The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abacha

  • Two arrested in UK over £20m Abacha loot

    Two arrested in UK over £20m Abacha loot

    The last is yet to be heard about looted funds traced to ex- Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, as £20m(N5.12billion) laundered through some lawyers in Britain is being probed.

    Two suspects, including a former Attorney-General of Kogi State, have been arrested in London in connection with the loot

    The two suspects, who were trying to convert a 1994 CBN Traveller’s Cheque worth £2,000 at Travelex are undergoing interrogation in London.

    Upon a search in the suspects’ hotel in London, it was gathered, about £78,000 traveller’s cheque was found on them.

    There were indications that the UK Police may invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance to seek the extradition of Mohammed Sanni, who is allegedly linked to the probe.

    A source said: “The arrest of two Nigerian suspects (including a former Attorney-General of Kogi State) has triggered the latest round of investigation.

    “With the £20million loot in their care, they decided to test the waters with £80,000. So, the two suspects took £2,000 Traveller’s Cheque purchased by the CBN in 1994 to Travelex to get some cash but the desk officers were suspicious because of the time frame.

    “The attendants alerted security agencies who arrested the suspects and later searched their hotel rooms where additional £78,000 worth of traveler’s cheque was found.

    “The security agencies are working on the suspicion that the suspects were on a laundering mission in the UK as part of moves to repatriate the alleged £20million stashed by the late Head of State.”

    The Press Bureau of the Metropolitan Police last night said: “We have contacted officers to get any details of this incident. We will reply in due course as and when we have them.”

    The Abachas were alleged to have laundered about $3billion cash.

    The Federal Government has so far recovered more than $2.550billion.

    The government is trying to trace the whereabouts of $450million hidden in many countries.

    A Federal Government counsel on repatriation of Abacha loot, Mr. Tim Daniel, had said about $2.550billion of $3billion had been so far recovered by the Federal Government from the late Abacha’s accounts and his family.

    He gave the breakdown as follows: voluntary surrender ($750m); Switzerland ($570m); Jersey ($380m); UK($150m); Luxembourg ($300m); and Liechtenstein ($400m).

    A few months after the 13th year anniversary of Abacha’s death, the Federal Government recovered£22.5m (N6.18billion) loot which the late Head of State, allegedly stashed in Jersey.

    The £20million being investigated is alleged to be part of the outstanding $450million.

  • How $1bn Malabu Oil deal was struck

    •Abacha, Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan connections revealed

    • US, UK envoys get details of the agreements

     

    Federal Government’s inconsistency in the allocation and revocation of Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL 245) between 1998 and 2001 is largely responsible for the controversy surrounding the payment of $1.092 billion to Malabu Oil, according to fresh details of the deal obtained yesterday.

    The payment to the company owned by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Dan Etete, bordered on violation of agreement.

    Though the contract was first awarded by the late General Sani Abacha, it has been a recurring decimal through the subsequent administrations of Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

    The Resolution Agreements signed by the Federal Government with Malabu Oil, Shell Nigeria Ultra-Deep Limited, (SNUD) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited (SNEPCO) were approved by President Jonathan in 2011 following the amicable settlement of suits relating to OPL at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICISD Arbitration).

    Signatories to the Malabu and SNUD Resolution Agreements, based on an April 29, 2011 presidential directive, were the then Minister of Finance, Mr. Olusegun Aganga ( now Minister of Trade and Investment); Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke ( SAN); Vice-Chairman /Managing Director and Company Secretary of SNUD; and the then Group Managing Director of NNPC, Austin Oniwon and Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser, Director and Secretary of SNEPCO.

    In its Claimant’s Memorial before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, Shell Ultra Deep Limited named those who were involved or intervened at various stages in the OPL 245 dispute with Malabu Oil and Gas as Obasanjo; ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Edmund Daukoru; Ex-NNPC GMD, Gaius Obaseki; former DG of SSS, Col. Kayode Are; Special Assistant to the President on Petroleum Matters, Mr. Funsho Kupolokun; NAPIMS; JP Morgan; a board member of Royal Dutch Shell, Mr. Malcom Brinded; the then Director of DPR, Mr. Macaulay Ofurhe; and Assistant Director of DPR, Mr. Andrew Obaje

    It was gathered last night that copies of the Malabu Oil Agreements had been forwarded by government to the British High Commissioner in Abuja and the US Ambassador.

    The British Police had indicated interest in probing the deal.

    Besides, principal officers of the National Assembly have been served copies of the agreements to enable them understand what a source described as reasons for the decision of government to resolve the disputes over OPL 245 instead of allowing the oil block lie fallow.

    An introductory note on the controversy gave insight into how Malabu Oil and Gas became a stakeholder in the petroleum sector.

    It said: “Records indicate that Malabu, an indigenous Oil and Gas company was allocated OPL 245 in April 1998 by the FGN in furtherance of its Indigenous Exploration Programme Policy introduced in the early 1990s to encourage effective development of indigenous capability in the upstream factor of the oil industry.

    “Malabu and other indigenous Oil and Gas companies were accordingly allocated Oil Blocks which they were expected to develop in partnership with international oil companies as Technical Partners.

    “Malabu had in accordance with the terms of the grant, appointed Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) as its Technical Partner.”

    One of the agreements, shedding light on how the deal was struck, said: “Whereas on the 29th of April 1998, the Federal Government of granted an Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL 245) over oil block 245(Block 245 to Malabu.

    “On 30th March 2001, Malabu and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) entered into a Farm-in Agreement, and a Deed of Assignment under which Malabu assigned 40 per cent equity interest in OPL 245 to SNUD.

    “On the 2nd July 2001, FGN revoked OPL 245. By a letter dated the 23rd May 2002, the then Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, on behalf of FGN awarded Block 245 to SNUD on the basis of a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) following a competitive bid with another international oil company, on the invitation of the FGN.

    “On 22nd December 2003, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) executed a PSC with SNUD (hereinafter referred to as the 2003 PSC ) granting SNUD the right to exclusively operate Block 245 as contractor for a term of 30 years.

    “Subsequent to the revocation referred to in paragraph C above and the execution of the 2003 PSC, various law suits involving FGN, Malabu, and SNUD, were filed to determine disputes arising from the revocation of OPL 245 by the FGN, the termination of the agreements between Malabu and SNUD and the execution of the 2003 PSC in respect thereof, with SNUD.

    “On 30th November 2006, the FGN executed a settlement agreement with Malabu wherein the FGN, without admission of liability for any alleged wrongful, unlawful, unjust or any like conduct agreed to re-allocate Block 245 to Malabu in consideration of Malabu discharging and releasing the FGN from all claims and suits filed by Malabu against the FGN in connection with the revocation of Malabu’s interest on 2nd July 2001.

    “As a result of the execution of the settlement agreement, a number of dispute resolution proceedings were initiated by SNUD against FGN and/ or Malabu, including Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) arbitration No. ARB/07/8 pending at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes ( ICSD Arbitration) to enforce SNUD’s rights to exclusively operate Block 245 as Contractor on the basis of the2003 PSC beaten NNPC and SNUD.

    “The cases remaining between FGN, Malabu and SNUD are (I) CA/A/25M/ 2003- SNUD vs. The House of Representatives and Malabu ; (ii ) ICC No. 12136 MS(C12137 MS) SNUD vs. Malabu ( Arbitration with resulting award in favour of SNUD delivered on 20th December 2004 and costs of $2.735million awarded against Malabu; iii FHC/NRJ/ 01/2009-SNUD vs. Malabu, by which the ICC Award was registered on 29 March 2010, making it enforceable in Nigeria; iv ICSD Case No. ARB/07/18-Bilateral Investment Treaty arbitration between SNUD and the FGN (Ruling pending).

    “On 2nd July 2010, FGN again issued a letter to Malabu, re-allocating Block 245 to Malabu. FGN has decided to resolve its differences with Malabu amicably with respect to Block 245.

    “Pursuant to paragraphs above and with the full concurrence and agreement of Malabu, FGN is willing to reallocate Block 245 to Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Shell Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO) in accordance with the terms of a reallocation agreement of even date to be entered into between FGN, SNUD, SNEPCO, NAE AND NNPC (Reallocation Agreement).

    “Now therefore, FGN and Malabu have agreed as follows with respect to Block 245:

    “All existing, claimed, asserted or disputed rights and privileges of Malabu, contracts and arrangements arising from or pursuant to Blick 245 whether such rights and privileges existed, are claimed, asserted or disputed among themselves, or against the whole world ( including SNUD or any party claiming through SNUD) shall at the Execution Date, be substituted by the following arrangement.

    “FGN agrees to pay to Malabu subject to Clause 2 and 3, the sum of US $1.092,040,000 in full and final settlement of any and all claims, interests or rights relating to or in connection with Block 245.

    “Malabu, as stipulated in Clause 4 herein settles and waives any and all claims, interests, or rights relating to or in connection with Block 245 and hereby consents to the reallocation of the interests in Block by the FGN as granted in Clause 1.3 herein.”

  • ‘Villains’ of June 12 struggle

    ‘Villains’ of June 12 struggle

    Nigerians on Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the most credible election ever conducted in the history of the country.

    The June 12, 1993 presidential election that was controversially annulled by Ibrahim Babangida –led military junta pitched the billionaire business mogul -turned politician – the late Chief M.K.O Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party against Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, who contested the election on the platform of the proscribed National Republican Convention.

    Abiola, who died in prison on July 8, 1998, was coasting to a landslide victory in the poll until the Armed Forces Ruling Council announced its cancellation via a terse statement on June 21, 1993.

    The protests that followed the controversial decision pushed the country closer to another civil war until the former military president was forced to step aside on August 26, 2003. That development ushered in the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan, who was also ousted in a palace coup by the late Gen. Sani Abacha in November 17, 2003.

    Gen. Abacha died on June 8, 1998 in a mysterious circumstance.

    While many Nigerians genuinely laid claims to the sobriquet of “heroes and heroines of June 12 struggle and albeit democracy.” There are others whose roles in the “extermination” of the June 12 dream would never be forgotten even by generations unborn.

    They played varying roles in extinguishing the collective hope and aspirations of millions of Nigeria who came out on that historical day to elect the candidate of their choice.

    To many Nigerians these people are “Judas Iscariot” of our time because they sold their conscience for “a piece of silver.” Ironically many of them are now major beneficiaries of the present democratic experiment, occupying public offices both at state and national level.

    HAMED SHOBIYE, Assistant Editor, Online looks at some of the “perceived villains” of the June 12 struggle.

     

    Ibrahim Babangida:

    Babangida was the head of the military government that controversially annulled Nigeria’s most credible election. He was forced to step aside after nationwide protests pushed Nigeria closer to another civil war.

    Sani Abacha:

    The late head of state was a frontline member of AFRC, the military council that annulled the election.

    He allegedly played pivotal roles in the annulment and also controversially incarcerated the presumed winner of the poll who later died in detention.

    His government pushed Nigeria closer to civil war. But he died mysteriously and paved way for Nigeria’s return to civil rule.

    Arthur Nzeribe:

    The controversial former senator also played huge roles in the annulment of that historic election.

    He founded the controversial Association for Better Nigeria alongside one Abimbola Davies. The ABN obtained an interim court injunction to stop the election, a development that paved ways for the poll eventual annulment.

    Nzeribe later became a senator when Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

    Uche Chukwumerije:

    A senator in the current National Assembly was a strong member of Abacha’s kitchen cabinet and campaign vigorously against the election within and outside the country.

    Walter Ofonagoro:

    Another very vocal opponent of the June 12 struggle. He was the unofficial spokesman of Abacha’s government.

    Lamidi Adedibu:

    The late strongman of Ibadan politics was a very visible opponent of the June 12 struggle. He wined and dined with the military authorities. He also provided useful information on the activities of the National Democratic Coalition, a pro-democracy group that was in the fore-front of the struggle, to the late Abacha and his hatchet men.

    Ironically, the late Ibadan high chief was one of the major beneficiaries of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule until his demise few years ago.

    Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao:

    The Ibadan-based businessman would never forget the treatment he received from students of University of Ibadan when he visited the institution for a convocation programme in November 1998. He came to the university campus with the then head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who had just taken over as Nigeria’s leader after the mysterious death of Abacha, ostensibly to placate the students for frolicking with the military during the June 12 struggle.

    But he was oblivious of the harsh treatment awaiting him in the hands of the angry students who pounced on him, seized his posh cars, set them ablaze and forced him to escape from the campus through one of the police pick up vans.

     

     

  • Senate moves to repeal Abacha’s NEIC decree

    Senate moves to repeal Abacha’s NEIC decree

    A  BILL seeking the repeal of the National Economic Intelligence Committee Decree, scaled second reading in the Senate yesterday.

    Listed as the National Economic Intelligence Committee (Establishment) Cap N31 Law of the Federation, the decree was enacted during Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime.

    The committee has among other functions, the mandate to analyse the annual budget and extract all economic measures requiring enforcement; work out details on the method of enforcing implementation of the annual budget; analyse the monetary guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as monitor implementation of all measures enumerated therein.

    It was also saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and identifying factors inhibiting the realisation of set revenue targets such as tax evasion; enforce the implementation of existing tax legislations; and recommend increase or decrease of price on manufactured goods.

     

     

     

  • My ordeal at the hands of Abacha —Aborisade

    My ordeal at the hands of Abacha —Aborisade

    Dr. Bunmi Aborisade, a journalist and academic, came into limelight during the June 12 struggle, when, as the editor and co-publisher of June 12 magazine, he was arrested severally and detained. He later fled Nigeria to Ghana in 1997 but was arrested by the Rawlings government, ready to be deported back to Nigeria before the American Embassy in Ghana intervened and relocated him to the USA in 1999. Bunmi, who has lived in exile in the United States since then and only returned to Nigeria last month to take up appointment as a Senior Lecturer at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, relives his experience in this interview with Sam Egburonu. Excerpts

     

    our incarceration in Nigeria and Ghana during the 1990s is part of the story of June I2 struggle. But Nigerians may not have known all that happened. Can you tell them more?

    The story of my arrest here in Nigeria during the June 12 struggle and while in exile in Ghana is a long one which I have reserved for my book coming out soon. Although my ordeals during the June 12 struggle in Nigeria and while in exile in Ghana have been widely reported in the local and international media, there are still some untold stories in the book.

    As you may have known, it all started with the June 12 Magazine (which I published with some friends) which gave a hard time to the Abacha Junta. I was arrested and detained at three different locations-Ikeja Millitary Cantonment, Directorate of Military Intelligence and the office of State Security Service (SSS). After my release, the military boys descended on the newspapers that carried the story of my ordeal while in prison. So, with the assistance of friends, I left Nigeria for Ghana on October 15, 1996.

    While in Ghana, I worked for the Independent newspaper owned by the President of West African Journalists Association, Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, who ensured that Nigerian journalists seeking refuge in Ghana had a voice in their local media and internationally. Then, we formed the Nigerian Journalists in Exile to continue the struggle back home and I was made the President. Many Nigerian journalists then saw Ghana as a safe route to travel overseas and sneak back into Nigeria.

    It was a little difficult to continue the struggle while in Ghana, but we were encouraged by our comrades in the struggle in Nigeria and London who were in touch with us to boost our morals. For example, Senator Femi Ojudu and Wale Adeoye were always around to update us about the struggle back home since the use of the Internet was not that popular. Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Now Governor of Ekiti State) who was then wanted by the Abacha regime and Makin Soyinka whose father was on Abacha’s hit list, visited us from London a number of times. However, my story changed when I was arrested by the Rawlings regime on May 27, 1998 and was given ultimatum to leave the country. So, with the intervention of the American Embassy in Ghana and the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), I was relocated to the United States.

    You were arrested in Nigeria, you fled to Ghana and you were arrested again before you left for the United States. While in the US, your mother, who was in politics in Ekiti State, was bathed with acid and she died. How were you able to cope with the pains?

    If I tell you I know how I was able to cope, I must be lying. But I believe the Lord is my strength. Remember everything did not happen at the same time, it happened over a period of about 10 years. So, I took every situation as it came. The most painful of them all was the incidence of my mother which happened on December 10, 2002 during the regime of Governor Niyi Adebayo in Ekiti State. Because of my mother’s support for Governor Adebayo when she was the woman leader of AD in Ekiti State, some wicked politicians attacked her with acid and she died some months after. That was an incidence I will never forget. I first read it on the internet and I later confirmed it from the Guardian correspondence in North America, Pastor Laolu Akande. She died on March 2, 2003 and I was devastated when Governor Adebayo broke the news to me over the phone. I had to leave the USA for Nigeria for the burial. Since then, we (family and friends) have set up a foundation in her memory and we have been giving scholarships to indigent students of Ado Ekiti and we also hold an annual memorial lecture just to show that we still love her. We are preparing for the 9th anniversary this year and we have not missed any despite the fact that we have not collected any money from any one to fund the programme.

    Given your passion in the newsroom in those days, one is somehow curious that on your return from exile, you chose to lecture at Afe Babalola University instead of practicing core journalism or politics?

    Since I will be teaching media and communication, I am not totally out of journalism. The only thing I will be missing is the hustling and bustling of news reporting and the fun of the newsroom. But I hope to be as active as possible in journalism if not as a reporter, but as a trainer. As a political journalist, I still hope to be relevant politically without running for any political office.

    More importantly, I want to be part of the history in my home town-Ado Ekiti with the fastest growing private university in the country and a standard university that is ready to match any university in the world. So, I see Afe Babalola University as a place to build a carrier in academics rather than working for the government.

    What do you think the government can do to bring Nigerian professionals back from the Diaspora?

    If our government creates the enabling environment for people to operate, our professionals scattered all over the world will surely return. Remember this is their country, they have no other country, and they are even more passionate about the country than those living in the country. In all my years abroad, I did not see any Nigerian who wants to live and die abroad. It is the prayer of every Nigerian in the Diaspora to return home one day.

    As I said, it is very simple to get our professionals to return to the country if the government can create an enabling environment for them to return. Some private universities like Afe Babalola University, Elizade Universities and others have been able to bring back many academics from Europe and America, which shows the same thing can be done in other sectors of our economy.

    President Obasanjo started very well by asking Nigerians to return when he became president, but Nigerians in the Diasporas lost interest when he started abusing them all over the place. The governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Feyemi also tried by rallying round the Ekitis in the Diasporas about a year ago when he visited them in London, America and Canada. He was able to convince them with his plans for the state and many of them were willing to return, but there was no follow-up since then.

    I also read in the news that Professor Wole Soyinka encouraged some professionals to return to Nigeria. There was a case of a Medical Doctor whom he persuaded to establish a medical practice in the country and the doctor was frustrated by the system and he returned to the US some years later.

    At the political level, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu equally helped some of our comrades who went into exile during the June 12 struggle to return to the country when he was governor; he still helps some Nigerians in the Diaspora to relocate to the country.

    Others that can help bring back Nigerians in the Diaspora are state governors. They are in touch with the indigenes of their states outside. They meet with them anytime they travel outside the country. All they need to do is to work with them and provide the necessary logistics to enable them return to the country. I know most of our professionals outside the country will listen to their state governors rather than listening to the president.

    With Boko Haram, kidnapping, poor condition of living, corruption, general insecurity of life and property, do you think Nigerians abroad will want to return?

    These problems are equally present in developed countries. So, they are not peculiar to Nigeria alone. It is the response of our government to the problems that makes the difference. We have kidnapping in America, worst groups than Boko Haram, poverty of unimaginable proportion, corruption, etc. But the government is at alert 24/7 to deal with people who engage in such acts. If you engage in any of these acts, the government will hunt you to your grave. But the same cannot be said of our government. Here in Nigeria, if you are kidnapped, you are on your own. If you steal public money, you are allowed to go scot free.

    Look at the role of the government in the fuel subsidy scandal in the country. If it were to be America, those implicated will be investigated, arrested and charged to court immediately and the media will update the public on every step being taken to ensure justice is done. But the reverse is the case in our own situation. Our government will be dilly-dallying on the case and the culprits will go scot free at the end. That is our problem.

    After 15 years in exile, you are returning when there seems to be no serious human rights activism going on; no NADECO or such like. So, can it be said that for you, the struggle is over?

    My primary concern for now is the students that I will be teaching. As you know, teaching is not a lazy man’s job; you have to read as if you are a student, conduct research and attend seminars. So, there is no time for extracurricular activity at all. But that is not to say that one will not speak out against injustices in the society or keep quiet while people in government loot the country’s treasury with impunity.

    It may be very difficult to be as active as one would have loved to in the absence of any serious organisation, but that is not enough for any serious minded person to give up the struggle. Otherwise, it is going to be a free day for the looters of our economy and oppressors of our people.

  • Abacha’s son gets highest Ijaw title

    Abacha’s son gets highest Ijaw title

    THE Bayelsa State Government yesterday honoured Mohammed, son of former Military Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, with the highest title in Ijaw land.

    It bestowed on him the “Izon Ebidouwei of Ijawland.”

    The title means “One who seeks the good of Ijawland”.

    Mohammed was also presented with the flags of the Ijaw Nation.

    Mohammed was invited by the government to be part of the 16th anniversary celebration of the state.

    Bayelsa was created in 1996 by the late Abacha.

    At a dinner organised by the government marking the anniversary, Governor Seriake Dickson, in the company of other Ijaw leaders, conferred the title on Mohammed and also presented the state’s Coat of Arms and flag to the people.

    The event was held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Yenagoa on Monday night.

    The government had earlier named a 150-unit housing estate, the main auditorium of the newly inaugurated Ijaw House and a road in the state capital, after the late Abacha.

    Dickson said the state and the Ijaw Nation in general will continue to honour the late Abacha because of the bold step he took by creating Bayelsa state, a development he said has not only opened up Ijaw-land, but has made the Izon man proud.

    Dickson said Mohammed is now an indigene of the state and urged him to build a family house in the state

  • Bayelsa immortalises Abacha

    BAYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday explained the state government’s reason for immortalising the former Military Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

    Dickson said Abacha deserved honour for creating Bayelsa State 16 years ago.

    He spoke during Nigeria’s 52nd Independence Day and the state’s 16th anniversary celebrations.

    Dickson praised those who fought for the state’s creation and thanked the people for their support for his administration.

    He said: “I understand the impact of the decision made by the late Abacha in creating Bayelsa State against all odds.

    “Irrespective of whatever opinion other people may hold of the late Abacha, by virtue of the creation of Bayelsa State, he has earned a place in the hearts of the Ijaw.

    “To this end, the government will lay the foundation stone of a 150-duplex housing estate named after the late Abacha.

    “Also, the government, in partnership with the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has named the main auditorium of the INC building after him.

    “In addition, the government will invite his family to plant a memorial tree in his honour at the Heroes Garden, which I have just established.”

    Dickson praised former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Umaru Yar’Adua, as well as others, whose actions have impacted positively on the people of the state.

    He said: “The state is indebted to worthy Nigerian leaders like them and we will honour them in due course.”

    Dickson said the state has “great hopes for a bright future”.