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Tag: AGF

  • We’re not ruling out political solution to Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho’s cases – FG

    We’re not ruling out political solution to Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho’s cases – FG

    The Federal Government is not averse to political solution in the cases involving self-determination agitators Sunday Adeyemo (a.k.a. Sunday Igboho) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami said on Wednesday.

    The AGF, who confirmed that no such proposal was before the Federal Government, said government will consider it if proposed by anybody or group.

    Igboho – the Yoruba nation promoter —escaped being arrested by security operatives from his Ibadan home before he fled to the Republic of Benin, where is being detained.

    Kanu, who was accused of engaging in activities capable of destabilising the country, has been charged with terrorism and treasonable felony.

    His trial was yesterday adjourned to January 19, next year.

    Malami said: “Well, as far as securities situation is concerned, as far as governance is concerned, and administration, you cannot rule out all possibilities.

    “But, crime is a crime. When there are criminal under tones associated with certain conduct, you cannot take away the right of the government to take steps with particular regard to ensuring that the people that are in one way or the other operating in breach are brought to book.”

    The AGF, who spoke in Abuja yesterday, said the issue of pardon was not limited to repentant Boko Haram members, but could be extended to deserving cases.

    He said: “Generally speaking, that is why I am telling you that no possibility is ruled out. But then, there has to be an approach for the government to consider.

    “So, I cannot be pre-emptive in telling you clearly and outrightly that reconciliation perhaps, is being considered without an approach to be made.

    “It is the approach to be made. If at all any is made, that we will look into for the purpose of looking at its weight, the authenticity of it, the good fate associated with it, and then perhaps bring about the considerable factors related to the negotiations or otherwise.

    “So, it is not a conclusion that one can outright make without juxtaposing associated facts relating to the reconciliation.

    “You cannot operate a conciliatory approach in the blues. It is never one sided. There has to be an approach and then a counter concentration.

    “So, no approach in that respect is on the table for consideration yet. So, we will cross the bridge when eventually we get to that; when a perhaps a type of request is made, we will consider it.”

    On why the Mambila Power Project was still being held down, Malami said the remaining obstacle to the project has been removed.

    He said the arbitration commenced against Nigeria by Sunrise Power Transmission Company of Nigeria Ltd as been discontinued.

    “Well for the Sunrise, perhaps one good information or perhaps the hope for celebration that I wish to present for your consideration is the fact that Sunrise has indeed withdrawn its pending arbitral proceedings in respect of which it was claiming against the interests of the Federal Government an amount in the region of around $1 billion.

    “So, the information that calls for celebration is the fact that there is no any pending impediment relating to Mambilla project with the discontinuation of the Sunrise proceedings in Paris,” the minister said.

  • Court fixes date to hear El-Zakzaky, wife’s N4bn suit against DSS, AGF

    Court fixes date to hear El-Zakzaky, wife’s N4bn suit against DSS, AGF

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed Jan. 19, 2022, for hearing the suit filed by Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenah, against the Department of State Services (DSS) and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, on Friday, fixed the date to allow the defendants in the fundamental right enforcement suit respond to allegations leveleld against them.

    While El-Zakzaky and his wife are applicants in the separate suits, the DSS DG and AGF are 1st and 2nd respondents respectively.

    In the suits dated and filed on Oct. 14 by their counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, the IMN leader and wife are demanding general and exemplary damages over the respondents’ refusal to release his travel passport.

    In his suit, El-Zakzaky asked for an order of the court mandating the DSS and AGF to pay him the sum of N2 billion for the alleged violation of his rights to freedom of movement, fair hearing and property, despite being acquitted and discharged by a court on July 28.

    He also sought a court declaration that the seizure of his passport with number A50578740 since May 2019, and travel restrictions placed on his passport at land borders “without a court order, was illegal and unconstitutional.”

    El-Zakzaky said the seizure violated his fundamental right to freedom of movement as guaranteed in Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

    He also prayed the court to grant a perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from further violating his rights.

    El-Zakzaky asked the court to declare that the refusal of the DSS and the AGF to allow him to travel abroad for medical treatment was a “threat to his life.”

    He further asked for a court declaration that the restriction violates his right to fair hearing.

    He alleged that while in custody, he suffered lead poisoning with 244 lead metals lodged in his body, while his wife was shot in the thigh.

    Also, his wife, Malama Zeenah, in her suit, also asked for an order of the court mandating the DSS and AGF to pay her the sum of N2 billion for the alleged violation of his rights to freedom of movement, fair hearing and property, despite being acquitted and discharged by a court on July 28, among others.

    When the matter was called, counsel to the applicants, Marshall Abubakar, who represented Falana, informed that all the respondents were duly served.

    While the AGF was represented by Oyin Koleoso, no lawyer appeared for the DSS.

    Abubakar then told the court that the 1st respondent (DSS) had been served with the processes and the hearing notice.

    He said the matter was ripped for hearing.

    But the judge said: “When the court is satisfied that parties have filed their processes and issues have been joined, the court will give a date for hearing.”

    Justice Ekwo, who said he was mindful to adjourn the case for the respondents to keep their house in order, fixed Jan 19, 2022, for hearing the suits.

    He also directed the applicants to ensure that hearing notices are issued to the respondents.

  • Court orders AGF to take over prosecution of ex-Imo governor

    Court orders AGF to take over prosecution of ex-Imo governor

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court Abuja has ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to take over the prosecution of former Governor of Imo State, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim.

    The police had initially filed criminal charges against Ohakim over the alleged threat to the life of an Abuja-based woman, Ms. Chinyere Amuchienwa.

    While waiting for Ohakim to be arraigned in court, the police later filed a notice discountenancing the March 2021 suit, the same day the AGF informed the court that he had taken over the prosecution of Ohakim.

    According to the charge, Ohakim and one Mr. Chinedu Okpareke were alleged to have threatened to release a nude photograph of Chinyere Amuchienwa, if she fails to drop charges of attempted kidnap against them.

    Specifically, Ohakim and Okpareke were dragged to the court by the police over allegations of threat to life and harassment of Amuchienwa.

    In his ruling today, Justice Taiwo held that there was no doubt that the AGF has unfettered power to prosecute.

    The court said, where issues have been joined in a criminal matter, a notice of discountenancing is brought by way of motion on notice.

    Consequently, Justice Taiwo stated that the court cannot give effect to the notice of discountenancing filed by the police.

    The trial judge held that the police’s move to discontinue the matter lacked merit.

    In view of the ruling, the court then fixed October 21, for the arraignment of the former governor as well as the commencement of trial.

  • Hushpuppi: Court throws out group’s petition to stop police, AGF from arresting, extraditing suspended DCP Abba Kyari

    Hushpuppi: Court throws out group’s petition to stop police, AGF from arresting, extraditing suspended DCP Abba Kyari

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday evening refused to grant an ex-parte application seeking to restrain the Nigeria Police and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from arresting and extraditing suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari.

    Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed rejected the application filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Northern Peace Foundation.

    The Foundation, through its team of lawyers led by Dr Olukayode Ajulo, had argued an ex-parte application before the judge praying him to grant the temporary order of injunction against the two defendants pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit.

    The ex-parte application dated August 9 was accomplished with a 21 paragraph affidavit of urgency.

    However, after carefully listening to the lawyer, Justice Mohammed refused to grant the request to stop Abba Kyari’s arrest and extradition through ex-parte means.

    Rather, Justice Mohammed ordered the counsel to turn the ex-parte motion to motion on notice and serve same on the police and AGF.

    The judge also directed the applicant to serve all court processes in respect of the case on the two respondents.

    He subsequently fixed September 9 for mention of the case.

    DCP Abba Kyari was allegedly indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI in an alleged multi-million naira advanced fee fraud said to have been perpetrated by a Nigerian citizen, Ramon Olorunwa Abbass popularly known as Hushpuppi.

  • Reps summon Customs, AGF, others over Shippers’ Council revenue collection

    Reps summon Customs, AGF, others over Shippers’ Council revenue collection

    Emman Ovuakporie
    The House of Representatives Committee on Finance on Tuesday summonsed the Nigerian Customs Service, Accountant General of the Federation and Budget Office appear before it on Monday to explain issues over the collection and appropriation of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council 2% Ports Development Levy revenue.
    This was sequel to the complaint made by the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’Council, Hon Emmanuel Jime that the main source of the agency’s revenue which is the quaterly 2% of the the total 7% Ports Development Levy amounting to N3.5 million was collected by the Nigerian Customs and sent to the Account General’s Office.
    Jime made this disclosure at the ongoing 2022-2024 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF & FSP) Interactive Session with MDAS at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
    The former member of the House of Representatives while highlighting the major challenges his organisation was facing said: “there is also the extra challenge will have, the agency responsible for the collection of that particular 2% that is been given under the current arrangement is Customs.
    He explained thate the Customs after collection remit the revenue to the Office of the Accountant General, “it is Customs that determines what amounts to percentage of the Port Levy; So we’re not really involved”.
    Chairman of the Reps Committee on Finance, Hon James Faleke directed that the Agencies involved should be invited to clarify the issue.
    “ES, we have to come back on Monday on this issue. Customs will be here, budget Office will be here and the Accountant General Office to come – invite Accountant General Office on the issue of collection by Customs (Shipper’s Revenue)”, Faleke said.
    The former lawmaker narrated his ordeal that Shippers’ Council has been unable to access the 1% charge on export and import which is one of its statutory source of revenue since the agency was established in 1978 and sought lawmakers intervention on the matter even as he was going to take up the matter with the supervising Ministry of Transportation.
    “There is this statutory source of revenue, 1% charge on export and import. Since Shippers’ Council was established, that particular source of revenue has never been accessed and I’m taking it up with the supervising Ministry and it is also one area that I will ultimately be going to seek the support from the other side (lawmakers)”, he stated.
    Also, the Committee turned down representatives of Head of MDAs who failed to appear in person for the MTEF interaction sessions, insisting that as Chief Accounting Officers of their organizations they must be the ones to attend to issues raised on their projections.
    Faleke while sending back the Nigeria Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) among others, threatened that any Head of MDAs that failed to appear before it would be sanctioned while the agency would be deleted from government funding.
    Similarly, some agencies, including National Business and Technical Eduction, Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos International Trade Fair Complex who did not bring complete documents detailing their capital projects were asked to go and come back at a later date with the necessary details.
    Responding to the agencies complaints that the letter emanating from the Committee did not specifically requested for such details, Faleke said: “Each time we call for MTEF consideration, it is expected that we look back to what happened in the last three years before going forward. We don’t need to write this down in black and white because you should know you are coming to defend MTEF, the procedure is very straight. The only difference in this one is that we’re looking at capital. So it is a standard.
    “Ordinarily, MTEF documents are presented to the budget office by all the agencies from which they do their compilations and send to us and what they send to us include capital cost and revenue and what they want the National Assembly to do is to look at the document and approve before they are able to prepare budget.
    “For all other agencies we are saying that we are looking at all the projects as submitted that make up your capital projects the way you submitted it to budget office. The same you submitted you bring it to us”.
  • State Attorneys-General drag Buhari’s minister to court over remittance of recovered funds

    State Attorneys-General drag Buhari’s minister to court over remittance of recovered funds

    The 36 states of the country have filed a suit at the Supreme Court against the Federal Government on the status of recovered funds and failure to remit same to the federation account.

    Through their Attorneys-General, who are listed as plaintiffs in the suit, the 36 states instituted the action against the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

    In the suit, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration by the provisions of 162 (1) and Section 162(10) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), all income, returns, proceeds, or receipts derived from confiscated, forfeited and/or recovered assets constitute revenue must be remitted to the federation account for the collective benefit of the Federal, State and Local Governments.

    Amongst other things, they are also seeking a declaration that the failure and/or refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Finance, the office of the AGF, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, and all her relevant authorities and/or agencies of the federation to remit the receipts, income, returns or proceeds derived from all assets recovered, seized, confiscated and forfeited into the federation account to be distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution” is unconstitutional.”

    They also asked the court to declare that “it is unconstitutional for the President, through the federal Minister of Finance, the AGF, or any other authority whatsoever, to utilise, apply, allocate, expend and appropriate same to itself or distribute same in any other manner howsoever without due allocation from the federation.”

  • IBORI: Bank documentation shouldn’t take 12 years– Oghara Union tells AGF, British Govt

    IBORI: Bank documentation shouldn’t take 12 years– Oghara Union tells AGF, British Govt

    The Oghara Development Union (ODU), Lagos branch has asked the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to tell Nigerians the truth about the delay in repatriating the proceeds of assets confiscated from the three ladies in the Ibori trials.

     

    In a press statement released on Tuesday 4 May, 2021, the union said: “the Attorney-General’s claim of bank documentation is scandalous and far from reality. The Attorney General had said that “Documentations with the banks in different countries (caused the delay and often) take longer than anticipated. We anticipated two weeks but we are not in control of the banks

     

    “This is laughable. It is also noteworthy that the Minister gave no idea of when the monies would be returned to Nigeria and Delta state. The British Authorities are obviously up to some game here”.

     

    The statement signed by Sunday Agbofodoh, General Secretary, continued: “We say this because we know for a fact that the monies in question have been in the custody of the British Government since 2010, a clear eleven years plus ago. Also, it is instructive that Nigeria and Britain had long ago signed an MOU on the repatriation of the proceeds. Both parties have continuously celebrated this victory in the press.

     

    The ODU said: “We know for a fact that our beloved son, Chief James Onanefe Ibori is a victim of political persecution concealed as an anti-corruption fight, and we are happy that Nigerians are now knowing the truth of the wicked lies that deluged, swamped and overwhelmed him. He has served out his prison sentence and since returned to Nigeria and his native Oghara community. We are however concerned that facts are still being twisted for propaganda purposes only to keep the issue in the media in perpetuity”.

     

    The Union said that the people of Oghara want a fast resolution of the civil confiscation and repatriation process. Thus, it decried this delay tactics on the part of the British Government. They further stated that “it is incomprehensible that in this day and age, it would take years for banks in two different countries to wire funds from one to the other”.

     

    The ODU added that neither the Attorney-General nor Britain has addressed the question of the shortfall between the real amounts confiscated and what Britain said it would return to Nigeria. “We are in full knowledge of the actual confiscated amount from the three women and it is £6, 838, 851.68. Of this amount, £629, 417.63 came from the sale of the property belonging to Ibori’s sister, while £2, 649, 959.45 and £3, 559, 474. 60 came from the other two ladies. The amount is not the £4.2 million as Britain and Malami claimed, and it was fully paid in 2010”. Thus, the ODU expressed surprise at the statement issued by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation that the money had not been returned to Nigeria, and may not be returned anytime soon.

     

    The Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, said in a statement on Monday May 3rd, a public holiday, signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Umar Gwandu, that bank documentation has delayed the transfer of the £4.2 million.

     

    The ODU tasked Nigerians to find out why Britain wants to return £4.2m only instead of £6,838,851.68 (£6.8m) and to ask for full disclosure on the sort of bank documentation that would require years to finish. The Union added that Nigerians should ask for the interest that accrued on the money since 2010. “it is only when such answers are in that it would be clear that the UK Authorities are warehousing proceed of crime for political profit”, ODU said.

     

     

  • Buhari blesses Emir of Daura’s son, AGF’s daughter as they wed in Kano

    Buhari blesses Emir of Daura’s son, AGF’s daughter as they wed in Kano

    President Muhammadu Buhari has given his blessings to Muhammad Umar Faruk and Maimuna Ahmed Idris, as they were joined in matrimony on Saturday.

    Muhammad is the son of Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk while Maimuna is the daughter of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris.

    In a message delivered on his behalf by a delegation to Kano State led by the Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, Buhari said his sincere blessings and good wishes will remain with the newly-weds.

    A statement by the president’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, the president prayed for peace, harmony and prosperity in the home of the couple, appreciating their kind invitation.

    The Ministers of Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu; Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, and Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, were also in the delegation.

    Maimuna, the bride, was given out in marriage by Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State while the groom, Muhammed Daha, who is also the Dan Buram Daura, was represented by Magajin Garin Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar.

    In a homily, the Chief Imam of the Kano Central Mosque, Prof. Sani Zahraddeen, who contracted the marriage at the Palace of the Emir of Kano, admonished the couple to respect one another and warned the community against mistreatment of women.

  • Maina’s Trial: Court fixes date for AGF, Femi Falana, others to testify

    Maina’s Trial: Court fixes date for AGF, Femi Falana, others to testify

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 17 and 18 for a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana; the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and nine others to appear before the court.

    The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, fixed the dates on Thursday for the persons to testify in the trial of Abdulrasheed Maina, a former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).

    Justice Abang had issued a subpoena on Maina’s request, compelling the AGF, Falana, and the former acting chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, and the eight others to come before the court on March 9, 10, and 11 to give their testimonies.

    At the resumed trial, Falana informed the court that although he has not been served with the subpoena, he heard about it and decided to come before the court out of respect.

    He said the subpoena would provide an opportunity for him to put an end to the needless controversy surrounding a property he never bought.

    During the proceedings, the defendant called his second witness, Charles Emoakemeh, who is a retired prison officer.

    Emoakemeh told the court that Maina was appointed as the Director of the Pension Office and recovered about N10 billion for the Federal Government after removing ghost pensioners.

    He also noted that as the Head of the PRTT, Maina did not have control over the disbursement of monies unless approval was sought from the then Head of Service.

    On March 4, Maina’s first witness, Ngozika Ihuoma, had told the court about monies and properties recovered by the former PRTT boss and how Magu to whom the properties were remitted, had allegedly sold some of the properties to friends and associate, including Falana.

  • Just in: Ex-AGF Adoke gets court’s permission for medical trip

    Just in: Ex-AGF Adoke gets court’s permission for medical trip

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted permission to a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), to travel for medical check-up at the United Arab Emirate, where he was in exile for about five years.

    Adoke had fled to the UAE shortly after leaving office in 2015.

    He returned to the country and was immediately arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as he arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on December 19, 2019.

    He has since been facing multiple charges, including money laundering, before various courts which had ordered the seizure of his passport as a bail condition.

    Ruling on Adoke’s application for permission to travel to the UAE on Friday, Justice Ekwo ordered the release of his passport to enable him travel to the foreign land on health grounds from December 15 and return on or before January 10, 2021.

    Already, his trial alongside a businessman, Aliyu Abubakar, has been scheduled to resume before the court on January 11.

    In granting Adoke’s request on Friday, Justice Ekwo rejected the objection raised by the prosecuting counsel, Bala Sanga.

    The judge upheld the contention of Adoke’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), saying such application was within the discretion of the court to grant.

    He said the application was granted allowing the ex-AGF to travel to UAE on health grounds.

    The EFCC accused Adoke and Abubakar of using large sums of money, which allegedly formed part of their unlawful activities, and accepting the amounts exceeding stated threshold outside a financial institution in violation of the money laundering law.