News
AGF moves to block presidential pardon for corrupt leaders
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has proposed a constitutional amendment to block presidential pardons for corrupt leaders, aiming to strengthen the fight against corruption.
The proposal, made at a one-day roundtable organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja on Monday, seeks to exclude corruption cases from the prerogative of mercy.
The ICPC event, themed ‘Building a Unified Front Against Corruption in Nigeria,’ brought together State Attorneys-General, Commissioners for Justice from all 36 states, and representatives from civil society organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders to enhance collaboration and strengthen anti-corruption efforts. The roundtable was supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
According to the Minister of Justice, the proposed amendment will be pursued in the next constitutional review to ensure that corrupt leaders face the full weight of the law.
The AGF stated that the proposal would be a significant step toward addressing corruption in Nigeria, a major concern for citizens and the international community.
Several high-profile individuals convicted of corruption in Nigeria have previously received presidential pardons.
Notable examples include the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, pardoned by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, and the former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who received a pardon in 2015.
The AGF said, “I have always believed that no one can claim to know everything, and it is through collaboration with others that we achieve the best results. United we stand, divided we fall. In the fight against corruption, everyone is a stakeholder. Believe me, everyone is involved.
“In fighting corruption, we need to focus on the facts, not on where someone is from or their religion. If someone is accused of embezzling money, the focus should be on the facts of the case.
“I suggest that in our next constitutional amendment, matters of corruption should be excluded from the prerogative of mercy. This is the only way we can progress.
“We want to return to an era where showing your passport and mentioning your profession automatically earns you respect. When we travel outside the country, and you reach immigration or border stations, they first ask you, ‘What work do you do?’ Sometimes you feel like hiding your passport, but you have to show it.
“Let us return to this approach when dealing with corruption. We should also avoid the trend of public sentiment influencing actions, especially in Nigeria, where political polarization is rampant. Investigations should be thorough, and charges should be clear and concise.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu, lauded the proposal, noting that corruption undermines institutions and stifles development. He reiterated the Senate’s commitment to supporting anti-corruption initiatives.
Ideozu stated, “Corruption is not just a legal challenge; it is a social cancer that erodes trust, undermines institutions, and stifles development. It is a problem that requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach, involving every segment of our society.
“As State Attorneys-General, you hold significant responsibilities in the administration of justice at the state level, and your role in this fight cannot be overstated.
“We must ensure that our justice system operates with the highest level of integrity, where the rule of law is upheld, and where there is no place for corruption to take root. Prevention is always better than cure.”
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), emphasized the importance of collaboration between the ICPC and State Attorneys-General in preventing corruption and promoting good governance.
He explained that the ICPC has been working to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts through preventive measures and enforcement.
Specifically, Aliyu said that the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) will be enhanced through collaboration.
He stated, “Corruption is a complex problem that has permeated all aspects of life and suppressed development in Nigeria. Both Federal and State institutions are stunted because of multiple harmful practices, greed, and impunity.
“Reaching institutions at the State level requires the involvement of State officials. It demands expertise, collaboration, informed strategies, and knowledge sharing. Knowledge and expertise are not based in one place and are not easily acquired without a determined and focused pursuit, with adequate resources.
“This collaboration with the Attorney General can lead to more effective preventive strategies, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and a more corruption-resistant public sector. We can also win the confidence of the public in government institutions and the criminal justice system in particular.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, Rt. Hon. Kayode Moshood Akiolu, assured the ICPC of legislative backing, stating that the House of Representatives is committed to playing its legislative role in ensuring the federal government’s success in the anti-corruption fight.
Akiolu said, “At a period in our national life when the economy is struggling, citizens are grappling with existential issues, and the government needs all the resources it can get to execute developmental projects and pull our country out of the woods.
“The need to rein in corruption and plug revenue leakages has never been greater. To the uninitiated, it might seem like the government does a lot of talking. But the truth is that corruption is a complex phenomenon to contend with.
“Corruption is a national problem; it is not a federal problem. All hands need to be on deck to help steer the ship of state from corruption-infested waters and onto safe waters where national development can thrive.”
Keynote speaker, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), emphasized the need for a unified front against corruption, while Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes reiterated the Senate’s commitment to supporting anti-corruption initiatives.
According to him, this development will boost the federal government’s anti-corruption drive and promote accountability among public officials.
A panel discussion, moderated by former Lagos State Attorney-General, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), featured experts including Mr. Ekpo Nta, former Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Mohammed Tabiu (SAN), Prof. Abdulkarim Kana (SAN) (Designate), and Barr. Hauwa Abubakar, Attorney-General of Borno State.
The discussion identified key challenges and opportunities for enhancing anti-corruption efforts, including addressing corruption-inducing social norms, promoting public education and awareness, and strengthening institutional frameworks.
…as Speaker Ibrahima reaffirm commitment to regional unity
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, has reaffirmed the Parliament’s dedication to deepening economic integration among member states.
Speaking at the First Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament for 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria, she emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, particularly in advancing the single currency agenda.
The session opened with a seminar themed “ECOWAS @50 & Parliament @25: Reflections on Regional Integration,” aimed at evaluating progress and addressing challenges in the bloc.
On the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, Ibrahima acknowledged the impact on integration efforts but assured that strategies are in place to address any setbacks. She emphasized the enduring regional ties and called for continued dialogue with the departing nations while reaffirming ECOWAS’ readiness to maintain bilateral relations.
She further stressed the importance of translating seminar discussions into concrete policies that foster peace, stability, and economic growth.
The Speaker urged all member states to stay committed to ECOWAS’ objectives and work collectively towards a more unified and prosperous region.
I operate a Palmpay account. Until this morning, I had never attempted to set up an OPay account. I did not succeed setting it up because I discovered that someone with my three names and phone number operates an OPay account. I was mystified at the discovery and think this is grossly unsafe. The person could commit fraud and I could end up paying for it, say. That this happened is a result of formidable negligence on the part of OPay. I have no doubt.
Exactly what its KYC processes are I don’t know. I do not want to speculate, but I think OPay’s KYC processes are worse than poor. From my experience, the KYC processes at Opay, which self-describes as safe and secure, are squalid. They’re shit. Hot shit. Don’t dupe yourself into believing that you’re safe.
The number I attempted to use to set up an account is linked to my NIN, BVN and bank accounts, of course. How it could be in use by another person in Opay’s system eludes me. But in the meantime, the backstory.
I wanted to move N50,000 to my account to my Palmpay account from my Zenith Bank Plc account this morning. On account of a concentration outage I can’t explain, I typed Opay as the destination bank instead of Palmpay. My phone number, which serves as my account number, was correctly inputted and it threw up my name. I made the transfer, but got no notification from Palmpay. Strange. Very strange.
I checked a few minutes later and there was still no notification. I checked the receipt on my @ZenithBank app and discovered that the destination bank I typed in error was OPay. I called a friend, who advised me to open an Opay account and that the money would drop. I asked why it left my account at all since I had no OPay account. I felt it should have been reversed. He asked that I should go set up an Opay account.
I went through the whole facial recognition shebang, got an OTP and later a request for the last six digits of my BVN before things screeched to a halt.
I typed the last six digits and I got a response that they were out of sync. How? I wondered. I called the OPay customer care desk to know what happened. Someone named Funke, who spoke in Yoruba, attended to me. I chose to be served in that language because I thought, from my experience with telco help desks, my chances of being quickly attended to were brighter.
I gave the Funke my name and the number with which I tried to open an account with. She said the number is linked to an Opay account with the name Bamidele Temitope Johnson. She advised me to speak to my bank. My bank? I asked why it was even possible in the first instance, given KYC. She said she didn’t know. I contacted my bank, which said it couldn’t do anything because the names of the OPay account holder to whom I sent money in error are the same as mine.
The person I spoke with at my bank warned that I need this resolved. Very quickly, too. If the OPay account holder is funding terrorism or involved in other crimes, he warned, I coul get into a really sticky situation. I also suspect that there may be hundreds of people in a similar situation where shabby KYC processes make them sitting ducks. Trouble is just around the corner and they don’t know.
Johnson, a Lagos based Marketing Communications Executive shared this on his Facebook page…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Brigadier General Kunle Nafiu as the new Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Bri. Gen. Nafiu, until his appointment, was the Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, having also served in the same capacity with the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Raised Abiodun Lagbaja.
A Member of 47 Regular Course, Nafiu is an Artillery Officer who graduated from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the US Army War College.
Before he was appointed Chief of Staff to the COAS, he was a Directing Staff at the Army War College, Nigeria.
The new NYSC DG hails from Ileogbo, Aiyedire Local Government Area of Osun State.
Nafiu, whose appointment is immediately effective, replaces Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed.
ECOWAS Parliament Kicks Off First Extraordinary Session
Palmpay Customer Panic – Before Opay Puts Me In Trouble
BREAKING! TInubu fires NYSC DG, announces fresh appointment
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News23 hours agoSe3ual Harassment Palaver: Panic As Natasha’s Camp Confirms Solid Evidence Against Akpabio
-
News23 hours agoJUST IN: Famous Singer Angie Stone dies at 63
-
Economy23 hours agoSEE Naira To Dollar Exchange Rate, Black Market– March 2
-
News22 hours agoRAMADAN! Senator Manu embarks on another distribution of packages(Photos)
-
News20 hours agoBanks begin implementation of new ATM transaction fee
-
News20 hours agoCandidate From Zamfara With 120 In JAMB May Study Medicine At ABU, My Child With 240 May Not -Luka Binniyat
-
News24 hours agoOver 20,000 Stranded Nigerians Returned Home Through IOM Assistance
-
News22 hours agoSpeaker Abbas Reaffirms Commitment to Accountability in Public Funds