Lawmakers’ allocation increased, INEC’s slashed — highlights of Budget 2018

The national assembly finally passed the 2018 budget on Wednesday, about six months after President Muhammadu presented it.

In November, Buhari had proposed N8.6 trillion as the appropriation for the 2018 fiscal year, with N3.5 trillion as recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, while N2.4 trillion was earmarked for capital expenditure.

But the lawmakers raised the budget by N500 billion, increasing recurrent and capital expenditure to N3.49 and N2.86 trillion respectively.

Why was the budget increased?

Danjuma Goje, chairman of the senate committee on appropriation, said the N500 billion increase was informed by the decision to raise the oil benchmark from the proposed N45 to N51 (as against the benchmark price of $44.5 per barrel in 2017 budget).

Goje said the additional fund would be spent on some critical sectors, with a breakdown as follows: education, N15.7 billion; judiciary, N10 billion; and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), N44.20 billion.

Others are security, N42.72billion; N57.15 billion for the one percent vote for health and N106.50b billion for the ministry of power, works and housing.

What are the other highlights of the budget?

N305/$, 2.3mpd

In the budget, the exchange rate is pegged at N305/$1. In contrast to the 2017 budget where the oil production benchmark was 2.2 million barrels per day, the 2018 budget was tagged at 2.3 million barrels of oil per day as was proposed by the executive.

N139 billion for lawmakers

The national assembly got a share of N139 billion from the budget as against the N125 billion it got last year.

The N14 billion increase was despite the criticisms that trailed the high earnings of the lawmakers both in the senate and the house of representatives.

N109bn to UBE, N81bn to NDDC

The Universal Basic Education (UBE) under which basic education is regulated got a share of N109 billion (unchanged), while the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) got of N81 billion, as against the N71.2 billion proposed by Buhari.

However, an additional N34 billion was provided for the NDDC as part payment of its outstanding liabilities to the federal government. There was also a provision of N110bn for statutory transfer to National Judicial Council (NJC) as against the N100 billion approved by Buhari.

INEC got N45bn while Human Rights Commission gets N3bn

The Independent National Electoral Commission got N45 billion — lesser than the N45.5 billion it got in 2017 — while N7 billion was provided for the Public Compliant Commission, and N3 billion for National Human Rights Commission.

These details are the ones available at the moment. TheCable will bring you more update with time. - Cable Nigeria

Gunmen kill three policemen, kidnap Syrian national in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three policemen and abduction of an expatriate, Abul Nasir, a Syrian national working with Triacta Construction Company in the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Cordelia Nwawe, told newsmen on Wednesday that the incident occurred at about 7.20 a.m at the company’s quarry site at Lambar Mazaru village in Bodinga Local Government Area.

According to Nwawe, the three policemen guarding the premises were confirmed dead in the hospital, while the expatriate was taken to unknown place.

The police spokesman said the gunmen opened fire on the policemen immediately they arrived the quarry.

She said, “The police have commenced investigation into the issue with a view to releasing the abducted Syrian national and arresting the culprits.” - Daily Post

Man united hold talks over move for Chelsea winger

Manchester United are in talks to sign Chelsea winger Willian this summer.

According to The Manchester Evening News, United have held preliminary talks with Willian’s agent over a move in the upcoming transfer window.

The Premier League transfer window opens on the 17th May, with the window closing in mid-August – before the start of the league season.

United have been heavily linked with Willian over the past few years, with current United boss Jose Mourinho having signed the winger for Chelsea in his time at Stamford Bridge. - Read Sport

Spanish coach set to hold talks over Arsenal job this week

Arsenal are planning to hold talks with Mikel Arteta on Thursday over becoming the club’s next manager.

Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol claims that the Arsenal Executives will also be meeting on Thursday to discuss who will land the job.

Arteta has been heavily touted with landing the role at Arsenal since it was announced that Arsene Wenger would be leaving the club.

It was revealed earlier this month that Wenger would be stepping down at the end of the season, after 22 years at the club.

Despite a number of high profile managers being linked with the job, it appears as though Arteta is their first choice – despite having no previous senior experience in charge of a team.

He has been a part of Pep Guardiola’s backroom team at Manchester City for the past two seasons, including their record-breaking title success this season. - Read Sport

Edo lawmaker suspended for demanding N220m benefits

The lawmaker representing Ovia South West constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Godwin Adenomo, has been suspended for demanding payment of N220m as outstanding benefits and salaries.

Adenomo was suspended during wednesday plenary for the first three months in the first instance for failing to appear before the House ad hoc committee to prove his claims.

He was accused of not following the proper channel in line with the house rules to make his demands which was described as political and a deliberate attempt to malign and bring the house to disrepute.

The Assembly said the Adenomo’s claims were frivolous, inaccurate and unfounded.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Hon Ojo Asein, said salaries and emoluments of members are determined by the Revenue Allocation, Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission ( RAMFAC)

Adenomo had in a petition he sent to Speaker Kabiru Adjoto through his lawyer, Mr Kingsley Obamogie demanded payment of N45m as his benefits since he was sworn-in in December last year.

He also said the Supreme Court which delivered judgement in his favour by sacking Hon Sunday Aghedo had asked him to be paid all his entitlement from June 2015.

The embattled lawmaker said all his salaries and emoluments amounted to N175m from 2015.

Reacting to his suspension, Adenomo described his suspension as illegal that would be not stand in any court of justice.

Adenomo vowed to seek redress in the court of law.

He said he was told to go and beg several leaders of the All Progressive Congress before the money would be paid to him.

His words, “I do not have regret because what I asked for was my benefit. They were looking an excuse to what they did right from day one. The problem is not about me.

“I am the only that has dared the godfathers and defeated them. Adjoto was paid all his benefit when he got to the house during the time of Zakawanu as Speaker. In my case, the reverse was the case.

“That action they took is ilegal. There is a judgment that says lawmaker cannot suspend lawmaker. I was voted to represent a people. I was sworn in on the 18 of December and since then my benefits were withheld. I was not placed in any committee.  How do I perform my primary constitutional duties without being in any committee.

They said I should go and beg so many people. I did that not knowing that these people are wicked.” - The Nation

Corps members to get health insurance in 2018 budget, says senator

Lanre Tejuosho, senator representing Ogun central, says health insurance for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been included in the 2018 budget.

He said this on Wednesday while contributing to a debate on a motion sponsored by Andrew Uchendu, senator representing Rivers east.

Tejuosho explained that going by the one percent of the consolidated revenue fund earmarked by the national assembly for health, corps members would be entitled to go for treatment in any hospital that is covered by insurance.

“I want to refer to the budget that we are passing today that the issue of youth corpers in Nigeria is well highlighted.

“In the introduction of the one percent of the consolidated revenue fund that is going to be introduced in this new budget to ensure that all the youth corpers are covered by the health insurance. At events like this, you don’t need to rely on the doctors in camp,” the senator said.

“Any youth corper will be entitled to go to any hospital in the location in the local government that is covered by health insurance.

“So these kind of incidents won’t repeat itself. The solution is included in this new budget that all the 300,000 youth corpers, every year, will be covered by the health insurance.”

Earlier, while moving the motion, Uchendu recalled the incident of Hilda Amade, a corps member who lost her life at the Kwara state camp.

“She first twisted her knees during man-o-war rehearsals during her stay at the clinic. They refused to let her friend, Jennifer Dike, take her home, adding that her parents must come from Port Harcourt to pick her up,” he said.

“On April 24, she lost consciousness but was later resuscitated. Even when the doctors resolved to take her to Ilorin for serious attention, that decision was not implemented.

“On April 26, her friend Jennifer saw an ambulance speeding out of the camp and was surprised that when she got back to the clinic, another patient was on the bed.”

“On the same day, corps members were assembled and informed of the death of Hilda. Neither the camp commandant nor the Kwara state NYSC coordinator deemed it necessary to visit late Hilda at the camp clinic.”

Thereafter, the senate mandated its committee on women affairs and youth development to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of the corps member.

The motion was adopted after Senate President Bukola Saraki put it to a voice vote. - Thecablestyle

Suspected kidnappers kill three policemen

Three policemen were on Wednesday killed and some expatriates whose identities are yet to be known were abducted by unidentified gun men along Sokoto-Bodinga road in Sokoto state.

Eye witness account said the victims met their waterloo in the morning hours after an exchange of gun fire with police personnel along Bodinga road.

It was gathered that security personnel were swiftly drafted to strategic locations and major streets for stop and search on vehicles coming in and outside the state.

Reports also revealed that the kidnapped expatriates were working with an engineering firm,Triacta Nigeria Limited, the construction firm handling Sokoto – Jega – Koko Federal road project.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), of the Command, DSP Cordelia Nwawe who confirmed the incident, said investigation was ongoing, assuring that soon the state police command will brief the press on the incident. - The Nation

Police commissioner orders prosecution of doctors who reject gunshot victims

Imohimi Edgal, commissioner of police in Lagos state, has directed all area commanders and divisional police officer in Lagos to prosecute any medical practitioner who rejects gunshot victims on the grounds of the lack of police report.

Chike Oti, police public relations officer of Lagos state, announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

Oti said Edgal gave the directive in response to the death of one Adebayo Akinwunmi, an engineer at an information and communications technology company.

Akinwunmi was said to have been shot and wounded by armed robbers in his house at Ofada-Mokoloki in Ogun state and taken to a hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, for treatment but was refused admission on the grounds that there was no police report.

“The command considers the action of the hospital as cruel; perhaps, an indication that the hospital management may be ignorant of the “Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017,” the statement read.

“In the light of this development, the Command wishes to inform all medical practitioners in Lagos state, that the Act demands that every hospital in Nigeria, whether public or private;

“Shall accept or receive for immediate and adequate treatment with or without police clearance any person with a gunshot wounds.

According to him, the Act, however, requires the hospital treating such a patient to report the fact to the nearest police station within two hours of the commencement of treatment.

“The commissioner of police, Lagos state, Mr Imohimi Edgal, has directed all area commanders and divisional police officers in the state to henceforth prosecute any medical practitioners, who reject gunshot victims for reasons of no police report,” the statement read.

“Medical doctors should note that the Act recommends a five-year-jail term for any person, hospital or authority, who stands by or omits to do his bit, which results in the unnecessary death of any person with bullet wounds

‘The CP wants doctors to note that the Act that guides against this recommends a 5-year-jail term for any person, hospital or authority who stands or omits to do his bit which results in the unnecessary death of any person with bullet wounds.” - Cable Nigeria

Lagos developer bags 2,670 years for duping 133 tenants of N25m

An Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, has sentenced a property developer, Alhaji Ayobami Oseni, to 2,670 years imprisonment for duping 133 accommodation seekers of N25 million.

Chief Magistrate O. O. Olatunji convicted Oseni following his plea of guilty to 267 counts of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretenses and stealing.

He sentenced Oseni to 10 years imprisonment with no option of fine on each of the 267 counts.

The sentences, which are to run concurrently, take effect from April 26, 2017 when Oseni was remanded in prison custody following the revocation of his bail.

Thus, the convict should spend only 10 years in jail, but if the one year he has spent in remand is deducted, his prison time reduces to nine years.

Oseni was prosecuted by the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) and the Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD). - The Nation

N’assembly adds N500bn to 2018 budget

The national assembly has increased the size of the 2018 budget to N9.120 trillion from N8.612 trillion.

The details of the budget were listed on the order paper available at the senate.

The budget was laid before the senate by Danjuma Goje, chairman of the senate appropriation committee.

Yusuf Lasun, speaker of the house, who presided over Tuesday’s session at the house of representatives, said lawmakers will consider and pass the budget on Wednesday or Thursday.

He said: “We will begin the consideration tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon and pass it but if we are not able to, we will finish on Thursday.”

“That the house do receive the report of the committee on appropriations on a bill for an act to authorize the issue from the consolidated revenue fund of the federation, the total sum of N9,120,334,988,225 (Nine Trillion, One Hundred and Twenty Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-Four Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty-Five Naira) only,” the order paper read.

Here are some of the differences as seen on the order paper:

Item	FG proposal	Change
Debt service	N2.01 trillion	N2.20 trillion
Statutory transfer	N456 billion	N530 billion
Maturing loans	N220 billion	N190 billion
Recurrent expenditure	N3.49 trillion	N3.51 trillion
Capital expenditure	N2.42 trillion	N2.86 trillion

 Source : Cable Nigeria

PL news : Pep would rather win the Premier League than the Champions League

Pep Guardiola has said that he would rather win the Premier League again next season than the Champions League.

City stormed to a third title in seven years and Guardiola’s first at the club, finishing with a Premier League record of 100 points.

Guardiola’s side also finished with a record number of goals scored in a season by one team and the record for the total amount of wins in a season.

City were however knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool in the last-eight of the competition in what was a thrilling tie over two legs.

However two-time winner of the Champions League, Guardiola, insists it would be a mistake to focus more of their attention on the elusive European competition.

Gary Neville asked Pep on a Monday Night Football special whether he’d rather win the Premier League again or the Champions League, to which Guardiola answered:

“Premier League. No doubt”

“It will be a huge mistake to think: ‘OK now we have the Premier League, we are now going to go for the Champions League instead’. Big mistake.”

“To be out of the Champions League and win the Premier League again, I’d sign it now. The Premier League is the most important thing. It gives you the consistency to arrive at the right moment, the Champions League is so complicated the opponents are so good, all of them.”

 “The Premier League is the most important thing.”

Guardiola has previously won the Champions League with Barcelona in both 2009 and 2011 but has not reached the final since.

Asked if he was desperate to win the Champions league again soon, Guardiola said:

“Desperate is not the right word, for Barcelona the first they won it was in 1992. Sir Alex Ferguson took his time to win it.”

“It would be a big mistake tor Man City to be focusing on it, of course it will be a target, of course we will fight.”

“But for us our big moments of the season when we were in November, December and we were real contenders for the Champions League, but that was because we were doing so well in the league.”

 “That competition, you play at Anfield, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Roma, Bayern, United, Juventus, all of the big clubs.”

“Of course we are going to try it, but I don’t think: ‘If we don’t win the Champions League in the next five years it will be a disaster!’ I don’t think so.” - Read Sport

FA : Chelsea hit with fine

Chelsea have been fined £20,000 by the Football Association (FA) for failing to control their players during a 1-1 Premier League draw with Huddersfield Town this month.

Antonio Rudiger was among a group of players who vented their frustration at referee Lee Mason and his assistants when the whistle was blown for half-time before Chelsea could take a corner kick.

Marcos Alonso netted an equaliser for Chelsea after Laurent Depoitre had put Huddersfield in front - a result that preserved the Terriers' top-flight status and severely dented Chelsea's top-four aspirations.

An FA statement read: "Chelsea have been fined £20,000 after accepting a charge for failing to ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

"The incident occurred at half-time during the game against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday 9 May."

Chelsea ended the season in fifth, behind Liverpool, after losing 3-0 at Newcastle United on the final day. - Goal

Woman stabs pastor with broken bottle

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A 39-year-old woman, Esther Olawale, was on Wednesday docked before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court, Osun, for allegedly stabbing a pastor with broken bottle.

Olawale of no fixed address, is facing a count charge of assault.

The prosecutor, Insp. Emmanuel Abdullahi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 6, at about 6.00 p.m. at No. 11, Moremi Line 10, Ile-Ife.

Abdullahi said that the accused stabbed the complainant, Pastor Kayode Oluwawemimo, with broken bottle on the left hand and at the back during a disagreement.

He said the assault caused bodily injuries to the complainant, who is a pastor in one of the churches in Ile-Ife.

The offence contravened Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Law of Osun, 2002.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defence counsel, Mr Olalere Olaobaju, applied for the bail of the accused in the most liberal terms and promised that the accused would not jump bail.

Magistrate Ishola Omisade granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case until June 18, for hearing.

N6.3 billion fraud : Jang arraigned, remanded in Jos prison

Former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, was on Wednesday arraigned at the Jos High Court for allegedly misappropriating N6.3 billion.

Jang, who was arraigned alongside one Yusuf Gyang Pam by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 12- count charge, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defence counsel,  Robert Clark (SAN), pleaded that the ex-governor be  granted bail on self recognition.

The EFCC counsel,  Rotimi Jacob (SAN),  however objected to Jang’s application for bail, asking the court to look at the seriousness of the offence, the nature of the charge, the evidence available, the probability of the accused appearing constantly in the trial and the weight of the punishment.

According to him,  Sections 36(5) which provides that everybody who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until he is proven guilty is not in line with the law that governs the criminal prosecution against Jang and Pam.

He said, “Any offence that exceeds three years should not be treated as ordinary and presumable for bail.”

But after listening to arguments from both parties,  Justice Daniel Longji said he would need  time to analyze the arguments for and against the bail application in comparison with the charges.

He  adjourned ruling on the bail application till May 24.

He said: ‘There is a situation here where the Law becomes an axe. I have not studied the charges and I cannot use my personal knowledge of the accused persons to ask him to go on bail.

“They should be remanded in prison pending the ruling on his bail on Thursday next week.” - The Nation