I’m ashamed Nigeria has no data on oil - Perm Sec.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, yesterday expressed concern over the non-availability of data on Nigeria oil sector in the country.

According to her, Nigerians have to go to the secretariat of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) before getting data on Nigerian oil.

She said: “immediately after the minister’s speech last week, somebody stood up and said we didn’t have data source on Nigeria. And I was actually ashamed of myself and I think as we provide data for OPEC, we should address the question of churning credible data to be consumed in-country. It is a pity when students are looking for data we have to go to OPEC to get data about Nigeria.”

She spoke while declaring the OPEC data management training workshop open at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund ( PTDF ) in Abuja.

Yemi-Esan tasked the stakeholders in the workshop to work with the ministry to ensure that there is a generation and provision credible data that could help in planning and research purposes in the country. 

She noted that the ministry works with the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Debt Management Office, National Population Commission, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and Indorama Nig Ltd in order to generate its data.

The Perm Sec, who noted that OPEC had commended the ministry on the last questionnaire it filled on data generation, stressed that “the format has changed slightly and we want to be sure that we are actually doing better. That is why we have this training.”

According to her, the ministry was expecting participants from Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon but they cancelled their trip at the last minute. 

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the PTDF which hosted the event, Dr. Aliyu Gusau, noted that presently the organization relies heavily on member countries for accurate and timely data to effectively carry out its mandate.

He added that for the Fund, “this workshop offers an opportunity for the expression of our strategic objectives to engage more effectively key players of the oil and gas industry by making valuable contributions that will further enhance capacity building of personnel and operators in the industry.” 

Speaking, the Head, OPEC Data Management, Dr. Adedapo Odulaja all the activities of the organization is based on the data from member countries. 

He stressed that without data transparency the oil industry cannot thrive. He noted that there are legal and technical aspects of the data, and without capacity building on them there will be no achievements in the industry. 

He pointed out that the essence of the workshop was as a result of the need to make other agencies in the world compatible with the change in the questionnaire that was used for 20 years. 

He submitted  that “we will have to understand the connection between the old and the new one and that is why we are here today.”  - The Nation

Face of a fraudster !!! Stella Oduah in EFCC over N9.4bn alleged fraud

Stella Oduah, former minister of aviation, has been quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an N9.4bn alleged fraud during her tenure.

TheCable learnt that she arrived at the EFCC headquarters at 11am to honour a longstanding invitation.

The senator representing Anambra north was still being grilled as at 6pm, but it is not clear if she will spend the night at the anti-graft agency.

“She was invited over allegations ordering on abuse of office and money laundering. One of the allegations concerns fraud in the N9.4bn ISEC contract for security installations in some airports,” the source said.

Earlier in the month, Oduah issued a statement to deny the alleged diversion of funds under her watch as minister.

Oduah who was in charge of the aviation ministry from July 2011 to February 2014, maintained that all contracts awarded during her tenure followed due process.

“As minister of aviation, I committed myself to the service of my country to the very best of my ability and as it is widely acknowledged, my record and performance as the minister of aviation remain laudable and unbeatable,” he said.

“What we did in aviation was so far reaching that it had never been done before, it was so unprecedented.”

She said the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was in such a bad shape, that even the restrooms were not usable.

“Most of the airports were worse than motor parks,” she said.

“We took them on and efficiently and in a very timely manner changed every single one of them: and we did not just change that, we changed the safety of the Nigerian airspace.

In 2013, Oduah was embroiled in car purchase allegations, when reports emerged that she had compelled the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to procure the vehicles for her.

The purchase drew nationwide controversy, and activists like Femi Falana urged EFCC to conduct a thorough investigation with a view to prosecuting the former minister.

In response to a query by former President Goodluck Jonathan she said the procurement was duly provided for in the NCAA budget that year, which also adopted lease payments in installments over 36 months.- Cable Nigeria

Alaafin’s wife delivers twins

Nine days after delivery of female twin babies, another wife of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, Monday gave birth to male twin babies.

Ayaba Memunat Omowumi Adeyemi Omoh 1, a senior wife of the monarch was the first to deliver the female twin babies, while the naming ceremony took place on Sunday.

At about eleven o clock on Monday morning, information reached the ancient palace that another wife, who had been pregnant for about nine months, Ayaba Badirat Olaitan Adeyemi Ola 1, also gave birth to male twin babies.

Ayaba Badiraf delivered the twins at a private hospital in the town.

Joy however knew no bounds to cross section of residents,  including palace aides,  friends a d relations who besieged the palace in torrents to felicitate with the royal father over what they referred to as “wonderful gifts” from God. - The Nation

Latest : Mamelodi Sundowns hint at Usain Bolt deal

South African side Mamelodi Sundowns have dropped a big hint that they have signed retired athletics star Usain Bolt.

The Jamaican tweeted on Sunday to confirm he had agreed a deal with a football team and would be making a further announcement at 0800GMT on Tuesday.

Sundowns retweeted Bolt's post and followed up on Monday with a major suggestion that they are the side the 31-year-old has joined.

"Football will never be the same. Find out tomorrow 8am GMT!" they posed on their official Twitter account, along with a picture of Bold at the club's training ground.

Bolt has regularly expressed a desire to carve out a career in football, having retired from sprinting following the world athletics championships in London last year.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist has often said he would like to play for Manchester United, the club he supports, while he also recently offered his services to David Beckham's new Major League Soccer franchise, Futbol Miami.

Bolt is also due to take part in a trial with Borussia Dortmund in March. - Goal

AC Milan preparing for a 'battle' against Arsenal

 Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso insists that the Serie A side are already preparing for their ‘battle’ against Arsenal.

Speaking after Milan’s inspired 2-0 win away at Roma on Sunday night, as per a report from AS, Gattuso gave his views on the Europa League clash after there were some suggestions the Italians go into the game as favourites.

“Arsenal lost today, but we are not Manchester City. We’ve got to put our helmets on and go into battle.”

The Gunners were drawn against Milan after they saw off Swedish side Östersunds FK in the previous round.

Milan saw off Bulgarian club Ludogorets to secure the meeting with the Premier League side.

Gattuso’s men have been in inspired form since their former midfielder took charge and replaced Vincenzo Montella earlier this season.

After a disappointing first half of the season, there is now talk of a last-minute push for Champions League qualification under Gattuso.

Following a busy summer of transfers that saw the club overhaul almost their entire starting XI, Gattuso has reverted to the 4-3-3 that Milan enjoyed so much in the previous campaign.

The Rossoneri are now 12 games unbeaten in all competitions, a run spanning back to late December. - Read Sport

Transfer news : Chelsea rivalled by Barcelona for Toby Alderweireld

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld in recent weeks but are set to face a whole host of competition for the Belgian’s signature.

According to a report from the Independent, La Liga giants Barcelona are also keeping tabs on the defender’s situation with Spurs, with his contract talks appearing to have reached an impasse with the club.
Alderweireld has proven over the years that he is a hugely capable defender and has established himself as a crucial player for Spurs. However, it’s been claimed that Mauricio Pochettino’s club are unwilling to meet the former Atletico Madrid man’s wage demands.

Although Daniel Levy is reluctant to sell Alderweireld, and even more so to a Premier League rival, he could be forced into a decision. The player is claimed to have a release clause of £25m ahead of the 2019 summer transfer window, which may prompt the Spurs chairman into cutting his losses.

Alderweireld is sure to be courted by a number of clubs this summer if Spurs continue to refuse his financial demands. Manchester United are also being cited with interest in the ex-Southampton loanee.- Read Sport

It’s not about Buhari’s age… are the youth ready to lead? - Ibori

James Ibori, former governor of Delta state, says Nigerians should be more concerned with whether the youth are ready to lead, rather than a mere generational shift at the nation’s helm of affairs.

According to him, what the nation needs is courage and vision as “age has nothing to do with good leadership”.

A lot of Nigerians have been clamouring for a generational shift in the country’s leadership.

The ‘Not too young to run’ bill — which gives the youth the better chance to contest in elective positions — has also been passed at the national assembly.

In an article he wrote, Ibori said politics is a “game of ideas and numbers” and that the Nigerian youth needs to pay “the required price.”

He argued that the call for President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election so as to pave way for a youth to lead the country is unjustified.

“The choice we face is not that of ‘paedarchy’ or ‘paedocracy’ versus gerontocracy,” he said.

“This age-related argument should not be aimed at Buhari. The constitution gives him the right to seek the presidency for two terms. The argument for and against him should be based on his record of achievement.

“The young ones need to make the necessary sacrifice, study the problems facing the society, master how to solve the problems of the various parts of the Nigerian federation.

“Has the youth trumped the old in behaviour, morality, leadership, integrity and frugality? How have our youth fared in the professions, the military and the civil service? Do they even hold out any hope for the nation?”

Ibori said unlike the Nigerian youth, some of the world’s leaders including France President Emmanuel Macron —who was 39 years old when he emerged — and former US president Barack Obama had something to offer before coming on board.

“The election of a Macron in France may have galvanised a section of Nigerians to think that the time is now, he said, adding: “Macron did not contest for office solely on the basis of being a ‘youth’; he ran in a national election based on concrete ideas.”

Citing the case of Chukwuma Nzeogwu — who was 28 years old when he oversaw January 15, 1966, coup, Ibori said “ironically, the problem of Nigeria has been caused, in large part, by exuberant young men who were at the helm of affairs in the first decade of the nation’s independence”. - Cable Nigeria

 

Terrorism : Fulani herdsman ‘kills’ boy in Kogi

A suspected Fulani herdsman at Guchidan village in Kupa district, Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State, has allegedly killed a 15-year-old boy.

The herdsman, Buba Ardo, with his two accomplices, Alo Ardo and Babuga Ardo, allegedly killed the boy and mutilated his body.

The deceased accompanied his elder brother, Abubakar Audu, to the farm for a trap game when they were ambushed by the herdsman.

The elder brother was said to have escaped

A source, Mahmud Abubakar, confirmed to The Nation that the suspect, Buba Ardo, was apprehended by residents, but his accomplices escaped.

He added that the motorcycle which the victim and his elder brother rode to the farm was set ablaze by the attackers.

The source said Buba Ardo was handed over to the district police.

“He confessed to killing the boy and the case was referred to ‘A’ Division, Lokoja.

“The boy has been buried in his town, Guchidan and the case has been transferred to Lokoja. We hope our hospitality will not be abused by the Fulani herdsmen.

“They complain that people tamper with their cows. The government should intervene before the incident results in crisis.” - The Nation

PHOTOS : Man weds two women same day in Abia

A man, identified as Master Ejindu, has wedded two women same day in a Pentecostal Church at the Agbala Amangudu, Abariba area of Abia State.

Ejindu tied the knot with the two women: Miss Oyediya and Ebere at the weekend.

This is not the first time a man is getting married to two wives the same time, DAILY POST had reported that a 30-year-old man, Isyaka Dahiru, had set tongues wagging after he married two women at the same time in Nasarawa State.

Also a 39-year-old man, Omamuzo Utomajiri from Uro-Irri, Isoko South LGA of Delta State, married his two wives traditionally on March 26th, saying he did so to ensure he is comfortable and does not need to look out for other women.

Ejindu wedded his two wives in the church on Sunday after their traditional wedding on Saturday in the presence of the three families. - Daily Post

Over 80 Million Nigerians Are Poor - Federal Government

Special Adviser to the Nigerian president on National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), Mrs Maryam Uwais, has revealed that over 80 million out of estimated Nigerian population of over 150 million are poor.

However, only about 455,857 of the number of poor people have been captured in the National Social Register (NSP) being used by the Federal Government for its National Cash Transfer Program.

Even then, the monthly stipends of N5000.00 is being paid to only 297,973 out of 455,857 identified  poor and vulnerable households captured in NSP.

Uwais revealed this when briefing the media on the efforts of the President Buhari administration to  fight poverty in the country.

She also explained that there is a system in place to ensure that only the right set of people benefit from the program. In this regard, she said  the federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with states to ensure that the funds released get to the intended beneficiaries.

She said, “It is important for us to get the targeting right, so only the poorest of the poor will get paid. We have, according to statistics, up to 80 million people that are poor. And so, we had to devise a strategy to ensure that we get the poorest and also insulate the process of getting to that poorest from any outside influence, whatever the influence maybe.”

She further expressed that only 30% of the number is being catered for because of inadequacy of fund.

She said, “We select 30 percent because we had cash constraints. We couldn’t cover 80 million people that were poor. We now said we will start with 30 percent from each state. That comes to 30 percent of the poorest of the poor from each senatorial district.”

“Working with NBS, we looked at the local governments that are the poorest in the senatorial districts for a balance and we shared the names of the local government with the states. They signed off.”

“So far, we have 455,857 poor and vulnerable households uploaded onto the National Social Register, from which 297,973 households have been mined and are being paid stipends in 20 States.

Uwais mentioned Jigawa Bauchi, Kogi, Osun, Cross River, Anambra, Katsina, Kano, Taraba, Gombe, Adamawa, Niger, Nassarawa, Benue, Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Borno (IDP), Kaduna and Plateau as the states where stipends are currently being paid to households already captured in the program.

In addition, Uwais said that 2,495 community facilitator has been trained to facilitate forming of cooperatives, basic financial training, skills and engage caregivers. - Saharareporters

Terrorism : Couple dies as suspected Fulani herdsmen attack Delta Community

A victim allegedly attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Abraka, Ethiope East L.G.A has died of wounds sustained in the attack.

The victim, Mrs. Patience Akpomiemie, who was attacked in her farm died weekend at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, (DELSUTH), Oghara.

It was learnt that the victim’s husband Mr. Happy Akpomiemie died on the spot after he was shot in the back.

The Nation gathered that the couple and their son were shot at while working in their farm when they were attacked.

The President General, Abraka Development Union, Dr. Joseph Tedwins in an interview lamented the violence wreaked on the community by suspected Fulani herdsmen, stressing that the community have lodged a complaint at the Police station.

He said, “We are in grieving over the loss, as you know the law forbids us to retaliate .As usual we have lodged complain at the police station even the police commissioner visited and the police are doing what they feel they can do about it, but as usual no culprit has been arrested. It appears these people are operating a guerilla warfare ,they attack and disappear .No culprit has been apprehended ,we keep losing our people ,our farm produce destroyed and farms burnt .

“Now the killings have continued again. Until the government decides to do something about it, it is going to be a difficult thing. As a community we cannot take laws into our hands. We do not have any faith in the security agencies. I dare say the police in this area are manned by Fulani that are killing us, the area commanders, most of the security agents that should take decision on this matter are of northern extraction.

“While usually they will pretend that they are doing one thing or the other, it turns out that they are doing nothing. But if you raise your hand to slap or insult a Hausa Fulani man, the next minute they (police) will want to arrest everyone. This is the situation we find ourselves.”

Delta State Police image maker, DSP Andrew Aniamaka said the police have made no arrest.

He said, “We have gone beyond making arrest .But never again will this happen in Abraka. Are working in tandem with security agencies and all the relevant stakeholders including the traditional institutions?” - The Nation

Oloko : Why many Nigerians are in Chinese Prisons

Mr Wale Oloko, the Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Guangzhou, China, on Monday said, many Nigerians were in various Prisons in Guangdong Province for overstaying their visas.

Oloko told the News men in Lagos, some other Nigerians were also arrested for engaging in drug trafficking and other criminal offences,  had led to their detention.

According to him, there are currently about 600 Nigerians arrested forever staying their visas and in detention for other offences.

“There is no doubt that there are currently a number of Nigerians in various Chinese prisons, at least those under our consular jurisdiction in Guangzhou.

“’These our nationals are in different Chinese prisons for various offences.

“There are those that were arrested for overstaying their visas, while others were convicted for drug trafficking and other offences,’’ he said.

Oloko also said that some the Nigerian nationals currently in Chinese prisons were being prepared for deportation to Nigeria.

The consul-general, therefore, enjoined Nigerians desirous of visiting any part of China to always obey the Chinese immigration and general laws when in the province or other provinces in China.

“Any Nigerian wanting to visit any part of China must first know something about the country’s immigration requirements, and should be ready to obey laws in such places when they eventually arrive there.

“It is not advisable for any Nigerian to overstay his or her visa in any part of China or engage in any form of criminal act,’’ he said.

Guangdong is a province in South China, located on the South China Sea coast.

The province surpassed Henan and Sichuan to become the most populous province in China in January 2005, registering 79.1 million permanent residents and 31 million migrants.

The capital and largest city is Guangzhou and it has a GDP (2016)‎: of 1.2 trillion US dollars.

$2.1b deals: Ex-Army chief Minimah refunds N1.7b

Former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Kenneth Minimah (retd) has refunded about N1.7billion to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The Nation learnt at the weekend.

Besides, there were indications that another former Chief of Army Staff and some ex-military officers might be arraigned in court for alleged corrupt practices relating to “phoney” arms contracts.

The legal unit of the EFCC is fine-tuning charges against the suspects.

But a status report on Gen. Minimah, who was the Army Chief from January 2014 to July 2015, indicates that he has returned some cash to the EFCC.

The refund followed extensive investigation by the anti-graft agency on the report and recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement (CADEP).

CADEP had uncovered “irregularities” in the procurement and award of contracts in the Army   and suspicious transactions in the accounts of the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) during Gen. Minimah’s tenure.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have interrogated Gen. Minimah and he has started refunding some funds. So far, he has refunded about N1.7billion in two tranches to the EFCC.

“So far, he has cooperated with us and we are hopeful that he will still make more refunds, in line with some contracts awarded by the Army.

“But we are likely to arraign another Chief of Army Staff and some ex-military officers in court soon following the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation on them. We are expecting relevant advice from our legal unit.”

The CADEP panel had observed that  a company was registered on November 17, 2014 and awarded $125,179,299.10 on the same day.

The report said in part: “ “The Nigerian Army, between April and August 2014, entered into four contract agreements with Societe D’Equipmenteux Internationale (SEI Nig Ltd) for procurement of Cobra Armoured Personnel Carriers, Shilka Self-Propelled Artillery Guns, Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) as well as various ammunition and spares funded by the ONSA.

“The contracts for the Cobra APCs and Shilka Guns were not executed as they were not funded. However, the costs for procurement of the AFVs; ammunition and spares were $398,550,000.00 and $484,765,000.00 respectively totalling $883,315,000.00.

“In November 2014, the ONSA awarded contract to Conella Services Limited for procurement of 72 various arms and ammunition that included MRAP vehicles and Mi-17 helicopter at the cost of $125,179,299.10.

“The Committee observed that the company was registered in Nigeria on 17 November 2014 and awarded the contract on the same date while the EUC for the procurement was issued a day later, on 18 November 2014. Furthermore, the ONSA paid $36,996,530.00 and N2,209,582,296.00 to the vendor between November 2014 and 15 April 2015.  However, the Nigerian Army denied receipt of any procurement from Conella Services Ltd.

“Similarly, the Committee tried in vain to reach officials of the company to confirm execution of the contract. There is, therefore, the need for further investigation of Conella Services Ltd.

“The committee observed that SEI and its two associated companies, APC Axial Ltd and HK-Sawki Nig Ltd, were incorporated in May 2014 with two Nigerien brothers, Hima Aboubakar and Ousmane Hima Massy, as the only directors.

“ Between May 2014 and March 2015, the ONSA mandated CBN to release various sums totalling $386,954,000.00 to SEI and the two associated companies for ‘procurement of technical equipment’, without tying the money to particular items of procurement.

“Thus, the allotment of the fund was left at the discretion of the vendor without input or

consultation with ONSA or the Nigerian Army.

“Furthermore, some of the funds transferred preceded the formalisation of SEI contracts with the Nigerian Army. There was also no evidence of any contract to justify the payments made by ONSA to the SEI associate companies. Consequently, it had been difficult for the ONSA, the Nigerian Army and SEI to reconcile the accounts vis-a-vis the equipment delivered.”

The panel also uncovered that 42 units of Armoured Personnel Carrier(APC) which were rejected by Iraq were later sold to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

It claimed that some of the APCs were either expired or unsuitable, leading to loss of lives.

It added:  “The Committee observed that one of the new equipment SEI procured for the Nigerian Army from Ukraine was BTR-4E APC.

“However, according to the Ukraine’s State Enterprise Lviv Armour Repair Plant, the designers of the equipment, some of the products sold to Nigeria in 2014 were actually among 42 units designed for Iraq which subsequently rejected them due to poor performance rating.”

“The Nigerian Army did not also undertake the mandatory pre-shipment inspections provided for in the contract agreements. Instead, the NA deployed an Infantry officer, who lacked the technical knowledge to assess the capabilities and shortcomings of the equipment, to oversee the shipment of the items for the Nigerian Army from Ukraine.

“Additionally, the two weeks training availed the technicians and operators was inadequate for them to comprehend the technical workings of the newly introduced equipment.

“The Committee’s interactions with the field operators revealed that although the platforms and ammunition procured by SEI were deployed for the NE operations, some of them were aged or expired, lacked spares and prone to breakdown without immediate recovery equipment.

“Therefore, failure to carry out pre-shipment inspection and inadequate training resulted in procurement of some unreliable equipment that reduced the capacity of the Nigerian Army in the North East Operations and resulted in the loss of lives and equipment.”

On some payments to SEI on T-72 Tanks, the panel said the company made about $93,000,000.00 profit without paying the mandatory 5 per cent Withholding Tax(WHT).

It said: “SEI submitted a document to the Committee reconciling the items it delivered to the Nigerian Army vis-a-vis the payments made to it by ONSA.”

According to SEI, the total value of the contracts it executed amounted to $909,065,824.00 and not the  $883,315,000.00 reflected in the two contract agreements it signed with Nigerian Army. “Furthermore, SEI claimed that it delivered goods worth $697,718,168.00 whereas only $198,289,672.00 was paid to it by ONSA.

“However, the Committee established from ONSA payment mandates to CBN that $386,954,000.00 were actually paid to the contractor.

“Additionally, SEI quoted the unit cost of refurbished T-72 Main Battle Tanks as $2,240,000.00. However, the Committee confirmed from court documents filed by SEI against one of its vendors, Dolarian Capital Inc of the US, that SEI paid only $85,000.00 for a unit of the T-72 tanks.

“ Thus, from the refurbished T-72 Tanks transaction alone, SEI would have made a profit of about $93,000,000.00 for the 43 units it delivered to the Nigerian Army.  Moreover, there was no evidence that SEI paid the mandatory 5% WHT.”

On suspicious transactions in DICON’s accounts, the CADEP report also implicated Gen. Minimah.

It added: The Nigerian Army awarded seven contracts to DICON  for the procurement of Igirigi and Spartan APCs , arms and ammunition amounting to N4, 329’985, 000

“The committee discovered that suspicious transactions to the tune of N845,600,000 and $3,450,619 were made from DICON’s domiciliary and Naira accounts with Fidelity Bank accounts 5250020197 and 5030040885. Out of this amount, the then DG DICON, Maj.-Gen. E.R, Chioba (retd) personally withdrew N81m and $131,740 in cash from the accounts. The sums of N764,600,00 and $3,318,879.17 were also transferred to the accounts of Lava Trade , 7×7 Limited and Oranto Petroleum Limited.

“The explanations offered by Gen. Chioba that the transfers were payments for services and foreign exchange were unconvincing as there was no evidence if formal business relationship between DICON and these companies.

“Consequently, the committee opines that the poor procurement process associated with DICON  contracts contravened financial regulations, encouraged illegal withdrawals leading to wastage of public funds, diminished the capacity of the Nigerian Army  in the campaign against terror and served as a conduit for misappropriation of entrusted funds.

“The committee is of the view that Lt. Gen. A. O. Ihejirika, Lt.-Gen. KTJ Minimah (retd), Maj.-Gen. A.I Muraina(retd), Maj.-Gen. U. Buzugbe (retd) and Maj.-Gen. E.R. Chioba(retd) are to be held accountable.”

“The  Committee  also  noted  that  between  3  September  2014  and  30 April  2015,

NIMASA funded accounts of the Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield with various

sums totalling N8,542,586,798.58 purportedly to enhance operations of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta. Neither the need assessment that warranted the release of funds nor the details of the expenditure were made available to the Committee.

“However, analyses of the accounts of the Joint Task Force showed that transfers totalling N6,277,698,885.13 were made to  some companies for unknown purposes.

A source in Oranto Petroleum Limited said it never had any business link with the Army either during Gen. Ihejirika’s tenure or his successor Gen. Minimah’s.

The source said: “Oranto Petroleum Limited did not receive any funds from the Nigerian Army under any guise between 2013 and 2015.” - The Nation