The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • U.S. top diplomat Kerry for Sokoto, Abuja

    U.S. top diplomat Kerry for Sokoto, Abuja

    United States Secretary of State John Kerry will arrive in Nigeria tomorrow on a two-day visit. He will visit Sokoto before going to Abuja to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

    Mr. Kerry is due for talks with Kenya President Uhuru Kemyatta today. He arrived in Kenya yesterday for the start of a three-nation visit to Kenya, Nigeria and Saudia Arabia to meet with leaders and hold talks on countering terrorism.

    Kerry will discuss with Kenyan President Kenyatta on “regional security issues and counterterrorism cooperation, as well as bilateral issues,” according to a statement from the U.S. State Department.

    Kerry then be in Sokoto and Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday. He will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss “counterterrorism efforts, the Nigerian economy, the fight against corruption, and human rights issues.”

    Kerry then travels to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to meet with senior Saudi leaders, his counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the United Kingdom and the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen.

    “His discussion will focus on the ongoing conflict in Yemen and efforts to restore peace and stability.

    “Additionally, the leaders will discuss the region’s most pressing challenges, including Syria and our global effort to counter Da’esh and violent extremism,”  the statement added.

  • Commission of inquiry in Plateau not witch-hunt – Lalong

    Commission of inquiry in Plateau not witch-hunt – Lalong

    Plateau Gov. Simon Lalong on Friday restated that commission of inquiry on the state’s finances was not to witch hunt but to put the records its debt profile straight.

    He stated this while addressing State House correspondents after visiting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governor said that he inherited a debt of N220 billion, unpaid salaries and poor infrastructure, which the former administration denied.

    “There was no way that we could come and see what we saw on the plateau and still leave them without clarification.

    “The first one was that when I said that I inherited a debt of N220 billion, the former governor said `no’, that what I got was only N18 billion.

    “I also spoke about projects and salaries that I inherited and he said `no’.

    “But, what I did was first of all to concentrate on doing my best so that I will not lose focus; now we are able to pay our salaries in the state,” he said.

    Lalong said that he cleared the salary arrears in order to make the citizens happy and to focus on development of the state.

    “Now that the people are happy, I initiated the commission of enquiry because what I got from the transition committee was really alarming.

    “For me to say that I will ignore it is going to be at the peril of my people,’’ he stated.

    He said that the enquiry was to put the record straight so that the debt would not hunt his administration after office.

    The governor said that the judicial commission would compare what was inherited and what the past administration claimed it left and make clarifications.

    According to him, after the clarification, the administration will send the report to the appropriate authority for prosecution.

    He also denied that his state was confused about whether to have grazing reserve or ranches for cattle breeders.

    He said that he was in support of ranching whereas there was a gazette from his predecessor on grazing reserve and route.

    He said the gazette was only there to create confusion.

    “I knew the advantage of ranching policy so I took my people on sensitization right from the youth to traditional rulers to religious leaders and we concluded with National Assembly members.

    “And, all accepted that we should adopt the ranching policy.

    “As far as Plateau state is concerned, we are into the ranching policy; if you see anybody talking about grazing reserve, it is not in my state,’’ he stated.

     

  • Abia: A/Court judgment excites PDP

    Abia: A/Court judgment excites PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is excited by the Appeal Court ruling that affirmed the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s of Abia state who contested the election on the platform of the PDP.

    The appellate court on Friday had set aside a judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Okon Abang ordering Ikpeazu’s removal and his replacement with Dr. Uche Ogah, also of the PDP.

    In a statement on Friday by the spokesman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the PDP described the ruling of the appellate court as triumph of the rule of law and victory for democracy.

    The statement said, “What transpired at the Court of Appeal on Thursday, August 18, 2016  has once again rekindled our trust in the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

    “You will recall that the lead Judge of the five-man panel of Judges of the Appeal Court, Justice Morenike Ogunwumiju on Thursday, August 18, 2016 delivered ruling on an appeal brought before it by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Executive Governor of Abia state in respect of his Tax Clearance Certificate.

    “Finally, the Peoples Democratic Party call on all well meaning Nigerians and the National Judicial Council (NJC) in particular, to continue rising up to its responsibility of maintaining an unbiased judiciary that will be neutral on all issues brought before it”.

  • ‘Teaching Hospital can’t provide cotton wool, spirit’

    ‘Teaching Hospital can’t provide cotton wool, spirit’

    .X-Ray machine down

    .Resident Doctors to go on strike Monday

    The management of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria cannot not provide common cotton wool and methylated spirit needed for the dressing of patients’ injuries.

    Also, the Haematology Department of the teaching hospital cannot provide blood component for patients. The hospital is also having problems with its X-Ray machines.

    These were part of the revelations made by the President of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Waziri Aliyu in Abuja on Friday.

    Aliyu, who led a delegation of his colleagues to the Senate Committee on Health, also complained about dilapidated infrastructure and insecurity within the hospital’s work environment.

    He similarly complained about poor sanitation and broken down facilities and equipment that have continued to reduce human and material capacities.

    Dr. Aliyu narrated an incident where a member of the association suffered a snake bite but could not get prompt medical attention.

    Said he, “The sewages in the hospital’s labour ward are presently leaking. The Haematology Department of the teaching hospital cannot provide blood component for a patient. As simple as X-ray is, we have been having problems with it.”

    The doctor also said the premises of the teaching hospital were not completely fenced, giving room for frequent intrusion and trespass.

    According to him, two medical officers were recently attacked by hoodlums on two different occasions.

    He continued, “Lack of adequate accommodation and opportunity of Residency Training as various units of the health institution lack adequate personnel, a situation that has led to the over stretching of the remaining workforce even without motivation.

    “Part of their (doctors) grievances with the hospital management include alleged illegal sack of 19 personnel and non-intake of Resident Doctors since 2012 as many people have left the hospital services over time without replacements.

    “ABUTH personnel earn less than their contemporaries in other Teaching Hospitals across the country.

    “As simple as cotton wool and spirit are, we ask the patients to provide them. It is as bad as that”.

    The doctors were summoned by the Senate committee over their warning strike notice to the management. The ultimatum will expire next Monday.

    Addressing the doctors, the Senate committee chairman, Dr. Olanrewaju Tejuoso, requested them to come forward with a comprehensive report on their demands and grievances.

    Senator Tejuoso pleaded with the doctors not to embark on the planned strike, assuring them that the Senate would sort out the issues raised.

    “We will make sure that when your next budget comes, we will ensure that we take care of your demands”, the senator said.

    Also commenting on the issues raised by the doctors, Senator Shehu Sani warned that denying the country’s teaching hospitals the needed attention could jeopardise the nation’s projections in the health sector.

  • We will restore confidence in IDPs – Buhari

    We will restore confidence in IDPs – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said his administration would restore the confidence of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by fast-tracking their voluntary return, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.

    The president gave the assurance when he received the outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Asharaf Abdelkader Salama at State House, Abuja.

    He commended Egypt for identifying with challenges confronting the country, especially the plight of IDPs, which he said had remained a topmost priority for the Nigerian Government.

    “The displaced persons want to go back to their homes. They want to resume their normal lives. They want to go back to the land, which they have not cultivated for over three years now.

    “We will work to restore their confidence, and also work on infrastructure, so that they can quickly resettle,” he said.

    The President noted that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and Egypt was very strong as demonstrated in their growing cooperation on regional and international issues.

    In his remarks, Salama, who spent four years in Nigeria, said he was the first foreign diplomat to travel by road from Maiduguri to Yobe, North Eastern Nigeria, last month.

    He told the President he was proud to have made the journey through an area once considered a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists, following the successes recorded by the Nigerian military fighting insurgents in the region.

    He described the people of Nigeria as “friendly and generous’’, saying he hoped to be back in the country again.

    News Agency of Nigeria {NAN} reports that president Buhari also received the outgoing Ambassadors of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and Tanzania.

    During the audience with Ambassador Oubi Bachir of SADR, Buhari reiterated Nigeria’s support for Sahrawi people’s self-determination and independence.

    Amb. Bachir’s duty tour to Nigeria spanned eight years during which he served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

    On Tanzania, President Buhari told the High Commissioner, Daniel Ole Njoolay, that the East African country was fortunate to have a leader who cared so much for the less privileged in the society.

    The President said Tanzania was blessed with good land and gas, which could be used for the good people of the country.

    Ambassador Njoolay spent two years and eight months in the country.

  • Taxing Abuja property owners

    Nigerian political office holders and their fronts with access to free state funds have come to be associated with irrational acquisition of properties they hardly inhabit, in and outside the country. “A large number of mansions in the most exclusive areas of London are owned by Nigerians”, the bemused British media once declared. As if to corroborate this claim, Kolapo Olapoju in a recent write up claimed ‘Google Earth virtual tour revealed that two Nigerians, James Ibori and Cecelia Ibru were among the world’s ‘six most notorious for acquiring valuable properties with stolen funds and corrupt means’. They are in ignoble league of Muammar Gaddafi, Mobutu Sese Seko, Imelda Marcos, and Teodorin Obiang, the son of President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea.

    It is hard to controvert such claim when one for instance is confronted with the fact that an incredible 103 properties in the United States, Nigeria, South Africa, Dubai and London were in 2009 seized from Cecilia Ibru, the former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank PLC who was also sentenced to six months in prison for fraud and ordered to hand over $1.2 billion in cash and assets; or when James Ibori, described by his London Prosecutor, Sasha Wass as “a thief in government house”, was credited with a fleet of cars such as armoured Range Rovers costing £600,000, £120,000 Bentley, £300,000 Mercedes Benz and  six properties in London, including a six-bedroom house with indoor pool in Hampstead at a cost of £2.2million and a flat opposite the nearby Abbey Road recording studios.

    And while we raged against David Cameron for describing our nation as ‘a fantastically corrupt country’, we were confronted with a UK Daily Mail’s publication of mansions owned by Nigerians in London which it described as “palaces of corruption”.  This was followed by the report of Global Coalition Against Corruption that claimed “about 57 other Nigerians including   Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Joshua Dariye, the late Abubakar Audu, Chimaroke Nnamani, Lucky Igbinedion, Diezani Alison-Madueke and  13 ex-governors on trial for financial crimes, some former ministers either on trial or under investigation, some indicted top bankers’ may forfeit  their foreign assets”.

    Back home, EFCC in January this year announced the seizure of N10b properties owned by Alex Badeh just as it claimed it traced another $2.8m properties owned by his daughter to the US. In June, EFCC announced the seizure of 29 properties including an N980m shopping plaza, a N450m residential mansion, a N710m executive mansion and anotherN720m four-unit terrace in choice areas of Abuja from three ex-Air Force chiefs – Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Air vice Marshal Jacob Adigun (retd.); and Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo (retd.). EFCC followed with the announcement of the seizure of Fayose’s N1.35bn properties made up of four duplexes on Victoria Island in Lagos State and Maitama, Abuja.  This was soon followed by EFCC’s seizure of four houses worth N872 million from a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed, and three duplexes costing about N222 million in the Apo Area of Abuja from Shamsudeen Bala, his son.

    Although not a few Nigerians are outraged by EFCC scandalous revelations, they  nonetheless merely exemplify the depth of rot in Abuja where there is hardly any minister, governor  or a lawmaker who served between 1999 and 2016 who do not own a mansion, an hotel, an estate, a shopping plaza or a farm. We may therefore not in all conscience say that those EFCC has fingered are any more guilty than ministers and lawmakers who deployed  proceeds of budget padding or unimplemented constituency projects towards acquisition of choice properties in Abuja .

    Although because of the slow pace at which the wheel of justice grinds in our nation, (apology to ex President Jonathan) and since in the name of democracy, the law crafted by the political elite does not allow us question the source of new found wealth of political office holders who yesterday could only afford a modest bungalow after a life long struggle or those who had nothing before becoming lawmakers in their thirties, but within four years tour of duty became transformed into proud owners of multibillion Abuja mansions, I don’t think government is totally helpless.

    Here again, APC government is not being called upon to invent the wheel. All they have to do is borrow a leaf from the enlightened British political elite from whom we copied the liberal democratic process. Precisely because they understand that the well-being of the poor and the disadvantaged is the only safeguard for the safety of the leisured class who have taken more than their proportionate share of their nation’s resources, properties owned by the latter (including mansions bought by Nigerians with stolen funds) are heavily taxed. The tax returns are thereafter channeled into building of Council flats for low income earners in all the counties. The Local Council officials collect rent with which the council flats are maintained. And where some cannot afford the heavily subsidised rents in the council flats, government come to their aid and even provide food to ensure no one is without roof over his head or go to bed without food. They know this is the only way the rich can live in peace.

    With the rejection of the above tested path by an unenlightened Nigerian political elite  headed by Obasanjo, Jonathan and their greedy lawmakers who preferred to confiscate land and properties they held in trust for the poor between 1999 and 2015, what is expected of government of change is a new beginning, starting with the path never taken. It was for this reason Nigerians voted for change. Nigerians are opposed to lawmakers expending taxpayers’ money of SUV toys. Nigerians who saw the immediate past British Prime Minister, David Cameron drive out of 10 Downing Street after six years in office in his small personal car with his family are not asking for too much. But what they got in contrast under a government of change is a lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin, 39 who came out of thirty something million naira SUV Landcruiser and walked with a swagger to Abuja EFCC’s office to lodge complaints about alleged budget padding by 13 of his colleagues.

    Nigerians expect Buhari and APC to set a new tone. The mood of Nigerians after 16 years of Obasanjo and his PDP profligacy is that lawmakers who cannot ride assembled in Nigeria Peugeot vehicle as official cars should trek. Nigerians who voted for change expect cash-strapped Buhari and his APC government to take the census of property owners in Maitama and Asokoro areas of Abuja for the purpose of taxing the idle parasitic owners in order to bring relief to thousands without homes in Abuja without whose contributions the city decays. And finally the mood of Nigerians who voted for change is for APC government to copy the prevailing law of inheritance in a welfare state like Britain that allows imposition of taxes or outright confiscation of properties of idle children of fraudulent fathers who in their twenties and without visible source of income inhabit N300m mansions in Abuja.

    I think beyond blackmail, Buhari and APC have nothing to fear. If the push comes to shove, politicians who have defrauded their states as governors, the nation through budget padding which dates back to 1999 or their constituencies through unexecuted projects may be asked to explain the sources for the funding of their multi-billion Abuja properties.

  • Group offers to safeguard Niger Delta waterways

    A group of volunteers, the Nigerian Merchant Navy Coastal Defence Force has petitioned the Federal Government to voluntarily help secure waterways in the Niger Delta region.
    In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, the group sought recognition and the deployment of about 50, 000 personnel to further complement efforts of the security operatives in safeguarding the maritime.
    Leader of the group, Commodore Ichukwu Agaba on Monday in Abuja disclosed preparedness to complement efforts of the Nigerian Navy to reduce the importation of illegal and sophisticated weapons.
    Agaba who emphasized that the nation’s waterway is gradually becoming insecure added that their efforts would reduce on the seas, kidnapping by militants‎ and offer protection to the local maritime assets.
    According to him, letter of recognition was dispatched to the Senate and the Federal Ministry of Justice in 2015, seeking for legal framework and empowerment for them to offer roles in the protection of the waterways.
    He noted that the group had come up with strategies and was ready to put in tremendous action towards total tackling of illegal oil bunkering activities in the coastal region.
    “Some personnel have already been deployed to some coastal states to confront the security challenges, but we are still waiting for official approval of the government,” he said.
    Agaba‎ noted that establishment of the security and safety group was a follow-up to the introduction of the international ship and port facility security code by the International Maritime Organization in 2001.
    He said the International Maritime Organization IMO mandated, after the 2001 terror attack in the United States of America, that all countries that have access to both ocean and sea must establish their Merchant Navy Security and Safety Corps to provide security to international ship and port for safety of the maritime industry.
    His words: “the roles of Nigerian Merchant Navy Security and Safety Corps in this country cannot be emphasized. Our officers and men are seasoned professionals who are trained to combat any crime at the maritime environment. We would work to prevent illegal entry of any foreign marine ship and perform salvage duties at sea in accordance with the rules of international convention
    “‎According us official recognition would drastically reduce the rate of unemployment and poverty, and ensure economic and social stability in the country. It will also lead to reduction in armed robbery, kidnapping, militancy, piracy and other criminal activities.
    “We will provide complementary capabilities to close the security gap at the seaports. We will support naval coastal warfare defence in accordance with long-standing agreement
    “The corps as security outfit is willing and ready to cooperate with all recognized security formations to provide maritime security to encourage foreign investment in maritime, oil and gas sector.”
  • Wanted journalist replies Army

    Wanted journalist replies Army

    … ‘I made personal sacrifices for Chibok girls’

    Wanted citizen journalist, Ahmad Salkida, has declared his readiness to return to Nigeria to answer questions on his alleged association with the Boko Haram sect.

    Salkida was declared wanted by the Nigerian Army hours after Boko Haram uploaded another video showing some of the abducted Chibok girls.

    The journalist had claimed on his social media handle that the video was exclusively sent to him by the terror group’s hierarchy.

    In a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, Salkida was wanted in connection with the last two videos released by Boko Haram terrorists and other findings.

    Responding to the development on his twitter handle, Salkida said he has stayed within “the creed of professional journalism,” in all his work and extensive coverage of Boko Haram insurgency since 2006.

    He said: “Clearly, my status as a Nigerian journalist who has reported extensively, painstakingly and consistently on the Boko Haram menace in the country since 2006 is an open book known to Nigerians and the international community. Equally, my total allegiance and sacrifice to the Federal Republic of Nigeria is self-evident. I have stayed within the creed of professional journalism in my work.

    “As a testimony to the credible and professional values of my access, since May 2015, l have been to Nigeria three times on the invitation of Federal Government agencies. I made personal sacrifices for the release of our Chibok daughters.

    “Finally, the Army is aware that I am not in Nigeria presently. In the coming days I will seek to get a flight to Abuja and avail myself to the Army authorities. Indeed, my return will be hastened if the military sends me a ticket.”

     

     

  • BDCs in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, others await forex disbursements

    Bureaux De Change (BDCs) in Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Benin, among others are expecting the disbursements of their Diaspora remittances this week.

    No fewer than 350 BDCs in the Lagos on Friday got $30,000 weekly allocations from four lenders – First Bank of Nigeria Limited, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Ecobank Nigeria Limited, it was gathered.

    About $10.5 million was disbursed to beneficiaries at the interbank rate.

    To ensure stability of the exchange rate and encourage participation of critical stakeholders in the foreign exchange market, the CBN directed through a circular to authorised dealers that all agents to approved International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) sell foreign currency accruing from inward money remittances to licensed BDCs.

    The foreign currency proceeds of IMTOs sold to BDC operators shall be retailed to end users in accordance to CBN regulation. Only BDCs that have been cleared by the compliance department of the banks as fully compliant with the KYC requirement were allowed to buy.

    The CBN issued a follow-up circular to all the banks, asking them to sell dollar to BDCs.

    In the circular titled:  Re: Sales of Foreign Currency Proceeds of International Money Transfers to Bureaux De Change Operators, CBN Acting Director, Trade and Exchange, W.D. Goting, said   he authorised dealers should sell foreign exchange cash to BDCs subject to a maximum of $30,000 to a BDC per week.

    He explained that a BDC shall nominate its preferred authorised dealer, a commercial bank, and can only procure the said amount from only that bank of its choice in a week. The CBN warned that any breach of this condition will attract appropriate sanction.

    The commercial banks, which are the authorised dealers have been giving stringent conditions to the BDCs finally bowed to pressure from both the CBN to disburse the first set of cash. Nearly 2,600 BDCs are yet to get their alloocations, and are at various stages of documentation.

    The banks also obtained com-pliance set guidelines commitment from the BDCs before selling to them. Part of the commitment were that the BDCs would not purchase forex from any other bank, except its bank of choice; foreign currency cash purchased by the BDCs shall be sold to forex end-users at a rate not exceeding two per cent margin above the buying rate.

    The BDCs also pledged to ensure that purchased funds would be disbursed to end users and for eligible transactions only and shall render weekly returns on purchases from the banks to Trade and Exchange Department of the CBN.

    The BDCs further promised to ensure strict compliance to the provisions of the anti-money laundering laws observance of appropriate KYC principles in the handling of foreign exchange transactions.

  • Battle over Abuja prime plots

    What turned Abuja into one of the most expensive cities in the world is greed of our political elite. The vicious battle over Abuja priceless land by politicians who are ready to deploy stolen national wealth into building of mansions, estates and farms where they rear crocodiles has become more vicious in recent years. If we needed any further proof to show how greed has turned a beautiful concept of a city meant for all Nigerians by Justice  Akinola Aguda to a city hijacked by men without character, the planned trial of Mallam Bala Mohammed, the immediate past Minister for Abuja Territory provided just that.

    Following close examination of petitions against Bala Mohammed, some dating back to 2013, initial findings, according to EFCC showed that “the ex-Minister used fictitious companies to award contracts worth N1 billion in FCT; allocated 12 plots of land to his son and 37 commercial plots of land to his business front called Tariq Hammoud”, from which he reportedly made N8billion. They are also re-visiting the controversial N1 trillion Abuja land swap.

    But the travail of Bala Mohammed is a case of who should cast the first stone among our new breed politicians that breed nothing but corruption. If we ‘shine our eyes well’ (apologies to Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State), we will see that land profiteering dates back to 1999 when with PDP assumption of power, the Abuja land policy thrust like all other PDP government policy thrusts such as privatisation, monetization, fuel subsidy and even vehicle plate number modernization were designed and implemented for the benefit not of the people but of those in government and their fronts. Bala Mohammed is therefore no less guilty than past presidents, ministers, lawmakers and governors who have with stolen public funds turned Abuja to the battle ground of who erect the greatest number of mansions, hotels, private estates and private farms.

    What gave us an insight into the recklessness of the political class was the crusade embarked upon by an NGO called Purpose Driven Initiative (PDI), the whistle blower for Abuja land grab by ex-President Jonathan and his Minister for Abuja Territory.  In an advertisement titled: “Let us talk about corruption”, the NGO had regaled the public with the tales of how “A sitting President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, incorporated a company, Ebele Integrated Farms Limited in which he is a major shareholder on December 30, 2011 and applied for and was granted 94.04 hectares of land – Plot 1689 in Cadastral Zone EOS Aviation Village, Abuja on January 13, 2014. Apart from the fact that this was a breach of the code of conduct for public officers, the  whistle-blower claimed: “The farm house which sits on a hill top overlooking the airport at the nation’s capital with rest chalets and presidential conference rooms, and probably managed by Israelis  was said to be worth about $500m.” It was further claimed that crocodiles are some of the livestocks being reared at its aquatic farm.

    Rising in defence of President Jonathan and his minister, a pro- government coalition, New Generation Coalition, justified the breach of public trust by claiming that ex-president similarly also incorporated a company, Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited, applied and was granted a 100.12 hectares of land, Plot No.1 Cadastral Zone E09 Kuje, Abuja on June 27, 2005. But even among thieves, there is supposed to be honour, but it is not so with the PDP where Jonathan apologists claimed that, by allocating and signing Certificate of Occupancy for his boss, Bala Mohammed was only following the foot-steps of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Obasanjo’s FCT Minister who allocated land and signed Certificate of Occupancy for Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited on July 24, 2006″. If Obasanjo immorally grabbed 100.12.hectares, why can’t Jonathan also immorally grab 94.4 hectares, they seem to be saying.

    As it turned out, Obasnajo and Jonathan, the greatest tragedies of our time merely created a pathway for their ministers and lawmakers who after confiscating their official residences under dubious monetization policy jointly embarked on massive padding of the budget which started when Dr. Bukola Saraki, fresh from medical school with no relevant experience, was appointed by an all-knowing Obasanjo as special assistant on budgeting in 1999.

    If only for the breach of public trust, Nigerian would have wished the Certificate of Occupancy given to Obasanjo and his godson in respect of the land they grabbed be revoked and the duo sanctioned. But I think cash-strapped President Buhari should just re-evaluate the 200 hectares of prime land and mandate father and son to pay the appropriate economic rate plus the interest that would have accrued to government.

    And following in the footsteps of President Jonathan, the whistle-blowing group also claimed, Bala Mohammed, in clear violation of the 1999 constitution, incorporated Bird Trust Agro-Allied Limited on May 31, 2012. Minister Bala Mohammed was said to have also allocated a modest 40.4 hectares, Plot 1683 in Cadastral Zone E05 of Aviation Village in Abuja on April 11, 2014,” to Minister Mohammed’s company.

    The Secretary to Government, Anyim Pius Anyim was not left out. He and some powerful people in President Jonathan’s government according to Daily Trust investigation were behind the Centenary City Plc, a private company which set out to build a mega-city to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary celebration. The company grabbed for itself 1,262.27 hectares of prime land.

    Again confiscating a prime land three times the size of Maitama or Asokoro districts for private use by those in government and their fronts is greed at its worst form. But we desperately need money and since we are in an era of plea bargaining, government should just play the Shylock by insisting Anyim Pius Anyim, the chief promoter, Abdul Salami Abubakar, the chairman and Dr Ike Michaels the Managing Director, pay the N63 billion in land fees for the Centenary City project which Daily Trust claimed was waived by federal government.

    First ladies were similarly not left out in the vicious battle over Abuja prime plots.  Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua once went to court asking she ‘be paid N1.5 billion as general damages, N100 million as exemplary damages, N100 million as aggravated damages in addition to N261 million already paid for Certificate of Occupancy as well as N454 million paid for building designs’ over her revoked land which was reallocated to Mrs. Patience Jonathan ostensibly for public interest. Mrs. Jonathan also went to court through the Ministry of Justice. In the end Turai floored her rival when the court ruled “The defendants failed woefully to adduce any shred of evidence before this court to support their claims that the allocation of the land was revoked on overriding public interest”.

    But government in desperate need of cash must ascertain if Turai paid the correct charges. This call has nothing to do with the integrity of Turai or her husband under whom she secured the prime Abuja plot. It is just that Nigerians cannot trust any of the FCT ministers.

    And finally since we are cash strapped, government should revisit the illegal and immoral sharing of 29 plots of land in the Maitama District which according to Dino Melaye fell within an area designated for erection of tourist structure for foreign visitors. He listed as beneficiaries President Jonathan, former Justice Minister Muhammed Bello Adoke; ý former Bauchi governor Isa Yuguda; and former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus among others. Since many of these men already have mansions in Abuja, they should be heavily taxed if they must convert land earmarked for public use into private use.

    If we cannot take our nation’s capital back from veteran budget padding lawmakers and ministers who have pumped billions into turning it into the exclusive preserve of the rich, they should be made to pay heavy tax not only to maintain the city but to solve social problems of other cities especially in an age of dwindling economic fortune.