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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.
News
Change Negative Narrative About EFCC Being Used For Settling Political Scores- Reps
………Ask Anti Graft Agency To Fight Financial Crimes Within Established Laws
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……My Staff Are Poorly Paid, EFCC
…., States Why Fight Against Yahoo Boys Fierce
The House of Representatives has tasked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to purge itself from the negative impression that its being used to settle political scores and concentrate fighting financial and economic crimes within established laws.
The House handed the advise on Tuesday through the Chairman House Committee on Financial Crimes Honorable Ginger Onwusibe who led members of the committee on the 2024 oversight exercise on the commission.
The oversight covered extensive facility tour of departments and critical operational units of the antigraft agency.
In his terse remarks, Hon. Onwusibe challenged the agency to improve its operational activities in combating economic and financial crimes by complying with its 2004 Establishment Act and other relevant applicable laws like the Money Laundering ( Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022: Terrorism ( Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022: The Proceeds of Crime Act. 2022, as well as other statutes, that compels it to carry out these roles transparently with accountability and show that the negative maxim being peddled in some quarters that the agency is often being used for settling political scores is incorrect .
The committee assured that it will collaborate with the commission to actualize its mandate by enacting new laws or amending old ones and as well providing budgetary interventions, if it must strive tirelessly to be on top of its challenges
The House urged the agency to collaborate with sister agencies and desist from keeping suspects as- awaiting ‘trial in correctional centres nationwide
“At this point let me add that a recent visit to the Maximun and Minimun Correctional centres in Kirikiri Lagos State, numerous suspects have been awaiting trial for over one year and yet we are all acquainted with the saying that justice delayed is justice denied”
” It is on this note that we call on the EFCC, Attorney General of the Federation and the Judiciary to improve and ensure the administration of justice works and is efficiently delivered to the victims”
The House warned the agency to purge itself of rotten eggs in order to fight economic and financial crimes frontally, thereby stimulating the Nigerian economy
It also urged EFCC to focus properly on its mandate.
” The issue of appropriate and proper focusing on the mandate of the EFCC must relentlessly be on the front burner:
“Orders from competent courts , arrest and debt recovery must be pursued religiously” the House cautioned
But on its side, the antigraft agency said it has not deviated from its focus but rather working hard and fighting financial and economic crimes as enunciated in its mandate.
Chairman of the agency , Ola Olukeyede told his guest in his remarks during the oversight visit that the commission was doing much to fight financial and economic crimes and stimulate the Nigerian economy
He said so far that the agency has recovered over N250bn cash, tens of million of Dollars and other foreign currencies, with over 3000 convictions: 17000 petitions while also investigating over 20000,with about 4000 fresh cases , all being handled by a misery number of staff strenght
He noted that its priority is to improve the country’s image and stimulate its economy, such that there could be improvement in foregin direct investments and stimulation of the local economy.
Olukeyede however, argued that the agency needed more staff strenght, funding , better renumeration for staff because they were poorly paid. He also emphasised on modern day technology to fight the ever dynamic cyber criminals
According to the EFCC boss, it was important to give more salary to EFCC staff and deploy modern technology to fight emerging cyber crime dynamism . He expalined that the agency has increased efforts to fight Yahoo, yahhoo, boys because of their ability to crumble any economy within a twinkle of an eye
According to him, the agency was expanding its drag net to focus on ministries, departments and agencies infrastructural projects. ” “Go to MDAs and see their budget implementstion. It is not up to 20%”
“We want to ensure 50% infrastructural development” the anti graft boss announced, insisting that it would henceforth encourage monitoring of project implementation which was an aspect of preventing financial crimes
He said the agency has dismissed lots of erring staff, and will continue to dismiss and even prosecute them going forward.
Olukeyede disclosed that it had designed a template on staff integrity, using the Gift- Policy model
.” It is not every thankful gift we should collect” the EFCC boss warned
” I am advocating for more welfare improvement, better welfare, he said.
“We will do more recoveries, more convictions, but we need more resources to do our work, maintaining that, that was his stand on ethics and integrity .
Olokeyede’s demand for more salary wage for staff of the commission, is seen as an incentive to boost welfare and morale to fight financial crimes to standstill.
He stated that there was the utmost need to increase salaries of staff of the commission
The EFCC boss who spoke on his stewardship in the last one year, further added that it increased the war against Yahoo- Yahoo boys because of the consequences of their nefarious acts which could crumble a nation’s economy in a jiffy.
He argued that more technology was required to fight financial crimes.
For instance he explained that it was a common scenario then for thieves and armed robbers to attack and break into banks with guns and Dynamites
” But it is the same common and more easier scenario and task now to have Yahoo-Yahoo boys and bank thieves attack banks with technology in the comfort of their homes or hideouts”
“So we need technology and we also need to increase our fight against these Yahoo boys who can dismantle any economy within a twinkle of an eye
He called on the national Assembly to improve and increase its finances because fighting Financial crimes was a herculean task that requires adequate funding
Olokeyede who apparently was responding to criticisms of the commission’s over concentration on Cyber crimes/ thieves, perpetrated by Yahoo boys, said he has made tremendous impact in enforcement, investigation and conviction with an outstanding record convictions between October 2023 when he was appointed till date
News
Trouble looming for Obaseki as Gov Okpebholo orders probe of his admin
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has ordered the setting up of a committee to probe the immediate-past administration of Godwin Obaseki for its failure to inaugurate 14 Edo Assembly lawmakers-elect into the 7th Assembly.
Okpebholo disclosed this while giving his inaugural speech as the new governor of the state.
Governor Okpebholo also ordered the State Chief Judge to immediately investigate the initial delay of former Governor Obaseki to inaugurate duly-cleared judges by the National Judicial Council (NJC) last year
News
Naira may depreciate to N1,993 against dollar – Report
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nigeria’s naira has been projected to depreciate further to N1,993 per dollar in the coming days.
This is according to BMI, a Fitch Solutions subsidiary report title, ‘Weak Naira and Structural Challenges to Constrain Nigeria’s Medical Devices Market Growth’.
The report said the forecasted depreciation will be predicated on the 95 percent dependence on imports for pharmaceuticals in Nigeria.
According to the report, the development would erode both the health system and patient purchasing power.
“We expect that the naira will end 2028 at N1,993/$ from N306/$ in 2018.
“As the naira weakens, the cost of importing medical devices will continually increase, eroding both the health system and patient purchasing power, especially to invest in essential medical technologies given the underfunding of the public health sector,” the report stated.
This comes as Naira fell to N1681.42 and N1735 at the official and parallel foreign exchange markets on Monday.
This comes as FMDQ FX transaction turnover dropped significantly from $1.4 billion on Friday to $471.5 million on Monday.
Last Thursday, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, said the country’s external reserves rose to $40 billion.
Despite Central Bank of Nigeria’s interventions and external reserves rise in the last months, the naira has continued to experience fluctuations in the FX market.
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