Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Nigeria's anti-corruption campaign

The arrests of two former high-level government officials make headlines in Nigeria. It's a complicated story of one parastatal guaranteeing a loan for another; of grossly inflated costs of unbuilt airport radar systems, of who actually authorized the spending that was done even though the construction was not. We'll have to follow the story and see what comes of the arrests.

The Nigerian Senate is unhappy that the EFCC used the Senate as a venue for arrests.

From This Day in Lagos: Aviation Fund - EFCC Arrests Borishade, Fani-Kayode

"Two former Ministers of Aviation... were yesterday arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the controversy trailing the disbursement of the N19.5 billion Aviation Intervention Fund..."

From Daily Trust in Abuja: EFCC Nabs Fani-Kayode, Borishade

"Agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday swooped at the National Assembly Complex and arrested two former ministers of aviation in the last administration, Prof. Babalola Borishade and Chief Femi Fani-Kayode over alleged misapplication of the N19.5 billion aviation intervention fund..."




From Vanguard (Lagos): Senate Rebukes EFCC

"THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) drew flak, yesterday, from the Senate for Monday's arrest of two former Aviation Ministers... within the National Assembly premises.

"It called the action of the EFCC a desecration of parliament...

"Briefing newsmen at the end of the Senate session, Senate spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze said: 'What happened today (yesterday) was an effort by the National Assembly to strengthen our democracy. The issue of arrest of official guests of the National Assembly is totally condemned by the National Assembly and is totally un-agreeable with legislative practice all over the world.'..."


From Daily Trust (Abuja): Don't Arrest Anyone Here Senate Tells EFCC

"The Senate yesterday passed a resolution barring security agents, especially operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), from arresting any suspects within the premises of the National Assembly.

"The Senate also frowned at the arrest of two former Ministers of Aviation... within the premises of the National Assembly shortly after they testified before the Senate Aviation Committee...

"Apparently angered by the arrests, the Senate said the EFCC and other security agents must henceforth stop the arrest of persons who appeared to testify before its committees, saying, 'We cannot be used as a dragnet for the EFCC.'..."


From Daily Trust (Abuja): Fani-Kayode, Borishade Charged to Court

"Former Ministers of Aviation Professor Babatunde Borishade and Chief Femi Fani-Kayode were yesterday arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate's Court on charges that they misappropriated N19.5billion belonging to the Federal Government.

"Former Director General of the Nigeria Air-space Management Agency (NAMA) Mr Raymond Iyaye was arraigned alongside the former ministers.

"The court ordered that all three men be remanded in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] until their application for bail is considered..."


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