The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, prayed the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja to dismiss a petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, against the election victory of Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi.
Also, Gov. Ododo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) told the three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, to dismiss the petition in its entirety for being incompetent and lacking in merit.
The trio, through their lawyers; Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Joseph Daudu, SAN and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, respectively, told the tribunal while adopting their final written addresses and presenting their arguments against SDP and Ajaka’s petition.
However, Ajaka’s lawyer, Pius Akubo, SAN, urged the tribunal to discountenance the respondents’ submissions and uphold their petition.
The tribunal after listening to all the parties in the petition, reserved the matter for judgment.
It would be recalled that Ajaka had challenged Ododo’s victory in the Nov. 11, 2023 Kogi governorship poll.
In the petition, INEC, Ododo and APC are listed as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.
The tribunal had, on April 25, fixed today for adoption of final written addresses after parties closed their case in the matter.
Upon resumed hearing, INEC’s counsel, Chief Agabi, told the court that their final written address was dated and filed on May 2.
He said the commission’s reply on point of law was dated May 8 and filed May 9.
While adopting the processes, the senior lawyer submitted that the petition lacked merit and incompetent, urging the court to strike it out or dismiss it.
“It is our humble submission that your work in the determination of this petition is simplified in recent judgments by Court of Appeal and Supreme Court,” he said.
He argued that Appeal Court had decided that if the grounds of a petition are inconsistent with one another and are not consistent with the reliefs, it should be struck out.
He also argued that the evidence of the petitioners were grossly insufficient, citing a Supreme Court decision in a case by Tonye Cole against INEC.
“It is to the effect that once the evidence called is grossly insufficient, there is no evidence.
“In that case, the petitioner filed 305 witness depositions but only adopted 40 of them.
“The petitioner, according to the decision, only adopted about 13.1 per cent of the witness depositions.
“In this case, the depositions adopted represent just about 3.6 per cent of their witness depositions,” he said.
He said the petitioners only called 25 witnesses out of the scores listed.
Agabi said in mathematical calculation of evidence, 3.6 per cent of Ajaka’s witness deposition adopted in the petition amounted to a failure and therefore, ought to be dismissed.
The lawyer also described the case as frivolous.
He said the petitioners equally failed to file the witness deposition before hand in contravention of the Supreme Court’s decision in Obungado’s case.
He argued that the petitioners’ witness who testified about the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines clearly stated that he could not guarantee whether those were the BVAS used.
Besides, he said the witness was not the maker of the inputs in the BVAS machines.
“Also, the evidence contained in the BVAS machines fell short of what is required of the law,” he added.
Agabi further argued that the BVAS machine was tendered against Section 84 of the Evidence Act, as there was no certificate of trustworthiness attached alongside it as required by the law.
He argued that out of the 25 witnesses called by the petitioners, there was no single polling unit agent among them.
“In other words, not a single person who observed the election was called.
“Besides, the star witness could not distinguish between what he heard and what he saw when questions were put to him,” he said.
The senior lawyer prayed the tribunal to strike out or dismiss the petition for being incompetent.
While adopting his final written address dated and filed on May 1, Daudu, who appeared for Gov. Ododo, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition in its entirety.
Adumbrating, he argued that the petition was statute barred (filed out of time).
The senior lawyer said though the petitioners responded to their submission that “when it comes to filing, it is what the secretary of the tribunal says that determines the date of filing,” he however argued that the action of the petitioners was against Section 122(1) and (2)(a) of the Evidence Act, which empowers the tribunal to take judicial notice of this.
But Akubo objected to Daudu’s citing of the section describing it as fresh argument.
Daudu, in response, disagreed with Akubo that he was raising fresh issues after a final written address had been filed.
“You cannot shut me out from making my comment. You cannot because you don’t have the power to do so,” he said.
He said if the court found merit in his argument, Akubo had the right to respond because it bordered on issues of remittal procedure.
He also urged the tribunal to dismiss the allegations of forgery against his client, saying it bordered on pre-election matter, which the apex court had decided in Gbagi’s case against INEC.
Daudu also argued that Section 137 of the Electoral Act cited by the petitioners on allegations of over-voting did not apply in the instant petition.
Also backing Daudu’s submission, Ukala, who represented APC, urged the court to dismiss the petition for lacking in merit.
A senior lecturer with the Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Kogi state, on Friday, May 10, faced unexpected consequences, as he was stripped near naked over allegations of forceful sexual advancement towards a female student.
The lecturer whose full name was yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report was said to have incurred the wrath of some other female undergraduates of the English Department, where he teaches, when they got wind of his latest ‘escapede’ as they insisted he must be publicly ‘disgraced’, claiming that ‘his cup was full’.
The lecturer who was stripped to his boxers was however saved from further molestation by the combined efforts of the school security unit, at the Adankolo mini campus of the institution.
During the interrogation, the lecturer implicated his colleagues, including the Head of the Department (HOD), claiming that they usually provide him with names of female students to either “pass or fail” based on their level of intimacy or absence with them.
When contacted, the school’s spokesperson, Daniel Iyke, said that the management was already aware of the development and had immediately set up machinery to investigate the case.
According to him: “The thing is that the university has its own internal mechanism in taking care of it.
“The report has been brought to the attention of the vice-chancellor, and he has set up a body to look into it. This was done immediately and the report or outcome will be made known as soon as it comes out. At this point, this is all I can volunteer.”
Efforts to speak with the female victim or her father, who is reportedly a police officer, proved unsuccessful as they were shielded from interacting with our correspondent.
Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has assured the parents and the entire residents of Kogi State that the abducted students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Okenese, will be rescued.
The Nation reports that bandits on Thursday night invaded the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Okene in Kogi, and abducted some students.
Reacting to the incident this morning, the governor said the report was “received as a very disturbing news”.
He said hundreds of security agents and hunters who were familiar with the landscape of the area have been deployed to bring the victims back safely.
This was contained in a statement made available by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, on Friday.
The statement read, “Immediately the report was received, the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo activated the security architecture to track the kidnappers and ensure the abducted students are rescued and the abductors apprehended.
“Hundreds of local hunters who understand the terrain as well as the conventional security agents are currently combing the area to ensure safe rescue of the abducted students who were kidnapped in the classrooms. So far, nine students have been reported missing.
“We wish to assure students, parents and the entire people of Kogi State that the Government is on top of the situation and all the abducted students will be rescued alive. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has also directed that security agents be positioned around all tertiary institutions in the State
“We wish to commend the local hunters and other security agents who rose stoutly to engage the kidnappers. Their gallantry and dedication ensured that the kidnappers did not have a field day which would have been more calamitous.”
“The State Government will spare nothing in ensuring that all the students abducted are safely rescued and reunited with their families. We won’t submit to terror. We shall prevail.”
Bandits on Thursday night invaded the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara, Okene in Kogi, and abducted some students.
An eye witness account indicated that the bandits swooped on the university around 9.00 p.m. while the students were reading for their upcoming exams.
The source said that the bandits came in through the bush, went into three lecture halls and began to shoot into the air to scare the students.
“They trapped the students inside the halls and started taking them; the school was thrown into total confusion as fear-stricken students in other halls scurried to safety, scampering in various directions.
“By the time local security guards and the conventional security men at the gate engaged the bandits, they had already succeeded in abductiing some students.
“But the efforts minimised the damage as the attackers didn’t go beyond the first three halls,” the source said.
According to the source, the students were preparing for their first semester examination expected to commence on Monday, May 13, when the bandits struck.
A student, who craved anonymity, said that he and some colleagues ran to the bush and hid there for “more than an hour”.
“We only ventured out when everywhere became quiet,” he said.
Contacted, CUSTEC Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulraman Asipita, confirmed the incident but refused to give details of the number of students abducted.
“I don’t talk to journalists on incidents like this, but I want you to know that we are on top of the situation,” he said.
Efforts to reach the Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, were not successful.
Retired Cdre Jerry Omodara, State Security Adviser, could equally not be reached for comments as calls to his line were not picked nor returned.
Princess Hadiza Ibrahim, businesswoman, delegate to the defunct National Conference and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain spoke to CHINYERE OKOROAFOR on Kogi State politics, her governorship ambition and why Nigerians should support President Bola Tinubu.
What motivated you to enter politics?
I came into politics through a man, a veterinary doctor, Philip Achema. He was a special advisor to President Olusegun Obasanjo under the PDP. Yes, I contributed to my people, being from Kogi State, being an Igala and from a royal home. People come to me for help, which I do. They were looking for money, half a million then. I still have his paper with me here where he wrote to me that they will need half a million to do development for Igala. And they were looking for money; even loan they could get. So, he wrote a letter. I still have that letter here. He brought the letter to me through somebody. I called UBA that I needed cash. They brought cash for me and I gave him N500,000.
It was in N20 denomination. There was no higher denomination then. So, the man that came to collect the money is called Usman Kugi. So, I gave him and I also dashed him money. When the money went home, everybody was so happy and saying, she has mind oh, everywhere, even people who has money before her has no mind to give out this money. She said she gave us this money for us to do what we wanted to do. So Achema started broadcasting, everybody was praying for me.
So, Achema invited me, and said, please, can you be our senator? I want you to stand under PDP to contest as a senator. I said, see, you know why I won’t contest as a senator? The man who now stands to contest under ANPP or so, this party of Abubakar Audu then; he was the man who helped me to get admission in UNILAG. He worked in the university commission, Alex Kadiri. I said, I will not go against him. If I go against him, being in PDP, the ruling party at the centre; I know you are close to the president and I was born in Ibadan. The daughter of the president is also close to me. I might get this. And he was to be the governor, they deprived him, gave it to Abubakar Audu, and now, the only post they gave to him again, for me to run against him, it will not be okay. I have conscience. Yes, so I didn’t run. He looked at me. He said, what kind of a person are you? I said, that is it.
Kadiri helped me. They gave me the admission on the congressional list by the VC because he used connections. Yes, and I was admitted. So, I can never forget. That is what he did for me. So far, I will not take it. I know if I should stand, I have the money. He doesn’t have the money I have. He doesn’t have the connections I have. It’s for one thing, because this post of a governor he is supposed to be. One thing or the other led to it that he couldn’t. And now they push him to go for a senator again. And for me to come and run against him would be a perturbing issue.
What later happened?
Achema persisted. I said I was doing well in business. If I fix money now, and World Merchant Bank gives me 40%, then, the 40% I will not even finish spending it. They will give me another money. What am I doing with this money I have? What am I going to politics for? Let me just be selling my vehicles.
He came to Lagos and spoke to me. He said, not for anything but to help others. I want you to join politics for my sake. I said, okay. I now went to my granny, I said, mama, Achema said, I should join politics. What do you think about it? She said they used to kill people. They would kill some people, put in their yard and come and arrest them and said they are the ones that killed. This is what they do. I followed Awolowo. I know how we have suffered. I don’t want you to go to jail. You don’t have that mind. At the end, Achema met my granny, spoke to my granny. Then, I agreed. You know what I did? Because of this, I acquired more assets; property that I bought all over the states, I have so many of them. I started buying more; N200,000, N300,000, N150,000 in Lagos, Ilori, Ibadan, Bodija and all the rest. Most of the forfeited assets, I started buying them after acquiring this place. So, I have houses, almost all over Nigeria. Do you know what I did? Because of the criteria that you must have offices in at least either 15 states or 20 states, which I did,,I applied to be the president of this country in 2007. I ran with Musa Yar’Adua.
I said, no. With this money, I can’t even go for Senate. I’m going to be the president. In fact, the first female president. True, If you go to Wadata, you’ll find my file there. My file is there. I got a form. Filled it. I have houses, I converted them to my offices because they are my properties.
You participated at the screening?
Tis senator from Cross River State then, I can’t remember his name, something, Inyang; h was a member of the committee. They interviewed me. They said, why did I want to be a president? And I said, why should I not be a president? In Islamic country, a woman is the president there.
Then, they asked, where will I source money to become a president? I said, what are you talking? Somebody came from prison, he became a president and people supported him, people will support me too. Obasanjo heard and got angry with me. He called Almadu Ali that ‘this radical stupid girl is insulting me.’ And I didn’t call his name oh. I was so bold; you know when you have small money at a teenage age that is clean, not now the yeye money that they can’t account for it. Obasanjo didn’t allow appointments to be given to me when they were calling other aspirants who ran. They gave other aspirants that contested with Yar’Adua. I will not deny that I said so. If you have begged him and he said he wouldn’t forgive, that’s ok. So we were talking with Ladoja and he said the same thing, that that lady from Ibadan is stubborn.
That was how I joined PDP, the record is there. I got the form, went for screening and interview. I have the file in that Wadata House.
How did you join APC?
I so much believe in Asiwaju. He is a lifter, although he has not done anything in particular for me, but he has done it for people. If you look at a guy from my state called Faleke, he is not from Lagos State, Asiwaju made him who he is today and I can mention a lot of people like that. Somebody who is not self-centered , who doesn’t do my daughter, my son, my relation, but lifts people. That’s what makes you a leader, not to be self-centered. When he joined the party to support Buhari, I was at the confab then. If you look at this picture, that’s 2014, that is me and Musa. I was one of the delegates during the Jonathan period. I was nominated by the Women Society; Society of Women in Taxation, I was nominated. Ahmadu Ali was also there. He was also a delegate, someone who was part of my mother’s delivery because I was delivered in Ibadan.
At that place, they were talking about Buhari that Asiwaju wanted to support. I said I will follow Asiwaju, I was making that noise there, even at the house. There was this card that they said people should donate money for. So, I sent some money, I think my allowance for that month was what I sent in contribution for Buhari and what motivated me was because of Asiwaju was with the man and out of pity too. I said I will support him.
So, this my Motor office was converted to APC House. I gave Lai Mohammad N5 million. I paid the money into his account to deliver the money as part of my support for Buhari.
So, I was there until 2015 which I got form. I said me too, I want to be the governor of Kogi State and Buhari will support me. I was cleared, went to the field. Before you know it, they gave it back to Abubakar Audu. He was not in support of Buhari. When he was in power, Buhari went to visit him or to say to him that he wanted to become the president. Abubakar Audu refused to open gate for Buhari. It is the truth, find out. So, I don’t know if Asiwaju spoke because I have respect for him. Abubakar Audu went into that election, almost getting it, but they said it was inconclusive and at the end, God took his life. As he became late, they gave it to the person who was the runner up. At the end, I remove my hand. I didn’t waste my money again for delegates since they said it waa Abubakar Audu.
We Igala, we have one voice. Once we say this is the person, that’s it. They said we should allow him to go, including Achema who was in another party. I now handed off. It is Ibira, who became the second, which is Yaya Bello. Every Igala supported Abubakar Audu in fairness because we had one voice. The second person is Yaya Bello and unfortunately, the man died. After he died, I thought we would go back to the field. But that waa when democracy started having injury. Somebody who has only done primary, they made him governor and if I wanted to talk, they would say for party’s sake. Asiwaju didn’t make any noise, by bringing Faleke whom I thought by the rule of law should be the next governor. Asiwaju didn’t say anything. Who am I to make any noise? They allowed him to become governor.
But, APC still won and formed the government in Kogi…….
Since he became governor, things started changing . People who supported him and everything, he now focused on Buhari. He became Buhari’s adopted child. As we are talking, he will be the one to be massaging Buhari’s leg. So, he became a champion, somebody who was nobody, who just came to the party just like me and got hold of a whole president of Nigeria. He changed. He even wanted to bring me down. As they wanted to give me an appointment, he said no. He said if they do so, it means that that are grooming me to challenge him in for second term. He started sacking people.
I came back to my business, but I was going once in a while and things started becoming too bad. Majority, let’s say 80% of Kogi people didn’t want him again because of his atrocities. I came back and said I want to contest in the second term in 2019. There was no primary, and by the time I complained, they said we should not wash our dirty lining in the public, that it was Buhari that brought him. So, he became powerful. He even wanted to become the president of Nigeria. A lot of people were dying. He refused to pay salaries, no infrastructure. He was buying properties.
I must confess to you this afternoon. My prayers have come to reality because I said God Almighty, my creator, I didn’t rob anyone of anything, you gave me the little change that I have and made me who I am. Please, pay Yaya Bello back. That was my prayer.
So, I’m not disappointed. I’m not surprised at what they said he did because whatever the offence might be, it is not like he was caught killing somebody. Stealing is a bailable offence why running? He has disgraced the entire Ibira people, he has disgraced the governors, even the youths that supported him. He has spoiled his name because when the god wants to kill an ant, it makes it grow wings. And when it grows wings, it fails into the fire. But when it is crawling, it can live as many years as it wants and that is what is happening.
He should have submitted himself to EFCC. Since he has money, he is a multi billionaire, he can arrange even 100 SANs. He can pay them N5 million each. He can afford it and they will follow him to the court and at the end of the day, he might be detained for a few days or months and legally or morally, he would be bailed out. I know he can meet up with the conditions of bail. And the matter can be in court for years. He would have done it honourably. But if God wants to disgrace you, you will go and dance where there is a loophole and when you fall. You will fall into a well. Why running?
On the American school, whether he authorised the money or not, it is still a bailable offence. And the matter can be in court for a decade, He is not the only person invited by EFCC. Why should he be running away? What is wrong in going to EFCC? It is a commission, where you go and defend yourself. If they are not satisfied, they send it to court and the court will tell you to bring two sureties. Fayose, Ladoja and many have gone to court. Why should he disgraced himself by running?
It appears you have grouse…….
As matter of fact, I was to be made DG, they told me, of Standard Organisation of Nigeria, but Yaya Bello removed my name. He said, if I’m made, that he will not come for the second term. I met Mamman Daura, a relation of Buhari, one on on. He told me that, “it is your governor who said no.” I said bakwomi, because I speak Hausa fluently and I left.
That is what happened because I supported APC. But when you are not hungry, you don’t do or die because of the sweetness of a meat call a cow a fowl. I refused to go to him, since he became governor. I never visited Government House or ask that they should beg him. I only asked God to pay him. He has stepped on many toes. He removed so many kings.
Let me tell you, I suffered for Asiwaju. All the delegates in Kogi, most of them, I spoke to them to vote for Asiwaju. Do you know, this man witch-hunted them. I wish Asiwaju can remember them, for one thing or the other. Because he didn’t get the expected number of votes, he removed them from their offices. He was against Asiwaju and we that supported Asiwaju, he fought us. If I was in the civil service, he would have removed me or sacked me. If not for Asiwaju, Buhari will not be a president. So, on ‘Emilokan,’ he is right. My prayer for Asiwaju is for him to live long .
There was an interview by Genga Omotoso, now the Commissioner for Information. I narrated how Yahaya Bello reported me to El-Rufai. El-Rufai said since I said Asiwaju is my leader, let him help you. That interview was done by Omotoso. I have suffered because of Ashwaju. I didn’t deny it? Because it’s already in the newspaper and they called me. He said he would’ve given me, but since I said Tinubu is what will direct me, they won’t give me.
I didn’t deny, I am proud of Tinubu, not because he just became president. This is the same thing I’ve been saying, before he became president. Look at the persons he has helped. I praise him always, I said it in the newpaper and El-Rufai said that’s what I said and I said yes, and he said I should call Tinubu to help me.
Would you still pursue your ambition to be governor?
My future ambition for my state is to come back for betterment. I’m a woman, my future ambition is to be the governor of my state for betterment. I ran for the office twice.
I rejected Chief MKO Abiola N6million in 1988 to acquire my land. This place, things have changed. In those days, three decades ago, things normally are what it is. If I should tell you how I got this place, you would be shocked.
It was advertised as one of the forfeited properties to the government. I think it was owned by Kolawole Idris.
I think the property was forfeited to the federal government, so it was publicized in daily times, I remember vividly and I look at it because my family deals in properties.
My parents were born in the village, but I was not born in the village, I was born in the city of Ibadan. So, I happened to get to know that property is worth it, because what my granny, the mother of my father bought for about 20 pounds Barclay bar started renting it for about 50 pounds, the whole property. So I got to know that property, when you invest in property, you make a lot of money. So I have that mind, even at that age.
So by the time I saw this property, I knew something is coming in from it. We live in Ikoyi, No 2 Bedwell, and this is Victoria Island. I said, no, I must apply.
In those days, you don’t pay for any form, or pay for any money. I just picked a piece of paper, since I’m a WAEC holder, because I just got admission to the University of Lagos, (UNILAG) then, to read mass communication. I was admitted in 1988, and I got this place in 1988. So, I applied. As luck would go to it, a lot of people applied. Dangote applied, MKO Abiola applied, so many people applied. But when they rolled, my name was picked.
At that time, it was fairness. Not this way that you have to bribe somebody, no. The man in charge was CP. His name is Abdullahi Jika. But he later became DIG and secretary of the Police Force. He was at Ruxton road, Ikoyi. That’s where they have their office. He was the chairman of that commission then.
So, my name came out. I don’t know him, he doesn’t know me. They wrote me a letter to my name to No 2 Bedwell. That’s where our address is.
I got the letter. They were looking for me. With the letter they wrote me, that I should submit my letter and somebody wants to buy it. Who is the person? They say MKO Abiola.
True they met my uncle, Alhaji Maimai Idu, he was the commissioner of Federal Civil Service Commission then. He was made a Federal Commissioner in 1986 by former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida.
So, they called me and said this is six million; six million can make us to have factory in Anyigba in Kogi state.
So, we were under Kwara before Kogi. So, I said Baba, yes, there is a lot of money, but, my plan is not to give all.
He looked at me, then, my granny always believes in me. My granny said, “She is the owner of her property. We don’t know when she wrote about it and how she got it. It has been like that even when she plays kalo kalo, she always brings money in. So, anything she lays her hand on. So, whatever she wants, let’s have it. Baba said, okay what do I want? They said, we should pay two million.
“You will offer two million? Baba asked. I said, Baba, I know that land is more than two million. Go and inspect it, Baba. If we have to cut it by plot by plot Baba, it’s more than two million. That’s why I put two million there.
They said, you should pay the two million to the Central Bank of Nigeria now, they gave you one month oh, oya how do we do it?
I said, Baba, God will do it. Do you know, Baba, I believe that this thing is going to make us very, very rich.
Baba said, well, let’s see. He said, but we are not poor. I said, Baba, you do have the two million. He said, he doesn’t have it. So, I said, Baba, what we do? Baba, you said, Lukman is your friend, you went to Barewa College together and he’s now the minister for oil, why don’t you talk to him? Baba said, okay, good idea, good idea. That’s why I said, this is your brain.
No wonder they say you have electric brain, this, this, that. Then Baba went to Lukman. And he said what do I want,? I said, we need to pay two million within 30 days. But I want to lease like 2,000 or 2,500, let me have at least 1,500 or 1,000 to myself. They now said I should meet Dalatu, he’s late now. So I met Dalatu, they came, brought their surveyor, their estate people, Juba, and othes. They came.
I said I wanted N3million so that I can pay N2million and N1million. They now offer me N2.8million and within one week, the money got ready. I paid N2million. I still have N800, 000.The 800,000, I gave Baba 200. Baba went to Cash and Carry and started buying electronics, spending all his money. I still have N600, 000. With the N600, 000, I think I still bought other properties in other area, not Lagos again. Some I bought for N200, 000 and N300, 000 and all the rest. So I own this place. They were doing all the paper. As God will do it after six months, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) fenced everything around. We agreed that for a part and this is the amount we said, it is documented. They said no, they paid for it. It’s their own. Before you know it, they’ve engaged a Lateef Adegbite, their lawyer to go to court.
And my father’s best friend was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rotimi Williams. He took up the case without taking a dime from me. We went to court in Igbosere. The person that followed me was also my father’s friend, late Ado Ibrahim. He’s the traditional ruler and Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State. He was with me, we went to the court and the judgment was in my favour. I expressed myself; I looked young, slim, looking babyish when you see me. The judge looked at me and I narrated my story. That is true this is what happened. Me that somebody offered me six million, I did not accept, is it possible to come and sell it for N3million? They said it’s not possible. They look at the paper, and then the judgment was that I should refund their N2.8million for them and have my land.
Then African Reinsurance came and gave me one $1m in 1994.That would make me who I am today. So I’m just a lucky person. I’m ready to give them what they paid for. But they want to corner me, true story. Rotimi Williams stood.
He has the case file. The NNPC then wanted to rob me of it. They thought I’m a small girl. They can just take it like that. But God was by my side and African Reinsurance was looking for where to put their head office. So they approached me. The first money they gave me was $625,000 in June 1994. I took $100,000; I flew all around the world, because I don’t know what to do with it. I didn’t expect the money. That’s why I’m lucky. Then they ruled that I should return the money after many years, because they went to the court and at the end these people came. This is part of my land. This building you are seeing, it’s on lease. So they gave me that money. So I have plenty of money, I bought limousine; I don’t even know what to do with the money, because I was not expecting it.
The file is in NNPC as I’m talking to you. Rotimi Williams, he has the file. The court in Igbosere has it. It ruled that I should return their money, because it’s not outright. So the judgment was I should return N2.8million to the NNPC that was all. They are the one that I went to court, because I don’t have that. People came into my rescue. And the judge felt they are trying to cheat me, because if somebody could offer her at the initial stage for N6million. Is it possible for me now to go and sell all for N2.8m, it is not? But the felt they can use their power veto and virtue on me, but with God on my side, I sold it to the highest bidder. Which is $625,000, my file is with these people, African Reinsurance and I’m their landlady. So they came to me, so money now came. The money that I did not expect came to me.
I got $100,000 in my pocket, I wore jeans and T-shirt, I was going from one country to another country, until that money remained $3,100 before I came back to Nigeria.
And you see the funniest thing. If I got to any hotel, five star, I don’t know what they call it there, I’ll ask them, is this the highest room you have? They will say this is so and so dollar per night. I will say, don’t you have another one? They will be looking at me, who is this tall slim lady? I will say, don’t look at me anyhow. This money, go and find out in Nigeria, I just leased my property to African Reinsurance for $625,000. Go and find out, what do you think? Do you think I’m here to do business? I started bragging. In fact that money was just pushing me.
So they will tell me this is it. It has this and I will pay. After two days, I will go to Italy. From Italy I go to Jordan. I will just traveling until I came back.
You know how I got my visa?
Being an educated person I said, dear ambassador, I’ve just leased part of my property to African Reinsurance for 625,000 US dollar. Please can you connect me to the best hotel in your country?
They were giving me complimentary visa. The records are there. Which country? So many countries, do know what is called money? Money you don’t expect. I pick the pen like this. I still have the file. I was writing all the embassy around me and they were bringing me pamphlets and complimentary visas. Not that you will go and take a date, and pay for visa fee. It was all free, they call it complimentary visa. I went to Lebanon, France, Jordan and others, I was just traveling. After I have traveled, the money just remained three thousand plus, I came back to Nigeria and then I bought a 33 feet limousine. I don’t know what to do with the money, the money was so surplus. They all know me here, all these Mai gida (in Hausa language, it means landlord). When you look at me or say anything, I will say, go and find out from African Reinsurance they paid me in June 14 1994, they paid me $625.000, go and find out, you think I did one kind something, no, find out.
I wanted to be a lawyer but my granny said you don’t lie, you cannot be a lawyer, when you’re a lawyer you will lie, then I changed my course from law to mass communication and graduated from UNILAG in 1992.
When I was in the UNILAG, I floated a campus news magazine, I was the first to do it, the magazine is still here but nobody to follow up again but I did it that year, I just created that record.
On car business, I started selling vehicle from Ilorin, Peugeot, so I felt I should now make this place business to sell cars. So they sent their MD from France to come and open my Peugeot branch here. This place was a show room where we place Peugeot cars and people were buying from me.
I don’t do contracts, when you buy you go, because as a teenager, I had money that I was never expecting from God and which I can account for, so, I don’t do contract. When you call me for contract, I will say, I don’t do it. I don’t want any wahala. I listened to this barrister who said kogba contract, kogba contract. I say I don’t want anything that can make me to come and explain how and when. So I don’t want to do contract. But when Peugeot was no longer moving and other vehicle started coming in, Honda, this, that, Peugeot market went down. And the production from Kaduna was not forth again. So diverted to Mercedes and other ones which we started selling here. That is why the name still remains Hadiza Motors, because I’ve been selling motor for about 40 years to 41 years.
And politics; I came into politics through a man, a veterinary doctor, they call him Hashema. Hashema was a special advisor to President Olusegun Obasanjo under PDP. Yes, I contributed to my people being from Kogi State, being an Igala and from a royal home. People come to me for help, which I do. They were looking for money, half a million then, I still have his paper with me here where he wrote me that they will need half a million to do development for Igala. And they were looking for money, even loan they cannot get. So he wrote a letter. I still have that letter here. He brought the letter to me through somebody. I called UBA that I need cash, they brought cash for me and I gave him N500,000.
It was in N20 denomination. There was no higher denomination then. So the man that came to collect the money is called Usman Kugi. So I gave him and I also dashed him money. When the money went home, everybody was so happy and saying, she has mind oh, everywhere, even people who has money before her has no mind to give out this money. She said she gave us this money for us to do what we want to do. So Hashema started broadcasting, everybody was praying for me.
So Hashema invited me, and said, please, can you be our senator? I want you to stand under PDP to contest as a senator. I said, see, you know why I won’t contest as a senator? The man who now stands to contest under AMPP or so, this party of Abubakar Audu then. He was the man who helped me to get admission in UNILAG, he worked in the university commission, Alex Kadiri. I said, I will not go against him, if I go against him. Been PDP ruling, I know you are close to the president and I was born in Ibadan, the daughter of the president is also close to me. I might get this. And he was to be the governor, they deprived him, gave it to Abubakar Audu, and now the only post they gave to him again, for me to run against him, it will not be okay. I have conscience. Yes, so I didn’t run. He looked at me. He said, what kind of a person are you? I said, that is it.
He helped me. They gave me this admission on the congressional list by the VC because he used connections. Yes, and I was admitted. So I can never forget. That is what he did for me. So far, I will not take it. I know if I should stand, I have the money. He doesn’t have the money I have. He doesn’t have the connections I have. It’s for one thing, because this post of a governor he is supposed to be. One thing or the other led to it that he couldn’t. And now they push him to go for a senator again. And for me to come and run against him would be a perturbing issue.
So he said, okay, no problem, we started. He now said, will I like to join politics? I said, Baba said, do your business. See, I have some money that I’m managing.
If I fix money now, and World Merchant Bank gives me 40%, then the 40% of things I will not even finish spending it, they will give me another money. What am I doing with this money I have? What am I going to politics for? Let me just be selling my vehicle.
He came to Lagos and spoke to me. He said, not for anything but to help others. I want you to join politics for my sake. I said, okay. I now went to my granny, I said, mama, Hashema said, I should join politics. What do you think about it? She said they used to kill people. They would kill some people, put in their yard and come and arrest them and said they are one that killed. This is what they do. I followed Awolowo. I know how we have suffered. I don’t want you to go to jail. You don’t have that mind. At the end, Hashema met my granny, spoke to my granny. Then I agreed. You know what I did? Because of this forfeited asset property that I bought all over the states, I have so many of them. I started to buying N200,000, N300,000, N150,000, this, this in Lagos, Ilori, Ibadan, Bodija and all the rest. Most of the forfeited assets, I started buying them after acquiring this place. So I have houses, most all over Nigeria. Do you know what I did? Because of the criteria that you must have offices in at least either 15 states or 20 states, which I did. I applied to be the president of this country in 2007. I ran with Musa Yar’Adua.
I said, no. With this money, I can’t even go for senate. I’m going to be the president. In fact, the first female president. True, true. If you go to Wadata, you’ll find my file there. My file is there. I got a form. Filled it. I have houses, I converted them to my offices because they are my properties.
Then this senator from Cross River State then, I don’t remember his name, something, Inyang, he was a member of the committee. They interviewed me. They said, why did I want to be a president? And I said, why should I not be a president? In Islamic country, a woman is the president there. So, so, so, I gave the name.
Then they asked, where will I source money to become a president? I said, what are you talking? Somebody came from prison, he became a president and people supported him, people will support me too. Obasanjo heard and got angry with me. He called Almood Ali, this radical stupid girl is insulting me. And I didn’t call his name oh. I was so bold; you know when you have small money at a teenage that is clean, not now the yeye money that they can’t account for it. Obasanjo didn’t allow appointments to be given to me when they were calling other aspirants who ran. (Yoruba was spoken here). I think he bagged him. They gave other aspirants that contested with Yar’Adua. I will not deny that I said so. If you have begged him and he said he wouldn’t forgive, that’s ok. So we were talking with Ladoja and he said the same thing ,omo Ibadan, agidi ye.. ( Yoruba was spoken here).
That was how I joined PDP, the record is there, I got the form, went for screening and interview, I have the file in that Wadata house.
As another party came, I so much believe in Asiwaju. He is a lifter, although he has not done anything in particular for me but he has done it for people. If you look at a guy from my state called Faleke, he is not from Lagos state, Asiwaju made him who he is today and I can mention a lot of people like that. Somebody who is not self centered , who doesn’t do my daughter, my son, my relation but lifts people, that’s what makes you a leader, not to be self centered. When he joined the party to support Buhari, I was in confab then, if you look at this picture, that’s 2014, that is me and Mansa, I was one of the delegates during Jonathan, from Society of Women in Taxation, I was nominated. Almood Ali was also there and said he hopes I’m not going to do one of my something, I said Baba, I wouldn’t say anything. He was also a delegate, someone who was part of my mother’s delivery because I was delivered in Ibadan. At that place they were talking about Buhari that Asiwaju wanted to support, I said I will follow Asiwaju, I was making that noise there, even at the house. There was this card that they said people should donate money for, so I sent some money, I think my allowance for that month was what I sent in contribution for Buhari and what motivated me was because of Asiwaju was with the man and out of pity too I said I will support him. So this my Motor office was converted to APC house to the extent that a Lai Mohammad came and robbed me of N5Million. I paid the money into his account and he didn’t deliver the money. He didn’t tell Buhari that I sent money. I can still say today this is the account I sent the money. He came here on two or three occasions and gave an account where I sent the money and today he has not said to Buhari that this woman supported us and gave this amount of money.
So I was there, until 2015 which I got form. I said me too, I want to be the governor of Kogi State and Buhari will support me, not knowing that Lai Mohammed didn’t say anything, so I was cleared, went to the field, before you know it, they gave it back to Abubakar Audu. He was not in support of Buhari, when he was in power, Buhari went to visit him or to say to him that he wants to become the president, Abubakar Audu refused to open gate for Buhari. It is the truth, find out. So I don’t know if Asiwaju spoke because I have respect for him. Abubakar went into that election almost getting it but they said it is inconclusive and at the end, God took his life. As he became late, the gave it to the person who was the runner up, at the end I remove my hand, I didn’t waste my money again for delegate since they said it is Abubakar Audu.
Then we Igala, we have one voice, once we say this is the person, that’s it. They said we should allow him to go, including Ashama who was in another party. I now hands off. It is Ibira, who became the second, which is Yaya Bello. Because every Igala supported Abubakar Audu in fairness because we had one voice. The second person is Yaya Bello and unfortunately the man died. After he died, I thought we would go back to the field but that is when democracy started having injury. Somebody who has only done primary, they made him governor and if I want to talk, they say for party sake. And since I know Asiwaju didn’t make any noise, by bringing Faleke whom I thought by the rule of law he should be the next governor. And Asiwaju didn’t say anything, who am I to make any noise. They allowed it to become governor .
Since he became governor things started changing . People who supported him and everything, he now focused on Buhari. He became Buhari adopted child. As we are talking, he will be the one to be massaging Buhari’s leg. So he became a champion, somebody who was nobody, who just came to the party just like me and got hold of a whole president of Nigeria. He changed. He even wanted to bring me down. As they say they want to appoint me, he said no that if they do so, it means that that are grooming me to challenge him in second term. I heard about that and people who helped him to get the second position, he sacked the man, they call him Doctor Gbalawo. He sacked so many people that ruined around for him to get the vote he got.
I came back to my business but was going once in a while and things started becoming too bad. People are dying, they started complaining saying that they don’t want him again. Majority, let’s say 80% of Kogi people didn’t want him again because of his atrocities. I came back and said I want to contest in the second term in 2019. There was no primary, and by the time I complained, they said we should not wash our dirty lining in public that it was Buhari that brought him. So with that power that he has the president on his side made him to say that he even want to become the president of Nigeria. A lot of people were dying, he refused to pay salaries, no infrastructures, when someone talks, it is death. He kills people. There was a man from another party who addressed a press conference on Bello’s matter to say see what he is doing that he was stealing money and buying properties here and there. That man was killed. And he started killing anyone that opposed him. So we left him but what I said is that my prayer has come to reality. I must confess to you this afternoon. My prayers have come to reality because I said God almighty, my creator, I didn’t rob anyone of anything, you gave me the little change that I have and made me who I am please pay Yaya Bello back, that was my prayer to him .
So, I’m not disappointed. I’m not surprised at what they said he did because whatever the offence might be, it is not like he was caught killing somebody, stealing is a bailable offence, why running? He has disgraced the entire Ibira people, he has disgraced the governors even the youths that supported him, he has spoiled his name because when the god wants to kill an ant, it makes it grow wings. And when it grows wings, it fails into the fire. But when it is crawling, it can live as many years as it wants and that is what is happening to Yaya Bello. Some of us who believe in God, those days, they say it takes time but look at now. He would have submitted himself to EFCC, since he has money, he is a multi billionaire, he can arrange even 100 SANs. Pay them N5Million each, he can afford it and they will follow him to the court and at the end of the day, he might be detained for a few days or months and legally or morally, he would be bailed out, which I know he can meet up with the conditions of bail. And the matter can be in court for years. He would have done it honourably. But if God wants to disgrace you, you will go and dance where there is a loophole and when you fall, you will fall into a well. Why running? Even when he masterminded the killing of people, he is not caught red handed and whatever he has stolen, whether the American school is the one who authorized the money or he is the one who stole the money, yet it is still a bailable offence. And the matter can be in court for a decade if not more. He made Kogi politics with tears and pain. You cannot come and say anything against him, if you do you are no more. So you think that kind of person can go free? He is not the only person that stole money from state, why should he be running away? What is wrong in going to EFCC? It is a commission, where you go and defend yourself, if they are not satisfied they send it to court and court will tell you to bring two surety, Fayose, Ladoja and many has gone to court, so what is so tantalising that he is running and jumping fence. His disgrace has just started because of the pains and tears he caused in Kogi. Me, as a matter of fact, I was to be made DG, they told me of Standard Organisation in Nigeria or Kogi but Yaya Bello removed my name. He said, if I’m made, that he will not come for the second term. I met Maimai Daura, a relation of Buhari one on one, he told me that, “it is your governor who said no.” I said bakwomi, because I speak Hausa fluently and I left. I thank God that he didn’t even take my life.
That is what happened because I supported APC but when you are not hungry, you don’t do or die because of the sweetness of a meat call a cow a fowl. I refused to go to him, since he became governor I never visited government house or ask of him or say they should beg him. I only asked God to pay him, I don’t know how he is going to pay him whether good or bad but by him running that is the prayer because he has stepped into many toes. He removed so many Kings.
Let me tell you, I suffered for Asiwaju, all the delegates in Kogi, most of them I spoke to them to vote for Asiwaju. Do you know, this man witch-hunt them. I wish Asiwaju can remember them, for one thing or the other. Because he didn’t get the expected number of votes, he removed them from there offices. All the stories I’m telling you, about my life and how I got my money, is documented. You can verify all that I’m telling you. He was against Asiwaju and we that supported Asiwaju, he fought us. If I was in the civil service he would have removed me or sacked me. If not for Asiwaju, Buhari will not be a president, so emiloko is his right. My prayer for Asiwaju is for him is to live long.
There was an interview, held by Omotosho, now the commissioner for information. Yahaya Bello reported me to El-Rufai. El-Rufai said since I said Ashiwaju is my leader, let him help you, that interview was done by Omotosho. I have suffered because of Ashiwaju. I didn’t deny it? Because it’s already in the paper and they called me. He said he would’ve given me but since I said Tinubu is what will direct me and all. Omotosho knows about it. He later came to me and said …, that interview I did, that’s why they didn’t give me and he said I shouldn’t worry. Omotosho is my living witness. That’s the truth, he interviewed me himself, I didn’t deny, I am proud of Tinubu, not because he just became president. Ask Omotosho, this is the same thing I’ve been saying, before he became president. He is a person, look at the persons he has helped. I praise him always, I said it in the paper and El-Rufai said that’s what I said and I said yes and he said I should call Tinubu to help me. I went back to Omotosho and I said this to him, I told him that interview has caused me problem and I said there is God. True story.
Thank God they didn’t kill me, if I didn’t have this place as a place of solace they would’ve killed me. I can’t testify that Tinubu is a bad person. This place is secure and Dangote stays not too far from here and it’s always secure at night. If I were in Kogi, I would’ve died.
My future ambitions for my state is to come back for betterment. I’m a woman, my future ambition is to be the governor of my state for betterment. I ran in office twice, ask Omotosho.
How did you become a millionaire as an undergraduate?
I rejected Chief MKO Abiola’s N6 million in 1988 to acquire my land. If I should tell you how I got this place, you would be shocked. It was advertised as one of the forfeited properties to the government. I think it was owned by Kolawole Idris.
I think the property was forfeited to the Federal Government. So, it was publicized in Daily Times. I remember vividly and I look at it because my family deals in properties.
My parents were born in the village, but I was not born in the village. I was born in the city of Ibadan. So, I happened to get to know that property is worth it, because what my granny, the mother of my father, bought for about 20 pounds, Barclay bar, and she started renting it out for about 50 pounds, the whole property. So, I got to know that property, when you invest in property, you make a lot of money. So, I have that mind, even at that age.
So, by the time I saw this property, I knew something is coming in from it. We live in Ikoyi, No 2 Bedwell, and this is Victoria Island. I said, no, I must apply.
In those days, you don’t pay for any form, or pay any money. I just picked a piece of paper, since I’m a WAEC holder, because I just got admission to the University of Lagos, (UNILAG) then, to read Mass Communication. I was admitted in 1988, and I got this place in 1988. So, I applied. As luck would go to it, a lot of people applied. Dangote applied, MKO Abiola applied, so many people applied. But when they rolled, my name was picked.
At that time, it was fairness. Not these days that you have to bribe somebody, no. The man in charge was CP. His name is Abdullahi Jika. But he later became DIG and secretary of the Police Force. He was at Ruxton Road, Ikoyi. That’s where they have their office. He was the chairman of that commission then.
So, my name came out. I don’t know him, he doesn’t know me. They wrote me a letter. I got the letter. They were looking for me. With the letter they wrote me, that I should submit my letter and somebody wanted to buy it. Who is the person? They said MKO Abiola.
True, they met my uncle, Alhaji Mamman Idu, he was a commissioner in the Federal Civil Service Commission then. He was made a Federal Commissioner in 1986 by former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
So, they called me and said this is six million; million can make us to have factory in Ayingba in Kogi State. We were under Kwara before Kogi. So, I said Baba, yes, there is a lot of money, but, my plan is not to give all.
He looked at me. Then, my granny always believes in me. My granny said, “She is the owner of her property. We don’t know when she wrote about it and how she got it. It has been like that even when she plays kalo kalo, she always bring money in. So, anything she lays her hand on. So, whatever she wants, let’s have it. Baba said, okay what do I want? They said, we should pay two million.
“You will offer two million? Baba asked. I said, Baba, I know that land is more than two million. Go and inspect it, Baba. If we have to cut it by plot by plot Baba, it’s more than two million. That’s why I put two million there.
They said, you should pay the two million to the Central Bank of Nigeria now,. Tey gave you one month. How do we do it? I said, Baba, God will do it. Do you know, Baba, I believe that this thing is going to make us very, very rich.
Baba said, well, let’s see. He said, but we are not poor. I said, Baba, you do have the two million. He said, he doesn’t have it. So, I said, Baba, what we do? Baba, you said, Lukman is your friend, you went to Barewa College together and he’s now the minister for oil, why don’t you talk to him? Baba said, okay, good idea, good idea. That’s why I said, this is your brain.
No wonder they say you have electric brain, this, this, that. Then Baba went to Lukman. And he said what do I want,? I said, we needed to pay two million within 30 days. But I want to lease like 2,000 or 2,500, let me have at least 1,500 or 1,000 to myself. They now said I should meet Dalhatu, he’s late now. So, I met Dalhatu, they came, brought their surveyor, their estate people, Juba, and othes. They came.
I said I wanted N3million so that I can pay N2million and N1million. They now offer me N2.8million and within one week, the money got ready. I paid N2million. I still had N800, 000.The 800,000, I gave Baba 200. Baba went to Cash and Carry and started buying electronics, spending all his money. I still have N600, 000. With the N600, 000, I think I still bought other properties in other area, not Lagos again. Some I bought for N200, 000 and N300, 000 and all the rest. So, I own this place. They were doing all the paper. As God will do it after six months, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) fenced everything around. We agreed that for a part and this is the amount. It is documented. They said no, they paid for it. It’s their own. Before you know it, they’ve engaged a Lateef Adegbite, their lawyer, to go to court.
And my father’s best friend was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rotimi Williams. He took up the case without taking a dime from me. We went to court in Igbosere. The person that followed me was also my father’s friend, late Ado Ibrahim. He’s the traditional ruler and Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Okene, Kogi State. He was with me, we went to the court and the judgment was in my favour. I expressed myself; I looked young, slim, looking babyish when you see me. The judge looked at me and I narrated my story. That is true; this is what happened. Me that somebody offered me six million, I did not accept, is it possible to come and sell it for N3million? They said it’s not possible. They look at the paper, and then, the judgment was that I should refund their N2.8million for them and have my land.
Then African Reinsurance came and gave me one $1m in 1994.That would make me who I am today. So, I’m just a lucky person. I’m ready to give them what they paid for. But they want to corner me. True story.. Rotimi Williams stood.
African Reinsurance was looking for where to put their head office. So, they approached me. The first money they gave me was $625,000 in June 1994. I took $100,000; I flew all around the world, because I don’t know what to do with it. I didn’t expect the money. That’s why I’m lucky.
I got $100,000 in my pocke.I wore jeans and T-shirt, I was going from one country to another country, until that money remained $3,100 before I came back to Nigeria.
And you see the funniest thing. If I got to any hotel, five star, I don’t know what they call it there, I’ll ask them, is this the highest room you have? They will say this is so and so dollar per night. I will say, don’t you have another one? They will be looking at me, who is this tall slim lady? I will say, don’t look at me anyhow. This money, go and find out in Nigeria, I just leased my property to African Reinsurance for $625,000. Go and find out, what do you think? Do you think I’m here to do business? I started bragging. In fact that money was just pushing me.
You know how I got my visa? Being an educated person I said, dear ambassador, I’ve just leased part of my property to African Reinsurance for 625,000 US dollar. Please, can you connect me to the best hotel in your country?
They were giving me complimentary visa. The records are there. Which country? So many countries, do know what is called money? Money you don’t expect. I pick the pen like this. I still have the file. I was writing all the embassy around me and they were bringing me pamphlets and complimentary visas. Not that you will go and take a date, and pay for visa fee. It was all free, they call it complimentary visa. I went to Lebanon, France, Jordan and others, I was just traveling. After I have traveled, the money just remained three thousand plus, I came back to Nigeria and then I bought a 33 feet limousine. I don’t know what to do with the money, the money was so surplus. They all know me here, all these Mai gida (in Hausa language, it means landlord). When you look at me or say anything, I will say, go and find out from African Reinsurance they paid me in June 14 1994, they paid me $625.000, go and find out, you think I did one kind something, no, find out.
I wanted to be a lawyer but my granny said you don’t lie, you cannot be a lawyer, when you’re a lawyer you will lie, then I changed my course from law to mass communication and graduated from UNILAG in 1992.
When I was in the UNILAG, I floated a campus news magazine, I was the first to do it, the magazine is still here but nobody to follow up again but I did it that year, I just created that record.
On car business, I started selling vehicle from Ilorin, Peugeot, so I felt I should now make this place business to sell cars. So they sent their MD from France to come and open my Peugeot branch here. This place was a show room where we place Peugeot cars and people were buying from me.
SIR: Corruption in Kogi State, Nigeria, has been a longstanding issue that has hindered the state’s development and progress. Like many other states in Nigeria, Kogi has grappled with corruption at various levels of government and society, impacting sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public services.
One of the significant challenges is the mismanagement of public funds, where government officials, both elected and appointed, have been accused of embezzling public resources meant for development projects. This mismanagement has led to the deterioration of infrastructure and basic amenities, further exacerbating the living conditions of the residents.
Political corruption is also prevalent, with reports of vote-buying, electoral fraud, and manipulation during elections. This undermines the democratic process and erodes public trust in government.
Furthermore, there have been allegations of nepotism and favoritism in government appointments and contracts, where individuals with connections to those in power are awarded lucrative deals at the expense of merit and transparency.
The lack of accountability and transparency mechanisms exacerbates the problem, as there is often little oversight or consequences for corrupt practices. Civil society organizations and anti-corruption agencies have highlighted the need for stronger institutions and enforcement of existing laws to combat corruption effectively.
Kogi state is the land of the white lion, turned lame goat…if you know, you know. It is the land of Dino Melaye, the land of Lugard. The only state in Nigeria to border ten other states. For those that do not know, economically, Kogi State is largely based around agriculture, mainly of coffee, cashew, groundnut, cocoa, oil palm, and yam crops. Other key industries are crude oil extraction and the livestock herding of cattle, goats, and sheep.
It is the land of Ajaokuta, that industry that keeps chopping money. Any honest audit would show that the project has long since become an elephant project.
In case you forgot, the state is nicknamed the “Confluence State” due to the fact that the confluence of the River Niger and the River Benue occurs next to its capital, Lokoja. It is also the state of the Igalas, very dominant in Kogi East with nine local governments, the Ebiras who are in Kogi Central with five local governments and the Okun in Kogi West with seven local governments. These three ethnic majority do juju, are beautiful and schooled (make your choice).
It is the land of great lawyers, diplomats, great media practitioners, and very disrespectful fuel attendants. It once had a bleaching governor and also a disappearing governor, it is the land of a tree climbing senator, and a mouthed motor loving politician…
This is what makes the white lion stories very hurtful. Did you know that Kogi state has 21 local government areas? No world class hospital. The Kogi Reference Hospital is supposed to be one, but story for another day. The state does not have a FIFA standard football pitch, that 80billion could build 40 football pitches at 2billion each, or that 80billion could build 21 primary health care centres.
The roads in the state are in terrible state, there are no world class schools with state of the art teaching facilities, and imagine what 80billion could do?
Have you ever seen the smallest overhead bridge in Kogi and the amount it gulped? Did you see the allocation that Kogi got in eight years, yet workers were paid a minimal percent of their salaries, and in cases where debited immediately after being credited…Let me help us understand, According to FAAC Kogi state from 2016 — 2023 got ₦750.60 billion, from the NBS the state generated internally ₦107.51 billion, its domestic debt for 2023 stood at ₦121.81 billion and external debt for 2023 was $51.17 million according to the DMO. According to EFCC a white lion misappropriated and made away with over 80billion
Efforts to address corruption in Kogi State require a multi-faceted approach, including:
Strengthening anti-corruption institutions and ensuring their independence and effectiveness in investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption.
Implementing transparent procurement processes and financial management systems to prevent misappropriation of public funds.
Promoting civic engagement and public participation in governance to hold elected officials accountable.
Enhancing awareness and education on the detrimental effects of corruption and the importance of integrity in public service.
Encouraging a culture of ethical leadership and accountability among government officials and civil servants.
The solutions proffered above are not just about Kogi State, but a majority of Nigerian states where there are white lions, green serpents, blue monkeys, red onions and all sorts masquerading as governors and fleecing their states.
Fourteen passengers were feared killed yesterday in a head-on coalition involving two Toyota buses in Kogi.
Thirteen others survived in the accident which occurred at Aloma community in Ofu Local Government Area of the state, a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said.
The Kogi Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samuel Oyedeji, confirmed the accident.
An eyewitness told NAN that the accident involved a Southeast-bound Toyota Sienna and an Abuja-bound Toyota Hiace.
The witness said: “Thirteen persons, including the driver of the Hiace bus were completely roasted by the fire that engulfed the bus immediately after the head-on coalition.
“One of the four surviving persons in the bus died in hospital from burns suffered bringing the number to 14 that died.”
According to him, none of the 10 occupants of the Sienna bus died, but were badly injured.
He commended the villagers, who quickly came to the scene of the accident and rescued the injured.
“It is because of their timely intervention that the Sienna bus did not get burnt as well,” he said.
The eyewitness blamed the accident on over-speeding and potholes on the road, added that it took rescuers three hours to remove the driver of the Sienna bus, whose two legs were badly damaged.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by seven senior advocates of Nigeria against National Judicial Council (NJC) and others over alleged unlawful appointment of judges in Kogi.
Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi to institute the action and that the suit itself lacked merit.
The seven aggrieved lawyers, who also hail from Kogi are Yunus Usman, SAN; Jibrin Okutepa, SAN; Patrick Okolo, SAN; Abdullahi Haruna, SAN; Reuben Atabo, SAN; Shaibu Aruwa, SAN and Johnson Usman, SAN.
The plaintiffs, in the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/05/2024, sued the NJC, Kogi State Judicial Service Commission (KSJSC), Governor of Kogi and Attorney-General (A-G) and Commissioner for Justice in the state as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.
They sought a mandatory order restraining the defendants from appointing new judicial officers until there is strict compliance with the laws.
In the originating summons dated Jan. 4 but filed Jan. 8, they sought a declaration that the selected candidates for onward transmission to NJC for appointment as judges was not “totally based on merits, competence, sound knowledge of the law, professional expertise and skill, seniority, fairness, equity and equality.”
They argued that the same was marred by political and ethnic influence contrary to the provisions of Rule 3 (6)(i)-(iv) and Rule 4(4)(a) of the NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers of all superior Courts of Records in Nigeria, 2014 and Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
They also alleged that the KSJS was doing the bidding of the Governor.
The NJC, in its counter affidavit, urged the court to strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction.
The application was based on the grounds that the suit did not disclose a course of action against the NJC and that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi to file the matter
The 2nd to 4th, in their counter affidavit and a preliminary objection, prayed the court to dismiss the suit.
The chief judge of the state, in a letter to the Lokoja Branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), shortlisted some judicial officers to be appointed into the state’s High Court, Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary Court of Appeal.
NAN reports that the NJC had suspended the process of the appointment of judges and kadis into the state’s judiciary, saying the development was to maintain a fair and just judicial system following a letter by the seven senior lawyers intimating it on a suit instituted against the appointment.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Omotosho noted that though the plaintiffs brought the suit on their own behalf and the marginalised people of Okun origin and Ibaji Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi, he said: “interestingly, none of the plaintiffs were in consideration for appointment as Judicial officers.”
“In fact, they are senior legal practitioners who are uninterested in becoming judges in Kogi State.
“In fact it has not shown that the acts of the defendants injured the interests of any of the plaintiffs in any way.
“They never participated in the recruitment process neither were they appointed by the marginalised people of Okun origin and Ibaji LGA to fight their cause for them if any,” he said
He said while the court was aware that the courts had expanded the realms of locus standi in some cases to include public interest litigation, there are still limits to it.
“For instance, Fundamental Rights Enforcement suits under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules have expanded locus standi to even non-governmental organisations to bring action on behalf of a person whose rights have been infringed.
“This suit as far as this court knows is not a fundamental rights suit.
“There must be some form of link between the actions of the defendants and the rights of the plaintiffs instituting an action.
“Without any such link, it amounts to an academic suit which in the opinion of the court has no basis,” he said.
The judge, who held that the plaintiffs had no peculiar rights to protect in the suit, said it was plainly obvious that the suit was speculative without any substance.
“This court will not be used to answer any academic or hypothetical question which does not touch on real or threatened breach of rights.
“The plaintiffs cannot arrogate to themselves the powers they lack.
“The plaintiffs, even though are indigenes of Kogi State, cannot take the place of the people of Okun origin and Ibaji LGA, as they are the ones who have supposedly suffered the said injury.
“Therefore, this suit is bound to be dismissed for lack of locus standi of the plaintiffs,” he said.
Justice Omotosho further held that assuming without conceding that the plaintiffs had locus standi, he wondered if instituting the action was the right course of action.
“The opinion of this court on this issue stems from the fact that the plaintiffs are ably represented in the 1st defendant (NJC) and in fact, are deemed to be members of the 1st defendant through their representatives in the body,” he said.
He said Section 20 to the Third Schedule of the Constitution 1999 (as amended) provides that five members of the NBA who have been qualified to practise for a period of not less than 15 years and at least, one of whom must be a senior advocate, are members of NJC.
“It is crystal clear from the above composition of the 1st defendant that the plaintiffs, who are members of the Nigerian Bar Association by virtue of the Legal Practitioners Act, are represented in the body.
“The plaintiffs ought to have exhausted the avenue of going through their representatives in the 1st defendant before it can ripen into a suit before this court if they have locus standi at all, having assumed being members of the 1st defendant by representation.
“This is the essence of the doctrine of ripeness and exhaustion,” he declared.
Besides, the judge said he also took judicial notice of the fact that NBA president is a member of the appointment committee of the NJC and participates in interviewing candidates for the bench.
According to him, the intention and purpose of this is to bring all the complaints of the different branches of NBA to the notice of NJC through the president.
He said similarly, the judicial service commissions of states also have representation of NBA as part of the members.
“The appointment of qualified persons to the bench of the High Court of Kogi State is done on the recommendation of NJC.
“And where the persons fulfill all the requirements of NJC, their names are sent to the governor for appointment.
“The recommendation of the NJC is upon the advice by the Kogi State Judicial Service Committee,” he said
The judge said that based on Section 158 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, NJC cannot be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person.
According to him, the import of the above provision is that the 1st defendant has unfettered discretion and powers in the recommendation of persons to be appointed as judges of High Court, Kadis of Sharia Court of Appeal and judges of Customary Court of Appeal.
“Thus this court cannot interfere with such discretion as this provision serve as some form of ouster clause for which the court lacks the powers to look into.
“Thus allegations of bias made against the defendants holds no water in the light of the facts put forward by the defendants.
“This suit has no legs to stand on and will accordingly be dismissed,” he said.
Justice Omotosho equally held that though the plaintiffs alleged that most of the courtrooms of the High Court of Kogi had been neglected and were in a state of disrepair, he said that Okutepa, 2nd plaintiff in the suit, during oral examination as 1st prosection witness, admitted that he was not the maker of the video evidence or the photographs.
“That it was made by someone else and they (plaintiffs) simply downloaded the video and photographs and attached same as exhibits in the further affidavit,” he said.
According to Justice Omotosho, the general principle of tendering a document before a court is that such document must be tendered by the maker of the said document.
“This is to allow the adverse party the opportunity to cross examine the maker,” he added.
He said the two exceptions to the principle are if the maker is dead or the maker can only be procured by involving the party in so much expenses that could be outrageous in the circumstances of the case.
“From the above holding, it is clear that where a document is tendered which is not tendered by the maker, it loses its probative value and it is deemed as a mere paper.
“The Video CD and the photographs even though frontloaded by the plaintiffs are still liable to be expunged by the Court for being hearsay evidence.
“The said documents having not been tendered in evidence by the maker of the documents are hereby expunged from evidence.
“Upon the expunging of the said documents, there is nothing to show that the court rooms of the High Court of Kogi State is in state of disrepair as the reliefs claims are bare without any credible evidence.
“Consequently, relief 5 fails for lack of proof. In final analysis, the plaintiffs lack locus standi to institute this action.
“Assuming it has requisite locus standi, the suit lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed,” the judge declared.
The people of Apata in Oworo District, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, are jubilant as the monarch’s queen, Olori Teniola-Faith, was delivered of a set of triplets on Monday
Olu of Apata, Oba Fredrick Balogun, said God has been very faithful to his family who, for 17 years, had put their trust in Him.
He said: “This is our day of joy and rejoicing after receiving these precious gifts from God after several years of waiting and trusting Him.
“I’m in short of words to thank God for what He has done to this royal family. No wonder people have gathered around to celebrate with us. Another impressive and wonderful thing our God has done to us is that the queen and the triplets are all in good health.”
Oba Balogun noted that the triplets’ arrival is a sign that 2024 is a year of many goodies coming the way of not just Apata community, but Kogi and Nigeria as a whole.
The Elsho of Apata, Chief Ayodele Rufus-Balogun, described the arrival of the triplets as ‘huge blessing’ to the Apata community, the Oworo district and Kogi.
“You can see for yourself how jubilant our people are over the birth of these triplets to our Oba. We are indeed grateful to God,” he said.
Secretary of the Apata Community Development Association, Babatunde Adekunle, said 2024 was the year of the people of Apata community.
“We are all gathered here singing and dancing because our joy is full with the blessing we have received from our almighty God through our royal family,” he noted.
Twenty-Five victims of Thursday’s banditry attack at Agojeju-Odo community in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi were buried yesterday.
Chief David Akpa, District Head and Ochala Onu-Ife Bagaji Odo, Omala, Kogi State, told newsmen in his palace that the bodies that were buried included those of two women and four children.
Akpa described the attack as barbaric and wicked, given the way and manner the bandits unleashed mayhem on his people.
“We are mourning our loved ones who were killed in cold blood. We have never had any misunderstanding either with bandits or with herdsmen before now.
“As it is now, we are living in fear, more so that we heard that they are coming to Bagaji Odo, where surviving victims are taking refuge.
“We are pleading with the federal and state governments to come to our aid and protect us from bandits,” he pleaded.
Akpa explained that Thursday’s attack was the second in the year, sending serious fears into residents.
A community member had alleged on Thursday that a running battle between militia groups in parts of Benue and some bandits led to the onslaught on the sleepy towns of Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagaji and environs.
“They destroyed farm produce with ease in an attempt to draw the communities into the conflict,” he said.
Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Usman Ododo, said on Friday that the governor had ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The killing of innocent and harmless residents of the community by alleged hired militiamen is very callous, unacceptable and condemnable,” he said.
Omodara said property; especially houses, vehicles and crops were destroyed in the attack.
He called on the people of Agojeju-Odo and neighbouring communities to remain calm as government and security agencies were on top of the situation.
Police spokesman in Kogi State, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, also confirmed the attack and assured that security operatives were keeping vigil in the community to forestall further attacks.
“A tactical response team of the police, the military, and members of vigilance groups has been deployed in the area. Normalcy has since returned to the troubled community.
“Investigation into the incident has started to bring the perpetrators to book,” Ovye-Aya assured.
Ajaka condemns killings, calls for prompt action
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the November 11, 2023 governorship election, Alhaji Yakubu Ajaka, has condemned the bandits’ attack on Agojeju-Odo community.
Ajaka, who made the remarks in a statement in Lokoja on Saturday, also called for immediate action to stop bandits’ incessant attacks in the area.
A total of 25 persons were reportedly killed by bandits on Thursday in an attack that left several people injured and farm produce destroyed.
Ajaka condemned the reccurring maiming and killing of innocent Kogites in Bagana, Otutubatu, Iyade, Agbenema, Agojeju-Odo and other affected communities in Omala LGA.
“The life of every citizen is sacred and important, and it is the responsibility of the state to protect the masses against internal and external aggression.
“It is high time the state government got up to its primary responsibility of securing Kogi.
“I urge the current occupants of Lugard House to put an end to the crises and heightened insecurity in Kogi by mobilising resources needed to solve the present conflict and to prevent future occurrence,” he said.
He called for immediate deployment of the security apparatus of the state to maintain order and stability in the affected areas.
He called on the Federal Government to intervene in the matter to save the citizens.
“I am certain that the President will not allow his government to be overrun by insecurity in any part of the country. Kogi State should not be allowed to turn into a killing field.
“The safety of lives is the first priority in governance.
“I am also appealing to the Inspector General of Police, all the Service Chiefs and the National Security Adviser to swiftly intervene and thoroughly investigate the cause of the persistent crisis.
“I hereby seek for humanitarian assistance for those displaced by the conflict,” he said.
The Lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, yesterday condemned the violent attacks in Omala Local Government Area and called for a probe to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the attacks and fish out the perpetrators.
She also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to take immediate action to restore normalcy in the troubled communities.
According to a statement by her media aide, Arogbonlo Isreal, Natasha commiserated with the families of those who have lost their loved ones as a result of the crisis, while calling for a thorough investigation into the remote causes of the crisis that led to the unwarranted killing of innocent citizens.
She emphasised the need for the security agencies to go after the masterminds of the heinous crime.
Furthermore, the senator called on both the state and federal governments to intervene immediately to prevent any further escalation of the crisis, while urging the security agencies to use intelligence in the pursuit of the perpetrators of the heinous act.
She advised the people of the community to join forces with the police to identify the criminals and bring them to justice.
“It could be recalled the violent attacks occurred in two communities, Agojeju Odo and Abejukolo in Omala LGA of the State on Thursday, April 4.
“The gunmen, who were having a running battle with Agatu militia in Benue, extended their onslaught to Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and environs, destroying their farm produce,” the statement noted:
Culprits won’t go unpunished, says gov
Expressing dismay over Thursday’s communal clash which claimed 19 lives in Agojeju-Odo in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, Governor Ahmed Ododo, has expressed shock over the incident.
In a statement yesterday, the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah, said the governor regretted the ugly dimension that the communal clashes in the area have assumed over time.
He promised immediate intervention by his administration to forestall a reoccurrence.
