Saturday, March 14, 2015
Nabbed! Dreaded Lagos Cultist Gang Apprehended By Police
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Seven members of the Supreme Eyie Confraternity said to have been terrorizing residents of Magbo, Morogbo and Agbara areas of Lagos State are currently cooling off at the dreaded cell of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja. Two locally-made pistols were recovered from the suspects who have also been accused of robbery.
It was gathered that the suspects who were identified as Timothy Obi, OladeleAlade, Christian Matthew, Adebayo Tomoloju, Ajai Peter, Ogbene Ochuko and Olaitan Joshua, were arrested following complaints on their criminal activities including armed robbery and murder.
TIP-OFF FOR THE POLICE
Sources intimated Crime Guard that policemen attached to Morogbo police division who arrested the suspects got a tip-off that the gang could be behind the killing of some people whose corpses were usually seen around the area.
It was gathered that the suspects who were identified as Timothy Obi, OladeleAlade, Christian Matthew, Adebayo Tomoloju, Ajai Peter, Ogbene Ochuko and Olaitan Joshua, were arrested following complaints on their criminal activities including armed robbery and murder.
TIP-OFF FOR THE POLICE
Sources intimated Crime Guard that policemen attached to Morogbo police division who arrested the suspects got a tip-off that the gang could be behind the killing of some people whose corpses were usually seen around the area.
CONFESSION BY SUSPECT No1
In his confession, Obi said he joined the confraternity out of intimidation from other groups in his area. According to him; "On February 8, 2015, I was in my hostel preparing to go to church when my mother called me that some policemen arrested my father, Mr. Joseph Obi, alleging that I was a member of a cult group.
So, I came down to Lagos and reported at Morogbo Police station where he was detained. I told them that I was the one they were looking for. They released him. I told the police I belong to Eiye Confraternity. That I was threatened by one Chinwe Okafor to come and join the black movement of Africa, Aiye, and when I refused, he mobilized members of his gang to attack and beat me up.
I reported the incident to the police at area 'K' Command, Marogbo. They searched for him but did not see him. I recovered one cutlass he used to machete me on my right hand and gave it to the police. ''After that, one Mr. Ogidan, the former number 1 of Eiye confraternity at Gateway Polytechnic saw me and asked what happened to my hand. I told him that Chinwe Okafor and his gang attacked me, he told me to come and see him later for help.
The day I went to meet him, I was initiated because my father is a Pastor at Christ church. I felt bad about it. He asked me to give him N10,000. Two weeks after giving him the money, he gave me a gun which was not functioning. I showed the gun to my friend, Ochuko who knows about gun. Ochuko told me that the gun was not functioning. I needed the gun for protection.
I left the gun with Ochuko. After some time, I asked Ochuko to give it to Dale my friend, to keep. It was when they arrested them that I was arrested. My parents cried and said I have tarnished their image. We are four and I am the first son," he said while weeping.
SUSPECT No2
The second suspect, OladeleAlade, 20yrs, from Igbaja in Kwara state said " I am a barber at Magbon. I am married with a child. On Sunday morning, police came, forced the door open, arrested me in my house . They asked me at Magboro police station if I am a cultist. I said that I belong to Eiye. They had already arrested Obi's father. The only gun with me is the one Obi gave me to keep through Ochuko. He said he will come and collect it from me on Monday.''
SUSPECT No 3
But for Christian Mathew, 20, from Okpe, Delta state, an Okada rider, he was accused of carrying bandits for operations. In his confessions, he said " I carry them for operations. We have gone to Agbara, we collect phones. I carried Webo, a senior confraternity member. I have carried Ochuko to operations inside Ogun state. We collected two phones. I carried Webo for operation three times, Ochuko once. All the money I received was N11,000.
SUSPECT No 4
The fourth suspect, Ogbene Ochuko Peter, 23, is from Warri North, Ugheli, Delta State. He said: "'I am into business,. My mummy sales fish at Onyigbo. I attended Federal College of Education, Akoka. I read Auto- Tech. We are three in my family – 2 boys and one girl. I am the first son. Police arrested me because I belong to Eiye confraternity. The community knows that we belong to the cult group. I heard some people in the neighbourhood informed police that the person that owns gun is Obi.
He said Ogidan sold fake gun to him. He brought it and showed me. I told him it was fake. I gave it to David, one of my boys to keep. We went to Obi's school for matriculation after he invited us. Webo ask us to give him the motorcycle. He is number 1 man. When I refused, he sent one of his boys to give me three slaps and collect my phone. You dare not argue with number 1 man. We later left with Webo and Henry. They entered into one hotel and collected some things because they had gun. They later gave me my phone and gave Mashal Christian Mathew N700 for fuel.''
In his confession, Obi said he joined the confraternity out of intimidation from other groups in his area. According to him; "On February 8, 2015, I was in my hostel preparing to go to church when my mother called me that some policemen arrested my father, Mr. Joseph Obi, alleging that I was a member of a cult group.
So, I came down to Lagos and reported at Morogbo Police station where he was detained. I told them that I was the one they were looking for. They released him. I told the police I belong to Eiye Confraternity. That I was threatened by one Chinwe Okafor to come and join the black movement of Africa, Aiye, and when I refused, he mobilized members of his gang to attack and beat me up.
I reported the incident to the police at area 'K' Command, Marogbo. They searched for him but did not see him. I recovered one cutlass he used to machete me on my right hand and gave it to the police. ''After that, one Mr. Ogidan, the former number 1 of Eiye confraternity at Gateway Polytechnic saw me and asked what happened to my hand. I told him that Chinwe Okafor and his gang attacked me, he told me to come and see him later for help.
The day I went to meet him, I was initiated because my father is a Pastor at Christ church. I felt bad about it. He asked me to give him N10,000. Two weeks after giving him the money, he gave me a gun which was not functioning. I showed the gun to my friend, Ochuko who knows about gun. Ochuko told me that the gun was not functioning. I needed the gun for protection.
I left the gun with Ochuko. After some time, I asked Ochuko to give it to Dale my friend, to keep. It was when they arrested them that I was arrested. My parents cried and said I have tarnished their image. We are four and I am the first son," he said while weeping.
SUSPECT No2
The second suspect, OladeleAlade, 20yrs, from Igbaja in Kwara state said " I am a barber at Magbon. I am married with a child. On Sunday morning, police came, forced the door open, arrested me in my house . They asked me at Magboro police station if I am a cultist. I said that I belong to Eiye. They had already arrested Obi's father. The only gun with me is the one Obi gave me to keep through Ochuko. He said he will come and collect it from me on Monday.''
SUSPECT No 3
But for Christian Mathew, 20, from Okpe, Delta state, an Okada rider, he was accused of carrying bandits for operations. In his confessions, he said " I carry them for operations. We have gone to Agbara, we collect phones. I carried Webo, a senior confraternity member. I have carried Ochuko to operations inside Ogun state. We collected two phones. I carried Webo for operation three times, Ochuko once. All the money I received was N11,000.
SUSPECT No 4
The fourth suspect, Ogbene Ochuko Peter, 23, is from Warri North, Ugheli, Delta State. He said: "'I am into business,. My mummy sales fish at Onyigbo. I attended Federal College of Education, Akoka. I read Auto- Tech. We are three in my family – 2 boys and one girl. I am the first son. Police arrested me because I belong to Eiye confraternity. The community knows that we belong to the cult group. I heard some people in the neighbourhood informed police that the person that owns gun is Obi.
He said Ogidan sold fake gun to him. He brought it and showed me. I told him it was fake. I gave it to David, one of my boys to keep. We went to Obi's school for matriculation after he invited us. Webo ask us to give him the motorcycle. He is number 1 man. When I refused, he sent one of his boys to give me three slaps and collect my phone. You dare not argue with number 1 man. We later left with Webo and Henry. They entered into one hotel and collected some things because they had gun. They later gave me my phone and gave Mashal Christian Mathew N700 for fuel.''
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PDP is an irresponsible party -Osinbajo is vexing!
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It is irresponsible for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to oppose the use of card readers for the coming general election, Prof Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday..
The vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) wondered why the ruling is afraid to support the use of electronic device that would give credibility to the electoral process, saying the PDP was jittery of its imminent loss.
Osinbajo spoke at the presentation of a book entitled: For The Love of Their Nation: Lawyers as Agents of Change in Nigeria, written by former Judiciary Editor of the Guardian, Kunle Ogunsakin, at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
He said: "It is a big surprise to everybody watching political events that the PDP that approved the card reader for the election suddenly finds something seriously wrong with the device. The card reader is to ensure that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are not fake. It would be irresponsible for any political party to oppose the use of gadgets that would give credibility to electoral process. It sounds strange when the main political party says don't let us authenticate the PVCs."
He added: "There is a lot of impunity in the country. Many people are losing faith in the ability of administration of justice system and indeed, the government to observe the tenet of the rule of law. We must return to observance of the rule of law and to holding government and its officials accountable for what they do. That can only come from exemplary leadership."
Osinbajo said lack of accountability explained why the Federal Government could not account for billions lost when oil price was at $130. He noted that Saudi Arabia saved $750 billion in the period of increased oil sale, adding that Nigeria's foreign reserve did not rise.
He said corruption must be stopped for the nation to make meaningful progress, noting that the book asked thought-provoking question about engendering accountability and justice in the country.
The book reviewer, Mr Dele Adesina, SAN, described the book as a "literary work of great significance", noting the author's knowledge of justice system made him an authority even though he is not a lawyer.
In a similar vein, Osinbajo, has called on christian community to support all genuine efforts towards checking corruption in the country.
Osinbajo who bemoaned the deep and widespread corruption in Nigeria, said his nomination to pair with Buhari for March 28 Presidential race was parts of God's plan to salvage the country.
The former Attorney – General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos state, made the call on yesterdayat Idiroko area of Ogun State while addressing a monthly meeting of the state state chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
According to him, he had notified the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian. Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye as well as his wife before accepting the nomination to run for vice presidential race.
The vice presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) wondered why the ruling is afraid to support the use of electronic device that would give credibility to the electoral process, saying the PDP was jittery of its imminent loss.
Osinbajo spoke at the presentation of a book entitled: For The Love of Their Nation: Lawyers as Agents of Change in Nigeria, written by former Judiciary Editor of the Guardian, Kunle Ogunsakin, at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
He said: "It is a big surprise to everybody watching political events that the PDP that approved the card reader for the election suddenly finds something seriously wrong with the device. The card reader is to ensure that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are not fake. It would be irresponsible for any political party to oppose the use of gadgets that would give credibility to electoral process. It sounds strange when the main political party says don't let us authenticate the PVCs."
He added: "There is a lot of impunity in the country. Many people are losing faith in the ability of administration of justice system and indeed, the government to observe the tenet of the rule of law. We must return to observance of the rule of law and to holding government and its officials accountable for what they do. That can only come from exemplary leadership."
Osinbajo said lack of accountability explained why the Federal Government could not account for billions lost when oil price was at $130. He noted that Saudi Arabia saved $750 billion in the period of increased oil sale, adding that Nigeria's foreign reserve did not rise.
He said corruption must be stopped for the nation to make meaningful progress, noting that the book asked thought-provoking question about engendering accountability and justice in the country.
The book reviewer, Mr Dele Adesina, SAN, described the book as a "literary work of great significance", noting the author's knowledge of justice system made him an authority even though he is not a lawyer.
In a similar vein, Osinbajo, has called on christian community to support all genuine efforts towards checking corruption in the country.
Osinbajo who bemoaned the deep and widespread corruption in Nigeria, said his nomination to pair with Buhari for March 28 Presidential race was parts of God's plan to salvage the country.
The former Attorney – General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos state, made the call on yesterdayat Idiroko area of Ogun State while addressing a monthly meeting of the state state chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
According to him, he had notified the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian. Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye as well as his wife before accepting the nomination to run for vice presidential race.
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APC insists President Jonathan Must Apologise Over Morocco Saga
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to apologise to Nigerians for the embarrassment that he has caused them over his phantom phone conversation with the King of Morocco.
''In our earlier statement on the issue, we gave President Jonathan the benefit of the doubt by asking him to clarify what happened, just as the Moroccan King has done. Instead, a loquacious spokesman for the President decided to abuse us. That tells us that, indeed, these people have something to hide over the phoney phone conversation,'' the party said in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
It said based on the antecedents of the Jonathan administration which has little or no regard for the truth, it is safe to assume that the President did not hold any phone conversation with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, adding, however, that the party would be glad if President Jonathan can prove conclusively that he spoke with the King.
''Whereas Morocco was unequivocal in denying that its King had any phone conversation with President Jonathan, saying 'Morocco is surprised at the incredible twist given by Nigeria to an alleged phone conversation that never took place between HM King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President', the Nigerian presidency has been less forthcoming, instead opting to engage in shadow-chasing,'' APC said.
''Because of this unnecessary controversy over a phone discussion, Nigerians have now been branded liars. This is very serious, considering Nigeria's standing in Africa. We therefore expect that any serious administration would not have hesitated to come clean on what really transpired, instead of dissipating its energy on abuses,'' the party added.
APC said while its earlier, measured statement was borne out of patriotism, rather than partisanship, the President's increasingly-rabid, leading attack dog frittered away the opportunity to convince Nigerians that his principal did not just conjure up the idea of speaking with the King.
''In the true tradition of the Jonathan administration to ignore the message and attack the messenger, those who should bury their heads in shame for dragging their nation to the realm of the abyss simply engaged in their usual pastime. It is indeed those who have disgraced Nigeria locally and internationally that lack patriotism. The incompetent and clueless presidency has now further transformed to a lying presidency,'' the party said.
It said the global opprobrium which the Jonathan administration has brought on Nigeria can only be imagined, with the likes of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe firing darts at Nigeria – which played a frontline role in his country's independence – and the militaries of less-endowed neighbouring countries belittling Nigeria's military, despite its globally-acclaimed role in the maintenance of peace and security in the sub-region.
''It is now clear that the legendary cluelessness and incompetence of the Jonathan administration did not end with the mess they have made of running the country, but also extends to their ineptitude in international diplomacy. Nigerians who are tired of this do-nothing administration have been handed another reason to vote it out on March 28th,'' APC said.
''In our earlier statement on the issue, we gave President Jonathan the benefit of the doubt by asking him to clarify what happened, just as the Moroccan King has done. Instead, a loquacious spokesman for the President decided to abuse us. That tells us that, indeed, these people have something to hide over the phoney phone conversation,'' the party said in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
It said based on the antecedents of the Jonathan administration which has little or no regard for the truth, it is safe to assume that the President did not hold any phone conversation with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, adding, however, that the party would be glad if President Jonathan can prove conclusively that he spoke with the King.
''Whereas Morocco was unequivocal in denying that its King had any phone conversation with President Jonathan, saying 'Morocco is surprised at the incredible twist given by Nigeria to an alleged phone conversation that never took place between HM King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President', the Nigerian presidency has been less forthcoming, instead opting to engage in shadow-chasing,'' APC said.
''Because of this unnecessary controversy over a phone discussion, Nigerians have now been branded liars. This is very serious, considering Nigeria's standing in Africa. We therefore expect that any serious administration would not have hesitated to come clean on what really transpired, instead of dissipating its energy on abuses,'' the party added.
APC said while its earlier, measured statement was borne out of patriotism, rather than partisanship, the President's increasingly-rabid, leading attack dog frittered away the opportunity to convince Nigerians that his principal did not just conjure up the idea of speaking with the King.
''In the true tradition of the Jonathan administration to ignore the message and attack the messenger, those who should bury their heads in shame for dragging their nation to the realm of the abyss simply engaged in their usual pastime. It is indeed those who have disgraced Nigeria locally and internationally that lack patriotism. The incompetent and clueless presidency has now further transformed to a lying presidency,'' the party said.
It said the global opprobrium which the Jonathan administration has brought on Nigeria can only be imagined, with the likes of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe firing darts at Nigeria – which played a frontline role in his country's independence – and the militaries of less-endowed neighbouring countries belittling Nigeria's military, despite its globally-acclaimed role in the maintenance of peace and security in the sub-region.
''It is now clear that the legendary cluelessness and incompetence of the Jonathan administration did not end with the mess they have made of running the country, but also extends to their ineptitude in international diplomacy. Nigerians who are tired of this do-nothing administration have been handed another reason to vote it out on March 28th,'' APC said.
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Diplomacy Row! President Jonathan Admits He Never Spoke To Moroccan King As Earlier Claim
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President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday admitted that he never spoke with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, contrary to earlier claims by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that he did.
President Jonathan consequently ordered a probe into the controversy on whether or not he had a telephone conversation with the Moroccan king.
His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, called the controversy a regrettable furore and said it was brought about in the first instance by misinformation.
Abati, giving the President's side of the story, said: "It is true that President Jonathan has been speaking with some African leaders to seek their support for Nigeria's candidate for the position of President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
"In continuation of his efforts in support of the candidacy of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, for headship of the AfDB, President Jonathan indicated that he would like to speak with the King of Morocco, the President of Algeria and the President of Egypt.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was consequently directed to make necessary contacts with the embassies of the three countries and arrange for President Jonathan to speak with their leaders.
"Since that directive was given, President Jonathan has spoken with the Prime Minister of Algeria and subsequently sent Vice President Namadi Sambo to Algiers as Special Envoy to follow up on his discussions with the Algerian Prime Minister on support for Nigeria's candidate in the coming elections for the AfDB Presidency.
"The President has, however, not yet spoken with King Mohammed VI and President Al-Sisi of Egypt as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must know.
"President Jonathan has, therefore, ordered the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, to urgently undertake a full investigation of the claim which emanated from the ministry that the President spoke with King Mohammed VI."
The investigation, the statement pointed out, was to identify all those who were responsible for "the unacceptable act of official misinformation which has resulted in an unnecessary diplomatic row with another country and national embarrassment.
"It is also expected to unveil the motives of the culprits. President Jonathan has also ordered that prompt and commensurate disciplinary action be taken against the culpable person or persons."
While awaiting the outcome of the investigations, President Jonathan also urged Nigerians to disregard "the vituperations of opposition elements who have, true to type, latched on to the regrettable faux pas as a fresh opportunity to unpatriotically denigrate the government of their country and advance their irresponsible quest for victory at any price in the coming elections."
Morocco's Foreign Affairs Ministry last week said King Mohammed VI snubbed President Jonathan who had requested for a telephone conversation which he (Mohammed) suspected was to solicit his support ahead of this month's presidential election against General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
But in a swift reaction, the ministry's counterpart in Nigeria insisted that President Jonathan indeed spoke with the king.
President Jonathan consequently ordered a probe into the controversy on whether or not he had a telephone conversation with the Moroccan king.
His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, called the controversy a regrettable furore and said it was brought about in the first instance by misinformation.
Abati, giving the President's side of the story, said: "It is true that President Jonathan has been speaking with some African leaders to seek their support for Nigeria's candidate for the position of President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
"In continuation of his efforts in support of the candidacy of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, for headship of the AfDB, President Jonathan indicated that he would like to speak with the King of Morocco, the President of Algeria and the President of Egypt.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was consequently directed to make necessary contacts with the embassies of the three countries and arrange for President Jonathan to speak with their leaders.
"Since that directive was given, President Jonathan has spoken with the Prime Minister of Algeria and subsequently sent Vice President Namadi Sambo to Algiers as Special Envoy to follow up on his discussions with the Algerian Prime Minister on support for Nigeria's candidate in the coming elections for the AfDB Presidency.
"The President has, however, not yet spoken with King Mohammed VI and President Al-Sisi of Egypt as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must know.
"President Jonathan has, therefore, ordered the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, to urgently undertake a full investigation of the claim which emanated from the ministry that the President spoke with King Mohammed VI."
The investigation, the statement pointed out, was to identify all those who were responsible for "the unacceptable act of official misinformation which has resulted in an unnecessary diplomatic row with another country and national embarrassment.
"It is also expected to unveil the motives of the culprits. President Jonathan has also ordered that prompt and commensurate disciplinary action be taken against the culpable person or persons."
While awaiting the outcome of the investigations, President Jonathan also urged Nigerians to disregard "the vituperations of opposition elements who have, true to type, latched on to the regrettable faux pas as a fresh opportunity to unpatriotically denigrate the government of their country and advance their irresponsible quest for victory at any price in the coming elections."
Morocco's Foreign Affairs Ministry last week said King Mohammed VI snubbed President Jonathan who had requested for a telephone conversation which he (Mohammed) suspected was to solicit his support ahead of this month's presidential election against General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
But in a swift reaction, the ministry's counterpart in Nigeria insisted that President Jonathan indeed spoke with the king.
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President Jonathan To Be Stripped Off Power To Grant Oil License
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The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill has stripped the President of his "discretionary power" to grant petroleum licences and leases to operators in the country's oil and gas industry.
In removing this power as contained in Section 191 of the original bill, the committee recommended competitive bidding for such awards to "avoid the practice whereby the power for the award of oil blocks was discretionary."
The committee, which is chaired by the Chief Whip of the House, Mr. Ishaka Bawa, made the recommendation in its report on the PIB laid before the House in Abuja on Thursday.
Similarly, the committee recommended the removal of the Minister of Petroleum Resources as the chairman of the National Oil Company proposed to assume the duties of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and other key industry agencies.
The minister is also no longer empowered to recommend to the President who to appoint as the chairmen of the boards of agencies listed in the PIB.
The agencies include Upstream Petroleum Inspectorate Agency; Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency; Asset Management Corporation ; and any other corporate entity established by the Act (PIB).
The House is yet to consider and approve or reject the report.
But, the committee made far-reaching recommendations on many areas generating controversies in the oil and gas industry.
On the Petroleum Host Community Fund, the committee expanded the beneficiaries to include non-oil producing communities in the country.
In the new recommendations, communities where pipelines pass through or have depots and refineries, will now benefit from oil revenues.
"In the bill, a new Section 118 covers both upstream and downstream sectors.
"This innovation is intended to allay the raging distrust between oil-producing and non-producing communities in the country," the report explained.
A Frontier Oil Services Agency is recommended to step up exploration activities in already identified oil basins like Sokoto, Anambra, Benue, Bida, Benin and Chad.
The agency is to be funded through taxes from oil production operations and "national budgetary allocations in dual funding strategy aimed at strengthening the agency and its operations."
In removing this power as contained in Section 191 of the original bill, the committee recommended competitive bidding for such awards to "avoid the practice whereby the power for the award of oil blocks was discretionary."
The committee, which is chaired by the Chief Whip of the House, Mr. Ishaka Bawa, made the recommendation in its report on the PIB laid before the House in Abuja on Thursday.
Similarly, the committee recommended the removal of the Minister of Petroleum Resources as the chairman of the National Oil Company proposed to assume the duties of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and other key industry agencies.
The minister is also no longer empowered to recommend to the President who to appoint as the chairmen of the boards of agencies listed in the PIB.
The agencies include Upstream Petroleum Inspectorate Agency; Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency; Asset Management Corporation ; and any other corporate entity established by the Act (PIB).
The House is yet to consider and approve or reject the report.
But, the committee made far-reaching recommendations on many areas generating controversies in the oil and gas industry.
On the Petroleum Host Community Fund, the committee expanded the beneficiaries to include non-oil producing communities in the country.
In the new recommendations, communities where pipelines pass through or have depots and refineries, will now benefit from oil revenues.
"In the bill, a new Section 118 covers both upstream and downstream sectors.
"This innovation is intended to allay the raging distrust between oil-producing and non-producing communities in the country," the report explained.
A Frontier Oil Services Agency is recommended to step up exploration activities in already identified oil basins like Sokoto, Anambra, Benue, Bida, Benin and Chad.
The agency is to be funded through taxes from oil production operations and "national budgetary allocations in dual funding strategy aimed at strengthening the agency and its operations."
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Fashola is an irresponsible and unintelligent governor -Presidency
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The Presidency on Friday described as irresponsible and unintelligent a statement by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, that Thursday's deadly robbery in Lekki area of Lagos was made possible as a result of President Goodluck Jonathan's presence in the state.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, made the Presidency's position known in an interview with State House correspondents in Abuja.
Three policemen and a fish seller were said to have been killed on Thursday by a gang of robbers who stormed the First City Monument Bank on Admiralty Way in Lekki, Lagos State.
The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, said in the video posted online by Saharatvonline, "This afternoon (Thursday), we lost three policemen in a robbery in Lekki and it is the first of its type in a very long time.
"But it was sad to have seen all our security personnel and all our security vehicles deployed to protect one man. All the vehicles we bought for the police were stationed to receive the President in Lagos while the citizens were left vulnerable.
"Those policemen have children and tonight, their mothers would be hard put to explain to them why daddy would not be coming home."
But Abati said the Presidency viewed the governor's statement as "grossly and utterly irresponsible."
He said he expected that a man of Fashola's status should speak more responsibly.
He said it did not make any sense that the entire police formation in the state would be deployed to protect the President during his visit that saw him sounding the gong to signal closing of business at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Abati said, "The visit of the President to Lagos or any part of the country does not necessitate the depletion of the police force active in that particular state or environment.
"The President has a defined team that protects him anywhere he goes.
"And again, President Jonathan does not need the entire police force in Lagos State to protect him in a state where he is loved by the people and where as we have seen, he enjoys overwhelming support in the lead up to the 2015 presidential elections.
"We do not only consider Governor Babatunde Fashola's statement as irresponsible, we also think that it is unintelligent because it flies in the face of facts and it just does not add up.
"We hope that Governor Fashola, in an attempt to play politics, will not continue as his party does to play politics with the lives of people.
"People died in that unfortunate incident and President Jonathan commiserate with the affected families.
"But we will find it really cheap and disgusting that the governor of a state will now see that, an occasion of bereavement affecting the number of families, as an opportunity to play very cheap and irresponsible politics."
The Nigeria Police have also said that there is nothing improper in deploying as many policemen as possible to protect the country's President.
Asked whether a larger percentage of policemen in a state are deployed to protect the President whenever he visits any state in the country, Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, explained that the President needed as much security as he could get.
Ojukwu said, "There is nothing wrong in adequately protecting the President but that does not mean that the police force will leave every other Nigerian unprotected. That is why we are called 'Nigerian Police Force.'
"There is simply no truth in the opinion that all our men were drafted to protect the President." Meanwhile, the police in Lagos have said investigation is ongoing to track down the robbers.
Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, explained that men of the force in the state are in mourning, adding that whenever there is a development in the investigation, the public would be informed.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, made the Presidency's position known in an interview with State House correspondents in Abuja.
Three policemen and a fish seller were said to have been killed on Thursday by a gang of robbers who stormed the First City Monument Bank on Admiralty Way in Lekki, Lagos State.
The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, said in the video posted online by Saharatvonline, "This afternoon (Thursday), we lost three policemen in a robbery in Lekki and it is the first of its type in a very long time.
"But it was sad to have seen all our security personnel and all our security vehicles deployed to protect one man. All the vehicles we bought for the police were stationed to receive the President in Lagos while the citizens were left vulnerable.
"Those policemen have children and tonight, their mothers would be hard put to explain to them why daddy would not be coming home."
But Abati said the Presidency viewed the governor's statement as "grossly and utterly irresponsible."
He said he expected that a man of Fashola's status should speak more responsibly.
He said it did not make any sense that the entire police formation in the state would be deployed to protect the President during his visit that saw him sounding the gong to signal closing of business at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Abati said, "The visit of the President to Lagos or any part of the country does not necessitate the depletion of the police force active in that particular state or environment.
"The President has a defined team that protects him anywhere he goes.
"And again, President Jonathan does not need the entire police force in Lagos State to protect him in a state where he is loved by the people and where as we have seen, he enjoys overwhelming support in the lead up to the 2015 presidential elections.
"We do not only consider Governor Babatunde Fashola's statement as irresponsible, we also think that it is unintelligent because it flies in the face of facts and it just does not add up.
"We hope that Governor Fashola, in an attempt to play politics, will not continue as his party does to play politics with the lives of people.
"People died in that unfortunate incident and President Jonathan commiserate with the affected families.
"But we will find it really cheap and disgusting that the governor of a state will now see that, an occasion of bereavement affecting the number of families, as an opportunity to play very cheap and irresponsible politics."
The Nigeria Police have also said that there is nothing improper in deploying as many policemen as possible to protect the country's President.
Asked whether a larger percentage of policemen in a state are deployed to protect the President whenever he visits any state in the country, Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, explained that the President needed as much security as he could get.
Ojukwu said, "There is nothing wrong in adequately protecting the President but that does not mean that the police force will leave every other Nigerian unprotected. That is why we are called 'Nigerian Police Force.'
"There is simply no truth in the opinion that all our men were drafted to protect the President." Meanwhile, the police in Lagos have said investigation is ongoing to track down the robbers.
Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, explained that men of the force in the state are in mourning, adding that whenever there is a development in the investigation, the public would be informed.
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Tinubu is suffering from memory loss -FFK
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Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Femi Fani-Kayode has described as baseless and false the claim by Senator Bola Tinubu that the PDP and the Presidency offered him (Tinubu) the position of vice president in an Interim National Government (ING) if he would part company with General Muhammadu Buhari.
The spokesman recalled that the Tinubu Media Office recently said that the PDP and the Presidency tried to fracture the APC by offering Tinubu the position of vice President in an interim government if he would agree to part company with Buhari.
It further recalled that once Tinubu rebuffed the offer to participate in the interim scheme, the presidency decided to change tactics and planned to silence and if necessary neutralize him.
But Fani-Kayode, in a riposte, said "These allegations are baseless and false. These people have become prisoners of their own delusions and they have become victims of their horrific and terrifying hallucinations.
"We are not in the least bit interested in the formation of an interim government and we are even less interested in participating in any contraption in which Bola Tinubu would play any role."
He said further in response to another claim that "Those that killed Funso Williams know who they are and it is very clear that his spirit is now tormenting his murderers. Let them be fully aware of this: whoever it was that killed Funso William will suffer the judgment of God both in this life and in the life hereafter. God would see to that".
Continuing, Fani-Kayode insisted that no one was trying to frame Tinubu for murder and that nobody approached him to be the "Vice President of anything".
"It is clear that he has an overinflated opinion of himself and he is suffering from the most extreme form and manifestation of paranoia.
"The man is hiding from his own shadow and the fear of his party losing at the polls later this month is giving him sleepless nights. Whether he, Buhari and their APC like it or not, they will be devastated at the polls and they would suffer a crushing and irreparable defeat.
Tinubu suffering from memory loss, Jonathan never offered him VP slot – Fani-Kayode
"The everlasting confusion that would ensue in their camp after suffering this defeat will never be forgotten. The truth is this: the dementia in which Tinubu is suffering from has come as a consequence of his numerous sins. He should settle all these issues with God and leave us alone", he added.
The spokesman recalled that the Tinubu Media Office recently said that the PDP and the Presidency tried to fracture the APC by offering Tinubu the position of vice President in an interim government if he would agree to part company with Buhari.
It further recalled that once Tinubu rebuffed the offer to participate in the interim scheme, the presidency decided to change tactics and planned to silence and if necessary neutralize him.
But Fani-Kayode, in a riposte, said "These allegations are baseless and false. These people have become prisoners of their own delusions and they have become victims of their horrific and terrifying hallucinations.
"We are not in the least bit interested in the formation of an interim government and we are even less interested in participating in any contraption in which Bola Tinubu would play any role."
He said further in response to another claim that "Those that killed Funso Williams know who they are and it is very clear that his spirit is now tormenting his murderers. Let them be fully aware of this: whoever it was that killed Funso William will suffer the judgment of God both in this life and in the life hereafter. God would see to that".
Continuing, Fani-Kayode insisted that no one was trying to frame Tinubu for murder and that nobody approached him to be the "Vice President of anything".
"It is clear that he has an overinflated opinion of himself and he is suffering from the most extreme form and manifestation of paranoia.
"The man is hiding from his own shadow and the fear of his party losing at the polls later this month is giving him sleepless nights. Whether he, Buhari and their APC like it or not, they will be devastated at the polls and they would suffer a crushing and irreparable defeat.
Tinubu suffering from memory loss, Jonathan never offered him VP slot – Fani-Kayode
"The everlasting confusion that would ensue in their camp after suffering this defeat will never be forgotten. The truth is this: the dementia in which Tinubu is suffering from has come as a consequence of his numerous sins. He should settle all these issues with God and leave us alone", he added.
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Tinubu Lied, I didn't offer him any VP slot -President Jonathan
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President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday said there was no truth in the claim by a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, that he offered the former Lagos State governor the opportunity to serve as Vice President in a proposed Interim National Government.
Jonathan, who spoke with State House correspondents in Abuja through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described Tinubu's claim as absurd and ridiculous.
Tinubu had in a statement by his media office on Thursday claimed that the recent attacks on his person were because he rejected the offer by Jonathan to serve as the Vice President in an ING.
He claimed that having refused the offer, the President was looking for ways to take him out either by killing him or getting him arrested based on trumped up charges.
But Abati insisted that the position of Jonathan had remained that the idea of an ING is treasonable.
He said the President had made it clear that he had neither proposed the idea at any forum nor discussed it with anybody.
He added that as a democratically elected President, Jonathan's ambition could never be to head an ING under whatever circumstances.
The presidential spokesman said Jonathan was going into the March 28 presidential election with the conviction that he had performed well and majority of Nigerians would vote for him massively.
He explained that the President therefore had no reason whatsoever to support such an unconstitutional proposition as ING, which would amount to assault on democratic principles.
He said, "If you de-construct the statement that purportedly emanated from the office of Asiwaju Tinubu, you will see again the absurd nature of it.
"The absolutely ridiculous nature of it in the sense that given the configuration of Nigeria, it is not likely, totally impossible to have an ING arrangement in which you will have a southerner as the President and then another southerner as Vice President.
"It is absurd. It is not something that is likely to work given the nature of our politics.
"But the Tinubu camp putting out that statement, were so much in a hurry to engage in their usual game of deceiving the public about the current electoral process, that the emptiness, the hollowness, the shallowness of their proposition escaped them."
Abati appealed to Nigerians to dismiss Tinubu's claim as "another gimmick coming from a desperate political group seeing that defeat is steering them in the face and are resorting to greater desperation."
He said Nigerians might witness greater desperation from the opposition's camp as the nation gets closer to the general elections.
"But our appeal to Nigerians is that this country is greater than everyone's ambition and at the end of the day what is important is Nigeria. "
Jonathan, who spoke with State House correspondents in Abuja through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described Tinubu's claim as absurd and ridiculous.
Tinubu had in a statement by his media office on Thursday claimed that the recent attacks on his person were because he rejected the offer by Jonathan to serve as the Vice President in an ING.
He claimed that having refused the offer, the President was looking for ways to take him out either by killing him or getting him arrested based on trumped up charges.
But Abati insisted that the position of Jonathan had remained that the idea of an ING is treasonable.
He said the President had made it clear that he had neither proposed the idea at any forum nor discussed it with anybody.
He added that as a democratically elected President, Jonathan's ambition could never be to head an ING under whatever circumstances.
The presidential spokesman said Jonathan was going into the March 28 presidential election with the conviction that he had performed well and majority of Nigerians would vote for him massively.
He explained that the President therefore had no reason whatsoever to support such an unconstitutional proposition as ING, which would amount to assault on democratic principles.
He said, "If you de-construct the statement that purportedly emanated from the office of Asiwaju Tinubu, you will see again the absurd nature of it.
"The absolutely ridiculous nature of it in the sense that given the configuration of Nigeria, it is not likely, totally impossible to have an ING arrangement in which you will have a southerner as the President and then another southerner as Vice President.
"It is absurd. It is not something that is likely to work given the nature of our politics.
"But the Tinubu camp putting out that statement, were so much in a hurry to engage in their usual game of deceiving the public about the current electoral process, that the emptiness, the hollowness, the shallowness of their proposition escaped them."
Abati appealed to Nigerians to dismiss Tinubu's claim as "another gimmick coming from a desperate political group seeing that defeat is steering them in the face and are resorting to greater desperation."
He said Nigerians might witness greater desperation from the opposition's camp as the nation gets closer to the general elections.
"But our appeal to Nigerians is that this country is greater than everyone's ambition and at the end of the day what is important is Nigeria. "
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