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Tag: corruption

  • Fighting corruption not difficult – Peter Obi

    Fighting corruption not difficult – Peter Obi

    The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, says fighting corruption in Nigeria is not as difficult as being generally perceived.

    Obi stated this at a talk show session on youth and leadership opportunities with students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi on Friday.

    “We are talking about corruption, but let me tell you, fighting corruption is not as difficult as people make it look.

    “If you, your wife and children are not stealing, you have reduced corruption by 60 per cent.

    “I’ve served as chairman of a bank at a time when most people who were directors of banks were busy taking loans from their banks.

    “Go and check any bank where I was a director or chairman, where that bank gave me a loan as a director. Go and check whether there was anything missing while I was there.

    “I served as governor of a state for eight years and I challenge everybody to go and show me where one kobo of Anambra State that I’m not entitled to was linked to me,” he said.

    According to him, corruption can be fought swiftly, reiterating that if given the opportunity to serve as president in 2027, he will serve for only one term of four years.

    “If I have the opportunity to serve as Nigeria’s president in 2027, I will do so for only four years. It can be less but it will never be more. I will not stay a day longer than four years.

    “People say what can you do in four years? There is a lot you can do in four years because you can bring civility and laws that start good governance in four years,” he said.

  • Corruption a dream killer – ICPC tells youths

    Corruption a dream killer – ICPC tells youths

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has described corruption as a dream killer that Nigerian children should resist at all costs.

    Mr Suleiman Achile, Assistant Director, Education Department, ICPC, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the inauguration of Students Anti-Corruption Clubs (SACs) in the FCT.

    Achile urged Nigerian children and youths to assist ICPC to protect their legitimate dreams and future by standing against corruption and allied vices.

    ”There are only two things that can stop you from achieving your dreams- corruption and you. If you do not fight corruption, it will fight you and your dreams,” he said.

    Using a pictorial PowerPoint presentation, Achile took the students through the rudiments of corruption, including its definition, types, manifestations and effects on their lives and the society.

    According to him, corruption is the abuse of public trust for private gain, taking what is meant for everybody for yourself, any dishonesty or illegal behavior that smacks of cheating.

    He said that indecency and violation of normative value of society were also part of corruption.

    Achile said that the effect of corruption on the society was grievous, which included lowering the quality and standards of education.

    ”It increases unemployment and crime, corruption erodes the ethical base of society: diligence, excellence, honesty, merit and integrity.

    “It leads to infrastructural decay, and essential services which are not rendered as and when due, like electricity, roads, hospitals and schools,” he said.

    According to him, corruption causes economic retardation and mass poverty, and it thwarts efforts to overcome it, It creates political instability and undermines the national image.

    “As you can see in these pictures, corruption can stop you from achieving your dreams! If you do not fight it, it will fight you and kill your dreams.

    “You have to stand up for the future you want. If you want that dream you have in mind to come to pass, you have to act against corruption,’’ he said.

    The director urged the children to fight corruption by being honest and standing for integrity, in addition to reporting acts of corruption at homes and in schools to their parents and authorities or trusted adults.

    A Deputy Director, Education Department, ICPC, Mr Jon Odey, sensitised the students on what the commission was doing to stop corruption, including prevention, enforcement and public enlightenment.

    Odey enjoined the  school management and teachers to contribute their quota by strengthening the  anti-corruption clubs and declaring their schools corruption-free zones.

    He highlighted efforts of the commission in addressing the challenges in schools and other segments of the society.

    Odey said that the SACs was formed to “catch them young’’ and enable the students have a voice against corruption and contribute their quota to development of the country.

    He said that the anti-graft agency was doing its best to tackle corruption from foundation through different programmes, including sensitisation of students and training of teachers.

    ”We train teachers on how to deliver the story of fighting corruption and from time to time, we hold refresher courses for teachers and we go to schools.

    ”We go to schools to talk to their anti-corruption committees, which has teachers and administrators. We sensitise them. We hold training sessions for them on the need for behavioral change,” he said.

    Mr Leslie Iheduru, a legal officer in the commission, administered oath of allegiance on the students.

    The students were from Pacesetters Academy, Gwarimpa;  Excellent Grade School, Kubwa; All Saint School, Wuse Zone 3; Noble Guide Academy, Gwarimpa and Jewel Model School, Kubwa.

    Other schools inaugurated were Foothold Academy, Kubwa; Lordswill Academy, Gwarimpa; Voyage International School, Galadimawa-Abuja and Metro international School Kubwa.

  • I’m determined to expose corruption in JAMB, sacked deputy director tells court

    I’m determined to expose corruption in JAMB, sacked deputy director tells court

    Mr Yisa Usman, the sacked deputy director in Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has said that he was determined to expose corruption in the board irrespective of the threat and intimidation against him.

    Usman told Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, while being cross examined as sole witness in the suit instituted against JAMB over his alleged unlawful dismissal.

    While responding to questions put to him by counsel to JAMB, A. A. Owonikoko, the witness admitted writing petitions to various government agencies over alleged corruption in the board

    The aggrieved ex-worker, who admitted receiving queries from the board and an invitation letter to appear before a disciplinary committee before his job was terminated, said he answered the queries and wrote a protest letter against the composition of the committee.

    When Owonikoko asked Usman about the email message attached to the invitation letter, dated May 17, 2023, in response to the disciplinary committee’s invitation, the witness admitted writing the reply.

    The lawyer then asked Usman to read out the printout of the email message dated May 18, 2023 in open court.

    The witness, while reading, said: “Dear Directors, this is a follow-up to the two queries issued to me. I received a letter of invitation on Tuesday, 16th May, 2023, to appear before Disciplinary Committee.

    “The attached is my response to the invitation for your information.

    “This new development only renew my determination to continue with my quest for justice and my fight against the corrupt practices that characterise our organisation in the past six to seven years, which I stated in the letter, are perpetrated under the cover of the remittances made to the government.’

    “It is of note that I am invited to appear before Disciplinary Committee while my contemporaries are invited to promotional examination to substantive director.
    .
    “But I am not bothered because I do know for certain that God alone promotes.

    “I am not deterred by this development, neither am I intimidated in any way.

    “The fight against corruption and abuse of authority is the responsibility of every Nigerian. The law will take its course, no matter how long it takes. Thank you.”

    He told the court that his reply to the query was submitted in hard copy to his immediate superior and because he wanted all members of the management to be privy to what was going on, he also sent the message to the email addresses of the directors.

    “My Lord, the email was to communicate to the directors, the response to the query that was issued to me,” he said.

    When Owonikoko told him that his email message was totally unrelated to the subject for which he was invited by the committee, Usman said: “My Lord, it is related.”

    The ex-staff admitted writing several petitions against JAMB to different investigating agencies, including National Assembly, about the alleged financial infractions under the current JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.

    He admitted writing to Attorney-General for the Federation, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Department of State Services.

    He also admitted writing to the Minister of Education, Head of Service, National Human Rights Commission and Bureau of Public Procurement about alleged corruption, harassment, victimisation and procurement infractions.

    When the lawyer asked him that all his petitions were directed at indicting the JAMB registrar as corrupt, Usman responded in the affirmative.

    Owonikoko also asked Usman to read out the last two paragraphs in his response to the disciplinary committee and he read thus:

    “As a committed Nigerian citizen, my loyalty remains first to the nation before any individual. The fight against corruption is the responsibility of everyone.

    “The threat of the registrar to cause me harm or have my appointment terminated will not deter me, neither will the continued attempt to malign me.

    “I remain determined in the fight for justice and against the corrupt practices in the system. I will not back down for any reason until justice is done and seen to be done.

    “And while I look up to God for complete respite, I wish to state it here that my life has been under constant threat for the bold action I took to disclose the corrupt practices in JAMB and the abuse of authority by the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.

    “I reported this to the DSS and the IGP previously. I am again stating it here that if anything happens to me, the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and his DFA, Mr. Mufutau Bello, should be held responsible.’’

    When the lawyer also asked him to read Paragraph 2 of the dismissal letter, Usman read thus:

    ‘‘This is sequel to the recommendation of the Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee after due consideration of your written responses to the allegations of serious misconduct leveled against you.

    “And also after taking cognisance of your letter of 17th May, 2023, wherein you state never to appear before the Board staff disciplinary committee despite the formal letter of invitation requesting you to appear.’’

    Usman, however, denied saying that he would never appear before the disciplinary committee.

    Usman said his letter of May 17, 2023, in response to the disciplinary committee’s invitation, was to reject the constitution of the committee.

    According to him, the reason stated, my lord, was that they were all complicit in the infractions I reported to the relevant government agencies, and for that reason, I was not certain of getting fair hearing.

    When asked if he was aware that the committee did not include the registrar of the board, he said: “My lord, I am not aware.”

    When also asked if he was aware that the registrar and Director of Finance and Account (DFA) recused themselves in the committee, Usman said: “My Lord, I was never communicated to that effect. So, I was not aware.”

    He admitted saying that the DFA “has overshot his retirement period and occupying the office illegally.”

    When the lawyer asked him if he named the DFA as a party in his suit, he said: “My Lord, my suit is against JAMB and the DFA is a management member in JAMB.”

    Usman denied that the criminal charge preferred against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja was as a result of the investigation conducted into his allegations against the board and after they were found to be unmeritorious.

    Owonikoko to Usman: “Confirm to this honourable court that when the present Registrar assumed office, he did an audit of the finances and it was in the course of this that the investigating authorities came up with some of these infractions?”

    “My lord, that is not true,” he responded.

    When the lawyer asked him to confirm the date the five-count charge was filed, Usman said it was instituted on March 30, 2023.

    When the lawyer then asked if there had never been any investigation into the activities of JAMB by investigating authorities since Oloyede assumed office, Usman said: “My lord, there had been investigations indeed but the charge just read out was never part of that investigation.”

    Earlier, Justice Obaseki-Osaghae admitted the list of the claimant’s documents and statements on oath in evidence as presented by his lawyer, Mohammed Shuaibu, and marked as Exhibits C1-C5, CE1-CE23, and C6-C15 respectively.

    The judge said the admissibility was subject to the right of the defendant to object to anyone of them.

    The judge adjourned the matter until Feb. 27 for the defendant to open its defence.

    It would be recalled that Usman had filed a N150 million suit against the board over alleged unlawful dismissal.

    Usman, in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/266/2023 and filed by his lawyer, Oseini Bamigbaye from the Chambers of Mohammed Shuaibu, sought nine reliefs.

    While Usman is the claimant, JAMB is the sole defendant in the case dated and filed Sept. 29, 2023.

    The claimant prayed the court to declare that the constitution of the Board’s Directorate Staff Disciplinary Committee set up by the office was wholly irregular, illegal, null and void for failure to comply with Article 3.5.4 of the Board’s Staff Manual and Conditions of Service.

    He also prayed the court to declare that the composition of the committee, mostly consisting of the board’s registrar and other directors who were beneficiaries of infractions exposed by him “in Item No. 6, Page 5 of his response dated April 3, 2023, to the query issued on March 31, 2023, is unconstitutional,null and void.”

    He premised his argument on the grounds that his right to fair hearing could not have been guaranteed before the committee.

    Usman urged the court to declare that “the claimant’s purported dismissal by the defendant without the consideration of the Committee’s Report by the defendant’s board is unlawful, illegal null and void.”

    The claimant, who sought an order setting aside his “purported dismissal” by the board, prayed the court for an order reinstating him “to his position with full entitlements, benefits and perks due to him by virtue of his position.”

    He sought an order granting to the claimant all the salaries, allowances, perks due to him or that would have been due to him but for the purported dismissal, among others.

  • EFCC dismisses two staff

    EFCC dismisses two staff

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, on Monday, said two of the agency’s staff members were, recently, dismissed over allegation of corruption.

    Olukoyede disclosed this during the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference organised by the Rule of Law Development Foundation in Abuja.

    The 5-day event is titled: “Optimising the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria: How to Navigate Emerging and Systemic Challenges of Insecurity and Economic Hardship.”

    The EFCC chairman, who said the two officials were dismissed two week ago, said besides dismissal, erring workers would also be prosecuted henceforth.

    “So many other reforms are going on; the issue of our staff and all of that. Just two weeks ago, I have cause to dismiss two staff. You can’t be fighting corruption and your hands are dirty.

    “He who comes to equity, your hands must also be cleaned. And I say I will not only be dismissing them, I will also be prosecuting them because that is what we prosecute others for.

    “So you will see that; we are preparing the case files of some of the people we have dismissed. If an EFCC staff will not be able to stand publicly with his two hands up and challenge the entire public; whose goat have I collected? Whose bottle of water have I taken illegitimately?

    “And I have said this to Nigerians; who has ever given me one kobo in the course of my work, come out and say it. I stand to be challenged.

    “I can’t be easily influenced by things like that. That’s why we must make up our minds to work together to do the right thing. Any staff that is corrupt, I will show you the way out.

    “Again, there are some people who may want to be overzealous. Out of 12, you must have Judas. I can’t stand here and say all is perfect. As many as you see, report them to us and we will do justice,” he said.

    Olukoyede said even he was once subjected to investigation for two years as EFCC secretary.

    “I am not just sitting there as chairman of EFCC. I have been on the other side. I have been subjected to investigation myself for two years. So I know what it means to subject people to investigations.

    “My major objective is to use the instrumentality of this mandate to stimulate the economy and to also follow the rule of law,” he said.

    He said integrity is needed to survive, even as legal practitioners.

    “Integrity is not about law, it is not about your advocacy ability to write beautiful briefs. No. It is about law and morality. Your conscience must tell you to do the right thing. That is what integrity is all about.

    “Finally, ethics, value and standard of legal practice must also be reviewed. These are essential to me because the job of EFCC is to ensure that corruption does not find space in our national life,” he said.

    Olukoyede said he welcomed constructive criticism of the agency.

    “I have never been averse to that. But let us do it in a responsible way. What do we benefit from running down our institutions?” he asked.

    According to him, if you notice EFCC is doing anything wrong, come to us.

    “We will sit down and I will explain some reformed agenda we are carrying out. Upon my resumption of office, we have put some reformed agenda in place.

    “We have reviewed our arrest and detention policy. I have had cause to investigate a whole ministry; minister, directors and all of that without detaining anybody over night.

    “And I got all the information I needed and the matter is going on fine without detaining a single soul. But that does not preclude that if there is the need to detain, we do not detain. We have also had cause to equip all our interrogation rooms in compliance with judgment of court.

    “Also, I need to let you know that the era of a 100-count charge, 150-count charge, 85-count charge is gone forever in EFCC,” he said.

    Olukoyede said he had given a standing directive that no prosecution should be more than a 15-count charge.

    “If your case is water tight…, that is why I will never rush to court until I am sure of my proof of evidence. I vet case files myself, particularly high-profile cases and the lawyer must give me a draft of the charge.

    “We will look at it together, compared with my proof of evidence, sleep over it before I give my go-ahead. If we are losing a case, it shouldn’t be on grounds of lack of diligent prosecution.

    “If there are other technical issues, fine. But I will be sure that I have done my job and it’s done in such a way that I can defend long after I leave office,” he said.

    Mr Joseph Daudu, the Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation, said the Criminal Law Review Conference commenced 6 years ago as one of the flagship events of the foundation.

    He said it was essentially to provide an annual forum for the review of all developments, particularly novel developments in the field of crime apprehension, crime prosecution, crime adjudication and the important activities of the post adjudicatory processes and institutions of the criminal justice system.

  • What is required to curb corruption in Nigeria – EFCC Chairman

    What is required to curb corruption in Nigeria – EFCC Chairman

    Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olanipekum Olukayode, has underscored the need for collaboration and capacity building of security agencies to tackle corruption.

    Olukayode said this during the graduation of the Executive Leadership and Strategic Management Course, Batch 5/2024, of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), on Friday in Abuja.

    Represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr Mohammad Hamman-Joda, the EFCC boss emphasised the importance of training senior managers in security agencies as key to curbing corruption in the country.

    He reiterated the commitment of the commission to continue to train to be ahead of the criminals, who are always trying to advance. According to him, there are a lot of innovations in terms of crime, particularly crypto-currency.

    “So, we have to up our game to catch them, if not, we will be left behind. We have trained a total of 100 participants from the EFCC, along with other participants from sister security agencies, Department of State Security, DSS, Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA and Nigerian Army amongst others,” he said.

    Olukayode said that the training was conducted in five batches, with participants drawn from senior and middle cadres of the commission.

    He expressed the hope that the knowledge gained would impact positively on operations of the EFCC while appreciating NARC for the wealth of experience they shared.

    “We look forward to more collaboration in the future,” he said.

    The EFCC boss expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army and Nigerians on the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

    The Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, said the course was designed to bring participants from the security architecture together to understand themselves and the challenges ahead.

    Wahab said the training would also enhance the level of collaboration and cooperation between the security agencies saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption for better performance.

    According to him, the solution to Nigeria’s problems lies with them, and the solutions must come from them.

    “Joint training is the way forward, so that everybody will know their strengths and weaknesses and understand each other.

    “Somewhere along the line, it is not possible for one agency to solve the security situation they are facing, not only in Nigeria, anywhere in the world.

    “Above all, reach across boundaries and borders to make friends, socialize, network and that is one of the challenges it brings to the participants,” Wahab said.

  • Kenya’s Vice President faces impeachment over corruption

    Kenya’s Vice President faces impeachment over corruption

    Kenya’s parliament was set to vote on Tuesday on impeaching Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in a political drama that has exposed a rift in the governing party.

    Lawmakers have accused the 59-year-old deputy to President William Ruto of corruption, undermining the government and practising ethnically divisive politics, among a host of other charges.

    At a press conference on Monday, Gachagua denied the accusations as “outrageous” and “sheer propaganda”, saying it was a scheme to hound him out of office.

    Gachagua is a businessman from Kenya’s biggest tribe, the Kikuyu. He weathered previous corruption scandals to become deputy leader as Ruto’s running mate in a closely fought election in August 2022.

    But in recent weeks, he has complained of being sidelined by his boss and been accused of supporting youth-led anti-government protests that broke out in June.

    Political tensions have been running high since the sometimes deadly demonstrations erupted over unpopular tax hikes, exposing divisions between Gachagua and Ruto.

    Several MPs allied with Gachagua were summoned by police last month, accused of funding the protests.

    No formal charges have been lodged by prosecutors and no judicial inquiry has been opened against Gachagua.

    But lawmakers have listed 11 grounds for impeachment, including accusations that he amassed assets worth 5.2 billion shillings ($40 million) since the last election, despite an annual salary of just $93,000.

    Among the listed assets was Kenya’s renowned Treetops Hotel, where Britain’s then-Princess Elizabeth was staying when she became queen.

    Gachagua says his wealth has come entirely through legitimate business deals and an inheritance from his late brother.

    He has warned his removal would stir discontent among his supporters.

    Kenyan lawmakers initiated the impeachment process on October 1, with 291 members of parliament backing the motion, well beyond the 117 minimum required.

    Two-thirds of the lower house, the National Assembly, must back the motion for it to pass on Tuesday. It would then move to the upper house, the Senate.

    If impeached, Gachagua would become the first deputy president to be removed in this way since the possibility was introduced in Kenya’s revised 2010 constitution.

  • Alleged intimidation of Judges hinders fight against corruption – Tinubu

    Alleged intimidation of Judges hinders fight against corruption – Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu has identified frivolous appeals, alleged intimidation of Judges by lawyers and judgments delivered on grounds of technicalities as some of the major challenges impeding the war against corruption.

    According to him, until these challenges are curtailed, they will continue to hamper the speedy adjudication of corruption cases.

    Tinubu stated this on Monday while declaring open the 6th Economic and Financial Crimes Commission/National Judicial Institute Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges at the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Abuja.

    NAN reports that the president was represented by the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima.

    He, however, acknowledged that prosecution of corruption cases had improved remarkably, following the justice sector reforms in the last few years.

    The president described the capacity-building workshop as a platform to collectively raise a strong voice against Nigeria’s common enemy called corruption.

    Tinubu said, ” There is no gainsaying the fact that the judiciary is central to the success of the anti corruption efforts.

    ”The commitment, courage and patriotism of judicial officers are ingredients that make the difference in the fight against corruption.

    ”Though I am aware that prosecution of corruption matters has improved in the light of the justice sector reforms in the last few years.

    ”We are not oblivious of some challenges that continue to impede the speedy adjudication of corruption cases.

    ”They include frivolous applications and appeals, meant to delay the trial, intimidation of judges by counsel, and judgment based not on the facts of cases but on technicalities.”

    He said that no Nigerian was immune to corruption, a cancer which continues to deny the nation the full benefits of her God-given resources.

    Tinubu urged the judiciary arm of government to ensure that the courts are equipped with the required knowledge to handle cases involving these new forms of crime.

    ”As an administration, we remain committed to creating the right environment for judicial officers to discharge their responsibilities.

    ”One of the major actions of the government within the first year of my administration was improving the welfare of judges across the board with an increase in their remuneration.

    “Official accommodation is also being provided for various categories of judicial officers in highbrow areas of the Federal Capital Territory,” he stated.

    The president assured his administration has, through strategic investment, recovered proceeds of corruption in critical social programmes.

    He added that his administration moved to reduce the pressure on vulnerable Nigerians to resort to corrupt practices.

    Tinubu commended the EFCC for its commitment in fighting all economic and financial crimes, especially in tracing and recovering stolen assets.

    He assured that the Federal Government would continue to support the work of the commission to ensure that it continues to deliver its statutory mandate without let or hindrance”.

    Tinubu thanked the leaderships of NJI and EFCC for initiating the annual workshop for prosecutors and judicial officers.

    He expressed the hope that the seminar would interrogate the challenges hampering the fight against corruption.

    Earlier, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, commended the current leadership of anti-graft agencies for their commitment and collaboration with the judiciary in handling economic, financial crimes and related cases.

    Kekere-Ekun urged that the law enforcement agencies must begin to see judicial officials as partners in the anti-graft campaign in Nigeria.

    She pledged the support and commitment of the judiciary in the campaign through capacity-building initiatives for justices, judges and prosecuting officers.

    The CJN stated that economic and financial crimes were posing significant threats to national and global economies and must be tackled by all stakeholders.

    On his part, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, praised the collaboration between anti-graft agencies and the judiciary.

    “It is incumbent on us all as stakeholders to adopt and implement pragmatic solutions that will help address challenges confronting our country, including financial crimes,” he said.

    Akpabio also advocated a periodic review of laws relating to economic crimes and the creation of a central database for use by law enforcement agencies.

    He maintained that the complexity of financial crimes required constant tweaking of the laws.

  • Corruption is a major challenge in Nigeria – Ndume

    Corruption is a major challenge in Nigeria – Ndume

    Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) has decried the level of corruption in Nigeria, saying the trend is a  major challenge facing the nation.

    Ndume stated this  during an interactive session with newsmen in Kano on Saturday.

    “Our major challenge in this country is corruption.Uptill now, we have no law that can proactively or  reactively address the issue of corruption in the country.

    “If you see somebody in our system, especially in politics or government,and he is not corrupt,then he is lucky that he is God-fearing.

    “Otherwise,it is only in Nigeria that you steal money and you walk freely and you are celebrated.

    “If you come into an area like this, people would start lobbying you and prostrate before you even when they  know that the money was stolen.

    “It is only in this country that somebody had no money yesterday or last week,but the following week he buys 10 cars; buy jets and his family  will celebrate with  him,” he said.

    The lawmaker said  that in other developed countries, people would ask  how, when and where he made his money but the reverse is the case here.

    Ndume said he had made several efforts to pass a law on unexplained wealth in Nigeria,but that such endeavours never saw the light of the day.

    He said he approached  a former Head of State  if  he could sign an Executive Bill to  that effect but he  declined.

    “Up till now, there is no law on unexplained wealth Act in Nigeria and there is no Executive Order on it,” Ndume said.

    He expressed concern over the hunger  in the country and called for an increased cultivation of food crops to address the problem.

    “There is hunger in the land and up till now we have not cultivated up to five per cent of our land, Nigeria is  blessed with massive arable  land.

    According to him, Nigeria is blessed with cultivable land everywhere such that could be used to grow food crops and feed the nation.(

  • Kano suffered worst corruption under Ganduje – Gov Yusuf

    Kano suffered worst corruption under Ganduje – Gov Yusuf

    Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has alleged the State was hit by one of the major grand corruptions above any other State in the country when Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje governed the State.

    Yusuf made the allegation on Saturday at a capacity-building workshop on the principles of anti-corruption organised for civil servants in the rank of director in the State.

    According to him, Kano was hit by one of the major grand corruptions above any other state for eight years when Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje governed the state from 2015 to 2023.

    Represented at the occasion held at Dawakin Kudu Local Government by his deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, the governor said corruption has undermined the progress and development of the nation and no one was in doubt.

    “Kano State in particular has suffered and experienced one of the major grand corruptions perhaps above any other state in this region over the past eight years.

    “Our investment and state assets as the region’s center of commerce were hopelessly and fraudulently sold and those who acquired them are initiators and executors of the whole process.

    “Most of those investments managed by Kano State Investment and Properties have both proceeds and the property gone back to the same people.

    “Our infrastructure suffered years of neglect occasioned by multifaceted problems we are battling with after assuming office,” he lamented.

    The governor disclosed that even the revenue generation aspect was bedeviled by leakages for the benefit of a few to the detriment of the state’s collective interest.

    According to him, heavy corruption during the Ganduje administration plunged the water resources sector into decay when he took over the reins of power, resulting in hardship even with the loan of six million Euros purportedly spent in that sector.

  • WAR against corruption: FG must lead by adequately funding all existing anti-corruption mechanisms, organs -Agbonsunremi

    WAR against corruption: FG must lead by adequately funding all existing anti-corruption mechanisms, organs -Agbonsunremi

    The Executive Director of Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, Augustine Okhiria Agbonsuremi has recommended that the federal government must lead by strengthening all existing anti-corruption mechanisms, organs, and institutions through proper funding and appropriate legislation.

    Agbonsuremi made this recommendation at the just concluded PRIMORG Project Report Dissemination Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.

    In his report entitled: ‘The Challenge of Corruption and Integrity Deficit in Nigeria, he asserted that:

    “The problem of corruption and the dearth of integrity in Nigerian society are undoubtedly some of the major hindrances to national development since independence.

    “Regrettably, corruption runs through every level of the Nigerian government. From considerable contract fraud at the top through petty bribery, money laundering schemes, embezzlement, and ghost workers’ syndrome. It is, however, estimated that corruption within the state apparatus costs the country billions of dollars annually.

    “Worried by the debilitating effect of fraud and the fast diminishing public integrity quotient, the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, a non-governmental organization based in Nigeria, was founded to mobilize citizens’ participation in good governance, promote uncommon integrity by public and private individuals and hold leaders to account.

    “With support from the MacArthur Foundation, PRIMORG, in the last three years (2021 – 2024), ran a project titled “Strengthening Anti-Corruption And Accountability By Amplifying Corruption-Related Investigative Reports On Radio And Through Social Media.”

    “The project was implemented around Nigeria’s North-Central Zone and executed through anti-corruption radio programmes: Public Conscience on Radio (PCR) and Radio Town Hall Meeting (RTHM), where issues of corruption reported by the media houses are raised and the authorities called to action.

    “The team produced 123 live radio programmes and syndicated 369 episodes and another 492 repeat broadcasts by five radio stations in Abuja, FCT; Keffi, Nasarawa State; Ilorin, Kwara State; and Jos, Plateau State.

    “PRIMORG tracked constituency Projects and held community meetings in the form of Radio Town Hall Meetings in FCT-Abuja, Lokoja in Kogi State, and Keffi in Nasarawa State.

    “Nigerians could also voice their opinions through our Vox pop series “Voices Against Corruption.” In the period under review, the PRIMORG Team took a wide range of issues to the streets of Nigeria to feel the pulse of citizens on governance, corruption, and national development.

    “The project’s impact is evident in the improved participation of citizens in democratic processes, exchange of insights, and reactions from the government and anti-graft agencies.

    “We provided insights and knowledge to rural and underserved communities through our constituency project tracking. This exercise not only provided the team with the opportunity to track and evaluate the implementation of constituency projects but also sensitized beneficiaries on the need to get involved during the needs assessment and implementation of projects in their constituencies, as well as to ensure that the projects are sustained and protected from vandalism.

    “In ensuring an all-inclusive approach, over sixty episodes of vox pops were produced, and in so doing, we gathered perspectives of Nigerians on topical development issues, ensuring a diverse range of voices were heard.

    “Despite the challenges in the polity, we successfully engaged and sensitized over 10 million Nigerians through our radio and social media engagements, constituency project tracking, and on-the-street engagements.

    Recommendations

    “The pervasive nature of corruption in Nigeria requires that the fight against it must be collective and sustained.

    “The federal government must lead by strengthening all existing anti-corruption mechanisms, organs, and institutions through proper funding and appropriate legislation.

    “The anti-corruption agencies, the media, and civil society groups working in the good governance space also need certain levels of support and cooperation from the government to be maximally effective in carrying out their constitutional and legal mandates.

    ” These needed supports range from increased transparency in governance through respect for laws and roles to the complete removal and avoidance of undue influence in the works of officials and agencies in the anti-corruption space.

    “There is an urgent need to enact a law to strengthen the whistleblowing policy of the federal government. The continued absence of a law to protect whistleblowers impedes galvanizing public support against corruption.

    “The media and civil society space, which continues to shrink through the actions and inaction of the government, is unsafe for national development and, as such, must be nipped in the bud.

    “The relevant portions of the law, which are open to abuse by officials and agencies of government, should immediately be expunged through an appropriate amendment.

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