Until Nigerian government kill us all, this protest will continue.
Nigeria governments disobeyed the rule of law and upon that kill our people for protesting the unlawful
Saturday, 16 January 2016
Nigeria governments disobeyed the rule of law and upon that kill our people for protesting the unlawful
BOMBSHELL!!! Biafra is Dead, Obasanjo Insists (See His Advice to Buhari)
BOMBSHELL!!! Biafra is Dead, Obasanjo Insists (See His Advice to Buhari)
As the protagonists of Biafra intensify efforts for the realisation of their secession agenda, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, described the move as a dead agitation borne out of sheer ignorance and error of judgment. The former President said those involved in the current agitation for Biafra were embarking on hopeless and futile exercise, which no serious-minded Nigerian should engage in.
Obasanjo who spoke in Abuja during a roundtable discussion organized by Nextier Advisory, a public sector advisory firm spearheaded by Patrick O. Okigbo III, with the theme: “Nigeria and the Biafra Agitation”. The ex-president asked leaders from the South-East geopolitical zone to call the protesters to order as such action would not do them any good. He said only those who did not experience the Nigerian civil war would embark on such a malevolent exercise.
He refused to blame the Igbo for not voting for President Buhari in the last election but urged him to prove that Nigeria was his constituency by acting like God who gives rain to the good and the bad. Obasanjo said: “No right-thinking person who has experienced the horror of war will ever agitate for more wars. Most wars stem from real and perceived injustices and dissatisfaction and invariably wars emanate from a desire to correct or redress such situations.
Our civil war wasn’t any different. But at the end, almost all wars, jaw-jaw takes over from boom and devastation of the gun. That is the path of wisdom, prudence and political sagacity. If the elders abdicate their responsibility to the immaturity, inadequate experience, unrealistic idealism and the frustration of the young, it will no doubt lead to disaster.
As the protagonists of Biafra intensify efforts for the realisation of their secession agenda, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, described the move as a dead agitation borne out of sheer ignorance and error of judgment. The former President said those involved in the current agitation for Biafra were embarking on hopeless and futile exercise, which no serious-minded Nigerian should engage in.
Obasanjo who spoke in Abuja during a roundtable discussion organized by Nextier Advisory, a public sector advisory firm spearheaded by Patrick O. Okigbo III, with the theme: “Nigeria and the Biafra Agitation”. The ex-president asked leaders from the South-East geopolitical zone to call the protesters to order as such action would not do them any good. He said only those who did not experience the Nigerian civil war would embark on such a malevolent exercise.
He refused to blame the Igbo for not voting for President Buhari in the last election but urged him to prove that Nigeria was his constituency by acting like God who gives rain to the good and the bad. Obasanjo said: “No right-thinking person who has experienced the horror of war will ever agitate for more wars. Most wars stem from real and perceived injustices and dissatisfaction and invariably wars emanate from a desire to correct or redress such situations.
Our civil war wasn’t any different. But at the end, almost all wars, jaw-jaw takes over from boom and devastation of the gun. That is the path of wisdom, prudence and political sagacity. If the elders abdicate their responsibility to the immaturity, inadequate experience, unrealistic idealism and the frustration of the young, it will no doubt lead to disaster.
BREAKING!!!! Buhari Orders EFCC Probe of ex-Military Leaders, ex-Service Chiefs (See List)
BREAKING!!!! Buhari Orders EFCC Probe of ex-Military Leaders, ex-Service Chiefs (See List)
Press statement from the Presidency…
One of the recommendation of the committee established to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out further investigation into the misconduct established against the following retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army:
(1)Air Chief Marshal AS Badeh (Rtd)
(2)Air Marshal MD Umar (Rtd)
(3)Air Marshal AN Amosu (Rtd)
(4) Maj-Gen. ER Chioba (Rtd)
(5)AVM IA Balogun (Rtd)
(6)AVM AG Tsakr (Rtd)
(7)AVM AG Idowu (Rtd)
(
AVM AM Mamu
(9)AVM OT Oguntoyinbo
(10)AVM T Omenyi
(11)AVM JB Adigun
(12)AVM RA Ojuawo
(13)AVM JA Kayode-Beckley
(12)Air Cdre SA Yushau (Rtd)
(13)Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi
(14)Air Cdre GMD Gwani
(15)Air Cdre SO Makinde
(16)Air Cdre AY Lassa
(16)Col N Ashinze
(17)Lt Col. MS Dasuki (Rtd)
Following the submission of the audit committee’s second interim report, President Buhari has directed the EFCC to investigate the roles of the officers and the following companies and their directors in fundamental breaches associated with the procurements by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
(1)Messrs Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux
(2) Himma Aboubakar
(3)Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited
(4)Messrs Syrius Technologies
(5) Dr Theresa A. Ittu
(6)Sky Experts Nig Ltd
(7)Omenyi Ifeanyi Tony
(Huzee Nig Ltd
(9)GAT Techno Dynamics Ltd
(10) Gbujie Peter Obie
(11) Onuri Samuel Ugochukwu
(12)Spacewebs Interservices Ltd
(13)Oguntoyinbo Tayo
(14) Oguntoyinbo Funmi.
(15) Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd
(16)Chief Jacobs Bola
(17)Mono Marine Corporation Nig Ltd
(18)Geonel Intergrated Services Ltd
(20)Sachi Felicia
(20) Mudaki Polycarp
(21)Wolfgang Reinl.
The breaches identified by the Audit Committee include non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
Furthermore, the procurement processes were arbitrarily carried out and generally characterized by irregularities and fraud. In many cases, the procured items failed to meet the purposes they were procured for, especially the counter insurgency efforts in the North East.
A major procurement activity undertaken by ONSA for NAF was that concerning the contracts awarded to Societe D’ Equipment Internationaux (SEI) Nig Ltd.
Between January 2014 and February 2015, NAF awarded 10 contracts totalling Nine Hundred and Thirty Million, Five Hundred Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety US Dollars ($930,500,690.00) to SEI Nig Ltd.
Letters of award and End User Certificates for all the contracts issued by NAF and ONSA respectively did not reflect the contract sums. Rather, these were only found in the vendor’s invoices, all dated 19 March 2015. Additionally, some of the award letters contained misleading delivery dates suggesting fraudulent intent in the award process. The observed discrepancies are in clear contravention of extant procurement regulations.
The SEI contracts included procurement of two used Mi-24V Helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at the cost of One Hundred and Thirty Six Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Four Thousand US Dollars ($136,944,000.00).
However, it was confirmed that the helicopters were excessively priced and not operationally air worthy at the time of delivery. A brand new unit of such helicopters goes for about Thirty Million US Dollars ($30m).
Furthermore, the helicopters were delivered without rotor blades and upgrade accessories.
Additionally, the helicopters were undergoing upgrade while being deployed for operation in the North East without proper documentation. It was further established that as at date, only one of the helicopters is in service while the other crashed and claimed the lives of two NAF personnel.
The Committee established that ONSA also funded the procurement of 4 used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at the cost of Seven Million, One Hundred and Eighty Thousand US Dollars ($7,180,000.00). However, it was confirmed that only 2 of the Alpha-Jet aircraft were ferried to Nigeria after cannibalization of engines from NAF fleet.
This is contrary to the written assertion of the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AN Amosu to the former NSA that all the 4 procured Alpha-Jets aircraft were delivered to the NAF.
The non-militarisation of the Alpha-Jets made them unsuitable for deployment to the North East and they are currently deployed only for training at NAF Kainji.
Furthermore, the procurement of the Alpha-Jets was contrary to the recommendation of the assessment team. The Committee found that the conduct of Air Marshal Amosu was deliberately misleading and unpatriotic.
The contract for the procurement of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar for the NAF was awarded to GAT Techno Dynamics Ltd in April 2014 at the cost of Thirty Three Million US Dollars ($33m) and was funded by ONSA.
The Committee established that the radars were excessively priced as a complete set of such radars (comprising 6 radars including the Control Centre) goes for Six Million US Dollars ($6m) averagely. The Committee observed that the radars were delivered without the vital component of Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) that distinguishes between own and adversary aircraft, which has significantly degraded the operational capabilities of the NAF in the North East.
It was further observed that the sum of Three Million, Three Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($3.3m) was fraudulently included in the contract agreement as VAT and With Holding Tax and subsequently paid into the bank accounts of Spacewebs Interservices Ltd and Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd.
The Committee further established that Two Million US Dollars ($2m) from the proceeds was transferred to Mono Marine Corporation Nig Ltd, which is jointly owned by principal characters in this deal. The Committee opined that the infractions of extant regulations by these companies were clearly intended to defraud.
It was established that between September 2009 and May 2015, the NAF expended about Fifteen Billion Naira (N15bn) on the maintenance of its Alpha-Jets, C-130H aircraft and Mi-24V/35P helicopters. Out of this amount, Four Billion, Four Hundred and Two Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira, Forty One Kobo (N4,402,687,569.41) was paid out for contracts not executed.
It was also observed that in carrying out these maintenance activities, contracts worth over Two Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N2.5bn) were awarded to Syrius Technologies, a Ukrainian company that was not registered in Nigeria. Regrettably, in spite of these expenditures, the status of NAF fleet remained operationally appalling as only 3 Alpha-Jets, 2 C-130H and one each of Mi-24V and Mi-35P were serviceable as at 28 May 15.
In October 2013, NAF awarded contracts to DICON for the supply of weapons and ammunition at the cost of Five Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Naira (N599,118,000.00). However, only 2 of the 7 items contracted were delivered to NAF while the outstanding 5 items remained undelivered despite repeated requests to DICON.
The Committee also found that the delivered ammunition were about 40 years old, thereby casting doubts on their shelf life. The failure of DICON to fully execute the contract and the delivery of aged ammunition diminished the capacity of the NAF in North East operation.
The Committe uncovered insider dealings by military officers in procurement activities undertaken by ONSA and the NAF. The officers were found to have misused or abused their offices for personal gains by influencing award of contracts to private companies in which they have substantial interests.
For instance, an officer serving in the ONSA used his office to secure 2 contracts for his company, Geonel Integrated Services Ltd, for the protection of 20 Dams and Presidential Air Fleet security at the cost of Six Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N6,250,000,000.00) and Five Million US Dollars ($5m) respectively.
Furthermore, some NAF officers used their companies to collect VAT and With Holding Tax that were never remitted to FIRS while another officer was found to have cross transferred about Five Hundred Million Naira (N500m) between a NAF company, Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited, SkyExperts Nig Ltd and Huzee Nig Ltd, companies in which he had personal interests.
It would be recalled that in its First Interim Report, the Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment established that the sum of Six Hundred and Forty Three Billion Naira (N643bn) and Two Billion, One Hundred Million US Dollars ($2.1bn) interventions were received for defence procurements by DHQ and the Services between 2007 and 2015.
In continuation of its assignment, the Committee has so far established that the nation spent about Twenty Nine Billion Naira (N29bn) and Two Billion US Dollars ($2bn) on NAF procurement activities alone.
Garba Shehu
SSA to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 15, 2016
Press statement from the Presidency…
One of the recommendation of the committee established to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out further investigation into the misconduct established against the following retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army:
(1)Air Chief Marshal AS Badeh (Rtd)
(2)Air Marshal MD Umar (Rtd)
(3)Air Marshal AN Amosu (Rtd)
(4) Maj-Gen. ER Chioba (Rtd)
(5)AVM IA Balogun (Rtd)
(6)AVM AG Tsakr (Rtd)
(7)AVM AG Idowu (Rtd)
(
AVM AM Mamu(9)AVM OT Oguntoyinbo
(10)AVM T Omenyi
(11)AVM JB Adigun
(12)AVM RA Ojuawo
(13)AVM JA Kayode-Beckley
(12)Air Cdre SA Yushau (Rtd)
(13)Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi
(14)Air Cdre GMD Gwani
(15)Air Cdre SO Makinde
(16)Air Cdre AY Lassa
(16)Col N Ashinze
(17)Lt Col. MS Dasuki (Rtd)
Following the submission of the audit committee’s second interim report, President Buhari has directed the EFCC to investigate the roles of the officers and the following companies and their directors in fundamental breaches associated with the procurements by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
(1)Messrs Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux
(2) Himma Aboubakar
(3)Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited
(4)Messrs Syrius Technologies
(5) Dr Theresa A. Ittu
(6)Sky Experts Nig Ltd
(7)Omenyi Ifeanyi Tony
(
Huzee Nig Ltd(9)GAT Techno Dynamics Ltd
(10) Gbujie Peter Obie
(11) Onuri Samuel Ugochukwu
(12)Spacewebs Interservices Ltd
(13)Oguntoyinbo Tayo
(14) Oguntoyinbo Funmi.
(15) Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd
(16)Chief Jacobs Bola
(17)Mono Marine Corporation Nig Ltd
(18)Geonel Intergrated Services Ltd
(20)Sachi Felicia
(20) Mudaki Polycarp
(21)Wolfgang Reinl.
The breaches identified by the Audit Committee include non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
Furthermore, the procurement processes were arbitrarily carried out and generally characterized by irregularities and fraud. In many cases, the procured items failed to meet the purposes they were procured for, especially the counter insurgency efforts in the North East.
A major procurement activity undertaken by ONSA for NAF was that concerning the contracts awarded to Societe D’ Equipment Internationaux (SEI) Nig Ltd.
Between January 2014 and February 2015, NAF awarded 10 contracts totalling Nine Hundred and Thirty Million, Five Hundred Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety US Dollars ($930,500,690.00) to SEI Nig Ltd.
Letters of award and End User Certificates for all the contracts issued by NAF and ONSA respectively did not reflect the contract sums. Rather, these were only found in the vendor’s invoices, all dated 19 March 2015. Additionally, some of the award letters contained misleading delivery dates suggesting fraudulent intent in the award process. The observed discrepancies are in clear contravention of extant procurement regulations.
The SEI contracts included procurement of two used Mi-24V Helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at the cost of One Hundred and Thirty Six Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Four Thousand US Dollars ($136,944,000.00).
However, it was confirmed that the helicopters were excessively priced and not operationally air worthy at the time of delivery. A brand new unit of such helicopters goes for about Thirty Million US Dollars ($30m).
Furthermore, the helicopters were delivered without rotor blades and upgrade accessories.
Additionally, the helicopters were undergoing upgrade while being deployed for operation in the North East without proper documentation. It was further established that as at date, only one of the helicopters is in service while the other crashed and claimed the lives of two NAF personnel.
The Committee established that ONSA also funded the procurement of 4 used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at the cost of Seven Million, One Hundred and Eighty Thousand US Dollars ($7,180,000.00). However, it was confirmed that only 2 of the Alpha-Jet aircraft were ferried to Nigeria after cannibalization of engines from NAF fleet.
This is contrary to the written assertion of the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AN Amosu to the former NSA that all the 4 procured Alpha-Jets aircraft were delivered to the NAF.
The non-militarisation of the Alpha-Jets made them unsuitable for deployment to the North East and they are currently deployed only for training at NAF Kainji.
Furthermore, the procurement of the Alpha-Jets was contrary to the recommendation of the assessment team. The Committee found that the conduct of Air Marshal Amosu was deliberately misleading and unpatriotic.
The contract for the procurement of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar for the NAF was awarded to GAT Techno Dynamics Ltd in April 2014 at the cost of Thirty Three Million US Dollars ($33m) and was funded by ONSA.
The Committee established that the radars were excessively priced as a complete set of such radars (comprising 6 radars including the Control Centre) goes for Six Million US Dollars ($6m) averagely. The Committee observed that the radars were delivered without the vital component of Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) that distinguishes between own and adversary aircraft, which has significantly degraded the operational capabilities of the NAF in the North East.
It was further observed that the sum of Three Million, Three Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($3.3m) was fraudulently included in the contract agreement as VAT and With Holding Tax and subsequently paid into the bank accounts of Spacewebs Interservices Ltd and Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd.
The Committee further established that Two Million US Dollars ($2m) from the proceeds was transferred to Mono Marine Corporation Nig Ltd, which is jointly owned by principal characters in this deal. The Committee opined that the infractions of extant regulations by these companies were clearly intended to defraud.
It was established that between September 2009 and May 2015, the NAF expended about Fifteen Billion Naira (N15bn) on the maintenance of its Alpha-Jets, C-130H aircraft and Mi-24V/35P helicopters. Out of this amount, Four Billion, Four Hundred and Two Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira, Forty One Kobo (N4,402,687,569.41) was paid out for contracts not executed.
It was also observed that in carrying out these maintenance activities, contracts worth over Two Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N2.5bn) were awarded to Syrius Technologies, a Ukrainian company that was not registered in Nigeria. Regrettably, in spite of these expenditures, the status of NAF fleet remained operationally appalling as only 3 Alpha-Jets, 2 C-130H and one each of Mi-24V and Mi-35P were serviceable as at 28 May 15.
In October 2013, NAF awarded contracts to DICON for the supply of weapons and ammunition at the cost of Five Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Naira (N599,118,000.00). However, only 2 of the 7 items contracted were delivered to NAF while the outstanding 5 items remained undelivered despite repeated requests to DICON.
The Committee also found that the delivered ammunition were about 40 years old, thereby casting doubts on their shelf life. The failure of DICON to fully execute the contract and the delivery of aged ammunition diminished the capacity of the NAF in North East operation.
The Committe uncovered insider dealings by military officers in procurement activities undertaken by ONSA and the NAF. The officers were found to have misused or abused their offices for personal gains by influencing award of contracts to private companies in which they have substantial interests.
For instance, an officer serving in the ONSA used his office to secure 2 contracts for his company, Geonel Integrated Services Ltd, for the protection of 20 Dams and Presidential Air Fleet security at the cost of Six Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N6,250,000,000.00) and Five Million US Dollars ($5m) respectively.
Furthermore, some NAF officers used their companies to collect VAT and With Holding Tax that were never remitted to FIRS while another officer was found to have cross transferred about Five Hundred Million Naira (N500m) between a NAF company, Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited, SkyExperts Nig Ltd and Huzee Nig Ltd, companies in which he had personal interests.
It would be recalled that in its First Interim Report, the Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment established that the sum of Six Hundred and Forty Three Billion Naira (N643bn) and Two Billion, One Hundred Million US Dollars ($2.1bn) interventions were received for defence procurements by DHQ and the Services between 2007 and 2015.
In continuation of its assignment, the Committee has so far established that the nation spent about Twenty Nine Billion Naira (N29bn) and Two Billion US Dollars ($2bn) on NAF procurement activities alone.
Garba Shehu
SSA to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 15, 2016
ABA RESIDENCE ARE UNDER THREATS: A CALL FOR ALEX OTTI TO SEEK POLICE INTERVENTION TO PROTECT HIS SUPPORTERS
ABA RESIDENCE ARE UNDER THREATS: A CALL FOR ALEX OTTI TO SEEK POLICE INTERVENTION TO PROTECT HIS SUPPORTERS
Dr. Alex Otti should quickly come to the aid of his supporters especially the non indigence of Ngwa living in Aba. Otti should
go to Aba and cheer them up because they are
losing their minds and dying silently. They are now on the mercy of the
paid brainwashed touts, supporters and sympathizers of PDP and Dr.
Okezie Ikpeazu.
The touts parade themselves as
bonafide indigence of Ngwa or owners of Aba thereby using that to molest
his (Otti) innocent supporters. The so called owners of Aba (Nwa afor)
are threatening that non indigence should ready to vacate Aba if Otti
should win in the Supreme Court. Alex Otti should quickly brief Police
on this matter before it becomes more disastrous. These touts are
sympathizers of the sacked governor Ikpeazu, mainly Ngwa Indigence and
other paid agents mean their words as they are matching their threats
with unbearable actions. It is getting out of hand and if caution is not
taken the consequences will rather imagine than experience.
Alex Otti should ask for the
police to toughen the security in Aba for the interest of his supporters
by providing emergency phone numbers to reach them mainly for this
subject matter thereafter sending out mufti police men to be mentoring
it. The way these threats are spreading, it means that the lives
non-Ngwas in Aba are in serious danger and it calls for urgent attention
by the security agencies. The touts are really up to something alleging
that they will start killing non indigence (Ndi Ohuhu) and destroying
their properties if the Supreme Court upholds the decision of the
appellate court by declaring Alex Otti winner. Because of these threats
“Ndi Ohuhu” is having the fear of unexpected while some sleep with one
eye close at night.
Recently more than 9 dehumanizing
incidents have taken place though the victims kept mute for fear of
more attack if they should complain. Some of the incidents are bullying,
beaten up, humiliations, flogging, damaging of Keke Na pepe and many
others that happened after the sack of Ikpeazu though no life has ever
known to have lost but the victims were wounded and left half dead. The
only offense of the victims is that they are supporting Alex Otti,
wishing him success or because the sticker of Alex Otti is been pasted
on their Keke Napep. For reconfirmation, Dr. Alex Otti should make his
own investigation by sending people across to get more facts because the
victims have refused to follow up their ordeals because of fear that
the traitors might attack them again in the night and kill them.
Police should beef up the security
of Abia because non Ngwas are living in the fear of unknown since Alex
Otti is doing nothing yet to secure his supporters or probably Otti is
yet to brief about it. Dr. Alex Otti should go to Aba, address his
supporter, cheer them up and reassure them of Nigeria Police and federal
government willingness to secure the lives and the properties of the
citizens of the state even Aba residence. Those behind these
dehumanizing treatments and threats should stop because there is no
group that have the monopoly of violence and anybody that stays behind
and heating up the polity in Aba should hold accountable.
Written by Sunday Ibe
Friday, 15 January 2016
No One Can Arrest Me Not Even The Nigerian Government – TOMPOLO Explodes In Anger
No One Can Arrest Me Not Even The Nigerian Government – TOMPOLO Explodes In Anger
A former Niger Delta warlord, Government Ekpemupolo,
popularly known as Tompolo, has shunned the order of a Federal High
Court in Lagos to unconditionally appear today to answer a 40-count of alleged N13bn fraud levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
While all his co-accused, including a former Director-General of the
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick
Akpobolokemi, were present in court, only Tompolo failed to appear later
he said no one can aresst me even Nigerian Government and he doesn’t
have any case with any one to answer in public.
PDP asks national assembly to impeach Buhari
PDP asks national assembly to impeach Buhari
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the national assembly to
“commence the impeachment of President Muhammedu Buhari for the various
constitutional breaches, especially the submission of two versions of
the 2016 budget”. The party made the demand after its national working
committee meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
The party urged the national assembly to “thoroughly investigate
the shameful act, including the distortion and banding of figures to
accommodate their personal interest and ensure that appropriate
sanctions is meted to whoever has a hand in the dubious action that has
brought embarrassment to the legislative body”.
It also asked the ministers of finance, budget and national
planning to resign, “having failed to provide the much needed capacity
in the management of the nation’s economy resulting in the embarrassing
crashing of the nation’s currency to as low as N305 to a dollar”.
BREAKING!!! The Return Of Ibori From UK Prison, Gov Okowa, Others Prepare
BREAKING!!! The Return Of Ibori From UK Prison, Gov Okowa, Others Prepare
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other associates of his predecessor, James Ibori, are preparing for his release from prison in London, the United Kingdom (UK) in 2016, an investigation by our correspondent has revealed.
Ibori was jailed 13 years in 2012, two years after his arrest by the Interpol in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate, in 2010, where he was hiding after fleeing Nigeria.
Despite several allegations of corruption, his trial and jail, the former governor still enjoys some support of a section of the state, particularly within his Urhobo ethnic nationality.
It was gathered that his friends, beneficiaries and supporters had begun moves to resuscitate his businesses and investments across the country to reintegrate him into the “system”.
His “enormous fortunes”, allegedly stolen from the state, was said to have been reduced after he left office in 2007 with the seizure of his property and cash by foreign governments.
In April 2012, at his conviction hearing, the UK Crown Prosecution Services justified the confiscation of Ibori’s choice property in London and South Africa worth over £6.4 million, were allegedly purchased “at the expense of some of the poorest people in the world”.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that his key allies and supporters in prominent political positions were preparing to resuscitate his businesses and stalled projects.
Okowa, who was part of Ibori’s eight-year government, is said to be in constant touch with him through intermediaries regularly sent to the UK.
But a close source to the government told our correspondent that Okowa’s regular emissaries to Ibori included a former chairman of the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an influential member of the State Transition Committee and official of the state organ which manages 13 per cent revenue accruing to oil communities.
The source said: “Ibori was instrumental to Okowa’s emergence as the candidate of the PDP as well as victory in the April governorship election. The governor is only showing his gratitude by giving Ibori’s allies key positions in his State Executive Council (Exco).
“Ms Erhiatake (‘Take) Ibori, daughter of the former governor, a first-time member of the House of Assembly, stunned political analysts when she emerged the chairman of the influential House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
“The Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Williams Makinde, is a protégé of the former governor, who was instrumental to his emergence as DESOPADEC’s chief. Apart from being from Ibori’s clan, their relationship runs deep and it was Ibori who single-handedly made Makinde the National Treasurer of the PDP.”
Makinde was recently accused to using DESOPADEC to give N350 million lifeline to a near-comatose newspaper owned by the former governor.
There were also reports of contracts to Ibori through his daughter, including for the supply of vehicles to DESOPADEC.
But Makingde denied the reports in a statement by his spokesman, Prince Victor Orhomonokpaye.
He said the alleged transfer of DESOPADEC’s funds to the newspaper was unfounded.
Also, a worker of Ibori’s Western Delta University, Oghara, told our correspondent at the weekend that the institution was getting “assistance” from the state government.
The source, who spoke in confidence, added: “We have been assured that things will improve when our Oga returns to the country. We are beginning to see the signs.”
A check at the university’s permanent site in Ibori’s home town revealed that construction had picked up. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Austin Asagba, last month, told reporters that the school would move to its permanent site in March 2016 – about the time Ibori is expected to be released.
Our correspondent’s investigation revealed that the embattled former governor may yet face further trial in Nigeria when he returns.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is reportedly planning to appeal his controversial acquittal by an Asaba Court in 2009.
Shortly before he fled Nigeria in 2010, the EFCC had reopened investigation into allegations that Ibori used the state as security to borrow N40 billion.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other associates of his predecessor, James Ibori, are preparing for his release from prison in London, the United Kingdom (UK) in 2016, an investigation by our correspondent has revealed.
Ibori was jailed 13 years in 2012, two years after his arrest by the Interpol in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate, in 2010, where he was hiding after fleeing Nigeria.
Despite several allegations of corruption, his trial and jail, the former governor still enjoys some support of a section of the state, particularly within his Urhobo ethnic nationality.
It was gathered that his friends, beneficiaries and supporters had begun moves to resuscitate his businesses and investments across the country to reintegrate him into the “system”.
His “enormous fortunes”, allegedly stolen from the state, was said to have been reduced after he left office in 2007 with the seizure of his property and cash by foreign governments.
In April 2012, at his conviction hearing, the UK Crown Prosecution Services justified the confiscation of Ibori’s choice property in London and South Africa worth over £6.4 million, were allegedly purchased “at the expense of some of the poorest people in the world”.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that his key allies and supporters in prominent political positions were preparing to resuscitate his businesses and stalled projects.
Okowa, who was part of Ibori’s eight-year government, is said to be in constant touch with him through intermediaries regularly sent to the UK.
The Communication Manager to the governor, Mr Jackson Ekwugum, who was contacted on the matter,
declined comment.
But a close source to the government told our correspondent that Okowa’s regular emissaries to Ibori included a former chairman of the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an influential member of the State Transition Committee and official of the state organ which manages 13 per cent revenue accruing to oil communities.
The source said: “Ibori was instrumental to Okowa’s emergence as the candidate of the PDP as well as victory in the April governorship election. The governor is only showing his gratitude by giving Ibori’s allies key positions in his State Executive Council (Exco).
“Ms Erhiatake (‘Take) Ibori, daughter of the former governor, a first-time member of the House of Assembly, stunned political analysts when she emerged the chairman of the influential House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
“The Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Williams Makinde, is a protégé of the former governor, who was instrumental to his emergence as DESOPADEC’s chief. Apart from being from Ibori’s clan, their relationship runs deep and it was Ibori who single-handedly made Makinde the National Treasurer of the PDP.”
Makinde was recently accused to using DESOPADEC to give N350 million lifeline to a near-comatose newspaper owned by the former governor.
There were also reports of contracts to Ibori through his daughter, including for the supply of vehicles to DESOPADEC.
But Makingde denied the reports in a statement by his spokesman, Prince Victor Orhomonokpaye.
He said the alleged transfer of DESOPADEC’s funds to the newspaper was unfounded.
Also, a worker of Ibori’s Western Delta University, Oghara, told our correspondent at the weekend that the institution was getting “assistance” from the state government.
The source, who spoke in confidence, added: “We have been assured that things will improve when our Oga returns to the country. We are beginning to see the signs.”
A check at the university’s permanent site in Ibori’s home town revealed that construction had picked up. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Austin Asagba, last month, told reporters that the school would move to its permanent site in March 2016 – about the time Ibori is expected to be released.
Our correspondent’s investigation revealed that the embattled former governor may yet face further trial in Nigeria when he returns.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is reportedly planning to appeal his controversial acquittal by an Asaba Court in 2009.
Shortly before he fled Nigeria in 2010, the EFCC had reopened investigation into allegations that Ibori used the state as security to borrow N40 billion.
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