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Does anyone deserve immunity in Nigeria?

by Leading Reporters April 10, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

By Tonnie Iredia

In 2007, the Nigerian Judiciary turned down a request by the Federal Government to declare the office of Vice President Atiku Abubakar vacant on account of his defection from the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Congress (AC).

The decision was premised on Section 308 of the Nigerian Constitution which protects a sitting President and his Vice as well as State Governors and their deputies from being prosecuted in court while in office. Atiku’s case therefore helped to underscore the inviolability of the immunity clause.

However, conscious of some likely negative effects, such as abuses by political office-holders, Umaru Yar’adua who became President a few months later, sought to expunge it from the Constitution. Yar’adua pointedly argued during the launch of his anti-corruption campaign that nobody in Nigeria deserved “the right to be protected by law when looting public funds.”

The suggestion was well received in many quarters, especially by those who wondered which party manifesto a Defector-Vice President would execute while in a ‘limbo-office.’ Interestingly, the Action Congress reputed to consist of progressives opposed the proposal on political grounds thereby making it more difficult for possible negative fall-outs from Section 308 to be resolved.

According to the then Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, it was not the immunity clause that was protecting looters but the lack of political will by government to tackle corruption. The immunity clause survived, not because many were persuaded by the reasoning in Atiku’s case, but more because the attempt to sack Atiku was seen as political and not on account of corruption. In addition, Nigerians had assumed that any ill-gotten wealth garnered by corrupt leaders would be legally retrieved later while those found guilty of corrupt practices would be severely penalized.

This assumption has since been disproved especially after a former party chieftain declared that those who defect to the ruling party would have their sins forgiven. Perhaps, no one imagined that the immunity clause which was genuinely inserted in the Constitution to dissuade anyone from distracting the executive arm would be exploited by the same beneficiaries to commit mischief.

The logical reasoning was that as a developing society challenged by infrastructural deficiencies, leaders in the executive arm would have so much to do about development to have spare time to be engrossed in politics. In truth however, many Nigerian politicians are prepared to hide under constitutional protection and technicalities to engage in unwholesome political and electoral mal-practices. It is now obvious in retrospect that office holders who enjoy immunity are able to use the privilege negatively for personal gains which was not the purpose of the provision.

This over-pampering of executives who are not required to reciprocate the goodwill accorded them ought to be reviewed. For example, whereas the constitution stops anyone from instituting legal cases against leaders in the executive arm, the same constitution failed to also bar such leaders, while in office, from initiating same against members of the public. So, they can sue but cannot be sued! They are also free to engage in political immorality which they quickly defend using the instrumentality of the immunity clause.

Even the legal injunction that executives should not be engaged in other assignments except governance has not materialized. The first problem came from a new arrangement in which candidates elected at elections suddenly became designated by their parties as national leaders in the case of President or state leader in the case of governors. The main result of this designation and consequent preoccupation with party matters is that the executives have been diverted from spending ample time on governance issues as if they were elected by the entire electorate to run one political party or the other.

President Muhammadu Buhari as the national leader of the ruling APC has had to take charge of the party at different times. At a point he, had to arrange for a caretaker management when the party’s chairman was removed while he stepped in again recently to stop the party’s national convention from derailing. Governors Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Abubakar Bello of Niger and Gboyega Oyetola of Osun had to virtually run the national working committee of their party for almost two years thereby relegating the tedious but substantive task of state executives.

While many state governors are now more seen in Abuja than their state capitals dealing with one party issue or another, many have in the last one year traversed the length and breadth of the country on party assignments well ahead of the official time for electioneering. As a result, the original time for governance has been heavily appropriated while expanding the time for electioneering. Yet, the constitution, in anticipation of the numerous projects of development that have to be executed for the benefit of the masses barred everyone from distracting executives.

In the midst of these self/party imposed distractions, some governors are counselled that to be reelected or elevated to higher positions, they have to defect to another party. They hurriedly implement such arrangements ignoring the fact that their current positions were attained through the sponsorship of another political party. If legally challenged, they are able to plead Section 308 of the Constitution. What bothers many about this trend is that it is only the arguments of senior lawyers copiously quoting the Supreme Court that the people hear.

No one considers that some die-hard actors would soon design extra-judicial arrangements to protect their votes from being transferred to another party. In other words, the injustice of defection which converts winners to losers by transferring the votes obtained at elections may soon generate political violence leading to another inexplicable insecurity. To confirm that there is no remorse about the approach, even legislators that the Constitution says should lose their seats upon defection are left untouched. What then is the purpose of voting, if the wishes of the people can be recklessly reversed?

The expectation that somewhere along the line, judicial activism would decisively put a halt to the vicious attack on the spirit of the Constitution is daily fading. At the same time, the justification for defection is becoming more bizarre by the day. The other day, one governor who was defending his defection from one party to another said on national television that he moved to avoid a fellow governor whom he described as a bully. He neither explained the venue of the alleged bullying nor how a governor in another state can stop him from working in his own state.

What he inadvertently confirmed was that he loathes how the so-called unnamed bully operates during party meetings. But why should a governor, an otherwise statesman, be occupied with party matters? When the court declined to remove him from office, he publicly celebrated “victory” whereas what happened was that the court couldn’t find an approved punishment for his unwholesome conduct.

Except the country finds a way of reversing the trend, defectors would increase shortly thereby retarding national growth and development. So far, the way the cases in court challenging the politicization of governance are being handled suggests that the reprehensible conduct will not be addressed soon as all eyes are turned towards only the letters of the law. With the fast approaching primary election for which everyone is already in the mood for campaigns not much can be done in the area of pushing for an amendment to Section 308 of the Constitution.

The direction to look towards in the circumstance is for our Supreme Court to help shape our public policy by using its powers of interpretation to positively expand the provisions of the section in such a way that the genuine intention of the drafters of our Constitution is attained. For example, considering that the judiciary has said that votes scored at an election belong to political parties, the executives wishing to defect should be allowed to do so but without taking away votes which still belong to their erstwhile parties.
April 10, 2022

April 10, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Why IELTS Should Be Scrapped for Nigerians, Other Anglophone Nationals

by Leading Reporters April 8, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The past weeks have witnessed an intensified effort to stop foreign universities from requesting International English Language Testing System (IELTS) from Nigerians. A petition by a public policy organisation, Policy Shapers, has gathered over 75,000 signatures. Those reacting to the petition are asking the UK Home Office, which is believed to be primarily in charge of the test, to either reform it or stop it for Nigerians and other anglophone countries.

Nigerians seeking to study in foreign countries often find themselves in need of an IELTS test. For instance, in the United Kingdom, where most universities require IELTS, apart from their travel cost, the test application fee is another burden many international students bear when processing UK student visas. Some employment-based travels also require the test.

Some of the concerns raised include the cost of the test, which is almost three times the minimum wage in a country like Nigeria, and the validity of the exam result, which only lasts for two years. Many also question the need for a country like Nigeria, where English is lingua Franca and used as the language of instruction from primary to university level.

The average cost of IELTS test ranges from 83,000 Naira (200.5 USD) and 89,500 ($216.2 USD) in Nigeria. This is almost three times the national minimum wage which is 30,000 Naira monthly. There are 11 IELTS test centres across Nigeria run by the British Council, a 2020 ICIR report shows. Up to five test dates are scheduled monthly, with an average of 120 people writing the test at a centre on each day.

Given the frequency of the test dates and an average number of candidates, at least 5.15 billion Naira must have been paid by Nigerians to the Council in 2020. Furthermore, the test can only be taken in 12 centres in the country, requiring many candidates to travel a long distance to participate. The transport fare is extra financial burden applicants bear.

Nigerians aren’t the only ones paying a high cost for IELTS; other Anglophone countries face the same challenge. In Uganda, where the test application fee is the highest in Africa, each applicant pays $317 to take the test. This is over 1,000% of the country’s minimum wage of $1.70. Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, and Namibia are some of the African countries that pay higher for IELTS than their minimum wage.

The shelf life of the test result is another concern. IELTS result becomes invalid after two years. This means those who do not use it within the timeframe will have to re-register the exam paying the high amount again if they don’t relocate within the given timeframe. The #ReformIELTS campaign on Twitter trended with people comparing the English proficiency test with its French Test (TOEFL), which cost much lower and last for life. The convener of the campaign, Ebenezar Wikinar, lamented the motive behind the short validity, stating “there’s no way that my English knowledge would expire.”

While some want the test to be reformed, others are questioning its necessity for Nigerians and other Anglophone nationals who communicate in English in their everyday lives. While Nigerians and nationals of other British colonies in Africa are required to take the IELTS, citizens of Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, St. Kitts, and Nevis Dominica, Trinidad, and Tobago, and 10 other nations are exempted from taking the test. This further questions the organiser’s criteria for eligibility for an exemption.

In October, Policy Shapers wrote the Home Office for explanations on why none of the Anglophone countries was listed as its Majority English Speaking Countries. Three months after, the UK replied saying, “to be included on the Majority English Speaking Country (MESC) list, we must have evidence that most people in the country (more than half) speak English as a first language.”

However, most Nigerians are not satisfied with the answer, with many questioning the type of evidence needed by the UK to know that Nigerians deserve a spot on the list of countries exempted from the test.

There is enough evidence showing the proficiency of Nigerians in English. For years, the country has been ranking high on the EF English Proficiency Index, currently standing 29th out of 112 countries ranked globally and 3rd in Africa. In addition, out of more than 140 countries that sat for IELTS in 2018, Nigerians reportedly had the sixth-best performance.

Olusegun Akinfenwa writes for Immigration Advice Service, a UK-based law firm that offers global immigration service and representation. By Mindmingles

April 8, 2022 0 comments

Pope Francis may be the last Pope according to 1595 prophesy by a Benedictine Monk

by Leading Reporters April 7, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

For thousands of years, people all over the ancient world claimed to have the powers of foresight. In 1143, The Prophecy of the Popes was created – listing the future attributes of the 112 pontiffs succeeding St. Peter. This 900-year-old prophecy predicted that Benedict XVI would be the 111th pope, therefore, if it is correct, the current Papal Conclave will bring about the end of the world.

In 1595, a Benedictine monk named Arnold de Wyon published Lignum Vitae – in which he claimed to have “discovered The Prophecy of the Popes,” which were originally written by St. Malachy, the Archbishop of Armagh in 1143. In 1871, Abbé Cucherat, in his book The Prophecies of the Succession of the Popes , tells us that in 1139 Malachy was “summoned to Rome Pope Innocent II to receive two wool palliums for the metropolitan sees of Armagh and Cashel.”

While in Rome, Malachy is said to have experienced a “vision of future popes,” which he recorded as a sequence of cryptic phrases describing their personality traits. St. Malachy allegedly gave his manuscript to Innocent II and the document remained unknown in the Roman Archives until its discovery in 1590.

Examining the Papal Prophecy

The first pope listed after St. Peter was Ex caſtro Tiberis, who is noted as having lived in a “castle on the Tiber.” Regarding the final Pope, de Wyon claimed that Malachy wrote an apocalyptic statement which translates from Latin as:

“In the extreme persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit. [sic] Peter the Roman, who will nourish the sheep in many tribulations; when they are finished, the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The end.”

When the text was discovered in 1595 it caused great intrigue and carried an air of legitimacy because so many of Malachy’s descriptions matched those of previous Popes. To many, the resignation of Benedict XVI in 2013 indicated the beginning of the End of Days – also as prophesied.

However, not a shred of tangible evidence exists to associate Malachy with the prophecy, and the “original document” that de Wyon claimed to have “found” in the Vatican Secret Archives has never been seen by anyone else, ever. Soon after its discovery, many Catholic scholars deemed it as a contemporary forgery, however many others have continued to believe in the document’s authenticity.

Skeptics argue that historically when people had prophetic visions they told a lot of people, but Malachy apparently didn’t mention his vision to a soul, nor did his biographer, St. Bernard of Clairvaux; who documented several of Malachy’s other alleged miracles. And, depending on how you interpret the prophecy, Benedict XVI is not the 111th pope! Ten antipopes are listed among the “112 Popes” – so it is argued that Benedict XVI was the 101st pope.

Proving the Prophecy as a Forgery

Among the historians who maintained that the prophecies were a late 16th‑century forgery, Spanish monk and scholar Benito Jerónimo Feijóo y Montenegro wrote Teatro Crítico Universal between 1724–1739. In an entry entitled ‘Purported prophecies’ he observed a “high level of accuracy in the descriptions of the popes until the date they were published” … then, a “high level of inaccuracy after the publication date.” Friar Benito Jerónimo Feijóo y Montenegro was a Spanish monk and scholar who led the Age of Enlightenment in Spain and debunked myths and superstitions. This observation convinced him the prophecy was “created just before its publication.”

Having established that the prophecy was most probably a hoax, why were the prophecies created in the first place? A theory was forward by a 17th-century French priest Louis Moréri in his encyclopedia Le Grand Dictionnaire historique which suggested “supporters of Cardinal Girolamo Simoncelli created them in a bid to support his bid to become pope in the 1590s.” His evidence was in that the prophecies predicted the pope that would follow Urban VII was “Ex antiquitate Urbis” (“from the old city”), and Simoncelli was from Orvieto, which in Latin is Urbevetanum “old city” (Miller, 1981).

Writing extensively about the prophecy being a forgery, M. J. O’Brien, a Catholic priest who authored an 1880 monograph on the prophecies said: “These prophecies have served no purpose. They are absolutely meaningless. The Latin is bad. It is impossible to attribute such absurd triflings … to any holy source. Those who have written in defence of the prophecy have brought forward scarcely an argument in their favour. Their attempts at explaining the prophecies after 1590 are, I say with all respect, the sorriest trifling” (O’Brien, 1880).

What Does the Hoaxed Prophecy Say of Today and Tomorrow?

If the list of descriptions is matched directly to a list of historic popes since its publication, Benedict XVI (2005–13) corresponds to the second last noted pope, described as “Gloria olivae” (the glory of the olive). And the final prophecy predicts the Apocalypse: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit Peter the Roman [as bishop], who will pasture his sheep in many tribulations, and when these things are finished, the city of seven hills [i.e. Rome] will be destroyed, and the dreadful judge will judge his people. The End.”

Pope Francis was not born Peter – his name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio – and he is showing no signs of preparing to bring about the end of the world. Well, I hope he isn’t!

Newscredit: Ancient Origin

April 7, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Bank of Agric MD Regains Freedom After Family Paid Ransom of N100m

by Leading Reporters April 7, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan has regained his freedom, LeadingReporters can authoritatively report. His release was said to have followed a ransom of N100m paid to secure his release.

The terrorists bombed the Abuja-Kaduna bound train on Monday last week, killing many passengers and abducting many others.

The MD who was travelling to Kaduna was abducted alongside many others who are still being held captive for ten days now.

Before he was released, terrorists released a video showing the Agric Bank Managing Director standing between them.

The terrorists could be seen in military camouflage and in veiled faces to hid their identity, while fully armed.

In the video, terrorists broadcast to the Nigerian government to do the needful to ensure the release of other captives.

In the about one minute and twenty one seconds video broadcast, the terrorists told government that they don’t need money, but “government should do the needful”

“We are releasing this captive, Alwan Hassan, just because of the month of Ramadan and his plea because of his age.

We are not interested in money but the government knows what we want and if they don’t act fast to secure the release of the other abductees, we would not have any regret for our action”, one of the terrorists said in the video.

The Bank of Agric Managing Director who was directed to Bank of Agric MD Regains Freedom After Family Paid Ransom of N100m to government in the video, pleaded with the Nigerian government to accede to the need of the terrorists so that other captives can be released.

‘’There are many captives with our abductors here and out of pity, they decided to release me and due to the month of Ramadan, I am appealing to the government to save the lives of others with them,’’ Alwan Hassan said.

Though, the terrorists said they didn’t need money, a close family source involved in the negotiation confirmed that a sum of N100 million was paid as ransom.

The terrorists have since confirmed that they were responsible for the Abuja-Kaduna bound train attack on March 28.

April 7, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

2023: Political appointees contesting should resign before April 11, Ovie Omo-Agege

by Leading Reporters April 6, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The deputy senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege, has called on all political appointees vying to contest at the 2023 general elections to tender their resignations before April 11.

Mr Omo-Agege made this call through his chief of staff, Otive Igbuzor, on March 30, in an internal memo titled “Resignation of all political appointees,” seen by our Media team.

“I write to draw attention of all political appointees who are delegates to the state house of assembly, house of representatives, senate, governorship and presidential primaries election, including those who are holding positions at the party to please put in their resignation letters,” partly reads the memo.

Several political appointees have declared their intentions to contest at the 2023 polls without relinquishing their present positions.

Recently, campaign paraphernalia of the central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, vice president Yemi Osinbajo and others, have emerged, without them resigning their positions.

The internal memo said the resignation had “become expedient as a result of these provisions of the recently amended Electoral Act,” adding that “All resignation letters should get to the office of the deputy president of the Senate not later than 11th April, 2022.”

April 6, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

JUST IN: Goodluck Jonathan in auto crash, two dead

by Leading Reporters April 6, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been involved in a fatal auto crash which killed two persons.

Mr Jonathan was returning from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Wednesday when the accident happened.

Although the former president escaped death and is said to be now safe in his Abuja home, two of his aides died in the accident.

It is unclear if Mr Jonathan sustained any injuries from the auto crash as Leading Reporters could not reach the former president’s spokesperson as of the time of filing this report.

April 6, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING NEWS: Senate passes Federal Polytechnic Orozo bill into Law

by Leading Reporters April 5, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

Senate passes bill to re-enact National Commission for Colleges of Education

Also passed was the bill to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Orozo.

The bills were passed following the consideration of two separate reports by the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETfund.

Sen. Nora Ladi Daduut (APC-Plateau), presented the report on behalf of the Committee Chairman, Ahmad Babba Kaita.

Daduut said the National Commission for Colleges of Education bill, among others, seeks to empower the commission to attract highly qualified personnel from the Federal Colleges of Education.

She said the bill also seeks to make 65 years the official retirement age from service.

Daduut said it also provides the commission with the powers to appoint, second or transfer an employee of other colleges or appoint a new officer to deputize the Executive Secretary of the Commission.

She explained further that when passed and assented into law, the Commission would be empowered to determine the tenure and remunerations of the Deputy Executive Secretary of the commission.

This, she said, will be in consultation with the Minister of Education and/or any other Minister responsible.

On the bill to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Orozo, Daduut said the institution, when established, would develop and offer full-time academic and professional programmes in Technology, Applied Sciences, Management and Administration.

Daduut added that the programmes would lead to the award of Higher National Diploma, Ordinary National Diploma and other levels of study.

April 5, 2022 0 comments

Africa & World

‘Swastika-shaped burns’: Ukrainian MP claims Russian soldiers raped and branded girls, shows gory image

by Leading Reporters April 4, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

Lesia Vasylenk, who is a Ukrainian Member of Parliament, alleged that Russian soldiers have raped girls and also branded them. According to Vasylenk, swastika-shaped burns were found on their bodies.

Taking to her official Twitter handle on Monday (April 4), the Ukrainian MP stated that Russian soldiers raped girls as young as 10 years old. She also mentioned that crimes such as loot and killings were also committed.

Labelling Russia as a “nation of immoral criminals”, Vasylenk alleged that the young girls were left with “vaginal and rectal tears”. She also claimed that women’s bodies with burns in the shape of a ‘swastika’, which is a hooked cross — similar to a sacred Hindu symbol.

“Russian soldiers loot, rape and kill. 10 yrs old girls with vaginal and rectal tears. Women with swastika shaped burns. Russia. Russian Men did this. And Russian mothers raised them. A nation of immoral criminals,” she tweeted.

Russian soldiers loot, rape and kill. 10 y.o. girls with vaginal and rectal tears. Women with swastika shaped burns. Russia. Russian Men did this. And Russian mothers raised them. A nation of immoral criminals
— Lesia Vasylenko (@lesiavasylenko) April 3, 2022

18300 Russian soldiers killed in #Ukraine. And I’m not sorry for any one of them. #WarDay #40
— Lesia Vasylenko (@lesiavasylenko) April 4, 2022

https://twitter.com/lesiavasylenko/status/1510736577592537092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1510736577592537092%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wionews.com%2Fworld%2Fswastika-shaped-burns-ukrainian-mp-claims-russian-soldiers-raped-and-branded-girls-shows-gory-image-468336

Russia has been levelled with fresh allegations of war crimes after mass graves were allegedly found in Bucha, a town outside Kyiv after Russian troops recently withdrew from that area.

Reports have stated that Russian troops tortured, killed civilians and raped women. In response, the Kremlin on Monday (April 4) “categorically” rejected accusations.

🇷🇺 came in 🇺🇦 with military bands and columns of the Rosguard. But they were followed by mobile crematories. Why do you need them if you don’t believe in resistance? Now we know – to hide war crimes. This is not a performer's mistake. This is a planned genocide. #BuchaMassacre pic.twitter.com/koRdQbtbX8
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) April 3, 2022

In the latest European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was ready to send a team of investigators to gather evidence of possible war crimes.

“The EU is ready to reinforce this effort by sending investigation teams on the ground to support the Ukrainian Prosecution Services. Eurojust and Europol are ready to assist,” she said.

April 4, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Apps: FG Moves To Probe Google For Aiding Loan Woofs

by Leading Reporters April 4, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

Barely 48 hour after descending on the operations and assets of illegal financial loan management outfits, the Federal Government, through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has gone a step further to probe the activities of renowned search engine, Google, for aiding the loan sharks by enabling apps for loan requests.

FCCPC had during the week closed 30 bank accounts belonging to some of the outfits, who are in the habit of going through their ‘customers’ personal details and exposing same to the public in the event of payment default.

The Commission said Google International would beheld accountable for allowing the operators to exploit Nigerians illegally via the creation of non-traceable illegal online loan platforms, which is an infringement on Nigerian consumers’ rights.

Also, the FCCPC explained that it was currently investigating the activities of major oil marketers over the hike in aviation fuel or JET A1 and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

Disclosing these at a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Mr Babatunde Irukera, said Google acted irresponsibly by allowing illegal loan sharks in Nigeria to create apps that violated the rights of Nigerians to their privacy protection, which constitutes national risks to the country as a whole.

Irukera said that Google may not be welcome to do business in Nigeria again for creating an app that poses high risk to the country’s national interest and existence.

He pointed out that the app allowed the operators to freely venture into many Nigerians private lives. According to him, the 30 illegal loan companies operating in Nigeria freely have access to driver’s license, National Identification Number, voter’s cards and other sensitive information on the contact lists of those who borrowed monies from them.

The FCCPC boss explained that the Commission had been struggling to communicate with Google operators to no avail. Irukera said: “We are pulling down apps from Google play store. Even we as a regulator, we are running into trouble with Google.

I got a letter on Wednesday from someone who is a senior legal officer with Google in Africa and Middle East. “And in that letter, there is absolute no way to contact Google. I find that extremely reprehensive and shameful of a company in the size and magnitude as Google.

“As a regulator, we are struggling to find Google and for Google to be able to enforce order of a regulator is problematic in your country, where Google is available and doing business, is the height of irresponsibility by a company with a huge brand like Google.

“So I intend to hold Google responsible for that letter they have written and their own successive barriers to be engaged for enforcement.

I am going to hold Google responsible for that. “But it’s easier to hold Google responsible because we know where to go if I need to work with the law enforcement in California, United States, because we’ve got counterparts there.

“And we will use our counterparts there and say Google, you are not welcome in this country if we can’t find you and the regulator cannot engage you when your platform is being used to exploit people. No, you are not welcome? “I don’t care if Google has an offices in Abuja and Lagos or not, but you must tell me where to find you when I have a problem.

You provide a service, you allow people to put apps on the platform, and discover that app is the problem, and we are having problem finding you. News Credit: globalgistng.com

April 4, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Fintech: FG freezes bank accounts of 30 illegal loan companies, 12 illegal online banks

by Leading Reporters April 4, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, said it has frozen the bank accounts of over 30 illegal loan companies operating in Nigeria.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission Mr. Babatunde Irukera, said this at a media briefing in Abuja.

The Commission in a joint operation had on March 12 shut down the offices of some illegal online banks.

The Enforcement Team was made up of the FCCPC, Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Commission had said the order became imperative as it had established inappropriate conduct or use of the application in violation of the rights of consumers.

The Order of the Commission also prohibits acceptance and presentation of new applications for the same purpose without regulatory assessment and approval.

Giving an update on the issue, Irukera said the Commission has ordered Google LLC (Play Store) and Apple Inc. (App Store) to enforce the withdrawal of certain applications belonging to illegal online banks operating in Nigeria.

He added that the FCCPC is currently engaging three major loan companies whose businesses had been affected by its raid.

He said, “The day we conducted the raid, we have some limited information about the bank accounts that some of the loan companies operated.

“All the bank accounts that were provided were immediately blocked but these companies operate multiple bank accounts with multiple names.

“Between the time we raided and now, we have discovered additional 30 accounts and all have been frozen and we will continue to freeze as we discover them.

“I am certain that with the actions that we have taken and the nature of the engagement we are having with the loan companies, at least three of the major ones that their businesses have been severely affected by either our search or the account closure they are modifying.

“It will take some time but I can assure you that the space is changing now.”

April 4, 2022 0 comments

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