CSNAC Petitions EFCC Over N67.2b Illegal Withdrawal UNDER Jonathan

The Civil Society Network against Corruption (CSNAC), has petitioned the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Lamorde, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the movement of N67.2billion from the
Central Bank of Nigeria under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a petition written by the coalition’s chairman,
Olanrewaju Suraju, and made available to
journalists, the group said it is demanding a swift and
thorough investigation into these allegations in order to
recover the nation’s dwindling resources at the hands
of unscrupulous elements and the deserved
punishments meted out where necessary.
“In its publication of the 19th day of September, 2015,
the Premium Times, an online newspaper reported that
the former President Goodluck Jonathan, authorized
the withdrawal of a whopping N67.2 billion in cash
from the Central Bank of Nigeria between November
2014 and February 2015 for what was called ‘special
services’ during the lead up to the 2015 general
elections. Insiders at CBN said the huge cash was
carted away in bullion vans.
“The report further states that one of the withdrawals
was made through a memo which originated from the
office of the former National Security Adviser Sambo
Dasuki, while the second was generated by the
National Petroleum Investment Management Services
(NAPIMS), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation in charge of the Federal
Government’s investment in the petroleum industry.”
Furthermore, the report states ‘the first memo dated
November 2014 contained a request for the withdrawal
of $47 million cash out of N10 billion earmarked for
release for an unbudgeted ‘special services’. In the
memo with reference number NSA/366/S and titled:
’Request for Funds for Special Services’, an official
from Mr Dasuki’s office had drawn the CBN’s
governor’s attention to a previous discussion and
requested the release of the said funds by the bank’.
“The balance from the N10 billion the memo directed
was to be paid out in Euro, while a certain Director of
Finance and Administration with the name S. A. Salisu,
was authorized to sign and receive the haul of US
Dollars and Euro in cash, on behalf of the NSA’s office.
"It remains unknown for what purpose the ‘special
services’ fund was utilized.”
While stating that the huge withdrawals violate the
Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 which was
signed by the ex-president, the group noted that the
transaction was a brazen disregard for the rule of law
and due process that should be condemned and
discouraged. “From the foregoing, this is another case
of high profile corruption and money laundering that
deserves a thorough investigation to identify the key
players and circumstances surrounding the movements
of such huge sums of money.
“One would wonder how a President who signed an
important act such as the Money Laundering Act into
law will now be responsible for flouting the same
enactment, whether personally or through his stooges,”
the petition said.
THE FULL PETITION CAN BE FOUND BELOW:
23rd September, 2015
The Chairman,
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
No. 5, Fomella Street,
Off Adetokunboh Ademola Crescent,
Wuse II, Abuja.
Dear Sir,
REQUEST FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF THE
CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE MOVEMENT OF
N67.2 BILLION FROM THE CBN UNDER THE FORMER
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN ADMINISTRATION
FOR “SPECIAL SERVICES”
Civil Society Network against Corruption (CSNAC) is a
coalition of over hundred and fifty Anti-corruption
organizations whose primary aim is to constructively
combat corruption vigorously and to ensure the
effective monitoring of the various Anti-graft agencies
in the fight against corruption and contribute towards
the enthronement of transparency, accountability,
probity and total commitment in the fight to eradicate
corruption in Nigeria.
In its publication of the 19th day of September, 2015,
the PremiumTimes, an online newspaper reported that
the former President Goodluck Jonathan authorised
the withdrawal of a whopping N67.2billion in cash
money from the Central Bank of Nigeria between
November 2014 and February 2015 for what was called
‘special services’ in the build up to the 2015 general
elections. Insiders at CBN said the huge cash were
carted away in bullion vans.
The report further stated that one of the withdrawals
was made through a memo which originated from the
office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo
Dasuki, while the second was generated by the
National Petroleum Investment Management Services,
NAPIMS, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation in charge of the Federal
Government’s investment in the petroleum industry.
Furthermore, according to the report, ‘The first memo
dated November, 2014 contained a request for the
withdrawal of $47 million cash out of N10billion
earmarked for release for an unbudgeted ‘special
services’. In the memo with reference number
NSA/366/S and titled:’Request for Funds for Special
Services’, an official from Mr Dasuki’s office had
drawn the CBN’s governor’s attention to a previous
discussion and requested the release of the said funds
by the bank’. The balance from the N10billion, the
memo directed, was to be paid out in Euro, while a
certain Director of Finance and Administration with the
name S. A. Salisu, was authorised to sign and receive
the haul of US Dollars and Euro in cash, on behalf of
the NSA’s office. It remains unknown for what
purpose the ‘special services’ fund was utilized.
Also, the second memo raised by NAPIMS and dated
February 25, 2015 conveyed an instruction to the
Director Banking and System Payment Department of
the CBN to urgently pay in cash, the sum of
$289,202,382 (N52.7 billion) to the National
Intelligence Agency (NIA). ‘Upon receipt of this
mandate, please pay urgently the under listed
beneficiary the cash amount indicated. Please debit
CBN/JVCC Foreign Account No. 000000011658360
with the JP Morgan Chase New York and advise (sic)
as soon as the payment is made’. The payment
instruction in favour of the NIA was signed by one
Okonkwo Godwin, General Manager, Finance, NAPIMS,
with staff no 18526 on February 25, 2015. However,
sources claimed the funds were taken away at night
with bullion vans under heavy security cover. When
contacted, according to Premiumtimes, "the CBN’s
Director, Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Muazu
declined comments as well as former spokespersons
of the former president. However, a senior official of
the bank on the condition of anonymity confirmed the
report. He said ‘My brother, the report is true. Every
detail is on point but since they claimed the
withdrawal was for security services, anything could
have been referred to as such. Nobody knows”
These huge withdrawals violate the Money Laundering
(Prohibition) Act 2011 which was signed by Mr.
Jonathan. According to Part 1, Section 1 of the law,
“No person or body corporate shall, except in a
transaction through a financial institution, make or
accept cash payment of a sum exceeding- (a)
N5,000,000.00 or its equivalent, in the case of an
individual; or (b) N10,000,000.00 or its equivalent in
the case of a body corporate.”
Section 16(d) of the Act says anyone who makes or
accepts cash payments exceeding the amount
authorised under this Act shall upon conviction be
liable to a forfeiture of 25% of the excess above the
limits placed in section 1 of the Act.
From the foregoing this is another case of high profile
corruption and money laundering that deserves a
thorough investigation to identify the key players and
circumstances surrounding the movements of such
huge sums of money. One would wonder how a
president who signed an important Act such as the
Money Laundering Act into law will now be responsible
for flouting the same enactment, whether personally or
through his stooges. This is a brazen disregard for the
rule of law and due process that should be prosecuted
appropriately to serve as deterrent.
In the light of this, CSNAC is therefore by this petition
demanding that a swift and thorough investigation be
launched into the allegations as contained above, in
order to recover the nation’s dwindling resources in
the hands of unscrupulous elements and the deserved
punishments meted out where necessary.
Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
Olanrewaju Suraju
Chairman.

By :  Godwin Onoghokere

UK Court seizes 27,000 pounds from former petroleum minister, Alison- Madueke

UK Court seizes 27,000 pounds from former petroleum minister, Alison- Madueke
The Westminster Magistrate’s Court on
Marylebone Road, London, on Monday
granted an application for seizure of 27,000
pounds seized from a former Minister of
Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-
Madueke.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke was arrested and later
released on bail on Friday for alleged
corruption-related offences.
The cash was seized under Section 295 of
Proceeds of Crime Act 2012.
By granting the application, which was filed
by the UK’s National Crime Agency, the
money would be held in the custody of the
court until April 5, 2016.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that although the
former minister did not appear today in
court, her mother, Beatrice Agama, and
another woman, Melanie Spencer, appeared
in today’s sitting.
Reports also said a separate application was
also made against Ms. Agama for the seizure
of an undisclosed amount of money.
PREMIUM TIMES learned that there were
indications the money seized by the court
was found recently with Mrs. Alison-
Madueke as the National Crime Agency
applied for the seizure within 48 hours.
PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported
the arrest of Mrs. Alison-Madueke alongside
four others in London on Friday, for
offences related to bribery, corruption and
money laundering.
An overview of the Proceeds of Crime Act
says “The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
(“POCA”) sets out the legislative scheme for
the recovery of criminal assets with
criminal confiscation being the most
commonly used power.
“Confiscation occurs after a conviction has
taken place. Other means of recovering the
proceeds of crime which do not require a
conviction are provided for in the Act,
namely civil recovery, cash seizure and
taxation powers.
“The aim of the asset recovery schemes in
POCA is to deny criminals the use of their
assets, recover the proceeds of crime and
disrupt and deter criminality.
“Since 2010, more than £746 million of
criminal assets has been seized (to 2013/14)
across all four methods of recovery – a
record amount.
“Over the same period, assets worth more
than £2.5 billion have been frozen denying
criminals access to these resources and £93
million has been returned to victims,” said
a factsheet.

SAFETY TIPS: How to identify Suicide Bombers

SAFETY TIPS: How to identify Suicide Bombers
(PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE TO SAVE A LIFE)
With the rise in the spate of suicide bombings in the country, especially with yesterday's terrorists' attacks in Abuja, Daily Correspondents, which first ran the below SAFETY TIPS in its past edition, is bringing it again to our fans all over Nigeria, and as well, for the attention of the general public. The following tips is to guide us on how to identify a suicide bomber and the safety measures to take.
According to security experts, one of the easiest ways of identifying a suicide bomber is the suspicious manner in which the bombers carry themselves, by ensuring they avoid eye contact with people around.
Although there are no specific profile for suicide bombers, as they can come from nearly every cultural background, religion, race, creed or gender, they however share some common characteristics that define a potential suicide bomber.
Here are signs you should watch out for as compiled by Daily Correspondents' forensic experts:
*Always be on the lookout, especially in trains, busses, planes, markets, malls and large events!
A suicide bomber:
*Wears loose clothing giving the impression that the body is disproportionately larger than the head or feet.
*Wears heavy clothing, no matter what the season (out of season dresses; he or she may be wearing cold sweaters during hot season).
*Has unusual gait, a "robotic" walk. Stiff movements, lack of mobility of lower torso or decreased flexibility (from wearing bomb device – however backpacks are increasingly common.
*Display of tunnel vision. The bomber often will be fixated on the target and appear nervous, preoccupied, or have a blank stare.
*He or she appears to be focused and vigilant and may be fervently praying to him/herself – giving the appearance of whispering to someone.
*Displays no response to authoritative voice or direct salutation.
*Behavior which may be consistent with no future – unconcerned about receiving purchases or change.
*Walk with deliberation – but not running – towards a visible objective.
*Demonstrates forceful actions (to reach a desired target by pushing their way through a crowd or into a restricted area)
*Displays signs of drug use - including, for example, enlarged pupils, fixed stare, and erratic behavior.
*Carries bags or backpacks (used to carry explosives, nails, and other shrapnel). The bomber generally holds his or her bag or backpack tighly. Wires sticking out of the bag.
*Has a fresh shave - a male with a fresh shave and lighter skin on his lower face. May also have shaved his or her head or have a short haircut (This may be done to disguise appearance or to be better groomed when going to paradise).
*May smell of unusual herbal/flower water (in order to smell better when going to paradise). NOTE: The unusual herbal body odour, is as a result of the incense used in the final rituals performed on them as they take off for the suicide mission.
*Has a hand in the pocket or tightly gripping something like a triggering device.
Useful tips sourced from: Forensic Medical Nederland
Please LIKE our page or tell your friends to do so to continue to receive more tips ON WHAT TO DO, DURING AND AFTER A BOMB BLAST...

THE COMING GENERATION SCARES ME...REAL HARD!

While we have been busy talking about Nigeria of today, I wonder if we have spared a thought about how this country will be in the next TWENTY-FIVE years.
On October 1, 1979, when Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari was sworn-in as president,
Goodluck Jonathan was just a 22
year-old undergrad of University of Port-
Harcourt.
Shagari was 54 years old.
Ayo Fayose was 19 years old.
Bukola Saraki was 17.
Yemi Osibanjo was 22.
The generation of the likes of
Shagari, Richard Akinjide, Adisa Akinloye, Sabo Barkin Zuwo, Ifeanyi Nwobodo, Ume Ezeoke, Akin Omoboriowo, Olusola Saraki, Sunday Awoniyi, Garba Nadama, Awal Ibrahim and so on has gone for good!
Some of us in our 40s and 50s, when
in school, either in the university or secondary school, had lofty dreams, both personal and societal. We were always motivated by nationalists and inventors who had impacted positively on the cause of humanity.
We were voracious readers of novels and other books.
Nelkon for our Ordinary Level Physics,
Lambert for Chemistry,
B.O ADELEKE and Goh Cheng
Leong for our Geography,
Phebean Ogundipe for Practical English and others like that.
We were always flaunting our knowledge of current affairs. Inter-school quiz competition was the in-thing.
Fast forward 35 years on and you are shocked and disturbed.
Have you ever spoken to or engaged a 20 year-old boy?
Ask him what motivates him and he is likely to mention music, hip hop to be precise.
He has hundreds of downloaded songs on his phone. He can sing all of them off hand. He know all the singles of Nice, Neato C, Timaya, Davido, Whiz Kid off hand.
But he does not know anything about history of nationalism in the country. Ideas about good society, responsible family and good conduct do not motivate him.
He just wants to make money because his friend who does yahoo is rich and rides a good car, an SUV!
The things that interest him are things that do not add value.
He has google but never uses it for advancement of knowledge but to download porn and other inanities.
Yet, in TWENTY years time, they are the
ones that will be contesting to become
governors, senators, Reps members and even president.
They belong to a generation that does not care about morality. They belong to a
generation that is motivated only by money and its acquisition.
By 2035 to 2040, they will be our senators, Reps, governors and so on. I wonder if we have ever spared a thought how this country will look like under them.
I told a man recently and these are my words:
IF A GUY WHO IS IN LAGOS COULD USE FALSE PRETENCE TO OBTAIN $20,000 FROM SOMEONE IN UNITED STATES, WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN IF
SUCH A GUY BECOMES A STATE GOVERNOR AND IS IN CHARGE OF AN ALLOCATION HE DOES NOT EVEN HAVE TO OBTAIN UNDER FALSE PRETENCE? WHICH HIS STATE IS STATUTORILY ENTITLED TO?
I am worried, deeply worried. Are
you?

By John  karpenter

Buhari pictured with Obama and his wife

President Buhari in a photo with Michelle and Barack Obama during a reception at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York last week.