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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

  • Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: Lawyers disagree over representation

    Patience Jonathan’s $15.5m: Lawyers disagree over representation

    There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday as two lawyers engaged in an argument over who to represent four firms that pleaded guilty to laundering $15.5million allegedly belonging to Patience Jonathan.

    The companies through their representatives pleaded guilty last September 15 and were convicted for laundering the money when they were arraigned in a criminal charge before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

    They admitted laundering the money allegedly belonging to wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience.

    But the law firm of Mike Ozekhome Chambers filed an application on May 8 on the companies’ behalf seeking to set aside the guilty plea.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) has filed a counter affidavit opposing the application.

    The former first lady is also praying the court to unfreeze the accounts in a separate suit.

    The companies are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Friday Davis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer).

    EFCC arraigned them with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku.

    Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge.

    Beside the application filed by Ozekhome Chambers, another motion to set aside the guilty plea was filed by Briggs, who was the companies’ secretary, through his lawyer Ige Asemudara.

    Yesterday, Chima Onuigbo, who stood in for Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said he was served with the prosecution’s counter affidavit on Tuesday.

    He sought an adjournment to enable the companies respond.

    Another lawyer, Luke Aghanenu, also appeared  for the companies.

    He claimed he was engaged by the companies’ representatives as their authentic counsel.

    According to him, he is the one who ought to speak on the companies’ behalf, not Onuigbo.

    But, Onuigbo said Mike Ozekhome Chambers was engaged by Briggs to represent the companies.

    He said Ozekhome had been appearing for the companies, saying he was surprised by the new counsel’s appearance.

    He described Aghanenu as an “interloper”, saying he should have filed a proper application.

    Resolving the issue after a long argument, Justice Kuewumi asked Aghanenu to file a formal notice of appearance as the companies’ representatives.

    Asemudara said he was also served with EFCC’s counter affidavit on Tuesday.

    Dudafa’s lawyer Gbenga Oyewole (SAN) said he was not served.

    “As long as we’re involved in this proceedings we are entitled to be served,” he said.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said since the application was challenging the validity of companies’ plea, it could be heard and judgment delivered at the end of the trial.

    This, he said, would be in line with Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of 2015.

    “I apply that the trial should continue,” he said.

    But, Asemudara said his client was challenging the guilty plea and not the charge, so it should be taken first and ruling delivered before further proceedings.

    He said Oyedepo’s submission was misconceived, adding the case of the second defendant was “intricately connected” with the fourth to seventh defendants’ (the companies).

    He accused the prosecution of delaying the case, saying previous adjournments were at its instance.

    Urging the court to hear the application and deliver judgment, he added: “We don’t want our client to fear they were not given fair hearing.”

    Ruling, Justice Babs Kuewumi held that the application would be heard and determined before the prosecution witness continues with his evidence.

    “Section 396 (2) which says the delivery of the ruling shall be considered at the point of judgment does not apply to this type of application,” he said.

    The judge noted that EFCC’s late filing of its counter-affidavit necessitated the adjournment.

    Justice Kuewumi adjourned until December 12 for hearing of pending applications.

  • Jonathan denies receiving N5b from pension fund

    Jonathan denies receiving N5b from pension fund

    FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has denied ever receiving any money from the controversial Pension Fund.

    Media adviser to the former president, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze dissociated the former President from allegations which accused an ‘Ex-President’ of being paid N5 billion monthly from the Pension Fund.

    The claim credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and

    Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had alleged that the chief legal officer to the federation had told a Senate ad-hoc committee that an “Ex-President was taking N5 billion monthly from the Pension Fund.”

    In debunking the claim, Eze dismissed it as “a blatant lie hurriedly cooked up to divert the attention of the general public from the raging ‘Mainagate’ and other embarrassing scandals.”

    According to Eze, “we believe that the story was concocted as part of the unfolding grand design to always dodge responsibility and blame every evil act taking place in the present dispensation on the past Jonathan administration.”

  • How Obasanjo, Jonathan used police to persecute sitting governors – Senate

    How Obasanjo, Jonathan used police to persecute sitting governors – Senate

    The Senate Committee on Police Affairs Thursday alleged that former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan used the Police as a political tool against perceived political opponents.

    The committee was mandated by the Senate in plenary on Wednesday to ensure immediate compliance to its resolution demanding the reinstatement of the security details of Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano.

    The upper chamber asked the committee to follow up the resolution on Wednesday and report back to the Senate yesterday (Thursday).

    The committee headed by Senator Abu Ibrahim, said in a report that it is “significant and exemplary” that the President and Commander-in- Chief, Muhammadu Buhari  ordered the immediate reinstatement of the Governor’s security details even before the Senate resolution.

    The committee described what happened in respect of Governor Obiano’s security details as “most unfortunate,” and added that “it is heartwarming that the Police Authorities have explained that the action was not intended to cause the governor any injury or harm.”

    The committee said that Nigerians “must not forget however that the perceived use of the Police to persecute a sitting governor was actually made a best-practice tool by immediate past administrations.”

    It added that “in those days of impunity, the directives (to use the Police to persecute political opponents) were directly linked to the Presidency and the then sitting Presidents never issued any instructions to counter the positions of the Police and security services.”

    It said: The following examples illustrate clearly: “Dr Chris Ngige as the then Governor of Anambra State suffered abduction and when he regained freedom and attempted to castigate the powers that be at the Federal level, his security details were withdrawn on January 2nd 2005.

    “In April 2007, a few days to the election, ’higher’ authorities ordered the withdrawal of the ADC and the C50 to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The APC Leader was also threatened with arrest in the lead-up to the 2011 elections.

    “In September 2013, then Governor Rotimi Amaechi in his capacity as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors ‘Forum, was harassed on several occasions with the threat of withdrawal of his security aides.

    “While his were repeated threats, the President of this Distinguished Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was not that lucky. His aides were actually withdrawn in September 2013 as punishment for his support of the rebellion within the then ruling PDP.

    “In February 2014, the security details attached to the then Governor of the Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, were withdrawn on the orders of the Presidency. The same man suffered the same fate again when he became the Emir of Kano, in June 2014.

    “The Emir’s palace was sealed off by the Police to prevent him from entering it and he had to assume his responsibilities from within the confines of the Kano State Government House.

    “It is also on record that, at the same time, security aides to then Governor (Now Distinguished Senator) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were withdrawn. All on ‘orders from above’.

    “Then Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State had his security details withdrawn in April 2014.

    “In October 2014, the security details of the then Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, were withdrawn. This was after a blatant attempt was made to effect his impeachment.”

    Following the order of President Buhari for the immediate reinstatement of the security details of the Anambra governor, the issue was not raised on the floor of the Senate Thursday.

  • I recruited Dickson for PDP, and there is no rift between us – Jonathan

    I recruited Dickson for PDP, and there is no rift between us – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that there is no rift between him and Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa contrary to perceptions held by some.

    According to a statement issued by Francis Agbo, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dickson on Friday in Yenagoa, Jonathan attributed the false news on a political rivalry between the duo to handiwork of mischief makers.

    The statement quoted Jonathan to have gone down memory lane, and recalled how he persuaded Dickson to join the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) while he was the governor of the state between Dec.9, 2005 and May 29, 2007.

    Jonathan in the statement wondered why some people were using politics to create crisis where none existed.

    According to the statement, Jonathan made the clarification in his Otuoke home, during a condolence visit by Dickson to commiserate with him on the death of the Paramount Ruler of Otuoke Community, King Lot Justin Ogiasa.

    Jonathan said, “Let me on behalf of the community thank you for making the visit, because of the relationship we have.

    “You wanted to come immediately, but said it would be a  waste of time for the governor to come when the date for the burial had not been announced.

    “For me politics is a very useless business; when I see the kind of things people write about me on the social media, I just laugh.

    “For Bayelsa State, I feel sad because we are not many and we are not heterogeneous. It is a state that we also know ourselves.

    “I have no reasons to say that I am competing with the governor; by the grace of God, I became Deputy Governor, and later on Governor of Bayelsa  and President of Nigeria.

    “There is no way I can sit anywhere and plan evil against Bayelsa or the governor.

    “When I was dreaming of becoming a governor, Dickson was amongst the very few in the meetings we were holding. Though; he was not in PDP then, but he opted to help.

    “He said he didn’t want to be in the PDP, but I virtually forced him to join PDP.

    “When I became governor, I appointed Dickson the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General and that was how he joined PDP, and later became a member of House of Representatives and so on.

    “There is no way I will break my relationship with the governor.” Jonathan said.

    NAN

  • I can’t break my relationship with Dickson – Jonathan

    I can’t break my relationship with Dickson – Jonathan

    Amidst speculation of a rift between him and the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, said he had never dreamed of breaking his relationship with the governor.

    Jonathan, who spoke when the governor visited his Otuoke courtyard in Ogbia Local Government Area said the rumoured of the rift was the handiwork of troublemakers.

    Dickson led a high-powered state delegation to condole with Jonathan over the death of the Paramount Ruler of Otuoke, HRH King Lord Justin Ogiasa.

    But the duo seized the opportunity to deny the reported existence of a political tussle between them.

    Jonathan, who thanked Dickson for the visit described politics as a useless game saying that some people were using it to create crisis.

    He said: “There is no way I can sit anywhere and plan evil against Bayelsa or the Governor. When I was dreaming of becoming a governor, Dickson was amongst the very few in the meetings we were holding, although he was not in the PDP he opted to help.

    “He said he didn’t want to be in the PDP, but I virtually forced him to join PDP. When I became Governor, I appointed Dickson Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General and that was how he became a PDP and later became a member of House of Representatives and so on. There is no way I will break my relationship with the Governor.”

    On his part Dickson said he is part of the Ogiasa family and by extension, the Otuoke Community of Ogbia Local Government.

    He said: ”We are here in full force as we have always done to commiserate with you, my elder brother, leader and the Ogiasa family in this hour of bereavement. We pray God to grant the Late Ogiasa eternal repose”.

    The Governor, who dispelled rumour of any rift with the former president said, he had come a long way with the Jonathan.

    He said in and out of office, Jonathan would continue to remain his leader and that he would continue to respect him.

    He, therefore, called on those, who wanted to cause imaginary differences between him and Jonathan to sink their plans.

    He said: “Both of us have come a long way. My personal political story cannot be complete without talking about my elder brother, Jonathan. He also knows that I made a little contribution that is recorded in the political chapter of his life.”

    Dickson said he and Jonathan were not running for any office and wondered why political jobbers were bent on destroying their good relationship.

  • Court freezes N350m allegedly traced to Patience Jonathan

    Court freezes N350m allegedly traced to Patience Jonathan

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday granted an order temporarily freezing N350million allegedly traced to wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience.

    The money is in an account domiciled in Stanbic IBTC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said.

    Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari granted EFCC’s ex-parte application filed by its lawyer Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.

    The commission said the money was allegedly transferred to a company’s account while Mrs Jonathan was serving as a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State between 2012 and 2013.

    The commission alleged that the former first lady “unlawfully enriched” herself with the money.

    In a supporting affidavit to the application, an investigating officer at EFCC, Musbahu Yahaya, said the commission received “a cogent, direct and positive intelligence report” that a company, AM-PM Global Network Limited, was in possession of proceeds of the unlawful act and retained it in an account.

    He said, between June 20, 2012, and November 15, 2013, the company fraudulently received N1,206,950,000 via its Diamond Bank account, numbered 0026718889.

    EFCC said the money was “proceeds of unlawful enrichment derived by Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan who was then a Permanent Secretary appointed by the Bayelsa State Government.”

    According to the deponent, in a bid to dissipate the funds, the company opened an account numbered 0016971559 with Stanbic IBTC.

    “Out of the alleged proceed of unlawful enrichment of Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan, the respondent transferred the total sum of N350million from its account in Diamond Bank to the account sought to be attached (Stanbic IBTC) in a desperate bid to dissipate the funds.

    “We have traced the said N350million to the respondent’s (AM-PM Global Network’s) account sought to be attached and the order of this court is needed to instruct the bank to attach the account to prevent the dissipation of the funds.

    “The respondent is making frantic effort to dissipate these funds,” the deponent said.

    EFCC said unless the application was urgently heard and determined, the company would tamper with the account.

    “It will serve the course of justice to grant this application,” the commission said.

    Justice Hadiza decided the application as prayed.

    She granted “an order directing Manager of the Stanbic IBTC Bank to in the interim freeze the account pending the determination of the investigation and possible prosecution of this case.”

    EFCC, however, did not state in the affidavit who owns the company.

    Two other judges of the court, Justice Mohammed Idris and Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola, had earlier frozen Mrs Jonathan’s accounts.

    Justice Idris froze her accounts with $15.5million. Mrs Jonathan is praying the court to unfreeze the accounts.

    The EFCC, however, urged the court not to unfreeze them because the money was suspected to be “proceed of crime”.

    Justice Olatoregun froze Mrs Jonathan’s account $5.7million. EFCC is seeking permanent forfeiture of the money.

    The judge, on April 26, made an interim order forfeiting the money to the Federal Government.

    Justice Olatoregun also ordered the temporary forfeiture N2,421,953,522.78 found in an Ecobank Nigeria Ltd account numbered 2022000760 in the name of La Wari Furniture and Baths Ltd.

    The commission said the money also belongs to Mrs Jonathan.

    Justice Olatoregun stayed proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal challenging the temporary forfeiture of the $5.7million.

    Also yesterday, Justice Idris refused an application by a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Jonathan on Domestic Affairs Dr Waripamo-Owei Dudafa to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Dudafa, through his lawyer Mr. Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), urged the court to order the release of his international passport to enable him travel abroad to treat spinal cord injury which he claimed to have sustained while in EFCC custody.

    But, Oyedepo urged the court not to grant the application on the grounds that the EFCC had written to a Lagos State government hospital to examine Dudafa’s health and to determine whether he could be treated in the country or abroad.

    Justice Idris faulted Dudafa’s application, saying that a motion of such nature ought to be backed by hard evidence that the problem cannot be treated in Nigeria.

    “I find it difficult to grant this application. I hereby dismissed it,” Justice Idris ruled.

  • Police arraign Jonathan’s nephew for shooting man at festival

    Police arraign Jonathan’s nephew for shooting man at festival

    The police in Bayelsa State have dragged Mr. Oguanisi Akpufu, a nephew to former President Goodluck Jonathan, to the Magistrate’s court at Kolo in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

    Akpufu was arraigned for allegedly shooting and injuring a 42-year-old man, Mr. Yusuf Bala, during the Odumimom (masquerade) festival at Otuoke, Jonathan’s hometown, on October 28, 2017.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the development, said the police filed criminal charges against Akpufu on November 3.

    Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said the suspect would be charged to a High Court for another undisclosed offence.

    Butswat said: ”On October 28, 2017, at about 1500hrs, while celebrating the Odumimom festival at Otuoke, Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, one Oguanisi Akpufu, male, 45 years old, accidentally shot one Yusuf Bala, male, 42, in the left leg.

    ”The victim (Bala) is undergoing medical treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. The suspect has been arraigned in Magistrate’s Court, Kolo, on 3 November, 2017, and he will be subsequently charged to High Court for another offence.”

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Asuquo Amba, while confirming the incident on Wednesday during a parade of some criminals, said the suspect, who was arrested by policemen attached to Kolo Police Division, was moved to the Serious Crimes Unit of the state’s police command in Yenagoa, the state capital.

  • Angry Oyo-Ita confronts Kyari in FEC over leaked memo 

    Angry Oyo-Ita confronts Kyari in FEC over leaked memo 

    The Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, showed her anger on Wednesday when she reacted in a very unusual manner at the Council Chambers apparently over her leaked memo to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    This happened before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Her angry reaction was witnessed by all those who were in the Council Chambers for the swearing-in of the new Secretary to the Government or the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the launch of the 2018 armed forces emblem.

     Many Council members were also in the hall for the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari were seen questioning Oyo-Ita, shortly before the commencement of the event which started at 10:55am.

    Oyo-Ita, who has never lost her cool in the public, was seen angrily gesticulating while trying to make her point in what was obviously a heated argument with Kyari.

    The Head of Service went back to her seat and then rose again and headed straight to Osinbajo, who also engaged her in a tête-a-tete over the issue.

    The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, later joined the conversation after which the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation was seen calming the Head of Service.

    She was later asked to return to her seat by the Deputy Chief of Staff Femi Ipaye, when it was now obvious all eyes were fixed on them.

    The drama, which lasted about 10 minutes, was witnessed by Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Chief of justice of the federation, Walter Onnoghen, the Governor of Adamawa, Jibrila Bindu, All Progressives Congress National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, chief of defence staff, service chiefs, Inspector General of Police and other heads of paramilitary service among others.

    A national daily had quoted Oyo-Ita, in the leaked memo, as saying that Buhari was aware of the reinstatement of the former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Oyo-Ita was also quoted to have stated that she had warned the president against the controversial recall of the embattled former pension boss.

    President Buhari had ordered last week the immediate disengagement of former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdullahi Abdulrasheed Maina.

    Maina was in 2013 recommended for dismissal by the Federal Civil Service Commission following a recommendation by the Office of the Head of Service.

    In 2012, Maina was accused of leading a massive pension fraud scheme amounting to more than N100 billion.

    He was drafted by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2010 to sanitize a corrupt pension system.

  • Bayelsa Police arrest 66 teenagers, 16 suspected robbers, cultists

    Bayelsa Police arrest 66 teenagers, 16 suspected robbers, cultists

    The Bayelsa State Police Command has raided criminal hideouts and arrested 66 teenagers and 16 suspected armed robbers, five kidnappers and cult members across the state.

    Parading the suspects at the headquarters of the state police command in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Tuesday, the police also displayed assorted arms and ammunition recovered from the suspects.

    The arms and ammunition recovered from the suspects were four locally-made revolver pistols, two pump actions guns, one 7.62mm live ammunition, 20 .9mm live ammunition and 30 rounds of AAA cartridges.

    Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Amba Asuquo, said the 66 teenagers, who were between 14 to 17 were nabbed with weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp.

    He said the minors consisting of 36 males and 30 females were arrested when the State Anti-Robbery Squad raided a community in Ekeki area of Yenagoa metropolis.

    He, however, said the teenagers would not be charged but would be counselled in the presence of their parents, warned and discharged.

    The police boss said on September 28, one Yoko Nathan, 31, and others at large, came from Azegbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area to Yenagoa to buy three AK47 rifles but were trailed by detectives.

    He said Nathan was arrested on Tombia Road, Yenagoa while trying to exchange money for the guns, while others fled.

    He said the suspect confessed that the guns were meant for kidnapping, sea robbery and armed robbery.

    Asuquo said: ”On October 4, 2017, about 7pm, policemen on patrol intercepted a tricycle with three occupants, armed with a locally-made revolver pistol with five rounds of live ammunition on Melford Okilo Road.

    ”On sighting the police team, the hoodlums fled. They were chased by the police and one of them was arrested, other gang members were traced to Tana Suite on Custom Road, Biogbolo, Yenagoa.

    ”The suspects were searched and one locally made revolver pistol with five rounds of .9mm live ammunition was recovered from one of the suspects, James Oweifa, 21. The other suspect is Peter Enang, 22. The investigation is ongoing.”

    Asuquo said on October 5, one Godbless Miller, 28, Agala Lawrence, 26 and Longlife Edwin, 23, all of Opolo-Epie community were rounded up in connection with cult activities at a hideout in Opolo

    He said one of the suspects, Miller, admitted being a trafficker of Indian hemp and the member of Greenlander cult.

    The police boss also confirmed the arrest and release of Mr. Oguanisi Akpusu, a nephew of former President Goodluck Jonathan over the alleged shooting of two persons during a masquerade festival at Emeyal 1 community of Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.

    Asuquo said though investigations showed that the shooting was “accidental”, the victims of the accident sustained gunshots injuries on their legs and thighs.

    He said, Akpusu, who was part of the ongoing masquerade festival in Ogbia kingdom shot two persons at Omeyal 1 and was arrested by policemen attached to the Kolo Police Division.

    Asuquo said, “Preliminary investigations‎ showed that it was a case of accidental discharge at a masquerade ceremony in Otuoke and Emeyal area of Ogbia LGA. The victims are being taken care of by the suspect and the Ogbia people. It may have been a mistake.”

  • Updated: Buhari, Ouattara meet over Togo, Liberia, other issues 

    Updated: Buhari, Ouattara meet over Togo, Liberia, other issues 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with the Cote d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The leaders discussed issues bordering on the situation in Togo, Liberia, among other issues.

    The meeting also deliberated on issues of mutual benefit to the countries.

    Speaking with reporters in the State House, Ouattara said “It is a great honour and privilege to be in Abuja to see my brother and exchange views with him on the bilateral relations between Nigeria and Cote D’Ivore and to see how our sovereign nation is doing and also of course we had the opportunity to exchange views on major issues on the continent and the world.

    “I will like to thank President Buhari for his invitation. I had expressed the wish to come and see him, we had been in touch and I came to tell him that we are very happy that he is back in good health. This is important not only for Nigeria but for the whole of West Africa and our continent. We pray God that his health continues to be strengthened and be better for him to lead our sub region.

    “The leadership of Nigeria is quite important to all of us which is something that is obvious but I think it needs to be said.

    “President Buhari has shown a great leadership with the fight against Boko Haram, insecurity in the sub region and also on economic matters.

    “I expressed to him the fact as an economist and having worked in Nigeria many years ago, I am impressed by the measures which have been implemented to lift Nigeria out of recession.

    He said that Nigeria and his country have similar experiences resulting from crash in the prices of the two countries’ main export commodities at the international market.

    He specifically commended the President for the measures engaged to bring Nigeria out of recession.

    “Nigeria has seen sharp drop in the price of oil and Cote D’Ivore has also experienced an important decrease in the price of cocoa. As you are all aware, Cote D’Ivore produces 40 percent of world cocoa, two million tons and the price dropped early this year by 40 percent.

    “So this has had negative effect on our economy. I know what Nigeria went through with the sharp drop in the price of oil.  So I expressed to him my admiration for all the measures which have been taken to lift Nigeria out of recession and to wish all the Nigeria people well because our sub region has made a lot of progress over the past few years and we need to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Cote D’Ivore and Nigeria. This is what we discussed and we have committed ourselves to do so.

    “We also discussed the situation in Togo and situation in Liberia on those we have complete consensus on how we should go about to strengthen democracy in our sub region.” he said

    According to him, President Buhari has promised to attend the AU/European meeting in Abidjan at the end of November.