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Tag: Goodluck Jonathan

  • Maina: NANS wants suspected accomplices suspended

    Maina: NANS wants suspected accomplices suspended

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has called for immediate suspension of those suspected of complicity in reinstating Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of Pension Task Team, into civil service.

    NANS’s President, Chinonso Obasi, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said that suspending suspected accomplices in the case would ensure credible probe of the scandal.

    Maina was in 2012 accused of misappropriating N100 billion pension funds while he headed the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, an assignment given to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    While investigation was being conducted on the allegation, he deserted his job as a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Interior, and disappeared from the country.

    He was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) and the Police, and was dismissed from service.

    But Maina resurfaced in the country few months ago and was reinstated in service and deployed back to Ministry of Interior as acting Director.

    This development drew the flak of President Muhammadu Buhari, who ordered immediate disengagement of the officer from public service, and demanded report on the issue from the Head of Service of the Federation.

    However, Maina is believed to have escaped from the country again.

    Obasi said that revelations emanating from government circles, particularly in respect to breaches of service rules, insubordination, allegations and counter-allegations on act bordering, were embarrassing.

    He said that Buhari was elected to clear Nigeria of corruption and impunity, hence a case of such magnitude should not be trivialised.

    He said, “Just recently, a mind-boggling revelation was made of how Maina was smuggled back to the civil service after almost five years of absconding.

    “The elevation of Maina from Deputy Director to Director with evidence of official exchange of correspondence amongst government officials is nothing but attempt to ridicule the public image and psyche of Nigerians and the civil service system.

    “As advocates of sane and corrupt-free Nigeria, we make bold to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to swiftly suspend all heads of commission, extra-ministerial departments and ministries involved in this sour saga.

    “The Head of Service of the Federation, and the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Commission deserve nothing but immediate suspension from office and probe for allowing themselves to be caught in this web of professional misconduct.’’

    The NANS president said that it had become imperative for Buhari to rid his administration of those who were making mockery of his commitment to fight corruption.

    He said that the police and ant-graft agencies should do all they could to bring Maina to answer to the allegations against him and shed light on how and why he returned to the civil service after absconding for over four years.

    “We insist that same measures taken by the presidency in the cases involving the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency be meted out to everyone involved in `Mainagate’.

    “This case should be diligently probed and prosecuted and the report should not be swept under the carpet.

    “To this end, we hereby issue a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to act and do so with the highest sense of sincerity regardless of those involved and their closeness to the corridors of power,’’ he said.

    Obasi said that if no action was taken at the expiration of the ultimatum, Nigerian students would be left with no option than to organise a nationwide mass action.

    NAN

  • Governing councils want colleges granted university status

    Governing councils want colleges granted university status

    The Chairmen of the governing councils of four colleges of education which the Goodluck Jonathan administration upgraded to universities have asked the Federal Government to effect the change.

    The institutions are Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo State, Federal College of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State, Federal College of Education, Kano, and Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri.

    The past administration had pronounced the colleges universities of education in its last days in order to train teachers for Nigerian schools.

    However, the Muhammadu Buhari administration reversed the decision on assumption of office because of the lack of resources.

    In a statement in Osogbo on Friday, Mr John Fasogbon on behalf of the council chairmen,  appealed to the Federal Government to upgrade the institutions to universities.

    Fasogbon, who is the Chairman of the Governing Council of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, said granting the institutions university status would enable them to produce  teachers for schools.

    He said the step would help in realising the Federal Government’s effort to develop the education sector.

    “We want to appeal to the Honourable Minister to use his good offices to urgently re-pronounce the affected universities in order to make them functional for the benefit of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    Fasogbon also appealed to the government to allow the tenure of the governing councils to lapse before appointing new ones.

    NAN

  • Jonathan tasks Nigerians on new standards for democracy

    Jonathan tasks Nigerians on new standards for democracy

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that Nigeria has to grow the credibility of its democracy to a stage where there won’t be the need to wait for court judgments to conclude elections.

    Jonathan made the remark at the 6th edition of African Ambassadors Interactive Forum (AAIF) and Dinner, organized by African Third Sector Resource (ATSR) in Abuja.

    He was presented with the ‘African Leadership & Achievement Award’ at the occasion with the theme “Deepening Democracy and ensuring human security.”

    He stressed that by conceding defeat before the 2015 election result was declared, he wanted to set a new standard for the nation’s democracy and prove a point that election-related litigations should no longer define Nigeria’s democracy.

    He said: “I always say that I reformed the democratic process as President in order to consolidate democracy in Nigeria and the sub-region. I conceded defeat without a fight because I wanted to set a standard for our democracy, going forward.

    “My aim then was to change the narrative and prove that election-related litigations should no longer define Nigeria’s democracy. People must not always go to court and obtain judgments before elections in Nigeria are declared complete.

    “We don’t get to hear about such court cases in mature democracies. I wanted us to get to that point in our democratic experience. I thought that it won’t be out of place if we got to that stage where those who lost elections will be able to congratulate those who won.

    Opening up further on the real reason for the decision he took, the ex-President said that his commitment to the protection of lives and investments of Nigeria people, their assets and the economy made him concede defeat and avert looming crises.

    The former President, who was represented at the occasion by the former Minister of National Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, recalled that already some agencies in the United States had predicted disintegration following the growing tensions on the land at the time, stressing that Nigeria and indeed African continent could have been
    doomed if the Nigeria was allowed to slide into anarchy.

    He said: “Above all, what that decision did for me and the nation was to avert a looming crisis. Given the tension in the land at that time, I was deeply contemplative of what would have happened if we had let our nation, the biggest black nation on earth, slide into anarchy, because of contestations for power.

    “What then would have happened to our citizens, Nigeria’s economy and the investments driving its growth? I was convinced that the implication for peace and the economy of the sub-region and the rest of the continent, couldn’t have spelled anything else but doom.

    “Recall that after the 2011 Presidential election which most observers adjudged transparent, with my victory generally seen to have been well deserved, crisis and conflicts still surfaced that claimed the lives of many of our compatriots, and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.

    “I am always saddened each time I remember that among those who died needlessly then were 10 youths undergoing the compulsory one-year national service, who unfortunately got killed in a State where I secured only 16 percent of votes. Before the 2015 elections, there was palpable tension in the land, to the extent that some international agencies, especially in the United States, were predicting the disintegration of the country in the election year.

    Jonathan said further: “As the President, I always had at the back of my mind that it was my responsibility to protect the assets of Nigerians and non-Nigerians operating in our economy. These were committed investors who had trusted our Government with their investments, to be able to provide jobs and improve the lives of our people.

    “The steps I took while in office and during and after the 2015 elections were meant to secure our country, consolidate our democracy and protect those investments. I thank God that I was able to do what I did despite the irresistible force of power, and the usual worries about the uncertain fate that might befall a leader upon leaving
    office, especially in Africa.”

    Earlier, the Executive Director of ATSR, Barr Chijioke James said the organization has facilitated the forum to celebrate the fact Nigeria was able the get the narrative right in her 2015 elections.

    “It is a very positive narrative because of recent the narrative has been negative. Nigeria has got it right. We conducted an election that was acceptable.  An election that did not allow blood to spill. And that call for recognition,” he added.

  • Court fixes Oct.31 for Jonathan, Dasuki to appear

    Court fixes Oct.31 for Jonathan, Dasuki to appear

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday again fixed Oct.31 for former President Goodluck Jonathan to appear before it as a defendant witness in the N400 million criminal suit filed against Olisa Metuh.

    Metuh, a former National Publicity of PDP is seeking the appearance of the ex-president to open his defence in the N400 million fraud suit brought against him by the EFCC.

    Justice Okon Abang made the bench ruling when the ex-president was not in court to honour the subpoena of the trial court to testify.

    “It is clear that His Excellency, the former President Goodluck Jonathan is not in court in compliance with the Oct.3 order of the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

    “We have however, seen from the record that his absence could not have been his fault as the bailiff is unable to serve him with enrolment order to that effect.

    “In the light of that, the matter is adjourned until Oct.31 to enable this service to be made. However, if serving personally fails again, he would be served by substituted means.

    “After due diligence, the court would ensure that the law takes it course if the former president refuses to honour the subpoena,’’ he held.

    Ruling on retired Col.Sambo Dasuki’s absence also, Abang held that the court was aware that Dasuki was in custody of the Federal Government.

    He therefore, gave an order compelling the Director- General of the Department of State Service (DSS) to ensure Dasuki’s appearance in the court on the next adjourned date.

    Read: Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    The judge held that the law frowned at subpoenaed persons who turned down the order to appear in court to testify in a matter for which such subpoena was issued.

    Abang said a deliberate violation of subpoena carried jail term of not less than two months and a fine of N10, 000.

    “Let me state here that this subpoena in question was not the contemplation of the court, rather the first defendant (Olisa Metuh) had applied for it. It was only issued by the court,’’ he said.

    In a related development, Abang had struck out the application by the former National Security Adviser to be discharged as a defence witness in the trial.

    The judge held that the application lacked merit and incompetent, adding that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain or review the pronouncement of the Appeal Court.

    “From the argument of the applicant (Dasuki), it seems he is dissatisfied with the judgment of  the Appeal Court, if this is so,  he knows where to go,  what to do, certainly not to come before this court.

    “This is legal impossibility. This court has no such jurisdiction. I agreed with the prosecution counsel who said it will amount to judicial anarchy if the application was granted.

    “I have no jurisdiction to entertain the application on its merit. There is no life in the application. It is incompetent and accordingly struck out’, Abang held.

    Abang had in his bench ruling on Oct.24 held that both the former President Jonathan and the former NSA should appear before the court on Oct.25 as defendant witnesses to Metuh.

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Oct.3 granted an application filed by Metuh, to compel the duo to testify in the N400 million fraud charge brought against the applicant.

    Read Also: Court insists Jonathan, Dasuki should testify in Metuh’s trial

  • President’s supporters to Jonathan: your govt most corrupt

    President’s supporters to Jonathan: your govt most corrupt

    FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan again came under attack yesterday from President Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters over his comment that the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to power based on lies and propaganda.

    One of the President’s support groups, the Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG), reminded Jonathan that he ran the most corrupt government in the country’s history and has nothing concrete except monumental looting of public resources to show for his six years’ rule.

    A statement signed by BMSG Chairman, Austin Braimoh, and Secretary, Chief Cassidy Madueke in Abuja, said it was unbecoming for the former President to paint the Buhari in bad light when Nigerians overwhelmingly rejected his government during the 2015 elections for alleged incompetence and running a government without a clear cut direction.

    The statement reads in part: “To us, it was uncharitable for the former President to refer to APC as running a government of “lies and propaganda”, while at the same time attempting to impress Nigerians that he ran a faultless government with time-tested achievements.

    “It is unbecoming of former President Jonathan to speak of President Buhari’s government in bad light, even when majority of Nigerians home and abroad believed he ran the worst and most corrupt government ever.

    “We submit that the former President should always remember that Nigerians rejected him overwhelmingly during the 2015 Presidential election on the alleged incompetent and directionless government he ran, all through, a reason he should avoid being brazenly judgmental.”

  • Attack on APC govt: Presidency hits back at Jonathan

    Attack on APC govt: Presidency hits back at Jonathan

    The Presidency responded to the dismissal of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as a failure by former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that the former president has no moral ground to criticise Buhari.

    Receiving a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming national convention of the party, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Jonathan had said the All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by Buhari had not recorded any achievement after two years, adding that the ruling party was feeding Nigerians with lies and propaganda.

    “Those who are giving us some kind of names, what have they done?” Jonathan queried, saying that the Buhari government had taken propaganda and lies to professional level.

    The former President recalled that his administration was “severely criticised for increasing the pump price of petroleum from N67 to N97 at a time that global crude price was going for over 100 dollars.

    “The pump price was later reduced to N87 when the price of crude oil dropped and they attacked us that it was supposed to be lower.

    “Those who criticised my administration are not talking again now that the global crude oil is about 53 dollars per barrel and the pump price of petrol is N143.”

    But the Presidency yesterday explained to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan why the generality of Nigerians accepted the increase of petrol price from N89 per litre to the current N143 in good faith.

    The Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said it was all down to the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “When petrol went to N145 under PMB, Nigerians held their peace, unlike when they shut the country in 2012. The difference is trust. Simple,” Adesina tweeted yesterday in response to Jonathan’s statement on Thursday.

    An APC chieftain, Mr.Osita Okechukwu, also advised Jonathan to quietly retire to any part of the country he chooses and stop challenging the APC and the Buhari government to a public debate.

    Okechukwu, who is the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), told The Nation on the phone that the Jonathan Administration failed the nation, leaving major infrastructure to decay while public funds were freely looted.

    He challenged the former President to point to any project he was able to complete during his six years in office as President.

    Okechukwu said: “The President was very clear that the man (Jonathan) left almost an empty treasury, which is why we have a huge infrastructure deficit.

    “The world knows that almost all the infrastructure that Jonathan inherited went bad. We are challenging him to show us one project he completed.

    “Is it the Green Field refineries? He told us on May 13, 2010 that he was going to build three green field refineries at $23 billion.

    “The contract was awarded to the Chinese under Public Private Partnership. One was to be located in Bayelsa, one in Lagos and the other in Kogi State.

    “We challenge him to show us the three green field refineries or tell us where the money he voted for the projects is. I am talking about a time when our Excess Crude Account was in the excess of short $17 billion.

    “The Chinese came back and told him they were going to contribute about 80 per cent of the three green field refineries. We have not seen any of them.

    “If we had seen the three green field refineries which he publicly announced, the billions we lost in importation of refined petroleum products and the gross unemployment engendered by the looting of that fund would have been avoided, and that is what we are talking about.

    “Before and during his regime, there was money voted for the cleaning of Ogoni environment that was degraded by oil spill.

    “It is the Buhari regime that started that project now. Did he do anything there? Did he complete the East/West Road? That is a road that covers the nerve centre of the Niger Delta where he comes from.

    “If there is any project that he promised to implement and he did, he should tell us.

    “Don’t forget that the average price then was about $100 per barrel. I don’t see how he can be calling for a public debate, because I am talking of just one region.

    “Even the development he did in the Nigerian airports, is it commensurate with the amount of money voted or the amount of money borrowed? He said he did this or that. Is it commensurate with the amount of money voted?

    “If I were in his shoes, I would retire to the village or any city of my choice and keep my cool, because if he talks of a debate, we will bring out what happened during his time.

    “The fact that his wife was coming to claim $15 million, saying it was out of her hand work as First Lady and permanent secretary in Bayelsa State. Is it that other Nigerians are not working hard to be worth $15 million? So, let us not go into his matter.

    “We are not talking of Diezani who was Minister of Petroleum under his government, who failed to do anything to develop the Niger Delta and rather resorted to illegal accumulation of wealth.

    “I have great respect for him as a former President and being gracious enough to accept his defeat. But if he wants to open the vault, then we can go back and open the Pandora box for him. So, let us leave it at that.”

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State expressed disappointment at the statement made by Jonathan.

    Spokesman for the party, Abayomi Adesanya, believes Jonathan has not recovered from the shock of his defeat in the 2015 election.

    “For the avoidance of doubt and for clarification that is known to the public though, Jonathan plunged Nigeria into this present quagmire of unprecedented corruption and economic crisis,” Adesanya said.

    “If I were Jonathan, I would keep quiet and beg for forgiveness from Nigerians and God, rather than making uncomplimentary comments about the present government.”

  • Jonathan accuses APC of lying, non-performance

    Jonathan accuses APC of lying, non-performance

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of running a government of lies and propaganda.

    Jonathan spoke in Abuja yesterday while receiving one of the chairmanship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Tunde Adeniran, at his residence.

    The former President insisted that the PDP, which controlled the federal government from 1999 to 2015 did well for the country but that the APC had failed the country and its people.

    He said the APC administration has nothing to show as achievement.

    ?Challenging the APC leadership to public debate on its performance, Jonathan said, “The PDP administration for 16 did well and will continue to do well. But this administration has done nothing, the administration is full lies and propaganda

    “In the power sector, we did well to revive it, a certain state governor criticised our government, saying that any serious government should be able to fix the power sector within six months. But today, the APC has been in power for how many years? Fortunately, the then governor is in the APC Government as a Minister”.

    The former President said that all hope was not lost, adding that the PDP would go all out and put its house in order for it to return to power in 2019.

    Jonathan said that Nigerians have been able to see the difference between the PDP and the APC in terms of performance.

    “With the rate at which people are coming around to associate with a party that lost elections, it shows that the people still believe in the PDP. With the number and calibre of the people coming out to vie for the seat of the national chairman and other offices of our party, it shows that our party still has another chance”, the ex- President added.

    But APC Deputy National Chairman (North) Senator Lawal Shuaibu, rejected the ex-president’s comment.

    Shuaibu said: “In the history of governance in this country, there is no government that deceived Nigerians like that of Goodluck Jonathan.

    “I have never seen where a government was being run on the basis of speculation rather than realities like that of Goodluck Jonathan.

    “I am not even talking about the PDP government. I am talking particularly about Goodluck Jonathan’s government. They were so deceptive that Nigerians actually realised their act of deception and decided not to trust them again and that was why they lost the (2015) election.”

    Speaking on his expectations, Jonathan said the PDP needed “a national chairman who will rule the party democratically and carry others along. In fact, the national chairman is the leader of the party. It is not the other way round”.

    He said judging by his long interaction with Prof Adeniran, coupled with testimonies of other party leaders, Adeniran possessed what it takes to lead the party at this critical point in time.

    The ex-President warned the party leaders and the aspirants against turning the convention into a battle field.

  • Jonathan accuses APC of lies, propaganda

    Jonathan accuses APC of lies, propaganda

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has lashed out at the All Progressive Congress-led administration, saying that the party runs a government of lies and propaganda.

    Jonathan spoke in Abuja on Thursday while receiving one of the chairmanship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof Tunde Adeniran at his private residence.

    The former President insisted that the PDP, which controlled government at the centre from 1999 to 2015 did well for the country but that the APC has failed the country and its people.

    According to him, the APC administration has nothing to show in terms of achievement. Rather, the ruling party has been governing through lies and deployment of hi-tech propaganda to cover up its misrules.

    ‎Challenging the APC leadership to the public debate over its performance, Jonathan said: “The PDP administration for 16 did well and will continue to do well. But this administration has done nothing, the administration is full lies and propaganda.

                Related: Dickson, Wike truce and Jonathan’s leadership failure

    “In the power sector, we did well to revive it, a certain state governor criticised our government, saying that any serious government should be able to fix the power sector within six months. But today, the APC has been in power for how many years? Fortunately, the then governor is in the APC Government as a Minister”.

    The former President, however, said that all hope was not lost, adding that the PDP would go all out and put its house in order for it to return to power in 2019.

    Jonathan said that Nigerians have been able to see the difference between the PDP and the APC in terms of performance.

    “With the rate at which people are coming around to associate with a party that lost elections, it shows that the

    President Muhammadu Buhari

    people still believe in the PDP. With the number and calibre of the people coming out to vie for the seat of the national chairman and other offices of our party, it shows that our party still has another chance”, the ex-President added.

    Fro the PDP to get it right and regain its lost glory, Jonathan said the party required a competent, reliable and courageous individual as national chairman to lead the PDP to victory in 2019.

    According to him, the contest for the office of the national chairman is very interesting. It’s a healthy competition in which many of the aspirants have been coming here. This will allow the delegates to choose the best among them at the convention.

    “For our party to make a headway, we need a national chairman that will select credible and reliable candidates for various elective offices at the various levels of government, from the Presidency to councillorship.

    “We need a national chairman who will be courageous enough to call the President to order if we win the Presidency and the President is going astray. He must not be someone who would change when the party takes a position on ‎issues.

    “We need a national chairman who will rule the party democratically and carry others along. In fact, the national chairman is the leader of the party. It is not the other way round”.
    ‎
    The ex-President said judging by his long interaction with Prof Adeniran, coupled with testimonies of other party leaders, Adeniran possessed what it takes to lead the party at this critical point in time.

    He warned the party leaders and the aspirants against turning the convention into a battlefield, saying the PDP must avoid another crisis that could jeopardise the party’s interest. He urged party leaders and members to see the upcoming convention as family affairs.

    Speaking earlier, Adeniran said that he was not interested in the race at the initial stage, but that the need to rebuild and reposition the party ahead of the 2019 general elections prompted him to join the race.

    Prof Adeniran added that he was in the race for the PDP to regain its lost glory and give Nigerians the real dividends of democracy that have eluded them since the PDP lost power in 2015.

     

  • N2.6bn fraud: “you have a case to answer” court tells Akpobolokemi, others

    N2.6bn fraud: “you have a case to answer” court tells Akpobolokemi, others

    A Federal High Court Lagos, on Monday, overruled a no case submission by former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ), Patrick Akpobolokemi, charged with N2.6 billion fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) had on Dec. 4, 2015, arraigned Akpobolokemi alongside five others, for allegedly diverting N2.6 billion from the coffers of NIMASA between December 2013 and May 2015.

    EFCC claimed the funds were approved by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the implementation of a security project.

    Also charged along with Akpobolokemi are: Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Ltd and Al-Kenzo Logistic Ltd.

    The accused had pleaded not guilty to the 22 charges pressed against them.
    The prosecution had then opened its case and during trial, called a total of 12 witnesses and tendered 77 exhibits in a bid to establish its case.

    After the prosecution closed its case, the accused, through their lawyers, filed no-case submissions, contending that the prosecution failed to established a prima facie case against them to warrant their entering any defence.

    They had urged the court to uphold the no case submission and discharge the accused.

    Delivering his ruling on Monday, the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba noted that a plethora of cases had been cited by learned counsel in arguing their application for a no case submission.

    Buba, however, pointed out that in delivering ruling on such no case submission the court is enjoined to keep its ruling as short as possible.

    He said:“There are a plethora of cases listed by counsel, but the court is enjoined not to write its ruling as if it is writing its final judgment, but must keep its ruling as short as possible”.

    Buba held that the charge was before the court and its ingredients are clear.

    “The court therefore, cannot see the fuse in the argument that the prosecution has not made out a prima facie case against the defendants.

    “When a judge is faced with a ruling on a no case submission, it is permissible for the ruling to be brief and simply read: “you have a case to answer.

    “Consequently, the no case submission fails and is hereby overruled”.

    The court therefore, adjourned the case to Oct. 30, Nov. 7 and Nov. 9 for the defence to open its case.

    Akpobolokemi’s no-case submission, his lawyer, Mr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), had contended that the EFCC failed to link his client with the alleged diversion of funds from NIMASA.

    He added that his signature to such effect was never shown to the court, as such the first accused could not be held liable because he did not approve the security project and money disbursed.

    Nwobike had also described the evidence given against the accused by prosecution witness, as mere hearsay with no legal weight.

    He, had therefore, urged the court to come to the conclusion, that the first accused cannot be called upon to enter any defence, because no prima facie case had been established against him.

    Other defence counsels had also made their arguments on their no case submission.

    In response, the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, maintained that the testimonies of the 12 witnesses and 77 exhibits tendered had successfully linked Akpobolokemi to the alleged fraud.

    He had argued that being the head and chief accounting officer of NIMASA at the time of the alleged fraud, Akpobolokemi could not by any stretch of imagination, claim to be innocent.

    The prosecutor had further argued that even if it was the former president that approved the security project, Akpobolokemi was the head of NIMASA at the time, and constituted a committee to handle the project and also approved its funds.

    He further submitted that the prosecution had established that, rather than its intended purpose, the funds were illegally converted to the personal use of the accused.

    In the 22 count charges, the EFCC alleged that the accused induced the Federal Government to approve and deliver to NIMASA the sum of N795 million under false pretence and that the sum represented the cost for the implementation of the Security Code in Nigeria.

    The alleged offence contravened the provisions of Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    NAN

  • Jonathan: ‘How politicians, officers push for shares in power generation’

    Jonathan: ‘How politicians, officers push for shares in power generation’

    Former Minister of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, on Thursday disclosed how politicians and officials under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration jostled for shares in the power generation and distribution companies that were privatized by the government in 2013.

    Usman who spoke in Abuja at the 26th October Lecture of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), said that government officials who ordinarily should have been neutral in the privatization exercise were however guilty of foul plays and used their positions to leverage their interests in the exercise albeit secretly.

    The former minister said at the NSE lecture which was delivered by its former president, Mustafa Shehu, that most of the transaction principles often included and followed in the privatization of government’s assets were sidestepped during the sale of the power assets to private investors.

    He said the outcome of the power privatization was heavily influenced by political considerations against economic or technical capacities of the eventual preferred bidders, and thus linked parts of the current challenges of the sector to his claims.

    Usman who did not mention names even when asked said: “I was part of the power privatization, and I am not going to extricate myself, it is a collective responsibility and I am not comfortable with the speed at which we rushed that exercise.

    “I was the first Director General of TCPC (Technical Committee of Privatization and Commercialization) which is the agency that started privatization in this country in 1988. We had our office in Lagos, and we did the first privatization in this country. As at that time, we had the code of conduct that ensured that no member of the management or the board actually could buy any of the assets that we were selling.”

    “The electricity privatization unfortunately was not handled that way. If you look at all these Discos and Gencos, unfortunately, some of us saw it that time but there wasn’t much we could do because of the rush and political thing it had become, there is in each and every one of them at least one or two ‘big masquerades’.

    “That is not how to do privatization, you don’t sell because of some people who are in the government, you sell because they have demonstrated the expertise, and a lot of people rushed into it because they think electricity is like telecoms without even understanding the industry,”

    Usman who expressed disappointment over certain development in the country said Nigeria lacks implementation and not planning, adding that: “I have been part of planning in this country. Particularly, I spent five years as the Minister of National Planning, (NPC), some of the best plans I initiated have been accepted by this current government to be implemented. But after two years of planning, in the last three years as minister, I was more concerned about implementation. In this country we do not short of plan but what we lack is implementation. The problem is implementation. Government should be made to be accountable. Commitment by government is lacking.”

    Former Governor of Kano State, Musa Kwankwaso also said: “Our legislatures in this country have to come together with all other stakeholders to bring in good legislation that help ensure that this country has adequate, efficient and affordable energy for everybody in Nigeria.”