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Nigeria Joins Orders to Strategise Against Corruption
Nigeria Joins Orders to Strategise Against Corruption
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria has joined other countries on the globe to collaborate and strategise on strategies to combat corruption.
The Nigeria Delegation attended the 10th Conference of States Parties in Atlanta to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), with over 150 member states in attendance.
Led by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation (HAGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, the Nigerian delegation included representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Police Service Commission, the Nigeria Police Force in addition to the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In addition to the official delegation, the Conference benefitted from a strong showing of Nigerian civil society organizations, such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISCLAC), the HEDA Resource Center, the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), the Centre for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development (African Center), the Centre for Fiscal Integrity and Transparency Watch (CeFTIW) amongst others.
In his statement, the Honourable Attorney-General stated that “Nigeria has suffered from the damaging effects of corruption including the loss of billions of dollars to foreign havens, stolen, and expatriated by corrupt leaders and their foreign accomplices including multinational companies. The diversion of such strategic resources continues to challenge Nigeria’s growth and development”.
He added that Nigeria has taken proactive measures to combat corruption, block leakages, and recover stolen assets. In this regard, he mentioned some of the achievements made by Nigeria in the last two decades following a stock-taking exercise embarked on by the government with UNODC support.
One such achievements is the adoption of a roadmap for the implementation and deployment of a web-based ‘Beneficial Ownership Register’, encompassing all sectors in the country. Nigeria is also sponsoring a draft follow-up resolution on Beneficial Ownership titled “Enhancing Transparency and the Use of Beneficial Ownership Information to Strengthen Asset Recovery”. Sponsoring a total of six resolutions on the topic of asset recovery, international cooperation and beneficial ownership transparency during the past Conferences of States Parties, Nigeria has significantly contributed to the development of international policy and standards in the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
Another achievement highlighted in the statement of the Attorney General was the establishment of the Nigerian Open Contracting Portal for increased disclosure of procurement information to all stakeholders.
The portal is to ensure improved transparency and accountability processes in procurement. It will also help enhance active citizen participation for better service delivery and improved ease of doing business.
The Attorney-General outlined some key priorities for Nigeria in the fight against corruption, including criminal justice reform, asset recovery, beneficial ownership transparency, and curbing illicit financial flows.
He also gave a brief statement at the action series organized by the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) on the sideline of the COSP. In his statement, he acknowledged the recent return of USD 1 million to Nigeria by the US Government of proceeds of a corruption case involving the former Governor of Bayelsa State, the late Depriye Alamieyeseigha.
Fagbemi also expressed the willingness of the Nigerian government to cooperate with the French authorities in accelerating the return of an additional USD 150 million of the Abacha loot.
Nigeria’s Statistician General, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, joined UNODC’s Executive Director Ghada Waly, the Italian Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, the World Bank’s Global Director for Governance and Ghana’s Government Statistician, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim in discussing the role of corruption measurement to trigger action and assess impact.
Recalling the national corruption surveys conducted in 2016 and 2019 respectively, and the 3rd national corruption survey ongoing, he outlined some of the policy reforms these exercises in data collection and analysis had managed to drive.
Nigerian Government officials, members of civil society, academia, and the private sector also participated actively in dozens of other side events sharing achievements as well as challenges in preventing and tackling corruption.
Nigeria Joins Orders to Strategise Against Corruption
Troops foil another attack on locals in Plateau, two persons injured
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 9, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have foiled an attack on locals by suspected terrorists in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. on April 3 along Yelwa cattle market axis, following a distress call over sporadic shooting in the area.
The sources explained that troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, upon which the suspected gunmen fled into nearby bushes on sighting the advancing troops.
According to the sources, troops conducted a follow-up exploitation of the area and discovered two locals who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.
The injured victims were immediately evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
The sources added that troops have dominated the general area to deny the criminals freedom of action, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Troops foil another attack on locals in Plateau, two persons injured
Troops respond to isolated killing in Plateau, victim buried by family
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have responded to an isolated killing incident in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on April 3 along the JOL–Tanjol village road, following reports of an attack on a Hausa youths by suspected hoodlums.
The sources explained that troops of Sector 6, stationed at Dokku, immediately moved to the scene upon receiving the information.
According to the sources, the corpse of the victim was discovered to have already been evacuated by family members for burial before the arrival of the troops.
They added that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest the assailants, while security surveillance has been intensified in the area to prevent further incidents.
Zagazola report that despite efforts of security agencies to restore normalcy in Plateau there have been reports of silents killings orchestrated by the youths in Plateau against other ethnic communities.
Troops respond to isolated killing in Plateau, victim buried by family
Troops neutralise suspected armed robber in Kaduna, recover weapons
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have neutralised a suspected armed robber and recovered weapons during a clearance operation in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out in the early hours of Saturday following a distress call from a motorist over the activities of armed robbers along the Mallagum–Kagoro–Kaura checkpoint axis.
According to the sources, troops swiftly mobilised and conducted a route clearance operation, during which they made contact with the suspects and engaged them with superior firepower.
“During the engagement, one of the armed robbers was neutralised, while others fled into nearby bushes with suspected gunshot wounds,” the source said.
He added that troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered one locally fabricated gun, a cutlass and a knife, among other items.
The source further disclosed that the troops expended six rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the encounter.
Efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects, while normalcy has been restored along the affected route.
Troops neutralise suspected armed robber in Kaduna, recover weapons
Troops foil another attack on locals in Plateau, two persons injured
Troops respond to isolated killing in Plateau, victim buried by family
Troops neutralise suspected armed robber in Kaduna, recover weapons
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