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Constituency Projects: How Lawmakers Are Diverting Public Funds — ICPC

Published

2 years ago

April 25, 2022

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission says some federal lawmakers have been found to be using vague description of constituency projects to convert public property to private use.

The commission, in its ‘Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Exercise Phase 3 Report’, said soft projects of empowerment and supplies of vehicles are often deliberately opaquely described in the appropriation such that it did not specify beneficiaries or the intended usage.

The third phase of the ICPC project tracking monitored various zonal intervention and executive projects valued at over N114.1bn between 2019 and 2020.

The ICPC said its investigations had uncovered some sponsoring legislators siting projects on their personal property which technically vests legal possession and ownership of such projects in them.

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Under ‘Misappropriation and Criminal Conversation of Public Property’ the commission provided examples of the infractions by the lawmakers.

It said, “The project for the procurement of Water Rigs to Taraba South Senatorial District. The rigs which were never distributed before the commission’s intervention were procured and supplied to the sponsor and were found in the custody of the sponsor, commercialised and the proceeds paid into the sponsor’s personal Bank account.

“In National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Centre, Zaria, Kaduna state, the CEO has the habit of dishing out contracts to random contractors without any form of compliance with the procurement processes, pay them off and instruct them to cash and reroute the monies to him less 5% as their own reward.

“He would in turn hand over the monies to the sponsors either in Naira or converted to US Dollars. These projecis were apparently never intended to be executed ab initio. This was observed in more than 16 contracts worth N1.2bn. While investigations are still ongoing, some recoveries have already been made and the CEO is being cited for necessary administrative and legal actions.

“Another case in this regard is project for the supply of vehicle to Nasarawa Federal Constituency of Kano state. The exact type of vehicle was not stated, nor the purpose for which it was being procured.”

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Many dead, houses razed in Delta tanker explosion

Published

14 mins ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Many dead, houses razed in Delta tanker explosion

A devastating tanker explosion in Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta State has left many people dead.

The incident, which happened when a tanker exploded, occurred on Friday at Ometan community, in Okpe local government area of Delta State.

It’s gathered that the incident occurred when the ill-fated tanker lost control while overtaking another truck near the boundary bridge between Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Area.

The front part of the oil tanker suddenly detached from the rear compartment while on motion, leading to an explosion, eyewitnesses said.

According to Daily Post, all buildings in the community within the perimeter of the explosion were razed and some residents who were trapped in the building were also burnt to death.

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The state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has visited the scene, and condoled with the Ometan community and families of the victims.

Speaking at the scene, the governor, who was accompanied by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor and former chairman of Okpe local government area, said he was away when the incident occurred.

“On getting here, I saw dead bodies and those who witnessed the unfortunate incident.

“It is a very sad situation and I commiserate with the people of Ometan community and families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident”, he said.

The development is coming barely four days after a gas tanker explosion killed many residents in Rivers State and destroyed properties

Many dead, houses razed in Delta tanker explosion

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Court sends teenager to prison for defiling 8-year-old neighbour’s daughter

Published

21 mins ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

Court sends teenager to prison for defiling 8-year-old neighbour’s daughter

In Oyo State, one Joshua Olayiwola, a teenager, has been remanded for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old neighbour’s daughter.

A Family Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, ordered the remand of Olayiwola in Abolongo Correctional facility, Oyo Town.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the police charged Olayiwola with defilement.

The Magistrate, Mrs S. A. Adesina, declined Olayiwola’s plea due to lack of jurisdiction and adjourned the matter until June 13.

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He also ordered the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Gbemisola Adedeji told the court that Olayiwola, on April 15, between 8am and 10 pm allegedly defiled the minor in the Ojo Ekun area of Ibadan.

She said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 34 of the Oyo State Child Rights Law 2006

Court sends teenager to prison for defiling 8-year-old neighbour’s daughter

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Ganduje shares cash to 400 PWDs

Published

1 hour ago

May 4, 2024

Trends Admin

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje

Ganduje shares cash to 400 PWDs

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, have distributed cash assistance to the families of over 400 people with disabilities across the country.

Although the actual sum was not released, Ganduje was alleged to have made the payments through the party’s PWD office in Abuja.

Tolu Bankole, National Leader of APC Persons with Disabilities, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

Bankole further confirmed that hundreds of recipients have been calling his office to express their gratitude for the action.

According to him, Ganduje‘s approval demonstrated his compassion for persons with disabilities beyond the ‘rhetoric’ at a time when the most vulnerable Nigerians require all available assistance.

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The member of the APC National Working Committee also stated that the current cash palliative was the first phase of the party’s planned interventions for numerous PWD households in 774 local government areas across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “I am pleased that over 400 households have benefited from the ongoing cash intervention program under our PWD-friendly National Chairman, Dr. Umar Abdullahi Ganduje. This is just the beginning of PWD inclusion in our party, and more vulnerable Nigerians will benefit from this program.

“The APC has been proactive in providing the much-needed succor to PWDs men, women, their children, elderly, and the most vulnerable members of our society.

“In addition to this cash intervention program, we have taken several initiatives to support our citizens during these challenging times.

“We recognize the impact of current economic inflation, and this timely intervention is to mitigate its effects. Our party at all levels has made concerted efforts to cushion the impact of the inflation experienced in the economy recently.

“We are aware of the decisive steps taken by our President, Bola Tinubu, to free our economy and reposition our country. The good news is that the economy is showing signs of improvement, with the naira appreciating at a remarkable speed.

“The All Progressives Congress, led by our PWD-friendly national chairman, has proven to be the preferred option for inclusive development and remains committed to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.”