News

Misappropriation: Probe panel ready to quiz ex- Benue gov Ortom

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2024

ADMIN

By Francesca Hangeior

Barely five weeks after the inauguration of two judicial commissions of inquiry to look into the activities of ex-Governor Samuel Ortom while in office, investigations has revealed that they are now set to quiz him and his aides.

It could be recalled that the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, had on February 26, 2024, inaugurated the two judicial commissions of inquiry to look into the activities of his predecessor, Ortom.

The inaugurated probe panels are the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Income and Expenditure of Benue State Government from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023, while the other one is the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Sale/Lease of Government Assets, Companies and Markets (both state and local government owned markets), as well as moribund companies from or before May 28, 2015 to May 28, 2023.

The two commissions of Inquiry comprise 16 members with their chairmen drawn from the South-West and North-East.

They are retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo from South-West who will chair the former and Justice Appolos Idi (retd) from Gombe, North-East will preside over the latter commission.

Further findings indicate that tongues are already wagging over the cause(s) of the delay in the take-off of the probe panels.

The state Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, had dismissed the idea of any possible obstacles that might be hindering the sitting of the panel.

“There are no obstacles at all. The point is that the panels are waiting to begin sitting after Easter, so by next week, they will commence sitting,” the Attorney General of the state said.

The two judicial commissions of inquiry are, among others, to identify the income of the Benue State Government from May 28, 2023, 2015, to May 29, 2023.

They will also look into the expenditure and utilisation of the Benue State income from 29 of May, 2015, to day 28 of May, 2023.

Also, they are to identify all the Benue State bank accounts and examine the propriety or otherwise of the transactions in the accounts from day 29 of May, 2015 to the day 28 of May, 2023.

Furthermore, they will identify the various loans taken by the Benue State Government from May 29, 2015 to May 28, 2023 and ascertain the appropriateness of the utilisation, interest charge on the loans and the possible abuses thereof.

The probe panels will equally identify the loan(s) given out by the Benue State Government, the alleged waiver, and the possible abuses thereof.

Finally, the panels will identify the special interventions, including but not limited to the Bailout Funds, Paris Club Refunds received by the Benue State Government from May 29, 2015 to May 28, 2023 and the application thereof.

Though the immediate past governor, Samuel Ortom, through his media aide, Terver Akase had stated that he was ready to face the panels and also urged all his aides to prepare to appear before the two panels.

News

Nigerian doctor dares EFCC to go after Tompolo as he shares video of the ex-militant being sprayed Naira Notes at an event

Published

4 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

Admin

A Nigerian Medical doctor @ourfavonlinedoc on X, has dared the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to invite former Niger Delta Militant, Tompolo, for questioning after a video of him being sprayed with Naira Notes surfaced online.

He share a video showing Tompolo being sprayed Naira notes as the ex-militant danced around the money.

He wrote;

‘’Dear @officialEFCC come out o.

Here is Tompolo mutilating the Naira.

I know the eyes of that your eagle will suddenly go blind but I am bringing this to your attention publicly so the whole world will see you are a shameless agency with double standards.

Mutilation of the Naira is not just spraying the Naira. It is stepping on the currency, dancing on the currency and any activities that damage the integrity of the notes.

I would expect that human beings with a working brain to ordinarily know something this simple and basic.

But of course, moronic slaves committed to the defence of their oppressors won’t know this.”

Watch the video he shared below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJhNbQRteJF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

News

Wike urges contractors to ensure quality in project delivery

Published

15 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

Admin

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has urged contractors executing different projects in the territory to deliver within expected quality.

Wike stated this on Monday, when he inspected some ongoing projects within the capital city, in preparation for inauguration to celebrate President Bola Tinubu second year in office.

One of the projects inspected is the ongoing construction of the 16-kilometre Inner Northern Expressway from Idu to Dei Dei, being executed by Salini.

The minister also inspected the ongoing construction of Jahi Interchange, being constructed by Gilmor, to connect Wole Soyinka Way with the Murtala Mohammed Expressway.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and the quality of the projects so far

He commended the contractors for working day and night to deliver the projects within the delivery timeline.

“The contractors have assured us that they are going to meet up with the deadline; they are working day and night.

“I have confidence that in the next two weeks the projects will look different and at finishing level.

“I am impressed with the contractors executing the two projects and what is important is the quality of job,” he said.

News

2nd Anniversary: Tinubu to commission Abuja International Conference Centre – Wike

Published

23 minutes ago

May 13, 2025

Admin

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, says the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC) will be the first project to be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu.

Wike, who stated this after inspecting the project in Abuja on Friday, explained that the project would be inaugurated to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in office.

He commended Julius Berger, the contractor executing the total renovation of the edifice for the quality of job so far.

He also commended the company for working based on agreed timeline for completion of the project.

The minister said that the centre was in a terrible state before Tinubu directed that it should be rehabilitated and upgraded to the status of an international conference centre.

He said that the centre was built in 1991 saying “it is surprising that no one had attempted to give it a facelift until now.

He described the feat as a prime example of “effective leadership”.

No responsible leader would allow such a facility to be referred to as an international conference centre, given its deplorable state.

“Today, the centre has been transformed into a world-class facility, thanks to Mr. President’s leadership and support.

“That’s what leadership is all about,” Wike said.

The minister also inspected the ongoing extension of Obafemi Awolowo Way (N5), from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, being executed by Julius Berger.

He expressed optimism that the first phase of the project would be part of the projects that would be inaugurated by Tinubu to celebrate his second anniversary in office.

He commended the contractor for keeping to the project timeline saying, “their commitment to excellence was evident in every aspect of the project, from the equipment used to the skilled labour employed.

“This project is a testament to the renewed hope agenda, and we’re thrilled to see it come to fruition,” Wike said.