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Tag: Abubakar Malami

  • UNODC commends Nigeria’s anti-corruption war

    UNODC commends Nigeria’s anti-corruption war

    The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has given Nigeria a pass mark in the fight against corruption, adding that the battle can also be fought with international co-operation.

    Jennifer Bradford, UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer said this in Abuja Wednesday.

    Bradford spoke at the opening of a three-day visit for the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Peer Review of Nigeria by Myanmar and Côte D’ Ivoire.

    She said the fight against corruption was not a one-off event, adding that it was only with continuous efforts and determination that it could be won.

    “The fight against corruption takes a lot of efforts and it is not a fight that can be fought and won in one day.
    “The fight also needs collaboration and joint efforts both nationally and internationally because no country can do it alone”, she said.

    Mr. Tukur Modibbo, the National Focal Person for UNCAC in Nigeria, told newsmen that after the review process, the United Nations would evolve a certain set of recommendations for Nigeria.

    He said experience had shown that such recommendations may require amendment of the national laws or enacting new laws by the National Assembly to further enhance the process.

    According to him, this is with the aim of tightening areas were there may be corruption leakages in order to make the laws water-tight and difficult for persons to perpetrate corruption or escape punishment when caught.
    Modibbo added that although the United Nations was spearheading the process, it was Côte D’ Ivoire and Myammar that were leading the review of Nigeria.

    “After this process, Nigeria will also go out and review a West-African country and one other country in another continent still under the tutelage of the United Nations”, he said.

    He explained that the process comprised a single cycle of 10 years and Nigeria had in phase one which terminated in 2016, mainly reviewed law enforcement and criminalisation of corruption and international co-operation.

    He said the present review was the second phase which would target preventive measures and asset recovery.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), said the two chapters under review were key areas of focus for the present administration.

    “The two chapters under review in this cycle – chapter two and five which deal with preventive measures and asset recovery are key areas of focus of the current administration as it remains committed to the fight against corruption.

    “Without pre-empting this process, this government has undertaken preventive measures against corrupt practices and has put a lot of efforts in the recovery of looted, carted and stashed asset both home and abroad.

    Malami, who is also the Minister of Justice maintained that in the fight against corruption, Nigeria had put in place various policies with a view to ensuring sanity in every sector.

     

  • AGF briefs Buhari on anti-graft campaign, others

    AGF briefs Buhari on anti-graft campaign, others

    The Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami on Tuesday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the fight against corruption in the country and Electoral reform bill.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Malami said his meeting with the President was a routine briefing.

    According to him, the President is worried with the delay in the passage of the anti-corruption and electoral reform bills by the National Assembly.

    He said: “It relates to general issues – the issues that have to do with anti-corruption. Mr. President is worried that anti-corruption bills that are pending before the National Assembly overtime, there has not been any expeditious determination on the passage of the bills and indeed, the asset management agency was also part of the discussion.

    “Mr. President is worried that the assets that have been gathered over time by the agencies of government and that are responsible for the fight against corruption are scattered all over the place and embedded in the Proceeds of Crime Bill is Asset Management Agency which is the agency put in place by the presidency for the purpose of the management of the associated assets that are recovered.

    “So, Mr. President is indeed worried and the discussions bothered on how best we can handle it. There are limited issues that relate to the parastatals under the Ministry of Justice.

    “As you are aware, this afternoon, the Electoral Reform Committee that has been put in place has submitted its report to my office. I equally briefed Mr. President on that and in addition to the report, there are bills that have been presented for the consideration of the Federal Executive Council as they relate to amendment to the electoral process.

    “The whole essence of the meeting was to seek the view of Mr. President and the direction as to what to do next on the Electoral Reform Committee report that has been submitted and to consider routine processes under the Ministry of Justice.”

    He also disclosed that the Presidential Investigative Panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo may submit its report by Wednesday.

     

  • Judge directs AGF to warn police against treating court with levity

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday directed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami, to warn the police on the consequences of treating courts with levity.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawale who issued the directive said that police as an institution established by law must subject itself to constituted rules.

    Kolawole’s reaction followed the failure of the police to appear in a case of enforcement of fundamental human rights instituted against it and four others by the Incorporated Trustees of the Peace Corps of Nigeria.

    At the resumed hearing of the suit, the Inspector General of Police and the Nigerian Police Force, who are the major defendants in the court action, were not in court and gave no cogent reason.

    The AGF, the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services and its Director-General, who are the other defendants in the suit, were represented by Mr Terhemba Agbe.

    Mr Kanu Agabi, (SAN), Counsel to the Peace Corps and its National Commandant, had urged the court for an order restraining the police from further taking steps against the plaintiffs in the pending court action.

    Agabi had specifically pleaded with the judge to order the police to vacate the corporate headquarters of the Peace Corps in Abuja, which had been sealed off since Feb. 28.

    He also asked for an order of court to facilitate the release of the vehicles and other properties of the corps carted away by the police when the office was invaded.

    Agabi urged the court to allow hearing of the parties in the matter before giving any order.

    Justice Kolawale expressed displeasure over the absence of the police in court without justifiable reason.

    The judge said that the police who were the antagonist in the matter ought to have realised that a case for the enforcement of fundamental human rights ought to be treated with deserved urgency.

    “It is an affront to the court for a party in a pending court action to take any further step in such a manner that may affect the foundation of the case.

    “To take a further step in a pending court matter outside the court is nothing but self help and the consequence of such action is contempt of proceedings,’’ Kolawole said.

    According to him, it would not be in the interest of justice for any of the parties in the matter to resort to self help or impose a “fate accompli” on the court.

    Specifically, the judge said that his ruling should be served on the police through the office of the AGF to enable the police realise the consequences of treating the court with levity.

    He therefore, ordered the AGF and three other defendants to file processes within five days in response to the originating summons of the Peace Corps.

    The court adjourned hearing in the matter until May 15.

  • Osinbajo’s panel meets in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo’s panel meets in Aso Rock

    The Presidential Investigative panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday night met behind closed doors at the State House, Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari last week Wednesday had set up a three man committee with membership including the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

    It was mandated to investigate allegations of violations of law and due process made against the suspended Secretary to the Government of Federation, Babachir David Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

    The panel is also investigating the money linked to the suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke concerning the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The committee had grilled Oke on Monday for about 10 hours while Lawal appeared before the committee for about 2 hours on Tuesday.

    The Wednesday meeting, which started around 6.45p.m., only have members of the committee in attendance.

    It was not clear if Oke or Lawal will appear later before the Wednesday meeting comes to an end.

    It was also not certain if any private or other public officials have been linked to the investigation as it had vowed to invite anyone uncovered.

    A reliable source, who does not want his name in prints, however disclosed that the Wednesday meeting was to review what the panel has gathered from the investigation so far.

    The committee is expected to submit its report by next week.

    The meeting was still ongoing at the time of filing this report.

     

  • Osinbajo meets Magu, DSS chief, IGP, others in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo meets Magu, DSS chief, IGP, others in Aso Rock

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday met with some top security officials and other highly placed officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting came 24 hours after the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayo Oke, were suspended from office.

    Those at the meeting included the Director General of the Department for State Security (DSS), Lawal Daura, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

    Others are the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

    Adamawa State Governor, Jibrilla Bindow, was also reportedly sighted at the Presidential Villa on Thursday.

    It was not certain whether Bindow, who was seen by some staff, met with the vice president or the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba kyari.

    There were however speculations that the governor’s visit was not unconnected with the suspension of the SGF.

    Lawal is from Adamawa State.

    Magu, after meeting with the vice president, disclosed that he attended Assets Recovery Committee meeting.

  • Why recovered funds disbursement is delayed – AGF

    Why recovered funds disbursement is delayed – AGF

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has blamed the National Assembly for the delay in the disbursement of recovered looted funds.

    Malami said the failure of the National Assembly to pass Proceed of Crime Act (POCA) Bill pending before it accounted for the Federal Government’s inability to establish a body to manage the recovered funds.

    AGF’s spokesman, Salihu Isah, in a statement on Wednesday said the minister spoke while participating in a programme: “Good Morning Nigeria” on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

    Isah quoted Malami as saying: “If Proceed of Crimes Act had been promulgated, we would have had in place an agency that would formulate policy on the management of recovered loots.”

    He said the Act was intended to midwife the Recovered Asset Management Agency (RAMA), with a board comprising a chairman, with 20 years of cognate experience and representatives would be drawn from: the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies and civil society groups.

    Malami said when established, RAMA will also generate income for government from local and international sources.

    The AGF said there is a robust collaboration between states and Federal Government in the fight against corruption.

    He said the collaboration informed why the federal government granted fiat to states Attorneys-General to prosecute federal offences with corruption connotations in the various states.

  • Senate summons ministers, AGF, four firms over e-passport deals

    Senate summons ministers, AGF, four firms over e-passport deals

    The Senate ad hoc committee investigating alleged misuse, under remittance, and other fraudulent activities in the collection, remittance and expenditure of internally generated revenue by MDAs has invited the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, Minister of Interior, General Danbazzau and  Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris over alleged shady deals in the production and sale of e-passport.

    Also summoned by the committee to shed light on the multi-billion naira production and sale of e-passport includes four companies.

    They are to appear before the Senator Solomon Adeola led committee to explain their roles on e-Passport production and other immigration related issues that the companies performed on behalf of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The firms were said to have entered into public private partnership (PPP) arrangement with the NIS over the years.

    The invited companies included Contec Nigeria Ltd, Greater Washington Nigeria Ltd, New work Solution and Investment Ltd, and Iris Smart Technologies which works on e-passport production, expatriate residence permit and alien card and related immigration.

    The companies are also said to have contractual agreements to perform some revenue generating service on behalf of the NIS “with the companies withholding a hefty percentage of revenue that would have accrued to the Federal Government.”

    Senator Adeola issued the invitation following the presentation made by the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr. Mohammed Babandede, on the revenue profile of the service. The committee wanted to know how generated revenue, “running into billions of naira and dollar, were shared by the companies, NIS and the Federal Government.”

    Adeola said, “I am at loss why huge part of revenue generated by NIS continued to be paid to private firms in the name of PPP that should actually be based on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT).

    “We cannot continue to deny Nigerians the benefits that would accrue to them through increase revenue to government coffers instead of huge earnings for private concerns.

    “This is an area that government can generate huge revenue. There is need to get clarifications on this issue from all the parties involved.”

    The CG of NIS, in his presentation, noted that the reasons for entering into PPP arrangement at the time the government did was attributed to inadequate funding and late release of budgeted sums, multiple acquisition of travel documents and poor revenue generation. He added that the private partners provided all the funding while money realized in the course of issuing facilities is shared with government in order to allow the private partners recoup their investment.

    The Immigration boss said that for the period of investigation by the Senate between 2012-2016 total remittance to Federal Government stood at over N17 billion and over$112million.

    He noted that “revenue accruing to government has increased almost a hundred fold since the introduction of these (PPP) agreements”.

  • Update: Senate calls for Customs CG’s resignation

    Update: Senate calls for Customs CG’s resignation

    The Senate on Wednesday called for the resignation of the Customs Comptroller General , Col Hammed Ali who failed to show up as directed.

    The Senators said Ali is unfit to hold public office.

    A closed-door session had earlier been held  on a letter from the Attorney General of the Federation, (AGF), Abubakar Malami that the Chamber should  stay action on the invitation of the   to appear in uniform.

    The appearance of the Comptroller General was listed in the order paper of the Senate as the fourth business of the day  despite the AGF’s letter to suspend his invitation following a court summon.

    The item on the Order Paper was captioned “Briefing by the Comptroller-General of the Customs and Excise’’ and slated to be moved by the Leader of the Senate, Sen. Ahmed Lawan.

    Ali was asked to appear before the Senate today (Wednesday) in uniform following his appearance in mufti last Thursday.

    The Customs CG on Tuesday disclosed that he would not honour the Senate’s invitation following a suit filed over the matter.

    ”Somebody has sued us. It is subjudice. I have got my writ of summons and they said status quo ante should remain, which means nothing should move until the court makes a pronouncement,” he said. The plantiff is Mohammed Ibrahim, a lawyer.

    The senate had on Thursday asked Ali to appear before it at 10 a.m. on Wednesday in Customs uniform to explain the rationale for directing that vehicle owners should be pay duty on their cars.

    Prompted by Ali’s seeming disrespect by refusing to appear before the senate as directed, senators at exactly 10.32 a.m. went into a closed-door session apparently to assess the situation and make a resolution.

    The senate had first invited Ali to appear before it on March 8  to brief it on the proposed policy for payment of Customs Duty by vehicles owners, no matter the age of the vehicle.

    However, Ali did not honour the invitation on the ground that he had a management meeting.

     

     

     

     

  • FG files fresh charges against Justices Ngwuta, Ademola at CCT

    The Federal Government on Wednesday filed two fresh charges against Justices Sylvester Ngwuta (of the Supreme Court) and Adeniyi Ademola (of the Federal High Court) before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    According to Salihu Othman Isah, the Media Aide to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), the charge against Justice Ngwuta has 10 counts, while that against Justice Ademola has two counts.

    They are accused of contravening the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCB/T) Act for  failing to declare some of their assets.

    Both judges are already being tried on separate criminal offences before the Federal High Court (in the case of Justice Ngwuta) and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (for Justice Ademola).

    Isah, in a statement issued late on Wednesday, said the AGF has written the CCT, requesting for a date for the judges’ arraignment on the new charges.

    He said the charges were filed on behalf of the AGF by Hajara Yusuf, an official in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

     

  • N18.1b looted funds recovered in 2016 – AGF

    N18.1b looted funds recovered in 2016 – AGF

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), said on Thursday that his ministry recovered N18.1billion of looted public funds in 2016.

    The minister, who was silent on the individuals and institutions from who the money was recovered, said efforts were on to recover more this year.

    “We have made progress in the recovery of looted funds. Last year, over N15billion and $10.5m were recovered,” Malami said.

    The AGF spoke in Abuja while playing host to members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, who were in the Federal Ministry of Justice in furtherance of their oversight function.

    He said Federal Government’s efforts to effectively prosecute the anti-corruption war and recover more looted funds were being hampered by the legislature’s delay in the passage of relevant bills such as the Proceeds of Crime Act and the need for autonomy for the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

    He noted that the absence of these important laws informed why the country was not yet admitted as a member of the Financial Action Task force.

    The minister, who gave details of his ministry implementation of last year’s Appropriation Act, said it performed well despite the paucity of funds.

    He said of the N3, 921,612,815 allocated to the ministry in last year’s budget, N3, 723,833,877 has so far been released, from which it has expended N3, 672,730,661.16 as at December 31, 2016 on personnel and non-regular allowances.

    The Senate Committee’s Chairman, Senator David Umar, assured the minister of the committee willingness to assist the ministry surpass its last year’s performance.

    He said works were ongoing on the bills mentioned by the minister.