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Kaduna Assembly Hires Foremost Human Rights Lawyer Femi Falana To Prosecute Ex-Gov El-Rufai For Mega Corruption

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Media learnt that Falana will lead a battery of lawyers to begin unravelling the monumental corruption on Thursday in Kaduna.

Kaduna House Of Assembly has hired human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) to prosecute the former governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai corruption.

It was learnt that Falana will lead a battery of lawyers to begin unravelling the monumental corruption on Thursday in Kaduna.

Earlier in July, the Kaduna State House of Assembly reaffirmed its position on the allegations of financial misconduct levelled against former Governor El-Rufai.

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According to the Assembly’s findings, El-Rufai’s administration diverted a staggering sum of N423,115,028,072.88 during his tenure.

The Assembly also denounced the attempts made by some political appointees, who recently held a press conference in Abuja, to discredit the House and conceal the alleged fraud committed by the El-Rufai government.

A statement released by the Chairman Fact-Finding Committee and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Henry Magaji, said, “The attention of the Kaduna State House of Assembly has been drawn to a press conference addressed by some senior political appointees of the immediate past administration of Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

“In the press conference, the former political appointees made strenuous efforts to pick holes in the report of the Probe Committee. They resorted to name calling and wild allegations on the motivations for the House Probe. We wish to state as follows:

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“The press conference was just a rehash of the vituperations and innuendoes heaped on us by the former political appointees in their first press briefing. There was nothing new that should warrant our response. They failed to address the main issue, which is the systematic and coordinated cornering of the resources of Kaduna State through phoney contracts and outright looting.”

“If they genuinely have the interest of Kaduna State and are truly men and women of integrity, they would have applied themselves to developing the state instead of participating in the alleged pilfering of its scarce resources,” he added.

In June, the State House of Assembly demanded the immediate refund of N36 billion allegedly paid for illegal contractual transactions by El-Rufai’s government.

This was stated in the recommendations submitted by the House Committee set up to probe alleged fraud and abuse of office by El-Rufai’s government.

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According to the committee, the government of El-Rufai paid the sum of N36 billion for contracts that were not done.

The committee added that the administration violated the state procurement laws.

The committee said, “That the Contractors listed hereunder should refund to the Kaduna State Government a total sum of N36,351,126,811.65 being monies paid for work either not done, overpayment or diversion as follows:- Ronchess Global Resources PLC, Chamberlayne Global Concept Ltd, M/S Prestige Integrated Services Ltd, M/S Philco Nig. Ltd, M/S Gulu Engineering & Technical Services Ltd, CCECC Nigeria Ltd, Danjiro Nigeria Ltd and Rafali Nigeria Ltd.

“Others are Sanjo Nigeria Ltd, Konstrand Nigeria Ltd, Spectrum Engineering Ltd, Bindigary Construction Ltd, Gmorli Nigeria Ltd, Shiyuma Nigeria Ltd and Farm Track Nigeria Ltd.”

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The total amount involved was put at N36,351,126,811.65.

The committee also said that “unjustified cash withdrawals to the tune of N4,936,916,333.00 made between 2019 and 2022 by the Commissioner of Finance and the Accountant General of the State should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for in-depth investigation and necessary action”.

It continued: “That, the unjustified withdrawals of the sum of $1.4 Million USD from the Kaduna State Economic Transformation Account No. 0809009141 for the period of 30/10/2020 – 06/05/2020 be referred to the relevant Law Enforcement Agencies for in-depth investigation and appropriate action.”

“That, the sum of N632,456,000.00 only paid to Tulip Future Associates Ltd without official engagement as Consultants be recovered by the State Government,” it added.

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FEC approves ₦47.9tn 2025 budget

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved a proposed national budget of ₦47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

This was part of the Medium-Term Expenditures Framework, MTEF, for 2025 to 2027 and in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007.

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“And equally, the fiscal objectives were conservative, because we want to ensure that we study the course much as we believe the projections will be exceeded.

“The budget size that was approved for presentation to the National Assembly in the MTEP is ₦47.9 trillion, with new borrowings of ₦9.2 trillion to finance the budget deficit in 2025,” Bagudu said.

“We need to sustain the market deregulation, commendable market deregulation of petroleum prices and exchange rate, and to compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to lower its oil and gas production cost significantly, and even to consider the need to amend the relevant sections of the petroleum industry act 2021 to address the significant risk to Federation.

“The Federal Executive Council approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the physical strategy paper, and it will be submitted to the National Assembly.

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“This is in addition to bills that are already at the National Assembly, the economic stabilization bills and tax reform bills, which we believe we will have a very, very strong growth in 2025.”

During the meeting, the FEC approved its submission to the National Assembly as required by the 2007 Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The framework projected a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 4.6 percent, an exchange rate of $75 to the naira, and oil production of 2.06 million barrels per day. [Channels TV]

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Nigeria to get 6,000 power generation by December-Power Minister vows

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed his unwavering optimism that the government will successfully meet its ambitious target of generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity by December 2024, despite the numerous challenges currently affecting the power sector.

The Special Adviser on Strategic Communication and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, conveyed this assurance at the fourth edition of the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria’s annual workshop, themed “Ending the Talk, Moving the Action,” held on Thursday in Abuja.

Nigeria’s power generation currently ranges between 3,500 and 4,000 MW for a population of approximately 200 million people. For instance, on Thursday, the country’s power generation was 3,556.38 MW as of 8 am.

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Earlier this year, Adelabu pledged that power generation in Nigeria would reach 6,000 MW by the end of the year, citing improvements in the sector over the past year.

However, the frequent collapse of the nation’s electricity grid and the vandalisation of towers have raised concerns about the stability of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry and its ability to achieve the target.

In his goodwill address, the Special Adviser emphasised that the minister’s primary focus remains on achieving the goal of increasing generation and ensuring its efficient distribution to consumers.

Tunji said, “The minister aims to achieve what seems to be an intractable goal—improving generation and ensuring that what is generated reaches the final consumers. There are challenges, but they are surmountable.

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“The minister has promised that by December this year, we will reach 6,000 megawatts; yes, we still hope to get there.

“We are confident that we will get there, but we are aware of the current issues with grid collapse. Efforts are being made to resolve these problems. Day and night, teams are being dispatched to address the various issues, and we remain hopeful that we will achieve the 6,000 MW target by December.”

The Director of Renewable Energy, Sunday Owolabi, also reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring 24-hour power supply for Nigerians.

Owolabi, another representative of the minister, stressed that the government’s policies are focused on resolving the challenges facing the country’s electricity transmission, distribution, and generation sub-sectors.

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“We are fully committed to transforming the country’s power sector. We are focused on ensuring that our policies are practical and sustainable. We are resolute in ensuring power supply for every Nigerian.

“The government remains fully committed to transforming Nigeria’s power sector through meaningful and actionable reforms.

“We are focused on ensuring that our policies are not only visionary but also practical, impactful, and sustainable. From the ongoing efforts to address infrastructure gaps, enhance power generation, and improve transmission networks, to vital reforms in distribution and the full implementation of the electricity market, we are resolute in our mission to improve power supply for every Nigerian.”

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Just in: Wike sends FCDA Executive Director on indefinite suspension

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has suspended the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad indefinitely.

According to a statement on Thursday, by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the suspension of Engr Hadi Ahmad is with immediate effect.

The suspended Executive Secretary has consequently been directed to hand over to the Director of Engineering Services, in the FCDA.

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Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike has revealed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the construction of houses for judges in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor said the project is part of the government’s plan to provide secure housing for judges and strengthen the judiciary’s independence.

Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, the former Rivers Governor clarified that the housing project is not his personal initiative.

Wike explained that the housing scheme was included in the 2024 budget, approved by the National Assembly, and is not his personal decision.

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He added that judges currently live in rented homes, which could make them vulnerable.

He compared this to similar projects he carried out as Rivers State governor and expressed surprise at the criticism, especially from legal professionals.

Wike insisted the project is lawful and should be welcomed as a step in the right direction.

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