Mark and Bankole to buy official residences

The four people that make up the leadership of the National Assembly; Senate President David Mark, his deputy Ike Ekweremadu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, and his deputy Usman Bayero Nafawa , will soon be owners of choice real estate in Abuja.

They are to benefit from the largesse of President Goodluck Jonathan who has given permission to the four men to purchase their current living quarters.

It is not clear what price has been put on the houses, but the commonwealth will pay for the president's generosity to the tune of N1.5 billion. This is the amount in the proposed 2011 budget - which NEXT got exclusive access to - that is to be spent on building new legislative quarters for the leadership of the Assembly.

At least one lawmaker is unhappy with Mr. Jonathan's decision and says it is a sign of how desperate the President has become, ahead of elections. "You know, there are so many things that he (Mr. Jonathan) wants from them (National Assembly leadership) so they are taking advantage of situation, '' the lawmaker said.

Source:http://234next.com

Bode George: Appeal court reserves judgment

Bode George

The Court of Appeal in Lagos on Monday reserved judgment in the appeal by the former Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Olabode George and five others.

Three Justices of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Clara Ogunbiyi had adjourned the matter indefinitely, following the conclusion of adoption of briefs of arguments by the lawyers to the parties.

The appellate court added that the date of the judgment would be communicated to the parties accordingly.

Justice Joseph Oyewole of a Lagos High Court in Ikeja had on July 26, 2009, convicted George and five others and sentenced them to two-year jail term without an option fine.

The other convicts are the Managing Director of the NPA, Aminu Dabo, O. Abidoye, Abdullahi Tafida, Zanna Maidaribe and Sule Aliyu.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had prosecuted the convicts just as Justice Oyewole found them guilty of corrupt practices, contract splitting and willful disobedience to constituted authority.

But the convicts had appealed against the decision of the lower court and urged the appellate court to set aside their conviction.

Read more:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010265473185