Thursday 6 February 2014

THE TRUE NIGERIAN STATE









Photo: The sad reality on ground in Nigeria.... Nigeria, we hail thee!!!!  "smh"

IS THE ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC) IN NIGERIA AN ISLAMIC PARTY?


Check out the religious profile of their National Officers and you will agree with me that there is definitely an Uthman Dan Fodio agenda for Nigeria being played out by Northern Nigeria!

CHECK OUT THE LIST OF NATIONAL OFFICERS OF THE APC OF NIGERIA



It is very obvious from the religious bias of APC that it is an Islamic Party. So Christians beware.

IMPLICATIONS
It is pointer to the agenda for Islamization of the Nigeria – state. The concept of Islamic state is an ideological state radically different from a National state (Mawdudi Pakistan Muslim Scholar). An Islamic State imposes the Islamic law SHARIA on all and it intentionally discriminates between people according to their religious affiliation.

In Islamic State, policy making and administration must rest solely on those who believe in the Islamic ideology. Non-Muslims can therefore not be trusted to undertake or be trusted with the responsibility of policy making.

An Islamic State ensures that Non-Muslims do not have equal participation in all matters concerning the state and government. It is another form of “Religious –Apartheid”.
All the four fundamentalist scholars of Islam: HANIFITES, MALIKITES, HABILITES and SHAFITES believe strongly in this view.



In an Islamic State the Muslim will apply the Islamic laws against the Zimmis i.e (the Christians) to protect the Muslims against corruption of their religion. Muslims believe that Christians worship Three God (Trinity) which they believe is Polytheism a practice forbidden amongst Muslims, therefore to protect the perceived corruption of their religion in an Islamic State. The following legal ordinances will most likely be enforced against the Zimmis (Christian) who live in the Islamic State.
  • They will not be allowed to build new churches, temples or synagogues.
  • Christians will not be allowed to read sacred books (Bible) out loud at home or in churches lest the Muslims hear their prayers.
  • Christian (Zimmis) are not allowed to publish religious books or sell them in public place or market. Only amongst their own people.
  • Zimmis i.e Christian must not use the cross on their church buildings or houses because they say it is a symbol of infidelity.
  • Christians will be prohibited from using the Television, Print Media or Radio to publicise their programmes.
  • Christians will not be allowed to congregate in the street during religious festivals; each must quietly make his way to his church or temple.
  • Christians (Zimmis) are not allowed to join the Army unless there is an indispensable need for them and will not be allowed to assume leadership positions.

 This article is to sensitize the Christian leaders and the entire Christian community in Nigeria. We shall only have ourselves to blame if seeing the handwriting on the wall, we still remain passive.

The signs are very clear in all the South West (ACN) now turned (APC) controlled states from the governor to the Commissioners and the Local Council Development chairmen, more than seventy percent their officers are all Muslims.
But the rude fact is that out of all the total votes, Eighty percent belong to Christian who voted the Muslims into power. Obviously there is and Uthman Dan Fodio Agenda for the Islamisation of Nigeria that is being played out.
(Reference:  Almuslim, Sharia, The Islamic law, Taha publishes the right of Non-Muslim in Islamic State publication).


WHAT IS THE UTHMAN DAN FODIO AGENDA?
This statement was made by Ahmadu Bello just 11 days after Nigeria’s Independence in 1960
“This New Nation called Nigeria, should be an estate of our grandfather, Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the North as winning tools, and South as conquered territory  and never allow them to rule over us and never allow them to have control over their future” – Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto in THE PARROT of October 1960.

Then in 1964, a first Republic Politician (Mallam Bala Garba) from  the North made this statement:
“The conquest to the sea is now in sight when our god-sent Ahmadu Bello said some years ago that our conquest will reach the see shores of Nigeria, some idiots in the South doubted its possibilities. Today have we not reached the sea? Lagos is reached. It remains Port-Harcourt. It must be conquered and taken – Mallam Bala Garuba in WEST AFRICAN PILOT, Dec 30 1964.


When we become passive and uninterested about the spirituality of Nigeria State we as believers and Christian leaders have handed over our authority in God and will not have anyone to blame but ourselves.

I want to strongly advise the following action as a matter of urgency:
  • We must use every medium possible to sensitize the Christian community in Nigeria.
  • We must stand up as a united front with one voice to stop this grand move to Islamize our Nation Nigeria.
  • We must forget our differences and denomination but come together with one voice to fight this injustice.
  • As community of Believers we must never cast our vote for any party that has shown religious biase against Christianity.
  • We must negotiate the offices of the parties, we must agree on the agenda for the Nigeria Nation at the next National Conference.
  • Church leaders must clear their conscience and do the right thing before God. No amount of favour done to us by political leaders should make us sell our birth right and the birth right of those who trust our leadership as Christian leaders.
  • We must mobilize the Christian community to use the National Conference to derail the Uthman Dan Fodio agenda of the Islamisation of Nigeria State.

Nigeria Christian should remember that Nations like Turkey, Egypt, and Algeria were Christian Nations originally before they were overran by Islam.

I salute the President of Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI) Archbishop Magnus Atilade for his activities to bring this terrible infringement to the fore.  But there is an urgent need for all hands to be on deck for the mass mobilization of all Christians to frustrate the evil agenda.

Christians in Nigeria Arise! Stand for Christ.
Stand for Religious Freedom.
Stand for a free Nigeria State

Culled from Unmask The Truth As It Is

Is this about El Rufai or ensuring Credible election?

It is true that our greatest problem in this nation is the Elite circle, from comments on social media and radio/TV, I concluded that we are not ready for any national transformation. We are so comfortable with Fraud, rigging, corruption and unrighteousness in our ways and lifestyle as Africans especially as Nigerians. El Rufai only alerted Nigerians about a top info that PDP is planning to rig and if it happens, there MAY be violence. Why would the Presidency order his arrest if they are not guilty of the allegation? Nigerians, why do we like facing PERSONALITIES and neglect the main PROBLEMS? Is this about El Rufai or ensuring Credible election? It is a shame that as wise as we think we are, this simple societal issues is making us to show our true character of which Ghana had overcome not to talk of South Africa let alone Western world. We have lost values and virtues because of our ATTITUDE, our respect and honour had been trampled upon by lesser nations just because we have failed to embrace CHANGE. I hope our children will not be cursing us in the grave one day. God Bless Nigeria,amen...gbengademujimi-@PastorGeeReform..."The Navigator"

Photo: It is true that our greatest problem in this nation is the Elite circle, from comments on social media and radio/TV, i concluded that we are not ready for any national transformation. We are so comfortable with Fraud, rigging, corruption and unrighteousness in our ways and livestyle as Africans especially as Nigerians. El Rufai only alerted Nigerians about a top info that PDP is planning to rig and if it happens, there MAY be violence. Why would the Presidency order his arrest if they are not guilty of the allegation? Nigerians, why do we like facing PERSONALITIES and neglect the main PROBLEMS? is this about El Rufai or ensuring Credible election. It is a shame that as wise as we think we are, this simple societal issues is making us to show our true character of which Ghana had overcome not to talk of South Africa let alone Western world. We have lost values and virtues because of our ATTITUDE, our respect and honour had been trampled upon by lesser nations just because we have failed to embrace CHANGE. I hope our children will not be cursing us in the grave one day. God Bless Nigeria,amen...gbengademujimi-@PastorGeeReform..."The Navigator"

Thursday 27 June 2013

NIGERIAN AIRWAYS-DEAD. NIGERIAN PRIVATE JET OWNERS-400

"More than 400 private jets are parked at Abuja airport now as we speak,all owned by individual politicians.

They no longer use private airlines, each of this aircraft could build a university or an industry that could play a vital role in absolving few from the labour market.

72 of those planes would provide one standard university and a company in each state in Nigeria and you still have 328 planes left.

Corruption and stealing of public funds are now the order of the day"

-Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (former EFCC Chairman. Speaking on BBC Hausa service about state of affairs in Nigeria).

Monday 29 April 2013

“Jonathan may be the last president of Nigeria if…”

Dr Chris Ekiyor is the former National President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and currently the Caretaker Chairman of Patani Local Government Council of Delta  State. In this interview, the Niger Delta activist faults the calls for amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect and warns that the people of the Niger Delta will resist any move to use the resources from the area to fund the amnesty.
On  the 2015 presidency, he says the people of the Niger Delta are unanimous in their decision that President Goodluck Jonathan should run for second term asserting that any attempt to stop him by the North will lead to the end of Nigeria. Excerpts:
The Federal Government has announced a committee to look into the possibilities of granting amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect. As one of those who perfected amnesty for ex-militants  in the Niger Delta, what is your view?
This is another bandwagon effect that is tearing apart our country again. Amnesty today is another word for quick money. I think it is a misplaced national priority to even think about granting amnesty to a bunch of people who, in all their activities, have shown criminality, have shown cold blood murder and have no focus or issue. And it is unfortunate to try to equate Boko Haram with the struggles  of the Niger Delta.
In the Niger Delta, a people, who were living peacefully and having their own livelihood, were traumatized by the Federal Government with its activities in oil exploration. Their land captured, their environment polluted from 1957 till date. And the people decided to say, enough is enough, you cannot take our oil and impoverish us. You cannot put 60 per cent of our oil wealth in the hands of northerners and our environment is not protected. You have to allow us control our resources so that we can develop our place at the pace at which we found our resources. We are willing to pay tax to the center as it is done every where that oil was found’. That was what caused the Niger Delta crisis. The Niger Delta struggle was a purposeful and ideology based struggle. That was the focus. Now, between 1996 and 2003, of course, it became an all-comers struggle. Criminals who will go and steal on the streets will claim that they kidnapped because of oil. Between 2003 and 2007 it went out of hand because the military itself became a party to the process.
Dr. Chris Ekiyor
Dr. Chris Ekiyor
By the time the Federal Government was offering amnesty, oil had been cut down to 700 barrels per day by the activities of the people in the creeks. Insecurity in the region made oil companies to foldup. Before, the youths accepted amnesty, they sent representatives including myself to dialogue with the government and they were series of meetings under the late President Yar’Adua’s administration.
Now, in accepting amnesty, the country recovered economically to the tune of about 2.1million barrels per day and you know what that means to the nation’s coffers. So, if from that pool, money is taken to rehabilitate people, who so to say admitted that it is our mother land, we will now allow government develop the region. Taking amnesty brought more value to the government and it is now trying to reciprocate the gesture by training people in the region.
’Militancy in the Niger Delta different from Boko Haram mayhem’
But beyond the technicalities of talking about amnesty for a group of people who are murderers, I think that government has misplaced its priority in terms of what it is saying.
Dialogue with the people, yes, amnesty, no. Amnesty is not an exit window for criminals. These are people who have murdered over five thousand people in cold blood. People are in churches, they bomb the churches, killing people who are equally victims of bad governance like them. Again, 80 per cent of these people are not Nigerians. So, if you are granting them amnesty, where will you take the resources for which you are going to reintegrate them? Is it the Niger Delta resources, our oil money to integrate criminals and murderers in the North? That money should be put on  infrastructures across the country if the money is too much in the government coffers.
’Jonathan taking bullshit’
I am particularly worried that our president, in line with his broad nationalism, is taking too many bullshit from too many people. He is the most insulted president not because he has not worked, there is no president that has done better than Goodluck in the history of Nigeria, but people don’t seem to know because he is not a loud speaker, he does not embarrass people.
’Posterity will not forgive Jonathan if he fails to develop the Niger Delta’
President Jonathan is a broad-minded Nigerian, he is trying to balance projects in all the regions and, in doing that, he has undermined his own region. So the Niger Delta people have started clamouring why should we not have more. But again he is the President of Nigeria not for Niger Delta. It is now left for the Niger Delta members in the National Assembly to ensure that there are resources in the appropriate ministries such as the Ministry of the Niger Delta to develop the region. As it is today the Ministry ofJonathan-cartoon-second-ter
Niger Delta is not being funded and that is why the Minister is frustrated. If you check the money they appropriated for the Niger Delta Ministry and that of Water Resources, you will see the difference. I want to also say that Mr President must not feel that if he develops the Niger Delta he will be blamed for it. Infact if he does not develop the Niger Delta posterity will not forgive him.
People committed themselves in developing Abuja because they have an agenda to develop the North. Jonathan is not weak as people are saying, no weak person can lead Nigeria. The problem is that this country is held by cabals and those people don’t want the development of the Niger Delta. So it is not Jonathan but a lot of people around him have their own agenda.
’Jonathan must run in 2015′
We were in this country when youths were mobilized to Abuja, ‘Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha’, during the military rule, when all the five political parties endorsed one man. We were in this country when Obasanjo wanted to go for third term.
Alameseigha and others were arrested. Yes, they may have been involved in corrupt practices but they became victims due to their opposition to the third term bid. People are talking now because Jonathan is seen as a toothless bull dog. He is seen as being weak, but they don’t know that it is in that his weakness that he has his strength. How can you see a president and say he should not contest again? The choice to contest is his but if he decides to contest, nobody can stop him except the ballot. And if they feel he cannot contest, then we should all be ready to pack our luggage.
Goodluck may be the last President of Nigeria because a lot of predictions are in line.  There is the provision in the amalgamation law which says that, if after hundred years we cannot co-exist, everybody can go his way. These are signs of the end and we are happy about it those of us from the Niger Delta.
The earlier Nigeria breaks so that we can go and rebuild our economy and our environment the better since Nigerians don’t know that Goodluck is a blessing and a builder. Nobody can stop Jonathan, we have said that he must contest and anybody who does not want to support us, no problem. We will campaign throughout the nook and cranny of the country.

I CAN’T TRANSFORM NIGERIA OVERNIGHT – JONATHAN


Photo: I CAN’T TRANSFORM NIGERIA OVERNIGHT – JONATHAN
President Goodluck Jonathan declared yesterday that his administration’s transformation agenda was not a magic wand that would solve all the challenges confronting the country at once. He said the major concern of his government was to demonstrate an unfailing love for all Nigerians instead of hostility and violence.
Also yesterday, a former British prime minister, Mr Tony Blair, said from the difficulty he went through in his bid to transform his country, the task of national transformation anywhere in the world required the efforts of committed leaders.
Both Jonathan and Blair spoke when the president dedicated the House on the Rock Cathedral in Lagos.
President Jonathan observed that Nigeria had undergone a series of tough times, particularly during the military era, adding that it was the intercessions and prayers of Christians that saved the country from the worst from happening.
He said, “The great task before us as a nation is to demonstrate unfailing love wherever we are and to show that underlying our faith and belief is peace and harmony, never hostility or violence.
“The task of achieving our greatest potential as a nation lies in the collective effort of every individual and community, underpinned by love. If we all do our part, no matter how small, the Nigeria we crave will be a reality.”
Jonathan who said the House on the Rock Cathedral was an achievement of science, technology and the presence of God in the lives of Nigerians, added that “it is also an unmistakable demonstration of our capacity for great achievements as Nigerians in any endeavour where we put our energies, industry and determination towards”.
Quoting some verses from the Bible on the virtues of building the cathedral and its spiritual relevance, the president added that the vision of Rev. Paul Adefarasin, the metropolitan senior pastor of House on the Rock, to build God’s house was commendable.
Mr Blair, who attended the occasion with by his wife Cherie, expressed optimism on the Jonathan administration in its bid to transform the country and change the fortunes of Nigerians who, he noted, were still wallowing in abject poverty.
Noting that he believed in the ability of the country to overcome its current challenges of insecurity, occasioned by religious zealotry, Blair said the quest for religious peace and reconciliation was not peculiar to Nigeria alone.
Recounting his experience in office and using Jerusalem and the Middle East where there is protracted conflict, Blair said he “will love to see the day that Jerusalem will not only be a holy place but a centre of love for all”.
In his sermon, Rev. Adefarasin, who said Blair was his mentor in inter-faith, to which he admits he is committed, decried a situation where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
He urged government to uphold equity and equality among citizens within the ambit of the rule of law, enthusing hope that Nigeria will be great.
Source: Leadership President Goodluck Jonathan declared yesterday that his administration’s transformation agenda was not a magic wand that would solve all the challenges confronting the country at once. He said the major concern of his government was to demonstrate an unfailing love for all Nigerians instead of hostility and violence.
Also yesterday, a former British prime minister, Mr Tony Blair, said from the difficulty he went through in his bid to transform his country, the task of national transformation anywhere in the world required the efforts of committed leaders.
Both Jonathan and Blair spoke when the president dedicated the House on the Rock Cathedral in Lagos.
President Jonathan observed that Nigeria had undergone a series of tough times, particularly during the military era, adding that it was the intercessions and prayers of Christians that saved the country from the worst from happening.
He said, “The great task before us as a nation is to demonstrate unfailing love wherever we are and to show that underlying our faith and belief is peace and harmony, never hostility or violence.
“The task of achieving our greatest potential as a nation lies in the collective effort of every individual and community, underpinned by love. If we all do our part, no matter how small, the Nigeria we crave will be a reality.”
Jonathan who said the House on the Rock Cathedral was an achievement of science, technology and the presence of God in the lives of Nigerians, added that “it is also an unmistakable demonstration of our capacity for great achievements as Nigerians in any endeavour where we put our energies, industry and determination towards”.
Quoting some verses from the Bible on the virtues of building the cathedral and its spiritual relevance, the president added that the vision of Rev. Paul Adefarasin, the metropolitan senior pastor of House on the Rock, to build God’s house was commendable.
Mr Blair, who attended the occasion with by his wife Cherie, expressed optimism on the Jonathan administration in its bid to transform the country and change the fortunes of Nigerians who, he noted, were still wallowing in abject poverty.
Noting that he believed in the ability of the country to overcome its current challenges of insecurity, occasioned by religious zealotry, Blair said the quest for religious peace and reconciliation was not peculiar to Nigeria alone.
Recounting his experience in office and using Jerusalem and the Middle East where there is protracted conflict, Blair said he “will love to see the day that Jerusalem will not only be a holy place but a centre of love for all”.
In his sermon, Rev. Adefarasin, who said Blair was his mentor in inter-faith, to which he admits he is committed, decried a situation where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
He urged government to uphold equity and equality among citizens within the ambit of the rule of law, enthusing hope that Nigeria will be great.
Source: Leadership

US REPORT: THERE’S MASSIVE CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA


 
Photo: US REPORT: THERE’S MASSIVE CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA
A new report submitted to the United States Congress by the Secretary of State John Kerry has alleged massive corruption at all levels of the Nigerian government.
The document titled:  "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012" was prepared by the Department of State using information from US embassies and consulates abroad, foreign government officials, non-governmental and international organisations, and published reports.
Under the chapter on Nigeria in the latest report made available at the weekend,  Section 4, which deals with "Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government," states: "Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces."
Noting that though Nigerian law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, the report said, "government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity."
It also scored the judiciary low as its noted, "There was a widespread perception judges were easily bribed and litigants could not rely on the courts to render impartial judgements. Citizens encountered long delays and alleged requests from judicial officials for bribes to expedite cases or obtain favourable rulings".
Chronicling all major financial scandals within the period under review and how the issues were handled by government, the report said: "On April 18, a House of Representatives Committee led by Representative Farouk Lawan and charged with investigating the fuel subsidy programme from 2009 to 2011 released a report showing massive fraud, corruption, and inefficiencies in the operation of the program. The report alleged misappropriation of nearly half the subsidy funds, with poor or nonexistent oversight by government agencies.
"The report estimated government money lost to “endemic corruption and entrenched inefficiency” amounted to 1.067 trillion naira ($6.8 billion). The committee recommended reform of the oversight and enforcement mechanisms and further endorsed investigation and prosecution of culpable officials."
It further stated: 'In July the government released a list of those who had benefited illegally from the subsidy programme, which included relatives and colleagues of key government officials. In late July the EFCC began arraigning suspects, first with a group of 20 indictments, including six oil companies and 11 individuals.
"By year’s end the EFCC initiated prosecutions of approximately 50 cases related to the subsidy scam. The majority of these cases involved companies and individuals who had fraudulently received subsidy revenue. Investigations and trials had not produced any convictions by year’s end."
It also recalled the twists in the subsidy probe, noting that in June (2012) "allegations and a video surfaced, allegedly showing Lawan accepting a 94.2 million naira ($605,000) bribe from entrepreneur Femi Otedola, who had advised Lawan on the investigation but whose company had not received fuel subsidy payments."
The report said: "After Lawan solicited the bribe from Otedola, the latter approached the SSS to record the hand-off as part of a “sting” operation. The attorney-general referred the case to the police for further investigation. The allegations initially overshadowed the committee’s findings, but the EFCC continued with investigations at year’s end."
It also cited the stealing of 32.8 billion naira ($210 million) Police Pension Fund, which led to the arraignment of six suspects including a director at the Police Pension Office, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, who later rose to become permanent secretary in the Ministry of the Niger Delta, and the criminal charges against former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, for laundering close to five billion naira ($32 million) of funds belonging to state.
Noting that the charges were instituted on February 24, 2012, the report said the court adjourned the trial until January 2013.
Other corruption cases cited in the reports were the arrest of former minister of Works and Housing, Hassan Lawal, for 24 counts of fraudulently awarding contracts, money laundering, and embezzlement of 75 billion naira ($480 million); arrest of Mr. Dimeji Bankole, former speaker of the House of Representatives, and Deputy Speaker Usman Nafada for the alleged misappropriation of one billion naira ($6.4 million) and 40 billion naira ($256 million) respectively; arrest of former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Oyo  State Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, and former Gombe State Governor, Muhammed Danjuma Goje.
"The four (governors) allegedly misappropriated or stole 58 billion naira ($372 million), 25 billion naira ($160 million), 18 billion naira ($115 million), and 12.8 billion naira ($82 million), respectively. Their trials began in December 2011 and continued at year’s end", the report noted.
It also cited the guilty plea entered by former Delta State Governor James Ibori  in the Southwark Crown Court in London to charges of money laundering and other financial crimes totalling 12.4 billion naira ($79 million) he had committed during his eight years in office.
It, however, noted that, "Soon after the court announced Ibori’s conviction, the EFCC issued a statement it intended to pursue a case against Ibori in Nigerian courts."
On the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), signed into law in May 2011, which allows any person to request information from a government office, the report said "Civil society groups continued to introduce an increasing number of cases at the national and state level to test the FOIA during the year. Despite the number of cases introduced, there was only one reported successful prosecution during the year."
The report also contained the controversy over declaration of assets by Nigerian public officials noting statutory provisions that provide that, "Public officials, including the president, vice president, governors, deputy governors, cabinet ministers, and legislators (at both federal and state levels), must comply with financial disclosure laws, including the requirement to declare their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) before assuming and after leaving office. Violators risked prosecution, but cases rarely came to conclusion."
According to the report: "In June the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and other groups demanded President Jonathan disclose his assets from 2007 to 2012. On June 24, the president refused the request.”
Source: Thisday
A new report submitted to the United States Congress by the Secretary of State John Kerry has alleged massive corruption at all levels of the Nigerian government.
The document titled: "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012" was prepared by the Department of State using information from US embassies and consulates abroad, foreign government officials, non-governmental and international organisations, and published reports.
Under the chapter on Nigeria in the latest report made available at the weekend, Section 4, which deals with "Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government," states: "Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces."
Noting that though Nigerian law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, the report said, "government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity."
It also scored the judiciary low as its noted, "There was a widespread perception judges were easily bribed and litigants could not rely on the courts to render impartial judgements. Citizens encountered long delays and alleged requests from judicial officials for bribes to expedite cases or obtain favourable rulings".
Chronicling all major financial scandals within the period under review and how the issues were handled by government, the report said: "On April 18, a House of Representatives Committee led by Representative Farouk Lawan and charged with investigating the fuel subsidy programme from 2009 to 2011 released a report showing massive fraud, corruption, and inefficiencies in the operation of the program. The report alleged misappropriation of nearly half the subsidy funds, with poor or nonexistent oversight by government agencies.
"The report estimated government money lost to “endemic corruption and entrenched inefficiency” amounted to 1.067 trillion naira ($6.8 billion). The committee recommended reform of the oversight and enforcement mechanisms and further endorsed investigation and prosecution of culpable officials."
It further stated: 'In July the government released a list of those who had benefited illegally from the subsidy programme, which included relatives and colleagues of key government officials. In late July the EFCC began arraigning suspects, first with a group of 20 indictments, including six oil companies and 11 individuals.
"By year’s end the EFCC initiated prosecutions of approximately 50 cases related to the subsidy scam. The majority of these cases involved companies and individuals who had fraudulently received subsidy revenue. Investigations and trials had not produced any convictions by year’s end."
It also recalled the twists in the subsidy probe, noting that in June (2012) "allegations and a video surfaced, allegedly showing Lawan accepting a 94.2 million naira ($605,000) bribe from entrepreneur Femi Otedola, who had advised Lawan on the investigation but whose company had not received fuel subsidy payments."
The report said: "After Lawan solicited the bribe from Otedola, the latter approached the SSS to record the hand-off as part of a “sting” operation. The attorney-general referred the case to the police for further investigation. The allegations initially overshadowed the committee’s findings, but the EFCC continued with investigations at year’s end."
It also cited the stealing of 32.8 billion naira ($210 million) Police Pension Fund, which led to the arraignment of six suspects including a director at the Police Pension Office, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, who later rose to become permanent secretary in the Ministry of the Niger Delta, and the criminal charges against former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, for laundering close to five billion naira ($32 million) of funds belonging to state.
Noting that the charges were instituted on February 24, 2012, the report said the court adjourned the trial until January 2013.
Other corruption cases cited in the reports were the arrest of former minister of Works and Housing, Hassan Lawal, for 24 counts of fraudulently awarding contracts, money laundering, and embezzlement of 75 billion naira ($480 million); arrest of Mr. Dimeji Bankole, former speaker of the House of Representatives, and Deputy Speaker Usman Nafada for the alleged misappropriation of one billion naira ($6.4 million) and 40 billion naira ($256 million) respectively; arrest of former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Oyo State Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, and former Gombe State Governor, Muhammed Danjuma Goje.
"The four (governors) allegedly misappropriated or stole 58 billion naira ($372 million), 25 billion naira ($160 million), 18 billion naira ($115 million), and 12.8 billion naira ($82 million), respectively. Their trials began in December 2011 and continued at year’s end", the report noted.
It also cited the guilty plea entered by former Delta State Governor James Ibori in the Southwark Crown Court in London to charges of money laundering and other financial crimes totalling 12.4 billion naira ($79 million) he had committed during his eight years in office.
It, however, noted that, "Soon after the court announced Ibori’s conviction, the EFCC issued a statement it intended to pursue a case against Ibori in Nigerian courts."
On the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), signed into law in May 2011, which allows any person to request information from a government office, the report said "Civil society groups continued to introduce an increasing number of cases at the national and state level to test the FOIA during the year. Despite the number of cases introduced, there was only one reported successful prosecution during the year."
The report also contained the controversy over declaration of assets by Nigerian public officials noting statutory provisions that provide that, "Public officials, including the president, vice president, governors, deputy governors, cabinet ministers, and legislators (at both federal and state levels), must comply with financial disclosure laws, including the requirement to declare their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) before assuming and after leaving office. Violators risked prosecution, but cases rarely came to conclusion."
According to the report: "In June the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and other groups demanded President Jonathan disclose his assets from 2007 to 2012. On June 24, the president refused the request.”
Source: Thisday