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Ibori Loot: Who Should Benefit?
There have been mixed reactions as the British government resolved last week to return to Nigeria the sum of $4.2 million (N2.2 billion) funds allegedly recovered from the account of friends and families of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori. The issue being debated around the towns and cities of the country is whether the recovered fund should be used by the Federal Government to facilitate projects or given to Delta State Government, since it was originally allocated to the oil-rich state.
A similar incident is that of late military ruler, General Sanni Abacha’s Swiss refund of $320 million.
There is this argument that since the recovered fund was from the governor of a particular state, then the alleged looted fund belonged to the state since he was the custodian of the state.But another group said that since the fund was released from the Federal Government, then the alleged crime was committed against the Federal Government, moreover the federal is instrumental to the recovery of the looted funds from the UK Government, the Federal Government should benefit.
It is surprising to hear how funds are being carted away from public purse perhaps not directly from those who are in charge of the funds but by their cronies through dubious means. Yet when an ordinary person goes for transactions which involve little funds in the banks, he will be mandated to present regulatory identity cards. Why do the financial institutions note query the source of huge sums deposited in their custody?
Even in the foreign banks where those money are deposited, they don’t scrutinise the account holders bearing in mind that such funds cannot belong to an individual. These are heavy financial crimes involving millions, billions and even trillions that should be used to improve citizens’ lives and then only a few will be in possession depriving others from partaking of it.
Whether the Federal Government or Delta State benefits from the refund, when utilised maximally, must be for the good of all Nigerians.These are not the only cases of looted funds to be recovered, but there are so many that are not announced publicly. Citizens should always speak out on issues like these that bother on people’s welfare.
It is unfortunate that funds that should be used in developing projects that have direct bearing on the masses as well as job creation will be diverted by individuals through any means. The most disturbing aspect of it is that it is the commonwealth of all Nigerians.
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Public Affairs, Ajuri Ngelale, had in an interview with journalists, confirmed that the fund would be used to facilitate the 2nd Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Kano projects.
He said it was a federal crime that has to do with federal law since the money was taken outside the country and advised that people should not be sentimental about it.
A motivational speaker, Pastor Ikenna Ogbuehi, said it is a crime committed against the Federal Government and should be remitted to the federal purse.
Uchenna Chidiadi, a pharmacist, said it will be inappropriate to use the money which was appropriated to a state for the generality of Nigerians. While referring to former Military Head of State, late Abacha’s recovered loot, he said that was a federal fund.
He said that can be shared the normal way federal government allocation is done and advised that the Ibori fund should be returned to Delta State since it would have been raised from internally generated revenue (IGR) or the state’s allocation.
According to a legal practitioner, Efe Odide,the crime committed is a federal crime because the money was taken out of the country and that is why the money was remitted to the federal authority, although it was taken from a state.
A health safety officer, Uduak Udom, said persons who commit such crimes should be arrested and punished, regardless of political affiliation and sentiments, to deter those currently serving from looting public fund. He advised the current Delta State Government to seek some percentage of the fund from the Federal Government.
A social analyst, Mike Obi, said persons who commit such crimes should be set free because they are the products of the society.He referred to the Biblical quotation of training up of a child in the way he should go and claimed that if the child were to be comfortable from the beginning, he would not steal.
An evangelist, Peter Paul, said it is an oppression for federal government to use Delta State money to develop other parts of the country. He insisted that there may be more loot recoveries after this and advised the Federal Government to tackle this particular issue well so that reasonable impact can be made. According to him, citizens are more divided now than before to the extent that when national issues come up, people handle them from the political, ethnic and religious angles.
In the views of Ndiwem Onyedi, a businessman, people must realise that elected office or appointment should be seen as opportunity to serve and not to enrich themselves.He pointed out that nowadays, students abandon schooling for elective positions and added that even those who specialise in various professions have abandoned such for politics.
Onyedi said, as a younger person, he only saw retired public servants contesting even as councillors.
A teacher, Nathan Edu, said since the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, had served prison term in the United Kingdom, he does not deserve any other punishment.
A businessman, James Okoro, emphasised that nobody was above the law and so should be punished if found wanting. He regretted that when a common man commits any crime the punishment comes swiftly.
Njideka Nathaniel asked: “How can a person who is above 60 years be stealing government money? You don’t sit down and ask yourself, how many years remaining for me to eat up this money? They loot the money and keep it for their children”.
A car dealer, Elijah Ejike, said that those who involve in that kind of fraud should be served capital punishment because, according to him, they are the reason why so many people are impoverished and dying of starvation.
In the words of a financial expert, Nonso Nnamani, looted funds should be returned to the rightful owners. As he put it, this is the fund that was originally allocated to Delta State by a bill passed by the National Assembly in the budget that is a law. The money should be returned to the state.
He made reference to a report that the money would be used to fund three federal projects – Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Kano projects and advised that Delta State should not be denied the money.
According to him, “Why are you sending the money to other zones. A precedence has been set. When Bayelsa lost their money, it was returned to them. When Plateau lost theirs, it was returned to them. Why is this an exception?”
An enterpreneur, Patricia Bassey, said the money should be returned to the state from where it was stolen. Before now according to her, the Federal Government must have got other funds to facilitate those projects. She wondered what would have happened if the Ibori loot wasn’t recovered. Wouldn’t they have carried out projects?
Her words: “Anyone found looting public fund should be prosecuted. It will serve as a deterrent to others, they will get to know that if you steal from your country even after serving a jail term outside your country, when you get back home, you will be punished. Some persons are thinking that they can engage in crime and get away with it, it is unacceptable. Let the law take its course while the offender faces the jail term.”
Perhaps why this is creating so much argument is that it is crossing borders, it is an international issue which concerns the federal government.
For those who are defrauding business partners, siphoning public funds, pensioners’ funds, among others, it is the commonwealth of the nation that is being stolen.
People should be law-abiding in their dealings as regards business and as public officers. A situation where funds meant for public use will be diverted to private purposes should be discouraged.
Interestingly, the money is going to benefit people who live in the region, especially Niger Bridge and its environs. Sometimes looters would always apologise and return part or the entire loot while in office. As a matter of fact, perpetrators of such acts should be punished because when these funds are removed, the citizens are deprived of the benefits. These funds are so huge that they can be used to provide social amenities.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.