Connect with us


BIG STORY

Senate Okays Bill Empowering FG To Seize Illegally-Acquired Assets

Published

on

Bill is not in line with best global practices, says Senator Stella Oduah

A bill allowing the federal government to seize assets gained by corrupt public officials, terrorism funders, and others has passed the Senate for a second reading.

‘A bill for an Act to Make Comprehensive Provisions For Seizure, Confiscation, Forfeiture, and Management of Properties Reasonably Suspected to Have Been Derived From Unlawful Activities,’ according to the bill’s title.

Senator Suleiman Kwari, the bill’s sponsor, claimed the proposal passed first reading on March 16, 2021, and was also mentioned among the versions of bills of importance contained in the President’s recent communication to the National Assembly, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Buhari had last week appealed to the parliament to pass three anti-corruption bills on proceeds of crime, whistle-blower, and witness protection.

The Senate had on Tuesday passed the Witness Protection Bill for second reading.

Kwari said the main objective of the bill was to provide for the establishment of a department in the relevant organizations to manage forfeited assets.

According to him, the department would provide for an effective legal and institutional framework for the recovery and management of the proceeds of crime, as well as civil forfeitures in non-conviction-based sentencing.

He said, “This bill further makes provisions for restraint, seizure, confiscation, and forfeiture of property derived from property unlawful activities; any instrumentality used or intended to be used in the commission of such unlawful activities, and for non-conviction based procedure for the recovery of proceeds of crime.

“The bill’s other objectives are to strengthen the criminal confiscation procedure by ensuring that the total benefit from a person’s criminal activity is calculated and an equivalent amount, where recoverable, is confiscated on behalf of the Federal Government.

In his submission, Senator Smart Adeyemi stated that it had become expedient for the government to go after anyone who cannot account for how they acquired their properties.

“In supporting this bill, Mr. President, I hold the view that the people who have acquired their properties legally and with good funds have no cause to fear,” he said.

The Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi-Abdullahi said, “I think it is our duty to support such a law, but it must not be done in a manner that at the end of the day, when you have somebody that does not mean well, you have given him a weapon to go after his perceived enemies. I think that is where caution has to come in.”

Senator Stella Oduah, who is under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, however, kicked against the bill.

Oduah said, “For very brilliant senators such as us, we cannot be seen to pass a bill which we haven’t thought through and that is not in line with best global practice. We shouldn’t play ostrich with this bill. We are going to create a situation where conflict of interest within establishments will continue to exist. Subjectivity in handling issues will be the subject of the day, and innocent Nigerians will be made to be victims of this law, and laws are not supposed to be like that.

“Laws are supposed to stand the test of time. This bill will not stand the test of time because it will be very subjective.”

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, after the second reading, referred the bill to the Joint Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes; and Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters.

The joint committee was given four weeks to report back to the Senate in plenary.

Meanwhile, a bill seeking to broaden the functions of the Public Complaints Commission also scaled second reading on Wednesday.

BIG STORY

Obasa Hails ‘Jandor’s’ Return To The APC

Published

on

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has hailed the return of former Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, to the All Progressives Congress, describing it as a positive development and a major boost for the ruling party in Lagos.

Speaker Obasa, who hosted Jandor on Tuesday at his official residence in Ikeja GRA, expressed excitement over his return to the APC, describing it as the only political platform that truly reflects the aspirations of Lagosians, and indeed, Nigerians.

“We are happy to have you back. This is a very good move,” Obasa said, assuring Jandor of full reintegration and collaboration in the party’s collective pursuit of good governance. The Speaker further praised Jandor for his courage and conviction, stressing that the APC’s inclusive structure provides the right platform for unity and development.

Responding, Jandor, who returned officially to the APC fold in March, thanked Obasa for the warm reception and pledged his commitment to working with the APC for the benefit of Lagos State and Nigeria because, “It is only through unity of purpose, shared sacrifice, and responsible leadership that we can secure a brighter and more prosperous future for every Nigerian.

He also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s recent tax reforms, saying, “Though demanding, the President’s reforms are courageous steps toward re-engineering our economy and laying a firm foundation for progress and prosperity.”

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Stop Giving Money To Miscreants, Lagos Tells Celebrities, Influencers — Says It Fuels Insecurity, Environmental Problems

Published

on

The Lagos State Government has cautioned celebrities, social media influencers, and residents against giving money to street miscreants, warning that such actions worsen insecurity and environmental issues.

Tokunbo Wahab, the commissioner for environment and water resources, issued the warning in a statement posted on X on Tuesday.

“Celebrities, influencers, and even well-meaning Lagosians must stop giving money to these miscreants. Each time you hand them cash, you are not solving their problem; you are encouraging them to stay on the streets, emboldening them to multiply, and reinforcing a cycle of lawlessness,” Wahab wrote.

He added that what many regard as an act of kindness complicates enforcement and creates broader security challenges.

His remarks followed a complaint by a resident, Olukayode Ajenifuja, who reported harassment along the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Ajenifuja urged the state to deploy the Lagos State Neighborhood Watch to curb extortion, assault, and intimidation by homeless boys and teenagers in the area.

The warning also came after a viral video showed touts and luxury car content creators chasing a convoy believed to be carrying Afrobeats star Burna Boy, attempting to solicit money while recording content. The singer’s security team prevented them from reaching his car.

Wahab said the state government is committed to tackling the menace but urged residents to support the efforts by refusing to encourage the miscreants.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Leave Before Visa Expires Or We’ll Remove You — UK Warns Foreign Students

Published

on

The United Kingdom has warned international students whose visas have expired to leave the country or risk deportation.

The Home Office, in a new enforcement campaign, said it has begun sending direct text and email messages to students, marking the first time such a measure is being applied.

According to the BBC, about 10,000 students whose visas are due to expire have already received the messages, while tens of thousands more will be contacted in the coming months.

The message from the Home Office reads: “If you have no legal right to remain in the UK, you must leave. If you don’t, we will remove you.”

The agency also warned that asylum claims considered “lacking merit” would be swiftly rejected.

Data released by the Home Office showed that between July 2024 and June 2025, a total of 41,100 asylum claims were lodged by people who had entered the UK legally on visas, with students making up the largest share.

Figures indicated that international students filed 16,000 asylum claims in 2024, almost six times the number recorded in 2020. Although the number has since dropped by about 10 percent, the British government said it expects a further reduction.

The department noted that asylum claims by skilled worker visa holders have decreased within the same period.

Earlier this year, the UK government reduced the period foreign graduates can remain in the country after completing their studies, cutting it from two years to 18 months.

Continue Reading


 


 

 

 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular