….mandate committee to investigate circumstances

By Paul Effiong, Abuja

The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to set up.strategies for the protection of Nigerians living in Diaspora over cases of
unlawful killings and torture.

The lawmakers at the Green Chambers also urged the Federal Government to prioritize the protection of lives of Nigerians living abroad and leave no stone unturned in pursuit of justice for compatriots who have suffered injustice and oppression in the hands of foreign nationals.

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent national public importance moved during plenary yesterday by Hon Tochukwu Chinedu Orere.

In his defense for the motion, the lawmaker raised concern over the recent reports of unlawful killings, torture, and inhumane treatment of Nigerian citizens living in South Africa,S/A.

According to the lawmaker, Ebuka Nwoko, 43, popularly known as Jeff, was allegedly murdered while in the custody of South African security officials in Danielskuil, Northern Cape, South Africa.

The lawmaker who is also the
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora and a Member Representing Owerri Municipal, Owerri West and Owerri North Federal Constituency in the National Assembly used the occasion to condernmed in strong term the actions of south African police.

He further expresses profound disappointment and condemnation of what he called” avoidable actions” by members of the South African Police Service, SAPS, adding that such illegality were in violation of human rights and the rule of law.

The lawmaker also cited section 11 of the South African Constitution which he explained supposed to guarantees the right to life and as such, upholds the dignity of human life.

He informed that South Africa as a democratic state is obligated to treat all people with dignity and afford full protection of the law, regardless of nationality, color among others most especially by law enforcement Officers.

He pointed out that the recent tragic and paintul death of Ebuka Nwoko, a 43vear-Old Nigerian allegedly murdered while in the custody of South Atrican security officials, is yet another harrowing example of the severe mistreatment being faced by Nigerians living in that country.

He expressed Saddness, that Nigerian lives are continuously devalued and disregarded, even in nations that claim to uphold democratic values and the rule of law such as South Africa, a nation Nigeria once looked up to as a beacon of hope and progress.

Most lawmakers who contributed during the debate emphasizes the need to engage with the relevant authorities in South Africa, including the South African Government and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that justice is served, and measures are taken to properly investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Ebuka Nwoko.

“We owe it to our citizens, both home and abroad, to take a stand against the systemic injustice and abuse they face”.

Consequently, the lawmakers observed a minute silence in honor of the deceased while the committee on Diaspora was mandated to investigate the murder

BY RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA 

The ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under the immediate past government has indicted Mallam Nasir El-rufai and some of his aides for misappropriation of over four hundred and fifty three billion naira.

The Committee averred that its investigation into the allegation of misappropriation in the last political dispensation, under El-rufai has shown several cases of corruption in the running of the affairs of the Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Kaduna State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023.

Presenting the report during plenary on Wednesday,  the chairman of the ad hoc committee,  Henry Zacharia, said that most of the loans obtained under the El-Rufai’s administration were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained, while in some cases, due process was not followed in securing the loans.

After receiving the report, the Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, said that a total N453 billion was siphoned by the El-Rufai’s administration while leaving the state with huge liabilities.

On this note, the Committee recommended that thorough investigation be carried out of some key appointees of the last administration by appropriate law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.

In its report, the committee further directed that the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service to withdraw the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account domiciled at Zenith Bank as Security for #20,000,000,000.00 guaranteed in 2023 forthwith and to request the bank to refund all monies deducted on account of the purported illegal guarantee together with the accrued interest thereof.

While also stating that, all the Commissioners of Finance of the State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thorough investigation.

Part of the report reads: “that, all the Accountant Generals of the State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for investigation.

“That, the Chairmen of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thorough investigation.

“That, the current Commissioner of Finance, Kaduna State do step aside to allow for proper investigation into the activities of the Ministry from 29th May, 2015 to 29* May, 2023.

“That, the current Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) do step aside to allow for thorough and proper investigation into the activities of the Board from 29th May, 2015 to 29* May, 2023.

“That, the current Executive Secretary of the State Pension Bureau do step aside to allow for proper investigation into the activities of the Bureau from 29th May, 2015 to 29* May, 2023.

“That, all the Managing Directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd from 29 May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the relevant Law Enforcement Agencies for a thorough investigation into their handling of the affairs of the Company.

“That, the coordinator of the Kaduna State Government’s Irrigation Programmes for the cultivation of Wheat at Ruwan Sanyi, Kubau Local Government Area in 2016 or thereabout, be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for a thorough investigation.

“That, Ms. Dolapo Popoola, the immediate past Managing Director of AlL KAPSCO whose where about is not known, be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for investigation into her handling of the affairs of the Company and for the recovery of all Government Properties in her possession.

“That, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kaduna .. State on Media and Communication from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for investigation on his involvement in the contracts in Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC).

“That, all the Managing Directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from 11th October, 2017 to November, 2021 with the exception of Engineer Amina Ja’afar Ladan who only spent a month in office, be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for in-depth investigation into their roles in the award and poor execution of contracts during their tenure, while Management and Senior Staff of the Agency be redeployed to other relevant Ministries and Agencies..

“And that, all Loans (Domestic and Foreign) obtained by the Kaduna State Government between 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 and found by the Committee to have been obtained without due process are not binding on the State and the State Government should henceforth stop honouring all Limit, obligations arising from them.