The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abubakar Malami

  • Justice Minister urged to commence action against defecting lawmakers

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has been urged to commence action to declare seats of defecting legislators in the National Assembly vacant.

    Rights activist and social crusader in Delta state, Oghenejabor Ikimi, said in a statement in Warri on Friday that said this was necessary to strengthen the country’s “fledgling” democracy.

    Citing the Supreme Court’s case of Abegunde vs. Ondo State House of Assembly & Ors (2015) LPELR-24588 Ikimi called for vigilance on the part of the electorate against supporting greedy politicians for the 2019 polls.

    Read Also: PDP demands justice for slain Lagos chieftain

    Ikimi said: “I am not oblivious of the civic duty we owe the Nigerian nation as citizens in protecting and defending her fledgling democracy, hence my call to the federal and states’ attorneys general to unseat all erring federal and state legislators vide the law courts.

    “Nigerians especially her electorate must shun greedy politicians and must not allow them to truncate our democracy or turn same into a tool for seizing power illegally or to cause disunity and disaffection in our polity.

    “The Nigerian electorate must resist all political mercenaries masquerading themselves as politicians by all lawfully means through the ballot box.”

  • Buhari visits The Netherlands

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday, July 15, 2018, depart for the Netherlands to participate in activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that President Buhari is the only world leader invited to deliver a keynote address during the Solemn Hearing to commemorate the anniversary at Courtroom 1 of the ICC’s Headquarters at The Hague.

    In buttressing Nigeria’s commitment as a member of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, the President, as the current anti-corruption champion for the African Union, will use the global platform to reaffirm Nigeria’s support to the fundamental values of the Rome Statute and to the ideals of the ICC.

    He will also highlight his administration’s campaign against corruption in Nigeria.

    After the event at the Courtroom, the President will have a bilateral meeting with the ICC Prosecutor, Ms Fatou Bensouda.

    President Buhari will attend a dinner hosted by Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, the President of the ICC who is a Nigerian.

    The Nigerian leader, while in The Hague, will meet with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, to discuss bilateral issues such as migration, peace and security, and economic cooperation.

    Read Also: ADP pulls out coalition against Buhari

    The President and his delegation will have a separate roundtable with some Dutch Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of companies based in Nigeria with a view to urging them to expand their investments, especially in agriculture, oil and gas in Nigeria.

    President Buhari will also tour the Port of Rotterdam and Shell refinery Pernis, Hoogvliet.

    On the margins of the President’s visit, Nigeria and the Netherlands will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral consultations.

    President Buhari’s delegation to the Netherlands will include Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State; Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

    Others are the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh; the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar; the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru; and the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman.

  • FG denies report of $6.59b judgment by US court

    The Federal Government has faulted reports that a court in the United States has entered a default judgement affirming a $6.59 billion arbitral award against it and favour of a firm, Process & Industrial Development Limited (P&ID).

    The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, while speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, confirmed that the firm sued the Federal Government of Nigeria in a US District Court, but said no judgment has been given yet.

    Read Also:Ekiti: Court dismisses suit seeking to bar Fayemi

    Apata said the Nigerian government has taken the necessary steps to engage lawyers to handle the case on its behalf.

    He was however silent on the details of the dispute and what informed the suit brought against Nigeria by the private firm.

    Apata, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, said: “no default judgment was entered against Nigeria in the enforcement proceedings by P & ID.

    “The Federal Government through its foreign solicitors, Messrs. Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, has commenced the process of challenging and defending the enforcement proceedings.

    “It needs be stated that what is being taunted as a default judgment was actually a default entry made by the Court Clerk. Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), a defendant has up to 60 days period to answer to a petition filed against it.

    “Where no response is entered for the Defendant, the Court Clerk upon application by the petitioner makes a default entry, which in this case was made on 5th June, 2018.

    “It is to be noted that under the FSIA, a default judgment cannot be entered against a foreign State like Nigeria unless the presiding judge determines so after the petitioner/claimant must have established its entitlement to a default judgment.

    “Based on the presumption of sovereign immunity, the US District Court is still under obligation, despite default by a Foreign State, to determine whether the foreign state is immune from the jurisdiction of the US Court under FSIA or whether the case before it falls within one of the recognised exceptions.

    “Even where the court determines that it has jurisdiction, a default judgment will not be granted automatically or as a routine matter to be handled by a court clerk as this can only be done after a formal trial.

    “On 12th June, 2018 our foreign solicitors filed the necessary application to set aside the clerk’s default entry and to dismiss the entire case on grounds of defective service and lack of personal jurisdiction over Nigeria in line with the provisions of the FSIA.

    “We wish to re-assure the general public that there is no default judgment against Nigeria at the instance of P&ID.

    “We urge Nigeria’s foreign friends and investors to ignore the malicious reports.

    “The Federal Government is also making concerted efforts through legal and diplomatic channels to resolve the issues in contention between the parties in this matter,” Apata said.

  • Malami: Why govt loses some high profile cases

    Experts seek increased funding for investigations

    Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) on Tuesday blamed the loss of high profile cases in courts due to lack of proper investigation.

    According to him, the investigative capacities of anti-graft agencies must be strengthened if the Federal Government’s anti-graft crusade must succeed.

    Malami spoke in Lagos during a national training of investigators who were drawn from the anti-corruption agencies, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the police, Department of State Services, among others.

    It was organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), headed by Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice.

    The AGF, represented by the Federal Justice Sector Reform Co-ordinating Committee (FJSRCC) Secretary Mr Felix Ota-Okojie, said there was a gap between investigation and prosecution that must be filled.

    He said: “This seminar represents effort to build synergy and capacity of the various justice sector institutions, particularly in the area of criminal justice administration. There cannot be a successful prosecution without a thorough investigation. I think this is central to this seminar.

    “Our experience in this country has shown that it is that lacuna between investigation and prosecution that is responsible for the not-too-successful cases that we have witnessed.

    “This has raised cause for concern from the public as to why the prosecutors are not able to secure conviction in cases that seem to be very obvious. This is why we must continue to work to see how we can bridge that gap, so that both investigation and prosecution can be effective.

    “Stakeholders also need to share experience. This training is also in furtherance of the ministry’s leadership role in ensuring that we drive the process of implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Ac (ACJA), which if effectively implemented, will actually improve criminal justice in the country.”

    Prof Akinseye-George said there was the need for greater focus on investigators’ work, which he said would necessitate establishment of minimum standards and guidelines, and monitoring and evaluation of performance.

    He said there was also the need for accountability for non-performance and low productivity, provision of incentives, regular training opportunities and reward for exceptional performances.

    “Those investigating high profile corruption cases for example should be protected, well-resourced and insulated from the corrupting influence of moneybags and high profile defendants who have all the resources to influence outcome of investigations,” he said.

    The eminent professor of law decried excessive reliance on confessional statements by investigators and prosecutors to win convictions, which he said causes delays due to trial-within- trials.

    Read Also: Malami faults NASS on impeachment plot against Buhari

    “It is pertinent to adopt new investigative trends which leverage on modern technology and forensics,” Akinseye-George said.

    Lagos Attorney-General and Commission for Justice Mr Adeniji Kazeem urged investigators to see corruption as a crime against humanity, adding that the government must do more to protect those he described as the first line of defence in the anti-graft war.

    He said Governor Akinwumi Ambode has given approval for the equipment of statement recording rooms in police stations in compliance with the Criminal Justice Law of State and in line international best practices.

    “We identified 15 police commands, including the state command headquarters, to establish state of the witness processing rooms with recording equipment,” he said.

    Among challenges highlighted by participants are: use of obsolete investigative equipment and methods, inadequate working facilities and logistics due to poor funding, lack of incentives, lack of training and capacity which leads to incompetence, inter-agency rivalry which results in poor sharing of information, corruption among staff, lack of public support and apathy, conflicting laws, lack of forensic tools, bureaucratic bottlenecks, among others.

  • Court to Buhari: Order EFCC, others to release report on budget padding

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered President Muhammadu Buhari to order security and anti-corruption agencies to forward to him reports of their investigations into allegations of padding and stealing of about N481 billion from the 2016 budget by some principal officers of the National Assembly (NASS).”

    Justice Mohammed Idris who gave the order also instructed the President Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), and/or appropriate anti-corruption agencies to without delay commence prosecution of indicted lawmakers.

    Justice Idris issued the order in a judgment  delivered on Monday in a mandamus suit no: FHC/L/CS/1821/2017filed by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the government.

    The defendants in the suit are the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN).

    The suit was filed last year by SERAP through its counsel, Mrs Joke Fekumo, after the organization  received “credible information from multiple sources that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have completed investigations into the allegations of padding of the 2016 budget, completed their reports, and indicted some principal officers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and that the accounts of some of the principal officers containing allegedly illicit funds have been frozen, and that the case files for the prosecution of those indicted were ready.

    The suit read in part: “Unless the principal officers indicted in the alleged padding of the 2016 budget are prosecuted and any stolen public funds recovered, the Federal Government will not be able to stop padding of future budgets. Alleged corruption in the budget process will not just melt away or simply evaporate without addressing the fundamental issue of impunity of perpetrators.

    “Addressing alleged corruption in the budget process by pursuing prosecution of indicted principal officers of the National Assembly will provide an important opportunity for the Federal Government to reignite the fight against corruption and fulfill a cardinal campaign promise, to show that the Federal Government works on behalf of the many, and not the few, as well as jumpstart economic activities and break the back of the recession.

    “Publishing the report of the investigation of the alleged padding of the 2016 budget, and prosecuting suspected perpetrators are absolutely important to avoid another padding, which the Federal Government can ill afford.

    Read Also: N400m fraud: EFCC asks court to try Metuh in absentia

    Justice Idris, in his judgment,  ordered the President to “direct the publication of the report of investigations by security and anti-corruption bodies into the alleged padding of the 2016 budget.

    He held that President Buhari in the exercise of his executive powers has a duty to ensure compliance with the provisions of Article 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and that the President is “expected to use his executive powers for the public good of Nigeria.”

    Article 22 of the African Charter provides that, “All peoples shall have the right to their economic, social and cultural development with due regard to their freedom,” and that “States shall have the duty, individually or collectively, to ensure the exercise of the right to development.”

    Justice Idris also granted an order directing the President to “urgently halt alleged attempt by some principal officers of the NASS to steal N40 billion of the N100 billion allocated by his government as ‘zonal intervention’ in the 2017 budget.”

    The court also ordered the President “to closely monitor and scrutinize the spending of N131 billion (accrued from increased oil bench mark) allocated for additional non-constituency projects expenditure, to remove the possibility of corruption.”

    It was the contention of the court that “SERAP, being a human rights non-governmental organization has sufficient interest in the way and manner public funds are being utilized in this country.”

    Reacting to the judgment of the court, SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale said: “This judgment confirms the pervasive corruption in the budget process and the prevailing culture of impunity of our lawmakers as well as the failure of the authorities to uphold transparency and accountability in the entire budget process and implementation.

    “The judgement is an important step towards reversing a culture of corruption in the budget process that has meant that many of our lawmakers see the budget more as a ‘meal ticket’ to look after themselves than a social contract to meet people’s needs and advance equity and development across the country.”

    “This is a crucial precedent that vindicates the right to a transparent and accountable budget process and affirms the budget as government’s most important economic policy document, which is central to the realization of all human rights including the rights to health, water, and education. We are now in the process of obtaining a certified copy of the judgment. SERAP will do everything within its power to secure the full and effective enforcement of this important judgment.”

  • Looters list: Dokpesi sues Lai Mohammed for N5b

    Daar Communications Plc chairman High Chief Raymond Dokpesi has sued Minister of Information Lai Mohammed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over the publication of his name as a looter.

    He is seeking N5billion damages for alleged defamation of character.

    He is also praying for an order compelling the defendants, including Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN), to publish a full retraction of the defamatory publications and to apologise to him.

    Dokpesi said the defendants allegedly sent his name as a looter to the United State Embassy, which in turn notified him on March 16 that his visa had been revoked.

    The US Embassy, he said, told him it was because his name was among a looters list submitted to it by the Federal Government.

    The plaintiff said the publication of his name as a looter was malicious since he has not been convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction.

    Dokpesi prayed that the retraction and apology to him be published both in the social media and in newspaper and televisions stations.

    In the suit filed on Monday through his lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Dokpesi is also praying for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants or their agents from further making any defamatory publications against him, and N50million as cost of the action.

    The publications, he said, have prejudiced his constitutionally guaranteed rights to presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and that his right to fair hearing as enshrined in the Constitution has been blatantly violated.

    “The defendants’ defamatory publications are malicious and calculated to overreach and prejudice my fair trial and for purposes of stampeding and cowing the court to convict me at all cost by agreeing with the defendants’ skewed position,” the plaintiff said.

    Dokpesi said on March 30, the defendants allegedly defamed him by publishing his name as treasury looter in a news conference on the basis that he is on trial for allegedly receiving N2.2billion from the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    According the plaintiff, the defamatory words were understood to mean that he is a corrupt and crooked person, a dishonest man and a thief, unfit to hold public office, incapable of being trusted with public funds and a man lacking in integrity.

    “The defamatory words of the defendants were carefully schemed and embarked upon by the defendants as a way of vendetta to denigrate, disgrace, embarrass, humiliate and subject me to inhuman and degrading treatment before right thinking members of the public and the society at large,” he said in a supporting affidavit.

    Dokpesi claimed that as a result of the publications, his reputation has been seriously injured as he has suffered considerable “distress, odium, obloquy, ridicule, anxiety” and castigating media analyses.

    The plaintiff added that he has received calls from people locally and internationally who “expressed their disappointment that they never knew that he was a man of dubious character” despite his distinguished career in the private and public sectors.

    The plaintiff said he built his reputation in the private and public sectors, having been an assistant lecturer in Marine Transport Economics at the University of Gdansk, Chief Planning Officer at the Nigerian Ports Plc, Head of Water Transport Division at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Baldok Shipping Lines Ltd and chairman of Daar Communications Plc, among others.

    He said he also held several national appointments, and has received countless awards and recognition.

    Dokpesi said his friends, professional colleagues and family members have been looking down on him since the publications, with many of them avoiding him “as they now see him as a questionable, dubious and dishonest person.”

    The plaintiff said unless the defendants are perpetually restrained, they would continue to do damage to his reputation.

    No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit which was filed on Monday.

  • 2019: Nigeria assures international community of free, credible elections

    Frowns at ICC’s decision to investigate cases against it

    Nigerian government will do all within its powers to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2019, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) has said.

    Malami said the country was mindful of the implication of a flawed election on its reputation and was willing to ensure that elections were held in a manner that will not require the intervention of foreign agencies like the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    The AGF spoke in Abuja on Thursday while playing host to the visiting President of the ICC, Professor Chile Ebue Osuji.

    Malami expressed Nigeria’s concern over the ICC’s decision to continue to entertain eight cases relating to it and in connection with its handling of the problem of terrorism in the country.

    The AGF said it was regrettable that despite Nigeria’s support and commitment to the ideals of the ICC, the court has proceeded to escalate the eight potential cases relating to Nigeria.

    He said: “Presently, the ICC has escalated the eight potential cases against Nigeria – six against the Boko Haram and two against the military – from the initial preliminary examination to preliminary investigation.

    “This is worrisome as Nigeria has demonstrated beyond doubt, and in absolute cooperation with the ICC, that it is willing and able and, as a matter of fact, it is indeed arresting, investigating and prosecuting anyone that commits any offence that falls within the Rome Statute of the ICC.

    “The above being the case, Nigeria views the escalation of the eight potential cases as uncalled for in the circumstance.

    “Nevertheless, as a country that believes in the operation of the rule of law, fundamental freedom and the need to fight impunity in all ramifications, the escalation of the eight potential cases will not deter us from further expressing and demonstrating support to the ICC.”

    Malami said Nigeria’s recent decision to defray all its arrears of assessed contributions, totaling €1,303,402.00 was a demonstration of the country’s support for Osuji’s leadership of the ICC.

    The AGF assured that the country will prevail on countries that have withdrawn their membership of the court or threatening to do so to reconsider their position.

    Malami added: “Let me assure you that my office will continue to work with the National Assembly to ensure speedy passage of the Bill for the domestication of the Rome Statute of the ICC, which is currently awaiting action by the National Assembly.”

    He urged Osuji to ensure that his reign favours the country, particularly when there are job openings.

    Responding, Osuji praised the countries for its support to the ICC and assured that the court will continue to ensure work against injustice and abuse of powers in its area of jurisdiction.

    The ICC President described as inaccurate and erroneous the impression that Article 27 of the Rome Statute,  that abhors immunity for any head of state or senior government officials was targetted at African leaders.

    He said the provision and the reason for that portion of the Rome Statute predate Independent African states.

  • Abacha loot: FG confirms recovery of $322.51m from Switzerland

    The Federal Government says it has received 322.51 million dollars from the Swiss Government as part of looted funds recovered from former Head of State, late General Sani Abacha.

    Mr Oluyinka Akintunde, the Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Finance, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to Akintunde, the government received the money since Dec., 2017.

    Akintunde said there was no controversy surrounding the recovery of stolen funds by the former head of state from the Swiss Government.

    “The minister wishes to dissociate herself and the Federal Ministry of Finance from recent reports on the Abacha refunds.

    “The minister had at no time written any letter to the President or any member of the Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) on the payment of lawyers for the Abacha recovery.

    “She also refutes the flawed reports of controversy surrounding the Abacha recovery.

    “We wish to state that the sum of 322,515,931.83 dollars was received into a Special Account in the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) on Dec. 18, 2017 from the Swiss Government.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, there is no controversy concerning the recovery of the Abacha monies from the Swiss Government,” he said.

    Akintunde said the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, frowned at a recent report that she objected to the payment of 16.9 million dollars to two lawyers who recovered the Abacha funds.

    In 1999, the Nigerian Government hired Mr Enrico Monfrini, a Swiss lawyer to recover the Abacha loot.

    After a successful negotiation by Monfrini, the recovered money was domiciled with the Attorney-General of Switzerland pending the signing of an MoU with Nigeria to avoid the issues of accountability that trailed previous recoveries.

    All that was left after the signing of the MoU was a government-to-government communication for the money to be repatriated to Nigeria.

    However, Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, later engaged the services of another set of lawyers in 2016 for a fee of about N6 billion (16.9 million dollars).

    The two Nigerian lawyers are Mr Oladipo Okpeseyi, a senior advocate of Nigeria ( SAN ), and Temitope Adebayo.

    NAN

  • FG saves N4.5 trillion from high profile cases 

    FG saves N4.5 trillion from high profile cases 

    The Federal Government on Wednesday disclosed that it has saved over N4.5 trillion from high profile cases prosecuted by the Ministry of Justice between 2015 and 2017.

    The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami briefed State House correspondents at the end of about seven hours Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He was with the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello.

    According to Malami, his Ministry presented its score card to Council in the last two and a half years.

    He said “In respect of Federal Ministry of Justice what was presented to the Council today is the score card from 2015 to 2017

    “We presented a score card as to cases both civil, criminal that were prosecuted by the Federal Ministry of Justice and their implications as to savings that were done for the government commencing from 2015 to the present time.

    “Fundamentally arising from the cases that were conducted by the Federal ministry of Justice, the Ministry has succeeded in saving the government around N4.5 trillion relating to the claims that were presented in respect of these cases which were indeed conducted and concluded.” he

    Continuing, the Minister said “The Federal Government has put in place a committee saddled with the responsibilities of coming up with policies and strategies that will ease off congestion of prisons.

    “Over 70 percent of the inmates are awaiting trials there are sizeable number that couldn’t afford to pay limited fine that have been imposed by them arriving from their convictions.

    “There are those awaiting trials that have never seen the court room for over five years and above and indeed there are multiple legislation that are before the national assembly that are intended to support the decongestion of prison formation process.” he said

    He said that another area the Ministry presented its score card was the ongoing prosecution of Boko Haram cases.

    On Boko Haram suspected terrorists ongoing trial, he said that the total number of convictions so far is 255 and those discharged is 737.

    He said “We presented a position as to the number of cases that were prosecuted, number of convictions that were procured and the number of discharges that were made relating to the cases and then made a presentation as to the road maps for the continuation of the process.

    “There were other presentations that were made particularly as it relates to plea bargain. There are a lot of pending criminal cases in respect of the accused persons standing trials, who made offers for plea bargain.

    “Again there are high profile cases that we made our score card and gave an insight as to their respective positions.

    “A presentation was made relating to national prosecution team as it relates to the cases they are expected to prosecute.” he said

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi also disclosed that FEC has approved the construction of the  Ibadan – Kaduna rail lines at the cost of $6.7 billion.

    The project, he said, is expected to be completed in three years.

    According to him, the contract for the Kaduna to Kano aspect of the rail line was awarded last year.

    The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, also briefed on the progress made based on the recently approved executive order, the national strategy for competitiveness and the entire science and technology innovation road map.

    As part of the score card of the Ministry in the past two and half years, he presented new biscuits being produced in conjunction with Nasco Food.

    He said “High nutrient density products developed and proposed for inclusion in the current Nigerian School Feeding program will provide at least a third of the desired major macro and micro nutrients requirement stipulated by the World Health organization, Food and Nutrition Board.

    “Additionally, the products will be produced by NASCO Foods Limited, Jos that have state-of-the-art processing equipment with vast experience in Food processing, Food Safety and quality for production and supply chain nationwide.

    “The developed nutritious products have been tested using Nasco Food processing facilities in Jos and have been found to be technically and economically viable.

    “The pupils in the schools in Jos and Lagos where the sensory evaluation and consumer acceptability studies were done showed strong likeness for the products and are ready to consume the products if including in the school feeding program.” he said

    On his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said that the major projects which were rolled out by his ministry, including the citizens diplomacy program, desk to desk review initiatives and the economic diplomacy innovation, are recording successes.

    He also gave score card of his Ministry in the past two and half years to the Council.

    He listed the special interventions by the Buhari’s administration for the ministry, foreign missions and embassies to include N16.3 billion, N933 million, N7 billion, $32 million and $28 million.

    According to him, all the interventions were made as the President decided that he would not entertain sending Nigerians abroad without the necessary funding.

    He said “Special intervention fund to rescue many embassies in several countries of the world. First was in 2016 when the Naira was fluctuating terribly and of course the dollars to our embassies were too low to sustain them.

    “We received initially N16.3 billion, and was successfully distributed to all embassies. The second one was N933 million for renovations and other debts released in October, 2017.

    “The third was $32 million that were released for critically distressed 65 missions that were in serious debts and crisis. This was approved in November 2017 and we are in the process of distributing to the embassies around the world another one, $28 million and is the process of also being distributed and finally for ministry headquarters, the sum of N7 billion was made.” he said

    He added “A lot of the debts and the crisis in our embassies and missions around the world have been building over the last 10 years and Mr. President decided that he will no longer accept the situation where we are sending Nigerians out to represent this country and not given them the resources to be able to carry out their tasks. Hence he made provisions and directed that these funds should be released to them.

    “So the situation is still not perfect but this has come in very handily and of course in the interest of transparency we wanted to show how these funds had been disbursed.” he stated

    The Minister of FCT disclosed that FEC approved N1.9 billion for road reconstruction of Clinton Drive and N273 million for water treatment chemicals.

    Read Also: Tracking high-profile corruption cases

  • AGF seeks clarification on corruption charge against Danladi

    AGF seeks clarification on corruption charge against Danladi

     

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has sought clarification from the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo in relation to the charge they filed against the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar.

    Malami’s request for clarification is contained in two letters written on his behalf by the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF) and Permanet Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, who asked Magu and Keyamo to direct their responses to the AGF.

    Magu and Keyamo were, in the letters, dated February 16, 2018, with Reference Numbers:  DPP/ADV:368/15 (for Magu) and DPP/ADV:369/15 (for Keyamo) asked to make their responses available to the AGF on or before February 20, 2018.

    Kayamu had on behalf of the EFCC, filed a charge against Umar on February 2, this year before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Umar is accused, in the charged marked: CR/109/18, of demanding N10m as favour from a defendant standing trial before the CCT, Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, in 2012.

    The anti-corruption agency accused Umar of receiving, through his personal assistant, Alhaji Gambo Abdullahi, N1.8m out of the N10m demanded from Taiwo in the same year.

    The offences were said to be contrary to Section 12(1)(a) & (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003.

    The charge is currently before Justice Ishaq Bello of the FCT High Court in Maitama and it is scheduled to come up on March 15 for the arraignment.

    The DPP’s letter to Magu is titled: “Titled “FR VS Danladi Umar (CR/109/18) request for Briefing.

    It reads: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.

    “I am directed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to seek clarification from you as to whether the charges were filed on your instruction or directive and if in the affirmative, what is the compelling basis for doing so. This clarification becomes imperative in view of the following background facts.

    Read Also: AGF decries increase in detainees without trial

    “The Commission’s investigation report dated 5th March 2015 addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation stated as follows: “The facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the defence.

    “The Commission’s position in paragraph 2(a) above was also maintained and sustained by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation while appearing before the House of Representatives’ Investigative Committee sometimes in 2015 to the effect that report of investigations showed that the allegations against Hon. Justice Danladi Umar were based on mere suspicions.

    “In view of the foregoing, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation requests for your prompt briefing as to the existence of new facts which are contrary to the position in your attached investigation report, sufficient evidence or other developments upon which the prosecution of Hon. Justice Danladi can be successfully based.

    “Kindly accord this letter top priority whiles your prompt response within 48 hours from the receipt of same is required in the circumstances.”

    On his part, the letter to Keyamo reads: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that you have filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.

    “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation hereby requests that you kindly furnish this office with the details of the instruction or authorization upon which you instituted the case under reference.

    “Kindly accord this letter top priority whiles your prompt response on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2018 is solicited in this regard.”

    When contacted yesterday, Keyamo acknowledged receiving a leter from the Federal Ministry of Justice on the CCT Chairman’s issue.

    Keyamo said he found nothing unusual about the letter. He said it was a private letter sent to him for enquiry and to which he has since responded. He declined to dwell on the content of the letter.

    Keyamo said: “I received a letter from the Ministry of Justice. It is not a query. It’s an enquiry and I have responded to it.

    “It was a private letter, and I don’t have to make the content of a private letter public. Yes, I relieved a letter and I have responded to it.”