They Were Either Murdered, Assassinated Or Kidnapped; All In Governor Godswill Akpabio Administration

1) Barr. Imo Udonwa

2) Miss. Aniefon Aniediabasi

3) Engr. Emmanuel Ekpenyong

4) Mr. Mathais Ekpenyong

5) Barr. Benjamin Udoekpo

6-7) Two Women At Qua Iboe Church, Iwok

8) Dr. Austin Edet

9) Daughter Of Paramount Ruler Abak

10) Mrs. Marie Ikpe

11) Ezekiel Peter Ebere (Episco)

12) Chief Paul Inyang

13) Mrs.Philomina Udonwa

14) Anthony Akpanobong

15) Mr. Daniel John Ekanem

16) Mr. Mathew Inyang

17) Police Orderly To Mrs. Lydia Bush

18) Dr. Akpanudo Feb.2, 2011

19) Pastor David Idunuoluwa

20) Oku Ibom Iii ,Edidem Robert James Obot Jan.30, 2011

21-23) Three Acn Supporters Poisoned In Prison

24-28) Students Killed In Govt House Stampede For 1,000 Naira (4)

29-50) Students Of Polytechnic, Ikot Asurua (21)

List Of Those Who Escaped Kidnapping / Assassination:

1) Paramount Ruler Etinan, Hrm Edidem Ime D. Umoette

2) Madam Grace James Akpanudoedehe

3) Mrs. Mfon Kenneth (Wife Of Etinan Council Chairman).

4) Engrs. Obinna And Bobby, Staff Of Vich Resources Nig. Ltd.

5) Proprietor, Life Care Clinic.

6) Chief Donald Etiebet

7) Engr.Iniekong Udonwa

Kidnapped Victims : Names No. Year/ Month

1-2) Abel Daminas Children (2) 2008

3) Mr. Ubong Obot (1) 2008

4) Mr.Mustag Obot (1) 2009

5) Senator Aloysius’ Wife (1) 2009

6) Chief Nelson Effiong (1) Feb. 2009

7) Ita Enyong- Entaco (1) 2009

8) Apostle Uwa (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

9) Nse Ntuen (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

10) Aniefon Aniedi Abasi (1) Feb. 2009 (Annang)

11) Mrs. Iniobong Ekpenyong (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

12) Pa. Kevin Edet (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

13) Mrs. Michael Bush (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

14) Hop, Nsit Ubium (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

15) Opulopm Ettes’ Wife (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

16-17) Russians (2) 2009 (Expatriates)

18-23) Russian Employees (6) June 3,2007

24-29) Stemco Staff (6) 2008 ( Expatiates)

30) Uwemedimo Archibong (1) Feb.2009 (Ibibio)

31) Mrs. Adrina Uko (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

32) Mrs. Anne Enoidem (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

33) Dr. Owen R. Owen (1) June 2009

34) Mrs. Jumbo (1) June 2009 (Ibibio)

35) Pastor Akan Weeks (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

36) Awak Treasurer, O/Akara (1) 2008 (Ibibio)

37) Mr. Ikpe Ukpe (1) 2008 (Ibibio)

38) Mr. Clement Uwemedimo (1) July, 2009 (Ibibio)

39) Mr. Fiokedu Okorie (1) July 2009

40) Miss Edikan Okon Ufot (1) July, 2009 (Ibibio)

41) Daughter Of Okon Usoro (1) July, 2009 (Ibibio)

42) Expatraites’wife(Abducted Tonturukpum) (1) Mar. 2009

43) Mr. Eseme Essien (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)

44) Eld. Nse Ikpe (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)

45) Jackie Jay (1) Sept. 2009 (Annang)

46) Ediomo Udoko (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)

47) Iniobong Sunny Jackson (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)

48) Adiaha Eka Sunny Ibanga (1) Sept. 2009 (Ibibio)

49) Pst. Jonah Solomon Akpan (1) Oct. 2009 (Ibibio)

50) Mrs. Eshiet –Etinan (1) Nov. 2009

51) Mrs. Sunny Daniel (1) Nov. 2009

52) Bishop C.O Akpan (1)Dec. 2,2009

53) Mr. Usen –Manager, Uba (1) Dec. 2009

54) Hon. Hogan Ita (1) 2009

55) Mr. Michael Nkono (1) Oct. 2009

56) Mrs. Michael Nkono (1) Oct. 2009

57) Dr. Uwem Umoh (1) Nov. 2009

58) Chief Inyang Eno (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

59) Gen. Edet Akpan (1)Jan.31,2010 (Ibibio)

60) Hon. Mike Dan (Itu) (1) Jan.2010 (Ibibio)

61) Miss. Edikan Udo (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

62) Mr. Ita Onyong (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

63) Mr. John Akpan (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

64) Mr. Okon Mkpong (1)2010 (Ibibio)

65) Paramount Ruler –Okobo (1) 2010 (Okobo)

66) Prof. Akaninyene Mendie (1) 2010

67) Chief Obosi- Clan Head Ini Lga (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

68) Prophtess Mercey Inyang (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

69) Prophetess Mercey Effiong (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

70) Mrs. Elizabeth Philip (1) 2010

71) Mrs. Godwin Udoaka 1st Bank (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

72) Mrs. Godwin Bassey Eton (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

73) Prof. Imo Ukpong (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

74) Dr. Austin Edet (1) 2010 ( Ibibio)

75) Chief Emmanuel Ntukidem (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

76) Mr. Samuel Inyang-Pdp Ini Lga (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

77) 83 Yr. Old Retired Civil Servant, Mbiabong Ikpe Annang (1) 2010

(Annang)

78) Mrs. Rosey Jack Udota (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

79) Joel Francis8 – Governors’ Driver (1) 2010

80) Anthony Akpanobong (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

81) Barr. Archibong’s Wife (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

82-85) Stemco Employees (4) May 5 2010

86) Rev. Ntia I Ntia (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

87) Deacon Sandy Ntuenubok (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

88) Rev. Ime Iyire (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

89) A Female Church Member Of Imeh Uyire (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

90) Mrs. Iwakeowo Bassey Essien (1) 2010 (Ibibio)

91) Obong Mike Ene (1) 2009 (Ibibio)

92) Mr. Essien Ewoh (1) 2008 (Ibibio)

93-94) Late Ntia’s Children (2) 2010 (Ibibio)

95) Dr. Uwah (1) July 2010 (Ibibio)

96) Mrs. Comfort Ewang—Sept.2010

97) Mrs. Lydia Tom Bush –Sept.2010

98) Mr. Ewang’s Personal Assistant—- Oct.2010

99) Mr. Ewang’s Driver—Oct.2010

100) Mr. Mike Eduok —-Sept.2010 (Ibibio)

101) Imeh Ekpo (July 2010) (Ibibio)

102) Nsifre Andrew (August 2010)

103) Bishop (Pa) Okon Enyong (Ibibio)

104) Rev. Inno Idiong (Annang)-Questionable-Jan.3, 2011(May Be

Staged).

105) Dr. Memfin Ekpo (Ibibio) – Jan.16, 2011

106) Elizabeth Jerry Emah (Ibibio)

107) Udo Mma Obot (Ibibio)

108) Chairlady Of Onna Lga (Ibibio)

109) Proprietor Of Eket Polithechnic

110) John Nta (Owner Of Treasury Island) Feb.11 2011 (Ibibio)

111) Barr. Udo George, Feb 15, 2011

112) Okon Edet Johnson, Aug 2011

113) Imeobong Efiong Akpan, Aug 17,2011

List Of Those Falsely Incarcerated By The State Government:

1) Hon. Fabian Ekpenyong (Only Surviving Ekpenyong Brothers)

Incarcerated For Refusing To Testify Falsely For The

Government. (Ibibio)

2) Dr. Chris Ekong, Accused Of Killing The Ekpenyong Brothers.

(Record Shows He Was In South Africa When The Murder Took

Place) (Ibibio)

3) Mr. Davidson Uboh Substituted For The Real Killers Of

Ekpenyong Brothers Who Were Let Out Of Jail. (Ibibio)

4) Mr. Otu Ekong Substituted For The Real Killers Of Ekpenyong

Brothers.

5) Mr. Itoro William Substituted For The Real Killers Of The

Ekpenyong Brothers

6) Chief Ononokpon Incarcerated For Asking Questions Of The

Governor In The Media (Oron)

7) Dr. Chris Nyong Charged With Treason But Released On Bail

(Ibibio)

8) Amb.Sam Edem Falsely Accused Of Stealing And Charming The

Governor- Acquitted By A Judge (Ibibio)

9) Chief Imeh Umanah—Oct.2010 (Annang)

10-51) Acn Supporters Arrested During Election Riot (41)

Tell Magazine:

Sam Itauma(Ibibio), Ceo Of Crarn Escaped Three Assasination Attempts And Three Kidnapping Attempts, Almost Jailed By Gov Akpabio In Oron High Court Now His Whereabouts Still Unkown….

To Be Continued

Obong Umana

President,

Concerned Citizens Of Akwa Ibom State (Ccain), Usa

By Hakeem Babalola

Libya’s destruction, a victory for the west; a defeat for ordinary Libyans
The suffering of Libyans has just begun. For there can never be true liberation when your oppressor is the one who defines what your freedom should be. The ousting of Colonel Gaddafi, Libyan leader for 42 years, by the rebels backed western forces especially NATO is indeed a victory for the west whose fixation on Gaddafi’s Libya has become worrisome.

It’s definitely not a victory for ordinary Libyans who would continue to suffer a lot of nervous strain and shock after the destruction. Neither is it a victory for the rebels who have been in excess jubilation since capturing Gaddafi’s official residence. “We are free,” they proclaimed in wild happiness. But they have forgotten one important thing: that they are now slaves to all the countries that helped them kick out Gaddafi.

Apparently the rebels are not ordinary Libyan but a group of people who want the share of the oil with the help of foreign forces. Gaddafi’s main crime may be the fact that he refused to let the west control Libya’s resources, hence he must be eliminated by all possible means. In their euphoria and in their haste to get rid of him, they forgot that none of the countries that backed them has the interest of Libyans at heart. Let them for once re-visit Iraq.

Gaddafi’s mistake
As for Gaddafi, nothing lasts forever. The man should have known that 42 years of single-handedly ruling or administering a nation is more than too long. There is no doubting the fact that Gaddafi always means well for Libya unlike America, Britain, France, NATO, UN and other bereaved organisations claiming to love Libya more than God loves the Israelites. Ok I detest dynasty rule, and this seems to be Gaddafi`s undoing. A nation can never be the personal property of any man or group.

He should have relinquished power at a point in time and becomes the Father of the Nation or something similar. At 70 and having ruled for 42 years, Gaddafi should have embraced the uprising tactically no matter how painful it might be – at least to prevent his own legacy which the west actually wants to destroy. But then power corrupts absolute power corrupts absolutely. He should have known that America, Britain, France and others still consider themselves as the Alpha and Omega of this world – the owner of our earth.

And so they cannot tolerate any opposition from an Arab-African in the spirit of Gaddafi. This man should have realised he was not fighting the “rats” within his own environment but “desperate and hungry lions” outside his environment who have surreptitiously waited to devour him. Perhaps Gaddafi should have been more careful, especially when his colleagues in the African Union (AU) do not like his gut.

Gaddafi should have known that neither America nor its allies forget and forgive. He should have known that the oil in his background is enough to eliminate him by all means. He should have learnt a lesson from Iraq, a nation destroyed by Obama’s predecessor on the pretence that the late Iraqi leader possessed Weapon of Mass Destruction which turned out to be a ruse. It was simply a ploy by Mr. Bush to invade the oil rich nation. There is always an excuse to invade certain countries especially when the rulers of such countries refused to be a stooge.

Attacking a sovereign nation
I have stopped worrying each time the American or British or French government issues public propaganda justifying the need to attack Iraq or Afghanistan or Ivory Coast or Libya etc in order to protect the people. I have stopped worrying because it is now obvious to me that this so-called “developed nations” must use ideas or statements often exaggerated or false intended for a political cause. They need to sound as people oriented leaders to gain the much needed support otherwise they become irrelevant. They must use the empty rhetoric of politicians as an excuse to justify the partial occupation – of less powerful nations – especially Africa.

One wonders why United Nations has not ordered the attack on North Korea! And why it is so easy to bombard Libya under the pretext of protecting the civilians in that region. Even though more than 20,000 have lost their lives in the civil war, what’s coming out of people like David Cameron of Britain, Hilary Clinton of America and others is disturbing. “I pledge support for a new era,” says Mrs Clinton, US Secretary of State. In what I consider a sinister statement, Mr Cameron says we would like to see Gaddafi punished for his crimes, adding: “We need a swift transition to a democratic and inclusive Libya,”

Inclusive Libya? Is it that necessary to include Libya in Libya’s affairs? Ah, to include the Libyan people is to further disrupt the agenda of a purpose. Let America, Britain and France take over Libya completely and divide it among themselves. For this would be the true picture of the main objective. Libyans and Africans in general aren’t capable of taking care of themselves hence the need to bombard every independent African State.

Rhapsody of Gaddafi’s elimination
In February, the trouble barely started in Libya when America, France and Britain began to campaign for Gaddafi’s exist. Their rhapsody of Gaddafi’s elimination was so soon then that it backfired; because discern minds wanted to know why these three countries were so fixated on Libya. Is it because like Iraq, it is an oil producing nation? Why was it so easy for these three countries to back the rebels? Did they know before hand that Libya was to face uprising? What was behind their open support for the rebels? Why did they start freezing Libya’s asset immediately the trouble started?

Can any African nation freezes Britain or US assets in any circumstance? What happened in Libya at that time was just unfolding but these nations had gone to town calling for the head of Gaddafi, saying he was killing his people. Will American or British or French government fold its arm if a group of rebels come together to topple the government?

“Oyinbo” always right mentality
I suppose it is easy for the western countries to attack or occupy African continent because they have mastered the art of colluding with African rulers. African people it seems hate their own image. Majority still probably believe that “Oyinbo” is always right. This mental slavery is reoccurring in different forms: it may be the process of “protecting the people of Africa” from their dictators (as if there are no dictators elsewhere) whenever it pleases the western countries to destroy any African nation of their choice. Can’t they leave African people to fight for ourselves? Or are we forever tied to their apron?

Destroy & build doctrine
It is interesting how easy our so-called intellectuals often blame their own rulers without asking the occupiers to leave Africa alone. Sad as it is, it’s amusing many African intellectuals are yet to understand the game – the game of destroy and build. Let them go read “The Shock Doctrine” by Naomi Klein. That book reveals America’s brutal tactics in dealing with whomever or whatever nation it wants to deal with. Africa has to be destroyed to enrich the western nations who are always the benefactor of such destruction.

Thereafter they would send their businessmen to get the contract to rebuild. The notorious International Monetary Fund (IMF) would offer to loan in order to further enslave the “protected civilians” even the country at large. Of course with the collaboration of the locals – governments included – whose thinking faculty is all about money.

How long will it take Africans to realise that no other nation or continent – no matter how powerful or rich – would sincerely volunteer to help Africa develop, or help build Africa? Each man to his own problem! It’s only Africans that can genuinely build Africa if we want. I salute Germany, Russia, China and others who have been diplomatic cautious and not aggressive in this regard.

Probing NATO forces
There has always been a double standard policy by the international organisations. Why is NATO spear-heading/spear-headed the attack on Libya while creating the impression that the rebels are acting on their own in the attacks in Tripoli? I agree with South Africa’s deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe who has called for probe against possible human rights violations committed by NATO forces in Libya. Reports have it that NATO conducted 46 strikes sorties in area around Tripoli. The question is whether the (court) will have the wherewithal to unearth that information and bring those who are responsible to book, including the NATO commanders on the ground. NATO says target is not to kill Gaddafi and that it’s not coordinating with National Transition Council. Oh, really? Did NATO back the rebels with intelligence, logistics, ammunitions, training and aerial cover or not? Is this a violation of the letter and spirit of the UN charter or not? NATO nations clearly contravened UN arms embargo on Libya

Disappointing United Nations
As for the United Nations, the organisation has achieved very little in terms of solving conflicts around the world. It is hard to see what is united in United Nations. Why is the organisation always sending what it calls “Humanitarian Aid” only after the damaged might have been done?

I think the UN should cultivate the habit of preventing conflicts – by all means possible rather than sending aids. The United Nations seems to be failing in its responsibility to inspire peace among nations. The presence of UN since its inception in 1945 should have made the world a living place to live. Unfortunately, nations have been divided more than united. Perhaps this organisation needs to change tactics.

The UN resolution should be to protect and not to take side. On what principle did the UN back the rebels? Malam El-Rufai of Nigeria puts it succinctly: The swiftness at which the UN passes resolutions that water the grounds for the West’s intervention in any country is directly proportional to the oil reserves in that country, as well as history of past grudges. The United Nations must not be seen as a partial or stooge of certain powerful countries.

Where is the African Union & Arab League?
African Union ke? The AU is becoming embarrassment. It’s supposed to be the mouth piece of Africa but has since become useless since the destruction started in Libya. The organisation is so much in slumber that foreign organisations like European Union had to take charge, dictating the pace of the uprising. AU has further tarnished its image and disgraced the whole of Africa by not being the one in charge of an affair concerning its member state. It doesn’t matter its tactical approach, saying it will not “explicitly recognised the rebels”. Whatever that means! Arab League on the other hand is quick to say it is in “full solidarity with the rebels”. The position of these two important organisations added to the impunity with which the western countries violate Libya’s sovereignty.

Libyan rebels as stooges
My heartfelt sympathy goes to the Libyan people. Sure, people are always the victims in this circumstance. How can the rebels claim victory when it’s obvious the western countries fought the war? The rebels should have done it alone without the help of outsiders. By so doing they committed the same crime they accused Gaddafi of. The rebels like their foreign counterparts are misleading the people by claiming they’re fighting people’s fight. I don’t believe this.

The rebels are definitely fighting for their own share of the resources. Any insurgence that allows foreigners to attack own country cannot come clean of doing it for the same people they kill. How would they tell these nations to leave after they had helped them win the war? These “hegemonic” nations have come to stay and position themselves for contracts. Of course this is normal after spending a lot to help win the war. It’s the name of the game. Period
Lindsay German says Libya won’t be able to get rid of pro-west government. Ms German, Convenor of the Stop the War Coalition, London, adds that “rebels will form western imposed government”. The rebels in their murky acceleration for revenge or getting rid of Gaddafi disregarded post war trauma on the people and therefore committed the same crime they accused Gaddafi of. The rebels know quite alright that accepting the west to help fight Gaddafi’s forces would have adverse effect on Libya and its people. Yet no one cares.

Gaddafi & the western press
Gaddafi may not be as bad as being painted by the western press whose bias reporting about the uprising is alarming. Accordingly, every atrocity committed during the uprising is done by Gaddafi’s forces while the rebels are considered innocent. It is Gaddafi and not the rebels that destroyed Libya. It is Gaddafi forces that killed civilians and not the rebels.

Personally despite Gaddafi’s shortcomings, I prefer him to other African rulers who often cringe before America and Britain. For instance, I would choose Gaddafi’s eccentric and dictatorship over Hosni Mubarak and Olusegun Obasanjo’s conventional and “democratic” rule. When you report in a war that one side is killing its people then the discerning minds of course would like to know what happens to the other side. Is the other side fighting to embrace? The way the international media reported and reporting the happenings in Libya is one-sided which is regrettable.

Gaddafi is not as bad as is being painted by the west. He is much better than many African rulers who are in the good book of America and co. Mubarak who is now facing charges of corruption and murder in a country he once ruled for example enjoyed America’s backing and patronage for more that thirty years until the last moment. However if there’s evidence that Gaddafi killed his own people randomly, then of course he will have to face the charges

National Transitional Council
What is the principle behind the National Transitional Council when in fact many former aids of Gaddafi who had defected may constitute NTC? I predict that NTC will soon run into trouble. And I predict that whatever they do to Gaddafi is what they too will get. But before then, let them be cautious in dealing with the west.

The west obviously is concerned with their own interest. For instance, they have started telling us that Pro-revolt foreign states will get contract to re-build Libya, meaning China, Germany and Russia to lose out because they did not support the revolt. We are told that NTC needs 300 billion euro to rebuild Libya. The money of course would go back the west whose citizens will get most of the contracts. Most importantly, the National Transitional Council should ask itself when last America or Britain or France invited African forces to help them deal with their internal problems!

True liberation
True freedom will come only if each African country can confront its own tyrants without the help of outsiders whose aim would always to turn Africa into a “burning volcano and a fire under the feet of invaders”. For me, the rebels’ proclamation of freedom simply because the west helped them destroy their country is false freedom never to be celebrated. It is bondage in freedom. Libya will now be ruled by their oppressors pretending to be friends. Iraq and Afghanistan are two examples.

In conclusion
Libya like Iraq will never be the same and that is the crux of the matter. Libya’s destruction is a victory for the west; a defeat for ordinary Libyans. Sure Gaddafi has made mistakes but neither a monster nor a mad dog as being painted by several American presidents. As for me even with his non-conformity, he is not as bad as most jejune African leaders who conform to code of conduct. Gaddafi usually speaks his mind at the UN General Assembly meeting unlike other African representatives who just nod their heads in agreement with the so-called superpowers. Such “being-my-self” attitude is enough to mark him out as the enemy.
Attacking a sovereign nation is the hallmark of destroy and build principle employed by the west especially America to pave way for a stooge government in the African region. It is unfortunate that the international journalists allow themselves to be used in this regard. I consider NATO’s involvement; even UN as double standard. I believe passionately that the west cannot and will never give Africa and its people true freedom. It is Africans that can liberate themselves without outside help. How long will it take? That is what I don’t know.

Hakeem Babalola is the Managing Editor, African News Hungary
editorafricannews@yahoo.com

By KORNEBARI NWIKE

President Goodluck Jonathan constituted a special committee on oil pollution in Ogoniland recently, according to him; to perform a “holistic review of the UNEP report.” The committee is chaired by Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources and former Shell Oil Company employee. The committee also has Mr. Austen Oniwon, Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) as a member. Technically, this committee is a consortium of oil conglomerate. NNPC and Shell Oil Company are partners in the operation of oil business in Nigeria. A child of circumstance, the ad hoc committee was born as an aftermath of the recent shocking revelation in the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) report that almost all the Ogoni environment is contaminated by oil pollutants.

Public policy analysts expected the Nigerian Senate to invite Shell Oil Company and NNPC executives for questioning in respect to their firm’s role in the environmental tragedy in Ogoniland; instead the firm’s representatives were invited as part of the government talk shop. With this initial flaw and ethical conflict of interest, one wonders how government works in Nigeria. The presence of these two oil giants on the committee is like the presence of two eight hundred pound gorillas that kill and suddenly empowered to decide what to do with the corpses. The presence of this duo on such a committee is testament to the fact that Nigeria has long ago lost her independence to corporate multi-national oil corporations. Will the committee give a fair assessment of the UNEP report? It is yet to be determined.

Although Ogonis are very patient people, it can be felt that their patience is running thin and limited time exists to kid glove with Shell Oil Company over the contamination on their land. The Ogoni people has cause to be angry because they have stomached so much from Shell even before the era of General Abacha. In whatever the Federal government may consider as compensation to the Ogoni people for plundering their environment; such consideration should be comprehensive to include demands in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR), creation of Bori state, and a Trust foundation. On the other hand, MOSOP should be ready to play hardball because Shell Oil crimes against Ogoni must not be swept under the carpet. The case may eventually end-up in international court of adjudication. It is necessary that MOSOP retain the services of reputable international real estate and environmental law firms such as Slagle, Bernard, and Gorman or Wyrsch Hobbs and Mirakian, P.C. in preparation for the coming environmental and social justice that may follow.

If Alaskan residents in the United States can enjoy yearly dividends from oil through the Alaska permanent fund; if Germans slave laborers continue to receive payments through a foundation established with $5 billion by Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in 2000; and if British Petroleum was able to sacrifice $20 billion as a result of the deepwater horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, then Ogonis should not succumb to crumbs. The $5 billion settlement of Adolf Hitler’s slave laborers by the German government of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in 2000 was intensely negotiated by representatives of United States, Israel, four European countries and their lawyers. While German government transferred $2.5 billion to the foundation the other half was borne by companies that were involved. The augment is that the Ogoni people should be ready for negotiation when duty calls with reputable attorneys.

As part of his Oath of office, President Goodluck Jonathan swore to defend Nigerians and the constitution in case of aggression. Shell Oil Company has shown aggression toward Ogoni as presented in the UNEP report. Mr. President, this is an opportunity to show leadership more so as an indigene of the Niger Delta.  He should seek justice for the Ogoni people by directing the Ministry of Justice to commence felony proceedings against Shell Oil Company. Grounds for criminal suits are environmental degradation, ecological poisoning and oil spills, neglect, deception about oil reserves, murder and supply of arms to the Nigerian military.

Other grounds for criminal indictment can be found in the Shell report titled “SPDC in the Niger Delta 1996/97. The firm admitted arming Nigeria’s military against Ogoni. Secondly, for 55 years, Ogoni people have seen terrifying new twist in their lives and environment. The fish, birds, and animals in the wild are disappearing because of oil exploration, gas flaring, and spills. The trees, fruits, flowers, and grasses, etc.that gave Ogoniland a unique landscape and from which the region earned the accolade “food basket of south- eastern Nigeria” have unfortunately disappeared. Sadly, birds that orchestrate melodious songs that bring Ogonis closer to nature have migrated to Northern and Western Nigeria where there is no oil pollution. The rich savannah mangrove forests habitats for seafood and aquatic creatures are either dead, replaced by Nipa palm, or are submerged in crude oil.

Nigerians and the world should rally around Ogoni at this time of sadness as they mourn the extinction of their heritage. Together let us seek recompense and justice for Ogoni. The demand for justice should include a seat behind bars for Shell oil executives as long as it takes to clean the Ogoni environment. This is necessary because no nation on earth has ever been manipulated, cheated and duped by oil firms like Nigeria. Shell Oil Company manipulates Nigerian laws, lies to Nigerian governments, and commits atrocities against Nigerians for five decades and counting and no crime supersede these acts of aggression.

A felony charge is unavoidable considering that Shell Oil Company has world class engineers, operational, technical, and administrative crews that has full knowledge of the presence of benzene and other pollutants in Ogoniland but conceal and fail to disclose this information to the government as required by law. According to research, benzene is a class A carcinogenic chemical whose link was traced to leukemia in 1897. It is predominantly found in the petroleum industry as well as cigarette smoke. The impact include ailments, such as “fatigue, malaise, abdominal bleeding, excessive bruising, weakness, weight loss, bone or joint pain, infection and fever, abdominal pains and discomfort, enlarged spleen, lymph nodes, and liver.” The precarious health hazards these chemicals pose to the Ogoni people make some walking corpses and the result is that they are dying slowly. Shell oil would rather play games by engaging in cover-ups, deceptions, corrupting locales, states, and federal officials to protect her business to the detriment of the generality of the population, than keeping to the tenet of Nigerian laws.

President Jonathan should demonstrate that he could lead Nigeria by engaging the United Nations, United States, Britain, and others to assist Ogoni through technical expertise and funds to address the tragedy. His comment, “if the United Nations can intervene in places where there are civil wars, then environmental pollution calls for its attention” should be echoed beyond Aso rock. He should go above and beyond, should not retreat but join forces with Niger deltans and Ogoni to champion their cause. Record of World leaders who sided with citizens to synchronize matters exists and he should be remembered as one. For instance, in 2005 former President Nestor Korchner of Argentina called for a national boycott of Royal Dutch Shell Plc for raising fuel prices forcing the company to back down. In Nigeria late President Musa Yar-Adua took extra-ordinary steps by telling Shell Oil Company, that it was no longer wanted in Ogoniland.

Mr. President, procrastination could result in a mass health epidemic but decisive and bold initiatives could overturn a catastrophe in Ogoni and the Niger delta. History will judge your legacy as a Nigerian president of Southern extraction by the vigor and decisive steps you took to solving the Ogoni environmental dilemma. The UNEP environmental report has provided a window of opportunity for you to set a record for yourself and Nigeria.

In summary, as the world awaits the report from the special presidential committee, President Godluck Ebele Jonathan should slam a criminal lawsuit against Shell Oil Company, establish compensation funds for Ogoni, push through Ogoni demand for Bori State, begin immediate clean-up of Ogoniland as recommended by UNEP, abrogate decree No. 6 of 1978 otherwise known as Land Use Acts, and Petroleum Acts of 1969 (both of which drove Nigeria into the fox hole she finds herself today). These acts should be done in harmony with the establishment of Ogoni Restoration Authority, Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Center, and Center of Excellence in Environmental Restoration as recommended by UNEP. The world is ready to rally around Nigeria but compelling leadership is desired.

KorneBari Nwike: An Accountant, consultant, and Public Policy Analyst reside in the United States.

 

Written By

Dr Inyang Oduok 

 

 

They showered the Ikpes’ with praises and Usua with good citizenry then recklessly turned to set Amakpe refinery ablaze.
 

Their ire argument reached a peak when they argued that “refinery industry is not a good business.”

 

 They blamed the “inflated hopes of Akwaibomites, Amakpe’s lack of funds or financial viability or its fragility as the key elements in its painful path and not Akpabio administration’s actions.”

 

Amakpe refineries they argue, is “bad business venture for the state, bad investment decision, it won’t work. To show you why it won’t work, just look at other governments that have refineries. Start off with China. If you still don’t believe the prophet, look at the refinery in Russia and even in Kaduna. Now with these examples, would you say it is a good idea to invest in Amakpe refineries? “Obviously not, do not let Amakpe fool you believe in the prophet.”

 

Amakpe “should recapitalize with its private funds instead of public funds and refund 3.5 million dollars to Akpabio administration in compliance with the memorandum of understanding. Akpabio’s government should be bought out of the transaction as evidence of Amakpe’s financial capabilities, after all the refinery its baby.”

 

Instead of helping Amakpe succeed, it is better to promote street warfare and invest in building penitentiaries to prepare our young men and women for prison life. They should rather be in prison than in society. Then broaden Attah’s legacy –The only success story -the Five Star hotel and ready the call girls for prostitution in another grand entertainment industry.

 

Unable to recap all what Akpabio said at the town hall meeting that is consistent with Amakpe’s press release, the prophets harped on what they claim was not said “fraud” while with the same breath arguing improprieties that Akpabio allegedly suggested in his town hall speech which clearly shows that Akpabio’s allegation against Amakpe is akin to “fraud.”

 

As implausible as it may seem, it may be argued that opponents of Amakpe have real problems, here is why.  

 

“THE CLAIM THAT AMAKPE REFINERY IS NOT A GOOD BUSINESS:”

 

 First, it is undisputed that prosperity and geopolitical clout comes with oil wealth. Look at United States, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Libya, Dubai and Venezuela to mention a few. Do these countries not have refineries? If they do as we all know, how many of them have failed the forum citizens might ask?  If none, why are forum citizens not cited to these successfully operated refineries?

 

CHINA:

 

In 2005, C.nooc, a large Chinese oil company tried to buy the California oil company Unocal. The transaction fell apart after members of Congress criticized the potential Chinese ownership of American oil assets. Two privately owned Chinese refineries are currently operating in two states in United States. There may be more that the writer does not know about. That forumites here and there are cited to an alleged ailing refinery in China and not about successful ones is illuminating.

 

RUSSIA:

Exxon the largest American oil company “has just won a contract with Russian Government’s owned oil Company – Rosneft to give Rosneft assets elsewhere in the world including some that Exxon owns in deep water zones in the Gulf of Mexico and on land in Texas for an investment in oil exploration in the Russian Arctic.” The scale of investment is reported to be as high as “five hundred billion dollars.” “The investment means that Exxon is taking the risk like all businesses do in wading deeper into Russia’s risky business environment. The investment will hinge on policies set by Kremlin.” “Exxon already has a production sharing investment agreement on Sakhalin Island on Russia’s Eastern Coast.”

 

“Having an American company win the Russian oil exploration contract suggests United States policy of détente toward Russia known as reset can benefit United States businesses,” said Cliff Kupchan- a consultant and senior analyst at the Eurasia Group.

 

It is reported that the “Exxon –Rosneft transaction when completed, will allow Russia access to reserves at home to gain the necessary capital and technological expertise. Russia’s economy is dependent on petroleum for about 60% of its export revenue. Russia now pumps more oil than Saudi Arabia.”

 

“The Russian Oil Company (Rosnefts’s attempt to enter into similar agreement with BP failed because BP had a joint venture with a separate group of private Russian investors, who blocked the agreement by suing BP.”      

 

All what these examples demonstrate people are:

 

 *        In business as in real life one must be curious, experiment  and take risks.

 

*        In law we also retain those who argue our frailties.

 

*        Prosperity and Geo-political clout comes with oil wealth and Gov. Akpabio might be afraid of Amakpe’s success in the state that is why he is trying to block the refinery.

 

*        Usua’s 12.5 million dollars asset is a legitimate investment capital and that attempt to make it appear that “Usua did not have money to start a refinery but came and misrepresented to ex-governor Attah that he had investor’s who were willing to come up with 250 million dollars.” is nonsense.

 

 

*        Failure to address why “a government would invest 6.5 million dollars in an allegedly failed refinery venture is also quite  illuminating

 

*        Failure to acknowledge that Usua Amanam and the late Dr Nsidibe Ikpe are big success stories in entrepreneurship and can make sound investment decisions is also illuminating. They do not need the prophet’s unsolicited advice.

 

 

“ALL WHAT THE PROHET CAN SUMMISE IS THAT IT APPEARS THAT COMPLIANCE WITH MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING HAS NOT BEEN MET.”

 

 That Government breached its investment agreement with Amakpe is undisputed. For example, it pressured Amakpe through the use of law suit to refund 3 million dollars to it. 1.5 million now and additional 2 million upon entering into production after Amakpe had spent millions of dollars of its own money and that of investors to build the projects’ infrastructures to be shipped to the refinery site.

 

Thus, the so called “memorandum of understanding is void” because it is an attempt to modify a pre-existing contract with no showing of adequate consideration for such modification. Amakpe would never have entered into such agreement if it were not under government duress.

  

“Instead of helping Amakpe succeed, it is better to promote street warfare and invest in building penitentiaries to prepare our young men and women for prison life. They should rather be in prison than in society. Then broaden Attah’s legacy –The only success story -the Five Star hotel and ready the call girls for prostitution in another grand entertainment industry.”

 

 

 

The payment of 1.2 million dollars to Akpabio when the company is in need of 20 million financing shows that the motive of the law suit was to force Amakpe to enter into illegal unenforceable contract with government. It was a form of extortion. Therefore, the so called “memorandum of understanding” is void as a matter of law.

 

How about the 1.5 million already refunded, what happened to that money remains questionable?

 

 Lastly, even if it were to be determined that the so called “memorandum of understanding is valid which is here denied,” it would still not entitle Akpabio administration to the additional two million “refund” because of failure of condition president to payment.” From the release, it appears that the remaining 2 million dollars was to be paid after Amakpe has gone into production the occurrence of which condition has been prevented or obstructed by Akpabio’s actions. Therefore, Amakpe’s performance is excused by prevention/obstructive acts of Akpabio administration.  

That an investor who has invested 10 million dollars in a business would go back and ask for a refund of 3 million when the business requires 20 million to take off is telling.

 

“USUA DID NOT SAY IN THE RELEASE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ASK OUT OF THE DEAL AND THAT ITSELF IS ILLUMINATING”

 

Should Usua be the one to “ask government to ask out of the deal”? First of all, Usua should not ask the government to breach a contract he has with Amakpe by “asking it to ask out.”  That would not make sense under contract law. Also, Government is not asking out of the deal because it knows that to do so would constitute breach of its agreement with Amakpe.

 

Moreover, why should Amakpe “buy the government out”? Should’t it be the government that should “buy Amakpe out since it claims that Amakpe has no money and that it is the sole financier of the business” despite the 12.1 million of Amakpe’s equity in the business?

 

THE HONEY VERSUS VINGAR ARGUMENT:

 

The argument that Amakpe used “vinegar instead of honey” caps it all and is very illuminating. It may be this is Amakpe’s whole problem.” The writer reasonably believes that Akpabio administration may not have endorsed this argument on its behalf. Here is why.

 

USE OF “HONEY” AS OPPOSED TO “VINEGAR”:

 

The writer is willing to concede that the prophet does not mean “greasing hand” or “bribing governor Akpabio”

 

 However, the prophet’s argument has vexatious quotient prompted by incongruity and inconsistencies of his own jurisprudence. Therefore, they do not play well among intelligent audience. There is no question that every thing the dooms day prophets argue are in furtherance of damaging Amakpe refinery and this has earned them a prominent place in Amakpe’s controversy.

 

They feed into the forum facts that are inaccurate, incomplete and misleading. The noble intention of building a refinery that will create employment opportunities for our people and give birth to other industries have been subverted by a claim of “Amakpe’s indulgence in improprieties” to tarnish the founders’ reputation.

 

The writer contends that it is not the duty of forums citizens to puzzle out the meaning and relevance of words used by the prophets. Undefined words such as “honey” will be construed against the prophets. The term “honey” is susceptible to different interpretations. “Honey” can mean “greasing of hand.” It can mean being “less arrogant and pompous”. It can mean being “nice”, it can also mean “bribing” etc.   

 

But in our society the word “honey” can easily be interpreted as meaning “greasing of hand or bribing”. Therefore, the argument does not help government’s cause in a system where “corrupt practices are allegedly frequently employed as a way of doing business.”

 

Adversaries of Amakpe refinery are advised to shade their distrust for Usua Amanam, build a good relationship with the company and bridge their differences with dialogue in the interest of our people.  

 

 

Dr.  Oduok writes from

 Atlanta, Georgia.