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Buhari: Why I Ordered Probe Of Suspended EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Magu

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Friday that he set up the Justice Ayo Salami led Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate corrupt allegation against the suspended acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC out of his desire is to make Nigeria a country that has no tolerance for corruption, but one where the menace is vigorously battled.

The President spoke while receiving the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry from Justice Ayo Salami (Rtd), at State House, Abuja.

According to the President, while many countries adopt different attitude to the fight against corruption, he wanted Nigeria to be one of the countries where there is zero tolerance for graft.

”Corruption is present in all countries. Some Governments treat it with levity. Some fight it all the time. I want Nigeria to be counted among those countries that do not tolerate but fight corruption.”

In order to protect Nigeria’s political and economic systems, and the continuous existence of the Nigerian State from the serious threat of corruption, the President called on all stakeholders, and indeed every Nigerian to own the fight against corruption at their respective levels.

Pledging that the fight against corruption is one that must be fought without fear or favour, President Buhari thanked members of the Commission for their dedication and commitment to the fight against corruption.

The President said further: ”The sad reality confronting us as a people is that there is corruption almost everywhere; at many levels of government, and nearly every stratum of our society. Mindful of the threat that corruption poses to us as a nation, this administration has specifically focused on the fight against corruption.

”As a government, and in furtherance of our anti-corruption programme, we have since inception engaged in many reforms in removing corruption including but not limited to the enforcement of Treasury Single Account (TSA), strict implementation of the Bank Verification Number Policy and signing unto the Open Government Partnership. A lot of efforts have gone into building and development of our anti-corruption institutions.

”We have so far kept faith with our promise and shall remain committed until Nigeria triumphs over the evil of corruption, attain a prosperous economic status and surmounts her security challenges.

”However, the stark reality of widespread corruption becomes poignant when allegations of corruption touches on the leadership of an institution set up by law to coordinate and enforce all economic and financial crimes. It is an abomination that strikes at the root, and undermines the Government’s anti-corruption programme.

”It was in response to the serious allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that I set up a Panel headed by the Honourable Justice Isa Ayo Salami, retired President of the Court of Appeal, via an Instrument dated 3rd July 2020 pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry Act (Cap T21, LFN, 2004).

”We recognize that there are more grounds to cover in the war against corruption, and we are prepared to go out to possess those lands by cutting off any stream that nourishes the seed of corruption and supports its growth.

”Let it be known that in the fight against corruption, no one is too big to tackle, as no individual is bigger than the Nigerian State!”

In his remarks, Justice Salami said that the suspended Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, and 113 witnesses appeared and testified before the Commission, adding that 46 petitions and memoranda were presented by individuals and organisations with complaints against the suspended Acting Chairman, EFCC or both.

Justice Salami disclosed that the Commission also embarked on a nationwide physical verification of recovered forfeited assets, comprising real estates, automobiles, vessels and non-cash assets.

He commended the President for the initiative to dispose all forfeited assets ”because of the poor condition of the assets we saw during our physical verification nationwide.”

Noting that the four chairmen of EFCC since inception were from the police, the retired Justice of the Court of Appeal also recommended that in appointing a new chairman consideration should be given to candidates from other law enforcement or security agencies and core staff of the EFCC as provided in the EFCC establishment Act of 2004.

He expressed profound gratitude to the President for giving the Commission members a wonderful opportunity to serve the nation.

This Govt Has Failed, There Is No Way To Cover It — Sen. Abaribe

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe believes the President Muhammadu Buhari government has failed the country, insisting that there is no way to paper over their failures.

“The party (PDP) has its position and the position is very simple: this government has failed,” the Senator who represents Abia South said on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“You don’t have any other way of trying to cover it. You can say all the rhetoric, you make all the propaganda. You can go ahead and try to pull the wool over the eyes of the people but the #EndSARS protest showed a failure of this government. It is not that is just failing now. It has been failing all along and we have been continually pointed it out.”

The Senate Minority Leader accused the government of failing to listen to advice and always seeing every counsel as an opposition that should be crushed.

He claimed the present government is mired in the past and does not have any connection with the 21st century.

“On the floor of the Senate, I have always spoken, ‘You are not getting it right,’” he explained.

“The only problem we have with this government is that advice to them is like an opposition they need to crush. They just think that in the 21st century that with all the information we have; with all the contacts that we have with the rest of the world, that people will just continue being subdued as they used to do in Stalin’s country (formerly the Soviet Union) or in North Korea and all that.”

While reiterating that the Buhari administration has failed in delivering development to the nation, he stated that “all we are waiting for is to throw out this government in the next election.”

Salami’s Committee Recommends Appointment Of EFCC Boss Outside Police

…It’s abomination, undermines anti-corruption fight for head of agency to be involved in graft – Buhari
..recommend two years exit plan for over 900 policemen on secondment

The Justice Ayo Salami presidential panel investigating the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has recommended that appointment of a new chairman for the anti-graft agency be done outside police.

The panel also recommended two year exit plan for over 900 police personnel on secondment to EFCC to pave the way for specially trained core staff of EFCC whose promotions have been stalled for years to take over command.

They made the recommendation while submitting the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Investigation of Magu, to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the panel noted that the four chairmen of EFCC since inception were from the police and recommended that in appointing a new chairman consideration should be given to candidates from other law enforcement or security agencies and core staff of the EFCC as provided in the EFCC establishment Act of 2004.

Salami said that Magu, and 113 witnesses appeared and testified before the Commission, adding that 46 petitions and memoranda were presented by individuals and organisations with complaints against the suspended Acting Chairman, EFCC or both.

The retired Justice disclosed that the Commission also embarked on a nationwide physical verification of recovered forfeited assets, comprising real estates, automobiles, vessels and non-cash assets.

He said the panel inspected all forfeited property across the country and observed that many are fast deteriorating .

He commended the President for the initiative to dispose all forfeited assets “because of the poor condition of the assets we saw during our physical verification nationwide.”

Salami said: “Your Excellency, permit me to say that four successive chairmen of the EFCC from inception, have been drawn from the police, therefore, in appointing a new chairman of EFCC, consideration should be given to candidates from other law enforcement or security agencies and qualified core staff of EFCC as provided in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment Act 2004). It is also important to point out that at the moment, 970 policemen (114 drivers, 641 mobile policemen and 215 operations), are on secondment in the EFCC, therefore an exit plan for the disengagement of the police and other personnel within two years from now should be considered. This will address the issue of no promotion of core staff for over nine years.

“Your Excellency, our thinking here is that whoever you are appointing other than a core EFCC staff, should be in transitional capacity of two years during which period, arrangement would be made for appointment of any of the core staff who has been commended by National Crime Agency, UK and other international law enforcement for their professionalism.”

President Buhari described as an abomination for head of an agency to be named in corruption case, vowing that the fight against corruption is one that must be fought without fear or favour.

According to him, his desire is to make Nigeria a country that has no tolerance for corruption, but one where the menace is vigorously battled.

He said: “Corruption is present in all countries. Some Governments treat it with levity. Some fight it all the time. I want Nigeria to be counted among those countries that do not tolerate but fight corruption.”

In order to protect Nigeria’s political and economic systems, and the continuous existence of the Nigerian State from the serious threat of corruption, the President called on all stakeholders, and indeed every Nigerian to own the fight against corruption at their respective levels.

The President said further: “The sad reality confronting us as a people is that there is corruption almost everywhere; at many levels of government, and nearly every stratum of our society. Mindful of the threat that corruption poses to us as a nation, this administration has specifically focused on the fight against corruption.

“As a government, and in furtherance of our anti-corruption programme, we have since inception engaged in many reforms in removing corruption including but not limited to the enforcement of Treasury Single Account (TSA), strict implementation of the Bank Verification Number Policy and signing unto the Open Government Partnership. A lot of efforts have gone into building and development of our anti-corruption institutions.

“We have so far kept faith with our promise and shall remain committed until Nigeria triumphs over the evil of corruption, attain a prosperous economic status and surmounts her security challenges.

“However, the stark reality of widespread corruption becomes poignant when allegations of corruption touches on the leadership of an institution set up by law to coordinate and enforce all economic and financial crimes. It is an abomination that strikes at the root, and undermines the Government’s anti-corruption programme.

“It was in response to the serious allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that I set up a Panel headed by the Honourable Justice Isa Ayo Salami, retired President of the Court of Appeal, via an Instrument dated 3rd July 2020 pursuant to the Tribunals of Inquiry Act (Cap T21, LFN, 2004).

“We recognize that there are more grounds to cover in the war against corruption, and we are prepared to go out to possess those lands by cutting off any stream that nourishes the seed of corruption and supports its growth.

“Let it be known that in the fight against corruption, no one is too big to tackle, as no individual is bigger than the Nigerian State!”

Nigeria officially slides into worst recession since 1987

Nigeria has slid into her worst economic recession in over three decades, and this authoritative.

Gross domestic product (GDP) numbers released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Saturday, November 21, indicated that the nation recorded a contraction of 3.62 percent in the third quarter of 2020.

This is the second consecutive quarterly GDP decline since the recession of 2016. (Two consecutive GDP decline is any economy indicates recession)

The cumulative GDP for the first nine months of 2020, therefore, stood at -2.48 percent.

The last time Nigeria recorded such cumulative GDP was in 1987, when GDP declined by 10.8 percent.

According to World Bank and NBS figures reportedly monitored by TheCable, this is the second recession under President Muhamadu Buhari’s democratic reign and his fourth as head of state.

Earlier this year, the World Bank warned in a statement that the Nigerian economy was expected to plunge into severe economic recession, the worst in almost 40 years due to the collapse of oil prices and the outbreak of the coronavirus disease.

The report released by the World Bank in June estimated that Nigeria’s economy would likely contract by 3.2% in 2020.

Theconclaveng

The Nigeria I know

Akin Fadeyi

⁩While on excursion with fellow “A” level classmates back in the years, our school Bus broke down on the way to the North. I can’t remember the precise location now but I know it was a bush at the precinct of a very small community on our way to Jos from Abuja. We were coming from OSCAS, Ife. Should be around 8pm. One woman passed by us on foot with what I knew then as “lantern”. We were like 17 boys and 10 girls.

The woman, about 40ish or so, greeted in the local language we couldn’t relate to, but we reckoned easily her gesture was warm even dimlit atmosphere. She walked away. We were there, stranded and helpless as our Bus Driver, fiddled around under the Bus with a poorly lit touch-light. It was harmattan and the cold was ripping through us. About 30 minutes later, a man walked towards us with the same woman from the direction she was earlier headed. They had a torchlight this time. The man spoke sparing pidgin. Said his wife told him “some children are in the bush on the road and in danger”.

He told us to follow him and “let us all manage my little place”.
We had no choice. That was the only flicker of hope for us or we’ll sleep in the Bus in the bush.
We all followed him to his hut as it turned out.

This man brought out two Big mats, then went to his neighbors and asked for more mats which they gladly obliged. These were spread for us right in front of the door into his Hut. Two neighbours came out, greeted us and asked where we were coming from? We said Ife. One man said “oh, Yoroba bah?”. (oh you’re Yorubas?)
We said Yes. He laughed delightedly and told us to “feel free you hie?”. We laughed and said thank you sir.
Next thing, These two people withdrew a bit from us and were having a very private conversation and then walked away together within same neighborhood. Two girls amongst us on the mat were somewhat agitated. We told them to calm down and added, “what can you really do anyway if we’re already in danger?”.

Next thing we saw. They emerged with a big goat screaming in their hands. They slaughtered the goat and our real host called his wife to do something we didn’t understand as they spoke their local dialect. But we saw the woman brought out a basket full of small small yams….almost like Irish potatoes sizes but slightly bigger. Joined by her daughter, they started peeling. Two of our fellow female students offered to join while some of us boys wanted to help, they vehemently declined telling us we are their “visitors”.

Food was ready after like an hour. Spiking hot goat meat pepper-soup and hot yams that shamed the cold. Neighbors brought out various bowls and we all ate and ate. That family fed us, children of parents they didn’t know. They fed us young lads they’ll never obviously never see again. By 12 midnight, some of slept on the mats while some were gisting the night away.

Following morning, they were the ones that went to a neighboring village to bring a local mechanic who fixed our Bus, and told us not to pay! We thanked them but we knew that was not enough. Our traveling Team leader, a 16 year old girl there and then, got emotional and started crying. Some of us were wet-eyed too as we saw the mix of poverty around this couple and kids but laced with a contentment, joy and generosity we couldn’t fathom.

Usually, we sing in the Bus, but that day, we couldn’t sing. We were all engrossed in the conversation of such kindness towards us.

We drove off towards Jos but our minds weren’t traveling as we were stuck in thoughts with the villagers magnanimous experience.

Nigeria is truly a beautiful place and the kidnapping and violent rein of terror of today is an abhorrent rape on our beauty of diversity.

Me: the Nigeria I know. The one I will continue to experience.
Thank you Akin Fadeyi.

Abuja lawyers go on hiking adventure

To boost mental health, check the alarming rate of lifestyle and stress related ailments including depression, the Chairman, Sports Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) Afam O. Okeke will on Saturday lead Abuja lawyers on a hiking adventure.

Okeke explained that the essence of the hike is to give lawyers opportunity to unplug from their daily hustling and bustling, unwind and have fun. “It’s a good way to socialize, create good network and interpersonal relationship amongst lawyers,” he said.

Mr Afam O. Okeke a core bar man and a past Secretary of the branch Abuja listed some of the benefits of hiking.

Afam O. Okeke,Esq. Chairman, Sports Committee NBA ABUJA

“Hiking is good for physical and mental well-being. It is a great cardiovascular workout.

“It is a natural stress reliever and makes you feel good generally.”

Encouraging participants to come with their mats and games (Chess, Scrabble, Whot, Ludo, etc.), he further explained that the meeting point is Eterna Petrol Station near Finance junction at Wuye District in Abuja.

While thanking Chairman of the branch, Dr Hauwa E. Shekarau for giving the Sports Committee an opportunity to serve, Okeke assured members of the Unity Bar of more engaging and fun filled activities from the Sports Committee.

He also expressed gratitude to the committee members and their partners for their commitment and support.

Nigerian Government Signs MoU To Import Fuel From Niger Republic

The Nigerian government, through the ministry of petroleum resources, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Niger Republic for petroleum products importation.

According to a statement released by the ministry, Soraz Refinery in Zinder, Niger Republic, has an installed refining capacity of 20,000 barrels per day compared to the nation’s 5,000bpd domestic requirement.

This leaves a surplus of 15,000 barrels per day.

Mele Kyari, group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), signed the MoU on behalf of Nigeria while Alio Toune, director-general of Niger Republic’s National Oil Company, Societe Nigerienne De Petrole (SONIDEP), signed on behalf of his country.

The signing was witnessed by the ministers of state for petroleum of the two countries, Timipre Sylva for Nigeria and Foumakoye Gado for Niger Republic.

“This is a major step forward. The Niger Republic has some excess products which need to be evacuated. Nigeria has the market for these products. Therefore, this is going to be a win-win relationship for both countries,” Sylva said.

“My hope is that this is going to be the beginning of deepening trade relations between Niger Republic and Nigeria.”

In his remarks, Kyari said the two countries have had long engagements in the last four to five months with a view to restoring the importation of petroleum products (excess production) from Niger into Nigeria.

“With this development, we hope to have a long-lasting and sustainable commercial framework to have a pipeline from the Soraz Refinery in Zinder (Niger) into the most proximate Nigerian city so that we can develop a depot.

“We are happy that we have reached that conclusion and our two ministers have endorsed this framework. We are also working on a detailed MoU between our two companies so that we can continue the execution process immediately.”

Nigeria currently imports refined petroleum products despite having four refineries. As a result, scarce forex is spent to ensure that there is no scarcity in the country.

Government officials have expressed hopes that the 350,000 capacity Dangote refinery being constructed will end the era of petroleum products importation in Nigeria.

Thenigerialawyer

Breaking: Senator Ndoma-Egba Loses Wife In Motor Accident

Death has ended the life of Former Senate leader Victor Ndoma-Egba’s beautiful wife, Amaka. But not the fond memories of her existence. He lost his wife to a ghastly motor accident along the Benin – Akure Expressway, last night.

According to reports, she was going for a function in Akure when the accident occurred.

Nobody ever makes a lovely corpse but when she was alive, Amaka characterized the essence of loveliness and more. Now that she has passed on, Ndoma would fight the battle of his life never to let go, the wonderful, sweet memories bequeathed to him by her. These are harrowing times in the household of the Egbas.

  Now, Amaka is gone, leaving him a loner in the drudgery of life. Her immediate families are down and out; their souls are vexed about the incident. Even from the look of things, it may take more than a passage of time for the wound to heal. Friends, relatives and associates have been thronging his home to pay him condolence visits and offer consolatory advices.

Sadly, apart from losing the wife earlier this year, he also lost his mother-in-law, mother and his former media aide while his house was almost vandalized during the #EndSARS protest in Calabar.

Thecapital

Vanishing fear of COVID-19 in Nigeria and its consequences, By Isaac N. Obasi

Since the period of mammoth political rallies in both Edo and Ondo states, and followed closely by the #EndSARS protest and its aftermath, Nigerians have not been taking the observance of the non-pharmaceutical protocols seriously. And observing closely how Nigerians are behaving these days with regards to safety measures against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), one would be tempted to conclude that the war against the virus is over. Yet, the world (including Nigeria) “is still in the middle of this pandemic” as Mr. Boss Mustapha (Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19) would always put it when making passionate appeal to Nigerians to obey the non-pharmaceutical protocols and guidelines. 

We can all vividly recall that there was a time in the period of this pandemic when the fear of the raging and ravaging virus was the first step in the wisdom of actions towards preserving one’s life. The virus was then dreaded for its ravaging effects across the world. Although the compliance level of the risk communication messages by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was low in Nigeria, the federal and state governments did a good job of imposing lockdowns and other restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus. But this virus has not gone away to warrant the fast vanishing fears of its ravaging effects among many Nigerians. 

When we look at what is happening in some parts of the world such as Europe, United States of America, South America, India, and Australia, we will see how deadly this virus has even become since its first wave in China and Europe. As of 19 November, 2020 (at 3.45 pm Eastern Time) the world has recorded a total number of 56.7 million COVID-19 cases and about 1.4 million deaths according to Johns Hopkins University that tracks global spread of the virus. 

The statistics in five countries with the highest number of infections and fatalities clearly demonstrate that COVID-19 pandemic is still very dangerous as it was in China where the first case was recorded close to a year ago. The statistics released by Johns Hopkins University as at the same date and time, show that the United States of America has 11,647,930 total number of cases of infections, and 251,756 deaths. This is followed by India with 8,958,483 total number of cases and 131,578 deaths; and then Brazil 5,945,849 cases and 167,455 deaths; France with 2,087,196 cases and 46,795 deaths; and lastly Russia with 1,998,966 cases and 34,525 deaths. 

There are a number of countries, however, that recorded total number of deaths much higher than either France or Russia among the first five countries above. Such countries are Mexico with 99,528 deaths; United Kingdom 53,755 deaths; Italy with 47,870 deaths; Iran 43,417 deaths; Spain with 42,291 deaths; Peru with 35,317 deaths; and lastly Colombia with 34,563 deaths. In terms of the total number of deaths recorded alone, Mexico ranks fourth after France. Again, the United Kingdom with 53,755 has higher figure than France and Russia listed among the five countries above.

 The central message here is that many countries have recorded very high number of deaths that ordinarily should put fear into the minds of people across the world. But like in Trump’s America, many people do not seem to care much about respecting or observing the non-pharmaceutical protocols. President Donald Trump and his ‘trumpeters’ (supporters) have made such safety measures (like wearing of masks) a huge political issue. Again, and surprisingly, many people in different countries of the world are even protesting against the observance of safety measures introduced by their governments. 

Coming to Nigeria, the lower number of cases and deaths in relation to other nations reported above may be contributing to making people not to be afraid of COVID-19 again. Nigeria so far has recorded 65,693 total number of infections and 1,163 deaths (as at the same 3.45 pm Eastern Time reported by the Johns Hopkins University). It seems that Nigeria is enjoying God’s merciful favour otherwise  millions of people would have died if the virus was ravaging the country like it is doing in USA, Europe, India and Latin America among other places. Should Nigerians be taking this divine favour for granted? I think we should not, for as the saying goes, heaven helps those who help themselves. The consequences for taking things for granted by abandoning the observance of the non-pharmaceutical protocols are very catastrophic. 

First, economically, Nigeria is too weak now to experience another wave of the virus. The various governments across the three tiers appear to be struggling to meet their enormous financial obligations. The execution of both the capital and recurrent expenses are seriously challenged by paucity of funds. The Federal Government for example is under a heavy debt burden presently. Where will the money come from to confront another serious spike of the virus beyond where we are?

Secondly, our health system is equally too weak to withstand any further stress of its infrastructure and facilities. In human terms, the health professionals and allied workers who have been working very hard and making enormous sacrifice since the outbreak of this virus in Nigeria are already experiencing serious fatigue to face such a new scaring challenge. These patriotic Nigerians have been working under poor conditions of service. We should help them by observing the non-pharmaceutical protocols.

Lastly, the level of poverty in Nigeria currently is unprecedented that a second serious wave of the virus will leave many people dead or simply be left at the mercy of the ravaging virus. At present, millions of people are struggling to eat, as unemployment is so high that those working are basically sharing their salaries at the end of the month among the endless list of requests from relatives, friends, well-wishers, or even acquaintances and unknown people whom they come into contact with in the course of daily activities. Burial ceremonies requiring assistance from those working have become endless. Indeed things are hard. Many people are literarily begging but in a disguised manner at the end of the month. When people cannot eat, how then can they meet the demands of their health challenge?

But then it is surprising that with all these challenges, people are still not ready to help themselves by preventing a more calamitous health situation emerging simply by just wearing masks and observing other less difficult or burdensome pharmaceutical protocols. This contradiction appears to be a mystery which social psychologists can help us to unravel. 

•Prof. Obasi of the University of Abuja, is a Visiting (Adjunct) Research Professor at the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, (ACAN), ICPC, Email: [email protected].

BREAKING: Salami panel recommends Magu’s sack

The Justice Ayo Salami panel has recommended the sack of Ibrahim Magu, a commissioner of police, as the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), TheCable can report.

The panel, which submitted its report to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, also asked the president to appoint the new EFCC chairman in an interim position for two years.

Buhari should also look outside the police force in appointing the next chairman, the panel recommended.

More to follow…

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