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  • Why North is against state police, by Shehu Sani

    Why North is against state police, by Shehu Sani

    Human rights activist Shehu Sani gives insight into why the North is opposed to state police. He spoke with LEKE SALAUDEEN. Excerpts:

     

    Why are the northern states opposed to the creation of state police?

    A lot of factors are responsible. During the colonial time, the local police were directly under the emirate system referred to as Native Authority. At that time, they were brutally used against members of the opposition. They arrested people like late Hajiya Gambo Sawaba, then woman leader of late Aminu Kano’s party Northern Element Progressive Union (NEPU) for no other reason than being a member of the opposition. The experience is fresh in the memory. If you look at what the Sharia police (Hisba) are doing today in Kano and Zamfara, it is similar to what the Native Police did in the First Republic. Even though the Hisbah set up by the state governments claim to be enforcing Sharia law, they are used against people who criticise governors and their policies. Governments also use Hisbah to rig local government elections.

    In a region like ours where everything is seen from religious perspective (Muslim or Christian dichotomy), there is the likelihood of state police being used against a section of the populace that profess a religious identity different to that of people in government.

    Another reason is the very fact that the lean purse of the northern states will make it difficult for them to fund such a structure without additional funds coming from anywhere.

    The North’s opposition to state police has to do with the event that led to the build up to the civil war. There is very strong fear that if the state police is allowed, some states secessionist ambition could arm the state police through the back door with weapons, which could lead to the breakup of the country.

    Also it has to do with the very fact that states all over the country have not demonstrated the spirit of fairness, equity and justice in terms of running other institutions that are directly under them. They have bastardised the local government system, pocketed the states legislature and consistently manipulate local government elections to their favour and at the same time looting the state treasury. If they have proved incapable, dubious and dishonest in handling those institutions, it is self destruction for anyone to think that they can perform magic with state police.

    Given the state of insecurity and the failure of the police to guarantee safety of life and property, especially in the North, don’t you think state police will help?

    The socio-economic and political upheaval we were facing as a nation today is a direct product of decades of injustice, inequity and neglect. The solution to the problem is not about creating layers of security and multiplicity of state apparatus but ensuring that social justice and economic opportunities are abound for all Nigerians.

    State governors are chief security officers in their respective states but they lack police of their own. Police commissioners don’t take directives from governors but from Abuja. In emergency situations, governors are helpless. Is this normal in a federal set up?

    What you have said is true. If it is about control, all that we need to do is to loosen the Federal Government’s grip and make it possible for the state executive to use federal police in their states for maintenance of law and order. The problem of state police is that we can’t trust the governors that they would not misuse it. There is no state structure that has succeeded under them in terms of equity and justice. If they have been able to prove that they are capable of handling state police fairly and justly nobody would stand on their way. How they have treated opposition is creating fear in the minds of the people. State police is necessary. But the advocates should come out with measures that will make it impossible for state authorities to manipulate.

    Can we absolve Federal Government of police abuse?

    No. The Federal Government is also guilty. Despite that, the central government has an edge over the states when you consider the fact that elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is relatively credible than elections by states electoral bodies. Remember that much of the state police would be populated party thugs and miscreants loyal to the governors. They will unleash them on the opposition and critics of government.

    In future, when our democracy matures and laws are made to make it impossible for anybody to manipulate the police, we can give state police a thought but not now.

    State governments provide logistics and financial support for police commands in their jurisdiction which makes one to think that state police would not constitute burden for them. What do you think?

    Are you saying the civil servants in the states are better paid? The mere fact that they are providing support for the federal police does not mean that they can shoulder state police when established. State police can work in Lagos it may not work in Plateau state where issues are considered from religious point of view. Kano state government can use state police against Igbos living in the state. Zamfara State can use state police against Christians there while the Labour Party in Ondo State can intimidate ACN supporters. Advocates of state police need to do a lot and provide ideas and suggestions that will allay the fears of the antagonists.

  • $620,000 bribe: Police quiz Lawan, Emenalo again

    $620,000 bribe: Police quiz Lawan, Emenalo again

    SUSPENDED House Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime chair Farouk Lawan kept another date with the police yesterday.

    Lawan got more questions on the $620,000 bribe allegation hurled at him by businessman Mr. Femi Otedola, who said he hand him the cash to get his company’s name off the list of those indicted in the subsidy probe.

    Lawan and the Clerk of the committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, got more questions from the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Force CID, Mr. Ali Amodu, following a letter from the government prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

    The two suspects will report at the FCID today to answer the questions in writing after taking the oath to be truthful.

    But the police have also decided to re-invite Otedola and the Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Drugs and Narcotics, Mr. Adam Jagaba, who Lawan claimed to have given the $600,000 bribe for transmission to the anti-graft agency, EFCC.

    It was learnt that the police may probe Jagaba’s medical records as part of their search for the bribe cash.

    Lawan and Emenalo reported at the FCID as part of their bail bond, but the situation took a new turn as the police placed them on additional investigation.

    It was learnt that the two suspects were told that they had to go through another round of additional investigation at the prompting of the government prosecutor.

    A source said: “When the two suspects (Lawan and Emenalo) reported at the FCID, they were served questions by the CP. But Lawan queried why the police will subject them to investigation after recommending them for trial.

    “Lawan alleged that since the police had made up their mind that they had a case to answer, they should just go ahead with their arraignment in court.

    “But the CP took time to explain that the additional investigation was at the prompting of the government prosecutor.”

    The source quoted Lawan as saying: “Let us take the questions home to study, we will come and make statements on oath or under caution later.”

    According to the source, “Lawan and Emenalo were served with the questions and directed to report on Thursday for interrogation and writing of statements under caution.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “Certainly, we will re-invite Otedola and Jagaba.

    “Jagaba’s case is peculiar because Lawan said he met him at about 3.47am and handed over $500,000 out of the $620,000 to him. But Jagaba said he could not have met Lawan at 3am because of his health challenge as a result of which he sleeps by 10pm.

    “Now, the police will probe the medical records and his medication to ascertain whether he has a life-threatening ailment as claimed.

    “The real challenge is locating the whereabouts of the $620,000.”

    The prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega (SAN), has written the police on what he is expecting on fresh angles to the case.

    He, specifically, asked the Police to obtain a statement from the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, as a follow-up to his letter on how Lawan approached him and ignored his advice for a sting operation by the anti-graft agency.

    The prosecution team’s demands are as follows: “Police to obtain statement from each and every member of the House Ad Hoc Committee. They should make statement of their knowledge of the transactions and communication between Otedola and Farouk with regard to the $3m and if they have knowledge of wether $120,000 was given to the Secretary. When did they become aware?

    “Whether they were a part of the House leadership meeting that made the Resolution not to display the money. Who brought the money and where was it as at 6th of June, and who took custody of it thereafter?

    “The members will also say whether they were aware of reports to Jagaba and EFCC and if they were aware, when and how they became aware.

    “Police to investigate the security guards at Jagaba’s house, especially the security man on duty on the 24th April 2012 (if there was any).

    “Police to confirm medically and scientifically the ‘life time medication’ of Jagaba, the source, the duration of such medication. Check the correctness of the claim – Jagaba should not be believed without cross checking.

    “Where is the $600,000 or $620,000? It must be established. Note the meeting of House Leadership, i.e. Deputy Speaker, Hon Bashiru Adamu and Hon Adams Jagaba – statement of each of them (Lawan’s statement of 14/06/2012).

    “Confirm whether the House Leadership knew of the money with Jagaba as at 29th May. Confirm the serial number of the $100 bills obtained from Emenalo’s house. Whether it accords with that issued by SSS.

    “Whether the $10,000 recovered from Lawan has the same serial numbers of the US dollar bills as those issued by the SSS to Mr. Femi Otedola.

    “To obtain statements from the SSS operatives who conducted the sting operation. A statement should be obtained from Mr. Lamorde – in line with his letter of 4th July 2012. His letter is not a statement admissible in a court of law).

    “To obtain CTC of the following documents: Hansard of the House sitting of 8th January 2012 (there should be terms of reference). Rules and procedure of the committee; The Hansard of the proceedings of the 18th and 24th April, 2012; The PPPRA subsidy scam from Mr. Femi Otedola; The letter of Mr. Otedola to SSS, dated 18th April, 2012; The register/serial number, copy of the SSS of $620,000 bills.”

     

  • Floods sack Kaduna, Benue communities after days of rains

    Floods sack Kaduna, Benue communities after days of rains

    At least 178 homes have been swept away in Kaduna metropolis following 350 days of torrential rainfall.

    Vice President Namadi Sambo’s house and the zonal office of the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) along Gabarau Road near the new Kaduna Bridge are in danger of being submerged because of the rising water level.

    In Benue State, about 350 hectares of rice farm along the bank of River Benue has been destroyed by flood.

    Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said yesterday that more houses may be affected in the coming days as the level of water on the Kaduna river continues to rise.

    Executive Secretary of the Agency, Ishaku Dogo Makama, however, said the agency has no record of death so far, even though many residents of the metropolis believe that the figure of houses affected is more than the figures given.

    A Senior Lecturer with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Dr. Mhamud Umar, said: “In the Zaria, area where I live, one family lost their apartment. The entire house collapsed. The owner of the house had to sleep outside because of their property while his family went to take refuge somewhere”.

    Weather experts had predicted that Kaduna will be affected by flood, especially between September and October, compelling the government to issue a warning on August 7, to residents of flood-prone areas to evacuate.

    Some of the areas affected by the floods include Abubakar Kigo Road extension, Rafin Guza, Nasarawa, Bashan Road, Tudun Wada and Unguwan Rimi GRA, among others. The areas are flood-prone, but attract lots of people annually.

    Makama said a combined effort of the agency and officials of the Nigeria Red Cross came with the figure of the affected houses saying “after the assessment of these areas by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Red Cross, we confirmed 178 homes submerged. We have not heard of any reported death or injury. We are writing a report to government, so, we can be helped to set up camp for affected people. We are still appealing to people living in flood-prone areas to please leave, as the danger of flooding is not yet over”. It was gathered that some of the houses affected at the high brow Unguwan Rimi GRA, New Extension, were homes of the rich who build houses not too far from the Kaduna River which is already on the tip of the bridge.

    One of those affected by the flood along Abubakar Kigo Road and a Reporter with The Road , Miss Amina Anebi said: “I was woken up by a roaring sound. When I woke up, I heard the sound of water gushing from my doors and windows, so I jumped out of bed. “I discovered that the water had risen close to my ankles. I started to move my things and put them on top of the table. I carried some on my head. When I opened the door, more water flowed in. I managed to wade through it. By this time, it was waist-high.

    “This was around 2am and there was water everywhere. As I speak now, my things are still there. I saw people moving out their things in vehicles, some carrying their children moving their things about that night. It came as a surprise to many of us”, she said.

    Unguwan Rafi, housing the state legislative quarters was not left out as the flood turn the place into an overnight lake. Men in canoe were seen doing brisk business, moving people out and recovering some valuables for them. At the time of this report, the water level was still rising and there was no immediate succour to those affected who are taking refuge with friends and family members across the metropolis.

    About 50 kilometre stretch of Rice farm ,cultivated on 350 hectares of land along the Bank of River Benue has been destroyed by flood from water released from Lagdo dam in cameroun.

    Most of the farmers affected by the floods are those engaged in out growers scheme of Mess Ashi Foods limited ,owners of Ashi Rice Mill, with biggest rice processing plant at Anyiin, Local Government Area.

    With the flooding, the hope of harvesting this season is dashed and the fear of rice scarcity ,which would also scuttle the government effort on rice importation.

    There is also the fear of food crisis as Benue is considered as the food basket of the nation and a major rice-procession region in the country, accounting for 45 per cent of local rice production .There are two modern rice milling plant in operation.

    Ashi Foods limited, owners of Ashi Rice Mill are already counting losses as a result of the flooding.

    The Project Coordinator of the company, Joesph Tsavsar estimated the loss at over N500 million.

     

  • 2015 presidency: Look beyond PDP, ANPP boss tells Igbo leaders

    2015 presidency: Look beyond PDP, ANPP boss tells Igbo leaders

    The Igbo should look beyond the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)to actualise their quest to produce the President in 2015, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) National chair Ogbonnaya Onu advised yesterday.

    Dr. Onu spoke at the Igbo Leadership Forum of the World Igbo Congress Convention at Orlando, Florida, United States.

    His speech is titled: “The Igbo: The Path To Nigeria’s Presidency In 2015”.

    The ANPP chairman said the Igbo must not fail to realise that the Constitution makes no provision for independent candidates, and therefore they need a political platform to realise their political aspiration.

    His words: ‘‘Anyone who wants to run for an elective office, whether as a Councillor in a Local Government or as the President of the Federal Republic , must be sponsored by a political party. The first important step in running for election is to contest and win the primaries of a political party and become its candidate.

    ‘‘It is remarkable that of all the major ethnic groups in our dear country, the Igbo are the only ones who are indigenous only in our country. There is no other country in the world where Igbo are an indigenous people. Today, propelled by the indomitable spirit of adventure and entrepreneurship, the Igbo are found in every part of our dear country and in virtually every country of the world.”

    Onu said: ‘‘For the Igbo to do well in politics, they should not put their eggs in one basket. What we have today is that most of the Igbo elite are in the ruling party. They believe that the ruling party is where the action is. This has its advantages. It certainly has many disadvantages.

    ‘‘It is very important to always consider what happens in such a case if, for one reason or the other, the ruling party is unable to make available its platform. In that case every effort made, then comes to nothing. Should this be allowed to be so? No.

    ‘‘The Igbo in politics should look beyond the ruling party. We should study the political terrain very carefully and take decisions which are in our own very best interest. We should always remember what our ancestors taught us, that when answering the call of nature, we should go with two pieces of sticks. If one falls by the wayside unnoticed, the other can still be relied upon to perform its duty when the need arises.

    ‘‘The Igbo need an alternative political party that has a national reach and is not perceived by the general public as a regionally-based party. The All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, is that political party which the Igbo should embrace so that they can always make a viable choice. The Igbo need to diversify, as an insurance against the unknown and the unseen.

    “For twelve years (1999-2011), the ANPP remained the second largest political party in the country. It initially controlled nine States which spread across three geo-political zones. It also controlled slightly above one quarter of the membership of the National Assembly. Even though its fortunes have declined, it now controls three States. The ANPP has a Senator from Kogi State in North Central Nigeria and a Member of the House of Representatives from Ebonyi State in the Southeast Nigeria.

    ‘‘The time has come when the Igbo should stop putting all their political eggs into one basket, particularly when the basket is in the custody of others. Allowing the Igbo ambition to be determined by only the ruling political party can result in disappointment at a time that no remedy exists. This cannot be the right road to follow.

    ‘‘The Igbo should remember that its political leaders were the founding leaders of the All Peoples Party, APP, that later became the ANPP. These great Igbo sons and daughters laid the foundation and nurtured the Party to what it was in 1999. These Igbo political leaders include Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Chief Sam Mbakwe, Chief C. C. Onoh, Chief E. C. Iwuanyanwu, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, Chief Evan Enwerem, Chief Ken Nnamani, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Dr Hyde Onuaguluchi, Chief Martin Elechi, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Chief Ben Obi, Chief (Mrs) Joy Emordi, Dr Ezekiel Izuogu, Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, Chief Chris Nwankwo, Chief Frank Ogbuewu, Chief Lynda Ikpeazu.

     

     

  • ALGON to Okorocha: respect judgment on 27 councils

    ALGON to Okorocha: respect judgment on 27 councils

    Local Government chairmen yesterday resolved to push for financial autonomy for the grassroots administration in the expected new constitution.

    At the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Abuja, the chairmen urged Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha to abide by the judgment of the Court of Appeal and ensure that the 27 local council chairmen are restored to office with all the outstanding statutory allocations due to them paid.

    In a communiqué read by National President of ALGON, Nwabueze Okafor, the Chairmen resolved to fight for the financial and administrative autonomy of the local councils.

    Okafor said: “ALGON NEC came up with resolutions that the issues relating to the autonomy of Local Government administration should not be subject of negotiation. We believe that local councils are about the most viable platforms to relate to the grassroots and bring development to the people of Nigeria . We have resolved to continue to pursue the financial and administrative autonomy of the local government system in Nigeria.”

    In the communiqué, ALGON said it will also fight to ensure that elections are conducted in those councils where there are no elected executives.

    He listed states that have so far complied with the constitutional provision by conducting local government elections to include, Enugu, Lagos, and Akwa Ibom…

    While insisting that ALGON will fight to see to the implementation Section 7 of the constitution which provides for democratically elected council executives, he appealed to governors to conduct elections into the local councils.

    He said the body will encourage states to continue to support local government authorities in their areas as it is through this avenue that development can reach the grassroots.

    Okafor expressed concern over the face-off between the Imo State Government and the chairmen of the councils.

    The association urged the Imo state government to take urgent steps to arrest the near-anarchy looming in the state by releasing accumulated funds belonging to the councils so that they can be used for development which has been stagnated since the conflict started.

    “NEC also expressed concern that the issues relating to the face-off between the. government of Imo state and the local council chairmen has become a festering one and one that is casting a serious slur on democracy in Nigeria . The NEC believes that democracy should not just start and end with the Federal and state governments, but that democracy should also be made to take root at the local government levels. It is the position of ALGON NEC that the government of Imo state should just respect the rulings of the Appeal Court to restore the chairmen to their offices but it should try to restore to them the full compliments of their offices.

    “In this regard, ALGON in its communiqué urges the Imo state governor to ensure that the chairmen have access to all the funds that have accrued to their councils so that they can effectively discharge their functions.”

    He said the NEC decided to expand the presentation made earlier on the review of the constitution by setting up a committee to examine laws and status that affect the operation of local government administration in the country.

    He said the intention is to identify all areas where there are conflicts and areas that may be impeding the smooth operation of councils and then come up with positions that will be forwarded to the constitution review committee.

    About 20 local government chairmen made up those elected through a democratic process attended the meeting.

     

  • FEC okays 44 projects for oil states

    FEC okays 44 projects for oil states

    FORTY-FOUR projects are to be implemented in the nine oil producing states by the Federal Government, Information Minister Labaran Maku announced yesterday.

    He said the projects approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its weekly meeting yesterday, would be on the development of infrastructure.

    Speaking after the meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, the minister listed the states as: Cross River, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, Abia and Ondo.

    Maku said that Council gave the approval following a memoranda presented by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on phased development of the oil bearing states.

    He said: “These infrastructural projects cut across road construction, construction of bridges, environmental projects and a number of projects across the states of the Niger Delta, including Abia, Imo and Ondo, which are also oil producing states.

    “The Executive Council took a look at the proposal; and we believe that approving these projects will accelerate the infrastructure development of the Niger Delta region as well as other states that have always suffer degradation as a result of oil mining.’’

    Maku, who was silent on the projects’ cost implication, said they would be funded exclusively from the funds that accrue to the region through NDDC.

    He said the approval would enable the Commission to expedite action on the implementation of the projects during the dry season.

    The Council also approved N13.3 billion contract for the provision of second phase of primary engineering infrastructure ar Mbora District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The Minister of State for the FCT, Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide, said the contract involved the provision of arterial and collector roads, telecommunications, power supply, drainage works, among others.

    She said the project, to be funded from the statutory budget of the FCT, would encourage plot owners to take physical possession of their property.

    Akinjide said that the development of Mbora District, which is part of the third phase of FCT development, would help in decongesting the city centre.

    Also approved was the inclusion of military retirees and their immediate families in the National Health Insurance Scheme’s (NHIS) benefit package.

    The Federal Government approved N3.6 billion in the first year for the Defence health maintenance organisation.

    Yesterday’s approval followed the recommendation of the technical sub-committee set up by Ministry of Finance and Health to include the military retirees to boost officers’morale.

    The scheme was initiated in 2001by the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

    The committee had argued that the non-inclusion of retirees in the NHIS would negatively affect the moral and dampen the enthusiasm of those still in service with adverse security implications for the country.

  • $15m Ibori bribe: Keyamo writes IGP over court order

    $15m Ibori bribe: Keyamo writes IGP over court order

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, was yesterday urged to evince fearlessness in carrying out a court order instructing him to investigate the direct criminal complaint filed by activist -lawyer Festus Keyamo, against Senator Andy Uba and businessman Chibuike Achigbu over the Ibori $15 million bribe.

    The Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, presided over by Chief Magistrate Okagu, had, on Monday, September 10, made an order directing the Inspector-General of Police to conduct a thorough criminal investigation against Senator Andy Uba and Chibuike Achigbu over allegations surrounding the $15 million Ibori bribe.

    The order, The Nation learnt, was made based on a Direct Criminal Complaint filed in the court by the lawyer against Uba and Achigbu, accusing them of conspiracy, abetment and bribery in respect of the $15 million Ibori bribe

    In a letter dated September 11, and entitled: Court Order to investigate a Direct Criminal Complaint against one Andy Uba and Chibuike Achigbu over $15 million Ibori Bribe,” Keyamo told the IGP: “Please find attached an order of the Chief Magistrate court, sitting in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, directing you to investigate the complaints contained in the Direct Criminal Complaint, filed by myself, against one Andy Uba and ChibuikeAchigbu.

    “As you can see, the said order was made on the 10th of September, 2012 and you are expected to report back to the court with your findings on this matter on the 26th of September, 2012 . As a result, time is of the essence in this investigation.

    “I only need to add that in conducting your investigation, I urge you to be upright, fearless, unbiased and to do your job according to the dictates of your conscience and the oath of your office, no matter whose ox is gored in the process. The heavens will not fall.”

  • Court restrains INEC from deregistering NCP

    Court restrains INEC from deregistering NCP

    Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from deregistering the National Conscience Party (NCP).

    The party was founded by the late rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

    Justice Okon Abang, in a ruling on an interlocutory application by the party, held that the order shall subsist, pending the determination of NCP’s suit challenging INEC’s powers to deregister parties.

    The judge ordered the plaintiff to endorse a Form 48 (notice of consequences of disobedience of court orders) and serve it along with the court order, on INEC’s Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega personally.

    Justice Abang refused the second leg of the plaintiff’s prayer to the effect that INEC should be restrained from deregistering any political party in the country.

    The judge held that it was improper for the court to make an order in favour of parties not before it. He claimed that the other political parties were not parties in the suit before the court.

    Justice Abang also noted that the need to restrain INEC from deregistering the plaintiff before the determination of the main suit was with the consent of parties, particularly INEC’s lawyer, Adeniyi Lawal, who undertook that INEC will not deregister the plaintiff until the main suit is decided.

    Justice Abang, who noted that INEC defaulted in filing processes within the stipulated time, granted the commission additional time to respond to the suit. His decision, he said, was informed by the need to ensure justice to all parties.

    The judge adjourned to November 27 for hearing of the substantive suit.

    NCP had, in an affidavit supporting its interlocutory application, argued that unless restrained, INEC would carry out its alleged threat to deregister some parties.

    “If the third respondent (INEC) is not restrained promptly from deregistering the first plaintiff (NCP) or any political party pending the determination of the substantive suit, it may carry out its threat to do so, and this will cause irreparable damage to the plaintiffs,” the party had argued.

    Named as defendants in the suit are the National Assembly, Attorney General of the Federation and INEC.

    In the substantive suit, INEC is particularly, challenging the constitutionality of the provisions of Section 78 (7) (ii) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    The provisions confer powers on INEC to deregister political parties for failure to win a sit in the National Assembly or state Assembly.

  • Fed Govt intervenes in fight over Accounting Officers

    Fed Govt intervenes in fight over Accounting Officers

    Following recurring confusion over who should be the accounting officer, indications emerged yesterday that the Federal Government may ask its agencies to invoke Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution pending amendment to their Acts.

    Also, fresh facts emerged yesterday that the Code of Conduct Bureau has written the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) to seek clarification on who is the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the bureau.

    According to a top government official, who spoke in confidence, the government is disturbed that the dispute over Chief Executive Officer or Accounting Officer has been a recurring challenge.

    The source said: “These agencies, including INEC and CCB, have been writing the Attorney-General of the Federation on who is their either the CEO or Accounting Officer.

    “In the case of INEC, the chairman of the commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, ought not to have written the AGF if they had gone through Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution. “Section 160 empowers each of the Federal Executive bodies to determine their mode of operation after consultations with President Goodluck Jonathan.”

    Section 160 says: “Subject to sub-section (2), any of the bodies may, with the approval of the President, by rules or otherwise regulate its own procedure or confer powers and impose duties on any officer or authority for the purpose of discharging its functions provided that in the case of the Independent National Electoral Commission, its powers to make its own rule or otherwise regulate its own procedure shall not be subject to the approval or control of the President.”

    The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. Sam Saba, has also written the AGF on who should be the Accounting Officer of the bureau.

    A copy of the letter obtained from the bureau, noted: “Up to this moment, there are reservations about who is the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Bureau. Furthermore, the Board believes that going by the provision of the 1999 Constitution 3rd Schedule Part 1 part 1 paragraph 3f they are vested with the powers to make appointments, participate in the day to day running of the departments in the Bureau.”

    The source claimed that the Bureau has received legal advice from the AGF.

    The AGF’s letter reads: “On the issue of Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer of the Bureau, I wish to observe that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) is one of the executive bodies established by Section 153 of the Constitution. Its composition and powers are specifically provided for in items 1 and 3 Part 1 to the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Sections 1 (2) and 3 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, CAP. C15. LFN 2004.

    “It would appear that the powers and functions of the CCB are exercisable only by the Bureau and not by the Chairman or any individual member of the Bureau except as may be delegated by the Bureau. Furthermore, relevant provisions of the Constitution and CCB Act do not provide for the position of the CEO or Accounting Officer. Thus, in the absence of a clear delegation of these roles by the Bureau, it would be difficult if not legally tenable to presume that the Chairman is the CEO or the Accounting Officer of the Bureau”

    “It is my respectful view that in the absence of express provisions of the law, the Bureau can rely on this provision to determine its Chief Executive and/or Accounting Officer. This can be achieved either through a decision of the Bureau or rules made by the Bureau, with the express approval of the President.”

     

  • 2015: No room for discredited candidates, says Tukur

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will present credible candidates for the 2015 general elections, its National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur said yesterday. He said people with credibility problems will not get the party’s tickets, no matter their contributions to its growth.

    Tukur, who spoke at a function in his Abuja home, added that the rule is part of the consolidation agenda and reform package of the new PDP leadership.

    Receiving a delegation of Southwest PDP, led by Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, the chairman said the party would work hard to retain the states under its control and regain the ones it lost in 2015 election.

    “We are at the moment making consultations with PDP elders, youths, women and every relevant group on how best to take off so that we begin to regain the lost grounds.

    “I am saying that we have started reconstructing our beautiful umbrella and in the process, we will plug all loopholes. We will extend the shelter; we will strengthen the structure and make it more attractive to everybody.

    “At the end of it all, PDP will rise up powerfully and prove its strength as the only national party in Nigeria through subsequent elections that will be devoid of rigging

    “I hereby call on our members in all the states of the federation to join us in the process of making the PDP the only attractive party with inputs from the youths and women, most especially since we are now inclined to giving more space to the youths and women in our new ideology and agenda.”

    Other members of the delegation were Chief Ademola Adepegba, Chief Remilekun Iyiola and Prof Ishola Odelola.