The Nation Newspaper

Tag: probe

  • 37 air accident probe reports pending at AIB, says commissioner 

    37 air accident probe reports pending at AIB, says commissioner 

    THIRTY- seven accident reports are pending at theAccident Investigation Bureau (AIB) as at the time its new management assumed office in January, it was learnt yesterday.

    From all the reports, the final account of the June 3, 2012, Dana Air crash, which killed about 163 on-board and on ground at the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos and three others would be submitted to the Presidency for approval before being released to the public.

    AIB Commissioner Akin Olateru, an engineer,said this yesterday at a forum organised by the Aviation Round Table (ART) in Lagos.

    Olateru, however, promised that reports of the four accidents would be made known by next week. A minimum of 10 accident reports will also be released to the public before the end of the year, Olateru added.

    He stressed that the era of keeping accident reports in the bureau’s wardrobe was over with his management team.

    Besides the Dana crash report, AIB would send those of the last two Bristow Helicopters and one AOS Helicopters to the presidency for approval.

    The first of the two Bristow Helicopters crashes occurred on August 13, 2015 at the Oworonshoki Area of the Third Mainland Bridge with six fatalities while six others sustained serious injuries.

    The second, which also crashed into the high sea, was coming from an offshore platform, but without fatalities.

    Also, the AOS helicopters crash occurred on July 29, 2011 between Ife and Ogbomosho. The reports of the accident would be made public by next week.

    Olateru said: “Let me give you an example, I took over AIB on January 13, there were 37 pending accident investigation and the first question I asked was how many accidents do we have in a year that we have 37 pending accident investigation?

    “Today, I’m proud to tell you, four reports are on their way to the president, including Dana, two Bristow and AOS helicopters reports. And by next week, we will make them official reports.

    “Before the end of this year, by the special grace of God, we will release a minimum of 10 reports. There must be a big paradigm shift in the way we do things.”

    He lamented that there were only “one and half pilots”. According to him, none specialises on helicopter accident investigation despite the frequencies of helicopter crashes in the country.

    Olateru added that AIB did not have any emergency code number that the public could contact in case of an accident, promising to change that soon.

    “It is one and half pilots that we have in AIB. I said one and half because we have a fresh one who is just joining us. Is that the kind of manpower that can actually investigate accident reports? We have more helicopter incidents than fixed wing incidents in this industry; yet, you don’t have one single helicopter pilot in AIB.

    “These are the issues I’m taking up with the minister and he’s willing to support. We need to strength the system and we can’t just fold our hands.

    “We don’t even have an emergency response team in AIB. Who do you call even when you need a crane, we don’t know. Most of our management team does not know the number to call in case of an accident. There is nowhere anyone will remember the 11 digit numbers. Rather, we need a unique three digit number.

    “We don’t have a control room in AIB. Once it is 4 to 5pm, the company shuts down and I try to remind them that accidents in most times occur in the evening and on weekends. So, we must have a functional control room, radio, and monitor things that are going on. Reporting accident is another issue. We have to make it seamless.

    “Police don’t know what to do at an accident crash site. Today (yesterday), I’m meeting with the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2.”

  • INEC probe panel on N23b bribe: REC got N140m cash

    INEC probe panel on N23b bribe: REC got N140m cash

    Chairman, commissioners meet today on 202 officials

    A Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who completed his tenure on Friday, collected about N140million of the N23.29 billion 2015 election bribe, it was learnt at the weekend.

    A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly coordinated the bribe that has sparked a big scandal.

    There were other startling revelations in the report of the probe committee headed by National Commissioner Baba Shettima Arfo, which will be considered today and tomorrow by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and 12 National Commissioners.

    Most of the 202 indicted officials may be dismissed from service for gross misconduct and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for trial.

    The corrupt officials who have retired with their loot may either be blacklisted by INEC or have their entitlements withheld. Besides, the bribe may be deducted from their benefits.

    INEC had in January raised the seven-member Arfo panel to “investigate the fallout of the 2015 General Elections with regards to staff indicted by EFCC”.

    Other national commissioners in the committee are Prince Solomon Soyebi; Hajiya Amina Zakari; Alhaji  Mohammed Haruna; Mrs. May Agbamuche Mbu(SAN); and Prof. A.T. Simbine.

    A director in INEC, Mr. Musa Adamu, is the secretary to the committee.

    The panel discovered many startling revelations from the 202 officials and others.

    Some of the shocking findings are that:

    • an NGO, West African Network of Electoral Observers, was used to share the bribe to INEC officials
    • a former chairman of INEC coordinated the bribe;
    • many former Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and retired administrative secretaries were used to funnel the bribe to INEC officials in all the 36 states to alter the results of the poll;
    • some RECs and directors benefited from the bribe as confirmed by EFCC’s investigations;
    • a REC, who completed his tenure on Friday, collected between N107million and N140million;
    • some RECs and other INEC officials collected as much as N100m; others were given as low as N150,000 to compromise the electoral system; and
    • some of the indicted officials admitted that they had refunded their share of the bribe cash.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said the “revelations were stunning and unimaginable” in an electoral agency.

    The source said: “The panel had 10 sittings. It queried staff members waited for their responses and invited each of the 202 for interaction. It insisted on fair hearing and took time to ask questions on record from those indicted.

    “It adopted a painstaking administrative process to learn from the past.

    “The panel invited those who were mentioned in the course of the interaction with the affected officials conducted a water-tight investigation to avoid leaving room for any excuse by the 202 officials.”

    The source gave an insight into how the bribery was perpetrated.

    The source added: “From the interaction with the indicted staff, the N23.29b bribe cash was distributed through West African Network of Electoral Observers. The INEC system was infiltrated through a former chairman of the commission who recruited former RECs and retired Administrative Secretaries.

    “They penetrated the system and made sure the bribe cash was distributed a day after the election when they were sure that the results would have been altered.

    “But because the cash came late to the electoral officers, it did not have effect on the results. Those who shared the money were confident that the results paid for would be announced. But it turned the other way.

    “It also discovered that some RECs and INEC officers refused to collect the bribe even under threats of dismissal after the general elections.”

    Asked of the next step, the source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not permitted to talk to the media, added: “The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and  his 12 National Commissioners will begin the consideration of the report of the committee as from today  and tomorrow.

    “Most of them have admitted collecting bribe but we are going to apply the service rules in taking disciplinary action. You know in our own case, if there is gross misconduct, you can be dismissed from service.

    “There are other forms of disciplinary measures in the service rules, depending on the weight of the offence. We have already told the EFCC that we are ready. After the disciplinary action, the anti-graft commission can then take appropriate action.”

    On the indicted RECs, the source added: “By the Act which established INEC, we cannot invite them for interrogation because we did not appoint them. They were appointed by the President.

    “We can only make recommendations to the President.”

    Section 3 of INEC Establishment Act says:

    (1)    “ The chairman and members of the Commission shall each hold office for a period of five years and on such terms and conditions as may be specified in their letters of appointment.

    (2)    “ A member may at any time be removed from office by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for any act of misconduct but shall not be removed from office except in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

    (3)     ”A member may resign his membership by notice in writing addressed to the President and that member shall, on the date of the receipt of the notice by the President, cease to be a member.”

    Some NGOs are likely to be blacklisted from taking part in any election conducted by INEC. Some of the retired officials can also be blacklisted; their names will be sent to the Presidency to prevent them from being appointed as RECs in the future.

    “For some retired INEC officials who have not collected their entitlements, they can be punished through the stoppage of the payment of their benefits or their bribe cash can be refunded from their entitlements,” the source said.

    Some INEC officers already grilled by EFCC are the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abia State, Sylvester Ezeani, who has refunded N20million credited to him from the poll cash; ex-REC Gesil Khan for collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe; Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River State, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.

    Also, a retired INEC official, Sani Isa,  was grilled for alleged N 406,206,000 bribe, allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC), in Kano State, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi.

    Those grilled in Gombe are: Godwin Maiyaki, Gambo Balanga, Bukar Alone Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril. B. Muhammed,Billiri, Dunguma Musa Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed. A. Wanka, Kaltungo, Ishaku Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Nafada, Babagana Malami, Shongom, and Nuhu Samuel, Y/Deba.

  • Reps to probe dumping of toxic waste in Delta

    The House of Representatives, yesterday in Abuja, passed a resolution to investigate the dumping of toxic waste in Koko community in Delta State.

    The House mandated its committees on Environment and Habitat, Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Gas Resources to investigate the extent of the environmental impact of the toxic waste on the community.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion, titled: “Need to Investigate the Dumping of Toxic Waste in Koko Community of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State,’’ sponsored by Rep. Daniel Reyenieju (PDP-Delta).

    Moving the motion, Reyenieju recalled that in June 1988, toxic waste was dumped in Koko, which resulted in illnesses and environmental damage to the aquatic life of the people.

    He expressed concern that apart from the incidence that happened in 1988, there was a recurrence in 2017 which violates the environmental guideline and standard for the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

    The lawmaker said was 80 per cent of oily sludge was  hazardous because of the presence of toxic organics, such as aromatics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and complex compounds with very high molecular weights.

    “The consumption or absorption of toxic and carcinogenic contaminants by plants and lower animals will ultimately lead to bioaccumulation in humans from food chain in nature which will result in failure of organs and ultimately death.

    “During the rainy season, surface and underground water which is the source of drinking water for the people is gravely contaminated through seepage of toxic and carcinogenic substances into aquifer.

    “The area around the dump site is residential and a primary school, with its numerous pupils and teachers, also share a common perimeter fence with the dump site facility,’’ Reyenieju said.

    The House mandated the relevant committees to report back their findings within four weeks for further legislative action

  • Reps to probe dumping of toxic waste in Delta

    The House of Representatives, yesterday in Abuja, passed a resolution to investigate the dumping of toxic waste in Koko community in Delta State.

    The House mandated its committees on Environment and Habitat, Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Gas Resources to investigate the extent of the environmental impact of the toxic waste on the community.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion, titled: “Need to Investigate the Dumping of Toxic Waste in Koko Community of Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State,’’ sponsored by Rep. Daniel Reyenieju (PDP-Delta).

    Moving the motion, Reyenieju recalled that in June 1988, toxic waste was dumped in Koko, which resulted in illnesses and environmental damage to the aquatic life of the people.

    He expressed concern that apart from the incidence that happened in 1988, there was a recurrence in 2017 which violates the environmental guideline and standard for the petroleum industry in Nigeria.

    The lawmaker said was 80 per cent of oily sludge was  hazardous because of the presence of toxic organics, such as aromatics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and complex compounds with very high molecular weights.

    “The consumption or absorption of toxic and carcinogenic contaminants by plants and lower animals will ultimately lead to bioaccumulation in humans from food chain in nature which will result in failure of organs and ultimately death.

    “During the rainy season, surface and underground water which is the source of drinking water for the people is gravely contaminated through seepage of toxic and carcinogenic substances into aquifer.

    “The area around the dump site is residential and a primary school, with its numerous pupils and teachers, also share a common perimeter fence with the dump site facility,’’ Reyenieju said.

    The House mandated the relevant committees to report back their findings within four weeks for further legislative action

  • Bishop to Akeredolu: Don’t waste time probing Mimiko’s government

    Bishop to Akeredolu: Don’t waste time probing Mimiko’s government

    The Archbishop of Ondo Province of Anglican Diocese of Ondo State, Rt. Rev Latunji Lasebikan has advised the new governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) not to be distracted by probing his predecessors.

    Lasebikan, stated this while delivering a sermon at the thanking service of the governor at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Church, Owo local government area of Ondo State on Sunday.

    The 85th birthday of Akeredolu’s mother, Grace was also marked during the service.

    The Bishop said the focus of the new governor should be on how he will fulfill all his campaign promises to the electorates, who voted for him during the election.

    Akeredolu had on several occasions said he would not probe the immediate past administration, noting that the law is there to punish any corrupt officer.

    Lasebikan said “Probe of governments in the past, what do you make out of it? You get to an office, do your own job.

    “President Buhari was to ensure that all those who mismanaged our money are brought to book, what have we got so far?

    ” The precious time he would have used to do better things has been wasted pursuing people who are unwilling to bend.

    “The whole nation is suffering because of probe; probe has no meaning for anybody”.

    The Cleric however urged Akeredolu to ensure he clears all the seven months unpaid salaries left behind by his predecessor.

    He said ‎”You should pay salaries; many of our people have not been paid, not only in Ondo State but in different parts of Nigeria. It is in East, North and every part of the country.

    “It is not good, a labourer is worthy of his wage and government needs to do something that the public will know that the government is taking care of them otherwise people will not respond to the politicians.

    “I know recession has been a bad thing for the nation but there should be way that workers are paid‎”

    Akeredolu, ‎who commended those who attended the occasion, urged the people to always wish themselves good things.

    He assured the ‎people of the state that his administration would hit the ground running immediately.

  • Fed Govt directs NBC to probe Big Brother Nigeria controversy

    Fed Govt directs NBC to probe Big Brother Nigeria controversy

    THE Federal Government has waded into the controversy surrounding the shooting of the Big Brother Nigeria Reality show in South Africa.
    Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed yesterday directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting of the reality programme outside the country.
    NBC, according to a statement signed by one of the aides to the minister, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, is to also determine whether the action of MultiChoice, owners of the programme, contravenes any of the country’s law.
    The statement reads: “The Minister of Information and Culture has directed the NBC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported shooting in South Africa of the ongoing Big Brother Nigeria Reality Show.
    “The minister said the NBC should determine whether MultiChoice, by shooting the show in South Africa, has breached the Nigerian Broadcasting Code in any way, as well as the issue of possible deceit, since the viewing public was never told that the event would be staged outside Nigeria.
    “As a country of laws, only the outcome of the investigation will determine our next line of action.”
    Mohammed said while concerned Nigerians have bombarded his office with calls to complain about what they regard as an anomaly, they should remain calm while the NBC investigates the issue and submits its findings.

  • A welcome probe

    •Investigation of alleged death threat by Rivers governor should be thorough 

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris’ decision to investigate the audio claiming that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State threatened to kill an electoral officer in the December 10 legislative rerun in the state is welcome. Indeed, it is the best thing to do in the circumstance, given the recrudescence of violence in the state, especially at election times. “They should return what they gave them or I will kill them,” the governor was allegedly heard telling an aide whom he asked to warn an unnamed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official deployed from Plateau State.

    Police spokesman Don Awunah said the IGP “has set up a team of detectives and experts to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents mentioned by the INEC chairman with a view to unravelling those who directly or indirectly are responsible for such incidents and bring them to justice. He added that: ”The investigative team is also mandated to conduct forensic analysis on the audio report released by Sahara Reporters purported to be the voice of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike (CON) pertaining to the concluded elections.”

    A thorough probe into the allegation will reveal whether it is true or not, especially as the governor has denied making the threat adding that it was his political detractors who manipulated technology to give the impression that he made it.

    Elections are supposed to be a sacred duty in which voters peacefully go to the polls to decide their preferred candidates. That is the way it is in many developed countries and even developing ones, but not in Nigeria. Here, it is, to quote a former president of the country, “a do-or-die affair”. In most other places, elections are regarded as routine, with people strolling to the polling booths to cast their vote. Holidays are not declared and movements are never restricted. Hardly is there any noticeable security presence beyond the regular ones.

    But here, we restrict people’s movement, more or less declaring a holiday just because we are conducting election. Not only that, all manner of security personnel – the police, with sniffer dogs and drones, as well as soldiers are all deployed to make elections free and peaceful. Yet, hardly have we had any such peaceful elections. When elections approach, it is a time for apprehension because limbs and lives are likely to be lost. When the casualties are not many, we congratulate ourselves as if elections must claim even a soul.

    The experience with Rivers State in particular has been depressing. Recent elections in the state witnessed blood-letting in the most astounding manner.

    We must be able to guarantee the security of electoral umpires if we are truly desirous of having free and fair elections. They are likely to succumb to threats or blackmail if they realise that the state cannot guarantee their safety or that they are on their own. Threats, like the one under probe, can only return the country to the Hobbesian state of nature where might becomes right.

    Militarisation of areas where elections are holding (undesirable as this might even be) is not enough to check electoral violence; we will never have free and fair elections until we begin to punish electoral offenders. Those who snatch ballot boxes or destroy ballot papers, kill or maim during elections do so with impunity because they know there is no consequence for their actions. When one or two influential sponsors of electoral violence are brought to book, others who might be contemplating such illegality would think twice.

    We urge the police to diligently and professionally investigate the alleged threat and come up with a report which should form the basis of the prosecution of whoever is culpable. It is too grievous a matter to be swept under the carpet.

  • Buhari orders probe of allegations against top officials

    Buhari orders probe of allegations against top officials

    President Muhammadu Buhari last night ordered a probe of corruption allegations leveled against some top officials

    The Presidency said the President will continue to fight corruption relentlessly.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, said: “The attention of the Presidency has been drawn to a number of reports in the media, in which various accusations of corruption have been levelled against some top officials in the administration.

    “In that regard, President Buhari has instructed the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate the involvement of any top government officials accused of any wrong-doing. If any of them is liable he will not escape prosecution.”

  • Senate to probe N213b power intervention fund disbursement

    Senate to probe N213b power intervention fund disbursement

    Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has asked the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy to initiate immediate public hearing into the country’s deteriorating electricity generation.

    Electricity generation is said to hover at 3000 megawatts (MW).

    The hearing is to confirm and ascertain claims of non-remittance of funds among the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET), Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) and Generation Companies (Gencos).

    The committee is also to investigate how the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) paid the N213 billion intervention funds to the power sector and the usage of the funds.

    The Senate President gave the mandate at the weekend at a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at finding answers to the dwindling electricity generation in the country.

    Saraki said the committee should also consider the role of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), whose officials serve as board members in the Discos and Gencos.

    He expressed displeasure with the poor electricity supply, especially its negative impact on growth and the need to pull out the country out of economic recession.

    He feared total collapse of the country’s electricity system, if urgent steps were not immediately taken to remedy the situation.

    Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Mr. Louis Edozien, who led the stakeholders to the meeting, lamented that power generation has gone down to 3000MW/H from a 7000MW/H generating capacity with a 12000MW/H connected load.

    Discos, Edozien said, are presently remitting about 45 per cent of collectable revenue instead of the performance agreement target of 65 per cent.

  • Sports minister orders probe of FIFA’s $1.1m grant

    Sports minister orders probe of FIFA’s $1.1m grant

    Barrister Solomon Dalung,the Sports Minister, has spoken on a report he received from the NFF raising queries on FIFA’s audit report of $1.1m FIFA development grant to the NFF.

    “According to the report, FIFA has withheld all development funds to Nigeria for lack of proper documentation of $802,000 out of the funds released to the NFF.

    “This is a very serious issue that must be given urgent attention to avoid another international embarrassment more so that the present administration under the leadership of  President Muhammadu Buhari has zero tolerance for any act of misappropriation, misapplication, embezzlement or fraud in any guise.”

    He directed the NFF to provide the Ministry of Youth and Sports with detailed information of receipt, disbursement and application of the FIFA development grant accordingly.

    “In addition, a reputable audit firm should be appointed urgently to check the account books of the federation to ensure that funds are judiciously expended. The audit report must be made public to promote transparency, build credibility and enhance your  market value,” Dalung said.

    He  urged the Football family to consolidate on the gains of the successes recorded so far as the country cannot afford to gamble with anything that will thwart the collective resolve to deliver the World Cup ticket to Nigeria.