Abdul rasheed maina biography of george washington
1. INTRODUCTION
DEMOCRACY IS FREED, BUT HAS POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY SERVED ITS JAIL TERM IN NIGERIA?
Godwin Ntuk Udeh --- Nelson Akpan Bassey
Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017, Uyo, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Democracy is understandably the most popular form of government in modern times. This work was therefore an attempt to review democratic practices in Nigeria in the current dispensation. The work became necessary in view of the perceived influence electoral violence and electoral frauds have on declining democratic values in Nigeria. The work was largely descriptive and historical in nature. It drew data from mainly secondary sources. It was found out in the work that tenets of democracy such as credible polls, judiciary independence and rule of law have been a mirage in Nigeria. Election results at times do not reflect the wishes of the electorate thus sapping confidence in our democracy. In view of the need to entrench popular sovereignty in Nigeria, it was recommended among others that the Electoral Act 2010 be amended to accommodate option A4 to replace the Secret Balloting practiced today in Nigeria University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017, Uyo, Nigeria.
Keywords:Democracy Nigeria Free and fair election Sovereignty Rule of law Option A4.
ARTICLE HISTORY:Received:2 August 2018 Revised:11 September 2018 Accepted:15 October 2018 Published:9 November 2018.
Contribution/ Originality:The paper's primary contribution is finding that proving electoral fraud is very difficult in Nigeria.
Students offering “Political Ideas” are usually ask, “What is democracy?” One student will very often volunteer a response, “democracy is government of the people by the people, for the people”. Many in the class will easily agree with that response and the lecturer will nod in agreement. What those neophytes hardly realize is the full weight and implicatio
Abdulrasheed Maina: A fugitive from justice – Ehi Braimah
It appears our new found romance with our northern neighbours, Niger Republic, paid off recently with the arrest and extradition of fugitive Abdulrasheed Maina from Niamey where he has been hiding. Maina, welcome back home – you can only run but cannot hide.
By the way, why are you a fugitive from justice? Why are you running? How did you get your running shoes? Are you not aware that your bad behaviour will eventually catch up with you? The story of Maina is like a fairytale but it is not exactly new, and there are many Mainas in our midst – all they know how to do is to cheat, lie, loot and steal. They steal from us and eat from both sides of their mouths with demonic pleasure. These professional looters take — without any care in this world and in a public display of infamy — what belongs to all of us and members of their fan clubs hail and cheer them in a stupid display of ignorance and egregious fantasy.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says Maina has a case to answer over allegations of abuse of office, but the man has been missing in action. According to EFCC, Maina used his company, Common Input and property Limited amongst others, to operate fictitious bank accounts and thereby siphoned pension funds to the tune of N2 billion.
When pension remittances are stolen, is it any wonder why our pensioners struggle to access what is supposed to be a lifetime benefit? In their old age, pensioners are put through a torture of verification exercises and life of misery and hopelessness. Usually, the end game is death instead of being paid their pensions. So you can understand the concern of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) – the body is kicking against the plan by the federal government to borrow from the pension fund. The National Pension Commission last Friday disclosed that the total pension fund stood at N11.34 trillion as at the end of August, out of
BREAKING: Court finds Maina guilty of money laundering
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday found Abdulrasheed Maina, the former chairman of the now-defunct Pension Reformed Task Team guilty of money laundering.
In a judgement being delivered by Justice Okon Abang, the court held that the prosecutor, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has produced essential evidence through witnesses to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Maina is guilty of money laundering in the sum of N171,099,000. The court added that the defendant (Maina), called only one witness to his defense when he had the opportunity to call as many as he could.
While further delivering his judgement, Justice Abang found Maina guilty of concealing his true identity as a signatory to accounts opened in two banks – UBA and Fidelity bank – by using the identity of his family members without their knowledge. These accounts had cash deposits of N300million, N500million, and N1.5billion The court held that Maina stole monies meant for pensioners as he could not prove where he got them from.
Justice Abang also held that through Maina’s service as a civil servant, his salary and emoluments will not amount to the monies in these accounts.
Corruption in Nigeria
Corruption is an anti-social attitude awarding improper privileges contrary to legal and moral norms and impairs the authorities' capacity to secure the welfare of all citizens.Corruption in Nigeria is a constant phenomenon. In 2012, Nigeria was estimated to have lost over $400 billion to corruption since its independence.
Nigerian politicians find themselves in a strong position of power and wealth due to their connections with the oil and gas industries in Nigeria. These gas industries are under the control of the state-owned company NNPC Limited. Oil and gas exports account for over 90% of all Nigerian export revenues. While many politicians own or have shares in these industries, tax revenues from the energy sector are diminished and the benefits of Nigeria's energy wealth is not evenly distributed throughout the country with Lagos State benefitting disproportionately. Oil and gas revenues, therefore, account for the vast majority of the federal budget and the salaries of government officials Vote rigging by political parties in elections is widespread, and corruption is endemic within government. Business arrangements and family loyalties dominate governmental appointments, paving the way for politicians, officials, and their business associates, who together make up the ruling elite to ensure that they all become wealthy through behind-the-scenes agreements and the awarding of profitable contracts to favored supporters. In 2018, many government employees received annual salaries over $1 million. Corruption runs through every level of the Nigerian government. From considerable contract fraud at the top, through petty bribery, money laundering schemes, embezzlement, and seizing salaries from fake workers, it is estimated that corruption within the state apparatus costs the country billions of dollars annually.