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$9.3 million Nigerians Money, Maybe They Did Plan It.

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9.3 million Nigerians Money This Is Stealing

$9.3 million Nigerians Money, This Is Stealing

 

In most cases, in a bid to defend a wrongful act, the Federal Government make a big mess of herself and the Nigerian people before the International community. Anyone who have read the funny statement from the FG regarding the $9.3million (about N1.6billion) that was seized by the South African authorities when an attempt was made to smuggle the said sum into the country. While reading through the Federal Government’s position on the ludicrous event, i can’t help but laugh and at the same time, get really angry at their level of silliness and pretend ignorance.

The defense of the government is a clear statement of affirmation, that they are aware of such huge amount of money being moved out of Nigeria and, directed for the specific purpose of acquiring arm weapon to fight insurgency. Regarding the issue of carrying such large amount in cash, the FG said that the reason is to ensure a speedy transaction and that they resorted to buy from South Africa in order to avoid the procedural bottlenecks when purchasing from Western countries. I find this laughable and disturbing because the government know the laws of the land for which they are heading to make such trade. That aside, which should have been faster and easier, ferrying such cash across continent or wiring same? Maybe Reuben Abati, Doyin Okupe or even Labaran Maku may decide to answer.

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There are so many questions that the government needs to answer and luck enough, Festus Keyamo provided in detail, the questions in his report:

  1. If, indeed, the matter involves security issues like the purchase of arms by a foreign government like Nigeria, why was the South African Government not brought into the picture beforehand? How could the South African Government be sure that the arms were purchased legitimately by the Nigerian government and not by insurgents if they were not officially informed beforehand?
  2. If indeed the manufacturer(s) of such equipment was/were expecting such large amount by cash, why did they not make adequate arrangements with the authorities in South Africa to declare and clear the cash on arrival?
  3. Why was money belonging to the Federal Government and meant for purchase of equipment for the Federal Government moved by a private jet and by private individuals and why were they not accompanied by the officials of the Department of State Services or the office of the National Security Adviser in official capacities?
  4. Why would a government that is at the peak of promoting the cashless policy in our economy be the chief breaker of that policy by moving such a large amount by cash?
  5. If, indeed, it was a legitimate transaction of the Federal Government, why were the officials of our embassy in South Africa not on hand to make the entry easier and smoother?
  6. Since the South African Government has said the amount is above the limit of cash allowed into that country, why would a whole government like Nigeria not know the simple immigration laws of a sister and friendly country before allowing that type of amount of cash to be taken to that country?
  7. Why would the Nigerian government seek to smuggle cash into a country without disclosure if it was, indeed, for a legitimate transaction?
  8. From where did the Federal Government source that amount in Nigeria? Was it from the Central Bank of Nigeria or from the black market? Nigerians demand answers to this with proof.
  9. Is it just a wicked coincidence that it is the aircraft belonging to a personal friend and unapologetic ally of the President in the person of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (my big brother in Warri), that was used to smuggle the cash?
  10. If, contrary to the above posers, the transaction was contracted out to a private company in Nigeria, does it not amount to the offence of Money Laundering under our laws for the Federal
    Government to have allowed that company to attempt to pay for the equipment by cash to the tune of that amount without passing through a financial institution?

Nigerians are not fools, we’ve come of age as time, situations, circumstances and education have brushed us up and smarten our thinking to know when we are been lied to. The likely deduction any reasonable individual who doesn’t want to deceive himself will get out of the Federal Government’s report is that some personality in the government are trying so hard to turn Nigerian government into a “smuggling government”, we won’t let that happen.

Honestly? May God help us!

 

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Jeff Okoroafor is a leading member of a new generation of civic advocates for government accountability and democratic change in Nigeria. The Citizen Affairs Initiative is a citizen-driven governance initiative that enhances public awareness on critical issues of service quality in Nigeria. It encourages citizens to proactively seek higher standards from governments and service providers and further establishes new discussions in communities about the standards that citizens should expect and deserve from those they have given their mandates. Jeff is the Managing Director of SetFron Limited, a multimedia development company that is focused on creative and results-driven web, mobile app, and ERP software solutions. He is the co-founder of the African Youths Advancement and Support Initiative (AfriYasi), a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation that provides tertiary education scholarship for young people from low-income homes in Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the Young African Leaders Initiative and the United Nations World Summit Awards. A Strategic Team member of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, and a member of the National Technical Committee on the Establishment and Management of Missing Persons Database in Nigeria. Jeff holds a Bachelor and Postgraduate diploma degrees in Computer Science, and a Certificate in Public Administration from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, GIMPA.

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