Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Publish Ribadu Report And Punish Those Indicted Or Face Legal Action, SERAP Tells FG
Nuhu Ribadu
By
A civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Federal Government to “publish the report of the Mallam Nuhu Ribadu led Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force and punish those indicted or face legal action.”
The organization in a public statement dated 11 November 2012 and signed by its Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni said that, “Rather than emphasising the fundamental principles highlighted and using the Ribadu report as a framework for further concrete action to combat impunity for corruption in the oil sector, the government has embarked on a widespread public campaign to rubbish the report of a task force that it voluntarily commissioned. This is hugely disappointing, and in fact has embarrassed our country in the comity of nations.”
According to the organization, “No report anywhere in the world is perfect but the way the government has conducted itself in this case suggests that it is not politically committed to honouring the country’s international anti-corruption obligations and commitments, including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.”
“The way and extent to which the government has gone to discredit the outcome of the enquiry by its own task force, however tentative the conclusions of the report may be, suggests that this government has something to hide,” the organization also stated.
“To combat systemic corruption and the root causes of impunity of perpetrators, we urge the government to urgently and publicly commit to the full and effective implementation of the Ribadu report and other similar reports. Verifying and reconciling some of the facts established by the report is good but must never be used as an excuse to dump it. Otherwise, it would be a case of using technicality to undermine the need for justice and accountability for the economic crimes well documented by the report,” the organization also said.
“If this government fails to publish the Ribadu report and allow the citizens to see for themselves the information the report contains, our citizens will be absolutely justified to conclude that the government’s constant resort to setting up committees and task forces to supposedly uncover the truth about corruption allegations is nothing more than a public relation exercise,” the organization further stated.
According to the organization, “Instead of keeping Nigerians in the dark on the recommendations of the report and information about those indicted, the government needs to speak out urgently if it is to demonstrate that it is truly committed to the fight against not just corruption involving the ‘small fry’ but also corruption involving the ‘big fish’ at the highest level of government.”
The organization also said that, “While the government has strenuously faulted the report in terms of the process allegedly followed, it has not been forthcoming with information as to exactly which aspects of the substantive conclusions it disagrees with it. Does the government disagree with the fact that Shell is yet to pay into the Federation Account a total of N137.572 billion ($946.878 million) made from gas sales from the Bonga oil field? Or that the Federation Account has been short-changed of revenues to the tune of $29 billion over a 10 year period?”
“Unfortunately, the government’s reaction to the Ribadu report illustrates the chronic failure or lack of enthusiasm and commitment by the government to implement recommendations of reports of countless commissions and task forces concerning allegations of corruption at the highest level of government,” the organization also stated.
According to the organization, “A public commitment to implement the report will send a powerful message that this government will not tolerate corruption at the highest level of government, and will represent an important step forward in the government’s fight against corruption and corporate secrecy and impunity. This public commitment backed up with a strong political will is key to breaking the cycle of corruption that blights the lives of millions of people across the country.”
“If the government refuses to take this path, SERAP will consider appropriate legal actions nationally and internationally to ensure strict enforcement of Nigeria’s international anticorruption and human rights obligations and commitments by compelling the government to explain to the Nigerian people the recommendations contained in the Ribadu report and other similar reports (such as the KPMG report and the reports on the $180 million Halliburton bribe scandal), and what the government’s plans are to effectively implement these reports,” the organization further stated.
It would be recalled that the Ribadu committee, set up in February, after nationwide protests over the attempted removal of fuel subsidies, was asked to verify the government’s income from oil and gas, and make recommendations to the government. Apart from the Ribadu report, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative reports, the first covering the period 1999 to 2004, the second 2005, and the third 2006 to 2008, and the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on fuel subsidy, also revealed how oil revenues had been stolen at both upstream and downstream ends of the oil trade. NEITI, for instance, disclosed that the Federal Government earned a total of $269 billion from the oil sector within the period 1999-2008, which had little impact on the welfare of the citizens.
A new report by the Financial Times alleges that over 180,000 barrels of stolen Nigerian crude are sold daily in the international black market. Apart from the N86.6 billion fleeced by NNPC executives through fraudulent foreign exchange rate conversion, the Ribadu panel detailed losses to the nation of N16 trillion through questionable deficits and theft; N178 billion worth of refined fuel through pipeline vandalism; $5 billion short-payment by the NNPC, and $3.02 billion in unpaid royalties among other sordid details. NEITI had earlier revealed how NNPC officials and their collaborators fraudulently misused the 445,000 bpd allocated for domestic refining for corrupt enrichment and how laws and global best practices are flagrantly flouted by the corporation.
Signed
Adetokunbo Mumuni
SERAP Executive Director
Comments
21 comment(s)
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re:
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RIBADU'S REPORT
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 12, 2012 - 15:18.
it is sickening and crazy that in nigeria we are far from the truth. it is not unity that is killing us it us killing us with lies and deciet.
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#FREEtheEFCC
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 12, 2012 - 10:31.
To fight corruption through the implementation of the Report we need to empower and support organisations that have been brought to life by the Nigerian constitution to combat corruptin: The EFCC, ICPC, Code of conduct bureau!
Instead of critising and attacking these orgs we should be lobbying and pettitioning the NASS to give them autonomy and free leeway to be able to carry out their mandate in the best possible way.
This is the only way we can move past the stalemate we are currently facing in the fight against corruption #FREEtheEFCC
If you feel the way I do follow this trend #FREEtheEFCC
#FREEtheEFCC
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 12, 2012 - 10:29.
To fight corruption through the implementation of the Report we need to empower and support organisations that have been brought to life by the Nigerian constitution to combat corruptin: The EFCC, ICPC, Code of conduct bureau!
Instead of critising and attacking these orgs we should be lobbying and pettitioning the NASS to give them autonomy and free leeway to be able to carry out their mandate in the best possible way.
This is the only way we can move past the stalemate we are currently facing in the fight against corruption# FREEtheEFCC
Buhari and Nigeria..
Submitted by Tafidan DDAJI (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 20:43.
This generation of Nigerians and indeed future generations have no other country than Nigeria.We shall remain here and salvage it together.Jonathan kajiya ko?
Words of Gen Buhari (kenan) in a maiden broadcast to the nation on the 31st day of December,1983.What a revolutionary stance!
I doubt if they would publish the report or punish anyone
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 20:21.
Let us face it, this govt will not publish any report or punish anyone. It will be unusual. I pity my dear country
I doubt if they would publish the report or punish anyone
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 20:21.
Let us face it, this govt will not publish any report or punish anyone. It will be unusual. I pity my dear country
WHY ARE THEY GIVING COUP PLOTTERS REASON TO STRIKE?
Submitted by osita DIOKA (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 20:12.
Having gone through the rigours of draconian military Dictatorships in the past,our politicians seem to have developed amnesia about the struggle,the blood spilled and the lives devastated on our way to the present sham democracy.
God forbid it but should we wake up to the tune of martial music one day,our politicians would be surprised at the support the plotters will get instantly.The systematic abuse,disdain,disrespect and wickedness unleashed on the poor masses is really getting unbearable,the average Nigerian is lost and confused because they have an establishment waging war on them through the institutionalised and systematic looting of their commonwealth.
What is wrong with the report,publish it and allow our law makers and the Nigerian people to find the faults.President Jonathan must take care,this is now over the top,we Nigerians must not be treated like morons,we deserve some respect please.
Here SERAP goes again! What manner of people are these?
Submitted by OC (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 19:23.
SERAP threatens legal action because a report is not published. WHAT A JOKE! And which body or authority will the action be against? The Ribadu Committee or the instructing authority, the Petroleum Ministry? Or is it against the Presidency or the Fed Govt? Where is SERAP's locus?
Where or which country is it done? Suing because a report is not published? Don't they have lawyers among them to advise against such futile exercise. Even a fresh Law graduate knows that SERAP lacks locus standi to force the publication of a report of a Committee INSTITUTED BY SOMEONE ELSE! The committee was set up by the Minister for HER PURPOSE. Besides, there is no white paper on it yet.
CRIMINALS AND THEIR MASTER !
Submitted by Sanusi A. Yar'adua (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 18:17.
To a surprise before the much talks about Ribadu's report , the Hon. Minister of Petroluem has claimed that some oil cabals were after her. This is to earn fools and ethnic sympathy since Nigerians are ethnic animals. And the master blaster has some ethnic zealots campaigning for his return come 2015 as if Nigeria is a hell of ethnic bigots.
ONE DAY MAY BE TODAY!
Submitted by EWOROKU (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 17:05.
It has always been imagined that Nigeria is a country where anything under the sun can happen without hell being let lose! Those living under this fallacy should better think twice. This report, in this time and day, may spell doom for this government. Nigerians are hungry, disappointed and hugely short-changed by a government which has promised heaven and given hell!!! NNPC is the hope of Nigeria and any wise government will score very cheap political point with reports like this. But who will bell the cat? A country that has built its value system on "wealth at all cost" will only keep reaping corruption in high and low places. I sense danger!!!
What about the Oputa, Okigbo and Gulf war windfall reports?
Submitted by akpos1 (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 16:47.
What about the Oputa and Okigbo reports?
What about the Gulf war oil windfall report of over 12.7bn Dollars which IBB stole and shared with adenuga and David?
...all the presidents from the North & West countries of Nigeria did nothing to publish those reports bcause they wanted to stay in power. Great Jona MUST therefore also keep the report under the rug,carpet and mat because he too has to stay in power whether the rest of the countries like it or not. He already told you...he doesnt give a damn.
Its Jona for life. He understands the game. Surely, a VP who was not allowed to see his ailing President for almost a year knows the deceit and pretense that pervades the continent.
Verily verily I say onto you, Nigeria is not a country but a continent. Break up NOW!!!
Long live the republic of the SS & SE
vduring the
what has changed in 9ja since Nzeogwu 66-nothing brother me!
Submitted by DERI (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 16:47.
The so called SERAP led by Falana are quick to sing the praise of tinubu here while Okada riders are being shot and doctors sacked in Lagos by Fashola. SW based NGOs like SERAP, should stop playing politics with the lives of Nigerians by backing the evil acts of boko haram and buhari. This was how they made us lose late Gani. Again we hardly ever hear the voice of SERAP any time humans are murdered in the Fulani North by BH. But let it be about Jonathan-then and only then do u see them jump about like late James Brown on the political stage of Buhari and bakare. If Ribadu meant well for the nation, he would not have leaked the report to the foreign media-Ribadu invited officials of the EFCC to meetings of his body-so let efcc start arresting the thieves ribadu called them to interrogate in NNPC-happily most of the rogues are from his tribe-anoda triblism abi? Our oil their 9ja-that is what is at stake in 9ja-mine not ours
SERAP WHERE IS THE REPORT ON BUHARI OIL WINDFALL
Submitted by DERI (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 16:30.
I have said it and will continue to drum it into the ears and brains of those involved in the theft of our resources in the Niger Delta that, the rogues in the oil sector are members of the Tripod-those who own oil blocks in 9ja are not from the ethnic group of the president-I challenge Ribadu to go public with the names all the thieves his group indicted in the report-Ribadu is a chameleon-here is a man who was given a list of oil firms that invaded the payment of tax when he was head of EFCC-what did he do with the said report?-Nothing cause his former boss OBJ was the oil minister! Using individuals and organizations to rubbish government is the usual style of the new fulani musketeers-ribadu, sanusi, El rufai. Did Oti and Orasanya disagree with the content- of the report? What they said was for Ribadu to follow due process-and to attempt to reconcilee the figures with realities on group-what is wrong with that?
A SYSTEMIC DECADENCE WHEREBY REPORTS ARE DESIGNED TO DIE
Submitted by DIASPORA DEMON (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 16:15.
The Okigbo report simply vanished,this Ribadu report is already destined for burial.The problem with Nigeria is the docile nature of the Nigerian people and civil society in particular,why is SERAP the only active organisation fighting for the rights of the people in such a big country.How come no organisation is making sure Okupe's case with two state governments is followed to the end,how come such a man with a cloudy past is working for the President and nobody is challenging his vetting in court?
Ribadu's terms of reference did not include the exclusion of any Nigerian from a possible indictment so why the luke-warm attitude in publishing the report.The PDP corruption cancer and the sacred cow mentality is the obstacle here,certain people are under indictment and just like the Okigbo report the protection of these dubious sacred cows is more important than the national interest of the Nigerian nation.This regime is very rotten indeed.
Return Report for the Committee to Do the Needful
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 16:10.
The issue is that such a report to which so much depended should have been better managed. The issues with the report have become so many as to cast it in an unacceptable garb. Implementing it would be setting a dangerous precedent such that people would do any assignment given to them their own way and force it down the Nigerian people and government. I think the committee should be given back the report to do the needful within an extended time, and those who have conflict of interest having accepted to work for the parastatals they were meant to probe should be replaced.
Return Report for the Committee to Do the Needful
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 16:04.
The issue is that such a report to which so much depended should have been better managed. The issues with the report have become so many as to cast it in an unacceptable garb. Implementing it would be setting a dangerous precedent such that people would do any assignment given to them their own way and force it down the Nigerian people and government. I think the committee should be given back the report to do the needful within an extended time, and those who have conflict of interest having accepted to work for the parastatals they were meant to probe should be replaced.
Return Report for the Committee to Do the Needful
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 16:00.
The issue is that such a report to which so much depended should have been better managed. The issues with the report have become so many as to cast it in an unacceptable garb. Implementing it would be setting a dangerous precedent such that people would do any assignment given to them their own way and force it down the Nigerian people and government. I think the committee should be given back the report to do the needful within an extended time, and those who have conflict of interest having accepted to work for the parastatals they were meant to probe should be replaced.
It's,High,Time
Submitted by elharun (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 15:34.
It's high time for the Nigerian citizen to go for revolution or the militry should come to our rescute otherwise all of us will join Boko Haram wallahi.
It's,High,Time
Submitted by elharun (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 15:29.
It's high time for the Nigerian citizen to go for revolution or the militry should come to our rescute otherwise all of us will join Boko Haram wallahi.
RIBADU'S REPORT
Submitted by Godwin (not verified) on November 11, 2012 - 15:07.
I have said it and will always stick to my views. This is the only country where you have had multiple committees sitting for an assignment, with a lot of hard-earned tax-payers monies spent on such committees and at the end of the day the report thrown under carpet. The millions of naira spent to prosecute such assignments are never taken into consideration, Mr. President is also towing the line of past leaders of this country, he seem to be forgetting that his pedigree over the selection of those who constituted the membership of the Ribadu committee will at the end of the day be vilified and rubbished, it will amount to a huge shame if this report is faulted and not implemented.
