Preliminary Investigations Link Abuja Tremor to Quarrying Activities Ministry directs suspension of mining within affected areas Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The federal government yesterday said that preliminary investigation revealed that the ground
shaking experienced by the inhabitants of Mpape, Abuja and environs on the 5th of September, was due to long quarrying activities in the area, which involve
intense blasting that led to stress accumulation. THISDAY gathered that to forestall any eventualities, the federal government, through the Minister of Mines and
Steel Development, has directed the suspension of all blasting activities in and around the affected areas till the completion of investigation.
The federal government while assuring residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja of their safety said there was no cause for alarm.
The experience, according to reports, had left many fearing for possible earthquake within the area. Continued on page 6
Sultan Tasks Catholic Bishops on Peaceful Co-existence… Page 8 Saturday 8 September, 2018 Vol 23. No 8543
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Whistleblower Accuses Alpha Beta of Tax Evasion, Money Laundering EFCC: We are yet to receive petition Chika Amanze-Nwachuku A whistleblower, who is also the immediate past Managing Director/Chief
Executive Officer of Alpha Beta consultants, Mr. Dapo Apara, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
over alleged N100 billion fraud, tax evasion and money laundering by the firm. Alpha Beta, a management, information systems and
technology consultancy, collects revenue for some state governments, including Lagos State. In the petition to the anti-
graft agency, dated July 6, 2018, Apara alleged that the company “has become an avenue for official corruption of government officials, a
conduit pipe for massive money laundering scheme, tax evasion, among other Continued on page 6
Vote Buying: INEC Vows to Arrest, Prosecute Politicians We’ll enforce this starting with Osun governorship poll Meets 91 political parties Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has vowed to make a statement with the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State scheduled for September 22, 2018, by arresting and prosecuting politicians inducing voters with money. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the hint yesterday in Abuja during a quarterly consultative meeting with the 91 political parties, where he urged the parties to conduct credible party primaries, as they are the cornerstone of democracy. He noted that the political parties have just one month to conduct their primaries, advising them to conduct credible party primaries, as well as resolve all issues arising from
the conduct of the primaries. The chairman urged the political parties to adhere strictly to the timetable and schedule of activities of the 2019 general elections, noting that only 60 out of the 91 political parties have invited INEC to monitor their party primaries. On vote buying, Yakubu stated: "We are witnessing an ugly trend of vote buying in recent elections in the country. This is giving our democracy a bad name. "There is difference between democracy, - government of the people made by the people and for the people - and plutocracy, which is government by the rich. "We are going to make a big statement with the Osun governorship election by Continued on page 6
Herdsmen Attack: Military Places Page 6 Troops on Red Alert in Benue
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CONDOLENCE VISIT... Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, receiving the Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, during a condolence visit to Dickson over the demise of his mother, at Toru-Orua, in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state… yesterday