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November 15, 2006
Ladoja Wins Round Two
The Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division on Tuesday struck out an application for a stay of execution of its November 1 judgment that nullified the impeachment of Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja by18 out of 32 members of the state House of Assembly.
From Ademola Adeyemo and Tunde Sanni in Ibadan, 11.15.2006
The aggrieved 18 legislators had on November 2 filed the application for a stay pending the determination of their appeal to the Supreme Court, asking for the quashing of the judgement of the court below.
But when the matter came up yesterday before Justices Afolabi Fabiyi (Presiding), Aminat Augie and J.B Iwala, the lawmakers who were represented by Hakeem Afolabi from Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) chambers applied to withdraw the application, saying it would be an abuse of court process since the appeal was already before the apex court.
None of the parties objected to the withdrawal and the trial appellate judges subsequently struck out the application.
Following the Court of Appeal judgment the aggrieved lawmakers approached the court through their lawyer, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) through a motion on notice and prayed for an order to seek for a stay of execution of the judgment.
Their prayers included;
・An order of injunction restraining the interested party/applicant respondent, Senator Rashidi Ladoja either by himself, servants, agents, privies or anybody acting through him or acting pursuant to the judgment of this honourable court either alone or in conjunction with any other person or body or institution from assuming office as governor of Oyo State or from parading himself as such or from acting pursuant to the judgment of this honourable court delivered on November 1st 2006 pending the hearing and determination of the defendants/appellants/ap-plicants appeal to the Supreme Court
・An order of injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd appellants/respondents; Hon. Abraham Adeolu Adeleke and Hon. Barrister Titilayo Ademola Dauda either by themselves, servants, agents, privies or anybody acting through them or acting pursuant to the judgment of this honourable court either alone or in conjunction with any other person or body or institution from recognising or dealing with the interested party/appellant, Senator Rashidi Ladoja a the governor of Oyo State pending the hearing and determination of the defendants/appellants/ap-plicants appeal to the Supreme Court.
・And for such order this court may make in the circumstance.
In the three grounds of application, the lawmakers deposed that they had filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria against the judgment of the court, averring that the grounds of appeal raised serious constitutional and jurisdictional issues as well as issues bordering on breach of appellants rights to fair hearing and serious fundamental procedural irregularity.
The lawmakers averred that there was already a governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala who was not joined as a party to the proceedings, which led to the judgment of the court subject matter.
The motion was supported by a 23-parsgraph affidavit deposed to by one Omotayo Ojo, a lawyer in the chambers of Fagbemi who deposed that the goodwill, name and peace of the state is being threatened by the action of Ladoja and the 1st and 2nd plaintiffs/appellants.
The lawyer further deposed that by the judgment of the court of Wednesday that Akala had not been removed as the governor of the state. That this court only made some declarative reliefs but did not affirm Senator Ladoja as still being the governor of Oyo State.・BR>He added, that the judgment of this honourable court is merely declaratory and not executory・and pleaded with the court in the interest of justice to preserve the res now, by the grant of this application so that a state of helplessness will not be foisted on the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the aggrieved pro-Adedibu lawmakers have accused the justices of the appeal court of abusing their powers when they went ahead to grant all the reliefs asked for by the former Speaker, Hon. Adeolu Adeleke, and his deputy, Hon. Titilayo Dauda, and Ladoja without bothering to hear their own side of the story.
They alleged that the trial appellate court did not give them fair hearing before nullifying the impeachment of Ladoja, which they orchestrated.
In the 10 grounds of appeal pending before the Supreme Court, the aggrieved the lawmakers deposed that the Court of Appeal relied only on the arguments of Adeleke, his deputy, and the impeached governor before holding that the impeachment was not proper.
Ground 1 states that, the justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law and exceeded their jurisdiction when in upholding an appeal against the dismissal of the plaintiffs・case for want of jurisdiction; they proceeded to grant all the reliefs claimed in the substantive case.・BR>According to the lawmakers, the only issue formulated for the Court of Appeal was whether the high court was precluded from looking into the matters relating to alleged non-compliance with the provision of Section 188 (1)-(9) by virtue of Section 188 (10) of the 1999 Constitution.
Having determined that only issue, the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to take over the functions of the lower court which was held to have jurisdiction to enquire into all the issues in the case,・the lawmakers argued.
Ground 2 of the appeal accused the Court of Appeal justices of occasioning a miscarriage of justice by relying heavily only on the evidence provided by the speaker, his deputy and Ladoja to decide the case.
They argued that the court should have allowed them to defend the case on merit after it held that the high court had jurisdiction to hear the case. They claimed that had they been given the opportunity to controvert the arguments of the plaintiffs at the high court, the lawmakers, argued that the Court of Appeal would have come to a different conclusion.
The lawmakers insisted that the trial appellate court by not allowing them to proffer counter arguments against the allegations, gave judgment in violation of its rules, which enjoined it to hear all parties to a suit. This, they argued, was done in gross violation of their right to fair hearing.
They further argued that it was wrong for the Court of Appeal to assume that they have accepted the truism of the allegations stated above because they did not file a counter affidavit against the allegations when they were still within time to file the counter affidavit.
The lawmakers said that any order, which would not give the defendants the chance to contest the case on its merits before the trial court, would amount to misuse of the court's powers under Section 16 of the Court of Appeal Act and which has occasioned a miscarriage of justice to the defendants.
They asked the apex court to either allow the appeal or set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal and in the alternative remit the case to the high court for trial on merit.
Seven justices of the apex court led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Modibo Belgore, have been constituted to hear the appeal on Tuesday November 21, 2006.
Other justices to determine the case include Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu, Niki Tobi, Dahiru Musdapher, George Adesola Oguntade, Sunday Akinola Akintan and Ikechi Francis Ogbuagu.
Meanwhile, the lead counsel to Ladoja, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), has criticized Inspector -General of Police Sunday Ehindero's comment that the judgement of the Court of Appeal could not be enforced, saying it was unfortunate.
Ali said Ehindero who is a lawyer ought to have known that his description of the judgement as a toothless bulldog that cannot bite・amounted to "treating the judgement of the court with impunity.
It is most unfortunate, unexpected, disparaging, tendentious and contemptuous,・Ali said, adding: "We are highly disturbed by your said comments and are inclined to believe that you were, perhaps, misquoted.
This is because as the Chief Law Enforcer of the country, you have a legal duty to give effect to the judgment of any court of law that has not been stayed or put in abeyance by a competent court nor set aside by a higher court. Ali in the letter also described the Inspector General's comment as misleading, and political.
He said: "This is more so when the said comments came shortly after your letters to the appellants' counsel, acknowledging the binding nature of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, when you unequivocally stated that an appeal does not operate as a stay of execution, except where death sentence is involved and 'that declaratory judgments cannot be stayed
We rather think that your very high office should not be enmeshed, either in controversy or politics."
The counsel, therefore, urged the police boss to urgently correct "the wrong impression created in the minds of all reasonable men and women by your said sad partisan comment and do give full effect to the Court of Appeal judgment.・BR> This, he said, 妬s the only part of rectitude and abiding faith in our judicial system."
Posted by Publisher at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)
Row in Senate over Dariye
IT was bound to be a day of high drama. As senators came into the chamber, a handful converged around Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu.
From Alifa Daniel, Abuja
Some congratulated him, while others appeared so disgusted that they could not afford the usual pleasantries but moved quietly to their seats.
But as soon as Senator Farouk Bello-Bunza raised a point of order, that his privilege had been breached by the political drama in Plateau State, where a clear minority of Assembly has claimed to impeach Governor Joshua Chibi Dariye; and security as well as judicial backing has immediately been given to the pronouncement, tension enveloped the chamber.
The senators moved to the edges of their seats. Mantu, Dariye's high profile opponent in the state, appeared as if he was sitting on springs and was ready to pounce on those opposed to the impeachment. At every moment, the Deputy Senate President shouted at those speaking against the controversial exercise.
The chamber was shell-shocked when Mantu ordered a fellow principal officer, Deputy Leader Daniel Saror, to "sit down" midway into Saror's contribution. But Saror replied in like manner and told Mantu that he could not be the only right person on the issue.
Mantu described Bello-Bunza as one of the "agents" of Dariye who had been paid to table the impeachment matter at the Senate.
Motions and counter motions were thrown at the Senate President who appeared flustered at the rapidity that they came. In all eight motions were raised while Senate President Ken Nnamani had a hard time ruling on them all.
Bello-Bunza sought the Senate's intervention, in condemning "the five legislators in the impeachment of the Plateau State Governor and insist that due process must be followed in the impeachment of a governor or any office holder as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
The due process, he added, had "not been clearly followed in this matter."
Bello-Bunza reminded his colleagues of the resolutions of the Upper House while endorsing the state of emergency in Ekiti State.
While approving the proclamation of the Ekiti emergency rule, the Senate had condemned the blatant disregard of legislative procedure by state Houses of Assembly of Oyo, Ekiti, Plateau and Anambra in impeachment proceedings.
Among others, the Senate had asked President Olusegun Obasanjo to discuss any future declaration of emergency rule in any of the states with the National Assembly, even if informally, before a proclamation on it is made.
Other resolutions that were passed by the Upper House before the approval of the proclamation were that the Senate:
o condemned the use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies to intimidate members of State Houses of Assembly; o appealed to the Chairman of the National Judicial Council to impress upon State Chief Judges to comply strictly with the provisions of the constitution in handling of impeachment matters; and o called on President Olusegun Obasanjo to ensure that the 2007 elections are free, fair and on schedule.
Bello-Bunza said that the impeachment in Plateau State was a breach of the constitution, which senators swore to defend. He argued that the spate of impeachments poses danger to a free and fair election next year, and urged the Senate to pursue a reversal of the impeachment of Dariye.
He subsequently moved a motion for the Senate to condemn the Plateau action and insist that due process be followed on impeaching a public officer as enshrined in the constitution.
Senator Uche Chukwumerije seconded the motion with a short speech. He said: "I rise up with a heavy sense of responsibility to second this motion. I second this motion from two angles that bother me. The first angle is the danger of the Senate being perceived as a toothless bulldog."
He continued: "The danger has arisen from the fact that a resolution which we passed in this House and which we were assured by the leadership would be a gentleman's agreement between us and the Federal Executive seems to have been brushed aside with impunity."
Chukwumerije spoke further: "The Parliament is the key institution of democracy and if we allow the Parliament to be rubbished, sooner than later, democracy will come to grief in this country."
Not done, the senator said: "Five impeachments in under 48 months! I don?t know any other country where this has happened. Of all the impeachments, only one has had two thirds without controversy. Mr. (Senate) President, my colleagues, remember what happened in (Benito) Musolini's Italy, (Adolf) Hitler's Germany. It began with small internal compromises until gradually and progressively, this man took over the whole of Germany. This country is walking into danger and the Senate, like a tethered goat is following it."
And the motions began to fly. Senator Oserhiemen Osunbor countered Bello-Bunza with Order 14 (a) of the Senate Rules. He said: "There are no rights contained in legislative houses. It is incompetent for us to proceed based on Order 14 as raised by Bello-Bunza." Also, Senators Dalhatu Tafida, Lee Maeba, Ewa-Henshaw were opposed to Bello-Bunza motion.
Mantu took the centre stage: "This is a classic abuse of what we call privileges. There is no way the privilege of someone from Kebbi State has been breached in Plateau State. Someone from Kebbi cannot question what we do in Plateau State. He is not part of us. We are not in a military regime. We are in a federation, in a democracy. It is the duty of the state House of Assembly to make laws for the particular state. Therefore, whatever this house does, it is purely advisory. Farouk Bello-Bunza wasn't even here when we made those resolutions he is referring to now. He didn't participate. He has no right to enjoy a decision we took here. I know some people who were sponsored by Dariye. I know some people who were given money by Dariye. When matters are in court, we cannot assume the powers of the Judiciary. This chamber shouldn't be reduced to a gallery-players..."
As Nnamani persuaded Mantu to be focussed, Osunbor threw another motion into the ring. Citing Order 25 (f), the Edo State senator urged Nnamani to quickly rule on whether Bello-Bunza's privilege had been breached by what happened in Plateau State.
As senators began to contribute, Mantu took on Bello-Bunza, accusing him of cowardice. The Deputy Senate President said: "He (Bello-Bunza) ran away from the Senate resolution. He wasn't part of it."
Mantu and some of his supporters attempted to stop Saror when the former vice chancellor questioned the constitutionality of Dariye?s impeachment. Saror turned onto Mantu, saying: "Someone is talking here and you are telling him to keep quiet. What right do you have that I don?t have? Tell me, what right?"
Nnamani pleaded with Saror to stand down as his voice rose.
Lee Maeba threw in his own motion as the argument became hotter: "It is not our business what the State House of Assembly does."
And, at the senators' demand, Nnamani's declared that Bello-Bunza's rights were not breached by the goings on in Plateau, being a senator representing Kebbi State.
Posted by Publisher at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)
Rumsfeld may face war crimes charges
A lawyers' group has asked Germany to sue former US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over alleged prisoner abuse in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay.
The complaint was filed by the US-based Center for Constitutional Rights on behalf of a Saudi man held in Cuba and 11 Iraqis held in Baghdad.
German law allows the pursuit of cases originating anywhere in the world.
State prosecutors have yet to decide whether to pursue the case. An earlier request for a case in 2004 was dropped.
Michael Ratner, the centre's president, said he felt the case had a better chance of success now because Mr Rumsfeld was no longer in office and could not exert the same degree of "political pressure".
He added that the centre had more evidence than it did in 2004, citing the case of a detained Saudi national, Mohamad al-Qahtani.
"Al-Qahtani was a man who the US alleged is al-Qaeda, who is in Guantanamo. The entire torture log of al-Qahtani over a period of two months was exposed," Mr Ratner told the BBC.
Resignation
The Center for Constitutional Rights argues that Mr Rumsfeld was instrumental in abuses committed at Guantanamo Bay and at Abu Ghraib jail in Baghdad.
The group of international lawyers alleges that Mr Rumsfeld personally approved the use of torture to extract information from the prisoners.
Wolfgang Kaleck, the lawyer leading the attempt to bring the case, said former US Army Brig-Gen Janis Karpinski would be the "star witness".
Ms Karpinski was commander of US prisons in Iraq when several prisoners were abused by US soldiers at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib facility.
Mr Rumsfeld resigned on Wednesday following Republican losses to the Democrats in the US mid-term elections.
The US denies any torture has taken place at Guantanamo Bay and has defended its interrogation techniques.
Abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib was brought to world attention after soldiers' photographs of the incidents were released and published.
Ten US soldiers have been found guilty of abuses at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison. The US says they were acting without official sanction.
Posted by Publisher at 10:05 AM | Comments (0)
Transcorp takes over NITEL
ABUJA – THE Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), yesterday, formally transferred the ownership of the Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL)\MTEL to Transcorp, with the investors pledging a complete overhaul of the premier national carrier, and return it to its place of pride in the telecommunications industry.
By Emma Ujah & Luka Binniyatt
Posted to the Web: Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Transcorp also announced that 25 per cent of the share of the two companies would be put up for public subscription.
Director-General of BPE, Mrs Irene Chigbue, at signing of the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) between the bureau and Trancorp, said the handover was of monumental significant and a great victory for the privatisation programme of the Federal Government. She said since 2001, various attempts to sell NITEL had failed until recently, adding that with the handover, the reforms in the Nigerian telecom sector had been completed.
Transcorp, she said, had succeeded in fulfilling all the conditions set up for them after emerging as the preferred bidders. Transcorp has paid the $500 million for the 75 per cent share of the NITEL within the specified period, though it was after an extension. She, however, agreed that Transcorp was yet to pay the remaining $250 million.
“But they still have time to pay that. Part of the agreement was that as soon as they pay the $500 million, they will be given the managerial control of the company.
“They have also brought to government a Post Acquisition Plan, as put in the agreement. They were also supposed to work with the PBE to propose a transition time table which will incorporate the things they need to do within the short-medium and long term. I am pleased to announced that all these things have been done,” she said.
She told the gathering that the BPE was working with the Minister of Finance, Presidential Task Force for Labour Resolution of NITEL, Labour and Communication Ministers to resolve all outstanding Labour issues. “We are not there, but I want to assure workers that by next month everyone will get his or her terminal benefits for those that will be disengaged,” she said. According to her, it was in the fulfilment of these conditions that BPE was handing over NITEL and MTEL to Transcorp.
The D-G explained that the option of “willing seller: willing buyer” adopted by the bureau was owing to the circumstances surrounding the privatisation of NITEL which had witnessed three aborted transactions.
Posted by Publisher at 10:03 AM | Comments (0)
Ecobank introduces Nigeria’s first credit card
Ecobank Nigeria Plc has introduced the first credit card in Nigeria. Called Ecobank Naira Credit Card (ENCC), the card is expected to significantly alter the electronic payment system in the country and improve the lifestyle of the average Nigerian.
By WALE ALABI and SEUN ADESIDA
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
According to Henry Nelson, Executive Director. Retail Banking, Ecobank, “we are beginning a revolution in card business in Nigeria in collaboration with other members of the Ecobank Translational Incorporated. It is a way to reward credit worthy and honest Nigerians to achieve their personal and professional aspirations whilst responding to the call by many Nigerian’s for a secure credit card capable of enabling business transaction in Naira.”
“We are transferring success recorded in similar venture into the Nigerian financial system to help move drastically the Nigerian economy which is predominantly cash base into a cashless society through the use of the credit card.”
“Two years ago, precisely October 15, 2004, Ecobank Nigeria launched the first international credit card, the Master card, which is dollar denominated, thereby becoming the first bank to introduce the facility into the Nigerian financial market. Now it has become the first Nigerian bank to introduce the first Naira denominated credit card,” Nelson said, adding, “we are leveraging on our net work of over 1000 ATMs and POS and we are going to add more terminals, we launched it because it is long over due creating real financial freedom, this is expected to drive the Nigerian economy, and the Ecobank Naira credit card was developed to address the need to meet emergency financial needs.
According to Olumide Bajomo, Head card business, “a lot of Nigerians are credit worthy, and that is why we’ve taken the bull by the horn to introduce the first ever credit card in Nigeria. It will help to stimulate economic activity, dominating the consumer market; it is targeted at all Nigerians who are 18 years and above.
“Employees and employers, professionals, sole proprietors, entrepreneurs are qualified to enjoy Ecobank credit card. We are offering the Nigerian market a clean credit card.”
Speaking further, he said, “this is the first clean credit facility in Nigeria, because it has no collateral, no guarantor, no security just come and fulfil the necessary requirements and you get a credit card. You will be able to get up to 20 per cent of your annual income. All you are free to use it for whatever you want.”
On its security features, he said the card comes with a 4 digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
“The card is useable on all Interswicth ATM located around the country, effectively we have about 1000 ATMs all around the country that accepts the credit cards. Efforts are under way to ensure that other ATMs in the country become Ecobank credit card complaint,” he stated.
“On repayment, we have worked out a flexible repayment, which involves 40 day interest free period, within which a customer repays the credits no interest will be charged on the facility. A minimum of 5 per cent per months has been worked out; we have anti-default mechanism built into the facility, to ensure that we get our money back.
“It is virtually difficult for anybody to swindle the bank or misuse the facility. The fact that a legible number of Nigerians are fraudulent will not disallow us from introducing an innovative product like this credit card. The cards come in variants of Classic N250, 000, Premium N1million, Gold N2.5million and Platinum N5million,” he added.
Posted by Publisher at 09:57 AM | Comments (0)
Why Ojukwu Dumped Obi
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, is silent on the sack of Governor Peter Obi because he thinks it is pay back for ignoring his advice on how to run the affairs of Anambra.
15th November
By Maxwell Oditta, Asst Politics Editor, Lagos
A close aide of Obi disclosed that Ojukwu believes the manner Obi was removed is unconstitutional but wished he had listened to the counsel he gave him in Awka a few weeks after the Election Appeal Tribunal declared him elected.
Ojukwu had urged Obi to continue with the work of former Governor Chris Ngige, especially the road projects.
He had wanted to prevail on him to re-contest for the governorship under the APGA platform, rather than resort to litigation for a four-year tenure or, worse, defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The source narrated that Ojukwu "felt let down when Obi gave the impression of abandoning the road projects. Each time he was taken to task on the projects, he would explain that the work would resume after the rainy season, an explanation that left everyone unimpressed."
Obi’s adversaries removed him from office just when the rains were over. But not before he received President Olusegun Obasanjo who came to flag off several projects, including roads, even when subsisting ones lay fallow.
The source stated that Ojukwu is critical of the fraternal relations Obi appears to have struck with Obasanjo, which many Igbo leaders believe is responsible for his ouster.
Obasanjo told Obi during the reception held in the President’s honour in Onitsha that he and Senator Ben Obi would not get a second term.
Obi took what Obasanjo said as a light-hearted way of trying to persuade him to join the PDP.
Besides, Ojukwu did not appreciate the manner Obi sought his good graces. For instance, many Igbo think that Aso Rock instigated the hostilities between the Obi administration and members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Ojukwu condemned the ‘shoot at sight’ order Obi gave the police during the face-off between MASSOB members and those of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).
Despite the reservations he has about Obi’s government, Ojukwu and the party leaders reviewed his removal and decided that the alleged constitutional breaches were thumped up to reach a contrived end.
They encouraged Obi to file an application in court challenging his impeachment, while his Deputy, Virginia Etiaba, takes over as Governor, to prevent the state from sliding into anarchy.
Anambra APGA Chairman, Ikechukwu Onyeabo, dismissed reports that the party has suspended Obi over allegations of abuse of office.
He said Obi has not done anything to warrant him facing a disciplinary committee, let alone being sanctioned, and described the report as the hand work of disgruntled elements.
He took a swipe at factional APGA Chairman Chekwas Okorie for spreading the rumour.
Posted by Publisher at 09:55 AM | Comments (0)
Senate to amend Electoral Act
The Senate yesterday set a process to change the law that would guide next year’s general elections less than six months after it was enacted.
By Habeeb I. Pindiga & Aliyu Abubakar
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2006
This decision, coming exactly five months to the first set of elections on April 14, is expected to whittle down powers of the electoral commission to postpone scheduled polls.
Section 27 of the Electoral Act 2006 empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone elections in cases of natural or manmade crisis.
Senators at a session behind closed doors yesterday raised concerns over the tardy voter registration exercise, which they say may provide INEC the excuse to postpone the elections, a reliable source said.
Senate’s spokesman, Victor Ndoma-Egba, confirmed the proposed review and the concerns of senators over the electronic voter registration but declined to be specific on the aspect of the electoral law to be changed.
The slow pace of the registration unless checked may scuttle the entire elections, he told Senate correspondents.
Section 27 of the election law says “(1) Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and there is reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, the commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned, appoint another date for the holding of the postponed election.”
A joint Senate committee on election matters and judiciary has been mandated to consider the prevailing difficulties the voter registration exercise, look at the contentious aspects of the law and proffer solutions, Ndoma-Egba said.
“The Senate at the closed session discussed concerns raised about the ongoing voter registration exercise. The Senate is deeply worried about the possibility of that exercise failing, and the effect or the consequences of that failure on the 2007 elections.
“So the Senate has mandated its committees on INEC and judiciary to within the next seven days come up with solution to all identified and identifiable shortcomings, not only on the ongoing exercise but also on the recently passed 2006 Electoral Act.”
Asked whether the Senate would want to change the electoral law, Ndoma-Egba said: “There is the possibility of amending the Electoral Act 2006. Our commitment is to ensuring free, fair and timely elections in 2007. And the Senate will do everything in its power to make sure that the elections are not only held on schedule but that they are also free and fair. So the possibility of amending the 2006 Electoral Act is present.”
He said the electronic voter registration is too tardy for comfort.
“As we speak many, many senators have not even been registered. I for one have not been registered. I have just received information that one machine has reached my local government. And there are many others whose local governments are yet to receive any machine.
“Now for the electoral process, there are deadlines, there are timelines for activities. There are timelines for registration of voters, there are timelines for parties to submit their candidates, there are timelines for the election proper. Because under the constitution you must have election during a particular period. Now if you are not able to meet these timelines, then it means there is a high possibility that you may not hold the elections as at when the constitution prescribes.
We want to keep faith to the constitutional provisions, that is why the Senate is doing everything in its power to make sure that these timelines remain sacrosanct.”
Posted by Publisher at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)
FG moves to prohibit bigamy
The Federal Government has proposed a new law, which imposes five years, prison term on anyone who contracts a marriage with a married person.
By Tobi Soniyi, Abuja
Published: Wednesday, 15 Nov 2006
The proposed law, which was presented to members of the public in Abuja on Tuesday by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, also stipulated 18 years as the age for anyone to qualify for marriage.
For anyone to get married at any age less than 18 years, the law requires that a court order be obtained first.
Section 62 of the proposed law stipulates two years jail term for anyone who marries at the age of 18 without the required court‘s order.
Similarly anyone who assists in procuring such marriage is also liable to the same jail term under the draft bill titled, ”An Act to make provisions for the celebration of monogamous marriages in licensed places of worship and marriage registries in Nigeria, and for the registration of such marriages; and to provide for the recognition in Nigeria of certain monogamous marriages contracted under foreign law.”
The law also forbids marriage between anyone who had already married under the customary law of Islamic law.
Section 60 of the proposed law reads, ”Any person who contracts a marriage under the provisions of this Act, being at the time married in accordance with customary law of Islamic law to any person other than the person with whom such marriage is contracted shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment of five years.”
Speaking at the public presentation of the proposed bill, the Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Justice Olukayode Somolu (rtd), said that there was a need to unify customary marriage law with Islamic law on marriage.
He noted that a situation where Nigeria would continue to rely on archaic British law for its marriage institution was no longer tenable.
Posted by Publisher at 09:41 AM | Comments (0)
Guber race: Shekarau picks second term form
YESTERDAY, all roads leading to the national secretariat of the All Nigeria Peoples Party ( ANPP) were blocked by human traffic while the party’s secretariat was full to capacity as supporters and well wishes of Kano state governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, invaded the arena to witness the governor’s picking of form as prelude to his recontesting the governorship seat in the 2007 elections.
Stories from KABIRU YUSUF, Abuja
Our correspondent who visited the ANPP secretariat revealed that as early as 8.00am, supporters of the governor, party officials and even the staff of the secretariat were anxiously waiting to witness the occasion which was scheduled to take place aroud 2.00pm.
Malam Ibrahim Shekarau received a warm reception from almost all the state’s 44 local government chairmen who were there to bless the memorable occasion.
The governor, who was received by the party’s national chairman and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Edwin Ume Ezeoke who was flanked by some national officials of the largest opposition party in the country, was overwhelmed party supporters who were chanting “Allah maimaita mana “.
Soon after the governor received the form, the national chairman of the party, Chief Edwin Ezeoke explained that the party will ensure that all the aspirants of the party at all levels enjoy equal treatment to enable the electorate have the best candidate.
According to him, the ANPP is ready to honor any consensus candidate if the need arise but reaffirmed that if it is necessary to go to the primaries, his party is ready to go for it.
“Our intention is to provide the nation with best leaders whose intention is to provide electorate with dividend of democracy at all levels,” he stated.
Speaking to the press shortly after receiving the form, Malam Shekarau explained that the money provided for the purchase of the nomination form was contributed by pensioners who have requested him to continue with the good work he had started in 2003.
The governor, while answering questions from reporters vowed to defeat the former Kano state governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for the second time if they meet again at the polls.
It could be recalled that Malam Shekarau immediately after assumption of power came up with policies that culminated in the settlement of pensioner’s entitlements that were not paid by the administration of his predecessors.
Investigation conducted by Daily Triumph revealed that Shekarau’s administration inherited over N3 billion liability but within no time it settled it.
Posted by Publisher at 09:38 AM | Comments (0)
PTDF probe: Senate extends panel’s sitting
THE report on the probe of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) account by Senate ad-hoc committee may not be ready on time, as the Senate resolved to extend committee’s sitting by four weeks on Tuesday.
IDOWU SAMUEL, Abuja - 15.11.2006
The Senate said the extension became necessary in the light of unforeseen circumstances which had affected the committee’s sitting.
The Senate Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, disclosed that the ad-hoc committee would welcome testimonies from both President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar both of whom had signified intention to appear before it.
Ndoma-Egba also stressed that live telecast of the public sitting of the committee would not be discouraged, saying any media organisation which desired to give the public sitting live coverage should forward the request to that effect early enough to the committee.
According to Ndoma-Egba, the probe of the PTDF account by the Senate required a long time to enable members of the committee digest huge volumes of documents and memoranda it had received.
He said the four-week extension of the committee sitting did not mean that the Senate was foot dragging on the job, stressing that the Senate had earlier under-estimated the volume of documentary evidence on the matter.
He disclosed that the last Sallah break, the crash of ADC aircraft which claimed the life of one of the committees members, Senator Sule Yari Ghandi and the initial delay in receipt of memoranda were factors which slowed down the progress of the committee.
Posted by Publisher at 09:37 AM | Comments (0)
Rev King: Prosecution offered me N2m bribe – Witness
MBATTLED Pastor of Christian Praying Assembly (CPA) Lagos, Emeka Ezeugo who is standing trial over alleged murder among other crimes, yesterday began his defence at the Ikeja High Court with a witness testifying that the accused was innocent of the charges.
OLATUBOSUN SOWEMIMO and AMARACHI ABUAJAH
The witness, Chinenye Joy King also faulted the prosecution evidence, alleging that a former CPA member, Edwin Akubue, offered the prosecution N2 million bribe to distort facts and rope in Rev. King.
Maintaining that Rev. King was innocent, Joy King said the suspect was sleeping upstairs in his residence on the fateful day when scream of ‘fire and help’ rent the air from downstairs.
The defence witness while throwing more light on the bribe offer said she was lured financially to testify against the pastor by the first prosecution witness, Vivian Ezeocha.
The action, she nonetheless noted, was masterminded by Mr. Akubue.
According to her, Mr. Akubue was just out to see Rev. King punished, having earlier alleged that the pastor abducted his wife.
The witness who claimed to be an Economics graduate of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), however, stunned the court when she could neither remember her Vice-Chancellor’s name nor that of her Head of Department.
She also stated that though she left Rev. King’s abode last June 22 (a month before the alleged fire incident), she always went there daily to clean up the compound.
Under cross examination by the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mrs. Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, Chinenye said Rev. King persuaded her to come and testify before the court, when she visited him last Friday at Ikoyi prisons.
Chinenye claimed that she knew Rev King 24 years ago as they worshipped together at a church called Ekperefuna in the East.
Joy King also claimed that she was a prostitute and witch before being "delivered" by Rev. King at the CPA.
Earlier, at the trial presided over by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, defence counsel, Mr. Mike Okoye said he has 30 witnesses to testify to the case.
Posted by Publisher at 09:36 AM | Comments (0)
Nigerian ex-governors on the run
Two Nigerian governors sacked over corruption allegations have gone on the run, officials say.
Dariye previously skipped bail in the UK
Joshua Dariye was impeached by central Plateau State assembly on Monday, while Ayo Fayose was removed in southern Ekiti State last month.
"We have declared them wanted," anti-corruption agency chief Nuhu Ribadu told the BBC.
Five governors have been sacked in a year but critics say the crackdown on graft is tied to next year's polls.
Dubious process
Mr Dariye skipped bail two years ago in the UK, where he was wanted on allegations of money-laundering.
He returned to Nigeria, where he was arrested but charges were eventually dropped because governors enjoy immunity from prosecution under Nigerian law.
This no longer applies if they are impeached.
Michael Botmang has been sworn in as Plateau State's new governor.
The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says that, as with other recent impeachments, there are real questions as to the legality of the process.
Only about six of 22 state legislators voted for Mr Dariye's removal.
Polls
Riot police patrolled the streets of the state capital, Jos, on Monday to prevent any clashes between rival political groupings.
"Dariye was in Jos yesterday, we don't think he is too far away," said Mr Ribadu, head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
After Mr Fayose was impeached, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Ekiti and installed a retired army general to run the state until April's elections.
Under Nigeria's federal system, governors enjoy considerable powers.
The EFCC recently said that two-thirds of the 36 governors were being investigated on corruption allegations.
Controlling the governorship is also seen as being crucial to winning elections in a particular state.
Mr Obasanjo is not standing in April's elections but correspondents say he is keen to influence the choice of who will succeed him.
The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos says that none of the five governors sacked this year are allies of the president.
Posted by Publisher at 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 13, 2006
PDP May Disqualify IBB; ‘We have other options’
Indications emerged weekend that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might disqualify former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, from running the presidential race on the platform of the party.
By Kola Ologbondiyan, 11.12.2006
According to informed party sources, the decision by Babangida to pick a presidential nomination form last Wednesday jolted the party hierarchy and forced it to return to the drawing board, with a top PDP official telling THISDAY last night that “Babangida has a big hurdle ahead of him.”
The very reliable official cited a small booklet titled “PDP Candidates: Desirable Qualities and Code of Conduct” as what might stop the former military leader.
Although the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr John Odey, said the party was yet to establish its screening committee, it was gathered that the code would guide the nomination of candidates on the party’s platform.
The general qualities outlined in the 15-page document include patriotism; integrity; ethno-neutral; rule-driven; tolerance; transparency-driven; knowledge-driven; community/constituency service; and, leadership.
According to the party official: “It is the leadership that will define what these qualities mean, and that is where Babangida will meet his political waterloo.”
Under integrity, the party itemised qualities expected of its candidates as being of good character; having verifiable means of livelihood; does not waiver on principles of accountability and the Nigeria Project; and must not have been indicted for corruption or corrupt practices and other economic crimes.
The PDP leadership is said to be working on using the Pius Okigbo Panel report as a hurdle that Babangida must cross to enable him participate in the process of selecting the party’s presidential flag bearer.
The party has already stated that the prerequisite qualities were in “addition to the existing constitutional requirements that candidates must meet to qualify for electoral office.”
According to the preamble of the code of conduct for aspirants, the concept is to enable the party carefully look at those traits that are constant and imperative for nation building and modernisation of economy.
It stated: “To this end, PDP in furtherance of its agenda setting role seeks to identify qualities that an elected official should possess to be able to lead at various cadres.
“These qualities are intended to raise our campaigns from the banal, mundane level of muckraking to the more elevated and sublime level of debate on policy direction, individual capability, character requirement and intellectual capacity.
‘’This new level will require that candidates are clearly judged not just by their size of the wallet of their campaign organization but also by clearly measurable qualities.’’
When THISDAY contacted the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. John Odey, he said the issue of disqualification of any candidate had not arisen in the party.
“The screening committee has not been set up or inaugurated. I can tell you that the issue of disqualification or approval of any candidate has not arisen in the PDP,” he stated.
But Babangida, who spoke through his media assistant, Prince Kazeem Afegbua, said nobody could stop him from presenting himself to Nigerians ahead of the 2007 presidential election.
According to Afegbua, if his principal is not given the chance to compete on a level field in the PDP, he will run on the platform of the National Democratic Party (NDP).
"We have just picked the PDP form. Head or tail, Babangida will run for presidency in 2007 and Nigerians will decide his fate not any group of people," Afegbua said.
He added that Babangida had all the rights as any other Nigerian to present himself for election.
He challenged the former military president’s critics to tell Nigerians what they had added to the nation's democratic space in the last seven years.
“While IBB in pressuring his ambition will abide by the rule, he will not be intimidated or cowed by any so called gang-up as only the Nigerian populace will decide his fate,” Afegbua said.
Posted by Publisher at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)
Fifth Nigerian governor impeached for graft
JOS, Nigeria (Reuters) - The governor of the central Nigerian state of Plateau on Monday became the fifth this year to be impeached as President Olusegun Obasanjo tightened his grip on power five months before elections.
Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:02 PM GMT
By Shuaibu Mohammed
Analysts said the removal of Joshua Dariye for corruption, like four earlier impeachments, was legally questionable because the number of state lawmakers voting to remove him did not make up the two-thirds majority required by the constitution.
Dariye's deputy, Michael Botmang, was sworn in to replace him at a ceremony attended by the local head of the police, ruling party and secret police, a sign that the federal government backed the process.
"What has happened today is something that is unexpected, but it has happened. I am a child of necessity," said Botmang at the ceremony where he chanted support for the ruling party.
"I want everybody to go back ... assured that there is special security in the state to take care of any miscreants," he added.
Heavily armed riot police were drafted into the state capital Jos from around northern Nigeria and there was no immediate sign of unrest in the state, which has seen several bouts of ethno-religious bloodshed over the last six years.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission issued a wanted notice for Dariye, who is also a fugitive from justice in Britain having jumped bail for suspected money laundering.
Impeachments in Bayelsa, Oyo, Ekiti and Anambra states over the past 12 months were all similarly controversial.
EMERGENCY RULE
Obasanjo declared a state of emergency last month in southwestern Ekiti after a chaotic impeachment there resulted in three people claiming to be governor.
Many analysts believe the impeachments are part of a plan to cause chaos across Africa's most populous country, giving a pretext for Obasanjo to declare a wider state of emergency and postpone the elections. He has denied this.
"This was a gestapo removal. The government wants to create anarchy and sustain itself in power," said Abubakar Momoh, political science lecturer at Lagos State University.
Nigerians are due to elect their president, state governors and lawmakers next April in polls that should mark the first democratic handover from one government to the next since Africa's top oil producer gained independence in 1960.
Obasanjo has assured that the elections would be free, fair and on schedule but with increasingly fierce power struggles both in the states and at the national level, many Nigerians fear they could be derailed.
Dariye is an ally of Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is locked in a power struggle with Obasanjo. Dariye's supporters decamped to an opposition party last year when the ruling People's Democratic Party suspended him over corruption.
Dariye was impeached at an unannounced sitting of a faction of the state house of assembly at dawn on Monday, which was not attended by any members of the press or public.
Six members of the assembly's 24 had argued that they constituted a two-thirds majority on the grounds that the 14 members who decamped to the opposition had vacated their seats. The issue is being disputed in the courts.
Posted by Publisher at 02:06 PM | Comments (0)
Niger Delta: Army, militants hold dialogue
*Militants in fresh attack, seize unspecified number of workers, 3 speed boats
PORT HARCOURT — IN a rare attempt at ending frequent hostilities in the Niger Delta, the Army, weekend, began dialogue with the militants.
By Samuel Oyodongha & Jimitota Onoyume
Posted to the Web: Monday, November 13, 2006
However, speaking in Port Harcourt, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Owoye Andrew Azazi, said the meeting was not borne out of cowardice.
According to the Chief of Army Staff, the initiative became necessary following the increasing level of crimes in the region committed under the guise of fighting for the Niger Delta
He said it was true that the region had suffered gross neglect under past political leadership in the nation but hostage-taking, attack on flow stations, killing of soldiers, etc, were not the appropriate ways to seek redress.
General Azazi said he had heard of calls by youths in the area for de-militarisation of the region, adding that it would not be possible because the army had a constitutional responsibility in the area. He, however, pledged that the army under his command would be friendly while discharging its responsibilities.
Some of the youths who spoke sought the release of Asari-Dokubo as a major step towards peace in the region. They said his continued incarceration had given room for all kinds of crimes to be committed in the region under the guise of seeking his release. They expressed hope that the release would bring an end to hostilities in the region.
They also called for the involvement of youths in providing security for barges just as they maintained that some of the violence so far witnessed in the area were provoked by military men deployed in the region. According to them, these soldiers rather than being friendly attempted to maltreat them.
They also enjoined the Federal Government to prevail on multinational oil firms in the area to respect MoU signed with host communities.
Militants in fresh attack
Meanwhile, Niger Delta militants launched a fresh attack yesterday, this time on the Klough Creek Flow Station in the Ekeremor local government area of Bayelsa State belonging to the Italian oil giant, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), holding hostage an unspecified number of workers. Three speedboats were also seized by the invaders.
Although it could not be ascertained which group launched the attack, it was gathered that about 70 heavily armed youths invaded the facility located in the deep swamp of Ekeremor on the Atlantic fringe of Bayelsa State in the early hours of yesterday with little resistance from the military operatives on guard.
Rampaging armed gunmen had penultimate week invaded and shut down the same facility after overpowering the security men on guard only to withdraw after a four-day siege following the intervention of the state government through the deputy governor, Mr Peremobowei Ebebi who led a delegation to the creek.
However, another group launched a surprise attack on the highly fortified Tebidaba flow station in the Southern Ijaw flank of the state last Monday and is still occupying the facility.
Tension had heightened in the troubled creeks of the state over alleged plan by militants to step up attack on oil installations especially those belonging to the Italian Eni group on account of what sources described as the “accumulated grievances” against the company.
A number of the company employees including local and expatriates as well as security personnel were said to be on duty when the militants struck and are currently being held hostage at the flowstation.
The invaders were also said to have seized no fewer than three speedboats belonging to the embattled company, which has come under massive attack in recent times.
The coordinator of the state vigilance outfit, the “Bayelsa Volunteers”, Chief Joshua Benamiesia who spoke to Vanguard in Yenagoa decried the action of the militants, stressing that it came as surprise to all peace-loving Bayelsans.
Chief Benamiesia who said no group or community had claimed responsibility for the attack, however, noted that everything humanly possible would be done to stem the tide in the creek which, according to him, is causing Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation image problem.
Lamenting the action of the youths, he warned that government might be compelled to resort to the use of force as against the current approach of dialogue.
The state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Hafiz Ringim could not be reached but an official of the company who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the incident.
Militants in fresh strategy
Meanwhile, Niger Delta militants under the auspices of Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC) have said their anger would no longer be restricted to oil and gas companies following the refusal of the Federal Government to release Asari Dokubo.
The militants said in a statement issued weekend that they would continue to adopt grim measures to press for the release of Dokubo, but failed to state what the grim measures were.
They said: “We have refused to be driven to adopt very grim measures to press on our point for the release of Dokubo Asari from the gallows of the Nigerian state.
“We have refused to fire rockets at government convoys. We have allowed the ruling general enjoy his stay in Rivers and Bayelsa states. We have thus far allowed those who conspired to keep Dokubo Asari in jail roam around our states and region peacefully. We have allowed them dream up high political challenges. It shall come to pass that our anger will no longer be directed at the oil and gas companies.
“Desperate situations demand desperate measures. At this point, we lack the ability to maintain restrain,” they said.
Posted by Publisher at 02:04 PM | Comments (0)
I will contest in 2007, Atiku vows
IN spite of the lingering face-off between him and President Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice President Atiku Abubakar vowed at the weekend that he would contest the presidential election in 2007.
BOLA BADMUS, Abuja - 13.11.2006
Abubakar made the vow when he received a delegation of political stakeholders from Gombe State led by former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Joshua Lidani, at his residence in Abuja.
The group had come on a solidarity visit and also to call on the vice president not to relent in his efforts to seek the office of president in 2007.
Reports monitored on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) network quoted Abubakar as saying that he would reveal his presidential plans before the end of the year, just as he said he wanted to serve the people of Nigeria for the rest of his life.
“I have the constitutional right to contest for the position of the president and when the time comes, I will inform everyone of my desire to do so,” the vice-president said in a statement issued by his Chief Information Officer, Stephen Nelson.
Speaking on the ongoing registration of voters, Vice President Abubakar urged the delegation to educate the people to participate fully in the exercise.
pointing out that that was the only way they could help choose a leader of their choice and ensure a peaceful change in the polity come 2007.
“Democracy remains the only means that guarantees the freedom of choice for us,” he added.
Posted by Publisher at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)
The problem with Igbo presidency – Nzeribe
The division among the Igbo of the South-East may cost them the much-prized presidency in 2007, maverick politician, Senator Arthur Nzeribe, has warned.
By VAL OKARA, Owerri
Monday, November 13, 2006
The controversial lawmaker says the lack of consensus and inability of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, to command total allegiance from the people are the greatest obstacles to the emergence of a president of Igbo extraction next year.
His words: "For instance, in 1999, Ohanaeze was urging Igbo to vote for Chief Olu Falae – the call was ignored. The Ohanaeze doesn’t have enough argument or power to enforce its wish in Igboland and so long as that persists, I don’t think the dream of president of Igbo extraction will be realised with the amount of division we have now.
"And most important of all, and I say this with all due respect, I have not seen that giant that will come to the scene and everybody else will subsume himself under that giant. It is not there and that is what is causing the problem we have. The people desiring the job are all on the same level, on the same platform. It is difficult for you to make judgment in favour of one or the other. It is unfortunate and I hope it will change."
Nzeribe, who spoke in an interview with Daily Sun shares his views on other national issues.
Exerpts:
EFCC and its operations
I don’t subscribe to the idle talks that EFCC is being used to hunt anybody. I believe EFCC was necessary in the circumstance the country was in terms of corruption . The EFCC is doing a good job and I believe in what they are doing. I say that the commission needs more assistance to enable them to perfect what they are doing. There is no doubt that the advent of EFCC into our body polity is a good development .
Impeachment saga in some states
If somebody in the executive arm of government deserves to be impeached, then impeach him. Impeachment should have nothing to do with time, all because you are going to leave office in six months time then you say don’t impeach, condone corruption and pretend you don’t see it because time is over.
Political zoning system in Imo State
To the best of my knowledge and I have been around for a long time, I do not know of any negotiated or arranged zoning system. As long as I have joined politics here, this talk about zoning has always been there but it has never been respected by anybody because it has not been pre-arranged. But I do listen attentively to people who are arguing moral issues not a political issue. They are arguing that Orlu zone hadn’t been continuous for eight years.
It will not be moral to have Orlu man coming for another eight years because anybody who wins for the first term will like to go for the second term, which means that if an Orlu person wins in 2007, they would have been in office for 16 years. It is a delicate thing to pursue because if you see it politically Orlu people will say nothing has been negotiated and every time we had won, you have challenged us, why do we give it to you now on a platter of gold but somebody may come and argue intelligently that it is not a political matter, it is a moral issue. There is a song in Igboland that says "Manu akara di uto, onye rara ibeya arara." The thing will ease out by the time we finish the primaries.
Threats by OPCA and your future political aspiration
Who are the people called Orlu Consultative Peoples Assembly? I don’t know them, they don’t exist . Are you saying that each time a bunch of rascals come together and make a claim you should listen to them? In whose mandate are they speaking? I have not spoken to them and I will not speak to them. If they feel that they want to support a candidate, they are free to do that all in the name of democracy but I wouldn’t succumb to their blackmail. It is not even intimidation because they don’t have the courage to intimidate somebody. They are just blackmailers.
You have picked PDP form for Senate, making fifth time if you win in 2007. Why don’t you allow younger politicians go for Orlu zone?
The constitution allows me to run for 100 times. There is no limitation to how many terms a legislator could run in terms of the constitution . As to the matter of stepping down, it is a matter only I can decide but I feel that even at 68 years I still have some senatorial fire to move on . And, so long as I have that, I don’t want to be dishonest with my people by letting them lose the disadvantages of my experience . As you know the Senate is the highest chamber of lawmaking in Nigeria and it requires some qualities in certain people. It requires some experience and in-depth knowledge about the society we are operating and if I don’t run now, the experience I have gained would have been lost. So why are you in a hurry? If you feel that you don’t need me anymore, you have a way of expressing it. Go to the poll and don’t vote for me but so long as the people are assessing me and voting for me and most important I have the health and the stamina to go through it for another four years, I should oblige them.
Why did you support third term?
Because my opinion and the requirement of what you called third term was justifiable. It is not third term for the purpose of third term and I think we should take it along as a package with regards to the constitutional changes we are aiming at – that is, the amendments. We wanted to make it as a whole. And, unfortunately for different political reasons some sections of the country did not want any amendment to the constitution but then, the frontal bullet they were shooting was against third term. The third term was the convenient way for saying that we don’t want constitutional changes, that was exactly what happened.
I supported third term, and I still support it. I have no regret. If the issue starts again tomorrow I will vote the same way because it is desired. The constitution we have now is very lopsided and there is nothing wrong in amending the constitution as time goes on.
Few months into the life of this current Obasanjo-led government, you raised some impeachment moves against the president, what is your position now?
President Olusegun Obasanjo has done very well in the last seven and half years he had piloted the affairs of this country.
Advice for politicians now that elections are drawing near?
You know something , apparently I believe that I am the best politician Nigeria has ever produced. I don’t just claim it . I believe it, so if you ask me what is good politics in Nigeria, I will tell you emulate Senator Arthur Nzeribe, realistic, simple, pragmatic and straight forward. It is as simple as that, give the voters a choice and make them feel it should be Arthur not Uche.
Posted by Publisher at 02:01 PM | Comments (0)
Airlines Lobby Minister With Free Tickets
Panic has broken out among airlines since Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode told them last Thursday to prepare for top down changes that will include the review of their licences.
13th November
By Paul Mumeh (Abuja) and Rotmi Durojaiye (Lagos)
They have resorted to lobbying him with free tickets, but the man talks tough, and says he cannot be bought. He has the backing of the Villa.
Aviation workers too are gripped by fear. The unqualified are to be replaced with professionals.
Since the meeting, the operators have been sending emissaries to Fani-Kayode, pleading with him to tread softly.
One (name withheld) wrote to him on Friday, with a promise to offer free economy tickets to him, members of his family, and staff, throughout his tenure.
"I don’t take Greek gift," he snapped in reply. "It is against government anti-corruption crusade, it is against my personal philosophy. Anytime I or any member of my family or staff want to embark on any journey, God is ready to fund it. We do have the means to fund our journeys. I am happy God has not failed us in this regard. So, keep your gift to yourself."
Fani-Kayode has cautioned his staff not to entertain any airline operator not on appointment in his office, according to sources.
It was learnt that President Olusegun Obasanjo at the weekend also warned him not to succumb to pressure.
"If I send a note to you on behalf of any operator, tear it," the President was quoted as telling him at the Villa.
During his meeting with the airlines in Abuja last week, Fani-Kayode said a new government policy on aviation would determine how licences are issued and whether the right people issued them.
It would also determine whether licencees should continue to operate.
Any operator or personnel found to have committed criminal acts would be prosecuted and the licence of such an airline withdrawn.
To Fani-Kayode, it is time for consolidation in the industry, and those who cannot raise their capital base should be prepared to bow out.
"I am not here for a debate, I am here to give you a new government directive on how to sanitise the aviation industry. It is either you abide by the rules or you quit."
He urged them to buy new aircraft as the government may ban old ones.
As part of the clean up, the government is set to lay off about 4,000 aviation workers, as recommended by the Presidential Task Force on Aviation, headed by Air Marshal Paul Dike, the Chief of Air Staff.
Obasanjo last week ordered the Ministry of Finance to immediately release N19.5 billion to the Ministry of Aviation to facilitate implementation of the proposal. Part of the money will be used to pay severance packages.
In its report, submitted in June, the task force recommended a major restructuring of aviation agencies to weed out unqualified staff and inject professionally competent personnel, so as to raise efficiency level and fulfill the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Among those targeted are the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET); and Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
The Ministry of Aviation will equally lay off some.
Ill health, indiscipline, and old age are part of the yardsticks for the redundancy.
The task force recommended the disengagement of corrupt personnel, professionalisation of all directorates and removal of ageing workers, those whose productivity have stagnated, dwindled or those incompetent or not transparent in the conduct of official business.
The task force was set up by Obasanjo last December following the rash of air crashes. It probed the accidents and recommended measures to make Nigerian aviation more vibrant and competitive.
The recommendations covered the rehabilitation of infrastructure, funding, airline recapitalisation, accident investigation and reporting, insurance, bilateral air service agreements, manpower development, personnel, licensing, and restructuring of the NCAT.
Meanwhile, a posh helicopter worth N2.7 billion will be delivered to the Presidency on November 27.
This was announced at the weekend by Stephen Oronsaye, Principal Secretary to the President, during a budget defence session with the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Governmental Affairs.
The cost was factored into the 2006 budget for State House, which has a total allocation of N19,457,027,780 this year, but reduced to N14,999,999,396 in 2007.
Oronsaye told the committee that the warrant for all monies for the last quarter of the year has been released.
Committee Chairman, Ike Ekweremadu, said although he is yet to see the helicopter, the committee has been assured that it is one of the best available.
"Remember that on 29th of May 2007, Obasanjo would be leaving office and handing over to someone else. I cannot see him handing over a second-hand plane to someone else," he said.
He denied that the National Assembly is pampering Obasanjo by approving both a plane and a helicopter for him.
"Don’t forget that Mr. President is the symbol of this country, and, so, we cannot endanger his life. As he goes in May, he will not go with the helicopter. Some of the ones we are using presently were purchased during the Shagari era (1979 to 1983). We cannot compromise the life of our President."
Posted by Publisher at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
Oil spill: Communities seek N55.8tn from Shell
The value of claims instituted by oil communities in the Niger Delta for environmental damages against the Shell Petroleum Development Company has risen to N55.79tn.
By Clara Nwachukwu
Published: Monday, 13 Nov 2006
Statistics obtained on Sunday by our correspondent from the SPDC andother sources indicated that the amount was derived from over 500 spill-related cases filed in some courts by oil communities in Shell’s areas of operations as at the end of 2004.
A source in the SPDC said, “The cases have been running for a couple of years.
“Most of the cases are still pending, they have not been decided.”
The amount, however, does not include the famous $1.5bn Ijaw Aborigine case, which has been pending for a couple of years, and has attracted the intervention of the National Assembly.
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt awarded the hefty sum against Shell, citing massive pollution of Ijaw lands.
Corroborating the statistics, a non-governmental organisation, Friends of the Earth noted that of the 4,000 oil spills recorded in the Niger Delta over the past four decades, 1,000 of them were filed against SPDC in the last decade.
While the oil company revels in the fact that “not even a fraction of these cases have been decided, its manner of operations has earned it the award for “Irresponsible Environmental Behaviour.”
The award was conferred on Shell by the Friends of the Earth in January last year at a ceremony outside the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
According to the international environment watchdog, “Shell was nominated for the award for its operations in Nigeria, which have created a legacy of destruction and pollution.”
A senior official in Shell told our correspondent on Friday, “Most of the spills were due to sabotage, although a few were also due to equipment failures.”
He alleged, “The people go and cut up the pipelines to siphon crude, then they run back to us that there has been a spill so that they could collect compensations.
“Sometimes, the communities deny us access to the site until the spill spreads so that the claims could be higher. But most of them are frivolous claims and we never paid a dime for them because their genuineness could not be determined.”
But the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, which produces more than 40 per cent of Nigeria’s 2.2m-barrels-per- day crude, did not admit carelessness in its operations based on the nature of the spills.
For instance, in 2003, of the 221 spill cases recorded, Shell claimed 141 were due to sabotage and 80 to “controllable errors arising from equipment failures or human errors.”
In 2004, there were 236 spills, of which 157 were said to be from sabotage and 79 from controllable sources.
In 2005, according to the company, it recorded 224 spills, 157 from sabotage and the balance of 86 from controllable factors.
But the company reiterated commitment to its aspirations of zero spill in all its operations.
Its environment expert, Dr. Akuro Adoki, observed, “Litigation in the oil industry has been in the increase in recent time, most of which resulted from environmental issues.”
Tracing the incident to the Ken Saro-Wiwa saga, Adoki noted that the increase in such oil spill litigations was partly due to the growing environmental awareness in the Niger Delta, particularly those who wanted to “exploit the perceived poor environmental reputation of the industry operators,” which he said accounted for about 70 per cent of such cases.
He stated that in view of the numerous litigations facing the industry, coupled with regulatory requirements, operators had initiated some studies to promote sustainable development in their areas of operations.
According to him, among these are environmental impact assessment for new facilities’ development; environmental evaluation report or studies for existing facilities; post-impact assessment for projects or incident impact assessment; and special studies.
He added that the PIA had become a very important weapon against litigants who might want to cash in on the “ignorance” of the operators.
Posted by Publisher at 01:57 PM | Comments (0)
KNSG inaugurates 479 reconciliation committees
IN furtherance of its drive to entrench Sharia implementation to the grassroots and ensure decent society, the Kano state government has inaugurated 479 Community Reconciliation Committees for all the 44 local government areas in the state.
By ADAMU ABDULLAHI
Inaugurating the committee yesterday at a function tagged ‘’the Reconciliation Day’’ held at Sani Abacha Stadium, the state governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau explained that the committees comprising 7,260 representatives are mandated to resolve disputes in their respective domain.
According to him, the committees are expected to play a major role in settling wranglings involving families, friends, neighbours and associates without recourse to going to the police or court.
The overall aim, he said, is to ensure a more conscientious and united citizenry necessary for the success of the Sharia being implemented by the government, as well as refocusing the society toward development.
Governor Shekarau however stated that the committees will not prosecute anyone like law enforcement agencies but rather, was aimed at ensuring that disputes are settled amicably, adding that capacity building programmes and facilities will be provided to enable them work effectively.
Malam Shekarau noted with delight that the state Hisbah guards are playing a vital role in the value re-orientation of the people and commended the Emir of Kano, civil and religious leaders for their support to his administration.
In his speech, the Emir of Kano. Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Bayero promised total support for the committee in the interest of a more organized society and appealed for the cooperation of the people.
The emir therefore directed all district heads and religious leaders to ensure the success of the committees in their domains while advising the members to ensue the prevailence of justice and equity.
Earlier, the commander-general of the state Hisbah, Sheikh Yahya Farooq Chedi explained that they have so far succeeded in resolving more than 19,000 civil cases, besides rendering humanitarian services as well as other activities aimed at sanitizing the social order.
Sheikh Chedi further disclosed that Hisbah was able to discover and close a number of social vices spots across the state as well as counseling the persons involved, repent and live a decent life.
Others who spoke at the occasion include Sheikh Umar Sani Fagge, commissioner I, State Sharia commission and Malam Ibrahim Mu’azzam Maibushira, commissioner II, Zakka and Khubsi Commission, who dwelt on the importance of reconciliation in Sharia and Muslim society.
Highlights of the occasion include honouring of the state governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau as the Vanguard of Hisbah (Garkuwan Hisbah) as well as presentation of souvenir to five prominent personalities for their contribution to the successes of Hisbah.
Those who receive the souvenirs included the first chairman of Hisbah, Sheikh Aminuddeen Abubakar, Alhaji Abdullahi Dutse, immediate past chairman, Alhaji Sunusi Kani, immediate past director-general, Ustaz Ahmad Shu’aibu and Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmud Adam.
Posted by Publisher at 01:56 PM | Comments (0)
Meteorologists threaten flight operations
FLIGHT operations in the nation’s airports would be disrupted from tomorrow when staff of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) begin a three-day warning strike to press home demands for improved working conditions.
FELIX NWANERI
Meteorological personnel are responsible for weather reports at the various airports.
But the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) in a circular to its members serving with NIMET, directed that the warning strike commences after midnight of today.
NUATE, in the circular titled, "Three days nationwide protest," signed by its acting General Secretary, Gideon Ogbuji said that the decision to embark on the warning strike was reached after talks with the NIMET management in the past seven months have failed to resolve the matter.
The circular listed the unresolved issues as non-payment of outstanding claims, leave grants, course and transfer allowances, gratuity and pensions as well as delay in payment of staff salaries.
But in a swift reaction, NIMET’s management advised NUATE to embrace dialogue in resolving issues of staff welfare.
NIMET, in a statement signed by Alhaji B. A. Mohammed also described as uncomplimentary and professionally unethical for NUATE to direct its members to embark on industrial action in the face of the on-going International Civil Aviation (ICAO) audit of the country’s aviation sector.
"As major stakeholders and professionals, your proposed industrial action in the face of the ICAO audit exercise is to say the least uncomplimentary, inconsiderate and professionally unethical within the framework of not only the Trade Union Act, but also our global standard practices and procedures.
"Aviation industry is one of the most sensitive sectors of the Nigerian economy which is classified under essential services and therefore any disruption, that would affect the lives, property and security of the people is tantamount to sabotage," NIMET said.
Also describing the one day ultimatum given to it by NUATE as a contradiction of labour laws, management of NIMET disclosed that it has already earmarked N5 million for the payment of 2006 leave grants and outstanding staff claims.
On the payment of pensions and gratuity, it said that following the Pension Reform Act of 2004, such matters would continue to be handled by the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation till 2007.
Posted by Publisher at 01:56 PM | Comments (0)
Obasanjo: Presidency open to all
The presidential race is open to all eligible Nigerians, President Olusegun Obasanjo said at the weekend. Obasanjo was refuting newspaper reports that he has anointed certain governors to succeed him. Among those vyIng for the presidency include: Governors Makarfi, Duke, Muazu, Odili,Egwu and Yar’adua.
By Emmanuel Bello
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2006
Governor Duke had also told Daily Trust that Obasanjo expects the next president to come from amongst the governors.
But in a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Uba Sani, the Presidency said, “we wish to state categorically and in the strongest terms, that the story is false in its entirety. The president, at no time instructed that the search for the next president be restricted to the governors. On the contrary, certain persons have been moving round, telling Nigerians that they have been endorsed by the president for the highest office of the land.”
It continues, “We wish to also reiterate for the umpteenth time, that the president is a true democrat who has devoted the better part of his life to the expansion of the frontiers of democracy. He cannot restrict the choice of the next president to only governors. Even among the governors, few are said to have been chosen. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”
The statement further called on all eligible Nigerians to exercise their franchise at all levels in next year’s general elections.
It said, “we call on all eligible Nigerians who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party to step out and aspire for the office of the president. It is their constitutional right. The president is committed to creating a level playing field so that the best candidate can emerge. He is not interested in quick fixes or “power by conspiracy.” He believes in equal opportunities for all.”
On the race, it said, “as the leader of the PDP, the president has been working assiduously to build a party where inclusiveness and participation are the watchwords. He cannot therefore destroy what he has been building by restricting the search for the president to a few Nigerians.”
He outlined the qualities expected of the next president pointing out that “such a person should be able to move to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria canvas-sing for the support of the people. Such a person must come to power with credibility and legitimacy. He or she must have a pact with the Nigerian people.”
A new dimension was added to the presidential race when former military presi-dent Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), ended the long held speculations and picked his nomination form from the ruling PDP.
His entrance, according to findings, has increased the tempo of activities across the country with aspirants beefing up their campaign activities.
Governor Peter Odili and his Cross River counterpart, Donald Duke, have heighte-ned their consultations across the nation.
In the North, Governor Ahmed Sani of Zamfara state has also continued with outreaches, even as he assured his supporters that the charges from the EFCC would not truncate his ambition.
Vice President Atiku Abubakar is also bidding his time with speculations rife that he may opt out of the presidential contest.
In a press interview during the weekend, he said that the presidency is not “every-thing” to him, noting that he would soon address the nation on his intention.
Former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and formerNational Security Adviser (NSA), General Aliyu Gusau (rtd), are yet to pick the nomination forms to vie for the presidency.
Buhari’s supporters believe that the Katsina born general has what it takes to win the elections on the basis of his track records in credibility and accountability.
It would be recalled that the issue of a consensus candidate from the North cropped up recently with leaders of thought in the region weighing all the options available to it.
The entry of Babangida may increase the debate on the need for a candidate whom the region could rally round.
Posted by Publisher at 01:54 PM | Comments (0)
BPE sells Abuja airport today
AGAINST protests from stakeholders in the aviation sector particularly workers, over the Federal Government's bid to privatise the nation's airports, a new core investor will this morning emerge for the management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, under the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) concession arrangement.
From Mathias Okwe, Abuja
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group is the Lead Transaction Adviser to the BPE for the concession of the airports.
The bids' opening comes up at 9. am at the BPE Conference Room. Three investors short-listed had earlier in June this year undertaken a data room inspection of the airport facility from where the ill - fated ADC aircraft, which crashed shortly after take - off three weeks ago heading for Sokoto originated.
The three investors include: Airport Company of South Africa (ACSA), Airport Consortium of Vienna, which is the lead company of Nigeria International Airport Partners and Nairanet Consortium.
However, The Guardian learnt yesterday that one of the bidders had withdrawn owing to its inability to meet up with the financial deadline for the 10 per cent bid bond while another withdrew and joined forces with another to form a strong consortium which may be a lone bidder in today's transaction.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, had told the concessionaires to take full advantage of the great business opportunities offered by its facilities and location in the fast growing Federal Capital Territory and present attractive technical and financial bids.
According to him, by virtue of the FCT Act, the airport belongs to the FCT, and to support the commendable privatisation efforts of the BPE, he assured the bidders of his resolve to assist in clearing all obstacles to the concession of the airport.
The investment attractions, which the minister listed, include the airport being part of the Abuja master plan, designed as the Conference Capital of Africa and currently inhabited by 7.5 million people or five percent of the population of Nigeria. Abuja, according to El-Rufai has the highest per capital income in Nigeria.
According to the minister, the Abuja Airport is designed to have 10 terminals and is located in the middle of Nigeria, making it a convenient gateway to any part of the nation and therefore a good investment.
He promised to give the bidders necessary information including the title documents, which are vested in the FCT, adding that work is progressing fast on the environmental audit and assets register of the airport. Illegal squatters will be removed from the precinct of the airport whose large perimeter will be secured and fenced.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) currently manages the airport with other 21airports in the country.
International airline operators flying into the airport are British Airways, KLM Dutch airlines and Lufthansa German airline.
The Abuja Airport is the fourth biggest income earner for FAAN after those in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.
Posted by Publisher at 01:30 PM | Comments (0)
November 05, 2006
Nnamani Offered EFCC N55m Bribe, Says Ribadu
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, has alleged that Enugu State governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, offered a bribe of N55 million to operatives of the commission ostensibly to cover up the graft in the state.
By Chinelo Ezinwa,Special Correspondent, Abuja
5th November
Ribadu who made the allegation in Abuja on Saturday said the governor offered the bribe through a legal practitioner whose names he withheld.
The EFCC boss spoke at a workshop the commission organised in conjunction with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) as part of activities marking the "Fix Nigeria Initiative".
But in his reaction, Governor Nnamani debunked the allegation.
Speaking on his behalf in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Saturday, Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Igbonekwu Ogazimorah said Ribadu had been making the allegation for a long time and that it was obvious that he was lying.
His words: "He is not saying the truth. We don’t know who approached him or what place the purported bribe was offered."
Notwithstanding the frustration of the commission in the battle against corrupt officials, Ribadu assured that all those fingered would soon be tried before the courts.
Although he expressed respect for lawyers, he however accused them of playing roles that provides cover to corrupt officials.
On the work of the EFCC, he said: "We are human, we are not perfect. We have made some mistakes but we are doing our best to stamp out corruption in Nigeria".
Lawyers at the workshop however denied collusion with corrupt officials with the NBA President, Olisa Agbakoba, saying that the association was determined to wear a new image, part of which is partnering with organisations like the EFCC.
The workshop which was tagged: "The EFCC Act and other Related Instruments: The Role of Lawyers" is aimed at identifying and defining the role of legal practitioners in the battle against corruption in Nigeria with regard to the administration of justice.
Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Lagos High Court who presented a paper on "The Role and Duties of Lawyers", said that lawyers had a historic responsibility to fight corruption and uphold justice.
Posted by Publisher at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)
Dariye’s impeachment: Assembly members missing
An air of apprehension has gripped members of the Plateau State House of Assembly over the whereabouts of the two members of the Plateau State House of Assembly who refused to support the impeachment move initiated by six members of the House against Governor Joshua Dariye.
Isaac Shobayo, Jos - 05.11.2006
Already, the sixteen members of the state House of Assembly have declared that they do not recognise the panel set up by the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Lazarus Dakyen, and would have nothing to do with the findings of the panel.
Members of the House and close relations of missing lawmakers, Peter Azi and Pam Dongs, told Sunday Tribune that since they were moved to Lagos last week, they had been making efforts to get in touch with them without success.
A member of the House who spoke with Sunday Tribune on condition of anonymity, said the two lawmakers and the Clerk of the House, Mr. Cornelius Shilobal, who have been in detention in Abuja, were moved to Lagos with the aim of charging them to Court, but were neither charged to court nor taken back to their detention cells in Abuja.
He added that some members of their families had gone round the various EFCC cells in Lagos State last week but could not trace them, adding that they returned to Abuja and still did not find them.
He also claimed that the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc committee looking into the Plateau crisis, had asked that they should either be charged to court or released, adding that it was based on this that people were of the opinion that they might have been released.
Posted by Publisher at 11:04 AM | Comments (0)
Oyo boils! Two Ladoja’s aides killed; Alao-Akala deputy leads street march
AS Alhaji Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja and Chief Christopher Alao-Akala continued to lay claim to the governorship of Oyo State after the Court of Appeal nullified Ladoja’s impeachment, Ibadan, literally, boiled, yesterday, as Alao-Akala’s deputy, Alhaji Azeez Gbolarumi, led a crowd of about 200 loyalists of his benefactor, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, across the major streets of the state capital, chanting war songs.
OLA AJAYI,Ibadan
Posted to the Web: Sunday, November 05, 2006
Also, two people, said to be loyalists of Ladoja, were feared dead in two separate incidents during the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ward congress held across the State.
It was learnt that the group of the court reinstated governor was given the go-ahead by the national secretariat of the PDP to participate in yesterday’s ward congress even though they were not registered.
It was a surprise for Adedibu’s loyalists that Ladoja’s loyalists outnumbered them.
This sparked off violent clash in Ward 3 in Ibadan, South-West Local Government Area which left one Ladoja’s loyalist dead and several people seriously injured at Adeoyo junction along Ring Road-Challenge, Ibadan. There were pockets of trouble in other wards.
At ward 1 in Ibadan North Local Government Area, one Dauda Owolabi received deep matchet cuts in the head. In Ward 3, in Oke Aremo, another casualty was recorded. The victim was identified as Aiki Wahab. Thugs also took over Ward 10 in Oba Akinyele High School where one Kola Olayiwola received matchet cuts on the head. Residents of Ibadan South East ran for cover when thugs who were heavily armed with guns and other dangerous weapons shot sporadically into the air.
Gbolarumi was seen among the crowd walking on foot along Mokola Sango Road around 12.23pm with a black face cap and grey kaftan. His official cars, a black jeep and 406 Peugeot car, trailed behind with some heavily armed policemen and plain clothes security details. At Mokola roundabout, he met some other thugs heading towards Sango brandishing cutlasses and other dangerous weapons and chanting war songs that “Ladoja should not try it”. The thugs were conveyed in a Mercedes Benz car marked OYO AR 499 BDJ and two buses with one marked XA 799 WWD.
It was also gathered that Beere, Mapo, Oja Oba and Molete were not peaceful during the congress. Thugs with dangerous weapons took over the roads making it impassable for motorists and pedestrians.
When the chief media officer to the deputy governor, Mr Demola Solalu, was confronted with the claim that his boss was leading thugs to cause chaos and mayhem, he denied it saying it would be unfair for anybody to say that Gbolarumi was leading thugs to cause mayhem. According to him, “ we went to Ibadan North Local Council to monitor the ward congress and everything went on smoothly. Nobody was attacked neither was anybody molested. I don’t know why peole could be so unfair to say that the deputy governor was leading others to attack Ladoja’s group. Is Ladoja still in the PDP?.
The chief of staff in the regime of Ladoja, Chief Sarafadeen Alli alleged that Ladoja’s supporters were attacked by hoodlums led by the deputy governor, Alli added. But we have instructed our men to keep away from them. We are not trouble makers”.
Meanwhile, it was gathered yesterday that Ladoja may not resume tomorrow as being widely publicized. According to the source, he couldn’t get through to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, Friday, to get the names of his aides approved.
At Ogbomoso, impeccable sources revealed that trouble broke out when Alao-Akala arrived the town Friday. It was learnt that the attack was led by one Oriade, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW) in Ogbomoso. Even though no life was lost, reports had it that many people were injured in the clash. An eye witness account confided in Sunday Vanguard that some thugs were mobilized to oppose Ladoja’s loyalists in the town for jubilating over the judgement of the court.
Posted by Publisher at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
Saddam, 2 others sentenced to death
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Saddam Hussein was convicted and sentenced Sunday to hang for crimes against humanity in the 1982 killings of 148 people in a single town, as the ousted leader, trembling and defiant, shouted "God is great!"
By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer
As he, his half brother and another senior official in his regime were convicted and sentenced to death, Saddam yelled out, "Long live the people and death to their enemies. Long live the glorious nation, and death to its enemies!"
Some feared the verdicts could intensify Iraq's sectarian violence after a trial that stretched over nine months in 39 sessions and ended nearly 3 1/2 months ago. Clashes immediately broke out Sunday in north Baghdad's heavily Sunni Azamiyah district. Elsewhere in the capital, celebratory gunfire rang out.
"This government will be responsible for the consequences, with the deaths of hundreds, thousands or even hundreds of thousands, whose blood will be shed," Salih al-Mutlaq, a Sunni political leader, told the al-Arabiya satellite television station.
The death sentences were not expected to be carried out quickly. They automatically go to a nine-judge appeals panel which has unlimited time to review the case. If the verdicts and sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days.
Saddam and his seven co-defendants were on trial for a wave of revenge killings carried out in the city of Dujail following a 1982 assassination attempt on the former dictator. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Islamic Dawa party, then an underground opposition, has claimed responsibility for organizing the attempt on Saddam's life.
In the streets of Dujail, a Tigris River city of 84,000, people celebrated and burned pictures of their former tormentor as the verdict was read.
During Sunday's hearing, Saddam initially refused the chief judge's order to rise; two bailiffs lifted the ousted ruler to his feet and he remained standing through the sentencing, sometimes wagging his finger at the judge.
Before the session began, one of Saddam's lawyers, former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, was ejected from the courtroom after handing the judge a memorandum in which he called the trial a travesty.
Chief Judge Raouf Abdul-Rahman pointed to Clark and said in English, "Get out."
In addition to the former Iraqi dictator and Barzan Ibrahim, his former intelligence chief and half brother, the Iraqi High Tribunal convicted and sentenced Awad Hamed al-Bandar, the head of Iraq's former Revolutionary Court, to death by hanging. Iraq's former Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan was convicted of premeditated murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Three defendants were sentenced to 15 years in prison for torture and premeditated murder. Abdullah Kazim Ruwayyid and his son Mizhar Abdullah Ruwayyid were party officials Dujail, along with Ali Dayih Ali. They were believed responsible for the Dujail arrests.
Mohammed Azawi Ali, a former Dujail Baath Party official, was acquitted for lack of evidence and immediately freed.
He faces additional charges in a separate case over an alleged massacre of Kurdish civilians.
The guilty verdict for Saddam is expected to enrage hard-liners among Saddam's fellow Sunnis, who made up the bulk of the former ruling class. The country's majority Shiites, who were persecuted under the former leader but now largely control the government, will likely view the outcome as a cause of celebration.
In Tikrit, Saddam's hometown, 1,000 people defied the curfew and carried pictures of the city's favorite son through the streets. Some declared the court a product of the U.S. "occupation forces" and condemned the verdict.
"By our souls, by our blood we sacrifice for you Saddam" and "Saddam your name shakes America."
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad issued a statement saying the verdicts "demonstrate the commitment of the Iraqi people to hold them (Saddam and his co-defendants) accountable."
"Although the Iraqis may face difficult days in the coming weeks, closing the book on Saddam and his regime is an opportunity to unite and build a better future," Khalilzad said.
Posted by Publisher at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
November 03, 2006
Nigerian governor defies sacking
The impeached governor of the south-east Nigerian state of Anambra is refusing to leave office, leaving the state in political turmoil.
Amid tight security, some state legislators voted to remove Peter Obi for gross misconduct on Thursday.
His deputy is refusing to be sworn and civil rights groups have criticised the whole process as unconstitutional.
A BBC correspondent says the battle could get more volatile if supporters of the two sides take to the streets.
Election battle
Mr Obi, who has been in office for just seven months, only took power after a court ruled that his predecessor had rigged the election in 2003.
This is the fifth state to start impeachment proceedings against a governor this year.
Some say the recent impeachments are part of the fight against corruption.
But critics say it is often more about rival politicians trying to take charge of the state so they can control the elections due early next year.
Mr Obi, from the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has only occupied the post since March this year.
That was after an appeal court rule that the elections in the state in 2003 were rigged by the governing People's Democratic Party.
The PDP's Chris Ngige, who occupied the post of governor illegally for three years, had fallen out with senior party figures soon after the election.
He said it was because he refused to loot public money to pay them back for their support.
Since Mr Obi took office in March, he has been locked in a power struggle with one of the president's closest aides, Andy Uba, who wants to win the governorship in next year's elections.
Analysts say the impeachment process could only help this ambition.
Posted by Publisher at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
I'll resume Monday—LADOJA : *Writes Police, SSS to restore his security details
IBADAN— ALHAJI Rashidi Ladoja whose impeachment was voided on Wednesday by the Court of Appeal has written to the Director of State Security Services (SSS), Oyo State, and the Commissioner of Police for the state, notifying them of his intention to resume office on Monday, November 6, and requesting his full security details.
By Bolade Omonijo & Ola Ajayi
Posted to the Web: Friday, November 03, 2006
However, the 18 pro-Lamidi Adedibu legislators in the state House of Assembly have applied for a court injunction restraining Ladoja from parading himself as governor of the state pending the determination of the suit by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
These came on a day Governor Alao-Akala made a broadcast, restating that it would be wrong to insinuate that Wednesday’s ruling by the Court of Appeal had any implication on his person as the governor of Oyo State.
And for most part of Oyo State yesterday, there was calm, with the exception of Molete and Iwo where Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu holds sway.
Ladoja writes SSS, Police
In his letter to the SSS Director and Police Commissioner, Ladoja informed both of his decision to resume duties on Monday, November 6, just as he gave his itinerary for the day.
In his separate letters to the SSS Director and the Police Commissioner, respectively, Ladoja wrote:
“Following the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the 1st November 2006 which declared unconstitutional, null and void my removal as the Executive Governor of Oyo, I wish to inform you that I will be resuming duty on Monday, 6th of November 2006.
“Part of my programmes for the day will include visiting the palace of the Olubadan and attending a civic reception organised for me at the Adamasingba Stadium later in the day.
“I am, therefore, requesting that you restore immediately my security operatives and provide adequate security at the venue for my functionaries. I attach copy of the enrolment of order of the court judgment.
“Please treat as urgent. He also copied the Director General, State Security Services, Abuja.
18 lawmakers want court to stop Ladoja
The 18-pro-Adedibu lawmakers in the Oyo State House of Assembly in a motion on notice and signed by the lead counsel to the 18 lawmakers, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), prayed the court to grant an injunction “restraining the interested party/Appellant /Respondent— Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja— either by himself, servants, agents, privies or anybody acting through him or acting pursuant to the judgment of this honourable court either alone or in conjunction with any other person or body or institution from assuming office as Governor of Oyo State or from parading himself as such or from acting pursuant to the judgment of this honourable court delivered on 1st day of November 2006 pending the hearing and determination of the Defendants/Appellants/Applicants’ appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
Also, they prayed the court to restrain the “1st and the 2nd Appellants/Respondents — Hon. Abraham Adeolu Adeleke and Hon. Barrister Titilola Ademola Dauda — either by themselves, servants, agents, privies or anybody acting through them or acting pursuant to the judgment of this honourable court either alone or in conjunction with any other person or body or institution from recognising or dealing with the interested party/appellant—Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja— as the Governor of Oyo State.”
Akala’s broadcast
Gov Alao-Akala, in a state broadcast to the people of the state last night said throughout the court ruling, his name was never mentioned as a party to the proceedings right from the lower court up to the Appeal Court either in his capacity as Otunba Alao-Akala or as the governor of the state.