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SERAP Urges FG To Probe ‘Missing’$12.4bn Oil Windfall
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has sent an open letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), asking him to “use your good offices as a defender of public interest, and exercise your powers under Section 174(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999, and Sections 104–106 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, to re-open the unresolved case of the ‘missing’ $12.4billion oil windfall.”
The organisation asked Malami to “establish the truth about what exactly happened to the public funds reportedly spent between 1988 and 1993 by the government of former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.”
The letter, dated August 19, 2016, and signed by SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, urged Malami to “work diligently and effectively to find and publish widely the Pius Okigbo panel report, as well as bring to justice anyone suspected of corruption and mismanagement of the colossal public funds.”
The letter reads in part: “SERAP has for many years sought explanations and official release of the Pius Okigbo panel report, which the government voluntarily established but successive governments have blocked every chance to make this happen, even claiming that the report of the panel could not be found. SERAP’s request is entirely consistent with established legal principle that in matters relating to crimes, including corruption, time does not run against the state.
“Reopening the case would also send a clear message that cases of high-level official corruption would not go unpunished, no matter how long it takes, and that suspected perpetrators would be held to account, no matter who is involved.
“SERAP also believes that re-opening the unresolved case of the ‘missing’ $12.4billion oil windfall would serve as a litmus test for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari oft-repeated commitment to transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption in the country.
“Full accountability for the missing public funds would contribute to ending impunity of high-ranking public officials for large scale corruption and provide effective remedies to victims of corruption.
“SERAP believes that Nigerians have the right to their natural resources and wealth and to economic development, as guaranteed by Articles 21 and 22 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act), the rights that are being denied by the failure of successive governments to resolve the case of the ‘missing’ $12.4billion oil windfall. “The government of President Buhari has the duty to find the Okigbo panel report, and to pursue accountability on the spending of the accrued revenue. Such duty exists on the basis of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which has become part of our national laws, as well as the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
“Reopening the case would help to provide adequate reparation, which may take the form of restitution, compensation, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition to millions of Nigerians that have been denied their human rights as a result of the failure by successive governments to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of $12.4billion oil windfall.
“We hope that you would act swiftly in this case and do justice by reopening the case, publishing the Okigbo panel report and holding to account anyone suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds.
“SERAP notes that the Federal Government in 1994 set up the Pius Okigbo Panel to investigate the activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and recommend measures for the re-organization of the bank. In the course of its assignment, the Okigbo panel found that the $12.5 billion in the Dedicated and Special Accounts had been depleted to $100 million.
“The panel recommended that the Dedicated and Special Accounts be discontinued. The panel also recommended the immediate re-organization of the Central Bank of Nigeria. In line with the said recommendations, the Dedicated and Special Accounts were discontinued while the Central Bank of Nigeria was re-organized. But the truth about what exactly happened to the ‘missing’ $12.4 billion oil windfall is yet to be known,” SERAP emphasised.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
