[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s we begin a new week, several actions, decisions and activities will be taken in various walks of life across the country.
From politics, sports, fashion and entertainment, this column will give you a quick peep into expectations for the week. Today, the debut of juicy news to expect hits your tabs, laptops and phones.
First, let’s start with the melodrama by some of our incredibly talented thespians in the Senate. The seemingly unending saga involving the Customs boss Col. Hameed Ali, about his UNIFORM and the refusal of the senate to lay down its ego for an insubordinate retired colonel leaves much to be imagined.
The iconoclast, Col. Ali, shocked everyone when he appeared in flowing white robes matched with a white cap…interesting! When asked why he didn’t wear his uniform, he said his letter of invitation did not specifically inform him of what to wear. He was “sent” back home to dress properly, and was told to appear this Wednesday in his uniform.
Will Col. Ali appear in his uniform as stipulated by the Senate? This will be answered in the next forty-eight hours.
Secondly, Nigerians will be eager to know what will become of the acting EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu. Twice, he has been rejected by the Senate; the latest, on the grounds of failing the highly revered “integrity test” by some “men of integrity” in the senate. Their decision they say is predicated on the report by the DSS. Will the President resend his name to the Senate or nominate another individual? It is only a question of time!
After Don Jazzy’s surprise visit to the housemates today, the viewers will love to know which celebrity will be next to visit the housemates.
In sports, after defeating the league leaders at home yesterday to go second on the table, MFM FC have another home fixture on Wednesday which will make them go top of the league if they win. Star striker, Stephen Odey will have to be in his usual top form if the “Olukoya boys” are to continue their good home run. Will the Agege based club win and go top of the Nigerian football league? Time will tell…
Former Kaduna State second republic governor, Balarabe Musa has described the disqualification of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu by the Senate as a discredit to the entire system.
Musa faulted the presidency for not working effectively with the legislators, before the confirmation date.
The elder statesman in an interview with our correspondent on the development said it is now left to President Muhammadu Buhari to salvage the situation by calling appropriate authorities to order.
He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), for releasing the 2019 presidential election date adding that it will give room for adequate preparation by all stakeholders and prompt release of fund by government.
The embattled acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu was among Muslim faithfuls that observed their jumaat prayer at the State House mosque in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari was also at the jumaat prayer service.
Magu’s nomination was rejected for the second time by the Senate on Wednesday.
The Presidency is yet to decide whether it will represent Magu’s name to the Senate or present a new nominee.
It is still awaiting communication from the National Assembly before it will react to the latest development.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina had said on his Twitter account that the Presidency was yet to receive any communication from the Senate.
“The Presidency will respond to the non-clearance of Magu as EFCC boss, after it receives official communication in writing from the Senate,” it stated.
RE: NOMINATION OF MR IBRAHIM MAGU MUSTAPHA AS EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC) SECURITY REPORT OF THE NOMINEE
Your letter NASS/CS /SA/01/17/ 08 /02 dated 7th March 2017 requesting for security report on the above named nominee refers
The security report being requested for on Ibrahim Magu MUSTAPHA the nominee or the Executive Chairmanship position of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has already been submitted to the Senate via this Services’ letter No. SV.114/ 2 of 3rd October 2016 containing fourteen (14) paragraphs.
Please accept once again the assurances of the esteemed regards of the DGSS.
F. O. ADAMS
For: DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SS
August 2008, following a search at his residence during the tenure of Farida WAZIRI (AIG/Rtd) as the commission’s chairman, some sensitive EFCC documents which were not supposed to be at his disposal were discovered. He was subsequently redeployed to the police after days of detention and later suspended from the Force. In December 2010, the Police Service Commission found Magu guilty of “Action prejudicial to state security, withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a Police officer,” and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
“4. Notwithstanding, sequel to the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as Chairman of the EFCC in 2011, he made the return of Magu to the EFCC a top priority. Both men had worked together at the commission when Lamorde served as Head of Operations of the agency. Magu remained a top official of the commission until he was appointed to succeed Lamorde.
“5. Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m, at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid for from the commission’s finances but by one Umar Mohammed (Air Commodore/Rtd), a questionable businessman and ally of subject who has subsequently been arrested by this service. For the furnishing of the residence, Mohammed enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed to lavishly furnish the residence at the cost of N43m.
“6. Investigations show that the Acting EFCC Chairman regularly embarks on official and private trips through a private carrier, Easyjet, owned by Mohammed. In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri, alongside Mohammed and the MD of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo, who was being investigated by the commission over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past Petroleum Minister, DiezaniAlison-Madueke.
“7. Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for First Class air travels. On 24th June, 2016, he flew Emirate Airlines’ First Class to Saudi Arabia to perform the Lesser Hajj at the cost of N2,990,196. This is in spite of Mr. President’s directive to all public servants to fly Economy Class.
“8. Investigation also revealed that Magu parades a twin personality. At one level, he is the czar who has no friends, no favourites and is ready to fight corruption to a standstill. However, with a key friend in the person of Umar Mohammed (Air Commodore/Rtd), a controversial businessman, he has betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the present administration. Whereas Magu portrays himself as very secretive, he has fostered a mutually beneficial relationship with Mohammed who, by his confession, approaches ‘clients’ for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns. This was facilitated with official secrets divulged by Magu and from which dealings he is believed to have been drawing considerable benefits.
“9. This was evidenced by the number of official and classified documents he made available to his associates, especially Mohammed. After a search of Mohammed’s premises, a forged letter of the Office of the Vice President, dated 20th May, 2016, was recovered. The letter was a fictitious investigation report from Vice President to Mr. President, requesting for approval to commence further probe into a matter allegedly involving Hon. Minister of State Petroleum. Attached to the letter were two EFCC letters dated 13th April, 2016, and another 24th March, 2016, addressed to the Vice President being investigation reports on the activities of Emmanuel Kachikwu and his brother Dumebi Kachikwu. Similarly recovered during the search were information on assets and personal details of Kachikwu.
Also, following the arrest of three former Airforce chiefs by EFCC, namely, Alex Badeh, Umar and Amosu from whom huge sums of money and property were recovered, Umar and Alex Badeh were arraigned in court. It was only after the arrest of Mohammed by this service that the EFCC hurriedly arraigned Amosu. Mohammed later confessed that he never wanted Amosu tried, describing him as his former boss and he saw in MAGU, a willing accomplice.
“11. Furthermore, findings revealed that in a bid to settle some personal scores, subject placed one Stanley Inye Lawson on a Security Watch Action, while in actual fact Lawson was working in the interest of the Federal Government. However, the action was later expunged following the discovery that Lawson was falsely accused by Magu for personal reasons.
“12. The circumstances surrounding Magu’s return to EFCC at the instance of the former chairman, Lamorde, and their close working relationship ever since is a clear indication of his culpability in the allegations of corrupt tendencies of the Lamorde led EFCC.
“13. To cover his tracks, Magu uses only his police cronies to execute operations. This, coupled with discoveries that such police cronies have acquired a lot of landed property, lends credence to the questions about his integrity.
“14. In the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption drive of the present administration.”
Following Senate’s non-confirmation of acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Commission, the Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to send the name of another nominee for the position.
President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said the Senate had played its constitutional role as an arm of government on the matter.
He said there is need to fill any vacuum that might be created in the commission following Magu’s rejection.
“With the screening being carried out in a transparent manner, we see democracy at work.
“I believe we have played our part; we have followed the Constitution and due process.
“We hope that the executive will quickly act and bring in another name as soon as possible so that the activities of the agency will not be crippled,’’ Saraki stated.
Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu whose confirmation was again rejected by the Senate on Wednesday has said that neither the Senate rejection nor report from the Department of State Security (DSS) can stop him from continuing the fight against corruption until his last day in office..
Magu also said he was doubted the authenticity of the report from the DSS indicting him and accusing him of lacking integrity to head the anti corruption agency.
Magu who addressed a coalition of civil society groups at the entrance to the National Assembly after his screening said he will not be deterred by the non-confirmation as the battle against corruption in the country is ‘a fight to finish’ adding that reports from the Department of State Services (DSS) cannot stop him.
He said the non confirmation has not changed anything, saying “my priority is to fight corruption. My confirmation has not changed anything. We have always been on duty I will work until the last day whether confirmation or no confirmation.
“The greatest violation against human right is crime against the society and the humanity but everybody has a duty and responsibility to fight corruption and I also has a responsibility. I assure you that we will fight to finish.
“We will never be deterred because what we are doing is trying to investigate what has gone before and protect the future of our children and our future generation. So, if we don’t work today and fight against corruption, the future is not guaranteed, the future of our children is not guaranteed.
“So, we must wake up, where ever you find yourself, fight corruption. Anytime you discover that I am corrupt, expose me.”
Speaking on the allegations from the DSS, Magu said: “those allegations can not stand the test of time because they can not be proven. You know, you can’t just raise mere allegations without giving the person opportunity to answer you. There is issue of fundamental human right and the right of fair hearing is there.
“Up till this time, DSS has not called me and I am even surprised that the same report is coming back and this time around it is signed by somebody. I doubt the genuineness of that report. But I think we need to identify those who have the interest of this country at heart.”
Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Co-convener Citizen Action To Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) Ibrahim Garba Wala, said Nigerians and President Muhamnadu Buhari believe in the nomination of Mr. Magu as the chairman of EFCC, hence, the Senate have no choice.
Wala said their gathering to receive Magu was a part of activities to create awareness among Nigerians so as to know the true position of what was happening.
“We are here in solidarity with the man we feel is a right man for the job and he should be confirmed, that is why we are here.”
A Former governor’s political career crashed on Monday at a prison gate.
Former Adamawa State Governor Bala James Ngilariwas jailed five years for a N167.8m contract scam.
[quote]Ngilari, who was governor between October 1, 2014, and May 2015, was found guilty of violating the state’s procurement laws.[/quote]
Justice Nathan Musa of the Adamawa High Court did not give Ngilari an option of fine. He vowed to appeal the verdict.
He was convicted for awarding a N167.8 million contract for the supply of 25 units of Toyota Camry 2.8 to a contractor known only to the ex-governor. No other government official knows about the transaction.
The ex-governor is free to choose Yola Main Prison or any prison yard in the country to serve his term.
The judge acquitted the former Secretary to the State Government, Andrew Welye; and former Commissioner for Finance Sanda Lamurde, who stood trial with the former governor on same charges.
Ibrahim Magu
EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu investigated Ngilari and established a prima facie case against him.
Justice Musa delivered a 75-minute judgment in Yola, which sealed Ngilari’s fate.
Relying on Section 58 sub-section (5) of the Adamawa Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) law, the judge said any public officer who “violates the law is liable to a minimum of five years imprisonment without an option of fine”.
He said: “Court cases are decided based on the evidence before the court and not on the opinion of the counsel.
“Your (Ngilari) defence counsel has failed to prove before the court that the permanent secretary, Adamawa State Ministry of Finance, was the officer to be held responsible as the accounting officer of the ministry for the contract scam.
“From the evidence before the court and oral confessions of the second accused person (Secretary to the State Government Mr. Ibrahim Welye) to the EFCC proved before the court that the tender board headed by the permanent secretary was sidelined in the award of the contract.
”The court’s hands are tied by this law; so, I cannot do otherwise. The only thing is to give you the minimum sentence of five years, which you will serve in Yola Main Prison.”
Justice Musa read the SSG statement which was one of the exhibits: “The governor summoned me and directed me to write a memo for the purchase of vehicles for commissioners.
“When I raised the issue of due process by contacting BPP, the governor told me he was under pressure. After I raised the memo, some few days after, the governor called me that the contractor failed to supply eight vehicles out of 25.
“She supplied only 17 units of the vehicles and that I should call her. I could not call her because I did not have her phone number.”
The judge dismissed the argument of the counsel to Ngilari that the purchase was borne out of “emergency so that the prices of the vehicles will not go up”.
The judge said Ngilari “failed to prove that he carried out a market survey on the prices of the vehicles and that the prices were increasing fast.
“Since the vehicles were not security vehicles, hiding under emergency cannot be covered by law. This defence lacks legal protection and merit.
“The former governor unlawfully awarded a contract to a contractor known to him alone. His action amounted to executive rascality and lawlessness,” he said.
Justice Musa said the prosecuting counsel, Ahmad Muttaka, proved his case beyond reasonable doubt against the first accused.
He discharged and acquitted the former SSG and ex-Commissioner for Finance because they were not part of the contract.
He said the verdict was a “warning to other political office holders that the law will not respect anyone that abuses it using the powers of his office”.
“It is my hope that this conviction and sentence will serve as a deterrent to serving governors.”
Although the judge said Ngilari could serve the sentence in the prison of his choice in the country, “but for now he should start with Yola Main Prison”.
The Adamawa State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Mr. James Silas Sanda, who was once a key member of the EFCC staff, praised Justice Musa’s courage.
He said it was unfortunate that a former governor will be sentenced to prison and advised all political office holders to learn some lessons from the judgment.
The counsel to the convict, Mr. Samuel Toni (SAN) pleaded for leniency “in view of his (Ngilari’s) invaluable contribution while he was governor during the trying moment of insurgency.”
Before he was taken to prison, Ngilari said: “I will file an appeal against the judgement.” The EFCC arraigned Ngilari on September 21, 2016 for violation of procurement laws in the award of contract of N167.8million to El-Yadi Motors Limited for supply of 25 units of operational vehicles (Toyota Corolla).
The EFCC had instituted a 17 count charge against Ngilari, his former secretary to the government, Ibrahim Andrew Welye and his former Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Sanda Jonathan Lamurde.
EFCC accused them of conspiracy, lack of “No objection Certificate, No competitive bidding” and others in procurement.
There was, however, excitement in EFCC on the judgment of the court.
Magu and the staff were happy that the judge gave the case a speedy trial.
A source said: “It is interesting that Magu investigated the case and it is during his tenure that a conviction has been secured. This gives him and all of us a sense of personal fulfilment. It was not easy establishing the facts against Ngilari. There was pressure but Magu resisted the lure to get to the roots of the fraud.
“If you know how these politically exposed persons used to take advantage of the law to delay cases, you will share this victorious moment with us.
“For Ngilari, this is just the first case. He has an outstanding case with us on the N450million poll bribery funds allocated to the state by ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“We had interrogated and detained Ngilari at the commission’s zonal office in Gombe. When we are ready for his trial, we will arraign him.”
Mr Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday confirmed the recovery of 9.75 million dollars and 750,000 pounds from a residence in Kaduna state.
He also confirmed that N1.25 billion was recovered from a public servant and said that all the monies were recovered within two weeks.
Magu stated this in a report he presented to the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes during the 2016 budget performance appraisal and defence of 2017 budget before the committee.
He said the commission recovered N102.91 billion, 8.30 million dollars, GBP 29,155, 12,475 pounds, 117,004 Canadian dollars as proceeds of crime between January and December, 2016.
Other monies recovered during the period, he said, were 806.50 Dirham, 5,000 Francs and 2,000 Rupees.
“Out of the 37 accounts frozen/forfeited, six banks are yet to provide relevant information on the amount accrued into the suspected accounts within the period under review,’’ he said.
The document revealed that the commission secured 135 convictions, out of which 46 were from Lagos zone, 30 from Abuja zone, 22 from Port Harcourt zone, 19 from Kano zone, 15 from Enugu zone and three from Gombe zone during the period.
Magu acknowledged the support of the committee towards fast-tracking completing of EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Finance had listed the payment of N1.8 billion out of N2.9 billion meant for completion of the headquarters.
He, however, added that the commission had resuscitated its offices in Kaduna, Ibadan, Benin and Maiduguri as part of efforts to boost its operations across the country.
Magu urged the legislature to support the fight against graft, saying “corruption is fighting back”.
On recruitment, he said that the commission only recruited 331 cadets on equal quota basis across the country except Lagos, Ekiti, Bayelsa and Rivers with lower numbers.
Giving breakdown of the 2016 appropriated allocation to the commission, Magu told the committee that total budgetary approval was N18.89 billion, but that N14.74 billion representing 78.04 per cent was released.
He explained that N7.62 billion was for personnel cost, overhead was N2.75 billion while capital expenditure was N8.49 billion for the year.
Magu added that 91.1 per cent component of the released funds had so far been utilised.
Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Rep. Kayode Oladele, said that Nigeria had applied to join the league of members of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international anti-corruption agency.
He said that the move was part of efforts to strengthen ongoing anti-corruption crusade in the country.
Oladele, who lauded the development, expressed optimism that Nigeria would be admitted as “Observer Member’’ by the end of the year and would become full-time member in the nearest future.
“Our collective efforts to unleash sustainable development in Nigeria through the rooting out of corruption will not produce the desired result if Nigeria is unable to transact in the international market place without let or hindrance.
“In this regard, Nigeria has applied to join the FATF and based on the level of our commitment.
“A high-level delegation from the FATF is due to visit Nigeria in March, 2017, to meet with various stakeholders and report back to its plenary in June, this year.
“I have no doubt that we will be successfully accredited and admitted at the end of the exercise,” he said.
Oladele commended EFCC for the successes recorded so far and said: “for the first time in Nigeria’s history, anti-corruption searchlights have been beamed on the judiciary and the revelations have been mind-blogging.
“In addition, similar exercises in the arms procurement process by the Nigerian military have also led to several arrests.
“Overall, the EFCC made the highest number of recoveries of stolen resources, running into billions of naira in a single year in the annals of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.”
The chairman solicited the support of Nigerians in stemming the scourge of corruption in various facets of the economy.
According to him, the fight against corruption is one of the most potent weapons to fight recession which structural cause is rooted in waste, looting, misplacement of priorities and misappropriation of yesteryears.
Oladele also pledged the support of the house to the EFCC and assured of life assurance for the commission’s operatives. (NAN)
The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday said the commission recovered N102,913,791,217.54, $8,296,313.99, GBP 29,155, £12,475, 117,004 Canadian Dollar, 806.50 Dirham, 5,000 Francs and 2,000 Rupee as proceeds of crime between January and December 2016.
Magu, who appeared before the Hon. Kayode Oladele-led House Committee on Financial Crimes, also confirmed the recovery of $9.750 million and £750,000 from a residence in Kaduna recently, adding that N1.25 billion was recovered from a public servant a fortnight ago.
The EFCC chief was in the House of Representatives for 2016 budget appraisal and 2017 budget defence.
According to a document submitted by Magu to the committee, out of the 37 accounts frozen/forfeited, six banks are yet to provide relevant information on the amount accrued into the suspected accounts during the period under review.
The commission, according to him, secured 135 convictions last year.
He said 46 of the convictions were from Lagos zone, 30 from Abuja, 22 from Port Harcourt, 19 from Kano, 15 from Enugu, and three from Gombe.
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Yusuf Ali on Tuesday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to discard the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal as he has become a political liability to the present government.
Ali said the continued retention of the SGF despite allegations of corruption against him by the Senate will negatively affect the transparency of the ongoing anti-corruption crusade of the government.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Ali said.
“I strongly believe in the anti-corruption crusade and transparency in governance as being promoted by Mr President. But as a politician, there comes a time when you have to make a choice based on the preponderance of public opinion.
“Our democracy rests on a tripod and if at any time an arm of the government raises any issue with any of the two arms, it behoves on the executive to see reasons and the political risk of any decision he is making. The other day it was corruption in the Judiciary and Nigerians were behind the president and today, it’s allegation of corruption within his government, he must equally take side with the people.
“The Senate, being an elected body representing the whole of Nigerians has raised some fundamental issues that border on the credibility of Babachir. It, therefore, becomes politically expedient for Mr President to handle these issues very carefully least his actions might be misinterpreted.
“Everybody knows Babachir is an ally of Mr President; but when the Senate alleges that the SGF conducted himself very dishonourably, he automatically became a political liability to the government that came to power on the crest of anti-corruption thus he has to be dispensed with so that the appropriate authorities can either clear or indict him.
“I will advice Mr President to have a rethink on this issue by directing the SGF to proceed on leave in order to enable the anti-corruption agencies to proper investigate him vis a vis the Senate indictment.
“If he is found liable, he can as well face the music. But on the other hand, if he is cleared, he resumes his work. In this way, Mr President can spare himself of all the hue and cry that he is covering up some people in his administration who are alleged to be corrupt.”
He expressed the belief that if the embattled SGF fails the integrity test, there are competent and credible people even in the North East who can competently replace him while he serves out his time in any of the prisons assigned to him.
He, however, faulted the security report which the senate relied on to reject the Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, adding that the report was lacking in credibility is equally part of the Buhari government, and it will be safer for the President to align with the DSS instead of disregarding its security report.
“A lot of people say Magu is a very competent officer but when a security report indicts him, he becomes a liability to the administration particularly being the head of the nation’s foremost anti-corruption agency.
“I am not privy to the response Magu gave to the query issued by the President but the appropriate thing Mr President should have done is to replace Magu with equally another competent officer in order not to compromise the integrity of the anti-corruption war,” he said.
