All Posts in "Day: October 17, 2023"

Oracle Best Option To Enthrone Monarch In Yorubaland-Olubadan

Mohammed Shosanya

The Olubadan of Ibadanland,Oba Olalekan Balogun,has assessed
the role of oracle (Ifa) as a tradition in the selection of kings in Yorubaland.

He said oracle remains the best option in picking who will occupy the throne in Yorubaland,adding that litigation remains the beauty of democracy in any chieftaincy tussle.

He spoke with newsmen in hi Alarere Palace ahead of his 81st birthday celebration.

He said:”It is a good development, as long as democracy is existing, litigation would continue to be a means that injustices can be addressed.

“Litigation is a process where you can express your emotions or ill-feelings about any issues in court of law and get justice over perceived injustice against you.Litigation remains a very good avenue to tackle any irregularities or injustice process in our society today.” Olubadan said.

The monarch,who prayed for the progress of the Ibadan land, Oyo State and Nigeria,predicted bigger Ibadan, adding that as long as history exists, Ibadan will continue to exist.

He said “I envisage very much bigger Ibadan, as much as history remains, Ibadan will continue to exist , I envisage a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Ibadan, Ibadan is a work in progress, so I want our people to be expecting more good things.

“God has been so wonderful to me, what else should I ask for?, I have built houses, God has done uncountable blessings for me and He’s still doing it because I’m still alive, there is nothing I asked for that he has not done for me, so I’m so grateful to him for going this far.”

admin by — October 17, 2023 in Oduduwa 0
Fuel Subsidy:Tinubu Unveils N1.125trn Conditional Cash Transfer Programme

Mohammed Shosanya

President Bola Tinubu,Tuesday kicked-off his administration’s Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, designed to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and other social constraints for vulnerable groups in Nigeria.

The programme is expected to gulp at least N1.125trn trickling down to 62 million beneficiaries for the next three months, put at N75,000 each.

At the flag off of the initiative to commemorate the International Day for the eradication of poverty, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,Tinubu disclosed the scheme is designed to cater for 15 million Households specifically targeted at uplifting the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume at the symbolic ceremony for the initial five beneficiaries, President Tinubu said his government is poised to lead from the front in seeking to ensure that all Nigerians have opportunities decent for dignified work and sustained social protection.

He said that the government is working to develop and deploy several solutions and interventions to help Nigerians of all walks of life.

These, according to him include: Investment of N100 Billion to purchase 3000 units of 20-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses for cheaper transportation; Investment of N200 Billion to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland to improve food security; The release of 2000 metric tons of grains from the strategic grain reserves to households across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory;

He also announced a planned distribution of 225,000 metric tons of fertilizer and seedlings to farmers committed to the nation’s food security; release of 75 billion to support 100,000 SMEs and start-ups; Renewed Hope Shelter Programme for the Poor, Refugees & Internally Displaced Persons targeted at one million households; Renewed Hope Business Grants & Loans for Vulnerable Market women, farmers, and traders to expand their business (GEEP) targeted at 2 million beneficiaries; Renewed Hope support to MSME to cover 1 million MSMEs.

Tinubu further announced Renewed Hope Skill Acquisition Programmes for young Nigerians who express interest for different clusters targeted at 5 million Nigerians over 5 years; Renewed Hope National Home Grown School Feeding Programme providing school meals for 10 million school children; Renewed Hope Alternate School Programme to provide transit learning education for 10 million out of school children who are out of school following
internal displacement or issues of insecurity; Renewed Hope for At-Risk Children Programme; Renewed Hope Community and Social Development Programme for community grassroot projects; and Renewed Hope Job Creation Scheme amongst
other people-centered initiatives.

Imploring citizens to continue to contribute their quota in partnership with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, President noted that it is only via a sustained collaborative approach that the country can win the war against poverty in Nigeria and the world at large.

“Our objective is to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. Yet, this will only be possible that with the cooperation of the people we seek to help. Let Us continue to work together to achieve our collective goal of eradicating poverty in Nigeria.

“Our plans for food security, ending hunger, poverty eradication, economic growth and job creation are all means by which we shall fight poverty and help the most vulnerable members of our society,” he added.

“Let us continue to work together to achieve our collective goal of eradicating poverty in Nigeria,” he added.

In her address,minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, Betta Edu, warned that ignoring poverty alleviation in the country would amount to sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

She observed that the N75,000 already announced by the President for disbursement to vulnerable households in the country is enough to run small-scale businesses successfully.

She said: “Beyond this, the government will be providing low-cost shelter for the poor and internally displaced persons as a form of providing that cover for them. Several other interventions, including the rural vocational skills Intervention, will be carried out at a mass scale. All of these are targeted at the various dimensions of poverty in the country.

“As a nation, we must come together to fight poverty. Poverty is that scourge, poverty is that hydra-headed cobra in the room that, if not tackled, would consume everyone.

“Sitting and ignoring poverty at any level will only seem or equate to sitting on a keg of gunpowder, and that’s why today, the president is taking it headlong.

“We want to encourage Nigerians, we want to encourage the private sector, we want to encourage our development partners that are here, it’s time to step up to the occasion.

“We have a clear-cut roadmap, an action plan for implementation of the eradication of poverty from Nigeria. Everyone must key in and be part of it.

admin by — October 17, 2023 in News 0
African Countries Must Develop Local Capabilities For Economic Development-NCDMB Boss

Mohammed Shosanya

African countries seeking to achieve economic prosperity must develop local capabilities to process, utilize, and export their resources as a means of powering their growth and development,Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, has said.

He spoke in his presentation at the ongoing 2023 Africa Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday, where he also expressed regret that most African nations lacked requisite local capacities in key areas of the oil and industry such as engineering, procurement, construction and fabrication, installation, commissioning, and operation, and that resulted in the loss of job creation opportunities, revenues, skills acquisition, and other aspects of national development.

“A further negative impact is that those broad categories take a significant proportion of the oil and gas industry expenditure, hence it is expedient for oil-producing nations to develop local capabilities that would ensure that those financial outlays are retained in-country, he was quoted in a statement.

Wabote,who advised on the strategy for enhancing local content capacity in African nations,also stated that one important plan is to make local content a national agenda and back it with the appropriate legislation or legal framework in their respective jurisdictions.

He stated that this would “make it clear to all and sundry that local procurement, fabrication, and manufacturing is a national priority such that all institutions, businesses, decision-makers, investors, and citizens will buy into the vision.”

Wabote recalled that Nigeria started with policy directives to deepen local content practice in the oil and gas sector before enacting the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act in 2010, thereby eliminating the possibility of companies complying with local content requirements in the oil and gas sector on ‘best endeavour’ basis’.

He enumerated that other strategies for enhancing local content capacity as establishing factual data on current capacities in-country and carrying out gap analysis between current realities and the national vision.

He noted that “periodic gap analyses are essential to determine gaps that need to be closed and the progress being made in the target areas of interest.
He insisted that local content is not ‘copy and paste’, hence local peculiarities must be factored into programs aimed at enhancing local capabilities.”

He identified other enhancement tools to include Structured Capacity Building interventions to close identified gaps and funding and incentives, describing them as essentials to implement local content programs, develop infrastructure, attract new investments, and keep existing businesses afloat.

Wabote highlighted the importance of patronising in-country capacities and capabilities, clarifying that all policies, capacities, and individuals would become frustrated if there was no outlet to engage them and receive rewards for sustainability and growth.

He explained that the board ensures patronage of local goods and services by using the ‘right of first refusal’ principle contained in the Nigerian Content Act and various project certification and compliance monitoring tools.

Giving an update on the board’s activities, the executive secretary informed that NCDMB commenced the implementation of a 10-year Strategic Roadmap in 2018, with the goal of raising the level of Nigerian Content in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry to 70% by the year 2027.

He disclosed that various initiatives were put in place under five strategic pillars and four vision enablers. He noted that ”as at end of year 2022, and five years into the 10-year journey, we have achieved 54% Nigerian Content level against the target of 42%.”

admin by — October 17, 2023 in Oil&Gas 0
REA,AMDA Ink Agreement On Improved Mini-Grid

Mohammed Shosanya

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association (AMDA),Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate mini-grid development in Nigeria.

The MoU will focus on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and better coordination of the sector, amongst other initiatives.

The agency said,as part of the REA’s Vision and Strategic Roadmap, the it has, over the years expanded its partnership portfolio, while collaborating with forward-leaning stakeholders across the off-grid energy value chain.

It also said,with the pivotal role and sustained impact of AMDA in Africa’s renewable energy space, the REA – AMDA partnership is a significant step forward for the mini-grid sector in Nigeria as it underscores a shared commitment to research, data-driven decision-making, and the establishment of robust industry standards.

It said that the strategic approach is pivotal in ensuring the sustainable, secure, and optimal operation of mini-grid systems, thereby contributing to the overall energy landscape in Nigeria.

It added:”With a partnership now sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding, the REA and AMDA will collaborate on a non-exclusive basis to further advance access to sustainable electricity for Nigerians and other African countries through mini-grids and decentralized utilities, and ultimately achieve universal access to energy by the year 2030″ stated the statement made available to newsmen by management of REA, to announce the MoU”.

It said that while improving data-driven decision-making and industry knowledge in the off-grid space, the MoU is targeted at promoting sustainable energy access for unserved and underserved communities through private sector development and financing, which will ultimately enhance policies/regulations and rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies.

Speaking on the strategic alliance between both institutions, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, MD/CEO of REA expressed enthusiasm stating:”We are excited to partner with AMDA to further improve the development of mini-grids in Nigeria while deepening the impact of RE solutions for socio-economic growth. This MOU will further aid the accelerated deployment of mini-grids and provide clean, sustainable, and affordable electricity to more Nigerians.”

Mr. Olamide Niyi-Afuye, CEO of AMDA, also emphasized their dedication to collaborating with REA in nurturing the mini-grid sector in Nigeria. “Mini-grids have the potential to transform the lives of millions of Nigerians, and this partnership is a step in the right direction. AMDA is committed to working with all stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the minigrid sector to scale and achieve sustainability.”

admin by — October 17, 2023 in Power 0

Mohammed Shosanya

The Oyo State Government implored farmers in the state to embrace new methods of farming, saying the development will boost food security in the state and the country.

The state commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye ,disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Ibadan, as part of activities lined up to celebrate 2023 World Food Day.

He noted that the only way to improve farm yield was for the farmers to embrace modern forms of farming, saying there were improved seeds that can bring quality yields more than the ancient practices.

He said the present government in the state under Engr. Oluseyi Makinde has invested in training and retraining of Agricultural Extension Officers and farmers in various capacities through collaborative efforts to enhance food security.

Speaking on various efforts of the government through his ministry on food security, the Commissioner hinted that about 285 farmers were trained on Emergency Training and Demonstration of Climate Resilient Practices in Maize, tomatoes, cassava, yam and cowpea to enhance increase yield.

He added that about 135 farmers were empowered with 1bag each of NPK fertilizer, adding that about 95 youths and women farmers were equally trained on processing, packaging, value addition and utilization of yam and cassava.

He added that 80 of the above mentioned were also trained on all season tomatoes – tomatoes that would bring yield all round the year.

Mr. Olaleye said an example of this was in Awe Rural Community Development Centre, which is now Oyo State-IITA Youth Agribusiness Incubation Park Centre, Awe.

According to the Commissioner, “we have equally distributed poultry feed to 2022 flood affected poultry farmers in collaboration with the Federal Government”.

“250 farmers were trained in collaboration with Elyson Gold Consultancy EGC on mushroom production, Animal feed quality control on the feed mill system has been introduced through feed analyzers to prevent sales of poor quality feeds to the farmers, most especially poultry farmers. Also, we have established a Pasture Growers Association to prevent future clashes between herders and farmers. This will help in full implementation of Grazing Control Law”.

On livestock, Barrister Olasunkanmi said “training is ongoing on artificial insemination on local breeds such as turkey, sheep, goats and cattle. He explained that this would improve the quality, weight of animals, making animal production more profitable within a short period for farmers. All these are modern ways of farming which the government has put in place to ensure food security in the state”.

He urged farmers to toe the path laid by the government on the need to enhance food security, saying part of the government’s responsibility is to create a conducive environment.

He said the introduction of modern ways of farming would enhance productivity, assuring that all these efforts of the government would be revealed in the next farm harvest season.

admin by — October 17, 2023 in Agriculture 0
Kaduna Electric Boosts Network Maintenance For Improved Electricity Supply

Mohammed Shosanya

Kaduna Electric is continuing with the maintenance work on some of its 33KV feeders across its network in order to guarantee improvement in quality of power supply to its customers.

According to the company,some of the 33KV feeders the maintenance work has since commenced on include; Water Works, Rigasa, Gonin Gora, Olam and Unguwan Boro. Others are 33KV Abakpa and Doka in Kaduna as well as 33KV PZ in Zaria.

A statement issued by the company’s Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, quoted the Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Engr. Lawal Aliyu Mashi, as saying the maintenance work on the feeders entail replacement of weak jumpers, bad cross arms and pot insulators.

It also include tree trimming, aligning lengthy and sagged spans and retensioning them. The maintenance will also see to the replacement of bad poles and under sized conductors.

The CTO said the maintenance work is near completion on 33KV Water Works, Rigasa, Unguwan Boro, Abakpa while that on Gonin Gora, Olam and others are ongoing and will be completed before month end.

The maintenance work,he said,is being done in a phased manner which targets other feeders in other parts of Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi urged customers to reciprocate by paying the bills on time and in full to ensure uninterrupted services. It reiterated its commitment to exceptional service delivery in its franchise states with the support of all stakeholders.

admin by — October 17, 2023 in Power 0
Court Orders Arrest Of Ondo Ex-Deputy Governor Over Alleged Car Theft

Mohammed Shosanya

A Chief Magistrates Court in Akure, Ondo State capital,Tuesday ordered that the former Ondo State Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi be produced in the court or his statement on November 24, 2023 over an allegation of stealing.

The Commissioner of Police had applied for a bench warrant to compel former Deputy Governor Agboola Alfred Ajayi to appear before the court over the allegation.

A former aide of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, one Ogunmusi Samuel was on Tuesday arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State over a car he allegedly collected in 2018 from a vehicle dealer, Segun Adetuwo popularly known as Showboy.

Ogunmusi had stated in his written statement that he was called into the office by the deputy governor while still in office in 2018,where he met the first respondent, Akintoye Olatunji aka Ebie,

He claimed that his boss, the deputy governor instructed him to take the first respondent to the Automart of Segun Adetuwo to collect a car.

The second respondent collected a black colour Toyota Camry XLE from the applicant, Segun Adetuwo and left without paying for the car.

Unable to recover the money for the car from the two defendants, Segun Adetuwo, therefore, dragged the duo before the Chief Magisterial Court sitting in Akure.

Arraigning the Akintoye Olatunji and Ogunmusi Samuel on three-count charge, the prosecutor, Emmanuel Tanimowo told the court that the former deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, has not responded to the invitation that he should come and avail the court his own side of the incident.

The charge number,MA/C/2/26/C 2023 reads : “That you Akintoye Olatunji, Ogunmusi Samuel, and others now at large sometimes in the month of May 2018 at Automart Akure in the Akure magisterial district did conspire with yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining by false pretence and stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 37, vol 1 Lawsof Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

“That you Akintoye Olatunji, Ogunmusi Samuel and other now at large sometimes in the .on the month of May, 2018 at Automart Akure in the Akure magisterial district did by false pretence and with intent to defraud obtains one brand new Black Toyota Camry XLE valued Five Million, Four Hundred Thousand Thousand Naira (N5,400,000) only property of one Segun Adetuwo and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a)(c) and punishable under section 1(3) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud related offences Act, laws of the federation of Nigeria 2006.

“That you Akintoye Olatunji, Ogunmusi Samuel and other now at large on same date, and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did fraudulently convert one Toyota Camry XLE valued Five Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira(N5,400,000) property of one Segun Adetuwo to your own and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 383, and punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code cap 37. Vol. 1laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.”

The counsel for the first respondent, Barrister Omolegbon Odunsola pleaded with the court that he had been making efforts to reach out to the deputy governor and the applicant, Segun Adetuwo to see how the issue could be settled out of court.

But,the counsel to the applicant, Barrister Alex Olademehin told the court that the deputy governor, Agboola Alfred Ajayi could not give his own side of the incident by proxy.

He argued that Agboola should either go to the Police and give his written statement or appear in court in person.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Chief Magistrate Taiwo Lebi, said the deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi or his statement must be produced in court in the next adjournment date.

He adjourned the hearing to November 24, 2023.

admin by — October 17, 2023 in Law/Human Rights 0
Reps Move To Probe Mismanagement Of N183.9bn COVID-19 Intervention Funds

Mohammed Shosanya

The House of Representatives,Tuesday, mandated the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the expenditure of funds appropriated or
disbursement of COVID-19 intervention to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government from 2020 to 2022.

Hon. Nyampa Dauda Zakari,in a motion he moved on the floor of the house, noted that the sum of N83.9 billion was appropriated for the COVID-19 response in the 2020 appropriation Act as well as another sum of over N100 billion as intervention funds through supplementary budget and international donor agencies.

According to him,the Auditor-General’s report and other sources reveal that significant funds for COVID-19 palliatives and international donations were diverted and unaccounted for by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government.

He added:”Concerned that the lack of proper accountability of funds allocated for COVID19 intervention by the lockdowns, travel restrictions, business closures, and government shutdowns to control the virus’s disrupted economic activities, leading to global measures.

He noted that the House is mindful that “the Federal Government of Nigeria initiated several measures including budgetary provisions as well as funding from International donor agencies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens.

A member from Borno State Ahmed Jaha, observed that the COVID-19 funds would have improved the health sector of the country if it was properly utilized.

The house hresolved to mandate the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the expenditure of funds appropriated or disbursed as COVID-19 intervention to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government from 2020 to 2022 and report back within one month for further legislative action.

admin by — October 17, 2023 in News 0
Rejection Of Nigerian Export Products Worrisome-NAFDAC

Mohammed Shosanya

The Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye,has expressed worries over the rate at which Nigerian export products are rejected abroad.

Adeyeye,who expressed this at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday,implored Nigerian exporters trading in NAFDAC regulated products to obtain necessary certifications for processing of their products.

She said:These could be processed, semi-processed, food-destined for further processing or bulk food such as cocoa, sesame seed, groundnut, melon or grains (e.g., beans, indigenous rice, etc.) tea materials, ogbonno and mellon; drugs, cosmetics, chemicals, agro-chemicals, beverages, fruit juices, and medical devices. All exporters should join hands with NAFDAC and contact the Agency for more information on Single Window Trade (SWT) portal: www.trade.gov.ng.

“They must leave ample time for processing unless their product is already registered (for destination country), the facility already has cGMP certification, and the client has been a regular exporter with good records with NAFDAC. They are all also enjoined to contact NAFDAC website to read up and comply to the stated steps on the guidelines. To NAFDAC’s credit, for hundreds of products whose export process passed through NAFDAC, none has suffered rejection to date.

“Going forward, to stem the worsening situation, no patriot should export any NAFDAC Regulated product without it passing through and being certified of its safety and quality status including full compliance with the destination country government requirements. This is also very important to avert colossal economic loss resulting from the rejection of non-compliant exports by the trading partners”, she said.

She said,the challenge bedeviling the export process of NAFDAC regulated products especially, assuring safety and quality status of food exports in Nigeria has been traced to non-compliance with advisory guidelines established by NAFDAC to encourage participatory exports.

She added:”Almost all exported food products are processed without the statutory testing by NAFDAC. Therefore, it is not surprising that all the items exported without NAFDAC quality control and safety tests are rejected.
Non-utilization of hitherto free laboratory testing by NAFDAC for export samples coupled with the connivance of unscrupulous agents.

“Exclusion of NAFDAC’s requirements for its regulated products in the mandatory pre-shipment inspection in the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) as administered by the FGN appointed Pre-shipment Inspection Agents (PIAs).

“Unwillingness of exporters to comply with minimal sanitary and phytosanitary measures required for exports to countries with stringent market access.

“Poor packaging, disregard for importation requirements of trading partners countries.Penchant for sourcing from open markets for exports without any form of minimal safety or quality specifications and unwillingness to invest in pre-export activities that help to ensure sustainable export.

“Disinformation on the roles of NAFDAC in the pre-shipment inspection and verification exercise of container stuffing.

“To ratify all these and as an outcome of NAFDAC recent meeting with FSA, the agency is commencing on six regulatory-measure approaches to address the situation. These include: Immediate inclusion and implementation, as a matter of urgency, of NAFDAC Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and Laboratory testings (e.g., mycotoxin, pesticide residue, and heavy metals) certification for the regulated products – food, drug, and others by the National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) as administered by the FGN appointed Pre-shipment Inspection Agents (PIAs).

“Inclusion of NAFDAC in the CBN Export Proceed (NXP) form processing. I am engaging very soon with the Comptroller General of Customs as the new administrator of the Nigeria Single Window Trade portal to facilitate this.
I had earlier engaged with CBN (Trade and Exchange Division) and Federal Ministry of Finance (Home Finance) on this same matter”.

admin by — October 17, 2023 in Health 0
Protesters To Senate:Don’t Confirm Olukoyede As EFCC Chair

Mohammed Shosanya
The Centre for Democracy and Human Rights(CEDEHUR),Tuesday,embarked on a protest at the gate of the National Assembly in Abuja,urging members of the Senate not to confirm the appointment of the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

Adebayo Ogorry, National Secretary of CEDEHUR,told newsmen that the civil society group had earlier submitted a letter of protest to the Office of the Senate President on the issue of not treading on the path of illegality through the confirmation of Olukoyede by the Senate.

Ogorry, who said that the appointment was a gross violation of the extant laws, which is the Establishment Act 2004 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), added that the new EFCC is not qualified to occupy such office.

He said in a letter addressed to the Senate President that: “The action of President Bola Tinubu in making the appointment of Mr Olukoyede into such a high office with enormous responsibility as the Chairman of the EFCC in fragrant breach of the provisions of the laws of the parliament is contrary to the oath he took on May 29, 2023 to protect and defend the laws of the nation.

“It is important to note that the EFCC Extant laws remain sacrosanct and needed to be strictly adhered to, before going ahead to appoint a chairman for the Commission.

“President Tinubu as the number one citizen, whose office is the creation of the law, needs to comply with the EFCC Extant Laws and not be seen to set a wrong precedence for successive administrations in making his appointment, which can slip the country into a state of anarchy.

“In our quest to see that the right thing is done, we have made our findings on “Who qualifies to be the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission?

“According to the extant provision of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004: (1) The Commission shall consist of the following members-(a)A chairman, who shall- (i) be the Chief Executive and Accounting officer of the Commission, (ii) be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent; and (iii) Possess not less than 15 years cognate experience.”

Ogorry, maintained that the new Chairman of EFCC does not meet these criteria or requirements spelt out by EFCC Act.

He added:”Mr Senate President, the provision above is very clear and unambiguous. The functions of the EFCC are not civil in nature.

“Hence it is a paramilitary organisation. That is the rationale behind the inclusion of the police ranking system and its equivalent in other law requisites for attaining the position of the Executive Chairman.

“Secondly, the person ought to be appointed must not only be a member of the law enforcement family, he must also have 15 years cognate experience.

“In other words, the person must have the knowledge, skills and abilities in the professional law enforcement activity.

“Any appointment that is contrary to the provisions of the Extant EFCC Establishment Act is an assault on the National Assembly,which is the constitutional organ responsible for making laws.

“If the Executive is uncomfortable with a provision, the appropriate action will be to beckon on the National Assembly to amend or repeal such provisions. To let such infractions slide is a call to anarchy.”

He urged the Senate President and the entire Senate to use their good offices to properly scrutinise the appointment of the new EFCC Chairman as well as “stop the flagrant disregard and breach of the provisions of the extant laws of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004.”

admin by — October 17, 2023 in News 0