Anti-corruption

The Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution has said it was sad and disheartening that the Kogi State government has been taking the issue of corruption with levity, saying the Governor Yahaya Bello administration could not account for the huge allocations and several interventions it collected in the last four years.

A nongovernmental organisation, the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution has described failure of Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration in Kogi to conduct local government election in the last four years as indicative of lack of transparency and accountability in the State.

Lekoil, the oil and gas exploration and production company with a focus on Nigeria and other West African nations has secured $184 million to finance the appraisal drilling and initial development programme activities on the Ogo field within Oil Prospecting Lease, OPL 310.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians that contrary to false alarm from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the federal government has laid landmines next year, they will reap more dividends of democracy next year.

Mr Jacob Onu, National Coordinator of the National Anti-Corruption Marathon Race, says plans have been concluded for the flagging off of the 2019 edition of the race by President Muhammadu Buhari on Dec. 9 in Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other allied bodies have been stripped of the powers to seize assets of people being investigated and such powers transferred to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), and others on Tuesday said corruption had not ended despite the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s efforts to stamp out the scourge.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to “jointly carry out a prompt, thorough, transparent and effective investigation into allegations that principal officers and members of the Nigerian Senate are using their official positions to get job slots from government agencies.”

There is no respite in sight for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, as he has been summoned by the Code of Code Bureau (CCB) over allegations that he refused to declare his assets.

An estimated $582 billion has been stolen from Nigeria since independence in 1960.

The US Treasury announced sanctions Thursday on South Africa's Gupta family and associate Salim Essa, calling them a "significant corruption network" that dispersed bribes and misappropriated millions in state funds.

The Presidential Support Committee (PSC), on Wednesday, took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for criticising the 2020 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly, saying the opposition party was only venting its frustration and regret of nonperformance in 16 years.

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his commitment to the unity of Nigeria. He vowed to devote all his time and energy to promote it for the benefit of Nigerians.

President Muhammadu Buhari assured on Wednesday that he will do everything within his power to “carry everyone along on my last lap as a democratically-elected leader.”

The House of Representatives has unfolded its legislative agenda for 2019 to 2023 with a resolve to strengthen anti corruption agencies in the country, saying existing anti-corruption laws in the country has not given the anti-graft bodies enough power to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.

The fight against corruption by the current administration will be dead in the water if President Muhammadu Buhari continues to stall the assent to the Federal Audit Service Bill, said Matthew Urhoghide, the senator representing Edo South.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos), has said that the house is set to unveil its legislative agenda and reforms soon.

The acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has reiterated the resolve of the anti-corruption agency, to ensure transparency and honesty in the implementation of the ideals behind the creation of the National Social Investment Programme, N-SIP in the North-East.