Monday, December 23, 2024
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CACOL, BRK ADD VOICE TO CALL FOR PARDON FOR BRIG. GEN. ENITAN RANSOME-KUTI AND OTHERS

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BRIG. GEN. ENITAN RANSOME-KUTI

The Beko Rights Klub, BRK and the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL have added their voices to the appeal for by some military officers convicted and under various categories of punishment by various courts-martial to the Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement to hear their complaints against the Nigerian Army.

Mr. Debo Adeniran who made the appeal on behalf of BRK and CACOL said “we have consistently for the past two years been appealing to the authorities of the army and Federal government to grant former Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force, Enitan Ransome-Kuti, who was demoted from the rank of Brigadier General to Colonel and others for their pardon.”

“We were especially pleased when he was released from confinement and with a sense of fulfillment because we had maintained that Enitan was innocent based on the fact that he acted more like a patriot and demonstrated a good sense of leadership with the decision he took which actually saved lives of many of our gallant soldiers that would have been lost in the Boko Haram ambush they retreated from.”

An exclusive report by The PUNCH yesterday revealed that some military officers convicted under various categories of punishment by various courts-martial have appealed to the Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement to hear their complaints against the Nigerian Army. Some were also dismissed by the Nigerian Army for alleged negligence of military duties; and 54 soldiers, who claimed to have been illegally tried and convicted by the court-martial for demanding weapons for counter-insurgency operations in the North-East geopolitical zone.

Mr. Adeniran said “we implore the Nigerian Army Council to reconsider its’ decision to demote Brigadier General Enitan to the rank of Colonel just as we add our voice the plea for pardon by the soldiers on basis of compassion and consideration for their patriotism. We believe they deserve pardon.”

“The revelations reeled out from the Arms procurement scandal and the DasukiGate confirm Brigadier General Enitan’s his innocence and patriotism when we recall the narratives that followed the Baga Massacre, in Borno state. In fact, we believe with those expositions, the actions of Brigadier-General Enitan and others are justiciable, reasonable and dialectical. What will a soldier do when his superiors have diverted funds meant to prepare him/her for an operation that involves risks of losing one’s live and troops, given that he/she also has been trained on the principle of self-preservation even in the fiercest battles? Saving the lives of troops that he led must have been imperative.”

“We therefore join our voices in urging the Presidential Investigation panel to recommend to President Muhammadu Buhari to grant the gallant soldiers pardon. Section 198 of the Armed Forces as well as Section 175 of the constitution which grants the President powers grant pardon to any convicted person in Nigeria without condition and regardless of whether or not the convicts had pending appeals could relied upon to achieve this.” He concluded.

 

CACOL OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

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Wednesday, September 13, 2017
 
 
His Excellency
President Muhammadu Buhari
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Aso Rock Villa,
Abuja.
 
 
Your Excellency,
 
AN URGENT CALL ON PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE FEDERAL CABINET TO REVAMP GOVERNMENTAL PERFORMANCE FOR SOCIO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
 
Our organization, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL is up till December 28, 2016 known as Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders. CACOL is an aggregate of human rights, community based, and civil society organisations and individuals with anti-corruption and openness in governance agenda across Nigeria. It is a non-political, non-religious, non-sectarian, non-profit organisation.
 
Your Excellency, CACOL, heartily welcomes you back to active duty like all well-meaning Nigerians after your last trip for medical care in the United Kingdom; we also wish you full recuperation soonest. Indeed, the significance of your return at this auspicious time needs not to be over-emphasized given the state of the nation upon your return and arduous task ahead.
 
Your Excellency, we find it pertinent to call on you to urgently take steps to make some changes in the Federal Cabinet to reinvigorate the processes of governance on one hand  and delivery of service to the people on the other. Glaringly, after about two and a half years since the inauguration of this government, certain patterns have unfolded that has exposed mediocrity and incompetence within the ranks of the cabinet members with regard to their performances in lines of the duties assigned to them. This is reality is necessarily telling on the general performance of the government itself wholesomely.
 
Mr. President, in making our call for these expedient changes in the cabinet, we equally want to crave your indulgence to make our recommendations in terms of clearly nonperforming or ineffective Ministers. We recall that at the end of your first year in office, you sought for the opinion of the public on whether there was the need to make some changes in the cabinet which demonstrated your openness to accommodate views and make good use of them.
 
Predicated on the foregoing, our organization, CACOL is therefore recommending as follows:
1.   The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing: The Ministry superintended over by Mr. Raji Fashola, (SAN), have over the past years made more noise than any practical achievement on the ground to justify the funds that has been ploughed into the three sectors under it. All the actions and policies of the Ministry have compounded the sufferings of Nigerians in multi-folds; from lack of power supply to the illogical hike in electricity tariffs, from continually decaying infrastructure to death traps as roads with a Housing sector that is ‘non-existent’ or in absolute comatose. The Minister is constantly at loggerheads with institutions, contractors and even the citizenry he is supposed to serve. The Minister keeps standing logic on its heads by asking the already impoverished Nigerians to bear the brunt of his failure by asking them to pay for services not rendered even up to the effrontery of hiking the tariff of electricity against a background of a country in perpetual darkness. He made history by achieving the lowest, ZERO, mega watts for more than 18 hours in history of power generation in Nigeria last year; with nothing to offer than damage, we call on Mr. President to ask him to honourably resign or he should be sacked!
2.   We recommend the immediate replacement of Mr. Malami Abubakar as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of this country to save this government and the country from further embarrassment and criticisms within the comity of nations. The mantra of this government and one of the campaign cardinal points of its party is ‘fight against corruption’. For any government to succeed in its policies, programmes and agenda, the commitment, professionalism, soundness and integrity of the Chief Law Officer of that government must be impeccable and consistent. We are afraid, based on recent happenings, the current Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has fallen short of these critical requirements and incapable of delivering any fundamental departure from the corruption ridden past of governance in the country. We noted the AGF’s unnecessary interventions particularly in cases high profile publicly exposed persons and the needless ‘rivalry’ with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, an agency under his Ministry and which ordinarily reports to him officially. The Attorney-General was publicly accused of meeting, negotiating, agreeing terms and collecting N50 billion on behalf of the government without recourse to both the regulatory agency and supervisory ministry last year. Local and international criticisms greeted the unprofessional conduct of the Minister and secrecy associated with his negotiation with MTN. These reasons, amongst others necessitate our call for the removal of the AGF and Minister of Justice.
3.   The Minister in charge of the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has been everything but impressive and constantly appears to be confused on policies and in-depth economic management. The economic terrain under her watch is riddled by contradictions, policy somersaults and uncertainties. It is our conviction that it is the concerted efforts of the Central Bank and other MDAs trying to diversify, particularly the Agriculture Ministry and with the increase in the price of oil that helped pulled Nigeria out of recession recently and not via the acumen of the Finance Minister. We recommended that she should be replaced with better competence and prowess.
4.   The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources under the superintending Minister of State, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu has no concrete achievement to showcase 2 years after the inauguration of this government. All the lofty promises of performance including making the refineries functional within 6 months and building of new ones given by the Minister at the assumption of duty has fallen flat on their faces, just as Nigeria sadly still import refined petroleum products. At this rate, this situation will persist till this tenure lapses, which will be totally unfortunate and unacceptable, thus it is time to replace the Minister for someone with greater acumen, necessary will and skills.
5.   Quintessentially, we call on you, Your Excellency to relieve yourself of the position of the Minister of Petroleum Resources immediately. This is allow you to concentrate fully on the wholesome administration of the government which clearly can only be done conscientiously by your esteemed self and against the background of a National Assembly that apparently lacks diligence in its oversight functions preferring the mundane for the significant, it becomes expedient. We urge that you concentrate your energy on supervisory roles over all Ministries and the Presidential leadership of the country while a substantive Minister is appointed for the Petroleum Resources Ministry. 
 
Your Excellency, as a matter of fact we recommend changes in almost all other Ministries; they are either prostrate or in comatose, some are even approaching non-existence in status. Nigerians can hardly tell what the Ministries of Education, Health, Aviation, Commerce and Industry, Solid Minerals Development etc. are doing in these very challenging times for the country. They all appear to have gone to slumber following the lack of clue on what to do.
 
Finally, Mr. President, we call on your good office to look into the activities of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA with a view to making changes in the current leadership as they have continually failed in preventing incessant flooding across the country that has accounted for some many losses of life and properties. The NIWA is responsible for surveying, removing, and receiving derelicts, wrecks and other obstructions from in land waterways across the country by the Act that created it; why should be experiencing floods at the same locations repeatedly over the years if the Authority had been up and doing in terms of its duties? The leadership has definitely failed in designing anticipatory and preventive plans which would have forestalled avoidable disasters.
 
Once again, we say welcome back, Your Excellency; we wish you more energy, courage and strength.
 
Long Live, Nigeria!
 
Yours in service to humanity,
Inline image
 
 
Debo Adeniran
Executive Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL
0803-7194-969

Debo Adeniran: June 12 election truly free and fair?

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To this question, my answer is no. While we bask in the euphoria of the aftermath of the June 12, 1993 election, it is good to note that the much celebrated contraption was soaked in series of anomalies that can neither make its conduct pass for free nor fair. The election that was perceived to have been won by the late business mogul was nothing but a charade and a visible mockery of the basic tenets of all known genuine democratic process.

To start with, the then military government, led by General Ibrahim Babangida, by his body languages, was not in a hurry to leave government. Even as global condemnation of military rule at that time was already gaining audible volume, Babangida chose to play games with his self-tailored transition-to-civilian rule programme. The dictator disallowed groups, movements and those he perceived to be in opposition to his evil rule from registering political parties and as such crippled opposition.
So what can be democratic about the muffled June 12, 1993 election?

First, the two available political parties, the SDP and the NRC, at that time were creations of the then military government. These political parties were designed, formed and ran by the Babangida administration. The right of association was as such stunted as only those that the agenda of the government of the day could accommodate, had field days. At that time, Abiola became the preferred candidate for majority of voters because the only alternative to him was a relatively unknown Bashir Tofa, who got the presidential ticket for the rival NRC.

In a situation like this, the people were faced with the presidential choice of either a Hausa or a Yoruba man. Sadly too, the much talked about Muslim/Muslim ticket of Abiola and his vice, Babagana Kingibe was a Hobson’s choice as the other alternative for president in the alternate party, the NRC, is also a Muslim.

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Groups Give FG 48 Hours to Cancel Planned Concession of P’Harcourt Refinery

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A coalition of civil society/anti-corruption groups based in Lagos have given the federal government a 48-hour ultimatum to cancel or reverse the planned concession of the Port-Harcourt Refinery or face a legal action.

The group comprising 20 civil society organisations, including Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Campaign for Democracy, Centre for Change, Nigerians Unite Against Corruption and Grassroots Democratic Initiative, noted that the planned concession to Agip and OANDO Plc amounts to giving away another national asset to few individuals because it did not follow any due process.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos Monday, the coalition noted that the deal is patently illegal, morally bankrupt and economically disadvantageous to Nigeria as a country.

Continued here…

Prominent Nigerians with certificate scandals

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Like sea creatures in ocean’s depth, prominent Nigerians have been grappling not to sink in the murky waters of certificate scandals, BAYO AKINLOYE writes

“I’ll never resign!” his gentle voice echoed through his expansive office, as his body shook like a man being led inevitably to the gallows as he addressed journalists in a press conference.

The grandeur of his office as the Speaker, House of Representatives, was unmistakable with his retinue of security details and aides.

There were five rooms adjoining and leading to his expansive official personal office: the security details, receptionists, private secretaries, aides, chief of staff and aid-de-camp.

As the Number Four citizen of Nigeria, he could wield enormous power and would do anything to remain in power – as he had already lied his way to become the fourth most powerful person in the most populous black nation on earth.

The Ahmadu Bello University connection

Erstwhile Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari’s way to the lower chamber of the National Assembly was fraught with forgeries. To become a federal lawmaker, he claimed he was 36 years old as of 1999, though he was born in 1970.

The minimum required age to be a lawmaker in the House, according to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, is 30.

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Nigerians to Buhari: Tell us how much you spent abroad on medical treatments

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Nigerians have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to disclose how much he spent abroad for his medical treatment so everybody can see if indeed he truly sticks to his transparency promise to Nigerians at the inception of his administration. It would be recalled that President Buhari came back to the country on 10th March, 2017 after almost 50 days medical leave abroad. However, having spent almost a week after his return without disclosing his medical bills abroad, some Human Right experts have cited the Freedom of Information Act as a basis, demanding the President to tell Nigerians how much it cost him to get the treatment he got in London.

Buhari should have reconciled DSS, EFCC – CACOL

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Executive Chairman of Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Mr. Debo Adeniran said the President ought to have ironed out differences between the leadership of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu before re-presenting Magu’s name to the Senate for confirmation.

Magu was on Wednesday rejected for the second time by the Senate relying on the DSS report.

But Adeniran who accused the Senate of mischief said the President can re-present Magu or allow him to continue in acting capacity.

He spoke with Daily Trust on the sidelines of a book presentation, “Buhari and the Challenge of Governing a People United by Corruption” authored by Sunday Emmanuel Abbah, a Lagos-based writer and public commentator.

Adeniran said the President cannot afford to nominate a malleable individual who would compromise in the fight against corruption.

He said, “If you look at the letter written to re-transmit his name, he said he didn’t find anything plausible to reject him for and nothing incriminating has been found on him. The only thing the President didn’t do is that he didn’t put his house in order because the Director-General of DSS is a member of the board of EFCC. Now both EFCC and DSS are under the President. So why wouldn’t the President reconcile them and ensure that there is no other intimidating letter from DSS that would go to the National Assembly”.

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Presidency keeps mum as Senate blocks Magu again

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Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman, EFCC

John Alechenu, Olusola Fabiyi, Eniola Akinkuotu, Leke Baiyewu and Olaleye Aluko

The Senate has requested that President Muhammadu Buhari nominate a replacement for the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, following the rejection of his nomination by the legislature on Wednesday.

The upper chamber of the National Assembly said the rejection had ended Magu’s chairmanship of the EFCC in acting capacity.

The decision was based on a security report on Magu by the Department of State Services.

Magu, however, denied the allegations against him in the report, saying the DSS never invited him to defend himself, urging the lawmakers to disregard the report.

After all questions had been asked, President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, who presided over the plenary, asked the Clerk to the Senate to confirm how many letters were received from the DSS.

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CACOL hails Osinbajo for admitting that every arm of government is corrupt

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The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, through its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran, has called on the Federal Government to purge the three arms of government of corruption.

The group said the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary arms of the federal government were seriously corrupt.

Adeniran stated this while appreciating the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo for his acknowledging that there was corruption in all the arms of government.

According to him, “Clearly, there is no doubt whatsoever that no arm of government can exonerate itself from corruption because the truth of the matter is that the problem is systemic in the country. As a matter of fact, any anti-corruption effort or efforts that cannot appreciate that killing corruption will require a system change; an overhaul of the subsisting intrinsically corrupt order will be best described as self-deceiving.”

DAILY POST recalls that the Acting President, Osinbajo had while speaking at the National Dialogue on Corruption publicly admitted that all the arms of government are not pure of corruption.

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Apo six: CACOL hails court for condemning two officers to death

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The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has hailed the sentencing of two ex-police officers who were involved in the Apo six extra-judicial killing.

DAILY POST reports that Justice Ishaq Bello of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court had on Thursday jailed the officers involved in the ‎killing of six Igbo traders in APO Quarters, Abuja in 2005.

The judge also discharged three of the accused persons.

Reacting to the development, Debo Adeniran, the Executive Chairman, who spoke on behalf of the organization said the Nigerian judiciary system was beginning to pick up.

In a statement sent to DAILY POST, the CACOL boss said, “although this is great news given that justice has finally been dispensed as it concerns 2 of the killer cops, we as an organization have been always been part of the advocacy for the eradication of death penalties as a punitive.

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