Lagos investigative team exposed WAEC accredited centres tagged “miracle centres” where final year secondary school students are encouraged to register for tutorials in preparation for terminal examination (WAEC). WAMAC trained journalists received a report that these two tutorial centres are notorious for examination malpractices. The tutorial centre was also alleged to have identified other schools in neighboring states that also engage in examination malpractices where they place students to only enroll to sit for terminal examination. The allegation was confirmed, the radio station produced and aired the program on the station. The program led Lagos ministry of education to shut down the two centres in Arepo area of Lagos state. In the same vein, the team investigated the allegation that staff of the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC) extort the sum of N1,000 for registration each from residents of Peace Hill Estate in Arepo. Upon exposing the allegation, the officers were removed, new officers were brought in and extortion stopped.
Kwara Street Light Corruption and Remedy
The WAMAC-trained journalists in Albarka FM exposed a service contractor who received money from Kwara State government to provide street lights in the state. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the contractor collected full payment for the execution of the project. The program was aired on the radio station, the State House of Assembly took up the case and called the contractor back to the site and Kwara township has been lighted up.
Grace FM exposed the Kogi state Transport Management Authority (KOTRAMA) for extortion and infringement on fundamental human rights.
Grace FM exposed the Kogi state Transport Management Authority (KOTRAMA) for extortion and infringement on fundamental human rights. After broadcasting their report, a house of assembly member representing the Olomaboro constituency, Anthony Ujah brought up the case on the floor of the house and enumerated how the officials of KOTRAMA have been engaging in extorting vehicle owners and infringing on the fundamental human rights of the people.
Treasure FM exposed the school principal of Government Girls’ Junior Secondary
Treasure FM exposed the school principal of Government Girls’ Junior Secondary Rumuokuta Rivers State who extorted money from students for promotional examinations which the state government made free. Each student was made to pay N1500 for examination and when multiplied by the number of students in the set it totals up to N1,200,000. Upon airing the report, the school principal was suspended in a press release by the state governor through the commissioner of education.
WAMAC Investigations Expose Alleged Corruption in Kwara Hospital
In Kwara state, Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre team investigated and exposed a clandestine practice at the general hospital by laboratory staff and head of the department. Our team discovered how payments for laboratory tests were made without issuance of receipts for the said payments. on completion of the investigation, it was discovered that the lab staff used pre-signed lab form by the Head of Department to swindle the hospital and state government to the tune of three million Naira (N3,000,000.00)
WAMAC’s investigation Revives Healthcare Facility in Rijau Niger State
For close to 15 years, the majority of people from Rijau LGA of Niger State travel 6hrs to the state capital, Minna for healthcare services, while the pregnant women patronize traditional birth attendants. WAMAC’s partner Investigative journalists exposed contractor who embezzled ₦500 million, and non-release of budget allocation.ResultGovernment later budgeted ₦838 million and released funds to rebuild the hospital.Hospital provides access to 100 pregnant women (excluding other patients) daily, who in turn pay ₦200 for antenatal care.Communities from 3 other nearby local government areas also access the healthcare facility, increasing number of patients accessing care to about 400 daily. Wamac Uncovers Alleged Monumental Corruption in Niger State Agric SectorIn Niger State, an indigene of one local government area, who requested not to be identified, reported a missing tractor in his LGA, so, WAMAC’s partner, Prestige FM took it up and conducted an investigation. The team discovered that 72 tractors were missing from 25 local government areas in Niger states. The investigation exposed a contractor who got the N324 million contract to rehabilitate the 72 tractors (N4.5million for each), but the tractors were eventually not returned. This prompted the Niger State House of Assembly ad-hoc committee to investigate the 72 missing tractors belonging to the 25 LGAs.
WAMAC Uncovers Alleged Monumental Corruption in Niger State Agric Sector
In Niger State, an indigene of one local government area, who requested not to be identified, reported a missing tractor in his LGA, so, WAMAC’s partner, Prestige FM took it up and conducted an investigation. The team discovered that 72 tractors were missing from 25 local government areas in Niger states. The investigation exposed a contractor who got the N324 million contract to rehabilitate the 72 tractors (N4.5million for each), but the tractors were eventually not returned. This prompted the Niger State House of Assembly ad-hoc committee to investigate the 72 missing tractors belonging to the 25 LGAs.
EFCC Commits to Cooperation with Corporate Affairs Commission
In a seperate event earlier in the month, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede called on the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, to always make speedy responses to enquiries made by the Commission and other Nigerians on issues referred to it. A statement signed by the EFCC Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale disclosed that the Chairman made the call in Abuja, while receiving the CAC management team, led by Registrar-General, Hussani Ishaq Magaji. The EFCC Chairman noted that both the EFCC and CAC are handling sensitive and crucial assignments for Nigerians, a fact that should make responses to public enquiries quicker and better. “We are grateful for the access that you have provided for us to some of your information and resources, but we want to crave your indulgence to ensure speedy response to our requests and better synergy because of the nature of the work we do. Corruption in Nigeria has become a cankerworm militating against our development. Anything that has to do with investigation and prosecution and other activities that will reduce corruption, must be taken as a priority by every Nigerian”, he said. The EFCC’s boss also assured the CAC team of the Commission’s cooperation, stressing that it might be necessary to raise a small-member joint task force between the two Commissions to improve on synergy and access to information in order to boost investigations. “We want to assure you of our collaboration at every point in time and because of the nature of the work we do, we need to collaborate even more. We want to crave your indulgence to expand the scope of the access you have provided for us. A few of your people can join our own people and let’s form a team to make this work easier for us, just a small joint task force”, he said. Earlier in his speech, Magaji described the EFCC and CAC as partners, but called for stronger collaboration between the two Commissions. “As a result of the importance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, CAC under my leadership has dedicated a unit to respond to the daily requests of the EFCC. Even though we have witnessed migration from the manual to automation, in doing that we provided some access for the EFCC to enable the Commission achieve its mandate”, he said.
EFCC and Video Censors Board Join Forces to Combat Criminal Video Content
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, are jointly out to stop Idealizing online scams and currency defacement in films targeting public audience The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede urged the NFVCB, to continually work against glamourising internet fraud and mutilation of currencies in films and movies. Olukoyede made the call when the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Board, Dr. Shuaibu Hussaini, led a team on a courtesy visit to the the Commission’s headquarters. He expressed the view that films, videos, and movies are meant to encourage accountable conduct in society, so the NFVCB should step up its censorship roles to achieve this. “We believe we have the right partner with you. Films and videos are meant to promote good moral standards. Your Board should continue to discourage glamourisation of crimes in the film industry”, he said. The EFCC Chairman also expressed displeasure about how some skit makers demonize the Commission through false characterization of the works, and urged the NFVCB to address the issue. “There are several skits flying around with an untrue portrayal of the EFCC and its officers. The NFVCB should look into this and stop such unprofessional practices”, he said. CEO of the Board, Dr. Hussaini had said the visit to the EFCC was to seek robust collaboration with the Commission. He also mentioned that the Board was striving to counter the glamorization of crimes in films and videos. “We are trying as much as possible to discourage the glamourization of crimes in our movies. We are also trying to eliminate all those things movie makers are putting in their works that will make young people jump into schemes that are criminal in real life. In doing this, we are starting from script writers, then the producers because the producers are the ones who supervised the contents”, he said. He showed disapproval towards the activities of skit makers who discredit the EFCC’s work with content that inaccurately portrays the Commission’s operations “We are not only editing films but also enlightening the people. Crimes are damaging to the society. The NFVCB will continue its strategic collaboration with the EFCC to achieve its mandate”, Dr. Hussaini said as he emphasized the need for greater public education to rally support for the Commission.
Kogi Revenue Service Warns Against Payment into Private Accounts, Investigates Allegations
Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, (KGIRS) has reminded taxpayers of the need to pay at appropriate quarters, stressing that no taxpayer is expected to pay money to private accounts. The reminder became necessary following an allegation of fraudulent practices leveled against a staff of the Service. A radio program co-created by an anti-corruption crusader, Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre, (WAMAC) and Grace FM, Lokoja, Kogi State, and funded by MacArthur Foundation, exposed the alleged misconduct. Chairman of KGIRS, Sule Salihu Enehe confirmed the management’s resolve against cash payment and revenue diversion. He, therefore, declared their commitment to prosecute individuals or groups defrauding the State through improper collection of taxes “If we catch anyone trying to defraud the State, they will go through disciplinary measures and such person will be shown the exit door” Some manufacturers, traders, and artisans in Ogori Magongo local government area of the state have recently raised their voices against a staff of KGIRS and his team for collecting revenue from them without issuing receipt. One of the traders said” Whenever they come, they will tell us to pay our tax without giving us receipt. Recently, I told them that, if I am told to pay tax and they fail to give me receipt, I won’t pay.” According to a hair stylist, ” there was a time they locked five of my apprentice inside the shop because I was unable to pay them. There was several battles between me and them before people around me gathered money to pay them N3,500 before my shop was reopened”. Meanwhile, a similar allegation also comes from Eunice Tolufashe, a Chief Executive Officer of a Water factory located in the Ogori Magongo Area “When the revenue people come to the company, they acknowledged that we have paid our tax. When we asked why are they here, they said there is increase in the taxation so they are here to collect the remaining balance. We asked them how much are we talking about? “They said N13,000 but later increase it to N45,000. They insisted that we are going to pay cash which we disagree. I insist that they should give us a Government account to pay the money but they said no. So, those KGIRS team that came gave us their boss account. We insisted that, before we will pay, there must be a telephone number which we can contact to know that it is genuine.” In response to the allegations, the Director of Administration, KGIRS, Abubakar Mohammed Bello however said the management has started an investigation on the matter. “We are taking them out one by one. We are poised to actually dissolve it because without stepping out these anomalies we won’t get the desired result we expected. We have designated KGIRS account that has been published. It is online. ” You just have to do it directly to Government KGIRS account. Any staff that is caught wanting, we are going to deal with that person administratively. The staff involved, we are going to take action against him. Now that all fingers are pointing at him, the evidences are out there, the management is going to take a decision on him as the law allows. I can assure the general public that he will be shown the way out because it is a no-no to KGIRS. When you are found wanting, you will be shown the way out” Meanwhile, the Kogi State NGO’s Network, (KONGONET) is optimistic that taxpayers who have been wrongfully defrauded are going to get justice. The Chairperson of KONGONET, Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina in a media interview urged the government to root out such corrupt practices from Kogi State. “The engagement Civil Societies have had with KGIRS and what we know as they have transited from manual collection to automated system, we are sure that, whoever goes out there to do pocket collection, should be investigated. If such a person is found guilty, he should be arrested and prosecuted.” the KONGONET Chairperson said.