Campaign funds: Jonathan’s minister returns N23m to FG

Adelani Adepegba and Eniola Akinkuotu

The Director of Finance of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman, has returned N23m to the Federal Government, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

President Jonathan

Usman was last Thursday arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly receiving N2.5bn which emanated from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

A reliable source at the EFCC told our correspondent on condition of anonymity that she had promised to return more funds.

“Nenadi Usman has been cooperating with us. In fact, she has returned N23m to the Federal Government,” he said.

Usman, who is being quizzed by the EFCC, told investigators that all she did was based on the instructions of Jonathan, adding that she did not know that the funds belonged to taxpayers.

According to the source, Usman told investigators that as the Director of Finance of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, she was asked to set up a bank account during the build-up to the election, which she did.

She allegedly said all donations were made to Jonathan’s campaign through Joint Trust Dimensions Nigeria Limited and it was through the said account that funds were released to all campaign directors, zonal coordinators and other related parties and groups which campaigned for the PDP.

It was through the same account that the Director of Publicity, Femi Fani-Kayode, was paid N840m. It was also through the same account that the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Chief Olu Falae, and Rashidi Ladoja, allegedly received N100m each.

Ex-political adviser to Jonathan, Prof. Rufai Alkali, who was the Coordinator of the Goodluck Support Group, allegedly collected N320m on behalf of the group while several governorship candidates of the PDP equally received money from the account.

However, the EFCC source said, “She told us that she did not know the funds belonged to the Federal Government. However, we asked her why she didn’t verify and also why didn’t she set up an account bearing the name of the PDP. Why did she use her company account if not that she wanted to keep things secret.”

Meanwhile, one of the campaign managers of Jonathan’s re-election campaign said the National Intelligence Agency was aware of the alleged diversion of funds from the CBN.

It was reported that N4bn was transferred from the account of the CBN into a mysterious account known as the Ministry of External Affairs Library before it was moved to an account known as Joint Trust Dimensions Nigeria Limited which is controlled by Usman.

However, the source said the account was set up by the NIA, which is under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

It was learnt that some officials of the NIA had been quizzed by the EFCC to explain why the account was set up.

A reliable source said, “During the build-up to the last elections, when monies were going to be diverted from the account of the CBN, the Ministry of External Affairs Library was set up with the connivance of officials of the NIA. It was done so that the transaction would seem as if the money was being transferred to a Federal Government account and it would not raise any red flags. The Permanent Secretary at the Villa then drew up a memo on the instructions of the President and the CBN deposited the funds into the account of the Ministry of External Affairs.

“From there, the money was paid into Joint Trust Dimensions Nigeria Limited, from where monies were sent to all stakeholders during the electioneering. Preliminary investigations however suggest that the Ministry of External Affairs Library does not even exist.”

From the Ministry of External Affairs Library, N2.5bn was transferred to Joint Trust Dimensions Nigeria Limited while N140m cash was allegedly paid into her Zenith Bank Account with number, 1000158311, domiciled on 7, Kachia Road, Kaduna.

In a related development, security experts have called for investigation into the alleged diversion of N4bn through the NIA.

A former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, said if it was true that the agency was used for money laundering, this means it had lost credibility.

“If they are using NIA for money laundering, it means it has lost credibility. If it was being used for money laundering, a crime against the nation, this means that NIA has totally lost credibility.”

Another security analyst, Max Gbanite, said it was unlawful for politicians to use an intelligence agency to divert public funds, adding that officers involved in the alleged crime should be interrogated and made to explain what transpired. “Politicians have been embezzling money before now, but if politicians used the NIA to divert money, it is criminal and the officers in the agency need to be interrogated,” Gbanite said.

Campaign funds: Jonathan’s minister returns N23m to FG

Jonathan endorses effort to end modern slavery

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday met with the founder of The Walk Free Foundation, a prominent anti-modern slavery body, Andrew Forrest, in efforts to promote liberty in Africa and other parts of the world.

The foundation, which publishes Global Slavery Index to increase awareness of the problem of modern slavery, is active in helping people caught up in modern slavery achieve their freedom.

Mr. Jonathan met with Mr. Forrest and his daughter, Grace, in New Jersey where he also endorsed their work in a video message.

The former president is chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, which is committed to spreading democracy and freedom throughout Africa.

Jonathan endorses effort to end modern slavery

Savings: I did not accuse Jonathan - Okonjo-Iweala

By Ehi Ekhator

The immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has debunked the widely misinterpreted statement credited to her concerning savings during her former boss, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

In a statement signed on Friday by her Media adviser, Paul C Nwabuikwu, the Minister denied indicting Jonathan and his administration under which she served.

Okonjo-Iweala had said that there was no political will to save in her second term as Finance Minister. She was quoted as saying ” This time round, and this is the key now, you need not only to have the instrument but you also need the political will. In my second time as a finance minister, from 2011 to 2015, we had the instrument, we had the means, we had done it before, but zero political will.”

In a reaction to the misinterpretation, the former minister said her statement was directed at the governors who opposed the idea and effort by the Jonathan’s government to save in the ECA and Sovereign Wealth Fund.

She said “Some recent media reports have distorted comments made by former Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala regarding how a lack of political will negatively impact national savings over the past few years.

Contrary to the slant given by these loud headlines, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala did not indict the Jonathan administration in which she served.

“Rather, she was referring to what many Nigerians already know: the strong opposition by some governors to the Jonathan government’s efforts to save in the Excess Crude Account and the Sovereign Wealth Fund sabotaged this important national priority.

“The governors’ criticism of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s many calls for the country to save for the rainy day are still fresh in the minds of Nigerians.

“It will be recalled that this opposition culminated in the Governors taking the Jonathan government to the Supreme Court in furtherance of their position that the Federal Government had no right to “compel” them to save.

“Several knowledgeable persons including former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi have confirmed these facts.

“So the issue of Okonjo-Iweala indicting the Jonathan administration over this very public issue simply does not arise.”

Supporters of the present administration had taken to the social media since the statement was released to buttress their earlier accusation that the last administration, under the leadership of Goodluck Jonathan, emptied the country coffers

Savings: I did not accuse Jonathan - Okonjo-Iweala

We had zero political will to save - Okonjo-Iweala

The immediate past Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Thursday, said lack of political will to save oil revenue under former President Goodluck Jonathan was responsible for the challenges facing the country presently.

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

She said, as a result, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund must seek means to embed savings in national constitutions devoid of political manipulations.

TheCable reported that Okonjo-Iweala spoke on the topic: ‘Inequality, growth, and resilience’ at George Washington University, United States of America.

The two-time minister recalled that Nigeria was able to save $22bn under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which she noted saved the country in 2008 during the global economic meltdown.

Citing the Chilean example, she said, “We tried it in Nigeria, we put in an oil price-based fiscal rule in 2004 and it worked very well.

“We saved $22bn because the political will to do it was there. And when the 2008/2009 crisis came, we were able to draw on those savings precisely to issue about five per cent of the Gross Domestic Product as fiscal stimulus to the economy, and we never had to come to the bank or the fund.”

She added, “This time round, and this is the key now, you need not only to have the instrument but you also need the political will. In my second time as a finance minister, from 2011 to 2015, we had the instrument, we had the means, we had done it before, but zero political will.

“So, we were not able to save when we should have. That is why you find that Nigeria is now in the situation it is in, along with so many other countries.”

On solving the problem of political will and manipulations, she said, “That is the question that I ask; what do we need to do to these countries to save over a period of long accelerated growth?

“We need to devise mechanisms, not just that are good technically but find a way to either embed them in the constitution or find a way to separate them from the political manipulation so that these countries can survive over time.

“To build resilience, African countries need tools and mechanisms, and it is doable and we need to interrogate ourselves why we have not done it.”

Okonjo-Iweala added that manufacturing was critical to growth in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, quoting manufacturing at just 11 percent of the continent’s Gross Domestic Product, and nine per cent in Nigeria.

“I do not believe that we can be resilient, except if we can encourage manufacturing, even on the goods we consume, services, entertainment industry and agriculture.

“I think these are the kind of questions that policymakers struggle with on a daily basis, and that is what we are going to answer to get resilience.

“If we don’t get these mechanisms, we politicise them, find ways to transform the base of the economy and create jobs, including in manufacturing, I believe we are going to go into this looming deceleration that is being talked about.”

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, on Thursday urged the Federal Government to seek help from international institutions, including the IMF, on the Nigerian economy as the sharp drop in oil price continued to batter Africa’s largest economy.

Speaking at the IMF in Washington DC, United States, Lagarde said Nigeria needed to be open-minded on foreign exchange and swiftly approve the 2016 budget.

She said, “Our recommendation is that Nigeria seeks help from the international institutions that can best help

“Second, that Nigeria is open-minded in using flexibility of the exchange rates in order to absorb some of the shocks. We believe that this is more efficient than to have a list of products that are barred from being imported to the country.

“Third, we believe that it is really important that the budget be completed, decided and approved, and we stand ready to help Nigeria if it wants to seek our help.”

Lagarde, who was in the company with the IMF First Deputy Managing Director, David Lipton, and spokesperson, Gerry Rice, also called on Nigeria to diversify its economy, adding that oil prices might be low for longer.

TheCable quoted her as explaining, “I believe, having visited Nigeria in January, that it is also really important that the country looks at diversifying its economy, because it cannot rely exclusively on commodity prices only, particularly oil, because it might very well stay low for longer.

“Nigeria is full of energy, smart people, and can really transform some of its activities, including the agricultural sector, where there is just too much by way of imports, when there could be a lot of transformation in Nigeria and local consumption.”

She also spoke on the viral revelations by the Panama Papers, calling for international cooperation, while assuring the world that the IMF would be “happy” to play a role in resolving such worldwide issues.

Lagarde reiterated that countries must reinforce their commitment to durable global growth and employ a more potent policy mix.

“A three-pronged approach with monetary, fiscal and structural actions can work as a virtuous trinity, lifting actual and potential growth, averting recession risks, and enhancing financial stability,” she said.

Many local and international economic experts have called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to adopt a realistic exchange rate by adjusting the value of the naira against the US dollar.

The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said Nigeria needed to adopt an exchange rate policy, as the current approach was not sustainable in the long run.

“Rationing the forex and refusing to adjust the exchange rate peg is a slow but painful death approach to currency policy. The approach we are adopting will continue to inflict problems on our factories and companies,” the Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, said.

Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa Limited, an investment bank and research firm, said the naira started falling drastically at the parallel market when the CBN introduced foreign exchange restrictions.

They argued that there was a need to review the list of the items banned from the official forex market.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that he will not devalue the naira, saying he saw no benefit that such an endeavour would bring to the poor.

We had zero political will to save - Okonjo-Iweala

Alleged N400m fraud: Jonathan asked Metuh to submit his company’s account — Witness

ABUJA — The embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday, opened his defence to the seven-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him.

President Jonathan

In a bid to establish his innocence, Metuh, who is facing trial alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited, over alleged N400 million fraud, produced his first witness to testify before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The witness, DW-1, Mr. Ike Abonyi, who identified himself as a journalist and Media Consultant to the PDP, narrated before the court, events that led to the alleged transfer of N400 million into Metuh’s company account, prior to the 2015 presidential election.

Abonyi, who said he was part of the media team engaged to help and “repackage the battered image of the PDP,” told the court that he attended the meeting where former President Goodluck Jonathan directed Metuh to submit his corporate account for money to be “dropped” into it to enhance campaign activities of the party.

Led in evidence by Metuh’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, the witness said ex-President Jonathan gave the directive after he watched a presentation that was made by a team of media experts constituted by Metuh to launder his image before the general election.

He said the team was headed by the Managing Director of a public relations firm, CNC Connect, Mr. Yomi Badejo. Abonyi told the court that Jonathan was moved to act after the team, during its presentation, informed him that his public image was in bad shape.

He said the candid appraisal of the image of the ex-President by his team did not go down well with the then media aide to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, who he said took it as an indictment on his office.

Party members present

According to the witness, some senior members of the party, who were present at the meeting when Jonathan demanded the account number, included the then Vice President Namadi Sambo, then Senate President David Mark and former National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.

Others were former Governors of Cross River and Anambra States, Liyel Imoke and Peter Obi, respectively, as well as media aides to the President, Dr. Abati and Chief Doyin Okupe.

The witness’ testimony

The witness said: “The team, anchored by CNC Connect, preferred some strategies and after rehearsals and testing, we all agreed that we have a good product to present and Chief Metuh said he would wait for clearance from the Presidential Villa for a date for the presentation.

“One afternoon, he told me that he just received a call from the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, that the President would be ready for the presentation that night.

“All the other members of the team were resident in Abuja except the company, CNC connect, which was based in Lagos.

“He called MD of the firm to take next available flight for the presentation. Because he was already expecting the appointment, Yomi took the next available flight and came in around 6pm.

“Because he was coming from Lagos, other members of the team went with one vehicle while Metuh carried Badejo. “At the villa, only Metuh’s car was allowed to go in, but they waited for us to be cleared by the security.

“After then, we were ushered to a waiting room. Metuh left us and entered the inner room. Fifteen minutes later, he came and called us and we entered inside a very large parlour with the President seated, the Vice President, Senate President, Chairman of the party, then governor of Cross River, Imoke, then governor of Anambra State, Obi and some media aides to the President, Dr. Ruben Abati and Doyin Okupe.

The presentation

“We sat down, after a while, the President said ‘Olisa where are your men?’ and he called us up and the MD of CNC Connect was the first to speak for the team and we went there with a projector and demonstrated the strategies without a microphone.

“After the presentation, the President requested for comments from other members of the team. After our comment, he said jokingly that we were too hard on him. “But we made it clear that his image was in bad shape and that he himself was not helping the matter with the way he was acting.

Abati reacts “At a point Abati, who saw our presentation as an indictment on him, told the President that the situation was not as bad as we tried to portray it. But the President overruled him.

“After the presentation as well as that of others, including ones from Abati and his team, Okupe and his team and other professionals brought in by politicians, the President asked for comments. Those with him said they were impressed with what we did.

“I recall vividly, comments by former governor of Anambra, who told the President that if what we presented is achievable, that we should be mobilised before the President starts his campaign.

“He said if not, it will be difficult to win the election because of public perception at that time.

“The President then said since it appeared consensual, that Metuh and his team did a better job, he would advise that all the others collapse into the team, but he would want the consultant to provide the direction.”

While being cross-examined by EFCC lawyer, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, the witness said he was not aware if the money was released to Metuh by the former NSA, Dasuki.

Meantime, trial Justice Okon Abang, yesterday, fixed April 20 for counsel to Metuh’s firm, Chief Tochukwu Onwugbufo, SAN, to cross-examine the witness.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/alleged-n400m-fraud-jonathan-asked-metuh-submit-companys-account-witness/

Alleged N400m fraud: Jonathan asked Metuh to submit his company’s account — Witness

Ijaw youths threatens fire if EFCC arrests Jonathan

The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is laying a foundation for the arrest of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

President Jonathan

The IYC, however, advised the anti-graft agency to shelve any plan to “persecute” the former President, insisting that such a move would spell doom for the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday to mark the burial of a former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the IYC President, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, said most of the close allies of Jonathan had been arrested by the EFCC.

He particularly condemned the recent arrest and detention of Jonathan’s cousin and contractor, Mr. Robert Azibaola, over an alleged $40m contract fraud.

Eradiri said Ijaw youths would not allow Azibaola, Jonathan or any rising Ijaw leader to be persecuted by the EFCC, the way the Federal Government dealt with the late Alamieyeseigha.

He said, “They have arrested almost all our people. Azibaola was arrested by the EFCC and we are calling on the EFCC to stop persecuting him further and charge him to court if there are issues.

“They detained him for a long time, forcing him to make statements to indict former President Jonathan. Azibaola is a businessman, a contractor, and has the right, like every other Nigerian, to get contracts. Why will the Niger Delta case be a different one?

“We noticed that the same way they persecuted Alamieyeseigha has continued. After Goodluck Jonathan, our people who contributed to that administration, are being persecuted by this government.

“The recent one is the ploy to arrest Goodluck Jonathan, which is unfolding every day. This must stop. Goodluck Jonathan is the most performing President that Nigeria has ever had. We are proud of him.

“Everyday, there is a calculated attempt to whittle down the achievements of former President Jonathan. We call on Nigerians to mount pressure on the government to focus on leading Nigeria right rather than looking for ways to bring down the achievements of Jonathan.

“Buhari should please focus on governance rather than persecution of people who have added value. We are not happy about it and today, we use Alamieyeseigha’s death as a point of contact. The world has seen that from Alamieyeseigha, it has trickled down to all the Niger Delta people.”

Speaking on the alleged removal of 10 per cent community equity from the new Petroleum Industry Bill, Eradiri asked the government to do the needful.

He added that the Federal Government ought to have known that community ownership would ameliorate the years of crises in the Niger Delta region.

The IYC President added, “For us, we will not beg for it. We will not even lobby anybody. The oil is our oil and we will take it. If they like, they should put it, if they don’t like, they should leave it. We expect that this country should have commonsense by including community participation.

“In the issue of pipeline surveillance, this 10 per cent would have covered pipeline surveillance. Once the people know that they have 10 per cent in this business, they will protect it.”

Ijaw youths threatens fire if EFCC arrests Jonathan

I’m shocked when I read negative things about Jonathan – Oritsejafor

Outgoing President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, speaks with NOSA AKENZUA on his relationship with former President Goodluck Jonathan, the controversial Religious Bill of Kaduna State, succession in CAN and other issues

Ayo oritsejafor

As you round off your tenure as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, how far have you gone with the preparation to leave office?

There is nothing I have to prepare other than to do my handover notes.

The CAN appears disunited given the acrimony and mistrust being displayed by members of the association in the build-up to the May election. Is anything being done to put the house in order?

You are trying to get me to talk but I will not talk because I have decided not to talk. It’s my decision. The only thing I will say to you is that by the grace of God, in a few months’ time, I would have completed my mandate from God and man to lead the Christians in Nigeria. By the grace of God, I want to also believe that CAN will still be there as an organisation that has five blocks, five groups of Christians and it will continue from there. I think I have done my best and played my part and I’m sure others will come and take it from there. I pray for them that they will do better than I did in Jesus name. What we must do is what many people have said and have continued to say. First of all, we must move closer to God because one’s knowledge of God affects one’s mentality; it affects one’s relationship with others. Some people may not understand this but there’s a difference between being religious and being close to God. One can be very religious and yet far away from God. Nigeria is a very religious country but are we really close to God? I think it’s a question we need to answer as individuals and collectively as a people.

If we are not, then the foundation is not very good. We need to be close to God. To me, that’s the number one thing. If we are close to God, then we have the most important ingredient that will propel us for tomorrow. If we are close to God then it sharpens our minds and capacity to handle things that will come up tomorrow. I was saying in the church, ‘I went to Israel, and I met a Jew. We were in a bus together. I asked him a question thus: ‘God said I will take you to a land flowing with milk and honey. I’ve come to Israel several times and I’ve found out that this land is a desert. Where is the milk and honey?’ And he said to me, ‘it is here’ (pointing to his head). He said the milk and honey that God was talking about was not necessarily the land. He (GOD) was saying that there was a location where I would want you to settle down and I will use your mind to change the location.

My point is, what will make Nigeria manifest its greatness is in our heads because wealth is not money but mental capacity. God did not make any human being without giving them the capacity to think and create. Look at what they (the Israelites) have done with a desert; they turned a desert to a blossoming land. Most of the flowers that are supplied around the world today come from Israel. A lot of agricultural products today come from Israel. These do not exclude technology and computer. If all these can happen from a desert, imagine what will happen from a land that is this fertile.

Kidnapping is now a common thing even in the church. What does this development portend for Nigeria?

It is unfortunate that we are having this kind of problem because most places of religious gathering, particularly of the Christian faith, are seemingly reducing their faith to commercials. So many people think they have money and most of them live a flamboyant lifestyle. As such, the kidnappers mistake them for money men but there is nothing there. The kidnappers would be kept at bay if they stopped preaching prosperity and allowing dirty money to go into the church coffers. I also think the church is losing its moral values. The values are disappearing gradually. We should preach values and not materialism. I think the churches themselves should look inwards and correct the poor impression they are giving people outside that there is money in the church, whereas there is none.

Do you believe certain ills in the church attract this worldly conduct?

Where is the place of business in the church? I think the problem we have in the church is that a lot of these pastors are not “men of God” as they were not called. They are mercenaries, commercially minded people. The duty of the church is to preach morality not materialism and because Nigerians are very gullible; they are easy victims of deceit. They fall prey to some of these pastors or prophets of doom. The way they live gives a wrong impression of what should be in a church of God. There should be no room for material possessions. I am not saying a man of God should not live a life of comfort but it should be a life of good comfort.

How would you describe your relationship with former President Goodluck Jonathan?

I’m often shocked to read on the pages of newspapers negative reports about him (Jonathan). Goodluck Jonathan is my son and he is still my son. He meant well for the nation and he did his best, but if critics say he was bad; I don’t know the parameter they measured that with. It is unfortunate that Nigeria’s governance speaks different processes, especially those termed to have failed. Nigerians see that as an avenue to pour out their anger, insults and others. Goodluck Jonathan did his best to fix Nigeria but sabotage swung into action to ensure he did not succeed. It is laughable to read so many negative and unfounded stories about him. However, he had played his role as President and the rest is history. Our relationship is still cordial and as a leader of a church, I’m the father of all.

What is your take on the Kaduna State bill against public preaching?

Governor Nasir el-Rufai has seemingly taken the wrong step. He should call a meeting of all the stakeholders in that state with respect to religious activities before rushing to the state Assembly for any bill. Be that as it may, we have to be very careful if there is any bill intended to wear religious colouration. When Sharia was introduced into this country we were lucky to have a Christian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who tamed it. Nigeria would have been engulfed by the conflagration. Sharia would have been misunderstood. There are already enough laws in the statue book that take care of what Governor El-Rufai has in mind. I have no objection if he wants to curb noise pollution in the name of religion. I quite agree if this is the basis. But in a situation where it is meant to tackle extremism, libel, sedition, incitement and more, there are enough laws in our statute book for this. Doing otherwise is not good for him. I have tremendous respect for him for he was the person bold enough to say that there should be no more street begging. Yes, that was a sensible thing because even in the Islamic countries such is not allowed.

What about President Muhammadu Buhari?

I thank God for all that has happened. Nigeria is at present undergoing processes with a view to improving the economy and wellbeing. I am glad with the slogan ‘change’, but we must pray hard for the manifestation of the change. President Buhari has the integrity of no food for lazy persons. It is okay but we must make moves for consistent prayers for him to succeed, Nigeria is our noble country, we must salvage it together consistently with prayers. Buhari’s reformation should be holistic and not targeted at particular persons or sectors. It is a welcome development to fix Nigeria as a noble country. Buhari’s polices may be too hard for Nigerians but with time they (the policies) will pave way for true democracy, Buhari should keep Nigerians abreast with the economic reform policies and ensure they are well structured.

What is your opinion on the current fuel scarcity?

It is a phase and it will fizzle out in no distant time. I want to charge the petroleum saboteurs to steer clear off their illicit activities and ensure that fuel crisis is a permanent thing of the past. Nigeria desires the best as a nation and all hands must be on deck for prayers for all to overcome.

Are religious groups doing enough at this critical period?

God is the only way to solving problems. Human beings are only being used by God, therefore, the religious groups are doing their best to bring to this country hope that peace will continue to reign. Except there are contrary views I don’t know about, I know that God will not abandon this country Nigeria. He will ensure evils do not exist to create problems. In a few months away from now, we will be celebrating the 56th anniversary of our independence from the British colonialists. In fact, we observed the last anniversary with mixed feelings but we are grateful to God for keeping us as one entity despite the whole lot of problems that had plagued our country Nigeria. I know Nigeria will attain a leading role in taking care of her well being. Like I said earlier, we must work together. Today, many nations exhibit high talent for digital technology but our own country, Nigeria is seemingly burdened with the relics of  an improvident past, a confused present and an uncertain future languidly crawling behind, while leaders of many nations have attained very high level of success in the provision of sound and functional education, and social infrastructure for their citizenry, our own political leaders whose only opinions and views cut ice in the affairs of our nations could not see any reason good enough for schools being adequately funded for optimal result. Neither do they consider other Nigerians worthy enough to enjoy a better life.

In the lexicon of this privileged few who manage our collective patrimony, what’s sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander. That is why they do not feel awkward about the fact that they and their loved ones protected by God should express their thanks to God. I have seen that the poor masses are left at the mercies of armed robbers, kidnappers and terrorists but God will intervene.

I’m shocked when I read negative things about Jonathan – Oritsejafor

I won"t disappoint you - Buhari tells frustrated Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday told Nigerians that he was feeling their pains saying that mutterings about the new administration being a scam was far fetched, saying that the one-chance scammers have been driven out of town.

General Buhari

The president spoke at the Vanguard Personality Award ceremony in Lagos where he was jointly honoured with his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Personality of the Year Award, 2015.

Buhari’s call for increased confidence in his administration came as Jonathan praised all Nigerians for contributing to the successes of the elections that characterised his time in office. Yesterday’s award ceremony which also witnessed awards of Governor of the Year to Governors Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Kashim Shettima of Borno, Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun and Ibrahim Damkwambo, Gombe saw a melting of the political and cultural differences that shape the country.

Various cultural displays intermingled within and outside the Ekpo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites that was the venue of the award ceremony.

Also honoured yesterday with life time achievement awards were former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, Mrs. Nike Akande, chairman of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Otunba Sobunmi Balogun and Senator David Dafinone.

Also honoured yesterday was Mr. Jim Ovia, the chairman of Zenith Bank plc as businessman of the year while Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was honoured with the Hero of Democracy award.

Leading lights in politics and the professions were present at the ceremony yesterday among whom were Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State. Yesterday’s award ceremony elicited measured response from the audience when the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle embraced his predecessor, Aremo Segun Osoba twice.

He first embraced him just before the commencement of the ceremony and after he picked up his award. Yesterday’s award ceremony was flagged off at 7.30 p.m with opening remarks presented by the General Manager/Editor in Chief of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye who referenced the award as the epitome of recognition to men and women of excellence in the professions.

Following him the chairman of the ceremony, Oba Otudeko described the award ceremony as one of the most auspicious events of the year. He praised the exemplary efforts of the awardees in their various endeavours. In his speech, President Buhari who was represented by the minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to tell our compatriots that this Administration is keenly aware of the difficulties they are facing at this time, resulting mostly from the fuel scarcity, poor power supply, inflation etc.

“As a government that was propelled into office by the power of the people, we cannot but feel the pains of our compatriots, and we deeply empathise with them. We are working round the clock to ease the pains of Nigerians, and the efforts of the government have started yielding fruits as we seek to make the petroleum products available nationwide, restore gas supply to the power generating firms, reflate the economy and put Nigerians back to work.

“We understand that Nigerians have started questioning whether this indeed is the CHANGE they voted for, while some have even gone as far as saying that by voting for our party, Nigerians have entered one chance.

“Well, I can tell Nigerians that our CHANGE AGENDA is real, and that indeed, they will get the change they voted for. Nigerians have not entered One Chance, because the One Chance drivers and their conductors have been driven out of town.

“While we cannot but provide context for the challenges being faced by our countrymen and women today, in the sense that it has taken years of mismanagement, corruption and inefficiency to get to this sorry pass, we make no excuses. After all the people voted for us so we can correct the mistakes of the past and enthrone good governance. We are doing just that. But we want our compatriots to realize that 16 years of rot cannot be cleaned up overnight. It is much easier to destroy than to build. But we are determined to rebuild our country and to make life more abundant for our people.

“Change is a process, and that process has begun. We commend Nigerians for their perseverance. We urge them not to lose their confidence in the ability of this Administration to bring about the much-needed change.

The pains of today are temporary, and will soon give way to abundance joy as we put our country firmly on the path of sustainable growth and development.”

The president also lauded what he described as the salutary role of the media in the development of the country’s democracy. I’m not finished with my work for Nigeria – Jonathan

I won"t disappoint you - Buhari tells frustrated Nigerians

I’m not finished with my work for Nigeria – Jonathan

Dr Jonathan, who was represented by a former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye apologised for Jonathan’s inability to be present for the award.

President Jonathan

Adeyeye said “he is unable to come and personally receive this award because as many of you may know, today is the burial of Dr Alamiyeseigha, the former governor of Baylesa State, who was at one time, his boss.

Therefore, he sent his unreserved apology particularly to Uncle Sam and to the management of Vanguard newspapers.”

Speaking further, he said: “He has asked to me also congratulate his fellow recipients particularly President Muhammadu Buhari and other recipients. President Ebele Goodluck Jonathan is a man of history and I believe that whatever we are celebrating now, is not the final verdict, we will leave that to history because all these emotional things that we display, when a man is in office or after leaving office, are better judged by history. I believe Jonathan will be given a better verdict by history.

“He says I should tell everybody that he is not yet finished with his good works in Nigeria, he has left office but he is not tired and therefore, he said I should announce to this audience that very soon, he will be launching his foundation. That foundation will enable him render services, not only to the people of Nigeria but to humanity. His view concerning this award, to those who are his friends on Facebook, he has a message.”

Reading Jonathan’s Facebook message, he said “I thank the editorial board of Vanguard newspapers for honoring me as their Personality of the Year 2015. I believe that the people of Nigeria are more deserving of the honour than me. I am thus dedicating this award to my country men and women, may God bless Nigeria.”

National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aiswaju Bola Tinubu, represented by Mr Dele Alake expressed gratitude for the award bestowed on him but expressed optimism that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

His words: “first of all, I must express my gratitude to Vanguard for choosing to recognise him for this award. He has asked me to express apologies and extend all courtesies to those who deserved them, for his inability to be physical present here for circumstances beyond his control because he is not in Nigeria at the moment. He actually sent a message to me saying that he knew that he should be here as a member of the Vanguard family and as an associate of Uncle Sam himself, who is one of our icons in the journalism profession.” Alake, a former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, said Tinubu saw the award as a challenge for him.

Jonathan, a national hero–Amuka Chairman of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Sam Amuka commended President Jonathan for conceding the 2015 presidential election describing him a national hero.

Amuka said “This is an interesting occasion. This award is special in the sense that it represents one singular action which has changed a man’s state. Whatever one may say of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, that moment during the elections, when he decided to call President Buhari and congratulate him conceding defeat, made him a national hero.”

Recalling the tension that preceded the 2015 general elections, Amuka commended Jonathan for helping to avert crisis.

He said: “Many of us would have forgotten the tension that this country was in during the elections, we have also forgotten the bitterness of the election but before the election itself, this country was almost in turmoil. A slight fight could have ignited fire and blood-letting but for many of us, it was divine intervention that caused President Goodluck Jonathan to do what he did and that is what we are recognizing here tonight for a man who deserves to be acknowledged by Nigerians as a national hero. That has made him a statesman.”

I’m not finished with my work for Nigeria – Jonathan

Memo to ‘Buharists’ and ‘Jonathanians’

I regret that I finally have to validate the ridiculous “Jonathanian” and “Buharist” mentality today. The truth is, I detest using such tags on people. Since the folly of political polarity gripped our country just before the 2015 elections, I have refrained from lumping people together with labels like “Buharist”, “Jonathanian”, “Hailers or Wailers” and others with which people have been stuck. I do just think that these names are derogatory; they also detract from the essence of democratic citizenship, in my opinion.

Jonathan and Buhari

But then, today’s shift is not without reason. Granted, nationals are bound with the duty of supporting their democratic leaders, but a particular group of Nigerians have elected to take their support for the President Muhammadu Buhari administration beyond the normal demands of citizenship.

With this set of people, it is impossible for the President or his administration to do any wrong. Now, I concede the right to beatify any human being by anyone who so desires, what I find objectionable are the mindless attempts to disrupt contrary arguments without regard to their soundness.

While people are entitled to choose blind loyalty, they trample on the rights of others when they interrupt their positions and attribute every point that disagrees with their own as either sponsored or unpatriotic. You are then forced to ask yourself if these folks have a good grasp of what loyalty to country is.

The piece on this column last week would, for example pass as one of the most constructive pieces of advice a citizen could offer his leader. Titled, “Mr. President, you do not have three more years,” the piece merely drew the President’s attention to how ill-advised it would be for him to imagine that he had three years to impact on Nigerians. I stressed the point that politicians are not in the habit of suspending their ambitions on the score of national service and that from about the end of 2017, the President might find no one but himself willing to till the ground, working single mindedly, for Nigeria.

Some supporters of the President took offence! Describing the intervention as another link in the long chain of anti-Buhari sentiments, most of the responders are wont to dismiss even the most objective assessment of the government.

And so it has become difficult to evaluate the performance of Nigerian leaders without incurring the wrath of some people who fervently hold on to their belief in the infallibility of certain men.

The tendency to suspend reason is not peculiar to those who support the President, although they are more easily irritable given the growing disenchantment of Nigerians with the administration.  Some of them speak more eloquently in defence of the government than those who are even paid to do the job. But the supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan are no less obstinate and caustic in their reaction to issues that concern the Buhari administration. The arguments on either side being still hot and divisive as it were before the election of March 2015!

There are all sorts of blind accusations and partisan affection in the appraisals of public issues and discourses. If you dare to support a good policy of the Buhari administration no matter how rich, deep and utilitarian that may be, you are a labelled a supporter of  the All Progressives Congress the same  way commentators are considered  looters in the ilk of the Peoples Democratic Party folks if you speak in defence of Jonathan.

The capacity of our people to remain static on these lines of affiliations, not reconsidering at any time, is almost sub-human to be honest. After all, aren’t human beings said to be endowed with the ability to see issues from different points of view? How is it that people make up their mind not to ever see a good point reevaluate no matter what they see?

Twelve months after the last elections and 11 months into the new government, these opinionated political observers find currency in our offices, social media platforms, social events, intellectual communities, market places and even worship centres. There is never an end to the strife.

Unfortunately, for the mass of the people who ignorantly draw blood in furtherance of these divisions and in protection of their own perception, the beneficiaries of these bickering have always been our political and bureaucratic elite, those who feed fat on our divides, who see opportunistic advantage worthy of perpetual exploitation in the way we see ourselves and they do everything to lead us on.

For themselves, the rich and the powerful very often collapse these artificial divisions whose relevance find expression only for the purpose of advancing theirpersonal and political interests. They are at home amongst one another while on first class flights to all corners of the world and when giving their children in marriages across ethnic, social and political divides.

Sadly, it is the same people who are victims and objects of elite political conspiracies, who are unable and, in many instances, incapable of discerning elite motives which have been the basis of our national gloom and underdevelopment.

Yet, these same people are the engine room upon which democratic growth can be built, even if Nigerians, both government and the governed do not seem to understand this. While government still treats citizens like some hirelings who have no say in the matter, the people, possibly due to the deferential values in our culture, largely see government in the image of a father, who should not be criticised or provoked to offence. This is the reason why instead of holding people in government accountable, we treat them with awe and allow them to run riot on us.

Nigerians have for example, suffered, and even been traumatised by a series of deprivations over the last couple of days but we still have people who defend a government which has not found sufficient reasons to explain the problems and what it is doing about them to the people. Some of the hardline supporters of the government insist that it is premature to even blame the government for anything since the immediate past administration is credited with a lot of malfeasance.

We however fail to accept that while politics and political parties may come in different colours and shades, good governance bears no vagueness and most Nigerians who complain, only desire a change in the quality of their lives.  And if government cannot, for any reason deliver that to them at any time, such a government must communicate its limitations to the people, empathise with them, advise them on the fleeting nature of the challenge and then carry them along every step of the resolution of the issues. Any government who fails to do this deserves immediate reprimand from every Nigerian of good conscience.

We should all note that the Buhari administration presents another opportunity for Nigeria to take its place in the comity of nations. I am of the opinion that missing this opportunity to set Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth may be a fatal wound to the development of Nigeria and it is only the watchfulness of the citizenry that would get us there.Should we continue with this election hangover as we have carried on in the last one year, citizenship would be greatly hampered, democracy itself would be in danger and good governance would suffer immeasurably?

To promote a representative republic, we need to refine, deepen and elevate the level of national discourse for nothing provides the safeguards and protection for the people other than eternal vigilance and citizens’consciousness against the partisan and opportunistic tendencies of men in power.

Above all, we must realise that all of us are in a race, not against ourselves, but against the rest of the world, most of which goes on advancing the frontiers of development while we are here tearing ourselves apart. Government is not our father, we elected them to serve us and we must all come together to support, support not meaning docile. We should insist that they deliver on their promises to us, no matter what our political sentiments are. That is the way to move Nigeria forward.

Memo to ‘Buharists’ and ‘Jonathanians’

EFCC arrests Jonathan’s cousin for $40m contract scam

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested the Managing Director of Katakar Civil Engineering Company, Mr. Azibaola Robert, and an Executive Director of the company, Mr. Dakoru Atukpa, over a $40m pipeline contract.

EFCC

The contract, it was learnt on Wednesday, was awarded by the Office of the National Security Adviser under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

Robert, who is a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has, however, described his arrest as a witch-hunt, insisting that the contract was transparent.

Our correspondent learnt that the arrest of Robert and Atukpa was sequel to a list sent to the EFCC by a committee set up by the Federal Government to probe contracts awarded by the ONSA from 2011 to 2015, which indicted more than 300 companies and prominent citizens, including serving and retired officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

It was learnt that the EFCC, on March 23, 2016, arrested Robert and Atukpa on the allegation of diversion of $40m public funds through Oneplus Holdings, a sister company of Kakatar Construction and Engineering Company Limited.

Oneplus Holdings is among the 300 firms under investigation by the Federal Government.

The spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told our correspondent that the arrest was not a witch-hunt, alleging that the suspects received $40m from the ONSA for a dubious contract to supply “tactical equipment”.

Uwujaren said, “This is not a witch-hunt. He (Robert) is not Jonathan’s only cousin. The truth of the matter is that they are being held for a $40m contract he received from the ONSA. The mandate for the payment read, ‘Purchase of Tactical Equipment for Special Forces’.

“Two days after their arrest, they were offered bail. The condition was that the sureties must be on the level of civil service directors and a N250m bank guarantee. They must also have landed properties in Abuja and provide tax evidence of two years. But they could not meet up.

“So, the EFCC went to court for a remand order. They are being held pending the conclusion of investigation.”

However, the suspects, who spoke through their lawyer, Gordy Uche (SAN), alleged that the real target was Jonathan.

Uche said the contract was transparent, adding that the Federal Government still owed his clients $4m as the balance of the contract sum for successfully securing oil pipelines.

He told the commission to either charge his clients to court or release them on bail.

Uche added, “My client is being persecuted and punished because of his DNA, as a relative of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

“We have a civil dispute and then you turn round to lock up the party with whom you have a dispute.

“Then, you went ahead to give him impossible bail conditions: Two serving federal directors, each with properties in Maitama or Asokoro and original of their Certificates of Occupancy. The four directors are also required to present bail bonds of N250m each from reputable banks. Robert and Atukpa are also required to deposit their passports.”

EFCC arrests Jonathan’s cousin for $40m contract scam

EFCC probes 100 pro-Jonathan groups over N320m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has traced N320m to the account of the Goodluck Support Group, a collation of campaign groups, driving former President Goodluck Jonathan’s bid for the 2015 presidential poll.

EFCC

The group, which coordinated over 100 pro-Jonathan groups during the electioneering, was headed by Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Prof. Rufai Alkali.

The money, it was learnt, emanated from the account of the Central Bank of Nigeria and was distributed to the group.

A source at the EFCC, who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorised to speak, said the money emanated from the CBN’s account and went into the account of the Ministry of External Affairs Library, from where it was moved into the account of the Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited.

“It was from the Joint Dimension’s account with Zenith Bank that the money was shared to various individuals and organisations for purposes that are not stated,” the source said.

The JTDNL account was coordinated by the Director of Finance of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Nenadi Usman.

Usman, a former minister, who the commission accused of collecting N36.9m through her Zenith Bank account no. 1000158311, is said to be in the United States.

All attempts to reach Alkali proved abortive as his two telephone sets indicated that they were switched off.

He did not also respond to an SMS sent to the sets.

Efforts to get Usman did not succeed as her mobile equally indicated that it was switched off, while she had yet to respond to a text message sent to her telephone as of the time of writing this report.

However, a reliable source within the party told our correspondent that the money was approved by the Presidency as there was a memo signed by the Permanent Secretary at the Villa, authorising that the money be paid by the CBN.

Meanwhile, the commission has begun investigations into the fresh contract scam involving the Office of the National Security Adviser.

It will be recalled that a presidential committee, set up to investigate how contracts were awarded and executed, in a report last week, indicted about 300 companies and over 12 dignitaries.

So far, the commission has traced N300m to the immediate-past Chairman of the House of Representatives on Security and Intelligence, Bello Matawalle, whose name featured on the list.

The ex-lawmaker was among those indicted for allegedly receiving payments without contractual agreements, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

A reliable source at the EFCC told our correspondent that Matawalle allegedly used his position as the chairman of the committee overseeing the affairs of the ONSA to receive N300m from the agency.

However, the anti-graft agency said the money was shared among members of the PDP caucus at the House ahead of last year’s general elections.

The source said the method of getting money out of the ONSA was to conjure a fictitious contract after which funds would be given to the individual involved.

He said, “Investigations revealed that many fictitious contracts were approved a few months to the 2015 elections. In order to cover their tracks, some officials of the ONSA approved some fictitious contracts, which were referred to them by the Presidency.

“Money was then transferred to these people but the terms of the contracts were never met because there was no contract in the first place.

“Investigations revealed that Matawalle received N300m from the ONSA and the money was shared among members of the PDP in the House. The funds were to assist them with their campaigns and to also campaign for former President Goodluck Jonathan.”

All attempts to speak with Matawalle for three consecutive days proved abortive as calls put through to his mobile were rejected while text messages were not responded to.

He was, however, said to be out of the country.

Similarly, the EFCC traced over N300m to one Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oluwagbayi, a former Special Assistant to Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, who is the wife of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

It was also alleged that she received N300m from the ONSA through her company.

Oluwagbayi was also said to be out of the country as of Wednesday.

However, one of her associates confirmed that she received money but refused to state the amount, explaining that the money was given to some selected PDP National Assembly candidates to assist them with their elections.

The source said, “She received money from the Presidency but she never knew that the money was from the ONSA. We have a list of how the money was spent and all those who collected the money and we spent it judiciously.

“The money was given to her by the Presidency. We were thus surprised to see her name on the list of those who received contracts from the ONSA. We were not in a position to ask the Presidency where the money came from.”

When contacted on the telephone on Wednesday, the spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said investigations were ongoing, adding that he could not comment on the matter.

EFCC probes 100 pro-Jonathan groups over N320m

Jonathan called me 19 days after Chibok girls’ abduction – Shettima

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State on Monday said former President Goodluck Jonathan did not call him until after 19 days after the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in 2014.

Jonathan in Borno

No fewer than 259 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram militants from their hostel in GSS, Chibok, on April 14, 2014 as they prepared for their West African Senior Secondary   Certificate Examinations.

A few of the girls managed to escape from the terrorists, who were said to have dressed like military men and loaded the girls into trucks and headed for an unknown destinations.

Over 219 of the girls are yet to be rescued since the unfortunate incident.

Shettima, however, said Jonathan, who was the President at the time of the mass abduction, only called him on the kidnapping about three weeks after the incident, which generated global outrage at the time.

The Borno State governor said this while receiving former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the Government House, Maiduguri, after the ex-President arrived at the state capital on a two-day visit.

Obasanjo was on a visit to Borno on the invitation of the University of Maiduguri as part of the institution’s 40th anniversary celebration.

Trying to draw a comparison between the leadership style of Obasanjo and Jonathan, Shettima believed Obasanjo would have handled the issue of the kidnapping differently were he to be the nation’s President at the time.

He stated, “In our own case, Your Excellency, after the Chibok abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in April, 2014, it took 19 days for me to receive a call from the Presidency. I brought this mainly to show the difference, because we will only appreciate scenarios when we make comparisons.”

The governor recalled that the current Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who was a top member of the All Progressives Congress in 2014, hailed Obasanjo’s leadership qualities in a conversation after the mass abduction.

Shettima added, “I was actually lamenting to him on governance at the federal level with relations to the poor handling of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“Chief Ogbeh said, ‘Look, I might have had some political differences with President Olusegun Obasanjo but to say it as it is, if Obasanjo had been President while this insurgency is happening in Borno and other parts of the North-East, you would have witnessed what responsive leadership entails’.”

Shettima noted that Obasanjo’s visit on Monday marked the ex-President’s first visit to the Borno State Government House since 1976.

The governor described himself as “lucky and privileged” to receive the former President as the governor of the state.

Obasanjo, in his reaction, said the Boko Haram insurgency would become a thing of the past judging from the military’s string of successes against the extremist group in recent times.

The former President, who was in Maiduguri in 2011 to initiate a possible dialogue between the Jonathan administration and the insurgents, commended  President Muhammadu Buhari’s strategies to fighting the terrorists, noting that peace was gradually returning to the troubled areas.

He said, “A lot of water has passed under the bridge in this part of the country. I must not forget to commiserate with all our people in this state and indeed the entire North-East, which have been victims of insurgency in the way we have never witnessed in this country before.

“I travel a lot in Africa and outside Africa, and wherever I have gone in recent times, what people want to know is what and how Nigeria is coping with the situation of insurgency.

“Today, I think we are not out of the woods yet but it would appear that we can see the light beyond the tunnel.

“There is no doubt that with the combined efforts at the local level, at the state level and at the federal level, and even at the community level, our security forces are on the ascendancy over the forces of destruction, the menace and danger of insurgency that we have experienced for almost six years now.”

According to Obasanjo, Buhari has shown that he is passionate about ending insecurity in the country, calling for support for his government.

He added, “Talking to the President (Buhari) about the issue of insurgency in particular and insecurity in general, I know that he is very, very concerned, and not only very concerned, he has got it right.

“He (Buhari) has ensured that where they (Boko Haram) have occupied is cleared of any mines. Where you have mines, lives are not only insecure, people feel intimidated for you never know when you may step on them.”

Jonathan called me 19 days after Chibok girls’ abduction – Shettima

Jonathan can be tried if he is linked to arms scandal - Buhari’s panel

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, has faulted a former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, regarding the culpability of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the current anti-corruption cases.

Jonathan and Buhari

Suleiman, who is the spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party Ministers’ Forum, had said in a Sunday PUNCH interview that Jonathan could not be held liable because no stolen funds had been traced to the ex-president’s personal bank accounts.

The ex-minister had said, “All these issues of corruption under Jonathan happened between March and April last year. It was purely an election issue. Nobody has traced any money to Jonathan’s account up till now, but money was traced to Abacha’s accounts.”

However, Sagay told one of our correspondents during an interview on Sunday that although he could not say if there was a case against Jonathan or not yet, the ex-President could be held liable if it could be established that Jonathan made illegal approvals for funds to be paid into other people’s accounts.

He said if, for instance, it could be established that Jonathan gave the Central Bank of Nigeria a directive to pay someone money and the person was not deserving of that money, then the ex-President could be indicted.

Sagay, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, added, “Only the EFCC can say if Jonathan is culpable. Guilt in criminal law requires proof and there must be evidence. So, what I would say is that if a case can be established against Jonathan as regards public funds, then he has a case to answer.

“I don’t know if that has been done. I have not seen anybody who says he was given the money by Jonathan himself although one can say that instructions to any institution that public funds should be released to other people for purposes, which those funds were not designated, is in itself a criminal affair.

“So, it is not only when money is found on you that you have a case to answer. If you are a person in authority, and you issue directives to people under you, who are keeping public funds like the Governor of the Central Bank, and an illegal order is given to him for the release of funds, that, in itself, will raise a case for Jonathan to answer if in fact he issued such an order.”

Another SAN, Mr. Yusuf Ali, said it was too early to exonerate anyone as investigations into corruption that took place under the previous administration were still ongoing.

Ali stated, “The whole process is ongoing. Investigations are still ongoing. Until somebody is convicted, nothing bad can be said about such person. I believe when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it.

“There is no point for anybody to be excited or be happy for now until the whole story is in the open. Investigations are ongoing.”

On his part, a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Jiti Ogunye, described Suleiman’s statement as provocative and highly irresponsible.

Ogunye said the fact that a number of persons, who served under the Jonathan administration, were facing criminal trial was enough grounds to charge the former President with conspiracy.

According to Ogunye, Jonathan, as the head of the executive arm, had liability for everything done by his subordinates because the buck stopped at his table.

Ogunye said, “That statement by him is provocative and highly irresponsible. And the reason I say that is that former President Goodluck Jonathan was the head of the executive arm of government at the time he presided over the affairs of the country.

“All the officials that are being held to account and during whose trials, as we speak, Nigerians are now learning about the mind-boggling  stealing or looting of public treasury, were answerable to him; they were running his errands and therefore Nigerians expect that being the person on whose table the buck stopped as of the time he was the President, that he would be able to superintend them and ensure that those his subordinates didn’t loot the nation’s treasury.

“It’s too early in the day for any Suleiman or anybody to give the former President or any other member of that administration a clean bill of health. When you are talking about no money has been traced to former President Goodluck Jonathan, what does it mean?

“On his instruction and while he was running for office, people turned our national security vote into a bazaar and they were giving this money out to his allies and acolytes. So, whose errand were those people running when they were distributing the money? Who wanted to become the President then? And based on those revelations alone, he is culpable, contrary to the claims of Suleiman that nothing has been traced to him.

“Can’t the former President be charged with conspiracy? He can, on the basis of those revelations because for what purpose was the money given to those people? On the strength of that alone, a charge of conspiracy can be sustained against the former President.

“For anybody to be annoying Nigerians with such a statement that nothing has been traced to the former President, one wonders what he was thinking. This is not theatrics, we are talking about things that have wrecked this country and then people are engaging in ludicrous polemics.”

Jonathan can be tried if he is linked to arms scandal - Buhari’s panel

Customs re-imposes ban on rice importation

ABUJA— The Nigeria Customs Service has re-introduced the restriction order on importation of rice through land borders across the country.

Jonathan at the Rice mill

Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), gave the approval for the reversal of an earlier policy in October 2015 which allowed rice imports through the land borders, once appropriate duty and charges were paid.

At a review session held with Comptrollers of Border Commands and Federal Operation Units in Abuja, yesterday, the service noted that dwindling revenue from rice imports through the land borders did not match the volume of rice landed in ports of neighbouring countries.

The Customs in a statement by Wale Adeniyi, Public Relations Officer, said: “Rather, reports from border commands indicated an upsurge in the tempo of rice smuggling. Implementation of the restriction order got off to a smooth start, with a high level of compliance in October 2015.

“However, revenue started dwindling from January 2016, with importers blaming access to forex as major impediments.

“During the five-month period when the importation was allowed, October 2015 to March 17, 2016, a total of 24.992 metric tons of rice valued at N2,335,131,093  were imported through the land borders.”

“During the period, total revenue generated amounted to N1,685,112,810, which is considerably lower than the revenue projected to be generated with the removal of import restrictions.

“However, an upsurge in the number of the seizures has been reported across the land borders since January 2016. ‘’In the first two months of the 2016, a total of 9,238 bags were seized, with Duty Paid Value of   N64,666,000 made by the Customs anti-smuggling patrol teams of   Federal operations and border commands.

The Comptroller-General of Customs noted that his officers and men could not be totally exonerated from the abuse associated with the implementation of the order on rice, saying his office had been inundated with reports of collusion between them and rice importers.

Customs re-imposes ban on rice importation

EFCC probes another withdrawal of N10bn by Jonathan govt

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is looking into how another N10 billion was withdrawn from Signature Bonus Account (oil block account) barely seven weeks to the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

EFCC

The cash was part of the N76 billion officially approved for withdrawal before the handover date to the new government.

As at March 31, 2015, there was about $726, 909, 118, 26 left in the account. But  a withdrawal mandate was issued on April 9, 2015 for either special services or use by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund(PTDF).

A memo by the Director of Funds (FD/LP2015/8/127/DF) said: “The AGF has directed that the following disbursements be effected from the balance of $726, 909, 118, 26 as at 31st March in the Signature Bonus Account: (i) ONSA (N10billion); (ii) DBN (N20billion) and (iii) PTDF ($150million).

“In view of the above, mandate for the  payment of N10 billion in favour of ONSA, based on the bank details, is enclosed abc for the AGF’s consideration and approval.

“The USD equivalent of the amount in Naira is to be debited to the Signature Bonus Account with  JP Morgan Chase, please.

“Kindly note that the other two expenditure items will be processed in the relevant files in due course.

“The above is submitted for the AGF’s consideration and approval and countersigning of the mandate for N10 billion abc.”

A reliable source in EFCC said: “We have been investigating massive withdrawal of funds for either special services or extraneous items in the last few weeks to the inauguration of this new administration.

“The total requests sent to the Accountant-General of the Federation  amounted to N76 billion but we have been trying to establish whether or not the three tranches were withdrawn before May 29, 2015 when the handover was effected.

“This latest N10 billion appears different from a similar amount deducted from CBN account for PDP Nomination Convention. The Mandate date was April 9, 2015and the nomination convention was in 2014.”

Meanwhile, the ongoing investigation of the activities of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has revealed that about N16.5 billion was released to the Nigeria Police,  Nigerian Air Force,  Nigerian Army and ONSA for “logistic requirement for 2015 elections.”

The breakdown is as follows: IGP General Election OPS Fund Account (N10billion); Nigerian Air Force OPS Account (N1billion); Nigerian Army Operations Account (N5billion) and  ONSA (N500million).

“All the payment details have been received from the Central Bank of Nigeria for scrutiny.

“This explains why some of the accused persons on trial were rearrested for questioning. We have been uncovering many transactions which require more explanation.”

EFCC probes another withdrawal of N10bn by Jonathan govt

Feel free to probe Jonathan over corruption - Presidency tells EFCC

The Presidency has said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is free to investigate former President Goodluck Jonathan.

EFCC

The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who stated this in Abuja on Friday, also explained that there was no secret pact between President Buhari and Jonathan to exclude the ex-President from the list of corrupt people to be probed by this administration.

There have been calls by prominent Nigerians, including the Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, that Buhari should authorise the EFCC to probe and prosecute Jonathan.

Ndume had said, “Nobody is supposed to be above the law. If Jonathan is a culprit, he should face the law. If there is evidence that the former President should face the law, then, he should. After all, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

Adesina told Saturday PUNCH that the Presidency had given the anti-corruption body a free hand to investigate and try anybody involved in corrupt practices. He said that the President was not interested in teleguiding the anti-graft agency.

Saturday PUNCH had asked Adesina if the EFCC would need the permission of the President before probing Jonathan. He was also asked to react to an allegation that Buhari had been reluctant to grant permission to the EFCC to investigate Jonathan.

In his response, Adesina said, “The President does not teleguide the EFCC in any way.”

Also, the Presidency on Friday said that Buhari did not sign any pact with former President Goodluck Jonathan or any past President, exempting them from being probed.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with one of our correspondents.

Shehu said that being an open person, Buhari would never go into a secret pact with anybody, especially concerning his administration’s ongoing anti-graft war.

He said that anything could be expected in the ongoing anti-graft war, which he described as “open-ended”.

The presidential spokesman said, “There is no secret pact between President Buhari and any past President.

“If you know or understand him, President Buhari is not the kind of person who will go into secret agreements. He is open about everything he does.

“The war against corruption is open-ended. Nobody knows how it will end.”

Shehu, however, ruled out the possibility that Buhari might have been on a witch hunt in his fight against graft.

He said government’s position is that former government officials can return their loots in order to escape investigation and trial.

He also declared that the current administration’s war against corruption knows neither friend nor foe.

He said, “But the President is not on a witch hunt. If you remember his acceptance speech after being announced as the winner of the 2015 general elections, he said without any equivocation that he would not victimise or subject anyone to witch hunt.

“One thing very clear from the way he has carried on with the war against corruption is that past officials of government have a window to return looted funds to avoid investigation and trials which may be drawn out and sometimes inimical to the exercise.

“People can help themselves and help the country without being noisy about anything.

“The President is aware that he is under watch, locally and internationally, in his handling of the war against corruption.

“Whatever international support he will get will depend on how open and effective his government is in carrying out the anti-graft war.

“To that extent, the war against corruption knows neither friend nor foe.”

Saturday PUNCH learnt that the EFCC had been under pressure to summon the former president over investigations into the $2.1bn arms probe.

It was learnt that the commission had already compiled statements by suspects arrested over the arms probe and some of them required the invitation of the former president to make clarifications.

It was gathered that the Jonathan issue had been discussed at a high level of the Buhari administration and the signal or the body language the commission was getting from the government was that investigations should not be extended to the former President for now.

No instruction not to probe Jonathan—EFCC

But the spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said he could not confirm if Jonathan would be arrested or not.

Uwujaren said it was not the habit of the commission to announce when it would arrest anybody and that its investigations were usually discreet.

The EFCC spokesman said, “I can’t speak on that (Jonathan’s arrest). We don’t announce ahead of time if people are to be arrested.”

When asked if it was true that the EFCC had been instructed not to investigate Jonathan, Uwujaren said, “I don’t respond to speculations. Who will give us that kind of instruction? Is there someone that gives us instructions on which case to investigate or not?”

In practice, the EFCC needs Buhari’s approval —Sagay

However, the Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said in theory, the EFCC did not need the approval or permission of the President to arrest anyone since the commission had been empowered by an Act.

But, he said in practice, the anti-graft agency would need to inform the President.

He said it would be necessary because of the sensitivity of such an arrest, adding that Nigeria’s democracy had never witnessed the arrest of a former President before.

Sagay said, “The law is clear. There is no such limitation on the part of the EFCC under the EFCC Act. If anyone has committed any offence relating to economic and financial crimes, such a person can be investigated and if there is evidence, the person can be prosecuted. The law is clear that no presidential permission is needed.

“But we are talking of a former head of state here and I think it will be extremely imprudent of the EFCC to just go and knock on his door and detain him. Definitely, it is my personal view that there is a protocol. My personal view is that the EFCC will need clearance from the President himself if the commission needs to arrest a former President.”

Many of the suspects arrested in relation to the arms probe had at one time or the other, claimed that they received express or indirect approval from former President.

For instance, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, who is being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency for allegedly receiving N400m from the Office of the former National Security Adviser, allegedly used the money to fund Jonathan’s campaign.

Metuh, who filed a no-case submission through his lead counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), argued that the EFCC should have called Jonathan as a witness but the commission rejected the advice.

Similarly, the former Aide-de-Camp to the ex-President, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe, who was arrested in connection with an alleged N10bn given to chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, said he only ‘delivered parcels on the instruction of Jonathan.’

He also told EFCC operatives that as a serving military officer, he was bound by his oath of commission into the Nigerian Armed Forces and would not divulge official secrets which he swore to keep but the anti-graft agency never invited Jonathan.

Also, a former Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who is also being prosecuted by the anti-corruption agency for receiving N2.1bn through the ONSA, was said to have collected the money on the instruction of Jonathan.

In an open letter dated December 6, 2015, the Dokpesi family said the N2.1bn was indeed for a proposal by Daar Investment and Holdings Company Ltd to “promote and project the achievements and highlight the challenges of his (Jonathan’s) government whilst demystifying false information gleefully circulated by the propaganda machinery of the then opposition party.”

The proposal, the family said, was submitted to Jonathan in person by Dokpesi and his team in the presence of former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), accused of diverting $2.1bn meant for the procurement of arms, also claimed he had received Jonathan’s approval.

Similarly, a former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Aminu Baba-Kusa, in his statement of witness filed in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, said N2.2bn was spent on prayers to hasten the defeat of Boko Haram, adding that the money, which was received through the ONSA was approved by the Jonathan-led Federal Government.

Feel free to probe Jonathan over corruption - Presidency tells EFCC

Arms Scandal: Jonathan should be tried if involved –Senate leader

Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, on Thursday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to authorise the prosecution of former President Goodluck Jonathan if he (Jonathan) covertly instigated the sharing for other purposes the $2.1bn given to former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to buy arms.

Mohammed Ndume

Ndume, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, also said the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state.

The Senate Leader noted that if Jonathan, who approved $2.1bn for the purchase of arms, should turn back to give directive secretly that the money should be shared among his cronies, he should be prosecuted.

He said, “I do not want to dabble in that, being one of the victims of the insurgency. My house was taken over by insurgents and my town was declared a caliphate of the insurgents. My Emir was killed while these people were laughing all the way to the banks with the money that was meant to buy arms and ammunition.

“It was for lack of ammunition that the Nigerian Armed Forces had to run away. As far as I am concerned, these people are living on blood money; the blood of so many innocent citizens of this country particularly from the North-East.

“No justice is too much for them; nobody is supposed to be spared because the case is judicial and I am not a lawyer to determine who should be brought to book. What I am saying is that justice should be served.

“Over 10,000 people have lost their lives. At one time, you could see my people were slaughtered like chickens and the reason why this happened was because our Army was not equipped and not well kitted.

“Somebody made away with the money meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition.

“I am not defending President Jonathan but he approved that this money be used for procurement of arms.

“So, if the law says he should be part of those who should be part of the accountability or those that should face justice, I think nobody should be spared.

“I really don’t want to make comment on that but anybody that is involved in that blood money should be held responsible.

“If the President approved that money in the name of buying arms while giving a directive that it should be shared among his cronies, then he should face the law.

“If anybody is supposed to buy arms and you gave them money to buy arms, as the President, after some time, you should ask ‘where are the arms anyway’. Let me add and clearly that is my position, if because of this or any other criminality Jonathan should face the law, he should. I did, I am facing the law.

“Nobody is supposed to be above the law. If Jonathan is a culprit, he should face the law. If there is evidence that the former President should face the law, then, he should. After all, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

On the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Ndume said there was nothing wrong in the man, after appearing in the dock, to also preside over the red chamber.

He wondered why his own trial on allegations of being a Boko Haram sponsor was not getting the kind of attention that Saraki’s trial by the CCT was receiving.

He said, “Do you know that I am still in court on a more serious issue. The President of the Senate is in court for (alleged false) asset declaration but I am in court for a more serious issue, that I am alleged to be a sponsor of Boko Haram.

“I have been in court for four years; so, why is it not an issue? I have not complained, it is not a big deal. I am still the Leader of the Senate and my role is as important as that of the President of the Senate but it is not a big deal.”

On the killings going on in Rivers State, Ndume said Wike should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state.

He noted that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, Wike should be on top of situation in his state.

Arms Scandal: Jonathan should be tried if involved –Senate leader