N32b pension fraud trial: EFCC seizes 45 mansions

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli, Abuja 

 

 •One of the seized houses

Anti-graft agency gets court’s nod to freeze six suspects’ bank accounts

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  has received an interim order from the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Lawal H. Gumi, to take possession of 45 assets of all the six persons who allegedly defrauded the Police Pension Office of N32.8 billion.
The order also covers the freezing of the accounts of the suspects.
The six suspects are Esai Dangabar, a suspended Permanent Secretary, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, John Yakubu Yusufu, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula and Sani Habila Zira.
 All the suspects were arraigned on March 29  on  16 criminal charges bordering on conspiracy and criminal breach of trust before Justice Mohammed Talba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory , Gudu, Abuja.
According to a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujiaren, the EFCC had sought the leave of the court to seize the assets - in line with sections 28 and 29 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004.
Section 28 reads: “Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.”
The EFCC said the judge ordered the freezing of the bank accounts of all the accused persons, pending the hearing and final determination of the corruption case against them.
The EFCC gave the breakdown  of the assets as follows: Dangabar(15), Mrs. Onyegbula(11),  Wada(six)  Kigo(five),  Yusuf(four) and Zira(four).
The statement said: “According to the order, all the bank accounts currently being operated and maintained by Inuwa Wada at Keystone and Zenith Bank, all totalling 11 in number, are hereby temporarily frozen until the determination of the charge Number FCT/Cr/64/2012.
“Similarly, all the bank accounts presently being operated and maintained by Esai Dangabar, Atiku A. Kigo and Veronica Onyegbula in the following banks: EcoBank, FCMB, Access Bank, Skye Bank, Fortis Micro Finance Bank, Aso Savings, GTB, Mainstreet Bank and Wema Bank are hereby temporarily frozen pending the hearing and determination of all the said criminal charge No. FCT/64/2012 presently pending before this court,” the Judge is quoted as ruled.
“The 15 property belonging to Esai are: Block of three bedroom flats at Gwarinpa (six units), along EFAB Estate, Life camp; a Block of  three-bedroom flats (six units) at Mabushi District, beside Ministry of Works; Estate of four-bedroom duplexes (16 units) behind Wuye Modern Market, Abuja; a mini estate at 19, Ukpabi Asika Street, Asokoro, Abuja; 12 units of two-bedroom flats at 1, Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Gudu District, Abuja; five-bedroom duplexes at 1, Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Gudu District, Abuja; four-bedroom bungalows at 1, Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Gudu District, Abuja;  two-bedroom flat at Zone C, Apo Resettlement Layout. Others are: five blocks of one-bedroom flats at Zone C, Apo Resettlement Layout, Abuja; twin duplex of five-bedroom & three rooms, 33, ML Wushishi  BQ 1 Crescent, Utako, Abuja; two blocks of three bedroom flats,  Area 3, former NYSC Office, Abuja; two-bedroom, Area 2, Abuja, behind Shopping  Complex , three-bedroom flats , 2 Goran village, along Adi Farms Ltd, Abuja-Keffi Road,  180,000 litres storage facility on a land of about  5,000sqm, with office building, workshop and 20 loading bay 1 Suleja,  Niger State.
“The 11 property belonging to Mrs. Onyegbula are: four-bedroom duplex  at No.3, Andorra  Street, Sun City, Galadimawa, Abuja; Building Housing Ulover International Resources Ltd, Kechis Bottling Company, Plot 140 - 142 Ehinmiri Housing  Estate, Umuahia, Abia State; Building (six-bedroom duplex), Housing Somadok, 14, Ola Adeshile Street, Ajao Estate, Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos; large plot of land for International Primary & Secondary School, Ehinmiri Housing Estate, Phase 2, Umuahia, Abia State;  a mansion with a BQ at Umugbalu Village, Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State. 
Others are: two-storey building with shops and flats at No.l03, Ozuitem, Street, Enugu Road, Amuziukwu, Umuahia, Abia State; One, two-storey building with shops and flats at No. l04, Ozuitem Street, Enugu Road, Amuziukwu, Umuahia, Abia State; two-storey building of six flats at Ukaegbu Street, Aba, Abia State; Student Hostels at Michael Okpara University of Agric, Umudike, Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State; three bedroom duplex at No.1, Tola Adewumi Street, Off. Folarin Hospital, Maryland ; three-bedroom duplex at No.2, Tola Adewumi Street , Off Folarin Hospital, Maryland.
“The six property belonging to Wada are: four-bedroom duplex  at Block B4, Finance Quarters, Wuye, Abuja; house at Gwale, Kano;   house at Filling Mushe, Gwale Local Government Area, Kano; duplex at  Saudauna Crescent, Nassarawa Kano;  duplex at Dorayi Karshen Waya, behind Old BUK, Kano; house at  Unguwa Uku, Kano.
“The five property belonging to Kigo are a three-bedroom bungalow at 18 Uruguay Street, Panasonic Estate, Wuse 2; four-bedroom duplex at Gudu New layout, Abuja;  four-bedroom duplex at 35, Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama, Abuja;  a 4 bedroom duplex at FHA, Gwarinpa new Extension beside COCIN Church and  an International Secondary and Primary School (under  construction) at Kuje, Abuja.         
“The Four property of Zira are: Concept College London, Gwarinpa, Close to Ecobank, Abuja; block of flats at FCDA Quarters, Phase II, Block J, Flat 1 & 2  Garki, Abuja ; hotel (aka Habila Hasike’s Hotel) beside Yasekule Primary School, on the same street with Michika Local Government Secretariat, Adamawa State;  A House at No.36, Malamre Wark, Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State.
“Yusuf’s property in Gombe and Abuja are: hotel (under construction, finishing level) behind Gombe State Investment Property Company Housing Estate,       Gombe State ; three-bedroom semi-detached bungalow at UU1, A&B, Sunny Homes, Dakwo District, Abuja ; three-bedroom semi-detached bungalow at U20, A&B, Sunny Homes, Dakwo District, Abuja .”

 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Jonathan asks panel to probe N2.19tr subsidy claims

By Vincent Ikuomola and Kamarudeen Ogundele Abuja 

 

 Dr. Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday set up a committee to verify and reconcile the findings of the Technical Committee which reviewed subsidy claims and payment in 2011.
The 15-man committee is headed by Access Bank Managing Director  Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, who also headed the Technical Committee, which the Federal Ministry of Finance set up.
Aig-Imoukhuede last month submitted the Technical Committee’s report, which is to be reviewed.
The Federal Government paid N2.19trillion to subsidise the petrol consumed by Nigerians last year.
Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said the government paid the money in two tranches. 
She told the Senator Magnus Abe-led Joint Committee of the Senate on Monday that the government paid oil marketers N1.7trillion as at December, last year. This is in addition to paying N451 billion in arrears this year.
She said she did not know exactly how much will be paid as subsidy this year, adding that it is the responsibility of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).
The Committee, which has one week to do its job, was set up to ensure that no organisation found culpable, is spared, according to presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, in a statement yesterday.
The statement reads: 
“In a further move towards the fulfillment of his pledge to Nigerians that no person or organisation guilty of fuel subsidy fraud or corruption will escape justice, President Goodluck Jonathan today (yesterday) established a Committee to verify and reconcile the findings of the Technical Committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Finance to conduct a detailed review of all subsidy claims and payments made in 2011. 
“President Jonathan has directed the 15-member committee headed by Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede to begin work immediately and conclude its assignment by 1700 hours on Friday, July 13, 2012 as a prelude to immediate action on all identified cases of fraud.
“On receiving the Verification and Reconciliation Committee’s report, President Jonathan will order whatever action he deems necessary to ensure justice and the full recovery of all fuel subsidy funds that may have been illegally paid.” 
The committee is to:  
• further verify and reconcile all claims made in the report of the Technical Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments;  
• properly  identify all cases of overpayment and/or irregular payment; 
•accurately identify all likely fraudulent cases for criminal investigation; and
• review any other pertinent issues that may arise from its work and make appropriate recommendations.
Other members of the committee are: Dr. Abraham Nwankwo (DG Debt Management Office (DMO), Mr. Bernard Otti (GED Finance & Accounts, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mrs. Oyinye Ahuchogu Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Sola David-Borha (MD Stanbic/IBTC, representing the banking community), Mr. Mike Osatuyi (National Secretary, IPMAN), Mr. Obafemi Olawore, Mr. Jonah Otunla (Accountant-General of the Federation), Mr. Bright Okogwu (DG, Budget Office), Mr. Reginald Stanley (Executive Secretary, PPPRA), Mrs. Aisha Waziri-Umar and Mr. Jalal Arabi.The Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the State Security Service will also be represented on the Committee.
Also yesterday, Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Adoke said indicted fuel marketers be prosecuted.
He spoke in Abuja through his counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN). The minister said the report of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy is useful and the government will act on it.
He, however, explained that the government can only do so after relevant agencies have considered the facts contained in the report.
Awomolo explained that the office of the AGF will still work on the report before prosecuting anybody indicted, adding that “the House Committee is just a fact-finding one”.
“The fundamental rule of law is that a report of any fact-finding committee is not conclusive of the commission of a crime; hence, the honourable attorney general in his counter affidavit dated 3rd of July, 2012, deposed to by Ayotunde Ogunleye of counsel, stated clearly that:
*The 3rd respondent (AGF) was not part of the exercise of the legislative powers but as the chief law officer to the government of the federation and in response to public reactions to the publication of the report and resolution of the 1st and 2nd respondents made a public statement.
• The public statement is to the effect that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is the chief executive officer of the federation and the commander- in-chief of the armed forces of the federation will consider the report and resolution and will take appropriate action within the law
•The report of the committee, which is a fact-finding committee, will be studied and given to relevant agencies of government but will not prosecute or take legal action against person or persons indicted by the report.”
Awomolo added: “The Attorney General stands by the principle of rule of law, which is a strong pillar upon which this government operates and that means that where parties have turned their case to a court of law, parties will not take laws into their hands but stay action till the final determination of the case by the court.
“The order of the court in the case of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited against the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 5 ors, binds parties to the suit only and not general marketers as erroneously reported in the newspapers,” he said.

 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

CBN operates secret account, says NNPC

By Onyedi Ojiabor 

 

CBN Governor Lamido

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disowned the controversial secret account at J.P. Morgan.
NNPC Group Executive Director (Finance) Mr. Bernard Otti told the joint Senate Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Appropriation and Finance investigating the management of the fuel subsidy scheme that J. P. Morgan Account was opened by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on its behalf in 2002. 
The CBN had earlier told the committee that the secret account was opened and solely managed by the NNPC.
But Otti told the committee that the CBN is the sole signatory to the account. 
Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Monday said distanced her ministry had no hand in the account. 
Though Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala told the committee that she is aware of the account, she denied knowledge of its details, including the number.
NNPC Group Managing Director Andrew Yakubu told the committee that the CBN owns the account. 
Committee chair Senator Magnus Abe compelled Otti to appear before the committee to clarify the status of the account. 
Otti claimed that the CBN operates the account on behalf of NNPC “right from the outset when the account was opened in the United States”.
He said: “The NNPC has no direct contact with the J.P. Morgan account. The account was opened by the CBN on behalf of the NNPC. It was opened in the last quarter of 2002 by the CBN for NNPC.
“The account is operated by NNPC in the CBN. CBN has its correspondent banks to which NNPC isn’t a party. NNPC doesn’t operate that account; NNPC operates domiciliary account with CBN.”
Asked to be definite if the NNPC or the CBN  operates the account and whose money is paid into it, Otti said: 
“The money paid into the account is crude (oil) money of Nigeria . We are not party to that transaction. Our relationship with the CBN accounts begins and terminates with that account.”
Otti said  the CBN is the only signatory, such that the NNPC is not even on the account mandate.
He insisted: “The CBN is the signatory to that account. We have no relationship with J. P. Morgan whatsoever. We are not in the mandate.” 
The committee vowed to ensure that accounts not known to the Constitution are closed and all monies paid directly into the Federation Account. 

 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Keep it secret, Lawan tells Otedola in $3m bribe tape

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli, Abuja 

 

Otedola AND Lawan

Lawan: my voice animated Panel, Otedola trade insults

THERE were more revelations yesterday in the $620,000 bribe-for-clearance scandal involving Representative Farouk Lawan and businessman Femi Otedola.
A Lagos television station, which aired on Monday what it described as a purported conversation between the duo, followed up with another yesterday.
The audio tape aired by Channels indicated that the former chair of the House Committee on subsidy management was seeking to collect $2.5 million bribe to get Otedola’s Zenon Oil off the list of companies which got foreign exchange but imported no petrol. But Lawan dismissed the tape as “infantile’’, saying his voice was “doctored”.
In yesterday’s tape, Lawan’s purported voice was heard demanding secrecy in the agreement. Besides, he told Otedola of the strategy to be adopted by the committee to exclude the businessman’s company from the list of indicted companies.
He said he learnt that Otedola had told somebody that he (the Zeon Oil boss) had found a way round the probe problem.
He purportedly pledged to “spring a surprise on the floor” of the House of Representatives.
The businessman kept saying “God bless you” in response to the statement made by the lawmaker in the conversation.
Below is the text of the said conversation as aired on television:
Lawan: When I saw your text; it makes me feel bad. I said… You know the effort I am making?
Otedola: I know, I know 
Lawan: No, no, no, no. When you said I’m… That didn’t. Please, this thing we are doing. Keep it to yourself. Otherwise, you will make things difficult for us.
Otedola: Ok. I am, now.
Lawan: You will make it difficult for us because somebody called me now and said that we said we are going to address it.
Otedola: Address what?
Lawan: It is already out that we are going to do something. But when we do it people will think we are doing it because we have promised. If my colleagues get to hear about it, I won’t be able to convince such. So, keep it to yourself. Let it be a top secret. Let it not be like anybody is aware of what is happening. If anybody asks you… Somebody is saying that… They said you know from your record…, they have all your record and you have made a case to the committee. 
Otedola: God bless you; God bless you.
Lawan: It is left for the committee to decide what to do. Please keep it that way. But the moment it goes out, when we are going to correct it…
Otedola: Ok, ok.
Lawan: Whether it seems we have already a… So, let it be. I want to spring a surprise on the floor and that is the only credible way to do it. You know your sector is hot so much.
Otedola: God bless you, God bless you, my brother. I’ve been trying…. Anytime I hear your voice….
Lawan: You know your sector is a hot one. You are even hot enough and people are even saying… They said… Somebody just called and said what happened, that Femi has gotten his way round. He has already…. No, no. I am saying it because this is what I hear.
Otedola: But let me tell you one thing. You know me as a person.
Lawan: I know. Don’t make things difficult. Whoever asks, say no. I didn’t do this. I am trying to clear myself from the committee. But I have sent a letter to set the record right. That’s all; yah.
Otedola: Ok, brother. Thank you. Alright.
Time of Recording 1005 hours – 1012 hours 
Date of Recording24th April, 2012 

 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Police comb Farouk Lawan’s home for $620,000 bribe cash

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation 

 

The police launched a search for the $620,0000 allegedly collected as bribe by Represenative Farouk Lawan from oil magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola, yesterday. 

For two hours, a team of policemen combed the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja residence of the suspended chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Ad hoc committee on Fuel Subsidy management, looking for the money which they intend to use as possible exhibit against him. 

His lawyers, Mr. Israel Olorundare  (SAN) and Mr.  Sam Ologunorisa (SAN) were not allowed to witness the search. 

Although it was evident that Lawan would spend the weekend in police custody, his lawyers remained hopeful of securing bail for him last night. 

It was gathered that Lawan was taken to his house for the search for the bribe money and other evidence. 

Only $10,000 was found during the search but it was not known whether it was part of the alleged bribe. Lawan is sticking to his resolve to make the money available only in court. 

The police seized his international passport. 

A reliable source said: “They brought the lawmaker from his detention cell in FCID in Area 10 to his residence in the morning for what they termed a‘comprehensive’ search. 

“It was obvious that they were looking desperately for bribe sum, having screened Lawan’s accounts and discovered that it was not deposited in any bank. 

“Throughout the interrogation, the lawmaker was adamant in not disclosing where the bribe sum was kept. He said since Otedola said it was a sting operation, the onus lies on those who conducted same to produce the bribe sum.” 

This did not stop the STF coordinator, CP Ali Amodu and his team from continuing with their questioning of Lawan at the Force Headquarters. 

A top police source said: “We are still investigating him; we are not in a hurry to release him on bail at all. He might be here till Monday or Tuesday when we would have finished our preliminary findings and submit a report to the IGP. 

“It is true we searched his house but we discovered that because of the time lag, he had taken time to clear his residence of vital evidence. 

“But we are exploring other clues. That is why we are detaining him till next week. Our target is to locate the bribe sum and retrieve it.” 

On the $10,000 found in the house, the police source said: “Even though we were looking for something bigger, like $1 million, we could only get $10,000 from his house. 

“We could not achieve much in getting the bribe sum because he came on his own. We did not surprise him. Police record more success with surprise search. 

“But we have seized his international passports. He cannot travel till we have concluded our investigation.” 

His lead counsel, Mr. Olorundare (SAN) said: “It is true they retrieved $10,000 from his house. And when Lawan was asked, he told the police ‘I travel a lot, even at short notice. You should expect me to have some money at home.’ 

“It was disappointing that the police told us at about 6 pm that they are not going to release him. They said they are still investigating the case. 

“We are surprised that they could do that. We hope that they will allow sanity to prevail. 

“But if they detain him beyond what is legally allowed within the law of the land, we will certainly go to court to secure bail for him. We insist that the offence is ordinarily bailable.” 

The lawmaker was returned to his cell at the Force CID Annex at Area 10 where some journalists were detained last year. 

“Lawan is sharing cell with other criminals in Area 10 Annex until he secures bail. He was really given a rousing welcome on Thursday night by those he met in detention. 

‘There are VIP, ECOMOG, ABUJA , and other types of cells in the annex.” 

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) was said to have written to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday to take over the case and the prosecution of those found culpable in the bribery saga. 

The letter was delivered to the Chairman of ICPC, Barrister Nta Ekpo. 

“The offence falls within the purview of the ICPC Act, that is why the case has been referred to the agency,” a source familiar with the matter said. 

“The case file will certainly go to ICPC next week for prosecution of any suspect with prima facie case.” 

 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Oyo sacks 3,000 workers for ‘fake certificates’, others

By The Nation: Reporter 

 

Ajimobi

The Oyo State Government yesterday sacked 3,000 of its workers for alleged certificate forgery, falsified ages, among others.
The government said the exercise would save the integrity of the service.
In a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, by Dr Festus Adedayo, the Special Adviser (Media) to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the government explained that those affected are workers identified to have violated the rules of their engagement.
The offences, according to the government, range from falsified ages and certificates, discovery of ghost workers without letters of appointment and those who were retired but were still on government’s payroll.
The others, the government added, included workers who had outstanding disciplinary cases against them.
The Ajimobi administration said it inherited a staff rationalisation list from the former administration, which used a management consultancy, Captain Consultin, to audit the records of public and civil servants and their positions.
After the audit, the government said, the consultancy outfit came up with the list of workers who had violated their rules of engagement and presented same to the former government.
According to the government, the Ajimobi administration was urged to note that allowing indicted workers to stay in the service would affect the morale of workers with genuine documents.
It said the government was also advised to note that such stance, if it was taken, was against equity and fair play.
The statement said the government, therefore, gave the affected workers the rights to fair hearing and set up a panel to review the consultant’s reports.
The government added that it secured an indemnity from the consulting firm to ascertain that due process was followed in compiling the list of the affected workers.
According to the government, after painstaking verification of the consultant’s claims, many of the workers, who were exonerated by the panel, had their names struck out of the list of those to be packing.
“The Oyo State Government is committed to improving the lot of workers in the state. It has done this in the past one year by paying more attention to workers’ welfare and promotion as at when due. It will not, in the spirit of the new Oyo State, abet the continued service of workers who forged their certificates, ages or those who violated their rules of engagement, to stay a day longer in the workforce. It is like a cancer which, if not promptly checked, can eat up the whole of the system,” the statement said.
Ajimobi will today swear in 11 Permanent Secretaries who were recently promoted in the civil service.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Rep Lawan faces suspension over alleged $3m susbsidy bribe

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli 

 

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal

Barring last-minute change of mind, the House of Representatives will this week suspend its member who allegedly collected $620,000 from an oil baron to influence the report of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime. 
The House leadership has shown the video clip of the bribe saga to the Representative, who reportedly collected the crash at 4am.
The member, who initially denied collecting the bribe, was shocked to watch himself in the video which security agencies made available to the House leadership, it was learnt yesterday. 
But the plot by some forces in government to use the scandal to remove Speaker Aminu Tambuwal has backfired as members have resolved to stand by him, having been satisfied that the leadership was not involved in the scandal. 
The Nation learnt that after the scandal broke, the House leadership summoned the concerned Representative to hear his own side of the story. 
The Representative stood his ground that he did not collect any bribe from the oil magnate as alleged. 
Following his insistence, the House leadership decided to play the video tape of how the deal was struck and how money exchanged hands. 
A source in the House said: “You need to get the records straight. The bribe was actually collected at about 4am in the oil baron’s home in Maitama. The Representative had fixed an appointment for 1am but he got to the place at 4am in a white kaftan. He got $500,000 that early hour of the day. 
“Later, the committee’s secretary returned to the oil magnate’s house at about 7.30pm to collect $120,000, which was later handed over to the Representative. 
“The airport connection came a few days later when the Representative asked for the balance of the agreed $3million. The oil magnate said they should meet at the airport in Abuja because he won’t be able to carry such a huge sum to his house. 
“At the appointed time, the Representative offered to send a third party to the airport but the oil baron rejected the arrangement. Security agents had laid siege to the House member’s residence to track his movement to the airport but he stayed indoors that day.” 
Asked how the deal came about, the source added: “What happened was that the oil baron approached security agents; who made the marked notes and pen camera available to record the bribery saga. 
“Before the bribe deal became public knowledge, the Speaker was shown the video clip by security agencies.” 
A House source also gave account of how the leadership has been managing the crisis in the last few weeks. 
He said when the Representative was adamant, the leadership showed him the tape on how he got the bribe - as made available by relevant security agencies. 

“He was dumbfounded that he was recorded by the oil baron. It was at that point that he told the House leadership that he was merely playing along with the oil baron,” the source said, adding: 
“But members queried why he refused to alert the House leadership if he was playing along and why he kept the cash for 60 days and only made it available when the scandal burst.” 
The source also claimed that the leadership rejected moves by the Representative to lay the money on the table before the House went on recess. 
A principal officer said: “When he brought the money in a Ghana-Must-Go bag to lay it on the table, we all resisted it because the allegation is more of an individual challenge than the entire House. 
“The Speaker and House leadership insisted that it would not allow the chamber to be returned to an era of laying bribe money on the floor without evidence to prove it. 
“The member in question has been asked to go and defend the allegation against him instead of dragging the House into it.” 
The House leadership has decided to suspend the Representative to underscore its commitment to probity. 
Yet another House source said: “We have reached a conclusion to suspend the member when we resume. This will enable him to clear his name on the allegation against him. 
“He will also use the period of the suspension to attend to security agencies and legal issues that might arise from this bribery allegation.” 
Meanwhile, a fresh plot to unseat the Speaker as a result of the bribery allegation has failed. 
Members of the House have decided to stand by the Speaker, having discovered that he was not in any way connected to the bribery. 
An influential member of the House said: “When the scandal was uncovered, most members took turns to challenge the Speaker on what he knew about it but he said he was never in the picture. 
“We also conducted independent investigation and we realised that the Speaker and the entire House leadership are above board. You know, Tambuwal is a contented person. 
“So, when some forces in government attempted to capitalise on this latest bribe saga to get at the Speaker and his team, we decided to stand by him. 
“The truth is that we will resist any move to remove the Speaker over this allegation. We are building a consensus on this. The real target is the Speaker but those plotting missed the point as they did not know that the alleged bribe-taker is not a member of the inner caucus. 
“Actually, having known the antecedents of the Representative, the Speaker had kept him at arm’s length but he has been treating him equally with others. 
“The same Representative was closer to a former Speaker of the House, Alhaji Aminu Masari, but he was one of those who blew the alleged certificate scam against the ex-Speaker. 
“This Representative has always been associating with those in government; he does not belong to the inner caucus or think-tank of the Speaker. So, those thinking that they could use this to deal with the Speaker have failed.” 
Some forces said to be against the affected Representative chose to set him up as a result of the fall-out of the election of the Speaker for the 7th House of Representatives last year, it was learnt. 
The Representative was allegedly engaged by some forces in government to mobilise members against the election of Tambuwal as the Speaker. 
It was gathered that while the embattled Representative was given N200million by some anti-Tambuwal forces in government, his co-coordinator got N100million. 
But the bribed lawmaker reneged on the assignment and voted for Tambuwal without returning the N200million. 
A source said: “This is a pay-back time for him from some forces in government. The man who collected N100million to mobilise House members against Tambuwal declared it but this Representative facing the heat never declared his own share of N200million. 
“In fact, after voting for Tambuwal, he openly slighted a former chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Dem.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

ALLEGED $3BILLION BRIBE: Oil baron gave Rep $600,000 at Abuja airport

By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi 

 

Chairman Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Hon. Lawan

• Security agencies retrieve call logs, transcripts • Allegation no excuse to dump fuel subsidy report –House

The $600000 alleged bribe given to a key figure in the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Probe by an oil magnate is now said to have been handed over to him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja .
The money was supposed to be the first instalment of the $3million allegedly offered to be paid by the oil magnate ostensibly to compromise the work of the committee.   
Already, security agencies have retrieved the call logs of the committee member and the businessman described as one the largest donors to the campaign fund of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
Following the high-level of confidential data in the custody of the embattled committee member, a senior government official and some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been talking to him to keep quiet with a view to foreclosing a probe into the scandal.
The man at the centre of the scandal, sources said yesterday, is contemplating opening up on what transpired between him and the oil magnate.
The Representative is said to have been angered by what he sees as a plot to rubbish his hard-earned integrity.
Some members of the Ad Hoc Committee are equally angry with their colleague for his conduct in the matter and may address the press to give their own account of the situation.
The House of Representatives officially opened up last night on the alleged scam and declared that while it would not condone corruption among members, the scam should not be used as an excuse by the executive to discard the report of the ad hoc committee on fuel subsidy.
It said the recommendations contained in the report should be implemented to the letter. 
A member of the Ad Hoc Committee told The Nation on Sunday that the alleged bribe was offered to the Representative at the airport.
The source said: “We have discovered that the oil baron doled out the $600,000 at the Abuja Airport. We were shocked about how the deal was done. But no member of the committee was in the picture until last week when it became an issue in the House. Let the whole world know that members of the committee did not know about the deal.
“This is why it was painful to us when senior government official and top officers of the PDP came to the House to meet with us to conceal it. They were behaving as if it was the government that sent the oil magnate to offer the bribe to the key figure in our committee.
“It is unfortunate that we are all bearing the brunt of this bribe saga. We will not give up we are certainly ready to address the press on this matter.”
Another member of the House chipped in: “To worsen the matter, a top government official, who had played a crucial role in the Senate in the past, came to douse the tension in the House over the matter. The PDP leadership also intervened.
“Then, we became curious about their business in this matter. They said the affected oil baron is very close to the government and he had donated to the PDP presidential campaign in 2011.”
It was gathered that security agencies are already in possession of the call logs of the giver and taker of the $600,000.
“The issue has attracted security concern. The call logs of the two actors have been retrieved for insight into how the deal was struck,” a highly placed source said yesterday. In the next few days, the nation will hear much about this matter because it is already in the public domain.”
The embattled coordinating member of the House Ad Hoc Committee may on his own, open up on the scandal to save his image.
A principal officer of the House said: “I think we have reached a stage where the affected committee member may speak out. He has repeatedly maintained that he got the bribe money to serve as evidence.
“Do not forget that even when the committee was sitting, he had repeatedly raised the alarm that there were attempts to either bribe or scandalize him.
“So, he has a lot to tell the nation too. But the PDP leadership is asking him to keep quiet.”
The House of Representatives through the Chairman of its Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Muhammed, officially reacted yesterday.
Mr. Muhammed, in a statement said: “The attention of the House of Representatives has been drawn to reports alleging that one of its members, has in the course of his committee work as a member of the ad hoc committee which investigated the subsidy regime, allegedly received a gratification from an oil baron to exonerate his companies from complicity in the oil subsidy scam.
  “While we await investigation into these weighty accusations, we wish to state without equivocation that this House will never take sides with corruption and we will always stand on the side of the rule of law.
 “The reason we inaugurated the ad hoc committee to look into the controversial subsidy regime in the first place was to expose corruption in the sector, as such, we cannot, for whatever reason, support any underhand dealing from any quarter.
 “However, these accusations, whatever their merits, do not detract from the quality of the work done by the committee. The report of that committee was adopted by the whole House and we stand by the resolutions of the House.
  “The present House of Representatives will not relent in its efforts to render quality legislation and oversight functions to Nigerians. Today, we are gradually beginning to see the end of this monstrosity that has bedevilledSTO our progress as a nation for so long.
“We hope that the Executive will not, because of this allegation, abandon its commitment towards bringing to justice, the culprits already identified in the committee’s report.”

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Court grants Sylva’s bail

By The Nation: Reporter

 

Timipre Sylva

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday granted a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, bail in the sum of N100 million.
The court also ordered him to produce a surety in like sum.
The surety, according to the court must be a responsible citizen of Nigeria and a resident of Abuja, with property of not less than N100 million.
Justice Adamu Bello, who delivered the ruling in the six-count charge of money laundering and advance fee fraud filed against the former governor by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said the documents of the property must be deposited in court.
The judge also told Sylva not to leave the country without the court’s permission.
He fixed September 12 for the commencement of trial.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Alleged N2b fraud: EFCC detains Sylva on court order

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor and Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja 

 

 •Sylva...yesterday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday detained a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva at its headquarters in Abuja .
The detention followed an order of a Federal High Court, Abuja after the arraignment of the ex-governor.
According to findings, the ex-governor was brought to the EFCC headquarters at about 3.50pm and he is being detained at its Operations Department.
A statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, gave details of what transpired at the court.
The statement said: “The EFCC on Tuesday arraigned a former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a six-count charge of fraud, criminal conversion, and conspiracy to commit crime to the tune of over N2billion when he held sway as governor of the state.
“Prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo had sought the leave of the court for the six count charges to be read to the accused person and his plea was granted. Sylva, however, pleaded not guilty to all the count charges.
“Lead defence counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, leading another senior advocates along with 12 other lawyers, then moved a bail application on behalf of Sylva.
“He told the court that the defense team had filed a bail application dated May 22nd , 2012, supported by a 12- paragraph affidavit, a written address and a reply to the counter affidavit filed by prosecution counsel, Festus Keyamo opposing the bail application.
“Fagbemi informed the court that the offences for which Sylva is standing trial are ordinarily bailable, and that the main purpose of bail is to ensure that an accused person faces trial .
“Citing authority of the Supreme Court in Saidu vs State (1982), the defence counsel urged the court to discharge its discretion for bail on lenient terms while taking judicial notice of the fact that the accused person came to court on his own volition to answer his charges.
“In his response Keyamo informed the court that he had filed a 16- paragraph counter- affidavit accompanied with a written address in opposition to the bail being sought for the accused person.
“Keyamo asked the court to take judicial notice of the several applications filed by prosecution for substituted service on Sylva, who evaded service and even ran out of the country.
“He further urged the court to note that an accused person who had shown a propensity to bolt away should not be trusted to be around during his trial , if granted bail.
“Keyamo asked the court to also note that there was a judicial pronouncement in a sister matter before Justice Okorowa with the same charge “that there is a very strong prima-facie case against the accused” but only that at that time, he enjoyed immunity as a sitting governor.
“Keyamo then prayed that the court in the exercise of its discretion of bail, should note the weighty evidence against the accused person and deny him bail while remanding him in prison custody.
Justice Adamu Bello reserved ruling on the bail application of the accused  till tomorrow and directed that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody.
Some of the charges against Sylva are:
•That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, sometime between October, 2009 and February, 2010, at various places in Nigeria, including Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire to commit a crime to wit: conversion of properties and resources amounting to N2,000,000,000.00 (Two Billion Naira) belonging to Bayelsa State Government and derived from an illegal act, with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the said amount and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act), 2004 and punishable under Section 14(1) of the same Act.
•That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 22nd of January, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N380,000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Eighty Million Naira), property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Habibu Sani Maigidia, a Bureau De Change Operator with Account No. 221433478108, in Fin Bank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.
That you, Timipre Sylva, as Governor of Bayelsa State, with others now at large, on or about the 5th of February, 2010, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, converted the sum of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira), property of the Bayelsa State Government, through the account of one Enson Benmer Limited with Account No. 6152030001946, in First Bank, Plc, which sum you knew represented the proceeds of an illegal act with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said illegal act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act) 2004 and also punishable under section 14(1) of the same Act.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Rights violation: Court awards N5m against EFCC, UBA

By Chris Oji 

 

EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde

The Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on Thursday awarded N5 million compensation against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and United Bank for Africa (UBA) for human rights violation.

 The beneficiary, Eric Emeka Onoh, a security staff of the UBA, Enugu branch, was reportedly stripped naked in the banking hall for alleged fraud.

  Justice Dorothy Agishi in her judgment admitted that the applicant proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court held that the applicant has the legal rights protected by law and after analyzing the submissions of both the applicant and respondents counsels, found that the rights of the applicant was infringed upon by  the respondents.

The judge accepted the graphic details given by the applicant on the roles played by the respondents in the incident.

The court noted that the respondents did not deny all the allegations made by the applicant in their submissions and awarded a compensation of N5million against them.

Justice Agishi also ordered that his frozen account  in Diamond Bank be reopened.

She, however, regretted the non-inclusion of the police in the matter.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Airport revenue: EFCC operatives move to arrest FAAN MD Uriesi

By The Nation: Yusuf Alli, and Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

 

EFCC Chairman Lamorde

•’It’s not true’

Some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday stormed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the row between the agency and Maevis Nigeria Limited on collection of revenue at the nation’s airports. 
But the officials of the anti-graft agency however could not effect the arrest of the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi.
His whereabouts was unknown as of press time.
According to a source, who spoke in confidence, the EFCC team went to FAAN Headquarters following the refusal of Uriesi to appear before the anti-graft agency in connection with the ongoing face-off between FAAN and Maevis. 
The source said: “We got a petition from the MD of FAAN against Maevis and two banks but since we commenced investigation, he has refused to appear before the EFCC team. 
“At a point, we sent a letter of invitation to him and he did not honour it again. Yet as the petitioner, he needs to substantiate allegations tabled before the commission. 
“We also require some documents from FAAN to enable us get to the roots of the matter. But FAAN has not been forthcoming. 
“Our team then decided to visit FAAN to conduct some search but we could not locate the MD not to talk of effecting his arrest. We hope he will turn up at our headquarters in Abuja .” 
When contacted, the acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “Our operatives were at the FAAN headquarters on Monday over some issues.” 
The Federal Government had in March terminated Maevis concession contract which it secured in 2008 
FAAN alleged it is disadvantaged in the concession thus had to wield the big stick. It also said Maevis turned down all overtures to renegotiate the agreement.
FAAN immediately announced another service provider, Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA) to take over the revenue collection at $1.40 per passenger processed through airports hitherto managed by Maevis. 
It was however learnt that it was FAAN that had actually requested the ICPC and EFCC to investigate the activities of two banks used by Maevis Limited. 
It alleged the diversion of funds belonging to FAAN into the coffers of Maevis Limited during the same period.” 
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had some weeks ago quizzed a former Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, a former Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Azuka Onyia and other management staff over the same row with MAEVIS on airport revenue. 
But FAAN has denied the planned arrest of its Managing Director. It said it was a rumour
Its spokesman Mr Akin Olukunle, said at no time did officials of the EFCC visit FAAN to arrest Mr Uriesi, describing the rumour as the handiwork of  mischief makers.
Olukunle urged those who are bent on distracting the efforts of FAAN management to engage themselves constructively, rather than spreading false information that will engender bitterness and disharmony in the system.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Ajatta urges EFCC to probe Mimiko

By The Nation: Leke Akeredolu, Akure

 

Mimiko

A governorship aspirant of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Mr. Jaiyeola Ajatta, yesterday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged financial recklessness of the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration.
He accused the Labour Party (LP)-led government of planning to pile-up debts for an incoming government.
Ajatta spoke in Ikaramu-Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government Area, while receiving defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and LP into the ACN.
He said the state government inherited over N38 billion from the Olusegun Agagu administration and has received over N500 billion from the Federation Account in the past three years, but has nothing to show for it.
Ajatta said: “I do not know why someone who claims to be the ‘master of all’ has refused to better the lot of the masses. But God has exposed how our money has been mismanaged. I commended EFCC for arresting the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) Chairman Debo Ajimuda over an alleged N61 billion fraud.
“This is how the Mimiko administration has been wasting our funds. The governor’s aides steal our money and spend it on exotic cars and mansion, while thousands of our youths lie idle.
“Mimiko promised to revive all moribund industries, but it has been three years and we are yet to see any of them functioning. He recently claimed that the Tomatos Industry is back to life, but it has been revealed that nothing is going on there.
“Our governor has been spending billions of naira on the Oba-Adesida-Oyemekun Road for three years, yet it has not been completed. When the project was flagged off, he said the road would be rebuilt into six lanes, but where are the six lanes?
“Mimiko has been celebrating some projects, such as the Fiwasaye and Ondo Roads, but these projects belong to the past administration, which had already paid the contractors 70 per cent of the contract sum. All the roads flagged off by the present administration are still on-going, such as the Arakale, Ondo and Owo roads.”
Ajatta urged the people to vote-out the LP in the next election.

 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

SUBSIDY PROBE REPORT: How NNPC, others looted subsidy fund

BY Vanguard: BEN AGANDE ABUJA—The House of Representatives Ad-hoc committee that investigated the implementation of the subsidy regime in the country, yesterday, recommended that the sum of N1,067,040,456,171.31 be refunded to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, marketers, companies that refused to appear before the committee as well as the Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency.
Out of this amount, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation which came under heavy criticism from the Committee is to refund N310,414,963,613.00 for subsidy it collected on Kerosene after the subsidy on the product had been outlawed in the country; N285,098,000,000 for subsidy it collected above the PPPRA recommended amount and N108, 648,000,000 for self discount it granted itself while marketing companies are to refund a N8,664,352,554.00.

Nigeria's Minister of Petroleum Diezani Allison-Madueke

Companies that failed to appear before the committee are to refund the sum of N41,936,140,005 while the PPPRA is to refund the sum of N312,279,000,000 being excess payment it made to itself. The refunds are to be made within three months.
The Committee chaired by Hon. Faruk Lawan also recommended that relevant anti-corruption agencies should investigate and prosecute all persons and companies that have been found to have committed any crime while those companies that obtained foreign exchange, FOREX, but failed to import petroleum products should also be referred  to the Anti-Corruption agencies with a view to verifying what they used the forex for.
And contrary to the official figure of subsidy payment of N1.3 Trillion, the committee noted that ‘the Accountant General of the Federation put a figure of N1.6 Trillion, the CBN N1.7 Trillion, while the committee established subsidy payment of N2,587.087 Trillion as at 31st December, 2011 amounting to more than 900 per cent over the appropriated sum of N245 Billion’.
It noted that the committee arrived at this figure based on the CBN figure N844.944Billion paid to the NNPC in addition to another figure of N847.942 Billion reflected as withdrawals by the NNPC from the excess Crude Naira account as well as the sum of N894.201Billion paid as subsidy to the marketers.
The committee which came hard on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ‘for not being accountable to anybody or authority’ recommended that the corporation be unbundled to make its operations more efficient and transparent, adding that ‘the Management and Board of the NNPC should be completely overhauled and all those involved in the following infractions should be further investigated and prosecuted by the relevant anti corruption agencies’.
See who to refund what? here
The infractions for which the committee recommended further investigation/prosecution are: Payment of N285.098Billion in excess of the PPPRA recommended figure for 2011; subsidy deductions of N310,414,963,613 for kerosene against a presidential directive; Direct Deductions from funds meant for the federation account in contravention of section 162 of the Nigerian Constitution and the illegal granting of price differential (discounts) of crude oil price per barrel to the NNPC to the tune of N108.648Billion from 2009-2011.
Wants NNPC audited
It further recommended that ‘the House do direct for the auditing of the NNPC to determine its solvency. This is as a result of plethora of claims of indebtedness and demands for payments by NNPC’s debtors which, if not well handled, will not only affect the entire economy of Nigeria but also the supply and distribution of petroleum products.
On the part of the PPPRA, the committee recommended that ‘the Executive Secretaries of the PPPRA who were the Accounting Officers, and under whose watch abuses were perpetrated that led to the government losing Billions of Naira should be held liable. We strongly recommend that those who served as Executive Secretaries of PPPRA from January 2009 to October 2010 should be further investigated/prosecuted by relevant Anti-corruption agencies. This should also include the GM Field Services, ACDO/Supervisor Ullage Team 1 and ACDO/Supervisor Ullage Team 2 within the same period for their roles in the management of the ullaging under the subsidy scheme.
Part of the committee report reads: “Our investigation further revealed that certain marketers collected subsidy of over N230.184 Billion on PMS volume of N3,262,960,225 litres that from the records made available to us were not supplied. Apart from proliferation and non-designation of bank accounts for subsidy payment, PPPRA and the OAGF were unable to manage in a transparent manner the two accounts they chose to disclose. There were indications that PPPRA paid N258billion to itself in 2009 and N157Billion in 2010. When confronted, the OAGF was unable to submit details of the bulk payments arrogated to PPPR A and the account from which the bulk sums were disbursed to the supposed beneficiaries.
“Curiously too, the particular Accountant General that served during the period 2009 was found to have made a payment of equal installments of N999 Million for a record 128 times within 24 hours on the 12th and 13th of  January 2009, totalling N127.872Billion. The confirmed payments from the CBN records were made to beneficiaries yet to be disclosed by the OAGF or identified by the committee. We however discovered that only 36 marketers were participants under the PSF scheme during this period. Even if there were 128 marketers, it was inconceivable that all would have imported the same quantity of products to warrant equal payment” the report noted.
On the quantity of fuel that is consumed nationwide daily, the committee in its report noted that from its findings, ‘the consumption level for 2011 is estimated at 31.5 million litres per day. However, in 2012, marginal increment of 1.5 million litres a day is recommended in order to take care of unforeseen circumstances, bringing it to 33 million litres per day.
“And to maintain a strategic reserve, an additional average of seven million litres per day (or 630 Million litres per quarter) for the first quarter of 2012 only is recommended. Thus PPPRA is to use 40million litres of PMS in the first quarter as its maximum ordering quantity per day. In subsequent quarters, PMS daily ordering quantity should be33 million litres per day for Kerosene, the committee recommends a daily ordering quantity of 9 million litres” the report noted.
It therefore proposed a budget proposal of N806.766 Billion for the 2012 fiscal year for payment of subsidy on PMS and Kerosene based on its projection that the PMS consumption is 40million litres per day (including the strategic reserve for the first quarter of 2012); and 9million litres of Kerosene per day.
Other recommendations by the committee:
*Marketers without storage facilities and retail outlets should be excluded from participating in the PSF scheme.
*The services of the Accounting Firm of Akintola Williams, Deloitte and Olusola Adekanola and Partners should be discontinued with immediate effect for professional incompetence and should be blacklisted from being engaged by any Federal Ministry, Department or Agency for a period of three years.
*All those in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Director general Budget and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation involved in the Extra budgetary expenditure under the PSF scheme (2009-2011) should be sanctioned in accordance with civil service rules and the code of conduct Bureau.
*The overhauling of the PPMC management.
*Mr. president should reorganize the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to make it more effective in carrying out the much needed reforms in the oil and  gas sector.
*Given the large and complex nature of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the committee recommends that two ministers should be appointed to take charge of the Upstream and Downstream.
*The PPPRA should provide the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA advance copies of allocation and vessel arrival notification documents to enable the navy monitor, track and interdict vessels seeking to avoid Naval certification.
*The committee recommends that the regulatory capacity of PPPRA be strengthened and the National Assembly should commence the process of amending the Act to make the Agency autonomous
*The committee recommends that FIRS should follow up on the companies listed earlier to pay their taxes with due penalties in line with the provisions of the Companies Income Tax Act.
*The PSF guidleines should be revised to make Tax compliance a mandatory pre-qualification requirement for all participants under the scheme.
*The CBN and the Federal Ministry of Finance should critically examine and review policy guiding payment for importation of petroleum products to  avoid the current fraudulent system that allows importers to bring in products from off-shore ‘lome’ or cotonou to qualify for forex payments
*The committee recommends that the PPMC management be overhauled.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK