How We Recovered N57.9bn, $666.676m From Looters, Others - FG Details

The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has revealed that the Federal Ministry of Justice in line with the anti-corruption war, had recovered N57.9 billion as well as $US666.676 from fines and corporate organisations and corrupt individuals in the country.

Malami’s made revelation while defending 2017 Appropriation bill of the Federal Ministry of Justice before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters at the National Assembly Complex last Thursday in Abuja.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

that Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah disclosed that the AGF gave highlights on how the recoveries were made saying that, “N50 billion was the fine paid by MTN Telecommunication Company while N7 billion and $10 Million US Dollar was recovered from private residence, N40Million and N50Million were voluntarily returned.

According to him, $250 million under interim forfeiture was alleged proceeds of oil bunkering and also $136.676 million awaiting actual remittance and $270 million was FGN fund recovered from commercial bank.”

Isah added that the Minister explained that his ministry operated through 2016 without capital budget.

 “Our budgetary proposal of N18, 528,093,480.00 was not appropriated thereby compelling the Ministry to operate on a zero capital budget”, he informed the Senate Committee.

The AGF expressed satisfaction for the uncommon achievements recorded by the Ministry as a result of the recoveries made which culminated to increased revenue of the Federal Government.

He said, “I am happy to state however, that we as a Ministry recorded modest achievements in the act of contributing to the revenue generation of the Federal Government notwithstanding the zero capital budgets.”  

The budget frame being defended by the Minister depicts that the Ministry budgetary allocation received a boost as against 2016 appropriation. In line with the budget document, the total sum of N 6,914,774,768.00 (Six billion, nine hundred and fourteen million, seven hundred and seventy four thousand, seven hundred and sixty eight naira) only was earmarked for the Ministry in the 2017 budget appropriation as against N3, 921,612,815 (Three billion, nine hundred and twenty one million, six hundred and twelve thousand, eight hundred and fifteen naira).

From the  N6,914,774,768.00, personnel cost would engulf the largest chunk of N4,278,824,404.00, legal services a whooping amount of N1,000,006,899.00 followed by overhead N946,834,670.00 and the least capital budget of N689,108,794.00.

He pointed out that the personnel cost, covers the allowances of Nigerian lawyers providing legal services within the sub region and also reflects the harmonization of the salaries of State Counsel in the Ministry.

“The personnel cost of N 4,278,824,404.00 (Four billion, two hundred and seventy eight million, eight hundred and twenty four thousand, four hundred and four naira) includes the allowances for the Ministry lawyers serving in the Gambia and reflects the harmonization of the salaries of the State Counsel in the Ministry as approved by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, after over twenty years of agitation by state counsels in the Ministry.”

Malami also stressed that the legal services subhead caters for the core mandate of the Ministry including payment of legal fees to external solicitors engaged by the Ministry. “This sub head has been allocated the sum of N1, 000,006,898.00 (One billion, six thousand, eight hundred and ninety nine naira) as against N843, 563,146.00 allocated in 2016, representing an increase of N156, 443,753.00” about 18.5% increase.

He however stated that the budget of the legal services sub head that witnessed about 18.5% increase could not still enable them grapple with the challenges that may be arising from the sub head overtime.

According to him, “given the enormous additional responsibilities on the Ministry arising from the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 as well as the increase in the quantum of other activities currently being pursued by the Ministry, this amount is unarguably, grossly inadequate and will unfortunately over stretch the Ministry capacity to cope to the maximum in the light of the prevailing realities”.

He nevertheless expressed optimism that, the sum of N689, 108,794.00 (Six hundred and eighty nine million, one hundred and eight thousand, seven hundred and ninety four naira) allocated to the Ministry for 2017 capital projects will boost the Ministry’s performance index.

“The projects, if implemented, will greatly enhance our capacity for effectiveness and improved service delivery and undoubtedly encourage and motivate our lawyers to give their best in the service of our dear nation”, the AGF maintained.

In his response to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, representing Delta West, on payment of outstanding judgment debts, the Malami explained that he was conscious and perturbed, adding that concerted efforts are ongoing to offset the outstanding and probably abate future debts.

“I have a cause to sign a letter sent to the Budget Office this morning before leaving my office to attend to this national calling and constitutional responsibility. If the desired response was not gotten from the Budget Office between now and Monday next week, I will fall back on the committee for emergency executive meeting on the way out of the judgment debts outstanding.”

Members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator David Umaru, representing Niger East Senatorial District expressed satisfaction with the articulate budget presentation by the AGF and unanimously applauded the uncommon recoveries made by the Ministry under zero capital budget allocation in 2016 fiscal year.

$151 Exposed By Whistle-blowers: FG Talks Tough, Names Bankers, Civil Servants On The "long" List Of Culprits; You'll Be Shocked At The List

By Dansu Peter

The Federal Government recently claimed it whistle-blower policy had led to the recovery of $151 million. A list of suspects who will face trial over the $151million and N8billion found in fictitious bank accounts is in the works, News Punch learned reliably

According to The Nation Newspaper, on the “long” list are bankers and civil servants, Attorney-General of the Federation Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) said.

He declined to name the suspects but stressed that the government is interested in knowing how the funds were sourced and lodged in the accounts.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

hat Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

Malami, who spoke with our correspondent from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said: “But investigation is in top gear and I will not want to jeopardise it by giving out names of those affected.”

Pressed for more comments, Malami said: “I am not certain of the number now but it is huge because it involved a syndicate.

“The culprits include civil servants and bank officials who all connived to stash away these recovered monies.”

He stressed that “no businessman was implicated but the suspects, who are many, are mostly civil servants and bank officials”.

Another government source said the suspects would be named in court when charges are preferred against them.

But there were strong indications yesterday that a commercial bank had written the Federal Government, owning up to the lodgment of $136,676,600.51 in a fictitious account with it.

The bank has promised to remit the slush funds into a dedicated account provided by the government.

The government official, who pleaded not to be named because of “the sensitivity of the matter”, said: “Before the government released the fact-sheet on the recovery of $136,676,600.51, it got a letter off from a commercial bank owning up that the cash was wired into a fictitious account in one of its branches.

“The bank also made a commitment to remit the seized cash to a dedicated account which has been provided by the Federal Government. We are expecting the refund from the bank any moment from now.

“We have the required evidence from the bank with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation(OAGF).”

The government source spoke on the investigation, saying “it is almost completed”.

He agreed that Nigerians were eager to know the suspects, but insisted that “we will release their names only after charges have been preferred against them in court”.

LATEST FROM News Punch: EXPOSED: What Atiku, IBB Discussed At Secret Meeting ...His 2019 Ambition; The Concluded Plot To Fly PDP Flag Against Buhari

How Whistle Blowers Help FG Recovered $151m, N9b Loots

Whistle-blowing is yielding bountiful fruits, with the Federal Government recovering about  $136,676,600.51 from a fictitious account. The unnamed owner of the account is suspected to be a public officer.

The suspect is believed to be a front for laundering slush funds, The Nation learnt yesterday.

Two others voluntarily refunded $15million, N7billion and N1billion after some whistle-blowers exposed the huge deposits in their accounts.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

hat Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

The deposits are suspected to be proceeds of crime.

According to a source, who pleaded not to be named, the recovery followed information given to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation( OAGF).

The source said: “The government’s policy on whistle-blowing has recorded some achievements. For instance, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation was alerted to about $136,676,600.51in a fictitious account in a bank. When the government moved in, the bearer of the fake account could not explain the source of the cash.

“We are suspecting that the purported owner is a public officer who might have either been part of a syndicate or serving as a front to launder funds.

“But the office of the AGF has all the details of those involved in keeping these suspicious funds.

“There was the case of another person who had $15million and N7billion in his account. These funds were suspected to be proceeds of crime. Again, some whistle-blowers who knew about these  huge deposits alerted the government.

“The third person could not explain how he came about N1billion.

“Interestingly, all the suspects willingly gave up these slush funds.”

Asked of what will become of the three suspects, the source added: “Only the AGF can clarify the next step in line with the law and the policy on whistle-blowing.”

A statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the “whistle-blower policy has started yielding fruit as it has so far led to the recovery of US$151 million and N8billion in looted funds”.

The minister said: “The looted funds, which do not include the $9.2 million in cash allegedly owned by a former Group Managing Director of the NNPC (which was also a dividend of the whistle-blower policy), were recovered from just three sources through whistle-blowers who gave actionable information to the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation.

“The biggest amount of $136,676,600.51 was recovered from an account in a commercial bank, where the money was kept under an apparently fake account name, followed by N7billion  and $15million from another person and  N1billion  from yet another.

‘’When we told Nigerians that there was a primitive and mindless looting of the national treasury under the last Administration, some people called us liars.

“Well, the whistle-blower policy is barely two months old and Nigerians have started feeling its impact, seeing how a few people squirreled away public funds.

“It is doubtful if any economy in the world will not feel the impact of such mind-boggling looting of the treasury as was experienced in Nigeria.

‘’Yet whatever has been recovered so far, including the $9.8million by the EFCC, is just a tip of the iceberg.”

Mohammed urged Nigerians with information on looted funds to continue to provide the authorities with such information.

He said  confidentiality will be maintained with regards to the source of the information.

The minister also reminded Nigerians of the financial reward aspect of the policy.

‘’If there is a voluntary return of stolen or concealed public funds or assets on the account of the information provided, the whistle blower may be entitled to anywhere between 2.5% (Minimum) and 5.0% (Maximum) of the total amount recovered,’’ Mohammed said.

Philip Agbese: Who is Afraid of the AGF's Investigation?

President Muhammadu Buhari's directive to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) to investigate  the involvement of any top government officials accused of any wrong-doing for prosecution if found liable is at risk of going the way of past probe that yielded little or no results. No. It is not because the ad-hoc panel is compromised; it is because the kind of people that published such past efforts are hard at work engaging their old tricks that may just again prove effective. 

Mr President's directive was not unconnected with the black eye he suffered when the Senate first indicted and called for the removal of the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) Mr David Babachir over conflict of interest and inflation of contracts and later within the same period refused to confirm Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman citing a security report that fingered him for corruption. 

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

As many indigenous proverbs would say, when a tree falls on each other it is the topmost one that is first evacuated. This would imply that the AGF's assignment must first consider the immediate incidents that prompted President Buhari's directive, in this case the veracity of the Senate's indictment of Babachir and Magu before working back to unresolved allegations that pre-date those two. Note the operative word, unresolved. 

It is consequently worrisome that some people are openly attempting to derail the AGF's investigation while parading as if they are making nationalistic contributions to its work. At the forefront of these detractors is the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) which issue a statement to leak the content of a letter it supposedly wrote to the AGF listing a plethora of cases for which it had written petitions in the past. 

In the statement CSNAC issued it explained its action as helping Mr Malami to carry out the assignment given by Mr President. It however failed to address the obvious contradictions and conflict of interest that this unsolicited assistance presents.  

First, CSNAC has a dodgy tie to one of the duo that triggered the investigation. It had in the past issued statements in favour of Magu when accusations of corruption first surfaced against him. Like the letter the group recently wrote to the AGF those statements in favour of Magu were couched to appear altruistic and aligned with national interest while their true intentions would only be deciphered upon closer examination. In some instance, the communication may not even mention the acting EFCC boss by name but would set out to savage his perceived enemies notwithstanding. There is no evidence that the list of several past petitions that the group is redirecting the AGF's Office to are not a compendium of literature generated for Magu. 

Secondly, providing information "to help the office of Mr. Malami" and then rushing to the media with a statement smacks of blackmail; it is an equivalent of owning up to attempting to teleguide the investigation into arriving at a predetermined outcome, boxing the AGF's office into a cul de sac from where it can only do the bidding of the vocal minority that have equally hijacked the public opinion space. If the intervention were sincere as painted it would have adopted the Biblical approach of not allowing the right hand know what the left hand has offered – this for instance would have made it less likely for anyone named in those documents to pressure the investigating team. But by issuing that statement CSNAC has opened a floodgate of pressure on the team from those is supposedly wanted investigated. One can only hope this group is not the vice that is being used to turn the screw on people as it happened with a certain retired Air Commodore in Maitama during the probe of arms sales scandal. 

Furthermore, CSNAC knows what it is doing. Far from widening the circle of the searchlight or helping the investigating team to focus its beam, this CSO is all about overloading the investigation with work in the hope of rendering it ineffective in view of the ties it has with one of those being investigated. How else does one explain the fact that some of the supposed cases it was drawing attention to have been disposed off in the past without the people named in them being indicted. Without the benefit of new or additional information what is the logic of dredging up such frivolous petitions if not to distract the AGF's office? 

With the benefit of what we know from the past, CSNAC is but a poster child for the other groups that will surface to try similar trick before the investigation is concluded. With more of such groups coming up it is a matter of time before the AGF's Office is overwhelmed with offer of information that would eventually jeopardize its work. Once this happen, what Nigerians had hoped was the biggest opportunity to deal corruption a mortal blow would be lost. Abubakar Malami (SAN) thus stands in that intervening space in history to discard chaff in favour of the kernel by carrying out Mr President's directive without contaminants that will ridicule us all. 

Malami must ensure that no persons or groups distract his investigation by clogging its workspace with petitions and allegations that had been disposed of in the past having been found wanting for lack of substance. Those that are afraid of the outcome of an unbiased investigation are no doubt behind these antics. But who is afraid of the investigation?

Agbese writes from the United Kingdom.

How We Discovered $1.30m Raw Cash, Assorted Illegal Weapons From Buhari's Arms Fund Probe Panelist Home - AGF

The Nation - The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has disclosed how over $1.30million cash was recovered from the Abuja home of a member of the committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces, Air Commodore Umar Mohammed (retd).

A lawyer representing the office, Shuaibu Labaran, said upon receiving intelligence, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed Umar’s home, conducted a search and recovered $1,030,000 cash and other currencies.

Labaran said some sensitive official documents (which he refused to name) and two pump action guns (marked: SBSG Magnum 397 and SBGS Interpress 09-1573) were also recovered at No: 4 Lungi Close, Mississippi, Maitama, Abuja.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

Labaran was making his opening remark, as the lead prosecution lawyer in the trial of Mohammed and his firm, Easy Jet Integrated Services Limited, before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, a prosecutor is required, before the commencement of trial, to render an opening statement, containing a summary of his/her case against the defendant.

Earlier, Labaran told the court that the prosecution had complied with its order for Umar’s release from DSS’ custody, having fulfilled his bail condition, following which he applied to make the opening statement.

Lead defence lawyer Hassan Liman (SAN) confirmed Umar’s release.

He said his client was released on December 2. Liman did not object to Labaran’s request to make an opening statement.

Labaran said: “Following intelligence over a case of money laundering and unlawful possession of official documents and firearms, operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), armed with valid and subsisting search warrant, conducted a search in the premises of the 1st defendant (Mohammed).

“During the search, large sums of money in different currencies and denominations, including $1,030,000 cash were recovered.

“Investigation revealed that the said money was part of a transaction between the 1st defendant and the 2nd defendant (Easy Jet Integrated Services Limited), which offends relevant provisions of the Money Laundering Act, having failed to pass through any financial institution.

“The prosecution, in the course of trial, will lead evidence to show the official documents found in the possession of the 1st defendant and the purpose for which those documents were kept in his possession, as well as the firearms that were also recovered.”

“In the course of trial, the prosecution will lead evidence to prove these facts and tender exhibits recovered, and other evidence in proof of the charge pending before the court,” Labaran said.

At the completion of Labaran’s statement, Justice Tsoho directed parties to agree on a convenient date for trial to open.

Liman and Labaran agreed to return on February 14, next year. The judge adjourned till that date for the prosecution to open its case.

Umar, 54, and his company, Easy Jet Integrated Services Limited, are being tried on a four-count amended charge of money laundering and unlawful possession of firearms and official documents.

They are accused of conspiracy and accepting $1,030,000 in cash from a firm, Worldwide Consortium PTY Ltd, as payment for flight services without going through a financial institution as required by law.

They have, by so doing, committed money laundering, contrary to sections 18 (a) and 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering Act 2011 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the Act.

Umar was accused of being in possession of two pump action guns (marked: SBSG Magnum 397 and SBGS Interpress 09-1573) between June 1, 2011 and June 19, 2016 without valid licences and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27(1)(b)(i) of the act.

He was also accused of having at his 4, Lungi Close, Mississippi, Maitama, Abuja home “classified/official documents without lawful authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Official Secret Act and punishable under Section 7(1)(a) of the same Act”.

Corruption Biggest Obstacle To Development - FG Says as OGP Retreat Opens in Kaduna

The Federal Government has maintained that corruption is one of the biggest impediments to national development in the country, describing the act as illegal and illegitimate.

Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN stated this at the ongoing retreat on Open Government Partnership which opened in Kaduna Monday.

In a press statement emanating from the Office of the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and issued by Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, the Minister condemned the clandestine motives by those who perpetrate corruption.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

Isah revealed that Malami in his keynote address at the retreat with the theme: ‘Promoting Transparency and Accountability through the Open Government Partnership’, disclosed the retreat is to fashion out a two-year National Action Plan (NAP) to mainstream transparency mechanisms in the management of public funds across all sectors and citizen engagement.

“Corruption remains one of the biggest impediments to national development.  It is illegal and illegitimate. It concerns actions that are often clandestine and practices that those who perpetrate it always try to conceal. Numerous scholars insist that many of the political, social and especially economic problems we face in Nigeria is still traceable to the problem of corruption”, Malami insists.

The AGF commended the Kaduna state government for hosting the retreat, expressing the desire that it can become a pilot state for the purpose of implementing OGP principles at the sub-national level.

He said, “When we were considering the venue to host this retreat, we eventually settled for Kaduna for many reasons including the fact that the Governor has made significant efforts in engaging with the citizens and in the publication of budget information as well as his desire to fast track the development of Open Government partnership principles in Kaduna state.”

He also expressed gratitude to the Edo state government for participating at the retreat and contemplating adopting some of the core principles of the Open Government Partnership

Malami went memory lane to state that “The retreat is coming up following Nigeria’s formal acceptance as OGP member country in July 2016, two months after President Muhammadu Buhari, attended the Anti-Corruption Summit organized by the government of the United Kingdom in May, 2016 where he reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to strengthen anti-corruption reforms and bring integrity to governance through leadership by example.

For the OGP to work in Nigeria, it must satisfy certain conditions viz:

i.      Endorse a high level Open Government Declaration

ii.     Co-create and deliver a country action plan developed with public consultation (government and civil society)

iii.    Implement commitments made by government

iv.     Commit to independent reporting on their progress going forward, and

v.      Contribute to peer learning.

The obligations of the Federal Government include promoting efforts to prevent the facilitation of corruption through partnership and information sharing, implementing transparent public procurement and fostering programmes that will drive out the culture of corruption and institutionalize integrity in the institutions, while building on technology as a core pillar for engagement. To secure the requisite high level buy-in from stakeholders required for effective implementation; government has launched a robust consultative process aimed at identifying national priorities towards the preparation of the National Action Plan (NAP).

“So far, the Federal Government has set up an OGP National Steering Committee, with the Federal Ministry of Justice as the coordinating ministry. This Committee is made up of representatives of government, civil society organizations, organized private sector and professional associations who will work together to co-create a two-year National Action Plan (NAP) to deepen and mainstream transparency in the management of public funds across all sectors.

“The Steering Committee will function as a platform for deepening government’s anti-corruption reforms. Using a multi-stakeholder approach, it will work towards encouraging improved openness and transparency in government as well as citizens’ participation and engagement. From the government side, the fight against corruption cuts across every sector and as such, all agencies are expected to work towards ensuring openness in their processes as well as developing a sense of accountability and responsibility towards the citizens.

“Through a consultative process between government and civil society, the National Steering Committee has agreed on consolidating existing reforms within four thematic areas identified for the proposed National Action Plan. The thematic areas are:

i.      Promoting fiscal transparency and improved public procurement and open contracting;

ii.     Access to information;

iii.    Anti-corruption and asset disclosure; and,

iv.     Citizen engagement and empowerment.

It further added that, “Nigeria is already implementing a number of anti-corruption reforms across several sectors of governance, and the OGP initiative presents a platform for increased global participation, peer learning and continuous self-assessment. We have also fully embraced the technology train like other countries around the world as can be seen in components of the various reforms:

i.      The Enactment of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2011 has made public records and information more freely available and accessible to Nigerians. Several government agencies have set up compliance structures and are now able to respond to requests for information, within the ambits of the law.

ii.     Enactment of the Public Procurement Act (2007) and subsequent establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has improved transparency and openness in the public procurement process. Open contracting is now taking place in the public sector, with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) blazing the trail in Nigeria ahead of government’s plans to implement e-procurement in all its agencies.

iii.    Full enforcement of Treasury Single Account (TSA) which has allowed the government to monitor the financial activities of over 900 MDAs from a single platform, reduced the amount the FGN loses in interest rates on borrowing from commercial banks, eliminated the process of cash backing MDA’s accounts with commercial banks, improved the reconciliation process for MDA accounts and saved the government several billions of Naira which would otherwise have been lost through corrupt practices.

iv.     Implementation of the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has brought greater transparency to public financial management processes. The Budget Office and the Office of the Accountant General regularly publish allocations of federation revenues to all tiers of government, and widely disseminate information on budget allocation and execution. On the other hand, IPPIS has created a centralized database system for the Public Service with a single, accurate source of employee information.

v.      The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has made some progress towards improving transparency in the extractive industry and is now working on populating a public register with the beneficial owners of all companies operating in the Nigerian extractive industry.

vi.     Implementation of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) initiative has created a centralized biometric identification system for the banking industry. The initiative has made it easier to follow the trail of money in the economy, reduced fraud in the financial sector and exposed tax evaders within the system.

vii.    The Code of Conduct Bureau is now better able to carry out its mandate of ensuring that public officers declare their assets and also that such assets are verified and recorded in accordance with the law.

viii.   The Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2007 is currently being reviewed to better define who a beneficial owner of a company is.

ix.     The Corporate Affairs Commission is also reviewing its laws to make it possible to disclose beneficial owners as well as provide information on ownership of assets held in blind trusts. It is also working to create a public register of beneficial owners of public companies.

To recount, Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative that focuses on improving government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens through technology and innovation. It was formally launched in 2011 when the eight founding governments (Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States) endorsed the Open Government Declaration, and announced their country action plans. Since then, OGP has welcomed the commitment of 62 additional governments, bringing to 70 the number of countries that are currently members of the initiative.

Nigeria formally joined the OGP in July 2016, two months after President Buhari attended the Anti-Corruption Summit organized by the government of the United Kingdom in May, 2016 where he reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to strengthen anti-corruption reforms and bring integrity to governance through leadership by example.

Also represented at the retreat are the Office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, Clerk, National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Omolori,  Honourable Ministers of Information and Culture, Health, Budget and National Planning, Communications, Petroleum Resources, Foreign Affairs as well as Power, Works and Housing.

The international representation is through delegates from the Global OGP, Washington DC, USA and its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sanjay Pradhan, development partners, other international officials including the Embassy of Switzerland and delegates from Nigeria have also confirmed their participation at this historic event.

Other participants are from Nigeria Governors’ Forum,  Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAGF), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Presidential Anti-Corruption Advisory Committee (PACAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Natural Resource Governance Institute among others.

Some of the civil society organisations at the retreat are the National Economic Summit Group, (NESG), CLEEN, SERAP, ANEEJ, NIREC, Digital Forensics, Council for the Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN), Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, Budgit, Media Rights Agenda, Global Network for Cyber Solution, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Publish What You Say and Centre for Environmental Education, based in Jalingo, Taraba state.

A FORMER 1 MINUTES MAN REVEALS HOW HE INCREASED HIS PENIS SIZE TO SATISFACTION AND STOPPED HIS CHRONIC PREMATURE EJACULATION ISSUES IN LESS THAN 29DAYS AS HE NOW LASTS 35MINS+ IN BED USING THIS NEW, 100% NAFDAC APPROVED NO-SIDE EFFECT 2-IN-1 SOLUTION.... 

CLICK HERE FOR FREE DETAILS

How Judge Stockpiles Dollar Bribe Proceed In Shoes, I Lost A Case Due To Unpaid N50m Bribe Balance Payment - Senator Confesses

The Nation reported a judge is under probe for allegedly collecting from a senator N30million bribe.

He stuffed some of the cash, which was in United States dollars, in his shoes and walked barefooted to his car.

The senator complained to the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) being led Prof. Itse Sagay.

Also yesterday, it was learnt that most of the nine arrested judges had petitions against them with the National Judicial Council (NJC).

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, is said to have the list of judges to be investigated in the last five months.

Although the list was shown to some legal authorities by the CJN, no action was taken by the NJC, a source claimed.

PACAC has about 50 petitions sent to it against some judges by some aggrieved Nigerians,

One of the said complaints came from a senator who alleged that a judge demanded about N50million from him to influence a case but he paid N30million.

The money was delivered to the Court of Appeal Justice in dollars.

But following the senator’s inability to pay the balance of N20million, the judge gave judgment against the senator, it was alleged.

A source said: “The senator told us that the judge asked for N50million but he could only pay N30million and lost the case for not meeting up with the balance.

“He said when the judge came at night to collect the bribe, he stuffed every available space and went to a ridiculous extent of stuffing some of the money in his shoes. The judge then decided to walk barefooted to his car.

“We have the complaint against the judge and the senator is ready to testify because the judge did not refund the N30million to date. The government is going to see to the logical conclusion of this case against the judge.”

Asked to name the judge, the source added: “The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), disclosed the name of the justice at a session with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to underscore why the bench must be rid of bad eggs. The NBA has been briefed, let them also talk.

“This is to show that the government is transparent about the whole process. It is not a witch-hunt at all.”

The highly-placed source gave insight into the arrest of nine judges and how the operation was conducted.

The judges are Supreme Court Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro; the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed, Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice Adeniyi Ademola( Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike;  Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court;  Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court);  Justice Bashir Sukola and  Justice Ladan Manir, from the Kaduna State High Court.

The source added: “In fact, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed has had the list of some alleged  corrupt judges in his possession in the last five months. The list emanated from his office and anti-corruption agencies. But the NJC did not do anything.

“About 60 per cent of the nine judges under probe have petitions against them before the NJC. The records are there. Nigerians should ask what has become of this petition.

“Take the case of the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike; he had more than three petitions against him. If the petitioner had not been steadfast, the Judge would not have been sanctioned by the NJC.

“The allegation of N500million bribe against Justice Pindiga was actually made a “dead-on-arrival” by a Petition Review Committee of the NJC.”

Unknown to most of the judges arrested, the Department of State Services(DSS)  video-taped every details.

The source added: “The DSS is ready to tender the video clips in court. In fact, some of the judges will be shocked by the professionalism of the security agency.

“The clips have already been shown to a few lawyers to prove that due diligence was followed. We hope the court will allow the prosecution to show the clips during trial.

A FORMER 1 MINUTES MAN REVEALS HOW HE INCREASED HIS PENIS SIZE TO SATISFACTION AND STOPPED HIS CHRONIC PREMATURE EJACULATION ISSUES IN LESS THAN 29DAYS AS HE NOW LASTS 35MINS+ IN BED USING THIS NEW, 100% NAFDAC APPROVED NO-SIDE EFFECT 2-IN-1 SOLUTION.... 

CLICK HERE FOR FREE DETAILS

DSS Arrested Me Because Of Tinubu, Dasuki, Malami, Kanu - Justice Ademola

One of the judges of the Federal High Court arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) last weekend, Adeniyi Ademola, has said he was being tried for granting bail to ex-NSA, Sambo Dasuki and ruling that Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, be freed. In a letter dated October 11, addressed to Mahmoud Mohammed, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ademola said he was held for over 24 hours before he was told the reason why he was brought to the DSS office. “Upon signing the document, they told me that I am under arrest and ordered me with guns still pointed at me to move outside.

As I was going, they told me they were taking me to their office, Department of State Services (DSS) office, without showing any warrant of arrest. “I obeyed them and about six o’clock in the morning, I was whisked away from my residence to the DSS office without any warrant of arrest or reason for my arrest.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

“From the time of my arrival at the DSS office, at about 6:45am on 8/10/2016, I was not told what my crime was for over 24 hours till the evening of 9/10/2016. “A DSS official finally informed me that my arrest were based on these three allegations: petition of Hon. Jenkins Duvie dated 4th of April 2016 to the National Judicial Council (NJC); granting bail to Col. Sambo Dasuki and the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu; and using my office to secure my wife’s appointment as the Head of Civil Service, through Senator Bola Tinubu,” the letter read. 

Ademola said he saw his arrest as revenge from Abubakar Malami, Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF), whose arrest and detention he ordered over a professional misconduct while he was judge in Kano between 2004 and 2008.

“What is more intriguing in this whole episode, is that I see it as a vendetta/ revenge from the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; whilst I was in Kano between 2004 and 2007 as a Federal High Court judge, he was involved in a professional misconduct necessitating his arrest and detention by my order,” he said.

Justice Ademola said operatives later presented him with a list of items that were found in his home which could be used as exhibits, but he initially declined to sign the paper. “They threatened me that if I did not sign it they would not leave me alone and whatever they did to me at that point would be recorded that I will not be alive to tell the story of what transpired between me and them that night. “For fear and interest of my life, and unknown persons with masks on their faces, I collected the written items and signed the document,” the Justice said.

The judge said he has been putting up at a hotel in downtown Abuja and sought permission to proceed on leave during which he intended to pursue a remediation for alleged breach of his fundamental rights by the DSS. Special Assistant to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mr. Ahurakah Isah, confirmed to Sunday Telegraph last night that the office of the CJN received such a letter from the embattled justice of the Supreme Court.

A FORMER 1 MINUTES MAN REVEALS HOW HE INCREASED HIS PENIS SIZE TO SATISFACTION AND STOPPED HIS CHRONIC PREMATURE EJACULATION ISSUES IN LESS THAN 29DAYS AS HE NOW LASTS 35MINS+ IN BED USING THIS NEW, 100% NAFDAC APPROVED NO-SIDE EFFECT 2-IN-1 SOLUTION.... 

CLICK HERE FOR FREE DETAILS

FG Signs Executive Order To Promote Transparency, Efficiency

…Mandates MDAs to adopt openness in contracting procedures and publishing of contracts

The Federal Government has revealed that it would in a matter of weeks sign an executive order in promote transparency and efficiency for the creation of an enabling business environment in the country, saying this would mandate all Ministry, Agencies and Departments (MDAS) to adopt openness in contracting procedures and publishing of contracts.

Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN hinted in a press statement issued over the weekend, that the Minister also read a riot act on treasury looters threatening any culprit with prosecution.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

Isah said Malami, made this disclosure last Friday while briefing journalists on the thematic areas of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and what government had accomplished so far; having joined the (OGP) initiative in July, 2016 as the 70th nation.

The AGF emphasized that Nigeria participation in the Open Government Partnership would enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria and also provide opportunities for information sharing and cross fertilization of ideas with countries facing similar challenges like us.

He assured of collaboration with OGP implementing countries to ensure that all illicit funds in foreign banks are repatriated. “We will work with the network of OGP implementing countries for technical support especially in repatriating our stolen funds that are currently stashed away abroad”.

He maintained Nigeria’s resolve to join the OGP initiative was strategic as its principles fit into the existing efforts of the present administration towards ensuring that all conduit pipes through which public funds are misappropriated are permanently blocked.

The Minister further surmised that with these renewed vigour in fighting corruption, any person caught pilfering public funds shall be made to face the wrath of the law.

He also assured that “the FGN will continue to pursue reform programmes on transparency and accountability through targeted measures in promoting fiscal transparency, improved public procurement and open contracting, access to information, asset disclosure, citizen engagement and empowerment”.

The AGF equally noted that the ongoing journey from openness to national prosperity is yielding result in the following areas: Treasury Single Account (TSA) as well as the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) had streamlined government revenue collection and expenditure which had saved the country billions of naira in the last one year.

He also enumerated that the Freedom of Information Unit in the Federal Ministry of Justice had been strengthened to provide timely information to the public and relevant policy feedback in compliance with FOI Act.

Malami equally hinted that the Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR) had adopted a unique electronic FOI platform on its website that gives real time information to citizens which smacks voluntary disclosure and currently working to improve on transparent and competitive public procurement in line with global open contracting principles through e-procurement.

On its part, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) had adopted the open contracting standards in its operations and it is one of the first government agency to do so; stressing that the other agency of government where the openness initiative had worked is Code of Conduct Bureau.

According to him, the CCB has been able to implement its mandate of ensuring that public officers declare their assets promptly and that such assets are verified and recorded in accordance with the law.

Malami further disclosed that appreciable success was also recorded in the banking sector , the enforcement of Bank Verification Number (BVN) scheme reduced fraudulent practices by dubious individuals to protect law abiding customers and restore confidence in our banking industry, thus making it possible to trail money, among others.

The AGF used the occasion of the media roundtable to inform the press about the forthcoming National Consultative Retreat of all stakeholders in the OGP process in Nigeria including civil society, professional associations, development partners as well as the organized private sector to make inputs into the design of our National OGP Action plan in Kaduna between 24th and 26th of October, 2016.

Present at the media roundtable were representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir Lawal, Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Chief Ekpo Nta, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and the Director General, Bureau for Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah among other dignitaries.

A FORMER 1 MINUTES MAN REVEALS HOW HE INCREASED HIS PENIS SIZE TO SATISFACTION AND STOPPED HIS CHRONIC PREMATURE EJACULATION ISSUES IN LESS THAN 29DAYS AS HE NOW LASTS 35MINS+ IN BED USING THIS NEW, 100% NAFDAC APPROVED NO-SIDE EFFECT 2-IN-1 SOLUTION.... 

CLICK HERE FOR FREE DETAILS

UK to support Nigeria’s judges’ training

The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN has received in audience senior judges of British government led by Sir. John Saunders in his office last Tuesday.

According to Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN in a press release issued Wednesday, the Minister appreciated the effort of the British government towards ensuring effective and efficient justice system in Nigeria.

Isah quoted the AGF to have told the visiting judge that, “I appreciate your effort towards strengthening justice sector in Nigeria, especially as it affects insurgency”.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

“Your visit, I believe is about consolidation of the help and support British government has been giving to Nigeria over time.”

The spokesman revealed Malami further emphasized that in the fight against insurgency, two things are critical for the success of the judicial determination of terrorism cases.

Isah said the Minister enumerated that among the issues are investigation which he explained is expedient for the prosecutor to have cogent and comprehensive facts of the case for investigation.

The pointed out that the AGF also dded judicial determination of cases which according to him; has been a major impediment in the nation’s judicial process.

He equally expressed belief that the delay in the administration of justice in Nigeria may be because of the complexity of the cases or deficiency in the training of judicial officers.

These dispositions aligned him to the offer made by the British officials to train Nigerian Judicial officers to grapple with the complexity of terrorism cases and others without compromising speed.

Speaking earlier, the visiting senior British judges lead by Justice Sir. John Saunders noted that judges are the people to ensure that judicial system works or otherwise.

He added that, “we give our judges training good enough and I think that training prowess of British government could be extended to Nigerian judges and prosecutor. But it all depends on your area of priority for our intervention.”

A FORMER 1 MINUTES MAN REVEALS HOW HE INCREASED HIS PENIS SIZE TO SATISFACTION AND STOPPED HIS CHRONIC PREMATURE EJACULATION ISSUES IN LESS THAN 29DAYS AS HE NOW LASTS 35MINS+ IN BED USING THIS NEW, 100% NAFDAC APPROVED NO-SIDE EFFECT 2-IN-1 SOLUTION.... 

CLICK HERE FOR FREE DETAILS

Crack Down On Corrupt Judges: FG Sends 6 More Names of INDICTED Judges To DSS For Probe; Details Of Judges, Offenses Listed

The crack down on corrupt judges in Nigeria may not end soon as many would have been anticipating as six more names of indicted judges and justices have been sent to the Secret Police, the DSS for probe by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,

The names sent by the AGF to the security agency, according to Punch Newspaper were those of judges whose cases of allegations of misconduct, contained in petitions earlier sent by civil society groups to the National Judicial Council, were allegedly not investigated.

It was gathered that the weekend’s arrest of some judges in different parts of the country followed complaints received by the office of the AGF and thereafter transmitted to law enforcement agencies, including the DSS.

How I Increase My Blokos Size & Stopped Premature Ejaculation Issues 

That Scattered My Relationship For 2years.. Click HERE for Details

Operatives of the DSS had between Friday and Saturday raided the houses of some judicial officers, including two justices of the Supreme Court, and arrested them on suspicion of corruption in Enugu, Gombe, Sokoto and Kano states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The DSS had, during the simultaneous operations, arrested Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro of the Supreme Court; the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Tsamiya; Justice Kabiru Auta of the Kano State High Court and Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Others arrested were a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike, and Muazu Pindiga of the Federal High Court, Gombe Division.

Besides the seven judges, the DSS said it was investigating eight other judges, bringing the total number to 15.

With the six names submitted to the DSS, the service is now investigating a total of 21 judges.

Large sums of money in local and foreign currencies were reportedly recovered from three of the arrested judges during the operations that lasted between Friday night and the early hours of Saturday.

One of our correspondents confirmed from a source in the Federal Ministry of Justice on Tuesday that the names of a fresh set of judges, marked for investigation, were sent to the SSS on Monday.

It was learnt that the letter by the minister was personally delivered at the DSS headquarters in Abuja by a senior aide.

The new names on the minister’s list, it was learnt, included two Chief Judges of High Courts, three judges of different divisions of the Federal High Court, and a Justice of the Court of Appeal.

The letter, containing the names, was accompanied by the summary of allegations levelled against the judges in the petitions earlier sent by individuals to the NJC by the Chairman of Civil Society Network Against Corruption as well as Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre between 2014 and May, 2016.

One of the petitions sent to the NJC against one of the Chief Judges, dated February 26, 2016, and signed by the Chairman of CSNAC, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, was titled ‘‘Request for investigation of contravention of the Code of Conduct by Judicial Officers.’’

Another petition by CSNAC against a Federal High Court judge was dated May 12, 2016.

Suraju also signed a petition (its date not stated) against a Federal High Court for allegedly granting a perpetual injunction, restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from investigating criminal allegations against a businessman.

Another petition, dated January 11, 2016, by CSNAC, also accused a Chief Judge of judicial misconduct, an allegation which its details were not stated.

CSNAC, also in another petition, dated April 20, 2016, sent to the NJC against a Justice of the Court of Appeal and others, who served on an election petitions appeal panel this year, accused the panel of receiving N8m from a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Yet, another petition accused the SAN of paying N500,000 into the account of a Chief Judge.

In another petition, CSNAC alleged that N7m was paid to a Chief Judge for a book presentation.

It was also alleged in another petition by CSNAC that a Federal High Court judge received N5m bribe from a SAN.

The AGF’s letter, forwarding the names to the DSS, described as unconscionable the alleged failure of the NJC to investigate the petitions.

The letter read in part, “It is unconscionable that all these petitions that border on the unremitting and impeachment of the integrity of these judicial officers have not been investigated by the National Judicial Council, the constitutional and statutory body vested with the power by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to so do.

“Undoubtedly, if this type of deliberate inattentiveness; lethargy and benign neglect and dereliction of responsibility by the NJC is allowed to persist in an administration that came to power under the mantle of change, it will surely lead to the death knell of the judicial branch of government, which centrality the maintenance of law, order, rule of law and social harmony cannot be overemphasised.

“It is unfortunate that despite the preachment of the administration on the need for the judicial officers to be above board, we still have some of them that have stubbornly refused to change from their old ways.”

When contacted on Tuesday, Suraju confirmed that he forwarded to the AGF office summaries of the petitions, which he earlier sent to the NJC but that he was not aware of the actions so taken on them by the minister.

“It is a welcome development. I actually forwarded to the AGF office the various allegations which I earlier sent to the NJC against some judges. But the AGF office has yet to contact me,” he stated.

A FORMER 1 MINUTES MAN REVEALS HOW HE INCREASED HIS PENIS SIZE TO SATISFACTION AND STOPPED HIS CHRONIC PREMATURE EJACULATION ISSUES IN LESS THAN 29DAYS AS HE NOW LASTS 35MINS+ IN BED USING THIS NEW, 100% NAFDAC APPROVED NO-SIDE EFFECT 2-IN-1 SOLUTION.... 

CLICK HERE FOR FREE DETAILS