Connect with us

National

Ghana Ex-Finance Minister Faces Corruption Charges

Published

on

Ghana’s former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta was on Wednesday declared a wanted fugitive and accused of corruption by the country’s special prosecutor.

“You have two choices: either return to the jurisdiction voluntarily or the OSP (Office of the Special Prosecutor) will enforce your return,” Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said, accusing Ofori-Atta of causing financial loss to the state in high-profile government transactions.

Ofori-Atta, who served under former president Nana Akufo-Addo, is alleged to have authorised the release of substantial state funds for the construction of the controversial National Cathedral project in Accra.

The cathedral was conceived by Nana Akufo-Addo as a tribute to God following his 2016 presidential election victory and was supposed to be built using private money.

But claims that $58 million in public funds have been spent on the project and of financial irregularities has triggered a public uproar.

The former minister has also been accused of approving the disbursement of $11.8 million at the request of the presidential chief of staff.

Although the funds were released, construction of the cathedral remains stalled over the past two years and seen by some as a symbol of fiscal irresponsibility.

Critics have accused Ofori-Atta of failing to ensure due diligence and proper oversight before approving the payments.

Beyond the cathedral project, the former minister is also implicated in a contentious contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML), a company specialised in audit and insurance in the oil sector.

In 2019, the GRA allegedly paid over $83 million to SML under Ofori-Atta’s watch without obtaining the legally required approval from the Public Procurement Authority.

ALSO READ:  Christmas: Jaba LG Boss Distributes 500 Bags Of Rice, Cash To Widows, Others

The payments were made for various audit and verification services but concerns have since emerged over transparency and the contract’s value for money.

Anti-corruption organisations, including the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), have long called for Ofori-Atta’s prosecution, with some groups filing lawsuits against him, the GRA, and SML to demand accountability and a refund of public money.

The OSP has now taken over the investigation and is pursuing legal action against the former minister. Agyebeng stated that Ofori-Atta had shown no intention of voluntarily returning to Ghana to face justice.

Authorities have not disclosed Ofori-Atta’s current whereabouts.

The new government of President John Mahama has declared zero tolerance for corruption and vowed to pursue former government officials over alleged corrupt practices.

So far, the government has received over 2,000 complaints under its “Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL)” initiative aimed at retrieving all wrongfully acquired state assets in the hands of the previous Akufo-Addo officials.

National

Kabir Akanbi confirmed as substantive Chief Registrar of Supreme Court

Published

on

The Federal Judicial Service Commission has approved the appointment of Kabir Akanbi as the Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court effective Feb. 13.

The confirmation was contained in a statement issued by Dr Festus Akande, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Supreme Court on Sunday in Abuja.

The appointment followed the retirement of Hajo Bello who attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 in public service.

Prior to his appointment, Akanbi served as the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of the Election Petition Tribunal Unit at the Court of Appeal headquarters, Abuja.

Akanbi obtained his Law Degree at the University of Ibadan in 2001, and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 2003.

In 2005, he got his LL.M Degree at the Temple University, in Philadelphia, United States of America.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Institute of Information Management, Africa, respectively.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, congratulated Akanbi on his appointment.

She urged him to apply his vast experience in legal practice, corporate advisory, and public service leadership, particularly in software development and legal technology, to further enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of the Supreme Court.

ALSO READ:  Remove Corrupt Judges Illegally Reinstated By NJC, CSO Tells Buhari
Continue Reading

News

Atiku Backs Lagos Corper Facing Threats Over Viral Video

Published

on

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has praised National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Ushie Rita, who referred to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “terrible”, saying she embodies the spirit of a new generation of women championing political participation and advocacy.

Rita has accused the NYSC of allegedly threatening her after she complained about Nigeria’s economic struggles.

In a TikTok post, she expressed frustration over the country’s rising cost of living, lamenting that prices keep increasing, making it difficult for her to survive independently.

The corps member criticised President Tinubu, calling him a “terrible president” and questioning what his administration is doing to address the economic crisis.

Reacting on his X account, formerly known as Twitter, Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, said:

“I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition.

She follows in the footsteps of formidable trailblazers like Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, and countless other women who have stood resolute in defence of the common good.

Rather than being met with hostility, Rita deserves encouragement and support. She is a shining emblem of Nigerian youth—a testament to the long-held promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us, ready to shape a better future.”

ALSO READ:  Alleged 110bn fraud: Court remands Yahaya Bello in Kuje prison pending bail
Continue Reading

National

FG Must Stop Threatening Nigerians For Criticising Govt – Amnesty Int’l

Published

on

Amnesty International on Sunday said the Federal Government must stop threatening individuals and groups who criticise the current administration.

“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” the organisation in a statement on its X handle.

It also condemned the alleged threats and intimidation being faced by Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye.

This followed her viral TikTok video where she criticised President Bola Tinubu’s government over hardship Nigerians face as a result of the economic reforms.

The human rights watchdog denounced the reported threats from NYSC officials, emphasizing that Uguamaye was well within her rights to express her frustration over the country’s worsening economic conditions.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns threats and intimidation directed at a lady who posted TikTok video lamenting the current escalating economic hardship. The lady alleged that NYSC officials @officialnyscng threatened her for refusing to delete the video,” the statement read.

“It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully. Instead of threatening her for her opinions on rampant inflation, the authorities should prioritise addressing the country’s economic woes.

“Millions of people in Nigeria are facing extreme poverty. So far, the authorities have failed to put in place effective mitigation measures, leaving millions of people without the hope of getting out of the economic challenges and enjoying their human rights.”

Millions of people in Nigeria are facing extreme poverty. So far, the authorities have failed to put in place effective mitigation measures, leaving millions of people without the hope of getting out of the economic challenges and enjoying their human rights.

ALSO READ:  Remove Corrupt Judges Illegally Reinstated By NJC, CSO Tells Buhari

Uguamaye alleged that shortly after the video went viral, she began receiving threats, purportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to delete the content.

She expressed fears for her safety, stating that her personal details had been leaked and that she was being pressured to report to the NYSC office.

Continue Reading