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Tag: Anti-graft agencies

  • Anti-graft agencies warn civil servants against circumventing procurement processes

    Anti-graft agencies warn civil servants against circumventing procurement processes

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) have warned civil servants against circumventing procurement processes to enrich themselves.

    The two anti-graft agencies handed down the warning at a two-day integrity innovation lab conference for public servants organised by civil technology organisation, Accountability Lab Nigeria in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation and Ford Foundation in Abuja.

    The two-day Integrity Innovation Lab Conference was geared towards having robust, solution-oriented conversations for public servants that will build the knowledge and equip them with tools to influence norms and change behaviours by promoting accountability, integrity, and ethical leadership in their respective areas.

    The anti-graft agencies referred the civil servants to several sections of their establishment Acts, and the punitive measures recommended for anyone found to have erred and corruptly enriched his or herself in the cause of procurement processes.

    The chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, who was represented by an official of the agency, Dr. Johnson Eze urged Nigerians to own the fight against corruption.

    He highlighted several efforts being made by the Commission to tackle different windows of financial corruption in Nigeria, stressing that while a particular window is detected and closed, other ones are created by criminals, especially through the digital space to further perpetuate their corrupt practices.

    He said: “Very often the person who is screaming at the rooftop, the child is the one stabbing somebody in school. We are expecting that one agency will be able to cure every malaise, but I tell you straight up, it is not possible.

    “That is why if there’s anything that I will, point blank, be saying today, hold your end. Hold your end, your own end, hold it. Then we probably will have a chance to fight corruption.”

    He appreciated the Accountability Lab, Nigeria for the opportunity to strengthen discussion and conversations on ways to serve Nigerians better and rebuild public confidence and trust in the ability of the government to serve them better.

    He assured Nigerians that the EFCC was always available for partnerships with individuals, groups, and corporate organizations that would enhance the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

    He debunked the belief that the EFCC was playing double standards in the fight against corruption, reminding Nigerians about the presumption of innocent law, and the fact that Nigeria is a country that is guided by law.

    On his part, the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu who was represented by Clifford Oparaodu, said the ICPC has been deeply involved in the monitoring of procurement processes in the public service arena.

    He challenged the civil servants to always abide by the established rules so there could be clean financial management.

    Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, who was represented by Head of Audit, Emmanuel Achoda, stressed the need to address perceived gaps in service delivery challenges in the Nigerian public sector.

    He said: “Globally, public service delivery has remained a great challenge, as there is perceived dissatisfaction by citizens on service delivery leading to public mistrust and lack of confidence in the integrity of public officers.

    “It’s pertinent to state that for any public institution to attain a world-class standard comparable to any of the developed countries, it must have reliable public officers, to drive the objectives and goals of government.

    “Upholding integrity in the public service is apt and very strategic to good governance, this accounts for why countries with high levels of moral integrity will exhibit lower levels of corruption.”

    The Country Director, Accountability Lab, Nigeria, Friday Odeh, explained that the workshop was organised to close or attempt to close the huge trust and confidence gap between public servants and Nigerians.

    He emphasised the importance of building a culture of integrity within the public service.

    He said: “This is important at this time that we are having conversations on bad governance. There were protests across the country recently which provided an opportunity for citizens to demand a better governance and leadership system that will better their lives.

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    “There’s a need for public servants to build trust with the citizens. Public service should be built on integrity, trust, and efficiency. We should be accountable and transparent in our dealings with Nigerians. Quality services are far-fetched and that needs to be corrected.”

    He further explained that the workshop was an opportunity for representatives from all sectors, including education, health, economy, and others, to extensively discuss the best way to serve Nigerians better.

    He added: “People should not put their personal interest above the interest of the public. Additionally, the Government should proactively disclose information and dealings that will make Nigerians believe and trust them.

    “We obviously have challenges with service delivery in Nigeria. Another objective of the workshop was to make the public servants understand that they are there to serve the interest of the people first and not theirs.”

  • Senate to anti-graft agencies: be professional in your duties

    THE Senate yesterday asked anti-corruption agencies to ensure professionalism in their determination to expose and prosecute cases of corruption

    It also asked the agencies to avoid undue publicity and media trial that would compromise the strength of evidence to secure conviction in judicial proceedings.

    The resolutions followed a Point of Order by Senator Chukwuka Utazi to commemorate Africa Day for Anti-Corruption.

    The lawmakers congratulated President  Muhammadu Buhari for his honour as African Champion on anti-corruption by the African Union(AU).

    Utazi, in his presentation, said: “The essence of raising this order is to reinstate total support and partnership of the National Assembly to the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

    “As we mark this day, may Africa win the fight against corruption so that we can continue on a path of wholesome transformation of the continent.

    Utazi noted that funds traced to corruption in Africa were in the form of fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery, extortion, forgery and embezzlement.

    Other forms of corruption, he said, were kickbacks, tax evasion, public funds diversion, criminal multiple taxation, contract inflation and abandonment, obtaining by false pretence,  gratification and criminal patronage

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in his remarks, said all hands should be on deck to fight corruption.

  • Buhari hands over Lawal, Oke to anti-graft agencies

    Buhari hands over Lawal, Oke to anti-graft agencies

    Sacked Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General Ayo Oke are to be quizzed by the anti-graft agencies.

    After the Presidency announced the officers’ sack yesterday, there were calls that they be handed over to the anti-graft agencies.

    A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s position “is that investigation agencies which have already commenced the investigation of the two officers removed from office will go on with their work of investigation without any interference or hindrance”.

    “The President, who is fully conversant with the provisions of the constitution will not stop the investigation of anyone because he has no such power under our laws. This is a decision of the Supreme Court,” Shehu said, adding: “The President under our laws can, through the Attorney General, enter a nolle prosequi to stop an ongoing trial. He may, upon conviction, order a pardon.

    “Beyond these, the President cannot order investigation agencies to not investigate anyone and does not intend to do in this, or any other circumstance.

    “Based on his wish and desire for a strict observance of the law, the President expects the EFCC, ICPC and such agencies to proceed with ongoing investigations..

    “When and where they have reasonable grounds to charge former or serving officers to court\

    Lawal  was suspended on April 19, following allegation of misappropriation of fund meant for development of the Northeast .

    The President based his decision on the report of the three- man panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo which probed corruption allegations against the two officials.

    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina who announced the decision, said Buhari accepted the recommendation of the Osinbajo panel to terminate Lawal’s appointment.

    The President appointed Boss Mustapha as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The appointment, according to the statement, takes immediate effect.

    President Buhari also approved the recommendation to terminate the appointment of Ambassador Oke and the setting up of a three-member panel to, among other things, look into the operational, technical and administrative structure of the Agency and make appropriate recommendations. The names of the members of the panel were not given.

    Until yesterday, Mustapha, a lawyer and politician, was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

    Lawal was alleged to have engaged in misappropriation of funds and lack of due process in the Presidential Initiative North East (PINE) which focuses on the redevelopment and humanitarian crisis caused largely by the Boko Haram menace in that region.

     

  • Oil swap funds recovery: Reps’ panel threatens to invite anti-graft agencies

    Suspects in the crude oil swap arrangement of the Federal Government are subjecting the House of Representatives ad hoc Committee investigating the deals to enormous pressure, it was learnt yesterday.

    Members of the committee have threatened to involve the anti-graft agencies in the recovery of the funds.

    The committee, inaugurated in June following a motion by Michael Enyong (PDP, Akwa Ibom), was mandated to expose corruption, inefficiency and waste in the operations of the swap agreement.

    According to the committee, the pressure being mounted on its members might not be unconnected with  the “fraud the almost-concluded  investigation  has unearthed in the oil swap arrangement”.

    The committee members were threatened with legal action to discourage them from completing their job.

    But the Zakari Mohammed-led committee, however, vowed to expose agencies and marketers found culpable.

    “Those found indicted would also be made to return the ill-gotten funds to the government with interest,” a member of the committee, who pleaded not to be named, said.

    The lawmaker said: “We have concluded all our investigative hearings on crude oil swap and the revelations are earth-shaking, particularly in the volumes of swaps and outrageous gaps in receipt of payments during this oil swap regime.

    “That was a major reason for the kind of pressure mounted on us because some of the marketers are trying to use legal weapons to truncate a job we painstakingly investigated.

    “We members of the committee are resolute and for their threats, we will go the extra-mile by ensuring that every kobo stolen is returned with interest. We will not even stop at that immediately we conclude the public hearing next month those found wanting will be invited by the anti-graft agencies to tell their stories.”

  • Falana seeks total autonomy for anti-graft agencies

    Falana seeks total autonomy for anti-graft agencies

    A human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), on Monday called on the National Assembly to urgently enact a legislation granting total autonomy to anti-corruption agencies in the country.

    Falana made the call in Lagos while speaking at a media-round table on “Promoting Ethics and Integrity within the Courts System – The Role of Lawyers.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the forum was organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in collaboration with The Royal Netherlands Embassy, Abuja.

    He said the independence of both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), would help in tackling corruption in Nigeria.

    Falana said:”There are enough laws in our country to fight corruption.

    “There are enough statutory bodies established by the law to prosecute corruption cases.

    “The national assembly should urgently enact a law to make the anti-corruption agencies totally autonomous.

    “They should not be subjected to reporting to the executive because this exposes their activities to interference.”

    He decried the slow pace of prosecution of high profile corruption cases in Nigerian courts, noting that it had made a mockery of the justice system.

    Falana accused lawyers, especially those in the inner bar, of manipulating the criminal justice system to protect their high profile clients from conviction.

    “All those cases that have brought the judiciary to shame were handled by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), the supposed leaders of the legal profession.

    “Legal practitioners must rise up to challenge their actions because they are ruining the legal system. They are exposing Nigeria to ridicule,” he said.