General
SERAP Asks NASS to Probe Missing N10bn
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Mr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, to investigate the N10 billion budgeted to the National Assembly (NASS) said to be missing.
In a statement issued on Sunday, SERAP Deputy Director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, asked the leadership of the National Assembly to probe and refer to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies fresh allegations that N10 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated or diverted.
“The grim allegations that N10,051,283,568.82 of public money is missing are documented in the 2019 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation,” a part of the statement said.
SERAP’s statement followed a letter dated December 11, 2021, wherein the group wants the ninth Assembly to address the allegations that improve public confidence and trust in the ability of the parliament to exercise its constitutional and oversight responsibilities and to adhere to the highest standards of integrity in the management of public funds.
According to the group, little can be achieved by the National Assembly in the fight against corruption if the leadership and members do not first confront the spectre of alleged corruption and mismanagement within their ranks.
This is even as the organisation asked both Mr Lawan and Mr Gbajabiamila to identify the lawmakers and staff members suspected to be involved and hand them over to appropriate anti-corruption agencies to face prosecution, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and to ensure full recovery of any missing public funds.
SERAP added, “As part of its legislative and oversight functions, the National Assembly has a key role to play in the fight against corruption in the country. But the National Assembly can only effectively perform its anti-corruption role if it can demonstrate exemplary leadership to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving the legislative body.
“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2019, the House of Representatives paid N2,550,000,000.00 to members as running costs between July and December 2019, but failed to account for the money, contrary to paragraph 1011(i) of the Financial Regulations. There was no evidence to show what the funds were used for, and no documents to back up the spending.
“The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been ‘diverted.’ He wants the money recovered.
“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N258,000,000 as cash advances to 59 officers between February and December 2019 but has failed to account for the money. The officers were paid the money despite the fact that they have not accounted for the previous cash advances.
“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N107,912,962.45 as repairs and maintenance allowance for unspecified residential quarters but failed to account for the money. The money spent was also in excess of the cash advances threshold of N200,000.00 as stipulated by the Financial Regulations.
“These fresh allegations amount to fundamental breaches of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.
“SERAP is concerned that allegations of corruption continue to undermine economic development, violate social justice, and destroy trust in economic, social, and political institutions. Nigerians bear the heavy economic and social costs of corruption. The National Assembly, therefore, has a responsibility to curb it.
“Ensuring the effective investigation of these fresh allegations, and full recovery of any missing public funds would strengthen the country’s accountability framework, and show that the National Assembly can discharge its constitutional responsibility of amplifying the voices of Nigerians, and act in the best interest of the people.
“We would be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to implement these recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in the National Assembly.
“The House of Representatives also reportedly collected N1,594,807,097.83 as PAYE, car and housing loans from 17 members between February and December 2019 but failed to show receipt of remittance to relevant revenue authorities. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.
“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N1,010,598,610.97I from salary account but without any document to show for the payment, contrary to paragraph 601 of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.
“The Senate reportedly collected N219,645,597.08 as housing loans from 107 senators’ salary arrears between July and December 2019 but failed to remit the money.
“The Senate also reportedly recovered N123,320,916.72 being car loans to senators between July and December 2019, but there was no evidence that the money was remitted to the treasury. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.
“The Senate reportedly collected N176,267,255.31 as PAYE from staff salaries but there was no evidence that the money was remitted to the relevant tax authorities, contrary to paragraph 235 of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.
“The Senate also reportedly collected N277,411,116.29 as Value Added Tax (VAT), and Withholding Tax (WHT) but failed to remit the money to the relevant tax authorities. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.
“The Senate reportedly paid N1,718,130,630.24 for the supply of vehicle and other office equipment between February and December 2019 but failed to account for the money, contrary to paragraph 110 of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been diverted.
“The Senate also reportedly paid N657,757,969.05 for the supply of motor vehicles, motorcycles and other office equipment between July and December 2019, but failed to show any document for the payment, contrary to paragraph 1705 of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.
“The Senate also reportedly paid N423,370,000.00 for the supply of utility vehicles and production of National Assembly Logo between August and November 2019 but without any documents. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.
“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly paid N31,927,760 as cash advances to 59 staff but failed to account for the money. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.
“The National Assembly Service Commission also reportedly collected N276,749,014.68 as stamp duty from contractors and service providers but failed to remit the money to appropriate tax authorities.
“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2018, the Nigerian Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies deducted N577,634,638,20 as taxes but failed to remit the money to the relevant tax authorities. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted.
“The Nigerian Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies also reportedly spent N47,750,000.00 to buy a residential building without due process, and contrary to Section 27 (1) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and Financial Regulation 301.
“SERAP notes that the Auditor-General in 2015, 2017 and 2018 reports documented that over N8bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated or diverted.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned five individuals, including the former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr Ahmed Kuru, and the chief executive of Arik Air, Mr Roy Ilegbodu, for allegedly defrauding the airline of N76 billion and $31.5 million.
The other defendants included former Receiver Manager of Arik Air, Mr Kamilu Omokide; and Super Bravo Ltd.
The defendants faced six counts of theft, abuse of office, and stealing by dishonestly taking property. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
It must however be noted that Mr Kuru voluntarily went to court to answer the charges filed against him by the EFCC.
During the proceedings, the defense counsel for Mr Kuru and Mr Ilegbodu, Mr Taiwo Osipitan, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), submitted bail applications dated November 28 and 29, 2024.
He argued that the defendants had no prior criminal records and had complied with prior administrative bail terms.
The SAN requested that they be granted bail under similar liberal terms, noting they had not attempted to flee.
However, EFCC Counsel, Mr Wahab Shittu (SAN), filed counter-affidavits on December 2 and 22, 2024, opposing the bail applications.
He argued that the charges against the defendants were serious, involving economic sabotage, and expressed concern about the risk of flight.
Mr Shittu proposed the seizure of their international passports and called for accelerated hearings.
The defense counsel for Mr Omokide, Mr Olasupo Shasore (SAN), filed a motion on December 6, 2024, requesting bail on self-recognition.
He pointed out that Mr Omokide had previously been granted administrative bail.
In response, Shittu opposed the application, citing Mr Omokide’s past failure to attend court, which led to the issuance of a bench warrant.
After considering the arguments, Justice Mojisola Dada granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N20 million each, with one surety per defendant in like sum.
The sureties must be gainfully employed, and proof of identification must be provided. The defendants were ordered to surrender their international passports.
The case was adjourned until March 17, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
The anti-graft agency had accused the trio— Mr Kuru, Mr Omokide, and Mr Ilegbodu— of fraudulently converting N4.9 billion to the use of NG Eagle Ltd in 2022.
Additionally, Mr Ilegbodu was charged with stealing N22.5 million, fraudulently converting it to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, a property of Arik Air Ltd.
Furthermore, the defendants were accused of authorising the destruction of an aircraft valued at $31.5 million, prejudicing Nigeria’s economic stability and Arik Air’s interests.
The prosecution claimed the offences violated Sections 73, 96, 278(1), and 278(6) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
By Bon Peters
The Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Port Harcourt, Rivers States, has expressed confidence in raking in higher earnings in 2025 after it generated about N200.6 billion in 2024.
A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Oscar Ivara, a Superintendent of Customs, said last year’s revenue was higher than the N116.3 billion collected in 2023 by 72.41 per cent or N84.3 billion.
He quoted the Comptroller of the command, Mr Mustapha Hashim, as attributing “this impressive surplus” to the hard work, dedication, and operational improvements within the command, which he insisted have helped increase revenue while improving compliance with customs regulations.
He noted that the command’s strategic focus on enforcement operations and ensuring compliance with customs regulations have significantly contributed to the increase in revenue even as he applauded the improved monitoring systems, increased patrols, and enhanced collaboration with other enforcement agencies which he emphasized have played a critical role in curbing smuggling activities and improving revenue.
Continuing, Mr Hashim gave a breakdown of the 2024 revenue figures of the command to include N184.2 billion in the first quarter of 2024, with an estimated monthly collection of N15.4 billion, which he said was later reviewed upwards to N230.3 billion with monthly expected collection of N19.2 billion in the second to fourth quarters of the year.
The agency, however, reported an annual revenue target shortfall collection of about 13.04 per cent, which was largely attributed to the federal government’s food import waiver policy, introduced in July 2024, to mitigate Nigeria’s worsening food crisis.
“The presidential directive, which ended on December 31, 2024, gave waivers to essential food items such as wheat, maize, and grain, which are the major goods imported through the command,” he stated.
In the area of export activities, Mr Hashim posited that the command made notable strides in boosting revenue from agricultural products, which he referred to as a key indicator to Nigeria’s economic diversification.
“This focus has increased export facilitation and boosted the command’s contribution to national revenue,” he said.
He added that the total quantity of cargoes exported in the year 2024 was 17,352,817 metric tons with FOB at $1.5 billion, while the NESS paid was N2.9 billion for both oil and non-oil exports.
The statement also disclosed that a total of 289 ships called at the Area Command in 2024, with import tonnage comprised of bulk cargoes such as wheat, frozen fish, salt, oil well equipment, PMS, AGO, gypsum, bitumen and general cargoes which amounted to 4,080,654.198 metric tons and the duties collected from the bulk cargoes and excise factory contributed to the huge revenue collected in the command.
He said the feat was achieved by advocating full compliance of all customs regulations by ensuring maximum collection of customs duties, levies and payment of all unpaid assessment.
Mr Hashim said with the command’s focused approach, dedication and continued support from partners and stakeholders, the revenue generation, anti-smuggling and trade facilitation drive for 2025 will be effective, promising that the command would deploy all necessary tools to ensure seamless clearance operations this year.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Over 850 cars forfeited to the Nigerian government across various locations in Nigeria will be auctioned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a statement from the agency has revealed.
The anti-money laundering organisation said the vehicle were seized by the government through court orders from persons involved in various financial crimes, including corruption, money laundering, and cybercrime.
The agency said the auction is in line with the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery & Management) Act, 2022.
It called on interested members of the public to participate in the auction, promising that the process will be transparent and fair.
The exercise will be conducted by the EFCC in partnership with appointed auctioneers in Lagos, Abuja, Benin City, Enugu, Ilorin, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Kano from January 20 to 27, 2025.
“The general public is hereby notified that the @officialEFCC through its appointed auctioneers will conduct e-Auction of the under listed vehicles that are subject of final Forfeiture orders in accordance with the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery & Management) Act, 2022,” the statement read.
Below are the cars to be auctioned by the EFCC;
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN