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Corruption is a taxation of the people—that’s why we support independent media in Nigeria—MacArthur Foundation

YEKEEN Akinwale
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Corruption is a taxation of the people—that’s why we support independent media in Nigeria—MacArthur Foundation

KOLE Shettima, Nigeria Country Director of Mac Arthur Foundation, says the Foundation is supporting independent media organisations in the country with funds in order to promote good governance, transparency and accountability.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the opening of a two-day experience sharing workshop on Open Contract Reporting (OCR) funded by the Mac Arthur Foundation and coordinated by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Shettima explained that corruption is taxation of the people who are voiceless but found their voice through the in-depth reports by investigative journalists on the project.

“We at the Foundation care about the life of the ordinary citizen. We know that the money that we cannot provide water, cannot provide road, cannot provide electricity, but we think, supporting people like you will contribute towards providing those services that we don’t have money to provide,” Shettima said.

“Corruption is a taxation of the people and that’s why we support people like you to do in-depth reports to improve the quality of the people who are voiceless.”

He said that the Foundation was mindful of the correlation between financial independence and editorial independence, noting that the Foundation was committed to support the media to hold the duty bearers accountable through investigative reporting.

“We believe that supporting independent media, supporting investigative journalism is one of the core works to be done in order to sustain and consolidate our democracy. We believe that there is a strong relationship between independent media and democratic values and ethos.

“We mindful of the fact that there is some correlation between financial independence and editorial independence.

“We feel that it is critical and important to support this kind of work that you do. Also it is important that those of you that are doing the work know it affects the life of the ordinary people.”

In his opening remarks, Dayo Aiyetan, Executive Director of ICIR, said the event was organised to afford journalists on the project to meet and share their experiences after three years that the project has been running.

“From day one, we had tailored something like this so that for the past three years all of us can come together to share experience. I think everybody who has been part of this project, we have a lot of challenges, success and failures.”

Aiyetan said the project has made significant impacts in the country in the last three years, noting that the funder, Mac Arthur Foundation was always boastful of the achievements of the Open Contract Reporting.

“And that’s why we have received another bigger funding because they believed we have achieved a lot. As we talk, we have received new grant from Mac Arthur Foundation and we will be looking forward to working with you.

During the project review, Rosemary Oluwfemi, Senior Programme Officer at ICIR said the goal of the project was to use evidence based and data driven reporting to reduce corruption in Nigeria and enhance transparency and accountability.

She disclosed that 30 journalists from different media establishments were trained on budgetary and procurement process noting that about 50 stories have so far been published while others are still being processed.

“About 130 investigative reports were proposed for the period of three years. Four trainings were conducted which focused on investigative reporting, data journalism and procurement monitoring,” she explained.

Internet fraud suspect wanted by FBI, sentenced to one year imprisonment in Ilorin

Amos ABBA
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Internet fraud suspect wanted by FBI, sentenced to one year imprisonment in Ilorin

ON Thursday, the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin convicted and sentenced Joseph Oyediran, to one year in imprisonment on a five-count charge bordering on internet fraud, relying on evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. 

Oyediran was declared wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, of the United States of America, USA, also on charges for internet fraud

The EFCC had arraigned Oyediran who initially pleaded not guilty but rescinded his decision after approaching the prosecution team for a plea bargain.

Following the plea bargain agreement, the prosecuting team amended the charge. The presiding judge  Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar had the charge read before him.

The one-count amended charge reads, “That you, Joseph Oyediran (alias  Joe M.G. Graves) between April 2015 to June 2015, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did cheat by personation when you pretended to be one Joe M.G. Graves, a white male with Gmail account gravesmjoe@gmail.com, and fraudulently deceived one, Andrea Smith, an American citizen to send N2,392, 105.00 (Two million,  three hundred and ninety-two thousand,  one hundred and five Naira) after you made her believe you were in love with her and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324of the same Penal Code.”

He pleaded guilty to the amended one-count charge.

The prosecution requested the Head of Advance Fee Fraud Section of the EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Office,  Olamide Sadiq as a witness, who gave an account of investigations carried out by his team in the matter.

“My lord on the 24th of July 2019, the Commission received a petition from the Federal Bureau of Investigations against the defendant. The FBI alleged that Oyediran was involved in business email compromise, romance scam and other fraud-related offences. Based on investigations,  the suspect was arrested and he confessed to the crime,” Sadiq told the court.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Abdulgafar admitted the testimonies of the prosecution witness, the plea of the defendant and documents presented and confirmed the prosecution was able to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The convict is hereby sentenced to one-year imprisonment while his one plot of land, located at Wara, behind Ilorin West Local Government Secretariat and the sum of N800,000 (Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) recovered from him should be forfeited to the federal government,” he ruled.

FG tasks NCC to address illegal deduction of data

Nneoma BENSON
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FG tasks NCC to address illegal deduction of data

THE Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami has on Thursday asked the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to collectively address the issue of illegal deduction of data faced by network users in the country. 

Pantami disclosed this during a visit by the management of the NCC led by its Executive Vice Chairman, Umar Danbatta to the office of the minister.

The visit was aimed at briefing the communication minister on the progress made in the implementation of the short term targets set for the commission.

In a series of tweets on his Twitter handle, Pantami said that Nigerians are losing money on a daily basis, stating that the NCC has the onus of protecting consumers of network providers.

“Nigerians are worried about poor Quality of Service (QoS), there is constant agitation on a daily basis on the Social Media Platforms, there is a need for improvement,” Pantani said

According to him, the NCC should also concentrate on reviewing the cost of purchased data; the issue of improperly registered SIM Cards and the Compliance with the maximum 2 per cent Call Drop Rate directive to telecom operators.

The federal government on September 13, ordered the NCC to block over nine million unregistered sim cards.

He noted that the security implication of this irregularity was too grave to ignore, adding that the government would not tolerate any actions or inactions that will compromise the nation’s security.

Onitsha Fire: Angry mob stopped us from getting to scene early ─ Firefighters

Nneoma BENSON
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Onitsha Fire: Angry mob stopped us from getting to scene early ─ Firefighters

THE late arrival of fire service operatives at the scene of the Ochanja market disaster has been attributed to attacks from angry mobs who pelted stones at firefighters.

The Controller General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service, Liman Ibrahim Alhaji, disclosed this in a statement via their Twitter handle on Thursday.

The statement, signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Fire Service, Ugo Huan, said heavy traffic at the head bridge also prevented men of the fire service from getting to the scene of the incident in due time.

Alhaji said the Federal Fire Service in Abuja had received a call about the fire outbreak about 2 pm on October 16.

“The control room at the headquarters in Abuja immediately turned out the nearest Federal Fire Service Station at Asaba, Delta State to attend to the fire.

“Our men immediately headed to the scene, but it was not possible to contend with the heavy traffic at the head bridge and behaviour of an angry mob who pelted stones at them,” he said.

Alhaji said such action made it difficult for the firefighters to get to the scene and fight the fire in such a hostile environment.

The Federal Fire Service Controller noted that the service was committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the country.

“With the procurement of new state of the art firefighting trucks distributed to the 12 zones of the Service across the nation, the Service is always ready to respond to fire outbreaks and other emergencies across the nation.

“It is worthy to note that similar situations in recent past in Sokoto, Uyo, Minna, Ibadan, Osun and Lagos were prevented from escalating to a major disaster by Fire Service.

“The case of Ochanja market was an unfortunate one, as one will wonder why individuals will want to attack firefighters that came to help put out the fire that was threatening lives and ravaging property,” he noted

In the statement, the CG expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families who had lost their loved ones, including properties in the incident.

“The Service will like to use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians that in as much as the Fire Service is prepared and committed to saving of lives and property in emergencies, their support and cooperation is highly needed to do that,” the controller said.

Alhaji said, “We remain committed to our mandate of saving lives and property of Nigerians and others residing in Nigeria”.

Residents of the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State had witnessed a ‘Black day’ as some part of the Ochanja market were burnt to ashes.

The disaster was said to have been caused after a petroleum tanker had an accident at the Upper Iweka axis, leading to an explosion which razed down buildings, took lives and properties.

Buhari approves N10bn intervention funds to upgrade Enugu airport

Nneoma BENSON
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Buhari approves N10bn intervention funds to upgrade Enugu airport

ON Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the sum of N10 billion for an intervention fund for the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The president made this known via his Twitter handle page on Thursday.

“I have the assurance of the Minister of Aviation that the work will be done speedily and to the highest standards,” he said.

However, in a meeting with the president at the State House Council Chambers on Thursday, the South-East leaders including governors called for special Federal Government intervention for the speedy completion of the Enugu International airport and rehabilitation of federal roads in the region.

In a report by ChannelsTV, the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Ebonyi Governor, Dave Umahi, asked that the president declared a state of emergency on roads in the South East.

Governors present at the meeting were Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

Also present were senate minority leader representing South-East Caucus in National Assembly, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe;  Senator Sam Egwu; former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; former Governors -Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State; Okwesilieze of Enugu State; Sullivan Chime of Enugu State; Achike Udenwa of Imo State, and Ikedi Ohakim also of Imo.

On August 24, the federal government had indefinitely shut down the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu due to abnormalities in the airport which needed urgent repairs.

The airport was reportedly faced with issues such as bad runway and landing aids, the presence of a market nearby which attracted birds causing constant bird strikes on aircraft and the state radio mast wrongly placed, which was directly facing the runway.

3 million dollars bribe scam: Farouk Lawan loses no-case submission

Lukman ABOLADE
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3 million dollars bribe scam: Farouk Lawan loses no-case submission

 FCT High court sitting in Apo on Thursday dismissed the no-case-submission filed by four term member, House of Representatives and Chairman Ad hoc Committee on fuel subsidy, Farouk Lawan on the alleged $3 miillion dollars bribery.

Lawan, through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome last Thursday filed a no-case submission in the alleged three million dollars bribe scam.

The sitting judge, Angela Otaluka, ordered Farouk to enter defense after ruling that submission filled by his counsel had no basis.

Farouk who was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) was alleged to have collected $500,000 bribe from Nigerian business mogul, Femi Otedola.

He was alleged to have demanded $3 million dollars from Otedola in order to have his company’s name removed from the names of companies indicted in the fuel subsidy scam in 2012.

Defense Counsel, Ozekhome, earlier in his submission told the court that the ICPC had failed to properly establish the defendant’s intent to commit the offense he was charged with.

He argued that the prosecution’s witnesses gave conflicting statements about the amount Lawan was alleged to have collected .

Ozekhome also said the video evidence was blurry and does not necessarily prove that the content of the envelope Otedola gave to Lawan was money but could have been anything else.

He said that if the Department of State Services had any evidence they would have arrested Lawan immediately at the scene of the bribery which they claimed they set up.

Adegboyega Awomolo, the prosecution counsel, however objecting to the application told the court that despite the defense’s failure to accept the video evidence it doesn’t negate the fact that the evidence exists and is true.

Adegboyega said that he has been able to prove that Lawan took money to perform a public duty that he was supposed to do.

The judge however adjourned the case to November 11 for Lawan to start his defense .

Black Wednesday in Onitsha: Lives, properties, shops lost to tanker explosion

Rebecca Akinremi
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Black Wednesday in Onitsha: Lives, properties, shops lost to tanker explosion

A TANKER explosion around the Upper Iweka axis of Onitsha, Anambra state has turned Wednesday “a black day” for the residents of the commercial city as lives, properties and goods were burnt to ashes.  

The state police command, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident to the TVC News noted that the fire explosion was caused after a petrol tanker had an accident while plying the road along the Upper Iweka axis of the city.

It was reported that there was no firefighter or emergency responder at the scene for more than an hour the inferno started.

With the petrol flowing down the road, according to videos posted online, dozens of residential buildings and part of Ochanga, the second-largest market in the town were razed down. Hundreds of vehicles were also touched.

Very painful memory for the residents was the life-burning of people. Currently, there is no official number of persons that have died. But a yet to be identified woman and a baby have been certified dead at Toronto hospital in Onitsha after being burnt beyond recognition.

The Police had reportedly responded to the situation cordoning off the area to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage to loot from the shop.

The incident has spurred lamentations from  Nigerians on the social media, including Facebook and Twitter.

A Twitter user identified as Mazi Nwaichie said the fire burned for two hours.

“Over two hours it was happening in Ochanja market in Anambra, no single van from the #fireservice to at least calm the fire down. Families lost their loved ones, goods were burnt to ashes, People are left with frustration,” he tweeted.

Here are some of the comments on Twitter.

 

 

Fayemi signs bill that will prevent govt from abandoning projects initiated by past administration

Editorial
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Fayemi signs bill that will prevent govt from abandoning projects initiated by past administration

By Vincent UFUOMA (Student reporter)

AS part of the activities to mark his one year in office, the governor of Ekiti State, Gov. John Kayode Fayemi has signed the Ekiti State Transition Bill into law.

The Transition Law which is the first of its kind in Nigeria will prevent and check the successive government from abandoning projects initiated by the past administration in Ekiti.

The governor had told newsmen in 2018 during his tour of The Gifted Academy built by the administration of Fayose in Afao Ekiti that abandoning projects inherited from his predecessor would amount to wasting the resources of the state.

He said though he disagreed with some of the projects initiated by the Fayose administration he would not abandon them because that would mean abandoning the resources of the State.

“All the projects left behind by the Oni administration. It was my government that completed some of the roads started by Oni. It was my government that completed Ipoti-Odo Owa- Ila Orangun road, Otun-Osun-Iloro road, Isan – Ilemeso road, we completed the House of Assembly complex. It has always been our intention to see governance in a continuum frame.

“We don’t make discreet compartmentalization of governance but where we are today, it is inevitable, we have to take a comprehensive look at all projects whether we have the resources to work on them is another matter.

“The important thing is these have been funded by Ekiti money not by a particular governor who embarked on the project. I may disagree with many of the things put in place by my predecessor but I don’t think it is not in my place to abandon them because I am abandoning the resources of the state,” he said.

President Buhari cuts down travel allowance for ministers, other top officials

Amos ABBA
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President Buhari cuts down travel allowance for ministers, other top officials

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved travel allowance cuts for ministers, director-generals and other top government officials as they submit their travel plans for clearance. 

This development was announced in a Twitter post by Willie Bassey, director of information on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

“Travel days will no longer attract payment of estacode allowances as the duration of official trips shall be limited to only the number of days of the event as contained in the supporting documents to qualify for public funding,” the statement said.

He pointed out that the aim of the policy was to control leakages and ensure efficiency in the management of resources.

The auditor-general of the federation was directed to treat all expenditures that contravene the guidelines as ineligible.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved for immediate implementation, additional cost-saving measures aimed at instilling financial discipline and prudence, particularly, in the area of official travels,” the statement reads.

“Henceforth, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDA, are required to submit their Yearly Travel Plans for statutory meetings and engagements to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and/or the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation for express clearance within the first quarter of the fiscal year, before implementation.

Travel clearance for all travels for all members of the executive was to be obtained from the office of the SGF for approval before embarking on such a journey.

“They are further required to make their presentation using the existing template and also secure approvals on specific travels as contained in the plan, from the appropriate quarters.

“On the Nature and Frequency of Travels, all public-funded travels (local and foreign), must be strictly for official purposes backed with documentary evidence. In this regard, all foreign travels must be for highly essential statutory engagements that are beneficial to the interest of the country. Except with the express approval of Mr President, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Chief Executive Officers and Directors are restricted to not more than two (2) foreign travels in a quarter,” the statement affirmed.

He said when a minister is the head of a delegation, the size of such delegation should not exceed four, including the relevant director, schedule officer and one aide of the minister.

The president also approved for ministers, permanent secretaries, special advisers, senior special assistants to the president, chairmen of extra-ministerial departments and chief executive officers of parastatals who are entitled, to continue to fly business class while other categories of public officers are to travel in economy class.

Nigeria spent N231 billion in 5 years to print banknotes – Report

Amos ABBA
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Nigeria spent N231 billion in 5 years to print banknotes – Report

THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN disclosed in a report that between 2013 to 2018, the apex bank had spent N231.1 billion to print banknotes for the period under review.

This was revealed in a report by the CBN titled “Currency Operations Department 2018 Annual Report” where a breakdown of the amount showed that N64 billion was spent to print banknotes in 2018, compared with N49.5 billion in 2017, indicating an N14.5 billion increase.

In the report,  the operational challenges, encountered by the apex bank were highlighted which include the sale of newly minted naira notes, poor handling habits of banknotes by the public, hoarding of the banknotes and high cost of currency management.

Other constraints were the rising cases of counterfeiting of the higher denomination banknotes, public apathy towards the use of coins, disposal of banknotes waste in an unfriendly manner, banknotes inter-leafing and other shortages discovered in the coffers of Deposit Money Banks and Bankers Warehouse.

 

The report also disclosed that “a total of 119,663 pieces of counterfeit notes with a nominal value of N98.82 million was recorded in 2018.

“This indicated a decline of 1.30 per cent in volume and an increase of 5.77 per cent in value when compared with 118,126 pieces with a nominal value of N93.43m recorded in 2017.

“The ratio of counterfeit notes to the volume of banknotes in circulation was 18 pieces per million, compared to 16 pieces per million banknotes discovered in 2017.”

While, N500 and N1000 denominations remained the most commonly counterfeited banknotes, which accounted for 65.29 per cent and 34.49 per cent, respectively of the total discovered counterfeit notes.

“The increasing trend of counterfeiting of higher denomination banknotes underscores the need for more concerted efforts in managing the risk.

“The bank will, however, sustain its publicity campaign, collaborative efforts with security agencies and collation of data on counterfeits to mitigate the incidence of counterfeiting,” the report explained.

The report stated that of the total order of 3,351.34 million pieces of banknotes, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc delivered 2,653.31 million pieces or 79.17 per cent as of the end of December 2018, leaving a balance of 698.03 million pieces or 20.83 per cent.

“In addition, the company, under a domestication arrangement, delivered 22.89 million pieces of Nigeria’s N100 commemorative centenary banknotes, awarded in 2014 to Crane Currency Sweden. As of December 31, 2018, a total of 992.50 million pieces or 99.3 per cent had been delivered. However, the NSPM had written to inform the bank that the balance of 7,460,000 pieces as part of the waste generated during the printing process involved in the domestication,” the report hinted.

The currency department of the CBN also sustained the disposal operations in 2018 to ensure the circulation of clean banknotes.

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