kogi govt Archives - Naija Premium Gist

Kogi govt maintains innocence, even as Sterling bank returns N20bn bailout funds to CBN

October 16, 2021 No Comments

The Kogi State Government on Friday insisted that it is innocent of accusations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the wake of the resolution of the lawsuit on the alleged misappropriation of a N20 billion bailout fund.

It therefore demanded an apology from the anti-graft commission.

According to the Kogi State Government, it was ’embarrassing’ for the anti-graft agency to institute a lawsuit over the funds.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information in Kogi, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, who stated the government’s position at the presentation of awards to senior journalists who participated in the GYB Essay Competition for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Editors in Lagos.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the EFCC on Friday told the court that it was no longer pursuing the case, after Sterling Bank which was holding the funds gave its commitment to return the money to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The bank claimed it did not act on the directive of the Kogi State government when it kept the money in a mirror account.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the order of withdrawal on Friday sequel to a motion filed and argued by EFCC counsel, Mr Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), leading Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.

Pinheiro listed six grounds upon which the judge granted the prayer, adding that “the EFCC is a responsible body”.

Nonetheless, Fanwo said it was unfortunate that the commission ignored thorough explanations by the state government on the matter, but chose to heed allegations from “hired guns.”

“It was unfortunate that the commission chose to believe allegations that it fixed N19 billion out of the amount in a new generation bank,” he stated.

He further implored the EFCC to always exhibit justice and professionalism during the discharge of its responsibilities while clarifying that the state government was yet to receive details of the judgement.

Fanwo declared that the state government would address the media after receiving the Certified True Copy of the judgment.

Politics

Kogi govt blames politicians for Kabba jailbreak

September 18, 2021 No Comments

The Kogi State Government said on Friday politicians were behind the recent attack at the Kabba Correctional Centre in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, who disclosed this to journalists in Lagos, also blamed the politicians for other security challenges in the state.

Unidentified gunmen had on Sunday night invaded the custodial centre and killed two security agents at the facility.

The gunmen also freed 240 prisoners during the attack.

The commissioner revealed that 126 inmates had been recaptured and urged the Federal Government to beef up security at the facility.

He said Governor Yahaya Bello had put in place security measures in a bid to protect lives and properties in the state.

Fanwo added that at least 240 patrol vehicles and security equipment had been procured and distributed to security agencies in the state.

Politics

Kogi govt makes u-turn, as state expresses readiness to receive COVID-19 vaccine

March 30, 2021 No Comments

The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Saka Haruna, on Monday, expressed the state’s readiness to start administering the COVID-19 vaccine to its residents, noting that the state would receive doses of the vaccine on Tuesday (today).

Kogi is the only state yet to commence the administration of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine to its residents after three weeks of its rollout in Nigeria.

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) had attributed the delay to the state’s concerns around the contradictory information about the vaccine and the non-repair of its cold-chain store.

It would be recalled that when the vaccine doses arrived in Nigeria, the Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, who openly expressed his doubt about the existence of COVID-19 in Kogi, said, “I’m not going to subject the people of Kogi State to vaccination; I will not make them guinea pigs.”

But speaking with newsmen on Monday, Haruna said, “We have done the micro-planning and everything has been completed with the NPHCDA. Anybody willing to receive the vaccine will receive it; nobody is exempted and nobody will be forced to receive the vaccine.

He noted that residents would be given “unhindered access to receive the vaccine”.

Haruna said the state would announce further plans, including the location of the vaccination launch, after the supplies have been received, however, failed to confirm if government officials, particularly the governor would receive the vaccine.

The governor does not have to receive the vaccine before others will; I don’t think there is anything special about COVID that we have to bring the governor out to come and receive the vaccine,” he added.