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Tag: 2015 general election

  • 2015 election: ‘Diezani collected N23bn from three oil marketers’

    2015 election: ‘Diezani collected N23bn from three oil marketers’

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Friday heard that a former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke allegedly collected N23billion ($115.01million) from three oil marketers ahead of the 2015 general election.

    An investigator, Usman Zakari, said she allegedly distributed the money to People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chiefs and others.

    Zakari was testifying before Justice Muslim Hassan in the trial of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide.

    She was charged along with former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ayo Adeseun; a PDP leader in Oyo State, Chief Olarenwaju Otiti and Mrs Alison-Madueke, who is said to be at large.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused them of conspiring to directly take possession of N650million, which they reasonably ought to have known was part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

    Zakari, the second prosecution witness, said Akinjide and others allegedly received N650million cash in March 2015 at the Dugbe branch of a bank in Ibadan on Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s instructions, and that the money was part of N23billion which the former oil minister kept in the bank.

    According to the witness, the N23billion was the naira equivalent of $115.01million which Mrs Alison-Madueke allegedly collected from three oil marketers, including Lano Adesanya, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

    Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Zakari said the commission received a “Category A intelligence” about a meeting at Mrs Alison-Madueke’s house in December 2014 with the bank’s Managing Director and some oil marketers.

    According to Zakari, she told the bank chief that the oil marketers would bring hard currencies to the bank, and that he should keep the money until further directives.

    The witness said Autus Integrated Limited took $17.8million to the bank; Northern Belt Oil and Gas lodged $60million; while Mid-Western Oil Services Limited paid $9.5million.

    “An individual, Lano Adesanya, brought the sum of $1.8million. Our findings further revealed that the three oil marketers made payment of the sum of $89million and some fractions.

    “Investigations further revealed that the then petroleum minister’s aides made available $25million and some fractions in suitcases…,” the witness said.

    Zakari said Mrs Alison-Madueke directed the bank to convert the dollars to naira, which was complied with, after which she allegedly directed that the defendants be paid.

    “They signed for the money and took it to the residence of the first defendant (Akinjide). The defendants made cash payment of N650million without going through any financial institution, an amount which was more than the amount authorised by law to be paid in cash,” Zakari said.

    He said Akinjide and Adeseun “admitted making cash payments in that amount.”

    Defence counsel Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) and Michael Lana urged the court to expunge Zakari’s evidence because he did not personally witness the meeting at Mrs Alison-Madueke’s house or the cash withdrawal at the bank.

    But, Oyedepo argued that Zakari’s evidence was not hearsay but was based on his investigative findings.

    “In view of the fact that the evidence that PW2 gave was the discovery he made in the course of his investigation, the law is settled that such evidence cannot amount to hearsay,” Oyedep said.

    Justice Hassan adjourned till March 23.

    Read Also: Court orders forfeiture of Diezani’s $4.760m penthouses

  • Diezani ‘bribed’ INEC officials with N264m to rig polls – Witness

    Diezani ‘bribed’ INEC officials with N264m to rig polls – Witness

    The Federal High Court in Lagos heard on Wednesday that two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) employees, Christian Nwosu and Yisa Adegoyin, allegedly received N264million from former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to rig the 2015 general elections.

    A prosecution witness, Timothy Olaobaju, said the money was paid to Nwosu and Adedoyin in cash.

    He stated these while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, in the trial of Nwosu and Tijani Inda Bashir before Justice Idris.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused the duo of receiving gratification from the former minister.

    Adedoyin had pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted following a plea bargain.

    Olaobaju, who was his bank’s head of operations in Ilorin, Kwara State, said he paid the Nwosu and Adedoyin the cash based on Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s instructions.

    He said: “I was the Head of Operations for Ilorin Branch where I had cause to meet Nwosu and Adedoyin. Sometime in 2015, there was a meeting between our Managing Director and the former Petroleum minister during which she explained that some companies and individuals would come to the bank to pay some money into some accounts.

    “The companies were Northern Belt Limited, Actus Integrated Limited, Midwestern Company and one Mr. Leno Laitan. In addition, she said certain individuals would bring some cash to be kept for her.

    “A total sum of $89million was paid into the accounts. A cash sum of $25million was brought, totaling $114million. The money was kept in the bank pending her instruction as agreed.

    “On March 26, 2014, we got instruction that the money should be converted to naira. After it was converted, it was about N23billion. There was a list of beneficiaries that was sent, to be paid across the 36 states of the federation, including Kwara. I handled the transactions in my branch.”

    He said the defendants came to his office to collect the cash payment, and that he only acted on instruction.

    “There was an instruction that Nwosu and Adedoyin be paid N264, 880,000. The instruction came from the head office based on instruction from Mrs. Alison-Madueke and they were paid. They signed a receipt of payment for the money they collected,” Olaobaju said.

    The witness said after the defendants were paid, they left with the cash and did not pay it into any account.

    Under cross examination by defence counsel, Obinna Okereke and Nelson Imoh, the witness said he did not know the purpose of the payment.

    “The only instruction we had was that they should bring means of identification and should be paid. They even waited for the money to be released to them. We did not know the purpose of the payment,” he said.

     

  • Why PDP endorsed Jonathan for 2015 – Dickson

    Why PDP endorsed Jonathan for 2015 – Dickson

    The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has explained the reasons why the Peoples Democratic Party unanimously endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2015 general election.

    He said the action of the party was to institutionalize the right of first refusal for any incumbent President.

    The governor said the PDP by the move has set a new precedent that will give any incumbent President the right to fly the party’s flag without undergoing an elective primary.

    Dickson said the new thinking would also reduce the huge cost and internal wraggling associated with a primary election.

    He spoke on Tuesday night during an interactive session with the members of the Federated Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    Dickson expressed optimism that the right of first refusal given to President Jonathan would promote stability in the political system and unity among the party members.

    He insisted that the party’s gesture was being misconstrued in some quarters to mean a declaration of sole candidacy.

    The governor said, “It is not a declaration of sole candidacy. What we have done is to stabilise the political system.

    “What we have done is to say that we don’t want to subject our members to the costly and stressful experiences. What we have said is that once you are a President from a political party, you have a right of first refusal. It will reduce in-fighting and cost of lobbying and campaigns.

    “Whoever comes after Jonathan, will no longer have issues with intra-party conflicts But he will have right of first refusal. In the first term of an administration, there is much in-fighting.

    “If the right of first refusal had been institutionalized in the past, former President Olusegun Obasanjo wouldn’t have been subjected to such issues that came up before his re-election.”

    Dickson maintained that democracy should not be about conflicts and unnecessary intrigues but about the stability of institutions.

    “If President Goodluck Jonathan refuses, then the elective convention will be conducted. This decision is provided for by the electoral law,” he stated.

     

  • Nigerians will support Jonathan’s 2015 bid – Maku

    Nigerians will support Jonathan’s 2015 bid – Maku

    The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said on Thursday that President Goodluck Jonathan would get up to 95 per cent of votes from Nasarawa State in the 2015 presidential election.

    Maku made this known to journalists after Peoples’ Democratic Party’s stakeholders’ consultative forum in Akwanga, Nassarawa State.

    He said that Jonathan had immensely improved the lot of the state by establishing a university in the state, a Central Bank building, Court of Appeal, Federal Secretariat, roads and bridges.

    “If you look at what is happening in Nigeria today, there is no reason for the people of Nigeria not to rise in support of Mr. President.

    “If you look at what this President has done in Nassarawa State, in 2015 the president should expect 95 per cent of the votes in the presidential election in Nassarawa State.

    “As you have seen here, the youth are saying it must be Goodluck, the women are saying it must be Goodluck, the elders are saying it must be Goodluck.

    “It is clear to every Nigerian that if election is conducted today, the President will take 70 per cent of the votes in the south, what we saw in Ibadan was very clear,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying at the forum.

    He said the people of the state had insisted that rotation of the presidency was usually after eight years and as such, Mr. President must be supported to complete the remaining four-year term of the South-South.

    Maku said the South-South had never ruled the nation before even though that region is the main source of the nation’s wealth, adding that power would return to the north by 2019.

    He said that sitting president or governors should not be compelled to go for party primaries, but should emerge automatically as consensus candidates.

     

  • Group kickoff new media campaign for good governance

    Group kickoff new media campaign for good governance

    The Executive Director, Enough is Enough, Yemi Adamolekun has called on civil society groups to explore the use of social media platform for improve governance, transparency and accountability in Nigeria.

    Adamolekun made this known at a press conference organized at the Launch of Project and Campaign toward the 2015 General Election in Nigeria held last week at NECA office, Alausa, Lagos.

    The project which is anchored on Register, Select, Vote and Protect your Vote is in conjunction with conjunction with Kudirat Initiative For Democracy (KIND), Community Life Project and Reclaim Nigeria.

    According to her, the need to leverage on social media tool and information which will be help enable more Nigerians to be are aware of their right and responsibilities as citizens to ensure that our elected and appointed officials are accountable to the people the serve is imperative”,

    She said that the electoral process is at the heart of our work and we have spent the last two years building social media tools and networks to deepen youth engagement in governance.

    She said that only constructive engagement on a platform of knowledge in an atmosphere of mutual respect can bring about enduring positive change and development in Nigeria.

    She asserted that the new media is a powerful tool for socio-economic and political change and government and other institutes responsible to the well being of its citizens cannot ignore.

    “There are approximately five million Nigerians on facebook. If each person reaches and influences five people based on the information they are exposed to, that 25 million people more aware. Imagine the ripple effect”, she said.

    Adamolekun opined that with the current state of the nation, 2015 will be an important milestone in Nigeria’s history. As such, we are focused on organising the youth vote to be effective and transformational and also want to communicate numbers that the youth vote must count.”

    She added that the technology tools to be showcased include: Revoda, the election monitoring mobile app launched in 2011 as well as the crowd sourcing platform, shineyoureye.org and all activities that are anchored on its official election campaign: Register, Select, Vote and Protect Your Vote which was launched in 2010.

    “We will share experience and knowledge of tools used around the world and explores possibilities for adaptation, particularly pertaining to key governance issues such as budget tracking and security.

    She opined that government cannot afford to ignore new media as it has made it easier for citizens  to make their voices heard and force government official to response.

    “We need to leverage on the tool and information to ensure that more Nigerians  are aware of their right and responsibilities as citizens to ensure that our elected and appointed officials are accountable to the people the serve”, she said.

    In her words, The Executive Director of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, Mrs. Amy Odekunle whose participation is to mobilize women and the girl child for the campaign said Women must be part of the conversation as that would help further drive home their demand for a better world.

    She said ‘although we have been training women and the girl to be self reliance and productive, but they must also be involve in the socio-economic agenda of our country as their lives and the lives of their children depend on in for survival”

    On his own part, A Representative from Community life Project, Mr. Chuks, said that civil engagement must be grassroots oriented if truly Nigerians will be included in the effort to demand transparency and accountability in governance.

  • 2015: No zoning in Enugu State – Ekweremadu

    2015: No zoning in Enugu State – Ekweremadu

    Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West), on Monday said there was no zoning arrangement for elective offices in Enugu State in the 2015 general elections.

    Ekweremadu’s position is contrary to media report that the governorship position in the state has been zoned to Enugu North Senatorial District by the State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He also said the Senate Committee on Constitution Review would submit its report this week.

    He said he has no gubernatorial ambition for 2015.

    The Deputy Senate President, who spoke to journalists in Abuja, said he would be glad if somebody from Enugu North becomes the governor of the State in 2015, “but not on the basis of zoning.”

    Ekweremadu said: “There is no zoning in Enugu. I am not aware and nobody is aware.

    “I have been in politics in Enugu since the beginning of this particular dispensation.

    “People from every part of the state have vied but somehow, somebody would win.

    “So, I am sure that our brothers from Nsukka understand that clearly. I stand to be challenged.

    “I want anybody to tell me a document or a meeting where the governorship of Enugu has ever been zoned since 1999.

    “I will be happy if somebody from Enugu North becomes governor but not on the basis of zoning.

    “Probably they are the only one that has not produced the governor of the state but like I said, it has nothing to do with zoning. There is nothing like zoning in Enugu as at today.

    “Until zoning is done, I don’t think anybody who wants to run from other parts of the state can be stopped. But for me, I am not running for governorship.”

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review said the panel would submit its report this week.

    He said: “I believe that God willing, by this week, we should be laying the report of the Senate Committee on Constitution

     

    Review on the table.”

  • 2015: Northern governors can’t stop Jonathan – Clark

    2015: Northern governors can’t stop Jonathan – Clark

     

    Prominent leader of the South-South, Chief Edwin Clark, on Tuesday inferred that President Goodluck Jonathan remains the sole candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and cannot be stopped by the Northern Governors Forum.

    Recalling the practice in the United States of America, he said “an incumbent remains the sole candidate of a political party if he or she is willing to contest for a second term.”

    Clark spoke at his residence in Abuja where he addressed Journalists on the open letter to Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Babangida Aliyu.

    The elder statesman lambasted Aliyu for insisting that Jonathan entered an agreement with the north governors to serve for only one term.

    He also said he was embarrassed by Aliyu’s interview published in some national dailies that it is only him (Clark) and those who will benefit that are campaigning for Jonathan to contest in 2015.

    The octogenarian said the remarks against him “are most unfortunate and ridiculous.”

    Recalling the pedigree of the governor as an accomplished civil servant before retiring into politics, he cautioned the governor against making “inflammatory and provocative statements” that can divide the country.

    Expressing belief in one Nigeria, Clark said no group will allow itself to be subjected to a cause by another.

    “What do they expect me to explain to my own child; that you have no right to aspire to the highest post even if you have the qualification.”

    Responding to a question, the Second Republic Minister of Information said Jonathan would make his position on the 2015 election known next year.

    He recalled that the president had embargoed campaign for 2015 adding, “it will be stupid of me to ask him if he would contest now.”