MASSOB, Igbo leadership and the future of Igbo Youths

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By chief ogbonna onyenweaku
 
I was just watching recently when in Enugu, how the Nigerian Police were manhandling  and arresting some Igbo youths for daring to do what other ethnic nationalities are doing -asking for this entity called Nigeria to be divided or separated and for agitating in the name of Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafara (MASSOB)
Some of us may not know or remember again that when Raph Uwazurike started the MASSOB thing some few years ago, nobody took him serous. The Igbo leaders could not perceive any Igbo agenda in the whole thing and therefore, they were against it for so many reasons:
* He was trying to remind them of a bitter past. *They see it as an impossible mission. *They do not want to lose their heavy investments outside Igbo land.
So Barr. Raph Uwazurike was like an outcast (Osu) for daring to remind them of the civil war, therefore no notable Igbo leaders then wanted to identify with his cause, particularly those looking for one favour or the other from the Northern leaders and the Federal Government. With protection coming from nowhere, the powers that be came heavily on the young man, Uwazurike. Some Igbo leaders that have media houses then banned their staff from covering the activities of the group. His situation was so bad that the only area he found little attention was from the youths, who the Igbo leaders saw as not knowing what they were doing because they did not experience the war. But the support of the youth gave Uwazurike hope and he marched on.
Raph Uwazurike and his MASSOB asking for the actualization of the sovereign state of Biafara within the sovereign state of Nigeria appears taboo to many; more so, when it was the same thing his Oga (Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu) asked for in 1967 that took the lives of thousands of Nigerians, mostly Biafrans. But today, Uwazurike is not the only person asking for such. Other ethnic groups had done the same thing and in fact, are still covertly or overtly asking that Nigeria be divided and yet nobody has either arrested or prosecuted them.  Why then is Uwazurike’s own case different? Uwazurike’s MASSOB is the most peaceful of them all, unlike the OPC, Arewa youths, the EGBESU, who later transformed to Niger Delta militants, who are today being sent overseas for training and those that could not go are being paid huge allowances to keep them out of the creeks. The Arewa youths have metamorphosed into BOKO HARAM, whose violence and killings have gone out of hand and people are now cowed to ask the government to dialogue with them with a view to bringing peace.
Igbo leaders can also learn something from the sons of Ododuwa. When OPC held sway, asking for the state of ODUDUWA before Obasanjo became president; we all saw their activities and the kind of support Yoruba leaders gave them in their struggle. And any time Otunba Gani Adams was being prosecuted, we also saw the type of lawyers the leaders arranged for his defence unlike Uwazurike’s. During his birthdays, Who is Who in Yoruba including first class Obas, were there for him. But Raph Uwazurike, whose MASSOB preaches non-violence, is being haunted everyday by security operatives because they see that Ndigbo leaders are not supporting him. So many Igbo youths have been killed by the security agencies in the name of stopping the group. The question is: the lives of whose younger brothers and sisters are being wasted? Of course, ours –Igbos’!  It is rather sad that OPC, Niger Delta Militants and Arewa Youths now BOKO HARAM can stage peaceful marches in the streets of Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, with the police providing security and traffic control for them. The same peaceful march by MASSOB in the East will be visited with killings and arrests by the police.
The various governments have not thought it wise to dialogue with MASSOB with a view to finding out what their feelings are through their leaders or Igbo leaders as the case may be. The argument is very clear: if the Igbo leaders can castigate and condemn MASSOB, then why would any government like to dialogue with them? But the Federal Government has forgotten that among all the ethnic pressure groups in the country, it is only MASSOB that has branches in all states of the federation. This means that if tomorrow they are pushed to a point of becoming violent, it will not affect only the East; the whole country will be spontaneously engulfed and what OPC, BOKO HARAM and Niger Delta Militants did or are still doing, will become a child’s play. Every part of the country will be thrown into chaos at the same time.
Agreed that Igbo leaders have failed to manage MASSOB like their counterparts, with somebody like Chief T. A. Orji of Abia State, who has shown some leadership qualities; Chief Rochas Okorocha, the governor of Imo State, who many now see as the new face of Igbo leadership, Ambassador Raph Uwechue, the president of OHANAEZE and others, the Federal Government can give these people the task of bringing these youths who are wasting in name of MASSOB to order. It may be that so far no leader has spoken to them on the dangers of their actions. Looking at them, one can see that they lack direction and focus; there is no leadership approach to what they are doing, unlike their counterparts from other ethnic groups. I want to believe that they do not know whether what they are doing is right or wrong; after all, a child that does not have an elder around him always thinks he is on the right path.
Igbo leaders should rise up to their responsibilities of giving these teeming youth direction and hope. They should stop pretending as if they do not know that many of our youths are wasting their lives in the name of MASSOB; they must act now before it gets out of hand. The 280 youths sent to prison last week by Enugu magistrate court and others in other prisons, are our sons, future hope and future leaders, who are supposed to be in various tertiary institutions or learning one vocation or the other that would better their lives for the benefit of the entire country.
 Igbo leaders should be ashamed of themselves that while other youths from other parts of the country are being placed on allowances every month, some sent overseas for various training and those that did not fall within these categories, are being rehabilitated by their various state governments, our own youths are being either sent to prison or killed day after day.
NDIGBO, please, think.
Chief Onyenweaku Is the coordinator Concerned Citizens of Igbo Leaders ForumIgboleaderforum@gmail.com  07052554785

Leadership tussle: Bloody clash looms in Isoko

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Bloody crisis is currently looming at Isoko nation of Delta state, South-South Nigeria over leadership tussle that is consuming the Isoko Development Union (IDU) an umbrella body of the Isoko nation.

As the tussle is said to be taking another more bloody dimension, the Isoko Development Union Caretaker Committee Chairman, Sir. (Chief) Charles Akeni (ksc) has warned and threatened that nobody should dare attend the Union’s proposed national conference billed for Saturday, 10th,  September, 2011 at Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South council area of the state saying that people will be handcuffed if they contravene the Court ruling by holding what he called an illegal proposed IDU conference.

According to the Caretaker Committee Chairman, the ex-president general, Elder Peter Erebi as he referred to him, was properly and constitutionally removed by the annual general conference of 27th December 2008 and was again legally removed by the Court on 3rd August 2009, they appealed against this ruling and their appeal was struck out and no Court has vacated that August ruling.

The caretaker Committee Chairman Chief Akeni made this disclosure at his country home in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State in a chat with Journalists on the state of Isoko Development Union.

The Isoko leader said the chat was a good opportunity to educate the Isoko people on what he called a purported ruling against the Caretaker Committee that a loyalist of the ex-exco is carrying about. “That paper is a figment of their imagination and they do not understand what they are parading.”

Chief Akeni explained that what the IDU Caretaker Committee had in Court was not even with the ex- exco which, in all intents and purposes was no more in existence, having been earlier removed by the 2008 IDU AGC, was a desktop interpretation of the IDU 2003 constitution, vis-a-vis the supreme position of the annual general conference to remove an exco and put in another. So that in future, nobody in Isoko, no matter how highly placed can supplant the AGC and upturn her decisions adding that this review will still continue. He therefore warned that pending when the desktop review of the constitution is properly done and/or the 2009 court ruling that removed the ex-exco is vacated in court, which he knows is impossible, no other group apart from the caretaker committee of which he is Chairman, has the right to call a general conference.

Talking about his achievements, Chief Akeni said the peace and unity of Isoko Development Union has been his priority, “We are trying to set IDU on a proper path by removing internal crisis and giving the AGC her rightful power, we want IDU to be a more disciplined and civilized organization to regain its prominence so that eminent sons and daughters of Isoko can associate with it and finally uplift it to a globally recognized level. This we have been doing quietly, he said.

He said another priority for his led Caretaker Committee was to complete the building of the Isoko House regretting that “IDU has been a homeless organization. This must change permanently.” Chief Akeni explained that a contractor was mobilized to site by DESOPADEC and work had started when one Delta State House of Assembly member in Isoko went there, drove the contractor from site and destroyed everything saying that it was alleged by Isoko leader that the Honourable member was to get the contract but lost the bid hence the lawmaker was angry.

He asserted that the case has been reported to DESOPADEC and as soon as the first milestone is paid to the contractor, work will start again and hopefully before January 2012 ending, the project will be completed and hoped that the next AGC will be held in that building end of this year, completed or not completed. The Caretaker committee chairman says DESOPADEC has also promised to progress and complete the main building of the Isoko House and prayed the promise is kept.

Meanwhile when contacted, the embattled President General, Elder Erebi has vowed to carry on with the proposed national conference as according to him circulars have been sent out already to all branches and delegates across the nation and beyond.

The “real” reasons the ANSIEC Chairman, Prof Titus Eze was sacked

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Anambra State Assembly Speaker, Mrs Chinwe Nwabili

“The Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission [ANSIEC] has guidelines on the way to award contracts and to do business. They are independent of the Governor’s office. We did not play any role in the award of the said contract to the consultant for the vetting of the voters register. We did not award any contracts, the ANSIEC did. Go and ask them” – stated the Secretary to the State Government [SSG] of Anambra, Mr. Paul Odenigbo in a phone conversation with 247ureports.com over the fallout following what appears an orchestrated indictment and abrupt sacking of the ANSIEC Chairman by the Anambra State Executive on September 5, 2011 and rectified by the State Assembly on September 6, 2011.

On Tuesday September 6, 2011 at 1:30pm, the Anambra State Assembly in their Chambers in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Chinwe Nwabili read from a document that the SSG had written to the State Assembly recommending for the sacking of the Chairman following the findings of an audit committee constituted by Peter Obi’s administration to audit the financial activities of the ANSIEC. According to the letter, the ANSIEC Chairman was found to have misappropriated over N100million and thus recommended for sack. The Speaker called for a vote and the entire 24 members present for the seating voted in unison for the sack.      

But more appears to meet the eye beyond the hurried letter of sack and the overwhelming support by the lawmakers to vote unanimously for the removal of the ANSIEC Chairman, Prof Titus Eze within 24hours of receipt of the sack letter from the SSG.

In Prof Titus Eze’s response to the said indictment, he pointed to the fact that all contractual agreements of ANSIEC were carried out in the presence of the State Governor and the SSG. He stated that it is customary for the Governor to appoint all the consultants/contractors for all the projects carried out under the supervison of the ANSIEC. He catergorically stated that it was Mr. Peter Obi who brought the consultant that was awarded the contract to vet the voter’s register against the upcoming council elections. He added also that it was Peter Obi who approved the payment to the consultant. “I have never met the consultant before. He was brought to us by Peter Obi“.

As investigations by 247ureports.com unearthed, the removal of the ANSIEC Chairman may have little to do with the said financial recklessness as charged by the audit committee. The audit committee which conducted their exercise for period of 5days were said to have been orchestrated by the Anambra State governor and the Man-Friday of the Governor, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Dubem Obaze.   

On the first level, it was gathered that Prof Titus Eze, an indigene of Ihiala, got the top position in ANSIEC through the recommendation of a former Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] member of the House of Representatives who was also the senatorial candidate for the Anambra South senatorial district under the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] party in the 2011 National Assembly [NASS] elections – in the person of Hon. Chumah Nzeribe, also an indigene of Ihiala.

Following the unsatisfactory performance of APGA’s senatorial candidates in Anambra State during the 2011 NASS elections – of which Hon. Chuma Nzeribe lost to Senator Andy Uba of the PDP, sources close to Gov Peter Obi –reveal that the close relationship between Hon. Chumah Nzeribe and Gov Peter Obi soured. The source who is an indigene of Agulu indicated that the relationship fell apart in May 2011 between the two immediately following the embarrassing election. It is uncertain the reasons for the split.

With the divide between the two [Peter Obi and Chumah Nzeribe], the Governor turned suspicious of the ANSIEC Chairman believing the Chairman’s loyalty will remain with Chumah Nzeribe. To this end, two council election schedules developed by the ANSIEC under the leadership of Prof Titus Eze and submitted to the Governor was not acted upon or responded to. The first election schedule developed recommended an election date in August 2011 while the second schedule recommended a date in November 2011. Both schedules were submitted in May/June 2011. A bill of N600million was pegged for the conduct of the election.

Informed political scholars of grass-root APGA in Anambra State tell 247ureports.com that the State administration has little interest in conducting council elections in the near future. They point to the sacking of Prof Titus Eze as one of the numerous diversionary delay tactics that the Obi administration had adopted since it mounted the gubernatorial seat in March 2006. One of the sources opined that the former ANSIEC Chairman, Cornel Umeh, who was an appointee of the former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chris Ngige was also charged for financial mismanagement – and sacked in a similar manner. The sacking of the then ANSIEC Chairman came when the call for council election was ripe on the lips of concerned citizens/indigenes – similar in the timing to Prof Titus Eze’s sacking.

In talking with the APGA Chairman of Anambra State, Mr. Mike Kwento, it became clearer the extent of sinister at play. He told our correspondent that Prof Titus Eze was removed to allow the election to be conducted fairly without foul play. He pointed out that now that Prof Titus Eze is out of the way that the governor will quickly conduct the council elections, adding that the Obi administration and APGA have intelligence reports on Prof Titus Eze and that they have used the security services of the State to monitor the activities of Prof Titus Eze. “We have facts”, he exclaimed indicating that they had facts of his loyalty no longer belonging to the State Governor.  

Also, it is apparent the Obi administration may have anticipated the suspicions and noise that would be generated over Prof Titus Eze’s sacking. This is as the Governor Peter Obi made himself unavailable in Anambra State a few days to the sacking. He is said to be outside the country. He is scheduled to return for a burial in Awka on Thursday September 8, 2011 and to immediately leave the country again. The SSG is also reported to be outside of Anambra State. As gathered, he is headed for Sokoto State and may not return to Anambra State till Sunday.

Meanwhile, a source in APGA Anambra State executive told 247ureports.com that a replacement is expected to be named by Governor Peter Obi on Friday September 9, 2011 before his return to overseas.

—- Click below to see the SSG SACK LETTER TO STATE ASSEMBLY

Recasting Lagos in Parisian Elegance

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Lagos

By Tochukwu Ezukanma

 

As we rode from Ikoyi towards 3rd Mainland Bridge, a friend remarked that this area looks like Washington, DC. Yes, it looks like the area outside of Washington, DC, leading into Crystal City, Virginia. But then, it is all about looks. Nigerians are obsessed with copying Americans and Europeans. Abuja, I was told was planned to look like Washington, DC. And the Nigerian constitution is modeled after the constitution of the United States of America.

Usually, we are interested in the superficialities, and not the substance, of American and European cultures and societies. That is why that despite our love for Western trappings, we evade Western values, standards and ideals. Chukwuma Soludo, in the most lamentable antics of a Governor of the Central Bank attempted, through series of comical and unenforceable laws, to get the naira in circulation in Nigeria looking as clean and crisp as the euro and the dollar. His focus was on making the outward appearance of the naira, and not its economic viability, comparable to the euro and the dollar.  

We take pride in our American styled constitution. Paradoxically, the Nigerian political class disregards the discipline, refinement, commitment and devotion to service of the American politicians and public servants. On her visit to Nigeria, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the United States Secretary of State, incurred the wrath of the Nigerian power elite because she asked them to go beyond just having a constitution that looks American, and also aspire to American democratic ideals. To love Western look and abhor Western standards is self defeating escapism.

The endeavor by the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola to recast Lagos into something of Parisian elegance is another dimension of this Nigerian penchant for Western facades. Its purpose is to get Lagos looking like an American or European city. But, just as keeping the naira as clean, in appearance, as the euro will not give it the financial credibility of the euro and our American-styled constitution has not bestowed us American-class democracy, the beautification of Lagos in line with European and American urban aesthetics will not transform Lagos into a modern city.

The fundamental transformation of a city must be preceded by a shift in the attitude, of both government officials and inhabitants of the city, towards the law.  A modern city can only be predicated on the rule of law. Lawless will invariably engender anarchy and barbarism.  A city marked by anarchy and barbarism will naturally be ruled by confusion and the survival of the fittest. So, to convert Lagos into a modern city must involve the embracing of attitudinal attributes of modernity (respect for the law, discipline, civility and sense of fairness) by the people of Lagos.

A city is not just an agglomeration of buildings and streets cobbled together by architectural, engineering and urban planning standards. A city is a cultural, economic, political and social expression. It captures, encapsulates and expresses the inter-play of cultural, economic, social, and even moral and ethical  forces that shaped a given people, nation and country.

Not surprisingly, Western European cities have a similar character, a character that is strikingly different from (for example) a Chinese city. Chinese cities are as different from European cities as the Chinese culture, society and concept of beauty are different from the European’s. Cities in the former French and British colonies of West Africa are structured differently because the colonial policies of the two former colonial powers, in the region, were different. So, a city reflects a nation’s history, style, tradition and mindset.

Paris is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. One of the reasons for this is that the French are one of the most culturally advanced people in the world; they are renowned for their style and elegance. And as the city is a composite product of the totality of a people’s way of life, the French tradition of style, elegance and exquisiteness found expression in their cities, especially their capital city.

If the cultural sophistication of the French produced the most beautiful and livable city in the world, what kind of city did the cultural crudity of the Nigerian society produce? Inevitably, it produced Lagos, the most disorderly and unlivable city in the world.

Until there is a change in the Lagosian way of life, Lagos will remain what it is, a city shaped, defined and circumscribed by lawlessness, corruption, vulgarity aggressiveness, violence, etc.  Without a dramatic change in both the mindset and attitude of the governing and the governed of the city, the Fashola’s government urban renewal policy will have no profound impact on the city. It will fail to significantly improve its functionality and quality of life. It will end up tinkering with the façade, but living the city the same chaotic and unnerving place. 

Not surprisingly, despite the very impressive face-lift his administration has given to some parts of Lagos, Lagos remains a nerve-wreckingly wild city. For example, her traffic is bewilderingly crazy because the characteristic Nigerian corruption and disdain for the law continue to define the city.  Due to official corruption, a driving test is not required to obtain a driver’s license in Lagos State. The driver’s license is for sell and can readily be bought from government officials. So, a prospective driver automatically gets a driver’s license, just by bribing the licensing officials. 

Lamentably, therefore, many drivers on Lagos roads cannot drive and are totally ignorant of traffic rules. And due to the ingrained societal lawlessness, those who can drive and know the traffic rules pay no heed to them. The police and other government agents have to remain at traffic lights to enforce drivers’ obedience to them.

When they are not there, motorists rarely obey the traffic lights. Some, almost totally ignore them. The supposedly good drivers consider them something of a yield sign. They yield to the vehicular traffic in the lanes that have the green light, and then drive through. Only the eccentric few stop at red lights and wait till the light turns green. Usually, the motorists behind them horn, in exasperation, at what they consider eccentricism, if not lunacy – that is- respecting traffic laws without coercion or threat of punishment by the police or other government agents.   

The dangerous and pesky, yet necessary and seemingly, indispensible element of Lagos traffic is the Okada (motorcycle taxis). The Okada riders are reckless, aggressive and totally oblivious of traffic rules and the rights of other road users. Undoubtedly, the public good demands the training, testing and licensing of Okada riders.   

But with the corruption that has eaten so deeply in the entire Nigerian civil service, to license Okada riders will inevitably be tantamount to creating an added opportunity for the bureaucrats at the Lagos State licensing office and Ministry of Transportation to further enrich themselves. They will simply accept money from the Okada riders in lieu of the training, testing and licenses, invariably, defeating the whole exercise and its noble objectives. 

There are many factors militating against the transformation of Lagos into a modern and enlightened mega city. A detailed analysis of these factors is beyond the scope of this writing.

However, it is impossible to build a modern, civil, orderly and functional city in a country that exalts not the law, morality and justice, but might. Might is right and its mirror-image, the end justifies the means are scornful of morality, ethics, justice and the rule of law. They provide the philosophical foundation for lawlessness, corruption, aggressiveness, civic irresponsibility, etc. A city suffused with these vices will remain a disorganized, wild, and even barbaric city irrespective of the face-lift given to it.

Tochukwu  Ezukanma writes from Lagos, Nigeria

maciln18@yahoo.com

0803 529 2908

My Sack Is To Create Confusion To Avoid Council Poll In Anambra – ANSIEC Boss

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Prof Titus Eze

*says, I am yet to appear before any panel.

*have not seen the audit report.

From Chuks Collins, Awka

Sept 7, 2011

The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution on Tuesday, sequel to a letter from the Secretary to the state Government, Chief Paul Odenigbo urging it to do so and to sack the chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission, ANSIEC Prof Titus Eze.

Prof Eze told The Guardian in an interview that he has no idea of the plot to remove him, or has received query or the report of the auditor. That he was neither summoned by the state Assembly nor asked for his response to whatever indictment the audit report had against him or his Commission Excerpts:

What is really the problem between your office and the state government?

There was no problem. At least not to my knowledge. They only do not want to hold the Local Government election in the state so that they would continue to control the council funds and their huge monthly allocations. So that is the reason for the confusion to enable them perfect their game plans. If they have interest in conducting the LG election, they would have done so long time ago.

What gave you the impression?

The executive wrote the state assembly, directing the House to remove me, and pronto it was done, even without giving me the benefit of fair hearing. No one informed me or invited me to defend myself. I was not even privy of the audit report uptil now.

Before now, what was the schedule of the LG poll you7 submitted to the government like?

I recommended for the election to come up within Nov-Dec 2011, so as to give the 3 months mandatory notice to all the contestants. I have neither received any funds nor been invited for any discussion on it till date.

How long ago was the proposal submitted?

More than three months ago. My initial proposal was for the election to hold in August 2011; then when it was not working, I updated it with the Nov/Dec version.

What aborted it?

Funds. Lack of funds.

Were the funds you requested so outrageous that it became a big task to meet?

No, I gave a detailed comparative analysis of what it cost other states, including neighbouring states to hold theirs. Some spent well above N1billion, others around N800 million and above. But we at the ANSIEC scaled down ours to the basic necessities, and it came to N600 million.

Do you think that raising the fund was the problem?

It was one thing to raise the fund, and another to have the will to spend it on the purpose. I actually didn’t want to participate in the direct handling and the disbursement of the funds. So I purposed setting up of a committee to supervise and oversee the disbursement, while I handle all the required electoral materials and processes.

So, as it is, who do you blame?
I don’t know. But all memos and letters go to the Governor and no one else. I report direct to him. There is nothing happening here he was not part of.

If that is the case, where then is your commission’s independence?

I don’t know. We try to be as open, transparent and fair to the chief executive as possible

Where do we go from here?

I will consult my friends and family, and then make up my mind on what next to do.

Are also considering seeking legal redress?

It is neither yes nor no; until I am through with my consultations

Since this drama started, have you contracted or consulted Gov Obi?

No.

Do you intend to do so?

May be yes. But that is after giving it a deep thought. After I have slept over it

What is the reaction of your colleagues, the commissioners?

They were all surprised. And no official meeting has been held on it so far. It was so abrupt.

What are the real reasons the Assembly and the Government gave for your removal. What did the audit report say and what did you tell the Assembly or the auditors?

I have not seen the report even till now. No one gave me the report. The Assembly never invited or heard from me. Whatever the audit report said were never shown to me. The government on their own sent auditors to the commission and they spent few days going through the books. At the end they left to put together whatever report they wanted. Perhaps that’s why I was never given a copy. They also wrote to direct the state assembly on what they want them to do. And they went ahead to do just that.

One of the points accused you of spending only N6m out of the N100m given to you, without approval and due process.

It is not true. All laid down due process procedures were diligently followed. Ok, what is wrong with spending only N6m out of N100m. We only spent what was necessary. The money was brought for the LG election, but the date of the election was shifted; so why should I spend it. Even the spent funds were for the restructuring of the old (former) voters’ register. The government appointed a particular consultant for us, sent him and they carried out the task. At the end of the exercise, they presented their bill which was about N6million and the government considered and approved the payment. So we released the funds. Top government officers present during the approval and payment of the consultant were Gov Obi, the SSG-Odenigbo and the Commissioner for Works-Calistus Ilozumba. The balance of the funds we received is still in the commission’s account right now. If you approach the accountant she would show you the details. No kobo is missing

Don’t you then consider the unfolding events unusual. Do you suspect any form of set-up?

Yes. Absolutely yes. I think so, for them to achieve a predetermined mindset which they apparently suspect I would not be willing to acquiesce. This atmosphere of confusion is intentionally created to enable them hang the LG election ad-infinitum; for obvious reasons.

When did the House invite you and what were the issues raised?

No one invited me, or asked me any question. Procedurally the House should have invited me to hear my own side, at least to give it a colorations of fair hearing on whatever issues raised against me before taking any action. But no such step was taken.

Why pushing you out in this way?

So that they can have someone who would be very willing to accede to all their bidding no matter how ridiculous. I see everything as part of politics of Anambra State. But God almighty will surely discover and expose everyone.

Before now, have you had any disagreement with the Governor, or Mr Dubem Obaze?

No! They might have their feelings and thoughts towards me but I don’t have any problem with anyone.

Did anyone approach you on how they want the poll handled?

No. None yet. But some talking has been going on here and there.

Have you been contacted or communicated yet?

No. no one has written or contacted me other than the radio news bulletin where the Assembly said they have removed me. Our records are there for everyone to verify. All purchases including the biros we use in the office were approved and supervised by the executive. All funds were approved and supervised by the executive. All funds were approved, verified accordingly too. We have no bearing in any contract or monetary disbursement here. Therefore accusing me of financial impropriety is an overstatement and an insult.

We Have No Case Against Patience Jonathan – EFCC

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Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, debunked claims that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan is under any form of investigation by the anti-graft agency. She said such a report was mischievous. Waziri made this clarification while receiving representatives of the Women Empowering and Enriching Lives (WEEL), an Abuja based Non-Governmental Organization, who paid her a courtesy visit at the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja .

The clarification is coming on the heels of renewed media reports that the anti-graft agency had on September 11, 2006, seized $13.5 million dollars ( USD ) from Mrs. Patience Jonathan, when she was then wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan. According to Waziri, the visit of the NGO provides her an opportunity to respond to several enquiries she had been getting on an alleged pending case against Mrs. Jonathan. “Let me state clearly that the Commission will not allow itself to be used to drag innocent people’s names into crimes, cases or allegations they know nothing about. In this particular case, I have read my predecessor say in media interviews in September 2010 that Mrs. Jonathan was not in any way involved in any case of money laundering investigated by the EFCC under him. I have thereafter checked our records and cannot find any case of money laundering against Mrs. Jonathan or the President himself. So, each time I get an enquiry or read about this, I often wonder where this is coming from”

Waziri maintained that if the person said to have investigated Patience Jonathan for money laundering had as far back as September 2010 disclaimed this, she wonders why people are still referring to it. She says the Commission does not have in any account or records where $13.5 million was recovered from Mrs. Jonathan in 2006. “We should learn to separate the truth from blackmail. Our society can only thrive on justice and fair play if we uphold the right values and shun the politics of pulling innocent people down”, she added.

She maintained that she would not allow the Commission to be used in dragging innocent people’s names into allegations they know nothing about. “I think that is criminal and a big sin. A good name is better than silver and gold. People work hard to build their names and image and then to overnight come and cast this damage or scandalise to hunt someone, I think, is a great sin and I don’t allow it. Each time we receive petitions, when it is not anonymous, we look for the writer to come and adopt it. But if it is anonymous, we don’t put it in the waste bin, we carry out covert enquiries to see whether there is any substance in it. If there is substance, then yes, we are looking for whistle blowers so we do something about it, but we do not for the sake of politics or the sake of sensationalism drag peoples names in the mud. I know I have been a victim of such and I know what it means and what it takes.”, she stressed.

She also said that when she took up the job, the late president Yardua called her and asked if she knew what it entailed to handle the job.”he had told me that my name will be rubbished, I will be scandalized, people will write all sort of rubbish against me, tissues of lies will be concurred against me. He asked if I realized that and I said yes, I have been through it before and I now”, Waziri explained.

She said that there is no record anywhere in the Commission that Mrs. Jonathan is under any investigation; adding that when the former governor of Delta state, James Ibori allegedly offered $15 million bribe to the former boss of EFCC, the money was kept and remains intact at the Central Bank of Nigeria , CBN.

“This is why in the EFCC today, only the mischievous will say the EFCC under my leadership witch-hunts, or drags peoples’ names in the mud or violates rule of law in our operations. I am proud to say that in the last three years, we have done much more and achieved great feats without operating outside the ambit of the law”, she said.

“For us in EFCC, we will continue to promote the right values, focus on our mandate and abstain from tendencies that will not help the course of a better society. This we cannot do alone, and that is why we continue to enlist as many patriotic citizens and groups like yours to join in our crusade for good governance through a vigorous and masses- driven fight against economic crimes including corruption.”

While welcoming the visitors to her office Mrs. Waziri said she was delighted whenever she has women groups visiting her like this; “maybe because I am a woman or because I am just sensitive to women rights and well being. This is why I support the objective of Women Empowering and Enriching Lives (WEEL) for its commitment to empowering women towards sustainable development.”

“Without sounding feminist, I am bold to say that women in positions of authority are not only achievers as instances abound around us but their empowerment secures the future of children, families and the society as a whole. I am equally glad to note that women in authority are reputable for maintaining high standards and playing by the rules”, she added.. Jennifer Gbeshi Ehimika, the group’s coordinator, said the visit was to seek partnership with the EFCC.

100 Days in Office: ACN Scores Amaechi Low

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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State says it is regrettable that the state has close to nothing to celebrate in the first 100 days of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s second tenure.

The ACN, in a press statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam said the governor’s performance in the period under review is an indication that the present administration lacks a clear vision to take the oil rich state to enviable heights.

The party noted that without a clear-cut manifesto for the development of the state, Governor Amaechi has only had a field day merely satisfying his desires and urges to the detriment of Rivers State and its people.

According to the party’s assessment, the Rivers State government under the leadership of Rt. Hon Amaechi has performed abysmally so low in the first few months of the governor’s return to office, with practically no progress made in several sectors beyond what was on ground before the 2011 general elections in the country. The party itemizes the governor’s performances thus:

Economy:

The ACN expresses total regret that the economy of the state within this period witnessed the most unthinkable manipulation. With a running annual budget of almost half a trillion naira, the ACN wonders what informed the state governor’s multiple visits to creditors, especially with the frequent issuance of billions of naira worth of bonds on the capital market, even while there is no practical use of both the budget and the loan facilities obtained.

The ACN specifically vents spleen on the State House of Assembly for failing to check the governor’s excesses but rather massaging his inappropriate ego as if they were elected by their constituents to legislate for the state executives only and not for the entire state.

The ACN wonderes why Governor Amaechi would not earmark on projects according to necessity and time, and apply the state’s adequate earnings accordingly, reiterating that “Rome was not built in a day” and, therefore advising the governor to prioritize the needs of Rivers people and address them as time and resources permit, leaving the rest for subsequent administrations to handle.

The party also expresses fears that running Rivers State on borrowed funds would not augur well for the people as monies hurriedly thrown into contractor’s hands might not so hurriedly turn out results to justify the huge investments and recoup the loans before creditors would come calling, warning that the administration’s financial recklessness might spell doom for the state if not checked and properly directed by both the governing and the governed.

The party challenges the state governor to address the discrepancies in figures given by him and his Cross River State counterpart, Liyel Imoke on the sale and purchase of the DASH-8 aircraft which stand at $9billion (sales) and $6billion (purchase).

Education:

The ACN laments that the vibrance noticed in the education sector prior to the electioneering period has largely disappeared after governor Amaechi retained Government House.

According to the party, what might be termed infrastructural gains in the sector have not been matched with human benefit as the new structures put up in various schools across the state have not been put to use by students in the state. Even the promise by the administration that most of the schools would be equipped to commence academic activities by September this year has not been kept as there are huge doubts that the structures would receive life within the month in question.

With this major failure, what seems Governor Amaechi’s most pragmatic effort may also come to naught and add to his growing list of dismal performances, the ACN observes and advises him against waiting to finish all the school projects before putting them to use, as he cannot solve all the needs of schools across the state at the same time, a situation it says could negate the good effort of the education commissioner, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi.

Health:

The ACN in Rivers State notes with displeasure that what could be said in favour of the education sector cannot be repeated for the health sector in the state despite the huge allocation sunk into that sector by the administration.

The party regrets that even the structures managed in the sector in the first tenure were so fraudulently and carelessly raised that years after their erection, nothing happens in them, while various degrees of renovation work must be made on them before they can be put to use provisionally.

All feasibility studies and expert advice to move the health sector forward failed to yield positive result as the mega hospital project in the Town axis fizzled out and has not been explained nor resources pumped into it recouped, the party said, while several other dream projects were marked by fraud and obvious incompetence and lack of commitment.

Even where established structures existed, as in the case of the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH), lacked of internal organization, transparency and administrative commitment reduced the establishments to mere shadows, according the ACN.

While condemning the poor health status of the state and the inordinate dreams of the operators of the sector, the ACN counseled the Amaechi administration to reverse the trend by beefing up key positions with committed and visionary personnel and appointees who would not derail government programmes, especially as it concerns the primary health care sector in the state where so much money, attention and hype have gone in with no tangible results seen in the first 100 days of the governor’s second tenure.

Sports:

The ACN recognizes that the huge investment made in the sports sector yielded results, and urges the state government to continue with such proactive strides.

The party notes that the 17th National Sports Festival which was hosted in Port Harcourt during the period under review was successful and to the credit of the state, even as sports groups and personalities in the state achieved victory in their various outings. The party further commends the new infrastructure raised in the sector in the state and notes that the only way to justify the huge investment on them is the conscious maintenance and near-commercialization of the facilities.

Justice:

By the party’s observation, the Amaechi administration has failed in this area, particularly against the backdrop that the governor has run for the first 100 days without an attorney general and commissioner for justice.

The ACN wonders why Governor Amaechi enjoys running Rivers State without a justice commissioner, and roundly condemns the due process posture of the administration, noting that several abuses of the rule of law have gone unattended to within the period in question.

The party notes that credit ought to have been given to the state for the successful hosting of the 2011 conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt, but regrets that the state wastefully doled out the staggering sum of N250million on an event that was not its direct responsibility, stressing that better service delivery would have been achieved with the funds so splashed on the NBA programme.

Works:

In the area of works, the ACN notes that the Amaechi administration could be written off as particularlly nothing has been done within the period under review.

The ACN notes that almost all roads in Port Harcourt and its suburbs are impassable with the operation zero potholes and road rehabilitation programme in the state a huge fraud and drain pipes through which state funds were siphoned into people’s pockets without any result or consideration for the plight of the people of the state.

The party further notes that work is grinding to a halt on most projects including the momorial and flyover, while the state government continues to blame the rains for its abysmal performances, and charges the authorities to ensure that most on-going projects in the state are completed in the next summer before new ones are started, especially with all the loan and bond agreements purportedly entered into for the quick completion of the projects, stressing that no excuse will be entertained should the state fail again next summer.

Security:

The ACN believes that average score could be given to the administration within this period for its fight against criminality and other forms of insecurity in the state following its assistance to, and cooperation with law enforcement agencies which have led to quick responses to crimes and distress calls, and the reversal of successfully committed crimes and kidnappings.

The party, however notes that there are pockets of fresh upset and resistance, especially in rural areas such as Omuma, the Ikwerre axis, Ogoni and other areas, and calls for enhanced support against hoodlums and sensitization/empowerment of individuals and groups for the fight against insecurity.

Utility:

Unlike in security, the ACN sees the state administration as a woeful failure in the provision of electricity and water especially, as well as other forms of social amenities, and decries the huge funds which the power and water ministries have gulped with practically nothing to show for it, while advising government against the release of a whopping N250billion requested by the water resources ministry for the replacement of water pipes in the state.

The ACN says experts should rather be consulted to fashion out a blueprint to revive and enhance the water scheme in the state to provide clean drinking water for the people as soon as possible.

In the areas of agriculture, social welfare, housing, lands, survey and others, Rivers ACN regrets that the state is only a non-starter and writes it off within the period under review, calling for a thorough sanitization of the ministries, while giving pass-marks to the information and environment ministries for fighting to clear the image of the state and the environment of mounting smears and garbage piled at it in the course of its daily functions.

Jerry Needam, JP

Publicity Secretary

Action Congress of Nigeria

Rivers State

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Imo Tribunal: Between Justice Bello & Judicial Robbery

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The sum total of the assignment of any election petition tribunal is to ensure that substantial justice has been served to both the petitioner and respondent at the end of its sittings.

To be able to lay claims to any form of credibility, same tribunal must also be seen as favouring justice above all other considerations.

The Imo state tribunals for the 2011 elections petitions are being handled by Justice E. N. Kpojime, for the Governorship petitions while Justice I. Bello and Justice Umoekoyo Essang handle the National Assembly and House of Assembly petitions interchangeably.

Of the three Justices; Bello’s discharge of his duties as tribunal chairman has agitated the Imo electorate the most and have continued to task the sensibilities of the fast despairing Imo public.

Since May 17 when the tribunals commenced sitting in the state, Bello has thrown out no fewer than four National and State Assembly petitions without hearing the substantive case, largely on the ground of contestable technicality.

Justice Bello clearly seems to have a serious issue with the mode of application for the pre-hearing notice. Much as the processes of law must be respected, a mode of application that is legally contestable as inferior and a process deemed as mere administrative should not justify the denial of fair hearing and justice, for petitioners who approach the tribunal with genuine cases of electoral injustice.

As it presently stands, several thousands of supporters and allies of the petitioners from the Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly elections whose cases were denied on the ground of their mode of application for the pre-hearing notice would now want the court of public opinion to determine their fate in the face of Bello’s perceived disregard for superior legal argument on the issue.

The provision for pre-hearing notice is regulated by the content of paragraph 18 of the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.

Within 7 days after filing and service of the petitioner’s reply on the respondent or 7 days after the filing and service of the respondent’s reply, as the case may be, the petitioner shall apply for the issuance of pre-hearing notice as in Form TF 007.

The issue at this point is the fact that Justice Bello favours only applications made through motions and tends to promptly strike out all those cases in which applications were made through a letter.

Apparently ignoring paragraph 47 (1) of the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended which states that:

(1) No motion shall be moved and all motions shall come up at the pre-hearing session except in extreme circumstance with leave of Tribunal or Court (There is evidently no extreme circumstance or emergency in this case),

Justice Bello yet opts to favour paragraph 47 (2) which states thus:

(2) Whereby in these Rules any application is authorized to be made to the tribunal or court, such application shall be made by motion which must be supported by affidavit and shall state under what rule or law the application is brought and shall be served on the respondent.

It may be necessary to note that under these circumstances, some officers of the law may attempt to seek refuge in their right to the exercise of judicial discretion but it must be stressed that judicial discretion can only be applicable to the provisions in paragraph 18 (3) of the 1st Schedule which states that ‘the respondent may bring the application in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) where the petitioner fails to do so, or by motion which shall be served on the petitioner and returnable 3 clear days after application for an order to dismiss the petition’.

From the fore-going, it is clear that ‘application’ in the context is neither denotative nor synonymous to ‘motion’.

It however worries discerning members of the public that in support of his stance, Justice Bello has continued to cling onto the Appeal Court decision of 2008 in the case of Riruwai vs Shekarau which had since been rendered inferior by the more recent Supreme Court decision of 2010 in the case of Nwankwo vs Yar’Adua where the court held that, ‘Any motion, or preliminary objection not taken and determined at the pre-hearing session is done or taken without jurisdiction and consequently null and void, as it is a condition precedent to the exercise of Tribunal Jurisdiction.’ By this ruling therefore, it follows that the Electoral Act (2010) may not have foreseen the issue of application by motion since motions can only be heard during pre-hearing sessions proper. This is the superior position of the Supreme Court of the land.

It is however ironic to note that in the same tribunals sitting in the Imo state High Court premises, Justice E.N. Kpojime handling the governorship petitions and Justice Umoekoyo Essang handling National Assembly and State Assembly matters have had to dispense with undue technicalities to serve justice.

Beside sustaining the case of Achike Udenwa vs Hope Uzodinma, in which application was filed by a letter, Justice Essang also held in the case of Cosmos Iwu vs Ambassador Matthew Nwagwu that, “going by the provisions of paragraph 18 (1), (3) and 47 (1) of the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended and the Supreme Court decisions, we are of the humble view that the application for pre-trial session filed by the petitioner is in the circumstances in compliance with the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act, and we so hold.”

Also, efforts by the incumbent governor of Imo state to dismiss the petition of the opposition in the case of PDP vs Gov. Rochas Okorocha on the grounds of timing and technicalities was rebuffed by Justice E. N. Kpojime who insisted that the petition of the PDP must be heard for justice to be served.

Consequently, this question begs for answers: ‘Is Justice Bello and the duo of Justice Essang and Justice Kpojime, not all officers in the same temple of justice and operating with the same book of law?’ Granted that there may be differences in personal approaches to law but the fundamentals of the law practice remain the same for all practitioners.

Beside these facts and legal arguments, the tribunals and every other court of law are designed to aim for the highest good of society which in this case is untainted justice for public good.

Not a few however, are of the conviction that it would in the long run amount to grave injustice to uphold undue technicalities at the expense of substantive justice.

In the case of Uduma vs Arunsi, Justice Abdullahi held thus: “The courts are no longer swayed by mere technicality rather, the tendency now is towards striving for ideals of doing substantial justice, even in election matters, election petitions should be conducted with the same feasibility and crass technicality should be avoided.”

Also noteworthy is the case of Ikoro vs Izunaso in 2009 where the court also held that: “The trend practise for sometime now particularly in election matters which are of different and special nature is to do justice, even if only substantial, in matters that can come before the courts regardless of the harmless deficiencies in form that may exist in the process used to have access to the seat of justice where every citizen have the constitutional right to…”

It is instructive for the Tribunal in Imo to note that in the course of Tribunal sittings for the 2011 election petitions, the Appeal tribunal in Yola recently upturned the dismissal of two cases by the lower tribunal predicated on the mode of application (Letter/motion). The cases are that of Arch. Aliyu Dankaru vs PDP and others, and Simon Issah vs Alhaji Saad Tahir and INEC.

Looking back at the casualty figures emanating from the choices and legal assumptions of Justice I. Bello which occasioned the dismissal of the cases of Kema Chikwe vs Chris Anyanwu (Senate); Nkemdi Opara vs Bethel Amadi (House of Representatives) and Chima Akuzie vs Simeon Iwunze (State House of Assembly) and the most recent, Chikwem Onuoha vs Matthew Omegara; it is only fair to urge Justice Bello to stop and think again.

Slaughtering fair hearing on the excuse of undue technicality is a massive denial of justice against thousands of Imo people spread across the 27 council areas of the state.

The judiciary in Nigeria is presently at a cross-road occasioned by perceived unethical compromises on the part of the officers of the law, the choices of Justice Bello, wittingly or unwittingly must not deepen these woes, as we continue to pray that our judiciary would find their way out of the morass.

It has now become a popular opinion that the tribunal cannot be excluded from culpability in electoral injustices if they are seen to be deliberately hinging the bulk of their judicial pronouncements and decisions on undue technicalities and harmless oversights in crass antagonism of the course of justice.

Imo state presently, is tense from the strings of hardly justifiable decisions of Justice Bello in the course of handling high profile electoral petitions brought to his tribunal.

While we may not be able to predict the reactions of other segments of the state, we, as professionals would be left with no other option than to petition the National Judicial Commission if Justice I. Bello persists in his seeming flagrant disregard for the ideals of justice and fair hearing.

A man who has honestly and fairly won an election, should be able to prove his victory beyond reasonable doubt, so also is a man who lost an election; he should be given the opportunity to prove his case without the legal hamstrings of technicalities which are now known avenues of denying petitioners substantive justice.

The public is therefore urged to dispassionately monitor Justice Bello’s tribunal in the hope that some how, we may collectively saveguard the judiciary from further decay.

Imo people are watching. Nigerians are watching. And for their sake, ‘let justice be served even if the heavens fall.’

US Govt. condemns Jonathan-WikiLeaks

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…Reports condemn present DG-NIMASA as incompetent

* Applauds ex-DG to have established safety and security in Nigerian waters

* Reveals ‘politics of bitterness’ among the board members

* Armed sea robbers and pirates use these derelict ships as their base of operations

* Stakeholders angry with present DG-NIMASA

* Says “Temisanren Omatseye is a dynamic leader…will to improve Nigeria’s maritime environment with respect to security, safety, pollution and economic opportunities.”

A damning report by WikiLeaks, an online news portal, has released a classified cable titled ‘C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000044’, on the events happening at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) recently and placed ‘a damning verdict,’ on the government of President Good luck Jonathan, for allegedly truncating the progressive moves made by a former Director General, (DG) of the maritime agency, Temisanren Omatseye, by appointing a ‘mediocre’, an erstwhile varsity lecturer as the new helmsman. This, non-progressive and ill-advised move will set NIMASA backward.

United States (US) Embassy position

In this classified documents, it reveals that Donna Blair, the Consul General paid a courtesy visit to NIMASA on December 22, and they were taken on a tour of the maritime agency’s training and operations center in Kirikiri, Lagos to highlight current capacity, shortfalls and strategic plans.

 Summary of the Reports (Unedited) on US Ambassador’s visit

Ex-DG of NIMASA, Temisanren Omatseye used a tour of NIMASA’s training and operations center in Kirikiri, Lagos on December 22 to highlight current capacity, shortfalls, budget, proposals, and strategic plans to the Ambassador and Pol/Econ Officer (Political Economic Officer).  NIMASA has taken the first steps toward establishing safety and security in Nigerian waters, but it requires considerable assistance in further capacity building.  NIMASA is also engaging the GON with respect to training ex-militants in the context of the post-amnesty program. 

Reports on Shortfalls in Capacity

Omatseye, NIMASA former DG gave the Ambassador and Pol/EconOff, a tour of NIMASA’s training and operations center at Kirikiri, Lagos on December 22 including a brief meeting with the NIMASA board of directors. Omatseye highlighted both the improvements made in NIMASA’s capacities and the existing shortfalls. NIMASA is currently capable of receiving and recording any distress signals from vessels operating along the West African coast, but has no capacity to respond.  NIMASA also has a Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) repeater station which provides the capacity to see and identify ships up to 30 nautical miles off-shore, but wants to be able to monitor ship movements 200 nautical miles off shore.  NIMASA possesses one search and rescue helicopter but has no capacity to do aerial surveillance.  NIMASA maintains has a small twenty-four-hour health unit that can provide first aid and do triage, but not respond to major emergencies or do surgery.  There is a helipad on the facilities, but the jetty and maintenance workshops are still under construction.

Reports on Classroom facilities

NIMASA has classroom facilities to train classes up to 40 people at a time which are currently under-utilized. Omatseye wishes to see experts from around the world provide training on a weekly basis, adding that it was much cheaper and more effective to bring instructors in than send students abroad.  There are serious training gaps particularly with respect to law enforcement capabilities.  NIMASA board members asked to be allowed to submit to the U.S. Africa Partnership Station specific requests that would enable training programs to be customized to meet NIMASA’s most pressing needs.  Altogether, NIMASA is short roughly 60 staff, and an ongoing human resources audit will provide more precise data on needs.

Thumbs up for Ex-DG Proposed budget for 2010

Omatseye’s proposed budget for 2010 totaling 46 billion naira (USD 306 million) includes funding for the purchase of 28 patrol boats, one additional helicopter and the purchase of a long range tracking system with capacity up to 220 nautical miles.  (NOTE: Nigerian media reported November 27 that NIMASA had signed a services agreement with International Mobile Satellite Organization (ISMO) of the United Kingdom (UK) for a Long Range Identification Tracking System. Other plans includes: locating a workshop for the patrol boats on the premises for oversight and control purposes but out-sourcing the actual maintenance work.  In addition, Omatseye is looking into ways to cooperate with the Nigerian Air Force, which recently acquired assets suitable for conducting aerial surveillance.  Omatseye wishes to contract services from Protea hotel’s chain to manage the 42 room guest house at the training center with the objective of providing international standard accommodation for visiting

lecturers.

Large number of ships identified by radar

NIMASA personnel explained the fully operational RMAC station to the Ambassador, pointing out the large numbers of ships which were identified by radar but not transmitting automatic identification signals (AIS) as required by international maritime law.  Ships with no AIS, or AIS that is turned off, are presumed to be in violation of the International Maritime Organization code and therefore suspected of engaging in illegal activities. Omatseye suggested that these ships could be engaged in smuggling, illegal oil bunkering, or illegally dumping waste into the harbor. Some of the ships without AIS may also be decommissioned and abandoned tankers which are anchored off Lagos harbor.

Armed sea robbers and pirates use these derelict ships as their base of operations

The report says: 150 of these ships are off-shore according to the Indigenous Shipowners’ Association and their lights create a false shoreline at night.  Contacts in the shipping community suspect that armed sea robbers and pirates use these derelict ships as their base of operations for launching attacks on vessels awaiting entrance to Lagos or already alongside at Lagos port. These ships are hazards to navigation and their anchors have cut telecommunications cables in the past. Omatseye wishes these vessels to anchor outside the shipping lanes into Lagos harbor.

Training militants to man Coast Guards

NIMASA has agreed to take up to 250 former militants into their ongoing training program designed to train 1,000 Nigerians at maritime academies abroad. This officer training program was launched in 2008 before the amnesty. It requires candidates with higher education, capable of completing university equivalent studies and therefore not ideal for the bulk of former militants, many of whom are illiterate or have only rudimentary levels of education. Omatseye suggested that he is more interested in training former militants to man the fleet of patrol boats that he plans to acquire and deploy. Omatseye claimed to have spoken personally about such employment to former militant leader “Tom Polo,” who was very receptive to the idea.  Omatseye believes that former militants are familiar with the Nigeria’s coastal waterways and creeks and have demonstrated skills in operating small, powered craft.  If rehabilitated and properly trained these ex-militants could form the core of an effective maritime law-enforcement unit.

Why US Govt. is angry with Jonathan

Our correspondent gathered exclusively that the administration of President Barrack Obama got worried and angry, especially the Department of Commerce, Energy & Treasury, having studied the reports earlier submitted by the American Ambassador to Nigeria on NIMASA under Omatseye’s tenure. The final verdict of the US Consul General reads that “Omatseye is a dynamic leader with a palpable will to improve Nigeria’s maritime environment with respect to security, safety, pollution and economic opportunities.  He launched a number of initiatives that are already bearing fruits such as the installation of RMAC, the acquisition of scavenger boats to address the pollution in Lagos harbor, the budget proposals for patrol boats, helicopters and Long Range Tracking Systems.  However, he appears to be operating in a legal grey-zone.  There are no clear sanctions for many of the practices (e.g. failure to use AIS, anchoring in sea lanes) he wishes to prohibit.  Likewise, NIMASA’s mandate to develop into an independent law enforcement arm similar to the USCG is, at best, ambivalent.  Further legislation is probably needed.  Nevertheless, supporting NIMASA’s vigorous efforts to increase its capacity are in U.S.’ interests in the short and medium term.”

Stakeholders angry with present DG-NIMASA

Sources in the maritime sector who would not want their names argue that 90 % of the stakeholders are angry with the current DG, who knows nothing in maritime, has no prior educational knowledge in navigation or maritime laws, contrary to Act 7 of NIMASA 2007, except that he is only “claiming glory for the evergreen achievements of Omatseye in the maritime agency.”

We can tell you that the US position on this issue may not change, except the Presidency right the wrong created in NIMASA by “having round pegs in round holes in the maritime agency.”

Jonathan Was Never On EFCC List of Corrupt Governors

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The Presidency has noted with concern the lead report in today’s edition of a national newspaper, The Daily Trust, which contained malicious, disrespectful and disparaging remarks about President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan purportedly authored by an official of the United States Embassy over two years ago.

We are completely at a loss as to what purpose the Daily Trust expects its report which is wholly based on erroneous opinion and false conjecture to serve other than the objectives of those who persist in seeing no good in the Jonathan Administration and doing everything possible to distract the President from his Agenda for National Transformation.

It is a matter of public record, as the editors of the Trust well know, that no charge of corruption was ever made or sustained against the President while he served as Governor of Bayelsa State, while his many achievements as governor of the state speak for themselves.

The report also includes an unjustifiable attempt to impugn the President’s integrity by rehashing a well-worn fictional account of alleged corruption by the First Lady which has been dismissed as arrant nonsense by the former Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

For the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has never been on any EFCC list of corrupt governors and we challenge anyone to prove otherwise.

In point of fact, it was his record of achievement and incorruptibility in public office that recommended him to the leadership of the PDP as a worthy candidate for the Vice Presidency in 2007.

Furthermore, the cable which purports to be the source of the story is unverified. Moreover, even the alleged cable itself cites as its source “reports” and yet the newspaper went ahead to report an alleged incident which was not in the purported cable and involved the seizure of large sums of money from the President’s wife while he was governor.

The incident described above never happened and is at best a figment of the reporter’s imagination. Let me state categorically that at no time was $13.5 million or any other sum seized from Dame Patience Jonathan at the Lagos airport or any other airport.

The former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who was in office at the time President Jonathan was a governor stated categorically that the allegations were just lies inserted into the media for political purposes.

Malam Ribadu’s precise statement on this issue made on the 13th of October, 2010 was as follows: “We investigated it and there was nothing connected with Mrs. Jonathan. Even as at that time those who were desperately looking to make a political mile out of every opportunity decided to use that to link it with them simply because they wanted to kick them out of office at that time”.

Finally, let me state that President Jonathan remains committed to Press freedom and freedom of speech which is why he signed the Freedom of Information Bill into law. With the passage of this bill into law, the expectation of the President is that such a law could be utilized by the Press to thoroughly investigate allegations before they are released into the public arena as truth.

The FOI law allows reporters to request for records from the EFCC which when perused would establish the truth about any matter that has been before the EFCC. With the FOI law, there is no longer any excuse for speculative journalism beyond laziness.

Reuben Abati, Ph.D

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

6 September 2011

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