THE $15 MILLION DOLLAR IBORI BRIBE: THE WAY FORWARD - FESTUS KEYAMO

The issue of a certain $15million bribe money allegedly given by former  Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, to former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to compromise Ribadu and his team, has recently generated a lot of controversies.

The matter first came to public knowledge when Ibori was charged to court in 2007 by the EFCC for various offences. One of the counts in the charge was in relation to offering that money as bribe to Ribadu. But in an affidavit in support of his application for bail, Ibori denied any knowledge of the money. However, according to the EFCC, after taking custody of the money through Ibrahim Lamorde, who was then the Director of Operations of the Commission, the money was taken to the Central Bank of Nigeria and kept there.

QUESTIONS: WHY DEPOSIT THE PROCEEDS OF A CRIME, WHICH IS ALREADY AN EXHIBIT TO BE TENDERED IN COURT, IN THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA? IS THE CBN A STORE FOR EXHIBITS? DOES THE EFCC NOT HAVE FACILITIES TO KEEP EXHIBITS?

In any case, the 170-count charge against Ibori, which included a count of giving the $15 million bribe, was struck out by the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba. The EFCC appealed against that decision and various parts of that appeal are presently before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

In the meantime, James Ibori, has been extradited to the United Kingdom, tried and convicted of some other offences, which do not include giving the $15million bribe or laundering that sum. In other words, if the appeal of the EFCC against Ibori succeeds at the Supreme Court, Ibori can still be tried in Nigeria for laundering the sum of $15million and giving it as bribe, since he was never tried for those offences in United Kingdom. For instance, if a person kills Mr. Peter and Paul and he is tried only for killing Mr. Peter and convicted, he can later be tried for killing Mr. Paul also. It will not amount to double jeopardy.

It is with this state of affairs that the Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, sparked off controversy recently when it applied to court that the said money be forfeited to the Federal Government. The Delta State Government has also come forward to lay claim to the money. And a certain businessman named Chibuike Achigbu and Dr. Andy Uba, the former Special Assistant on Special Duties and Domestic Affairs to President Olusegun Obasanjo, have also claimed in court that they were the proxies through whom the money was given to Ribadu, but that it was for a different purpose other than bribe.

QUESTIONS: WHY WERE THE DUO OF ANDY UBA AND CHIBUIKE ACHIGBU NOT ARRESTED AT THAT TIME (SINCE THEY ENJOYED NO IMMUNITY LIKE CHIEF JAMES IBORI) AND CHARGED TO COURT FOR CONSPIRACY AND BRIBERY? WHY HAVE THEY NOT BEEN ARRESTED UP TILL THIS MINUTE AND CHARGED TO COURT? OR IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TELLING NIGERIANS THAT NUHU RIBADU WAS LYING ABOUT THE BRIBE MONEY?

WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY WILL WANT TO RECOVER EXHIBITS THAT ARE THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME, WITHOUT FIRST ARRESTING THE CULPRITS, INVESTIGATING THEM, TRACING THE ORIGIN OF THE MONEY, CHARGING THEM TO COURT AND SECURING CONVICTION?

It is in the light of the above that the attempt by the Federal Government to recover the alleged $15miilion bribe money deposited in the CBN surreptitiously through the court is nothing but a shameful and disgraceful attempt at covering up a crime, abdicating its statutory responsibility to prosecute criminals, and reneging on its pledge to the people to fight the cancer of corruption to its roots, no matter whose ox is gored.

The Federal Government should immediately withdraw that case from court and the Delta State Government and all other parties should back off from this national embarrassment we are witnessing. Consequently, the Federal Government should do the following:

(1)        Await the decision of the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court over the appeal against the discharge of Ibori on the 170-Count charge. If the Supreme Court rules that Ibori was wrongly discharged and orders a retrial (just as happened recently in the case of Kenny Martins when a retrial was ordered by the Court of Appeal over stealing of police funds), the $15 million is one of the exhibits that will be tendered when the case is retried.

(2)        Await the verdict of that retrial, (if it is ordered) which retrial will determine once and for all whether the money was actually given by Ibori or not as bribe to Ribadu.

(3)        Arrest immediately the duo of Andy Uba and Chibuike Achigbu, interrogate them, trace the origin of the $15million, and if it has no origin, charge them with money laundering and/or conspiracy and bribery.

ALTERNATIVELY

(4)        Arrest Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, interrogate him and charge him to court, if necessary, for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perjury as regards the proceedings in Asaba when he swore on oath or procured another to swear that he was given a bribe. This is because, it is either Ribadu on the one hand is lying that he was offered $15million as bribe or Andy Uba, Ibori and Chibuike Achigbu on the other hand are all lying that it was not bribe. Both versions cannot be correct and any version that is false amounts to a crime under our laws.

Either way, we cannot fold our arms and watch helplessly and hopelessly as some persons with dubious intentions regarding that money which is public funds play on our collective intelligence in this matter.

This is a very serious matter that is turning into a comedy of sort. It is the embarrassing failure of the Federal Government to follow due process and the rule of law to the letter regarding that bribe money that is the foundation for the present absurdity we are witnessing where those who should actually be in jail and institutions that failed in performing their duties are fighting themselves publicly to claim money that is purely the proceeds of crime.

It is important to mention that apart for my well-known commitment to the campaign against corruption in public office, my particular motivation in this case is the fact that the funds in question have some kind of connection to my State (Delta State) which has suffered from series of maladministration. I am an Urhobo man, born, bred and raised in Ughelli, while I hail from Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, near Warri. I am pained to see that whilst social amenities and infrastructure are lacking in most parts of Delta State, a hefty sum of $15million WHICH MAY HAVE come from the State was allegedly given in one fell swoop as bribe to cover up crimes committed, perhaps, against the people of Delta State.

Consequently, if in the next few days, the Federal Government fails, refuses and/or neglects to take appropriate steps to terminate the case in court and properly investigate all the suspects in this matter, whether the principals or proxies who participated in laundering and offering this money as bribe or otherwise, I will be left with no other option than to proceed to court to bring the suspects to justice.

 FESTUS KEYAMO, ESQ.

5000 Naira Note We Will Not Drop The Idea - CBN

The Central Bank Of Nigeria, CBN says it is convinced that its currency restructuring exercise remains the best for the country,despite the scathing criticism trailing the announcement.

CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Ugochukwu Okoroafor told STV NEWS in Abuja that the myriads of criticism trailing the initiative will not compel the apex body to drop the idea.

Okoroafor dismissed the  arguments that the introduction of higher naira note would trigger inflation or work against its cashless policy.  

TRACK UP

He told correspondent,Victor Iroele that restructuring exercise was a logical step towards its cashless policy and consistent with its mandate and responsibility.

meE � t m H�� c n;color:black'>The president said the port will provide the needed Economic opportunity to the South East.

The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar said the Port is now navigable by a vast range of vessels including ships, boats, barges, ferries and tug boats.

He emphasized that the Port will provide the needed opportunity for inland water way transportation.

Minister for Works, Mike Onolememen said he is happy the work was done by an indigenous company and is up to international standard.

On his part, the President of South East South South Professionals, Emeka Ugwu-Oju praised the present administrations effort in completing and commissioning the Port as was advocated by the professional body.

Other stakeholders from the South East, which include Senators and House of Representative members, expressed gratitude over building the project in Onitsha.

The President later commissioned the Eastern gate way named after Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumuegwu Ojukwu.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN COMMISSION ONITSHA SEA PORT AND EASTERN GATE WAY.

 President Goodluck Jonathan today commissioned the Onitsha River Port Complex, refurbished with over four Billion naira by the federal Government, as part of his administrations Transformation agenda as it concerns inland waterway system.

Correspondent Onuora Aninwobodo report that the commissioning was part of the projects billed to be commissioned by the President in his one day official visit to Anambra state.

Onitsha is generally believed to be the commercial nerve center of Eastern Nigeria and a vibrant trading hub in the country.

The commissioning of the River Port follows its extensive overhaul with complete facilities, warehouse and equipping of the port with cranes and forklifts.

The president said the port will provide the needed Economic opportunity to the South East.

The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar said the Port is now navigable by a vast range of vessels including ships, boats, barges, ferries and tug boats.

He emphasized that the Port will provide the needed opportunity for inland water way transportation.

Minister for Works, Mike Onolememen said he is happy the work was done by an indigenous company and is up to international standard.

On his part, the President of South East South South Professionals, Emeka Ugwu-Oju praised the present administrations effort in completing and commissioning the Port as was advocated by the professional body.

Other stakeholders from the South East, which include Senators and House of Representative members, expressed gratitude over building the project in Onitsha.

The President later commissioned the Eastern gate way named after Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumuegwu Ojukwu.

Stakeholders Commends President Goodluck on Commissioning of Onitsha Sea Port

Stakeholders in the South East have commended the Federal Government effort in completing and commissioning Onitsha sea port.

They are of the view that the port now makes River Niger navigable and will now create new investment opportunities for the South East and South South ge o-political region.

The Minister for Transport, Senator Idris Umar said the dredging of River Niger did not just open up its Channel, but as well unwrapped a world of new economic activities and investment opportunities. He said the port is now completely overhauled re equipped and now open for business.

The commissioning exercise is about to be done, by the President and Commander in Chief of the Arm forces, Goodluck Jonathan Ebele Azikiwe. 

PICTURES: GOVERNOR FASHOLA DISCUSSES INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AT AFRICA SINGAPORE BUSINESS FORUM IN SINGAPORE

Lagos State Governor,Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN (2^nd right), the Senior Minister of Industrial Development and Private Sector Promotion,Republic of Congo, Mr Rodolphe Adada (3^rd left),the Managing Director (Africa), Olam lnternational Limited, Mr Ranveer S. Chauhan (right) ,the Managing Director, Surbana International Consultants Pte Limited, Mr Louis Tay (2^nd left) ,  Managing Director, Special Projects, Hyflux Limited,Mr Kum Mun Lock (left) and Session Moderator and Director, Investment ,Temasek International ,Neo Gim Huay during the Panel Discussion Session on Infrastructure Developments  at  the Africa Singapore Business Forum organised by International Enterprise Singapore with the theme Promoting Trade and Investment Between Africa and Singapore at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore

Lagos State Governor,Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle), the Senior Minister of Industrial Development and Private Sector Promotion,Republic of Congo, Mr Rodolphe Adada (right),the Managing Director (Africa), Olam lnternational Limited, Mr Ranveer S. Chauhan (middle) ,the Managing Director, Surbana International Consultants Pte Limited, Mr Louis Tay (2^nd left) and  Managing Director, Special Projects, Hyflux Limited,Mr Kum Mun Lock during the Panel Discussion Session on Infrastructure Developments  at  the Africa Singapore Business Forum organised by International Enterprise Singapore with the theme Promoting Trade and Investment Between Africa and Singapore at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore 

Lagos State Governor,Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN (2^nd left), the Senior Minister of Industrial Development and Private Sector Promotion,Republic of Congo, Mr Rodolphe Adada (2^nd right),the Managing Director (Africa), Olam lnternational Limited, Mr Ranveer S. Chauhan (left) ,Moderator of the Session and Director, Investment ,Temasek International ,Neo Gim Huay during the Panel Discussion Session on Infrastructure Developments  at  the Africa Singapore Business Forum organised by International Enterprise Singapore with the theme Promoting Trade and Investment Between Africa and Singapore at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore

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Fresh Oil Spill has occurred in Nembe Community in Bayelsa State.

Report coming in from Bayelsa State says a fresh oil spill has occurred in Nembe,a coastal community in the Niger Delta.

That the spill is from a burst pipeline connected to Nembe 2 flow station,a facility belonging to Shell Petroleum and Development Company.

It was further gathered that the spill is being traced to a leakage from a pipeline under the creek at the Brass River.

Meanwhile the people of Nembe kingdom have cried out loud over the refusal of Shell to clean up the oil spill that occurred on the 15th and 17th of this month at Nembe 3 flow station.

Chairman of the Nembe Oil and Gas Commmittee Nengi James says the matter has been reported to Shell but no response adding that the spill have spread to other neighbouring communities in the area.

Effort to get the view of Shell Petroleum and Development Company on the issue was unsuccessful.

POLICE BOOST HIGHWAY PATROL WITH 40 VEHICLES

As part of effort to intensify patrols along the nation’s highway, the Nigeria Police has commissioned Forty units of Toyota Hilux Patrol Vans and four specially fitted Crime Scene Investigation vehicles, for immediate deployment.

The vehicles which will be used primarily for the patrol of our highways are expected to fill the gap created by the recent dismantling of roadblocks by the Force, across the federation.

The IGP, while addressing officers and men of the Force during the commissioning ceremony, warned against any form of misuse of these vehicles, stressing that the vehicles must be used for the purposes for which they are deployed.

 He stated that the newly acquired vehicles are to reinvigorate the Police Highway Patrol Units nation-wide, to facilitate effective and efficient crime combat on the highways, enhance speedy response to distress calls along our highways and generally enhance the capacity of the Police to maintain a round-the-clock presence on our highways, in line with the IGP's concept of high visibility policing.

While appealing for the cooperation, support and understanding of the public in the war against crime and criminality, the IGP assured Nigerians that more vehicles will be deployed to the highways as soon as the Force acquires them. 

Police nab pastor, bricklayer with exhumed human skulls in Ogun

Ogun State Police  command has  arrested  Micheal Oyewole, 32, a  Pastor  and  Mathew Akinyode, 30, a bricklayer with two exhumed human skulls at Sabo in Abeokuta North Local Government area of the state.

Parading the two suspected ritualists at the command’s headquarters Eleweran, for exhuming human skulls around Sabo of Abeokuta, the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye disclosed that the accused committed the offence at about 12 a. m at Sabo Area of the metropolis.

According to him, "at about 12 00 hour, we got information about somebody who was digging a grave and we swung into action. He never knew that eagle eyes were watching him in the process of removing the corpse.

While speaking with pressmen, Akiode, who confessed to the crime and disclosed that he was contracted by the Pastor to fetch human skulls at the rate of N6,000 per skull. He, however attributed his attitude to the Nation’s economic situation.

 Pastor Oyewole who claimed to own a church-Ona Ara Mimo Cheruphim and Seraphim Church located at Olomore in the same Local Government and claimed to have only offered him bricklaying job, however denied the allegation, saying that he never sent Akiode to perpetrate the act.

Said  “I am man of God and pastor at Irewole Cherubim and Seraphim Church, car wash area. I only gave him bricklaying job and he charged N8,000 and I have paid him N2,000, remaining N6,000. I heal people with God’s name and not with human skull, his just telling lies and I don’t know what I have done to him Only God can save me now".

OBASANJO THRIVES ON ILLEGALITIES, SAYS OGUN PDP CHIEFTAIN KASHAMU

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has described ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo as a man who thrives on illegalities.

He also faulted claims that Obasanjo resigned as Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party to concentrate on international issues.

Kashamu spoke against the backdrop of the comments credited to the former President at a purported Ogun PDP stakeholders’ meeting held last weekend in Abeokuta, the state capital.

In a statement he issued yesterday, Kashamu said the Obasanjo’s statement was contradictory “in character, content and form”.

The statement reads in part: “This man thrives on illegalities. His statement is contradictory in character, content and form. Here is a man who told the whole world that he resigned his Chairmanship of the BoT to concentrate on international matters, yet he hosted and presided over a purported Ogun PDP stakeholders’ meeting without the validly elected State Executive Committee (Exco).

“In spite of his pretensions, by his conduct, he has shown that rather than be the father of all, he is the big masquerade behind the crisis rocking the Ogun PDP. It is befuddling how an otherwise elder statesman will reduce himself to a Lilliputian and local politician. Like his contemporaries elsewhere, he is supposed to be the rallying point for all Yoruba and a father figure for all Nigerians.”

Kashamu challenged the former President to point at what he did for the South-West, especially Ogun State in his over 11 years reign, adding: “Now, he goes about throwing his weight and over-bloated ego, hitting every object in sight in his desperate bid to ram his wishes down the throat of genuine and respectable leaders”.

He wondered why Obasanjo has continued to encourage illegalities and lawlessness within the the party by promoting one Dipo Odujinrin and his co-travellers as members of the State Exco of the party “when there are various subsisting court judgments validating the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Exco as the ONLY authentic organ of the party in the state.

The judgments of the Federal High Court, Lagos and Ogun State High Court in Suit Nos FHC/L/CS/347/12 and HCL/20/2012, delivered on the 27^th of April, 19^th of June and 3^rd August, 2012, affirming and re-affirming the Dayo-led Exco still subsist.”

Besides, the party financier said the various reports by the Congress Monitoring Committee of the party said the congresses purportedly held on July 28 and August 4, 2012, on the strength of which Obasanjo claimed to have produced an Exco for the state, were a hoax.

Kashamu described the admonition by Obasanjo that party members should abide by the party’s constitution as diversionary, adding:  “That advice should be for him because he has been the one flouting the party’s constitution on orderly transition of power and subservience to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. One wonders what kind of advice he would be giving on the international scene when he is the champion of illegalities.

What we are experiencing in Ogun State is a return to the era of impunity and lawlessness which was synonymous with the Obasanjo Presidency. And now, Olagunsoye Oyinlola is his point man. But thankfully, no one is above the law.”

He urged all lovers of democracy to rise up and prevent the breakdown of law and order in Ogun State “which the actions of the former President might engender”. 

THE RESIGNATION OF THE POWER MINISTER PROFESSOR BARTH NNAJI: A PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA (TUC)

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) this evening welcomes the news of the resignation of the Power Minister Prof. Barth Nnaji from the Federal Executive Council and its subsequent acceptance by the President; Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The Congress believes that this removes one of the basic obstacles to peace and Industrial harmony within the Power sector and sets in motion the desired ambience for the actualisation of real reforms in the sector which will be transparent and people driven.

It is our responsible opinion that the present reform in the sector is heavily tainted as Nigerian workers observed a prevalence of strong political interests in the mindless pursuit of the reform agenda under the former Minister. It is unfortunate that vested interests would drive the process of reforms in the power sector which will therefore not be in the overall interest of Nigerian workers and the masses in general.

We have always advocated the enthronement of citizen based policies and projects and that only the interest of Nigerians and Nigeria should be the centre point of all governmental effort but this has proven to be a mirage under the erstwhile minister.  That is why we frown at the fact that a Minister championing a reform in the power sector not only have controlling interest in some companies bidding to buy up some of the companies that have emerged from the unbundled PHCN but also owns companies who are major players within the Power Industry.

This is not only unethical but morally wrong and that is why we see his exit as a welcome development that would create a level playing field for all the participants in the Power sector thus enabling a more transparent, citizen based reform. It is unacceptable to allow the same group of Nigerians to continue using the instrument of their offices to enrich themselves and their cronies through the heartless recycling of our collective wealth into their private pockets.

It is this apparent less than acceptable ethical behaviour that has led to the unnecessary grandstanding and braggadocio with which the legitimate demands of PHCN workers to their severance package has been treated. We have always noted that public officers should conduct their affairs in an unimpeachable manner and it is only when there are grey areas in our conduct as public officers that we go out of our way to distort an obvious simple and beneficial process.

Prof. Barth Nnaji’s removal of himself from the Ministry will allow the President to replace him with individuals who understand the Job better and appreciates that workers remain the bedrock for a functional Power sector and deserve to be treated as such. This will allow for the immediate resolution of most of the crisis presently rocking the Sector. We urge the President to quickly look for such men and women and who we are sure abounds that can deliver Nigerian people from the clutches of darkness rather than engaging in fruitless chest trumping in the media.

However, Prof Barth Nnaji is not alone in this exercise of shameless pursuit of mundane and base interest within the federal cabinet. We believe there are others and we want to use this opportunity to call on such remaining officers both in the Federal Cabinet and Departments and Agencies to also find grace to remove themselves from office. This may give the President the required fillip to truly ventilate the federal Executive Council and bring a real bout of fresh air into his government.

We therefore urge all parties in the present negotiations in the Power sector to seize this opportunity to move quickly towards resolving all outstanding issues within the Power sector to show clearly that the Prof was actually one of the fundamental obstacles against peaceful resolution of the crisis in the Sector.

Comrade Peter Esele                                        Chief John Kolawole

(President General)                                           (Secretary General)

Telecommunication Sector Has Only Managed 60 Percent Penetration Of Nigerian Terrain Despite Perceived Success - Minister Of Communication Technology Omobola Johnson

The Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson on Tuesday, briefed the President on the performance of her Ministry posting an appalling 16 percent utilization of funds appropriated under the 2012 budget

Briefing newsmen at State House, Abuja after her session with the President Mrs Johnson also made some startling revelations about what was hindering ICT in Nigeria from attaining full potentials

The Communication Technology Ministry was created by President Jonathan last year to underscore the importance he places on this sector for transforming Nigeria into a major player on the globe 

But the slow pace of implementation of the 2012 budget shows anything but a Ministry ready to transform an economy as what was primed to be a presentation laced with technical jargon only revealed a Ministry that had largely under performed

Mrs Johnson explains that this is because of the complexity of the projects being implemented most of which will be completed next year and have been provided for in the 2013 budget

The Communications Technology Minister also corrects certain impressions about the telecommunications Industry noting that in spite of its seeming success it has only achieved sixty percent penetration of the country's terrain

She stresses that provision of infrastructure is the major problem in the industry and this is being addressed with a fund that has been put in place and emphasis on private sector participation

The Communications Technology Minister cleverly avoided answering questions about how much funds had accrued to the Federal Government coffers through charges, penalties and fees as if they did not form part of performance indicators 

The Communications Technology Minister is however confident that with the policies and delivery of sixteen projects currently under construction, there will be a dramatic transformation of ICT in Nigeria in the years to come

Oyo, Osun appoint Tinubu LAUTECH Chancellor

The governments of Oyo and Osun States have appointed former Lagos State governor and leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chancellor of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho.

This was contained in a statement issued in Ibadan by Dr. Festus Adedayo, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Media.

LAUTECH, a university jointly owned by the two state governments, was established by the old Oyo State in 1988.

According to the statement, the choice of Tinubu, a financial expert, accountant and administrator, was arrived at after extensive deliberations between the governments of the two owner-states.

The former Lagos State Governor is expected to bring his administrative ingenuity and vast experience in public management to bear on the running of the institution and reposition it to meet the standard of its peers all over the world.

NUPENG Suspends Strike

Respite has come the way of residents of the Federal capital Territory, Abuja, following the suspension of strike by Petroleum workers.

The weeklong strike had paralyzed economic activities in the FCT as cost of transportation went to an all time high.

 Tanker drivers are expected to have commenced lifting of the product following agreement reached by the workers and government officials.

EFCC Arraigns Two Starcomms Staff Over N28m Recharge Card Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, August 23, 2012 arraigned two staff of Starcomms Plc before a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan , Oyo State over recharge card scam to the tune of Twenty Eight Million Naira (N28, 000,000.00).

Joshua Ogunlowo Olugbenga and Akinleye Adeyemo, Starcomms’ Head of Administration and Accountant respectively, were arraigned before Justice O.A Boade on a five count charge bordering on intent to defraud and conspiracy to obtain Starcomms products by false pretence.

The accused persons allegedly conspired  to collect recharge cards worth Twenty Eight Million Naira only( N28,000,000.00) from Starcomms Plc for James Telecoms Nigeria Limited ( now at large) by falsely representing to Starcomms Plc that there was sufficient funds in the  company’s Fidelity Bank account. 

The two suspects pleaded not guilty to four of the five count charge when they were read to them. The fifth count, which affects four other suspects still at large, was not read. The suspects are James Telecoms Nigeria Limited, James Olaniyi, Akinrotimi Orobola and one Miss Bola.

Prosecution counsel, Kayode Oni urged the court not to admit the two accused persons to bail given the grievous nature of the alleged crime and the positions held by them in Starcomms.

 Counsel to the first accused, Kazeem A. Lawal prayed the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms. Peter Ubani, counsel to the second accused person, aligned his position with the submissions of the counsel to the first accused persons but urged the court to remand his client in EFCC custody should it defers ruling on the bail application.  

Justice Boade, after listening to all the submissions, adjourned the case to September 13^th, 2012, for ruling on the bail application and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Agodi prison, Ibadan 

ROAD TRAFFIC LAW: OPEIFA URGES MOTORCYCLE OPERATORS, PASSENGERS TO VOLUNTARILY COMPLY.

Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa has urged operators, riders and passengers of motorcycles popularly known as “Okada” to comply voluntarily with the provisions in the recently signed Road Traffic Law of Lagos State.

 Opeifa, made this known at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Transport, Alausa, during another stakeholders’ meeting with the transport unions and operators of the informal public transport in the State. He said that in spite of the signing of the new law by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and the massive enlightenment campaign embarked upon by the Government, it was disturbing that OKADA and motorcycles below 200cc still ply the restricted routes, including bridges and highways with impunity.

 He said that many innocent lives that could contribute meaningfully to the development of the State, and the Nation had been wasted as a result of accidents by motorcycles. He added that many children had become orphans, many wives had become widows while many husbands had also become widowers. While traffic congestion and delays continued to be compounded by the menace of Okada riders.

The Commissioner said that it was necessary for the operators, riders and passengers of motorcycles to voluntarily comply with the law as both riders and passengers could be culpable if found to have contravened the law.

 According to him, section 3 (6) of the law stipulates that where a rider is convicted for riding or driving on restricted routes, not wearing a standard protective crash helmet or carrying more than one passenger, carrying a pregnant woman, a child below the age of 12 years or an adult with a baby or heavy/large load placed on the head or acts which obstruct normal sitting on the motorcycle, the passenger shall also be liable to the same penalty.
Opeifa called on all motorcycle and tricycle operators to withdraw from plying the restricted routes as anyone found violating the law will be appropriately sanctioned.

The Commissioner, however, advised all unrecognized motorcycle associations in the State to affiliate with either the Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS) under the control of the National Union of Road Transport Workers Association (NURTW) or ANACOWA Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) as both MOALS of NURTW and ANACOWA of RTEAN are the only recognized motorcycle associations in the state.

 While assuring Lagosians of the State Government commitment to the safety of lives and property, Opeifa reiterated that the law was made in the interest of all, and it is aimed at reducing carnages on the roads. He added that of the 9, 100 roads in the State, only 475 roads were restricted after extensive consultations.

Some of the restricted routes for motorcycle and tricycle operations in the state include all the bridges, highways and dual carriage ways among others. Some of these include the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, Apapa – Oshodi Expressway, Oworonshoki – Oshodi Expressway, Lagos – Ikorodu Expressway, Funsho Williams Avenue, Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway, Third Mainland Bridge, Eti – Osa Lekki Expressway, Lagos – Badagry Expressway, Agege Motor Road, Alfred Rewane Road, Ahmadu Bello Way and Agege Motor Road among others.


Transport Unions and organized public transport operators in attendance include the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), City Bus Ltd, Cross country Ltd, Iseoluwa transport cooperative, BAMD Ltd; Cantonment Bus Co-operatives Shuttle, T & M Cooperatives, TW-NURTW cooperatives, Motorcycle Operators of Lagos State (MOALS) and ANACOWA Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association just to mention but few.

Lagos NUJ Flays Jonathan's Comments

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, yesterday faulted President Goodluck Jonathan’s comments on the assessment of his administration by the media.

Jonathan had on Wednesday in Abuja during the signing of Performance Contract Agreement by his Cabinet Ministers in Abuja said government would no longer rely on the performance assessment of its activities by the media, describing media as being bias and highly politicized.

According to the President, “Before, the media used to be the voice of the ordinary people, but now, the media is the voice of those, who own the media houses and those, who own the media houses have private jets and those, who have private jets are not ordinary people”.

Lagos State Council of the NUJ in its reaction described such statement as very unpresidential and unbecoming of a leader, who needs the inputs of the media to succeed.

In a press statement issued in Ikeja and signed by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Deji Elumoye and the Secretary, Comrade Sylva Okereke, the Council noted that was very unfortunate that the President would castigate the media, which brought him to limelight and has consistently been setting agenda for his administration to succeed, wondering why the President should be rail-roaded  into making such uncomplimentary remarks about the media.

“We expect the President to have the same impression of the media as the former President of America, Thomas Jefferson, who when even vilified by the media said, “If I had to choose between government without media and media without government, I would rather choose the latter”, the Council stated.

Like Jefferson, the Council believes that a well-informed public is the core value of any democracy, urging the President to embrace the media, if he wants to succeed and not to vilify it.

Lagos NUJ wondered what becomes of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the nation as amended, which mandated the media to hold public office holders like President Jonathan accountable, if his remarks were to be taken seriously.

The Council however noted that long before, during and after the nation’s Independence; the Nigerian media has been the voice of the voiceless, recalling that journalists had at the detriment of their lives fought against military rule in the country, which today brought democracy, which President Jonathan is one of the beneficiaries.

“It is very unfortunate that media, which is highly regarded as the fourth estate of the realm is treated like a second class citizen while the three other estates of the realms like the Executive, Judiciary and Legislatures have the budgets, adequate security as well as other paraphernalia of office, leaving the last fourth estate to wallow in abject poverty amid vilifications”, the Council stated.

Police Deny Its Alleged Rivalry With SSS, Insist On Prosecuting Comrade David Ugolo Over Alleged Murder Of Comrade Olaitan Ayorinde

Meanwhile, the Police have vowed to prosecute the Prime suspect, David Ugolo over the Murder of Comrade Olaitan Ayorinde who was the Principal Secretary to Edo State Governor

Briefing newsmen in Abuja, the Force Headquarters said the files emanating from the two separate investigations into the matter would be harmonized soon to allow for the prosecution of the suspects, adding that there is no rivalry between the two security agencies over the true identity of the killers of Ayorinde

The Inspector General of Police who was represented by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer dismissed Ugolo's claim that he was being detained and victimized by the police over his crusade for social justice

Suspects arrested and detained by the police in connection with the murder according to the Inspector General include: Comrade David Ugolo, Mohammed Baba Yelwa, Garuba Usman Maisamari, Danjuma Musa, Murtala Usman, Auta Umaru Ali and Moses Asama Okoro, revealing that Abubakar Lawal was arrested by the Police and handed over to the SSS

SSS hands over suspects to Police

As the controversy over the killing of former Principal Secretary of governor Adams Oshiomole lingers, the State Security Service has handed the six suspects earlier arrested to the Nigeria Police.

The SSS says the development was in line with regulations which requires the Police to prosecute armed robbery cases which the suspects have confessed to

Oyo ACN challenges Obasanjo to corruptibility debate against Lam

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State has challenged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to a public debate with its leader and former governor of the state, Alhaji Lam Adesina, on who was the most incorruptible, the most relevant to his immediate constituency, or even the course of democracy in Nigeria.

The party made this known in a release issued by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Dauda Kolawole, in reply to a statement credited to the former president demanding ex-Governor Adesina’s relevance while in office.

The ACN said that the former president was daily losing credibility in a country he administered twice in his lifetime, stating that this was a symptom of the “colossal deceit” of patriotism and incorruptibility that he made the world to believe were his moral credentials.

The party said that it was challenging the former president to disprove the claim that he is one of the richest Nigerians alive, stating that he should explain how he came about his colossal wealth while pretending to the whole world that he was frugal and above board.

“The same anti-corruption institutions established by Obasanjo were gaping with astonishing complicity while the regime he headed distributed billions of our hard-earned patrimony as graft to legislators to win a third term. It is a shame that, rather than act like a statesman and admit his complicit involvement in a project that would have burnt this whole nation but for the intervention of providence, Obasanjo has shamelessly denied that he held the patent of the shameless venture.

“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar first opened the lid of the character called Obasanjo. Through unassailable documents, he showed the whole world how corrupt the man who paraded the mantra of an incorruptible president was in purchasing cars for liaisons and cornering juicy contracts by proxy. Those allegations were never answered by our ‘incorruptible ex-president till today,” the ACN said.

While asking that Obasanjo should ask God for forgiveness for how he had deceived Nigerians and the international community thus far, the ACN said that the problems that have made Nigeria a pigmy in an international community of giants could not be divorced from the insincerity of the Obasanjo regimes (1976-1979) and (1999-2007) and his tendency to destroy even those he built.

“We challenge the former president to name an individual he built while in office who is still on the same page with him. He is like the typical Yoruba witch whom it is suicidal to do good. He takes a maniacal relish in destroying those who have done him good. Obasanjo has the proverbial character of the Greek god called Janus: His public portrayal and the person he is in his closet. There is no leadership calamity that has befallen this nation that you will not find Obasanjo’s callous imprimatur in it,” the party said.

The ACN said that it agreed with its leader, Alhaji Adesina, in his allegation that Obasanjo was complicit in the fate that has befallen the Lagos/Ibadan expressway.

“While he was president, the Yoruba nation lost in all respects, infrastructure and even socio-politics. The main roads in Yorubaland, one of which were the Lagos/Ibadan expressway, the Ibadan/Abeokuta road and several others were left undone by him. He hounded our best brains and industrialists like Mike Adenuga out of town and in spite of all these, his barren eight-year slot has become a vicarious liability for the people of Yorubaland,” the ACN said.

The party said that, comparatively, Alhaji Adesina has a huge following which is loyal to him and the party he heads, which is the ACN.

“While governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Adesina built human beings and structures in Oyo State which are still enduring till today. He is a known incorruptible man and has been living in his pre-governorship house for decades. We challenge Obasanjo to say the same of himself. We urge him to tell the whole world what happened at Transcorps and the power sector where his proxies looted our inheritance with rapacious abandon. We are persuaded that someday, and very soon too, posterity will make Obasanjo answer for all the colossal failures he inflicted on Nigeria as a leader, the fallout of which we are still battling today,” the ACN said.