The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jonathan

  • We were virtually in a banana republic under Jonathan -Bishop Mike Okonkwo

    We were virtually in a banana republic under Jonathan -Bishop Mike Okonkwo

    In the run-off to the 2015 general elections, the presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr Mike Okonkwo, was one of the few Christian leaders who backed President Muhammadu Buhari during private meetings and consultations.  He explained to SUNDAY OGUNTOLA why he voted against ex-President Goodluck Jonathan despite endorsements from many leading Christian groups and organisations as well as other issues. Excerpts:  

    You have been labelled a supporter of the government of change…

    (Cuts in)… But everyone should love change. Everyone should work for change. For me, my interest politically is whoever will deliver dividends of democracy for the nation. Regardless of that person’s religious persuasion, as long as he can deliver, he has my vote. Even if he is a heathen, I will vote for such a person.

    But people are asking ‘is this is the change we voted for’?

    That is the issue I keep talking about. Nigerians are naturally impatient and we chicken out once there is a little pressure. We will say we don’t want again. I read somewhere in the social media a young man who said we should go back to corruption since things appear not to be working out well.  I said so we should go back to the vicious cycle? I replied the young man and said he was talking nonsense. Yes, things are not too stable but that is to tell you the rot the nation has degenerated to. You see, we are not fighting corruption. Nigeria is corruption. Everywhere you turn, every sector you turn, you find corruption.

    From the messenger to driver to the boss, everyone is involved. Corruption has become a second nature to us. The truth is you hardly find anyone that has not been dragged into the industry of corruption. It is as bad as that. Corruption has become the biggest industry in the nation.

    Now that Buhari is there, it will be foolhardy to say things will change overnight. Buhari will not completely eradication corruption because it’s been with us for decades.  If anyone is expecting Buhari to change this even if he stays for 15 years, the person is not being sincere. I believe the current administration is fighting so hard to put things in place. The things we are seeing is corruption fighting back. We have saboteurs in the system that will take time to be detected and flushed out.

    There are people enjoying where we were. They were making it with the situation we had then. They have a lot of money in their hands so they can do anything; they can create problems. But if we endure a lot, I believe things will be better.

    Do you believe this administration will deliver?

    I believe so with all my heart. I believe the current crop of leaders will fix this nation. That is why some people are fighting them back. It is because they know within themselves that they can deliver.

    What is the basis of that belief?

    Why not? They have wonderful programmes. The budget has just been passed. So, let’s watch between now and end of the year for things to start taking shape.

    Do you share the belief that government should declare amnesty for all corrupt Nigerians?

    I believe that we should but with stringent conditions. If you have stolen money and you are willing to willingly refund, you can access amnesty. But amnesty does not mean we should not run after all the looters of our treasuries. They have been able to accumulate too much, even more than the nation. The government has recovered so much of the loots and they should go even after more looters.

    But we haven’t felt the impact of the loots reportedly recovered…

    …That is because government has not declared how much was recovered. Besides, they cannot spend monies without passage of the budget.  I know that a lot of these monies will be channelled towards projects that have been outlined.

    But there is the concern that this government seems only interested in spending the next three years chasing thieves. Will that be a good direction to face?

    Government is not chasing thieves. It is EFCC that is chasing looters; it has just been suddenly awoken. The government is working; the ministers have just been appointed and things are running.  It is not Buhari that is running after thieves. The system in place will pursue the looters. We cannot leave them to enjoy our commonwealth.  I mean, they have stolen monies meant for us and must vomit them by force.

    In few weeks, this administration will be one. How do you assess its performance so far?

    My performance appraisal is that at least people are running away who stole money. There is an awareness that impunity cannot continue. If nothing, that is a great step forward. I agree there are certain indices that are still expected but I believe that we have gone passed the period where people just did anything and got away with everything. That was what happened with the last administration. The nation just got to a point where it was more or less a banana republic. People could do anything and government cared less.

    But now, there is a little bit of sanity. There is restraint that you cannot get away with illegalities. I don’t want to run into troubles but that is a good thing for us. In an atmosphere where there is no impunity, you can move the nation forward within a year. In an atmosphere of peace with people aligning and you put structures in place you can get results in six months that should have taken three years. So, I believe in the next one year, we will see results that will shock us.

    So, Nigerians should be patient?

    Yes, we should be patient. I mean we have no option at this state. We have to allow the government put things in place that will last and deliver dividends. There is no Nigerian that does not believe that the President and his Vice mean well. We know they won’t steal and want to change the nation. So, we should just be patient. We should bear the little inconveniences that will lead us to the Promised Land.

    You were one of the few men of God that supported this administration during the electioneering campaign. Many of your colleagues are still angry you supported a Muslim against a Christian. Why did you do that?

    Two or three years before the elections, I got completely disgruntled and dissatisfied with what was going on. I mean, we had a sitting Christian President yet more Christians had been killed. More churches had been destroyed, yet no compensations for anybody.  Things were going wrong under the watch of a Christian President. So, I asked myself, ‘Are we really praying well? Are we praying right? Is it that there were things God was telling us that we were not willing to listen to’? So, that changed my perspectives and I started balancing things.

    I came to the conclusion that we needed someone that will be able to deliver the dividends of democracy. Leading a nation is not running a church. Church has the Bible as its constitution but in a nation, you have heathens, Christians, Muslims and you have to carry everyone along.  You have to protect the interests of everybody. You have homosexuals. So, I must not want a President to impose his religious views on everybody. No, no, no. He has to be able to protect the interests of everyone.

    And to be able to do that, the only way is to deliver the dividends of democracy. Nigeria belongs to everyone and everyone is entitled to practise whatever he or she wants without fear of molestation.

    So, you mentioned these to fellow church leaders?

    I didn’t just mention; I started advocating them but my views were not popular. I stuck to my guns anyway.  I kept insisting that in our very eyes, we have seen the failure of a Christian presidency and we should have a rethink. To me, Christianity should be sincere enough to admit when something is not working and not to play to the gallery, becoming sentimental that we must support a Christian. Doing that will mean the nation will continue to be in limbo.

    So you have no regrets at all?

    I have none at all. I was glad when Buhari came on board. I mean I could have said we should support a fellow Christian but the interest of the nation should supersede all other considerations.

    Are you bothered you are called a Buhari apologist and an APC supporter?

    Why should I? It is my personal opinion, which I am entitled to. Everyone is entitled to his or her political ideology. I want somebody who can deliver dividends of democracy. The other person had tried for six years and didn’t deliver. Why shouldn’t we have someone else?

    You just started a full-fledged Mike Okonkwo academy. Is that because you love football? Many of your colleagues will say football is not a spiritual activity. Why should a man of God be involved in such ‘carnal’ venture?

    You see, it is important that you put your ears to the grounds and know what interests people. Football is like a rallying point for millions around the globe. It is an area of interest to many. You see, there are people who will never go to universities. I always have it in me that life is not just about going to schools and acquiring certificates. Many people have other interests in life that will take them to the top.

    So, the academy is about looking for young people with potentials in football and nurturing them to greatness with the fear of God.

    The scholarship scheme keeps getting bigger. Are you getting overwhelmed?

    I cannot because there are many people who wouldn’t have gone to schools without assistance from others. That is the truth of life. Many are stranded but brilliant. It gives me joy to be able to lift somebody up to become what he or she can be. It is always a joy in my heart.

    I remember a young man, a good musician with vast knowledge of the keyboard. He had been trying to improve his skills in schools to no avail. I met him one day and asked what he was doing. He said he was trying to get into a music school in South Africa. They were asking him to send some of his works to him and I asked what was delaying him. He said he didn’t have money to pursue the admission.

    So, I said, ‘You concentrate on your works, while you let me know how much everything will cost’. To cut the long story short, the young man is graduating this year. I didn’t do it for anything but because someone has been helped. It is not about training him so that he can play instrument for me. But he could become a mighty instrument in the hands of God and our nation because of his gift. It gives me joy to be able to do all of these.

  • Buhari, Obasanjo, Jonathan honour Ebonyi governor at mother’s funeral

    Buhari, Obasanjo, Jonathan honour Ebonyi governor at mother’s funeral

    President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal government has a lot to learn from the life of hard work lived by Governor David Umahi’s late mother, Deaconess Margaret Umahi, to be able to tackle the current economic and security challenges facing the nation.

    He stated this in Uburu,Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State during the burial of Governor Umahi’s late mother on Friday.

    The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr Babachir Lawal, said late Deaconess Umahi as a peasant farmer tackled and conquered the menace of poverty in her family through hard work and perseverance.

    He added that the late Deaconess Umahi trained her children and was able to produce personalities, such as a state governor, Army Major General, a traditional ruler, an accountant, lawyer and many others.

    He said we were witnesses to these feats achieved by the late Deaconess at a time when the country is faced with economic and security challenges.

    Buhari noted that, with handwork and perseverance like late Deaconess Umahi, Nigeria can tackle its economic and security challenges.

    He said Governor Umahi’s late mother bequited a lot of legacies before her departure.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in his remarks, described late Deaconess Umahi as a great uniter of the family, the people, community and indeed the entire state.

    He congratulated the children for the legacies she passed on to them before she died.

    The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, represented by the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Gimbia Dogara, who thanked the people of Ebonyi State for being behind their governor, noted that the governor’s mother left legacies that would make her remain fresh in the minds of the people.

  • Braithwaite was a counter statesman, says Soyinka

    Braithwaite was a counter statesman, says Soyinka

    •Soyinka: he was a counter statesman

    Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has described the late lawyer, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, as a strong democracy advocate, who contributed to national development.

    This was contained in a condolence letter to the deceased’s family.

    He said the late activist, who died on Monday, was one of the few courageous statesmen in the opposition during the military era.

    Jonathan said: “I extend my deepest sympathy at the passage to eternal glory, of an elder statesman, whose tremendous contributions helped to shape the progress of our nation.

    “Dr. Braithwaite will continue to live in the memories of many Nigerians as a strong advocate of a truly democratic Nigeria and one of the few who had the courage to stand in the opposition during the military regime.

    “I recall our encounters during which, as a strong believer in the unity of Nigeria, he clamoured for a national dialogue, seeing it as an avenue through which lasting unification of the country could be achieved. He never stopped advocating policies that would improve the quality of lives of  Nigerians.

    “His family will be comforted by the fact that his legacies as a lawyer, author and a pro-democracy activist and contributions to national development and humanity will continue to endure.

    “I pray that God Almighty grants his soul eternal repose and imbue his family and the nation the strength of spirit to bear his absence.”

    Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka yesterday led eminent Nigerians, who visited the Lagos home of the late Dr. Braithwaite to commiserate with the family.

    Dr. Braithwaite died on Easter Monday after collapsing a week earlier in his gym.

    Prof. Soyinka said he disagreed with those who called Braithwaite an elder statesman.

    Said he: “The word elder statesman means he was retired but I will refer to him as a counter statesman, who always put government on its toes.”

    The Nobel laureate said Braithwaite was always on the side of the people.

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said Dr. Braithwaite was a committed advocate of the rule of law and positive influence on lawyers who stand for integrity.

    In a statement in Lagos yesterday: ‘Dr Tunji Braithwaite fought a good fight’, Falana noted that although Braithwaite practised law for over 50 years, “he operated on a higher moral pedestal as a lawyer, as he never engaged in sharp practices.”

    The statement further said: “Dr. Braithwaite was a consistent fighter for justice and fair play. As a man of strong principles, he never compromised throughout his life. He was a solid legal scholar and a committed advocate for the rule of law.

    “He was critical of the reactionary legal establishment. Whenever he found the court room too narrow for the struggle for social justice, Dr. Braithwaite never hesitated to participate in street protests.

    “When the house of the late Fela Anikulapo-kuti was destroyed by official arsonists in military uniform in 1977, Dr. Braithwaite sued the Federal Military Government.

    “He fought the legal battle from the Lagos High Court to the Supreme Court. Although the case was lost by the Kuti family, it was won by the Nigerian people.

    “The apex court seized the opportunity of the case to pronounce the anachronistic doctrine of rex potest non peccare (the king can do no wrong) illegal and unconstitutional. Since then, the courts have always condemned military invasion of communities and awarded damages to the victims.”

    Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase, represented by Lagos Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni, said Dr. Braithwaite lived for the people and for the development of the country.

    The Convener, Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER), Mr. Ayo Opadokun, said: “Like many of his ilk, he was an intellectual. He was not one of those who would speak against government policy in the day and go back to prostrate in the night.

    “He was not also part of those who claimed to fight for the people, but were later found wanting. His was a true and unflinching support for the people.”

    Opadokun recalled that Dr. Braithwaite confronted the late Gen. Sani Abacha when he (Abacha) wanted to transform into a civilian president and opposed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third term bid in the face of intimidation.

    Former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Alani Akinriande and Chief Amos Akingba described him as a mentor that would be missed.

    Dr. Braithwaite’s designer, Mrs. Shade Thomas Fad, said: “Over 35 years ago, he asked us to design a particular style of outfit that would identify or associate him with the masses. That was how we came about the Aso Oke and the style he wore until his exit.”

    She described him as a sympathetic person, who always wanted to bear the burden of the helpless.

  • ‘Jonathan didn’t call me for 19 days after Chibok girls’ abduction’

    ‘Jonathan didn’t call me for 19 days after Chibok girls’ abduction’

    •Obasanjo hails Buhari’s  battle against insurgency

    Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima said yesterday that ex- President Goodluck Jonathan did not call him for 19 days after the abduction of the Chibok girls, almost two years ago.

    He spoke yesterday when ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is on a two-day visit to the University of Maiduguri, visited him at the Government House.

    Shettima said Obasanjo would have handled the issue differently were he the president at that time.

    “In our case, Your Excellency, after the Chibok abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in April, 2014, it took 19 days for me to receive a call from the Presidency,” he  said.

    “I brought this mainly to show the difference, because we will only appreciate scenarios when we make comparisons.”

    Shettima hailed Obasanjo for having a hands-on to issues when he was president.   ”Someone even told me that as President, Baba Obasanjo had phone numbers of traditional rulers and resident heads of security establishments in states that were prone to crisis and he sometimes spoke with them directly to get firsthand information.

    “Without crisis, he created time to call traditional rulers to make enquiries about communal stability, ethno-religious co-existence and community policing in order to forestall problems. In our case, Your Excellency, after the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok in April, 2014, it took 19 days for me to receive a call from the Presidency. I brought this mainly to show the difference, because we will only appreciate scenarios when we make comparisons.”

    Obasanjo, who arrived in Maiduguri about 11 am, visited Shettima at the Government House.

    The governor said Monday’s visit was the former president’s first call at the Borno Government House since 1976.

    Obasanjo, who praised the Borno State governor, urged the Federal Government to embark on detailed research to document the Boko Haram insurgency for posterity to learn from.

    The ex-president hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

    “I know that he (Buhari) is  concerned about the insurgency. He has got it right that first of all there must be military ascendency over the insurgents,” he said.

    “I do travel a lot in Africa and outside Africa. Where I have gone in recent times, what the people wanted to know is how Nigeria is coping with the situation of insurgency.

    “I think we are not out of the woods yet, but it appears we can see the light beyond the tunnel,” Obasanjo said.

  • $2.1b arms deals: Anxiety in Jonathan’s camp over likely arrest of more suspects

    $2.1b arms deals: Anxiety in Jonathan’s camp over likely arrest of more suspects

    There is unease in the camp of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan following fears of more arrests of suspects over the $2.1billion phoney arms deals.

    There were indications last night that more former Ministers in Jonathan’s cabinet and some former public officers might be picked up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC has also traced more than N8billion curious withdrawals from the Central Bank of Nigeria to Villa Coded account tagged Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Research Library.

    About N3.425billion of the N8billion was withdrawn for “special purposes” after the 2015 presidential election.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the anti-graft agency might arrest more suspects over the mismanagement of arms funds because of fresh clues.

    It was learnt that some of the suspects, who have “sneaked out” of the country, might be declared wanted.

    One of the affected ex-public officers is alleged to have used the arms cash to rent an apartment in posh Asokoro District in Abuja for his girlfriend at N26million per year.

    The said officer was alleged to have paid N78million for three years, besides the agency fee.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The ongoing investigation has led to the uncovering of looting of funds meant for arms procurement.

    “Some ex-ministers in ex-President Jonathan’s cabinet and a few public officers will certainly be arrested to explain their roles in the alleged diversion of the funds.

    “Both the Presidential Committee on Procurement in the Armed Forces and the EFCC are collaborating on these latest cases.

    “One of the former office holders under probe allegedly blew N78million to rent an apartment in Asokoro District for his girlfriend/ mistress at N26million per annum. We have located the house; we will soon interact with the landlord.”

    It was also gathered that one of the breakthroughs of the EFCC is how over N8billion was withdrawn from the CBN through Villa Coded Account for political patronage under “special purposes”.

    About N3.425billion of the N8billion was blown on suspicious purposes after the 2015 presidential election.

    The breakdown of withdrawals is as follows:

    • N2,683, 620, 263.00 released on March 30, 2015 to MEA Research Library
    • From ONSA Account Number 1014199287, about N350million was remitted  to African Cable Television Limited on April 17, 2015;
    • N392, 428, 880 debited Account number 0142861012 for transfer to MEA Research Library on May 6, 2015
    • N5,554, 332, 420.04 withdrawn from CBN on  February 3, 2014 through account 0142861012 for MEA Research Library
    • N18.066million transferred to MEA Research Library Account 0020142861012 on July 21, 2014 for security operation for Osun election

    Another source said: “Even from the outset, the payment schedule was strange. The nation has only Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was last used by the Federal Government during the military era, which ended on May 29, 1999.

    “So, we will unmask those behind the operation of the Presidential Villa Coded Account and the beneficiaries of these funds.”

    There was however unease in Jonathan’s camp following the decision of most of the suspects to hide under the guise of acting on the “instructions of the ex-President”.

    A source in Jonathan’s camp said: “Some loyalists of Jonathan are of the opinion that all those invited by the EFCC should go and account for their activities in office.

    “The suspects said they either acted on Jonathan’s instructions or ran errands for him. They said they cannot be held accountable for the directives of the Commander-In-Chief.

    “But Jonathan has maintained silence and I think he is waiting for the right time to talk after the Presidential Committee and EFCC might have completed their investigations.

     ”As a matter of fact, one of the ex-ministers implicated in the arms deals in ONSA has been advised by the ex-President to return to respond to enquiries from the EFCC.”

  • Judge’s absence stalls arraignment Jonathan’s aide, two others

    The planned arraignment of former Special Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku and two of his associates was stalled Tuesday morning by the absence of the proposed trial judge, Justice M. M. Kolo of the High Court, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.
    Kuku ( who is said to be at large) was to be arraigned in absentia with Lawrence Pepple (who served as Technical Assistant to Kuku on Reintegration) and Henry Nonso Ogbolue (who served Kuku as Special Assistant, Media and Communications) on two separate charges.
    They are charge with criminal conspiracy, fraudulent acquisition and false declaration of assets.
    A new date has been fixed for their arraignment.
  • Wither Jonathan’s intervention fund to Universities: Did it survive the elections?

    Wither Jonathan’s intervention fund to Universities: Did it survive the elections?

    Wike, it claims, “diverted  resources from the TETFUND and swindled  the Universal Basic Education Fund of massive amounts of money in addition to diverting huge sums from the Ministry of Education budgets in four years while he served as the minister of state for education and later as acting Minister of Education”.

    “The immediate effect of effectively implementing the above recommendations will be a single official foreign exchange market with all players (buyers, sellers, dealers, government) adhering to the same set of rules and regulations. The parallel market would die a natural death, and there will be an efficient pricing mechanism with a single exchange rate. This in turn will lead to an effective and efficient management of our foreign exchange reserves, and will enhance the attraction of foreign exchange into the system from other sources. Putting the tax and incentive mechanism in place will have the combined effect of encouraging supply and penalising the frivolous use of our scarce foreign exchange. This also creates a new source of revenue for the government, and acts as a check on those who would normally cheat on import-duty payments. The economic impact will be appreciation or depreciation, but not a devaluation of the value of the naira. Any attempt to devalue the currency for the time being would amount to treating an ailment without a proper diagnosis. In fact, many of these issues have been with us for over 35 years. They are not going away until we take a firm stance towards rendering the underground foreign exchange market insignificant and irrelevant” – An absolutely miniscule part of Femi Pedro’s wide-ranging suggestions in his article:  “Buhari And The Solution To The Currency Quagmire”.

    I suggest that the article be immediately brought to the attention of President Buhari who Nigerians know has the needed political will to rescue the economy.

    ASUU – the association of Nigerian university teachers – has fought truly momentous battles whose scars litter literally everywhere – from grave yards to exiles: from ruptured families to promising lives that got immolated at mid season. Battles against truly demonic, anti-intellectual Heads of State posing as friends of the intellect and adorning their rule with some of the glittering lights of the academic elite nor can I ever forget the peremptory expurgation of the teachers and their families from their homes by our youngest ever Head of State. If anything surprises me about this principled, long suffering association, it is the fact that none of its executive leadership, which always bear the brunt of its many struggles, has deemed it fit to commission that its titanic struggles be etched in a book for history. That struggle was at a time demonised by a truly demagogic bureaucracy as a fight for increase in salaries to buy fridges – a wicked parody of ‘fringe benefits’ which resonated very badly with a largely illiterate Nigerian population. Happily, this turned out a Pyrrhic victory for the regime when ASUU changed tactics and concentrated its struggles, not on benefits, fringe or not, but on the either non-existing, or thoroughly, degraded infrastructure in our institutions of higher learning, when research grants tapped out and sciences were being taught like literature and you could see a First Class graduate of Chemistry who had never seen a spectrophotometer. These went on for  many agonising decades, most of them during absolutely brutal and murderous military regimes, but the struggle which saw the federal government capturing state universities amongst universities to be assisted in infrastructural procurement and general amelioration of their facilities, must hold a special place for ASUU. It deserves to be celebrated not only by its members but it must equally be chalked up as one of the greatest achievements of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, a truly commendable act which was easily explained off by the president himself not only being a PhD degree holder but a former university lecturer.

    What followed in the universities were more books in the libraries, generous research grants, increased attendance at learned conferences and a phenomenal increase in ICT procurement in addition to glittering campuses dotted with beautiful new buildings.

    Unfortunately,  that is where the good news ended, giving way to a still ongoing orgy of harassment and gnashing of teeth; of threats of foreclosure of collaterals by banks, where they have not yet sold them off, as well as a horde of supplier creditors making life an absolute hell for the university contractors who built those eye popping structures who remain unpaid for upwards of 15 -18 months after the universities have taken over the projects, commissioned them at great and grand events and have since put them to use. Unfortunately, the universities are almost completely helpless in pushing the payments; a fact which is sure to make many of their projects suffer in future as contractors would like to insist on better payment terms or deliberately pad their quotes. Many of the contractors are, today, languishing in heavy indebtedness with collateral consequences to their state of health.

    Before deciding to write this piece, I made some discreet inquiries and two things emerged: one hopeless, the other not so helpless. The first was that a large portion of the fund most probably suffered the fate of the 2.4 billion dollars earmarked for arms procurement but for which a former National Security Adviser is now standing trial. According to this source, both the presidential campaign, and a particular governorship campaign would not have been half as colourful without the intervention fund being thoroughly misapplied -apologies Admiral Augustus Aikhomu of blessed memory. I was told severally that if this is true, it would not be the former president’s fault if associates, indeed his appointees, decided to help in funding his campaign. Concerning the then Minister of Education, my attention was drawn to what was described as a yet un-rebutted allegation against Governor Wike by The Peoples Coalition Against Corruption, an anti-graft group, which has urged the federal government and anti-corruption agencies to investigate him. According to the group in a statement signed by Peter Iloagbeze, the governor is accused of massive theft spanning five years. Wike, it claims, “diverted  resources from the TETFUND and swindled  the Universal Basic Education Fund of massive amounts of money in addition to diverting huge sums from the Ministry of Education budgets in four years while he served as the minister of state for education and later as acting Minister of Education”. For both the anti-corruption war, but more for Governor Wike’s integrity, it is my considered view that the anti-corruption agencies should investigate these serious allegations. It is, however, apposite to add that my inquiries further revealed that while contractors hired by TETFUND had been paid, those to be paid directly through the intervention fund, which was warehoused directly at the ministry, remain unpaid.

    The information which should, however, bring smiles to the contractors’ faces, particularly in a government being driven by the CHANGE mantra, is the one to the effect that the money is not lost after all. Rather, I was told, the money was placed in an escrow account at the CBN.  It is hoped that this is the true position of things.  I also learnt, authoritatively, that the Ministry of Education has, in fact, conducted appropriate inspection tours of the various projects which, in any case, would not have been accepted, commissioned and put into use by the universities, if they were in any way substandard.

    All that remains to be done now, one would hope, is for the Hon. Minister for Education to ensure that everything is done to end the contractors’ misery by effecting their payments without any further delay. It should be one more reason for them, and Nigerians, in general, to thank God for both the CHANGE and the Change Agent.

  • $2.1 arms scam: Jonathan named in torn statement by Metuh

    $2.1 arms scam: Jonathan named in torn statement by Metuh

    •EFCC tells court PDP chief regretted he revealed too much

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday demonstrated  to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) how the spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, tore the statement he made to investigators, and gave reasons why he attempted to destroy the statement.

    The EFCC, at the commencement of Metuh’s trial before Justice Ishaq Bello, said the PDP chieftain tore the statement on realising that he made reference to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and had implicated himself by admitting that he received money from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Metuh is facing a three-count charge of destroying his statement and obstructing investigation.

    The first prosecution witness, Junaid Said, who was led in evidence by prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, said he took statement from Metuh, who, he said, later tore a sheet of the four-page statement.

    He said: “My Lord, when he concluded writing his statement, which was on four sheets of the EFCC statement form, I collected the statement and read over it, I then handed the statement over to my superiors Musa and Wetkas. When I was handing over the statement, the defendant said he was surprised that he had written that much and that he felt he had given too much information.

    “Because of the comment, I was worried I gave him the statement sheets one after the other for endorsement. He endorsed the first and second sheet, but tore the third sheet. The third sheet was where the defendant (Metuh) disclosed that he received the money for PDP political activities, settled his personal needs and made reference to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “My lord, he suddenly tore the statement sheet into pieces. In great shock and surprise, I stood up I asked him why he did what he did. He said he did that because he was no longer willing to give the information on that statement sheet.

    “I then requested the pieces of the statement, he declined and attempted to put them in his pocket, I then cautioned him and told him to respect himself. He insisted that he was going to dispose the torn sheet.

    “I persuaded him to handover the torn sheet and brought one plain paper to him. He poured the pieces on the plain sheet. My colleagues were there looking at us in surprise as well. He further tore them into pieces, saying only in the movies would they be recovered.

    “I poured the pieces in the commission’s transparent polythene bag as exhibit and made entry of the incident into the EFCC’s incident duty station diary as well as EFCC’s pocket notebook. Later, in the day he requested to make additional statement, which he made, wrote his name and signed but declined to make any other statement on the torn paper.’’

    The EFCC’s incident duty station diary, EFCC’s pocket notebook and pieces of the torn statement were tendered and admitted as exhibits.

    The witness, under cross examination by Metuh’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) admitted not including the issue of the torn sheet in his statement.

    When Ikpeazu requested for the original copy of the statement, Tahir gave him a photocopy of the statement. He said that the defence should had served him with notice to produce the document.

    Justice Bello said it would be difficult to proceed without the original copy of the witness statement.

    “Documents must meet the status as required by the law; there must be a certified copy of your documents. It is a healthy practice to produce the documents in your custody, especially in a criminal trial,’’ the judge said. He adjourned further hearing to March 16.

    Earlier, Metuh was rearraigned on an amended charge, which now includes a third count. Tahir said the third count of “mischief” contravened Section 326 punishable under Section 327 of the Penal Code.

  • Jonathan greets Shagari at 91

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday congratulated the nation’s first Executive President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who turns 91 on Thursday.

    Jonathan, in his congratulatory message, described Shagari as a blessing to the nation.

    He noted that the ex-President’s long-standing commitment to peace and development would continue to inspire many Nigerians to offer their best to the nation.

    He said: “I wish to, most compassionately, congratulate you on your 91st birthday.

    “I am glad the Almighty Allah has blessed you with long life and good health, in line with your selfless dedication to noble causes and human progress

    “You have been of immense blessing to Nigeria while serving her in various capacities as a teacher, nationalist, politician and statesman.

    “The nation will continue to be grateful to you because of your vision, wisdom, democratic ideals and outstanding achievements as President.

    “Your altruism, patriotism and long-standing commitment to peace and development will continue to inspire many Nigerians to offer their best to their country.”

    The former President further prayed to God to grant Shagari more productive years “to see our dear nation progress in peace, unity and prosperity.”

     

  • Jonathan not a necessary party in Metuh’s trial, says EFCC

    Jonathan not a necessary party in Metuh’s trial, says EFCC

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it can effectively prosecute the trial of Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh without involving former President Goodluck Jonathan in the case.

    EFCC’s position was in reaction to Metuh’s argument that since Jonathan was allegedly involved in the process leading to the payment of funds for his presidential campaign from the N400 million he (Metuh) was said to have received from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), he (Jonathan) was a necessary witness in the case.

    Metuh and his company Destra Investment Limited are being tried before the Federal High Court, Abuja for allegedly receiving N400 million from the office of the NSA for security services, which he allegedly diverted to fund his party’s activities.

    They are also accused of flouting the money laundering Act by making $2 million suspicious investment.

    At the conclusion of the prosecution’s witness, Metuh opted to make a no-case submission, which he filed in court last week. He argued among others, that the prosecution has failed to make out a prima facie case against him by not inviting Jonathan as its witness.

    It is Metuh’s contention that because a prosecution witness – Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, who is the managing director of a Lagos-based public relations firm, CMC Connect, had testified that he made a presentation before Jonathan before his (Badejo-Okusanya’s) company was paid from the N400 millionMetuh is accused of diverting, Jonathan was a vital prosecution witness.

    Metuh, represented by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), accused the prosecution of withholding evidence by not calling Jonathan.

    He contended that the former President, to whom the presentation, and for who the payment was made, was therefore, a material and indispensable person in order for a prima facie case to be established against him.

    The EFCC, in its response to Metuh’s no-case submission, argued that it has conveniently made out a case against Metuh for which the court should direct him to enter defence.

    It argued that Jonathan was not a necessary prosecution witness as it has effectively established its case with the number of witnesses it had called.

    EFCC urged the court to dismiss Metuh’s no-case argument.

    “In response to the above argument my lord, we submit that nothing can be farther from the truth. The defence cannot pick and chose witnesses for the prosecution and as rightly pointed out by the defence, the prosecution is not required to call a host of witnesses or a particular witness in proof of its case.

    “What the law requires the prosecution to do is to call material witness (es) in proof of its case,” it said.

    The EFCC, in its response by prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus  Tahir, urged the court to direct the defendants to give explanation to “the overwhelming oral and documentary evidence placed before the court by the prosecution”.

    It argued that “prima facie case of money laundering has been established” against the defendants.

    The prosecution said it has led sufficient evidence to prove its case against the defendants.

    It cited the issue relating to the defendants making cash transactions of $2 million, which is far above the statutory threshold of N5 million for individuals and N10 million for corporate bodies, the anti-graft agencies alleged that the accused violated section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.

    “The points to note in this transaction are the following which are vital: The origin of the initial sum of $2 million, which belong to either of the defendants remained undocumented (which goes against the very essence of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act i.e, financing terrorism and disguising, concealment or laundering the origin of illicit funds.”

    “All the above points my lord, goes to show the length to which the defendants went to conceal the origin of the $2 million. The count however, hinges on carrying out the transaction above the threshold of N5 million for an individual or N10 million or its equivalence by a corporate body,” it said.

    On the allegation that Metuh transferred N21,776,000 to a former Chairman of the Board of Trustee of the PDP, Chief Anthony Anenih, the EFCC argued that “to prove this count, the prosecution led evidence through PW8 and through Exhibit D1 attachments thereto to show that the defendants did transfer the sum of N21,776,000 to Chief Anthony Anenih, a notable PDP chief.

    “This raises a prima facie case as alleged in the charge, which the defendants must by evidence in their rebuttal. In the absence of which the court has no choice but to act on the available evidence led by the prosecution,” it said.

    Parties are to adopt their written arguments in the no-case submission on Thursday.