NFIU Act: MIIVOC warns, danger not yet averted, lauds Buhari, NASS - ITREALMS Online

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A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the Media Initiative Against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-(MIIVOC) has warned that despite assenting to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit Bill by President, Muhammadu Buhari, danger is yet to be averted for the country, reports ITRealms.

MIIVOC Executive Director, Dr. Walter Duru who gave the warning while addressing newsmen in Calabar, weekend however commended President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the Bill, even as he praised the National Assembly for passing same.

Speaking on what needs to be done urgently, Duru stressed that “assenting to the NFIU Bill is a good development, but, that is not enough. Sending the name of a fit and proper person as head of the Unit to the National Assembly for consideration requires extreme urgency. 

The National Assembly may be going on recess in the last week of July and the President needs to act fast in the interest of the country. Setting up of a befitting office, with all structures, staffing and paraphernalia must be done without delay. Having a law in place without effective implementation does not do the country any good.”

Speaking on the implications of the new law, Duru described the development as amounting to rekindling of hope for Nigeria’s escape from looming international sanctions, while strengthening the country’s Anti-money Laundering and Counter financing of terrorism regime.

According to him, “the NFIU Act establishes a legal framework for a national center that will be responsible for the receipt of information from financial institutions and designated non-financial institutions, analysis of the financial information for the purpose of turning the information into financial intelligence and dissemination of the financial intelligence to all law enforcement agencies and other competent persons. The Act ensures that the NFIU is not tied to any agency but will have adequate measures to build an independent financial intelligence system.”

Continuing, Duru called on the National Assembly to urgently pass the Proceeds of Crime, Mutual Assistance in criminal matters and Whistle Blowers/Witness Protection Bills, as well as an updated/amended version of the Money Laundering and Terrorism Prevention Acts, to brighten the country’s chances of escaping the hammer of the international community.

“Remember, Nigeria remains suspended from the Egmont Group of FIUs, meaning that the country has not been receiving external financial intelligence since July, 2017 and this will remain in force until the suspension is lifted. The above steps are the surest way out of the country’s present difficult situation,” he stressed.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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MIIVOC submits memo on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, tasks National Assembly

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The Media Initiative Against Injustice, Violence and Corruption (MIIVOC) has urged the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, reports ITRealms.

The Executive Director, Dr. Walter Duru, MIIVOC in a memorandum submitted at the public joint hearing by the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption and Foreign Affairs, in Abuja, Thursday, said that the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill is a strong legislation that will enhance international collaboration in the handling of criminal matters.

This, he said, will boost the image of Nigeria at the global level.

He also said the importance of the legislation in Nigeria's anti-corruption war cannot be over emphasized, as it facilitates the proper and effective implementation of the Proceeds of Crime across international borders.

“It is a relevant legislation that will strengthen anti-corruption war in Nigeria and discourage looting of public treasury. All well-meaning Nigerians must support its passage,” he said.

MIIVOC noted that since the inception of the Bill, (from the 7th National Assembly), his group has been at the fore front of building coalitions of civil society groups and communities at local, state and national levels, with the aim of encouraging wide and active participation in the process leading to the passage of the bill.

“Ultimately, we believe that this bill, when passed, will help to strengthen the legislative framework against corruption in Nigeria,” he said.

MIIVOC, he said, is determined to engage on this Bill to ensure that it is passed into an effective law that serves the national interest.

Chuks Egbune/GEE 

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Pix: Walter Duru

Obidinma in DSS: MIIVOC alleges politically motivated

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A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption (MIIVOC) has taken a swipe on the Department of State Services-DSS in Imo State over its arrest and continued detention of rights activist, Aku Obidinma, reports ITRealms.

MIIVOC Executive Director, Dr. Walter Duru, who made the call while speaking to ITRealms in Owerri, Thursday, warned that the DSS action is an abuse of the fundamental human rights of the citizen.

He further described the Secret Police’ action as politically motivated, urging the Service to desist from getting involved in politics, but concentrate on their constitutional duty of internal security.

“If DSS has any evidence of breach of State Security against Aku Obidinma, they should charge him to Court and not illegally detain him in perpetuity. It amounts to impunity. Information at our disposal suggests that the Coordinator of Imo Bilie Initiative, Aku Obidimma was arrested on Monday, 21^st November, 2016 by men of the Department of State Services. 

He is said to have attended a Radio programme in Owerri on Monday, 21^st November, 2016 and was dropped off by his colleagues and that was the last time anyone had contact with him. 

"His phones have been switched off. We are reliably informed that he is in the custody of the DSS. He has been there without communication and nobody, including his family members has been allowed access to him. This is most unfortunate” MIIVOC boss said.

Continuing, Duru warned against any attempt to muscle freedom of expression in the state, insisting that the people’s fundamental rights be respected. Recalling that Aku Obidimma, a former aide of Imo State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere lately became a fiery critic of his former boss.

"It is not clear if his arrest is connected to his critical stance against his former boss, but sources within the state government house reveal that the deputy governor, Eze Madumere may have a hand in his ordeal," the group alleged.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Pix: Eze Madumere

MIIVOC decries crackdown on judges, says democracy in danger

ITRealms:

A Civil Society Organization, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption (MIIVOC) has condemned the invasion of the residence of a Federal High Court Judge in Rivers State by security operatives, describing it as irresponsible, reports ITRealms.

MIIVOC's Executive Director, Dr. Walter Duru, made available to ITRealms in Port Harcourt, Saturday, warned that security operatives in the country were putting the nation's democracy in jeopardy and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call them to order.

"This latest development is a desecration of the sacred institution of the Judiciary. If any member of the Bench is found wanting, there are legal and civilized procedures. The laws of the land have made sufficient provisions for disciplining of judicial officers and the gestapo approach of the security agencies is NOT one of them, under the circumstance. Why then do we have the NJC," he said.

Duru also expressed concern that the continued unconstitutional conduct of security operatives could lead to anarchy, urging the APC-led government to embrace the tenets of democracy in the interest of the country.

"Not even in the days of the Military did we experience this kind of impunity. Reports of a threat on the life of the state governor, Nyesom Wike is also shocking. Impunity is becoming a tradition and all well- meaning Nigerians must speak out against this draconian display of brute force and timidity. I am afraid that if this continues in Nigeria, there may be lawlessness, as the citizens may resort to ways less than civil to check the excesses of security operatives, thereby taking their destiny in their hands, and when it degenerates to that level, the country is in trouble."

"Let the rights of every Nigerian be respected. Let the rule of law be upheld. Let our democracy be respected and nobody, under whatever guise should take us back to the dark days of Military dictatorship. 

"The Rivers State Police Commissioner and his DSS counterpart must be called to order. Nigerians are hungry and groaning, as a result of inept leadership. This daring move and sustained attacks on other arms of government is unacceptable. Let the principle of separation of powers be respected. 

"The least we expect from the present administration is that they come up with creative ways of taking the country out of recession, strengthen the legal framework against corruption, refrain from selective justice, weed the administration of corrupt elements and work towards fulfilling the electoral promises made to Nigerians," Duru said.

MIIVOC chief said, "No amount of intimidation can silence Nigerians. All we want is good governance and respect for the laws of the land" and called for the reopening of hibernated high profile corruption cases.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE 

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NGO drags EFCC to Federal Character Commission

ITRealms:

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption (MIIVOC), has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Federal Character Commission, Abuja for violation of Federal character principles in staffing and appointments, reports ITRealms.

The group’s Information Officer, Phillip Inyang confirmed this to ITRealms in a press statement saying a petition dated 18^th April, 2016, signed by himself alleged that over sixty per cent of the staff of the EFCC are from one State in the northern part of the country, while also alleging a secret recruitment by the Commission.

“We write, in recognition of your mandate, to draw your attention to the obvious lopsidedness in the staff strength of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as well as a secret recruitment presently going on in the Commission.”

“Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s present staff strength is made up of majority of northerners, particularly, Adamawa, Gombe and Borno states. In fact, over sixty (60) percent of the staff of the Commission, are from Adamawa State. It is followed by Gombe and Borno States, respectively. This, no doubt, defeats the Federal Character principle.”

“EFCC’s former chairmen, Nuhu Ribadu and Ibrahim Lamorde, both from Adamawa states, used their positions to influence the massive recruitment of indigenes of the state into the Commission, not minding their qualifications and experience, as well as the Federal Character principle.”

“Presently, a secret recruitment is ongoing in the Commission, designed to favour the same northerners, with special interest in Gombe, the home state of the incumbent Acting Chairman of the Commission. The recruitment exercise is believed to be a ploy by the incumbent Chairman to impress some politically exposed persons in the region, particularly, those close to the Presidency, with a view to retaining his office and being made a substantive chairman.”

“A post on the WhatsApp group of Northern Youth Professionals published the original internal (secret) advert on the recruitment for northerners. The advert is titled: “2016 Recruitment Exercise for young Northern Nigerian men and women”. The last sentence in the advert also says: “please send to only NORTHERN Nigerian candidates.”

“In recognition of your mandate, part of which is to ensure balance and equity in the distribution of posts and socio-economic activities in Nigeria, we most respectfully request that you use your good offices to ensure: an investigation into the ongoing secret recruitment in the EFCC, as stated; Equity in the distribution/employment of staff in the Commission. There should be equity and balance in the numerical strength of staff, ie, all the six geopolitical zones (and states) of the country should be equitably represented; Equity in the staff employment in the Commission, also reflecting all the geopolitical zones of the country and gender parity, as well as transparency in recruitment process.”

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