A FORMER Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Limited, Mr. Festus Odimegwu and a former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, are among the ministerial nominees that have been screened by the Department of State Service, The PUNCH learnt authoritatively on Sunday.

Those already said to have been screened as nominees for President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet also include a former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and a Lagos-lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).

Also on the list are a former Chief of Army, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazu (retd.); an ex-chief executive of the Federal Inland Revenue, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okaru; a former finance commissioner in Lagos State, Mr. Wale Edun; and a former National Legal Adviser to the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The PUNCH learnt that the screening of the nominees had been concluded on Friday. Buhari had last week at a press briefing in Accra, Ghana, that he would name members of his cabinet this month.

Our correspondents gathered that some of the nominees had appeared before the DSS.

None of the names on the list however confirmed that they had been screened when our correspondents contacted them on Sunday.

It was gathered that they had been instructed not to leak details of their screening to the media.

‘‘What was done was not physical screening but mainly background checking,” one of the already-screened nominees told one of our correspondents late on Sunday.

Multiple sources within the All Progressives Congress told our correspondent on Sunday that Falana was favoured by a camp in the party to emerge as the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.

A top APC chieftain said the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had convinced Buhari to appoint Falana.

Tinubu and Osinbajo were said to have told Buhari that appointing Falana, who he jailed over 30 years ago, would boost his image as a ‘converted democrat.’

It was, however, learnt that Malami was being favoured by the President.

A source within the party added power blocs within Falana’s home state, Ekiti, might not be disposed to the choice of the human rights lawyer because he is not a member of the APC.

The APC has three former governors in Ekiti State: Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi.

An APC top official said, “Falana has already been screened by the DSS. However, Buhari is closer to Malami who is from the North.”

Sources within the party also told our correspondent that Utomi, a renowned economist and former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, had been screened by the DSS and the police.

Utomi, who is now a member of the APC, was one of biggest critics of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

It was learnt that Edun, who served under former Tinubu as Lagos State governor, had also been screened by security agencies.

It was learnt that Edun was being considered to emerge as the Minister of Finance while Utomi for Minister of Economic Planning.

Sources within the party told our correspondent that Tinubu convinced Buhari to appoint Edun based on his antecedents.

He said the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, Edun and Utomi might be given the task of reviving the economy.

A source said, “Oil prices are dwindling and Nigeria will need to diversify but in the short term, increasing the nation’s Internally Generated Revenue is the key. Tinubu explained to Buhari that when former President Olusegun Obasanjo withheld Lagos State allocations, Edun and Fowler helped to ensure that the state’s IGR increased exponentially.’’

It was learnt that Odimegwu, was nominated by the President.

Odimegwu fell out with former President Goodluck Jonathan when he openly criticised the Federal Government. He had resigned and then travelled to the United States.

Two weeks to the March 28 presidential election, however, Odimegwu openly supported Buhari and called him ‘the best man for the job.’

Odimegwu is also close to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Oyinlola, a one-time secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, defected to the APC shortly before the Osun State governorship election and he is a close associate of Obasanjo.

Repeated calls made to the telephones of Odimegwu and Utomi were not responded to.

One of the nominees who picked his call, simply said, “I don’t know if screening has been done or completed.”

Another nominee, who pleaded anonymity, said, “Although I have met the director-general of the DSS twice, I don’t think such visits could be regarded as screening.

“I understand the service has done its research on ministerial nominees. For now, nobody is sure of anything until the names are announced.”

In his reaction, Oyinlola said he had not been screened as a ministerial nominee.

He said, ‘‘To the best of my knowledge, I have not been called. May be they called others, not me.”

The former governor, however, said he was one of the nine persons, whose names were submitted to Governor Rauf Aregbesola – as a ministerial nominee – having been picked by his senatorial district.

The PUNCH learnt that the report of the DSS screening would be sent to the President this week.

A top DSS operative, who confided in The PUNCH, said the agency had conducted extensive checks on the nominees, including their financial transactions and their records with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the police.

The Special Adviser (Media) to the President, Femi Adesina, had on Wednesday told The PUNCH that security screening “is naturally a behind-the-scenes matter.”

The DSS could not be reached for comment on Sunday as it had yet to appoint a spokesperson.

The PUNCH had on Thursday exclusively reported that the DSS had commenced the screening of ministerial nominees sent to it by the President.



http://www.punchng.com/news/ministerial-list-dss-screens-odimegwu-falana-utomi-others/

The names are those of reputable character who have exceled in their chosen careers.

GboyegaD:
The names are those of reputable character who have exceled in their chosen careers.

What career did oyinlola and falana excel in

No matter how much Buhari wants to rustle up his ministerial scouting.... The people he will appoint will by all means turn to looters.... Its needless!
.
.
Buhari wants to make this ministerial position a hot-cake....

DSS Screened me too; biko

OP SOURCE?

Yesss! Odimegwu and Utomi are the best of the best. Brilliant minds

.....

Utomi, who is now a member of the APC, was one of biggest critics of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.

It was learnt that Edun, who served under former Tinubu as Lagos State governor, had also been screened by security agencies.

It was learnt that Edun was being considered to emerge as the Minister of Finance while Utomi for Minister of Economic Planning.

Sources within the party told our correspondent that Tinubu convinced Buhari to appoint Edun based on his antecedents.

He said the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Babatunde Fowler, Edun and Utomi might be given the task of reviving the economy.

A source said, “Oil prices are dwindling and Nigeria will need to diversify but in the short term, increasing the nation’s Internally Generated Revenue is the key. Tinubu explained to Buhari that when former President Olusegun Obasanjo withheld Lagos State allocations, Edun and Fowler helped to ensure that the state’s IGR increased exponentially.’’

Buhari should never make the mistake of putting together 2 yoruba who worked under Tinubu's government men as finance minister and chairman of the Board of internal revenue. No matter the condition and contributions Tinubu made to his victory, this is never in the interest of Nigeria and the world. Those who are close to buhari should warn him severely about making his vice president, BIR chairman and finance minister from the South west ,if he does that he will end up as a puppet president and a president in house arrest.

DSS SCREEN ME TOO CUZ TODAY IS BDAY

Wonderful...............

Let me see the actual list before I know what to say.

God please help Nigeria.

Speculative bs *spits on thread*

Falana

Nigeria should brace itself for a new era in its justice system

kettykings:



Buhari should never make the mistake of putting together 2 yoruba who worked under Tinubu's government men as finance minister and chairman of the Board of internal revenue. No matter the condition and contributions Tinubu made to his victory, this is never in the interest of Nigeria and the world. Those who are close to buhari should warn him severely about making his vice president, BIR chairman and finance minister from the South west ,if he does that he will end up as a puppet president and a president in house arrest.

This is not a game of tribe rather it's competency at work.

kettykings:

What career did oyinlola and falana excel in

Falana is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

That means his professional colleagues judge him to have attained the highest pinnacle that any practicing lawyer in Nigeria can reach.


That's good enough.

We dont want the drunkard Odimegwu is our chanjii cabinet.
ogogoro is haram.
he can come to FECk meeting smelling of ogogoro
and we all know buhari has light brain,
that is why he get F9 in maths,
just the smell of ogogoro can make nut loss from his head.
please, please, no drunkard in Federal Executive Council (FECk).
ya uwaa!


As per tinubu,
please have pity on him.
he loose in senate president!
he loss in speaker!!
Oh! jagbaganstic!!!
he lost in SGF!!!
please, please, DSS, SSS,
have pity on him.
The man is old and sick!
you no see him rotten teet?
please just say he is not kworropt,
let him get small thing.

Utomi in any executive capacity will be great for this government.
Other names that will indicate a departure from the ugly past include Nda-Isaiah and Ogbonnaya Onu.

It will still be all good even if these men don't make it... Buhari will still have my respect and full support.

kettykings:



Buhari should never make the mistake of putting together 2 yoruba who worked under Tinubu's government men as finance minister and chairman of the Board of internal revenue. No matter the condition and contributions Tinubu made to his victory, this is never in the interest of Nigeria and the world. Those who are close to buhari should warn him severely about making his vice president, BIR chairman and finance minister from the South west ,if he does that he will end up as a puppet president and a president in house arrest.

When Jonathan made Igbos the Finance Minister, CEO Nigerian Stock Exchange, Director General Security and Exchange Commission, MD Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, and many more finance portfolios, all at the same time, we did not see you complain then.


Now, you are ready to kill yourself if Yorubas occupy 2 important positions.

DeLaRue:



Falana is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

That means his professional colleagues judge him to have attained the highest pinnacle that any practicing lawyer in Nigeria can reach.


That's good enough.

Is being a SAN now a yard stick for measuring a successful distinguished career in the legal profession, the former minister of justice mohammed Adoke and bayo ojo all were SAN and what major contribution did that make to Nigeria, Nigeria still lost major international court cases

kettykings:

What career did oyinlola and falana excel in

Tribal thug.

What career did Pat Utomi excel in?


Did Volkswagen of Nigeria not collapse into ashes in his hands.

Still, that does not mean he's not qualified to be a Minister.

kettykings:



Buhari should never make the mistake of putting together 2 yoruba who worked under Tinubu's government men as finance minister and chairman of the Board of internal revenue. No matter the condition and contributions Tinubu made to his victory, this is never in the interest of Nigeria and the world. Those who are close to buhari should warn him severely about making his vice president, BIR chairman and finance minister from the South west ,if he does that he will end up as a puppet president and a president in house arrest.

Bad belle is allowed

I though yellowbar are slaves to the North. It is your believe too that 'mere commisioner and the drug baron' are used and dump by PMB. How come they are making PMB puppet while the later is the boss?

FOLYKAZE:


Bad belle is allowed

I though yellowbar are slaves to the North. It is your believe too that 'mere commisioner and the drug baron' are used and dump by PMB. How come they are making PMB puppet while the later is the boss?

amin!
excellent right-up

kettykings:


Is being a SAN now a yard stick for measuring a successful distinguished career in the legal profession, the former minister of justice mohammed Adoke and bayo ojo all were SAN and what major contribution did that make to Nigeria, Nigeria still lost major international court cases

Erm... (clears throat) actually being a SAN is the highest career achievement for Nigerian lawyers on the bar side. A successful career does not mean a lawyer must win all cases handled.

kettykings:


Is being a SAN now a yard stick for measuring a successful distinguished career in the legal profession, the former minister of justice mohammed Adoke and bayo ojo all were SAN and what major contribution did that make to Nigeria, Nigeria still lost major international court cases

Yes to the bold. What other yardstick do you want. Tribe?

Odimegwu is someone I know very well and can trust just as I can also believe in Utomi's capability.

Falana, in my opinion will much be needed outside the govt circle to be a watchdog.

So far so good if this is not another Liar Mohammed standard.

Oyinlola.... The man that stole election mandate in Osun state.

Falana... The confused APC Lawyer that ran for Ekiti Gov and lost woefully. Supported the illegal impeachment of Fayose in 2006 (something that even the NJC kicked against and suspended/fired the impostor CJ) and at various times shown to be pathetic.

Dambazzau... A proud and active member of the Turai cabal that held Nigeria to its neck when Yar'adua was in a vegetable state.

Pat Utomi.. An overrated economics that is neither here nor there and has no bearing. A former SA to ex-President shagari that ran Nigeria economy aground and promoted poverty.



If these are Buhari's team then Naija need to pray.

DeLaRue:



When Jonathan made Igbos the Finance Minister, CEO Nigerian Stock Exchange, Director General Security and Exchange Commission, MD Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, and many more finance portfolios, all at the same time, we did not see you complain then.


Now, you are ready to kill yourself if Yorubas occupy 2 important positions.

Just read what you wrote, are you going to compare an ordinary commissioner of finance in a lagos state economy to a world bank managing director who has more than 17 years , a harvard university and MIT economist is now being compared with a ordinary graduate from one university in London


The SEC DG was Vice-President for Corporate Management at the ADB in March 2006 before yaradua appointed her to her position, while the NSE CEO Mr. Onyema has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the American Stock Exchange (Amex), which he joined in 2001.

The former CBN Governor now emir of kanohand picked AMCON boss to come to Nigeria and work with him.

SirJeffry:
Odimegwu is someone I know very well and can trust just as I can also believe in Utomi's capability.

Falana, in my opinion will much be needed outside the govt circle to be a watchdog.

So far so good if this is not another Liar Mohammed standard.

So basically, the two Igbos are Ok.

Falana, the Yoruba guy...hmmm..... no, you'd rather not have him as a Minster. What a joke.


Btw, if Utomi was so capable, how come Volkswagon of Nigeria collapsed under him, thereby losing hundreds of jobs and destroying a major car building project in Nigeria?

DelGardo:


Erm... (clears throat) actually being a SAN is the highest career achievement for Nigerian lawyers on the bar side. A successful career does not mean a lawyer must win all cases handled.

If you checked very well most these lawyers never excelled beyond the pages of newspapers ,when a real international court case comes you find them falling like a pack of stupid clowns.

DeLaRue:



Tribal thug.

What career did Pat Utomi excel in?


Did Volkswagen of Nigeria not collapse into ashes in his hands.

Still, that does not mean he's not qualified to be a Minister.

I never endorsed Pat Utomi's candidacy and if I were him I would keep away from this government

God/Allah should guide PMB to make the right decisions. Nigeria cannot afford any more slip ups.

DeLaRue:



Tribal thug.

What career did Pat Utomi excel in?


Did Volkswagen of Nigeria not collapse into ashes in his hands.

Still, that does not mean he's not qualified to be a Minister.

The point I am still making is that these 2 people have no meaningful experience besides being hand picked to work for lagos state, besides what major impact did they make in lagos