DOUBTS about the increasing confusion  in our electricity transformation programme are strengthened by the relentless quest of Nigerian officials to snap up contracts in all languages.

We currently have them in English, French, German, Japanese and Mandarin (Chinese). More will follow.

When the world has deep concerns about compatibility of technologies, Nigeria is on a reckless global search for resources from all sources for its flagging electricity supply. Some of the agreements and their implications:

*President Goodluck Jonathan on a visit to Germany in April, visited Siemens and officials signed new electricity contracts.

*The French government signed a N31.4 billion contract with Nigeria on behalf of its companies to undertake feasibility studies, to select and construct high voltage transmission lines and sub-stations.

*A N2 billion contract was signed with the Japanese government for solar system at Umaru Ya’dua University in Katsina. Japan’s contributions to the electricity sector, its embassy officials said, were more than N157. 52 billion since 2000.

*Power Minister, Bart Nnaji said last March that General Electric, an American company, signed a $10 billion deal with the Federal Government. GE said it would take only 10 to 15 per cent interest in the business. In August 2010, government officials suggested $100 billion as conservative estimate for new power plants and transmission lines over the next decade.

*The Federal Government also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Global Biofuels Limited, for construction of 15 integrated bio-fuel plants in the country. The bio-fuel plant is estimated to gulp about N414 billion.

The project is expected to create 120, 000 direct and 750,000 indirect jobs across the value chain and link 15 states to cheap bio-fuel generated electricity at 30 megawatts per state. China would provide 70 per cent of the funds while the rest would be from financial institutions.

According to the promoters: “The project is agro-industrial, which will use sweet sorghum as raw materials to produce ethanol.”

It is instructive that a contract with the Chinese in one of the plants fell into controversy when the Chinese departed. All the operating manuals of the plant are in Mandarin. Yet more contracts are being signed with more countries, in inaccessible languages, without any visible improvements in electricity supply.

None of the contracts has addressed the nagging issues of gas supply, funding, transmission and the more neglected matters of rising costs of electricity — consumers pay without service and no meters in most places.

Government officials are treating electricity as another of the challenges Nigeria faces. It is a major challenge with consequences that adversely affect other sectors. All these contracts and their conflicting technologies will spell another round of doom for electricity supply.

By EVELYN USMAN

IKEJA – The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of Lagos State Police Command has arrested a kidnap syndicate whose members confessed to have been responsible for the  recent kidnap of a 27-year-old man in the Iba area of  the state.

Of the N5 million collected as ransom for the release of the man (name withheld) the squad said it recovered N1.6 million.

The suspects, including a female, who was alleged to have masterminded  the kidnap, were arrested in their abodes in Lagos.

During investigation, they reportedly confessed to the crime with one of them disclosing that he used his share of the ransom for his wedding a fortnight ago.

According to sources at SARS, “immediately we got information about the kidnap on April 24, the squad commander, Mr Abba Kyari, swung into action. But, along the line, they released the man after N5 million was paid as ransom.

”The suspects met their waterloo, after one of their  accomplices, a woman, was arrested two weeks after the release of the victim. Her confessional statement led to the apprehension of others, who confessed to the crime. One of them said he got N300,000 as suspect’s share but claimed he spent it on his father’s medical bill, while  another claimed he used his share to process his girlfriend’s travel documents to Europe.”

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has dragged a 36-year old stockbroker, Faniran Olubanji Samuel and two others before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere, for allegedly stealing N141, 000, 000 belonging to APT Securities and Funds Limited during a Shares transaction.

Other defendants in the suit are Charles Odum 33 and Solomon Nathaneal 30. They were said to have sometime in March 2008 conspired to commit  felony to wit stealing the sum of N135,000,000  property of APT Securities and Funds Limited, an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Law CAP C17, Lagos State, 2003.

In a confessional statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the stockbroker said he was approached by the third defendant (Nathaniel) to get 30m units of Food Concept Ltd for APT Securities Ltd in the  sum of N135m and N6m respectively.

He added: “I seek Nathaneal’s approval to pay in the N135m cheques since the placement has closed months ago and the contacts at FBN Capital Ltd were asking for payment to them personally to get the shares. So it was not fraudulently lodged at all.”

2nd Count offence: “Faniran Olubanji, Charles Odum and Solomon Nathaneal, sometime in March 2008 in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, stole the sum of N135, 000,000.00 (One hundred and thirty five million naira) property of APT Securities and Funds Limited, vide a Guaranty Trust Bank cheque number 00005784, by fraudulently depositing the said cheque in a Wema Bank Plc account, belonging to Ariel Investment Management Limited, and clearing it using a third party cheque clearing facility.

It was gathered that APT Securities Ltd issued a cheque of N135, 000, 000 in favour of FBN Capital/Food Concept and N6, 000, 000 in favour of Ariel Investments. The cheques were allegedly handed over to the 3rd defendant (Nathaneal), Fund Manager of Dansolek Limited, who acted as a middleman between the 2nd defendant and 1st defendant. But trouble started for the defendants when the MD of APT Securities Ltd, Mallam Kurfi, suspected a foul play in the Shares transaction and invited the EFCC into the matter.

The accused persons were charged on a 4-count offence of stealing and fraud, while the matter is pending before Justice Candide Johnson.

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA—THE State Security Service, SSS, yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, paraded nine persons over alleged robbery in parts of the state.

The suspects included a 23-year-old female, Miss Blessing Orji, who claimed to be an accounting student of Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

Seven of the suspects, including the girl, hail from villages in Awka, while one is from Awba Ofemili in Awka North.
The last person, Jidenuwa, (19) is from Ondo State and most of them were said to belong to  cult groups that had been terrorizing Awka and its environs.

The names of the other suspects were given as Chinedu Bosah (20), Ugochukwu Anekwe (20), Ebuka Nwude (17), Chidiebere Nnatuanya (19), Tochukwu Eze (18), Ndubuisi Okoye (18), Onyeka Ekweozor (20)

The state director of SSS, Mr. Alex Okeiyi, told newsmen that the suspects were apprehended on May 13, 2012, during a search in their hideouts which included a hotel in Awka.

According to Okeiyi, the girl was arrested along with her boy friend in the hotel where they had spent five days and were paying N5,000 per night.

He added that during the raid, 25 handsets, many sim cards, internet modems and laptops, arms and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

He further said  preliminary investigation  revealed that the suspects belonged to senior and junior cadres of the dreaded Vikings Confraternity.

Most of the suspects confirmed their involvement in some robbery incidents in Awka and its environs, while two claimed that they only specialized in snatching people’s bags and handsets.

By OKEY NDIRIBE
ABUJA — Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Profesor Attahiru Jega, has invited Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, the governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria, and that of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, General Charles Airhiavbere, in the July 12 governorship election,  to a meeting in Abuja, tomorrow.

Also invited for the crucial meeting were the national and Edo State chairmen and secretaries of all the affected political parties.

Citing reasons for inviting the stakeholders to the meeting, Jega said: “The commission is deeply concerned about unfolding events in Edo State which are capable of overheating the polity and pose  a fundamental threat to the integrity of the impending governorship election and indeed, the stability of our democracy.

“To avert further deterioration of the situation, the commission has invited the chairmen and secretaries (national and state) as well as candidates of all the parties contesting the governorship election in Edo State; namely, ACN, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; Labour Party, LP; National Conscience Party, NCP; PDP and Social Democratic Mega Party, SDMP, to a meeting at the national headquarters of the commission on May 18, to address the concerns of all stakeholders.”

He added that the commission had received petitions containing allegations and counter-allegations from various political parties concerning the poll.

Jega said; “Some of the accusations are directed at political parties and candidates, while others are directed at the Commission’s preparations for the election.”

He noted that the principles that had guided the work of INEC were transparency, honesty and creation of a level playing field for all political parties and their candidates, adding that the Commission remains committed to these principles.

He reassured political parties, candidates and indeed all Nigerians of its commitment to conducting a free, fair and credible governorship election in Edo State.

Media representatives from Turkey and 54 African countries have declared their determination to make concerted efforts to ensure a peaceful region for their people as well as a stable and prosperous world. This was part of their final declaration at the end of a two-day Turkey-Africa Media Forum 2012 held in Ankara from May 9-10 2012.

Participants at the forum initiated by the Directorate General of Press and Information of Turkey (DGPI) with the support of the African Media Initiative (AMI) included representatives from the public and private media organizations as well as scholars.

In the final declaration issued at the end of the forum, the media professionals said:

“As the media representatives of the Afro-Eurasia landmass,

* We commit to leverage the power of media to establish a common future for the countries in the region and promote human development and economic prosperity of our peoples.

* We share the ideal of building a peaceful world, of shaping its future with democratic values, and embracing a cross-cultural spirit of tolerance and brotherhood.

*We underline the importance of freedom of the press as a principle highlighted in all documents that deal with contemporary values, ranging from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the Helsinki Final Act.

*We believe that promoting solidarity among media representatives of participating countries will boost regional and international cooperation and reinforce their democratic culture.

* As media delegates to this forum, we publicly declare our will and determination to work towards this goal, as we believe that our common ideals will be realized faster through robust and sustained relations amongst media organizations of our countries.

*In order to constantly keep communication channels open, we are launching a joint platform to institutionalize regional media consultations and promote our common interests.

*Media representatives present at this Forum agree to establish a journalist exchange program under the auspices of the DGPI and AMI. Further the two institutions commit to explore the creation of a mechanism to facilitate African media houses to access equipment and other resources to develop the African media industry.

By Omoh Gabriel, Business Editor
LAGOS — Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, decried the high level of interest rate of between 16-25 per cent in the country, citing it as a constraint to credit delivery to the economy in the first quarter of 2012.

In the Chamber’s review of the performance of the Nigerian economy in first quarter of 2012, Director General of the body of businessmen in Lagos, Mr Yusuf Mudal, said the body’s banking sector members identified a number of constraints to credit delivery to the economy.

The members, he said, cited tight monetary policy which is affecting liquidity and delivery of credit; Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of eight per cent; Liquidity Ratio (LR) of 30 per cent and Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) of 12 per cent as major constraints to liquidity and consequently delivery of affordable credit to the economy.

According to him, “many businesses suffered the increasing difficulty of access to credit and high cost of fund. Rates are between 16-25 per cent. This gives clear advantage to offshore investors; many banks demand high collateral cover, which is sometimes as high as 150per cent; credit conditions by banks are too strict for many SMEs; high cost of government borrowing, as reflected in the yield on treasury bills and Federal Government bonds, worsened the credit crisis through the crowding out effects on the private sector and erosion of liquidity in the banks.

High operating cost in banking operation

“The high operating cost in banking operation in the country is affecting profit margins and that the state of the economy and infrastructure condition had adverse affect on the quality of loan assets just as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, prescribed provisioning level for loans have become too high and is affecting lending by banks.”

Mudal said his members said that loss of deposits to Federal Government Bonds and Treasury Bills because of the relatively better returns and compliance with IFRS prescribes increases in provisioning levels for loans and threshold for collateral cover are reducing liquidity and restraining lending by banks to the economy.

He said the policy implication is that the CBN may have to relax the tight monetary policy stance to encourage banks to boost credit delivery to the economy.

But the CBN said it was pursuing tight monetary policy to curb rising inflation which in the month of April stood at 12.9 per cent.

He said: “In pursuance of its public policy advocacy mandate and the monitoring of the business environment, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) instituted the periodic evidence-based Business Environment Report.

Periodic assessment

“The purpose is to periodically assess the investment climate and highlight the implications for government policy. The report is the outcome of feedback from members of the Chamber and the wider business community in Lagos on investment climate issues.

“A couple of the issues cut across all sectors with economy-wide implications and impact; others are sector specific. The report provides a basis for policy reviews and reforms in the context of national economic management. Lagos being the commercial nerve centre of the country, the outcome of this study would, to a large extent, reflect the experience in other parts of the country.

Issues emerged from the study

“Four major issues emerged from the study as cutting across sectors of the economy: Power supply constraint and resultant high energy cost; Security situation and its implications for business confidence and investors’ perception; weak consumer demand reflecting in general declines in sales; fuel subsidy removal, resultant protests, impact on operating costs and disruptions in the economy.

According to the study conducted by the Chamber, “there was an evident deterioration in power supply in the first quarter which took its toll on businesses in the Lagos area and other parts of the country. The partial removal of subsidy made the impact more severe, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs that use smaller capacity electricity generators. The summary of the implications for business were sharp increase in operating cost due to high cost of diesel and PMS; competitive disadvantage for local producers and manufacturers; erosion of profit margins, sub-optimal capacity utilization, business sustainability challenges.

The security situation in the country the study observed “assumed disturbing dimensions impacting on the investment environment leading to declining investors’ confidence across the broad spectrum of domestic, foreign and prospective investors in the economy; negative impact on image and perception of the country in the global community; escalation of risk of doing business in some parts; relocation of businesses away from the troubled spots in the country; some organisations reviewed their security budgets upwards in the light of developments in the country; and significant setback for the tourism sector in the country”.

The Chamber’s report said that “The partial removal of subsidy on petrol had implications for businesses in the first quarter of 2012. “The January protests paralysed the economy with huge losses to business and the economy; cost of fuelling operational vehicles by firms increased by about 40 per cent. This has implications for profit margin. Other product segments suffered drops in sales as firms and households spend more on fuel. Many organisations were compelled to review transport allowances for their workforce which meant additional operational cost with implications for bottom-line; Petrol retail outlets experienced an average of 20% drop in sales; Inflationary impact across the economy, especially on consumer goods”.

According to Lagos Chamber,”Doing business with government and its agencies could be a real nightmare for the private sector”. The key areas of concern it said are corruption and extortion that is prevalent in government contracts and procurement processes; bureaucracy and the inherent challenges; lack of project continuity; late payment for work done stating that in some cases payments are not even made at all and that document certification and approvals, including the processing of investment incentives are often characterised by extortion.

It said that “The manufacturing sector is one of the most vulnerable in the Nigerian economy because of competitiveness issues. Its contribution to GDP remains very low, at less than 5 per cent. The usual challenges of the sector persisted: High energy cost remain top on the list of the challenges facing manufacturing; Market access is now an even bigger challenge for most manufacturing firms. The influx of Asian goods into the Nigerian market poses a major risk to the survival of many manufacturing enterprises; Rampant cases of faking, counterfeiting, and dumping of substandard products. Credit access and cost remains an issue with many investors in the sector. Fuel subsidy removal increased operating cost”.

It said that its members in the agricultural sector commended the passion and drive of the current Minister of Agriculture. However, there are concerns in Land acquisition and perfection of land titles; Access to credit; Weak agricultural insurance scheme.  Access to incentives is difficult and sometimes fraught with corruption.

It also said that Operators in the freight forwarding business identified Rampant and Arbitrary Valuation of Cargo by the Nigeria Customs Service, sometimes disregarding all supporting documents. This result in indiscriminate issuance of debit notes to importers and extortion. Excessive focus of the customs on revenue generation to the detriment of trade facilitation; many terminal operators have capacity problems leading to non-provision of adequate plants at the port terminals in Lagos. Most often, importers make private arrangements to position their cargo for examination and loading; Collection of Wharf Landing fees on the roads create traffic problem around the ports; High demurrage charges by shipping companies Access to the ports could be a nightmare because of the traffic situation on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, especially the indiscriminate parking of trucks on the highway.

It said that Terminal operators should be closely monitored to ensure delivery on their mandates as concessionaires. The BPE has a vital responsibility in this regard; Exercise of discretionary powers by valuation officers of the Customs should be checked. Role of Nigerian Customs Service as a facilitator of trade should be duly recognised; Area Controllers of Custom should be adequately empowered to exercise full authority on activities in their command.

It further said though an economy needs a measure of regulation for good performance, too many regulatory agencies could be counterproductive.

The key issues identified by private sector players in the economy were that too many regulatory agencies in the economy, some with overlapping functions; The agencies are often more interested in revenue generation than on the real regulatory mandate; Charges of many of the agencies are prohibitive; Government should adequately fund the agencies to reduce the burden on the private sector.

Businesses should not be saddled with the responsibility of funding these agencies.

BY MICHAEL EBOH & CHINEDU IBEABUCHI
LAGOS — Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said state governors’ opposition to the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF, and the Excess Crude Account is borne out of distrust for the Federal Government’s ability to judiciously manage the funds and utilise it for the purpose it was meant for.

From left: Yvonne Ike, CEO, West Africa, Renaissance Capital; Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Special Guest and Mr. James Mwangi, CEO/Managing Director, Equity Bank, Kenya, during the third Annual Pan-Africa 1:1 Investor Conference, organised by Renaissance Capital, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

“These really are the issues. It is not that the governors are up in arms against the idea of saving. But we are asking what the rules of engagement are and do those rules of engagement work within the rules that bind all of us,” Fashola said at the Renaissance Capital’s 3rd annual Pan-Africa Investor Conference in Lagos.

Fashola also said the governors’ apathy stems from the fact that the fund lacks the necessary constitutional backing, explaining that until the controversial issues surrounding the fund are addressed, it will continually be seen as a high risk venture by investors.

He said: “Which fund are you saving? Are they yours or are they mine? Before you save on my behalf, there is also need to address the issue of trust. How efficiently have you managed the funds that the federation has put in your trust? And what makes you the better saver and better investors. And is the saving done within an expectable framework of the constitution?

“Those are the issues surrounding the Sovereign Wealth Fund. For instance, the excess crude account has no constitutional legality.  And I think in trying to find a way around that, we create another solution that will be subject to constitutional scrutiny. And indeed, can we, therefore, build an economy whose constitutional scrutiny is questionable?  And until these issues are resolved, there are risk issues for investors.”

Textile sector’s  revival

He called for specialised investment in the textile industry, saying this will help bring about the much needed revival of the sector.

According to him, what is actually needed to drive the revival of the sector is not just funds but the necessary management capacity and knowledge.

He said: “The textile sector has enormous potential to drive the economy of Lagos State and the country in general. What we need to revive the sector is for investment that will take over the management capacity of the textile firms.

“Knowledge and capacity is very much needed in the textile sector and not just throwing in money. Pumping money alone has not helped in reviving the sector over the years.”

Another round of banking  consolidation coming

Meanwhile, Yvonne Ike, Chief Executive Officer, West Africa, Renaissance Capital, said Nigerians should expect another round of consolidation in the banking sector within the next 24 months.

According to Yvonne, the consolidation exercise will be driven by growth rather than by the need to compete by size.

She said the growth that would be engendered by the consolidation exercise would be much more orderly and would help the banks contribute meaningfully to economic development.

She said: “If you think about the incredible work that the CBN has done to clean up the financial sector and to really prepare it for growth, we anticipate more consolidation, we anticipate banks having to be bigger and better to cope with the growth potentials and opportunities that presents themselves.

“We see the banking sector consolidating over the next 24 months. We think it is healthy for it to happen and the biggest driver of this is growth. So, to meet the growth demands in the banking sector, banks need to be more efficient, they need to be run better.”

By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — THE national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, declared, yesterday, that it would not interfere in the controversy surrounding the reinstatement of the former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami

In a statement he signed yesterday, the PDP National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who denied split in the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party over the return of Salami, said he did not need the party to fight his course as one of those who was sacked as governor of Osun State by Justice Salami.

According to Oyinlola, “it suffices in other words, that I do not need my great party, the PDP, to fight and secure redress. I know what the law requires of me to do and I have been doing it. Therefore, I do not whatsoever intend that my party be joined in the course of my personal resolve and determination to fight a just cause.

“The alleged rift in the leadership of our great party over the recommendation by NJC to the President to reinstate the suspended President of the Court of Appeal is not only false but a baseless media speculation. The PDP as a party had at no time discussed the issue much less disagreeing over it. ”

The PDP scribe explained that the PDP had no reason to table for discussion at its National Working Committee, a matter that  the Federal Executive and the Judiciary had entirely conceded its resolution to the unconditional context of due process and rule of law.

He said: “However, I wish to make it abundantly clear that while the PDP is least interested in interfering in this matter as a body, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as an individual whose rights and electoral victory were hurt by the matter which are clearly related to the reason that orchestrated Justice Salami’s suspension, reserves every right to continue to seek redress within the ambit of the law.”

By Amaka Abayomi, Ebele Orakpo & Aishat Tiffin

HUMBLE, humane, team player, generous, unassuming, the list goes on. These were the adjectives used to describe the late Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos by staff, students and associates when Vanguard Learning went to feel the pulse on campus following the sudden death of the helmsman.

It is good to be good as a man’s character is what he will be remembered for. Little wonder students and staff of the institution have continued to mourn the late VC without pretence.

Professor Sofoluwe, who was appointed Vice- Chancellor of the University of Lagos on January 30, 2010, slumped at a meeting on the campus last Friday and was first rushed to the institution’s medical centre and later to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, where he died on Saturday.

Describing the late VC as a leader who carried everyone along, the Superintendent Pharmacist, Unilag Community Pharmacy, Mrs. Dorcas Omeire, said Sofoluwe had a way of getting people to do things without using force.

“The late VC was a simple, unassuming man who was very approachable. He communicated with everyone and carried us along without micro-managing and he treated all memos promptly. The impression I have of him is that of a man who depended on divine intervention, and he used to say he didn’t know it all and always tried to surround himself with intelligent people.”

For the Deputy Dean, Students’ Affairs, Kayode Adebayo, Sofoluwe was humane and gave hope to a lot of people.
“His enigma would be missed because he demystified the office of the VC by operating an open door policy. He had the ability to make things look so ordinary and accomplishable and we all felt comfortable in his presence. He was one of the best academics this country had and as a computer scientist, one of the projects dear to him was the computerization of this university which I’m glad he accomplished before his death.”

For Dr. Henry Boyo, a senior lecturer and Head of Hardware Development Laboratory, Dept. of Physics, in the university’s Faculty of Science, the late VC was looking forward to the commissioning of the zero-energy green building. “He really encouraged me and was anxiously waiting to see the completion of the project,” he said.

Dr. Efe Ikponmwosa, a senior lecturer in the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Unilag, said: “We will miss him greatly. He carried everybody along. He got everyone working for the interest of the institution. The ICT facility was greatly improved so that students could easily access their results online.

“His style of administration tended towards welfarism. He speedily handled every memo, job application letter etc, that gets to his table. He contacted a lot of people in the industry and the alumni, to contribute in the infrastructure development of the institution. We are definitely going to miss him.”

For Ime Bassey, an alumnus of Unilag, Sofoluwe was a humble man who didn’t allow his office to determine who to relate with.

Leader par excellence
“I will always remember him as a very humble man because at our last AGM on April 29, he went round and shook hands with each of us. That was very humble of a VC of his status.”

Pointing out that the late VC left a big gap that would be hard to fill, a security officer, Prince Obeten said Sofoluwe was a leader par excellence. “He was very approachable and if you have any issue you want to discuss with him, he would always listen. He was a good and humble man who will be greatly missed.”

Mr. Olawale Olasunmade, Information Officer, VC’s Office is yet to recover from the shock of the his death because he worked closely with him and offered him pieces of advice on some issues.

“He was a very nice man, an accomplished scholar, an amiable, kind and pleasant fellow. Despite the fact that I’m very junior to him, he respected my views and treated me as a son and I’m yet to recover from the devastating effect of his death. We hope the projects he initiated would continue because they are staff and student-friendly and would uplift this school.”

Pointing out that the late VC ensured that salaries were paid on time, the News Editor, Unilag FM, Mr. Tayo Takuro, said staff were paid before the 23rd of every month unlike what obtained in the past.

“I first met him in 2006 when he was a DVC and was still driving a beetle car. He saw me trekking and offered to take me to the gate to pick a bus despite the fact that it was not his route. When he later saw my daughter and I, he said to her: ‘do you think they will steal your Daddy’ because she looks like me.

Late Sofoluwe

“Even when we enter the lift, he would insist that the lift attendant should drop others first before taking him to his 11th floor office. I believe the projects he initiated would continue because they are good and in favour of students and staff.”

Open door policy
In agreement is Lydia Eke Eyidiya, a reporter with Unilag FM who described the late VC as a man who treated everyone as an equal.

“He operated an open door policy and interacted with us individually. He had a great vision for the university and wanted it to be reckoned with globally. He was concerned about the welfare and security of the staff and students and gave a lot of support to the radio unit. He will be missed.”

For the National Director of Sports, NANS, Ninalowo Saheed Shola, the passing of the VC is a loss to the entire Nigerian students as he was a father, mentor and role model to the students.

“To the best of my knowledge, he is the first dead VC that students are actually mourning as the empty streets of the school shows. He listened to students’ complaints and acted on them. May his gentle soul rest in peace and the entire student community will continue to mourn him.”

Odunola Olajoke and Adebola Abisola Adeagbo, both students, described Sofoluwe as a father to the students who students could stop anywhere to complain to.

“He was a very consistent and approachable father figure and since he became the VC, he ensured the school calendar was stabilized and also initiated laudable projects in the school, particularly in the Distance Learning Institute (DLI).”
For Eze Pascal, student, the late VC was a great leader and father that changed the face of the school and was on the path of repositioning the school.

“He did a lot, especially in the DLI and also reduced cultism to the barest minimum. He took control of almost all students’ activities.”

Akiyimi Willson, a graduate of the university, received the news with shock when he came to check his NYSC posting.
“He was a nice man to his colleagues and students. I remember an incidence when a female student misplaced her purse and she reported to the school authority. The purse was later found by a male student who returned it to the owner but the surprising part was that Prof. Sofoluwe gave the boy N300,000 and paid his hostel fees till he graduated. In fact, he was a father to many and gave hope to many people.”

Late VC’s unfulfilled wishes for the University of Lagos

Day was Tuesday, May 8, 2012, venue was the Senate Chamber, Senate House, Main Campus, University of Lagos, Akoka and event was the Pre-Celebration Press Conference for the university’s 50th anniversary scheduled to run from April through October, this year.

The late Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe addressed the Press on activities lined up to mark the institution’s 50th anniversary.

“From my vantage point, the future looks beautiful, full of promises and myriads of opportunities. I see a future of outstanding excellence in the quality of staff and of course, as a consequence, of students. I see a future of trail-blazing collaboration between the academia of this university and the budding industry in Nigeria and the world to improve our national and world economy. I see UNILAG joining the league of 100 best universities globally,” the erudite scholar had said.

The late Professor of Computer Science and 10th vice-chancellor of the university said the institution “was established by an act of the Federal Parliament in 1962 with the mandate to ‘train the requisite professional workforce for a newly-independent Nigeria.’ The first lecture was held at the Idi Araba Campus on October 3, 1962. I am pleased to announce to this august gathering and the world through your media that the University of Lagos has to an appreciable degree, fulfilled this mandate.”

Partnerships and Linkages
According to the late VC, in its 50 years of existence, UNILAG has “enjoyed greater international visibility through partnerships and international linkages. The recent one is between this university and Soochow University in China.

Other institutions with which the university enjoys partnership are: the University of South Africa (UNISA); Hogskolan Dalama University, Sweden; DUN Groupment De Recherche International (GORI), France; Universite Charles-Louis De Montesquieu D’Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire; Virginia State University, USA; Kennesaw State University, USA; Confucius Institute, China and University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom among others.”

National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation
The Federal Government established a National Centre for Energy Efficiency and Conservation (NCEEC) in the University of Lagos, two years ago. The construction of the building for the Centre beside the Central Laboratory being constructed by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has commenced.

Projects Sofoluwe couldn’t complete
“The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos from 1984 to 1985, Chief Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam Mbanefo MFR, CON, FCA has donated a Research and Resource Centre to the University of Lagos.

The Centre, when completed, will be a world class facility which would aid and enhance academic research and productivity in the university and Nigeria as a whole. It will also have a digital/internet-based research library to support advance research and postgraduate studies in Nigeria.

“The Department of Geosciences, University of Lagos received a grant of Kingdom Suite Software. The three-year grant from HIS Global Incorporation, Houston, Texas, United States of America is worth $2, 310, 000.00. The donation is for Geophysics and Geology programmes as it relates to oil and gas exploration.

“An ultramodern medical laboratory was recently completed at the Medical Centre with funds provided by foremost philanthropist and industrialist, Chief Adebukunola Adebutu Kessington, OFR. Troika Group has also donated a three-storey building to the university’s Department of Mass Communication. When completed, the building will provide additional classrooms.”

50th anniversary programme he won’t attend
The late VC had outlined the programme for the 50th anniversary celebrations as follows:
On May 18, there will be Anniversary Light and Sound show, followed by My 50 Golden Words on May 20. Anniversary Park will take place from April – June 16, 2012 while UNILAG Ideas and People’s Festival will take place between April and July 27.

Alumni Week comes up from June 11 – 16.  From July 5 to 6, Mr. and Miss Golden Jubilee comes up, followed by Lecture (Faculty of Environmental Studies) on July 7. Anniversary Lecture (Faculty of Law) comes up on July 12. Nigeria Nite follows on July 20. On July 26, UNILAG 25 Year Strategic Plan/Donor Club will be inaugurated. UNILAG Festival of Arts comes up from August 13 to 19 and Anniversary Games Championships takes place from September 3 to 9.

Other activities are: Anniversary Museum (September 9); Golden Jubilee research Fair (September); LUTH Lecture (College of Medicine), (October 3). The high point of the activities will be the Special Anniversary Convocation & Awards and Anniversary Gala Nite & Launch of Anniversary Documentary & 50 Years History of UNILAG on October 4, 2012.

The event had in attendance the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor R. A. Bello; Registrar, Oluwarotimi O.A. Shodimu (Esq); Bursar, Mr. L. A. Odekunle; Acting Librarian, Dr. Okanlawon Adediji; Senate members; Deans; Directors; Heads of Departments/Units; Staff and students of the university.

Background
Born on April 15, 1950, Sofoluwe attended CMS Grammar School for his secondary education after which he proceeded to the University of Lagos to study Computer Science and graduated with a Second Class upper Division (Honours) in 1973. During his days as a student, he was awarded a German scholarship for being brilliant academically, he also won the Dean’s prize back to back in the 1971/72 session.

After graduation from the University of Lagos and the completion of his one year compulsory service to the nation, he proceeded to Edinburgh University in Scotland where he earned his Master’s and Doctorate in 1975 and 1981 respectively after he won a Commonwealth Scholarship.

Back  home, he kick-started his teaching career at the University of Lagos as a graduate assistant in 1976, rose through the ranks till he became a full professor in 1996.

Achievements
•Professor Sofoluwe served twice in the Computer Science department as the head of department (1989-1991 and 1994-1996).
•Served as a Dean of the Faculty of Science between 1998 and 2002.
•He was elected as a member of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos (2000-2004).
•While he was appointed as a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, he returned to the Governing Council in August 30, 2006 by virtue of the appointment.
•On January 30, 2010, Professor Adetokunbo Sofoluwe was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.
Meanwhile,Professor Rahman Bello, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Management Services), has been appointed the Acting Vice-Chancellor.

By Ben Agande
Abuja — As part of measures to ensure that security arrangements at the country’s airports are functional and capable of detecting threats to the country’s aviation sector, the House of Representatives, yesterday, directed its committee on aviation to carry out a full audit of all security facilities at the nation’s airport and report to it within four weeks.

Similarly, the House also directed the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, to initiate measures to remove obsolete NITEL cables nationwide.

In a motion brought by Ossai Nicholas Ossai, the lawmaker noted that the global security challenges in air transportation called for urgent adoption of measures to forestall any breach of passenger and aircraft safety in Nigeria.

He, however, noted that the on-going renovation of the airports had dislocated and disrupted the smooth functioning of installed scanning machines and other vital security gadgets, thereby posing great security risk to passengers and the airports.

According to the sponsor of the motion, the resort to manual search of passengers, instead of the 3D scanning gadgets installed at the airports, is defective.

He said there was need to restore the existing walk-through, ground search and other metal and security detection gadget capable of releasing relevant details about passengers and other persons accessing the airports’ vital zones.

The House, therefore, directed that the committee on aviation investigate the functionality of security equipment at the airports and report to it.

In another development, the House also urged the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to initiate measures to remove NITEL obsolete cables nationwide.

In a motion brought by Samuel Williams, he noted that even after 10 years of GSM “our streets are still littered with NITEL cables, erected on wooden and rotten poles loaded with intertwined cobweb of overhanging dirty wires which pose health and safety hazards to people.”

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

OWERRI – Staff of Imo Specialist Hospital, Owerri, yesterday embarked on indefinite industrial action over irregular payment of salaries and anti-labour policies of the hospital management.

At about 2.30pm when Vanguard visited the hospital, relatives of patients on admission were seen moving their loved ones hurriedly from the hospital to alternative health institutions.

Vanguard investigations revealed that before the workers closed shop, they marched through a distance of about five kilometres from the Specialist Hospital to Government House, to lay their complaint.

They carried placards with varying inscriptions, some of which read: “Are we staff of Imo Specialist Hospital, Government staff or private staff; If you no fit manage the hospital, away!!!; and Rescue General Hospital, Owerri; Okorocha, please take us back to HMB”.

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

The House of Representatives is set to commence the process of amending the extant Constitution with landmark proposals to set the State legislative houses and the local government councils from the iron-grip of the nation’s governors!

THE National Assembly it seems has put the amendment of the 1999 Constitution on top of its agenda. Unlike in the last attempt when some areas were ignored, there would no ‘no-go areas’ this time,  the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Ike Ekweremadu told Sunday Vanguard recently.

Towards realising the gaol, the Senate Committee recently called for memoranda from members of the public. The House of Representatives is itself not lagging behind on the issue. The House Committee it was learnt would soon  embark on a working retreat to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital to deliberate on the issue.

Issues for amendment: Indeed, the 44-member ad-hoc committee headed by Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep.  Emeka Ihedioha, has already been mandated to work on several contentious issues like state police, financial autonomy for state legislatures, state creation, autonomy for local government councils, revenue allocation, derivation and other knotty  issues that have been plaguing Nigeria.

So far, about 10 private member bills have been introduced, debated and referred to the Committee. These include a bill by Rep Femi Gbajabiamila to provide for a definite date for the President to present an Appropriation Bill for the next financial year; a bill by Hon. Uche Ekwunife to alter the provisions of sections 7 & 162 of the Constitution to provide for independence and financial autonomy of local government councils; a bill by Hon. Leo Ogor to alter the provisions of sections 89 and 129 of the constitution to direct the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute any person or authority found wanting by the Senate or House of Representatives and for matters connected to it .

Other bills include  a bill by Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba to remove the word ‘Force’ from the name of the Nigeria Police Force to bring it in tune with the current democratic dispensation in the country; a bill by Hon. Patrick Ikhariale to amend the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, Cap. E7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and other matters connected therewith, the purpose of which is to open up the electricity sector by enabling a state government that desires to participate in the generation, transmission, trading, distribution and bulk supply and resale of electricity either directly or otherwise; and a bill by Hon. Suleiman Kawu to alter relevant provisions of the constitution to make for financial autonomy for state legislatures.

LG financial autonomy: Financial autonomy for councils has been a recurring issue.  Uncertainty of funding has led to a disconnect between the councils and governors, who recklessly expropriate funds for their councils. The  contentious provisions are contained in Section 162 which states among others: “Each State shall maintain a special account to be called “State Joint Local Government Account” into which shall be paid all allocations to the Local Government Councils of the State from the Federation Account and from the Government of the State.

Speaker of the House of Reps, Tambuwal and Chairman of NGF, Chibuike Amaechi

“Each State shall pay to Local Government Councils in its area of jurisdiction such proportion of its total revenue on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. The amount standing to the credit of Local Government Councils of a State shall be distributed among the Local Government Councils of that State on such terms and in such manner as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly of the State.”

Fiscal matters: Apart from the Bill before the ad-hoc committee, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) had on several occasions made submissions to the National Assembly canvassing the scrapping of the State and Local Government Joint Account (JAC). RMAFC Chairman, Engr. Elias Mbam, recommended that JAC, which is operational in most states be abolished to ensure the sovereignty of local government administration in the country.

According to him the abolition would forestall abuse of funds by state governments as allocations meant for local councils would go directly to council accounts without any interference by state governments.

Removal of immunity clause: Also  in consideration is the removal of immunity for the President, Vice President, State Governors and their deputies. Rep. Eziuche Ubani, a third term member of the House told Vanguard that the removal of the  immunity clause would depend on submissions gathered from stakeholders.

Biggest sentiment
“There is no proposal before us on the removal of immunity clause yet. However, we will respond to the biggest sentiments of the people of Nigeria. The President will have to send a proposal to the National Assembly. So, I assure you that we will treat the issue appropriately if we have a proposal to that effect,” he said.

The Justice Alfa Belgore committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan had recommended the removal of the clause. A host of federal lawmakers are nevertheless in support of  the removal of the clause. But their ability to do so against the desire of many governors would be remarkable. Incidentally, no section of the constitution can be amended without an endorsement by at least 24 state houses of assembly, a provision that gives the governors significant influence over the amendment process.

Making House resolutions binding: Also, the  constitution review committee is working on a proposal to compel the executive to implement certain resolutions of the National Assembly. A Bill to that effect has equally been debated and passed on to the constitution review committee for further legislative actions.

Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN/Lagos) who is championing this proposal disclosed that the amendment aims to put to an end the current scenario where resolutions of the House are regarded as “mere expressions of opinions” and are either ignored or treated with levity.

Independence of state legislatures: The issue of granting financial independence to State Houses of Assembly is equally being considered. A bill to that effect has been endorsed by the House and referred to the constitution review committee . It is aimed at putting state legislatures on the first line charge, a status which the National Assembly now enjoys. In the last constitutional amendment, the amendment was made by the National Assembly but majority of the State Houses of Assembly rejected it.

It was believed that State governors were not favourably disposed to the amendment because of its tendency to redeem the state legislatures from the shackles of perpetual financial dependence on governors and possibly encourage “disloyalty”.

Deputy Minority Leader Abdulrahman Suleiman Kawu, who sponsored the bill said for any democratic setting to grow, the three arms of government must operate independent of each other.

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA – A DEPUTY Director with the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority, Owerri, Mr. Basil Ejezie, has been clubbed to death at his Umunze, Anambra State country home on a day members of his church were celebrating this year’s Fathers’ Day.

The late Ejezie, a Knight of St. Mulumba, KSM, was said to be attending a church service at the Holy Rosary Catholic Parish in the town when he received an information that his attention was needed at home and barely 20 minutes of that invitation, his relation rushed back to the church to inform the Parish priest, Rev Fr Emmanuel Anyaji and other fathers of the church gathered there, that Ejezie had a confrontation with his brothers’ in–law and in the process, a scuffle ensued which led to his death.

It was gathered that when his colleagues got to his house, they saw him lying unconscious and still wearing the Catholic Men’s Organization, CMO, uniform which he wore to the church earlier.

According to the information, four big sticks allegedly used in clubbing Ejezie to death which were seen at the scene of the incident, have been taken to the police station as exhibits.

Ejezie’s wife of 20 years and a lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze), Dr. Virginia Ejezie, who is the daughter of the founder of the famous Nkpokiti Dance Troupe, the late Chief Festus Nwankwo, was said to be present when her husband was allegedly attacked by her brothers.

Fellow Christians rushed the deceased to the Immaculate Heart Hospital, Umunze, but because there was no doctor on duty, he was taken to Ekwulobia General Hospital where the doctors pronounced him dead after battling unsuccessfully for hours to revive him.

Police public relations officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka said the matter had not been brought to his attention, but promised to get in touch with the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, at Umunze for proper briefing.

By DAYO JOHNSON
AKURE—SEVEN years after, three persons; Dele Akinbolade, Olorunfunnibi Akintomide and Opeyemi Olaiya were yesterday sentenced to death for robbery by an Ondo High Court.

The convicts were sentenced to death by Justice Williams Akintoroye for robbing one Yahaya Suberu in 2005 while armed by with guns and cutlasses.

The convicted persons, Dele Akinbolade, Olorunfunnibi Akintomide and Opeyemi Olaiya were sentenced to death by Justice Williams Akintoroye for robbing one Yahaya Suberu in 2005 when armed with guns and cutlasses.

Justice Akintoroye found the trio guilty of robbery committed at 42, Odoyege Street, Ile-Oluji, on January 6, 2005, contrary to Section 1 (2) (b) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provision) laws of the federation.

According to the prosecutor, Mr Ife Olorunfemi of Ministry of Justice, the accused persons robbed the victims armed with guns and cutlasses contrary to the provisions of the law of the federation.

The Prosecution counsel called five witnesses including the victim and policemen who arrested the convicts and investigated the crime.

Suberu, while giving the graphic details of how the convicts stormed his residence on the day around 2.am, said they broke the door and came upstairs to meet him and threatened to shoot him if he raised any alarm.

According to him, they made away with N150, 000, two handsets worth N72, 000 and jewelry worth N11,000.

ABUJA —  Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 12.9 per cent in April, year-on-year, driven largely by non-food items and a very price stable comparative month in April last year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed, yesterday.

Nigeria, Africa’s top energy producer and second biggest economy, is closely watched by emerging market investors and Africa-focussed funds.

Though its economy is one of the fastest growing in the world and bond yields are attractive, poor fiscal management has had a tendency to build inflationary pressures. The figure compared with a 12.1 per cent increase in March, year-on-year.

Food inflation, the largest component of the index, fell slightly to 11.2 per cent, compared with 11.8 percent in March. The change in the overall index was largely because inflation in the month of April 2011 had been so subdued.

“The higher year-on-year change could be partly attributable to base effects as the index was relatively more stable in April of 2011 … lower price levels in April 2011 will reflect higher year-on-year percentage changes in April of 2012,” the statistics bureau said.

Inflation was worse in urban areas last month, registering a 13.4 per cent rise, compared with 12.4 percent in rural areas. Core inflation, stripping out volatile agricultural produce, rose by much more than the headline rate, by 14.7 percent year on year, the statistics bureau sAnalysts expect the upward trend in inflation to peak later this year, before it tails off slightly.

“Inflation will probably peak at 14.4 percent y/y in Jul-Aug, which is close to CBN and market expectations,” said Standard Bank’s Samir Gadio, adding that a sell off in bonds, whose yields are very inflation sensitive, was unlikely. Inflation is set to drop in Q4 2012 and reach high single-digits in early 2013, based on our forecasts,” he said.

“The central bank has warned that inflationary pressures are too strong; hinting that it is likely to keep monetary policy tight this year, but nobody expects a rise in rates at the next meeting. The bank held rates at 12 percent last month, and Governor Lamido Sanusi noted a “resurgence of inflationary pressures”, though he praised the government for efforts to introduce fiscal discipline into its 2012 budget.

“Given that inflation remains in the range projected by the CBN, we do not expect rates to be changed from 12 percent at the May MPC meeting,” said Alan Cameron, a London based economist for Nigerian stockbroker CSL.

The CBN has said that it expects inflation to peak at 14-15 percent in Q3 2012 … inflation would need to move above this range in order for the CBN to reconsider its stance.”

ABUJA — The Federal Government has entered into agreements with two French companies for the expansion of Nigeria’s transmission network, valued at about $200 million or N3.14 billion.

Under the agreements, which is said to have the blessing of the French Government, the companies will first undertake the feasibility studies for the transmission upgrade, and thereafter, select and construct a high voltage transmission line and substations.

The Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the kick off of the project was signed, yesterday, between the Ministry of Power and two French companies in Abuja.

Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Mr. Sola Akinniranye, signed on behalf of Nigeria while Mr. Jean Paul Mairesse of the Electricite de France, EDF, and Mr. Jean Philippe Trin of the Enterprise de Transporte et Distribution D’electricity, ETDE, signed on behalf of their companies respectively.

EDF and ETDF will source the funds from their home government to execute specific feasibility studies as well as select a specific project that will help expand the transmission grid.

Transmission glitches have remained the biggest challenge in Nigeria’s power delivery system, as the existing 330 and 132 kv network continues to suffer from prolonged and frequent outages, thus underscoring the need for fortification.

In a statement made available to Vanguard by the ministry, “the MoU has been in the works since 2008, when both countries executed a protocol for the development of electrification networks in Nigeria, followed by a series of meetings to determine areas of need for the expansion of Nigeria’s transmission grid infrastructure.”

Talks on the project were said to have been concluded on November 28, 2011, with the parties agreeing to “execute a partnership agreement for the development of specific power projects in Nigeria.”

Nnaji was quoted as saying that the parties shall jointly identify and agree on a specific transmission project within the range of $100 million to $200 million, evaluate the feasibility for the project, and thereafter, select a project for implementation.

“Funds for execution of the projects— the construction of high voltage transmission line and substations that would be undertaken by the contractors— are to come from the French government in the form of a grant,” the statement added.

In line with government’s local content policy, the French companies are to partner with a Nigerian company, Transnational Energy and Power Systems Ltd, TEPS, for the execution of the project.

The CEO of TEPS, Prince Albert Awofisayo, was quoted as commending the President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s commitment to transform the power sector.

“This is a sign of investors growing confidence on the power sector reform. We believe that the Jonathan administration is on the threshold of providing Nigerians with the true dividends of democracy and democratic leadership,” he said.

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA —  The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has been asked to invoke its powers and abort any move by President Goodluck Jonathan to reinstate the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

Salami was on August 18, 2011, axed from office by the National Judicial Council, NJC, on allegation that he violated the code of conduct for judicial officers in the country by engaging in acts of “judicial misconduct.”

The plaintiff, Mr Noah Ajare, is challenging the powers of the NJC to make such recommendation despite the pendency of the subject matter of the substantive controversy before a competent court of jurisdiction, contending that any action taken by Jonathan in relation to the case would not only amount to sub-judice, but constitute a deliberate affront on the statutory duties of the judiciary.

Aside the NJC, also joined as defendants in the suit, were the President and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF.

In an originating summons he filed yesterday, Ajare sought a declaration that all the meetings, discussions and recommendations for the reinstatement of Salami by the President, on the recommendations of the NJC, were illegal, unconstitutional, null and void, as the matter is subjudice.

The plaintiff further sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants, agents or privies from implementing, discussing and or rectifying the recommendations of the NJC in respect of Justice Salami pending the hearing and determination of pending court actions so as not to create a wrong precedent.

In a 22-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Omolara Adeogun, the plaintiff said he was not against the reinstatement of Salami, but wanted due process of the law to be followed in order not to set an unhealthy precedent, capable of sustaining such uncanny controversies in the future.

He noted that the matter was no longer personal for the original parties involved, saying it has assumed a national dimension with global attention and as such entails that caution must be observed.

The plaintiff further argued that if there was no extant order of the court, the 1st defendant, Jonathan, may pre-empt the due process of the court.

He stressed that the face-off between the former CJN and the PCA, shook the entire judiciary to its very foundation and climaxed when the PCA instituted a court action against the then CJN at the Federal High Court, saying there was a grave concern among Nigerians particularly at the Bar, concerning the integrity of the judiciary.

The plaintiff, who described the judiciary as the most sacred arm of the three arm of government, said as the last hope of the common man, its sacredness ought to be preserved through the instrumentality of the law and due process.

Meantime, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the case which was yet to be assigned to any judge for adjudication.

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri

The feeling in many quarters in Imo State presently is that these certainly are not the best of times in the Eastern Heartland against the backdrop of the prevailing security challenges bordering on armed robbery and kidnapping.

The security situation in the state worsened Monday night, May 7, 2012, following the brutal murder of Eze Stanley Akuneto, the traditional ruler of Umueze-Abazu, Ogwa, Mbaitoli local government area of the state.

Vanguard Metro, VM, investigations revealed that the two gunmen, who were operating on a motorcycle, stormed the royal father’s palace at about 9pm when most people had gone to sleep.

It was further gathered from a villager, who did not want his name in print, that the gangsters did not betray their principal mission when they asked after the traditional ruler.

“When they were taken to where the traditional ruler was relaxing, they quickly shot him at close range and sped away on their motorbike into the dark night,” the villager recounted with grief.

Another woman, who could not hold her emotion as she spoke, described the late royal father as “a lover of his people, soft-spoken, sincere to a fault, unassuming and a fine gentleman”.

Eze-Elect, Nze Nwaozuzu:

She wondered why anybody or group of persons would have conspired to snuff life out of the man, even as she denied that there was any form of crisis in the autonomous community.

Efforts made by VM to get in touch with the community’s Traditional Prime Minister,  George Obinna Asi, failed as he was said to be “out of town on a business trip”.

When VM called the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Sam Oodee, for his comments, the fellow that picked his phone claimed the gadget had a problem which he was fixing and urged our Correspondent to call in the next 30 minutes.

The Eze –elect of Awo Mbieri autonomous community, Mbaitoli local council area of Imo State, Nze Oliver Nwaozuzu, was luckier because he was merely abducted by gunmen from his village church.

The euphoria of Nze Nwaozuzu’s recent victory at a plebiscite conducted in the community by the state government had hardly died down before he was picked by hoodlums.

VM investigation revealed that about five hours after his kidnap, the Eze-elect’s car, which was allegedly used to ferry him into the kidnapper’s dungeon, was spotted at the foot of the Niger Bridge, Onitsha, Anambra State.

A villager who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity lamented that “the community was thrown into palpable confusion” and he passionately appealed to the security agencies to ensure his safe return to his subjects.

Another middle aged housewife, whose identity could not be ascertained at press time, was reportedly kidnapped by rampaging kidnappers in Umunoha community, also in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state. VM gathered that the woman was on her way to Umunoha community in her Toyota Avalon saloon car when she was forced to stop and then abducted by the gangsters.

When contacted on his mobile phone, PPRO Oodee, said the Command was aware of the reported kidnap of the citizens and was already investigating the cases.

Answering another question, Oodee passionately appealed to the citizenry to form the habit of passing useful information to the Police, stressing that the organisation can only be effective if given credible tips.

Through sheer God’s grace and abundant mercies, Nze Nwaozuzu has breathed the air of freedom again. The jubilation that greeted his return was unprecedented. He spoke about his ordeal to journalists.

He recalled with grief that his abductors were four middle aged men. They all pointed their guns at his wife, driver, personal assistant, a policeman in mufti and himself, as soon as they stepped out of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, Awo Mbieri.

Nze Nwaozuzu gave a graphic account of how every other occupant of his car, including his wife that was constantly invoking the name of Jesus Christ, was ordered out of the vehicle a few metres away from the church.

“It was sheer God’s grace that my life was spared. As God will have it, two of the young men told me that they were instructed not to feed me at all but instead, they fed me with moin-moin, beans and rice all through the three nights in the stuffy rooms where I was detained”, Nwaozuzu recounted.

The Eze-Elect equally revealed that he was detained in the same place with the Managing Director of Milan Pharmacy, Owerri, Chief Sylvester Okere. Answering a question, Nwaozuzu expressed belief that kidnapping is being perpetrated by a highly organised syndicate which law enforcement agencies need to tackle with clinical finesse.

It was not clear at press time if Nze Nwaozuzu paid any ransom to secure his freedom but the truth remains that these are not the best of times for Imo people!

By DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA — Ogun State  Government  yesterday denied obtaining a N40 billion bond from Brazil, but it got the approval  of the state House of Assembly to borrow only N25 billion for its development projects.

Commissioner for Finance, Kemi Adeosun,  said this at a  briefing in Abeokuta.

Adeosun, who  accused  the past administration of misappropriation, said the government had discovered  many shoddy deals allegedly perpetrated by the past administration.

According to her, N1 billion had been discovered during a review of banking transactions and  charges recently.

It will be recalled that, former Commissioner for Information during Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration, Sina  Kawonise, had alleged that  the Senator  Ibikunle Amosun  government had  obtained  a N40 billion  loan from a Brazilian financial  institution.

Reacting to the allegation, the commissioner said some companies from Brazil approached the state government with a proposal for some capital projects on debt for the state  on “contractor financing.”

Adeosun said: “We are one year in office, there is no bond. It has been disapproved and debunked. We are re-engineering. We are not saying we are not going to borrow. We have taken loans. We have borrowed only N6 billion out of the approved N25 billion.”

According to her, “contrary to the allegation that the state government obtained loan from Brazil, it  only sought for the permission from the state House of Assembly to allow the companies in Brazil  to construct some  capital  projects on the proposed arrangement, which was approved by the Assembly.

“Brazilian loan is another example of some misinformation. It is not a loan, it is contractors financing. We have not collected Brazilian loan.”