Encomium
OLUREMI TINUBU APPOINTED AS CHIEF WHIP
Senate President, Bukola Saraki had on Thursday appointed wife of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos central from the ruling APC as chief whip of the Senate, in the absence of both Olusola Adeyeye, substantive chief whip of the upper legislative chamber and his deputy.
Mrs. Tinubu was chief whip for only 25 minutes because, the Senate adjourned its sitting to May 12, not quite long due to the Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of which some of their members will be in attendance.
2 MAJOR-GENERALS TO BE TRIED
The Nigerian Army had on Thursday appointed a special court martial to try two of its officers, Ibrahim Sanni and Patrick Falla, both major generals, for offences committed but not yet announced to the public. The judge advocate, Ibrahim Musa, render the oath on the president of the special court martial, James Gbum, an Air vice Marshal and three others.
The president promised a speedy dispensation of justice without fear or favour. Although officers’ offences were not stated but lead Council to the Nigerian army, Ukpe Ukpe said the trial will begin on Monday.
BUHARI READY TO SIGN 2016 BUDGET TODAY
After receiving the original copy of this year’s budget yesterday, preside Muhammadu Buhari is ready to sign the document today. As at yesterday, the deputy house speaker Yussuff Lasun, presented the clean copy behind closed doors to the president’s National Assembly advisers, Ita Enag (Senate) and Sumaila Kawu House of Representatives.
The deputy chairman of the house committee enjoins Nigerians that in the nearest future, the budget will be sign into law, adding that our country will move forward in no distance time because both arms of government sat down to look at what those issues were. The House plenary was however adjourned till May 12 to enable members of the PDP attend their congresses.
ANYANWU, SAN, PDP CHAIR IN EFCC NET
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday held Mr. Ntufam John Okon, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River state, Senator Chris Anyanwu and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ahamba following the N23.29 billion poll bribery scandal.
Okon being detained yesterday maybe charged to court for taking N500 million while Anyanwu and Ahamba were allegedly paid N700 million, who were interrogated on Wednesday by EFCC in Enugu but were released, to return on a scheduled date. It was however investigated that, some of the suspects have gone overseas. However, Okon in the custody of the EFCC will be charged to court soon.
I’M PREPARED TO APPEAR BEFORE EFCC – FANI-KAYODE
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode had yesterday said, he is not avoiding being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on alleged N2.5 billion scandal. He said, he is prepared to appear before EFCC whenever invited, lamenting that he is not a coward.
The ex-minister refutes been invited by the EFCC and vow to resist any attempt to intimidate him. Out of six people implicated in the scandal, only former minister of finance, Mrs. Nenadi Usman has been caught up by the anti-graft agency but Fani-Kayode was positioned as the “the chief beneficiary” of the disbursement of the slush fund as he allegedly received N840 million.
JONATHAN ACKNOWLEDGES LATE YAR’ADUA
Following the sixth year anniversary of the demise of former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan his successor, paid a touching tribute to his former boss who passed away on May 5, 2010.
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the immediate past president and who was Yar’Adua’s deputy prior to his death, acknowledge him as a servant leader and a leader of the rule of law and will never be forgotten. Jonathan further stated that, he lost a dear friend and partner in democracy, peace and progress, six years ago.
SENATE SHUT DOWN FOR ONE WEEK
Following the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congresses. The Nigerian Senate has gone on a one week long break after the Senate President Bukola Saraki adjourned plenary to Thursday May, 12 to enable members of the PDP in the chambers to be in attendance.
The decision was taken as the Senate did not consider any motion or bill due to the number of Senate present, as they were not up to the expected number to carry on the business of the day. The PDP senators had gone for their party’s local government congresses.
AUTO-CRASH ALONG LAGOS-IBADAN KILLED SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Some secondary school students lost their lives while others were injured, prior to a fatal crash yesterday along Lagos-Ibadan expressway on their way back to Kano after representing their school in a national quiz competition in Lagos.
Dr. Abdullahi Umar, the executive governor of Kano state, his deputy and commissioner of education, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar condoles with the families of the student who are involved in accident yesterday while on a mission to represent Kano in the national quiz competition in Lagos. Arrangement is being made to airlift the corpses back to Kano together with those who sustained injuries and families duly informed.
WHY WE CAN’T FIX ECONOMY NOW – KEMI ADEOSUN
The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun has urged Nigerians to be calm with President Buhari’s administration as he is trying to raise the economy again. She said yesterday that, the damages done to the country will require a lot of time and effort to carry on, adding that, the success of Nigeria’s visit to borrow from the Chinese will yield a huge results.
The money however, will be used to fund the transport sector, especially the rail and road system, the minister further said, a lot of money would be used in creating job opportunities for Nigerians. She therefore, plead bank to lend money to private sector and as a matter of fact, ministers spending will be monitored.
WITNESS DENIES GIVING SUSWAM $15.8M
A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Abubakar Umar, yesterday disprove handing over $15.8 million to former Benue state governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam at his Maitama Abuja residence, contrary to his statement on oath, that the money was given to the former governor.
Following the recent development, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs has warned to charge him along with the former governor for playing on his intelligence after admitting that, $15.8 million was taking to the residence of the governor instead said the money was taken to government house in Makurdi. Due to contradictions, justice Mohammed grant adjournment to put things in order for proper investigation.
