Karma’s A Bitch! Ex-FIRS Boss, Babatunde Fowler, Has The Last Laugh As His Successor, Muhammad Nami, Loses VAT Collection to States

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• Why Nami may not survive the VAT storm as Rivers, Lagos deals him a black eye

FIRS boss, Nami

With heavy steps, Babatunde Fowler left his exalted office at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), hoping perhaps, that fate would design a retributory jail-cell for his detractors, who hounded him out of office.

If that was his dream, then the former FIRS boss must be ecstatic to see his successor, Muhammad Mamman Nami, run from pillar to post Rivers aand Lagos State Fowler may have found poetic justice in the fate that has befallen Nami: the latter is fighting real hard to prevent states from collecting Value Added Tax (VAT). The crusade, which has become a hot button issue in the polity, is being spearheaded by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

The Wike-led Rivers State Government and the State House of Assembly had duly enacted the Rivers State Value Added Tax No. 4, 2021, which made it a legitimate right of the state to collect VAT.

Subsequently, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, dismissed an application by the FIRS seeking to stop the state government from commencing VAT collection in the state.

The ruling came on a day the Lagos State House of Assembly read for the first and second time, the state’s VAT bill and asked its Committee on Finance which is handling it, to report back on Thursday. Following the ruling, the Lagos State Government asked the FIRS to stop giving demand notices for payment of VAT in the state and to render accounts, within seven days, of all sums collected as VAT in the current accounting circle in the state.

The Rivers State Assembly had lamented low monthly allocation from VAT to the state by the Federal Government despite huge collection from the state.

Consequent to the court ruling on September 6, Governor Wike directed the Rivers State Revenue Service (RSRS), to immediately commence collection of VAT from corporate bodies and businesses in the state.

FIRS had, yesterday, prayed the court to stay execution on the earlier judgment of its that stopped it from collecting VAT.

The FIRS had, following the judgment against it, which held that it is constitutionally the role of state governments to collect VAT, prayed the high court to stop Rivers State Government from executing the judgment.

But Justice Stephen Pam, in his ruling, said granting the application will negate the principle of equity. He also noted that in as much as the state government and the state legislature had enacted a law in respect of VAT, courts are bound to recognise such a law.

There is no gainsaying the Rivers State judgement has far-reaching implications for the FIRS and its new boss, Nami; among other things, it has imposed a severe constraint on the agency’s revenue generation drive. Nami is faced with the onerous task of meeting now unrealistic revenue targets.

Expectedly, the Federal Government is kicking against losing a big chunk of its projected revenue, especially after recording a revenue shortfall of N1.76 trillion in the first half of this year.

More grievous consequences of the impasse are in the offing as several states grappling with insolvency depend on the allocations given to them from the common VAT pool by the federal government.

Pundits, however, contend that the current practice whereby the federal government pools VAT together to share among the states would continue to foster idleness, poverty and lack of initiative among several states.

The Federal Government’s control of VAT manifests an aberration as it is always in the best interests of each state to determine its VAT regime and collect it. This is why it is not listed on the exclusive list.

GTB Executive Director, Marian Olusayan, divorced by her husband

GTBank Executive Director Mariam Olusanya has reportedly been divorced by her husband

Guaranty Trust bank director, Mariam Olusanya, was divorced by her husband with divorce papers obtained from the court, iReport News revealed.

This online news platform learned that GTBank Executive Director Mariam Olusanya has been living separately from her husband for some years, and her husband finally sued for divorce in United States of America (USA).

According to the divorce papers obtained, the case type: “PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE” has Olusanya Abiodun as the plaintiff (husband) and Olusanya Mariam (wife) as the defendant. The divorce was filed in Lincolnwood, Illinois, United States.

Meanwhile, Newsone reports that Mariam Olusanya is responsible for the Wholesale Banking Division of GTBank, which comprises of the Asset and Liability Management, Trading and Sales as well as the Corporate Finance Groups.

Mariam Olusanya joined Guaranty Trust Bank in 1998, after 2 years at Smithkline Beecham Nigeria (now GlaxoSmithkline – GSK).

This online news understands that Mariam Olusanya had a short stint in Transactions Services and later moved to the Bank’s Treasury Group in 1999. She managed the local and foreign currency trading desks before becoming the Bank’s Chief Dealer in 2003 and subsequently, Treasurer in 2004. In 2006, she led the team that secured the appointment of the Bank as a Primary Dealer/ Market Maker in Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Bonds with the Debt Management Office (DMO).

GTBank Executive Director Mariam Olusanya.
Thenewsbearer reports that this was repeated when the Bank was also appointed a Money Market Dealer in Nigerian Treasury Bills by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Mariam Olusanya holds a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science degree from the University of Ibadan (1995) and a Masters of Business Administration (Finance and Accounting) from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom (2011).

The GTBank Executive Director also obtained the professional ACI (Association Cambiste Internationale) Dealing certification – The Financial Markets Association. She has attended various courses and Executive programmes at institutions such as the Cranfield School of Management.

Mariam Olusanya serves on the Board of Guaranty Trust Bank (Gambia) Limited as a non-executive Director.

Chief of Army Staff Ibrahim Attahiru, 10 others die in Kaduna plane crash

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A military Beachcraft 350 aircraft has crashed at the Kaduna International Airport on Friday, claiming all 11 souls onboard including newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.

The ill-fated aircraft crashed at the airport’s runway about 6 pm.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed that there was an accident involving one of its aircraft in Kaduna but did not provide details.

“An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport. The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon,” the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement.

Also, Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, in a statement, said, “The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.

“The COAS was enroute Kaduna from Abuja on Friday, 21 May, 2021 when the unfortunate incident happened.

“Details of the sad incident and burial arrangements will be communicated soon.”

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had on January 26, 2021 appointed Attahiru to succeeded Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai as COAS.

At least 20 military officers have lost their lives in the last three months in three crashes involving Nigerian Air Force jets.

On Sunday, February 21, 2021, seven NAF officers died onboard a Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft when the jet crashed in Abuja.

Also, on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said an Alpha-Jet aircraft involved in the anti-terror war against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province lost radar contact in Borno State.

Two officers were onboard the missing jet which was later declared crashed and the whereabouts of the two airmen unknown till date.

Emir of Kano, 139 others escape plane crash

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Emir of Kano, 139 others escape death as plane engine explodes after bird strike

Emir of Kano, 139 others escape plane crash

The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, on Tuesday confirmed the incident involving a Max Airlines plane which had on board the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero and other 139 passengers.

The aircraft, which took off from Mallam Aminu Kano airport and heading to Abuja airport, suffered a bird strike which affected one of its engines.

The loud bang heard by the pilot forced him to make an air return to Kano.

Confirming this, the NCAA DG said the latest incident was similar to the one involving Aero Contractor on Monday in Port Harcourt, River State.

Following the incidents of two bird strikes within 24 hours, the regulatory body quickly called for a meeting with the managements of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to deliberate on how such occurrence could be prevented in the future.

Nuhu, while emphasizing how bird strike could cause damage to aircraft, declared: “We are meeting with FAAN and NAMA on this issue of bird strike.”

The Max air aircraft, a Boeing 737 aircraft with the registration number: 5N: BBM had left Kano for Abuja airport at 1:21 p.m., but made an air return barely nine minutes later when three engine blades were attacked by birds on take-off at the airport.

The attack caused a big bang on the aircraft and brought agitations to the onboard passengers who were unsure of the kind of danger the airplane suffered.

It was gathered that the plane immediately after the attack shook, made a heavy noise and vibrated in the air.

It was learnt that the pilot-in-command later informed the passengers about the nature of the incident and returned to base to disembark the passengers.

EFCC quizzes ex- Kwara Gov Ahmed over alleged diversion of N9bn

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed the immediate past Kwara Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, over alleged diversion of N9billion.

According to sources at the anti-graft agency, the former Governor is currently being grilled by a crack team of operatives at the headquarters of the EFCC in Jabi Abuja.

Ahmed was said to have arrived the EFCC headquarters around 10am on Monday to honour an invitation by the agency.

One of the sources said: “And for the past seven hours, he has been in the interrogation room, writing statements.

“Though details of the case are still sketchy as of press time, I think it is connected to how funds to the tune of about N9billion were diverted from the coffers of Kwara State Government during his tenure as Governor of Kwara state between 2011 and 2019.

“He is also expected to account for his time as Commissioner for Finance in the administration of Bukola Saraki, a former President of the Senate.”

EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the former Governor responded to the commission’s invitation.

Uwujaren however didn’t offer further details when asked.

Appeal court sets aside conviction of companies linked to Patience Jonathan

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The Abuja division of the court of appeal has upturned the conviction of four companies linked to the alleged money laundering case involving Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The companies – Seagate Property Development & Investment Co. Limited; Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, and Development Company Limited – had, in September 2016, pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder $15 million.

Directors of the companies are domestic workers of Waripamowei Dudafa, Jonathan’s special adviser on domestic affairs.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Patience had allegedly directed Dudafa to use the money to open accounts for her in Skye Bank.

Therefore, the EFCC had filed a 15-count charge against the companies and Dudafa, Amajuoyi Briggs, a lawyer; and Damola Bolodeoku, a Skye Bank official.

After the charges were read, the first, second and third accused had pleaded not guilty, but the four individuals representing the companies listed in the charge, each pleaded guilty to the offences.

Mike Ozekhome, defendant counsel at the time, had challenged the plea of guilt by the individuals who represented the companies.

But Babs Kuewumi, the trial judge, refused the application and convicted the companies on November 2, 2016.

Aggrieved by the trial court’s decision, Ozekhome approached the court of appeal.

The appellants in different (but related) appeals contended that the conviction of the companies is a nullity and prayed the court to set it aside.

Delivering judgment via Zoom on Friday, a three-member panel of the appellate court agreed with the appellants and set aside the conviction of the companies.

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The panel held that the trial court was wrong to have pronounced a conviction when the validity of the plea of guilt, which was challenged by the appellant, was yet to be determined.

The court held that the convictions of the four companies breached the fair hearing provisions of the constitution.

C.N. Uwa, appeal court justice, read the lead judgment, while Tunde Awotoye and James Abundaga agreed with the judgment.

Ige Asemudara, Ejieke Onuoha and Azubuike Akpe appeared as counsel for the appellants (all the companies), while Rotimi Oyedepo and A.O. Mohammed appeared for the respondent.

Buhari’s son-in-law, Gimba Yau Kumo wanted over $65m fraud

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has declared Gimba Yau Kumo, son-in-law of President Muhammadu Buhari, wanted over an alleged $65 million fraud.

Kumo, a former managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, married Fatima, the president’s daughter, in 2016 at Daura, Katsina state.

In a notice published on the website of the anti graft commission on Thursday, the commission’s spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, said Kumo is declared wanted alongside Tarry Rufus and Bola Ogunsola over misappropriation and dispersion of national housing funds.

“The persons whose pictures appear above, Mr. Tarry Rufus, Mr. Gimba Yau Kumo and Mr. Bola Ogunsola, are hereby declared WANTED by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with issues bordering on misappropriation of National Housing Funds and diversion of the sum of Sixty Five Million dollars ($65,000,000),” the ICPC said.

“Anyone who has useful information on their whereabouts should report to ICPC Headquarters Abuja, any of the ICPC State Offices or the nearest police station.”

Yau Kumo is not stranger to fraud or being a guest of anti graft agencies. In 2016, the 57-year-old former banker came under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleged N3 billion fraud that occurred under his watch as the boss of the state-owned mortgage bank.

The untold story of the reign of Hadiza Bala Usman at NPA

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Since the news of the suspension of the Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman broke, both her supporters and critics have been speculating about what could have led to the action by Government. Many campaigners, activists, politicians, feminist organizations have taken sides against each other.

Some accused the officials of the Ministry of Transportation of not yielding to due process in their actions while others insisted that her travails were mere because she was a woman. For many observers, such sentiments were not expected. The suspended Managing Director is a woman, member of the ruling party, former Chief of Staff to Kaduna State and a cofounder of Bring Back Our Girls Movement among other things.

She is also a daughter of late Fulani historian and popular academic Dr Yusufu Bala-Usman of the ruling family of Sullubawa clan. In a country in which where you come from contributes substantially to how far you can go, she appears to have some of the most interesting recipes for upward mobility suited for the time. And she probably knew it. So as the head of an important agency like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), from the same state as President Buhari, she conducted herself with a certain feeling of entitlement close to invincibility. An attitude that some people consider as hubristic.

Was Creating Sensation meant to distract the Panel from their assignment?

Articles have been flying in the air as if the suspended Managing Director is being persecuted and punished for refusing to compromise. A big media mogul fired the first salvo in her favour. The whole matter appears to be a difficult argument simply because she is pitched against politicians and we all know how we perceive them. However, the simple truth is that what is going on is a little beyond politics. Those who are politicizing it are doing so out of sheer mischief.

From available documents flying around the internet, it is obvious that Ms Usman’s accusers do not need to do much work to prove their cases against her. That may be why her supporters are up in arms firing from all nozzles in social media. The hashtag is trending already but whether that is sufficient to cover up the issues that have been raised is another conversation altogether.

As an activist, engaging in a media campaign is familiar terrain for Hadiza. She co-founded an organization that ran one of the most successful protests in the history of modern Nigeria. However, a more useful way to spend the next few weeks could have been to prepare to face the administrative panel to state her own side of the story.

Skills for mobilizing for street protests differ from those used for constructive policymaking

There are many people who are passionate yet when they get an opportunity, they end up performing poorly. This is because passion cannot be equated with competence and activism is not the same thing as expertise. Mobilizing people on the streets for protests and carrying placards are worthy assignments but they require a different skillset from constructive policymaking. Granted, activism provides critical and alternative voices necessary for democracy to thrive but in some cases, it can become a liability to governance.

It must be admitted that some activists are quite naïve about issues of process and procedures that when they get into government, they believe the only way to prove themselves is to disrupt governance in a way that could become counterproductive. Such was apparently the case of the reign of Hadiza Bala Usman in NPA.

This awareness amplifies the perception of doubts about her capacity to handle the position that greeted her appointment in 2015. A closer review of her decisions clearly indicates that many of them were arbitrary knee jerk reactions that protect the privileged few, ignoring the greater good of many.

Clear examples are those involving Global Marine Systems Limited and INTELS Group whose leases were suddenly cancelled after they were approved by NPA. As a result, an atmosphere of instability was created which sent wrong signals to potential investors in Nigeria and beyond as a country that does not respect the sanctity of agreements. Some of those who became casualties had to go to court. So far there are about fifty-two such litigations pending with different courts which have stalled the activities of the agency and increased operational costs.

There is a possibility that the suspended MD may have the best of motives but is obvious she did not use the right methods. For instance, it was reported that she continuously flouted extant civil service regulations and obtained her approval directly from the President.

This was a problem to the Ministry officials as it made coordinated policy-making and oversight of the maritime sector quite difficult. However, when she learnt that the approval for her suspension and probe was obtained from the same Presidency, she reportedly turned around and accused the President of breaching government procedures. Her record of going above the head of her Ministers to obtain approvals from the President places her on the shaky moral ground in insisting that due process should be followed in her suspension.

Apart from cancelling the concessions given to GMSL and INTELS, she also cancelled the concession given to a company called Lilypond Container Terminal without the knowledge of the Ministry and converted it to a truck park. She once shut down a terminal in Port Harcourt belonging to BUA Group for alleged safety infractions, resulting in an annual revenue loss of about 2.0 billion naira to both the federal government and terminal operators.

A few weeks ago against subsisting court orders, she directed that all BUA ships should not be allowed to berth. She had transferred the procurement office away from the Executive Director in charge of Finance to be directly under her office.

Dangote Group of Companies owned by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote was reportedly one of the major beneficiaries.

Suspended MD’s unending battle against INTELS despite initially offering to integrate Berths 9,10 and 11 in their agreement

The withdrawal of the licenses of Integrated Logistics Limited (INTELS) is another decision that drew a lot of public attention. This was because the former Vice President and Presidential aspirant of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Atiku Abubakar was at that time a major shareholder in the company.

The suspended Managing Director used a cloak of partisanship to create unfounded disputes between NPA and INTELS to further what has now been seen as a different agenda. Curiously it was the same MD who authorized that Berths 9, 10 and 11 be integrated into a preexisting concession agreement with INTELS and informed them about the same in a letter on the 7th of November 2018 REF ONN/LG/AD/T.3/599 signed by one Alhassan Ismaila Abubakar, Port Manager, Onne. A reminder was written on the same issue on the 23rd of November. An acceptance from INTELS was conveyed to NPA in a letter Ref INTELS/2018/11/27/OUT/001752 dated 27th November 2018 signed by the Managing Director where he pointed out that the computation of the fees for the berths for 2013 was erroneous. A reconciliation meeting was proposed for the integration process to commence.

The agreement was reached between INTELS and NPA. Payment commenced and midway NPA reneged On the 4th of December a debit note of 1,035,000,000 was issued to INTELS by NPA which was accepted on the 20th of December and reiterated its acceptance for Berths 9,10 and 11 into their concession agreement and agreed that payment will be in three instalments commencing from January 2019. Payments commenced on schedule.

Things were going on smoothly and INL was waiting for the final execution of the agreement when it was revoked by NPA in a letter signed on behalf of the Managing Director by one Engr. A. R Mohammed, General Manager, Engineering, asking INTELS to vacate the premises on Berths 9, 10 and 11. INTELS had no option but to head to court to protect their rights.

While the controversy raged, the Minister of Transportation tried to direct her to halt the hostilities against the company and she rebuffed the idea. Although a court order granted by a Rivers State High Court ring-fenced INTELS from being ejected from berths 9/10/11, Hadiza went ahead and kicked them out. At one point she manufactured an alibi to make it look like the Ministry was blocking her from commencing procurement because someone up there apparently had a pecuniary interest. Meanwhile, officials of the Ministry had clarified the position of the Minister of Transportation is for the Ministry to purchase the relevant equipment in order to build domestic capacity for dredging.

INTELS GROUP removed Atiku as their shareholder to placate Hadiza, yet she stood her ground.

The optics of the action of NPA appeared political as they were speculations that the fate that befell the company was a direct way of targeting Vice President Abubakar Atiku. Some people even assumed that the orders expressly came from Buhari himself. The management of the company panicked. A few weeks later, the company announced the removal of Atiku from their board. In a letter addressed to the suspended MD on the 29th December 2020, the Managing Director of Orlean Invest Holding Limited (holding company of INTELS) formally communicated the exit of Mr Atiku Abubakar from the shareholding structure of INTELS group. According to him, this was to break free from any form of political interference and pave a way to resolve the lingering multiple disputes between the company and NPA especially the aftermath of the cancellation of some of their contracts.

Prevailing Climate of Uncertainty came with negative economic consequences An interesting part of it is that when some of these decisions were taken and parties go to court, NPA under Hadiza never respected court orders thereby posing serious reputational risk suggesting that Nigeria is lawless and does not respect the sanctity of agreements.

Potential revenue sources were lost which negatively impacted the economic status of the country at a time when the covid 19 pandemic and fluctuating commodity prices had distorted budgetary projections. Yet figures of her overhead cost appear bloated. So far the extent of damage done to the sector is yet to be fully determined and quantified. Whether and to what extent this will be revealed depends on the thoroughness of the work of the administrative probe panel.

Although maritime stakeholders are already celebrating her exit many observers suggest that it will be best to adopt a wait–and–see attitude.

Dr. Zubairu is a Public Policy Analyst and contributed this piece from Apapa Lagos. He can be reached on ibrozubairu1970@gmail.com

  • Source: Vanguard

Transport ministry: Why Amaechi opposed award of $1.5bn channel management contracts

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The ministry of transportation says it objected to the award of channel management contracts by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) because it is more cost-effective to procure necessary equipment and execute the contracts in-house.

Several reports have traced the ‘cold war’ between Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation and Hadiza Bala-Usman, the suspended managing director of NPA, to the renewal of $1.5 billion channel management contracts.

TheCable had also reported how other controversial issues contributed to the suspension of Bala Usman as NPA MD.

Reacting to media reports, Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary, ministry of transportation, in a statement issued on Tuesday, described the allegation that Amaechi recommended two Chinese companies to execute the contracts as a “deliberate attempt to drag the integrity of the minister in the mud.”

“It is necessary to place on record that while Channel Management contracts have been routinely awarded over the years by the Nigerian Ports Authority at a cost of between 50 and 60 billion naira on an annual basis, the Honourable Minister has adopted a firm position that the NPA should undertake the job of channel management on an in-house basis through the acquisition of the necessary machinery and professional capacity given the humongous annual sums paid out to dredging contractors by the authority,” the statement read.

“Indeed, following the expiration of the Channel Management contracts for the Lagos, Bonny and Port Harcourt Channels in 2020 and the initiation of the contractual process for the renewal of the said contracts early in 2021, the HMT on 22nd January, 2021, while responding to a request for the NPA to provide requisite details related to the proposed transactions directed in the following words:

“There is the need for NPA to know that they should purchase their own equipment and not award any contract.”

The ministry noted that documented evidence of its position on the contract was that the NPA was engaging in “obvious profligacy and wastage of public funds to be spending over fifty billion naira (N50 billion) on an annual basis on contracts for which it could purchase machinery and build in-house capacity for greater long-term benefits.”

It said the NPA did not deem it necessary to respond to the above ministerial directives.

Meanwhile, an 11-member investigative panel to probe the NPA on all contracts awarded since 2016 when Bala Usman became MD has been inaugurated.

The panel, headed by Auwal Suleiman, director of maritime services, transportation ministry, has six members from the office of the head of the civil service of the federation (OHCSF) and the remaining five from the ministry of transportation.

Insatiable! $153 million, 80 houses recovered from Diezani —EFCC boss

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has disclosed that the commission has recovered $153 million from former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who has been living in Britain since leaving office.

He also said the anti-graft agency recovered no fewer than 80 choice property valued at $80m.

This was contained in the April edition of the EFCC magazine, EFCC Alert.

But the EFCC chief was quick to add that bringing the former minister to justice was still far from reality, given the fact that she was out of Nigeria’s jurisdiction, acknowledging the challenges associated with bringing her home to face justice.

The chairman said, “There are several cases surrounding Diezani’s case. I was part of that investigation, and we have done quite a lot. In one of the cases, we recovered $153 million; we have secured the final forfeiture of over 80 properties in Nigeria valued at about $80 million. We have done quite a bit on that.

“The other cases as it relates to the $115 million INEC bribery is also ongoing across the federation. We are looking forward to the time we will, maybe, have her in the country, and, of course, review things and see what will happen going forward. The case has certainly not been abandoned.’’

But responding to a question as to how he would be dealing with powerful government officials in the discharge of his assignment as EFCC chair, Bawa said he would be ready to leave the job if anyone tried to make him do what was illegal.

“I am not going to pay allegiance to individuals in the government,” he added.

Bawa pointed out that though he was young, he had paid the price on the job, having been among the pioneer staff of EFCC, rising through the ranks to reach the top.

He stated, “I rose through the ranks. The only job I know after graduation is the EFCC, which I joined in 2004. I rose through the ranks from an ordinary team member, to the first EFCC team leader from the regular staff of the EFCC.

“ I became a sectional head, became the zonal head in Ibadan, zonal head in Port Harcourt, and zonal head in Lagos. Lagos is the biggest operational hub of the EFCC with over 600 personnel. Port Harcourt is next to it in terms of complexity and staff strength. I happen to be the first EFCC regular staff to head three different zones before my appointment as the chairman.