ICPC to publish list of most corrupt MDAs

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC has announced the seizure of 61 houses from a corrupt female public servant and the monitoring and arrest of civil servants living beyond their means.

The Chairman of the ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta who addressed participants of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS at the Abuja headquarters of the agency on Friday, disclosed that the ICPC will soon start to publish the list of the most corrupt Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Nta while speaking on the theme, ‘The role of the ICPC in the War Against Corruption: Mandate, Strategies and Challenges’, said, “We are developing a scorecard like Transparency International which rates countries as to the level of corruption of countries. We have developed one for Ministries Departments and Agencies . Hopefully, we will know those who will take the first prize.”

He also said that once the 2016 Budget is passed, the ICPC would begin to watch how monies are being spent, adding that the commission has been prosecuting public servants found to be living beyond their means.

“From one of the employees of one of the organisations, we seized about 61 or 62 houses in an estate. The matter is in court so I can’t say too much but I want to say that the officer was not a man. We do prosecution but also try to seize the assets acquired through corrupt means so that apart from prosecution, we can strip you of the assets within and outside the country,” he said.

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I came back with $6b investments from China - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his latest foreign trip has fetched Nigeria over six billion dollars in investments from China.

According to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the agreements signed with the Chinese during the visit boost key sectors of the Nigerian economy including power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and rail transportation.

“In the power sector, North South Power Company Limited and Sinohydro Corporation Limited signed an agreement valued at $478,657,941.28 for the construction of 300 megawatts solar power in Shiriro, Niger State.

“In the solid minerals sector, Granite and Marble Nigeria Limited and Shanghai Shibang signed an agreement valued at $55m for the construction and equipping of a granite mining plant in Nigeria.

“A total of $1bn is to be invested in the development of a greenfield expressway for Abuja-Ibadan-Lagos under an agreement reached by the Infrastructure Bank and Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

“For the housing sector, both companies also sealed a $250m deal to develop an ultra modern 27-storey high rise complex and a $2.5bn agreement for the development of the Lagos Metro Rail Transit Red Line project.

“An agreement valued at $363m for the establishment of a comprehensive farm and downstream industrial park in Kogi state was also announced at the Nigeria-China business forum.

“Other agreements undergoing negotiations include a $500m project for the provision of television broadcast equipment and a $25m facility for production of pre-paid smart meters between Mojec International Limited and Microstar Company Limited.

“About 100 Nigerian businesses and 300 Chinese firms participated in the Nigeria-China business forum which took place a day after President Buhari began his visit to China,” the statement said.

Buhari returned to Abuja on Friday after a five-day official visit to China.

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Police to confiscate firearms from Fulani herdsmen

Following sustained public outcry over incessant attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen on their host communities and farmers, the Nigeria Police Force has vowed to arrest and prosecute any herdsmen found to be in possession of guns without police license.

Amid accusations that Fulani herdsmen use assault rifles like AK47 and other high caliber guns whenever they are involved in  clashes with farmers over grazing areas, the police said that it does not issue gun licenses to herdsmen.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase told Saturday Punch that any herdsman found to be in possession of a firearm would be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.

“We have always confiscated illegal and prohibited firearms and prosecute those arrested. Police cannot issue firearms licence to herdsmen. We are encouraging citizens to provide information on illegal arms across the country. Public safety is the absolute priority.  

“The Police cannot issue out firearms licence to anyone that is not qualified to possess firearms. There are procedures to obtain firearms licence; if you don’t follow the procedure and you don’t meet the requirements, you will not be granted the approval to possess one,” he said.

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Court dismisses Saraki's application to stop his trial

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday struck out the appeal by Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.

Saraki is being tried for false declaration of assets while he was the governor of Kwara State.

Ruling on Saraki's application, Justice Abdul Kafarati said that the CCT was properly constituted and should not be disturbed in the performance of its duties.

“This court cannot interfere with the proceedings before the tribunal; it cannot also interfere with the duties of the respondents which have been imposed on them by law,” he said.

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