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The Nigerian Bar Association says there is a need to have laws regulating the conduct of paternity tests across the country, to protect the rights of the Nigerian child.

 

This was made known in a communique issued by the NBA's Section On Public Interest And Development Law (SPIDEL) at the end of her public interest annual conference which held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo state on Wednesday.

File photo used to illustrate story.

The communique was jointly signed by Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN and Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Chairmen of the NBA SPIDEL 2021 Conference Planning Committee.

 

SPIDEL, among other issues, decried the numerous reports of incidents of paternity fraud in Nigeria, while calling for caution in the handling of such a situation.

 

It also condemned the indiscriminate carrying out of DNA tests to determine paternity without any order of the court.

 

According to SPIDEL, the Nigerian society must deal with the causes of paternity fraud from the roots rather than concentrating on the criminalization of Paternity fraud.

 

SPIDEL also launched a human rights reporting app, noting that it will aid the general public in tracking and reporting human right abuses.

 

 

 

The communique read, “SPIDEL expresses deep concern at the numerous reports of incidents of paternity fraud in Nigeria and calls for caution in the handling of each such situation.

 

"SPIDEL decries the indiscriminate carrying out of DNA tests to determine paternity often without any order of the court and maintains that there is a need to have laws regulating DNA testing in order to protect the rights of the Nigerian child.

 

”SPIDEL resolves that rather than concentrating on the criminalisation of paternity fraud, the Nigerian society must deal with the causes of such acts from the root by eradicating certain barbaric laws against women.

 

”SPIDEL lauds the launching of the ‘Sorosoke’ human rights reporting app of the NBA and points out that this will aid the general public in tracking and reporting human right abuses.”

 

The conference also expressed deep concern at the spate of insecurity in the nation and called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to ensure that the lives of citizens are protected.

 

SPIDEL urged all lawyers to view public interest lawyering as an avenue to enhance the relationship between the ordinary citizen and the judiciary and encourages all human rights activists to get involved in public interest lawyering irrespective of their area of practice.

 

It added, “SPIDEL views with deep concern, the frequent bloodletting in the incessant clash of farmers and herdsmen and recognises the need for an urgent intervention to stop this ugly situation. To this end, SPIDEL approves the ban on open grazing by some states of the Federation and calls on other states to adopt the ban by the institution of appropriate laws to prevent further clashes and ensure the preservation of lives.

 

”SPIDEL, therefore, submits that there is the need for the Federal Government to invest in and institutionalize ranching in the country.

 

“The cardinal duties of the State Governors are to protect lives and properties within their states. To this end, it is proper for State Governors to establish State Policing outfits like ‘Amotekun’ and ‘Ebube Agu’ for the protection of lives and properties of their citizens. SPIDEL supports the establishment of regional vigilantes by State Governors to assist the Nigerian Police to protect the lives of all Nigerians."

 

SPIDEL called for a constitutional review and restructuring of the country. This according to the conference, is to ensure that each region is strengthened, security is ensured and all citizens have a sense of belonging.

 

”That the provisions of the Constitution in providing for the financial autonomy of the different arms of government be upheld. To this end, SPIDEL calls on State Governors to enforce judicial autonomy in their States and ensure the financial independence of the judiciary and the legislature. This will ensure that the judiciary is poised to deliver justice to the poor and oppressed without fear or favour.

 

 

“The Conference commends the National Human Rights Commission and the various State Governments for the setting up of the various Panels of Inquiry to investigate the human rights abuses which led to the EndSARS crisis. Every panel of inquiry set up by the Government of a State or the Federal Government is urged to administer justice to the people without being subject to the influence of any external forces.

 

 

”In relation to the provision of legal services for the indigent, SPIDEL commends the establishment of the Office of the Public Defender in Lagos State and calls on other States of the Federation to establish same, to ensure that legal aid is available and accessible to all especially the poor and vulnerable.

 

 

”SPIDEL decries the increasing spate of corruption by the political class, pointing out that corruption robs the citizenry of the basic amenities to ensure a stable and comfortable life. SPIDEL, therefore, urges the National Assembly to create guidelines on the Declaration of Assets of public Officers and the adequate interpretation and administration of same by the Judiciary.

 

“The Conference agrees that lawyers in representing their clients are social engineers who are merely carrying out their responsibilities as officers in the temple of justice to ensure that their clients’ right to representation is protected. Consequently, the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that lawyers aid corruption is misguided as it is in the public interest that anyone accused of financial crimes is entitled to legal representation by virtue of Section 36 of the Constitution."

Legal News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Os5OlE

The Nigerian Bar Association says there is a need to have laws regulating the conduct of paternity tests across the country, to protect the rights of the Nigerian child.

 

This was made known in a communique issued by the NBA's Section On Public Interest And Development Law (SPIDEL) at the end of her public interest annual conference which held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, Oyo state on Wednesday.

File photo used to illustrate story.

The communique was jointly signed by Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN and Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Chairmen of the NBA SPIDEL 2021 Conference Planning Committee.

 

SPIDEL, among other issues, decried the numerous reports of incidents of paternity fraud in Nigeria, while calling for caution in the handling of such a situation.

 

It also condemned the indiscriminate carrying out of DNA tests to determine paternity without any order of the court.

 

According to SPIDEL, the Nigerian society must deal with the causes of paternity fraud from the roots rather than concentrating on the criminalization of Paternity fraud.

 

SPIDEL also launched a human rights reporting app, noting that it will aid the general public in tracking and reporting human right abuses.

 

 

 

The communique read, “SPIDEL expresses deep concern at the numerous reports of incidents of paternity fraud in Nigeria and calls for caution in the handling of each such situation.

 

"SPIDEL decries the indiscriminate carrying out of DNA tests to determine paternity often without any order of the court and maintains that there is a need to have laws regulating DNA testing in order to protect the rights of the Nigerian child.

 

”SPIDEL resolves that rather than concentrating on the criminalisation of paternity fraud, the Nigerian society must deal with the causes of such acts from the root by eradicating certain barbaric laws against women.

 

”SPIDEL lauds the launching of the ‘Sorosoke’ human rights reporting app of the NBA and points out that this will aid the general public in tracking and reporting human right abuses.”

 

The conference also expressed deep concern at the spate of insecurity in the nation and called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to ensure that the lives of citizens are protected.

 

SPIDEL urged all lawyers to view public interest lawyering as an avenue to enhance the relationship between the ordinary citizen and the judiciary and encourages all human rights activists to get involved in public interest lawyering irrespective of their area of practice.

 

It added, “SPIDEL views with deep concern, the frequent bloodletting in the incessant clash of farmers and herdsmen and recognises the need for an urgent intervention to stop this ugly situation. To this end, SPIDEL approves the ban on open grazing by some states of the Federation and calls on other states to adopt the ban by the institution of appropriate laws to prevent further clashes and ensure the preservation of lives.

 

”SPIDEL, therefore, submits that there is the need for the Federal Government to invest in and institutionalize ranching in the country.

 

“The cardinal duties of the State Governors are to protect lives and properties within their states. To this end, it is proper for State Governors to establish State Policing outfits like ‘Amotekun’ and ‘Ebube Agu’ for the protection of lives and properties of their citizens. SPIDEL supports the establishment of regional vigilantes by State Governors to assist the Nigerian Police to protect the lives of all Nigerians."

 

SPIDEL called for a constitutional review and restructuring of the country. This according to the conference, is to ensure that each region is strengthened, security is ensured and all citizens have a sense of belonging.

 

”That the provisions of the Constitution in providing for the financial autonomy of the different arms of government be upheld. To this end, SPIDEL calls on State Governors to enforce judicial autonomy in their States and ensure the financial independence of the judiciary and the legislature. This will ensure that the judiciary is poised to deliver justice to the poor and oppressed without fear or favour.

 

 

“The Conference commends the National Human Rights Commission and the various State Governments for the setting up of the various Panels of Inquiry to investigate the human rights abuses which led to the EndSARS crisis. Every panel of inquiry set up by the Government of a State or the Federal Government is urged to administer justice to the people without being subject to the influence of any external forces.

 

 

”In relation to the provision of legal services for the indigent, SPIDEL commends the establishment of the Office of the Public Defender in Lagos State and calls on other States of the Federation to establish same, to ensure that legal aid is available and accessible to all especially the poor and vulnerable.

 

 

”SPIDEL decries the increasing spate of corruption by the political class, pointing out that corruption robs the citizenry of the basic amenities to ensure a stable and comfortable life. SPIDEL, therefore, urges the National Assembly to create guidelines on the Declaration of Assets of public Officers and the adequate interpretation and administration of same by the Judiciary.

 

“The Conference agrees that lawyers in representing their clients are social engineers who are merely carrying out their responsibilities as officers in the temple of justice to ensure that their clients’ right to representation is protected. Consequently, the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that lawyers aid corruption is misguided as it is in the public interest that anyone accused of financial crimes is entitled to legal representation by virtue of Section 36 of the Constitution."

Legal News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Os5OlE

When the pioneer investigative journalist in Nigeria, Dele Giwa, was blown to smithereens by a letter-bomb delivered to his residence in Lagos by two Babangida loyalists, ex-SSS Director, Kunle Togun and DMI's Halilu Akilu one of the national dailies in Nigeria had asked repeatedly the question: "Who Killed Dele Giwa?". Though the question was never answered everyone had known all along who masterminded the Dele Giwa assassination and why. Between the dictator in power at that time, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and the mysterious Ms Gloria Okon's narcotics peddling story the truth lies somewhere in-between. If Giwa had not been brutally taken down and out may be Babangida would have since become history.

 

State terrorism never started in Nigeria with the Giwa murder. Nor ended with the last October's #EndSARS Lekki Toll-Gate Lagos massacre. During the retired General Olusegun Obasanjo dictatorship, decades ago (following the Murtala Mohammed assassination) the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti, suffered state terrorism culminating in the horrible murder of his beloved mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. When the so-called 'unknown soldiers' came calling they threw the old woman out from a second-floor window! She later died as a result of that heinous attack.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru.

The late 'Abami Eda' was a thorn in the flesh of the military establishment then just as the late Giwa was about to make history by exposing a state secret involving international narcotics trade and its illicit proceeds and money laundering.

 

The present Buhari regime has committed a lot of state terrorism with impunity. Under PMB's watch the Shiites were massacred in their hundreds in Zaria, Kaduna state, by trigger-happy soldiers under the command of the former Chief of Army Staff, retired General Tukur Buratai, now an Ambassador. Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo killed hundreds at Zaki-Biam and Odi in Bayelsa state.

 

The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) General Ibrahim Attahiru, along with other military personnel on his entourage and the crew members of an Air Force jet were all recently killed in a fatal air crash in Kaduna. The plane burnt itself to ashes! They were going to Zaria on an official assignment. Their barely-recognisable charred remains were buried in Abuja at the National Military Cemetery.

 

Neither the President, the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, nor the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, were present at the emotional funeral ceremony. The absence of the number one and two citizens sent tongues wagging as to the reason behind it all. Conspiracy theories emerged online as to the cause of the crash and why those at the zenith of power who should ordinarily be there were not there.

 

The Vice-President, Prof. Osinbajo, could be indisposed hence his conspicuous absence. Days after the burial of the dead military men the VP was seen in Lagos at the premises of Reddington Hospital for his annual medical checkup. While the President often visits London for his medical needs Osinbajo prefers the state of aquatic splendour for his medical evaluations. That is good enough, patronising Nigeria and Nigerian doctors!

 

For Mallam Garba Shehu, the controversial presidential spokesman, Buhari must have resolved not to pay the last honour to the fallen COAS because "he doesn't like this idea of closing roads, security men molesting people on the road for him to have the right of way". Laughable? And for Ms Lauretta Onochie, another media aide to President Buhari, for the Head of State to be in any national funeral outside the Villa there must be a 48 hours notice ahead of time! Risible?

 

Though investigation is said to be on-going to unravel the mystery behind the Kaduna air crash that sadly took the life of the COAS and others concerned Nigerians were asking probing questions as to the possible motive behind the crash. Was Gen. Attahiru 'liquidated' by other Generals who saw him as a threat to their Boko Haram 'business' or investments? A whole lot of money is being misappropriated or stolen outright by some high-ranking Army officers in a corrupt web of arms and ammunition purchase contracts.

 

But given the late COAS professionalism and apparent patriotism the end of the looting spree could have arrived at an abrupt end with him at the helm of the military affairs. As he took over last January he had raised an alarm over the billions of Dollars of military hardware contracts signed and paid for but not accounted for. The arsenal were nowhere to be found!

 

Besides, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, had during an interview with the BBC Hausa service echoed the same missing or undelivered ammunitions only for him to recant after possible pressure from  certain quarters. He claimed later that he was quoted out of context on the allegations he made against the immediate past Service Chiefs.

 

So the crucial question: Was Gen. Attahiru (54) eliminated in order for the embezzlement to be covered up or for it to continue? Was he killed for the prosperous business of the war on terror to continue unabated? Who benefits from his permanent removal from the scene?

 

Another theory: Was Gen. Attahiru planning a coup against the incumbent President? And flowing from that insinuation and following intelligence reports could it be that he was softly taken out to forestall a manifestation of Abdul Fattah al-Sisi/Mohammed Morsi scenario in Egypt playing out in Nigeria? The late President Mohammed Morsi, it would be recalled, had appointed Gen. al-Sisi as his Army Chief and Defense Minister but the latter overthrew the former and decimated his Muslim Brotherhood group.

 

Was that the reason President Buhari boycotted the late COAS burial? Nobody knows for sure but there is room for conjecture. Buhari had been beaten before and stabbed in the back by his trusted lieutenants, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and the late Sani Abacha. So he may not want another 'Brutus' to repeat what happened before.

 

With rumours of coup enveloping the landscape lately could it be that the late General was set up by the cabal running and ruining Nigeria on behalf of President Buhari? There is urgent need for an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Kaduna crash.

 

May the soul of Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, the newly-wedded pilot, and other gallant officers who died in the air mishap rest in peace!

 

SOC Okenwa

soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Ozodinukwe Okenwa Disable advertisements : 
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A group known as the Muslim Congress has submitted a memo to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, proposing the implementation of Sharia in the southwest region.

 

The Islamic religious law is implemented in Muslim-majority states in the Northern region, despite the constitutional provision that states be secular.

Sharia is alien to the southwest region which has an almost equal population of Christian adherents and Muslims.

 

The Senate commenced its zonal public hearings on constitutional amendments across the country on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, months after soliciting suggestions from the public.

 

While presenting its memo at the Lagos hearing on Wednesday, The Muslim Congress said it wants Sharia implemented in the Yoruba-speaking southwest to cater to its Muslim population.

 

TMC representative, Abdulganihu Bamidele said: "We want to partner for the creation of Sharia courts in the southwest because of our population of Muslims.”

 

The faith-based organisation also proposed amendments to the constitution focusing on gender equality, local government autonomy, state and community policing, and judicial and legislative autonomy.

 

Dozens of other organisations and individuals also presented their memos at the public hearing on Wednesday, with the most common topics revolving around gender equality, restructuring, and devolution of power from the Federal Government to the State and Local Governments.

 

Some also proposed that the 1999 constitution be completely scrapped and replaced with a new citizens-led constitution.

 

Senator representing Lagos Central, Oluremi Tinubu, who chaired the public hearing, said the Senate will consider all the public submissions to create the perfect document to address everyone's concerns.

Islam Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2WIKRXX

A group known as the Muslim Congress has submitted a memo to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, proposing the implementation of Sharia in the southwest region.

 

The Islamic religious law is implemented in Muslim-majority states in the Northern region, despite the constitutional provision that states be secular.

Sharia is alien to the southwest region which has an almost equal population of Christian adherents and Muslims.

 

The Senate commenced its zonal public hearings on constitutional amendments across the country on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, months after soliciting suggestions from the public.

 

While presenting its memo at the Lagos hearing on Wednesday, The Muslim Congress said it wants Sharia implemented in the Yoruba-speaking southwest to cater to its Muslim population.

 

TMC representative, Abdulganihu Bamidele said: "We want to partner for the creation of Sharia courts in the southwest because of our population of Muslims.”

 

The faith-based organisation also proposed amendments to the constitution focusing on gender equality, local government autonomy, state and community policing, and judicial and legislative autonomy.

 

Dozens of other organisations and individuals also presented their memos at the public hearing on Wednesday, with the most common topics revolving around gender equality, restructuring, and devolution of power from the Federal Government to the State and Local Governments.

 

Some also proposed that the 1999 constitution be completely scrapped and replaced with a new citizens-led constitution.

 

Senator representing Lagos Central, Oluremi Tinubu, who chaired the public hearing, said the Senate will consider all the public submissions to create the perfect document to address everyone's concerns.

Islam Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2WIKRXX

A group known as the Muslim Congress has submitted a memo to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, proposing the implementation of Sharia in the southwest region.

 

The Islamic religious law is implemented in Muslim-majority states in the Northern region, despite the constitutional provision that states be secular.

Sharia is alien to the southwest region which has an almost equal population of Christian adherents and Muslims.

 

The Senate commenced its zonal public hearings on constitutional amendments across the country on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, months after soliciting suggestions from the public.

 

While presenting its memo at the Lagos hearing on Wednesday, The Muslim Congress said it wants Sharia implemented in the Yoruba-speaking southwest to cater to its Muslim population.

 

TMC representative, Abdulganihu Bamidele said: "We want to partner for the creation of Sharia courts in the southwest because of our population of Muslims.”

 

The faith-based organisation also proposed amendments to the constitution focusing on gender equality, local government autonomy, state and community policing, and judicial and legislative autonomy.

 

Dozens of other organisations and individuals also presented their memos at the public hearing on Wednesday, with the most common topics revolving around gender equality, restructuring, and devolution of power from the Federal Government to the State and Local Governments.

 

Some also proposed that the 1999 constitution be completely scrapped and replaced with a new citizens-led constitution.

 

Senator representing Lagos Central, Oluremi Tinubu, who chaired the public hearing, said the Senate will consider all the public submissions to create the perfect document to address everyone's concerns.

Islam Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2WIKRXX

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has refused to come out clean on a certain $370 million being part of the loot traced to former Head of State, Sani Abacha, in United Kingdom, which was returned to the country around December 2018.

 

SaharaReporters obtained official correspondences between the defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel headed by Okoi Obono-Obla, and the UK in December 2018, confirming that the money would be repatriated to the country.

Abubakar Malami

SaharaReporters gathered that Malami, however, at a stage asked Obono-Obla to hands off the repatriation process, and it remained so until the panel was later dissolved by the Presidency.

 

The then SPIP Chairman, Obono-Obla, had in December 2018, written to the Central Bank of Nigeria, requesting a domiciliary account to be opened for the recovery for the $370 million from the state of Jersey in the UK.

 

The correspondence was addressed to the CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, on December 18, 2018.

 

It was titled, “Request for permission to open a domiciliary bank account for recovery of $370 million from the Office of the Attorney-General of the States of Jersey Unietd Kingdom for onward remittance to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) of Our Panel.”

 

The correspondence was also copied to the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

 

none; display: block;"> Documents: Nils Recovery Account0001 by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

 

The SPIP Chairman wrote, “As directed by your letter dated September 25, 2017, on procedure for enforcement of GIFMIS Revenue number, we write to request your written approval to open a domiciliary bank account with a Nigerian Deposit Money Bank which has a branch in the United Kingdom which will then remit to the TSA with CBN.

 

“The purpose is to assist our panel recover the sum of $370 million from the Office of the Attorney-General of the State of Jersey, UK, this is part of the Abacha loot.”

 

SaharaReporters learnt from competent sources that the AGF, Malami, intervened in the process and asked the SPIP then to hands off on the $370 million.

 

“I was privy to the initial efforts to recover this sum by Obono-Obla, but Malami wrote and asked Obono-Obla to hands off,” the source revealed.

 

SaharaReporters obtained another correspondence which was written by SPIP Chairman, Obono-Obla then to the UK Attorney-General, Hon Robert MacRae, from the State of Jersey, introducing one Dr Tonye Jaja as the officer to handle the process of repatriation before the AGF later stepped in.

 

It was titled “Introduction of Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja and Recovery of $370,000,000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.” It was dated December 18, 2018.

Document: Letter for AG of Jersey by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

 

Obono-Obla had written, “Permit me to introduce Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja, he is a lawyer who has recently been appointed as the UK Desk Officer for international recovery of assets for one of the anti-corruption agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria (The Special Presidential Investigation Panel), this agency was established by an Act of the National Assmebly of Nigeria namely the Recovery of Public Property (Special provisions) Act 1984. A letter of his appointment will be presented upon request.

 

“As chairman of our agency, I have directed that Dr Jaja hand deliver a letter to your office in Jersey. Please, kindly confirm by way of a formal letter of invitation a date when it is convenient for him. You can also confirm from the Nigerian High Commission in the UK or from the UK High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.

 

“Please I kindly request your kind assistance and cooperation since Dr Jaja is newly appointed to his field and his job description would require your kind assistance and cooperation in tracing and identifying assets and funds looted or stolen by Nigerian public officials and their proxies.

 

“During his visit, he would like to discuss the modalities for repatriation of the $300 million that is in the custody of the state of Jersey as reported. Thank you in advance for your prompt and positive response.”

 

The House of Representatives had earlier on Tuesday been reported as saying it uncovered the illegal payment of N2 billion made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the AGF, Malami, for the prosecution of some terrorism suspects.

 

At its sitting on Tuesday, the House ad hoc committee probing the status of recovered loot had queried Malami on the funds which they said they never approved as a budgetary allocation.

 

The lawmakers had also tackled the minister of justice for allegedly requesting payment of approved solicitors’ fees from the recovered loot.

 

Adejoro Adeogun, chairman of the committee, had said, “The honourable AGF is requesting payment of approved solicitors’ fees. You see, you are asking for solicitors’ fees from recovered funds’ accounts. I don’t think it is proper; that is what we are talking about.

 

“The question I want to ask regards to the payment of N2 billion which you received for the prosecution of terrorism suspects; was it supposed to come from that [recovered funds] account or should it have been part of the budgetary spending? Is it that when you exhaust your budget, you ask these people to send you some money?”

 

But Malami denied making specific requests from the recovered loot, although he did not deny receiving the said N2 billion from the CBN.

 

“Where the money comes from is a function of the federal ministry of finance and I am not making specific requests out of the recovered assets,” the embattled AGF had said.

Corruption Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/305PvjU

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has refused to come out clean on a certain $370 million being part of the loot traced to former Head of State, Sani Abacha, in United Kingdom, which was returned to the country around December 2018.

 

SaharaReporters obtained official correspondences between the defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel headed by Okoi Obono-Obla, and the UK in December 2018, confirming that the money would be repatriated to the country.

Abubakar Malami

SaharaReporters gathered that Malami, however, at a stage asked Obono-Obla to hands off the repatriation process, and it remained so until the panel was later dissolved by the Presidency.

 

The then SPIP Chairman, Obono-Obla, had in December 2018, written to the Central Bank of Nigeria, requesting a domiciliary account to be opened for the recovery for the $370 million from the state of Jersey in the UK.

 

The correspondence was addressed to the CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, on December 18, 2018.

 

It was titled, “Request for permission to open a domiciliary bank account for recovery of $370 million from the Office of the Attorney-General of the States of Jersey Unietd Kingdom for onward remittance to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) of Our Panel.”

 

The correspondence was also copied to the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

 

none; display: block;"> Documents: Nils Recovery Account0001 by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

 

The SPIP Chairman wrote, “As directed by your letter dated September 25, 2017, on procedure for enforcement of GIFMIS Revenue number, we write to request your written approval to open a domiciliary bank account with a Nigerian Deposit Money Bank which has a branch in the United Kingdom which will then remit to the TSA with CBN.

 

“The purpose is to assist our panel recover the sum of $370 million from the Office of the Attorney-General of the State of Jersey, UK, this is part of the Abacha loot.”

 

SaharaReporters learnt from competent sources that the AGF, Malami, intervened in the process and asked the SPIP then to hands off on the $370 million.

 

“I was privy to the initial efforts to recover this sum by Obono-Obla, but Malami wrote and asked Obono-Obla to hands off,” the source revealed.

 

SaharaReporters obtained another correspondence which was written by SPIP Chairman, Obono-Obla then to the UK Attorney-General, Hon Robert MacRae, from the State of Jersey, introducing one Dr Tonye Jaja as the officer to handle the process of repatriation before the AGF later stepped in.

 

It was titled “Introduction of Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja and Recovery of $370,000,000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.” It was dated December 18, 2018.

Document: Letter for AG of Jersey by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

 

Obono-Obla had written, “Permit me to introduce Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja, he is a lawyer who has recently been appointed as the UK Desk Officer for international recovery of assets for one of the anti-corruption agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria (The Special Presidential Investigation Panel), this agency was established by an Act of the National Assmebly of Nigeria namely the Recovery of Public Property (Special provisions) Act 1984. A letter of his appointment will be presented upon request.

 

“As chairman of our agency, I have directed that Dr Jaja hand deliver a letter to your office in Jersey. Please, kindly confirm by way of a formal letter of invitation a date when it is convenient for him. You can also confirm from the Nigerian High Commission in the UK or from the UK High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.

 

“Please I kindly request your kind assistance and cooperation since Dr Jaja is newly appointed to his field and his job description would require your kind assistance and cooperation in tracing and identifying assets and funds looted or stolen by Nigerian public officials and their proxies.

 

“During his visit, he would like to discuss the modalities for repatriation of the $300 million that is in the custody of the state of Jersey as reported. Thank you in advance for your prompt and positive response.”

 

The House of Representatives had earlier on Tuesday been reported as saying it uncovered the illegal payment of N2 billion made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the AGF, Malami, for the prosecution of some terrorism suspects.

 

At its sitting on Tuesday, the House ad hoc committee probing the status of recovered loot had queried Malami on the funds which they said they never approved as a budgetary allocation.

 

The lawmakers had also tackled the minister of justice for allegedly requesting payment of approved solicitors’ fees from the recovered loot.

 

Adejoro Adeogun, chairman of the committee, had said, “The honourable AGF is requesting payment of approved solicitors’ fees. You see, you are asking for solicitors’ fees from recovered funds’ accounts. I don’t think it is proper; that is what we are talking about.

 

“The question I want to ask regards to the payment of N2 billion which you received for the prosecution of terrorism suspects; was it supposed to come from that [recovered funds] account or should it have been part of the budgetary spending? Is it that when you exhaust your budget, you ask these people to send you some money?”

 

But Malami denied making specific requests from the recovered loot, although he did not deny receiving the said N2 billion from the CBN.

 

“Where the money comes from is a function of the federal ministry of finance and I am not making specific requests out of the recovered assets,” the embattled AGF had said.

Corruption Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has refused to come out clean on a certain $370 million being part of the loot traced to former Head of State, Sani Abacha, in United Kingdom, which was returned to the country around December 2018.

 

SaharaReporters obtained official correspondences between the defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel headed by Okoi Obono-Obla, and the UK in December 2018, confirming that the money would be repatriated to the country.

Abubakar Malami

SaharaReporters gathered that Malami, however, at a stage asked Obono-Obla to hands off the repatriation process, and it remained so until the panel was later dissolved by the Presidency.

 

The then SPIP Chairman, Obono-Obla, had in December 2018, written to the Central Bank of Nigeria, requesting a domiciliary account to be opened for the recovery for the $370 million from the state of Jersey in the UK.

 

The correspondence was addressed to the CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, on December 18, 2018.

 

It was titled, “Request for permission to open a domiciliary bank account for recovery of $370 million from the Office of the Attorney-General of the States of Jersey Unietd Kingdom for onward remittance to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) of Our Panel.”

 

The correspondence was also copied to the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

 

none; display: block;"> Documents: Nils Recovery Account0001 by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

 

The SPIP Chairman wrote, “As directed by your letter dated September 25, 2017, on procedure for enforcement of GIFMIS Revenue number, we write to request your written approval to open a domiciliary bank account with a Nigerian Deposit Money Bank which has a branch in the United Kingdom which will then remit to the TSA with CBN.

 

“The purpose is to assist our panel recover the sum of $370 million from the Office of the Attorney-General of the State of Jersey, UK, this is part of the Abacha loot.”

 

SaharaReporters learnt from competent sources that the AGF, Malami, intervened in the process and asked the SPIP then to hands off on the $370 million.

 

“I was privy to the initial efforts to recover this sum by Obono-Obla, but Malami wrote and asked Obono-Obla to hands off,” the source revealed.

 

SaharaReporters obtained another correspondence which was written by SPIP Chairman, Obono-Obla then to the UK Attorney-General, Hon Robert MacRae, from the State of Jersey, introducing one Dr Tonye Jaja as the officer to handle the process of repatriation before the AGF later stepped in.

 

It was titled “Introduction of Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja and Recovery of $370,000,000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.” It was dated December 18, 2018.

Document: Letter for AG of Jersey by Sahara Reporters on Scribd

 

Obono-Obla had written, “Permit me to introduce Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja, he is a lawyer who has recently been appointed as the UK Desk Officer for international recovery of assets for one of the anti-corruption agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria (The Special Presidential Investigation Panel), this agency was established by an Act of the National Assmebly of Nigeria namely the Recovery of Public Property (Special provisions) Act 1984. A letter of his appointment will be presented upon request.

 

“As chairman of our agency, I have directed that Dr Jaja hand deliver a letter to your office in Jersey. Please, kindly confirm by way of a formal letter of invitation a date when it is convenient for him. You can also confirm from the Nigerian High Commission in the UK or from the UK High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.

 

“Please I kindly request your kind assistance and cooperation since Dr Jaja is newly appointed to his field and his job description would require your kind assistance and cooperation in tracing and identifying assets and funds looted or stolen by Nigerian public officials and their proxies.

 

“During his visit, he would like to discuss the modalities for repatriation of the $300 million that is in the custody of the state of Jersey as reported. Thank you in advance for your prompt and positive response.”

 

The House of Representatives had earlier on Tuesday been reported as saying it uncovered the illegal payment of N2 billion made by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the AGF, Malami, for the prosecution of some terrorism suspects.

 

At its sitting on Tuesday, the House ad hoc committee probing the status of recovered loot had queried Malami on the funds which they said they never approved as a budgetary allocation.

 

The lawmakers had also tackled the minister of justice for allegedly requesting payment of approved solicitors’ fees from the recovered loot.

 

Adejoro Adeogun, chairman of the committee, had said, “The honourable AGF is requesting payment of approved solicitors’ fees. You see, you are asking for solicitors’ fees from recovered funds’ accounts. I don’t think it is proper; that is what we are talking about.

 

“The question I want to ask regards to the payment of N2 billion which you received for the prosecution of terrorism suspects; was it supposed to come from that [recovered funds] account or should it have been part of the budgetary spending? Is it that when you exhaust your budget, you ask these people to send you some money?”

 

But Malami denied making specific requests from the recovered loot, although he did not deny receiving the said N2 billion from the CBN.

 

“Where the money comes from is a function of the federal ministry of finance and I am not making specific requests out of the recovered assets,” the embattled AGF had said.

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Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has kicked against the stance of President Muhammadu Buhari on the ban on open grazing in Nigeria.

 

Buhari had recently questioned the legality of the recent ban on open grazing in the southern region of the nation.

The President described the ban as “unconstitutional,” of questionable legality, mere politicking and an attempt to demonstrate their (governors) executive powers.

 

Asserting that the ban was not the solution to herdsmen’s murderous campaign against farmers, he claimed that the governors pre-empted him as he was about to revive the abandoned grazing reserves in the states that are willing.

 

Speaking to journalists in an interview on Tuesday, Masari described the practice which causes herdsmen to move from place to place as “un-Islamic.”

 

He said, “This is something we have to do through development, provide necessary infrastructure that will make the herders not to move. Why should herders from Katsina move?

 

‘’The herders’ movement is essentially in search of two things: water and fodder. If we can provide these two items why should they move?

 

‘’This roaming about I don’t think. For us, its un-Islamic and is not the best. It is part of the problem we are having today. I don’t support that we should continue with the way open grazing is.”

 

On devolution of power through restructuring, Masari said, “I support devolution totally, the federal government is trying. But the states need to have resource to implement what should have been implemented by the Federal Government.

 

‘’If today the states will support the police, the police system will go up. If the states withdraw their support to security agencies, they won’t be able to move from here to there.

 

‘’So, I absolutely support devolution in totality. So as a government of Katsina we should be allowed by the Constitution, within the Constitution to decide on many things that are peculiar to us.

 

‘’The Federal Government should have a benchmark and people should not operate beyond this mark. Lagos State is generating up to N4 billion and something billion, while Katsina State is just generating N2 billion.

 

“I expect with proper restructuring, states should own the reflective of what they earns from within their state.”

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Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has kicked against the stance of President Muhammadu Buhari on the ban on open grazing in Nigeria.

 

Buhari had recently questioned the legality of the recent ban on open grazing in the southern region of the nation.

The President described the ban as “unconstitutional,” of questionable legality, mere politicking and an attempt to demonstrate their (governors) executive powers.

 

Asserting that the ban was not the solution to herdsmen’s murderous campaign against farmers, he claimed that the governors pre-empted him as he was about to revive the abandoned grazing reserves in the states that are willing.

 

Speaking to journalists in an interview on Tuesday, Masari described the practice which causes herdsmen to move from place to place as “un-Islamic.”

 

He said, “This is something we have to do through development, provide necessary infrastructure that will make the herders not to move. Why should herders from Katsina move?

 

‘’The herders’ movement is essentially in search of two things: water and fodder. If we can provide these two items why should they move?

 

‘’This roaming about I don’t think. For us, its un-Islamic and is not the best. It is part of the problem we are having today. I don’t support that we should continue with the way open grazing is.”

 

On devolution of power through restructuring, Masari said, “I support devolution totally, the federal government is trying. But the states need to have resource to implement what should have been implemented by the Federal Government.

 

‘’If today the states will support the police, the police system will go up. If the states withdraw their support to security agencies, they won’t be able to move from here to there.

 

‘’So, I absolutely support devolution in totality. So as a government of Katsina we should be allowed by the Constitution, within the Constitution to decide on many things that are peculiar to us.

 

‘’The Federal Government should have a benchmark and people should not operate beyond this mark. Lagos State is generating up to N4 billion and something billion, while Katsina State is just generating N2 billion.

 

“I expect with proper restructuring, states should own the reflective of what they earns from within their state.”

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3nt3NFP

Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has kicked against the stance of President Muhammadu Buhari on the ban on open grazing in Nigeria.

 

Buhari had recently questioned the legality of the recent ban on open grazing in the southern region of the nation.

The President described the ban as “unconstitutional,” of questionable legality, mere politicking and an attempt to demonstrate their (governors) executive powers.

 

Asserting that the ban was not the solution to herdsmen’s murderous campaign against farmers, he claimed that the governors pre-empted him as he was about to revive the abandoned grazing reserves in the states that are willing.

 

Speaking to journalists in an interview on Tuesday, Masari described the practice which causes herdsmen to move from place to place as “un-Islamic.”

 

He said, “This is something we have to do through development, provide necessary infrastructure that will make the herders not to move. Why should herders from Katsina move?

 

‘’The herders’ movement is essentially in search of two things: water and fodder. If we can provide these two items why should they move?

 

‘’This roaming about I don’t think. For us, its un-Islamic and is not the best. It is part of the problem we are having today. I don’t support that we should continue with the way open grazing is.”

 

On devolution of power through restructuring, Masari said, “I support devolution totally, the federal government is trying. But the states need to have resource to implement what should have been implemented by the Federal Government.

 

‘’If today the states will support the police, the police system will go up. If the states withdraw their support to security agencies, they won’t be able to move from here to there.

 

‘’So, I absolutely support devolution in totality. So as a government of Katsina we should be allowed by the Constitution, within the Constitution to decide on many things that are peculiar to us.

 

‘’The Federal Government should have a benchmark and people should not operate beyond this mark. Lagos State is generating up to N4 billion and something billion, while Katsina State is just generating N2 billion.

 

“I expect with proper restructuring, states should own the reflective of what they earns from within their state.”

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In what appears like an afterthought, the Nigerian government has finally flown the national flags hoisted at the popular 'Eagle Square' at half mast after a report by SaharaReporters.

SaharaReporters had on Monday published a report, video and pictures of how the government ignored its own directive for public buildings, facilities and official residences to fly the national flags at half mast from Monday, May 24 to Wednesday, May 26th.

Checks on Wednesday by our correspondent showed the flags were flown at half mast in compliance with the directive to honour the army officers who lost their lives in a plane crash on Friday in Kaduna.

It was gathered that SaharaReporters' report embarrassed some top government officials, Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), and authority in charge of the facility. 

It has also embarrassed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, SaharaReporters gathered. 

See Also Politics National Shame: Nigerian Government Ignores Own Directive On 'Flying Flags At Half Mast' To Honour Army Officers Killed In Plane Crash 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

Eagle Square was constructed in 1999 to serve as the platform for the official take-off of the Fourth Republic of the Federation of Nigeria.

It was flancked on both sides by the Federal Secretariat, National Cenotaph,  National Assembly Complex, and the Supreme Court.
 
It has since then provided the primary arena for the symbolic transfer of power and inauguration of a new government, notably the swearing-in ceremony of the President of Nigeria.

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In what appears like an afterthought, the Nigerian government has finally flown the national flags hoisted at the popular 'Eagle Square' at half mast after a report by SaharaReporters.

SaharaReporters had on Monday published a report, video and pictures of how the government ignored its own directive for public buildings, facilities and official residences to fly the national flags at half mast from Monday, May 24 to Wednesday, May 26th.

Checks on Wednesday by our correspondent showed the flags were flown at half mast in compliance with the directive to honour the army officers who lost their lives in a plane crash on Friday in Kaduna.

It was gathered that SaharaReporters' report embarrassed some top government officials, Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), and authority in charge of the facility. 

It has also embarrassed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, SaharaReporters gathered. 

See Also Politics National Shame: Nigerian Government Ignores Own Directive On 'Flying Flags At Half Mast' To Honour Army Officers Killed In Plane Crash 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

Eagle Square was constructed in 1999 to serve as the platform for the official take-off of the Fourth Republic of the Federation of Nigeria.

It was flancked on both sides by the Federal Secretariat, National Cenotaph,  National Assembly Complex, and the Supreme Court.
 
It has since then provided the primary arena for the symbolic transfer of power and inauguration of a new government, notably the swearing-in ceremony of the President of Nigeria.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has proposed that all mineral resources in the country should be under the countrol of the states. 

El-Rufai said this known at the public hearing of the Senate committee on the review of the 1999 constitution on Wednesday. 

Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai

The governor said a Committee on True Federalism set up by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he headed, had identified legislative interventions that the National Assembly can easily do to achieve a balanced and fair federal structure.

He spoke about how “we also drafted bills to alter the constitution and amend or repeal existing legislation to achieve the overall objective of true federalism".

Regarding the control of resources, El-Rufai said "mineral resources, including oil and gas and solid minerals," should be managed by states, "which will, in turn, pay royalties and taxes to the Federation Account.’’

"States already control land within their territories, courtesy of the Land Use Act, which is incorporated into the Constitution by reference,” he added.

"One of the reasons why mining has not quite taken off in our country is because of the dichotomy and total disconnect between the federal institution that issues licenses for mining and the state agencies that ultimately control not only the land and title thereto but any approval to undertake any development on the land.”

According to him, devolution of powers is necessary because the current structure overburdens the federal government with too many responsibilities which it cannot efficiently handle.

The governor also proposed 10 items that should be shared responsibilities between the state and federal governments.

“We need to have federal, state and community police, with each granted sufficient powers to make them effective in securing the areas assigned to them and cooperating closely with each other’’, he said, arguing for the decentralisation of policing.

He noted that anyway, "most of the operational and capital costs of the Nigeria Police are borne by state and local governments," countering the argument made by some people that state and local governments may not be able to fund their police system. 

Regarding fears that state police can be abused governors and others, he said a constitutional or statutory framework can be enacted to ensure federal intervention in cases of such abuses.

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Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has proposed that all mineral resources in the country should be under the countrol of the states. 

El-Rufai said this known at the public hearing of the Senate committee on the review of the 1999 constitution on Wednesday. 

Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai

The governor said a Committee on True Federalism set up by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he headed, had identified legislative interventions that the National Assembly can easily do to achieve a balanced and fair federal structure.

He spoke about how “we also drafted bills to alter the constitution and amend or repeal existing legislation to achieve the overall objective of true federalism".

Regarding the control of resources, El-Rufai said "mineral resources, including oil and gas and solid minerals," should be managed by states, "which will, in turn, pay royalties and taxes to the Federation Account.’’

"States already control land within their territories, courtesy of the Land Use Act, which is incorporated into the Constitution by reference,” he added.

"One of the reasons why mining has not quite taken off in our country is because of the dichotomy and total disconnect between the federal institution that issues licenses for mining and the state agencies that ultimately control not only the land and title thereto but any approval to undertake any development on the land.”

According to him, devolution of powers is necessary because the current structure overburdens the federal government with too many responsibilities which it cannot efficiently handle.

The governor also proposed 10 items that should be shared responsibilities between the state and federal governments.

“We need to have federal, state and community police, with each granted sufficient powers to make them effective in securing the areas assigned to them and cooperating closely with each other’’, he said, arguing for the decentralisation of policing.

He noted that anyway, "most of the operational and capital costs of the Nigeria Police are borne by state and local governments," countering the argument made by some people that state and local governments may not be able to fund their police system. 

Regarding fears that state police can be abused governors and others, he said a constitutional or statutory framework can be enacted to ensure federal intervention in cases of such abuses.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/32CJEVA

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has proposed that all mineral resources in the country should be under the countrol of the states. 

El-Rufai said this known at the public hearing of the Senate committee on the review of the 1999 constitution on Wednesday. 

Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai

The governor said a Committee on True Federalism set up by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he headed, had identified legislative interventions that the National Assembly can easily do to achieve a balanced and fair federal structure.

He spoke about how “we also drafted bills to alter the constitution and amend or repeal existing legislation to achieve the overall objective of true federalism".

Regarding the control of resources, El-Rufai said "mineral resources, including oil and gas and solid minerals," should be managed by states, "which will, in turn, pay royalties and taxes to the Federation Account.’’

"States already control land within their territories, courtesy of the Land Use Act, which is incorporated into the Constitution by reference,” he added.

"One of the reasons why mining has not quite taken off in our country is because of the dichotomy and total disconnect between the federal institution that issues licenses for mining and the state agencies that ultimately control not only the land and title thereto but any approval to undertake any development on the land.”

According to him, devolution of powers is necessary because the current structure overburdens the federal government with too many responsibilities which it cannot efficiently handle.

The governor also proposed 10 items that should be shared responsibilities between the state and federal governments.

“We need to have federal, state and community police, with each granted sufficient powers to make them effective in securing the areas assigned to them and cooperating closely with each other’’, he said, arguing for the decentralisation of policing.

He noted that anyway, "most of the operational and capital costs of the Nigeria Police are borne by state and local governments," countering the argument made by some people that state and local governments may not be able to fund their police system. 

Regarding fears that state police can be abused governors and others, he said a constitutional or statutory framework can be enacted to ensure federal intervention in cases of such abuses.

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https://ift.tt/32CJEVA

A former military intelligence officer, Captain Umar Babangida, (retd.), has said that it was wrong for Flight Lieutenants in the Nigerian Air Force with little or no experience to be assigned to fly service chiefs across the country.

While reacting to the death last Friday of the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, in a plane crash in Kaduna State, Babangida said his course mate who was a NAF officer but now works in an international airline, flew into Kaduna State and landed safely at the airport about the same time the tragedy happened.

Ibrahim Attahiru

Babangida, in an interview on AIT Online, noted that his course mate had been flying for over 20 years and the experience he had gathered from the field could not be quantified with Flight Lieutenants who have less than five years of flying experience.

See Also Military REVEALED: Identities Of Officers, 4 Crew Members Killed Along With Chief Of Army Staff In Plane Crash 0 Comments 4 Days Ago

The former military intelligence officer said, “Training comes for every pilot but flying is a practical thing. The older you are in that field, the more seasoned you are. So, you don’t expect a pilot who has been flying for just six years to be as experienced as a pilot who has been flying for 20 years. I don’t think you will find any six-year-old pilot on the President’s fleet.

“Let us use our universities for an example. There are many roles which require seasoned professors and to which you cannot assign a graduate assistant. The same thing happens when it comes to flying. I can tell you quite confidently that another course mate of mine landed in Kaduna within the time that crash happened and he told us that the entire weather and atmosphere was red with dust.

“He works for an international airline and told us that he needed the experience in the profession to land. The moment he landed, he knew there would be no taking off for them until further notice. This colleague of mine, who is also an ex-NAF officer has been flying for more than 20 years. If you are 20 years in the NAF, if you are not a general, you should be sweating to become one.

“Why would Flight Lieutenants be flying a Lieutenant General? All of them went to flying school; no doubt about that; but from flying school onwards, the older you are on the job, the more experienced you are. It is not just something you just allow anybody to go and do. It requires a lot of experience. Flight Lieutenants are still baby pilots. For Flight Lieutenants to fly a Lieutenant General? Come on.”

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