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Tag: Corruption Allegations

  • EFCC Dismisses Governor Matawalle’s Allegations as Corruption Fighting Back

    EFCC Dismisses Governor Matawalle’s Allegations as Corruption Fighting Back

    In response to the recent accusations made by Governor Bello Muhammed Matawalle of Zamfara State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly denied the allegations and labeled them as a desperate attempt by politically exposed persons under investigation to discredit the agency.

    The EFCC, through its Director of Public Affairs, Osita Nwajah, addressed journalists at its headquarters in Abuja on Friday to refute the claims made by Governor Matawalle.

    Nwajah dismissed Matawalle’s remarks as a product of paranoia and corruption fighting back against the EFCC’s lawful activities.

    “What is at play here is a pure case of corruption fighting back. Matawalle’s outburst is a product of paranoia- an uncomfortable exertion arising from the heat of EFCC’s lawful activities.

    “The Commission would like to put the nation on notice to expect more of the kind of wild allegations made by Matawalle as those at the receiving end of EFCC’s investigations, fight viciously back,” the EFCC spokesperson said.

    Nwajah emphasized that Matawalle’s criticism of the transparency of the agency’s asset disposal and plea bargain procedures lacked credibility, asserting that the EFCC had overseen an asset disposal exercise recognized as the most transparent in Nigeria’s history, with the proceeds duly remitted to the federal government for infrastructure development.

    The EFCC warned that more wild allegations could be expected from those facing investigations by the Commission, citing previous instances where former EFCC chairmen had been similarly accused of embezzling recovered assets.

    It would be recalled that Governor Matawalle had accused the Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, of demanding a $2 million bribe from him, sparking a heated controversy.

    This development comes amid ongoing claims by the EFCC that it is investigating Matawalle for alleged monumental corruption, involving the embezzlement of approximately N70 billion.

    Matawalle has asserted that he possesses evidence of Bawa’s bribery attempt, challenging him to vacate his position, claiming that if Bawa were to leave office, numerous individuals would come forward with evidence of the bribes they had allegedly paid.

    “If he exits office, people will surely know he is not an honest person. I have evidence against him. Let him vacate office.

    “I am telling you, within 10 seconds, probably more than 200 people will bring evidence of the bribe he collected from them. He knows what he requested from me, but I declined.

    “He requested a bribe of $2 million from me, and I have evidence of this. He knows the house we met, he invited me and told me the conditions. He told me governors were going to his office, but I did not. If I don’t have evidence, I won’t say this,” the Governor stated.

    Matawalle emphasized his refusal to comply with the bribe request and revealed details of the encounter, including the location where the demand was made.

    During an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday, Bawa challenged Matawalle to provide concrete evidence to support his allegations, emphasising that if Matawalle possessed evidence of his alleged misconduct, it should be presented through official channels such as the police, ICPC, and the Code of Conduct for proper investigation.

    The explosive accusations have triggered a wave of calls for Bawa’s resignation. Civil society organizations led by Debo Adeniran, representing over 150 groups, accused the EFCC of corruption and inefficiency.

    They stressed that the EFCC’s role should be focused on combating corruption rather than being used as a tool for settling political scores.

    Adeniran demanded a thorough investigation into the actions of the EFCC under Bawa’s leadership and raised concerns about the agency’s low conviction rates and alleged misconduct by its officials.

    Amidst the escalating controversy, the Commission said that the governor’s outburst was an attempt to divert attention from the real issue at hand, which is Matawalle’s ongoing investigation for alleged corruption involving contract fraud and diversion of funds amounting to N70 billion meant for local government projects.

    It stated that it had uncovered over 100 companies that received payments from these funds without providing any evidence of service to the state.

    The EFCC said shocking admissions from contractors have also emerged, alleging that the governor coerced them into returning the money they received from the state in US dollars.

  • ICPC clears Sanwo-Olu’s commissioner of corruption allegations

    ICPC clears Sanwo-Olu’s commissioner of corruption allegations

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has cleared the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, of corruption allegation.

    In a petition to ICPC dated March 2, 2020, the group, Parrot Deed International Network, had alleged that Akinbile-Yussuf, acquired some properties while she served as a commissioner in two ministries between 2015 and 2019, before her present position under the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.

    The ICPC, in a letter detailing the outcome of its findings with reference number ICPC/OPS/GBP/DOP/674, which was addressed to the state government, said the commissioner had duly declared her assets before taking up public office.

    The anti-graft agency, in a copy of the letter, sighted by our correspondent, stated that it diligently investigated the allegations bordering on the unlawful acquisition of wealth and corrupt practices in public office and found nothing against Akinbile-Yussuf.

    The letter, signed on behalf of the Chairman of ICPC by the Commission’s Director of Operations, Akeem Lawal, read in part: ”It was alleged that the respondent, Hon. Uzamat Folasayo Akinbile-Yussuf maintained her position as a Director in Musaroq Nigeria Ltd while serving as a Commissioner. It was further alleged that she used her office and position to corruptly enrich herself, culminating in her acquisition of hotels, fuel stations, and other properties.

    ”Detailed investigation into the allegations was carried out with necessary documents and records carefully perused. Findings not only revealed that the respondent owns the alleged properties but that they were acquired before she was engaged in Public Service. The Commission took a step further to write to the Code of Conduct Bureau to ascertain what she declared and it was confirmed that the properties and other assets were duly declared.”

  • Alleged corruption at AfDB: Adesina speaks on stepping down, reacts to US demand for fresh, independent probe

    African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has denied stepping down from office.

    Adesina, in a statement, said “the bank’s institutional framework is solid and efficient and he stands by it”.

    The statement reads: “In recent weeks and over the last few days especially, I have been overwhelmed by the tremendous support received from around the world. I have absolute confidence in the integrity of the Bank that I lead and its governance systems, rules and procedures.

    “In spite of unprecedented attempts by some to tarnish my reputation and prejudice the Bank’s governance procedures, I maintain my innocence with regard to trumped up allegations that unjustly seek to impugn my honor and integrity, as well as the reputation of the African Development Bank.

    “I sincerely appreciate the support of the Bank’s shareholders.

    “At this time, I remain confidence that ultimately and as one collective, the Bank will emerge stronger than before and continue to support Africa’s development drive. I draw great inspiration from my heroes, Nelson Mandela and Kofi Annan, whose lives have shown that through pain we grow. As Martin Luther King Jnr. once said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”

    “I am confident that fair, transparent and just processes that respect the rules, procedures and governance systems of the Bank, and the rule of law, will ultimately prove that I have not violated the Code of Ethics of this extraordinary institution.

    “I will therefore continue to work with each and every one of our shareholders to ensure that the African Development Bank maintains its hard earned global reputation; and that our credible and well-functioning institutional and governance systems are reinforced, as we collectively press on to fulfill the mission of our founder to accelerate and transform Africa’s development.”

    The bank’s Board of Governors cleared him of the allegations after its ethics committee looked into the matter.

    Informed sources indicated that the news first carried by Bloomberg to the effect that the AfDB President had stepped aside for so-called ‘independent investigation” was false.

    “The Bank’s Board of Governors has not conceded to America’s demands” the source stated, adding that to do so would be to concede to the implied position that the Bank’s internal structures are compromised.

    “The full course of the Bank’s internal framework was resorted to with the United States in tow, and the Whistleblowers’ allegations against Adesina were declared to be spurious”. “Now the three American officials involved in this show of shame have resorted to thuggery and fake news as their medium for besmearing an otherwise respected institution”.