BREAKING: 2017 budget finally passed by National Assembly

Presentation of 2016 budget to the National
Assembly by President Buhari

The National Assembly has finally passed the 2017 appropriation bill into law after so much delay that kept the document on the shelf for five months.

According to Premium Times the House of Representatives passed the 2017 budget in the lower chambers.

The green house of legislature agreed on the report by the committee on appropriation of the house and approved a total sum of ₦7.44 trillion.

The upper chamber on its own aspect, approved the report by its own committee on appropriation headed by Senator Goje Danjuma after spending almost one hour at an executive session.

The Senate checked the report bit by bit before passing it to law after dissolving itself into the Committee of Supply.

The Senate's official twitter handle confirmed the approval.

Recall that Tellforceblog reported on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 that the Senate had received the 2017 budget report and promised that it will be passed on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the 2017 appropriation bill was laid before the upper chamber of the legislative arm by Senator Danjuma Goje, the chairman of the senate committee on appropriations.

The bill was expected to have been passed since last week, before Friday, May 5, which was the expiration date for 2016 budget but was stepped down by the Senators.

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Senate ad-hoc committee indicts suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal to prosecuted

The suspended secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Engineer Babachir David Lawal, has been indicted for abuse of office and mismanagement by the Senate ad-hoc committee.

According to Punch News, On Tuesday, May 2, the committee added that Lawal broke the law governing his office as SGF and called on relevant agencies to commence prosecution on the suspended SGF for reportedly awarding N500million contracts, through the presidential initiative on north-east, a rehabilitation programme which should be monitored by his office, to a company linked to him.

Senator Shehu Sani

The Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Senator Shehu Sani, submitted the recommendation to the Senate during the plenary on Tuesday.

The indicting reports stated that:

“All resources that have been misapplied or stolen by public officials should be retrieved and anybody found culpable of contravening any of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations, pertaining to the award of these contracts, should be duly prosecuted by the relevant authorities. 

“That the banks transactions of Rholavision Engineering Limited and the confirmation by (the) Central Bank of Nigeria that the Bank Verification Number of Babachir David Lawal is still the signatory to Rholavision Engineering Limited accounts and 13 other accounts, some with different names. 

"The committee is of the opinion that Babachir David Lawal has contravened the provision of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (As amended); the Public Procurement Act 2007 and breach the Oaths of Office as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and should be prosecuted by the relevant authorities. 

“That the committee also recommends further investigation by relevant agencies of government on why contract-benefitting companies paid over N500m into Rholavision Engineering Limited, a company in which Babachir David Lawal has interest.”

The ad-hoc committee recommended that all misapplied and stolen resources by public office holders should be retrieved and anybody found culpable of breaching his/her oaths of office or neglecting any of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Federal Government Financial Rules and Regulations concerning the award of these contracts should be duly prosecuted by relevant agencies.

It also stated that: “Relevant agencies should ensure that contracts partially executed but fully paid for must be completed by the concerned contractors, or asked to refund the equivalent money of outstanding jobs to the government treasury.”

Also, Babachir Lawal and the director general of the national intelligence agency (NIA) Ayo Oke, will be probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), if the 3-man panel set up by the Presidency finished its assigned duty and finds them culpable, as said the presidency herself.

This was revealed by the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina on Channels Television.

Adesina noted that the two of them would be handed over to the anti-graft agency if the reports indicts them.

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2017 National Budget Missing - Senate blames Police for disappearance.

The Upper Chamber in the House of Assembly, Senate, had on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 announced that the National 2017 budget is missing and accused the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) of stealing the documents which was needed to pass the 2017 budget.

The allegations made against the Force followed a presentation made by Senator Danjuma Goje, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, linking it to the invasion of his home last week, by operatives of the NPF.

Goje accused the policemen of taking N18 million, $19,000 and 4,000 Saudi Riyadh from his home.

Goje alleged: “In addition, they also took my laptop and to make matters worse they took 18 files from my office. I am so traumatized now and I don’t know which files is missing, which files is available now.

"Some of these files have to do with the work I am doing.

“Like I told you, we are holding a meeting on the budget that last Thursday that they came. So from Thursday to now we have not been able to meet because some of the papers are not around, many of us are traumatised, my house as a politician is a beehives of activities; people are coming from all over the country to sympathise with me.

"I have no time to sit and from today we are trying to start sitting again as appropriation committee to see what we can do with the budget.”

He continued: “I want to apologise to my colleagues that we could not keep to the timetable you gave us to lay the budget yesterday (Tuesday) and to get it passed (Wednesday); and I think it is not our own fault, it is the fault of the police because the police interfered with the whole of the budget process and I hope Nigerians will not turn out to blackmail the national assembly because the process were truncated by the police.”

After the accusation, the Senate ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to return those documents as soon as possible and the computer which was seized from the official home of Senator Goje.

In addition, the Senate also directed the authority to tender a public apology to the Legislative Arm of the government.

Senate President Bukola Saraki disclosed that the NPF had informed the Senate Committee on Police Affairs that the operation carried out on Senator's Goje’s house was based on a false information from a whistle blower.

He said Upper Chamber would not give in to any excuse and maintained that an immediate official explanation on the operation must be presented to the House.

The Senate President said: “This matter is very serious, just as Senator Goje has said. It is now over five days with no statement or comments from the Police to tell us why this raid was done or to tell us where these files which are very important to the appropriation process.

“Sadly, I must tell you informally that the chairman of the Police Committee told me this morning (yesterday) that the Police are saying that it has something to do with a whistle blower. If it has to do with a whistle blower, then the whistle blower misled them.

“If a whistle-blower misled them, I think that this matter that has come out publicly like this to embarrass a Senator should be well handled. I think the Police, like in a civilised society, needs to come out and accept responsibility.

“If somebody has given you any wrong information, tell the public what you are doing with that person and if it is an intelligence officer that got the house wrong, come out and tell us. For five days now, nothing. I think it is unfortunately.

“I also got an information that the House of Representatives has also set up an adhoc committee on this matter and this committee that is set up should work closely with the House, particularly to ascertain the circumstances surrounding why they went to Senator Goje’s house.

“If truly it was a whistle blower and he gave them wrong information which is what the IG is telling them, what are they doing about that wrong information? Have they come out to make a public apology for this wrong raid?

“These are issues that the committee would look into and the files that are still in Police custody which Goje has told us is affecting the works before us, also needs to be brought publicly and formally to him because it was taken publicly.”

The Senate immediately announced the establishment of an adhoc committee to commence instant investigation into the NPF operation and also to probe the alleged assassination attempt of Senator Dino Melaye.

The adhoc committee will be chaired by Senator Jibril Barau (APC, Kano State), members includes David Umoru (APC, Niger State), Senators Isa Misau (APC, Bauchi State), Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu).

After IGP, Ibrahim Idris, privately met with the Senator Saraki, reportedly tendered an unofficial apology over the invasion.

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Senator's Death: Police arrests doctor who allegedly gave Senator Adeleke overdose of painkiller

The Nigerian Police Force,  Osun state command have reportedly detained one Dr Alfred Aderibigbe, who works with a community health center in Ede, Osun State, as medical assistant, for allegedly administering an overdose of painkiller injection on the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke who died of a cardiac attack on Sunday, April 23, 2017.

Sahara Reported alleged that the late Senator Adeleke was suffering from a severe leg pain which prompted the medical personel in charge to inject him with pain killers.

Dr Aderibigbe who was acting as one of the Adeleke's personal doctors, supposedly injected the the late senator with an overdose of the medication that led to his death. Aderibigbe is currently facing an allegation of illegally practicising medicine.

The authority arrested the medical personel yesterday, April 25, and have detained him at Osun State Investigation Bureau of the Nigeria Police in Oshogbo where he is being questioned.

Recall that intial report of an autopsy requested by the Osun State government and Senator Adeleke’s family revealed that the senator died after being administered overdose of painkiller drug. Dr Aderibigbe allegedly him analgesics intravenously.

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SENATOR'S DEATH: Pathologists says OVERDOSE of PAINKILLER was given to Senator Isiaka Adeleke

The origin of Senator Isiaka Adeleke's demise has been made opened to the public

Senator Isiaka Adeleke

Rendering from pathologists who carried out a post-mortem examination on the Senator’s corpse before the burial, reported that he died of overdose of anaesthetics. 

 The motionless body of Senator Adeleke was taken back to LAUTECH Hospital, Osogbo, for an autopsy following his sudden death at the hospital on Sunday, April 23, 2017.

According to earlier reports immediately after his death, he was said to have died of cardiac arrest but the natives of his home town, Ede, maintained that they want to know the cause of his sudden death on the belief that his death was unnatural. 

Sahara Reporters released a report that the two-time Senator did not die of poisoning but was administered an overdose of painkillers which resulted to his demise

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I was suspended because I want them to do the right thing - Suspended Senator Ndume

*Senator Ndume claims he was suspended for trying to make the Nigerian Senate do the right thing.

Senator Ali Ndume

The suspended senator, Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, has swore not to apologise to the senate president, Bukola Saraki so as to lift the suspension.

According to Premium Times, Senator Ndume told his supporters and well wishers in his constituency on Saturday, April 15, 2017 that he was suspended by his fellow Senator due to the fact that he wanted them to do right thing.

Ndume said his suspension was actually not only grounded on his colleagues' probe but some other occurences which he threw more light on.

At the get together in the Palace of tye Emir of Biu, the Senate leader said he never regretted what he did and that his people would not have received him well if it had been based on corruption or abuse of power or office.

Ndume said: “Your Royal Highness, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it took us hours to squeeze through the crowd of supporters to get to this place. And this gives me the greatest joy because my people still appreciate me.

“I will not remain a Senator for the rest of my life; but for the time I serve as the representative of my people, I shall continue to do and tell the truth. I know if I had erred, I would not have been received here. But I enjoy the support of my people because they know my suspension was because I spoke the truth.

“I know those that suspended me are going now regretting their actions because of the massive protest that trailed my illegal suspension. After seeing the support that I enjoy from Nigerians, the same people that suspended me came to say I should tender an apology so that my suspension could be lifted. But I said no to that because I did not commit any offence in the first place.

“They later came to say the Senate President, Senator Melaye and I should go and reconcile our difference; and I told them that I had no issue with either of them, so there is nothing to reconcile – as far as I am concerned we have a good working relationship.

“But I thank the Governor of Borno State, and Your Royal Highness, the Emir of Biu, and all those that sent emissaries in seeking to ensure that this issue is resolved. We are still talking, but I know I had not committed any offence.”

“My religion enjoins me to always stand on the path of truth even if I turn around and found that everyone has deserted me.

“Firstly, I know my trouble with them started because of my support for the policies and ideals of President Muhammadu Buhari. Secondly, when Ibrahim Magu’s name was brought to the Senate as nominee for the Chairmanship of EFCC, some group in the senate insisted that he would not be cleared. And in my position as the then Senate Majority leader, it was incumbent upon me to support any nominee sent in by the Executive. Besides that, the same nominee is from my state, Borno; besides, he had committed no offence to be denied the senate clearance.

“Above all, the majority of Nigerians loved him because he is doing the job well even as an acting chairman of EFCC.

“Thirdly, when he was brought in for screening and it was not successful, I took courage to tell them that they were acting out of the Senate order.

“And lastly, my position on the allegation levelled on the Senate President as well as the issue of Senator Dino’s certificate by a news medium was the final straw they needed to break the camel’s back.

“But Your Royal Highness, it is incumbent upon we the Senators, under Order 14-15 that if there is any issue or development or any action that tends to rubbish the integrity of the Senate, we stand up to ensure that we defend the name of the Senate. All I asked for was to investigate an allegation published in a news medium against two of our colleagues.

“The President of the Senate has all the powers to rule me out of order if he felt that the issues I raised were not welcomed on the floor of the Senate. But because they had always wanted to crucify me, they seized the moment to unleash their built-up angst against me. So, they gave a dog to hang me. And they did that when majority of the senators were not on seat.

“I thank God this turned out good to me, because it made me know how much love I enjoy from Nigerians.”

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Assasination attempt on Dino Melaye's life

Sen. Dino Melaye

There has been an attempt on Senator Dino Melaye's life in the early hours of yesterday, April 15, 2017. The senator escaped an assassination attempt on his life at his resident in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi state.

Reports said that about 10 gunmen came around Melaye's home around 12:00 midnight and began to shoot sporadically at the building.

Though Dino was not injured but two of his cars were damaged with bullets.

He reportedly made a distress call to the Kogi state Commissioner of police, CP, Wilson Inalegwu, who inturn ordered his to the scene. But it was later reported that the police got his home after the incident.

The CP has ordered the commencement of investigation into the attack.

Meanwhile, when speaking on the attack, Melaye said he believes the assassination attempt was politically inclined.

He said: “At about midnight, we started hearing gunshots. They fired more than 200 rounds of bullets into the house. This attempt to kill me will not stop me from speaking the truth.

"If I speak the truth, I will die. If I lie, I will die. I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. I’m not afraid of death. I only respect men, I don’t fear them. I am championing an administrative cause. I will continue to speak and be the voice to the voiceless. I’m not deterred. I remain resolute to make Kogi better. Nothing will stop me from coming home. 

"The DPO did not come to my house until three hours later. Even the area Commander in Kabba was not notified until I called the Commissioner of police. I suspect a Satanic collaboration between Taufiq Isa and the police in Aiyetoro because the duo held a meeting two days ago. Only God will protect us in this country but definitely not the police."

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Dino Melaye shares photos of his certificate after colllection from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Senator Dino Melaye who was accused of not being a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University by the Sahara reporters is actually doing all it takes to prove that the allegation is false.

Though the Vice Chancellor of the University was summon to the senate to have his say on the matter, which he did and that was in favour of Melaye.

Senator melaye visited the Ahmadu Bello University yesterday, April 7, 2017 for the collection of his certificate from the Citadel. He shared some photographs displaying the certificate with a description, “Got my certificate today”.

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Ali Ndume who moved a motion for probe of Saraki and Dino, has been suspended for 6 months

Senator Ali Ndume

The former senate leader, Ali Ndume who moved a motion for the probe of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye, has been suspended for six months.

Ndume moved the motion for the senate to investigate Sahara Reporters claim, which alleged that Dino Melaye forged his certificate and was never a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, and that the Senate President Bukola Saraki purchased a Range Rover Bulletproof SUV without paying the necessary Customs duty.

Ali Ndume's suspension was announced today, March 29, 2017 at the plenary, after recommendations by the senate's committee on Ethics and Priviledges.

In its report, the committee stated that Ndume failed to conduct a proper investigation before reacting to the accusation. The members of the committee had earlier recommended that Ndume should be suspended for 191 days, which should start from today but the senators later reduced the suspension to 6 months, beginning from today March 29, 2017.

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Video: Senators protest and suspend confirmation of Buhari's REC nominees over refusal to sack Magu

President Muhammadu

Fuming legislators in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, threatened to discard all list of appointees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to the house for confirmation.

The legislators, in objection, stood down the executive request of the President for the approval of a list of 27 regional executives of Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Senators were annoyed that President Muhammadu Buhari is still holding on to the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu despite his rejection by the upper house of legislature.

The Senators also took fault at comments attributed to the president's close aide, Professor Itse Sagay, who stated that confirmation by the Senate was just a 'mere' duty.

They insisted that if the constitution did not consider the confirmation essential, it would not have been plainly spelled out in it.

On this basis, the Senators maintained that the President should do whatever he wished with the nominations since he had decided to break the laws on Magu.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, being aware what could happen, appealed to the senators and asked them to postpone the confirmation of the appointments for till week until things are dealt with.

The legislators acknowledged not to throw out the list following the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu’s agreement with Saraki.

However, they all agreed to stand down the confirmation for two weeks instead of one anticipated by Saraki.

Some of the lawmakers that contended for the motion to hang the confirmation of the regional electoral officers which included Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Francis Alimikhena and Sam Anyanwu.

Senator Mohammed Adamu Aliero opposed the motion and was unsuccessful to persuade his colleagues on the significance of going ahead with the confirmation of the INEC nominees.

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