt that the scattered pension funds have now been mopped up and harmonised accordingly.
A separate memo from the task force gave the breakdown of the N51.6 billion recovered so far as follows:
N64.6 billion—savings from reduction of Pension Wage Bill from N5 billion per month to N3.4 billion from June 2010 to December 2011.
N24 billion—carted away by former staff of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
N35 billion—idle pension funds located in various banks by the Task Force.
N28 billion—saved from the restructuring of the Police Pension Office in three months
The report added: “The Task Team has adopted an e-Pension Management System where all relevant agencies can log in and monitor the activities of the Head of Service Pension, Police Pension and CIPPO.
“Smart cards will also be issued to all pensioners so that they can verify themselves at their leisure, thereby cutting hundreds of millions which government expends on quarterly pensioner verification exercise in all the pension agencies.
“In view of the successes recorded in adopting the e-Pension Management System, the Task Team is of the opinion that all other pension agencies be co-opted into the new platform and links provided to the budget office and other agencies.
“This will help government in budget and budgetary allocation without having to go through various offices for information and also ensure accountability and transparency in line with best practices.
As part of the initiative to harmonise the pension accounts, the Minister of Finance, in a memo to one of the banks, said: “You are hereby requested to freeze the accounts. The accounts remain frozen for an amount to be authorised by me for the payment of pension benefits.”
Five other likely sources of pension scam have been uncovered by the task force.
The report added: “Other untapped avenues for fund recovery under the Old Pension Scheme include Nigerian Railway Corporation, National Universities Commission, Nigerian Military, all parastatals and Pension Commission (PENCOM).”
The Federal Government has not made its position known on whether it will look into the pension records of these five agencies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced, on Monday, its seizure of six properties valued at N4.5 billion from a former Director of Pension Administartion in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu.
The seized properties are: No.24, Ahmadu Musa Crescent, Jabi, Abuja; Brefina Hotel at Plot 1106,Abuja; No.1, Shuaibu Close, Idah, Kogi State; Riba-ile Petroleum Ltd; M.R.S Filling Station, Idah; NNPC Mega Station, Ayingba, Kogi State; M.R.S.Filling station, Ganaja, Lokoja, Kogi State; a mansion opposite Federal Polytechnic, Idah; SunTrust Properties Company Ltd; Plot B59, Dawaki Extension Layout, Bwari,Abuja; an estate of 10 bungalows at Nyanyan,Abuja.
Mr. J.O. Otunla
A total of N151.6 billion cash allegedly stolen from pension funds has been recovered by the Pension Reform Task Force.Forty-seven bank accounts used to stash away over N100 billion of the funds by a cartel have also been uncovered, according to an investigation in Abuja.
A status report submitted to the Federal Government confirmed that the task force has so far recovered N151.6 billion pension funds from various accounts in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Police Pension Office.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. J.O. Otunla, have already launched a fresh initiative to harmonise pension accounts.
The seven-man task force, headed by Abdulrasheed Maina, inclides B. G. Kaigama; A.O Leke; I.M. Adoke; G.T. Idris; F.T. Bankole; and I. Abdulkarim.
The report showed that most of the accounts were opened in violation of Federal Government Financial Regulations.
It was also learnt that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation was unaware of the operation of the secret accounts.
The report said in part: “At the inception of the task team, the Office of the Head of Service (OHCSF) operated about 47 bank accounts (some of which had amounts raging from N2 billion downward.
“As at today, instruction has been given to the banks having account with OHCSF pension to collapse all the operational accounts to one account each, where more than one account is being operated.
“At the end of the instruction, 14 bank accounts are expected to be in operation even though the Task Team recommended three accounts only.”
It was learnt that the scattered pension funds have now been mopped up and harmonised accordingly.
A separate memo from the task force gave the breakdown of the N51.6 billion recovered so far as follows:
N64.6 billion—savings from reduction of Pension Wage Bill from N5 billion per month to N3.4 billion from June 2010 to December 2011.
N24 billion—carted away by former staff of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
N35 billion—idle pension funds located in various banks by the Task Force.
N28 billion—saved from the restructuring of the Police Pension Office in three months
The report added: “The Task Team has adopted an e-Pension Management System where all relevant agencies can log in and monitor the activities of the Head of Service Pension, Police Pension and CIPPO.
“Smart cards will also be issued to all pensioners so that they can verify themselves at their leisure, thereby cutting hundreds of millions which government expends on quarterly pensioner verification exercise in all the pension agencies.
“In view of the successes recorded in adopting the e-Pension Management System, the Task Team is of the opinion that all other pension agencies be co-opted into the new platform and links provided to the budget office and other agencies.
“This will help government in budget and budgetary allocation without having to go through various offices for information and also ensure accountability and transparency in line with best practices.
As part of the initiative to harmonise the pension accounts, the Minister of Finance, in a memo to one of the banks, said: “You are hereby requested to freeze the accounts. The accounts remain frozen for an amount to be authorised by me for the payment of pension benefits.”
Five other likely sources of pension scam have been uncovered by the task force.
The report added: “Other untapped avenues for fund recovery under the Old Pension Scheme include Nigerian Railway Corporation, National Universities Commission, Nigerian Military, all parastatals and Pension Commission (PENCOM).”
The Federal Government has not made its position known on whether it will look into the pension records of these five agencies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced, on Monday, its seizure of six properties valued at N4.5 billion from a former Director of Pension Administartion in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu.
The seized properties are: No.24, Ahmadu Musa Crescent, Jabi, Abuja; Brefina Hotel at Plot 1106,Abuja; No.1, Shuaibu Close, Idah, Kogi State; Riba-ile Petroleum Ltd; M.R.S Filling Station, Idah; NNPC Mega Station, Ayingba, Kogi State; M.R.S.Filling station, Ganaja, Lokoja, Kogi State; a mansion opposite Federal Polytechnic, Idah; SunTrust Properties Company Ltd; Plot B59, Dawaki Extension Layout, Bwari,Abuja; an estate of 10 bungalows at Nyanyan,Abuja.
3 score above 300 as JAMB releases results
About 1,048,314 out of the 1,503,931 candidates who participated in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, passed the examination. Out of this number, three candidates scored the highest with over 300 marks.
JAMB Registrar, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, who made this known at a news conference in Abuja yesterday said that 181 candidates from Kaduna and Ikoyi Prisons were among those who wrote the examination, adding that malpractices were recorded in 52 centres across eight states in the country over which the results of 27,266 candidates in those centres were being withheld.
The JAMB Registrar noted that six southern states registered the highest number of candidates for this year’s examination. Imo led with 123, 865, followed by Delta- 88,876; Anambra- 84,204; Osun- 73, 935; Oyo- 71, 272 and Ogun with 71, 173.
Also, six northern states, including Jigawa- 11, 529, Kebbi- 7, 364; Yobe- 6, 389; Zamfara- 5, 713; Sokoto, 5,664 and FCT with 3, 380 recorded the lowest number of candidates just as other states fell within the average.
According to Prof. Ojerinde, 901 of the candidates scored 270 and above, 72,243 made between 250 – 269; 601,151 scored 200 – 249; 374, 920 scored 170 – 199 while 336, 330 failed as they scored 170 which is below the 180 cut-off mark.
Ojerinde further said that 833, 082 of the applicants were males while 660,522 were females, representing 55.78 percent and 44.22 percent respectively.
He however said that JAMB had begun investigations into the level of examination fraud recorded in the affected 52 centres in Rivers, Lagos, Benue, Delta, Nasarawa, Abia, Imo and Cross Rivers States, adding that the release of results in such centres was subject to findings of the investigators expected to be concluded in a forth night.
Giving a breakdown of the states from which the 52 centres’ results were withheld, Ojerinde said Rivers State topped the list with 24 centres, followed by Lagos with 11 centres while Imo State had 6. Others included Benue and Delta states with three centres each; Abia and Cross Rivers with two centres a piece while Nasarawa had only one of its centre’s results withheld
Candidates’ most preferred universities
On universities mostly preferred by candidates, Ojerinde said that 11 institutions stood out with the University of Lagos topping the list 83, 865 candidates followed closely by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with 82,148 while the University of Benin came third with 80,048 candidates.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, he also said was the fourth preferred institution with 79, 398, followed by the University of Ilorin, UNILORIN with 76,276.
The sixth most preferred university was the Obafemi Awolowo University,; OAU, Ile-Ife with 64,702 followed by the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, with 56,708.
Also the ABU was followed by the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, with 48,439 candidates; University of Uyo, -44,397; Imo state University, -43,353 and University of Ibadan, UI with 40,011.
JAMB chief said, “Our experience this time is consistent with the previous trends- that Nigerians have a higher preference for some universities ahead of other tertiary institutions.
”Unfortunately those universities still have constraints with 83,865 candidates recorded being the highest applications (less than last year’s) 99, 115 (for the best preferred).
’’ However, from the carrying capacity figure, the National Universities Commission, NUC can admit only 9,507. These figure are only for most preferred choice and do not include those who chose UNILAG as their second choice”
Exam malpractices
Ojerinde said that the board was still battling with exam malpractices as candidates have devised other means to outsmart the board and other examination bodies with supposed answers in their GSM telephones and fake calculators..
”We also know that those engaging in examination malpractices will stop at nothing in achieving their aims. In this 2012 edition, we made some discoveries on the new tricks on display by these crooks.
’’Some candidates smuggled GSM telephones into their halls while two had specialised slippers on with phones containing answers buried inside the slippers save for metal detectors that uncovered their dastardly arts. specialised slippers on with phones containing answers were buried inside the slippers save for metal detectors that uncovered their dastardly arts.
Incomplete/invalid results
However, the board recorded a significant reduction in the number of invalid and incomplete results of 5,161 this year compared to the 2011 figure of 28,069 which was also far below the 2010 figure of 96,451 invalid results which might be cancelled at the end of the day.
JAMB Registrar, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, who made this known at a news conference in Abuja yesterday said that 181 candidates from Kaduna and Ikoyi Prisons were among those who wrote the examination, adding that malpractices were recorded in 52 centres across eight states in the country over which the results of 27,266 candidates in those centres were being withheld.
*Students in writing exam
Also, six northern states, including Jigawa- 11, 529, Kebbi- 7, 364; Yobe- 6, 389; Zamfara- 5, 713; Sokoto, 5,664 and FCT with 3, 380 recorded the lowest number of candidates just as other states fell within the average.
According to Prof. Ojerinde, 901 of the candidates scored 270 and above, 72,243 made between 250 – 269; 601,151 scored 200 – 249; 374, 920 scored 170 – 199 while 336, 330 failed as they scored 170 which is below the 180 cut-off mark.
Ojerinde further said that 833, 082 of the applicants were males while 660,522 were females, representing 55.78 percent and 44.22 percent respectively.
He however said that JAMB had begun investigations into the level of examination fraud recorded in the affected 52 centres in Rivers, Lagos, Benue, Delta, Nasarawa, Abia, Imo and Cross Rivers States, adding that the release of results in such centres was subject to findings of the investigators expected to be concluded in a forth night.
Giving a breakdown of the states from which the 52 centres’ results were withheld, Ojerinde said Rivers State topped the list with 24 centres, followed by Lagos with 11 centres while Imo State had 6. Others included Benue and Delta states with three centres each; Abia and Cross Rivers with two centres a piece while Nasarawa had only one of its centre’s results withheld
Candidates’ most preferred universities
On universities mostly preferred by candidates, Ojerinde said that 11 institutions stood out with the University of Lagos topping the list 83, 865 candidates followed closely by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka with 82,148 while the University of Benin came third with 80,048 candidates.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, he also said was the fourth preferred institution with 79, 398, followed by the University of Ilorin, UNILORIN with 76,276.
The sixth most preferred university was the Obafemi Awolowo University,; OAU, Ile-Ife with 64,702 followed by the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, with 56,708.
Also the ABU was followed by the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, with 48,439 candidates; University of Uyo, -44,397; Imo state University, -43,353 and University of Ibadan, UI with 40,011.
JAMB chief said, “Our experience this time is consistent with the previous trends- that Nigerians have a higher preference for some universities ahead of other tertiary institutions.
”Unfortunately those universities still have constraints with 83,865 candidates recorded being the highest applications (less than last year’s) 99, 115 (for the best preferred).
’’ However, from the carrying capacity figure, the National Universities Commission, NUC can admit only 9,507. These figure are only for most preferred choice and do not include those who chose UNILAG as their second choice”
Exam malpractices
Ojerinde said that the board was still battling with exam malpractices as candidates have devised other means to outsmart the board and other examination bodies with supposed answers in their GSM telephones and fake calculators..
”We also know that those engaging in examination malpractices will stop at nothing in achieving their aims. In this 2012 edition, we made some discoveries on the new tricks on display by these crooks.
’’Some candidates smuggled GSM telephones into their halls while two had specialised slippers on with phones containing answers buried inside the slippers save for metal detectors that uncovered their dastardly arts. specialised slippers on with phones containing answers were buried inside the slippers save for metal detectors that uncovered their dastardly arts.
Incomplete/invalid results
However, the board recorded a significant reduction in the number of invalid and incomplete results of 5,161 this year compared to the 2011 figure of 28,069 which was also far below the 2010 figure of 96,451 invalid results which might be cancelled at the end of the day.
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Kidnapped UAE man released after 60days
By
(Reuters) - A criminal gang released a United Arab Emirates man on March 19 in Ibadan after holding him for 60 days, the state security services (SSS) said on Thursday. Seven men - but not the gang leaders - had been arrested.
The kidnappers tricked Mohammed Khamis al Ali into coming to Nigeria on Jan. 20 to carry out a business deal in Lagos, the SSS said. He was seized and held in a remote village in nearby Osun state for two months.
"(Al Ali) was lured to visit Nigeria for a phantom business transaction by a fake company, Finuche Investments, was abducted by a kidnap syndicate and held hostage for about 60 days," SSS spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar told reporters.
Ogar said the seven men arrested were guarding al Ali but the masterminds were still at large. The suspects who had been arrested stood behind Ogar as she spoke, heads bowed, some in tears.
When questioned, they said they dumped al Ali in Ibadan after their bosses stopped contacting them with instructions about what to do with him. Neither Ogar nor the suspects mentioned payment of a ransom.
A Briton and an Italian seized in May last year were killed on March 8 before Nigerian and British special forces could rescue them, while a German seized in Kano, northern Nigeria's biggest city, in January is still missing.
A group claiming to be from al Qaeda's north African wing posted a statement on the internet last week saying they were holding the German kidnapped in January.
Gang lured victim with phony business deal
(Reuters) - A criminal gang released a United Arab Emirates man on March 19 in Ibadan after holding him for 60 days, the state security services (SSS) said on Thursday. Seven men - but not the gang leaders - had been arrested.
The kidnappers tricked Mohammed Khamis al Ali into coming to Nigeria on Jan. 20 to carry out a business deal in Lagos, the SSS said. He was seized and held in a remote village in nearby Osun state for two months.
"(Al Ali) was lured to visit Nigeria for a phantom business transaction by a fake company, Finuche Investments, was abducted by a kidnap syndicate and held hostage for about 60 days," SSS spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar told reporters.
Ogar said the seven men arrested were guarding al Ali but the masterminds were still at large. The suspects who had been arrested stood behind Ogar as she spoke, heads bowed, some in tears.
When questioned, they said they dumped al Ali in Ibadan after their bosses stopped contacting them with instructions about what to do with him. Neither Ogar nor the suspects mentioned payment of a ransom.
A Briton and an Italian seized in May last year were killed on March 8 before Nigerian and British special forces could rescue them, while a German seized in Kano, northern Nigeria's biggest city, in January is still missing.
A group claiming to be from al Qaeda's north African wing posted a statement on the internet last week saying they were holding the German kidnapped in January.
Gunmen free 14 inmates, burn police station in Yobe
By
Unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect
on Wednesday night freed 14 prison inmates at a satellite prison facility
and burnt down a police station at Damagum, the headquarters of Fune
Local Government in Yobe state.
The state Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Gbadegesin Toyin who
confirmed the attacks noted that, “a joint operation has been launch
for the manhunt of the assailants”.
ASP Gbadegesin also said that a temporary military camp at the
town and a quarters occupied by Korean doctors working at the Damagum
General Hospital was among the places attacked by the gunmen.
According to him three of the gunmen were killed while a senior staff
of the hospital also died in the attack.
“Yes, we have gone and conducted an on- the spot assessment of the
damage. From what we have got, it is true that the assailants attacked
the Damagum police station and burnt it down with explosives. Three of
the assailants were killed, one policeman was shot on the leg and he
is recovering at the hospital. The rest of the other gunmen fled to
the bush.
“A satellite prison facility in the town was also attacked where 14
inmates were set free and two refused to go, a temporary army camp was
also attacked; an army hilux and unserviceable police vehicle was also
burnt.
“A senior staff of the Damagum General Hospital was also killed in the
attack; a staff quarter housing Korean Doctors working for Yobe state
Government was equally torched.
“We recovered 1 AK47 and a red Golf Salon car which was used by the
gunmen, the PPRO informed.
Yobe state newly posted Commissioner of Police, Moses Onireti was at Damagum on Thursday
morning said vowed that “bad times await criminals in the state”
Unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect
on Wednesday night freed 14 prison inmates at a satellite prison facility
and burnt down a police station at Damagum, the headquarters of Fune
Local Government in Yobe state.
The state Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Gbadegesin Toyin who
confirmed the attacks noted that, “a joint operation has been launch
for the manhunt of the assailants”.
ASP Gbadegesin also said that a temporary military camp at the
town and a quarters occupied by Korean doctors working at the Damagum
General Hospital was among the places attacked by the gunmen.
According to him three of the gunmen were killed while a senior staff
of the hospital also died in the attack.
“Yes, we have gone and conducted an on- the spot assessment of the
damage. From what we have got, it is true that the assailants attacked
the Damagum police station and burnt it down with explosives. Three of
the assailants were killed, one policeman was shot on the leg and he
is recovering at the hospital. The rest of the other gunmen fled to
the bush.
“A satellite prison facility in the town was also attacked where 14
inmates were set free and two refused to go, a temporary army camp was
also attacked; an army hilux and unserviceable police vehicle was also
burnt.
“A senior staff of the Damagum General Hospital was also killed in the
attack; a staff quarter housing Korean Doctors working for Yobe state
Government was equally torched.
“We recovered 1 AK47 and a red Golf Salon car which was used by the
gunmen, the PPRO informed.
Yobe state newly posted Commissioner of Police, Moses Onireti was at Damagum on Thursday
morning said vowed that “bad times await criminals in the state”
N14.5b pension cash: Court remands Perm Sec, director, others in prison
By
A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday remanded a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Atiku Abubakar Kigo and five others in Kuje prison over N14.5 billion Nigeria Police Pension funds.
The five others include a director, Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, John Yakubu Yusufu, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula and Sani Habila Zira.
Justice Abubakar Talba turned down the accused persons’ request to be remanded in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody after pleading not guilty to the 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust slammed against them.
The Judge said the only place allowed by law to keep accused persons are prisons.
The alleged offence is punishable under Sections 97, 115 (ii), 119, 309 and 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap. 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 2007.
The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs told our Correspondent that the accused risk 14-year imprisonment if convicted.
Kigo was the director of the Police Pension Office, before he was made the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Niger Delta and later transferred to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation after money believed to be part of the pension money was recovered in his house.
After taking their plea, the Prosecution counsel asked the court for a date next week to argue bail application filed by the accused persons.
Efforts by the first accused person’s (Dangabar) counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) to convince the court to hear the application on Friday failed.
Awomolo who informed the court that bail application has been filed and served said, “Your Lordship, having regards to the facts that the suspects are still presumed innocent until pronounced guilty”.
He urged the court to adjourn till Friday for bail application.
Interjecting, Jacobs who admitted that bail is at the discretion of the court said the bail application will not ripe for hearing on Friday. He stressed the need for him to reply to the application properly.
He however did not oppose the accused persons request to be remanded in prison custody.
To the shock of the accused persons and their counsel, Justice Talba ordered that they be remanded in Kuje prison custody.
He adjourned till April 3, for argument on the bail application, and May 28 and June 4 for trial.
Count one reads that: “That you ESAI ABUBAKAR, AHMED INUWA WADA, JOHN YAKUBU YUSUFU, ATIKU ABUBAKR KIGO, MRS VERONICA ULONMA ONYEGBULA and SANI HABILA ZIRA between January 2009 and June 2011 at Abuja Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory agreed to do an illegal act, to wit: criminal breach of trust by public officers in respect of the sum of N14,518,567,724.36 (Fourteen Billion, Five Hundred and Eighteen Million, Five Hundred and Sixty Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty Four Naira and Thirty Six Kobo) and that the same act was done in pursuance of the agreement among you and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code Cap. 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 2007”.
Count three: “That you ESAI DANGABAR, JOHN YAKUBU YUSUFU, MRS. VERONICA ULONMA ONYEGBULA and SANI HABILA ZIRA between January and December 2009 at Abuja in the Abuja Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being public officers in the service of the Government of the Federal and in such capacity entrusted with certain property, to wit: the sum of N8,920,371,822.24 (Eight Billion, Nine Hundred and Twenty Million, Three Hundred and Seventy One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Two Naira and Twenty Four Kobo) which sum formed part of Nigeria Police Pension funds in the account domiciled at the First Bank of Nigeria Plc, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 2007”.
Count four, “That you ATIKU ABUBAKAR KIGO, JOHN YAKUBU YUSUFU, MRS. VERONICA ULOMA ONYEGBULA and SANI HABILA ZIRA between January 2010 and February 2011 at Abuja in the Abuja Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being public officers in the service of the Government of the Federal Government and in such capacity entrusted with certain property, to wit: the sum of N4, 739,894.896.06 ( Four Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirty Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety Six Naira and Six Kobo) which sum formed part of the Nigerian Police Pension funds in the account domiciled at the First Bank of Nigeria Plc, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 315 of the Penal Code Act. Cap. 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 2007.
14 die in Kaduna-Abuja highway crash
By 
FOURTEEEN passengers involved yesterday in an early hour accident along the Kaduna-Abuja highway have died, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) confirmed in Kaduna.
The Public Enlightenment Officer of the FRSC in Kaduna, Mr Olusogo Ogungbe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident occurred at kilometre 32 in Kakau on the highway.
According to him, the incident involved a Toyota Hiace vehicle marked Zamfara XA 545 TMA.
Ogungbe said the vehicle was carrying 18 persons. Of the lot, 14, including nine men and five women, were killed.
He said that four others, including three males and one female sustained injuries and were currently receiving treatment at St. Gerald’s Hospital in Kaduna.
Ogungbe attributed the accident to over-speeding, which he said made the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
He said the vehicle skidded off the road into the bush before it burst into flames.
An eye-witness, Salisu Ibrahim, said he saw six bodies burnt beyond recognition. Two others were lying at the scene of the incident.
Ibrahim said the vehicle was still on fire with other helpless victims in the vehicle before the arrival of the FRSC rescue team.
FOURTEEEN passengers involved yesterday in an early hour accident along the Kaduna-Abuja highway have died, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) confirmed in Kaduna.
The Public Enlightenment Officer of the FRSC in Kaduna, Mr Olusogo Ogungbe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident occurred at kilometre 32 in Kakau on the highway.
According to him, the incident involved a Toyota Hiace vehicle marked Zamfara XA 545 TMA.
Ogungbe said the vehicle was carrying 18 persons. Of the lot, 14, including nine men and five women, were killed.
He said that four others, including three males and one female sustained injuries and were currently receiving treatment at St. Gerald’s Hospital in Kaduna.
Ogungbe attributed the accident to over-speeding, which he said made the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
He said the vehicle skidded off the road into the bush before it burst into flames.
An eye-witness, Salisu Ibrahim, said he saw six bodies burnt beyond recognition. Two others were lying at the scene of the incident.
Ibrahim said the vehicle was still on fire with other helpless victims in the vehicle before the arrival of the FRSC rescue team.
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Senate to probe foreign airlines’ 'exploitative' fees
By 
Mark
If the words of the Senate President, Senator David Mark, are anything to go by, British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic Airways should be ready to reduce their alleged exploitative flight charges in the country or risk sanction.
Mark, who spoke before the Senate adopted a motion mandating its Committee on Aviation to investigate alleged unwholesome practices by foreign airliners in the country, insisted that unbridled exploitation of Nigerians in the name of flight charges is totally unacceptable.
The motion entitled: “Violation of Aviation laws and practice by Foreign Airlines in Nigeria was sponsored by Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo West.)
The Senate specifically mandated the Aviation Committee to investigate all issues relating to compliance or non-compliance with relevant laws and unwholesome activities by foreign airlines and regulatory agencies that undermine the growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
Mark described the allegation of unwholesome practices against foreign airlines operating in the country as a very serious issue.
He noted that there was no doubt that the fees charged by the affected foreign airlines are “unreasonable and exploitative.”
Insisting that nobody should tell the Senate that nothing should be done because Nigerians are willing to pay the cut throat fare, Mark said that even if Nigerians are willing to pay the high fare, immediate steps should be taken to address the unhealthy situation.
He wondered why regulatory agencies that should curb the excesses of the affected airliners have refused to act to prevent the exploitation of Nigerians.
The Senate president noted that Nigerians who go to Accra in Ghana to board BA to London do not go to Accra for the joy of it but because it is cheaper for them to fly BA from Ghana.
Senator Uzodinma in his lead debate noted with concern that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority recently investigated and indicted British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways for collusion, unfair and deceptive anti-competitive practices within the Nigerian aviation airspace.
Mark, who spoke before the Senate adopted a motion mandating its Committee on Aviation to investigate alleged unwholesome practices by foreign airliners in the country, insisted that unbridled exploitation of Nigerians in the name of flight charges is totally unacceptable.
The motion entitled: “Violation of Aviation laws and practice by Foreign Airlines in Nigeria was sponsored by Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo West.)
The Senate specifically mandated the Aviation Committee to investigate all issues relating to compliance or non-compliance with relevant laws and unwholesome activities by foreign airlines and regulatory agencies that undermine the growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
Mark described the allegation of unwholesome practices against foreign airlines operating in the country as a very serious issue.
He noted that there was no doubt that the fees charged by the affected foreign airlines are “unreasonable and exploitative.”
Insisting that nobody should tell the Senate that nothing should be done because Nigerians are willing to pay the cut throat fare, Mark said that even if Nigerians are willing to pay the high fare, immediate steps should be taken to address the unhealthy situation.
He wondered why regulatory agencies that should curb the excesses of the affected airliners have refused to act to prevent the exploitation of Nigerians.
The Senate president noted that Nigerians who go to Accra in Ghana to board BA to London do not go to Accra for the joy of it but because it is cheaper for them to fly BA from Ghana.
Senator Uzodinma in his lead debate noted with concern that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority recently investigated and indicted British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways for collusion, unfair and deceptive anti-competitive practices within the Nigerian aviation airspace.
Four students arrested for armed robbery in Edo
By
Four students of the Edo State owned Institute of Technology and Management, Usen, have been arrested for alleged armed robbery by a combined team of Iguobazuwa police Division and Nigeria Vigilante Unit, Usen branch.
The names of the students were given as Alex Oghile, ND II, Petroleum Department, Ernest Oshiapi, ND I, Business Administration, Kevin J. Olihia, NDI, Estate Management Department and Adeyeye Odalami.
A businessman identified as Timmy David was also arrested in connection with the robbery.
Chairman of the vigilante unit, Chief Julius Obaterio said they observed that the gang had broken into several homes and shops in the locality.
He said the gang engaged policemen and the Vigilante group in a shoot –out before they were arrested.
Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Lawrence Ehidenro confirmed the arrest and said the suspects would be transferred to the state Police Command headquarters in Benin City for further investigations.
Items recovered from the gang include two locally made double barrel guns, one cutlass, two Nokia phones and charms among others.
The names of the students were given as Alex Oghile, ND II, Petroleum Department, Ernest Oshiapi, ND I, Business Administration, Kevin J. Olihia, NDI, Estate Management Department and Adeyeye Odalami.
A businessman identified as Timmy David was also arrested in connection with the robbery.
Chairman of the vigilante unit, Chief Julius Obaterio said they observed that the gang had broken into several homes and shops in the locality.
He said the gang engaged policemen and the Vigilante group in a shoot –out before they were arrested.
Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Lawrence Ehidenro confirmed the arrest and said the suspects would be transferred to the state Police Command headquarters in Benin City for further investigations.
Items recovered from the gang include two locally made double barrel guns, one cutlass, two Nokia phones and charms among others.
NECO records another mass failure in SSCE
By 
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Prof. Promise Okpala, stated this at a press briefing in Minna on Wednesday.
He, however, said the result was an improvement on the 2010 candidates’ performance, adding that the 2011 SSCE recorded low enrolment and malpractices compared to the 2010 edition.
Breakdown of the results made available to journalists and posted on the council’s website showed that less than 10 percent or 10,457 of the 110,724 candidates who sat for the external examination passed English Language with credit and above.
However, the candidates recorded an improved performance in Mathematics, as 41.19 percent got credit and above in the subject as against the 17.85 percent recorded in 2010.
Prof. Okpala also said there was a 50 percent drop in the candidates’ enrolment as only 104,187 candidates sat for NECO in 2011 as against 235, 933 that sat for it in 2010.
Prof. Okpala
For the fourth year running, the National Examination Council (NECO) recorded another mass failure in the 2011 November/December External Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE), with less than 10 percent recording credit level in English language.The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Prof. Promise Okpala, stated this at a press briefing in Minna on Wednesday.
He, however, said the result was an improvement on the 2010 candidates’ performance, adding that the 2011 SSCE recorded low enrolment and malpractices compared to the 2010 edition.
Breakdown of the results made available to journalists and posted on the council’s website showed that less than 10 percent or 10,457 of the 110,724 candidates who sat for the external examination passed English Language with credit and above.
However, the candidates recorded an improved performance in Mathematics, as 41.19 percent got credit and above in the subject as against the 17.85 percent recorded in 2010.
Prof. Okpala also said there was a 50 percent drop in the candidates’ enrolment as only 104,187 candidates sat for NECO in 2011 as against 235, 933 that sat for it in 2010.
JTF arrests five suspects over German kidnap
By 
FIVE suspected Boko Haram members, including a Maurit-anian linked to North Africa’s branch of al-Qaeda, are being held by security agencies over the abduction of a German - Edgar Fritz.
Four of the suspects were arrested last week in a raid on a store owned by the Mauritanian in Kano. The fifth was picked up in a separate raid by the Joint Task Force (JTF), security sources told the AFP yesterday.
News of their arrest came on the heels of a report that detained Boko Haram spokesman Abu Dardaa’s adopted father had been killed. Dardaa is popularly known as Abu Qaqa.
Qaqa’s foster father, Abdullahi Bello, a retired Deputy-Comptroller of Prisons, was killed Monday evening in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
He was killed alongside his friend, also a retired prison officer,, while performing ablution ahead of the sunset (Magrib) prayers at Bello’s residence, Baya Quarters.
The news came also amid reports that the JTF yesterday killed two suspected Boko Haram members trying to escape from custody in Maiduguri.
“Guns and a laptop were recovered in the store and the documents found in the computer, including an AQIM operation manual, showed that the suspects are linked to AQIM (al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magrib) and were involved in the kidnap of the German engineer in January,” one of the sources said while recounting the store raid.
Edgar, an engineer, was kidnapped on the outskirts of Kano in January.
AQIM said last week it was holding the German and that it wanted to swap him for a jailed Muslim woman, a private news agency in Mauritania said.
The Federal Government has come under intense pressure over the kidnapping as well as violence blamed on the Islamist group.
It also faced criticism after a failed bid to rescue an Italian and a British hostage earlier this month.
The hostages were killed by their captors before they could be rescued in a joint operation with British security forces.
Bello, who hailed from Kogi State, was said to have just returned to his house, located some metres away from the demolished enclave of the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf.
He was said to have been out of the state for a long time. “The gunmen came and shot him and his friend as they rounded off their ablution at about 6.30pm,” a resident said.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) explained that the resumption of the house-to-house search by its troops in some flash spots of Boko Haram attacks within the metropolis was aimed at fishing out the sect’s members and providing security for residents.
Spokesman of the task force, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa said in a statement: “What you are seeing (movement of troops to some areas and search of houses) is a normal routine patrol conducted by the JTF in areas considered as flash points. Targeted and deliberate cordon-and-search were been carried out in some selected locations in Abbaganaram, Budum and Jajeri.”
Lt.-Col. Musa advised residents not to panic by the presence of JTF patrol vehicles and troops, even as he urged the people to continue their legitimate businesses “unmolested and support the task force in its efforts to maintain law and order”.
He also noted that the search-and-cordon would be continuously applied.
In a statement, Lt.-Col. Musa, said: “Following a tip-off, a special operation was conducted that resulted in the arrest of a notorious commander of Boko Haram who was involved in recent attacks in Maiduguri.
“He was arrested with his lieutenant in Jajeri area of the city. They attempted to escape when being moved to detention facilities and were shot by JTF troops and they bleed to death before they got to the hospital.”
“Their bodies have since been deposited at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) morgue. A pump action gun, two bows and arrows, three machetes and a mobile telephone handset were recovered from their hideout,” Lt.-Col. Musa said.
The JTF spokesman said the incident occurred at about 1:30pm yesterday, even as he added that some suspected bandits were killed by the JTF, which was responding to a distress call.
“The JTF responded to a distress call during which they engaged a group of suspected armed bandits, who robbed some houses in EYN Farm Centre, Kachalari Maiduguri city,” Lt.-Col. Musa said.
According to him, in the shoot-out with the bandits, two were gunned down by the military and the others fled. Lt.-Col. said three locally-made pistols, 15 rounds of assorted ammunition, four machetes and a telephone handset were recovered from the bandits.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika,
-Boko Haram kills Qaqa’s father -Troops gun down two in Borno
FIVE suspected Boko Haram members, including a Maurit-anian linked to North Africa’s branch of al-Qaeda, are being held by security agencies over the abduction of a German - Edgar Fritz.
Four of the suspects were arrested last week in a raid on a store owned by the Mauritanian in Kano. The fifth was picked up in a separate raid by the Joint Task Force (JTF), security sources told the AFP yesterday.
News of their arrest came on the heels of a report that detained Boko Haram spokesman Abu Dardaa’s adopted father had been killed. Dardaa is popularly known as Abu Qaqa.
Qaqa’s foster father, Abdullahi Bello, a retired Deputy-Comptroller of Prisons, was killed Monday evening in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
He was killed alongside his friend, also a retired prison officer,, while performing ablution ahead of the sunset (Magrib) prayers at Bello’s residence, Baya Quarters.
The news came also amid reports that the JTF yesterday killed two suspected Boko Haram members trying to escape from custody in Maiduguri.
“Guns and a laptop were recovered in the store and the documents found in the computer, including an AQIM operation manual, showed that the suspects are linked to AQIM (al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magrib) and were involved in the kidnap of the German engineer in January,” one of the sources said while recounting the store raid.
Edgar, an engineer, was kidnapped on the outskirts of Kano in January.
AQIM said last week it was holding the German and that it wanted to swap him for a jailed Muslim woman, a private news agency in Mauritania said.
The Federal Government has come under intense pressure over the kidnapping as well as violence blamed on the Islamist group.
It also faced criticism after a failed bid to rescue an Italian and a British hostage earlier this month.
The hostages were killed by their captors before they could be rescued in a joint operation with British security forces.
Bello, who hailed from Kogi State, was said to have just returned to his house, located some metres away from the demolished enclave of the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf.
He was said to have been out of the state for a long time. “The gunmen came and shot him and his friend as they rounded off their ablution at about 6.30pm,” a resident said.
The Joint Task Force (JTF) explained that the resumption of the house-to-house search by its troops in some flash spots of Boko Haram attacks within the metropolis was aimed at fishing out the sect’s members and providing security for residents.
Spokesman of the task force, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa said in a statement: “What you are seeing (movement of troops to some areas and search of houses) is a normal routine patrol conducted by the JTF in areas considered as flash points. Targeted and deliberate cordon-and-search were been carried out in some selected locations in Abbaganaram, Budum and Jajeri.”
Lt.-Col. Musa advised residents not to panic by the presence of JTF patrol vehicles and troops, even as he urged the people to continue their legitimate businesses “unmolested and support the task force in its efforts to maintain law and order”.
He also noted that the search-and-cordon would be continuously applied.
In a statement, Lt.-Col. Musa, said: “Following a tip-off, a special operation was conducted that resulted in the arrest of a notorious commander of Boko Haram who was involved in recent attacks in Maiduguri.
“He was arrested with his lieutenant in Jajeri area of the city. They attempted to escape when being moved to detention facilities and were shot by JTF troops and they bleed to death before they got to the hospital.”
“Their bodies have since been deposited at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) morgue. A pump action gun, two bows and arrows, three machetes and a mobile telephone handset were recovered from their hideout,” Lt.-Col. Musa said.
The JTF spokesman said the incident occurred at about 1:30pm yesterday, even as he added that some suspected bandits were killed by the JTF, which was responding to a distress call.
“The JTF responded to a distress call during which they engaged a group of suspected armed bandits, who robbed some houses in EYN Farm Centre, Kachalari Maiduguri city,” Lt.-Col. Musa said.
According to him, in the shoot-out with the bandits, two were gunned down by the military and the others fled. Lt.-Col. said three locally-made pistols, 15 rounds of assorted ammunition, four machetes and a telephone handset were recovered from the bandits.
Police uncover ritualists’ shrine in Ogun
By
The Ogun State Police Command yesterday said it has uncovered a shrine in Ewualase village, Ogijo, near the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mosinmi depot, in Saganmu Local Government Area.
Police Commissioner Ikemefunna Okoye said the shrine was patronised by “ritualists and fraudstars”.
He said: “The Ogijo Divisional Headquarters, through a very high-level intelligent gathering, heard about the operations of the people found at the shrine. I gave them directives and they swung into action that eventually led to the arrest of two people at the shrine.
“For now, all we can say is that they are using this place for either rituals or to defraud people, or both. I can assure you that we are going to do a very thorough investigation on their activities.”
The police chief addressed reporters during an on-the-spot assessment of the shrine.
He said two suspects arrested in connection with it would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation.
Ikemefunna urged the public to volunteer useful information to the police on the activities of criminals, adding that the police need the support of the public to succeed.
“Policemen are not magicians; we can only work on information available to us. So, anyone with useful information on how the state can be safer should please come forward with such,” he said.
The Ogun State Police Command yesterday said it has uncovered a shrine in Ewualase village, Ogijo, near the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mosinmi depot, in Saganmu Local Government Area.
Police Commissioner Ikemefunna Okoye said the shrine was patronised by “ritualists and fraudstars”.
He said: “The Ogijo Divisional Headquarters, through a very high-level intelligent gathering, heard about the operations of the people found at the shrine. I gave them directives and they swung into action that eventually led to the arrest of two people at the shrine.
“For now, all we can say is that they are using this place for either rituals or to defraud people, or both. I can assure you that we are going to do a very thorough investigation on their activities.”
The police chief addressed reporters during an on-the-spot assessment of the shrine.
He said two suspects arrested in connection with it would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation.
Ikemefunna urged the public to volunteer useful information to the police on the activities of criminals, adding that the police need the support of the public to succeed.
“Policemen are not magicians; we can only work on information available to us. So, anyone with useful information on how the state can be safer should please come forward with such,” he said.
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
N4.56b ‘fraud’ trial: EFCC seizes ex-director’s houses
By 
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday seized six properties, including a hotel and four filling stations, from a former Director of Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu is standing trial over a N4.56 billion pension scam in the disbanded Pension Unit in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the properties, which were seized at the weekend, included two choice buildings and four filling stations.
He said the seizure was in line with a July 11, last year order of interim forfeiture by Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Uwujaren listed the properties/assets which the court ordered taken over by the EFCC as follows: (a) No 24, Ahmadu Musa Crescent, Jabi, Abuja; (b) Brefina Hotel at plot 1106 (Beside MTN) warehouse, adjacent to Vines Hotel, Durumi, Abuja; (c) A house at No 1, Shuaibu Close, opposite Governor’s House, Idah; (d) Riba-Ile Petroleum Ltd; (e) M.R.S Ajaka (registered as Riba-Ile Oil Ltd; (f) M.R.S Idah station, Idah, registered with Hammo Oil, Nigeria; (g) NNPC Mega station, Idah junction, Ayingba, registered with Hammo Oil, Nig. Ltd. (h) MRS Filling Station at Ganaja, Lokoja; (i)Registered with A.Y Ted Oil Ltd; (j) A mansion at Idah, opposite Federal Polytechnic, Idah; (k) SunTrust Properties Company Ltd; (l) Plot B59, Dawaki Extension Layout, Bwari Area Council, Abuja; (m) An Estate of about 10 bungalows, lying and being at Dantata Street, Nyanyan, FCT, Abuja.
The statement said: “The EFCC has seized six properties belonging to Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu, a former Director, Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, standing trial over a N4.56 billion Pension scam.
“The interim forfeiture is sequel to an order of Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja made on July 11, 2011.
“The court granted the order restraining all persons, including persons hereinafter referred to as RECEIVERS in the Schedules hereto attached, by themselves directly or through another (whether natural or otherwise), including, but not limited to all parties listed in all the schedules hereto attached, whether or not named in Charge No FHC/ABJ/ CR28/2011, that is to say and such other persons yet to be identified, from removing, alienating, disposing of, “Dealing with or Diminishing the value of, assets or properties being suspected proceeds of crimes or otherwise, held or owned by or in the names of persons suspected of the alleged Financial crimes in Charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011.
“That the Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is hereby permitted to seize and retain custody of all such properties or assets of persons listed in the schedules attached to this Motion, which assets are suspected proceeds of crime or the value thereof, until the final determination of Charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011.
“The court also granted an order permitting the executive chairman of EFCC to seize and retain custody of all the properties or assets of persons (as listed in the attached schedules) though not yet charged but found to be connected with the transaction or allegation contained in charge.”
The statement gave further details of the assets in question.
It added: “The properties which were taken over by the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the EFCC during an operation at the weekend included two choice buildings and four filling stations.
“One of the buildings located at No.1 Shuaibu Close, G.R.A. Idah, Kogi State is an imposing eight-bedroom twin duplex, a 5-unit two-bedroom apartment, two-room security house and a mosque all scattered in the expansive compound.
“The property at the Polytechnic Road, directly opposite Federal Polytechnic, Okenya, Idah, Kogi State is an unpainted one story duplex with multiple sitting rooms and apartment built within.
“The third property that was seized was a non-functional filling station, located 100 meters away from Ajaka Police Station. It has a small office building with four rusted and non-functional fuel pumps and a Leister generator in a small generator house.
“At Agbeji in Ayingba, Kogi State, a thriving MRS filling station located at Agbeji along Ayingba Road, a few meters from Confluence Fertilizer Company Limited was also seized from Shuaibu.
“An NNPC Mega Station along Lokoja-Enugu Highway, Ayingba and a Texaco filling station with a shopping mall along Ganaja Road, opposite Ibra Petroleum and Petrochemical Limited, Lokoja, Kogi State was among the properties seized from Dr. Shuaibu.”
Shuaibu, Mrs. Phina Ukamaka Chidi and 30 other suspects are facing trial on a 134-count charge bordering on diversion of pension funds, abuse of office, using ghost pensioners to pay N2 million and N3 million into their accounts monthly and diversion of the same amount through award of fictitious contracts to companies which they manage. Ukamaka Chidi is a former Deputy Director (Finance and Accounts) in the Pension Office. Aliyu Bello was a Personal Assistant to Dr. Shuaibu.
Other accused persons are: Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Emmanuel Olanipekun, Abdullahi Omeiza, Computer Plaza and Essential Gadget Ventures.
Also accused are Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures, Mof Investment Ltd., Zumba Resources, Pam Investment and Properties Ltd., Moshfad Enterprises, Newgate Projects Ltd, RedWings Energy Ltd, RedWings Procurement Services Ltd and Woodland Industries NIG Ltd.
There are also Nwab Tessy O Enterprises Nigeria, Chris J. Junior Ventures, Uthaka Nigeria Ltd, Bashinta Nigeria Ltd, Haleath Enterprises, Gozinda Enterprises, Omozua Ventures, S.S Badejo Enterprises, Lopee Ventures, Fafama Oil and Gas Ltd, Fafama Estate Developer Ltd and Riba-Ile Petroleum.
Count one of the 134 count charge reads: “That you Dr. Shaiubu Sani Teidi, Phina Ukamaka Chidi Computer Plaza, Essential gadget Ventures, Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures at various times, between 2008 and 2010 within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, conspired among yourself to induce the Pension Department, office of the Head of Service of the federation of Nigeria, to deliver to you, various sums in the aggregate N176, 910, 650 (One hundred and seventy six million, nine hundred and ten thousand, six hundred and Fifty naira) property vide the medium of a contract induced by false pretences, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006”.
•The eight-bedroom twin duplex at No 1 Shuaibu Close, Idah, Kogi State, one of the properties
Ex-Pension director loses hotel, filling stations
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday seized six properties, including a hotel and four filling stations, from a former Director of Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu is standing trial over a N4.56 billion pension scam in the disbanded Pension Unit in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the properties, which were seized at the weekend, included two choice buildings and four filling stations.
He said the seizure was in line with a July 11, last year order of interim forfeiture by Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Uwujaren listed the properties/assets which the court ordered taken over by the EFCC as follows: (a) No 24, Ahmadu Musa Crescent, Jabi, Abuja; (b) Brefina Hotel at plot 1106 (Beside MTN) warehouse, adjacent to Vines Hotel, Durumi, Abuja; (c) A house at No 1, Shuaibu Close, opposite Governor’s House, Idah; (d) Riba-Ile Petroleum Ltd; (e) M.R.S Ajaka (registered as Riba-Ile Oil Ltd; (f) M.R.S Idah station, Idah, registered with Hammo Oil, Nigeria; (g) NNPC Mega station, Idah junction, Ayingba, registered with Hammo Oil, Nig. Ltd. (h) MRS Filling Station at Ganaja, Lokoja; (i)Registered with A.Y Ted Oil Ltd; (j) A mansion at Idah, opposite Federal Polytechnic, Idah; (k) SunTrust Properties Company Ltd; (l) Plot B59, Dawaki Extension Layout, Bwari Area Council, Abuja; (m) An Estate of about 10 bungalows, lying and being at Dantata Street, Nyanyan, FCT, Abuja.
The statement said: “The EFCC has seized six properties belonging to Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu, a former Director, Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, standing trial over a N4.56 billion Pension scam.
“The interim forfeiture is sequel to an order of Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja made on July 11, 2011.
“The court granted the order restraining all persons, including persons hereinafter referred to as RECEIVERS in the Schedules hereto attached, by themselves directly or through another (whether natural or otherwise), including, but not limited to all parties listed in all the schedules hereto attached, whether or not named in Charge No FHC/ABJ/ CR28/2011, that is to say and such other persons yet to be identified, from removing, alienating, disposing of, “Dealing with or Diminishing the value of, assets or properties being suspected proceeds of crimes or otherwise, held or owned by or in the names of persons suspected of the alleged Financial crimes in Charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011.
“That the Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is hereby permitted to seize and retain custody of all such properties or assets of persons listed in the schedules attached to this Motion, which assets are suspected proceeds of crime or the value thereof, until the final determination of Charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2011.
“The court also granted an order permitting the executive chairman of EFCC to seize and retain custody of all the properties or assets of persons (as listed in the attached schedules) though not yet charged but found to be connected with the transaction or allegation contained in charge.”
The statement gave further details of the assets in question.
It added: “The properties which were taken over by the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the EFCC during an operation at the weekend included two choice buildings and four filling stations.
“One of the buildings located at No.1 Shuaibu Close, G.R.A. Idah, Kogi State is an imposing eight-bedroom twin duplex, a 5-unit two-bedroom apartment, two-room security house and a mosque all scattered in the expansive compound.
“The property at the Polytechnic Road, directly opposite Federal Polytechnic, Okenya, Idah, Kogi State is an unpainted one story duplex with multiple sitting rooms and apartment built within.
“The third property that was seized was a non-functional filling station, located 100 meters away from Ajaka Police Station. It has a small office building with four rusted and non-functional fuel pumps and a Leister generator in a small generator house.
“At Agbeji in Ayingba, Kogi State, a thriving MRS filling station located at Agbeji along Ayingba Road, a few meters from Confluence Fertilizer Company Limited was also seized from Shuaibu.
“An NNPC Mega Station along Lokoja-Enugu Highway, Ayingba and a Texaco filling station with a shopping mall along Ganaja Road, opposite Ibra Petroleum and Petrochemical Limited, Lokoja, Kogi State was among the properties seized from Dr. Shuaibu.”
Shuaibu, Mrs. Phina Ukamaka Chidi and 30 other suspects are facing trial on a 134-count charge bordering on diversion of pension funds, abuse of office, using ghost pensioners to pay N2 million and N3 million into their accounts monthly and diversion of the same amount through award of fictitious contracts to companies which they manage. Ukamaka Chidi is a former Deputy Director (Finance and Accounts) in the Pension Office. Aliyu Bello was a Personal Assistant to Dr. Shuaibu.
Other accused persons are: Garba Abdullahi Tahir, Emmanuel Olanipekun, Abdullahi Omeiza, Computer Plaza and Essential Gadget Ventures.
Also accused are Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures, Mof Investment Ltd., Zumba Resources, Pam Investment and Properties Ltd., Moshfad Enterprises, Newgate Projects Ltd, RedWings Energy Ltd, RedWings Procurement Services Ltd and Woodland Industries NIG Ltd.
There are also Nwab Tessy O Enterprises Nigeria, Chris J. Junior Ventures, Uthaka Nigeria Ltd, Bashinta Nigeria Ltd, Haleath Enterprises, Gozinda Enterprises, Omozua Ventures, S.S Badejo Enterprises, Lopee Ventures, Fafama Oil and Gas Ltd, Fafama Estate Developer Ltd and Riba-Ile Petroleum.
Count one of the 134 count charge reads: “That you Dr. Shaiubu Sani Teidi, Phina Ukamaka Chidi Computer Plaza, Essential gadget Ventures, Mobis Point Investment Ltd, Obista Enterprises, Shallow Well Ventures at various times, between 2008 and 2010 within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, conspired among yourself to induce the Pension Department, office of the Head of Service of the federation of Nigeria, to deliver to you, various sums in the aggregate N176, 910, 650 (One hundred and seventy six million, nine hundred and ten thousand, six hundred and Fifty naira) property vide the medium of a contract induced by false pretences, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006”.
FG needs $2.5b to provide potable water for 75% of Nigerians - Minister
By ) 
Mrs. Ochekpe
The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, on Tuesday said the Federal Government needs about $2.5billion to provide access to potable water for at least 75 per cent of Nigerians
She said only 58 per cent of Nigerians presently have access to potable water.
She also said government may soon regulate construction of boreholes nationwide to preserve the nation’s ground water.
Ochekpe made the disclosures at the 20th Edition of the Leadership Forum of Nigerian Pilot in Abuja.
She said: “In terms of access to potable water, we have coverage of about 58 per cent of Nigerians and 30 per cent for effective sanitation. These are figures for 2010 but we have commissioned a consultant to assess the coverage for 2011.
“Our target by 2015 is to have coverage of 75 per cent for water. From the MDG projection, we need about $2.5billion to be able to provide access to potable water for 75 per cent of our population.”
On Lake Chad, the minister admitted that it has sunk in the last 40 years.
She added: “From about 27,000 square kilometers in the past 40 years, Lake Chad has sunk into about 2,000 square kilometers. For us in Nigeria, that is quite alarming.
“There are about 57,000 hectares available for irrigation but with the water challenge in South Chad Basin, they could only do about 10 per cent of the land now. So far, Nigeria has committed about $5million for studies on Lake Chad. The report of the studies is almost ready for consideration by the Summit of Heads of States of Lake Chad Commission,” Ochekpe said.
Boko Haram kills Qaga’s father
By
Gunmen suspected to be members of the radical Islamic sect on Monday evening killed the father of its detained spokesman, Abu Qaqa, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Qaga’s father, who is a retired prison warder and a former colleague were murdered as they preparing for prayers in Maiduguri, the sect traditional home.
The Boko Haram's spokesman was arrested by the State Security Service in February.
A security officer told The Associated Press one of the men was the father of a Boko Haram suspect arrested earlier this year on suspicion of being a spokesman for the sect.
LITIGATION LAWYER WANTED IN STRACHAN PATNERS LAW FIRM
JOB TITLE: LITIGATION LAWYER
LOCATION: Lagos
JOB DESCRIPTION
A fully integrated commercial Law firm requires the services of a Lawyer with a minimum of 7 years litigation experience up to appellate court level.
RESPONSIBILITY:
To provide high quality public law advice and support to the General Counsel, and a high quality public law litigation service to the OFT.
To provide high quality litigation advice to project teams, colleagues and senior management at the OFT on litigation issues, strategy and risk management in cases and projects.
To assist the General Counsel in carrying out her functions by providing legal advice, undertaking research, carrying out Freedom of Information reviews and making recommendations in relation to a range of public law and corporate governance matters.
To form good working relationships externally across Whitehall with the Government Legal Service (GLS), Government Litigators Group (GLG), courts and tribunals.
You may be responsible for leading and developing Legal Officers, paralegals and administrative staff within the Litigation Unit.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Qualification Degree
Required Experience 7 – 10 years
The candidate who must have graduated with at least a 2.2 (LLB and BL) from a reputable university must possess the following:
Excellent grasp of commercial litigation and law in general
Experience in Maritime law and Oil and Gas will be an advantage
Excellent communication and drafting skills
Very well presented and smart.
Ability to lead and build a litigation team
Ability to work with very minimal or no supervision
Able to meet set targets under pressure
Business minded
Good IT skills
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested persons who believe they meet the above criteria should send in an application by e-mail attaching their Resume, transaction sheet and scanned copies of their relevant certificates to
E-mail: info@strachanpartners.com
Tel: (+234 1) 8720107, 2700722, 7615864, 7748703
Fax:(+234 1) 2700721, 4616121
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 6/4/2012
JOB DESCRIPTION
A fully integrated commercial Law firm requires the services of a Lawyer with a minimum of 7 years litigation experience up to appellate court level.
RESPONSIBILITY:
To provide high quality public law advice and support to the General Counsel, and a high quality public law litigation service to the OFT.
To provide high quality litigation advice to project teams, colleagues and senior management at the OFT on litigation issues, strategy and risk management in cases and projects.
To assist the General Counsel in carrying out her functions by providing legal advice, undertaking research, carrying out Freedom of Information reviews and making recommendations in relation to a range of public law and corporate governance matters.
To form good working relationships externally across Whitehall with the Government Legal Service (GLS), Government Litigators Group (GLG), courts and tribunals.
You may be responsible for leading and developing Legal Officers, paralegals and administrative staff within the Litigation Unit.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Qualification Degree
Required Experience 7 – 10 years
The candidate who must have graduated with at least a 2.2 (LLB and BL) from a reputable university must possess the following:
Excellent grasp of commercial litigation and law in general
Experience in Maritime law and Oil and Gas will be an advantage
Excellent communication and drafting skills
Very well presented and smart.
Ability to lead and build a litigation team
Ability to work with very minimal or no supervision
Able to meet set targets under pressure
Business minded
Good IT skills
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested persons who believe they meet the above criteria should send in an application by e-mail attaching their Resume, transaction sheet and scanned copies of their relevant certificates to
E-mail: info@strachanpartners.com
Tel: (+234 1) 8720107, 2700722, 7615864, 7748703
Fax:(+234 1) 2700721, 4616121
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 6/4/2012
JAVA TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM ANALYST IN ACCENTURE
JOB DESCRIPTION
Accenture’s Consulting workforce is involved in business consulting, process design work and the application of technologies to business. We are currently looking for a qualified candidate to fill the under listed position
JOB TITLE: JAVA TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM ANALYST
LOCATION: Lagos
RESPONSIBILITIES
Documenting business requirements
Performing application design activities (e.g., designing user interface, usability testing)
Assisting in conducting gap analysis between business requirements and software
Creating functional requirements as an input to application design
Assisting with build, test, and deploy activities
Performing testing work.
Administering tools (e.g., testing tools)
QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE
Candidate must possess a minimum of a Bs.c(2nd class upper and above)
Preferred exposure to Java, JSP.
Ability to meet travel requirements, when applicable
Candidate must be 26 years of age or less at the time of application
Eagerness to contribute in a team-oriented environment
Ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment
Desire to work in an information systems environment
Good communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills
CLICK LINK TO APPLY
http://careers.accenture.com/ng-en/jobs/Pages/ApplyOnlineForm.aspx?lang=en&job=00150122
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 13/4/2012.
JOB TITLE: JAVA TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM ANALYST
LOCATION: Lagos
RESPONSIBILITIES
Documenting business requirements
Performing application design activities (e.g., designing user interface, usability testing)
Assisting in conducting gap analysis between business requirements and software
Creating functional requirements as an input to application design
Assisting with build, test, and deploy activities
Performing testing work.
Administering tools (e.g., testing tools)
QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE
Candidate must possess a minimum of a Bs.c(2nd class upper and above)
Preferred exposure to Java, JSP.
Ability to meet travel requirements, when applicable
Candidate must be 26 years of age or less at the time of application
Eagerness to contribute in a team-oriented environment
Ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment
Desire to work in an information systems environment
Good communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills
CLICK LINK TO APPLY
http://careers.accenture.com/ng-en/jobs/Pages/ApplyOnlineForm.aspx?lang=en&job=00150122
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 13/4/2012.
CHIEF RISK OFFICER JOB WITH H.PIERSON
JOB DESCRIPTION
H. Pierson’s client is among the most prominent and well recognized financial services brands in Nigeria. It has continually distinguished itself for the quality of its asset management and financial advisory services.
Through entrepreneurship and focus on innovation, it has created significant shareholder value through different proprietary transactions and investments.
In their bid to maintain a niche in the highly sophisticated and emerging opportunities in the Nigerian market, they require strengthening their risk department by recruiting for the under listed position
JOB TITLE: CHIEF RISK OFFICER
LOCATION: Lagos
RESPONSIBILITIES
Define, implement and monitor the Firm’s overall integrated risk management framework and internal controls as well as set guidelines for the development of supporting policies and procedures.
Ensure the adequacy of existing internal controls and risk management frameworks through continuous identification, measurement and reporting of risk positions.
Participate in process improvement/redesign and system upgrade/implementation efforts to ensure relevant control requirements are considered and built into new systems and processes.
Serve as key information node for disseminating new and revised operating policies and procedures as well as improvements/changes in control/monitoring tools, techniques and approaches.
Create culture of intelligent risk-taking; heighten awareness and use of advanced risk management methodologies and practices through educational programs, training process, and personal mentoring with senior executives, business unit management and staff.
Provide broad guidelines for the development and implementation of risk based pricing systems for the Firm’s loan products.
Monitor Firm’s asset and liability reports to ensure compliance with set standards. Participate in the development of the Firm’s corporate strategy and overall business plan.
Demonstrate ownership of and communicate the unit’s strategic direction and objectives ensuring common understanding by subordinates.
Review statutory reports to external bodies to ensure completeness, accuracy and compliance with regulations. Ensure prompt reporting of risk exposures/positions and provide advice on possible resolution of critical issues.
Monitor the Firm’s compliance with regulatory and statutory provisions regarding risk management.
Facilitate the collection of credit receivables by ensuring prompt provision of behavioral collection decision tools and as well as cost and risk analyses of increased collection resources to business units.
Keep abreast of trends and advances in global risk management and ensure the knowledge and relevant information is passed to business managers within and outside the Risk Management Division.
Review audit reports and work papers ensuring professional standards are not compromised and that conclusions and recommendations are adequately supported.
Ensure the timely resolution of investigated items, audit/review points and other key exceptional issues/matters.
Work with the external auditors and regulatory examiners in the review and examination of the organization’s financial activities and other areas of the business
Provide risk and profitability reports as input to the new product development process.
Foster and maintain business relationships with relevant regulatory bodies and other institutions to ensure the business is abreast of regulatory changes that may impact its operations.
Communicate in a timely manner relevant Board Committees and other stakeholders. Continually review the effectiveness and efficiency of the unit’s policies, procedures and processes; identify and recommend improvement opportunities to Management.
Monitor actual activity and performance levels against the agreed budget/work programmes and take appropriate corrective action to ensure a cost-justified execution of the departmental activities.
Prepare and submit periodic management reports on the activities of the unit for board and management decision making.
Serve on committees or cross-functional teams and perform other duties as assigned by the CEO and the Board.
Monitor Insurance ratings – insurer financial strength and security ratings; capital models and other tools of analysis.
Application of Re-insurance utilization policies, credit and recovery risk analysis.
Working knowledge of the current state and outlook for the different sectors of the insurance industry – Property & Casualty, Life and re-insurance.
Review of key accounting issues such as Premiums, claims and reserves and investment valuations Monitoring and Regulation of insurance markets – availability, premium terms and rates etc.
QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE
First degree in business, accounting or other finance related discipline.
A professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, CPA). CISA certification.
Eight ( 8 ) years cognate experience, with at least five (5) years in a related senior management capacity.
Good knowledge of the local and global financial service industry dynamics including regulations, legislations and operating environment.
Ability to think strategically and holistically and to appreciate the systemic impact of various policies, issues and solutions.
Broad understanding of risk and return, indicators and risk management techniques as well as trading and pricing derivatives.
Experience in building professional business relationships and dealing at a senior level appropriate for a leader of a critical function.
Strong knowledge of derivatives products. In-depth appreciation of project evaluation and project management techniques.
Strong financial accounting and budgeting skills.
Broad knowledge of Enterprise Risk Management (ERP) concepts. Broad knowledge and experience in operational risk, market/investment risk, ALM/Liquidity risk, etc.
Broad knowledge of financial, systems and process audit. Demonstrated ability to improve operations, decrease turnaround times and streamline work processes.
Demonstrated superior understanding of non-bank financial service operations, policies and procedures.
Broad knowledge of the Insurance Industry- covering Regulators and Competitors
Broad knowledge of risks in insurance will be an added advantage
Mature individual with strong problem solving and analytical abilities High integrity level and excellent decision making ability.
Exceptional attention to detail.
Good leadership, coaching and supervisory skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation and facilitation skills.
Self-motivated with a strong drive, and commitment to achieving agreed objectives.
CLICK LINK TO APPLY
https://www.smartrecruiters.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/frontoffice?fp1=51787287&fp2=746478874&fp3=60&fp7=61
Through entrepreneurship and focus on innovation, it has created significant shareholder value through different proprietary transactions and investments.
In their bid to maintain a niche in the highly sophisticated and emerging opportunities in the Nigerian market, they require strengthening their risk department by recruiting for the under listed position
JOB TITLE: CHIEF RISK OFFICER
LOCATION: Lagos
RESPONSIBILITIES
Define, implement and monitor the Firm’s overall integrated risk management framework and internal controls as well as set guidelines for the development of supporting policies and procedures.
Ensure the adequacy of existing internal controls and risk management frameworks through continuous identification, measurement and reporting of risk positions.
Participate in process improvement/redesign and system upgrade/implementation efforts to ensure relevant control requirements are considered and built into new systems and processes.
Serve as key information node for disseminating new and revised operating policies and procedures as well as improvements/changes in control/monitoring tools, techniques and approaches.
Create culture of intelligent risk-taking; heighten awareness and use of advanced risk management methodologies and practices through educational programs, training process, and personal mentoring with senior executives, business unit management and staff.
Provide broad guidelines for the development and implementation of risk based pricing systems for the Firm’s loan products.
Monitor Firm’s asset and liability reports to ensure compliance with set standards. Participate in the development of the Firm’s corporate strategy and overall business plan.
Demonstrate ownership of and communicate the unit’s strategic direction and objectives ensuring common understanding by subordinates.
Review statutory reports to external bodies to ensure completeness, accuracy and compliance with regulations. Ensure prompt reporting of risk exposures/positions and provide advice on possible resolution of critical issues.
Monitor the Firm’s compliance with regulatory and statutory provisions regarding risk management.
Facilitate the collection of credit receivables by ensuring prompt provision of behavioral collection decision tools and as well as cost and risk analyses of increased collection resources to business units.
Keep abreast of trends and advances in global risk management and ensure the knowledge and relevant information is passed to business managers within and outside the Risk Management Division.
Review audit reports and work papers ensuring professional standards are not compromised and that conclusions and recommendations are adequately supported.
Ensure the timely resolution of investigated items, audit/review points and other key exceptional issues/matters.
Work with the external auditors and regulatory examiners in the review and examination of the organization’s financial activities and other areas of the business
Provide risk and profitability reports as input to the new product development process.
Foster and maintain business relationships with relevant regulatory bodies and other institutions to ensure the business is abreast of regulatory changes that may impact its operations.
Communicate in a timely manner relevant Board Committees and other stakeholders. Continually review the effectiveness and efficiency of the unit’s policies, procedures and processes; identify and recommend improvement opportunities to Management.
Monitor actual activity and performance levels against the agreed budget/work programmes and take appropriate corrective action to ensure a cost-justified execution of the departmental activities.
Prepare and submit periodic management reports on the activities of the unit for board and management decision making.
Serve on committees or cross-functional teams and perform other duties as assigned by the CEO and the Board.
Monitor Insurance ratings – insurer financial strength and security ratings; capital models and other tools of analysis.
Application of Re-insurance utilization policies, credit and recovery risk analysis.
Working knowledge of the current state and outlook for the different sectors of the insurance industry – Property & Casualty, Life and re-insurance.
Review of key accounting issues such as Premiums, claims and reserves and investment valuations Monitoring and Regulation of insurance markets – availability, premium terms and rates etc.
QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE
First degree in business, accounting or other finance related discipline.
A professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, CPA). CISA certification.
Eight ( 8 ) years cognate experience, with at least five (5) years in a related senior management capacity.
Good knowledge of the local and global financial service industry dynamics including regulations, legislations and operating environment.
Ability to think strategically and holistically and to appreciate the systemic impact of various policies, issues and solutions.
Broad understanding of risk and return, indicators and risk management techniques as well as trading and pricing derivatives.
Experience in building professional business relationships and dealing at a senior level appropriate for a leader of a critical function.
Strong knowledge of derivatives products. In-depth appreciation of project evaluation and project management techniques.
Strong financial accounting and budgeting skills.
Broad knowledge of Enterprise Risk Management (ERP) concepts. Broad knowledge and experience in operational risk, market/investment risk, ALM/Liquidity risk, etc.
Broad knowledge of financial, systems and process audit. Demonstrated ability to improve operations, decrease turnaround times and streamline work processes.
Demonstrated superior understanding of non-bank financial service operations, policies and procedures.
Broad knowledge of the Insurance Industry- covering Regulators and Competitors
Broad knowledge of risks in insurance will be an added advantage
Mature individual with strong problem solving and analytical abilities High integrity level and excellent decision making ability.
Exceptional attention to detail.
Good leadership, coaching and supervisory skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation and facilitation skills.
Self-motivated with a strong drive, and commitment to achieving agreed objectives.
CLICK LINK TO APPLY
https://www.smartrecruiters.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/frontoffice?fp1=51787287&fp2=746478874&fp3=60&fp7=61
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