LAGOS COURT JAILS MAN FOUR YEARS FOR DEFRAUDING BRITISH AIRWAYS N35.6M

Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, convicted and sentenced one Idris Bakare to four years imprisonment for defrauding British Airways the sum of N35.6million.

He was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a four-count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of N35, 672, 845.00 (Thirty Five Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty-five Naira).

The offence is contrary to Section 280(2) and punishable under section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

One of the counts reads: “Idris Bakare Adeyemi, Dauda Adegboyega and Zuraai Gold Ventures, between 23rd October, 2019 and 31st December, 2019 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your use the total sum of N35,672, 845.00 (Thirty-five Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty-five Naira) belonging to British Airways.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Z. I. Atiku, called an EFCC investigative officer, Mojibola Adekanbi, for a review of the facts.

Adekunbi, in her review of facts, told the court that the Commission received a petition from British Airways on January 19, 2022 against Total Nigeria Plc and Asharam Energy.

The petitioner, Adekunbi also told the court, alleged that Total Nigeria Plc, British Airways’ engineers and Sahara Energy conspired to invoice aircraft Jet A1 fuel above what had been uploaded on to the British Airways’’ aircraft to the tune of N363, 780,248.53k, and that the fraudulent practice had been going on since 2018.

According to her, investigation revealed that the convict, a former contract staff of Total Plc, was a fueller, who dispensed Jet A1 fuel via bowser vehicle with a hose to the aircraft.

Adekunbi further said: “ The convict conspired with others by selling out some amounts of Jet A1 fuel meant for British Airways to one Dauda Sulaiman.

“ This was confirmed by the buyer through series of transactions of money to the convict’s account.

“The convict received the total sum of N40, 676,000.00 (Forty Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-six Thousand Naira) from the buyer, Sulaiman, being the proceeds of sales of the stolen Jet A1 fuel.”

The prosecution counsel, thereafter, sought to tender the petition received from British Airways to the EFCC, the defendant’s statement, his statement of account with Zenith Bank and N4m Access Bank Cheque restituted to the Commission during investigations as evidence in Court.

Justice Abike-Fadipe admitted them as exhibits P1, P2 and P3 respectively and convicted him as charged.

When he was given the opportunity to address the court, Bakare pleaded with the court to look upon him with mercy, promising never to engage in any fraudulent practice again.

“I apologise to British Airways; my employer, through their principal, Total Plc; Nigerians and my family.

“ I am very sorry; I have learnt my lesson. British Airways, I am very sorry,” he pleaded.

Also, his lawyer, Olufemi Bisuga, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.

The prosecution counsel prayed the court to impose the provision of Section 297 of the Administration of Criminal Justice and the Law of Lagos State as regard restitution to victims of the crime.

Consequently, Justice Abike-Fadipe sentenced him to one-year imprisonment each on counts one to four, with an option of fine of N1 million on each count.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

He was ordered to pay the balance of N36,676,000.00 over three years to commence from July, 2024.

The Judge also ordered that the sum of N4m refunded should be given back to the British Airways.

Media & Publicity

May 24, 2024

EFCC ARRAIGNS TWO FOR POSSESSION OF SOLID MINERALS WITHOUT LICENCE

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 arraigned two persons for offences bordering on possession of solid minerals without lawful authority.

They are Nura Lawal and Tunde Jimoh.

The defendants were arraigned on one-count charge before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.

While Lawal was the driver of a truck allegedly conveying about 30 tons of assorted solid minerals, Jimoh was the escort of the truck.

Their journey to the dock started when the Ilorin Command of the EFCC received intelligence about the activities of some people who were engaged in mining of solid minerals within Kwara and transporting same outside for commercial purposes without lawful authority. The Commission swung into action and eventually arrested the two defendants on February 4, 2024 in Ogbomosho area of Oyo State.

The charge against the defendants reads:

“That you, Nura Lawal and Tunde Jimoh sometime in February 2024 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, without lawful authority were found in possession of minerals conveyed in a truck with plate number T3815LA contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 (8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983”

Lawal pleaded guilty to the charge read in English Language and interpreted to him in Hausa Language, while Jimoh pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the pleas by the defendants, counsel to the EFCC, Mustapha Kaigama, urged the court to fix a date for review facts in the case of Lawal that pleaded guilty and trial in the case of the second defendant (Jimoh) that pleaded not guilty to the charge.

There was no objection to the prosecution’s prayer by Lawal’s counsel, C. I Ipinsokan. However, Jimoh’s counsel, Michael Adetayo urged the court to fix an early date to enable him move the bail application of his client, while praying the court to allow the defendant to continue on the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission.

Justice Agomoh after listening to the parties, refused the prayer by Jimoh’s counsel, saying, “the proper place to keep an inmate under the law is the Nigerian Correctional Centre.” He also said, “the court cannot give a date to hear and determine a bail application that is yet to be filed before it.”

The judge thereafter ordered that the defendants be remanded at Nigerian Correctional Centre, Agodi, Ibadan and adjourned till June 5, 2024 for review of facts in Lawal’s case and trial in the case of Jimoh.

Media & Publicity

May 27, 2024

First year anniversary: ‘It is time to publish your assets’, SERAP tells Tinubu

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to “use the anniversary of your first year in office as an opportunity to demonstrate your oft-expressed commitment to democracy, accountability, and openness in government by immediately publishing your asset declaration form.”

SERAP urged him “to encourage your Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, and state governors to also widely publish their asset declaration forms.”

SERAP also urged him “to urgently propose a constitutional amendment to include provisions on the creation of asset declaration database to publish government officials’ asset declaration forms before, during, and after serving in public office.”

In the open letter dated 25 May 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Widely publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers, and state governors to also widely publish their assets would serve legitimate public interests.”

SERAP said: “publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging others to do so would also promote public trust and establish a system of transparency, accountability and public participation.”

According to SERAP, “Openness and transparency in the details of asset declaration forms of high-level public officials would strengthen the country’s democracy and promote accountability at all levels of government.

The letter, read in part: “You promised in your inaugural speech on May 29, 2023 ‘to take proactive steps to discourage corruption’, and to ensure that ‘Nigeria is impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law’.”

“We urge you to use your first anniversary in office as an important opportunity to underscore and reaffirm your oft-repeated commitment to democratic governance, openness and public accountability by immediately taking concrete steps to implement the proposed recommendations.”

“Transparency in the details of asset declaration forms would also enable Nigerians to scrutinise the forms and verify the financial situation of public officials and alert about possible conflicts of interest and corruption.”

“Asset declaration forms are a matter of public interest and your government ought to provide the leadership and encourage other high-ranking public officials to harness new technologies to publish the details of their asset declaration forms online and make the forms readily available to the public.”

“Corruption is one the greatest challenges to improving the country’s democracy and rebuilding a transparent, accountable and participatory system of governance. One way that corrupt politicians in the country have perpetuated corrupt practices is through hiding assets.”

“Transparency and openness would also increase public confidence in the integrity of high-ranking public officials and government generally, and ensure that political authorities are honest when they provide services to people.”

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended]; and Nigeria’s international anticorruption and human rights obligations.”

“Information regarding the property and economic interests of public officials ought to be accessible to the public through a website created for this purpose.”

“Transparency in the details of asset declaration forms of high-level public officials would also promote citizens’ participation in the fight against corruption which in turn would increase the transparency of public administration and the citizens’ trust in the integrity of state institutions.”

“Those who voluntarily seek or occupy public offices and are catered for by the public have certain fiduciary duties to be open, transparent and accountable to the people regarding the details of their asset declaration forms.”

“Because asset declaration forms are public documents, public officials cannot claim that publishing their assets would violate their privacy rights.”

“There is an overriding public interest in the disclosure of information on the assets of public officers who clearly are trustees of Nigeria’s wealth and resources.”

“Publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers and state governors to also widely publish their asset declaration forms would enable Nigerians to scrutinize the assets and worth of public officials before taking office and at the end of their term of office.”

“Publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers and state governors to also widely publish their asset declaration forms would also send a powerful message of your commitment to uphold the country’s constitutional guarantees and international obligations.”

“According to the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, contained in Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], all public officers are to declare their assets.”

“Paragraph 11(1)(a)(b) of the Fifth Schedule provides that every public officer shall immediately after taking office and thereafter (a) at the end of every four years; and (b) at the end of his/her term of office, submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his properties, assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.”

“Section 15(1) of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Tribunal Act also requires all public officers to declare their assets.”

“Article 7(1) of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and Articles 7(4) and 8(5) of the UN Convention against Corruption also contain similar provisions and requirements for public officials to declare their assets before, during, and after serving in public office.”

“The Nigerian Constitution and the anticorruption and human rights treaties show the significant role that asset declaration by public officials plays in promoting transparency, accountability and preventing and combating corruption in the public service.”

“Section 109 of the Evidence Act defines a public document to include documents forming the acts or records of the acts of public officers. Asset declaration forms kept with the Code of Conduct Bureau therefore qualify as public documents under section 109.”

“We hope that the aspects highlighted will help guide your steps in taking steps to publish your asset declaration form and to encourage others to do so.”

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

26/05/2024

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202

Restoring the federal in the Federal Republic of Nigeria – by: Nasir El-Rufai

I had the privilege of chairing the APC Committee on True Federalism which submitted its report back in January 2018. This committee of distinguished Nigerians was set up as part of our party’s attempt to put forward a position on federalism, an issue that has been intensely debated in recent decades. For the sake of our country and its people, we need to put as much passion into effecting what has been agreed, even as we further debate that which is awaiting consensus or resolution. We are in our 25th year of democratic governance, long enough for a panoply of deliberate actions to be taken to undo the distortions injected into our federalism by decades of military rule.

Propelled by ideology or driven by pragmatic desire for a working and dynamic country, many Nigerians see the merit in devolving powers and responsibility to the subnational level. It is seen as key to further unleashing the productive impulse, spurring creativity, rewarding the competitive instinct, and promoting better governance across the states. Devolution of powers will also free the Federal Government of some burdens and enable it to concentrate better on discharging its most consequential responsibilities in national defence and security, monetary and fiscal policy and foreign relations.

Some positive steps towards restoring and practicing federal ethos have recently been taken. The constitutional amendments passed by the 9th National Assembly in January 2023 included significant adjustments to the exclusive list, shifting some important responsibilities like electricity, railways and prisons to the concurrent list. This empowers state governments to regulate the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, intra-state rail networks and establish correctional facilities. Happily, President Muhammadu Buhari assented to some of the constitutional reform bills enacted by the 9th Assembly. This step towards decentralisation has been reinforced by President Bola Tinubu who swiftly signed the Electricity Act 2023 that bestows on state governments powers to regulate electricity markets within their boundaries.

Some state governments have moved with admirable speed to actualise their newfound regulatory powers in the electricity supply industry. In compliance with the law, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has also commendably ceded regulatory powers to such state governments. Given the well-known challenges in the electricity sector, there is much hope that the involvement of subnational actors and the private sector will help mobilise more resources to help address gaps in the sector. Efforts by the state governments to participate in the sector may also help to further build professional, technical and regulatory capacity across the states, to the benefit of all.

There is also renewed interest in decentralising the internal security structure, particularly policing. The weaknesses and inadequacy of a centralised police structure in a federation are painfully obvious. Government efforts to secure our people, their property, livelihoods and communities would be enhanced by introducing additional law enforcement footprint at the state, local government and community levels. Such subnational policing structures should be empowered with the necessary resources in personnel, training, equipment and technology to deter and prevent crime, protect citizens, businesses, and property, and to arrest and prosecute criminals. I hope that the conversations going on now would produce concrete measures in this regard, with strong nationwide regulation to address the concerns of those fearful of abuse or politicisation of policing powers by State Governments.

These welcome steps should spur us to complete the work that remains to be done towards reclaiming the federal in the official name of Nigeria. One of this is a conclusive clarification of the status of the local government councils. Nigeria’s federation is a union between its 36 states and the Federal Government. The APC Committee on True Federalism considered it an anomaly that the local government areas are named and listed in the Constitution and that they more or less receive direct funding from the Federation Account. Our Committee recommended that local government should be a matter for states which should decide on, legislate for, and fund the type of democratic local government system that best suits them.

As things stand, the contention over local government councils across the country stems largely from the funding that they receive from the Federation Account. In my view, a more prudent, and truly federal, option would be to let the Federation Account fund only the federal and the state governments, while the state governments should then fund and manage governance at the local level as they deem fit, and as reflected in the enabling laws that their respective Houses of Assembly shall enact to that effect. Every state can then have as many or as few local government councils as they may choose.

The APC Committee on True Federalism recommended that the federation be rebalanced, with more powers and responsibilities devolved to the states. Our federal system needs to strengthen the state governments to effectively deliver on the many human capital and infrastructural development responsibilities that are vested in them by the Constitution.

Another pending issue is the question of restoring a federal structure in the judiciary. The powers of the National Judicial Council should be limited to federal courts (and the Federal Capital Territory), while the state judiciaries should be vested in the State Judicial Councils to be created by constitutional amendment.

As a country, we also have to develop consensus on the application of fiscal federalism and the control of mineral resources. Let us discuss and settle the question regarding whether the vesting of land in the states by the Constitution and the Land Use Act should be extended to include ownership and control of minerals below the land, including oil and gas resources. That scenario will see the Federal Government collecting royalties and taxes, while retaining control of all offshore minerals in the continental shelf and the recently enlarged extended economic zone, in accordance with public international law.

The APC Committee on True Federalism had worked in the hope that its report would help enhance nation-building. Our consultations and deliberations highlighted the enduring appeal of federalism across the country. The patriots that negotiated our independence in the 1950s built a national consensus on federalism, with strong regions and a weak federal government. Federalism as a principle was made even more appealing over the decades by the evident distortions and clear limitations of military rule. The apparent failure of the creeping centralisation that set in after the tragic events of 1966 to build a strong Nigerian state and an efficient political and economic system has further reinforced the argument for federalism.

Excessive centralisation has neither strengthened national unity nor encouraged a productive instinct. As I observed during a Chatham House talk on restructuring in 2017, “unitarist and distributive impulses did not accelerate the evolution of national unity nor encourage productive endeavour. Rather, it created a rentier economic structure.” A federal restoration will help correct this.

This country was birthed as a federation. The imperative of the moment is to restore a federal structure that challenges and rewards creative efforts by the states to build up their subnational economies and governance capacity and frees the Federal Government to better discharge its core responsibilities to secure the country, grow its economy and be the leading voice of the Black race in international relations. A unique opportunity beckons for the federal and state governments and the 10th National Assembly to further accelerate the evolution of a better functioning federation within the next 12 months.

ROLE OF REGIONAL BODIES IN DEEPENING DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA

A KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, AT THE SUMMIT ON THE STATE OF DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA AT THE SHEHU MUSA YAR’ADUA CENTRE, ABUJA, ON WEDNESDAY, 22 MAY 2024.

PROTOCOLS

It is a great honour and my pleasure to address this important gathering that seeks to reflect on the state of democracy in Africa. First of all, I thank the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Foundation, for convening this conference and for perpetuating the commitment of General Yar’Adua to the ideals of democracy. During his lifetime, General Yar’adua was a soldier by vocation and a democrat by inclination. After retiring from the army in 1979, with the distinction that the military government in which he served handed over to a civilian government, he went into business. He returned after another military disruption of Nigeria’s politics to fight for the enthronement of democracy. He bore the pain of imprisonment and paid the ultimate price. I am happy that, through the work of this foundation, his memory and the values he upheld continue to illuminate our path.

The underlying theme of this conference indicates that we are not taking contemporary challenges confronting the continent with complacency. Against the recent coups and counter coups in some African countries, Africa today faces the crisis of democracy, a crisis that ought not to be as the long held consensus was that democracy is the best form of government ever invented by man.
Until the wave of military interventions in politics in many countries in Africa, which started in the 1960s, we embraced democracy as the post-colonial form of government. The constriction of the civic space, the emasculation of civil liberties by military authorities in many countries, most especially in West and Central Africa bred agitation by pro-democracy forces and civil society activists to demand for return of democratic leadership in the 90s.
Here in Nigeria, the military first aborted the transition to democracy in 1993. The transition started two years earlier with the election of members of parliament at the state and federal levels and the election of governors. But in July 1993, a free and fair presidential election held on 12 June of the same year was annulled, and the winner was incarcerated. Elected people were all sacked by the military. This triggered a pro-democracy struggle, during which many activists and I escaped into exile.
We finally had a return to democracy in 1999 after 16 years of sometimes benevolent, most often brutal military dictatorship. We have since then recorded 25 years of unbroken democratic governance. We have learnt through bitter experience that the worst form of democracy is far better than the best form of military autocracy. Specifically, in Nigeria, we have learnt that the cure for bad democratic governance is more democracy. As one of our most profound intellectuals, the late Professor Claude Ake, once famously opined, ‘the people must learn to become their own political messiahs from bad governance’. This can only be done through the instrumentality of democracy.
In recent years, we have witnessed democratic reversals particularly in West Africa. We had two military coups in Mali. The first was in August 2020, and the second occurred in May 2021. In September of 2021, soldiers struck in Guinea Conakry overthrowing the civilian leadership. Burkina Faso recorded two coups in 2022. The first occurred in January, and the second coup was staged in September. In Niger, where soldiers terminated the Presidency of Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, there was a failed coup earlier in March 2021. We had an attempted coup in Sierra Leone last year and another attempted coup in Guinea Bissau in February 2022. That same year, Gambia recorded an aborted coup. In Central Africa, we witnessed a military coup in Gabon last year. In Senegal, we had an unfortunate situation where a former incumbent tried to elongate his tenure by shifting the election and handover date.
ECOWAS in January 2017 militarily intervened in The Gambia, in what was called ‘Operation Restore Democracy’ to ensure that the will of the people prevailed. In that country, Adama Barrow defeated the incumbent Yahya Jammeh in the presidential election in 2016. After the long serving president refused to concede defeat, West African leaders assembled a military force of 4,000 men to force the defeated president out of power.
The Gambian example was the first military intervention by ECOWAS to restore democracy in the region. We have been unable to replicate this in defence of democracy anywhere else. The military intervention in Gambia was in line with the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. As the current Chairman of the Heads of Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), I have had to invoke the protocol to rally the regional authority to take necessary action to restore democracy in the countries, where it had been overturned. We imposed sanctions that we hoped would nudge these countries back to democratic path. Unfortunately, we were handicapped by the fact that in those countries, large numbers of people had thronged the streets to welcome military officers, the democracy disruptors, who they perceived, nay wrongly, as liberators from their elected leaders.
ECOWAS had since lifted the sanctions imposed on the aberrant countries because it was the innocent majority of the citizens that were suffering the effects. We shall continue to strive through persuasion, diplomacy and the power of our examples to encourage the military leaders in the affected countries to restore democratic governance. We also have as a priority to do everything possible to encourage those who have misguidedly announced their exit from ECOWAS to return to the fold in the best interest of their people.
Amid the despair about democratic reversals most especially in West Africa, we are encouraged by the elections that have held successfully in countries such as Liberia, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Nigeria. South Africa will hold its general elections on May 29. I must emphasise that it is in the nature of democracy that elections conducted by fallible mortals cannot be perfect as we have, in recent times, also witnessed very rancorously contested elections, in some of the oldest and most mature democracies in the world.
I subscribe to the notion that there are basic standards of electoral transparency that every election must meet. However, my submission is that it is only through continuous practice of democracy, through repeated elections, that such standards can be institutionalised. Those of us in leadership positions through electoral processes have the responsibility to shine the light of good, responsive and productive governance to make democracy appealing and attractive to those parts of our continent that are still under military dictatorship.
We do not espouse the cause of democracy to sound politically correct or just for the fancy of it. We do so because we believe that the ultimate purpose of democracy must be to provide good, honest, and responsible governance that will promote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people.

Many times, such vices such as corruption, nepotism, inefficiency, and socio-economic difficulties erode the trust and confidence of people in democracy and make military dictatorship attractive. But the superior merit of democracy over authoritarian regimes is that it offers the mechanism for peaceful change through the ballot box. It confers on the majority of the electorate, the power, and the right to legitimately dislodge from power a government that is perceived to fall below the desired standards of performance.

In contrast, for a government that comes to power through the barrel of the gun, the only mechanism for easing it out of power is through superior force. It is the perfect recipe for the instability and needless barbarity that have been associated with despotic rule for much of Africa’s post-independence history. This is why we must make the most of the opportunity this conference offers to rigorously interrogate the state of democracy in Africa. This conference must think out ways by which we can roll back the resurgent waves of military autocracy.
The defunct OAU creditably played its role in coordinating and spearheading the liberation of our continent from the stranglehold of imperialism. That was a monumental achievement of the 20th century. The focus of the succeeding African Union today is the institution of a new constitutional democratic order capable of guaranteeing stable and peaceful governance, protection of human rights, as well as the single-minded pursuit of economic integration and sustainable development in Africa.
The collective strength and efficacy of the AU as a continental organisation can only be a function of the effectiveness and efficiency of the sub-regional organisations to which its component member states belong. This Summit must thus accord priority to constructive discussions on how the various sub-regional groupings in Africa can integrate their economies more closely, collaborate more productively to achieve greater regional security and collectively ensure adherence to the principles of constitutional and democratic governance within their respective boundaries.
Let me seize this opportunity to remind us that the Abuja Treaty of 1991, which came into force in 1994, provides for the African Economic Community (AEC) to be fully functional by 2028 following a gradual process of regional and continental integration. Time is not on our side as 2028 is around the corner. The regional organisations which are the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), ECOWAS, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD), must be more focused and dedicated to the realisation of their objectives.
These sub-regional groupings, for instance, must seriously pursue the formation, proper funding and efficient administration of standby military outfits that will help contain military adventurers and the rampaging waves of terrorism and religious extremism in different parts of the continent. But this must be supplementary to and not a substitute for their primary goals of promoting active trade, minimising trade barriers, encouraging sustainable and inclusive economic growth, promoting human capital development as well as promoting value addition in agriculture and agro-business development among others.
In the same vein, the immense potentials of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can only be maximally realised when there is concrete and proper economic integration and collaboration at the different sub-regional levels. We must deliberate at this Summit on ways through which African sub-regional organisations can help foster better intra-African trade, achieve better food and energy security, promote higher rates of youth employment as well as alleviate poverty and realise greater prosperity for our people.
This Summit must discuss ways of making the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), which is a key component of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), contribute to achieving good governance and democratic consolidation on the continent. All too often, African leaders intent on staying in power by all means and at all costs have been the greatest stumbling blocks to good governance and democratic progress in their respective countries.
Those of us privileged to be in leadership positions must utilise the instrumentality of the African Peer Review Mechanism to call our colleagues to order. We must set and demand from African leaders standards of democratic behaviour that uphold free, fair and credible elections, eliminate attempts to remove constitutionally stipulated term limits by incumbents and respect the autonomy and integrity of critical institutions such as the judiciary and the legislatures that are indispensable to good governance.
‘Every generation’, the great Walter Rodney declared over five decades ago, ‘must out of relative obscurity discover its mission and having done so, betray it or fulfill it’. It is the historic responsibility of those of us who are alive and conscious adults in today’s Africa to work assiduously towards actualising the potential of this great continent.
Africa can no longer afford to be the doormat of the world; a continent of street beggar economies that perennially hold out begging bowls for loans or aid. It is time for Africa to truly come of age and begin to fulfill her historic destiny for the good of her people and the benefit of humanity.

I wish you fruitful deliberations. And I thank you for listening.

* The speech was read on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima

STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

PRESIDENT TINUBU DIRECTS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF GOVERNING BOARDS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

President Bola Tinubu has directed a total and comprehensive review of the recently announced governing boards of tertiary institutions in Nigeria before the inauguration and retreat being planned for the nominees.

The Federal Ministry of Education recently released names of nominees for chairmen, Pro-Chancellors, and members of the boards and councils of universities, Polytechnics, and colleges of education. It also announced that the inauguration and retreat for the nominees will take place on 31 May.

However, public reactions showed that the nominations did not reflect the federal character of the country as some states got just one nomination, while some others got many.

The President, in directing a complete review of the list of the members of the governing councils, acknowledges the feedback across the country.

President Tinubu is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of federal character as entrenched in the constitution.

The review will also take into consideration national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy

23 May, 2024

Desecrating Arewa’s rich cultural heritage.

By Tahir Ibrahim Tahir Talban Bauchi.

The imbroglio in Kano Emirate is serving as the crucible in which arewa’s rich cultural heritage is being desecrated. The biggest loser in the game of thrones in Kano is the Northern Emirate system, its pride, prestige, and rich traditional/ cultural heritage. Its dignity is being decapitated, its aura being eroded, and all it has stood for are being belittled into a chessboard for politicians to flex their war of attrition, with the traditional institutions as ready pawns for their never ending political vendetta. The Northern Emirate system was a highly revered institution which was respected by the colonial masters, placing Northern Nigeria on a very rich pedestal of ancient civilisation. It was a stabilising institution that ran the entire region with a system of governance, along with a taxation regime similar to the British monarchy. That was the genesis of the warmth and camaraderie that the colonial masters extended to the Northern Emirates, as against other regions in Nigeria. Today, all of the grandeur, color and influence of the Northern Emirate system is fast fading away, with the tossil for the Emirship of Kano almost serving as comic relief to the very hard economic conditions faced by the Nigerian populace.

‘Kanon dabo’, ‘Kano jallabar hausa’, ‘Kano tumbin giwa’, ‘Kano ko da me kazo an fika’: are all slogans that have exuded Kano’s excellence as a leading State in Northern Nigeria, be it in trade, education, or the prestige of its traditional institutions, that have towered above all of its contemporaries, both in the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kanem Borno Empire. In its prestige and glamor, it has also served as the hotbed of Emirate tussles from time immemorial. Most memorable is the deposition of the Emir of Kano Sanusi I by the Sardauna of Sokoto, and the creation of new Emirates of Gaya, Dutse, Rano and Auyo in Kano by Gov. Abubakar Rimi, and the upgrade of Kazaure, Gumel and Hadejia to first class emirs, equal in status with then Emir of Kano, Alh. Ado Bayero. The most recent was the removal of Emir Sanusi by Governor Ganduje, along with the creation of 5 other Emirates in Kano, of equal status.

The present storm was created by the removal of the Emir of Kano, Alh. Aminu Ado, and the installation or reinstallation of Emir Sanusi as the present Emir of Kano. The tussle has been made more complex by the roles of the Legislature and the Judiciary in the State, acting at cross-purposes, intruding in their seperate constitutional roles, making a mockery of both arms of government. As against popular opinion, the Executive arm of government in both the states and Federal Government, appear to be more clear-headed in actions and deed, compared to the ambiguity and controversy generated by the Legislature and the Judiciary. Statements and counter statements by the NBA Chairman, Kano State chapter, and other officials of the NBA, clearly defines that there is an encroachment of the duties and obligations of the two arms of government, and unless there is a clear disentanglement over who does or decides what, going by the rule of law, the Kano game of thrones would go on for a while. The court judgement, whether ‘jankara’ or not, has to be settled, for the pronouncement of the law by the State Assembly to finally rest. However, the frivolities of these kinds of court actions must be reigned in by the National Judicial Commission, NJC, so that courts do not entertain cases they have no jurisdiction over, or cases that seek answers that have already been provided by the Legislature, and the constitution. Most of such cases are judicial exercises in futility.

The APC led government of Kano used its powers to dethrone Emir Sanusi, and install Emir Aminu Ado. In the same manner, the NNPP led government of Kano used the same powers to reinstate Emir Sanusi and remove Emir Aminu Ado. Each of the emirs sided with the political party that gave them the throne and that is no secret. Once APC lost Kano in the Supreme Court Judgement that ushered in Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf into power, it was a no brainer that ultimately, he would seek to reverse all the reversibles of the Ganduje led APC. This of course includes the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi. If the APC really needed to have Emir Aminu Ado on the throne, then they ought not to have lost the battle in the Supreme Court. Losing at the Supreme Court meant losing Kano, losing the government, and also losing out in the emirship tussle.

As it is now, the situation can best be described by the hausa proverb, ‘haihuwar guzuma, ya kwance uwa kwance’, directly translating as, ‘the delivery of an old cow is not an easy one, with both the calf and cow in critical condition’. The Northern Emirate system’s nose has been greatly bloodied, once more soiling its identity and heritage. The Judiciary and the Legislature have also been bloodied and ridiculed, with each taking obvious sides with no pretences. Both Emirs’ experiences of being enthroned and dethroned are debacles they’d rather not have in their reigns as emirs. Does it now foretell that once there is a change in the party that wins the elections, there will inevitably be a new Emir as well? Or perhaps worst still, if the Emir and the governor supporting the same party do not agree, then we should expect a new Emir within the same party? Kano and all interested parties should allow this matter to rest. It is an unnecessary distraction from the troubles bedeviling the North. Our energies should be channeled towards using the Emiral system to fight insecurity, as against being used as a weapon for political vendetta.

Tahir is Talban Bauchi.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS EMERITUS PROFESSOR AYODEJI BANJO

President Bola Tinubu extends his condolences to the family of the late Emeritus Professor Ayodeji Banjo, who passed away at the age of 90.

Professor Banjo was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan from 1984 to 1991, and also former Chairman of the Board of the National Universities Commission and former Pro-Chancellor of the Universities of Port Harcourt, Ilorin, and Ajayi Crowther.

President Tinubu mourns the academic par excellence, who only recently turned 90, describing him as a stout beacon of professional and moral excellence.

The President celebrates the life and legacies of the late Emeritus Professor of English, renowned for his immense contributions to the development of education in Nigeria.

The President commiserates with the family of Professor Banjo and the academic community while praying to God Almighty to grant the departed eternal rest.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 26, 2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS FORMER EFCC CHAIRMAN IBRAHIM LAMORDE

President Bola Tinubu condoles with the family of Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, who has passed away at the age of 61.

The retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police was the pioneer Director of Operations and third substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from 2012 to 2015.

The President also commiserates with the associates of the former anti-graft czar, the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, as well as the government and people of Adamawa State.

President Tinubu prays to God Almighty to grant repose to the soul of the deceased and comfort for his family.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 26, 2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU INAUGURATES NEWLY RECONSTRUCTED APAPA-OWORONSHOKI-OJOTA EXPRESSWAY IN LAGOS

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday inaugurated the newly reconstructed Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway, a 36.02km expressway connecting Nigeria’s premier ports – Apapa and Tin Can Island – to larger parts of Lagos State.

President Tinubu, who performed the symbolic unveiling of the plaque of the concrete-paved road at the Gbagada stretch, also virtually inaugurated the recently rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge.

Speaking at the inauguration of the projects, executed by the Federal Ministry of Works, the President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway would enhance access to the ports, boost commercial activities, and spur economic development.

Originally constructed between 1975 and 1978, the road had deteriorated significantly over the years, causing severe delays in the evacuation of goods from Apapa Wharf.

The reconstruction of the road was executed in four sections, using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP), by Dangote Industries Limited under the tax credit method of infrastructure funding, with Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited as the subcontractor.

The rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge, the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, spans about 11.8km.

It was commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1980 and completed by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1990.

The bridge recently underwent significant rehabilitation to improve its structural integrity and extend its lifespan.

”This is a great feat by any standards, and it is all for Nigeria. I congratulate the Ministry of Works and the contractors for the great work.

”It is not only in Lagos that these good things are happening. From the Presidential Villa in Asokoro to the AYA Roundabout in the capital city (Abuja), you will notice a great deal of work and some of these projects will be commissioned this week,” the Senate President said.

The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi explained the reason for the use of concrete technology in constructing the road, noting its durability, as well as the rising cost of bitumen used in making asphalt.

‘‘We want our contractors to migrate to the use of concrete technology for road construction,’’ the Minister said, while describing the inauguration of the road as another plus on the utility of tax credits in the country.

On the Third Mainland Bridge, the Minister explained that the project went beyond mere rehabilitation.

”We had to replace all the expansion joints, and we also noticed that over the years all the maintenance on the bridge was only for the surface and that created a lot of super elevation, pot holes, and increased the dead load on the bridge resulting in increased deflection,” he said.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata announced that President Tinubu had directed the ministry to complete Abuja-Kano Road within one year.

He assured Nigerians that Makurdi-Enugu Expressway was on the verge of completion and that other federal road projects across the country are receiving attention.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the Minister of Works, Engr. Umahi has saved Nigeria a total of N1.19 trillion through renegotiations of some ongoing road project costs across the country.

”What we are witnessing today is Nigeria working under the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, and the determination to have a better Nigeria where infrastructural facilities are functioning,” the Permanent Secretary said.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Femi Hamzat expressed gratitude to the President and the Federal Ministry of Works for fixing the roads, thereby reducing travel time from 7 hours to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

”About two years ago, a lot of companies on the Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Road moved from this axis because of the deplorable state of the road.

”We are grateful to Mr. President, the Ministry of Works, Dangote Group and Hitech Construction Limited for the current state of the road and also for the Third Mainland Bridge,” the Deputy Governor said.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 26, 2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU: LAGOS-CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY WILL REVOLUTIONIZE TRANSPORTATION IN NIGERIA AND BOOST TOURISM

President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday in Lagos, flagged off the construction of the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, stating that the project would revolutionize transportation in Nigeria and bolster the unique economic strength of each zone.

The President spoke from the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island end of the project, which will traverse nine states along Nigeria’s coastal shoreline while linking the A1, A2, A3, and A4 highway corridors vertically crossing the western, central and eastern regions of the country, north to south.

Starting from Lagos and terminating in Cross River State, the coastal highway will include a spur to the north-central part of the country.

From Victoria Island, President Tinubu also performed the virtual flag-off of the design and procurement for the 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which is expected to connect Sokoto to Badagry in Lagos State, passing through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and Oyo States.

In addition, he virtually flagged off the design and procurement for the 461km Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Road, which will traverse Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, terminating at Apo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The President, who is in Lagos to inaugurate and flag off projects as part of activities marking his administration’s first anniversary, also performed the virtual flag-off of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the six geo-political zones of the nation.

President Tinubu commended the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, for being diligent and for his efforts towards the qualitative execution of the strategic coastal highway project.

He also applauded the Chairman of Hitech Construction Company, Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury, and Engr. Ronald Chagoury, whose company is handling the project, for being worthy stakeholders and for believing in the future of Nigeria.

“Together, we worked to tame the Atlantic, and we turned a disaster into a great asset of value. We lost weight and took insults, but eventually, we tamed the Atlantic. We achieved our goals,” the President said, recounting how the indigenous company successfully executed a project to prevent the Atlantic Ocean from encroaching on critical sections of the Lagos shoreline.

“Today is my day to boast. The deal is done. The dream is realizable. The determination to build a nation of prosperity is possible. We said we would build this road, and we are determined to do it.

“Do not be afraid. We will do this road, and it will be a success for Nigeria, and we will do even more of this,” the President said.

President Tinubu said the project will ensure that future generations have a good landmark and memory to treasure while serving as a good precedent set for others to follow in the timely provision of world-class infrastructure.

”We have a road that will outlive all of us here. That is how to build the future. This project is more than a mere road. It is a symbol of hope, unity, and prosperity.

”It will connect communities, bring prosperity to people, and create opportunities for millions of our people. For our nation to excel, we just have to be bold and courageous in our endeavours,” the President said.

Listing the benefits and opportunities to be created by the construction of the 700km road, President Tinubu said it would provide direct employment for thousands of people and indirect jobs for tens of thousands.

He added that it will open economic opportunities for millions of people, fast-track economic development, provide 30 million people with improved access to production and marketing centres, even as it will facilitate the free movement of people.

He said the project will also complement the expansion of the country’s maritime industry in the wake of the recent decision by the United Nations to grant Nigeria an extension of its continental shelf by an additional 16,300 square kilometres.

“We must take advantage of these opportunities,” the President said, adding that the establishment of more export processing zones along the coastal states must be a priority for the country.

Engr. Umahi announced that the President had directed that sections 3 and 4 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project should commence from Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, respectively.

Emphasizing that due process was followed in awarding the contract for this transformative project, the Minister described President Tinubu as a visionary and courageous leader.

Engr. Umahi disclosed that over 40 new projects are ongoing across the country and that all compensations up to kilometre 6 of the Lagos-Calabar project have been paid.

The Oniru of Iruland in Lagos State, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, whose domain the road will course through, assured the President that the community would ensure the removal of all bottlenecks.

He stated that his people have made painful sacrifices for the project to materialize and called for adequate compensation for them.

In separate remarks, three Governors – Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, and Mr. Hope Uzodinma of Imo described the wide-ranging support from sub-nationals as a vote of confidence and support for the landmark project.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 26, 2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

CHILDREN’S DAY: PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES NIGERIAN CHILDREN, SAYS NO EFFORT WILL BE SPARED IN SECURING THE NATION’S FUTURE

President Bola Tinubu celebrates Nigeria’s children, the bearers of the nation’s torch into the future, on the special occasion of Children’s Day.

The President rejoices with parents, guardians, and families across the nation, and calls for a reinforcement of the family unit as a place where the sacred values of honesty, modesty, hard work and charity are passed down to the shining lights of tomorrow.

President Tinubu affirms that society is a reflection of each family unit as a collective, urging the preservation of those principles that make us a wholesome, nurturing, and thriving nation.

The President states that his administration is sparing no effort in ensuring that Nigeria’s children have a solid footing for the realization of their dreams.

With increased investments in education, and the recent overhauling of the entire education system to provide both human and material resources for learning, as well as the efforts of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education to get the nation’s precious gifts off the streets, the President emphasizes that his administration will continue to expand access to qualitative education for all Nigerians.

President Tinubu reassures the nation of his commitment to ensuring a safe and secure ambience of learning for the children while improving the standard of education.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 27, 2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

PRESIDENT TINUBU DIRECTS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF GOVERNING BOARDS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

However, public reactions showed that the nominations did not reflect the federal character of the country as some states got just one nomination, while some others got many.

The President, in directing a complete review of the list of the members of the governing councils, acknowledges the feedback across the country.

President Tinubu is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of federal character as entrenched in the constitution.

The review will also take into consideration national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy

23 May, 2024

Desecrating Arewa’s rich cultural heritage.

By Tahir Ibrahim Tahir Talban Bauchi.

Tahir is Talban Bauchi.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS EMERITUS PROFESSOR AYODEJI BANJO

President Bola Tinubu extends his condolences to the family of the late Emeritus Professor Ayodeji Banjo, who passed away at the age of 90.

President Tinubu mourns the academic par excellence, who only recently turned 90, describing him as a stout beacon of professional and moral excellence.

The President celebrates the life and legacies of the late Emeritus Professor of English, renowned for his immense contributions to the development of education in Nigeria.

The President commiserates with the family of Professor Banjo and the academic community while praying to God Almighty to grant the departed eternal rest.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 26, 2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU MOURNS FORMER EFCC CHAIRMAN IBRAHIM LAMORDE