April 02, 2008

Divorce case: Moji Obasanjo wants journalists shut out

By ADESINA AIYEKOTI
Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Mojisola, estranged wife of Dr. Gbenga Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has asked an Ikeja High Court to give a judicial order barring the press from covering the celebrated divorce case between her and the husband. She said that press reports have traumatised her and her children.

Gbenga, the petitioner, however, countered the request through his counsel, Emankhu Addah, urging the court to dismiss the application. He said, “the press is constitutionally empowered to report the proceedings.”

According to Mojisola in the application filed by her counsel, Mrs. Helen Ovnlen, the request has become necessary because she, her children and family have been greatly traumatized following series of publications on the matter.

Citing the matrimonial causes Act, sections 103 (2) and 108 (2), Mojisola’s counsel further prayed the court, presided over by Justice (Mrs) E. O. Williams Dawodu, to make an order directing that all other proceedings in the matter should not be published or printed by the media, pending the final determination of the suit.
She urged the court to grant the request, most importantly, because of the health of her client (Mojisola) and the children.

The counsel submitted that the press had, before now, “gone ahead to make sensational headlines of the proceeding,” which, according to her, have been prejudicial to the proceeding.
Opposing the application, Gbenga’s lawyer, Addeh said the publication being referred to by the respondent could not be referred to as libelous and defamatory.

He said the grounds which formed the basis of the application was well captured by the affidavit filed in support of the suit.
Following the arguments canvassed by the two counsels, Justice Dawodu deferred ruling till April 18, 2008.

The trial judge had earlier frowned at the reports carried by some newspapers and a radio station that her court had heard the application in chambers.
Ordering journalists in the courtroom to stand up, Justice Dawodu advised them to be sure of their facts, before informing the public about the proceedings in court.

The petitioner, Gbenga, is in the substantive suit asking the court to dissolve the seven-year old marriage as he alleged, among other things, that he doubted the paternity of the fruits of the wedlock.
He averred, in his 50-paragraph affidavit filed in support of the motion that his father, (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo) and his father-in-law, Otunba Alex Onabanjo, had sex with his wife, Mojisola.
Earlier, Mojisola had accused Gbenga of sundry sins, including assault and battery.

Posted by Publisher at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)

April 01, 2008

Missing Edo commissioner found dead in hotel room

By TONY OSAUZO, Benin
Tuesday, April 1, 2008

The missing Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barrister Calus Enoma, has been found dead in one of the rooms of Palm Royal Hotel, in Ugbowo area of Benin, the state capital.

The late commissioner was said to have had a deep cut on his forehead while his body was swollen and stinking at the time police detectives forced the door to his room open on Monday.
Top police sources told Daily Sun that the late commissioner was found dead naked on a bed in the hotel room.

According to the police sources, Enoma had driven himself to the hotel on Friday night in a car that bore no security number. He was said to have dropped his police orderly at his residence, where the policeman also lives, before driving out alone.

At the Palm Royal Hotel, where the state Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor led government officials, Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 5, Mr. Udom Ekpoudum and the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Dega, to see the corpse of the late commissioner, the Managing Director Barrister Jude Nosagie, revealed that Enoma personally checked into the hotel last Friday night.
He explained that a staff of the hotel who checked in the commissioner, was already helping the police in their investigations.

The corpse of the late Enoma was later taken away in an ambulance marked ED60A08. AIG Ekpoudom told journalist that investigation into the incident was on.
In a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Joe Akhigbe, the Edo State government described the death of the commissioner as “shocking, sad and painful and a great loss to the government and people of Edo State.”

The statement said: “Barrister Enoma was, this morning, found dead in a hotel room in the state capital, having left his residence at about 10:00pm on Friday, 28th March, 2008, after receiving a telephone call from an unidentified caller.

“The governor is saddened and depressed by the unfortunate loss.”
The statement said that security agencies have commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the commissioner’s death. It expressed the government’s heartfelt condolences to the commissioner’s wife, Mrs. Julie Enoma and members of his family.

Meanwhile, the Edo State chapter of the Action Congress (AC) on Monday said the statement by the Special Adviser on Communication to Governor Osunbor, Mr. Tony Ikpasaja, demanding that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the AC should produce Barrister Enoma within 48 hours or face dire consequences was a smokescreen to clamp down on the AC governorship candidate.
Addressing journalists on Monday, AC chairman, in Edo State, Prince Tony Omoaghe, said by making such statement the PDP-led government wants to cause confusion in the state and then link it with the Action Congress.

While disclosing that the AC had contacted its team of lawyers to file a multi-million naira libel suit against Mr. Ikpasaja, the PDP and Governor Osunbor, the AC chairman alleged that the Osunbor-led faction of the PDP had resolved that rather than have Oshiomhole govern the state, “it would make the state ungovernable and precipitate a state of emergency.”

Also on Monday, the National Conscience Party, in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, called for the sack of Mr. Ikpasaja for asking Oshiomhole and the AC to produce the late Enoma when the matter was yet to be reported to the police.
“Spokespersons for government ought to know that what they say is capable of inflaming passions and they ought to exercise great caution in making public pronouncements,” the statement said.
The party also expressed sadness over Enoma’s death.

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

March 29, 2008

LOOTING DEMOCRACY: Adamawa’s last bazaar

From KENNY ASHAKA, Kaduna
Saturday, March 29, 2008

In March last year, stiff opposition to the candidacy of Admiral Murtala Nyako threatened the unity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Adamawa State. The governorship primaries slated to produce a candidate for the party among the many aspirants jostling to become governor of the state was suddenly aborted.

From the blues came Murtala Nyako, a former Chief of Naval Staff as the candidate of the party. He was not exactly unknown in the party, but he was known more as a kingmaker than a king aspirant. His candidacy was, therefore, a huge shock. And it instantly threw the PDP in the state into turmoil.

It has never been without one. The many aspirants from among whom a candidate would have emerged rejected the choice of Nyako, rather quietly. But the presidency insisted, and had its way. On May 29 last year, Nyako was sworn in as the executive governor of Adamawa State. Opposition to Nyako was never voiced again. Those who printed posters and, in fact, ran full course campaigns had accepted his governorship.

But Nyako’s governorship which was terminated late last month and which ran for only nine months of the four-year tenure has not been without its problems. Due process, on request for funds, was observed more in the breach. Powerful officials of the government at the Government House Yola and in some ministries virtually made indiscriminate requests for funds that seemed to have never been scrutinized by the governor before approval.

Incidentally, Nyako’s was an administration allegedly designed to raise the moral tone of a much criticized past administration. But it turned out, from the documents available to SATURDAY SUN, to have bled the state even more. And the state is benumbed.

The triumvirate
As soon as Nyako was sworn in, he appointed Alhaji Bello Tukur, former Governor Boni Haruna’s deputy, his Chief of Staff. He followed suit by appointing John Manasa as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Nyako reconstituted the State Executive Council and made Emmanuel T. Vahyala finance commissioner. Between the Council members and close officials of government, the trio of Alhaji Bello Tukar, Emmanuel Vahyala and John Manasa wielded more influence on the governor.

They engaged in influence peddling with such arrogance that appeared to lend an air of bravado to it all. The manner they allegedly went about their duties seemed to convince many that the secret of their influence must lie outside their legitimate functions as government officials. Indeed, they appeared larger than life the way they conducted the affairs of state. They acted accordingly. The road to these influences by the trio is a mind-boggling saga of introducing confusion in the request system.

SSG’s Christmas, Sallah and New Year moves
On the 17th December, John Manasa, the Secretary to the state government raised a memo to then Governor Nyako reminding him that members of the State House of Assembly would soon proceed on recess. For this reason, he recommended that “there is need to pay off their Constituency Allowances.”
In the same memo, the SSG informed the governor that “in addition to the normal allowances at the end of the year, assistance is given to them for Wardrobe Allowances.”

He continued in the same memo. That, “this time around, the Sallah, Christmas and New year celebrations are in sequence” and recommended for the release of the sum of N130 million for the purposes stated.
It was a one paragraph memo which did not tabulate what would be given for Sallah, Christmas, New year, constituency Allowance and Wardrobe Allowance. However, the request received instant approval that day as the governor directed the Commissioner of Finance to release N130 million in line with the approval.

Curiously, the same government scribe got approval for additional N5 million “as a token welfare assistance to some organized group to help cushion some of their needs in respect of Sallah, Xmas and New year.” He acknowledged the fact that although “some of these occasions (Sallah and Xmas) have come and gone; all the same, it is still in order to assist them.” This memo was submitted for approval to the governor on the 27th of December 2007. It was approved that same day.
If this deal about Christmas and Sallah gifts and entertainments were limited to the SSG alone, it would have been swept under the carpet. What is probably raising dust in government circle now is the bazaar made out of the two occasions.

Commisioner for Finance makes his pitch
On the 8th December, a day after the SSG made his request, the Commissioner of Finance, Emmanuel T. Vahyala, also sent in his request to the governor. “Your Excellency, the end of the year 2007 has come. It is customary to have celebrations of both the Eid-El-Kabir for Muslims community and Christmas for all the Christians,” the Finance Commissioner wrote in his memo.

“At each of the occasions, His Excellency would need to play host to Government dignitaries from in and outside the state as well as members of the public.” This content in the memo was followed by a request for N30 million. In his own case, there was a breakdown. According to Vahyala, the Ed-El-Kabir celebration would gulp N10 million, Christmas N10 million and contingencies and other unforeseen expenses would consume another N10 million. Quickly, Governor Nyako approved the request on the day it was written and ordered the N30 million to be released.

Chief of Staff weighs in
What aroused suspicion was that in spite of these two memos on the same subject matter, the Chief of Staff, Bello Tukur, who was the deputy to former Governor Boni Haruna also laid claim to the need for welfare package for prominent personalities and Non-Governmental Organizations in the state to mark the Christmas and Sallah celebrations. On the 17th of December, he made a request for N23.3 million for the Christmas celebration and N25.9 million for the Sallah festivities. These sums were approved without qualms from any quarter.
The manner the three government officials made their request as enunciated in the memos sent to the governor must be the envy of Accountants.

A farmer-governor and his farm
But the governor was not left out in this unofficial bazaar. On the 3rd of July last year Hajiya Ladi Sa’adatu Atiku, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, wrote to the governor about the need to purchase 60 metric tones of “Admiral “A” Improved Maize seeds and 40,000 bags of Cassava Cuttings from Sebore (Export processing) farms.

This request had earlier been turned down by the Boni Haruna administration. But former governor Nyako is a farmer and was expected to show more sympathy to the cause of the farmers, especially when he is the farmer from whom the items are to be bought. Sebore farms is owned by Admiral Murtala Nyako and is located in Mayo-Belwa, his home town. It is not so much the cost of N42 million approved for the purchase of the maize seeds, bags of cassava cuttings, transportation to seven locations and training of farmers that worries critics of the deal than the timing.
Nyako was accused of selling his stock of old maize in July when the people are supposed to be harvesting; which also means that the comparative price would have been far less than the price quoted by Sebore farms for old maize.

Bello Tukur’s Reaction
Saturday Sun asked the Chief of Staff, Bello Tukur, whether the allegations are mere fabrications or fiction? Tukur at first denied knowledge of any additional N3 million made for Sallah entertainment for the teeming population. Reminded by Saturday Sun that there is a document to that effect which showed he applied for the money, the Chief of Staff said; “well, if there was any request for anything like that it must have been genuine and okay,” adding “so what is the big deal about it?”
When Saturday Sun told him that the big deal was the duplication of request for the same Christmas and Sallah celebration, he said “these are annual rituals that have been happening in the last eight to nine years; so what is the big deal about it?

“How can I explain to you something that has been done and is on records? You just phoned me like that. How can I be remembering the transaction that took place off head (off hand)? If you want any clarification, go to the office and speak to relevant officers. We have Accountants; we have Secretary One in that office who has been responsible for raising memos. I cannot speak to you on this matter please. If you want details, go to the Commissioner of Finance.”

We got nothing -Lawmaker
A member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly representing Song Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, told Saturday Sun in a telephone interview that there was nothing like Sallah or Christmas gifts from government to the lawmakers last year.
“The only money I know that I collected was Constituency Allowance. Even that one was half of the total amount due to me. I never received any wardrobe allowance or anything apart from what I have told you”, he said.
Sounding very frantic, Abdullahi asked: “You mean wardrobe allowance was given? To whom? Who collected the money?”
From Abdullahi’s tone, the end of the matter is not yet in sight. A Controversy that may lead to serious investigations has just begun.

Posted by Publisher at 10:30 AM | Comments (0)

Obasanjo messed up NNPC – Yar’Adua

By Kenny Ashaka, Kaduna and Dennis Mernyi
Saturday, March 29, 2008

The NNPC yesterday slammed former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the manner his administration conducted the affairs of the oil industry in Nigeria.

The Corporation said the former President concentrated the oil sector in the hands of a few oligarchies which they manipulated to enrich themselves.

The NNPC also came down hard on President Obasanjo’s privatization programme, saying the process was driven from outside the corporation and in the process excluded competent hands who would have availed the government of their expertise.

The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC, Alhaji Lawal Abubakar Yar’Adua who made this known after a tour of the Kaduna Refining and Petro- Chemical Company (KRPC) said that Obasanjo’s administration did not allow NNPC staff to contribute to the process that ensured the facilitation of selling the companies to potential buyers as if the staff were bereft of ideas.
The KRPC started refining petroleum productions on March 14, this year after about three years of closure.

The GMD was represented on the occasion by the Group Executive Director, Refinery and Petrochemicals, Mr Anthony Azubuke
“I want Nigerians to realize that the downstream sector of the petroleum industry is better when majority of Nigerians participate than when a few oligarchies seized the sector and manipulated it to whatever they wanted to do in order to become billionaires.

“You are all aware that prior to this regime, the privatization process was essentially driven from outside the NNPC as if NNPC had nothing to contribute towards ensuring that the facilities that will become presentable for potential people who want to participate.
“But thanks to the current regime, the process is significantly different. We have to first of all ensure that people who want to partner with us are seen to run in that process…” he said.
The GMD said that contract would be awarded during the next dry season for the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) as it cannot be done during the rainy season.

He, however, stressed that the cost of the TAM would be significantly reduced because of the major work done to rehabilitate the company for it to start production once again.
According to him, the KRPC now produces about 1.8 million litres of diesel, 1.3million litres of kerosene and 1.4million litres of petrol daily at its present 60 per cent production level even as efforts were being made to get to between 75 per cent and 80 per cent production level soon.
He said that since the completion of repairs along the crude oil pipelines that were damaged, the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company had also started production just as the KRPC had started receiving crude from Warri.

On the significance of resumption of production of petroleum products at KRPC, he said that textile and other agro-allied companies which closed shops because of lack of products like black oil would soon begin production.
“This is a happy day for the northern region as you are all aware that the refinery is not just there to produce PMS (petrol) and kerosene. It is a critical and strategic infrastructure that produce more than PMS and kerosene because it produces other products like black oil that drives the economic activities of this country.

“We will in a short while begin to see the resuscitation of various industries that have since shut down, particularly textile and agro-allied industries,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of KRPC, Mr Mojeed Olayinka Agoro, had said that lack of nitrogen for preservation took its toll on the various plants.
Agoro also said that the KRPC recruited retired but experienced staff for the start up of the company and urged the government to approve more funds for the repair “of lockers and furniture in various control rooms to raise them to a level befitting our status as the pride of the nation.”

Posted by Publisher at 08:37 AM | Comments (0)

August 02, 2007

Nnamani had killer squad – EFCC; The allegation is speculative, says ex-gov’s lawyer

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday opposed the bail application brought before a Federal High Court, Lagos by Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, saying it would be dangerous to give the former governor bail as he had a "killer squad."

By ADESINA AIYEKOTI
Thursday, August 2, 2007

According to the EFCC, in a counter-affidavit, the alleged "killer squad" was headed by Nnamani’s former Political Adviser on Chieftancy and Local Government Matter, Mr Sam Ejiofor, who is standing trial before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged money laundering offences.

It said that the safety of prosecution witnesses in the case may not be guaranteed if the former governor was granted bail.
The EFCC also alleged that in the course of the investigation of the case, the investigating team was attacked by the "killer squad" and had to sleep in the bush for a night.

Relying on the counter-affidavits filed by the commission and insisting that the former governor and his co-accused, Sunday Anyaogu should be kept in custody, pending the determination of the case, EFCC’s lawyer, Kelvin Uzozie, disclosed that several persons who were helping the commission in the investigation were attacked.

The EFCC named those allegedly eliminated by the "killer squad" as Sunady Ugwu, Engr. Chris Nwankwo, Prof Chimere Ikoku and Samuel Otte.

According to the commission, those allegedly attacked include, Chief Christian Onoh, the former governor of old Anambra State; Rev Dr Oscar Egwuonwu, a former local government chairman of Udi Local Government, described as a witness for the prosecution, and his younger brother, Mr Chuka Egwuonwu. Others are Hon Nwabueze Ugwu, Hon Barrister Lucky Chukwu and Rev Father Mbaka.

Another reason adduced by the prosecution for opposing bail was that, "on July 23, 2007 when Nnamani was brought to Lagos, he was remanded at EFCC office at Okotie-Eboh Street with an instruction not to leave the place of his detention but immediately he noticed that the security men were no longer around him, he was found trying to sneak out of the compound but was stopped by the vigilant security men."

Countering the arguments and the averments raised by the EFCC, lead counsel to Nnamani, Mr Ricky Tarfa, (SAN) urged the court to grant his client bail on medical grounds and described the allegations canvassed by the prosecution as "speculative."

Pleading with the court to disregard all the counter-affidavits filed by the prosecution, he said Nnamani, apart from being a former governor, is a serving senator, who would not jump bail.
"He will not commit any offence, neither will he interfere with any further investigations or prosecution of this case if granted bail."

Praying the court to dismiss the objection raised by the prosecution, Tarfa added that the former governor, "is a law abiding citizen of Nigeria with no record of previous conviction by any court of law in this country or any part of the world."

Also in the affidavit filed by Nnamani, it was argued that "it will be in the interest of justice to grant bail pending the hearing of the charge to enable him attend to his deteriorating health condition and adequately brief his lawyers and provide them with all the facilities needed to defend himself in the charge."

The defence team further stated that due to the accused’s deplorable state of health, the Chief Consultant/Physician/Nephrologist of the National Hospital Abuja, Dr E.A. Anteyi, had issued and signed a medical report dated July 23, 2007 that condition of Nnamani’s "state of health is critical and needs close monitoring and treatment outside the country."

Nnamani, his Chief of Staff, Sylvia Onwubuemeli and Sunday Onyekazuru Anyaogu, Finance Director, Rainbownet Nig Ltd, and six companies are being tried on a 105-count charge bordering on money laundering.

They were alleged, among others, to have conspired to launder over N5.3 billion belonging to Enugu State government. They were also charged with transferring the sum of 1.5 million dollars to the United States of America, which they knew represented the proceeds of crime.

According to the prosecution, the offences were committed between August 2003 and May 2007.
Corporate organizations charged along with Nnamani for the same offence are Rainbownet Nig Ltd, Hillgate Nigeria Ltd, Cosmo FM, Capital City Automobile (Nig) Ltd, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.
The trial judge, Justice Peter Olayiwola, is expected to rule Thursday on the issue of bail.

Posted by Publisher at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)

Alamieyeseigha returns; As group calls for prosecution of other N’Delta ex-govs

The former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Peter Alamieyeseigha, has returned to Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) to continue his treatment following his recent release from detention.

By OLA AGBAJE
Thursday, August 2, 2007

Alamieyeseigha, according to Joseph Eva, the National Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), left the country yesterday evening. He was recently deported from Dubai where he had been taken by EFCC for proper medical treatment.

While speaking with Daily Sun on the ex-governor’s trip, the Ijaw group leader also called on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to go after other ex-governors in the Niger Delta who he accused of using the derivation money meant for the development of the people to organise and sponsor cultists in the zone for the purpose of election.

He urged the EFCC to ensure that the money recovered from Alamieyeseigha is returned to the Bayelsa people for the purpose of educating the youths and the children.

Expressing disappointment that EFCC has remained silent on other former governors who he blamed for the woes of the people in the oil rich region, Eva said: “Ribadu must ensure that other former governors who looted their states and diverted derivation funds to sponsor cultism should not escape justice. The blood of those killed by the cultists put together by those former governors will be on Ribadu and his team if they fail to apprehend and prosecute them for siphoning the derivation money across the globe.
“They must not escape justice and whatever money recovered from them should be spent on the people.”

Posted by Publisher at 08:55 AM | Comments (0)

Obagol ready to sign new deal with Newcastle

Newcastle star, Obafemi Martins, has sensationally said he was ready to sign a new deal at St James' Park.
The Nigerian striker, who bagged 17 goals last season, has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal.

By Sun News Publishing
Thursday, August 2, 2007

However, Newcastle have rubbished suggestions that they wanted to sell Martins to raise cash for other signings and have now opened talks over a new contract.

United are looking to tie down the 22-year-old to a new long-term deal, which would not include any release-clauses - like his current deal.

"We are talking, that is all I can say for now," said Martins.
"Like I told you before, all I knew about the Arsenal thing was what I saw in the media.

"I am a Newcastle player and my part is to score goals for Newcastle and I am happy to be doing that."

Martins insists he is ready to compete with Michael Owen and Mark Viduka for a place in Newcastle's starting line-up.
"It's always good to score goals and for me, it is important to improve every season," Martins said,.

"I scored 17 goals last season, so this season, maybe I should be looking at doing better than that. Twenty goals is possible and I hope I can do that.

"Both Viduka and Owen are great players and it shows that the manager is serious about achieving something this season. But I want to play all the time and as long as I am scoring goals, I think I can make it hard for him not to play me.
"Even when I am not scoring, I can make myself a problem for the other team and allow my team-mates to score."

Posted by Publisher at 08:53 AM | Comments (0)

July 30, 2007

Abia gov reacts to false media reports, says there’s plot to cause disaffection between him and Kalu

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, says that some people are trying to cause disaffection between him and former governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

By Sun News Publishing
Monday, July 30, 2007

Reacting to media reports in the past one week that Dr Kalu’s statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicted him, Governor Orji, through a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ukoha Kalu, accused the newspapers which published the report of fabricating falsehood. He said that the former governor could not have made such statement.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Abia State Government, particularly that of the Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji has been drawn to several media reports with particular reference to the one carried in the Vanguard, Friday, July 27, 2007, where it promoted as riders to the lead story: “Alamieyeseigha convicted, Nnamani charged” that Kalu “fingers Governor Orji in N2.6bn fraud.”

“It is very doubtful whether such a statement at all would have been made by the former governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu. What the authors of the statement want to achieve is to create confusion within the circles of the former governor and the incumbent.
“To set the records straight, the incumbent governor of Abia State, Chief Orji was indeed the Chief of Staff during the time the former governor, Dr Uzor Kalu was in office. The office of the Chief of Staff (COS) is by no means the equivalent of the office of the Accountant General of the state or the Ministry of Finance.

“The schedule of the COS office is clearly spelt out and does not include the general disbursement of monies accruable to the state. Money that the office of the COS disburses is approved and the mode of disbursement is contained in the former COS statement with the EFCC, a statement that the former COS stands by today and tomorrow.

“The government states that the report is calculatedly false and mendacious and is seen to have been written to breed suspicion and disaffection between the affected parties.
“The Government condemns the alarming resort to falsification of reports, especially when they are credited to people who can easily be reached to get confirmation or otherwise of such reports.
“The government respects the rule of law and will not bring itself to comment on an issue that is already in court.”

Posted by Publisher at 09:55 AM | Comments (0)

Daramola’s murder: How we framed Fayose – Star witness

The political crisis in Ekiti took a new dimension on Sunday, as the coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the state, Mr Adeniyi Adedipe, absolved the former governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose of any complicity in the murder of Dr Ayo Daramola.

By ADESINA AIYEKOTI
Monday, July 30, 2007

Adedipe confessed at a press conference in Lagos that himself and other members of OPC were forced by some Ekiti elders to mention Fayose as the mastermind of the killing in order to pave way for his impeachment.

He disclosed that an attempt by the former chief executive to remove the traditional ruler of Ado-Ekiti and the seizure of his (Adedipe’s) commercial vehicle made him team up with the powerful elders in the state “to remove Fayose at all cost from office in October 2006 by making unfounded allegations against him.”

Regretting his action, Adedipe said: “The time has come for me to set my conscience free from the burden of evil and malice for which I have involved myself with some other powerful individuals in Ekiti.
“It is without doubt that former Governor Ayo Fayose offended some of us and some leaders with which I pitched my tent.”

He mentioned a Lagos-based lawyer (name withheld) and others who attended a meeting held with the former Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero, where Fayose was implicated.
To give credence to his latest position, Adedipe, who also described himself as a one-time personal aide to the Chief of Staff to Fayose, also deposed to a 23-paragraph affidavit before the Federal High Court, Lagos, where he stated: “We also agreed to let Nigerians believe that Dr. Ayo Fayose was a conspirator in the killing of Dr Ayo Daramola whereas he had no hand and knew nothing about it and the I.G.P. had immediately after investigation was concluded into the death, told Nigerians that Dr. Ayo Daramola was killed by armed robbers without mentioning Ayo Fayose and any of Mr. Olatunji Olagoke and Chief Dayo Okondo.”

In the affidavit dated July 27, 2007, he averred, among others, that the powerful people in Ekiti State pleaded with him to rope in Fayose because, “I was the only one that could do it by presenting some of my OPC men to the police who would give statements to the police that Ayo Fayose and I conspired with them to attack Taiye Fasuba and that after the removal of Ayo Fayose, the OPC members would be released and the case would be closed.”

He said based on the arrangement, he contacted his personal driver and other OPC members to make themselves available to the police and to claim that, “we and Mr Olatunji Adegoke, Mr Joseph Gbenga, personal assistant and chief security officer of Fayose, and also one Chief Dayo Okondo conspired to carry out the attack on Taiye Fasuba. Thereafter, these men were taken to Abuja and made statements to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero (retd).”

He said, however, that after the purported impeachment of Fayose contrary to the agreement, the other OPC members were arraigned in court for attempted murder of Taiye Fasuba.
The prosecution, Adedipe averred, acted “contrary to the agreement, arrangement we had with the Inspector General of Police and the president that they only wanted to use them to show the whole nation that there were cogent grounds for the removal of Ayo Fayose as governor, because we had made statements that he asked them to go and attack Taiye Fasuba.

He further disclosed that the Ekiti State government now wanted him desperately to be its star prosecution witness to establish that former Governor Fayose conspired to attack Fasuba.
The Ekiti State government, he added, had threatened to get him arrested by the police if he failed to make himself available to testify.

Posted by Publisher at 09:53 AM | Comments (0)

Sven dangles £7m carrot on Taye Taiwo

Manchester City manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, is expected to make a £7million bid for the Olympique Marseille ace defender, Taye Ismaila Taiwo, if he fails to land Italy star, Giorgio Chiellini from Juventus.

By GBOLAHAN DADA
Monday, July 30, 2007

According to the News of the World’s reports, the Manchester City boss has targeted Nigeria international left-back, Taiwo, after having a £7million bid for Chiellini turned down.

Eriksson will test Marseille’s resolve to keep hold of Taiwo, 22, who is considered one of France’s best left-backs at the moment.
Manchester City boss had thrown an offer of £12 million to another Nigerian in the Premiership, Yakubu Aiyegbeni to join him in the club.

Eriksson will have £30 million to spend before the start of the new season, and will offer Middlesbrough £12 million for Yakubu.
Yakubu, also a target for Harry Redknapp at former club, Portsmouth, is understood to be keen on the move to City, with talks expected in the next few days.

Italian giants, Juve have slapped a £10million price-tag on 20-year-old Chiellini and Eriksson will wait to see if he can land Taiwo before making another bid for Chiellini. A top Juventus source said: “Eriksson clearly wants Chiellini, but the club would only sell if the price is right. Manager Claudio Ranieri does not want to lose the player but if City decide to meet the club’s demands, then Chiellini will be sold.”
Italy Under-21 captain, Chiellini, has already got six full intenational caps for the World Champions and has also attracted strong interest from Liverpool.

Posted by Publisher at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)

GTB becomes first African bank listed on London Stock Exchange

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) has attained the feat of being the first Nigerian company and African bank to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

By Sun News Publishing
Monday, July 30, 2007

This landmark, achieved on July 26, is coming on the heels of the bank’s successful $750 million offer for subscription of Global Depository Receipts (GDR), which closed a week earlier.

The offer was issued in the London market to raise about $500 million from international institutional investors outside Nigeria and about $250 million from individuals and institutional investors in Nigeria, according to a statement issued by the bank.

A Global Depositary Receipt (GDR), which is a negotiable dollar denominated bank certificate issued in international financial markets through a registered depository bank, represents ownership of certain equity securities that are issued and traded in a local market as well as ownership of a certain number of shares of a company. It can be listed/traded independently from the equity securities. GDRs are typically used by companies from emerging markets to raise capital and access investors in international markets.

Guaranty Trust Bank’s GDR offering is the first ever opportunity for Nigerians to make dollar denominated investments in the securities of a Nigerian company listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange. It opens up a previously unavailable large and global capital market to Nigerian investors considering that the London Stock Exchange is the primary market to many of the world’s largest companies; attracting some of the largest and most sophisticated investors in the world.
The dividends of the GDRs are paid in US dollars.

The bank, whose ordinary shares trade on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, had earlier filed an application to the United Kingdom Listing Authority for the admission of the GDRs to the Official List. Following the closure of the offer period, the GDRs have been admitted to trade under the symbol "GRTB" on the market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange through its International Order Book.

The London Stock Exchange has, in its over 200 years of existence, remained the fulcrum of global stock exchanges with 350 highly reputable companies from over 50 countries trading on its markets. Its wealth of experience, integrity, expertise as well as knowledge of the market has propelled it into becoming one of the world’s foremost equity exchanges, ahead the famed New York and Tokyo Stock exchanges.

This landmark achievement reaffirms Guaranty Trust Bank’s desire to further strengthen its cross boarder presence and grow the confidence of international investors in the burgeoning Nigerian market. The bank already has a credible foot print in the international market with its highly successful $350 million Eurobond offer, which was the first of its kind by any Nigerian Institution.

The listing of Guaranty Trust Bank on the London Stock Exchange gives a positive commentary on the bank as one of Nigeria's most profitable and fastest growing banks, while lending credence to its AA- (double A minus) by Fitch and BB- (double B minus) by Standard & Poor’s, the best ratings assigned by the two international rating agencies to any Nigerian or West African-based bank.

Posted by Publisher at 09:51 AM | Comments (0)

Lawyers fault VP’s stand on public assets declaration

Vice President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday came under severe criticism over his statement against public declaration of his assets as done by President Umaru Yar’Adua.

By ADESINA AIYEKOTI and OLA AGBAJE
Monday, July 30, 2007

Goodluck Jonathan reportedly said public declaration of assets by public officers was voluntary and therefore, he would not make his assets and liabilities public.

Reacting to the statement, a leading legal practitioner, Chief J. B. Daudu (SAN) queried: “Morally, is he not bound to follow suit to show transparency? If voluntary declaration is an example of openness of transparency that the president set a very good example, being a vice president, he has no choice in the matter.

He should have followed a good example of the president. By his stance he must have something to hide. It is unfortunate, let’s hope we won’t have another Atiku,” he added.

Also speaking, the President of the West African Bar Association (WABA), Mr Femi Falana, explained that the vice president and other public office holders are not only morally bound to declare their assets publicly, they have a legal obligation to declare their assets publicly to the people.
“Public declaration of assets for public office holders is not just a moral question, it is, in fact, a legal obligation, which they must discharged just as the president has demonstrated by example.

“The legal implication is to the effect that the word declaration came from the Latin word declario, which simply means ‘to make public’ or ‘announce publicly.’ So it is both morally and legally incumbent on the affected public office holders to make known publicly their assets to the people. Do you declare something and still keep it secret? No. Public assets declaration is an essential ingredients of democracy,” Falana said.

Also kicking against the pronouncement, another notable lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, who said he was surprised at the statement.
“I think that since the vice president knew that it was part of the campaign policy of the president to openly declare his asset, it is wrong for the vice president to now make a U-turn that he would not declare his assets publicly, contrary to what they promised the electorate. He cannot, at this time, deny his president,” he added.

According to Adegboruwa, Jonathan has no moral justification not to declare his asset publicly. “We cannot have a president who is transparent and have a vice president who chooses not to be transparent,” he said.

Also supporting the positions of his colleague, lawyer and human rights activist, Bamidele Aturu, said the statement by Vice President Jonathan did not show any understanding of the mood of the nation.
“It does not show that the vice president is serious about fighting corruption. I condemn the statement in a very strong term,” he said.

Posted by Publisher at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)

July 23, 2007

ICPC probes missing N28bn in Customs; Comptroller General quizzed

Facts have emerged why the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Jacob Gyang Buba, was quizzed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

By ALEX AKAO
Monday, July 23, 2007

Daily Sun gathered that an alleged siphoning of over N28 billion government revenue by some Customs top shots was at the centre of the interrogation. The said amount was discovered to have disappeared from government’s accruable revenue records of the Customs between 2004 and 2006.

According to dependable sources close to the ICPC, the searchlight, which had been on the Customs headquarters since last February, revealed that the said amount was siphoned through the recycling of Federal Government duty waivers to some state governments and an alleged disappearance of 700 containers of overtime cargo from the Ikorodu terminal in Lagos.

It was discovered that on one occasion, a waiver granted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to Kebbi State government in respect of certain imports, was later used to clear other private goods through the Apapa, Lagos area command of the service, with the attendant revenue losses put at over N800 million.

The ICPC officials were also said to have confronted the Customs boss with “proven records” of notable seizures and the ensuing investigations, which were allegedly stopped on “orders from above” leaving the concerned investigating officers stupefied.

Additionally, the Justice Emmanuel Ayoola led Commission is said to have reopened the investigations of a whopping disappearance of over 700 containers of seized overtime cargo, while being transferred to Ikorodu terminal in a bid to decongest the Lagos seaports.

The deal, which was said to have led to the loss of over N2 billion Duty Paid Value (DPV) has generated controversy between the Customs comptroller General and former Transport Minister, Dr. Abiye Sekibo.
Daily Sun gathered that the scandal had led to the hurried transfer of certain officers allegedly involved in the deal, while others were unceremoniously retired.

Last week’s grilling of the Customs boss by the ICPC investigators was the second this year, with the first hinged on a petition by one Matthew Shelling, described as an insider by Customs sources.
The petition had given vivid details of multiple contract scams allegedly perpetrated by the Customs headquarters in respect of borehole drillings, facilities at the two Customs Academy and in the purchase of patrol boats.

Contacted, Special Adviser to the ICPC Chairman, Mr Folu Olamiti, would neither confirm nor deny the probe, saying: “Whatever we say now may jeopardize on-going investigations in that respect.”
Also speaking with Daily Sun on phone, the chief image-maker of the Customs Service, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, denied knowledge of the investigation of his boss by ICPC officials.

Posted by Publisher at 12:26 PM | Comments (0)

February 05, 2007

Terror, as Ladoja/Akala clashes continue

Security was tightened in Ibadan Oyo State on Sunday, following weekend’s bloody clash between supporters of the State Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and his estranged deputy, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala in Akure, Ondo State. Many lives were lost.

From TUNDE RAHEEM, AKURE and AKEEB ALARAPE, Ibadan
Monday, February 5, 2007

Earlier on Saturday night, fresh fighting was recorded in the Oyo State capital between supporters of both politicians. One person was reportedly gunned down at the New Gbagi area of the Oyo State capital by gun-wielding supporters of the Oyo State deputy governor.

A detachment of mobile policemen was deployed to the troubled spot at Iwo Road area to forestall renewed fighting among the warring political supporters. At exactly 9.36am, an ALGON jeep dropped another batch of stern-looking anti-riot policemen at Iwo/Ibadan junction of the Iwo Road Interchange while a batch of plain-clothed securitymen armed with sophisticated guns patrolled Abayomi bus-stop on the popular Iwo Road in the city.

Military authorities in Ondo State have also deployed troops at strategic areas of the state capital to forestall further violence. More than 50 fully armed soldiers from the 33 Artillery Brigade were seen in military vehicles with registration numbers NA 192B01 and NA71B01.

At the PDP’s zonal rally in Akure on Saturday, four persons were reportedly killed while several others suffered injuries when supporters of the deputy governor clashed with the governor’s sympathisers after Alao-Akala had been endorsed as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State in the forthcoming elections.

Eye witnesses of the Ibadan clash narrated how the hoodlums, armed with guns and machetes, stormed the busy Iwo Road Interchange and unleashed a fresh round of mayhem after news filtered in that Alao-Akala had been presented the party’s flag.

Their arrival, which the eye-witnesses said was announced by sporadic shootings, forced commuters, motorists and traders to abandon their wares and scamper to safety. The suspected hoodlums were said to have inflicted injuries on supporters and sympathizers of the state governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.
In the process, many were said to have received machete cuts while an unidentified person was said to have been gunned down at New Gbagi International Market area.

An eye-witness, Mr. Akeem Azeez told Daily Sun that a young man, with a deep cut on his head, was brought to Ti Oluwa Ni private hospital along Iwo Road during the mayhem. He was said to have been soaked in his own blood. Many traders and passersby, who had earlier sought refuge at the hospital, had to flee on sighting the victim of the clash.

A middle aged woman, who said she was coming from Ilesha when she was caught up in the trouble, also told Daily Sun that the gun-wielding hoodlums ordered all of them in the commuter vehicle that brought them from Ilesha to start shouting ‘Akala Ni Joo’, ‘Akala for 2007’, before they could be allowed to pass. That was after the hoodlums had allegedly checked all their faces and ascertained that they were not supporters of Ladoja who followed him to Akure for the rally.

Governor Ladoja has, however, condemned the violence that greeted the PDP rally at Akure, wondering why some people believed in the power of violence in the game of politicking.
The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Prince Ade Adekanmbi, also debunked a media report that Ladoja held a meeting with Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in Abuja during his last visit to Aso Rock.

"The governor never met with the Vice-President nor had any appointment with him on Thursday. He was on a normal routine visit to the Presidency and had some chat with top officials of the Presidency", Adekanmbi stated, urging the people of the state to remain calm and peaceful and insisting that Ladoja remained the only credible candidate to deliver Oyo State to the PDP.

The Ondo State police Command, however, said on Sunday that it had arrested two people in connection with the fracas, while arms and ammunition were also recovered from them.
Evidence of the violent clash still abound at the time of filing this report as broken bottles and other dangerous weapons employed by the hoodlums littered the main entrance to the stadium.
The Police, however, said they had impounded some vehicles belonging to the Oyo State government over the mayhem.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Adeniran Aremu said: "It was reliably gathered that on 3rd of February 2007 outside the Ondo State Sports Complex where the PDP rally was held, some miscreants apparently from Oyo State attempted to disrupt the rally and thereby resorted to the use of dangerous weapons.

Police moved in swiftly and arrested two of them in whose possession were found 30 rounds of ammunition. Also a vehicle with registration Pilot 1 Oyo was found with four rifles and thereby was impounded. The driver of the vehicle escaped. Meanwhile, police investigation is still in progress to identify the barons of the offences committed."

Posted by Publisher at 03:25 PM | Comments (0)

NBA wants Adedibu arrested, tried

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Peoples Democratic Party stalwart in Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu over the alleged discovery of six Direct Data Capture Machines property of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in his residence in Ibadan.

By GODWIN TSA & JAMES OJO Abuja
Sunday, February 4, 2007

President of the NBA, Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) made the call weekend in Abuja at a press conference organised by the association.

The NBA position coincided with a similar concern expressed by a member of the House of Representatives, Professor Sola Adeyeye, who also demanded the immediate prosecution of Adedibu to guarrantee that the April election would not be rigged to favour the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The alleged dicovery of the voters registration machines in Adedibu’s house had triggered a public outrage as prominent groups and individuals want the old man arrest and prosecuted.
But since the incident, the police and INEC have been accusing each other of lacking the liver to bring the strong man of Ibadan politics to book.

Last week, Oyo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Jonathan Johnson had claimed that his men could not arrest Adedibu because INEC was preventing the police from prosecuting the suspects in the case.
He alleged that the electoral body did not include Adedibu’s name among the six suspects.
But INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Isyaku Maigoro said it was not the responsibility of the Commission to arrest any suspect, adding that it was the security agents’.
However, while the buck passing and footdraging continues, Agbakoba said there was no reason why Adedibu should not be in police cell by now.

Describing the act as criminal, the NBA boss lamented:
"I wonder what the police is doing. The chairman of the Economic Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is always speaking forcefully about corruption. Now that this issue has come up, every body is footdraging."

Agbakoba, however noted, that his association was legally hamstrung to arrest or initiate criminal proceedings against Adedibu, adding that not having coercive powers, it can only speak out.”
The NBA which expressed concerned over the credibility of the on-going electoral process disclosed that it has volunteered 20,000 lawyers for election duties as part of its contribution to ensure free and fair polls.
Adeyeye’s call came barely twenty four hours after Ribadu took Alhaji Adedibu and Alao-Akala to the cleaners at a public function in Ibadan.

But the professor from Osun Stateinsisted that refusal to prosecute Adedibu was a danger signal of what to come during the general elections. Therefore, he socilited the support of the media, civil society groups and the NBA to monitor elections, particularly in Okuku, the home town of Osun state Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
Professor Adeyeye regretted that intead of arresting Adedibu and charge him to court, the police and INEC were trading blames.

“Which democracy are we talking about? Adedibu’s son is a candidate for the Senate under PDP and voters registration is taking place in his father's house. What will be the outcome of such election? This is why the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney- General of the Federation, Oyo state governor and his State Attorney -General should not waste time to pick this man and charge him to court," he argued.
Only by so doing, he continued, would Nigerians and the world take seriously the pledge by President Obasanjo that the April general elections would be free and fair.
To allow one man like Adedibu to point a finger at the law, he said, questions the independence of INEC.

Posted by Publisher at 03:25 PM | Comments (0)

HURRAY, THE LADY OF GOLF IS 40!

Her Royal Majesty, (Dr) Lady Josephine Diete-Spiff (BA, LLB Hons) JP, wife of the old governor of Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, has just clocked 40 years.

By Sun News Publishing
Sunday, February 4, 2007

A royal mother, a humanitarian, artiste, evangelist, unionist (the first lady to rule as president of University of Port Harcourt’s Students Union), an educationist and indeed, a worthy golfer of note, Lady Spiff has every reason to celebrate.

Born to a family of seven in Isoko, Delta State, this woman of substance had to fight poverty and deprivation through her early years. It was such a life grown horrid beyond any nightmare. To cap it all, she even risked not being educated at all. Such was the height of poverty she endured.

Years of pain would see her through secondary school. She was just 17. At that point in life, she like any other being in her teens, would have caved in to illusions, but she took hers further. She dared to dream tall dreams, so tall you could pack those dreams of the Biblical Joseph aside.

Come through into her dreams. Lady Spiff wanted Law as profession. She’s already one. She wanted to own a company, today she has three. She wanted to marry a tall man. Well, she ended up marrying a giant in another ardent golfer, King Diete-Spiff. She wanted two kids, she now has three… Jessica, Jason and Alfred jnr. She wanted to live in a choice house and drive a jeep. Now she lives in a house that is as big as a Cathedral and has a fleet of cars, mostly jeeps. All these she accomplished before she turned 40. All, she accomplished while moving through rocky paths.

Catch a glimpse, this lady once did menial jobs in construction sites so that she could help herself to university education. Talk of willpower, hard work and sheer courage, and you can always be a member of her Fans Club. Isn’t that cute?
Lady Spiff has been married for 13 years. Her husband is ahead of her with a whole of 14 years. In spite of this, she has never referred to her husband as ‘daddy’.

“We are just friends,” Lady Spiff said of her husband. “And it’s a lot easy for me because my husband is so humble. We share great things together. For instance, he is devoted to the game of golf and I am also committed to the game. But these days, I do a lot of Evangelism work. I want to clean up as many souls as I can, all for Christ.”

Let’s celebrate this woman, who for years ruled as president of Nigeria Ladies Golfers Union.

NEXT WEEK; Golf People will give you a glimpse into the new book, “Dare To Dream” by Lady Spiff.

Posted by Publisher at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)

Kalu holds talks at White House

Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, has held talks at the seat of the United States government, the White House, a rare honour usually reserved for heads of state and governments.

By IKE NNAMDI, The Sun Reporter, Washington DC.
Monday, February 5, 2007

Although the agenda of the closed-door meeting was not disclosed, sources said it dwelt extensively on the "political situation in Nigeria."

Those who attended the meeting include senior State Department officials, senior advisers to President George Bush, congressional leaders and some officials of the Homeland Security Department.

Dr. Kalu, who arrived Washington unannounced from the United Kingdom described the talks as "fruitful and a meeting with friends."

Daily Sun gathered that Dr. Kalu is also scheduled to meet with a congressional bipartisan group on Nigeria as well as brief the influential Council on Foreign Relations. Sources said the deepening interest on Gov. Kalu’s presidential candidacy follows Washington's concern about the religious leanings of candidates of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Action Congress (AC) and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). This follows the release of another dire prediction by United States intelligence agencies that "terror organizations might view Nigeria as an attractive alternative if a northern Muslim emerges as the next president of the country."

The prediction was contained in the latest National Intelligence Estimate, which says: "Nigerian election will be determined on religious and ethnic sentiments and a Muslim president could be an unintended magnet for terrorists." The document also stated that large-scale corruption and poverty would continue for the next 15 years, unless the nation elects a president who has both "administrative and political experience and a private sector-driven policy."

Administration officials said Gov. Kalu met some of the criteria they expect the next leader of Nigeria to possess. "He has been a successful businessman, a two-term governor, a democrat, who spoke out against the excesses of the ruling party even before the vice-president's face-off with President Olusegun Obasanjo," they said of Kalu.

White House sources said that Kalu's Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) was the face of the opposition in Nigeria because the governor has remained consistent in his criticism of government policies, even in the face of intimidation and loss of his businesses.

Administration officials also said that the interest in Gov. Kalu was not an interference in the internal affairs of a close ally, but Washington's effort to ensure that Nigeria "picks the best person for the job."
It was gathered that Gov. Kalu was one of five Nigerians whose names were forwarded to Abuja by the United States government after a request by the Federal Government last year, for suggestions on those "capable of moving the nation forward in the face of serious challenges."

When contacted, Gov. Kalu described his visit to the United States as "the last push in his campaign ahead of the crucial April election," adding: "I have been invited by several other important organizations and the Nigerian community to continue the discussion of how a PPA administration would, within a few months in power, restore Nigeria greatness by improving power supply and employment for most of our youths."

Gov. Kalu also plans to visit France and Germany on the invitation of their governments.

Posted by Publisher at 03:23 PM | Comments (0)

National Assembly burgled, 4 arrested

Barely 24 hours after the discovery of hidden cameras in the Senate, the National Assembly has been burgled by a yet-to-be identified gang. Following this, the police have arrested four persons.

From JAMES OJO, Abuja
Monday, February 5, 2007

Daily Sun gathered that unknown persons broke into the Personnel Department of the National Assembly, located in the annex wing of the complex on Friday morning, ransacked and stole vital documents.

Investigation revealed that the staff welfare section of the personnel department was broken into and items removed from the office of the acting director of personnel management, Mohammed Suleiman.

Head of the Sergeant-at-Arms, the security arm constitutionally empowered to ensure security at the National Assembly complex, Colonel Emeka Okere (retd), who confirmed this, said: "It was shocking the way the whole office was turned upside down. It was as if the people who invaded the office had a field day. Most sensitive files were ripped open, but we are yet to ascertain what documents they stole."
Col. Okere confirmed that the laptop of the acting director and some of his personal effects were lost in the raid.

He, however, said that thorough investigation had been launched to get to the root of the matter as his department suspected that some workers must have colluded with outsiders to loot the office.
"We are not taking the matter lightly. We have launched a full-scale investigation to arrest those behind the burglary.

I can assure you that anybody linked with it will be made to face the law," Okere said.
He said that four staff from his department who were on duty when the incident occurred are being detained for interrogation, adding that other complementary agents have done the same thing, since the security of the National Assembly was a joint effort of all the security agencies.

Recently, security devices to screen visitors were installed at entrance of the National Assembly, while the number of Sergeants-at Arms was increased with the redeployment of over 200 staff from the Accounts Department.

Posted by Publisher at 03:23 PM | Comments (0)

December 27, 2006

Edo 2007: El-Rufai, Ribadu back Oshiomhole

Federal Capital Territory,(FCT) Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,(EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu have declared their support for the governorship ambition of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, declaring him as a rare breed whose experience and knowledge would help in the search for a better Nigeria .

By FRANCIS AWOWOLE-BROWNE, Abuja
Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Speaking during a fund raising dinner organized by the Adams Oshiomhole Foundation, in furtherance of the aspiration of the labour leader to rule Edo State in 2007, the duo urged all well meaning people to come to the aid of Oshiomhole financially and help him realize his ambition.

First to speak was the FCT Minister who in his characteristics blunt manner shook the audience at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, venue of the dinner`as he argued that Oshiomhole deserves the support of all Nigerians in his aspiration irrespective of party affiliation. “We understand why you did not join our party. But wherever you are, our soul, our hearts and our pocket will be with you,” he assured.
Reviewing the activities of NLC President while a member of the National Privatization Council (NCP), Rufai stated that Oshiomhole’s position on all issues was not dogmatic, but influenced only by the benefits Nigerians would derive from the privatization.

According to him, when many activists viewed privatization with disdain, Oshiomhole did not only contribute actively to debate on the issues but ensured that the policies and programmes that emerged from it were such that will enhance the welfare of Nigerian people, adding: “He is one of the few Nigerians I have the greatest respect for. We need leaders who can bring out the best in people. Oshiomhole represents the best of the good people we believe in.

We are expecting that one day, all Nigerians will be like Oshiomhole, and then we will be able to go to sleep,” Rufai noted
He said that his presence along with Mallam Ribadu, Ms Ifueko Omoigui, Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service among others, was a demonstration of their belief and commitment to the struggle and aspiration of Oshiomhole.
The FCT minister urged the labour leader not to deviate from the course which he is noted for in any position he finds himself in the future.

Responding, Oshiomhole said he was impressed that Nigerians valued the struggle he had waged, noting that he believed in the future of the country, and that “ in spite of whatever people would say of the present government, Obasanjo was able to assemble technocrats without ethnic and political considerations in his effort to rebuild the country
“The government has done a couple of things right and some wrong. But one thing that you cannot deny the government is that Obasanjo has been able to bring on board young professionals in the respective fields, not necessarily because they are party faithful, but because of their capacity and outstanding achievements to human development”
He commended the FCT Minister and Ribadu, for finding time to honour his fund-raising dinner, saying that in spite of their different views on some issues, their loyalty to the Nigeria nation was never in doubt.

Posted by Publisher at 01:58 PM | Comments (0)

December 19, 2006

PDP picks Jonathan as Yar’adua’s running mate

Governor Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Bayelsa State was second time lucky Sunday as the Peoples Democratic Pary’s presidential candidate,Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’adua, picked him as running mate for next year’s election.

By: FRANCIS AWOWOLE – BROWNE, ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, Abuja, PAUL ORUDE Bauchi, ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

The choice of Jonathan, who rose to become governor following the removal of Diepreye Alamieyeseigha to whom he was deputy on December 12 last year, was announced by the party’s flagbeerer himself at the State House, Abuja, after a meeting of the party leaders and other stakeholders.
Yar’adua, in a brief speech at the end of the meeting said he chose the Bayelsa governor after wide consultations with the party and all concerned.

The accouncement, however, jolted political pundits and some of the Southern governor’s who contested the tickety with Yar’adua and had thought one of them would be picked for the slot.
Indeed, Governors Peter Odili (Rivers), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi) and Donald Duke (Cross River) had been tipped for the job.

But Daily Sun learnt that the party’s top hierarchy decided to zone it to the Niger Delta to pacify the zone which had mountd fierce agitation for the presidency in the process leading to last Saturday’s primaries. Although Governor Odili was said to have been highly favoured to run with Yar’adua, consideration of avoiding the kind of face-off President Obasnjo had with his deputy, Atiku Abubakar tilted the scale in favour of Jonathan, who was never in reckoning in the race for the presidency.
Sources told Daily Sun that Odili was seen as having “rather too strong personality,” which could lead to clashes with his principal when they get into office.

Governor Jonathan’s emergence has not only upset bookmakers’ predictions but underscored the lucky streak of a man with a modest ambition who fate would thrust on high pedestals in critical moments.
Until December 12, 2005 a mere deputy governor of a coastal but oil-rich state, he became governor following the impeachment of the former chief executive of the state indicted for corruption and money laundering.

He bidded for and secured his party’s nomination for re-election penultimate Saturday.
Sources also said he got the VP slot, which was zoned to the South South, because he was seen as President Olusegun Obasanjo’s strongest loyalist in the region.
Expressing surprise at his choice as Yar’adua’s running mate, Governor Jonathan said he saw ait as the will of God for his life and the nation.

Jonathan, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Welson Ekiyor, said his name had something to do with it, stressing that God wanted to use him to bring good luck to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, commendations have trailed the Peoples Democratic Party’s choice of Yar’adua as its presidential candidate in next year’s election.

President Olusegun Obasanjo described the emergence of Yar’adua as a celebration of democracy, saying that the process was transparent and democratic in nature.
Speaking Sunday morning shortly after the flagbearer delivered his acceptance speech, Obasanjo said that the party had hoped and prayed for a hitch-free and successful convention and that the outcome of the exercise was a vindication of its hope and prayers.

Turning towards Yar’adua and embracing him, Obasanjo said: “let me congratulate my brother who will be my worthy successor. I wish you all the prayers you will need to sail through the murky waters of Nigerian politics. We are a democratic party, we have shown it and we will continue to show it.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us. But if we can do this one successful now, then the task ahead of us can be achieved. Things will continue to be better, especially because this is not the beginning of a journey, but a continuation of a journey.”

In a statement issued in Abuja Sunday and signed by the director, media and publicity, Marwa Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Bola Bolawole, Brigadier General Buba who contested the ticket along with Yar’adua pledged his support and willingness to work to actualise the party's goal of winning the 2007 presidential election. He also congratulated the party for a successful and peaceful convention.

Dr. Marwa extended his hands of fellowship to the party's flagbearer and reiterated his belief that PDP will win the 2007 elections.
He restated his belief that power belongs to God who giveth it to whoever he pleases and then affirmed his loyalty and faithfulness to the party, its leadership and its goals so that the party could come out tops in the 2007 elections.

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Goje, commended the PDP leadership for abiding by the gentleman agreement of power shift back to the North in 2007, saying that what happened before, during and after the exercise demonstrated that they were honourable people who could be trusted in anything, particularly, good leadership.

Goje described the primaries as the best thing that had ever happened in the political history of the country, as it could be adjugded the most transparent exercise that has shown that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.

Speaking to Daily Sun shortly after the results were announced, the governor described the emergence of Umar Musa Yar'adua as the best for the party, describing him as the best candidate who could deliver the presidency.
Excitement ruled the air in Katsina, the state capital as many happy motorists took to the street from around 2.00am on Sunday, when it became clear that Governor Yar’adua was heading for victory in the PDP presidential primaries.

This set the stage for jubilation by a crowd of the city’s residents who, entertained by itinerant musicians, danced and sang from day break till afternoon.
Some who spoke to Daily Sun, expressed their joy, saying they were not surprised that Yar’adua clinched the PDP ticket.

Posted by Publisher at 08:03 AM | Comments (0)

November 15, 2006

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)

November 13, 2006

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)

October 31, 2006

Sultan Maccido’s last public outing

The late Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido was in Abuja to honour invitation extended to him to be part of the Presidential Forum on Education which held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja last Saturday.

From LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja
Tuesday, October 31, 2006

He arrived the venue of the event well ahead of the commencement of the programme and sat on the front row where he exchanged pleasantries with an array of personalities, while awaiting the arrival of President Olusegun Obasanjo for the take-off of the event.

As he entered the large hall, the president was quite pleased with the presence of the sultan and said: “this is an important occasion with the sultan around.”

In further recognition of his presence, President Obasanjo requested the royal father to kick-start the programme with an opening prayer in the Islamic mode which Maccido promptly responded to.

He sat all through the event and listened attentively to all presentations and arguments on how best to carry out the reforms in the education sector and applauded the president’s assurance that unity schools would remain government’s property.

All through the occasion, it was apparent that Sultan Maccido, who was also the president-general of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs was in deep reflection as he kept performing ‘Al-Dhikr’ (remembrance of Allah), counting on his Tasbhi.

At the end of the occasion, as he acknowledged greetings from several distinguished guests, and there was no inkling whatsoever that only a few hours lay between him and death.

Posted by Publisher at 09:14 AM | Comments (0)

October 30, 2006

Masari’s camp alleges plot to manipulate PDP primaries

Front runner in the 2007 gubernatorial polls in Katsina State and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, has alleged plans by Governor Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to manipulate the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries in Katsina in favour of his 'anointed' candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, the party's deputy national chairman (North), and a former commisioner in Yar'Adua's cabinet.

By ISMAIL OMIPIDAN, Abuja
Monday, October 30, 2006

In a statement weekend, Mustapha Aliyu, an aide to the Speaker, said part of the plot was to deny delegates and candidates at the ward elections scheduled to hold this week, accreditation papers, except handpicked candidates and those sympathetic to the government's preferred candidate.

He warned that if that was allowed to happen, the hitherto tranquil political atmosphere in Katsina could be ruptured.

His words: "Some disturbing reports recently emerged from Katsina to the effect that the governor has finalised arrangements to foist Alhaji Ibrahim Shema as the People's Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate on the state. Shema is currently the party's deputy chairman (North). This attempt at imposition has already left a sour taste in the mouth of the teeming populace and the political repercussion may be too grave for the PDP itself to contemplate.

The party must therefore rise up, act fast and retrieve itself from the dangerous precipice which the governor appears to be driving it."

The statement urged the party leadership at the state and national levels "to ensure compliance with the party's electoral guidelines for gubernatorial and other offices, which the Yar'Adua group are bent on subverting for their selfish ends."

Only recently, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Alhaji Iro Abubakar Dan Musa, raised alarm that the whole process for the state's gubernatorial primaries had been hijacked by the governor and forces loyal to the government who, he said, are hellbent on foisting their preferred candidate as the party's flagbearer.

Speaking at a press conference in Katsina on behalf of three leading gubernatorial hopefuls: Speaker Masari, former Internal Affairs minister, Magaji Mohammed and Ibrahim Safana, the party stalwart feared that even though "the state special ward congress is only a few days away, nobody, except aspirants presumably favoured by Governor Yar'Adua, are aware of the congress or where to obtain forms for it."

He alleged plot by the government to fill elective positions in the forthcoming elections in 2007 by appointment. He alleged that "nomination forms have been printed and secretly distributed to those slated to be appointed."

Posted by Publisher at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)

October 21, 2006

I was misled, cries Ekiti Speaker

“I am on my own now. I have not heard from anybody again, and this is supposed to be a collective struggle. “I don’t know where I am going now”

By TUNDE RAHEEM, Ado, Ekiti
Saturday, October 21, 2006

Following the declaration of state of emergency in Ekiti State by President Olusegun Obasanjo and the subsequent arrest of the Acting Governor, Hon. Friday Aderemi, the embattled former Speaker of the House of Assembly has blamed his woes on members of the House whom he said, misled and stampeded him to accept the job of Acting Governor.

Aderemi before he was whisked away by the security operatives to the State Security Service command in the state, had summoned courage in telephone conversation with Saturday Sun Correspondent and lambasted the federal government for imposing emergency rule on the state.

Aderemi in another telephone conversation with Saturday Sun that Thursday evening would later lament that he was fed up with the whole scenario, saying that most of the lawmakers who caused the mess have now gone underground, leaving him to bear the brunt alone.
“I am on my own now. I have not heard from anybody again, and this is supposed to be a collective struggle. Where are they now”, he asked

The man who controversially acted as governor for a little less than two days further stressed that the trouble was becoming unbearable for him. “I don’t know where am going now”.
Aderemi, who was whisked away in a black Toyota car with two Prado jeeps as pilot to SSS office around 11:45 pm further stated that none of his colleagues (lawmakers) had called him to know his whereabouts or find out about the situation of things at his end.

Shortly after the arrival of the Sole Administrator, Major-General Tunji Olurin, Aderemi was moved out of Government House in a black jeep to an unknown destination
When Saturday Sun called him on his mobile phone Aderemi lamented that he had been moved out again, making it the second occasion the security men would take him away.
The conversation was on when the line went off and when the line was redialed for over ten times it had been switched off.

When Saturday Sun called at the official residence of the ex-Deputy Governor, Chief Abiodun Olujimi who had been placed under house arrest in the early hours of Thursday and later that evening taken to an unknown destination, there was presence of heavy security men. Her mobile phone had also been switched off.

When Saturday Sun sought to know the whereabouts of ‘Madam’ from one of the security men, he said: “don’t quote me, the woman is not inside again, she has been taken away by the SSS guys”.
Meanwhile most of the members of the state House of Assembly remained underground, with their mobile phones equally switched off.

Posted by Publisher at 01:18 PM | Comments (0)

October 16, 2006

Amokachi targets China 2008 Olympic football gold

National Under-23 coach, Daniel Amokachi, is already dreaming of making achievable impact with his team’s outing in the China 2008 Olympic Games football tournament.

By GBOLAHAN DADA
Monday, October 16, 2006
Daniel Amokachi

The former Super Eagles player said he would like to win Olympic gold as a coach, just as he won it in the 1996 Atlanta Games for Nigeria as a player.

Amokachi, who is already looking forward to a successful run at next year’s All Africa Games in Algeria, said he would be happy to build his team with the continental fiesta before the games proper in China.

The Nasarawa coach said he has been using his involvement with the local team to further prepare himself for the task ahead of him in the national team.

"At present, I’m enjoying my job as a coach. This is my second time in the national team as a coach. My first year, I was an assistant coach in the Super Eagles. I was with the team to the last Nations Cup in Egypt and I also helped Nasarawa United picked CAF Champions League ticket.

Now I am in charge of Under-23 team, my dream is to take them to the All Africa Games and to China 2008 and possibly win a gold medal. I have won it as a player and I would like to win it as a coach", he said.

Meanwhile, an international friendly match is on the card between Amokachi's Under-23 Olympic team and their Ghanaian counterparts. The proposed fixture, would come on the bill of Kanu Hearts Foundation, K.H.F, as part of fund raising programmes for the foundation.
Findings revealed that Abuja National Stadium is being proposed as venue for the friendly tie slated to hold on December 13.

Already, the foundation has despatched letters to this effect to Honourable Sports and Social Development Minister, Bala Ka'oje as well as NFA boss, Sanni Lulu Abdullahi, asking for their approval and release of the Abuja National Stadium for the game.

Posted by Publisher at 02:49 PM | Comments (0)

October 14, 2006

Next president ‘ll come from East, says Odili

Gov. Peter Odili of Rivers State has said that with the power of God nothing would make it impossible for the people of former Eastern Region to produce the next President.

By Sun News Publishing
Saturday, October 14, 2006

Addressing party supporters at Hotel Presidential Enugu Wednesday the Presidential aspirant under the platform of PDP who was in Enugu to canvass for supporters said it was the turn of the people of the area to produce the next President of Nigeria “as God’s time has come and having the opportunity to choose the successor of President Obasanjo a great leader Nigeria has ever produced.

Odili said “it was Obasanjo that made it possible to relieve the country of the heavy debt burden that has made it possible for Nigeria to be accepted in the comity of nations and at the same time attract foreign investors”.

He reminded PDP members who came to welcome him not to allow any other political party to take over what rightly belongs to the party and Enugu being the former capital of former Eastern region and since it was the seat of power in those good old days should play important role to ensure that he was nominated at the forthcoming party’s convention.

Odili assured the people that steady power supply; free education and access to good health that should not be for the rich alone would be his priority and urged the people to build a foundation where people would be taken care of.

The Enugu State PDP chairman Chief Onyioha Nwanjoku assured him that God willing he will be the candidate to beat at the convention.
In his entourage was Chief M. T. Mbu, Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd.) Chief Ake and Prof. Ijeoma among others.

Posted by Publisher at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)

October 10, 2006

Corruption: Audu drags EFCC to court

Former Governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu has dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] and its Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu before an Abuja Federal High Court, where he is challenging the allegation of corruption made against him by the commission.

By GODWIN TSA Abuja.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu

This is coming as indigenes of Kogi State have charged the EFCC to retract its claims of alleged corrupt practices levelled against the former governor.

The anti-graft commission declared Prince Audu wanted over corrupt related offences he allegedly committed during his tenure as the executive governor of the State. But in the suit which was filed by his counsel, Chief Wole Olanikpekun [SAN], the former governor is challenging the power of the EFCC to carry out its investigative power retroactively.
He is contending that he had completed his tenure before the enabling Act of EFCC was passed.

In addition, the suit is challenging the power of the commission to investigate the ex-governor’s activities, which he carried out while in office and was covered by Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, which conferred immunity on him.

Specifically, the Originating Summon asked the court to determine “whether the defendants have the jurisdiction, power and authority to investigate any alleged act of conspiracy, abuse of office, official corruption, theft of government property and money laundering against the plaintiff while he was governor of Kogi State between May 1999 and May 2003.”

It also stated that since the “particular offences allegedly committed were before the creation of the first defendant, EFCC, the defendants have no power, jurisdiction to investigate the alleged offences.”
The plaintiff asked the court for a declaration that the letter reference number

CR.3000/EFCC/ABJ/VOL.1/24 dated Sept. 13, 2006 written to the plaintiff by the defendants, inviting plaintiff for interview in respect of alleged offences of conspiracy, abuse of office, official corruption, theft of government property and money laundering is ultra vires, the powers and jurisdiction of the defendants, unconstitutional, null and void.”

Meanwhile, the indigenes, under the auspices of Igala Concerned Citizen (ICC), were reacting to a recent EFCC indictment of some present and past states governors before the Senate.
ICC refuted the claims by the commission that Audu over inflated contracts executed during his tenure and that he was on the run and would soon be extradited.

In a statement by ICC signed by its Chairman, Alhassan Ogwu, said that during his tenure, Audu put in selfless services to the development of Kogi State and the nation at large.
They contended that as a confirmation of his good work and unbeatable record, Audu won seven trophies to his credit and in 2002, he was awarded the best performing governor of the third republic.

“Prince Audu’s legacies and landmark cannot be surpassed, even if all the past administration in Kogi
State are put together” the group said.
They called on the Commission to tender apology to Audu and the State in general and to retract its claims that Audu ran away and would soon be extradited from the United Kingdom.
The group said that Audu had embarked on a trip abroad
specifically on Sept. 4 before an EFCC’s invitation dated September 13, was delivered in his residence on September 14.

“If as at today, all other governors and ex-governors on the so call corruption list of EFCC are still moving freely and no one has been arrested or detained, then for what reasons will Audu run” they said.

“Since he left office about three and half years ago he has been moving around the world freely and come back to meet his teeming supporters and admirers waiting to receive him at the airport,” they added.

The suit has been slated for hearing on Tuesday, October 10 before Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako.

Posted by Publisher at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)

October 08, 2006

Atiku in Lagos, speaks on Fulani warrior’s cap; Recounts Yar’ Adua’s exploits as ‘master strategist'; VP sacked from Privatisation Council

The decision by Vice President Atiku Abubakar to appear at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday in the regalia of a Fulani warrior may have been calculated to make a statement after all.

By CHRISTIAN ITA and CHINWENDU UZOUKWU in Lagos; JAMES OJO in Abuja.
Sunday, October 8, 2006

Speaking exclusively with Sunday Sun at the weekend in Lagos, the Vice President, currently bufetted by allegations of sleaze, dismissed insinuations that he is already overwhelmed.

Asked specifically about the regalia, the vice president laughed and said, “Well, the Yoruba people also have a warrior’s regalia” in what appears a veiled reference to President Olusegun Obasanjo who is the Balogun (generalisimo) of the Owu kingdom.

Earlier at the public presentation of a book, The Writer as Strategist (a compilation of essays on Dele Alake, Lagos State Information Commissioner), Atiku adjudged his late political mentor, late Major General Shehu Yar’ Adua, as the most astute political strategist he has come across in his political life.

Speaking at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), venue of the event, the Vice President said it was Yar’Adua strategy that won the late Chief M.K.O Abiola the presidential ticket of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Jos in 1993.

He said despite working for Abiola’s success at the primary and the election proper, Yar’Adua had predicted that the election would be annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida and the series of events that followed.

“In my political career, one of the greatest strategists I have met is the late Shehu Yar’ Adua who in Jos in 1993 strategised Abiola’s election at the SDP primary in Jos. He also predicted the annulment by Babangida. He predicted what was going to happen after the annulment, that Babangida was going to be forced to step aside. He predicted it all,” he said.

He ranked Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu as second to Yar’ Adua in terms of capacity to read political barometer and make deft moves, while describing Dele Alake as “dependable, straight forward and a man of ideas.”

On his part, the event provided Tinubu with an opportunity to embark on an excursion into the events of 1993, drawing parallel between Atiku’s showing as a formidable presidential aspirant then and his current travails.

First, he rubbished the insinuations from certain quarters that the Vice President’s current troubles are as a result of his unbridled desire to become president.

Tinubu, who said Atiku is not just a strategist but dependable, gave account how the vice president sacrificed his own ambition for MKO Abiola to emerge the presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1993, giving fresh insights into the horse-trading that attended the Jos convention.
The Lagos governor recounted that after stepping down from the primary election to ensure Abiola’s victory in the run-off, Atiku was to be announced as Abiola’s running mate.

“It got to the time he (Atiku) was to be announced as the running mate to M.K.O in Kaduna. Suddenly, they did not make the announcement. The third day Kingibe was announced. If it were another person he would have worked against the ticket. I know Dr. Doyin Abiola (MKO’s wife who was present in the hall Friday) would remember this. Atiku said ‘It is not the end of life. If God says I would be Vice President, I would be one day.’”

Tinubu, who described Alake as the anchor of the media offensive launched by pro-democracy movement against the military dictatorship of General Ibrahim Babaginda then, recounted how he and a few democrats, including Atiku got the senate, which had been disbanded by the military, to convene at a secret location in Lagos and declare the Shonekan-led Interim National Government (ING) illegal.

Describing that incident as one of the most important political coups they hatched together, he said: “ I used Alake to get the old Senate building (in Lagos) ready for us to reconvene the senate in Lagos. That is why each time they talk about somebody stealing the mace I laugh. Mace is the Coat of Arms. So, if you put Coat of Arms on a walking stick, you have mace and that is what we did.” His remarks elicited thunderous laughter and applause from the audience which paraded the cream of the Nigerian journalism.

Alake, he said, is reliable, dependable and a pillar of support once convinced on the justness of a cause.
The chairman of the occasion and former Chief of General Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, spoke in the same vein, adding that Alake is worth celebrating “not because he is a commissioner in Lagos State but because he is a man who has put his best, youthful years in his profession and country.
“We also celebrate him because of his commitment to the well-being of Nigerians. He is an icon, not only of the Nigerian media, but also of the Nigerian politics.”

Meanwhile, the influence of Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the Presidency was Friday further weakened with his sack from the board of National Council on Privatisation [NPC].
Atiku’s reign in NPC was cut short with a two- paragraph letter announcing the dissolution of the governing council with immediate effect.

The dissolution letter signed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation [SGF], Chief Ufot Ekaette, did not say when a new council would be constituted as privatization of government companies was yet to be concluded.

Embattled Atiku had presided over the governing council of the NPC since inception of the Obasanjo administration in 1999.

Atiku is presently at daggers drawn with his boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, over accusations of abuse of office and fraud flying from both camps.
The Vice President had supervised the sales of government enterprises, some which generated controversies, as bidders alleged that his cronies bought over the juicy companies.

Posted by Publisher at 10:49 AM | Comments (0)

October 03, 2006

Fayose may resign this week

Embattled Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose may resign from office this week to escape impeachment.

By ABDULFATAH OLADEINDE
Tuesday, October 3, 2006

This development followed mounting pressures from governors and bigwigs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Twenty four members of the state House of Assembly led by the speaker, Friday Aderemi had last Friday jointly served notices of impeachment on Fayose and his deputy, Mrs Biodun Olujimi for alleged involvement in gross misconduct and abuse of office.

But Governor Fayose accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of coercing the lawmakers into initiating the impeac