FCC Chair, Secretary: Lawyer urges President Tinubu to enforce Court Judgement
An Abuja based legal practitioner, Mr Festus Onifade, has called onPresident Bola Tinubu, to correct the appointment of the Federal Character Commission (FCC)’s chairman and secretary by the previous government. This was contained in a certified true copy of a letter to President Tinubu, in Abuja, Wednesday, that was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Sen. George Akume, and Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. On April 28, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Muheeba Dankaka as FCC chairman for a five-year tenure and was confirmed by the Senate on June 2, 2020. Buhari also approved the appointment of Bello Tukur as FCC’s secretary on April 14, 2017, and was reappointed on March 12, 2021, for a term of four years.While Dankaka is from Kwara, Tukur hails from Taraba; the duo coming from the northern geopolitical zone. Meanwhile, in a letter dated Jan. 16 and titled: “Appeal to Mr President to Safeguard the Integrity of Federal Character Commission,” the constitutional lawyer prayed the president to give effect to the court judgment. The letter reads; “It is against this background that we make this appeal to you sir to give effect to the judgement of the court by appointing persons from different geo-political zones who will represent the diversity recognized in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended). “Mr. President sir, it may not have come to notice that the morale of staff is at all-time low and this singular incident has caused a lot of resentment among staff of the commission. “This is particularly because the commission itself is guilty of the infractions it was constitutional and statutory created to remedy.“Sir like the popular saying ‘remove the log in your eyes, before the log in mine.’ Mr. President Sir, your timely intervention will remedy this anomaly and restore the commission back to performing its constitutional and statutory functions efficiently. “It will also restore confidence of Nigerians in this administration as a government of inclusion, endearing hope in governance, and giving every Nigerian a sense of belonging.” Onifade, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/709/2021, sued the president, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), FCC, Dankaka and Tukur as 1st to 5th defendants respectively at the Federal High Court, Abuja. In the originating summons dated and filed on July 19, 2021, the lawyer sought a declaration that “the president is bound to observe and comply with the provision of Sections 7 and 8 (1), (2) (a) (b) (c) of the Third Schedule, part 1 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) in the appointment of persons to the office of the Chairman and Secretary of FCC.” He also sought an order directing the president to immediately dissolve and reconstitute the FCC’s board in accordance with the laws. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment on Nov. 22, 2023, declared that the appointment of Dankaka and Tukur from the northern region was unlawful. FCC Chair, Secretary: Lawyer urges President Tinubu to enforce Court Judgement By Vivian Michael, Abuja An Abuja based legal practitioner, Mr Festus Onifade, has called on President Bola Tinubu, to correct the appointment of the Federal Character Commission (FCC)’s chairman and secretary by the previous government. This was contained in a certified true copy of a letter to President Tinubu, in Abuja, Wednesday, that was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Sen. George Akume, and Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. On April 28, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Muheeba Dankaka as FCC chairman for a five-year tenure and was confirmed by the Senate on June 2, 2020. Buhari also approved the appointment of Bello Tukur as FCC’s secretary on April 14, 2017, and was reappointed on March 12, 2021, for a term of four years. While Dankaka is from Kwara, Tukur hails from Taraba; the duo coming from the northern geopolitical zone. Meanwhile, in a letter dated Jan. 16 and titled: “Appeal to Mr President to Safeguard the Integrity of Federal Character Commission,” the constitutional lawyer prayed the president to give effect to the court judgment. The letter reads; “It is against this background that we make this appeal to you sir to give effect to the judgement of the court by appointing persons from different geo-political zones who will represent the diversity recognized in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended). “Mr. President sir, it may not have come to notice that the morale of staff is at all-time low and this singular incident has caused a lot of resentment among staff of the commission. “This is particularly because the commission itself is guilty of the infractions it was constitutional and statutory created to remedy. “Sir like the popular saying ‘remove the log in your eyes, before the log in mine.’ Mr. President Sir, your timely intervention will remedy this anomaly and restore the commission back to performing its constitutional and statutory functions efficiently. “It will also restore confidence of Nigerians in this administration as a government of inclusion, endearing hope in governance, and giving every Nigerian a sense of belonging.” Onifade, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/709/2021, sued the president, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), FCC, Dankaka and Tukur as 1st to 5th defendants respectively at the Federal High Court, Abuja. In the originating summons dated and filed on July 19, 2021, the lawyer sought a declaration that “the president is bound to observe and comply with the provision of Sections 7 and 8 (1), (2) (a) (b) (c) of the Third Schedule, part 1 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) in the appointment of persons to the office of the Chairman and Secretary of FCC.” He also sought an order directing the president to immediately dissolve and reconstitute the FCC’s board in accordance with the laws. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment on Nov. 22, 2023, declared that the appointment of Dankaka and Tukur from the northern region was unlawful.
New Jersey To Return $8.9m Looted Under Jonathan To Nigeria
Jersey’s Royal Court has ruled in favour of returning stolen assets valued at £6.9 million ($8.9 million) to Nigeria. The decision comes after Jersey’s Attorney General issued a forfeiture notice in November, asserting that the funds, deposited in a Jersey bank account, were likely misappropriated by Nigerian government officials in 2014. The illicit transfer of funds was reportedly disguised as government-sanctioned contracts for arms purchases during Boko Haram incursions in Nigeria between 2009 and 2015. Former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power between 2010 and 2015. It will also be recalled that a lot of controversy had surrounded the purchase of weapons in the fight against insurgency with the then National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, being accused of diverting funds meant for security equipment. Also in late 2014, a private jet belonging to the-then President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, was arrested in South Africa with $10m cash, which was allegedly meant for the purchase of military weapons. The Jersey court found that most of the funds, initially intended for legitimate arms deals, had been diverted through foreign bank accounts and shell companies linked to the former ruling party in Nigeria. Jersey’s Attorney General, Mark Temple KC, noted the collaboration between Jersey and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the recovery process. Temple stressed the effectiveness of the 2018 Forfeiture Law in combating corruption and restoring funds to victims of crime. Plans are underway to negotiate an asset return agreement with the Nigerian government. He said: “This case again demonstrates the effectiveness of the 2018 Forfeiture Law in recovering the proceeds of corruption and restoring that money to victims of crime. “I now intend to negotiate an asset return agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
EFCC arrests ex-Minister Charles Ugwuh over alleged N3.6bn fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Charles Ugwuh, over an alleged conspiracy and fraud to the tune of N3.6 billion. EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday that Mr Ugwuh was arrested alongside Chief Geoffrey Ekenma on Jan. 11, in New Owerri, Imo. Mr Ugwuh, an engineer, industrialist and a former President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, served as Minister of Commerce and Industry from July 2007 to October 2008. Mr Oyewale said that the arrest followed a petition to the commission from a new generation bank on the alleged fraud perpetrated through a company, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., linked to the ex-minister. “Investigations revealed that Ugwuh, a former President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, and Ekenma, Managing Director, Ebony Agro Industries Ltd., allegedly obtained a loan facility from the bank for the purchase and production of polished rice. “However, the suspects, according to the petitioner, failed to meet up his obligations to the bank and all efforts to get him to repay the loan facility proved abortive,” he said. Mr Oyewale said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.
Surmounting the Tunji-Ojo Hurdle
As President Tinubu promises not to spare anyone found culpable by the probe of the fraud at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty alleviation, shall we now call this frenzy a hurricane? Because that’s what it is beginning to look like. For many, the jury may still be out on the streets. But it will seem like President Tinubu don vex. That’s why one can, for the want of a better moniker describe the current disruption in the executive branch as the reveling of a Hurricane Tinubu on the Three Arms Zone which, to all intents and purpose, it is safe to say, Nigerians are savouring the storm. But many fear that President Tinubu may not have the liver to go the full hog in the battle to clear the swamp. As we say, Nigeria is so lucky. It does not suffer natural disasters, except that the effect of bad behaviour of our public officials’ wrecks havocs greater than the worst tsunami. What should have been a land flowing with milk and honey, Nigeria has been despoiled by the successive reign of kleptocratic and ruinous rulers who simply steal public funds just for the fun of it. The theft of public funds by politicians, civil servants and their associates exerts the greatest pressure on the public purse in Nigeria. It has been estimated that from independence in 1960 till date, over US$582bin had been stolen from the public treasury in Nigeria by those into whose care it was entrusted. Stealing by public officials in Nigeria has become so bad that it is the major feature that describes successive regimes since the dawn of the Furth Republic in 1999, such that every succeeding administration, from the President Olusegun Obasanjo government, through late President Yar’adua, till date, had been more corrupt than its predecessor, not only in terms of their ranking in the Global Corruption Perception Index but the actual heist. The greatest shocker was the eight years of unmitigated disaster that was the Buhari reign of banditry, theft, cluelessness, and ignominy. So, when the lid blew open on what has now been termed as BETTAGATE at the cesspool called the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, not a few Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief, hoping the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu had found an opportunity to get Nigerians to ‘vibe to its rhythm’, unbeknownst that the Tunji-Ojo hurdle would prove to be a litmus test too complex to decipher. Certainly, it proves how broad it is that ethnic bias is a Faultline in the fight against corruption. But President Tinubu must know better than to drop the ball at this point, just to save the career of a wily dealer whose ugly backside was revealed too early before attaining a crescendo when he would make the kill. Mr. President must know that he is the boss at whose desk the buck stops. It is his presidency for crying out loud! If he allows this buildup to stall, it may be sunset at dawn for his presidency. Bettagate presents a great opportunity for him to recalibrate and relaunch his regime’s chequered agenda. Before the big seizure at Hajiya Halima’s drawers that provided the tip-off leading to this cache, Nigerians gazed in vain into the midnight sky, on a daily basis, hoping they could locate a sign that gives confidence to hope in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. The same Minister Betta Edu was one of the early signs that a gadfly of a lady constituted a major distraction to the realization of this agenda. Like her predecessor, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Faruk, she baffled Nigerians on a daily basis with unbelievable tales about how she was empowering Nigerians with magical cash transfers, even as many discerning individuals struggled to trace her footprints on the nation’s poverty landscape. As they say, it is many days for the thief, and one day for the owner of the house. Even the least endowed could tell that the economic empowerment strategy being deployed by the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry was nowhere near tackling the poverty challenge. Many expect that President Tinubu would be swift in clearing this Augean stable currently littered with the Bettagate scandal. But it would seem that the President has buckled, unable to surmount the Tunji-Ojo huddle. Many had foretold this difficult juncture with exactitude, basing their confidence on the suspicion that Tunji-Ojo represents the interests of some deadly masquerades at the seat of power. Recall that this was the same Tunji-Ojo of the infamous “Honorable Minister, off your mic” as he prevailed on then Minister of the Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio from spilling the beans about how he and other members of the National Assembly benefitted from contracts awarded by the commission. It is déjà vu all over, as it would seem like we are back at the President Muhammadu Buhari era when, as Senator Shehu Sani poetically put it, members of the kitchen cabinet caught stealing were deodorised with fragrance while others, who were not members of the cabal, were sprayed with insecticides if caught. This is why one can not, therefore, help but to be reminded of the pledge by then candidate Tinubu when he promised that his would be an administration that would continue from where Buhari stopped. In what seems like a resort to the usual distraction and subterfuge, the president has announced the suspension of the NSIP programme. Many think this is just to divert attention from the call for suspension of Minister Tunji-Ojo, pending the conclusion of ongoing investigation by anti-graft agencies to determine the extent of his involvement. To date, the white paper issued based on the probe of the NNDC contract scam is yet to see the light of day. Meanwhile, the same man pleading with the honorable minister to off his mic is now a minister of the Federal Republic. Is there any wonder, therefore, that he is enmeshed in another contract scam? This may be why many think
Ali Nuhu, Ten others Appointed CEOs of FG Agencies
President Bola Tinubu has appointed actor, Ali Nuhu and ten others as Chief Executive Officers of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy. This was made known in a statement by the spokesman of the President, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday. Ajuri listed the new appointees and the agencies as follows: Ali Nuhu — Managing-Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, Tola Akerele — Director-General, National Theatre, Dr. Shaibu Husseini — Director-General, National Films and Censors Board, Mr. Obi Asika — Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture. Others are: Aisha Adamu Augie — Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Culture, Ekpolador-Ebi Koinyan — Chief Conservator, National War Museum, Ahmed Sodangi — Director-General, National Gallery of Art, Chaliya Shagaya — Director-General, National Institute of Archeology and Museums Studies, Hajiya Khaltume Bulama Gana — Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye — Director-General, National Institute for Cultural Orientation and Ramatu Abonbo Mohammed — Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments. President Bola Tinubu however, charged the appointees to discharge their duties in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism, diligence, and patriotism with a view to making the creative sector more vibrant and robust
BREAKING: Tinubu Suspends National Social Investment Programme Amid Corruption Probe
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended all administered programmes by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). This is further to the ongoing investigation of alleged malfeasance in the management of the agency and its programmes. In a statement on Friday, Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said all four (4) Programmes administered by NSIPA, namely; N- Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and Home Grown School Feeding Programme have been suspended for a period of six (6) weeks in the first instance. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also raised significant concerns regarding operational lapses and improprieties surrounding payments to the Programs’ beneficiaries.” “He has therefore constituted a ministerial panel to conduct a thorough review of the Agency’s operations with a view to recommending necessary reforms of the NSIPA. “During the period of this suspension, all NSIPA-related activities, including but not limited to all distributions, events, payments, collaborations, and registrations, are now frozen. “The President wishes to assure the stakeholders and all Nigerians that his administration remains committed to a swift and unbiased process that will ensure that, going forward, social intervention programmes will work exactly as intended, to the benefit of the most vulnerable Nigerians.”
CBN Appoints New Executives for Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank
The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced the appointment of new executives for Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank. The decision comes after the dissolution of the board and management teams of these financial institutions. The appointments, effective immediately, were disclosed in a statement signed by the CBN’s acting Director of Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali Hakama. The appointees will now oversee the operations of the respective banks. Union Bank Appointments: Yetunde Oni: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mannir Ubali Ringim: Executive Director Keystone Bank Appointments: Hassan Imam: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Chioma A. Mang: Executive Director Polaris Bank Appointments: Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Chris Onyeka Ofikulu: Executive Director The decision to dissolve the boards and management teams was attributed to non-compliance with Sections 12(c), (f), (g), (h) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020. The CBN emphasized that the actions of these banks posed a threat to financial stability. Despite the changes, the CBN assured depositors that their funds in the affected banks remain secure and unaffected by this decision.
Tinubu constitutes boards, management teams for NAHCON, Christian pilgrims commission
President Bola Tinubu has appointed a management and board for the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The development came about three months after the president appointed Jalal Arabi as the chairman of the commission. In a statement on Wednesday, Anjuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said the appointments are to ensure hitch-free and seamless hajj operations in 2024. Members of the commission’s management are Aliu Abdulrazaq, commissioner, policy, personnel, and finance; Anofi Elegushi, commissioner for operations; and Abubakar Yagawal, commissioner for planning and research. NAHCON’s board members are; Muhammad Umaru Ndagi (north-central), Abba Jato Kala (north-east), Muhammad Bin Othman (north-west), Tajudeen Oladejo Abefe (south-west), Aishat Obi Ahmed (south-east), Zainab Musa (south-south), Musa Inuwa Fodio (Jama’atul Nasril Islam), and Adedimeji Mahfouz Adebola (Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs). The president also appointed the board and management team of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC). Members of the board are Aloche Adole (chairman), Stephen Adegbite (secretary), Omowumi Ogunlola (south-west), Clement Nweke (south-east), and Weli Wosu (south-south). Others are Joseph Mamman (north-west), Toma Ragnjiya (north-east), Simon Dolly (north-central), and Raphael Nwankwo, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The president urged the appointees to “consider their appointment as an opportunity to serve the nation”.
NiDCOM & BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION COLLABORATE ON DiASPORA PROGRAMMES
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria Dr Richard Montgomery has emphasized the important role of the Nigerian Diaspora in the United Kingdom and pledged more collaboration with the Nigerians in diaspora Commission . He further stressed the need for enhanced trade and investment between both countries. Speaking during a courtesy call to Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and some Management staff in the Office in Abuja , the British High Commissioner stated further that the UK-Africa Summit scheduled to hold in May in the City of London, is a strategic opportunity to galvanize trade and investments for both countries and the African continent at large. He commended Nidcom for initiating programs such as the Diaspora investment summit and several others. Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, welcomed collaboration with the British high commission and reiterated Nigerias commitment to continue to enhance engagement with the Diaspora. She also underscored the imperatives of cultural exchanges, advocating the revival of the Cultural Road Show initially slated for 2020 but deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Outlining the Commission’s activities and programmes, Dabiri-Erewa seized the opportunity to emphasize the importance of creating comprehensive sensitization and awareness for Nigerians planning to migrate to the UK, “We can’t stop migration, but as a government, we will create an enabling environment; Nigeria and the UK government should have an MOU , particularly on migration of health workers “ she stated. Dabiri-Erewa expressed optimism ahead of the UK- Africa Investment Summit in London, , and the role of the Nigerians in the UK in playing a catalytic role in bolstering partnerships between the UK, Nigeria, and the African continent.
Unpaid Bills: TCN Issues 14-Day Suspension Notice to Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has taken decisive action against Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) due to non-compliance with market rules, issuing a 14-day disconnection notice. According to TCN’s statement, ASCL has accumulated a substantial debt of N33.71 billion as of November 2023, with N30.85 billion owed for energy and capacity supplied by Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC (NBET) and N2.22 billion to service providers. Despite prior notifications and interventions by the Minister of Power to rectify the defaults, ASCL’s non-compliance remains unresolved. TCN has demanded the settlement of outstanding invoices and the provision of bank guarantees within the specified 14-day period to avoid disconnection from the National Grid, as per Section 45 of the Market Rules. Failure to rectify these defaults within the stipulated timeframe may lead to disconnection, and if left unresolved after 30 business days, the Market Operator may terminate ASCL’s Market Participation Agreement, escalating the matter to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for further action. This action by TCN follows a hint in the NERC’s 2022 annual report regarding the potential disconnection of Ajaokuta Steel from the national grid due to its significant indebtedness of N25.06 billion.