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Tag: Probe

  • Senate insists on probe of ex-CJN, Tanko Muhammad

    Senate insists on probe of ex-CJN, Tanko Muhammad

    The Senate on Tuesday insisted that it would go ahead with the probe of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Tanko Muhammad.

    This was sequel to a motion on Matter of Urgent Public Importance moved by Chairman Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti).

    The motion was tagged: “State of Affairs in the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Demand by Justices of the Court.”

    The Senate had on June 22, mandated the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, to, as a matter of urgency, wade into the crisis rocking the judiciary.

    Following prayers of the motion, the senate resolved to mandate the committee to go ahead with its assignment in the quest to find a lasting solution to the matter by interacting with relevant stakeholders.

    This is with a view to addressing the complaints raised in the petition by the Justices of the Supreme Court.

    The upper chamber also mandated the committee to interface with the relevant stakeholders in the three arms of government as well as at the Bar and the Bench.

    Earlier, Bamidele, while moving the motion pursuant to Rules 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, noted that poor welfare of judicial officers would affect the delivery of the judiciary in respect of their output and would prevent them not to perform optimally.

    “The sacred image of the judiciary, which is the epicentre of the temple of justice should be preserved by the Senate through appropriate legislative measures in order to safeguard this highly revered institution and prevent it from being ridiculed,” he said.

    The lawmaker who regretted the former CJN’s resignation said that “this development will not prevent the committee from going ahead with its assignment in the quest to find a probable lasting solution to the matter.

    “Even though Muhammad has stepped down as CJN, most of the issues raised by the Justices of the Supreme Court and other stakeholders within the judiciary still remain and need to be addressed urgently to prevent an eventual shut-down of the Judiciary.”

    Supporting the motion, Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, said that “this motion will show clearly that the Senate is not unaware of the role it is supposed to play.

    “Of course, in playing that role, we also respect separation of powers. Our concern is that the judiciary as an arm of government deserves all the support it needs been the last hope as far as the rule of law is concerned.”

    Similarly, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege said, “I am very embarrassed as a lawyer and also someone from the judicial family.

    “Seeing that petition on the social media and eventually on the mainstream media, I was taken aback because it has never happened, it is unprecedented.

    “There is no reason why the judiciary should lack anything financially.”

    In his remarks President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, said that, “I can see most of the emphasis is on funding.

    “When we look into the issues, they go beyond funding.

    “We should look at other areas whether there is need to improve on the structures or having issues that may not be about funding but funding is of course a major issue.” Lawan said.

    Recently, 14 Justices of the Supreme Court leveled allegations of corruption against the former CJN, Muhammad.

    The Justices, in a memo, protested the non-payment of legitimate entitlements by the former CJN among others.

    The former CJN, Muhammad, had on Monday, June 27, resigned from his position, reportedly on health grounds.

  • Supreme Court judgment vindicates me – Amaechi

    Supreme Court judgment vindicates me – Amaechi

    Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said today’s Supreme Court judgement vindicated him.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Amaechi made this known in a statement on Friday shortly after the apex court delivered the judgement.

    The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by the former minister of transportation, seeking to stop his probe into an alleged N96 billion fraud.

    In dismissing the appeal, however, the court pronounced that the function of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Rivers State Government was only investigative, that nobody, neither Amaechi nor anyone else, was on trial before the panel.

    TNG reports the apex court ruled on the Appeal filed by Amaechi against the Rivers State Government on the Justice Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

    The statement reads: “The Supreme Court ruling clearly vindicates the former Governor of Rivers State. The apex court was categorical and clear that Amaechi was not on trial. The implication of this is that any indictment from the Commission is null and void and cannot stand.

    ‘With this judgment, Amaechi has been vindicated and cleared him of all purported or alleged indictment by the Governor Wike’s Commission.

    “It has been further settled that the decisions/recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and subsequent White Paper issued by the State Government is not a conviction or indictment and cannot stand.

    ‘From the onset, it was obvious to any discerning mind that the Commission was set up to embarrass, denigrate and humiliate Amaechi.

    “The apex court judgment today, further buttressed this stance. A Commission purportedly set up to investigate past financial transactions was actually a Commission to personally witch-hunt Amaechi”.

  • ICPC probing 100 petitions on recruitment scam

    ICPC probing 100 petitions on recruitment scam

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), says its has received and is investigating 100 petitions on recruitment scam from victim institutions and complicit individuals.

    ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, revealed this at the policy dialogue on “entrenching transparency in public service recruitment process in Nigeria” on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The policy dialogue was organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), which is the research and training arm of ICPC.

    The dialogue is aimed at producing a policy brief to guide the national response to the issue of curbing corruption and reducing the high level of irregularities in public service recruitment in Nigeria.

    It is also meant to assist governments to get the right number and quality of public service workforce.

    Owasanoye said that indiscriminate recruitment had continued to have a negative impact on personnel budget leading to rise in personnel wage geometrically and almost doubling.

    He said the personnel wage bill had risen from N1.832 trillion in 2015 to N3.494 trillion in 2022, adding that “in actual fact, many Nigerians in both official and non-official quarters have expressed serious concerns over the growing patronage system in the public sector.

    “The timing of this policy dialogue cannot have come at a better time than now. This is because there is near consensus across our country and across all political divides that there is a lack of transparency in the public service recruitment process across all tiers of government in our country.

    “This is regardless of which political party holds the reign of power in these three tiers of government (federal, state and local). To underscore the corruption prevalent in the process, ICPC has received and is investigating almost 100 petitions on recruitment scam from innocent victims. The situation festers due to lack of transparency,” he said.

    The ICPC boss said the policy dialogues generally were meant to deliberate on issues that focus on more systemic and institutional improvements.

    This, according to him, will be sustainable regardless of changes in political administration. He added that the concomitant policy brief was meant to offer solutions that were practicable and directly relevant to the improvement of the subject matter of the policy.

    Owasanoye said that the Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State had recently raised a serious concern that the recruitment into the security agencies (the police and others) had been politicised.

    He quoted Zulum as saying that “governors, ministers and other top government functionaries have recruitment slots who are not interviewed, whether they are qualified for the job or not.

    “These people do not appear to us that the meritocratic tradition in the public service which to some degree, up to the SOS in our counting, is gradually disappearing and very few islands of recruitment integrity only remaining.

    “This is a matter of grave concern that needs to be critically, objectively and robustly discussed in this particular dialogue session,” he said.

    However, the ICPC boss expressed the hope that the policy dialogue made up of experienced, knowledgeable and diverse stakeholder groups across official and non-official divides, would take a more dispassionate look into the problem which was almost becoming endemic.

  • Crude oil probe: Reps demand proper report of volume of produced oil by NUPRC

    Crude oil probe: Reps demand proper report of volume of produced oil by NUPRC

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday directed the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to submit proper reports on the volume of crude oil produced and details on the projected revenue.

    The panel also requested for details of crude oil production from October 2021 to March, 2022, with a view to determine the revenue accrued to the Federation through the commission.

    The investigative hearing on the ‘Revenue Monitoring Exercise’ was held at the instance of the House Committee on Finance, chaired by Hon. Abiodun James Faleke.

    As stipulated in the documents submitted to the Committee, out of total sum of N695.617 billion revenue realized by the Commission for the period under review, the sums of N616.182 billion; N19.556 billion; N39.085 billion; N3.502 billion; N6.693 billion and N10.599 billion were generated from Oil Royalty, Gas Royalty, Gas Flared Penalty, Concession rentals, MISC Oil Revenue and Signature Bonus, respectively.

    According to the Commission’s document submitted to the Committee, from the 24 contracts awarded from last quarter 2021, the sum of N55.438 million for renewal of contract for the provision of 20 Mbps internet bandwidth in DPR offices nationwide to VDT Communications Ltd on October 18, 2021; N20.464 million for procurement and installation of network & communication devices for DPR Calabar Field and N10.899 million for Akure Field Offices awarded to Zionchrome Int’l Nigeria Ltd on October 5, 2021.

    Contract worth N49,921,250 was also awarded for engaging the service of consultant to facilitate Capacity Building on Upstream Petroleum Operations for relevant National Assembly Staff and Legislatives Aides for the NUPRC on the 24th December, 2021 awarded to Priceless Craft; N48.268 million contract to facilitate strategic engagement on budget and revenue for NUPRC awarded on the 24th December 2021 as well as N39.295 million contract for separation and reconfiguration of smart inspector (Formelo) mobility workforce application for NUPRC; N78.045 million for renewal of automated upstream system (AUS) for NUPRC; among others.

    While responding to questions on the Fiscal Responsibility Commission’s activities, Mr. Bello Aliyu explained that from the N4 billion liabilities inherited from the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), it was scaled down to N1.7 billion was taken over by the Commission.

    “The Nigeria Upstream Regulatory Commission is a new agency. It is the name that is new. The name was added to our purview December last year. So, we now wrote to them a letter sometimes in March to inform them of their responsibilities to Fiscal Responsibilities Act 2007 and then to inform them that, the obligations of DPR which was their former name is now transferred to them and that liability for DPR that they are responsible for is N1,739,837,045.

    “This we informed them sometimes in March. I think 29th of March,” he said.

    While presenting NUPRC’s position, Mr. Babajide Fashina said: “Details of revenue sources is based on oil royalty, gas royalty, gas sales royalty, gas flaring penalty, concession rental, miscellaneous oil revenue and signature bonus and all these are paid into the generation account, the Commission does not maintain any account of it’s own.

    “On the second one, which is the schedule of revenue collected, from October 2021 till February date, we have a total collection of N695,617,119.49. That was from October 2021 to February 2022.

    “And the breakdown as shown, the oil royalty which was the large one, we have N616 billion, the gas royalty, N19 billion, had flare N39 billion, Concession rental, N3.5 billion then Miscellaneous oil revenue, N6.69 and all these have been paid int the Federation Account.

    “From January to December 2021, we were able to generate about 2.7 trillion for the Federation,” he noted.

    He argued that the differential observed by the Committee would be resolved during the reconciliation with Fiscal Responsibility Commission.

    In his ruling, Hon. Faleke said: “Royalty, N88.7 billion, I am reading from your figure. From what volume of crude? We need to know. You need to create a column to tell us the volume of crude for that particular period you are referring to. Because we have to monitor this in line with our production.

    “So, all the revenue items you need to create that column for us to know what you are talking about. This is just bandying figures before us without foundation.

    “The Deputy has also advised that, in every budget, there are revenue expected of you and you are aware of that from the Budget Office. So, you need to also create that column, okay.

    “What is the expectation? What have you done to see have you surpassed or you have not surpassed? We would be able to ask you reason for that. So that gives us proper reporting, then we can interact properly rather than just guessing.

    “So, we will give you another day to do two things. Give us this proper report that we are asking. Two, do a final reconciliation with Fiscal Responsibility and get back to us next week.”

    To this end, Hon. Faleke directed the Commission to submit proper reports on the volume of crude oil produced and details on the projected revenue.

  • Abba Kyari: I asked for further probe, not exoneration – Malami

    Abba Kyari: I asked for further probe, not exoneration – Malami

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, said he requested for further probe with a view to cover the field in the investigation in order to arrive at informed decision on Abba Kyari.

    Malami said this in a statement issued by his Special Assistant (Media and Public Relations), Dr Umar Gwandu in Abuja.

    According to him, there appears to be a “misunderstanding regarding the issue.”

    ”It was a case of work in progress in respect of which the office of the Attorney General of the Federation requested for further probe in relation to some aspects of investigation.

    “It was clear that the conclusion on the alleged contradiction on the issue was a clear case of misconception.

    ”The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice’s stance is that no conclusion has been reached in the direction of absence of evidence relating to the first report.

  • BREAKING: Reps demand suspension of companies involved in adulterated PMS

    BREAKING: Reps demand suspension of companies involved in adulterated PMS

    House of Representatives has demanded immediate suspension of companies involved in the importation of adulterated petrol into Nigeria. This is while also demanding for probe into the source of the adulterated petrol.

    Members of the House passed the resolution to investigate the source of the adulterated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as petrol, on Thursday.

    Members, while debating a motion of urgent public importance, said the development was a failure on the part of regulatory and monitoring agencies.

    They called for the immediate suspension of the four firms which imported the adulterated product,. This they said should be done pending the outcome of the investigation.

    Chief Whip of the House, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, moved the motion. He urged the legislature to intervene to ensure the product did no further damage and hardship to Nigerians.

    Several members contributed to the motion. They informed the House that many Nigerians have reported engine failures in their vehicles. Such failures include sudden breakdowns on the roads.

    Rep. Isiaka Ibrahim was worried that besides vehicular breakdowns, a worse scenario could have been the case if the adulterated fuel was aviation fuel.

    “Mr Speaker, that will be quite frightening and the outcome is better imagined.

    “For example, while an aeroplane is flying, the engines suddenly stop working because of bad aviation fuel.

    “That could have been worse”, he noted.

    Rep. Tajudeen Yusuf, echoing Ibrahim’s fears, said the importation of bad fuel was another symptom of the sickness plaguing the entire system.

    He wondered how the adulterated petrol escaped the scrutiny of the layers of regulatory bodies, both at the port of entry and onshore.

    “I feel saddened that the layers of laboratory inspection failed until the bad fuel got into vehicles in the country.

    “This is the unfortunate situation in our country; everyone thinks of their pockets first and looks the other way”, he added.

    On his part, Rep. AbdulGaniyu Johnson suggested a review of the policy on the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    The lawmaker observed that the policy was affecting the economy negatively. He averred that in some way, relevant regulatory agencies were no longer doing their jobs thoroughly.

    The House, in passing the motion, also gave a directive to the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream). The committee was asked to ensure their investigation covers all other petroleum products imported into the country lately. They should also ascertain their conformity to standards and safety for use.

  • Sexual harassment: No formal probe yet against former Chelsea coach

    Sexual harassment: No formal probe yet against former Chelsea coach

    Israel’s police is yet to start a formal investigation against former Chelsea manager Avram Grant who has been accused of sexual harassment in a television programme.

    Police in Tel Aviv said on Tuesday that none of the women who made the allegations in a broadcast Sunday had lodged an official complaint against the 67-year-old.

    The women were not identified in the broadcast.

    Grant who also formerly coached Israel’s national team said afterwards that he had several relationships with women over the years but never intended to make a woman feel uncomfortable or hurt her.

    “If a woman had felt that way, I am sorry. I apologise.”

    Football’s ruling body FIFA said on Monday it was also looking into the allegations against Grant who recently coached a FIFA Legends team at the Arab Cup.

    “Given the nature of the allegations being made, FIFA’s Ethics Committee will look into the matter.

    “When it comes to misconduct and abuse in football, we wish to reiterate that FIFA takes any allegations reported to it very seriously,” FIFA said.

  • Reps move to probe alleged missing 178,459 arms

    Reps move to probe alleged missing 178,459 arms

    The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the alleged missing 178,459 arms and ammunition in the Nigeria Police Force as contained in the 2019 report of the Auditor General for the Federation.

    This was based on a motion of urgent Public importance promoted during plenary by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu.

    Okechukwu in his submission noted that the Auditor General to the Federation said in the report that over 88,000 of the missing arms are AK-47 assault rifles could not be accounted for by the Police.

    According to him, the audit of Arms Movement Register, Monthly Returns of Arms and Ammunition and Ammunition Register at the Armoury Section reveals that a total number of lost firearms as at December 2018 stood at 178,459 pieces.

    He noted that out of this number, 88,078 were AK-47 rifles, 3,907 assorted rifles and pistols across different police formations, which could not be accounted for as at January 2020.

    “The findings in the report that the police high command failed to keep record of unserviceable and expired firearms and ammunition; owing to non-compliance to the internal control system of the Nigeria Police Force.

    “Records of the total number of unserviceable firearms were not produced for examinations and there were no returns from Adamawa State Command, Police Mobile Force (PMF) 46, 56, 64 and 68 for the period under”,Hon. Okechukwu said.

    He noted that dully completed Treasury Form 146 (loss of stores) were not presented adding that records obtained from force armament at Force Headquarters showed 21 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron, Abuja did not report a single case of missing firearm, whereas schedule of missing arms obtained from the same PMF showed a total of 46 missing arms between year 2000 and February 2019.

    Okechukwu expressed worry that the value of the lost firearms could not be ascertained because no document relating to their cost of acquisition was presented for examination.

    The Enugu born lawmaker explained that considering the worsening state of security, kidnapping and banditry in the country and concerned that the missing arms could have found their ways into the wrong hands adding that Nigeria did not undertake any war in recent times.

    The House mandated the Committee on Public Accounts to establish the veracity of those allegations and conduct due diligence of the control processes of the armoury of the Nigeria Police Force; and report back to the House within four (4) weeks as well as call on the Inspector General of Police to take urgent actions to apprehend those culpable for the depletion of the armoury of the Nigeria Police Force; and mandate the House Committee on Police Affairs to report back to the House within four (4) weeks were therefore amended following some contributions from the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Wase.

    Wase advised that the Adhoc Committee already set up by the House should be allowed to carry out the criminal aspect of the investigation while the House Committee on Public Account should be allowed to investigate the whereabout of the arms in accordance with its constitutional mandate.

    He said there were lots of information that he is keeping to himself, adding that the issue of missing arms may not be limited to the Police alone.

  • SERAP writes Buhari, seeks probe of ‘missing N3.1bn in Ministry of Finance’

    SERAP writes Buhari, seeks probe of ‘missing N3.1bn in Ministry of Finance’

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “use his good offices to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations that over N3bn of public funds are missing, mismanaged or diverted from the Federal Ministry of Finance.”

     

    The organization said the allegations are documented in the 2018 and 2019 annual audited reports by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

     

    SERAP said: “Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing public funds should be fully recovered.”

     

    In the letter dated 24 December 2021, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The reports suggest a grave violation of the public trust. As trustee of public funds, the Ministry of Finance ought to ensure strict compliance with transparency and accountability rules and regulations.”

     

    According to SERAP, “as a key agency of government, the Ministry has a sacred duty to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of the country’s resources. This implies providing strong leadership in the efforts to curb public sector corruption.”

     

    “This leadership is important for the Ministry to enjoy the public trust and confidence essential for its effectiveness and impact.”

     

    SERAP said: “The allegations that N3,143,718,976.47 of public funds are missing will also clearly amount to a fundamental breach of national anticorruption laws and the country’s international anticorruption obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.”

     

    The letter, read in part: “Investigating and prosecuting the allegations, and recovering any missing public funds would improve the chances of success of your government’s oft-repeated commitment to fight corruption and end the impunity of perpetrators. It will also serve the public interest.”

     

    “According to the report of the Auditor-General for 2018, the Ministry of Finance spent N24,708,090.00 on pre-retirement training but without any document. The consultant hired also failed to quote any price as cost of the training but the Ministry paid N5,670,060.00 to the consultant. Request for payment from the consultant was dated 20 January 2017 while the first payment voucher in his favour was dated 13 January 2017 (7 days before his request).”

     

    “The Ministry also reportedly failed to account for N2,885,772,493.27 released to the Ministry from the Service Wide Vote to take care of estacodes and other allowances for representing the Federal Government in meetings, and contribution to Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).”

     

    “The money was spent without approval, and any documents. The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been mismanaged.”

     

    “The Ministry also reportedly awarded a contract on 17th May 2017 for N98,540,500.00 without any document, contrary to the Public Procurement Act. The project was not also budgeted for. There was no evidence of performance of the contract. The Ministry also deducted N9,354,809.52 as WHT and VAT but without any evidence of remittance. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.”

     

    “The Ministry also reportedly spent N98,759,299.20 between January–December 2017 without any document, contrary to Financial Regulation 601.”

     

    “According to the 2019 report of the Auditor-General, the Ministry paid N20,466,744.00 as cash advances to staff of ‘You-Win’ between 8 February and 18 December, 2018 but the Ministry has failed to retire the money.”

     

    “The advances were granted for the purchase of store items, repairs and other services that would have been made through the award of contract. Government lost N2,046,674.40 which would have accrued as taxes had these jobs been undertaken through award of contracts. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.”

     

    “The Ministry also reportedly paid N15,471,850.00 to two consultants for capacity building in Kano and Adamawa States but without any supporting document, contrary to paragraph 603 (1) of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been diverted, and wants it recovered.”

     

    “SERAP notes that the consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs, and undermines economic development of the country, trapping the majority of Nigerians in poverty and depriving them of employment opportunities.”

     

    “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

     

    The letter was copied to Mr Malami; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; and chairmen of the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly.

     

     

  • Family of Lagos RCCG cleric killed by new converts demands probe

    Family of Lagos RCCG cleric killed by new converts demands probe

    The family of Pastor Babatunde Dada, who was killed in a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in FESTAC Town, Lagos State, has called for the probe of the case by the police.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that two people attended the church on the Sunday before the attack.

    The two youths were said to have come out during an altar call and surrendered their lives to Jesus.

    The church accommodated them on its premises after they claimed to be stranded.

    They had barely spent a week in the church when they stabbed the cleric to death on Thursday, December 2, 2021.

    A spokesman for the family, Mr Abolarinwa Olatunbosun, in a chat with Punch said: “I discussed at length with members of the family and what everyone is saying is that they want justice to be served in the case.

    “Pastor Dada was not just a cleric; he was also the accountant of the church so we want the investigation to be thorough. The police should unravel those behind the killing and their reason for killing him

    “We don’t know whether his killers came from outside the church or they were members of the church; they could even be from anywhere, including the family.

    “We want to know why he was killed. Maybe somebody invited the so-called converts to carry out the killing or they just came on their own to end his life.”

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, on Thursday, said the police were working on the case.

    He, however, stated that he would not divulge the extent the police had gone in order not to jeopardise investigation.

    “Some arrests have been made. We are making progress in the case,” he added.