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SELLING OFF NATIONAL ASSETS IS PRODIGAL, IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNACCEPTABLE! – CACOL

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has described the decision to sell-off National assets by the government as a betrayal of the change that Nigerians voted in 2015 general elections and totally irresponsible.
 
The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran said “contrary to the desire of the masses for the government to abandon the neo-liberal approach in handling the National economy, it has chosen to shove down our throats policies that have failed over and over again globally.”
 
“Clearly, the decision to sell-off the heritage of Nigerians is based on the dictates of the World Bank, IMF and other Brentton Wood institutions. The decision by the Federal Government, the 36 States Governors and the National Assembly to sell off the heritage of Nigeria hiding under guise of so-called ‘recession’ is prodigal, irresponsible and unacceptable!”
 
Continuing, Adeniran asked, “what did the previous sales or concessions of National assets achieve? They only achieved more pains for the people; further decay in infrastructure, poverty and of course the opportunity for the irresponsible and extremely wealthy members of the ruling class and their cronies to share amongst themselves what our heroes past left to us a country.”
 
“The reality is that the regime is hiding under the guise of ‘recession’ to actualize the ‘agreement’ it had made with the World Bank/IMF and the G-8 countries and this is the outcome of all the junketing around the World that President Muhmmadu Buhari had done since he was sworn in and even prior to his election into office.”
 
“Every reason been adduced for this decision is completely warped and very unintelligent. We had challenged the President to sell some of the aircrafts in the Presidential Fleet; we had called for the reduction of overseas travel, the slashing the humongous allowances and salaries of elected officials, etc. for the country to cut the cost of governance but government have remained adamant.” Adeniran added
 
“We condemn and reject this decision in its entirety. We call on Nigerians to act now by resisting this attempt to erase the historical achievements of our heroes past, we must not let this happen. The regime itself should be ashamed that it has no concrete achievement that can be pointed to, yet it wants to sell-off assets that were put in place by past leaders.”
 
“We are telling the dishonourable members of the National Assembly in particular that, instead of selling-off our National assets, we would prefer to get rid of the country’s Parliament! If truly, Nigeria is in serious economic crisis, it is then the right time to cut the cost of governance at all levels. Government must demonstrate that; truly the interest of the poor masses is a priority beyond personal ostentatious living of a few amidst a vast majority who are living in penury.”
 
“We assert that all the promises the present government made have been betrayed and with bare-faced impunity. We recall clearly that the pledge made by the present government when campaigning was to revamp the refineries to boost local refining of crude oil, the sale of national was never on the plate!”
 
Concluding, Adeniran said, “The present situation has vindicated CACOL’s position when President Buhari was hunting for Ministers. Prior to the appointment of the Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, our group had advised to Federal government against it doing so based on our assessment.
We thus once again call for the removal of the Minister who is obviously overwhelmed with present the economic situation in the country. The whole Cabinet members’ performance should be assessed and the incompetent ones should be changed without further delay. These times require the very best hands, for the period is indeed a very challenging one, but the neo-liberal approach of voodoo economics will only keep our country in economic quagmire.”
 
Wale Salami
Media Coordinator, CACOL
08141121208
September 23, 2016
 
 
 
For more press releases and statements, please visit our website at
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CACOL COMMENDS THE DECISION OF A UK COURT NOT TO QUASH THE CONVICTION OF JAMES IBORI

The Executive Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran, has appreciated the decision of a court sitting in the United Kingdom not to quash the conviction of a former governor of Delta state, Chief James Ononefe Ibori, in spite of the evidence presented which indicted a British police officer in case of bribery.
 
The media recently reported the decision of the UK to ensure that Ibori, a former governor of Delta State who is currently serving a 13-year jail term in a British prison after pleading guilty to 10 counts of fraud and money laundering serves out his jail term.
Speaking on behalf of CACOL, Adeniran said, “we remain one of the foremost civil society groups that have been in the fore-front fighting and demanding for the prosecution of James Ibori, and so we appreciate this decision,”
 
Continuing, he said, “regardless of the revelation from this case, which indicts a British police officer, Ibori must be made to pay for his crimes. For as far back as 2009 we at CACOL had been protesting and advocating for the prosecution and conviction of the former governor only to be met with hindrances deliberately put in place to facilitate the former governor’s escape from justice in Nigeria”
 
Speaking further, Adeniran reiterated the Coalition’s stance on the extradition of James Ibori back to Nigeria to face justice for his several corruption crimes; he said “corrupt elements such as Ibori and others like him have to pay for their crimes to serve as deterrent to others like him. In the fight against corruption, there must be no sacred cows.
 
In concluding, Adeniran called on the Federal government to be more pro-active in its fight against corruption. “All the anti-corruption agencies and other relevant agencies must also fulfill their constitutional duties, irrespective of whose ox is gored. Madam Patience for instance have publicly laid claim to the $15m frozen in four company accounts and dared the anti-graft agency to invite her for questioning. She was just a civil servant, so as a civil servant, how did she manage to acquire such properties and stupendous amount found in her accounts? Yet, she is walking free and has even gone ahead to sue EFCC! It is time for our anti-corruption agencies to walk their talk within the ambit of the rule of law.
 
Wale Salami
Media Coordinator, CACOL
08141121208
September 21, 2016
 
 
 
For more press releases and statements, please visit our website at
 
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THE TIME TO INVITE DAME PATIENCE JONATHAN FOR INTERROGATION IS NOW; CACOL TELLS EFCC

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to immediately invite the wife of the immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan for questioning over the allegations of money laundering involving herself, her aides and some Skye Bank officials.

 
The Executive Chairman of the Coalition, Debo Adeniran said, “it is beginning to appear like the EFCC is disposed to ‘pampering’ some suspected corruption criminals in our country even though the Act that established the Commission gives it constitutional powers to carry out its duties without fear or favour.”
 
“The case of the wife of former President Jonathan epitomizes this reality. With the whole lot of confusion, allegations and counter-allegations, media war etc. that are attendant to the Mrs. Jonathan’s case, what else does the EFCC need to invite the person who is at the epicentre of the whole episode, even if just for questioning and clarifications?”
 
The renowned anti-corruption Crusader added that, “we are impressed by the efforts of the EFCC so far on the Mrs. Jonathan’s case including the arrest and ongoing prosecution of some the aides and the bankers involved. Yet, we cannot help but ask whether indeed the EFCC is being hindered from using the shortest cut to resolve this corruption imbroglio involving the wife of the immediate past President by inviting/summoning her?”
 
“The truth is that, Madam Jonathan is a Nigerian, like every other one, that must abide by the constitution of the country. What are the fears of EFCC? Does the EFCC handle ‘lesser’ Nigerians in one corruption case or the other in this mode? If we are serious about fighting corruption, we must not consider some people as ‘untouchables’, particularly when such people have been ‘cornered’ like the woman in question as long as the rule of law is not violated!”
 
Reiterating CACOL’s position on the saga, Adeniran continued, “Like we said when the news broke out that Madam Jonathan had openly laid claim to the $15m frozen in four company accounts and dared the anti-graft agency to invite her for questioning. We ask, how did she get the money and even the ones stacked in her account? That is what we Nigerians want to know, as far as we can understand, she was just a civil servant, so as a civil servant, how did she manage to acquire such properties that worth such stupendous amount, because she would have earned less than 10% of the amount even if she had been a Director or Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa Civil Service all of the entire years she has spent on earth!”
 
In concluding, Adeniran said, “we are calling on the EFCC to invite Madam Jonathan for questioning with immediate effect. This ‘beating around the bush’ approach is not going to strengthen the anti-corruption war, it can only weaken it. Name, Shame and Shun Corrupt Leaders, anywhere, anytime!”
 
 
Wale Salami
Media Coordinator, CACOL
08141121208
September 17, 2016
 
 
 
For more press releases and statements, please visit our website at
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Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), yesterday, demanded that wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, must explain funds used to build a N10 billion hotel in Bayelsa State.

Patience, according to The Financial Times, a United Kingdom newspaper, allegedly inaugurated the hotel, known as Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, in April 2015, about a month before the end of her husband’s tenure.
Regardless, CACOL, which recalled in a statement yesterday that Patience was only a permanent secretary in Bayelsa State at a time, said the ex-president’s wife must be made to explain the source of her wealth.
The statement, released by the group’s acting Media Officer, Abiodun Rabiu, quoted the Executive Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, as saying that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) needed no further petition to invite Patience for questioning.

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Patience must explain her source of wealth, says CACOL

Also, a civil society organisation, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, has said Patience must explain how she came about the funds with which she reportedly built a N10bn hotel in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The hotel, which is known as Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa, Yenagoa, was inaugurated by Patience in April 2015, barely a month before the end of her husband’s tenure.

But CACOL, which recalled in a statement on Tuesday that Patience was only a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State at a time, said the ex-President’s wife must be made to explain the source of her wealth.

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PATIENCE JONATHAN HOW DID ARIOLF RESORT WELLNESS AND SPA CAME TO BE? CACOL DEMANDS

The Coalition against Corrupt Leaders, (CACOL)demands that the wife of the Ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan should explain how she came about owning a property worth N10bn even as a civil servant without holding any government position.

This came on the heels of a media report According to a UK business newspaper (The Financial Times) that the hotel, Aridolf Resort Wellness and Spa,  which was lunched towards the end of Goodluck’s tenorin Yenagoais said to have imported state- of -the-art furniture, can rank with other luxury hotels In the world.

Reacting to the news through the Coalition’s Executive Chairman, Comrade Debo Adeniran, the group asked the wife of the Ex-president to explain to Nigerians how she came about allegedly owning a luxurious hotel that is worth N10bn and also some funds allegedly traced to her bank accounts.“How did she get the money and even the ones stacked in her account? That is what we Nigerians want to know, as far as we can understand, she didn’t hold any government position, she’s just a civil servant, so as a civil servant, how did she manage to acquire such a luxurious property that worths that amount, because she would have earned less than 10% the amount even if she has been a Director or Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa civil service all of the entire years she has spent on earth!” Adeniran averred.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies has been conferred with the jurisdiction and also empowered to probe any past or current public officials living life above their legitimate earnings; hence it would be negligent of the EFCC if it wastes time ant further in commencing prosecution of the former first lady who has by her action in court confessed she possess an amount of cash and property she couldn’t have legitimately earned”, Adeniran concluded. “We commend so far the efforts of the Federal Government and the anti-corruption agencies for their efforts in probing those Publicly Exposed Persons found wanting. We also call on the government to exhibit pro-activeness towards creating the enabling environment for the fight against corruption by facilitating the emergence of enabling laws that will remove encumbrances on the path of the anti-corruption drive.” Adeniran added.

 

Abiodun Rabiu

Acting Media Officer, CACOL

08141121208

cacolc@yahoo.com,

cacol@thehumanitycentre.org

September 9, 2016

 

For more press releases and statements, please visit our website at

www.corruptionwatchng.com, www.cwatch.thehumanitycentre.org

 

 

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MR. PRESIDENT, NIGERIANS EXPRESSED THEIR WILL FOR CHANGE WHEN THEY VOTED FOR YOU AND APC IN 2015; THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT! – CACOL

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL has frowned at the slogan of the national re-orientation campaign tagged, ‘Change Begins With Me’ launched in Abuja on Thursday, also expressed disappointment while saying that it represents blaming Nigerians who are only victims of the mode of governance perpetrated by the incurably corrupt political class that has held on tenaciously to political power in the country till date.

 
Mr. Debo Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the Coalition, said, “it’s disappointing to hear government’s attempt to transfer the blame of its daily unveiling failure on the victims of its apparent incompetence and seeming cluelessness in the face of a very challenging time. One would have expected that by now, with the precarious state of country, the government should take full responsibility for the roles required of it by leading with example and boldness instead of blame-shifting and expressions of frustration.”
 
“Yes, there is the dire need for Nigerians collectively to understand the background to the present  situation of the country and the attendant sacrifices required of Nigeria and Nigerians to wade through the storm, but the present government’s excuses and false pretences belie its so-called change agenda, to put it bluntly.”
 
“The task to rebuild our country is very daunting, no doubts about that, but the present regime knew this before it got to power. To continue to insult the collective intelligence of Nigerians with narratives that are apparently designed to disguise the lack of political will needed to abandon the ways of the old by the political class is totally provoking and unacceptable.”
 
“Nigerians had expressed and in a very ‘revolutionary’ manner for that matter, on March 28, 2015 when they voted massively for President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the Presidential elections their will and readiness for real change! Need we remind the government that reality before it realizes that the ball is in its court to bring the change Nigerians voted for to bold relief? What fundamental change has the government demonstrated beyond mere sloganeering and governing on the basis of false pretences? Adeniran queried.”
 
“For crying out loud the Presidential Fleet of about 11 aircrafts that was being maintained by the former regime which the present regime promised to reduce is still intact in spite of the humongous costs it takes to maintain them, yet it is the poor that must pay to maintain the unnecessary fleet that has been argued to be the most expensive to maintain in Africa! And this is in a country where the political class keeps convoys of expensive vehicles just to move an individual around; own choice properties all over the country and outside, where the political class’ dogs enjoy better humanism than the poor majority who are the real humans.” He continued.
 
The anti-corruption crusader, concluded, by advising the Government to move beyond excuses, rhetorics and repeated failed promises, he said, “that is the only way that government can lead by example and express in reality its claim that it understands the pains of the masses. The ordinary Nigerians in their majority are the sole victims in the subsisting scenario; they want their country to be salvaged and are ready to play their part in achieving that, transferring blame on them is unfair. It represents serious un-seriousness on the part of government in terms of its responsibility. Therefore we say, “Mr. President, the change begins with you and your government, Sir!”
 
 
Wale Salami
Media Coordinator, CACOL
08141121208
September 9, 2016
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ECONOMIC RECESSION; GOVERNMENT MUST CUT DOWN THE OUTRAGEOUS ALLOWANCES OF ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS – CACOL

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, has reiterated the need for the slashing of allowances and salaries of elected Public officials as the economic situation bites harder with its attendant pains on the people.

 
Media reports recently revealed that members of the National Assembly alone have received a total of 6.78bn naira as salaries and allowances in the past one year even as the economy nose-dives into recession.
 
The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Mr. Debo Adeniran described the remuneration packages which include annual salaries, accommodation, vehicle maintenance, domestic staff, entertainment and utilities allowances as outrageous considering the present the prevailing situation. He said “as a matter of fact, their remunerations had hitherto been outrageous and unfair, and that is why the strident calls to slash the bogus remuneration of elected public officials as a way of reducing the cost of governance has been a public outcry for long.”
 
The allowances include constituency allowances, annual leave allowance, hardship allowance, wardrobe, newspapers and responsibilities allowances etc. The reports show that Senators receives of 2.02m naira annually, while a member of House of Representative gets 1.98m naira the basic salary of the Senate President is 2.48m naira etc.
 
Mr. Adeniran said, “these bogus allowances are being enjoyed by not just the National Assembly members but also by all other elected public officials with minimal differentials in what accrue to them generally. The unfairness and insensitivity to the majority that are wallowing in economic pangs in the country is clearly reflecting in the unwillingness of those in political office to abandon greed and selfishness, and to also self-deny as required by the state of the economy.”
 
“Some other countries like Senegal, in 2012, following economic challenges and expediency of the social needs of the people of the country in terms of priorities, Senegalese lawmakers, who were divided between a 150-seat National assembly and a 100-seat Senate, voted to do away with the Senate and passed a law which dissolved the institution in order to save an estimated $15 million. This was a decision intended to curb government spending and spend more on the ordinary Senegalese.” Adeniran said in drawing comparison between Nigeria and Senegal to back CACOL’s position.
 
He concluded saying “If truly Nigeria is in serious economic crisis, it is then the right time to cut the cost of governance at all levels. Government must demonstrate that; truly the interest of the poor masses is a priority beyond personal ostentatious living of a few amidst a vast majority who are living in penury. Government must move beyond excuses, rhetorics and repeated failed promises. That is the only way that government can lead by example and express in reality its claim that it understands the pains of the masses.”
 
 
Wale Salami
Media Coordinator, CACOL
08141121208