The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Leo Ogor

  • Constituent seeks disqualification of Reps Minority Leader Ogor over alleged forgery

    The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has been approached for a perpetual injunction to disqualify the member of the House of Representatives, representing Isoko Federal Constituency, Hon Leo Ogor, contesting the general elections.

    In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/10/2019 and filed by one Peter Enaruke against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ogor as the first, second and third defendants respectively, the court was asked to disqualify Ogor, who is the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, for alleged falsification and forgery of documents.

    The court papers also sought to restrain both the PDP and the INEC from fielding Ogor as a candidate and entering his name to be on the ballot when the election for the House of Representatives comes up on the 16 of this month.

    The plaintiff claimed that the dates of working experience filled in the 2018 INEC form C.F. 001 and the educational qualification with dates in the 2014 INEC form C.F. 001 and certificates submitted by Ogor, the 3rd defendant for the 2019 general elections were false information and forged certificates.

    “A declaration that by the virtue of the mandatory, constitutional and statutory provision of section 6(6), 36, 106(c) and 107(I)(h) of the 1999 constitution (As Amended), the 3rd defendant, who swore on oath vide his 2014 INEC form C.F. 001-affidavit in support of personal particular of persons seeking election to the House of Representatives, Isoko North/South Federal Constituency of Delta state, that he allegedly obtained his primary school leaving certificate from 1969-1974 (as against his later affidavit in his 2018 INEC form C.F. 001 wherein he stated that he obtained his primary school leaving certificates, at least as respect his educational qualification with dates in the said 2014 INEC form C.F. 001.

    “A declaration that by the virtue of the mandatory, constitutional and statutory provision of section 6(6), 36, 106(c) and 107(I)(h) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended), the 3rd defendant, stood automatically disqualified ab initio from contesting the forthcoming 2015 general elections into the House of Representatives, Isoko North/South Federal Constituency of Delta state, held February, 2015 or any other date thereabout on the platform of the 1st defendant or any other political party, the 3rd defendant has perjured and presented false information and forged certificates, at least as respect his working experience with dates in the said 2018 INEC form C.F. 001 and his educational qualification with dates in the said 2014 INEC form C.F. 001”, the papers stated.

    Read Also: Leo Ogor back in the House

    The plaintiff, therefore sought, among other things, an order setting aside or nullifying the nomination of Hon Ogor as the candidate of the PDP.

    “A perpetual injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants either by themselves, agents, privies, surrogates or any other person(s) whosoever from parading, presenting, recognising, projecting, forwarding, accepting, or dealing with the 3rd defendant in any manner however as the candidate of the 1st defendant in contesting the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    “A perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd defendant either by themselves, agents, privies, surrogates or any other person(s) whosoever from parading, presenting, recognising, projecting, forwarding, accepting or suffering his name to be forwarded to the 2nd defendant or dealing with the 1st and 2nd defendants in any manner however as the candidate of the 1st defendant to represent the 1st defendant in the forthcoming 2019 general elections”, the application demanded.

  • Political coalition in Delta rise against NASS minority leader

    Chairmen of registered political parties in Delta State on Friday lamented the under-development of Isoko Federal constituency and poor representation in government at the National Assembly.

    Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Ogor presently represent Isoko federal constituency. He has been in the House since 2003, and is eying another term in next year’s election on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Rising from a meeting in Asaba, the chairmen said despite the huge contribution of Isoko constituency to the wealth of the nation through oil and gas exploration, the area has nothing to show for it in terms of industries, adding that the area lacked steady electricity, potable water and basic infrastructure.

    Reading the resolution of the meeting, Dr. Clarke Mejebi of the Grassroots Party of Nigeria (GPN) stated that the party chairmen also noted with dismay that the area has not produced federal minister, ambassador or any other position of note since the return of democracy in 1999.

    As a result, Mejebi said the party chairmen resolved to support a former chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Joel Onowakpo-Thomas to realise his aspiration to represent Isoko Federal constituency in 2019 election, irrespective of the political party he intends to use for the election.

    Read Also: Delta monarchs seek extension of PVC registration

    Giving reasons for the endorsement, Mejebi said Onowakpor “has never been indicted for corruption in spite of so many sensitive positions he had held and still holding till today.

    “That Joel Onowakpor as chairman of Delta State Board of Internal Revenue raised the revenue of Delta State by over 250% before he left and we believe this experience will be usefully deployed to represent the Isoko people in the House of Representatives as from 2019.

    “That Onowakpor’s credentials as a chartered accountant, business consultant, serial entrepreneur with interests in hotels and hospitality, financial services, commodity trading and other endeavours will be utilized for the benefit of the Isoko people if elected in 2019.

    “As former member of the Delta State economic council, he has acquired much experience that would impact positively on the lives of Isoko people if elected in 2019.

    “That Onowakpor believes in grassroots governance and development and was at a time chairman (mayor) of Isoko South Local Government Area (2007 – 2008) when he demonstrated leadership and executive capabilities.

    “Onowakpor who is currently coordinating Federal Inland Revenue Service for Edo, Delta and Rivers states will leverage on his humongous experience and vast contacts to grow the Isoko nation to prominence when elected to represent the ethnic nationality in the House of Representatives.

    “Our coalition notes that Onowakpor’s simplicity, accessibility and his philanthropic nature will definitely benefit the Isoko people whose men, women and youths he has vowed to empower when he us elected into the House of Representatives in 2019.”

    He called on Isoko political stakeholders opinion leaders and the electorate “to vote in this exceptional son of Isoko in 2019 in order to terminate the dark days that Isoko people have endured so far.”

    According to him, the coalition will support credible candidates with proven record of integrity and performance from the position of governor to members of House of Assembly in no distant time, adding that the case of Isoko Federal constituency is peculiar because of the lamentable level of under development.

  • Reps’ PDP caucus gives Buhari quit notice 

    Reps’ PDP caucus gives Buhari quit notice 

    …says there is vacancy in Aso Rock Villa

    The caucus of the People’s Democratic Party  (PDP) in the House of Representatives has asked President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to begin preparing to vacate the Presidency.

    The caucus also stated that it will not rule out judicial intervention to reclaim its lost seats in the House following the resolution of the leadership crisis that rocked the party by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

    The caucus said there is vacancy in Aso Rock Villa because the party is set on reclaiming the seat of power by 2019.

    Leader of the caucus, who is also the Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, while addressing journalists after the caucus meeting yesterday morning, said the caucus’ optimism stemmed from the fact that all its members that left for other parties in the wake of the crisis are on their way back.
    Stating that the party has learnt its lesson from the crisis that almost led to its extinction, Ogor said the resolution of the crisis was not only victory for democracy but an opportunity for PDP to reclaim the seat of power.

    “Nigerians tasted almost 16 years of PDP, they have tasted two years of APC but that is a journey Nigerians don’t want to continue with.

    “Come 2019, we shall restore true democracy where governance belongs to the people.

    “There is vacancy in Aso rock and this is a quit notice to APC government,” he said.

    On the fate of former members that left for other parties as a result of the crisis, Ogor hoped the matter would not get to the point of engaging judicial intervention to bring them back.

    Pointing out that the caucus is currently reduced to 141 members, he said, “For members that left, we will wave the olive branch in an attempt to bring them back to the fold.

    “We believe that they will come back because there is no basis for not doing so, the ticket that got them to the House did not belong to them, it belongs to the party.

    “It is hoped that we will not get to that point but Section 84 of the constitution was clear on the matter and we will not hesitate to approach the judiciary to interpret it for us.

    “A committee will be set up to undertake this assignment; we are willing to welcome them back like prodigal sons because APC is an amalgamation of stage bed fellows”.

    The caucus implored ailing President Buhari to return home immediately, adding that he has a bigger assignment at him,

    Ogor however assured that the PDP will not only offer a credible opposition but assist the government with constructive ideas toward moving the nation forward.

     

  • Budget padding allegations: EFCC invites Jibrin 

    Budget padding allegations: EFCC invites Jibrin 

    The suspended former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin, has been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Jibrin’s invitation is based on his allegations on budget padding against the leadership of the House and to answer questions concerning money looted through padding in the 2016 budget.

    The EFCC’s letter of invitation to Jibrin dated June 9 was signed by the acting Head of Extractive Industry Grid Section, Mr Michael Wetkas.

    It said: “The commission has commenced investigation into the petition of corrupt practices and abuses of office reported on 1st August, 2016, by Hammart and Co. (Tafida Chambers) on your behalf against Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Hon. Yussuf Lasun, Hon. Alhassan Doguwa, Hon. Leonard Ogor and others.

    “In furtherance of the investigation and due to unfolding findings, it has become imperative to request that you attend another interview with the team.

    “Through Ibrahim Ahmed on 13th June 2017 at the 3rd floor Block A, No.5 Fomelu street, off Adetokumbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, at 10 a.m. to clarify some issues to enable us conclude investigation”.

    Jibrin in a statement on Monday in Abuja confirmed receipt of the letter.

    He said: “Today, I received invitation from the EFCC for another interview to clarify some issues to enable the commission conclude investigation on my petition against some principal officers of the House on 2016 budget fraud, corruption and abuse of office.

    “This is a welcome development as it is coming at a time that many Nigerians have lost hope that the outcome of my petition will not see the light of the day.

    “I have severally maintained that I have full confidence in the EFCC under the Chairmanship of Ibrahim Magu.

    “I am also aware that the EFCC have been investigating the petition I submitted and far reaching discoveries were made.

    “It is also noteworthy that this invitation is coming at a time that some revelations were made last week.

    “The revelations with details of how the Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, used his company where he is the signatory to the accounts to execute constituency project contracts completely against the laws of our land.

    “It is however worrisome that in his response, Ogor admitted the offence and even boosted that there is nothing wrong in what he did as quoted by the nation’s newspaper.

    “Let me state emphatically clear that any Member or Senator who used his company or companies with links to him to execute constituency project contracts, whether such contracts are executed or not has committed an offence.

    “Either way you look at it, he can be prosecuted on charges of corruption or abuse of office.

    “The case of Leo Ogor is same or even worst than that of Babachir Lawal yet the entire National Assembly has maintained an embarrassing silence.

    “Is my boss, Senate President and Chairman of National Assembly, Sen. Bukola Saraki aware of this?

    “In due course I will expose a lot of other issues in the 2017 budget that will shock Nigerians whether the authority decides to act on it or not.”

  • Reps urge Buhari to challenge EFCC Act in court

    The House of Representatives has urged the Presidency to seek interpretation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act before a court, following the Senate’s rejection of Mr Ibrahim Magu as Chairman.

    The House also resolved that the executive should refrain from making statements that connote the usurpation of the judiciary’s powers considering it negative effects on the doctrine of separation of powers.

    This followed a motion on Thursday in Abuja by Rep. Leo Ogor (Delta-PDP) on the “need to prevent erosion of the Doctrine of Separation of Power”.

    Moving the motion, Ogor explained that by the clear provision of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC Act, the chairman of the anti-corruption agency shall be nominated by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

    “Convinced that the EFCC Act is an Act of the National Assembly that can only be set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction, and until that happens, the law remains in force and binding on all persons and authorities in the country.

    “Further aware that the Executive Arm of Government has not filed any proceeding in any court to challenge the provision of Section 2 (3) of the EFCC (established) Act of 2004.”

    Ogor said that under the doctrine of separation of powers, the interpretation of the constitution and Acts of parliament was the sole responsibility of the judiciary and not that of any person or official of the other arms of government.

    He said that the statement credited to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was capable of eroding the doctrine of separation of powers with its obvious implication of instituting a dictatorship in the country.

    Contributing to the motion, Rep. Simon Arabo (Kaduna-APC), said that there was need by the executive to tow the line of separation of powers.

    Also, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (Rivers-PDP), said that people should not continue to upgrade opinions to be actual facts.

    “Government should be responsive and listen to the opinions of the masses,” he said.

    The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    The House, therefore, mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation of its resolution.

     

  • Edo Polls: PDP caucus alleges APC, INEC of conspiracy to rig

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and some personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are conspiring to rig Wednesday’s governorship polls in Edo state, the caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives has alleged.

    Compromising INEC staff, issuance of sensitive materials including result sheets before elections and alteration of card readers, among others  are the means to be employed to carry out the rigging, the leader of caucus, Leo Ogor (PDP, Delta) said at a briefing on Tuesday.

    “INEC surreptitiously and in conjunction with APC compiled names and list of INEC staff and persons sympathetic with APC to superintend over election to skew same in favour of APC.

    “Thus, INEC staff earlier listed for the elections were all replaced majorly with people from a particular section of the country, claiming that most people from the South-south are sympathetic to the PDP.

    “There was an arrangement to issue sensitive materials such as results sheets and incident forms to the APC before the election to enable them originate fake results and submit same with the assistance of security men.

    “Some top APC members were arranging with ICT experts and some INEC officials to alter the card readers to be used for the election to give an inaccurate figure, which was not generated from the legitimate accreditation in the field.

    “Additionally, INEC unlawfully agreed with some security agencies to move collation centres to police station, saying the action was to give the APC, who are ill-prepared and indeed not capable of winning any free and fair election in Edo State, the covering to bring in compromised results for the Returning Officers to announce,” he said.

    Ogor, who was accompanied by several members of the caucus said the APC in the State, in conjunction with some security agencies have consistently harassed PDP members in the various local governments of the state ahead of the election.

    The security report which was used as excuse to postpone the election would also be deployed as grounds to militarise Edo to ward off any anti APC voter, Ogor alleged.

    The caucus however appealed to the electoral umpire to live above board, saying, “We urge INEC as an independent and unbiased umpire to forestall these evil arrangements and uphold its integrity. The issues raised herein should be taken seriously and acted upon by civil society, the Nigerian public and the press to give credibility to the electoral process”.

  • Jibrin to EFCC: Quiz Dogara, Lasun, others for financial scam

    Jibrin to EFCC: Quiz Dogara, Lasun, others for financial scam

    … Jubrin a drowning man – Speaker

    A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jubrin, on Monday accused the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, of perpetrating financial fraud on behalf of entire members of the House.

    Jibrin, who was sacked by Dogara as Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, said the magnitude of corruption perpetrated by Dogara, Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, Chief Whip, Hassan Ado Doguwa and the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, is in contrast to the anti-corruption position of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He asked Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the Speaker and the other three principal officers of the House for financial fraud.

    In a statement issued on Monday, Jibrin alleged that the Speaker is running the finances of the House like his personal estate.

    He said: “Speaker Yakubu Dogara and his senior cabal namely – Deputy Speaker of the House, Yussuff Lasun, Whip Ado Doguwa and the Minority leader, Leo Ogor had promoted corruption so badly in the House that if President Muhammadu Buhari with his disdain for corruption and corrupt people have the slightest idea, he will ban the quartet permanently from the Villa before they eventually allow for proper and unbiased investigation by the House.

    “Mr. Speaker and Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun diverted millions of naira all in the name of paying for guest houses and official residence.

    “The issue became so messy that the Deputy Speaker openly accused Hon. Herma Hembe of short changing them of millions of naira in the deal to the shock of many honourable members of the House.

    “Speaker Yakubu Dogara abuses his office by soliciting for inappropriate favours from agencies and multinational companies.

    “He forced an agency to grant loans and a construction company was blackmailed to do some work at his Asokoro plot.”

    “Speaker Yakubu Dogara has carefully designed a scheme to scam members of the House through deduction from their salaries certain amount of money for a so called mortgage arrangements to build houses for members.

    “He has been applying every under hand tactics to ensure members agree to the deal.

    “Speaker Yakubu Dogara has consistently refused members access to the financial dealings and internal budget of the House. He runs the financial management of the House like a cult aided and abated by the Chairman House Services. Hon. Babanlle Ila.”

    Meanwhile, Dogara has denied allegations of corruption leveled against him by the former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker said the allegations were all lies, describing Jibrin as a drowning man.

    The statement said, “These are all lies and desperate attempts of a drowning man to clutch unto anything having found that all his frivolous allegations do not disclose any element of corruption or wrongdoing against Mr. Speaker.”

     

  • We’ve not endorsed any Speakership aspirant – PDP Caucus

    The Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives on Monday said it has not endorsed any Speakership aspirant.

    Leader of the caucus, Hon. Leo Ogor, in a chat with journalists, said out of those aspiring to become the speaker of the 8th House, the caucus had not endorse any candidate.

    He said they would elect a Speaker based on transparency, accountability and impeccable integrity.

    Ahead of the June 6 inauguration of the 8th Assembly, six lawmakers are vying for the country’s number four position.

    They are – Hon Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) who is presently the Minority Leader, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (APC, Bauchi); Hon. Pally Iriase (APC, Edo) and Hon. Abdulmunmin Jibrin (APC, Kano).

    Others are – Burka Goni (APC, Yobe) and Hon. Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno).

    Ogor said: “There is nothing like endorsing anybody for Christ sake. First and foremost, you know I am a returnee and I lead the caucus in the House at the moment. I will tell you that there we have not heard any meeting with Dogara neither have we start discussing anything with him.

    “We are going to elect a Speaker that is going to be based on transparency, accountability and a Speaker we know definitely well that we will speak for all of us. We cannot sit down and automatically endorse somebody. It is not done that way.

    “Let me also point to one funny thing in the House. They don’t want a scenario where somebody dictates for them. You saw what happened during the Tambuwal era. It is not different. So my appeal is to allow the House choose the candidate so that we don’t end up picking a wrong candidate out of annoyance.”

  • Sambo, Ihedioha, other House leaders meet at Aso Rock

    Sambo, Ihedioha, other House leaders meet at Aso Rock

    Vice President Namadi Sambo on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and some leaders of the House at the State House, Abuja.

    Crisis erupted on Thursday when members of the National Assembly were prevented from entering the National Assembly premises by the Nigeria Police Force.

    Among those at the meeting with the vice president are the House Leader, Adeola Akande and Deputy House Leader, Leo Ogor.

    They declined to speak with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.