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Tag: probe

APC backs Buhari’s probe of Jonathan’s tenure

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed strong support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to probe the immediate past federal government, saying the revelations of mind-boggling corruption that are just beginning to emerge have made such a probe imperative.

The party said in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said; ”Some people have insinuated that the Buhari Administration should ignore the massive looting of our patrimony and move on. We say no responsible government can afford to do that, because it will amount to endorsing corruption and impunity.”

It said in the oil sector alone, billions of dollars have been skimmed off by pathologically-corrupt public officials, wondering how the government of the day can meet its obligations to the citizens if it refuses to recover the huge funds taken away by thieving officials

”It is an irony that those who are suggesting that the Buhari Administration should turn a blind eye to the incomprehensible looting are the same ones accusing the government of not doing anything. It is
even a cruel irony that the same party that presided over what is fast emerging as the worst governance in the history of our country is the same one that is daily bad-mouthing an Administration that is cleaning up its mess,” APC said.

The party said even if all the acts of corruption that were perpetrated during the tenure of the last Administration are limited to what is now in the public domain, it is still absolutely exigent for the Buhari Administration to do all it can to bring the perpetrators to book and recover the looted funds.

”Where does one start from? Is it the fact that the NNPC failed to remit 3.8 trillion Naira to the Federation Account or the mind-blowing stealing of 250,000 barrels of crude oil per day? Is it the fact that the NNPC itself does not know how many bank accounts it had or into which ones the payments for Nigerian crude are made? Could anyone have imagined that a government minister would steal the unprecedentedly-huge amount of 6 billion US dollars of public funds as being alleged?

”How does any sane person rationalize the fact that 1 billion dollars was unilaterally and illegally withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account just because, as the immediate past Minister of Finance has disclosed, the President ordered the withdrawal? What about the billions of Naira waivers recklessly approved to dubious importers by the Jonathan administration?

”Is it not clear now that the stealing and the profligacy – more than anything else, including the fall in oil price – helped to drastically reduce the monthly allocation from the Federation Account from about
800 billion Naira to about 400 billion Naira, thus pauperizing the states and the local governments, and by extension the citizenry?

”Against the background of the stunning revelations, what message will any government be sending to its citizens and indeed the global community by looking the other way, when it could still recover some
of the looted funds for the benefit of the people? This is why we are supporting the Buhari Administration’s probe decision, and calling on all Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to get to the root of the matter,” it said.

APC said it is now clear that the Jonathan Administration cleverly delayed giving the then incoming Buhari government the handover note so as to avoid being asked critical questions pertaining to the
unprecedented looting under its watch.

July 28, 2015
Forgery: Court refuses to stop probe of Ekweremadu, others

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to stop the police from its investigation of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and others for the alleged forgery of the 2015 Senate Standing Rules.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in a ruling yesterday, refused an ex-parte application filed by Senator Gilbert Emeka Nnaji, with which he sought to, among others, restrain the police from proceeding with the investigation and making public the report of the inquiry.

Nnaji had sought interim orders to restrain the defendants in the case – the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) – pending the determination of his substantive suit.

The plaintiff is challenging the constitutionality of the investigation within the context of the doctrine of separation of power.

Justice Kolawole said he could not grant the prayer sought by the plaintiff at ex-parte stage when his court possesses the power to conduct a judicial review of the action complained about in the substantive suit.

He also refused the plaintiff’s request to abridge the time within which the defendants could respond.

The judge held that while the court’s rules allow defendants 30 days within which to respond, a reduction in the period must be with the consent of parties in the suit.

He ordered the defendants to appear on the next day and show cause why he should not grant the prayers sought by the plaintiff in his ex-parte application.

Justice Kolawole adjourned to August 4 for the defendants to show cause.

July 28, 2015
NNPC probe ‘ll bring transparency, says Peterside

Former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State Dr Peterside Dakuku has said the probe of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will promote transparency and good governance.

Peterside, who spoke to reporters in Benin City at the weekend, said probity was a continuous process in governance.

He noted that there would be no attraction for transparency and probity if people were not made to face some consequences.

Peterside called for police reforms because the use of any alternative to provide security would be a disaster.

He said: “The Police did their best of to provide us security during our campaigns. There are areas where they failed too, even areas where they were accessories to crimes and some of the things that happened.”

“What is the alternative to police protection which is self help. That self help means patronising criminals. I will never patronise criminals. We will continue to patronise the police. We will rather ask for reforms. They should restrategise and be provided better equipment because the alternative is disaster for us.”

July 28, 2015
Kuku to EFCC: I’m ready for probe

Following his invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, has assured he was ready to assist the commission in its bid to probe the accounts of the agency under his leadership.

The former presidential aide was reacting to the EFCC’s invitation directing him to report to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja for questioning on July 28 over allegation of diversion of public funds.

ýKuku, who is undergoing medical procedure in the United States, described the allegations levelled against him as unfounded.

According to him: “The allegations of conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and diversion of public funds being made against me did not arise as the records of my administration were clear and available for scrutiny.”

Kuku, who spoke on phone, said: “I am currently in the US for an urgent surgery on my knee at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Centre and I will certainly return to honour the EFCC invitation once I recuperate in September.

“The record of my stewardship under the Presidential Amnesty Programme is an open document and it is available for scrutiny since I have nothing to hide about what we did.”

July 26, 2015
Kuku to EFCC: I’m ready for probe

Following his invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the immediate past special adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku has assured that he was ready to assist the commission in its bid to probe the accounts of the agency under his leadership.
The former presidential aide, was reacting to an invitation by the EFCC, directing him to report to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja for questioning on July 28, 2015, over allegation of diversion of public funds running into hundreds of millions of Naira.
‎Kuku, who is undergoing medical procedure in the United States, described the allegations levelled against as unfounded, adding that “the allegations of conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and diversion of public funds being made against me did not arise as the records of my administration were clear and available for scrutiny.”
According to Kuku who spoke with The Nation on the phone, “I am currently in the U.S for an urgent surgery on my knee at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Centre, United States and I will certainly return to honour the EFCC invitation once I recuperate in September.
“The record of my stewardship under the Presidential Amnesty Programme is an open document and it is available for scrutiny since I have nothing to hide about what we did,” he explained.

July 25, 2015
Why only Jonathan’s tenure will be probed- Adesina

The Presidency has explained why it is interested in probing only the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a tweet by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, early Friday morning, he said the probe will allow for a proper take off of the new government.
“… But for a proper take -off of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, there is need to look into the immediate past government,” Adesina stated.
Reactions to the tweet was mix with some endorsing the plan, while others faulted the rational for limiting the probe to only that of Former President Jonathan and leaving out former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
There were however those who said the probe was unnecessary.
@FemAdesina Probe without reserve GEJ’s govt. only. Was his job to probe OBJ. He failed to. Unless a strong nexus leads back, GEJ. Period.
@FemAdesina @Mayjorh. Very necessary & make sure Abba Moro & Okonjo-Iweal vomit 1k each they fraudulent collected frm jobless Nigerians.#NIS
@FemAdesina GEJ ws ok wit d handover note he got so he didn’t probe obj.@MBuhari is not ok wit GEJS HANDOVER NOTE thus need 2 clear d air
@FemAdesina nt sure hw to respond to this. D optics is bad & we want all our money, bt some of it. Go back to IBB. Halliburton, Dele Giwa
@FemAdesina this is such a lame argument. U guys want to blow up this place. @MBuhari is obviously a belligerent & obstinate old man.
@FemAdesina we’re well aware of the flaws of the previous administrations so we don’t need a reminder pls. Just do what u promised.ChangeNGR
@ehyibezim @FemAdesina As if a good probe is a walk in the park. we forget that it costs money etc to conduct probes, to mention past ones

July 24, 2015
Onaiyekan advises Buhari to tread softly on anti-graft probe

The Catholic Arch-Bishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, on Tuesday night advised President Muhammadu Buhari to go slowly on his anti-corruption drive so that his actions are not seen as ‘persecution’.

He spoke during an evening dinner organised for Catholics in Politics at the Church of the Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja.

Pointing out that fighting corruption goes beyond making a ‘few arrests here and there’ he urged President Buhari to carry out his anti-corruption fight in a way that would not be seen as selective.

He also said the fight against corruption can only succeed where there is transparency, justice and honesty.

“This challenge, obviously lies squarely on those who now have the power to rule our nation. I want to beg them, and I am glad the chairman of the ruling party is here, to resist the temptation to rub in the plagues of defeat on the losers and try to avoid policies of persecution, some even talk of execution of losers.

“We have to tackle dishonesty and I believe we need to retrieve stolen goods, especially those that are just piling up other people’s money. While we do that, it is my strong feeling that we should try to avoid as much as possible humiliating or disgracing people who may indeed have tried their best to serve the nation.

“How to do this and keep these two elements together requires a lot of sagacity and clear mindedness. But we should pray for our leaders to be granted the grace.

“We must be clear-minded on this matter and not allow ourselves to be naïve thinking that it is just enough to make a few arrests here and there and the matter is settled. Let us pray that God will guide our nation.”

On insecurity, he said Nigeria needs to go beyond arms and ammunition in order to reconcile minds and hearts for genuine peace.

The time, he said, has come for all to link hands and seriously tackle the problems facing the country.

“The problems of Nigeria can only be resolved if we all link hands across political, ethnic and religious lines.”

July 23, 2015
Probe Jonathan, wife, APC chief urges Buhari

A kinsman of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Perekeme Kpodo, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prosecute his predecessor and his wife, Dame Patience.

Kpodo, who addressed reporters in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, said the former President, his wife and allies should be tried for alleged financial misdeeds.

The Bayelsa indigene declared himself a factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He faulted the defection of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to APC.

According to him, the acceptance of the defectors to the APC by the Tiwei Orunimighe-led executive committee was illegal.

Kpodo said those rushing into the APC aimed to escape prosecution by the Buhari administration.

The APC chieftain described most of the defectors as corrupt politicians who should face the law.

He urged President Buhari not to be discouraged by pressure from those whipping up sentiments to protect Jonathan and his wife.

Kpodo said the APC stance against corrupt associates of the last administration of Jonathan was well known.

He said: “As a decent state executive, we consider the attempt to make the APC a dumping ground unacceptable and vexatious. APC in the state will not allow itself to become a dumping ground for desperate looters and thieves in need of protection from prosecution.

“We call on President Buhari to order a detailed investigation into the acts of fraud and embezzlement by these defectors and their associates.

“We support the moves by President Buhari for the prosecution of former President Jonathan, his wife, Patience Jonathan, and his known associates for the looting and associated crimes committed against the state.”

Kpodo advised APC’s aspiring defectors to get clearance at the ward and state levels.

The APC chieftain said defectors to the party must show clear records of performance from their parent party or parties before official presentation to the loyalists and progressive supporters of the party.

He said the APC would soon release the timetable to receive its supporters, defectors and the processes for its primaries.

July 23, 2015
GENCOs: Three banks under probe over N50b in escrow accounts

The Presidency is probing three banks for short-changing the Federal Government in the management of the N50 billion escrow accounts interest yield for seven Electric Power Generation Companies (EPGC).

The row over the escrow accounts was referred to President Muhammadu Buhari following the loss of over N10 billion interest yielded in the last two years.

The companies are: Afam Power Plc; Egbin Power Plc; Geregu Power Plc; Kainji Hydro-Electric Plc; Sapele Power Plc; Shiroro Hydro-Electric Plc; and Ughelli Power Plc.

Each of the generation companies (sellers), pursuant to the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act No. 6 of 2005, were mandated to take over generation and related businesses of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Safety escrow accounts were established to protect the stake of private investors in the seven generation firms.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) in 2013 entered into an agreement with three banks to manage the N50 billion.

The said N50 billion was sourced from the proceeds of the privatisation of Egbin Power Plc. But, contrary to the guidelines of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the banks have not been paying “the required interest on the escrow accounts”.

It was gathered that instead of paying 10 per cent interest on the N50billion as applicable to other funds being managed by NBET, the banks had been remitting only 0.02 per cent interest per annum.

It was also gathered that Clause 7.1 (Compensation) of the agreement that the interest on the escrow accounts be compounded monthly together with the balances in the Escrow Accounts”

The agreement reads in part: “The Escrowed Funds in the escrow accounts shall bear interest at such rate as shall be agreed between BPE and the Escrow Agents from time to time (“the Interest’’). The Interest shall, subject to Clause 7.1 (Compensation), be compounded monthly together with the balances in the escrow accounts pending distribution in accordance with Clause 5 (Distribution of Escrowed Funds) of this Agreement.”

Sequel to the earlier petition, it was learnt NBET’s efforts to persuade the banks to adopt CBN’s guidelines on the escrow accounts have failed in the past one month.

In a letter to the banks, NBET said the interest rate was no longer acceptable.

The letter said: “Pursuant to the commencement of TEM, NBET is now poised for an active management of the escrows.

“A myriad of events have altered the fundamentals of the macro economy. The surge in inflation coupled with decisions made by the Monetary Policy Committee of the apex bank(CBN) that included a review of the CRR have necessitated NBET to call for a meeting with the lead escrow bank.

“The meeting will serve as an avenue to review the management of the Escrow and consider strategies to maximise returns on the funds more efficiently.”

“Further to the meeting held between ourselves and all three escrow banks, while working on amending the Egbin escrow agreement, we wish to request for an increase in interest rate earned on our credit balances

“As discussed, this is in line with market realities, especially with the recent increase in CRR and with a bid to maximise returns on the funds more efficiently.”

July 23, 2015
Jonathan fails to shield ex-ministers from probe

Buhari, Abdulsalami peace panel yet to meet

FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan may have failed in his bid to shield some of his former aides and ministers from being probed.

It was learnt that the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar Peace Committee has been unable to have audience with President Muhammadu Buhari with whom Dr. Jonathan would like the committee to put in a world.

Jonathan had anticipated a peace session between him and the President at the instance of the Abdulsalami Committee, which played a major role in ensuring peace during the general elections.

Gen. Abdulsalami was said to have tried to reach out to the President about five times but state duties did not allow a meeting.

Jonathan, who arrived in the country about a week ago, is said to be worried about the fate of his former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and detention of his ex-Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr. Gordon Obuah.

There were reports yesterday that his former Aide-de-Camp, and later Chief Personal Security Officer, Mr. Moses Jitoboh, had been picked up by security agents, but The Nation could not confirm this.

Initially, the arrest of Jitoboh was linked to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but a source in the anti-graft agency denied knowledge of such.

Many of Jonathan’s ministers have relocated abroad.

According to sources, Buhari has decided not to compromise his focus to “retrieve” ill-gotten wealth from some top officials in Jonathan’s administration.

A source said: “Jonathan had approached the Abdulsalami Committee to intervene and prevail on Buhari to stop scandalising his administration and haunting his former aides/ ex-ministers.

“Jonathan has been saying that Buhari’s attitude so far was not yet in line with the peace agreement the two leaders entered into before the 2015 general elections.

“But the committee members, especially Abdulsalami, have not been able to have audience with the President due to the President’s tight state duties or commitments.

“The President hosted ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to a dinner to break the Ramadan fast. But the two leaders could not talk much on the state of the nation as Obasanjo insisted on going back to Abeokuta at 9pm, The Nation learnt.

“So, Jonathan has really run into a brick wall in his plans to seek soft-landing for some of his aides and ex-ministers,” the source said.

The pre-election agreement between Buhari and Jonathan does not cover shielding corrupt suspects from prosecution, the source added.

A source in the Presidency said: “We really do not know what agreement Jonathan and his group are talking about. The Abuja Accord and the Peace Agreement border on peaceful conduct of the 2015 elections, free and fairness of the process, acceptance of the outcome and the preservation of the nation’s unity.

“There is nowhere it is stated that those who looted the treasury should either not be questioned or legally arrested by the relevant agencies.

“It is important to clear the air on this matter. What the President promised was not to witch-hunt. And he even said ex-President Jonathan had nothing to fear.”

It was learnt that some former ministers with sensitive portfolios where funds were mismanaged have relocated overseas.

Although most of these ex-ministers promised to return home any time they are invited, only two or three of them have been coming to Nigeria.

A former minister said: “I have been around. I have not gone anywhere. I am trying to earn my legitimate living.

“The former President said he was in a cage while in power. I have also realized that we were all in a cage. We have to support the present administration to succeed.”

Another former Minister said: “Some of us have tried to lie low because we have paid our dues. We only need to rally round the new government.”

The March accord, which was fostered by the National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections, was read by Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

The joint statement by Jonathan and Buhari, said: “You may recall that on 14th January, 2015, both of us, along with nine other party leaders, signed what has now come to be known as the Abuja Accord.

“The substance of that Accord was our commitment to free, fair and credible elections in our dear country.

“In the accord, we agreed to, among other things, run an issue-based campaign and pledged that our electoral campaigns will not involve any religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and all agents acting in our names.

“Now that the campaigns have come to an end, we meet today to renew our pledge for peaceful elections.

“We therefore call on all fellow citizens of our dear country, and our party supporters, to refrain from violence or any act that may in any way jeopardise our collective vision of a free, fair and credible election.

“In addition, we call on INEC and all security agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles.

“We also pledge to respect the outcome of free, fair and credible elections.

“Today (Thursday), we again renew our commitment to a united, democratic and prosperous Nigeria. We want to urge all Nigerians to stand together at this critical phase of our nation’s history.”

July 22, 2015