Salami: Justice Uwais’s Secret Deal With Tinubu Revealed. How They Corrupted The Judiciary

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Salami: Justice Uwais’s Secret Deal With Tinubu Revealed. How They Corrupted The Judiciary

by Citizen Reporter

With controversies still trailing the planned recall of the suspended
President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami,
clandestine involvement of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN),
Justice Mohammed Uwais and former Lagos State Governor and Action
Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Bola Tinubu has been
revealed.

A Lagos based group, Allied Progressive Movement (APM) revealed in a
letter to the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Azazi
the secret meetings held with Justice Uwais between April 2009 and
February 2011 on the use of the judiciary to secure electoral
victories for the ACN.

Copy of the letter, dated December 26, 2011 and signed by APM
Coordinator, Kola Ajayi and  Secretary General Mutiu Shadimu was
obtained by our reporter. It was titked; “Tinubu/Uwais Alliance
Corrupting the Judiciary.”

The letter read; “We wish to bring to your attention sir the unhealthy
relationship between Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of
Lagos State and Mr. Justice Muhammed Uwais, former Chief Justice of
Nigeria (CJN). Over a period of two years the two have consistently
engaged in activities that are detrimental to the integrity of the
judiciary and debilitating to the cause of all those who seek justice
from a honest, transparent, honourable and uncorrupted judiciary that
deals equity with clean hands. The attached document titled “Tinubu as
a Virus in the Judiciary The Uwais Connection” provides detail
information on this alliance between the duo.

“The attachment also highlights in particular the corrupting influence
of Justice Uwais on Justice Salami at the instance of Senator Bola
Tinubu and Justice Uwais unrelenting effort to redeem Justice Salami.
Justice Uwais obviously saw an opportunity when he was appointed to
head the NJC’s Judicial Reform panel. He appears to be making
desperate effort to coerce the new Chief Justice Musdapher to recall
Justice Salami from suspension and cleansed of perjury. The timing and
his tenacity clearly raise suspicion of a possible link to the
approaching determination of the ongoing Presidential election appeal.

“In the interest of the Judiciary in particular and the nation in
general, We hereby urge you sir to use your good offices to order a
thorough investigation into the information provided in the attached
and the people mentioned in it. We are convinced your investigation
will no doubt confirm the roles being played by Senator Tinubu and his
allies like Justice Uwais to destroy the nation’s judiciary just to
promote personal, political and economic interests. We also appeal to
you sir to use your good offices to do the needful so that sanity and
impeccability, honour and integrity can be restored to the judiciary.”

THE ATTACHED REPORT

Tinubu as a Virus in the Judiciary: The Uwais Connection
For some time, there has been serious national concern on the level of
corruption in the Judiciary. It has become imperative that efforts be
made to locate the epicenter of this corrupting influence in the hope
that the authorities can do something about it to help restore sanity.

2.Two people, who have worked closely with each other to corrupt the
judiciary are
Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State and Justice Muhammed
Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Some of their known
activities are
detailed below which shows that at least since 2009, Justice Uwais
consistently worked with and at the behest of Tinubu to pervert
justice at the highest level. Senator Tinubu and Justice Uwais
relationship actually dates back to the linguistically inchoate
decision of the Uwais Supreme Court on the inchoate nature of Local
Government creation in Lagos by Tinubu’s administration.

3. At a meeting in Lagos on April 5, 2009 attended by Tinubu’s men
known as “Team
Lagos”, Tinubu boasted that his main man to do the hatchet work for
him in the Judiciary was Uwais. Those present at that meeting included
Rauf Aregbesola (now Governor), Chief Ajomale, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde (a
musician popularly known as KWAM1), Chief Badmus (aka Kosija, Vice
Chairman, OPC, Fasheun faction; he is now late), Rafiu Olohunwa, etc.

4. On Wednesday, May 20, 2009, Tinubu conveyed a meeting at Aregbesola’s house
on Oduduwa Road, Ikeja. At the meeting were Dele Alake, Ayo Casmir, Rauf
Aregbesola, leadership of the NBA, a Representative of the NLC, Asari
Dokubo group, Human Rights Groups’ representatives. Several issues
were discussed. A major
resolution was that the Human Rights Group, the NBA, the Press and NLC
should begin to drum up support for the implementation of Uwais Report
on Electoral Reform. Tinubu’s heavy financial support and vocal
support by proxy were the strings with which he eventually tied Uwais
to his apron.

5. On or about July 10, 2009, Tinubu, in a meeting with his aides was
very upset with
the Appeal Court’s decision ordering a re-run in the Ekiti North
Senatorial District. He
mentioned one Justice Fagbohungbe (Rtd), one Justice Adeniji (Rtd) and
Justice Uwais as critical contacts. He called Justice Uwais at the
meeting to question the rational behind the sudden change of their
earlier decision (outright victory for AC candidate) on the judgement.

6.  On Wednesday July 15, 2009, Tinubu met with selected members of his inner
circle. The meeting focused on the judiciary and the police. On
judiciary, Tinubu said,
PDP leadership from Southwest recently made deft moves to whittle down
his influence on the judiciary. According to him, he claimed at the
meeting, that apart from helping some notable members of the judiciary
(rtd/serving) to parcel/s of land in areas of their choice in Lagos,
he also assisted in building them. He said some members of the
judiciary love him for supporting one of their own (Uwais and his
Report). He posited that for these and other reasons, PDPis finding it
difficult to infiltrate their rank and file. Tinubu asked the meeting
rhetorically: “how many of them in their various states (PDP
Governors) have total grip on their state judiciary?” Tinubu boasted
that he can call the shot in any state particularly in the Southwest.

7.  At a meeting on Bourdillon Road on July 19, 2009 , in response to
a question on
Ekiti Tribunal, Tinubu told the meeting he was on top of the
situation. He said his moral and financial support for full
implementation of Uwais Electoral Reform Bill had even won him more
support from the Bench. He (Tinubu) said he gave them people who are
about collecting 20 million signatures and promised to ignite a mass
rally for the full implementation of the report.

8. At a meeting in Lagos on or about July 25, 2009 which had in
attendance Lagos
CJ, Lagos A-G, NBA President, Rotimi Akeredolu, Ebun Sofunde, Awodein, Dr
Onipede, Nurudeen Ogbara, Justice Inumidun Akande and a Rtd Female CJ, Tinubu
thanked them for their impressive performance. He particularly
commended them for
the astonishing feats recently recorded in Ekiti. Tinubu openly
confirmed at the meeting that one Sotonye had been adequately
compensated for favouring AC. Tinubu also mentioned that Justice
Adebara is not doing badly. That at the Ekiti Tribunal, AC has
recorded some favourable rulings, that Tinubu particularly favoured
the one that gave AC reprieve to tender documents at will. He asked
for their support on Lagos Local Government Councils. He personally
appealed to Akeredolu to make a statement on the issue and also co-opt
other principal officers of NBAinto the struggle. Tinubu also said
others that included a Retired CJ of the Federation (Uwais) were
working round the clock to ensure AC victory. He enjoined those
present to support his mission.

9. On Saturday August 1, 2009, Tinubu held a meeting at a Magodo hideout with
Team Lagos where he instructed them to provide 100 “boys” for the Ekiti North
Senatorial re-run fixed for August 15th. He pledged N50 million as
fund for the project.

10. On Sunday August 2, 2009 he held a second meeting at Bourdillon with the
following in attendance: Kehinde Ogundele, Leye Bamidale, Oladipo Akinyemi,
Funminiyi Afuye, Yomi Adeoti, Dele Olatuyi, Olaiya Polati, Foluso
James and his inner caucus. Tinubu expressed disgust over one AC
lawmaker who connived with PDP lawmakers in an attempt to remove the
Speaker, Odeyemi. He said he had committed so  much on ‘Ekiti Project’
and was not ready to lose the State. As for the judiciary, Tinubu
boasted that he was on top of the situation. He assured he was
currently enjoying the  support of other opposition parties in Ekiti.

11. In the night of Friday August 2, 2009, Tinubu met some members of
the AC legal
team handling the Governorship re-run case. Others at the meeting
included NBA’s
Akeredolu, Justice Inumidun, some erstwhile Lagos CJs and some of his
trusted aides
which included Opeyemi Bamidele, Fouad Oki, Alake, etc. Tinubu affirmed at the
meeting that through Justice Uwais and other notable Justices (Rtd and
Serving) he has infiltrated the Tribunal members’ camp. Tinubu was on
phone with a female member of the Tribunal for over an hour.

12. During the weekend of October 16 18, 2009, two meetings were held.
One was on
saving the Ekiti Speaker and Deputy from impeachment. The other was to
consider the report on Constitution and Electoral Reform for review
and necessary input. This issue prompted their immediate visit to
Ghana. The sole aim was to conceal the identity of the personalities
involved not only in weakening the centre and strengthening the other
tiers of government particularly the states but also exploring a
possible avenue of having a bloodless revolution if they are unable to
push through their agenda which they regarded as a catalyst to solving
Nigeria’s problem. While in Ghana they visited the man in-charge of
Ghana’s election from whom they borrowed some ideas.

13. Those at the Ghana meeting comprised Opeyemi Bamidele, LASTMA and KAI
Bosses, Justice Uwais, Fouad Oki, Baba Eto, Yinka Odumakin, one Judge Abutu,
Adeyinka and Alabi both rtd Justices, Afikuyomi, Wale Osun, H. O.
Davies, Dele Alake, Dele Momodu, Representative of Adenuga, Chief
Badmus a.k.a Kosija, Musiliu Akinsanya (aka M.C.), Olohunwa and
others.

14. On or about November 2, 2009, Tinubu’s group was in the United Kingdom to
mobilize support for the implementation of the Uwais report and at the
same time
deliberate on pending cases in various Tribunals and Appeal Courts. On
implementation of Uwais report, the UK trip was a follow up to their
visit to Ghana and US Consular General. Tinubu’s representative at the
gathering boasted that the pressure on Yar’Adua by the Labour, Human
Right Groups, NBA, NGO’s, Socio-Cultural organisations such as
Afenifere Renewal Group, Egbe Igbimo Yoruba, Arewa Youth Consultative
Forum, Arewa Opinion Elders Forum and others that Tinubu has been
funding heavily had succeeded in mounting enormous pressure on
Yar’Adua. He (Tinubu) pledged further financial support to any
individual or group of people who are ready to join the struggle.

15. They also concluded at the London meeting that should Yar’Adua succeed in
killing the Uwais report, they would make the country ungovernable.
They expressed
strong believe that President Yar’Adua was lily-livered and can easily
be pummeled to
submission. Tinubu at the meeting claimed he had been able to subdue
Yar’Adua on
Lagos LGAs and LGDAs through the same process. Aside this they (Tinubu
group) were seriously sensitizing and mobilizing people for a mass
protest rally. And on the day of the rally here, other rallies would
be going on simultaneously abroad.

16. To make their job easier, both Tinubu and Atiku agreed at a
meeting held in Abuja,  Lagos State house, where they jointly resolved
to use their connections within the judiciary to influence cases at
both the Tribunal and Appeal Courts. Based on this
agreement, they scheduled an emergency meeting with their ‘judiciary
contacts’ which
comprised the following: Uwais, Abutu, Alabi rtd, Lagos C.J, Oyewole,
Akande, Falana,  Akeredolu, Abdullahi, Prof Oyewo, and three others
from the North who were asked to  compel the people in charge of
various cases to play ball. They specifically mentioned Ogun, Ekiti
and Osun. There was assurance from them.

17. On or about November 17, 2009, Tinubu at his meeting with his Team
resolved to provide financial support for mobilization towards mass protests. Otunba Kazeem
Badmus (aka Kosija now late) was in the North to sensitize Yoruba
residents there while Alhaji Shetima (Arewa Youth Forum Leader) was
commissioned to handle Northerners. The plan was to force Yar’Adua’s
government to adopt the Uwais Report. They planned to capitalize on
government planned fuel deregulation. Segun Adeniyi boosted their
cause with a statement he issued titled “Who is afraid of Uwais
Report?”

18. Meanwhile, Tinubu was to sponsor the hosting of Justice I. A.
Salami, President,
Court of Appeal at Eko Hotel by the leadership of NBAand Justice
Akande, Lagos C.J.

19. Towards December 9, 2009, several meetings were held at various locations
particularly at Bourdillon Road, Oduduwa Ikeja official residence of
Aregbesola, a
Prophet’s house at Shangisha and at three other secret locations owned
by Tinubu
(Magodo and another one at Ikoyi), and at Justice Uwais house in Lekki Phase I.

20. On Ekiti Re-run: At the dinner organized for the new Court of
Appeal President,
Salami. Uwais, Akeredolu and Inumidun categorically made an appeal to
the Justice, the new Court of Appeal President to support their course
in Ekiti. They also requested to  have an input in the composition of
the Judges that would sit at the appeal that will succeed the present
Tribunal. The man obliged their request.

21. Meanwhile, Tinubu decided not to say anything openly that’ll hurt
the presidency
any more. But secretly sponsor attacks on the President through his
aides, NBA, the
54/55 group and others who were calling for the ailing President’s
resignation. The
purpose was to put enormous pressure on the North.

22. Between May 9 and May 13 2010, Tinubu’s team comprising top legal experts
who were mandated to meet with Justice Adebara, one of the Ekiti
Tribunal members,
met. The team’s assignment was to establish from Justice Adebara what
went wrong at
the Tribunal.

23. The committee in their report said Adebara admitted that lots of factors
contributed to the outcome of that tribunal ruling. The committee
reported that Adebara listed among others, crisis in the AC and Atiku
s return to PDP. They said, Adebara later commended the resilience of
PDP in Ekiti. He affirmed that the majority ruling was full of
loop-holes and pointed out some of the faults in the ruling /
judgement. Almost all the decisions taken at the meeting with Adebara
were ratified.

24. Tinubu vowed to upturn the ruling at the Appeal. To achieve his (Tinubu)
objectives, he constituted a committee comprising notable jurists and
legal luminaries
that included Prof. Osibajo, Femi Falana, Justice Uwais, Akanbi, Alabi
and others whose assignment was to study the rulings and advice/render
assistance to the legal team handling the matter.

25. He (Tinubu) also boasted at the meeting that, he’ll influence the
composition of
the Appeal committee members. He submitted he has finalised that with
the authority
concerned. He (Tinubu) said the Appeal would be headed by someone from
either Niger Delta or East. Aregbesola was mandated to organise prayer
warriors and traditional actions.

26. For funding of the project tagged Ekiti Must Be Surmounted, Tinubu informed
the meeting of the recent attempt by Governor Fashola to terminate the
contract between Alpha/Beta, his company, and Lagos State government.
He commended several efforts made by Ikuforiji, the Speaker and the
House for using their legislative power to counter some of the moves.
But he (Tinubu) promised to raise the fund for the project. He hinted
that if Fashola went further that he’ll boot him out of office.

27. As for EFCC probe, Tinubu assured everybody that his foot soldiers
were already
working. He disclosed that the Commission’s spokes person was his man.
He promised to call a meeting immediately he’s with the names of
Appeal Court members.

28. About May 20, 2010, a meeting of Tinubu’s inner caucus was
initially scheduled
for Akodo, Eleko Beach Area. Governor Fashola decided to wield the big
stick and
scheduled his own meeting for the same venue, same time. This prompted
Tinubu to shift his meeting to Alesh Hotel at Ajah. Tinubu’s meeting
was attended by Niyi Akintola (SAN), Justice Akande, Justice Alabi
(Rtd), Justice Adeyinka (Rtd) Chairman LASIEC, Professor Itse Sagay
(SAN), Femi Falana, Prof. Lai Olurode, Yinka Odumakin, Muiz Banire,
Toyin Pinhero (SAN), Police AIG Arabamen, LASTMABoss, Aregbesola, Dele
Alake, H. O. Davies, Olohunwa, and others. Olohunwa was not allowed
into the meeting as he was only invited to ward off area boys.

29. At the meeting, Tinubu revealed that he got Sowore, former UNILAG Student
Union President to use their fabricated N3 Billion Tribunal bribe
story which facilitation  they were pinning on OBJ and Afe Babalola.
He coughed out US$250,000 to ensure the story emanated from
Saharareporters.

30. In the build up to the April 2011 Presidential election, Tinubu
and his Team were
confident that irrespective of the way the election went, they would
subvert the results at the Supreme Court with the help of Uwais and
some other judges.

31. A meeting held on Monday December 27, 2010 at Tinubu’s Bourdillon Road
home, in the thick of negotiation on the ACN/CPC merger, Buhari led
the CPC team
while Tinubu headed the ACN team. At the meeting there were irreconcilable
differences over merger arrangement. Tentatively, the parties involved
agreed to use
ACN based on the fact that ACN holds sway in the Southwest and are
having substantial impact in the South-South. They considered CPC as
the party to beat in the North; all these gave them hope of wrestling
power from PDP in 2011.

32. On the Presidential Candidate to be used they settled for Buhari.
For the Vice,
Tinubu showed interest. He told the meeting that his popularity in the
S/W and other
parts of Nigeria will do the magic. But people who knew him (Tinubu)
inside out kicked against such arrangement. Even Buhari objected to
it; the S/E people also opposed and they insisted that one of their
own, Ngige, must be used. Tinubu, having confided in some people that
Ngige by virtue of who he is, might be difficult to control if chosen,
finally pushed for Niyi Adebayo while Ngige settled for SGF. Ribadu
was to be reinstated and made IG, etc.

33. In early February 2011, as a follow-up to the meeting he (Tinubu)
held with the
representatives of the Ciroma-led team in Jan. Another meeting came up
with full
representation of notable NPLF leaders that had in attendance the
likes of Ayu, Haruna, factional Arewa Youth Forum leader, Shettima,
Anthony Sani and other notables.

34. At the meeting, Tinubu was praised for his singular effort in
checkmating OBJ
who has been the major “character or evil” confronting PDP and
threatening Nigerian
democracy. They pledged their co-operation with Tinubu. Aregbesola
sang praise of
Tinubu, calling him “Ẹkun ọkọ baba agbẹ Ọta, Jagaban of our time” (Obasanjo’s
conqueror, Jagaban of our time). Those on the side of Tinubu were
Justice Uwais, one other Justice, AIG Arabamen, Kai Brigade Captain
Maigeri Rtd, National Secretary ACN, Dr. Fayemi, Ribadu and others
that included HoD, Olohunwa, who claimed to be representative of the
NURTW boss.

35. At the meeting, their discussion centred mainly on the following
three issues:
a) Sponsorship of crisis in some parts of the North particularly
States that  supported Jonathan at the Presidential primary.
b) Military intervention if all other efforts fail.
c) Judicial process
The last one they didn’t delve too much on was the issue of consensus
candidate which
the Northern representatives had claimed to be an impossible task.

36. On chaos sponsorship, Tinubu encouraged them to fund secretly the lingering
crisis. Cash and ‘boys/mercenaries’ for such operations would be taken
care of by him
(Tinubu). He boasted at the meeting that, “this time, I’ll open the
treasury to prosecute
this forthcoming elections”. He tasked the factional Arewa Youth Forum
President,
Mallam Yerima Shettima, to try and identify some of the trouble
shooters for adequate
funding and support in preparation for sponsorship. What they
purportedly stand to gain is to discredit GEJ government and make it
unpopular in some of the states he won during the PDP Presidential
primary.

37. They also weighed the military option. The Northerners were mainly
in support of
the idea while Tinubu advised that should be a last resort but warned
that the leader must be trusted. According to source, there was a
sharp disagreement, sentiment and ethnicity issue beclouded their
reasoning so the gathering did not reach an agreement.

38. Judiciary: Tinubu at the meeting assured those present that with
the backing of
“Eledumare” (God) and some prominent jurists both serving and retired,
victory was
assured. But on the candidate to be adopted by the parties they zeroed
down on Buhari, Ribadu.

39. At the meeting, the other Snr. Justice present hinted those at the
sitting that efforts
should be put in place to protect/defend Salami, the Appeal Court
President. There and then, he informed them that attempt would be made
to remove him from office and he’ll be replaced by a weakling who will
definitely truncate the plan of the house. He appealed to Tinubu to
use his enormous wealth to drum support for Salami.

40. The Justice also warned especially Tinubu to be wary of some of his aides
pointing out his house was leaking. He went further to say, almost all
Tinubu inner caucus meetings leaked to the opposing camp. He cited
many examples such as meeting between Tinubu and Salami, how emisaries
were being sent to him to thwart some of the moves by Tinubu & co.
Facts and figures about what and what exchanged hands for a favour
including the one owned by proxy/proxies.

41. In reaction to the Justice’s advice, Tinubu corroborated the
Jurist after thanking
him for his great observation particularly on the moles around him. He
said he had
identified some of the serving commissioners and council bosses who
were working for the opponents. He also mentioned that one or more
former council chairmen were also in the same train with the traitors.
Tinubu however said that he had started dealing with them squarely. He
said Opeyemi Bamidele was supposed to be at the meeting but for
kicking against the ‘establishment’ that made him, he has started
paying the price.

42. As for Salami, Tinubu promised to mobilise the Press, Human Right Groups,
NGO, Lawyers, Coalition of Political Parties. For propaganda, he
boasted that he was in control of that and all would be deployed to
defend Salami from being disgraced out of office. He (Tinubu)
counseled those who have benefitted from his largesse to tighten up
the loose nuts. He said there’s a way they’ll do it and they won’t
trace it to anybody. He advised that they see some of his aides for
proper counseling. Amongst the aides were, Bolaji Idris Ariyoh, Bisi
Yusuf, Tayo Oduntan, H. O. Davies, Dele Alake and others.

43. On the defence of Salami, he said they had met with the needed
organisations,
chief among whom is Sowore of Saharareporters. He was also planning to
establish
another online electronic media. Another plan they also agreed on was
to be meeting
regularly as at when Tinubu deemed fit at any venue he chose. In
support of the course, Tinubu gave N5m each for their transport and
again donated another N200m to jump start the Northern agenda. He
promised another N300m, if they do well.

ASUU Strike: 57 Days And Counting!!!

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Ogunjimi James Taiwo

“In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The unlearned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists” – Eric Hoffer

Today marks the 57th day since our higher institutions got closeddown. Today marks the 57th day since the incompetency and nonchalant attitude of our leaders threw a clog in the wheel of our academic progress. Today marks the 57th day of a major battle between two elephants, and as expected; the grass is suffering.

Since our leaders have decided that they would rather fill their pockets than spend for our education, I think it’s high time we started telling ourselves the truth. Since our leaders have decided that spending taxpayers’ money on watering presidential villa’s flowers is more important than spending on improving the quality of education in this country, I think we should start asking some important questions and start DEMANDING urgent answers.

Do our leaders see us as the leaders of tomorrow? Do our leaders care about this country? Do they care about the future of this country? Do they even know that some people have families who are waiting for them to graduate? Can they see the decline in our educational sector? Would they rather spend money on frivolities than on moulding the future of tomorrow’s leaders? How many of them have their children in our schools? Maybe that’s where the problem is.

I can’t think of any reason why these government people would be so determined to bite the fingers that fed them. Most of them passed through the university, studied free of charge,so I can’t understand why they can’t give back to a system that made them who they are. And to think that the incumbent president was once a lecturer, I dare to say he is a disgrace to the academic world.

When a government sees no problem with paying a councillor whose highest qualification is probably a Pry 6 certificate huge amount of money, [and his wife gets paid too],yet the same government thinks N18,000 minimum wage is too much to pay to people who have degrees, then we know there is a problem. When a president spends huge chunks of taxpayers’ money on feeding rather than improving our educational sector, then danger looms. When government sees nothing wrong in seeing thousands of youths on the streets; jobless and homeless,then the government needs to be called to order.

Maybe the problem lies with us. Maybe we are the problem. How? It’s simple; we’ve been too compliant. We’ve stuck too much to the rules. We’ve kept quiet in the face of injustice. We’ve left other people to fight our battles. We’ve sold ourselves out. But. . . . . .there is opportunity to right our wrongs.

Seneca said, “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” We may have allowed the government to make fools of us in the past, but we have opportunity to set things straight.

We need to speak with one voice.The era of sitting at home and waiting to hear news of strike being called-off is over; it’s time to get out and occupy the streets to show our dissatisfaction with government’s nonchalant attitude to our education. If we all sit at home and keep quiet, they’ll think we are probably enjoying the ‘holiday’, but if we troop out enmasse to register our displeasure, it’ll send a strong message to them that we aren’t taking nonsense anymore.

We are fed up with sitting in a lecture theatre without the necessary conveniences. We are tired of having to pay huge amount of school fees and yet be cramped in an uncomfortable lecture room. We are tired of hearing that our lecturers haven’tbeen paid their salaries. We are tired of writing examinations on our feet. We are tired of spending 7 years for a 4-year course. We want a change. WE DEMAND FOR A CHANGE.

If we are to get the desired change, we can’t sit down idly; we need to speak up. We are not unaware that the voices that should speak up for us have probably been choked with cash. But the good thing is that they didn’t send you to the higher institution. They didn’t pay your fees. They won’t live your life for you; let’s rise up and say NO.

Remember the words of Felix Rohatyn, “The choice is between doing something and doing nothing, and doing nothing never gets you anywhere.”

—

Com James Ogunjimi CDHR Coordinator, Olabisi Onabanjo University Unit. hullerj@yahoo.com 08134319591

“We Pay Police To Kill Police, N500,000 per Head” – Boko Haram

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Information recently made available to 247ureports.com through sources within the operational ranks of the terrorist Islamic group indicates the merciless attacks and killings of the officers of the Nigerian Police Force [NPF] by Boko Haram may be the operational activities of hired Nigerian police officers at work. This is as available information indicates that the leadership of the terrorist Islamic group have gone beyond inflitration of the NPF – and have reached the extent to have turned the Nigerian police officer into the executor/assasinator of fellow police officers.

The Boko Haram, through its extensive reach into the NPF and the Nigerian military, has gained significant followership within the NPF and the military which extends beyond passive followership. A good section of the NPF is said to actively engage in the operational activities of the terrorist group – in areas including intelligence gathering, whistleblowing, and attacks on Nigerian security outfits.

The Boko Haram source revealed that it pays N500,000 to each Nigerian police officer who kills another police officer, and N1million for the life of a Nigerian soldier. The source further reveals that 7 out of 10 police officers’s death attributed to Boko Haram’s operations were carried out by Nigerian police officers and men from other Nigerian security outfits. He states that the Kano operation was executed by a mixed of Nigerian soldiers, Police Officers and ordinary members of Boko Haram. “That is why we have lost only 16 since we began our operation”. He also added that none of the people arrested and shot in Kano and Borno were members of Boko Haram.

“They are not our own. Our men are accounted for”, he boasted adding that the security apparatus in Nigeria are intimately involved in the planning stages of virtually all Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria. “We wait for their signal”. He explained that many within the police rank sympatize with the plight of the Boko Haram and support them ideologically. Many within the ranks of the military and the police appear disenfranchised by a Christian presidency.

Independent inquiry conducted by 247ureports.com into the Boko Haram’s claim appear credible.

It was gathered that in Bauchi State, prior to the coming of the present Bauchi police commissioner, a Police Coporal was arrested and charged for murder following a shoot-out where he was alleged to have killed his fellow officers stationed at a checkpoint. The former police commissioner of Bauchi State was reported to have made the arrest himself – as he coincidentally drove by the checkpoint moments after the police coporal had shot the 5 police officers dead. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the police coporal had in his bank account the sum of N11million. The source of the money remains unknown to the police investigators.

In Borno State, where the Boko Haram operation had been extensive. The source reveals that it is not a secret anymore in Borno the bounty placed on the head of a police officer and a military officer. It is an open secret on the streets. “None of our men were doing the killings”, he said. The killings came mostly from security men who shared the ideology of the terrorist group. The source claims that the security men in Nigeria are littered with their supporters.

In a related development, the source reveals that the terrorist group has called on all the feild commanders in northern Nigeria to temporally halt all operations – in response to what appears the onset of dialogue. The source notes however that not all members of the group are keen to the dialogue. “Our spiritual leaders are not interested in dialoguing” because, as he claims, when the members of Boko Haram were being ‘slaughtered’ via extra-judical means – that no Nigerian called for dialogue nor did the leaders of the north call for a dialogue.

Meanwhile violent operations credited to the Boko Haram continues in Kano State. Gunfire exchange between the men of Boko Haram and the Nigerian police at the Panshekara police station and the Naibawa Police post continued through the evening of Sunday 29, January to the evening of Monday 30, January – not minding the curfew imposed on Kano State by the State government. Seven persons have been reported [unconfirmed] dead at the Naibawa police post while no casualties have been reported at the Panshekara police station. The police is reported to have become visibly nervous on the trigger at the various police road block.

The morning of Monday January 30, 2012, near the town of Mandawari, a driver of a commercial bus was shot by a nervous police officer who mistook the bus for a possible Boko Haram threat. The Bus had approached the police road block at about 6am, at the end of the curfew, and as the bus slowed towards the road block, one of the officers shot the driver. The driver was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. No further information is available of the status of the driver.

Sudan Rebels Say They Captured 29 Chinese Workers

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recruits for the Sudan People's Liberation Army training in a secret camp in South Kordofan
KHARTOUM — Rebels in Sudan’s South Kordofan state have captured 29 Chinese workers after a battle with government forces, a spokesman for the insurgents said on Sunday.

Nine members of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) were also being held, Arnu Ngutulu Lodi of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), told AFP.

“Yes, we have captured them,” he said. “I want to assure you right now they are in safe hands.”

He said the Chinese have not been kidnapped and none was wounded.

They, along with the Sudanese, were captured on Saturday when the rebels destroyed a Sudanese military convoy between Rashad town and Al-Abbasiya in the northeast of the province, which has been at war since June.

Lodi said the Chinese were working mainly on road construction in the area.

They are being held in the Nuba mountains “until further notice” because of the security situation.

“Today is a little bit calm but we are expecting at any time SAF may launch an attack on us,” he said.

Spokesmen for the Sudanese army and the Chinese embassy could not be immediately reached for comment.

China is a major military supplier to the regime in Khartoum, and the largest buyer of Sudanese oil.

There is growing international concern over the situation in South Kordofan and nearby Blue Nile state, where a similar conflict broke out in September. The government is fighting ethnic minority insurgents once allied to the former rebels who now rule South Sudan.

The South gained independence from Khartoum last July after decades of civil war.

Food shortages would become critical without substantial aid deliveries into South Kordofan and Blue Nile by March, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, has said.

Khartoum has severely restricted the work of foreign relief agencies in the war zones.

It cited security concerns and also accused aid workers of using United Nations flights to deliver arms and ammunition to the rebels — a claim for which the UN’s top humanitarian official said there was “no evidence.”

Princeton Lyman, the US administration’s special envoy for Sudan, told reporters last week the situation is so dire Washington has warned Khartoum it would consider ways for aid to be sent in without Sudanese government approval.

Court Extradites fugitive over $789,907.62 Fraud

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Monday January 30th ,  2012, delivered ruling on an extradition charge filed by  the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke against Rasheed Abayomi Mustapha. Delivering judgment, Justice Patricia Ajoku dismissed the preliminary objections raised by counsel to the fugitive, Dr. Joseph Nwabike, SAN, that the court was not competent to hear the extradition charge against Mustapha. Justice Ajoku dismissed the application stating that based on the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the court was competent to decide the extradition of the accused person.
After dismissing the motion of preliminary objection, Justice Ajoku gave her ruling based on the evidence before her and the charges against the fugitive.  She ruled that the accused be extradited to the United States of America to face the law. Although counsel to the fugitive had argued that the alleged offences were not extraditable, Justice Ajoku dismissed same stating that it was not tenable that the offences were not known to the Nigerian law. Mustapha and his collaborators were said to have conspired or attempted to steal $798,907.62 in distribution cheques. Of that amount, $750,651.48 were actually issued and deposited into bank accounts controlled by members of the syndicate.
The sum of $500,000 was withdrawn and distributed between Mustapha and his group. Mustapha, 37, had returned to Nigeria after allegedly committing the crime in the United States. However, a collaboration between the EFCC and the FBI led to his arrest by the operative of the EFCC in May last year.
The AGF consequently filed an extradition order before the Federal High Court Lagos. The AGF explained in the order that “… A request has been made to Nigeria by diplomatic representative of the Embassy of the United States of America, Abuja for the surrender of Rasheed Abayomi Mustapha who is jointly a subject of a super ceding indictment in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Case No.: 08-CR-429 and filed on the 31st day of October, 2011”
Some of the charges preferred against Mustapha in the United States of America include:
Court  one: Conspiracy to violate the laws of the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States code, Section 1349, namely mail fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment. Count two to nine: mail fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, section 1341 and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2, with each count punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

Support organizations with good initiative, council head tells Isoko ethnicity, others

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By Our Reporter, Delta state

The Head of Personnel Management, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Daddi F.O. Amudo has called on the people of Isoko ethnic nationality in particular and Deltans in general to support organizations that have the initiative to engage the youths in meaning activities.

The council boss gave the advice during the 7th edition of Isoko Most Beautiful Girl (MISS ISOKO) beauty pageant and Award Nite packaged by Champions World Entertainment and held at Pintos Place, Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Amudo noted that the Isoko beauty pageant showcased a lot of talents from young girls and youths that needs to be encouraged in other to stop them from engaging in social vices such as prostitution, armed robbery, kidnapping and others.

The crown which went to Queen Edna Ikre in the keenly competition which featured eight beautiful Isoko girls from the council areas, South and North, saw Miss Lawrenta Ogbogho clicking the Ist runner up position while Miss Victoria Imoniatho emerged 2nd runner up.

In an interview with the winner of the Isoko beauty pageant Miss Edna Ikre, she gave thanks to God for giving her the golden opportunity to win the prestigious Isoko Most Beautiful Girl crown which will avail her more opportunity to serve humanity.

According to her, during the one year of her reign as the Isoko beauty queen, she will be carrying out pet projects on Health and Education which is the bed rock of any nation.

She noted that Healthy nation is a Wealthy nation, so she will be concentrating on HIV/AIDs awareness campaign and Malaria control while the educational campaigns will include career talks around Secondary Schools and the provision of complimentary materials to students at all levels.

Speaking, the Pageant Director of Champions World Entertainment, Mrs. Rita Cyril Urude, said Miss Edna Ikre, the winner of the pageant is the 7th queen of Isoko Most Beautiful Girl who will reign throughout the year 2012.

According to her, the queen has good pet project to be carried out this year and so pledged the organization support to ensure a smooth sail during the year. She also used the medium to solicit the support of Government, Non-Governmental Organizations and well meaning people to support the queen’s project.

Al-Mustapha, Sofolahan To Die By Hanging

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The former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the former Head of State, late
General Sani Abacha, Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha and a former personal
assistant to the late Kudirat Abiola, Lateef Shofolahan have been
sentenced to death by hanging for conspiracy in the murder of Late Chief
MKO Abiola’s wife.
Al-Mustapha and Sofolahan among others have been facing a celebrated
trial for the assassination of Kudirat, wife of the presumed winner of the
annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Late Chief Abiola.
The election was annulled by then military President General Ibrahim
Babangida for incomprehensible reasons.
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, handed out the
sentence on Monday.

Niger Delta Group Dares ACN On Maritime Security Deal For Tompolo

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A socio-political group in the volatile oil and gas region of Nigeria, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC), is a on the war-path with the country’s leading opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) over alleged move by government to hand over maritime security business to a former militant leader who is also a prominent Ijaw chief in the Delta State axis of the  oil region.

 

 

ACN Spokesperson Lai Mohammed, had recently voiced his party’s disapproval  of an alleged decision of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to handover the countrys Maritime Security to Global West Vessel Specialist Agency (GWVSL).

 

 

The company is allegedly owned by Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), an Ijaw high chief and ex-militant leader. If the alleged deal turns out to be true, he will be managing  the countrys territorial security for a maximum term of 20 years and the investment is worth N169 billion in local currency, and around $1.00 billion

 

 

But the Secretary of the Niger Delta group, John Sailor , told AkanimoReports on Monday on telephone that they are of the view  that only those who have been stealing the nation’s oil and allowing illegal vessels and ships into the country should have a sleepless night over the 10 years renewable concession partnership between Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and GWVSL.

 

 

According to the group, those opposed to the concession are those who have been feeding fat from stealing the nation’s oil all these years, saying; “And now that active steps are being taken to end all that, they are afraid. Those stealing the nation’s oil and using the money to intimidate the rest of us have come to know that the game would soon be over hence they are against the concession.

 

 

”We have observed of late the false alarm being raised in certain quarters by some Nigerians, especially after the first outburst of the spokes-person of ACN) Lai Mohammed over the wisdom of the Federal Government to handover the Nation’s Maritime Security to Global West Specialist Agency (GWVSL) and the petty rumours making the round that GWVSL belongs to f Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), an illustrous son of the Niger Delta region.

 

 

”We are not amazed that some Nigerians are not comfortable with this laudable decision of the Federal Government aimed at checking the stealing of the nation’s oil and preventing illegal vessels and ships into Nigerian territorial waters. It is expected that those who have been feeding very fat from stealing of the nation’s oil must oppose the wise decision of the Federal Government regarding the 10 years renewable concession partnership between Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and GWVSL.

 

 

”But have those associating GWVSL with Tompolo done their home work to know if actually the company belong to him? We implore such people to go to Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja and they will know that GWVSL has nothing to do with Tompolo as we only know that it belongs to somebody from the Niger Delta region. But is it wrong if it belongs to Tompolo? Clear conscience fear no accusation. And if we must ask again; who is afraid of Tompolo?”, they said.

 

 

They claimed that the ex-militant leader hates injustice and illegal activities and one man that wants a better deal for all Nigerians. He is not a politician and do not belong to any political party, but just that he wants the betterment of this country and he is also a freedom fighter for the development of the neglected Niger Delta  and its oppressed people.”

 

 

Continuing, they said, ”we know that the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National  Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Austen Oniwon, an engineer, and the fuel subsidy cartel are  planning seriously to frustrate the goodwill of President Goodluck Jonathan and we want the country to know that Nigeria belongs to all of us. The people of the  oil-rich Niger Delta region are not envious of anybody even when the Yorubas and  Hausas have been mismanaging our resources for the past 40 years, we never made noise about it and it was only recently that the people of the region started  crying out about their marginalisation in employment, development and  empowerment in the oil companies and by the Federal Government.

 

 

”We are not happy at all that those who have made so much wealth from the resources of the Niger Delta are bent on frustrating President Jonathan and at the same time using the  resources to intimidate the rest of us from the region. But we warn that, time is  coming very soon when all those using the wealth of the region to oppress this country, it will become history and the Niger Delta people will laugh last”.

 

 

The rest of their views went thus: ”We know that the NNPC big boss is working round the clock to frustrate every Niger Deltan in the oil industry as well as the people of the region who are growing everyday in the oil and gas sector hence he has been inciting the various tribes against each other so that they can be disorganised to pave way for him to encourage the multinationals to execute projects to the detriments of the people of the region that have built adequate capacity in the industry. We want to implore the NNPC GMD to put an end to the dirty games he is playing in the Oil and Gas Industry because if there is any clash between the various tribes as a result of the resources from the Niger Delta region, we are going to hold him responsible.

 

 

”We are equally imploring those dragging the name of Tompolo into things that are not in his character to put a halt to it and they should stop getting wrong information capable of causing problem from the NNPC. Austen Oniwon wants to cause trouble in Niger Delta because of his selfish interest. Let him place national interest above his own. The NNPC GMD should take time out to look at the Nigerian Content Act signed by President Jonathan April 22, 2010.

 

 

Has the NNPC boss ever thought about the criminal marginalisation of the people of the Niger Delta in the oil companies? Let him take a critical look at those enjoying the oil subsidy and also look at those picking the major employment in Shell, Chevron, Mobil and NNPC. Certainly, they are the Yorubas and Hausas. But do you think that the people of the Niger Delta will be happy to face this oppression forever? Even when our people are licking their wounds that they are not being carried along in employment and contracts in the Oil and Gas Sector, the NNPC GMD is not bothered as he takes pride in manipulating jobs to Saipem, Daewoo, O.P.I. and Acergy to the detriment of our brothers and sisters in the Niger Delta region, they also said.

 

 

”We are appealing to the Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Ernest Nwapa to take active steps in the empowerment/employment of the Niger Delta people because it is our oil and if you fail to do as expected, we will start accusing you of campaigning about the Nigerian Content Act without implementing. Practice what you preach. The patient of our people is running out because they have been pushed to the wall for too long and cannot take any more from Lai Mohammed and his likes”.

President Jonathan Did Not Contest for AU Chairmanship

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It has come to our attention that some media houses are alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan was “defeated” by President Yayi Boni of Benin Republic in the “contest” to elect a new African Union Chairman at the 18th AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This report is false and is only the latest in a series of sensational and fictional reporting in a bid to cast the administration of President Jonathan in bad light. Let me make the following clear:
1.       It is not true that President Yayi Boni “defeated” President Goodluck Jonathan in an election; there was no contest in the first place and President Jonathan was not a candidate for the AU Chairmanship position.
2.      It is also not true that President John Atta Mills opposed President Jonathan at any time. Ghana and Nigeria enjoy excellent relations.
3.       It is true, however, that in the last week, some newspapers have been speculating that President Jonathan may be adopted by the ECOWAS Heads of States and Governments to be the next chairman of the African Union, since it was the turn of ECOWAS to produce the AU Chairman for 2012-2013. Mr. President was indeed approached by leaders within and outside the West African sub-region to take up the challenge of leading the AU for the next one year.
4.       While appreciating this kind gesture, President Jonathan resolved that he needed time to focus on domestic affairs in Nigeria, and that it would be practically difficult for him to combine the three positions of President of Nigeria, Chairman of ECOWAS and Chairman of African Union. He therefore rejected the offer.
5.      In order to make his position clear, President Jonathan, in his capacity as ECOWAS Chairman, summoned a mini-Summit of ECOWAS at the AU Commission Headquarters on Saturday, January 28, 2012, to ensure that there was a meeting of minds on the position of AU Chairman. His preference, he noted, would be for ECOWAS to adopt the leader of another country, in order to promote a sense of belonging among member-states. Nigeria, having occupied the position of AU Chairman four times in the past, would readily support any such country.
6.       As it turned out, the President of the Republic of Benin had indicated interest in the position, which paved the way for his unanimous adoption by the ECOWAS Heads of State as the sub-region’s candidate for the AU Chair. Thus, it becomes obvious that President Jonathan rather than being “defeated” by President Yayi Boni of Benin actually facilitated his emergence as AU Chairman.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
January 30, 2012

How Government and Oil Companies Neglect Children in The Niger Delta‏

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children rescued on the streets and from witch-hunters in Akwa Ibom State by volunteers

Written by Michael Gbarale

Today in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, where I come from thousands of children are being abuse daily due to negligence by the Government, Oil companies’ activities, parents, caregivers, religious leaders and other members of the society that discriminate against them.
Children’s rights are being abused through child labor, female genital mutilation, child abandonment, and branding innocent and defenceless children as witches and wizards by religious leaders which sometimes leads to the children being thrown out in the streets or killed. Many such children spend their childhood years on the streets and this is evident in Port-Harcourt, Akwa lbom and Cross River State.
In Rivers and Bayelsa States where I work I am seeing high numbers of cases of rape committed against children as young as 3 years old. Sexual violence in these States is a serious problem and the Government must act now to address the issue. Children are also being abused through child trafficking, recruitment of under age children into child soldiers, child prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation that harm the growth and development of a child in the Niger Delta.
In Nigeria, the mere passage of the Child Rights Act 2003 by the National Assembly and its ratification by some States into Child Rights Law within Nigeria, such as Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, it is regarded as the panacea to all the problems children face in Nigeria. It is common knowledge that hundreds of children are abused daily by Government and its institutions that have failed to provide adequate facilities such as health care centres for safe delivery and infants care; well equipped school; safe drinking water; and accommodation for children at risk of abuse. The recent removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government shows the height of Government’s ill-consideration towards children as they will suffer the direct consequences of the hardship being encounter by their parents and care-givers. Some will be forced to withdrawn from school because their parents and caregivers cannot meet up the harsh economic reality the masses are made to face.
Government institutions like the Ministries of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation are charged with the responsibilities of protecting children and punishing offenders who are not living up to their expectations by breaking the law. Multinational oil corporations in the Niger Delta region are also contributing largely to child abuses through their operations by flaring gas into the atmosphere and oil spills from their equipment into their land and waters destroying the eco system of the Delta. Through this destruction the livelihood of the Niger Delta people is also destroyed because farming and fishing are the main occupations in the Delta. Oil companies destroy the main sources of income for families who depend on farming and fishing as their only means of survival. Countless of spills have been reported in Niger Delta caused by the operations of oil giants like SHELL, AGIP, CHEVRON, ELF, TOTAL and MOBIL without compensation to the Niger Delta people.
Children are the ones who suffer more when Oil companies fail to take responsibility as they are made to face hardships encountered by their bread winners. As a result some drop out of school and are given out as domestic servants to care-givers, who then go on to abuse these children by forcing them into child labour or trafficking them into prostitution. Whilst millions of barrels of oil flow from the soil on daily basis our female children are being forced into prostitution in order to survive and assist their families. This is both wrong and inhumane and the Government should be ashamed of itself in allowing this to happen to our people.
The law enforcement agencies are also contributing to child abuse through their negligence in enforcing the law. When offenders are apprehended, some see it as opportunity to extort huge amounts of money for bail from the perpetrators.
Children must enjoy their legal rights to be protected from harm in every home of Nigeria because if urgent steps are not taken to prevent the abuse of children today our children, your children, will be victims of this unjust treatment and cruel conditions for many more years to come. Let’s make sure this does not happen. Together let us unite and put a stop to child abuse.
Gbarale is the Niger Delta Child Rights Watch(NDCRW) Project Officer, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States
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