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Tag: Politicians

  • 2019: Why APC won’t miss ‘migrant,’ ‘rolling stone’ politicians – Oshiomhole

    The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has said the party would not miss politicians who have perfected the art of migrating from one party to another with each election season.

    Describing them as ‘migrant’ and ‘rolling stone’ politicians, the party chairman said this in his opening remarks at the National Executive Council meeting of the party holding at its National Secretariat, Abuja.

    According to him, when he took over as national chairman, he initiated peace moves to assuage the feelings of those who had genuine grievances that he felt the party could address.

    He, however, said, “But those who were determined to leave, not on account of what anybody has done wrong against them, but on account of an ambition they believe they cannot realise on our platform, even though they were not denied the opportunity to try out that ambition, but perhaps because they could read like an oracle what the future would be, particularly as people have contested before when we didn’t have any incumbent.

    “Those who had dollars gave; those who had nails gave and Mr. President said I don’t have, but even if I have, I won’t give, but will offer honest leadership. At the end, the President won, but the victory did not purge those with that ambition and they were determined that they must contest and they were free to do that.

    “I had thought that by the provisions in our party constitution, they had the right to contest and that right was not going to be denied them. But reflecting on what has happened in the past and reading the minds of party members and leaders, they came to the conclusion that the only way they can realise their ambition was to relocate and they relocated.”

    He further said, “For distant observers, they think that this is a huge blow to our party. I made a comment which seems to have been misunderstood in some quarters, when I said that if some individuals of no particular fixed political address decide to leave, I will not lose my sleep.

    “I speak of no particular fixed address because if you have a history of moving every season from one political party to the other with one constant thing in mind — to contest — now, what is your political address? So, for people like that who are migrant politicians, rolling stone politicians, I am not able to identify their political address and therefore, I refuse to miss my sleep.”

    Oshiomhole stressed that some misconstrued his comments to mean arrogance, but that all he did was to be blunt, noting that there was little, if anything, he could do about people who felt they must contest and win every election and if they don’t, they take their loyalty elsewhere.

    He assured party members, especially legislators who have genuine cases of unfair treatment, that the party would do what is right to ensure that justice is done.

    The party chairman expressed delight that President Muhammdu Buhari has not disappointed Nigerians since he took over the saddle of leadership in 2015.

    He also noted that since the president took over, the APC has won most of the elections it had contested in various states, the latest being in Ekiti State which, before APC’s victory, was a stronghold of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

    Recall that both the ruling APC and PDP had benefitted from the gale of defections that started earlier in the year.

  • Politicians are playing with our country’s destiny- Banky W

    Nigerian singer and showbiz entrepreneur, Banky W has called on young Nigerians to stop taking sides in heated arguments over political leaders in the country.

    He made this known via his Twitter page, adding that all politicians are after their self-interest and playing with Nigeria’s destiny.

     

    He wrote: “Politicians are playing musical chairs with our country’s destiny. Instead of us coming together and cancelling all of them, some of us are picking sides, fighting on their behalf and falsely accusing ourselves. News flash: They’re all out for self-interest. We need an entirely new path.

     

    “It’s a chess game between two sides.. aren’t we tired of being pawns yet? No? We are just going to sit here and fight/falsely accuse ourselves, on behalf of leaders on both sides of the aisle, most of whom have clearly shown that we are the ones they care least about?

    “Cancel all of em. It’s a chess game, and we are the pawns. It’s a damn comedy show, and the joke is on us. It has always been.

    “Those of us that have registered to vote for 2019, vote with your conscience. But it isn’t just about 2019. It’s about building a new viable option going forward. Aren’t we sick of all of them already? Haven’t they all had enough chances to do and be better?

    “I’m hoping to work with whoever wants to build something new. We have the numbers to do it. But we are busy playing their game and picking sides. We are no better than the generations that got us in this mess.”

     

  • Sixty percent of Nigeria’s budget favours politicians- Ali Baba

    Popular comedian and public affairs commentator, Ali Baba has said 60 percent of the Nigerian budget favours the political class.

    He shared pictures of Nigerian currencies, stating that all the things that makes Nigeria commercially viable are engraved on the currencies. He however observed that the weakest links are always the politicians. He said the politicians weaken everything and strengthen themselves.

    Hear him: ”When you look at these images on our currency, you will see all the MAJOR things that the Government believes make us a commercially viable country. Culture. History. Arts and craft. Entertainment. Agricultural products. Military. Arabic influences. Major Ethnic groups. Business. Human resources. Petroleum resources. CBN. Politicians.

    “I am not making these up. They are all on the currency notes. But the weakest link in all of that dynamics are the POLITICIANS. They weaken everything and strengthen themselves. Because the success of all other things noted on the notes, mean that they will be inconsequential. That can not happen. So they ensure nothing else grows except them. In fact, 60% of the budget is for the POLITICIANS to be ok. The rest can be on anything else.

     

    “Take your time and Look at the notes again. Interestingly, no education. No hospitals. No sports. I know one may argue that the others are inferred. But note that even the ones that are noted on the notes are not noteworthy. Of all of them things, the only things that drive all others is petroleum, CBN and politicians. Because when you really look at it, the other things noted don’t pull their weight because we don’t plan plan with them. We plan with oil benchmark. And that is the danger. So if all the other things we should depend on as a country depends on oil prices, if oil prices crash to single digits… all other sectors are dead. Dead like Over ripe dodo”.

     

    I once worked as a bus conductor- AliBaba

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BlwnBBDBBP1/?taken-by=alibabagcfr

     

     

  • Why politicians, political parties resort to vote-buying during elections – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said cases of vote-buying was increasing in elections in the country because its administrative process could not be subverted.

    The Chairman of the commission, Mahmood Yakubu, made this known at the Public Presentation of 2018 Ekiti Governorship Election Observation Report by Election Monitors, a Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Abuja.

    Mahmood, who was represented by May Agbamuche-Mbu, National Commissioner and Head of Legal Service of INEC, said that the Ekiti election was being plagued by allegations of vote-buying.

    “There are several provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), criminalising bribery and corruption relating to voting during elections, including Sections 124, 126, 129 and 130.

    “INEC has continued to perfect its processes and has closed all loopholes.

    “Results cannot now be written and neither can ballot boxes be gainfully snatched as the results will automatically be cancelled.

    “Our own administrative processes can no longer be subverted. Vote-buying therefore, is the only way to subvert the integrity of an election,’’ he said.

    According to Yakubu, by virtue of Section 150(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), it is the responsibility of INEC to prosecute electoral offenders.

    He said it included those involved in the act of buying and selling of votes as well as announcement of false election results.

    He, however, said INEC lacked the power of investigation and arrest.

    Yakubu said the commission was deeply concerned about the rising phenomenon of vote-buying during elections and was determined to continue to work with all stakeholders to curb it.

    He said the stakeholders included law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, who could find solutions to the menace.

    “Indeed, as part of this process and in conjunction with the European Union Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), INEC legal officers across the country with police officers will be trained.

    “The over three months training will be on prosecution of electoral offences.

    “We will also intensify voter education as this damaging trend has got to be stopped in its tracks,’’ he said.

    Yakubu thanked Election Monitor for the report and promised to study it and accord it full and due consideration.

    He said this was because election observers were important stakeholders in the electoral process and that it was the reason INEC regularly engaged with CSOs.

    The National Coordinator, Election Monitor, Mr Abiodun Ajijola, said the organisation monitored the Ekiti election and that vote-buying was at play.

    Ajijola said there were several and widespread occurrences of vote-buying during the election, adding that the level was not only atrocious and appalling but constituted threat to Nigeria’s sustenance of its nascent democracy.

    He said open purchase of votes, transfer of funds to accounts of voters 24 hours to election and so on, were unacceptable practices that should be condemned and brought to an end immediately.

    Ajijola commended INEC for giving a level-playing field to all political parties during the election without showing any form of partisanship.

    He said in spite of very few announced electoral malpractices leading to a very low number of cancellations of 8,072 votes, slight malpractices could have a significant impact on election outcome.

    “Considering the cancellations and the high rate of voided votes, it is Election Monitor’s considered opinion that while the election is believed to be generally free and fair, credibility of the outcome could not be guaranteed.

    “Issues previously mentioned, may or may not have had a significant impact on the election result.’’

    Ajijola said voter-turnout at the election recorded during the Ekiti election was about five per cent points lower than that of the 2014 election in the state.

    He said this was, however, still quite impressive considering the fact that governorship elections in other states in the past few years even recorded better turnout of up to 40 per cent.

  • We’ll arrest, prosecute politicians sponsoring violence, killings – Buhari assures Nigerians

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday promised to arrest and prosecute some unnamed politicians who he alleged are behind the violence rocking parts of the country.

    He said such politicians would be fished out and dealt with accordingly.

    According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke at the closing event of the 2018 Army Day celebrations held in Borno State.

    The President was reported to have said the disgruntled politicians who have lost out were sponsoring violence in order to get relevance.

    Buhari repeated what he told Christian leaders on Thursday, that a solution is being found to the deadly clashes between farmers and herdsmen, and whosoever is found culpable will be brought to justice.

    While thanking the armed forces for keeping the country safe, Buhari acknowledged that there were still challenges being faced by the nation

    He said, “This does not mean there are no challenges. There are pockets of violence in several states.

    “Some deliberately instigated by disgruntled politicians who have lost all arguments and are desperate to cause mayhem as a way of seeking relevance.

    “We shall fish them out and punish according to the provisions of the law.”

    Making a self-assessment of the administration he has led in the last three years since his election, the President said, “We have worked tirelessly to ensure and preserve the dignity and sanctity of life. When I was sworn in as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I promised that this administration would tackle the challenges of insecurity, poor economy and fight corruption.

    “We are all witnesses to the fact that our once battered economy as a nation has exited recession and is once again vibrant. Our nation is safe again, thanks to the efforts of our security agencies.

    “I want to use this opportunity to reassure the world, Nigerians and the families of the remaining kidnapped Chibok girls and Leah Sharebu of the Dapchi School girls that this administration will not relent in our efforts to see that they are all released. “

  • 2019: Why some corrupt, desperate politicians want Buhari to fail – Presidency

    …Says Nigerians stand with the president

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, has attributed insecurity and killings in the country to corrupt politicians.

    He said the politicians involved were those who no longer had access loot public treasury.

    Shehu, who stated this on Monday in Abuja while speaking with journalists, said such politicians were bent on taking the shine out of the Buhari-led administration.

    “The competition for power has become fiercer because the stakes are very high,” he said.

    According to Shehu, the president is being attacked especially because he has unleashed on the country, a war against corruption.

    This, he said, had never been so in the country as access to public treasury for looting had been blocked to some persons.

    The aide, however, said that the president was lucky because he had a judiciary which was transforming itself and was on the same page with him in fighting corruption.

    “As I speak to you now, two former state governors are in jail; a lot of people thought that this war against corruption is a joke and that the back-and-forth that had characterised this over time, will continue.

    “One of the two cases was determined after 11 years of back-and-forth between lawyers and Judges, kicking the ball from this court to that court.

    “A lot of these harsh attacks against the president are coming from people who had become used to life style they cannot sustain.

    “On record, there were people in this country, because they are influential, they had permanent suite in major hotels in Abuja where they leave lavishly at public expense.

    “And, when they are leaving, they are accompanied with bags of Ghana-Must-Go,” he said.

    Shehu added that the president had blocked access to national resources for lazy people, politicians, especially those who were fighting back, because they were not happy.

    He said that the Buhari-led federal government was building infrastructure across the country.

    According to him, there is no state in the country where a minimum of two federal roads are not being newly constructed or reconstructed.

    “We have more electricity that cannot be consumed, 2,000 megawatts of electricity that nobody is taking.

    “By the year ending, we are going to hit 10,000 megawatts from the 2,600 that we inherited,” he said, adding that government’s problem was how to sell and distribute electricity to those who needed it.

    The president’s aide noted that those criticising Mr Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not give up as 2019 elections drew closer.

    “They will continue to fight the president, but the happiness we have is that ordinary low-level Nigerians understand the huge conspiracy.

    “Nigerians are with the president, the elite are going to places – America and the United Kingdom – and they are clicking in posh homes in Abuja, Lagos and some major cities in the country.

    “They are trying to thwart the goodwill of the president towards the people.

    “But, this economy is being re-built; more foreign investment is coming, more infrastructure is being given to Nigerians and even the security infrastructure which had suffered neglect over the years is being given priority,” he said.

    Shehu added that if those attacking the president had done what they ought to have done by equipping and training the military, things would have been different.

    He maintained that no government in the past was doing as much for the military and the police as the current administration.

    He said the Federal Government was putting in place infrastructure in the prisons and the EFCC that people may think that it was lavishing much money on the institutions.

    Shehu also said that the government was putting in place world-class infrastructure for Nigerians, and the government understood that its detractors wanted to take away attention from it.

    He reaffirmed that the government would continue to stay on the message and on course, no matter the distraction.

    He expressed optimism that the APC would not only win the presidency in 2019, but would win more states, especially in the South-East.

     

  • 2019: Only corrupt politicians want to ‘Change the Change’ – Presidency

    Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, yesterday said that the Buhari government is bad business for a number of parliamentarians, civil servants and security agents.

    Shehu said corrupt politicians, public officers, police officers, Customs and Immigration officials who hitherto benefited from corrupt practices during previous administrations were uncomfortable with the Buhari administration.

    Shehu, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, stated this in a special feature titled: “The Real Price of Changing the Change (1)’’, issued in Abuja on Sunday.

    According to the presidential aide, as Buhari is busy fighting corruption, the corrupt politicians and civil servants are equally busy praying for return of the old order where they had their days illegally amassing public wealth.

    He said: “The list of people who oppose the Buhari government and yearning to `change the change’ include a number of parliamentarians, policemen, customs officials, immigration officials, civil servants now rooting for other political parties, not leaving out those various businesses and platforms owned by these political parties directly or indirectly.

    “The Buhari win in 2015, and the possibility of four more years have crumbled their dreams of endlessly looting the state and the growing list of achievements of the administration is not doing any good for them.’’

    Shehu observed that top opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members had been granting interviews and addressing zonal political rallies talking about “CHANGING THE CHANGE” in next year’s general elections, without defining what exactly that means.

    He, however, stated that Nigerians needed to be reminded of what the reversal of the achievements of the three years of the Buhari government would amount to.

    “The real meaning and cost of the `Changing the Change,’ is that if they win the next election, they will not take us back to where we were in 2015, they will mostly reverse the progress the APC has brought to the nation.

    “The main reason for the defeat of the PDP in 2015 was corruption. The present administration at the centre led by President Muhammadu Buhari has so far presented a corrupt-free image of itself,’’ he said.

    He added that the Buhari administration had also succeeded in abolishing grand corruption at the top, as attested to by the American President, Donald Trump.

    He said the government had significantly brought down the level of corruption in the country but, however, warned that corruption was fighting back.

    “Although he said he was unafraid and would not bend, the President’s concern, and fear on the part of many is that if a corrupt leader takes over, it will be happy days all over again for former Oil Minister Diezani Allison-Maduekwe who has so far forfeited 153 million dollars, N23.4 billion, and 4 million dollars and 5 million dollars in separate accounts.

    “Change the Change’ would mean she will get the money back. So would the former Managing Director of the maritime agency, NIMASA, get back GBP 578,080 seized from him and the Ikoyi apartment owners have back their 43.4 million dollars; N23 million and GBP 27,800.

    “The hidden owner of the Lagos cash shop may then step forward to reclaim their N449.6 million; the ex-Naval Chiefs will have returned to them the already forfeited N1.8 billion; the Governors Forum paid back their N1.4 billion and the major oil marketers, from whom the EFCC has so far seized N328.9 billion will smile their ways to the bank.

    “The banks themselves will equally join the party, happily getting back N27.7 billion they `ate’ from taxes they failed to remit; the scion of the Akinjides, Jumoke will have N650 million awarded to her,’’ he said.

    Shehu further stated that those scammers in INEC who coughed out N1 billion would equally get the money back and charges standing against them in court may be dropped.

    “But the happiest of them all will be Mrs Jonathan, who will get the first priority when the refunds start coming for obvious reasons.

    “The former First Lady would not anymore need lawyers to keep her mountain of gifts, counted in huge millions of dollars, billions of Naira, hotels and buildings,’’ he added.

    He equally noted that the early casualties of ‘changing the change’ may include initiatives like the Whistle Blower policy by which the government was able to recover stolen or concealed assets through information provided by citizens.

    According to him, this has changed the ethical and moral tone of the business transaction space in the country.

    The whistle blower is entitled to between 2.5 and five per cent of amount recovered.

    The presidential aide said that `change the change’ might also result to scrapping the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), which he described as the biggest tax revolution since independence.

    “The Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) now being implemented, and about which many of our rich citizens are unhappy may be scrapped.

    “A recent report shows that there are four million new taxpayers, including companies and individuals, resulting in N700 billion increase in tax revenue in 2017,’’ he said.

    According to him, Mr Buhari is also bad business for importers of diesel and generators because he had raised electric power availability from 2,600 MW in 2015 to 7,000 MW.

    He said the Buhari-administration was targeting 10,000 megawatts by the end of 2018.

    “Another formidable group unhappy with the change and wish it reversed are the importers of diesel and generators. Nigeria ranks as the second biggest importer of generators all over the world.

    “Buhari is bad business for them because he has raised electric power availability from 2,600 MW in 2015 to 7,000 MW and is targeting 10,000 megawatts by the year’s end.

    “Increased power availability means less purchase of generators and less consumption of diesel.

    “Noticeably, they are rooting for parties that are bent on changing the change,’’ he maintained.

    The presidential aide also identified other rooters of `changing the change’ campaign to include the beneficiaries of the malaria economy which costs Nigeria N132 billion and 300,000 lives annually.

    According to him, this is an economy now threatened by the administration’s National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) by which tens of millions of long-lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITN) are being freely distributed.

    “A part of this order is now made in Aba, Nigeria,’’ Shehu explained.

  • APC ward congress: Stop blood-letting, violent attacks – Omo-Agege warns politicians

    Senator representing Delta Central senatorial district in the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege on Monday condemned the attack and subsequent blood-letting that trailed Saturday’s ward congress, especially in Delta State.

    This was revealed in a statement released on his behalf by his media office.

    Recall that there were reported cases of irregularities and violent attacks in the ward congresses. One person was reportedly killed in Delta while some APC secretariat were vandalised.

    Read full statement below:

    STOP BLOOD-LETTING AND THE VIOLENT ATTACKS

    Troubled by the unprovoked, premeditated and targeted bloody violence unleashed on our people in the course of the 2018 Ward Congresses of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, this Office hereby issues this statement on behalf of Most Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, The Obarisi of Urhoboland himself:

    1.0. Senator Omo-Agege strongly and totally condemns the senseless and cold-hearted murder of Jeremiah Oghoveta, a frontline Chairmanship aspirant of the APC in Ward 10 (Jeremi III) of Ughelli South. The chilly allegation that this admirably peaceful young leader and pro-Ogboru and pro-Omo-Agege grassroots mobiliser was heartlessly murdered by his own kinsman (possibly with the aid and comfort of others) for political motives is a horrible desecration of the sacredness of human life in Urhoboland.

    2.0. On behalf of all persons of good conscience, Senator Omo-Agege extends his heartfelt condolences to the Oghoveta family for the painful murder of Jeremiah whose unwavering commitment to right causes placed him above many as a leader. The Obarisi trusts the Police authorities to carry out a thorough and speedy investigation of this murder. Justice will be done. Justice for Jeremiah, to his murderer(s) and for society at large. Whoever has a hand in this murder will face the harshest consequences prescribed under the law.

    3.0. Also, this Office is alarmed by the near-death attacks on Comrade Chuks Erhire (Director General, Senator Omo-Agege Constituency Office), Barrister Ejiro Etaghene (vocal media supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Great Ogboru and Senator Omo-Agege) and Hon. Julius Akpovoka (ardent supporter of Chief Great Ogboru and Senator Omo-Agege). They were all admitted to hospital in critical emergency states when, without any provocation whatsoever, hundreds of thugs allegedly hired by a politician and led by his lackeys went after them at Orchids Hotel, Asaba on May 6, 2018, obviously for their political tendencies. Comrade Erhire and Barrister Etaghene are still in coma or critical state in the hospital.

    4.0. Without question, these attacks are distasteful and unjustifiable. We see no positive gains for any political leader or aspiring political leader who directly or indirectly harms or kills people, including his party members and kinsmen? Such evil has no place in our society and the APC. We will never allow it. We will resist it with all our strengths under the law. Our national security apparatus will be encouraged to deal decisively with this rampaging murderous tendency. This is a firm promise.

    5.0. Finally, we must strongly advise and warn the orchestrators and executors of these violent attacks to rethink their strategies for the 2019 general elections. For the good of our people, the path of peace is the best way. They must know that blood-stained hands and dark and guilty consciences will not promote them. They must remember that people have a right to self defence too. Also, even with genuine calls for restraint and brotherly forgiveness, brotherly reprisals are sometimes difficult to curtail. May we not get there.

  • CCT commences sitting in Bauchi, tries 55 politicians, civil servants, others

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Tuesday commenced sitting in Bauchi to try 55 defaulters who have violated various provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

    In his brief remarks, Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, said the tribunal was sitting in Bauchi State for the first time.

    He promised that all cases would be treated dispassionately with a view to ensuring that justice was done to all defaulters.

    He then called for the cooperation of everybody to ensure the smooth conduct of affairs.

    Malam Ibrahim Al-Hassan, Head of Press and Public Relations of the CCT, told newsmen that the sitting would last four days, and that the defaulters were political appointees, para-military personnel as well as Federal, State and Local Government civil servants working in the state.

    Giving a break-down of list of those to be docked, he said 18 were political appointees,10 police officers, four NDLEA personnel, one Customs officer and 22 career civil servants working with the Local, State and Federal Governments.

    He then advised defaulters invited to appear before the tribunal and defend the charges brought against them.

  • 55 politicians, others ‘stole N1, 354tr between 2006-2013’—SERAP

    55 politicians, others ‘stole N1, 354tr between 2006-2013’—SERAP

    A new report by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has revealed how “55 politicians, high-level public officials and leaders allegedly stole N1, 354tr between 2006 and 2013 from the nation’s treasury.”

    According to the report, “The amount of money embezzled, misappropriated or stolen by public officials and leaders in the private between 2013 and 2017 has galloped beyond the contemplation of average Nigerians. Evidence abound that Judges, judicial officers, lawyers and military officers are participants in the frenzy of despoliation of national wealth.”

    The 112 pages report launched today at the CITI-HEIGHT Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos is titled: “Letting the Big Fish Swim” How Those Accused of High-Level Corruption are Getting away with their Crimes and Profiting from Nigeria’s Legacy of Impunity. The report presented to the media by Dr. Esa Onoja, Senior Lecturer of Law, Litigation and Professional ethics at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja Campus discloses that “While the main anti-corruption agencies secured more than 1500 non-high profile convictions between 2000-2017, they could only muster 10 high profile convictions between the periods.”

    According to the report, “In the investigation, prosecution and trial of high profile corruption cases in Nigeria, justice is imprisoned by snares contrived by actors in the legal community in aid of looters.”

    The report listed “high profile cases of corruption prosecuted by anti-corruption agencies between 2000 and 2017 as numbering 177 out of which 167 are pending. Total convictions are just 10. Out of the 10, only 3 convictions were obtained after full trial while 7 convictions were based on plea bargaining. Yet 1 of the 3 convictions based on Full trial was discharged by the Supreme Court while 3 of the 7 convicted were granted Presidential pardon.”

    The report launch chaired by Oladayo Olaide, Deputy Director Macarthur Foundation had in attendance human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN; Barrister Babatunde Ogala; Mrs Juliet Ibekaku- Special Assistant to the President on anti-corruption and Coordinator of the Open Partnership Government; Chinedu Nwagu, Trust Africa; Mr Joy Esezebor, Ford Foundation; David Ukagwu Head, DFID South-West Regional Coordinator; Wahab Shittu; former NBA Chairman, Lagos Mr Martin Ogunleye; Miss Jennifer Ogbechi representing Mrs. Mariam Uwais; Mr Collins Okeke, representing Dr.Olisa Agbakoba; the media, civil society groups and representatives of anticorruption agencies.

    All the participants expressed commitment to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.

    The report read in part: “Most corruption cases against high profile defendants witness delays tactics and tricks by defendants to truncate fair trial. The cases depict the stark reality of a captive justice system at the mercy of high profile offenders and their platoon of defence counsel. The negligible number of conviction of high profile defendants explains the probable calculus of offenders that the risk of apprehension and conviction is low.”

    “Mr James Ngilari, ex-Governor of Adamawa State was convicted through the effort of the Attorney General of Adamawa State. Salisu Buhari was convicted of forgery under a plea arrangement in 1999. Salisu Buhari’s sentence was a slap on the wrist. President Olusegun Obasanjo later granted him a pardon. Tafa Balogun (former Inspector General of Police), Mrs Celicia Ibru (former CEO of Oceanic Bank), Lucky Igbinedion (former Governor) and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (former Governor of Bayelsa State) all entered plea agreements with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.”

    “Alhaji Shettima Bulama (former CEO of Bank of the North) was convicted after trial. The sentences in each of these cases did not reflect the gravity of the offences. There is a sense that all the offenders, including Tafa Balogun and Celilia Ibru, who publicly returned large amounts of money, were able to retain substantial proceeds of crime. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Alhaji Shettima Bulama were granted Presidential pardon by President Goodluck Jonathan. The outcome of conviction of the high profile offenders seems to be a clear signal that crime pays when you are high profile.”

    “The record of proceedings from courts and law reports paint a vivid and irrefutable picture of the causes of truncation of prosecution of high profile in Nigeria. The trajectory of cases through investigation to trial and appeals qualitatively reveals strong evidence of a nexus between weak institutional capacity on the one hand and attitudes of actors in the criminal justice sector that hamstring orderly and efficient collation and presentation of evidence in court, which militates against impartial determination of corruption cases.”

    “The sense of simmering undercurrent of commodification of justice and commercialized legal contortions and reasoning pervades investigation, prosecution and trial of high profile corruption cases in Nigeria. Justice stands in the dock this game of musical chairs presided by technical justice while high profile offenders gleefully sit in comfort with their loot, fortified by the efficacy of a vast array of subterfuge and jiggery-pokery of their lawyers, with seeming active and passive connivance of actors in the legal community.”

    Falana said, “Nigerians should stop rubishing all judges and lawyers. No doubt there are a few corrupt judges and lawyers. Just a few. But majority of members of the legal profession are not corrupt. Our duty as concerned citizens is to identify and isolate the bad judges and lawyers.”

    According to him, “I can say without any fear of contradiction that the judiciary has developed an inbuilt mechanism to remove bad judges. Between 1999 and 2017 not less than 100 judges have been sanctioned. No other institution in Nigeria in Nigeria can boast of that record. SERAP deserves commendation for elevating the debate about corruption beyond the adoption of Fela Anikulapo-kuti’s record entitled “Authority Stealing”. Unlike the two parties singing “you be thief, I no be thief” SERAP has produced a 112-page occasional publication.”

    Falana’s remarks read in part: “With the abolition of stay of proceedings politically exposed persons and their lawyers are no longer permitted to frustrate their prosecution. In commending SERAP for producing this report let me say that the areas covered are a tip of the iceberg. Not a single reference was made to the most corrupt institutions in the country.”

    “One of them is the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which is currently headed by President Mohammadu Buhari. A government’s agency, the National extractive industries transparency initiative has accused the NNPC of illegally withholding $16.8 billion from the federation account.”

    “Since the NNPC cannot justify the fraudulent importation of fuel it says that it is not a public institution when asked to produce the certified true copies of importation documents. But i assure you the documents will be produced either now or in future. A government that says it is fighting corruption cannot be allowed to engage in reckless opacity.”

    The report also states: “The immunity clause has metamorphosed into a potent vehicle of corruption and ignoble conduct. The immunity clause effectively foster corruption and has become a cloak of immunity to commit heinous crimes in our society. For indeed there seems to be some sacred cows amongst the governors who hide behind the cloak of immunity to commit atrocities.”

    “Suspicious decisions/rulings by courts in favour of high profile defendants in corruption cases abound. Successful prosecution of high profile cases unduly suffer because of the tendency of courts to favour legalism and technical construction of criminal and procedural legislations instead of real justice. High profile corruption defendants have conveniently latched on to claims of alleged breach of fundamental right to prevent investigation, prosecution and orderly conduct of cases by courts. Instances of sly and twisted claims of breach of fundamental rights by high profile defendants against anti-corruption agencies abound and are readily available from law reports.”

    “The problem with administration of criminal justice Nigeria is not the absence of laws or institutions, but the will of actors within and outside criminal justice institutions to put aside their personal or group interests and apply the law. That is the main reason for the low level of conviction of high profile corruption defendants in Nigeria. However, no institution is perfect. Periodic reform is beneficial because it ensures that laws and institutions keep up with the times.”

    “The National Assembly should amend provisions in anti-corruption legislations, criminal justice legislations, and the Evidence Act that enables defendants to prolong trials or that are disadvantageous to efficient presentation of cases in court. The Executive should avoid interference with the work of anti-corruption agencies. Money appropriated in budgets should be released as and when due.”

    “Anti-corruption agencies should weed out compromised officials. These agencies should also demonstrate that they are truly independent. Training and re-training of investigators and prosecutors should be a priority. There should be less dependence on personnel from other agencies. The Nigerian Bar Association should establish a monitoring mechanism to check abuse of court process by legal practitioners. The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee should be empowered to discipline even the sacred cows.”