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UNCAC: Nigeria Rallies Countries on Repatriation of Stolen Wealth

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UNCAC: Nigeria Rallies Countries on Repatriation of Stolen Wealth

UNCAC: Nigeria Rallies Countries on Repatriation of Stolen Wealth

By: Our Reporter

Nigeria has rallied countries to propose the first ever draft resolution on, “Enhancing access and use of beneficial ownership information to facilitate the identification, recovery, and return of stolen assets”. 

Among the countries rallied are Pakistan, The State of Palestine, Kenya, Peru and Saudi Arabia.

This was the move of Nigeria at the world’s anti-corruption conference which began in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt with 152 countries (including Nigeria) meeting to advance action through the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and strengthen integrity responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement on Wednesday by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed that in a bid to addressing the challenge of getting stolen wealth repatriated to their originating countries, Nigeria has rallied a coalition of countries including Pakistan, The State of Palestine, Kenya, Peru and Saudi Arabia to propose the first ever draft resolution on, “Enhancing access and use of beneficial ownership information to facilitate the identification, recovery, and return of stolen assets”. 

According to the statement, the draft resolution calls on Member States to establish and populate a register of beneficial owners of assets and make the respective information accessible to other states with a view to aiding corruption and asset recovery related investigations.

Also Read: ABUJA IIP-SARS: WE WILL NOT ALLOW THIS MATTER TO DIE…

UNODC Consultant and Anticorruption Expert, Mr. Emmanuel Akomaye, who participated in one the more than 60 side events commented that: “There is great wisdom in breaking the opaque shell of corruption. Cross border corruption is greatly facilitated by beneficial ownership arrangement. To break the shell countries must effectively cooperate. The regulations of the professional enablers of beneficial ownership lawyers, accountants, estate agents etc. is largely opaque with very little enhanced due diligence conducted on them.  Hidden wealth in whatever guise must be exposed, its perpetrators and conspirators prosecuted, and the assets recovered for the benefit of the citizens.”

According to the statement, seven other draft resolutions and two draft decisions are also being considered at the ninth session of the conference of state parties to UNCAC. They include resolutions addressing issues on prevention, the role of supreme audit institutions, asset recovery, education and law enforcement.

Nigeria has been a State Party to the United Nations Convention against Corruption since 2004. This year Nigeria’s delegation is led by the Attorney General of the Federation and comprises representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, as well as the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes

In his opening statement at the Conference, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said: “Proceed of corruption and illicit financial flows constitute a huge chunk of resources needed for sustainable development and their return to their States of origin is a fundamental principle of Article 51 of the Convention”.  

The Panama and Pandora Papers by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) are testimony to the use of safe havens, shadow financial systems and shell companies by the corrupt to divert needed resources for development, particularly developing countries like Africa. In addition, secrecy associated with corruption and stolen wealth remains a nagging challenge in holding perpetrators to account.

UNCAC: Nigeria Rallies Countries on Repatriation of Stolen Wealth

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We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

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We were sexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR, rescued Nigerian workers alleged

By: Michael Mike

Rescued 12 Nigerian trapped workers in Central African Republic (CAR) on Friday narrated their ordeal on breathing air of freedom in Nigeria, alleging that they were sexually harassed by their Chinese employers while workers at mining site.

The 12 stranded Nigerian men whose video went viral some three weeks ago finally arrived Nigeria and paid an appreciation visit to the NIDCOM office, where they were received by Chairman/ CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and other management staff.

The leader of the rescued workers, Igorigo Freeborn said it is important for the world to know that despite owing them 11 months salaries, “we were homosexually abused by our Chinese employers in CAR.

“I am not ashamed to say it. I want other people to learn from it. We were treated badly there but thank God for sparing our lives to tell the stories today.

“I am one of those people who usually abuse Nigeria and I don’t think anything good can come out of the country but we were all so happy to receive help and succour from Nigeria.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the CAR Ambassador in Bangui, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) ,NEMA, Immigration Service and other government agencies for coming to our rescue almost immediately”, he said.

Freeborn said they had suffered a lot in the past 20 months that they left Nigeria and pleaded with the government to help them redress the injustices meted out to them by their employers.

He recalled how they were left stranded in the forest after work without payment leaving them starving in a harsh and unsafe living conditions. With support from the Presidency Ministry of Foreign Affairs ,NIDCOM, and the Nigerian mission, they were relocated to Bangui, provided with medical care, and eventually brought safely back home.

Welcoming back the returnees to Nigeria, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, assured them that justice will be served as the Commission in conjunction with relevant government agencies would take up the matter on their behalf.

The NIDCOM boss condemned the acts as inhumane and assured that the matter would be pursued to ensure justice is served in line with the citizen diplomacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

She counselled them to be of good behaviour and partner with the Commission in its advocacy on irregular migration and its consequences.

NIDCOM through Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave some cash support to all the returnees to enable them settle down while expecting their unpaid salaries.

She also called on well meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist the Nigerians to settle down back in the country.

A cash donation from Perchstone and Greys, presented by Mr. Toyin Adenugba on behalf of Dr. Tolu Aderemi, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the JAALS Foundation, were given to all the 12 returnees.

Adenugba explained that the support was a demonstration of belief in the evacuees’ potential, meant to serve as a seed for rebuilding their lives, supporting their families, and creating new opportunities at home.

Other rescued workers are Rotimi Kupoluyi, Ajosi Julius, Odeh Collins, Anifowoshe Yekini, Akubo Oluwaseun and Olayemi Peter Adewale.

Others were Stephen Abel Otkli, Samuel Ojochenemi, Alih Joel Muhammed, Unekwu Bala and Yusuf Bameyi.
End

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.

According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.

Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.

The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.

Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.

The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.

Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.

It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.

Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.

“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.

“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.

He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.

Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa

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