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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • Osinbajo: His legacy will endure

    Osinbajo: His legacy will endure

    Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said Nigeria has lost a true patriot, a man whose life was marked by unyielding devotion to the nation he loved.

    On his Facebook page, he said: “Dolapo and I received, with profound sadness, the news of the passing of His Excellency, former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon.

    “In the moments that followed, we spoke with Her Excellency Aisha Buhari and their son Yusuf Buhari to express our heartfelt condolences and to share in the deep grief of their beloved family, one with whom we had the honour of serving our nation for eight memorable years.

    Read Also: Northern CAN mourns Buhari, says Nigeria has lost a father figure

    “Nigeria has lost a true patriot, a man whose life was marked by unyielding devotion to the nation he loved. Ex-President Buhari’s legacy will endure as a testament to the nobility of public service, defined by honesty, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the public good.

    “We pray that the Almighty God will grant comfort and strength to his family, and to all who mourn his passing. May his memory always be blessed.”

  • Legal profession crumbling under corruption — Osinbajo

    Legal profession crumbling under corruption — Osinbajo

    •Advocates integration of AI into legal curriculum

    •Diri: Nigerians must respect rule of law

    The immediate past Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has asserted that the legal profession is crumbling under the weight of corruption, ethical violation and poor standings.

    He also said that stories of counsel (lawyers) acting as conduit for the giving of bribes to judicial officers are rife, lamenting that the perception that the country’s system of justice is corrupt and the bar and the bench are culpable is enough damage.

    Osinbajo spoke during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch, 2025 Law Week Plenary Session, themed, ‘Setting The Pace: Law, Leadership and Transformational Development ‘, which held on Friday at the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB), Nigerian Content Tower, Swali, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

    He said: “Legal profession is crumbling under the weight of corruption, ethical violation and poor standings. Stories of counsel acting as conduit for the giving of bribes to judicial officers are rife.

    “The perception that our system of justice is corrupt and the bar and bench are culpable is enough damage.”

    Speaking on a sub-theme, ‘The Legal Profession: A Vision for a New Era’, the former Vice President said the legal profession is in a radically new dispensation — a dispensation created by the most consequential advancement of new technology, perhaps the most turbulent and uncertain times in living memory.

    Read Also: We are Nigeria’s political bride, SDP boasts

    He asserted: “The pace of technological advancement today, rise of globalisation, the democratisation of information has already transformed every profession. Yet the legal profession, we are bound by precedents and traditions and some bad habits have remained stubbornly resistant to change.

    “Our profession needs a new vision, a new set of tools in a new era and that is so whether we like it or not. We are in a vastly different era, that when the tools we used today were designed will not work.”

    On what the legal practice looks like today and what it would look like in the next five years, Osinbajo stated that it was scary that a lot of the work lawyers do or used to do could now be done much faster and much more accurately by technology.

    He noted: “The systems don’t get tired, don’t go on leave and do not ask for extra pay, these tools are becoming much cheaper and like mobile phones they will be available everywhere and to every one very soon.

    “Technology is fast replacing basic legal analysis and opinion writing, a big part of our cake has been bitten off by technology and more will be bitten off very soon and very quickly.

    “Globalisation has made legal expertise easily available in real time anywhere — what is happening now before our very eyes is the most profound revolution that our profession has ever experienced, a revolution that will radically change the delivery of legal services and even adjudication forever.

    “We are no longer the gate keepers and custodian of basic legal knowledge; that is all gone, but more importantly, we are no longer the custodian of legal reasoning and legal opinions.

    “What we should be looking at now is an enhanced curriculum for legal training if students have to be competitive in the years to come.”

    He advocated the integration of legal technology and AI into the curriculum, learning how to critically assess inputs from systems like ChatGPT and other AI tools.

    He said there was the urgent need to have more cross disciplinary trainings for lawyers to include law, data science and design thinking, data privacy, algorithm bias and designs of legal tech systems.

    Osinbajo stated: “And because AI systems will increasingly take over legal tasks, like legal research, drafting and even basic reasoning, the true value of human lawyers will no longer lie in our ability to find the law or to summarize it, machines can already do that faster and more accurately.

    “Lawyers must now focus on the aspect of legal practice that machines cannot properly do or are not able to replicate yet, so we must now develop skills in determining what ought to be done in the clients’ best interest, ethical reasoning and interpretations skills.”

    Declaring the plenary session open, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri said most people are threatened by AI, noting that if it goes a lot of way it is perceived, a lot of people will lose out in jobs.

    “But that is also good for us as the society is dynamic. These are already used to all of us,” he said.

    Diri stated: “I want to appreciate the organisers of this Law Week. Yenagoa Branch has been so vocal. This is almost becoming an international event.

    “I am one person that will always acknowledge the rule of law and the big role lawyers play. You all know the history of how this governor (referring to himself) and his deputy came about. Each time the master of ceremonies say ‘miracle governor’, the miracle didn’t come from heaven. The miracle was through you (lawyers and judges).

    “This is an organ of government that we must all work towards guarding because if the judiciary fails, we will all fail.”

    Diri said that for him and his administration, the principal thing about them is the rule of law.

    He said his government would continue to respect the rule of law and guard very jealousy the independence of judiciary.

    The governor said: “The Chief Judge of Bayelsa State seated here will attest to it that we have not unduly at anytime influenced the judiciary.

    “We will always continue to work in the rule of law where justice will prevail and where justice will be served in an impartial manner and form. I want to appreciate you all for gathering today and dissecting the issues that affect us. “If this country must survive, you have to make it survive. If you stand by the truth and by the rule of law, I’m sure that this country will survive as you know you are the last hope of the common man.

    “If not for you I will not be standing here today as Governor of Bayelsa State. So be ready that anytime we gather like this, we must look at own interest and the interest of our country, the interest of the children and the interest of generations yet unborn.”

    In his welcome address, Chairman, NBA, Yenagoa Branch, Mr. Somina Johnbull, thanked the former Vice President, Bayelsa Governor and many attendees which comprised members of the Bar and the Bench for honouring the lawyers in the state during their Week.

    He said that the discourse during the celebration would raise the bar in the practice of legal profession across the country.

  • Osinbajo, Ogunsola others for WIMBIZ conference

    Osinbajo, Ogunsola others for WIMBIZ conference

    The Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) have announced that former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will deliver its keynote address during the 23rd Annual Conference, while the first female vice chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola will be serving as Chairperson.

    The WIMBIZ 2024 Conference which holds from Thursday, November 7th and Friday, November 8th, 2024 in Lagos with the theme “Dream. Dare. Do.”, serves as a powerful invitation to all women to embrace bold visions, push boundaries, and take purposeful action towards their success.

    The hybrid event which holds both virtual and physical attendance options, will bring together women from various sectors around the world in different countries like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ghana, Cameroon, United Arab Emirates and lots more come together to engage in transformative dialogue and learning.

    Executive Director, WIMBIZ, Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, underscored the significance of the conference, which remains the flagship event of the organisation.

    Read Also: Nigeria: What man has joined together? (1)

    In her remarks, she emphasised WIMBIZ’s long standing commitment to empowering women, particularly in leadership roles.

    “We are constantly advocating for equal representation of both genders in leadership positions across all sectors. We have seen quite some improvement in the financial sector with 30% female CEOs in the Banking Industry,” she stated, underscoring the need for a balanced mix of perspectives in today’s workforce.

    In addition, Omowunmi further mentioned some of the sponsors for this year’s Conference, which includes: Doyenne Circle, First Bank, Standard Chartered, Wema Bank, BMO Advisory, Ardova Plc, MTN Foundation and others.

    On her part, Chair, Conference Planning Group (CPG), Opeyemi Oduwole stated that the theme of this year’s conference reflects the urgency for women to step into their power, especially in these challenging economic times.

  • Osinbajo celebrates wife’s 57th birthday with heartfelt message

    Osinbajo celebrates wife’s 57th birthday with heartfelt message

    Former Nigerian Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has written a heartfelt birthday message to his wife, Dolapo.

    On Instagram, he shared a video and photos capturing their special moments, expressing his deep love and appreciation for her.

    Read Also; Fed Govt takes Daily Trust to NMCC over Samoa report

    Osinbajo wrote: “Happy Birthday, my love @dolapoosinbajo. Your love, kindness, and generosity make all our lives so much happier. Love you always, Yemi xxx. This year I decided to share my favorite photos of Dolly @dolapoosinbajo doing her favorite things.”

  • Stalemate over new wage

    THE government moved on Thursday to prevent workers’ strike over the implementation of the new minimum wage.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige, met with Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Quadri Olaleye, 24 hours after Labour issued a one-week ultimatum.

    At the end of the meeting, both sides held on to their grounds.

    While the government said paying the new minimum wage of N30,000 the way Labour is requesting is unrealistic, the TUC President said the government must make haste.

    The TUC President told reporters after the meeting: “You are aware that the first burning issue in the country is the issue of minimum wage; we told the Vice President the need  to take a quick action on the issue of minimum wage;

    “We have given an ultimatum already to the Federal Government and you know Labour will not joke with that.

    “So, we have encouraged him to also encourage the President to do something very urgent before the expiration of that ultimatum given to government.

    “We also mentioned the issue of job creation; that mostly it is not the responsibility of government to create jobs; that it is the private sector , individuals that can create jobs; so, we have encouraged the Vice President that they should look at the retirees as a means of creating jobs; we have suggested the way to do that and we will submit paper.

    “We also mentioned the issue of insecurity; we have mentioned the quantum of money spent so far on security in the country; we have advised that money should be used to revive the companies that have been closed down in this country especially the textiles and the money can also be used to create other companies that will create jobs instead of continuously spending this money on security when we are not achieving much.”

    Olaleye said he could not say if the Vice president’s response was positive or negative.

    “You know as the representative of the President, he will try to mediate with the unions to show understanding with the government.

    “I am telling you that we will go further with the government to discuss on better ways to achieve this.” he stated

    Ngige insisted that N580 billion is needed to meet the consequential adjustment to the minimum wage.

    He said: “We are not talking about the implementation of minimum wage per se; what we are talking about is the consequential movements as a result of the minimum wage for the least paid worker.

    “The minimum wage for the least paid worker today is N30,000; for the last man in the lowest rung of the ladder. So, if we do consequential adjustments and go up and do a 30 per cent raise across board on a sliding scale or do even the 25 per cent which labour is asking government to do, government will need to go and look for an extra N580 billion to effect that; and that government doesn’t have.

    “And one of the cardinal principles of consequential adjustment negotiations which we  call in labour parlance, Collective Bargaining Agreement, is ability to do; the wherewithal to pay; the capacity to pay.

    “The maxim of cut your coat according to your cloth comes in place there and government has done the consequential movement budget in 2019 budget which is what government can pay in order to maintain the balance in the recurrent expenditure, otherwise, we will overshoot.”

    He said meeting Labour’s demand would reduce capital expenditure in the budget to 15 per cent.

    “You know that this government said that we will do 70-30 mix; 70 for recurrent expenditure, 30 percent only for capital expenditure. Today, with what labour is asking us to pay, if we pay that, it will translate to 15 per cent capital expenditure and 85 per cent recurrent and that doesn’t augur well with the country.

    Read Also: Fed Govt to reconstitute minimum wage panel

    “It means we will abandon road construction; it means we will abandon refurbishment of airports, the rail that we are doing and even the schools that we are managing, the hospitals, everything will have to be abandoned and we will use everything to pay salaries and wages.

    “Labour cannot go on strike; they are Nigerians; we will open up negotiations next week and  we will lay our books open for them to see. It is government’s books; they will see it; it is part of negotiations,” he stated.

    Speaking ealier during a visit by the leadership of the United Labour Congress (ULC) led by its President Mr. Joe Ajaero, Ngige urged the workers’ union to show understanding in view of the current economic realities.

    He said the government was avoiding a situation where it would have to lay off workers, adding that this would add to the burden of the citizenry.

    Ngige appealed to Labour to accept the consequential adjustment from levels seven to 17, adding that the government had only three months left to implement the new minimum wage.

    He said the government would not tell the Labour leaders what it could not pay, adding that no worker deserved to be owed salary.

    The minister said: “There is no problem with disagreement in the labour system. We can sometimes disagree to later agree, on the national minimum wage.

    “The government cannot afford that kind of money now. Besides the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is more interested in the lowest cadre of workers which are those on GL 1 step 1 and GL 6 step 1, these are the ones who the N30,000 will have greater impact on.

    “Government has done their own homework and brought out what they can use to defend this consequential adjustment. GL 1 to 6 does not have any problem, but GL 7 to 14 Band and GL 15 to 17 band, this is where we have the problem.

    “So, if you push government to go and accede to an increment which its resources cannot accommodate, you are indirectly asking them to retrench workers so that the few that are remaining will get this ‘big big’ money.

    “We don’t want that. From 2015 the President has made it clear that he is not out to inflict pains on Nigerians and that he does not want to create unemployment but even at that our increase in population is galloping and our resources are not consequentially increasing  to meet up. That is why we have a lot of unemployed youths on the street today.

    “We need to arrive at an agreement as soon as possible so that we can use the 2019 budget allocation to defray this consequential adjustment because it will be bad if we are unable to do it and we finish this financial year by December because the budget circle is going to return to January/December 2020 so we have three months only before this recurrent funds as well are swept back into government treasury, that is the law.”

    He regretted the inability of the joint negotiating team of both the government and Labour to agree on the consequential adjustments, insisting that the new wage may become bloated by workers on GL 7-14 and 15-17.

    Ajaero appealed to the minister for prompt payment of the new minimum wage, stressing that the private sector must also be compelled to pay the N30, 000 wage.

     

  • Buhari ready for transparent negotiation, says VP

    Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

     

    VICE President Yemi Osinbajo last night assured that the Buhari administration will honestly and transparently resolve the request by labour in the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

    Prof. Osinbajo told the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) led by its President Quadri Olaleye.that they should consider the President as someone committed to the welfare of workers. One of the first things he did when we came in was to give states a series of bailouts to help repay backlog of salaries.”

    The Vice President also noted according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, that the Buhari administration refused to ignore the situation, and instead provided different facilities including Paris club refunds and budget support loans to provide immediate succour for States.

    Read Also: Osinbajo pledges ‘uncompromised loyalty’ to Buhari

    He urged Labour to “find ways to work with a government that is honest and wants to work to resolve the issue transparently.

    “Let us give ourselves room to negotiate properly. The President wants an honest, open process, we will be transparent and honest about it. Labour leaders should give us the benefit of the doubt.”

    Dr. Ngige said the new national minimum wage was already being paid by the Federal Government, noting that arrears would also be settled.

  • Why Nigeria should celebrate, by Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Mustapha

    A CHANGE of guards, cutting of cake, gun salute  and release of pigeons to signify peace, were the highlights of the activity that climaxed the celebration of Nigeria’s 59th Independence anniversary on Tuesday.

    There were no speeches.  President Muhammadu Buhari signed the anniversary register in the presence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Chief Justice of Nigeria Tanko Muhammad and House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, to end the one hour, 45 minutes ceremony.

    Since the October 1, 2010 bomb blast during the country’s 50th Independence anniversary, subsequent anniversaries were marked at the Villa’s forecourt but President Buhari’s administration broke the jinx by marking the 58th anniversary last year at the Eagles Square.

    On Tuesday, there was a Presidential change of guard from 177 guard battalion to the 7 battalion of the guards brigade.

    President Buhari was ushered to the venue by 9.59am. He inspected the quarter guards and then walked to the Villa forecourt to receive national salute which was followed by rendition of the National Anthem. He arrival signaled the commencement of the event which was witnessed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Adamu, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Muhammed Bello and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole.

    Service chiefs and other top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps also attended the ceremony.

    Read Also: Buhari: Nigeria will be stronger than ever before

    There was 21 gun salute, preceded by silent drills, colour party, posting of sentries and weapons and uniforms inspections to ensure conformity with military standards.

    Top government officials submitted yesterday that with the unity and a secured environment, there will be prosperity for all.

    They officials, including Lawan,  Mustapha and Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Lai Mohammed, urged support for the Federal Government.

    According to them, the government needs the cooperation of all Nigerians, including those in opposition to lift the country to enviable height.

    Speaking with State House reporters after the ceremony, the Senate President said: “Nigeria at 59 has achieved a lot but we also have some challenges.  This is the way nations evolve normally.  While we have achieved so much, we have some challenges which we can surmount. What is required of us is determination of the leadership and the followership in this country.

    “Nigerians are very determined and loyal people.  Therefore, these challenges should catapult us into our nation’s development.  We should never despair.  We have the wherewithal to resolve our issues.

    “I also believe that the nation at 59 has come a long way in terms of the unity we have been able to achieve.  Some countries have gone through more serious that disunited them but Nigeria has remained a country that sometimes people may feel bad about certain things, but everybody believes that Nigeria should remain a united and one country.

    “That is what it should be, but for us to enjoy our country, we have to take our country to the Next Level.”

    Asked if Nigeria’s independence is worth celebrating, Femi Gbajabiamila said: “Absolutely, every year of existence is worth celebrating. Nigeria is 59 years today; other countries, not as old as 59, they celebrate. Other countries are 200 years and they are celebrating.  Every year is worth celebrating and we have come a long way.

    “We will get there,” the Speaker assured.

    Asked what Nigerians should be expecting next year when it turns 60, he said: Sixty years in itself is a landmark and I believe our achievements at that time will be landmark too.

    “We have another year to go.  Budget is being presented very soon. What happens between now and next year, and I believe a lot will happen to determine the level of celebration. But as I said, don’t forget, every year is worth celebrating in one’s life.”

    Mohammed urged Nigerians to keep up hope.

    He said: “Fifty years of independence in a country as diverse as Nigeria is not an easy but the good thing is that everybody is glad to be part of one united and prosperous Nigeria.

    “And the administration will continue to work to ensure there is unity, security and that there is prosperity for all Nigeria and for everybody.”

    The SGF said: “When we compare with countries that have sustained democracy for 200 years, ours is just 59.  We have had major conflicts even within those 59 years, but to still be one solid, indivisible country today is a thing we as Nigerians rejoice over.

    “So, I believe we have every course to celebrate that God has been truly be faithful to us as a nation and as a people.

    “Yes, we acknowledge challenges, but going forward in our attitude.  Like the President said this morning, the change must begin with each and every one of us. In our various spheres of influence and endeavours we must begin to change our attitude, our ways of doing things; become lawful citizens, not lawless citizens and we will begin to see God work in our nation to cause a change.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • N90bn allegation against Osinbanjo baseless, says CAN

    THE leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday threw its weight behind Vice President Yemi Osinbajo over the N90 billion allegations levelled against him by a former spokesman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Timi Frank.

    National President of CAN, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, and its members yesterday visited Vice President (VP) Yemi Osinbajo over the alleged N90 billion saga and also, according to Ayokunle, prayed for the VP.

    It will be recalled that Frank had alleged that the Vice President collected N90 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) to fund the 2019 election.

    Ayokunle, who spoke with reporters at the Christian Ecumenical Centre (CEC) where he held a meeting with top members of CAN, said Osinbajo is innocent of the allegation, describing it as baseless.

    He told newsmen that the church and all Nigerians were proud of the VP and would continue to pray for him.

    The CAN boss, who did not disclose the discussions held with Osinbajo when asked, urged Nigerians not to toy with the innocent people who are faithfully serving the nation, adding that the whole country would rise up to fight for him.

    Read Also: Osinbanjo, senators, others for prayer for the nation

    His words: “He has cleared the air that the allegation is baseless and there is no truth in it, and that some people are plotting against him and he was ready to provide himself to be cleared.

    “If there is an allegation, there must be evidence, and that can never happen and will never happen. The church and the entire country will fight for him.”

    On the security situation in the country, Ayokunle said: “We must stay together to fight the challenges and we must overcome.”

    The FIRS, in a statement it issued recently, dismissed the allegations, saying it is baseless and mischievous.

    The FIRS also threatened legal action against Timi Frank as they asked him to withdraw the allegation and apologise to the Vice President.

    Asked about the Fatoyinbo and Busola Dakolo rape saga, Ayokunle said: “The matter is in court. Let us allow the court to do its job and we shall wait for the outcome.”

  • Fed Govt approves N310b to fix three roads

    THREE critical roads – Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Expressway, the roads linking the Second Niger Bridge to Asaba and Onitsha and Kano-Katsina Highway are included in the N310 billion road projects approved at yesterday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    The projects were contained in three memos, Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola told State House reporters at the end of FEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa.

    He spoke in the company of Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuba and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.

    According to him, FEC approved N79.82 billion for the Ibadan-Ilesa-Ife road, N200.176 billion for roads linking Second Niger Bridge to Asaba and Onitsha and N29.654 billion for Phase II of the Kano-Katsina Highway.

    He said: “The Ministry of Works and Housing presented three memoranda and they were approved by the council: construction of Ibadan -Ilesa-Ife Dual Carriage Way, they are connected to Oyo and Osun State at the cost of N79.829 billion.

    “Secondly, for the link-road that connects the second Niger Bridge to Asaba and Onitsha. The Asaba link-road was awarded to Julius Berger and the Onitsha link-road was awarded to RCC at the total cost of N200.176 billion.

    “So, this completes essentially the access road that will link the bridge in the short time. You might recall that these roads were under-designed when the bridge was awarded.

    “It is this administration that completed the design and we now awarded them so that you can have a bridge that has link-roads. This was awarded initially under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) and the bridge in 2010 administration.

    Read Also: Fed Govt, Access Bank list N30.3b bonds

    “The third approval was for phase two of the Kano-Katsina High Way from the point known as Gidan-Mutum Daya, all the way to where Katsina Steel Rolling Mill is. This is a 78-kilometre stretch approved at the sum of N29.654 billion.

    “That road is a 152KM road linking Kano and Katsina road from Kano. It was a single length highway until it was awarded in 2013 by the previous administration in phase 1.

    “So, we inherited it and we have continued to execute it. The award was to then expand the road into a dual carriage highway way. That means we are constructing the existing one and building another new one. It was awarded for the first 70-kilometre plus for the Phase I, What we have now done is to complete the award to the same contractor so that there is a uniformity of construction,” he said

    Nwajuba disclosed that contracts amounting to N1.83 billion were approved for his ministry under Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

    The first, he said, is N915 million for construction of Faculty of Environment at the University of Abuja and the second contract of N918 million for the construction of Faculty of Education in the same institution.

    He said: “The memorandum approved was in respect TETFUND intervention programme in respect of University of Abuja. A key component of that was the award of contract at the sum of N915 million for the construction of the faculty of environment.

    “Another was also approved for the sum of N918 million to build the faculty of education. Those are the two components arising from the special intervention programme that was awarded in 2017. So, we have to act to give effect to them so that they can process the delivery.”

  • Osinbajo threatens accusers with litigation

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is ready to surrender his constitutional immunity so that allegations against him can be freely investigated.

    He said waiving the immunity will permit “the most robust adjudication of baseless allegations, insinuation and falsehoods” against his person and office.

    Under the 1999 Constitution, the President, Vice President, governors and their deputies are insulated from criminal investigation.

    But, in a tweet, Prof. Osinbajo said he would give up the privilege until the claims against him are resolved.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also yesterday clarified that it was not probing the vice president and the National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP).

    N-SIP said contrary to rumours, Prof. Osinbajo was not involved in financial transactions or disbursement of funds under its programmes.

    Taking an exception to what he described as defamatory remarks about him, the vice president said he had instituted a suit against those behind the “misleading assertions”.

    He said: “In the past few days, a spate of reckless and malicious falsehoods has been peddled in the media against me by a group of malicious individuals.

    ”The defamatory and misleading assertions invented by this clique had mostly been making the social media rounds anonymously.

    ”I have today instructed the commencement of legal action against two individuals, one Timi Frank and another Katch Ononuju, who have put their names to these odious falsehoods.

    “I will waive my constitutional immunity to enable the most robust adjudication of these claims of libel and malicious falsehood.”

    Disclaiming the purported probe, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, said he never  made any reference to N-SIP as a programme or accused those who superintend it of corruption.

    The agency cautioned against reports, which could project a false indictment and incite the vice president against the person of its chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    Uwujaren said Magu appreciated how N-SIP has lifted many Nigerians out of poverty.

    He said: “The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a report captioned, “There is corruption in N-SIP programme- Magu”, which appeared in a newspaper on Wednesday September 25,  2019 and a few other newspapers, in which the acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu was quoted as saying that there is corruption in the National Social Investment Programme and the Anchor Borrower’s Programme.

    “The papers claim that Magu, who spoke through the Spokesperson of the agency, Wilson Uwujaren, at the 15th Anti- Corruption Situation Room organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda in Kaduna on Tuesday September 24, 2019, asked the civil society organisations “to investigate the N-SIP”.

    “The commission wishes to disclaim the reports as false and a mischievous twist of the goodwill message presented by Mr. Uwujaren, on corruption and peace building in conflict communities.

    “In the presentation, the EFCC spokesperson observed that the agency had received complaints in some zones regarding the social investment programmes, citing an example in Gombe where the Commission investigated a case in the Anchor Borrower’s Scheme in which sand was bagged and passed off as fertilizer.

    “He, therefore, warned that for the crises in these conflict zones not to degenerate, civil society organisations should play more active roles in monitoring the programmes to ensure that their benefits get to the people for which they are intended.

    “At no time in the presentation did Mr Uwujaren mention the N-SIP as a programme nor did he accuse those who superintend it of corruption. The specific case mentioned, the Anchor Borrower’s scheme, is not part of the N-SIP being supervised by the office of the Vice President.

    “This clarification becomes necessary to correct the wrong impression of a verdict of corruption on N-SIP by the EFCC which the purveyors of the false reports obviously want to create.

    It added: “All over the world, one of the core competences of civil society organizations is project monitoring. Calling on Nigerian civil societies to monitor social intervention programmes, was not a call to ”investigation” as no one had been indicted.  Investigation itself is not the job of civil society organisations.

    Read Also: Nigeria bound to succeed, says Osinbajo

    “The EFCC chairman recognizes the unprecedented impact of of the N-SIP intervention in not only lifting the poor out of poverty but also its potential for reconciling feuding communities across the country.

    “It is, therefore, shocking to read the unfounded insinuation of the reporters, aimed only at fanning the embers of disaffection that only exist in their imagination.

    “The sensational attempt to project a false indictment, and incite the Vice President against the person of the Chairman of the EFCC, is therefore condemnable.”

    According to the NSIO, the office of Vice President was not involved in financial transactions or the disbursement of funds for N-SIPs.

    A statement by the NSIO Communications Manager, Justice Bibiye, said that the Ministry of Budget and National Planning is in charge of all matters regarding financing, budgeting, procurement and disbursement of funds allocated and released for the N-SIPs.

    According to the statement, the N-SIPs, which involves four broad programmes (N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfers, National Home-Grown School Feeding and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programmes), are uniquely targeted towards different subgroups of Nigerians for empowerment.

    Bibiye said: “The Steering Committee for the NSIO, chaired by the Vice President, supervises the implementation of the SIPs, The Steering Committee comprises nine Ministers, including that of Finance; Education; Health; Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Youth and Sports, Women Affairs; Labour and Productivity; Information; with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as the Secretariat. The Steering Committee meets regularly for updates, to review, advise, guide and approve the processes of the N-SIPs,” it said.

    “Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) beneficiaries are identified by members of the communities themselves, through a tripartite method, which includes technology, for objectively and scale. At commencement, the World Bank community-based targeting process was adopted to assure of community ownership of the process.

    “The Bank of Industry (BOI) manages the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) which provides collateral and interest-free financial support to businesses at the bottom of the financial pyramid, through its MarketMoni, FarmerMoni and TraderMoni schemes. The payment process is also transparent”.

    Bibiye explained that Osinbajo only went round markets in the states where the TraderMoni scheme was launched to engage with beneficiaries, adding that he was not involved in the disbursement of loans, whether in cash or through cash transfers.

    The Coalition of Northern Nigerian Youth urged President Muhammadu Buhari to halt any attempt that can lead to maltreatment or embarrassment of the vice-president.

    Speaking with reporters in Kano, its Chairman, Mallam Yusuf Abdulmalik, said any attempt to whittle down Osinbajo’s influence will label Buhari, and by extension, the North, as ungrateful people, thereby creating a bad image for the region.

    He said Osinbajo, who has displayed maximum loyalty to the President, is the face of the Church and strength of the Yoruba as well as the South in Buhari administration.