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Tag: Abubakar

  • Abubakar urges Boko Haram to embrace dialogue

    Abubakar urges Boko Haram to embrace dialogue

    •Go after sponsors of insurgency, says Aliyu
    •’No heavy casualties in war against terror’

    Former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar has urged members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue.

    Abubakar spoke yesterday when members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenge in the North visited him at his residence in Minna, the Niger State capital.

    He appealed to the sect members to meet the committee to discuss their grievances, saying that dialogue was the only out.

    He said: “I implore Nigerians to pray for the sect members to have a change of heart and accept dialogue to discuss their grievances and seek peace. If you go to the North, especially Borno and Yobe where this is happening, you will weep.Women have turned widows and children orphans, while other people are separated from one another. In the name of their conscience, in the name of Allah which they profess, they should lay down their arms and embrace dialogue to end the violence.

    “Violence doesn’t solve problem, you must come to the table, without doing that your grievances are meaningless.’’

    Abubakar also advised the committee to thread with caution, saying, “the eyes of the whole world are on you to see what you can do and what you can come up with”.

    He described the carnage going on in the North as senseless, appealing to the committee not to allow the Federal Government to punish sect members who turned themselves in.

    “The unemployed, but educated youths are a threat to peace in any society, while government cannot employ everybody, we must create the right environment for them to thrive,’’ Abubakar said.

    The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, urged Abubakar to persuade leaders of the sect to come out and dialogue with the committee.

    The committee also visited Governor Babangida Aliyu, who told them that Boko Haram sponsors are more dangerous than its members.

    Aliyu urged the committee to fish out the sponsors of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He said: “The sponsors of the sect are more dangerous than the people carrying arms”.

    He challenged the members of the committee to go deeper in their attempt to resolve the security challenges in the northern part of the country.

    The Chairman of the Committee and the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Relations, Taninum Turaki explained that the committee was in Niger State to interact with relevant stakeholders in its bid to bring a quick and peaceful end to the security challenges in the region.

    He assured the governor that the committee will also look at the plight of the victims and also consider ways of compensating them.

    Aliyu said the activities of the insurgent group have taken a toll on the economy of the North, adding that the security crisis is as a result of the problems faced by the region.

    Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika yesterday debunked reports that the army and other security forces have suffered heavy casualties in the battle against Boko Haram in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

    The Army chief spoke to reporters in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital where top army officers converged for a three- day Chief of Army Staff 2nd quarter conference.

    His words: “So far the casualties have been very minimal on the part of security forces and it will also interest you to note that the communities where these operations are being conducted are very happy and they have been expressing their joy to the military men that have come to rescue them from those bandits.

    “We will collaborate with the government to ensure peace in the state. It is the desire of the Nigerian Army that we will not have to fire a single shot on a civilian. I call on all warring factions and all militants to have a change of idea, so that development will come in.

    “We will soon take over a forward operating base at Ezillo which will be expanded gradually to a full battalion. One of the primary constitutional tasks of that unit will be keeping the peace to make sure that criminals and trouble makers are put to check. It is my wish that we will not fire a single bullet to bring about this peace but certainly the guns will be there should there be anybody who deserves it.”

  • Still on the case of Abubakar Idris Usman

    Still on the case of Abubakar Idris Usman

    By petition last week to the Director-General of the National Youths Corps Service (NYSC) over the harsh punishment of Abubakar Idris Usman for his article in The Nation last November elicited fifty eight texts and several emails. Only six of the texts and none of the emails defended the action of the NYSC authorities. In the light of the somewhat surprising – to me at least – controversy the case has stirred, I have decided to devote today’s column to the texts. The constraint of space could not, of course, allow me to publish all but I’ve included all six that were critical of my petition.

    So far there has been no response from the NYSC authorities on the petition.

     

    Sir,When has it become a crime for someone to say the truth? The young man only shared his problem and that of his fellow corps members. For Christ’s sake, why is he being punished? This is wickedness in its highest order.

    John +2347037737577

     

    Sir,Abubakar Idris Usman is a young Nigerian with courage. I salute him for this. I don’t see any need for this scheme, when graduates are subjected to live in camps not even fit for animals. Government should do an independent investigation on this matter. I can assure you that Abubakar will be vindicated.

    Omale Omale +2348022220978

     

    Sir,I cherished your article on the travails of the corps member. Of course, he is not right to write such but the most important thing was that it was not malicious and I think they should forgive him now.

    Apalowo Thalis, Ogbagi Akoko, Ondo State. +2347066403102

     

    Sir,Well done for your open letter addressed to the NYSC DG. It’s however my view that your son, Abubakar, lacks respect for the authorities and might have been emboldened to do what he did because of you, a father or “oga at the top” that’s ever prepared to use his position to protect his child, even for ill. Given the fact that you write for The Nation which Abubakar patronised indeed gives you out as an accomplice in this matter. It was, therefore, wrong of you to have dissuaded him from retracting the article. If Abubakar didn’t learn some decency and respect while in school please let him learn it now. After all the condition at the university he attended was not perfect and yet I am not sure he ever wrote about it. Rather than therefore positioning him for appointment at The Nation after his service year, I am sure there’s a more decent way of doing so than encouraging him to disrespect his bosses.

    Daniel +2347038533474

     

    Sir, Your last week’s article was very disturbing. Kindly do me a favour – if you will spare time to do it! – by letting me know how the issue of Abubakar Idris Usman will be treated by NYSC.

    Abdullahi Dodo Maijama’a. 2348033143372

    Sir,Thank you very much for telling Nigerians the plight of Corps member Abubakar. His case has once again brought to the fore one of the many injustices plaguing this nation. I believe he should not be made to suffer unjustly for speaking the truth. It is those women without conscience who should search their minds and right the wrongs they have done the gentleman.

    Ojo A Ayodele, Emure Ekiti +2347033168889

     

    Sir,It is a pity that the NYSC is good and quick at punishing corps members. There are corps members who redeployed to Ondo State officially and have not gotten any monthly allowance for the past ten months. They will pass out next month. They have been suffering in silence. I have a sister among them. I’ve tried to use my influence to help her but without success. Our prayer is that God should court-martial those wicked NYSC officials one day.

    Adebisi P.A. Akure. +2348034703653

     

    Sir,It is important to observe the BYE-LAWS of any organisation you find yourself in. If you are new to that organisation like Usman was to NYSC, study the rules that guide it. Usman has committed an offence punishable by NYSC Bye-Laws. A corps member is not permitted to make a publication in a national media or talk to the press without the permission of the NYSC D.G. They have laid down channel of communication in camp and outside camp. I don’t think Usman had good training.

    E. Z. Dia +2348037789957

     

    Sir,Thank you for the letter to NYSC DG. Indeed the state directors pre-warn corps members never to narrate their experiences or ask the DG questions. +2348022900875

     

    Sir,What exactly is this? A young man is being punished needlessly for writing the truth! What manner of people are these who have been placed in positions to guide the young? They are, in my mind, the wrong crowd to do this! This young man need not beg to get his right. Let him seek justice! What a country!

    Dokun Adedeji, Ikeja Lagos. +2348033023620

     

    Sir,I honestly felt disappointed today with your submission. One of the most informed columns in the land became a platform for personal agitation. Bad for a nation literarily at war within. And you have access to the agency! Please for a long time reader of People and Politics like me, the dregs of the earth and the locusts in the palace, deserve focus. Please not about your daughter next week!

    Tunde Esan +2348033109878

     

    Sir,Can someone help me tell this old generation to allow us grow. We the young generation can’t rule, can’t talk, and we are not even allowed to complain on ills they daily pour on us. God save us.

    Chichi, Port Harcourt, +2348091140815

     

    Sir,Your article on the corps member brought tears to my eyes. Why should anyone be victimised for writing an article? But then, what is The Nation doing about it since the paper published the article? This is really sad.

    +2348023255224

     

    Sir,That report on the travail of corps member Usman is fair and convincing. I am sure your ward did not put his case clearly. He breached the channels of communication. None the less he should write the DG, NYSC for a review and pardon. The NYSC family is not stone hearted

    Dr. Abhuere, former Director, Corps Welfare, NYSC HQ Abuja +2348037017956

     

    Sir,In an ideal country the issues raised by Abubakar would have been addressed by NYSC authority instead of going for the young man’s jugular. This is similar to the President’s visit to the Police College. Indeed there was a country.

    Elvis Ebanehita. 2348057201481

     

    Sir,Idris is not foolish. It is our system (that is the problem). Please encourage him. His time will surely come.

    Wole Eniayewun, Lagos 2348185768334

     

    Sir,This God-fatherism role you seem to play for your son Abubakar has not helped in our youths’ disciplinary effort. It’s good you blamed him for doing what he did but you must not interfere in the job of his boss. All camps all over the world are never places of luxury and your son is privileged to be there not as a spy that washes his house dirty in public. Let his bosses do their jobs.

    Chief Bashiomele, Auchi, Edo State. +2348059956056

     

    Sir,You are a good father, but how many unfortunate corps members have been punished for telling the authority the truth? God save Nigeria

    +2348023463851

     

    Sir, You see, what’s happening to this young man exemplifies the hypocrisy that is a major part of Nigeria’s problem. You say it as it is, and they say you’re criticising the government. Is government infallible? Why should saying what’s wrong be construed as an offence? It’s all part of Jonathan (PDP) legacy to Nigeria. Remember the President’s anger when Channel’s TV did an expose on Police College, Ikeja? Fish rots from the head, my brother.

    Gab A. Uche, Umuahia, Abia State, +2348051481333

     

    Sir,My advice is that this case should be taken to higher authority. There should not be anything like plea or appeal as young man has done nothing wrong. Instead of intimidating him, he should be commended.

    Elder F.Ogorry. +2348023529722

     

    Sir,I’m glad you drew the attention of NYSC Director- General to this ugly incident. There are many other Abubakars out there whose creative talents are being stultified by leaders without vision.

    BA Ikeagwu, Owerri. 2348035664612

     

    Sir, Methinks your ‘son’ should report to Delta. Did you as a northerner serve in the North? I think the SSS should watch your son very closely. I don’t like his guts and obstinacy.

    John, Zaria +2348028721705

     

    Sir,Thank you for highlighting this injustice. The Senator representing the young man should take it up.

    +2348091906116

     

     

  • Slain policemen’s widows get bodies after protest

    Slain policemen’s widows get bodies after protest

    Protesting widows and family members of the policemen killed in Nasarawa State have got their request.

    Hospital authorities at the weekend released the charred bodies from the morgue.

    It was a moving sight at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia where the evacuated bodies of the policemen killed in Alakyo Village by Omatse Cult members in an ambush were kept.

    The stench of decomposing bodies filled the air around the hospital as families picked the remains of their relatives.

    A Red Cross official said of the state of the bodies: “We tried to pack them but the bodies were breaking into pieces, so, we will use shovel to pack them.”

    It was gathered that Police Inspector General Mohammed Abubakar authorised the release of the bodies after his visit to Nasarawa State at the weekend.

    But, contrary to the claim by the police chief that 23 policemen were killed, it was gathered that more bodies were brought to the morgue at the weekend.

    Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura vowed to crush the Omatse cult.

    The police urged the public to give information on the killing of the policemen. They unveiled a dedicated line for the purpose.

    The police and security agencies have continued the manhunt for members of the Ombatse militia, whose leader, Baba Alakyo, they have been told to capture alive.

    Governor al-Makura, in a statement by his Media Officer, Malam Sani Mairiga, said the crisis had no religious connotation.

    The statement said: “The state government will not watch while some disgruntled individuals hold it to ransom and turn the state into a theatre of death, undermining the development efforts of this administration.

    “The state government will deal decisively with those fanning the embers of crisis in the state, including their sponsors.

    “We have had enough bloodshed in Nasarawa; those who are hell-bent on sabotaging our efforts will not go unpunished.

    “It is unfortunate that some people still perpetrate evil against their fellow human beings at a time when the state has begun to count the gains of democracy.

    “The crisis has no religious coronation as being speculated by some section of the media; some people are just bent on destroying the state because they feel they are not in power.

    “They should know that nemesis will soon catch up with them.

    “There is no hiding place for unpatriotic individuals in Nasarawa; there is no cause that can justify the killing of innocent souls. “

    The governor called on citizens of the state, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, to be good, kind and supportive of one another “in this difficult period’’.

    A source, who on the manhunt for the killers, said: “Even if it will take six months, we have been ordered to bring these militia men to justice.

    “We have a mandate to effect the arrest of the militia leader, Baba Alakyo. We know that they are on the run but all state commands have been placed on the alert to arrest the militia leader, who is central to the crisis in Nasarawa.”

    Also at the weekend, Minister of Information Labaran Maku denied any link with the violence.

    A statement by the Minister’s Press Secretary, Joseph Mutah, expressed regrets that a newspaper attributed the violence to the alleged rivalry between him and the Nasarawa State Governor.

    The statement said: “It is shocking that this story was published without recourse to the available facts about the unfortunate violence which are in the public domain in Nasarawa State, and which have also been reported widely in the media.

    “For the information of Nigerians and members of the public, the Minister of Information has in the last one year waged a one-man campaign in Nasarawa State, which was widely reported in both the print and electronic media against the activities of militia and mercenaries who have been destroying communities, lives and property in the state.

    “The people of Nasarawa State know the truth behind this unfortunate violence and the perpetrators.

    “Mr. Maku is totally and completely unconnected to anything violent and ungodly. Right from his days as a student union leader in the University of Jos, a teacher, a journalist, commissioner, Deputy Governor and now Minister, Mr. Maku has been a man of peace and has never been associated with violence.

    A statement signed by the Deputy Public Relations Officer, CSP Chris Mba, said the police would encourage wider communal participation it its investigation.

    The statement read: “As part of efforts at encouraging a wider and communal participation in the investigation into the recent killing of policemen in Nasarawa State, the Police High Command has established a dedicated telephone line for members of the public who may wish to provide vital and useful information to the Police.

    “To this effect, the IGP appeals to Nigerians who may be in possession of information that could aid on going investigation not to hesitate in providing same to the Police, promising that all such information will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Such information can be provided via phone number 07066228200 (calls or SMS) or email: policemonitor@npf.gov.ng.

    “The IGP reminded the public that an attack on the security forces of any nation is an attack on the entire nation. He, therefore, appeals to Nigerians to support the Police as it strives to tackle this and other security challenges facing the nation.

    “Meanwhile, in a bid to ameliorate the plight of the dependants and family members of the fallen police officers, the IGP has ordered the immediate relocation of the Force Welfare Officer, DCP Abiodun Ige, from Force Headquarters to Nasarawa State to enable her effectively and speedily coordinate all welfare related issues touching on the families of the late officers, including but not limited to the payment of all statutory and relevant compensations.

    “The IGP appeals for patience and understanding of family and friends of the slain officers, particularly as it relates to the issue of the release of the bodies of the officers, promising that all corpses will be released as soon as preliminary enquiries are concluded.

    “While restating the commitment of the Force to uncover and bring to book the perpetrators of this crime, the IGP reassures the family members and friends of the deceased that the Force is united with them in grief and will neither forsake nor abandon them at this trying moment.

    “Meanwhile, the AIG in charge of Zone 4 (covering Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states), AIG Mike Zuokumor, has on the orders of the IGP relocated to Nasarawa State. A highly experienced and an operationally-minded officer, he is currently coordinating all ongoing operations relating to the incident.”

  • Why I don’t kiss deeply on set—Halima Abubakar

    Why I don’t kiss deeply on set—Halima Abubakar

    SHE started off by showing cleavages, but Nollywood actress Halima appears to be a changed person now. Responding to a question on whether she gets carried away when playing romantic roles, the actress squealed: “Never. In fact, I don’t kiss deeply on set. I don’t like to exchange saliva. It has happened like three times when an actor complained that I refused to open my mouth when kissing. And I was like, ‘must we exchange saliva before the message is passed across?’ I am a woman and he’s a man so I draw boundaries. Although, I kiss to convince viewers about what the character is all about, I am not going to go gaga because I am trying to play a role. I can’t go crazy because I am shooting a movie, I have boundaries.

    Asked if her man could get angry if she does, an ever blunt Halima said: “Not really, but there are things to do and not to do. He’s a man and he would get jealous but aside that, one should know where to put a stop.

  • Something for Abubakar boys?

    Something for Abubakar boys?

    Last week, the directive by the Inspector General of Police, M.D Abubakar on the use of vehicles with tinted glasses claimed its first casualty. A magistrate Hajiya Rabi Bashir, sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State, reportedly sentenced one Aliyu Abubakar, 30, of Talata Mafara town for driving a car with tinted glass without permit. The accused, arrested on April 11 was said to have pleaded guilty to the charge of driving his tinted Golf salon car along Sani Abacha Way, Gusau.

    He was however given the option of either spending one month in jail or a fine of N1, 000.

    The Punch which reported the summary trial unfortunately did not provide any details of the circumstance of the particular arrest – a case of summary trial and sentencing from all accounts.

    Be that as it may, there is enough to suggest that the last is yet to be heard on the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, CAP M21 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (formerly Decree No. 6 of 1991). While it seems trite to state that millions of Nigerians are already caught in its web, the indications are that the law would be in for some hard testing in the months ahead.

    To be clear, the issue isn’t so much about the validity of the law. It is whether in our peculiar circumstances, the law can be said to be a realistic piece of legislation. I say this mindful of the fact that there are just as many good laws as there are bad ones. To start with, I do not see how anyone will argue that a law which purports to render almost every nthvehicle owner a potential lawbreaker can be anything but an incurably bad law. Moreover, the fact is that the law makes no pretence about providing the law-abiding citizen a leeway – rendering him a victim of circumstances far beyond his control while predisposing him to other lesser crimes.

    Clearly, the best argument that the Police High Command has made for resurrecting the dead law is that the security situation in the country has made it so. According to the Force Public Relation Officer, CSP Frank Mba, “statistics at our disposal show that 90 per cent of these crimes were committed with the aid of vehicles with tinted glasses. We must stop this in the interest of the nation.”

    Surely, Mba must know that his inference of relationship between tinted glasses and terrorism, is not only specious but bizarre.

    Of course, he argues rather persuasively that “Nigerians using vehicles with tinted glasses must look beyond the inconvenience of obeying and removing such glasses and act for the good of all”.

    In the first place, we know how bad the security situation in the country is without the additional scare-mongering about some tinted-glass-induced crimes. I suspect that most owners of cars with tinted glasses would readily surrender their prized toys given iron-cast assurances that it would end the menace of terrorism and kidnapping.

    It seems to me as yet another case of a government in pursuit of symptoms instead of treating the disease. Indeed, tinted glasses are merely the symptoms of the free for all environment under which vehicle importation trade is conducted. Of course, a better job would have been to outlaw the importation of cars with tinted glasses instead of the present course which amounts to chasing the violators on the highways.

    At this point in time, the more pertinent question is what to do with the millions of cars with tinted-glasses already in the country. Our man, Mba has an interesting answer. He cites the so-called Section 3 of the law which states that “a buyer, a donee or an importer of a vehicle with tinted glasses has a grace period of 14 days to either get a permit or remove the tint”.

    Simple isn’t it? Not so fast. To start with, the law is explicit on the exercise of discretion as to the conditions under which the permission to use tinted glasses could be granted. My last check shows that the twin conditions prescribed are “health” and “security” both of which in our peculiar circumstances would seem ordinarily lax or permissive enough. Even at that, it still leaves the question of how the millions of cars on our roads with tinted glasses could justifiably claim exemptions on the two grounds. I say this because the exemptions mean no more than a trip to Force Headquarters, in Abuja for a permit at the payment of between N25- N30,000 or in the alternative, risk the daily ordeal of extortion in the hands of Abubakar’s men.

    And, we do know those who qualify under the security and health considerations; these are our masters in Abuja!

    I agree in toto with Mba that it is not the business of the police to abrogate the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act, CAP M21 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria); the job belongs to the National Assembly. It needs be stated also that the police has no business resurrecting a law that is as good as interred. To leave the law on our statute books is to supply the police with a sword of Damocles to be dangled at will over the heads of the citizens.

    Now, I must make the point that M.D. Abubakar as IGP has done such a good job of dismantling the infrastructure of extortion – the ubiquitous check-points on the highways. Sure, he still has a long way to go to build an effective, people-friendly crime fighting institution. Superintending over the erection of another infrastructure of sleaze comes nowhere near the job at hand; clearly, that is not the way to go.

    For the many Nigerians caught in the web, the easiest solution is to ask them to proceed to Abuja to obtain Abubakar’s permit. That would obviously boost the coffers of the Nigeria Police. But then, that itself throws up the question of the legality of the act – particularly as the institution is not known to be a revenue collecting agency.

     

  • IGP directs CPs, AIGs to seize vehicles with tinted glasses

    IGP directs CPs, AIGs to seize vehicles with tinted glasses

     

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has directed Commissioners of Police in charge of states to arrest vehicles with tinted glasses and prosecute their owners in line with extant laws.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Abubakar also extended the directive to all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs).

    The directive is contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, on Thursday in Abuja.

    “Police officers nationwide have been directed to commence a massive operation aimed at enforcing all existing laws bordering on tinted glasses and the use of unregistered/unlicensed vehicles,’’ it said.

    The statement quoted the IGP as describing as alarming and unlawful the use of such vehicle by some motorists across the country.

    It also noted with “grave’’ concern the use of unregistered/unlicensed vehicles by some motorists on the highways in spite of repeated warnings from police authority.

    “This unbecoming attitude has the capacity not only to heighten criminal activities, but to place unnecessary pressure on security agencies and law abiding citizens,’’ it said.

    The statement noted that their indiscriminate use posed danger as security reports indicated that “criminal elements including suspected terrorists’’ hide under them to execute their nefarious activities.

     

  • Lawyers criticise EFCC for declaring Abubakar Audu wanted

    A United States-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Kogi Lawyers in the Diaspora (KLTD), yesterday said the action of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu is a “dishonourable, low-level, cheap, shot media manipulation attempt”.

    In a statement in Abuja by its President Adinoyi Malik, and Secretary Olugbenga Samuel, the group said declaring the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate wanted when there is a subsisting case in court means the EFCC is diverting attention of the public from a petition against a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

    It added: “It is unfortunate that while Nigerians wait in vain for the EFCC, to investigate and prosecute a former PDP governor, Ibrahim Idris, the EFCC is busy fighting yesterday’s battles, repeating old lies, manufacturing spectacular new ones and over dramatising an old case just to hoodwink the public.”

    The group noted that declaring Audu wanted has made the case to look like a EFCC is chasing shadows.

    The group said: “It is this same deceitful and selective approach to the fight against corruption that has made Nigerians to lose faith in the ability of this government to fight the scourge. There are questions begging for answers here:

    “Does the Supreme Court decision delivered on November 23, 2012 overruling Price Audu’s appeal effectively and finally terminate his trial on the 80 count charge at the High Court of Justice, Lokoja?

    “Was it not unlawful for the EFCC to have invaded the residence of Prince Abubakar Audu in the early hours of 11th December, 2012 without any prior invitation and without a valid search warrant or warrant of arrest, under the pretext of arresting him and the subsequent wide publicity accorded the invasion by the EFCC in the print, electronic and internet media?

    “Mr President, the EFCC is not sincere in their fight against corruption. Just as an affirmation, Nigeria scored 27 out of a maximum 100 marks to clinch the 139th position out of the 176 countries surveyed in the latest report on global corruption index released few weeks ago by Transparency International.”

    “It shared that position with Azerbaijan, Kenya, Nepal and Pakistan.

    “Countries such as Togo, Mali, Niger and Benin fared better than Nigeria. This explains why Nigerians should not be fooled by this spectacle.

    “We protest in very strong terms this primitive form of harassment and intimidation as this current action of the EFCC, if unchecked, may be rightly interpreted by the international community as promoting institutionalized intimidation in a democracy.

    “Mr. President, it is a shame that the EFCC under your presidency has degenerated into a vindictive tool in the hands of politicians.

    “If not, how does one explain a situation where the anti-graft agency instead of asking the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris who allegedly crudely accumulated wealth and properties beyond his combined emoluments, salaries and allowances for the period he held sway as governor between 2003-2012, to explain where he got the resources to own Gubabi Royal Hotel, Dreamland Suites, Summerest Hotel, Palmac Hotel, Executive Suite and Grand Ibro Hotel, formerly known as Ibro Hotel, among other properties both in and outside Nigeria?

    “Rather, the EFCC chose to write letter No: CR: 3000/EFCC/ABJ/ISOS/TM.11/VOL. 7/37 dated 11th December, 2012 inviting Prince Audu for an interrogation over an undisclosed on-going investigative activities involving the former Governor.

    “This is with a view to freshly arraigning him before a Court in Abuja in the face of a pending charge duly initiated by the same EFCC at the High Court of Justice presided over by Justice S. T. Hussaini and the Court of Appeal, Abuja in Appeal No: CA/A/ 381C/2011, alleging the same offences committed during the same period and arising from same facts as the pending and extant charges?

    “This media persecution of Prince Abubakar Audu is not different from the agency’s funny action on Mr. Wale Babalakin, who was charged with helping the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, launder money in 2007.

    “This was six years ago. Haba! So the EFCC just woke up and realised that he should be tried for an offence he allegedly committed in 2007. Where was the case file all these years?

    “This man allegedly laundered money for Ibori in 2007, yet three years later his company was awarded a road contract worth billions of naira.

    “Who is deceiving who? Was the government not aware of the case with the EFCC or his alleged criminal dalliance with Ibori before doing business with him in 2009?

    “Why is the government so insincere? Why do they think they can pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians with their selective war against corruption?

    “Nigerians should not be deceived by this charade. Babalakin and the Presidency will soon sort their issues out.

    “If this case is not a case of selective scapegoating, will ordinary Nigerians have known that Babalakin has a case file with the EFCC?

    “What this means is that an alleged money launderer who has a case to answer still does business with the Federal Government.

    “Can the government claim not to know that he has a case to answer? Why wait till this time? This can only happen in the Animal Farm called Nigeria.”

     

  • Abubakar’s misplaced optimism

    Abubakar’s misplaced optimism

    •There is little wisdom in exaggerating the unity of this country

     

    General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), former military Head of State reportedly said that nothing can break up this country “because God has brought us together”. He made the comment while fielding questions from newsmen in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. The session with reporters marked the climax of his courtesy visit to Governor Gabriel Suswam, his host.

    His remark was meant to allay fears regarding the lingering security challenges facing the country consequent upon the Boko Haram onslaught in the north. We impute this to also be his retort to sustained calls by some groups and well-meaning citizens for a sovereign national conference to discuss the future of the country’s federation.

    As he succinctly puts it: “…. all the secession threats here and there with the security challenges are mere noise because we have deeply intermingled; wherever you go, you see Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Kanuris and others, so there is nothing that can break up this country because God has brought us together”. Further, he speciously believes that “Government alone cannot do it, every citizen must join hands with government to tackle the problem of insecurity”. Like many leaders in his shoes, he forgets that Nigerians can only work with a government that craves their input.

    General Abubakar’s optimism, though curious, according to him, is based on one: The fact that the current trying moments being faced by the nation are a passing phase which he believes would soon be overcome. Two: That Nigerians had intermingled for a long time and lived with obvious developmental challenges, which would make it even difficult for the country to break up.

    The Abubakar sermon has become a cliché, a mantra usually espoused by past leaders that never did anything to assuage the fears of stakeholders in the Nigerian federation while they were in power and in a better position to do just that. It is better if the country’s leaders drop such a conservative mindset as pontificated by Abubakar, that the country will forever remain one indivisible corporate entity.

    Indeed, it is fallacious for anyone to contemplate, not to talk of think that God brought the country together. We know without equivocation that Lord Lugard caused the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria in 1914. But since the discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri in 1957, that valuable export has, rather than genuine bonding after independence in 1960, remained the country’s binding factor. And this has continued without much official ado being given to the myriad of injustices that continue to plague the country.

    The country’s leaders should stop appealing to sentiment because this would not take us far if the current defective structure stands. It is trite that no society is indivisible if the right things are not done by those saddled with the responsibility of doing so. The best way out of the current logjam of mutual ethnic suspicion is for all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or tribal affiliations, to sit together and agree on how the Nigerian federation should be administered in all spheres.

    This cannot be achieved except the leadership is sincere enough to see the need for such a long over-due conference. No amount of leadership grandstanding can restore the sanity of the nation’s challenged institutions; we believe there should be panacea to continuing electoral injustice; the Boko Haram malaise and the endemic corruption in the country.

    The inevitable truth is that the country must listen to its people if it must remain one indivisible entity that its leadership and statesmen want it to be on paper. It is only a sincerely fearless government that can guarantee this.