Immediate past Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki and his sister, Senator Gbemi Saraki have renewed the long-running feud between them, which came to the open in the wake of 2011 governorship election in Kwara State where Sen. Gbemi’s ambition to become the state governor was thwarted by her brother who backed the incumbent governor of the state, Abdulfatai Ahmed.
The disagreement over political ambitions soured relations between them, and in the aftermath of her defeat at the poll, Sen. Gbemi relocated to United States where she was until her father died on November 14, 2011. Their father, late Dr. Olusola Saraki before his death tried to resolve their differences but to no avail.
It would also be recalled that in one of the last interviews the late strongman of Kwara’s politics granted journalists before his demise, he revealed that their political differences had been settled but what remained was that of their quarrel within the family.
And despite creating the illusion that the family was not torn apart during their father’s burial last month, sources claim the warring pair who are not from the same mother, have both gone back to the trenches. This time around, it is Senator Bukola on one side, and Senator Gbemi, and her mother’s children, Laolu Saraki, and Mrs. Tope Edu (nee Saraki) on the other side.
Though what caused the latest row was very sketchy at the time of going to press, information from sources close to the family revealed that, their late father’s younger brother, Alh. Olatunji Abdullahi Ayinla who lives at Adewale Estate in Ilorin has mediated in the recent dispute in the house of the Sarakis.
The Ilorin Emir, Alh. Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari who was in United States when Dr. Saraki died and flew down to Ilorin on the day of the Fidau Prayer to witness the occasion was recently in Lagos at the deceased’s house in Ikoyi to broker a peace meeting among the warring siblings.-
Four staff of Mainstreet Bank, Obong Francis Ime, Harrison Wisdom, Oche Garuba, and Nnamdi Onyeka Igboamalu have been arraigned on a charge of theft by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC at Lagos High Court.
The four staff of the bank that were brought closer together by Presidential Implementation Committee on Federal Government Properties’ money domiciled in Mainstreet Bank Area 7 in Abuja Branch, and that of Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria, PHCN in the same location plundered a total of N129m from the two bodies’ bank accounts. They perpetrated the fraud by opening several bank accounts in their names, close associates, and also used pseudo names where the monies were transferred to.
And just like the funds transfer, the withdrawal was also done piecemeal, and within two days. At a time, they stealthily transferred N10m from PHCN’s account in the bank to one John Udoka’s Zenith Bank account. At another time, one of them, Obong Francis Imeh was the beneficiary of another N10m transferred to his account in Zenith Bank. Other beneficiaries either real or imagined were Abimbola Abdulkareem, Michael Bedford, Okubo Funrou, Yusuf Adamu, Gordian Daniel, Oyenka Jude, Braimoh Aliyu and Allagoa Tony Kumoemi.
However, the perpetrators of the N129m fraud were not lucky in some of their transactions. A total of N114m, which they made attempts to steal at various times fell through. In a petition to EFCC signed by the Head, Investigation Unit of Mainstreet Bank, Mr. Femi Onile, and the Acting Chief Inspector, Mr. Yemi Morebise, the bank intimated the commission about the criminal act, and called on it to prosecute the suspects and their accomplices.
The petition reads; “We wish to bring to your attention a case of fraudulent interbank funds transfer made on 6th August 2012 and 7th August 2012, involving fourteen (14) funds transfer totaling N129m, fraudulently transferred from our customers’ accounts in Area 7 branch, Abuja to some accounts in Zenith Bank Plc and First City Monument Bank Plc…”
The bank also told the anti-graft body that it was Zenith Bank that apprehended one of the perpetrators, Obong Francis Ime when he came to make another withdrawal in the bank.
It would be recalled that on December 29, 2011, an allegation of fraud was made against Mainstreet Bank’s management. It was said that on that day, N160m was withdrawn from the bank by its management without the knowledge of the board and some of the executive directors.
GOVERNOR EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN OF DELTA STATE ( L) ADDRESSING THE FAMILY MEMBERS DURING HIS VISIT TO THE OKONJO’S FAMILY TO CONSOLE THEM ON THE KIDNAP OF QUEEN KAMNENE OKONJO IN OKWASHI-UKU
Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged the people of Ogwashi-Uku and the Okonjo royal family not to take the laws into their hands as the Government was doing everything possible to rescue the abducted queen of the kingdom, Prof kamene Okonjo.
Besides, he assured the royal family of Professor Obi Chukwuka Okonjo and the entire people of Ogwashi-Uku that Prof. Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, would be returned safely and in good state of health.
GOVERNOR EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN OF DELTA STATE ( L) PRINCE ONYEMA OKONJO ( C ) AND CHIEF LAWRENCE OKOLOBI THE OZOMAH OF OKWASHI-UKU , DURING THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE OKONJO’S FAMILY TO CONSOLE THEM ON THE KIDNAP OF QUEEN KAMNENE OKONJO IN OKWASHI-UKU
The Governor, who gave the charge yesterday at Ogwashi-Uku when he visited the family in the palace, stated that law enforcement agencies in the state were already in the field gathering information as well as tracking down the perpetrators to ensure her safe return.
In particular, he enjoined the community leaders, vigilante groups and the entire Ogwashi-Uku community to remain calm and not to take any action that may prompt the kidnappers to act in rash manner that may be detrimental.
He stressed that only peaceful disposition as well as collaboration and cooperation with the law enforcement agents would ensure the desired objective at this point in time.
Dr Uduaghan urged the people not to be involved in rumours mongering as it was capable of jeopardizing the on-going rescue efforts, explaining that only useful information would be required as the situation was delicate.
“Please do not get involved in rumours mongering and trading stories that will not help law-enforcement agents. Only information that will help in her rescue is needed now”, he stated.
The Governor said that the perpetrators of the crime would be tracked down and brought to book adding that law enforcement agencies in collaboration with the government will not rest until they were apprehended and brought to book.
GOVERNOR EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN OF DELTA STATE ( L) WITH PRINCE ONYEMA OKONJO DURING THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE OKONJO’S FAMILY TO CONSOLE THEM ON THE KIDNAP OF QUEEN KAMNENE OKONJO IN OKWASHI-UKU
He assured the Okonjo family that everything was being done to ensure the safe return of Prof Kamene’s, explaining that all hands were on deck to arrest the suspect.
Emphasizing further, he said “I have been in touch with officers of various law enforcement agencies and I assure you that Prof Kamene will be safely returned. The perpetrators of such a despicable crime will be brought to justices”.
The Odafe of Ogwashi-Uku Olizele Ogochukwuka Nkwor in a brief remark thanked the state governor, Dr Uduaghan and his administration for the efforts in ensuring the safe return of prof. Kamene Okonjo.
He assured the governor that the people would assist law enforcement officers in the search and return of Prof Kamene.
Chairman of the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde on December 10, 2012, said that no less than N15.5 billion was intercepted at the nation’s airport between January and till date.
The chairman, who was speaking at the 2012 International Anti-Corruption Day celebrations with the theme, ACT….Help Detect Corruption Risks Today, Organised by the Inter – Agency Task Team, IATT, comprising of Anti –Corruption Agencies, said the amount represented physical cash and not legitimate cash transfer through the financial institutions, taken out through the nation’s airport.
He said N14 billion being couriered outside the country was intercepted at the nation’s airports between January and August while the operation of a Special Task Team which is a joint patrol of the airport by the EFCC operatives and Nigerian Customs officers which commenced in September 2012, had yielded the arrest of illegal cash courier with over $9 million dollars.
While linking the illegal transfer and corruption to share greed, callousness and meanness of the people involved, Lamorde gave example of an individual, who was arrested for laundering money in cash to the tune of $7 million in brief case and flying out of the country through the airport.
He said “corruption is one of the reasons Nigeria has not been able to make progress, socially, politically and economically and we have all agreed that corruption cannot be sustained in Nigeria, all of us must come together to fight corruption”, he added.
The EFCC chairman, who said the funding of the anti-corruption agencies and their operating legislations have to be reviewed, explained that between January and December 2012, the Commission had filed about 353 cases at various courts across the country and had recorded about 53 convictions so far.
“Criminal procedure rather than judiciary should be blamed for the problem of slow pace of trial of corruption cases. Somebody cannot steal from you and expect that the law should protect him against you the victim of his crime. Something has to be done. I pray that the new leadership of the judiciary will be able to do something”, he said.
He also reiterated the need for a special court to take on corruption cases in Nigeria. “Judges are either transferred or the witnesses dead. It is not fair on the anti-corruption agencies to say they are delaying cases. Let cases not last forever. If you think there is no case, please discharge the person but where the person has a case to answer, the case should be concluded in good time”, he said.
IATT Chairman, Mr. Ledum Mitee said some very possible reasons why the problem of corruption had remained stagnant were: weak anti-corruption institutions in terms of capacity, funding and coordination; failure of leadership at all levels to genuinely talk the talk and walk the walk and the need for a more concerted effort in ensuring synergy in the operations of Anti-Corruption Agencies.
He said that performance in fighting corruption had been very poor. “However, we cannot continue on this path. We must steer the ship aright. With the establishment of the Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT), synergy is being built amongst the anti-corruption agencies; the era of individual turf is waning giving room for possible joint investigations and prosecutions which in turn is expected to result in effective sanctions and prevention of corruption”, he said.
Mitee added that another way corruption could be collectively and systematically addressed “is by adopting a Holistic National Strategy to Combat Corruption. And I understand that the IATT has developed a draft National Strategy document. This document is most encouraging and should be given every push for adoption by the Federal Executive Council to translate into policy”.
Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
10th December, 2012
A fresh bitter leadership crisis appears to be rocking the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra state with the leadership of Ken Emeakayi claiming to have unified all the bickering factions.
But at the weekend he used a court order and police backing to stop a ‘grand rally’ planned by a hitherto unknown faction propelled by the Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Technical Matters, Mr Akachukwu Nwamkpo.
The group which operates under the name, Anambra Fresh Congress Group of the PDP, with Pastor Emma Obiora as chairman incensed the Emeakayi executive on whether they were planning to organize a fresh congress of the party or whether they were unveiling a new party and logo but surreptitiously using the platform of the PDP.
Emekayi noted that neither Nwamkpo nor Obiora brought him or any member of his executive into the picture, thereby making him very worried about their original aim and intentions. He also wondered whether it was a ploy to set the state executive under his leadership at loggerheads with the national headquarters, as well as against the President by fixing the day for the so-called grand rally to fall on the same day the entire PDP family were in Otuoke, Bayelsa state, burying and mourning the President’s younger brother.
However, Obiora in a quick reaction yesterday told journalists that the rally was with the full backing of all the presidential aides from the state as well as all the National and state assembly members from the state who were elected under the platform of the PDP. He said they had mobilized massively the grassroots to come and voice their intention for a fresh congress of the party to elect new state executive.
He said the rally which gulped above N37million was botched by Emeakayi who he also accused of threatening his life and those of his executives. That vehicles to bring members from the 326 wards in the state, canopies, tents, chairs, hotel accommodations, entertainment and other logistics had been arranged and paid for.
But Emeakayi has refuted the allegation, claiming he know nothing about Obiora or any of his executive, pointing out that he would not have gone to court if he was a violent-minded man.
Emeakayi also said he has put calls to some of those listed by the group and found out they were merely name-dropping. He confirmed he took over the reins of power in the party last year for a 4-year term.
Obiora said they have made formal report to the state security service on the threat to their lives and were already working hard to vacate the court injunction, so as to proceed with the rally.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates President John Mahama of Ghana on his victory in last weekend’s presidential elections in Ghana.
President Jonathan welcomes President Mahama’s success in securing his people’s mandate for a full term in office, following his assumption of Presidential powers after the death of his predecessor in July 2012, as an endorsement by the Ghanaian electorate of his leadership and his party’s action plan for further socio-economic development and continued consolidation of democracy in the country.
President Jonathan notes that the very keenly contested elections have been adjudged as free and fair by observers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other international observers. On behalf of himself, the Government and people of Nigeria, President Jonathan salutes the people of Ghana for the successful conduct of the polls.
While calling on the victorious candidate and political party to extend a hand of partnership to the opposition, in the spirit of reconciliation and national progress, he enjoins all political leaders in Ghana to join hands with the government to collectively deepen democracy in the country in the overriding interest of continued peace, political stability and progress in their country.
As President Mahama prepares to begin a complete term in office as leader of his country, President Jonathan assures him of the continued support, cooperation and goodwill of the Federal Government and people of Nigeria for his administration and the brotherly people of Ghana.
President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to work and collaborate with President Mahama and his administration at bilateral and multilateral levels on issues of common interest to Nigeria and Ghana.
Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in Bayelsa State have taken a resolution that President Goodluck Jonathan remains the leader of the party in the state.
The decision was reached following a motion by Governor Seriake Dickson declaring total support for President Jonathan as leader of the party in Bayelsa at an expanded caucus meeting of members of the PDP at the Government House Castle, Yenagoa.
The motion was seconded by the former civilian Governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and adopted by about 28 members of the party’s caucus after a voice vote initiated by the lawmaker representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Senator Emmanuel Paulker.
President Goodluck Jonathan (centre) speaking during Bayelsa State PDP expanded Caucus meeting in Yenagoa, while the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) and the State PDP Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (left) look on. Photo by Lucky Francis, Government House, Yenagoa.
In his speech, Governor Dickson posited that the meeting heralds a new beginning in the state PDP devoid of what he termed, “mindless acrimonious divisions” between Bayelsa based politicians and those at the national level.
The Governor said the development was unhealthy and projecting the state in a bad light in spite of God’s mercy upon the state, noting that the expanded caucus meeting was convened for members of the party to close ranks and form a formidable bloc of support at the state level.
According to him, “the most important challenge Bayelsa State has had to contend with is the issue of mobilizing support for President Jonathan, which is why we want to convene this meeting once every quarter.
Commenting on the forthcoming local government election, Hon. Dickson urged members of the party not to “say or do anything to threaten the peace and tranquility that has brought respect to our state.”
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) speaking during the State PDP expanded Caucus meeting at the Gloryland Castle Government House Yenagoa, while President Goodluck Joanthan (centre) and the State PDP Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (Rtd) (left) look on. Photo by Lucky Francis, Government House, Yenagoa.
The State Chief Executive also noted that such meetings would afford him the opportunity of rubbing minds and exchanging ideas with them on development issues, particularly in the area of education.
In his remarks, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed gratitude to Governor Dickson for his invitation to attend the meeting, promising that since it would be held quarterly, he will endeavour to be part of subsequent meetings.
President Jonathan who stressed that politics ought to be seen as tools for the development of the people and service to fatherland, said up until now, he could not fathom what went wrong during the last expanded caucus meeting of the PDP in the state.
Describing Chief Alamieyeseigha as his benefactor in politics, the President called on the political class to learn to be supportive of one another and put aside their grievances in the collective interest of the state rather than creating undue tension in the polity.
President Jonathan who also bared his mind on the selection of political candidates for elective positions, was quoted as saying, “I don’t want to be in Abuja and be seen as influencing political contestants; I will not condescend to get myself in the selection of candidates, am not interested because it won’t be fair since leadership is all about hierarchy.
The number one citizen of the country further underscored the need to respect the hierarchy of power in order to build a strong leadership structure, stressing that he would not stay in Abuja and dictate but it would be alright if he is consulted.
In a welcome address presented by the state PDP Chairman Colonel Sam Inokoba (Rtd), announced that the party’s intention to organize a PDP summit involving all party officials at the State, Local Government and Ward levels as well as leaders of the party in government.
According to him, the party will also launch an appeal fund for the building of a permanent party secretariat, which would be christened, “the Goodluck Jonathan Complex” and 8 party secretariats at the local government headquarters.
On strategies for revenue drive and funding of the party, Colonel Inokoba stressed the need for all political appointees to pay the mandatory 5% monthly contributions from their salaries.
A minute silence was observed in honour of the younger brother of the President, Chief Meni Jonathan, who was laid to rest over the weekend at his hometown, Otuoke.
The South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on anti-corruption agencies in the country to probe the Osun State Government’s award of a N17.8 billion road contract to SAMMYA Nigeria Limited, a company that was declared bankrupt by an Abuja Federal High Court last year November.
In August, this year, the Osun State Government awarded the contract of N17.8 billion for the construction of a dual carriage road from Osogbo to the Kwara State boundary to SAMMYA Nigeria Limited, owned by one Sammy Adigun.
The contract being funded by Infrastructure Bank Plc involved the construction of 9.52km dual carriageway from Osogbo to Dagbolu International Market, construction of 20.5km dual carriageway from Osogbo to Ikirun and 16.55km from Ikirun to Ila-Odo in Kwara State.
However, the PDP said in a statement issued today by its Zonal Publicity Secretary, Hon. Kayode Babade that SAMMYA Nigeria Limited owed Wema Bank Plc a sum of of N23,348,491.43, as a result of which a Federal High Court, Abuja on November 2, 2011 via SUIT NO:- FCT/HC/CV/968/2007 Garnishee the Accounts of the company in 10 Banks.
The party said the judgment debt plus interest in the judgment delivered by Justice M. A. Nasir on November 2, 2011 amounted to N25,099,628.28.
The PDP said; “Nigerians, especially the anti-corruption agencies must ask questions as to how a company that was declared bankrupt late last year could be awarded a N17.8 billion contract 10 months after.
“More so that the contract award was never bidded for or advertised and money for it was borrowed from Infrastructure Bank, Abuja.
“From our investigations, SAMMYA Nigeria Limited is just being used to by the Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola to loot Osun State treasury in connivance with the Managing Director of the Infrastructure Bank Plc, Mr Adekunle Oyinloye because almost everything about the company (SAMMYA) is fake. Its stated head office at 13 ,Williams Street, Gbagada, Shomolu, Lagos does not exist.
“Particularly, Nigerians should check the company’s website to confirm that the company does not have any history or track record in road construction. It has never constructed any road in Nigeria before, and it is sure that SAMMYA Nigeria Limited was being used to loot Osun State funds.
“It also is our contention that awarding a N17.8 billion road contract to a company that has never constructed any road before, a company with non-existing head office address, a company that could not pay N23.3 million that it owed Wema Bank last year is to say the least fraudulent!”
Delta leaders on Monday condemned the recent kidnap of the 82-year old
mother of Nigerian Finance Minister and former World Bank Managing
Director, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Professor Kamene Okonjo,
describing the abduction as barbaric and unreasonable.
The leaders in a statement signed by the Director of Communications of
The People’s Movement, Mrs. Ibifuro Tatua said they were disgusted at
the “Gestapo like manner in which the kidnappers went about the
incident.
The leaders, who advised the kidnappers to release the minister’s
mother immediately, urged the police and other security agents to
track the kidnappers.
They praised the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for
setting high standards in sports, security and management of public
finances.
“Through sheer intelligence, courage and determination of Governor
Uduaghan, Delta State topped the 18th National Sports festival’s
medals table with 114 gold, 99 silver and 75 bronze medals. Delta is
the best in sports. ” the leaders said.
Continuing, the leaders said “Uduaghan’s leadership goes beyond the
incredible speed and cost of providing critical infrastructure, paying
salaries, gratuities, pensions, employing large number of qualified
people into the civil service based largely on merit and financing the
education of thousands in local and foreign universities
They also reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to complete all
on-going projects in the state within the life span of the
administration.
“We thank the good and peace loving people of the state who have
refused to be hoodwinked by the tissues of lies and propaganda being
woven and dished out by desperate politicians and their sponsors” the
statement added.
Chief [Engr] Arthur EzeThe controversial oil mogul and general political godfather of opposition politics in Anambra State, Chief [Engr] Arthur Eze has sued the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation [NBC], Love FM radio Station, Multimesh Communications Ltd, and Miss Chinyere Obi – Ohaleke for N1billion over claims of defamation of character.
According to suit, on or about November 21 and 22, 2012 Love FM radio station through one of its popular programs – BEREKETE FAMILY PROGRAMME allowed and permitted Miss Chinyere Obi – Ohaleke to recklessly slander and libel the person and character of the Chief [Engr.] Arthur Eze.
The suit continues that the Miss Obi through the electronic medium of the Love FM and Multimesh Communications labeled Chief Arthur Eze as indebted to her to the tune of N10million and did beat her up through thugs alleged to be Chief Arthur Eze’s aides.
Also that the remarks and accusation made in the said programme by Miss Obi were totally false as Chief Arthur Eze does not owe the Miss Obi the said N10 million or any sum whatsoever as alleged. Chief Arthur Eze only helped Miss Obi in his usual practice of helping the poor and needy, financially.
The suit adds that there is a recent subsisting Court order by the a Chief Magistrate in Enugu on 2nd February 2012 restraining the Miss Obi from amongst others making any further slanderous or libelous remarks on the plaintiff.
Meanwhile, upon visit to the office premises of Love FM radio station as published on the website of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation [NBC] – Tamale Street Wuse Zone 3, Abuja – it was discovered that the operation premises had no signboard. The address was a flat that looks like a guest house – suggesting that Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation [NBC] does not perform its regulatory and/or supervisory duties over the transmission station of the Love FM radio station and by extension Multimesh Communication.
As gathered, Chief Arthur Eze, through his counsel St. Francis Xavier Solicitors & Advocates wrote to Love FM demanded a retraction of the statement made by Miss Obi – but the radio declined – through one of its staff – Ahmed Isa.
Chief Arthur Eze is reported to be demanding that AN ORDER directing the NBC to invoke Sections 2(1) N and 21 of the National Broadcasting Act of 1992 (as amended) against Love FM radio station for failure to adhere to broadcasting code. In addition, Chief Eze is demanding N1billion and a retraction of the libelous statement.
