By Adedapo Adesanya

The Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, has commended the Nigerian Army for intensifying its fight against pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering, saying the security operations are yielding positive results by boosting crude oil production and improving national revenue.

Mr Fubara made the remarks while receiving the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt, ahead of the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration scheduled to hold in Rivers State.

The Army Chief was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, and other senior military officers.

Speaking during the visit, Mr Fubara said the military’s sustained operations against oil theft and pipeline sabotage have significantly reduced disruptions to oil production.

“In the face of everything, I can conveniently say that there are a lot of positive things that our state has recorded in terms of security,” the governor said.

He noted that the Army’s efforts in curbing pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering had translated into increased crude oil production and higher revenue for the country.

According to him, the operations of the 6 Division Nigerian Army have also strengthened the security of lives and property across Rivers State.

Governor Fubara congratulated Mr Shaibu on his appointment as Chief of Army Staff and expressed confidence that his tenure would deliver even greater improvements in national security.

“I’m commending you because within the short period that you’ve been appointed, I can conveniently say that there are a lot of positive things that our state has recorded in terms of security. I wish that your tenure will record a lot more positive improvements for the Nigerian Army,” he said.

The governor also welcomed the decision to host this year’s Nigerian Army Day celebration in Rivers State, describing it as a vote of confidence in the state’s security situation.

“We are really happy that, in the face of everything, you chose Rivers State for this very wonderful celebration. This is significant for us. It speaks to two things: that Rivers State is peaceful and Rivers State is worth securing.”

Mr Fubara pledged continued support for the Nigerian Army, assuring the military of the state’s cooperation in ensuring the success of its operations.

“You’re doing this work and every one of us is enjoying the positive effects. We owe you our support. We are not going to rest on our oars in ensuring that we do whatever we need to do to make you succeed,” he added.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff said he was in Rivers State to participate in activities marking the 163rd Anniversary of the Nigerian Army and thanked the state government for its support.

“I want to specifically thank you for the support you have rendered us, especially the infrastructure, the stadium that you have put at our disposal for hosting the event and other things that you have done at the Divisional Headquarters as part of your own contributions to ensure the success of the celebration,” Mr Shaibu said.

The Army Chief explained that the anniversary would feature a week-long programme of activities, including civil-military engagements aimed at strengthening relationships between the Army and host communities.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has revealed that the phantom Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) does not operate any account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adding that no public funds or salaries have been paid to the organisation.

The latest clarification was issued by the director of public relations at the OAGF, Mr Bawa Mokwa, amid controversy over the status of the PFIPC as a Nigerian government entity.

Earlier on June 11, the Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, said in a disclaimer that the purported activities of the so-called ‘Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC)’ were a fictitious entity and that his office had not appointed anyone to lead it.

The Chief of Staff said the PFIPC/PEAC convener, Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi, is an impostor and is facing criminal prosecution.

The Presidency, in an X statement on July 1, said that Mr Adeyemi used forged documents to fraudulently open a CBN account by deceiving the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

“The police found that Adeyemi, using the fake documents he created, fraudulently opened a CBN account by misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. According to the police, no government money has been transferred into the account,” it said.

Meanwhile, on July 2, Mr Adeyemi countered the Chief of Staff’s disclaimer, alleging that Mr Gbajabiamila received N400 million through a proxy to facilitate his appointment.

The OAGF spokesperson explained that the process of opening a CBN account for the PFIPC was never completed because the required documentation to activate the account was not submitted.

“You cannot open an account at the CBN without authorisation from the Accountant-General. The Accountant-General will authorise them to open an account at the CBN,” Mr Mokwa said.

Mr Mokwa stated that the purported PFIPC Director-General, Mr Adeyemi, approached the OAGF and presented an appointment letter, but alleged that the document concerned an already existing agency rather than the PFIPC.

The OAGF press director explained that the account-opening process commenced based on the document presented. Still, the account never became operational because the names of the officials expected to serve as account signatories were not submitted.

He insisted there was no channel through which the Office of the Accountant-General could release government funds to the agency because it did not have an operational account or a CBN-created one.

“The account, till today, has not seen the light of day. It has not seen one kobo because the account is not completely operational.

“That portrays that he has not collected a dime. The AGF has not released a dime to him because they don’t even have a place where the money can be paid,” Mr Mokwa said.

Mr Mokwa explained that before any federal agency can recruit workers and place them on the government payroll, it must first obtain the necessary approvals from the Federal Character Commission (FCC), the Budget Office, and the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

He added that after the approvals are granted, the names of employees can be submitted to the Office of the Accountant-General for enrolment on the federal payroll and payment of salaries.

“If they give you a waiver for 200 people, you take the waiver to these agencies and then present the papers to the Accountant-General.

“He cannot capture even one name without those approvals because once they are captured, payment will come from the budget,” Mr Mokwa explained.

Mr Mokwa added that none of those requirements had been completed.

By Adedapo Adesanya

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, July 10, to deliver judgment in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the final forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had initially scheduled the judgment for Monday after the parties adopted their final written addresses in May. However, the court postponed the ruling to July 10 without stating the reason for the adjournment.

The EFCC is asking the court to order the permanent forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government, arguing that they are suspected proceeds of unlawful activities.

Counsel to the commission, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), maintained that Mr Malami and the other respondents failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish that the properties were lawfully acquired.

Opposing the application, Mr Malami’s counsel, Mr Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the agency’s case was based on suspicion rather than credible and admissible evidence.

He further submitted that the EFCC relied largely on extrajudicial statements and contended that several of the properties in dispute were acquired before Mr Malami assumed office as Attorney-General, making them unrelated to any alleged criminal proceeds.

Counsel representing other individuals and companies named as respondents in the matter also asked the court to reject the EFCC’s application for final forfeiture.

The court is expected to determine the application on July 10, when it delivers judgment on whether the disputed properties should be permanently forfeited to the federal government.