Convicted Pension Thief Must be Retried - NLC

                                                                                                          29 January 2013

                                               Press Statement

We are startled at the judgement by an Abuja High court yesterday which convicted a man who already admitted stealing N23billion out of over N40billion found to have been stolen from the coffers of the Nigeria Police Pension Fund between January 2008 and June 2011 to just two years in prison with an option of fine in the sum of N750, 000.

That Justice Abubakar Talba could only convict such a high profile thief who has enriched himself with money reserved for people who have served this country honestly and have retired into abject poverty and penury to a scandalous two years imprisonment with an option of fine in the ridiculous sum of N750, 000, shows clearly that the Nigerian judiciary is being compromised and obviously encouraging corruption in a country that has lost most of her earnings to a few individuals who have used their public offices to corruptly enrich themselves.

It becomes more alarming that the pension thief’s counsel had urged the court to be lenient on his client as he has ailing aged parents and responsibility to pay the school fees of his children.

These reasons are as irresponsible, callous just as the offence he committed in the first place. The money he stole has left thousands of families in hunger, perpetual pains and in some cases, even death. This thief didn’t deserve any leniency.

This judgement is not in the public interest and cannot be acceptable to Nigerians who are continuously worried about their future in retirement should the judiciary continue to encourage those caught with public funds with convictions that are clearly not punitive enough for the convict to be remorseful, the judiciary will be encouraging the Nigerian people to opt for jungle justice and treat these high profile criminals the same way pick pockets are treated.

This particular judgement is not only unpatriotic but clearly against national interest as our people are united against corruption which has brought our collective image to global ridicule and our national economy to near collapse.

We urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately appeal against this judgement or call for a retrial, while we call on the National Judicial Council to investigate both the judge and the entire case.

Given our commitment to the anti corruption crusade, which we believe members of the National Assembly must also be committed to, we urge the National Assembly to review our judicial system to make it more patriotic and function in the interest of democracy which will be threatened should this type of ridiculous judgement be allowed.

This judgement lacks moral values and has not demonstrated that laws and judicial institutions are capable of protecting the interest of ordinary people as well as safeguard national interests. And this portends danger for democracy anywhere in the world.

This judgement, if allowed to stay will be a direct encouragement to corruption and corrupt officials who will not mind deepening their stealing zeal knowing that the punishment they will face would be soft and harmless.

Kiri Mohammed

Acting President

These attacks are destructive to our economy - NLC Scribe

                                                                                                          21 January 2013

                                             

                                 Press Statement

The attack on the convoy of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero a few days ago, has once again questioned the security of the country and brings to the fore the urgent need for the reorganization of Nigeria’s internal security system as violent militant activities seem to be growing in strength by the day.

These attacks seem to expose the lie in the claim by the Federal Government that its security agencies have been able to curtail the activities of violent extremists.

Kano, being a major industrial city in the northern part of the country is very strategic to the Nigerian economy and polity, and should therefore not be allowed to be held hostage by violent groups.

The Emir of Kano is the highest traditional office holders, and a leading traditional voice in the country.  If he can be so brazenly attacked, ordinary citizens will continue to live in fear and consequently the atmosphere of insecurity in the state and the country in general will grow deeper.

This will certainly affect the free movement of persons and workers to their workplaces with grave consequences on freedom of movement and commercial activities.

While condemning these incessant attacks, we reiterate our commitment to dialogue, national peace and unity, and call on those responsible for these spate of violence and spectre of fear to reflect on the monumental and devastating damages their attacks have inflicted on the economy and ultimately the devastating impact on our collective future.

We commiserate with the families of the aides of the Emir who lost their lives during the attack defending the life of the Emir of Kano.

We also condole with workers and the people of Kano State and urge them not to despair or allow these attacks discourage them in the pursuit of peaceful coexistence and commerce as they have always been despite the challenges of a clear state of insecurity, which is intended to engender anarchy.

We urge the security agencies to improve their intelligence to protecting lives and property, and to ensure that subsequent attacks are detected and apprehended before they are carried out.

Chris Antigha Uyot

Acting General Secretary