The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, said its attention has been drawn to a press statement by the R/S PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah titled, “Dakuku’s Attack On Odili, Height Of Frustration, Rascality – Rivers PDP Chairman.”
The R/S APC in a press statement signed by its spokesman Mr. Chris Finebone unequivocally stated that Dr. Dakuku Peterside DID NOT, for all intents and purposes, insult the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili as canvassed in Felix Obuah’s press statement, adding, “Dr. Peterside did not, and still does not, have any reasons to insult or show disrespect under any circumstances whatsoever to the former governor of Rivers State, his wife and, indeed, anyone.”
The APC noted that the issue in question is a mere verbatim reference Dr. Peterside made to the public statement of Gov. Nyesom Wike at a church thanksgiving service where he said: “Let me thank our former governor, Dr. Peter Odili [husband of Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili]. He will call me midnight to tell me what to do….he will say ‘go so so place.’ I took all his advice, and here we are today.” These were the words of Gov. Nyesom Wike. Dr. Dakuku Peterside merely quoted the governor and then concluded his reference to the governor’s speech by saying: “This shocking confession needs no further explanation except for you and other decent Nigerians to further make your fair conclusions.”
The APC asked Felix Obuah and the PDP: Where lies the insult on Dr. Peter Odili and his wife in the reference Dr. Peterside made to Gov. Wike’s public comment?, maintaining that “indeed, if anyone indirectly insulted the former governor and his wife, it is Gov. Nyesom Wike because of his unwarranted verbal incontinence, drunken boasts and dropping of names of the former governor and his wife while holding discussions with his associates. Some of these same associates of Gov. Nyesom Wike, in turn, take the names dropped by the Governor to public space with its attendant negative perception.”
The R/S APC urged Felix Obuah and the PDP to compel Gov Wike to apologise to Dr. Peter Odili and Justice Mary Odili for woefully failing to exercise discretion in his public utterances and needlessly dropping their names while holding formal and informal discussions with friends and associates.
The APC assured former Governor Peter Odili and Justice Mary Odili that despite differences in political affiliation, the leadership and supporters of its party will continue to hold them in high esteem as eminent citizens and one time first family of our dear State for 8 years, adding, we believe that nothing can take that away from history.
“We urge Felix Obuah, Jerry Needam and their ilk to strive to exhibit maturity and grasp of age-old hallowed principles in statecraft and politics by not painting every political issue in the only colours known to them – motor-park colours”, the statement advised.
The Rivers state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah has described the allegation by Mr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, defeated Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11, 2015 General Election, that former Governor Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili were ‘used’ to procure the verdict of the Supreme Court which validated the election of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as absolutely false, misleading and showing lack of respect to the Odili family.
Hon. Dakuku Peterside
The PDP Chairman further described the attack by Mr. Dakuku Peterside on Odili and his wife as the height of frustration and rascality.
He said that Dakuku and the APC has pushed it too far in their desperation to take over the reign of leadership of the State.
Bro. Obuah said the insult on the revered Statesman and his wife, a respected Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria has again exposed Mr. Dakuku as bereft of respect and regard for elders.
The PDP Chairman while condemning what he called Dakuku’s penchant for insulting elders, said the attack was one insult too many and reminded him of the popular proverb which says that “an obedient child lives to grow old while a scornful child is only digging his early grave”.
Bro. Obuah who noted that disrespect for elders was alien to the culture and tradition of Rivers people, advised Dakuku and members of his APC still licking their wounds following the Supreme Court judgment to jettison selfish interest for the sake of peace.
The Chairman described Dr. Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Odili as worthy citizens of Rivers State who deserved the respect and regard of Rivers people, having worked tirelessly to etch their names on the marble, adding that the generality of Rivers people owed the couple a duty to protect and guide their name jealously.
Bro. Obuah declared that those who knew Dakuku growing up had expected that he would have outgrown childish behaviors that were characterized by irresponsibility and rascality, noting that those with proper upbringing talk to elders with respect and dignity.
The PDP Chairman said the people of the State remained eternally grateful to the Supreme Court of Nigeria for foreclosing Dakuku’s ambition to continue to cause crisis in Rivers State, adding that the judgment of the apex court was indeed an act of God.
Bro Obuah said it was in view of the foregoing that the PDP and well-meaning people of Rivers State demand unreserved apology from Mr. Dakuku Adol Peterside for insulting Dr. Peter Odili and his wife, Justice Mary Odili, while the PDP would take further steps to seek redress and call on Dakuku to account for his days in government as Works Commissioner.
All politicians who shared in the allegedly diverted $2.1billion arms cash must return what they got or face trial, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said.
A former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa, has refunded 60 per cent of the money he allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), The Nation learnt yesterday.
Also yesterday, it was gathered that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh had admitted the transfer of N400million into a company in which he has substantial interest.
According to sources, EFCC decided on refund of cash after retrieving some of the memoranda which the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan to request for funds.
EFCC
A top EFCC source said none of the memos seen so far indicated that the funds would be used for political purposes, party funding and the 2015 general election.
Based on the vetting of the memos and disbursement of money to PDP chieftains and other highly-placed Nigerians, the EFCC has drawn the battle line of either “you make a refund or face trial”.
Some of the beneficiaries of the cash include former governors Peter Odili (N100m); Rashidi Ladoja(N100m), Attahiru Bafarawa(N100m), Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi (N100m), and Jim Nwobodo(N500m).
Others are: Chief Tony Anenih(N260m); ex-PDP National Chairman Ahmadu Ali(N100m); Chief Bode George (N100m/ $30,000), Yerima Abdullahi (N100m); Chief Olu Falae (N100m); Tanko Yakassai (N63m); Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki(N200m); Raymond Dokpesi, Iyorchia Ayu’s company(N345m); BAM Properties(N300m); Dalhatu Investment Limited(N1.5b); ex-PDP National Chairman Mohammed Bello Haliru, Abba Mohammed, Sagir Attahiru, serving and former members of the House of Representatives(over N600 million); former Chairman of the House of Representatives on Security and Intelligence, Bello Matawalle(N300m); ACACIA Holdings(N600m); Bashir Yuguda (N1,950,000) and many companies.
Based on the vetting, the EFCC is insisting that all those implicated so far must refund the “illegal disbursement” of cash to them or face trial.
A top EFCC source said: “We have conducted a thorough investigation and we have retrieved some of the memos sent to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan by the former National Security Adviser; none of them indicated that the cash should be for political purposes.
“There was never a memo for cash advance for political matters like campaign or election.
“We have also traced some of these funds directly to the accounts of these bigwigs or their proxy companies.
“Having gone far, we are asking them to return these funds or else, we will go after them any moment from now. I think they should respect themselves and make urgent refund.
“In the alternative, we will arrest them and arraign them in court to defend such strange allocations.
“We will retrieve every kobo given out from ONSA. It is insufficient to say somebody gave me this money. Once we trace undeserved public funds into your account or phony and proxy companies, we will ask for refund.”
Regarding the interrogation of Gen. Isa, the source added: “He admitted collecting money from ONSA and he has refunded 60 per cent of the sum credited to him. I think it should be about N100 million.
“Isa is the only person who has so far refunded money among the political figures who collected funds from ONSA. We have granted him bail to allow him time to source for the balance.”
On the detention of the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, the source said: “So far, Metuh has admitted the transfer of N400 million by ONSA into a company in which he has substantial interest.
“It is left to him to justify why he deserved such benefit from arms cash. We are still questioning him on other remittances into the company’s account. We are also demanding how he will refund the cash.
“Contrary to the noise outside, we did our homework very well. Anybody we bring to the EFCC this time around, we used to make sure that we have established a case against him.
“So, we don’t invite or arrest on frivolous basis. We do thorough investigation this time around.”
• Former, serving PDP House of Representatives members too • How ex-President Jonathan gave Dasuki, Yuguda directives
Some former and serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Representatives may have to refund about N600million allegedly shared to them under the last dispensation for the purpose of seeking re-election.
Tony Anenih
Several bigwigs of the party who allegedly partook of the slush funds are also expected to return to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the amount each of them collected.
Such PDP stalwarts include Bode George, Yerima Abdullahi; Peter Odili; Attahiru Bafarawa; Jim Nwobodo; Ahmadu Ali, and Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi who all got (N100m /$30,000) each. Others are Bello Sarkin Yaki (N200m); BAM Properties(N300m); Dalhatu Investment Limited(N1.5billion); Tony Anenih (N260m); and Iyorchia Ayu’s company ( N345m)
Investigation revealed that some former and serving members of the House of Representatives got N380million public funds to campaign for re-election.
The sum was allegedly transferred to Belsha Nigeria Limited’s bank account controlled by Bello Matanwalle for distribution to support some members of the House of Representatives for their re-election campaigns.
The beneficiary Reps allegedly collected sums ranging between N10million and N50million.
The Nation gathered that the N380million was not only the slush fund made available to the Reps seeking re-election.
Some of them, sources familiar with the disbursement said yesterday, got their share directly from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
In one of the payment mandates, Ref. No: ACCT/87/VOL.3/72 which was sent to the Branch Manager of Zenith Bank, K. City Plaza Branch, Wuse II Abuja, a new member of the House was given N50million through GTB Account 0022471014 while a ranking member smiled home with N150million remitted into UBA account 1007130385.
Yet, another Representative got his share through UBA account 1014721695 for N50million.
The EFCC has already retrieved more payment vouchers involving some members of the House.
It was learnt that the list might soon be out detailing how the affected Representatives.
A top source in the anti-graft agency said: “As we go into the trial of some accused persons, our ultimate goal is to retrieve looted funds. We will certainly ask most of these beneficiaries to refund the public funds illegally disbursed to them.
“We are eager to collect the funds back in order to channel them into the development of the nation.
“Some of these bigwigs have been making overtures to the EFCC to allow them to make refund instead of being put on trial.
“As President Muhammadu Buhari said, we will publish the list of those who may make refunds.
“A few of them will serve as our witnesses in court against accused persons.
“But we are looking for some of them who were invited but managed to sneak out of the country.
“Whatever the case and wherever they are hiding, we will bring them to justice.”
Meanwhile, fresh facts emerged last night on how some of the PDP leaders benefitted from the slush funds.
A former presidential aide, who was an insider, said: “Actually, most of the party leaders were always going to the former President Goodluck Jonathan for assistance in preparation for the 2015 poll. The usual refrain of Jonathan was ‘leave your account details with my aide’ and after some days, they got alert without cross checking where the money came from.
“The ex-president would thereafter send the bank details and instructions to the former National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki to disburse from the security votes and other funds in ONSA.
“I think he might have given verbal instructions in most cases but there is sufficient evidence of a few requests forwarded to the ex-NSA from the Villa.”
Asked why the ONSA was saddled with the responsibility of disbursement of funds, the source said, “the ONSA used to manage the president’s security votes, operation and maintenance of the Presidential Fleet and other exigencies including special welfare of ex-Presidents/ Heads of State.
“The ex-NSA got involved because Jonathan discovered that each time he directed that funds be disbursed, most beneficiaries were not getting the cash. He had trust in the ex-NSA and decided to saddle him with the responsibility.”
Responding to a question, the source said: “Some members of the PDP Contact and Mobilization Committee got their share directly from a former National Chairman of the party, Alh. Adamu Muazu at his residence.
“Some of these funds given to Muazu came from the former Minister of State for Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda.
“Yuguda also became part of the disbursement because of the trust reposed in him by the former First Family. In fact, Yuguda got his appointment at the behest of the ex-First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.
“The former First Lady’s path crossed with Yuguda when the latter was Nigeria’s Ambassador to UAE.
“For always hosting Mrs. Jonathan very well in Dubai, she spotted him as a responsible diplomat and pushed through in making him a Minister. When campaign funds were being mismanaged, the Jonathan opted for Yuguda too because of the ‘trust’ he had in him. “Old friendship and loyalty made Yuguda to be part of this scandal rocking the nation.”
In a Statement of Witness/ Caution which he wrote on oath, Yuguda admitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he gave N600million cash to six chairmen of the Contact and Mobilization Committees of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for the 2015 general Election.
He listed the beneficiaries as Bode George (South-West); Amb. Yerima Abdullahi (North-East); Peter Odili( South-South); Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West); Jim Nwobodo( South -East); North-Central(Ahmadu Ali).
George, Nwobodo and Odili have denied collecting cash from Yuguda. The former Rivers State Governor said he received N100m from the PDP for purposes of elelction mobilisation in the South-South zones.
Bode George admitted that only $30,000 was given to the South-West Contact and Mobilization Committee.
He also said he instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer N300million to BAM Properties whose account was given to him by a former National Chairman of PDP, Bello Haliru transferred to Jabbama Ada Global Services.
Only ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa admitted that he collected N100million from Yuguda through Sagir Attahiru.
The ex-Minister said: “For the cash disbursement of N600million, it was meant for the six zonal chairmen for Contact and Mobilization Committees for Election of 2015. The chairmen are Bode George (South-West); Amb. Yerima Abdullahi ( North-East); Peter Odili( South-South); Attahiru Bafarawa( North-East); Jim Nwobodo( South -East); North-Central(Ahmadu Ali). The sum of N100million was given to each chairman. I gave the money in company of Prof. Alkali, who was former Political Adviser to former President. The zonal chairmen are for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). I also instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer the sum of N100m to Dalhatu Limited on the request of Attahiru Bafarawa.
“I also remember that Bello Sarkin Yaki was among the people that the then NSA instructed that I send the sum of N200million to. He was the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Kebbi State.”
Yuguda, who claimed that he had liaised with Stallion Limited, gave the details of other disbursements.
He added: “I knew the chairman of Stallion Limited whose second name I cannot remember. Between December 2014 to June 2015, on the instruction of the then NSA, I introduced Jabbama Limited to a staff of the company on the instruction of the chairman.
“When the account was in credit, disbursement was made from time to time on the instruction of the then NSA. Part in foreign exchange or transfers.
“I wish to add that sometime in February 2015, I instructed Jabbama to transfer the sum of N300m to BAM Properties. The account was given to me by Bello Haliru as one of the people the former NSA requested me to give money. I also remember that Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi was sent the sum of N100million on the instruction of the then NSA.
“Further to my statement of 30th November, 2015, I have brought the sum of $829,800(equivalent to N200m) and a N600m was given to me to distribute to the six PDP Zonal Committee chairmen. I don’t know who are the directors of Dalhatu Investment Limited but funds were transferred to the company’s account on the instruction of Dalhatu Bafarawa for the total amount of N1.5billion received from the then NSA by Jabbama Limited.
“I shall endeavour to recover the sum of N600million given to the six zonal PDP committee chairmen, while I appeal to the commission to use their machineries to trace the remaining balance of the money transferred to various accounts.”
The former Minister however denied receiving another N200million credited to him.
“I have been shown transaction of N200million from the Office of the Accountant-General to Jabbama which Jabbama said it’s on my instruction but I cannot remember this instruction until I crosscheck,” he said.
The charges against Yuguda read in part: “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Bashir Yuguda whilst being the Minister of State for Finance between 5th February and 16th April 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: an aggregate sum of N1.1billion being part of the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser with CBN committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the account of Jabbama Ada Global Services Nigeria Limited for the purpose of financing the campaign of PDP in the 2015 general election and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.
“That you, Bashir Yuguda whilst being Minister of State for Finance between 23rd December 2014 and 10th February, 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: an aggregate sum of $9,809,619 which was an equivalent of the aggregate sum of N1,950,000 belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which sum was transferred to Jabbama Ada Global Services to be converted into the said dollars and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.”
•Offers to recover N600m and help trace the balance •Bafarawa: I got N100m but Yuguda didn’t tell me where it came from
The embattled former Minister of State, Bashir Yuguda, has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he gave a total of N600million cash to six chairmen of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 general election.
He listed the beneficiaries as Bode George (South-West); Amb. Yerima Abdullahi (North-East); Peter Odili (South-South); Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West); Jim Nwobodo (South -East); and Ahmadu Ali (North-Central).
He said he instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer N300million to BAM Properties whose account detail was given to him by a former National Chairman of PDP, Bello Haliru.
Yuguda, who made the allegations in a Statement of Witness/ Caution which he wrote on oath, said he sent N200million to the erstwhile PDP Governorship candidate in Kebbi State, Bello Sarkin Yaki.
He said a former Governor of Zamfara State, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, also got N100million.
The statement is part of the proof of evidence against the former minister whose trial is scheduled to commence this week at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Yuguda will stand trial with ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir Attahiru; Dalhatu Investment Limited.
The ex-minister is expected to account for over N3.050billion including N1.1billion being part of the funds in the account of the ONSA and aggregate sum of N1,950,000 belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which sum was transferred to Jabbama Ada Global Services.
The ex-minister said: “For the cash disbursement of N600million, it was meant for the six zonal chairmen for Contact and Mobilisation Committees for Election of 2015. The chairmen are Bode George, Amb. Yerima Abdullahi; Peter Odili; Attahiru Bafarawa; Jim Nwobodo; Ahmadu Ali. The sum of N100million was given to each chairman. I gave the money in company of Prof. Alkali, who was Political Adviser to former president. The zonal chairmen are for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). I also instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer the sum of N100m to Dalhatu Limited on the request of Attahiru Bafarawa.
“I also remember that Bello Sarkin Yaki was among the people that the then NSA instructed that I send the sum of N200million to. He was the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Kebbi State.”
Yuguda, who claimed that he had liaised with Stallion Limited, gave the details of other disbursements.
His words: “I knew the chairman of Stallion Limited whose second name I cannot remember. Between December 2014 to June 2015, on the instruction of the then NSA, I introduced Jabbama Limited to a staff of the company on the instruction of the chairman.
“When the account was in credit, disbursement was made from time to time on the instruction of the then NSA. Part in foreign exchange or transfers.
“I wish to add that sometime in February 2015, I instructed Jabbama to transfer the sum of N300m to BAM Properties. The account was given to me by Bello Haliru as one of the people the former NSA requested me to give money. I also remember that Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi was sent the sum of N100million on the instruction of the then NSA.
“Further to my statement of 30th November, 2015, I have brought the sum of $829,800(equivalent to N200m) and N600m was given to me to distribute to the six PDP Zonal Committee chairmen. I don’t know who are the directors of Dalhatu Investment Limited but funds were transferred to the company’s account on the instruction of Dalhatu Bafarawa for the total amount of N1.5billion received from the then NSA by Jabbama Limited.
“I shall endeavour to recover the sum of N600million given to the six zonal PDP committee chairmen, while I appeal to the commission to use their machineries to trace the remaining balance of the money transferred to various accounts.”
The former minister however denied receiving another N200million credited to him.
“I have been shown transaction of N200million from the Office of the Accountant-General to Jabbama which Jabbama said it’s on my instruction but I cannot remember this instruction until I crosscheck,” he said.
Some of the charges against Yuguda are: “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Bashir Yuguda whilst being the Minister of State for Finance between 5th February and 16th April 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: an aggregate sum of N1.1billion being part of the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser with CBN committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the account of Jabbama Ada Global Services Nigeria Limited for the purpose of financing the campaign of PDP in the 2015 general election and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.
“That you, Bashir Yuguda whilst being Minister of State for Finance between 23rd December 2014 and 10th February, 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: an aggregate sum of $9,809,619 which was an equivalent of the aggregate sum of N1,950,000 belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which sum was transferred to Jabbama Ada Global Services to be converted into the said dollars and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.”
Meanwhile, a former Governor of Sokoto State, Alh. Attahiru Bafarawa, admitted that he collected N100million from Yuguda through Sagir Attahiru.
Bafarawa, in his statement to the EFCC, said: “I know Bashir Yuguda. He called me to tell me there is money to be given for (sic) the North-West Campaign Committee which I asked how much and he told me is N100million for the seven states and ask (sic) to give it to Sagir which he did and the money was sent to the states campaign committee between 20th and 21st of February 2015 for the PDP Campaign for General Election.
“He did not tell me where the money was coming from. I did not ask him where the money was coming from.
“Sagir is my son and I directed Sagir to send the money to state chairmen campaign committee for PDP North-West.
“I also received N100million (dollar equivalent) from the North-West Campaign Committee. The money was given to me in the PDP National Chairman, Alh. Adamu Muazu house in Abuja in the presence of all the zonal chairmen as listed …and after collecting all this (sic) money, I gave the money to Abdullahi Yauri who was the Secretary of the North-West Campaign Committee to share to the state chapter and Yuguda didn’t tell me where he got the money from.”
Source at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has linked former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State and a once convicted top member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, with receiving N100 million each from the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (ret.).
Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki
The EFCC source told SaharaReporters that the largess to the two PDP officials was diverted from funds meant for the purchase of arms in order to better equip the Nigerian military in its campaign against Islamist terror group, Boko Haram.
Instead, the N200 million paid to the two PDP stalwarts was designed to ensure the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who lost the presidential election held on March 28th, 2015.
A panel appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari is currently investigating the reported theft of more than $2 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the name of purchasing arms. Mr. Dasuki, who was arrested yesterday, initially claimed he stole no funds, adding that Mr. Jonathan approved all his expenses related to arms deals. However, his position changed after he was confronted with the statement written by his former director of finance, Shuaibu Salisu who had squealed on all those involved in the scam to investigators.
Nigerian law enforcement agents have so far arrested twenty-one persons in relation to the arms purchase scandal. Those under detention or arrest include former senior staff of the office of the National Security Adviser, a former state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, and the owner of African Independent Television (AIT) network, Raymond Dokpesi. All the arrested suspected are being interrogated in connection with money laundering.
Yesterday, the former NSA, Mr. Dasuki, joined the other suspects at the offices of the EFCC. Agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) handed Mr. Dasuki over to EFCC operatives who have begun questioning him on how he allegedly diverted funds meant for arms purchase into Mr. Jonathan’s re-election campaign.
An EFCC investigator told SaharaReporters that some of the detained suspects were now providing useful information after almost all of them initially exhibited resistance.
AIT proprietor, Mr. Dokpesi, openly admitted that he received funds from the NSA to run publicity for the Jonathan and PDP campaigns. An official of the EFCC told SaharaReporters that it was “unbelievable for the NSA [National Security Adviser] to be the person allocating money for political campaigns.”
Mr. Bafarawa, whose detention was approved by a court order, has stated that he received N4.6 billion from Mr. Dasuki for “spiritual purposes.” Our EFCC source said their agents were still questioning the former governor to explain what was meant by “spiritual purposes.”
Our source revealed that Mr. Odili and Mr. George “may soon be invited to explain why they received N100 million each from funds budgeted for arms purchase.”
Those still in EFCC detention as of last night are as follows: Shuaibu Salisu, Abba MT Usman, Sagir Attahiru, Evegny Kundaev, Aminu Baba Kusa, Salisu Usman Garu, Bashir Yuguda, and Attahiru Bafarawa. Mr. Dokpesi was released last night after meeting bail conditions.
The case of Bode George is instructive, at a thanksgiving service held by him after his release from prison in 2011 in Lagos a Lagosian priest delivering a sermon entitled, ‘A minister and a witness,’ Venerable Tayo Aduloju had this to say according to Punch newspaper: “If you are involved in any shady deal; if you are found anywhere elections are rigged; and partake in any form of manipulation, it means you have not learnt anything from your experience. Real power belongs to God. It does not belong to PDP. It does not belong to any president.
“As from today, you are expected to represent Christ. You are an ambassador of Christ. Never again will the name of God be soiled through you.”
Mr. Aduloju also charged politicians to shun thuggery, rigging, and avarice so as to return the country on the path of decency.
He said, “Shun thuggery. Shun violence. Shun greed. Shun rigging and whatever that can cause trouble.”
Mr. George later denounced this priest at a press conference.
There was mild drama on yesterday at the National Judicial Institute, NJI, Abuja, venue of the current National Conference, when a delegate, Sidi Ali, said the biggest private hospital being built in Abuja is owned by a former governor of Rivers State.
Ali during his presentation on devolution of powers, said, “As I am talking now, the biggest hospital owned by a private person in Abuja is being built by a former governor of Rivers State”.
He also recalled how jailed former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, offered former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, a bribe of $15 million to stave off investigation into his affairs.
As soon as Ali made his allegation, a former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, who is also a delegate at the conference, kept shouting ‘Point of Order’.
When the Chairman of the Conference, Justice Legbo Kutigi, eventually allowed Mr. Odili to speak, he denied owning a hospital in Abuja.
“There are many former governors of Rivers State here, but I happen to be the only medical doctor among them,” he said. “Let me say before this Honourable House and before almighty God that Dr. Peter Odili have nothing to do with this so called big hospital in Abuja, which has been paraded and touted by Hon. Sidi Ali.
“If he is sure of his facts, let him stand up and tell this House the name of the owner and prove that I am the owner of this Hospital. I challenge him to do so, and I challenge every Nigerian who believes that allegation, otherwise I am going to take legal action against him.”
Kutigi, however, intervened to say that there was no need for Mr. Odili to be defensive since Mr. Ali did not mention the name of the former governor he was talking about.
The hospital being referred to by Mr. Ali is called Reliance Hospital, which is still yet to be inaugurated and is said to be one of the best private hospitals in Abuja.
It is located at Area 11, behind the Nipost Headquarters, in Garki District of Abuja.
Odili, who governed Rivers State for eight years, secured a controversial, perpetual injunction from a court that has prevented the EFCC from prosecuting him for corruption.
He listed the beneficiaries as Bode George (South-West); Amb. Yerima Abdullahi (North-East); Peter Odili (South-South); Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West); Jim Nwobodo (South -East); and Ahmadu Ali (North-Central).
Ali during his presentation on devolution of powers, said, “As I am talking now, the biggest hospital owned by a private person in Abuja is being built by a