President Buhari of Nigeria, who was elected in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform.

Britain must end its role as a “safe haven” for white-collar criminals who steal Nigeria’s wealth and resources for personal gain, almost 100 Nigerian civil society groups have told David Cameron.
Key reformists from across Nigeria's political spectrum issued the plea in a sternly-worded letter sent to the British prime minister on Thursday.

The letter’s signatories, who represent 95 of Nigeria’s most progressive anti-corruption and human rights groups, demanded Cameron tackle Nigerian dirty money laundered via luxury properties, shops and schools in the UK.


Their demands were issued just two weeks ahead of an anti-corruption summit due to be held in London, which will provide a platform for governments, lawyers, white-collar crime experts and business officials to propose solutions to corruption in all its forms.

Ravages of corruption
Observers argue the world’s anti-corruption architecture has been locked in stagnation for over a decade, with key governments obstructing progress. British anti-corruption think tank Transparency International (TI) UK says the result of this trend is empty rhetoric advocating change in the absence of concrete action.

While some anti-corruption experts suggest the May 12 summit could forge alliances between governments bent on tackling corruption on a global scale, others are less hopeful.

Although the Nigerian civil society groups commended Cameron for taking a so-called leading role on the global fight against corruption, they warned the time has come for him to take a long hard look at his own back yard.

The letter’s signatories stressed the devastating effect corruption can have on ordinary citizens, stunting economic growth and exacerbating violent conflict and mass migration in its wake.


“Our Nigeria is one of those countries that has most bitterly suffered the impact. Despite the blessings of nature, which endowed us with abundant oil wealth, our infrastructure is deplorable,” the letter said.

“Classrooms overflow while teachers go underpaid and parents are forced to give ‘gifts’ to ensure their children get attention. Police officers spend their time shaking down motorists or locking them up on some spurious pretext so as to extort a few naira.

“It is because of these abuses that the people of Nigeria participated with unparalleled energy in the 2015 presidential election. Now we are embarked on a nationwide anti-corruption campaign.”

The letter went on to say that Nigerian anti-corruption efforts are severely undercut by UK authorities, who turn a blind eye to vast channels of ill-gotten gains pulsating through the heart of Britain.

“These efforts are sadly undermined if countries such as your own are welcoming our corrupt to hide their ill-gotten gains in your luxury homes, department stores, car dealerships, private schools and anywhere else that will accept their cash with no questions asked,” the letter said.

“The role of London’s property market as vessels to conceal stolen wealth has been exposed in court documents, reports, documentaries and more. The problem is clear, now is time to do something about it.”

Panama Papers link
A number of elite Nigerian officials were among those to be named in the highly controversial Panama Papers leak. The vast collection of files is estimated to be the most expansive data leak in journalistic history. The data came from Panama-based law firm Mossak Fonsenca, a major player in the shadowy world of offshore finance.

The leak consists of more than 11.5 million legal and financial records that cast a glaring spotlight on a shadowy world of white-collar crime and corruption cloaked in secrecy by a complex network of offshore firms.

The files were initially handed to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung from an unknown source and later shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The ICIJ then dispensed a fraction of them to other media outlets smattered across the globe. Critics say the manner in which the body is disclosing information is Western-centric.


Like many gilded and powerful individuals across the world, Nigerian Senate President Bukola Saraki received unwanted attention as a result of the leak. The 53-year-old is embroiled in a legal battle in his homeland, where he faces multiple fraud charges, all of which he denies. Among these is the allegation that he failed to declare offshore assets filed under the name of his wife.

The assets include a luxury property in London’s opulent Belgravia district, two firms registered in UK overseas territory the British Virgin Islands, and another in the French-speaking 115-island state of the Seychelles, east of mainland Africa. Both the Seychelles and the British Virgin Islands are key tax havens in the opaque world of offshore finance.

Saraki has also been accused of acquiring wealth beyond his means and owning an offshore bank account while working as an elected representative, a criminal offense under the fifth schedule of Nigeria’s constitution.


Nigerian law compels local politicians to disclose their assets and those of their spouse and children under the age of 18.

Earlier this month, Saraki protested his innocence in a formal statement, arguing he had complied fully “with the provisions of the law” on the disclosure of his assets.

However, Michael Wetkas, a prosecution witness who led the anti-corruption unit that probed Saraki’s financial dealings, accused him of laundering dirty money through British and American bank accounts, while failing to be transparent about his assets.

A call for action
Saraki’s involvement in the Panama Papers leak has intensified pressure on Nigerian authorities to tackle the state’s entrenched culture of malfeasance and white-collar crime.

In the wake of the scandal, Nigerian civil society groups issued a call to their President Muhammadu Buhari, a vocal opponent of corruption, to address Nigeria's corruption crisis.


The letter subsequently sent to Prime Minister David Cameron is an extension of this campaign. Its signatories stressed the importance of May’s anti-corruption summit in London.

“This summit is an opportunity for the major financial centers to finally acknowledge the role they are playing in perpetuating corruption,” it said.

“It is ironic that the countries that pride themselves on their own lack of corruption are the very ones providing most of the corruption services to our corrupt officials.”

Okorocha urges youths to support Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has advised the Nigerian youths to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption at all levels and should not allow political, religious and ethnic differences to prevent them from seeing the sincerity of the Federal Government’s objective.

Okorocha,who spoke during the inauguration of Imo State chapter of the Youths Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) in Owerri the state capital in southeast Nigeria through his Chief of Staff, Mr Uche Nwosu, said that the anti-corruption war by the Buhari-led administration was a positive move and a step in the right direction to recapture Nigeria from the hands of those who were hell-bent on truncating and mortgaging the future of the youths.

He regretted that the youths had obviously been neglected by previous governments over the years and had been sidelined in the scheme of things, hence he advised them to see themselves as partners in rebuilding Nigeria while he urged them to always guard against actions and utterances that were capable of derailing the visions of the present government.

The Governor is hopeful that the Buhari administration means well for the youths and the entire nation and therefore called for patience and perseverance even in the face of the present economic challenges, expressing optimism that Nigeria would come out stronger and better.

EFCC Moves to Send Diezani's Corruption Evidence' to UK Anti-Corruption Agency

The EFCC has decided to send evidence linking Nigeria's ex Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to the $115million (N23, 299,705,000billion) poll bribe to the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK, according to recent reports.


“So far, we have questioned more than 30 people nationwide in connection with the N23, 299,705,000billion bribery scandal. But in Lagos, we have the big ones in custody who are helping the ongoing investigation," someone familiar with the matter said.

“As I speak with you, we are still keeping the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, and the bank’s Head of Operations, Martin Izuogbe. They were central to the disbursement of the bribe cash of $115million received from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

“We will send all findings at our disposal and relevant documents to the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK," the person added.

“The fact that some of the beneficiaries have started refunding part of the $115million bribe sum has made our job easier. We will make this evidence available to the appropriate agency in the UK.

“All these documents will help in the investigation and trial of Diezani.”

Anti-corruption protesters storm Baghdad’s Green Zone, enter parliament

Anti-corruption protesters storm Baghdad’s Green Zone, enter parliament


Followers of Iraq's Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are seen at the parliament building as they storm Baghdad's Green Zone after lawmakers failed to convene for a vote on overhauling the government, in Iraq April 30, 2016. © Ahmed Saad / Reuters
Hundreds of supporters of influential Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who have been protesting corruption, have stormed Baghdad’s Green Zone. Some have entered the parliament buildings, according to Reuters.
To prevent more protesters entering the Green Zone, Iraqi security forces have fired tear gas and shot bullets into the air, Reuters reported citing its sources in the police, as well as al-Sadr's office.


To keep protesters from crossing a bridge near the US embassy, SWAT troops and presidential guard forces have been deployed, according to Reuters.

Earlier in the day, all entrances to Baghdad were shut "as a precautionary measure to maintain the capital's security," Reuters reported citing an unnamed security official.


The demonstrators decided to break into a heavily fortified area, which holds government buildings and numerous foreign embassies after lawmakers failed to pass a vote on making changes to the current Iraqi government.

Shouting “the cowards ran away,” in reference to the MPs who were leaving the parliament building, they managed to make their way into the Green Zone and subsequently into the parliament building. The demonstrators smashed glass and furniture, while another group set a vehicle on fire.  


A spokesman for the United Nations and four Western diplomats who were inside the Green Zone said their compounds were in lockdown. They denied reports that staff at the missions had been evacuated.

No curfew has been imposed, according to two security officials who spoke to Reuters.

A Kurdish MP is currently trapped inside the parliament building, the Rudaw news network reported.


A guard at one of the checkpoints said the demonstrators had not been searched before entering the area, Reuters reports. The breach will come as an embarrassment to the Iraqi government: the protesters were able to get through what should have been a heavily secured area.


The protesters were waving Iraqi flags and were chanting “peaceful, peaceful,” while others were standing on the outer wall of the Green Zone. There were thousands more demonstrators waiting outside the gates of the fortified area.

Some protesters also headed in the direction of the PM's office building, the Rudaw news agency reported.


Iraqi President Fuad Masum has called on the protesters to "calm down," Rudaw reported.

Some of the protesters subsequently left the parliament building having been instructed to do so by al-Sadr. Meanwhile, al-Sadr himself said that he could “destroy” Iraq’s government.


“I am promising you that I will not make any agreements with other politicians. I work for the benefit of the nation,” Sadr said in a speech in the holy city of Najaf, as cited by Rudaw.

“If the nation lets me I can end the current government and form a new one without any corruption,” he added.

There are reports on social media that some of the protesters are heading towards Baghdad Airport in order to try and prevent the MPs from leaving the capital.

The Russian Embassy in Baghdad continues to work as normal, a member of the diplomatic mission told RIA.

“We are keeping an eye on how events are developing, especially around the parliament. However, the local press is reporting that the protests are peaceful in nature,” said Aleksandr Kozin, the first secretary of the Russian Embassy in Baghdad.


Followers of Iraq's Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are seen in the parliament building as they storm Baghdad's Green Zone after lawmakers failed to convene for a vote on overhauling the government, in Iraq April 30, 2016. © Ahmed Saad
Followers of Iraq's Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are seen in the parliament building as they storm Baghdad's Green Zone after lawmakers failed to convene for a vote on overhauling the government, in Iraq April 30, 2016. © Ahmed Saad / Reuters
Protesters supporting al-Sadr have been gathering outside the Green Zone since March 18, taking part in sit-ins. Al-Sadr wants Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to replace his cabinet with people from outside the party in order to tackle rampant corruption.

Joaquin Flores from the Independent Journalists Association for Peace spoke to RT and said that Abadi finds himself in a difficult position in trying to appease different groups, who have a diverse range of goals.

“He is between a rock and a hard place. Any concessions he makes will show signs of weakness. On the other hand, continuing the line that he is on will ultimately undermine his authority,” he said.

Abadi was expected to announce five new members on Saturday, but the session was eventually postponed, which was the catalyst for the subsequent violence.

The influential cleric believes “all the ministers should be changed” and he would like to see “a revolution against corruption.”

Despite his tough line against the government, al-Sadr had implored his followers not to resort to violence. The cleric also praised the police for “their cooperation and devotion to their people.”

Appointment of Acting CNA: Commissioners Disown Fika... Says "We Lost Confidence In Your Leadership of the Commission"

Seven Commissioners in the National Assembly Service Commission have dissociated themselves from the position of Adamu Fika who is the Chairman of the Commission over his position that Mohammed Sani Omoliori is the most senior staff in the Commission and should be appointed the Clerk to the National Assembly ahead of the Deputy Clerk Ben Efeturi.

The Commissioners in a letter dated 26th April and obtained by Parliamentary Info said the issue of seniority between Efeturi and Omolori had been resolved in the minutes of November 2014.

The Commissioners said when Fika brought up the issue of appointment of acting CNA in the 444th meeting, most of them rejected his memo that Omolori be appointed acting CNA ahead of Efeturi with support from only one commissioner. They wondered why Fika went ahead to issue a letter of appointment to Omolori while the Commission had not yet ratified the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Commissioners said Fika through his actions of distorting the facts have brought shame on the Commission. " you may be the Chairman of the Commission but you are not the Commission.... your actions on the appointment of the acting CNA has brought negative publicity to the Commission... we wish to inform you that we have lost faith on your leadership as Chairman of the Commission" the letter signed by seven commissioners cutting accross geoplitical zones read.

It will be recalled that controversy has continued to trail the appointment of acting Clerk to the National Assembly. The Chairman of the National Assembly Commission had through a letter dated 21st April appointed the Clerk of the House of Representatives as the acting CNA bypassing the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly.

President of the Senate Bukola Saraki had kicked against the appointment. Saraki through a letter by his Chief of staff dated 22nd April asked Fika to reverse the appointment stressing that the Commission must follow seniority in the appointment of acting CNA.

Saraki said Ben Efeturi is the most senior and should be appointed acting CNA ahead  of Sani Omolori.

Adamu Fika chairman of the NASS Service Commission had replied Sen. Saraki President of the Senate that the appointment cannot be reversed. He said Omolori is the most senior in ranking and not Efeturi. Fika had also told the Senate President that the appointment  of Omolori was backed by 11 out of the 13 Commissioners in the Commission with himself exempting because of the overwhelming support for Omolori  by the Commissioners. This letter prompted the letter by 7 of the Commissioners who dissociated themselves from the position of Adamu Fika.

FIKA SHOULD RESIGN

Meanwhile the Association of Parliamentary Writers APW have called on Adamu Fika to resign over his role on the appointment of acting CNA. The Association in a press release made available to media men in the National Assembly said with the revelations that Fika wants to foist Omolori on the National Assembly in disregard to service procedures is a corrupt practice which should not be taken lightly.
"The fact that Fika had lied that Omolori is senior to Efeturi and that 11 commissioners had supported the appointment of Omolori shows that Fika has no moral right to occupy the office of Chairman of the Commission. He should resign because his conduct is retrogressive, repulsive and inimical to the moral of staff of the National Assembly and the Commission."  the group said.