EFCC calls for return o f stolen $148bn funds

EFCC Chairman, Farida Waziri

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has called for the repatriation of over $148bn stolen annually from African countries.
EFCC chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, said the money which was proceeds of crime, had been stashed away in developed countries. Waziri spoke in Gaborone, Botswana, at the first Commonwealth Regional Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.
“There is the urgent need for this forum to demand with one voice the immediate repatriation of hundreds of billions of dollars looted from Africa and kept in safe havens in developed economies across the world,” she said in paper she presented at the conference. She urged the heads of anti-corruption agencies in Africa to intensify the demand for the establishment of special courts that would prosecute graft cases because that was the only way corruption could be swiftly and effectively tackled.
Waziri called on the developed nations to relax the rules and conditions that made the repatriation of stolen funds back to their points of origin appear near impossible.
EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, quoted Waziri as saying that despite the constraints of a slow judicial process, the support and independence given the anti-graft agency by the Federal Government, especially President Goodluck Jonathan, had made the commission to cover a lot of grounds within eight years.
She said, “If without special courts we can secure over 600 convictions within this short time, you can imagine what we will do if we are to have dedicated judges or courts to hear only corruption cases. Today, our record of recovery is in excess of $11bn.
“We have seized through both summary and interim forfeiture orders 459 units of real estate; 593 units of vehicles and oil vessels; 404 units of bank accounts and 183,627 units of other assets within the same period even though we are yet to start operating a non-conviction-based assets forfeiture regime, which we desire.”
She said a regime of hard rules would make foreign jurisdictions unsafe for looted or tainted funds.
“There is the need for legislations such as Non-Conviction-Based Assets Forfeiture law that will strip the corrupt assets acquired through the proceeds of fraud. This will not only deny them the benefits of fraud, but will equally remove the incentive for looting,” she said.
By Olamilekan Lartey, Abuja                      Courtesy Of: Punch

Security takes centre stage as Alao-Akala bows out

In another 24 hours, there will be a change of power in Oyo State, South-West Nigeria, as in many other states of the federation. Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala of the Peoples Democratic Party, who has been calling the shots from the Agodi Government House since May 29, 2007, will be handing over the office to Senator Abiola Ajimobi of the Action Congress of Nigeria, having lost his re-election bid during the April 26 governorship election in the state.
According to the programme of activities released by the chairman of the Government Transition Committee, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu, the state Chief Judge, Justice Badejoko Adeniji, will be administering the oath of office on Ajimobi and his deputy, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo, at an elaborate programme fixed for the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium). The programme is billed to start at 10 am.
As expected, the leadership of the ACN in the state, and of course the camp of the governor-elect, are not sparing anything to make the event a colourful one. Already, a considerable number of party members in all the 33 local government areas in the state have purchased uniforms (popularly known as aso ebi) for the inauguration.
Invites have been sent to prominent leaders and citizens of the state, as well as party chiefs across the country to grace the occasion. Some prominent musicians have also been contracted to add glamour to the event, which is already the talk of the town.
At a recent news conference, Aremu, who is also the state Head of Service, explained that to ensure a hitch-free transition, his committee had constituted five sub-committees that were saddled with the responsibilities of handling various aspects of the programme such as venue/security/traffic control, swearing-in/hand-over notes, publicity/programme, march past/cultural display/medical as well as logistics/entertainment.
Despite the preparations put in place for this all-important event, there is a growing concern among stakeholders in the state over the possible breakdown of law and order before or during the programme. The fear is based on the fact that loyalists of political parties, who lost during the elections, may not be happy seeing the governorship seat slip from them, hence they may resort to violence.
This much was hinted by the state Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Femi Mapaderun, when he said on Thursday, “We have heard reports that some people are planning to cause mayhem in different parts of the country and even in Oyo State on Sunday when the President and our new governor shall be inaugurated.”

But not ready to take chances, Aremu said that his committee, in collaboration with the relevant agencies, had made an adequate provision for the security of lives and property before, during and after the inauguration. He added that to this end, his committee had held several meetings with the various security agencies with double assurances that no chance should be taken. He said that as much as the days ahead of the inauguration were loaded with several programmes and exciting moments, there was no cause for alarm.
Apparently allaying the people’s fear, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, warned troublemakers to steer clear of the venue of the inauguration. Bolanta told journalists on Tuesday that his command was battle-ready to ensure a hitch-free transition. He threatened that anybody found within or around the venues of the events with weapons such as cutlasses, sticks, broken bottles or guns would be charged with armed robbery.
“We will not allow anybody to disrupt the inauguration of the new governor and the peace of the state. We have enough personnel to checkmate any attempt to disrupt the inauguration ceremony,” the police boss said. He warned residents of the state to continue to operate within the ambit of the law before, during and after the inauguration, as his command would not fold its hands while people took the law into their hands.
Mapaderun, the NOA boss, urged the residents of the state to allow peace to reign. While appealing to the people to eschew violence, the NOA boss asked those who were aggrieved or felt hurt by the outcome of the just-concluded elections to always remember that violence never paid.
He said, “Oyo State is our own Jerusalem and we should pray and work for its peace. The time calls for celebration. The time calls for rejoicing. The time calls for merry-making. Sunday, May 29, should, for us in Oyo State, be a day of re-awakening and not a day of violence or destruction. Specifically, we want a peaceful Oyo State. We want a progressive Oyo State and together we can make that happen. Let us play our roles well and posterity will record and judge us appropriately.
The general belief in the state is that members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers are willing tools in the hands of politicians, who may want to foment trouble. To this end, the court-reinstated chairman of the union in the state, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a. Tokyo), has also appealed to his members across the 33 local government areas of the state to remain peaceful before, during and after Ajimobi’s inauguration.
Akinsola urged NURTW members not to take the laws into their hands, warning that anybody caught fomenting trouble, especially at motor parks, should be ready to face the music. He alleged that the union’s leadership had uncovered plots by some disgruntled persons in the state to use some NURTW members to unleash violence in the state for their selfish reasons.
He said, “As the May 29 transition date is very much around the corner, it has come to our notice that some unscrupulous hoodlums are plotting to heat up the polity with a view to achieving their selfish motive at all costs. Beware of these devilish people and do not play into their waiting hands in your own interest.”
It is interesting to note that the various programmes earmarked for the inauguration have started with no form of unpleasant development so far. The activities commenced on May 22 with prayer sessions in all churches in the state for a peaceful transition. Similar prayer sessions were held in all mosques in the state on Friday (yesterday). The outgoing governor has also delivered his farewell speech to the people of the state.
In the address broadcast on the state radio and television stations, Alao-Akala said that as he bowed out of office, he nursed no grudge or ill-feelings against anyone.
He said, “As I step out of office, I have no regret or ill-feelings towards anyone. At the very beginning, I had a vision and today, I am deeply fulfilled that I have been able to translate my vision for Oyo State to reality.
“Afterall, leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. No matter the perception of our political opponents, deep down in their hearts, they will concur that I have led a purposeful administration. My legacy of performance and service to the good people of Oyo State is there for all to see.”
A send-off dinner was later held in his honour later in the day at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Agodi. The inauguration lecture will hold on Saturday (today) at the Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan. Immediately after the swearing-in on Sunday, the handing-over ceremony will hold at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office while a luncheon in honour of the new governor will hold at the Government House.
An inter-faith service will hold at the premises of the Governor’s Office on May 30; a Jumat Service on June 3 and a church thanksgiving service on June 5. Ajimobi is expected to decide the venues of the Jumat and church services later.
As the inauguration reaches its climax, the people of the state are just praying and hoping that it will be concluded without violence just like the concluded general elections in the state.
By Olalekan Adetayo, Ibadan               Courtesy Of: Punch

Bankole’s brother arraigned over N2.8m fraud

Dimeji Bankole

A younger brother of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, Toyin, was on Friday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Abeokuta for allegedly defrauding one Modinat Odunlami of N2.8m.
Also arraigned with Bankole’s younger brother was one Segun Baruwa, who allegedly conspired to commit fraud by collecting money from Odunlami through fraudulent means.
The First Information Report in the suit number MA18/2009 made available to our correspondent showed that Baruwa introduced the complainant to Bankole’s brother.
The police prosecutor, Paul Etusi, an inspector, told the court that the accused collected the money under the pretence that they would help her and her daughter to secure an overseas visa and admission respectively.
Etusi, who said the offence was committed on January 15, 2009, called eight witnesses to support his claim, but six of them were in court during Friday’s sitting.
He stated that Toyin had informed his victims that he would use the influence of his brother (Speaker Dimeji Bankole) to facilitate the issuance of the visa and securing of an admission for the daughter.
He informed the court that he was ready to open the case for full trial, while expressing regret that efforts made by the complainant and the police to get the matter settled out of court failed to yield the desired result, as the accused were not ready to refund the money.
According to him, the offence is contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 419 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
However, the defence counsel, Adedotun Akinmade, who was represented by another counsel, Carol Omobujo, pleaded for a short adjournment, saying that they were not ready for trial.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Kolawole Peters, granted the request for an adjournment and adjourned the case till July 13 for further hearing.
Odunlami said after the proceeding that the case had to suffer a series of postponements so as to allow for an out-of-court settlement.
She stated that the Speaker’s father, Chief Alani Bankole, had earlier intervened and promised to get the issue resolved out of court, adding that the case had to continue following the non-fulfilment of the promise.
By Francis Falola, Abeokuta                 Courtesy Of: Punch

Nigeria’s new N7bn presidential jet banned worldwide

The new Falcon 7x presidential aircraft

 Almost 70 days after the new N7.65bn presidential jet, Falcon 7X, touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from the manufacturer’s factory in France, Dassault Aviation, France European authorities have banned the jet from flying in Europe and other parts of the world over safety issues.
The ban, an Emergency Airworthiness Directive, which was issued on Thursday by the European Aviation Safety Agency, the agency that regulates Dassault as well as the European aviation industry, took immediate effect, starting from May 27.
The EASA’s grounding of the worldwide fleet of Dassault’s Falcon 7X executive jets came hours after one of the aircraft encountered an in-flight anomaly that could have caused the pilots to lose control.
The EASA directive, which was published on Thursday, said that the jet “experienced an uncontrolled pitch trim runaway during descent. The crew succeeded in recovering a stable situation and performed an uneventful landing.”
An analysis of the plane’s Digital Flight Data Recorder and Fault History Database confirmed the event, EASA said, but the cause of the pitch trim runaway couldn’t be explained.
“This condition, if it occurs again, could lead to the loss of control of the aeroplane,” the EASA notice said.
However, the Cologne, Germany-based safety agency said in its Emergency Airworthiness Directive that the decision to halt all flight operations of Dassault’s flagship jet came at the request of the Paris-based company, according to a Dow Jones report on Friday.
The plane was en route between Europe and Malaysia, Asia, with no passengers on board, Dassault spokesman Stephane Fort told Dow Jones Newswires by telephone.
The pilots managed to regain control of the aircraft and landed it safely in Malaysia, he said. Fort couldn’t say who owns the aircraft or who was operating it.
Fort said the decision to ground the aircraft was a precautionary measure.
Dassault has sent a team of technicians to Malaysia to try to identify the cause of the problem, he said, adding, “Our priority is the safety of our passengers and our aircraft.
The Falcon 7X was introduced in 2007 and is designed to fly 5,950 nautical miles with at least eight passengers. There are 112 of the aircraft in service.
“This airworthiness directive is considered to be an interim measure pending the outcome of the investigation currently carried out by the manufacturer,” EASA said.
The Falcon 7X has a sticker price of about $50m, depending on cabin features.
President Goodluck Jonathan had in the third week of March 2011, taken delivery of a Falcon 7X plane, shortly after it landed on the shores of the country from France.
The aircraft, which was manufactured by Dassault Aviation of France, cost the government $51m (about N7.65bn.)
The Federal Executive Council had on August 12, 2010 approved $102m for the purchase of two Falcon 7X and $53.3m for one Gulfstream G550 aircraft to beef up the presidential fleet.
The second Falcon 7X, it was learnt then, was expected to arrive in the country during the second quarter of this year.
In what is probably its first mission, the jet was said to have conveyed the wife of the President, Patience, to Sokoto during the third of week of March.
The two Falcon 7X aircraft are to be supplied by Messrs Dassault Aviation of France, while the Gulfstream G550 will come from Messrs Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation of the United States.
By Agency reporter               Courtesy Of: Punch

NJC dismisses judge over N200,000 bribe

The frosty relationship between the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, over allegations of corruption on Friday claimed its first casualty.
Consequently, the National Judicial Council has wielded the big stick on a serving judge of the Zamfara State High Court, Justice Musa Anka, and sacked him from office.
The NJC’s decision, which elicited jubilation among judicial officers and lawyers, is being interpreted as a ploy to clean the rot in the nation’s judiciary.
The CJN had consistently warned judges against corruption, which, he said, had been denting the image of the judiciary in recent times.
Although the details of Justice Anka’s offence were sketchy at press time, our correspondent learnt that the decision of the NJC was sequel to a petition against the judge over an alleged demand of N200,000 bribe from one Mr. Zubairu Abdulmalik in order to deliver judgement in his favour.
A source said, “Officials of the State Security Service were said to have been detailed to follow him, while Abdulmalik was asked to play along. The judge was caught in the act and was apprehended.”
The implication of the dismissal, according to legal experts, is that Justice Anka would forfeit his entitlements and could not go back to the Bar to practise as a lawyer.
“He can only be a consultant to lawyers, if he is good,” a source stated.
A terse statement by the NJC Deputy Director (Information), Mr. Soji Oye, obtained by SATURDAY PUNCH in Abuja, reads, “The National Judicial Council has recommended the removal of Justice Musa Ibrahim Anka of the Zamfara State High Court from office.
“It will be recalled that he was suspended by the council following a petition written against him by Zamfara State Director of the State Security Service, alleging that he received a bribe from one Zubairu Abdulmalik in order to deliver judgement in his favour.
“The council, during its meeting, which was held on May 26, 2011, found Justice (Musa Ibrahim) Anka guilty of the allegation of corruption and gratification. Thus, in the exercise of its powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, council decided to recommend his removal from office as a judicial officer to the Executive Governor of Zamfara State.”
The NJC had on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 suspended the embattled judge from office with immediate effect.
The council had in a statement by its secretary, Mr. Danladi Halilu, said, “Thus, in the exercise of its powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the NJC, at its meeting of July 7 and 8, 2010, decided to suspend Justice (Ibrahim) Anka from office till further notice.”
The NJC had last year retired Justice Idris Habib Shall of the Bauchi State High Court with immediate effect over an alleged abduction and street fighting.
He was accused of “fighting on the street and attempting to abduct one Kassim Danlami Shall of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Bauchi State.”
The council had, during its meeting of February 24 and 25, 2010, suspended Justice Shall from office for alleged misbehaviour, which breached professional ethics.
Such “despicable conduct,” according to the council, contravenes the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers in the Federation, as well as his Oath of Office to which he had subscribed.
According to the NJC, the suspension of the judge with immediate effect was as a result of his conduct, which it said involved street fighting.
The judge was said to have failed in an alleged bid to kidnap his victim by attempting to force him into the boot of his car.
The NJC had said, “The suspension is pursuant to the findings of the council that Justice Shall fought on the street and physically assaulted the petitioner – one Kassim Danlami Shall of Ministry of Works and Transport, Bauchi State.
“Further, the judge had attempted to abduct the petitioner into the boot of his car.
“At its 50th meeting, which was held on February 24 and 24, 2010, council found the conduct of Justice Shall despicable and contrary to the Code of Conduct of Judicial Officials of the Federation as well as the oath of office he had subscribed to.”
By Friday Olokor, Abuja                Courtesy Of: Punch

Inauguration: Security agents receive threats

Less than 48 hours to Sunday’s Presidential Inauguration, a security sub-committee headed by the National Security Adviser was set up to deal with the volume of threats to the ceremony that have poured in since the April elections ended.
SATURDAY PUNCH authoritatively learnt that different groups and individuals continued to send messages to security agents threatening to disrupt the inauguration.
Oddly, it was learnt that the groups had made no demands.
The heads of all the security agencies arrived in Abuja early in the week for an emergency meeting with the NSA, Gen. Owoye Azazi, to strategise on how to nip the threats in the bud and they have been having meetings on almost a daily basis.
Some of the security chiefs who pleaded anonymity refused to mention the groups behind the threats, but said that most of the people sending the threat messages used fake names and addresses.
They said, “We’re ready for them; as they are planning for us, we’re strategising for them. We cannot be intimidated. We’re able to confront them with all we have and we can do it. And that is why we’re not accepting any help from foreign security agencies. It is a home-made affair. Some of the people sending threat messages have even gone to the Internet to post the threats. They are so bold and brazen.
“We’re talking about a democratic government and some disgruntled elements are threatening to scuttle the whole process. Nigerians should not be worried because a lot of things that we can’t even say publicly have been put in place. Apart from restricting movement in the capital city, increasing security at the airports, borders and stepping up our surveillance generally, we’re also doing so much quietly. We’re waiting for them.”
It was gathered that the NSA had given a lot of responsibility on the police anti-bomb squad, who he feels are an integral part of protecting the President and other participants at the inauguration. Already, the anti-bomb squads in states where governorship elections did not take place have been asked to move to the capital.
The bomb specialists, who will be coming from Bayelsa, Anambra, Edo, Sokoto, Osun, Ekiti, Adamawa, Ondo and Cross River states have been asked to resume duty in Abuja to prevent the recurrence of the explosions that occurred on October 1, 2010.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claimed responsibility for the Improvised Explosive Devices that were detonated in the capital city during Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary at the Eagle Square.
The Commissioner of Police of the anti-bomb squad, Ambrose Aisabor, told our correspondent that the duty of his department was to ensure that IEDs were not planted anywhere activities were going to take place on Sunday.
He said, “All hands are on deck. We’re fully prepared. We’re sweeping everywhere and we’re not restricting ourselves to the Eagle Square. Maximum attention will be given to the National Stadium, International Conference Centre, mosques and churches.”
By Toyosi Ogunseye                   Courtesy Of: Punch

...place travellers into Abuja under surveillance

There are heightened security activities in Abuja as security personnel started placing people coming in and going out of the Federal Capital Territory under discreet surveillance as part of the security arrangements for the Presidential Inauguration taking place tomorrow.
State capitals, which are indicated as key security points, have also been placed under watch by policemen, State Security Service agents and other security personnel to ensure a hitch-free swearing-in of state governors on May 29, 2011.
Findings by our correspondent indicated that the borders had also been placed under security watch to prevent criminal elements from infiltrating the country to execute any evil plot that might embarrass the nation.
A senior police source told SATURDAY PUNCH that state Commissioners of Police had been placed on red alert by the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim.
Each state command has been directed to have a stand-by unit for quick response to crisis.
“The security arrangement involves all the security agencies in the country, including the military. We have deployed enough men and materials, including bomb and anti-terrorist squads to man key points and facilities in the FCT. People coming into and going out of Abuja are being monitored; though we’re not engaging in stop and search to avoid embarrassing travellers, the surveillance of travellers is being done discreetly.
“All the state CPs have been placed on red alert, so we don’t envisage any problem. The vulnerable areas like Borno and Bauchi states are receiving special attention, but we don’t expect any threats. Boko Haram is not a threat, they can’t overrun the police because we represent the state,” the source said.
Our correspondent gathered that no vehicles would be allowed within 2km radius of the Eagle Square, venue of the inauguration ceremony for President Goodluck Jonathan.
In addition, constant aerial patrol by the military and police, which began on Wednesday, had been stepped up over the FCT as part of a total security cover for the event, which is expected to draw about 40 world leaders.
The top hotels in Abuja like the Transcorp Hilton, Nicon Luxury, Sheraton and others that were booked for accommodation of guests had been placed under heightened security watch as security personnel screened the vehicles and individuals going in and out of the facilities.
The FCT Police Command said it would deploy about 15,000 personnel for the event, while the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps planned to station 20,000 officers with 300 sniffer dogs in different parts of the city.
The NSCDC had on Wednesday conducted a show of force during which its men showcased their skills and abilities at combating criminal activities like vandalism and terrorist acts. The medical team, which recently received five additional ambulances, exhibited their readiness to handle medical emergencies and manage disasters during the ceremonies.
The kernel teams displayed the capabilities of their trained dogs, most of which could sniff out bombs and other incendiary devices, weapons and narcotics. The canines could also capture criminals on command, according to the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Ade Abolurin.
He explained that his men were ready to ensure a smooth programme of events, and were collaborating with other security agencies.
He said, “We have put our disaster management teams in place and we’re working with other sister agencies to ensure a smooth ceremony. Our men have been deployed to protect public infrastructure throughout the country, working with other security personnel. We’re not taking any chances.”
Ordinary Nigerians may not have the opportunity of witnessing the ceremonies at the Eagle Square live because attendance is strictly by invitation to discourage a large turnout and over-crowding of the grounds, which have security implications for the guests.
But the Force Public Relations Officer, Olusola Amore, contended that the reason for the restriction of people was on account of space constraint. He added that the square could not accommodate the huge number of individuals that may want to attend the event.
“We’re not restricting attendance for security reasons; the fact is that the place is not large enough to accommodate everyone that may want to come. Besides, there is no way the ceremony can be an all- comers affair; even your birthday is by invitation, so why should we allow everyone to be at the inauguration?” he asked rhetorically.
The ceremony will start at 10 am at the Eagle Square.
By Adelani Adepegba, Abuja               Courtesy Of: Punch