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Real reason FG approved establishment of new anti-corruption agency

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday disclosed that it has approved the establishment of a new anti-corruption agency which will be saddled with proper coordination of all recovered looted assets.

Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,shortly after the FEC meeting explained that assets recovered have been in the hands of several agencies and that better coordination will encourage international/overall coordination in recovering more looted assets.

He added that It is on this premise that the new anti-corruption agency named, ‘Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Agency’ is to be saddled with the responsibility of managing the assets that constitute the proceeds of crime in Nigeria.

Malami also informed that the FEC has approved transmission of a bill, titled, “Proceeds of Crime Recovery and Management Agency Bill,” to the National Assembly.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), explained that once the bill becomes law and the agency is established, it would see to proper documentation and management of such recovered assets and thereby guarantee transparency and accountability.

An agency of this nature, according to Malami has become necessary in a bid to consolidate the gains achieved so far in the government’s war against corruption.

In his words, “the Federal Ministry of Justice presented to Council a memo today (Wednesday).

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“The memo is about a Bill which seeks the approval of the Council to transmit to the National Assembly for passage.

“It is the Proceeds of Crime Recovery and management Agency Bill.

“It is in essence a bill that is targeted and intended to have in place a legal and institutional framework. The legal component of it is having a law and the institutional component of it is to have an agency that will be saddled with the responsibility of managing the assets that constitute the proceeds of crime in Nigeria.

“What happens before now is the proceeds of crime are scattered all over, and mostly in the hands of different and multiple agencies of government inclusive of the police, the DSS (Department of State Service), EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), and ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission).

“So, with that kind of arrangement which is ad-hoc, there is no agency of government that is saddled with the responsibility of data generation, an agency that can give you off-hand the number of landed assets, number of immovable assets, the amount in cash that are recovered by the federal government by way of interim forfeiture overweigh of a final forfeiture.

“So, it is indeed over time a kind of arrangement that is not uniform and consistent.

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“If you have a budget item for recovered assets, this agency will now be in a position to provide information to the federal ministry of finance, budget and National Planning on-demand as to what amount is there available for budget purposes, thereby establishing the desired transparency, the desired accountability which has not been available before now,” the AGF added

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NDLEA Arrests Hair Stylist, Dispatch Rider for Allegedly Selling Drug-Laced Chin-Chin to Students in Bayelsa

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 20-year-old hair stylist, Josephine Odunu, and a 30-year-old dispatch rider, Edesemi Ikporo, for allegedly peddling illicit drug-laced chin-chin to school students and at social gatherings in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

NDLEA Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday that officers on patrol around the Opolo area of Yenagoa intercepted Edesemi, recovering 200 grams of chin-chin infused with cannabis sativa, intended for delivery to a buyer on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

“A swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of the hairdresser, Josephine, who distributes the drugged chin-chin from the salon where she works in the Kpansia area of Yenagoa,” Babafemi remarked.

He revealed that a search of the salon resulted in the discovery of an additional 3.00 kilograms of the illicit substance, bringing the total weight seized from the duo to 3.2 kilograms.

Investigations uncovered that they frequently distributed the drug-laced chin-chin, often mixed with cannabis and tramadol, to students and at birthday parties.

“While Edesemi handled the delivery to buyers, Josephine served as a major distributor to a wanted suspect involved in the production of the drugged chin-chin,” Babafemi added.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa State apprehended two wanted suspects, Ajim Samuel (aka Boss), 30, and Davidson John Joshua (aka Dantala), 36, on Wednesday, March 13. The suspects were intercepted along the Numan-Jalingo road, carrying 14,428 pills of tramadol concealed in their vehicle, along with 21 grams of cannabis and monetary exhibits totaling N19,280.

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Also, in Osun State, a commercial bus driver, Ogunleye Adegoke, 49, was arrested along the Gbongan-Ibadan road after NDLEA operatives discovered 2,000 capsules of tramadol, 60 tablets of rohypnol, and 10 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in the spare tire compartment of his vehicle.

The NDLEA’s statement highlighted numerous other arrests and seizures across various states, emphasizing the agency’s continued efforts in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign nationwide.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the outstanding feats of officers and men across different commands for intensifying WADA advocacy lectures, balancing drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts effectively.

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Oba Balogun Integral to My Political Journey – Olafisoye Mourns Late Olubadan

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A member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. (Prince) Olafisoye Wasiu Akinmoyede, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Mahood Lekan Balogun, describing it as a personal loss to him and the entire indigenes of Lagelu Local Government area of Oyo State.

In a heartfelt condolence message addressed to the government of Oyo State, the Chairman of Lagelu Local Government, the Lagun family in Lagelu, where Oba Balogun hailed from, and the entire indigenes of Ibadan, the lawmaker conveyed his grief and sympathy for the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun, who passed away on Thursday night, just a few days after celebrating his second anniversary on the throne as the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

“Hon. Lafi,” representing the Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency, expressed, “Though late Oba Balogun’s reign was short, it was monumental and historic to the people of the ancient city of Ibadan and humanity in general.”

Recalling the pivotal role played by the late Oba Lekan Balogun in his political journey, Hon. Lafi emphasized that the deceased monarch was instrumental in his career, providing both financial and moral support from his days as a councilor up to his current position as a federal lawmaker.

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The lawmaker extended his condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde, the Chairman of Lagelu Local Government, the Olubadan-In-Council, immediate and extended members of the Lagun family, and all Ibadan indigenes.

He assured them that the entire constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu stand in solidarity with them, offering prayers and support during this period of grief.

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Oyo: Oseni Mourns Late Olubadan, Reveres Oba Balogun’s Legacy

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A member of the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, on Friday, described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland in Oyo State, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, as a patriot and custodian of Yoruba values who gave his best while on the throne.

The late Oba Balogun, aged 82, who was the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan Land, died at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan a few hours after he was admitted to the tertiary health facility on Thursday night.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency, said in his condolence message that the contributions of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland to the political, social, and economic life of the ancient city would remain indelible in the hearts and minds of those who interacted with him in politics and socio-economic life.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, added that Oba Balogun left an indelible mark and epitomised the qualities of a passionate leader on the Nigerian political plane and in business, using his knowledge and skill to serve God, his people, and the government in various capacities.

The lawmaker expressed his condolences to the Governor Seyi Makinde-led Oyo state government, Oba Balogun’s family, the Olubadan-in-Council, the State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State at large.

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“Undoubtedly, our esteemed Olubadan wielded his influential presence to advocate for peace, harmony, and progress in Ibadan land and throughout Oyo State during his impactful two-year reign on the throne of his ancestors.

“Oba Balogun departed at a pivotal juncture in our nation’s history, leaving behind a void of his sagacious guidance and wealth of experience sorely needed. I implore Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan-in-Council, the State Traditional Council, the people of Ibadan land and Oyo State, as well as all members of his immediate and extended family, to find solace in the enduring legacy and indelible mark he leaves behind,” the statement read.

Oseni offered prayers for the repose of the deceased monarch’s soul.

 

 

 

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