General
CPPM Asks Buhari to Discipline HoS for Failure to Appoint Accountant General
By Adedapo Adesanya
A civil society organisation, the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM), has knocked the Head of Service of the Federation (HoS), Mrs Folasade Esan, for allegedly undermining a presidential directive to commence the process of appointing a substantive Accountant General of the Federation.
The group, in a statement made available to Business Post on Sunday, described the move as “irresponsible, provocative, reckless, condemnable, unacceptable and a threat to national security.”
The statement signed by Mr Nelson Ekujumi, its Executive Chairman, said, “We are aware that sequel to the presidential directive with regards to the appointment of a substantive Accountant General of the Federation, following the indefinite suspension of the former Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, for fraud of which he is in court to answer charges as preferred by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the HoS in a memo dated June 21, 2022, announced the commencement of the process for the appointment of a substantive AGF.”
The organisation acknowledged that applications were called for from qualified accountants from the mainstream civil service in the pool of Accountant General of the Federation with set criteria for eligibility and subject to security checks but “surprisingly, before the conclusion of the process in line with presidential directive and the HoS memo, Mrs Folasade Esan stalled the process for reasons which amounts to a violation of her oath of office and an affront to constituted authority.”
“Shockingly, with a motive, which has an interest far and above national interest written all over it, the HoS in a memo to the President dated October 13, 2022, while acknowledging Mr President’s directive conveyed via the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation letter dated June 16, 2022, stated that…
“At the close of submission of applications and security clearance by appropriate agencies, a very negligible number of directors met the criteria. The number will not provide a large pool to engender a competitive process at the end of which a substantive Accountant General of the Federation could be appointed”. She then went ahead to propose to Mr President the extension of the process to the first quarter of 2023 just to satisfy her personal interest and motive.
“This position of the Head of Service of the Federation is rather strange, a perversion of civil service rules and an affront to the authority of Mr President by trying to be clever-by-half. We want ask that under what provisions of the civil service rules did Mrs Folasade Esan derive the powers to single-handedly determine the number of applicants who have met set criteria and security clearance for appointment as negligible? Also, we need to ask that what number of applicants can be described as negligible according to the civil service rules of Mrs Folasade Esan?” it quipped.
The civil society organisation went further to describe the action of Mrs Esan as a contravention of the oath of her office, which amounts to an abuse of official position and public trust for personal gain far and above national interest and security, which is irresponsible and condemnable.
“Thus, we at CPPM wish to draw the attention of Mr President, who is a strong advocate for due process and the rule of law, to the actions of Mrs Folasade in trying to pervert civil service rules and undermine constituted authority and national security,” it continued.
CPPM then demanded the immediate presidential rejection of Mrs Esan’s request for “abortion of the process for the appointment of a substantive Accountant General of the Federation and extension to allow for her personal interest over national interest.”
It also called for disciplinary proceedings against her for the perversion of civil service rules, abuse of public trust, and an affront to a constituted authority which is unacceptable and condemnable.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Rivers State House of Assembly has adjourned its legislative duties indefinitely, frustrating the re-presentation of the 2025 budget by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Recall that this week, precisely on Wednesday, Mr Fubara was at the makeshift premises of the parliament to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers Assembly as directed by the Supreme Court, but he was shut out.
He was not allowed to enter for the presentation of the budget. He, right there, informed journalists that he had earlier called the Speaker, Mr Martin Amaewhule, on the phone of his intention to be at the Assembly.
The next day, during a media chat, his predecessor, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of FCT, lambasted his successor, saying he was trying to blackmail the state legislators.
At the plenary on Friday, the lawmakers, who are loyal to Mr Wike, agreed to indefinitely suspend sittings, a move that could make it impossible for the Governor to legitimately spend any government funds.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
No fewer than one million bags of rice weighing 10kg each will be distributed in the 774 local government areas of Nigeria by the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
The organisation made this disclosure on Thursday at the launch of the 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Project valued at N16 billion.
The distribution of the food item will begin in Kano State, and then to other states, the chairman of the foundation, Mr Aliko Dangote, disclosed.
“This annual initiative, which embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, is part of our response to the current economic challenges facing our nation. It reflects our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values,” the businessman, who was represented by his daughter, Ms Marya Aliko Dangote, explained.
“We are collaborating with state governments to ensure that the food reaches the most vulnerable individuals in each state.
“Our foundation focuses on improving the living conditions of Nigerians through support for projects which tackle hunger and water supply problems, strengthen the quality and scope of health and education, and promote economic empowerment at the community level
“I believe that today’s event will help tackle hunger and help the most vulnerable people break their fast. We are playing our role in enhancing the living conditions of our people.
“I urge other industrialists and firms to lend a helping hand in combating hunger through programmes and initiatives that will place food on the tables of vulnerable Nigerians.
“This job should not be left to the government alone, rather we need a public-private partnership that will help us in fighting the scourge.
“I commend the government at all levels for efforts in addressing the food crisis. I am certain that with time, we shall overcome these challenges; therefore, let us support the government in achieving its target of a better life for Nigerians,” the richest man in Africa stated.
The Governor of Kano State, Mr Abba Yusuf, who flagged off the event, said the intervention reflects the unwavering commitment of Mr Dangote in addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
Mr Yusuf, represented by his deputy, Mr Aminu Abdulsalam Gworzo, said 120,000 bags of 10kg rice would be distributed across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state, describing the industrialist as humane.
To ensure transparency in the distribution process, he said the state government has set up a committee comprising of relevant ministries, CSOs, religious leaders, departments and agencies, local authorities, the Hisbah Board and security agencies.
On her part, the chief executive of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Ms Zouera Youssoufou, said the gesture was a way of giving back, and supporting governments in fighting poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
“We are going to other states to distribute the products, but we’ve just flagged off in Kano,” she told newsmen on the sideline of the Kano Government House, venue of the flag off,” she stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted $1,154,900 and SR135,900 undeclared foreign currency at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).
NCS spokesman, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, revealing that the seizure was made recently during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Mrs Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.
According to Mr Maiwada, during the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage conducted by NCS Officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm-date fruit packs locally referred to as Dabino.
He stated that the interception aligns with the NCS’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.
“In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action,” the statement read.
“Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.
“The Service reiterates that all travellers must comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when travelling in or out of the country. The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provide clear guidelines on currency declaration. Non-compliance with these regulations constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties. The Service, therefore, urges the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences.
“Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS remains resolute in its enforcement efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other trans-border crimes.
“This latest seizure highlights the Service’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
“The NCS will continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen border security, enhance compliance with financial laws, and safeguard Nigeria’s economy.
“Travellers and stakeholders in the financial sector are advised to remain vigilant and always adhere to lawful financial practices,” he added.
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