The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Vindication

  • Vindication of Bafarawa

    There is no doubt that the declaration by the former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Atthahiru Bafarawa, for the 2019 presidential elections, has sent shock waves to the territory of those who do not wish him well. Bafarawa, from the look of things is the handmaid of God. He appears destined for a higher calling. That is why many who have watched him closely over the years are convinced that his presidential project will be a huge success.

    It is significant to note here that his detractors wanted to nail him. They wanted him to be put to shame. But God is always on the side of the righteous. That is why Bafarawa gas come out of a decade-long court case with broad smiles. The courts have set him free, having not found him guilty of any wrong-doing.

    For some 10 years now, Bafarawa, has been in the eye of the storm. He has faced a serial and ceaseless witch- hunt in the hands of his immediate successor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko and the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    At a time most state governors were leaving their states with a huge debt overhang, Bafarawa left N12 billion in the coffers of Sokoto State government. He did so in order to protect the state from unforeseen contingencies by providing for the rainy day. Regrettably, his successor, Alhaji Wamakko, who was  expected to give credit to the man who made it possible for his  government to take off on a sound footing, decided to play politics with the legacy that Bafarawa left behind. Wamakko denied the existence of the said money in the accounts of the state government. But Bafarawa would not succumb to that antic. Ever clinical in his approach to issues, Bafarawa went for  all the documentary evidence that was required to back up his claim. And in order to ensure that Wamakko did not get away with any cover-up, Bafarawa approached the EFCC over the matter. He urged the commission to freeze the account of Sokoto State government where the two billion Naira was domiciled so that the governor would not misappropriate the said fund and deny its existence.

    Under this circumstance, the EFCC was expected to beam its searchlight on the financial operations of the Sokoto State government under Wamakko. But rather than do that, the commission  invited Bafarawa to shed light on his letter to it. Bafarawa, strangely, was detained in the process. The complainant instantly became the accused.

    The matter has witnessed a lot of turns and twists since it began in 2008. The Sokoto State government has had cause to turn the table against Bafarawa by slamming more charges against him. In December 2009, Bafarawa and his fellow accused persons were arraigned by the Sokoto State High Court on a 47-count charge bordering on misappropriation and embezzlement. Then in September 2011, the prosecution filed a fresh motion in which it amended its charges to 22 counts. Bafarawa and his co-defendants were accused of misappropriating and embezzling N15 billion belonging to Sokoto State government.

    However, strange things continued to happen. While the EFCC was prosecuting the case it brought before Bafarawa and others accused alongside with him, the state government was busy withdrawing its charges against some of them. Those who switched to Governor Wamakko’s political camp got a reprieve. Their ‘sins’ were forgiven. At this point, it became obvious to the watching world that the trial of Bafarawa was political. That it was a deliberate witch-hunt. A calculated attempt to give the dog a bad name in order to hang it.

    As if the acquittal of some of the accused persons was not enough, five of the accused persons were fully pardoned by the Sokoto State government, thus giving the impression that the accused are necessarily sinners who needed to be pardoned or forgiven. This was part of the shenanigans that we were treated to until the law took its ultimate course three days ago. While delivering judgement on the matter on July 31, Justice Bello Abbas dismissed all the 22 counts over which the accused were being tried. He said the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The judgment dismissed all the evidence brought by the prosecution as mere hearsay. Consequently, the judge discharged and acquitted Bafarawa and four others who stood trial with him to the very end.

    With this judgement, it had become evident, even to incurable Doubting Thomases, that what Bafarawa has gone through in the past 10 years was mere witch-hunt. During the intervening period, he was harassed, harangued and blackmailed. He was given a bad name which he never deserved. But the court has demonstrated that all that we have been witnessing was  vendetta. Someone wanted to gain an undue advantage over the other on account of politics. This was primitive and bitter politics at its most banal.

    The Bafarawa trial presents us with a lot of ridiculous scenarios. The discharge and so-called pardon granted to some of the accused persons while the case was still in court was an assault on the integrity of the court. By that action, the government of Sokoto State unwittingly passed a judgement of guilt on the accused persons. But we know that it is trite law to assume that an accused remains innocent until proven guilty. But in Sokoto, those accused persons were presumed and pronounced guilty and therefore needed to be pardoned by the state government. This is one of those aberrations that have not made it possible for Nigeria to make progress. We assault the system freely and still expect it to work. Those fellows got the soft treatment because they chose the easy way out. They were ready to procure their freedom by whatever means. And it worked for them. If Bafarawa were not a man of principle, he would have caved in at some point. He would have abandoned his political flag and pitched tent with his traducers. But the man stood his ground. He chose to fight on the side of truth. And truth, in the final analysis, has set him free.

    Today, Bafarawa has stepped out to run for the presidency. Anybody who has followed his track record will readily admit that he is one of the best for the job. His integrity puts him in good stead to be considered for the top job. With the likes of Bafarawa, there is hope for Nigeria. There is light at the end of the dark tunnel.

     

    • Ibrahim writes from Abuja.
  • Vindication of Saraki

    Vindication of Saraki

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki will naturally dismiss any suggestion that the not-guilty verdict returned in his favour by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), before which he was tried for false asset declaration and other related offences, was concocted. His lawyers and supporters believe the decision of the two-man panel led by Justice Danladi Umar was fair, even though tortuous. Senator Saraki faced 18 charges. Through a no-case submission filed by his lawyers after the prosecution closed its case with 48 exhibits, the plucky but embattled senator escaped the state’s legal dragnet unhurt. The state has indicated it will appeal what it described as an absurd judgement, and from all indications, the matter may yet get to the Supreme Court.

    Aside his lawyers, aides and supporters, it is unlikely anyone else in Nigeria thinks Senator Saraki innocent. The public followed the case avidly, watched the prosecutors’ and defender’s nuances closely, and, though unschooled in law, believed that enough evidence had been adduced to scupper the Kwara senator’s political career finally. But from a position of weakness and anxiety, not only in the law courts but also in the senate itself at inauguration, Senator Saraki has grown into a self-confident, pugnacious and exerting leader. He was famous for possessing an implacable hold on Kwara State; now he in addition enjoys a relentless, if not absolute, hold on the senate. Once in danger of falling from his Olympian senate heights, his career is now set to blossom so brightly that the rays are capable of blinding the best eyes.

    The ingredients of exculpation were evident from the very beginning. First was his legal team’s obfuscatory and fancy footwork; then followed a cornucopia of give and take between the senate, which goosesteped behind Dr Saraki, and the presidency riven by internal dissension and abject lack of focus and judgement; and then, finally, surrender by the ailing president who after many months of duelling with young legislative phantoms suddenly discovered that he lacked both the will and the tactics to fight the senate president and win. Worse, with the senate remaining impenetrable, not to talk of anyone getting the chance to strew the chamber with banana peels, and the public wearied by the incessant adjournments of the case, of course in addition to the EFCC snapping at the heels of the trial judges themselves, the case against Dr Saraki simply became at once quixotic and toxic. Those who swore at the beginning, including this column, that the case would be a barometer for President Buhari’s anti-graft war, became harried by doubts. Doubts soon gave way to fear, and fear to suspicion of conspiracy.

    Whatever the case, Dr Saraki is now really a free man. Using his well-known talisman, which libel laws will not allow this column to identify, he will tighten his hold on the senate, snicker behind closed doors at his disbelieving country, eye the vacillating Buhari presidency with a mischievous glint in his eyes, and speak condescendingly to party men whom he has long described as rivals or enemies. With this acquittal, it will require a legal legerdemain of unearthly proportions to get the appellate courts to reverse the CCT judgement. For about two years, it was impossible to summon the will in the senate to fight Dr Saraki. There will now be no one left in that inflexible and single-minded chamber eager to fight him. He had taken on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and won. Then he took on the presidency, and there is no dispute what the outcome of the battle is. Dr Saraki’s raison d’etre, as a confirmed feudalist, is fighting and scheming. He will look for a fight anywhere, for that is the ingredient upon which his political growth depends, and he will not shirk a fight.

    He is rumoured to harbour interest in the presidency, especially because it will take a miracle to restore President Buhari to vibrancy. There is indeed every indication he will weigh his chances and throw his hat into the ring if the situation permits. Having worsted a few gladiators along the line, his adamant and less eloquent father not excluded, he will entertain no fear about the toughness of his future opponents. This is because he knows, like many other politicians in these parts, that Nigeria has a knack for producing presidents generally against the run of play, presidents so often unqualified as to appear to affront common sense. Dr Saraki doubtless feels invincible, and that supposed invincibility will egg him on to take on stiffer and more compelling challenges.

    But while his fighting spirit sustains him, and his scheming talent nurtures his political advancement, including getting him judicial victories, there is really nothing else to the young gladiator. If President Buhari could campaign for high office and win on the strength of his truculence and obstinacy, why would Dr Saraki find it compelling to place premium on the virtue of ideas, philosophies, character, judgement and intuition? In his entire time at the senate, not to say his two terms as governor, not one original and innovative idea ever issued from him. As senate president, he is obsessed with holding on to office, whatever the cost. Perhaps he thinks ideas are laborious; or perhaps he feels ideas alarm the public. Indeed, going by those who form his immediate support base, such as the hysterical and inimitably comical Dino Melaye, there will be no ideas of any kind coming from Dr Saraki throughout his tenure as senate president. And should he attempt to vie for the presidency, it will, like others have shown, not be anchored on ideas or philosophies.

    Dr Saraki’s victory at the CCT does not imply an end to President Buhari’s anti-graft war. The problem right from the beginning was that the campaign was poorly conceived and made to rest ungainly  on military style and inspiration. Without prejudice to what the appellate courts will decide on the Saraki case, President Buhari and his team must plan the war afresh and establish a sound legal and constitutional foundation for it. But to do this, the president must reconstitute his team, both kitchen and general cabinets, make it national and knowledgeable, and re-engineer his own world view. At 74, the president can, however, neither acquire new ideas nor utilise them well. His first and natural instinct is to suspect new ideas. And at that age, and having failed over the years out of office to expand his horizon, it is hard to see him adopting the liberal and multicultural ideas necessary to govern a complex and impatient country.

    The prosecution fought well, despite former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s infantile reservations about government prosecutors. And the case against Dr Saraki was fairly straightforward and admit of no stultifying detours and ambush. If the Buhari presidency does not rethink the anti-graft war and imbue the government with fresh, uplifting and nationalistic ideas; if it does not close ranks and prevent presidential aides from confecting outside alliances; if it does not think in terms of the country rather than in terms of one section or religion, it may yet lose many more cases, regardless of the brilliance of its prosecutors.

    Dr Saraki may have won this round, and in the eyes of the law is thus viewed as innocent; but even if this victory lasts and clothes him with the aura of invincibility, it will, however, not transform him into the leader he imagines for himself, his hold on the senate notwithstanding. But unlike the ageing and ailing President Buhari, Dr Saraki has youth on his side, youth to revitalise himself and correct his politics. However, going by his antecedents and the facile manner politics in Nigeria rewards its exponents, the chances of using that youth to acquire the essentials of great leadership through rigorous thinking and hard work are indeed slim. In fact, as Senator Melaye and the majority of senators sworn to silence in the legislature have proved, the incentive to project disciplined politics and rest it on great and noble ideas simply does not exist.

  • Between history and Bamaiyi’s ‘vindication’

    General Ishaya Bamaiyi’s latest intellectual perversion Vindication of a General ordinarily should not deserve a response from seriously minded people. For one, Gen Bamaiyi successfully portrayed himself in the book as a bundle of contradictions, and a person of doubtful integrity. Or how else can one describe someone who claimed every other person he ever associated with or serve under as evil?

    Before I am accused of exaggeration, let me give examples. In the book, he described his immediate older brother- the late Major-General Musa Bamaiyi as callous, mischievous and dishonest (page213-216); His town’s Emir (Zuru) Gen. Sani Sami (rtd) as an ingrate and insincere (page 185); Gen. M. Gausau (his former GOC) as incompetent (page 38); Gen. A. Z. Kazir, (his former Chief of Army Staff) an officer of doubtful loyalty (page 40); Gen. M.C. Alli (his former Chief of Army Staff) a coward (page 45-46); Prof Yemi Osinbajo (present Vice President) as an indecisive and diabolical Attorney General (page 133); and Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar,(former Head of State) an ex-convict (page113).

    This is against the background of Gen. Bamaiyi’s bigotry in the same book where he proclaimed himself to be ‘too honest and too smart’ (page 12).

    To put the record straight one is compelled to respond to Gen. Bamaiyi’s revisionism of history in his desperate attempt to rehabilitate himself from oblivion engendered by his self- inflicted habitual treachery and deceits.

    Suffice it to say, the book is a study in contradictions and incoherent thoughts. The general posited that there is nothing phantom about the 1995 and 1997 coups. This conclusion is understandable from his perspective. He claimed to have detected and foiled the coups. This suggests out rightly it will be self-contradictory for him to admit that the coups were phantom. Yet, Gen. Bamaiyi provided evidences throughout the book that the coups were indeed phantom. On 1995 coup, he claimed: “I had doubt about Gen. Obasanjo’s involvement in the coup based on the briefing we received from the DMI, Col. Sabo, the SPI report, and the statements of other coupists. (page 41).  What is more, the principal motive that led to set-ups to eliminate key political and military leaders was provided by Gen. Bamaiyi. According to him, “…based on available evidence and body language of Gen. Sani Abacha himself, the goal of the transition programme was to return himself to power at the end …”

    The perfidy of Gen. Bamaiyi was epitomized by his poor and failed attempt to exonerate himself from the 1997 coup set up against Gen. Oladipo Diya. In the first instance, he admitted inadvertently that there were attempts to set up Gen. Diya before 1997. Let me quote him: “Alli appeared to have agreed to help set up Diya but later confessed to such a setup … (page 56). Again, he asked a question which succinctly suggests set up against Gen Diya, “If we had tried to setup Gen Diya in 1996, why did he agree to deal with us again in 1997? (Pp56-57).  Also, Gen. Bamaiyi admitted that he presided over an army that manufactured evidence against officers for personal considerations. In another instance, he wrote: “Brig. Gen. Sabo, the DMI, once wrote a report to Gen Abacha alleging that Gen. Babangida, Dr. Mike Adenuga, and I had been seen on Kaduna Road discussing how to overthrown Abacha.(p57)” He further admitted that Abacha cohorts manufactured evidences to get rid of their enemies. (pp95-96). It is therefore obvious from Gen Bamaiyi’s narratives that Gen Oladipo Diya was apparently a victim of the ‘Abacha for life cohort’.

    His rendition on the 1997 coup was riddled with incoherent thoughts and contradictions. In one breath, he argued that Gen Diya began the coup plan in 1994 which he Bamaiyi informed Gen Abacha about (page 43-44). Yet, he reported that Gen. M. C. Alli was retired for plotting against Gen Abacha and the same Abacha prevented the retirement of Gen Diya on several occasions (page 43). Haba! You are not talking to fools.

    The historical facts of the 1997 phantom coup are in the public domain. Nigerians do not need a Bamaiyi revisionism to form opinion on who concocted the coup. The Chief investigator of the saga – Col. Frank Omenka had told TELL magazine of Jan. 11, 1999, “When I hear people talk of Diya’s coup I laugh because I know the truth it was not, pure and simple.” Even Gen. Victor Malu admitted that Gen. Diya was not the planner of the plot.

    If the truth must be told, Gen. Bamaiyi thrives on Niccolo Machiavelli adopted philosophy that ‘gratitude is a burden and revenge is a pleasure’-Tacitus c.55-120A.D. His tirade against Gen Diya apparently is informed by the Diya’s question during the trial “Where is Bamayi? I am surprised that the Chief of Army Staff is not here. He is the mastermind, the executioner and the planner of this incident. I am not going into details of that now because this is a clear case of set up…. and it is organised right from the top.” It was a speech made literally at the point death. It was a speech that exposed Gen Bamaiyi’s real character deficiency.

    Is it not curious that in the entire book, Gen Bamaiyi never for once mentioned the inglorious attempt of his cohort to murder Gen Diya on December 13, 1997 while he was on a plane trip to Gen. Lawrence Onoja’s mother’s burial in Benue State. Few days later Gen Diya was arrested purportedly for a coup. The truth is sacrosanct. No matter how many times a lie is told repeatedly, it is still a lie.

     

    • Afowowe is of the Department of History and International Studies, Osun State University.

  • Sukuk bond: Aregbesola’s vindication

    When Governor Aregbesola began moves to introduce the Islamic bond, the product attracted so much anger in the Christian fold to the extent that the achievements Governor Aregbesola made in Osun State almost fizzled out. Some of his critics reasoned that Nigeria is a secular state and so the introduction of Islamic bond smacks of Islamising the state. They believe that the introduction of the sukuk bond was not appropriate in view of the destructive activities of Boko Haram.

    To this effect, Nigerians, who lost relations or were injured, maimed or frustrated by the unscrupulous behaviour of Boko Haram, form the bulk of critics of Islamic bond. Some prominent Christian leaders said it will further inflame religious violence. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also condemned the introduction of Islamic bond because to them it was a ploy to introduce Islamism into Osun State.

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenceýs Commission (ICPC) has described the petition of the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State against Governor Rauf Aregbesola as baseless and unsubstantiated. ICPC, in a letter with reference number ICPC/INV/NGB/T.E2/003, addressed to the petitioner, Chairman, Civil Society Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State, which was copied to the Osun Secretary to the State Government, stated that its investigations have not established an act contrary to the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000 as none of the allegations were substantiated.

    The commission stated that having diligently investigated the allegations and finding nothing against Governor Aregbesola, the allegations have been dismissed. The Government, through the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, reminded Nigerians that the ICPC’s final decision was a vindication of the repeated claims by the government that the group was one of those hired for the purpose of tarnishing its name.

    ICPC, in the letter titled, Re: Petition against Osun State Governor- Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, for criminal and reckless mismanagement of Osun State funds since November 2010 to August 2015,  held that all of the allegations brought forward have been looked into conclusively with no infraction substantiated.

    According to ICPC, “The above case bordering on fraudulent diversion of N11.4 billion obtained through Osun SUKUK bond to private foreign account, money meant for building of schools regardless of the N13.9 billion intervention funds from the Federal Government through UBEC for the purpose of building classrooms has been investigated conclusively with no infraction substantiated.

    “An investigation ofý the above allegations confirmed that Osun State government raised N11.344 billion from the issue of the SUKUK bond through Nigerian commercial banks. Investigation also revealed that after the issue of the bond, Osun State Government sought and got approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Shariah Board of Lotus Capital Ltd. to amend the schedule of schools to be constructed from 27 mixed schools to 11 high schools and to furnish the schools. The approval of SUKUK holders is still pending.

    “Also contrary to the allegation that the SUKUK proceed was diverted to private foreign account, it was disbursed from Osun SUKUK company accounts with 13 Collecting Nigerian Commercial banks and used for payments of contractors awarded the contracts of construction and furnishing of 11 senior Secondary Schools in various part of Osun State.

    “Furthermore, contrary to the allegation that N13.9 billion was disbursed by UBEC to Osun State, the total of N7,192,585,041.64 has been disbursed to Osun SUBEB for the period 2011-2015. This amount consists of Universal Basic Education matching grants, Special Education Funds, Teachers Professional Development Fund and state’s counterpart funds lodgement in line with UBE Act 2004.

    “In view of the above paragraphs, investigations have not established an act contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 as none of the allegations were substantiated. Therefore the matter is hereby laid to rest, “ the Commission said.

    The Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, stating the Government’s position over the outcome of the ICPC’s investigations, said the Aregbesola government was never in doubt that the group was an illegal one which was only being used by traducers of the administration to diminish its many achievements.

    “When the so-called group was everywhere making its highly irresponsible and frivolous allegations, we never minced words on the fact that it was an unregistered group of few disgruntled, hired individuals to tarnish the image of the government and seek to diminish the massive good governance initiatives that are the hallmarks of our interventions here.

    “The ICPC’s dismissal of the frivolous allegations is a vindication of our earlier position on the group and other collaborators in their ignoble campaigns of calumny.

    “The Aregbesola administration has instituted the most transparent, people-friendly government in its six years and more and we do not intend to depart from this path. This is because we are convinced in this lies the brighter future of our dear state,” Okanlawon added.

    The funds were used to finance construction of education projects, among other development initiatives with which Governor Aregbesola hopes to lay a solid foundation for the future of the state. Eleven High Schools with a total of 792 classrooms are at various stages of completion across the state. Two other High Schools are proposed for construction in Osogbo to accommodate the total population of high school students in Osogbo metropolis. There are 11 schools in all to be financed by the sukuk bond.  The bond is exclusively for high school development.

    The High Schools are: Ilesa High School, Wole Soyinka High School, Ejigbo, Ataoja High School, Osogbo, Fakunle Unity High School, Osogbo, Osogbo High School, Adventist High School, Ede are completed, while Oduduwa High School, Ile Ife, Ila High School, Ila-Orangun, Iwo High School, Iwo, Akinorun High School, Ikirun and  Ayedaade High School, Ikire have reached 70% completion.

    When Governor Aregbesola adopted Sukuk, an Islamic bond to help the state execute it projects, his critics were calling for his head. Many said it was part of his ploy to Islamize Osun. Not quite long, the government of United Kingdom also stated its resolve to obtain Islamic bond, Sukuk, to execute government projects. A petition about Governor Aregbesola was sent to ICPC concerning sukuk fund but he has been vindicated.

     

    • Donald sent this piece from Benin City
  • Ndoma-Egba and Ekere enjoy vindication

    Ndoma-Egba and Ekere enjoy vindication

    Victor Ndoma Egba and Obong Nsima Ekere stories are intriguing and lessons on the topsy-turvy of power. The Jonathan crowd and his ethnic redoubt wanted to put James Manager in the Senate as majority leader. To achieve this, they must clear all obstacles. One was Ndoma-Egba whose rising profile intimidated them after three terms. So, they worked him out and put somebody else there. They also worked against Governor Uduaghan, so Manager won the slot. Now, Jonathan ran out of favour with the people and he could not impose Manager on his colleagues. We hardly hear of him even on the roll call. Ndoma-Egba now chairs NDDC, and gives him not only moral but symbolic triumph. He has opportunity to show himself as a class act unlike the bullish era that Jonathan flaunted.

    Ditto to Ekere who now succeeds as managing director. The estate magnate had played various roles in politics and rose to deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State. Many thought it was over for him when he resigned and his foes had sung his obituary.  He now takes charge as MD, as the inimitable Ibim Semenitari leaves after holding force with poise and competence.

    Both Ndoma-Egba and Ekere will enjoy vindication. Winston Churchill was written off at the age of 51. He became British best prime minister ever.

     

     

  • Babalakin at 55: From vilification to vindication

    Babalakin at 55: From vilification to vindication

    As he turns 55 today, he must have a special reason to be grateful to his Maker, the Almighty Allah. After almost two years of intense vilification in the hands of people of power, Dr. Bolanle Olawale Babalakin, SAN must be looking forward to heave a sigh of relief this year, hopefully, from the mountainous hurdles deliberately hurled in his way.

    His story looks like the typical case of how Nigeria does not often like to appreciate exceptional breeds that are succeeding in their chosen fields. But for Babalakin, who cut his legal teeth under the great ‘Timi the Law’ (late Chief Rotimi Williams) this may be about to change as fresh facts emerge and the truth is being established in the matter in which he is being tried in court.

    Not a few people know that Babalakin’s name is associated with the legal profession and ingenious business enterprise. As a lawyer with a very high intellectual acumen, he is one name that young lawyers flock to in cutting their teeth in the profession. I am aware that his firm, Babalakin & Co has more than 60 lawyers who are among the best paid in the profession and some of whom have risen to the highest echelon of legal practice through Babalakin’s active support. For several years, his chamber has published an annual Law Report. For this Cambridge-trained legal colossus, there must always be a trace of scholarship and intellect in whatever he touches.

    The second terminal of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA2), built and operated by Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, is not just an example of how private initiatives can rescue government from difficult and capital-intensive projects but is also a unique example of how to run a business with respect for best global practices. In its eight year, MMA2 remains the only private airport terminal in the whole of Africa; is described as the cleanest public space in the whole of Lagos and more importantly is adjudged as the only airport in Nigeria that has met global standard.

    In recent years, if he was not attending to legal services or nurturing enduring business projects, Babalakin would be found attending to the needy, be they individuals or even government. To many stakeholders in the ivory tower, he was the Pillar of Education in Nigeria, on account of his undisguised passion and commitment to excellence in that crucial sector. As the Chairman of Committee of Pro-Chancellors between 2009 and 2013, during which period he was also the pro-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri as well as the Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee of the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions, Nigeria did not witness any industrial action.

    So impressed with his achievements and record of selfless service as the pro-Chancellor of UNIMAID that the authorities of the institution once said that Dr. Babalakin “built more structures in the university during his four-year tenure than was achieved since the establishment of the university 38 years ago.” He was saluted for leading from the front by denying himself all the allowances due to him. He did not collect a kobo from the university as he repeatedly said that Nigerians needed to sacrifice in order to reposition the education sector.

    You would not need to be so close to him to appreciate how Law, business and humanitarian services pre-occupied this proud alumnus of Government College, Ibadan until his vilification became a sinister project for a few greedy and desperate lots who apparently used authority, and perhaps state resources, to arm-twist genuine businessmen and investors. Babalakin’s vilification of course is largely over issues surrounding MMA2, the purported revocation of the concession agreement that Bi-Courtney Ltd had on Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the alleged charges of money laundering against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    All the three issues appear related if one chooses to interrogate them closely. A clear case of witch-hunt and abuse of power will almost certainly be detected. One would see an ingenious businessman being vilified just for succeeding in ventures that mere opportunists won’t dare to discover or explore. But in each case, the Law, Babalakin’s dependable recourse, has always proven worthy as the last hope of the ordinary man. It did in September last year when the Court saved MMA2 from the pangs of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) which wanted to appoint a Receiver/Manager on the airport terminal on account of contentious debts. It was as logical as it was commonsensical that a government agent cannot be alleging a N50bn debt let alone take over the facilities of an investor that is being owed a sum of N132bn by the same government that caused the private investor to lose huge revenue resulting in ability to fulfill its loan obligations.

    The court came to the rescue because an individual had the courage to confront a bully.

    Yet, a more glaring vindication came his way in February this year when a Lagos High Court discharged the case by EFCC against Babalakin for lack of merit. One would think that the adversaries would relent. Nay! They chose not to appeal the judgment instead and curiously too, re-filed the same case before another judge, pushing desperately to try Babalakin all over again… over allegations of assisting former Delta State governor James Ibori to launder money; the same case that a court of competent jurisdiction had found no merit in.

    Why are they seeking to destroy Babalakin? Why are they desperate to destroy a man of intellect, vision and courage whose contribution to national development is felt daily by millions of people?

    However, the truth has a way of imposing itself. Could it, therefore, be the way of truth and vindication that made the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to receive a wise counsel from within its own fold, cautioning that instituting a fresh trial of Dr. Babalakin on the same money laundering allegation would amount to an abuse of court process and that the case, if it had been filed at all, ought to be withdrawn without delay?

    As if to finally vindicate this great man of industry with a large heart, it was reported that the London Metropolitan Police, which was erroneously thought to be looking for him in London, has indeed sent the report of its investigation on the Ibori saga to the Minister of Justice and nowhere in the report did either Babalakin’s name or any of his companies appear among those suspected to be involved in the alleged money laundering. How else can a man be so blessed and vindicated? What else do they want from this man? But the traducers think they can continue with the impunity of old at a time when the country now breathes fresh air, with the hope that the perfidious past will soon be history? A close interrogation of Babalakin’s travails will reveal a link between the untidy manner in which Bi-Courtney was robbed of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession and the trumped-up charges of money laundering by EFCC. It may well turn out that those behind these travails overrated their ability to cheat, manipulate the system and perpetrate their relevance.

    Day of reckoning for the wicked might just be near. And this is why it has become imperative to urge Babalakin not to be deterred and broken. He is a shining example of how an investor can make a great impact in the life of a nation. He deserves encouragement.

    He has never stopped being a cheerful giver, anyway. In March, more than 10,000 people benefitted from his free eye check-up and treatment in Zaria. That was reminiscent of a similar philanthropic gesture he did in Osun and Ondo States a few years ago. Many more are silent beneficiary of his humanitarian causes, particularly in matters of education and health. Such great men of honour should not be allowed to fall victim of a few despicable men foisting impunity on the system.

    Dr. Babalakin is lucky to often have his birthday celebrated during the holy month of Ramadan. The hand of the Almighty is unmistakable in his matter. He should persevere and stay on the path of honour. Days of perfidy might just be over, almost.

     

    •Dr. Alli, a Public Affairs analyst, lives in Abuja

  • Babalakin at 55: From vilification to vindication

    Babalakin at 55: From vilification to vindication

    As he turns 55 today, he must have a special reason to be grateful to his Maker, the Almighty Allah. After almost two years of intense vilification in the hands of people of power, Dr. Bolanle Olawale Babalakin, SAN must be looking forward to heave a sigh of relief this year, hopefully, from the mountainous hurdles deliberately hurled in his way. His story looks like the typical case of how Nigeria does not often like to appreciate exceptional breeds that are succeeding in their chosen fields. But for Babalakin, who cut his legal teeth under the great ‘Timi the Law’ (late Chief Rotimi Williams) this may be about to change as fresh facts emerge and the truth is being established in the matter in which he is being tried in court. Not a few people know that Babalakin’s name is associated with the legal profession and ingenious business enterprise. As a lawyer with a very high intellectual acumen, he is one name that young lawyers flock to in cutting their teeth in the profession. I am aware that his firm, Babalakin & Co has more than 60 lawyers who are among the best paid in the profession and some of whom have risen to the highest echelon of legal practice through Babalakin’s active support. For several years, his chamber has published an annual Law Report. For this Cambridge-trained legal colossus, there must always be a trace of scholarship and intellect in whatever he touches. The second terminal of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA2), built and operated by Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, is not just an example of how private initiatives can rescue government from difficult and capital-intensive projects but is also a unique example of how to run a business with respect for best global practices. In its eight year, MMA2 remains the only private airport terminal in the whole of Africa; is described as the cleanest public space in the whole of Lagos and more importantly is adjudged as the only airport in Nigeria that has met global standard. In recent years, if he was not attending to legal services or nurturing enduring business projects, Babalakin would be found attending to the needy, be they individuals or even government. To many stakeholders in the ivory tower, he was the Pillar of Education in Nigeria, on account of his undisguised passion and commitment to excellence in that crucial sector. As the Chairman of Committee of Pro-Chancellors between 2009 and 2013, during which period he was also the pro-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri as well as the Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee of the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions, Nigeria did not witness any industrial action. So impressed with his achievements and record of selfless service as the pro-Chancellor of UNIMAID that the authorities of the institution once said that Dr. Babalakin “built more structures in the university during his four-year tenure than was achieved since the establishment of the university 38 years ago.” He was saluted for leading from the front by denying himself all the allowances due to him. He did not collect a kobo from the university as he repeatedly said that Nigerians needed to sacrifice in order to reposition the education sector. You would not need to be so close to him to appreciate how Law, business and humanitarian services pre-occupied this proud alumnus of Government College, Ibadan until his vilification became a sinister project for a few greedy and desperate lots who apparently used authority, and perhaps state resources, to arm-twist genuine businessmen and investors. Babalakin’s vilification of course is largely over issues surrounding MMA2, the purported revocation of the concession agreement that Bi-Courtney Ltd had on Lagos-Ibadan expressway and the alleged charges of money laundering against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. All the three issues appear related if one chooses to interrogate them closely. A clear case of witch-hunt and abuse of power will almost certainly be detected. One would see an ingenious businessman being vilified just for succeeding in ventures that mere opportunists won’t dare to discover or explore. But in each case, the Law, Babalakin’s dependable recourse, has always proven worthy as the last hope of the ordinary man. It did in September last year when the Court saved MMA2 from the pangs of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) which wanted to appoint a Receiver/Manager on the airport terminal on account of contentious debts. It was as logical as it was commonsensical that a government agent cannot be alleging a N50bn debt let alone take over the facilities of an investor that is being owed a sum of N132bn by the same government that caused the private investor to lose huge revenue resulting in ability to fulfill its loan obligations. The court came to the rescue because an individual had the courage to confront a bully. Yet, a more glaring vindication came his way in February this year when a Lagos High Court discharged the case by EFCC against Babalakin for lack of merit. One would think that the adversaries would relent. Nay! They chose not to appeal the judgment instead and curiously too, re-filed the same case before another judge, pushing desperately to try Babalakin all over again… over allegations of assisting former Delta State governor James Ibori to launder money; the same case that a court of competent jurisdiction had found no merit in. Why are they seeking to destroy Babalakin? Why are they desperate to destroy a man of intellect, vision and courage whose contribution to national development is felt daily by millions of people? However, the truth has a way of imposing itself. Could it, therefore, be the way of truth and vindication that made the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to receive a wise counsel from within its own fold, cautioning that instituting a fresh trial of Dr. Babalakin on the same money laundering allegation would amount to an abuse of court process and that the case, if it had been filed at all, ought to be withdrawn without delay? As if to finally vindicate this great man of industry with a large heart, it was reported that the London Metropolitan Police, which was erroneously thought to be looking for him in London, has indeed sent the report of its investigation on the Ibori saga to the Minister of Justice and nowhere in the report did either Babalakin’s name or any of his companies appear among those suspected to be involved in the alleged money laundering. How else can a man be so blessed and vindicated? What else do they want from this man? But the traducers think they can continue with the impunity of old at a time when the country now breathes fresh air, with the hope that the perfidious past will soon be history? A close interrogation of Babalakin’s travails will reveal a link between the untidy manner in which Bi-Courtney was robbed of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession and the trumped-up charges of money laundering by EFCC. It may well turn out that those behind these travails overrated their ability to cheat, manipulate the system and perpetrate their relevance. Day of reckoning for the wicked might just be near. And this is why it has become imperative to urge Babalakin not to be deterred and broken. He is a shining example of how an investor can make a great impact in the life of a nation. He deserves encouragement. He has never stopped being a cheerful giver, anyway. In March, more than 10,000 people benefitted from his free eye check-up and treatment in Zaria. That was reminiscent of a similar philanthropic gesture he did in Osun and Ondo States a few years ago. Many more are silent beneficiary of his humanitarian causes, particularly in matters of education and health. Such great men of honour should not be allowed to fall victim of a few despicable men foisting impunity on the system. Dr. Babalakin is lucky to often have his birthday celebrated during the holy month of Ramadan. The hand of the Almighty is unmistakable in his matter. He should persevere and stay on the path of honour. Days of perfidy might just be over, almost.   •Dr. Alli, a Public Affairs analyst, lives in Abuja

  • Vindication of Wamakko

    The Nigerian political landscape is now active with frenzy of campaigns leading up to next month’s elections. Two political parties, All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dominate the jostling to capture voters’ attention. The voters are citizens of Nigeria whose fate is at stake. Since 1999 when the country returned to democratic dispensation, PDP has remained at the saddle of power. Power appurtenances enabled the party to swallow or destabilize other parties to maintain absolute power. And like Lord Acton observed that absolute tends to corrupt absolutely. This has metamorphosed to that level where dictatorship assumed unprecedented proportion.

    The death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua suddenly opened up the rumps of PDP. There emerged power vacuum that threw opportunists into power game. Completion of Yar’Adua’s tenure was well managed by eminent Nigerians that were determined to sustain the sacrifice of our past heroes for a vibrant, virile and great country; a country of hope for every black man. Though in cognizance of rotational arrangement the power vacuum as a result of the demise of late President Yar’Adua placed a disadvantage against the geographical zone he represented. Compromise was reached to allow constitutional procedure to supersede every other consideration to maintain status quo in order of succession for the vice president to complete PDP presidency as party that won the 2007 general elections.

    However, the confusion once again arose when it came to issues of 2011 general elections. The same eminent Nigerians rallied to douse the tensions on a gentleman agreement of just one term that would give President Jonathan a total of six years in office. It was a firm commitment as chronicled in video clippings from his speeches from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and within Nigeria with commendations at Eagle Square, Abuja by former President Obasanjo.

    Personalities like Governors Aliyu Wamakko, Sokoto State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako were tireless in concerted efforts to broker understanding with northern stakeholders to support President Jonathan for the 2011 election. These gentlemen drew odium from their people for what they saw as betrayal. But their efforts were seen in wider spectrum as a means to peaceful resolution of constitutional crisis that Nigeria suddenly got entangled. The country eventually smarted out of it. These gentlemen succeeded as patriots. However, events soon unfolded in bitter and unpalatable reciprocation where PDP leadership resorted to antics of use and dump. It reached climax under the chairmanship of Bamanga Tukur.

    Reform is desirable process to keep a system in tune with current realities. These realities emanated from the pulse of the grassroots which recurred with public opinion of the electorate at the baseline. Frequently, the governors of PDP nudged the national headquarters to listen and reason in the interest of the party and country. Governor Wamakko was an active mover in the voices for reform. But he became a target of vilification, orchestrated by some PDP members from Sokoto State that found permanent abode in Abuja. They are still the spoilers in Sokoto State structure of the party. They seemed more inclined towards their personal ambitions than welfare of the masses. In fact, that character reflected in the travails of other patriotic governors. In spite of their effrontery the governors continued to work towards amicable resolutions of issues.  The national headquarters sabotaged these efforts at every stage. The presidency, fed with enormous false insinuations was aloof and arrogant to address issues in the interest of the country.

    Expectedly, the alternative became abandoning the unwilling horse for a movable one ready to continue the race to rescue Nigerians from downward slide into poverty and continuous carnage. APC emerged as a formidable national party for the realization of that mission. It should not be surprising that the hitherto amorphous size of PDP has resulted into degeneration to complacency towards the plight of the masses.  Unfortunately, parochial sentiments are now the sing-song of the party to harangue Nigerians into deceptive promises of fixing the economy at the expense of innocuous shrinking opportunities.

    A few days ago, the national chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’azu, ruefully alerted President Jonathan on imminent collapse of the party due to what he called use and dump policy of the party. And that is exactly what caused the massive desertion of personalities from PDP to other parties. The present chairman of PDP made the very observation Alhaji Bamanga Tukur shunned from those patriots now in APC. They are vindicated. It is the carelessness that has plunged Nigeria into a rudderless state.

    The current situation has blossomed into general negligence to provide security for the citizens, ubiquitous uncertainties, unemployment, economic disarray and huge corruption nurtured and sustained by sycophants of the administration that position as perpetual beneficiaries of the common wealth. Their faces manifested in donations towards bankrolling PDP campaigns. But certainly, the country cannot continue this way.

    APC has provided alternative platform for progressives to converge and work assiduously to enthrone a government that shall rescue the drifting ship of nation. The party kicked off its campaigns from the southern part of the country as a demonstration that contrary to PDP insinuation, APC is truly a national party that transcends every jaundiced sentiment. It is a grassroots party as envisaged for PDP by Governor Wamakko and other governors that found their way into APC. PDP is now a cabal that protects interests of a few at the detriment of the Nigerian masses.

    In Sokoto, APC train is being propelled by Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. The colossal experience he gained as the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall bear in his superintendence of Sokoto State administration. He is a nationalist that still holds together one of the most cohesive lower chambers in Nigerian democratic history. Sokoto State, the seat of the Caliphate shall continue to be beacon of administrative paradigm to the rest of the nation under the leadership of pragmatic and trailblazer Aminu Waziri Tambuwal under APC with people-oriented program for Nigerian masses’ emancipation.

    • Hassan is of North-West coalition of Professional Patriots. He writes from Sokoto