By Temidayo Akinsuyi – Lagos

Culled from Daily Independent

Wednesday, 27 November, 2013

The alleged assassination attempt on Nigeria’s embattled Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, is a manufactured lie meant to divert attention from the corruption scandal involving her, Nigerians said on Tuesday.

The minister had, on Monday evening, reported to the police that her car came under gunfire by unknown persons at Maitama area of Abuja on Friday at 10.30 p.m.

But Nigerians, who spoke on the alleged assassination attempt doubted the story, describing it as “cooked up” and an attempt to divert attention from the scandal involving her in the purchase of two BMW cars at the hefty sum of N255 million.

“Nigerians are very wise and no one believes her story. No one had tried to kill her in the past, why is it now that she is under investigation for atrocities she has committed that someone would shoot at her car?” queried Mohammed Tukur, a vocal aviation stakeholder and member of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria. Continue reading “‘Alleged assassination attempt on Oduah, fabricated’”

By Chukwudi Nweje – Assistant Features Editor

Culled from Daily Independent

Monday, 25 November, 2013

The ongoing prosecution of Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his personal assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has continued to generate differing reactions. Ikuforiji and Atoyebi have been on trial before a Lagos Federal High Court since March 1, 2012 on a 20-count charge bordering on money laundering.  The anti-graft commission also alleged that Ikuforiji used his position to misappropriate about N500 million belonging to the legislature. Specifically, the EFCC alleges that the duo conspired between April 2010 and July 2011, to commit an illegal act of accepting cash payments amounting to N273 million from the Assembly, without going through a financial institution, an offences the anti-graft commission says  contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011. Continue reading “When activists disagree on EFCC prosecution technique”

Posted date: November 21, 2013 In: Crime, Latest, Politics, Press Releases | comment : 0

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has opposed the controversial bill seeking to allow public officers operate foreign bank accounts. Under the extant Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2004, it is criminal for a public officer to operate a bank account outside Nigeria. The bill that passed the second reading on Wednesday seeks to amend this law “so as to make the leave of the Bureau necessary for a public officer to maintain or operate a bank account outside Nigeria.”

One of the supporters of the bill, Mr. Bamidele Faporosi, argued that the current law was “weak and ineffective,” as no public officer had been successfully prosecuted for flouting it. Reacting to the news on behalf of the Coalition, its Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran flayed the reason adduced by the supporters of the new bill. Continue reading “Anti-Corruption Group Opposes Foreign Bank Accounts For Public Officers”

• Monday, 25 November 2013 12:21

In this report, KOLAWOLE DANIEL writes on the proposed amendments being sought by three lawmakers in the House of Representatives to the Act backing the activities of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), as it relates to allowing public officers operate foreign bank accounts while serving.

THE Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Tribunal derives its powers from the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Chapter 56 LFN 1990, which gives the Bureau the mandate to establish and maintain a high standard of public morality in the conduct of government business. It is to ensure that the actions and behaviour of public officers conform to the highest standard of public morality and accountability.

To implement the above mandate, Section 3, part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution as amended clearly spells out the functions of the Bureau and as well provides an enabling legal environment for the body to work. Continue reading “Between Reps and foreign bank accounts for public officers”

Posted by African Examiner Kayode Adelowokan, Latest News, News Friday, November 22nd, 2013

Kayode Adelowokan, Lagos

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has opposed the controversial bill seeking to allow public officers operate foreign bank accounts.

Under the extant Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2004, it is criminal for a public officer to operate a bank account outside Nigeria. The bill passed the second reading on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, seeks to amend this law “so as to make the leave of the Bureau necessary for a public officer to maintain or operate a bank account outside Nigeria.”

One of the supporters of the bill, Mr. Bamidele Faporosi, argued that the current law was “weak and ineffective,” as no public officer had been successfully prosecuted for flouting it. Continue reading “Group Berates Foreign Account For Public Officers”

Despite making substantial progress in its power privatization bid in recent months, there are still fears that the effort made so far by the federal government may not offer a lasting solution to electricity crisis in the country due to poor implementation of the programme, reports OLISEMEKA OBECHE

Privatization milestone:
WITH the recent reports that successful bidders for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and its successor companies have already provided all necessary guarantees in payments worth over $335.85million, the dark cloud hovering over the power privatization process appears to have been lifted. Vice President and Chairman of the National Council on Privatization (NCP), Namadi Sambo recently assured that the fledging privatization of state-owned power companies would be completed on scheduled.

“We are hoping that we will meet the target plan for the privatisation of the power sector in Nigeria successfully,” Sambo had assured while speaking at the opening of the 13th Session of the Baroness Lynda Chalker-led Honorary International Investment Council in London. Continue reading “Nigeria’s power privatization: The journey so far”

By Peter Clottey, 21 November 2013

The chairman of Nigeria’s Coalition against Corrupt Leaders (CA-COL) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to veto a proposed measure that seeks to enable public officials to own foreign bank accounts.

Debo Adeniran said if passed into law the proposed measure will not only lead to money laundering, but also encourage terrorism in Nigeria and around the world.

“We are calling on President Jonathan [not allow the bill to become a law], if indeed he wants to be seen to be doing something about money laundering and terrorism financing,” said Adeniran. “It is not only official corruption that would be exacerbated by such an act, it will also help in terrorism financing, and that is more dangerous.” Continue reading “Nigeria: Anti-Corruption Group Urges President to Veto Measure”

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Kayode Adelowokan, Latest News, NewsTuesday, November 19th, 2013

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leader (CACOL) has condemned, in strong terms, the arrest of some election observers in Imo State last week.

The civil society activists under the aegis of Justice and Equity Organisation (JEO), who were officially, accredited as observer in the Anambra Governorship elections of 16th November, 2013, by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were rounded up in the premises of Disney Hotels, Km 4, Owerri-Onitsha road, Owerri, Imo State during a pre-election training and briefing session. Continue reading “Anambra Poll: Group Condemns Arrest of Election Observers”