Why we cannot arrest corrupt APC big weight – EFCC

At the wake of the ongoing war against corruption, which many view as being selective, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has said that the commission is unable to prosecute perceived corrupt members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, because it is yet to receive any petition against them.

Magu, who made the disclosure on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 in Abuja at a forum with online and broadcast media managers, said more influential Nigerians would soon be arrested to face prosecution as the EFCC under him has reinvigorated the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

The EFCC boss made this revelation at the backdrop of series of allegations against the anti-graft agency of being selective in the prosecution on the war against corruption.

Magu while responding to comments from participants at the forum said, a lot of Nigerians have a feeling that the ongoing war against corruption appears targeted at members of the opposition, but maintained that by his orientation, he has nothing to do with politics, hence he is not doing the bidding of any political party.

“Such accusations have come up a lot, but, we work with petitions before us, in fact, I am eager and waiting for something from the other side, but nothing has come so far,” Magu said.

Magu also said he had never been a fan of plea bargaining, adding however, he would act according to the law of the land.

“The effect of this, which is obvious for all to see, is the investigation, arrest and prosecution of some of the most powerful forces in Nigeria, who have questions to answer on their stewardship whilst in office.

“A former National Security Adviser, former ministers, former governors, serving and retired military men, a media mogul and several others, are among those we have called to answer critical questions concerning the management of our commonwealth.
“As we speak, many more influential Nigerians are on the radar of the EFCC, and in the coming weeks, they would have their days in court and Nigerians will be kept fully abreast of the results of our investigations”, Magu said.

The Opposition PDP had earlier noted that while former PDP governors and ministers were being arrested over orchestrated petitions, their APC counterparts, with more damaging petitions were being shielded by the presidency and given “juicy” ministerial positions.

“Instead of the anti-graft agency, EFCC, to act on the petitions against Messrs. Fashola and Amaechi, they were being “rewarded” with ministerial appointments,” PDP had stated.

Speaking further, The EFCC boss said in carrying out the mandate of the commission, he has been guided by the “fear of God, national interest and the rule of law”.

Magu said Buhari’s resolve to fight corruption in Nigeria can be found in his comments during his maiden media chat last year where he swore not to spare anyone found to be corrupt.

He added that the president’s resolve is complemented by that of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Mahmud Mohammed, who, during the last All Nigerian Judges Conference, declared unwavering support of the judiciary under him, for the war on corruption.

BREAKING!!! Plot to Assassinate ex-President Jonathan: Police Arrest 5 in Bayelsa

BREAKING!!! Plot to Assassinate ex-President Jonathan: Police Arrest 5 in Bayelsa
Five persons have been arrested in Bayelsa State for an alleged plan to attack the house of former President Goodluck Jonathan in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.

The suspects were said to have been apprehended in a hotel in Swali area of Yenagoa as they were perfecting strategies to unleash an attack on the former President’s house.

The names of the suspects, who are all males, were given as, Asupha Emeka, 34; Ebipre Ebebi, 25; Samuel Joe, 27; Okilo Matthew, 25; and Timiere Matthew, 25.

It could not be ascertained the motive behind the plot to attack Jonathan, however, it was learnt that the incident was part of the measures to create tension in the state ahead of the Saturday supplementary poll.
It was also learnt that the suspects were thugs loyal to a candidate of one of the frontline political parties in the state.

Confirming the arrest of the suspects, Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Asinim Butswat, said their apprehension was based on a tip-off.

The spokesperson said, “On the January 6, 2016, at about 1500hrs, based on a tip-off, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Vice unit stormed a hotel premises in Swali community, Yenagoa, and arrested five suspects.

The suspects are Asupha Emeka, Ebipre Ebebi, Samuel Joe, Okilo Matthew and Timiere Matthew.”
Though he did not indicate the name of the personality they were planning to attack, Butswat said the suspects were drawing a plan to launch an attack on a yet-to-be identified location.

He added that the suspects were currently undergoing interrogation and that investigation was ongoing.
However, a security source, who craved anonymity, said the planned attack on Jonathan’s residence was designed in such a way as to give the impression that the opposition was after the life of Jonathan.

He said, “The planned attack on Jonathan’s house was to give an impression of violence ahead of the supplementary election in the state. What the mastermind intends to achieve through that is what I cannot fathom.

“You know this is the time of politics when politicians design all manner of tricks, crisis and strategies to heat up the polity. This is one of those aspects of dangerous politics they are playing.

“The ringleader of this dastardly act, we learnt is a member of Jonathan’s party. The whole plot was contrived to give the impression that the opposition is the one responsible.”

Another source said it was an Assassination attempt by the APC but the opposition Party are trying to blame it on the PDP.

Biafra: CD Gives Buhari 7-day Ultimatum to Release Kanu, Metuh

Campaign for Democracy, CD, South East Zone, yesterday, joined other human rights bodies in the call for the immediate release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, the Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisah Metuh and the former National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

In a statement in Onitsha, Anambra State, CD also expressed concern that Buhari had formed the habit of cracking down on Igbo leaders at any slight provocation.

In the statement by its chairman in the zone, Dede A. Uzor, CD recalled that Kanu was arrested on October 17, 2015 and a court of competent jurisdiction granted him bail, yet Buhari refused to release him, just as he also refused to obey the court order which granted Dasuki bail to travel abroad for his medical check-up.

CD regretted that up till date, the duo are still languishing in the dungeons of the Department of Security Services, DSS, adding that Tuesday’s arrest of Metuh was viewed as a clandestine move to silence opposition.

The statement, therefore, gave Buhari a seven-day ultimatum within which to release the above named individuals from detention or else CD would mobilize more than 70 million Ndigbo, both home and in the Diaspora, to carry out a mass protest against their continued detention.
The statement noted that CD was not against arresting any corrupt public officers, but reminded Buhari of the need to obey the sanctity of court orders or rulings, which he swore to uphold, adding that it was very dangerous when such leaders like Buhari disobey court orders.

“Buhari should tell us how many All Progressives Congress, APC, members he has arrested for corrupt practices or does it mean that APC members are all clean, including the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who allegedly spent over $16 billion on power sector reform without anything to show for it?”

Igbo Traders, Others in Tears as Lagos Sets Goods on Fire After Demolition of Igbo Dominated Market

Igbo  Traders, Others in Tears as Lagos Sets Goods on Fire After Demolition of Igbo Dominated Market (Photos)

The Popular Oshodi Market Demolished by Lagos state Government between 5th – 6th January 2016 is currently on fire. Traders interviewed said they were bared from taking away their goods before and after the demolition. Many of them were seen in anguish crying over the hardship inflicted on them in this new year by the Lagos state government.

WE ARE NOT WINNING BOKO HARAM, WE ARE BEING KILLED, THEY ARE LYING – SOLDIER CRIES OUT

RIES OUT

We, the soldiers in Maiduguri, are losing patience, and we are planning massive protests in the country by January; then they will know our pains.
Here are the questions we want them to answer.

1. Is the Nigerian army really winning the war against the insurgency?

We are not winning the war against these people, if you will. Come to

ALSO READ: Biafra : Ekweremadu’s Proposal To Break Up Nigeria

any location across Maiduguri and interview the soldiers one by one – then you will know the pains we are passing through here. They keep deceiving Nigerians on media, sitting down in Abuja and telling the people what is happening in the theatre. Let them come and stay in these environment.

2. Are we really paid our entitlement as the soldiers who fight and die for their nation?

Why has Dambazau, who is now the minister of interior, suspended our allowances: TC allowance and furniture allowance? Why are the navy and the air forces still being paid their money? These questions should be forwarded to Dambazau.

3. Are the soldiers really equipped with good weapons to counter insurgents?

Recently some weaponry has been brought, however, most weapons we now use were bought by Goodluck Jonathan, when he postponed the last presidential election for six weeks, and the captured terrain was regained.

4. What are the tactics used in the war?

I must tell you there are no specific tactics being used. Whenever we go for any operation, we just move; most officers are so afraid that they just push the poor soldiers forward for them to remain at the rear.

5. Are we attacking the terrorists, or we are still sitting in ambush, waiting for them?

We are still sitting in ambush. Why is it so? The best form of defence is always attack. We wait for insurgents to attack and kill soldiers for nothing. The officers may lie to us that jet has bombarded the terrorists, and we should only go for mopping up. However, getting there we are likely see them waiting for us 5 km from the camp. There are saboteurs both of the upper and lower rank in the armed forces and the government.

6. Does the president visit the troops or send delegations to boost their morale?

What does President Muhammadu Buhari do to boost the morale of the troops in the war zone? Does he send delegations to visit us? No! He will never do this. Why is it so? Don’t get me wrong: the president is really trying to make sure the war is coming to an end.

7. Why do they sentence our fellow colleagues to 10-year imprisonments?

Why those generals stealing billions of naira are still walking and driving all over the country freely? There are the soldiers who were praying for Muhammadu Buhari to win during the last election so that he could at least understand since he was once in the system. Some of these poor soldiers are the bread winners in their families, I must tell you. But look at the outcome now. Where are those who stole the money meant to purchase arms for the troops, where are those who stole $1 billion? I feel that TB Joshua’s prophesy is coming into reality now.

8. How much is the operational allowance paid to the troops?

Why are we not paid our entitlement, even those who fought and died for their fatherland? When their families come to carry the corps, we are the ones to give them money to convey the corps.
They pay us just N30, 000 for an operation. Why do we work like elephants, and eat like ants in this country? Moreover, you will never see the money in two-three months. When we are out of town, our feeding is nothing to write home about. Most commanding officers spend the allowances meant for our colleagues lying in the hospital shot.

Where is the e-payment President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to provide the armed forces with? Let our salaries come directly from the CBN, and then nobody will have a chance to eat our money.
I must tell you the soldiers here are sick and tired of the everyday propaganda. If we don’t see any improvements by the end of January, there will be arrangeme

Abia North re-run Poll: Grassroots Movement Pledges Support for Kalu

Abia North re-run Poll: Grassroots Movement Pledges Support for Kalu
The bid of the former Governor of Abia State and Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) candidate for the Abia North senatorial re-run election, Dr. Orji Kalu, received another boost as a grassroots group, the Arochukwu Grassroots Movement (AGM) endorsed his ambition to emerge as the senator for the district.
Speaking on behalf of Arochukwu Grassroots Movement (AGM) in honour of the former governor at a reception, Mazi Ibe Joshua, described Kalu as the hope for the hopeless, noting that his intimidating credentials as a businessman and politician speaks volume of his capacity to drive the much anticipated and desired legislative agenda for the people of Abia North.

He said: “The verdict of the Court of Appeal calling for a fresh poll in Abia North Senatorial district is a testimony to the fact that a mandate can be stolen but cannot be denied.

The people voted en masse for Kalu at the March 28 National assembly poll but the people’s will was snatched by enemies of progress with the support of the then, federal and state governments. The time is now when the people’s will shall prevail.

“We are not afraid of supporting the former governor even though some elements on the other side are planning evil, we would uphold the doctrine of one man, one vote. The era of rigging and political intimidation is over, we believe in a free, fair and credible poll.

Kalu has done a lot for the people beyond his senatorial zone, we will throng out in -large numbers to show our loyalty by casting our votes for him”.

According to Hon. Chibuike Jonas, former Chairman of Arochukwu Local Government, who represented the businessman- cum politician at the event, only Kalu can take Abia North to the next level based on his political clout and network of contacts beyond the shores of Nigeria.

Sanusi, Sultan of Sokoto caught up in arms deal

The Leader of the Northern Elders Council, NEC, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has admitted that he and 8 other prominent northerners received the sum of N53 million from the Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki through the Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustee Chairman, Tony Anenih.
He added that the money was meant for advocacy visit to traditional rulers in the region for them to mobilize their subjects in order for the 2015 general elections to be hitch free.

This came barely 24 hours after Anenih wrote a letter to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, disclosing that he gave Yakasai N53 million.

Yakasai on Wednesday, January 6, 2015 confirmed to Vanguard that, “yes, myself and 8 others collected N53m from Chief Tony Anenih to pay advocacy visit to prominent northern emirs to mobilise their subjects for a hitch-free 2015 general elections”.

He explained that the development followed a request by Anenih to make available to him a list of “nine apolitical but respected individuals from the North.”

He declared that the N53m disbursed to his team by Anenih took care of the group members’ allowances, transportation and hotels accommodation on a tour that took them to 18 states in the North.

He maintained that, “I want to make it abundantly clear that I didn’t received money from Chief Anenih in my private capacity as Tanko Yakasai but to patriotic individuals who are interested in the peaceful coexistence of the polity.”

Yakasai, who insisted that the fund had nothing to do with campaigns for former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s re-election bid, listed former Minister of state, foreign Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Anka, Barrister Bitrus Gwada and Alhaji Suleiman Lawal as beneficiaries of the money doled out by Anenih.

He named other top apolitical but respected northern individual beneficiaries to include: Dr Bahago, Chief John Macklink from Plateau, and Senator Sodangi.

Yakasai, disclosed that his team visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris and the Emir of Gwandu.

Other first class chief visited were listed as: the emir of Anka, Emir of Ilorin, Emir of Nassarawa, Minnie, Bauchi, Zuru, Kebbi, Katsina, Dutse, Hadejia and Representatives of the Emir of Daurawa, as well as the Tor Tiv, the Gwom Gbom Jos, Ohimege Igu, Kotonkarfe, Etsu of Abaji, Etsu Nupe and Atta of Igala.

It is yet unclear if the names mentioned above were recipient of parts of the N53 million disbursed. Yakasai had last week denied ever receiving financial patronage from members of the previous administration during an interview, stressing that he didn’t receive money’s directly from the former President Goodluck Jonathan.