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Tag: anti-corruption war

  • TI report on Nigeria’s Military Spending A New Low For Global Anti Corruption War – Group

    The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has said the Transparency International (TI) report on 2015 military spending in Nigeria has made rubbish the global effort to curb corruption and fight terrorism.

    The group raised concern that Transparency International once recognized as a global powerhouse in the global war against corruption has now decended so low by allowing low heads and those with “political interests” to doctor it’s reports.

    Addressing journalists at the weekend, CESJET Executive Secretary, Ikpa Isaac condemned in the strongest term the report, saying it lacked any sense of credibility

    He lamented that with TI now decending this low, stakeholders in the social justice and anti corruption war should be concerned.

    Ikpa said CESJET after due diligence and investigation has confirmed that the so called $15 billion as defence budget or expenditure in 2015 didn’t even exist in the whole of the 2015 defence spending under the President Jonathan administration.

    He wondered how possible a man can embezzle more than the nation’s annual budget, saying such could only have existed in the imagination of mischief makers who author fraudulent reports to please their clients.

    He said, “The true intent of that report is to be seen in its recommendation for arms sales to Nigeria to be blocked. The other demands that appear punitive, like travel ban are icing meant to disguise the call for ban on weapon sales,” he said.

    The CESJECT boss said Nigerians must rise up to resist this new plot just like it resisted the earlier plot by amnesty international.

    Speaking further, Ikpa said, “We therefore want Nigerians to be on alert. Nigerians must recognize that a new plot to destabilize Nigeria has been launched and is being driven by Transparency International as opposed to Amnesty International that we all know.

    “The plan involves starving the military of the needed equipment to fight the terrorists while creating other conditions that will allow Boko Haram bring back its fighters that are on the run while recruiting new ones. The same set of people that helped Amnesty International fabricate crooked reports are working on this project with Transparency International.

    “The group is banking on its credential in anti-corruption field as something that will give Nigerians a false sense of assurance that it cannot be deployed for subversive activities that it is presently engaged in. This is why we are encouraging Nigerians to ask TI and its Nigerians runners questions.
    Nigerians should take to the social media platforms of TI to demand that it explains how anti-corruption work translated into composing sanctions to be imposed on an institution that is crucial to stopping terrorists grown by its sister organization.

    “It should answer question as to if it is able to enforce a corresponding arms embargo on the terrorists for the duration it wants other nations to stop selling weapons to Nigeria since it would be confirmed that the goal is to put the Nigerian state at a disadvantage if it has no plans to stop Boko Haram from procuring weapons at the time it is limiting the ability of the government to do same.

    “It should let us know what it has been able to do about countries to which it has traced the money stolen from Nigeria since they are also culpable in the theft of public funds meant to buy weapons.

  • ‘There should be no sacred cows in anti-corruption war’

    Mr.  Sani Sa’ad Dawaki is the Publicity Secretary of  Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch. In this interview with Legal Editor John Austin Unachukwu, he speaks on law and development and the crises in his branch

    Do you think law has been a catalyst for socio-economic development?

    Yes, law has advanced Nigeria’s development especially judicial pro-                   nounce   ments which have saved us from chaos and quagmire in many instances.  For instance, the decsion in the case of Awolowo v. Shagari, on what constitutes 2/3 of 19 states, and Atiku v. Obasanjo,  where the court held that the President lacks power to sack his Vice,  etc. One big problem in Nigeria is non- enforcement of the laws. We have numerous laws in our statute books. If such laws are enforced fairly and squarely against all persons, corporate  bodies, private and public institutions,  officials,  etc,  much development will be recorded. However, our lawmakers have failed to pass critical laws which,  if enacted,  will impact positively on our development. Example of such laws are Petroleum Industry Bill,  the draft Federal Arbitration & Conciliation Bill 2006, an many others.  There is need to review and update or repeal some archaic laws in Nigeria.

    What do you mean by archaic laws?

    Some laws made during colonial era which now deserve review or repeal. For example,  the provision in our Criminal laws which created an offence known as “wandering” should be repealed.

     What legal instruments can we use to navigate out of the current economic  recession?

    Legal services can be the major revenue earner and source of employment. The monies recovered from looters should be channeled to critical areas of the economy such as building new refineries,  road constructions,  expansion of railway system etc. The government should match word with action,  particularly encouraging the local content  like “buy made in Nigeria goods” campaign, by supporting local manufacturers and producers.  Regulatory agencies should be revived to ensure that they check the antics of traders who are ripping poor and unsuspecting Nigerians off.

    How would you appraise the anti corruption war ?

    Every well meaning Nigerian should support the fight against corruption.  I support it wholeheartedly. Corruption and bad leadership have brought Nigeria to its knees. Unfortunately,  over the years,  successive administrations have paid lip service  to the fight against corruption. It is heartwarming that President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to fight corruption; we should support him.  However,  I urge the government to reckon with criticisms that the fight is lopsided and review the crusade.  There shouldn’t be any sacred cows in the fight against corruption.

    Your branch has been having crises for almost one year. What’s the state of affairs?

    As far as NBA is concerned,  for as much as I know, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) resolution, which is the highest decision making body of the NBA, has recognised our executives. No other body,  nor organ of the NBA  can overturn or overrule the AGM. Moreover, the case is in court and it is not proper to speak on a matter pending in court.

    NBA NEC set up a committee headed by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) to mediate. How did it go?

    No such committee was set up by the National Executive Committee (NEC) and I challenge anybody to produce the instrument that was used in creating them on the minutes of the said meeting.  Assuming that they did, they lack power to do so and that is why it failed.  What really happened was that A. B. Mahmoud  on his on, constituted a committee to resolve the perceived crisis and gave them two weeks to submit their  report. Unfortunately the committee headed by Kanu Agabi (SAN)  went ahead to enlarge their  terms of reference to include conducting a fresh election. In actual sense, the committee was faulted abinitio  and so couldn’t sit.

    So, what happened?

    We were amazed at the Minna NEC meeting of November 2016 to hear the President was expecting the committee report after about three months later than its mandate period. Eventually the purported report was not ready at the NEC meeting. After waiting endlessly, Mahmoud dissolved the committee there and then and promised to use his good offices  to resolve the matter. It is instructive to note that Ezenwa Anumnu-led executives have tried all possible ways to see  him  on the matter even before the Minna NEC meeting and afterwards,  but we were refused audience. Evidences abound of series of letters written to the President that were not responded to. That really made us to believe that he  has taken a position on the matter  even before the Minna and Aba NEC meetings. The whole idea is to give an impression that there is crisis even in the face of AGM resolution.  For heaven sake what happened to our disciplinary procedures for recalcitrant members as members of the noble profession?

    But I learnt that  a caretaker committee was set up in Aba NEC to take over your branch, how far has the committee gone now?

    Personally I do not know how far they have gone.  ABA NEC has no such power to set up such a committee.

    Why did the ousted   General Secretary of the NBA, Mr. Isiaka  Olagunju ask lawyers not to attend your branch meeting last week?

    No comment as the case is in court so it’s subjudice. If Mr. Olagunju Isiaka said so, then it is rather unfortunate.  I want to believe that people are trying to be mischievous and using his name for their own selfish purposes.

    Why did you go ahead with the meeting?

    The meeting has the mandate of all lawyers in Nigeria given to them in the AGM and that authority is yet to be rescinded.  The leadership of the branch led by Ezenwa Anumnu continues to enjoy the support and confidence of the members of the branch and so the Exco  of the branch has the responsibility to deliver on its mandate.

     A Lagos lawyer, Mr. Olasupo Ojo,  has filed Form 48 against Abubakar Mahmoud ( SAN) and his ousted national officers. How can the crises be resolved?

    No comment as the matter is subjudice.  We appeal to the senior members of the Bar to come together and find solution to the problem.

     

     

  • Northern group writes Buhari, accuses him of fighting two anti-corruption war

    A group under the auspices of Arewa Peace Coalition has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of fighting two anti-corruption war.
    The group, in an open letter to the president titled: “A tale of two anti-corruption war” and signed by its National Coordinator, Abdulkadir Mohammed, said it was worried about the way the anti-corruption war is being fought by the Federal Government.
    The group accused the federal government of double standard by referring the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. David Babachar Lawal, to an administrative panel for investigation.
    According to the group, the suspended SGF should have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as the federal government did to a personal physician of former president Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Fiberesima, who is being accused of fraud worth two hundred and eighty five million Naira (285m)
    The group added that as Buhari’s kinsmen, its hope in the anti-corruption war of the president was gradually fading away.
    The letter reads: “We wish to at this stage bring to your attention, a critical observation which we consider as a renege on your promise in fighting corruption; which you promised that “there will be no sacred cows”. This we describe as a tale of two ANTI CORRUPTION WAR.
    “However, a critical comparison is the case of your suspended secretary to federal government (SGF) and the personal physician to the former President Goodluck Jonathan. This is a case where the SGF was indicted by a Senate committee for a grass cutting scam worth two hundred and twenty million Naira (220m). And the later Mr Fiberesima, is also being accused of fraud worth two hundred and eighty five million Naira (285m).
    “Firstly, the Senate committee however recommend to the presidency for the removal of the SGF based on its finding which indicted him. But Nigerians watched for months without any action from the presidency not until recently when another administrative panel was set up to be headed by the vice president with the Attorney General of the federation included , whom had initially cleared the SGF of any wrong doing . The question Nigerians are asking is “why subject the SGF to an administrative panel and not subjecting him to EFCC, DSS or Police”? And what are we expecting from a committee which has the Attorney General of the federation as a member who had earlier cleared the SGF? These are questions putting a doubt on your credibility in fighting corruption sir.
    “Secondly, the perception in the public domain, is that your war on corruption is only targeted at your political foes, Goodluck Jonathan and members of the previous administration. The case of Goodluck Jonathan’s personal physician, may want to prove this point. In this case Mr Fiberesima is being tried by the EFCC for an alleged fraud of two hundred and eighty five million Naira. Our concern here is that, why not use the same rules across board to prove to Nigerians that you are not out to witch hunt the former President Goodluck Jonathan and members of the previous administration. It was this observation, that prompted Senator shehu Sani to allege that “the President Buhari uses deodorant to fight corruption in the presidency” while colonel Abubakar Umar on the other hand, recently accused the presidency of only trying to vilify former President Goodluck Jonathan in the name of fighting corruption.
    “In this tale, the difference between these two men in the persons of the SGF on one hand and Mr Fiberesima on the other hand , is that (1) the SGF is a Northerner while Mr Fiberesima is a southerner (2) the SGF is in the present administration and a close political ally to President Muhammadu Buhari, while Mr Fiberesima is a personal physician to the former President Goodluck Jonathan and a member of the previous administration.
    “Against this background, and as your kinsmen sir, we are worried about all these because we feel your administration is gradually derailing. We really want you to maintain that popularity and acceptance which brought you to power and not to be seen as a sectional leader who promotes nepotism as it is also being alleged in your political appointments that you are favourable to only northern Nigeria.
    “As a generation behind yours, we will also want to be treated fairly by other parts of the federation the day power leaves the North. Because it is still fresh in our memories on how former President Goodluck Jonathan was very generous to us in the North with both political appointments and infrastructural developments because of his belief and love for all regions in Nigeria, which we also want you to emulate by treating other regions as such.
    “Finally sir, we know it’s not too late to correct some of these mistakes and to redeem your promise to Nigerians because we still believe in your ability to deliver on your promises. As a progressive Northern based organisation, we are willing to support and partner with you to succeed. We will however, advice you not to compromise National interest for a few selfish persons around you who may be in your Government only to further their personal interest and also using your platform to fight their personal battles, embedded in the fight against corruption.”
  • Surprise! Anti-corruption war yet to begin

    Surprise! Anti-corruption war yet to begin

    IN a remark he made when the National Association of Law Teachers visited him last Tuesday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gave the apocalyptic warning that Nigeria would be in trouble if the anti-corruption war failed. “If we are not able to sustain the fight against corruption,” he said, “we will end in a very, very bad way as a nation…We have seen it in so many different ways that at almost every state, corruption fights back and fights fiercely.” It is a popular opinion in Nigeria that the war against corruption is raging, and that corruption is also fighting back. But this popular opinion is chimerical. What is raging is not anti-corruption war, but common, ordinary law enforcement, perhaps festooned with some exaggerated and rhetorical flourish.
    It is shocking that despite all the arguments offered in this place, anyone could still insist on the current poor definition of corruption to mean the greed, sometimes superlative greed, of a few bad eggs stealing public money by different and dangerous artifices. Going by this limited definition, it is believed that naming and shaming the thieves, even much more than successfully prosecuting them, would amount to a war against corruption, a successful war, that is. Maybe it is time to look for a doctor and install him as the nation’s anti-corruption czar. At least he would recognise that a symptomatic high temperature is not the same as malaria parasites, and that stealing money is not the beginning and the end of corruption.
    President Muhammadu Buhari began the war against corruption by avoiding a definition of the crime and refusing to explain its course. If his government had a robust and deep understanding of the subject, it would fight the cancer sensibly and robustly. He should have asked himself why corruption is endemic and persistent. Had he asked, he would have seen it way beyond its symptomatic appearance. He would have seen it as a systemic, structural problem which neither religion, as his government and supporters falsely and boyishly hope, nor sanctimonious admonitions as they desperately imagine, can tackle successfully. Law enforcement is of course good, and the country’s improving biometrics and database will be of tremendous help in nabbing high-profile looters.
    But far more importantly, the government ought to have assembled some of the nation’s brightest minds to first attempt an understanding of the problem and a mapping of the structure of corruption before designing a pragmatic antidote. The team would have done a laparotomy of the problem to expose its inner workings within the nation’s cultural, religious, judicial, political and economic abdomen. They would find that the problem has become deeply ingrained, waiting to metastasise, and has become integrated into all corners of the body. They would discover that so far the wrong legal, political and economic drugs have been insensibly administered to no avail. They would discover that without fundamentally changing the structure and workings of the economy, realigning and remoulding the country’s political paradigms, and coupling both remedies to powerful social and ethical codes, the government would just be tilting at windmills.
    No anti-graft war is being fought, for it is not only the embezzler of billions that is corrupt but also the embezzler of thousands. Both are propelled by the same principles. What exists now is just law enforcement. And as everyone knows, what restraint can the law pose to a man facing starvation, who is sick and can’t afford treatment, who is poor and homeless and incapable of funding his children’s education? Stealing or extortion begins with one delicate kobo. If Nigeria wants to fight an anti-graft war, it has a duty to first know the enemy before planning how to beat him.

  • Anti-corruption war, a thankless job, says Ribadu

    Anti-corruption war, a thankless job, says Ribadu

    •Pays tribute to Obasanjo

    A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has described anti-corruption war as a thankless job and a humanitarian service.
    He asked those leading the war not to despair, especially the staff of anti-corruption agencies.
    He, however, commended the Supreme Court for assisting the commission in its fight against corruption.
    He also described ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo as steadfast, patriotic and genuine in institutionalizing probity.
    Ribadu made the submissions in his remarks at the Pre-Inauguration Lecture of the Olusegun Obasanjo Good Governance and Development Research Centre, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.
    He said: “As I said many years ago, when you fight corruption, it fights back and it fights dirty. I can tell you that it is still relentlessly fighting back.
    “Corruption will also continue to fight those of us who stood on its way till our death.
    “However, those of you out in the battlefield today should not despair. The work is a humanitarian service for which you will have eternal reward. I can assure you that fraud is fraud, lies are lies. It will meet its terminal point; we shall triumph at the end!”
    He said it was a good decision that NOUN has decided to honour Obasanjo with such a centre.
    Ribadu said: “As someone who has made a career out of the fight against corruption, December 9 is a very important day.
    “It provides consolation for some us who have taken to the dangerous and often thankless career of the anti-corruption aspect of law enforcement.
    “The second reason is that we are celebrating an initiative of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), namely the opening of a Centre for Good Governance and Development Research, a thoughtful concept in our search for a greater nation.”
    Ribadu commended Obasanjo for his commitment to probity and institutional reforms including the establishment of EFCC and ICPC.
    He said: “The third, and very important to me, and indeed for institutional memory of our country, is naming the centre after my boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
    “As someone who has worked with Chief Obasanjo closely for many years, I can attest that he is someone who is very steadfast, patriotic and genuine in all things he does. He has also contributed in no small measure in bringing wide-ranging public sector reforms from which we are still benefitting.
    “Apart from institutionalizing probity in government business through such agencies as NEITI and BPP, Obasanjo it was who set up the two anticorruption agencies that are today serving us very well: the ICPC and EFCC. It is therefore very heart warming to see such a good man being honoured in an enduring way like this.”
    He also praised the Supreme Court for assisting the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies with landmark judgments.
    Ribadu added: “It is important also, in taking stocks of the fight against corruption in Nigeria, to acknowledge the efforts of various stakeholders without whom we may not achieve the modest successes recorded so far.
    “Agreed that the chief executives are the drivers of the process and it is from their body language that the rest of the country flows, however, the two other arms of government; the Judiciary and the Legislature are essential for any progress in this regard.
    “There are also non-state actors such as the media and civil society groups who often set the agenda and give the needed backing at critical junctures.
    “All the agencies promoting transparency and fighting corruption came into being because the Legislature passed the necessary bills into law. We also had (and believe still have) not a few lawmakers of integrity and patriotism who stood by us even in the midst of stern opposition.
    “This is the same thing with the Judiciary. We have had very iconic, astute and honest judges who work with the fear of God and patriotism. Our superior courts have on more occasions than one showed commitment to the fight against corruption.
    “The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in particular, has been a shining example in this regard. I cannot remember, in all my years of service, when the Supreme Court went against anti-corruption efforts.
    “We have had amazing judgments that often became golden references in support of the war against corruption. For example, all efforts to whittle the powers of the EFCC and ICPC have been vehemently rejected by the Supreme Court.
    “I see this tradition of the Apex Court being upheld by the current set of justices in the Supreme Court. Only recently, the court gave an impressive judgment in the case of one of the governors that has been lingering for about 10 years, and chastised the appellants for the frivolities.
    “This posture in favour of the war against corruption by the Supreme Court is something that deserves special mention, and commendation.”

  • Anti-corruption war: It’s time to break with past, says Magu

    Anti-corruption war: It’s time to break with past, says Magu

    The Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, yesterday, said it was time for Nigeria to break away with the past in its anti-corruption war.

     He pleaded with Nigerians not to see the fight against  corruption as President Muhammed Buhari’s project or as EFCC’s war alone.

    He said the commission decided to involve women in the anti-graft war because they bear the consequences of corruption more than other segments of the society.

    Magu made the submissions in an address at the maiden launch of a new project by EFCC, tagged: “Nigerian Women Against Corruption,” by the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari.

    He said: “Ladies and gentlemen,  the project  is a unique initiative of EFCC designed to mobilise Nigerian women to become active change agents in the important national agenda to reclaim our nation from the grip of corruption.

    “Nigerians have come to the realisation that corruption is at the centre of our development challenges.

    “It is the reason the country has been unable to transform its rich natural and human resource endowment into prosperity. It is the reason for endemic and embarrassing poverty in the midst of plenty.

    ” We certainly cannot continue this way. It is time to break with the past and deliver hope to future generations.  We at EFCC are convinced that the power to change the destiny of our nation lies in the hands of women.

    “Ladies and gentlemen, we stand at the cusp of generational change. There has not been a more historical moment than now to conclusively deal with the existential issues of Nigeria.  And, corruption is at the centre of every problem facing us as a nation.”

    Magu said the challenges at hand could either not be dodged or left to President Buhari and EFCC alone.

    He added: “The task that faces us today is not one to dodge or leave to others.  Destiny has placed us in this nation-space at this point in its history and we have a duty to work together to save it from collapsing under the weight of corruption.  President Buhari, many years ago, reminded us about this sacred duty, when he said:

    “This generation of Nigerians, and, indeed future generations, have no other country than Nigeria. We shall stay here and salvage it together!”

    “We have equal stakes in the survival and rebuilding of Nigeria.   A number of our compatriots tend to view the war on corruption as President Buhari’s project or as EFCC’s war.

    “But, we at the EFCC cannot claim to have a monopoly of knowledge on how to win the war against corruption, which is critical to the Nigerian project.  That is why we seek the partnership and participation of everyone in the battle.”

    He explained why women were chosen as the focal point of the war against corruption.

    He said: “The choice of women as torch-bearers in this important crusade is informed by the vital role they play in making the society a better place.”

     

  • We’ll defeat corruption fighting back – Buhari

    We’ll defeat corruption fighting back – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the anti-corruption war of his administration will be won even though it is tough, grueling, and fighting vigorously back.

    He gave the assurance while meeting with American Secretary of State, John Kerry on Wednesday on the margins of conference on climate change, COP22, in Marrakech, Morocco.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said corrupt people had accumulated a formidable arsenal of illicit wealth, which they were now deploying against the government on diverse fronts.

    He said: “But it is a war we are determined to win, and which we will win,”

    “People of goodwill are behind us, countries like America and many others are with us, and we will surely win.”

    The President also updated Secretary Kerry on the war against insurgency in the North-east of Nigeria, efforts being made to tackle humanitarian problems caused by the insurgency, and stating that a presidential committee had been launched “under Gen T.Y Danjuma, a man of high integrity.”

    On the unrest in the Niger Delta area, which manifests in the sabotage of critical oil and power installations, President Buhari said the engagement process was proceeding apace, adding that it was rather difficult bringing the main protagonists of the insurgency under one umbrella.

    He said Nigeria was happy with American support on different fronts, assuring that the economic challenges facing the country were being “frontally tackled, and we will overcome them soon.”

    Secretary Kerry expressed delight at the many successes of the Buhari administration, pledging continued U.S support in the bid to overcome security, humanitarian, political, and economic challenges.

    As the Barrack Obama administration exits next January, Kerry said he would love to continue engaging with Nigeria, even in a private capacity.

    He described President Buhari as a strong international partner in the battle against violent extremism.

  • SNPA endorses Buhari’s anti-corruption war

    The expanded Elders/Management Committee meeting of the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly [SNPA] has expressed support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort to move the country forward, even as it endorses his anti-corruption war.

    The SNPA also gave its support on war against insurgency and his effort to revive the ailing economy and urged him to respect the rule of law in his dealings with the people of the country.

    The group calls for the protection of citizen’s fundamental rights and the pronouncements of the courts of competent jurisdiction. “The President should note that the war on corruption should neither be vindictive nor selective as selective justice amounts to injustice,” it said. It also called for the prohibition of tension arousing issues like grazing.

    The stand of the group was contained in a 10-point communiqué issued at the end of its two day meeting held in Umuahia.

    The communiqué was signed by Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, Chairman of Session, Chief Edwin K. Clark, Co-Chair/Leader South-South and Senator Femi Okurounmu, [representing Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi.

  • Anti-corruption war not personal, says Magu

    Anti-corruption war not personal, says Magu

    The  Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu yesterday said the war against corruption is not personal but about the development and survival of Nigeria.

    He also said despite the resistance to anti-graft war by a few elements, most Nigerians are with the agency.

    He said he is determined to crush corruption and rid the nation of the indulgence.

    Magu made the submissions in Abuja at a media workshop for journalists covering the EFCC

    He said: “The anti-corruption war is a business for everybody, we are all stakeholders. It is about Nigeria, it is about the development and progress of this country. The war is not personal or any institution.

    “From our achievements so far, you could see some impunity. It is our portion to put an end to this impunity. We have about 180million Nigerians, everybody has a part to play and our part is to check corruption in Nigeria.

    “The evil of corruption affects everybody so it is our duty to put our house in order. It is not only for us (EFCC) as we cannot claim monopoly of knowledge of fighting corruption, everybody is a stakeholder, if we work together, we are going to record tremendous success.”

    Magu said he was not averse to criticisms and urged critics not to pamper him.

    He said: “You can’t expect everybody to key in because some people don’t believe corruption is wrong, you should not expect 100 percent acceptance but I’m sure a greater number of Nigerians are with us.

    “I prefer to hear the wrong ones (criticism), I don’t expect to be pampered, when I’m wrong, tell me. It is easier for you to correct my wrong doings so I want to hear the wrongs so that we can correct them, there’s nothing like perfection.

    He said his acting capacity role will not affect his performance.

    Magu added:  “No. The fact that I’m acting gives me more determination. When I’m there, I’ll crush it (corruption), I will fight it.

    “That’s why sometimes I put EFCC on 24 hours basis so that we can do what we can within the available time. I think I have more determination to clear the ground as much as we can.”

    A former Director-General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Dr. Tony Iredia said: “As for me, EFCC is Nigeria’s most institutional factor in the fight against corruption and the commission has proven that.

    “What the EFCC is set up to do is very tedious but it needs non-institutional actors to succeed. One of the actors which the anti-graft agency requires is the media.”

    Iredia expressed concerns that the 1999 Constitution does not guarantee the freedom of the press.

    He said: “There is nowhere in the constitution where there is freedom of the press but what we have is freedom of speech. Why do you give the media an assignment and you give everybody the freedom?

  • Senators knock anti-corruption war

    Senators knock anti-corruption war

    Senators came hard on the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    The conclusion of the lawmakers was that sweeping approach adopted by government in its fight against corruption was scaring local and foreign investors away from the country.

    The Senators spoke at the resumption of the debate on the state of the economy.

    Senator Olusola Adeye renewed his call for the reduction in the cost of governance in the country.

    The Osun Central lawmaker also said that the country’s estercode is the highest in the world insisting that “we must cut it.”

    He noted that Chief Obafemi Awolowo tried to reduce it in 1978 “but now it has risen by five times.”

     He added: “All of you with houses in Maitama and Asokoro and you don’t pay tenement rates, you are part of the problem. We should restructure the nation so that the states should no longer come to Abuja to collect hand outs.”

    Senator Ben Murray-Bruce led other senators who kicked against the mode of the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government.

     The Bayelsa East lawmaker insisted that there was no doubt that the approach adopted by government to fight corruption was crumbling the economic.

    Murray-Bruce said: “Buhari’s approach to anti corruption is wrong. Let us forget the foreign investors, what about the local investors? Nobody is investing anything anymore because nobody is buying anything. Everybody is terrified to spend money. If people are afraid, they will not invest; fear will not be a policy to grow the economy.”

     Senator Sunny Ogbuoji said it was wrong to portray every Nigerian as a thief.

    Senator Bala Na’Allah urged the government to reconsider its TSA policy.

     After the exhaustive debate, Senate President Bukola Saraki set up a six man ad-hoc committee to harmonise the contributions and recommendations of senators for consideration on Tuesday.

     Saraki named Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi State) as chairman of the harmonization committee.

     Members include Senators John Enoh, Murray-Bruce, Barau Jibrin, Rafiu Ibrahim and Mohammed Hassan.