₦airaland Forum

The National Assembly has surrendered their oversight responsibilities to the executive which has led to the gross abuse of the system. Gbajabiamila is yet again at the centre of another scandal. With this recent revelation, I am convinced that this government's corruption will exceed that of all previous governments since 1999. If given another 4 years, it will be monumental and disastrous for the country. They must all be held accountable, even after leaving office. Document their corruption.

In an interview, Mark Gbillah, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State in the 9th National Assembly, explained that there are outrageous and illegal deductions being made from the NUPRC. He said these deductions began with a memo sent on behalf of the President by his Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila.


Excerpts from the interview below:

Shortly after they came into government, the president, on the advice of the Chief of Staff, that's how the memo shows, asked the NUPRC to split their cost of collection, which is 4%, into 2.5% to be used by NUPRC and 1.5% to be "ring fenced". That's how they put it, for a metering project that they decided they wanted to do.

Now, here is the issue: First and foremost, the PIA is a statute. It's an Act of the National Assembly. It cannot be changed by executive fiat. The president cannot just make a pronouncement. Even though the 4% that is indicated there is not in the Act, this is one of the lacunas in the PIA. This is one of the failures of our Assembly, because even then, we had issues of wanting to pander to the executive. So, a lot of times, you see, when considering, they say, "carried, carried, carried."

This is one of the carried problems. We carried it so much that there was no 4% inserted. So, even though that 4% is not indicated, what is indicated in that section in the memo that they wrote to those ministries, those officials, they said something that was untrue. They claimed that, based on Section 242 of the PIA, the president has authority to determine the percentage and the usage of the cost of collection. That is wrong. If you go to the provision, it clearly indicates that a cost of collection shall be given to the NUPRC. That is what that law says. There's no provision there about Mr. President being involved.

What the law provides is that the National Assembly is responsible for the appropriation of all funds accruing to the NUPRC. So that's number one: problem for the president. To just get up and say, "change 2 points," and based on what? There are statements in that memo that say that because the money that came to NUPRC in 2022 was about ₦93 billion, that the cost of collection was so huge, so that it seemed that the workforce was earning too much money being utilised for that, which was completely unfair.

In the wisdom of the National Assembly and the Nigerian people and the industry, it was recognised that, as regulators of a very capital-intensive, high-profile sector, the people that work in that industry cannot be put at your typical level of civil service. They have to have trainings. They have to have incentives. They have to have some packages so that they are comfortable enough to regulate and to oversee the mainstay of our economy.

So, first of all, there was no indication in that memo that they obtained any advice from the Salaries and Wages Commission to say, "okay, yes, this is what we found; these wages are..." It was really just by a decision, by a memo from the Chief of Staff. The president just approved it: "okay, just change it." So the thing now is: you do not also just assign money to a contract without any form of appropriation of any sort.

So they allocated 1.5% to that metering project that they claim. How do you allocate an amount, a recurring amount, to the same project over and over again? But this time now, every time cost of collection is collected, it is used for that.

Now, it's important that I make some key points here. Now, the reason why this issue is important: we have already mentioned it. The NUPRC is a regulator of the mainstay of our economy. So anything that affects them affects us, affects our revenue, because that is still where we get the bulk of our money from. And it also affects the reputation of the country, because if our regulator is not operating with the rule of law, then nobody will bring money in here. If the president can just wake up and say, "Oh, do this, do this," that means we're not operating a free market system. We're not operating by laws. That is why the PIA was made to guard against such actions. But this president came in and took actions that are, clearly, in my own opinion, outside his powers.

So, in legal parlance, they are ultra vires, the actions that are taken. And, of course, I am now part of a group of legislators who have recognized that, and nonpartisan, by the way, that there's a veritable tool called the Freedom of Information Act that many of us as Nigerians don't realize and we have not been utilising to hold our government to account. We agree, yes, a lot of Nigerians will say, "ah, will they respond? You know, will the judiciary?" But that's why we want to test the system. We want to pursue this to the very end. And with regard to this matter, we have deployed, through our legal counsel, freedom of information requests to the office of the Chief of Staff, to the BPP, because any such procurement should have a "No Objection Certificate."

We have sent to the Budget Office, who should tell us: was there any budgetary provision for this contract, or for this splitting of the money? We have sent to CBN. I'll tell you what CBN responded. They are the only ones who have responded so far. We have sent to the Ministry of Finance and NUPRC themselves. Then the Authority, because recently, again, there are allegations that 1% of that 1.5% has now been sent to the Authority. Again, there's no statutory provision for that. It's as if our commonwealth, some individuals are just sitting and sending it where they want, at their whim and caprice. And I want us to realize that we're a country of laws. We have laws, and if our leaders don't appreciate it...

Some of us are concerned about our posterity. We want our children to have a country. That's why I've not left the country. I believe in my country, and I need to hold this government to account. So our decision is: we would hold the government to account, and we want Mr. President to know, we want his Chief of Staff to know, that even if they leave office, we will have a record of this, and we will prosecute them at that time.

We want people to start to know that they must be held accountable, if not today, tomorrow. So that is why we're asking for this information to be given to us about these issues. And if they don't respond, probably by tomorrow or so, we're going to be issuing a 72-hour ultimatum for these agencies to respond, failing which we will go to court. We will test it in court. So any judge who wants to be on the wrong side of the law, we will also petition the NJC. We will also petition international courts.

We are not relenting. We're not joking with this. This is something that is a powerful tool. We have not been utilising it, for your information. Section 3 of the Freedom of Information Act allows those who are physically challenged to provide these kinds of requests. It allows those who are not even literate to go to the office of the Chief of Staff and say, "okay, write: 'I want you to give me so, I want to know how they spend my money, I want to know how this...'" So the person is supposed to write for that person who isn't literate and give the person back the copy for the records, while he provides that information for that person. This is the powerful tool that we have that Nigerians don't know, and we're trying to bring to their attention.

FULL INTERVIEW


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNzUNTrfCOQ?si=LhXbbELorXpdtJXi

Sore losers violating international law as usual. What a shame. They know they can't defeat Iran. You can't be dictating the defence capabilities another country should acquire. This is exactly why they need nuclear weapons.

The United States should get out of the Middle East and stop meddling in the affairs of others, which is something they don't tolerate themselves. Iran has the right as any other nation to acquire nuclear weapons for their defence. No nation should be compelling another by force.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Oe4zaTFTMHs?si=vGM-4eEqn9cJ-iR9

The daily experience of Nigerians.

Nothing will change. He even looks like Starmer.

Typical of the "go bek" folks.

muyico:
Why thief's rampant this day?

Economic hardship.

Condemnable. It is enough to simply take him to the nearest police station. That is the right thing to do instead of unleashing jungle justice. Same hypocrites support corrupt politicians.

helinues:
You will all learn in different ways. If not that you also is being mischievous, why are you claiming what you are not because of politics

There are a lot of people in Aso Villa claiming what they are not and even promised what they could not fulfill, but you still support them. Let people read comments of those with integrity pls. No one likes hypocrisy.

Amaechi please forget those people. It was why the minorities in the former eastern region refused to remain with them. They only choose you when it is convenient. Are these not the same people who always claim Ikwerre as part of them and draw maps to include people? Now it is no longer convenient because Obi is a presidential candidate. What a life. Even in their fives states, they discriminate among themselves, inclusive of religious postings in the catholic church.

agentarcher:
It's good to think and process your words in your head before you talk. I have been to courthouse and read multiple case files from my dad's library. it is obvious you don't know how the court works or how reality works. This case is something I follow cause I know people handling it. There multiple rape cases that have been settled with families and nothing has happened to the person that committed the act. Before a case is taken to court it has to be submitted. If the family and the arresting officer as well as everyone involved in the primary stage of the case is settled it will never see the day of court. There are multiple evidence that suggested she went there for sex. The girl in question is a twin and has been buried by the family which I am sure you don't know. You are not even from our town where the girl is from. A courthouse is just a stone throw from my house. The girl in question was supposed to go to Abuja to meet someone else, but this guy told her to come to asaba to meet him in an hotel that he will teach her content creation. She mentioned she was a virgin and the guy said no problem. After the whole rubbish that happened the girl messaged him that it would have been better she went to Abuja because the guy there would have given her more money, but now she lost her virginity she was keeping for 10k, if the chat provided is true. In the chat she also wrote to the guy that he forced himself on her and he has to compensate her properly. The lawyer representing favor family currently is trying to use the case to extort money. it is a lady. You can do your research and see. Just because the public has been made aware of the case doesn't mean it has gone to court. If all parties involve come out and say it was a misunderstanding, the only way that case goes to court is if the government sue the guy to court. Right how it's not the state vs. it wasn't the state that lead the arrest of the guy. It was Israel Joe who told the family that he knows who to call in the police force that he trusts that will get the useless Ifeanyi.

I understand how the legal system works because I'm part of it. Going to court with your dad and reading his case files doesn't make you a lawyer. I stated that your perception of this issue is shaped by the corrupt system and I was right. Most of what you stated here regarding the facts of the case are already well known. I don't know why you feel you have some special knowledge or insight. Nothing suggests she went there for sex and you won't find that evidence anywhere because it doesn't exist. You don't even understand the facts despite your claim of proximity. The invitation to Abuja which she rejected was the one hinged on sex. I have given legal advice to the police for quite sometime. I know the rot there. Even they know that any of them caught settling serious offences out of court would be in trouble. It is usually done in secrecy because anyone doing that is committing an offence. I have also seen families including those of the victims try to avoid going to court for different reasons. This matter has gotten public attention so we will see how it would be handled. This case is at the stage of investigation. Charges have not been filed yet.

If the Supreme Court had not ruled in FG's favour, they would have been lamenting and claiming that was what hindered them. Now there is a judgment in their favour, but implementation is a problem. What a shame.

Anything is possible, but let me get this right. So allegations including sexual assault were made against the DSS and the women (alleged victims) who made these allegations were invited by the same DSS? Are you kidding me? Of course they recanted. Who knows what transpired in that meeting. It is not fair at all. This is a case of investigating yourself and pronouncing yourself not guilty. This should have been done by an independent body where those women would have been given the protection and assurances to speak freely.

joseph1832:
What proof do you have that her virginity was forcefully taken, if not just her say so?

Have you seen the video of her twerking in the club with two guys clubbing till the break if dawn. The one spreading falsehood is her.

You can even ask yourself, what a so called 20 year old, is doing traveling from East to West, even saying she should have gone to meet a guy in Abuja and the guy would give her 50K. Puhlease.

We have the chats and her video. She confided in her twin sister too (potential witness). Then you have his admission.

Investigation is still ongoing and will uncover more. There will be medical reports. So he should stop begging. The public demands justice. This case must go to court, where it will be proven by the state whether he is guilty or not.

What is not in dispute is the fact that she needed financial assistance. What I dispute is consensual sex between them. If she wanted to have sex in exchange for assistance, she would have accepted the Abuja offer.

You can't be serious. What does twerking in the club have to do with this? A lady that twerks in a club consents to sex? Unbelievable.

Her choice. I hate that divorce has become so trendy in our society. Almost like something to be proud about. At the slightest thing, people head for the door. I won't say the husband handled the whole situation well either. Nevertheless, it is said that men are in love, and women are in business.

I noticed that of all the things she outlined to do with the money, nowhere was the family mentioned. I don't agree that she should have given all the money to her husband, but there should have been a discussion and plan regarding the funds for the family. She budgeted the money like she was single. So the man should carry all the responsibilities without respect and submission? Anyway, my colleagues will collect their legal fees.

A government afraid of opposition. Whatever Tinubu is doing today will haunt him and his family tomorrow. He should better retrace his steps now (if it's not too late already).

This is about the provision of clean water to meet demand. Going by the topic, I thought it was about a solution to the flooding.

agentarcher:
You are speaking to the son of a lawyer here. There is a reason lawyers always tell their clients never to speak without them being there like the case of adeyemi who refused to even to respond to what his name is. The moment that guy admitted and started pleading he gave a confession right there. The chat posted online can not paint the full picture. The court can argue the girl responded that way due to emotional instability. Even the chat has to be proven to be legit in the eyes of the court. The only way the case dies now is if the family accepts a settlement and agree to accept the story that it was sex service deal gone wrong. The guy definitely forced himself on the girl and the girl wanted compensation for it. She went there for sex and must have gotten cold feet and didn't want to proceed until a fair agreement was reached. The guy overpowered her and forced himself on her. She then demanded that she be compensated fairly and the matter will die, the guy refused her demands. The girl killed herself and the guy knows he bleeped up. The fact he deleted all the messages from his end is another rope around his neck. His only saving grace are two things, he has enough money to influence the judge in his case to pick out minor things and make them look like important information, the second is settlement which I am sure will happen. The parents from the video, their body language look like people who will rather settle than go to court.

Being the son of a lawyer and actually being a lawyer yourself are two different things. Parts of your comment here, including your last sentence reveal that you don't have a good knowledge of the law on this issue. Another thing that is clear from your comment is that the corruption in the system has shaped your perception.

Let me start by correcting you where you said "the court can argue..." The court does not argue. It reaches a decision after listening to the arguments of lawyers before it.

This case can't die by the family accepting any "settlement and calling it a sex deal gone wrong" as you wrongly stated. I find it troubling that you hold this view given the fact that you stated that:

"The guy definitely forced himself on the girl and the girl wanted compensation for it."

You also stated that: "She went there for sex and must have gotten cold feet and didn't want to proceed until a fair agreement was reached."

How did you know that she went there for sex? Nothing supports this your position.

An important thing you must know is that all crimes are against the state, even though there are victims of crime. In lesser offences, there is a possibility of plea bargaining with the involvement of the family. But in serious offences such as rape which carries a life sentence, you can't settle to mitigate sentence.

Indeed, it is always advisable to have legal counsel in matters like this before speaking. Now he has made the admissions he did. What I think everyone should be concerned about now is justice. This is a serious case of rape that has also led to suicide. The family can still be awarded compensation after conviction. However, he cannot settle this. It is in the interest of the public that he should be prosecuted.

joseph1832:
You should read the WhatsApp messages very well, so the knowledge your sought to impact, will be impacted on you, before you impact on others.

Consent may be withdrawn at anytime, even in the heat of action, no doubt, but from the WhatsApp messages, she gave her consent with the promise of being given 50K in exchange for her virginity. Asaba or whatever his name is, deceived her, and gave her 10K instead, this is why she was so distraught. Evening telling him, if she had gone to Abuja, the other guy would have given her that amount.

Let's not try to twist things that are so visible and clear. Once consent is given, it is given, it can't be withdrawn after the heat of action. Does that even make sense. After you're done with her, she then say she doesn't give her consent anymore

Attach the chat that supports your position. This is how some of you spread falsehood for something that can easily be verified. Nothing in that chat shows or even implies that she went to him for sex. What she has been seeking was financial assistance. No agreement for sex can be seen. In fact, the allegation that her virginity was FORCEFULLY taken is in the chat.

So this man is still making demands? Clearly factors such as poverty, corruption, ignorance and superstition are at play here. How was his relationship with his late daughter before her demise? Does he think being the father absolves him of liability? Very suspicious behaviour.

It is not about what you want. This is now a matter under investigation, and a matter of public interest. One of the ways to unravel the cause of death is through an autopsy, so why are you standing in the way of that? You want to impede this investigation?

You want her body to do what? Hastily put it in the ground for it to decay? Is that more important than getting justice for someone you said was your daughter? You must be joking.

joseph1832:
Does it read like the girl didn't givee her consent from the WhatsApp messages.

She gave her consent for the promise of 50K. The Asaba bloke deceived her. Period.

I take the responsibility to impact knowledge when necessary. It is why I must state it clearly to you now that consent can be withdrawn at any time before the conclusion of the act. It can't be done retroactively. My advice to you is to have self-control. You certainly have the wrong mentality and barely any knowledge of the law regarding this.

To this current situation, I have not seen anything, including those messages where she consented to sex. Now having been raped as alleged, she still sought for the same assistance that brought her there.

It is not in doubt that she needed financial assistance. But It has nothing to do with consenting to sex. This was not a hook-up transaction. He did not invite her for sex. At no point did the parties agree on such terms. What has been consistent was sex without consent and that is rape.

Don't blackmail anyone. Electing a female has nothing to do with being bold. We should want the best person for the job regardless of gender.

Borrow2222:
Once money is involved, the issue of rape might be ruled out.

It's now a normal transaction with a runs girl.

That's incorrect. You don't understand what rape is which is sex without consent. Even a runs girl can be raped. Money has nothing to do with it. Consent is what matters.

Affidavits all over the place. No one was coerced though as they say.

Wealth that can't be defended. A woman given to extravagance.

TopBanter:
Congrats to the young man. Those shoes though? Dodgy.🤔
Meanwhile his dad's shoes are sharp and classically trendy.

They always seem to have dodgy shoes (children of politicians graduating abroad). An allusion to the unrefined condition their parents kept the country. A working theory.

johannu:
They always celebrate their children graduating from overseas universities having messed up Nigeria.

Saint Jonathan to gullible Nigerians. Some of them want him back. Go figure.

The plot thickens. In a serious country, Umahi would have been suspended or resigned. He is a person of interest. What a country.

Namaster:
INCREASE the penalty for rape.

This one must HAAAANG for murder.
Even so, the penalty for rape itself must become STIFFER.

As cheap as sex have become, ONLY truly evil people commit rape.

It's a CRIME that should NOT exist in 2026.
Therefore, anybody who does that should NOT be allowed to exist with the rest of us.

70 years or lifetime IMPRISONMENT should be the new NORMAL.

Will the governor sign the death warrant? They chicken out in most murder cases after conviction. If it is to rig election and cause several deaths, that is where you would see them. In that aspect, they don't care if millions die for them to be elected. The irony.

Orinechi:
He didn't say the state should not proceed; all he said was that he shouldn't be invited for any questioning or interview. Speaking grammar is not comprehending grammar

An adjective for you: Gullible. Your comment showcases the gullibility keeping Nigeria down. You really need to stop projecting your insecurities and quoting people when you have nothing reasonable to say. Speaking about comprehension, If you truly understood the purport of that affidavit and the contradictions inherent, you would know he wants to kill the investigation despite his pretences.