Enugu APC guber: LPDC asked to probe its candidate alleged misconduct

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

There had been calls on the Legal Practitioner and Privileges Committee(LPDC) to speed up probe of allegation of professional misconduct and malicious use of court process against the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu state, Barrister George Ogara and one other legal practitioner, Barrister Ejike Obumneme.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in the state, Peter Mbah, had dragged the two lawyers before the LPDC, claiming that Barrister Obumneme filed a frivolous process against him, knowing fully well that it was false.

In a statement signed by Mr Lemmy Ughegbe, the Executive Director of MADI, called on LPDC to quicken it’s investigation into the allegation to protect the sanctity of the legal profession.

In the said petition, Mbah had accused Ogara of gross violation of the rules of professional conduct for legal practitioners, by supplying false information to mislead the court and malign him.

In a separate petition, Mbah also accused Obumneme of filing frivolous and malicious processes based on information which he clearly knew or reasonably ought to know to be false.

Mr Ughegbe said in the letter to LPDC, “After painstakingly studying the petition and all documents related thereof, Make A Difference Initiative is duty bound to call on the LPDC to take urgent steps to stop to investigate the claims of professional misconduct against Ogara and Obumneme in order to safeguard the sanctity of the temple of justice.

“Going by our own investigation of the facts of this case, we find compelling and persuasive grounds why Ogara and Obumneme have questions to answer for alleged professional misconduct

“For instance, Ejike Obumneme filed a suit in the Federal High Court Abuja on behalf of Felix Ugwu & Others in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/ CS/2257/2022, seeking a declaration that by the express provisions of Section 182(1) of the

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Dr. Peter Mbah, is ineligible to contest election to the office of Governor of Enugu State until after a period ten years from 7th day of July 2015.

“In the said suit, they alleged that Peter Mbah made a plea-bargain and a plea of guilty was entered on his behalf on July 7, 2015 in Charge No. FHC/L/09C/2007 supposedly preferred against him at the Federal High Court, hence he is an ex-convict.

“The plaintiffs further alleged that Justice M.N Yunusa of the Federal High Court found Peter Mbah guilty in the said Charge No. FHC/ L/09C/2007 and consequently pronounced sentence of forfeiture of assets on him.

“However, a Certified True Copy of court ruling obtained by our organisation, clearly shows that Peter Mbah did not undergo any trial in the first place, let alone enter into any plea-bargain, as he was discharged from the said suit about two years before the said plea-bargain of July 7, 2015.

“As officers in the temple of justice, Ogara and Obumneme are aware of these facts, but choose to peddle this falsehood and use the court processes in utter desecration of the temple and in breach of Rules 1, 15, 24, and 32 of the Rules of Professional Conduct 2007 of the Rules of Professional Conduct 2007.

“We are also persuaded that Ogara, being the deputy governorship candidate of the APC in the same election that Dr. Peter Mbah is the governorship candidate of the PDP deliberately orchestrated this to gain electoral advantage over Mbah.

“It is in the interest of the sanctity of our electoral process and the legal profession that both Ogara and Obumneme do not go scot-free if indeed they have breached the Rules and ethics of their profession.

“We therefore call on other patriots and lovers of democracy to prevail on the LPDC to quicken the adjudication of this matter.”

Capital And Zonal Intervention Projects

The Federal Polytechnic UKANA in keeping with its mandate and in compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, intends to implements the Polytechnic Year 2023 Capital and Zonal Intervention Projects. The Polytechnic hereby invites interested, competent and reputable contractors and consultants with relevant experience and good record of accomplishment for the Procurement of the under listed:

2. SCOPE OF SERVICE/WORKS/SUPPLIES CATEGORY A: CONSULTANCY SERVICE

Certificates and Photographs of the projects; l. Works: List of Plants/Equipment with proof of Ownership/ Lease Agreement; m. Consultancy Service: Evidence of Firm’s current registration with relevant regulatory professional body(ies) such as:

- Centre for Management Development (CMD) for Training,

- Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for Medical Services;

- Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) for Educational Training n. For Supply of Equipment: Letter of Authorisation as representative of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs); o. Electricity Jobs: Evidence of current Licence issued by Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA);

STATE

TRAINING OF YOUTH AND WOMEN IN VARIOUS SKILL ACQUISITION IN EDU /MORO/PATIGI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, KWARA STATE.

EMPOWERMENT OF YOUTH AND WOMEN IN EDU/ MORO/PATIGI

FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, KWARA STATE

MEDICAL AND SURGICAL OUTREACH IN ABAK/ETIM EKPO/ IKA

FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, AKWA IBOM STATE

SCHOLARSHIP AND BURSARY FOR STUDENTS OF TERTIARY

INSTITUTION IN ABAK/ETIM EKPO/ IKA FEDRAL CONSTITUENCY

TRAINING OF YOUTHS AND WOMEN ON DIGITAL MARKETING IN BOKKOS AND MANGU LGAS OF PLATEAU STATE

TRAINING OF YOUTHS AND WOMEN IN SOAP-MAKING IN KANKE AND KANAM LGAS, PLATEAU STATE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING OF YOUTHS AND WOMEN IN PANSHIN LGA, PLATEAU STATE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

CONSTRUCTION OF POLYTECHNIC STANDARD CENTRAL STORE

(PHASE 1) SUPPLY OF SOLAR STREET LIGHTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR TEACHING HOSPITAL, CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE

CONSTRUCTION OF ALL IN ONE HIGH ICENT SOLAR LIGHTS IN SELECTED AREAS OF OROLU LGA, OSUN STATE

PROVISION OF SOLAR POWERED STREET LIGHTS AT IKOT AKPAN

ISHIET, EDIMIDIM, IKM, ABAK ISHIET VILLAGES IN ONNA LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE. SUPPLY AND FIXING OF SOLAR LIGHT IN KIRU/BEBEJI FEDERAL

CONSTITUENCY CONSTRUCTION OF 1 KM ROAD IN ABAK, AKWA IBOM STATE

EXTENSION/CONSTRUCTION OF INTERNAL ROAD NETWORK IN IKO AND OKOROETE COMMUNITIES, EASTERN OBOLO LGA, AKWA

IBOM STATE.

CONSTRUCTION OF ABAK VILLAGE HALL, ABAK LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE

CONSTRUCTION OF TOWN HALL, IKOT ISIGHE, MKPAT ENIN LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE

COMPLETION OF CIVIC CENTRE, IKOT ETOBO, NSIT UBIUM LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE CONSTRUCTION OF 3NO CLASSROOM BLOCK AT SALVATION ARMY PRIMARY SCHOOL, AKAI UBIUM, NSIT UBIUM LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE

PROJECT TITLE

PURCHASE OF TRACTOR WITH IMPLEMENTS SUPPLY OF SEWING MACHINES, HAIRDRESSING AND BARBING

EQUIPMENT FOR EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUTHS ION OKPE/SAPELE/UVWIE FED CONST. DELETA STATE

SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION OF TECHNICAL /AGRIC INPUTS TO FARMERS IN ABAK, ETIM-EKPO, IKA LGA’s AKWA IBOM STATE.

SUPPLY OF UNIVERSITY TEXTBOOKS TO AZAIKI PUBLIC LIBRARY IN YENAGOA/KOLOKUMA-OPOKUMA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY, BAYELSA STATE.

3. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Interested Bidders must meet the following requirements a. Evidence of Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) including Form CAC1.1 or CAC2 and CAC7. Business Name with Form BN1 is also acceptable for Services; b. Evidence of Company’s Income Tax Clearance Certificate (or Personal Income Tax Clearance Certificate of all the Partners in case of Business Name) for the last three (3) years valid till 31st December, 2023; c. Evidence of Pension Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 15 and above); d. Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Compliance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023 (this requirement is only applicable to bidders whose number of staff is 5 and above or the bidder’s annual turnover is N50m and above); e. Evidence of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Clearance Certificate valid till 31st December, 2023; f. Evidence of Registration on the National Database of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers by submission of Interim Registration Report (IRR) expiring on 31st December, 2023 or valid Certificate issued by BPP. g. Sworn Affidavit:

- disclosing whether or not any officer of the relevant committees of the Federal Polytechnic UKANA or the Bureau of Public Procurement is a former or present Director, shareholder or has any pecuniary interest in the bidder and to confirm that all information presented in its bid are true and correct in all particulars;

- that no Director has been convicted in any Country for any criminal offence relating to fraud or financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation or falsification of facts relating to any matter;

- that the Company is not in receivership, the subject of any form of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings;

- That the company does not have existing loan or financial liability with a bank, other financial institution or third party that is classified as doubtful, non-performance, bad or whose repayment portion has been outstanding for the last four (4) months; h. Company’s Audited Accounts for the last three (3) years2020, 2021 & 2022; i. Reference Letter from a reputable Commercial Bank in Nigeria, indicating willingness to provide credit facility for the execution of the project when needed; j. Company’s Profile with the Curriculum Vitae of Key Staff to be deployed for the project, including copies of their Academic/Professional qualifications such as COREN, QSRBN, ARCON, CORBON etc.; k. Verifiable documentary evidence of at least three (3) similar jobs executed in the last five (5) years including Letters of Awards, Valuation Certificates, Job Completion p. For Joint Venture/Partnership, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) should be provided indicating among others the Lead Partner (CAC, Tax Clearance Certificate, Pension Clearance Certificate, ITF Compliance Certificate, NSITF Clearance Certificate, IRR & Sworn Affidavit are compulsory for each JV partner); q. All documents for submission must be transmitted with a Covering/Forwarding letter under the Company/ Firm’s Letter Head Paper bearing amongst others, the Registration Number (RC) as issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Contact Address, Telephone Number (preferably GSM No.), and e-mail address. The Letterhead Paper must bear the Names and Nationalities of the Directors of the Company at the bottom of the page, duly signed by the authorised officer of the firm.

4. COLLECTION OF TENDER DOCUMENTS FOR WORKS AND GOODS

Interested Company should collect Standard Bid Documents (SBD) for Works and Goods only from the Procurement Unit of the Polytechnic, upon presentation of evidence of payment of a non-refundable fee of N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira only) per Lot paid into Polytechnic’s Remita account in any commercial bank, while Interested Consultant for consultancy would not pay tenders fee at this stage until after shortlisting.

5. SUBMISSION OF EOI DOCUMENT – CONSULTANCY SERVICE

Interested firms are to submit two (2) bound of Expression of Interest documents separated by dividers and arranged as indicated above. The documents should be submitted in a sealed envelope and addressed to The Rector, FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC UKANA, AKWA IBOM STATE, and clearly marked with (the name of the project and the Lot number). Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should bear the name and address of the bidder and drop in the designated tender box in the Procurement Unit, Office of the Rector by an authorized staff of the company not later than 12:00pm, Monday, 6th March, 2023.

6. SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS – WORKS & GOODS

Prospective bidders are to submit bid for each of the Lot desired, two (2) hard copies each of the technical and financial bids with softcopy of financial bid only in MS Excel format, packaged separately in sealed envelopes and clearly marked as “Technical Bid” or “Financial Bid”. Thereafter, put the two sealed envelopes together in a bigger sealed envelope addressed to the Rector, Attention Senior Procurement Officer FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC UKANA, AKWA IBOM STATE. The envelope should be clearly marked with (the name of the project and the Lot number). Furthermore, the reverse of each sealed envelope should bear the name and address of the bidder and drop in the designated Tender Box in the office of the RECTOR by an authorized staff of the company not later than 12:00pm, Monday, 20th March, 2023.

7. OPENING OF EOI AND TECHNICAL BIDS

The EOI and the technical bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for submission at 12:00pm, Monday, 6th March, 2023 and 12:00pm, Monday, 20th March, 2023 respectively, in the Administrative Block, Conference Hall of the Polytechnic, while the financial bids will be kept un-opened. Please, ensure that you sign the Bid Submission Register in the Procurement Unit, Office of the Rector, as the Institute will NOT be held liable for misplaced or wrongly submitted bids.

8. GENERAL INFORMATION a. Bid must be in English language and signed by an official authorised by the bidder; b. Bids submitted after the deadline for submission would be returned un-opened; c. All cost will be borne by the bidders. d. Bidder(s) shall not bid for more than two (2) Lots in the Works & Goods Categories and not more than three (3) Lots in the Consultancies category, collusion would be checked and violators disqualified; e. Presence of bidders/representatives and members of the public is welcomed during the bid opening ceremony, likewise the presence of two (2) representatives of private sector professional bodies and Civil Society Organization in area of Anti- Corruption /Transparency; f. Good and Works: Only pre-qualified bidders at technical evaluation will be invited at a later date for financial bids opening, while the financial bids of un-successful bidders will be returned un-opened; g. Services: Only shortlisted firms will be invited at a later date for collection of Requests for Proposal; h. Arrangement of EOI/Technical Document in hard copies should follow the order in the list above and appropriately paged. The EOI/ technical document should have a table content indicating the pages, which these items are to be found. Failure to comply with this directive will be resulting dis-qualification of the bidder. i. Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom State is not bound to pre-qualify/shortlist any bidder and reserves the right to annul the procurement process at any time without incurring any liabilities in accordance with Section 28 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

NPC partners media for effective coverage

From Gambo Ahmed lafia

Ahead of the National Population Census 2023, the Federal Commissioner representing Nasarawa state Mr Silas Ali Agara has called on the media managers and practitioners in the state to contribute their quota through effective reportage.

Mr Silas made the call at the weekend during a one day capacity building for media executives and Journalists in the state with the aim of creating awareness to the people on the significance of the census and to ensure a smooth conduct of the exercise across the state.

The state NPC commissioner also assured that preparation have reached topgear for the conduct of the census in the state.

Let people of Kebbi state judge my legacy of 8yrs— Dr. Zainab Bagudu

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

Barley few days to the elections, the wife of the Kebbi State Governor Dr. Zainab Shankafi Bagudu has said that her legacy will make people of Kebbi state to judge for her 8years performance of their administration.

She stated this yesterday during an interactive season with newsmen in her office, in Government House Birnin Kebbi.

He added that alot had been done to the people in areas of women development.