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Tag: Corrupt

  • Nigeria now poorer, more corrupt than it was before Buhari took over – Utomi

    Nigeria now poorer, more corrupt than it was before Buhari took over – Utomi

    A professor of political economy and management expert, Pat Utomi has said Nigeria is now more poorer and corrupt that it was before the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari came on board in 2015.

    The don noted that Nigerians are hardly in the conversations around how they should be governed.

    “Political parties do not have programs, do not have a direction to make any difference in people’s lives.

    “The truth of the matter is that this is the most miserable place to live on earth today, all the statistics say so,” Professor Utomi said on Sunday on a monitored Channels Television programme.

    He added that “today we have overtaken India in terms of the total number of the poorest people on the planet.”

    According to Utomi who is a founding member of the National Consultative Front (NCF), it is like Nigeria is in multiple civil wars.

    “They are dying from insecurity with all the killings every day, more people are killed in Nigeria every day in most of the major civil wars of the world.

    “Today we are dying more from Malaria than any other people in the world,” he reeled out.

    In his viewpoint, the reason for this misnomer stems from the fact that there is no formidable opposition in Nigeria that can speak alternatives and deal with the big and major issues.

    While arguing that the country has become more corrupt than it was prior to the emergence of this government, said conversations around big issues must begin to fill the socio-political spaces.

    He asserted that many well-meaning Nigerians gave their all for the present government to come into power because of the anti-corruption mantra, however, these Nigerians Utomi says have been disappointed because the administration has proven even more corrupt than what existed.

    The political economist was of the opinion that the nation must have a conversation with itself as regards how the country can be saved.

    “We have not been able to reform the political process to get money out of politics, to get people who should not be in politics out,” he stressed, adding, “Politics has been reduced to how do you capture a state and use it for your own aggrandizement. If politics were not about state capture, you will see people who come out to give sacrifices of themselves to achieve immortality of making a difference in the lives of others, but that is not the case as we have seen in our country, sadly.”

    In proffering a solution for the way forward, Professor Utomi said Nigeria must emulate South Korea and get rid of money politics. He said it is a shame that Nigerian politicians have no empathy for the masses.

    “Nigerian politicians do not have empathy for the people… There is a complete disconnect between the political class and the people,” Prof Utomi noted.

    “Poverty rules the land but do you see it reflected in the lives of the political class? No, you don’t,” he retorted.

    He urged Nigerians to take back their country, stressing that civil society must be more active.

    Speaking to the “complicit middle” class who he says are a major part of the problem of the country, Prof Utomi asked the middle to stop folding their arms and stand up to the political class who are only in the polity for their pockets.

  • PDP’s tag of defectors to APC as corrupt – Ehichioya Ezomon

    PDP’s tag of defectors to APC as corrupt – Ehichioya Ezomon

    By Ehichioya Ezomon
    Barely 24 hours after defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party came out swinging at former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.
    Senate Minority Leader and PDP’s staunch member, Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), appearing on Arise TV on September 17, 2021, referenced former President Olusegun Obasanjo as saying that, “Fani-Kayode will always go to where there is ‘food’.”
    On the decamping of Fani-Kayode, Abaribe said: “I do not want to dwell on his issue. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had said it all before, (that) ‘Femi Fani-Kayode is my boy. Provide him food, he will eat and then sing for you. He’s a smart boy’.”
    While the PDP is swift in attacking Fani-Kayode, watchers of the polity have waited, for months, for it to go after businessman-turned politician, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, for joining the APC.
    As its pastime, the PDP would assail any politician, and particularly members of the PDP, for daring to switch camps to the APC, which the PDP monikers as a cesspool of corruption.
    Chief Olawepo-Hashim, a human rights activist, and founding member of the PDP, decamped from the party prior to the 2019 elections, and ran for president under the Peoples Trust.
    Rather than return to the PDP, Olewapo-Hashim has joined the APC, and surprisingly, the PDP has looked the other way. Why? Is it because the party is “carrying an elephant of a crisis,” and can’t afford to dig for crickets with its toes? Not likely!
    An Esan adage says: “A dog that encounters ‘terrible’ feces can’t bark.” The PDP has faced a dreadful ‘dung’ in Olawepo-Hashim that it’s gone AWOL or to Afghanistan, as the self-made politician, in a reversal of roles, turned the corruption tables on the PDP.
    In his decamping speech, he said he’s drawn to the APC because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s “passion and determination to tackle corruption in Nigeria despite dubious attempts by his critics to belittle the effectiveness of his anti-corruption crusade.”
    Without mentioning its name, Olawepo-Hashim, a former student activist, detained by the Police in April 1989 after an anti-apartheid protest, went for the PDP jugular, noting that, “ironically, the other party does not even care a whim about curbing corruption.”
    “Regrettably, its (PDP) members celebrate their newly-adopted legacy of graft and display of criminal opulence,” he said, adding, “the other party is a far cry from the community of honourable men and women that it was in 1998 when we launched it.”
    If any other decamping politician had praised Buhari’s fiercely “vilified” anti-corruption crusade, the PDP, through its megaphone, Kola Ologbondiyan, would’ve hit the roof nailing the “affront.”
    But not so when it comes to Olawepo-Hashim, who, as a former stalwart and financier of the PDP, knows about the corruption perception that attended the 16-year rule of the party.
    The PDP warped logic, as the APC numbers swell, is its tendency to want to have it both ways by labelling defectors to the APC as “corrupt politicians” fleeing to avoid the anti-graft searchlight.
    Why is it that when in the PDP, you’re “squeaky clean,” but immediately you cross over to the APC, you become “a crook and looter” to be loathed and hounded by the opposition?
    Amusingly, before quitting, the PDP bigwigs would be on their knees, pleading with the “defectors” not to flee the “sinking ship” or the “tattered umbrella,” as the APC is wont to describe its rival!
    Other recent defectors are: Governors Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Ben Ayade (Cross River) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara); former Governor Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); former Speakers, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara (Bauchi) and Dimeji Bankole (Ogun); PDP’s BoT member and former Senator, Joy Emordi (Anambra); former Aviation Minister and Senator, Stella Oduah (Anambra North); and many members of the National and State Houses of Assembly.
    Away back, the PDP bragged about these personalities, describing them as leading lights, performers and deliverers of “democratic dividend” that their APC counterparts couldn’t deliver.
    What happens when they exit the PDP? The “praise singers” would become the defectors’ tormentors-in-chief, tarring them black with corruption, as they’ve done to members of the APC.
    But when political chieftains defect from the APC to the PDP, the PDP hegemons would embrace and hail them as “saints” doing a “Ben Johnson” from the alleged coven of sleaze.
    Recall the 2020 poll in Edo State in which Governor Godwin Obaseki, prior to defecting from the APC, was pilloried by the PDP as corrupt, but praised as scrupulous after he joined the PDP!
    This is despite Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s description of the stakeholders shepherding Obaseki into the PDP as “tax collectors” (bribe-takers) wanting to “shave Obaseki’s hair” before giving him the ticket to run at the poll.
    Imagine Obaseki going back to the APC, and PDP leaders would rush to knock him as corrupt! It appears the PDP relishes bandying the toxic word to tarnish friends-today-enemies-tomorrow for their “brashness” in decamping to the APC, its current nightmare.
    Could any of the PDP “purists” thump their chests and proclaim themselves free from looting the public purse that has left Nigeria prostrate, and behind in most indices of development?
    The PDP chieftains’ nick-naming of former “colleagues” as corrupt will not do the magic of stopping the inevitable exodus from its platform, but will encourage more to seek refuge in the APC.
    The PDP needs an unbiased introspection on why its leaders and members leave in droves, and not recourse to the arcane charge of defectors joining the APC to avoid the anti-graft dragnet.
    It’s not enough for the PDP to identify and blame those wanting a change of its leadership as striving to destabilise the party; there must be genuine conversation on the underlying grievances, for the attainment of true reconciliation.
    The PDP should use the opportunity of its current crisis to do the soul-searching, and arrive at implementable recommendations that would produce an acceptable leadership at the party convention in October 2021, to enhance its chances in the 2023 polls.
    Obviously, the crisis in the PDP (with a similar manifestation in the APC) is grounded in ambition for the high office of President of Nigeria, with tens of powerful members angling for the single slot.
    Look at the speculated list of aspirants – and still counting – for the presidency in 2023, and one would realize why there’re differing tendencies tugging at the soul of the PDP. The aspirants include:
    Former Vice President/Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar (Adamawa); former Vice President, Namadi Sambo (Kaduna); former Governor/Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi (Anambra); former Governor/Senate President, Bukola Saraki (Kwara); and former Reps Speaker/Governor, Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto).
    Others are: former Governor/Senator, Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); former Governor/Senator, Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna); Governor Wike (Rivers); Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo); and former Governor Sule Lamido (Jigawa).
    By mimicking APC’s reported consensus presidential pick, can the PDP manage its titans’ ambitions or flunk the process and turn around to blame the APC for “rigging” its (PDP) primary?
    Getting it right isn’t about PDP’s wish for APC’s demise, sack of its Caretaker Committee chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), or naming APC as a den of the corrupt and poll riggers, but ensuring a transparent choice of its presidential candidate, to avoid endless gnashing of teeth beyond 2023. The PDP better be wise!
    Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
  • FRSC dismisses officers for corrupt practices

    FRSC dismisses officers for corrupt practices

    As part of organised effort to rid the Federal Road Safety Corps of indiscipline and corrupt elements, the Board, Federal Road Safety Commission has granted approval for the award of various degrees of punishment to 28 officers of the Corps in accordance with the provisions of the FRSC Regulation on Discipline.

    The officers had been found culpable for desertion, forgery, number plate racketeering, bribery, scandalous behaviour, drivers license racketeering, patrol misconduct, among others.

    The approval which reaffirms the Corps’ resolve to align with the anti-corruption policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration was granted during the meeting of the Board on Friday, 4th September, 2020.

    According to him, the sanctions consist of 8 Dismissals, 10 Termination of Appointments, 5 Reduction in Ranks and 5 Loss of Seniority. While reemphasizing the need for personnel to desist from any act of indiscipline, the Board Chairman, Barrister Bukhari Bello revealed that the disciplinary actions are to serve as deterrent to others who may form the habit of contravening established regulations and tarnishing the good image of the Corps.

    In the same vein, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi re-stated that his administration will continue to operate on the tripod of Consultation, Reward and Punishment as he called on staff to internalize the ideals of the founding fathers whose drive and commitment were geared towards saving lives.

    It will be recalled that since the inception of the leadership of Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, as the Corps Marshal, the Federal Road Safety Corps has ensured the entrenchment of discipline among its personnel with continuous clamp down on corrupt elements while a reasonable number of staff have received different punishments for misconducts and in the same vein, many staff have been commended and appreciated for disciplined and exemplary conducts.

  • No escape route for past, present corrupt Rivers Govt official – Magu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has expressed optimism that cCourt cases barring it from investigating and prosecuting past and present officials of the Rivers State Government accused of corruption instituted about 13 years ago may finally be vacated by the Supreme Court.

    The Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, who expressed the optimism, while fielding questions from a Cross-section of Journalists at EFCC Zonal Office Port Harcourt, said “We are very optimistic about the Supreme Court vacating such encumbrances because in our view, such cases do no longer hold water as various court judgments have affirmed categorically that no court can stop EFCC and other security agencies from investigating anybody accused of corruption, not even Judges. We believe that the issues no longer hold water and overtaken by events.”

    Magu assured Rivers people and Nigerians that immediately the legal bottlenecks are cleared by the Apex court, most of corruption cases involving past and present officials of Rivers State Government would be investigated and those found culpable would be prosecuted.

    The EFCC boss said that next to Lagos State, Rivers State tops in corruption index in money Laundering and illegal oil bunkering among the cases under the radar of the anti-graft agency.

    Giving an overview of performances of the Agency, Magu stated the in 2019, 1,245 convictions were successfully secured, including that of three former governors.

    He said the convictions were unparalleled since the agency was established.

  • ‘Police most corrupt institution in Nigeria’

    ‘Police most corrupt institution in Nigeria’

    A new public survey released today by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) reports high levels of corruption in public institutions in Nigeria for the past 5 years.

    Of the five major public institutions surveyed, the police emerge as the most corrupt, with the power sector identified as the second most corrupt in the country today.

    Other public institutions identified as corrupt by 70% of Nigerians surveyed are: the judiciary, education and health ministries. The survey reveals that the level of corruption has not changed in the last 5 years.

    The latest report by SERAP entitled Nigeria: Corruption Perception Survey was launched today at the Sheraton Hotels, Lagos.

    According to the survey, “a bribe is paid in 54% of interactions with the police. In fact, there is a 63% probability that an average Nigerian would be asked to pay a bribe each time he or she interacted with the police. That is almost two out of three.”

    The chair of the report launch Professor Akin Oyebode said: “Nigeria is looked upon as a giant of Africa. Yet Nigeria could not conduct free, fair and credible elections. It is a smear on the image of Nigeria. If we do away with selective enforcement and condonation of corruption, we will build and live in a better society. Corruption is a refined form of stealing. The politicians are stealing our common patrimony. Development of the people is almost inversely proportional to the level of corruption.”

    The report read in part: “Corruption remains a significant impediment to law enforcement, access to justice and basic public services such as affordable healthcare, education, and electricity supply. Several Nigerians have to pay a bribe to access police, judiciary, power, education and health services. Corruption is still a key concern in the country with 70% of Nigerians describing the level of corruption as high and in the same measure, stating that corruption levels either increased or remained the same in the last five years.”

    “The national survey carried out between September and December 2018, covered the police, judiciary, power, education and health sectors to assess the state of corruption in law enforcement and public service provision.”

    “From the analysis of the anti-corruption legal and institutional framework in Nigeria, the following cross-cutting issues emerged: there is lack of political goodwill to consistently enforce the different anti-corruption laws; inadequate funding for the various anti-corruption agencies; weak public support and/or ownership of anti-corruption initiatives; poor clarity of roles between various anti-corruption agencies; and public perceptions of politicisation of corruption arrests and prosecutions.”

    “Bribery experiences were interrogated and recorded in the key sectors of education, health, the police, judiciary and power. Data analysis was conducted under five different and interrelated variables. There was a 63% probability that an average Nigerian would be asked to pay a bribe each time he/she interacted with the police. The likelihood of bribery in the power sector stood at 49%. With the chances of encountering bribery at the judiciary, education and health services standing at 27%, 25% and 20% respectively.”

    “The police were the most adversely ranked on this indicator. For every 100 police interactions reported by the respondents, there was a bribe paid in 54 interactions. The prevalence levels stood at 37% in the power sector and 18% in education,17.7% in the judiciary and 14% in the health sector.”

    “51% of the individuals that paid bribes to the police and 35% to the power sector believed this was the only way to access the services sought from the institutions. The ranking of the education sector and the judiciary was less adverse with 16% perceiving bribery as the main avenue of accessing services in the institutions, and health services recording 13%.”

    “The police and judiciary had the largest proportion of total bribes paid at 33% and 31% respectively. Bribes paid for education, power and health services accounted for 19%, 10.9 and 5% respectively of all bribes reported. The average amount of bribe paid by the respondents was highest among those who paid to the judiciary at about Naira 108,000 (US$ 298). All the other institutions ranked lower on this variable with Naira 12,253 and 11,566 reportedly paid to the police and education sectors, and Naira 6,462 and 5,143 paid for health and power services respectively.”

    “Perceptions on corruption trends in Nigeria show almost 70% of the respondents perceived the current level of corruption as high compared to 15.5% that felt it was low. 70% of the respondents said corruption levels either increased or remained the same in the last five years. Only a quarter of the respondents felt corruption reduced in this period.”

    “About 41% of the respondents projected that corruption will either increase or remain the same in the next year. About a third of the respondents (31.5%) believed the ruling elite are pursuing their selfish interests only therefore corruption levels will increase into the future. Additionally, about a quarter of the respondents (24.9%) believed the current anti-corruption efforts are not comprehensive enough. The poor state of the economy was also seen as a driving factor to increased corruption at 17.2%.”

    “Respondents identified poor coordination among the different state players as a key obstacle at 18.4%. Lack of political will from the government and weak public support were ranked second at 12%. Civic action against poor governance: 54.8% of the respondents reported that they had not taken any action against poor governance. That more than a half of the respondents were unwilling to initiate action is alarming and points to low confidence levels that appropriate measures would be taken even if the respondents took action.”

    “This assumption is buttressed by the finding that 82% of the actions taken were either not responded to or deemed sufficiently appropriate. Low civic action may also indicate low levels of public awareness on what redress mechanisms exist or how to access them.”

    “The Federal government should establish an independent commission of inquiry to conduct a transparent, comprehensive, and impartial investigation into systemic corruption within the Nigeria Police Force, judiciary, and the ministries of power, education and health.”

    “The Inspector General of Police should receive and investigate complaints of bribery and corruption against police officers filed by members of the public. The police should liaise with community leaders and civil society organisations in regard to incidents of police bribery and corruption within the community.”

    “The Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council should identify and review all outstanding cases of judicial corruption and refer such cases to appropriate anti-corruption agencies. They should apply the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers in a consistent and transparent manner, with full respect for the fundamental guarantees of fair trial and due process.”

    “The Chief Justice of Nigeria and the NJC should publish annual reports of all activities involving the judiciary, including expenditure, and provide the public with reliable information about its governance and organisation, including the number of judges found to be corrupt, as well as ensure that the Chief Justice of Nigeria and all other judges make periodic asset disclosures.”

    “The National Assembly should move swiftly to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act to ensure public access to asset declarations made by public officials, and urgently pass the Proceeds of Crime Bill, the Whistleblowers Bill, and the Witness Protection Bill among other relevant pieces of legislation.”

    “The National Assembly should immediately publish all reports of investigations on corruption and corruption-related matters in the judiciary, education, power and health sectors among others that have been conducted by the National Assembly since the return of democracy in 1999.”

    “A positive legacy by the in-coming administration on 29 May 2019 and the recently appointed Inspector General of Police will mean improving accountability of the police, and proactively working to end all forms of corruption within the rank and file of the police. The Inspector General of Police should streamline and prioritise internal control mechanisms by establishing an Ethics and Integrity Unit at each police station. The unit should include a human rights officer, an anti-corruption officer, and an officer responsible for service delivery complaints.”

    “The survey targeted a total of 2,655 respondents selected from seven states spread across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria and the capital city of Abuja. The sample was proportionate to population size across these zones. The survey covered the police, judiciary, power, education and health sectors to assess the state of corruption in public law enforcement and service provision.”

    “Data for the survey was collected through a survey among ordinary citizens picked through simple random sampling of Nigerians above 18 years; in-depth interviews with key governance experts including representatives of national anti-corruption bodies, trade unions, the business community, media, lawyers, academia, people living with disability and university student leaders; and a review of the legal and institutional frameworks guiding anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria to assess their effectiveness.”

  • Buhari talks tough, rains curses on past PDP ‘corrupt’ leaders

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday attacked the leadership of Nigeria’s main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for allegedly looting the treasury for 16 years.

    The president noted that for the damage done this country, “only God can give them punishment”.

    Buhari spoke at the State House, Abuja, when he received the leaders of 1,000 support groups.

    He said, “Large scale abuse of trust, only God can give them punishment but those we can touch, we will get them prosecuted.

    “We have said the properties confiscated should be sold and put the money into the treasury and we will use.”

    The President repeated a story on how he met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Mr Godwin Emefiele) on assumption of office in 2015 and he was informed that there was no money left in the treasury.

    Buhari said, “I have said this for the umpteenth time and I have challenged them to prove me wrong, but in the 16 years the PDP ruled, Nigeria was getting 2.1 million times 100 (2.1 million barrels by $100 per barrel) every day, every week, but when we came on board, the price fell to between $37-$38 and hung around $40-$50.

    “I went to the CBN Governor and asked him for money, and he said there was no money.”

    Dr Mahmud Mohammed, who led the groups, told the President that they were attracted to him because of his integrity.

    Mohammed added, “From tomorrow we will not sleep. We will start house-to-house, shop-to-shop and market-to-market campaign to ensure your victory.”

    Meanwhile, in a swift response said the President should not be taken seriously.

    The party said the treasury looters Buhari was referring to now belonged to the ruling party.

    National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus reminded the President of the claim by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, that “once you join the APC, your sins are forgiven”. Secondus said, “I have watched the campaign of the President. Who are those leading it? You see, we should know that this President talks without substance.

    “He is busy eating and dining with those he had once accused of corruption, yet he continues to sermonise as if he is leading a corruption-free government or party.

    “We know all his cronies and those in his cabinet that have been accused of corruption, yet he is giving them cover. The President seems not to know that Nigerians know the reports of many panels that he is sitting on.

    “He does not also know that corruption comes in different forms. A President that concentrates appointments to key positions on a section of the country is as guilty of corruption as the man that steals money. This is because he is spreading poverty in some other zones why he is giving what belongs to all to a clique.

    “In any case, Nigerians are tired of a weeping parochial President, who will only be seen briefly in election period.

    “Nigerians want a President that will interact with them and treat them equally; after all that is what the constitution says.”

  • If re-elected, Buhari will jail more corrupt officials – Osinbajo

    If re-elected, Buhari will jail more corrupt officials – Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, says the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will jail more corrupt Nigerians, if re-elected.

    Osinbajo said this on Sunday during his house-to-house campaign in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that traffic was at standstill as thousands of residents, including party faithful, market persons and the Arewa Community, trooped out to receive the vice president during the Sunday visit.

    Osinbajo, the vice presidential of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was in the area to canvass for votes, also visited various markets and houses in the area.

    Speaking to people in Ifako-Ijaiye, Osinbajo said grand corruption, which plagued the 16 years administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contributed to the lack of infrastructure for Nigerians.

    Osinbajo said the Buhari-led APC government would focus on jobs for youths, power and providing enough resources to financially empower petty traders and business owners.

    “The difference between us and the PDP is that we don’t steal government resources. We use it for the people. We earn less and we spend more on the welfare of people than the previous government.

    “Everybody know Buhari is an honest man. He will not steal public fund. We shall continue to fight corruption so that we can have enough money to provide infrastructure. We have to build on the foundation we have laid.

    “The corrupt people will be jailed. That is why the corrupt elements in the opposition are desperate to regain power. We can’t leave government for the thieves.

    “You should vote for APC because it is the only party that can do the job. We should not allow PDP to return to power,” he said.

    Osinbajo said that the issue in the coming election was creation of jobs for youths, more power supply, provision of infrastructure, adding that the present administration planned to complete Lagos-Kano Rail, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge.

    “The next level will be much better than today. More power will be available to the people and there will be more infrastructure. Too much corruption have retarded our progress. That is why Buhari is fighting corruption. If there is no corruption, there will be money to carry out the developmental projects.

    “Buhari will fight for young and old. He will not allow anybody to steal public funds.

    “Government will decentralised power so that there will be adequate and efficient distribution of power in the country. Government will provide adequate electricity supply for the household, artisans, corporate organisations and business enterprise,” he added.

    The vice president however urged the electorates to vote for President Buhari and other APC candidates in the February 16 and March 2 elections.

     

  • Buhari to corrupt leaders: You will not escape jail eventually

    Buhari to corrupt leaders: You will not escape jail eventually

    President Muhammadu Buhari, says leaders who undermine the economy by denying workers their benefits, while stuffing personal accounts with public funds will not escape the current anti-corruption dragnet.

    The president stated this when he received All Progressives Congress (APC) delegation from Benue State, led by Sen. George Akume, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari said the Federal Government’s bailout to states and Paris Club funds were basically to alleviate the sufferings of the people, describing misappropriation as unjust and unfair to workers.

    He said: “I honestly don’t know how people sleep when workers have not been paid. The workers have to pay rent, buy food, send their children to school and they have health care to take care of.

    “I assure you that my main interest is all Nigerians in all parts of the country.

    “Therefore, if anybody who tries to create any impression that I prefer any group across ethnicity or religion let him dare me by being caught red handed stealing public funds. I will deal with him.’’

    The President told the APC delegation that the Federal Executive Council had been monitoring the plight of workers across the country and utilisation of the bailout and Paris Club funds by some states.

    “I thank you for your courage to come and see me. This visit has resuscitated our morale,’’ he said.

    President Buhari said the Federal Government had made significant progress in diversifying the economy, by investing in agriculture and encouraging more individuals and entrepreneurs to go into farming. He expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon become self-sufficient in feeding its citizenry.

    “We are proud of what we have achieved with resources at our disposal,’’ he added. The president listed ongoing road, rail, sea port, airport and power projects as hallmarks of his administration’s commitment to improving lives.

    According to him, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank of Nigeria will be further motivated to work together and support all interested Nigerians to take up farming on commercial scale.

    He noted that the killings across the country, including in Benue, Zamfara and Taraba, were carried out by “ungodly’’ people who had no religious or ethnic inclination. “We know about herders. The ones we knew carried sticks, and sometimes cutlasses to cut foliage for their cattle.

  • ‘Corrupt’ politicians turn to ‘saints’ once they join APC – CAN tells Buhari

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday told President Muhammadu Buhari that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) automatically turns politicians otherwise perceived as corrupt to saints once they joined the ruling party. was becoming a safe haven for corrupt politicians.

    CAN, therefore, asked the President to make the war against corruption total and non-discriminatory in order to rid the nation of the corruption cancer which has eaten deep into her fabric.

    The CAN leadership, led by its President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, spoke in Abuja during a meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

    “Like we categorically noted here during our last visit, the wish of the people is for the war against corruption to be total and without discrimination. Not a few believe that the ruling party is becoming a safe haven to some corrupt politicians in their bid to escape the trap of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” Ayokunle told the President.

    The leadership of the Christian body said Buhari must clear the negative impression that the anti-corruption was targeted at non-APC members.

    It, however, commended, the government’s anti-corruption war, saying it had led to the recovery of some looted funds.

    “CAN commends your boldness and courage in implementing the BVN and the Treasury Single Account system. There is no doubt that the two policies have greatly helped in sanitising the system,” it added.

    Meanwhile the christian body also demanded that President Buhari improve on the credibility of the 2015 polls that brought him into power by ensuring that next year’s general elections are freely and fairly conducted.

    Specifically, the Christian body called for a Presidential Order directing the police and other security agencies to be non-partisan during the elections, adding that it was in Buhari’s interest to ensure that the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission surpassed that of 2015.

    CAN stated, “A Presidential Order to the Police and other security agencies to be non-partisan, neutral and apolitical in the coming general elections, with a view to securing international respect and honour for our country in the comity of nations.

    “The degree of desperation we saw in the politicians during the intra-party elections that took place recently do not give many people hope concerning 2019 unless serious steps are taken to let decency prevail. We appeal to you to make sure that the law enforcement agents and the election umpire do their work professionally without intimidation of voters, manipulation and any trace of violence throughout the period of elections.

    “We believe that the survival and peace of Nigeria are greater than the ambition of any politician.

    “We again request that your administration conducts free and fair election that will add to the accolades the country received from the conduct of the 2015 elections that brought you to power.”

  • Buhari must hasten trial of past corrupt governors – SERAP

    Buhari must hasten trial of past corrupt governors – SERAP

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Muhammadu Buhari urging him touse his “good offices and leadership position to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN to without delay take over and expeditiously prosecute grand corruption cases involving all indicted former state governors and to prosecute indicted serving governors at the expiration of their tenure as governors.

    The organization said, “the trial of several former state governors accused of corruption and money laundering have continued to linger in different high courts in the country. Some of the grand corruption cases involving former governors started in 2007 are yet to properly commence.”

    In the letter dated 5 October 2018 and signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale, the organization said, “We are concerned that the continuing delay in the prosecution of former governors suspected of committing acts of grand corruption to logical conclusion has sent a negative message that the governors are untouchable. The delay is also contributing to perception among Nigerians that many of these influential and powerful past governors are being protected by the power and political set up.”

    According to the organization, “instructing the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN to take over and directly and expeditiously prosecute all cases of grand corruption involving former governors, would be entirely consistent with his duties under the Constitution, and contribute to upholding the majesty of law and vindicating the rule of law.”

    The organization warned that, “should the Attorney General not take over the cases of corruption against all past corrupt governors as requested, SERAP would, on account of the public interest involved, and to ensure that no further time is lost in the completion of these cases, consider appropriate legal action to compel the authorities to discharge their constitutional duties, consistent with the basic tenet of the rule of law, the concept of equality and the cause of justice.”

    The statement read in part: “the continuing delay in the prosecution of former governors alleged to have committed acts of corruption is a significant factor contributing to impunity of those engaging in grand corruption, thereby posing a serious threat to probity in public life, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The delay in the prosecution of former governors who no longer enjoy constitutional immunity also suggests that they are above the law.”

    “Nigerians deserve to see the prosecution of all indicted former governors to logical conclusion if your government is to demonstrate the credibility of its commitment to combat grand corruption and eliminate any impression of bias or lack of fairness in the fight against corruption. Everyone accused of corruption should be brought to justice in accordance with the law and irrespective of the height at which those involved are placed in the power and political set up.”

    “The delay also has serious implications for human rights because the lack of effective prosecution of grand corruption cases involving former governors has created the tendency among many serving governors to engage in corruption, which would ultimately have deleterious effects on the enjoyment of human rights including the rights to healthcare, water, quality education and regular electricity supply.”

    “SERAP believes that everyone against whom there is reasonable suspicion of committing a crime of corruption has to be treated equally and similarly under the law situation with a view in ensure proper implementation of the rule of law. This is the need of equality guaranteed in the Nigerian Constitution.”

    “The right to equality in a situation like the corruption cases involving former governors is that of the Nigerian polity and not merely of a few individuals. The Attorney General is constitutionally empowered to take over and expeditiously prosecuted the cases against former governors to ensure justice and enforce the concept of equality.”

    “The continuing delay in the prosecution of former governors accused of corruption amounts to a fundamental breach of Nigeria’s Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the UN Convention against to which Nigeria is a state party.”

    “Many of the 31 past governors accused of corruption are escaping justice, some of the cases dating back to 2003. “The Attorney General is a defender of public interest and has the powers under Section 174(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against anyone suspected to be responsible for acts of corruption.”

    “The delay can no longer be justified. Unless there is proper prosecution of indicted former governors, the effort made to investigate their cases would not bear fruition. Cases of corruption against high-ranking public officials, particularly all indicted former governors must be conducted and completed expeditiously if the government is to retain public confidence in the impartiality of its fight against corruption.”

    “Any taking over and prosecution of the grand corruption cases involving former governors should not dilute adherence to the essentials of a fair trial and the basic principles of our constitutional jurisprudence including the presumption of innocence of the accused unless found guilty at the end of the trial.”

    “SERAP also notes that Governors control about 47 per cent of accruals to the Federation Account – both its own share and that of the local governments. Also, the Attorney General once started that “It is the position of the present administration that these suspected governors must be prosecuted in line with the anti-corruption agenda of the government.”

    “Ending corruption by state governors would contribute to respect for human rights including ensuring adequate medical and health facilities for all persons in the country; which would help to protect the health of the people and ensure that they receive medical attention when they are sick.”