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SERAP gives Buhari and Others Seven Days to Publish their Assets

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President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, 36 state governors and their deputies have been given a seven-day ultimatum by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, urging them to “provide information on summary of the assets, specifically property and income” contained in their asset declaration forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau since their assumption of office.

In the FoI requests dated 3 January 2020 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the FoI Act, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which is part of our laws, read together, impose transparency obligations on all public officials to publicly disclose information concerning their asset declarations submitted to the CCB, and to clarify any updated review of such assets.”

The statement read, “The summary of assets to be disclosed include, where applicable, the following: savings and other liquid assets, all immovable property and shares and actions in any private and public companies; property purchased by way of tender from any public-law entities and information about businesses owned.”

SERAP wants them to “clarify within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter if you have had any reason to review and update the asset declarations submitted to the CCB, and to provide the summary of any such review; failing which we will take all appropriate legal action to compel you to comply with our request.”

SERAP also said, “The non-public disclosure by public officials of their summary of assets seriously undermines the effectiveness and integrity of the constitutional and statutory obligations to submit asset declarations, especially given that declarations are designed to curb grand corruption. The non-disclosure of assets also undermines the authority of the CCB and weakens the public trust in the asset declaration regimes.”

It explained, “Our FoI request does not clash with the rights to privacy and data protection. Both rights are not absolute and can be restricted provided there is a basis in law and a legitimate public interest justifies the restriction. Prevention of grand corruption and exposing the unexplained wealth of officials are serious and legitimate public interests.”

“We would also like you to clarify if you have encouraged members of your cabinet also to submit their asset declarations to the CCB and to make such declarations public. If so, we would like you to provide information on the details of those that have made submissions.

“We would also like you to clarify whether a declaration has been submitted as constitutionally and statutorily required, the date of any such submission and if you have received any confirmation of the verification of your asset declaration by the CCB.

“The general public has a legitimate interest in ascertaining and scrutinising the veracity, exactitude and honesty of information contained in asset declarations submitted by public officials to the CCB. Without public disclosure of a summary of assets, this would have no practical importance.”

“Public disclosure of a summary of assets submitted to the CCB would help uncover any irregularities and trigger formal verification of declarations by the CCB and other anti-corruption agencies.

“The information requested is the summary of assets submitted to the CCB according to constitutional and statutory provisions. Providing the data will meet the legal objective of giving the public a reasonable picture of your detailed asset declaration lodged with the CCB as well as serve the purpose of providing a safeguard against abuse of the asset declaration process.

“This would in turn serve as an incentive to public officials to provide exact information when filing and submitting their asset declarations.

“The advantages that the general public would gain from being informed about the summary of assets declaration submitted to the CCB outweigh any inconvenience that may occur if the information is disclosed, according to our FoI request.

“We believe that the Nigerian Constitution, the FoI Act and the African Charter grant the right to obtain information on the summary of assets of all public officials occupying a position of trust and discharging public functions.

“Any perceived claim of interference with the right to privacy is sufficiently foreseeable for the legal requirements for asset declarations by public officials, given that public-disclosure of summary of assets would undoubtedly contribute to the legitimate aim of asset declaration regimes to prevent corruption, as it would ensure transparency regarding the details of those assets,” the organisation stated.

It added, “It is like the democratic political process that Nigerians may legitimately be interested in the conduct of public officials. The issue of the asset declarations of persons holding public offices is one of legitimate public interest and concern, and serves the purpose of ensuring transparency in the exercise of public functions.”

“By Section 1 (1) of the FoI Act, SERAP is entitled as of right to request for or gain access to information, including information on the summary of the asset declaration submitted to the CCB.

“By Section 4 (a) of the FoI Act when a person requests information from a public official, institution or agency, the public official, institution or urgency to whom the application is directed is under a binding legal obligation to provide the applicant with the information requested for, except as otherwise provided by the Act, within seven days after the application is received,” it explained.

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Inside Nigeria

Is Godwin Emefiele, the suspended CBN Governor, a saboteur? Emma Agu asks.

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Is Godwin Emefiele, the suspended CBN Governor, a saboteur?

I recently expressed my concerns about the arrest and subsequent detention of Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank. It is important to note that my views on this matter are objective and unbiased.

The Department of State Services (D.S.S) has officially charged Emefiele with various offenses, including illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, criminal misappropriation of public funds, economic sabotage, economic crimes of national security significance, and undermining security.

However, despite being granted bail by the court, there were incidents where security operatives openly fought to re-arrest him. Due to my history of speaking out against our nation’s problems for many years, I refrained from writing about it as it felt futile. Speaking out on such matters exposes one to unnecessary security risks. Nevertheless, I am compelled to share a few words due to this case’s circumstances.

During former President Buhari’s first term in office, Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and released on bail but later re-arrested in an attempt by the government at that time (which failed to present a solid case)to diminish his influence. The government failed hopelessly over and over again to prove a case against him as they held him indefinitely.
What the government does to Nnamdi Kanu differs significantly from my understanding of justice. Government security operatives are holding Nnamdi Kanu inhumanely. During my last visit to Abuja when his brother, wife, and lawyer paid me a visit, I was informed about Nnamdi Kanu’s inhumane conditions. While I may have had conflicts with Nnamdi Kanu before, the government has yet to prove its case against him; he should be released. Igboland needs peace. The man should be allowed back home unless the Federal Government is content with the prevailing security situation in Igboland.

People should not be detained indefinitely; they should only be charged when sufficient evidence exists for a successful prosecution. It is crucial to treat individuals as human beings regardless of their circumstances. This viewpoint would apply equally if anyone were detained for an extended period without any clear conclusion. The unnecessary chaos involving Nigerian security forces, the executive, and judiciary branches makes Nigeria look like a Banana Republic, and we can do better.

While I am not a lawyer and cannot provide legal analysis on this matter, considering the charges and the unfolding drama, this case presents significant challenges for the government in obtaining a guilty verdict. Additionally, one might question whether he would have been detained if there had been no difficulties for Nigerians in obtaining new Naira notes.
While many of my followers may believe he deserves punishment, I kindly ask you to view this matter objectively. Many people think Bola Tinubu wants to punish him because he was against his candidacy. We are watching closely. The charges against the man might arise from a personal vendetta, suggesting there is more to this situation than meets the eye. The available information accessible to the public is limited, and everyone must pay attention.

Emma Agu, alias AlahBama, writes from New York City.

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Inside Nigeria

News Headlines from Nigeria’s Major Newspapers

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NATION
*Nigerians to pay more for chicken, fish
*NIMASA generates over N108b revenue
*Satellite to play key role in 5G rollout
*‘Why most SMEs fail in three years’
*NETCO empowers youths
*NALDA farm estate to empower 400 in Abia
*AIB partners NCAT on manpower development
*Notore grows turnover by 43% to N27b
*PZ Cussons pays N992.6m dividend to shareholders
*‘Digital assets can stimulate capital formation’
*Airtel Africa joins FTSE 100
*Sterling Bank holds awards for young tech founders
*Wema Bank gets two new directors
*Threats to Nigeria’s march to digital economy
*Evolving railway connection and emerging opportunities
*Boosting downstream with low-interest loans
*Oyebanji, Kolawole: Who succeeds Fayemi?
*February… A ruling party’s month of decisions
*Typically NLNG
*Ritualists on the prowl
*Fuel subsidy sandstorm
*Ritualists on the prowl
*Fuel subsidy sandstorm
*Nigeria and the hunger hotspots
*Subsidy: triumph of reason
*Abubakar’s stained hands
*Tackling Nigeria’s cumulative leadership failure
*Subsidy suspension; stale logic

LEADERSHIP
*AFCON: Egypt Edge Out Morocco, Face Cameroon In Semi-final
*Terrorists Flee, Abandon Trucks As Troops Clear Enclaves
*11 Killed, Others Injured In Southern Kaduna Attack
*Alleged Defamation: JAMB Spokesman Sues Human Rights Radio, Demands N6bn
*Army Keeps Mum Over Attack On Soldiers In Rivers
*APC Has A Flawed Reward System – Princewill
*Manchester United Ban Greenwood Indefinitely Over Alleged Assault
*NDLEA Arrests 3 Trans-border Traffickers With 48,000 Tramadol Tabs
*Aborted Zamfara Trip: Presidency Explains Reasons, Blasts PDP
*Employment: KWASU VC Urges Youths To Embrace ICT
*We Want You To Defect To APC, Lawan Tells Akwa Ibom Gov

DAILY TRUST
*I Was Denied My First Job Because Of Hijab – FOMWAN President
*Edo Journalists To Benefit From Govt’s Health Insurance Scheme
*Ekiti Gov’ship: Anger Over Outcomes Of APC, PDP Primaries
*2023 Presidency: Age Not On Atiku’s Side – Bala Mohammed
*I Joined PDP Because Of Political Mess In Kano – Suspended Anti-Graft Boss
*2023: Tricky Storms Before Atiku
*Transforming Skills Development In Nigeria
*Professor Zulum And His ‘Empty Seat Of Power’
*Health Insurance: HMO Must Pay Hospitals
*Witnessing The Remorse Of A Secessionist
*Gender Inclusion For Uneducated Nigerian Woman Voter?
*281 Nigerians Crypto Account Restricted On Security Concern
*5G Rollout: NCAA Allays Fears On Flight Operations
*How Navy Recovered N67bn Worth Of Crude, AGO In 2021
*Emefiele Flag Off 100 For 100 Policy On Production And Productivity Today
*Fidelity Bank Rewards Customers In GAIM 5 Promo
*NIMASA Paid N37.7bn To Federation Account In 2021 – Jamoh
*Entrepreneurship Success: Contract Negotiations (II)
*‘Nigeria Will Never Go Into Recession If Real Estate Sector Is Stabilised’
*Appeal Court Dismisses Case Against Owners Of Abuja Estate
*Land Prices In Lekki, Ikoyi, Others Grow By 63% In 2 Years – Report
*Royal Choice Inn Builds N1b Hotel For Visitors, Sabbatical Lecturers In UniJos
*3-Year-Old Girl Abducted From Home In Kwara
*Report Sexual Harassment By Staff, Students, Unijos VC Urges
*Amosun Donates Food Items To Prisons, Orphanages

VANGUARD
*The merits in power shift to Southern Nigeria
*The plight of Nigerian workers [opinion]
*Presidential election campaign researchers look at 2015 and 2019
*Obaseki’s former Chief of Staff declares for House of Representatives
*If Nigeria were a democracy
*Lawmakers as rigging addicts
*Group educates Nigeria startup ecosystem on Nigeria startup bill
*We ‘re committed to making Niger Delta region better-Tunji-Ojo
*Law barring littering of polythene underway in Nasarawa — Commissioner
*FG saves N124bn yearly from IPPIS, digitalisation — HoS
*2023: Utomi, Na’Abba, Agbakoba’s mega party issues APC, PDP quit notice
*Why LASTMA personnel are hated by many
*Attacks on Adeleke can destroy Osun PDP — Party Chieftain warns
*Senate Constitution Review Committee bows to Buhari, rejects State Police
*Police arrest 5 suspects over killings, robbery in Osun
*2023: APC not sellable —Ondo Senator
*2023: Shun purported report on plans to replace Sanwo-Olu — Governance Council
*Yobe govt debunks report of crisis, churches burning
*PDP’s attack on Buhari over cancellation of Zamfara visit, shameful, disgraceful — Presidency
*Gunmen burn 10 sleeping locals in Southern Kaduna

PUNCH
*Sorrowful letter to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (1)
*Senate invites 62 revenue-generating agencies over low remittances
*Refineries rehabilitation gulped N100bn in 2021, says NNPC
*Ekiti APC primary didn’t hold, we’ll challenge outcome – Bamidele
*Transport fares jump by 283% amid rising fuel subsidy – NBS report
*Presidency: APC in dilemma over zoning, may throw race open
*FG must justify fresh N3tn vote, others for fuel subsidy – Senate
*Motorist seeks Lagos task force officers’ prosecution for perjury
*NDLEA seizes 48,000 tramadol tabs, 22 UK, France, Portugal passports
*Ogun police arrest three for vandalising telecoms mast

THISDAY
*Ugwuanyi Reiterates Continuous Support for Security Agencies
*NDLEA Arrests Nigeria-Cameroon Trans-border Drug Traffickers
*2023: PDP Positioned to Win Ogun, Says Party Chieftain
*SMEDAN Boss Laments Poor Reading Culture among Students
*Ex-Bayelsa Commissioner Urges Kinsmen to Shun Criminality
*Osinbajo: Masses, Not Legal Profession Own Nigeria’s Justice System
*2023: Obaseki’s Ex-Chief of Staff, Akerele, to Contest for House’s Seat
*Kogi Gov Restates Commitment to Education
*Residents Urge IG to Fish Out Killers of Two Teenagers in…
*Electoral Bill Pegs Presidential Campaign Spending at N5bn
*Report: $9.2trn Annual Investment Needed to Achieve Net-zero By 2050
*Come and Work with Us, Lawan Begs Emmanuel to Join APC
*Presidency to PDP: Don’t Trivialise Buhari’s Aborted Visit to Zamfara
*Merchants of Hate Selling Purported Plan to Replace Sanwo-Olu, Declares GAC
*PANDEMIC ENVIRONMENT AND SMALL BUSINESSES
*NIGERIA AND THE SUBSIDY SANDSTORM
*APC’s PresidentialTicket and the Early Risers
*Rice Leads the Charge in Agric Revolution
*Economics of Recovery and Recovery of Economics: A Peep into Nigeria
*As BUA Boosts Nigeria’s Cement Production Capacity
*Enterprise Asset Leasing to Boost Fleet Operations for Corporates, SMEs’ Funding
*Why is Buhari Unusually Quiet on Promise to Inaugurate NDDC…
*WACOT Rice to Complete Expansion of 120,000-ton Mill in 15 Months
*Lafarge Wins 2021 IoD’s Corporate Governance Award
*Edo to Set Up Investment Desks in Lagos, Abuja, Nigerian Embassies
*Lekki Gardens Receives SON’s Quality Management Certification
*Foundation Expands Blockchain Technology Operations to Ghana
*Cyber Future Academy Partners NAS on ICT Week
*Dana Air Reintroduces Early Flights from Abuja Feb 1 Chinedu Eze
*Ibom Air Ranked Best Airline in Nigeria by Travellers Awards
*Airtel Africa Joins FTSE100 January 31
*Interswitch Supports NITDA’s National Privacy Week, Promotes Data Protection
*‘Accident Investigation Institute to Begins Operation in Q3 2022’
*Private Sector Stakeholders to Launch N62.1bn HIV Trust Fund
*ANLCA Urges FG to Set-aside 3% Compensation for Licensed Agents
*Majiyagbe: Nigerian Custodial Services in Conformity With Global Best Practice
*NACCIMA Urges CBN to Postpone Implementation of e-Invoicing
*MTN Delights Investors With Historic N400bn Profit
*Insecurity, Forex Illiquidity Poses Threat to Nigeria’s Short-Term Growth IoD Warns
*‘Insurance Will Grow When Government Shows Responsibility to Sector’
*Banks, Others Borrowing from CBN Drops by 26.5% in January on…
*Sustained growth in revenue
*FG: No Jetty Should Operate Without Authorisation
*NIMASA Introduces Zero Import Duty on Brand New Vessels, Contributes N37bn…
*10 Customers Win N10m In Fidelity Bank’s GAIM 5 Promo
*Stephen Akintayo Foundation organises Upgrade Conference
*FG to Save N120bn from Human Resources Data on IPPIS
*Notore Sustains Growth Trajectory, Grow Revenue by 43% to N27bn
*TROM Foundation Holds Inaugural Annual Lecture, launches Maiden Science Teachers Award
*People Can Make Honest Money as Professional MCs, Says Talkademy CEO

THE SUN
*Niger: Terrorists on rampage, kill 7 top JTF commanders, others
*Ikpeazu commended on urban renewal programme
*Mbadiwe hails Buhari over suspension of fuel subsidy removal
*… President greets Onwenu at 70
*2023: Igbo group appeals to non-S’East indigenes to shelve ambition
*Ekiti guber: APC primary was hijacked, compromised -Bamidele
*2023: Desist from political prophecy, Kaigama tells religious leaders
*Plateau: PDP’ll produce better govt in 2023 –Gyang
*APC convention: Feb. 26 date threatened as CECPC mulls March option
*N450m rice factory commences operation in Imo

  • General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu,
    *Bayelsa to commission over 20 projects on Diri’s 2nd anniversary
    *NAS warns against rising number of out-of-school children
    *EBSU students reject N250,000 levy
    *Uzodimma promises traders of reconstructed Owerri market compensation
    *… Commiserates with Nnadi, Editor Sunday Sun, on wife’s death
    *2023: Disquiet in Akwa Ibom as Udom presents Umo Eno as ‘God anointed’ candidate
    *Nat Convention must arrest drift destroying APC — Ex DG Govs Forum
    *Alleged contempt: Finance minister, others face committal trial today

GUARDIAN
*Movement demands information on N3tr fuel subsidy
*In fresh attacks, bandits kill dozens in Kaduna, Niger
*SSANU gives FG February deadline to settle minimum wage, IPPIS
*Lawan woos Emmanuel as influential council backs Sanwo-Olu on re-election
*Concerns as cybercriminals unleash SMS-based Android malware on Nigerians
*Lagos Police Command begins screening exercise for applicants
*Ohanaeze warns of danger if North succeeds Buhari in 2023
*Obaseki extends street light-up project to Edo north
*Jonathan, Jack-Rich urge oil firms to impact host Niger Delta communities
*‘Soludo’s template will move Nigeria from crude politics’
*Police arrest three suspects for robbery in Yobe
*Osun government intervenes on Ilesa cult clash, promises return to normalcy
*Group condemns attack on ThisDay office in Abuja, seeks protection for media outfits
*Chief of Naval Staff tasks youths on career in armed forces
*Lawmaker seeks justice for murdered OAU PG student
*Abia government seals bank premises, prosecutes levy, tax defaulters
*Buhari commiserates with Innoson boss over mother’s death
*Bamidele to challenge Ekiti APC guber primary outcome in court
*Three rapists get life sentence in Jigawa

NIGERIAN TELEGRAPH
*Ekiti primaries and defeat of the big guns
*2023: South-East in strong push for power
*As the Senate debates Abuja Monthly Rent Payment Bill
*Ngige and the South East quest to lead Nigeria
*JUST IN: Emmanuel settles on Pastor Umo Enoh for 2023
*Federer, Djokovic praise ‘great champion’ Nadal
*Abuja Rice Pyramid smacks of deception –Ndeze
*Abia is leveraging on SME for development, says Oseiza
*Kano battling exports’ rejection, says Nasiru, Deputy Gov
*2023: South-East in strong push for power
*Bamidele vows to challenge Ekiti APC Gov Primary

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Africa

Akwa Ibom Corps Member Slaughters Boyfriend

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Princess Odume

A corps member identified as Princess Odume, was on Monday arrested by the Akwa Ibom police command for the murder of a yet-to-be-identified man.

The young woman, who is said to be a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, was stripped naked by neighbours of the victim who caught her trying to skip the fence with a machete.

The Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Ogbeche-Macdon confirmed the victim was the alleged murderer’s lover.
He also said, “The police are investigating. The police have her in custody, she committed the act, but as I speak, an investigation is ongoing as to how and why she did it.”

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Africa

COVID-19 Claims the Life of a House on the Rock Pastor

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Pastor Adeyinka Akinbami

A House On The Rock pastor, Adeyinka Akinbami(61), lost his life to COVID-19 on Friday, the 8th of January, 2021.

The Senior Pastor, of the church, Paul Adefarasin, urged Nigerians to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

“Yesterday (Friday), I received the rude and shocking news of someone deeply dear to me and all of the HOTR family. The passing of Pastor Yinka Akinbami has become most painful because if there truly were good men, he was certainly one. To my brother, sleep well till we meet to part no more.

“Family, kindly allow me to solicit your intercession for his dear wife of over 30 years; Pastor Tolu, his children, his children-in-law, and grandchildren. We can only at best imagine how much pain they are feeling. We share the pain of his loss but they will feel it a lot more.

“It’s important to remind the community about the deadly nature of the COVID-19 and its mutant virus strains. Please do your part by following all the recommended precautions. That way, you are able to protect yourself and others who become proximal to you. God bless and keep us all”, Adefarasin Tweeted.

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