TRANSVIEW MAGAZINE

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Presidency Lists Corruption Cases under Goodluck Jonathan

Laolu Akande, spokesman of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, has said that his principal is standing by the allegations of corruption he levelled against the government of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said this on Monday, May 7, while reacting to a report attributed to “Jonathan’s media office” on previous allegations.

Osinbajo had been accused of lying against the ex-president or his government by citing the looting of the nation’s treasury, while he was speaking recently at ‘The Platform’.

Osinbajo had said: “Grand corruption remains the most enduring threat to our economy. Three billion US dollars was stolen in what was called the strategic alliance contacts in 2013, three Nigerians were responsible, today three billion dollars is NI trillion and our budget is N7 trillion.”

In a statement issued on Monday, May 7, Akande said the looting under Jonathan has been a subject of criminal investigation and trials even in the UK.

He further listed “facts on grand corruption” perpetrated under Jonathan’s government, which he said were a tip of the iceberg.

According to him, the “facts” are “the release of the sum of $289m on February 25, 2015, illegal disbursement of N60 billion … most of which ended up in the hands of senior members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP – then ruling party), $3 billion stolen in the so-called NNPC strategic alliance contracts, N40 billion from CBN released for the PDP presidential primary, among others.

He also said the amount released from CBN in cash on a single day, “ie US$289 million ( N88.1 billion) is enough to fund 244,000 N-Power graduates for a year, or pay for 1.2 billion school meals or complete half of Lagos -Ibadan or half of Abuja -Kaduna -Kano roads.”

The statement read in part: "We have read reports attributed to “a media office of former President Goodluck Jonathan”. It is clear from the foul language of the authors that the statement could not have come from the former President, but from the motley group of loud and rude characters whose brief seems to be to deny all and anything said against the former PDP government and to do so in the crassest possible language.

"The alleged spokespersons of the former president say that facts long in the public domain, some even being used to prosecute several corruption cases are lies and that those of us in government restating these well known facts are liars.

"They accused Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, of lying against the former President or his government citing their involvement in the stealing of three billion dollars, while speaking recently at The Platform event on the 1st of May.

"Just for clarity, I quote the Vice President, “Grand corruption remains the most enduring threat to our economy. Three Billion US dollars was stolen in what was called the strategic alliance contacts in 2013, three Nigerians were responsible, today three billion dollars is one trillion Naira and our budget is 7trillion! ….” (www.yemiosinbajo.ng/ how-young-people-outside- politics-are-boldly-building- the-nigerian-nation-by-vp- osinbajo/)

"Two issues emerge. First, no mention is made of the former President. Second, the story is not only true, it has been in the public domain for almost three years and it is the subject of criminal investigation and trials both here and in the UK.

"The spokespersons also say that the allegations of corruption against the PDP government are mere lies. For clarity, the facts are laid out as follows:

"As the Vice President said, $3B was stolen in the so- called NNPC Strategic Alliance Contracts. The three persons involved are Jide Omokore, Kola Aluko and the former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison- Maduekwe. The companies of both Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko lifted Nigerian crude oil and kept the proceeds.

"The total sums converted is in excess of three billion dollars including royalties, taxes and fees unpaid for the asset from which the crude was taken. The case is the subject of a trial in Nigeria, and criminal investigation in the US and UK, and the assets of all three individuals have been forfeited in Nigeria, the US and the UK.

"The criminal diversion and theft of sums in excess of $2.5 billion meant for purchase of arms to prosecute the war against Boko Haram: the first phase of the investigations revealed several sordid details, many of the assets of culprits have been seized from them and they are facing trial.

"The release of the sum of $289m in cash on February 25, 2015: Documents including cash vouchers indicate that the the sum of $289,202,382 was taken from the Joint Venture (JV) Cash Call Account No. 000-0000-11658-366 of the NNPC/NAPIMS with JP Morgan Chase Bank, New York, USA.

"N70 billion was released in parts from the national treasury between January 8 and February 25, 2015.5.In another illegal disbursement, 25th August 2014, N60B in cash in tranches of N40billion and N20billion: The sum was not tied to any project or procurement and was then shared between two security agencies under the supervision of the then NSA.

"Most of these sums ended up in the hands of senior PDP members some of whom have returned parts of the loot. Some are standing trial for these offenses. These facts are in the public domain.

"There was yet another set of illegal fund withdrawals under one week between January 8 and 16, 2015, where the sum of N1.5 billion was released in three tranches of N300m, N400m and N800m respectively. This money was released from the MEA Research Library Account .

"Another document showed that N10 billion was released to the Office of the National Security Adviser by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on September 15, 2014.

"The money was released in tranches of foreign exchange of $47 million, $5 million, 4 million Euros and 1.6 million Euros. A letter from the Office of the NSA in November 2014 further showed that the monies were released as ‘funds for special services’.

"This particular release of N10billion was sourced in November 2014 from a N40 billion CBN released funds meant for Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR. Investigators showed that this money was released for the PDP Presidential Primaries.

"Lamido Sanusi, then CBN Governor, was sacked for speaking up about the over $20billion missing from oil proceeds

"These cases of grand corruption and open looting of public resources pauperized Nigeria and left us with little or no savings in the years when oil was selling at 100 to 114 dollars a barrel and we were producing 2.1 million barrels a day. When in 2015 oil prices went even as low as between 28 and 35 dollars a barrel and oil production fell to less than one million barrels a day we had no buffer, no savings, to tide us through.

"The amount released from CBN in cash on a single day, ie the US$289M ( N88.1Bn) is enough to fund 244,000 N-Power graduates for a year, or pay for 1.2 billion school meals or complete half of Lagos-Ibadan or half of Abuja-Kaduna -Kano roads.

"The vice-president also made the point that in 2014 with oil prices as high as 120 dollars per barrel, the total capital released for power, works, housing, defence, transport, agriculture and defence were just N152Billion for the whole year.

"By contrast, the Buhari administration committed N578Bn to the same ministries in 2016 with oil prices as low as US$28 per barrel as part of the strategy to end the recession. The government was able to do more with less by stopping grand corruption and impunity.

"Recently, the minister coordinating the economy in that administration has written a revealing book : Fighting Corruption is Dangerous: The Story Behind the Headlines. Who knows, perhaps her stories too are all lies!

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Give people £10k when they turn 25, think tank says

The proposal for a Citizen's Inheritance, to be funded by a revamped, tougher version of inheritance tax, is one of a number of policies proposed by the Resolution Foundation at the end of a two-year study into intergenerational inequality.

The report from the think tank's Intergenerational Commission, backed by business lobby group the CBI and trade union group the TUC, warns that today's thirty-somethings are the first generation to see their incomes dropping compared to when their parents were at that age.

It points out that with record numbers of people renting and unable to get onto the housing ladder, and with many trapped in zero-hours jobs, radical action is necessary to reset the balance.

:: Third of millennials face renting into retirement

The proposed universal Citizen's Inheritance would be restricted to spending on a house deposit, or to fund "skills, entrepreneurship and pension saving", the Foundation said.

Alongside the Citizen's Inheritance are other proposals, including a £2.3bn NHS levy, to be funded by new national insurance contributions from pensioners.

It suggests social care should be bolstered with another £2.3bn raised by replacing council tax with a progressive property tax, which would impose bigger fees on those with bigger homes.

The extensive report also recommends a host of other reforms, including strengthening the rights of those renting their homes, halving stamp duty for first-time buyers and providing a tax holiday for second-home owners selling their properties to first-time buyers.

David Willetts, Executive Chair of the Resolution Foundation, said: "Many people no longer believe that Britain is delivering on its obligations to young and old.

"But our Commission shows how Britain can rise to this challenge.

"From an NHS levy to put healthcare on a firmer financial footing, to building more homes and a Citizen's Inheritance to boost young people's career and housing aspirations, our report shows how a new contract between generations can build a better and more unified Britain."

Commuters to have their say on 'outdated' rail ticketing system

The study, which will be carried out by The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents private train operators and
Government-owned Network Rail, aims to identify ways to make the system fairer and easier to use.

It follows a survey by KPMG on behalf of the rail industry which found that only one in three (34%) passengers were "very confident" they bought the best value ticket for their last journey.

The report concluded that rail ticketing should be:

:: transparent, predictable, easier to use
:: integrated with other modes of transport
:: personalised with flexible fares

The current system is controlled by regulations from the 1990s, with added complexity through individual franchise agreements.

:: Rail privatisation has been a successRDG chief executive Paul Plummer said the industry wanted to reform "well-meaning but outdated" regulation.

He said: "The industry doesn't have all the answers, which is why we want to hear views from passengers, communities and businesses in all parts of the country."

:: Majority back rail nationalisation

Anthony Smith, chief executive of passenger watchdog Transport Focus, said: "Fares and ticketing systems need to suit the way we travel now - there is a huge demand for smarter ticketing.

"Opening the debate on reform options is overdue."

The consultation opens on June 4, with a report expected in late autumn.

Fresh violence in London as police step up patrols after bank holiday shootings

Police have stepped up patrols in London after a bank holiday weekend of violence, as another shooting and more stabbings were reported in the capital.

A young man - thought to be in his late teens or early 20s - was rushed to hospital after being stabbed in Stratford, east London, on Monday afternoon.

And a 30-year-old man, believed to be a food delivery driver, was injured in a shooting in New Cross, southeast London, shortly before 5pm.

Police initially said the stabbed man was in a critical condition but it is now believed neither victim suffered life-threatening injuries.

A man was also treated for stab wounds in Chadwell Heath, east London, on Monday evening.

The latest violent incidents come after two boys, aged 15 and 13, were shot in the head in the city on Sunday.

The teenagers were hit by shotgun pellets in Harrow, northwest London, in what police called a "callous, reckless and brazen act".

The 15-year-old was taken to hospital, where he remains in a non life-threatening condition.

The 13-year-old, who was believed to have been an innocent bystander, has been discharged from hospital after treatment for non life-threatening injuries.

Police said there was also a possible third victim who may have been at the scene with the 15-year-old boy.

It is thought he sustained an arm injury and left prior to the arrival of emergency services.

A 39-year-old man arrested over the incident has been released under investigation.

:: Analysis: Social media is glamorising gang violence

The teenagers were shot less than 24 hours after Rhyiem Barton, 17, was shot dead on Saturday in south London.

His mother Pretana Morgan paid tribute to him, saying: "I couldn't have asked for a better son.

"My son was a very handsome boy. He's got so much potential."

Scotland Yard said extra police officers, supported by armed units, were patrolling the streets in an effort to reduce crime following the spate of violent incidents.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he refused to accept that "nothing can be done to stem the appealing rise of violent crime", saying the force was "overstretched and under-resourced".

It follows a string of violent killings across the capital in 2018, with police investigating more than 60 alleged murders.

Official statistics released in April show the number of homicides in London has spiked by more than 44% in the last year.

In another incident during the bank holiday weekend, a 22-year-old man suffered gunshot wounds in Lewisham, southeast London.

And in Perivale, northwest London, a 43-year-old was stabbed after a dispute about driving.

Three men aged 22, 27 and 17 were also injured in a "noxious substance" assault following an altercation between two groups in Hackney, east London.

Elsewhere in the UK over the bank holiday weekend:

:: A teenager was seriously injured after being shot in the leg in Clayton, Manchester on Monday afternoon

:: Fatah Warsame, 20, was stabbed to death in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of Sunday.

:: A 20-year-old man was stabbed to death near a supermarket in Luton on Sunday evening

:: Underworld enforcer John Kinsella, 53, was fatally shot near the M62 in Merseyside on Saturday morning

Human Trafficking:Nigerian man jailed four years

The Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe state, has on Monday, May 7, sentenced a 57-year-old convicted human trafficker, Shuaibu Salihu, to four years in jail for reportedly transporting underage children to Sudan.

Salihu was arraigned by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons on two counts of procuring underage children for trafficking to Sudan.

He was arrested by officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Yobe state command, in Damaturu in 2017, while he and the children were trying to cross the Geidam/Niger Republic border.

The judge, Justice Hamma Dashi, sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.

Shuaibu Salihu. Photo source: Punch

“The suspect, a native of Farantama village in Kano state, was arraigned on two counts of procuring nine underage victims with the intention of taking them to Sudan for possible exploitation, an act contrary to Section 26 (2) of the Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.

“He was arrested by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service and handed over to us for proper investigation and prosecution. Justice Hamma Dashi, having listened to the counsel and their witnesses, found the suspect guilty and sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.”

Earlier the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Friday, May 4, sealed up Amazonia Guest House at Dagri in Gwagwalada, FCT, and rescued 13 women suspected to be victims of human trafficking.

NAPTIP’s assistant director of intelligence, investigation and monitoring, Tina Ugwu told the press after the operation that that two suspects including the Manager of the lodge have been arrested.

Monday, 7 May 2018

Saraki , Dogara met with President Buhari in Aso Rock

The leadership of the National Assembly on Monday reported Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris to President Muhammadu Buhari for his failure to appear before the Senate for the second time over the issue of Sen. Dino Melaye

Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, confirmed this development to State House correspondents on Monday after a closed door meeting with the President in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Saraki said they raised the issue of Sen. Melaye to the president because of the refusal of the IGP to honour Senate’s invitations.

“Just talking about the issue of the police, we also of course raised the non-appearance of the Inspector-General of Police at the Senate and felt that we must continue to ensure there is adherence to constitutional authority.

“He is a great concern, this is the first time it happened and that matter needs to be addressed considering the importance of the constitution that gives investigative power to us.

“And that there is need for the police to accept that they too are under that constitution and they must obey that; we raised that concern,’’ he said.

The Senate President, who stated that they were in the Villa on the invitation of the president, reassured that the appropriation bill when laid this week would be passed by the NASS, next week.

Saraki said they briefed the president on the recent invasion of the senate by hoodlums, saying the president in his response pledged to do something about the incident.

He said: “Well, we came on the invitation of Mr President. He wanted to brief us on his trip to the United States and also the issue of the budget.

“We also talked on the issue of concerns to us, the invasion of the National Assembly, which he showed great concern and said action will be taken to investigate that. Well, hopefully it should be laid this.

“If it can be laid this week and passed early next week but we are hoping it will be laid this week.

Dogara, who also spoke on the outcome of the meeting, said they did not discuss the issue of impeachment process which was raised at the national assembly two weeks ago.

He, however, frowned at the way and manner the police handled the case of Sen. Dino Melaye.

He said: “Of course anything that happens to one of our members or any member of the National Assembly is of concern to us. And there is no way we can have this kind of meeting without raising that.

“This is a civilian administration, it is democracy and it is imperative and very very important that all institutions of democracy operate within the ambit of the rule of law.

“There is nowhere, I have said it before, that police will behave in a democracy like a clan of tribesmen, like an upgraded barbarians sort of.

“So there is need for us to act with civility. We are not saying that anybody should be protected and defended. Once you have committed an offense, our law said you should answer it but you just have to utilize the provision of the constitution.’’

The Speaker also condemned the situation where Melaye was wheeled to court by the police, saying that the rule of law must be observed to safeguard the image of the Buhari administration

“A situation where people are wheeled to court, that doesn’t give good image of our democracy. I have not seen a democracy where people are wheeled to court, they are not in the proper frame of mind and they are forced to undergo trial.

“Whatever it is, even if Dino is pretending as some have said it in some section of the media, he cannot pretend forever.

“He is there, he will not run away, he is a senator and he can be tried any time he is in proper frame of mind.

“As a lawyer, I can tell you, any judge that assesses an accused person not to be in a proper frame of mind, even if the accused person pleads guilty, he is duty bound by law to record a plea of not guilty if he is not satisfied as to the soundness of the mind of the accused person.

“So the emphasis is there and I believe the president, being a listening president, will definitely take steps and do something about it,’’ he added

Melaye is currently facing two separate court trials in Lokoja and Abuja over alleged criminal activity with other arrested suspects and attempted suicide.

Meanwhile, the Kogi state high court in Lokoja on, Monday, May 7, adjourned the hearing of the bail application of Senator Dino Melaye(Kogi West), to Thursday, May 10.

This came as a result of the inability of parties to tender their counter affidavit and “better” affidavit to the written bail application by Melaye’s counsel, when Justice Nasir Ajanah, on Friday, May 4, ordered that the lawmaker be taken to the National Hospital in Abuja,

Whistle Blowing Program:Over #100 Billion Recovered - Osinbajo

Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has revealed that over N100 billion have been recovered by the federal government in its whistle-blowing programme (WBP.) as at March 2018.

Osinbajo made the disclosure on Monday, May 7, while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) week 2018 in Abuja.

Osinbajo attends OGP week opening ceremony, details FG's efforts in fighting corruption

VP Osinbajo joined other dignitaries at the OGP week opening ceremony in Abuja today, Monday, May 7.

The vice president said the programme had seen recoveries of N7.8 billion, $378 million and 27,800 pounds sterling, which amounts to one hundred and forty-three billion, eight hundred ninety-three million, five hundred sixty thousand naira (N143, 893, 560).

Giving an insight into the anti-corruption campaign of the federal government, Osinbajo said:

“Our government has adopted a two step approach to dealing with this scourge of systemic corruption. The first is to stop grand corruption and the accompanying impunity. The second step and the more enduring one is what this week is about, creating a self- sustaining system that assures transparency and accountability.

“We have, since we assumed office three years ago, made remarkable progress in pushing the frontiers of transparency and accountability in the federal government. One of the first things that the President did when we took office was to establish the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), to coordinate our reforms in this regard.

“We inherited a Treasury Single Account (TSA) system that existed mainly as an idea, without the appetite for serious implementation. Since the presidential order by President Buhari in August 2015, we have made remarkable progress in expanding the reach of the TSA, so that today, we are almost at 100 percent compliance.”

The vice president also stated that the Buhari administration is actively leveraging technology in to underpin the president's commitment to accountable governance.

He made mention of the TSA, the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), National Open Contracting Platform (NOCOPO) developed by the Bureau for Public Procurement and the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC)'s Public Private Partnerships (PPP) contracts disclosure portal launched in September 2017 as examples.

He added that the successes recorded from the implementation of the OGP framework have contributed in no small measure to the improvement in the perception of Nigeria's business environment by investors, businesses, and the international community.

“As we make progress at the federal level, we are also working with the states, through the subnational engagement framework under the OGP National Action Plan, to improve transparency, accountability and citizen participation at other levels of governance.

“There is no doubt that governments who seek to earn and sustain the trust of citizens must learn to maintain high standards of transparency. The role of the OGP in pushing for and achieving these high standards is evident, and wholly deserving of commendation,”he said.

Meanwhile, Osinbajo has assured all Nigerians that they would share in the benefits that would accrue as the Buhari administration continues to serve.

Osinbajo made the comment at the APC ward congress in Eti Osa local government where he had observed the congress at the Wards A & B - Agungi Ajiran, and Ikate Elegusi in the LGA respectively.

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Those who don't want you re-elected are behind killings - Emir tells Buhari

The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Mohammadu Kabir Usman, on Monday, May 7, told President Muhammadu Buhari that the spate of killings across the country is sponsored and targeted at embarrassing his government and undermining his second term bid.

The emir, who said this during the president's visit, also stated that the people would continue to pray for Buhari.

The emir said: ’’Those who don't want you re-elected and who don't want your government to succeed are behind the current killings ravaging the country. It is designed to discredit and bring down your government but they will not succeed. We will continue to pray for you and therefore urge Nigerians to join us in praying’’

The emir called on Nigerians to offer fervent prayers and seek divine intervention to the present national predicament.

President Buhari told the emir that he visited the palace to console him over the death of the chief Imam of Katsina mosque, Alhaji Muhammad Lawal.

He assured the emir that his government would remain resolute in keeping to his campaign promises and tackling the security challenges in the country.

Meanwhile, the chief Imam of the Katsina Metropolis Central Mosque, Imam Muhammad Lawal died at the age of 95 on Sunday, May 6, after a protracted illness.

The family spokesman, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed, who confirmed the death, said that their father died after a prolonged sickness.

The funeral prayer was conducted at the premises of Katsina Central Mosque and the deceased was later buried at Dantakum burial ground in Katsina metropolis according to Islamic rites.

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