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Tag: Timipre Sylva

  • PDP ‘can’t win Bayelsa’

    PDP ‘can’t win Bayelsa’

    Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC)  chieftain Comrade Timi Frank spoke with JOHN OFIKHENUA,  on the activities of the party in the oil-rich state and preparations for the national convention.

    Has APC found its feet in Bayelsa State?

    Well, all I can say is that the APC is very strong in Bayelsa because that is where I come from. That is where is former Governor Timipre Sylva also comes from. I think that, with the kind of foundation we are laying in Bayelsa, by the grace of God, come 2015, we have a better stand than ever in Bayelsa.

    How can you have a strong APC in Bayelsa where the incumbent, president comes from ?

    Whether the incumbent, president is from Bayelsa or not does not stop the electoral process. It does not stop the people at the grassroots to decide what they want. I can tell you that, with what on ground, it is not going to be easy for the PDP in the state to just rig the election. The truth is that, if it is going to be by one man, one vote, the president will lose in Bayelsa in 2015. I will tell you very clearly that there are more aggrieved people than Timi Frank in Bayelsa. There are so many people that are aggrieved in Bayelsa, but the problem is that it is not everyone of them that have the opportunity I have to air their view.

    It is not all of them that have the resources to come out and speak their minds. And it is not everybody that has the guts to come out and express himself. Some of them believe that they don’t need to shout and that they don’t need to talk, but on the day of election, the day that their votes will count, if truly that their votes will count, that is the day you will see their grievances. So, I have no fear that the president is from Bayelsa because his presidency has no impact in Bayelsa. The people of Bayelsa have not felt the dividends of the President. So, I can tell you clearly that, being the president today does not mean that he is going to win Bayelsa. It depends on what we are offering Bayelsa and it depends on what we are offering the people of Niger Delta that will determine the fate of the APC in Bayelsa or in the Niger Delta.

    What are the people’s expectations that President Jonathan has not met in Bayelsa?

    The people expected so much from him. They believe that the president of this country, being the son of Bayelsa and Niger Delta, they should have benefitted from his government in many ways or the other as it has happened in other areas where the people felt the impact of the president because he came from their state or zone. But, in this case, there is nothing to show that Bayelsa State has produced the president.

    Go to Bayelsa today. there is no federal presence in Bayelsa. I can tell you that every development that is going on in Bayelsa State is done by the state government. Anyone can prove me wrong by saying that the Federal Government has started or completed one project under Jonathan that will be given to the people of Bayelsa. So, what is the impact? Even, in my own Odi community in the Kolopokuma Local Government, we are all aware that there was a court judgment that was given that Federal Government should pay N37 billion to the Odi community. Under Jonathan Government as a Bayelsan, we expected that, since that judgement came; the Odi people did not beg him for money since a competent court of justice gave them a judgement, he should have obeyed and by now paid the compensation to the Odi people. But as we speak, the same Federal Government under Jonathan went to seek stay of execution on that same case. And the court still told the government to go ahead and pay the money. The same government again refused and went for an appeal. For God sake, how do you want an Odi man or woman to be happy with him because he is from Bayelsa .

    How did you conduct the APC congress in Bayelsa State ?

    Well, the congress in Bayelsa went very well. Bayelsa is one of the states where we sat down we choose to come together, we choose to follow the proper democratic process to elect ward and local government officers and so on. We did this in a very quiet manner without crisis. I can tell you clearly that what we did in Bayelsa is something you expect every zone to do. What are we even fighting for? It is in areas where you see interests and so on.

    But, I don’t need to fight to get structure with my former governor who is the leader of the party in the state or any other person who is also a leader of the party. I don’t even need to fight with anybody and I think by the grace of God, what I am looking for is different from what my former governor is looking for.

    It is also different from what the some other person is looking for. Today, I am working to become the national youth leader of the APC. That is my problem. So, that is all I am concentrating on right now. I am making a lot of consultations to see how the party can zone the national youth leadership to the Southsouth to enable me run as the national youth leader of the party.

     

    Based on this reason I believe I cannot have clash of interest with anyone. I think Bayelsa has done well for this congresses and that by the grace God, we are expecting to do the state congress this Saturday. I think we are going to follow the same process we did the ward and local government congresses.

    Do you think you merit the position of the national youth leader of the APC ?

    I can tell you clearly today that my antecedents, my programmes will sell me to all delegates all members of APC to vote for the national youth leader. My advice to my party the APC, I think I am the best person that can be the national youth leader of the party because of my fearless nature. I have done so much to promote APC. I have done so much to promote the Nigerian youth. I have done so much to fight against impunity in this country. I have done so much to fight against corruption in this country. Indeed, I have contributed much to merit the position . Today, to sell the party, you need a strong and fearless national youth leader because the future of this country is in the hands of the youths. You don’t need a man of forty years to be the national youth leader. As at today, I am 34 and I am still young and vibrant. I have done so much and till tomorrow, will still do more. Without fear or favour, what APC needs today is to have a vibrant national youth leader that can confront the government of today because I will tell you that 2015 is going to be a battle that Nigerians must fight to ensure that there is a change . And it takes the youth and not the elders for that to happen.

    The elders will only be there to encourage us. In fact, we need a national youth leader that can be in the forefront and say no to impunity, rigging and injustice. And if we don’t have a youth leader that can do that, then we are in trouble. I think that being a son of the Niger Delta, it will be very wise for my party to bring the position to the South – South. Today, the national youth leader of the PDP is from the north.

    So, we should be able to bring ours from the south. There should be a balance. As at today, the national interim youth leader of the APC is also from the north. That of the PDP is also from the north. Both of them are even from the same Niger state. And that is not democratic enough therefore, I think that the party should do something different to take it to the South South to enable me to come and deliver my good will and my best to Nigeria. I bet you that if I become the national youth leader, I will do everything to protect the right of APC youth and that of the entire Nigerians.

    You can see that the present government does not value the youth. You can see them being killed like chickens on daily basis. For example, look at the school children that are being adopted. Also, look at the youths who died during the Immigration recruitment.   I am even disappointed that even till date we have not been able to do what is right. These are the types of issues that I will fight. We must not be scared of anything. We will do everything lawful to protect the right of the youth.

    What will you do to develop the youth should you become the national youth leader?

    I have so much to do to develop the youth. I have my strategies. Before today I have been doing so much and if I am the national youth leader, I am not only going to be the national youth leader of APC but that of Nigeria to reform most of the issues that are currently against youth development. I will ensure that whatever is due for the youth in my party and even those of the entire country is given to them. Today, President Jonathan has appointed a former governor as the minister of youth. How can you make a former governor who is over 50 the minister of youth. Are we moving forward or backward in this country? These are the kind of things that I will put an end to. Anything that belongs to the youth the beneficiaries should be from one to 35. Should I win, I will ensure that a lot of youth contest for political positions. We must have a lot of youth that will contest to go to the National Assembly, we must have youth as governors. They should also be political office holders. My dream for the youth is more that what anybody can imagine.

  • Why Amaechi fell out of favour with Jonathan, by Sylva

    Why Amaechi fell out of favour with Jonathan, by Sylva

    Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva has said one of the reasons Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi fell out of favour with President Goodluck Jonathan was his comments on the slow pace of the East-West Road.

    Sylva, who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, assured Amaechi that Bayelsa APC will work with him to flush out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government next year.

    He said the Jonathan administration had brought misery to the Niger Delta, stressing that corruption and ineptitude will be swept away by the APC.

    The ex-governor spoke yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when he led party executive and supporters to visit Amaechi.

    Sylva said: “I know that one of the things that brought problems between you and the Federal Government was because you were able to point out that the East-West Road had been neglected by this government.

    “Instead of the officials of the Federal Government to come to you to learn, it decided to fight you and everyone knows (about this), very unfortunately.

    “I must say Mr. Governor that I was so impressed when I came into the state. I missed my way several times today in Port Harcourt, because a lot of things have changed for the better.

    “Port Harcourt is wearing a new look. Even the air in Port Harcourt is different and sometimes I wish that this change and development we see in Rivers State is replicated nationwide.

    “We have our brother as President today; unfortunately, we cannot say the same thing is happening nationally.”

    The former governor said most Bayelsans were frustrated with the Jonathan administration.

    He said: “We of the APC in Bayelsa State decided to come to you (Amaechi) to solidarise with you. To tell you that not everybody in Bayelsa State is against progress.

    “Not everybody in Bayelsa State is an enemy of progress. That you also have a family in Bayelsa State that identifies with you all the way and we will stand by you all the way.

    “When the time comes for us to sweep away the government of the day at the national level, Bayelsans will stand by you and be in the vanguard of sweeping away this government that has brought only misery to the Niger Delta.

    “The APC is the platform for progress. You (Amaechi) are an epitome of progress, not only in the Niger Delta, but in Nigeria. Everyone who comes to Rivers State will bear witness to what you have done, to your commitment.”

    Amaechi said: “It is important we realise that character is an essential element to good governance.

    “You cannot see a man who has betrayed his friends and you make him governor or deputy.

    “What have you done? You have empowered him to betray more people, including the money you left behind in the coffers. So, character should be an essential element in selecting our leaders.

    “I pray a lot; because that is the only way I can survive in this country, where everybody is a potential prey and a potential predator.

    “Rivers and Bayelsa states are one and therefore APC in Rivers State and APC in Bayelsa are also one.

    “We want to be allowed to make our choice. We want to be allowed to express our views.

    “We want to be allowed to express our interest and having expressed your interest and your views, the best you can do is to remain convinced in what you stand for.”

     

  • Amaechi, Ikimi to resolve Bayelsa APC crisis

    Amaechi, Ikimi to resolve Bayelsa APC crisis

    The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has directed Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, to resolve the crisis in the Bayelsa State chapter of the party.

    It was learnt that Amaechi and Ikimi were asked to meet the warring factions and end the crisis.

    Loyalists of former Governor Timipre Sylva, who joined the party from the dissolved new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), have been at loggerheads with the founding members of the APC.

    Following the crisis, Governor Seriake Dickson appealed to the national leadership of the party to intervene.

    It was learnt that the interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, asked Ikimi and Amaechi, leaders of the party in the Southsouth, to intervene.

    Sylva’s former security adviser, Chief Richard Kpodo, who has been laying claims to the chairmanship of the party, confirmed the development.

    He said: “Amaechi and Ikimi are leaders in this zone and they have been mandated by our national leadership to intervene.”

    Kpodo urged them to prevent the escalation of the crisis.

    Former youth leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Miriki Ebikibina, also confirmed the development, saying APC was committed to internal democracy.

    “What the party is doing is to ensure that there is internal democracy at the state and national levels,” he added.

     

  • Court rules in Dickson’s favour

    Court rules in Dickson’s favour

    The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday dismissed a suit filed by former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva. He is challenging Governor Seriake Dickson’s candidature as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard bearer in the 2011 governorship poll. The court dismissed the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

  • Sylva escapes fresh arraignment

    Sylva escapes fresh arraignment

    •Refuses to enter court

    •Lawyers ‘fight’ over ex-governor

    •Ex-Minister Lawal’s trial stalled

    Former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva yesterday escaped re-arraignment on a fresh charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Sylva, who is being tried before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was to be arraigned before a new judge, on a fresh 42-count charge.

    The ex-governor and six others are accused of laundering about N19.2 billion.

    Although he was within the premises, Sylva, who had attended the proceedings before Justice Bello, refused to enter Court 7 to be re-arraigned.

    Despite protests by prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) that Sylva was outside and should be invited to take his plea, his lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), insisted otherwise.

    Fagbemi told the court that his client was not issued with a hearing notice as was required, and that the new charge was only served on him (as against his client) the previous day.

    As Jacobs stood to counter him, Fagbemi shouted him down, insisting he was not through with his submission. He accused Jacobs of being rude.

    It soon degenerated into a shouting match. Everyone in court watched as both attorneys slugged it out.

    “Rotimi, you are rude. Do you know where you are? Must you now be rude because you handle EFCC cases? Rotimi, sit down, you are rude,” Fagbemi shouted.

    Jacobs, who was livid, shouted back, saying: “You cannot be rude at me. I won’t allow this.”

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed later intervened, describing the incident as “highly unfortunate.”

    Justice Mohammed said both lawyers’ conduct was capable of giving young lawyers and non-lawyers a bad impression.

    “I call on you senior members of the bar to keep your cool. Please, let us not desecrate this profession.

    “I see this as an affront on my authority in this court. Two senior lawyers, standing up to each other this way.”

    Both lawyers later apologised to the court and to each other, with Fagbemi calling Jacobs, “my junior brother.”

    Also charged with Sylva are Francis Okuburo, Gbenga S. Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited.

    Two of the accused – Balogun (third accused) and Ogbudu (fourth accused) – were in court and mounted the dock.

    Sylva stood on the corridor leading to the court, while proceedings lasted.

    Efforts by Jacobs to ensure that the arraignment, having failed to take place yesterday, should be carried out before December 31 failed, as the defendants insisted that time should be devoted to the hearing of the preliminary objection by Ogbudu.

    Justice Mohammed fixed January 23 for the hearing of objections in the case.

    Earlier, before Justice Bello, Fagbemi argued an application in which Sylva sought the release of his passport to enable him travel.

    EFCC’s lawyer John Ainetor objected to the application, arguing that Sylva wanted to evade trial on the new charge.

    Ainetor told the court that this was the third time Sylva was filing a similar application, as others were rejected for lacking in merit. He urged the court to refuse it.

    The trial of former Labour Minister Hassan Lawal before Justice Bello was stalled yesterday.

    Prosecution lawyer Wahab Shittu told The Nation that the case could not go on because there were moves to transfer the case to another judge.

    He said the court would communicate to parties when the transfer was effected and the case ready for hearing before a new judge.

  • EFCC to re-arraign Sylva, six others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today re-arraign former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and six others on a 42- count amended charge before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The others are Francis Okuburo, Gbenga S. Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited.

    EFCC’s decision to re-arraign Silva and others followed the retirement of the former judge, Justice Adamu Bello.

    The commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement yesterday that “Sylva’s re-arraignment was sequel to fresh evidence linking him with a bouquet of fraudulent transactions bordering on money laundering during his tenure as governor.”

     

  • Dickson replies Sylva, says ‘you are a drowning man’

    Dickson replies Sylva, says ‘you are a drowning man’

    The verbal tirade between the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva and his successor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, continued on Tuesday with the later describing the former as a drowning man.

    The duo resumed hostilities recently over issues bordering on non-payment of pensions to retirees in the state for five years.

    While Dickson at a transparency briefing said he would set up a judicial commission of enquiry to probe the N5 billion backlog of pensions he inherited from the past administration, Sylva reacted by calling on him to resign.

    But the incumbent governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Iworiso-Markson, said he would not join issues with Sylva describing him as a drowning man.

    The statement said Dickson’s competence was not in doubt as “it is very much evident for all to see.”

    The statement further explained that the decision of the government to establish the judicial panel was informed by the need to address the deep-seated rot and systematic failures of some civil servants and political leaders.

    The statement said: “These persons working as syndicates have over the years siphoned N5 billion meant for the payment of pensioners in the state.

    “Concerned about the plight of these pensioners, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson since coming into office has paid N1billion to the pensioners in his efforts to clear the backlog.

    “While, we are working hard to clear the backlog, the same syndicates, instead of hiding their faces in shame, have chosen to embark on a campaign of calumny and propaganda against the government by inciting some of the pensioners to embark on streets’ protests.

    “To this end, government decided to set up the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to ascertain why pensioners were owed pension and gratuities for the past five years and the public servants that have subjected our senior citizens to untold hardship.

    “It is equally laughable that some people who may have perpetrated the scam are questioning why Governor Dickson limited the period of the investigation to five years.”

     

  • Court dismisses EFCC’s suit against Sylva

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a suit brought against former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The commission had in an earlier suit got an order of temporary forfeiture of about 48 property traced to Sylva.

    Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed had while granting the order last December allowed the EFCC to continually apply for the extension of the order.

    But in Thursday’s ruling, the judge rejected an application by EFCC for the extension of the lifespan of the order on the ground that since the commission has filed a formal charge against Sylva before another judge of the same Federal High Court, it would be proper if the application for extension of the interim forfeiture order was made before the new court.

    “It would appear that EFCC is instituting a multiplicity of suit against the accused. This court cannot allow any process that amount to an abuse and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Mohammed held.

    In the charge before Justice Adamu Bello of Court Three, Sylva is being prosecuted by the EFCC over alleged money laundering related offences.

    When the case came up on Monday, his lawyer, Okunade Olorundare (SAN) informed the court about a new application by Sylva, seeking for permission to travel abroad.

    His new application was filed about a month after the court refused an earlier application he filed, seeking for permission accompany his wife on a medical trip outside Nigeria.

    In the new application, Sylva is praying the court to release his international passport deposited as part of his bail conditions. He also wants to be allowed to travel on ground of ill health.

    Justice Bello fixed July 15 for hearing of the application.

     

  • Sylva seeks court’s permission for foreign trip

    Sylva seeks court’s permission for foreign trip

    Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja for permission to accompany his wife on a foreign trip.

    The ex-governor is standing trial before the court for alleged money laundering related offences.

    Sylva, in his application filed on May 16 said his wife was scheduled for surgery in a United Kingdom hospital and needed his company.

    He also urged the court to release his international passport to enable him embark on the trip. He promised to return for trial and to also return the passport to the custody of the court.

    Sylva said the ground for his application was that it was part of the conditions attached to the bail granted him last June, to always seek the court’s leave before embarking on foreign trips.

    He said his wife needed a company for her trip and he was the readily available choice, being the husband.

    However, the Economic and Financial Commission, the prosecuting agency, has objected to the application. It has filed a counter affidavit to that effect.

    It urged the court to reject Sylva’s application on the ground that he may not return for trial.

     

  • EFCC arrests Sylva in dingy corner of Abuja house

    EFCC arrests Sylva in dingy corner of Abuja house

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arrested a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva for money laundering.

    According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the former governor was picked up at his No. 3, Niger Street, Maitama, Abuja home.

    The statement said: “On arrival at the facility at about 10.00 am, the Commission’s operatives were told that the ex-governor was not in town but they insisted on conducting a search on the house having obtained a warrant from the court.

    “During the search, vital documents were obtained. Ironically, the ex-governor who was said to be out of town was later found hiding in a dingy corner in the upper chamber of his expansive mansion.

    “He was immediately whisked away and is currently being interrogated at the Abuja headquarters of the anti- graft agency.

    “He is being grilled in connection with fresh evidence linking him with a bouquet of fraudulent transactions that borders on money laundering. “Part of the new evidence includes a number of eye-popping real estate acquisitions in Abuja.

    “The arrest of the former governor is sequel to his refusal to honour invitations by the Commission.

    “Rather than appear before the EFCC, he got his lawyers to inform the Commission that he was unable to appear because he was sick, and hospitalised in Lagos. The lawyer had promised to appear with his client on May 7, 2013 but failed to do so.

    “The Commission warns that it will not longer tolerate the antics of suspects who treat its invitation with levity.”