Information reaching 247ureports.com indicates the son to the Secretary to the State Government [SSG] was kidnapped yesterday in the evening of June 18, 2012.
Details to the kidnapping remain sketchy but source indicate that the prevalence of kidnapping to have experienced a sudden spike in Delta State – among the persons asssociated with government officials. The source points to a new form of attack being unleashed on the governmen of Delta State – with specificity to the Governor, Dr. Uduaghan.
The security agents are said to have staged a wide manhunt.
Many Human Rights advocates and analysts had admonished the need for the establishment of a special court, which would be sitting day-by-day, like the election petitions tribunal, for the speedy trial of anyone found unjustifiable of sordid details with money, while holding any public office. This gesture would assist the Federal Government’s options on judicial reforms that could fast-track the trial of alleged corrupt persons, because there are no strong indications that ex-governors and their like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had said it’s studying petitions against them really committed the ‘crime’ they are being hounded for years without allowing the innocent Nigerians a breathing.
It is because of the lack and provision of substantive evidence by the EFCC in the court that has led to many of these “corrupt persons” set free by the court. But the EFCC in its orchestrated efforts in misleading Nigerians to believe that it is working, would show some gragra,consequently creating a bad impression in the minds of the unsuspecting Nigerians to believing that “corrupt judges in the judiciary set corrupt politicians free in court”; but this is not true, because the judges know the law and they carry out their court dealings based on the provision of the law and evidence.
What the Federal Government is perhaps oblivious of is that the image of Nigeria and Nigerians are incessantly battered outside the shores of this country by the EFCC. The information given as news that about 77 high-profile cases, including those of 14 ex-governors and two ministers, are pending in various courts in the last four years, should buttress the fact that the EFCC was not for the good name of Nigeria. This is shameful and is giving Nigeria a very bad name and poor image before the comity of nations. It is therefore pertinent that the Federal Government must know that the EFCC has so far given the international community the impression that Nigerians are corrupt (whereas it is not true) without anything to demonstrate for its always harangue of corruption among Nigerians. This also abuses the esteemed office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The Minister’s office was supposed to beproposing a reaching judicial reforms on how to pummel incivility in the country, and not the eye service job the jaundiced EFCC is doing just to score cheap publicity by playing the script of its institutors against some persons perceived to be in the Black Book of these persons who feel that they are demi-gods that must be worshipped.
While the presidency may be developing an impressive plan to fight corruption, it should understand that the EFCC has gored many oxen it had no confirmation to do so before goring them. One man the EFCC has molested so much in this country is the ex-Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, whom the EFCC is per minute increasing the money said he ‘misappropriated’ while in office. The EFCC had said in 2007 that Kalu mismanaged N3B. Later Nigerians heard reports from the same EFCC that he mismanaged N5B. But in all of that did reports not show that the “mismanaged money” was N2.8B, which was Security Vote, any governor of a state was supposed to hold and spend on the destination the money was meant to be conveyed to? Is the EFCC saying that if no person is molested and abused in Nigeria, at least, it must be Kalu? For what! Is this not the man who provided good drugs in good health facilities the Abia Government that he once led built, good roads, education, portable water? Just name them. So, it is expedient that the EFCC is also brought to book and be prosecuted or audited for molesting Nigerians and wearing on them the label of corruption it had no prove for. The EFCC was just acting on hear-say through petitions of those who perhaps are enemies of the people they petitioned the EFCC to arrest and prosecute, not that the EFCC was real to the issues of corruption detractors have wore on those they are detracting.
While the Federal Government maybe giving directive to the appropriate ministries and commissions in the Executive arm to speak with the judiciary on how to hit hard on corruption, it is therefore essential that it also lengthens its hand on the EFCC and terminate its existence. It will be garbage in, garbage out on its fight against corruption if the EFCC is not sent to the archives where it truly belongs immediately, for posterity to judge. This will be the height of Reforms in Nigeria if achieved. After all, the trial of all the ex-governors and former Ministers and those already arraigned in court by the EFCC, has not brought any good name to the country, but bad name. The EFCC make them criminals before they are arraigned in any court of competent jurisdiction. Imagine the grimace that would be on people’s face if a country like the USA is brought to the public glare that the number of Nigerians the EFCC has been parading is paraded in the USA by a semblance commission like the EFCC over there. Does it mean that the USA has no such commission? But the USA prefers to respect the dignity of her citizens and the Constitution and not to make name in fighting corruption just as the EFCC is doing with the aid of the media thereby bringing the names of reputable Nigerians to the mud, and the name of Nigeria to the deeper mud.
Seeking for judicial reforms that will ensure quick dispensation of justice is fine, but not when the names of the alleged persons on the EFCC’s pseudo list are transported to the ‘new’ era for trial. Cases that only exist because of certain petitions without concrete prove by the EFCC should be struck out ones and for all. Also, there shouldn’t be any committee to look into the performance and truthfulness of judges in the past. Let there be Reforms in its entirety if the government wants to reform because mirroring backward will not produce any progressive potent result but retrogression and impotent backwardness. It is an opinion that amnesty should be the term used in discharging and acquitting the names of those present on the EFCC’s list. This does not mean to support corruption, but it is better it is done that way for a proper fight against corruption to germinate on a fertile land free from any artificial application.
The EFCC should be pruned of the abuse of power it has been exhibiting where it does the work of police and many times wants Nigerians to see it as the judiciary. It is not only the ex-governors, ministers and other that worth questioning and arrest, the EFCC also deserves the same fate because it has lived its expiry date. There is every need that the EFCC and its insincere-long-list of corrupt persons, especially those of political class, be dismissed.
Odimegwu Onwumere is the Coordinator, Concerned Non-Indigenes In Rivers State (CONIRIV). Mobile: +2348032552855. Email: nirivpol@gmail.com
US President Barack Obama hosts a reception in honour of national Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month in the East Room of the White House on Saturday
Washington: A reporter for a conservative news website interrupted President Barack Obama’s announcement of a new immigration policy in the Rose Garden on Friday, drawing a rebuke from the visibly agitated president.
The reporter, who later identified himself as Neil Munro of the Daily Caller, shouted out questions while Obama was explaining that his administration will block deportations of young illegal immigrants. That prompted the president to respond: “Not while I’m speaking.”
At the end of his remarks, however, Obama returned to Munro, who was standing in the press corps area of the manicured lawn outside the West Wing and had asked why Obama’s new policy favoured “foreigners over American workers”.
“And the answer to your question, sir — and the next time I’d prefer you let me finish my statements before you ask that question — is this is the right thing to do for the American people,” Obama said, before Munro shouted out again.
The president added: “I didn’t ask for an argument. I’m answering your question.” As Obama finished and walked off, Munro shouted: “What about American workers who are unemployed while you import foreigners?”
On the Daily Caller’s website, Munro issued a statement explaining that he thought Obama was wrapping up his remarks when he asked the question. “I have no intention of interrupting the President of the United States. I know he rarely takes questions before walking away from the podium,” Munro said in the statement.
“When I asked the question as he finished his speech, he turned his back on the many reporters, and walked away while I and at least one other reporter asked questions.”
Daily Caller editor-in-chief Tucker Carlson, who was at an airport in Chicago and did not watch the news conference, praised Munro’s approach. “That’s what reporters do, try to get their questions answered. And that’s what politicians do, try not to answer questions,” Carlson said in a phone interview.
“They come out and make a statement and run back into their fortress. Why should we play along with that?” Carlson described Munro as an experienced White House reporter in his mid-40s who has worked at the website for two years.
He said Munro is an immigrant from Ireland who is married to an American and has children. Carlson emphasised that Munro had not orchestrated a pre-planned stunt to draw attention. “I had no idea,” Carlson said. “He’s an aggressive person.”
But retired ABC News reporter and anchor Sam Donaldson, 78, said in a telephone interview: “I never interrupted any president while he was making a formal presentation of any sort. You don’t do that, do you?” Carlson added that White House press secretary Jay Carney had emailed him after the incident asking Carlson to contact him.
“I’m a believer in politeness, but we ought to be polite to everybody,” Carlson said. “I also think these things are structured in such a way that gives the politician all the cards.” Carlson added that he would give Munro a raise if the website could afford it.
The ongoing bloody series of Black Sunday continued today, Sunday June 17, 2012 as multiple bomb blast rocked the State of Kaduna – at Zaria Kaduna south and Gonin Gora.
This is in addition to the suicide bomber that ram into the Shalom Church International in Trikaniya, Chikun Local government of Kaduna state – that inspired angry youth in the area who took to the street in protest – resulting to immediate violence. The violent protest by the angry youth in Trikaniya later spread to other communities like, Kakuri, Sabo, Romi and Gonin Gora roads. Our correspondent gathered the casualties affected in the suicide bombing numbered 32 while the reprisal killings numbered 20. A security official put the count of the injured at 162 as at 4:30pm.
247ureports.com paid a visit to Mararan Rido, Kakuri, Sabo, Romi and Gonin Gora roads around 12 pm before the arrival of the security agencies. Some angry youths were seen mounting the various checkpoints searching every vehicle that stopped at the checkpoint; some of the vehicles with muslim-looking occupants were burnt in the process. Over 10 cars and motor bikes were burnt while most of the casualties were mostly travelers.
To the rescue were the men of the police and army who arrived at about 1pm. With the arrival of the security men, all the road blocks mounted by the youth were abandoned. The security men from Operation Yaki then collected the dead bodies and the injured. As at 2:30pm, security men took charge of the area while the irate youths ran to their houses
In the meantime, the Arewa Consultative Forum [ACF] has decried the bombings as needless. In their words, “The reported bombings of some churches and other places in Kaduna and Zaria towns which have resulted in loss of many lives and properties today, Sunday the 17th June,2012, have come to Arewa Consultative Forum as a surprise. A big surprise because this is coming in the wake of an offer of constructive engagement or dialogue by the federal government at the instance of well meaning Nigerians, including elders of North East geopolitical zone, which held a meeting in Bauchi last week”.
Speaking through its spokesman, the forum added that “The Forum also wishes to appeal to people not to take laws into their hands by way of reprisal attacks, precisely because any such reprisals would be misdirected at yet another set of innocent Nigerians who may have no links with the bombers. What is more, an-eye-for-an-eye is supposed to have yielded to go-and-sin-no-more long time ago. And to those who have lost loved ones and properties, the heart of ACF goes to them in this difficult times with prayers for God to provide them with fortitude to endure the losses as well as make it possible for replacement of the lost properties many folds”.
The Kaduna State government has since declared a 24-hour curfew throughout the State. In a press statement release by the Kaduna State government, it states “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa condemn in its entirety the unfortunate bombing of three churches in Wusasa in Zaria Local Government, Sabon Gari LG and Trikania, Chikun Local Government, Kaduna State. His Excellency, while regretting the unfortunate incident conveys his deepest condolence and sympathy to all those affected in the bombing. In view of the incidents and the need to have complete normalcy and to forestall further break down of law and order, the State Government has imposed a 24 hours curfew in the whole state. The curfew hours start with immediate effect until further notice. Government regrets the inconveniences this drastic measure will cause to all and sundry. But the state government considers this to be necessary in other to averts further lost of lives and properties in the state again. The State Government has directed the security agencies to enforce compliance”.
At least two students of the Igbinedion University in Okada,Edo state were beheaded as several others injured when ex militants who are also studentsclashed with other students suspected to be cult members. The clash whichstarted at about 7;00am this morning was still on at about 4; 00pm in theafternoon with properties worth millions of naira destroyed in the process
The course of the clash could not be immediately ascertained but as early as 7;00 am this Sundaymorning some of the students on campus had been sending distress calls to theirparents and guardians for help.
Edo state commissioner of police Olayinka Balogun whoconfirmed the incident to newsmen in Benin said it could have been a cult clash among students and that vehiclesbelonging to students were smatched in the process.
The Proprietor andthe Visitor to the University Sir Gabriel Igbinedion could not be reached for comment
There are about 200 ex militants on admission at the IgbinedionUniversity, Okada under the Federal Government amnesty programmes.
Fresh Multi-Million Bribery Trails House Emergency Session
After spending 48 hours in police custody, the former chairman of the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on fuel subsidy probe, Rep Faruk Lawan, was yesterday freed.
Lawan and the committee’s former secretary, Boniface Emenalo who were alleged to have received the sum of $620,000 in bribe from the chairman of Zenon Oil Femi Odetola were questioned by the Police Special Task Force over bribery and subsequently detained.
They went to the police headquarters last Thursday following a police summon. The bribe money was meant to cover the alleged wrongdoings of Otedola’s firm in the fuel subsidy scam investigated by the committee.
Our reporter, who visited Lawan’s residence shortly after he was released from detention, said the lawmaker was in high spirits and was wearing smiles.
Lawan’s aide said the police did not give any conditions for Lawan’s release from their custody.
He said, “if they had attached any conditions, we would have rejected the bail.”
But Deputy Force Public Relations Officer and Chief Superintendent Frank Mba said the lawmaker was granted conditional bail and was asked to report back to the police on Monday (tomorrow).
“Subsequently he will be expected to provide information to the police,” Mba stressed.
When asked whether or not bail terms were signed between Lawan and the task force, he said, “There is no way he can be granted bail without signing bail obligations. That is why the exercise is called bail.”
He said police were still looking for additional data on the matter before going to court. “We have to tidy up our case files before going to court. That is why we are looking for information from him,” he said.
In the same vein, the aide said Lawan’s legal team had been briefed to file a law suit against the federal government, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke and Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar for violating the fundamental human right of the legislator by detaining him for more than 24 hours.
The aide said Lawan was not asked to report back to the Police headquarters. “We believe if they want to see him they will invite him, but for now they didn’t say anything to that effect,” the stated.
When our reporter sought to speak to him, Lawan declined. In the wake of the $620,000 bribery allegations involving former chairman of the House ad-hoc committee on subsidy probe Farouk Lawan (PDP, Kano), foot-soldiers of the Presidency allegedly attempted to dissuade members from attending the emergency session last Friday and frustrate moves by the House to isolate Farouk Lawan to face the corruption charges.
A senior politician of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he was in the knowledge of money being shared to MPs. “Members were given N1 million each within the week ahead of the emergency session to sponsor an impeachment motion against Tambuwal and his deputy Emeka Ihedioha,” the source said.
Also, a lawmaker who said he was approached and given N1 million said the plot was coordinated by a ranking member from one of the North-West states.
“We were also invited to a meeting through text messages and some people went to the Villa for meetings at different times within the period”, the lawmaker said.
The source said but for the emergency session summoned by Tambuwal, they (Presidency) had planned to utilise this weekend to perfect their plot against Tambuwal, “so when we were called to resume on Friday, they had little time to finalise the moves. They had also planned to rent a crowd that would have barricaded the entrance of the National Assembly to protest and call for the resignation of Tambuwal and the entire leadership.”
Sunday Trust was also told that the planned protest by a rented crowd may still be perfected on Tuesday when the House resumes plenary session. Daily Trust (a sister publication of Sunday Trust) had exclusively reported that the plot to rope in Tambuwal may have begun when the State Security Service (SSS) invited him to its headquarters in Abuja to ‘share ideas’ over the bribe allegations even before it found its way to the public, but he was said to have resist attempts to be used to collect the ‘bribe money’ from Farouk Lawan.
Information reaching 247ureports.com indicates a bomb blast has hit an ECWA Church located in Wusasa Zaria. The blast is said to be the result of a sucide bomber. The blast occurred at about 8:30am.
The sucide bomber drove in a Honda Accord popularly refered to as ‘end of discussion’ – and when he tried to gain entrance into the church premises – he was stopped by the security agent at the routine check point. But he refused to stop. He then forced his vehicle towards the Church. Upon reaching near the church – the vehicle exploded. The explosion occurred between the main church and the children section of the church.
Source fear that the death toll of children might be high.
The students of Nuhu Bamali polytechnic were said to also be effected. Most of the christian students attend church service at the ECWA Church. The Wusasa is reported to be predominantly christians. Most of the churchs in Wusasa are located within a stone-throw of the ECWA church.
There were casualties but the numbers are unknown.
Meanwhile, another explosion occurred in Sabon Gari Kaduna. The explosion is reported to be the result of a sucide bomber. It occurred at a catholic church.
A defiant President Robert Mugabe yesterday chided his critics for suggesting that he is plagued by ill health and was unfit to rule the country, saying he was actually healthier than some of them.
Addressing a Zanu PF Womens League meeting in Darwendale, Mugabe said he was enjoying good health.
Some say I might die in 2013, he said. I dont know why they chose 13. Maybe its because it is an unlucky number I suppose, but I am actually very strong.
When (Prime Minister Morgan) Tsvangirai goes where he goes we hear him in the newspapers and Internet saying we are now on good terms but the only problem is that I am very frail.
I am not frail. I am really strong and I am enjoying good health, Mugabe said.
Its actually some of them that we hear are suffering from these diseases and we know who they are.
Mugabe at 88 is one of the oldest leaders in the world, but wants to run for another five-year term in office.
Speculation about his health heightened last year when he flew to Singapore more than eight times. He admitted undergoing an operation to remove a cataract in his eye.
Leaked United States diplomatic cables also quoted his close associates saying he was suffering from advanced prostate cancer, with one report claiming he had been given five years to live by doctors.
There are also reports of worsening factionalism in Zanu PF as leaders battle to position themselves in the event of Mugabes incapacitation or death. Meanwhile, Zanu PF Womens League boss Oppah Muchinguri admitted that the party was suffocating under the weight of worsening factionalism.
President, our DCC (district co-ordinating committee) elections have divided the people, she said.
People have their hidden agendas and some of them come to you and give you reports that are false. We hear of factionalism within the party, but we are saying we as women have no faction. Our only faction is your faction.
We love you, our leader. Some pretend to love you yet they are determined to destroy Zanu PF.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] has made an about-turn over the claim that it discovered a substance believed to be cocaine at the office of the wife of the former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva situated at Onitsha Street, Garki Area 11 beside Petrus Hotel in Abuja.
According to information made available to 247ureports.com, the men of the EFCC had raided the office of Mrs. Sylva on the morning of Friday June 15, 2012 in search for evidence against the former governor of Bayelsa State. While searching the office some of the EFCC men dashed upstairs unaccompanied and unescorted. Minutes later, the men returned downstairs carrying a bag – saying that they have found cocaine – and that the cocaine was in the bag.
The occupant of the office who was also the brother to Mrs. Sylva was then arrested and taken to the EFCC office located in Maitama, Abuja for questioning. The in-law [Mr. Richie Imoh Tommy] was arrested on the basis that the content of the bag was cocaine. It was learnt that the men of the EFCC pronounced the content of the bag to be cocaine without prior testing to determine whether it was cocaine.
The arrest of Mrs. Sylva’s in-law and the charge that the men of EFCC found cocaine at the office led to an immediate outcry from informed observers of the inter-play between the former governor of Bayelsa and the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan. Cursory examination by 247ureports.com indicated that the men of EFCC were sent to the office by the Presidency to “achieve an aim” – which was to setup the former governor with a charge that will put him away for good.
A well placed source in Abuja who is close to the activities at the presidency told correspondent that it was through the quick outcry of concerned citizens and citizen reports from 247ureports.com that caused the EFCC and co-plotters to coil away from the cocaine setup plot – and to release a statement contradicting their first claim.
The EFCC released a statement stating it did not find cocaine at the said office. The statement stated that it found documents and money.
Police graduates in Harare yesterday threw out of the window their professional motto “For the People, For the Country, For the Law”, declaring allegiance to President Robert Mugabe whom they described, in rehearsed worship recitations, as “the only God-chosen leader of Zimbabwe”.
They promised Mugabe that they would effectively deal with people that attempted to disturb the constitutional referendum and the subsequent elections.
“You are our God-chosen leader and we hereby stand by you and remind the EU (European Union) and its allies that they can rule the rest of the world but not Zimbabwe anymore. Long live Gushungo,” the recruits chanted in unison.
“We promise that we will spread the revolutionary gospel and as we prepare for the referendum and national elections, the environment will remain peaceful. Those bent on causing mayhem, be warned, the long arm of the law will catch up with you.”
Mugabe, who was the reviewing officer at the passout parade for 561 recruits at Morris Depot, however, urged them to be impartial as they went about their duties to maintain law and order. He told them to create an atmosphere that allowed Zimbabweans to freely vote for political parties and leaders of their choice. He described as “dirty minds” people that sought to tarnish the constitution-making process.
The recruits — 406 male and 155 female — sang pro-Zanu PF songs including those of the Mbare Chimurenga Choir and showered the veteran leader with praises.
Mugabe’s address was a gospel of peace and fair elections. He urged the police to operate within the confines of the law “in order to nurture congenial relations with the communities that you serve . . . you owe your existence to Zimbabwe and the Zimbabweans”.
“Our people do not only have the right to vote, but to do so in an enabling environment and I am quite confident that police will measure up to perpetrators of political violence,” he said.
“We are blessed as Zimbabweans to have the sense to promote and hold onto unity, brotherliness and oneness. As has been passed to us over generations, a divided house cannot stand and the police should be commended for ensuring that this stable, peaceful and tranquil environment is preserved.”
He also said he was aware of the difficulties under which the police force operated and promised government would do what it could to address the challenges.
“The government is working tirelessly to seek ways of funding police activities, as policing the world over is a very expensive enterprise,” he said. Finance minister Tendai Biti this week said thousands of people had been recruited into the army and police recently while government had no money to even feed them.
Turning to the constitution-making process, Mugabe said: “We are just now grappling with what should be the last steps towards our constitution. Yet, dirty local and foreign minds have been quick to tarnish this process. . .”
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