The Nation Newspaper

Tag: sponsors

  • On Boko Haram sponsors

    Those awaiting the conclusion of the war against Boko Haram insurgency by the end of this year, have cause to be apprehensive of the reality of that deadline. Two events within the last one week have added up to dim the prospects of that date which President Buhari handed down to the military.

    With barely two months to go and despite copious assurances by the military on their successful efforts to weaken the fighting capacity of the insurgents, there are emerging signals that Boko Haram is not about to peter out very shortly. Not with its coordinated and successful attack on a detention camp of the Directorate of Security Services DSS in Lokoja, Kogi State. In that surprising and largely successful attack, about 30 detainees were freed even as it left in its trail four people dead, one of them a policeman. The heavily armed insurgents who overpowered operatives of the DSS were only subdued after a combined team of soldiers and policemen were drafted to scene.

    Within the same week also, the Nigerian Army seemed to have erased whatever remained of this optimism when it alerted that certain individuals were working to reverse the gains made and scuttle efforts at achieving the presidential directive to defeat Boko Haram terrorists within three months. Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman in a statement sent “a very strong and serious final warning to some prominent individuals and political groups who hail from Borno State in particular and north-east generally, that there is information of plans by some highly placed individuals and political groups to undermine and scuttle the fight against terrorism and insurgency in this country”.

    A common string holds the two incidents together. Both are united in casting a slur on the prospects of a quick conclusion of the war on terrorism. Before now, we have been fed with sundry accounts of the escapades of the military in freeing people kidnapped by the sect, the capturing of arms and ammunitions; general disenchantment within the rank and file of the insurgents resulting in low morale and cases of surrender. All these had raised hopes that the insurgents are living on borrowed time as the presidential deadline approached.  But this optimism pales into insignificance in the face of the successful attack on the DSS detention facility in Kogi State and the shocking alarm from the army. There are now genuine fears that if the insurgents could still muster such a sophistication that saw to the assault on the DSS facility, then much has not really changed.

    Especially at a time the current regime has indicated interest to negotiate with the sect. If the insurgents are interested in such negotiations or those being talked to are their real leaders, they would not have been in a hurry to launch attacks to free their detained members. The fact of this goes to reinforce the reservations of those opposed to negotiations with the group. It also raises questions on the propriety of the high number of terrorists that have been released from custody in the last two or three months.

    This reservation is further reinforced by revelation from the presidency that one of the conditions given by the terrorists for the release of the Chibok girls was the freeing of one of their detained members who specialized in making improvised explosives. They could not have been demanding for his release if they had no immediate need for his services. Of course, that demand was rebuffed.

    The planning, execution and eventual success of the attack have also brought to the public domain the vulnerability of detaining terrorism suspects in facilities that are not well fortified. If they could overpower a DSS facility located in a state capital, it remains to be imagined what could have been the situation if the suspects were held in prisons located in the hinterlands. That was the point that was stridently canvassed when Boko Haram suspects were brought to a rural prison in Ekwulobia,  Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

    But by far of greater consequence to the conclusion of the war was the alarm by the army of plans by some prominent politicians and groups in Borno State and the north-east to sabotage the efforts of the military. This matter is as instructive as it is serious and weighty. And in it we may locate factors that have been responsible for the festering insurgency.

    Before now, the sponsorship of the Boko Haram insurgency has been a subject of serious debate, buck-passing and acrimony. In the build up to the last elections, key political parties made strident efforts to accuse opponents of culpability in giving behind-the-scene support to the festering malaise. Attempts were made to establish a linkage between the unfolding political competition and the rising tempo of the insurgency onslaught. Boko Haram was seen in some circles as bottled up political anger seeking expression through a religious garb.

    It cannot be forgotten in a hurry the acerbic and outlandish allegations by then governor of Adamawa State, Muritala Nyako. He had in a letter to the northern governors at the heat of the ravaging insurgency titled “on-going full scale genocide in northern Nigeria,” accused the federal government of killing the citizens and attributing the killings to “the so-called Boko Haram”. The thematic essence of his allegation was that Boko Haram was a contrivance of the Jonathan regime to depopulate the north.

    He was not alone in this line of thought. Before his letter, the Northern Elders Forum had in a statement alleged that most of the “conflicts in the north are being engineered to weaken the north both economically and politically by interests who are intent to exploit such weaknesses for political advantage”. These two instances are instructive given the alarm by the army that key politicians and influential groups in Borno State and the northeast are sabotaging the efforts to end the war on insurgency. What is evident from this is that northerners may after all, be the greatest enemies to themselves in the matter of Boko Haram insurgency.

    There is no reason to disbelieve the army. If they have no idea of who the culprits are, they would not have confined their identified sponsors within the north-east zone and Borno State in particular. By that, they have narrowed the confines of those who aid and abet the Boko Haram insurgency. We cannot afford to gloss over the wider dimensions of this.

    More fundamentally, the revelation has put to task the claims of the likes of Nyako and the Northern Elders Forum. They should now begin to reconcile their earlier allegations with the alarm by the army. They should be made to tell the nation the sponsors of the continuing “genocide” aimed at depopulating the north.

    This point has to be made given that such sweeping allegations did incurable damage to the morale of the fighting soldiers and may have been largely responsible for the indiscipline that was then rampant.

    At that time, it was convenient to sell such a damaging dummy because there was “a common enemy”. Now that enemy is no longer in sight, the game is up. There is no further deceit or primordial sentiment to play up.  We should place the blame squarely at the door steps of those who by acts of omission or commission have encouraged this war.

    The army should therefore, deploy the facts at their disposal to apprehend all sponsors and collaborators of the insurgency sect who hide under the cover of the nation’s fault lines to levy war on us all.

  • Council sponsors 50 for WAEC exams

    The Isolo Local Council Development Area Executive Secretary, Jubril Olusegun, has presented 50 General Certificate of Education (GCE) forms to pupils in the area.

    Olusegun said the gesture was part of the council’s social responsibility to equip the youths for the future.

    He promised to organise coaching class for them.

    “When one has education, he has everything. I know this is going to be a plus for their parents and our council. I assure there will be a follow-up after their examinations for those who perform excellently,” he said.

    He appealed to the beneficiaries to see the gesture as a golden opportunity to pursue their life-time dream, urging them to be serious with their studies.

    The Council Manager, Mr Kehinde Yusuf, said the gesture was aimed at reducing the number of social miscreants in the community.

    “The issuance of GCE forms has always been part of the council’s activities but presently, there will be extensive coaching to ensure they succeed,” he said.

    The Head of Education Department, Mrs Olajumoke Akinyemi, said five pupils were randomly chosen from each ward.

    “I feel elated to be part of those helping these pupils. When you train a child, you train a nation. People should assist the less-privileged pupils, who are willing to study. Those selected should also make use of this opportunity,” she said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Olowode Funsho, thanked the council for relieving her parents the burden of purchasing the form.

  • NCDMB sponsors 22 to China for pipe mill training

    The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has concluded arrangement to sponsor 22 young Nigerians to the Peoples Republic of China to acquire skills in the operation and maintenance of machines that will be used at the pipe mill being set up at Polaku, Bayelsa State by Mainland Pipe Mill Nigeria.

    The trainees, who will travel before the end of the month, will be heading for the Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe Company Limited (BSG), Baoji in Shaanxi Province, China where they will undergo their 45-day training.

    The training is being facilitated by Mainland Pipe Mill, which has BSG of China as its technical partner.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital at the induction for the trainees ahead of their trip, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Denzil Kentebe, urged them to take the programme seriously and acquire the necessary training and certifications that will enable them successfully operate the Polaku pipe mill when it becomes operational.

    He said the trainees had been offered an opportunity, which millions of Nigerians were desirous of and charged them to comport themselves as worthy ambassadors and return home as successes.

    Kentebe cautioned the trainees against breaking the laws of their host country, especially on the possession and use of illicit drugs as such offence attracts stiff punishment by the Chinese authorities. Besides, offenders will be disappointment to their families and the nation that have reposed confidence in them.

    The General Manager, Capacity Building Division, NCDMB, Ikpomosa Oviasu, restated that the programme was part of the Board’s efforts to imbue Nigerians with critical skills required in the oil and gas industry.

    According to him, the trainees would be assessed during and after the programme and the best performers would be placed in existing pipe mills in Nigeria for further on-the-job training ahead of the start of the Polaku pipe mill.

    Oviasu also confirmed that the Board and BSG had made arrangements for the trainees’ accommodation.

  • ‘Mock Nation’s Cup’ founder wants sponsors to revive competition

    ‘Mock Nation’s Cup’ founder wants sponsors to revive competition

    Lawrence  Alabrah, the founder of the “Mock Nations Cup’’ in Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos, on Sunday, said that the lack of viable sponsors was responsible for the death of the football competition.

    Alabrah, who is in his early 60s, is also a retired Naval officer and a current member of the Bayelsa Football Association.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the emergence of the “Mock Nations Cup” competition was stirred by the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations that was hosted and won by Nigeria.

    The competition, which served as a breeding ground for soccer talents, produced many players for the national teams in the past.

    Some of the talents are Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Amunike, Henry Nwosu, Ebitimi Collins, Jonathan Akpoberie, Tarila Okoro-wanta, Ifeanyi Udeze, Gabriel Okolosi, Wahid Akanni and Yusuf Ayila.

    Alabrah said that the grassroots tournament, which enjoyed sponsorship from corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians in the past, now struggles to get sponsors.

    “The Mock Nations Cup was inspired by the 1980 Nations Cup which we hosted, I discussed the idea with two of my friends and that was how the whole thing started.

    “Initially when it started, we had no sponsor, but as the profile of the sport increased, it attracted sponsors from the corporate world and well-meaning Nigerians.

    “Companies like 7up, Nigeria Breweries, Cowbell and others sponsored the competition before the immediate past Lagos State governor, Raji Fashola, supported us massively in the 2011 edition.

    “Suddenly our sponsors started pulling out of the competition and we have been struggling to redeem the image of the event since then,’’ he said.

    He appealed to the government, Nigeria Football Federation and ex-footballers who got to limelight through the competition to help resuscitate the event.

    Some of the former players who partook in the tourney have described its current condition as worrisome.

    Ex-international Emmanuel Amuneke told NAN that the competition, which was one of the best grassroots football tournaments, afforded many players the opportunity to advance their careers.

    The former Super Eagles left-winger urged the organisers to do all within their power to rekindle the competition.

    “The competition was ranked among the best in the past, a lot of ex-international players and I were privileged to play in the competition and it brought many of us to limelight.

    “I will always commend Alabrah who spearheaded the tournament that provided a handful of players for the national team.

    “The organisers should endeavour to evaluate whatever was responsible for the competition to nose-dive and get it back on track. I’m always available to provide any support,’’ he said.

    Also, ex-international Tarila Okoronwanta, expressed sadness that the competition that produced some of the finest players in the past had been neglected.

    Okoronwanta urged corporate bodies and the NFF to help in giving the competition a new lease of life, adding that it would assist in recruiting quality players for the national team.

    “It’s a shame that the tournament is no longer what it used to be and the only way the competition can regain its tempo is through collective effort,’’ he said.

    A NAN correspondent, who visited the Naval Base football pitch at Marine Beach, the venue that hosted the tournament for over 30-year, reports that the sandy field was still in a good shape.

    Some individuals,who spoke to NAN about the competition, said that residents of Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA of Lagos were no longer feeling the impact of the competition in the area.

    Kayode Fadipe, a pastor, said that the people in the area were always happy whenever the tournament approached, stressing that the situation was no longer the same.

    “I was very young when this competition started and I also represented my street in some of the editions.

    “Every December the competition would light up the mood in Ajegunle and that is when you see youths coming together, but it’s not the same anymore,” he said.

    Afeeze Suraju, a cobbler, said that he was no longer making brisk sales unlike what he used to enjoy years back, appealing to the organisers to re-ignite the event. “I could remember in the 90’s how I used to make money during Mock Cup and other business owners; we want to experience it again in this present time,” he said.

    Also, Gladys Ifeanyi, who operates a bar outside the Navy gate, said that ex-internationals who benefited from the competition should support the organisers regain its lost glory.

  • FirstBank sponsors sustainability workshop

    FirstBank sponsors sustainability workshop

    First Bank of Nigeria Limited, will through its sustainability programme- an avenue it uses to partner with the Lagos Business School, host a workshop for non-governmental organisations and corporate organisations.

    The programme, it said, would enable participants adopt modern approaches which they can use to address social and environmental concerns of business customers, investors and the media.

    It said in the wake of the emerging shift in stakeholder needs which optimises social responsibility above business profitability, there is a landscape of opportunities for NGOs and corporate organisations to collaborate, increase capacity, sustainability, and deliver service to the community.

    The workshop scheduled for February 24 and 25, 2015, will hold at the Lagos Business School and is designed to develop business partnerships between NGOs and corporate organisations to achieve widespread and lasting change in the business environment. It would also provide capacity building training for NGOs, who want to partner with corporate organisations on their sustainability programmes.

    According to FirstBank’s spokesperson, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, the bank is a responsible corporate citizen and would continue to foster partnerships that build sustainable businesses.

    “We put our customers at the heart of our business as part of our ‘You First’ ideals to drive sustainable finance, empower the citizenry and grow the economy”, she said.

  • ‘Why it’s difficult to identify sponsors of terrorism’

    A member of the Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force, Dr. Sam Chukwuka Onyeka, has explained why it is difficult to identify sponsors of terrorism.

    He said those who sponsor and fund terrorism globally do so through an underground system called Hawala.

    Onyeka, who spoke with reporters in Abuja at the end of a book launch, advised the government to develop laws with strict punishment for sponsors of terrorism.

    The book: Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism in Nigeria was written by him.

    He explained that the challenges of money laundering and financing of terrorism were not known to Nigeria alone, but to the rest of the world.

    Onyeka said: “You need to understand that those who finance terrorism do not come out in the open to give support. Nowhere in the world; it is not easy to identify them.

    “It’s difficult pinpointing or saying this man is supporting terrorism because those who support terrorism do not come out in the open.

    “Even in America, it is difficult. The best you can do is to block the possible avenues they use, including the banks. That is why the United Nations Sanction Committees and a number of facilities that we have locally exist.”

  • Boko Haram: Australian negotiator promises to name big sponsors

    Boko Haram: Australian negotiator promises to name big sponsors

    The Australian  priest who tried to negotiate the release of the over 200 Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram,says he will  in due course   name ‘bigger sponsors’ of  the sect.

    Dr.StephenDavis who has already named former governor of Borno state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and former chief of army staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, as backers of the sect told the on-line publication ,The Cable,that the sponsors “epitomise all that the Boko Haram fighters are seeking to eliminate from Nigeria.”

    He dismissed insinuation that  Boko Haram commanders named the All Progressives Congress (APC)   as their sponsor.

    “ I have been in close contact with the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS)  and Boko Haram over several years. In that time, I have never heard any political party mentioned by any Boko Haram leader as funding or being associated with Boko Haram,” he said.

    “The JAS leaders and Boko Haram commanders have only mentioned individuals like former Governor Sheriff. I heard Sheriff was APC and now PDP but his political party is irrelevant to me. I have never mentioned political parties in my discussions with the JAS and Boko Haram. The names of individual sponsors were given by Boko Haram leaders, not their political party association.”

    He added: “Former governor Sheriff was specifically mentioned many times. For example, Sheriff was mentioned as sponsoring trips for the boys to go for the Lesser Hajj. There the boys are “reorientated”. “In effect they are recruited to Boko Haram. When they return to Nigeria the recruits are then taken off for further reorientation by which they mean teaching and for training. Some of the training took place in Mali by Tuareg leaders but now more training is conducted locally.”

    On the true identity of the ‘Abubakar Shekau” claimed to have been killed last week by the military,Davies said: “I have heard  so many senior commanders tell me that Shekau is dead. It was several weeks after that before a Shekau video appeared on YouTube.

    “ When I viewed that video with JAS leaders they immediately said, ‘That boy,we have used him before.’ They were totally dismissive of any claim that Shekau was still alive. They referred to the person in the video as the “fake Shekau”.

    “Some months later one of the senior commanders told me the name of the fake Shekau was Abdul Mutallif. The commander who named him was the one who wrote the script that the fake Shekau reads from in the videos.

    “ But I have heard they have used more than one fake Shekau. In July this year I was told the fake Shekau is Isa Damasaka. Earlier in June they referred to him as Bashir. We had been in communication with him over the release of the Chibok girls. Isa Damasaka is one of the names the military has released when identifying the man killed at Kondunga last week. He has also been identified as Bashir Mohammed so I am confident this man is indeed the fake Shekau.

  • Who are Boko Haram’s sponsors?

    Who are Boko Haram’s sponsors?

    Who are the brains behind Boko Haram? An Australian, Dr Stephen Davis, fingers former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika and former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff as the sect’s sponsors. The duo have since denied the allegations. The Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) has also given Gen Ihejirika a clean bill, but said it would investigate Sheriff. Lawyers believe that a judicial panel of enquiry is needed to unravel the mystery of those behind Boko Haram, PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports.

    It was not the first time former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff was being linked with Boko Haram. So, when Australian Stephen Davis described Sheriff as a Boko Haram sponsor, many were not surprised. But they were stunned that he also fingered former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika as a sponsor of the sect.

    Gen. Ihejirika and Sheriff have since denied the allegations. The Directorate of Security Service (DSS) has also given Gen. Ihejirika a clean bill, but said he would investigate Sheriff. Many are surprised that the DSS had not investigated him before now. Should Gen. Ihejirika’s and Sheriff’s denial lay the matter to rest? Or should there be a probe of who is behind Boko Haram?

    While some have called for Ihejirika’s and Sheriff’s trial, others have argued that they should be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. Can they be tried on mere allegation?

    The DSS has exonerated Ihejirika, describing the allegation against him as wicked and uncharitable.

    “For us to accept that he (Ihejirika) is associated with the same sect, whose activities he, together with this Service, succeeded in bringing to a halt in Kano, Okene and other places, pursuing them down to the Sambisa Forest; to accept that the same man was sponsoring Boko Haram is wicked and uncharitable. We should not allow people to use our liberal nature to perpetrate all sorts of evil in our society,” said Merilyn Ogar, spokesperson for the SSS.

    Sheriff is threatening to go to Australia to sue Davies for defamation; Ihejirika says labelling him Boko Haram sponsor is a ploy to distract the armed forces and further disunite the country.

     

    Sheriff’s defence

    Addressing a press conference, Sheriff, who described himself as a victim and not a sponsor of Boko Haram, said his political enemies were launching a campaign of calumny against him, just as he denied meeting Yusuf.

    He said: “… It may interest you to know that it was the government of my predecessor in office, the late Alhaji Mala Kachallah (May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace) that introduced Sharia Law in the state in  2000 through the Borno State Sharia Administration of Justice Law 2000.

    “As a matter of fact, late Mala Kachallah signed the bill into law at an elaborate ceremony at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri and appointed the Borno State Sharia Law Implementation Committee in February, 2001 under the chairmanship of Prof Abubakar Mustapha, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri.

    “Interestingly, the late Mohammed Yusuf, leader of the Boko Haram sect, was a member of the committee among other Islamic scholars. If, indeed, there was an agreement between the sect and my predecessor on the issue of Sharia implementation, I am not aware of it, as I was neither in government then nor was I a party to it.

    “Let me state categorically at this point that I do not share the ideology of the Boko Haram sect, which is against western education, western culture and modern science or any other sect with similar ideology.

    “From my background, it could be easily seen that we are completely opposed to one another in terms of our viewpoints and convictions. By my nature and upbringing, I have neither associated myself with nor shared the beliefs of religious fundamentalists such as the Boko Haram sect or any other sect for that matter.

    “While in office as governor, I did my best to curtail the activities of the sect. I have never associated myself with any terrorist in any part of the world. I have never in my life met Mohammed Yusuf, the leader of the Boko Haram sect, who died in circumstances that are being investigated.”

     

    Ihejirika’s position

    For Ihejirika, the allegation that he is a sponsor of Boko Haram is spurious and frivolous, just as he warned stakeholders not to be distracted by the baseless accusations aimed at diverting attention from the counter-terrorism efforts being carried out.

    The former army chief spoke at a gathering of the alumni of 18 Regular Course of the National Defence Academy, where he said he was not moved by the attention being given the unfounded allegation, but concerned about national security.

    His words: “We are yet to come to terms with the motives of the terrorists and their desire to bring this nation down.

    “I want to advise that baseless, frivolous and unfounded allegations like this have the capacity of diverting our attention away from the main problem. It is an issue that would have been dismissed within an hour in developed countries, such as America and United Kingdom.

    “The terrorists are currently exploiting the country’s ethno-religious, socio-political and multi-cultural faultiness to advance their cause, which they have not been able to achieve through violence.

    “I have chosen to talk at length today because we cannot allow national security to be toyed with; the need for security awareness still persists. I want to urge all Nigerians to join hands to support the president and members of the armed forces in their onerous task to rid this country of terrorism.

    “That we are where we are today is a lesson to us. The lesson is that the terrorists are not sleeping; what they cannot achieve through bombing they want to achieve through media warfare. War is no longer fought in the traditional three dimensions of air, land and sea; we have clearly seen the fourth dimension of warfare.

    “The army under my command in a bid to crush insurgency, recruited 9,000 soldiers in 2013 to beef up strength and effectively monitor the borders. I owe no apologies to those who feel I was high handed in the way i handled insurgency during my stay as COAS. They should know that Nigeria must exist before anyone can hold a single political office and there is no compromise in the effort to have a peaceful and united Nigeria.”

    However, observers argued that given the seriousness of the allegation, they should not be swept under the carpet. Some suggested that an international and independent investigator be contracted to probe Davis’ claims; others urged the government to constitute a judicial panel of inquiry to look into the matter.

     

    Is judicial panel the way out?

    Lawyers were divided on constituting a judicial commission of enquiry to probe the allegations. While some supported the call and stated modalities for its establishment, others said it would amount to a waste of time and resources.

    Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), said a judicial panel would be useless if evidence are is available or provided by security agencies.

    “Indictment for offences of the nature of sponsoring insurgency is certainly not common place. Let’s ask ourselves, are our agencies equipped to handle serious investigations? No! Our agencies are bogged down with corruption and, no doubt, most inefficient. They have not been able to investigate and secure indictment for simple offences. To expect them to have any serious evidence to ground indictment of the individuals concerned is mere fantasy hence the seeming reluctance.

    “A commission of enquiry will be of no use where the evidence needed is either not available or will not be made available by corruption laden agencies. Except we are prepared to accept foreign experts assistance to carry out thorough investigation we shall be embarking on a futile exercise if there are no confessional statements-obtained under duress or rightly as is done rarely- the only basis of most convictions secured by our agencies,” he said.

    To George Oguntade (SAN), the call for a judicial commission of enquiry is misplaced and unnecessary because they are mere allegations by a foreigner.

    He said: “The bare allegations of a foreign national ought not to be the basis of the setting up of a judicial commission of inquiry. The call for a judicial commission is therefore misplaced and most unnecessary.

    “The allegations and the consequences thereof are extremely serious, indeed. The proper step is for the appropriate apparatus of state, the SSS and the NPF to conduct a thorough investigation of the allegation and come out with their report.

    “If it then turns out that a prima facie case is established against the individuals accused, they will be arrested for interrogation and where found necessary, the matter should be referred to the Attorney-General of the Federation who will file appropriate charges.”

    Lagos lawyer Olukayode Enitan said: “While there is need to find out the financial backers and all others surreptitiously supporting the Boko Haram terrorists, I’m of the view that a judicial commission of enquiry is not the appropriate body to do the investigation, that investigation is squarely within the premise of the Department of State Security.

    “With regards to those who have been alleged to be sponsors of the insurgents, I believe the thing to do is to look first at the person making the allegation; ask him to support the allegation with facts and supporting documents if any. Secondly, who are those alleged, what are their antecedents, no one becomes a sponsor of terrorism in one day. From their antecedents that have been properly investigated with utmost discretion, you will discover all that had predisposed them to what has been alleged against them if there is any such thing.”

    But Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) is supporting the constitution of a commission of enquiry on the grounds that its proceedings must be public.

    “The allegations are grievous, serious and embarrassing to the government and people of Nigeria. If the person of a former COAS and a former governor are so alleged, it is an issue that should not be swept under the carpet.

    “I would have considered it a political ruse if it had not come from Dr. Davies, who claimed to have been hired as a Federal Government negotiator. If the allegation is true, it means the Federal Government has been playing to the gallery that is why the war against insurgency has not been won.

    “Having said so, it is still an allegation and should remain so until properly investigated. I support the call for thorough investigation through a judicial commission of enquiry. It should be an open investigation where the processes shall be televised.

    “If the two are found to be so involved, they would have committed treason against Nigeria and should be adequately dealt with.

    “When there is a problem, the crisis being sponsored inhouse is difficult to quell. The people allegedly involved are insiders, so, it must be adequately handled. I suggest that not just the two of them be investigated but all top government officials who have been fingered as collaborators.

    “At this point, handing them over to the ICC would not yield fruitful outcome since there are no facts for prosecution. It is still and allegation that we must investigate to ascertain their culpability.

    “If found guilty by the commission, they can be handed over to the ICC for transparent prosecution. I think what should happen now is that we give the government benefit of doubt in investigating thoroughly.

    “Everybody including the DSS is a suspect in this matter. Their coming out to absolve the former COAS of sponsoring Boko Haram is too early. They are already putting the cat before the horse.

    “For a pocket of insurgents to take over some towns and declare an independent state, without our military overcoming them, the problem is definitely deeper,” he said.

    Chairman, NBA Ikeja Branch, Yinka Farounbi, said: “There is no doubt that the greatest challenge facing our nation today is the insecurity of lives and properties stemming from the activities of Boko Haram. Thus, everything and I mean everything, that ought to be done must be seen done to eliminate the unpleasant and unacceptable situation we found ourselves .

    “It is in the light of this that I will throw my weight behind the patriotic calls by genuine, well-meaning and honest Nigerians that a judicial commission of enquiry be set up to determine the authenticity or otherwise of the allegations.

    “It is the reasonable belief of an average Nigerian that Boko Haram is getting heavy financial support for it to carry out its dastardly activities. The commission will, therefore, be able to establish whether the allegation is correct or otherwise.”

    Supporting the constitution of an enquiry commission, immediate past NBA Ikeja Branch chairman, Monday Ubani, said such a commission should comprise retired Supreme Court justices and renowed progressive lawyers

    He said allegations against everyone, not just Ihejirika and Sheriff, must be painstakingly investigated to unravel the truth to bring the mindless killings to a halt.

    “I will prefer judicial commission of enquiry made up of retired justices of the Supreme Court and renowned and progressive legal practitioners so that the membership of such commission will not be cowed because of the personality of the accused persons.

    “Nigerians have a right to know the veracity of the grave allegations against these two personalities by the Australian negotiator. The battle against terrorism in Nigeria can be won if and only if the political elites want it to be won. They brought about this insurgency and they only can abate it. There is hypocrisy in the present fight against the terrorists.

    “There are some elites who are benefitting heavily from the insurgency while to some it  is a political asset if the insurgency continues. It confers on them political advantage in terms of political sympathy if the fight, violence, killings and bloodletting persist against Nigerians.”

    Similarly, constitutional lawyer, Ike Ofuokwu subscribed to the need for a well powered and independent commission of enquiry, constituted by men of impeccable integrity without any political affiliation to investigation the allegation and sundry issues regarding Boko Haram sponsorship.

    “Why is the spokesperson of the DSS is so quick to dismiss the alleged involvement of Gen. Ihejirika on mere emotion and sentiment without any investigative evidence? It is a shame.

    “It beats my imagination and only goes to show how shoddy and myopic the DSS has been operating over the years. Hence, they can no longer be trusted to investigate these very weighty allegations.

    “Sheriff’s alleged intimacy with this group from inception has been a thing of public knowledge over the years. We have just been informed that even the government of Cameroon has questioned him over this same matter in the past.

    “If the DSS is so quick to dismiss the allegation of Dr Steven Davis against Ihejirika why then are they inviting Sheriff for a third time for questioning over an allegation by the same Davis?

    “I, like the DSS, do not also want to believe that Ihejirika will have any romantic relationship with this monster but for God’s sake everyone seems a suspect until investigation reveals otherwise,” Ofuokwu said.

    NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Alex Muoka, an independent special investigator should be contracted with powers to investigate and prosecute suspects if the Australian’s claims are true.

    He said setting up a commission is a sure way of tying everything up in bureaucracy.

    “Talk is cheap! Elsewhere in the civilised world, before the kind of allegations that Dr. Davis made are released publicly, investigations into the veracity of the claims would have been concluded. Here we are used to trial by media.

    “Dr. Davis was working for the Presidency. It is inconceivable that he would have made such damaging discoveries (some of which he claims to have been aware of for three to four years) and our security agencies are in the dark. It does not make sense. This supports suggestions of a high-level cover-up or compromise, and lends voice to the calls for an independent investigation.

    “I would rather suggest an independent special investigator with wide ranging powers to investigate the claims and (if found to be true) prosecute suspects…With a commission, we are not likely to see a report until three-six months, and then a panel will have to be set up to consider and advise on implementation of the report, and then…we will be in the middle of the 2015 elections!” Muoka said.

    Lagos lawyer Theophilus Akanwa, said: “I support the call for a judicial commission of enquiry to determine the veracity of the allegation. I also support the trial of whoever found involved in sponsorship of Boko Haram by the appropriate court. Such a commission must be made of men and women of highest integrity who will entertain no fear or favour in the course of its assignment. It does not lie in the mount of DSS to exonerate one of the parties on this allegation. The commission of enquiry or a law court should be allowed to determine this allegation.

    “There is no one that is above the law. Thousands of innocent Nigerians and non Nigerians have been killed by this dreaded group for no just course. The battle against Boko Haram cannot be won until their sponsors are brought to book. The courage exhibited by Boko Baram to thus far sustain this heinous crime and to takeover part of our sovereign nation as witnessed in Borno State is embedded on the strength from their sponsors. Wherever and whoever their sponsors are, they should be unveiled and immediately prosecuted no matter how highly placed.”

    A member of the Ogun State Judicial Service Commission, Abayomi Omoyinmi said it was needless setting up such a commission, since the negotiator can be used as a witness in court.

    He said: “Once an allegation of this magnitude of crime is levied against certain persons with facts and evidence in support, such person/s should be investigated, arrested and charged under the prescribe law where a prima-facie case can be substantiated based on the evidence as provided by the witness who alleged the offence.’

     

    Terms of reference of commission

    Lawyers who supported the institution of the enquiry commission said its terms of reference should include establishing the existence of the Australian and acknowledgment that he made the allegation; the source of his information; the parties and status of his source of information as well as empirical evidence to back up the allegations including facts such as figures, dates and other necessary details to corroborate the evidence.

    They suggested that visits can be carried out by the commission to ensure authentication of their findings and reports, which must be thorough and conclusive; identify the sponsors and financiers of Boko Haram; the role of religious and political groups in the misnomer and should spearhead the immediate prosecution of any one found guilty.

    “The terms of reference of the commission should amongst others be to identify the sponsors and financiers of Boko Haram. The role of religion and the political class (if any) in this whole evil called Boko Haram and to ensure the immediate prosecution of everyone found guilty.

    “The battle against the insurgents can only be won with commitment, honesty and integrity of the military, political class and all Nigerians. It’s a monster that if not brutally defeated by all and sundry will defeat us,” Ofuokwu said.

    Farounbi added: “I will like to suggest that the term of reference of the commission should not be limited to investigating the duo alone, but should be made to cover the entire activities of the Boko Haram sect. In this regard, the commission should look beyond those mentioned with the view of determining whether some other individuals are involved.

    “Upon the identification of the individuals involved, the commission should be empowered to investigate their wealth, particularly the finances and the disbursements with the view of recommending the frozen of the accounts and the prosecution the backers.

    “More importantly the government, particularly the Federal Government should stop playing politics with the security of its citizens. Nobody should be considered a sacred cow in the investigation and prosecution. Let the law take its course.”

  • APC seeks international probe of Boko Haram sponsors

    APC seeks international probe of Boko Haram sponsors

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for an international inquiry into the activities of the terror group Boko Haram to unravel its modus operandi and sponsors as well as any individual or group that may have links with the insurgents, with a view to ending, once and for all, the debate over its backer and how to tackle it.

    In a statement issued yesterday in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the inquiry

    should include intelligence experts from the United States (U.S.), Britain, France and Canada, as well as representatives of the UN and Nigeria’s neighbours Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

    It also said that representatives of the military and other security agencies, especially the police and the Department of State Security (DSS), governments of the states worst-hit by the Boko Haram insurgency, including Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Kano, Bauchi and Jigawa, the Federal Capital Territory and the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) should be part of the inquiry.

    Also to be part of the inquiry, the APC said, are civil society organisations, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association and any other relevant individuals or groups.

    Major political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party and the APC, must be represented on the panel of inquiry, whose findings must be made public and those found to have any links with the insurgents be made to face the law.

    Said APC: ‘’We hope the PDP-led federal government, which has led the incessant but baseless campaign to point accusing fingers at the opposition, especially our party the APC, will give its total support to the immediate constitution of this international panel of inquiry. We have no doubt that the international community will give its unalloyed support to this inquiry, in view of the trans-national nature of the insurgency and the threat posed by terrorism to global peace and security,’’ the party said.

    APC added: ‘’On our part, we pledge our total support for this inquiry anytime it is launched, but hopefully very soon. Our party, which is barely one year old, has been at the receiving end of diversionary, carefully-choreographed and blatantly irresponsible point-blank accusations as well as insinuations of sponsoring Boko Haram, not minding that the group’s activities date as far back as 2002 when there was no APC.

    ‘’These accusations and insinuations have become so virulent and have indeed reached a level where one begins to wonder whether those behind the finger-pointing are actually trying to divert attention from their own culpability and whether they have even more sinister motives for their finger-pointing.

    ‘’Whatever their motives are, let the international inquiry we are seeking be launched urgently and let the findings be published for all Nigerians to see. Anyone opposed to this call for an international inquiry will have a lot of explanations to make to Nigerians as well as to the international community.

    ‘’Enough is enough. The daily killing, maiming and abduction of innocent Nigerians, as a clueless Federal Government looks on, must end. The pervasive insecurity that has crippled Nigeria since this insurgency started must be halted. Those behind it must be unravelled and prosecuted. Let the inquiry begin!’’

  • Glasgow 2014: Boxers appeal for sponsors to execute programmes

    Glasgow 2014: Boxers appeal for sponsors to execute programmes

    Tunde Laguda, Secretary of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, (NBF), on Friday appealed for sponsorship to facilitate its programmes for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, billed for July 23 to Aug. 3.

    Laguda told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that lack of funds had prevented the federation from carrying out its programmes for the Games, previously called the British Empire Games.

    The secretary said all the build-up events for January were unattended to.

    “February (today) is seven days old. There is nothing on ground to put the boxers in competition mood,” he said.

    According to him, skills cannot be acquired without going through a competitive stage fight, where boxers can size-up themselves, fist-to-fist.

    He said that it was obvious that the National Sports Commission (NSC) would fund the federation for the games.

    “But the federation needs funds to prepare for the games”.

    He appealed to individuals and organisations to aid the federation in carrying out its training programmes, pending when the NSC would release funds.

    “Forty boxers, including 10 females, have been selected for the event.

    “The federation has in its time-table, build-up activities from January to July, to keep the boxers at alert,” he said.

    NAN reports that Boxing is one of the six sports Nigeria would be competing in at the 2014 edition of the Commonwealth Games.