Alleged N1bn fraud: Kano anti-corruption commission arrests Ganduje’s commissioner, others

In what looks like closing in on the former Kano State Governor, Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has apprehended his former commissioner and four others over allegations of N1billion fraud.

The reinstated anti graft czar in the State, Barr Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado had promised that all those accused of bribery and corruption would pay for their sins.

This has now resulted in the arrest and detention of the former commissioner for works and infrastructure, Engr Idris Wada Saleh and five others over allegations of N1billion fraud.

The commissioner, who was also the Managing Director, Kano Road Maintenance Agency, the Permanent Secretary, Public Procurement Bureau, Mustapha Madaki Huguma, the Director of Finance, the Director of Research and Planning, among others, were arrested on Monday evening over allegation of withdrawing over N1billion for the rehabilitation of 30 roads and drainage in the metropolis, projects that were allegedly not carried out.

A source at the commission told DAILY POST that the money which was withdrawn in three tranches was paid into account of three companies in April 2023.

“Surprisingly the Public Procurement Bureau even issued a certificate of no objection for the contract after the payment was made ten days earlier which is against the Procurement Act 2021.

The Due Process office said the certificate of no objection was issued because Kano Road Maintenance Agency said the rehabilitation of the roads would be carried out through direct labour but the papers submitted read otherwise,’’ the source said.

Spokesman of the commission, Abba Kabir confirmed that those arrested are undergoing interrogation and would be arraigned before the court immediately investigation is completed.

Fuel Subsidy removal: ‘N400bn savings’ raises questions

After more than 30 days of fuel subsidy removal, the controversy surrounding the projected ‘N400 billion savings’ has unsettled Nigerians.

In February this year, the Group Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari, stated that the country spends over N400 billion monthly on fuel subsidies.

He stated that the Nation would save the amount expended on subsidy after its removal.

In the first half of 2023, the country spent N3.35 trillion on fuel subsidies as contained in the 2023-2035 medium-term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy paper, MTEF & FSP.

Marvelledblog learnt that NNPCL attributed zero remittance to Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to fuel subsidy payment.

But with the removal of fuel subsidies in June this year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is yet to unveil the details of the savings from subsidy removal.

Nigerians are also yet to see the light with the $800 million world bank loan collected by former president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for fuel subsidy removal palliative.

Hence, the citizens are grappling with the effect of subsidy removal, increasing the prices of transportation, goods and services.

Consequently, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, in a statement at the weekend, asked the government to release the details of the savings from fuel subsidy removal.

SERAP, like some Nigerians, are apprehensive about the projected savings from fuel subsidy removal.

“SERAP is concerned that the savings from subsidy removal may be embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets”, the group stated.

No wonder Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson for the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Council, said that Nigerians are suffering because of the poor implementation of the subsidy removal.

He noted that Tinubu’s administration should put measures in place to cushion the subsidy removal effects.

“I think that the problem of the hardship Nigerians are experiencing from fuel subsidy removal stems either from premature removal or a removal without a broad-based plan for the cushion effect”, he wrote on his Twitter handle.

In an interview with DAILY POST on Monday, Dr Ayo Tariba, the Chief Executive of the Economic Associates, disclosed that there are no savings from the fuel subsidy removal because Buhari’s administration never found the funds to back the provisions.

He said the action of the past government led to a pile of unpaid debts for NNPCL.

“There are actually no ‘savings’ from subsidy removal because the Buhari regime never found the funds to back the provisions it made for subsidy in the budget, leading to a pile of unpaid debts to NNPCL”, he stated

Also, an oil and gas expert, Dr Diran Fawibe said the President needs ministers in place for the fuel subsidy palliative to be effectively distributed.

Fawibe, the Chairman of International Energy Services Limited (IESL), noted that Tinubu had been warned not to allow anybody to squander the World Bank’s $800 million loan for fuel subsidy palliative.

“Government cannot shy away from providing a palliative for Nigerians.

“It should be like a magic wand that the government will wave on the face of Nigerians. First, It is not the President that would distribute palliatives to Nigerians but the Ministers.

“The appropriate Ministries would work on the disbursement of the palliative, so we should allow the President to set up a system for effective distribution of the palliative”, he stated.

On his part, Idakolo Gbolade, Chief Executive Officer of SD & D Capital Management, said that Tinubu’s government should be given time to plan a comprehensive palliative package to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

He, however, stressed that the government must be transparent in its earlier life in order not to lose public trust.

He added that the government should kickstart the revitalization of the country’s refineries and seek ways of providing alternatives to fuel.

The Federal government is presently in dialogue with the Labour Congress as regards the removal of fuel subsidy and the expected palliative that will be far-reaching.

“The government has to also project itself as accountable to the people and must be transparent in the early life of their administration.

“The government should use this period to provide a holistic approach to palliative issues and also ensure they set Nigeria on the path of prosperity again.

“The government should also ensure that government refineries are working optimally and seek ways of providing alternatives for fuel as well”, he said.

For Mr Kunle Olubiyo, the President of Network of Energy Reforms Nigeria, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, the government needs to probe NNPCL and all involved in fuel subsidies in the past if the country wants to make headway.

He stated that the amount spent on subsidies in the past should be investigated, and the same thing should be done to the fuel consumption figure.

He claimed that the amount the government would unravel in the fuel subsidy probe would be overwhelming.

“We have looked at the entire fuel subsidy thing. We need to do a forensic overview of the fuel subsidy saga”, he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a Meeting

 

President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with 

the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, 

Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police. 

 This is the first meeting of the President with the Security Heads since appointment last week

IPMAN speaks on alleged plan to hike petrol price to N700/litre

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has debunked speculations that it is planning to increase the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N700 per litre nationwide.

The chairman of IPMAN, southwest zone, Dele Tajudeen, stated this in the interview with NAN in Ibadan on Friday, Tajudeen said the price of the product would not be more than what it is currently being sold for.

“Even in the PIA bill, it has been clearly stated that the subsidy must be removed,” he said.

“So, I want to commend the president for removing the subsidy and I want to say that we are in support totally. This is because the subsidy was a scam.”

The association’s southwest region chair urged Nigerians to be at rest as the commodity would not be out of reach for the masses.

“I want to disabuse the mind of the people that they should not panic about it, there is no cause for alarm, we are in control and there is nothing like that,” Tajudeen said. “So, people should be rest assured that there is no way they can buy petrol more than the price it is being sold now.

“If we look at the price from NNPC retail limited, which is an integral part of NNPC limited, they have more advantages than independent marketers and major marketers.

“So, it was the retail price that they announced [and] they have never given a specific price to the independent marketers.

“However, I have read what somebody put into the paper, it is just speculation it is not a reality. Nothing like that I want to assure the masses. “There is no how the price can go to N700 as we speak, because even if the foreign exchange (FX) is N700 or N800 that has nothing to take the price of petroleum from N500 to N700. ”Tajudeen said the product has been deregulated, noting that the slight increase and differentials in pump prices were due to the cost of transportation as it is related to location.

“If you are moving products within Lagos the price may not be more than N300,000 but if you are moving up to Ibadan or there about it could be as much as N500,000,” the IPMAN chair explained.

“And if you are going to Ilorin, it could be as high as N700,000, which would account for the difference in prices. “I want to say with all sense of authority that as of today within Lagos metropolis nobody should sell more than N515 to N520 per litre.

“Though NNPC has given us the price, the reality of it is that we buy from the market; because NNPC limited is not the only source for our product, we get it from private depots.

“So, whatever we buy is what we put on our own margin and sell. “But as of today, the highest you can get anywhere should be around N550; Lagos, N510 per litre, Ogun state between N500 and N520.”

Your talent is truly inspiring” MC Oluomo celebrates actor, Lege Miami on his birthday

Lagos State Parks and Garages Chairman, Musiliu Akisanya aka MC Oluomo has said a word of prayer for actor, Lege Miami as he celebrates his birthday today.

Describing him as being incredible, he noted how his talent as an actor and CEO of Singles Match Making is truly inspiring.

“Happy birthday to the incredible Adams Kehinde, aka Lege Miami. Wishing you a day filled with joy, laughter, and love. Your talent as an actor and CEO of Singles Match Making is truly inspiring. May this year bring you even greater success and happiness. Have a fantastic celebration”.

Lege Miami mocks Late Alaafin’s wife, Queen Dami as she hunts for love

Speaking of his Singles March Making, Lege Miami had mocked the estranged wife of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Queen Dami, for hunting for love. Lege Miami has a dating show, where he matchmakes singles, and Queen Dami had hopped into his dating site.Being his usual self, Lege had made fun of her for looking for a husband wearing covered up outfits.

While introducing her to the audience, he rudely remarked on her desperate hunt for a husband yet wearing big outfits.

The controversial actor ordered the estranged queen to wear skimpy outfits as well as speak in English.

He stated that the estranged wife of the monarch has to speak in English even if she had to struggle he was in the video

Cute Abiola shares first glimpse of his newborn son, unveils his name

Popular Online Comedian and Comic Actor, Abdulgafar Ahmad better known as Cute Abiola and his wife have finally shown off their newborn son to the world.

Marvelledblog reported a week back that the couple had welcomed their first child.

The movie star, announced the news of his son’s birth on his Instagram page, with a photo of him and his then-pregnant wife.

Cute Abiola revealed that he now has a son and his name is Alhaji.

Appreciating his wife, he stated that a man is never more of a man than when he is the father of a newborn.

The couple have finally given their fans a glimpse at their bundle of joy.

Sharing photos from what appears to be from their son’s naming ceremony, Cute Abiola revealed his name as Amir Abiodun Iyanu Oluwa.

“Ladies and Gentlëmen. Oruko Omo wa ni AMIR ABIODUN IYANU OLUWA (THE COMMANDER)”.

The couple’s union seems to be waxing stronger after being on the verge of break-up last year.

Cute Abiola and wife marriage hit the rock

Kemi Filani reported in April 2022 that the skitmaker’s marriage had allegedly hit the rock.

The couple had been embroiled in several cheating allegations as Abiola was called out for sex for role skits.

Following the reports, the couple severed ties on social media. 

Marvelledblog checked on their respective pages and noticed that the couple had unfollowed each other on the photo-sharing app.

This had left many in suspense as unfollowing someone on social media meant severing ties with such a person.

However, the couple were able to patch up their marriage and Cute Abiola surprised his wife with a car.

Why Buhari didn’t remove fuel subsidy – Garba Shehu

The erstwhile Senior Special Assistant on Media to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has given reasons his administration could not do away with fuel subsidy.

Shehu claimed that only a new administration with goodwill that fills a warehouse could attempt to remove fuel subsidy, insisting that only President Bola Tinubu enjoys such.

In a statement via his verified Twitter handle on Monday, Shehu said Buhari’s administration in its last days could not also have done away with the controversial policy because the All Progressives Congress, APC, had an election to win.

He argued that the party could have been thrown out of office if it had implemented the new Petroleum Industry Act.

Part of the statement reads: “So no, Buhari didn’t remove the petrol subsidy–but in vitally important stages, he removed every other budget-busting, egregious, economic-growth-crushing subsidy along the way.

So far I have refrained from answering these repeated questions on the removal in Nigeria of subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, and that arising from the dual rates of the Naira in the Central Bank and the parallel market: Why did Buhari “fail” to do these?

“First of all, my thinking is that instead of the former President answering this question, it is the Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, that is best suited to speak, and failing to do this, we are forced to say what will follow here.

Secondly, we are mindful of the fact that with a Tinubu/Shettima presidency now in place and for which there is a “New Sheriff in Town, we do not want to distract them from the onerous tasks facing them and the nation. Neither is it our wish to take the spotlight away from them in any way.

“In terms of the timings of the decisions to remove fuel subsidy and unify the currency, the Tinubu/Shettima administration has done overwhelmingly well. Even more importantly, they have been most dexterous in managing the aftermath of the decisions by successfully avoiding any crisis.

The decision to remove subsidies, as in our case—and we believe in all situations—was not for the President to take all by himself.

“Removing subsidies for the Naira and PMS was cued and put on hold. Look, for example, in the Petroleum Industry Act. The important decision was kept for a better time.

“It could not have come at a time when tensions were high in the country, and no responsible leader would have added fuel to the fire.

“In the view of many—including those in the security circles—only a new administration with a goodwill that fills a warehouse can attempt this, and here now comes the wit and grit of the Tinubu government.

“Finally, we must be politically honest with ourselves. The Buhari administration in its last days could not have gone the whole way because the APC had an election to win. And that would have been the case with any political party that was seeking election for another term with a new principal at its head.

“Poll after poll showed that the party would have been thrown out of office if the decision as envisaged by the new Petroleum Industry Act was made.”