Lagos, Osun, Others Dragged To ICPC Over Alleged Hoarding Of COVID-19 Palliatives

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged hoarding of COVID-19 palliatives in warehouses in several states.

SERAP made the demand in a petition sent to Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, a copy of which was made available to journalists on Sunday.

The organisations petition followed reports that some people have discovered and taken away COVID-19 palliatives stored in warehouses in several states.

The petition dated 24 October, 2020, was signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

The petition, copied to Professor Itse Sagay, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), noted that “some people have reportedly discovered and taken away COVID-19 palliatives stored in warehouses in several states including Cross River, Edo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kaduna, Lagos, Osun, Plateau and Taraba states, with some of the people reportedly saying: ‘the food is ours but they are keeping it for themselves’.

SERAP asked the agency to “ensure the prompt and effective prosecution of anyone suspected to be responsible, if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence of hoarding and diversion of the palliatives.”

SERAP also said, “Unless promptly investigated, the allegations of hoarding and diversion would undermine public trust in any efforts to bring the spread of the pandemic under control, exacerbate the negative impact of the crisis, and deny those most in need access to basic necessities of life.

“Tracking, monitoring and ensuring COVID-19 palliatives are timely, effectively, and efficiently distributed to those most in need would improve transparency and accountability, respect for human rights, as well as remove the possibility of political considerations or bribery in the distribution of the palliatives.

“serious concerns that the alleged hoarding of COVID-19 palliatives in several states and the apparent failure to timely, effectively, efficiently, and transparently distribute the palliatives and other reliefs to the poorest and most vulnerable people have continued to deny many citizens the much-needed support".

SERAP also urged the ICPC “to visit the states where COVID-19 palliatives have been discovered in warehouses, and to track and monitor the distribution of palliatives across the 36 states of the country, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to remove the risks of diversion, and ensure that the palliatives get to those most in need, and not used for political or corrupt purposes.”

$114.28m COVID-19 loan: SERAP asks World Bank to make Nigeria ‘publicly commit to transparency’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to the World Bank President Mr David Malpass, urging him to use his “good offices to encourage the Federal Government and 36 state governments to publicly commit to transparency and accountability in the spending of the $114.28m credit and grant for COVID-19, which the Bank’s Board of Directors recently approved for Nigeria, including by publishing details on a dedicated websit". SERAP also urged Mr Malpass to “put pressure on authorities and the 36 state governors to accept voluntary scrutiny by Nigerians and civil society regarding the spending of the funds and use of the resources, including on how they will spend the money to buy medical equipment, and improve access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene" The World Bank Board of Directors last Friday approved a $114.28 financing “to help Nigeria prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 with a specific focus on state level...

Two Suspected Robbers Burnt To Death By Angry Mob Over Attempt To Steal Tricycle In Anambra

Two yet-to-be identified men have been burnt by some angry youths around Ekwusigo, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State. They were allegedly caught while they were attempting to steal a tricycle, popularly known as Keke Napep, from its owner. This caught the attention of some people who mobbed and started beating them. The two were beaten to a pulp before they were later burnt to death. Details of the incident were still sketchy as at the time of filing the report.

Shocking pictures of ghost town in Aba, Abia state

Many react as the ever busy Aba market blew dry as citizens massively obey the sit-at-home ordered by the angry Indigenous people of Biafra. From the pictures evidence you can see how deserted the roads looks and how shops are closed up. Contrary to a story that went wild yesterday on the internet Concerning the IPOB canceling the sit!-at-home order, came another which clearly debunked the cancellation of the sit-at-home order as propaganda. According to the Indigenous people of Biafra, the sit-at-home must continue to be observed every Monday until Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is unconditionally release from the DSS custody.

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