Alan García: Peru’s former president kills himself ahead of arrest

Peru’s former President Alan Garcia died in a hospital in Lima
on Wednesday after shooting himself as police arrived at his house
to arrest him in connection with a bribery probe, authorities
said.

Garcia, who had repeatedly denied wrongdoing, was 69.

President Martin Vizcarra said on Twitter that he was
“consternated” by Garcia’s death, and sent his condolences to his
family members.

Judicial orders obtained by The Associated Press said an order
for Garcia’s arrest had been issued.

Garcia, a skilled orator who led Peru’s once-powerful Apra party
for decades, governed Peru as a nationalist from 1985 to 1990
before remaking himself as a free-market proponent and winning a
new five-year term in 2006.

Garcia was under investigation in connection with Brazilian
construction company Odebrecht, which triggered Latin America’s
biggest corruption scandal when it admitted publicly in 2016 that
it won lucrative contracts in the region with bribes.

In November, he sought refuge in the Uruguayan embassy and
applied for asylum but he left the next month after it was
denied.

Corruption has plagued Peruvian politics for decades. The
country’s last five presidents have either been jailed on
corruption charges or are currently under investigation for
fraud.

Former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was detained last week as
part of a money-laundering probe into his ties to the
Odebrecht.

Congressional allies of Kuczynski said he was also taken Tuesday
night to a local clinic with high blood pressure.

A Peruvian judge last week ordered Kuczynski’s detention for 10
days as he investigates some $782,000 in previously undisclosed
payments from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht more than a
decade ago. A hearing is scheduled to take place later on Wednesday
to decide whether to increase his detention to three years.

Opposition leader Keiko Fujimori is also embroiled in an ongoing
corruption investigation related to undeclared financial
contributions to her 2011 presidential campaign.

AGF Revives Treasury Journal

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris has
called on the members of the Treasury Journal Finance Committee to
work assiduously to bring innovative ways that will ensure that
funds are available for the production and publication of the 5th
Edition of the Treasury Journal.

Mr. Idris made this call recently in Abuja, while inaugurating a
13-member committee put together by the Accountant-General of the
Federation to secure the sustenance of the publication of the
Treasury Journal.

According to the AGF, “the Treasury Journal is a source of pride
to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and
represents our determination at showcasing the role of the OAGF in
Government programmes and activities”.

However, he regretted that its funding has not been as expected
as it has largely been through advertisements and other supports
from MDAs which usually affects the production of the Journal as at
when due.

The AGF also charged the Editorial Board of the Journal to
ensure highest standards and quality of inputs and publication of
Treasury Journal.
He therefore expressed his confidence on the committee to deliver
on the task assigned to them by assisting the Editorial Board to
achieve its mandate.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim
Tumsah, thanked the Accountant –General for the confidence reposed
on them and assured that they will work hard to ensure that
adequate funds are raised to ensure timely realization of the
production of the 5th Edition of the Treasury Journal.

Mr. Henshaw Ogubike
Deputy Director/Head of Press and Public relations (OAGF)