Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon.

Yakubu Dogara (middle ), President, International Criminal Court ( ICC ), Judge Chile Ebue Osuji (2nd
left ), Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari ( 2nd right ), Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions, Hon.
Abubakar Fulata ( 1st left ) and Director, International & Comparative Law, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Stella Anukam during a courtesy visit to the
Speaker by the ICC President at the National Assembly in Abuja
How NEMA DG, Maihaja
awarded contracts to non-existing
companies
The director general of the National Emergency Man-
agement Agency (NEMA), Engineer Mus-
tapha Yunusa Maihaja, has been breaching Public Pro-
curement Act by awarding contracts to companies that
do not meet legal requirements and non existing com-
panies, the House of Representatives has discovered.
This disclosure was made at the resumed investigative
public hearing organised by the committee on the vio-
lation of public trust in National Emergency Manage-
ment Agency.
The lawmakers noted that documents before the com-
mittee which were made available to the director gen-
eral in the hearing, clearly showed that majority of the
companies approved by the agency to undergo con-
tracts were in breach of the Procurement Act to the ex-
tent that one of the companies, Three Brothers, is not
registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
They also discovered from documents presented to the
committee by the National Pension Commission that
most of the companies were defaulters in remittance of
pension, defaulters in tax payment as submitted by the
Federal Inland Revenue Service to the committee, and
do not operate ITF.
Furthermore, the committee observed that the DG of
NEMA had been exceeding his approval limit for con-
tracts without due approval by the presidency.
Speaking in his defense, NEMA DG presented a Certifi-
cate of No Objection obtained from the Bureau Of Pub-
lic Procurement (BPP) as proof that all due process pro-
cedures were followed before the contracts were
awarded.
This, however, was rejected by members of the Com-
mittee who explained that there are documents that
clearly show the breaches in question whose authentici-
ty have not been contested, and therefore, the BPP
must have cleared the contracts in error.
The lawmakers also expressed reservation over the ex-
emption of the director general in the suspension of
personnel of the agency over allegations of corrup-
tion. They said it was puzzling that the director gen-
eral, who was also listed among the list of people
allegedly involved in corrupt activities and defrauding
Nigerians, has been allowed to continue superintend-
ing over the affairs of the agency.
The committee noted that due to the absence of the
suspended personnel, especially the director of Fi-
nance and accounts, certain information required by
the House will not be available, and therefore, the DG
must appear with them for tomorrow’s hearing.
Going further, they questioned the speed with which
the affected staff were suspended based on a report
purportedly emanating from the governing council of
NEMA is questionable because the council was inau-
gurated on the 3rd of April, considered the report of
the EFCC on corruption allegations on the same day
and recommended the suspension of the director of
Finance and Accounts; acting director, Special Duties;
deputy director, Welfare; director, Disaster Risk; head
of Special Air Operation Unit and the chief mainte-
nance officer.
Out of all the suspended staff, the Finance and Ac-
counts director was immediately replaced by the DG
who requested the BPP to send a replacement. The
replacement resumed the next day after the suspen-
sion.
Other areas which the committee made disclosures
include the failure of the agency to respond swiftly to
emergencies across the country even after receiving
funds for relief materials for affected persons, the
House of Representatives has discovered. It took a
range of 6 months to one year for people and com-
munities who were in emergency situations to get
relief from NEMA, even in many cases where funds
were readily available.
This followed the inability of Engineer Maihaja to
explain why after receiving N1.6 billion from the fed-
eral government for emergency relief in July 2017 for
flood victims, the agency failed to provide relief ma-
terials to affected people and areas until December,
2017, six months after the incidents took place in 16
states across the country, when it started distribution.
Experience critical to the perfor-
mance of Lawmakers- Dogara

For legislators to represent optimally and influence

development in their constituencies, the electorate
must support them for multiple terms in the National
Assembly, speaker of the House of Representatives,
Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said.
Speaking in Oko town, Surulere Local Government
Area of Oyo State, at the final funeral thanksgiving
for Pa Sunday Akanji Odebunmi, the father of a mem-
ber of the House of Representatives and chairman of
the House Committee on Information and National
Orientation, Hon. Segun Odebunmi, the speaker also
noted that most lawmakers who have served multiple
terms in the National Assembly have a better chance
to become principals and even presiding officers.

Hon Dogara showered encomiums on Hon Ode-

bunmi whom he described as a committed member
of the House whose interest is the development of
the country and urged his constituents to give him
support by reelecting him in the 2019 elections.

He said, “The Hon member representing this constit-

uency is a brother, a wonderful member of the House
of Representatives and he heads one of the im-
portant committees of the House and I will urge the
people of this constituency to continue to support
him. I have said elsewhere that a member is like wine,
it is said of wine that it tastes better with age. If he
was able to do some things during his first tenure, his
second tenure is better than the first and likewise, if
he is given support, his subsequent sojourn into the
parliament will produce better results.

“I guess the people of my constituency have been

smart to understand this and therefore, they took me
to the House for the third time, it was only on the
third time that I became speaker. So, if you want to
produce leaders in the National Assembly, it means
that once you have a member that is doing his best,
you have to support him and I tell you that before
time, he can be leading the House and the fruits of
his representation will be made manifest.”
Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara (2 nd left), Mother of Deputy Speaker, Alhaja Nurat Yussuff
(left) , Father of Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Ayinla Yussuff (3rd left), Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lasun Yussuff and his Wife Mrs.
Rasidat Omowumi Yussuff (right) when the Speaker visited the Parents of his deputy in Ilobu, Osun State
House To Probe AGF’s $17 Mil-
lion Lawyers Fee for Recovery
Of 'Abacha Loot'
The House of Representatives has resolved to set up
an ad-hoc Committee to investigate the circum-
stances surrounding the engagement of Nigerian
lawyers, Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) and Temitope
Adebayo for a fee of $16.9 million (about N6 billion)
for the recovery of the sum of $321 million, part of
the Abacha loot from Luxembourg when the job
had already been concluded by Mr Enrico Monfrini
who was paid by the Nigerian government in full.
The decision which was taken after the House con-
sidered a motion on the incident also covers investi-
gation on whether due process was followed and a
request to President Muhammadu Buhari to sus-
pend the payment of the said fee of $16.9 million or
any part thereof pending investigation on the mat-
ter.
Arguing the motion sponsored by Hon. Mark Terse-
er Gbillah, the House said it was aware that Mr Enri-
co Monfrini, a Swiss Lawyer, was engaged by the
Nigerian Government since 1999 to work on recov-
ering the Abacha Loot for which the sum of $321
million and had finished the Luxembourg leg of the
job since 2014 when Mohammed Bello Adoke was
the Attorney-General of the Federation and that Mr
Mofrini had since been paid by the Federal Govern-
ment for his legal services for the recovery of the
money which was then domiciled with the Attorney-
General of Switzerland pending the signing of an
MoU with Nigeria to avoid the issues of accounta-
bility around previous recoveries.
The lawmakers said it was therefore curious that in-
stead of just the signing of the MoU which is a gov-
ernment-to- government communication for the
money to be repatriated to Nigeria, Abubakar Mala-
mi (SAN), the Minister of Justice and Attorney-
General of the Federation, had engaged the services
of another set of Nigerian lawyers in 2016, namely,
Oladipo Okpeseyi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria
(SAN), and Temitope Adebayo, for a fee of $16.9
Million (about N6 Billion).
Offa Robbery: Reps Seek Thor-
ough Investigation And Prose-
cution Of Culprits.
The House of Representatives has expressed dismay at
the audacious banks robbery in Kwara State, noting
that the failure of security operatives to respond to
the incident that took place across several banks in
broad daylight for over one hour is an indication that
Nigeria needs to check its entire security apparatus.
The issue was raised in a motion of urgent importance
by Hon. Olayonu Tope, who stated that dastardly acts
of robbery in Offa, Kwara State, have become a recur-
ring scenario. He explained for the armed bandits to
first overcome the Police before unleashing mayhem
on citizens and workers means the security operatives
are not capable of protecting lives and properties of
Nigerians.
He added that in the aftermath of the robbery, banks
in Kwara South all closed down and emphasized the
implication of the action on the economy of the state.
Contributing to the motion, other lawmakers noted
that lives and properties of Nigerians are no longer
safe as it has become obvious that the current security
structure in the country cannot secure them, especially
as it seems the police has now become also scared of
the criminals and can no longer apprehend them.
The House urged the Police Force to investigate the
incident and ensure that the perpetrators of the crime
are brought to justice.
Human Rights: N/Assembly
Ready to Domesticate Kampala
Convention, Rome Statute –
Dogara
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.
Yakubu Dogara, has said that the National As-
sembly is willing and ready to domesticate inter-
national treaties aimed at safeguarding human
rights.

He made this known when he received the Presi-

dent of the International Criminal Court, Judge
Chile Ebue Osuji, at the National Assembly.

The Speaker, who raised concerns about the

emergence and strengthening of far-right groups
and the dangers inherent in the trend, highlight-
ed the importance of the Court in keeping such
tendencies at bay and preventing crimes against
humanity from occurring.

While also pledging Nigeria’s continued support

for the International Criminal Court and agree-
ment with the fundamental principles of the
Rome Statute, he, however, added that the pro-
cedure governing the domestication of treaties
grants the Executive and not the Legislature, the
power to initiate the process.

He then suggested that since efforts were being

made to kickstart the process of domesticating
the Kampala Convention, then perhaps the Rome
Statute should also be included.

Earlier, the President of the International Criminal

Court, Judge Chile Ebue Osuji, commended Ni-
geria for remaining consistent in supporting the
ICC and contributing to efforts geared at estab-
lishing an international community where peace
and justice reign.
Reps Enquiry Reveals How Furthermore, the committee observed that the DG
of NEMA had been exceeding his approval limit for
NEMA DG, Maihaja Awarded contracts without due approval by the presidency.

Contracts To Non-existing The committee also established that the agency

Companies.
..Spent N400M on demurrage to clear 50 percent of
China Rice Gift IDPs
…As Reps Ask, FIRS, EFCC, Others To Appear Over
NEMA Probe, Orders Recall of Suspended NEMA
Staff.
The director general of the National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA), Engineer Mus-
tapha Yunusa Maihaja, has been breaching Public
Procurement Act by awarding contracts to compa-
nies that do not meet legal requirements and non
existing companies, the House of Representa-
tives has discovered.
The agency also disclosed that it has so far spent
400 million naira on demurrage on rice donated to
the internally displaced people in the North East in
2017 by the government of China and awarded 3
billion naira contract to 2 companies.
has not been able to respond swiftly to emergen-
cies across the country even after receiving funds
for relief materials for affected persons as it takes a
range of 6 months to one year for people and
communities who were in emergency situations to
get relief from NEMA, even in many cases where
funds were readily available.
The House also summoned the chairman of the
governing council of NEMA, Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo or his representative, the EFCC, DSS,
ICPC, accountant general of the federation, Minis-
tries of Agric, Budget and National Planning and
other relevant agencies to appear in its next meet-
ing to provide information on issues under probe
by the House, especially as it relates to the suspen-
sion of 6 senior staff of the agency. They also di-
rected the recall of the suspended staff, saying. the
process of their suspension by the agency did not
follow the Civil Service guidelines.

The 2 day resumed investigative public hearing or-

ganised by the committee on Emergency and Disas-
ter Preparedness on the violation of public trust in
National Emergency Management Agency opened
up these revelations.

The lawmakers noted that documents before the

committee which were made available to the direc-
tor general in the hearing, clearly showed that ma-
jority of the companies approved by the agency to
undergo contracts were in breach of the Procure-
ment Act to the extent that one of the companies,
Three Brothers, was not even registered with the
Corporate Affairs Commission.

They also discovered from documents presented to

the committee by the National Pension Commission
that most of the companies were defaulters in re-
mittance of pension, defaulters in tax payment as
submitted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service to
the committee, and do not operate ITF.
Dogara calls for the rescue of re- “One can only imagine the amount of grief that the
parents of those whose daughters are yet to be res-
maining Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu cued have to cope with on a daily basis. While we
… harps on improved security in schools
may offer words of support, the fact remains that
nothing will put them in better spirits than to be
In commemoration of the 4th year since the abduction
reunited with their children.
of Chibok Schoolgirls, speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has expressed sad-
“I hereby call on President Muhammadu Buhari, as
ness that all the abducted girls have not been ac-
the father of the nation and Commander-in-Chief
counted for, while urging the executive to intensify
of the Armed Forces, to put an end to their sorrow
efforts towards providing adequate security to schools
by freeing their daughters from captivity.
in the country.
“We must also remember Leah Sharibu and her re-
This, he said in a statement on the fourth year since
markable bravery and intensify efforts as a nation
the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls.
to bring her home. All others who were taken by
He also called on the executive to intensify efforts for
these terrorists against their will must also be reu-
the release of Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi girl who was
nited with their people. The security of lives and
not released along with other abductees, reportedly
property is the foremost function of government
for refusing to renounce her faith.
and we must fulfil this responsibility because the
Constitution makes it binding upon us to do so.
Hon Dogara said, “It is unfortunate that four years af-
ter, all of our daughters have still not been accounted
“We must ensure, as a nation, that attacks on
for. This underpins the need to take swift action when
schools and on our children are brought to an end;
such incidents occur and to provide adequate security,
for there is no better way to safeguard the future
not on a temporary basis but permanently, so that
than to guarantee access to education.
such tragedies can be prevented.
“Nigeria has an alarming number of children out of
“We will not forget the Chibok Girls and everything
school and if we genuinely want to solve this chal-
that they represent, and we in Parliament will not
lenge, then we must make our learning institutions as
cease to push for their rescue.”
safe and secure as possible.
Reps Hold Special Valedictory Session
in Honour of Late Deputy House
Leader
The House of Representatives on Wednesday held a
valedictory session in honour of Hon. Buba Jubril, who
died during the Easter break after a protracted illness.

At the event which was preceded by adjournment of

legislative duties on Tuesday in his honour, the late law-
maker’s colleagues, including the speaker of the House
of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, took turns to
speak on his life and times.

In his tribute, Speaker Yakubu Dogara described him

one of the rare politicians who never leaned on political
godfathers for success in elections and always stood his
ground on critical issues as evident in his stand on the
N.G.O Bill which he felt would stop Nigerians from being
short-changed by some N.G.Os.

The Speaker added that while the cold hands of death

may have stolen his voice, his works will always speak
for him.

“Death came for him at the summit of his life, when his
works had blossomed. I have lost a brother and a friend,
his legacy lives on. No doubt these are trying times for
the National Assembly, I cannot effectively convey all is
on my mind. Our thoughts are with the families of these
great fallen soldiers of democracy,” he stated.

The deputy speaker, Hon Yussuff Lasun also added his

voice to the tribute, saying Hon. Buba was the voice of
the leadership, and that voice would be sorely missed.

House leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, described his

late deputy as one who had a generous heart and posi-
tive energy. Adding that he was a great leader, he said
that Hon. Buba's seat may be physically filled in the
coming days, it will be empty in a way for him. He also
urged the House to ensure that his family would be
looked after.

Members of the House of the House who paid their trib-

ute in the session include all principal officers, Hon. Ta-
hir Monguno, Hon. Mohammed Sani, Hon. Saheed Fija-
bi, Hon. Chike Okafor, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, Hon. Ahmed
Idris, Hon. T.J Yusuf, Hon. Aminu Shagari, Hon. Garba,
Hon. Ossai Nicholas, Hon. Beni Lar, Hon. Orker Jev and
Hon. James Faleke.

Housing Loan Scheme Will
Give Succour To Public Serv-
ants - Dogara
The Bill to amend the Federal Government Hous-
ing Loan Board to administer housing loan
scheme to public sector workers will bring suc-
cour to public servants by bridging the housing
deficit and increasing productivity in the public
sector, Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said.
He explained that the amendment, when it scales
through, will make mortgage facilities more ac-
cessible to public servants at lower interest rates
than the ones offered by commercial banks.
He recalled that during the 2017 Housing Summit
organised in Abuja by Housing Circuit Magazine in
partnership with other stakeholders, it was revealed
that as at 1991, when the National Housing Policy
was enacted, Nigeria had a housing deficit of seven
million units but as at today, the housing deficit had
grown alarmingly to seventeen (17) million and con-
tinues to grow.
Hon Dogara, therefore, urged the stakeholders to
proffer solutions on how to administer the Housing
Scheme for Federal Public Officers in order to re-
duce and or eliminate the overall housing deficit in
Nigeria.

Speaking at a public hearing on the bill at the

House of Representatives, he stated, “This Bill has
come at a right time to give succor to civil serv-
ants opportunity to have access to housing
scheme for the purpose for owning a house. Re-
search has shown that as at September 2016, the
lowest recorded interest rate on any Mortgage in
Nigeria is 19 percent and requires 25 percent
down payment.

“The question is how many civil servants can af-

ford a mortgage under such harsh Conditions?
It is our objective that when this Bill becomes law,
most civil servants will have access to a house of
their own. I sincerely believe that this Bill will go a
long way in bridging the housing deficit and in-
creasing productivity in our public sector.”

The Speaker added that it is on record that most

public servants cannot secure accommodation in
Abuja due to high cost of rents, with majority of
civil servants living in Nasarawa and Niger States
and commuting to work in Abuja everyday from
long distances, thereby having an effect on
productivity that is better imagined than experi-
enced.
Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness at
Investigative the Violation of Public Trust in National
Emergency Management Agency Investigating hearing
Committee of Communications
Meeting