Part 1: VIP ex-convicts still on national honours list Presidential directive on George, Ibru, others igno
The committee which is chaired by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, it was learnt, had also been unable to meet because some of its members were on other national assignments.
The source said, “Prof. Attahiru Jega is a member of the committee but following his appointment as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, he has not had the time because of his commitment to ensure that INEC got its acts right. Dr. Christopher Kolade is also a member of the committee but his appointment into the Federal Government’s SURE-Programme is also a minus.
“The committee has not even been able to meet since the last ceremony in which Otunba Mike Adenuga and 148 others were honoured.”
Our source, however, assured that the case of George, Ibru, Akingbola, Balogun and others would be resolved next year when the committee begins sitting.
“It(committee) is most likely to meet in January 2013 to review the whole process and find a way of transferring the medals to the recipients since many of them are too old to travel and commence compiling the names as directed Mr. President.”
Our correspondent was also informed that one of the greatest challenges facing the committee was funding.
“The national awards committee is in a serious financial crisis. There is no money because funding has been difficult and it will be difficult to perform very well when there is no money. But as soon as things improve, the committee would start sitting and we can assure you that everything will come back to reckoning”, the source stated.
Jonathan’s directive on the removal of recipients not worthy of the honours was contained in a letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim.
A source in the Presidency had confirmed to The PUNCH in September that, “There is a letter to that effect, with a directive to find out the names of those who were indicted and who have (national) honours awards. I think the job is ongoing and almost being concluded. The office of the SGF has been mandated to find out the names of those who were indicted and have national honours.
“It is not all the people indicted that have national honours awards. For instance, you cannot strip somebody of a national honours award when he has none in the first place, even if he has been indicted. So the Office of the SGF is on it.
“Mr. President has given instruction that the names of the people should be compiled. As soon as the list is out, the President will do something about their case. The SGF is sorting out the names of those who were indicted and have national honours.
“For instance, the former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank Plc, Mrs. Ibru, falls within the category. So also is the ex-MD of Intercontinental Bank, Mr. Akingbola.”
George was sentenced in 2009 to a 30-month jail term by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Lagos High Court for contract splitting and inflation when he was the chairman of the board of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Balogun pleaded guilty to eight counts of money laundering in 2005 and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by Justice Binta Nyako.
Ibru was in 2010 convicted by Justice Dan Abutu of the Federal High Court in Lagos of bank and securities fraud. She was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and made to forfeit over N150bn in assets and cash.
The PUNCH last year had reported that the country’s most prestigious honours awards held on November 15, 2011 was marred by a shortage of medals and certificates.
As a result of the shortages, many of the honourees had been unable to get their medals and certificates.
Anyim had blamed it on the large number of recipients in 2011 and promised that those who could not receive their medals and certificates would have them “in the next one week.”
Part 1: VIP ex-convicts still on national honours list Presidential directive on George, Ibru, others igno
Punch Nigeria
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