An Ebonyi customary court judge, Mr. Stephen Nwankwo, has petitioned the state Commissioner of Police over an alleged attempt by two suspects to bribe him to pervert the course of justice.
Nwankwo, who is the Chairman of Mbeke-Ishieke Customary Court in the Ebonyi Local Government Area, had in a two-page petition signed by his attorney, Mr Luke Nkwegu, called on the police to order diligent prosecution of the two suspects.
The suspects were caught in the act while offering him bribe to pervert justice.
He alleged that the two men (names withheld) came to his house on Jan. 8, 2013 and offered him an envelope containing the sum of N10, 000, adding that his conversation with the suspects was recorded.
“As the conversation was going on, I excused myself and called the police who arrived immediately and arrested the suspects with the exhibit,” he said.
Nwankwo alleged that the money was given to him in respect of a pending case of income tax in his court.
“After the arrest of the suspects, a police officer (name withheld) in the state police command conspired with a lawyer who wrote a rather flimsy petition.
“Following the petition, the case was mysteriously transferred to X-Squad, State Police Headquarters, Abakaliki, and the bribery suspects were hurriedly released,” he said.
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole says the appointment of Major Lawrence Loye (rtd) as Permanent Secretary was a deliberate shock therapy to jolt the civil service back to action.
The Governor who disclosed this yesterday during the swearing-in ceremony of Major Loye said the appointment was based on merit.
“The appointment of Major Loye is deliberate, it is the most potent indication of the fact that it is no longer business as usual. For us to take Edo to the next level we cannot use outdated tools to drive digital changes. It is now business unusual. It is not how close to the governor that will determine the position you hold, but your competence, who you are and what you are capable of doing”, he noted.
According to him, Major Loye’s appointment has shown that Nigeria is one and the same, stressing that though he is not an Edo man, he has shown by his action and conduct that he is a full blooded Edo man.
“Those who are aware of the changes in the state know that Major Loye has been a driver of those changes beginning with the Akpakpava road, Airport road, Siluko road and several other locations within the state. Ordinary this are responsibility vested in the Ministry of Land and survey, they know what constitute the right of way, they know what is an illegal structure, but they also chose to look the other way when the illegal structures are being put in place.
“I had to sidetrack the ministry of land and survey to bring in a Major who had no knowledge of land matters to try to enforce the right of way and to clean up those illegal structures. Those who said it was not possible to expand Akpakpava road are now driving through the road, courtesy Major and myself,” he added.
The governor said as part of the difficult decisions he had to take was to go outside the civil service to appoint Major Loye.
The governor who assured the civil servants in the state that he appreciates them and they have nothing to be afraid of maintained that this appointment is the most bold practical statement that has been made in the past four years in the state.
“Those who are willing to change with us to manage their ministry and their desk competently and efficiently with the same level of passion we are bringing to the job will not only be retained but will be promoted. But those who think that the public service is like a village square where meat is shared on the basis of seniority will be shocked that there is no meat on the table to share.
So much can be done with some level of courage, clear vision and honest intentions. We had to outside the civil service to appoint the PermSec, to my own embarrassment, having spent all my life fighting and agitating for the cause and welfare of workers. I want to assure the civil servants that they have nothing to fear, but I want to say no one is permanent, the only thing that is permanent is change.
“I am a contract worker who has less than four years to go, therefore, I need men and women who are as impatient as me to take Edo to the next level.
“I went to the Oba Ovoranmwene Square this morning, and I saw some broken bottles which constitute health risk to our children who use that place everyday, yet it is the duty of a Director in the Ministry of Environment to get that place clean. Edo state won’t wait for anyone, since workers at the Ministry of Environment are not ready to change, we will board the train and leave them at the station.
“In the Ministry of Environment, we have directors whose sole business is to ensure that Edo is clean. I promised the Oba of Benin that we will reclaim the moat and we will continue from where we stopped in our first term, that in our second term, we will sustain the pressure. I went round the moat last week, even areas that have been reclaimed, under the watchful eyes of our Ministry of Environment, the moat has again been compromised and it has been converted to refuse dump, just as they converted to Oba Ovonramwan square to a refuse dump,” he added.
The Governor urged the new Permanent Secretary to conform to the extant rules guiding the service, asking him to be fair but firm in his actions. He said with the new appointment, Major Loye is not expected to be an executive Permanent secretary working from the office but a field officer.
Responding, Major Loye assured the Governor that he will discharge the responsibility to the best of his ability without fear or favour and he thanked the governor for the confidence reposed on him.
Sometimes when authority speaks the words are louder in one’s ears than any auditory sound blaster. But the intent and impact of such pronouncements invites strong criticisms, sentiments and branding of the speaker on behalf of the authority.
I found myself responding to the Sports Minister well intended effort to cleanse NSC by instituting a panel made up of a jurist, NSC lawyer and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Board member (who also is NSC employee named Gloria Obajimi nee Ayanlaja) plus may be some more people. The circumstances concern London Olympics ‘bribery for entry to represent Nigeria’ at the Olympics, although the sports Minister failed to supply the definition of bribery or ask the ‘athlete’ (Esther Obiekwe) to be represented by legal Counsel which is imperative because NSC has its lawyer to sit on such panel and AFN Board member also have a seat (this is a typical kangaroo justice).
Whether meritorious or not the allegation invites full investigation with documentary evidences on both sides not only the athlete because to do otherwise is victimising the athlete. Quite frankly, the definition (whether legal or moral) of bribery will include athletes’ that were shortchanged on allowances due them for any type of favour before the Olympics (that is all competitions) which definitely invites all Olympics’ athletes’ presence before the panel. For one thing there were many allegations that some coaches were simply threatened and some athletes were intimidated on fear of been dropped for Olympics consideration.
Problem with the panel
1. NSC stacked the panel with its own staff (its lawyer, Gloria Obajimi from NSC from NIS and also AFN Board member);
2. NSC truncated the universality of the allegation to one athlete complaint;
3. NSC denied the athlete time to prepare her complaint with legal Counsel;
4. The panel lacked independence.
Solution
Ideally, this is a serious allegation dealing with all Olympics bound athletes (and federations) and dealing with a complainant this way suggests scapegoating, victimisation and intimidation. Essentially, no athletes will file any future complaint. As such, it will be in Nigerians interest if the following are adhered to:
1. NSC immediately recall the panel and institute new independent panel which may or not include the current jurist on the current panel;
2. NSC must give the athlete time to present her complaint with legal Counsel if she so wish;
3. No federation or NSC staff or lawyer can sit on any future panel;
4. NSC must expand the term of reference to look into all allegations against London Olympics officials whether about money, favouritism or intimidations;
5. NSC must invite all athletes to speak freely on any account of concern they wish to raise.
With these suggestions in mind, any jurist properly empaneled will come up with additional requirements to truly investigate bribery allegations.
Let me add that, the media gave the Nigerian public announcements that the athlete was on the Olympics team and how she made that team should be a concern to the Sports Minister not just her allegation of bribery (prima facie the allegation may have been proven) because an intelligent person would like to know how AFN made statements to the media that she was on Olympics team.
Personally, I and some other people questioned her inclusion on the listed names before the Olympics and I doubt sincerity in this panel investigation, but it’s a welcomed development that ought to be done properly not what was announced because it appears to be a sham and aimed to intimidate and victimise other athletes.
I rest.
Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which is being celebrated throughout the country, climaxed with the Laying of Wreaths at the Peace Park cenotaph in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Governor Seriake Dickson, represented by his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah Retired led other notable personalities such as the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kate Abiri, Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council King Godwin Igodo and a representative of the widows, Mrs Stella Enai to lay the wreaths.
Others include, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, represented by his Deputy, Hon. Victor Sam Ateki, Commander 235 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force, Yenagoa, Air Commodore H.C Ifezue, Commanding Officer, 343 Artillery Regiment Elele, Lt. Col. Muktar Adamu, Commanding Officer Naval Base, Yenagoa, Capt. E.D. Onabere, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kings Omire and State Chairman Nigerian Legion, Elder Effiong Igirigi.
Speaking with newsmen at the event, the Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, called for continued support for the Military personnel to enable them discharge their statutory duties effectively.
He urged Nigerians to spare a thought for the families left behind by the war veterans and envision the trauma brought about by the death of their loved ones, saying “Imagine what happens to the family of a soldier when he dies in active service.”
The Deputy Governor who described the Military as a good manager of resources, said in the next one week, the Nigerian Army would deploy troops to Mali where their lives will be exposed to danger.
Also in an interview, widow of late Brigadier General Fredrick Enai, Stella urged the Federal Government to step up its efforts at alleviating the plight of widows of the fallen heroes.
A minute silence was observed in honour of the departed heroes as well as firing of salvo in their remembrance.
Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday took a swipe at politicians who make unguarded statements that could undermine the unity and integrity of the country, just as he commended officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces for fostering the bonds of unity.
The Governor who made the remarks during the launching of the emblem appeal fund to mark the 2013 Armed Forces remembrance day celebration in Benin city said the men in uniform should be appreciated for their contribution to the indivisibility of the nation.
“The Armed Forces are doing their best to keep Nigeria one while politicians and even elders who should play up what unite us talk of things that could destroy the bridge of unity. But the men in uniform have continued to defend the indivisibility of Nigeria,” he noted.
According to him, “if Nigeria has remained one united country it is because men in uniform stood on the side of the Nigeria nation. We must continue to appreciate the Armed Forces in the effort to keep Nigeria one.”
Comrade Oshiomhole noted that looking at the security challenges in the country the Armed forces have a role to keep the nation secured.
“Our gratitude goes to the Nigeria Army and to Major-General Abel Umahi, the Commander of the 4 Brigade. Without your support the kidnappers would have overrun us in Edo State. You have policed the streets. Our gratitude also goes to the Airforce for monitoring the creeks with the aircraft and providing intellegence information as well as the Supply and Transport,” he added.
The Governor said the average Nigerian appreciate the contribution of officers and men who sacrificed and paid the supreme price in the struggle to defend the sovereignty of the nation, adding that “we should go beyond lip service in showing how much we appreciate them.”
He maintained that it should be the responsibility of the government, both at the local, state and federal levels to create opportunities for the ex-service men who are still strong to render service.
While assuring that Edo state government will continue to extend more employment opportunities to the ex- service men , the governor disclosed that , “we have already extended to the legionnaires the opportunity to put an eye on the schools we are building and they are doing well.
“This year, the state government will double the contribution which was given last year by one hundred percent to the launching of the emblem appeal fund and across the eighteen local governments the sum of N250,000 will be provided to the state chapters for the celebration of the Armed Forces remembrance day celebration,” the governor disclosed.
The Chairman, Nigeria legion, Edo State, Col Osawaru Johnbull Awanbor thanked Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for creating jobs for their members noting that this year’s launching of the emblem appeal week which is to honour the supreme sacrifices made by gallant heroes will be observed as a thanksgiving for the victory of the governor at the supreme court.
Other activities to celebrate the 2013 Armed forces remembrance day celebration was a parade at the museum premises and the laying of wreaths at the unknown soldier cenotaph.
Reports from Kano State indicate that gunmen opened fire and killed four police officers on Tuesday morning in Kano City.
Witnesses said the incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. at Unguwa Uku along Zaria Road by Yan Tumaki.
The witnesses said the attackers laid an ambush for the policemen.
“The attackers came to the spot which is not far from a security check point and waited for the police to arrive, and as soon as the vehicle conveying the officers to their various check points came to the place, they opened fire and killed about four of them,” a witness said.
Tuesday’s killing is coming a day after a similar attack reportedly occurred around Kawo Tishama, a suburb of the city when some gunmen riding on a tricycle popularly known in Kano as ‘A Daidaita Sahu’ opened fire on police officers and killed two of them.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Police in Kano, Magaji Majiya, were unsuccessful, while the spokesperson of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Ikedichi Iweha, referred PREMIUM TIMES to the police.
“Please talk to the Police, they are better placed to give you this information,” Mr. Iweha said.
PRESS STATEMENT
Only a few days ago, two officials of Imo state government in the persons of Deacon Chike Okafor and Mr George Eche, the Commissioner for Finance and Accountant General respectively by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over false and unfounded allegation orchestrated to discredit His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha and APGA-led state government.
Even as they have regained their freedom, the ruling party in the state has observed with dismay that Sen. hope Uzodinma, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and Eze Duruihuoma are behind this evil plot against the governor and the state government.
They are boasting all over the town as well as dropping the name of Mr. President thus claiming to have the support of the presidency to impeach Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha. They also claim to have set aside 3billion Naira to enable them offer each member of the state legislature 100million Naira to actualize the evil plan. This has no doubt alluded to the outburst of the Political Adviser to the President, Alhaji Ali Gulak which earlier suggested to members of Imo State House of Assembly to impeach Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
This wicked plan to whittle down the roaring image of Gov. Rochas Okorocha and possibly remove him as governor of Imo state before 2015 will be resisted by APGA and the good people of Imo state.
We have rather expected these discredited sons of the state to bury their heads in shame and appreciate the achievements of the present government which include free education at all level, construction of 27 new General Hospitals, construction of 305 model schools, construction of over 1000km of urban and rural roads, transformation of Orlu and Okigwe cities, construction of Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies ( ICAPS) and Young Scientist School, construction of Imo Concorde Apartments,construction of Heroes Square,revival of Imo Palm Plantation,construction of Ikemba Ojukwu Centre and many other people-oriented projects that spread all over the state.
It is also surprising that this evil plot is hatched just as Gov Owelle Rochas Okorocha paid up all loans collected by the past administration including the 6.4 billion Naira obtained from UBA by the former governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim at the twilight of his administration.
Unfortunately, the same EFCC that hurriedly swooped on the two innocent government functionaries on trump-up charges is still foot-dragging in arresting Ohakim since he left office in 2011 even as available records have clearly proven that the loan was secured to fund the failed re-election bid of the former PDP governor.
The delayed arrest of ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim vis-a-vis the detention of the two officials of APGA-led state government over false and unfounded allegation has again given credence to the fact that our nation has failed in the fight against corruption.
While we urge Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha to remain focused and committed in the ongoing transformation of Imo state, APGA as a party wishes to warn against any further attempt to either distract the governor or tannish the image he painstakingly built many years ago.
Small arms, notably AK-47 assault rifles, are often the weapon of choice for violent militias in the Congo, Sudan, Uganda. Though several countries manufacture and distribute AK-47s in Africa, like China, any arms dealer would agree that the real money is in ammunition — in fact it just about doubles the yearly amount of money made on assault weapons. With higher demand for ammo, Iran easily found its foot in the arms dealing door.
The New York Times C.J. Chivers gave CAR’s paper a great write up, sketching how the group started in 2006, and traced unmarked rounds from the sites of several massacres, finally settling on one culprit after six years of research.
From Chivers report:
Iran has a well-developed military manufacturing sector, but has not exported its weapons in quantities rivaling those of the heavyweights in the global arms trade, including the United States, Russia, China and several European countries … While small-arms ammunition attracts less attention than strategic weapons or arms that have drawn international condemnation, like land mines and cluster bombs, it is a basic ingredient of organized violence, and is involved each year and at each war in uncountable deaths and crimes.
“If you had asked me not too long ago what Iran’s role in small-arms ammunition trafficking to Africa had been, I would have said, ‘Not much,’ ” James Bevan, a former United Nations investigator who since 2011 has been director of CAR told Chivers. “Our understanding of that is changing.”
Though Bevan’s group concludes Iran’s footprint has become widespread, CAR suspects they still represent minor competition compared to China. Nonetheless, Iranian ammunition has found its way to some of the bloodiest engagements and areas of the last six years.
From CAR’s report:
The only case to indicate the sustained—and potentially escalating—supply of Iranian materiel is Sudan. In this case there is growing evidence to indicate large-scale supplies of weapons and ammunition from Iran to Sudan and Iranian technical assistance in Sudanese weapons production.
A United States based non governmental organisation, Kogi Lawyers In The Diaspora (KLTD) has described the EFCC’s recent actions on the former Governor of Kogi State and Governorship canditate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Kogi state, Prince Abubakar Audu by declaring him wanted when there is a subsisting case in court as a “dishonourable low-level cheap shot media manipulation attempt” to divert the attention of the public from petitions against a former PDP Governor,Ibrahim Idris on his crude accumulation of wealth and properties beyond his combined emoluments, salaries and allowances for the period he held sway as governor by the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) as well as the Anti Corruption Network .
The group in an open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan signed by Adinoyi Malik and Olugbenga Samuel,which was made available to newsmen said ,“it is unfortunate that while Nigerians wait in vain for the EFCC, to investigate and prosecute the former PDP governor ,Ibrahim Idris ,The EFCC is busy fighting yesterday’s battles, repeating old lies ,manufacturing spectacular new ones and over dramatising and old case just to hoodwink the public.”
“Mr. President, It is a shame that the EFCC under your presidency has degenerated into a vindictive tool in the hands of politicians. If not, how does one explain a situation where the anti graft agency instead of asking the immediate past governor of Kogi state, Ibrahim Idris who crudely accumulated wealth and properties beyond his combined emoluments, salaries and allowances for the period he held sway as governor between 2003-2012, to explain where he got the resources to own Gubabi Royal Hotel, Dreamland Suites, Summerest Hotel, Palmac Hotel, Executive Suite and Grand Ibro Hotel, formerly known as Ibro Hotel, among other properties both in and outside Nigeria,chose to write letter No: CR: 3000 / EFCC / ABJ / ISOS / TM.11 / VOL. 7/ 37 dated 11th December, 2012 inviting Prince Audu for an interrogation over an undisclosed on-going investigation activities involving the former Governor, with a view to freshly arraigning him before a Court in Abuja in the face of a pending charge duly initiated by the same EFCC at the High Court of Justice presided over by Justice S. T. Hussaini and the Court of Appeal, Abuja in Appeal No: CA / A / 381c / 2011, alleging the same offences committed during the same period and arising from same facts as the pending and extant charges?”
“This media persecution of Prince Abubakar Audu is not different from the agency’s funny action on Mr. Babalakin,who was charged with helping the former Delta State governor, James Ibori, launder money in 2007. This was six years ago. Haba! So the EFCC just woke up and realised that he should be tried for an offence he allegedly committed in 2007. Where was the case file all these years? This man allegedly laundered money for Ibori in 2007, yet three years later his company was awarded a road contract worth billions of naira. Who is deceiving who? Was the government not aware of the case with the EFCC or his alleged criminal dalliance with Ibori before doing business with him in 2009? Why is the government so insincere? Why do they think they can pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians with their selective war against corruption? Nigerians should not be deceived by this charade. Babalakin and the Presidency will soon sort their issues out. If this case is not a case of selective scapegoating, will ordinary Nigerians have known that Babalakin has a case file with the EFCC? What this means is that an alleged money launderer who has a case to answer still does business with the Federal Government. Can the government claim not to know that he has a case to answer? Why wait till this time? This can only happen in the Animal Farm called Nigeria.”
Declaring Prince Abubakar Audu wanted has made the case look like the classical EFCC shadow-chasing. “It is this same deceitful and selective approach to the fight against corruption that has made Nigerians lose faith in the ability of this government to fight the scourge. There are questions begging for answers here.
Does the Supreme Court decision delivered on November 23, 2012 overruling Price Audu’s appeal effectively and finally terminate his trial on the – 80 count charge at the High Court of Justice, Lokoja? Was it not unlawful for the EFCC to have invaded the residence of Prince Abubakar Audu in the early hours of 11th December, 2012 without any prior invitation and without a valid search warrant or warrant of arrest, under the pretext of arresting him and the subsequent wide publicity accorded the invasion by the EFCC in the print, electronic and internet media? “
” Mr President,the EFCC is not sincere in their fight against corruption. Just as an affirmation, Nigeria scored 27 out of a maximum 100 marks to clinch the 139th position out of the 176 countries surveyed in the latest report on global corruption released few weeks ago by Transparency International. It shared that position with Azerbaijan, Kenya, Nepal and Pakistan. Countries such as Togo, Mali, Niger and Benin fared better than Nigeria. This explains why Nigerians should not be fooled by this spectacle.”
“We protest in very strong terms this primitive form of harassment and intimidation. As this current action the EFCC if unchecked ,may be rightly interpreted by the international community as promoting institutionalized intimidation in a democracy”.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today, Monday January 14, 2013 arraigned the Deputy Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly Dr. Mato Dogara alongside six others before Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court Kaduna on a six count charge of fraudulent conversion of state funds to the tune of over N30 million.
The other six accused persons include Kabiru Tahir Malali (interim Chairman Lere Local Government), Ahmed Yahaya (former director, finance, Lere Local Government), Billy Graham Amos (former director, works, Lere Local Government), Yusha’u Aboki (former director, personnel management, Lere local Government), Mrs. Hannatu Iliya (Head of Health, Lere Local Government), and Eric Alhassan (former acting chairman, Lere Local Government).
Having pleaded not guilty to all the charges, Prosecution counsel, Sa’ad Hannafi Sa’ad requested the court to remanded the accused persons in prison custody and fix a date for the commencement of trial.
He specifically prayed the court to remand the 7th accused (Dr. Mato Dogara) in EFCC custody, as there is fresh petition against him that warrants further interrogation.
Responding to the prosecution’s submission, Habib Ahmed, who led a team of Defense counsel, told the court that they had filed applications for bail on behalf of their clients, and were ready to move the motion.
Their prayer was overruled by Justice Awokulehin who noted that the applications were not ripe for hearing, as the prosecution will also have to respond.
He directed that the six suspects be remanded in prison custody, while the deputy speaker is remanded in EFCC custody. Dr. Mato Dogara had served as the Chairman of Lere Local Government Area and Commissioner in Kaduna State.
The matter has been adjourned to 24th, 28th and 29th January 2013 for trial.
