Ghetto !!! Civil servants’ salaries at risk as FAAC suspends meetings indefinitely

The salaries of civil servants in states across the federation might be affected as members of the federation accounts allocation committee (FAAC) have agreed to suspend meetings indefinitely.

Mahmood Yunusa, the chairman, commissioners of finance forum, said the meetings will not hold until an effective revenue collection process is implemented.

He said that the committee is tired of battling with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over oil revenue collections.

The chairman said the committee had already taken the matter before President Muhammadu Buhari, “but in the short term, FAAC meetings have been suspended until a more effective collection method is established”.

He said: “What we are looking for is for the process to be strengthened, once the process is strengthened there is no need for this fight.

“It is about the system and the process and we are working on it. It is no longer a joking matter, it has gone to the highest level.

“Mr President is highly interested in this and he is taking his time to ensure that the right thing is done.”

Yunusa said the decision to hold NNPC accountable came with a price, meaning some states may not be able to pay salaries.

He, however, expressed the hope that once the process was completed, it would serve as a permanent solution to the reoccurring issue of under-remittance by NNPC.

It will be recalled that a meeting was convened on June 27 and July 10 respectively, to share the revenue generated in the month of May, which both ended in a stalemate.

Over the past couple of years, FAAC have had disagreements with NNPC over remittances into the Federation Account.

The latest development is coming less than a year after the NNPC completed the refund of N450 billion to the federation account.

The NNPC had for 67 consecutive months, paid an additional N6.33 billion into the federation account to be shared to federal, states and local governments.

The payment, which started in Sept. 2011, was due to an audit, which showed that the NNPC had been under remitting revenue into the Federation Account. -TheCable

Demand court order before releasing customer’s BVN – CBN tells banks

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has instructed commercial banks and other financial institutions to demand a valid court order before it releases customer’s Bank Verification Numbers, BVN.

This was made known in a circular containing an amended regulatory framework for Bank Verification Number (BVN) operations and watch-lists for Nigerian financial system, which was released yesterday by the apex bank on its website.

In the circular signed by the Director, Banking and Payments system department, Mr Dipo Fatokun, the CBN stressed that any requests for BVN information must be accompanied with a court order.

DAILY POST reports that the directive which was addressed to all banks, switches, mobile money operators, payment solution providers, microfinance banks and others takes immediate effect.

It stated that “Section 1.6 of the Framework, Eligibility for Access to the BVN which states that, ‘The following entities may have access to BVN information, subject to the approval of the CBN,’ is hereby amended to read thus, ‘the following entities may have access to BVN information, after providing a valid Court Order, subject to the approval of the CBN’.

“Consequently, the CBN by this circular hereby informs all stakeholders that the provision of a valid court order is one of the pre-requisites for the release of BVN information to applicants.” - Daily Post

Abattoir republic : 73 killed, 50 villages burnt as Taraba boils again

At least 73 persons have been killed and 50 villages burnt following a renewed violence between the Hausa-Fulani and Yandang communities in Lau local government area of Taraba state.

Sahabi Mahmoud, state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), told journalists on Friday that the hostilities, which started on July 5, has claimed the lives of more than 23 of his members.

He said over 3,000 displaced Hausa-Fulani, mainly women and children, who fled the area, are currently taking refuge at the Muslim Council Secretariat in Jalingo and other neighbouring local government areas.

Mahmoud lamented that it was “unfortunate” that since the displaced persons arrived the Muslim Council in Jalingo, no government official had visited the camp or provided any relief material to the victims.

On his part, Aaron Artimas, an elder of the Yandang community, said more than 50 persons from the side of the Yandang and other tribes in area were confirmed dead as a result of the conflicts.

Artimas said the Hausa-Fulanis, Yandang, Mumuye and Yoti, among other tribes, had lived in the area as brothers and sisters without problems for centuries.

He blamed the recent recurring conflicts on incitement from people outside the area who wanted to remain relevant politically.

“Some militia from neighbouring Adamawa State have infiltrated into Babagasa, a border village between Taraba and Adamawa, and have been wreaking havoc on all the surrounding villages in Lau local government in Taraba,” he said.

“Villages such as Tikule, Bariki, Santuraki, Budong, Mbonding and Panti-Ladda, among others, were burnt by the militia.

“Over 2,000 displaced persons from the affected villages are currently taking refuge at the Central Primary School, Jalingo.

“Some are in other villages like Sunkani, Apawa, Zing and Bali all in Taraba, while several others fled to Gorobi, Sabon-Gida, Bujum and Mayo-Belwa in Adamawa State.

“Since the arrival of IDPs in their current locations, they have been living at the mercy of God and good spirited individuals who have been taking food to them. As I speak with you now, since the conflicts erupted in Lau Local Government on July 5, there is no presence of security while the people continue to kill themselves.”

However, David Misal, spokesman of Taraba police command, confirmed the incident but said the number of casualties was still being compiled, while normalcy had been restored in the affected areas. - Cable Nigeria

Ekiti 2018: Voters receive cash, gifts from ‘politicians’

Several voters were given money Friday by politicians to vote for particular candidates in Saturday’s election.

Those who spoke to our correspondents on condition of anonymity said they got N4, 000 each.

Our correspondents, who were at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) office where newsmen were being accredited, noticed that people were steadily streaming in and out of the Old Governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital.

Those seen going in and out of the premises were mostly youths as well as middle-aged men and women.

While some ran into the premises apparently to get there before the sharing ended, others walked briskly towards an inner building.

A woman was overheard raining curses on some people she claimed collected money twice.

She wondered why some would collect twice while others were yet to collect once.

She said: “A vehicle will kill all of those that collected twice!”

One of our correspondents approached her and said: “Take it easy madam. You’re a mother. You shouldn’t curse others that way.”

She said: “The cheating is too much. Some people have not collected, while some have collected twice. It’s not fair.”

When our correspondent sought to know who was sharing the money, she said: “I’m not a radio. Leave me, I am annoyed.” Then she walked away.

Several people were seen trying to gain access to the gated inner building within the premises.

Those coming out of the building told those outside that they must be sure of the wards they were registered to vote.

Someone was overheard saying that having a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) was required to receive the cash.

Some of the voters were seen grumbling that they could not locate their names on the list.

Those whose names were not in the list were asked to go to different locations where money for their wards was being shared.

A young man who was coming out of the premises was asked if he had collected his own money.

He was initially reluctant to respond. But when our correspondent spoke to him in Ekiti language, he opened up.

He said his name was not found in the ward list, and that he was directed to another ward.

Asked how much was being shared, he said: “Some get N2, 000; others get N4, 000” as he hurriedly left.

A woman was seen telling her friend that without her voter’s card, she would not be given the money.

A group of four women were seen talking animatedly. Three of them had succeeded in collecting their cash, but the fourth woman could not collect hers because she did not bring her PVC along.

The other women, while consoling her, said: “After all, you collected rice yesterday. At least you got something.”

More people soon gathered at the entrance, banging on the gate. They accused those sharing the money inside of planning to pocket what is left. Some shouted: “Ole, ole!”

A female security guard opened the gate soon after and everyone trooped into the compound, with pushing and shoving. The gate was shut again as more people gathered.

A middle-aged bearded man, apparently a party leader, warned those who had collected theirs and were leaving not to allow any “APC member” near the place.

Looking around as if to identify “APC members” outside the premises, he shouted: “Don’t allow any APC member near here. If any APC member comes near here, I will break his head.”

Empty packs of F1100 Power Torch Fero Mobile phones littered the scene and around the Old Governor’s Office.

It was not immediately clear if the phones were earlier shared to the voters.

Vote buying and inducement is a common theme in most elections, with major political parties culpable.

As it becomes increasingly difficult to alter election results or adopt other forms of rigging, vote buying and inducement has become the preferred option for garnering votes.

The Ekiti Governorship election is seen as a two-horse race between the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Dr Kayode Fayemi and his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart Prof Kolapo Olusola-Eleka. - The Nation

Chelsea receive third-highest FIFA compensation payout from World Cup

Chelsea have had several players out in Russia this summer for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and this has been represented in recent financial figures disclosed by communications specialists Tonka. 

The financial reports have revealed which clubs have earned the most from FIFA’s compensation payouts, determined by the number of players who have been released for international involvement this summer.

Tonka’s findings show that Chelsea have, in fact, earned the third highest amount from the compensation payouts, with the club taking approximately £3.5 million from their players’ exploits at the World Cup.

The Blues trail only Real Madrid and Manchester City in the rankings, with both clubs having earned close to £4 million from the aforementioned payouts.

Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard and Michy Batshuayi were all parts of Belgium’s squad for the tournament, while Willian also travelled to Russia with Brazil.

Willy Caballero was called up to the Argentina squad for the tournament and Andreas Christensen also got the nod for Denmark. Gary Cahill and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were a part of England’s squad for their history-making campaign this summer, as well.

N’Golo Kante and Olivier Giroud will be gearing up for the World Cup final on Sunday with France but the same cannot be said for Antonio Rudiger, whose Germany side fell at the first hurdle of the competition.

Kenneth Omeruo, Victor Moses and Ola Aina were other inclusions for Nigeria and Cesar Azpilicueta was also a part of Spain’s squad for the World Cup. - Read Sport

EFCC speaks on Magu’s reported ‘diversion of N702million’

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reacted to allegation that its Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, allegedly diverted N702million meant for 13-month salaries of new operatives.

EFCC was accused of failing to pay the entitlements of Cadet Officers who recently completed their training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA.

Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media & Publicity, in a statement on Friday, said no salaries of any group of employees of the Commission were diverted.

He noted: “The idea of diversion of salaries of newly recruited cadet officer may well be part of a plot to incite impressionable young officers to mutiny against the Commission’s leadership. It is important to state that the Commission as a law enforcement agency has established protocols and regulations on the administration of emolument to all cadres of staff.

“Cadet Officers in training are entitled to allowances and this was duly paid to not only the Detective Superintendent Course 7 officers who completed their training on May 11, but to officers of Detective Inspector and Detective Assistant cadre who completed their trainings much earlier. By the EFCC regulations, these officers are not entitled to any 28 days allowance during training and the mandatory one year internship after training.

“As a result of this policy, the Commission maintains transit camps in all its offices where officers on internship are accommodated. It is equally mischievous to alleged that “Magu has unanimously (sic) resolved not to pay officers their June 2018 salary, as other staff of the Commission have been paid”. While it is true that officers of the DS Course 7 are yet to receive their June Salary, the delay was caused by the simple fact that they were not enrolled into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, early enough to collect their June Salary. They have since been enrolled and would be paid their entitlement.

“Equally false is the claim that Police Officers on secondment are being owed salaries of between five and seven months. Police officers attached to the Commission are paid by their mother agency, the Nigeria Police. What they collect from the EFCC is the differential between their police pay and the salary of officers of equivalent rank in the EFCC. This differential unfortunately has not been paid to a few officers because the funds come from a separate platform from the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“Perhaps the most ridiculous of the allegations is the claim that the Commission illegally diverted funds of the EFCC Staff Cooperative Society to finance the construction of its new head office. This is preposterous against the obvious fact that funds were appropriated for the project by the National Assembly. The Commission has no need for cooperative money to build its offices.

“The challenge being experienced by members of staff in accessing loans from the Cooperative arose from the dwindling resources available to the Society. This was caused by the Commission’s recent migration to the IPPIS platform which is configured to accept only statutory deductions, consequently monthly receipts by the Cooperative dropped. But it is a temporary disruption, which is already being addressed by the Finance and Account Department of the Commission.” - Daily Post

Man allegedly kills brother for assaulting their mother

A 28-year-old man, John Okoye of Umuchibu village in Awba-Ofemili, Awka North local government area of Anambra State has reportedly killed his elder brother, Osita.

Okoye, it was gathered, killed his brother aged 34 in a fight after he caught him assaulting their mother, Mrs. Joy Okoye.

DAILY POST gathered that Osita, a farmer and first son of the family returned home late on Thursday and complained to his mother that one of his cousin was trying to take their land, which he said he had already reported to security agents.

But his mum, in reply, scolded him for taking a family matter to the police when it could have been settled amicably within the family.

This was said to have irked Osita, who started first by accusing his mother of siding his cousin to take his land, and proceeded to rain verbal abuses on her, prompting her to leave the room.

She told journalists that; “I tried to let him see reasons why the issue would have been resolved within the larger family, instead involving security men for his cousin brother. That was how he erupted and branded me unprintable names. He even asked me to leave his presence.

“He raised his voice but I tried to calm him down because it was late already around 10 pm. I went to lock the door just not to let out our discussion to neighbours but he went after me and flung the door wide open. I also explained why he should not fight with his cousin over the land. The explanation did not go down well with him.

“Before I could sit down, he slapped me and tore my dress. I ran to the backyard to get a cover for myself. It was in the process that my second child(John) came to my rescue. John tried to pacify him to no avail and questioned the rationale behind beating me. He (John) told him it was late already and that he should stop disturbing other neighbours. But instead of listening to him, he (the deceased) ran into the house and collected knife to fight his brother.

“I tried to hold him back not to fight his brother with the knife, he collected the torch which I was holding and struck it against the wall and pounced on his brother, hitting him with the object twice in quick succession. John defended himself by forcefully snatching the knife from him, which led to a fatal injury that eventually claimed his life after he had bled profusely with no vehicle available to rush him to hospital.”

The distressed mother, who condemned the deceased’s hot temper and stubbornness, said that if he had not resorted to retaliatory actions the unfortunate incident would not have happened, noting that it was difficult to separate him whenever he fought.

The widow appealed to the Anambra state government to intervene in the matter by asking the police to release his son, John, and allow them to settle the case amicably within the family.

When contacted, the police public relations officer, Anambra state command, SP Haruna Muhammed, said that the police could not compound the case of mother, pointing out that the suspect would be arraigned before the court after investigation is concluded. - Daily Post