Connect with us

Security

HEDA’s Position On Proposed Proceeds Of Crime Agency

Published

on

Following the aforementioned bills, the Human and Environmental
Development Agenda (HEDA Resources Centre) made its comments/
contributions with respect to the observations made last week at the
Public Hearing of the Senate Joint session.

On Difference in framework, HEDA opined that the creation of a new
agency is contrary to government reports on reduction of agencies.

For Assets Management Skills, HEDA suggested employment of new staff
or second some from the law enforcement and anti corruption agencies.

More so on existing mandates of relevant agencies to manage and
dispose forfeited assets, HEDA suggested creation of a new agency with
conflicting power of management, freezing, recovery, disposal,
seizure, tracing and confiscation powers, similar to existing ACAs and
LEAs inimical to collaboration and efficient management of proceeds of
crimes.

Meanwhile, on financial implications for execution of mandate on
nationwide and international assets, the civil society organization
maintained that, it was potentially impracticable and impossible,
considering the inability of Ministry of Justice to currently fund
recovery of assets but rather employing services of external lawyers
on no win, no fee basis.

For the agency’s relevance in changing nature and scope of financial
crimes and money laundering, the civil group affirmed that the agency
would need to conduct its own investigations and prosecution of money
laundering, terrorism financing etc and matters concerned.

For response to perishable forfeited assets nationwide, the group
asserted that could be difficult, cumbersome and expensive with a
center-dependent bureaucracy with other ACAs and LEAs.

On proper handling of Exhibits at Interim Forfeiture stage, as well as
how it might disrupt the fight against graft, HEDA submitted that
Handling exhibits could jeopardize a successful prosecution and it
would be very disruptive given the controversy surrounding the ongoing
assets disposal by the AG’s office.

ALSO READ:  Unknown gunmen kill 18, kidnap 3 in Katsina-Ala LGA- Chairman 

On who are the Proponents and supporters, HEDA again said the the
Honourable Attorney of the federation (HAGF), finding its compliance
with Orasanye’s report and government white paper on not creating new
agencies, HEDA opined it contravenes the whole Ideas.

For Accountability/Governance mechanisms, it maintained that there
should be a Central Data Base in HAG’s Office and Quarterly Report to
NASS Public Accounts Committees.

More so on Accessibility to Forfeitures Records, the anti-corruption
CSO suggested that Records domiciled in the Courts/NJC and National
Data Base be made open for scrutiny.

On the FATF Recommendation of POCA as captured in the lead debate of
POCA Bill, HEDA said- No agency was recommended while on The Effect of
Expunged provisions of other LEAs and ACAs, it pushed for the
expungement of relevant provisions in other ACAs and LEAs mandates
needing amendment of all the Acts.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National

Explosion Kills Seven, Injures Several Commuters In Borno

Published

on

The explosion followed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists on the dilapidated and deserted road which passes through the Sambisa forest.

According to several sources, the explosion happened while cars on a scheduled military-escorted convoy were transporting passengers from Damboa to Maiduguri on Saturday leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.

The Maiduguri-Damboa Road links Maiduguri to several local government areas in Southern Borno and has been a hotspot for Boko Haram terrorists for over a decade.

The road was closed to vehicles and commuters until the administration of Babagana Zulum opened the road for passengers to travel to Damboa, Chibok and other LGAs in southern Borno with the help of a military convoy serving as security cover for the commuters.

The convoy traverses the road two times a week after scanning for IED by the military and this has been going on for over two years now.

The injured persons whose numbers are yet to be specified have been conveyed to a hospital in Maiduguri for prompt medical attention.

ALSO READ:  Protest: NSCDC deploys 5,000 personnel in FCT
Continue Reading

Security

Kebbi Varsity Student Abducted As Gunmen Attack Off-Campus Hostel

Published

on

A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.

Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.

Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside.

But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.

A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.

Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).

Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.

It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.

As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.

In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.

At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.

ALSO READ:  Showdown At Tumbun Rago: ISWAP, Boko Haram Engage In Deadly Clash
Continue Reading

Security

‘Enough Is Enough,’ NSA Visits Plateau, Promises End To Killings

Published

on

The National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding a lasting solution to the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State.

Speaking at Operation Safe Haven headquarters in Jos during an operational visit in the aftermath of attacks in some communities of the Bokkos Local Government Area LGA) of the state, Ribadu promised to end the killings.

Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.

The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.

Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.

Also, speaking about the killings, the District Head of Manguna wants the government to provide more security personnel in the affected communities to curb rural-urban migration.

ALSO READ:  Unknown gunmen kill 18, kidnap 3 in Katsina-Ala LGA- Chairman 
Continue Reading