APGA Crisis: On Chekwas Okorie’s Rejoinder

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The problem with this report is that it is unfortunately one sided and silent on the many salient issues that transpired on the day in question. I was not present at the occasion but was reliably informed and I verily believe my impeccable source that the many constitutional questions thrown at Chief Chekwas Okorie were either not satisfactorily answered or tacitly glossed over.  It maybe interesting to bring to your attention that APGA as a political party has a substantive National Chairman in the person of Chief Victor Umeh with functional executive members, a fact which you have duly acknowledged in this publication. But what is baffling in your publication is the fact that you fail to acknowledge the fact that Chief Victor Umeh in exercise of his constitutional powers as a duly elected National Chairman of APGA has properly constituted and inaugurated a new  executive team to pilot the affairs of the party in the UK for a more assured outcome. Chief Chekwas Okorie did that when he was the National Chairman of the party and since he has moved on by virtue of the legal pronouncements of the highest court in Nigeria namely the Supreme Court of Nigeria in respect of his membership of the party, the party felt the need to reconstitute the executive team in the UK for effective leadership. Something that falls within the constitutional purview of the substantive chairman & his executives.

It would have been really appreciated if Chief Chekwas Okorie had addressed the gathering as any other politician from Nigeria or under a different political platform. This would have cemented his claim to being a law abiding citizen and by extension, a man of peace. Addressing the gathering under the platform of APGA and his continued claim to the leadership of the party even in the face of the finality of the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria which affirmed his expulsion from the party as proper and legal says much about his vaunted claim to peace .It is a cardinal principle of law (and life) that “whosoever goes to equity must go with clean hands”. May I politely ask if the  flagrant disobedience to the well considered judgement of  a properly constituted court ( the apex court) in a country as big as Nigeria amounts to acting with cleans hands or an act of desperation? I was concerned for him because he was deliberately charting a collision course with the Supreme court of Nigeria with devastating consequences. To put it bluntly, he was consciously knocking on the prison doors. 

I want you to place it on record that I personally consider Chief Okorie as a man of integrity and an industrious politician and I wish he will stay the course though he did make a terrible mistake by stabbing his party at the back with his ill advised offer to Dr. Chris Ngige. Such act in political parlance is unforgivable because it signifies greed and the worst form of anti party activities which is punishable with immediate expulsion from the party without any further proof of verifiable damage. In Military parlance, it amounts to treachery and the punishment is swift and severe. His feeble excuse of offering the Governorship candidate position to Dr. Ngige as a way of preventing him from joining another political party when there is a substantive Governorship candidate of his party who was waging a fierce battle to reclaim his stolen mandate smacks of political criminality. That decision and his subsequent inexcusable defense has scared him for life politically and I wish he will devout more time to repairing his image than committing more political illegalities.

I sincerely believe that Chief Okorie has more to offer Nigerians with his experience as a politician. It is very unfortunate that he has to part ways with APGA as a party but that should not be the end of the story. It is my sincere advice to him to explore ways to come back into the APGA fold as the party is large and progressive enough to accommodate all those that genuinely knock on it’s doors. He should re-apply to be re-admitted into the party and I am quite sure many people including my humble self will be more disposed to making strong representations to the party’s hierarchy to give his re-admission request  a favourable consideration. Anything short of that will not work. APGA as a political party under the able leadership of Chief Victor Umeh has demonstrated that it’s progressive march towards total political & economic emancipation of the geographical entity called Nigeria starting from the South East through good governance is credible. It does not need to be distracted from this onerous task. Therefore such unfounded utterances of the party having factions in the UK or elsewhere is not helpful because there is no FACTION in the party. We do not want to waste valuable time debunking such false reports. The task ahead is of such importance and of such magnitude that I will personally consider it a disservice to the nation if we are distracted.

I do not begrudge Mr. Nnamdi Kanu for parading himself as the Chairman of APGA UK/Europe. I only want to remind him that “you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand”.  He has no mandate to act as such because an exercise on the basis of an expired and or non existing mandate is “null and void ab initio”. He should have a deep look and hopefully a deep knowledge of the constitution of the party to which he claims to belong and maybe he will realise that what he is doing is an exercise in futility.

I did not believe the report that APGA members that I know were engaged in violence at the said interactive meeting. I refused to buy that piece of thrash rather what came to my mind and which is more believable is that somebody wanted to sell his publication with fabricated sensational reporting. APGA UK chapter of which I am a member and the substantive Publicity Secretary is made up of men and women of impeccable characters, of the finest qualities and very law abiding who will NEVER dare disobey or flout court decisions.  I wish I can say that of others. The notion that anyone of them will engage in thuggery or violence is something I recommend to the writer to gladly tell the marines.

From Mike Merenini Esq.
Publicity Secretary  APGA Europe/UK Chapter

Much ado about removal of subsidies in Nigeria

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By Muhammad Ajah
 
Is the government’s resolve to remove subsidies from everything that sustains the nation’s economy really anti-people? Are they policies specifically targeted at impoverishing the citizenry the more? Are these subsidies really the problems that have militated against the development of the country? Who are those advancing this cause? What are the real problems with Nigeria? What is the position and benefit of the masses in all these throaty abracadabra of the politicos?
 
I was recently in a place where the masses were debating these subsidies removal. Not more than one percent supported the policies. In short, majority were of the opinion that, though it has been so that the government is practically run by just few Nigerian companies in alliance with their foreign counterparts, subsidies should be removed from Aso Rock and National Assembly. Out of frustration, some of the discussants opted that subsidies should be removed from the whole lives of Nigerians.
 
One is scared. This land is being stained the more with unguarded politicking. One is scared that this land may become like a situation created in poem titled “Silence!” where the poet said: Silence!; Thread not hard upon this land; Where beneath sleep quashed innocent souls; Where upon sleepless stained and stainless struggle; Where beneath the quashed await vengeance; Where the acclaimed powerful flesh abhors exit; Where the quashed have condescended to might; Silence!; Let there be peace nowhere; Let mercy be drifted off hearts; Let no man be human; That when all eyes become red; Man will fear no more; And peace becomes natural savior.
 
The pronouncements by the Federal Government of its plans or concluded plans to remove subsidies from petroleum products and fertilizers are yet another move to indirectly emasculate the plebiscite and create more rooms for larger participation of the very few in the nation’s economy.
 
Howbeit, it points to the contrary that a measure that would give ample opportunity for corruption to flourish should be acceptable by patriotic citizens. A move that supports sharp practices in the importation of petroleum products suggests that the deplorable state of Nigeria’s refineries is a deliberate sabotage.
 
Trust is lost in the leadership and that is why the masses do not believe them anymore. They embark on policies without proper study of the pros and cons, give unconvincing explanations and at the end, only the masses suffer it. Petroleum Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Perth, Australia claimed that the proceeds of the subsidy removal will be managed by a credible team of citizens to be put together by government; the list of names already awaiting President Jonathan’s approval. A CREDIBLE TEAM!! That is surely a team of privately managed companies and not the one made up of representatives of the masses.
 
While the debate on fuel subsidy removal is yet unconcluded, the National Economic Council (NEC) announced its planned removal of fertilizer subsidy, with the endorsement by the 36 Governors of the federation under the leadership of Vice President Namadi Sambo. Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, briefing journalists, claimed that the council approved a transformation plan presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adeshina which recommended that the private sector should handle the distribution of fertilizer in order to make it promptly available to farmers.
 
If this is implemented, it means that procurement and distribution of the commodity will be left in the hands of businessmen who will be granted special incentives to
invest in fertilizer production since Nigeria is a gas endowed country capable of exporting it.

Again, a marketing board to be known as Commodity Corporation would be set up to ensure that farmers ultimately get maximum results on their investments and labour. But does NEC being the highest economic decision making body in the country really consider the interest of the people?

 
In her own version, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, claimed that the measure was aimed at saving the country from bankruptcy, as the funds being currently spent in subsidizing the petroleum products seem too huge. According to her, in a couple of years, Nigeria would be short of funds, should the Federal Government continue the fuel subsidy.
 
Iweala tried to substantiate her claim by a fact that the subsidy was going into the wrong hands made up of some cartels in the oil business who are the ones really enjoying the subsidy. The question is, are these cartels above the government so that government turn the hammer on the masses instead of facing the identified cartels?
 
While many Nigerians are not happy with these developments, some have given a total support, with a third group seeking a balance. Gen. Buhari has openly distanced himself from supporting such plans. Rather, he reveals that most of the elements that goes into what is called subsidy is the cost of corruption in the opaque business of oil importation.
 
Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, rolling behind the federal government claims that the policy was the best measure to regenerate the country’s ailing petroleum sector. Aliyu is of the opinion that if fuel subsidy is removed, measures must be put in place at local, state and federal government levels to cushion its effects, adding that all of Nigeria’s refineries were not functional. He agreed that there was a cabal in the country enjoying the subsidy being paid by the federal government at the detriment of Nigerians. This cabal, he said, does not want the refineries to work.
 
According to a member of the Senate, Senator Datti Baba Ahmed, most senators from the opposition political parties would not accept the policy.
 
Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Union Atlantic Petroleum Limited and the Chairman, Private Refinery Operators of Nigeria, Samuel Omotunde Ilori, also believes that the policy without substitute would impoverish the Nigerian masses. He wants old refineries repaired and private ones built for many multiplier effects like appreciation of the naira as a result of billions of dollars spent abroad on importation of the products, provision of employment for millions of Nigerian people, citing that when telecommunication was liberalised, no one was thinking of the commoners selling recharge cards and earning legitimate livelihood.
 
Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), on its part, has condemned the plan. It’s National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, urged the federal government to name the beneficiaries of the subsidy and tell Nigerians why they cannot be stopped. “Why should Nigeria, with huge crude oil deposits, import refined products? Why should Nigerians pay for the resources so bestowed on them by God through their noses? Why is the price of products, even among importer/exporter nations, higher in Nigeria? The answer lies in the crude, corruption-ridden system that we operate in this country,” Lar opined, suggesting that refineries with a total refining capacity of 280,000 barrels per day should be built in nine cities: Gusau, Enugu, Ibadan, Kano, Makurdi, Maiduguri, Lagos, Auchi and Gombe, in addition to reviving the existing ones.
 
But a former member House of Representatives and one-time acting governor of Abia state, Chief Stanley Ohajuruka, advocates for a partial removal of the fuel subsidy since a total withdrawal will be too much on Nigerians, wondering why government should not rise above the acclaimed cabal believed to be sabotaging the petroleum sector. Notably, he postulated, “If we can use proceeds from crude oil to build refineries and other support infrastructure, we then begin to talk about partial removal of fuel subsidy,”
 
As usual, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has avowed to down tools if the proposal on subsidy removal is ever considered. NLC President Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar criticized the claim that the funds from subsidy removal would be managed by a credible team of Nigerians, describing it as disingenuous. Omar wondered who those managing the national economy were and queried the annual budgets. “Recreating a DFRRI as General Ibrahim Babangida did, or a Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) as General Sani Abacha did, is disingenuous,” Omar insisted.
 
The NLC has therefore urged Nigerians not to relent in their patriotic mobilization to resist this policy that will further impoverish the citizenry.
 
Also, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) had threatened to go on hunger strike over the policy. President of the council, Mr. Olawale James Ajani simply said the policy was demonic and revealed NYCN’s move in collecting signatures from Nigerian youths in readiness to pass a vote of no confidence on the President Goodluck Jonathan led administration.
 
South South Youth Leaders Forum, equally expressed disappointment with this policy, hailing Gen. Buhari for his outright stand and calling on all past leaders of Nigeria, to speak out against anti-people policies of federal government, particularly on the issue of fuel subsidy removal.
The Forum, through its chairman, Amb, Barr, Amachree Odiedim, congratulates all those fighting against the policy because it is painful that not a single campaign promise of the present administration has been fulfilled.
 
Muhammad Ajah is a writer, author, advocate of humanity and good governance based in Abuja. E-mail mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk

Imo State Union [UK] Visit To Hon Dimaku in London

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PRESS RELEASE

IMO STATE UNION (UK) MEMBERS VISITS HON. DIMAKU IN LONDON

Executive Members of Imo Union (UK) today paid a courtesy visit to one of ‘their own’, Honourable Kingsley Dimaku who is on a working visit to London.

Honourable Dimaku is a Member representing Ehime Mbano in Imo State House of Assembly.

L-r: Sir Emma Ahanonu, Mrs Dimaku, Hon. Kingsley Dimaku & Lady Ngozi Ahanonu.

The Honourable Member is a very active member of the Union before his people called him up to represent them in the State House of Assembly.

In the last election which saw his emergence, Hon, Dimaku overwhelmingly defeated his opponents to represent the people of Ehime Mbano in the State House.

Speaking during the visit, the President of Imo State Union (UK) Sir Emmanuel Ahanonu who was visibly elated said; ‘Honourable Dimaku, Imo State Union UK is very proud of you. It is on record that you are the first member of the Union to be elected a Member of Imo State House of Assembly and that goes to show how highly your people regard you. There is no doubt, you are a tried and tested character and above all, your hard work and service to your community in the past years had paid off’.

Again let me state here that your transparent attitude and honesty in the things you did when you were here with us, are pointers to the good things to come to your constituency in particular and Imo State in general. And, we hope you will show in House that politics is for service and not a do or die affair.

In his response, Honourable Dimaku thanked the Union Executives for the visit. Hear him, ‘your visit today shows the cordial relationships that exist between us as individuals and as members of the Union. As a Member of Imo State House of Assembly, I can tell you here today that I am working very hard and making positive contributions to the debates. I have moved several motions and I am on the verge of sponsoring a Child Right Bill. To move the state forward, we are to a certain extent keyed to the ‘Rescue Mission’. And, as members of the PDP we can only support good and worthy programmes from the Executive’, he said.     

Group Photograph of Imo State Union (UK) Executive Members with Hon. Kingsley Dimaku and his Wife.

                                     

Signed: Omekiri Emmanuel Oguike, Publicity Sec.  Imo State Union, UK. Tel +447588199949

Gov Uduaghan Awards Umeh Road Contract To Boost Farming

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Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (right) being presented with a bunch of plantain by a member of the Umeh Community, during his unscheduled visit, Tuesday

…Gives contractor, Setraco, 18 months deadline
Delta State Government yesterday (Wednesday) awarded the contract for the construction of the 7.6 kilometre Umeh Road in Isoko South Local Government Area to Setraco Nigeria Limited at a cost of N3.625 billion.
 
The road project when completed would ease evacuation of agricultural produce from the locality to the rest of the state and beyond.
 
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had on Tuesday during an unscheduled visit to the area, following a Facebook page campaign which drew his attention to the situation of the road, informed that his administration was interested in the construction of the road because of the great agricultural potentials of the people adding that the farm produce from the area could feed the state and country in general.
 
The contract for the road project was awarded during a tender’s board meeting which gave a completion period of not more than 18 months.
 

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan arriving the Umeh Community, during his unscheduled visit, Tuesday

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan during the said visit, his second in a space of two months, to the largely agrarian Umeh community, said priority would be given to the construction of the deplorable access road linking the area to the outside world.
 
He explained that the community would enjoy the dividends of democracy after so many years of neglect by previous administrations.
 
Amid chants of political slogans by the community members, the governor said; “I did not come here for politics, I came here as the governor of the state, I am the governor to every Deltan.
 
“I assure you that the contract for the road will be awarded soon and it will be given to the best contractor to handle. I will do my part to see to the completion of the road. You will also do your part in increasing your farming proceeds,” Governor Uduaghan had assured during the visit.
 
Governor Uduaghan observed that he learnt about the deplorable situation of Umeh Road from the Facebook site created by Barr. Afohokor Duncan, an indigene of the community and decided to come and see things for himself.
 
He said “you people are sophisticated farmers, what I saw in your farm lands are wonderful. You people have gone far in Agriculture. I commend you.”
He also promised that the only primary school in the area would be renovated in addition to the construction of modern classroom blocks.
 
In a brief response, a community leader thanked the governor for the visit, saying “this is the first time we are seeing a governor in our midst. This shows that you have interest in our road.”
 
He commended the governor for the promise he made to renovate and re-build the primary school in the area adding that the community did not lobby for the dividends of democracy.

APGA, PDP Square up in Bonny House of Assembly Election war

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… As Hon Aye Pepple Face Renewed APGA  Litigation
 
Hon Aye Atamah Pepple of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, may have been pronounced winner in the last Rivers State House of Assembly election that took place in Bonny Constituency, but there are strong indications that all may not be uhuru for the lawmaker as Hon. Ajay Banigo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA who ran against him in the election has started instituting another process in a renewed legal tussle.
 
Following the outcome of a recent legal battle, involving the Labor party and the wife of former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu of the Action Congress, where the National Judicial Commission, NJC ordered that a matter that was scrapped by the tribunal in favor of a third party who never replied to a petition must be returned back to court, insisting that there was no basis for the matter to be scrapped when one of the respondents did not reply.  Counsel to the Bonny APGA House of Assembly candidate is putting his acts together with a view to renew its legal battle against the PDP opponent. The APGA counsel is praying the National Judicial Commission to intervene and return the matter between his client and Aye Pepple who wrongly benefited from the tribunal’s judgment in a case Pepple never responded to a tribunal petition against his supposed victory at the polls.
 
Banigo’s counsel is also banking on an order by the Chief Judge of the federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, that henceforth, all political litigations in court must be treated on its merit and not on the usual grounds of technicalities that has now been abused referencing the case involving the Akwa Ibom and Benue state governors which have since been ordered for re-trial.
Hon. Ajay Banigo is faulting the handling of his election petition at the State House of Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Port Harcourt insisting that the panel judges had no reason giving judgment in favour of a respondent that never replied to a petition and the ill fated ruling above the stipulated 60 days mark..
 
In a petition written to the Chief Justice of the federation and Chairman, National Judicial Commission, Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher, the APGA candidate held that consequent upon the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC declaring the PDP candidate, Hon. Aye Atamah Pepple winner without conformity with the realities on ground, the party had filed a petition at the tribunal, expecting the PDP respondents Hon. Aye Pepple to reply, however his counsel failed to reply at the stipulated time cand demanded to file the said reply at a time belated which was however not allowed by the tribunal.
 
The tribunal refused Pepple’s application for extension of time but surprisingly ordered that both the APGA and PDP parties be issued with pre-hearing conference forms TF 007 and TF 008 on the last day of the time allowed by the Electoral Act for the application for pre trial. Regardless of the perceived blunder by the tribunal, both parties complied and promptly, filled and submitted the forms as directed to the tribunal secretary.
 
However, in a controversial circumstance the PDP respondent allegedly brought an application urging the tribunal to dismiss the petition having been abandoned, and for the fact that the APGA candidate did not reply for pre trial within the stipulated time.
Based on this seeming conspiracy between the respondent and the tribunal panel, the APGA counsel argued the opposing application strenuously, holding that if the court had not on its own ordered the tribunal secretary to issue pre trial forms to his client they would have applied on that day.
 
In a desperate display of double standard unworthy of members of the honorable panel, and the fact that it reversed its earlier decision, the judge painfully went ahead to dismiss the APGA petition even as the respondent had nothing before the court.
 
Confused about the basis for the dismissal and the opposing application the APGA counsel queried who his client would have conferred with considering that a conference is bilateral, multilateral but never unilateral.
 
There were arguments, especially against the backdrop that the judges were well disposed of the realities on ground but still went ahead to make their decisions based on a “volte face” on the date of the ruling. This confusion left a serious question mark on what actually transpired between the date of the argument or motion and the date of the ruling.
 
The petition which was also copied to Hon. Justice M.L Uwais, Chairman of the National Judicial reform Committee and J.B Daudu, SAN National President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA it held that having detected errors in the judgment and the quest to seek justice the APGA candidate filed an appeal against the ruling with arguments made on 20th September 2011.
That further proved abortive as the panel has already taken sides delaying its own judgment without any conceivable excuse only to blatantly deliver a ruling outside the time prescribed by the law.
The judgment was done in error according to observers who recalled that the National Judicial Commission has ordered that all political litigations must be concluded within 6 months which obviously was over shot in contras to the period approved.
When some newsmen caught up with Ajay Banigo of APGA, he said the case will be pursued to its logical end querying the reason why people should be allowed to swallow hook line and sinker glaring cases of injustice perpetrated with impunity and without regard for the integrity of the judicial profession.
Others insist that the matter should be recalled and treated on its merit. The case is interestingly coming at a time a recent judgment between CPC and PDP was ruled with the Supreme Court handing down an order that 60 days must now be mandatory and not discretional for the Appeal Court judges to round up and give there final verdicts on political matters.
 
If the position of the Chief Justice of the federation is anything to go by, then there is need for the Banigo vs Aye matter to be recalled having been judged along the lines of technicalities as Banigo had an obvious case that shouldn’t have been swept under the carpet.
The APGA petitioners are appealing to the relevant authorities to use their good offices to cause an open and unbiased review of the petition starting from the tribunal up to the court of appeal with a view to unraveling the truth of the matter and to do substantial justice to the oppressed.
When newsmen caught up with the APGA candidate he expressed confident that in this time of judicial reforms, expressing confidence that the NJC would accede to his request as it was obvious the APGA candidate was judicially swindled and cheated in a clear rape of justice aided by the government in power in Rivers state. The APGA counsel who has never hidden his dissatisfaction with the judges involved in the case further held that the two judges on both panels were obviously compromised.

Adamawa Governor, Nyako Critically Ill In German Hospital

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Information available to 247ureports.com indicate that the Peoples Democratic Party’s [PDP] governor of Adamawa State has been admitted to one of the VIP hospitals in Germany. The Governor who had travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage two weeks ago have yet to return to Nigeria. This is as his aides that had travelled with him returned last week.

According to the information gathered, the Governor of Adamawa State, Malam Nyako had departed for the annual hajj pligrimage to Saudi Arabia two weeks ago.  He went with his ADC and other skeletal staff. Upon arrival, the governor appeared physically healthy and showed no signs of illness. But as the religious rites began and the walk around the Holy site started, 247ureports.com learnt that the governor collapsed as he bent over to pick a stone. The collapse injured the governor – who was immediately flown to Germany for treatment.

Sources at the Adamawa State government house confirmed that the Governor travelled to Germany from Saudi Arabia. They also confirmed that the ADC to the Governor returned briefly to the Governor’s Office to collect ‘something’ believed to money. It was not certain what the ADC returned to collect but his visit to Adawama was for one day before he returned to Germany.

In talking to associates of the Nyako family, they denied that the governor had been admitted to a hospital in Germany. But they stated that Gov Nyako was in Germany to visit Gen Ibrahim Babangida who is said to be a patient in a hospital in Germany.

The Secretary to the State Government [SSG] spoke to 247ureports.com. As he was asked for the whereabouts of the Governor, he gave a response stating he was sitting with the Governor somewhere in Abuja [8pm]. “The Governor is very healthy”, the SSG added.

Stay tuned

AG, SAN Disagree Over Anambra Council Polls As Court Adjourns Suit Again

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*orders status quo ante bellum

An Anambra State High Court 3, presided over by Justice H.O. Ozor, yesterday(Wednesday) further adjourned hearing in the suit filed by Prof. Titus Eze, the embattled Chairman of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), in which he is challenging his removal from office Sept 6, 2011by the State Government following an allegation of financial impropriety.

The matter has now again been adjourned to December 6 for the adoption of addresses by the parties, preparatory to the delivery of the judgement.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuma, applied for another “short adjournment” to enable him file response to the application made by counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), which prayed the court to restrain the State government from appointing a new chairman of ANSIEC until the suit is heard and determined. 

Chukwuma, while applying for the adjournment assured the court that, “ My papers are not ready. I give an undertaking on behalf of the defendants, that the Governor will not appoint, and the Assembly will not confirm any person to occupy the chairmanship position until this case is over. We will wait.”

Ibegbu, counsel to Prof Eze did not oppose the application for adjournment based on what he said was his belief that the Anambra State Government would abide by the undertaking given by the attorney general not to appoint any chairman for the commission until the case was disposed of.

 According to the counsel, “In view of the undertaking which is firm that the status quo ante bellum will be maintained. I will concede to the application; and in view of the fact that His Lordship in the interest of justice wants to dispose of this matter.”

However, speaking to reporters after the session, Chukwuma and Ibegbu in their separate interviews disagreed sharply over the consequence of the electoral commission not having a substantive chairman before the local government elections is conducted.

While Chukwuma said the removal of the commission’s chairman does not affect any aspect or legality of functions of the commission, Ibegbu said the commission cannot conduct any election without its substantive chairman.

The attorney general emphasized that no acting or substantive chairman has been appointed for the commission, but that whenever members of the commission meet in the absence of the chairman, they could appoint from among themselves someone that will preside over the meeting.

“They (the commission) do not need a substantive chairman to conduct the local government elections. The law makes provision for a situation as this. ANSIEC is alive and kicking,” he said.

But Ibegbu, the counsel to the ousted ANSIEC Chairman, said though the day-today administrative functions of ANSIEC cannot be crippled because of the absence of a substantive chairman, the local government election cannot be conducted without a substantive chairman, as that was supported by the enabling law.

“They cannot conduct the election without the Chairman of ANSIEC. That is why the judge has given an accelerated hearing to the matter.

“The relevant provisions of the Constitution give them (members of the commission) the authority to be appointed and stay for five years. They are not appointed for fun. A member cannot play the role of a chairman,” Ibegbu said.

The lead counsel said that not only was his client unlawfully remo0ved from office, he argued that he was not given any hearing at all by the house of assembly, which removed him. “It is not a case of fair hearing. It is a case of no hearing at all,” he said.

In the substantive suit, the former ANSIEC chairman is urging the court to declare his purported sack as the Chairman of ANSIEC was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and of no effect.

He is also praying the court to declare that the proceedings of the Anambra State House of Assembly of September 6, 2011 purporting to remove him from office was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.

Eze further prayed the court to declare that he is still and remains the valid and lawful chairman of ANSIEC.

Local government elections have not been conducted in Anambra State since 2003.

EFCC Docks Kogi Governorship Aspirant’s Scammer Over N60m Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, November 16th, 2011,  docked  one Muhammad Al Ameen Al Haleel  on a four count charge bordering on fraudulent dealings and obtaining the sum of N60million under false pretences.

Specifically, Al Haleel was docked for defrauding a People’s Democratic Party, PDP’s  governorship aspirant in Kogi state, Dr Shuaibu Sani Teidi, a former Director of Pension in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the federation  was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna.

 Troubles came for Al Haleel  when he conned Shuaibu the sum of N60 million with a promise to get him a soft landing from the EFCC as well as facilitate a meeting between him and the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Vice President Mohammod Namadi Sambo to ensure that Shuaibu got nominated as the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi state.

Shuaibu,  a former Director, Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, victim of the N60million scam, is also an accused person  standing trial by the EFCC over a N4.56 billion Pension scam. He is being tried alongside 39 other accused persons.

When the charges were read to Al Haleel, he pleaded not guilty to the four count charges. This spurred his counsel, Muhammad Said Garuba to make an oral application for bail as he urged the judge to use his discretion. But prosecution counsel, Austin Emumejakpor opposed the bail application, as he said that the application should be made formally.

Justice Shuaibu while ruling on the bail application,  said discretion cannot be exercised in vacuum as he maintained that a written application and a supporting  affidavit  had to be placed before the court.

The Judge also warned parties to the case to avoid any legal technicalities that could delay the case. He adjourned the matter till  November 30th  and December 1st , 2011 for trial. He ordered the accused person to be remanded in maximum prison,  Kaduna.

Count two of the four count charge reads “That you Mohamed Al Ameen Al Haleel on or about the January 2010, at Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, did with the intent to defraud, obtained the sum of fifty million naira (50,000,000) by false pretences from Dr. Shuaibu Sani Teidi of no 2 Toni Ani Road, finance Quarters, Wuye, Abuja that same would be given to the chairman of EFCC for general clearance which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) (a) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud related offences act,2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of same act”.

 Femi Babafemi

Head, Media & Publicity

16/11/2011

FGN To Demolish Anambra Liaison Office, Sen Obiorah, Mbadinuju Fingered In Mega Fraud [Documents Included]

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Information available to 247ureports.com indicate that the activities of political goons and thugs of the dark period of Anambra State appears to have unearthened one of its many resultant and embarrassing effects. This is as the federal government of Nigeria under the leadershipof President Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan, amidst the climate of Boko Haram induced insecurity, charged the government of Anambra State with an immediate order to complete its abandoned Abuja Liaison office – or have it demolished.
This charge was handed by the Jonathan adminstration following security concerns by security experts who fear that the uncompleted liaison office building will serve as a staging grounds for terrorism groups to attack other liaison offices located in the area – particularly the national christian center located across the street and the Kano liaison office building located on the other side of the street.
 
The Anambra State Government during the Mbadinuju administration [1999 – 2003] had entered into a “Lease, Build, Manage, Operate and Transfer” agreement with a company, Harlesden Engineering Limited, owned by Senator Ikechukwu Obiora, to source own funds and complete the Anambra Liaison Office Building in Abuja.  At the time of the agreement, the liaison office had already been 80 percent completed by Mr. Nwandu, an Enugu based contractor.
See the 8-page contract agreement below.
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Letter To Paul B
According tothe loosely drafted contract agreement, it was estimated that N365, 000,000 would be required to complete and equip the edifice. The agreement whichwas signed on 16th May 2003 stipulated that Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah’s firm would own and do whatever it wished with the imposing four storey building for 15 years – after the 3years required to complete the construction. Obiorah’s firm would pay the government the paltry annual rent of N500, 000 for 15years equivalent to N7.5million in rent for 15years. A source from Anambra State stated that “the abandoned edifice can easily fetch a minimum rent of N100 million a year “. But the agreement stipulated that the rent would not be varied or scaled upwards for any reason.
Cursory investigations conducted by associates of 247ureports.com revealed that Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah was posing as a ‘front’ for the then governor of Anambra State, Gov Mbadinuju. The contract agreement was drafted in a manner to give unfettered ownership of the Anambra Liaison office to Obiorah’s firm for 15years –  in return for a rentage of N500,000 per year to Anambra State  [-which is equivalent the rentage for a boys quater in Central Business Area, Abuja]. The agreement also stipulated that after completion of the Anambra liaison office, the government Anambra will not have access to the examine the facility unless it writes a letter with a three [3] months notice – to allow for access to be arranged. The agreement allows for the duo of Senator Obiorah and Gov Mbadinuju to operate the facilty as they desired – either as a hotel, an office building, etc.
Adding gravitas to the fermenting stench,  the Firm belonging to Senator Obiorah, through the 8years it was awarded the contract, did nothing on the building – thus allowing the building to become habitation grounds for settlers to camp within the uncomplete building – prompting the Fed Government to give an ultimatum to the government of Anambra State to immediately complete the building or have it pulled down. However sources untangled the reasons for Senator Obiorah’s abandonment of the project. They stated that since Gov Mbadinuju failed in his bid to return to office in 2003, Senator Obiorah abandoned Mbadinuju and the project.
Meanwhile the Anambra State government is not taking the federal government threat easy. The Anambra State Government, in respponse, sought legal advise from the office of the Attorney General [AGF] of the Federation concerning the agreement and the way forward. As gathered, the AGF, having examined the agreement, advised the Anambra State government to re-award a contract to complete the building.
  
In September 2011, as advised, Anambra State governmet awarded the contract to another reputable firm – PAUL B Plc –  for the sum of N500,000,000 without mobilisation.  The new company has promised to complete the job in 36 weeks.
 
As PAUL B Plc mobilised to site to begin work on Monday, Senator Obiorah appeared on site with men of the Nigerian Police Force [NPF] to threaten arrest of workers from Paul B PLC. The work site turned near dangerous for the workers. The Police officers under instructions from Senator Obiorah ordered for work to be stopped. And work on the abandoned project was stopped again.
Stay tuned  

Jonathan Doles Billions to Quell National Assembly Members

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In an abrupt and unannounced manner, the members of the National Assembly [NASS] boarded three NASS coaster buses headed to Aso Rock for an emergency meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at 3pm today. Members who were summoned by President Jonathan to the Villa, exited the NASS building through the back away for the public view. Information available to 247ureports.com indicate that the President, following the failed attempt by the Senator to cast a vote of no confidence on his administration, summoned the lawmakers to a ‘closed door’ briefing and discussions.

It is recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday escaped the angst of Nigeria’s lawmakers at the Upper Legislative Chamber due to the worsening security situation and the manner the radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram had been handled.  

The latest development comes on the heels of the Federal Government recent proposal to slash the budget of the NASS by near 50% – of which sources close to the NASS member indicate that the lawmakers remain unhappy over the proposed reduction in their pay and budgets, and have sought to set traps for the President, in return.

But one of the NASS members who spoke to 247ureports.com revealed that more delicate issues were raised that bordered on security and other pertinent but tangential issues. The lawmaker informed that the country appears at a “point of tough decisions“. He denied that any monies were shared at the session. But close aides to the lawmakers revealed that monies were disbursed amounting to over 1billion Naira.

stay tuned

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