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Tag: Senate

  • Revisiting Senate, ASUU resolutions

    Revisiting Senate, ASUU resolutions

    The three day warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in September 2016 may have come and gone.

    Issues arising from the 2009 Federal Government, ASUU agreement and the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding were placed on the front burner by the Senate with the aim of averting a full blown ASUU strike.

    Any lover of education in the country must be troubled by the lingering crisis in the university system.

    The Senate largely succeeded. ASUU suspended its planned full blown strike.

    If feelers from the universities are anything to go by, revisiting the Senate initiated meeting with ASUU and resolutions reached at the meeting may be necessary.

    The resolutions appear to be weighty and likely to go a long way in addressing critical issues in federal government, ASUU relationship if faithfully implemented by both sides in the dispute.

    At the instance of the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, meetings were held to resolve the issues for which ASUU embarked on a one week warning strike.

    The meetings were attended by representatives of the Federal Ministries of Education, Finance and Labour and Employment, the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND, representatives of the Budget Office, Salaries and Wages Commission, National Universities Commission (NUC) and PENCOM.

    Apart from Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Education, Senator Barau Jibrin, Saraki participated in some of the meetings apparently to give fillip to the discussions.

    Funding for revitalization of public universities, payment of Earned Academic Allowances, registration of NUPEMCO, shortfalls in gap remittance, leading to payment of fraction of salaries to staff of universities and payment of salaries of staff of university primary schools, were some of the subjects of discussion.

    Budgetary allocation to education, exemption of universities from Treasury Single Account (TSA) and renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, were also discussed.

    On funding for revitalization of public universities, the Senate Committee gave a report that N80 billion, out of the N200 billion released in 2013 had remained unspent. The government interpreted the inability of the universities to utilize the fund as evidence of lack of capacity on the part of the universities to absorb the fund.

    ASUU, on its part argued that the guideline set by the Needs Assessment Intervention Fund Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) stipulates that any university that meets the conditions shall be given the next tranche and should not be held down by those who failed to do the right thing.

    The union further held the government had deviated from the original idea of quarterly release of N55billion that would be ‘ring-fenced’ for the purpose of massive injection of funds to reposition Nigerian universities for global competition.

    The meeting resolved that the provision on revitalization in the 2009 agreement, as amplified in the FGN/ASUU MoU of 2013, shall be implemented. The meeting also agreed that steps should be taken immediately to remove all impediments to allow universities access the available fund as soon as they meet the conditions while government would look for additional money to replenish the revitalization fund in line with the 2013 MoU.

    On the thorny issue of payment for earned academic allowances, there was no agreement on it according a document.

    The Senate committee reported that the position of the government was that there would be no further release of fund to the universities until the forensic auditing, which was yet to begin, of the disbursement of N30 billion paid in 2013, was completed.

    To assuage the feelings of ASUU, Education Minister was said to have offered to pay N1billion monthly for next six months, during which time the forensic audit was expected to be completed.

    ASSU, on its part, insisted on a framework for paying any part of the arrears of Earned Academic Allowance.

    The union was said to have at first insisted on payment of the entire arrears for four years, but subsequently offered to accept the balance of the arrears of 2009 and 2010 of the EAA, amounting to a total of N23 billion.

    The Senate committee proposed to persuade the executive arm of government on payment of N1.5 billion per month pending the conclusion of the forensic audit.

    The ASSU team was said to have insisted on payment of arrears for two years. After much pressure, the ASUU leadership was said to have promised to report to its membership and report back to the committee.

    On the shortfall in salaries leading to payment of fractions of salaries, the Senate Committee agreed to liaise with the executive arm of government to facilitate averment of fund to address the issue.

    Another prickly issue was payment of salaries of staff on university primary schools. The representatives of the ministries were said to have insisted that the issue is in court. The Senate Committee on it part said that it would be violating Senate rules if it continued to discuss the matter because it is sub-judice.

    The ASUU team, on its part was said to have reiterated the fact that the union was not in court and the point at issue was the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement.

    Information was given that it was government that went to court to seek the interpretation of ownership of the university staff schools and that should not be used to scuttle an agreement reached with ASUU.

    On budgetary allocation to education, Senate committee on education promised to ensure that there was substantial increase in percentage allocation to the education sector in the 2017 budget. The committee promised to go as far as 15 percent proposed by ASUU in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    On exemption of universities from TSA, the ASUU team was said to have argued for a total exemption of universities from TSA in line with university autonomy.

    However, members of the Senate Committee posited that only endowment funds and research grants, which would not come under public fund, could be exempted from the TSA.

    The committee members hinged their submission on extant laws that require that all public revenue must be paid into the consolidated revenue fund and public expenditures must be appropriated for.

    On renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, the Senate Committee asked the Ministry of Education to finalize arrangements for the renegotiation in order to cement existing cordial relationship with ASUU.

    Cordial relationship indeed, you may say.

    Rumbling in the universities over alleged failure by the Federal Government to abide by the terms of the 2009 agreement is growing by the day. The Federal Government may do well by doing the needful. The disruptive nature of ASUU strike must be avoided. It should also be said that agreements are made to be kept.

    That the country is still talking about whether or not to honour some agreements reached in 2009 after an incapacitating ASUU strike speaks volume about the country’s attitude to things that matter.

    There is no gain saying the fact that the Senate saved the country another round of ASUU strike by its prompt intervention. The union may have therefore suspended its planned strike, but it may not be long before the unionists would call out its ever ready members for a struggle to save the soul of the ivory tower.

  • Senate: What a way to end the year!

    Senate: What a way to end the year!

    As the Senate prepared to end the year 2016, it’s chambers were busy with a flurry activities. As members were submitting reports from the oversight visits to different agencies, so many bills were getting to their final stage with public hearings being completed. At the same time, new bills were being introduced. And in the last week before it embarked on the recess, the National Assembly hosted President Muhammadu Buhari who used his visit to achieve two objectives – submit the government spending fiscal plan for the coming year for approval and also address the nation as previously demanded by the legislature on the government’s plan to tackle the current economic recession in the country. Also, the Medium Term Framework (MTEF) and Financial Strategic Plan (FSP) were approved.

    The last week also saw the Senate concluding the clearance process of the nominees into the board of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It also deliberated on the report of its adhoc committee on the humanitarian crisis in the North-East. The last days of the year were such a busy period for the Senate not only because the members wanted to quickly conclude some of the process they had started, but more importantly because they were inadvertently setting agenda for the issues that will pre-occupy the legislative institution in the first quarter of 2017.

    This end of year review will be easy to understand when one remembers that between June 9 2015 and today, the eighth Senate has passed into law 32 bills while 411 bills have been introduced by members. Out of this total figure, 68 bills have passed the second reading stage while 145 are due for second reading. There are also 54 others from the House of Representatives that are awaiting concurrence process before being passed to the President for his assent. Among the bills that are now at the final stages are nine of the 11 priority economic bills which are deliberately designed to help pull Nigeria out of recession.

    The plan, according to President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in his speech during the presentation of the 2017 budget proposal by the President is to pass the remaining economic bills alongside the budget for Presidential assent by the end of January or thereabout. The priority  bills are to jump-start the economic, open new areas of investment and encourage investors.

    These proposed laws include the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, National Development Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, Nigerian Ports and Habours Authority Act (Amendment) Bill, National Road Fund (Establishment) Bill and the National Transport Commission Act of 2001. Others are the Warehouse Receipts Act (Amendment) Bill, Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), Investment and Securities Act (ISA), Customs and Excise Management Act, Federal Competition Bill, National Road Authority Bill and the Customs and Excise Management Act. The bills are also at the final stage of passage.

    Among the already passed bills are the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act Cap. B2 LFN 2011 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2015, Public Procurement Amendment Act Bill 2015, Nigerian Railway Corporation Act 1955 N129 LFN 2004 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2015, Electronic Transactions Bill 2015, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board Act (Amendment) Bill 2016,, Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Bill 2016 and North East Development Commission Establishment Act Bill 2016.

    The rate of work being done on bills in the National Assembly has received commendation from the executive as President Buhari last week signed eight of the newly passed bills into law. The President’s liaison officer in the Senate, Ita Enang said “I use this medium to commend the National Assembly for the industry and dexterity they have shown and the concentration on the core functions of the legislature because compared to times like this in previous parliaments, I think this is the highest number of bills passed by any single parliament within its one year and six months”.

    The work of the legislature is not limited to law making. It includes oversight and advocacy. The present Senate has excelled in these two areas more than even in the passage of bills. For example, its oversight helped to save billions of Naira being overcharged by Remita, the managers of the platform through which state funds are collected into the TSA. Same oversight revealed the abuse of the waiver policy on custom duties on imported rice and other items, gross leakages and failure to remit funds  by  revenue collection agencies of government and the exposure of irregular remittance of profit by a telecommunications firm.

    Some of these investigations are as a result of motions. Like the probe of the humanitarian crisis in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the North -East zone which has revealed the gross misuse of funds and abuse of trust by people in high positions.

    In its advocacy duty, the Senate had made critical interventions which nipped potential national crisis in the bud. It got the Central Bank to change its policy of not allowing people who have foreign currency to lodge them into their accounts and when there was a talk of punishing people who hold foreign currency in cash for longer than two weeks, Senate compelled the apex bank to stick to the free trade policy of free entry and free exit. It intervened to make the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) abandon its fixed charges on electricity tariff and bulk metering in communities.

    The legislative body swiftly moved in to get the National Communication Commission (NCC) withdraw its endorsement of proposed hike in prices of data plan. It is currently mediating between University teachers and government to avert crisis in the academia and once intervened to compel release of funds for military operations in the North east. Also, its intervention led to the sourcing of funds for the Super Eagles travel to Zambia.

    Apart form the series of achievements, the Senate is now a more united body. The members have refused manipulation so from outside that will divide its ranks. Also, Senators demonstrate both punctuality at plenary which now commence unfailingly as stipulated in the Rule Book and more commitment to their duties. That is why the bills are coming in torrents, the motions flows ceaselessly and the debates are more rigorous and informed.

    There is no doubt that the current Senate is working so hard to make positive impact on the life of Nigerians. Like its Leader, Dr. Saraki would often say, the institution’s relevance can only be enhanced and appreciated when the ordinary people feel the positive impact of its law, oversight and advocacy in their life.

    • Olaniyonu is a Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President.
  • Ekweremadu tasks Nigerians on economic recovery

    Ekweremadu tasks Nigerians on economic recovery

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Nigerians to pray for the quick recovery of the nation’s economy in the New Year.

    This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja on Saturday.

    Ekweremadu, who expressed concern over the current economic hardship in the country, said the nation’s leadership needed divine guidance for right economic policies.

    He called on the Federal Government to put the right policies in place to boost investors’ confidence while spending more on infrastructure and critical sectors to ensure economic growth.

    “No doubt, 2016 will be remembered for unprecedented economic hardship for Nigerians, irrespective of social status, political, ethnic, and religious leanings.

    “Therefore, we must all join hands to seek the face of God for quick economic recovery and peace in our land.

    “Importantly, those in charge of the economy must rise to the occasion.

    “We must assemble the best hands, irrespective of where they come from, to lead the nation out of the economic wilderness’’, he said.

    The deputy president of the senate also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and political elites to improve on electoral process ahead of 2019.

    He said, “we must restore the confidence of our people in the ballot box.

    “They must freely vote and their votes must count, devoid of all forms of intimidation, manipulation, and political excesses.’’

    He wished Nigerians a happy celebration and a prosperous New Year.

  • Adegboruwa writes Senate, AGF over Magu’s status

    Lagos lawyer and activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, on Thursday wrote the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mahmud Malami (SAN), seeking clarification on the status of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

    In the letter to Saraki, Adegboruwa is demanding official clarification of Senate’s position on Magu’s status.

    He also asked for the record of Senate’s proceeding of December 15 when the upper legislative chamber declined to confirm Magu.

    Adegboruwa asked Malami to confirm Magu’s status at EFCC and the capacity he currently functions.

    Both requests, Adegboruwa said, were in line with Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, which guarantees the right of any citizen to have access to information from any public official on any matter.

    Adegboruwa said he expects to receive their responses in seven days as stated under section 4 of the FOI Act.

  • Magu remains rejected, says Senate

    Magu remains rejected, says Senate

    The Senate yesterday said its rejection of Mr. Ibrahim Magu’s nomination as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was sacrosanct.
    The upper chamber also said the indictment of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal by the Senate in plenary followed the consideration of the report of the findings of its ad-hoc committee on humanitarian crisis in the Northeast.
    Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Chairman Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said at a news conference in Abuja that the clarification became necessary following the statement made on Monday by Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume said on Monday that the Senate did not reject Magu’s nomination.
    Sen. Abdullahi noted that the upper chamber did not only reject Magu’s nomination but had returned same to President Muhammadu Buhari for further action.
    Abdullahi reiterated that the decision of the Senate to reject the nomination was informed by unfavourable security report.
    The Niger North Senatorial District lawmaker, who said that the Senate was not aware of two security reports on Magu, insisted that all letters meant for Senate’s consideration were normally addressed to the Senate President or the Clerk to the Senate who will pass them over to the Senate President.
    Abdullahi added that the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate on Magu’s nomination and rejection were unambiguous.
    He said it was wrong for Ndume to mislead the public by painting a picture of what never happened  on the floor of the Senate.
    Ndume told reporters after a meeting with President Buhari that the Senate did not reject Magu’s nomination.
    Abdullahi however said Ndume’s statement misrepresented what transpired in the Senate.
    Abdullahi said: “The call to national duty is crucial. So, I am here based on series of calls and text messages from you about what you thought are conflicting messages. It has become critical for the Senate to clarify issues. The 8th Senate believes in its integrity.
    “We uphold and promote the rule of law, which is the basic thing about our democracy. We are committed to doing things differently to stabilise the polity in the collective interest of Nigerians.
    “I would like to make the following clarifications:
    “I’m holding the votes and proceeding of Thursday. We had two votes and proceeding because we had to go into joint session to receive President Buhari.
    “Our votes and proceedings are the official records of what transpired in chamber. I briefed you on Thursday to the effect that the Senate is announcing that in view of security reports we were unable to confirm Magu.
    “We then rejected and returned the nomination to President Buhari for further action.
    “Media reports emerging, especially from interviews granted by Sen. Ndume, meant we have to clarify issues.
    “For the records, I am the official spokesman of the Senate and I intend to discharge this with honour and integrity because the sanctity of the institution is crucial to the sustenance of democracy.
    “To clarify, I have only one point of reference, which is, the votes and proceedings.
    “This is the only official position of the Senate. What I say, I say to on behalf of the Senate. Nigerians should be guided. There is no ambiguity in what we said.
    “Senate is an institution and we are working with the Constitution and whatever rules we use, our powers are drawn from the constitution.
    “We also want the media to be guided in the matter because of some misleading news in the public domain.
    “Even with respect to SGF, you as journalists can do your proper investigation. The genesis was the motion raised by Senator Kaka (Garbai) and Ndume and Senate decided to take a look at the abuses and SGF was found to be part of the abuses.
    “Allegations of two separate  reports:
    “Truth is sacrosanct. For every line of command, there is a line of communication. For the records, the leader that I know is Saraki and administrative leader is the Clerk to the Senate.
    “ As a routine, when you have  a nominee, security report should be given.
    “The report we are talking about was sent to the Acting Clerk of the Senate. If you talk about two reports which one is the second one?
    “I heard a report was sent to Ita Enag but I am not holding brief for him. He is a liaison officer and if there is any communication, Saraki or clerk are (sic) in charge.
    “It will be unfortunate for anyone to say that Senate will be subjected to a report sent to the liaison office.
    “This does not undermine his office; he is one of the highest ranking officers. Let us not bring Ita Enang to a cross fire.
    “It is the prerogative of the Senate and they have exercised that prerogative.
    “We are all guided by processes. If President  Buhari is going to resubmit the communication for re-nomination, he must come with the necessary reports, either negative or positive.
    “The report was signed. The Senate can’t just get a document from anywhere and work with it.
    “Even petitions are signed, let alone a serious matter like this.
    “The Senate leader is the Senate Leader, but I am the spokesman. He can’t do my job and I can’t do his job. He is my leader but we have different responsibilities.
    “Occasioned by what he said, if people are making meaning from what he said, I am here to clarify.
    “Nigerians are looking forward to all of us to take them out of recession.
    “The media should also be guided to create environment for leadership to avoid tension.”

  • Rejection of Magu’s nomination stands – Senate

    Rejection of Magu’s nomination stands – Senate

    The Senate on Tuesday said its rejection of Mr. Ibrahim Magu’s nomination as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was sacrosanct.

    The upper chamber also said the indictment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. David Babachir Lawal, by the Senate in plenary followed consideration of the report of its ad-hoc committee on humanitarian crisis in the North East.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who spoke at a media briefing in Abuja, said the clarification became necessary following the statement by Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, on Monday that the Senate did not reject the nomination of Magu as EFCC boss.

    The spokesman noted that the upper chamber did not only reject Magu’s nomination but has since returned same to President Muhammadu Buhari for further action.

    Abdullahi reiterated that the decision of the Senate to reject the nomination was informed by unfavourable security report by the Department of State Service (DSS)

    The lawmaker, who said  the Senate was not aware of two security reports on Magu, insisted that all letters meant for Senate consideration are normally addressed to the Senate President through the Clerk to the Senate who will pass such over to the Senate President for necessary action.

  • DSS to Senate in another report: give Magu chance

    DSS to Senate in another report: give Magu chance

    Report praises EFCC chief

    Senators rise against Ndume

    Donors anxious

    Another security report cleared Ibrahim Magu for confirmation as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, it was learnt yesterday.
    The Department of State Services (DSS) sent two reports to the Senate, which did not screen Magu but “rejected” his nomination.
    The DSS letter clearing Magu for consideration, dated October 3, 2016, was sent to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang.
    Although the letter accused  Magu of some infractions, it said  the Senate could give Magu the benefit of the doubt.
    The Nation stumbled on the letter, which reads: “Following the receipt if the aforementioned request, subject was thoroughly screened.
    ”Investigation revealed that Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid from the commission’s finances but by one Air Commodore (name withheld), a questionable businessman and an ally of the subject who has subsequently been arrested by the service.”
    The DSS, in the letter, also said its investigation revealed  that Magu “parades a twin personality as an anti-corruption Czar and an ally of a corrupt man.”
    But the letter recommended that Magu be considered for the office.
    It added: “In the light of the ongoing, Magu’s integrity may be in doubt. Nonetheless, in view of his-achievements since assumption of office in acting capacity, it may be expedient to give him benefit of doubt and be considered.”
    The two letters were sent to the Senate on the same date through the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori and Enang.
    “We sensed that something was wrong because such letters ought to be addressed to the President of the Senate. It was also strange that the letters came to the Senate through two channels. This is not our procedure.”
    The two letters have sparked a big row in the Senate, with some senators collecting signatures to remove Senate Leader Ali Ndume.
    A source said: “There is a cold war in the Senate because some Senators were not aware of the letter which recommended Magu’s consideration.
    “The aggrieved senators also suspected some hidden agenda because only the letter which indicted Magu as unfit for the office was released to the public.
    “Some anti-Magu senators were said to be unhappy with Ndume’s support for Magu which they consider not in tandem with the position of the Senate rejecting his nomination.
    “A crisis of confidence  has erupted and the anti-Magu senators last night were compiling the ‘sins’ of Ndume in order to pass a vote of no confidence on him by collecting impeachment signatures.
    “But those sympathetic to Ndume said it will be impossible to remove the Senate Leader because he enjoys tremendous goodwill in the Senate.”
    A Senator said: “What else do they want Ndume to do? He is a Senator from Borno State and the man we are talking about is also from the state. He cannot fold his arms.
    “Some Senators don’t even know that Ndume is just being patriotic. Magu is from the majority Kanuri ethnic group. Ndume is from a minority ethnic group in the state.
    “If Ndume wants to be selfish, he would just distance himself from the travails of anyone from the majority ethnic group.”
    Presidential Assistant Enang said last night he would not want to be drawn into the issue.
    He told our correspondent on the telephone: “I don’t want to descend into the arena because whatever I say will deepen the controversy.
    “My job is that of a liaison officer and I want to stick to that role.”
    Disturbed by the intrigues over Magu’s fate, some donor agencies, anti-graft war partners and foreign missions are anxious over the anti-graft war’s future.
    Most of the donor agencies, partners and foreign missions are said to favour Magu’s retention.
    The intrigues have heightened in the Presidency.
    Although those  against Magu are said to be losing out in the last 48 hours, they have not given up.
    Most of the donor agencies, partners and foreign missions are disturbed about the scandal woven around Magu, whose rejection without “fair hearing”  was also rated by some of them as “political.”
    A government  source said: “The Presidency will resolve this challenge at hand in EFCC soon.”
    A source said: “The AGF is already working on the Senate Committee’s report and DSS reports on Magu. His advisory might guide the government accordingly.”
    Some of the donor agencies and partners that have collaborated with the EFCC include United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),  US Justice Department, the DFID, FBI,  the National Crime Agency( NCA), the Metropolitan Police, the  Interpol, City of London police, Serious Organized Crime Agency(SOCA), UK-sponsored Justice 4 All (J4ALL) , the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Western Australia Police and some foreign missions.
    The UNODC project led to the treatment of more than 5000 petitions,  400 convictions and the recovery of about $6.5billion proceeds of crimes.
    A diplomatic source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “We are all worried that each time your country takes a step forward to fight corruption, you end up going 10 steps backward. Your anti-corruption war is laced with bitter politics.
    “Most of us have opened desks to monitor what will become of the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu whom we have all worked with.
    “We, however, recognise that it is purely your internal affair which we cannot dabble in.
    “Some of us have sought clarifications from some people in government and the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).
    “ All we need is a fair and just process on all issues affecting the war against corruption in your country. But the way things are going, it is a bit unclear.”
    Another source from a foreign mission said: “We have worked closely with Magu and naturally, we have some anxiety on what next.
    “Some donor agencies and missions have invested a lot in assisting anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, especially EFCC,  but there is always instability.
    “For instance, in the last 12 years, you have had four people managing the EFCC. We are all watching events before drawing our conclusions.
    “All I know is that the attitude of Nigeria towards tackling corruption might define its relationship with some countries.”
    A source in PACAC said: “We have been receiving enquiries from some foreign missions and international agencies.”
    Some of the assistance to EFCC are as follows:
    *The US Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) donation of  a forensic work station, titled F.R.E.D (Forensic Recovery of Evidence Device).
    * The payment of forensic accountant that assisted the EFCC to uncover those accused in the fuel subsidy fraud.
    *Joint tactical and operational activities like collaboration with the Interpol, City of London police, Serious Organised Crime Agency(SOCA).
    * NCA collaboration with EFCC to probe the oil sector during the tenure of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison- Madueke.
    *Ongoing MoU between EFCC and Western Australia Police to combat internet fraud and money laundering.

  • APC Scandinavia charges Senate on 2017 budget

    APC Scandinavia charges Senate on 2017 budget

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavian Chapter, Ayoola Lawal has called on the Nigerian Senate to prioritise the 2017 budget in favour of Nigerian masses.
    In an exclusive telephone interview with The Nation, Lawal observed that given that the masses are worst hit by the current economic situation in the country, “It becomes imperative for the Senate to put all controversies and differences aside in order to address germane economic issues concerning the budget.”
    He further observed that the best time to iron out everything as regards the budget for 2017 is now, noting that December 2016 is over already. He stressed that the budget should be well scrutinised but promptly passed to allow for speedy implementations.
    “If the Senate fails to work in alignment with the Federal Government to improve the state of the economy by ensuring that the budget tackles important aspects, several Nigerians may result to crooked ways to survive.
    Ayoola Lawal, Chairman, APC Scandinavia
    Ayoola Lawal, Chairman, APC Scandinavia

    “Some are already dependent on different sources of quick money making systems and may become a potential challenge if the systems crash if just a suspension of withdrawal from MMM has reportedly caused scare among some people. Especially, our brilliant and vibrant youths.

    “As the Federal Government is currently working on ways to diversify the economy to ensure that we are more of an exporting Nation rather than an over depending on imported good, the economic team needs to be more strategic in the prompt adjustment of any necessary policy for the best implementation of the budget. Therefore, our people will be  engaged in different endeavours that will help instil the entrepreneurial mindset.”
    According to the APC Scandinavia Chief, the current state of the country’s economy is not encouraging as Nigerians are complaining daily. He further noted that, although the Senate may not be aware of the cost of things per unit value, “the price of all household commodities has skyrocketed, making it difficult for the people to afford even a meal per day.”
    Lawal, therefore, urged the Nigerian Senate to reflect in the outcome of plenaries concerning the budget that they truly represent the voices of their constituencies.
    “The change that we seek starts with us all,” he summed.
    [feature_slider display=”tag” tag=”Budget” count=”5″ caption=”on” nav=”thumbs” animation=”crossfade” easing=”easeInOutCubic” speed=”300″ timeout=”2000″ arrows=”on”]

  • Senate didn’t indict SGF – Ndume

    The Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, on Monday said the upper chamber of the National Assembly has not indicted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.

    Ndume said the Senate has not taken decision on a committee’s report which seemed to indict the SGF.

    He also maintained that the Senate did not reject the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    On Senate recommendation for the sack of the SGF, he said “it’s not an order we are giving. The Senate resolution is a recommendation, it’s not a law. What the Senate considered is work in progress because it was an interim report.

    “It is the same members of the public that are interested and worried to know what we have done as a Senate about those allegations. The committee issued an interim report and the interim report seemed to indict the SGF. The consequences of that indictment are what they recommended but we are not there yet because the report itself is interim. Ok, we take the interim report and we give the public until the whole investigation is concluded.

    “I heard, coming from the SGF that he has not been given a fair hearing. So the hearing has not finished. We can give him an ample time to go before the committee and clear himself.”

    On Magu, Ndume said the Senate only demanded some clarification from President Buhari following a report received from the Department of State Service (DSS).

    He said, “No, no no. Let me say categorically that the Senate did not reject Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of EFCC. What happened was that when we slated his confirmation for Thursday, then we had an issue or a letter from the Department of State Security (DSS) that could not allow us to continue with the confirmation without further clarifications.

    “So, we now concluded that since we have a letter that we cannot ignore, we cannot do the confirmation. So, it was not that we sat down to take a decision that we have rejected Ibrahim Magu. So, I want to say that to come out clearly.”

     

     

  • SERAP takes Senate to UN over Magu 

    SERAP takes Senate to UN over Magu 

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned the  United Nations (UN) over alleged intimidation, harassment and unfair treatment of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ibrahim Magu,  by the Senate.

    The petition, which was signed by the Executive Director of SERAP, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, was addressed to Mr Michel Forst, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

    In a copy of the petition made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday, Mumuni accused the Senate of “apparently working with other agencies of government to use a purported security report it knew or ought to know is baseless and politically-motivated to reject Mr Magu’s confirmation as substantive chairman of the EFCC.

    “By relying on a report they knew or ought to know is baseless and politically-motivated to reject Mr Magu’s appointment as chairman of the EFCC, the Senate of Nigeria has flagrantly violated his right to a fair hearing, and is implicitly working to weaken, intimidate, harass and ultimately undermine the independence and freedom of action of the EFCC in its efforts to combat high-profile official corruption,” it said.

    The project, therefore, urged Forst to “urgently intervene in this matter to stop further intimidation and harassment of a prominent anti-corruption campaigner and human rights defender.

    “SERAP believes that the action by the Senate of Nigeria and other agencies of government apparently working with them undermines and violates Nigeria’s international obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the human rights of the citizens, which inevitably creates a duty for the government to establish efficient and independent anti-corruption mechanisms.

    “Apart from the fact that the allegations against Mr Magu are baseless and politically motivated, the Senate of Nigeria flagrantly denied him constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to a fair hearing by not providing him an opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.”