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$19.4m Legal Fees: Stakeholders, CSOs ask Tinubu to order the probe of SEPLAT CEO, Board
The Independent Shareholders
Association of Nigeria (ISAN) and a human rights and good governance advocacy group under the aegis of Make A Difference Initiative (MADI) have urged President Bola Tinubu to direct relevant agencies to investigate the perpetual breach of corporate governance codes by SEPLAT CEO.
Allegations of racism, favouritism of foreign workers against Nigerian employees have earlier been levelled against the CEO of Seplat Energy PLC, Roger Brown, by employees of the company for which MADI had demanded a definite prosecution of Mr. Brown and even the Board of Seplat Energy Plc over connivance and conspiracy to flout the country’s immigration laws.
Addressing a Press conference in Abuja on Sunday, National Coordinator of ISAN Comrade Moses Igbrude urged President Tinubu to save Seplat and the investments of Nigerians and international investors from going down the drains by directing the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) and Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) to do their jobs by taking disciplinary actions and carrying out a thorough investigation into the perpetual breach of corporate governance codes.
He also demanded “the immediate resignation or removal of SEPLAT CEO, Roger Brown, and Independent Non-Executive Directors to ensure an unimpeded investigation into the rot in Seplat before it is too late”.
“As we speak now, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) does not recognise the resolutions passed during the controversial May 10 AGM, yet they are operating as if everything is normal.
“We also urge the President to institute a probe panel composed of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the so-called N16bn legal fees and other related matters in Seplat Energy PLC.
“We want to know how much of the senseless N16bn professional legal fees was actually paid to lawyers handling the cases.”
According to Comrade Igbrude, Nigerians and investing public deserve to know who the lawyers are and how much was paid to each lawyer or law firms.
“Did those lawyers in any way serve as conduits for any unholy compromises in the legal tussles that resulted in the questionable court injunctions and vacation of court orders in favour of Seplat? “For instance, the Federal High Court injunction in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/726/2023 was discharged on Motion Ex-parte by the Court of Appeal in less than 48 hours of filling by Seplat without giving the Respondent the opportunity to respond.
“What informed the sudden withdrawal of criminal charges (FHC/AB/CR/149/2023) instituted against Seplat CEO, Roger Brown and the INEDs as well as the restoration of Roger Brown’s visa, work, and resident permit by the Nigerian Immigration Service and Ministry of Interior without any explanation to the public or the endangered Nigerian employees in Seplat whose petition led to the investigation in the first place?
“Why were such important decisions hurriedly and surreptitiously taken immediately the Minister left office at the end of the previous administration?
“Equally worthy of investigation is the silence, inaction, and any complicity of the FRCN, SEC, etc. in the face of the serial breaches of the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) by the Mr Basil Omiyi-led Seplat Board.
“For instance, Omiyi and Dr. Charles Okeahalam have stayed over 10 years as INEDs on Seplat Board, way beyond the maximum of nine years prescribed by the NCCG to refresh Boards and minimise threats to Board independence.
“Also, SEC is well aware of the infringements on statutory Audit Committee of Seplat such as Omiyi’s written order directing the Committee not to investigate breach of codes of corporate governance, and the forcing out of the Committee Chairman and a member by a controversial AGM and lawsuit.
“While the FRCN and CAC have responded to our petitions assuring action and investigation into the matter, SEC, unfortunately, has continued to look the other way.”
News
Group demands Coordinated security surveillance at Hajj Camps, Embarkation points
A faith-based Civil Society Organization, (CSO), that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR) has called on the Federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at embarkation points across the country.
This is coming as the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia begins on Wednesday this week.
In a statement on Monday signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed the IHR indicated that over 65, 000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will be leaving their homes to various Hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days.
The Statement observed that such mass movement of people from one point to another creates serious security challenges that need a comprehensive and coordinated strategy by the various security agencies in the country.
“While we appreciate the efforts made by security agencies in previous operations, we call on the federal government to order and activate a high-level security surveillance system to monitor and protect the movement of pilgrims throughout the outbound and inbound airlift operations.
“We also urge State Muslim pilgrims’ welfare boards to advise intending pilgrims against coming to hajj camps with large escorts usually made up of family members as such increases the likelihood of security breaches especially
when airlift operations demand that pilgrims can be invited to hajj camps at any time of the day or night.
State governments should complement the federal security architecture by mobilizing local vigilantes and other volunteers to form a hajj security team and provide them with internal communication equipment with state hajj officials, airliners and other airlift stakeholders.
“As journalists who worked closely with security agencies during hajj operations, IHR had in the last few years honour security institutions during its annual hajj lectures and awards to appreciate and encourage them to improve on their daunting tasks of maintaining security of lives and properties across the country.”
IHR further appealed to Security forces to take necessary “measures to prevent evil-minded groups from exploiting the Hajj season to carry out acts of sabotage.
“Anticipating and preparing for potential security threats before they materialize will help in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities and weaknesses ahead of time”. The statement said.
News
Lucky Aiyedatiwa clinches APC ticket for Ondo gubernatorial election
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket as the candidate of the party for the forthcoming November 16 governorship election in the state by sefeating fifteen other aspirants in a landslide victory
The Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, made the declaration on Monday morning in Akure, the state capital.
Ododo said Aiyedatiwa clinched the APC ticket with a total of 48,569 votes followed by his closest rival, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who trailed behind with 15,343 votes, while Chief Olusola Oke secured the third position with 14,865 votes.
Below is a breakdown of the final results of the election.
Total number of voters – 117922
Total number of accredited voters – 95,178
Total votes cast – 95178
Invalid – Nil
Jimi Odimayo – 490
Omogoroye Judith – 115
Lucky Aiyedatiwa – 48,569
Isaacs Kekemeke – 1045
Soji Ehinlanwo – 492
Olugbenga Edema – 395
Jimoh lbrahim – 9456
Adekojo Funmilayo – 529
Akinfolarin Samuel – – 15343
Wale Akinterinwa – 1952
Olusola Oke – 14,915
Olamide Ohunyeye – 424
Morayo Lebi – 290
Diran lyantan – 348
Prof Dayo Faduyile – 353
Ife Oyedele – 462
1: Ilaje LG
Lucky Aiyedatiwa 2,485
Wale Akinterinwa. 26
Olusola Oke. 2,511
Jimoh Ibrahim 589
2: Ile Oluji/Okeigbo
Jimoh Ibrahim: 282
AIYEDATIWA: 1225
WA: 474
3: Ondo West LG
Jimoh Ibrahim: 2668
Aiyedatiwa: 10610
4: Ese Odo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 298
Akinterinwa – 0
Oke – 147
Jimoh Ibrahim – 174
5: Owo LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2,123
Akinterinwa – 345
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 192
6: Idanre LG
Aiyedatiwa – 1, 579
Akinterinwa – 119
Oke – 225
Jimoh Ibrahim – 120
7: AKOKO NORTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 664
Akinterinwa 135
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 505
8: AKOKO NORTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa 5, 430
Akinterinwa 198
Oke 2, 721
Jimoh Ibrahim 728
9: AKOKO SOUTH EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 533
Akinterinwa 43
Oke 391
Jimoh Ibrahim 67
10: AKOKO SOUTH WEST LG
Aiyedatiwa – 2, 747
Akinterinwa – 272
Oke – 415
Jimoh Ibrahim – 466
11: No results for IFEDORE LGA due to alleged violence
12: OSE LGA
Aiyedatiwa 1, 091
Akinterinwa 39
Oke 800
Jimoh Ibrahim 267
13: IRELE LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 203
Akinterinwa 15
Oke 93
Jimoh Ibrahim 139
14: ODIGBO LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 631
Akinterinwa 114
Oke 138
Jimoh Ibrahim 845
15: AKURE NORTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 2, 860
Akinterinwa 177
Oke 1, 239
Jimoh Ibrahim 1, 606
16: AKURE SOUTH LG
Aiyedatiwa 3, 265
Akinterinwa 86
Oke 328
Jimoh Ibrahim 294
17 OKITIPUPA LG
Aiyedatiwa 1, 622
Akinterinwa 27
Oke 1, 571
Jimoh Ibrahim 109
18: ONDO EAST LG
Aiyedatiwa 4, 803
Akinterinwa 141
Oke 1, 171
Jimoh Ibrahim 406
News
Massive turnout for Ondo Primaries excites Gov Ododo, Commends stakeholders, others
Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State and chairman of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election committee has applauded stakeholders and members of the party in the state for their orderly conduct and massive turnout during the direct primary election in the state.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor Ismaila Isah in a statement quoted the Governor to have given the commendation while receiving reports from members of the APC Governorship Primary Election committee, security agencies and other stakeholders who monitored the conduct of the election in different parts of the 18 local government areas in the state.
According to the Governor
“I have received reports from our committee members and security agencies as well as NGOs monitoring the election including video footages and I can say that the process has been transparent and we are going to produce a candidate that will unify the APC ahead of the November, 2024 governorship election in the state.”
Responding to questions over delay in arrival of materials in some wards and local government areas, Governor Ododo said he was certain that the delay has no adverse effect on the conduct of the primary election.
The Kogi State Governor also expressed confidence that concerns noticed in the revalidated membership list would not have any major impact on the outcome of the primary election, stressing that the committee is well guided by the APC guidelines for the nomination of candidates for general elections and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Governor Ododo called on the aspirants and their supporters to see the primary election as a contest among brothers and sisters in one family seeking to make the family better as candidate of the party in the November, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State.
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