'Step down as Minister of Petroleum,' Falana tells President

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana(SAN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to let the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigate the $25 billion contract scam in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu had, in a letter written to Buhari, accused the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Maikanti Baru of corruption.

Falana in a statement issued on Sunday, October 8, said the President should suspend Baru indefinitely while the EFCC carries out its investigation.He described the allegations as a "reckless contravention of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act."

The senior lawyer also advised Buhari to step down as the Minister of Petroleum Resources due to his "busy schedule" as President, urging him to appoint another competent Nigerian to take the position.

He said relinquishing the ministerial position would "remove undue pressure on the health of the President and allow him to attend to urgent matters of the state."

Falana criticised "the embarrassing petition of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to Buhari pertaining to Baru’s failure to consult the President and substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources" and "the unilateral award of $25bn contracts" by the NNPC's GMD.According to him, the $25 billion contracts should be revoked once the EFCC investigation confirms that they were awarded without the approval of the NNPC Board.

"However, apart from sanctioning the officers responsible for creating the wide gulf between Dr. Kachikwu and the President, the allegation of the unilateral award of contracts worth $25bn by Dr. Baru ought to be investigated in line with the anti-corruption policy of the Buhari administration," the statement said

Comments

Cyprus International University honoures Wizkid

Pop singer, Wizkid has been honoured with an award for his selfless contribution to the Nigerian music industry as well as taking his music to the world. Billed to perform to students of the University, the Jaiye Jaiye singer was all smiles as he was honoured by the student and management of the school. Spotting a dark attire with a hood, Wizkid accepted his award and thanked staff and students of the university. In his words, ' Thank you Cyprus International University for the love. Thanks to the Staff of CIU and the entire students that waited at the airport to show me love! Tomorrow we go all the way up!! Blessings nd love!! '

In Taraba 15 confirmed dead after attacks by Fulani herdsmen

The herdsmen invaded four villages in the Gashaka Local Government Area of the state and caused many villagers to flee. 15 people have been confirmed dead in Taraba State after attacks by Fulani herdsmen. The herdsmen invaded four villages in the Gashaka Local Government Area of the state and caused many villagers to flee. The casualty figure was given by Taraba State Police Commissioner, Shaba Alkali on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. “A group of people numbering about twenty, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, invaded and attacked Dori and Mesuma villages via Garbabi ward, Gashaka LGA, and burnt some thatch-houses, forcing the villagers to flee into the villages of Mayo-Selbe and Sabon Gida for safety,” Alkali said according to Daily Post. “Eight people were killed in Dori village while seven were also killed in Mesuma. My detectives are around Bali area to make sure that those that

Saraki Focus on insecurity, leave me alone – Senate President tells FG

Saraki also told the government to be prepared for a long legal tussle, adding that he was going to prove his innocence. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has called on the Federal Government to focus on insecurity and the economy, rather than trying to remove him. Saraki also told the government to be prepared for a long legal tussle, adding that he was going to prove his innocence. The Senate President also said the forgery case against him is an plot by those who want him removed. The Independent reports that he said “The police in their investigation were conscious that the incumbent Senate president was not in office prior to June 9, 2015 and that was why in their letters inviting some individuals for their investigation, they only mentioned officers of the 7th Senate. The last of the letters was written to the clerk of the National Assembly on June 7, 2016 and he was not among those invited. “Those who decided to smuggle the name of the Senate president into t

Robbi's Blog

Search This Blog