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₦802bn Audit Scandal: Reps Summon NNPCL, INEC, Other Top Govt Officials.
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee is set to question officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over audit queries involving more than ₦802.19 billion.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The committee is scheduled to hold the sessions on Monday and Tuesday as it examines issues raised in the Auditor-General for the Federation’s reports covering the 2021, 2022 and 2023 financial years.
The audit queries reportedly relate to alleged breaches in procurement procedures, revenue management, payments, statutory remittances and compliance with established financial regulations.
The committee, chaired by Bamidele Salam, who represents Ede North/Ede South/Ejigbo/Egbedore Federal Constituency of Osun State, is expected to demand explanations and relevant supporting documents from the affected government agencies.
A member of the committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said NNPCL and INEC officials were expected to appear before the panel on Tuesday.
According to the lawmaker, the committee’s proceedings will commence on Monday, October 5, with several agencies expected to appear before it. They include the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Commission, Federal College of Education in Okene, Federal College of Education in Gombe and the University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, among others.
He said Tuesday’s session would be particularly significant as accounting officers and relevant experts from NNPCL and INEC are expected to face the committee.
The lawmaker disclosed that the Auditor-General’s 2021 report raised queries involving about ₦514 billion against NNPCL, while INEC is expected to respond to alleged financial breaches amounting to approximately ₦288.19 billion contained in the 2022 audit report.
The NNPCL queries reportedly include an alleged ₦343.64 billion in irregular deductions from domestic crude oil sales.
The Auditor-General’s report also reportedly questioned the handling of ₦83.66 billion in miscellaneous revenue allegedly kept in a sinking fund account, as well as ₦82.95 billion in purported unauthorised deductions from Federation revenue.
Another ₦3.75 billion was reportedly flagged over an alleged shortfall linked to the sale of petroleum products.
For INEC, the audit queries reportedly cover transactions carried out during the tenure of former Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who has since been appointed an ambassador.
The lawmaker said the electoral commission would be required to provide explanations regarding procurement processes, payments to contractors and the failure to remit certain statutory deductions during Yakubu’s tenure.
He, however, declined to disclose specific details of the alleged infractions, saying only that the committee would examine questions surrounding funds expended from the 2019 general elections.
The Auditor-General’s 2022 report reportedly revealed that more than ₦5.31 billion was paid for the supply of smart card readers for the 2019 general elections without prior approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
Other agencies expected to appear before the Salam-led committee on Tuesday, October 6, include the National Mathematical Centre, National Power Training Centre, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology and the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, among others.
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Osimhen Returns To Training Ahead Of Crucial Galatasaray Clash.
Galatasaray have received a major boost ahead of Friday’s Turkish Süper Lig encounter with Kasımpaşa, with Victor Osimhen returning to partial team training following a groin injury.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian striker joined his teammates during the opening stages of Wednesday’s training session at the Kemerburgaz Metin Oktay Facilities under manager Okan Buruk.
Osimhen took part in the warm-up, passing drills and initial team exercises before switching to an individual training programme under the supervision of Galatasaray’s medical staff.
The 27-year-old has been recovering from a right adductor injury sustained during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on September 4.
Osimhen scored in the encounter but was forced to leave the pitch in the 33rd minute after experiencing discomfort.
Subsequent medical examinations revealed an advanced-moderate strain with bleeding in the right adductor muscle group.
The injury kept the forward out of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as well as Galatasaray’s Champions League opener against Sporting CP and Süper Lig fixtures against Kocaelispor and Trabzonspor.
During the international break, Osimhen continued his rehabilitation in Lagos after Galatasaray’s medical team advised against him joining the Super Eagles.
Taiwo Awoniyi was subsequently called up to replace him in Nigeria’s squad.
Osimhen is now being assessed for a possible return when Galatasaray host Kasımpaşa at Rams Park on Friday, October 9.
Reports from Turkey suggest Buruk may ease him back into action by giving him around 30 minutes rather than immediately restoring him to the starting XI.
The cautious approach would allow Galatasaray to evaluate Osimhen’s match fitness while managing his workload ahead of another difficult assignment against Barcelona in the Champions League on October 13.
Osimhen had made an impressive start to the season before suffering the injury, registering six goals and two assists in his first four Süper Lig appearances.
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‘We Will Produce For Africa’ – Tinubu Unveils Bold Vision For Nigeria’s Export Future.
The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, has reacted to the abduction of 90-year-old Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Edo South Senatorial District, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Pa Iduoriyekemwen was reportedly abducted by suspected gunmen from his residence in Amagba, Benin City, in the early hours of Tuesday.
The incident has generated concern across the state, with some quarters suggesting that the abduction may have political undertones.
Reacting in a statement, Afegbua described the incident as “morally reprehensible” but cautioned against attributing political motives to the abduction without concrete evidence.
The commissioner also condemned allegations that the state government could be behind the incident, warning that such claims could undermine ongoing efforts by the government and security agencies to tackle insecurity in Edo.
“What could possibly be the motivation for anyone to abduct such a father and grandfather?” Afegbua asked.
He disclosed that Governor Monday Okpebholo had invested significantly in security infrastructure and directed relevant security agencies to work together towards securing the immediate release of Pa Iduoriyekemwen.
Afegbua also referenced the recent activities of a special court established to prosecute kidnapping cases in the state, noting that four kidnappers had recently been sentenced to death.
He described the latest abduction as a disturbing development and a “huge slap in the face” of the government’s efforts to curb criminal activities across the state.
The commissioner assured residents that the Edo State Government remained committed to protecting lives and property regardless of political affiliation.
He also appealed to anyone with credible information about the whereabouts of Pa Iduoriyekemwen to immediately provide it to security agencies to assist efforts to secure his safe release.
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‘We Are On It’ – Edo Govt Reacts To Abduction Of ADC Candidate’s 90-Year-Old Father,
The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, has reacted to the abduction of 90-year-old Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Edo South Senatorial District, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Pa Iduoriyekemwen was reportedly abducted by suspected gunmen from his residence in Amagba, Benin City, in the early hours of Tuesday.
The incident has generated concern across the state, with some quarters suggesting that the abduction may have political undertones.
Reacting in a statement, Afegbua described the incident as “morally reprehensible” but cautioned against attributing political motives to the abduction without concrete evidence.
The commissioner also condemned allegations that the state government could be behind the incident, warning that such claims could undermine ongoing efforts by the government and security agencies to tackle insecurity in Edo.
“What could possibly be the motivation for anyone to abduct such a father and grandfather?” Afegbua asked.
He disclosed that Governor Monday Okpebholo had invested significantly in security infrastructure and directed relevant security agencies to work together towards securing the immediate release of Pa Iduoriyekemwen.
Afegbua also referenced the recent activities of a special court established to prosecute kidnapping cases in the state, noting that four kidnappers had recently been sentenced to death.
He described the latest abduction as a disturbing development and a “huge slap in the face” of the government’s efforts to curb criminal activities across the state.
The commissioner assured residents that the Edo State Government remained committed to protecting lives and property regardless of political affiliation.
He also appealed to anyone with credible information about the whereabouts of Pa Iduoriyekemwen to immediately provide it to security agencies to assist efforts to secure his safe release.
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