Nation
Ex-Commissioner Wants EFCC To Stop Plea Bargain
The Taraba State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Ibrahim El-Sudi, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop its plea bargain policy.
He said that this was necessary to ensure the success of the ongoing fight against corruption in the country.
El-Sudi, a former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Taraba State, said while interacting with journalists in Jalingo yesterday that, people who abused public trust should be allowed to answer to their crimes.
According to him, it is unacceptable and dangerous to allow people entrusted with power to loot the wealth meant for the people, yet allow them to go free through plea bargain.
“You cannot dip your hands into public treasury and plead to return part of the loot to government while you get away with the remaining and you expect the public to take the EFCC seriously.
“The anti-graft war must be taken very seriously because corruption has dealt a deadly blow on the country.
“In my opinion, corrupt leaders are even deadlier than terrorists and other criminal elements, giving citizens sleepless nights across the country.
“They are responsible for millions of deaths due to poor health facilities, bad roads, hunger and several other decays in our society.
“Even the insecurity we are talking about today is substantially the consequence of corruption, actions or inactions of corrupt elements.
“That is why for me, I think it is very important for the anti-graft commission to remove the plea bargain clause from its books, so that those who have denied the people of their patrimony for so long, will face the full wrath of the law.’’
El-Sudi claimed that corruption at state and local government levels was very high.
“I am aware that a lot of state and local government officials have been called in for questioning by the commission.
“I hope that all these ultimately culminates into the trial, prosecution and recovery of state’s funds blatantly embezzled by those in government.
“I equally urge the EFCC to expedite action against other collaborators in this conspiracy to defraud the people, and get them to face the law, since they do not enjoy immunity like some top functionaries,” he said.
The APC chieftain was reacting to recent invitation of some government officials in Taraba State by the EFCC over fraud allegations.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
-
Politics4 days agoWhy Reno Omokri Should Be Dropped From Ambassadorial List – Arabambi
-
Politics4 days agoPDP Vows Legal Action Against Rivers Lawmakers Over Defection
-
Sports4 days agoNigeria, Egypt friendly Hold Dec 16
-
Politics4 days agoRIVERS PEOPLE REACT AS 17 PDP STATE LAWMAKERS MOVE TO APC
-
Sports4 days agoNSC hails S’Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoNCDMB Unveils $100m Equity Investment Scheme, Says Nigerian Content Hits 61% In 2025 ………As Board Plans Technology Challenge, Research and Development Fair In 2026
-
Politics4 days agoWithdraw Ambassadorial List, It Lacks Federal Character, Ndume Tells Tinubu
-
Sports4 days agoFRSC Wins 2025 Ardova Handball Premier League