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Updated: Why FG can’t name, shame terrorists sponsors now – Malami
- Says 285 of 1,000 B’Haram cases charged to court
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, has the prosecution of Boko Haram financiers has reached an advanced stage but notes that it is not ripe to name and shame sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.
Malami, in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday through his media aide Dr Umar Gwandu, said the Federal Government had reviewed over 1,000 Boko Haram case files, out of which 285 had been filed before the Federal High Court based on prima facie cases of terrorism against them.
He said the government would at the appropriate time disclose their identities through a judicial process that would entail prosecution.
The AGF spoke during an interview with journalists in New York, in continuation of the ongoing 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, stressing that time was not ripe for total disclosure the sponsors’ identities so as not to pre-empt the investigation process.
He said FG would take all steps to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, adding that the public “would be properly and adequately informed about the investigation and prosecution process at the appropriate milestones as they unfold.”
The AGF said, “The position, as it stands, is that investigation has reached advanced stage and the government will make statement in that direction in due course.
“Time is not ripe for holistic disclosures so as not to pre-empt the investigation process. The prime object remains the attainment of peace and security of our dear nation.
“As far as terrorism funding and financing is concerned, we have succeeded in identifying those that are allegedly responsible for funding same and we are blocking the leakages associated with funding while embarking on aggressive investigation that is indeed impacting positively in terms of the fight against terrorism.
“The truth of the matter is that investigation is ongoing and advancing. For the purpose of investigation I would not like to be pre-emptive in terms of making disclosures that will have effect of undermining the successes we are recording.
“One thing I can tell you for sure is that whatever we do in terms of detention and arrest is indeed backed-up by judicial processes.
“We have acquired and obtained legitimate court orders taking into consideration the facts and material proof of evidence presented before the court on account of which the court eventually exercises its discretion in terms of granting orders that we can have the suspects in custody pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
He said the FG, through the Complex Case Group of the Department of Public Prosecution of the Federation in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, had reviewed over 1,000 Boko Haram case files, out of which 285 had been filed before the Federal High Court based on prima facie cases of terrorism against them.
“The delay witnessed in prosecution process was occasioned by COVID-19 lockdown, Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN) strike and court vacation.
“Naming and shaming of suspects is not embarked upon as a policy by the Federal Government out of sheer respect the constitutional rights of Nigerians relating to presumption of innocence.
“It is a product of constitutionalism and the law. It is rooted in the law and the names of the suspects will accordingly be made public at the point of judicial arraignment while the shaming remains a consequence of judicial conviction. Trials are judicial process and not about media sensations.
“Naming and shaming in the Nigerian context must be rooted in constitutionalism. We must strike a balance between constitutional presumption of innocence and evidential proof of reasonable ground for suspicion in making disclosures associated with terrorism funding and financing.
“Where reasonable grounds are established, suspects must be naturally taken to court at which point their identity must be disclosed and the naming become apparent.
“Shaming, on the other hand, is the product of conviction at which point the public are equally judicially put on noticed.
“In essence naming and shaming within the context of Nigerian law are judicial functions which commence with arraignment and terminate with convictions.”
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Time to reset our country, says Mahama on inauguration as Ghana’s President
Time to reset our country, says Mahama on inauguration as Ghana’s President
John Mahama has taken the oath of office as Ghana’s new president in a ceremony attended by world leaders.
He said in his inaugural address that he was prepared for the job, adding that the time had come to reset the country.
The new President took over from Nana Akufo-Ado who succeeded him in 2017. Before Mahama’s swearing-in, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was inaugurated as the country’s first female vice president.
The Chief Justice of Ghana Gertrude Torkornoo administered the oath of office at the event.
“Today should mark the opportunity to reset our country,” the 66-year-old new President said.
Wearing the West African country’s national dress, Mahama spoke to a jubilant crowd decked in the green, red, black, and white hues of his National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.
Some of those present are Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traore, Kenyan President William Ruto, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema.
Others are Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea as well as former leaders.
News
Reactions as Mahama calls Tinubu ‘president of Ghana’ during inaugural speech
Reactions as Mahama calls Tinubu ‘president of Ghana’ during inaugural speech
President of Ghana, John Mahama, on Tuesday made a slip calling President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria Ghana’s president.
This happened while the new Ghana’s President was giving his inauguration speech.
“Your excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Ghana,” Mahama said while acknowledging dignitaries at the event.
This immediately sparked huge reactions on social media including users of the X platform.
For instance, Albert Forson
@kwameforson14, wrote:
“John Mahama announces his co president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Ghana.
“He’ll be ruling hand in hand with him.”
Another commentator, Shady Bunny🇬🇭🐇🔰@BYKAdanko, stated, “Mahama just called Tinubu president of the Federal Republic of Ghana….we’re doomed.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong support for Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra on 7th January 2025, Tinubu conveyed his solidarity and expressed his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two neighbouring nations.
Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu shared a heartfelt message of brotherhood with President Mahama.
“My dear brother, I am here to walk with you. You know you can count on my support at any given time you call on me. We are your brothers and sisters. We shall always be there for you,” Tinubu said.
News
Two fake EFCC officers demand $1m bribe from ex-NPA MD
Two fake EFCC officers demand $1m bribe from ex-NPA MD
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has exposed two impostors claiming to be officers of the anti-graft agency demanding $1 million bribe from a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko.
The pair were said to have asked for the money in order to secure a “soft landing” for the ex-NPA MD in a non-existent investigation.
Spokesman for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement and revealed names of the two members of the syndicate as Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim.
He said the suspects had been arrested and were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
The commission noted that similar criminal elements were still at large and urged members of the public to report such individuals.
“The commission also wishes to alert the public to the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its executive chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC,” the statement read.
Oyewale emphasised that the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukayode, is a man of integrity who could not be influenced by monetary offers.
“Olukoyede remains a man of integrity who cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to report such disreputable elements to the commission.”
The anti-graft agency also said it was investigating “a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff (member) of the EFCC against a sectional head.”
Meanwhile, the agency said it dismissed 27 of its officers last year for misconduct and fraudulent activities.
He said the dismissal was based on recommendations from the EFCC Staff Disciplinary Committee and ratified by the EFCC chairman
“In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024,” Oyewale said.
“Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.”
The statement quoted the EFCC chairman as reaffirming the commission’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
He also said all allegations against EFCC staff members would be thoroughly investigated.
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