News

Rate Your Leader’s Democracy App Can Reduce Nigeria’s Corruption Index

Published

4 years ago

December 12, 2019

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The level the much touted corruption is taking root in Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria, is becoming alarming, and from many quarters, a lot of unworkable solutions are being proffered.

Recall that recently, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, while reviewing a book titled: “Curbing Electoral Spending” launched by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, advised African countries to restrategise their approaches in fighting corruption.

Jega is a two term Chairman if the Nigerian electoral body, and is reputed to have supervised two elections that produced two presidents, including the one that removed a sitting president; the first of its kind in Nigeria.

In his advise, Jega remarked that in Nigeria, corruption is in the increase compared to other African countries, and suggested that “we need to take the fight seriously.”

“It is a day for sober reflection for us and for reviewing our experiences and restrategise to find better ways and means of improving the successes in the fight against corruption,” he said.

But proffering an enduring solution, a Techpreneur, Mr. Joel Popoola, pointed out that as endemic as the corruption scourge has become, it is imperative that a more stronger, more reliable, more technologically based and stress free approach be introduced to tackle headlong the hydra headed monster, which has eaten deep into the social and moral fibres of the Nigerian society. He disclosed that the use of the new Democracy App, Rate Your Leader, which has been tested and found credible will put a permanent end to the issue of corruption in Nigeria.

Popoola, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Rate Your Leader, an app that allows voters hold their elected representatives accountable for their actions, informed that with the app, every eligible voter is directly connected to public office holders, and day to day interaction is enabled.

“With this kind of relationship, which is bonded by the app, there is little or no intention by elected officers to conduct themselves inappropriately because the electors are monitoring.

“What we need is to fight corruption technologically, and from the very root, that is before it begins to be conceived and that is where Rate Your Leader, which is insult and abusive free, comes in,” he said.

The Democracy app, which is already making waves in the United Kingdom as councilors, mayors and other leaders are signed in, will be launched in Nigeria early in 2020, thereby bringing a revolution in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Popoola commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, the nation’s anti-graft agencies, the EFCC and the ICPC in the fight against corruption so far, and remarked that their jobs could be made a lot more easier with the use of the Democracy App.

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

8 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.