TheNewsGuru

Tag: UK

  • US, UK, others urge Nigeria to ensure peaceful elections

    The European Union, EU; United States of America, USA; United Kingdom, UK, and other foreign governments, yesterday, demanded a process that would herald free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections as political parties flagged off political campaigns ahead of the 2019 polls.

    In a statement by no fewer than 24 countries, including France, Germany, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden, the international community said: “As friends of Nigeria and its people, we will follow the campaigns and election process closely. “Who wins the elections is for the Nigerian people to decide.

    Our concern is to see a process leading to free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections. “We hope to see transparent campaigns and we urge all voters to use their democratic right and vote.

    We are particularly keen to see greater participation of women, youth and people living with disabilities.

    “We urge all involved to refrain from using hate speech and take a firm stance against violence. “The 2015 Peace Accords played an important role in that regard; we welcome new efforts towards that end.”

  • UK restates commitment to support fight against Boko Haram

    The UK government on Friday restated its commitment to support the Nigerian Army in the fight against Boko Haram and terrorism in the northeast.

    According to a statement by Texas Chukwu, director of Army public relations, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Garvin Williamson, gave the assurance when he visited the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Abba Dikko.

    Mr Chukwu, a brigadier-general, quoted Mr Williamson as saying that the UK military would sustain the existing mutual relations with its Nigerian counterpart.

    “The existing collaboration between the Nigeria and UK military will be sustained aside providing Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) training to troops in support of the operation.

    “The UK will explore other areas of partnership with the Nigerian military,” Mr Williamson was quoted as saying in the statement.

    The army said Mr Williamson commended the military for providing security and enabling environment for the people, UN humanitarian agencies and other organisations to carry out their activities in the theatre of operation.

    In his response, Mr Dikko, a major-general, lauded the British Liaison Support Team for their contributions in the fight against terrorism.

    Mr Dikko reiterated the commitments of the military to remain professional in the discharge of its constitutional roles as well as conduct of counter insurgency campaign in the northeast.

    Also, another major-general, Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief of Training and Operations, Army, commended the UK government’s support in the ongoing operations.

  • UK restates commitment to support fight against Boko Haram

    UK restates commitment to support fight against Boko Haram

    The UK government on Friday restated its commitment to support the Nigerian army in the fight against Boko Haram and terrorism in the northeast.

    According to a statement by Brig.-Gen. Texas Chukwu, Director Army Public Relations, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Garvin Williamson, gave the assurance when he visited the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.- Gen. Abba Dikko.

    Chukwu quoted Williamson as saying that the UK military would sustain the existing mutual relations with its Nigerian counterpart.

    “The existing collaboration between the Nigeria and UK military will be sustained aside providing Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) training to troops in support of the operation.

    “The UK will explore other areas of partnership with the Nigerian military,” Williamson was quoted as saying in the statement.

    The army said that Williamson as commending the military for providing security and enabling environment for the people, UN humanitarian agencies and other organisations to carry out their activities in the theatre of operation.

    In his response, Dikko lauded the British Liaison Support Team over their contributions in the fight against terrorism.

    Dikko reiterated the commitments of the military to remain professional in the discharge of its constitutional roles as well as conduct of counter insurgency campaign in the northeast.

    Also, Maj. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief of Training and Operations, Army, commended the UK government’s support in the ongoing operations

  • UK replies Magu over allegations of ‘shielding’ Alison-Madueke from investigations

    UK replies Magu over allegations of ‘shielding’ Alison-Madueke from investigations

    The United Kingdom Crime Agency has responded to the statement made by the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, regarding the investigation of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    The response was sequel to an email sent to the NCA Press Office in London by The Punch.

    In the email signed by Louise Powell, the Senior Communications Officer, said, “We have neither confirmed nor denied whether we have an investigation into Diezani Alison-Madueke.”

    On whether the NCA would be collaborating with the EFCC to extradite Diezani to Nigeria, the agency said it does not handle extradition outside the European Union countries because of the European Arrest Warrant agreement.

    Once issued, the EAW requires another member state within the EU to arrest and transfer a criminal suspect or sentenced person to the issuing state so that the person can be put on trial or complete a detention period.

    However, Nigeria, which is not a member of the EU, does not enjoy such privileges.

    The NCA therefore asked that questions regarding Diezani’s purported extradition be directed to the UK Home Office.

    Recall that Magu had, on Monday, said the EFCC was working with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to extradite the former petroleum minister because the UK authorities had “unnecessarily delayed” her case.

    When asked if her extradition to Nigeria would not affect her pending case in the UK, Magu said, “There is no court trial. She was being investigated even before I assumed office. So, it has taken so long and it is very unreasonable that she is not being tried there.

    “So, we are tired of waiting and that was why I said if you cannot prosecute her, bring her and we will prosecute her. There is no prosecution going on in the UK.

    “We are involved in the investigation in this country and outside the country including America and London. I have been there. We have worked and sat together.

    “We cannot wait endlessly. I think three years and above is sufficient for you to take her to court.

    “There is no court process against her in the UK. Nobody is prosecuting her there.”

  • Good Brexit is possible – Theresa May

    British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday said a good Brexit that would be of national interests is possible.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports May stated this while addressing the House of Commons following the publication of a draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

    “A good Brexit, in the national interests, is possible. We have persevered and made a major breakthrough. Voting against a deal would take us back to square one. If we get behind a deal we can bring our country back together. We can choose to leave with no deal, and there is no Brexit at all. We can choose to unite and support the best deal we can negotiate,” the Prime Minister said.

    May’s cabinet had on Wednesday met to discuss the terms of the withdrawal agreement, and since then a number of senior members of the government, including Brexit’s secretary, Dominic Raab, have resigned over the Prime Ministers proposals.

    The draft withdrawal agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s smooth and orderly exit from the European Union, including a protocol on Northern Ireland. It reflects agreement in principle between the UK and EU negotiating teams on the full legal text.

    “We were told we had a binary choice between Norway or Canada that we could not have a bespoke deal. But the outline is better than both of these. We were told we would be treated as a third country on security but this is beyond anything the EU has agreed with any other country,” May said, defending the draft agreement.

    She said in her statement to the Commons that the draft agreement by Cabinet on Wednesday was not a final agreement, but that it brings the UK “close to a Brexit deal”.

    Outlining the deal, May said: “It takes back control of our borders, laws and money. It protects jobs, security and the integrity of the United Kingdom, and it delivers in ways that many said could simply not be done.

    “We were told we had a binary choice between the model of Norway and the model of Canada, that we could not have a bespoke deal.

    “But the outline political declaration sets out an arrangement that is better for our country than both of these – a more ambitious free trade agreement than the EU has with any other country.

    “We were told we would be treated like any other third country on security co-operation. But the outline political declaration sets out a breadth and depth of co-operation beyond anything the EU has agreed with any other country”.

     

  • Britain’s work and pensions minister McVey quits over Brexit deal

    Britain Work and Pensions Minister, Esther McVey, quit Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet, the second senior minister to resign on Thursday over a Brexit deal agreed between London and Brussels.

    “The deal you put before the Cabinet yesterday does not honour the result of the referendum”, McVey wrote in a letter to May, joining Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab in quitting over May’s draft Brexit deal.

    May gained collective but not unanimous approval for her Brexit plan from senior ministers on Wednesday, and McVey said that the withdrawal agreement was not what Britons voted for when they chose to leave the EU in 2016.

    “It will be no good trying to pretend to (Britons) that this deal honours the result of the referendum when it is obvious to
    everyone it doesn’t,” she wrote.

    “The proposals put before Cabinet, which will soon be judged by the entire country, means handing over around 39 billion
    pounds to the EU without anything in return…

    “We have gone from no deal is better than a bad deal, to any deal is better than no deal.”

    The resignations of the senior ministers thrust the United Kingdom into a political crisis just as May was attempting to
    garner support for a Brexit deal which her opponents have warned could sink her premiership.

     

  • Dominic Raab resignation: Brexit Secretary’s letter to Theresa May

    Britain’s Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has resigned in protest at Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal for leaving the European Union.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Dominic Raab wrote May on Thursday saying he “cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU”.

    The letter reads: “It has been an honour to serve in your government as Justice Minister, Housing Minister and Brexit Secretary.

    “I regret to say that, following the Cabinet meeting yesterday on the Brexit deal, I must resign.

    “I understand why you have chosen to pursue the deal with the EU on the terms proposed, and I respect the different views held in good faith by all of our colleagues. For my part, I cannot support the proposed deal for two reasons.

    “First. I believe that the regulatory regime proposed for Northern Ireland presents a very real threat to the integrity of the United Kingdom. Second, I cannot support an indefinite backstop arrangement, where the EU holds a veto over our ability to exit. The terms of the backstop amount to a hybrid of the EU Customs Union and Single Market obligations.

    “No democratic nation has ever signed up to be bound by such an extensive regime, imposed externally without any democratic control over the laws to be applied, nor the ability to decide to exit the arrangement.

    “That arrangement is now also taken as the starting point for negotiating the Future Economic Partnership. If we accept that, it will severely prejudice the second phase of negotiations against the UK.

    “Above all, I cannot reconcile the terms of the proposed deal with the promises we made to the country in our manifesto at the last election. This is, at its heart, a matter of public trust.

    “I appreciate that you disagree with my judgment on these issues. I have weighed very carefully the alternative courses of action which the government could take, on which I have previously advised.

    “Ultimately, you deserve a Brexit Secretary who can make the case for the deal you are pursuing with conviction. I am only sorry, in good conscience, that I cannot.

    “My respect for you, and the fortitude you have shown in difficult times, remains undimmed”.

     

  • Breaking: Britain’s Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab resigns

    Britain’s Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has resigned in protest at Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal for leaving the European Union.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Dominic Raab wrote May on Thursday saying he “cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU”.

     

     

    Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) lawmaker, Jeffrey Donaldson, had on Wednesday said Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal has the potential to break up the UK because it will treat Northern Ireland differently.

    One of 10 lawmakers who props up May’s government, Donaldson, added that he would not fear a new national election if a vote against May’s Brexit deal in parliament forced the country into another general vote.

    “From what we have seen and heard we do not believe this deal is the best deal. This deal has the potential to lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom and that is not something we can support,” Donaldson said.

    In his resignation letter, Raab said: “he cannot support May’s proposed deal for two reasons”.

     

  • EFCC confirms moves to extradite Alison-Madueke

    EFCC confirms moves to extradite Alison-Madueke

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that the process for extraditing former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom has begun.

    Acting Spokesman of the commission, Mr Tony Orilade, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

    There have been calls from different quotas for the extradition of the former minister over several allegations of impropriety against her.

    According to Orilade, EFCC’s Operations Department has made presentation to the Legal Department to commence the process, and that process has commenced.

    He, however, said that the action had to be processed through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, explaining that it was not something the commission would commence and conclude on its own.

    “It is ongoing. Within the next few weeks, the extent to which we have gone will be made known to the public.

    “It is not a fresh case; it is not a fresh petition that is just being looked into; the whole process is a total package.

    “This extradition is just an aspect of Deziani’s investigation and commencement of trial,” he said.

    In 2017, a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the final forfeiture of N7.6 billion alleged loot recovered from the former minister to the Federal Government.

    Justice Abdulazeez Anka granted an application by the EFCC seeking the final forfeiture of the money to the government.

    Granting the application, the judge had said: “I have read the motion on notice seeking the final forfeiture of the sum of N7.6 billion reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

    “I have also gone through the affidavit in support of the application.

    “In the circumstances, I am of the view that the application has merit and is hereby granted as prayed. Parties have a right of appeal.”

    In October 2017, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had said that Nigeria had no immediate plan to bring Allison-Madueke back home to face trial.

    Allison-Madueke, who is being investigated in the UK, had urged the Federal Government to bring her back to the country to face corruption charges against her.

    But, Malami said that bringing her back to the country would jeopardise the investigation being carried on her in the UK.

    “Steps have been taken by the United Kingdom authorities on issues bothering on corrupt practices involving Nigerians.

    “If Nigeria feels strongly that there is need to bring Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke here to face charges of corruption, government will not hesitate to do that.

    “As things stand now, there is no need for that since the UK Government is already investigating her,’’ he had said.

    The EFCC spokesman could not, however, say the point at which it became necessary to seek extradition of the former minister.

     

  • Ibori loses appeal against UK graft conviction

    A former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori who was jailed in Britain for laundering tens of millions of dollars in stolen public funds through British banks and properties lost an appeal against his conviction in London on Wednesday.
    The Court of Appeal’s ruling against Ibori, is a relief for the British authorities at a time when they are trying to stem the flow of dirty money from overseas through London.
    Ibori, who in his heyday was one of Nigeria’s richest and most powerful men, pleaded guilty in a London court in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds ($66 million).
    He received a 13-year jail sentence of which he served half, as is common in the British system, and is now back in Nigeria.
    Anti-corruption campaigners had hailed the case as a milestone for Nigeria, where no one of his stature had been successfully prosecuted, and for its former colonial ruler Britain, long seen as too complacent about the proceeds of Nigerian corruption being laundered in the UK.
    Ibori owned multi-million-pound homes in Britain, South Africa and United States, including an English country house near the private school where his children were being educated. He also owned a Jaguar and a Bentley and was buying a $20-million private jet at the time of his arrest.
    This contrasted sharply with the situation in Delta State, a maze of mangrove creeks criss-crossed by pipelines and plagued by violent conflict over access to oil money, where most people make do without electricity or clean water.
    Wednesday’s ruling will allow Britain to resume efforts to confiscate millions of dollars’ worth of assets and return them to Nigerian public coffers. The assets have been frozen for years while the case has been dragging through the courts.