Dasuki drags FG to ECOWAS Court, demands N500m damages

Following his continued detention by the Department of State Security, DSS, erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd), has dragged the Federal Government before the ECOWAS Court in Abuja.

Dasuki is seeking the court’s order for his release while also demanding payment of N500 million damages for alleged infringement on his human rights.

The embattled former NSA in the suit filed by his lawyer, Robert Emukpoeruo, urged the court to declare among others, that his continued detention was in defiance of court orders for his bail, and an abuse of his fundamental human right.

He also prayed the court to hold that it was, “a most egregious violation of the treaty obligations” signed by Nigeria to have unlawfully detained him under a “de-humanizing condition” after he had been granted bail and met the conditions for his release.

The applicant further asked the court to declare that the alleged invasion of his home in Abuja and Sokoto on July 16 and 17, 2015 and the “forceful and unlawful seizure” of his properties, “without any lawful order or warrant” violates his fundamental rights and offended the country’s treaty obligations as a signatory to the listed legal instruments.

Source: Daily Post NG

Court remands Kanu, two others in Kuje prison

Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered that pro-Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu and two of his associates be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja.

Justice James Tsoho gave the order when Kanu, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi (a Field Maintenance engineer with MTN) were arraigned before him.

They were arraigned on a six-count of treasonable felony; running an unlawful organisation, plotting to levy war on the country, illegal possession of firearms and unlawful importation of a transmitter to run their illegal radio station – Radio Biafra.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

When the case was called, lead prosecution lawyer and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Muhammad Diri withdrew the charge of December 18, 2015, urging the court to allow the defendants plead to the December 23 charge.

He said the charge was accompanied by a list of exhibits, witnesses, case summary, proof of evidence of witnesses, and their written statements, affidavit of completion of investigation in the case and a letter of approval by the chief judge, for their arraignment before the Abuja division.

Shortly after Kanu and others pleaded to the charge, their lawyer, Chucks Muoma   (SAN), applied that the defendants be remanded in prison custody, saying the prison authorities were neutral.

Muoma argued that the complainant should not be allowed to keep the accused, saying the prison would be a more appropriate and neutral custodian of the accused.

“The DSS cannot be a judge in its cause, cannot accuse and also detain the accused in its custody. The accused have been in DSS custody since October or thereabout. They have been held incommunicado for three months, without access to the world, lawyers or their families.

“They are not allowed to make phone calls to families. In the opinion of the DSS, the defendants are already condemned. That opinion negates the foundation of our criminal justice system that a man is presumed guilty until proved guilty. It is only the court that can declare a man guilty at the end of trial.

“Since the prosecution claimed investigations have been concluded, why seek to further keep them?” Muoma said.

He urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody, as is the tradition once a person is arraigned.

The judge rejected the prosecution’s request that the three be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where they have been since their arrest last October.

He ordered  they be remanded in prison and adjourned to January 25 for hearing of their bail application.

Source: The Nation

Nigerian Army Officers Ordered To Declare Assets

Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has asked all officers of the Nigerian Army who have not declared their assets to do so immediately. 

A statement released today by military spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, revealed that General Buratai "gave the directive today during a conference with Principal Staff Officers and Directors serving at the Army Headquarters."

The Nigerian Armed Forces have been in the spotlight after an audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari found that numerous retired and serving military officers may have colluded in billions of dollars worth of weapons procurement deals. Mr. Buhari asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence investigation of the officers.  

Colonel Usman's statement disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff had declared his own assets shortly after his "appointment as Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force in May 2015 and also on his appointment as Chief of Army Staff in July 2015." He revealed that copies of both declarations were with the Code of Conduct Bureau.

According to the press statement, the directive to officers to declare their assets was justified owing to the fact all military officers "are public servants, as well as subject to both civil and military laws."

Colonel Usman added that the order to officers to declare their assets was in keeping with "the current drive of the country for probity and accountability." He wrote, "the Nigerian Army should not only key in but should be one of the key drivers for such laudable project."

Source: Sahara Reporters

$2.1b arms deals: Mu’azu, Dikko, Jonathan’s ex-aide may be declared wanted

Security agencies may declare former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chair Adamu Muazu, former Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller-General Abdullahi Dikko Inde  and four others wanted.

The others are former PDP Kebbi State governorship candidate Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki, a former top official in the Office of National Security Adviser, Col. Bello Fadile, former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs Waripamowei Dudafa and a former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr.Abdulrasheed Maina.

They are wanted in connection with the ongoing probe of alleged curious spending by some former public officers, including  the management of $2.1billion arms cash by ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), who is in detention.

Some of those wanted allegedly diverted public funds  to other uses, including political purposes.

Investigations have so far shown that some of the officers have questions to answer on some expenditures incurred by the Jonathan administration.

The breakdown is as follows:

• Muazu—(N500million cash allegedly from the Office of the National Security Adviser);
• Yaki(N200million from ONSA);
• Fadile(N100million from ONSA);
• Dudafa( being investigated for N10billion given to the delegates to the PDP’s nomination convention);
• Maina—alleged N20billion pension fraud
• Dikko—N3.5billion incurred  on internet project

According to a source, who spoke in confidence, most of those affected were invited by the Special Investigative Committee probing the activities of ONSA but they refused to turn up.

The source added: “Security agencies have given these former public officers enough time but they have not turned up to clear some disbursements and  expenditures traced to them.

“The committee is not saying that they are guilty but it is imperative for them to appear before the team handling these issues.

“They have up to one week to honour the invitation of the panel or else they will be declared wanted by the appropriate security agencies.”

Another source said: “Some of the accused persons on trial admitted disbursing arms cash to a few of these former public officers. For instance, Dasuki, in his statement, said he handed over N10billion to Dudafa for disbursement to delegates to PDP Nomination Convention.

“A former Minister of Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda, who is standing trial, said Yakin benefited to the tune of N200million from some funds.

“Most of these people are holed up abroad. Let them come home. Once they are declared wanted by security agencies, it will be easier to extradite them home.”

Source: The Nation

Buhari splashes cash gifts on Eaglets, others

… Fulfills 31-year -old promise to Nduka Ugbade -led side

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday announced various cash gifts to members of the Golden Eaglets team that won a fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile last year and other athletes that did the country proud at various international competitions during the period.

The athletes were hosted by President Buhari at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

The President also rewarded members of the Golden Eaglets that won the inaugural FIFA U-16 World Cup in China in 1985 with various cash gifts.

Each member of the 1985 team will get N2 million, while their coaches will smile home with N1.5 million each.

Members of the victorious 2015 side will go home with N1.2 million each and the coaches will receive N900,000 each.  The Assistant coaches are also rewarded with N600, 000 each.

Each member of the Dream Team that won the U-23 African Nations Cup in Senegal last year got N600,000, while their coaches went home with N500,000 each.

The 2015 Afro-Basketball Male Tournament Gold medalists got N600,000 each, coaches – N600,000, and team officials – N250, 000 each.

Members of the 2015 FIBA African Women Championship, where Nigeria won silver medal, got N400,000 each, coaches went home with N400,000 and while team officials got N150,000 each.

Source: The Nation

Olisa Metuh Charged For ‘Destroying Own Confessional Statement’, Sent Back To Prison

The Economic andå Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday morning slammed a fresh two-count charge on the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, over an alleged attempt by the politician to destroy a confessional statement made to its operatives.

The new charges came less than 48 hours after the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted him bail over a seven-count charge of corruption.

The EFCC drove the embattled politician into the premises of the FCT High Court on Thursday morning, preparatory to slamming fresh charges on him.

Like on Tuesday, Mr. Metuh was in handcuffs when he was brought into the court.

The handcuffs were later removed as he waited to be taken before a judge.

He was later brought before Justice Ishaq Bello, and accused of attempting to destroy information provided during his cross examination at the office of the EFCC.

Count one of the charge contains allegation of destruction of a statement he had given at the commission, to prevent it from being produced, while count two of the charge revolves around allegations of mischief, all punishable under section 327 of the Penal Code Act.

After pleading not guilty to the said charges, counsel to the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, asked for more time to allow his team present witnesses and evidence in support of the allegations against the politician.

Justice Bello, who is the chief judge of the FCT High Court, noted that the EFCC must produce three witnesses during the next sitting, without fail.

He noted that it was needless to have the case brought before him if it was already ongoing at a Federal High Court.

But EFCC counsel, Mr. Sylvanus, explained that the new charges, filed on January 18, were not the same as those currently being heard at the Federal High Court.

The matter was adjourned till January 25, for hearing of an application for bail, while information would be relayed later on whether or not the substantive suit would be heard Friday.
Mr. Metuh was also asked to return to Kuje Prison.

The EFCC had on January 12 accused Mr. Metuh of shredding a confessional statement he made to its operatives, indicating it would charge him separately for attempting to destroy a major evidence in the case against him.

“The tearing of statement is tantamount to willful destruction of government property and it is a serious offence,” the official had told this newspaper at the time. “Also the fact that he obstructed operatives from performing their job is also a criminal offence. We will explore the possibility of filling a separate charge against him at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.”

In the original case for which he is standing trial at the Federal High Court, Mr. Metuh is facing a seven-count charge of corruption.

He is accused of receiving N400 million from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. The amount is part of the allegedly diverted sum of $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms.

On Tuesday, Justice Okon Abang granted him bail.

To regain his freedom, however, Mr. Metuh, Justice Abang said, must deposit N400 million bail bond – same amount he is accused of illegally receiving; two sureties who must have properties in Maitama area of Abuja, and who must also deposit N200 million each.

It is unclear whether Mr. Metuh met those bail conditions.

Source: Sahara Reporters

EFCC chief Magu: more looters will go to prison

Magu at The Nation...yesterday PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Mustafa Magu spoke yesterday on the fight against corruption, saying it will be unsparing.

Besides, the EFCC boss agreed that the rate of convictions in corruption cases may be low, but he is sure that more looters will go to jail this year.

The anti-graft czar, fondly called The General, said every stakeholder seems to be more serious about fighting corruption. “From all indications, the judges are more serious, everybody is cooperating and this year, we will see more politically-exposed persons convicted. We will flush out corrupt people.”

He assured all that the process will be transparent.  He also promised to discharge his responsibility “with the fear of God, in the national interest, and strictly observing the rule of law.”

Magu, who spoke during a visit to  The Nation’s headquarters in Lagos, said he had been trying to mobilise Nigerians as stakeholders in the fight against corruption.

The EFCC boss praised the management and editorial team of The Nation, saying the paper has come to stay among the builders and molders’ of the nation.  “Within a space of nine years, your brand has joined the league of shapers of our society by your incisive and, sometimes, explosive reporting. I must say that as an agency which believes in vigorous expression of its mandate, the EFCC is at home with your style of reporting and the candour of your esteemed columnists,” he said.

Magu said he was mobilising support, opinions, ideas and strategies that are necessary to strengthen the anti-graft battle.

“We need more support; it is about Nigeria, not an individual, the fight is for everybody, from the media we have to go to the grassroots, we will take it to children in the schools; we have to tell the children that corruption is bad, tell them why there is no chair in the classroom.

“We will sensitise everybody to the evil of corruption. We need to let people know that corruption is bad because some people don’t seem to know,” Magu said.

In his view, corruption is an attack on Nigeria and a “deliberate and calculated wickedness” against the nation’s existence. He decried the impunity with which public servants helped themselves to the commonwealth of Nigerians.

“The impunity is too much. Sometimes I shed tears in the morning before I go to the office. It is just unbelievable; the rot is terrible. What I am saying is that people who know they have stolen our commonwealth should bring it back,” the EFCC chief said, adding:

“People arrogate things to themselves. They have taken our money and are bold enough to say they are not going to return it. The money belongs to the people; they should return the money quietly; let there be voluntary compliance. Let them voluntarily come out to say ‘this is what I have stolen’ and the government will take it. I think that is the best thing to do.”

Magu commented on the handcuffing of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Olisa Metuh when he appeared in court, saying, there is nothing wrong in handcuffing an accused. “It is not coming from us(Nigerian Prisons Service —NPS— brought Metuh to court), but there is nothing wrong with that actually. They have a right to use their discretion; you are not there, there must be reason. There are instances when you handcuff a suspect, but let them explain themselves.”

He said the Commission was receiving renewed interest and cooperation from foreign agencies and there will be no hiding place for treasury looters.

He said the EFCC was building a strong institution with enhanced capacity for the staff but will require more funding. “The people need their capacity to be enhanced; they need funding. We are still renting offices all over the country. There is one massive building of the EFCC that has not advanced because of funding. If we go into that place, we are going to have security of documents, evidences and witnesses. The staff will be better protected. This is the kind of intervention that we are asking the Nigerian people.”

Magu said there will be need for new laws tailored for fighting corruption. “It is important for the lawmakers to be put on the hot seat. If you make one law for the person who steals a goat to go to jail for 11 years and somebody who with pen and paper commits money laundering of over N5 billion for minor years, it is not proper.”

To him, what is seen as the low rate of conviction in corruption-related cases is not the EFCC’s problem.

Magu said: “It is not the job of the EFCC to convict people. The EFCC hands of after taking them to court with evidence and witnesses. But, they know how to drag this thing. After six, seven or 10 years’ witnesses die, you can no longer call for evidence and Nigerians are saying EFCC has not convicted this or that. So, we need to refocus and make new laws that will channel our activities properly.”

Source: The Nation