| Okimski(m): 8:59am On Jul 28, 2015 |
ABUJA – A renowned diplomat, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Monday, counselled President Muhammadu Buhari’s istration to bring together all major stakeholders in economic management in order to brainstorms on ways to revive the nation’s ailing economy.
Professor Gambari spoke in Abuja, just as the Human Rights Lawyer, Chief Femi Falana, SAN, observed that the decision of the Federal Government to limit the investigation of corruption cases to the Jonathan istration cannot be justified in law.
The eminent Nigerians expressed their views in Abuja, at the public presentation of the book, “economic diplomacy and Nigeria’s foreign policy” written by the immediate past Chairman of TETFUND, by Dr. Musa Babayo, and attended by of civil society groups and associates.
Professor Gambari, who is also the Founder and Chairman of Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, SCDDD, expressed grave concern over the current nation’s dwindling foreign exchange earnings.
According to Gambari. “Nigeria is indeed currently at economic crossroad, due in part to the many years of mismanagement of our common patrimony and the pressures occasioned dwindling foreign exchange earnings, itself a result of falling crude oil receipts.
“As at last week, the foreign exchange of the U.S Dollar to Naira stood at one Dollar to two hundred and forty four Naira at the local market.
“All the decades of talk about diversifying the economy and moving away from over-reliance on oil must be translated into concrete actions. There is, indeed urgent need to bring together all major stakeholders to foster better economic management while spreading grassroots development, especially in the light of new global and power configuration”, he said.
Gambari stressed further that, “Nigerians seriously yarn for and which they have voted for in the most recent state and national elections. The current socio-economic challenges, such as high level poverty, huge unemployment, persistent power-blackout despite huge amount of money invested, and above all the perennial disconnect between the leaders and the rest of citizens, must be tackle headlong.
“The government should as a matter of priority open and strengthen communications between the government and the citizens. Trust building between the government and the citizens would make the people feel carried along in the business of governance.”
On the foreign scene, Gambari noted that, “In Nigeria, s elsewhere in Africa and the world, foreign policy and diplomacy are vital tools for socio-economic development. This is the essential message of this book.
“Hence, a key objective of foreign policy and the definition of the national interest must of necessity be promotion of the welfare of the citizens of any country.”
He said, “There is therefore a need to have an authoritative focal point to coordinate the broad range of our external relations in order to maximise the opportunity for promoting the socio-economic development of our country and the welfare and well-being of our people.
The highest form of such a coordinated approach obtains in some countries where there is a single Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
“For Nigeria, I would advocate a new and permanent inter-ministerial council which would provide an effective link between our general foreign policy endeavours with our external trade and international economic interest.”
Speaking as the Special Guest of honour, at the occasion in his paper entitled, “The right to able government in Nigeria” the Human Rights Lawyer, Chief Femi Falana noted that, “The right to development is a fundamental right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to and enjoy economic, social and cultural development.
He said “It is a right which includes the exercise of full sovereignty over national resources, self determination, popular participation in development and equality of opportunity.
“Accordingly, the Nigerian State shall direct its policy towards ensuring the promotion of a planned and balanced economic development and ensure that the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the mean of production and exchange in the hands of a few individuals or of a group,” he said.
Chief Falana while alerting the nation on campaign against anti graft agencies by the ruling class, said, “Based on the avowed commitment of President Mohammadu Buhari to fight the menace of corruption the of the ruling class have begun to wage a campaign of calumny against the EFCC and other anti graft agencies.
“An influential newspaper has, without any shred of evidence, accused the EFCC leadership of wallowing in corruption while a rented crowd has “stormed” Abuja to demand for the removal of the EFCC chairman. Even some of the ruling party have not spared the EFCC.
“For daring to ask certain people to for public funds the EFCC has been accused of allowing itself to be used to settle political scores. On its own part, the Peoples Democratic Party has alleged that the anti corruption agenda of the Buhari istration is deliberately designed to humiliate and party and embarrass the Goodluck Jonathan istration.
The other day, the immediate National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) had his residence searched by officials of the State Security Service based on a search warrant issued by a Magistrate.
“Without considering the fact that the search was carried out in line with the rule of law the SSS was accused by a section of the media of embarrassing Col. Dasuki for leading the soldiers who arrested General Buhari during the palace coup of 1985! In the same vein, police investigation into the alleged forgery of the Standing Rules of the Senate by a top national assembly staff is being politicised.
“Even a mere invitation extended to some persons to react to allegations linking them with multi billion naira fraud is now said to be a political vendetta.
Since the allegations of bias or persecution being leveled against the EFCC are deliberately designed to discredit the renewed fight against corruption and shield looters from prosecution it is high time that the attention of Nigerians was drawn to the fact that corruption is fighting back. It is indeed embarrassing that some of a regime that promised to fight corruption are involved in the dubious campaign to sustain impunity in the country.
“Having closely monitored the recent activities of the EFCC since it was established over 10 years ago, I can say, without any fear of contradiction, that the Buhari istration has not gone beyond granting autonomy to the commission to discharge its statutory duties.
“It may interest Nigerians to know that majority of the petitions which formed the basis of the ongoing investigation by the EFCC were submitted before the emergence of the Buhari istration.
I have confirmed that the petition against the cabal of fuel importers was submitted to the EFCC sometime in January 2012 by the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke on the directive of President Jonathan.
“Even the petition against those who duped the nation of hundrerds of millions of dollars through the oil swap scam was also submitted to the EFCC by her after the 2015 presidential election.
“With respect to the ex-governors of the APC and PDP who are currently standing trial, the petitions which triggered the investigations were written and submitted to the anti graft agency by concerned citizens and anti-corruption bodies. The kwara state chapter of the PDP has owned up that it authored the petition alleging fraud against the spouse of a public figure.
“It should be pointed out that the EFCC and other anti graft agencies are being inundated with petitions by Nigerians and foreigners alike who believe that the Buhari istration will not shield corrupt people from investigation and prosecution. To that extent, the decision of the federal government to limit the investigation of corruption cases to the Jonathan istration cannot be justified in law.
“As there is no statute of limitation with respect to corruption cases aggrieved Nigerian citizens cannot be restrained from exposing corrupt practices of successive regimes. More so, that President Buhari has requested the Obama istration to assist in the recovery and repatriation of $150 billion stolen from Nigerian in the past decade. “
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/limiting-probe-to-jonathan-istration-cannot-be-justified-falana-tells-buhari/
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| Omambala1(m): 9:01am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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Coming from an APC Lawyer.... "Things Fall Apart"
Meanwhile, am sorry INTROVERT, i never meant to hurt you!
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| BabaO2: 9:02am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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It cant be effective if extended beyond Jonathan's istration.
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| Re: Limiting Probe To Jonathan Cannot Be Justified, Falana Tells Buhari by Nobody: 9:03am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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Falana has gotten his senses back
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| Fabrolistic: 9:05am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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| Splashme: 9:06am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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wq
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| Kx: 9:06am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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Falana; Is it only when it is extended to the regimes b4 GEJ that it will be justified?
The question now is what period should it be extended to?
Falana, go ahead and advise PMB to probe up to Lord Lugard; even up to the precolonial era of King Jaja of Opobo.
Yeye.com
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| warripekin(m): 9:38am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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This APC government is confused. It's a pity we have a dead brain as a President.
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| FearGodinall: 9:51am On Jul 28, 2015 |
BabaO2:
It cant be effective if extended beyond Jonathan's istration.
How and why can't it be effective if its extended beyound 2010, let's say from 1999 till date. We want to get rid of corruption and doesn't want from where it started then something must be fisshy and we are not ready for what we intend to do.
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| FearGodinall: 9:57am On Jul 28, 2015 |
Kx:
Falana; Is it only when it is extended to the regimes b4 GEJ that it will be justified?
The question now is what period should it be extended to?
Falana, go ahead and advise PMB to probe up to Lord Lugard; even up to the precolonial era of King Jaja of Opobo.
Yeye.com
No, you got it wrong,what he's saying is start it from when we came back to democratic rule, which is 1999 that's when we can get it done. Why are you scared.
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| mrborntodoit: 9:57am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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We all know that his royal dullardness Is only interested in witch hunting people that dealt with his toy soldiers (BH)
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| Kx: 10:39am On Jul 28, 2015 |
FearGodinall:
No, you got it wrong,what he's saying is start it from when we came back to democratic rule, which is 1999 that's when we can get it done. Why are you scared.
Scared of what bro?
Is the review of past leaders the job of pmb as a person or that of the office of the new occupier of the current presidio so to speak?
If gej couldn't do his part, it is only normal for pmb to probe d that handed over to him
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| pat077: 11:11am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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If pmb can probe GEJ istration, the $16b obj spent on the fail power project and the harlibolton scandal then i'm okay.
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| jmoore(m): 11:14am On Jul 28, 2015 |
Kx:
Scared of what bro?
Is the review of past leaders the job of pmb as a person or that of the office of the new occupier of the current presidio so to speak?
If gej couldn't do his part, it is only normal for pmb to probe d that handed over to him
Buhari got no balls, he is afraid of Obj and co.
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| Opinedecandid(m): 11:30am On Jul 28, 2015 |
Kx:
Falana; Is it only when it is extended to the regimes b4 GEJ that it will be justified?
The question now is what period should it be extended to?
Falana, go ahead and advise PMB to probe up to Lord Lugard; even up to the precolonial era of King Jaja of Opobo.
Yeye.com
You guys won't hesitate to react and call for Jonathan's head, and only his head.
If Buhari is an herod, we shall know if Jonathan is a john the Baptist.
I have said it on different fora, if PMB does not take his over overrated, over publicised and over exaggerated anti corruption war beyond Jonathan's istration, we shall know what he really wants. And equity will require from him.
Even posterity will ask for his pound of flesh, I promise you.
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| dustmalik(m): 11:43am On Jul 28, 2015 |
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OP, where is your source?
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| simpleseyi: 12:39pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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Thats a Yoruba APC laywer saying the truth according to his conscience and according to the ethics of his profession. But can my Biafruad brethren ever criticize their drunk brother from Orueke? NO. Everything the drunk Otuoke fisherman did, does and will do is right including using over one billion naira to feed his hippopo family yearly.
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| Vicadonis(m): 1:14pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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So, Falana still get sense
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| Re: Limiting Probe To Jonathan Cannot Be Justified, Falana Tells Buhari by Nobody: 1:22pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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Pls Pa Buhari extend d kworoption pight to the era of the great landlord of Abuja - Malam El Rufai!
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| Re: Limiting Probe To Jonathan Cannot Be Justified, Falana Tells Buhari by Nobody: 1:34pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
Okimski:
I have confirmed that the petition against the cabal of fuel importers was submitted to the EFCC sometime in January 2012 by the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke on the directive of President Jonathan.
“Even the petition against those who duped the nation of hundrerds of millions of dollars through the oil swap scam was also submitted to the EFCC by her after the 2015 presidential election.
“With respect to the ex-governors of the APC and PDP who are currently standing trial, the petitions which triggered the investigations were written and submitted to the anti graft agency by concerned citizens and anti-corruption bodies.
“
Of course many will pretend they didn't read this.
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| ApcSucks: 2:12pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
BabaO2:
It cant be effective if extended beyond Jonathan's istration.
Says who? You must love stealing.
A dullard at 40 is a dullard forever
Eg : buhari
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| buharisambisada: 2:13pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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Victimization,justice delayed is justice denied abi? Rubbish he should start from the beginning because justice delayed is not justice denied,as long as shagari,ibb and obj are alive they should all be probed and brought to book that's if dullardiho sincerely wants to fight corruption, we have see it in othe countries where the persecute past leaders who are old frail and alive as long as they are alive they should all be probed.
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| Re: Limiting Probe To Jonathan Cannot Be Justified, Falana Tells Buhari by Nobody: 2:15pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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This is what we have been saying o. How can he limit his probe to only Jonathan?
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| Ephemmm: 2:43pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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Who stopped GEJ from probing his predecessor(s)? Which part of constitution outlined where you must start a probe and where it would come to an end? Even if he will probe others, don't you think it is better to start from the immediate where all documentation can be easily verified?
Don't worry Falana, PMB will even probe Lord Lugard and other Colonial Masters.
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| Ephemmm: 3:06pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
Omambala1:
Coming from an APC Lawyer.... "Things Fall Apart"
Meanwhile, am sorry INTROVERT, i never meant to hurt you!
This is how Yorubas are unlike yours that will be defending indefensible. Go and check your record, Tinubu, Gani Fawehinmi, Soyinka and Falana were the highest critics of OBJ. Have you seen Falana representing APC in any Tribunal? He is an activist and that is what he has been known for.
In fact, the battle was so hot to the extent that OBJ refused to pay Lagos State's allocations until the time when Yaradua became the President.
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| idongesit88: 3:36pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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Nigeria and gragra!
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| Re: Limiting Probe To Jonathan Cannot Be Justified, Falana Tells Buhari by Nobody: 3:37pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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WELL SAID....
TRUE
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| SouthernBreeze(m): 3:37pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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Nice 1 from the legal icon. Bubu should listen
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| elohorayodele: 3:37pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
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As there is no statute of limitation with respect to corruption cases aggrieved Nigerian citizens cannot be restrained from exposing corrupt practices of successive regimes. More so, that President Buhari has requested the Obama istration to assist in the recovery and repatriation of $150 billion stolen from Nigerian in the past decade. “
Maybe he wants to let the USA keep the money so he doesn't have to jail those who made him president- Tinubu, Atiku, Amaechi (judas of ubima), OBJ, Abdulsalam Abubakar etc
masturbators oya come and defend your dulla.rd
you can also call Falana a wailing wailer while you are at it
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| Re: Limiting Probe To Jonathan Cannot Be Justified, Falana Tells Buhari by Nobody: 3:37pm On Jul 28, 2015 |
mrborntodoit:
We all know that his royal dullardness Is only interested in witch hunting people that dealt with his toy soldiers (BH)
That is the truth.
Why not take it down to his APC ers.
His campaign was funded by the most corrupt thieves in this country.
I see the probe will not affect them.
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