A member of the 10-man kidnap gang who earlier this month abducted the 82-year-old Prof, Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, confessed his involvement in the abduction and narrated how he fed the retired professor of sociology with groundnut, water and bread in the kidnappers’ den.

The suspected kidnapper, Andrew Dime, aka Olokpa, 32, who hails from Enikorogha in Edo State, however, told Vanguard that he was only hired by the second-in-command of the gang to supply food to Prof. Okonjo on two occasions at a fee of N100,000.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, on the other hand, told Vanguard that Prof. Okonjo was kept in the custody of the suspect, who was in-charge of her feeding.

The second-in-command of the gang allegedly swindled him when he bolted with his N1 million share of the ransom collected for the release of Prof. Okonjo.

Apparently, to settle scores, the police said the suspect formed a new kidnap gang, which abducted an octogenarian at Aboh in Ndokwa area of the state.  But having obtained a database on the group after its leader, Nwaeze Nwosa, aka Bolaji was shot dead in Asaba, the police were able to track down the suspect.

Aduba told Vanguard that the police set a trap for him when it got information that he was in dire need of money for the yuletide by convincing him to sell one of the guns used for the abduction of Prof. Okonjo, which was in his custody. He fell for the trap and negotiated a price of N300,000 for a pump-action gun with a police officer, who posed as a buyer. He was, thereafter, arrested at Koka junction, Asaba, when he came to collect the cash.

Dark-complexioned Andrew, who spoke to Vanguard in an interview, debunked the claim that he formed a new kidnap gang and that he was the one that negotiated the sale of pump-action gun, which was used to ensnare him. A police source said he was being economical with the truth, adding:

“Most of these people (referring to criminals) will never tell you the truth when you arrest them until you get other members of the gang to confront them.”

Below are the excerpts of the interview with the suspect

What is your name?

Andrew Idime.

How old are you?

32.

Where are you from?

I am from Enikorogha, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of  Edo State.

Where do you live?

I live at Army Barracks, Onitsha.

Do you know why you are here in police cell?

For now, I know why I am arrested. Some friends of mine, they indulged themselves in kidnapping act. One of them is Chiboy and another is Biggy.  The person I know very well is Chiboy. It was through this Chiboy that I met Biggy. I was trading on used shoes and my business was not moving well. So Chiboy called me that there is something that I was going to do. I asked him what it was, he said there was somebody I was going to drop food for and that I was going to drop food twice and that they would settle me. Therefore, I went there truly, he brought an Okada man (motorcyclist), the Okada man took me there, and I dropped the food twice. He said that if I dropped the food there that he was going to call them. That if I dropped the food, I should call to let him know that I have dropped the food beside that bridge on that Kwale road. That when I dropped the food, they would come and take the food. I went there twice and dropped the food at that particular spot. They said they were going to give me N100,000. But the N100,000 I did not see it.

Were you not told who was kidnapped?

I do not know the exact person they kidnapped. They did not tell me. I am a neutral person. My job there was to go and drop the food.

Did you not know you were doing wrong thing as the person was in the hospital?

No, he said that his boys need food so I should go and drop groundnut, bread and water for them.

Why did he send you, why did he not drop the food himself?

He is a leader. He said he wants me to, at least have some token in the business.

Which business are you talking?

He said he had involved himself in kidnapping business

Which means you were told what they actually did?

They told me.

Are you saying you do not know when you were dropping the food that you will be counted as one of them if caught?

Yes, I knew.

So, why did you take part?

It is because of my condition

What is your condition?

I am not living well; my business is not moving well. I needed little money to assist my business.

What we heard was that Prof. Okonjo was kept in your custody?

No, no, no, I swear to God. I do not live in Delta State.

You have a house in Asaba?

Of course, I have a house but I have checked out for a long time based on the rent. The house was too costly for me

You said you were neutral, then, tell us what Chiboy and others told you about how they kidnapped Prof. Okonjo?

Until they rounded up their business, even up to date, I have not seen Chiboy. I was holding one of his numbers, but right now, the number is not going through. There is no way you would be asked to go and drop food for somebody that was kidnapped without you asking or finding out the story of how the person was kidnapped. What exactly where you told? They only told me they have kidnapped somebody and that the person is at Kwale. That what I am going to do is to take the food to a particular bridge, that if I get to that bridge, I should flash him and he was going to call his boys. That if I dropped the food, I should not delay there. That I should drop the food, enter the bike immediately and move.

Were you taking bike from Onitsha to that place?

No, he was the person that brought the bike, not from Asaba. I entered bus to Ibusa and from Ibusa, he would now bring the bike. The bike person, it seems, is his private bike man, so the bike person would now take me to there.

From the story that you have told so far, it seemed you were party to the kidnapping?

I have involved myself already because of my going there to give them food, which has already made me a party. However, I do not know the exact person that they kidnapped but I have involved myself in this act.

You were arrested when you came to sell a gun?

No, the boy that wanted to sell the gun ran away.

Tell us how sharing of money brought misunderstanding among the kidnappers?

In bringing of food, he (Chiboy, the leader) told me to bring the food twice.

Did you buy food with your money?

He bought it; he was the one that brought the money. He does not reside in one place. He promised that he was going to give me N50,000 each. So, I accepted to go and drop and collect N50,000 because it was an easy one. Therefore, I went there twice. However, when they brought the money I did not see him. The N100,000 they promised as my share I did not see. Who am I to go and challenge him?

How were you arrested?

The police arrested me yesterday (last Thursday) because there was one of my friends, Chuks. He said that based on this Christmas period, that he does not have money and that he wanted to sell one of his pump actions. So he negotiated with one boy, so when the boy came, they were three in the car. He told me to go and inform them to drop and come out so that they would negotiate. I was to tell them to off the motor engine and that Chuks was waiting down there. Therefore, when they grabbed me, he ran away. In the process when I was asking what all is about, I was arrested.

We learnt you also involved yourself in another kidnapping, what is your role in the new kidnap gang?

My role was to be with the man in the bush. I was supposed to stay in that bush with the victim

Source: Vanguard

How can Nigerians be governed with this high level of cruelty by means of obnoxious laws here and there? Why is it that laws are executed with the speed like that of an angry hunting lion when it has to do with the poor in this country but when it concerns the bigger criminals in the name of political leaders and elites every government begins to form committees that never find them guilty? Why this impunity of recklessness?

Why is it that Nigerian leaders at various levels are very insensitive to the cry of the people, but yet expect to win the war against crime and social vices? Objectively speaking, how can Nigeria’s “vision 2020” policy of being one of the world’s leading political and economical powers in 2020 be realizable when Nigerian average citizens still live under $1 per day and their leaders do not see them as partners but rather treat issues concerning them like masters and slaves?

“I do not know if Governor Fashola is aware that as his agents destroyed those thousands of ‘okadas’ that they also destroyed many homes, shattered many dreams, jeopardized the future of many children and created more hooligans and criminals.”

What have we Nigerians done wrong to our leaders? Who is advising Governor Fashola with this heinous law to ban commercial motorcyclists popularly known as ’okadas’ in  Lagos  State without first of all honestly providing an alternative? This law is nasty and has got no human face. I was shocked and felt sick when I saw thousands destroyed motorcycles proudly displayed to news men/women as an achievement by the agents of Governor Fashola as ’okadas’ of those that failed the traffic laws. Oh, my heart bleeds! I do not know if Governor Fashola is aware that as his agents destroyed those thousands of ‘okadas’ that they also destroyed many homes, shattered many dreams, jeopardized the future of many children and created more hooligans and criminals.

By Nigerian standard of governance and development, Governor Fashola is one of the very few governors in  Nigeria that I still respect and that is why I am making my stand known. Can somebody please tell Governor Fashola that he has at this juncture woefully failed the people because the reason of banning ‘okadas’ is shallow and laughable? If part of the reasons of banning commercial ‘okada’ operators was because many of the riders were engaged in nefarious activities with their ‘okadas’, can we now say because of some people that may be thieving politicians in Lagos State government that we should stop to have a government in Lagos State?

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said that there are rogues and thieves at the National Assemblies. Can we now ban law making in Nigeria because of many of these merciless Nigerian law makers in the National Assemblies whose primary interests as evidence has shown have always been to increase their salaries without recourse to its effect on the nation and without plans to make laws that could rehabilitate the shameful health system in Nigeria or to build railways or undergrounds in order to make the everyday agony life of the poor Nigerians easier that ignited the ‘okada’ business? Can we say because there are too many air crashes in Nigeria due to the fact that a few individuals assigned with the responsibility to certify that planes are in very good conditions before they are put in use have collected bribes in order to allow coffins to airlift Nigerians ban the use of aircrafts? Or can we because of numerous motor accidents in  Nigeria as a result of the failures of government at various levels ban the use of motors?

“The ban of ‘okadas’ from Delta State to Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria under any guise is an economic murder on the part of the poor masses.”

Governor Fashola said that it was because of many ‘okada’ accidents that made him ban commercial motorcyclists. What did he do to reduce the number of accidents before this unfounded action? Is it not the responsibility of every government to find out the causes of problems? Did Governor Fashola’s government try to find out why there were many ‘okada’ accident cases? Do the agents of the governor, ‘LASMA’ who is the body of the executioners of this unfriendly law have the ordinary alcohol testing instruments in order to examine and know who is driving under the influence of alcohol on Lagos roads especially when an accident occurs? Did the government of Governor Fashola provide standard traffic signs and speed limits on all the roads he has banned ‘okadas’? Can Governor Fashiola scientifically prove how many of these ’okada’ riders are qualified riders or that are mentally stable to use motorcycles?

Take sentiments and emotions away from the fact that there have been ‘okada’ accidents and ’okada’ related robberies and look at the issue critically. If Governor Fashola did not carry out all these vital elementary assignments, how sound would it be for him to stand up one morning and ban ‘okada’ operators? If Governor Fashola cannot comfortably provide answers to the aforementioned questions; can he now see that the people did not fail but rather the inability of the  Lagos  State government not to have thoroughly viewed the issue and come up with an impeccable solution that failed the masses? The social implication of this decision is devastating on the people and can never address the issue of accidents he raised until his government takes a very reasonable measure to control and discipline many Lagosians whom out of ignorance or stupidity have formed the habits of navigating bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles or motors under the heavy influence of alcohol, hard drugs or without licences.

What Lagos State government or other states where they have banned ’okadas’ should have done in this situation should have been to research first and then look for a fair and logical method of arriving at a resolution that should not be more harmful to the society than the problem/s they were trying to avoid after also due consideration that it was unemployment that led to the ’okada’ business in the first place. Because even up to the late 80s we did not have commercial ’okadas’, therefore, government agents should have figured out carefully on how a few miscreants in their midst should have been identified and dealt with accordingly without raising tension instead of this indiscriminate ban.

If Governor Fashola continues to refuse to reverse this anti-masses law, the governor may have indirectly advocated that Nigerian banks should be closed because there are some bank managers who cooperate with fraudsters to steal millions or some workers of some banks who work with criminals by informing them when, where and how to break their banks and steal monies. If this obnoxious law is allowed to stand, Governor Fashola has equally advocated that the  Nigeria police should be closed because there are many criminals and bribe takers in their midst whose work also has been to gather false evidences against helpless poor Nigerians.

Some Nigerian military men/women have been dismissed from service, charged to court and found guilty as criminals. Consequently, the military should also be scraped in  Nigeria because they are equally a failure since some of them supply sophisticated arms to armed robbers to kill and wreak havoc on Nigerians in the night in return for money while some of them have been accused to be sponsors, informants and trainers of Boko Haram.

I feel pained to see that Governor Fashola has quickly started to play over our collective intelligence with a massive campaign that since the ban of commercial ‘okadas’ that the number of accidents has reduced in Lagos State, but decided to remain silent whether crime reduced or increased.

“… a day shall come when Lagosians remind him (Fashola) this issue like the way Nigerians have kept on reminding IBB the annulment of June 12 that has irredeemably murdered his political return to ‘Aso Rock’.”

Governor Fashola, do not forget that directly or indirectly you used the same ’okada’ people during your election campaign for votes. Why did you not ban ‘okadas’ before the 2011 election? Contrarily you made a law for all ‘okada’ riders and their passengers to be on safety gadgets before they could operate in LagosState? Which was good anyway? Could that law have been a mistake on the side of your government or a calculated attempt to deceptively win the confidence and the vote of the ‘okada’ riders? Most of the ‘okada’ riders who bought their motorcycles under credit or ‘higher purchase’ borrowed money to comply to your order and now that you are comfortably seating as the executive governor of Lagos State not only that you have stopped their source of daily bread but have also destroyed their production companies (‘okadas’) living them to gnash their teeth in pains and agony without anybody to turn to.

Because in Nigeria everything is possible, therefore, dear Governor Fashola, could it be that the idea of safety gadgets was not well thought of when you came up with the policy or that some people in your cabinet could have imported helmets without your knowledge and had mounted pressure for the implementation of the helmet law through advice so that their business could flourish? And now, perhaps the business of helmets seems no longer lucrative they have again channeled their deceptive policy somewhere and ‘okada’ operators and their families can go to hell.

Dear Governor Fashola, this is a message from your fellow governor who also happens to be in the same party “ACN” like you, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of  Edo  State , “I think it’s, for me, a class issue and I belong to the working class, so I cannot ban ‘okada’. First, I believe that ‘okada’ is a response to certain deficit in our intra-urban transportation system. From the 60s to the 70s to the 80s, we never had ‘okada’. If you ask a lady to take a ride on a motorbike it was like a taboo. Now it has became fashionable to have a woman and two children on top of a bike. It is not a culture choice.  It is as a result of deficit in our intra-city transportation system.”

Dear Governor Fashola, I appeal to you like many others to please reverse this policy because a good leader must have good listening ears. Do not allow us to begin to compare you with the worst governor in  Nigeria , Dr. T. A. Orji of  Abia  State who has unnecessarily channeled all his energy in social attacks against Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu instead of working for Abians.

A governor that one of his best achievements so far was the sacking of all non indigene workers from other eastern states because of bad advisers should not be the kind of governor we should compare Governor Fashola with. One hopes that Governor Fashola is not taking this direction and is listening to the voice of reasoning.

The ban of ‘okadas’ from Delta State to Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria under any guise is an economic murder on the part of the poor masses. However, if Governor Fashola insists not to heed to the plea of the people, well, we will grudgingly and helplessly succumb to his wish, but he should understand that he has only used his position and might against us but has not won our respect and that a day shall come when Lagosians will remind him this issue like the way Nigerians have kept on reminding IBB the annulment of June 12 that has irredeemably murdered his political return to ‘Aso Rock’.

May God bless Governor Fashola, bless  Lagos  State and bless  Nigeria !

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State yesterday in Warri, said that his administration was prepared to step on toes if need be, in the new year to check the menace of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes in the state.

Speaking at the Annual End of Year Thanksgiving Service organized by Iwere Kingdom, Governor Uduaghan said communities that aid and abet those who engage in acts of violence and criminality against other members of the society would not be spared in the crackdown against criminality.

He complained that such acts of criminalities were an embarrassment to the state and that it was seriously affecting the image of the state among investors and visitors.

His words: “You know I took an oath to protect lives and properties and I would not sit back and watch other people terrorize other members of the society”.

Continuing he said: “all those engaged in one form of criminality or the other such as armed robbery and kidnapping in Delta State should stop their nefarious acts and retrace their steps. In the coming year we are going to take security more seriously and anyone caught would be made to face the law”.

According to him, communities have been known to harbor such criminal elements giving them a playing field to perfect their nefarious acts.

The Governor said: “communities that provide these criminals a safe haven would have themselves to blame as we cannot continue this way”, he concluded.

Speaking on other issues, Dr. Uduaghan said his administration was focusing on improving educational infrastructure, training and motivation of teachers so that Delta State would maintain an enviable position in Nigeria’s education sector.

He noted the scholarship award to first class students of Delta State origin was designed to prepare the ground for a crop of academics who would move Delta State forward.

He commended the Itsekiri Education Trust Fund initiated by the Olu of Warri and promised to support the vision.

In his sermon, the chaplain of the of the Warri kingdom, Dr. Mark Erumi harped on the importance of thanksgiving that is acceptable to God.

Prayers were later said for the peace and progress of Nigeria, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Iwere Kingdom and the Olu Of Warri among others.

There is an adage which says early to bed early to rise and this Isoko nation of Delta state South-South Nigeria gathered on Saturday, 8, December, 2012 at the Regency Hall, MKO Abiola Gardens Hill, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, to demonstrate and to take their rightful place in the polity of Delta state and  Nigeria in general come in  2015  and beyond.

The epoch making interactive session was with Isoko people in government and Isoko people in general and packaged by the Isoko Advancement Network (IAN), an Isoko socio/political pressure group.

At the event the Isoko nation both home and in Diaspora agreed to speak with one  voice to achieve a common purpose for the growth and development of the area not minding  political affiliations.

Isoko people are an ethno linguistic group that inhibits the Isoko region of Delta State of Nigeria. One of the confronting challenges in Isoko nation is political bickering; Pull Him Down syndrome, the ability to sustained good leadership and followership within the region which has plunged the region into thin darkness of retrogression.

However, the epoch making interaction which witnessed several thought provoking speeches on the need to champion a common cause with  one indivisible  voice.

Setting the ball rolling was the chairman of the occasion and a respected Isoko political leader, Chief Sergeant Uredi warned against political bickering among the Isoko people adding that Isoko people are a part of a political arrangement and for them to succeed in the arrangement, there was need to work towards a collective aspiration for them in order to have a viable and respected leadership.

He advised the people to be tolerant always with their leaders and give purposeful advice to them.

According to Uredi “I have had a long standing association with many members of the Isoko Advancement Network (IAN) as a matter of fact; many of its members, including its chairman, Hon. Mike Ogwah and other key members are like sons and daughters to me. In the past, several pressure groups have emerged for the purpose of lifting us, Isoko people, but for one reasons or the other, the anticipated results were never achieved. So, when I was approached to chair this occasion, my first concern was whether this was going to be another exercise in futility. However, upon review of the membership of this group, its objectives, and the passion to achieve these objectives, I am convinced that there is indeed true hope. I therefore, once again welcome this opportunity to be here today, with a group which I believe every Isoko person, whether from the North or South should embrace wholeheartedly.”

While appealing to everyone to take the Isoko project as their personal project, the chairman of the occasion charged all and sundry to contribute their quotas both individually and as a group stressing that “We must keep our eyes on the price and never lose focus from our ultimate goal. As we start to interact, we must be frank, sincere and be guided by the simple principle of a better and united Isoko. I want us to ask ourselves some questions such as How do we view ourselves as Isoko people, How do others see us as Isoko people, Do they see us as a divided people”

As a people, Uredi said Isoko must be organised properly and always speak with one voice, as their actions within any political arrangement must always be driven by the benefits contained therein to Isoko and its people and must have a viable and respected leadership. “We have simply not mastered the act of pulling our resources together to form the type of synergies required to make us great and to become the envy of others.”

On his part, the Secretary to Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion called on the Isoko people to be united, speak with one voice and collectively work towards the overall development of the Isoko Nation.

Macaulay, patron of IAN who used the occasion to respond to issues raised by representatives of various communities and provided useful information on the activities of the Uduaghan administration in the state, advised the Isoko people to direct their attention to the overall interest of the area and not on him, the SSG.

“Do not route for fanciful positions, but positions that have the greatest utility to us as a nation. Isoko people cannot get all at once, but I can assure you, we have our own fair share of the dividends of democracy, if not more. However Isoko will not be left out in the scheme of things as far as growth and development is concern in Delta state.” he said.

According to the SSG, an Isoko son, the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration has done credibly well in the areas of infrastructures and appointments in Isoko land and therefore appealed for unflinching support to the Uduaghan’s government.

“The Uduaghan’s government meant well for the people of Isoko nation but despite all the effort of government, some Isoko leaders have continued to frustrate the genuine effort by frustrating and making unnecessary and greedy demands from contractors executing projects in the area.”

The SSG who also ruled out the marginalisation of any of the several ethnic nationalities that make up particularly charged the people of Isoko nation to disabuse their minds about marginalisation and form a formidable front to work for the progress of the area as well the state. “No ethnic group has been marginalised in Delta State and I am assuring you that the state government will do everything possible to ensure that no part of the state is cheated. So, I will rather advise Isoko people to shun the pull-him-down syndrome and come together to work for the progress of Isoko nation and Delta State.”

He described the forum organised by the IAN as a unique one and stressed the need for all tiers of government to ensure constant dialogue between the leaders and the led.

“Governments should avoid distancing themselves from the people, so that the masses can have a sense of belonging and key into developmental programmes that are meant to impact positively on the society,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of IAN, Hon. Mike Ogwah, had explained that the purpose of the ‘interactive session’ was to create room for all Isoko sons and daughters to air their views on issues bordering on their political situation and positions in order to speed up the development of the Isoko Nation.

Ogwah stated that the IAN seized the opportunity of the 52nd birthday of its patron, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, to create the forum for a broad interaction with Isoko people, describing the body as a melting pot of all Isoko sons and daughters that have excelled in their various ventures.

The group national chairman averred that the event is aimed at promoting, building a stronger Isoko nation, maintaining an enviable position in the state and national affairs within the context of unity and a sense of common purpose as well as agitating for the up-liftment of Isoko land and the people.

Ogwah stressed the need for Isokos to come together and speak with one indivisible voice and take their place in the politics of the state and the nation. “We believe in mutual interest, therefore, the progress and growth of every Isoko man is paramount to us.”

With the large history of peace which Isoko nation have sustained without rancour, yet the federal or state government do not recognized the present of Isoko nation in terms of political and economic leadership.

This an Isoko son at the event who never wanted his name mentioned in the media said all Isoko sons and daughters must learn their culture and language in order to be indoctrinated into formidable leadership of Isoko nation. “Isoko nation have over 100 oil wells and second region to discover oil and gas after Oloibiri in Bayelsa in 1957. It contributes 35 percent of crude oil to the Nigerian economy yet Isoko people are politically relegated to the background. Come to think of Delta politics, Isoko people always play second fiddle and interested in collecting money from politicians and sell their mandates to other region for fear of being intimidated. How long Isoko man or woman will sit on the fence in Delta politics would rather want political appointments and nothing else.”

Present at the occasion were the SSG and his wife, Mrs. Stella Ovuozourie Macaulay, High Chief U.B.T. Egbuwoku, a former member of the House of Representatives, High Chief S.A. Uredi, Chief Enifoghale Ofor, Chief Hon Benjamin Efekodo, Rt.Hon. Emma Okoro, pioneer speaker, Delta state house of Assembly, Chief Mrs. Ovuonyen, members of Isoko Advancement Network, top Isoko political sons and daughters among other leaders.

For those who don’t know much about Isoko, it is a known fact that the Isokos are a unique and delightful people, a district ethnic group made of nineteen (19) clans with a total of about 2.1 million people.

Isoko occupies a space of land in South East of Delta State of Nigeria; bounded by Kwale to the North, Urhobos to the West, Ndokwa Osimili/Aboh to the East; and Ijaws to the South while the Delta Igbos and Itsekeris are not left out. The Isokos are a peaceful people as there are no records or history of conflicts or wars between them and their neighbors in the past.

The major occupation of Isoko people are farming, trading, fishing and teaching. They thirst for education and they are directly progressing in these areas of specialization. It is of record that today Isokos can be found in most of the sensitive professions in Nigeria like Lawyers, Accountants, Economists, Engineers, Doctors, Estate Surveyors, Journalists and general business contractors.

• Asks Court To Compel Jonathan To Remove Subsidy

A former Governorship candidate in the 2007 elections in Anambra State Chief Stanley Okeke has dragged President Goodluck Jonathan to an Abuna Federal High Court asking it to compel the President to remove fortheith subsidy being paid on fuel in the country.

In the suit filed through his Cousel M.A Ebute and U.B. Eyo and dated December 21st Okeke is also seeking an order compelling President Jonathan to refund back to the Federation Account such sum earlier appropriated and or approved under the sub-head of fuel subsidy funds or money as according to him same cannot be justified in the face of the pervasive corruption, perennial fuel shortage and long queues being witnessed in the country.

Cited as 2nd and 3rd defendants in the  suit are the Minister of Petroleum, Diezeni Allison-Madueke and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The plaintiff is also asking the court for an order directing the 3rd defendant (Okonjo-Iweala) to stop further payment of fuel subsidy money predicated on the corrupt, illegal and unlawful fuel subsidy regime.

Okeke is asking the court to declare that the fuel subsidy currently being funded by the Federal Government is a waste of public funds and therefore unlawful and illegal to sustain same.

He also prayed the court for; A declaration that the pervasive corruption inherent in the fuel subsidy scheme has caused untold hardship to the masses of the country and therefore  is an abuse of the rights of Nigerians as guaranteed by the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

A declaration that the fuel subsidy scheme having failed to achieve the purpose for which it was meant should be out rightly abolished as same has violated the Nigerian people’s rights as guaranteed by the provision of the 1999 Constitution.

A declaration that the failure of the 2nd and 3rd defendants in their Ministerial duties to ensure a corrupt free subsidy regime is a breach of public trust and a violation of their oaths of office as contained in the seventh schedule to the 1999 Constitution.

Okeke posed the following questions for determination by the court; Whether in view of the official corruption and abuse of office inherent in the fuel subsidy regime as evidenced by the in-going trial of certain individuals in the Federal High Court Lagos, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is validly competent to order the removal and or abolish the fuel subsidy scheme.

Whether consequent upon the perennial fuel shortages ad the attendant long queues on our roads, it would be proper and lawful for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to completely remove and abolish the fuel subsidy regime.

Whether having regards to the near infrastructural collapse in our country, it would be proper to re-channel funds meant fuel subsidy scheme into the building of infrastructural facilities.

Whether the 2nd and 3rd defendants being appointees of the President by not ensuring a corrupt free subsidy regime have not failed in their principal duty to Nigerians.

The plaintiff in a 27 paragraphed affidavit he deposed in support of the originating summons averred that Nigeria now under the leadership of President Jonathan now imports fuel from various oil producing nations for local consumption by Nigerians and that said importation is highly subsidized by the Federal Government running into billions of Naira.

He further averred that “recently in December 2012 the President 1st defendant submitted a supplementary budget of over N161,000,000,000 to the National Assembly for the payment of additional fuel subsidy money to the fuel importers and marketers.

Okeke stated that the only way to stop the high level of abuse of the fuel subsidy scheme is the removal of the policy by the Federal Government.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.

Despite pressures and promptings from some well meaning citizens of Anambra state especially members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on Senator Chris Ngige to vie for the 2014 governorship of the state, he has said he may not run.

According to him, “am not the only politician in the state; I have not actually told anyone that I am interested in running for the office…” He however said he was still consulting widely on the issue.

Senator Ngige who spoke on a wide range of national issues in an end-of-the-year stock-taking press conference with journalists at his campaign headquarters in Awka yesterday dismissed the views of those insisting on making the choice of next governor of the state a preserve of the Anambra North senatorial zone, as alien to the power struggle in the state.

He said that as a stakeholder in the state he would not shut his mouth while Gov peter Obi tries to foist a non-existent, impracticable and unacceptable political pattern on the state by his trumpeting that its now the turn of the North zone to produce a governor in the state.

He observed that since both his almost 3years in office, before he was replaced by Obi who also spent 4years earlier, totaling 7years; whereas both of them are from Central zone, that it would have been historical for the governor to allow his much-loved North zone to have produced his replacement in 2010.

Moreso, Ngige reasoned that power was hardly ‘given’, but taken. He stated that from the beginning, Anambra North had always participated actively in the entire power equations, processes and struggles.

Going deep down memory lane the ex-governor reeled out details of participants in the gubernatorial race of the state since 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2010, and now that included more of Anambra North sons who were apparently unlucky. He succeeded in showing that able, active and formidable candidates from the zone are also rearing to slug it out with others this time again. He therefore urged Obi to desist from making the zone look incapable, disable and insignificant who should be led by the nose like the blind to belong.

He pointed out that if Obi’s postulation was correct sons of the Norht zone like Dr Chudi Nwike, Emma Anosike, Sam Ikefuna, Chief Mike Areh, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, Nnamdi Ozobia, Patrick Agbata, Okey Odunze, Frank Oramulu, Umenyiorah and Joy Emordi would not have participated in the election that produced Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, himself, Dr Andy Ubah and Peter Obi, at all.

He therefore emphasized that any such zoning arrangement would be discussed and agreed on, before commencement.

The late Owelle of Onitsha and first governor general of the federation, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, and the late Ajie Ukpabi Asika who was the sole administrator of the old Eastern region, both of who were from Onitsha had ruled in 1952 and 1967-1975 respectively, and taken the turn of the North zone.

According to Ngige, “we had never allowed this dichotomy being subtly foistered on us by Obi. It is a poisoned chalice and we will not taste it. The idea was very bad and unacceptable.

On the federal government’s Health Insurance scheme, Ngige said it would be fine-tuned by the national assembly to give it a required verve. He also mooted that the national assembly gave in to the executives request for a staggering supplementary budget, even when the year was already gone. To avoid falling into an obvious trap of being the ones to give Nigerians a bleak Christmas.

He admitted they would probe the funds and its applications since the effect was not felt round the country at all within the yuletide.

The Kogi State governor, Idris Wada, who was involved in a fatal accident yesterday has had a hip surgery at the Cede Crest Hospital in Garki, Abuja.

Wada was taken to Abuja yesterday after receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, immediately after the accident

The chief medical director of Cedar Crest Hospital, Felix Ogedengbe, who addressed journalists on Wada’s condition this afternoon in Abuja, said the governor was in stable condition.

“The governor agreed not to be treated abroad, following medical advice from the hospital that  his situation could be well managed by medical experts in the hospital,” Ogedengbe said.

He stated further that the governor sustained injuries and bone fractures on one his thigh, adding that that had been treated.

Allaying fares that Wada might be in critical condition as had been reported in the media, the medical director said that the governor  “did not sustain any immediate life threatening injury.”

Ogedengbe disclosed that Wada was brought to the hospital around 8pm yesterday in “very stable” condition adding that “there was no life threatening injury, his spirit is quite high, he is back on his feet and doing fine.”

The medical director further said, “when we told him that we could handle his condition here to a world class standard, he immediately agreed to have himself treated here.”

The doctor said also that Wada was responding well to treatment, is able to eat but had to be monitored since he was involved in a car crash.

Ogedengbe also said that there was no need to fly the governor abroad for treatment as the hospital was well equipped to handle his case.

“He is stable. He is fine. His injuries have been looked after to a standard that is up to what is available in any part of the world. He quite understands that and he was happy to accept the treatment. And he is quite happy  with the outcome of the treatment,” the doctor said.

Also speaking to journalists at the briefing, Wada’s media aide, Jacob Edi, said the governor had declined to be flown abroad but rather opted to be treated here in Nigeria.

“The governor insisted that he believed in the medical situation in Nigeria. He would not love to be flown abroad and like the doctor said it is not a life threatening situation. So, let it be on record that the governor believes in what we have in Nigeria. Unlike some other influential Nigerians, Captain Wada insists that he wants to be treated in Nigeria,” he said.

Edi also disclosed that the governor’s driver, Jubril Isah, who survived the accident, was being treated at the Kogi Specialist Hospital and is responding to treatment.

The governor’s spokesman also dismissed reports that the governor was in critical condition.

Wada’s accident is the third involving state governors in the country in the last few weeks. .

A few months ago, the governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, had an accident while piloting an aircraft and was badly injured and is still receiving treatment in a German hospital. He is believed to be in critical condition.

In fact, although the state government maintain otherwise, Suntai is said to be so badly hurt that he cannot recognize anybody.

Only two weeks ago, governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna state died in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa. The accident also claimed the lives of Owoye Azazi, former National Security Adviser, NSA, and four others.

Source:ICIR