TonyeBarcanista:
The Panel summoned Osinbajo but he failed to honor the summon. The panel says Yemi Osinbajo has explanation to make and you say they should summon him after he had failed to honor summon?

Yes, #5.8 billion is a lot of money and it has drawn the attention of NASS and Nigerians.

And you believed he diverted N5.8bn? Let us be logical about this

argon500:



Stop taking Panadol on someone's headache. How are you sure I belived the story about Diezani? Have we met before or had any conversation anywhere.. Oh boy, your hypocrisy stinks. Tuee

@Ngada has a point. The double standard of APC is nauseating and you are trying to defend Yemi. Haba boss

The nauseating thing about APC hypocrisy is their double standard whenever they are caught in their own game.

TonyeBarcanista:
@Ngada has a point. The double standard of APC is nauseating and you are trying to defend Yemi. Haba boss

Who are the APC? Hope you are not referring me to one..

TonyeBarcanista:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7QDNXvz-rY

Apeceeeeeeee oleeeeeeeeee

TonyeBarcanista:
Meanwhile, same NASS indicted Yemi Osinbajo for STEALING N5.8 billion from NEMA meant for IDPs and APC supporters are questioning us for calling him a thief


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxkvTzna5lk

www.nairaland.com/attachments/8135784_cymera20181114110528_jpegb4df2339d4ae15be1d784a39f7cf2377

To have used the word STEALING is really diabolical and uncalled for. This set of lawmakers have right from the beginning worked against PMB. Their aim, in almost all instances, is to set the masses against the administration, and God will show them - from the failure of Saraki to win the PDP ticket to the eventual downfall of the PDP in all their plans.

[s]

CilicMarin:


You just confirmed 3 Things here:

1. Osinbajo was not indicted anywhere in the report.

2. That the committee didn't conclude their investigation because of the disbandment of the governing Council.

3. No where was the VP invited in the course of the investigation because there was no need for that.


Then why are you circulating falsehood w pictures of Osinbajo to hoodwink the uninitiated?

TonyeBarcanista fear God, and remember tomorrow. Everything shouldn't be politicized.

[/s]
claptrap and stupid trash

how far about gandollar

Osibanjo is a bastard criminal fake pastor and a Hopless bastard vagabond Useless nonentity bribe eating scumbag

at least no sane nairaland will believe anything from a serial supporter of failure and criminals in government including terrorist Buhari

kiss the truth

GavelSlam:


When you are done with twisting statements, fabricating events and maligning of characters, you would realise in 2019, that it never works.

You did it in 2015 yet it failed.

I guess some people never learn.

Awon Iran oleeeeeee



Gbewiri

CilicMarin:
Where exactly did the Report indict Osinbajo?

TonyeBarcanista.

I mean the exact lines that mentioned Osinbajo?

Read now.

Oju ole 're oleeeeeee

[s]

MalcoImX:


To have used the word STEALING is really diabolical and uncalled for. This set of lawmakers have right from the beginning worked against PMB. Their aim, in almost all instances, is to set the masses against the administration, and God will show them - from the failure of Saraki to win the PDP ticket to the eventual downfall of the PDP in all their plans.

[/s]
more pathetic trash
address the issue of criminal fake pastor Osibanjo
Stop talking Nonsense

PRYCE:
One would wonder how Keyamo, Fashola and Osinbajo all got confered as SANs.

One is a thief
The other is just so unprofessional
And another operates well in darkness!

APC Rogues!!

No mind them hooo.


Association of Past and Present Criminals

CilicMarin:


You just confirmed 3 Things here:

1. Osinbajo was not indicted anywhere in the report.

2. That the committee didn't conclude their investigation because of the disbandment of the governing Council.

3. No where was the VP invited in the course of the investigation because there was no need for that.


Then why are you circulating falsehood w pictures of Osinbajo to hoodwink the uninitiated?

TonyeBarcanista fear God, and remember tomorrow. Everything shouldn't be politicized.

So how was the money diverted then.

Advocate of Past and Present Criminals

ngadaAwo:
[s][/s]
but you believe Atiku stole even when EFCC still find no evidence to hunt him
you believe that Fayose stole
Infact you believe everyone in pdp stole even with some of them no evidence
but you didn't believe the short criminal pastor devil Osibanjo stole even with multiple evidence staring at you

you're just a bloody hypocrite
Tufiakwa

Ask Tonye you are defending about Atiku corruption case. Unless if you are newbie here.

Seriously you have comprehension problem. Why accusing of what you are not sure of. Do you have a proof?

Don't be blinded with politics.

TonyeBarcanista:



“Though in our report, there was nowhere specifically the committee mentioned either Vice President or Prof. Osinbajo, but what I also know is that he is the chairman of the Governing Council of NEMA. So, if he knows something that I don’t know, his office may be able to respond to some of the issues,” the lawmaker noted.

According to Isa, the committee actually sent a letter to Osinbajo to appear before the committee but he sent someone to represent him.

“The committee wanted to get more information but the governing council was suspended to jeopardise the investigation. When the committee tried to ask questions they started apportioning blames. No procurement, no contract was awarded, no single company has procurement letter; if they let me have the privilege of publishing it,” he stated.

The lawmakers have sustained their allegation that government officials diverted the sum of N5.8bn earmarked for emergency intervention and food security in the North-East” in 2017, and another N17bn released from the Ecological Fund to NEMA.

There is also the allegation that through a memo that emanated from Osinbajo’s office, he authorised the N5.8bn in June 2017 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation without the approval of the National Assembly in contradiction of Section 80 (4) of the 1999 Constitution.
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/11/13/neast-intervention-fund-house-insists-osinbajo-has-questions-to-answer/?amp

We thought you've toned down. Tonye you are still a disgrace.

How can the committee want more information after they've concluded (according to you) and even apportioned blames?

Are they investigating, alleging or pronouncing judgement?

[s]

argon500:


Ask Tonye you are defending about Atiku corruption case. Unless if you are newbie here.

Seriously you have comprehension problem. Why accusing of what you are sure of. Do you have a proof?

Don't be blinded with politics.

[/s]
Stop blabbing like a pregnant hen
answer my questions stop shifting goal post
stop supporting criminal terrorist bastard ediotic charlatan short vulture bribe eating scumbag fake pastor Osibanjo

kiss the truth

[s]

MalcoImX:

We thought you've toned down. Tonye you are still a disgrace.

How can the committee want more information after they've concluded (according to you) and even apportioned blames?

Are they investigating, alleging or pronouncing judgement?

[/s]
trash trash trash

CilicMarin:


You just confirmed 3 Things here:

1. Osinbajo was not indicted anywhere in the report.

2. That the committee didn't conclude their investigation because of the disbandment of the governing Council.

3. No where was the VP invited in the course of the investigation because there was no need for that.


Then why are you circulating falsehood w pictures of Osinbajo to hoodwink the uninitiated?

TonyeBarcanista fear God, and remember tomorrow. Everything shouldn't be politicized.

You are exposing Osinbajo to ridicule.

1. The HoR recommend sack of all members of NEMA Board

“ All the NEMA board members who were involved in their suspension should be sanctioned, ” the House stated.

Osinbajo is the Chairman of the board of NEMA .

2. As acting president Osinbajo approved ILLEGALLY the release of #5.8 billion

On the N 5 . 8 bn , the panel ’ s report noted that a memo by the Office of the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo authorised its release in June 2017 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation without prior approval by the National Assembly.

The report observed that this was a violation of Section 80 (4 ) of the 1999 Constitution.

3. As NEMA Chairman he distributed this money ILLEGALLY without any bidding or due process. No document backing o

The money was paid to five companies and NEMA to supply food items to the IDPs in the North - East.
The companies were Dangote Rice Limited (N 936 . 1 m ); Golden Agric Input Limited (N 1 . 3 bn ); BUA Rice Limited (N 1 . 3 bn ); WACOT Limited (N 453 . 6 m ); WACOT Limited (N 939 . 9 m ); and NEMA (N 829 m ).

Osinbajo is the Chairman of the board of NEMA .

4. Osinbajo contravened several laws of the land just to illegally diverts money

“ This is in contravention of the approval of the National Assembly on the issuance of Euro , Bond from which the Minister authorised payment . The Euro Bond is for specified infrastructural projects and not for discretionary intervention . Furthermore , there is no specific appropriation by the National Assembly.
“ This contravenes Section 80 (4 ) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which states , ‘ No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation , except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly. ”’

And Osinbajo was invited but he shunned the panel's invitation

ngadaAwo:
[s][/s]
more pathetic trash
address the issue of criminal fake pastor Osibanjo
Stop talking Nonsense

The issue has been addressed. Once a saboteur always a saboteur. Their only aim is to denigrate and malign - which is not working.

MalcoImX:

We thought you've toned down. Tonye you are still a disgrace.

How can the committee want more information after they've concluded (according to you) and even apportioned blames?

Are they investigating, alleging or pronouncing judgement?

Why do police investigate suspects even after catching them on the act?

The answer is, DETAILS! The further an investigation goes the more details is unearthed

argon500:


Who are the APC? Hope you are not referring me to one..

Oh you know political views changes. But I expect you to work on facts rather than divert it.

The reason Osinbajo loyalists want to kill it is because they know they've been exposed

ngadaAwo:
[s][/s]
Stop blabbing like a pregnant hen
answer my questions stop shifting goal post
stop supporting criminal terrorist bastard ediotic charlatan short vulture bribe eating scumbag fake pastor Osibanjo

kiss the truth

Exactly

[s]

MalcoImX:

The issue has been addressed. Once a saboteur always a saboteur. Their only aim is to denigrate and malign - which is not working.

[/s]
addressed by zombies
ok i hear

Osibanjo is a vagabond puppet and a Hopless bastard vagabond Useless nonentity bribe eating scumbag fake pastor
kiss the truth

ngadaAwo:
[s][/s]
Stop blabbing like a pregnant hen
answer my questions stop shifting goal post
stop supporting criminal terrorist bastard ediotic charlatan short vulture bribe eating scumbag fake pastor Osibanjo

kiss the truth

Bro, please do me a favour. Log out your nairaland account. Pretend to read the comments as a guest and read through all your replies on this thread. Also pretend you are not the one who wrote those comments and judge the person. Thank you

[s]

argon500:


Bro, please do me a favour. Log out your nairaland account. Pretend to read the comments as a guest and read through all your replies on this thread. Also pretend you are not the one who made those comments and judge the person. Thank you

[/s]
sorry i don't take orders from biased and naive hypocrites

kiss the truth

TonyeBarcanista:

Why do police investigate suspects even after catching them on the act?

The answer is, DETAILS! The further an investigation goes the more details is unearthed

If that is the case, it is wrong to use the word "STEALING" on inconclusive and highly political issues.

MalcoImX:
If that is the case, it is wrong to use the word "STEALING" on inconclusive and highly political issues.

But the report has been submitted and endorsed by the house, which affirmed Osinbajo as being a thief.

Abi?

TonyeBarcanista:
Oh you know political views changes. But I expect you to work on facts rather than divert it.

The reason Osinbajo loyalists want to kill it is because they know they've been exposed

Did you say political views changes? Tonye, please fear God now . But wait oo. Tonye Wey I know for no reason like this oo.

See , if Nigerians like let them elect goat as a president in Simi's voice ' I dun care' I don't live or partake in politics like you guys. Not just my thing but that doesn't mean we should turn a blind ear to truth or false.

argon500:


Did you say political views changes? Tonye, please fear God now . But wait oo. Tonye Wey I know for no reason like this oo.

See , if Nigerians like let them elect goat as a president in Simi's voice ' I dun care' I don't live or partake in politics like you guys. Not just my thing but that doesn't mean we should turn a blind ear to truth or false.

I wish you reside here in Naija to know the damage these guys have done to our country's economy and stoking hatred among ethnic groups and faiths

TonyeBarcanista:
But the report has been submitted and endorsed by the house, which affirmed Osinbajo as being a thief.

Abi?

Which one do we believe now? Why want details on what was concluded?

TonyeBarcanista:

You are exposing Osinbajo to ridicule.

1. The HoR recommend sack of all members of NEMA Board



2. As acting president Osinbajo approved ILLEGALLY the release of #5.8 billion




3. As NEMA Chairman he distributed this money ILLEGALLY without any bidding or due process. No document backing o



Osinbajo is the Chairman of the board of NEMA .

4. Osinbajo contravened several laws of the land just to illegally diverts money




And Osinbajo was invited but he shunned the panel's invitation

You are just going on a Circle copying words from a inconclusive reports by the rep. However, you didnt mention where he was indicted for stealing 5.6B being bandied about by your failed and utterly corrupt party.

In any case, this is a detailed response by the then Acting President:

Osinbajo replies Reps, denies acting illegally on emergency funds

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reacted to a report by a House of Representatives committee indicting him for allegedly approving funds illegally.

PREMIUM TIMES published the report which accused the vice president of acting illegally in approving N5.9 billion for emergency operations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) whose head was being investigated by the lawmakers.

Mr Osinbajo’s response is contained in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande.

“These presidential approvals were well within the clear constitutional authority of the Acting President, who needed to take emergency steps to forestall acute food shortages in the affected States and there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about them,” Mr Akande wrote.

Read the vice president’s full reaction to the report below.

Our attention has been drawn to a report of the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness issued on Thursday, November 8, 2018, particularly in respect of funds released for “emergency intervention of food security to the North-East” in June 2017, when the Vice President was Acting President.

In its report, the Committee alleged that a sum of N5,865,671,939.26 was approved and released in June 2017 vide a Memo raised from the Office of the Acting President, directing the Honourable Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation to so act. The House Committee also concluded that the payment made was in contravention of approval of the National Assembly. This conclusion is both false and misleading.

To start with, it is important to understand the context of the transaction. This was at a time when internally displaced persons and their host communities faced very severe food shortages throughout the North East, as a result of successive poor harvests and abandoned farmlands, minimal cross-border cash crop trade and lost economic opportunities.

On 15th April 2017, the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP), a major aid organisation and food supplier to the region, had issued a warning that it would be reducing its vital support to about 1.8 million IDPs by as much as 85%, due to corresponding reduction in funding by the donor countries. Around the same time, the United Nations Commission for Refugees in Geneva also warned of the growing risk of mass deaths from starvation among people living in the conflict areas.

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) moved urgently to prevent the looming disaster by establishing a strategic food intervention plan for the affected States. A Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Delivery to the North East was convened and the Committee met on the 13th of May, 2017 to kick off the process, with the then Acting President as Chairman. Other members of the Committee included:

(i) Minister of Finance;

(ii) Minister of Budget and National Planning;

(iii) Minister of State for Budget and National Planning;

(iv) Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development;

(v) Governor of Central Bank;

(vi) Deputy Chief of Staff to the President; and

(vii) Senior Special Assistant in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

Resulting from the deliberations of this and subsequent meetings, the approval referred to in the House Committee’s Report was, in fact, based on a request raised by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria as facilitator of the National Food Security Programme, vide a letter dated May 25, 2017.

As explained in the said letter, there was an immediate need to distribute grains, including rice, maize, soya beans and sorghum, to Internally Displaced Persons through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The only way to obtain the quantity of grains required was to resort to the National Food Security Progamme (NFSP) earlier established by the Federal Government as a means of shoring up its strategic grain reserves.

It was in consequence of the Federal Government decision to urgently purchase the stored grains for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons that the CBN made the proposal for approval of 30,905.08 Metric Tonnes at N5,229,685,333.26. Of that amount, the then Acting President eventually approved N5,036,644,933.26, after excluding bagging costs. This was pursuant to the recommendation that bagging, transportation and other logistics were best handled by NEMA.

NEMA also originated a request to the Acting President, dated May 25, 2017, requesting the sum of N829,026,456.00 for general logistics, branding & packaging, tracking, security, personnel, media & publicity and contingency costs of taking the grains from their respective locations in Kano, Kaduna, Funtua, Ibadan and Gombe to Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Jigawa States.

These presidential approvals were well within the clear constitutional authority of the Acting President, who needed to take emergency steps to forestall acute food shortages in the affected States and there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about them. The approvals were duly communicated by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Central Bank, Director General of NEMA and the Minister of Finance for implementation.

On account of the emergency nature of the procurement, the House Committee’s assumption that the ordinary rules of procurement would apply was wrong. Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act makes provision for emergency procurement, in which case the procuring entity is allowed to engage in direct contracting for goods and file a report thereafter with the Bureau of Public Procurement.

It is also wrong to assume that taxes and interests accruable to government from these transactions in food items were deliberately ignored or waived by neglect. Of course, we expect that any loans advanced to any of the companies would be recovered with the agreed interests, and that any profits made by such companies would be liable to tax in the usual manner.

The suggestion that the grains were never delivered to the target States is also blatant falsehood. In actual fact, in order to ensure effective distribution of the grains, an Emergency Food Intervention Project Team was established, consisting of the Director General of NEMA and representatives of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Department of State Security, Nigeria Police and the Presidency. The Committee also worked with respective State Emergency Management Agencies, as well as humanitarian agencies such as World Food Programme, International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Deliveries were publicly made directly to the intended beneficiaries. In fact, the then Acting President personally inspected the electronic truck-tracking unit established in Maiduguri for the purpose of monitoring the transportation, and flagged off the food distribution on the 8th of June, 2017. Besides, there was the integration of a robust monitoring and evaluation system into the operation in order to facilitate a transparent and accountable process.

Therefore, all insinuations on this matter regarding purported indictments and perceived violations of due process or the constitution are baseless and totally false. Such interpretations are flawed and should be utterly ignored.

Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President

Office of the Vice President

TonyeBarcanista:

I wish you reside here in Naija to know the damage these guys have done to our country's economy and stoking hatred among ethnic groups and faiths

Most of the economy damage was caused by PDP( don't change your tone about that) coupled with some bad policies made by Buhari which was later reversed( late appointments of minister and introduction of TSA ( he should have applied withdrawal method on that.

Bro let face reality. I can't vouch of other regions oo, but in South West, there are glaring projects, development within 3.5yrs of Buhari.

2015 election, majority of the area that were affected by Bokoharam rampage couldn't vote massively. Their communities is now secure and safe 80% of people have returned back home.

Npower, Tradermoni e.t.c even if Na scam, the random beneficiaries would have different thought

Out of 11 states in SS/SE Buhari will have at least 25% of casted vote in the follow states; Edo, Imo, Rivers, Anambra, May be Ebonyi( Muslim diverse factor).

In north, no matter what Buhari will get nothing less than 60% on the total casted vote.

60% in North entirely, 60% in SW, 25% in both SE/SS.

Majority of Atiku supporters are internet warrior ( a bit comfortable). 60% of them do not have pvc nor have time/energy to vote. Even you, would you still continue to vote if their is violent at your polling unit( who wan die)?

I am not a fan of Buhari or Atiku but Buhari will win base on my assumption( After all I no be God)

If you have a superior argument, I am ready to learn boss

Have you seen any thief that doesn't put up defence? Even Rev King appealed his conviction, Evans pleaded NOT Guilty, Ibori contested his conviction, Bill Clinton denied wrongdoing etc. His so called defence didn't address the substance and is diversionary BUT I am glad I have CONVINCED you that Osinbajo was indicted.

CilicMarin:


You are just going on a Circle copying words from a inconclusive reports by the rep. However, you didnt mention where he was indicted for stealing 5.6B being bandied about by your failed and utterly corrupt party.

In any case, this is a detailed response by the then Acting President:

Osinbajo replies Reps, denies acting illegally on emergency funds

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reacted to a report by a House of Representatives committee indicting him for allegedly approving funds illegally.

PREMIUM TIMES published the report which accused the vice president of acting illegally in approving N5.9 billion for emergency operations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) whose head was being investigated by the lawmakers.

Mr Osinbajo’s response is contained in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande.

“These presidential approvals were well within the clear constitutional authority of the Acting President, who needed to take emergency steps to forestall acute food shortages in the affected States and there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about them,” Mr Akande wrote.

Read the vice president’s full reaction to the report below.

Our attention has been drawn to a report of the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness issued on Thursday, November 8, 2018, particularly in respect of funds released for “emergency intervention of food security to the North-East” in June 2017, when the Vice President was Acting President.

In its report, the Committee alleged that a sum of N5,865,671,939.26 was approved and released in June 2017 vide a Memo raised from the Office of the Acting President, directing the Honourable Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation to so act. The House Committee also concluded that the payment made was in contravention of approval of the National Assembly. This conclusion is both false and misleading.

To start with, it is important to understand the context of the transaction. This was at a time when internally displaced persons and their host communities faced very severe food shortages throughout the North East, as a result of successive poor harvests and abandoned farmlands, minimal cross-border cash crop trade and lost economic opportunities.

On 15th April 2017, the United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP), a major aid organisation and food supplier to the region, had issued a warning that it would be reducing its vital support to about 1.8 million IDPs by as much as 85%, due to corresponding reduction in funding by the donor countries. Around the same time, the United Nations Commission for Refugees in Geneva also warned of the growing risk of mass deaths from starvation among people living in the conflict areas.

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) moved urgently to prevent the looming disaster by establishing a strategic food intervention plan for the affected States. A Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Delivery to the North East was convened and the Committee met on the 13th of May, 2017 to kick off the process, with the then Acting President as Chairman. Other members of the Committee included:

(i) Minister of Finance;

(ii) Minister of Budget and National Planning;

(iii) Minister of State for Budget and National Planning;

(iv) Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development;

(v) Governor of Central Bank;

(vi) Deputy Chief of Staff to the President; and

(vii) Senior Special Assistant in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

Resulting from the deliberations of this and subsequent meetings, the approval referred to in the House Committee’s Report was, in fact, based on a request raised by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria as facilitator of the National Food Security Programme, vide a letter dated May 25, 2017.

As explained in the said letter, there was an immediate need to distribute grains, including rice, maize, soya beans and sorghum, to Internally Displaced Persons through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The only way to obtain the quantity of grains required was to resort to the National Food Security Progamme (NFSP) earlier established by the Federal Government as a means of shoring up its strategic grain reserves.

It was in consequence of the Federal Government decision to urgently purchase the stored grains for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons that the CBN made the proposal for approval of 30,905.08 Metric Tonnes at N5,229,685,333.26. Of that amount, the then Acting President eventually approved N5,036,644,933.26, after excluding bagging costs. This was pursuant to the recommendation that bagging, transportation and other logistics were best handled by NEMA.

NEMA also originated a request to the Acting President, dated May 25, 2017, requesting the sum of N829,026,456.00 for general logistics, branding & packaging, tracking, security, personnel, media & publicity and contingency costs of taking the grains from their respective locations in Kano, Kaduna, Funtua, Ibadan and Gombe to Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Jigawa States.

These presidential approvals were well within the clear constitutional authority of the Acting President, who needed to take emergency steps to forestall acute food shortages in the affected States and there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about them. The approvals were duly communicated by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Central Bank, Director General of NEMA and the Minister of Finance for implementation.

On account of the emergency nature of the procurement, the House Committee’s assumption that the ordinary rules of procurement would apply was wrong. Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act makes provision for emergency procurement, in which case the procuring entity is allowed to engage in direct contracting for goods and file a report thereafter with the Bureau of Public Procurement.

It is also wrong to assume that taxes and interests accruable to government from these transactions in food items were deliberately ignored or waived by neglect. Of course, we expect that any loans advanced to any of the companies would be recovered with the agreed interests, and that any profits made by such companies would be liable to tax in the usual manner.

The suggestion that the grains were never delivered to the target States is also blatant falsehood. In actual fact, in order to ensure effective distribution of the grains, an Emergency Food Intervention Project Team was established, consisting of the Director General of NEMA and representatives of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Department of State Security, Nigeria Police and the Presidency. The Committee also worked with respective State Emergency Management Agencies, as well as humanitarian agencies such as World Food Programme, International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Deliveries were publicly made directly to the intended beneficiaries. In fact, the then Acting President personally inspected the electronic truck-tracking unit established in Maiduguri for the purpose of monitoring the transportation, and flagged off the food distribution on the 8th of June, 2017. Besides, there was the integration of a robust monitoring and evaluation system into the operation in order to facilitate a transparent and accountable process.

Therefore, all insinuations on this matter regarding purported indictments and perceived violations of due process or the constitution are baseless and totally false. Such interpretations are flawed and should be utterly ignored.

Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President

Office of the Vice President