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Tag: probe

  • Recruitment scam: Interior Minister raises panel to probe sacked Immigration boss Uzoma

    Recruitment scam: Interior Minister raises panel to probe sacked Immigration boss Uzoma

    Following last Tuesday’s removal of former Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Rose Chinyere Uzoma, over alleged recruitment scandal, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has set up a six-man committee to investigate how the former CG ran the service.

    President Goodluck Jonathan ordered the former NIS boss, Uzoma to proceed on pre-retirement accumulated leave over the issue.

    The committee, chaired by the Director, Paramilitary, Mr. Keftin Amuga, has Dr. Attahiru Rufai Kawu as deputy chairman. Members are: Alh. Kurfi A. Ibrahim, Babandede Mohammed, Mr. E. S. A. Ojo and representative of the State Security Service (SSS).

    Inaugurating the committee on Thursday night, behind closed doors in Abuja, Comrade Moro, said he had received several petitions and appeals from some officers of the service bordering on fraud, injustice and tribal sentiments in the conduct of promotion tests.

    Other allegations, ranging from certificate forgery and non-adherence to the principle of seniority in determining the officers who are eligible for promotion, were also received.

    He said: “After the last promotion of officers in the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), I received some petitions and appeals from some officers of the service bordering on fraud, injustice and tribal sentiment in the conduct of the promotion exercise.

    “There were other serious allegations, ranging from certificate forgery and non-adherence to the principle of seniority in the determining officers eligible for promotion. These are all serious allegations that cannot be ignored.”

    The panel’s terms of reference include verification of alleged money-for -recruitment/appointment and superannuation, nepotism and adoption of primordial sentiments in the promotion of officers within the service.

    The committee is also expected to establish the number and category of officers that sat for the last promotion examination, establish the number of officers promoted vis- a- vis the approved establishment for the promotion year, screen and authenticate the certificates claims of officers in the service and work out modalities on creating more promotion opportunities within the Nigerian Immigration Service.

  • House Dana Air crash probe indicts NCAA, airline

    House Dana Air crash probe indicts NCAA, airline

    The House of Representatives’ investigation into the June 3 Dana air crash, has indicted the Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Harold Demuren, for incompetence and negligence of duty.

    The Nkiruka Onyejeocha-led House Committee on Aviation report that was considered at the committee of the Whole yesterday recommended that Dana’s Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) should be revoked because it was not issued in compliance with NCAA Civil Regulations Guideline 2009.

    Under his leadership, an NCAA inspector, Suleiman Akwuh, who did pre-arrival inspection on the ill-fated Dana Aircraft, was found to be without pre­requisite professional qualification.

    The NCAA is also said to have allowed an aircraft into the country despite having no rated pilot in Nigeria.

    The report also revealed that while Demuren has overstayed his official tenure by three months before the crash, the country has no functional and well maintained aircraft hanger of international standard.

    The report also discovered that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N200b Aviation Intervention Fund was used for purposes other than what it was meant for.

    Excerpts of the report state that “Nigeria Airline Operators have problem of accessing money from the bank with stringent collateral conditions and short repayment term”.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria’s N200 billion Aviation Intervention Fund was used to refinance existing facility with banks instead of improving the services and capital needs of airlines.

    “Air Nigeria through United Bank for Africa, UBA, accessed N35.5b from Federal Government Aviation Intervention Fund and diverted same to other businesses.

    “The Committee found out that there is no functional and well equipped maintenance hanger of international standard in Nigeria.

    “The Airfield Lighting System, which has been the statutory responsibility of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as stipulated in Part II Section 3 of its Act in Cap F5 Law of the Federation of Nigeria was transferred to Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) by Federal Ministry of Aviation in violation of the provision of the existing law.

    “Ghana Accident Investigation Department has released an interim Report on Allied Airline crash, blaming it on wet runway, pilot error and aqua planning.

    “The Committee found out that the age of the ill-fated Dana aircraft is 22 years.

    The Committee’s recommendations read: “Dana current AOC should be revoked because it was not issued in compliance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Civil Regulations Guideline 2009.

    “NCAA inspector, Engineer Suleiman Akwuh, who did pre-arrival inspection on the ill-fated Dana Aircraft without pre­requisite professional qualification should be dismissed from service^

    “The Director-General, who approved and deployed the officer should be sanctioned for professional negligence.

    “Based on the following facts: NCAA under the leadership of the current Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren, brought in MD83 to operate in Nigeria even when there is no licensed engineer rated on the aircraft.

    “For the period under review, Dana operated 14 air returns caused by system failure, which is a sufficient indication of imminent danger.

    “ Up to the time of this report, NCAA is still without any licensed engineer type-rated on MD83, yet it is going ahead with technical audit on Dana operations with a view to restore its licence. This constitutes negligence.

    “The tenure of the current Director General of NCAA had expired three months before Dana crash occurred on 3rd June, 2012.

    “So the current Director General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, should be removed from office for professional negligence and incompetence.

    “The staff strength of NCAA should be totally overhauled with a view to injecting technically and professionally qualified personnel to enhance its regulatory role – in line with the international best practices.”

    The investigation report advised that the report of Bellview Airlines and other accident investigation reports should be revisited.

    The lawmakers recommended that “NCAA should compel all airlines, involved in accidents to settle all outstanding insurance obligations and ensure that current operating AOCs have reliable insurance cover as required by the Civil Aviation Regulations.

    “The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) should be properly equipped with modern laboratory facilities to enable it discharge its responsibilities.

    MD83 aircraft should be phased out of Nigeria aviation industry as NCAA has no certified engineer on MD83 in its employment more so that the aircraft has been decommissioned by its manufacturers.

    “The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and indeed Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) should be properly equipped with well trained staff and equipment for the purposes of responding promptly and adequately to air accident in the country.

    “The Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation should create incentive for indigenous airlines by providing special intervention fund to encourage growth in the aviation industry.

    “The Central Bank of Nigeria should recover the N35.5b, which was extended to Air Nigeria through UBA but was diverted to other uses.

    “The Federal Government should endeavour to put in place a hanger of international standard to reduce cost of aircraft maintenance by airline operators in Nigeria.

    “The Air Field Lighting System should be returned to FAAN without further delay.

    “An age limit of not more than 15 years should be placed for new acquisition for passenger aircraft and 20 years for carao aircraft.

    cargo aircraft.

    “NCAA should carry out post accident regulatory oversight duty on Allied Air immediately after the conclusion of investigation and report by Ghana Accident Investigation Department”.

    The report was adopted by the lawmakers after the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha put it to voice vote.

  • Senate to probe Yakowa’s, Azazi’s death in crash

    Senate to probe Yakowa’s, Azazi’s death in crash

    … Mandate committee to investigate air mishaps

    The Senate on Tuesday became the fifth body to indicate interest in the investigation of what caused last Saturday’s air mishap in Bayelsa State.

    The accident claimed the lives of Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi and five others.

    This followed the adoption of a motion which mandated its committees on Navy, Air Force and Aviation to investigate the frequency of air mishaps in the country with a view to finding a permanent solution.

    The motion entitled: “Urgent need to investigate the recent crash of Naval Augusta 109 Helicopter in Bayelsa State” was sponsored by Senator Chris Anyanwu (Imo East).

    The Presidency, Nigeria Navy, Nigerian Governors Forum and the House of Representatives had earlier resolved to probe the circumstances surrounding the crash of the naval helicopter in Bayelsa State.

    Anyanwu, who is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy in her lead debate, chronicled the incidences of air mishap in the country.

    She urged the Senate to note that “on December 15, 2012 an Augusta 109 Helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Navy crashed at Okoroba Community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, killing everyone on board, including a serving governor, Yakowa of Kaduna State, the former NSA, Azazi, two naval pilots and two aides.

    She also urged the Senate to note that in 2007 and 2011, there had been two crashes of similar Augusta helicopters owned by the Navy.

    The Senate, she said, should be worried at the seeming recurrence of air mishaps not just in civil aviation but also in the Nigerian military despite public outcry.

    Anyanwu noted that the Senate should be aware that between March and October 2011, there were three reported cases of air mishaps by the Air Force at different locations in the country and that the causes of the crashes remained unknown.

     

  • Crash: NBA calls for probe

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Federal Government to probe the cause of the helicopter crash which claimed the lives of Kaduna Governor Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Azazi.

    In a statement, the NBA President, Okey Wali (SAN), said the association was shocked by the deaths of the two and others.

    The statement reads: “It was with shock that we received the very sad news of the helicopter crash on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Okoroba, Nembe local Government Area , Bayelsa State, which claimed the lives of Governor Patrick Yakowa and General Azazi along with some others.

    “The Nigerian Bar Association mourns these perfect gentlemen. Governor Yakowa epitomised of humility and General Azazi an intelligence officer, exhumed intelligence, the brave pilot and the others that perished in that heart breaking crash, what great losses to our country.

    “The NBA calls on the federal Government to order for thorough investigation into the helicopter crash to determine the cause so as to avoid future occurrences of such ugly incident

    “Our faith in the Almighty cannot be tempted, we will remain faithful and continue to pray for the repose of their souls in the bossom of the Almighty, while praying for fortitude for their families, friends, states and our country to bear these irreparable losses. May the souls of those faithful departed rest in peace.”

  • Auchi attack: Oshiomhole calls for police probe

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate how criminals held Auchi town hostage for over three hours with no response from the police.

    The governor made the call yesterday when he inspected First Bank, Access Bank, Ecobank, soldiers’ quarters and the police formations attacked by the bandits last week.

    Oshiomhole spoke of the need for the police to look inward to be sure there was no Judas among them.

    He said: “To think that a police station with arms could be attacked and the police could not kill one criminal worries me.

    “I was not happy that the police parked the Armoured Personnel Carrier behind the Area Commander’s office.

    “It shows that the police are not using the funds given to them maximally.

    “I‘m not impressed because the APC ought to be in operation.

    “The fact that the APC was parked at the back of the station and bombed there means that it was not put to good use.

    “It is unacceptable. They should begin to account for their negligence to duty, incompetence or both.

    “Until we begin to do that, this lamentation will continue and criminals will continue to operate and demystify the state and make us look like mushrooms that can be consumed with minimal effort.

    “I believe the police will have to investigate to reassure us that we are safe.

    “The fact that bandits can attack two police formations and do that kind of damage shows the need to revisit the role of policing and their operational order,” he said.

    The governor, however, praised the Army for the five soldiers who repelled the attack and killed one of the bandits.

    “The point has been made that if you attack a military base, you will pay a huge price.

    “For me, that is a little relief that one of the bandits was killed by the soldiers, in the sense that his identity will assist security agencies in their investigations,” the governor said.

    He went on: “I am troubled by what I saw, but we are not giving up. The criminals cannot win; they must be defeated and brought to justice.

    “Let me reassure you that the irreducible responsibility of any government is to protect life and property.

    “If the government cannot protect life and property, then we are in trouble.

    “I accept responsibility as the governor for what happened.

    “We have a duty to contribute in ensuring security. I do hope that you appreciate that what has happened is not because of want of efforts.

    “Ordinarily, the Army should not be involved in civil policing, but because of the sheer deficiency on the side of the police, we had to get the Army to reinforce the police.

    “This is why you have seen soldiers manning the Operation Thunderstorm.

    “I’m calling on police authorities to conduct proper internal investigation and ensure that those who were negligent are brought to book.”

    The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, said a way out of the security challenge is for the government to liberalise the law on weapons so that everybody can defend himself.

  • Police probe death of Chinese at Enugu factory

    A Chinese working at Innoson Group of Companies, Emene Industrial Layout, Enugu, has died on duty.

    Gao Youngqi reportedly fell from an iron rod when he was welding a structure at one of the company’s new factories.

    He reportedly had fractures in the accident, which occurred at 12.32pm last Friday.

    A source told The Nation that Youngqi was rushed to Memphis Hospital in Enugu, where he died.

    Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the incident.

    He said: “The Enugu State Police Command has begun investigation into the alleged incident that led to the demise of Gao Youngqi. The deceased was said to be working in an Enugu-based company when he allegedly fell from an iron rod while working in the company’s new site. He was, however, rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment where he was confirmed dead by the doctor.”

    The body of the deceased was deposited at the Eastern Nigeria Medical Centre mortuary for autopsy.

  • Probe early deaths, workers urge govt

    Civil servants in Lagos State have asked the government to take special interest in their well-being if it wishes to maximise their potentials.

    While hailing government’s health policies for them, they asked that more be done, esecially by investigating early deaths.

    “You see obituary posters on notice boards announcing the death of young people in their prime. Most of them died at their most productive age and such is not good for a government that has an excellent staff training scheme,” said a civil servant who does not want to be named.

    “Government has invested a lot on them and when they are supposed to deliver and give back to the society, they die, often after a brief illness. I wish our government can investigate those brief illnesses to see how they could be prevented,” said another civil servant.

    Another civil servant said the frequency at which obituary posters appear on notice boards has reduced, but urged the government to improve on its healthcare policies for its employees.

    “I’m sure the government too has taken note because last year, they introduced free annual medical check-up for all of us and since then, I noticed the rate (of death) has reduced.

    “Before, it used to be a weekly thing, but now, it has reduced to one or two per month. But government should still do more because any civil servant that dies, dies young considering that our retirement age is 60,” he said.

    Health ministry officials confirmed that there is a free medical check-up yearly for all workers at 15 designated general hospitals.

    “It is like a birthday gift from the government. On their birthdays, they will get a ticket for the check-up and also get a day off to attend the hospital of their choice,” the source, who does not want to be named, said.

    “The check-up includes all medical tests and screenings you can think of. And the report is usually ready within one week after which referrals are made for necessary treatments.”

    Some civil servants said the free check-up is not mandatory adding that there is no mechanism to know the number of civil servants who went to the hospital. They advised that an incentive be introduced to ensure all civil servants take advantage of the medical examinations.

  • PDP to probe Elechi’s projects

    The Ebonyi State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it would investigate the projects the Martin Elechi administration has executed.

    This is to ascertain their impact on the residents, it said.

    Its Chairman, Prince Ugorji Amaoti, addressed reporters in Abakaliki, the state capital, after the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party submitted its report to the State Executive Council (Exco) on the 13 local government areas and 64 development centres.

    The PDP chairman said the party would not recommend any sanction against any of the council chairmen or development centre coordinator who performed below the expectation of the party until Governor Martin Elechi would have gone through the report.

    He noted that the report was not to witch-hunt anybody but to ensure that those who performed below expectation are encouraged to turn a new leaf.

    Submitting the report to the party Exco, Amaoti thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity to interact with him.

    He explained that the PDP embarked on the tour of the councils to get first-hand information on their operations.

    The party chairman said the PDP occasionally undertook oversight functions on the performance of those it elected to manage the affairs of the people.

    Amaoti said the report was in two parts: the major copy and the abridged version.

    He noted that the report would enable the government to have a deeper insight into the councils.

    The party also presented Party Project Magazine and wall clocks with the PDP insignia.

    Amaoti said the clocks would be given to political appointees and elected members of the party to remind them that they are products of the PDP.

    Elechi hailed the party chieftains for their innovativeness.

    He said: “We have a chairman, who has so much confidence in our party. Yet, he is unassuming.”

    The governor said the tour was to ensure that those who emerged through the party deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

    Elechi noted that the zonal leadership of the party had undertaken similar trips.

    He added: “We hope the national leadership will also do the same. If this can’t be done state by state, it could be zone by zone.”

    The governor said his administration will, by December, tour the local governments to interact with the people and thank them for the mandate they gave him.

    Elechi added that the government would study the report and encourage sanction against any erring council.

     

  • ACN chieftain calls for probe of polls

    A chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Oshati Olatunji Maxima, has urged the national leadership of the party to probe the outcome of Saturday’s election.

    Oshati, a federal constituency campaign director of the party, wondered why a party prepared so much in terms of mobilisation and lowered its guard at the 11th hour.

    According to him, there must be a sabotage somewhere by some party leaders in Ondo State.

    He said: “Although there were irregularities in the election, it would not have been enough to stop Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu if we had done the right thing at the right time.”

    Oshati likened the situation to throwing players, even if they are professionals, on the field without football boots, knowing the poor condition of the field.

    He promised to submit a report on what he felt was the cause of the poor performance of the ACN at the appropriate time to the national leaders if called upon.

    The ACN chieftain, however, hailed Akeredolu for exhibiting a strong character in the management of the party.

  • Abia’s planned probe of Orji Kalu

    Abia’s planned probe of Orji Kalu

    I have always believed that the bane of developmental democracy in Third World countries especially in Nigeria since 1999 is that some of those entrusted with leadership positions do not consider themselves accountable to the people while in office and would also not willing account for their stewardship outside public office.

    The anti-corruption agencies in the country appeared to have gone to slumber, while non-governmental agencies and civil society organisations in a bid to survive the prevailing economic hardship in the country have made their organisations available for disgruntled politicians to use in feathering their political nests at the detriment of rest of us. This is what has brought the country’s anti-corruption fight to its knees and it is quite unfortunate and too bad for the future of the country.

    If not so, how would one justify the baseless attack by Emma Onwubiko of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria HURIWA on the government of Abia State over its planned probe of the administration of Chief Orji Uzor Kalu as governor of the state between 1999-2007?

    Constitutionally, every Nigerian including the leadership of HURIWA knew that Abia State government has not done anything illegal in its plan to probe Kalu’s administration in the state. For HURIWA leadership to describe the probe as a carefully choreographed and graphically plotted political witch-hunt of Kalu by the state government raises a lot of question on the role of the organisation in eight years of Kalu’s administration in the state.

    Even as the probe has not yet started, HURIWA is already crying more than the bereaved, and had gone ahead to put the cart before the horse by blackmailing Abia state government for performing its constitutional role. The organisation’s leadership continues to launch misguided attacks on the state government, now it has gone further to show hatred and malice with their recent action.

    People entrusted with leadership positions should always be ready to account for their stewardship anytime, any day. Whether they have any skeleton in their cupboard or not is another issue altogether. If they feel that opportunities were not given to them to prove their innocence or otherwise before the probe panel, they can take their case to court. That is the rule. Meanwhile, linking the probe with 2015 Igbo Presidency campaign is nonsensical and immaterial because I do not see how Kalu can single-handedly, even with support of his acclaimed allies, realise Igbo Presidency without the support of other major stakeholders in the zone especially the governors that control the resources and structures.

    If the present government in a bid to satisfy the yearnings of the people succumbed to pressure to probe of Kalu’s administration, Kalu should not be worried if he has not done anything wrong during his stint as governor. Governor Orji should equally know that his government is not immune from probe by his successor if he leaves office and the need arises.

    As a people, we should learn how not to politicise everything especially issues that have to do with the welfare of the people. Conscience is an open wound only truth can heal it no matter how long it takes. After all, it is better late than never. Kalu’s probe is not the first of its kind in the country since the inception of democracy in 1999 and will not be the last. That is the beauty of democracy. There is need for accountability in governance and politicians should not be scared of such within or outside office.

    What the HURIWA leadership should have done is to wait for the setting up of the probe panel and monitor its proceedings closely to ensure that fair hearing is given to all parties involved before making a conclusion. The individual is not bigger than the state, so Kalu having ruled the state for eight years as governor should be ready to submit himself for probe to prove his innocence or otherwise. It is a responsibility he owes the people of the state for whom he managed their collective resources for eight years.

    Sentiment and emotion has no place in law, but evidence and facts are sacred. For HURIWA leadership to tag the probe a kangaroo one even when it has not taken off exposed their ignorance and bias. Has HURIWA leadership forgot that even Kalu as a governor of Abia state once set up judicial panel of inquiry that indicted some of his perceived political enemies in and outside the state? Where was HURIWA leadership then and what effort did they make to assist those that were indicted by the panel then?

    The leadership of HURIWA should not reduce the body to a platform for the campaign for Igbo Presidency just because it is led by an Igbo man. That is not what human right groups and civil society organisations are known for.

    In the same vein, aligning Kalu’s probe with the performance of the present government in Abia State lack substance, because the people of the state are in better position to assess the two governments and pass a credible judgment based on what they had experienced and seen on ground in the state. There is need for organisations to do their research and investigation very well before making a categorical statements on issues affecting the people or passing judgment on any issue, especially now that Freedom Of Information (FoI) Act is already law, thereby making investigative journalism and research work easier.

    Everyone knows that if the present government in Anambra State set up a probe panel to look into the administration of Senator Chris Ngige during his time as governor of the state, Ngige will speedily and easily submit himself for probe without raising eyebrow knowing full well that he has nothing to hide. This is because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu gave him a clean bill of health when he was removed from office as governor. This was despite the obvious political differences between him and President Olusegun Obasanjo then over the control of the state between him and his estranged godfather Chief Chris Uba who enjoyed Obasanjo’s support in the crisis.

    It was the same time that Ribadu told Nigerians that almost all the governors that will be leaving office in 2007 were corrupt and that they will be arrested and tried immediately they leave office. Ribadu, true to his promise arrested most of them including Kalu immediately they left office and charged them to court to face trial. But some of them who were in the good book of the then President of the country, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua worked with the Presidency under him to remove Ribadu from office to frustrate their trial.

    That was how the commission under Waziri went to slumber over the trials of some of the ex-governors and today it appears the commission is more docile than ever before. So when all these were happening, where was the HURIWA leadership and what were their positions and efforts in ensuring that the ex-governors charged for alleged corrupt practices were brought to book? There is need for non-governmental agencies and civil society organisations to remain focused and steadfast in pursuit of their aims and objectives and avoid being used by politicians to achieve selfish political aims.

    • Kiri, a lawyer, wrote from Wuse, Abuja