SERAP sues Lawan, Gbajabiamila ‘over failure to probe missing N4.1bn NASS funds’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila over “their failure to probe, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies fresh allegations that N4.1bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated or stolen.”

The suit followed the publication of the annual audited report for 2016 in which the Auditor-General of the Federation raised “concerns about alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds and sought the recovery of any missing funds.”

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1609/2021 filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila to perform their constitutional oversight functions to promptly probe the allegations that fresh N4.1bn budgeted for the National Assembly may be missing.”

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that “the National Assembly has legal and constitutional duties to prevent and combat corruption, as well as promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.”

According to SERAP: “The National Assembly can only effectively perform its anti-corruption role if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving the legislative body.”

SERAP is also arguing that, “transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and wealth is essential for promoting development, people’s welfare and well-being, and their access to basic public services, as well as good governance and the rule of law.”

SERAP is arguing that, “The failure of the National Assembly to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies the allegations documented in the annual audited report for 2016 is a fundamental breach of the oversight and public interest duties imposed on the legislative body.”

According to SERAP, “The National Assembly has no legally justifiable reason to refuse to investigate the allegations documented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, read in part: “Granting this application would serve the interest of justice, reduce corruption and mismanagement, as well as end impunity of perpetrators, and advance the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.”

“This suit seeks to vindicate the rule of law, the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability. Government agencies and institutions are responsible to a court of justice for the lawfulness of what they do, and of that the court is the only judge.”

SERAP had last year sent a letter to Dr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila requesting them to “use their good offices to urgently probe and refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that fresh allegations of missing N4.1bn of public money.”

The letter, read in part: “these fresh allegations are not part of the disclosure by the Auditor-General in the audited reports for 2015, 2017 and 2018 that N4.4 billion of National Assembly money is missing, misappropriated or stolen.”

“According to the Auditor-General report for 2016, N4,144,706,602.68 of National Assembly money is missing, diverted or stolen. The National Assembly paid some contractors N417,312,538.79 without any documents. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to ‘recover the amount in question from the contractors.’”

“The National Assembly reportedly spent N625,000,000.00 through its Constitution Review Committee between March and June 2016 but without any document. The Auditor-General wants the Clerk to the National Assembly to ‘recover the amount from the Committee.’”

“The National Assembly also reportedly spent N66,713,355.08 as ‘personnel cost’ but ‘the payees in the Cashbook did not correspond with those in the Bank Statement’. The Auditor-General wants ‘the irregular expenditure recovered from the officer who approved the payments.’”

“The National Assembly also reportedly paid N116,162,522.60 to some contractors between April and June, 2016 without any document. The National Assembly deducted N56,985,568.55 from various contract payments in respect of Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax but without any evidence of remittance.”

“The National Assembly also reportedly paid N126,264,320.00 as cash advances to 11 staff members between March and December, 2016 to procure goods and services but failed to remit the money.”

“The Senate reportedly paid N747,286,680.00 as personal advances to staff members between February and December, 2016 for various procurements and services but failed to retire the money. The Senate also deducted N118,625,057.48 as Withholding and Value Added Taxes but failed to show any evidence of remittance to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.”

“The Senate also spent N109,007,179.73 from the Capital Expenditure vote but without any document.”

“The House of Representatives reportedly deducted N821,564,296.48 from staff salaries but failed to remit the money to tax authorities. The House also paid N254,059,513.70 as advances to staff members to procure goods and services between January and December, 2016 but failed to retire the money.”

“The National Institute for Legislative Studies reportedly spent N375,867,000.00 to buy 11 motor vehicles in April 2016. But the Institute also paid the same contractor N36,610,000.00 in September 2016 under the same contract without approval.”

“The Institute also reportedly paid N10,927,768.80 to 7 members of staff who were redeployed from the National Assembly to provide specialized services but without details about the staff paid, and without any justification.”

“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly approved N109,995,400.00 to train some officers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates but spent N127,629,600.00 as Estacode Allowances to participants, and fees for two consultants engaged for the training. The Commission also spent N9,975,000.00 as course fees for 34 officers but it also paid a consultant N4,987,500.00 for the same course fees.”

“The Legislative Aides Section earned N12,274,587.77 as interests on Bank accounts in a commercial bank between January and December 2016 but failed to remit the money to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

9/1/2022

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202

Jimoh Ibrahim Dissociates Self From Fake Cryptocurrency Link

Billionaire Business mogul and owner of Fortune University has debunked a fake Facebook account opened by some unscrupulous persons in his name to defraud Nigerians.

In a statement personally signed by Barr. Ibrahim, while dissociating himself from the Facebook page, he said he is equally surprised like many of his associates , followers and fans that such Facebook page exists.

The page advertised a phony link which projected an investment profile with a fake note credited to Jimoh Ibrahim written thus: ” I am sharing this because I ‘ve also received hundreds of emails from people thanking me for sharing this secret. ” The scam link is ‘https://fingering. xyz/Jimoh Ibrahim_23.122021′

Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim whose chains of business cut across oil and gas, hospitality , Insurance and many more, said emphatically that the face book page doesn’t belong to him, stressing that some smart Alecs went to hoist the page on the social media with the hope of using his name and face to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The Araba of Ikale land advised the scammers to desist from using his name in their shady social media deals warning that the long arms of the law will catch up with them in no time.

He appealed to the public not be brow beaten by whatever mouth watering investment package on the fake Facebook page as it doesn’t have anything to do with him as a person on his chains of businesses both in Nigeria and overseas.

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDOLES WITH URHOBO KINGDOM OVER PASSING OF CHIEF PATRICK EMURODE SITO IDEH

President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with family of Hon. (Chief) Patrick Emurode Sito Ideh, the Okpako-Orere of Otughievwen and Ushota of Ughievwen Kingdom, and all sons and daughters of Urhobo Kingdom, over passing of the royal father.

President Buhari sends condolences to Government and people of Delta State, professional and business associates of the departed, urging more trust in God, and appreciation for the long life of the elder statesman and former lawmaker, who served as member of the House of Representatives, 1979-1983.

As father to Urhobo ethnic nationality, the President affirms that the legal icon and businessman worked selflessly for the unity and progress of his domain, leaving landmark testimonies of speaking for the voiceless, supporting the underprivileged and, most significantly, ensuring presence of sons and daughters in national discourse.

President Buhari prays for a peaceful rest for the departed, and God’s comfort for his family.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 8, 2022

BLACK SOOT: WIKE TASKS RIVERS CP, OTHERS TO ARREST, PROSECUTE ARTISANAL REFINERS.

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has charged the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to collaborate with the other Security Agencies, Council Chairmen and Traditional Rulers to fish out all those involved in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining for prosecution.

The governor accused persons engaged in illegal bunkering and artisanal refining for the black soot environmental menace that is endangering the health of residents of the State.

He gave the charge at the Nigeria Police, Rivers State Command dinner and award night that held at the Police Officers Mess, Old Government Residential Area, Port Harcourt on Friday.

The governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Emeka Woke, declared that the State government has resolved to tackle those involved in crude oil theft and refining once and for all.

Governor Wike stated that the state government is willing to provide the police and other security agencies all that is required to dislodge and end the activities of artisanal refiners in Rivers State.

According to the governor, “the State is prepared to fight them more than ever before.”

Governor Wike, narrated that since the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka assumed duty last year, Rivers State has witnessed peace and improved policing.

“Little wonder the crime index in the state has reduced drastically. We thought we are the only people witnessing it, but with the award you got from the wife of the Inspector General of Police, it is an eloquent testimony that what we are seeing as a State, is also being observed from all the nation.”

The governor said policing in Rivers State has improved remarkably because the management of the Nigeria Police Force at the Force Headquarters and the State Command respectively distanced themselves from politics.

“As a state, we will continue to support the security agencies in the State. Our support for security agencies is not only centered on Police force. We are also extending similar gesture to the Navy, Air force and others.

“For us, we believe the primary function of any responsible government is to protect life and property. So, we have no option than to continue to support in providing logistics and everything that can make the security agencies in the State to function very well.

“Because we believe that if our people are safe and the life here is peaceful, there will be increase in economics activities and the Internally Generated Revenue will also go up.”

Governor Wike commended Mr Eboka, who is the 42nd Commissioner of Police in Rivers State for discharging his duty professionally and not joining the league of some of his predecessors, who were posted to the State to cause turmoil and instability.

The governor announced N1 million reward for each of the recipients of the Rivers State Police Command award and N10 Million to the Command for organising the event.

The Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka explained that 2021 was a remarkable year for the Command because Rivers State emerged as one of the most peaceful state in Nigeria.

He thanked Almighty God for his grace and Inspector General of Police for choosing Rivers State as the venue for the launching of South-South Operation Restore Peace.

According to him, this came with the deployment of special forces with sophisticated equipment as well as combat helicopter to the state.

He commended Governor Wike for being very phenomenal in the attainment of peace and security in the State.

“Since my assumption of office, the command has received more than 50 patrol vehicles fitted with modern gadgets from the State government. This gesture alone enhanced visibility policing in the State.

“Recall too, when we lost men to miscreants in sometimes April 2021, the governor did not allow us to suffer alone. He wiped the tears of the deceased families with a total sum N220 million, which means each family received the sum of N20million.

“Recall the ENDSARS saga. At the end of that saga, which led to the burning down of police stations and vehicles across the nation, the State governor did not abandon us to work under the trees. But rather, the governor constructed a storey building each for the Area Command, Oyigbo and the Divisional Police in Oyigbo.”

Highlight of the event was the conferment of Governor Wike with an award for fighting crime in the State.

The founder and General Overseer, Omega Power Ministry, Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, was honoured for his unrelenting assistance to the State Police Command

The recipients of the Rivers State Police Command 2021 awards are: G.I.A Godstime Nwuju, best traffic officer; Inspector Winfrey Ini Akpan, best controller; CSP Bako Aghashim, best D.P.O; CSP Grace Wonwu, best female DPO; and the best visiting tactical team leader went to CSP Adamu.

Kelvin Ebiri

Special Assistant Media to the Rivers State Governor.

January 8, 2022.

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

RIWAMA Sole Administrator, Bro. Felix Obuah Meets With All Service Providers Working With The Agency

The Sole administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah has called for an important meeting of all Service Providers working with the agency.

The crucial and mandatory meeting is scheduled to hold as follows:

DATE: Monday, January 10, 2022

TIME: 2pm on the dot

VENUE: Conference Hall, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Port Harcourt.

The crucial meeting which is part of efforts to improve on the cleanliness of Rivers State, is mandatory for all Service Providers working with the Agency and all Special Assistants, SAs, to the Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA.

The Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency, Bro Felix Obuah therefore enjoined all Service Providers working with the agency and all Special Assistants, SAs, to the Sole Administrator, RIWAMA to ensure they are in attendance, as the agency will not take it kindly with those who fail to attend.

THIS IS SIGNED BY:

Jerry Needam

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Sole Administrator,

Rivers State Waste Management Agency, RIWAMA

Bro. Felix Obuah.

Saturday, January 8, 2022.

SPN CONDEMNS BRUTAL STATE REPRESSION OF MASS PROTEST IN KAZAKHSTAN

WE DEMAND AN END TO ATTACKS ON DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS

Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) condemns the brutal repression of the legitimate mass protest of the people who are tired of massive corruption and capitalist misrule by the former government and the current government.

SPN hails the heroic mass protest of the working masses that challenged hike in fuel price on January 1, 2022 by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev-led government and other anti-people policies. Despite the brutalization, shooting and killing of innocent protesters, the working masses have stood their ground.

We demand an immediate end to the ongoing attacks on democratic rights and repression of peoples’ will. We demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kazakhstan. The vast majority have spoken and rejected this self-serving government and it is high time the government resigned and allow for a democratic election under the control of the working class.

We call on the working masses to form defence Committees that mobilize across ethnic lines, religions, nationalities as a basis for defending the movement and also uniting the people.

We also appeal to all working class organisations and trade unions internationally including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to give active solidarity to the struggling masses of Kazakhstan.

SIGNED

Abiodun Bamigboye                                                             Chinedu Bosah

Acting National Chairperson                                                  National Secretary