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LG autonomy: Chairmen, councilors who embezzle funds risk jail – AGF

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The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) warned yesterday that local government chairmen and councilors who embezzle council funds do so at the risk of going to jail.

Fagbemi, who spoke in Abuja at the opening session of the validation meeting of the National Anti-corruption Strategy (NACS) Action Plan 2022-2026, said the efforts that led to the recent judgment on financial autonomy to local governments were not a waste.

Fagbemi observed that some have continually argued that unless the task of conducting local government election is transferred to another body, the Supreme Court judgment may not have any meaningful impact.

The AGF said his view has always been that such issues would be addressed when they arise.

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He tasked the various anti-corruption agencies to be up and doing because they are required to oversight the deployment of funds at the Local Government level.

“I told them that when we get to the bridge, we will cross it. But one thing I keep saying is that the governors have immunity, but local governments chairmen do not have. The counsellors don’t have. So, it will be very easy to put them where they belong.

In any event, we need activities at the local government level. They are not to be over-sighted by anybody, except by the critical anti-corruption agencies – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practice and other related offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the police and others, when the need arises.

“And as often as the need arises, we will deal with that aspect.

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“So, if a governor asks you to go and commit a crime and you accept, he will not follow you to Kuje or Kirikiri. No, you are on your own.

“So, this is a challenge to the anti-corruption agencies and I know that they are up to the task,” Fagbemi said.

He argued that it was not necessary to preach to those who will be at the helm of affairs at the local government level because they are expected to be able to read and write and differentiate right from wrong.

“You don’t have to preach to anybody. Those who would become Chairmen and Counsellors, at least they should be able read and write. They will know that it is a crime to steal and that if you steal, the penalty is there,” he added.

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He said the vision of the NACS is to ensure “a Nigeria that is free of corruption for sustainable human development,” while the mission statement is “to provide a holistic national anti-corruption strategy for all sectors and stakeholders in the fight against corruption.”

The AGF recalled that the first NACS was for between 2017 and 2021, adding that the NACS Action Plan was developed, validated and adopted by relevant stakeholders on the 26th March, 2018.

He explained that at the expiration of the initial NACS, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) considered and approved the extension of the implementation of NACS 2017-2021 for another four years.

The AGF explained that the NACS Action Plan 2022 – 2026 is a product of series of consultation and collaboration between the 22 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government with anti-corruption and accountability mandates.

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He added that the framework for the NACS Action Plan implementation is focused on five pillars which serve as the driving force for both the public and private sector and the national and sub-national levels of government.

Fagbemi identified the five pillars to include prevention of corruption, public engagement, campaign for ethical re-orientation, enforcement and sanction and recovery and management of proceeds crime.

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PHOTOS Of Prisoners Who Escaped Borno Prison And Those Recaptured

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By Mario Deepromoter

Nigerian Correctional Service on Sunday disclosed that about 281 inmates escaped from Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre following severe flooding in the capital city.

NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, said the agency had alerted the Nigerian Immigration Service, and Nigeria Police Force among other security agencies to help recapture the fleeing inmates.

“Every security agency in the country has been notified and they are on alert to help track down the fleeing inmates wherever they may be. With their help, we will capture them and return them to our custodial centre,” Umar said.

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In a statement on Sunday, he said of the 281 fleeing inmates, seven had already been recaptured and returned to the facility.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment.

The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri as well as the staff quarters in the city.

“Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service, with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.

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Presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on the ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody,” the statement read in part.

Abubakar further stated that details of the fleeing inmates had been made available to the public while noting that efforts were underway to track them.

“However, it is important to note that the service is in the custody of their details, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public. The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to locate them. While this effort is ongoing, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety,” the statement added.

Recall that the flood affected many parts of Maiduguri, leading to the displacement of over 300,000 residents and the deaths of over 30 people, including children.

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Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Saturday said he was “seriously worried” that jailed Boko Haram terrorists might have escaped from the prison facility.

See Pictures Below;

Prisoners

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SEE new price of petrol across all 36 states

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By Mario Deepromoter

Despite the counter accusations by both Dangote Refinery and NNPCL over prices, the price list of petrol has emerged online.

According to reports, this is because NNPCL bought petrol at a higher price from Dangote Refinery on Sunday.

NNPCL also mentioned that Dangote Refinery sold the petrol in US Dollars, not naira, against the federal government’s directive.

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However, Dangote Refinery will sell its petrol in naira starting in October.

According to a breakdown from NNPCL, Dangote Refinery sold petrol to NNPCL at N898.78 per litre.

NNPCL paid Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fee of N8.99, inspection fee of N0.97, a distribution cost in Lagos of N15, margin N26.48.

NNPCL’s statement added that the estimated pump price in:
Lagos will be N950.22
Sokoto State N999.22
Kano State N999.22
Borno State N1,019.22
Kaduna N999.22
FCT N992.22
Oyo State N960.22
Lagos State N950.22
Rivers State N980.00
Imo State N980.22

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An analysis of the chart showed that except from Lagos State, other states of the federation will be paying higher because of distribution costs.

The distance from Dangote Refinery and NNPCL‘s depot in Lagos State to other states of the country majorly would determine the price differences.

The report also showed that the six geo-political zones would be paying differently.

The North East states would be paying the highest per liter from N1,019.22, followed by North West states from N999.22, followed by North Central states from N992.22, followed by South East states from N980.22, South South states from N980.22 and South West states paying the least from N960.22, except Lagos State paying from N950.22.

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At the time of filing this report, the presidency is yet to speak on the latest development.

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Rivers 2027: Ogoni powerful men snub Fubara, throw weight behind Wike

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By Mario Deepromoter

Political heavyweights from the Ogoni and Oyigbo zones have formally withdrawn their support for Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The leaders have dumped Fubara and lace their boots with the action packed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The leaders gathered on Saturday in Nonwa, Tai Local Government Area, at an event tagged “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.”

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The assembly, which focused on fostering unity between the two ethnic zones, was heavily attended by politicians loyal to Wike, who remains locked in a bitter political feud with Fubara, his estranged protégé.

Prominent personalities, including Senators Barinada Mpigi and Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Chief Victor Giadom, attended the meeting.

The group emphasized that after years of marginalization, it was time for Ogoni and Oyigbo to produce the next governor of Rivers State.

Speaking on behalf of the assembly, Senator Mpigi declared, “The Ogoni and Oyigbo Peoples Assembly, a multi-political convergence of five Local Government Areas within the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, met today to reaffirm their support for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration and pledged total loyalty to the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike.

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“We also reiterate the obvious fact that the senatorial district’s upland is due for a governor and should produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2027.”

Tensions between Wike and Governor Fubara have been mounting, with Wike publicly withdrawing his support for his former ally.

Wike, who was instrumental in Fubara’s rise to power, has accused the governor of straying from their shared vision for the state.

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