Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has raised alarm on the irregularities and alleged corruption of the recently released names of successful candidates in the ongoing 2022/23 Police Constables Recruitment Exercise.

A statement from the Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Saturday said, this becomes “necessary upon being inundated with a series of complaints and allegations of corruption raised by unsuspecting candidates and stakeholders on the irregularities that marred the exercise most especially the disappearance of the names of screened candidates who were successful to the last stage.”

On completion, Adejobi said, “careful scrutiny of the list released on the PSC portal revealed that, “Several names of persons purported to be names of successful candidates are those who did not even apply and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise.

“The published list contains several names of candidates who failed either the Computer Based Test (CBT) or the physical screening exercise or both.

“There are those who made it to the last stage of the exercise but were disqualified having been found Medically unfit through the standardised medical test but who also made the list of successful candidates as published by the PSC.

“Most worrisome is the allegation of financial dealings and corrupt practices leading to the outcome where unqualified and untrainable individuals have been shortlisted.”

He also stated that, “The Inspector General of Police had on 10th June 2024 written a letter of objection to the list addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, citing the discoveries listed above.

“The reaction of the IGP was without prejudice to the power of the Commission to recruit for the police as ruled by the Supreme court but this power does not include the power to recruit unqualified and untrained individuals for the police.

“Noting that it is the police that bears the brunt of recruitment of unqualified individuals and not the PSC. The same people who recruited anyhow for the police today will turn round to accuse the police tomorrow of inefficiency when their recruits start messing up.

“The Police therefore has since dissociated itself from the published list and called for a review that will be transparent and credible. It will be recalled that the leadership of the Police Service Commission, after the pronouncement of the Supreme Court ruling on the powers of the Commission to recruit for the Police, constituted a Joint Recruitment Board, to be headed by one of the Commissioners of the PSC, with the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Training and Development in the Police Force as its Secretary.

“But surprisingly, the Board was crippled and never allowed to carry out its mandate, insomuch that even the final list was not consented to by the Board.

“The Nigeria Police Force therefore takes exception to this unpleasant development and calls for a total review of the process with a view to recruiting qualified, competent, trainable and productive hands into the Nigeria Police Force, in line with the vision of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration on police reform.

“The NPF hereby reiterates that we are not unconcerned about the plights and ordeals of prospective recruits, who have been subjected to all forms of rigorous screening exercise, assuring that it is our commitment to ensure that the process is thoroughly reviewed, stands fruitful and successful for the betterment of the Nigeria Police, and by extension the country.”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),Ola Olukoyede has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has greatly shown immense political will in the fight against economic and financial crimes by not interfering in the works of the Commission.

He stated this in Ile-Ife,Osun State during a recent courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II).

He disclosed that, “since I was appointed the Chairman of the EFCC, the President has never called me to stop,impose, dictate or prescribe any directive as regards the affairs or activities of the Commission, rather the anti-graft agency has so far enjoyed adequate support needed from the Federal Government towards achieving the mandate of the Commission”.

He told the Ooni of Ife that given the autonomy the Commission has gotten so far, “I can assure Nigerians that the EFCC will stop at nothing to curb if not eradicate corruption in the country and hold political office holders accountable for their activities regarding the management of the resources that are meant to better the lives of Nigerians”.

He added that President Tinubu has continued to support him immensely in the way and manner needed for the Commission to achieve its mandate despite all unhealthy complaints and criticisms coming from some elites and political office holders in the country.”

Expressing his gratitude to the foremost monarch for the support and royal blessings coming from him so far in the fight against corruption,Olukoyede assured that “the EFCC will fight head-on those entrusted with our common wealth for robust economic growth but using them for their personal gains”.

He stated that the EFCC under his leadership has adopted new dynamic measures in looking into the roots of corruption by creating a new department called “Fraud Risk Assessment and Control” saddled with the responsibility of working through the budgetary allocations in all ministries, departments and agencies of Nigerian Government to demand and ensure accountability on how our common wealth is being utilized.

“Few months after I assumed office, I created a new department that will ensure that all public office holders are strictly held accountable for the resources entrusted in their hands by Nigerians which are meant for the effective growth of our economy.

“Let me state this clearly that all what I do in the course of discharging my duties as a public servant is not to witch-hunt anybody and not for any personal reasons but to ensure that the grand strategic plans of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards a better Nigeria is achieved”, he said.

Oba Ogunwusi thanked the anti-graft czar for his commitment, deliberate efforts and passion he is deploying towards the fight against corruption.

He commended the community engagements and collaboration initiatives among relevant stakeholders in combating the menace of corruption adopted by the Chairman to ensure corruption is brought to its knees.

The monarch thanked Mr. President on behalf of the EFCC for non-interference in the activities and duties of the Commission.

“This shows that truly, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands to achieve a corrupt- free nation and we all must support him by contributing our quotas”.

He assured the EFCC’s chairman of his continuous support in the fight against corruption as he encouraged the “ dogged crime fighter” not to succumb to pressures and threats from those who are benefitting from corruption and putting the image of the country in bad light.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal House of Representatives and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have decided to lift the ban on the sale and consumption of sachet alcoholic beverages.

Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House,said the decision will remain in effect until the economy recovers from the current downturn.

The House of Representatives,has on February 7, 2024, directed its committee on NAFDAC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the agency’s ban on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small bottles in Nigeria.

Speaking at a briefing on Friday, Agbese announced that the decision to temporarily lift the ban was reached following a meeting between the House Committee and NAFDAC officials.

“During the meeting, we all agreed that, at a certain point in history, it is essential to advance alongside our global counterparts. However, we also concurred with NAFDAC that there would be a temporary lifting of the ban until the economy recovers its strength.”

On how the decision was reached, Agbese, who represents the Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency in Benue State, stated: “There was a motion before the parliament to investigate the activities that led to the ban placed by NAFDAC on the use and sale of sachet beverages in the country. In its wisdom, the parliament delegated the House Committee on NAFDAC, led by Hon. Regina Akume, to investigate the matter and report back. The committee dutifully carried out its legislative function as mandated.

“We engaged with various stakeholders, including NAFDAC and the organized private sector. During our meeting, resolutions were reached based on submissions from stakeholders, civil society organizations, and other interested parties. The recommendations presented to parliament included the view that the ban was untimely given the current economic realities. The five-year moratorium granted by NAFDAC, the impact of COVID-19, and other ongoing economic challenges have made it difficult for industry operators to comply with the terms.

“After that, the parliament in its wisdom adopted the House Committee Report as a whole. Following the questions we received yesterday (Thursday) after the final meeting we had with the leadership of NAFDAC headed by Prof Mojisola Adeyeye; we all agreed as a government, parliament at one end and the executive in charge of that agency to, in the interest of the masses of our country and the mood of the nation, that the ban be suspended.”

“The lawmaker said that the modalities for lifting the ban will be publicly announced by July. He stated, ‘We have agreed to convene in July to finalize the details, with NAFDAC’s Director General expected to have outlined the temporary removal process by then.”

Agbese dismissed the idea that lifting the ban could lead to increased health risks associated with the sale and consumption of alcohol in small sachets.

He pointed out that cigarette packets display warnings in multiple languages indicating the health risks of smoking. Despite this, many people continue to purchase and smoke cigarettes. He emphasized that adults have the right to decide what they consume, citing it as a fundamental human right.”

“I find it hypocritical to suggest that consuming the same content from sachet drinks versus bottles has vastly different health implications, when in reality, the differences appear to be very mild.”

He further stressed that the opposition to the ban was fueled in part by low-income earners who felt that NAFDAC had violated their fundamental human rights.”

“In the presentations we received during the briefing, individuals earning lower incomes highlighted fundamental human rights issues, including discrimination, harassment, and victimization. If everyone has the right to choose and purchase gourmet bread with butter at supermarkets, we should similarly ensure that everyone can afford their basic necessities, like Agege bread.

“We are aligned with NAFDAC now. The health concerns weren’t why the ban was imposed. Regarding children drinking sachet drinks, what about codeine and other cough syrups consumed by wealthy children? They’re still available in pharmacies without bans. This policy seems unfairly aimed at the poor,” Agbese added.