NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Imo State House of Assembly, Tuesday said that the factual findings on the alleged misappropriation of the local government funds under Emeka Ihedioha’s administration would be sent to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to take action. The Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts Committee, PAC, Chigozie Nwaneri, alongside members of his committee, disclosed this in Owerri, even as they said that the work on the report had gone up to 50 percent. This is coming after several attempts made by Ihedioha, to stop his probe using the court had failed. However, Nwaneri, representing Oru East state constituency said that the House had involved the services of external auditor and an accountant to conclude the report as submitted to the House by the auditor General of local government in the state. The chairman of the committee Nwaneri said among other things that, “This Public Accounts Committee, PAC, started under the previous administration of Emeka Ihedioha, a

The Federal Government Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT) to assist in the free movement of food and farming inputs into Anambra State especially at this period of COVID-19 pandemic has been inaugurated in Awka, Anambra State. The Joint Technical Task Team is bestowed with the responsibility to work with relevant Agencies in the State and Local Government Areas to develop windows that will facilitate the free and unhindered movement of food, livestock and agricultural inputs without compromising the security and health of the State and the Nation. The Task Team, with the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr. John Bassey Abang as Chairman, has, in addition, the duty to issue out clear instructions to all security personnel in the three internal security outfits of Police, Civil Defence and the Army on the need to ensure agro-produce, excluding passengers, are allowed passages. Moreso,it would,as a matter of duty, ensure adequate information clarifying the controlled moveme

Former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha on Monday  lost his bid to restrain the House of Assembly from probing the alleged mismanagement of N19.63billion council funds by his administration. An Owerri High Court rejected his application for an ex-parte order restraining the House from inviting or probing him. Justice S. I. Opara, in his ruling, held that rather than grant the ex-parte application, the case would be set down for hearing. After throwing out Ihedioha’s application, he ruled that all parties must file necessary documents for hearing. Imo Attorney-General C. O. C. Akaolisa represented the House of Assembly; S. A. Anyalewechi represented Ihedioha. The judge adjourned till May 27 for hearing. The state Auditor-General for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had issued an interim audit report detailing how N19.63billion fraudulently disappeared from the local government accounts between May and December 31, 2019. Apparently worried that the House of As

Following the treatment of about 55 COVID-19 patients with Madagascar’s herbal drugs, ‘COVID-Organics’, President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, ordered the presidential task force on COVID-19 to go for the drug. He advised them to use it for the treatment of covid-19 patients in the country.  Disclosing this at the daily briefing of the task force, the secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha said, Madagascar donated some of the products to Nigeria through Guinea-Bissau. He noted that arrangements are ongoing to bring it down to the country. “The president of Madagascar sent it to Guinea Bissau. Certain allocations have been made to different countries. “We have an indication of the quantities that have been allocated to Nigeria, and we are supposed to make arrangements to freight it out of Bissau to Nigeria. “I have received instructions from Mr President to make arrangements to freight it home.”

Samuel-Mary & Dame Emily Obiyo Foundation which is for charity, has personal protective equipment to indigent men and women in Imo State, especially those from Ikeduru LGA to protect them from the ravages of coronavirus. Other items generously  shared were packs and bags of rice, noodles, beans, salt, etc, all of immense quantity, with high quality. The donation occasion, held Friday May 8, 2020 at Ugiri-ike, Nneise in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State the country home of the president of the foundation Dr. Uzoma Obiyo, witnessed massive attendance and has been adjudged unprecedented. Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma, speaking on the occasion, lauded the President of the Foundation for his initiation, stating that it complements the state government's efforts very well. Governor Uzodimma, represented by his Special Adviser on Diaspora Affairs Lady Celia Osakwe Gilbert enjoined Imo People to emulate Dr. Obiyo in showing kindness, especially during this difficult season. Th

The Supreme Court, on Friday, quashed the judgement that convicted and sentenced the former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor-Kalu, to 12 years imprisonment. The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a seven-man panel of Justices led by Justice Amina Augie, held that the Federal High Court in Lagos acted without jurisdiction when it convicted Kalu, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and former Director of Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogu. It held that trial Justice Mohammed Liman was no longer a judge of the Federal High Court as at the time he sat and delivered the judgement that convicted the defendants for allegedly stealing about N7.1billion from Abia state treasury. According to the Supreme Court, Justice Liman, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal before then, lacked the powers to return to sit as a High Court Judge. It held that the Fiat that was issued to him by the Court of Appeal President pursuant to section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice