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BIG STORY

Tinubu’s One Year And The EFCC Factor — By Tony Egbulefu

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As Nigeria’s premier anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) motivates the anti-corruption war of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government. With the corruption fight as a pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, the government in the past one year has been remarkable as one that chose to do away with media hype and rhetorics in its anti-corruption programme, preferring rather that the outcomes bear the testimonies.

The federal government’s prioritisation of the fight against corruption gives evidence to President Tinubu’s good understanding of the damage corruption has inflicted on the health of the national economy and wellbeing of the citizens.

On 21 December, 2023, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the attorney general and minister of Justice, while speaking at an EFCC event in Ilorin, made a public declaration of the rule of engagement of the Tinubu government through the Commission.

“Let me state in unequivocal terms that the EFCC is pivotal in the Tinubu administration’s plan to remove impediments to accountability in governance institutions and strengthen mechanisms and platforms by which Nigerians can hold public officers to account. To this end, the government is prepared to support the Commission in whatever way possible to deliver on its mandate. The recovery and repatriation of Nigeria’s stolen wealth is an issue of great concern to the administration and the EFCC is expected to continue to lead the charge to trace, recover and facilitate the return of our stolen wealth,” he said.

The Tinubu government’s war against corruption bear testament to a renewed vigour in the EFCC under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede. The chairman was appointed on 12 October, 2023. His subsequent confirmation by the Senate, six days after, on 18 October, 2023, added impetus to his will to drive the Commission with single-mindedness in confronting the monster of corruption in the country.

In the period covering 29 May, 2023 to 29 May 29, 2024, the Commission secured a pace-setting 3,175 convictions (three thousand, one hundred and seventy-five ) and recovered N156,276,691,242.30 (One hundred and fifty-six billion, two hundred and seventy-six million, six hundred and ninety-one thousand, two hundred and forty-two naira, thirty kobo).

In other currencies, the Commission made recoveries of $43,835,214.24; £25,365.00; €186,947.10; ₹51,360.00; C$3,750.00; A$740.00; ¥74,754.00; R35,000.00; 42,390.00 UAE Dirhams; 247.00 Riyals and 21,580, 867631 crypto currencies.

Olukoyede prioritised fraud prevention as an anti-corruption mechanism within his first 100 days in office. This saw the Commission’s reintroduction of Inter-faith Manual for Christian and Islamic faiths, which was launched in a national event in Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on 31 January, 2023, themed, “Youth, Religion and the Fight against Corruption.” The manual provides anti-corruption, economic and financial crimes doctrinal guide for clergies in both faiths for inculcation into the faithful.

The launch was further optimised for a campaign against youths’ involvement in cybercrime. For this, vice chancellors of Nigerian universities and provosts of other tertiary institutions were drawn out for the occasion. Religious and traditional leaders, heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government, youth groups, varied civil society tendencies and Federal Government delegates, also participated fully.

Another aspect of fraud prevention mechanism which the Commission has brought into the mix within the one year period of the Tinubu government is the Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) for the MDAs, which was conceived to prevent occurrence of fraud in these departments of government. FRAC is a template on corruption and fraud prevention in MDAs which have been rendered hugely vulnerable to resource haemorrhage and endless conduits for public funds theft with attendant negative impact on the nation’s development.

Further in pursuit of the fraud prevention mechanism, the EFCC under the current leadership has made FRAC a full- fledged department, which is saddled with the responsibility of examining systemic challenges that allow corruption to fester in the country. The new Department will implement all aspects of the Commission’s Corruption Prevention Strategy that requires risk-based approaches.

As Olukoyede has stated: “The recalibration of the Commission’s prevention strategy seeks to promote proactive deterrence and greater inclusivity in terms of participation of all stakeholders. Our motivation is to see how corruption, whether in ministries and agencies of government, in the ivory towers, or the private sector, could be prevented before it occurs.”

More than ever before, the Commission has shown commitment to the enforcement of extant laws relevant for the reflation and stimulation of the economy. On 7 February, Olukoyede inaugurated a Special Task Force in all the Commission’s 14 Zonal Commands and the headquarters for the enforcement of laws against currency mutilation and dollarisation of the economy. In broader terms, the Special Task Force sees to the protection of the economy from abuses, leakages, foreign exchange distortions and exposure to instability and disruptions. Since its inauguration, arrests and convictions on the grounds of currency racketeering and illegitimate operation of banking services come thick and fast.

The Commission has applied robust enforcement actions essential for instilling integrity and stability in the forex market, deterring currency speculation and safeguarding the interests of investors and the public. The Commission’s crackdown on forex racketeers saw to a 24 April order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that froze 1,146 bank accounts belonging to individuals and companies on account of alleged money laundering, unauthorised dealing in foreign exchange, and illegal currency manipulation. The Commission is currently prosecuting individuals and companies found complicit.

Owners of business entities, private universities, other institutions of higher learning and retail outlets which charge fees or costs in dollars have also been brought into line by the Commission.

Under President Tinubu, the EFCC has left no one in doubt that a new era that recognises no sacred cows has dawned in the anti-corruption fight. The free hand that the President gave the Commission to take on any case of corruption was the oxygen the EFCC sorely needed for reinvigoration of it activities. Over the course of the last few months, the files of 13 Nigerian former governors and dozens of ministers have been reopened with many of them already drawn back into Commission’s dragnet. Olu Agunloye, a former minister under Obasanjo has been charged to court for his alleged role in the $6 billion power sector fraud.

Godwin Emefiele, a former CBN governor, is facing multiple prosecution, on multiple charges of suspected acts of official corruption and money laundering. On 24 May, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, gave an interim forfeiture order on $4,719,054, N830,875,611 and a number of properties linked to Emefiele. The judge gave the order, following a motion ex parte filed by the Commission.

Halima Shehu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) was suspended by President Tinubu following the Commission’s exposure of N44 billion stolen from the Agency between 27 and 31 December, 2023.

Betta Edu, the minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has also been suspended by the President since January on the strength of EFCC’s findings. Sadiya Umar Farouk, the ex-Humanitarian Affairs minister is currently under investigation over an alleged N37.1 billion fraud.

Discreet investigations by the EFCC have also exposed fraudulent dealings involving COVID-19 funds, World Bank loans and the recovered Abacha loot, released to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management by the Federal Government to execute its poverty alleviation programme.

So far, a combined total of N32.7 billion and $445,000 have been recovered from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

Similarly, President Bola Tinubu in March 2024 suspended indefinitely from office, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo, alongside three executive directors of the agency, following an EFCC investigation report that fingered them for allegedly stealing N12.7 billion.

In all of the successes of the Commission within the one year period of the present government, Olukoyede has seized every moment that presents itself to express gratitude to President Tinubu for his unflinching support to the anti-corruption fight. As he has said, “With the political will of this administration, we have a golden opportunity to rewrite the story of our nation’s quest for improved transparency and accountability in public affairs.”

Tony Egbulefu is of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Nigerian Lawmakers Propose Creation Of 31 Additional States [SEE FULL LIST]

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Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review on Thursday proposed the creation of 31 new states in the country.

If the proposal is approved, Nigeria will have 67 sub-national governments, as the current number of states stands at 36, including the Federal Capital Territory.

The proposal for new states was presented in a letter read during Thursday’s plenary session by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of the Speaker, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas.

The letter read in part, “The committee proposes the creation of 31 new states. As amended, this section outlines specific requirements that must be fulfilled to initiate the process of state creation, which include the following:

“1. New state and boundaries

“An act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new state shall only be passed if it requires support by at least the third majority of members.

“The House of Representatives, the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the Local Government Council in respect of the area are received by the National Assembly.

“Local government advocates for the creation of additional local government areas are only reminded that Section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, applies to this process.

“Specifically, in accordance with Section 8 (3) of the Constitution, the outcome of the votes of the State Houses of Assembly in the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly for fulfillment of state,” the proposal partly reads.

According to the proposal, the new states include Okun, Okura, and Confluence States from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa States from Benue; FCT State; Amana State from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi and Savannah States from Borno and Muri State from Taraba.

Others include New Kaduna and Gujarat from Kaduna State; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi State; Etiti and Orashi as the 6th state in the South East; Adada from Enugu; and Orlu and Aba from the South East.

Also included are Ogoja from Cross River State, Warri from Delta, Ori and Obolo from Rivers, Torumbe from Ondo, Ibadan from Oyo, Lagoon from Lagos, Ogun, Ijebu from Ogun State, and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun States.

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BIG STORY

El-Rufai Lacks Capacity To Unsettle Tinubu, He Can’t Even Win Senatorial Seat — Daniel Bwala

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Daniel Bwala, special adviser to the president on policy communication, asserts that Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna, lacks the capacity to “unsettle” President Bola Tinubu.

Bwala made this statement on Thursday during an interview with TVC News. He emphasized that Tinubu is not losing sleep over el-Rufai’s continuous criticisms of his administration.

Background

El-Rufai has been targeting some members of the Tinubu administration.

The former minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) recently criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for “straying away from its core values,” mentioning that he no longer recognizes his political party.

Bwala had questioned el-Rufai if his stance on the APC would have been different had he been a member of Tinubu’s cabinet.

In response to Bwala’s comments, el-Rufai stated that he would not hesitate to criticize the party, even if he were given a position in the Tinubu administration.

‘On His Own, El-Rufai Is Unelectable’

When asked if the presidency was anxious about el-Rufai’s remarks and the regrouping of opposition politicians, the spokesperson confirmed that Tinubu is not concerned with the opposition’s movements.

Bwala emphasized that the president’s approach has always been one of reconciliation.

“Who is jittery? The political opponents have no direction. There is no organized political party in Nigeria other than APC. Almost all opposition parties are trying to find their way,” Bwala stated.

“I don’t attack because I see that the position of Mr. President is that of reconciliation. In his 18 months in office, he has never reacted to anybody. He has never been seen being combative or aggressive against anybody.”

The presidential spokesperson acknowledged el-Rufai’s dilemma, adding that the former governor cannot accomplish his goals by joining the opposition.

According to Bwala, el-Rufai only becomes a significant political figure when he aligns with a “solid revolutionary” leader.

“El-Rufai, as he said, is still in APC. You treat him like a brother. I know his grandstanding. I know he is facing challenges finding a path,” he stated.

“If you leave a governing party, which you have influence over, and think that you can undertake a mission, you need to have a working platform to do that.”

“He does not have the capacity to make the president unsettled. No opposition party, even if combined, can make the president unsettled.”

“Let me tell you something about my elder brother, el-Rufai, and whether we should be worried.”

“There is a dynamic around el-Rufai. El-Rufai needed a solid revolutionary person to thrive. On his own, el-Rufai may not win the senate.”

“He won governorship because of the Buhari factor and got re-elected because of the Buhari factor. If you leave him now to go and run for senate in Kaduna, he would not win.”

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BIG STORY

Importers To Pay More As Customs Introduces 4% FOB Levy

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it will enforce a 4 percent charge on the “free-on-board” (FOB) value of imports.

“FOB” refers to the arrangement where the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the port of departure, clearing them for export, and loading the goods onto the vessel. Once the goods are on the vessel, the risk transfers from the seller to the buyer, who then assumes responsibility for all subsequent costs.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Abdullahi Maiwada, NCS national public relations officer, confirmed that the directive is in line with the provisions of the “Nigeria Customs Service Act” (NCSA) 2023.

“In line with the provisions of Section 18 (1) of NCSA 2023, the NCS is implementing a 4 percent charge on the “Free On-Board” (FOB) value of imports,” Maiwada stated.

“The FOB charge, which is calculated based on the value of imported goods, including the cost of goods and transportation expenses incurred up to the port of loading, is essential for driving the effective operation of the service.”

“Furthermore, the NCS acknowledges concerns raised by stakeholders over the continued collection of the 1 percent “Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme” (CISS) fee.”

“It is a regulatory charge imposed for funding Nigeria’s Destination Inspection Scheme alongside the 4 percent FOB charge.”

“As a responsive government agency, the service wishes to assure the general public that extensive consultation is ongoing with the federal ministry of finance to address all agitations raised by our esteemed stakeholders.”

Maiwada urged all stakeholders to comply with the directive, which was conceived after thorough consultation with relevant stakeholders and organizations.

“All stakeholders are urged to support this legally binding initiative,” he emphasized.

“As the measures introduced in alignment with the NCSA 2023 reflect a balanced approach born out of extensive consultations with industry players, importers, and regulatory bodies.”

He also acknowledged the valuable contribution of stakeholders in shaping and actualizing the NCSA 2023.

“Their insights, expertise, and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in ensuring a robust legal framework that enhances efficiency, promotes innovation, and strengthens transparency in customs operations,” he added.

The customs official reiterated that under the leadership of Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller-general, the service remains dedicated to transparency, fair trade practices, and efficient revenue management.

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