Why some retired Permanent Secretaries may face probe

There are indications that some of the Permanent Secretaries recently retired by President Muhammadu Buhari will be probed for corruption.

Already, one of those who may face trial has been interrogated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

Another one is alleged to have lavished public funds on exotic cars, unnecessary foreign trips and luxury hotel bills.

Intelligence operatives discovered that some of the Permanent Secretaries lived far above their legitimate income while looting public funds with impunity. 

Intelligence checks also revealed that Permanent Secretaries and top directors in the Civil Service are involved in massive acquisition of real estate.

THE NATION reports some of the allegations for which the Permanent Secretaries will be probed to include  acquisition of choice properties; $4.5b tax holidays;   N1.9billion Ebola Fund(including N900million for isolation tents); $2billion arms deal; N29billion fictitious contracts; N275.5million budget for 2015 poll monitoring; the mismanagement of subsidy funds; questionable waivers and N2.4 billion fertiliser scam.

THE NATION also quotes a source as saying that ;
“About five of the retired permanent secretaries might face trial based on discreet investigation by some security agencies on how they mismanaged their ministries.

“Some of these permanent secretaries appeared before one or two anti-graft agencies for questioning. They are already aware of their pending trial.

“Some of these senior civil servants have been pleading for soft landing but the government may not listen to them.”

Source : THE NATION

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See Buhari's list of retired Permanent Secretaries

These  Permanent Secretaries were recently retired from the Civil Service of the Federation by President Muhammadu Buhari.

1. Aliyu  Ismaila
2. Godknows Igali
3. Alhaji Baba Farouk
4. Abdulkadir Musa
5. Linus Awute
6. Fatima Bamidele
7. Obinna John Chukwu
8. Ezekiel Oyemomi
9. Anasthesia Nwaobia
10. Tunji Olaopa
11. George A. Ossi
12. Mike John Nwabiala
13 Mohammed Bashar 
14. Abdullahi Yola.

The fate of the underlisted Permanent Secretaries was still uncertain as at Wednesday as they were yet to be given their retirement letters, neither were they deployed to any offices.

1. Odusote Ibukun
2. Henry Akpan
3. Nkechi Ejele
4. Dr. James Obiagwu

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What Buhari told the world about his new ministers

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated his cabinet after more than five months of anxious waiting by Nigerians.

Apart from describing his new ministers as round pegs in round holes, here are other things Buhari said about them.

“Since our inauguration on May 29, 2015, the Vice President and I have been mindful of the need to constitute a cabinet that will best deliver our expectations of a better country than we inherited.

“We want to work towards a prosperous nation respected for the right reasons, and whose citizens can hold up their heads anywhere in the world.  And we are optimistic that bringing this set of ministers into the service of our country today is a step in the right direction, a timely move towards realising our positive goals for our country.

“Since we assumed office in May, I have been mindful of the need to ensure that the appointment of new ministers translates into putting round pegs in round holes while showing sensitivity to our diversity as a people and our various positions as groups of stakeholders in our country.

“I have also been conscious of the need not to repeat such mistakes of the past where the right people were allocated the wrong portfolios, which translated into their performing poorly to our collective detriment despite their obvious capabilities.

“Also, I have responded to the counsel to consult as widely as possible, given the need to build a stable and all-inclusive government by reaching across our various ethnic and political divides.

“With the inauguration of ministers, our government shall continue more decisively to implement its policies in respect of the economy and in other areas.  While working hard to maximise revenue from oil in the face of a sharp decline in the price for the commodity, we are determined to diversify the economy in agriculture to enhance employment and explore solid minerals as a major revenue earner."

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New EFCC Chairman talks tough

The newly appointed Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu has been talking tough.

See what he said yesterday after taking over from just-fired ex-chairman Ibrahim Lamorde .

“Indeed, there is no better time to ginger up the anti-corruption campaign than now that we are faced with economic downturn and the attendant sharp decline in government revenues.

“There is need to make sure whatever is got for common use does not end up in private pockets.

“To attract foreign investments that will complement the income of the government, we need to clean up our systems to the level of global best practices. We intend to pay attention to these important areas.

“I am ready and willing to work with everybody without primordial concerns. However, everybody must sit up and demonstrate willingness to do the work.

“While we will intensify on our work out there, we will also keep an eye internally. I will not tolerate indiscipline nor condone abuse of office or acts of corruption.

“We have to remove the pecks in our eyes first, to clearly face the outside world. You have no place in the fight against corruption if you are corrupt yourself. We cannot be caught napping in our own primary calling."

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No Code of Conduct for Super Eagles, says Oliseh

Coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh has rejected the idea of a Code of Conduct for players in the senior national team.

Oliseh who spoke to sports writers on Wednesday said that he believes that as professionals, the players know the right way to behave when on national call and should therefore not be treated like school kids.

“These players are men and some of them are even married and so deserve some respect. As professionals, they know how to behave in camp. If you want respect as a coach you give it. If you want respect as a player you should also give it," he said

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Army vows to capture Sambisa Forest before December deadline

Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj Gen Yusha’u Abubakar has declared the readiness of the military to capture the Sambisa forest fortress of Boko Haram insurgents before the end of the December Presidential deadline.
Speaking to journalists after a routine visit to troops in Betta village, near Sambisa forest, Abubakar said that the military has achieved tremendous success in its counter-insurgency operations.

His words ;
“We have achieved a lot and we are still doing much, but you know that the job is still there until we finish it. We are very close to Sambisa, we must enter and capture the forest before the Presidential deadline.

“Our major concern is that we must fight Boko Haram to a standstill and ensure that we eliminate them.

“I am happy that we are progressing very well, we have not reached the promised land but we are making progress. We are making efforts to clear all Boko Haram terrorists camps.”

The theater commander added that a lot of insurgents have surrendered their arms and are being de-radicalised.

“For those surrendering we have shown all the human side of the military to them, we are receiving them and some of them are very impressed by what they are seeing.

“We are screening and de-radicalising them for eventual re-integration back to society.”

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Army vows to capture Sambisa Forest before December deadline

Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj Gen Yusha’u Abubakar has declared the readiness of the military to capture the Sambisa forest fortress of Boko Haram insurgents before the end of the December Presidential deadline.
Speaking to journalists after a routine visit to troops in Betta village, near Sambisa forest, Abubakar said that the military has achieved tremendous success in its counter-insurgency operations.

His words ;
“We have achieved a lot and we are still doing much, but you know that the job is still there until we finish it. We are very close to Sambisa, we must enter and capture the forest before the Presidential deadline.

“Our major concern is that we must fight Boko Haram to a standstill and ensure that we eliminate them.

“I am happy that we are progressing very well, we have not reached the promised land but we are making progress. We are making efforts to clear all Boko Haram terrorists camps.”

The theater commander added that a lot of insurgents have surrendered their arms and are being de-radicalised.

“For those surrendering we have shown all the human side of the military to them, we are receiving them and some of them are very impressed by what they are seeing.

“We are screening and de-radicalising them for eventual re-integration back to society.”

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