Loot Recovery: What Do We Know?

[I Love Nigeria]

Loot Recovery: What Do We Know?
By Paul I. Adujie
Lawcareer@msn.com
New York, United States

There are so many Nigerians and non-Nigerians with strong facts, evidences, opinions or just rumors? in connections with monies, properties and un-quantifiable resources, belonging to the people and the government of Nigeria, at all levels; There are many who are adamant about the specificities of their facts, evidences or information in their possession, that will withstand any legal process and pass the muster of beyond reasonable doubt, which is the criminal prosecution standard.

There appear to be a universality in the agreement, that Nigeria has a corruption problem, that, is, even strongly believed to pervades all segments of society, corruption that is strongly believed to be so pervasive, it acts as obstacles and impediments to the successful execution and implementation of any, public policy or program?

Too many Nigerians, at home and abroad, share this unalloyed and unwavering view about the extent or degree of corruption in Nigeria, these Nigerians are therefore quick, as in very quick, to agree with other Nigerians, non-Nigerian individuals and foreign institutions, regarding the profoundness and magnitude of corruption in Nigeria. Even President Obasanjo says there is corruption in Nigeria, and so does the bible on corruption?, Transparency International!

In view of this beliefs or perceptions? By all and sundry, fighting this all-powerful, hydra-headed-snake and monster in Nigeria, engenders collective and cohesive efforts on the parts of well meaning Nigerians, private and public institutions, the Nigeria governments at all levels, and of course, efforts, also, by non-Nigerian individuals, private and public institutions overseas, and well meaning peoples and governments abroad.

Worldwide, for any endeavors or undertakings to be carried out completely and successfully, adequate, sufficient, detailed and reliable information are required; Fighting corruption successfully in Nigeria requires specific, detailed and reliable information.

Therefore, in the search for Nigeria's monies, properties and resources that were illegally siphoned by Nigerian public officials, Nigerian private business persons and or by non-Nigerian persons and or institutions, whether by themselves alone or in collusion and or connivance with some Nigerians of avarice and greed bent, INFORMATION is required!
What Do We Know?

Henceforth, anyone talking about, writing about Nigeria's epidemic/pandemic of corruption? must be encouraged to supply, the law enforcement in Nigeria or in their country of origin, information, anyone alleging corruption, must file a petition with the Financial Crimes Commission and with the Nigeria's National Assembly and the Justice Akanbi Anti Corruption Bureau, file a complaint with the police anywhere, with the Media or send an e-mail to me with information regarding such corruption, and the pertinent information must provide details to their specific exactitude, as much as possible and I hereby promise, on pain of death, that I will follow-through and provide updates and progress reports. All Nigerians should agree to play Ombudsman is this regard! Here is then is the critical mass!

When and if, all Nigerians are willing, to do all that is humanly possible, to rid ourselves and our nation of the toga and stigma of the most rabidly and vapidly corrupt people and country in the world, corruption, real or imagined or perceived, will be eliminated for good! Anyone living above his or her legitimate means will worry wart or become hypertensive, People will learn to live within their means!

We can all do this, without fear or favor, let the chips fall where they may! Report the president, your governor, your commissioner, Assembly persons, report your Local government Chairpersons and Councilors! Report corporate executives/leaders, report anyone who is corrupt, no matter how lowly or highly placed; Regardless of whether the perpetrator is from your hometown or my hometown, whether he or she is of your state or my state, or whether she is of your religious faith or mine, whether he is from your region or religion or ethnicity or mine; All Nigerians are desirous of divesting the looters of Nigeria's wealth, so that these recovered resources can be reinvested for the good of all Nigerians, for general good of all.
Whistle Blower Law; A System That Reward Those Who Report Corruption In Nigeria... Those who help to recover loots..
All Nigerians and our well wishers should help, in enthroning and implementing Whistle Blower Laws and Rules, a system of laws and rules that rewards anyone, who provides verifiable and provable information that leads to the recovery of any monies, properties and resources belonging to Nigeria, in any part of Nigeria or anywhere in the world.

The different levels of governments in Nigeria, whether private or public institutions should be willing to contribute to a fund, for the pursuit of looters and those who aid or abets them. A decent percentage of every loot recovered should be paid to anyone who provides leads or information that serves as catalyst to such loot being recovered.

Additionally, a part of every loot recovered should also be set aside, as funds for further efforts in loot recovery and prosecutions of looters, a fund should be set aside for the publicity or public enlightenment of loot recovery efforts and rewards that are built-in.

The laws and rules in these regards must guarantee anonymity and confidentiality of all informants! Conversely, there should be adequate safeguards, that serves as protections for decent members of the Nigerian society, who may be falsely accused of corruption or looting, false accusations of corruption and looting would be proscribed and there would be punishments for anyone who knowingly and falsely accuse any other person of corruption or looting.

These ideas being recommended, are practiced in some other societies already, these ideas or recommendations are therefore not novel or unique; I am certain that these ideas will take off like wild fire and will bear fruits and immense rewards in multiple variable ways, Nigeria will lose the toga and stigma of corruption, faster than you can say bribe!

Nigerians are generally decent people, they will be inspired and motivated by their decency and additionally motivated by the reward imbued in the laws and rules of Whistle Blower system, that enables anyone supplying valuable information, that leads to recoveries, to in turn benefit from such loot, that is actually recovered. Bounty Hunter anyone? Let the bounty hunting begin!

Nigerian individuals and the Nigeria society as a whole, have huge stakes in the outcome, we will all therefore, ensure the success of the Whistle Blower Laws and Rules! Bounty Hunting Program.
Nigeria is diamond! Let us polish Nigeria to attain the best shine, the best dazzle and spectacular sparkle! Let us begin today!

Paul I. Adujie is a Nigerian Lawyer and an Information Technology Professional.

[Kenn]

ILN,

Pardon me when I say your whole focus above is misplaced and smacks of an attempt to avoid the real facts, at least facts already known to us since the return to democratic rule. The issue is not that the facts are not there or that people are not coming forward to blow the whistle. Please, note that we are talking of high corruption here and certainly would not expect that those involved would engage in it in the open or to the knowledge of everyone. These are usually conducted in secret and only few people get to know.

Nonetheless, we’ve made enough progress in exposing the main culprits since the advent of the civilian dispensation; so, the question you should be addressing is what has the Obasanjo government done with the considerable goodwill and cooperation it got from the international community and how did it handle the case of Mohammed Abacha, for instance? Weren’t you here when Obasanjo was personally entering a deal with the Abacha brood over looted funds and aren’t you a witness now of how Nigerians are left with the short end of the stick? How many people have been tried and convicted by Akanbi’s ICPC?

The fact is this: The British, the Swiss and nearly all those involved in holding Nigeria’s looted money, following the promise of a new democratic dawn, did offer to cooperate and do their best to help our country recover its looted funds; but as events unfold, it soon became clear that the new brooms are very much of the old variety and all they’re interested in is to surpass their looting predecessors with their own lottery expertise!

So, please, let’s not deceive ourselves – no one in the Obasanjo government is interested in recovering any looted funds! Deals have been struck and the thieves have paid up. All you’re saying here is Greek to discerning Nigerians.



CHEERS!

[NextLevel]

Where was ILN when Inspector Tsav told the Oputa panel about how higher-ups blocked the investigations into Dele Giwa's murder? Or when IBB refused to testify before the Oputa Panel?

I think some people specialize in posting nonsense or exhibiting ignorance!

[DeepThought]

>>Where was ILN when Inspector Tsav told the Oputa panel about how higher-ups blocked the investigations into Dele Giwa's murder? Or when IBB refused to testify before the Oputa Panel?<<

....Or when the last Auditor-General was sacked?

[I Love Nigeria]

www.mtrustonline.com/dail...092003.htm

Advocating The Death Penalty; Because I am Against It!

-------------
link streamlined by Admin

[I Love Nigeria]

Okay, some previous and or current offenders were not punished or are not being punished?

What should I have suggested? Nigeria needs to legalize corruption?

What What Do We Do Now? Hence.

[Bunch17]

Delusion :- a false belief that is tenaciously held despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, and occurs in some psychotic states.

[Meticulous]

ILN, can you provide cases where your theory above actually worked in Nigeria?

[EezeeBee]

Admin,

Please what does it mean when you 'streamline' a link?

[Big-K]

eezeebee,

Well...ILN posted an article to Mtrust online, copied and pasted the same article and the link in a new thread, and then referred us to that thread here.

So to help ILN and everyone else. the admin simply replaced the link in this thread with the original Mtrust link and closed the extra thread.

hope this helps.

[I Love Nigeria]

Big K,

If you are following the debate on "Loot Recovery" you would have noticed, that I was accused of not being "hawkish" regarding looters and government officials/Leaders.....

Hence I provided a paralell link to "Advocating The Death Penalty; Because I am Against It!" The point was to draw attention, to "the big and complete picture" as an approach, adopted..... regarding Loot Recovery.... Death Penalty.

Some commentators in the thread portrayed me, as if I was "soft on crime and criminals", when they happen to be public officials! (Public officials, My Heroes?)


You get the drift? It was not intended to be seen as mindless links supply.

Please note, that I am aware of the technical adjustments that have been going on in the forum/VillageSquare..... to curb my enthusiasm.

I have nothing to sell..... It is only the case, that I visit the VillageSquare more than others.... If my participation is too much/overwhelming? And the mere sight of I LOVE NIGERIA, as opposed to a disparaging....eh mm...

Differences of opinion irritates some, very much! Curb me?

Perhaps, I will curb my enthusiasm?

[I Love Nigeria]

Advocating The Death Penalty; Because I am Against It!
allafrica.com/stories/200309090638.html

[I Love Nigeria]

Meticulous,

Just because an idea, program or policy is new, unique or even unusual, is no reason, not to give it a chance or attempt to try it!

Whistle Blower Laws and Bounty Hunting Rules have served other societies, it may well serve Nigeria.

Corruption is intractable in Nigeria? So try new ideas?

[I Love Nigeria]

Kenn1,

Since corruption is so pervasive in Nigeria; And former and or present corrupt persons in the private or public sector in Nigeria, have not been vigoriously dealt with severly enough or dealt with, at all?

And since leaders are themselves vapidly corrupt and these leaders have been lackadaisical , (to say the least) in the pursuit of anti corruption measures? We should not propose any examinations or reexaminations of corruption in Nigeria? We should not propose any new ideas or policies for effective implementation anti corruption law and rules?

Anyone who did not comment on Mr. Vincent Azie "smoking gun" breach of protocols and Civil Service General Orders and Hierachy.... and following the script/election season agenda, does not qualify to comment on corruption?

Point? whats your point?

We should now eagerly wallow and ferment in the so-called pervasive pandemic? Await devine intervention to rid us of it?

We should just lay down and die?

Or follow the "re-duplication" of some Nigerians' known and accepted-weather-beaten, auto-response to it? a la "corruption is endemic-pandemic-hyperbole? It is too late to make any suggestions of ideas/policies/programs... Because there is nothing anyone can do about corruption?

Or it is just that ILN is the wrong person to comment on corruption?

[Big-K]

ILN,

No way will I endeavor to kill your "enthusiasm" or attempts to portary Nigeria in good light.

My grouse rather (and I guess that of many others) are the OVERWHELMING manners you use to get those views across. Your current posting methods will not only make your posts/ threads one to avoid (if its not the case already), but will ultimately smother the board to death

For one, you dont have to open too many threads to get your points across. Many of us in the village are also visitors to other sites that carry your articles, so there's no point opening threads to post the same articles, simply to draw attention to what we may have read already. If you have a RELEVANT point to make with your article, a link to the article and/or that relevant quote will suffice.

For reference to other news stories or articles, please try as much as possible simply post the link to a story , and then make your comments. That way we can get your point more easily. I understand that there are cases where the link may dissapear after 24 hours, in such cases, you can either put the entire story in quotes or quote relevant portions and then make your own additional comments.

So what you call "technical adjustments ..to curb your enthusiasm" is simply an attempt to save the board from collapse, even as we seek to maintain an open forum.

I'm sure you understand.

[Meticulous]

Big K, actually you're too polite...

I think some would consider these multiple postings as flooding the board.

[I Love Nigeria]

Meticulous,

This is the upteenth time that you are making your remarks regarding this "flooding" business.

You appear to be gleefully and giddily goading Big K? What for and why?

You can abuse me, infact, you are welcomed to do so! As Big K is too polite? Do you feel like taking an advertorial on CNN for the purpose of abusing me? Go ahead and feel free!
No need to instigate others!

Thank you.

[Meticulous]

ILN, no, I didn't mean to flame. No offence intended either; was just saying my view on the issue.

What I meant by Big K being "too polite" was that he was handling the issue quite diplomatically; in spite of the fact that several people had hinted at the issue, and that the admin has had to "tidy" up the threads on numerous occassions.

In other words, you are giving him the run for the money, yet he maintains some method to the madness.

And I felt that was being extremely polite.

[Kenn]

ILN,


>>>Kenn1,

Since corruption is so pervasive in Nigeria; And former and or present corrupt persons in the private or public sector in Nigeria, have not been vigoriously dealt with severly enough or dealt with, at all?

And since leaders are themselves vapidly corrupt and these leaders have been lackadaisical , (to say the least) in the pursuit of anti corruption measures? We should not propose any examinations or reexaminations of corruption in Nigeria? We should not propose any new ideas or policies for effective implementation anti corruption law and rules?<<<





What have I said or written in my response to your article to indicate that I’m against any proposal for “examination or reexaminations of corruption in Nigeria”? What “new ideas or policies for effective implementation” of “anti corruption law and rules” have you proposed here, when from all indications all you seem to have done is to jump headlong into this issue without a recognition or understanding of where to begin your examination or proposition?

You begin your essay by calling on Nigerians to provide information on corruption, apparently believing that a lack of INFORMATION (your emphasis) has been the impediment in the fight against the menace.

Hear yourself:

>>>Henceforth, anyone talking about, writing about Nigeria's epidemic/pandemic of corruption? must be encouraged to supply, the law enforcement in Nigeria or in their country of origin, information, anyone alleging corruption, must file a petition with the Financial Crimes Commission and with the Nigeria's National Assembly and the Justice Akanbi Anti Corruption Bureau, file a complaint with the police anywhere, with the Media or send an e-mail to me with information regarding such corruption, and the pertinent information must provide details to their specific exactitude, as much as possible and I hereby promise, on pain of death, that I will follow-through and provide updates and progress reports. All Nigerians should agree to play Ombudsman is this regard! Here is then is the critical mass!<<<(ILN, above)



Now, let’s consider your suggestions here and see whether they pass muster:

The notion that people should be discouraged from “talking about, writing about Nigeria’s epidemic/pandemic of corruption” until they can supply law enforcement with information is terribly uninformed. There’s a difference between someone commenting on a well-known social malaise and pointedly accusing a public official or anyone in authority of corruption. For instance, it would be patently ridiculous to ask anyone commenting on say the corruption of the national assembly or the last election to supply information to law enforcement agents, etc, knowing what we know. After listening to such characters as Nzeribe come out publicly to talk about how they were bribed to stop the impeachment proceedings or watching the House of Representatives display millions paid to members as bribe in full public glare, why should anyone demand any other “proof” or “information” from any citizen or indeed anyone, home or abroad, who chooses to comment? But, of course, it is quite a different thing if one comes out publicly to state, as a matter of fact, that so, so and so collected this and that amount of money for so and so. If such information or proof isn’t yet in the public domain, it is incumbent upon such an accuser to back up his/her claim, and it is also incumbent upon the person wrongly accused to sue the accuser for defamation. The law is sufficiently clear on this.

Your advice that people “must file a petition with the Financial Crimes Commission and with the Nigeria's National Assembly and the Justice Akanbi Anti Corruption Bureau” or “file a complaint with the police anywhere, with the Media…”again smacks of an attempt to ignore the obvious. First, the Nuhu Ribadu-led FCC is still relatively new; so, one must reserve judgment on its performance until sometime later. Nonetheless, we must point out that it has only become established after the international community (especially the US) threatened Nigeria over the 419 scams. We can only note for now that though it arrested and charged a few of these suspects, none has been convicted so far.

You also want people to report to the National Assembly, but fail to recognize that the NA itself has become one of the most notorious breeding grounds and sustainers of the corruption culture. We have heard countless stories of Ghana-Must-Go and, as I pointed out earlier, legislators themselves have come out to confirm these. In fact, as we speak, the Senate and the Executive are embroiled in one of the worst cases of cover-up of corruption right now. Mallam Nasir el-Rufai had claimed publicly that when he was nominated for ministerial appointment, he was approached by “a couple of legislators” to pay a N54 million bribe before he could be cleared by the Senate. He’s since been called upon to name the Senators concerned, but has curiously failed to do so; while the Senate President and the President seem intent on sweeping this under the carpet!

Of course, it is also worth pointing out that the National Assembly is not meant to look into every case of individually reported corruption. While its mandate is to make laws for the good governance of the country (including anti-corruption laws), it is not expected to investigate or prosecute such cases, especially those forwarded to it by members of the public. The police and the judicial system has enough provisions for this.

Again, you want people to go to Akanbi’s ICPC, which for all intents and purposes is nothing more than Obasanjo’s vindictive instrument. The only time we heard something about ICPC was when Obasanjo deployed it against Na’aaba and Anyim at the height of the impeachment crisis. But, what was the result of all that barking? Maybe you weren’t on board yet when some of us prepared a well-worded and extensively signed petition to the ICPC, complete with evidence, about former Governor Audu’s corruptly-acquired property in the US, which eventually grew into a national outcry; but what became of it? Of course, the Commission came out recently to say it has received 942 petitions since inception, but what has it done with them? Wasn’t it the same Akanbi that announced to the world in November 2002 that his commission has a case against 15 governors and 3 ministers for corruption, including Alamieseigha, Audu, Mbadinuju, Tinubu, Bafarawa and Odili? Weren’t we assured of how he was working with INEC, the Police and Code of Conduct Bureau to ensure that these people never get to be presented for elections? Weren’t we assured that by March this year he would be releasing his report on these people? So, what happened then? We got no report; the chaps got re-elected, the ministers became Special Advisers and everything returned to ‘normal’! How many people, in spite of the deluge of petitions and evidences presented to it, has the ICPC brought to book on corruption?

As for your advice for people to go to the Police, I can only direct you to the events of the recent past as it concerns allegations against the Inspector General of Police, even if you’re bent on not seeing how futile and indeed dangerous such an advice is.

The point here is this: we have a Federal Government headed by persons who actively discourage any attempt to act decently, because they themselves are the purveyors of the worst form of indecency and corruption. Every agency put in charge of national regeneration is headed by people intent on taking us the opposite way. You talk of the media, but have failed to note how much even that has been compromised in this dispensation. Besides, what can the media do beyond what it’s done so far? Do these people at the helms appear to you like people that take the media seriously? I can’t even begin to analyze your advice that people should send you e-mails, etc, because that, in truth, is the height of the ridicule! WHAT CAN YOU DO?







>>>Anyone who did not comment on Mr. Vincent Azie "smoking gun" breach of protocols and Civil Service General Orders and Hierachy.... and following the script/election season agenda, does not qualify to comment on corruption?

Point? whats your point?<<<




First, I did not say anything to you about Mr Azie. If you have a point to make with regard to that to someone who’s mentioned him here, direct such to the appropriate quarters. Nonetheless, your comment above indicates enough what your views are on that unconscionable act of our government in sacking him and doing nothing about the issues he raised. Isn’t it funny that you’re more concerned about the supposed “breach of protocols and Civil Service General Orders” than by the substance of Mr Azie’s report?






>>>We should now eagerly wallow and ferment in the so-called pervasive pandemic? Await devine intervention to rid us of it?

We should just lay down and die?<<<





You may not admit it, but that in fact would be the result of your proposals here. There’s nothing you’ve said here that provides us with a new perspective.







>>>Or follow the "re-duplication" of some Nigerians' known and accepted-weather-beaten, auto-response to it? a la "corruption is endemic-pandemic-hyperbole? It is too late to make any suggestions of ideas/policies/programs... Because there is nothing anyone can do about corruption?<<<






Who said there’s nothing anyone can do about corruption? What we are saying is that those YOU depend on to act have NO WILL to act on corruption. So, the proper examination of the issue should not be on a supposed lack of information, but to ask why, with all the information so far provided and evidently available, our government not only refuses to move against the malaise, but is actually presiding over it.

Again, the answer is not in your so-called Whistle-blower law, because the issue is not the safety of anyone who gives information. Any Common Law jurisdiction (of which Nigeria is one) recognizes the inherent right of an informant for the state to be protected by the state. You cannot now start reinventing the wheel. The problem is that this kind of crime is organized in a highly secret manner and those likely to squeal are themselves usually well rewarded. It is incumbent upon our police and intelligence services to do their work, rather than wait on a beneficiary to squeal about these things. More importantly though is the fact that from the facts available to the Federal Government, especially since the return to civil rule, we know the Obasanjo government has enough to work with; but having witnessed the scandalous manner he handled the Mohammed Abacha episode, do you blame anyone who’s lost confidence in his government?








>>>Or it is just that ILN is the wrong person to comment on corruption?<<<


And what does this mean?

[I Love Nigeria]

1. Former Bank Of The North Chief Loses Bail Bid
BY IBE UWALEKE

HOPE of an early release from custody of the former managing director of the Bank of the North, Alhaji Mohammed Shettima Bulama, was yesterday dashed as a Federal High Court, Lagos refused to grant his bail on request.

Culled from The Guardian Newspapers September 20, 2003


2. Alleged 419: Ibekwe, Okoro's trial kicks off

nigeriaworld.com/cgi-bin/...9/217.html

The two news items above are a result of the current governmet's efforts at chipping-away corruption in Nigeria a la Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, that was recently inaugurated.