It Is Time Magu Stop Media Trial Sympathy

Ibrahim Magu 

By Kelvin Adegbenga

My attention was recently drawn to the publication in an online media; http://newsrescue.com with the caption “As Saraki Bags Title In Zamfara, “Society Now Rewards Thieves, Treasury Looters With Chieftaincy Titles,” Magu Says”

I wouldn’t have respond to the publication but considering the recent activities of the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu of using the media to conclude major cases before the EFCC instead of the Law court made me to respond appropriately.

It will be recalled that Speaking at the 2017 Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) week/award day, Magu has lamented the situation where treasury looters get rewarded with positions of authority and chieftaincy titles and he further said values such as hard work and integrity were no more regarded.

Magu, who was represented by A. Bello further went to say that “now recognizes thieves and looters of the common treasury, by rewarding them with chieftaincy titles and other high positions of authority”.

I want ask Magu to name any convicted “Looters of the common treasury” that has been rewarded with chieftaincy titles and other high positions of authority 

I appreciate his comment that “the process must start from our homes”. It is time the EFCC Acting Chairman comes out to tell the true State of the DSS report against him.

He who must go to equity must go in clean hands. It is time Magu come out to tell Nigerians the owners of the so called recovered “N521,815,000.00, $53,272 747.00, £122,890.00, and €547,730.00″.

He should also publish the names of the “recorded 62 convictions” in the first quarter of 2017 that the EFCC has convicted rather than engaging in media war against “innocent until proven guilty” suspects.

It is high time Ibrahim Magu stops media trial and face the work he is assigned to do. Media trial sympathy will not earn him conformation by the National Assembly.

Kelvin Adegbenga wrotes in from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He can be reached via: kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com and @Kelvinadegbenga

EDITORIAL: Still On NBC/NAFDAC Court Judgment

Mrs Yetunde Oluremi Oni, Acting DG NAFDAC

The news of the Judgement against Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) went viral yesterday especially on the social media.

Some even accused the conventional media of not making the news headline because the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) has given them “brown envelope”.

Some even put the major blame on the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for not doing their monitoring accordingly.

This is a case that was instituted Nine years ago and I am very sure that those condemning NBC and NAFDAC never bothered to follow up on the case since 2008 when the case was filed.

Immediately the judgement was made, so many questions came to the mind: Did Mr. Fijabi complained initially to the regulatory agency, NAFDAC? Did he get back to the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) on the report of the Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s Trading Standard, Department of Environment and Economy Directorate, UK? Has any hospital or clinic reported any death as a result of taking Vitamin C with Fanta or Sprite? If Fanta and Sprite is poisonous, why not ban it instead of instructing them via NAFDAC to warning consumers on the danger of taking Fanta or Sprite with Vitamin C? How many consumers in the rural areas can read the English written in the bottles and cans?

While the questions were begging for answers, the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) came out quickly with a press release which is gave their own side of the case below:

Our attention has been drawn to media reports which contain misleading information on the safety of benzoic and ascorbic acids as ingredients in soft drinks, citing a Lagos High Court order.

In the judgement delivered on February 15, 2017 in a suit involving Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited & Dr. Emmanuel Fijabi Adebo v. Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) & National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Lagos High Court dismissed all claims against NBC and held that the company had not breached its duty of care to consumers and that there was no proven case of negligence against it.

In the same judgement, the court directed NAFDAC to mandate NBC to include a warning on its bottles of Fanta and Sprite that its contents cannot be taken with Vitamin C as same become poisonous if taken with Vitamin C. This order was premised on the fact that the products contain the preservative, benzoic acid. NBC has since appealed this order.

Whilst we do not wish to delve into the details of the case or the merits of the court order by this medium, we find it imperative in the interest of consumers and members of the public to make the following clarifications:

In the subject case which dates back to 2007, the UK authorities confiscated a consignment of our products shipped to that country by the plaintiff because their benzoic acid levels were not within the UK national level, although well within the levels approved by both the national regulators for Nigeria and the international levels set by CODEX, the joint intergovernmental body responsible for harmonizing food standards globally.

The UK standards limit benzoic acid in soft drinks to a maximum of 150 mg/kg. Both Fanta and Sprite have benzoic levels of 200 mg/kg which is lower than the Nigerian regulatory limit of 250 mg/kg when combined with ascorbic acid and 300 mg/kg without ascorbic acid and also lower than the 600 mg/kg international limit set by CODEX.

Both benzoic acid and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) are ingredients approved by international food safety regulators and used in many food and beverage products around the world.

These two ingredients are also used in combination in some of these products within levels which may differ from one country to another as approved by the respective national food and drug regulators and in line with the range prescribed by CODEX.

The permissible ingredient levels set by countries for their food and beverage products are influenced by a number of factors such as climate, an example being the UK, a temperate region, requiring lower preservative levels unlike tropical countries.

Given the fact that the benzoic and ascorbic acid levels in Fanta as well as the benzoic acid level in Sprite produced and sold by NBC in Nigeria are in compliance with the levels approved by all relevant national regulators and the international level set by CODEX, there is no truth in the report that these products would become poisonous if consumed alongside Vitamin C.

The wrong perception emanating from the media reports that our Fanta and Sprite beverages which are fully compliant with all national and international food quality and safety standards are unsafe, simply because their levels of Benzoic acid were not within the UK standards, is not only unfounded but also undermines the entire food and beverage industry in Nigeria which is regulated by the same ingredient levels approved by NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies for the country.

NBC hereby assures our consumers and members of the public of our unwavering commitment to product quality, safety and customer satisfaction. 

Signed: Management, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd.

Swift Reporters made contact with the Acting Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to hear her own side and below is the response:

Thank you for your concern. Please recall that NAFDAC is a National Regulatory Authority and will react both scientifically and legally on the matter at hand. Our lawyer has filed an appeal and a motion to stay execution of action of the judgement also filed. Thank you for your understanding. Kind regards, Yetunde O. Oni (Mrs)
Ag. DG (NAFDAC).

From the two responses, Nigerians can see that NAFDAC under the leadership of the Acting Director General, Mrs. Yetunde Oni, has always ensures that routine laboratory tests are carried out on not only on soft drinks but on all other related products produced and imported into the country to ensure their safety for consumption.

The Acting Director General has ensured that NAFDAC has stringent quality control procedures to ensure that all products produced and imported into the country are safe for end-user consumption.

We called on Nigerians to be patience with NAFDAC to allow them react both scientifically and legally just as the NBC has assured consumers and members of the public of her unwavering commitment to product quality, safety and customer satisfaction.

Adebomi Charges Ekiti Governor To Be Mature In Utterances

A governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State, Mr. Sunday Adebomi, has cautioned the state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose to show some level of maturity in governance.

Adebomi, who spoke on the backdrop of state governor’s press conference against the alleged refusal by federal government withholding the state January allocation and the support fund.

He said that the governor had created enough bad image for the state, than for him now to start being economical with the truth.

“The governor should be honourable enough to tell the people of the state, whether it is the state allocation or the support fund that is yet to be released and why it has not been released.

“I want to also implore the people of the state to ask Mr Governor, whether it is with the withholding support that the governor will pay the backlog of salaries or why the open lie against the federal government, “he queried. 

He advised him to be more matured in his utterances and face the governance that he was elected to do.

The aspirant, who is also a Captain in the US Army said that Fayose’s popularity was based on sentiments, noting that, the political development in Ekiti State is always in the news, but regretted that, it has always been negative to the state with the acronym, Fountain of Knowledge.

“We have to get things right in the state, since this man was re-elected; I know that the Ekiti people would pay dearly for the choice they had made.

“I do not share the view that Governor Fayose is not a popular politician, but his popularity is based on sentiments and not on any concrete achievements.

“Instead of addressing the salient issues in the state, especially in an environment where people are poor, the governor promotes stomach infrastructure, showing our people to the world as beggars, and this is highly downgrading on us.

“Governor Fayose also takes advantage of the culture of impunity to dominate his environment. A governor should not be associated with violent activities.

“Governor Fayose is a lucky man to have come a second time, but he should not take his luck too far.

“It is clear that Governor Fayose is a man of history, if not, Ekiti of this time does not deserve such a person as their governor, but he should ensure that he is not on the negative side of history.

“His first term was marred by politically motivated violence. Since he says he has changed, he should shun violence, settle down and concentrate on governance.

“The government should attend to the complaints of the workers with a view to solving them, knowing full well that this state is a worker state and no industry to rely on.

He should not have problems with the Federal Government. President Muhammadu Buhari cannot afford to engage in frivolity by taking up those who had wished him dead before now and still thinking negative about him.

“I have no doubt that President Muhammadu Buhari will not engage in petty squabbles or unnecessary diversions.

“If Gov. Fayose does not continue to promote and instigate violence in Ekiti State, he will have no problem with the Federal Government.

NERC Warns DisCos Against Non-Provision of Meters

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has warned power distribution companies (DisCos) over their failure to provide meters to their customers.

Its Head, Consumers Department, Mr Hardley BlueJack, said the failure of the firms  meant that they would not be able to measure their energy consumption level accurately.

He said the sector was battling problems, such as gas shortage, huge tariffs, funding, and metering, arguing that to provide accurate bills to the consumers would be difficult, when there is no meter.

BlueJack said: ‘’One of the crises in the industry is how to measure the volume of energy, consumed by the customers nationwide. Whenever DisCos issue bills to their customers, the customers complain of over-billing. The customers alleged that power firms are charging them excessively.  But once meters are well distributed, there would no longer be complaints.’’

Speaking on the sideline of a stakeholders’forum in Lagos with The Nation,  BlueJack said the sector is battling shortage of meters, adding that attempt to provide either pre-paid or smart meters by the firms, would help customers to know the volume of energy he or she has consumed.

According to him, there would always be issue of estimation in the sector, arguing that it cannot be eradicated completely.

‘’What NERC is clamouring for is drastic reduction in the rate of estimated billings. We believe that once meters are many in the country, the issue of estimation would be reduced drastically, because people would be able to know how and when they consumed the electricity they are being asked to pay for.’’ he added.

He however said estimated billing will continue to be in the system until meters are provided enmass to customers across the country.

‘’When there are dogs in the house of customers, it would be difficult for the officials of the power firms to ascertain the level of energy, which they have consumed. The next thing is to give them estimated bills,’’ he said.

Culled from the The Nation Newspaper

NANS Insists Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Vice Chancellor Must Resign

Comrade Chinonso Obasi

• Challenges Prof. Otunta to disprove all allegations, especially the criminal case of forgery and fraud instituted against him at Federal High Court, Abakaliki

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has insisted that the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Francis Otunta must resign his appointment.

In a press statement by the National President of National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, he said that Prof. Otunta is unfit to occupy the office of Vice Chancellor because while serving as Rector of Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Otunta allegedly conspired with four other persons and forged the letter headed paper of Emma-Ishiagu Int’l Ltd and opened an account with Fidelity bank (Account Number 4110018208) with intent to defraud and allegedly obtained the sum of Eighty One Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N81,700,000.00) from the Polytechnic.

Obasi also said that Prof. Otunta was briefly detained by the police in Abakaliki before a three count charge of obtaining by false pretences, fraud and forgery was preferred against him and four others before a Federal High Court, Abakaliki in suit No. FHC/AI/5C/2015.

Excerpt is the full text of the press statement

Further to the call on the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUA), Umudike, Professor Francis Otunta, to resign his appointment within seven days, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), wishes to set out reasons for the ultimatum and renew the demand.

Recall that rising from its fourth National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the University of Abuja, NANS resolved to align with the current fight against corruption and all forms of anti-social activities in the country by serving as whistle blowers.

In line with that policy direction, NANS at a press conference addressed by the National President, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, GCNS; gave seven days ultimatums to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, to reopen the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, as a first step to addressing the crisis in the institution and the VC of MOUA, Prof. Otunta, to resign from office for issues bothering on gross incompetence, dishonest practices and highhandedness, as well as engaging in behaviours inimical to the academic and proper development of students.

While Governor Ajimobi commendably heeded the call by NANS, Prof. Otunta, mounted a high horse and instead of reasonable consideration of the accusations against him, resorted to grandstanding and declaration of war against the NANS President, Comrade Obasi, whom he claimed was expelled from Federal Polytechnic Unwana.    

Based on the foregoing, NANS wishes to spell out the cases against Otunta, which make him unsuitable to continue to occupy the office of Vice Chancellor and insist on his resignation within a grace period of four working days.

Prof. Otunta had while serving as Rector of Federal Polytechnic Unwana, allegedly conspired with four other persons and forged the letter-headed paper of Emma-Ishiagu Int’l Ltd and opened account No. 4110018208 with Fidelity bank with intent to defraud and allegedly obtained the sum of Eighty-One million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N81, 700, 000.00) from the Polytechnic.

Prof. Otunta was briefly detained by the police in Abakaliki before a three count charge of obtaining by false pretences, fraud and forgery was preferred against him and four others before a Federal High Court, Abakaliki in suit No. FHC/AI/5C/2015.

Within few months of assuming office as VC of MOUA, perhaps to lay the foundation for another commission of fraudulent contract awards for which he is standing trial in court, Prof. Otunta prematurely removed a good number of HODs to cover impunities perpetrated in Computer Engineering.

Other nefarious actions taken by the embattled VC include:

• Result upgrading and sexual harassment in Computer Engineering Department, in addition to installing a student as HOD, Computer Engineering, who presently collects N6, 000 each from students while issuing receipts for N2, 000.
• Stopping Senate-approved Post Graduate programmes in some colleges and departments and compulsory payment of N1, 500 for student and staff Identity cards.
• Extortion of N4, 000 from students for MOUAU campus shuttle, compulsory levy of N5, 000 for ICT and taking undue advantage of female students.
• Illegal collection of N2, 500 for online registration of all one hundred level students of Engineering and illegal fronting of engineering students for dubious but selfish objectives by fraudulent academics in Engineering Department.

NANS is not only disturbed about the dirty and bushy environment in MOUAU, which is inimical to students health and academic work, but also that in spite of the N4, 000 extorted from students, the transportation system has crumbled, with lack of water and power supply compounding the woes of students.

Consequent upon the foregoing, NANS hereby challenges Prof. Otunta to disprove the above allegations, especially the criminal case of forgery and fraud instituted against him at Federal High Court, Abakaliki and show evidence that Comrade was ever expelled from Federal Polytechnic Unwana.

We shall in line with our resolve to partner the various anti-graft agencies in the country, forward Otunta’s acts of dishonesty to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and at the end of the grace period of four days, take necessary actions to put effect to our resolution.

Signed

Comrade Chinonso Obasi GCNS

National President,

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)