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Senate mulling amendment of EFCC Act to investigate, prosecute corrupt military officers
The Senate has said that it would embark on a constitutional amendment that would empower the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate and prosecute military officers indicted for corruption and other financial crimes.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende, revealed this on Monday when members of the committee visited the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja.
According to the Senate committee chairman, most of the challenges faced by EFCC could be addressed through the constitution and budgetary process.
He decried a situation where the agency can only investigate and prosecute serving military personnel only after a court martial.
“The situation where a court rules that a military man cannot be investigated and prosecuted unless he goes to a court-martial, we think, runs counter to the EFCC Act. We thought that we would do that by amendment of the EFCC law itself so that they will have the powers to do the investigation and do the prosecution,” the lawmaker said.
Meanwhile, Udende stated that the committee would ensure an increase in the budget of the commission, going by its remarkable achievements under the current chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
Udende said: “As a committee, we want to commend the Chairman and his team for doing a very wonderful job. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the report. And nobody has come forward to dispute this report.
“As a committee, we are satisfied that they have done a good job. We were going to lay this report before the Senate for its consideration, but as a committee we are satisfied.
“We have gone through the budget performance. We are also satisfied that they have done a good job, within the limited resources that they have.”
He, however, identified the lack of understanding from many Nigerians, who usually accuse the lawmakers of budget padding each time they appropriate beyond what was sent by the executive arm of government.
He explained that what the executive brings is a draft and only becomes a law or an act after it is deliberated and passed by the legislators.
“When you look at an agency like EFCC and say they need this much, and you put the money there, Nigerians will say you can’t pay the money. I was deputy chairman of the committee between 2015 and 2019. I was a member of the committee.
“We decided that this headquarters must be completed. By the time the budget came out, people were pissing us off. That is the biggest problem that we have in this country—that lawmakers are not allowed to do their job,” he said.
Earlier, Olukoyede sought the cooperation of the lawmakers in the fight against corruption, stressing that corruption is the reason behind all the challenges facing Nigeria.
The EFCC boss, who observed that the mandate of the committee is very critical for the progress of Nigeria, charged the lawmakers to support the agency in eradicating corruption from Nigeria.
“We know the state of our security or insecurity. And I think one of the things that’s very critical to some of these problems we are having is the issue of corruption.
“Some of the money allocated to some of these infrastructure issues, one way or the other, is either diverted or, upon the application of the money, we don’t get value,” Olukoyede said.
He reiterated his pledge made on the floor of the Senate during his confirmation to fight corruption to a standstill through various policy initiatives, stressing that in the last year, EFCC has recovered billions of cash both in local and foreign currencies.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In line with discussions reached after consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Plateau State Government has approved immediate implementation of the N70, 000 minimum wage for the workforce in Plateau State.
The cheering news is contained in a Press Statement signed by the Head of Civil Service in the State, Stephen Pam Gadong.
Full text of the statement reads in part:
Following the Agreement of the Committee on Consequential Adjustment on Salaries on 13th, November, 2024, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has approved the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the state.
The Implementation is a demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of the workforce in acknowledgement of their invaluableble role in driving the State’s developmental goals.
As the new wage policy is administered, Civil Servants are encouraged to embrace this gesture by recommitting to their duties with renewed dedication and zeal in order to foster a culture of productivity and excellence in service in the State.
In a bid to ensure timely declaration of liquidation dividends to uninsured depositors of the failed Heritage Bank (In-Liquidation), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the process of auctioning the landed properties and chattels of the defunct bank.
According to the Corporation, this exercise is in line with its statutory powers as the Liquidator of failed banks under section 62 (1)(d) of the NDIC Act, 2023, noting that; “This is another follow-up action sequel to the disposal of physical assets and chattels belonging to the defunct bank at its leased locations nationwide”.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, Bashir A.
Therefore, the auction of the landed assets shall be by competitive bidding in sealed bids scheduled to take place at the six (6) selected locations of the Corporation across the country, for the affected 36 branches of the failed bank beginning from Wednesday 4th December 2024.
“Buyers who wish to participate in the auction are expected to follow laid down guidelines purposely aimed at ensuring transparency, fair competition, equity, and accountability to enable recovery of commensurate values from the exercise. This is critical for the payment of liquidation dividends to eligible claimants.
The Corporation shall give preference to financial institutions who are willing to buy at the highest auctioned value to allow for the continuation of provision of banking services to the Nigerian public at the designated locations”, adding; “This is desirable towards bolstering financial inclusion as envisaged by the financial system regulatory authorities.
“However, Corporate bodies and Private individuals willing to compete are equally eligible to compete in the process without prejudice, the auction shall be open and competitive to all bidders.
Furthermore, bidders will be allowed to inspect the properties and chattels across all locations one week before the date of disposal.”
Importantly too, the statement said; “All interested parties are to make available 10% bid security of the value of their sealed bids to be dropped in the bid box provided at the specific centre out of the six locations of the Corporation as contained in the published advertisements.
“All interested bidders are advised to submit their bids only at the designated NDIC offices covering their choices amongst Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.”
Meanwhile, the Corporation has vowed that there would be no hiding place for debtors of the defunct Heritage Bank whose financial obligation portfolio is in the region of over N700 billion.
The Naira experienced a slight depreciation yesterday, slipping to N1,740 per dollar in the parallel market compared to its previous rate of N1,735 per dollar on Tuesday.
According to data from FMDQ, the indicative exchange rate for the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) strengthened, rising to N1,645.4 per dollar from Tuesday’s rate of N1,689.88 per dollar. This marks an appreciation of N44.48 for the Naira.
The market also saw a significant increase in dollar trading activity, with turnover climbing by 122.5 percent to reach $236.84 million, up from $106.44 million the previous day.
As a result, the gap between the parallel market and the NAFEM exchange rate widened, now standing at N94.6 per dollar, up from N45.12 per dollar recorded on Tuesday.
Just in: Plateau Govt Approves N70k Minimum Wage for Civil Servants
Before final liquidation, NDIC set to auction Heritage bank properties
Naira slumps in parallel market
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