More Troubles for Minister Ibe Kachikwu over Fuel Scarcity

*Some Praise Tinubu’s Stand | *Group Backs Kachikwu
Minister of State (Petroleum) Dr. Ibe Kachikwu was again under attack for the biting fuel shortage that has crippled many cities and businesses across Nigeria.

Kachikwu was lashed by APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for “insurbodination” after he was quoted to have said “I’m not a magician” in response to questions about the fuel crisis.

And now the Civil Society Coalition for Positive Change and Stand Up for Nigeria (SUN) issued a 72 hours ultimatum to the minister to resign from office over the prolonged scarcity.

Comrade Venatius Torkuma and Labake Boboye National President and Executive Director of the groups, in a joint statement, said Kachikwu had failed to justify his appointment.

Kachikwu had said Nigerians should count themselves fortunate that the NNPC under his stewardship has been able to bring in the amount of fuel we are even getting.

Some close to the Minister have however praised him for doing his job the way he could.

But the group described the statement as “careless” and “insulting” to Nigerians. They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to fire Kachikwu should he refuse to resign.

The group threatened to take to the street on Wednesday in “a mother of all protests” in the nation’s capital to draw the attention of Buhari and the international community should the minister refuse to resign.

The statement said: “Nigerians fought hard to vote in this government of change. But to hear the minister say the kind of things he said is not only insulting to Nigerians but showed his gross incompetence. Nigerians will not tolerate such recklessness. In case the minister needs a reminder, the era of incompetence is long gone with the previous administration.

“Since he has admitted that he cannot restore normalcy to the current fuel crisis, he should immediately resign his position. Indeed Kachikwu was not coerced to take this job.”

Another N116bn Fraud Busted: See Names of Those to Refund The Cash

Just days after the Presidency revealed that 300 persons and companies were implicated in fresh N116b "curious" contracts issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), details of the cash some of those indicted will refund have emerged.

It was also gathered that a former Director of Funds in Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Dikwa, admitted to the EFCC that the controversial $2.billion released to ONSA under ex-NSA Sambo Dasuki were based on just presidential or ministerial orders.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Thursday said that the ONSA committee had recovered over N7billion from those indicted.

The indicted companies are to refund N41billion. The investigating agencies, including the EFCC, will determine if another N75billion should be recovered from some of the companies.

The Special Committee in the Office of the NSA found persons and companies 'guilty' of infractions.

Some of the alleged infractions:

• breach of contract terms;
• non-execution of contracts;
• haphazard or partial completion of contracts;
• collection of funds for unexecuted contracts;
• diversion of funds for political purposes; and
• sheer mismanagement of contract funds.

300 persons and firms have been referred to investigating agencies, including EFCC, ICPC and police.

Amounts to be refunded by some of the persons and companies are as follows:
Acacia Holding Limited – (N600m and N650m);
Reliance Referral Hospitals Limited – N750m (16/4/2015);
African Cable Television Limited - N350million;
Dalhatu Investment Limited(N500m) - 20/12/13 and N200m on 17/3/15;
Duchy Concepts Limited RC392281(N70m) – 17/3/15;
Wehsec Farms Limited RC 713258(N200m);
Stellavera Dev Company – N250m;
Stellavera Dev Company- N250m;
Societe d’Equipments internationaux –
$6,954,000(21/4/2015), $30m(9/5/15); $50m(9/3/15); €1, 395, 346.84(11/12/13); €1,401,869 (2/10/13); €2, 252,252.25; $16m (20/5/14); $38m(20/5/14); $36m(20/5/14); $5m(4/6/14); $10m(11/7/14).

Some expected refunds from individuals are Dr. Bello Matawalle – N300m; Bello Fadile -N100m and Bashir Yududa N1.5billion.

A source in EFCC said: “Some of those indicted have outstanding cases under investigation by our agency. These allegations are intertwined and we may have to improve on a few clues.

“The latest assignment is to recover the sums against these 300 persons and companies. A few of them had written to the commission to refund some money illegally collected for jobs undone.

“In line with the mandate of the Presidency, we will get to the root of the allegations against those already referred to us. We will also collaborate with other investigating agencies.”

Responding to a question, he said: "Of course, some of these persons and companies will be prosecuted."

Nigerian Army Colonel Abducted [Army to give cash to anyone with information]

Heavily armed men at the weekend abducted a military officer Colonel Samaila Inusa on the highway in a commando style in Kaduna State.

The gunmen suspected to be kidnappers whisked away the officer who was riding in his Mercedes-Benz car around Kamazo, along Kaduna Refinery Road, in Chikun area. He was with his wife.

Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Officer of 1 Division Nigerian Army, Colonel Abdul Usman in a statement on Sunday confirmed the Saturday night’s abduction.

According to the statement, “the abductors dropped off Colonel Inusa’s wife and left with him in his car. The car headed towards Abuja.

“This is to inform the general public that a senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Samaila Inusa serving in Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji Kaduna was abducted around Kamazo near NNPC junction, Kaduna.

“The abductors dropped off his wife and left with him in his car. The car headed towards Abuja.

“Anybody with useful information or assistance should please assist in tracking these abductors. They are in a Mercedes Benz GLK Black colour with registration number Abuja, KUJ 154 TZ.

“This happened at about 7:30pm on Saturday, 26 March, 2016. The following numbers could be reach for further contact; 08033865572, 08030489203, 08023445961, 07038025282 or 08058130703.”

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Mechanized Division of the Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, has promised N500,000 cash reward for anyone with useful information that could lead to the release of Col. Inusa.

Division Spokesman, Usman assured that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Meet Noble Igwe & His Sexy Fiancee (their traditional marriage holds today)

Fast-rising media personality Noble Igwe is marrying his cute babe, Chioma Otisi in a traditional marriage on Monday March 28th in Abriba, Abia state. White wedding comes up in June. See more photos...