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SERAP sues Tinubu over failure to probe alleged missing N57bn

Published

5 days ago

December 16, 2024

SERAP sues Tinubu over failure to probe alleged missing N57bn

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged President Bola Tinubu before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly failing to order the probe of N57 billion stolen from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021.

SERAP is explicitly asking the court to compel President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to work with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged missing public funds promptly.

The organisation is also urging the court, in the suit which is yet to be assigned to a judge, to compel President Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General to collaborate with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to prosecute anyone suspected of being responsible for the missing N57 billion if sufficient admissible evidence is available and to recover any missing public funds.

In an affidavit attached to the suit, SERAP averred that the government should investigate the allegations, prosecute those suspected of being responsible for the missing N57 billion, and recover the missing funds. This would help to end perpetrators‘ impunity.

The civil society organisation further argues that the allegations represent theft from the poor, and there is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these serious accusations.
The plaintiff noted that low-income Nigerians continue to bear the burden of widespread and grand corruption in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and other ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

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SERAP emphasised that „citizens feel the consequences of corruption daily. Corruption forces them to incur additional health, education, and administrative costs.

SERAP also stated that the allegations indicate a serious breach of public trust, contravening the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the country’s anti-corruption laws, and international anti-corruption obligations.

In the suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, the plaintiff submitted that granting the reliefs sought would significantly address corruption within ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and the nation’s budget deficit and debt challenges.

SERAP said that the damning findings are documented in the 2021 audited report recently published by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Hundreds of billions of naira are also reportedly missing in other MDAs.”

According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation “failed to account for over N54 billion (N54,630,000,000.00) intended for paying monthly stipends to Batch C1 N-Power volunteers and non-graduate trainees between August and December 2021.”

This money was “not directly paid to the beneficiaries.”

The Auditor-General expressed concern that the funds „may have been diverted.“ He has called for the recovery of the money and its remittance to the treasury, along with sanctions against suspected perpetrators of the diversion in line with financial regulations.

In addition, the Ministry reportedly failed to account for over N2.6 billion (N2,617,090,786.00) allocated for the “homegrown school feeding program during COVID-19,” as “the program was never executed.”

The money was allegedly paid to five contractors for „procurement, packaging, and distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to Kano, Zamfara, and Abia states,” but there is no trace.

The Auditor-General fears that this money “may have been diverted” and has requested recovery and remittance to the treasury.

The Ministry reportedly spent over N78 million (N78,373,909.74) on “a survey on the Ministry’s COVID-19 response to states and vulnerable groups” without approval or documentation.

The Auditor-General is concerned that the funds may be missing or that they ended up in the pockets of “incompetent contractors.” He has called for recovery and remittance to the treasury.

Additionally, the Ministry failed to account for N39.5 million (N39,500,000.00) in „personal donations to different personalities.“ This amount was „paid directly to the minister as reimbursement.“

The Auditor-General fears that this money „may have been diverted,“ leading to „the loss of public funds.“ He has requested its recovery and remittance to the treasury.

SERAP sues Tinubu over failure to probe alleged missing N57bn

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Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship

Published

59 minutes ago

December 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has successfully apprehended 19 individuals attempting to stow away on Europe-bound vessels.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, the ship’s Information Officer, Lt. Hussaini Ibrahim, disclosed that 15 stowaways were intercepted on Dec. 19 aboard the European-bound Moto Tanker (MT) KRITI RUBY. Another four were caught on Dec. 21 aboard MT MCC YANBU.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the stowaways boarded the vessels at night and concealed themselves in the rudder compartment while attempting to illegally migrate to Europe,” Ibrahim stated.

The Navy’s Quick Response Team (QRT), operating from ATLAS COVE and using the Falcon Eye Alignment under the Nigerian Navy Maritime Domain Awareness Facility, facilitated the interception of the 15 individuals near the Lagos fairway buoy.

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Ibrahim further explained that credible intelligence led to the interception of the additional four stowaways by Navy personnel deployed on escort duties aboard the vessel.

“The prompt response of the QRT saved the stowaways from exposure to life-threatening situations during the long voyage,” he added.

The first group of 15 individuals has been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Port/Marine Command, Apapa, for further investigation and necessary action. The remaining four suspects will also be transferred in due course.

“The presence of stowaways poses serious security threats to maritime operations, including risks of smuggling, piracy, drug and human trafficking, among other maritime crimes,” Ibrahim noted.

He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief of Naval Staff Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, NNS BEECROFT will continue maintaining security along Lagos waterways and surrounding creeks to support safe maritime activities and economic growth.

Navy arrests 19 Nigerians attempting to reach Europe by hiding on ship

metro

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian military troops

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 of the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested four suspected members of Ambazonian rebels in Taraba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ambazonia is a rebel group operating in neighbouring Cameroon Republic.

A statement on Saturday in Jalingo by Capt. Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, said the suspects were arrested at a hotel in Takum town.

The statement said that acting on credible intelligence, the suspects were tracked and apprehended.

According to the statement, during initial interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of the rebel group involved in arms proliferation in exchange for cocoa with their Nigerian collaborators.

It said that four mobile handsets were recovered from the suspects now in detention undergoing further investigation.

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The statement also said that in another operation following actionable intelligence, troops deployed at Natilde community in Bantaji District of Wukari Local Government Area intercepted a truck with registration number WKR 66 BB, transporting 19 pieces of stolen pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

It said that further collaborative efforts with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Wukari Division led to the recovery of an additional 11 pipes, bringing the total to 30.

“The recovered items have been handed over to the NSCDC Wukari Division for further investigation and necessary action.

“The 6 Brigade Nigerian Army will remain resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while ensuring the security of critical national infrastructure.

“We urge members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance our collective efforts in maintaining peace and security,” the statement added.

Troops arrest four Ambazonian rebels in Taraba

(NAN)

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NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Trends Admin

NIMC warns against extortion, reaffirms free NIN enrollment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued a stern warning to the public, reiterating that enrollment for the National Identification Number (NIN) is entirely free of charge. The Commission emphasized that it neither charges nor authorizes its staff or Front End Partners (FEPs) to demand payment for NIN registration.

In a statement released on Friday by Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, NIMC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for extortion and pledged to take decisive action against offenders. To ensure compliance, the Commission has directed security agencies to identify and prosecute any staff or FEPs involved in such illegal activities.

“Anyone caught engaging in extortion will face sanctions in line with the provisions of the law, including the withdrawal of licenses for culpable FEPs,” the statement read.

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NIMC also urged the public to report any cases of extortion. Complaints can be sent via email to [email protected] or by calling 0700-2255-646. The Commission assured Nigerians that all reports would be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate measures would be taken to address any violations.

Reaffirming its commitment to efficient and transparent service delivery, NIMC pledged to provide seamless and hassle-free enrollment processes for all Nigerians. The Commission expressed its determination to eliminate corruption and protect citizens from exploitation during NIN registration.

This announcement is a clear signal of NIMC’s dedication to upholding integrity and ensuring that the NIN enrollment process remains accessible and free for all. Nigerians are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any attempts at extortion to help maintain the credibility of the system.