₦airaland Forum

The level of lawless and corruption, is sinking Nigeria!.

Nigerian embassies steal visa fees, says Auditor-General
By Festus Owete
January 18, 2010 11:51AM



The office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF) has indicted four Nigerian embassies abroad for not remitting monies they collected as visa fees and for other items to the federal treasury in 2008.

Consequently, it has asked the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain the anomalies.

According to the 2008 Audit Report, which was forwarded to the National Assembly in October last year, the Nigerian embassy in Paris, France collected as revenue a total of N271,810,955.20, but did not remit the money to the federal government.

The 284-page report, which was signed by the acting Auditor General of the Federation, G.F Ogunshina, said the non-remittance contravenes Financial Regulation 302, which requires the issuance of Treasury Receipts by all Sub-standards or revenue collectors for all revenue collected by them. The report stated that the mission was instead issuing temporary receipts for revenues collected by them.

The report also said that the Nigerian Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal collected € 101,902.82 (N21,756,822.73) without remitting it, but instead spent the money, contrary to Financial Regulation 323.

On its part, the Embassy of Nigeria in Moscow generated US$94,819.00 (N138,443,515.16) as revenue from visa between January and December, 2008 but did not pay it into the treasury.

The report says: “Financial Regulation 412 stipulates that the authority conveyed to officers controlling votes by recurrent warrants is limited to the amounts provided under each subhead in the approved estimate and no expenditure on any subhead of the recurrent estimate in excess of the provision in the approved estimates may be authorized by any officer controlling a vote, without approval of the National Assembly which will be sought by means of an application for virement or supplementary provisions.

“Contrary to the above provision, the Nigeria Embassy, Moscow, Russia expended the sum of N227,822,248.84 in excess of the approved provision under the recurrent subheads of expenditure between 2006 and 2008 fiscal years. The permanent secretary has been informed of this anomaly for his comment.”

On the country’s embassy in Athens, Greece, the audit report said contrary to the extant regulations, it collected the sum of €31,765.00 (N6,782,005.38) without issuing Treasury Receipts even as it expended another N41,188,307.30 in excess of the approved estimates on 17 various recurrent subheads during the year under review.

Contravened regulations

In the Nigerian embassy in Dakar, Senegal, according to the report, CFA 8,814,638.88 (N2,250,313.00) was paid to 18 contractors in cash, thereby contravening the financial regulation which requires that payment to firms shall be made only by cheques.

It added that, “CFA 7,454,000.00 (N1,902,986.98) collected as revenue and entered in the register, but Treasury Receipts were not issued to the payers even when the mission had the Treasury Receipts in abundance.

“Hence it is difficult for me to confirm that (N1,902,986.98) as entered in the register was the actual revenue collected. Besides, it contravenes the financial regulation which requires that every sub-accounting officer or revenue collector shall issue a receipt for each sum paid to him.

“The permanent secretary has been informed of these irregularities for his comments and necessary action,” the report states.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5513482-146/nigerian_embassies_steal_visa_fees_says.csp

MT:
Believe me, they will. Terrorism and internal affairs of a nation are linked together. Poverty can easily lure a citizen to do what he might not ever think of doing in his life time.

I bet I will fire the first salvo to some foreign embassies tomm, and will feel justified for contributing my own quota. Let's declare wars on these corrupt officials without the use of weapon!

Something tells me that, these embassies might not be fair. Some of our leaders are actually running the economies of these nations. Take for example, UAE will never stop corrupt Nigerian leaders from going to Dubai, because they need people like them to power their economies. The likes of Cecilia Ibru, can never be denied visa (apart from the case she has with EFCC). Yes, this nation has the money, and the resources, but they need the likes of our corrupt leaders, to sustain the growth of their economy.

selingel:
It has even gone beyond religion, but it is now embedded in our politicians to enrich themselves, once they have any political office. It is a blanket thing!.

I fear for the worst for Nigeria. The way corruption is now, it is peace-threatening!.

MT:
At least let us try it out. There is no harm in trying. It's a good way of using our idle time to contribute to the development of our nation. Let the letter start to flow (either hard copy or email).

We can even mention particlualrs names in our letter and make reference to how he/she has enriched himself/herself by shortchanging the people. I can bet that after what happened with the US intelligence onAbdul-muttalab, every mail will be treated with utmost caution by the intelligence officers at the various embassies.

Yes!. There is no harm in trying, but my fear is, will they ever take these letters serious, as terrorists situation is totally different from internal affairs of a nation.

Punkinmusty:
because u hate it abi.wateva your judgment is it's urs.governor fashola u praise today went true it.pple frm where u belong ar nt more beta.ode.

Point of correction, check the whole of Nairaland, and you will never see me praise Fashola, becos no Nigerian leader is worth any praise. I want to believe you were amongst those that praised Gbenga Daniel, while doing his first term, what has he achieved in the second? The same fate awaits Fashola, so why the praise?.

Let them scrap these Quranic Schools. They are not helping them in the north at all.

flashgeek:
Kill them all ,all the politricans in NIGERIA kill them all.One bullet to the head

REVOLUTION

Yes, either they all be slaughtered by GOD, all have all their heads formatted and reloaded!.

Jaybee2412:
This is how most Nigerians are now treated at Foreign airports

[flash=535,325]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/A4Ou87VtFvM[/flash]

I love this video. That is exactly what our passport has turned into.

sjeezy8:
Theres a difference between govenors in the north and south, though both are thieves. South govenors make money and take money, north govenors just take money. North govenors use religion to steal money meant for education and such.

If the federal government is giving Northern states money specifically for education why are the youngersters in the north attending quranic schools and learning arabic?

Our national language is english  . . . .

Yes, the national language is English, but these Quranic schools are not helping matters.

Enjoyment1:
Until this effort is extended further, we might not feel the impact. Let all commissioners, ministers, governors, and even the President be made to face the music. Let them sit back and fix this nation. This nation is drifting daily to destruction.

Irrespective of the reason for denying him visa, I welcome such actions. This will create awareness amongst this northern leaders, and let them see reason to find a lasting action. These embarrassments are becoming too much.

Enjoyment1:
There is no point flogging a dead horse. Can the northern part of this country ever be educated? Their heads have crashed, due to Quranic education. It is share waste of time and money.

Anyway people look at it, education will be a driving force to serious change in this nation.

Otobroto:
Besides, the State Department said Nigeria knows what to do to get the country off the watch list.”
There has to be a visible and verifiable evidence that Nigerian authorities are improving security and intelligence gathering against not just terror groups, but also extremists and fundamentalists, especially in the northern part of the country,” State Department officials stated.
The White House also wants Nigeria to close Islamic schools that teach and influence youths into religious extremism.

“We believe measures like these would be concrete evidence the country is serious about fighting terror, rather than threatening the United States,” officials said.

In fact, if only these extremist schools are closed, and they go to conventional schools, then their problems will be half solved in the north.

Barrack Obama

Terror blacklist: US calls Nigeria’s bluff
From Ike Nnamdi The Sun Reporter, New York [color=#990000][/color]
Thursday, January 07, 2010


Washington is set to call Abuja’s bluff  on a possible diplomatic row over the administration’s decision to put  the country on  its  terror watch  list.
Administration officials have ruled out reversing the  action and dared  Nigeria to  show evidence of a comprehensive plan to fight terror groups.
White House sources said President Barack Obama signed off on the plan based on “preponderance of evidence that Nigeria has become a likely haven for terror groups, like Al-Qaida”.

F.B.I sources said the decision by Washington  to place Nigeria on  its terror watch list  is a preventive measure to  disrupt a likely attack on the country.

Officials disclosed that  reliable intelligence had concluded that terror groups  are likely to use Nigeria  as a base for further attacks.
“For years, the C.I.A has documented  evidence of  Al-Qaida attempting to recruit and gain foothold in Nigeria, and its security agencies  did nothing to confront the threat,” top  Homeland  Department officials stated.
“This is a security situation with the lives of Americans at risk. We are not prepared to  risk American lives  just to satisfy Nigerian officials” administration  sources said.

Besides, the State Department said Nigeria knows what to do to get the country off  the watch  list.”
There  has to be a visible and verifiable evidence that  Nigerian authorities are improving security and intelligence gathering against not just terror groups, but also  extremists and  fundamentalists, especially in the  northern part of the country,” State Department officials stated.
The White House also wants Nigeria to close Islamic schools that teach and influence youths into religious extremism.

“We believe measures like these  would be concrete evidence the country is serious about fighting terror, rather than threatening the United States,”  officials said.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/jan/07/national-07-01-2010-01.htm

This is one election that will make or mare Anambra state. It is another do-or-die situation. A must win for PDP (People Deceive People).

Inspector General of Police.

Anambra poll: Politicians recruiting armed robbers, sowing police uniforms — Onovo
By Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja, Published: Friday, 8 Jan 2010



Mr. Ogbonna Onovo


The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, has alleged that politicians are recruiting armed robbers to assist them win the February 6 governorship poll in Anambra State.

The IG also said that fake police uniforms have found their way to the political class and hoodlums in the state for the election.

Onovo said this in Abuja on Thursday while meeting with governorship candidates and political actors in the state on the need to have a peaceful election.

He explained that the disturbing development was part of intelligence reports submitted to his office by his men in the state.

He also said that some politicians had concluded arrangement to recruit political machineries from other states, especially from the Niger Delta region.

He said the illegal police uniforms, when procured, would be distributed to thugs and motor park touts who he said would be used to either rig or disrupt the election.

He further claimed that members of vigilance groups were also being armed for the same purpose, adding that several politicians were equally talking to members of the outlawed National Association of Road Transport Owners to cause mayhem during the election.

He added that a particular group was already undergoing training on how to snatch ballot boxes.

Onovo said, “Some of you are already procuring MOPOL (riot) policemen uniforms which you want to distribute to political thugs, motor park thugs to perpetrate evil during the election.

“Vigilante people are also being recruited and some retired armed robbers as well. We also have it in our intelligence that some political stalwarts have concluded with drivers unions, Onitsha Market Amalgamated Traders Association and a certain confraternity has concluded plans on how to rig the election.

“In a place called Omamballa, in Anambra East, a large number of youths were being recruited in Umuleri and Aguleri for the election.

“In Ogbaru division, a former chairman of NARTO has perfected his own plan and he is ready to finance any political party that is ready to abide by his terms.

“This fellow and his group are training on how to snatch ballot boxes.

“In Obosi, a group of thugs is being trained on how to disrupt election should it not go their own way.

“In Opoko, a group which claims to be an affiliate to Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra is meeting.

“They have vowed that election will not hold in their area just as they did not allow census to take place the other time.

“In Otu-Ocha, there is an island there where youths are being trained in military tactics. Also, cult members are being recruited from tertiary institutions.

“Some politicians have concluded plans to recruit machineries from other states, especially from the Niger Delta.”

He said the police had been following events in the state for over two months, adding that he was not happy with what was going on.

The IG also said that though there was a relative peace in the state following the deployment of 16 units of riot policemen to stem the tide of kidnapping, there were still threats of kidnapping.

He said the fear of kidnapping and molestation made him to order the Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command, Mr. Suleiman Leha, to provide security for all the aspirants as he would not want to hear that a candidate had either been kidnapped or molested.

Onovo said though he had achieved what he wanted in this regard, he said the situation in the state was still dicey.

He wondered why the state, which he described as one of the states with highest number of influential and educated Nigerians, was full acrimony.

He said, “I will not say I am not worried; I am worried because that is my home as well. We need to provide leadership for others.

“When people protest, they vent their anger on the police by calling us names and so on. Time has come for us to say no.

“Let us remove the speck on our eyes first. Ghana has concluded elections and we applauded them. Several other nations as well have done theirs and we are better than them.

“If you love the people you want to lead, then give them the opportunity to vote without any fear of intimidation.”

He said adequate policemen would be provided for free and fair poll, saying that the policemen would wear special identity cards to avoid impersonation.

He also announced that he would deploy a special monitoring unit to the state to ensure full compliance with all directives regarding the election.

Onovo said no candidate would be allowed into the polling areas with either his police orderly or other security details.

Out of the 25 political parties that are fielding candidates for the election, 18 sent their representatives.

Some candidates that attended the meeting include Dr. Chris Ngige of the Action Congress, Dr. Andy Uba, Labour Party, while the running mates of Governor Peter Obi of All Progressive Grand Alliance, Uche Ekwunife of Progressive Peoples Alliance and Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the Peoples Democratic Party were in attendance.

Asking questions from the police boss, some of the aspirants wanted to know if the police were well funded for the election and if they would not depend on any of the contestants.

One of them also accused the police of always colluding with political parties to rig election, and wondered who would arrest such policemen even when identified.

They also appealed to the Police to harmonise their security positions with the Nigerian Army so that they do not work at cross purposes during the election.

Responding, Onovo said that security agents were well funded for the election, adding that he would hold meetings with leaders of other security arms before the election.

On rigging, he said he was sure that no policeman would be ready to trade with his several years of service. He also said that senior security personnel would also be on ground to attend to complaints.

All the politicians were made to serve bonds to be of good behaviour before and during the election.

Apart from Onovo, the meeting was attended by all the six deputy inspectors general, Leha and some other senior police officers.


http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201001083392493

It is not all about paying tax, but where the money goes to.

freecocoa:
@michelin89 i can do better than wat?if she wasn't enjoying the act,she should have left the house or atleast told someone her ordeal instead of agreeing 2 abort three babies,the reason this story came out is cos the man chased her out of the house orther than dis,she wuold have still been there.

That is where the girl had fault. She would have ran away. What kind of stupid oat? That man is dieing already, compared to a 19 year old girl.

fynewaka:
Are you the same otobroto I know in UG?

Where is UG, please?

But I am baffled about the whole noise surrounding the listing of Nigerians amongst the terror nations. Is it that, we were not expecting it?

selingel:
Yes it will. In fact, it is no longer news that a special screening has been approved for about seven countries, which includes Nigeria, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia etc. That is why UK started theirs even without proper legislation, but all the same for safety. We have been thoroughly ridicule in this nation. Look at what an hausa man has caused Nigeria. They will never lead very well, and yet, they still cause all kinds of trouble shaming everybody. Thank God that, even the Americans now know that not all Nigerians are bad, but only the northern part. In as much as they cannot say this legislation is for Northern Nigeria, at least the awareness is there. GOD will save us.

In fact, it has gotten to an extent that, maybe we should change our name, change our currency, change our passport, enshrine in our constitution death penalty for any corrupt official and any religious riot instigator, change even our system of government etc, and finally apologised to the international community for all the pains and atrocities that we have caused. Then end up begging them to give us another chance. This could go a long way.

selingel:
Yes it will. In fact, it is no longer news that a special screening has been approved for about seven countries, which includes Nigeria, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia etc. That is why UK started theirs even without proper legislation, but all the same for safety. We have been thoroughly ridicule in this nation. Look at what an hausa man has caused Nigeria. They will never lead very well, and yet, they still cause all kinds of trouble shaming everybody. Thank God that, even the Americans now know that not all Nigerians are bad, but only the northern part. In as much as they cannot say this legislation is for Northern Nigeria, at least the awareness is there. GOD will save us.

In fact, it has gotten to an extent that, maybe we should change our name, change our currency, change our passport, enshrine in our constitution death penalty for any corrupt official and any religious riot instigator, change even our system of government etc, and finally apologised to the international community for all the pains and atrocities that we have caused. Then end up begging them to give us another chance. This could go a long way.

Nignog:
The whites probably ran from the train cuz the nigerian farted.

I guess is Amala and Ewedu!

King Cross.

Architectural Picture of King Cross Station where the Scampering happened.

A train in King Cross Hotel UK.

A train in King Cross Hotel UK.

Otobroto:
According to Alhaji Usman Sodonki, “I have been living outside the shores of Nigeria for over twenty years, I’m an ardent muslim, Islam as a religion abhors violence, and that is why we vehemently condemn the act of Mutallab, it is un-islamic. Because of how the whites treat any act of terrorism, I have ordered my children to keep as from now on, very clean shave so that they will not be viewed as terrorists. Bin Laden, who is the figure behind terrorism has a long and unkempt beard as his trademark, so I wouldn’t want my children to be mistaken as members of the Al Qaeda.”
It is not only Alhaji Sodonki that had ordered his wards to keep a clean shave, others who did not want their names in print, confided in Sunday Tribune that the most decent thing to do at the moment is to keep a clean shave, because a stitch in time saves nine.

Alhaji Usman, you need not ask your children to shave, afterall, if they killed as molested, they will go to paradise!. Shaving means, you are coward Muslim. Please leave the beards and lets see how far you will go!.

What can a vision-less government do?

I really pity all intending UK students. It will be very easy for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a Nigerian student to be given a visa.


As for Nigerian Government doing anything to help, it is indeed day dreaming. What a vision-less government do?


More hard times awaits Nigerians, and even black Africans.