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Court orders FG to publish names of looters

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Court orders FG to publish names of looters

 

The Lagos State division of the Federal High Court has ordered the federal government to make known to the public, names of individuals from whom money has so far been recovered in the ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

The ruling was given by Justice Hadiza Shagari in a Freedom of Information (FOI) suit brought against the federal government by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) a civil society organization.

Justice Shagari held that “the Federal Government has a legally binding obligation to tell Nigerians the names of all suspected looters of the public treasury past and present”.

She therefore ordered that government must “immediately release to Nigerians, information about the names of high-ranking public officials from whom public funds were recovered and the circumstances under which funds were recovered, as well as the exact amount of funds recovered from each public official.”

Reacting to the ruling, Timothy Adewale, SERAP’s deputy director, said it was “a victory for justice, rule of law, transparency and accountability in this country”.

“The judgment shows the way forward in the fight against corruption and impunity of perpetrators. We will do everything within the law to ensure full compliance by President Mohammadu Buhari and Acting President Osinbajo with this landmark judgment,” he added.

Also, TransparencIT Nigeria, an anti-corruption non-governmental organisation, took to Twitter to celebrate the development.

Last year, the Ministry of Information published details of money recovered from public officers between May 29, 2015 and May 29, 2016.

According to the ministry, the government successfully retrieved total cash amount N78,325,354,631.82; $185,119,584.61; £3,508,355.46 and €11, 250 between the period in review.

Also released were recoveries under interim forfeiture, which were a combination of cash and assets, during the same period: N126,563,481,095.43; $9,090,243,920.15; £2,484,447.55 and €303,399.17.

Anticipated repatriation from foreign countries totalled: $321,316,726.1; £6,900,000 and €11,826.11.

SERAP subsequently issued an FOI request, demanding that Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information, must disclose the names of all those from whom the funds were retrieved.

“Publishing the names of public officials involved could go a long way in preventing senior public officials from turning the public treasury into a private cashbox,” the organisation said.

However, Mohammed refused to supply the required information within the time limit provided in the FOI Act, prompting SERAP to head to court.

And on Wednesday, the courts upheld SERAP’s prayers and ordered that names of looters of public treasury be made public.

Reps summon Jonathan over Malabu oil deal

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Reps summon Jonathan over Malabu oil deal

 

The House of Representatives has invited Goodluck Jonathan to appear before the ad-hoc committee probing the Malabu oil deal.

The summons was issued on Wednesday.

In April this year, Razak Atunwa, Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, who is also the head of an ad-hoc panel probing the case, said efforts were underway to invite the ex-president to testify during one of the committee’s sittings.

“We’ve summoned several former and present top government functionaries, including the Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami, to provide information that could help in our investigation, and they honoured us,” he had said.

“We’re still working out the details. Nigerians will know the time and modalities of our summons to the (former) president, including letter of invitation, very soon.”

In the deal, Shell and ENI, two oil giants paid the sum of $1.3 billion for Oil Prospecting License, OPL 245, which is believed to be one of Africa’s richest oil blocks.

About $1.1 billion of the money was allegedly paid directly into a Nigerian government account with JP Morgan while about $200 million had been paid by Shell as signature bonus.

But $801 million of the money allegedly ended up in the private account of the then Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete.

Obasanjo so strong at his age ‘because of traditional medicine’

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Obasanjo so strong at his age ‘because of traditional medicine’

 

The National Association of the Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) says Olusegun Obasanjo, former President, is so strong at 80 years because he used products of traditional medicine.

Therefore, it said its products.are capable of curing President Muhammadu Buhari of whatever ailment is keeping him in the United Kingdom.

Adesunmiboye Fawawo, a national patron of the association, made this known on Tuesday during a chat with the Punch Newspaper.

“President Muhammadu  Buhari is our national leader and we must guard him with all jealousy.  We are a national body which is recognised by the Federal Government,” he said during an event to inaugurate the association’s new national executives.

“The association was established during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and he used our products. You can see how strong he is even at his age.

“We have been able to treat patients whose families had lost hope on their recovery. Unfortunately, we have not been consulted to treat President Buhari.

“We can treat him and the government must realise that travelling abroad for treatment may not solve the issue.”

Fawawo said it is a pity that many Nigerians disregard the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants in favour of orthodox medicine.

“If you get to mortuaries, many corpses found there are those of rich people because they don’t trust their health with local treatment. Many rich people believe in expensive drugs and treatment but this will go a long way to deepen recession,” he said.

He allayed the fears that the use of herbal medicine usually leads to kidney problems and other issues, explaining that there is nothing to worry about if the right dosage is taken.

He also said some herbal products from Nigeria are exported to Europe and the United States while some can be found in big hospitals across the country. For instance, Fawawo said that a certain herbal medicine called seleru agbo can be found at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

Similarly, Ade Adeagbo, Assistant Secretary General of the association, lamented that Nigeria wastes huge sums of money annually on the importation of drugs while neglecting traditional medicine in the country.

He said the country will benefit more if government pays more attention to the development of traditional medicine rather than importing synthetic drugs, which come with many negative side effects.

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I haven’t spoken to Buhari but he will be back soon, says Lai

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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I haven’t spoken to Buhari but he will be back soon, says Lai

 

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, has reassured Nigerians that President Mohammadu Buhari will soon return to the country.

Mohammed gave the reassurance via his Twitter handle on Wednesday, saying: “Let Nigerians be at rest. The president will be back soon. Even though i have not spoken with him. I know my Oga.”

Rumours of the President’s deteriorating health became rife after the broadcast of his recorded Eid-el-Fitri message to Nigerians. In it, Buhari sounded quite weak and was barely audible even though he spoke in his native Hausa language.

Days later, Ayodele Fayose, Governor of Ekiti State, claimed he had privileged information that Buhari was on life support.

But the Presidency denied the claims and, as usual, criticised Fayose.

On Sunday, Aisha, wife of the President, returned to London to spend time with him..

Buhari has been out of the country since May 7, which makes it 58 days now.

BLOG: Day 2 of ICIR training for journalists on covering procurement processes

Damilola OJETUNDE
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BLOG: Day 2 of ICIR training for journalists on covering procurement processes

UPDATED: Customs e-auction portal not functioning more than 24 hours after launch

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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UPDATED: Customs e-auction portal not functioning more than 24 hours after launch

 

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) launched its e-auction portal on Monday but the website remained inaccessible until late Tuesday evening — more than 24 hours after the unveiling ceremony.

A press conference was held at the customs headquarters in Abuja on Monday where Hameed Ali, the Customs Comptroller General, unveiled the facility and called on interested Nigerians to take advantage of it.

Ali said the e-auction initiative is part of efforts by the Service to eliminate the sharp practices that had characterised the manual auction system, as well as grow its revenue generation capacity.

“The launching of the e-auction platform today marks complete departure from the manual process of the past that was opened to abuses,” Ali said.

“Since my assumption of duty as the CGC, suspension order was placed on the manual auction to give way to the development of an electronic platform that will be secure, transparent, and capable of increasing revenue as well as providing equal opportunities for all Nigerians who are interested in the process.

“What we are doing today is in line with the guidelines of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA). It is therefore my pleasure to formally launch the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) e-auction platform and to wish all bidders good luck.”

But as at the time of filling this report, the portal is yet to open.

“Dear user, The requested page was not found (error 404),” read a message on the website.

Customs e-auction portal not working 24 hours after launch

In the meantime, below are all you need to know about the Customs e-auction system.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Interested participants in the auction process are to visit https://app.trade.gov.ng/eauction where they will be required to log in with a Tax Identification Number (TIN) issued by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The TIN is proof that one pays one’s taxes according to the laws of the country.

The applicant will also be required to upload a recent passport photograph and pay a non-refundable fee of N1000 as administrative charge. Bidders shall be allowed to bid for more than 2 items per bidding window.

Successful bidders will be required to make payment within five working days, failure of which the auctioned item will be reverted to the second highest bidder. Also, the successful bidder shall in addition pay 25% charges each for the Shipping line and Terminal operator.

Winners have 14 days from the date of payment to remove the item paid for and any item not removed from the warehouse within 14 days shall revert to its pre-bidding status and may be put up for auction again.

For claiming of items, the winner shall present; a valid copy of paid assessment and bank receipt (optional in case of e-payment); an E-mailed code to identify owner after payment; a notarized letter in case owner sends representative (where owner is present, uploaded photo on registration will do); a proper identification such as International passport, Driver’s licence, Voters card or National I.D.

The dwell time for the Online Auction Sale is 28 days.

Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service are excluded from participating in the auction. Also, owner of a seized item is excluded from bidding for same.

Melaye: Magu can NOT be EFCC chairman, his mates are area commanders and DPOs

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Melaye: Magu can NOT be EFCC chairman, his mates are area commanders and DPOs

 

 

Dino Melaye, the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, wants the Senate to compel the Executive to act on the recommendations of the upper legislative chamber which rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Melaye made this known during Tuesday’s plenary at the floor of the Senate after Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, read a letter from Acting President Yemi Osinbajo asking for the confirmation of Lanre Gbajabiamila as Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

Gbajabiamila had assumed office shortly after his appointment was announced, without being confirmed, and Melaye brought the issue to the knowledge of the Senate. Therefore, Gbajabiamila was asked to leave office.

But after the letter was read on Tuesday, all the lawmakers, who responded, criticised the executive arm of government for showing gross disrespect for the activities of the legislature.

“Enough of boju boju presentations,” Melaye said.

“In this same chamber, we invited Magu. Magu came for a job interview and failed; and as a result, he was rejected by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As I speak with you, Magu is still parading himself as the Chairman of EFCC despite rejection by this Senate.

“The same executive that has allowed Magu to continue to stay in office, now wrote in a letter this morning to say that we should confirm somebody on whom I raised my voice on this floor, who went to resume without confirmation of the Senate.

“Now they have brought that person for confirmation, and on the other hand, a man that has been rejected, [his rejection] has not been confirmed, and is still acting.

Melaye further noted that the Senate also passed some Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs before it embarked on recess but the executive “chose to swear in some and refuse to swear in some.”

“Mr (Senate) President, it is time for you and this Senate to act. Democracy will continue to be government of the people, for the people and by the people.

“I am moving a motion that it becomes abominable for you to even read another confirmation request from the executive.

“They cannot do our job for us and we will not do their job for them. They are to appoint and we are to confirm; and once you come for confirmation, when you go for an exam, you either pass or fail. And those who have failed should go back.

“Magu is the not the last Nigerian Angel, they should bring another person, we will examine him.If he is qualified, we will pass him. But once you are not passed, you cannot be promoted. His (Magu) mates are area commanders and DPOs, he can serve this country in another capacity.”

Also speaking on the issue, Sam Anyanwu said the Senate had to take a stand and assert its powers of legislation.

“If the leadership doesn’t do anything on this matter within 48 hours, we’ll move against the leadership and I am serious about it,” he said.

“We must make sure that all those we have rejected are not working. And, Mr President, I will say that if anybody (in this chamber) is invited by the EFCC, the person should not go, because whoever that is there is not standing on a tripod.”

The Senate has twice rejected Buhari’s request for the confirmation of Magu as substantive EFCC Chairman, based on a damning report on him by the Department of State Services, DSS.

But the Executive insists that he is the right man for the job and has refused to remove him.

Badoo members ‘kill pastor’s wife, two more’ at Owode-Ajegunle

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Badoo members ‘kill pastor’s wife, two more’ at Owode-Ajegunle

 

Suspected members of the Badoo cult group have killed three persons, including a pastor’s wife, at Owode Ajegunle area of Lagos State.

This is in spite of a manhunt for members of the group by security agents in the state.

According to Punch, the attack occurred at a Celestial Church of Christ, Cherubim and Seraphim located at 4 Victoria Anibaba Street, Owode Weighbridge, along Ikorodu Road.

Witnesses said the cultists attacked the wife of the founder of the church and her two-year-old daughter, as well as another woman who lived in the church with her daughter.

One woman and the two girls were killed during the attack.

ICIR made attempts to reach Olarinde Famous-Cole, spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, but his number was unreachable.

The police, in collaboration with members of the Odua Paoples Congress (OPC) and other local vigilante groups, had raided suspected hideouts of the cult group last week, arresting more than 100 suspects.

Ezekwesili: I saw death during the civil war… We didn’t learn any lessons?

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Ezekwesili: I saw death during the civil war… We didn’t learn any lessons?

 

Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, has expressed worries that Nigeria appears to have learnt very little from the loss of lives during the Civil War of 1967 to 1970.

Speaking during an interview with Forbes Africa TV, Ezekwesili said she started the Bring Back our Girls (BBOG) campaign because of the need to restore the dignity of human life, which was fast fading away with the numerous atrocities committed by Boko Haram and the nonchalant attitude of the government at the time.

She also spoke on various topics, including the need to keep calling for the return of the remaining Chibok girls.

“February of the same year (2014), 29 boys had been slaughtered at the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi and they were burnt and their charred remains were put on the Internet,” she said.

“There was nothing (on the media) about the parents of these children. Who were these children? Nobody told us. No names, just numbers; nothing.

“And society was just moving on. And you know, it was too painful for me. I’d never thought I would see a Nigeria where that would be like a normal thing. We had normalised the abnormal.

“It was not up to two months after, the Chibok girls became victims. The same people that had done that gruesome act to the Buni Yadi boys went to this school and carried these girls.

“So when I saw that news, I was like ‘no, no no no; not again, NO!

“So if you check my timeline on twitter, from that 15th when that news broke, up until today, it has been about the Chibok girls. Because I said… this time around, this society must act to dignify the lives of her citizens, especially the ones that we send off to school.

“The basis of the greatness of nations is not what they have underneath their soil, the basis of greatness of nations is what the citizens have in their minds, their brains. It’s about the human capital of the people. So how come we have such disregard for the lives of the people especially the children?

“I saw death during the civil war. We didn’t learn any lessons? Are we saying that the dignity of human lives continues to mean nothing to us? We’re ready to pretend that nothing is happening? And for me, I thought no, this is not right; this cannot be right.”

Ezekwesili, who is also a co-founder of Transparency International, a global anti-corruption body, said that bad governance, not just corruption, is the problem with Nigeria.

She recalled that during her heyday as a global anti-corruption activist, she saw “much more poverty”.

“I understood poverty even more because I saw it around me,” she said.

“I didn’t understand how we could remain poor when we had the kinds of possibilities that we had. And, you know, my dad kept saying ‘corruption is our greatest problem, corruption is our greatest problem’.

“Corruption is just an aspect of poor governance, so if you’re gonna fix anything; you have to get governance right.”

Abati urges Osinbajo to engage with ‘angry Igbo youths who now kneel down to greet Nnamdi kanu’

Kingsley OBIEJESI
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Abati urges Osinbajo to engage with ‘angry Igbo youths who now kneel down to greet Nnamdi kanu’

 

Reuben Abati, former media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has commended Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for his efforts at ensuring that Nigeria remains a united, but he believes the Acting President is not meeting with the right set of people.

In an article published on his website on Tuesday, Abati said the meetings that have so far taken place between Osinbajo and elders of both the Northern and South-Eastern regions of the country may not achieve the desired result because many of the elders do not believe in a united Nigeria.

He said: “The Federal Government under Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has been holding meetings with key stakeholders within the Federation. The consultations are in order, but the Acting President is yet to talk to the right people.

“He is talking to people who carry their international passports in their pockets because they don’t know what tomorrow promises in Nigeria. He is consulting persons whose family members are mostly one-leg-in-one-leg-out Nigerians; many of them in fact have dual nationality.

“Nigeria is their trading post, the place where they make the money they and their children spend in Dubai, UK and wherever.”

Abati said it would yield better results if Osinbajo was to engage with “the angry Igbo youths who now kneel down to greet Nnamdi Kanu and call him their god; the Arewa youths who have told the Igbos to get out of Nigeria and get away, and who have called the Yoruba names while further insisting that they are not afraid of the Nigerian government arresting them”.

“The people to talk to are the leaders of the various other groups who are taking sides,” he continued.

“Leaders of the Middle Belt and the South-South are holding talks; some Yorubas are planning to hold theirs this week in Ibadan.

“Draw the map of the emerging rhetoric in Nigeria today; what you have is a divided country. The scenario is so painfully reminiscent of the early 60s.

“Crisis management is an important part of nation-building. We have failed to manage most of the crises that have befallen our nation, on a sustainable basis, and that is why every proverbial snake that is killed suddenly resurrects.”

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