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Security: NSA, Service Chiefs brief Osinbajo

Service Chiefs including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno on Wednesday briefed Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on the security situation in the country.

The first meeting with all the service chiefs in attendance since President Muhammadu Buhari left the country on vacation was held at Osinbajo’s office.

They briefed Osinbajo on the Boko Haram insurgency and killings in Southern Kaduna, cattle rustling and armed banditry.

Briefing State House correspondents at the opening of the security meeting, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, expressed appreciation of the administration for the support and continuous funding of the armed forces in the conduct of its operations.

This, he said, has impacted positively on the capacity of the armed forces and troops in fighting the Boko Haram terrorists in the North East and other security threats across the country.

He said: “On behalf of the armed forces and other security agencies, we pledge our total commitment and loyalty to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“The ongoing operation in the North East has recorded tremendous success and has led to restoration of normalcy in most parts of the affected areas. The current strategy being adopted involved the simultaneous conduct of consolidation and stabilisation cases so as to enable the civil authorities take lead role as quickly as possible.

“Our troops in conjunction with the vigilante groups successfully conducted clearance operations in villages and Boko Haram camps which led to the recovery of weapons and communication equipment as well as apprehension of many suspects. This is being supported by continuous aerial surveillance by the Nigerian Air Force so as to ensure that terrorists do not regroup.

He also said that several high profile Boko Haram commanders were arrested while over 20,000 persons mostly women and children held hostage by the terrorists were rescued.

“A number of the terrorists have surrendered to our troops and currently, rehabilitation and deradicalisation process for this category of Boko Haram terrorists and other rescued persons is ongoing.

“Also, the armed forces are currently providing medical support and basis amenities such as food, clothing, water supply to most IDP camps in the North East.

“Furthermore, several inter and intra roads and bridges that were impassable due to the security risks have been reopened and damaged ones reconstructed to enhance movement of people and goods in the North East.

“The Nigerian Army Small Arms Competition will be conducted by 7 Division at Sambisa Forest to consolidate the gains achieved so far and further sharpen the skills of our troops.

“In other to sustain the tempo of the counter insurgency operation in the North Eeast, the present administration had recently procured modern equipment to enhance the combat effectiveness of our armed forces.

“Mine-resistance ambush patrol vehicles, one 20mm Motors and ammunition were being procured by the Nigerian Army. Also, some patrol boats and other platforms have been ordered by the Nigerian Navy for outpost at Lake Chad Basin while contract for helicopters from Russia for the Nigerian Air Force has been awarded and approval for addition four of MI 35 are being awaited.” he added

He also said that additionally, 20 unmanned aerial vehicles from the United Arab Emirates have been procured by the Nigerian Air Force to support the operation in the North East.

“This administration has also shown tremendous concern to the welfare of troops particularly in the North East through prompt payment of troops’ salaries and allowances as well as improvement in medical services.

“Last week, we had a meeting with Ministers of Defence from the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin member countries, hosted by Nigeria. The countries include Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria.

“Memorandum of Understanding for the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to fight Boko Haram terrorists was signed during the meeting. This was aimed at supporting the operations of the MJTF operation Gama Aiki II nicknamed Rawan kada in the North East.”

He said that peace talk is already on course to resolve the Southern Kaduna crisis.

“With regards to the situation in Southern part of Kaduna State, peace talk is currently ongoing to address the current clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the communities.

“Recently, some religious leaders led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, were in Southern Kaduna to mediate between the herdsmen and farmers.

“As part of efforts to curtail this menace, Nigerian Army is in the process of constructing a permanent barracks in Kafanchan. Also, the Nigerian Army is expected to conduct exercise Harbin kunama II in Southern Kaduna, Falgore Forest in Kano and the forest in Bauchi to flush out the criminal elements.

“The activities of cattle rustlers and armed bandits generally in the entire North West have been significantly reduced. Efforts and peace talks to put an end to this cattle rustling and armed banditry in communities in Zamfara and Katsina State have successfully resulted in the handover of various weapons to troops in the states.

“Bandits from an area in Zamfara State handed over 234 dane guns, 94 locally made pistols, 25 locally made revolvers, 17 locally made multi mural pistols, 10 locally made double barrel, 11 AK47 and five machine guns in addition to the ones collected in Kastsina recently.” he stated

Those at the meeting included the Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonishakin and other service chiefs; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura; and the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

March 1, 2017
Falana petitions Acting President, AGF on El-Zakzaky’s, wife’s detention

Humjab rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to order the release of Shiite leader Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Hajia Ibraheema, from “illegal detention”.

He wrote to the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice. A copy was sent to the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

Falana, who is the lawyer to El-Zakzaky and his group, said the Department of State Services (DSS) had not released the Shiite leader and his wife from detention despite the judgment of a Federal High Court, which declared their incarceration illegal and unconstitutional.

He added that the court ordered their immediate release from the custody of the SSS within 45 days.

The human rights lawyer urged the AGF and the Acting President to use their good offices to ensure his clients were released “from illegal incarceration without any further delay” in view of “the avowed commitment of the Buhari administration to operate under the rule of law”.

The letter reads in part: “In a considered judgment delivered on December 2, 2016, the Federal High Court (per Kolawole J.) declared illegal and unconstitutional the detention of Sheik Ibraheem Elzakzaky and his wife, Hajia Ibraheema Elzakzaky and ordered their immediate release from the custody of the State Security Service within 45 days. Since the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna State government had engaged in the illegal destruction of the residence of our clients in December 2015, the court ordered the Federal Government to provide a temporary accommodation for them. The court also awarded reparation of N50 million to the couple.

“Although the deadline expired on January 16, 2017, the State Security Service has refused to release our clients from custody in utter contempt of the valid and subsisting order of the Federal High Court. The Federal Government has equally refused to comply with the other terms of the judgment.

“However, we are not unaware that your office has filed an appeal against the said judgment at the Court of Appeal. But since the filing of the appeal has not varied or suspended the orders of the learned trial judge, you are duty bound to advise the Federal Government to comply with the clear and unambiguous terms of the judgment.

“Having regard to the facts and circumstances of this case, we are compelled to remind you of the case of Nigerian Army v Mowarin (1992) 4 N.W.L.R. (pt 235) 345, where the Court of Appeal dismissed the motion for stay of execution of the judgment of the Lagos High Court for the release of the appellant.

“In justifying the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Kalgo J.C.A. (as he then was) held that ‘the refusal of the application will not cause any injury to the applicant, but if the application is granted, the respondent will continue to suffer personally in detention after the court has declared her detention unlawful ab initio’. Based on the dismissal of the application for stay of execution, the then military junta released the respondent from further custody.

“In line with the principle of law espoused by the Court of Appeal in the case of Nigerian Army v Mowarin (supra), your office has not filed any application for stay of the execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court, which has ordered the Federal Government to release our clients from the unlawful custody of the State Security Service.

“In view of the avowed commitment of the Buhari administration to operate under the rule of law, we urge you to use your good offices to ensure that our clients are released from illegal incarceration without any further delay. However, if our request is not granted forthwith we shall not hesitate to pray the Court of Appeal to refuse to entertain the appeal filed by your office against the judgment of the Federal High Court until the Federal Government has purged of the contempt of the Federal High Court.

February 27, 2017
Saraki reads Buhari’s medical vacation extension letter, others

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday read President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical vacation extension letter.

Saraki also read the letter seeking the confirmation of Acting Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, as substantive CJN which was endorsed by Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

President Buhari in the letter notifying the Senate of the extension of his medical leave referred further to his letter dated 18^th January 2017, in which he notified the Senate of taking part of his annual leave.

He noted that “During my leave, I took the opportunity to have routine check-ups and consult my long standing doctors in London.

“In the course of the routine examination, certain test result indicated the need for a course of medication and further appointments have been scheduled for next week.

“I am therefore, notifying the Distinguished Senate that I am extending my leave until the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out.

“In the circumstance, the Vice President will continue to act on my behalf.”

On the appointment of the Onnoghen as CJN, entitled “Re: Appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria” the Acting President said, “Following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, I hereby notify you (Senate) of the appointment of the Honourable Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen CFR as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“The Senate President is requested to kindly present the said appointment of the Honourable Justice Onnoghen for confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to Section 231(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria.”

Saraki also told the Senate that he led a delegation of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan to visit President Buhari in London.

The Senate President reiterated that they met President Buhari in good spirit, in good health and chatty as usual.

Saraki said that he led the delegation to convey the good wishes of the National Assembly to President Buhari.

President Buhari, Saraki said, “hopes to be back very soon.”

February 21, 2017
Osinbajo passes seven bills into law

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has assented to Pension Rights of Judges(Amendment) Act, 2017, and six other bills passed by the National Assembly.

This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang.

Enang listed other bills assented to by the Acting President as Oaths(Amendment) Act, 2017; Defence Space Administration Act, 2017; Veterinary Surgeons(Amendment)Act, 2017, and National Film and Video Censors Board(Amendment)Act, 2017.

Others are- Nigeria Institute of Soil Science(Establishment, etc.) Act, 2017, and Mortgage Institutions(Amendment)Act, 2016.

He noted that the Acts, other than Defence Space Administration Act and Institute of Soil Science Act, were mainly amendments to the principal Acts, intended to bring them in conformity with current realities.

Enang explained that the Oaths Amendment Act enlists courts that were not in existence when the Oaths Act was passed into law.

He added that the Amendment Act enlists courts which came into being upon amendment of the constitution, creating such courts as the Federal High Court, FCT High Court, National Industrial Court, among others.

“Defence Space Administration Act establishes the Defence Space Administration, to develop satellite technology and ensure the security of the nation’s cyber activities.

“Veterinary Surgeons (Amendment)Act reduces the membership of the Veterinary Council.

“National Film and Video Censors Board(Amendment)Act reduces the membership of the governing board and empowers the board to regulate the import and export of movies.

“Pension Rights of Judges(Amendment) Act expands the meaning of a judicial officer.

“This is to cover offices of Chief Judge or Judge of the Federal High Court, President or Judges of National Industrial Court and Chief Judge or Judges of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Nigeria Institute of Soil Science(Establishment, etc) Act establishes the Nigeria Institute of Soil Science, which is charged with the responsibility of regulating the profession of Soil Science.

“Mortgage Institutions (Amendment)Act reviews the prescribed penalties,’’ he said.

February 18, 2017
Contractors who abandoned projects must return to site – Osibanjo

The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, has directed contractors who abandoned projects in oil-bearing communities of Imo State to return to the site with immediate effect.

Osibanjo gave the directive on Tuesday in Owerri during a stakeholders’ forum held at Imo International Convention Centre.

He said that from the list submitted to him by various groups, Imo had over 40 abandoned projects awarded in oil-bearing areas apart from numerous roads projects that were abandoned.

He warned political office holders not to divert projects meant for oil bearing communities.

He added that diversion of projects contributed to restiveness and cry of marginalisation in oil producing communities.

He said that the federal government was committed to injecting fresh ideas to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region.

According to him, the idea will entail the federal government, oil firms, corporate bodies and the host communities coming together to step up development of the area.

In his remarks, the Minister of State Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, assured that his ministry would investigate reports of allocation of oil wells owned by Imo to other states.

Gov. Rochas Okorocha, who thanked the acting president for the visit, said a lot was still needed to be done for Imo people to carry them along in the scheme of things.

He appealed to the federal government to site more projects in Imo and include the state in projects meant for oil producing states.

Chief Jones Uzoka, an indigene of oil-bearing communities of Imo, who spoke at the meeting, alleged that some oil wells that belong to the state were allocated to other states while some were shut down for no reason.

He said that as a result of the development the state does not get its right share as oil-bearing state and called for a redress of the injustice.

February 14, 2017
Osinbajo’s visit unite Dickson, Sylva

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and his immediate predecessor, Chief Timipre Sylva at the weekend looked at each other eyeball-to-eyeball for the first time after the controversial 2015/2016 governorship elections in the state.

The meeting of the two arch political enemies was made possible by the Friday’s visit of the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and his team who were in the state to seek solutions to the crisis in the Niger Delta region.

There was apprehension in the camps of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when feelers filtered in that Sylva was in the entourage of Osinbajo.

People were worried about the likely outcome of a meeting between Dickson and Sylva who had remained unyielding and unfriendly political foes after the elections that sharply divided the state.

The worries were believed not to be out of place considering the hate, jabs and tantrums that characterized the actions of the duo during the poll and lingered months after the exercise.

People recalled how Dickson, the candidate of the PDP, described Sylva, the standard bearer of the APC, as a guy man, eliciting a swift reaction from Sylva, who called the governor a bushman.

But eventually when a “guy man” and a “bushman” met for the fist time, their behaviour towards each other betrayed their supporters’ expectations.

It was a dramatic moment when it got to the turn of Sylva to receive handshakes from Dickson who exchanged pleasantries with members of Osinbajo’s team at the heliport of the Government House.

With a broad smile, Dickson on getting to Sylva exclaimed: “Countryman! Countryman!!” He then warmly shook hands with him as Sylva returned the gesture with an infectious smile.

Dickson, who was in high spirits then turned to someone standing beside Sylva and said: “Your friend (Sylva) is running away from me”. But Sylva immediately replied: ” I am not running away from you”. Everybody laughed.

Some Ijaw leaders were happy at the development and thanked Osinbajo during a town hall meeting at the Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, for bringing peace to Bayelsa by uniting the two gladiators.

The President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, before presenting his demands to Osinbajo first counted the peace between Sylva and Dickson as one of the blessings of the visit.

He said it was remarkable that the visit brought the state chairmen of APC and PDP and Ijaw people from various political divides together.

He said: “I want to on behalf of the Ijaw nation thank your Excellency the acting President for bringing peace to Bayelsa. This is the first political leader that will bring together two leaders of the Ijaw land together.

“Ijaw people cut across various political divides sit together. We thank you because our state really needs to be healed politically. Thank you for bringing peace”.

Even the Masters of Ceremony (MC), Ebi Abi, observed that it was the first of its kind for the state chairmen of APC and PDP to sit together.

Also Dickson in his speech created more excitement among the crowd. He said he was very glad when he saw Sylva in the entourage of acting President.

He said: “Join me to welcome my immediate past predecessor. I was very glad when I saw him at the heliport while waiting to receive the acting President”.

Addressing Sylva he said: “My dear brother, since the end of our campaign, this is the first time I am seeing you. It is good to see that you are looking very well and handsome. That is the spirit of the new Bayelsa”.

February 11, 2017
Electricity: Dangote chief advocates restructuring, better funding

As Nigerians and businesses grope in darkness, Honorary Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Eng. Joe Makoju has advocated adequate funding and restructuring of the Power sector so as to achieve relative stability in electricity generation and distribution

He said the power sector is currently bankrupt to the point of even threatening the health of financial institutions and the wider national economy.

To restructure the sector for effective services, Makoju advised a reduction in the distribution zones.

Speaking at a two-day Power Sector Stakeholders Interactive Dialogue convened by the National Assembly in Abuja, Makoju who was a special adviser to three different Presidents of Nigeria on Power canvassed for a fundamental structural change as against the current path of tariff increases and government bailouts.

He said: “I want to stress that, I do not wish to be alarmist; but if we continue on the current path of tariff increases and government bailouts without fundamental structural changes, we will soon be dealing with a disaster. What assets are on the ground will depreciate, financial positions will deepen, and eventually we will all come back to these same conclusions but after much more harm has been done.”

While revealing that the failure of the Power Sector under government management was not a technical and commercial management of the business but the absence of sustained and adequate funding of the sector, he said despite the privatisation exercise six years ago, the problem of the sector remains the same.

According to him, “Most of the private sector investors in the power privatisation had no specialist knowledge or understanding of the power sector, which has eroded the technical and managerial competence in the industry. And the funding problems have persisted and even become exacerbated as they now even threaten the stability and health of the nation’s banking system as well as the entire electricity sector.”

While noting that the distribution end of the value chain is the most inefficient and has suffered the greatest neglect, he described it as one which underpins the financial viability and sustainability of the entire sector. “To get the sector moving forward we need to improve its liquidity position, and this can only be accomplished through satisfied, paying customers.” he asserted.

Still on the issue of adequate funding for the sector, Makoju said the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) reports that as at December 2016, the funding gap in the power sector is over N1 trillion and as such, he advised that funding must be looked at from the perspective of new equity and debt financing arrangements and structures, and internally generated revenue maximization.

As a lasting solution, he also canvassed new capable players working in a reconfigured power sector while also considering residual government shares for bringing in long-term funding.

While urging the FG to declare a state of emergency in the power sector, he routes for the engagement of industry experts and policymakers to draw up a comprehensive power sector master plan building on past provisions and arrangements to deliver an electricity industry fit for current and future needs.

Makoju said: “The present configuration is not working and will not work even with more money pumped in. The structure of the sector needs to be reconfigured for efficiency, with fewer distribution zones for instance. These can be managed and coordinated by a reputable international operator like EDF, Globeleq, Actis, Reliance, etc. in partnership with financially credible Nigerian entities,” Makoju also canvassed for the restructuring of the TCN management for better service delivery.

Given the extended lead times required for new gas, transmission and distribution improvement investments in the Power sector, and the quantum of legacy issues now encumbering the sector, Makoju opined that it may take anywhere from five years to 10 years to fully stabilise electricity delivery across the country.

Nevertheless, he said positive results can be recorded within the first five years’ period if earnest action is taken now.

Speaking at the Power Sector Stakeholders Interactive Dialogue, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki said the problems with the power sector are Man-Made but are surmountable. He regretted that despite the huge amount of money sunk into the sector it has failed to bring about the desired result.

He said the dialogue was convened because the legislative arm of government, which represents the Nigerian people are worried about the teething challenges facing power chain of generation, transmission and distribution. He said Nigerians of this generation must not repeat the mistakes of the past, adding that both regulators and players must be ready to make sincere sacrifices.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara also concurred with Senator Saraki that successive investments in the sector have not translated into efficiency and delivery of power to the people. He also asked questions relating to the proceeds of power sector privatisation, saying the legislative arm will continue to work with all stakeholders to deliver power to the Nigerian people.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola said the Muhammadu Buhari government is doing all things possible to address power problem. He, however, urged the legislative arm to support such efforts through vibrant legislations and continuing engagement with critical stakeholders.

Also speaking Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said his office has been coordinating all activities in the sector and it is not unmindful of the deep crisis it is facing.

He assured Nigerians the government is prioritising the sector, saying it is key to economic development.

Chairman of Egbin Power Plc Kola Adesina and Board Director Ikeja Electric urged the National Assembly to accord priority to power during budgeting. He also regretted that public sector debt in the sector has increased astronomically over the years.

February 9, 2017
Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara meet in Aso Rock

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday met behind closed doors with the leadership of the National Assembly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

At the meeting were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

The duo had held similar meeting with Osinbajo on Tuesday.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Saraki said that the Thursday meeting was centered on Nigeria’s troops deployed in The Gambia.

“The Acting President was briefing us on our trip to The Gambia and what the situation is. He told us that the Navy and the Air Force will be coming back and that it is likely some troops will be left behind,” he stated.

He had disclosed that the Tuesday’s meeting had discussed the state of the economy and the 2017 Appropriation Bill currently before the National Assembly.

February 2, 2017
Senate Leader briefs Osinbajo on 2017 Budget

..Says opposition Senators cooperating with Buhari

The new Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, on Monday met with the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the State House and briefed him on the progress made so far by the Upper Chamber in the consideration of the 2017 Appropriation bill at the National Assembly.

According to him, Senators on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition parties are unanimous in their support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

He spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the closed door meeting.

He said: “I’m here to meet the Acting President to brief him on what the Senate is doing on the Appropriation Bill 2017. You know we have suspended plenaries for three weeks. The idea is to have ample time to focus on the appropriation bill. The committees will start to work from this week meeting the MDAs on the budget defence that they need to do.

“Secondly, you know that the Acting President is an APC Acting President of this our administration. As a new Senate Leader, it is also important that I come here to this office to tell the Acting President and our administration that the APC caucus in the Senate is now a united caucus.

“We are ready as a caucus to support our administration; we are also ready as a Senate, that is both the APC and the minority parties, to work for the betterment of Nigerians. Our colleagues in the opposition have always been supportive and being there for the Senate to function.” he added

The whole development, he said, is to ensure that the government delivers on its campaign promises to Nigerians with the executive and the legislature working hand in hand.

“So that our campaign promises become real and available to all Nigerians for the betterment of the country,” he said

January 30, 2017
Military era, bane of Police inefficiency in Nigeria – Oba Akiolu

Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Monday said the long years of military rule contributed immensely to why the Police Force is struggling with efficiency and performance stating categorically that, “It was the military that killed the efficiency and performance of police”.

Akiolu spoke at the opening ceremony of a two-day Stakeholder’s Summit organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, where keynote address was delivered by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who was represented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney- General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The traditional ruler who recalled that he was the head of the police fighting force for years, however, urged President Buhari to ensure he worked with serious and open minded people who would give the Inspector- General of Police free hand to run the Force.

This is as he said that the call to have community policing established in the country requires dedication, funds and men who were prepared to work.

Also, he said the issue of police barracks collapsing could only be addressed through adequate funding by the Federal Government.

“I have listened with rapt attention the argument of the Acting President who was represented by the AGF. And let me tell you the truth. It was the military that killed the efficiency and performance of police.

“I was the head of the police fighting force for years. I am happy that at this time we have someone who is willing and prepared to assist the Nigerian police.

“I want to urge the President to work with serious and open minded people who will give the IG free hand to run the force.

“We are clamouring for community policing at the moment but I must tell you that it requires dedication, funds and men who are prepared to work.

The reason for police barrack collapsing is that the Federal Government needs to release funds to rehabilitate the barracks in order for the DPO and others top police officers to live within the community they have been assigned to work,” the monarch said.

Speaking further, Oba Akiolu, while denouncing the Police Service Commission (PSC), describing it is a toothless bulldog, said, it was unfair for someone to sit at the PS and determine who retires from the police.

The Oba, who said he was a victim, pointed out that that was not how to run a very efficient police force, even as he disclosed that he had asked the officers who took the Federal Government to court over their premature retirement to withdraw the suit and go and claim their benefits.

“For someone to sit at the Police Service Commission and determine who retires from the police is unfair. This is not how to run a very efficient police force.

“I remember that I was a victim of that circumstance; then Atiku, Daura and others sat down and advised the president (Obasanjo) that if he wants to win Lagos in 2003, I must be removed. It was written on paper.

“And in fairness to President Obasanjo, he argued that he knows nothing about it. And he had to send for the IG because the then Chief of Staff challenged the plan to retire me.

“Also, what they wanted to use former IG, Tafa Balogun for at the end of the day. And that is why Alhaji Gambo is still bitter because he wanted Balogun to disclose what the PDP wanted him to do in 2003.

“And all those money they alleged he was possessing, it was some of the governors that contributed that money to him. The PSC is a toothless bulldog. I have asked the officers who took the government to court to withdraw the suit and go and claim their benefits,” he said.

January 30, 2017