Accordďing to reports SERAP GROUP, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is being called upon to proble Kogi Governor who is alleged to have misused N4.5bn COVID-19 funds.

The Genius Media Nigeria gathered that Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, the public advocacy group has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate alleged misuse of the N4.5 billion donations, loans and support the Kogi State government obtained from the Federal Government, including N90,720,000 reportedly spent on software to track COVID-19 cases in the state.”

SERAP stated that “if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, anyone suspected to be involved should face prosecution, as appropriate.”

In the letter dated 27 March 2021 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Directing the Attorney General of the Federation and appropriate anti-corruption agencies as recommended is constitutional, and would be entirely consistent with your promise in your inaugural speech to ‘ensure responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country.’”

SERAP quoted Buhari as promising in his inaugural speech on 29th May, 2015 that: ‘The Federal Government would not fold its arms and close its eyes to what is going on in the states and local governments. It will ensure that the gross corruption at the local level is checked. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.’”

SERAP stated: “As you have correctly stated, the obligations of your government to combat corruption in Nigeria extend to all the three tiers of government, namely, the federal, state and local governments.”

The letter, read in part: “Although primarily a matter of concern for Kogi State, the allegations of misuse of COVID-19 funds drawn from the Federal Government have assumed such a proportion as to become a matter of concern to the federation as a whole, and therefore, to your government.”

“SERAP is concerned about growing allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds in several of the 36 states of the Federation, and the apparent lack of prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations into these allegations, allowing suspected perpetrators to frequently escape justice.”

Advertisement

“Taking prompt action to probe the allegations would promote transparency and accountability, serve the common good, peace, order and good government of the federation (which includes Kogi State through the Kogi governor). It would help to enhance your government’s fight against corruption and contribute hugely to improving the public confidence and trust in your commitment to combat grand corruption.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request.”

“SERAP also believes that given the history of corruption in Nigeria, especially several unresolved allegations of grand corruption involving many of the 36 state governments, your government cannot and should not look the other way regarding the allegations of misuse of COVID-19 funds involving the Kogi State government. Such allegations in any state of Nigeria are of concern to every Nigerian, and should therefore be of concern to your government.”

“Taking the recommended measures would also show that your government is concerned with the overall well-being of the federation and willing and able to enforce important constitutional principles.”

“According to our information, the Kogi governor in 2020 allegedly spent N90,720,000 on ‘COVID-19 software.’ The software was reportedly approved by Governor Yahaya Bello, for tracking COVID-19 cases and prevent the spread of the disease in the state. However, the company that developed the software has reportedly stated that it costs only N300,000.”

“The software has reportedly stopped functioning just one year after it was installed. The N90,720,000 spent on COVID-19 software is part of the N4.5 billion donations, loans and support, which Kogi State reportedly obtained from the Federal Government.”

“Ensuring the investigation and prosecution of the allegations would also be entirely consistent with the provisions of section 15 subsection (5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], which requires your government to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, regardless of the state where such practices are taking place.”

“Section 15 specifically defines “government” to include the government of the federation, or of any state, or of a local government council or any person who exercises power or authority on its behalf.”

“Similarly, the Attorney-General of the Federation has power, conferred on him by section 174(1)(a) of the Nigerian Constitution, and anti-corruption agencies have the powers to act on the allegations of misuse of the N4.5 billion donations, loans and support by the Kogi State government obtained, including N90,720,000 spent on software to track COVID-19 cases in the state.”

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution; the country’s international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption, and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, as well as your expressed commitment in your inaugural speech on 29th May, 2015 ‘to check gross corruption at the local level.’”

The letter is copied to Mr Malami; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

VIRAL SEX VIDEO: Prison Warder Caught Having S*x With Inmate Reportedly Commits Suicide—-The female prison warder in South Africa‘s Department of Correctional Services who went viral for having intercourse with a prison inmate has reportedly committed suicide.

The Genius Media Nigeria gathered that this was made known by a Twitter user who explained that she committed suicide due to the hit she has faced after she was exposed.

Developing story

Fatgbems Petroleum Fixes technical Issue At IBB Abeokuta Retail Outlet—-…Restates Commitment to Quality Product Offering and Exceptional Service Delivery

Fatgbems Petroleum, one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous petroleum products marketing companies has announced that it has completed technical checks on its IBB Abeokuta retail outlet which was affected by floods due to the heavy downpour witnessed in Abeokuta over the weekend. This was contained in a second update to the public on the incident which saw fuel storage tanks flooded with water at the outlet.

Speaking on the incident, Mr. Shina Soleji, Group Sales Manager, Fatgbems Petroleum, while responding to questions from journalists, said that whilst the unfortunate incident has posed certain regrettable inconveniences on the outlet’s customers, the company had taken immediate remedial actions to fix the issues and had taken the extra step of involving the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for spot assessment, the residual products at the station is being evacuated, storage tanks/product pipelines leak and pressure testing are set to be conducted within the next couple of days before it is reopened for business again. “This retail outlet is one of the most popular in the area due to its strategic location serving locals as well as interstate travellers. We are eager to reopen but in our culture of safety first, our technical team worked round-the-clock to resolve the issue and measures have been put in place to prevent a reoccurrence.” “We remain committed to exceptional service delivery”, he added.

Soleji, who was in company of other Senior Management staff displayed clean product dispensed from the pumps to re-assure customers. The company also disclosed that the 10 customers whose cars were affected before the issue was detected have all been contacted, 9 of the vehicles were tuned-up and refueled at its other retail stations in Abeokuta, and the company has also intensified efforts to monitor the said vehicles for quality assurance and possible reimbursement of additional cost of repair incurred on the vehicles in the event of further breakdown. He however said that the owner of the 10th vehicle was lodged in a hotel on the day of the incident and later transported via an executive cab to his location in Lagos. Rescue and Recovery Team were contacted in tolling the said vehicle to Skymit Motors Limited Service Centre located in Maryland, Lagos for repairs.

Consequently, he stated that the issue affected only the mentioned Abeokuta outlet as other locations of the company still continue to sell top quality products that the company has been known for.

Also speaking, a customer. Solomon Oyedokun, said that the Fatgbems brand is known for excellent service delivery and the quality of its products has never for once been compromised. “I believe this was an isolated incident and we can’t wait for the fuel station to reopen. Their service is super and we do not normally have issues here like in other filling stations around.”

Fatgbems Petroleum had initially released a statement in the aftermath of the incident where they detailed steps taken to remedy the issue.