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Corruption allegations: 107 groups protest in Lagos, urges Tinubu to cleanse EFCC
A conglomeration of about 107 Anti-Corruption crusade groups led by Crime and Corruption Monitors, has impressed on the incoming administration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is cleaned of entrenched corrupt leadership symbolized by its current Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa.
KANO FOCUS reports that this follows a protest by the Anti-Corruption crusade Conglomerate, which was terminated at the Youths Sports Complex, Lagos.
The groups pointed out that EFCC is an important government agency in Nigeria, established primarily to rid the society of corruption and not conceived as an agency for settling scores for political godfathers.
The convener of the conglomerate, Idowu Bello who read the statement in Lagos warned that “If a government agency expected to fight crime is found going about its business in a manner that mimics witch-hunt and selective justice while also being unable to deal with the corruption going on within its own workforce, the nation is headed for real time crises, conflict of confidence.”
He noted that despite government’s claim of making the fight against corruption and related practices a top priority, EFCC, the agency charged with the execution of the war, is in questions over mounting allegations of monumental corrupt practices.
“Allegations that about 80 per cent of cases under EFCC investigation are not taken to court. EFCC offices now literally serve as courtrooms.
“Last week, Zamfara state governor, Bello Matawalle, alleged that Bawa demanded the sum of $2million from him as bribe to stop a purported probe against him.
“Even before Abdulrasheed Bawa was presented as substantive EFCC Chairman, he has been arrested and detained by the anti-graft agency in 2019 for selling at least 244 trucks worth between N20-30 million each to his proxies at N100,000 per unit.
“He is also accused of recently expanding a large amount of money to the tune of $300,000 for hotels and other activities, which is far and beyond his income as civil servant, during a visit to Mecca with his family on a lesser Hajj.
“There are also allegations of connivance with the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami in auctioning of sea vessels holding crude oil seized by the Federal Government, violating Section 31(2) and (4) of the EFCC Act 2004.”
According to him, Malami and Bawa also allegedly authorized the sale of vessels by companies under EFCC prosecution for similar offence of illegal bunkering.
“Bawa and Malami were fingered in the discontinuation of a N25billion criminal charge against Senator Danjuma Goje without any justification after over seven years of diligent investigation and prosecution.
“Equally, the incident of Abel Isah, an EFCC cadet in Sokoto who was allegedly beaten to death by superior officers for refusing to sign off on incomplete exhibits is still fresh in the minds of Nigerians,” the statement read.
The Crusaders however, demanded the immediate sack of Bawa as EFCC Chairman and to be subjected to wholistic probe the way his predecessor Ibrahim Magu was treated.
“Like every other agency of government everywhere, there are global standards of practice for officials who had been accused of gross misconduct to step aside while investigations were conducted to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.
“As pointed out earlier several eminent eminent Nigerians have claimed to possess evidence of corrupt practices, breach of public trust and abuse of office against the EFCC and its Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
“It is based on the above observations that the Crime and Corruption Monitors and 107 Anti Corruption Crusade Groups deem it necessary to demand that Abdulrasheed Bawa excuses himself from office and surrender for investigation.
“We demand that if Bawa remains adamant, he be forced out and subjected to comprehensive probe the way his predecessor Ibrahim Magu was made to do.
“Since it is obvious by now that the Buhari administration which brought Abdulrasheed Bawa is not disposed to initiating action, we call on the incoming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make it first priority to cleanse the EFCC of corrupt leaders.
“Corruption is one of the most serious social and security challenges facing Nigeria today which is the more reason why Tinubu should see it as an existential matter that needs to be addressed and tackled robustly and defeated once for all.
“No nation can aspire to greatness or seek to remain secure and safe when corruption and other corrupt practices are allowed to find their way into all its vital institutions including the agency saddled with the responsibility of fighting it.
They added that, for this reason, corruption must be confronted with the entire will and resolve of the incoming administration beginning with thorough cleansing of the EFCC by first getting Bawa out and subjecting him to probe before extending action to cover other organs and tiers of government in Nigeria without exception.
“Failure to do so will indubitably mean that every effort made the anti-graft agency is headed by suspicious leaders will defeat all development endeavours of the incoming administration and render its task the more difficult and futile.
“We remind the President-elect that National challenges such as the corruption we are faced with should not be treated with levity and condescension. Neither should action be limited to targeted individuals or tiers of government. On the contrary, corruption is a cross-national issue that affect every one of us regardless of where we live or come from,” the statement read.
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been awarded a prestigious Fellowship by the United States Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the Institute also presented Governor Yusuf with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his efforts in human capital development and resource management.
The recognition was conferred by representatives of the Institute’s Governing Council, led by Barr. (Dr.) Steven Longe, during an investiture ceremony at the Abuja Governor’s Lodge.
This event followed shortly after the governor received the National Award from the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) during the World Teachers’ Day celebration.
Dr. Longe explained that the decision to honor Governor Yusuf with the Institute’s highest Fellowship and an Award of Excellence came after extensive research into his effective management of both human and financial resources.
The research highlighted his dedication to promoting good governance in Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state.
“Your leadership has been marked by prudence and transparency,” said Dr. Longe.
“You embody the qualities of an accountable and dedicated leader.
We are proud to associate with politicians who are committed to selfless service to their people.”
In his response, Governor Yusuf expressed his gratitude for the Fellowship and thanked the Institute for recognizing his leadership qualities on an international platform.
“Despite the many challenges we have faced since the beginning of this administration, our commitment to serving the people of Kano remains unwavering.
We will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people,” the governor assured.
Headlines
World Teachers’ Day 2024: NUT Honors Gov.Yusuf for Outstanding Performance in Education Reform
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has honored Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, with a prestigious award for his exceptional performance in reforming the state’s education sector.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa on Saturday.
The award was presented during the celebration of World Teachers’ Day 2024 at Eagle Square, Abuja, in a vibrant event organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
The event brought together teachers from across the 36 states of Nigeria to honor the significant contributions made to the education sector.
Governor Yusuf was recognized with the NUT Golden Award for his transformative efforts in rescuing Kano’s education sector from years of decay and neglect.
In his remarks, NUT National Chairman, Comrade Titus Ambe, noted that only six governors were selected for this honor, based on their unwavering commitment to advancing education, particularly through the support of teachers’ welfare and continuous training.
Specifically, Governor Yusuf’s accomplishments were highlighted, including his administration’s allocation of 29.9% of Kano’s 2024 budget to education and his declaration of a state of emergency in the sector, which has significantly improved both infrastructure and access to quality education in the state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, commended the governors for their dedication.
Speaking on behalf of the six awardees, which included the Governors of Borno, Oyo, Benue, Enugu, and Kebbi states, Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his commitment to further investing in education, emphasizing the importance of sustaining progress to ensure future generations thrive.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The major opposition political party in Kano, the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Friday instituted a fresh suit against the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the party is asking the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from releasing voter register for the conduct of the council poll.
The plaintiffs, APC and the party Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, instituted the suit through their counsel, Ismail Abdulaziz.
They also sought an interlocutory application to restrain the state electoral body from continuing with the process and conduct of the council election slated for 26th October, 2024.
Defendants joined in the suit include, the Kano State Attorney General, Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, KANSIEC Chairman, Sani Lawan and other members.
Abdulaziz said, “we are asking for the court to interpret some provisions of the constitution, KANSIEC guidelines, the law itself in seeking whether KANSIEC is a revenue generating agency and considering that the N9m and N4m requested to be paid by Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates by KANSIEC were exorbitant.
“We want the court to determine whether KANSIEC will be impartial looking at present members that constituted the commission.
“We are also seeking the court to order INEC not to release election materials such as voter register to KANSIEC until the commission abide by the provision of the constitution.
“We now sought for interlocutory injunction to restrain the continuation of the continuing with process and conduct of the election. The defendants did not receive our processes and the court adjourned till next Friday so that all the parties to file their responses,” Abdulaziz said.
Moving the application before the Presiding Judge, Justice Simon Amobeda, on Friday the court adjourned the matter till 11th October, 2024 and ordered the plaintiffs to serve the defendants.
Meanwhile, in a related matter, the Counsels to Kano State government, Rilwanu Umar SAN and Kano State House of Assembly, Bar. Bashir Yusuf said they have filed a preliminary objections before the Justice Amobeda challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear matters concerning KANSIEC.
The Counsels said only state high court and state assembly have the powers to entertain any matter that border on regulations of KANSIEC and not federal agency or so.
Kano state government application came in response to motion on notice moved by APC and one Aliyu Aminu Tiga on why the court should not stop the conduct of the election.
Recall one Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the APC had earlier filed an application seeking the court to stop the electoral body from conducting the elections in which Justice Amobeda in interim refused to grant and however noted that the defendants shall be put on notice to show cause why the prayers shall not be granted.
The Court presided by Justice Simon Amobeda however adjourned the matter till 11th October for hearing.
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