254 workers drag Wike to court over unpaid salaries

About 254 aggrieved teachers, whose salaries had not been paid since February 2016, filed a case against the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Yenagoa,mBayelsa State.
The angry workers are teachers in primary and demonstration schools of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), and Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic (KSWP), Bori.
The teachers comprising 102 of RSUST, 97 of IAUE and 55 of KSWP are praying the court to compel the government to pay their salaries.
The governor reportedly announced in February 2016 that his administration would no longer pay the salaries of primary and secondary schools’ teachers in the affected institutions where pupils and students pay school fees.

Following Wike’s order in February, the teachers said their relevant institutions had refused to pay their salaries.
It was gathered that while the demonstration schools at KSWP were shut down following Wike’s directive, those of RSUST and IAUE were operating without school fees paid to the teachers.
The claimants (unpaid teachers) sued Wike for ordering the stoppage of their salaries praying the court to declare their appointments valid and subsisting.
Also joined in the suit were the Attorney-General of Rivers State (2nd defendant) and their various institutions – RSUST, IAUE and KSWP (3rd defendant).
In the reliefs sought by the claimants against the defendants, jointly and severally,  they prayed the industrial court to declare that their respective employments were valid and subsisting.
They also appealed to the court to declare that they were entitled to the payments of their respective salaries, allowances and emoluments until they attain their respective ages of retirement in their various institutions.
They further sought a declaration that the 1st defendant’s directive stopping the payment of their salaries with effect from end of February 2016 was unlawful, null and void.
They also sought a declaration that the 1st defendant (Wike) had no right to order the discontinuance of the payment of their salaries with effect from February 2016.
The claimants asked the court to direct the defendants to pay them forthwith the arears of their respective salaries for the months of February, March, April and subsequently to continue to pay them their respective monthly salaries, allowances and other emoluments they were entitled to as and when due until they attain their retirement ages.
They prayed for an order of injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves or through their agents, privies and proxies from terminating, sacking, disengaging or in any way interfering with their employments.
When the matter came up for mention at the court, the lawyer for the claimants, Mr. Damian Okoro, said he had served necessary papers on the defendants since February 16, 2016.
He, however, wondered why the defendants had not deemed it fit to file their processes.
While urging the court for short adjournment, Okoro argued that the claimants were faced with severe difficulties following the stoppage of their salaries in February.
But the Principal State lawyer, Okogbule Gbassam, representing the defendants, said he would file the necessary court processes before the next adjourned date.
The court, which ruled that the matter was brought for mention and that the parties had yet to join issues, adjourned the case until July 12 for hearing.

254 workers drag Wike to court over unpaid salaries

About 254 aggrieved teachers, whose salaries had not been paid since February 2016, filed a case against the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) sitting in Yenagoa,mBayelsa State.
The angry workers are teachers in primary and demonstration schools of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), and Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic (KSWP), Bori.
The teachers comprising 102 of RSUST, 97 of IAUE and 55 of KSWP are praying the court to compel the government to pay their salaries.
The governor reportedly announced in February 2016 that his administration would no longer pay the salaries of primary and secondary schools’ teachers in the affected institutions where pupils and students pay school fees.

Following Wike’s order in February, the teachers said their relevant institutions had refused to pay their salaries.
It was gathered that while the demonstration schools at KSWP were shut down following Wike’s directive, those of RSUST and IAUE were operating without school fees paid to the teachers.
The claimants (unpaid teachers) sued Wike for ordering the stoppage of their salaries praying the court to declare their appointments valid and subsisting.
Also joined in the suit were the Attorney-General of Rivers State (2nd defendant) and their various institutions – RSUST, IAUE and KSWP (3rd defendant).
In the reliefs sought by the claimants against the defendants, jointly and severally,  they prayed the industrial court to declare that their respective employments were valid and subsisting.
They also appealed to the court to declare that they were entitled to the payments of their respective salaries, allowances and emoluments until they attain their respective ages of retirement in their various institutions.
They further sought a declaration that the 1st defendant’s directive stopping the payment of their salaries with effect from end of February 2016 was unlawful, null and void.
They also sought a declaration that the 1st defendant (Wike) had no right to order the discontinuance of the payment of their salaries with effect from February 2016.
The claimants asked the court to direct the defendants to pay them forthwith the arears of their respective salaries for the months of February, March, April and subsequently to continue to pay them their respective monthly salaries, allowances and other emoluments they were entitled to as and when due until they attain their retirement ages.
They prayed for an order of injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves or through their agents, privies and proxies from terminating, sacking, disengaging or in any way interfering with their employments.
When the matter came up for mention at the court, the lawyer for the claimants, Mr. Damian Okoro, said he had served necessary papers on the defendants since February 16, 2016.
He, however, wondered why the defendants had not deemed it fit to file their processes.
While urging the court for short adjournment, Okoro argued that the claimants were faced with severe difficulties following the stoppage of their salaries in February.
But the Principal State lawyer, Okogbule Gbassam, representing the defendants, said he would file the necessary court processes before the next adjourned date.
The court, which ruled that the matter was brought for mention and that the parties had yet to join issues, adjourned the case until July 12 for hearing.

EU chief to Brexiter Nigel Farage: 'Why are you here?'

One of the architects of Britain's seismic decision to leave the European Union was met with boos and turned backs at a special meeting of the EU Parliament called to address the crisis Tuesday, while Britain's opposition Labour Party turned its back on its leader in a no-confidence vote.

"Isn't it funny? When I came here 17 years ago and I said that I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain out of the European Union, you all laughed at me. Well, I have to say, you're not laughing now, are you?" said Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

Farage, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 1999, has been one of the leading voices calling for Britain to leave the EU.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker speaks in the ear of UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage Tuesday.

He appealed to MEPs to be "pragmatic, sensible, grown up" following the British public's vote last week to leave.

Nigel Farage: Arch-euroskeptic and Brexit 'puppet master'

"Let's cut between us a sensible, tariff-free deal, and thereafter, recognize that the United Kingdom will be your friend -- that we will trade with you, we will cooperate with you, we will be your best friends in the world," he said.

"But do it sensibly and allow us to go off and pursue our global ambitions and future."

Farage said he also predicted that the UK would "not be the last member state to leave the European Union."

European Parliament President Martin Schulz cautioned Farage after the outspoken Euroskeptic insulted his fellow MEPs.

"I know that virtually none of you have ever done a proper job in your lives or worked in business or worked in trade or indeed ever created a job. But listen, just listen," said Farage, to boos.

Could the UK hold another Brexit referendum?http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/28/europe/uk-brexit-eu-referendum/index.html

EU chief to Brexiter Nigel Farage: 'Why are you here?'

One of the architects of Britain's seismic decision to leave the European Union was met with boos and turned backs at a special meeting of the EU Parliament called to address the crisis Tuesday, while Britain's opposition Labour Party turned its back on its leader in a no-confidence vote.

"Isn't it funny? When I came here 17 years ago and I said that I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain out of the European Union, you all laughed at me. Well, I have to say, you're not laughing now, are you?" said Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

Farage, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 1999, has been one of the leading voices calling for Britain to leave the EU.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker speaks in the ear of UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage Tuesday.

He appealed to MEPs to be "pragmatic, sensible, grown up" following the British public's vote last week to leave.

Nigel Farage: Arch-euroskeptic and Brexit 'puppet master'

"Let's cut between us a sensible, tariff-free deal, and thereafter, recognize that the United Kingdom will be your friend -- that we will trade with you, we will cooperate with you, we will be your best friends in the world," he said.

"But do it sensibly and allow us to go off and pursue our global ambitions and future."

Farage said he also predicted that the UK would "not be the last member state to leave the European Union."

European Parliament President Martin Schulz cautioned Farage after the outspoken Euroskeptic insulted his fellow MEPs.

"I know that virtually none of you have ever done a proper job in your lives or worked in business or worked in trade or indeed ever created a job. But listen, just listen," said Farage, to boos.

Could the UK hold another Brexit referendum?http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/28/europe/uk-brexit-eu-referendum/index.html

Niger Delta Militant Group Warns Tompolo Over Letter To Buhari

 Fugitive ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has been handed a stern warning by a new militant group known as the Niger Delta Avengers over his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari disowning the group and assuring the federal government of safety on the proposed repair works on damaged gas pipelines in the region.

On Tuesday, Tompolo had, in an open letter to President Buhari personally signed and titled "I AM NOT PART OF THE NIGER DELTA AVENGERS GROUP,‎" alleged that the oil pipeline repair servicing companies engaged in sabotage to secure surveillance and repair contracts from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) due to its known deficiency in its handling of jobs.
Tompolo also disowned ‎the Niger Delta Avengers and called on the oil servicing company who awarded the contract to repair the damaged Forcados 48-inch pipeline to go about its job without fear.
But the new militant group, in a statement sent to media outlets yesterday via email, warned Tompolo against giving false assurances to oil servicing contractors, adding that his recent show of support to the President Buhari-led Government is provocative.
According to the statement, "With due respect Sir, we the Niger Delta Avengers respect you and all former agitators from the region. We admire your love for the region and all you have done. The Niger Delta Avengers made it clear that we are not part of the Presidential Amnesty program because the program is not genuine.
"We the Niger Delta Avengers have only decided to pick the struggle up from where you and the former Niger Delta agitators left off; it is only the actors that are new. You are not one of us and you need not border yourself to try to convince anyone.
"As a result, if you can’t join us, PLEASE take your hands off our activities because it’s a slap on our face for you to give a nod for repair works to continue on the 48-inch pipeline at Forcados despite a stern warning by us for no one to go near the blast site.”
The group proceeded to threaten Tompolo in its statement, saying, “We hereby give you a three-day ultimatum to apologize to the Niger Delta Avengers in the same national dailies, as anything other than that will mean that we shall bring the war to your doorstep by blowing up all oil installations within your backyard, Gbaramatu Kingdom, since you have taken sides with the federal government to fight the Niger Delta people."
The statement concluded by advising Tompolo to keep quiet on the group’s activities.
http://saharareporters.com/2016/05/04/niger-delta-militant-group-warns-tompolo-over-letter-buhari

Niger Delta Militant Group Warns Tompolo Over Letter To Buhari

 Fugitive ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has been handed a stern warning by a new militant group known as the Niger Delta Avengers over his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari disowning the group and assuring the federal government of safety on the proposed repair works on damaged gas pipelines in the region.

On Tuesday, Tompolo had, in an open letter to President Buhari personally signed and titled "I AM NOT PART OF THE NIGER DELTA AVENGERS GROUP,‎" alleged that the oil pipeline repair servicing companies engaged in sabotage to secure surveillance and repair contracts from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) due to its known deficiency in its handling of jobs.
Tompolo also disowned ‎the Niger Delta Avengers and called on the oil servicing company who awarded the contract to repair the damaged Forcados 48-inch pipeline to go about its job without fear.
But the new militant group, in a statement sent to media outlets yesterday via email, warned Tompolo against giving false assurances to oil servicing contractors, adding that his recent show of support to the President Buhari-led Government is provocative.
According to the statement, "With due respect Sir, we the Niger Delta Avengers respect you and all former agitators from the region. We admire your love for the region and all you have done. The Niger Delta Avengers made it clear that we are not part of the Presidential Amnesty program because the program is not genuine.
"We the Niger Delta Avengers have only decided to pick the struggle up from where you and the former Niger Delta agitators left off; it is only the actors that are new. You are not one of us and you need not border yourself to try to convince anyone.
"As a result, if you can’t join us, PLEASE take your hands off our activities because it’s a slap on our face for you to give a nod for repair works to continue on the 48-inch pipeline at Forcados despite a stern warning by us for no one to go near the blast site.”
The group proceeded to threaten Tompolo in its statement, saying, “We hereby give you a three-day ultimatum to apologize to the Niger Delta Avengers in the same national dailies, as anything other than that will mean that we shall bring the war to your doorstep by blowing up all oil installations within your backyard, Gbaramatu Kingdom, since you have taken sides with the federal government to fight the Niger Delta people."
The statement concluded by advising Tompolo to keep quiet on the group’s activities.
http://saharareporters.com/2016/05/04/niger-delta-militant-group-warns-tompolo-over-letter-buhari

SPECIAL REPORT: Adenuga’s Mountain of Debt: Several firms, AMCON chase billionaire for unpaid bills

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/205953-special-report-adenugas-mountain-debt-several-firms-amcon-chase-billionaire-unpaid-bills.html

Similarly, American oil and gas firm, Baker Hughes, was forced to lodge a court petition to wind up one of Mr Adenuga’s companies, Belbop Nigeria Limited, over a USD $12.09 million bill they had been unsuccessfully trying to get the company to pay.
Baker Hughes argued that in 2009, Belbop awarded it a contract for the provision of directional drilling, MWD/LWD services and supply of drilling fluids and drilling bits, logging cabin and surface acquisition system.
The company told the court that after it duly discharge its obligation and rendered all requisite services, Belbop refused to pay. Baker Hughes said it incurred a liability of $9.4 million in the course of executing the contract.
On April 12, 2016, Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court in Lagos placed an interim injunction on the accounts of Belbop. pending the determination of the suit.
The judge therefore appointed the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court as the receiver/manager of Belbop until the substantive suit is determined.
Mr Adenuga has also been giving multinational oil firm, Total, the runaround over a $28.5 million debt it owed the French oil giant since 2009.
Although Total has been trying to resolve the debt without litigation, the refusal of Mr. Adenuga to pay the debt has forced the company to stop work at OML 136 gas field. Total is ConOil’s technical partner in the project.
At a meeting held with Total in November 2015, it was agreed that ConOil would pay the $28.5 million dollars owed before January 31, 2016.
That meeting, which minutes is in the possession of PREMIUM TIMES, was chaired by Mr. Adenuga and attended by four executives from Total.
But those familiar with the matter told this newspaper Mr. Adenuga’s company is yet to pay up. All attempts by Total to make him release the money have also failed, insiders said.
Some said they are baffled by Mr Adenuga’s refusal to pay Total the $28.5 million, which would have seen work commence on the lucrative oil field.
The OML 136 asset is considered one of the largest gas fields in Nigeria, with a proven reserve of 11 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas. The exploration of the oil assets would have boosted Nigeria’s economy by creating jobs and would have yielded massive return to Total and ConOil, they explained.
When contacted, Total’s spokesperson, Charles Ogan, in an email to PREMIUM TIMES, said the matter is an “obvious internal administrative subject.”
Also, ConOil is engaged in a decade-long dispute with British oil firm, Vitol, over its alleged failure to pay a $60 million debt incurred from lifting of cargoes of refined petroleum products.

Vitol secured a court judgement in the UK in respect of the debt but has been unable to enforce it in Nigeria because ConOil got a stay of execution from a Nigerian court.
ConOil’s financial problems, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, may have been caused by Mr Adenuga’s slowness in taking advantage of potential money earners for the company.
For instance, in 2005, ConOil was granted exploration licence for OPL 257 by the federal government, but the company surprisingly left the block fallow until its licence expired. Now it is frantically asking the government for a two-year extension of its expired licence to enable it explore the field.
On January 22, 2016, Taiwo Olushina, the managing director of ConOil, wrote a letter to the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) blaming insecurity, high cost of drilling and technical hitches for its failure to explore the field before the expiration of the licence.
“Having attended to technical and financial challenges peculiar to ultra -deep offshore blocks, this approval will provide us with ample time in drilling three identified prospective locations in preparation for further development towards boosting national oil and gas reserves and production,” the letter read in part.
The spokesperson for Mr. Adenuga, Bode Opeseitan, could not be reached to comment for this story. He did not answer or return calls seeking comment.
Another spokesperson ducked when approached by this reporter to comment for this story.
Despite being identified by Truecaller app, Mike Oduniyi told PREMIUM TIMES that we had reached a wrong number and promptly terminated the call.
Tax palaver and bad loan

Mr Adenuga’s companies have also had tax issues in the recent past. In 2009, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) sealed the Lagos office of ConOil, and Continental Oil and Gas, another company owned by the businessman, over the non-remittance of $610 million tax to government.
Last month, seven years after his companies were first sealed, the FIRS shut the Lagos office of Globacom, the second largest mobile telephone company in the country, owned by the billionaire, for allegedly failing to remit Value Added Tax worth N24.3 billion.

Earlier in February this year, the Osun State Internal Revenue Service (OIRS) sealed the offices of the telecommunication firm in the state for failing to pay outstanding taxes and other levies in respect of mast/base stations and laying of fibre optics.
The state said several meetings were held with the company’s representatives in the past three years to resolve the issue, but that the company failed to comply.
The Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) also listed Mr. Adenuga as one of the country’s biggest debtors for a N2.4billion loan his real estate company, Convenant Apartments Complex Limited, took from Wema Bank.
AMCON acquired the loan from the bank in 2010, after Convenant Apartments failed to pay up, authorities said.