Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Era of coups gone for good - CDS Irabor – Newstrends
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Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Era of coups gone for good – CDS Irabor

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Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor

The era of coups is gone for good, Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, assured Nigerians yesterday.

He said the military would assist the police, if such a need arises, to provide security during the general election.

Irabor spoke with reporters at the National Arcade, Abuja, at the end of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

President Muhammadu Buhari and other senior government officials attended the event.
Irabor said: “Democracy has come to stay; a government of the people, by the people and for the people has come to stay. That is an assurance.”

On soldiers’ involvement in the election, he added: “I have been discussing with the IG (Inspector-General of Police).

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“We’ve also made contingencies should we be required to give support to the police as the election is conducted.

“Rest assured that the Armed Forces remain solidly behind the police to give them all the support as required.”

Irabor emphasised that the remembrance day was not for mourning.

He said: “It is the day that we need to give thanks to God; that men and women of this great nation once served, are serving and will continue to serve this country.

“We have that level of love for the country; that men and women have committed to and, if need be, sacrifice their lives so that the rest of us can live. I think it’s a worthwhile thing.

“So, today, it’s quite a very unique day, that the nation has set it aside to value, to place a premium on the services and honouring the services of men or women of our great country.

“Of course, going forward, the fact that one has been appreciated motivates one, and I think that is the message that has gone across the length and breadth of the members of the Armed Forces.

“So, we’re more motivated to continue to play our part.

“The veterans should also know that their services are not in vain.”

The widow of a fallen Air Force Officer, Mrs Cynthia Ngozi Ubah, called for speedy processing of the life insurance benefits and other entitlements due to the families.

Ubah is the widow of Victor Ubah, a Nigerian Air Force Squadron Leader, who was killed in an ambush during a joint operation in Kebbi State on July 7, 2021.

Although she received the benefits due her within one month of her husband’s demise, she said other families have not been so fortunate.

She said: “It is taking a while to compensate some of the families.

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“Before, it used to take a shorter while. Now? Families have to wait, keep waiting and keep calling.

“Mine didn’t take time, thankfully. But I have seen others in this situation and they’ve been complaining that it has taken them a very long time. Mine was between a month and two.

“But for some, it’s stretching to nine months to a year now, which is not telling well on them.

“But I believe they (the military) are doing their best. Hopefully, they get to settle these people.”

She said the remembrance ceremony was a message to her and the families of other slain personnel that their loved ones did not die in vain.

President Buhari earlier led other senior members of the government to the Wreath Laying Ceremony, marking the climax of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration.

The event, which honours the memory of the nation’s fallen heroes, is marked across the country every year, involving a series of activities, including religious services, parades and wreath-laying ceremonies.

The President, who arrived at the National Arcade at 10:05 am, was immediately ushered onto the saluting dais for the National Salute.

He also inspected the guards of honour, accompanied by the Commander, Brigade of Guards, Major General Muhammad Takuti Usman, after which he proceeded to the cenotaph for the wreath-laying ceremony.

Other dignitaries who laid wreaths were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola.

The Nation

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EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud

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EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told FIJ that they have arrested Timber Wabote, the former executive secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCMB), on the grounds of a failed $35 million Bayelsa refinery project fraud.

Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s spokesperson, confirmed this to FIJ on Thursday.

“It is true,” Oyewale responded to FIJ’s inquiries.

Wabote is accused of misappropriating public funds for a refinery project that should have improved local energy production.

Vanguard reported that the NCDMB under Wabote paid $35 million to support the development of energy infrastructure in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa, yet there was nothing to show for it.

The EFCC picked Wabote up following the arrest of Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, the Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, for alleged misappropriation, money laundering and diversion of $35 million in public funds.

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“NCDMB under the watch of Wabote allegedly paid the $35 million to Akindele to build a 2,000 barrel per day (BPD), refinery, jetty, gas plant, power plant, data centre and tank farm at Brass free trade zone (FTZ), Okpoama Community in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State,” a source with the EFCC had explained.

Since December 2020 when the payments were made, Akindele abandoned the project with little or nothing to show for the huge sum he received.

Preliminary investigations showed that Wabote’s NCDMB financed 17 different projects, including the 2,000 BPD refinery in Brass LGA.

There has been a series of public fund misappropriation cases in the energy sector in recent times.

FIJ earlier reported that members of the House of Representatives summoned three ministers to defend how over $2 billion was spent on renewable energy with not much to show for it.

A recent FIJ report also recently detailed how residents of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa, have not had power in their homes since July due to the vandalisation of the Ahoada-Yenagoa transmission towers caused by unidentified persons.

The Bayelsa state government told FIJ it was the federal government’s responsibility to provide electricity for residents. The state has no renewable energy options reliable enough to power its capital despite the multi-million-dollar NCMB energy project.

Transparency in the energy sector has become necessary at a time when Nigerians have suffered power instability due to frequent grid collapses.

EFCC arrests ex-NCMB boss over $35m energy project fraud

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Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s trial till Nov 27

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Yahaya Bello

Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s trial till Nov 27

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested an adjournment in the new case against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, stating that the 30-day window for the previously issued summons is still active.

The commission has granted administrative bail to his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, and asked the court for an extension of time for Bello to appear.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, EFCC Counsel Jamiu Agoro noted that the court’s order from October 3rd had not yet expired.

“In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and agreed to come back on the 27th day of November, 2024, my lord,” he told the court.

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He also mentioned that the previously set date of November 20th was not convenient for the prosecution counsels.

Counsel to the second defendant, Aliyu Saiki, SAN, confirmed that his client had been granted administrative bail by the prosecution and had no objection to the adjournment request. The third defendant’s counsel, ZE Abass, concurred.

The prosecution counsel also requested the court to allow the notice of hearing to be pasted on the last known address of the first defendant.

After hearing from all counsels, the judge granted the EFCC’s application for adjournment and the issuance of the hearing notice.

“I have considered the application for adjournment by the complainant and issuance of hearing notice and the submission by the second and third defendants. The application is granted,” she said.

Justice Anenih then adjourned the case to November 27th for arraignment.

The former governor, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.

Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s trial till Nov 27

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We are understaffed, ICPC boss laments

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Chairman of the ICPC, Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN

We are understaffed, ICPC boss laments

Musa Adamu Aliyu, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has stated that the Commission is understaffed and under-resourced. Aliyu says this is limiting the commission’s efficiency.

According to a statement on the ICPC website published on Wednesday, Aliyu made this known on Monday while presenting the Commission’s performance scorecard to the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes.

“Currently, we have 21 state offices, but they are severely understaffed and under-resourced, which affects our efficiency nationwide,” he said.

Aliyu mentioned that the ICPC suffered from inadequate funding, which hampers the pursuit of investigations, legal proceedings and public education efforts.

Cases involving politicians, where external influences can challenge the impartiality and integrity of investigations, are also some of the challenges bedevilling the ICPC.

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Aliyu cited slow court processes as one of the factors preventing the swift resolution of corruption cases and undermining public trust in anti-corruption efforts.

“Our work requires diverse expertise, from forensic analysis to psychology, yet rising living costs make it increasingly difficult to maintain high morale among staff. Reviewing salaries and welfare benefits is essential for sustainable productivity,” Aliyu said.

“Additionally, ICPC personnel face security risks, especially during high-stakes investigations, making it critical to provide them with adequate security measures similar to those granted to other agencies.

“We urge you to consider the Commission’s requests for adequate funding to strengthen operational resources. Such support will enable us to pursue a more effective, inclusive, and resilient fight against corruption in Nigeria.”

 

We are understaffed, ICPC boss laments

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