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President does not have powers to pardon convicted corrupt public servants- CCB

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2021

The Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB has disclosed that the Office of the Nigerian Presidency does not have the power to pardon nor commute the sentence of any public official convicted of corrupt practices in Government.
This is according to the CCB Chairman, Professor Mohammad Isah, who made the revelation during a two-day Workshop on Fighting Corruption, organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC for its Management Staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In his presentation on “Asset Declaration: A Viable Tool for Corruption Prevention”, Professor Isah stated that the constitution recognises corruption in public service as an unpardonable crime and admonished the officials to avoid unwholesome practices while in government service.
He also revealed that corruption does not offer double jeopardy to the convicted, stating that an officer convicted for corrupt practices could be retried on the same offence.

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While stressing that corruption was a worldwide phenomenon, the CCB regretted that Nigeria was usually presented as a country with a high incidence of corrupt practices in government, adding that Nigeria had established institutions meant to check corrupt practices in the public service.
He added that as societies were becoming sophisticated, it was important for these institutions to focus on specialized ways of fighting corruption, noting that there was need for more sophisticated institutions to address the new challenges.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC its own presentation, defined corruption as abuse of public office for private gain.
EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa represented by the Zonal Commander, EFCC Port-Harcourt, Aliyu Naibi, stated that “there are economic and social costs of corruption that hamper national growth. Deterrence is now the norm in fighting corruption, not prevention. Deterrence means improving organizational procedures and internal control to reduce fraud and corruption.”
In his remarks, Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Effiong Akwa called for a change in the Niger Delta region. “We must be willing and ready to comply with the civil service rules, financial regulations, as well as with the ICPC, EFCC and CCB acts and other extant rules and laws in Nigeria.
“One of the biggest impediments to achieving organisational goals and objectives lies in a lack of transparency and integrity, in not abiding by the best principles of due process,” he noted.
Speaking on the best ways to stop Nigerians from leaving the country, a former Director of Public Enlightenment and Education of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC Rasheedat Okoduwa stated that if corruption is dealt with swiftly and appropriately, citizens will not have a need to go to other countries.
“Stop corruption, make things work, and you’ll see that people will be less likely to travel abroad for greener pastures,” she said.
Nigerian Pilot

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Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons

Published

2 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons

The American International School, Abuja, on Saturday, provided additional information and context to clarify the issues around its decision to transfer the school fees paid by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Contrary to some media reports suggesting that the institution was still in the process of turning over the funds, the statement clarified that it had actually done so, as recently confirmed by the EFCC Chairman.

In a brief statement signed by Head of School, Greg Hughes, the international co-educational institution, which was established in 1993, stated that “our compliance to remit these funds underscores our commitment to upholding institutional integrity and our respect for the national institutions of Nigeria”.

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It explained further: “Upon learning that the school fees we accepted in good faith were, in fact, part of an ongoing case with the EFCC, we turned over these funds in compliance with this federal commission’s request.”

The statement did not name Bello directly but the reference to “a family with children enrolled at the school” was clear enough in the light of recent media reports.

Citing the subjudice status of the issue as a result of the ongoing case between the EFCC and Bello, the school averred that “we will refrain from making any further comments at this time.”

Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons

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NAFDAC seals 50 Kaduna shops selling cooking oil in dirty environment

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2 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

NAFDAC seals 50 Kaduna shops selling cooking oil in dirty environment

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 50 outlets in Kaduna State due to the sale of edible oil in unhygienic conditions.

The action was taken as part of a sensitization workshop aimed at educating dealers on Registration Procedures and Food Management. This information was shared in a statement released on the agency’s official handle on Saturday.

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The statement partly read, “NAFDAC has sealed fifty outlets in Kaduna for dispensing edible oil under unhygienic conditions, aiming to prevent potential health risks associated with contamination.

“The Director, North-West Zonal Office, Mrs. Josephine Dayilim highlighted the dangers of consuming oil processed in unsanitary environments, emphasising the risks of food poisoning, gastroenteritis, and even cancer due to inadequate processing and corrosive equipment.”

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Japa: 72,000 doctors dumped Nigeria last year, says MDCN report

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3 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Japa: 72,000 doctors dumped Nigeria last year, says MDCN report

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has expressed concern over the detrimental impact of medical practitioners emigrating abroad in search of better opportunities, revealing that 72,000 out of 130,000 registered doctors failed to renew their practice licenses in 2023.

The MDCN highlighted that only a meager 58,000 have renewed their licenses, emphasizing that such a trend will not only strain healthcare services but also overwhelm the limited available personnel.

Dr. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the body, conveyed these sentiments on Friday during the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 20 newly qualified doctors at the Edo State University, Uzairue.

“The council has so far registered 130,000 medical doctors to practice in Nigeria since its inception 61 years ago and the council is mandated to regulate the practice of medicine, dental, and alternative medicine in Nigeria.

“But only 58,000 doctors have renewed their annual practising license in the year 2023 following the increase in migration of doctors outside the country,

“However, the doctors must meet the requirements to earn those increases in quota. We will partner with them to ensure that they meet those requirements, and as we try to ensure that, standards must be upheld,” he added.

Kyari, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar Dr Victor Kolawole, noted that the induction of the 20 newly qualified doctors would add to the existing workforce in the health sector which is being depleted by the day.

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She, however, admonished the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, warning that the council is mandated to regulate the activities of the practitioners as well as punish offenders.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Emmanuel Aluyor, while speaking, explained that the upgrade of the Central Hospital, Auchi to a teaching hospital has enhanced facilities for the training of the medical students and uplifting the standard of healthcare services in Edo North and its environs.

While commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his unwavering support for the university, he enjoined the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, saying he is confident that they would bring honour to the institution and MDCN.

“I urge the state government to sustain efforts towards improving facilities at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi.”

However, the acting Provost, of the College of Medical Sciences, Dr Kenneth Atoe, said 20 medical graduates from the college are the second batch of Batch B inductees.

He advised the newly qualified medical graduates to uphold the ethical standards of a medical professional, saying, “You must internalise the values of honesty, integrity, and selflessness.

“These virtues are not only essential for building strong doctor-patient relationships but are also integral to upholding the ethical standards and trustworthiness expected of a medical professional.

“By embodying these values, doctors not only fulfil their professional obligations but also contribute to the maintenance of public trust in the medical profession.”