Home Blog Page 2550

Sacrilege: Ekiti Anglican Bishop In Sex Scandal, Suspended |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Rt. Rev. Rufus Adepoju

By Ayodele Oni

What would make an otherwise revered Bishop of the Anglican Communion, throw his reputation and integrity to the dogs, and engage in sexual activities with the wife of his subordinate?

That is the Billion Dollar question His  Lordship, the Rt. Rev. Rufus  Adepoju, the Anglican Bishop of Ekiti West needs to answer.

The Bishop has been caught in a web of sex scandal. As a result, he has been suspended, for one year, by the Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba.

In suspending him, Ndukuba said he was upholding the sanctity of the Church.

Adepoju’s suspension is unprecedented, and his alleged sexual misconduct, shameful.

The suspended Bishop was caught in an inappropriate situation with the wife of a Priest under him.

In his letter of suspension dated December 11, 2020, and personally signed by the Primate, Adepoju was said to have been caught with the wife of the Priest in a sexual misconduct.

He has admitted wrong doing.

His suspension letter reads:

“We write with a deep sense of concern and pain to suspend you from office as the Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti West.

“This is sequel to your conduct giving just cause for scandal and abhorrent sexual behaviour with the wife of a Priest under your employment and care.

“These facts were admitted by you in a meeting in our office held on Thursday, December 10, 2020.

“By this suspension, you are not to partake in any activity of the Diocese as the Diocesan Bishop for a period of one (1)  with effect from the date of this letter.

“Please, report and handover to your Archbishop for further spiritual guidance.”

The letter was copied to all relevant authorities in the Anglican Communion, including the Dean of the Church of Nigeria and the Archbishop of Ondo Diocese.

What is not yet known is the fate og his sexual partner, the Priest’s wife, or the fate of the suspended Bishop’s wife. One of the reasons any spouse is permitted, in the Anglican Communion to seek for divorce is on the grounds of adultery.

Opinion is that it would take a miracle for both marriages to still subsist, just as it would be a miracle for Adepoju to remain a Bishop after his one year suspension.

Adepoju, 57, was enthroned Bishop of Ekiti West, on June 27, 2017.

Service Chiefs: CNPP Accuses NASS of Inaction, Compromise as Insecurity Worsen |The Source

By
The Source
-
0
Chief Willy Ezugwu

In keeping with its core objective of promoting democracy in an atmosphere of peace and unity in the country, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has decried the ineptness and lack of political will by the National Assembly to carry out effective oversight functions on the executive arm of the federal government and the security agencies despite worsening insecurity.

The umbrella organisation of all registered political parties and political associations in the country also accused the  Lawmakers “in both chambers of the National Assembly of compromise and turning themselves into rubber stamp legislators at the detriment of the well-being of the ordinary citizens.”

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, insisting that “the principal officers of the national assembly have failed Nigerians and betrayed their oath of office for operating as agents of the Federal Government rather than the representatives of the people.”

The CNPP was reacting to the continued killings and abduction of Nigerians in parts of the country, especially in Northern Nigeria.

“We wonder what the members of the National Assembly, especially the Principal  Officers of both Chambers, are telling their Constituents in terms of their preparedness to ensure that the executive protects them from criminal elements like Boko Haram and bandits.

“The recent attack on a meeting convened by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) at Arewa House, in Kaduna, as stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the security situation in the north at a time at least 333 school boys were kidnapped in Katsina State is shameful.

“The executive, whose responsibility it is to provide security for the citizens to be able to pursue legitimate endeavour has failed while the legislators who were constitutionally empowered to put the executive on its toes are obviously compromised and have remained not only an extension of the executive arm but also the defender of the failed security chiefs, whom they have continued to pamper in reality but only cry in the open as a cover up.

“Amid worsening security situation in parts of the country, we have seen the lawmakers cover up for the same service chiefs they have said President Muhammadu Buhari should sack on more than one occasion, even as the legislators have done nothing in exercise of its oversight powers on the executive.

“The inability of the National Assembly to summon the courage to initiate impeachment process against the President following his inaction on their resolutions to sack the service chiefs and other anti-democratic tendencies, including obvious constitutional breaches and ceding of Nigerian sovereignty for loans are enough evidence that they have equally failed to ensure the protection of citizens they were voted to represent.

“The CNPP is pained that Nigerians are suffering economic hardship amid extreme insecurity in the country while their representatives at that national assembly have continued to caress the executive.

“Despite visiting Mr. President to plead with him to address a joint session of the National Assembly in what was an obvious show of compromise, the lawmakers have remained toothless bull dogs that can only bark but cannot bite.

“We hereby reiterate our earlier calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the country’s Security  Chiefs if he still has any honour left, or he resigns”, the CNPP said.

Fear Grips South East As IPOB Sets Up Security Outfit |The Source

By
The Source
-
0
Eastern Security Network

By Godwin Njoku

Fear and apprehension have gripped the South-east over the setting up of a security outfit, Eastern Security Network, ESN, by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Announcing the birth of the ESN, which personnel were seen displaying their strength and prowess in a video that has gone viral, IPOB’s Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful said IPOB had become tired of waiting for the Governors of the South-east to set up a Security outfit. Powerful said IPOB could no longer wait while some killer herdsmen ravaged the South east, killing, maiming and raping women in their farmlands, thus, stopping them from going to their farms.

In deed, for inexplicable reasons, the South-east Governors have been unable  to put their acts together to set up a security outfit. At a point, along with the Ohaneze, the Governors set up a  Committee  headed by Major General Obi Umahi, rtd, to fashion out modalities for a Security outfit for the region. But the Committee, because of the politics of a couple of Governors, never met for one day.

General Umahi is the elder brother to Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, who is also the Chairman of the South-east Governors Forum.

Since then, the South-west has set up its own Regional Security outfit, the Amotekun, and the North, its Hisbah, popular as the Shariah Police.

But the setting up of the ESN  has been received with mixed feelings. Not a few people think it is a private Army for IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who lives in London. Others say it is the Biafran Army, an assumption   Mr Powerful denies. When the group is ready to set up an army, he argues, it will be to public knowledge.

But ESN is not like Amotekun or Hisbah, or other security outfits set up by a couple of states. Those outfits were set up with the knowledge and backing of State Governments and other stakeholders after due consultations. But in the case of the ESN, there were no such consultations with anybody.

Distancing itself from the outfit, the Publicity Secretary of the Youth Wing of the Ohaneze Nd’Igbo, Osmond Nkeoma,  said  it would not work with the ESN, because nobody was consulted before it was set-up.

“Ohaneze will not recognize the outfit”, he said.

Others fear the ESN will be reduced to an outfit to oppress the people, and ask how it would operate without the express cooperation of the Police and  State Governments in the zone. They think it is an invitation to anarchy, and worry that the Federal Government would clampdown on members, especially, as in the eyes of the Government, IPOB remains proscribed.

After watching the video of the IPOP-backed ESN, a Stakeholder remarked:

“The story of the video is that someone is raising a private army,  and is purporting to be doing it on our behalf. The same individual holds everyone else in leadership in Igboland in total disdain, from Ohaneze to politicians. This is a powerful instrument in his hands, for oppressing all of us, even if he is not able to achieve his overall objective of carving out an entity that he would rule over with an iron fist.”

Nine Years After, Dickson Returns to NASS; Imo, Cross River State, Shunned |The Source

By
The Source
-
0

By Charles Igbo

About nine years after he exited the National Assembly with his head held high, the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson,  returned to  familiar grounds Tuesday, December 15, 2020, with swagger, walking taller than ever.

Dickson was a member of the House of Representatives before he contested for the office of the Bayelsa Governor, thus, reducing current Minister of State, Petroleum, to a one-term Governor.

On Tuesday, Dickson, along with three others, Adetokunbo Abiru, (Lagos East), Senator Cleopas Moses, (Bayelsa Central), and Senator Nora Ladi Dadu’ut (Plateau South), was sworn-in as the Senator to represent Bayelsa West.

The four of them were winners at the December 5, Bye-election conducted by INEC. Dickson replaces the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence  Ewhrudjakpo, while Moses replaces Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri.

Not sworn-in are the Senators from Imo and Cross River State.

In the case of Imo North, INEC declared the APC winner without a candidate.

A suit to decide on who the actual candidate is, between Senator Ararume and Chief Ibezim is going on. But the PDP is asking INEC to declare its candidate, Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu, winner, insisting that APC had no candidate.

In the case of Cross River State, it is not known yet why Odey was not sworn-in.

A former Legislative aide to Governor Ayinde, he had arrived the Senate Chambers with family and friends early, but  was not called-up to take the oath.

Dickson, a former Police Officer, is a lawyer and an activist. He was also a former Bayelsa Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

The new Senators were sworn-in by the Clerk to the Senate, Ibrahim El-Ladan.

CJN Is COVID-19 Positive |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0

By Adesina Soyooye

Finally, the reason why the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Tanko has been out of public eye has been revealed.

Tanko has not been seen in public for sometime. Perhaps it won’t have been conspicuous but for his absence at the Swearing-in ceremony on Monday, of 72 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, at the Supreme Court.

The ceremony is usually presided over by the CJN, which was why Tanko’s absence raised eyebrows.

Standing-in for him was the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Lagos State- born Hon. Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour.

The CJN is COVID-19 positive, and is presently in Dubai where he is receiving treatment. It is not known if Tanko contracted the disease in Dubai, otherwise, questions are being asked over why he is being treated in Dubai, instead of Nigeria.

Tanko’s  ill health was revealed by a  Supreme Court Justice,  Ibrahim Saulawa, on Tuesday, at the unveiling of the

National Headquarters of the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Asked why Tanko has been scarce, His Lordship responded:

“What do you wish him? As for me,  I’ll keep it to myself.”

Tanko succeeded the former  CJN, Walter Onnoghen, who was forced to retire in controversial circumstances.  He is aged 66.

COVID-19, thought to have receded, made an about- turn, and is currently at an all-time high. This other day, it claimed the life of Billionaire businessman/ politician, Harry Akande.

On Sunday, Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha, revealed that a number of his family members are down with COVID-19. And so is Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, on Monday, threatened to shut-down Abuja over the Virus.

Imo 2023: Group Tackles Iwuanyanwu |The Source

By
The Source
-
0
Emmanuel Iwuayanwu

By Charles Igbo

A PDP Chieftain and elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel  Iwuanyanwu is in trouble. He is not only in trouble with his party, the PDP, he is, also, in trouble with a section of his people, Owerri zone.

Iwuanyanwu’s problem stems from a speech he delivered a few days ago when Owerri zone organized a reception for Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma. The elder statesman was the Chairman of the occasion, during which Traditional Ruiers in the Zone honoured  the Governor with a Chieftaincy title.

In his speech, which lasted for about 30 minutes, Iwuanyanwu, according to some people, crossed the border line. He publicly promised the Governor that Owerri Zone will vote for him for a second term in office as Governor, in 2023. He said it was because within just a space of less than one year in office, the Governor has already done a lot for Owerri Zone.

Members of the PDP in the Zone hit the roof. Iwuanyanwu’s speech rankled them. They were not only embarrassed, not a few of them accused the Chief of anti-poverty activities. They called for his expulsion from the party.

They had their reasons.

Iwuanyanwu is a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, BOT. He had, on a couple of occasions, said he was instrumental to former Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s victory as the Governor before a Supreme Court judgement removed and declared Uzodinma winner.

The PDP has since then been hurting and crying foul. The party sees Governor Uzodinma as an illegal Governor.

For eight years, the PDP played the opposition role. Ihedioha’s coming gave them a breather. And just before the party even sat down properly, it was  roughly pushed out of the seat.

But, on top of that, Owerri Zone, where both Iwuanyanwu and Ihedioha hail from, feel cheated that, again, the Governorship of the State had gone to Orlu zone where Uzodinma hails from.

For 16 years, beginning from  former Governor Achike Udenwa who did eight years,   Rochas Okorocha, who did another eight years, making it 16 years, Uzodinma’s one term would make it 20 years, and if he does two terms, Orlu Zone would have  occupied the Governorship of the Imo for 24 years.

For Owerri zone, which has not got a taste of it since Governor Evan Enwerem’s aborted tenure, the sacking of Ihedioha was like snatching a breast-sucking baby away from her/his mother’s breast.

And, now, there was an Iwuanyanwu, who the PDP and a number of people from Owerri zone, felt understood the issues, publicly endorsing Uzodinma.

Even though the PDP, both at the National and State levels, has not publicly reacted to Iwuanyanwu’s endorsement of Uzodinma, not so, the apex Owerri zone socio-cultural organisation, Olu- Owerri. The body has denounced Iwuanyanwu, and has told him that he spoke for himself, and not Owerri zone.

In a statement, Olu Owerri said Iwuanyanwu had no authority to speak for the Zone.

In an open letter signed by the President General of the union, Chief Martin Opara, and  Secretary, Barr Sylvester Nwogu, addressed to Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Olu Owerri advised him to, henceforth, speak for himself and his family.

He was asked to avoid “making comments that could bring him on collusion curse with the good people of Owerri zone.”

The letter  informed Chief Iwuanyanwu that: “Owerri people, in the various political parties, are  united in their resolve to pursue the Governorship seat in 2023, to address the injustice that has befallen the senatorial zone in the last twenty one (21) years.”

Chief Iwuanyanwu was reminded by the body of his earlier stand of the betrayal of the zone by the former coordinator of OZOPOLF, Chief Charles Amadi, who he has now embraced, saying “it is now clear that both of you are birds of the same feather.

The statement said: “Iwuanyanwu only cried wolf when Amadi  outwitted him in their common enterprise. Now he has gone back to him to lick his vomit.”

The group urged Chief Iwuanyanwu to show a  good example to the younger generation by separating his appetite for government patronage from the issues of principle, insisting that with his present statements on the governorship of Imo State, he should resign his membership of the PDP and either remain an elder statesman or join the APC.

The letter urged the general public to take the statement accredited to.Chief Iwuanyanwu as his personal opinion, and not the opinion of Owerri zone.

Sultan-headed JNI, Asks Buhari To Address Nigerians |The Source

By
The Source
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Jam’atu Nasril Islam, JNI has described as shocking, the brazen storming of a school in Katsina State, and  the abduction of over 300 students, while the President Muhammadu Buhari was in town.

President Buhari, a native of Daura, Katsina state, was on his first trip outside Abuja since COVID-19. The well-publicized trip, Nigerians were told, would last for one week.

But in a most embarrassing manner, as if to dare the President, bandits, in their numbers, riding motorcycles, and wielding, reportedly, AK 47, invaded the Government Science Secondary school, Kankara, Katsina, and abducted hundreds of students.

During the operation, one of the two Policemen at attached to the school was killed, while the other was critically injured.

In a statement on Monday where it decried the worsening security situation,

the apex Islamic body in a statement signed by its   Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, asked President Buhari to address the Nation. The JNI, which has the Sultan of Sokoto as its Chairman, also noted that  there are lapses in Nigeria’s security architecture and Buhari  to  urgently   re-address the situation/

A pointer, to the frightening situation is the boldness displayed by the bandits to carry out the abduction on the day Mr. President arrived Katsina State on a week-long private visit.

It advised President  Buhari to listen to the yearnings Nigerians and revamp the security architecture and address the nation.

The JNI alleged that: “There are insinuations that for pecuniary benefits, some top echelon among the security operatives don’t want the insecurity to end.

“If not, how can one explain the movement of the bandits in their hundreds on motor cycles without being detected? What happened to intelligence gathering that this heinous plan was not uncovered before it was hatched?

“How come the bandits took their time, gathered the school boys, heaped them on bikes and whisked them away without being rounded up by the security agencies?

The Statement, entitled:

“Mr. President needs to hearken to the call of Nigerians; REVAMP THE SECURITY ARCHITECTURE, AND ADDRESS THE NATION!, reads in part:

“The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of its President-General, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto, received with absolute shock the most unfortunate story of the abduction of students from Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Kankara, Katsina State, after shooting the security guard on the spot, at about 10:45pm on Friday.

“This abduction, in commando style, is one tragedy too many coming on the heels of the infamous Zabarmari massacre just not long ago.

“This, indeed, is a sad reminder of the abductions of school Girls in Chibok and Dapchi of Borno and Yobe States of North-East Nigeria, and it’s an indicator that the powers that be don’t read the present through the spectacle of the past; this wouldn’t have happened.

“For the umpteenth time, we will continue to ask: for how long shall the masses continue to live in fear? For how long shall the Federal and State Governments continue to issue empty condemnations whenever tragedies stroke? Is the government and the security agencies so overwhelmed, and thus cannot secure the citizens? Are there insurmountable challenges or acts of sabotage that the Government is hiding from the public? These and many more questions continue to bedevil every discerning mind within and outside Nigeria.

“The Kankara abduction was so belligerently orchestrated that it happened the day Mr. President arrived Katsina State on a private visit. Are the bandits this bold as to further test the resolve of the Government or smite the face of the Commander-in- Chief by bringing it up to his door step in his presence?

“This further proves what we once said that the bandits rule in many communities and do as they wish with impunity.

“If there is any worse outcome than the abduction itself, it is the fact that this is the most potent action to frustrate school enrolment in Northern Nigeria as no parent will forthwith be comfortable to send their children or wards to boarding school despite the many enrolment campaign efforts by the Government. And it will even be callous for anyone to call on the traumatized parents to expose their beloved children to these unprotected environments to be used as fodder by bandits and insurgents at will.

“What baffles us the most is the government’s inability to locate the enemy’s actual enclave, the focal point of their strength and to devote all available means to rout them out or incapacitate them.

“Is it that the political will isn’t there? What really is the challenge or Nigerians don’t deserve to know from the government they elected?

“We, nevertheless, in a plangent mood commiserate with the families of the GSSS Kankara victims, and wish them safe and immediate reunion with their respective children.

“We also pray for Allah’s continuous guidance, strength and stamina to all those on the battle fields against all forms of insurrections in Nigeria. In the same vein, we urge the people and Government of Katsina state not to get depressed; Allah, the Most High shall continue to be their strength in-sha’Allah.

“In light of the above, we call on Governments at all levels to, with all urgency, do everything possible, and use any means possible to return the school boys.

“The Prayers of the JNI and Nigerian Muslims are therefore that: Government should spare no effort(s) to immediately return all the abducted students of GSSS Kankara. And then there should be no sacred cows – heads must roll for the repeated slackness.

“Government at all levels in collaboration with different security agencies should proactively rise against the tide of insecurity in whatever guise by nipping it in the bud, before it escalates; We must all be upright in our dealings and remember that we shall all account for our respective actions and inactions, thus we should be God-conscious.

“We should continue to seek Allah’s intervention to ending these orgies bedeviling our country, as well as return to Allah with all righteousness; repentance, remorsefulness, brokenhearted and seeking for His pardon,” JNI said.

Ondo Assembly Recalls Suspended Members |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State House of  Assembly has lifted  the suspension order on four suspended lawmakers.

The lawmakers are Deputy  Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji,  Favour Tomomewo, Adewinle Adewale Williams, and Akinrindibo Leonard.

They were suspended in the wake of the botched impeachment of the State  Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

The decision to lift the suspension, was as a result of the order of the Court to commit to prison, the Speaker and other officers for defying the order to recall the Lawmakers.

At plenary on Monday, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Oleyelogun Bamidele, insisted that the Lawmakers were suspended in line with the provisions of the rules and standing orders of the House at parliamentary and ratified at plenary.

The Speaker pointed out that the four members went to court to challenge their suspension following which judgement was delivered in their favour, but maintained that the House was not served with the court judgement until recently.

” Surprisingly, the House was not served with these judgements until recently. But because their suspension was done at plenary, the House based on its regulatory proceedings, of the had to consider the judgement at its parliamentary where a resolution to seek the advice of the Judiciary and Legal  Committee on the court judgement was reached”.

“The House  Judiciary and the Legal Department advised that the house should obey the judgement for peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship between the Judiciary and the Legislature.”

He said the Legislative Arm of Government, being a law-making organ, is a respecter of the rule of law, hence the compliance with the court order on the reinstatement of the suspended Lawmakers.

He, therefore, ruled that the indefinite suspension order placed on the four Lawmakers should be lifted to allow them perform their legislative functions as Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

Thugs Invade, Disrupt Northern Groups’ Security Summit In Kaduna |The Source

By
The Source
-
0
Coalition of Northern Groups

By Gideon Njoku

The unprecedented happened in Kaduna on Monday when thugs, in their numbers, wielding dangerous weapons, invaded the Arewa House Kaduna.They were after officials of the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG. Members of the group was there for a security summit.

In the past few weeks, security has descended to an unprecedented level, especially, in the North, causing an explosion of panic. A couple of weeks ago, insurgents, in a most horrifying manner, tied up over 60 rice farmers, and beheaded them.

Worried, the Group scheduled a meeting to discuss the situation, but the venue was invaded by thugs, who chased members away.

Confirming that the officials and members of the Group were chased away, Abdulaziz Suleiman, spokesman of the CNG, explained in a statement that security guards had to scamper to safety.

He said: “We regret to announce that armed thugs numbering hundreds were unleashed on the Arewa House venue of the security summit hosted by the Coalition of Northern Groups on Monday, December 14.

“The Summit  aimed to discuss ways to achieve synergy between communities and government security and design a uniform approach to the current security situation in the North.

“Participants at the meeting included retired military officers, retired Police officers, religious leaders, traditional rulers, various women, youth and trade associations.”

The CNG revealed that just as the meeting was about to begin, ”sponsored armed thugs stormed the auditorium after subduing the civil guards at the gate.”

He continued: “They overturned tables shattered glasses, attacked the guests and officials, wounding several people and smashing vehicles parked in the premises.

“It is disturbing that a battalion of armed thugs can stroll free across the streets of central Kaduna wielding dangerous weapons without the intervention of the security. Security only arrived hours after the thugs had left.”

“It is quite obvious now that some powerful forces are benefiting from the current security situation and would do everything for it to continue.

“We are now all the more committed to ensuring the safety and security of the North and its people.”

SERAP Demands Probe Of Petroleum Ministry Under Buhari, Sylva |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

The purchase of Biros, Letterheads, toners, Stationeries with a whopping sum of N116 Million by the Ministry of Petroleum has generated mixed feelings. Nigerians are demanding for a probe into the Ministry headed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the State Minister of Petroleum, Timipriye Sylva.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has, therefore, urged President Buhari and  Sylva, to use their leadership positions “to urgently probe how N116 million was spent by your Ministry to buy biros, letterhead and toners in 2015, and to disclose the amount spent on the same items between 2016 and 2020, and if there is evidence of misuse of public funds, refer the matter to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for prosecution.”

The Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation had, last Thursday, before the Senate Public Accounts Committee, revealed that officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources spent N116m to buy biros, letterhead and toners in one year, and alleged “contravention of the Public Procurement Act 2017 by the Permanent Secretary.”

SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, in a statement said : “The Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], the UN Convention against Corruption and African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption require the government to ensure that Nigeria’s resources are used effectively and efficiently, and in a manner consistent with the public interest.”

Oluwadare added that, “An effective and efficient ministry ought to keep careful track of how it spends public money, and put in place a system to eliminate corruption, mismanagement, unnecessary, inefficient, or unreasonable expenditures.

According to SERAP, “Transparency and openness in the spending by your Ministry would ensure the public trust, efficient, effective and competent delivery of public goods and services. Openness in the spending by your Ministry will also strengthen the country’s democracy and promote efficiency and integrity in government.”

The letter copied Abubakar Malami, SAN, read in part: “Any allegations of misuse of public funds may constitute serious misconduct that impairs the efficiency of your Ministry, and undermines public confidence in the ability of ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] to provide essential public goods and services to Nigerians.

“SERAP is concerned that the allegations by the Office of the Auditor-General raises serious violations of anti-corruption legislation, the Nigerian Constitution and international anti-corruption standards.”

“Public officials and MDAs should act and take decisions on the spending of public funds in an open, transparent and accountable manner, and submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

“A democratic government accountable to the people must be as transparent as possible and must not withhold information for self-serving reasons or simply to avoid embarrassment.

“We would therefore be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to probe the spending of N116m on biros, letterhead and toners in 2015, and disclose the total amount spent on the same items between 2016 and 2020 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, the Registered Trustees of SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your Ministry to implement these recommendations in the interest of transparency and accountability.

“The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has a legal obligation to conduct an effective investigation into any allegations of breach of anti-corruption legislation and international standards, including those relating to the spending by the Ministry on biros, letterhead and toners between 2015 and 2020.

“Our requests are consistent with the government’s repeated promise of transparency, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption legislation, Freedom of Information Act, and Nigeria’s international obligations, including under the UN Convention against Corruption, and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.

“According to our information, the 2015 report of the Auditor General for the Federation shows that officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources spent N116m to buy biros, letterhead and toners in one year.

“The breakdown of the expenditure showed that the ministry spent N14.5m to purchase Schneider biros, N46m to print the ministry’s letterhead and N56m to procure toner for its photocopy machines.

“According to the Office of the Auditor-General, ‘the contract for the supply of Schneider biros worth N14.5m was split into smaller packages of less than N5m each and was awarded to four different companies in order to circumvent the permanent secretary’s approval threshold of N5m.’”

“’The contract for the printing of the Ministry’s letterhead worth N46m was also split and awarded to 11 different contractors. The contract for the supply of toners worth N56m was split and awarded to seven different contractors.’”

“The Office of the Auditor-General has also reportedly told the Senate Public Accounts Committee that the permanent secretary has failed and/or refused to “explain this contravention of the Public Procurement Act 2007″.

1...2,5492,5502,551...2,967Page 2,550 of 2,967