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Tag: Mohammed Ali Ndume

  • Drama as Ndume resumes

    Drama as Ndume resumes

    …I don’t begrudge anybody, says Ndume

     

    The resumption of former Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume Wednesday after serving out 90 legislative days of suspension did not go without drama.

    The drama played out when Ndume in his usual boisterous manner raised a Point Order apparently to announce his return to the chamber.

    It was obvious that senators were wondering what the Borno South lawmaker wanted to say so soon after he was left off the hook.

    Ndume surprised everybody in the chamber when he recalled the sudden death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West) whom he said sat behind him in the chamber.

    Ndume who told his colleagues that he used to call Adeleke his “landlord” in the chamber prayed the Senate to observe a minute silence in honour of late senator.

    Not done, Ndume also recalled the recently signed North East Development Commission Act.

    The Bill that led to the Act, he said, was spearheaded by him and Senator Kabiru Gaya to address the humanitarian crisis created by the activities of Boko Haram in the North East geo-political zone.

    He thanked his colleagues for ensuring speedy passage of the Bill and President Muhammadu Buhari for appreciating the necessity to sign the Bill into law in record time.

    While Ndume was marshaling his points, Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) was gesturing at the back ground to raise another point of order.

    It was not clear what Melaye (Kogi West) wanted to say but Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who might have sensed trouble, did not recognise him.

    When Ndume was done, Saraki simple ruled that “the points made by Ndume are noted” and quickly moved on to other legislative matters listed for the day.

    At a press briefing, Ndume said that he went to court to challenge his suspension to seek clarification on the position of the law about the way and manner the Senate suspended him.

    The lawmaker said that he did not go to court for any personal benefit but to seek clarification in the interest of democracy.

    He insisted that there was nothing personal about his suspension neither is he holding anybody responsible for his suspension.

    He also said that he went to court to test the law in defence of democracy and reiterated that he does not begrudge anybody over his suspension.

    He noted that the court had since declared his suspension as illegal, null, void and of no effect.

    Ndume who added that the Senate has signaled its intension to appeal the court ruling declared “we will watch how it goes.”

    He said, “There was nothing about what happened. I did not see anything personal; I did not take anything personal. I don’t begrudge anybody but if there is anybody who took personal leave that to God.”

  • Boko Haram sponsorship:  Ndume considering suit against FG

    Boko Haram sponsorship:  Ndume considering suit against FG

    Senator  representing Borno South Senatorial district Mohammed Ali Ndume has disclosed that he is contemplating filling a case against the Federal Government of Nigeria after his acquittal by an Abuja High Court over allege link and sponsorship of Boko Haram terrorists group.

    Ndume  who spoke with journalists at his residence  in Maiduguri over the weekend also accused the media for unfair treatment during the course of the trial, which he regrettably said caused the miscarriage of his daughters four months pregnancy.

    Ndume who is also under suspension for six months by the senate after asking the senate to investigate the allegations of contract scam leveled against Senate President Bukola Saraki  said he was ‘unfairly treated’ by the media from the day of the trial till last week when he was acquitted by the court.

    “While the Federal Government was struggling to find evidence to indict me before the Presiding Judge, the Nigeria Media passed judgment on my ‘person and integrity;’ as Boko Haram sponsor,” Ndume said.

    His words: “For six years the Federal Government put me on trial without any evidence to prove their false allegations against me.

    After six years the court said they had no case against me so they have to acquit me.

    “But the media however; wasn’t fair to me.  The spirit with which they reported my arraignment has not been matched or corroborated with the reports published on my recent acquittal.”

    Sen. Ndume said he was still contemplating   on the way forward especially on how to redeem his image through the law court against the Federal Government, saying , “I am yet to decide on whether to go to court and sue the federal government for damages or speak to the media so that my own story too would be heard.”

    He regretted that, “For six years I was restricted, I could not travel, I could not move an inch, I was subjected to emotional torture when all the while the government knew that there was nothing against me and they know who the sponsors of Boko Haram are.

    “And the saddest aspect of it all was that up till when the case was dismissed finally, nobody, including those in the media who had subjected me to their trial, could query the lame facts brought to the court,” Ndume said.

    Ndume accused  the Goodluck Jonathan administration for orchestrating his travails over his critical punches to the government.

    Speaking on his arraignment, Sen. Ndume said: “Could you imagine the arrested Boko Haram spokesman mentioned some other persons but it was only me that was taken to court?”

    “That shows that I was the only person that the government wanted to fight. “But I will still ensure that my voice is heard and my side of the story is told as well; because there are so many things that the world need to know.

    “Could you imagine the media reporting that I had 73 phone contacts with the Umar Sanda Konduga, the Boko Haram spokesman?

    “How can  one makes over 70 calls and no one could trace the call logs on a platform when we all know communication is two-way traffic. But sadly no one queried that scientific fact, including the press.”
    He explained that his troubles started when he was a member of a presidential committee on dialogue with Boko Haram that was set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “As a member of that committee, our contacts were made available to members of the public so that anyone with credible information could contact us. It was at that time this Sanda chap called and I told him I would get back to him. Unfortunately, I never did because we have hundreds of people calling at that time.

    “So, he sent me a text message that I said I would get back to him and I didn’t. So, when the security people saw that text they said we were communicating with him, even though I did not respond to that text message as well, ” he explained.

    He noted that he would have waved the matter as a leadership challenge but the pains and the trauma his immediate family went through is his greatest pains and dilemma.

    “One of my daughters approached me and said, ‘Daddy now that the court said you are not guilty as they alleged, it is time we take the government to court.

    “Even as I tried to calm them, their anger is justified because that my very daughter lost her four months old pregnancy when she heard that I was arrested and arraigned in court. Some of my little kids were molested in school by people who call them names! So how much could one take for an offense one is innocent of?”, Sen. Ndume said.

     

  • Why I won’t apologise, by Ndume

    Why I won’t apologise, by Ndume

    Suspended former Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume has ruled out a likelihood of him apologising in order to get a recall.

    He told reporters, after an interactive session with his constituents in Abuja, that there was no basis for him to apologise since he did nothing to warrant a suspension.

    Ndume was on March 39 sent on a six months’ suspension for alleged breach of Senate rules. He allegedly alerted the Senate to the purchase of exotic cars for the Senate President, with forged papers, and the certificate scandal against Senator Dino Melaye.

    The Senate specifically blamed him for not “conducting due diligence” before bringing the matter to the floor.

    The Borno South senator, however, said though he is not averse to apologising where there is need to do so, there was nothing for him to apologise for.

    He insisted that he did not offend the standing rules of the Senate.

    His words: “The move for an apology was made but I did not do anything to warrant tendering an apology. I have no problem with an apology but you have to apologise for something you did.

    “The issues I raised were put to rest after I raised them. The issue of importation of car was put to rest. The certificate issue was also put to rest. It was because I raised the issues. Perhaps if I did not raise them, the issues may have lingered.

    “I did not do anything so there is no basis for me to tender any apology.”

    The lawmaker added that the resolution to investigate the issue was not his, but a Senate resolution.

    “The whole thing will come and go; it will pass away; it is part of the challenges a politician go through. My challenge in the Senate now is temporary; it should not stop me from doing what I have been doing for my constituents. It is very temporary.

    “I take my suspension in good faith. It will pass away. I am lucky to be in the Senate. Right now I am going through industrial attachment because one day I will leave the Senate. I don’t expect to die there.”

  • Economy: Adeosun must appear before Senate-Saraki

    Economy: Adeosun must appear before Senate-Saraki

    Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, was Wednesday asked to appear before the Senate on Thursday to brief the upper chamber about measures the Federal Government is taking to shore up the country’s dwindling economy.

    The directive followed the failure of the minister to brief the Senate on Wednesday as scheduled.

    Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, informed the Senate in plenary that Adeosun sent a message that she was held up at the Federal Executive Council meeting and therefore could not attend the scheduled briefing.

    Ndume said that Senate should give the minister another date to appear for the briefing.

    Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio who seconded the motion observed that it was Adeosun who picked the Wednesday date and wondered why she failed to honour the invitation.

    Akpabio said that the minister should have taken cognizance of the fact the FEC meeting would hold yesterday.

    He added, “We would not take it as a slight and disrespect for the Senate. We will take it as a mistake on her part but it should not repeat itself again because the minister ought to have known about the FEC meeting.”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki ruled that Adeosun must be here tomorrow (Thursday).

    Saraki noted that the issue of the economy is very important and that Nigerians needed to be informed about what is happening in the economy.

    He said, “She must be here tomorrow of today at the end of council meeting because we are here. These are important to Nigerians to know what is happening.”

    The Central Bnak of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele took his turn to brief the Senate on Tuesday on the same subject matter.

  • Senate backs Buhari on move to prosecute looters hiding abroad

    Senate backs Buhari on move to prosecute looters hiding abroad

    The Senate on Wednesday passed for third reading and possible passage into law, a Bill which seeks cooperation with other countries to repatriate and prosecute alleged corrupt Nigerians and their accomplices who are staying outside the country.

    The Executive Bill is entitled: “A Bill for an Act to make provision for mutual assistance in criminal matters between Nigeria and other foreign states and for related matters, 2016”

    Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume lead the debate on the general principles of the Bill.

    It went through a brief debate before its referral to the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Foreign Affairs and Anti-corruption for further legislative consideration.

    The Committees are expected to come up with a report on the Bill after a public hearing in two weeks.
    Ndume in his lead debate noted that the legislation will fast-track the prosecution of Nigerians and their accomplices fleeing abroad with loots from the country and would also strengthen President Muhammadu Buhari’s war on corruption.

    Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, urged the Senate to support the passage of the Bill so as to hasten the battle against graft even across borders.

    Na’Allah said, “Let’s agree to fight-trans border crimes. This Bill, apart from meeting the international requirements to fight crime and the war on corruption is a very serious Bill that deserves urgent attention.”

    Senator Chukwuemeka Utazi (Enugu North) supported the Bill and urged the Senate to approve its passage into law without hesitation.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, agreed that the Bill is key to the fight against corruption.

    Saraki referred it to the Committees of Judiciary, Foreign Affairs and Anti-corruption to hold a public hearing on it and report back to the Senate in two weeks.
    The Senate also received reports of its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Special Duties on fuel scarcity.

    The report was presented by Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North-APC).

  • Boko Haram: Govt seeks secret trial of Ndume

    The Federal Government yesterday requested that the trial of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume be henceforth conducted in secret to preclude members of the public from witnessing proceedings.

    The request by the government is coming midway into the trial, which began last year.

    Ndume, a serving Senator from Borno State, is facing terrorism related charges before the Federal High Court, in Abuja. He was arraigned before Justice Kolawole on December 12 last year,on a 4-count charge by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    He is accused of sponsoring the Boko Haram sect, and failing to provide information about the sect’s operations.

    Yesterday, prosecution lawyer, E.A. Orji, while moving a motion dated September 23, 2014 urged the court to protect the identity of the remaining witnesses scheduled to give evidence in th case.

    He said the intended secret trial, which will not be opened to members of the public, was intended as a protective measure for witnesses in the case, whose security could be endangered if their identities were not shielded.

    “We urge the court to exclude members of the public from the trial. We also want the court to protect the identities of the remaining witnesses that shall give evidence in this case.

    “The fundamental rights of the accused have not been violated because his counsel is represented and has not in any way been excluded from the matter. It is in the interest of national security and public safety that the motion should be granted”, he said.

    Lawyer to the accused, I. Amaza, argued that the prosecution’s request would violate his client’s right to fair hearing. He urged the court to refuse the request and continue with the trial.

    After listening to both lawyers, Justice Kolawole adjourned to October 24, for ruling.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Court upholds Ndume’s appeals

    Court upholds Ndume’s appeals

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja, yesterday, upheld the two appeals filed by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume against decisions of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in his trial on terror-related charges.

    The appellate court, in a judgment read by Justice Amiru Sanusi, faulted the decisions by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court in which he, on December 11 and 14, last year, admitted some computer-generated items in evidence.

    The Court of Appeal held that the trial court erred when it admitted the items although the prosecution failed to comply with the condition precedent as required under Section 84(1) and (2) of the Evidence Act 2011 (as amended).

    The court held that the word “shall” used in Section 84 of the Evidence Act makes it mandatory that its provisions must be complied with.

    “In this case, the respondent failed to comply with the condition precedent as prescribed in Section 84 (2) of the Evidence Act,” the court held.

    It, consequently, declared as wrong, the admission in evidence of the items, marked exhibits “P7, P8, P8a and P8b”, containing alleged call data records of purported interactions between Ndume and a spokesman of Boko Haram, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga.

    Ndume, a senator from Borno State, was arraigned before Justice Kolawole on December 12, last year, on a four-count charge by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    He is accused of sponsoring the Boko Haram sect, and failing to disclose the cell phone number of Konduga, which was alleged to be in his possession.

    During the trial, the prosecution, through its third witness, tendered on December 11 and 14, last year, some call logs and three discs, containing call-data records intended to prove the allegation that Ndume interacted with Boko Haram members.

    Also admitted were documents containing findings based on investigations by a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) set up by the DSS.

    A prosecution witness told the trial court that there were 73 instances of communication between Ndume and Konduga.

    A Nokia E7 phone allegedly belonging to Ndume was said to have been used in communicating with Konduga, whose phone was given as Nokia 2700.

    Despite Ndume’s argument that the items marked P7, P8, P8a and P8b were inadmissible, the trial judge admitted them in evidence, a development that prompted Ndume’s two appeals.

    In his appeal, Ndume asked the court to invalidate the admitted evidence on the grounds that the judge erred in law when he admitted non-admissible materials.

    The senator argued that the evidence in question was admitted in violation of provisions of the Evidence Act.