₦airaland Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari has, Tuesday, restated the determination of his administration to restore the country to the “good old days of accountability”.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the SSA to the President, Garba Shehu.

Speaking at a meeting with the Director, Global Upstream of Shell Oil Company at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari said he will leave a legacy of improved infrastructure, particularly in the power sector, and ensure better security in the Niger Delta.

“It is only by doing this that investors’ morale and confidence will return, and the economy will be positioned on the path of growth,” the President said.

President Buhari, who commended Shell for their faith in the economy and staying power, gave assurances on some issues of concern raised by the company.

On the protracted issue of cash calls, the President assured that the Federal Executive Council will soon consider a proposal for the easing of unpaid arrears owed by the government.

President Buhari assured that the security of oil infrastructure will continue to be prioritized side-by-side with the dialogue with stakeholder-communities in the Niger Delta.

He, however, urged oil companies to take more responsibility in the protection of oil installations to complement the efforts of Nigerian Navy in the region.

In his remarks, the Shell Director, Mr. Andrew Brown, informed the President of the resumption of oil exportation through the Forcados terminal following its restoration.

He called for continued protection by the Nigerian Navy in view of repeated threats of attacks by militants.

Brown commended the anti-corruption posture of the Buhari administration as well as the efforts to streamline and stabilize the economy for long term projects, saying all the efforts will go a long way to reinforce Shell investment plans in Nigeria.

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu on Monday said the anti-graft agency is searching for former BBC reporter, Jamila Tangaza.

He said the commission is on the lookout for Tangaza, who is being investigated over allegations of financial crimes, following reports that she attempted to jump bail and escape the country.

She is being investigated over alleged financial malfeasance to the tune of about N800 million when she served as the Director of Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) and Senior Special Assistant to the former Federal Capital Territory Minister (FCT), Bala Mohammed.

In an interview in Abuja yesterday, Magu said although he could not confirm she was caught trying to leave the country, because the EFCC had not received formal notification from the Nigeria Immigration Service.

However, He said the Commission is on the lookout for her as attempts to reach her mobile phone numbers had been unsuccessful.

He also said Tangaza is on administrative bail and as such if she jumps bail is committing another crime, noting that her surety who stood for her bail has been summoned by the EFCC.

He also pointed out that the EFCC has furnished other enforcement agencies; the Customs, Immigration Service, DSS and other International policing organizations like Interpol and FBI a list of people being investigated and prosecuted by the agency.

He added that no matter where such persons run to they would still be within the grasp of the anti-graft agency.

Magu also said a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed is still in custody at the EFCC detention Facility, whilst a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode is in good health, contrary to some media reports.

He said the EFCC investigators are still questioning former FCT Minister Bala Mohammed to explain several allegations of corruption leveled against him, noting that the interrogators are not done with him.

He said the EFCC is investigating alleged misappropriation of the Internally Generated Revenue of the FCT Administration under Bala Mohammed.

He added that there are alleged scams in the land allocation regime and contract/ procurement procedure while he was FCT Minister.

Magu described reports that Femi Fani-Kayode is very sick as untrue, noting that he was hale and hearty at the EFCC detention facility in Abuja.

Daily Trust also gathered that Abati is still in detention and has been unable to explain how he distributed funds received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to journalists.

It was learnt that Abati admitted receiving N50 million from the ONSA under Sambo Dasuki, and also said the money was distributed as Christmas and Sallah gifts to journalists while he was spokesman of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday said he does not care if his successor, Godwin Obaseki, betrays him.

Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the gubernatorial election in the state last month and will take over from Oshiomhole on November 12.

Oshiomhole said there is nothing in the oath of office to be taken by Obaseki that stipulates that he shall not betray his predecessor.

Addressing State House reporters after a meeting between the Progressive Governors’ Forum and President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, Oshiomhole said he had no interest to be betrayed.

The governor stated that when sworn in, his successor’s obligation and loyalty should be to the people of Edo State.

He was responding to a question on whether he was worried that he and Obaseki might later fall out with each other as witnessed in some other states where ex-governors had conflicts with their successors.

Oshiomhole explained that such conflict often arises when former governors refuse to accept that their tenure is over.

He said: “That is very important if you say he (Obaseki) will disappoint me, I am not the state. I am only one out of about four million Edo people. So, his obligation and his loyalty should be to the people of Edo State.

“The oath of office he is going to subscribe to says that he will defend the constitution of Nigeria, he will do everything to uplift the quality of lives of Edo people. Nothing in his oath office will include ‘I shall not betray my predecessor’ because I have no interest to be betrayed.”