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BETTAGATE: NEFGAD Threatens Legal Action Against Tunji-Ojo, Insists on His Apology and Resignation
BETTAGATE: NEFGAD Threatens Legal Action Against Tunji-Ojo, Insists on His Apology and Resignation
By: Michael Mike
Network for Growth and actualization of Viable Development (NEFGAD), a public procurement advocacy group has threatened to take legal action against the embattled Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s over his involvement in the controversial N3 billion contract awarded by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, insisting that his defense his faulty and unsatisfactory.
The Minister had denied personally benefitting through his company, New Planet Project Limited from the sum of 438.1 million from the alleged controversial N3 billion social register contracts by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
NEFGAD in a statement signed by its acting Head of Legal, Dolapo Obafunmi and released to the media at the weekend in Abuja stated that Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who is a shareholder in the New Planet Project Limited contravened section 16 subsection 6(f) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 by failing to accompany documents used in bidding for the contract with an affidavit disclosing whether or not Dr. Betta Edu who is a member of the procuring entity has any pecuniary interest in New Planet Project Limited – the company where Mr. Tunji-Ojo, a cabinet colleague, is a shareholder.
Obafunmi also said that Mr. Tunji-Ojo’s company bid ought to have been disqualified for violating section 16 subsection 8(g) of the same PPA by failing to submit a statement regarding its dominating or subsidiary relationships with respect to Dr. Beta Edu who is acting on behalf of the procuring entity participating in same proceeding.
Obafunmi noted that New planet Project Limited, with registration number 804833 was reportedly registered on March 3, 2009, although the Minister said he has resigned as director of the company since 2019 but he is still a shareholder in the company.
Obafunmi said that the public procurement Act in its bid to promote competition forbids a bidder and or any member of procuring entity from conferring undue advantage to themselves during any procurement proceeding by virtue of their relationships.
He averred that one of the core objectives and spirit of the public procurement Law is to ensure that nation’s wealth is fairly distributed, maintaining that it is a sheer act of undue interference, greed and avarice to have a serving cabinet member interfering in affairs of sister Ministry to an extent of influencing its procurement decision in his favour.
He further maintained that beyond participating in the day to day running of a company, being a shareholder means Mr Tunji-Ojo is a person of control and benefit in the company and by virtue of his shareholding status, he ought to have simply complied with the relevant sections of the public procurement law by declaring his interest in the company simply via a court affidavit.
Obafunmi said ‘’with these blatant breaches, it shows clearly that fundamental principles of public procurement were not followed in the award of the contract, everything about the contract is defective, making it impossible to achieve fitness of purpose or value for money.
He said: “Mr. Tunji Ojo should also know that his cabinet membership is ordinarily influential enough to sway cabinet colleague’s procurement decision in his favour hence calling the Minister to honorably apologise to Nigerians and resign immediately or face legal action.
BETTAGATE: NEFGAD Threatens Legal Action Against Tunji-Ojo, Insists on His Apology and Resignation
VP Shettima, Zulum, Others Grace Babajide Otitoju’s Book Launch
By: Our Reporter
Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, and governors of Kwara, Lagos, Taraba, Kogi, and Akwa Ibom States attended the book launch and 60th birthday celebration of veteran journalist and Director of News at TVC, Babajide Otitoju.
The event, held on Monday at the NAF Conference Centre, brought together prominent figures from Nigeria’s political and media spheres in honour of Otitoju’s enduring contributions to journalism.
The highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of Otitoju’s book titled “My Life and Journalist Hangout.”
Chairman of the event and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, delivered remarks on behalf of the 36 state governors.
He described Otitoju as a seasoned journalist whose work has significantly influenced the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria, adding that his legacy will stand as one of excellence and professionalism in the media industry.
In a demonstration of collective support, the Kwara State Governor announced the purchase of 36 copies of the book on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for a total sum of ₦200 million.
VP Shettima, Zulum, Others Grace Babajide Otitoju’s Book Launch
Troops uncover identity of neutralised Boko Haram fighter as top bomb maker
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have uncovered the identity of a neutralised Boko Haram fighter identified as a key improvised explosive device (IED) expert and trainer in the North-East theatre of operations.
Zagazola Makama that the fighter, earlier neutralised during an ambush operation along a border axis, was later identified as Habba Umar, also known by the alias “Bomma”.
He was reportedly discovered to be a specialist in IED and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) fabrication, with links to terrorist elements of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
According to the sources, the suspect was believed to have operated within an enclave around Arena Wuje and allegedly played a key role in training and coordinating explosive device activities for the group.
Intelligence further indicated that he had suspected links to previous IED incidents along the Marte–Dikwa axis and parts of the Lake Chad basin corridor, although investigations are ongoing to fully establish the extent of his involvement.
The sources added that troops recovered items and electronic devices from the scene of the ambush, which are currently undergoing intelligence exploitation to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Military authorities said operations in the general area remain ongoing, with troops sustaining pressure on terrorist elements and their support networks across the theatre.
Troops uncover identity of neutralised Boko Haram fighter as top bomb maker
Group demands zoning of Gombe Central Senatorial seat to Yamaltu/Deba
A sociocultural group under the auspices of Nyimatli Development Association (NDA) has demanded that the 2027 senatorial seat of Gombe Central be zoned to Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday in Gombe, Mr Emmanuel Usman, the secretary of the group in the company of other executive members said the demand was from the entire people of Yamaltu Deba LGA.
Usman said the demand was a necessary step for equity, unity, justice and inclusiveness.
He stated that since Gombe Central has two Local Government Areas of Akko and Yamaltu Deba and Akko has held the seat for 16 years, zoning it to Yamaltu Deba would ensure parity and correct the zoning imbalance.
“Akko has held the seat for too long and it is our turn to ensure equitable representation; this is the message from the Tera people and the people of Yamaltu Deba.
“The people of Yamaltu Deba LGA are concerned about the issue of representation at the National Assembly particularly at the Senate.
“Yamaltu Deba is in Gombe Central Senatorial District and the district is owned by Akko and Yamaltu Deba and by extension this seat should go round between the two LGAs in the zone.
“When we returned into the present democratic era, the first senator was from Akko who served for four years and then it returned to Yamaltu Deba, for another four years.
“Until it came to the time when Senator Danjuma Goje, from Akko became senator and he has served four consecutive terms that is for 16 years, without it being returned to Yamaltu Deba.
“We feel as a people if we own this seat collectively, equity and justice should have been the right thing and if Akko has enjoyed 16 years, it should now be returned to Yamaltu Deba,” he said.
Usman said that the people of Yamaltu Deba were already feeling maginalised not because the current senator Goje lacked competence or representation, but because they have been denied the right to represent the district.
He said the LGA has a lot of competent politicians and technocrats who could effectively represent the Senatorial District and fast track development.
Usman pleaded with Goje not to contest the 2027 senatorial seat but allow Yamaltu Deba in the spirit of “our unwritten consensus” for turn taking in representation.
“We have supported Goje, voted for him and given him the platform to lead, it is now time for him to return the favour and step aside for others from Yamaltu Deba to occupy the senate seat.”
He also appealed to Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State as the party leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to listen to their plea towards ensuring fairness, inclusion and justice.
Group demands zoning of Gombe Central Senatorial seat to Yamaltu/Deba
VP Shettima, Zulum, Others Grace Babajide Otitoju’s Book Launch
Troops uncover identity of neutralised Boko Haram fighter as top bomb maker
Group demands zoning of Gombe Central Senatorial seat to Yamaltu/Deba
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