Combating Corruption In The Nigeria Police

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A Presentation By the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission At the Police Service Commission Retreat August ‘08

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences

Commission (ICPC) is honoured and pleased to partner with the Police

Service Commission (PSC) in its bid to address the issue of corruption within

the police, specifically, on this occasion. It has come at an auspicious time

when the issue of corruption is on the front burner in our nation. The

Commission is however certain that our observations, contributions and

suggestion apply as much to all local, state and federal governments and their

agencies as it does to the police. The Commission therefore expresses its

appreciation to the PSC for this opportunity and hopes that in the not too

distant future both institutions will partner further.

2. Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of Nigerian society and seems

intractable, but the situation can be remedied given disciplined and forthright

leadership and a citizenry that is united in its resentment to corruption. Prior

to the establishment of ICPC and its sister agency EFCC, governance in Nigeria

was by and large characterised by a lack of transparency and accountability,

which created a scenario where government business had moved away from

its essential purpose of governance and development, to values which failed to

promote merit, accountability, transparency, probity, and good conduct in

government. Eventually government and its leadership lost credibility as it was

seen as lacking values that were cherished in the society. By March 1987,

corruption and indiscipline had been identified as the two most serious

problems confronting Nigeria since independence. It is pertinent to note that

corruption had always being the excuse given by the military in the seizure of

political power but it persisted nonetheless.

3. Corruption In The Nigeria Police

The police is arguably the most visible agent of government and citizens often

assess the character of a government through its police force. This is because

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the police are the “guardians” of society. To a large extent, the growth,

actions and behaviours of the police as an institution, not only reflect the

political and economic character of society, but also mirror what those in

power are willing or able to tolerate or condone or perhaps even demand of

the police. Thus any adequate analysis of the problems and challenges of the

Nigeria Police must start with the appreciation of the history and dynamics of

its development, which from its infancy in 1861 was characterised and cultured

in impunity, incivility, brutality, a lack of transparency and accountability all of

which eventually metamorphosed into large scale corruption.

4. This however is not a presentation on the development or growth of

the Nigeria Police no matter how relevant it is to the present regrettable

situation. It is rather mentioned merely to remind the reader that corruption

within the ranks of the police owes its origins in part to the wishes, desires and

goals of its colonial creators. As we all know, habits once formed are hard to

shake off. Hence the seeming inability and or reluctance, to steadfastly address

this issue within the police.

5. Corruption within the Nigeria Police is not unique. Corruption exists

in the Nigeria Police Force much the same as it does in any other police

organisation the world over, except perhaps, in terms of its extent and the

organisation’s reaction to it. However, the issue of corruption in the Nigeria

Police as noted above cannot be treated in isolation of the larger society. To

achieve any success in combating corruption in the Nigeria Police one has to

take a holistic approach and most importantly understand the growth and

existence of corruption within the police as briefly narrated above.

6. The foregoing notwithstanding, corruption is really a complex

phenomenon and does not readily lend itself to easy analysis. This can be

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gleaned from the fact that over the years policing has developed and changed;

but corruption has continued virtually unabated and largely unchanged in form

and format. It has merely adapted to developments in society. On a weekly if

not daily basis, the media in Nigeria reports on one act of corruption or other

illegality perpetrated by the police somewhere in the country. Transparency

International, a body universally recognised as an authority on corruption and

adjudging the extent of corrupt practices in countries around the world, not

only listed Nigeria as one of the foremost nations afflicted by this malaise, but

also ascribed to the Nigerian “law enforcement” a contributory percentage of

the activity that caused the rating. Nigeria has not been delisted nor has its

rating significantly improved.

7. The effects of corruption are social and economic. Governments and

communities suffer from the malaise as it makes them uneconomic in that:

•

Less revenue is collected, with a loss to government much greater

than the individual gains;

•

More money is paid for the goods and services procured ;

•

Policies are distorted to maximise corrupt gains, usually in favour of

capital intensive spending;

•

Resources are diverted away from social and developmental priorities;

•

Investment is discouraged;

Society becomes unstable, because

•

People become angry, particularly the poor who cannot afford to pay

bribes and who get hurt the most, and others whose human rights are

violated;

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•

The rich provoke resentment, through wanting more riches and

flaunting their corrupt gains they make corruption a political issue;

Society becomes unsafe because

•

Bribes protect criminals and facilitate drug-smuggling, gun-running,

terrorism and other crimes;

•

Bribes make the protection of society fail, because people pay bribes

to avoid compliance with the requirements for health, safety and the

environment.

8. Corruption has been defined severally with each definition prospered

from different perspectives. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other

Related Offences Act No. 5, of 2000 under Section 2 defines “Corruption” to

include

“bribery, fraud and other related offences. Corruption within the police

is both internal (within the organisation) and external (its “official” relations

with the public), which for obvious reasons attracts the greater attention. By

way of definition, corruption in policing is “

the misuse of authority by a police

officer acting officially to fulfil or achieve his personal needs or wants”

. It involves

the simultaneous presence of three distinct elements (i) Misuse of Authority,

(ii) Misuse of official capacity and (iii) misuse of personal attainment.

9. There is no reason to believe that police officers as individuals are

necessarily of a stronger moral fibre by upbringing or training than any other

member of society. However, when a police officer is found wanting, or worst

still violates the law, the outrage expressed by society is at its highest. This is

simply because the deviance of a police officer “betrays” the confidence and

trust of society and worst still, taints the entire organisation. The impact of

this realisation may further be compounded by the knowledge that corruption

in the police can invert the goals of the organisation to the extent that police

powers encourage and create crime, rather than deter it.

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10. Where police deviance ends and corruption begins is sometimes difficult

to determine. Brutality, discrimination, sexual harassment, intimidation and

illicit use of weapons constitute deviant behaviour. If it is designed to achieve

personal wants it also characterises itself as corrupt. But corrupt behaviour as

understood by the ordinary Nigerian probably consists of (i) pay-offs to the

police by essentially law abiding citizens for infringement of statutes such as

traffic laws, (ii) pay-offs to the police by organised crime or individuals who

habitually break the law to make money such as drug dealers or prostitutes,

(iii) the receipt of money, favours or discounts for services rendered, (iv)

pocketing recovered money from the proceeds of crime, (v) giving false

testimony to ensure dismissal of cases in court and (vi) the actual perpetration

of criminal acts to mention a few. The danger apparent is that in extreme

cases, police are not just “protecting” criminals, but have become a complicit

part in the planning and execution of crimes.

11. What therefore can be done? How best do we combat this menace in

the Nigeria Police? From a national view point, Nigeria seems to have trodden

a similar path to that which was taken in Hong Kong, which in 1974 set up the

Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to combat corruption

with particular emphasis on their police force. The rationale was simple. If the

police force was clean, corrupt segments of society were in “danger”.

Similarly, here in Nigeria the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related

Offences Commission (ICPC) was established by statute in 2000. Its mandate

was also similar – clean up on graft in the country. The only real difference

was that the catalyst for its establishment was the state of corruption within all

sectors of the entire economy/country, rather than just specifically that of the

police.

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12. Operationally, ICPC is designed to match and interface strict law

enforcement with strong preventive measures and community education.

Consequently the,

•

Investigation/ operations department handles enquiries in response

to complaints, but also has the capacity to react proactively.

Operatives have the power to arrest, detain, search premises, seize

documents, access and freeze accounts on court order and impound

assets of suspects;

•

Planning, Research & Review department handles corruption

prevention, and is designed to assist government departments and

agencies in identifying and eliminating opportunities for corruption in

their systems and procedures; and

•

Education & Public Enlightenment department is principally

concerned with educating the public regarding the evils of corruption

and to enlist public support against it.

This approach by ICPC has yielded significant results and in-roads in the fight

against corruption, and where the police is concerned has led to the conviction

and imprisonment of several of its officers, but there is much to be done.

13. It is our view however, that the police force must take ownership of the

fight against corruption within its organisation and master the in-house battles

against graft. It is not so much the fact that officers are tempted by money

that is important, but whether an institutional culture exists to discourage it.

In truth everything from increasing salaries and allowances, ensuring better

training and education, to the development of policies which focus on factors

leading to corruption within the police have been tried without a comparative

result. The fight to be effective must be taken on an operational and policy

level.

14. Operationally, in the Nigeria Police a Section known as ‘X’ Squad exists

to combat corruption within the police. It has of course, to rely on

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information principally from within the force to achieve any significant impact.

Over the years, there have been a few instances recorded as successes but, by

and large it has been a failure for two principal reasons. First, police officers

are extremely reluctant to inform on one another as this in itself is seen as a

form of “betrayal”, and secondly, the ‘X’ Squad officers who themselves are

somewhat derided, are reluctant to make perceptions amongst their colleagues

worst. Besides which they are not immune from suspicion themselves. The

lack of success of this section though lends itself to an interpretation which

inevitably cast aspersions on the leadership of the force. The section needs

strengthening, capacity building and the full backing of the organisation in order

to come out of ‘hiding’ and meet the expectations of its existence.

15. On a policy level the police must in principle have an organisation

committed fully to openness, transparency and impartiality in the conduct of its

business. To enhance transparency and ensure consistency in policy guidelines

on staff, administrative and operational matters, a manual or circulars must be

created, updated and brought to the attention of all police officers. The

guidelines should cover amongst others:

•

Staff recruitment, promotion and posting procedures

•

Job description/schedule of each post

•

Keeping and checking attendance registers

•

Performance appraisals

•

Staff complaints

•

Investigations

•

Operational procedures, and

•

Disciplinary procedures to mention a few.

Similarly, a Code of Conduct for police officers needs to be developed for the

consumption of all ranks to ensure that officers are committed to ethical

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practices in the discharge of their duties. A breach of the code should attract

stringent disciplinary action. The code should cover these key elements:

•

Corporate governance and the mission statement

•

Rules on the acceptance of advantages

•

Guidelines on conflict of interest and, procedures to declare conflicts

and to handle such declarations

•

Rules on the acceptance of entertainment

•

Handling of proprietary information

•

Use of organisational resources

16. Corruption within the police like crime within society is unlikely to be

eradicated. It can however be controlled by the organisation but with the

assistance and support of society. The perception that some get on the

corruption bus, while others run alongside it and precious few stand in front of

it needs change. At the organisational level controlling corruption requires

strong and determined leadership, because corruption occurs at the very top

as well as the bottom and all points in between in the hierarchy. The top brass

must make it clear that corruption in all its forms will not be tolerated and

furthermore will be severely punished. If the opportunity presents itself then

administrators should make a decisive example. If concerted and stringent

action is not taken against corrupt activity, the message down the ranks will be

that of tolerance which will only serve to increase corruption within the

organisation.

17. Additionally, in training institutions ethical behaviour and decision should

be rewarded, promoted and applauded because failing to make officers aware

of the consequences of corruption only serves to encourage it. Regardless of

the present efficacy of sections such as the ‘X’ Squad, it should be

strengthened and encouraged as its existence serves as a deterrent. The

Public Relations department of the force should highlight educational

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programmes within communities that touch on the negative effects of police

corruption. Communities must realise that even the most basic form of

corruption – gratification – only acts as a catalyst to more sinister forms of

misdeeds. One further point, perhaps it is time that officers who have been

proven to have known of corruption amongst their colleagues but remain

silent should be sanctioned by the organisation or the law.

18. Between ICPC and the Nigeria Police a “partnership” should be forged

to fight corruption. The two bodies should consider establishing several

channels of communication at different levels aimed at cooperation and mutual

understanding on operational and corruption preventive measures. The top

hierarchy of both institutions should meet regularly to exchange information

about cases, discuss corruption trends, hold briefing sessions with field officers,

review operational procedures and improve communication channels. ICPC

on its part would then be better placed to conduct a review of police

procedures and practices as it relates to corruption, and produce reports and

proposals to minimise the opportunities for corruption in general crime

investigation, the handling of informants, covert operations and administrative

arrangement for promotion and procurement as examples. On the part of

the police, consultations can be made with ICPC on new initiatives or

procedures with the aim of avoiding pitfalls to corruption.

19. Police management needs to encourage regular anti graft educational

talks and seminars in which its officers participate. These talks should be

integrated in training programmes for all cadres from the Training Schools to

the Academy through to the Staff College. The training session would cover

anti-graft legislation, the effects of corruption, and the problems caused by

conflict of interest and indebtedness as a beginning. Case studies of different

scenarios involving police work would be used to stimulate discussion among

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officers on the ethical dilemmas the may face. Ultimately through these

sessions police officers will acquire the basic knowledge and skills to guard

against the temptations of corruption, while senior officers gain knowledge in

managing staff integrity.

20. ICPC does not pretend to have all the answers to this complex problem,

but has gained quite a bit of experience in tackling the hydra-head monster

named corruption. Our approach is multi-faceted and we often advise similar

methods by agencies afflicted with this problem. Most importantly, we see a

partnership as more useful than individual efforts as this eases suspicions,

ensures understanding and addresses issues from the perspective of the

partners.

21. Once again, we thank the Chairman PSC and his management team for

their foresight on this crucial subject matter which has direct implications for

the Nigerian economy and the security of every Nigerian, and hope that we

will share further ideas and rejoice together in the success in the fight against

corruption soon.

22. Thank you and God bless.

 

Why Bianca’s Children Did Not Attend the WILL Reading Session, Bianca Meets Tenni Hamman

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From all indications and based on her explanation, the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain and late Ikemba’s wife, Bianca would have loved to attend the Will reading session alongside her children since arrangement was made for all Ikemba’s children and family members to be present at the brief but remarkable occasion in Enugu. She explained that she reasoned not to disturb or distract them from their on-going session examinations in the school.

She disclosed also that she had made the trip under severe time and job constraints, insisting she was billed to travel back first flight the next morning.

The ambassador drove into the Enugu High court premises at about 8.55am in a brand new black Toyota Sports Utility vehicle (SUV) with some aides. She was dressed in a neatly sown fitted native long skirt; head tie and blouse attire of same material along with a shinny black snake skin shoe to match.

With a brief exchange of pleasantries and greetings she was ushered into the Chief Registrar’s chambers, venue for the business that brought her to the High Court premises that early Friday morning. Apart from her aides, she rode with Chief Val Nwosu who she evidently was fond of, and calls “Akunne”. He spotted clean shaven head and beards, a blue short sleeve safari atop a pair of trousers of same material and colour, with a pair of clean reading glasses.

From all indication the Chief Registrar, Dennis Ekoh was hard up on time for other engagements for the day. His aides had explained there was no court sitting because virtually all judges had an engagement with the state chief Judge outside the state that day. So attempts to accommodate the session was made earlier the previous day apparently because of the ambassador who flew in from her base in Spain and other members of the family who came back from their bases because of the important event. This came to the fore when a call to Emeka and James Chukwunenye Ezike indicated that they were still at around Nnobi area of Anambra state on their way from Nnewi for the event, at about 9.15am, whereas they were reportedly aware of the change of time from the initially agreed 10am down to 9am. At a point they were advised to continue the journey, to join at whatever point they meet, and or pick a copy thereafter from the Registry. And with that understanding Ekoh commenced the process, first by explaining the purpose of the gathering. Then he presented the two legal-sized brown envelopes containing the Will and the Codicil round the family members, journalists, executors and witnesses present in the room.

Incidentally, before the commencement of the session, journalists were excluded from the chambers from witnessing the event, but after consultations along with the court officials, the family allowed only three reporters in.

Answering questions later, Ojukwu’s lawyer, Chief Emeka Onyemelukwe assured that the absence of the children at the session did not in any way invalidate the Will.

 

BIANCA CONTACTS TENNI HAMMAN

*who is she, where is she, who knows her

It was confirmed yesterday that Bianca may have commenced efforts to contact and get to know Tenni Hamman, seemingly the latest acknowledged addition to the Odumegwu-Ojukwu dynasty of Nnewi.

This was disclosed yesterday by Chief Emeka Onyemelukwe, the family’s lawyer and close associate of her late husband and leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Ojukwu had shocked the wits of his dear Bianca when he clearly acknowledged Tenni in his Will but had never squealed about her to Bianca.

Confirming the contact moves in an interview with our correspondent yesterday, Onyemelukwe said he was aware that Mrs Bianca Ojukwu has established first contact with the lady, but could not give more details. He noted that he was also aware the lady live in the United States of America, but was no sure where she lives presently. He also could not confirm her marital status or whether she has any offspring yet.

On whether anyone including Bianca has formally informed her of her mention and bequeathal in Ojukwu’s will, Onyemelukwe said he was not sure yet. But that she must have read about on the internet and facebook like many others.

Moreso, that it was the duty of the executors of the Will to do that, especially when they get the probate’s go ahead to begin the executing. Mrs Ojukwu is among the executors. Others are Chief James Chukwunenye Ezike and HRH Igwe (Arc) Emeka Ogbunude, the late monarch of Oraukwu who died last year.

The lawyer confirmed that even Emeka, Ojukwu’s son was aware and knows the lady very well and vice versa. That other siblings of Emeka also know her and she knows them too. So apparently the only member of the family who learnt about her from the Will was Bianca and her children.

He promised to come up with more details when he speaks with Bianca later today.

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OTL IN OBNOXIOUS ANTI-WOMEN POLICY?

*courting worldwide condemnation

The initial directors of this company which was established by their late billionaire father, Sir Louis, vide Companies and Allied Matters law/Memorandum and Articles of Association drawn in 1952, include Prof Joseph Ojukwu, Engr Emmanuel Ojukwu and Chief Lotanna Ojukwu and Ikemba

Onyemelukwe disclosed that he allegedly learnt Debe ran into trouble with the directors of Ojukwu Transport Ltd (OTL), when he prepared account of the company, perhaps without authorization. As a result they allegedly took back management of the estate from him. His disengagement has since allegedly remained contentious.

Reacting over reports that a member of the company has kicked against Ikemba’s nomination of Bianca(or her nominee/proxy) to replace him on the board as being against the company rules, because she is a woman. Onyemelukwe stated that it sounds reprehensible and ridiculous. He contended that such archaic idea only existed in the prehistoric days of early man. That it was against natural law, justice and good conscience which could not have been in the company’s MOU. He however reserved comments on the matter, believing that no such policy exists, as any one that nurse such idea would be courting the anger of many national and international bodies including the United Nations.

He further disclosed that Ikemba’s brothers/directors of OTL met during his days in hospital to pass a new resolution admitting a son each of all the directors, without bringing in Emeka, Ikemba’s son. But that it is likely that once Bianca attends the next meeting of the board she would apply for them to admit one of Ikemba’s sons to join, just like Prof Joseph Ojukwu, Emmanuel and Lotanna each have had one of their sons sitting on the board now. Also, the Board could invite and admit him pronto or Emeka could write them to consider his(or any of his sibling’s) admittance.

Until Ikemba’s hospitalization which he never recovered from, the board all along met and sat in his Enugu home.

In his Will, Ikemba appealed to his brothers and co-directors on the OTL board that out of the eleven(11) properties in Onitsha, two(2) in Port Harcourt and thirty-two(32) in Lagos, they should avail him the one at 29 Queens drive Ikoyi, Lagos for which he fought hard for and recovered through the courts. He also counseled and solicited his brothers’ understanding to appoint one capable estate manager to look after the company’s estates. He also requested that all his accrued shares/benefits be given to all his children from just Njideka and Bianca. Here he excluded Tenni and Ebele(from Stella Onyeador).

He further explained that one of the main reasons for giving all the ash in the banks and other access to cash to Bianca was to enable her have funds with which to give the young children the best foreign education possible anywhere in the world. Just like he gave to Emeka and others. That it was why he replaced himself on the board of OTL.

Anambra Revokes 200 Plots After 15 Years

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Bus for St. Chrisopher Anglican Seminary, Ekwulobia

Anambra Government yesterday announced the revocation of about 200 plots of land in three different layouts in the state following the failure of the allottee owners to develop them after 15 years.

Affected layouts include the Abuja Estate Phase One, Agu-Awka and Odera Layouts, all in Awka, the state capital.

The state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Mr Okoli Akirika who disclosed this to reporters, said his ministry had for some time been visiting Government Reserved Areas (GRA)in the state to ascertain the level of development of the allotted plots of lands, many years after the allotment.

He said that it was wrong to have all the plots lying fallow when average citizens were desirous of places to build on. “Surprisingly, those who had the opportunity for 15 years could not develop their property’, he noted.

Akirika pointed out that Gov Peter Obi was under the law to address the anomaly, adding that it was reason the decision to revoke the plots now. According to him, “Fundamentally, the allottees were not the owners of the land. All lands belong to government who made the allocations, as such the allotees should have kept their own part of agreement’.

“The state governor has consented to the revocation of over 200 plots of lands at
Agu-Awka, Odera and Abuja phase one layouts’’

“The requisite legal notice will be issued to the affected plots owners when the process is properly and legally gazetted,” Akirika Stated

The Commissioner however warned other allottees in other estates in the state to move in and step up action on their areas or have themselves to blame. He said they have already given allottees at the Ikenga and Real Estates, also in Awka a 30days grace period till Dec 31, 2012 within which to commence development on their property or risk revocation also.
a

He appealed to members of the public to be weary of their dealings with land speculators in the affected revoked lands.

Edo considers recall of sacked teachers

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Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says the government will revisit the case of teachers who were penalized, recently, for truancy and lateness to work.

The Governor had ordered the suspension of some teachers and dismissal of forty-one Inspectors of Education for dereliction of duty. However, some others were also rewarded and promoted for being punctual and always at work.

Giving hope to the sanctioned teachers at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders in the education sector in Benin City, yesterday, Governor Oshiomhole said: “I am ready to reconsider the case of the teachers whose case is not really bad. If you were absent maybe once a month or two months, we may reconsider but those who are perpetual absentees and perpetual latecomers, may God forgive them, I may not be able to forgive them.”

The Governor who agreed to recall some of the teachers following pleas by royal fathers and other stakeholders at the meeting however said “I have a lot of respect for all who spoke, but we must be able to strike a critical balance between being seen to be nice and taking the difficult decisions that will move the state forward.

“The responsibility of driving this state must be shared by all of us. There is no sentiment when it comes to work. Somebody has to build this state, not by emotion. We need to take a critical look at this situation much more seriously. Sentiments will not take Nigeria far. Everyday we excuse the thief, we are encouraging more people to take to crime.

“We have listened, we appreciate your concerns and pleas, but we must share the burden of getting Edo going. The ones we can excuse, we will look at it.

“As a teacher, you are not into teaching merely on account of your pay. You are in the business because you have a passion for imparting knowledge”, he said.

The Governor who said Missions are making a case for the return of Schools to them warned that “everyday I go to schools and I find that teachers are not there, we are close to handing over to missions.”

He said the government will look at a plea for adult education to cater for the needs of those who are above school age saying government will also rebuild the Technical College in Benin City in year 2013.

Responding to a question on the new Land Use Charge, the Governor said government needs to employ more civil servants and teachers “and that means higher wage bill. The costs are going up but the revenue is static. God will not be pleased with me if I don’t look at the long-term future of our state. My wish is that we must lay a solid foundation so that a future Governor who wants to work will work.”

He explained that the new Land Use Charge will not affect the poor living in high-density areas and people in the rural areas, but is targeted at the landlords in the GRA who live in mansions in excess of 100ft by 100ft.

A physically-challenged man, Mr. Timothy Osemwegie who made a plea for a job at the Town Hall meeting was given automatic employment by the Governor and directed him to report to the Acting General Manager Edo Broadcasting Service, EBS.

UN inspectors in Iran for nuclear talks

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The seven-member delegation is being led by Herman Nackaerts, left

Seven-member IAEA delegation in Tehran for one-day visit to discuss country’s disputed nuclear programme.

Inspectors from the UN’s nuclear agency have arrived in Tehran in an attempt to seal a deal to ease international concerns regarding the country’s disputed nuclear programme, state media reports.

Thursday’s talks in Tehran are the first between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran since August this year.

The ISNA news agency said the seven-member IAEA delegation, headed by Deputy Director General Herman Nackaerts, would meet Iranian nuclear officials behind closed doors during the one-day stop in the capital.

The IAEA says it is seeking to reach agreement with Iran on a “structured approach” to resolve outstanding concerns, and to obtain its inspectors broader access to Iran’s nuclear sites and people working in the programme.

Military complex

The inspectors also want to inspect Parchin, a restricted military complex near Tehran, where the IAEA suspects experiments with explosives capable of triggering a nuclear weapon may have been carried out.

“We also hope that Iran will allow us to go the site of Parchin, and if Iran would grant us access we would welcome that chance and we are ready to go,” Nackaerts told reporters at Vienna airport on Wednesday.

ISNA, however, reported that “no inspection or visit” would take place “for now”. It did not source the information.

One Vienna diplomat said that the team in Tehran is larger than in past visits in February and in May, and now included two “technical experts” who could conduct verification work at Parchin – if invited to do so.

Iran denies seeking or ever having sought nuclear weapons, and has refused to give the IAEA access to Parchin, saying that as a non-nuclear site the agency has no right to conduct inspections there.

Ramin Mehmanparast, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Tuesday that the visit would focus on discussions regarding “Iran’s nuclear rights as well as its peaceful nuclear activities”.

But “certain issues that have possibly become a source of concern for [IAEA] officials can also be discussed”, he said.

Ukeh’s Horrendous Distortions on the Daily Sun – Eddie Onuzuruike

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It is nothing new, especially to discerning eyes and minds what the Sun Newspaper opinion would be on Abia. T.A bashing has long become their favorite pastime. Obviously they have their reasons and one doesn’t need a soothsayer to tell why. The protest by Abia people in PDP against the reentry recently of the publisher of the Sun Newspapers, rabidly enraged the columnists, ranging from Adesina to Onuoha Ukeh. They, like a cobra trampled upon, bared their venomous fangs, rattling with untold fury.

Ukeh, who would not be impressed even if Sir T A Orji split his kingdom into two, leaving a half for him as was traditional with ancient kings, claims to be an Abian. I do not know exactly where but he wrote like the proverbial absentee in a burial who started his exhumation of the dead from the foot, a taboo in Igbo tradition and culture. It is certain that if he would be home for Christmas, he would not know the road to his village as a lot has changed. His claim in paragraph three of his ill motivated and baseless treatise in the Sun of Friday 7th December 2012 that Abia has degenerated from God’s own state to a land of thorns and thistles is not only full of mendacity but aimed at denying Nigerians and Abians of the true situation in Abia. This is highly regrettable because he is embarking on the negative. An unsuspecting mind should under normal circumstances rely on information from a newspaper no matter their political hue, religious and cultural coloration, but this not the case with Ukeh.

Let me take a rhetoric course-

Has Abia degenerated when we have peace and tranquility?

Has it changed from God’s own state when T.A. Orji has drastically reduced crime and kidnapping to the barest minimum?

Is Abia not the land of promise when new buildings are dotting the landscape, which Ukeh cannot deny as these are physical in geographical locations and serially chronicled by numerous newspapers who are custodians of facts and figures?

Projects which nobody has thought of previously like the towering international conference center, the commodous workers secretariat, the judiciary complex in Umuahia and Aba, built to aid administrative confidence and hasten the dispensation of justice.

The renovated magistrate courts in Umuahia and Aba, that have maintained their colonial status now wear new looks. The newly built high court and administrative buildings, the refurbish customary court head quarters and re-roofed House of Assembly and other buildings may not hold any attraction for Onuoha Ukeh. Do we start from the BCA new building and the improved aesthetics of most Local Government Areas headquarters? May be he has not heard about the new Government House new site at Ogurube layout, intent on redefining the makeshift look of governance in Abia.

If these gargantuan steps exists, what else should Abians expect?

Is it degenerated when there is a serious health update in terms of facilities where Abians have over 250 health centers to cater for their health needs? Or the first-of-its-kind diagnostic centers in Aba and Umuahia with dialysis centers thrown in?

May be the road networks and new ones flagged off in Aba with terminal dates.

Ukeh was stunned silly in paragraph five where he loudly lamented against the protest by Abia people in Abuja over Orji’s re-entry.

He rightly captured that Orji has a fundamental right to associate with any and went further to profile decampees and returnees and I will go rhetoric again-

When Senator Abaribe returned were there protest?

When Senator Nkechi found her way back was she not received with open arms?

Was it not with fanfare that Vincent Ogbulafor came back even becoming secretary and chairman of the PDP?

Did chief Nwodo not lead a powerful delegation to Abia, urging Ochendo to come back to PDP, employing figures of speech Like recovering the lost ribs and T.A being a strong striker to make up a perfect eleven- an analogy of soccer that appeals to a cross section of Nigerians.

So why these avalanche of protests against Orji Uzor Kalu? If OUK has a fundamental right to associate with Abians and other people of his choice, Abia people equally have rights to protest a leprous association that can infect all, leading to political viral infection.

Orji Uzor Kalu as we know him may be testing the waters, after all, he boasted of being nonpartisan and party-less in Guinea where he was guest to the number one citizen there, “I am not playing partisan politics, and thus do not have presidential ambition for now, I am not a member of any party. Name it, PDP, PPA, APGA, UPP, or what have you,” said Ouk.

Talking about the non-payment of salaries and pensions of workers in Abia, all should know that the governor is more pain-stricken when such occurs. If you take a survey, nobody has treated the workers better than T.A Orji. He has done much promoting them a level ahead, clearing arrears of pensions he inherited from previous administration and instituted the new minimum wage higher than other states. The present delay may have been caused by the moves to sanitize the payment system through the data capture and biometric system. Some years ago, federal workers had the same problem when they started the e-payment system.

Notably, Ochendo throughout his first term did not owe workers, no wonder the mammoth turnout for his reelection.

Ukeh should do more researches on facts. That he has a column is not enough reason to be careless with facts and throw pebbles recklessly. Among other things, he should visit his home more regularly.

Kalu should have some introspection, maybe some self purging. Ethelbert Okere left a template that should not be ignored on page 64 of same paper. Those who have eyes, let them see, those with ears, let them hear.

Eddie Onuzuruike

Ojukwu’s Will: Is It War without End? [Exclusive Pictures]

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Nwosu (Left) Bianca center and Ezemba inside the registrars chambers during while Ikemba’s Will was being read

Since the Will of the late Ikemba-Nnewi and Ezeigbo Gburu-gburu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was read on Nov 30, 2012 before members of the family and few journalists allowed to witness the historical event at the probate registry of the Enugu state High Court by the Chief Registrar, Mr Dennis Kehinde Ekoh, it has generated a lot of mixed reactions from different persons within the immediate and larger Ojukwu dynasty of Nnewi. This is according to information available to 247ureports.com.

But one person who has kept her cool since the fire works began was Bianca. While the Will reading lasted she had remained urbane, friendly and unruffled, betraying no emotions whatsoever. Instead, she smiled when Chief Val Nwosu appealed to the Chief Registrar, Ekoh to repeat a particular paragraph where one name, Tenni Hamman was mentioned. Ekoh obliged, and quickly, almost subconsciously Nwosu looked over across Bianca to Chief Mark Ezemba, an engineering consultant, in the long 3-seater settee where they sat to ask who that was. Nwosu is Ikemba’s nephew. His mother was sister to the late Sir Louis Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Ikemba’s father. He was the one who confirmed to Onyemelukwe that the telephone numbers he used to send text messages to Emeka concerning the date and venue of the reading of the Will were active and in use. He also gave him additional number which he equally used, saying, “Emeka please be informed that the Will of your late father, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu shall be read on Nov 30, 2012 at the probate Registry Enugu. Kindly inform your brothers and sister. I have informed Iyom Amb Bianca”. This particular message according to Onyemelukwe was the earliest of three messages he sent to Emeka and he continued reminding them as the date drew nearer.

The lawyer, a native of Nnewi and a Knight of the church then wondered why the young Emeka would say and pretend he was not informed or do not even know him. He said that Ojukwu has no other Will and that no member of the family was aware of the Will before and that’s why many were expecting it was registered in the Anambra High Court.

Chief Nwosu’s enquiry on Tenni had continued outside the Chief registrar’s chambers even after the session when they left the court room. He had insisted on knowing and learning more about the name. His insistence visibly amused Bianca further who then urged him to just accept the situation, “that we now have a new member of the family…” which clear that no one had ever mentioned about to her, not even Ikemba himself.

Ezemba, one of the witnesses to the Will had been a very close friend who was Ojukwu’s Best-man during his wedding to Bianca few years ago, demure quiet and evidently an unassuming soft-spoken man doused the tension when he confirmed to them that he knows about the fellow, a lady. He was the one who disclosed for the first time even to the hearing of journalists that the lady is of the Hausa stock, of the North Eastern Nigerian mother.

Bianca about to board her vehicle – after the reading of WILL

Reports later had it that her half brother Emeka acknowledged to some journalists that his late father had during his life time intimated him about her too. That the mother was a Sierra Leonan. It was however not clear whether both siblings ever met. Curiously, considering the listing pattern of the children acknowledged by the late Ikemba, Tenni was much older than Emeka.

In his reaction to the comments following the Will, some of which castigated its authenticity and credibility, Ikemba’s lawyer and confidant who also drew up the document with Ikemba, Chief Emeka Onyemelukwe, while dismissing them, described its genuineness as infallible and sacrosanct.

Speaking to our correspondent in his Enugu chambers said the clarification had become necessary in view of the unsavoury comments credited to some members of the Ojukwu family including one of the sons, Emeka. He said the Will was registered at probate registry of the Enugu High Court on July 9, 2005, while the codicil which was to give details and correct any mistakes or whatever was lacking in the Will was dated Dec 16, 2009.

Nwosu (Center) asking from Ezemba details about Tenni

He tendered various documents, legal papers and court briefs and motions where he was mandated to draft, sign and or represent the late Ikemba in courts and at other such important occasions. The lawyer stated that he was close to him since his return from exile in Ivory Coast many years ago. That virtually all Ojukwu’s legal papers remain in his custody till he passed on Nov 24, 2011 in London. These documents include those of properties and chattels willed to Emeka Jnr who now claimed he never know him as his father’s lawyer or friend. One of the documents, a Power of Attorney registered with the Enugu state Land Registry on July 24, 2009, with which Ikemba transferred ownership of the property at No 7 Forrest Crescent, Trans Ekulu-Enugu and the one at 20 Cadastral, Jabi Dam, Abuja as Deed of Gift to Bianca while he was alive. There was also the documents and file on the case SC/170/2006 in Ojukwu Vs the Director of the State Security Services, the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police and the Federal Government. Onyemelukwe disclosed that he prepared and prosecuted the case since 2006.

BIANCA LEFT,NWOSU AND EZEMBA outside chief registrars chambers after the Will

He described Emeka assertion that he does not know him as unfortunate and a childish prank, “even when I was the Master of Ceremony at his wedding to the daughter of Chief Cyprian Ekwensi, the late literary giant, in the early 90s” which was consecrated at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu. He saw such claim as childish.

He emphasized that it Justice Iguh who chaired the wedding reception of Ojukwu Jnr which held at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu. Onyemelukwe was very emphatic that no other person know or saw any of the contents of the will before it was read last week.

WHY BIANCA MOVED OUT

The lawyer also debunked Emeka’s impugning that Bianca, the young wife to his late father apparently had a fore knowledge of the contents of the Will when she sent some aides to move away her personal belongings from the Nnewi house that was eventually willed to him ahead of the disclosure last Friday, Nov 30, 2012. He said that ahead of the Nov 25, 2012 family thanksgiving at Nnewi, Bianca sent some of her aides to clean the house but they were seized and beaten up mercilessly and detained by Emeka. It took the intervention of the larger Ojukwu family and other illustrious sons of Anambra who sued for peace. So, immediately after the event, she decided to move her belongings to another of the many other buildings within premises, to avert further crises and the show of shame.

Onyemelukwe insisted that no other person know or saw any of the contents of the Will before it was read on Nov 30. That in the course of drawing up the Will he repeatedly reminded Ikemba to remember his son Emeka. That it was when Ikemba said that he had already handed over to him a money spinning multi-storey building, a shopping mall of about 40 shops and offices known as No 26, Sokoto Rd, adjacent to the popular Onitsha Main Market to him, just as he had bequeathed 7 Forrest Crescent, Ekulu GRA Enugu and the other property at Jabi, Abuja as gifts to his wife Bianca. That since he gave all his older children the best foreign education possible, he made it possible to give the younger ones from Bianca similar opportunity.

That Ojukwu pointed out to him that since he had earlier given Emeka the property on Sokoto Road in Onitsha it was not necessary bringing it into the Will. He added that it was a property owned and given to Ikemba by his late mother. That it was developed under a lease agreement by UCO Intl Agencies Ltd in 2008. The rights is with Emeka while the developers would continue to manage and collect back proceeds of their investment in an agreed ratio over a specified period before transferring it back fully to Emeka.

DEBE: HIS FATE AND HOW OJUKWU LAMPOONED HIS LAWYER OVER HIM

Again he explained that because he didn’t know about the existence of Debe until one day on his return from exile one man (fully grown Debe) came to his house to tell him he is his son. Shocked as the disclosure was, he then inquired of his mother. But the man (Chukwudebe Sylvester) aka ‘Debe, said she was dead. That she hailed from Udi, but married and died in Ezeagu, in Enugu state.

Ikemba therefore asked him to go and bring the alleged mother’s family members or relations. He accepted to do so and left but never came back till date. That was why Ojukwu listed his children without his mention. It was such that since then any mention of Debe usually drew Ikemba’s ire. He confessed that in the course of the writing of the Will, “when I reminded him to remember Debe, Ikemba demanded to know whether the man had bribed me to make case for him”. And to crown it, Onyemelukwe said that Ojukwu who nomally call him Okwu daa uda, literally meaning, ‘let the words be loud”, lampooned him that henceforth he’s become ‘okwu Dauda’

The lawyer pointed out that Tenni Hamman who studied and is still overseas was born of a mother “from North Eastern Nigeria”, while Njideka gave him Emeka, Okigbo and Mimi. Stella Onyeador gave him Ebele, another daughter. Bianca gave him Chineme, Afam and Nwachukwu.

PANIC SIEZES NEW OWNERS OF JUBILLEE HOTEL

Among the properties bequeathed to his children and relations was Jubillee Hotel, in Zaria which has since been sold. It was apparent that as at the time of drawing the Will Ikemba had no intension of selling it. However, in the codicil it was highlighted and explained. He directed that the executors should then compensate her adequately with proceeds of the sale.

Interestingly, the new owners of the hotel, one Chief Anosike, a resident of Zaria who acquired it alongside one of his business associates, Chief Okosi from Onitsha, were thrown into panic when they read about the bequeathal in the newspapers. It was such that they did not waste time to call Chief Onyemelukwe on the phone to know their fate.

According to him, he doused their tensed nerves by asserting that it was corrected in the codicil, where Ikemba acknowledged he had sold the property. That they had nothing to worry about.

Onyemelukwe confirmed he was the one who drafted the agreement on the sale and transfer of ownership of the hotel between Ojukwu and the buyers, and it was why they reached him at once.

N2.9 Billion Scam: You Must Face Trial, EFCC Tells Babalakin, fixes January 17, 2013 Arraignment Date

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on Thursday, 13 December, 2012, argue a notice of preliminary objection before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, challenging its jurisdiction in granting an order of prohibition against the arraignment of Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Wale Babalakin over a N2.9 billion scam.

At the Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, a January 17, 2013 date has been fixed for possible arraignment and hearing of the pending application filed by counsel to Babalakin in which he sought an adjournment of the case preferred against him by the Commission. Though Babalakin and his co-defendants are yet to be arraigned, his counsel, Bolaji Ayorinde, has also filed an application seeking for bail.

When proceedings of the money laundering case resumed before Justice Idris on December 12, 2012, EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, in an application, said that the Federal High Court, through its order of 29 November, 2012, granting Babalakin leave to apply for an order of certiorari and prohibition against his arraignment, lacked jurisdiction and competence to entertain the suit.

Besides, Rotimi hinged his application on the grounds that Babalakin’s application in seeking the order was an abuse of court process. He also said that the reliefs Babalakin sought are not available under the law and that his action did not disclose any reasonable cause of action.
It would be recalled that Babalakin’s counsel, Mr. Wale Akoni, SAN, filed a motion ex-parte before Justice Idris of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, seeking the leave of the court for an order of prohibition against Babalakin’s arraignment. The court granted the order but Jacobs stated in his notice of preliminary objection that the EFCC had a right to raise an objection before the court could hear Babalakin’s motion on notice.

The EFCC had planned to arraign Wale Babalakin and four others on 29 November, 2012, on a 27 count charge bordering on money laundering before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, but could not go ahead owing to Babalakin’s absence in court.

Jacobs urged the court to compel Akoni to respond to the preliminary objections he raised. Akoni had tried to ignore the objections and proceed with the substantive suit but Jacobs took exemptions to it. “My Lord, my learned colleague is choosing to ignore the preliminary objection and wants to proceed with the substantive suit. The application is right for hearing”, he said. In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Idrrs adjourned proceedings to Thursday, 13 December, 2012 to allow hearing of Akoni’s response to the preliminary objections raised by Jacobs.

 

The EFCC had filed a 27 count charge against Babalakin before Justice Onigbanjo. Alex Okoh and three companies: Stabilini Visioni Limited, Bi-countney Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited are also alleged to have between May 2006 and December 2006 corruptly conferred benefits on former Governor of Delta State, James Onanefe Ibori over N2,956,600,000.00 on account of contracts awarded by Delta State government to Stabilini Visioni Limited by transferring the said sum through third parties to Erin Aviation account in Mauritius for the purchase of Challenger Jet Aircraft by the said James Ibori.

During proceedings, counsel to Babalakin, E. O. Shofunde, SAN, told the court that he had filed an application to withdraw from representing Babalakin in the matter. Though he stated that it was for personal reasons, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, however commended him for his uprightness and integrity.

Rotimi told the court that he received a letter from Shofunde in which he alluded to the fact that he was withdrawing from representing Babalakin because his client has filed an application at the Federal High Court without his knowledge.

However, Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, who had assumed position as counsel to Babalakin interjected Jacobs, saying that the matter should be allowed to rest as Shofunde has said it was for personal reasons. But Rotimi insisted that he owed the court a duty to inform it of what has happened.

Rotimi further told the court that on 29November when they left the court, he got information that there was a case at the Federal High Court in which the defendants were seeking to stop the matter from going on at the Lagos State High Court. He said yesterday, at about 5.40 pm the first accused person served him with an application dated December 11, 2012, which he said were indication that the defendant did not want the matter to go on. He said what they filed yesterday was an application for adjournment as well as a bail application, though the defendant is yet to take his plea.

Ayorinde, counsel to Babalakin urged the court to distance itself from the submission made by Rotimi as he told the court that the 1st defendant was a citizen of Nigeria and was therefore entitled to explore all legal grounds whenever he felt his right is being infringed upon. He said the application was based on the health of the 1st defendant and that if Rotimi was served yesterday it was because that was the most appropriate time to do so.

While adjourning to January 17, 2013, for hearing of pending applications and possible arraignment of Babalakin, Justice Onigbanjo directed EFCC to get a professional report on the true state of his health as that would enable the court to know the next line of action.

 

 

 

Two Injured As Hoodlums Attack Govt Revenue Agents

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Two persons yesterday sustained severe injuries when some hoodlums attacked officials of the Anambra state Board of Internal Revenue at the popular Aba Motor park at the Upper Iweka area of the commercial city of Onitsha.

 

The fierce looking thugs invaded the park in the early hours of yesterday morning, wielding dangerous weapons and chanting war songs critical of the government. They charged at everyone in sigh, brutalizing the revenue agents who were already collecting revenue in the park for the state government.

 

In his reaction, the chairman of the Association of Anambra State Park Agents, Chief Albert Ibekwe, told reporters shortly after the incident when normalcy had been restored, accused some local government officials who he alleged had been working behind the scene to take over the parks and revenue collection of masterminding the assault.

 

He also alleged the hoodlums invaded his members with some members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, who chased everybody away from the parks.

 

He disclosed that the Ogbaru local government youths were fighting each other for the control of the park. He pointed out that, “we have it on good authority that officials of the council are supporting some of the youths to take over the parks of our members in the area”

 

And that some unscrupulous local government officials had printed receipts in a bid to sack the original park agents, alleging that they had gone to the extent of securing bail for the two suspects earlier arrested by the police in connection with the crisis in the area.

Strange: Governor Idris Wada of Kogi represents Deputy at book launch

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The Governor of Kogi State was at his element of running to Abuja at the slightest opportunity ,abandoning the task of governance in his state. This was further manifested during the launch of a book by ace broadcaster Mrs Moji Makanjuola at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja last night.
Governor Wada whose name was conspicuously missing from the programme of event appeared to have gate-crashed or represented his Deputy Yomi Awoniyi whose name was on the list of invited guests to use the opportunity to seek audience with the first lady Dame Patience Jonathan who was the Special Guest of Honour. This fact was corroborated by some sources who said his presence is not unconnected but not limited to the pending judgment of the Appeal Court in the case between the winner of the January 9th primaries of the PDP in Kogi State, Alhaji Jibrin Isah Echocho,his soiled relationship with President Jonathan for daring the President and the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when he ordered the North Central zone to commence political campaigns ahead of the 2015 general elections as well as security reports linking him (Wada) to the sponsorship of the Namadi Sambo 2015 presidential ambition.

Recall that on  the 24th of June, a distraught and beleaguered Capt. Wada scurried to the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the National Working committee (NWC) “to intervene” in the petitions in court against him by the winner of the January 9 primary elections of the party Alhaji Jibrin Isah.

Governor Wada who came in a clear two hours before the arrival of the Chief Launcher Tunde Ayeni and the first Lady immediately stood up to welcome the first lady from her car , when news filtered into the hall that she was around. Many observers frowned at the attitude of the governor especially as he was neither the chief host or chief launcher of the event. This once again raised the question raised by elders in the state on the way and manner the governor was running the affairs of the state.
A source further volunteered that Governor Wada was out just to make pleas to the first lady for her motherly intervention and this was evident as he frantically scribbled down short notes and passed to the first lady at every opportunity, after earlier attempts at seeking audience with her proved abortive.
Governor Wada further made a donation of One million naira amidst applause from the audience. He was the only state governor present at the event that ended at 11.45pm.
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