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Tag: Turaki

  • Dialogue is solution to Boko Haram, says Turaki

    A presidential aspirant Mallam Kabir Tanimu Turaki  yesterday said the only solution to Boko Haram insurgency is dialogue.

    The former Minister of Special Duties said there is nowhere in the world where terror war was won on the battlefield.

    He urged the Federal Government to change its strategy against Boko Haram and other terror groups.

    He also said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on whose platform he is seeking presidential ticket, is not in disarray.

    Turaki said: “On terrorism, we have to appreciate also that Nigeria’s brand of terrorism is different from what they have in other places.  Nigeria’s brand of terrorism is one that is based on dogma and in situations where you have people that have become dogmatic. The case of Boko Haram is in a very wrong manner. We have a group of terrorists that are amoebic in shape and manner.

    “Today, you see members of Boko Haram dress in jeans and Tee-shirt and tomorrow you see them in Agbada and next tomorrow, you will see them in Kaftan or with turban.

    “So it is really difficult for Nigerian security agencies to readily pinpoint even in the way and manner they dress to say this is one of their members.

    “So the best form government must employ is to ensure that they are engaged in dialogue. When you succeed like the previous regimes had started doing, then you are faced with other problems. Now you have members of terrorist organizations that are willing to lay arms but is that the end of the matter? No.

    “Whether you get them through dialogue or you conquer them on the battlefield, let it be that you have won the battle.  After winning the battle, you must also win the war.

    “How do you win the war? You must initiate a holistic de-radicalization programme. Those motives must be taken out from their mind because if you don’t, you are a non-starter.  When you do that, you must also then look at reintegration or reinsertion into the society. So it is something that has to be taken holistically.

    “Let me say that there is nowhere in the world where terror war was won on the battlefield.  That is why we are saying the approach this government has taken is a wrong one and there is need for it to be reviewed.”

    On the issue of PDP being in disarray, Turaki said the party was only going through a healing process.

    He said he was not afraid of competing with other gladiators for the presidential ticket of PDP.

    He said:  “I can tell you and I can confirm authoritatively that there is no disarray in PDP now.

    Yes when you quarrel, you may forgive and you may even forget but there could be some scars and wounds that may take a little longer period than others to heal.

    “I want to assure you that indeed, we are now going through healing period as far as PDP crisis is concerned.

    “I started by saying we have a lot of aspirants and we are expecting more to come but that is vintage PDP, the more the better.

    “Now, in spite of these gladiators that are aspiring to pick the pick up the ticket with me, I assure you that at the end of the day, it would be determined on merit.

    “I assure you that at the end of the day, this PDP leadership will conduct a fair and transparent election to select a candidate just like we did recently in Ekiti State. “

    The ex-Minister said he was confident of winning the PDP ticket on merit.

    “For me, I feel my chances are very bright because I am a bridge maker, I have a lot of integrity, I am well educated and I do not have any excess baggage. I am not fighting anybody and I am not aware that anybody is equally fighting me inside PDP or outside PDP.”

  • 2019: Fresh crisis hits PDP as Jerry Gana, Adeniran, Orubebe, Turaki, others dump party for SDP

    2019: Fresh crisis hits PDP as Jerry Gana, Adeniran, Orubebe, Turaki, others dump party for SDP

    Three former ministers are leading an exodus of top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after efforts to heal the wounds of the last national convention of the party hit the rocks.

    Ex-Information Minister Jerry Gana,ex-Education Minister Tunde Adeniran and ex-Niger Delta Minister Godsday Orubebe  are moving to the  Social Democratic Party (SDP) which is merging  with the  Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Peoples Salvation Party (PSP) to form a formidable party ahead of next year’s elections.

    More chieftains of the PDP are expected to join them, The Nation gathered yesterday.

    The Olusegun Obasanjo-inspired Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) is in  talks with the SDP to work together.

    The likes of Gana, Adeniran and Orubebe,all founding members of the PDP, are still displeased with what they see as the hijack of the party by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and others during the party’s last national convention.

    Adeniran was defeated in a bitter  chairmanship election by Wike’s candidate, Uche Secondus.

    A  high powered committee headed by  Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State to reconcile  the aggrieved members could not help the situation.

    The aggrieved party chieftains launched into a  marathon meeting/negotiation with the leadership of SDP on Thursday night in Abuja for a merger.

    The meeting ended  early yesterday with the the signing of  a Memorandum of Understanding  by the coalescing group at Ladi Kwali Hall in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

    Joining Gana from the PDP are a former Military Administrator of Katsina State, Sen. Joseph Akaagerger; a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe; Chief Mike Oghiadhome, who was  a former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; ex-Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State; and ex-Minister of Defence, Dr. Olu Agunloye and a former Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Dare Emiola.

    Also teaming up with SDP are a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Junaid Mohammed; Sen. Bassey Ewa Hensaw;  a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Olamide Oni; Supo Shonibare (South-West Zonal chairman of SDP), Hon. Dipo Olaitan (a former leader of the Alliance for Democracy in the House of Representatives); a former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Kehinde Ayoola;  Amb. Yemi Farounbi; leaders of the Middle Belt Forum; Mr. John Dara; the leaders  of the National Intervention Forum led by Dr. Tafawa Balewa; Amb Bejide; Shehu Gabam who gave the vote of thanks.

    A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae is a stalwart of the SDP.

    Although ex-Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and a former Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu were part of  the preliminary talks, it was unclear why they were not at the signing of the MoU.

    A highly placed source in the group said:”As a matter of fact, Mantu propped up the name of a party which should be included in the merger but it was rejected. He attended the initial meeting but by the time  the MoU was signed, he was not there.

    “We are hopeful that he will  be at our subsequent meetings. Some of our leaders are suspecting that Mantu may chicken out  because he has been begging Adeniran and Gana not to leave  PDP.

    The MoU entered into by the leaders  was  obtained yesterday by The  Nation.

    Jointly signed by Falae (for SDP) and Prof. Gana (for Movement for a New Political Order),  the MoU reads in part: “Whereas on the 12th Day of February 2018, a joint resolution was adopted at Sheraton Hotel Abuja, for working together to ensure the emergence of a new and credible political order to deepen democracy, good governance and genuine development, with peace, security and social justice. The said meeting also  unanimously resolved to build:

    a)a restructured, balanced equitable and truly functional Nigerian Federation:

    b)a humane, free, seIf-reliant and democratic society;

    1. c) a dynamic, productive, transformed and sustainable economy;
    2. d) a just, fair, egalitarian and peaceful nation
    3. e) a land of bright and full of opportunities for all Nigerians; and
    4. f) a national culture of raising good leaders through effective mentoring;

    “Whereas, it was also agreed that the proposed movement shall be directed,  driven and defined by such core values as:  1. Justice, fairness, equity and progress;  2. Democracy, good leadership, good governance and sustainable development; 3. Transparency, integrity, truth and honour; 4. Accountability and zero tolerance for corruption; 5. Respect for human dignity, human rights and sanctity of human life;; and 6. Peace, security, harmony,  cooperative solidarity, within the rule of law; and 7. International cooperation for a common humanity within a secure and peaceful order.

    “Whereas, the movement further resolved to be inspired and motivated by the ideals of social democracy, with great emphasis on:  the triumph of social justice; the  nobility of human dignity; the  harmony of fairness and equality; the power of working together in solidarity; the excellence of good governance, driven by good leadership; the wisdom of reforms and transformation far beyond mere growth; the horror of poverty, demanding eradication; the dignity of prosperity; the imperative of democracy and the security of peace with justice

    “Whereas with due reference to these objectives, core values, and ideals, a Strategy Committee was mandated to search for a suitable, popular, meaningful and widespread platform, with a name that already resonates with the people and to make appropriate recommendations; and

    “Whereas, the Strategic Committee, comprising representatives from all the six geopolitical zones of the Federation, have met  and submitted their report, unanimously recommending the adoption  of  Social Democratic Party(SDP) vehicle by the movement for a new political order:

    “Therefore, we hereby resolutely agree to: (a) Fuse together into one political form; (b) adopt the Social Democratic Party(SDP) as the political vehicle for the fused political formation; (c) Convene a non-elective convention for Saturday, 14th April, 2018; (d) authorize the National Working Committee to serve as the Interim Management Committee until the said convention;  Set up a National Steering Committee of 12 members to guide the Interim Management  Committee during the transition period; Raise a Constitution Review Committee to consider all necessary amendments to the party constitution.”

    Speaking with our correspondent last night, Dr. Junaid Mohammed said: “Those involved in SDP are the Peoples Redemption Party(PRP), Peoples Salvation Party(PSP), the Social Democratic Party(SDP) and some elements of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). It was like a merger but we do not want to call it so because the All Progressives Congress(APC) has destroyed the concept of merger.

    “I am an optimist, I believe SDP will make a great impact. The main reason I want to be associated with it is because it is ideologically driven. Even it was not ideologically driven before, it has to be ideologically driven.

    Asked if some governors and National Assembly members have subscribed to SDP,  Mohammed added: “It is not compulsory to have governors or members of the National Assembly in a party  to succeed. There are about 65 to 67 parties thereabout in the country. In terms of electoral performance, most of the parties are not on ground. The two parties which have led the country are not doing well. They have impacted negatively on the economy and our political life.  A three-party or a four or five -party system will be better.”

    A top source in the SDP said: “The SDP has been approached by the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) which has been founded by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. We are hopeful that our ongoing talks will be fruitful.

    “We share common ideals with the CNM on how to move the nation forward.”

  • Ex-Jigawa Governor Turaki gets liberal bail

    Ex-Jigawa Governor Turaki gets liberal bail

    The Federal High Court in Abuja, has granted bail to former Jigawa State Governor Ibrahim Saminu Turaki.

    Turaki, who is on trial for alleged N36 billion scam, jumped bail about six years ago, but was rearrested on July 4 at a function in Abuja.

    At yesterday’s hearing, Justice Yusuf Halilu ruled on a bail application by Turaki, after taking arguments from his lawyer, Olukayode Jolaawu, and Mohammed Abubakar (for the EFCC).

    Justice Halilu, who berated Turaki for jumping bail, said the Constitution allowed bail for a person suspected to have committed an offence, but presumed innocent until otherwise found guilty.

    He said: “Section 35 of the Constitution, as altered, presumes an accused person, suspected to have committed an offence, innocent until his guilt is established before a court of law.

    “The arrest and detention of the applicant, I must observe, was pursuant to my brother’s order of the Federal High Court, which was made after the applicant (Turaki) refused to show up in court.

    “Permit me to observe that laws must be respected, and obediently so. The question I ask now is, why has the applicant chosen to come and drink from the pot of equity in this court? Was it not the same court he refused to attend?

    “Counsel representing people charged for commission of offences must learn to frown at the conduct of such people, if not, it will spell doom and a very huge danger to our country. It is our country and the laws are meant to regulate our conduct.

    “If morality cannot be regulated, then behaviour can be regulated. The law may not change the heart, but it can regulate the heartless. Bail is fundamental with human rights; it usually shall be granted on terms.”

    The judge added that though a charge was pending against Turaki at the Federal High Court, he was yet to be arraigned.

    He, therefore, granted bail to Turaki and ordered him to deposit his travel documents. Turaki must provide two sureties, who must be responsible residents of the FCT, with verifiable means of livelihood.

    Turaki is also to report at the Abuja office of the EFCC every fortnight and record his visits in a register to be opened yesterday.

    Justive Halilu adjourned till July 20 for the hearing of Turaki’s pending fundamental rights enforcement application, in which he is challenging his arrest and detention.

    But the EFCC filed for a transfer of the charges against Turaki and three others – INC Natural Resources Limited, Arkel Construction Nigeria Ltd and Wild Cat Construction Ltd – at the Federal High Court, Dutse (Jigawa State) – to the vacation judge at the court’s Abuja division.

    In the alternative, the EFCC wants the court to order that Turaki be remanded in prison pending the court’s readiness  for further proceedings.

  • EFCC arrests ex-Jigawa Governor Turaki

    EFCC arrests ex-Jigawa Governor Turaki

    A year after being on the run, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested former Jigawa StateGovernor Senator Saminu Turaki.

    Turaki has been standing trial since 2011 after his re-arraignment before a Federal High Court in Dutse, Jigawa State.

    He is facing a 32-count fraud charge against him, amounting to N36 billion.

    Some of the charges include N12 billion withdrawn from the state government treasury for allegedly financing the botched third term project for former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    According to a top source, the EFCC has been on the trail of the ex-governor since May 19, 2016.

    The source said: “The ex-governor was this afternoon arrested by agents of the EFCC. He was picked up at the venue of the public presentation of a book on Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari, the first regular combatant officer in the Nigerian Army, in Abuja.

    “Before the arrest, EFCC has had to declare Turaki wanted for failing to present himself for trial since 2011 on 36 counts corruption charge before the Federal High Court, Dutse.

    “The court had issued a warrant directing the Inspector-General of Police or his officers and the EFCC to arrest Saminu Turaki and bring him before the court. Justice S. Yahuza gave the order after Turaki consistently failed to attend trial.

    “But attempts to execute the warrant failed as Turaki remained elusive. On May 19, 2016 operatives of the commission, acting on a tip-off, had stormed the 16 Denis Osadebey Street Asokoro, Abuja home of the former governor but he slipped through their hands.

    “Turaki faces multiple charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, stealing, money laundering and misappropriation of public funds.

    Other allegations against the ex-governor include the release of N7 billion for the yet-to-be executed Water for All project initiated by Turaki’s administration for the people of the state; and N5 billion released for the construction of the Eastern Bye-pass Road, among others.

    Turaki was first arraigned by the EFCC before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2007 on a 32-count charge.

    The case was later transferred to Federal High Court, Dutse after he challenged the jurisdiction of the FCT Court.

    He was subsequently re-arraigned on a 32-count charge at the court in Dutse, Jigawa State.

  • Alleged N36b fraud: EFCC storms ex-Governor Turaki’s Abuja home

    Alleged N36b fraud: EFCC storms ex-Governor Turaki’s Abuja home

    Following a warrant of arrest, some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) last night stormed the Abuja home of a former Governor of Jigawa State, Saminu Turaki.

    Turaki is wanted in connection with alleged N36billion fraud while he was in office.

    The sum included about N12billion allegedly spent on the botched  third term bid  of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    His trial has been lingering in the last nine years due to one application or the other at the court.

     According to investigation, the EFCC operatives invaded the residence  of the former senator at the 16 Dennis Osadebe Street, Aso Villa at about 7pm to effect his arrest.

    A reliable source in  EFCC confirmed the raid but said the “team missed the former governor as only a few members of the family were found in the house.

    “The operatives went to the house in a bid to execute a warrant for the arrest of the former governor who had neglected to present himself for trial since 2011 when he was rearrainged on ac36-count charge at the Federal High Court Dutse, Jigawa State.

    “The Commission has long been on the trail of the former senator and even had him watch-listed, but he has continued to evade arrest”.

    It will be recalled that a Federal High Court in Dutse, the Jigawa capital had issued a warrant directing the Inspector-General of Police or his officers and the EFCC to arrest Saminu Turaki and bring him before the court.

    Justice S. Yahuza gave the order after Turaki failed to appear before the court.

    The EFCC had previously declared him wanted.

    The Commission is prosecuting the former governor for a N36billion theft and money laundering crime he allegedly committed when he was governor.

    Some of the charges read to the accused person by the court under Presiding Justice Shehu Yahaya, include N12 billion withdrawn from the state government treasury for financing former president Obasanjo’s third term mission.

  • Alleged N18b fraud: Court remands Dasuki, Turaki, Bafarawa, others in EFCC custody

    Alleged N18b fraud: Court remands Dasuki, Turaki, Bafarawa, others in EFCC custody

    •To consider bail application today

    Former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Dasuki, former Sokoto Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and three others have been ordered remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Also to be kept with the EFCC are former Finance and Administration Director in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and a son of the ex-Sokoto State governor, Sagir Attahiru.

    Justice Peter Affen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ordered their remand yesterday after the five men were arraigned with a company allegedly linked with Sagir – Dalhatu Investment Limited.

    They were arraigned on a 22-count charge of breach of public trust in relation to alleged diversion of public funds and acceptance of proceed of crime estimated at about N18billion.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty when each count of the charge was read to them.

    Shortly after their plea was taken, the lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to fix a date for the trial.

    Jacobs told the court that the defence lawyers filed a bail application on behalf of their clients.

    He said the prosecution opposed the bail application filed by the defence.

    Defence lawyers – Peter Akpe (SAN), Ahmed Raji (SAN), Joshua Olatoke (SAN), Hakeem Afolabi (SAN) and A. U. Mustapha – confirmed Jacob’s position.

    Justice Affen ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody, pending hearing of their bail application.

    He adjourned till 12 noon today for the hearing of the bail application and the prosecution’s counter affidavit.

    Dasuki and Salisu were, in count 1, accused of transferring N3.350b from the NSA’s account in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the account of Dalhatu Investment Limited with the United Bank of Africa (UBA) “purporting same to be payment for the supply of security equipment and thereby committed an offence under Section 315 of Penal Code Act”.

    Bafarawa, Sagir and Dalhatu Investment were, in counts 3 and 4, accused of receiving “proceeds of crime” in their alleged acceptance of the N3.350b from Dasuki and Salisu.

    In count 16, Dasuki, Salisu and Yuguda were accused of transferring N1.1b “to the account of Jabbama Ada Globaal Services Nigeria Limited for the purpose of financing the campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.”

    In count 19, Dasuki and Salisu were said to have “dishonestly misappropriated” N1.675b which they allegedly “transferred to the account of  Vibrant Resources Limited controlled by Abubakar Dasuki, the younger brother of Dasuki” and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code.

    This is the third case involving Dasuki. He was earlier this year arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja for illegal arms possession and money laundering.

    He was again arraigned before Justice Baba Yusuf of the High Court of the FCT, with four others,  on a 19-count charge of “criminal breach of public trust” and diversion of public funds estimated at N13.5billion.

     

  • Turaki takes over Labour Ministry

    Turaki takes over Labour Ministry

    The Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity, Alhaji Kabir Taminu Turaki, has told workers in the ministry to work harder for the implementation of the Transformation Agenda in the Labour sector.

    The minister said this should be done with transparency and open door policy, in line with international best practices.

    He spoke at the weekend in Abuja when he took over the affairs of the ministry.

    Turaki, who is also the Minister of Special Duties, promised to stabilise the Labour sector for enduring peace in the work place to enhance national development.

    The minister said the enormity and urgency of the national assignment in the Labour sector required that all should unite to achieve the objectives of the ministry.

    He promised to build on the successes of his predecessor to strengthen national peace through industrial dialogue and harmony as Nigeria approached the election year.

  • FG ready for talk with Boko Haram

    FG ready for talk with Boko Haram

    The Federal Government on Tuesday signalled willingness to negotiate with the Boko Haram sect holding more than 200 schoolgirls, a month after the kidnapping that has provoked global outrage.

    “The window of negotiation is still open,” the Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, told Reuters by telephone.

    He spoke a day after Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, posted a video offering to release the girls in exchange for prisoners held by the government.

    Senior officials say the government is exploring options and has made no commitment to negotiations for the release of the girls, and Turaki declined to comment on possible talks over the kidnapping itself. Instead, he referred to an amnesty committee that he heads, set up by President Goodluck Jonathan last year to talk to the Boko Haram militants behind a five-year-old insurgency.

    The committee’s initial six-month mandate expired without holding direct talks with the rebels, though it has spoken to them through proxies.

    It has since been replaced by a standing committee empowered to conduct talks, officials said. Boko Haram has killed thousands of people since 2009 and destabilised parts of northeast Nigeria.

    The abductions have triggered a worldwide social media campaign under the Twitter hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, and prompted the United States, Britain, France and Israel to offer help or send experts to Nigeria.

     

  • Turaki urges North’s leaders to join war on insecurity

    Turaki urges North’s leaders to join war on insecurity

    The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the Morth, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, yesterday urged northern leaders to join the efforts to end the security challenges in the region occasioned by Boko Haram sect’s activities.

    Turaki spoke in Kaduna when he led other members of the committee to the national secretariat of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

    He criticised some northerners who declined to serve in the committee but still cast aspersion on its assignment.

    The committee chief said such people might have been benefiting from activities of the insurgents.

    Turaki told ACF leaders that as the highest political leadership in the North, they should show more concern about the security challenges in the region and work for a resolution.

    He said: “We must appreciate that even though this is a Nigerian problem, except we northerners take a very proactive position, except we northerners come out and tell the world that we are responsible stakeholders, that as the highest political leadership in the North, that enough is enough and then lend our voices collectively, we will not be seen as northerners who should show more concern. We must show more concern than other concerned citizens in this country.”

    Turaki, who is also the Minister for Special Duties, admitted that the committee had to grapple with series of challenges.

    He, however, assured Nigerians that the comiittee’s dialogue was going on smoothly.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Senate confirms Nebo, Turaki as ministers

    Senate confirms Nebo, Turaki as ministers

    The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Mr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and Prof. Chinedu Osita Nebo as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The names of Turaki (Kebbi State) and Nebo (Enugu State) were forwarded to the Senate by President Goodluck Jonathan for confirmation last week.

    The lawmakers unanimously gave their nod for the appointment of the ministerial candidates after the nominees were adjudged to have satisfactorily answered questions posed to them by Senators.

    Nebo, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, practically turned the question and answer session into a lecture.

    He thrilled the lawmakers with mastery of contemporary issues in the country and the way forward.

    Asked how he intends to deal with the mafia in the power sector if appointed Minister of Power, Nebo said that he would chase out the demons frustrating the growth of the sector.

    He said that some highly placed Nigerians still believe that witches are responsible for the problems in the power sector “but I believe that God will give me the power to chase out the demons in the sector.”

    He eulogized the immediate past Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, describing him as a “professional to the core, who was committed and did his best for the power sector but unfortunately something happened.”

    The ministerial nominee said that since he is aware that banana peels litter the landscape of the country, he would be careful.

    He added that if given the opportunity to serve as Power Minister, he would, God being on his side, chase out the demons in the sector.

    The nominee also said that he would study what is on the ground in the sector to enable him determine the best way to deal with problems in the sector.

    He also said that power generation for the country is grossly inadequate taking into cognizance the population of Nigeria.

    He noted that no house should be connected to the national grid if it is not certified ready for connection.