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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Falana urges NLC to lead workers on anti-corruption war

    …tasks PENGASSAN to recover $60b for minimum wage 

    Human right activist, Femi Falana (SAN) on Thursday urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to lead the nation’s workers in the fight against corruption. 

    He admonished the workers not to leave the battle to the government, stressing that “no government fights corruption genuinely.”

    He spoke as the guest speaker at the 40th anniversary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria  (PENGASSAN) in Abuja.  The theme of discussion  was “Dynamic Labour Leadership Fueling the Edonomy.”

    The legal luminary, who insisted that Nigeria was yet to get value for its oil and gas industry blessings, wondered why the country remains a borrower instead of being a lender to other nations. 

    He said that peace will continue to elude the nation in as much as it has over 30 million children on the streets, stressing that the oil and gas industry remains the economic mainstay of the country that it can use to rescue the suffering citizenry. 

    Falana recalled that in 2015,, he wrote a letter to direct the attention of the Federal Government to the offshore and inland contract act that said that government should review the sharing contract whenever the price of crude oil exceeds $25 per barrel. Continuing, he said “I wrote to NNPC, I wrote to the Saraki led National Assembly  . In 2016, Kachikwu confessed that $60billion has been lost due to the non-implementation of the policy.”

    The senior lawyer noted that Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States challenged the non-implementation up to the Supreme Court, where it was in their favour on Wednesday. 

    He insisted that “we should collect the money. PENGASSAN should get the money for minimum wage.”

    Speaking,, President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said the association has played a vital role in the stabilization of the country. 

    Read Also: Obasanjo has right to support any candidate, says Falana

    He said that the government recognized the potential of the sector to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the nation. 

    He said that it was his pleasure to support the association in championing the N1.5billion appeal fund for a digital liibrary

    Kachikwu said that he was particularly grateful to the association for the support and understanding it accorded him during the increase in the pump price of petrol. 

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr. Maikanti Baru’ commended the association for the maturity it exhibited during industrial disputes resolutions. 

    Continuing, he said that “This is why I am enamoured of the theme of this event: “Dynamic Labour Leadership – Fueling the Economy”. Ours is a critical industry in respect of the economy of the state. Our action or inaction has a bearing on the Country’s social economic indices, performance and the well-being of the generality of Nigerians.”

     He said that the leadership and the followership of PENGASSAN  had aligned with Management and or Government to move the industry forward. 

    He noted that the Industry values the association’s  contribution to the current democratic dispensation in the Country. 

    According to him, “At the critical moments, the leadership of PENGASSAN and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), along with other labour unions, had made a difference, redirecting the course of the Nation’s history.

     “Similarly, the Corporation appreciates your consistent involvement in the Industry policy formulation. The most recent being the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Your advocacy for robust local content development as well as your complementary role to grow a virile and productive economy for the Country. 

    “These have gone a long way to demonstrate the high stake you have exhibited in the service of the Industry and the Nation. I can only add that you keep up your good work.”

  • ‘Why FG needs to sign social work bill into law’

    The Nigeria Association of Social Worker (NASOW) has urged action by the Assembly and Executive on a Bill seeking to professionalize social service sector in the country.
     
    National Vice President, NASOW, Abubakar Bichi, said the bill, when passed into law, would help to regulate the profession in the country.
     
    He said an Act to establish the Nigeria Council of Social Work was declined assent by President Muhammadu Buhari early this year.
     
    Bichi, in an interview at a two-day media dialogue on the bill in Enugu organised by United Nations Children Fund’s, (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, said Buhari identified some grey areas in the bill which the association was working to correct.
     
    He said the bill will be represented to the President for assent once both chambers of the national assembly pass it.
     
    He said he was hopeful that the bill will be signed into law once the grey areas identified by the President were ironed out.
     
    Bichi said: “We hope and wish that if the bill is finally taken to the president and sends it again to various agencies or ministries that have stake in the Act, should please see the light of the day and recommend it to Mr. President for assent since the grey areas have been corrected.
     
    “The Act will regulate the profession itself. A lot of people are practicing social work without the prerequisite qualifications.
     
    “We, the social workers, are everywhere, we attend to crash victims, emergency cases, indigent patients and psycho-social counseling. Victims of war, natural disaster and flood are supposed to have social workers to give them psycho-social care because they are traumatised. We should imitate international best practices.”
     
    He added that the bill was not a threat to any profession in the country as it is being perceived.
     
    “Now there is more collaboration and understanding on the bill. They need to understand that it is not a threat to anybody. It is just for service proficiency and effectiveness,” he added.
     
    Also, UNICEF and other stakeholders in the sector called for collaboration for the speedy passage of the Bill.
     
    UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist, Maryam Enyiazu who gave an overview of challenges bedeviling the social service sector, noted that to address the huge gaps identified, stakeholders must come out clean to take an assessment to identify human resources gaps.
     
    She disclosed that only 8,429 full time employees presently operated in the sector nationwide.
     
    She said: “Nigeria is yet to understand the need for social welfare workers in the country, social welfare sector struggles to attract pay and retain qualified workforce.
     
    “UNICEF has supported federal government to develop a national plan of action on Social welfare work force.
     
    “The services of Social welfare workers improve the lives of children and families by addressing, education, health, justice, migration and protection from violence.”

  • Buhari, security chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    It was held at the President’s office.

    Read Also: Much ado about the removal of security chiefs

    The meeting started just after the National Economic Council meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
    It was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Buhari to NCC: Ensure even deployment of broadband services

    The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Telecommunications Commission (NCC) Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta on Thursday in Kano  said that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Commission to ensure that all nooks and crannies of the country is fully captured in the broadband deployment programme geared towards the enhancement of socio-economic development through telecommunication technology.

    Prof. Dambatta who stated this in Kano during the first-leg of Broadband Engagement Forum for stakeholders in the North, said already country have been divided into seven zones, namely,  North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-South, South-East, South-West and Lagos zones to ensure effective and equitable broadband service deployment.

    According to him, the tremendous capacity of broadband services at the Lagos landing points  is not being felt in the hinterlands, pointing out that there was urgent need to cover areas where the broadband services have not reached for the benefit of people who are resident outside major cities.

    He explained that already, NCC has set up an Implementation Monitoring Committee, not only to monitor the establishment of the broadband infrastructure project, but to also ensure adequate sensitization of all stakeholders, and as well, proffer solutions to challenges of broadband deployment such as payment of taxes and right-of-way.

    Dambatta who highlighted the benefits of broadband services, noted that there would be gradual transformation in the area health, education, transportation, socio-economic development, as well as transparency and openness in governance.

    He further noted that the implementations of the broadband project would certainly impact positively on the lives of Nigerians, adding that with broadband services, Nigeria can join the league of the 20 most powerful countries by the year 2020.

    Read Also: We’ll ensure Buhari’s victory in 2019, say ex-militants

    He said all the dedicated zones are expected to achieve the broadband implementations not below 1.5 megabytes requirements, because the national broadband office has defined the speed achievable and that should be maintained if the transformation is to be made possible.

    Dambatta noted that as it is today Nigeria has achieved Telecommunications out reached of 160 million, and the broadband Penetration’s of 20 per cent.

    According to him, “We have registered all the Broadband Infrastructure Licences, we have seven of them. The Licences have been given to seven companies; and I believe all of them have paid for the licence.

    “The licence very cheap; it is as cheap as N2.5 million. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari did not introduce the concept of Broadband Infrastructure Licence in order to make money.

    “So, whatever we are going to do here today, whatever conclusions we are going to draw, these conclusions must revolve around what we are going to do in our own right as a people interested in pervasive telecommunication services, as well as how we can make those services available everywhere, and at the same time.

    “That is the meaning of ubiquity, when we talk about ubiquitous services; we are talking about services that are available everywhere and at the same time.

    “We are not saying they must be equal. The word here is equitable broadband services.  Every part of the country going at its own speed, but definitely, not below the minimum speed of 1.5 mega bytes.

    “So, I believe these are the engagements that we intend to, among other things, sensitize our critical stakeholders, like the NCC, state governments and service providers, and those who provide infrastructure services, as well as subscribers.”

  • Anti-Corruption: We support Buhari’s Executive Order 6

    An anti-corruption group, Coalition for Transparency(CT) has thrown its weight behind the Executive order 6 promoted by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    It noted that good governance comes with two fundamental uncompromising principles of accountability and transparency,stressing that where these two tenets are missing, there would be chaos and corrupt tendencies.

    According to a statement issued by its Executive Director, Nelson Mafo, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, there is no economic plan no matter how genuine would work where corruption has been traditionally embraced as a way of life.

    The group noted with concern that for more than 30 years Nigeria was in the firm grip of corruption until the Buhari administration came on board to alter the negative narratives.

    It said “Buhari administration with the Executive Order 6 have not only shown the administration sincerity and commitment to fight corruption head-on in the country and ensure economic sanity, it has given hope for patriotic engagement of every Nigerian on the tenets of best practices.

    “The Executive Order 6 will not only get to uprooting corrupt practices, it will discourage the primitive tendencies for materialism.We stand with the President on this Executive Order and wonder why any discerning mind will be against its implementation.

    “If  we are sincere as citizens of this country we should set aside religious and political considerations and fight this endemic monster called corruption to a stand still.

    Read Also: 2019 polls ‘ ll usher in maturity, peace, says Buhari

    CT  described it as laughable when people attribute negative sides to the fight against corruption as designed by the Buhari administration.

    According to the coalition “We acknowledge that this has been the most sincere and patriotic government since 1999 that has taken the fight against corruption to the door steps of the corrupt.

    “We wonder why corrupt individuals should be allowed to junket the world with stolen funds. The ban on these 50 Nigerians, we say, is in order. It will deepen our fight against corruption and constraint would- be looters”.

    The statement believed it is now the right time to make  corruption crime punishable with death,noting that Nigeria need another Executive Order that will impose capital punishment on corrupt practices.

    CT expressed its unflinching support for any action by this administration to get Nigeria out of  corruption imbroglio.

  • Fayemi cancels Fayose’s education tax, restores free education

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has cancelled the education development levy imposed on pupils of public and private schools by former Governor Ayo Fayose.
    Fayemi gave the order on Tuesday at the Ekiti North senatorial town hall meeting held in Ido-Ekiti as part of activities to mark his inauguration.
    The governor declared free education in public primary and secondary schools to give indigent children access to education.
    The Fayose regime imposed N1,000 on all pupils and students in private and government-owned schools.
    The imposition of the levy was challenged in court by Catholic Diocese of Ekiti and is now before the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti Division.
    Fayemi said free education was one of the cardinal policies of his first administration describing education as a legacy that must not go beyond the reach of the poor.

    Read Also: Thousands witness Fayemi’s inauguration in Ekiti

    The governor advised candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who won at the last primaries to be magnanimous in victory and carry the losers along ahead of the general elections.
    He stressed that the winners are candidates of his party and not his (Fayemi’s) candidates hence all hands must be on deck to ensure their victory.
    Fayemi also urged the people of the state to vote overwhelmingly for President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 presidential election.
    The President, according to him, needs the votes of the Ekiti electorate to return to office and consolidate on the gains achieved during his first term.

  • Rain in Ado-Ekiti ahead of Fayemi’s inauguration

    …BUHARI, OTHER DIGNITARIES EXPECTED

     

    Rain has descended on Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, Tuesday morning ahead of the inauguration of new governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    The rain which started at about 6.55 am lasted for about 20 minutes.

    Although the rain has ceased, but the weather is still cloudy.

    The state government through the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka, has declared Tuesday as work-free.

    Government ministries, departments and agencies including schools will be closed for Tuesday.

    The holiday was to allow civil servants to be part of the inauguration.

    Read Also: EFCC Gombe Zonal office gets new head of operations

    Security agents are standing guard in many places in Ado-Ekiti as President Muhammadu Buhari and other eminent Nigerians are expected to witness the inauguration.

    A good number of guests have been arriving the state since Monday.

    The town has been decorated with banners, posters and billboards trumpeting the inauguration.

  • Activists: Travel ban will deal fatal blow to corruption

    The issuance of Executive Order 6 and placing of 50 politically-exposed persons (PEPs) on travel ban will deal corruption a fatal blow, according to the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) and a human rights activist Dele Igbinedion.

    While CACOL praised President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Executive Order 6, Igbinedion said those who have no skeletons in their cupboards have nothing to worry about.

    CACOL, in a statement by its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, said tackling corruption required drastic measures.

    “When we view the precarious situation corruption has thrown this nation and its people, we would better appreciate why drastic and precarious situation calls for a measure of drastic steps/ actions,” it said.

    The group faulted those criticizing the Federal Government for the order, saying that most democratic countries of the world have such provisions in their statute books.

    CACOL said pending when all the laws needed to fight corruption are enacted and institutions strengthened, the President should be encouraged to deploy his powers such as the Executive Order 6.

    “We commend the leadership of Muhammadu Buhari for taking advantage of such provisions and enjoin him to judiciously and expeditiously utilize same in a manner that is completely devoid of witch-hunting or any form of undue flagellations, while, constantly, holding our public office holders to account, irrespective of whose ox is gored,” CACOL said.

    Igbinedion said the President’s action was “courageous, commendable and salutary”.

    Read Also: ANAN Fellow advises accountants to shun corruption

    To him, the President has dealt a fatal blow to corruption, corrupt people, corrupt tendencies and corrupt enrichment from political office.

    “It has been suggested that the Order 06 is unconstitutional, restrictive of human liberty and ultimately illegal. But all that posturing and postulation has been wiped away, broken-hearted, by the recent decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    “It is now accepted, subject to any contrary decision of a higher court, that the Presidential Executive Order 06 is valid, constitutional, legal and applaudable. It is also enforceable pronto, and enforce it, the President has ordered. Amen.

    “Some have also claimed that the Order is targeted at political opponents. But those traducers of the mindless position fail to explain how their argument stands up in the presence of apolitical persons and even members of the President’s political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the list.

    “But whatever the argument for or against, the Presidential Executive Order does not and cannot affect ordinary, hardworking Nigerians. So, fear not, my friends. For too long have corrupt people and their corruption held Nigeria and Nigerians by the jugular. It is now uhuru!

    “Only corrupt former and present political office holders need to tremble in fear over Order 06. Anyone who is not corrupt should walk tall, happy and rejoice. Indeed, a Daniel is come to judgment,” Igbinedion said.

  • ‘Fielding unpopular candidates will cost Buhari 2019 election’

    Aspirants who contested the various positions in the recently concluded party primaries have warned that the party will find it difficult getting the required number of votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election if the go ahead and field unpopular candidates in the states.

    One of the aspirants for the House of Representatives seat for Ekiti Central Constituency 1 comprising Ado, Irepodun and Ifelodun local government areas, Olayinka Olafemi Daniels described as a conspiracy against the President, attempt by some party leaders to foist unpopular candidates on the people.

    Daniels said in an interview in Abuja that any attempt by the party leaders at the National, level to succumb to the manipulations at the state level will force the people; it may force the people to vote for the opposition party, thereby causing the president the required votes.

    He said “If they pick the wrong candidate, that person will definitely lose the general election and it will no doubt affect the chances of the President. The programmes of the president are laudable, but should not be truncated by these desperate acts of some of our leaders.

    “I am not a desperate politician because I have my profession and a source of livelihood. But we are passionate about this party and want the President to succeed.

    “We should not undertake the opposition and I must tell you that the emergence of Atiku as the Presidential candidate of the PDP is a major challenge in the south west. So, I want the leadership of the party to declare me the candidate of the party because i am the most popular among the aspirants”.

    Also, speaking in the same vain, One of the Senatorial aspirants of the party in Delta North, Ambassador Gabriel Chukwuma Oyibode said the party will find difficult to get votes for President Buhari in 2019 general election if he is excluded from the exercise which he described as a kangaroo exercise.

    Chukwuma, who said he was one of those who obtained nomination form, screened and cleared to contest Delta North senatorial primary alongside, Doris Uboh and Dr. Mariam Ali claimed that he excluded from the ballot paper during the primary at the party’s state secretraiat.

    He alleged that Dr. Mariam Ali who was reportedly declared winner of the primary was sponsored by the major opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Dr. Mariam Ali is the wife of the former National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmadu Ali.

    Read Also: 2019: Hurdles before Buhari, Atiku

    Ambassador Chukwuma told newsmen apart from the fact that his name was omitted from the ballot, the primary election did not hold in the state wondering how the winner emerged.

    He said: “Three aspirants, Mariam Ali, Doris Uboh and myself were screened by the party’s screening committee after obtaining the nomination and indication of interest to contest the senatorial seat for the Delta North Senatorial District, but unfortunately, the primary election never held on the stipulated date as we waited at the venue and both the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were not there till about 3.30 pm.”

    According to the aspirant, after waiting all day, the primary was said to be postponed to the next day where it was held in a different venue outside the official designated venue, the Technical College of Education Asaba which he claimed he reported to the party election committee chairman, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (Rtd).

    “I was disfranchised along with my delegates who are the largest in number against a Kangaro election held without my name found on the ballot paper and two boxes provided instead of three”, wondering how three candidates will be screened for an election and two will be made to contest.

    “This act is tantamount to electoral fraud and I want the world to know what the party has done in the state regarding the primary election”, he said.

    Chukwuma noted that he has sent his complaints to the party chairman, comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the Appeal Committee headed by Professor Osunbor but has not heard from neither and so, called on the party to declare him winner of the senatorial primary election in Delta North.

    “I’m calling on anybody who cares that there was no senatorial primary election in Delta North. I don’t intend leaving the party, but if nothing is done quickly, I will go to court to seek redress”, he threatened.

  • Buhari defends travel ban on 50 VIPs as row grows

    Buhari defends travel ban on 50 VIPs as row grows

    The Presidency was last night fending off blows over the controversial Executive Order 6, which imposes a travel ban on about 50 prominent citizens facing corruption and money laundering charges.

    Rights will be respected, the Presidency said, adding that the Executive order is neither political “nor is there any political gain behind its activation.”

    The clarification came amid the growing row over the Executive Order which President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami to implement to the letter.

    The Atiku Campaign Organisation joined the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to castigate the action.

    The organisationn said the implementation of the Order could lead to capital flight and return the economy into recession.

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) advised the governmet to withdraw the Executive Order and allow the courts stop suspected looters from travelling.

    Some lawyers have argued that since the court has okayed the Order, a travel ban under it is not out of place.

    The Alliance for New Nigeian (ANN) described the Ordeer as “dictatorial”, adding that there are enough safeguards in the constitution to take care of corruption with the guarantee for freedom of movement for citizens.

    But presidential spokesnam Garba Shehu said “this is the first time any government is taking such a key decision to fight corruption”, adding that “EO 6 is not only revolutionary to the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption but a manifestation of systemic changes that are required to to make necessary adjustments as we carry on with the war against corruption.”

    He explained that “the very essence of the order is to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases. The order is not political and there is no political gain behind its activation.”

    “These high profile cases we are talking about have been ongoing for between seven and 10 years with no end in sight. These case were mostly originated by administrations other than this one.

    “What is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a position to sometimes compromise investigation, prosecution and trial. In most of the cases, the courts are held in a helpless position by legal acrobatics paid for from corrupt enrichment by the suspects.

    “The new measures put in place should compel everyone involved to make for a speedy conclusion of these cases. If it is your money, you have it back. If it belongs to the public, it goes back to the treasury.

    “The question of the constitutionality of the restriction order is answered by the fact that a court of the land has given government a clean sheet. The Executive Order is legal and constitutional and therefore implementable.

    “One of the cardinal objectives of the government under our constitution is to fight corruption. Fighting corruption is a responsibility and obligation upon the government.

    On the list of the individuals affected by the ban, Shehu said: “I want to confirm to you that we have not issued any list and we are not doing so.

    “These cases that are well known and to to say this or that name is on it will open the door to further accusations, including trial by media.

    “The Immìgration Service and other security agencies have the mandate of the President to carry out enforcement and they will do so giving due respects to individual rights, in line with the constitution.”

    The Buhari Media Group (BMG) also rose in defence of the EO 6, saying it symbolises the efforts by the Presidency to re-invigorate the war against corruption through judicial process.

    BMG Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, in an interview last night, said: “I have seen a number of responses from the main opposition party. What exactly is the issue? Mr President has made pronunciation through Executive Order in emphasising the judicial process in limiting and containing corruption in Nigeria. The spirit of the Executive Order has a strong judicial intervention.

    “The powers to pronounce forfeiture of assets and to ban suspects under investigation from travelling outside the country are simply within the confine of the court. Banning these 50 individuals from travelling is actually in consonance with the judicial process that is already being undertaken by the relevant agencies of the government.

    “What is apparent is that the corrupt ones have accepted the manipulation of judiciary and the judicial process, but now things are changing.”

    Akinsiju explained that one of the tools to limit the manipulation of the judicial process is the Executive Order.

    “When your assets are forfeited and you cannot travel outside the country, you will opt for a speedy trial instead of delaying it,” he said.

    he Presidency was last night fending off blows over the controversial Executive Order 6, which imposes a travel ban on about 50 prominent citizens facing corruption and money laundering charges.

    Rights will be respected, the Presidency said, adding that the Executive order is neither political “nor is there any political gain behind its activation.”

    The clarification came amid the growing row over the Executive Order which President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami to implement to the letter.

    The Atiku Campaign Organisation joined the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to castigate the action.

    The organisationn said the implementation of the Order could lead to capital flight and return the economy into recession.

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) advised the governmet to withdraw the Executive Order and allow the courts stop suspected looters from travelling.

    Some lawyers have argued that since the court has okayed the Order, a travel ban under it is not out of place.

    The Alliance for New Nigeian (ANN) described the Ordeer as “dictatorial”, adding that there are enough safeguards in the constitution to take care of corruption with the guarantee for freedom of movement for citizens.

    But presidential spokesnam Garba Shehu said “this is the first time any government is taking such a key decision to fight corruption”, adding that “EO 6 is not only revolutionary to the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption but a manifestation of systemic changes that are required to to make necessary adjustments as we carry on with the war against corruption.”

    He explained that “the very essence of the order is to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases. The order is not political and there is no political gain behind its activation.”

    “These high profile cases we are talking about have been ongoing for between seven and 10 years with no end in sight. These case were mostly originated by administrations other than this one.

    “What is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a position to sometimes compromise investigation, prosecution and trial. In most of the cases, the courts are held in a helpless position by legal acrobatics paid for from corrupt enrichment by the suspects.

    “The new measures put in place should compel everyone involved to make for a speedy conclusion of these cases. If it is your money, you have it back. If it belongs to the public, it goes back to the treasury.

    “The question of the constitutionality of the restriction order is answered by the fact that a court of the land has given government a clean sheet. The Executive Order is legal and constitutional and therefore implementable.

    “One of the cardinal objectives of the government under our constitution is to fight corruption. Fighting corruption is a responsibility and obligation upon the government.

    On the list of the individuals affected by the ban, Shehu said: “I want to confirm to you that we have not issued any list and we are not doing so.

    “These cases that are well known and to to say this or that name is on it will open the door to further accusations, including trial by media.

    “The Immìgration Service and other security agencies have the mandate of the President to carry out enforcement and they will do so giving due respects to individual rights, in line with the constitution.”

    The Buhari Media Group (BMG) also rose in defence of the EO 6, saying it symbolises the efforts by the Presidency to re-invigorate the war against corruption through judicial process.

    BMG Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, in an interview last night, said: “I have seen a number of responses from the main opposition party. What exactly is the issue? Mr President has made pronunciation through Executive Order in emphasising the judicial process in limiting and containing corruption in Nigeria. The spirit of the Executive Order has a strong judicial intervention.

    “The powers to pronounce forfeiture of assets and to ban suspects under investigation from travelling outside the country are simply within the confine of the court. Banning these 50 individuals from travelling is actually in consonance with the judicial process that is already being undertaken by the relevant agencies of the government.

    “What is apparent is that the corrupt ones have accepted the manipulation of judiciary and the judicial process, but now things are changing.”

    Akinsiju explained that one of the tools to limit the manipulation of the judicial process is the Executive Order.

    “When your assets are forfeited and you cannot travel outside the country, you will opt for a speedy trial instead of delaying it,” he said.