October 11, 2005

Aluko out, Omoyeni in

Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Aluko loses out in face-off with his boss, Governor Fayose

By Joseph Onyewkwere
Monday, October 10, 2005

Adebisi omoyeni is the new deputy governor of Ekiti State. He succeeds Abiodun Aluko who was impeached and removed from office, September 27, by the state house of assembly. Omoyeni was the executive director of Wema Bank Plc. He was sworn in October 5, a day after the house of assembly cleared him.

Aluko has had a running battle with the state governor, Ayo Fayose. The State House of Assembly found Aluko guilty on three of the 16 charges levelled against him. He was alleged to have caused "division, apathy and disunity among members of Ekiti State House of Assembly, organising some members and asking them to recruit others to support him against constituted authority."

The second charge against him was "that the deputy governor falsely accused honourable members in the presence of PDP national chairman among others, of receiving a bribe of N2 million each from the governor to impeach him, which has brought the integrity and reputation of the honourable members into disrepute." And lastly, "that the deputy governor had severally stated that he was prepared to pull down the government of Ekiti if his position is threatened."

Based on these charges, Aluko was removed with 22 votes against two in a legislative session that had all the 26 members of the house in attendance.

Leaders of the State House of Assembly said they were left with no other option except impeachment after their efforts to reconcile the deputy governor with his boss had failed.

Reacting to his impeachment, Aluko said neither the impeachment nor the decision of the panel came to him as a surprise "in view of the fact that I have always alerted the public to the fact that Fayose had bribed 19 out of the 26 members of the house to get me removed." The former deputy governor said that the public is yet to hear the last of the matter.

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October 04, 2005

Riot Act For Randy Police Officers

Sunday Ehindero, acting inspector-general of police announces tough disciplinary measures against 11 police officers alleged to have committed sexual offences in the Democratic Republic of Congo

By Andrew Airahuobhor
Monday, October 03, 2005

Sunday Ehindero, acting inspector-general of police, last Monday wielded the big stick against 11 police officers who were recently indicted for sex scandal in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. The officers who are among the 120- member Nigerian contingent participating in a United Nations, UN, peace mission were accused of 19 acts of sexual abuse. It ranges from rape to luring children to sex with food or money.

The IGP ordered the immediate suspension from duty of all the superior police officers, SPO's. They are also to report to the force secretary to answer queries. Also, inspectors and rank and file have been handed over to the force provost marshall for trial. The 120 members of the contingent have been banned from participating in any peace keeping mission outside the country throughout the rest of their career in the force. Besides, 36 of them attached to the police mobile force have been demobilised.

Ehindero chided the police officers for bringing shame and disrepute to the country. "They have no shame at all. They are a disgrace to this country and we shall deal with all of them after due process has taken its course," Ehindero said.

The 120-member Nigerian contingent were drafted to the DRC to be part of the 16,000 officers and men of the strong UN mission in the East African nation, code named "Operation MONUC." Anthony Okon, superintendent and commander of the team was named alongside Ali Husseini and Nwoha Felix, both assistant superintendents of police, ASP, as perpetrators of the shameful act. Others include Zacharia Philip, inspector and Andrew Edwin, a sergeant.

Mike Okiro, deputy inspector-general of police, AIG, was drafted to the DRC by the IGP, when news of the allegation of sexual misconduct was received. He was sent on a fact-finding mission and to facilitate the repatriation of the contingent back home. On September 24, they were repatriated by the police authorities.

Ehindero explained that preliminary reports of a board of inquiry constituted by the UN on the incidents, and the fact- finding mission to Congo by Okiro indicted the 11 officers. He said there was no need waiting for Kofi Annan, UN secretary-general's report before taking appropriate disciplinary measures.

The IGP said that over the years, Nigeria police force have won international awards in peace-keeping operations. He regretted that this contingent of officers have dented the image of the force. Consequently, Ehindero declared that henceforth, he will work in conjunction with the force secretary to screen all police personnel who are to participate in foreign missions. "We shall no longer delegate such functions because some miscreants have found their way into these missions," the IGP said. He noted that this was the first time men of the Nigeria police force on peace-keeping abroad were indicted and repatriated for breaching UN code of conduct.

But Haz Iwendi, force public relations officer, FPRO, said Okon, the team commander, faced investigations for his failure to disclose or report his subordinate's misconduct.

Human Right Watch, a rights advocacy group had in July accused the Nigerian police force of routinely committing murder, torture and rape of suspects in their custody. Their accusation was contained in a 76-page report titled "Rest in Peace: Police Torture and Deaths in Custody in Nigeria," released in Lagos.

International reputation of the police has been dented by these randy police officers. At home, the police are battling to restore their integrity which has been battered over the years by corrupt police officers.

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September 19, 2005

Stinking Police Barracks

In most police barracks in Nigeria, accommodation is not only inadequate but the environment is dirty

By Anthony Akaeze
Monday, September 19, 2005

The state of police barracks across the country has continued to attract attention. This is because many of the barracks are in poor states of disrepair. In most of the barracks visited by Newswatch recently, the environments are squalid and the infrastructure, either overstretched or in poor conditions. The result is an image which even the police personnel are not proud of.

In one of the barracks at the Surulere area of Lagos, the toilet facilities like soak-away, pipes, windows and doors were dilapilated. Also there is the problem of overcrowding. The vicinity is dominated by trading shops or sales outlets like beer parlours and restaurants. This worsens the environmental condition since used waters from the restaurant are poured out indiscriminately with food particles littering the whole place.

At one of the residence at the Surulere barracks, a police officer, bemoaned the condition of the environment when he said: "Nobody is proud of this place, but what can one do? It was in similar condition when I took up residence here. But don't forget also that this barrack is old. You can see that yourself. Hence the condition of the facilities have deteriorated over time. The only reason I chose to remain here is the security I enjoy. Here, one is assured of hundred percent security. That's just the advantage. Otherwise I cannot live here." Asked why he and his mates cannot mobilise themselves to carry out periodic cleaning exercise, he replied "My brother, where will one start? But of course, we do try our best. We do. But there are too many problems on ground. There is hardly any cooperation here. Will you force somebody to partake in cleaning the environment in which he lives? That is partly the problem. The impression seems to be that, because many inhabitants met the same condition on ground, they are not willing to do much to give the place a face-lift."

Another resident, however, thinks that it is the duty of government to ensure cleanliness since the major problems lie with the malfunctioning of facilities. He said: "The barrack accommodation is not free of charge. Accommodation money is deducted from our salaries every month. We are, therefore, surprised that the government is finding it difficult to maintain the facilities. They should use the money we pay to them to maintain what belongs to them anyway."

Fred Onwudinjo, a civilian, who lives near the Ikeja barracks said that the impression seems to be that, being police barracks, both the environment and structures within are government property and thus should be left to the discretion of government officials to manage. He said most of the people who live there are not concerned enough. That is why police barracks are virtually the same everywhere.

But there is cheering news from the police force headquarters, Abuja. Haz Iwendi, the new force public relations officer, told Newswatch that the police high command has approved funds for the renovation work to commence in some police barracks nationwide. He said: "Everything is now in place. Renovation work will be carried out in two mobile police barracks in each of the six geo-political zones. For the regular police, two barracks shall be rehabilitated in each state. Also, two 'four man' barracks shall be built in each state. Money has been made available for this," he told Newswatch.

This will no doubt gladden the hearts of many concerned citizens. But of paramount importance too, is the need to put in place, machinery that will be charged with maintaining these facilities.

Posted by Publisher at 04:18 PM | Comments (0)

Inside the "Lion's Den"

Security agencies led by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission storm the notorious Oluwole Market, arrest about 100 forgery suspects

By Catherine Attah
Monday, September 19, 2005

Sanity seems to be returning to the notorious Oluwole market in Lagos. This followed a massive raid on the market by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, September 3 during which 100 persons were arrested.

Oluwole market is a big centre of crime in Lagos. It is better known as centre for forging of documents such as travelers cheques, official stamps of government parastatals, corporate bodies, international passports and driver's license.

When Newswatch visited the ever-busy Oluwole market last week, the place was still deserted. Some residents of the area who spoke to Newswatch on condition of nonymity, said the raid was welcome. Said one resident of the area: "For more than ten years, we have been battling with series of crimes in this area. All sorts of fraudulent activities go on here on a daily basis but since the EFCC came to our rescue the story is now different. We are extremely happy because we now have some bit of peace and calm in this vicinity compared to what it used to be in the past," the source said.

Funke Adetusa, another resident of the area told Newswatch that after the raid, picture of Oluwole has changed and noted that it has reduced tension that were hitherto their lot in the area. "Since the EFCC came in here things have really fallen apart for the fraudsters. We don't see many of them here anymore. They are afraid of being arrested and this has greatly reduced tension by a great margin. Now residents are feeling as if they have been relieved of a big burden."

In the past, the "Oluwole Boys" wreaked a lot of havoc on corporate organisations across Nigeria and indeed the rest of the world. Quite a number of bank workers among the other professionals have lost their jobs as a result of the notorious activities of these hoodlums.

Osita Nwaja, EFCC spokesman told Newswatch that the raid was carried out in conjunction with the police. To EFCC, the recent raid on Oluwole is part of the battle Nuhu Ribadu, its chairman, to wipe out crime in the country. "Our strategies are intact and our security operatives are sneezing the nooks and crannies of Nigeria to pin down all princes of deceit and their haven of respite and solace," Osita said.

Olubode Ojajuni, the Lagos State police spokesman, explained that the recent raid on Oluwole market was a directive of the presidency following incessant complaints by financial institutions and the general public over shady deals being transacted at the market. "We are putting things in order and working in tandem with corporate bodies and members of the public to win the battle. Fraudsters within the country should beware because we are on their trail. Our desire is to restore the good image of this country and an enabling environment for individuals and corporate safety to do their legitimate business," he said.

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September 12, 2005

Nothing to do With Murder

Mohammed Ibrahim, also known as Pele, denies ever associating with Abdullahi Adamu, governor of Nasarawa State with any plot to kill a former attorney-general of the state

By Anza Philips, Abuja Bureau
Monday, September 12, 2005

The Nasarawa State Police Command has absolved Governor Abdullahi Adamu of attempt to kill Mohammed Abdullahi, former attorney- general and commissioner for Justice of Nasarawa State. A national daily had recently in its lead story, credited one Mohammed Ibrahim, also known as Pele as having alleged that the governor had contracted him to kill the former attorney- general.

Mohammed Hadi Zarewa, police commissioner, Nasarawa State told Newswatch that police investigation has shown that Pele who has since been arrested said he did that with the aim of extorting money from the former AG.

Zarewa said Pele had on August 7, this year gone to the house of the former attorney-general and told the AG that he (Pele) is a member of a seven man gang assigned by the governor to eliminate the former AG. But that given his (Pele) love for the former AG, he would spare the latter's life on the condition the AG pays a sum of N150,000.00.

The parties, Newswatch learnt settled for N35,000.00. The Police commissioner said immediately the agreement on the amount was reached, the former AG immediately reported the incident to the Keffi Area Commander of the Police. Pele and the former AG were to meet at a location behind Total Filling Station in Keffi to collect the agreed amount.

Unknown to Pele, the Police Area Commander marked the money and had posted policemen who lay siege at the agreed venue. As soon as the money was handed over and Pele was about counting it, the police men who had laid siege emerged. Zarewa said Pele had tried to run but was arrested. He threw away the money, but N25,000.00 was finally recovered.

The Police Commissioner told Newswatch that during a search conducted in the house of the suspect, a locally made pistol, five live catridges, one long knife, a jack knife, one wild animal horn, and an army belt worn by the suspect to intimidate the former AG were recovered. He said Pele and the other members of his gang are being charged to court for extortion, unlawful possession of fire arms and injurious falsehood.

Pele told Newswatch that he did not at any time tell the police or the former AG that he was sent by Governor Abdullahi Adamu to kill anybody. He, however, admitted that he visited the former AG. But that the purpose was to console the former AG over the death of a relation, and to give a piece of advice as to the former commissioner's removal from office and that the commissioner asked that they meet later in the day since his (commissioner) house was not a good and proper venue for such discussion.

However, later that day when they met at the agreed venue, the commissioner, decided to offer him some money and that while he was counting the money the police came. He said nobody sent him and that he didn't know what the money was for. And that it was right there that he was arrested.

He admitted that he is a leader of thugs, but that he has never ever availed his services to anybody as an assassin. "Before me and my God, I didn't say the governor sent me to kill the former commissioner of justice. I can't remember haven told the former AG, or the police anything like that. I owe the governor a lot of gratitude. He is my father. He even sponsored my trip to Mecca recently. I am framed." Pele told Newswatch.

Mohammed Keffi, fomer Transition Committee Chairman for Keffi Local Government Council told Newswatch that Pele is fond of such activities. Keffi is the senior special assistant to Governor Abdullahi Adamu on Religious (Islamic) Affairs. He said Pele had once tried though unsuccessful to dupe him through such a method.

Pele is a staff of Keffi Local Government. He was employed by Mohammed Keffi. Newswatch learnt that among those duped by Pele in recent times is the present chairman of Nasarawa Local government Council.

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September 01, 2005

Ignore Accountants and Perish

Bashorun J.K Randle, a foremost Nigerian accountant advise Nigeria on how to get out of poverty. Bashorun J.K. Randle former president of the Chartered Accountants of Nigeria wants greater attention paid to education. He said education is the "spring board" to get the country out of poverty.

By Cecilia Edicha
Tuesday, August 30, 2005

According to him the country needs about 25 billion dollars to enhance education and about 50 billion dollars to bring it to internet level.

In addition to education, he said, the government should lower taxes to bring Nigeria to the threshold of a nation that will attract foreign investors. He said Ireland's case was worse than Nigeria sometime ago but they rose from "the sick man of Europe to become the rich man in less than a generation" because their government made secondary and university education free. The government in conjunction with the industrialists, main trade unions and farmers were united on a programmed fiscal austerity to cut down corporate taxes as low as 12.5 percent and that was far below what the rest of Europe offered. They moderated prices and wages, and wooed foreign investors which led to a leap in their growth such that Ireland is currently leading the world in pharmaceutical and medical devise companies and also software designing.

Randle spoke at a lecture delivered on August 16 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Ikeja district society and to honour Ololade Fadeyibi, its late past chairman who died about three years ago. He said President Olusegun Obasanjo should consider the importance of having young chartered accountants with vision for the country with him as members of his cabinet on debt issues. According to him opinions of accountants were treated with scorn in the past and recalled how opinions of young charted accountants disregarded some 20 years ago has thrown the country in great debt, stressing that history was on the side of the accountants because the government was reverting to some of the issues it ignored twenty years ago. One of such golden advices was one he suggested in his book titled God Does Not Live in Los Angeles Anymore... where he predicted that by 1994 a large number of third world countries would default on their debt service to the developed world.

Randle pointed out opinions of several analysts which suggest that the debt relief granted Nigeria may have actually been a trap because of some of the underlying conditions which have some hidden clauses. One of such opinions leaked from a document in which an activist group exposed Willy Kierkens, Belgian IMF representative who said "rather than giving full, irrevocable and unconditional debt relief...countries would receive grants," and IMF would be able to withdraw such grants if such countries failed to meet their conditions of implementing poverty reduction. This, he said, was contrary to what campaigners and G8 countries were told.

He said Mansur Muktar the director-general of the Debt Management Office, DMO, in the presidency warned Nigerians to prepare for hard times because from past experience the nation's debt appreciates as payments were made. For instance after some payments were made in 2002 the debt stock rose from 28.7 billion dollars to 30 billion and went further to 31.9 billion, then to 36 billion dollars in 2004. In view of the current questionable debt relief granted the nation, Nigeria is expected to pay six billion dollars arrears in September on outstanding debt balance, 8 billion will come under debt- buy-back after six months at a discount of 25 percent.

Randle extolled the late Fadeyibi and praised his widow and children who were present at the lecture for holding forth to the legacies of the deceased. Babayemi Osho, chairman of the Ikeja district of ICAN said the district adjudged as the best in the country was celebrating the institute at 40 and at the same time "the life and times of a general within the army of professional accountants, a leader in the comity of administrators." Jaiye Oyedotun, managing director of Marina Bank referred to the late Fadeyibi as a professional colleague while Ade Ashaye Babington, deputy vice-president of ICAN described him as a gentleman.

ICAN also used the occasion to iron out its differences with the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN. Ade Babignton Ashaye, ICAN's deputy vice-president said CITN was the brainchild of ICAN to protect the nation from any porous western laws and wonders why the CITN wants to kill ICAN. He advised CITN that it should not "kill the goose that lays the golden eggs."

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August 23, 2005

The President Nigeria Deserves

Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu State governor, wants Nigerians to source for the best leader for Nigeria in 2007 and de-emphasise the politics of zoning

By Chris Ajaero
Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Chimaroke Nnamani, governor of Enugu State has faulted the tendency of the Nigerian political class to emphasise zoning instead of merit in the choice of the next president of the country in 2007.

He said that although all the six geo-political zones of the country could aspire for the exalted office, the time has come for Nigerians to elect the best candidate for the job irrespective of where he or she comes from. In an interactive session with journalists last week, in Enugu, Nnamani said that this new concept of merit should be embraced by politicians because Nigeria has joined the globalisation process which is anchored on excellence in governance.

He explained that President Olusegun Obasanjo was gradually embracing this trend as shown by his appointment of his economic think-tank from one geo-political zone of the country purely based on merit. He said: "Where mediocrity reigns, backwardness is the result. The world today is a small technologically driven village. When President Olusegun Obasanjo picks Professor Soludo as CBN governor and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as finance minister, two Igbo personalities to run the nation's economy without protests, it shows that Nigerans are appreciating merit and excellence."

In recent times, politicians from the South-East and South-South geo-political zones have intensified campaigns to persuade other zones to allow them to produce the next president of the country in the interest of justice and fair play. Although Nnamani is from the South-East, he believes that the only way Ndigbo can produce the next president of the country was by presenting the best candidate for the position. "I am not looking at it as an Igbo, Hausa, Fulani or Yoruba issue. I am saying that in line with globalisation, it is an issue of what do you bring to the people. When you are in a plane or ship, you will like the best pilot or sailor to steer it to safety and comfort. The same consideration should guide our choice or election of political and other leaders," he said.

Nnamani debunked the speculation that he was positioning himself for the 2007 presidency. Rather, he said his interest for now was to concentrate on the completion of on-going projects in Enugu State. He listed some of the projects being executed in Eungu State as the construction of the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, the permanent site of the university, the judiciary headquarters, housing estates and the ultra-modern International Conference Centre. According to him, these projects would cost about N36 billion and would be completed and commissioned before March, next year. "My priority will be to complete these projects. It is difficult to imagine if they will be completed before 2007. If I complete these projects, hopefully, I would be able to find somewhere to do some teaching, research and critical consciousness," he said.

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August 08, 2005

Stinking Prisons

The House of Representatives probes financial scams in the Prison Services, says prison officials are looking worse than the prisoners

By Joseph Onyekwere
Monday, August 08, 2005

The House of representatives last week waded into the financial scam in the Nigerian Prison Services which led to the recent suspension of Abraham Akpe, as comptroller-general.

Last Tuesday, the House mandated its internal affairs committee to conduct public hearing on the motion sponsored by Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and backed by other members on how to arrest the rot in Nigerian Prisons. 'We need to find out what the problems are because we have done everything possible to take care of their needs but they still have a lot of problems," she said.

The problem of the prisons did not start today. It has only progressively degenerated and the house wants the entire prison hierarchy probed. "Some prison officers look worse than the prisoners they are guarding and many officers have made it clear that they won't stake their lives for the job. Moral is at the lowest ebb," the legislators said.

The House was particularly bothered about financial impropriety in the Prison Services and promised to get to the root of the problem. The scam was said to have led to the deductions of salaries of prison staff. The outrageous monthly deductions in the salaries of the staff of the Nigerian Prisons Services, has become a source of worry to its officials.

Officers who earn about N30,000 monthly loose N12,000 as rent deductions. Some of the affected workers who spoke to Newswatch on conditions of anonymity said this situation was affecting their ability to cope with their financial responsibilities. Those affected are officers accommodated at the prisons barracks. "Some of these houses are built in the1930s and we are still charged heavily for them," said an affected officer at the Kirikiri Prisons. He added that the ministry of Housing's attention has been drawn to this issue and a decision was taken to reduce the rent to N1,500 and nothing has been done till date.

Those who spoke to Newswatch in Alagbon lamented the sorry state of their barracks. They noted nothing was done by the panel on prisons barracks rehabilitation set up in 2001 by President Obasanjo.

But Fatiniku Ope, the public relations officer, PRO, of the Nigerian Prisons, Lagos Command, denied these allegations, challenging those who claimed to be short-paid to come forward with their evidence. He insisted that all the staffers were paid correctly up to July, 2005.

He said that junior officers living in the barracks were not paying any rent to the government. It is only the officers who live outside the barracks that are entitled to housing allowance. "Government is supposed to pay you housing allowance because it has not provided you with accommodation. So once it has provided you with accommodation, it can't pay you housing allowance again." Noting that this cannot be called deduction. He insisted that government cannot provide accommodation for officers and at the same time pay them housing allowances. He advised that any officer who was dissatisfied staying in the barracks, to seek alternative accommodation.

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August 01, 2005

Torture Squad

Human Rights Watch releases report on widespread abuse by the police in Nigeria

The police claim to be our friends. If so, they are not friends of detainees. Human Rights Watch, a US-based human rights watchdog, says in its July 2005 report, Rest in Pieces: Police Torture and Deaths in Custody in Nigeria, that the Nigeria police torture and rape detainees, many of whom die in custody.

By Dike Onwuamaeze
Monday, August 01, 2005

"Despite Nigeria's progress on democratic reforms, Nigeria police routinely commit brutal acts of torture that have since endured since the country's era of military rule," the report says. It notes that officers who engage in these human rights abuses are never brought to justice by either the government or the police authorities. The report was presented to the press by Human Rights Watch in Lagos July 27.

In a press release accompanying the 76-page report based on an extensive investigation of human rights abuses by the police in March this year, Peter Takirambudde, executive director of the Africa division at Human Rights Watch, observed: "If President Olusegun Obasanjo wants to show the world that he is serious about pursuing justice, he should ensure that police torturers are held accountable for their crimes." He said that "for too long, the police in Nigeria have gotten away with murder and brutality."

The report says that police torture has endured in Nigeria as a socially acceptable norm because of its long practice and the culture of impunity that protects its perpetrators because there are no independent mechanisms to mitigate police abuses. "In recent years," according to the report, "not a single police officer has been successfully prosecuted for committing torture in Nigeria."

Human Rights Watch conducted its investigations in Enugu, Lagos and Kano. Its research officers interviewed fifty victims of, and witnesses to, police torture and brutality. It says that senior police officers are aware of the torture of detainees and that the practice is "so routine that some of these senior officers are known within police stations by the nickname, Officer in charge of torture."

The report says the forms of torture include "the tying of arms and legs tightly behind the body, suspension by hands and legs from the ceiling or a pole, repeated and severe beatings with metal or wooden objects (including planks of wood, iron bars, and cable wire) resting of concrete blocks on the arms and back while suspended, spraying of tear gas in the face and eyes, rape of and other sexual violence against female detainees, use of pliers or electric shocks on private parts, shooting in the foot or leg, stoning, death threats, slapping and kicking with hands and boots and denial of food and water." The report quotes an unnamed 23 year-old former detainee in Enugu as saying that "they handcuffed me and tied me with my hands behind my knees, a wooden rod behind my knees, and hung me from hooks on the wall, like goal posts."

Takirambudde said that although Britain and the United States had invested "millions in police reform initiatives in Nigeria…police practices have changed little since the end of military era." He called on Britain and the United States to make measurable improvements in police conduct as a condition for further aid to Nigeria.

In a swift reaction to the report, the federal government denied that torture was routinely practised in Nigeria. Frank Nweke, minister of information, in a press release, said that Obasanjo was "very much aware of the problems within the criminal justice administration in the country, including the police." He said that the federal government had included police reforms in its reform agenda. The minister said that part of the reforms included community policing, which was already being piloted in Enugu State.

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July 19, 2005

Return of Okotie

Chris Okotie, pastor and presidential candidate in 2003 elections is back even more determined to win the nation's number one political stool in 2007

By Chris Ajaero
Monday, July 18, 2005

Chris Okotie, presidential candidate of the Justice Party, JP, in the 2003 elections is not leaving anything to chance in his bid to secure the mandate to rule Nigeria in 2007.

In the past few weeks, he has been criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country to sensitise Nigerians on the need to vote for a man of integrity like him. He recently attended a meeting of the South-South in Port Harcourt and later took his campaign to Jos, Plateau State where he addressed the North Central delegates of the Christian Association of Nigerian, CAN.

Okotie told Newswatch that he decided to start his campaigns for the 2007 presidential elections early because politics involves a certain consciousness that must be brought to the people. He described the on-going alliance between South-South and Middle-Belt geo-political zones as a step in the right direction since it would create an avenue for the people of these areas to have a better bargaining power.

He believes that now that the two zones are working together to produce the next president of the country, he stands a good chance of securing the highest office in the land. According to him, his experience as a presidential candidate in 2003 during which he got a lot of support gives him an edge over any other candidate from the zone.

Okotie who is also the pastor of Household of God Church, said that as a religious leader, he has the compassion to effect desired changes and rebuild Nigeria if given the mandate. "Being a church minister gives you the necessary compassion, the emotion and psychological connectivity between you and the people, which is needed at that level of governance", he said.

He noted that the some of his fellow pastors, who did not support him in 2003 because they believed that politics was a dirty game, have since realised from the scriptures that it was actually the will of God for a priest to lead. "Solomon was a king and yet a prophet, David was a prophet and yet he was a king. The bedrock of my support is the Nigerian people and good governance is something that affects everybody", he said.

Okotie told Newswatch that time was ripe for generational change in the nation's polity because the destiny of the country now lies with the younger generation. According to him, the cabals who had ruled Nigeria over the years have shown that they are incapable of providing good governance and so should not be allowed to further marginalise the psyche of Nigerians.

He, however, said that he was yet to decide on the platform under which he would vie for the presidential race in 2007 because he believes that emphasis should be taken away from the political party to the individual.

Presently, House of Nigeria FRESH is the political machinery with which he is reaching out to the grassroots. He explained that his vision is to evolve a new Nigeria where there will be unity in diversity, collective will, accountability, compassionate leadership and non-negotiated practice of true federalism.

Okotie said that Nigerians, who have suffered because of bad governance have cried for God's intervention and that the time for the desired change has come. "We must inject righteousness into our system because of its potency. And because of the power of light in eradicating darkness in time and intensity, I believe that victory will surely be ours," Okotie told Newswatch.

Posted by Publisher at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)

July 12, 2005

Taking the Police To the Grassroots

Community policing gets a boost with support from outside the police

Community policing is getting a boost in Nigeria.

By Mathias Oko
Monday, July 11, 2005

Last week, the Centre for Law Enforcement Initiative Popularly known as CLEEN Foundation, in collaboration with the Nigeria police, area 'B' command, Mushin, and Mushin Local Government area of Lagos inaugurated the Mushin branch of community policing partnership forum in Lagos. The forum which is part of police efforts at stemming the tide of crime in the society and enhance police/public relations is also meant to give a community the ownership and responsibility of policing its community. This in effect means, that any given community, in liaison with the police will take part in the day to day policing of its community.

Lamidi Maliki, a former ambassador and chairman CLEEN foundation told the audience during the inauguration that the main objective of the organisation was to educate the Nigeria populace and the police on the need to be partners in crime prevention. He explained that in the time past, members of the public would always wait for a crime to be committed before getting in contact with the police, noting that such era was gone as the society is now being sensitised and educated on the need for mutual relationship between the police and the public. "In as much as the police are there to protect lives and property, the public owe it a duty to also support the police in order to effectively carry out their primary responsibility of protecting the people.

Frank Odita, former commissioner of police and guest speaker at the occasion highlighted the importance of community policing. This include knowing your policemen and for the police to know you well, having a say in the way and manner the business of policing your community is carried out, prioritising individual needs and ensuring implementation through participation. Others include respect for human rights, access to justice and rule of law, quality services and transparency among others.

Posted by Publisher at 01:57 PM | Comments (0)

July 05, 2005

Go Back Home

The United States cancels visas of some of Nigeria's corrupt government officials in support of President Obasanjo's anti-corruption war.

By Bala Dan Abu
Tuesday, July 05, 2005

The United States has made a commitment to give full support to the present anti-corruption crusade of the present administration in Nigeria. Ambassador John Campbell, the U.S ambassador to Nigeria told a select group of editors last Monday in Lagos that his country fully endorsed the Nigerian government's war against corruption saying "we are desirous to see it succeed."

Campbell said the US would play a role to aid the success of the crusade. Part of what the US is doing is making it impossible for corrupt Nigerian officials to enter the U.S. "We have already cancelled visas of some corrupt Nigerian officials," he said. Campbell declined to give the names of such officials. He would not even say how many of such officials had suffered such fate already.

He also did an appraisal of the anti-corruption campaign and said Nigeria was on the right path. He would, however, like to see more trials and convictions. Campbell also explained why the US was happy that Nigeria had finally decided to fight corruption. Corruption , he said, is a big impediment to development. He said Nigeria could become an economic giant in Africa if it could check corruption and ensure Transparency in the conduct of government and public business generally.

The U.S. ambassador also addressed the issue leading to the closure of the American consulate in Lagos recently, saying it had nothing to do with Nigeria but was due to security alert from Washington. He thanked the Nigerian government and the government of Lagos State whose prompt reaction, he said, facilitated the early re-opening of the consulate.

Another subject discussed during the one-hour long interactive session with the media executives was Nigeria's debt burden. Why wont the US play a more direct role in persuading Nigeria's creditors to show greater understanding on its request for debt forgiveness, the diplomat was asked.

His answer was very diplomatic. He said Nigeria had made a strong case for debt relief and this has been well understood in the U.S. Campbell said only three percent of Nigeria's debt is owed to the U.S. The rest is to the London and Paris Clubs. He said already Nigeria and the U.S. were involved in a strong and active engagement with the London and Paris Clubs on the issue.

On the controversy over Charles Taylor, former Liberian president now exiled in Nigeria, Campbell said the position of the U.S is that Taylor should be brought to justice for the crimes he has been indicted. He said there was no confrontation between the U.S. and Nigeria over the issue as reports in the Nigeria's press had tended to suggest noting that the issue of bringing Taylor to justice was still a subject, of an on-going, dialogue.

Campbell also made some clarifications on the controversial National Intelligence Committee, NIC, report to the effect that Nigeria could become a failed State in the next 15 years. He said the report was an academic exercise and should be taken as such.

Posted by Publisher at 02:33 PM | Comments (0)

January 26, 2005

At last, hope for justice

By Soji Akinrinade in London
Monday, January 17, 2005

Hopes by the anguished parents of Damilola Taylor, a Nigerian kid murdered in London in 2000, for justice has been re- kindled with fresh arrests of suspects

Last November, Richard Taylor, father of the murdered Nigerian boy, Damilola, told the BBC news: "I still believe the police are not resting until justice is obtained for those who murdered our son. We have been assured by the outgoing commissioner of police John Stevens that this will not be a wasted effort. We are hopeful the investigation is still on and that one day someone will be brought to justice."

That day came nearer January 5 when three London youths were arrested by the police, questioned and on January 7 arraigned in court and charged with the 2000 murder of the then 10-year old Damilola.

The three teenagers, Hassan Jihad, 19 and two brothers aged 16 and 17, who, by British court rules cannot be named, were arraigned at the Camberwell Green Magistrates court and were remanded in custody until Friday January, 14 when they appeared at the Old Bailey.

Their arrest and arraignment have been welcomed by the Taylor family, especially Richard and Gloria, Damilola's mother, who have both been lauded by the British public for their dignity despite the pain of losing their son. In a statement after the arrests were made in different parts of London, the Taylors said: "The family are very encouraged with the news of today's arrests and the extent of police investigation. All that we have ever wanted is justice for our son."

Deputy assistant commissioner Bill Griffiths described the developments as significant and the result of efforts to establish the truth of what happened the day Damilola was killed.

It has indeed taken four long years for police to make the new breakthrough in the case. Using DNA techniques on the forensic evidence collected after the boy's death, they have been able to make new discoveries leading to the arrest of the three youths. This had to be so as the British top cop, Stevens, who heads the London Metropolitan Police and who retires at the end of January had assigned a crack unit to solve the murder mystery.

Late last year, Stevens had been widely quoted in a press interview as regarding the unsolved Damilola case as a blot on his meritorious years as the boss of the Metropolitan Police. In a stroke of luck before his retirement later this month, the new investigation team he put together led by Detective Chief Inspector Nick Ephgrave, appears to have moved the case further towards resolution.

Damilola bled to death in the stairwell of an estate in Peckham in November 2000 from the injuries he sustained after he was stabbed with a broken bottle on his way back home after a computer class at a local youth centre. In 2002, the Metropolitan Police came under much criticism for botching the arrest and trial of four youths in connection with his death. The prosecution relied heavily on the evidence of a 14-year old girl, who was described as unreliable by the judge after it was discovered that she seemed to have been induced to testifying by the large reward that the conviction of the four youths would have brought.

Thereafter, the judge ruled her evidence inadmissible and freed two of the youths while the other two were found not guilty by a jury. Ironically, the three youths arrested January 5 had also been arrested at the time but were not charged. Following the uproar over the botched case, the police promised the Taylors to keep it active and in order to solve the murder.

More than 300 mourners attended the 10-year old funeral in 2000 including John Fashanu, former football star, the Nigerian High Commissioner at the time, Bola Ajibola, British cabinet minister Paul Boateng and Nwankwo Kanu, former Arsenal football club star who now plays for the West Brom Albions. Because the murder so touched the public, the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, re-named the social centre frequented by Damilola after him a year on from his death. Richard and Gloria themselves started a Damilola Taylor Trust to help children with epilepsy (the affliction of Damilola's sister) and provide financial support for young people wanting to study medicine.

Much is being achieved by the Trust which has been promoting awareness on the knife carrying culture among British youths, especially those in the inner cities. Stabbings and knife attacks have been on the rise in recent years among the youths and have indeed become priority issues being tackled through a host of initiatives by the Blair government.

Damilola was born and brought up in Lagos. He went to Britain in August 2000 with his mother Gloria and older sister and brother Bemi and Tunde, respectively. The family moved to London to afford Damilola's sister who suffers from epilepsy better treatment. Although very well liked at his school in Peckam, he complained to his mother about bullying. Nevertheless he signed up with the computer club at the Peckham Library and went there most days after school.

Damilola, in an essay he wrote, which was read at his funeral said: "I want to be the very best, like no-one ever has been. The world we must defend and I know it is my destiny."

Sadly, that dream would remain unfulfilled, but the dream of his parents-Richard and Gloria-to get justice for him might just come true following recent developments.

Posted by Publisher at 01:50 PM | Comments (0)