FG Denies Alleged Plot To Shutdown Internet During Elections

The Federal Government has faulted the reports that the National
Security Adviser (NSA) plans to shut down internet access during
the general elections.

In a statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser
(ONSA) on Friday, the government said there was no plan to order
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work with
service providers to shut down internet access during the
polls.

It condemned the reports of the alleged plot to shut down
internet access to facilitate rigging of the polls, noting that
they were untrue.

“The Office wishes to advise the general public to disregard the
allegation, which is disinformation,” said the government in the
statement by the ONSA spokesperson, Danjuma Reuben.

“This Office wishes to state that the internet and associated
communications infrastructure are major components of the Critical
National Information Infrastructure (CNII), which ONSA is mandated
to ensure its security.”

The government noted that the ONSA has been making continuous
efforts in collaboration with relevant government ministries,
departments and agencies to protect them and improve service
delivery to Nigerians.

It stressed that every single national security platform in the
country rides on the same internet to function.

The government, therefore, likened “shutting down” the internet
to shutting down national development and security.

“The Office of the National Security Adviser remains committed
to protecting the rights of the public to access Information and
Communication Technology facilities,” the statement added.

“The Office also remains non-partisan and committed to ensuring
that Nigerians freely exercise their civil rights.”

Patience Jonathan Forfeits N1bn by Court
Order

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured
an interim forfeiture of the sum of N1,000,494,000 (One Billion,
Four Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand Naira) only lodged in three
deposits with Fidelity Bank Plc on 20th and 25th May, 2015.

The forfeiture order by Federal High Court sitting in Kano and
presided over by Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa is consequent upon a
motion ex parte filed by the Commission seeking for the interim
forfeiture of the money, which was found in the Bank account of
Magel Resort Limited, a company linked to the former First Lady of
Nigeria, Patience Jonathan.

The Commission had gotten an intel that a bank account domiciled
in Fidelity Bank, had a huge sum of money that was not being used
by anybody.

Upon receipt of the intelligence, the EFCC swung into action by
conducting preliminary investigation, which revealed that Patience
and some relatives of former president, Goodluck Jonathan were
directors of the Company. Others named as directors are Oba Oba
Tamunotonye, Goodluck Jonathan Aruera, Goodluck Jonathan Ariwabai
and Esther Fynface.

In trying to trace the origin of the money, it was discovered
that N500,000 was deposited on the 20th of May, 2015 by Fynface,
who is alleged to be in charge of the Company, while N1 billion
(One Billion Naira Only) was transferred in two tranches on the
25th May, 2015 from PAGMAT OIL AND GAS NIGERIA LIMITED a company
that was not incorporated with the Corporate Affairs
Commission.

Ruling on the motion, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa held that: “An
interim forfeiture order is granted to the Federal Government in
the sum of N1,000,494,000 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety
Four Thousand Naira Only) in the Bank account of the 1st respondent
Magel Resort Limited 4011019546 which is maintained with 2nd
respondent Fidelity Bank Plc”.

The court further ordered that the forfeited sum be deposited in
the Treasury Single Account of the Federal Government.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity