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Tag: amnesty

  • Amnesty for Benue militant

    Amnesty for Benue militant

    Mr. Terwase Akwaza, once described as a notorious criminal and the deadliest militia leader in sub-Sahara Africa, has turned a new leaf and been pardoned by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom. The governor offered the Benue-born militant the carrot and stick option. Akwaza, also known as Ghana, took the carrot.

    “Go and sin no more,” the governor told him. Since then, Ghana has been reintegrated in the society to do his legitimate businesses freely. The repentant militant said he is better-off now that he has turned away from his ‘old life.’

    During his vicious days, Akwaza was believed to disappear into thin air. His power was rated to be so enormous that he was not scared of any weapon, neither did he fear anyone, not the police nor soldiers. Now repentant and having embraced amnesty, Akwaza has surrendered over 200 light and heavy weapons, including AK47 rifles, other robotic guns and explosives.

    Recently, his Shitile community joined him in a thanksgiving service which featured Governor Ortom as guest of honour. Bishop of the Katsina-Ala Diocese, Rev. Peter Adobo, was another dignitary, having played an intermediary role for the amnesty to be complete.

    The occasion, chaired by House of Representatives member representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo federal constituency Emmanuel Udende, took place at the St. John the Baptist’s Quasi Parish, Gbise, Katsina-Ala local government area. The gospel was taken from Luke 13:1-9, where the Holy Scripture says: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

    At the church Mass, Ghana went down on bended knees as he sought forgiveness from those he had offended. He said he has also forgiven those who had rubbed him the wrong way. He said the thanksgiving was a public manifestation that he is now a true follower of Christ.

    Akwaza claimed he had acquired firearms to defend his Tiv community, particularly Mbayongo, from external attacks. He explained that his people had often clashed with their neighbours in Nasarawa and Taraba states. He added that Fulani marauders were attacking them, feasting on their farm crops, maiming, displacing and killing them in both Taraba and their home state Benue. But now he has retired from all of that because government has become their defender. Formerly Saul, he is now Paul. From being a militia leader, he became an amnesty leader. A commander in war turned peacemaker; a vengeance seeker turned forgiver.

    After the Thanksgiving Mass, a colourful reception was held at the premises of the Terwase Akwaza Technical Science Secondary School, Gbise, built by the ex-militant who believes in education as the best weapon for change.

    In attendance were many other dignitaries, including: Commissioner for Agriculture Simon Anbua, Commissioner for Commerce and Trade Investment Tersoo Kpelai, Chairman of BIRS Mimi Adzape Orubibi, Special Adviser on Media and ICT Tahav Agerzua, Aspecial Adviser on Special Duties Joe Kyaagba, APC council leader Terver Gyanggyang, Caretaker Chairman of Logo council, Caretaker Chairman of Katsina-Ala Martins Ujoh (Host of the occassion), Josephine Haba (Guest Speaker) and many traditional rulers.

    Chairman of the Central Planning Committee Augustine Avaan welcomed the guests. He commended the governor on his peace initiative, saying his (Ortom’s) collaborative meetings with the governors of Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states on the inter-state border community clashes, spate of armed robbery and the surreptitious ethnic killings were yielding a positive result.

    “Ethnic hostilities against our community had exacted desolately on our people who share boundary with other states. Invasions by Fulani herdsmen, particularly, had been giving us sleepless night. But all of that has died down since Ortom came on board last year with the peace programme. We urge him to intensify more efforts so as to halt any resurgence,” Avaan said.

    Highlight of the occasion was the decoration of the governor and Ghana in native regalia. The governor was first dressed in Godo –Tiv’s most venerated and pricey cultural fabric. He wore a hat, known as Ato-a-Beagh, standing for power and authority. Then he and his ‘prodigal son’ were dressed in the popular black and white Angel. They were handed spears, as an emblem of peace but also defence and an ox-blood sack (ikpa-i-aboo-a-tar) for dignity.

    Ortom spoke to the people saying he was mocked and criticised that he was celebrating a criminal (Ghana). But he insisted he was on a peace and security project, which was yielding fruits. He noted that, there can be no development where peace and security are eluded. With a tranquil environment, investors can come and invest to help build the state, he said. He explained that Ghana has repented, surrendered arms and pleaded for forgiveness. So, it was simply right to forgive him and consolidate on the peace the people are now enjoying. “Traders and farmers are no longer attacked on the road when they sell their produce and are returning home,” he said.

    The governor disclosed how he came from a poor background, loading passengers in the motor park to become a council chairman, then minister, employer of labour and now governor.

    Ortom assured of his readiness to help the people and transform Benue, by building schools, bridges, roads and providing other social amenities in the rural areas. “But I have to begin with peace and security. I ran for the governorship election not because I want to acquire wealth; I am contented with what I have; mine is to help the under-privileged and transform Benue,” he said.

    Chairman of the occasion Emmanuel Udende pledged to donate a block of classrooms to Ghana’s school. He urged others to also donate to the school.

     

  • Our plans to exit amnesty programme in two years — Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Paul Boroh

    Our plans to exit amnesty programme in two years — Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Paul Boroh

    Since its establishment in 2009, the Presidential Amnesty Office has benefitted from appropriation running into billions of Naira in its drive to disarm, demobilise and reintegrate thousands of ex-agitators who voluntarily surrendered their arms. In this interview with the Managing Editor, Northern Operations, YUSUF ALLI and Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital), YOMI ODUNUGA, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig. Gen Paul Boroh (rtd), said such an expensive programme cannot be sustained in perpetuity by any country. He also spoke on his plan to exit the programme in the next two years and the best way to achieve sustainable peace in the Niger Delta region. Excerpts:

     

    Since your appointment as the Presidential Adviser on the Amnesty Programme, it seems not much has taken place. Why is that?

    A lot has been happening. Maybe much of these are not out there because of the nature of what we are doing here. We  want to focus on the work and shred the programme of all the politics. When I came here, I discovered that things were left in disarray because there was  no exit strategy. There is a need for an exit strategy in any planned mission. This particular operation was planned in 2009 between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the ex-agitators. There was a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) work to be carried out. But to my knowledge of the United Nations DDR programme,  I was Chief of Staff of UN Mission in Liberia from the first day of 2009 to 15th March, 2010 when I came back to Nigeria,  I believe I understand the details of the DDR programme. The Rs are more- Disarmament, Demobilisation, Remobilisation, Reconstruction, Reinsertion, Reconciliation (you reconcile those aggrieved persons, otherwise it’s not over yet.) and Reintegration. After all these have been done, when you finish with the first D, you have five parts. It is thereafter you will know if it is succeeding or not. By then, all those bad habits the agitators have been enjoying would have to be cleansed.

    How soon do you think it will take for this particular one to be rounded off and do you have any security challenges in dealing with these ex-agitators?

    It is a very expensive programme. Not every country can undertake this kind of programme. It is only the UN that can successfully achieve that because it is expensive. Nigeria is a wealthy country to have even thought of embarking on the programme because  running a DDR programme alone as a country without the support of the UN is one in a million. So, we are in the phase of reintegration and this is the most critical of the phases. What I want to achieve is sustainable reintegration. I have achieved that because since I resumed office on the last day of July, 2015, there are have not been skirmishes that would cause economic disturbances in the country. There has been peace; I want to continue to achieve and sustain the peace we have been enjoying. It is more so because of the way the Federal Government encourages me to continue relating with the ex-agitators until we achieve sustainable re-integration. It is also important to note that the Amnesty Programme is a delicate one because it is a programme that is security in nature. The staff of this programme have been threatened. They have attacked our headquarters severally. The Chief Security Officer, Legal Adviser have been threatened severally; so it is a security programme. Every person that works here has been attacked in one way or the other but we are focused on achieving peace.

    Since the ex-agitators live in different parts of the country with some of them studying abroad, how do you handle the issue of logistics especially with regards to meeting the needs of these persons?

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme now has offices in Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Edo. We are yet to open office in Bayelsa, Imo. In the next two weeks, we will open offices in Bayelsa, Ondo, Imo and Abia States. The aim of establishing these offices is to bring the offices closer to the locations of ex-agitators in order to achieve perfect coordination of the activities. We also opened mission offices in the United Kingdom. Just before I took over, there were protests all over the world where we have our students. We felt it is proper to open offices where they are so they can lodge complaints rather than protesting and embarrassing our country. About 4, 000 of them school in 71 institutions in the UK. They go to London, Nigerian High Commission, for assistance. The same thing I want to do for those in US, South Africa, Russia, Malaysia and other parts of the world. I met this programme on ground; I was not the one who established it in all these places. I met it and I will continue with it but I feel it is better managed if we have offices where our embassies are, so they can go and lay their complaints if they have any.

    How critical is this exit plan to the national economy?

    A lot has happened particularly to the fact that the programme now has an exit strategy. We cannot be paying so much without knowing when we will stop paying. We have planned it in such a manner that, everything being equal, the programme ought to end in two years with a case load of 30, 000.  About 17, 000 have been trained with about 13, 000 remaining. So between October and December, 2015, we felt the need to focus on this exit strategy. I am happy to say that by the end of this month, about 3, 232 beneficiaries of the programme will exit because they are due for the entrepreneurship programme. They have received business setup and starter packs from this office. Also affected are beneficiaries of oil and gas international foundation programmes and about 400 beneficiaries, who the office has secured employment for.

    So, exiting 3, 232 beneficiaries will save the Federal Government of Nigeria the sum of N2, 520, 960 billion in stipends payment for 2016. It is also important to know that the second batch of 1042 are currently being given starter packs to establish their individual businesses and soon to exit the programme. This will further save the Federal Government the total sum of N812, 760 million. We are all aware of the budget defence last week, so it depends on the outcome. The Amnesty Office  planned to exit another 2958 beneficiaries by the end of this year, amounting to an estimated sum of N2, 307, 240 billion to be realised as savings that would have been spent on stipends. So, this exercise is a significant step in the five-year programme of the amnesty, which has never existed anywhere for beneficiaries to take over.

    So far, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has trained total number of 17, 332 beneficiaries, leaving a balance of 12,678. Additionally, it has embarked on the domestication of programmes where we have over 5,000 students schooling offshore. We are looking at the bills, particularly due to the paucity of funds; the economy is not as buoyant as it used to be. We don’t need to deceive ourselves; so we should sustain those 5, 000 persons. We still have very good institutions in this country. The ones that have graduated will come back and the ones yet to graduate will finish their programmes and reduce sending others. Currently, five of its 49 training centres are offshore while it has students in 131 tertiary institutions abroad.

    I tried to relate what I met here with what happened when I was commanding the ECOMOG Battalion 36 in Sierra Leone; I was the last commanding officer of ECOMOG. They did not have an exiting strategy. ECOMOG left Sierra Leone in disarray. Nigerian soldiers were running for their lives. There was no exit strategy. That was what informed me that I must come up with an exit strategy for this programme. Otherwise, we will have more persons wanting to join the programme and we would not have enough money to cater for them. So you must come up with an exit strategy.

    Do we really have facilities here that can accommodate the huge number of beneficiaries and train them locally?

    With effect from 2016 session, it is projected that 95 percent of the amnesty programme students deployment will be within local institutions. I just want to avoid a situation where we send our children out of this country and we cannot sustain their stay there. The case at hand is that in which one of the students has to pay $53, 000. To me, it is on the high side. We have asked them to look for schools that are cheaper or bring them back home because,candidly speaking, this year’s budget would not be like last year’s. We just have to manage what we have, especially when the amnesty programme has, in the past five years, secured admission and given scholarships to about 5,234 beneficiaries in tertiary institutions. From this number, 3,082 gained admission into the country and 2,150 gained admission abroad, while 272 have graduated. Some will graduate this year, and the remaining will graduate next year.

    With a two-year exit strategy, does it mean the Amnesty Office would no longer accommodate those in the creeks who are willing to surrender their arms and benefit from the DDR programme?

    The last visit I made to Gbaramatu Kingdom, within South-South Delta State, I spoke to the youths there. I did not even get to Warri town when over  70 of them left the creeks to say they wanted to come out and follow me. Those that have weapons are responding and those who are living in the creeks have also been responding. We know how we can easily trace them. I have persons I can talk to and they get them out. It is not that we are going to stop them; no, because they now see the programme as beneficial. If we announce a new programme and they want to get captured, we will not prevent them. We will invite them, get their statistics. The important thing is get the weapons they used for criminal acts. Even though I like to relate with them and ensure they leave the bushes, it requires planning. If I take them out, how will I manage them?  I don’t have already made employment for them here as well.

    Some are armed. I asked them to disarm and they should not engage in militancy. The same thing happened in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ondo and Edo because they want to leave the creeks but it requires budgeting. Because the progamme is succeeding, some of them want to get captured. I said I am happy that you are willing to surrender and submit your arms. You want to give up the struggle to come out but I need to plan it for the government. It needs good planned operation because they are very many. So, that is in the pipeline. So far, it is a successful programme. It is on course. I am very happy about it and we are going to plan together and add value to the programme.  I will like to appeal to you to see this programme as your programme because it is a national programme. It is a programme that has to do with rehabilitating persons that have held arms.

    It is not a political programme. If you try to politicise the programme, you create more problem. That is my experience. It is unlike what is happening in other parts of the country, no. It is open for value to be added. If you have any advice you think will enhance this programme, it is most welcome. We drive the process using the principle of collective responsibility. We all have a stake in it.  I took over this office first week in August, 2015. It was an ongoing programme. I had to streamline it and continue. It was the 30, 000 persons captured in the data that I met; 17, 000 have been trained and empowered, remaining 13, 000. It is from this group that 3, 235 will exit because they have been collecting stipends all these years. From the onset, they would have come up with an exit strategy and by now, that five years would have been achieved. By 31st December, 2015, all of them would have been rehabilitated and reintegrated but because there was no exit strategy, I had to plan one. It is not a thing you stop promptly, you will cause more problems. All we want to prevent is a relapse of the programme. We want to achieve sustainable peace until it is finally achieved. Getting jobs is a peculiar task generally, not only in the Niger Delta. There should be thematic plans with timelines. To my thinking, I think two years is short enough to achieve that.

    If you insist on rounding off the programme in two years, what happens to those beneficiaries who would be running a four-year programme in tertiary institutions both here and abroad?

    There are two groups we are talking about. The ex-agitators who are captured in the amnesty programme, 30, 000 of them, and other persons within the general area. So they are different from the ex-agitators. That plan could be continuous such that we may hand them over to the Ministry of Education for continuity. The aim is, this programme should not be endless. There should be a point it should stop in order to prevent other regions from doing the same. It is an extremely expensive programme. I was with the UN as commanding officer, Sierra Leone, Chief of Staff of the Mission in Liberia and I know how much the UN spent for DDR programmes, not every country can engage in it. No amount of time, efforts, resources you spend to achieve peace that are too much but peace must be attained.  Until that is done, we cannot be proud we are here.

    Are you not concerned about the current state of vandalism in the Niger Delta? Is there a resurgence of militancy post- Jonathan era? 

    The pipeline vandalisation that happened was when we started hearing of Tompolo by the EFCC, it is not an issue that has to do with amnesty, it is a different issue. It is kidnap, sabotage and it is not part of the amnesty programme and when I visited, I also passed through the JTF headquarters and mentioned that  the amnesty headquarters dissociates itself from such acts and that we will work with security agencies and the masses to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. That’s exactly what we are doing. We are working with security agencies to ensure that those involved are identified.

    What would you describe as tangible achievements of an expensive programme like this? Is it worth it?

    Is there any tangible achievement from this programme? I will say yes because when this programme started in 2009, I was in the UN.  I never wanted to come back to this country because I was enjoying my work in that place but when I now came, I saw this was happening and I was happy about it. In terms of finances, it is a very expensive programme, even the UN has spent a lot of money on its programme for peace.  It is a security programme and the amount of time, efforts, resources to achieve peace are huge. We have a lot of expensive equipment and assets in the Niger Delta that need to be secured and the Amnesty Programme has engendered a relative atmosphere of peace.

    The clean-up exercise will soon start from Ogoniland, and we are doing it with the Ministry of Environment. It should be starting in a month ‘s time. Once that starts, that is the beginning of development for the Niger Delta because a lot of these boys will now be engaged in helping and it is going to push our programme. A lot of them will be engaged and we will take it up from there. To some persons, it is when there is conflict that they are happy. For most of us that have seen it all, we don’t like conflict; we will do everything to achieve peace in order to allow development. The Amnesty Programme is to sustain the peace in Niger Delta to allow the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Environment, even Works and Housing to carry out their duties. I am to prepare the ground for development.

  • Amnesty, CDHR join forces against torture

    Global rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) has joined forces with Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) to fight torture.

    AI’s Project Manager Makmid Kamara, at a briefing in Lagos, said the collaboration was in furtherance of AI’s ‘Stop Torture’ crusade, and that it recognises the CDHR’s work in rights protection in the country.

    “Human rights issues in Nigeria are very complex. For instance, the Nigerian Constitution prohibits torture but does not criminalise it. We urge the CDHR and other civil society groups to speak out against this. Torture should be criminalised in Nigeria.”

    The AI official added that the partnership with CDHR will involve, among other things, “the rendering of assistance to the CDHR in the area of research and investigation of alleged rights abuses.”

    Responding, CDHR National President Malachy Ugwumadu said the CDHR was delighted that its work in the area of rights protection had been identified by AI.

    “The CDHR pledges its total commitment to the cause of justice and the Stop Torture campaign. All the support needed will be readily available to make this partnership a success,” he said.

     

     

     

     

  • 1500 Niger Delta militants ready to surrender arms

    1500 Niger Delta militants ready to surrender arms

    Due to the intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, more than 1,500 Niger Delta militants have expressed their willingness to embrace amnesty.

    The militants are reportedly ready to surrender their arms to the Federal Government.

    The decision was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the commanders from Arepo, Ikorodu, Abule, Fatorla, Ibafo, Magboro, Epe, Itokin, Ilepete, Okenekene, Agric, Gbokoda camps, Camp 5 and environs.

    They said they were ready to surrender their arms as long as the Federal Government is sincere with the matter.

    They noted that they were excluded from the first amnesty programme, which they described as not holistic and characterized with fraud and fraudulent selections.

    Even as they took their decision based on the peaceful approach by Kachikwu, they stressed that all the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) facilities and its subsidiaries must work for the betterment of Nigeria and the economic efficiency in the face of dwindling oil prices.

    The statement which was signed by General O.C Babaeere and General America Tekeiminikpoba on behalf of other commanders, reads: “We write to express our desire to surrender our arms and embrace the amnesty program as long as the federal government is sincere.

    “With the timely intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, we the Commanders from Arepo Camp, Ikorodu Camp, Abule Camp, Fatorla Camp, Camp 5, Ibafo Camp, Magboro Camp, Epe Camp, Itokin Camp, Ilepete Camp, Okenekene Camp, Agric Camp, Gbokoda Camp and their environs, have made up our minds to accept amnesty because of the peaceful approach of the Minister of State for Petroleum.

    “We also agree that all NNPC facilities and its subsidiaries must work for the betterment of Nigeria and the economic efficiency in the face of dwindling oil prices.

    “However, our willingness to surrender should not be seen as an act of cowardice, rather, as an act of patriotism.

    “Also, as we accept this amnesty, it is important to state that the first amnesty was not holistic and was characterized with fraud and fraudulent selections. We were not included in that amnesty program. Even as we tried all avenues to join the program, we were ignored completely,” the commanders stated.

  • Ganduje grants amnesty to 39 Cattle Rustlers

    Ganduje grants amnesty to 39 Cattle Rustlers

    Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has pardoned 39 cattle rustlers who surrendered in their arms and denounced crime and criminal activities.

    Speaking during the ceremony held at Gomo forest in Sumaila Local Government Area, Ganduje expressed happiness over the decision of the former cattle rustlers to repent from their evil ways, noting that the development has brought succour to the people of Sumaila and Doguwa Local Government Area.

    The Governor, however, regretted that before now, the criminals engaged in rape, armed robbery, drug peddling and killings of innocent citizens within the area, a situation which he said almost paralyzed economic activities.

    Governor Ganduje who in December last year promised to grant amnesty to repented cattle rustlers also revealed that plans have been concluded to empower the repented rustlers and reintegrate them back into the society.

    He, however, commended the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Katsina and other security chiefs in the state for their concerted efforts in the fight against cattle rustling, while promising to continue to give his support in the fight against crime in the state.

    Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Katsina said a total number of 253 bandits were arrested, 4000 cattle and 1003 goats and sheep, 11 Camels, 19 Donkeys, nine Chickens, four dogs were recovered from the rustlers in the last five months.

    According to him, police also gunned down 11 cattle rustlers during gun battle, while 357 assorted riffles including AK 47, pump action, Dane guns, pistols, double barrel, bow and arrows, spears, locally made bullets proofs, security uniforms, cudgels were seized from the bandits.

    “The uniqueness in today’s occasion is not about parading suspects caught in the act, but is about receiving total number of 39 repented persons who until now, were among those responsible for the spate of cattle rustling, kidnapping,  and other heinous crimes within and around Falgore forest,” he added.

  • Amnesty: Don’t extend immunity to Senate President, deputy

    The anti-corruption crusade by President Muhammadu Buhari is at risk if the immunity clause is extended to the Senate President and his deputy, Legal dviser at Amnesty International, London, Kolawole Olaniyan, has said.

    He urged the President to move swiftly to dissuade members of the eighth National Assembly from taking forward the immunity initiative if his vision “to be remembered as a Nigerian president who fought corruption to a standstill” is to be effectively realised.

    Olaniyan, who gave the advice in a statement issued last week in London and titled, “Why Buhari can’t be tight-lipped over immunity proposal by the 8thNational Assembly” argued that it amounted to double standard for the lawmakers to make laws to regulate others while tearing up the constitution to be free of regulation themselves.

    Olaniyan,  who noted that the immunity initiative is coming on the heels of the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki who is facing a 13 count charge of false assets declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, argued that the proposal by the Senate is against United Nations (UN) convention on corruption and of which Nigeria is a signatory.

    “Extending rather than limiting immunity from prosecution for corruption involving parliamentarians is a licence to impunity and lawbreaking, which clearly isn’t compatible with good governance.

    “Parliamentarians promoting and granting immunity to themselves can only serve to launder the rule of the powerful rather than the rule of law. And it’s patently inconsistent with the United Nations Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party. The convention in fact requires Nigeria to achieve “appropriate balance between any immunities” and to “ensure effective investigation, prosecution and adjudication of corruption offences”.

    He explained  that part of making laws for good governance of the country is to serve the desire of victims of corruption for accountability, for justice, for dignity, and stressed that the members of the 8th National Assembly will be fulfilling their constitutional role by addressing as a central priority, the situation of victims of corruption including clearing the way through public hearings and progressive legislation that can provide legal standing and access to effective remedies for victims of corruption.

    “It is not by clinging to whatever will shield them from their perceived political foes that members of the 8th National Assembly will better perform their law-making role. And it doesn’t have to be at the expense of the fight against corruption. After all, there is always the judiciary and due process of law to take care of any perceived abuse of anti-corruption laws by the authorities.

    “If only members of the 8th National Assembly can grasp the thinnest slice of what victims of corruption experience they will re-think their proposal to grant their leaders immunity from prosecution for corruption.

    “As a law-making body whose primary duty it is to make laws for good governance, its purpose ought to be to rid the country of impunity for those who will commit high level official corruption, with a philosophy that doesn’t recognise immunity or give leeway to the most powerful or influential.

    “The 1999 Constitution (as amended) recognises the role of the National Assembly to “make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation.” This suggests that when it comes to issue of corruption, members of the 8th National Assembly should worry less about their own interest and more about the citizens who are the real victims of corruption”, he posited.

    Olaniyan contended,  “what the National Assembly is doing is patently at odds with the ‘anti-corruption agenda’ of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ‘political change’ that Nigerians voted for. This is like taking Nigeria back to the middle ages. And it clearly undermines the rule of law as it portrays the lawmakers as being above the law”.

    Olaniyan argued that the immunity initiative looks like a revenge job, and one for self-aggrandisement stressing, “this is undoubtedly a low period in public esteem for our ‘lawmakers.’

    He emphasised that the success of President Muhammadu Buhari’s proclaimed fight against corruption hinges not only on his ‘integrity record’ or members of his cabinet but also the collective involvement of all branches of government, in particular the National Assembly and the judiciary

     

     

  • Coordinator: Amnesty for UK students not suspended

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has said the funding of foundation students undergoing training in the United Kingdom (U.K) has not been suspended or stopped, contrary to speculation.

    In a statement in Abuja, PAP’s Coordinator Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) said foundation students sent for training in the U.K in 2014 were returning because of the expiration of their one-year visa.

    The statement, by PAP’s Head of Media and Communications, Mr Owei Lakemfa, reads: “Foundation students sent to the U.K in 2014 under the Presidential Amnesty Programme are returning to the country following the expiration of their one-year visa. Apart from the completion of their one-year foundation course, they are required to return to the country to renew their visa, where necessary. This has nothing to do with the funding of their programmes, as being insinuated.

    “Also, the Presidential Amnesty Office reiterates that there is no policy or plans under the programme to pay housing or accommodation allowances. It is, therefore, not correct for any beneficiary under the programme to claim he is being owed or is expecting such an allowance.

    “Furthermore, the Amnesty Office reiterates that all allowances and payments under the programme have been effected. However, some beneficiaries, especially in South Africa and United States (U.S.), experienced some delays, perhaps due to the Central Bank’s implementation of the TSA policy. Happily, the affected beneficiaries have started getting alerts, confirming their banks’ receipt of the funds.

    “The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Gen. Paul T. Boroh (retd) appreciates the support of the leaders and members of the various groups and camps under the Amnesty Programme.

    “He reiterates that only under a peaceful atmosphere will investors be attracted to the Niger Delta Region, and sustainable development achieved.”

  • How fake Amnesty ‘staff’ duped us, by ex-militants

    Ex-Niger Delta militants, under the umbrella of 3rd Phase Amnesty, have decried their exploitation by fraudsters purportedly working for the Federal Government’s Amnesty Office in Abuja.

    The leader of the group, ‘Gen.’ Ben Kperha, told newsmen in Afiesere, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State that they were duped of N1.5m by three men who paraded themselves as ‘contract staff’ at the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.

    Recall that scores of undocumented ex-militants, who reportedly handed over their arms and ammunition to the Amnesty Office under the 3rd Phase of the programme, have been agitating for their inclusion in the payroll and training.

    Their agitations, which included wild and peaceful protests during the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, failed to attract the attention of the former Special Adviser, Mr Kingsley Kuku.

    However, addressing newsmen along with the Vice-Chairman, Prince Eyeyeon Kperha said members of the group are being targeted by criminals.

    He alleged that a gang of fraudsters who are now in police net, paraded themselves as Amnesty contact staff and hoodwinked them into parting with N1.5m to facilitate their documentation and inclusion in the Amnesty programme.

    Speaking in the same manner, Prince Eyeyeon said on September 11, this year, the alleged fraudsters invited them for “slots documentation and integration into the Amnesty Programme at Abuja”.

    He said they were advised to inform their colleagues who were yet to be documented to come with the sum of N22, 000 “for both logistics and kola-nut to secure the slots.”

    “We all paid the money on September 14 and later, others paid theirs on September 16 to the purported Amnesty contract staff (names withheld) and his cohorts and they promised to take us to the Amnesty Office for documentation on Friday, September 18.”

    He further revealed that while waiting for the documentation process in Abuja, the alleged fraudster told them that the exercise would be delayed because the Amnesty Programme Special Adviser to Mr. President, Mr. Paul Boro is bereaved. “He said they were preparing for the burial rite, as such there would be no documentation till further notice.”

    He said after waiting for about one more week, the ex-militants became disillusioned and angry, a development that led to the involvement of the police.

    Eyeyeon said: “Our Coordinator ‘Gen’ Agaga Benson, apparently unimpressed by the delay, contacted a high ranking member of the Nigerian Police Force, who investigated and found out that contrary to the story they were being told, there was no ongoing documentation of ex-militants.

    “The Chairman of Amnesty, Mr. Paul Boro himself confirmed that there is no documentation process ongoing and nobody is charged any money before documentation, adding that all documentations are done at the barracks, as such, those who claimed to be Amnesty contract staff are fraudsters and is none of their business.”

    The matter was referred to the Police Station Area 11, Garki Abuja, where the suspects were arrested, detained and charged to court.

    “They were later granted bail and ordered to appear before the High Court at Abuja last Wednesday, October 28 for proper hearing of the case.”

    Meanwhile, the 3rd Phase Amnesty beneficiaries have appealed to the Amnesty Office and President Muhammadu Buhari to use the opportunity to document them and also look into the issue of other undocumented ex-militants and their benefits.

  • NDDC, Amnesty fight insecurity, unemployment

    NDDC, Amnesty fight insecurity, unemployment

    • Over 17,000 ex- militants get training

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Presidential Amnesty Programme will henceforth collaborate to end insecurity and unemployment in the Niger Delta region.

    The Managing Director, NDDC, Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia, said this was imperative to avoid duplicating efforts in the region and ignore other important projects due to inadequate funds.

    Dan-Abia stated this in Abuja when the NDDC paid a courtesy call to the Presidential Amnesty Office.

    He said: “We cannot keep acting as if the Niger Delta region is segmented. I see Amnesty as a dependable ally in the crusade to develop the region because development goes beyond infrastructure. We should also develop the minds and our youths.”

    Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, P.T. Boroh said no fewer than 17,000 ex- agitators have been trained in and outside the country.

    About 400 of them have been employed in public and private sectors while 1,583 ex- agitators are involved in post degree offshore programmes in different institutions. 1,300 of them are also receiving training all over the world.

  • Amnesty without end?

    Amnesty without end?

    •The Buhari administration should overhaul the project

    At the height of the Niger Delta insurgency between 2008 and 2009, the oil-rich region had descended into utter chaos and anarchy. Apart from the proliferation of arms and daily damaging attacks on the country’s oil facilities, kidnapping, particularly of expatriates was rife and had become a thriving business with humongous amounts being paid for the release of such kidnap victims.

    So severe were the consequences of the Niger Delta insurgency that it is estimated that Nigeria’s oil output fell by over 50% and counter insurgency operations were costing the government about $19 million per day.

    The Nigerian military launched a full-scale offensive against the militants involving heavy land, water and air bombardments.

    While this military effort inflicted a heavy toll on the militants, the collateral damage in terms of innocent lives lost and even more damage done to the environment was extensive.

    It was at this point that the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, in an astute move, offered the militants a 60-day unconditional amnesty for the belligerents to lay down their arms and renounce militancy.

    On its part, the Yar’Adua administration promised to institute programmes to assist the disarmament, democratization, demilitarization and the re-integration of the repentant militants in a post-insurgency period.

    One of the measures taken by the administration was the payment of rehabilitation assistance to ex-militants who turned a new leaf. For some inexplicable reason, during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) was transformed from a time- bound intervention effort to what has become a permanent and extensive bureaucracy.

    Even though he has appointed a new Special Adviser on Niger Delta and coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Mr Paul Boroh, fears have been expressed that the Muhammadu Buhari administration may wind down the Amnesty Programme as part of its comprehensive plan to sanitize and reduce the costs of governance in the country.

    In a recent interview, the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari would sustain the Programme only after thoroughly studying the current state of the Amnesty initiative.

    According to him, “There are lots of issues about the Programme, which the President is studying. After he has carefully studied them, the package on amnesty will be unfolded.

    We cannot agree more. There is the need to critically scrutinize the finances of the PAP as well as undertake a cost-benefit analysis to show if the country is getting value for money with this initiative.

    For instance, a report indicates that as at March 2015, only 151 out of the 15,451 graduates from the training programmes have been gainfully employed.

    It has also been observed that there is little linkage between the training programmes given the ex-militants and the availability of the suitable jobs they desire in the oil, gas and aviation industries. It is believed too that the monthly stipend of N65,000, which is far above the minimum wage of N18, 000 has demotivated many of the militants from seeking paid employment.

    The Muhammadu Buhari administration needs to carry out a holistic evaluation of the previous administrations’ approach to addressing the Niger Delta ecological and developmental crises.

    Why, despite the 13% derivation fund accruing to the oil-producing states from the Federation Account, the creation of the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NNDC) as well as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is the region still contending with unacceptable levels of poverty, youth unemployment, environmental despoliation and inadequate infrastructure?

    Does the existence of multiple bureaucracies to deal with Niger Delta issues not create avenues for corruption, waste and unhealthy rivalry thus ultimately sabotaging the purpose for which they were set up?