EFCC is probing ex and serving Governors - Magu

It has come to our notice that the EFCC is investigating ex and serving state governors for graft. This was made known by the acting Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ibrahim Magu.

He also said that suspects who worked hand in hand with the governors were being invited for questioning. However, he did not disclose the identities of those under probe, his reasons being that saying such would jeopardise investigations.

Speaking at a press conference marking the 2020 Democracy Day in Abuja on Thursday, Magu said the agency had recovered assets in excess of N980bn in the last five years.

He also disclosed that the commission within the same period recovered a large array of non-monetary assets that include real estate, private jets, oil vessels, filling stations, schools, hotels, trucks, cars, jewellery, shopping malls and electronics. He noted, 

“We are on course in all the cases we are prosecuting, our scorecard in the area of conviction is 2,240 in the last five years and we covered assets in excess of N980bn, with quite a large array of non-monetary assets. 

We are also investigating serving and former governors and questioning those conniving with them.”

On the case of former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu, Magu said the EFCC would go back to court.

The Commissioner of Police added that the investigation by the United Kingdom police into activities of a former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke was taking too long, adding that the EFCC had placed her on a watch list and on red alert by the Interpol system.

Meanwhile, the Lagos zonal office of the EFCC said on Thursday that secured 257 convictions and recovered the sums of N14, 099,952,688.22, $5, 723, 042 and €31,500 in the last one year.

The anti-graft agency added that it arrested 1,444 suspects with over 300 of them, including Internet personality, Ismaila Mustapha, alias Mompha, “and his conspirator, Hamza Khoudeih,” arraigned in court.

A statement on Thursday by the zone’s Head of Public Affairs, Ayo Oyewole, quoted the Lagos Zonal Head of the EFCC, Muhammed Rabo, to have given the figures. Rabo said, 

“In fact, we are prepared, more than ever before, for a more robust collaboration with the FBI this year”.

NMA predicts Nigeria's fate if governors take over Covid-19 battle

The Nigerian Medical Association has predicted the fate of Nigeria if governors are allowed to take over the battle against COVID-19.

They revealed that Nigeria will be finished if such happens in the country.

The President of NMA, Prof. Innocent Ujah, said this on Monday during an interview on Sunrise Daily programme of Channels Television.

He said that President Muhammadu Buhari should not delegate such powers to the state governors “because apart from Lagos and maybe one or two other states, the commitment is, to say the least, very disappointing.

“I can say that because I’m a clinician myself. I believe that the president should please not devolve those powers. This is an emergency.

Coordination is very important and the coordination should be central, should be from a point because once you do that, Nigerians will be finished. And we pray that he doesn’t do that.”

He urged the Federal government to set up a research team to regularly evaluate the country’s response to COVID-19.

He said that doing this was important to enable the country to ascertain what was working or not, making the necessary impact in its COVID -19 response.

He said it was also important to include a research team in the composition of the Presidential Task force on COVID-19. He said: 

“As a researcher, I think we should have a strong research team to be part of PTF. I’m not aware that the PTF has a research team and we must evaluate and monitor what we do.

We need a research team that’ll monitor regularly what we’re doing otherwise, we will be groping in the dark. The response must be evaluated by the research team.

If you say we should wear a face mask, what is the percentage of Nigerians wearing masks in Abuja? You say social distancing, that is completely out. We don’t have social distancing as far as I’m concerned.”

State governors are angry with Buhari

A handful of governors are furious with President Muhammadu Buhari for granting financial autonomy to the legislative and judicial arms of government in the 36 states of the federation, and are spoiling for showdown discussions.

On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at exactly 2pm, the governors will meet via teleconference to take a common position and weigh their options.

On Friday, May 22, 2020, President Buhari signed Executive Order No. 10 of 2020 into law.

“Based on the power vested in me under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I, today, signed into law Executive Order No. 10 of 2020 for the implementation of Financial Autonomy of State Legislature and State Judiciary," the president said.

The executive order means that the legislative and judicial arms of government across the 36 states will no longer be tied to the apron strings of powerful governors; and will receive their financial allocations straight from the center.

Governors seek peaceful coexistence

Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Kayode Fayemi ( Ekiti), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Godwin Obaseki ( Edo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Hope Uzodinma ( Imo) and Simon Lalaong ( Plateau) have urged Nigerians to take advantage of Eid-el-Fitr to promote peaceful coexistence across the country.

In their separate congratulatory messages to Muslims for the end of this year’s Ramadan, the governors also called for continued belief in the country.

They also stressed the need for all Muslim faithful to obey all protocols provided by health authorities during Eid prayers to contain COVID-19 spread in the country. Sanwo-Olu said,

“I join millions of people around the world to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters in Lagos State and Nigeria happy Eid-el-Fitr. For Muslims, today’s celebration is very unique. It is a feast to mark the end of a month-long spiritual renewal following thirty days of fasting and other religious acts.”

He urged Muslims to continue on the path of spirituality, respect for one another, and peaceful coexistence among all Lagosians.

Ganduje stressed the need for Muslim faithful to join the fight to contain coronvirus spread. He said,

“While social distancing is necessary, face masks and hand washing with soap around the designated places for Eid-Fitr prayers, among other protocols, must also be observed strictly."

According to Okowa, this year’s celebration has come at a time the world is plagued by the coronavirus pandemic, urging Muslims to celebrate in their homes.

Fayemi urged Muslims and adherents of other religions to live in love, peace and harmony.

Sule urged Muslim faithful to comply with the government preventive guidelines on COVID-19 by observing social distancing, wearing of face masks, among others to contain the spread of the virus.

Abiodun called on Muslims to keep the faith and rededicate themselves to finding a solution to the pandemic. He advised against claims that could aggravate the pandemic.

Obaseki said his administration was committed to promoting peaceful coexistence in Edo. He said,

“I urge all Muslims in Edo State to sustain these values even after the Holy month to build a prosperous and peaceful Edo State where everyone can actualise their dreams.”

AbdulRazaq called on Muslims to observe their Eid prayers at home to contain COVID-19 spread.

Uzodimma commended Muslims for their resilience, dedication, patience, and self-sacrifice in the face of the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the global community.

In his message, Lalong urged Muslim brothers and sisters to reflect on the spiritual benefits accruing from their fasting and prayers, and apply them to their lifestyle for a better society.

Oyetola said the situation in the country had made it more compelling for people to reach out and show love to the poor. He said Muslims must continue to reflect on and sustain the lessons and virtues of the Ramadan and replicate the same.