Diezani must face N17.6bn money laundering charges – Court [Punch]
- summons ex-minister to appear October 28
- UK to blame for delay in Diezani’s trial –Sagay
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, to appear for arraignment on money laundering charges preferred against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu gave the order in a ruling on an ex parte application shortly after it was moved by EFCC’s lawyer, Faruk Abdullah.
The judge ordered the defendant who was alleged to have fled to the United Kingdom shortly after leaving office in 2015, to appear in court to answer to the 13 counts of money laundering involving $39.7m (N14.29bn at N360 to $1) and N3.32bn said to be proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice Ojukwu, in her ruling, ordered that the summons she issued on Friday should be published on the website of the EFCC and a national daily in a conspicuous manner.
The judge adjourned the case till October 28 for the defendant’s arraignment.
Due to Diezani’s absence, the judge had repeatedly adjourned the case, which was filed on November 11, 2018.
On November 12, 2019, the judge gave EFCC till March 10, 2020 to have the ex-minister extradited from the United Kingdom to Nigeria to face trial or the charges against her would be struck out.
The judge had said she would no longer allow the case to continue to clog her docket if no progress was being made.
At the March 10, 2020 proceedings, the judge noted that from her records, EFCC had not taken any step in respect of the case to either serve the ex-minister or apply for the issuance of an arrest warrant against her since the case was filed in November 2018.
She, however, backtracked on the threat to strike out the case after EFCC’s lawyer gave her an assurance that he would file an application for the court to issue criminal summons against the former minister.
Abdullah said he did not find it necessary to apply for an arrest warrant against the former minister since a similar order of arrest had been issued against her by the late Justice Valentine Ashi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
He said the arrest warrant and the gratification charges filed before the late judge as well as the money laundering charges pending before Justice Ojukwu were filed as part of the extradition request sent to the UK authorities.
Abdullah informed the judge that Diezani rebuffed attempts by Nigerian authorities to serve documents in connection with the case on her in the UK.
He added, “We have submitted our extradition request to the UK authorities and we have done everything we needed to do.”
He then informed the judge that he would file an application for criminal summons against Alison-Madueke as hinted by the judge.
The EFCC subsequently filed an ex parte application for the summons which the judge granted on Friday.
In the application, the anti-corruption agency stated it had made futile efforts to question the former minister on her role in the award of Strategic Alliance Agreement to Septa Energy Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
The commission also said it sought to question her on her role in “the chartering of private jets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Ministry of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of contracts by NNPC to Marine and Logistics Services Limited.”
It stated that it was investigating her business relationships with Mr Donald Amamgbo, Mr lgho Sanomi, Mr Afam Nwokedi, Chief lkpea Leemon, Miss Olatimbo Bukola Ayinde, Mr Benedict Peters, Christopher Aire, Harcourt Adukeh, Julian Osula, Dauda Lawal, Mr Leno Laithan, Sahara Energy Group and Midwestern Oil Limited.
The EFFC added that it needed to question the ex-minister on “her role in financing the 2015 general elections, particularly the money warehoused at a commercial bank in 2015 prior to the elections.”
The anti-graft agency said it equally wanted Alison-Madueke to speak on several items, documents and jewellery recovered from her house at No: 10, Chiluba Close, off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja, and some identified properties linked to her in Nigeria, UK, United States of America, United Arab Emirates and South Africa.
The EFCC had on November 11, 2018, filed the 13 counts of money laundering accusing her of unlawfully taking into her possession, the sums of $39.7m (about N14.29bn) and N3.32bn when she reasonably ought to have known that the money formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activities.
She was said to have purchased choice landed assets with the money using different persons as fronts.
In September 2013, she allegedly used the name of Rusimpex Limited to acquire a property named Block B3 comprising of six penthouses and 18 flats at Zone N Federal Government Layout, also known as Bella Vista Estate, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, with the sum of $37.5m.
On June 4, 2012, she was said to have used the name of Azinga Meados Limited to buy 13 three-bedroomed terrace houses with one room maids’ quarters at Mabushi Gardens Estate, Abuja, with the sum of N650m.
In May 2012, she allegedly used the name of Chapel Properties to buy eight four-bedroomed terrace houses, two three-bedroomed penthouses, six three-bedroomed apartments, two three-bedroomed mansionette, two two-bedroomed apartments, one four-bedroomed apartment at No 4/6 Thorbun Avenue, and No 5 Raymond Street, Yaba, Lagos, with N937m.
She was also said to have in May 2012 purchased in the name of Blue Nile Estate Limited, 16 four-bedroomed terrace houses, at Plot 2C, Omerelu Street Diabu GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with N928m.
She was also said to have in January 2011 bought in the name of Vista Point Company Limited, six flats of three-bedrooms with one boys’ quarters each, lawn tennis court, gym, garden and appurtenances at 135 Awolowo Road/Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, with N805m.
The ex-minster was also said to have in December 2011 bought in the name of Sequoyah Properties Limited a property at 12, Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt measuring 4,890 square meters with $2.2m.
Her alleged offences which she was said to have committed between November 20, 2011 and September 2013 were said to be contrary to section 15(2), (d) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.
Sagay blames UK for delay in Diezani’s trial
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof Itse Sagay, has blamed the United Kingdom for the delay in Diezani’s trial, noting that the country had all the evidence it needed for her prosecution.
He said he could not understand why the British government failed to put her in the dock despite several assurances, adding that the EFCC had supplied the necessary documents for her trial.
In a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Friday, Sagay stated, “I’m aware that the British government gave assurances that they were going to prosecute her; that they have restricted her movement, that they were investigating and once they have enough materials, they would prosecute her.
“I’m also aware that the EFCC has supplied materials to support her prosecution in England. But for some strange reasons which I cannot understand from these developed countries where they are supposed to have the highest standard in the world, and then they behave in a manner that is contrary to their reputation.
“For some strange reasons, they never got to the point of prosecuting her after over five years there. That is why the government here got desperate and decided to make a move instead of waiting. In a way, it is the fault of the British government which has caused the EFCC to relax and wait for her to be investigated and then prosecuted.”
The PACAC chairman further disclosed that a British official informed him that the ex-petroleum minister was restricted from moving out of London as they had placed an electronic device on her, “so she could not even travel out of the country.”
On the orders of the court directing Diezani to appear for trial, Sagay explained that from his knowledge of the law, the person to be prosecuted ought to be within the jurisdiction and should be arraigned, make a plea and be available to defend himself or herself.
He added, “But where the person is a fugitive as is the case of Diezani, what you do is to go the country where she is residing and apply for her to be extradited back to your country where she has committed the offence. I don’t know why the EFCC is not going through that process.”
How NDDC paid staff N655m for training, foreign trips during COVID-19 lockdown –Report [Punch]
The embattled Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission paid N570m to some staff members to undergo training programmes when Nigeria was on total lockdown following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The disclosure is contained in the report of the Senate ad hoc committee set up to unravel the alleged financial recklessness perpetrated by the IMC between October 1999 and May 2020.
A copy of the panel’s report obtained by Saturday PUNCH on Friday showed that N143m was paid to individual members of staff on April 1, 2020 to attend a budget participatory conference.
Incidentally, according to the report, “this period happens to be during the COVID-19 lockdown. It is obvious that the conference was not attended as the country was on absolute lockdown.”
The panel, therefore, recommended that the entire sum be refunded by the staff members concerned.
“This payment was made to five members of staff averaging almost N28m per person,” it stated.
The report also added that N171m was paid in cash to 300 drivers on February 3, 2020 to attend a driver training course, scheduled to take place when the nation was on lockdown.
The panel noted that the culture of cash payments to individual staff seems to be a standard practice at the NDDC.
“This custom is not only unethical, it lacks transparency and accountability. NDDC must do away with this practice as a way of improving its duty of stewardship,” the report stated.
It also added that the IMC paid N150m on April 3, 2020, to some NDDC union executives for an International Labour Organisation conference in Turin, Italy.
“Incidentally, this period also happens to be during the COVID-19 lockdown. It is obvious that the beneficiaries of these payments could not travel out of the country as a result of the COVID-19 travel restriction.
“Hence, this sum must be refunded by the union members concerned,” the report added.
The report also revealed the names of “delegates” who attended the graduation ceremony of NDDC scholars in the United Kingdom in June 2020.
It also stated that the total cost of the trip was N85.6m, paid to 14 staff members to travel to the United Kingdom.
The report stated, “The composition of the travellers includes the MD/CEO, Prof (Daniel) Pondei; the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Cairo Ojougboh; and another Director, Mr Luke lbanga.
“These payments demonstrate a form of internal control failure in the NDDC, especially with the management’s choice to subject such transactions as cash payments to individual staff members.”
I enjoyed raping elderly women –Suspect [Punch]
A 32-year-old man, Sani Garba, paraded by the Niger State Police Command for allegedly raping a 60-year-old woman, has pleaded for forgiveness, saying he was attracted by her ‘shaking buttocks.’
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said on Friday that the suspect was apprehended by operatives attached to ‘B’ Division, Suleja, adding that he would be arraigned after investigation.
It was learnt that the suspect barged into the room of the victim on July 18, 2020, around 4.30pm and raped her.
Garba told our correspondent that he forcefully had sex with more than three old women in the community.
He said, “Since I didn’t have money to maintain a girlfriend, I resorted to having sex with old women in my area and I enjoyed doing it. At times I would ask myself ‘why am I into this nonsense?’ It is quite unfortunate that I found myself in this situation.”
Also, six suspects were paraded for allegedly being in possession of illicit drugs in Maitumbi, Bosso Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects are Usman Adamu, 28, Abdullahi Usman, 32, Martins Okwor, 30, Abdullahi Ibrahim, 33, Ashiru Garba, 25 and Kabiru Ibrahim, 28.
It was learnt that the suspects were arrested with one Mazda 323 with the number plate, SUL 938 MQ, loaded with three sacks of dried weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
One of the suspects, Okwor, told our correspondent that he was not part of the gang, adding that he came to Maitumbi to buy a plot of land before he was apprehended.
He said, “I don’t know that they are into illicit drugs. I came from Gwada to buy land through one of the suspects, Usman, who would stand as my surety. When I arrived from Gwada, he took me to the place where the land was allocated with some of his accomplices. Before I knew it, we were rounded up by policemen who searched our car and found three bags of dried weeds.”
Dogara dumps PDP, meets Buhari in Aso Rock [Sun]
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Chairman of the APC Caretaker/Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Malla Buni, disclosed this after the duo met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
Although Dogara declined to speak after the meeting, Mai Buni told State House Correspondents that the former Speaker “is now a member of APC.”
Speaking on the purpose of the meeting, Buni said: “We paid courtesy call on the President in continuation of our efforts to rebuild the party. We are here to see Mr. President and brief him on the developments.”
On why he was with Dogara, the Yobe governor said: “There shouldn’t be surprise because the former Speaker is a member of the APC and he is because the reason he left the APC is no more there.”
Asked if he was back to the APC, Buni replied: “Yeah, he’s back.”
On the President’s reaction, the governor said: “He welcomed him. He’s happy with the development. That’s what he’s looking for. We are rebuilding the party and these are the steps we are taking towards rebuilding the party.”
On how far he will go to get everybody back, Buni said: “Well, we are meeting all our aggrieved members particularly who have interest in coming back to the party. They should feel free to do so. We are assuring them and there is no crime in double assurance.”
On how long it’s going to take to see the end of all crises, he replied: “Shortly In sha Allah.” On the assurance he is giving the returnees, Buni said: “We will do justice to all our members and that’s what will bring peace and that is what will guarantee peaceful coexistence, that is what will bring the consolidation of the party, the rebuilding of the party. Without doing justice, you cannot achieve that and we are sure of doing justice to all our members.”
Asked if reconciliation was part of the 2023 strategy, he said: “Well, of course, not only 2023 strategy, this party, we are rebuilding the party to outlive all of us. It’s not only about specific time or period, it’s not about election, it’s not about electioneering. It is about building a party.”
Again, Arthur Eze attacks Anyim [Sun]
■ Brands him failure for not attracting 2nd Niger Bridge, others to South East
Foremost industrialist and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, has fired back at former Senate President and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who accused him of being only interested in government contract.
In a statement by his Media Directorate, signed by Okpala Okechukwu, Prince Eze, who is the Chairman of Oranto Group, described the comments credited to Anyim as provocative, insulting and derogatory.
Anyim had, in a leeter to Prince Eze, in reaction to the latter’s comments about him in a newspaper interview, said: “It is clear from your (Arthur Eze) thought process, as can be seen from the interview, that your anger was that I did not patronise you with contracts while I occupied the office of SGF. It can also be seen that in your convoluted judgement, any public officer who did not patronise you with contracts is not worthy of office. However, as is usual with me, I would not have bothered to dignify you with a response. But because you have taken it as a hobby to seek me out at any opportunity, if I do not respond, silence may no longer be golden.”
The former Senate president also said: “In conclusion, it is my wish to advise you to please respect yourself and your age. Never forget that respect is earned and that as a Prince from the esteemed Ukpo community, you should have more sense of honour. You perched around President Jonathan like a hungry fly while President Jonathan was in office. Now, you shamelessly and dishonourably say derogatory words about President Jonathan. One can only bet that you will do the same to the leadership of the present administration once they are out of power. That is not in the character of Ndigbo.”
Reacting to Anyim’s letter, Prince Eze said comparing his personality and that of the former Senate President was like “comparing night and day.” According to him, “Anyim, a man who became the president of the Nigerian Senate by irony of fate and accident of history should know that the great Prince Arthur Eze towers shoulder high above him and the Prince is not his match in a any respect.”
Prince Eze said insinuation that he is only interested in government contacts “is laughable and childish and at best borne out of jealousy.”
On his pedigree, he said: “Despite the fact that Anyim has served in government at various times, his records and personal acceptability, impact and clout do not come close to that of Prince Eze who has never been in government or employed by anybody bur has been creating jobs and employing people since he left school in the USA,” adding: “Can one therefore compare that poor record in public service with the sterling and exceptional leadership qualities of Prince Arthur Eze?”
Rating Anyim, Prince Eze said: “It is on record that Senator Anyim is the worst Senate President that the South East zone has produced. He was not able to attract any meaningful development to the zone throughout his tenure.”
According to him, with the top positions Anyim held in government he could not ensure that the second Niger Bridge was executed. Prince Eze said: “Is it not a thing of shame that as long as Anyim stayed, both as Senate President and SGF he could not cause the execution of the second Niger Bridge which the Buhari administration is now executing?
“Even the East West road project which could have had direct benefit to the South East was treated with lethargy during his time. So what kind of leader is Anyim? A leader whose tenure does not benefit his people is a failure and I dare say that Anyim is a colossal failure in government.”
Listing his achievements, Prince Eze said: “Does Anyim not know that Prince Arthur Eze is a foremost, reputable and seasoned entrepreneurship giant of global reckoning? Is he not aware that the second Indigenous airline established in this country was Triax Airlines by Prince Arthur Eze? This was only second to the first airline, Okada Air by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom.
“The great Prince Arthur Eze also set up Triax Engineering which was the only indigenous firm handling the massive construction of FM radio stations across the country, employing countless youths in the nooks and cranny of Nigeria.
“Prince Arthur Eze has flown the flag of Nigeria and indeed the South East to the farthest parts of the world. Prince Eze also set up Atlas Petroleum and Oranto Petroleum Conglomerates, which are world class oil and gas giants which provide employment for people across the world, including Nigeria.”
The businessman said in the area of philanthropy, he has helped many Nigerians, saying his “donations and interventions during the current COVID-19 pandemic is unequalled.”
Advising Anyim, he said: “People who accidentally found themselves in positions of governance and honour, like Anyim should be grateful to God and not wake up overnight to attempt to denigrate men of stature who have done so much to uplift the downtrodden.”
Imo: IPOB, police in bloody clash [Sun]
■ Pro-Biafra group accuses security agents of killing members ■ Some arrested, others escaped with injuries- Police
The police in Imo State yesterday clashed with the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at Ama wire Orji in Owerri where they were said to have gathered to receive the corpse of one of their members, Onyekachukwu Uzoma from Enugu.
Eyewitness account revealed that the early morning incident led to sporadic gunshots that caused panic and fear in the neighborhood. However, reacting to the incident, media and publicity secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful explained that their members were only at the location to receive the body of one of their own when the police shot and killed some of their members.
According to him “The Nigeria, Army and SARS started shooting sporadically at IPOB members. The Nigerian army and police have started once again, pushing us to the wall.
“IPOB is not happy how the Nigerian government and her partners in crime are killing Biafrans and other Christians in Nigeria. We are warning the Nigerian government and her security operatives to stop attacking IPOB because they will regret their actions soon.”
Powerful however appealed to the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma to use his good office to treat those with bullet wounds and release those arrested.
“Nigerian security agents who attacked IPOB in Owerri should also release those dead bodies they killed during this invasion at Owerri. We are wondering why Hope Uzodimma, the governor would allow security agents to attack innocent and unarmed members of IPOB who are waiting to receive the dead body of IPOB family member who died in Enugu.”
But the State Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu claimed that the Biafra group numbering over one hundred actually wanted to dislodge some of their officers at the Orji division of their riffles but were repelled by policemen on duty.
He added that same scenario occurred earlier on Thursday when the Biafra agitators at New Owerri area attempted to snatch the riffle of the officers on duty, adding that though they were overpowered but inflicted machete cut injuries on two policemen.
While urging the public to stay away from the group, he disclosed that some IPOB members were arrested and others escaped with various degrees of injury.
“The attack was successfully repelled with arrests made, while some others ran away with various degrees of injuries. Parents, and guardians are advised to warn their children, wards not to allow themselves to be used to foment trouble as the command will not tolerate any act of violence anywhere within the state especially against officers and men of the force.”
Court to Diezani: Surrender for money laundering trial [Nation]
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Maudeke, to appear before it and answer to a money laundering charge filed against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ruling on an ex-parte motion, Justice Ijeoma Ojkukwu ordered the issuance of summons on Diezani for her to attend court for the purpose of her arraignment on the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018.
To ensure that Diezani, who is believed to be now in the United Kingdom (UK) was aware of the invitation, Justice Ojukwu ordered that the court’s summons should be published on the website of the EFCC and a national daily in a conspicuous manner.
Justice Ojukwu adjourned till October 28 this year for Diezani to come to court for the purpose of her arraignment on the money laundering charge.
Arguing the motion, EFCC’s lawyer, Faruk Abdallah, noted that since Diezani allegedly fled the country, it was difficult to get her back to respond to the various criminal allegations against her.
Abdallah said there was the need for a court’s summons or arrest warrant to compel her appearance in court.
The EFCC, in a document filed along with the motion ex-parte, said it sought to question Diezani, without success, in relation to many allegations against her, including “her role as the Minister of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) to Septa Energy Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited by NNPC.
The commission said it also wanted Diezani to respond to questions about “her role in the chartering of private jets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ministry of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of contracts by NNPC to Marine and Logistics Services Limited”.
It said Dezani was required to clear air on “her role in financing the 2015 general elections, particularly the money that were warehoused at Fidelity Bank Plc in 20015 prior to the elections.”
The EFCC said it equally wanted the ex-minister to speak on several items, documents and jewelleries recovered from her house at No: 10, Chiluba Close, off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja, and some identified properties that are linked to her in Nigeria, UK, United States of America (USA), United Arab Emirate (UAE) and South Africa.
COVID-19: Nigeria will live with pandemic for one year —NCDC DG [Nation]
- Minister asks hospitals to stop rejecting patients
- Commends elites who made Coronavirus status public
THE Director-General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Friday said that Nigerians must learn to live with the Covid-19 pandemic for at least one year.
Speaking at the media briefing by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 in Abuja, Iheakweazu said it is a reality our hospitals must live with instead of sending patients away.
“This message is for hospitals in the country. We have to live with this disease for at least one year at its very best, so we can’t turn our patients away,” he said.
Iheakweazu added: “Most hospitals have set up holding areas when there is uncertainty about diagnosis and the individual is showing symptoms.
“Every hospital should have a holding area and we have been supporting hospitals.
“We have an IPC team that has been supporting all the tertiary hospitals in Nigeria to set up triage centres. A triage centre is when you come in, you are screened and if your symptoms are similar to those of Covid-19, you are put in a holding area until we can determine the diagnosis.
“The technology that we have for testing, even if it works optimally, cannot provide us a test as quickly as possible.
Earlier, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, had said that no hospital should reject patients requiring medical attention regardless of whether they show Covid-19 symptoms or not.
He added that hospitals, private or government-owned, should have a holding room where patients can be kept until a government owned ambulance would come to pick them to a designated treatment centre.
He noted that most hospitals are being supported to become sample collection sites in order to boost the national testing strategy.
He commended influential persons who have tested positive for Covid-19 and came out publicly to declare their status, saying that this will go a long way to encourage others in hiding and let people know the magnitude of the pandemic the country and the world is grappling with.
He said: “Concerning patients being rejected in treatment centres and hospitals, that is regrettable and it is not what should be happening anymore.
“The policy of the government is that all persons who come to the hospital should be given attention no matter how basic, and the hospital in turn should call for help.
“Also, people who test positive should not disappear but register themselves, especially those with co-morbidities, and should, in fact, be placed on admission and be supervised all through the time.
“We expect hospitals to at least be able to give oxygen and then call for an ambulance service. All clinics should know the ambulance numbers by now.
“We can rightly assume from the exponentially increasing numbers that the pool of potentially infectious persons in the community is rising, and with that, the risk of infection for citizens at all levels of society since a very significant number of persons testing positive is not in observation or treatment.
“I must commend persons of influence in society who tested positive for Covid-19 and came out publicly to declare it and entrust themselves to prescribed treatment.
“They do us a world of good by showing that there is no shame and nothing to hide about Covid-19, and they also contribute immensely to building confidence in the health system.”
Ehanire added: “The other strategy that we have is that we have instructed every hospital to also be ready to test. This way, they are able to collect samples at certain hospitals.
“Our objective is to make sure that all hospitals are able to take samples. Taking samples is not a big deal; all you need is good logistics to collect all of them.
“Most PCR machines have the capacity to test large numbers at once. Right now, PCR machines are being used at 40 per cent capacity. So the logistics is what has to be done properly and with some more experience.
“The number of hospitals that can take samples will continue to increase and we hope that we will be able to help most hospitals to at least take care of emergencies that come in through an ambulance system that will come and pick up the patient from where they have arrived and take them to designated treatment centres.
“Any hospital that intends or desires to participate in treating Covid-19 patients can request for accreditation; a team will come and accredit the hospital, and specialists can help to mark the so-called clean and dirty areas, give the necessary training and make sure there are necessary staff.”
EFCC: Salami panel okays Magu’s presence at proceedings [Nation]
- Says no one on trial, panel merely fact-finding •Set to accept Magu’s defence
THE Presidential Investigation Committee on Friday decided to allow the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu to be part of its proceedings.
The panel said its position would enable Magu be aware of the testimonies of those appearing before it.
It said it was a fact-finding panel and not a trial one.
Although it promised to release some of the allegations against Magu to him, the panel said sensitive security items would not be made available because such should not be in public domain.
According to findings, the panel debunked allegations that it was unwilling to accept Magu’s defence.
A source said: “To demonstrate its commitment to fair hearing, the panel on Friday said it will henceforth allow Magu to be part of its proceedings to have first hand information on the allegations against him, and hear the testimony of any witness. The panel said it has no predetermined agenda.
“But it took exception to the leakage of its proceedings to the public. There are a lot of misrepresentations which members of the committee did not like.
“Also, the panel said its mandate is fact-finding and not a trial type. It said nobody is on trial before it”
On Magu’s defence, the panel said it “did not refuse to accept evidence from Magu.
“What the panel opted for was for it to entertain all the allegations against Magu and later ask him to respond to each of the issues.
“Members of the panel agreed to give Magu some of the allegations against him and his defence. There is no way the committee will hear from one side. All the members are of proven integrity, they have asked Magu to wait for the witnesses to conclude their presentations before getting his response. Thereafter, he can present all the evidence at his disposal.
“The only worry of the committee is some allegations bordering on the nation’s security, which the panel does not want leaked. Such issues will be raised with Magu without releasing the sensitive documents to him because they ought not to be in public domain. “
Magu’s counsel, Wahab Shittu in a letter to the panel, pledged that the suspended acting EFCC chairman would cooperate with the panel.
According to Shittu, Magu has not at any time challenged the mandate of the panel or engaged in any boast or queried the panel.
The letter, which was submitted yesterday, reads in part:”We state for the records that we are not in a position to query the honourable panel and certainly will never set out doing so.
“Rather, our intention was to draw the attention of the honourable panel to persistent falsehood publications concerning our client being orchestrated consistently in the public space in a manner that could prejudice the proceedings of this honourable panel.
“We apologize if any contrary interpretation of our intention is conveyed by the context in which the questions were raised in the referred letter. We hold the panel in the highest esteem.”