TheNewsGuru

Tag: UK

  • 2019 Elections: UK threatens to ban, forfeit assets of violent politicians

    The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has warned that Nigerian politicians who incite or execute violence during Saturday’s elections would have their visas banned and assets in the UK seized.

    Ms Laing gave the warning at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja to unveil the Election Situation Room of the Civil Society Situation Room set up by a coalition of civil society organisations to monitor the polls in Abuja.

    She reminded political parties that apart from their assets being seized in the UK, they could experience a worst case scenario of prosecution.

    “We will apply this absolutely across board not directed to any particular party; so, we are monitoring and looking out for hate speech.

    “We are concerned about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally which has hate speech a lot and we will like to call that kind of thing out.

    “Our two worries are on security not just on the role the police will play to ensure peace but about the role individuals play by getting angry or militias being paid to disrupt elections .

    “Then, another worry is fake news (and) that is why we rely on CSOs and we will work with them to get information,’’ she said

    UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, thanked the CSOs for the launch of the situation room, describing it as a good work toward the elections.

    Ibn Chambas said it showed that the groups were prepared for the elections and ready to monitor the voting process thus helping UN with ideas on the process in the country.

    The American Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, said the special thing with the room was not just about that CSOs would say and do but about what every Nigerian would say and do.

    “The time has come for this outside world that cares so much about Nigeria to listen to the people of Nigeria and to see what each of them do and then forward the results to lift Nigeria up,’’ Mr Symington said.

    Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ketil Karlsen, said the work of CSOs over the last years gave hope that continued consolidation of democracy clamoured for internally could happen.

    Jude Illoh, Country Director of Open Society for West Africa (OSIWA), said that though there a lot of apprehension about the election, Nigeria would overcome it.

    Mr Illoh said Nigeria’s democracy had experienced good progress.

    “We have defied dictators, we have defied civil war and everything you can imagine, insurgency terrorism everything thrown at us we are still standing.

    “I can tell you that the morning after the election we will be standing as a country, proudly Nigerians, ‘’ he said.

    Clement Nwankwo, the convener of the Situation room, said the situation room would help monitor the election and give Nigerians information as it came in order to guarantee free, air and credible elections.

  • Onnoghen: Atiku writes U.S., UK, EU, says Buhari threatening Nigeria’s democracy

    Onnoghen: Atiku writes U.S., UK, EU, says Buhari threatening Nigeria’s democracy

    Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has written three foreign governments accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of serially violating the Nigerian constitution.

    Atiku, a former Vice President of Nigeria, is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    He wrote his letter to the ambassadors of France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union.

    In the letter, Mr Abubakar raised key areas were he alleged Mr Buhari has ignored court orders or violated Nigeria’s constitution.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is threatening our democracy by serially breaching the provisions of our constitution and undermining organs and institutions of State in order to advance his personal interest,” he wrote.

    Read Mr Abubakar’s letter below.
    CONSTITUTIONAL BREACHES UNDER THE WATCH OF PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

    I have chosen to write this letter to Your Excellency for the enviable role that your country plays as champion of Democracy and the Rule of Law. I am also writing you as Nigeria’s international development partner working together to deepen and strengthen our democracy as well as to help in the transformation of our economies and societies for the better.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is threatening our democracy by serially breaching the provisions of our constitution and undermining organs and institutions of State in order to advance his personal interest. While the President has ironically taken oath to safeguard and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the reality of his selective and wanton violations of its provisions means that his oath is observed only in the breach.

    And as Your Excellency very much knows, respect for the rule of law is integral to promoting and preserving the values and principles of democracy. Sadly, however, by the actions of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, one is forced to think otherwise.

    As a Presidential Candidate in the forthcoming General Elections that will be conducted and supervised by the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari, I feel the urgent need to share with you some of these key violations of the provisions of our constitution and to demand that you pile pressure on the Federal Government to desist from these violations and ensure a level playing field for the General Elections that are only a couple of weeks away. We acknowledge with profound appreciation the positions taken by some members of the International Community in Nigeria and urge Your Excellency to add your country’s very strong voice against these breaches of Nigeria’s constitution. Your Voice is very important to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Some of these constitutional infractions are highlighted below for your information and action as you may deem appropriate.

    1. The Purported Suspension of CJN Onnoghen

    On Friday, January 25, 2019, our nation woke up to the shocking news of the unilateral and extra-constitutional suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen and the immediate appointment and swearing in of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, as the new acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). This action of President Muhammadu Buhari, not only breaches the Nigerian Constitution, but has also managed to undermine Presidential democracy by assaulting one of its hallowed doctrines of separation of Powers. For the records, Justice Walter Onnoghen is the head of one of the Tripartite but mutually independent organs that form the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To attempt to muscle out the Chief Justice of Nigeria using phony charges at a time when His Lordship was primed to play a central role in the fast approaching nationwide electoral process represents the boldest steps in the march to undermine our democracy. This is undoubtedly an anti-democratic act which my political Party and I reject without reservation and for which I urge Your Excellency to condemn unequivocally.

    Need I say, this brazen authoritarian and imperious stride of President Buhari is the latest action in a series of carefully planned onslaught on our nation’s hard earned democracy by an extremely power hungry and anxious President and the cabal that feeds fat around him as February 16, 2019 draws nearer.

    The fact that the unlawful suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen was announced just as it became public knowledge that the CJN was constituting the election petition tribunals is not lost on discerning Nigerians and the international community. This act of desperation is geared towards affecting the outcome of the 2019 Presidential elections. Indeed, it is not just the CJN that has been “suspended”, it is the Nigerian Constitution that has been infracted and, in effect, suspended, under the guise of the suspension of the CJN.

    The case involving the legality or otherwise of the charges against Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen is in court, as it should be. So far, the judiciary has ruled in Justice Onnoghen’s favour. So, why not allow the court to adjudicate on the matter? What is the pressing urgency about this matter?

    Let me therefore take the opportunity of this letter to urge your country and all well-meaning members of the International community to mount pressure on this government and all its anti-democracy functionaries know that their actions will have consequences. Strong consequences.

    2. The illegal purchase of the Tucano Aircrafts:

    President Buhari sometime in April 2018 approved the purchase of Tucano Aircrafts for the Nigerian Military at the sum of $496 million (Four Hundred and Ninety-Six Million United States Dollars). This, he did, without seeking prior approval of the National Assembly contrary to Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states very clearly, how the President can spend monies belonging to the Federation. It provides:

    “(3) No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”

    “(4) No monies shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly”

    3. Disregard for Orders of Courts:

    The Muhammadu Buhari administration has serially violated court orders, going against the rule of law especially in three known cases.

    a. Col. Sambo Dasuki (Former National Security Adviser): Various courts have granted Col. Dasuki bail on at least six different occasions; the Buhari led government has persistently refused to comply with the court orders.

    · Federal High Court in Abuja presided by Justice Adeniyi Ademola in 2015 ordered the release of Col. Dasuki’s passport and granted him permission to travel abroad for three weeks on medical grounds. Despite the order made on November 3, the Department of State Security Services, SSS refused to release Col. Dasuki.

    · Again, the former NSA and four others were granted bail on December 18, 2015 on a similar condition with a N250 million bond by Justice Hussein-Baba Yusuf.

    · Similarly, the former NSA; a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; former Sokoto Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa; ‎and three others were granted bail by Justice Peter Affen on December 21, 2015 by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in the sum of N250 million each and two sureties in like sum. The Federal Government cherry-picked the order whilst disobeying the part that concerned the former NSA.

    · The ECOWAS Court presided by Honorable Justice F.C. Nwoke on October 4 2016 granted the former NSA bail and ordered the Nigerian Government to pay N15 Million to the defendant as damages for his “illegal and arbitrary detention”.

    · On 17 January 2018, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja reaffirmed previous court orders granting Col. Dasuki bail.

    · Also on April 6, 2018 the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court affirmed, for the umpteenth time, its decision for the release of Col. Dasuki.

    b. Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, Leader of a Shiite Group, IMN:

    · Sheikh El-Zakzaky has been in detention without trial for over 3years after his followers were massacred in broad daylight; his wife and family killed and his home burnt, in a gory and shameful show of brute force by the Nigerian Army. This particular state violence is nothing short of genocide.

    · On December 2, 2016 the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court Presided by Justice Kolawole ordered the release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky and berated the Nigerian government for violating his rights.

    4. The approval of $1 billion for military expenditure before approaching the National Assembly:

    The Nigerian government through the National Economic Council NEC, again in contravention of Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), granted approval for the release of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account, ECA, for the procurement of military hardware and other equipment to fight insecurity in the country, ahead of the 2019 General Elections without recourse to the National Assembly. Mansur Dan-Ali, Nigeria’s Defense Minister disclosed this at the end of security chiefs meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. By this act, the Federal Government acted contrary to the provisions of the Section 80 (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which states:

    “(3) No monies shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, unless the issue of those moneys has been authorized by an Act of the National Assembly.

    5. Executive Order No. 006 (On Preservation of Suspicious Assets and Related Schedules):

    The enactment of the controversial Executive Order No. 006 as an Executive legislation which permits security agencies to freeze the assets of persons standing trial or undergoing investigation without recourse to court orders. This is a usurpation of legislative and judicial powers of the National Assembly and the judiciary as enshrined respectively under sections 4 and 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and reminiscent of the military era of decrees.

    The above, and many more that did not make it into this very short letter, are the unfortunate actions of the Government of a man who merely pays lip service to being a reformed democrat.

    General Elections are upon us yet again. I urge you to partner with Nigerians to defend our constitution and play an active role in building our country. The choices facing all of us is either to stand aside and watch Nigerians reelect a President who has been in constant violation of the laws of the land without remorse; or to support them show him the way out and elect a true democrat. We must send a clear message that the Nigerian Nation is bigger than any individual.

    Even if Nigerians opted not to elect me as President, the incumbent must go into the polls on his own record of lack of respect for the Rule of Law and not on the spurious perception of his “Integrity”. We need to set precedence for successive leaders not to take democratic mandate for granted.

    Sincerely,

    Atiku Abubakar, GCON

    (Waziri Adamawa)

    Former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

    and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • 2019 elections: US, UK pledges neutrality, say election riggers risk visa restriction, ban

    2019 elections: US, UK pledges neutrality, say election riggers risk visa restriction, ban

    As preparations for the nation’s general elections enter top gear, both the United States of America and the United Kingdom have pledged neutrality and support to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

    The countries also unanimously threatened to punish anyone found guilty of either instigating violence or plotting to rig the elections.

    In separate statements issued on Thursday by the Embassy of the United States and the British High Commission in Abuja, the two countries pledged their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections in the country, saying the 2019 elections “is important not only for Nigeria, but for the African continent.”

    According to the statements, which were released through the communications unit of the U.S. embassy, the two countries commended the political parties for signing the peace accord and urged the candidates to conduct themselves within the laws governing the elections.

    The U.S. statement reads in part; “The United States government does not support any specific candidate or party in Nigeria’s upcoming elections. The United States supports the Nigerian democratic process itself. We support a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.

    “We, and other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during, or after the elections. We will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process. Under U.S. immigration law, certain violations may also lead to restrictions on family members.”

    On her part, the United Kingdom promised continued support for Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) towards making the electoral process credible and peaceful.

    The statement reads in part; “We continue to provide significant support to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission and to Nigerian civil society to help them deliver credible elections. We also regularly engage with actors across the political spectrum to encourage them to respect electoral rules and maintain an atmosphere of peace and calm. We will be deploying an extensive observation mission for the forthcoming elections, including coordinating with the EU’s Election Observation Mission.

    “Our monitors will in particular be looking out for any attempts to encourage or use violence to influence the elections, including on social media. We would like to remind all Nigerians that where the UK is aware of such attempts, this may have consequences for individuals. These could include their eligibility to travel to the UK, their ability to access UK based funds or lead to prosecution under international law.”

     

  • UK police arrest four Nigerian stowaways

    UK police arrest four Nigerian stowaways

    Four stowaways who allegedly threatened the crew of a cargo ship with armed bars were detained by police on Friday night after an operation to secure the vessel was launched off the Kent coast.

    The crew of Grande Tema, en route from Lagos in Nigeria to Tilbury in Essex, locked themselves on the bridge after the stowaways they had discovered broke free from a cabin and started to make their demands, reports Telegraph UK.

    The men had allegedly demanded the crew sail close to the British coast so they could jump off and swim ashore.

    The incident came to an end after Royal Navy helicopters were deployed amid reports that elite Special Boast Service commandos had been deployed to carry out the operation.

    Essex Police, which oversaw the operation, said: “We have secured a vessel in the Thames Estuary. Four men have been detained under the Immigration Act”.

    They said the vessel was boarded at around 11pm and would be brought to the Port of Tilbury to dock.

     

  • Nigeria excites new British High Commissioner

    Nigeria excites new British High Commissioner

    British High Commissioner designate to Nigeria, Catriona Laing has expressed excitement at the prospect of working in the country.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Laing, who was in June announced replacement for Paul Arkwright, is expected to assume office this week.

    “I was thrilled when I heard the news of my posting to Nigeria. My predecessor, Paul Arkwright, has told me how fantastic the country is.

    “I can’t wait to get started. I know there’s a lot to learn, but I’ll catch up fast as Naija no dey carry last,” the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria said.

    Already, the British High Commission in Nigeria has expressed optimism to warmly welcome the newly appointed High Commissioner.

    “We are carrying on but can’t keep calm! It’s an exciting time for us as we look forward to welcoming the newly appointed High Commissioner,” the Commission had said.

    In 2014, Laing was appointed Ambassador to Zimbabwe.

    At this post, she was recognized for always encouraging young Zimbabweans, particularly women, to challenge themselves and take on new challenges.

    Born Catriona Wendy Campbell Laing, and married to Clive David Nicholas Bates with one daughter, she will represent Her Majesty The Queen and the UK government in Nigeria.

    Laing will be responsible for the direction and work of the Embassy and its Consulates in the country, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.

     

  • Brexit deal: May expresses optimism following EU leaders’ approval [Video]

    Brexit deal: May expresses optimism following EU leaders’ approval [Video]

    British Prime Minister Theresa May has expressed optimism following the approval of her Brexit deal by twenty-seven leaders of the European Union (EU).

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the Brexit deal seeks to end free movement once and fall, with a new skills-based immigration system.

    The deal also seeks a free trade area with the EU for goods, with no tariffs, which protects United Kingdom (UK) jobs; no more sending vast sums of money to the EU, meaning the UK can spend it on NHS.

    It will signal end of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the UK, meaning Britain will be able to control its own laws; protecting the rights of citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU.

    The UK will then have the ability to strike trade deals with other countries; have a close relationship on defence, tackling crime and terrorism to keep people safe; and also leaving the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy.

    “The British do not want to spend any more time arguing about Brexit. They want a good deal done, that fulfills the vote and allows us to come together again as a country.

    “So, I will take this deal back to the House of Commons confident we have achieved the best deal available and full of optimism about the future of our country.

    “In parliament and beyond it, I will make the case for this deal with all my heart and I look forward to that campaign,” said May.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqmvg3wn748/

    The European Council (EC) endorsed the agreement on the withdrawal of the UK and Northern Ireland from the EU and the European Atomic Energy Community, following the special meeting that finalized and formalized the outcome of the Brexit negotiations in Brussels on Sunday.

    The twenty-seven EU leaders approved the two key Brexit documents: the EU Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration.

    The Withdrawal Agreement ensures that the rights of citizens are fully protected, and the peace process in Northern Ireland is not affected, and that the UK will continue its payments to the EU budget during the transition period and legal certainty will be secured.

    TNG reports the EC approved the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    On this basis, the EC invited the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to take the necessary steps to ensure that the agreement can enter into force on 30 March 2019, so as to provide for an orderly withdrawal.

    The Council restates the Union’s determination to have as close as possible a partnership with the United Kingdom in the future in line with the Political Declaration.

    “The Union’s approach will continue to be defined by the overall positions and principles set out in the previously agreed European Council’s guidelines. The European Council will remain permanently seized of the matter,” the EC said in a statement.

    The Council thanked Michel Barnier for his tireless efforts as the Union’s chief negotiator and for his contribution to maintaining the unity among EU27 Member States throughout the negotiations on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

    President of the EC, Donald Tusk, in his remarks after the special meeting of the EC on Sunday, said the EU and the (UK) will continue to maintain cordial relationships, prior and after 30 March 2019.

    The EC President, however, noted that the process of ratification as well as further negotiations for the Brexit deal might be difficult.

    “Ahead of us is the difficult process of ratification as well as further negotiations,” he said, adding: “But regardless of how it will all end, one thing is certain: we will remain friends until the end of days, and one day longer”.

    Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, while speaking on Marr on Sunday morning, had called the Brexit deal dodo.

    “The problem is, the deal’s a dodo,” Blair stated, while stressing that he has respect for Prime Minister Theresa May.

    “The central question here is if it’s not a deal which satisfies the people who voted Brexit, why on earth are we doing it?

    “The only way you’re going to unite the country is to take it back to the people. The Prime Minister’s deal has only succeeded in uniting people in opposition to it,” he further stated.

    In an article, Blair had earlier said the departure of Britain from the European Union (EU) will diminish the weight of Europe.

    “Since the referendum, we have had 2 and a half years of negotiation and discovered there are many varieties of Brexit.

    “The choice is between a painful Brexit and a pointless Brexit – that’s the issue we’ve had the whole way through. This isn’t what the people who voted to Leave voted for,” he said.

     

  • Brexit: European Council President says EU, UK will remain friends

    President of the European Council (EC), Donald Tusk, has said the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) will remain friends, following endorsement of the Brexit deal by EC.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Tusk stated this in his remarks after the special meeting of the EC that endorsed the deal on Sunday.

    The EC President, however, noted that the process of ratification as well as further negotiations for the Brexit deal might be difficult.

    “Ahead of us is the difficult process of ratification as well as further negotiations,” he said, adding: “But regardless of how it will all end, one thing is certain: we will remain friends until the end of days, and one day longer”.

    Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, while speaking on Marr on Sunday morning, had called the Brexit deal dodo.

    “The problem is, the deal’s a dodo,” Blair stated, while stressing that he has respect for Prime Minister Theresa May.

    “The central question here is if it’s not a deal which satisfies the people who voted Brexit, why on earth are we doing it?

    “The only way you’re going to unite the country is to take it back to the people. The Prime Minister’s deal has only succeeded in uniting people in opposition to it,” he further stated.

    In an article, Blair had earlier said the departure of Britain from the European Union (EU) will diminish the weight of Europe.

    “Since the referendum, we have had 2 and a half years of negotiation and discovered there are many varieties of Brexit.

    “The choice is between a painful Brexit and a pointless Brexit – that’s the issue we’ve had the whole way through. This isn’t what the people who voted to Leave voted for,” he said.

    The EC endorsed the agreement on the withdrawal of the UK and Northern Ireland from the EU and the European Atomic Energy Community, following the special meeting that finalized and formalized the outcome of the Brexit negotiations in Brussels on Sunday.

    Twenty-seven EU leaders approved the two key Brexit documents: the EU Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration.

    The Withdrawal Agreement ensures that the rights of citizens are fully protected, and the peace process in Northern Ireland is not affected, and that the UK will continue its payments to the EU budget during the transition period and legal certainty will be secured.

    The Political Declaration sets the direction as regards future relations.

    On this basis, the EC has invited the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to take the necessary steps to ensure that the agreement can enter into force on 30 March 2019, so as to provide for an orderly withdrawal.

    TNG reports the EC approved the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    The Council restates the Union’s determination to have as close as possible a partnership with the United Kingdom in the future in line with the Political Declaration.

    “The Union’s approach will continue to be defined by the overall positions and principles set out in the previously agreed European Council’s guidelines. The European Council will remain permanently seized of the matter,” the EC said in a statement.

    The Council thanks Michel Barnier for his tireless efforts as the Union’s chief negotiator and for his contribution to maintaining the unity among EU27 Member States throughout the negotiations on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

     

  • Breaking: European Council endorses Brexit deal

    The European Council (EC) has endorsed the agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union (EU) and the European Atomic Energy Community.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports this is following a special meeting by President Donald Tusk and members of the European Council that finalised and formalised the outcome of the Brexit negotiations in Brussels on Sunday.

    The 27 EU leaders, present at the meeting, approved the two key Brexit documents: the EU Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration.

    The Withdrawal Agreement ensures that the rights of citizens are fully protected, and the peace process in Northern Ireland is not affected, and that the UK will continue its payments to the EU budget during the transition period and legal certainty will be secured.

    The Political Declaration sets the direction as regards future relations.

    On this basis, the EC has invited the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to take the necessary steps to ensure that the agreement can enter into force on 30 March 2019, so as to provide for an orderly withdrawal.

    TNG reports the EC approved the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    The Council restates the Union’s determination to have as close as possible a partnership with the United Kingdom in the future in line with the Political Declaration.

    “The Union’s approach will continue to be defined by the overall positions and principles set out in the previously agreed European Council’s guidelines. The European Council will remain permanently seized of the matter,” the EC said in a statement.

    The Council thanks Michel Barnier for his tireless efforts as the Union’s chief negotiator and for his contribution to maintaining the unity among EU27 Member States throughout the negotiations on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

     

  • Magu meets UK authorities, commences Diezani’s extradition process

    The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has met with National Crime Agency in the United Kingdom to kick-start the process of extraditing a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The EFCC said in a statement that Magu met with the UK official on Thursday to also discuss the efforts of the commission in the recovery of all ill-gotten assets domiciled in foreign jurisdiction by Nigeria’s Politically Exposed Persons.

    “Outside the recovery of assets, the EFCC boss in the course of the high power meeting with officials of the NCA will also present the commission’s position on ways to fast-track the extradition of all PEPs who have found safe havens in foreign jurisdiction,” the statement read in part.

    Magu had explained why the anti-graft agency is bent on extraditing all PEPs.

    “For instance, speaking on the former minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke, whose process of extradition from the UK has commenced, Magu explained that having waited for three years, the Nigerian government believes that it is time to initiate the extradition process,” the statement added.

    The EFCC said apart from Diezani, there were several other politically exposed persons who have fled the country 2015 when the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari came on board in May 2015.

    It would be recalled that in 2017, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of N7.6 billion alleged loot recovered by the Commission from the Diezani. The order of final forfeiture to the Federal Government.

     

  • 2019: UK warns lawmakers against abandonment of legislative duties

    2019: UK warns lawmakers against abandonment of legislative duties

    The United Kingdom on Monday cautioned the National Assembly leadership and members against allowing their personal political ambition to affect their constitutional responsibilities to Nigerians.

    The Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Harriet Thompson gave the warning after a meeting with the Senate leadership led by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, in Saraki’s office.

    She told journalists after the meeting that her mission was to draw the attention of the National Assembly members to the statement released by the international community on Sunday concerning the 2019 general elections.

    Thompson said she conveyed the UK’s message to the federal lawmakers not to abandon the legislative activities before them while pursuing their individual political ambitions towards the 2019 polls.

    She said, “We met with the Senate President and the Majority Leader of the Senate in order to talk about very important legislative business that the National Assembly should undertake even before the elections especially with the start of the official campaign period at the weekend.

    “We are very pleased to hear from both the leader of the majority and the Senate President that there is a great commitment to continue their important works.

    “The bills that we particularly mentioned were the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, the Police Reform Bill, The Community and Non-Allied Matters Act, the Gender Equality Bill and the Disability Bill.

    “These are all bills that we believe would make things better for Nigerians, for their rights, for their opportunities, and for economic development.”

    The British government’s concern was coming on the heels of the inability of the federal lawmakers to form a quorum last week to carry out their legislative duties.