News

Re-inventing The EFCC For Results

Published

16 years ago

February 26, 2010

The recent suggestion by the Chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farida Waziri that special courts be designated to hear cases of corrupt enrichment raised against public officers in Nigeria, provides another auspicious platform to critically appraise the anti-graft body, its operations, hopes and fears.
Ascending the saddle, following the exit of her controversial predecessor, Nuhu Ribadu, the new helms woman, has since her appointment, continued to lament the attitude of some Nigerian courts in dispensing with cases of graft, involving influential public figures.
While blaming the slow success of work of the commission on avoidable court injunctions, legal technicalities and time-consuming advocacies, Waziri suggested the establishment of special courts to help try EFCC related cases as one of the most potent steps towards fighting corruption in the land.
In fact, while, on a working visit to Lagos State, early this month, Waziri solicited the understanding and support of the Judiciary to dispensing justice speedily and checking corruption in Nigeria.
The Tide sympathises with the EFCC Boss, but whole-heartedly rejects the request for creation of special courts for the commission’s cases because what appears to be the major handicap of the anti-graft body is not the lack of the right kind of judges to interprete the laws but the impatience on the part of EFCC to carry out a thorough investigation and put up a water-tight prosecution.
Often times, suspects are scandalized on pages of newspapers before a legally admissible brief, in belief that the executive arm would help influence arrest and early detention of such citizens.
The commission under Nuhu Ribadu, no doubt, recorded modest gains and helped recover stolen public property, but the biggest criticism of that era was that such probes were perceived to be selective and ominously targeted at suspected political foes of then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
That scenario, indeed ignited calls for insulation of the EFCC from the control of the executive arm and be made independent in operations, investigations and prosecution of graft-related cases. Such independence, proper investigations and water-tight legal presentations in our view, are what the EFCC requires to prosecute the war against corruption, which has become an embarrassment to our national image.
In fact, corruption, like other societal vices, permeates various strata of the Nigerian society and has assumed the level of a cankerworm which has eaten so deep into the nation’s fabrics to the extent that successive administrations, military or civilian, have failed to devise ways and means of combating the menace.
That, without doubt, also forced the last civilian administration under Olusegun Obasanjo to establish the EFCC as a catalyst in the battle against corruption, especially, at the highest levels of governance .
However, since the inception of the anti-graft body, controversies have continued to trail its existence with some citizens advocating for more powers to the commission and others, its scrapping.
But whether for or against the EFCC, one thing, is certain: Nigerians need a re-orientation on the way we administer public funds.
We say so because the same sorry state of affairs has caused the categorisation of the country as one of the most corrupt nations on planet earth, hence, the inevitability of an anti-graft body an urgent imperative.
Even as that debate rages, some governmental agencies such as the Police, Customs, PHCN, politicians, Immigrations, among others, are still daily being derogatively ranked among the most corrupt in Nigeria. Thus, the only way out is to help strengthen an agency that is independent and capable of effectively policing the system and keeping in check, corrupt officers and their cohorts.
That expectation, The Tide believes, will remain a mirage, unless the EFCC undertakes a thorough self-search necessary to improve its operations, engage the best anti-criminal minds and fight internal corruption which often waters down good legal efforts.
But it must be said that the fight against corruption is not one that must be left for the EFCC alone, but one that must attract the support of all, the judiciary inclusive. It is only to that extent that The Tide views Waziri’s tour of Lagos State as a welcome development.
While that is on, we believe that the commission’s investigative machinery needs some surgical over-haul through vigorous training and retraining of its workforce to prepare them for the challenges we face as a nation.

News

Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has sued for patience on the ongoing installation of the state’s new independent power project.

The Tide gathered that the 60-megawatt gas turbine project, which installation commenced in October this year, was earlier scheduled to be completed by December but suffered logistics related delays.

The governor called on people of the state to have an open mind about the project, which he said now requires a new completion date due to unforeseen challenges.

?The Tide further reports that the State’s Chief Executive who undertook an on-the-spot-assessment of the project at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday, said like other citizens of the state, he was also disappointed that the December completion deadline could not be met.

However, he stated that his reaction to the delay had been that of understanding rather than being angry as had been noticed, particularly on the social media.

?”You can see I’ve gone round the whole facility. It was based on the working agreement and information available at my disposal that I gave the December date. But as it is with every human endeavor, we must all have an open mind, when it comes to issues, particularly technical matters like this.

?”I am as disappointed as any other Bayelsan because I believed that we were going to celebrate the 2025 Christmas with our own independent power, but it turned out not to be so.

?”I call on Bayelsans to have an open mind. These technical experts are working virtually 24 hours, but delays like this will certainly come”, he said.

He implored the people 9f the state to appreciate the work of the engineers, stressing that a minor mistake was capable of jeopardising the millions of dollars expended on the project.

?”For 29 years Bayelsa has been in darkness or has endured epileptic power supply. Now that we are getting close to the day of liberation, some people have become impatient.

“Let us not behave like the proverbial tortoise in the prison for years that asked to be released immediately as the place was smelling the moment he knew it would regain freedom the next day”, the governor added.

?The Bayelss Governor gave a thumps up to the technical partners, Jampur Group, and its team on ground as well as the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, saying they were working round the clock to ensure the job was completed.

?”Those who have been following me on this inspection would know that work has not stopped even for one day since it started. I am sure the job is more than 90 per cent complete. So let us hold our fire.

“Engineer Olice, I am not putting you under any pressure. From the reports I have, Olice is one of the best electrical engineers in Nigeria”, governor Diri said.

The governor, however, hinted that the government was looking at inaugurating the project during its sixth anniversary in February.

The MD of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Kemenanabo, who also spoke, said the state was on the right track towards actualising the project and assured that the alignment of the entire system, including the gas generator and alternator were on course.

He also stated that the remaining two turbines would be delivered to the project site in a few days.

?Speaking on behalf of the Jampur Group, Mr. Sherrif Abu-Anif said the company was in good position to meet its own end of the bargain and appreciated the state government for playing its part very well.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

News

Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Suits After Priest’s Sermon

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.

Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.

He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.

In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.

Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.

Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.

The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.

With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.

News

‘Best Way To Show Gratitude Is To Deliver Tinubu in 2027’

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.

Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.

“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”

Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.

He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.

“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.

Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.

In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.

She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.

Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.

“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.

In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.

He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.

The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.

Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.

Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.

Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.

By: Taneh Beemene