Corruption Massive Under Jonathan-U.S.

The United States government on Friday indicted the President Goodluck Jonathan led Federal Government of massive and widespread corruption.

According to the United States Department of State, government officials and agencies frequently engage in corrupt practices with impunity.

This was contained in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012, which was released on Friday evening.

In the report, the judiciary and security agencies, especially the police, were said be lacking in transparency.

It read in part,“The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption; however, the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces. The constitution provides immunity from civil and criminal prosecution for the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors while in office.

“There was a widespread perception judges were easily bribed and litigants could not rely on the courts to render impartial judgments. Citizens encountered long delays and alleged requests from judicial officials for bribes to expedite cases or obtain favourable rulings.

[b]“Police corruption remained rampant. Reports of checkpoint bribery and shooting incidents decreased in February after newly appointed Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar announced the closure of all police checkpoints across the country; however, illegal checkpoints remained common in some regions. Police routinely stopped drivers who did not commit traffic infractions, refusing to allow them to continue until they paid bribes,” it stated.

Highlighting events that occurred in the country in last year that portrayed lack of transparency and probity, the US government listed the escape of the suspected mastermind of the Boko Haram 2011 Christmas Day bombing from custody, noting how the police commissioner, who aided the suspect went unpunished; the conviction of former Delta State governor James Ibori in the Southwark Crown Court in London of charges of money laundering and other financial crimes totaling N12.4bn, after he was acquitted by a Nigerian court; and the N1.067trn fuel subsidy fund lost to “endemic corruption and entrenched inefficiency” as examples.[/b]

It stated that, “In July, the government released a list of those who had benefited illegally from the subsidy program, which included relatives and colleagues of key government officials. In late July, the EFCC began arraigning suspects, first with a group of 20 indictments, including six oil companies and 11 individuals. By year’s end, the EFCC initiated prosecutions of approximately 50 cases related to the subsidy scam. The majority of these cases involved companies and individuals who had fraudulently received subsidy revenue. Investigations and trials had not produced any convictions by year’s end.”

The US document also faulted the refusal of public officials to declare their assets as stipulated by law.

It stated that in June 2012, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and other groups demanded that President Jonathan should disclose his assets from 2007 to 2012 but that Jonathan refused.

The report also rated the anticorruption efforts of the Independent Corrupt Practises and other related offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as “largely ineffectual,” adding that despite ICPC’s wide mandate, it had only achieved 60 convictions since its inauguration in 2000.

It also listed a number of cases being handled by the EFCC that have remained inconclusive, including the case of alleged misappropriation of one N1bn against former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, and N40bn against his deputy Usman Nafada; and the cases against four former governors Gbenga Daniel, Adebayo Alao-Akala, Aliyu Akwe Doma, and Muhammed Danjuma Goje, for allegedly misappropriating N58bn, N25bn, N18bn, and N12.8bn, respectively.

Apart from corruption, the US accused the Federal Government of numerous unlawful killings.

It decried frequent abduction of civilians and lack of press freedom, highlighting cases, where journalists were harassed and beaten up.

It also noted widespread discrimination against persons with disability.

The Presidency, however, described the report as an incorrect assessment of the situation in the country.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, warned Nigerians to be wary of such assessments which he described as “parachute researches.”

He said contrary to the picture the report painted, the present administration has remained the most transparent government since the return of democracy to Nigeria.

He said it was in the spirit of transparency that the present administration exposed the scam in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and passed the Freedom of Information Bill.

He said, “In 2012 that the report is talking about, the EFCC alone got more than 200 convictions. This is in public domain.

“This government did an audit to eliminate waste and leakages in the system.

“On the checkpoints they talked about, it is important that they identify the difference between checkpoints and stop-and-search operation which is required especially in tackling security challenges.

“Nigerians should be wary of these external assessors that jump into conclusion. What are the parameters used in arriving at their conclusion? How scientific are the analysis?

“They assess Nigeria based on the instinct of a parachuter who jumps put of an aircraft without a fair knowledge of where he is landing.”

Source:http://www.punchng.com/news/corruption-massive-under-jonathan-us/

Of a truth, has any conviction been made since all those discoveries?

Yes, this is Fresh air.
Goodluck to you, goodluck to me,Goodliuck to everybody Goodluck Nigeria ehh.
ehh ehh ehh,Goodluck no dey fail***singing****

Well, its official.
A lot of people will die in jail sooner or later. Whether they like it or not
Let them wait and see.

Watch how many people like Oga Sincere9jerian come on here and start supporting the fisherman-in-chief, and claiming this report to be false...mtcheww

GeneralJ: Watch how many people like Oga Sincere9jerian come on here and start supporting the fisherman-in-chief, and claiming this report to be false...mtcheww

They are hungry people that sold their souls and generation for porridge and it's that hunger that will kill them.
I cant imagine how a few people will run a country of 170 million persons aground, it is unimaginable. The coutry has become so unbearable. Well, bible talk am......"and my people love to have it so"......

Anyone that expected anything better from Retardeen given his antecedents is not being realistic

First Jonathan was installed by the corrupt politicians to protect their interest.

He has never excelled in any position before.

From his time as Bayelsa Deputy when he was Alams deputy stealing them dry or his reign as Governor where his wife was stealing the state dry

He has blatantly refused to declare his assets when his Boss Yar Adua did

Welcome to the Fresh air we voted since he had no shoes

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, warned Nigerians to be wary of such assessments which he described as “parachute researches.”

He said contrary to the picture the report painted, the present administration has remained the most transparent government since the return of democracy to Nigeria.

He said it was in the spirit of transparency that the present administration exposed the scam in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and passed the Freedom of Information Bill.

He said, “In 2012 that the report is talking about, the EFCC alone got more than 200 convictions. This is in public domain.

“This government did an audit to eliminate waste and leakages in the system.

“On the checkpoints they talked about, it is important that they identify the difference between checkpoints and stop-and-search operation which is required especially in tackling security challenges.

“Nigerians should be wary of these external assessors that jump into conclusion. What are the parameters used in arriving at their conclusion? How scientific are the analysis?

“They assess Nigeria based on the instinct of a parachuter who jumps put of an aircraft without a fair knowledge of where he is landing.”

One of those who have sold their souls to their paymasters.... I know a few more here on nl

If they provide proof today he'll still dispute it or find some excuse. See the olodo that's disputing how "scientific" American research is. The same science that made his modern life possible. 1diot

Na wa oh why these people they try tell wetin we don aready know. He get who no know say Nigeria government corrupt

Where is rossikhe, insincereconfusedNigerian, goddex, lastpopue, gerald, etc to come and earn their pay of defending the retardeen? Where are the scums of the Nigerian earth to come here so that their life's biggest problems will be solved just like Jonathan is working round the clock to solve (or compound) the problems in the country??

How ironic that Mr. insincere9gerian just opened a topic to whitewash his Lord and Master?
Who is fooling who?

But for the international community the army had enough excuse to kick GEJ's backside into jail. Nigerians don't need that but in 2015 he must be shown the way to Otuoke ballot-wise !!!

i tire for this country. How did things get so bad. In 1999 we thought democracy would turn nigeria around. Why did obasanjo punish us like this? Couldnt he have installed a puppet with at least minimal decency, vision and balls?

If it was a Nigerian Journlist that published this now u bet his ass would be rotting in jail in a matter of seconds

koruji: How ironic that Mr. insincere9gerian just opened a topic to whitewash his Lord and Master?
Who is fooling who?

But for the international community the army had enough excuse to kick GEJ's backside into jail. Nigerians don't need that but in 2015 he must be shown the way to Otuoke ballot-wise !!!

Bros it is not a coincidence oh! I said these people are demons in human flesh. They knew this bombshell was coming and quickly they dispatched their e-squad begin debates online and in print newspapers of how corrupt other past presidents were so they can becloud the reasoning of Nigerians.

This report though not a big surprise but it reemphasises all we have been saying in this forum since 2010.

Look come 2015 people are still going to act with ethnic sentiments. What we should know is that many more Nigerians want the current PDP clique out.

Sibrah: Look come 2015 people are still going to act with ethnic sentiments. What we should know is that many more Nigerians want the current PDP clique out.

2015 will surprise so many of you by the spirit of change Nigerians will display. The opposition are going to campaign with what they have done and the election will be issue based on what PDP have offered Nigerians since 1999.

We already know PDP has only one plan for 2015. Use the extremist card and portray opposition as those responsible for the bombings.

When you put a retardinho in helms of affair,who has no single idea about leadership,and management,we should expect something like this.

PDP is a curse to Nigeria,come 2015,PDP would fall like a pack of cards.

This report simply re-emphasized our claim that Jona the retardeen is the worst disaster that has ever happened to Nigeria. He is as clueless as the look on his face. He doesn't even know the reason why he is in Aso Rock, he just found himself there.

Y do pple support lies?
Y do dey tell us,all s well wen its so obvious all isnt well?
Y av som pple sold der integrity,cuz of money?
Why?......Why?
Ds leaders jus wan 2 run dwn ds nation n der s nid 4 Nigerian Youths to wak up 4 posterity sake.
Abati u r a disgrace 2 humanity n generations 2 com ll not 4give u.U av sold ur birthright 4 porridge.
Jonathan,Nigerians wsh we neva voted 4 u,we wsh u wer neva our president.We reject u n ur leadership.Ur administration s corrupt n no plan 4 d betterment of our nation.Com 2015 by Gods grace,we r ready 2 throw u out.
We beseech u God dat leaders,who av stolen 4rm us,wot dey stole ll not produc 4 dem,dos dey av used stolen money 2 train ll also not produc 4 dem,IJN.Amen.

GOD!!!!!! WE KNOWN WE ARE SINNERS THAT IS WHY YOU ARE USING THE AGENT OF EVIL (PDP AND MILITARY GOVERMENT) TO PURNISH US IN NIGERIA....

O LORD FORGIVE US AND LEAD US TO THE PROMISE LAND BY 2015.

HELP US DESTROY PDP AND GIVE US A MERCIFUL PARTY AND RELIABLE, CREDIBLE CANDIDATE TO LEAD THIS COUNTRY TO THE PROMISED LAND..

AMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN

Reading dis report, my take of what I hv considerd as d WEAKEST LINK in d Fight against Corruptn in Nigeria, has bn reenforced ie THE JUDICIARY... As d article indicatd, Many cases already in courts, important laws like d FOI hv bn passd, important tactics like Removal of Police Roadblocks and d Govt increasingly EXPOSING and OPENING up both Past and Ongoing Scams- yet d Perceptn of Corruptn is still unacceptably high. There is REAL need for COMPLETE Judicial Overhaul (esp its Speed and Efficiency), a process that shld be led by d President and those in oda Arms of Govt who shld be put unda Pressure by those people in d Public who are actuali interestd in 'Fighting' Corruptn for d Sake of d Nation and for themselves instead of using it as a TOOL; a situatn where Cases (whether Corruptn relatd ones Or Not) spend Ages in court shld is Unacceptable and be STOPPED. The Appointment of Special Judges (or Courts) for Corruptn Cases, which has bn demanded by MOST including AntiCorruptn Agencies, shld be done by d CJN Asap..... The President surely ought to do MORE, or rather Led, in what shld be a National DISPASSIONATE Fight against Corruptn and Insecurity

The Whole World Is Watching!! Sooner Or Later, These B.astards Looting The Treasury Shall Rot In Jail!!

InsincereNigerian.. Jona Bu.tt-Licker.. Come Out Of Jona's Boxers And Say Something!! Empty-Headed Fowl!!

maasoap: This report simply re-emphasized our claim that Jona the retardeen is the worst disaster that has ever happened to Nigeria. He is as clueless as the look on his face. He doesn't even know the reason why he is in Aso Rock, he just found himself there.

No!. Plz don't address your president as a disasta. Use anoda word plz. Though he deserves to b called 'wicked'. But don't do that; oga no vest,u hear?

I am tired of my country 4 real! I wish I was neva from dis part!

They dont need to tell us that. We knew already.

usayab: No!. Plz don't address your president as a disasta. Use anoda word plz. Though he deserves to b called 'disasta'. But don't do that; oga no vest,u ear?

Here we go again! He deserved to be called disaster but we shouldn't call him that? As§lickers.
BTW, he's not my president. I refuse to recognise him as my president.

where are the braindead in-house gej a55 lickers.this lots are born fools.they keep peddling lies of how this administration is turning Nigeria to a Dubai. but the reality on ground is so very opposite.wondering maybe this lots live in mars version of Nigeria.this lots are so good in their lying mission.that a friend father came from usa and so enthusiastic about having round the clock light on. only to see that the house still run on generating set 24/7.but seriously things keeping pointing to the fact that this guy will be doing lengthy time in the penitentiary. after is useless time in aso rock.

When did America become a watchdog to sound convictions against other countries ? I think US should focus on their failing economy and home grown terrorism. US is over 300 yrs old as a country of immigrants, I can remember vividly that America was not as advanced as Nigeria is when they celebrated their 60yrs Independence from Britain.
Anyway, who cares what America says, we should be thinking how to learn Chinese Economic models instead of listening to a failing nation with economy of bubbles.

Billyonaire: When did America become a watchdog to sound convictions against other countries ? I think US should focus on their failing economy and home grown terrorism. US is over 300 yrs old as a country of immigrants, I can remember vividly that America was not as advanced as Nigeria is when they celebrated their 60yrs Independence from Britain.
Anyway, who cares what America says, we should be thinking how to learn Chinese Economic models instead of listening to a failing nation with economy of bubbles.

I do not think, there is much difference between this Billyonaire of a guy and the legendary Musiwa1-35 of Nairaland. Their take on issues are always the same. While the latter uses satellite in analyzing any subject he doesn't understand the former uses his "psychotic" Map

Another BASELESS report from the US. The fact that the west has suddenly become very critical of the federal govt should raise the suspicion of every patriotic Nigerian. The US have been firing from all cylinders of recent. What are they up to? Does the US mean well for Nigeria? Is this all about the PIB and oil multinationals?

Yes, Nigeria has a problem with corruption and it is the RESPONSIBILITY of every Nigerian and the govt to solve this problem. We do not need a saintly sermon from US before we know we need to get to work to solve the problem of corruption. After all the US is not immune from corruption. Who has been preaching to the US on the need to stop immoralities like gay marriages and homosexuality?

Lets take some quotes from the BASELESS report and puncture them.

"Police corruption remained rampant. Reports of checkpoint bribery and shooting incidents decreased in February after newly appointed Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar announced the closure of all police checkpoints across the country; however, illegal checkpoints remained common in some regions. Police routinely stopped drivers who did not commit traffic infractions, refusing to allow them to continue until they paid bribes,”

This is like speaking from both sides of the mouth. The closure of unnecessary police check points across the country was an action taken by the govt to curb corrupt practices among police officers. Unfortunately, that action has to be balanced with the need to also check insecurity. Not all police check points are "illegal" as stated in the report. Even if the target of completly eradicating illegal police check points have not been achieved, PROGRESS has been made. If one takes a trip all the way from Enugu to Rivers in day time, you'll hardly see police check points (except inter-state check points). But if the journey is done in the evening or night, one would see several check points. I dont know whether these check points are legal or illegal but for someone travelling at night, its a kind of reassurance that the road is safe.

Again, if the govt has banned illegal police check points, it is the responsibility of citizens to report any check point that is nuisance.

"the US government listed the escape of the suspected mastermind of the Boko Haram 2011 Christmas Day bombing from custody, noting how the police commissioner, who aided the suspect went unpunished"

Yes, Kabiru Sokoto escaped. But he was later captured. The police officer, whose negligence led to his escape was dismissed. I recall the case was investigated by the Police Service Commission which later announced his dismissal. Can someone who was dismissed be said to have gone "unpunished"? Some of us expected more punishment and prosecution but the Police Service Commission is an institution set up by law and it is safe to assume they took the RIGHT decision according to rules and law governing the police. There's no point playing to gallery.


"former Delta State governor James Ibori in the Southwark Crown Court in London of charges of money laundering and other financialcrimes totaling N12.4bn, after he was acquitted by a Nigerian court"

It was unfortunate that Ibori was acquitted by a Nigeria court but that happened under previous regime. Again, the Judiciary is a SEPARATE arm of govt. Fortunately, the new Chief Justice of the Federation is taking steps to curb the impunity in the Judiciary. Recently, 3 Justices were sacked. About 14 Justices or so are currently being investigated by the National Judicial Council.

"and the N1.067trn fuel subsidy fund lost to “endemic corruption and entrenched inefficiency”

The planned removal of fuel subsidy would have put a final stop to the corruption in the scheme. Unfortunately, the fuel subsidy was only partially removed. Those who abused the system are currently undergoing prosecution.

"In late July, the EFCC began arraigning suspects, first with a group of 20 indictments, including six oil companies and 11 individuals. By year’s end, the EFCC initiated prosecutions of approximately 50 cases related to the subsidy scam. The majority of these cases involved companies and individuals who had fraudulently received subsidy revenue. Investigations and trials had not produced any convictions by year’s end.”

The executive has done its part by bringing the suspected subsidy thieves to court. The rest is for the JUDICIARY.

"It decried frequent abduction of civilians and lack of press freedom, highlighting cases, where journalists were harassed and beaten up"

Which journalist was beaten up this year? It is very uncommon in Nigeria of recent. I can only remember one incident in Lagos. To use this as proof of "MASSIVE CORRUPTION" is ridiculous.

In conclusion, the report is BASELESS. The instances given to support "MASSIVE CORRUPTION" are porous. Yes, we have a problem with corruption but the solution lies with every Nigerian. We dont need "saints" from US to tell us how to solve our problem

I condemn dis report cos there is no Iota of truth in it. GEJ Administration is the most transparent and the best Nigeria ever had.
GEJ exposed and is prosecuting all involved in the subsidy scam. Also the Pension scam, Farouk Lawal.
It is only in GEJ regime dat any minister caught having intrest in a company must resign. (Minister of Power).
GEJ is the only Nigerian president who ve never stolen a kobo or looted any money. The only president dat has no investment. The only president dat transformed our airports to world class standard. The only president dat gave Nigerians steady Electricity, good roads, water scheme, health and Freedom of information.
Based on the foregoing, I tink the reporters are paid AGENTS. GEJ will rule Nigeria till 2019. Haters shud go and hug the nearest transformer.

Going thru this piece, i have just few words to drop, agreed, Jonathan is not showing enough balls to face corrupters and corruption face to face but his achievements in other spheres of government still speak volume! For one American clown to label Jonathan's govt as highly corrupt is just the usual mind games Americans are known for! The truth is, GEJ's administration is not that bad as being portrayed by many biased analysts out there